Episode 103: “Activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet.”

Welcome to the 103^rd episode of Our Hen House, featuring Gena Hamshaw from Choosing Raw.

In today’s episode, we are putting aside our stomach virus and sharing with you – not our virus – but our feelings about the recent 42 million dollar donation to Heifer International, our experiences being perceived as the difficult vegans at our Christmas dinner, and our hopes for the New Year, vis a vis changes to our attitudes.

Joining us on this extra special episode – the last of 2011 – is nutritionist and writer, Gena Hamshaw. Gena, who is the mastermind behind the uber-popular blog, Choosing Raw, will let us in on how much raw food vegans should ideally have in their diets. She’ll also talk about how she incorporates animal activism into her mostly food-centric platform. And she’ll discuss disordered eating, and how veganism can act as a healing mechanism for people who have struggled with these issues. Gena will discuss loads more, too. You won’t want to miss this year-end interview with an incredibly articulate and insightful woman who is on the road to taking the medical profession by storm, the vegan way.

Then, Our Hen House’s Hollywood correspondent, Ari Solomon (of “Shit Vegans Say” fame), will be joining us for a very special musical tribute to some of the vegan and AR highlights of 2011. We flex our vocal chords too. Don’t miss this.

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

This week’s news items include:

• “Leaving Animals Out of the Cosmetics Picture” from the New York Times
• “Butterball Turkey Raided Amid Animal Abuse Allegations” from ABC News
• “How Smart Is This Bird? Let It Count the Ways” from the New York Times
• “An Idyllic Picture of Serenity, but Only If You’re Not Inside” from the New York Times
• “Liberty, the last battery hen in Britian, is set free” from Metro
• “Fur Coats Banned at Animal Lover’s East Side Bars” from DNAinfo.com

“Activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet.” -Alice Walker

You can listen to our podcast directly on our blog (below!) or you can listen and 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!  Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation. Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so it’s tax-deductible! Don’t forget — we’re reader and listener supported. And through the end of the year, if you set up a recurring donation of at least $10 a month, you will receive a free, ethically-sourced Our Hen House tote bag. And also through the end of the year, if you donate a minimum of $250, we’ll send you a signed copy of a “Riot of the Hens” poster by legendary artist Sue Coe!

Thanks for helping to build Our Hen House!

Photo at top of blog from Choosing Raw.