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.