Introducing peta2's Holiday Survival Guide! November 20, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at November 20, 2009 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

The holidays are coming up—you know what that means! For me, it's lots of Tofurky, vegan pumpkin pie, and spending time with friends—but it wasn't always that way. I first went vegan around Thanksgiving because of how disturbed I was by the dinner centerpiece—a headless, oversized, stuffed dead bird. But let's face it, it's not always easy being vegan around the holidays, especially if you have a family like mine that wanted to know why I wasn't eating their food, what I would eat instead, and why I'd made such a "crazy" decision.

Every year we receive thousands of e-mails from Street Teamers who are facing the same dilemma, and this year, peta2 is coming to the rescue with our brand new holiday survival guide.

Click to check out the guide!

The guide features advice on some common situations you might run into over the holiday season, and it also includes recipes to help you veganize holiday favorites. If you can't win them over with your words, you can definitely win them over with our cruelty-free versions of pumpkin pie, snickerdoodles, and chex mix! Download peta2's holiday survival guide now! It even includes a holiday Nugget poster—who doesn't love that?

E-mail us at StreetTeam@peta2.com and let us know what recipe you made (and for who), and we'll give you 500 Street Team points! Want even more points? Snap a pic with the super-cute Nugget poster that's included with the guide and post it on Facebook or hang it on your locker or door, and send us a pic for 1,000 points!

If you're feeling the pressure and need some inspiration, we've got that covered too. Last Thanksgiving, PETA released our undercover investigation into Aviagen, a company who breeds some of the nearly 270 million turkeys are killed for food every year in the US. Investigators documented employees stomped on turkeys' heads, punching turkeys, hitting them on the head with a can of spray paint and pliers, and striking turkeys' heads against metal scaffolding. The best way for you to fight this abuse is by not eating turkeys, and by using the advice in our guide to help educate your family on why you're choosing to be cruelty free!

Happy (cruelty free) holidays!

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Faux Meatball Sub! November 12, 2009

Posted by Cody Ammerman at November 12, 2009 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

The past few weeks we've shared quite a few tasty sandwiches with you, and this week I want to share one of my favorites with you. When I've helped out the peta2 Road Warriors with outreach on concert tours one of the most common things I hear is "I LOVE meat". Well, me too! Vegan meat, that is—zing! To all of those that are still consuming flesh, stop being wimps and try this out! Here is your opportunity to try something new, and I'm going to explain how to make one helluva easy faux meatball sub!

Here's what you need:
-Lightlife's Gimme Lean Ground Sausage (you will find this in most grocery stores, and of course health food stores.)
-Pizza/marinara sauce (cheap store brands usually work.)
-Bread (minus eggs and dairy.)
-Vegan cheese (I prefer Daiya, but the vegan cheese is optional.)

Here's what to do:
-Get some of the sausage out of the tube, and start making some meatballs. Make them as big as you want, and add any seasoning that you fancy.
-Have a non-stick pan ready with a little oil, and have the heat at med-low.
-With tongs, place the meatballs in the pan carefully.
-Move them around every minute or so, and you'll know they're done once each side is brown.
-While those are wrapping up, in a separate pan warm up your sauce. I usually have the heat on low for a couple of minutes and in about five minutes it's nice and warm.
-Once the sausage is done, welcome them with a paper towel or something to wipe off some of the oil.
-Place the meatballs on the bread (toasted if you would like), and follow that up with some sauce. If you want the vegan cheese on top, slap some right on top!
-Chow down!



Enjoy this classic sub, and let me know if y'all tried it out!

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Breakfast Sandwich November 5, 2009

Posted by Marta at November 5, 2009 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

We have seen some amazing sandwiches but something is missing. The most important meal of the day needs a sandwich and peta2 D.C. is up for the challenge. So I enlisted the help of our lovely interns to make and taste test our sandwich.

Here it is the easy Mexican Fauxwich recipe (Faux as in fake eggs).


Ingredients:

-Vegan English muffins (read the package; you don't want any eggs or dairy)
-Fantastic Brand Tofu Scramble (available at many grocery stores and health food stores)
-14 oz package of extra firm tofu
-Salsa
-Guacamole


Steps:
1) Open the tofu package and drain the water
2) Cut the tofu into half inch cubes (be careful with sharp and pointy things, please)
3) Place tofu cubes in a large bowl; add the seasoning packet and a tablespoon of oil
4) Stir and smash large chunks with a fork
5) Heat the tofu mixture in a pan for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally
6) Slice and toast the English muffins
7) Put some scramble on a toasted English muffin and top with salsa and guacamole
8) Share with friends!


Now you can spice your breakfast sandwich up anyway you like; maybe some spicy peppers or vegan cheese.

How would you top off your Mexican Fauxwich?

Smiles!
-Regina

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Breakfast Sandwich November 5, 2009

Posted by Marta at November 5, 2009 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

We have seen some amazing sandwiches but something is missing. The most important meal of the day needs a sandwich and peta2 D.C. is up for the challenge. So I enlisted the help of our lovely interns to make and taste test our sandwich.

Here it is the easy Mexican Fauxwich recipe (Faux as in fake eggs).


Ingredients:

-Vegan English muffins (read the package; you don't want any eggs or dairy)
-Fantastic Brand Tofu Scramble (available at many grocery stores and health food stores)
-14 oz package of extra firm tofu
-Salsa
-Guacamole


Steps:
1) Open the tofu package and drain the water
2) Cut the tofu into half inch cubes (be careful with sharp and pointy things, please)
3) Place tofu cubes in a large bowl; add the seasoning packet and a tablespoon of oil
4) Stir and smash large chunks with a fork
5) Heat the tofu mixture in a pan for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally
6) Slice and toast the English muffins
7) Put some scramble on a toasted English muffin and top with salsa and guacamole
8) Share with friends!


Now you can spice your breakfast sandwich up anyway you like; maybe some spicy peppers or vegan cheese.

How would you top off your Mexican Fauxwich?

Smiles!
-Regina

It's Almost Halloween!! October 30, 2009

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 30, 2009 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

Are you excited? What are you going to be for Halloween?

Here are some pictures I thought you'd enjoy ...

Zoe dressed like a turtle.


A McCruelty protest in Virginia!


A protest in Arizona!

Did you have a party at school? Any cool photos of your costume? Let us know!

Remember there's still time to carve a pumpkin or make some amazing vegan treats for Halloween. Yes!!!

peta2's Sandwich of the Week: Faux Turkey Melts! October 15, 2009

Posted by Ryan at October 15, 2009 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

I know, you've seen some pretty good-looking sandwiches so far in this series (plus one entry about veggie dogs), but as the expression goes, "you ain't seen nothin' yet."

Behold, the faux turkey melt sandwich ...

The best part about it? It's idiot-proof. There is no conceivable way to mess it up, and all of the ingredients will only cost you around 10 bucks (and you'll have leftovers!)

Ingredients:

- 2 slices bread
- 1/2 Tbsp. vegan mayo (check your local health food store)
- 4 slices vegan turkey (available at most grocery stores)
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. shredded vegan Monterey jack cheese (also at the health food store)

Steps:

1) Spread the vegan mayo on one slice of bread.
2) Add the turkey slices, avocado, and the cheese.
3) Place both the dressed bread and the plain bread under a broiler or in a toaster oven until the cheese begins to melt and the bread toasts.
4) Remove from the oven, close the sandwich.
5) Make fun of friends not enjoying this sandwich.

Unbeatable. Unstoppable. Unbelievable.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! October 12, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at October 12, 2009 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Remember:

If you haven't already, please pledge not to eat turkey this holiday.


P.S. If you're still scrambling for a cruelty free idea for dinner this holiday, impress your family with these recipes! Turkeys everywhere will thank you!

Ramen: The Vegan College Superfood August 25, 2009

Posted by Ryan at August 25, 2009 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

Ahh, ramen. The mere mention of the word turns heads from Hawaii Pacific University to Florida State.

With classes tragically starting up again, students nationwide are stocking up on bulk orders of America's favorite 11-cent microwaveable noodles.

The key to a successful ramen dish is all in the preparation. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Make sure to get vegan ramen noodles! Watch out for the notorious Maruchan brand (now with extra chicken fat). Stick with Nissin Top Ramen Oriental Flavor for maximum deliciousness.
• Think outside of the box (or bag, as the case may be). Ramen can be used in far more extravagant dishes, including Ancient Japanese Noodle Secret Salad, Rent's Due "Cheezy" Ramen, and Freshasaurus Mex Ramen Casserole (all highlighted in PETA's Vegan College Cookbook).
• Take pictures! By posting your creations on Facebook, you can show your friends that being vegan is not only cheap and easy, but delicious too (this is called "snacktivism").

Ready to give it a whirl? Check out the legendary recipe for 'Pimp My Ramen' Noodles, which was concocted by peta2's very own Starza Kolman and Marta Holmberg.

Bon appetit!

Camping: It's All About the Vegan Food August 3, 2009

Posted by Ryan at August 3, 2009 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

Taking breaks is important.

Working 24/7 to help animals can be a draining experience, which is why when I need some time to clear my head, I venture off into the wilderness.

Most recently, I took an extended vacation in a national park, and went camping with some friends. Of course, what fun would camping be without delicious vegan food cooked over an open flame?

Here's a little recap of some of the many tasty treats I cooked up in the woods:

First off, everyone knows it's not a camping trip without throwin' the veggie burgers on the grill. I topped mine with veggie chili, and served them with grilled corn-on-the-cob on the side.

10 minutes over the campfire, and voila!



Of course, you've got to have dessert. For me, that means homemade cinnamon apples. Using a trick I learned many eons ago in the Boy Scouts, you just core out an apple, fill in the middle with Fireball candies, wrap it in tin foil, and throw it directly into the fire until the candy melts. You'll end up with a spiced apple treat that can't be beat!



For snacktime though, it's all about the vegan "pigs" in a blanket. It's super-easy: just take crescent rolls (accidentally vegan, incase you didn't know), and wrap them around your favorite veggie dogs. Hold it over an open flame until the roll gets fluffy and light brown, and enjoy!





P.S. One of the best parts about camping in the woods are the woodland friends that come to visit! I call this picture "Checking the Ingredients, to Make Sure It's Vegan" ...

What's Vegan, Delicious, and Breathes Fire? July 21, 2009

Posted by Marta at July 21, 2009 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

If you said vegan dragon cake, well, you'd be correct! Check out this completely awesome cake that Shanna Hawke (friend of peta2 staffer Paige) made for her son's birthday.

Don't you just love it? If this isn't a great way to get people to try vegan food, I don't know what is! Shanna is amazingly creative. Check out these other vegan concoctions she came up with.


Hi. I'm a ladybug, and I'm cute.


This choo choo train is headed straight for some bellies (Unfortunately, not mine).

Are you craving cake hardcore now? Here are a few delectable options for ya:

• Loco-Cocoa Snack Cake from PETA's Vegan College Cookbook
• Nintendo Power Cupcakes
• Pineapple Right Side-Up Cake

Do you make delicious looking vegan cakes, too? Or do you simply hope and dream someone will whip something up for you? Let me know below—I do a little of both!