it's all about the cupcakes

Hope

Benjamin and I attended the Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary’s Farm Tour and Yard Sale yesterday.

Despite my idea that it would be a rough drive up there and back, the baby boy slept both ways–the entire 45 minute drive! Very nice. I was quite happy to not have to pull over in the back country with no cell phone service to feed the little guy.

Tim and I are committed to raising Benjamin vegan–no doubts. The fact that he will be challenged by some people, ostracized by others (not only children but parents of friends and teachers as well) is something that makes me sad–but he will be stronger for it, and I believe that for every child who misunderstands him, there will be another who learns from him about animals being our friends.

As cheesy (or cheezly, or another dairy-free brand of cheese–what have you) as it is, this song popped into my head at Poplar Springs yesterday–”I believe the children are our future…” you know the rest. I think it had something to do with the fact that at work 97.1 (sing it: wash eeefff eeeemmmm) is always on and they feel the need to play that song once every two hours or so. But it also had to do with the fact that there are just so many families at Poplar Springs events. Whether or not they are vegan or vegetarian when they go home–when they are at the beautiful, sprawling sanctuary they are learning about the animals that live there, interacting with the pigs and cows and sheep, and most importantly, subtly learning that the animals were rescued from places that didn’t treat them well–which makes kids ask questions. Case in point: the little girl who went with us, she’s seven, asked her dad why the animals need a sanctuary. I didn’t hear his answer–but I know that when I was seven I had no idea that a human could possibly treat an animal in any other way than nicely, and I blindly shuffled the chicken nuggets from (shudder) good ‘ole Mickey D’s into my mouth on a daily basis.

Maybe if I had been exposed to a place like Poplar Springs I would have had more questions, inklings. Maybe I would have become a vegan at a younger age.

Poplar Springs, schools offering soymilk as an option and beginning the process of improving their menus–among other things, is so hopeful to me.

While I was waiting in line for my veggie hot dog, a little boy (maybe five years old) ran up to his mother (with whom I was chatting) and she asked him what he wanted on his “hamburger”. He looked at her and said “No, mom, VEGGIE-burger, not HAM-burger!”

Pretty cool.

Sing it, Whitney Houston.

-Megan Meinberg

July 27, 2008 | Filed Under Animals, Benefit, Events, Farming, Kids | Leave a Comment 

Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest Photos



It was a good time and a good turn-out. Next year I think the contestants need to be up on a platform, as you can see it was a little hard to see what was going on. And it was a good reason to get some Stickyfingers! I believe the winner, the guy in the red shirt, ate 16.5 veggie dogs.

July 27, 2008 | Filed Under Events, Food | 4 Comments 

Weekend Events: July 26-27

COK / Stickyfingers Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest
In honor of National Veggie Hot Dog Month, COK has teamed up with Sticky Fingers Bakery to host D.C.’s first ever Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest. Enjoy all the Tofurky Franks you can eat and win fabulous prizes or watch others stuff their faces. Help us show others how easy, delicious and fun it is to choose vegetarian foods! Everyone is welcome and there is no entry fee.

Where: Sticky Fingers Bakery at 1370 Park Rd., N.W., D.C.
Metro: Columbia Heights Metro station (green line)
When: 6 pm
More Info: http://www.cok.net/feat/hotdog-contest/

Poplar Spring Farm Tour
Come on out and meet the animals and enjoy hay rides, ice cold lemonade, veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs. Shop for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and handmade crafts in our gift shop, and for hidden treasures at our giant yard sale in the carriage barn.

Where: Poplar Spring
When: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
More Info: http://www.animalsanctuary.org/events/index.html

Vegan Meetup Group: Restaurant Visit to Lemon Tree
Lemon Tree is a cozy Middle Eastern café and market with a number of vegetarian and vegan options. It is located in Congressional Plaza near the Twinbrook Metro station. Ingredients are listed on the menu so one can tell whether or not they are vegan.

Where: Lemon Tree Cafe and Market
When: 6 pm
More Into: http://vegan.meetup.com/28/calendar/8303369/

Vegan Meetup Group: Potluck Picnic in Rock Creek Park
Join VSDC and the Washington, DC Area Vegan Meetup group this summer for food and fun in beautiful Rock Creek Park. Please bring a vegan dish to share (no animal products like meat, fish, fowl, eggs, dairy, honey, etc., and their derivatives) that serves four times the number in your party. You should bring the ingredient list/recipe and serving utensil. You are also encouraged to bring your own reusable plate, cup, and utensils to cut down on the use of disposable products. For more information, contact VSDC at 202-362-VEGY box #2 or vsdc@vsdc.org. For directions, visit www.nps.gov/rocr or call 202-895-6000.

Where: Rock Creek Park Grove 10
When: Sunday, July 27, 4:00 PM
More Info: http://vegan.meetup.com/28/calendar/7954829/?a=cv1c_grp

July 25, 2008 | Filed Under Animals, Events, Food, Kids | Leave a Comment 

Save Energy, Save the Planet, Lose Weight = Eat Less Meat & Junk Food : TreeHugger

Save Energy, Save the Planet, Lose Weight = Eat Less Meat & Junk Food : TreeHugger.

Sounds like a plan!

July 24, 2008 | Filed Under Food | Leave a Comment 

TAFA Wrap Up

Well..I was unfortunately unable to attend all of TAFA this year. But as usual it was nice to be around so many like minded people and vegans too! I was able to get a few of the sessions, I was able to here After Michael Vick: Combating Animal Fighting which was very good and had a lot of good news on combating animal fighting, especially about the stiffer penalties that almost all the states have past. Another one of my favorite sessions this year was Speaking Out for Farm Animals which also had good news on the farm animal front about  laws passed in several states banning the use of gestation crates and veal crates. And about something called “Prop 2″ in California which will ban veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates! THIS IS BIG! You can find out more about it here http://www.humanecalifornia.org. This will be a big win on the animal front and we can only hope that more states will follow.

Now we can’t forget about the food, I would have to say this year was the best. I missed the banquet but can only imagine what it was like compared to what we had for lunch. I love sandwiches so I am going with day one lunch as my favorite, very very good! I am not sure who catered but hats off to ya!

We would love to hear your thoughts on this years TAFA.

July 23, 2008 | Filed Under Animals, Events | 1 Comment 

Thanking The Monkey: Book Reading & Party

I have not read the book yet…But I will! The book sounds really cool. Hopefully I can make this event too. Sounds like its going to be a good time. The reading will be on July 21st (that’s this Monday) at Olsson’s Books on 19th St. This will be followed by a book signing and benefit (COK) at the Java Green down the street.

For more information on the event CLICK HERE! and scroll down a little bit.

http://www.thankingthemonkey.com

July 18, 2008 | Filed Under Animals, Benefit, Events, Food | Leave a Comment 

Ramblings of A Vegan Mama

Will You Raise Your Child Vegan??

That, my friends, is the most asked question of a pregnant vegan. I can’t count how many times friends, strangers and relatives asked me THAT question, with eyebrows cocked. So my response was to raise my eyebrows right back and say “Why wouldn’t I?”

It is mind boggling to me that one can look at a perfectly healthy person whose strong sense of morality rules their diet and question the fact that they will “impose” their morals and habits on their children. My hackles rose at the mere question mentioned above–and I bit back my tongue from responding with “No–I plan on taking the child to McDonalds every day and basically shooting him up with antibiotics and hormones and insuring his future as a diabetic–also, I plan on ignoring my love of animals and my abhorance at their treatment by not teaching him that what most of society is mindlessly consuming was once a living, breathing creature.”
Read more

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under Kids, Rambling | 2 Comments 

Vegan Cooking Class: July 20th

Salads/Picnics/BBQs Sunday, July 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fairfax Station, VA. Past classes have included some of the following: whole grain and bean salads such as Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Soy Feta Cheese, Two-Grain Sesame Salad, Oriental Ramen Slaw, Chicken-Free Salad, Oil-Free Sweet Bulgar Salad, Teriyaki Kebobs, Marinated Grilled Vegetables, Rice Paper Spring Rolls, Quinoa Tabouli, Dilled Potato Salad, Black Bean Fiesta Salad, Zesty Three-Bean Salad, Caesar Salad, Kim Chee, Beanie Weenie Bake, Tempeh Salad, low fat marinades and dressings, Sugar-free Organic Strawberry Lemonade, Fudge Brownies.

No meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. $45/person; $80/two people; $40/VSDC, VRG, and COK members. Class includes recipes, food samples, manufacturers’ samples, and coupons. Gift certificates available. Email veggourmet@aol.com, or call 703.643.2713 for space availability.

For more info visit http://www.localdc.com/cooking

July 16, 2008 | Filed Under Cooking, Events, Food | Leave a Comment 

This Weekends Events

Here is a rundown of whats happening this weekend. [pretty much just TAFA] know of something else going on let me know tim@dcvegan.com

Taking Action For Animals > July 19th - 21st

So much has happened for animal protection in the last year, and it’s time to gather together to push the cause forward. After the Michael Vick case exposed the world to illegal dogfighting, learn what you can do to combat animal fighting in your community. After the slaughter of sick and crippled cows led to the largest recall of meat in our nation’s history, learn what you can do to protect farm animals from cruelty and abuse. As the November election approaches, learn about animal issues that will be on the ballot and how you can pass laws to protect animals.

During the conference you can network with national leaders and hundreds of grassroots activists. The conference’s convenient location allows easy access to the entire DC area.

July 16, 2008 | Filed Under Animals, Benefit, Events | Leave a Comment 

Grassroots Meeting in Takoma Park: Meet Delegate Tom Hucker

Join Compassion Over Killing and The Humane Society of the United States for an exciting opportunity to meet one of Maryland’s most animal-friendly legislators! Delegate Tom Hucker, who represents parts of Takoma Park and Silver Spring, is eager to meet local animal advocates and discuss animal protection legislation and the legislative process. Dogs, kids, and friends welcome!

Please RSVP for this event.

WHERE: Spring Park Pavilion at 7008 Poplar Ave. in Takoma Park, Md.
METRO: Takoma Metro station (red line)
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

July 10, 2008 | Filed Under Events | 1 Comment 

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