Photo: Strut Your Mutt

Today, we’re back home in NYC. Mariann’s animal law classes have started, and Jasmin has given up coffee. We also have some exciting announcements from here in Our Hen House!

Joining us today is long-time animal law guru, Steve Wise, who will talk to us all about the Non-Human Rights Project.

Henrietta by David Mamet, Illustrated by Elizabeth Dahlie

In our review section, we’ll be reviewing the book Henrietta, by David Mamet – which follows the story of a pig who wants to go to law school.

All that, some vegan banter, and of course, current events from the world of animal rights.

This week’s news items include:

• “Where’s the Beet?” from Time Magazine
• “Weekday Vegetarians” from Time Magazine
• “Food Fight” from Utne Reader
• “Vegan Anyone?” from NPR

“The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but rather, “Can they suffer?” -Jeremy Bentham

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Picture from Henrietta by David Mamet, Illustrated by Elizabeth Dahlie

All too often, it can seem so unattainable to translate a brilliant idea into a successful business, but Ella proves that with some creative thinking, it’s possible. She’s a regal vegan who took her talent, then added some training, ingenuity and old-fashioned elbow grease (plus a little help from her friends on Facebook), and voilà, her activism became her career, one compassionate bite at a time.

Plus, how can you go wrong with something called faux gras? It’s a cruelty-free alternative to foie gras, which literally means “fat liver” — no kidding! — and is made by force-feeding geese and ducks through a tube.

The Regal Vegan herself agreed to share her story with us.

***

Our Hen House: When did you become vegan, and can you tell us a bit about your journey getting there?

Ella Nemcova: My journey to become vegan started with an actual journey. In 2005, I left my career for a year-long, Eat Pray Love-style trip around the world. When I returned, I underwent a strict gluten-free vegan cleanse. I had seen so much of the world thrive without eating animals, it suddenly seemed possible. I was exposed to so many amazing dishes that were animal-free; in India, Asia, even in Russia and Italy. Then on my cleanse I cut out everything except fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts and seeds. I cooked and experimented till I had a book full of amazing recipes inspired by my travels. I was also doing lots of yoga and really felt that mind/body connection. I felt great and thought, why would I eat any other way again?

I soon went through training as a Holistic Health Counselor, and started doing workshops about healthy eating. I teach people from all walks of life how easy (and economical) it is to eat healthy. Essentially, I was presenting a “plant-based diet” but not calling it vegan, which is the acme of this diet.

OHH: Did you always know you wanted to work veganism into your career? What other jobs did you have before The Regal Vegan?

EN: I used to work in advertising – I watched how big business sold horrible, artificial things to people and thought, wow — if only we could use our persuasive powers to do good instead of selling corn syrup, chemicals, and false “good ingredients.” I knew I needed to do something with a conscience, but I didn’t know what yet.

OHH: When did you first get involved in vegan activism?

EN: It’s funny, Rory Freedman is the sister of one of my dearest friends, and we would hang out and cook together because, naturally, the three of us love to eat. She was the first person I ever veganized my recipes for. I remember hearing her rant about veganism and thinking it was so extreme. I was eating organic, very low on the food chain, and had started doing vegan cleanses a few times a year, but I couldn’t quite go all the way. When I did that cleanse after returning from my soul-seeking journey, something clicked. A lot of what Rory said resonated. For one thing — you feel SO GOOD eating this way! (Especially when you stick to non-GMO soy and whole foods). Not only in the body, but in your conscience. The concept of Ahimsa became clear to me. Hurting people is violence. And eating animals is violence. To boot, it is severely violent to our one, precious planet.

I knew that my path to vegan activism had to come from a different place than most activists. Preaching ascetism wouldn’t work for the majority, and we need as many people as possible to stop abusing, torturing and eating animals. My marketing background had showed me that to get converts, you had to build a bridge to non-vegans. A delicious bridge. My mission became to make vegan food not only more accessible, but ridiculously delicious. Honor people and their palates. Then give them a pamphlet.

www.theregalvegan.com

OHH: How did you get the idea for Faux Gras? Why did you choose this name for the product?

EN: I had been making this “walnut lentil paté” based on ones I had tried, and I started to experiment. I wanted to make something more akin to the kinds of foods I ate growing up in a Russian-Jewish household. I was running the Regal Vegan catering business, so I got to experiment all the time. I  started making this paté as part of an elegant 3-course dish called “The Anastasia,” which is a Russian-Princess-inspired dish. My clients raved about it, and got me thinking that I needed to make this available to more people. The name choosing was a modern-day phenomenon; I asked a bunch of friends on Facebook to help me come up with a name. When I saw the words “Faux Gras,” I knew we were done.

OHH: Please tell us how you brought this product to market. Many of us have good ideas for products or services, but it seems too complicated and expensive to actually make it happen.

EN: Since I was already catering, I was familiar with some of the requirements of the food business. However, food manufacturing is quite different. So, I took classes, read articles, asked everyone I knew, and read everything I could. I went to a few shops in my neighborhood where I was a regular customer, and asked if they would be interested in selling it. Also, I shared tables with other food manufacturer friends at food markets just to see how it would sell. Once I saw the reaction, I booked a shift in an incubator kitchen and made a big batch. I brought it to stores, followed up, and started exhausting my credit card to cover the start-up costs.

OHH: What plans do you have for The Regal Vegan in the future?

EN: I’m developing a killer new spread for now (should be out by Christmastime!) and am laying the plans to bring a whole line of decadent vegan foods to market. I keep toying with the idea of a storefront, but in the meantime, more Regal Vegan products are coming your way. I’ll be looking for royal tasters too, if anyone is interested.

Thanks, Ella. And, yes, we are interested!

***

On today’s episode, we come to you from Sag Harbor, where we’re grateful that we have family right by the beach. Joining us today is animal rights lawyer Carter Dillard, who will talk to us about everything from the organization he co-founded – Four Feet Forward — to litigating on behalf of animals, to human overpopulation.

In our review section, we’ll be discussing a new animal rights themed novel called The Tourist Trail, by John Yunker. If you’re like us, you’ll want to eat this book up, which is fine, since it’s vegan.

All that, some vegan banter, and of course, current events from the world of animal rights.

This week’s news items include:

• “Eat an Apple (Doctor’s Orders)”
• “The Ugliest Catch”
• “Eggs Recalled After Outbreaks”
• “Vegans ‘Significantly Less Polluted’”

“The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest.” -Henry David Thoreau

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: The Tourist Trail

On today’s episode, we come to you from Big Sur, California where we are searching for good food, breathless from the scenery, and trying to weed out an offensive word from Jasmin’s vocabulary.

Joining us today is animal and environmental lawyer, David Cassuto, who will talk to us about some of the intersections between those overlapping areas.

In our review section, Kyle Knies – a California boy himself – will give us the skinny on faux gras (and we really mean faux gras).

All that, some vegan banter, and of course, current events from the world of animal rights.

This week’s news items include:

• “Inside the Minds of Animals” – Time Magazine
• “Farmers Lean to Truce on Animals’ Close Quarters” – The New York Times

“California, California… such a wonder that I think I’ll stay in bed.” –Rufus Wainwright

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

“As well as being a vegetarian business, we also strive to be a socially responsible small business. We like the challenge of thinking of social, environmental, and ethical solutions to the challenges owning a business presents. Examples of ways in which we are proud to be a socially responsible business include:

• As much of the produce as possible is from local farms and not large corporatized health food conglomerates. This not only supports a local economy and community, but it also saves fossil fuels (because food is not shipped as far) and supports independent small farmers. We believe eating local (first) and organic (second) is the single best political action we can take, as it’s a way of voting with our dollars several times a day.
• By using reusable food storage containers (which are sterilized every week), we save the waste accumulated from disposable take-out containers.
• Each week’s menu sheet is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. We can also e-mail you your menu sheet instead of putting a copy in your bag.
• We advertise in progressive and local publications, like Inside Out (The Hudson Valley’s gay and lesbian magazine), and The Nation (we love The Nation!).
• All paper products and cleaning products are recycled, biodegradable and/or all natural.
• All kitchen scraps are composted (we love our Earth Machine!), and all leftover food is fed to hungry musician friends, never thrown away.
• All kitchen towels are washed in my bicycle-powered washing machine.
• We believe that by actively striving to authentically cook the food of many peoples from around the world we are combating the isolationist politics that so often grips our country. Seriously!”

The service is run by Lagusta herself (and yes, that’s her real name). This might’ve been my favorite part of the website: “I went to cooking school (the Natural Gourmet Cookery School Chef’s Training Program in New York City), but hierarchical restaurant world is a little too much for a feministy woman like me.”

Oh, Lagusta, it’s like I know you…

If you’re in New York (parts of upstate as well as the city), you might want to ask for Lagusta Luscious for your next birthday gift.

(Actually, my birthday is October 30, if anyone is feeling generous…)

And if you’re not in New York, well first of all, why the heck not?, and second of all, starting a vegan meal delivery service like this one may just be the sine qua non of foodtivism.

In today’s episode, we come to you from the City by the Bay, San Francisco. We’ll start by telling you about our vegan adventures and misadventures, including some a tale of delicious cruelty-free Japanese food, and a rather disturbing  stuffed animal story.

We will be joined today by Zoe Weil from the Institute for Humane Education. Zoe, who was just inducted into the Animal Rights Hall of Fame, will talk all about humane education, as well as what it really means to do the most good and least harm.

In our news section, we will tell you about a group of cattlemen who are having some issues with a recent audit of their spending.  We’ll also discuss why conflicted meat-eaters deny that animals have the capacity to suffer. And we’ll discuss the vegan fare at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.

In our review section, we will give you our impressions of the new film, Chow Down, which follows three people with severe heart disease who have decided to make some serious and necessary lifestyle changes. And trust me, you’ll be batting for them.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Used with permission (http2007) through a Creative Commons License.

brodysbakery.com

Turns out that’s the only word I could use to describe it. I emailed Katie Olson, the founder and baker, saying that, on the off-chance that she was up for it, I’d love to meet her and take some photos of her bakery for my blog. Katie returned my email with a phone call only moments later. After being awestruck and flattered that she follows Our Hen House (that always feels good), I learned that the woman behind Brody’s Bakery is just as sweet as Lynn said her concoctions were. Katie told me that she doesn’t have a storefront so there was nothing really for me to photograph (they do most of their business either online or at local K.C.-area establishments), but, she asked, would it be okay if she dropped off some baked goods for me and my family?

WOULD IT BE OKAY?! Why yes, we can manage that, no problem. (OMG!!!!!!)

The next day, Katie and her mom, Sally, brought us a smorgasbord of vegan deliciousness. I soon learned that Lynn was right: the food was delectable.

brodysbakery.com

The pistachio cupcakes (left) were the overall winner.  They had a dollop of icing, complete with a cherry on top, and their moistness was unmatched by any other baked good I’ve had.

The twinkies (pictured above) had me skeptical at first, since they were gluten-free, and I’ve had my share of icky, tasteless, GF foods. But Katie’s little yellow creme-filled cake proved my assumptions wrong. Though they weren’t a complete throw-back to my 1985-twinkie-craze, they were scrumptious in their own right.

Giving the pistachio cupcakes a run for their sugar were the rocky road cookies. The only unfortunate part about these cookies are that I don’t have them in front of me RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Unlike my comments about the twinkies, the cookies were indeed a blast from the past. I suddenly remembered many-a-day when I’d sink into rocky road ice cream. In cookie form — and in vegan form! — Brody’s Bakery rocky road cookies are a must if you are planning an order. Which I hope you are, because 1)you have got to try these for yourself, and 2)Katie is a remarkable individual who has devoted her life to making the world a better place, one compassionate concoction at a time.

In addition to the satisfaction that comes from indulging in a healthier, delicious sweet snack like the ones from Brody’s Bakery, the satisfaction that comes from knowing it is ethically-sourced, cruelty-free, and brought to you by a small, family-run operation feels pretty good. And, hats off to Katie Olson for making delicious vegan food widely available. Food activism is a delicious thing. Furthermore, products from Brody’s Bakery are available at several chain grocery stories in the Kansas City area, as well as at an amusement park.

10 brownie points for Kansas City. And 10 more since the brownies are vegan.

Photo pictured at top of blog: Courtesy Lynn Chen and The Actor’s Diet

In today’s episode, we will tell you about our upcoming vegan filled trip to the West Coast, some new one-of-a-kind arty tote bags that will benefit Our Hen House, and lots more about what’s new and good here in Veganland.

Joining us today will be best-selling vegan cookbook author, Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Isa will talk about everything from her upcoming book, to the changing scene of veganism, to palm oil.

In our news section, we’re talking about a lot of bull – bullfighting in Catalonia, and bull-riding and other rodeo horrors in Santa Cruz. Plus, we’ll tell you about a cool new movie that’s full of heart.

In our review section, we will give you our thoughts on a blast-from-the-past animated film with a message – Chicken Run.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Chicken Run

buttonmakers.net

Regardless of my reasonings for craving a vinyl-headed, soft-bodied dollie, I am now reminded of my unrelenting yearning. That’s because of my most current craving: a button maker. And I want one real bad. Like, Cabbage Patch bad.

During my recent trip to Portland for the Let Live Conference, I met the folks at Buttonmakers.net, and I became obsessed. Because they were sponsors of the conference, I had heard their name before. And because they had a table set up at the conference, I became a frequent visitor, and soon, a button-making aficionado.

At first, I didn’t put two and two together: Why would a button making company be tabling at an animal rights conference? But then I noticed the ethical messaging on the buttons by the people at the table, and I thought: Aha! They’re vegan!

Rex Ray and Rebecca Bolte, the couple — and couple of activists — behind Buttonmakers.net, are vegans with a cause — hence their sponsoring of Let Live.

Face it: Your button collection of today could rival my Cabbage Patch Kids collection of the early 1980′s (and my subsequent Garbage Pail Kids trading cards collection of the mid-80′s). That’s because you’re vegan, and with your ethics, come buttons. So imagine if you had your very own button maker to make all those “go vegan” pins?

buttonmakers.net

Or maybe you have a vegan business, or a non-profit, or even just a slogan that you really want to wear… Wouldn’t it be great to advertise the vegan message on your own self-made button? Especially for those of you who are in the market to make hundreds of these little gems, getting a button maker from Buttonmakers.net could save you money — and boredom, too, since, as I learned recently, making buttons is fun and delivers immediate satisfaction.

According to Anika Lehde (remember her? from Vegan Score?) who recently blogged on the button making duo:

“Now if you are going into the button-making business, run a non-profit, or are involved in activism or campaigns, then the investment in a button maker (starting around $215) [...] is a very smart investment. The parts to make the buttons only cost about $.06 or .07 per button (depending on size and how many you are making). [...] Plus button making is good team building for your volunteers. Word.”

And if, like Anika, you’re lucky enough to reside in Seattle, and are selfless enough to advocate for a good cause, you might even be able to rent a machine or barter for a rental.

As if it weren’t already evident, this sums up some of the reasons I love Buttonmakers.net:

• The owners, Rex and Rebecca, are vegan — so by supporting them, you are supporting vegans. And keeping it in the family is a good thing.
• Rex and Rebecca have creatively used their interests to speak up for social justice causes, and they have turned that into a for-profit business. There’s a lesson here.
• With that for-profit business, they are very supportive of the vegan community, doing things like sponsoring animal rights conferences and being extra generous and kind to vegan activists who want buttons and button makers.
• Button-making can easily be turned into a volunteer party activity, which can build community morale.
• If you purchase a button maker to suit your vegan needs, you can quickly make your investment back by selling buttons for a reasonable cost.

Plus, buttons are a lot cooler than Cabbage Patch Kids, and you don’t have to worry about stupidly cutting off the string hair of a button maker, since button makers don’t have any hair at all.

OH — And if you happen to reside in NYC and you find yourself with a button maker, give me a shout. Because I really want to be your friend.

In today’s episode, we give you the low-down on a very special vegan bakery that delivers all over the country. Trust me, you’ll want to try their cupcakes. I’ll also tell you all about a very melodic animal rights fund-raiser that I attended in NYC.

Joining us today is Michael Croland, from Heeb’n'vegan. Michael is joining us as part of our religion series, where we talk with people about how their religion or spirituality relates to their philosophy on animal rights. Michael will enlighten us about how Judaism and veganism relate. He’ll discuss everything from Kosher slaughter, to philosophy, to an ingredient you simply have to include in your next tofu scramble.

In our news section, we will discuss a new bill for animals that just passed the US House of Representatives. We’ll also talk about a debarking law in Massachusetts, and Mariann will share her thoughts on an article in Time Magazine that asks: Can animal rights go too far?

For our review section, Mariann and I will share with you an amazing restaurant experience we had, right in the Heartland.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

On today’s episode, we are coming to you live from Kansas – where we will talk to my 86-year-old grandmother who just went vegetarian.

Then, joining us will be Dr. Melanie Joy, author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism. Melanie will talk to us about her fascinating insights  into the psychological mechanisms people use to allow themselves to coninue eating animals.

In our news section, we will discuss an exciting New York Times editorial that is very pro-farm animal. We’ll also talk about some good news for the AETA 4, and we’ll share with you James McWilliams’ take on lab-grown meat.

In our review section, Our Hen House reviewer, Kyle Knies, will give you the results of his unscientific survey on vegan milks.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

On today’s show, we begin with a very exciting announcement about the influence that Mariann’s New York Times letter to the editor had on Jasmin’s grandma.

Joining us today is Meena Alagappan — director of HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers). Meena will talk to us all about the importance of humane education as a means of creating social change, and she’ll share some of her personal journey from animal law to running HEART.

In our news section, we will be joined by Stewart David, co-founder of Carolina Action for Animals. Stewart will share his thoughts on Jane Velez-Mitchell’s “Jane’s Fight for Animal Rights” which aired this past week on her CNN HLN show, Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell. We’ll also discuss the outcome of a puppy mill bill in North Carolina, and an egg bill in California.

For our review section, we will be joined by special guest Matt Rice — of Mercy for Animals. Matt will review the new animal rights Facebook game called Farm Rescue, which was conceived by activist and artist, Mark Middleton (of Animal Visuals).

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

In today’s episode, we will share with you a new and exciting activist idea that was gleaned from a workshop at last week’s Let Live Conference – and we’ll explain why that resulted in a Lady Gaga song getting interminably stuck in our heads.

Joining us today will be Glenn Gaetz and Joanne Chang from Liberation B.C. Glenn and Joanne will talk to us all about the exciting projects that their animal rights organization is currently working on, as well as why Vancouver seems to be where it’s at as far as vegan cuisine.

In our news section, we will discuss our mixed feelings regarding surprising turn of events with the Ohio farm animal ballot initiative. We will also discuss the passing of Senator Robert Byrd. And we’ll tell you why a very famous travel guide founder has made nice with animal advocates and with whales alike.

In our review section, we’ll discuss the sweet – or sometimes not-so-sweet – smell of cruelty-free deodorants and their wearers.

Photo: Courtesy of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

The premise is that the two turkeys find a time machine and travel back in time to the very first Thanksgiving, where they campaign to take themselves off the menu. Since this will be a kid-flick, we can look forward to lots of youngsters being exposed to the ugly fact that their Thanksgiving dinner used to be — gasp! — a real live animal. Let’s hope that Harrelson, a long-time vegan himself, can insert his activist-self into his animation and create some little vegans.

Personally, I can’t wait for Turkeys. Especially because not only do I get to look forward to watching 1)an animated film (my favorite kind), 2)an animal rights themed one at that (double vegan brownie points), but I also get to look forward to hearing 3)the uncomfortable jokes that people will make when this movie comes out… you know, the ones that will attempt to get an eye-roll from us vegans, even though I’m sure that somewhere beneath their hackneyed humor, they get it.

Photo: Used with permission.

In today’s episode, I am coming to you from the City of Roses – Portland, Oregon – where I’m knee-deep in Voodoo Donuts and food carts. On today’s show, Mariann – who is still in NYC where she is busy trying to manage the heat wave that has come over the Big Apple – will share some very exciting news about a letter to the editor she wrote.

Joining us today is Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten, the owners of Herbivore Clothing, here in Portland, and two of the co-founders of the Let Live Foundation. Michelle and Josh will talk all about the importance of creative activism – which happens to also be the theme for this weekend’s conference (the reason I’m on the left coast) – and they will talk about the perks of raising a vegan child.

In our news section, we will discuss the endangered species status that is being sought for a special kind of sea life. We’ll also talk about a cupcake competition on the Food Network’s show, Cupcake Wars, and why vegans have reason to celebrate.

In our review section, I will be reviewing the movie, Bold Native, a fiction feature film about an animal liberator wanted by the United States government for domestic terrorism.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Patches from Herbivore Clothing.

Plus, right down the street, we store our stuff. What you think of as a basement or attic (I think I saw those on TV once), I think of as “the storage unit.” And not just any storage unit…

Manhattan Mini Storage. The many videos of me tap-dancing at age ten and singing at age seven are housed there. And here’s why:

In addition to needing a place for our hot pink polka dot scarf that we just can’t seem to donate, Manhattan Mini Storage happens to be an amazing company that very verbally and visibly supports animal rights and other important social justice causes, too, like gay rights and reproductive rights. Their motto, “Save more than your stuff,” cleverly refers to the lives you save when you join Manhattan Mini Storage, since, when you rent a space, $25 of yours goes toward the charity of your choice (of their options). Ours went to The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages.

The location that we patronize is on Spring Street in Soho. There, a very tall and gigantic billboard often touts their witty ads. It’s pretty much impossible to be sitting in the interminable Holland Tunnel traffic and not notice their billboard. This made me particularly happy last year, when the billboard was for an anti-KFC campaign.

Yet another reason to live in New York City.

On today’s show, we are podcasting from Vermont – where we are visiting Eastern Shore Sanctuary and all of the beautiful rescued beings who inhabit it. Joining us today will be the amazing folks who run the sanctuary, Miriam Jones – who is also the co-founder – and Aram Polster. Miriam and Aram will let us in on what sanctuary life is really like, including lending their advice to people who might wish to run their own sanctuary someday, and sharing their thoughts on the connections between the exploitation inherent in the dairy and egg industries with feminist theory.

In our news section, we will discuss a Washington Post article asking the question: “Do Animals Have Rights?” We’ll also talk about an article in the New York Times Magazine making the connection between violence to animals and violence to humans, but leaving out one crucial fact. Then we’ll discuss the Humane Society of the United States’ complaint about an Indiana egg company.

Finally, we will go over our most recent Facebook survey, which asked: Who are your favorite vegan celebrities?

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Courtesy of the Eastern Shore Sanctuary

***

josh hooten

Our Hen House: The bike ride you chronicle in 600 Miles to Goat commemorated your 10th anniversary of veganism. When did you decide to become vegan and what was your journey to get there?

Josh Hooten: I went vegetarian in 1997 or so. A dog named George had come into my life and I became his main caregiver because my roommate was pretty incapacitated with depression issues. So I fell into the role of caring for him which took a lot of rearranging and responsibility taking on my part. I wasn’t in the best spot health-wise myself and I worked all the time either at my job or on other projects until late at night. Being put in the role of George’s caregiver made me get my act together, which wasn’t always easy. So one day I was sitting on the couch with George and I was thinking about how much effort I put into him and how much I cared for him and loved him, and while I was thinking these thoughts I was eating a chicken sandwich. I then started wondering why I cared so much about the animal next to me but didn’t care at all about the one on my plate. This nagged me for a bit and I decided to go vegetarian. I had a lot of vegetarian and vegan friends, having spent a lot of time in punk rock circles, so it was fairly easy to do.

A year later I moved to Chicago and I’m not sure why, but I started thinking about why I was vegetarian. I didn’t really know the issues, I just knew it felt right. Plus most of my friends were vegetarian and honestly, it was kind of embarrassing not being that way around them. Nobody lectured me or anything, it just always felt like they were doing something awesome and I wasn’t. So after a year of vegetarianism I wanted to find out about the issues and I bought Diet For A New America by John Robbins. Halfway through, I knew I had to go vegan if I was serious about being a compassionate person. I wasn’t pleased with this idea, I didn’t know any vegans and had no idea what I could and
couldn’t eat, outside of the obvious stuff. I bought a PETA cookbook and Animal Ingredients A to Z and some basic kitchen items to cook with. I really took it on. I wanted this choice to stick and I loved to eat way too much to go on the bagel and French fry diet my old Boston vegan friends were on.

People get to veganism in all kinds of different ways, but for me the suffering was what did it. And once I’d found out about it, there was no choice to go vegan, it was all there was. I just couldn’t support it anymore and whatever personal sacrifices I had to make would be nothing compared to what the animals have taken from them.

George died last Fall after 14 awesome years. We miss him terribly and I thank him for helping me find my way in life.

OHH: When you were younger, what was your relationship with animals and with food?

Josh: When I was younger I ate whatever was put in front of me. Pretty standard American diet, and I never really thought about it until my early teens when I got into punk rock. We had dogs growing up but I never really felt one way or another about animals. I certainly didn’t want them to suffer, but like a lot of people, I didn’t think much beyond my own wants and needs. It is interesting having a daughter. She knows more about her food and about animals at 5 years old than I did until I was well into my 20s.

OHH: In 600 Miles to Goat, you embark on this difficult journey alone, but you end up at the farm with your partner and daughter by your side. How do you balance your activism with your family? What have you told your daughter about veganism and animal issues?

josh and ruby

Josh: A lot of my activism is intertwined with my family life. Michelle and I both do a lot of outreach and AR activism, be it through the various events we help organize, or speaking events we do, or the occasional protest. Ruby is almost always there with us. She has protested at primate labs, the circus, fur stores, at Intel corporate headquarters over conflict minerals, and at anti-war marches. She likes the chanting and likes to hold her own signs. We share as much information as we think is appropriate depending on the situation, but we always tell her why we are there and what we are trying to do.

She “gets” veganism in such a simple and honest way. We’ve told her that it hurts the animals when we take their lives and bodies from them and when we take their milk and eggs. We tell her it hurts the same way it hurts when she falls and skins her knee. We tell her we wouldn’t hurt our dog so we won’t hurt any other animals. These are things you might tell a non-vegan adult and they might start coming up with all these reasons you’re wrong or why we should eat meat, and milk, and eggs. But to a 5 year old it makes complete sense in the simplest way possible. It hurts them. So we don’t do it. There is no way around it and to Ruby, no reason to try and find a way around it.

We spare her the horrible details but we are honest with her about suffering, and that the animals are killed, and that we don’t want to do that to them.

OHH: When did you start getting active to help farm animals? Have you advocated for any other causes that you’d care to mention?

Josh: We started Herbivore with the intent being we’d always have an outreach element to it, beyond the fact that everything we make is AR related. So from the very beginning we were putting literature into our orders we’d ship to people, and donating money to different groups. This was around 8 years ago.

I try and keep up with as many other issues as I can and we donate money and stuff we make to a variety of human rights and environmental projects. It can be tough to prioritize because I don’t feel like any one issue is more important than any other, but there are only so many hours in the day and so many resources, not to mention the emotional wear and tear of it all. But we do our best. We focus mainly on AR because I feel like it is the root of many other problems. I’ve always felt like vegans don’t start wars. So if we can make more vegans, other problems will start to go away because of that.

OHH: You raised almost $13,000 for Farm Sanctuary because of your bike ride. Who donated this money and how did you find them and inspire them to give?

Josh: We got donations from all over the place and a lot of blogs and websites were happy to help promote the ride as well. Spreading the word was pretty easy and getting support wasn’t hard either. I know if someone else had been doing this ride I would have tossed a few dollars in the hat. We have a pretty large email list of Herbivore customers we hit up and Michelle and I emailed everybody we knew. We were pretty shameless asking for money because it was for such a good cause.

As I trained for the ride I blogged about it a lot and I posted a lot of pictures I took from training rides. I think this helped people feel involved and helped them see how much was going into it. I tried to create some narrative and dramatic interest for folks by writing about my rides and so forth. It really felt like a team effort because I was getting so much support and so many well-wishes.

OHH: Do you have any advice for anyone reading this who wants to have their own adventure and help animals along the way?

Josh: Well, from a fundraising point of view, I’d say definitely blog about your preparations and post photos. Create a Facebook page and update it a lot. Get people hooked and excited. And ask for donations repeatedly. You don’t want to be a pest, but you want people to understand that whatever group you’re raising funds and awareness for is important and need help. Plus, people might want to donate but can’t the first time you ask, and the next time they might be able to and just needed the reminder. Start doing this at least a few weeks before the adventure actually begins to give time for word to spread. Find all the relevant news type blogs and email them asking for coverage. Also, be positive. People want to feel the triumph and excitement with you.

***

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In today’s episode, we will start by telling you about our recent trip to Brooklyn, my nose hoop, and our upcoming train trip to Vermont, where we will get our due time with some rescued chickens.

bizarro.com

Then, we’ll be talking to funnyman Dan Piraro, creator of the Bizarro cartoons. Dan – who was recently named “Cartoonist of the Year” by the prestigious National Cartoonists Society – will share the eye-opening story of why he went vegan, what made him an animal rights activist, how he incorporates his advocacy into his cartoons, and where he finds his inspiration.

In our news section, we will update you on Quality Eggs’ pleading guilty to 10 counts of animal cruelty, we’ll inform you about some new mock chicken that is raising awareness, making the news, and pleasing taste buds, and we’ll discuss the $25 million settlement in an anti-trust lawsuit against the egg industry.

For our review section, we will give you the low-down on some vegan cheese from Galaxy Nutritional Foods, including the good, the bad, and the melty.

BONUS:

Tune in to the podcast for the full story, but here’s a review teaser. Out of the 8 vegan cheeses by Galaxy Nutritional Foods that Jasmin tasted, her favorite three were Rice Vegan Pepper Jack Slices, Rice Vegan American Slices, and Rice Vegan Cheddar Slices (all pictured above). All three were melty, made a mean grilled cheese, and reminded Jasmin of cheese sandwiches from 1982 … but minus the oppression (and the side ponytail).

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Enter Lion’s Share Industries, a new t-shirt company launching in Seattle featuring vegan-designed, ethically-sourced t-shirts. According to the co-founder, Anika Lehde (yes, Anika Lehde from the aforeblogged Vegan Score), “Each series of shirts will be designed around a theme and produced in limited quantity (200 or less of each). For Series One, we have five artists and the theme is Flight. The idea behind the project is to 1. support vegan artists 2. make more fashionable t-shirts 3. give $ (15% of the profits will go to a non-profit as voted on by the artists), and 4. make shirts that allow vegans to lead by example (but aren’t designed to make an argument).” Stay tuned to their website for updates on the shirts. (We’ll also follow these vegan entrepreneurs right here on Our Hen House.)

Furthermore, if you’re in Seattle, you’re in for a real treat. On July 2, there will be a launch event for Lion’s Share Industries celebrating Series One of their vegan t-shirts. Said Anika, “Our goal was to create a project to showcase artists’ works in conjunction with fashion that interests us. To get to launch the company and Series One at a location like Flatcolor, is icing in the cake. Also, we like a good party.”

Vegan t-shirts? Vegan artists? Vegan-theme designs? Vegan entrepreneurs? Vegan money? BEER?! Indeed, who doesn’t like a good party?!

Yeah, MooShoes. You know them — the vegan shoe store on the Lower East Side of Manhattan that is run by sisters and business partners, Sara and Erica Kubersky.

I recently took a stroll over to MooShoes (what a hard life I have!) for a chat with Sara and Erica. We discussed how they founded their vegan business, advice for others who wish to open a vegan business, and the reaction of the general public when they meander in and find themselves in a stylish mecca of compassionate fashion.

Our Hen House Talks to MooShoes from jasmin singer on Vimeo.

On today’s show, we’ll discuss the sad loss of Golden Girl — and long-time animal rights activist — Rue McClanahan.

Then, we’ll be joined by an undercover investigator who has been responsible for many of the investigations you’ve seen inside factory farms recently. He will tell us how he copes with such an impossible-to-imagine field of activism.

In our news section, we’ll discuss why Psychology Today says that vegans are wired to have more compassion than omnivores. We’ll also update you on the Gulf, and Newsweeks’ devastating – but not surprising – report that BP has put a hold on any real journalism or coverage of their disaster. And we’ll talk about a new UN report urging a global move toward a vegan diet.

Joining us for our review section is Kyle Knies, who will lead us in a thought-provoking conversation of the documentary film, Mine, which follows the stories of the animals left behind after Hurricane Katrina.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Courtesy of Farm Sanctuary. Taken by Derek Goodwin.

Today, we will start by updating you about a very special adoption event where we were overwhelmed with cuteness.

Then, joining us is Brad Goldberg, founder of Animal Welfare Trust and Animal Welfare Advocacy. Brad will talk about the importance of philanthropic grants that benefit animal issues.

Following that, we’ll be joined for a brief update by Kelly Overton from PATH. As the oil hits the Gulf, Kelly – who joins us from New Orleans – will let us know what’s going on down there.

In our news section, we will go over some sad news for animals, which is thankfully getting some mainstream attention: Mercy for Animals’ latest undercover investigation, and a puppy mill report brought to us, shockingly, by the USDA itself.

Finally, we’ll discuss the result of a survey we conducted asking people what they think is the biggest misconception about veganism and how they respond when those misconceptions arise for them.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Courtesy of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

In today’s episode, we will tell you all about a perfect little doggie in Puerto Rico who we were lucky enough to help rescue.

Then, joining us will be the debonaire Martin Rowe, Director of Publishing at Lantern Books. Martin will tell us how his journey with activism led him to running a publishing company whose focus is animal advocacy and social justice. He’ll also have some important tips for all of you up and coming authors out there.

Following that, Kelly Overton of PATH – who is currently stationed in the Gulf of Mexico – is back once again to give us an update about how things are going in the near wake of the tragic oil spill that is already affecting so many animals. (Also be sure to check out Andy Stepanian’s Huffington Post article, “BP’s Greenwashing Can’t Clean Up Their Spill.”)

In our news section, we will discuss some truly frightening news regarding the effect that overfishing is having on our oceans. We’ll also talk about how and why Chipotle is under attack, and what that has to do with animals.

For our commentary, we will be joined once again by Our Hen House correspondent, Sherrey Glickman – also known as Jasmin’s lovely grandma. Grandma will tell us about some recent mentions of veganism in the mainstream.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo: Courtesy of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

In today’s episode, we come to you from Puerto Rico, where we have found ourselves full — with vegan mofongo, and a rich culture that has captured our hearts.

Joining us today, live and in person, is Ledy Van Kavage, the Senior Legislative Attorney for Best Friends Animal Society. Ledy will be talking to us all about pit bulls: everything from breed discriminatory laws to how you can get involved with fighting for these precious creatures, originally nicknamed “The Nanny Dog” because of their gentleness and impressive way with children.

Our second guest is Kelly Overton, Executive Director of PATH, who is joining us once again from the Gulf of Mexico, where he preparing to assist in rescue and relief for the animals affected by the oil spill.

In our news section, we will talk about the lawsuit that was won against a foie gras facility, a TV show that will go behind the scenes at a puppy mill, the big media that a vegan ultramathoner is receiving, and a sweet compassionate addition to LA’s Studio City.

Joining us for our review section is Our Hen House’s own reviewer, Kyle Knies, who will give us his thoughts on the new feature-length film exposing the fur industry, entitled Skin Trade.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can subscribe on iTunes. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Thanks!

Photo courtesy of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.