peta2 Daily Blog

Want to Try Something New for a Week?

2008-05-15T20:01:08Z

Next week (May 19th - 25th) is World Vegetarian Week, and if you've ever considered giving vegetarianism a try, there's no better time than now to give it a shot. Take our Seven Day Pledge to Be Veg. I mean seriously, seven days is hardly a commitment, but it is enough time to give you a good idea of how easy it is to be vegetarian.

If you want to give it a shot, but you're worried about what you'll eat, rest easy: If you take the pledge, I'll send you an e-mail each day next week with recipes, suggestions, and encouragement.

And guess what? Pouyan from Scary Kids Scaring Kids is taking the Seven Day Pledge to Be Veg, too! He'll be doing a couple guest blogs for peta2 about the experience next week, so keep an eye out.

This'll be fun!

♥ Marta

Mary Kate Olsen: Still a Cruel Mess

2008-05-14T20:23:46Z

Photo credit: X17online

Warmer weather typically means a lack of brainless celebs traipsing around in dead animals, right? Somebody should alert the Olsen twins to that. Just look at this hideous thing...and the huge horrible chinchilla bag she's lugging around.

Oh, Mary Kate...What is with these little harbingers of death?! Will nothing stop their greedy blood-lust?! What is wrong with them that they insist on wearing and carrying as many dead animals around with them as possible?! Was growing up on the Full House set really that traumatic??? (Well, probably, but still that's no excuse.)

And let's dissect the rest of the outfit, shall we? Um, green suede coat with a furry collar over what appears to be a black sack of some sort and...I don't even know what is on her feet but it's no better than those wretched witch boots they were both obsessed with last year.

Oh, and it's May. May, May, MAY!!! Who in their right mind wears fur ever but especially in May?! Why would anyone carry even a faux fur bag in May, let alone wear a suede jacket with a furry collar. Now I know when you're nothing but skin and bones you tend to get cold easily but even for an Olsen this is ridiculous. I can't look at her anymore.

xox
Patricia

ROAD TRIP!!!

2008-05-14T19:33:18Z

Yes, it's the classic summer adventure. What could be more liberating than venturing out into the great unknown (also known as Nebraska), to find yourself? How about doing it all while eating incredible vegan food along the way?!

Me driving down Pacific Coast Highway on my first (but far from last) cross-country trip

Need help getting started? Here are some tips:

Visit HappyCow.net for a full listing of vegetarian—and vegan—friendly restaurants in cities ALL over the world!

Do you enjoy eating the same thing in every city? If so, check out our guide to eating vegan at chain restaurants. Now you can zigzag from Johnny Rockets to Johnny Rockets across the map (using our coupons at every stop, of course).

A little short on cash? Why not stick with buying snacks at grocery stores and 7-11? Check out our "Accidentally Vegan" list for some tips!*

Want to play a game to pass the road time? While driving across the country, I try to flick off as many KFC's as is humanly possible. My personal record is 36 in a month. Go ahead, try to beat me. I dare you.

Pretty exciting, eh?

It's a big world out there, folks. Go flick off some parts of it.

- Ryan!

DMX Arrested. What A Loser.

2008-05-13T17:52:36Z

Where my dogs at? That's something rapper DMX shouldn't worry about considering this convicted animal abuser has recently been indicted on felony drug possession and animal cruelty charges, reportedly associated with dogfighting.

There are reports that dogs were being abused on his property, and that led authorities to search his home, where they seized 12 pit bulls and found the bodies of three others buried on his property. Sick!

With an album cover for DMX looking like this,
is it any wonder that he's suspected of animal abuse?

If DMX is convicted, we want to make sure he gets the maximum jail sentence, a ban on owning animals, and mandatory psychiatric counseling (because anyone who abuses animals must have at least one or two loose screws in the head). People need to realize that all oppression is connected.

For details on what you can do to help, click here. And check back on the blog for updates as the case develops.

-Pulin

Keep the Art Coming!

2008-05-13T15:55:56Z

Remember how I've been asking you to send your animal rights artwork our way? Well, we've definitely been sent some awesome pieces lately, and I wanted to share some with you. Both of these are from Lia Shaw, an amazing Street Teamer from Canada.

Lia created this first piece 'If Not Us, Why Them?' for her Grade 12 art class. The project was supposed to be an abstract self portrait. Lia says, "I chose to do one of my main morals and this is where it took me. I created two chickens and one person out of wire and then built a metal cage that was just big enough for all three to fit in as tightly as possible to show the cramped living conditions that there birds have to withstand. This piece was up in an art show at my local library."

Her second piece, 'Shop Cruelty Free' was for a pop art project for the same class and she chose to do her project on animal testing. She says, "I painted the background red and then filled in the silhouettes of the animals with magazine clippings of products from companies that test on animals. The rabbit has a growth on his side to show the growths that these animals get quite often from different procedures."

Got some thought-provoking art you'd like to show us, too? Send it our way! We just might feature it in the blog.

Which one of Lia's pieces do you like better? I really can't decide!

♥ Marta

Why Is the Colonel at a Crack House?

2008-05-12T19:10:28Z

Chances are that you hate KFC just about as much as your final exams (actually, probably more).

Well, we have some brilliant new anti-KFC ads that we wanted to show everyone. They're amazing. What do you think of them?

Take a look at all three and comment back with which you think is the best of them all.

-Pulin

P.S.- Remember to check out the video contest!

Fur-Free Formal 2008!

2008-05-12T16:17:33Z

Yes, the end of the semester is upon us, and you know what that means... Spring dances!

Regardless of whether it's high school prom or a college formal, end-of-the-school-year dances are the place to see and be seen in your finest outfit.

So of course it doesn't make sense to allow a cruel and effin' ugly product like fur at one of these classy events, now does it? That's why the Zeta Xi chapter of the Alpha Phi sorority at Elmhurst College took a stand, by placing a "fur-free" policy on their spring formal!

As if that weren't enough, we also sent the sorority a "Compassionate Chapter" award from peta2, and enough anti-fur buttons for everyone in attendance! Being kind sure has its rewards, eh?

I think peta2's Dan Shannon said it best when he said "Every woman wants to look her best for the spring formal, but no one will come close to the sisters of Alpha Phi, whose compassion makes their beauty radiate even more. By declaring their biggest social affair of the year to be fur-free, these women are proving that you can have the 'look that kills' without killing animals."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

- Ryan!

Free Stuff Friday: Vegan Marshmallow Maker!

2008-05-09T13:52:11Z

I was at a bonfire the other day and I was thinking about how I much I missed roasting marshmallows. Most marshmallows contain gelatin (aka - crushed up animal bones), which is disgusting!

Then I came to work and found out that we have a vegan marshmallow making kit to give away! I know there are others like me out there who are jonesing for some summertime marshmallow roasting action, and today is your lucky day!

Amy, who writes PETA's VegCooking Blog, tested the kit out and gave it rave reviews. She says the instructions are pretty simple, but you do need some special tools, namely a candy thermometer and a standing mixer. Check out the chocolate-marshmallow sandwich she made:

Want to make your own? One lucky person with a sweet tooth will win this kit from Angel Foods. Comment below with what you will do with the vegan marshmallows if you win!

This contest ends May 23, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by May 30, 2008.

Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Good Luck!
-Ashleigh

10% Wool

2008-05-08T21:55:41Z

Jeff Corriveau, the genius behind DeFlocked, has created a brand-new strip for all you lovely blog readers, called 10% Wool. So instead of DeFlocked on the blog, get ready for lots of 10% Wool! Excited? Yep, so am I!

DeFlocked is now running in the comic pages of newspapers across North America, so be sure to e-mail the editor of your local paper to ask him/her to start printing it.

And now, I leave you with the very first 10% Wool:

Click for a larger version
♥ Marta

Give It A Name

2008-05-08T16:05:01Z

Here's a special guest blog from Martin with peta2 UK!

I am really excited about this news. peta2 UK will be at Give It a Name 08 at Earls Court this weekend! How could I not be jumping round the office? It means I get to see some of the best bands on the planet (who all support peta2) like Silverstein, Plain White T's, Billy Talent, Cobra Starship, Set Your Goals, Strike Anywhere, Anti-Flag, Mayday Parade and Meg and Dia. Check out the full line up:

If any of you guys are going then make sure you come by the peta2 UK table and say hi to me. If you're not going—why the hell not!!!

Peace

Martin

PS - To get a chance to table festivals and shows like this in the future, join the Street Team!

peta2 in South Africa!

2008-05-07T18:35:27Z

We love our jobs. We in peta2 have the distinct honor of corresponding with student groups every day to help them raise awareness about animal rights locally. As such, it takes a lot to impress us... but it happened today.

That's because we received an incredible report from the Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights (ROAR), in SOUTH AFRICA (yes, that's how they spell "organization" in Africa).

Clearly somebody took the time to watch our "Tabling On Campus" video, since these students really know how to get people talking about animal rights!

And talk about being resourceful. We're always happy to send out free materials, like stickers, DVDs, and such, but given the costs to ship halfway around the world, this group was creative enough to download our stencils and make their own bags to give out!

The results speak for themselves:

Their student group now consists of over 170 students!

They see their "I Am Not a Nugget" bags being carried ALL over campus!

They've held film screenings, and various other events on campus.
They have started a clinic in their town to help animals who are forced to carry heavy loads around for their whole lives.

If they can do it halfway around the world, then YOU CAN DO IT HERE! Want to get started? Hit me up.

- Ryan!

Something To Think About...

2008-05-07T18:29:56Z

We love creativity just as much as we love kind people. Combine that and you get rad results. For instance, check out this comic that Erb sent us.

And while we're discussing the amazing work of the peta2 Street Team, check out this video and this one, too.

Those are just some of the many awesome entries we've received for the video contest. You still have plenty of time to make your own video, so do it and enter to win. Remember that Moby will be helping to pick the winner, and the prize at stake is a chicken costume (among some other things).

-Pulin

Cool Mother's Day Card!

2008-05-07T03:52:21Z

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, and we've got the coolest, cutest card for you to print out and give to your mom. We are all about helping you get involved, but we realize that it's sometimes difficult unless your parents are supportive of your beliefs.

click to download

Drop us a line to StreetTeam@peta2.com with a photo of you and your mom holding the card and we'll give you 1000 Street Team points. If you don't have a camera to take a photo, just email the same address with what your mom thought of the card and we'll give you 500 Street Team points. Cool?

Go to it!

-Pulin

New Investigation Reveals Egg Industry Abuse

2008-05-06T21:05:06Z

I have to say, I've watched a lot of horrifying undercover investigations, but there's something about all of the egg industry footage that's just so unbelievably twisted.

Maybe it's because most people have trouble believing that egg-laying hens are treated cruelly. People think, well, hens lay eggs anyway, so what's wrong with buying eggs?

A new investigation by our friends at Mercy for Animals shows everyone just why the egg industry is so terrible. Workers at a supplier of NuCal—one of the largest egg companies in the U.S.—were documented ripping weakened birds out of tiny metal battery cages and throwing them violently into a "kill cart." Sick and injured birds were denied veterinary care and were left to die in filthy, crowded cages. Undercover investigators caught one worker twisting a sick bird's neck, throwing her on the ground, and leaving her to die. It's absolutely sickening. Watch the video for yourself.

You can help stop abuse like this. Please urge Triarc—the major restaurant company that owns Arby's and that will soon own Wendy's—to lessen the abuse of animals in the egg industry by only buying from farms that sell cage-free eggs. We know that Triarc purchases a vast majority of their eggs from factory farms and choosing the least cruel farms possible will eliminate some needless suffering.

Want to go one step further to help? Stop eating eggs altogether. If this investigation didn't convince you that hens in egg factory farms are treated bad enough, just know that egg-laying hens are still killed for food, too. Once their egg production drops, they are considered to be "spent" and are shipped off to slaughter to have their flesh made into things like chicken noodle soup.

And really, there are many amazing alternatives to eggs, so give it a shot. Try using banana or applesauce instead of eggs when you bake, or scramble up some tofu and veggies for your first meal of the day.

Let's help these hens!

♥ Marta

Who Went To The Bamboozle?

2008-05-06T16:00:47Z

Whoa! The Bamboozle over the weekend was so incredible and tiring (in a good way) that I had to take yesterday off to recover. I was totally exhausted. If you went, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Our tent was the place to be with thousands of people signing our petition, bands stopping in to say hello, and lots of free stuff for everyone.

What was your favorite part if you went to The Bamboozle? And if you didn't go, how was your weekend?

Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.

You all really love Matthew Lush, don't you?

We met so many amazing Street Teamers. It was bonkers.

My friend put on the head from our rabbit costume, took off his shirt, and ran on stage.

Thanks to everyone on the Street Team for stopping by, and make sure you check out the Fur Is Dead campaign page to keep up the campaign to get 100,000 Strong Against Fur!

-Pulin