SoulVeggie

Mad Cowboy Newsletter, Discounts for Holiday Vegan Pizza Cookbook

The latest issue of the Mad Cowboy Newsletter is now available online with a Holiday Discounts for purchased copies (autographed) of the 1st Vegan Pizza Cookbook, "Heart Healthy Pizza." Check out the discounts for 1 to 4 copies of the book at this link.

Here's the Introduction and Table of Contents to this edition:

"In this edition we are proud to announce the winners of last issue's Vegan Mind-Bender Contest and the Heart Healthy Pizza Cookbook Giveaway. There's also a gift-link for readers who want to purchase autographed copies of "Heart Healthy Pizza" at a Special Holiday discount. You'll also find a scathing and detailed rebuke of the "Paleo Diet" by Dr. John McDougall, disturbing historical statistics on soda and food serving sizes, and learn about internal concerns about outside food corporation's influence on Registered Dieticians.

Francis Moore Lappe weighs in with a fine rebuttal on the recent Stanford study that disses organics, Paul Shapiro on why meat consumption in the US is falling, what several vegan nutritional experts think about specific food products, and how a vegan first ran a 100 mile brutal ultramarathon. Further down you'll marvel at a recent Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness that essentially equates humans and animals, how SHARK is using drones to video illegal pigeon shoots, Hurricane Sandy's impact on companion animals, and about the "microflora" inside you. And don't miss our Vegan Digital Media Theater where there's a plethora of interesting media links.

 ... as always, a tip of the hat to our new subscribers: y'all can browse/search through past issues at the Mad Cowboy Newsletter Archives at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/

Best regards, Mark MC editor/webmaster

 

Table of Contents:

00: Quote(s) from Howard

01: The Vegan Mind-Bender Contest Winner/Challenge!

02: Heart Healthy Pizza Cookbook Winner & a Special Holiday Discount!

03: Mad Cow Info Round-Up

04: Paleo Diet Cruel, Soda & Food Serving Sizes, Dietician Dilemma

05: 15,000 Weather Records, Reckless Organics Study, Seasonal Food Map

06: Vegan Digital Media Theater

07: Giving Up Meat, Meat Sales Fall, Veg. Nutrition Experts, Run 100 Miles

08: Human=Animals, Animal Rights Drones, Sandy & Pets, Bugs Inside U

09: Quick Bytes

10: Closing Thoughts

 

Photos: "Vegucated," VSDC, and Compassion for Animals Event

Gary Loewenthal, of "Compassion for the Animals" Introduces the Veducated Documentary

One of the "perks" of having self-published my own cookbook, is that I make the decisions on whom to give complimentary copies to. I enjoy donating autographed copies for worthy causes (any other groups listening?). It's even more enjoyable when I can attend the event itself, meet with the raffle winners, and also get to know a bunch of people interested in a plant-based diet.

The Vegetarian Society of DC (via MeetUp) and Compassion for Animals sponsored a free showing of the marvelous documentary "Vegucated" this recent Sunday in Arlington, VA. I was fortunate enough to be in the DC area and have the time to stop packing for my trip back home for the Winter, to thoroughly enjoy this film with around 120 or more other people. Particularly cool, since I'm a life member of VSDC and haven't been around much the past several years (da Farm and creating/writing the book!).

Moreover, "Vegucated" is an impressive piece of work (and everyone involved should be highly commended for a 1st class effort). Writer/Director/Editor Marisa Miller Wolfson selects three people who've responded to her Craig's List Ad in New York, to be filmed as they go "vegan" for a month.  Impressively staged and photographed, the personal growth and understanding of the participants was wonderful to watch evolve over time.  Moments of humor over what to eat were laced with the horror of these people beginning to understand more about the terrible way animals are being treated as they are raised and then slaughtered for food (the later was not a major emphasis and shouldn't defer bringing impressionable children to view the documentary, imho).  This film covers statistics, medical information, helpful hints, and gives real insight to what veganism is (and isn't).  One of the best films I've seen in awhile that takes on the issue of being vegan, activism, and watching the growth of these three individuals was at times, riveting.

Kudos also go to VSDC and C4A for their dedication, hard work, and the incredible array of food and munchies available. The Arlington Library location had a superb parking facility and a fine room in which to meet, mingle, and watch. As Howard Lyman's webmaster and special projects guy (Howard wrote the Foreward to my book), it was also an unexpected delight to see him featured towards the end of this clever and very effective documentary. Highly recommended!  Much more enjoyable to watch with like (and soon to be like?) minds and such great company.  For me, a special end to several months of healing from an injury (staying in the DC area), and being able to return to marketing my cookbook a few months ago.  The experience gave me a lot to think about and I thoroughly loved the people interactions. A special event, a special film, and a special group of people.  Couldn't ask for much more (well, a few more of those evil vegan cupcakes...).

Here's some of the photographs I shot that night as a thumbnail matrix with imbedded links.  Enjoy!

Mad Cowboy Newsletter, Official Pizza, & Free Cookbook Giveaway

The latest Mad Cowboy Newsletter was posted shortly before Memorial Day weekend.  You can read the entire issue at this address:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/message/96

Note:  I've posted the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza recipes (& photos) and there's a free giveway of my cookbook, "Heart Healthy Pizza" detailed in this edition of the newsletter.

Here's the Intro & Table of Contents:

-------

Howdy! Welcome to the 73rd issue of the Mad Cowboy Newsletter!

In this special issue, we have two contests! The periodic Vegan Mind-Bender Contest (for a year's subscription of VegNews), and today, a free giveaway of the very 1st vegan pizza cookbook: "Heart Healthy Pizza." There's also a link to where you can view the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza recipe, obtain more information about this book, and order an autographed copy of same.

Reading further, learn about some new and very large studies indicating that consumption of red meat not only increases mortality from degenerative diseases, but from strokes as well. There's information on a unique court case where the judge is assessing liability for potential damage to the Earth's atmosphere for future generations, the environmental impact of eating shrimp vs. beef, the brewing eco-storm, continued warnings about too much salt, and take action against the collective evils of Monsanto.

Moving onward, among other matters, you can contact the FDA about animal testing, see the difference between PR spending between the Meat Industry and Veg-related Organizations, know about the controversial "Vegan is Love" book, how to be vegan inexpensively, FARM's mobile activism, and how to be a hero by what you eat.

And don't miss our "Vegan Digital Media Theater" featuring video of Dr. Esselstyn, President Clinton, vegan ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, and others of note.

... as always, a tip of the hat to our new subscribers: y'all can browse/search through past issues at the Mad Cowboy Newsletter Archives at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/

Best regards, Mark   MC editor/webmaster

***********************************************
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00: Quote(s) from Howard
01: The Vegan Mind-Bender Contest Winner/Challenge!
02: Mad Cowboy Pizza Recipe & Heart Healthy Pizza Book Giveaway Contest
03: Mad Cow Info Round-Up
04: Red Meat=Mortality=Strokes, Hold the Salt
05: Judging the Atmosphere, Shrimp vs. Beef, Eco-Storm, Evil Monsanto
06: Vegan Digital Media Theater
07: Tell FDA No Testing, Meat vs Veg Ad$$, Mobile Activist Video
08: "Vegan is Love," Cheaply Vegan, Be a Hero by What You Eat
09: Quick Bytes
10: Closing Thoughts

MC Newsletter: Msg. from Howard, Heart Healthy Pizza, Pink Slime

The Intro and TOC:

"Howdy!  Welcome to the 72nd issue of the Mad Cowboy Newsletter.

Today we've got a special end-of-the-year letter from Howard, and an announcement about the new "Heart Healthy Pizza" cookbook (with a Foreward by Howard).

In this edition of the newsletter, you'll learn about the prolific and knowledgeable Dr. Greger's new website, "NutritionFacts" with superb short videos on scores of topics.  There's also information in this issue about which food companies are spending the most on lobbying Congress, a new report on the state of America's Heart Health, and how a very large study indicates that vegetables and fruits significantly lower your risk of strokes.

Reading further, find out about the world's "toughest woman" (hint: she's vegan), see a video of former President Clinton discussing his vegan diet, find out what vegan Ellen Degeneres is up to, and  the stats in a recent survey by the Vegetarian Resource Group on the number of vegans in the United States.  Monsanto has some serious problems, cows contribute much more to Global Climate Change than previously thought, the movie "Farmageddon" is screened on Capitol Hill, crows have a "danger" tool, and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act is being legally challenged.

As usual, there's an abundance of new items in the Mad Cow Info Round-Up ("Pink Slime?") and lots to see and hear in the Vegan Digital Media Theater.

... as always, a tip of the hat to our new subscribers:  y'all can browse/search through past issues at the Mad Cowboy Newsletter Archives at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/
Wishing all readers a bountiful, exciting, and rewarding New Year!

Best regards, Mark    MC editor/webmaster
[Note: have posted draft Table of Contents and Recipe Index for "Heart Healthy Pizza" at:

http://www.hearthealthypizza.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• 00: A Special Holiday Message from Howard
• 01: The Vegan Mind-Bender Contest Winner/Challenge!
• 02: Announcing the "Heart Healthy Pizza" Cookbook
• 03: Mad Cow Info Round-Up
• 04: NutritionFacts, Food Lobbying, US Heart Health, Lower Strokes
• 05: Toughest Woman, Vegan Clinton, Ellen's Site, No. of US Vegans
• 06: Vegan Digital Media Theater
• 07: Monsanto Bugged, New Cow Gas Stats, Food/2011, Farmageddon
• 08: Corp./Animal Rights, Swine Case, Crow Tools, AETA Challenged
• 09: Quick Bytes
• 10: Closing Thoughts

Direct Link to the New Issue:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/message/95

Clip: USDA Recalls 96,000 lbs. of Tainted Beef from One Family

[From The Onion News Network]

Butterfly Effects & Animal Rights

A friend is going through a major transition in life, from intense animal rights activist, to a full-time job with an organization devoted to helping mentoring children.  Not an easy change in personal lifestyle, but no less worthy than the prior work.

Let me explain.  As activists, we can get involved in pretty intense, physically demanding, and emotionally involving work.  By our very nature, we throw ourselves into these efforts in the faith and belief that we can help make a change.  It can be all-consuming in process and alienate ourselves from both friends and family.  This can also precipitate internal self doubt: "what the hell am I doing??"

What we sometimes miss, in the final attempted analysis, is that we can't always know the results of our efforts.  Correspondingly, we can't always know if it's the subtle or quiet act we make or do in life that has a significant impact versus that which involves a lot of fire, smoke, and action.

Several years ago I met a man with "Turban" & my interaction with him (blogged about here) taught me an important lesson in life.  Has to do with the concept of "faith."

You canNOT know, in advance, what impact any action you take or make will have, ultimately.  The ripples of impact through space/time are not predictable.  At best, you can have the highest moral and spiritual motivation behind EVERY action or motion you make, take, or think.  No other conclusion makes any sense.  Butterfly-effect in full force.  We move energy, by thought & action, and this is an inescapable reality.

To my new friend regarding working with an organization helping children: who knows what impact the seeds you'll help plant will grow? These children deserve, at minimum, as much attention as AR groups give poor Factory Farmed Animals. In a real sense, are not these kids being "factory farmed" by a negligent & mentally/emotionally inept political system as well?  Who knows what wonderful accomplishments will be effectived by even one child helped?

There is nothing wrong with helping humans survive and thrive, and in fact, I wish more animal rights "activists" remembered this. They sometimes seems so focused on "animal" issues as to forget "human health" issues. I sometimes weary of them providing ridiculously unhealthy recipes ("Oh, but they ARE vegan") with the cavlier attitude that the "ends justifies the means, and it's for the animals." They are helping contribute to salt, fat, & sugar taste addictions.  My particular issue: heart healthy humans.  Does this make me an animal rights activist?  On some cognitive levels, yes.

We are ALL activists to some degree.  It's just that some of us recognize it consciously, and focus that flow.  But in effect, we are activists whether we want to be or not.  Every interaction, action, motion, thought, affects (activates) the system.  Humans are animals, or rather, animals include humans. In a real sense, any efforts towards helping "humans" and "animals" (sometimes it's absurd to assume a distinction between the two) is an animal rights effort (sorry, won't go into the silly "welfare" issue here).

What I do know is that we have to live our lives at the highest standards we can, and trust/have faith that we are doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people we can.  We pick and choose our causes as vegan activists, and all should be respected.  More importantly, we may never know the ultimate results of our efforts, but at least we strive towards a better world for all animals.

Including us.

 

Twitter: @solveggie

 

Sen. Robert Byrd: From Meat Cutter to Animal Rights

It's surprising that more people don't recognize Sen. Byrd's consistent support of animal rights.  I've listened to a couple of obits today (he died early this morning) and they talk about his many votes, earmarks, belonging to the KKK when young, knowledge of the constitution, yadda... the talking heads and pseudo-journalists have missed out on what I think is one of the more fascinating aspects of this complex and unique man.  I first realized his animal rights perspective when editing footage of the "Mad Cowboy Documentary."  There he was, raising the issue of factory farming and how awful and cruel it is.

I'm pressed for time (contract, vegetable garden, cookbook) otherwise I'd dig up and post that footage, but here's a nice summary of his efforts from PETA naming him "Person of the Year" way back in 2007:

"Senator Who Was Once a Meat Cutter Praised for Giving Animals a Voice:"

"Washington:  For his passionate defense of animals throughout six decades of public service, Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) has today been named PETA's Person of the Year. The senior senator, who was a meat cutter in his youth, has evolved into a tireless advocate for improving legal protection for animals, including animals who are slaughtered for food. The following are a few of Byrd's many efforts in behalf of animals:

* When the Michael Vick scandal broke, Byrd made a stirring 24-minute speech on the Senate floor condemning dogfighting as "barbaric."

* In a hearing to determine how to prevent a reoccurrence of 2007's massive pet-food recall that may have killed hundreds of cats and dogs, Byrd said, "Our pets are our companions, our soul mates, and our hedge against emotional turmoil."

* In 2005, Byrd coauthored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which prohibits the transport, purchase, and sale of horses for human consumption. The bill was publicly supported by PETA ally and singer Willie Nelson. Byrd also introduced a bill that would prohibit the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros.

* In 2002, Byrd led an effort to convince the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $5 million--a record amount--for improving enforcement of the Humane Slaughter Act.

* In 2001, Byrd gave a moving oration in defense of a bill addressing cruelty to farmed animals, saying, "Our inhumane treatment of livestock is becoming widespread and more and more barbaric. Six-hundred-pound hogs--they were pigs at one time--raised in 2-foot-wide metal cages called gestation crates, in which the poor beasts are unable to turn around or lie down in natural positions, and this way they live for months at a time. ... These creatures feel; they know pain. They suffer pain just as we humans suffer pain."

"Sen. Byrd is never shy about making his strong belief in the importance of animal protection heard," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "Much animal suffering has been alleviated thanks to Sen. Byrd, and this year we are proud to honor him for giving a voice to the voiceless."

Rest in peace, Senator.  You had one helluva run and you were, at the end, the epitomy of "Amazing Grace."

Video: "The Price of Nothing" & the "$200 Hamburger"

Intriguing 4 min. clip with author Raj Patel about taking into account the actual cost of a $4 American Hamburger.  Raises a lot of important issues and it's an eye-opener. More about his work and related issues upcoming.

The New "Meatrix" Interactive Website!

"With factory farming threatening to take over the world, the crime fighting superheroes of The Meatrix are off on an extended mission, redoubling their efforts to spread the word.  The new Meatrix site and Meatrix Presentation Kit offer free movies, buttons, stickers, postcards, magnets and lots and lots of informative handouts on issues ranging from food safety to slaughterhouse practices.

“Obviously, we prefer to use diplomacy in our efforts to educate the public,” Moopheus told reporters, at a press conference this morning at United Nations Plaza in New York.  “Yeah, diplomacy is good,” Moopheus’s sidekick Leo added, “but we’ll do whatever it takes to stop these monstrosities.”

The above edited from here.  Check out the New Meatrix website here.  Definitely worth a glom (especially the interactive 360 degree pieces).

Michael Pollan/Alicia Silverstone on Oprah TODAY

From Allison at future-works.com:

"Hi Mark,

I noticed you're a conscious food enthusiast and also previously posted about the documentary "Food, Inc." so I thought you'd want to know about Thursday's Oprah Winfrey Show that focuses on conscious eating.

Part of the Best of Oprah series, this encore broadcast takes a look at the thought-provoking and controversial documentary "Food, Inc." Oprah sits down with food guru and best-selling author Michael Pollan, who appears in the film and has been studying and writing about what we eat for more than twenty years.

Oprah also chats with Chipotle Mexican Grill founder, Steve Ells, to find out how he created the healthiest chain of fast-food restaurants. And finally, actress Alicia Sivlerstone shares how changing her diet changed her life!

Be sure to check your local listings for the time this entertaining show will air.

Thanks so much and please feel free to share with your readers!

-Allison"