If you eat beef . . .

You might be interested to know that feedlot cattle are routinely fed chicken waste--that is chicken feces, feathers, dead birds, spilled feed, and anything else found on the ground in the chicken houses. Now I'm all for recycling, but that's going too far. Not only is it disgusting but it spreads disease like E. coli, salmonella, etc. -- not to mention, chicken feed often contains meat and bone meal from cows which when fed back to cattle can spread mad cow disease.

If you also find this disgusting, unhealthy and inhumane, sign this petition requesting that the FDA ban the practice of feeding chicken waste to cows.

Support Organics in California

California Assembly Bill 1401, the Transition To Organics Act, will create a fund to provide financial assistance to California farmers who want to transition from conventional farming to organic farming. Assembly Bill 1401 will promote more organic farming! This bell is on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk right now. If you are a California resident, let him know how important organic farmers are. Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 1401 into law!

Here's a link that will send your email.

Healthy Lunches that Kids Like

Listen to my soundbyte for some ideas for healthy lunches that your kids will like. For more recipes, try these cookbooks:

 The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook and Simply Natural Baby Food by Cathe Olson

These books have lots of recipes for sandwiches, soups, muffins, cookies and crackers made from whole foods. There are also great breakfast recipes that can be used in lunches like pancake mix, French toast, muesli, and scrambled tofu.

Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair

Lair has tons of whole foods recipes and a great section on packing lunches.

Vegan Lunch Box and Vegan Lunch Box Around the World by Jennifer McCann

These books, by the creator of Vegan Lunch Box Blog, have innovative and delicious ideas for the lunch box (though most take quite a bit of prep).  All the recipes are delicious and very well tested.

The Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas

This is a great all around cookbook. The book includes a section on sandwiches, wraps, and school lunches.

Vegan Deli by Joanne Stepaniak

This book is full of salads and soups – perfect for the lunchbox or picnic.

Book Review: That's Why We Don't Eat Animals

Check out my review of the great new picture book -- yup, that's right picture book -- That's Why We Don't Eat Animals.

Benefits of Coconut Milk

Listen to my foodcast about the benefits of coconut milk -- and for more information and recipes, check out my article in VegFamily Magazine.

Strawberry Milkshake

I didn't realize this would be the last shake my Osterizer blender would make . . . Here are my daughters and their friend enjoying a Fresh Strawberry Shake.

And here's the recipe from Lick It! so you can make your own.

Help me choose a new blender . . .

I'm missing my Osterizer! That thing would blend anything -- frozen fruit and/or ice in smoothies, grains and nuts, hummus; it was awesome -- in fact, I was unconvinced that even a Vitamix could do much more.

But now that I need a replacement, I'm torn. Should I spring for the Vitamix even though I can't imagine paying that much for a blender. Should I go for a Waring -- somewhat less costly but by no means cheap. Or get another Oster. I'm seeing mixed reviews on amazon.

Tell me -- what do you have and how do you like it? What do you recommend -- and please give specific models if possible. I see many kinds of Waring and Oster's all with different reviews.

Thanks for your help.