Episode 72: “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”

Welcome to the 72^nd episode of Our Hen House, featuring NOLA Veggie Fest organizers, Dr. Leslie Brown and Jehan Strouse.

In today’s episode, we come to you from Amelia Island, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana. In Amelia Island, Mariann was busy with an animal law meeting, and in Nawlins, we both were excited to speak at the fabulous NOLA Veggie Fest. We will give you the full roundup of those two events, as well as our vegan adventures in those two very different towns.

Joining us today are the organizers of the NOLA Veggie Fest, Dr. Leslie Brown – who, when she’s not helping to put together the Veggie Fest, is a pediatrician who vocally advocates a plant-based diet — and Jehan Strouse, nutritionist extraordinaire, who spends her days immersed in selling vegan food to health food stores, and working on further veganizing the jazzy city that she is so passionate about.

The vegan gumbo is not to be missed.

For our review, we will tell you all about the book, Good Time Eatin’ in Cajun Country: Cajun Vegetarian Cooking, by Donna Simon. In Southern Style, we will try our hand at everything from Vegan Gumbo to Cajun Tofu.

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

This week’s news items include:

• “Meatless burgers revisited: Wherein Stewart David gets through to me with humor” from Mountain Xpress
• “Video: Animal Rights Campaigners Disappointed At Government Failure to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses” from Sky News HD
• “South Korea Won’t Ban Fur Show” from Vegan.com
• “‘Ag Gag’ Bills Die in Florida, Minnesota” from The Humane Society of the United States
• “Texas Egg Producer to Pay $1.9 Million Penalty to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations” from United States Environmental Protection Agency
• “Federal Jury Declares Calif. Egg Farm a Nuisance, Awards Damages” from The Humane Society of the United States

“Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” -Elie Wiesel

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