Laura Handzel is certainly not the only kid to have their first “go-vegan” spark of inspiration from their local 4-H club, and will most likely not be the last. That’s why we’re excited to re-publish her article today for #ThrowbackThursday! This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on April 1, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us …
Visiting Animal
Using social psychology research as a tool to change the world for animals is becoming increasingly common, and we’re excited to have published Helen Kinsel‘s example of such use before it was gaining widespread attention. So here it is again on #ThrowbackThursday! This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on March 24, 2014. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article …
Whether you’re a newbie vegan or seasoned animal advocate, it’s always a great idea to expand your repertoire of activism. In this #ThrowbackThursday article, Alison Mercer shares how she did just that by participating in her first protest. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on March 17, 2014. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info [at] …
Making Vegan Friends
Here at Our Hen House, one of the things that we pride ourselves on is providing a supportive community base for vegans to strengthen their commitment to changing the world for animals. Today’s #ThrowbackThursday post from Nicole Feuerstein highlights the importance of building just such community, and provides tips for how to do it. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House …
Spring cleaning has begun in the Our Hen House closet – and we’d like to pass some prizes on to you, the fantastic flock! Not yet a flock member? Join us, for the animals! *** Flock! Read on for your chance to win some awesome stuff, including an Our Hen House mug*! *Michael Harren not included #PRIVATE# Greetings, fantastic flock! Stray dvds, books, necklaces, …
Does Your Smile Mean the Same as Mine? Thoughts from the Bottom of the World
Back in February we re-featured the first installment of Eliza Muirhead‘s stories from aboard the Sea Shepherd’s Steve Irwin, and today we’re thrilled to once again bring you the second for #ThrowbackThursday. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on March 6, 2014. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info [at] ourhenhouse [dot] org. *** Last …
They Call Us Pigs
by Anonymous A 2-legs throws mush on the hardness next to us. We don’t like the mush, but the boredom is painful and eating is something we can do. It is the only thing we can do. And so we eat. We don’t know why they feed us. They hate us. We all know this except for the babies. The babies …
Even as veganism makes its way further and further into the mainstream, fish are still seen as vegetables and eaten by self-proclaimed vegetarians. That’s why the work of Mary Finelli continues to be so important, and why we’re highlighting her past article today on #ThrowbackThursday. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on February 26, 2014. If you’d like to see a …
More Art of the Interview by Caryn Ginsberg (Inspired by Mahi Klosterhalfen)
Our Hen House said: “Yes, please!” to Caryn Ginsberg’s kind offer to make more visual maps of Our Hen House interviews. She produced this one for Mahi Klosterhalfen‘s interview on Episode 239 from August 9, 2014! Her graphic summarizes and organizes the information so that you can see the big picture. We are so happy to be able to bring this interview back in …
“You’re Lucky to Love What You Do”: My Journeys On and Off the Sea Shepherd’s Steve Irwin
We’ve had the immense pleasure of highlighting a number of Sea Shepherd activists over the years here at OHH — most recently we published a recipe from Raffaella Tolicetti’s vegan cookbook Think! Act! Eat! A Sea Shepherd Chef’s Vegan Recipes — and we’re excited to once again share the organization’s incredible work on #ThrowbackThursday, this time from Eliza Muirhead. This article’s originally appeared on …
At Our Hen House, we love art, artists, and activists of all kinds. I was so moved when artist and activist Caryn Ginsberg presented me with her wonderful and colorful summary of a book talk I recently gave in Washington, DC, at Compassion Over Killing HQ, all about my new memoir, Always Too Much and Never Enough. Caryn kindly offered to make more contributions of …
To the Dog I Didn’t Adopt
We at Our Hen House are always ecstatic when one of the Vegan Mos stops by, whether on one of our podcasts, the TV show, or the online magazine. Today, one half of the Mos — Dr. Ethan Ciment — joins us once again to share a profound piece, written as a heartbreaking letter to the canine who never became his companion. *** To …
Colleges and universities continue to serve as hubs of animal activism, no doubt thanks to the incredible work and diligence of students like Azucena Lucatero, the author of today’s #ThrowbackThursday. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on November 4, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info [at] ourhenhouse [dot] org. *** If you’re like …
On today’s #ThrowbackThursday we’re featuring a continually profound and relevant article from power vegan activist Justin Van Kleeck, who since the article’s original publication has been at the forefront of the microsanctuary movement with the Triangle Chance for All microsanctuary in North Carolina. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on October 28, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article …
For many of us, eating foods that are rich in fiber is an important part of our path to good health – but what about when one is prescribed a low fiber or “low residue” diet? Today, Our Hen House welcomes Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary author Maya Gottfried, a longtime vegan who explains that with a little …
Two years later and the scientific arguments against vivisection are still as strong as ever! Brush up on your anti-animal testing knowledge with Dr. Theodora Capaldo on today’s #ThrowbackThursday. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on October 22, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info [at] ourhenhouse [dot] org. *** It’s always fascinating for …
Book Review: “The End of Captivity? A Primate’s Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christian Ethics” by Tripp York
A previous contributor to Our Hen House on the intersections of food and faith, the Reverend Lauren Lisa Ng lends her voice to the ever-changing discourse regarding animals in captivity via a review of Tripp York’s recent book, The End of Captivity? A Primate’s Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christian Ethics. It seems the line between “captivity” and “freedom” may not …
How does the world of science fiction have the potential to drastically alter human perceptions of non-human animals? Vegan digital media freelancer Ian McDonald shares his views on today’s edition of #ThrowbackThursday! This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House on September 30, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info [at] ourhenhouse [dot] org. *** Science fiction …
Today, OHH board member and supporter, Liz Dee, explains why – when it comes to media that changes the world for animals – she can’t get enough. *** My Name is Liz Dee, and I’m an OHHolic by Liz Dee My name is Liz Dee, and I’m an OHHolic. I’m a good listener. On my weekday “reverse commute” from NYC to …
On this edition of Throwback Thursday (which just so happens to concide with Thanksgiving, so have yourself a fabulous turkey-friendly meal!), we feature the story of one of our very favorite Vegan Mos — none other than Ethan Ciment — as he uses his post-surgery experience as an opportunity to empathize with non-human animals. This article’s originally appeared on Our Hen House …
It’d take more than two decades before Fernando Cuenca, who lived his formative years during the worst decade of the war on drugs in Colombia, would understand the emotional effects of the bloodshed that surrounded him. Today he shares an introspective journey that had him revisit his childhood memories, the healing of wounds, and how – even in times of war …
Gretchen Primack’s Animal Rights Poetry, Plus a Bonus Giveaway for the Flock of Animal-Themed Holiday Cards!
We love Gretchen Primack‘s animal rights-themed poetry and are thrilled to publish this poem from her Kind collection (with her permission, of course). We’re grateful, too, for the beautiful, animal-themed holiday cards designed by Beth Lily Redwood that a lucky flock member can win today! Not yet a flock member? Now’s the best time to join – your contribution will be matched, dollar by dollar, …
We can always count on the darling Our Hen House Flock! We have some questions for you — and some prizes, too. Do us a solid, wouldja? Take a moment to answer these questions and help us make OHH even better! Not yet a flock member? Become one today! And you can take part in this special offer! You’ll also get an …
Excerpt From Short Story, “Free Range,” by John Yunker — Giveaway For Our Flock, Too!
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books and stories, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we …
Announcing the Winners of the Lisa Shapiro Award for Unsung Vegan Heroes!
Our Hen House is honored to once again serve as media partner to The Pollination Project’s Lisa Shapiro Award for Unsung Vegan Heroes. Ten winners were chosen this year for the awards in memory of the amazing activist Lisa Shapiro, an award-winner in 2014, who died in June 2015 after battling cancer. Lisa was a hero to us and to so …
Story From New Collection “With Animal” by Carol Guess and Kelly Magee (Bonus Giveaway for the Flock!)
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought long …
Local meat and dairy is often praised as the antidote to modern factory farming practices – but is it true? Today, Our Hen House is excited to welcome animal advocate and Yoga International associate editor Kathryn Ashworth. In her moving essay below, Kathryn explores the paradoxes inherent to farming beings in a so-called “kinder” way. *** My Trip to a Local Dairy Farm: Shall We …
Book Review: The Cats on My Block by Valerie Sicignano, Illustrated by Jane Sayre Denny
If you love cats as much as we love cats (and something tells us that you do), then you’ll want to hear all about Katrina Donovan Fleming’s take on the book The Cats on My Block by Valerie Sicignano, illustrated by Jane Sayre Denny. Long live the cat lady! *** Book Review: The Cats on My Block by Valerie Sicignano, Illustrated by …
Peanut butter: the ultimate timeless food. Whether it’s #ThrowbackThursday, a holiday, or basically any old day of the week, you’re sure to find us Hens with a spoonful of PB in our mouths. And thanks to Ginny Messina and JL Fields, we know exactly why that spoonful will nourish our bodies inside and out! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on March 12, 2013. If …
Recipe: Beet Burgers, from “Eat Like You Give a Damn” (With a Bonus Giveaway for the Flock)
Whether you’re a new or an ‘old’ vegan, you’ll want to check out the cookbook, Eat Like You Give A Damn: Recipes for the New Ethical Vegan, by Herbivore Clothing‘s Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten! Try the scrumptious recipe below, and share the results at your next gathering, because you know you give a damn! Flock members, be sure to read on after the …
Hi everyone – Jasmin here. About one day per season for the past few years, I’ve had on my calendar: ‘Teach at Main Street Vegan Academy.’ This is a small, elite, and downright magical program developed by author and 30-year (!) vegan, Victoria Moran, to train and certify Vegan Lifestyle Coach/Educators (VLCEs). Lucky for me, the next MSVA course is coming up …
Book Review: “Green Is the New Red: An Insider’s Account of a Social Movement Under Siege” by Will Potter
Sadly, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) and other forms of governmental targeting of animal rights and environmental activists still provide significant barriers to our movements, but today there’s more activism than ever aimed at stopping them! Get an important overview of such activism today on #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on December 3, 2012. If you’d like …
Book Review: A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, Illustrated by Catia Chien
Today we’re excited to welcome back reviewer extraordinaire Katrina Donovan Fleming to get her take on a poignant picture book by Alan Rabinowitz, all about finding one’s own voice and amplifying the voices of those around you who have less power to do so. *** Book Review: A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, Illustrated by Catia Chien Review by …
3 Ways a 92-Year-Old Nun and Her Cat Taught Me To Live Every Day to the Fullest
Today we are excited to welcome to Our Hen House vegan author and artist John Schlimm. John recently published his memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions, and was generous enough to offer us the essay below, inspired by the book. Our favorite part? When a “wise, old nun” told John, “Animals are some of the best teachers we have …
Excerpt From “Project Animal Farm” By Sonia Faruqi — Giveaway For Our Flock, Too!
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought long …
In March 2015, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) abandoned the 66 chimps in Liberia, Africa for whom, after years of exploiting them in medical testing, they had promised to provide lifetime care. A number of groups and individuals were actively involved in protesting this action, including Sangamithra Iyer, author of Hen Press‘ own The Lines We Draw. We welcome Sangamithra back to …
We at Our Hen House are delighted to again serve as media partner to The Pollination Project, to bring you their Unsung Vegan Heroes program. We are honored to be a part of these awards, renamed this year in memory of the amazing activist Lisa Shapiro, who devoted her life to working toward a better world for animals, with humility and kindness. *** The Lisa Shapiro Award for Unsung Vegan Heroes …
If you were awestruck at the visionary work of Zoe Weil while watching Episode 30 of the Our Hen House TV show back in March, then you’ll want to be sure to check out Lisa Rimmert’s review of her book Most Good, Least Harm — brought to you once again for #ThrowbackThursday! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on October 4, …
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought long …
“I was falling down a rabbit hole, and it seemed the rabbits were being harmed.” The Dogs Were Rescued (and So Was I) (Sourcebooks, 2014). Teresa Rhyne shares how personal heartbreak led her to animal rights activism. Kevin Schneider reviews. *** The Dogs Were Rescued (and So Was I) is a brutally honest story of one woman’s personal loss, her struggle …
The Planet of the Apes film series has certainly gotten its fair share of coverage here on Our Hen House (did you listen to Noah Gittell’s podcast interview or watch him on the TV show?), and for good reason! Remind yourself of the reasons why these movies are important for the animal rights movement with activist Loredana Loy today on #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally …
Why Flock? (Plus a Flock Only Giveaway of “Beneath the Surface” by John Hargrove)
If you’ve ever wondered what the Our Hen House Flock is all about, wonder no more! Read on. Already in the Flock? Read anyway — and be sure to enter below to win a copy of Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove; reviewed just this week by Kevin Schneider. *** Why Flock? All of …
Book Review: “Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish” by John Hargrove
“While the relationship between trainer and whale can be beautiful, the overall situation—that of captivity—makes the orcas dysfunctional and dangerous.” Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015). Former SeaWorld trainer John Hargrove gives a firsthand glimpse behind the curtain at SeaWorld. Kevin Schneider reviews. *** John Hargrove is unique. A former SeaWorld trainer turned …
Recipe from “The Almond Milk Cookbook” by Alan Roettinger (Giveaway for the Flock, Too!)
As the weather warms up, we are excited to bring you a cool recipe from The Almond Milk Cookbook by Alan Roettinger. This new cookbook contains over 100 recipes — from smoothies, to hot and cold soups, to creamy sauces and dressings, to satisfying pasta dishes, to even sweet treats and frozen desserts! These scrumptious recipes show the versatility of this …
Dear Flock: Host a Dinner Party for OHH and Bring Jasmin to Your Community!
Dear Flock, JL Fields here – proud OHH board member and author of the newly published Vegan Pressure Cooking. I’ve been busy on the road this year, on an action-packed and inspiring book tour. Inspiring because I have had the chance to meet so many incredible people doing hard and important work in their community to change the world for animals. …
Waaaaay back in 2010 we featured this interview with Josh Hooten of the Herbivore Clothing Company; five years later and that man is still going strong (with more clever t-shirts than ever), along with his powerhouse activist of a wife Michelle Schwegmann. Reintroduce yourself to Josh’s work today on #ThrowbackThursday! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on June 15, …
Flock Only! Art Therapy and Temple Grandin: At the Crossroads (PLUS: A Giveaway of Cards from Two Trick Pony!)
If you missed us squawking about the amazing article below on Episode 275 of the Our Hen House podcast (or if you didnt’!) then you definitely need to read Lee Ann Thill‘s full piece on the American Art Therapy Association’s decision to bring the prominent animal agriculture proponent Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker at their annual conference, and her own activism to …
Today, we are delighted to welcome writer, do-gooder, and animal advocate Paula Burke to Our Hen House to give us her take on the new novel, Bones & All, by Camille DeAngelis. *** Book Review: Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis by Paula Burke What is a novel for? Do we read to be entertained or to learn? Do we want …
Animals as the Victims of Militarism: “In wars, not of their making” (-Linda Bodicoat)
War certainly claims a multiplicity of lives, and has a sinister habit of rendering invisible those deaths. In this Throwback Thursday article, U.K.-based activist Kirsten Bayes sheds light on one group commonly forgotten as the victims of war: non-human animals exploited to test weapons and other equipment. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on February 12, 2014. If you’d like to see …
Excerpt From “Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic For Our Relationships With Animals” By Lori Gruen — Giveaway For Our Flock, Too!
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought long …
Matt Ball has written countless essays in the past 20+ years (and OHH’s Anne Green has had the pleasure of editing all of them, in fact). “How Vegan?” was originally published in 1998 — perhaps before you could even properly pronounce the word “vegan”! It’s always worthwhile to review, reflect, and remember, so we thought we’d bring this ‘oldie’ back to you today — and give …
Excerpt From “Eating Earth: Environmental Ethics And Dietary Choice” By Lisa Kemmerer — And a Bonus Giveaway For The Flock!
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones covering all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought long …
Sprout it Out: You Don’t Need a Green Thumb to Grow Green Things (BONUS: Easy Raw Vegan Soup Recipe)
Our Hen House Advisory Board member Liz Dee has got our mouth watering with her scrumptious (and oh-so nutritious!) sprout soup recipe on today’s #ThrowbackThursday — so much so that we just might follow her advice (two years after its original publication, but hey, better late than never) and start sprouting up some seeds ourselves. This article originally appeared on Our Hen …
Excerpt from the New Novel “Persimmon Takes On Humanity” — Plus a Bonus Flock Giveaway!
At Our Hen House, we do our best to bring you the latest from the world of animal rights. That said, when it comes to telling you about books, there are just so many amazing new ones that cover all kinds of animal issues, and we simply don’t have time to review them all (but don’t miss the ones we have reviewed). That’s why we thought …
How to Argue Against Vivisection in the 21st Century (by Ray Greek, M.D.)
Two years later and we still find ourselves returning to the arguments presented below by Dr. Ray Greek to refute proponents of vivisection. With this #ThrowbackThursday article, you’ll never again have to worry about having the upper-hand in a discussion on why animal experimentation shouldn’t exist! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on May 27, 2013. If you’d like to see a …
The Online Meat Market
We live in a society deeply rooted in the subjugation of animals, and the online dating world is no exception. In this essay, Barbara K. Seeber reports on what she found while looking for love online. Spoiler alert: There’s no happy ending. *** The Online Meat Market by Barbara K. Seeber If you’ve read or seen the movie versions of Jane …
Recipe from “Cookin’ up a Storm” by Laura Dakin (Giveaway for the Flock, Too!)
Laura Dakin is chief cook on Sea Shepherd’s flagship, the Steve Irwin. In COOKIN’ UP A STORM: Sea Stories and Vegan Recipes from Sea Shepherd’s Anti-Whaling Campaigns (Book Publishing Company, 2015), Laura shares the crew’s favorite recipes so that you can make them for your own crew! Stories and photos from Sea Shepherd’s missions to halt the illegal slaughter of marine wildlife are interspersed among the recipes, …
The thought of handing out information on a subject we’re passionate about to a crowd of strangers is certainly enough to inspire fear in the heart of even the most devoted activists, as vegan candy connoisseur Liz Dee attests in the #ThrowbackThursday article below. Luckily, though, Liz realized the powerful impact that leafleting can have, practiced to become a powerhouse leafleter, and …
A Third-Grade Vegan
Is there anything more heartwarming than seeing children getting passionate about changing the world for animals? Here at Our Hen House, we’re pretty hard-pressed to find anything that makes us as verklempt as this does (except for maybe Rose the Dog snuggling with a baby bunny…but that has yet to happen). That’s why we’re overjoyed to share the words and artwork …
Film Analysis: “Never Let Me Go”
We’re excited to welcome back to Our Hen House freelance writer and animal activist Jon Hochschartner, this time to offer his analysis of the 2010 film Never Let Me Go. Be sure to check out his last OHH article on intersecting forms of oppressions, as well as OHH Media Coordinator Alessandra Seiter’s review of Jon’s ebook series. For more on Never Let Me …