Last night I finished the aforementioned Slaughterhouse by Gail Eisnitz. It’s a great book (especially as a companion to Fast Food Nation) that details not only the cruelty to animals in slaughterhouses (and why so-called “humane slaughter” is almost never practiced these days thanks to insanely demanding production rates), but the cruelty to the workers. And unfortunately, that cruelty to workers directly affects the quality of the meat.

For instance, on many pig, chicken, and cow slaughter lines, workers are only given two seven minute breaks in a day. The few available toilets are occupied very quickly and workers often have no choice but to relieve themselves on the floor or on themselves as they work.

I’ll refrain from passing along any of the other gross, inhumane, and digustingly foul information that Eisnitz uncovered during her research for this book and let you pick it up if you’re ready for some stomach-churning reading.

One interesting thing to note is that the word “vegetarian” is never used in the book. Rather, it’s information presented with a minimum of preachiness, leaving the final decision with you as to how to use it.

The other night we tried a Portuguese dish from the Mar/Apr 2001 issue of the Vegetarian Journal. It featured brown rice, lots of tomatoes, somespices, and chickpeas. Interestingly, the dish was baked rather than cooked on the stovetop. The end result was pretty good, though not quite as sharp and flavorful as I had hoped. The chickpeas were a nice touch.

Did you know: one hamburger can contain up to 100 different cows? And that an infected cow (be it with E. coli, or whatever) can infect up to 16 tons of beef? (from Gail Eisnitz’s Slaughterhouse, also quoted as reason number 10 on “101 Reasons Why I’m a Vegetarian“)

The recipe I mentioned a while back was accepted at AllRecipe and should be posted in the next week or so. I’ll post a link here when it’s available.

My first recipe! Whoo-hoo!

I took another look at the Blue Diamond site today and I have to say: for a site about almonds, the almond industry, and relatively unknown products like Almond Milk, it’s an attractive, informative site. All sorts of information about the health benefits of almonds as well as commentary on the current state of the almond crop.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love their chocolate almond milk, and just this week I picked up their vanilla almond milk. I haven’t tried it yet, but if it’s as good as the chocolate is, I’ll be pleased.

High School Student Forced to Apologize After Protesting a Mandatory Assembly for McDonald’s

Sounds like we have a young activist on our hands. During a mandatory assembly, which turned out to be a love-in for McDonald’s, he openly challenged the McDonald’s representative and criticized the company. In return, he was made to apologize and was threatened with a ten day suspension. Be sure to listen to the interview (Real Audio).

The interview is followed a McDonald’s french fries update.

Organically Grown Animal Products: A Good Alternative for Vegans?

Here’s an interesting question: if your primary reason for being vegan is ethical, is it OK to consume organic dairy and egg products?

Virginia Messina raises another question: how do you know what happens to the animals on an organic farm after they can no longer produce eggs or milk? Are they sold to other farms? Factory farms?

Food for thought.

Regina’s Vegetarian Table, as many of you will remember, is one of the few shows I anxiously await each week (though it seems to be off of its normal schedule right now). Right now, Regina has a good article on her web site supporting organic dairy products.

It makes me really happy when I’m in Giant and see what I consider to be an “average American” reach for the organic milk even though it costs a little more rather than the store brand. It’s not just about health (connections have been made between the use of bovine growth hormones and early puberty in children), but about the choice to support sustainable agriculture and farmers that treat their dairy cows humanely.

And it’s easy to find. In Giant, they carry two different brands of organic milk. For a half-gallon, one costs about $3.50 and the other about $2.95. Hopefully more varieties of organic cheeses will become available soon.

The vegan who came to dinner

This good article from philly.com discusses how to handle the situation if one of “those people”—you know… “those vegans”—show up at your barbecue. Well-written.

Last week I picked up some great Garlic and Cilantro salsa by Seeds of Change, a company whose products are 100% organic and non-GMO. In addition to supporting sustainable agriculture, they make some really kick ass salsa! I picked up the spicy variety (there is also a mild of this particular mixture) and let me tell you: it’s hot. Perhaps it’s the fact it has Habenero Peppers. :)

They’ve definitely sold me, though. Next time I need salsa, I’m headed to the health store for some Seeds of Change.