Do they suffer?

Ah, yes. the age-old animal rights debate: Do animals feel pain, causing them to suffer in a similar way that we humans do?

It's a question that I've fiercely been trying to answer and defend to the best of my ability. Along the way, I've found a few really great neurological and philosophical studies that really back up my firm stance that YES, animals feel pain. YES, animals suffer.

http://www.grandin.com/welfare/animals.are.not.things.html
"When the structure of the brain and nervous system is studied, there is no black and white line between people and higher mammals such as chimps, dogs or cows. The genome project has shown that humans and mice share many genes (Gunter and Dhand, 2002). In mammals 30 to 40% of all genes are involved in nervous system development and function. The basic design of the nervous system and the neural mechanisms that process fear and pain are similar in humans and other mammals (Rogan and LeDoux, 1996). Colpaert et al. (2001) reported that rats will self medicate themselves with pain killers to relieve pain in arthritic joints.. Pain and fear both cause suffering. As nervous system and brain complexity increases the welfare needs of the animal increase and become more complex, but all animals that have sufficient nervous systems complexity to suffer from either pain or fear need basic welfare protections. Animals with complex brains also have greater social needs and a need for greater environmental enrichment.

With the framework outlined above, I can argue that animals can be property and still have a high standard of welfare. However, I will argue very strongly that animals need many protections because they are not things like a screwdriver. As the phylogenetic tree of animal species is climbed, protection from suffering must be increased. Chimps would require more protection and need different kinds of protection than frogs to insure that they would not suffer. Chimps have a more complex brain than frogs and a rich social life. As nervous system complexity increases, the animal needs increasing amounts of protection from society to insure that it does not suffer from pain, fear or a lack of environmental and social stimulation. Even though the phylogenetic tree is not linear it moves along its various branches from less complex nervous systems to more complex. Comparative physiology and psychology has shown that there is a broad range of nervous system complexity. As complexity increases a brain forms in the head of the animal that becomes increasingly complex. Different animals can be ranked in order of brain complexity. For example, ranking from less complex to more complex would be clams, lobsters, fish, birds, mice, dogs, apes, chimpanzees and people. There are some animals that are approximately equal in nervous system complexity such as dogs and pigs. Both rats and chimps should have equal protection from pain and fear, but the chimp may need additional protection to insure that it has adequate social stimulation. Chimps have a greater need for social and environmental stimulation than rats but new research indicates that even mice need social stimulation to prevent abnormal stereotypic behavior (Bohannon, 2002). Simple environmental enrichments such as materials to burrow in and several compansions are probably adequate for a rat, but a chimp needs much more,"

http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/singer03.htm
"Nearly all the external signs that lead us to infer pain in other humans can be seen in other species, especially the species most closely related to us--the species of mammals and birds. The behavioral signs include writhing, facial contortions, moaning, yelping or other forms of calling, attempts to avoid the source of the pain, appearance of fear at the prospect of its repetition, and so on. In addition, we know that these animals have nervous systems very like ours, which respond physiologically like ours do when the animal is in circumstances in which we would feel pain: an initial rise of blood pressure, dilated pupils, perspiration, an increased pulse rate, and, if the stimulus continues, a fall in blood pressure. Although human beings have a more developed cerebral cortex than other animals, this part of the brain is concerned with thinking functions rather than with basic impulses, emotions, and feelings. These impulses, emotions, and feelings are located in the diencephalon, which is well developed in many other species of animals, especially mammals and birds.[1]"

Additionally, Lord Brain (awesome name!), one of the most eminent neurologists of our time, has said:
I personally can see no reason for conceding mind to my fellow men and denying it to animals. […] I at least cannot doubt that the interests and activities of animals are correlated with awareness and feeling in the same way as my own, and which may be, for aught I know, just as vivid.[2]

Cool! Sir Paul McCartney launches vegan cookbook!

From The Telegraph:

Sir Paul McCartney will go head-to-head with Jamie Oliver today with the launch of his first cookbook, aimed at persuading people to eat less meat.

The former Beatle, who over the weekend celebrated his wedding to Nancy Shevell with a star-studded party in New York, has co-written The Meat Free Monday Cookbook, which is based on his family’s 2009 campaign to make people go meat-free for one day a week.

In launching his book just weeks before Christmas, Sir Paul will be taking on celebrity chef Jamie Oliver at his own game.

Mr Oliver’s new cookbook - Jamie’s Great Britain – was last week tipped by William Hill to be this year’s Christmas best-selling book. His 30-Minute Meals book last year also topped the Christmas best-seller list.

However Sir Paul’s publisher, Kyle Books, has big ideas for the musician’s cookbook.

Around 40,000 copies of 240-page book have already been shipped to UK stores, and more are being printed. The book will also be launched internationally in Australia, France, Germany, Holland and Finland later this year. A US launch is scheduled for February.

Royalties from the book will go directly to finance the Meat Free Monday campaign.

Sir Paul’s book contains some if his favourite vegetarian recipes but he has enlisted a little help from his celebrity friends such as Twiggy, the model, and Kevin Spacey, the actor, who have also contributed recipes.

Sir Paul’s contributions include recipes for ‘refried bean tacos’ and ‘super vegetable salad’. Twiggy has given a recipe for ‘mozzarella pasta’ while Mr Spacey has ventured a recipe for ‘lentil stew with pan-fried halloumi and pomegranite’.

Inspired by a United Nations report, Sir Paul and his family launched the Meat Free Monday campaign in 2009 as a means of helping to slow climate change.

The campaign came about after Sir Paul, who is a long-time vegetarian, discovered that the global livestock industry is responsible for up to a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions, either through nitrous oxide from animal slurry, methane from animals’ rears and carbon dioxide from crops to feed farmed animals.

In the book’s foreword, Sir Paul explains how by going vegetarian for just one day a week, people can “make a huge difference for the better and set a new pattern for the future of this beautiful planet that we all inhabit”.

Speaking about the launch Sir Paul said that the book “goes to the heart” of several important political, environmental and ethical issues, such as pollution, health and the ethical treatment of animals.

In the foreword, he also suggests that going meat free one day a week also has economic advantages.

“In difficult economic times, people discovered that have at least one meat-free day in their week helped their family budget,” he says.

Sir Paul’s first wife Linda, who died in 1998, became a figurehead of the vegetarian movement in the UK. As well as writing several vegetarian cookbooks she started the Linda McCartney Foods company, which specialized in vegetarian and vegan foods.

Oxfam has found that replacing red meat and vegetables just one day a week could cut an individual’s annual emissions by the equivalent of a 1,160-mile car trip.

Current Mantra

I will live simply by investing in people and reducing my dependence on stuff so that I may truly love all that’s been given to me and create a better world for those around me.

Woman on a mission to find cute vegan shoes (and they're on sale, too!)

$39 from Olsen Haus

$54 Hearts of Darkness

$79 Neisha V. Shoe from Novacas

$249 Finn Cot out Bootie from Cri De Cour

Carl Sagan always says it best.

Humans — who enslave, castrate, experiment on, and fillet other animals — have had an understandable penchant for pretending animals do not feel pain. A sharp distinction between humans and 'animals' is essential if we are to bend them to our will, make them work for us, wear them, eat them — without any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret. It is unseemly of us, who often behave so unfeelingly toward other animals, to contend that only humans can suffer. The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious. They are just too much like us.

This is it.

Austin couple Anne Suttles and Sam Shah built a house to last their lifetime—and longer. Mixing new efficient systems with old upcycled materials, they keep it weird while keeping it green.

Read more: http://www.dwell.com/articles/This-Is-It.html#ixzz1ZGJ7Ctju

I highly recommend

Animal Liberation, by Peter Singer.

The statement "I am in pain" may be one piece of evidence for the conclusion that the speaker is in pain, but it is not the only possible evidence, and since people sometimes tell lies, not even the best possible evidence. Even if there were stronger grounds for refusing to attribute pain to those who do not have language, the consequences of this refusal might lead us to reject the conclusion. Human infants and young children are unable to use language. Are we to deny that a year-old child can suffer?

love this

my guest post

on Vegansaurus.com

Top 10 Vegan Restaurants in Austin!

What comes to mind when you hear about Texas? Greedy republicans, oil industries, and humidity infused gigantic hair, probably. But my town is a bit different. Ahh, Austin. It’s a quirky wonderland of twenty-something hipsters with something (and nothing) to prove, baby boomer hippies who could recall Woodstock as if it were yesterday (and are happy to do so up request), and vegan hotspots that send you into a deep state of food coma-dom (speaking from past experience).

I’ve picked out the top 10 best vegan restaurants and cafes in the city. Big on flavor and even bigger in heart; these are “musts” for any visiting or resident vegan.

10. Vegan Yacht: How appropriate to start off with a food truck! Nestled in a food trailer park on the uber hip Eastside, Vegan Yacht is a great choice for vegans and omnivores alike. What to try: ‘Freeto’ burrito! Omg so good.

9. Sugar Tooth Bakery: Because even vegans have sugar cravings. What to try: Russian Caravan (almond cake).

8. The Parlor: Admittedly, on of the hardest parts about going vegan was giving up most all pizza. But the Parlor has brought my once favorite dish back to me! What to try: Build your own vegan pizza!

7. Wheatsville Food Coop: Okay, so this is actually a grocery store. But, I feel it absolutely must be on the list for it’s super awesome and relaxed community feel, and it’s top-notch deli in the back with really great vegan options. What to try: Vegan Saffron Pasta salad, Popcorn tofu. [Ed.: Speaking of THE AMAZING popcorn tofu, did you know that you don’t have to go all the way to Texas to get it?? That’s right, the recipe is available in this great vegan recipe zine that I just bought and that you can buy, too. Aren’t we all so lucky!? I wrote a little about it in my SF Weekly Week in Vegan column and now I will cut and paste that here because I’m the laziest. Since the entire state of Texas is on fire, that means the animals residents of Sunny Day Farms animal sanctuary in Le Coste, Texas are suffering. In response, awesome blogger Lazy Vegan Smurf and friends put together a great zine of delicious vegan recipes, with all proceeds going to Sunny Day Farms. I’ve been eating almost exclusively out of it for the past week and have gotten three compliments on my sweater today. Coincidence? Don’t answer that? Buy it so I don’t have to place a curse on your first-born.]

6. Beets Café: Self proclaimed “upscale raw-food dining experience”, without the pretension. What to try: ELT (eggplant, lettuce and tomato) sandwich

5. Gueros: Rumor has it that this taco bar is where Quentin Tarantino likes to dine when he’s in Austin, so obvi it needs to be on the list. And I suppose another reason is that they have a totally kick ass vegan menu. What to try: Soy Chorizo on a Corn Tortilla Chiquita.

4. Mr. Natural’s: A restaurant, bakery, juice bar and health food store all rolled into one. Here’s to efficiency! What to try: Tofu and Sunflower Seed Tamales

3. Mother’s Café & Garden: Just as the name suggests, the Mother’s experience basically feels like a gigantic hug from beginning to end. Comfort vegan food. Never leave hungry. Mmmm. What to try: Bueno Burger

2. G’Raj Mahal: A truly enchanting trailer park dining experience (yes, it IS possible), G’Rah Mahal is a charming Indian cuisine trailer that offers outstanding vegan options. What to try: Coconut Curry, Baingam Bartha. PS: It’s also BYOB if you’re feeling frisky.

1. Counter Culture: Yep, another food trailer. But it’d be unwise to underestimate the beauty in simplistic dining. This place is small but mighty, and bonus points for their creative vegan offerings. What to try: Philly Seitan Sandwich

My problem child, PETA.

I'm upset about this.

(This=PETA's new porn website aimed to promote animal cruelty awareness)

I could go on about all the reasons this is wrong. Objectifies women, distracts from the true cause (animal rights movement), short-term attention scheme, etc. But the most upsetting thing about this new marketing stunt is the threat of deep division among the animal rights community. The less in unison we are, the less effective our message will be. Period. For lack of better words, this give us all a bad rap. I'm not saying that's fair or right. We all have the right to educate and advocate independently however we'd like. But the fact is, PETA is the most recognizable animal rights voice. We are often associated with their actions (infact, many other organizations use PETA's materials), and consequently, we are labelled as quacks, making our "jobs" harder. We need to be allies in the fight against animal cruelty. But stunts like this mean that more time is being spent on the community arguing instead of coming together with one strong voice to change the minds and hearts of others.

If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, or enemies, for the same reasons. (C.S. Lewis)

I love this quote. Obviously the point isn't that we should, then, inflict the same punishment on humans, but rather that our justification of eating meat, hunting, wearing fur (etc.) is so extremely skewed, so out of touch, and barbaric. All animal rights activists know that in order to change this perception, a major paradigm shift needs to occur to change the hearts and minds of others, thus, 'convincing' them to go meat free. I've been thinking alot lately about how this can occur, and specifically, at what key point does it occur for people who make the switch to veganism. Hmm.

Can Better Packaging Save the Planet? Infographic!

What to Look for When Picking Fruits and Vegetables

Article by Darya Pino, Ph.D via Huffington Post

What To Look For When Picking Produce

1. Bright color

After you've checked for bruises, blemishes and pests (harder to see on vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage, so double check), look for fruits and vegetables with the brightest, most inviting colors. The tastiest, vine-ripened produce should be vibrant, with its skin entirely saturated with color. If the item has a dull color or whitish sheen, that means it is either not fully ripe or was deprived of sun or nutrients.

For fruits like cherries, look for stems that are green instead of brown, since these fruits will be fresher.

2. Heavy weight

Generally you want to pick produce that is the heaviest relative to the rest of your options. Lightweight produce is more likely to be dry and mealy, but heavier produce will be juicy and crisp.

The best way to tell is to pick up two similarly-sized fruits, one with each hand. After you've tried a few, it will be obvious that certain fruits are much heavier than the rest, and those are your best bets. This applies to both fruits and vegetables, but mostly to fruits.

3. Firm, but not hard

Because the best produce is moist and juicy (see point #2), it should also be perfectly plump. This means that it will be firm to the touch -- think crisp and succulent -- but not hard, squishy or limp.

While the perfect amount of firmness will vary for each type of produce, comparing within the batch can be very informative. For soft fruits, gently picking a piece up should tell you if it's too soft or hard.

For vegetables with stalks like carrots and broccoli, be sure the ends don't give too much when you try to bend them (but don't try too hard or they might snap).

While this tip works as a general rule, keep in mind that it doesn't apply to everything. Figs, for example, are better very soft, as are certain kinds of persimmons.

4. Fragrant aroma

Probably the most telling test of the quality of your fruit is how it smells. Unripe fruits smell like nothing, or at best the cardboard it was packed in. But ripe produce almost always smells faintly (and often overwhelmingly) of how it is supposed to taste.

Hold the part of the fruit that was attached to the stem close to your nose and breathe deeply. Compare a few of your options. The strongest smelling fruit will be the most ripe and ready to eat immediately. If you'd like your fruit to last for a few days, it is best to go with a piece that still smells good, but has a less overwhelming scent.

It's also worth smelling your vegetables, though this tip does not apply to them all (eggplant is a notable exception). Green leafy vegetables and herbs are particularly fragrant. But even carrots, artichokes and squash can have a distinctive smell. Peppers are my personal favorite.

5 Tips for the vegan beginner: Going vegan and staying vegan!

Tip #1: Breathe.

With any new undertaking in life, beginning is almost always the hardest part. The first tip is to relax, go slow, and allow yourself – and your body – time to adjust. I wouldn’t recommend going vegan cold turkey. So much pressure! And also, often times, when you eliminate foods from your body abruptly, you’ll crave it more. Just breathe. Focus. And ease into being vegan nice and slowly!

Tip #2: Have a Mission.

Whip out that old journal you’ve been neglecting for months and simply write out all the reasons why you are deciding to make this major change in your life. Be your own biggest supporter. Thoughts to consider:

Why am I doing this?

What do I hope to get out of this? Mentally, emotionally, and physically?

What did an animal have to go through to get on my plate?

How do I feel after consuming animal products?

What can I reflect on if I’m feeling like giving up in the future?

Gather these thoughts together to create your own vegan mission statement. Get creative and make the words bright and artistic, and post this on your mirror so that you can reflect on your beliefs everyday. Putting words to your cause is therapeutic, and gives the transition more ammunition.

Tip #3: Research.

The unknown is scary. Often, the best way to take the scary out of the unknown is to equip yourself with tons of information and research. Vegan sites that are in place for your education and safe transition are virtually endless. Utilize this resource to understand nutritional needs a new vegan has, benefits to your new lifestyle, and tips to stay committed to your cause.

Tip #4: Community.

The most valuable piece of advice for making this transition smoothly is to find a community and interact with other people who can relate. Finding a group of like-minded individuals, or even just a friend or two who share your ethics and drive to do something can make a world of difference. Places to look:

On the Internet: Social websites are a fantastic place to connect with other vegans, asks questions, and find informational guides. You’ll find that vegans are – for the most part – a friendly bunch, eager to help and listen, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your favorite blogger or tweeter for advice.

In school: Either join your college vegan club or start your own! Navigating vegan options in a college setting can be tricky. Brainstorm with like-minded people to figure out food options and ways to raise awareness around campus.

In the community: One word: Meetup.com! Find a vegan meetup group in your area through Meetup to try out new restaurants with a group and attend potlucks.

Even if you don’t live in the most vegan-friendly city, there are options out there almost everywhere. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to find your niche. If you’re struggling to find a community that fits your interests, start your own event doing something that motivates you!

Tip #5: Experiment!

Have fun! Find interested recipes online or try to create something using your imagination! The easiest way to stay vegan is by enjoying your new diet and lifestyle, and feeling great inside and out.

Fried Rice-Style Quinoa with Grilled Pineapple & Cashews

This was seriously the best vegan meal I've eaten so far! Just omit the animal products, and I used peas instead of edamame. So flavorful! Thanx Communaltable.wordpress.com for the recipe! PS. Don't be scared by the amount of ingredients.. it's worth it.

Fried Rice-Style Quinoa with Grilled Pineapple & Cashews

Sesame oil

½ large white onion

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 large knob of ginger, chopped

Carrots, chopped

Oyster mushrooms, chopped

Broccoli florets

3 Eggs

Tamari soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)

Fresh lime

Green onion, chopped

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

3-4 fresh pineapple rings

Handful of cashews, roughly chopped

Rinse the quinoa really well under fast-running cold water. Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and add the rinsed quinoa. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for approximately 12 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, cover and set aside.

Heat a grill pan on high heat until it’s really hot. Place the pineapple rings in the pan and grill on each side until the outside has nice dark grill marks and is nicely caramelized. Take off the heat and set aside.

Heat a wok or large pan on medium high heat until really hot. Add some sesame oil and the onion. Cook until the onion is nice and brown. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for a few minutes. Add in the chopped carrot and broccoli florets and cook for a few more minutes. Add the chopped mushroom and keep cooking until any moisture has evaporated. I raised the heat slightly to help cook off the liquid from the mushrooms.

Add some soy sauce (to taste) into the pan and stir-fry well.

Add the cooked quinoa to the stir-fried vegetables and mix. I added a touch more sesame oil to flavor the quinoa and to help it stir-fry in the pan as well. Drizzle in more soy sauce, if needed, and squeeze the juice of half a lime overtop. Mix well.

Whisk the eggs in a small bowl. Make a well in the centre of the hot pan and add in the eggs. Scramble in the pan and then mix to distribute through the quinoa.

Plate the stir-fried quinoa and add the grilled pineapple on top. I chopped the pineapple into bite size pieces, but you can leave the rings whole. Top with chopped cashews and green onion and serve with a lime wedge and some sriracha for a bit of heat.

What's "Intelligence"?

Via OneGreenPlanet.com

What's in a Word? Analyzing the Meaning of Intelligence

What’s in a word? So often, we use a word secure in the knowledge that we all know what it means, and we don’t really give it much thought. For example, we all know what we mean when we talk about people going on a date. A date is romantic encounter between two people. But, do we really know what a date is? Would it be a date if two people were to meet by chance somewhere, or must a date be planned in advance? Would it be a date if two people met by phone, or in an online chat room, or via some kind of video conference, or must a date always be in person? If there were a large group of people at some gathering, all seated at the same table, could two of them be on a date, or is it only a date when two people are more or less alone? What do we mean when we say something is a date? What’s in a word? Here’s another example. What do we mean we when say that someone is intelligent? For instance, when a person can look at a pile of bricks and boards and imagine them as a building, and then do what needs to be done to build it, isn’t that person intelligent when it comes to building? When someone can play musical instruments and create songs out of nowhere, even though they can’t read a single note of music, aren’t they intelligent when it comes to music? Isn’t a dancer intelligent about dancing, and an artist intelligent about art? A physicist is intelligent about physics, but don’t we all know some people who are “book smart” but lacking in common sense? Isn’t there intelligence in just getting along in the world that some people have while others don’t? What do we mean when we say someone is intelligent? Who are the “someones” who can be intelligent in the first place?

Beavers gather sticks, branches, and other things, and place them deliberately along the banks of rivers, making themselves a home. Beavers are smart when it comes to building dams. Isn’t that intelligence? Whales and dolphins use a kind of sonar to detect objects, such as other whales and dolphins, in the open ocean. They navigate across vast expanses of water, getting where they want to go, and knowing how to go back to where they came from. Whales and dolphins do quite naturally what humans need sophisticated equipment to do. Aren’t whales and dolphins intelligent? Dogs roam the neighborhoods leaving a scented trail. They recognize not only where they have been, but where others have been as well. Dogs can find their way around without the need of maps or street signs and they know each other well without the use of names or nametags. They don’t need a Rolodex to keep track of their associates. Aren’t dogs intelligent when it comes to getting along in the world and with others? Chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans and gorillas all form complex social bonds in groups organized according to rules and norms. They recognize leaders and act in ways to please them. They do things to hide their own behaviors from others in their groups when it can be to their advantage. We know that various primates can make rational choices about which things would be better for them to have, and which would be worse. Aren’t primates intelligent when it comes to structuring the social world they live in? Consider another example of what it means to be intelligent. Imagine yourself lost at sea, with nothing but a lifesaver and your wits about you. How long would you survive without tools and other equipment to save you? It’s not a very promising prospect. Now, imagine the “lowly” jellyfish. We don’t often think of jellyfish as being intelligent at all, but if one definition of intelligence is the ability to deal with situations, in an effective manner, within an environment, then in the open ocean, jellyfish have an intelligence about them that we would lack. What’s in a word? Often, what is in a word are the preconceptions and prejudices we bring to it. 50 years ago, maybe a date wouldn’t have been a date unless the man asked the woman and he paid the way. Today, most people would probably find that idea of a date rather quaint. Not that long ago, most people, including biologists, neurologists and psychologists, would have thought that intelligence was something unique to the human animal. Today, most people, especially the specialists in the field, understand that intelligence exists throughout the entire kingdom of animals; it isn’t limited to just the human kind. Humans may be very good at measuring the peculiar kind of intelligence that allows us to read books and fill in the blanks. As we learn more about all of the other conscious beings who share the planet with us, we are beginning to understand just how intelligent they are. There’s one more definition of intelligence worth noting: Intelligence is the ability to live and cope with the demands of daily life. Other animals are intelligent enough to do that, all on their own. Let’s hope we are all smart enough to let them.

(Tim Gier, blogger One Green Planet)

Ingredients:
1 beet, halved
1 apple, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, halved
1/2 cucumber

Bell pepper nutrition facts!

Nutrient	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World's Healthiest Foods Rating
vitamin C	291.3	211.1	excellent
vitamin A	104.9	76.0	excellent
vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)	11.5	8.3	excellent
dietary fiber	7.4	5.3	very good
molybdenum	6.1	4.4	very good
vitamin K	5.6	4.1	very good
manganese	5.5	4.0	very good
folate	5.1	3.7	very good

"... the way we eat represents our most profound engagement with the natural world. Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds."
-Michael Pollan

Beets'n'Berries!

Ingredients:

6-8 Strawberries
a few handfuls of Blueberries
1 Beet

Red devil

Ingredients:

2 full leaves of Kale
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Apple

Kale: Antioxidant, anticancer
Red Bell Pepper: Antioxidant, anticancer, cardioprotective
Apple: tonic, digestive, detoxifying, antiseptic, antirheumatic, liver stimulant (the list could go on)
Kale:

honey honey

Honey is a delicious viscous sweetener made naturally by bees for their own nourishment. The fascinating process of making honey begins when the bees feast on flowers, collecting the flower nectar in their mouths. This nectar then mixes with special enzymes in the bees' saliva, an alchemical process that turns it into honey. The bees carry the honey back to the hive, where they deposit it into the cells of the hive's walls. The fluttering of their wings provides the necessary ventilation to reduce the honey's moisture content, making it ready for consumption.

Speakers at the First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health, held in Sacramento, CA, January 8, 2008, presented a number of research papers. (Fessenden R. Report to the Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health) Findings include:

• Different varietals of honey possess a large amount of friendly bacteria (6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria), which may explain many of the "mysterious therapeutic properties of honey."
• Honey may promote better blood sugar control. Proper fueling of the liver is central to optimal glucose metabolism during sleep and exercise. Honey is the ideal liver fuel because it contains a nearly 1:1 ratio of fructose to glucose.
• Experimental evidence indicates that consumption of honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity compared to other sweeteners.
• Honey boosts immunity. Research conducted in several hospitals in Israel found honey effective in decreasing the incidence of acute febrile neutropenia (when high fever reduces white blood cell count) in 64% of patients.
• 32% of the cancer patients involved in the above immunity research reported improved quality of life.

Shop locally for raw honey at Round Rock Honey :)

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."
Hippocrates

Say hello to my little (sweet) friend.

Oh, Stevia. I love you. Here's why:

Stevia s a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar.
Depending on the source, Stevia is said to be from 15 to up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. If you've ever tasted it, you know exactly what that statement means. A little bit goes a long way.

In the raw food movement, stevia is best known as a low-glycemic sweetener used and recommended by Dr. Gabriel Cousens at the Tree of Life on his diabetes program and in general as a low-glycemic sweetner safe for those on a low-sugar diet.

Try Stevia in your next juice! :)

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, oh my!

I know. Almost all of your least favorite veggies in ONE juice. Trust me on this one, though.

Ingredients:
About 10 Broccoli florets
1 Apple
2-3 Kale leaves
2-3 Cauliflower florets

This drink is PACKED with antioxidants.

Beet Break

It seems like I use beets in almost every juice I make. The earthy flavor was hard to get used to, but I've really come to enjoy the unique flavor. The rich color also intrigues me; deep purple juice has to be good for you, right? Turns out, I am right! Read on for some educational goodness (via www.whfoods.com).
The pigments that give beets their rich colors are called betalains. There are two basic types of betalains: betacyanins and betaxanthins. Betacyanins are pigments are red-violet in color. In light or dark red, crimson, or purple colored beets, betacyanins are the dominant pigments. The betalain pigments in beets are water-soluble, and as pigments they are somewhat unusual due to their nitrogen content. Many of the betalains function both as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules. At the same time, they themselves are also very vulnerable to oxidation (change in structure due to interaction with oxygen). In addition to beets, rhubarb, chard, amaranth, prickly pear cactus, and Nopal cactus are examples of foods that contain betalains.

What's most striking about beets is not the fact that they are rich in antioxidants; what's striking is the unusual mix of antioxidants that they contain. We're used to thinking about vegetables as rich in antioxidant carotenoids, and in particular, beta-carotene; among all well-studied carotenoids, none is more commonly occurring in vegetables than beta-carotene.

In beets, however, the "claim-to-fame" antioxidant is not beta-carotene, but two different antioxidant carotenoids, not nearly as concentrated in vegetables as a group. These two carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin. Similarly, when it comes to antioxidant phytonutrients that give most red vegetables their distinct color, we've become accustomed to thinking about anthocyanins. (Red cabbage, for example, gets it wonderful red color primarily from anthocyanins.) Once again, beets demonstrate their antioxidant uniqueness by getting their red color primarily from betalain antioxidant pigments (and not primarily from anthocyanins).

Coupled with their status as a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C and a very good source of the antioxidant manganese, the unique phytonutrients in beets provide antioxidant support in a different way than other antioxidant-rich vegetables. While research is largely in the early stage with respect to beet antioxidants and their special benefits for eye health and overall nerve tissue health, we expect to see study results showing these special benefits and recognizing beets as a standout vegetable in this area of antioxidant support.

Beets are also an excellent source of hearth-healthy folate and a very good source of the antioxidant manganese and heart-healthy potassium. Beets are a good source of digestive-supportive dietary fiber, free radical scavenging vitamin C and copper, bone-healthy magnesium, and energy-producing iron and phosphorus.

And the beet goes on..

I wonder when exactly I will run out of "beat/beet" play on words.
Nevertheless, this juice is great for general optimal health. The earthy beet flavor is not for everyone... I highly recommend adding a Stevia packet to this juice.
Ingredients:
1/2 Cucumber
2 Carrot roots or 10 baby carrots
1 Beet - leaves included if possible.
(tip: juice beets last, the hardness will push through any of the cucumber left in the juicer blades.)

Easy as A, B, C

Strawberries and asparagus... who woulda thunk it? The strawberries and apples give the juice a sweetness, cancelling out any bitterness from the asparagus. This juice is a powerful punch of vitamins A, B, C and E. What a sweet way to get an antioxidant and anticancer fix!

Ingredients:
5-6 Fresh strawberries (always opt for organic strawberries)
6-8 Asparagus stalks
2 Carrot roots (or 6-8 baby carrots)
Optional: 1 Apple if you like your juices super sweet

Pretty. Drink up!

Summer Refresher

It's hot as hell in Texas. The more water I can get, the better! This juice is hydrating, detoxifying, and OH so refreshing. All three ingredients are excellent diuretics and may also be healers of high blood pressure. Cucumbers in particular are high in water and contain sterols, which may help the heart by reducing cholesterol.
Ingredients:
3 Celery stalks
1 Apple (red delicious)
1/2 Cucumber
Optional: 1 tsp of Cayenne pepper

I'm always happily surprised when I see my juice's amazing vibrant colors! Only nature can produce somethin' this pretty. Wish the picture did it justice :-P

I've got a love/hate relationship with cayenne. It's healing powers are vast: stimulant, tonic, carminative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, antibacterial, etc. But it's a taste you definitely need to acquire! It's got a big kick and at first, made my stomach hurt for a little while after. Do NOT use if you have IBS or are pregnant! Usually I purchase cayenne straight from those bucket-y things next to the produce aisle at Whole Foods. They were out the last time I was there so I had to buy this Simply Organic brand, not bad.

Keep that ticker tickin'

Heart Problems include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and stroke. None of those sound fun. Some of the best healing foods for such diseases are leafy greens - also known as Kale, Swiss Chard, Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens and lettuce. All are powerful antioxidants with anticancer preventative qualities.

And if you're not yet convinced... leafy greens are also thought to help prevent certain cancers (colon & ovarian). They are stellar sources of vitamins A and C, chlorophyll, and also contain calcium, iron, folic acid, and potassium.

We Got the Beet

1 cup of chopped kale

1 beet
2 celery stalks, leaves intact
1 apple
1/2 lemon

Tip: When picking out apples, opt for organic Red Delicious if you can. These have a deep red pigment that contains six times more antioxidant activity than other brands of apples.
Tip: Careful with beets - they have such a beautiful purple color, but they like to bleed everywhere and stain your clothes if you're not careful! :)

Immunity Granted

This juice is awesome for a quick immunity boost, and tastes great with one or two apples added (depending on your sweetness preference!). The juice calls for 2 carrot roots, but I always buy the baby carrots, they are easier to pop in the juicer and good for munching on later!

2 Stalks of Celery
2 Carrots
1 Clove of Garlic
1 Apple
1/2 Lemon

I almost always buy organic produce, but surely there are times of the year where certain fruits or veggies aren't available. In that case, I make sure to wash these items a bit extra (regardless of organic or not, I'd always recommend washing your produce).
Always drink your juice as quick as you can after juicing, as the enzymes and nutrients lose their power quickly.

Intro

Hello! I'm Stephanie. Thank you for visiting my juicing blog! Juicing has become somewhat of a passion, all starting last summer, when I bought my very first juicer. I was determined to not let this new hobby of mine fall victim to the usual trap (you know, losing interest completely within a few weeks or so). I saw this juicer as my miracle machine, the thing that will make me super healthy with a snap of my fingers! It turned out to be more tedious than I had imagined. And pricey. But somewhere between chopping my veggies and feeling a little high though my veins after downing a juice, I realized that this wasn't just a hobby that I needed to adopt, but a lifestyle, too.

Since moving to Austin, TX over a year ago, my awareness of healthy eating and the mind-body connection has increased an incredible amount. Juicing is such a great way to get your daily portion of fruits and veggies. And despite popular belief, juices don't have to taste terrible! In this blog, I'll aim to share the best juice recipes that I've tried and tested over the past year, as well as including interesting health tidbits along the way.

The juicer that I use daily is the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain. I highly recommend this juicer, especially for everyday use. It's a fantastic quality juicer for a good price. other good brands include Hamilton Beach and Jack Lalanne. Remember: Juicers are NOT the same as blenders!
Oh, and the Elvis theme. I just really like Elvis.
Thanks for reading!
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