Danielle Bussone tells of her healthy recovery, and offers easy and delicious recipes in her new book Time For Change: Whole Foods for Whole Health! Flock members, be sure to read on after the recipe for your chance to win a copy of this book! Not yet a flock member? Join us today! You can get presents, win stuff, and feel good about helping Our Hen House to change the …
Visiting Animal
Time for some “Teff Love” (Free Recipe for All!) — Plus a Bonus Giveaway (for the Flock, Y’all!)
If you’ve not yet experienced the joy of eating great Ethiopian food, you will definitely want to try this recipe from Teff Love: Adventures in Vegan Ethiopian Cooking by the fabulous Kittee Berns! Flock members, be sure to read on beneath the recipe for for your chance to win a copy of Teff Lov all for yourself! And if you’re not yet a flock member, don’t …
Moving Beyond the Scale for a Happy Healthy Life (BONUS Recipe: Vegan Cinnamon and Walnut Banana Bread)
Our love for The Vegan R.D Ginny Messina and activist extraordinaire JL Fields never wavers, especially when there’s banana bread in the mix! Oh, and of course pragmatic, non-dogmatic health advice, of which these powerhouse women provide plenty in today’s #ThrowbackThursday article. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on January 15, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, …
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 …
Time for Some Chowder from the New Edition of “The 30-Day Vegan Challenge!” Plus a Bonus Giveaway (for the Flock)
Warm up with someone you love with this recipe for compassionate chowder from the new edition of The 30-Day Vegan Challenge: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Healthfully and Living Compassionately by the one and only Colleen Patrick-Goudreau! Flock members, be sure to read on after the recipe for your chance to win an e-book copy of this amazing new resource! Not yet a flock member? There’s …
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 …
Demonstrations as Street Theatre
Tired of your usual activism endeavors? Bored of leafleting? Cringing at the notion of making one more vegan dish to bring to a non-vegan potluck? Nick Lacetti swoops in to spice up your advocacy on this #ThrowbackThursday! His answer? Introduce some theatrics into the mix. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on May 4, 2011. If you’d like to see a certain …
Creating a Better World Through Education; Creating a Better Education Through the World
Children need and deserve an education that fosters reverence, respect, and responsibility; that teaches them to be critical and creative problem-solvers; and that inspires them to make a difference in the world. Today on Our Hen House, Zoe Weil – the president of the Institute for Humane Education – explains how to achieve that. *** Creating a Better World Through Education; …
We find that so often our animal activist efforts center on encouraging others to go vegan (which is great!), while we unthinkingly neglect activism that challenges other forms of animal exploitation. In this fabulous #ThrowbackThursday article, The Discerning Brute himself Joshua Katcher provides a handful of super helpful tips for engaging in anti-fur activism – a great endeavor to try out as the …
Once again we bring you the work of Lauren Lisa Ng – an ordained minister, blogger and dedicated community activist. Her suggestion that the act of eating can be seen as sacramental has profound repercussions for the Church and the choices Christians are making everyday. *** Eating Our Way to Heaven: Food as Sacrament by Lauren Lisa Ng It might sound …
Excerpt from the Book, “Off The Reservation” — and 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 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 …
Convenient Untruths
In this profound article, author Anat Pick reflects upon how an early childhood experience influenced her life’s work through to today, and in doing so connects the past to the present and beyond. Just as Anat brings back the past in this article, we’re bringing back Anat’s artful writing in celebration of #ThrowbackThursday! This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on …
New Program for Book Lovers With an Interest in Animal Rights! Plus, an Excerpt from “Saving Baby”
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). We thought long and …
My Wildest Dreams Come True: Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors Say No to Cruelty
Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson (as heard on the Our Hen House podcast – Episode #199) first witnessed the cruelty of bear bile farming in 1993. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to end the industry. Animals Asia’s “Healing without Harm” program continues to collaborate with traditional medicine practitioners to end the demand for bear bile. Today on Our …
New to Veganism? Read This! Inspirational Quotes From More Than 30 Long-Time Vegans
Some advice – like “live without regret” and “don’t eat yellow snow” – never wanes in its wisdom. Indeed, even two years later, all of the gems of advice from over 30 long-time animal rights activists ring very loudly true. Curated by none other than Farm Sanctuary superhero Bruce Friedrich, this collection of advice is a perfect contribution to our growing trove of #ThrowbackThursday …
“My Name is Alexander Gray, and I’m an OHHolic.” Join Alex and Keep Vegan Indie Media Alive!
If you do just two things today, we hope that you read today’s article (you’ll get verklempt!) and also donate to Our Hen House (we’ll get verklempt!). If you do just one thing, we hope you simply donate, so that, together, we can change the world for animals. (If you do seven things, we hope one or two of them involve pancakes.) …
A Tale of Badgers and Bravery
Going against a government-sponsored ‘cull’ of ‘undesired’ animals takes tenacity, organization, and heart. Kirsten Bayes brings us this exclusive report of the heroic efforts of activists against England’s badger cull. *** A Tale of Badgers and Bravery by Kirsten Bayes Sounds in the night “Somehow, you never think of them as making a noise,” said Cheryl.* We were perched on a hill in Gloucestershire, …
Our one-stop shop for all products vegan, cutting edge, and discounted is, of course, the inimitable Vegan Cuts. With cheap, animal-free goodies for your wardrobe, your tummy, or your beauty kit — not to mention your gift cabinet (let’s not be greedy!) — Vegan Cuts can pretty much satisfy your every need. Now, the already impressive company has launched a Vegan Fashion …
How can we encourage people to become more compassionate to animals? As animal activists, we frequently encounter people who are unwilling to alter their beliefs, even when evidence is presented that proves the beliefs to be incorrect. In fact, one of the risks in presenting such evidence is that their beliefs will become more deeply embedded. Sianon Daley explores the psychology of …
With the world of food blogs growing at a seemingly unstoppable rate, there exist ever more venues for vegan activism. One word: comments. Rather than dismissing those non-vegan food sites, search around them for veganizeable recipes, make ’em, then comment on the recipe and let readers know how easily they can make the dish animal-friendly! We can’t thank activist extraordinaire Gary Loewenthal …
Today, we feel so lucky to feature the beautiful, heart-wrenching photography of Mike Hrinewski. When he’s not busy rescuing animals, he finds the time to tell their stories with soul-capturing photos. Mike’s work pairs well with the equally gorgeous poetry of Gretchen Primack. *** Photo Essay: The Last Moments of Life in New York City’s “Live Markets” by Mike Hrinewski All of the …
Judging from the positive responses we received to Lauren Ng’s recent article on the re-imagined church potluck, the links between religion and animal rights resonate with many of you. So, to give the people what they want, we’re excited to bring back this piece by Nick Lacetti on how to awaken a vegan consciousness in your own religious community. Happy #ThrowbackThursday! This article originally …
Flock Doc: Activate Your Pleasure Center! (BONUS: Giveaway of “The Lusty Vegan”)
Dear Flock, Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine! I think you’ll laugh — and love — this advice from the authors of the new book The Lusty Vegan: A Cookbook and Relationship Manifesto for Vegans and the People who Love Them — Ayinde Howell and Zoe Eisenberg. Even if you don’t need the drive, you can still activate your pleasure center with their flavor …
We at Our Hen House are thrilled to have the opportunity to announce The Pollination Project‘s “Unsung Vegan Heroes!” We’ll let Alissa Hauser, the Project’s Executive Director, give you the skinny about the impetus behind this inspiring program — one that that sheds light on changemakers who have devoted their lives to speaking up for the underdogs. Let’s acknowledge and celebrate those activists! *** …
The “Flush” of Love
Books and movies about dogs are very popular these days, but they have a long history. Virginia Woolf’s Flush, the biography of a cocker spaniel, dates back to 1933 and is a must-read for fans of both the canine and modernist genres. In this essay, Barbara K. Seeber reflects on why she loves Woolf’s book and why it is relevant to the animal …
Untold Testimony: #1389
We were thrilled in late 2012/early 2013 to bring you a three-part series by Katie Gillespie that featured testimonies of the stories of three animals – and we simply NEEDED to republish Katie’s final piece of the series for #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on March 11, 2013. If you’d like to see a certain OHH article resurrected, email us at info …
Book Review: “Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs” by David Grimm
The incredible Kevin Schneider joins us once again, this time to offer his analysis of scientist David Grimm’s new book “Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs” from an animal rights perspective. As Kevin notes, with laudable campaigns working to achieve the status of legal personhood for non-human animals, the issues discussed in this book prove particularly relevant. Take it away, Kevin! …
For social movements of any kind, it is important to reflect upon the struggle’s history in order to help shape its future. This article by Dr. Ramona Ilea – which we’ve happily resurrected for #ThrowbackThursday – does just that; summarizing in accessible terms the development of philosophy surrounding animals. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on February 4, 2013. If you’d like to …
I Am a Haunted House
One of our favorite mediums for animal activism is the arts, and one of our favorite animal activist artists continues to be the amazing Katya Lidsky. We fell in love with Katya after seeing her one-woman show, and simply had to have her on the podcast and online magazine. This installment of #ThrowbackThursday rekindles our adoration of Katya and her work. This …
Today we welcome back John Jungenberg, an activist whose passion for both animal and LGBTQ rights led him and a group of activist friends on a journey across the Midwest to promote veganism at Pride Parades. John’s first piece recounted his experiences in Wisconsin, and now he takes us into Indiana for Circle City Pride – vegan style! *** Connecting the …
Anyone who hasn’t lived under a slab of tofu for the past four years of Our Hen House’s existence knows that we love and live animal activism, especially the effective sort! Author and longtime animal activist Caryn Ginsberg shares this very passion, which is exactly why we’re thrilled to revitalize this past piece of hers from the OHH archives for #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally …
Debby Ng is a Singaporean photojournalist who has covered social and environmental assignments in Nepal since 2008. Based in Australia now, she contributes her media, technical and fundraising expertise to the Himalayan Mutt Project. She is currently studying Environmental Science at the University of Tasmania. *** Himalayan Mutts Go To Neutering Camps by Debby Ng Dogs are intrinsic to Himalayan communities, …
Considering that we strive to cultivate an indefatigably positive spirit in our animal activism, we’re huge fans of endeavors that give us hope for the future of veganism and animal rights. This piece by Kevin Schneider discusses some of these very endeavors that continue to nurture our activist spirits a year after the piece’s original publication, which is exactly why we’re thrilled to resurrect it for #ThrowbackThursday. …
We love vegan writers here at Our Hen House (couldn’t you tell?), and as such we’re enormously interested in spreading the word about how such writers can expand their reach by improving their writing. This motivation makes the article below — written by editor extraordinaire Cassandra Greenwald — a perfect fit for #ThrowbackThursday. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on June …
Because Bunnies Can’t Type: How I Answer “Why Vegan?” with My Heart (Not My Head)
Annie Shannon never fails to brighten our day, and her article — featured below for #ThrowbackThursday! — makes no exception. She sticks up for bunnies, makes crepes, and is kind enough to write about it all for Our Hen House. It seems only natural that we honor such generosity by once again highlighting Annie’s inspirational work. This article originally appeared on …
The Church Potluck, Reimagined
We are elated to bring you the work of Lauren Lisa Ng – an ordained minister, blogger, and powerful community activist. Her story of vegan transformation and the Christian Church’s growing acceptance of a vegan lifestyle will imbue you with hope, and maybe even inspire you to organize a potluck! *** The Church Potluck, Reimagined by Lauren Lisa Ng Macaroni salad, …
We could not be happier to feature this immensely profound article on this week’s installment of #ThrowbackThursday. The subject of eating disorders is hugely stigmatized, so we’re eager to feature multiple writers discussing the topic. To make this article even more important (as if that were possible), a quick, easy, and frugal recipe is featured at the end. This article originally appeared …
Using Your Head with Plenty of Heart: My Path to Changing the World for Animals
Today, we are thrilled to introduce to you Jordan Sosnowski – a powerful activist in the field of animal law and the Advocacy Director of Australia for Dolphins. In sharing her own inspiring story of how she achieved her dream job, Jordan offers some thoughtful ruminations on when it’s best to take an objective stance regarding a situation, and when it’s …
Street Dog Care is a small NGO located in Kathmandu, Nepal that offers vet care to the city’s feral dog population. It’s not uncommon for people who visit the organization to leave with the love of their life! But when a vegan decides to rehome a street dog, she is faced with many ethical animal rights considerations – is she restraining …
Great films never go out of fashion, and neither do great reviews of them, which makes this article a perfect piece to feature on #ThrowbackThursday! Film analyst extraordinaire Loredana Loy gives us her take on a contemporary film that tells the heartbreaking story of a horse, and a much older film that narrates the equally tear-jerking tale of a donkey. You may have …
We are longtime fans of animal law attorney Rebecca Huss, whom we interviewed way back on Episode 73 of the Our Hen House podcast. Rebecca recently visited a very special elephant sanctuary, and her stories of her trip will move you and inform you about the plight of these beautiful animals. *** A Transformative Trip to the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand by Rebecca …
We’re excited to introduce to you John Jungenburg – a fierce young activist working at the intersections of animal and LGBTQ rights. Throughout the summer, John will be providing us with updates of his adventures traveling and promoting veganism at LGBTQ Pride Parades across the Midwest. In this piece, he takes us through Wisconsin for the Mad City Vegan Fest and …
I’m thrilled to bring you this week’s edition of #ThrowbackThursday, featuring 11+ tips to help vegan parents raise vegan children in a, well…not-so-vegan world. Hopefully, with the help of this new generation of veg kids, the world will turn from not-so-vegan to OH-SO-vegan! This article is sure to help things along. This article originally appeared on Our Hen House on January …
We are delighted to welcome writer Justin Van Kleeck back to Our Hen House today, to give us his thoughts on using “microsanctuary” as a form of advocacy. *** The Sanctuary in Your Backyard: A New Model for Rescuing Farmed Animals by Justin Van Kleeck Sanctuary musings It was sometime in the late summer or early fall of 2010 that I started pondering …
I went vegan in 2010. Then, a year later, I became an Our Hen House podcast listener and I was forever changed. I now truly understood that my veganism wasn’t really about me. It was about the animals. The weekly OHH podcasts help me grow as a vegan and as an activist. I joined the board of directors of Our Hen …
#ThrowbackThursdays returns, and this time we’re re-introducing you to a fantastically important book – Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs to Know – with a review by Nick Lacetti. For those of us who think about animal rights on a daily…hourly…minutely…basis, it’s a good idea to return to the basics every once in a while, which is exactly what we’re hoping to do with …
“Think! Eat! Act!” Ruminations of a Sea Shepherd Cook (BONUS RECIPE: Vegan Roasted Pepper Cream Spaghetti)
It thrills me to welcome Raffaella (Raffa) Tolicetti to Our Hen House today! Raffa has not only been an integral part of several Sea Shepherd campaigns since 2010, but her work as the Chief Cook in the galley has led her to a very exciting new cookbook – Think! Eat! Act! A Sea Shepherd Chef’s Vegan Recipes – which will be …
Today, writer Jamie J. Hagen is talking to long-time activist Andrew Kirshner about his new Animal Advocacy Flashcards, which it seems anyone who wants to see a new world for animals should most certainly order. *** They Have Questions, You Have Answers: Animal Advocacy Flashcards by Jamie J. Hagen One of my favorite forms of animal rights advocacy when I made …
To Eat with Joy: Healing Myself and Finding Compassion (BONUS: Kale Salad Recipe), by Gena Hamshaw
I’m loving OHH’s new #ThrowbackThursdays, and hope you are too. If you ever have an idea for an old OHH article that you’d like to see resurrected, please email us at info [at] ourhenhouse [dot] org. Today, I’m reposting a guest column that one of my favorite people on the planet — Gena Hamshaw (of Choosing Raw) — wrote for us …
Jessika Ava is currently in Kathmandu, volunteering with Street Dog Care. Today, we are honored to publish her second article in a series of three exploring the world of street dogs. (Don’t miss her first installment.) *** Street Dog Care of Kathmandu, Nepal In Kathmandu, over 25,000 stray dogs wander the streets, many of them living in miserable states, suffering from …
The Dogs of Kathmandu
Jessika Ava is currently in Kathmandu, volunteering with Street Dog Care. Today, we are honored to publish her first article in a series of three exploring the world of street dogs. *** The Dogs of Kathmandu by Jessika Ava Sunrise. The tiny plane lands with a frightening jolt, ending a 40-hour journey from the opposite side of the globe. Following the mad …
Flock Only: “A Meaningful Life: Making a Real Difference in Today’s World” by Matt Ball
Dear Flock, You are in for a real treat today. One of my absolute favorite writers, thinkers, and do-gooders — Matt Ball — has agreed to share with us his most famous essay of all time, and one that just so happens to be my personal favorite of his writings. And stay tuned for Matt’s forthcoming book, The Accidental Activist (Lantern Books, 2014 …
“Thanking the Monkey” – Q&A with Author Karen Dawn – and a Request for YOU to Buy Her Book on May 20!
An updated e-edition of Karen Dawn’s Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals comes out tomorrow – Tuesday, May 20. With the support of many vegan companies and restaurants, Karen has organized an outstanding, one-day promotion, for either edition (print or e-book) – but ONLY IF YOU BUY IT ON AMAZON ON MAY 20! The impressive swag you will …
Today, lawyer and activist Frances Carlisle shares her recent experience visiting the Agra Bear Sanctuary in India, and tells us about the lives of India’s “dancing bears.” *** A Memorable Visit to the Agra Bear Sanctuary by Frances Carlisle When I booked a vacation to India, the place I most wanted to visit was the Taj Mahal, considered one of the …
I’m Optimistic About My Pessimism
Today, activist Ken Swensen is giving us reasons to hope – by way of a very special organization called ACTAsia. *** I’m Optimistic About My Pessimism by Ken Swensen A few months ago, my wife and I were sharing a meal with a handful of animal activists and someone posed the inevitable question – is there any hope? Which of course …
Four Takeaways from “The Meat We Eat: 2014 Forum on Industrial Animal Farming”
We were delighted to hear that animal advocate Sophie Besl would be attending “The Meat We Eat” forum at Harvard Law School – especially when she offered to write about it for Our Hen House. *** Four Takeaways from “The Meat We Eat: 2014 Forum on Industrial Animal Farming” by Sophie Besl When I heard about The Meat We Eat forum …
We are honored that filmmaker Linda Hoaglund is joining us today to give us the inside scoop on how she discovered the plight of wolf-dogs, and why she has decided to make her next project a film that will shed light on how and why to change the world for them. *** How I Found W.O.L.F. Sanctuary, and What it Taught Me by …
On our recent 216th podcast episode, activist Jessika Ava joined us to discuss her new policy paper for Brighter Green, entitled Beyond the Pail, which charts the rapid expansion of dairy CAFOs in Asia, including in countries of East Asia that have never had a tradition of drinking milk and have widespread lactose intolerance. Many of you remarked how fascinating her interview was (we …
My Thoughts On Farmageddon
Today we welcome writer Emma Silvethorn to Our Hen House, to share her insights on the new book, Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat. *** My Thoughts On Farmageddon by Emma Silverthorn I have to offer a few caveats at the start of this discussion of the recently released book, Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat (Bloomsbury, April 1, 2014). …
We are delighted that Ken Swensen is joining us today to give us his take on the book Captain Paul Watson: Interview with a Pirate by Lamya Essemlali. *** Book Review: Captain Paul Watson: Interview with a Pirate Review by Ken Swensen “The situation is easy enough to understand. If the oceans die, we will die.” -Paul Watson, Founder of The Sea …