All Categories - WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN

WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN

SAY YES TO THE TREES

7/13/2015

TREES are essential to us - mankind would not be able to exist without them and the oxygen they produce for life on this planet.

Did you know that a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year?

Trees and their impact on the quality of life on Earth are invaluable.

Most of us tend to take things for granted when we look at trees and a forest, we admire the optical beauty while forgetting the fact that ...

Trees also act as filters, cleansing the air that we breathe and the soil from pollutants and chemicals.

Trees shield us from the noise we produce.
Trees provide us with natural shade.
Certain trees like Colorado blue spruce can make all the difference in flash flood endangered areas as the roots absorb water from the soil. By holding the soil in place, the movement of sediment and erosion is reduced.

Trees are Nature's windbreaks which help in preventing soil and vegetation from drying out.

So next time you plan on cutting down a tree in your yard because it looks messy later in the year, remember that each one of those fallen leaves had a purpose and did a great job: It helped you breathe.

When it looks like there already are plenty of excellent reasons for maintaining and planting trees, there is the value that trees add to homes with all the benefits for human development and lifestyle: a soothing and relaxing green ambiance, lowered energy costs for air conditioning by up to 30%, reduced particle and sound pollution, protection from UV-B exposure by about 50% and the opportunity to plant fruit trees and grow food for humans, birds, insects and wildlife.

Last but not least, the monetary value. Mature trees - planted in the right location - increase a home's value by 7 to 19 percent and help selling properties more quickly as well.
Forget the lawn - the value is in the trees.

And when it comes to selling properties nobody knows better than Real Estate Professionals about the impact that trees, well chosen plants and landscaping have. "What you plant now, you will harvest later" ~Og Mandino, words that inspire agents to sow the seeds of their business by handing out TREE SEEDS for green marketing and as a memorable message of appreciation, reminding home owners to start growing their property value today.

Links:

http://www.realty101.com/value-of-a-tree-in-your-yard
http://whyfiles.org/107flood/3.html
htttp://chemistry.about.com/od/environmentalchemistry/f/oxygen-produced-by-trees.htm

putting lawnmowers out of business

2/5/2015

Thinking GREEN is more important than ever and growing herbs, veggies, fruit and flowers at home is not the latest hype but essential for environmental change and for improving the future health of our planet and its inhabitants.

People are beginning to second guess the all American symbol of proud home ownership - the forever green lawn.

The resources needed for its care can be considered wasteful, after all the prettiest lawn has nothing more to give back than the image of a well groomed property, when that very same space and irrigation investment can be used to create food for people and nourishment for nature's winged pollinators, which are declining at a disturbing number and speed.

Drought issues and the concern over genetically modified produce, and commercially grown fruit, vegetables and herbs that are treated with pesticides and fungicides motivate many to recreate their backyards, porches, decks and balconies into functional gardening spaces, enjoying the experience of working with nature while growing plant based foods for healthy family meals.

The fact that gardening and growing vegetables and herbs is not limited to the outdoors and to the warmer seasons at all, makes SEEDS ideal for gift giving at any time of the year; what can be more inspirational and meaningful than something that symbolizes good things like Growing, Nurturing and the endless cycle of Life itself.

Links:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/07/serious-green-turning-lawns-yards-into-edible-gardens.html

Seed Gifts: http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/seed-products.html

Sowing thoughts, inspiration and plant food with SEEDS.

LEMONS, cabbage and birds at the bay

1/19/2015

Off the beaten path in San Francisco is a true green jewel, a peaceful oasis hidden in the Marina District and only visible to those who are on the look out for places to experience beyond Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.

The lovely Fort Mason Community Garden caught my forever searching eye on the way back from a city hike to my hotel, and I just couldn't resist adding time to explore the unexpected find with its organized chaos of the garden layout, plants, gardening tools, recycled household items, figurines and beautiful birds. The warm and gentle late afternoon sun was my perfect partner for catching the spirit of this retreat.

A delightful blend of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and flowers awaits the senses and one wants to linger under in the calming ambiance of ripe lemons, gorgeous cabbage and fragrant rosemary, and simply absorb the beauty of the moment under the watchful eye of the Garden Buddha and the kind bee.

The garden is also a paradise for many bird species, including a number of nesting birds, some of them living there all year round, such as the community of House Finches and the Lesser Goldfinches. One can find Mockingbirds here, Ravens, Hummingbirds and many other winged friends, and in Spring the bird lover's eyes and ears can welcome the Hooded Orioles back, which only reside during the warmer months and after their return from their winter retreat in Mexico.

Wish I could have stayed longer but then again ... there is always a next time in San Francisco - with a visit of Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason Center.

Links:

Photography Susan Placek @ http://www.cocoonworx.com/

The rules for playing in the dirt : http://playndirt.com/listings/fort-mason-community-garden/

Fort Mason Center http://fortmason.org/

Greens Restaurant - http://www.greensrestaurant.com/the-cuisine/the-cuisine

For more than twenty years, San Francisco's beloved Greens Restaurant has been in the avant garde of the cooking revolution in America. Through its endlessly inventive, ever-changing menus and bestselling cook-books, Greens has introduced millions of delighted fans to a sophisticated, meatless cuisine packed with transcendent, satisfying flavor. The heart of Greens cookings to use the best, freshest ingredients.

GOT GAS?

1/8/2015

This is addressed to those who already have, do or intend to in the future verbally attack the growing number of people on this planet, which experiences a state of raised awareness and consequently decided to take off their blinders, to free themselves from corporate brainwashing and instead to start thinking independently again; furthermore to follow a lifestyle based on the inner sense of what’s right or wrong, also known as consciousness, and on the concern over the welfare of this planet’s sentient beings as well as the planet’s health and mankind’s survival itself.

No matter how well-crafted your verbal attack may be, how important, how rich or poor you are, how good or bad your communication skills are, whether you sound (or believe you are) well educated or use foul language, well guess what, it’s not working. We are not impressed and we are not scared by whatever sarcasm you come up with. You may look at the vegan movement as “nutrient starved zealots” and as “spoiled rabid consumers”, its fine and it really doesn’t bother us a bit. “An ecosystem is only functional with the death of animals, unless they are offering themselves as compost.” No kidding. This may be fit content for stand-up comedy but does it explain the necessity of mass animal agriculture, slaughter houses, fishing the oceans empty and hunting wildlife to extinction?

“Fascist” or “Nazis”, well that quite frankly, I do have a little problem with. Having said that, it does require a certain level of education in history to fully understand … therefore this too is disregarded.

You may ridicule our sense of compassion with other sentient beings, or you may want to trigger a feeling of guilt in us, for being privileged and for having choices, while others, who don’t have those choices “struggle for quality caloric intake daily”. In other words, those who refuse to consume dead flesh and say “no” to extortion, who promote natural, real foods instead of processed “food-like” merchandise, those are the ones responsible for malnutrition, starvation, environmental destruction and water shortage in this world. Ah! I get it!

To sum it all up, the “nutrient starved zealots and spoiled rabid consumers” are standing strong and united for change. You may want to, but you can't and won't stop that. And the number is growing by the day.
It’s just a matter of time - that is, if we have enough time left.

the soup dilemma

12/11/2014

Coffee time at a dear friend's place with nice people.

I skip the pastry with the whipped cream and ask for almond milk for my coffee knowing that my friend always has it in her fridge.

Someone say's, "You don't take regular milk?"
I go, "No, I'm vegan".
"Oh." Short break. "Why?"
I go, "Well, first and foremost for ethic reasons".

Everybody looks puzzled and someone says, "What do you mean by for ethic reasons?"
The lady next to the one asking discretely explains with her voice lowered and her head slightly tilted, "You know, she means how they treat the animals and such ..."
I nod, "That's right", and I add that there actually is an advantage for me too as I don't get all the nasty stuff, and I start talking about antibiotics, hormones and all the "goodies" that come into the body with the consumption of meat and dairies ...

The room suddenly turns very quiet and the eyes and faces around the table tell me that this is not exactly what they want to hear and that everybody hopes the conversation topic will be changed soon. After all, who wants to talk disgusting things over coffee and cake. "We all have to die someday." someone says.

Soon after the topic "immunizations" and flu shots is brought up. I am asked if I get flu shots and I go, "No, never. I try to keep my immune system healthy through good food and a somewhat healthy life style."

"Exactly!", agrees the lady who explained what "ethic reasons" means. "I don't get them either. No way. It's all bad for you. When I don't feel so great I make myself some good old-fashioned chicken soup and that gets me back on track. And, I stay away from hydrogenated fat, that's a killer, therefore I read all labels when I go grocery shopping".

Then my friend announces that I make terrific vegetable soups and that she loves them so much with all those spices and veggies in there, yum .... She's right, I think I really do make great soups. When I cook I usually end up with a huge pot of it and so she has been treated to my soups many times.

The chicken soup lady says, "I too love vegetable soup. Do you use chicken stock ... or are you not allowed to use that either?"
I go, "No, I don't use chicken stock or anything from the animal and it's not about not being allowed but I choose not to use it for the reasons I previously explained."

"Oh." Another short break. "But then, how DO you make vegetable soup?"

This time I am puzzled and quiet and it painfully dawns on me ... we still have a long, long way to go.

Vegan Soup Links:

http://www.marlenewatsontara.com/category/recipes/soups-recipes/

http://mouthwateringvegan.com/http:/mouthwateringvegan.com/vegan-life-magazine/soups/

http://ohsheglows.com/categories/recipes-2/food-sides/sides-soup/

Hello Kitty?

11/26/2014

We love them and yet, they can drive us crazy with it. Anyone who has ever shared the home with a territorial cat knows the grief I am talking about: the smell of cat markings.

Frustrated cats don't always vent right away, they may seem calm at the moment but I bet you, a territorial kitty never forgets, the complaint call just comes delayed. It can be weeks or even month after getting aggravated over something, but when the shit hits her fan, she'll let you know.

Unlike cat pee, locating the crime scene can be challenging and boy!, they can be so incredibly creative when it comes to choosing the "purrfect" spot for the message - often just a few little drops which makes it so darn difficult to find.

My nose's sensitivity is that of a bloodhound when it comes to the distinct scent of an angry feline. When nobody else around notices a thing, one sniff and I just know, "She's done it again!". The scent lingers in my nose and seems to follow me wherever I go around the house.

Oh how many bottles of cleaning supplies I have gone through and stuff that is supposed to break down the enzymes! None of it did the job for me, sorry, I could still smell it.
Eventually I figured it out: water and simple anti-bacterial hand soap works best and gives quick and lasting results. A little spritz of feline facial hormone spray applied to critical spots, and natural flower essences added to food or drinking water, and life with kitty has become much more pleasant.

That is of course ... until kitty's hotline rings again and it's time for a talk.

Links:

http://petessences.com/

The Vegan Business - featuring Maya Epler

11/10/2014

Welcome to Planet Vegan presents business owners, their vision and their journey to success through creating, designing, inventing, manufacturing and selling their vegan products,
while actively contributing with their work to end animal exploitation by humans and acknowledging the value of all life on Earth.

Submit a vegan business to be featured
(No associate, consultant or pyramid businesses)

Israel native and fashion designer Maya Epler creates classic vintage inspired garments entirely made from all vegan materials. Her very unique style and her creations reflect the young woman’s personality and her love for nostalgic charm and feminine, graceful appearance.

While drawn to diversity and finding grace in each decade’s fashion style, what seems to inspire her work most is the Victorian era with its noble, somewhat “dark” royal clothing, flattering fits, patterns and stiff fabrics, and the traditional Japanese style with the classic, sometimes “mysterious” look and the contrast of bold colors.

For the ethic vegan business woman her chosen lifestyle clearly goes beyond the dinner plate. Maya says, “Animals are exploited in so many different ways and I believe with all my heart that this wrong doing must stop! I love my work and I select fabrics that are 100% vegan. Designing patterns and sewing modern garments with a vintage touch and at the same time contributing to animal welfare makes me feel very happy inside. Seeing my customers enjoying my work and appreciating my line of conscious clothing is incredibly rewarding for me.”

After relocating from Israel, Maya now calls Berkeley, California her new home. She enjoys every minute of going out and is excited about the abundance of vegan options and restaurants she discovers in her new environment, and the many like minded people she gets to meet, who like her, support a life style without the use of any animal products.

Links:

http://www.mayaepler.com/

https://www.etsy.com/il-en/shop/MayaEplerFashion?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Like her on Facebook - Maya Epler Handmade Fashion Designs

realizing The amazing potential of change

11/10/2014

There is no better motivation to switch and stick to a plant based nutrition than compassion and empathy with the animals. Not consuming animal products of any kind however doesn’t make a person a true vegan. The vegan philosophy goes way beyond the dinner table; it is a commitment to a life style free of any animal products, which is not limited to foods but includes clothing and everyday merchandise as well.

The growing popularity of veganism and demand for vegan products represents a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and for those who realize the amazing business potential that comes along with this fundamental change in our society.

Welcome to Planet Vegan presents business owners, their vision, passion and their journey to success through creating, designing, inventing, manufacturing and selling vegan products, while actively contributing with their work to end animal exploitation by humans and acknowledging the value of all life on Earth.

Submit Vegan Businesses to be featured
(No associate, consultant or pyramid businesses)

Maya Epler, Fashion Designer

life after exploitation - the art of hartmut kiewert

10/31/2014

Art can accomplish what words often can't. Like music, photography and paintings are the universal language understood by anyone. The message given by the artist through his/her work can be more powerful than any written text can ever be.

In a world where compassion with all sentient beings and the concern over their welfare is considered extreme, radical and militant, some of Hartmut Kiewert's paintings indeed appear like a peek into the land of Utopia, sharing the artist's vegan vision and positive outlook of the days after animal exploitation, where humankind has finally learned to co-exist, to accept, to care and to share.

And then of course, there is the sharp contrast of reality, the works that reflect the horror of what life and death is like for beings that mankind considers "life stock or living merchandise", bred for one reason only: to be exploited and processed.

Modern day history books describe the culture of the ancient Romans, an era long gone by, talking of people with an insatiable appetite for blood and cruelty.
The German artist's work reveals the shocking picture of a shamefully convenient and ignorant society thousands of years after the ancient Romans, where steak and BBQ has become part of a human's rights, and where brutality and cruelty is an accepted part of everyday life.
In the 21st Century mass killing and exploitation is the life line of many industries, corporations and the stock market, and is widely supported by the majority of modern day humans, while in utter denial about the facts and the dark, brutal and deadly truth behind the white-washed, cute and pretty facade of the bloody animal agriculture, meat and dairy industry.

Born on 24.07.1980 in Koblenz
Artist Hartmut Kiewert lives and works
in Leipzig, Germany

"The moment of total access to the body through violence is the moment of practising absolute power/dominion. On the one hand the eating of meat is a symbol of dominion and a metaphor for this total grasp, on the other a life is de facto extinguished. That means power/dominion is used in its most extreme form – to assimilate parts of the animal’s body.

The radical separation between humans and animals, which has been deeply inscribed in the human culture for thousands of years, bears a violence that has never been of such astronomical dimension as it is today.

Hartmut Kiewert´s paintings are an attempt to subvert the blockades of consciousness against the exploitation of animals. The absence and repression of both the miserable life and the dying of animals is countered with the presence of painture, the prensence of flesh-colours and utopian perspectives on a cruelty-free world."

Links:

http://en.hartmutkiewert.de/

Celebrating the first 70 years of veganism

10/30/2014

The World Vegan Day was established on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society UK and since 1994 vegans around the world come together not only to celebrate at street fairs, potlucks, gatherings and vegan tastings, but also to raise awareness for animal rights on a day, which also happens to be the Day of the Dead.

This year's World Vegan Day also marks the 70th anniversary of the term "vegan". The festivals welcome vegans and non-vegans and the rapidly growing interest in plant based nutrition and animal-free and cruelty-free products is obvious.
Amy Cottrill, who started the Pittsburgh Vegan Day celebrations says, “The first festival was held last July and the response was overwhelming. We had to move to a bigger venue because we had 500 people show up in a venue suited for 150. It was amazing."

Some of the festivities on Saturday, November 1st, 2014 in U.S. cities:

L.A.'s Vegan Day Celebration is hosted at
The Vegan Tiramisu Factory
1220 East Lexington Avenue in Pomona, CA
between 12:00 and 4:00pm
Info

San Jose, CA hosts the festival at
New Leaf Community Markets
5667 Silver Creek Valley Road
San Jose, California
Info

Pittsburgh, PA celebrates with more than 30 vendors offering vegan food and animal-free products at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills, 2359 W. Ingomar Road, Franklin Park
from noon to 8 pm. Admission is $3 a person (children under 12 are free.)
There will also be live entertainment including belly dancing, cooking demonstrations and raffles and prizes.
Info

New York's 20th Vegan Day celebration takes place at the
Baha'i Center
from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
advance ON-LINE registration
Events are scheduled for all day and vendors include GrapeCat, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and Quintessence.