Jorja Fox Joins The HSUS to Help End Dogfighting in Chicago

Category : Animals, Fun Things To Do

I wish I could go to this event but I’ll be off getting some sun in Mexico

  If any of you are in Chicago February 27, please try to attend!  This is a great cause – dogfighting is a disgusting industry.  I’ve seen some pretty disturbing videos.  One thing that stands out is how loyal these dogs are to their owners.  They’ll be put in a ring and told to fight and even while they’re getting their faces ripped a part, they keep wagging their tails as they hear their owners shouting, encouraging them on – in their mind they’re being obedient and they’re pleasing their owners.  It’s extremely depressing

The annual Spotlight Humane gala features dogs, drinks, and fine dining…

Jorja Fox, of the CBS hit crime drama “CSI,” will host the fifth annual Spotlight Humane: Chicagofundraiser at the Hotel Sofitel Water Tower on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

The benefit will support End Dogfighting in Chicago, a program of The Humane Society of the United States. EDC is an innovative, community-based program that works to turn Chicagoans away from dogfighting through street-level intervention, free dog training classes, humane education in Chicago public schools, religious leader outreach, and collaboration with law enforcement.

“As a dog lover, I am honored to be the host of The Humane Society of the United States’ Spotlight Humane: Chicago,” Fox said. “All proceeds from this event benefit the End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign, which reaches directly into high-risk communities. No one else in the country is doing more than The HSUS to end dogfighting.”

Spotlight Humane: Chicagois a festive evening of live music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and extra features, including:

  • A special presentation by HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle
  • The Humane Chicago Awards, presented to those performing outstanding charitable work for animals in the Chicago region
  • Silent and live auctions for items such as Oprah Winfrey Show tickets, trips to sunny getaways and autographed sports memorabilia

 

Spotlight Humane: Chicago
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010
7 p.m. to midnight
Hotel Sofitel – Water Tower
20 East Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60611
To register, please call 866-448-5052 or visit spotlighthumane.org.

Curry Pies

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Category : Recipes

I LOVE curry – literally anything with curry!  Thus, I love veg curry pies!  I saw the recipe for these quite awhile ago but never got around to making them.  A few weeks ago I was in Santa Monica to stopped at the Tudor House for one of their super yummy veg curry pies and I knew I just HAD to make them soon.

So, my pies didn’t look nearly as nice as VeganLovie’s but they tasted amazing!  I don’t know what I did to that dough – although, she did say the photo above are of ones she fried – so maybe that’s whey they’re nice and flaky.  I baked mine and to be honest I was a little confused – she says to bake them for 30 minutes at 180 degrees – that seemed low, but I did it – they were definitely not golden and didn’t seem done, so I cranked it up to 380 and baked them for a bit longer.  I was disappointed that they had a harder crust to them, like a pie crust rather than the flaky crust seen above.  Luckily they still tasted wonderful.  **UPDATE – I realized this recipe came from someone in the UK so if you convert the oven temp to Farenheit it should be 350.

Yesterday I warmed one up in the microwave for lunch at work and it was perfect!  The crust was soft – absolutely perfect!

I made these for Valentine’s Day dinner and made them heart shaped.  Unfortunately I must have accidentally deleted the photo from my blackberry but at least I still have a photo of the delicious mixture before I put it in the dough.

Get the recipe!!  You’ll LOVE it too!  Maybe you’ll have better luck with the dough – although in the end I liked them anyways – especially as left-overs

JASON Apricot Scrubble Wash & Scrub

Category : Beauty

8oz retails for around $7-8

For awhile now I’ve been using this JASON Apricot Scrubble Wash & Scrub every couple of days.  I love that its cleans and exfoliates all in one product and it has a lovely apricot scent.  It is on the rougher side, which is why I only use it every other day or so.  If you have very sensitive skin this would not be the product for you – stick to something gentler.  When you first squeeze it out of the tube its a little thick.  Wet your face and your hands and start mixing it with the water on your hands before applying to your face.  You’ll be left feeling clean and super smooth

Don’t Sweat It

Category : Beauty

So I like to be honest with all of you – the point of me reviewing products is to share my experiences with you so you don’t have to waste your time and money on stuff too.  I originally thought this deodorant was ok, in fact I’m pretty sure I told you I was pleased with it in my previous post.  Sometimes at first I can be a little too optimistic about how a product will be over time.  Anyway, I was completely off!  This stuff is horrid!  It HURTS to apply it – it has a very ROUGH texture which is not pleasant – most noticeably immediately after shaving.  I’ve also noticed that I can smell it on me and I smell like a hippie!  Ok, not to offend anyone, but I’m just not into the smell.  I’m definitely going back to my Pristine Beauty Take a Whiff!  Take a Whiff! is smooth and has a light fruity smell – it’s wonderful – and it lasted me over a year – that was applying it a minimum of once a day sometimes twice!

 

Take A Whiff!® Natural Deodorant

18% of Greenhouse Gases Are From the Meat People Eat!

Category : Food & Beverages

while reading about a future film, Lovemeatender, the producers shared some interesting facts…

Until now, road traffic, fossil fuel and industry have been blamed for global warming and most often the influence of intensive agriculture used for the raising of livestock and other animals has been “passed over”.

However, 18% of greenhouse gases are emitted by livestock and animal farming which is more than air and road transport combined.

Today, demographic trends and increased wealth are creating more demand for meat in the world.  In 2000, 229 million tonnes of meat were comsumed and this is expected to rise to 465 million tonnes in 2050.  India and China are two of the countries showing huge growth in demand…..

Even if it were possible to satisfy this increased demand from around 6 to 8 billion people, which it is not, the impact on our environment would be catastrophic.

Most people are unaware of this and all the economic, ethical and ecological issues that this involves.

Therefore it is imperative that as many people as possible are informed and understand the issues in order to achieve a change of mind-set and behaviour.

Cell Phone & Health

Category : Health

I often think about this – then I go through phases where I only use an earpiece but after awhile it becomes a pain so I stop, but I really need to start again!

From Live Health Club

One of the most common sights we see these days, is that of people with their mobile phones next to their ears. A boon for better communication, cell phone usage nonetheless has many health hazards. Various studies indicate that the emissions from a cell phone can be extremely harmful, causing genetic damage, tumors, memory loss, and increased blood pressure and weakening of the immune system. This is alarming information, and one has to take into account all these factors..

CELL PHONES AND HEALTH
Though there is no evidence of cell phones causing cancer or any such illness, but the suspicion, or fear of the same is not baseless either. The electromagnetic radiation from cell phones does have a potential link to cancer. The fact that this radiation is invisible, intangible, and enters and leaves our bodies without our knowledge makes it even more intimidating.

Possible hazards:
* Two minutes of exposure to emissions from mobile phones can disable a safety barrier in blood causing proteins and toxins to leak into the brain, could increase chances of developing Alzheimer’s multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. (Scientists at Sweden’s Lund University)
* Scientists say exposure to the phones’ low-level radiation causes red blood cells to leak hemoglobin and can lead to heart disease and kidney stones.
* Recent studies suggesting a link between cell-phone use and brain tumors, and the possibility that the microwaves could ignite petroleum fumes at gas stations.
* A cell phone unit, or communications tower, has so many of thee radiation emanating gadgets. This can be a problem for its immediate environment.

Keep reading…

Cayenne Pepper to Warm the Tootsies?

Category : Food & Beverages

 

According to WholeLiving.com, sprinkling cayenne pepper in your socks will help warm your toes by increasing circulation…hmm, I find this very interesting.  Due to my constant cold feet in the winter I suppose it is worth a try even though it is a little odd

The HSUS Launches New Line of Natural, Organic Pet Food

Category : Animals, Food & Beverages

I’m SO EXCITED for this new line of dog food to come out!  Winston is going to love it and I’ll love the peace of mind knowing that not only is this food organic and good for him but 6% of the wholesale price will go to the Humane Society of the US!  I completely trust this organization.   Their stamp of approval on this food means a lot and I’m happy knowing that part of the profits will be going to a very important cause.

‘Humane Choice’ brand to be sold at PETCO, Whole Foods (in NY & NJ), and other stores

Selecting a high-quality pet food is one of the most important decisions a pet parent can make. To celebrate pets, The Humane Society of the United States announces the nationwide launch of a cruelty-free, all natural and certified organic “Humane Choice” dog food. The HSUS developed this new product to offer consumers a wholesome and nutritious dog food that does not contain animal-based proteins or support the factory farming industry. 

Consumers have become more aware of the quality and humane standards of their pet’s food after the recent pet food adulteration scandals, massive pet food recalls, and the increased exposure of inhumane factory farming practices. The HSUS’ new Humane Choice dog food is nutritionally complete and balanced, contains the finest quality organic plant-based ingredients and meets the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials for adult dog food. The food was not tested on laboratory animals, is cruelty-free and does not contain any fats or proteins derived from animals.

“Americans are concerned about the food we eat, and it just makes sense that we’d be concerned about the food we provide to our pets,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS. “Humane Choice is a nutritious, environmentally friendly and ethically responsible food for our best friends. Every bag of Humane Choice helps us celebrate the pets we love, and provides us with additional resources to help animals through our programs.”

The Humane Choice dog food is currently available in several independently owned pet supply stores and at PETCO.com and will soon be on store shelves at selected PETCO locations and selected Whole Foods locations in New Jersey and New York. More PETCO and Whole Foods locations will carry Humane Choice in the spring. The HSUS will receive 6 percent of the wholesale price of each 6.6-pound bag sold and will use the funds in its programs to provide spaying and neutering and other veterinary care for animals, to rescue animals from natural disasters and cruelty cases, to conduct undercover investigations of animal abuse and more.

Humane Choice is produced by a USDA Organic-certified grower and manufacturer in Uruguay. The family-owned and operated business has been growing grains and vegetables and making and exporting organic and vegetarian dog food for many years. Humane Choice does not contain corn, dairy, artificial coloring, wheat, wheat gluten, animal-based protein, or ingredients produced by genetic engineering.

For more information on Humane Choice dog food, click here.

Chicago’s New Eco-Friendly Beer

Category : Food & Beverages

A friend just shared with me that Goose Island just came out with Green Line Pale Ale!  I’m so happy to see this local Chicago company doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint and use less packaging.  I’m not a beer drinker but for those of you that are, you’ll have to give this a try!  As of now it’s only available on draft in the Chicago area.

Goose Island debuts new brew with hint of green

By: David Sterrett Jan. 29, 2010

(Crain’s) — Goose Island Beer Co. plans to unveil a new Green Line Pale Ale on Monday to highlight its drive to create a more environmentally friendly brewing business.

The lighter American pale ale will be the Chicago-based brewer’s 26th beer and will be available at 50 restaurants and bars throughout the area, CEO John Hall said.

“It’s a little hoppy, but it’s something we feel most people will feel comfortable drinking,” Mr. Hall said. “It’s really a statement of our company’s values and connecting with people.”

He said a group of employees suggested the brewery try to reduce its carbon footprint. The new brew will only be featured in kegs to try to eliminate the need for glass bottles.

Mr. Hall said the brewer wants to continue to use less water to produce the beer, and hopes to continually improve the process in the coming years.

The beer will likely appeal to those looking to try a new brew or people who are passionate about the environment, said Darren Tristano, an executive vice-president at Technomic Inc., a Chicago-based food and beverage consultant.

“It’s a very narrow niche of people they are going after, but it will be good for their brand,” Mr. Tristano said. “It’s a good move because it helps differentiate your brand. We have seen a trend toward companies being more environmentally friendly, but unfortunately it comes at a cost, and the trend has slowed in the last year.”

The beer will be launched at restaurant Uncommon Gound in Edgewater on Monday night.

Ask President Obama to Back USDA’s Rules for Organic Milk

Category : Food & Beverages

From ASPCA…send the email – I did!

U.S. demand for organic milk has increased as much as 30% in the last few years. However, contrary to popular belief, the lives of “organic” dairy cows are often no different from those of their non-organic counterparts. Instead of the lush green pastures depicted in commercials and on milk cartons, an estimated 30-40% of the nation’s organic milk supply comes from large factory farms. Many of the largest organic dairies in the country confine their cows in barns and/or dry lots, which are simply dirt pens. These cows never see a blade of grass in their lives.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) already requires that organic dairy cows be allowed to graze in pastures, but the loophole in this regulation is so large that enforcement has proved hopeless. However, there is good news on the horizon: the USDA has proposed rules to better enforce existing requirements and ensure that organic dairy farms graze their cows rather than confine them.

The proposed regulations are awaiting the approval of the President’s Office of Management and Budget, which is apolitical and not influenced by public pressure. The best way to make your voice heard is to contact President Obama himself and urge him to champion the USDA’s new regulations to his budget office. A decision could be made any day, so please visit aspca.org/USA to send an email to the White House asking the President to take this small step to address the public’s concerns about where “organic” milk comes from. You may also call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111.