1997 Checking In June 23, 2008

Posted by Marta at June 23, 2008 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

I'm happy to let you in on the first of some exclusive blogs about being vegetarian out on the road from sweet band 1997. Check out what Alida has to say below, and keep an eye out for future blogs from the band! - Marta

Hey guys!

So I'm going to start my blog out by explaining a little about myself and why this blog is so significant to me. I'm Alida and I play the keyboards and sing in a band called 1997. We're made up of Caleb (guitars, vocals), Alan (bass), Kevin (vocals), Nick (drums), and Cody (guitar). We're signed with Victory Records and have been touring and sharing our music for about a year and a half so far. We have two albums out right now, one of which just came out on May 27th. It's called "On the Run" and I've never been so proud of something before.

I'm writing this blog because my band and I are vegetarians who are always on the road. I just wanted to let you know what my band's about and how I deal with being a vegetarian in a touring band. I've grown up eating right my whole life, have worked in health food stores, master cleansed, and care very much about what I eat, or don't eat. Here are a couple of pictures to get this started. They're just some funny candids of the boys and me over the last couple weeks.

We've left for Warped Tour and began on June 20th, in Pomona, CA, on the Skate Ramp and Kevin Says stages. We'll be hanging out at the peta2 tent from June 20-26th, and July 1-3. We'll also be at the Glamour Kills tent on June 28th and 29th. I'd love to meet you guys, so come say hey! If you want to check out my band, check out myspace.com/nineteenninetyseven. Message me anytime!

xoxo,

Alida

Posted by Marta

Free Stuff Friday: The Cafepress Design Contest Tee! June 5, 2008

Posted by Patricia at June 5, 2008 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 146 ) | TrackBack

Congratulations, Jessica Jagmin of Windsor, Ontario, Canada! You're the grand prize winner in peta2's Cafepress design contest!

Jessica's adorable "Vegetarians Keep the Beat Alive" design was chosen out of hundreds of submissions, which also included dissection, spaying-and-neutering, fur, wool, and KFC to name a few, to become peta2's newest tee shirt.


Isn't it the cutest? Perfect for spreading the word that animals are not food. Hopefully once these shirts hit the streets, even more people will be inspired to stop eating flesh.

Want to win one? Thought so, and it just so happens we've got one tee to give away so just comment below with your tee shirt size and what you think is great about being veg. Simple, huh?

This contest ends June 13, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by June 20, 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!

xox
Patricia

P.S. A lot of time and hard work went into each design and they were all wonderful, honest, so a huge "Thank you" to everyone who entered the contest. It was exciting to see just how many talented, compassionate people are out there. And picking the finalists really was very difficult; I wasn't lying.

Since there's only one winner, you should probably head on over to the peta2 Cafepress store and order your "Vegetarians Keep the Beat Alive" tee today, just to be on the safe side.

Posted by Patricia

World Vegetarian Week is Here! May 19, 2008

Posted by Marta at May 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

World Vegetarian Week has officially descended upon us, so throughout the week, peta2 staffers will be sharing stories of why we went vegetarian and, of course sharing delicious recipes with you all. Exciting stuff!

I can hardly remember a time when I wasn't a vegetarian. I was four when I decided to stop eating meat because I saw a pig roasted over a fire at a luau in Hawaii. People always ask me how I could have made a decision like that at such a young age (no one else in my family was vegetarian). Thinking back, I understand why I was able to make that decision: Kids don't realize that the "chicken" they're eating is the same farm animal they read about in books. I was absolutely horrified when I saw the entire pig being cooked and was even more horrified that everyone else seemed to be okay with eating the pig.

Pigs are friends, not food, people. I was pretty lucky, since my family has always been completely supportive of my vegetarianism (and yes, that's nerdy, devious me around the time I went vegetarian). Thanks, family.

Now that you've seen my true nerdy roots, I feel compelled to talk about an obsession of mine: Hummus. Seriously, nothing could make me happier than that creamy concoction. Try my recipe for yourself (most hummus has tahini in it, but I choose to leave that out).

Marta's Delectable Hummus

• 1 can chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), drained
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1½ Tablespoons Olive oil
• Salt to taste

In a blender or food processor, add the beans, garlic, oil, and salt. Blend until creamy (add some water or more oil if you need more liquid to blend the mixture). Transfer mixture to a bowl. I then like to mix in chopped green onions or chopped black olives. Yum, yum. Refrigerate for an hour. Devour with chips, crackers, veggies, or spread on a sandwich. The possibilities are endless!

How's your day going? Delicious? I hope so!

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

Beautiful People Saving Beautiful Animals April 24, 2008

Posted by Marta at April 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

This week on the west coast, The Lady Road Warriors have been holding it down, hanging with Tegan and Sara, hitting up places like HSU and UC Davis, and getting thousands more to pledge 100,000 Strong Against Fur!

And of course we've been eating our faces off! We stopped in Pizza Plaza in Oakland, CA, for vegan pizza, and brace yourself, CHOCOLATE CAKE.



At HSU we stopped by Wildflower Café. We got down on Wildflower burgers, and VEGAN Mac and Cheese, holla.


We've been having a blast out here and love you all for your help and support. NONE of this would be possible with out you!

Stay tuned to see where we end up next.

Jam out,

Paige xoxo

Posted by Marta

We Need Your Help! April 23, 2008

Posted by Ryan at April 23, 2008 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

It's finally happening! peta2 is working on a brand-new vegan cookbook, specifically focusing on SIMPLE, and EASY recipes. Here's where you come in! We're looking for creative and delicious vegan recipes that we can use in the book!

peta2 staffers have already contributed our part. Check out this amazingly simple recipe Lara donated!

Pancake in a Mug

1/2 cup Bisquick
1/4 cup Soymilk
Vegan Butter/Margarine
Maple Syrup

1) Mix Soymilk and Bisquick together in a mug
2) Microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes
3) Add vegan butter and maple syrup
4) Enjoy!

Get the idea? So send all of your ideas and recipes (as many as you have) to peta2@peta2.com. Make sure to include your name, address, and email address, so that we can verify that the recipe is all yours! :)

Come on, blog-readers, don't let us down!

- Ryan!

Posted by Ryan

Get A Life Tour and The Food Revolution! April 18, 2008

Posted by Marta at April 18, 2008 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

Howdy friends! This last week has been a busy one with lots of great food and meeting more amazing people on the Rockstar Get A Life Tour.

I have a couple amazing highlights from the last week. First, I want to thank all of the amazing folks that have been coming out and pledging to be fur-free! You all are INCREDIBLE!

Second, the food has been really, really tasty. It was hard to pick a favorite, so I will tell you about three amazing spots. First, our great friend, and amazing Street Teamer, Pat of Rochester, NY, showed us Dogtown where we almost had vegan heart attacks (sarcasm, but the meal was real hearty!).


The next place I really enjoyed was Nice Slice in Providence, RI. I love pizza and this place could be the vegan pizza masters! Check out the vegan BBQ 'chicken' pizza!


Finally, my new favorite calzone can be found at Little Anthony's in Albany, NY. Vegan cheese, pineapple, vegan chicken, and vegan riblets is what you should order. Weird combo, but you will thank me later when you try it!


Hearts and farts,
Cody

Posted by Marta

Nintendo Power Cupcakes April 16, 2008

Posted by Marta at April 16, 2008 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

Who doesn't love cupcakes? And Nintendo? No one, I tell you! Combining those two powerful forces is just plain crazy, but my friend Mylie was up to the challenge. Since today is our friend Joel's birthday, she decided to bake up some Nintendo madness for all to enjoy. Check it out:

Can you believe it? And let me tell you, they were delicious. Mylie loves to share all-things-glorious with others, so she sent me her vegan cupcake recipe to share with all of you.

Vanilla Cupcakes!

2 1/8 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/8 cups sugar
1 cup vanilla soymilk
1/2 cup vanilla soy coffee creamer
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°.

In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients until evenly combined. Then add all the wet ingredients and stir until smooth. Line a muffin pan with cupcake cups and fill each cup about halfway with batter. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes (to tell if they are ready you can stick a small knife or chopstick into the middle of the cupcake to see if it comes out clean. If there is still batter sticking to it, it's not ready).

Once finished, remove from oven and take out pan. Place the cupcakes on a wire rack or heat proof surface to cool. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them or the frosting will melt!

This will make about 20 cupcakes.

For the frosting, use a vegan already made frosting like Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Vanilla mixed with food dyes to get the color you want. And for adding details, use a vegan decorating icing, like Betty Crocker.

Now go get creative and make some unbelievable vegan cupcakes for your friends, too!

♥ Marta

PS - In case you're wondering what my friend Joel would look like, in drag, protesting fur, well, you're in luck!


Happy Birthday, Joel!

Posted by Marta

peta2 Hosting "Skinny Bitch" Event in SoCal! April 14, 2008

Posted by Ryan at April 14, 2008 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Oh, southern California, we spoil you. :)

That's right, peta2 and the UCLA student group "Bruins for Animals" are joining forces to host "An Evening with Rory Freedman, coauthor of 'Skinny Bitch'"! The event will even include FREE FOOD, with recipes straight out of Rory's top-selling cookbook, "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch".

Thankfully for you, this event is NOT limited to just UCLA students, and is open to the public. So if you live within driving distance of L.A., you had better be there! This is one event you won't want to miss!

What: A speaking event about how to "stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!", followed by a Q&A session, and FREE FOOD!
Where: University of California - Los Angeles, Kerckhoff Hall, in The Grand Salon
When: Tuesday, April 29, at 7pm
How Much: FREE! You can add the event to your Facebook calendar by clicking on the image below:

See you there!

- Ryan!

Posted by Ryan

Cutest Vegetarian Boys! April 2, 2008

Posted by Marta at April 2, 2008 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

A couple of days ago, I gave you a little glimpse into the meatless food that some of the Cutest Vegetarian Alive female finalists love to eat. You're probably dyin' to know what some of the male finalists love to eat, too, right? I thought so! Enjoy:

Austin Akens: Pasta; Salads; Also likes a dish his mom's friend makes that has "meatballs" made of nuts
Jordan Bierma: Thai Curry; Falafel
Samuel Ferreira: Asparagus; Twizzlers; Oreos; Peanut butter
Brandon Fisette: Indian food, especially tofu with curry; Morningstar Farms products
Franky Hernandez: Black bean burgers; Vegetables with tofu
Zach Horn: Vegan nachos from Real Food Daily; "Save the Chicken" Wings from Native Foods; Soyrizo Scramble that he makes himself
Kayle Innes: Any vegetarian pizza; Well-cooked tofu; Lick's veggie burger
Nik Kitchel: Moussaka (a Greek dish with tofu and eggplant, similar to lasagna) from Veganomicon; BBQ tofu
Elijah Sharma: Vegan pizza dipped in vegan mayo
Julian Shavers: Organic tofu; Yves products; Lots of fruits and veggies
Jeremy Sills: Italian vegetarian food
Leonard Sun: Soy Delicious Turtle Trails Ice Cream; Vegetables and tofu; Vegan pizza
Frank Velasquez: Mexican food, like beans and tortillas; Tofu Thai food; fake meats

YUM! I could so go for all of that food right now!!

And now, Zach Horn would like to share with you why you should vote for him for Cutest Vegetarian Alive.

So if you haven't voted yet, go for it! Round two starts on April 9th!

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

Cutest Vegetarian Girls! March 31, 2008

Posted by Marta at March 31, 2008 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

By now, hopefully most of you have seen the adorable finalists for our Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest. Maybe you've spent lots of time figuring out who you want to vote for, but it's just so hard (I hear ya!). Well, maybe it would be a bit easier if you knew, say, what the finalists can't stop eating. Some of the girls have shared with me what their favorite vegetarian foods are, so I thought I'd let you lovely blog readers in on that, too.

Kelly Anderson: PF Chang's tofu dishes; Amy's black bean enchiladas
Carissa Danesi: Edamame; Vegetables; Tofu
Jenni Goodman: Tofutti Cuties; the vegan Philly Cheesesteak with vegan cheese at One World Café
Savannah Grissinger: Tofu cooked with soy sauce and noodles; Pita bread filled with salad
Amanda Groves: Tofu mixed with vegetables and fried up, eaten with soy sauce!
Alexis Hilfman: Morningstar Farms fake meats; Fruit
Megan Osgood: Popcorn w/ spices; PB&J; Tofu
Ashley Peterson: Soy Chai Lattes; Morningstar Farms products; Salad
Emily Rohady: Pasta; Salad

Did all that food talk make you hungry? Go grab some veggie food, and then come back and vote for the girls and guys you want to move onto Round 2.

Also, a few of the finalists have made short videos about why you should vote for them, which I'll be sharing on the blog. First up is Kelly Anderson. Check it out!

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta