Top 5 Myths About The Canadian Commercial Seal Hunt via IFAW

Vegan Aioli

3 tbsp Organic Veganaise
1 tbsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix together, blend well. It's that simple....

Today Is My New January 1st

It's been a whole month since Thursday February 3rd and it's still bugging me. I broke one of my New Years Resolutions. I'm so ashamed of myself and have tried to let it go, but it's eating away at me. It doesn't even really matter what is was, but the fact that I made a commitment to myself that I didn't follow through on is really weighing on me. What does this say about my character?? I should be able to count on myself! I don't make a lot of resolutions because I intend to never break them and that can get really heavy, so I keep them simple and try my damndest to stay true to them. Now, here I've gone against my own word....
I've spent the last month agonizing over this and trying to come up with a way to forgive, which is something I tend to do very easily when it comes to others. I'm having a really hard time doing it for myself.
My solution is to just admit I effed up and start today off as if it's January 1st all over again. I'm giving myself a fresh start on that 2011 resolution. So, ....Happy New Years Resolution Round Two to me, and let's move on!

Ashamed To Be Canadian

This is shameful. You don't have to be Vegan or an Activist to agree the Seal Hunt is so very very wrong. The rest of the world is wondering when our Canadian Government will bring the torture against these defenceless creatures to an end and we need to show them the people of this country will not tolerate this cruelty. Join us on Saturday March 19th in Hamilton, Ontario to demonstrate to our local community just how ashamed we feel to have our nation be associated with the Seal Hunt. The world judges us on our cruel actions.... it's very un-Canadian! Message me for more information or be a voice for the voiceless here:
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2929

Art In Heaven

My son's class is going to a Pioneer Village on a field trip next week. A permission form was sent home asking parents to sign off on allowing the kids to participate in Opening Ceremonies while they are there.  Our public school stands for O'Canada every morning and I have taught my children why we show respect for the playing of the National Anthem.  The Opening Ceremonies on this field trip however includes reciting the Lord's Prayer and singing God Save The King.

I hesitated at signing off on it but did after much thought, still indicating I'd leave it up to Carter to decide that day. Just because we do not practise religion in our home doesn't mean I can't expose my children to what others celebrate and recognize. We live in a very diverse community for a reason.... we moved here on purpose with diversity in mind and so there are religions and traditions that go along with various cultures here. I explained to Carter that some of his friends will know the words to these exercises and asked if he had ever heard about God before. He said he had but didn't really understand what it was. I told him that his Dad and I believe that a common thread in most religions is Spirituality, Love and Good Nature. Because we embrace those things within our family, we've never found it necessary to take part in any one particular religion that defines a who or a what you're supposed to believe in. Instead, we believe what we feel and that it's ok to feel differently from one another.

Yesterday, he came home from school with his music duo tang in hand, absolutely furious. He slammed it down on the stairs and asked me why I had signed off on that form if I knew what Opening Ceremonies meant. It turns out they are learning them in music class before the trip. I asked why he was so angry about it and my not-quite-nine-year-old son said to me "Why would you want me to learn a song about Gods and Kings thinking they are better than anyone else when our family treats all people the same. Who do those people think they are??" He had a point. He hasn't figured out Hierarchy just yet....! I raise my kids to live a compassionate lifestyle and that involves but is not limited to treating the human race, all animals and the universe with respect. How could I possibly have thought he wouldn't pick up on the Hierarchy so evident in these religious ceremonies? I am fully aware that God Save The King was once Canada's National Anthem and so because it was at one time a representation of our country, it is the only reason I struggle with him not having respect for it.... however, I "get" what he is saying and admire him for noticing that. I told him I can support him there and if he doesn't feel comfortable singing about that he doesn't have to. I asked him if he had any thoughts on the Lord's Prayer. He responded, "What, that poem about Art In Heaven? I think it must just mean the author is talking about the shapes the clouds make in the sky. Us humans can see them from here on Earth on the one side of them, so even though we all look at the same thing we can all see it a bit differently, so it doesn't really matter who you are or where you live, on Earth or in Heaven, you can still see the art....just differently"

His take on hierarchy and this analogy he came up with floored me. Religion is like an Art, of which we all interpret in different ways. I get it. And I'm very proud of and wowed by this baby boy of mine.

Only Losers Sell Fur

Recently I have had to and will continue to, boycott one of my favourite retailers Winners. It's difficult to be sure the clothing I buy is sweat shop free and I do what I can to be sure I make purchases that are cruelty free and ethical however I know that indirectly I have supported sweatshops and other mistreatment unbeknown to me. I don't know what I don't know, which is why I question almost everything I buy. I have learned Winners sells fur. Now I must voice my disgrace on the subject. 


On the Vancouver Animal Rights Campaigns blog they posted in detail recent encounters with Winners:

Winners Selling Raccoon Fur

Well, this is it, we are SICK AND TIRED of seeing cheap, cruel fur for sale atWinners, and we are even more sick and tired of being lied to about it!

Winners sells fur from many different species of animals like rabbits, raccoon dogs, mink and foxes, raised on fur farms in several different countries including Canada, Greece, Finland and China.

When contacting Winners in the past regarding their sale of fur they have stated “as long as it is in style, we will continue to sell it.”

When a concerned customer contacted them in regards to a raccoon dog trimmed jacket they were sold and specifically told by Winners staff that it is FAKE FUR, their response was “well our staff are not experts on the subject.”

NOW, this is the latest from WINNERS:

“Hi ****,

Thank you for your email.  We appreciate the time you have taken to contact

us and have taken your comments very seriously.  Your voice does count, and

we will continue to evaluate the sale of fur in our stores.

As a retailer, our goal is to provide our customers with the widest

selection of merchandise, while providing the best quality and value.

Therefore, as a retailer with a diverse clientele, we make every attempt to

understand and satisfy the needs and concerns of all of our customers.

Please be assured WMI does not condone the unethical treatment of any

animal.  Our buyers only purchase fur products from reputable manufacturers

in the industry.  We have very tight systems in place to ensure that we do

not purchase or sell any merchandise containing dog or cat fur. Whenever

possible, our buyers purchase domestically produced goods, where it is

illegal to use dog or cat fur and any new purchases require manufacturers’

documentation that no dog or cat fur is involved.

Our Buyers travel to China periodically throughout the year and tour many

of the factories, however we have Agents who live there that we pay to

protect our interests and to ensure our vendors are abiding by our

agreements.  Be assured we have all of our Vendors sign an agreement that

indicates no fur from endangered species, dog, cat, racoon dog, asiatic

racoon, etc…  will be a part of any product offered to, shipped to or

sold to our Organization by them or their affiliates.

We hope this information answers your concerns.  If you have any other

inquiries, please feel free to contact our toll freeCustomer Serviceline

at:  1800-646-9466 in order to speak to one of our Representatives.”

Winners has now stated that they do not sell ASIATIC RACCOON.  The problem is we were in Winners on December 23rd and we found a whole rack of winter jackets with raccoon dog trim labeled as ASIATIC RACCOON. (attached are pictures of the trim and the tag)

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!  WE WILL NOT BE LIED TO AND WE WANT WINNERS TO STOP SELLING FUR OF ALL KINDS!!!!!

PLEASE EMAIL WINNERS STAFF AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK OF THEIR BLOODY, CORRUPT, DISHONEST BUSINESS!!!

mike_faulkner@winners.ca, leslie_berg@winners.ca,shannon.johnson@winners.ca, liz.mcdonald@winners.ca,bob.cataldo@winners.ca, sherry.zaremba@winners.ca,Teresa.kakish@winners.ca, mike.kinnon@winners.ca,andrew.todd@winners.ca, judy.schroffel@winners.ca,katie.dryburgh@winners.ca, cheryl.zamalynski@winners.ca,andrea.little@winners.ca, kevin.hale@winners.ca,brenda.mackirdy@winners.ca, brenda.berg@winners.ca,graem.rolfe@winners.ca, kim.stark@winners.ca,connie.johnson@winners.ca, marsha.loft@winners.ca,pat.steed@winners.ca, gary.burney@winners.ca,lauren.henry@winners.ca, brandy.ross@winners.ca,tulin.aulgin@winners.ca, ray.nero@winners.ca,shahin.fooladbary@winners.ca, sharalyn.landon@winners.ca,maura.cowie@winners.ca, gary.howell@winners.ca,cam.badwal@winners.ca, rene.pichett@winners.ca,rob.sewell@winners.ca, helen.abdullah@winners.ca,darlene.abukar@winners.ca, kevin.roberge@winners.ca,debra.sikorski@winners.ca, don.phinney@winners.ca,jason.baird@winners.ca, doug.kleininger@winners.ca, ,pat.stead@winners.ca, patty.harris@winners.ca,lori.markel@winners.ca, shannon.pagen@winners.ca,barb.hayes@winners.ca, joel.lohr@winners.ca,joanne.lafrenier@winners.ca, edma.grasfler@winners.ca,lori.kennedy@winners.ca, karen.ramo@winners.ca,kasia.orlow@winners.ca, cservice_department@winners.ca, michael.case@winners.ca

ONE MORE THING!

Winners has stated: 
“Our Buyers travel to China periodically throughout the year and tour many
of the factories, however we have Agents who live there that we pay to
protect our interests and to ensure our vendors are abiding by our
agreements.”

We contacted the manufacturer Soia and Kyo whose fur trimmed jackets are for sale in Winners right now.  They told us that Winners has not ever inspected any of their factories, let alone a fur farm, as they are an independent manufacturer.  So Winners has NO IDEA where they source their fur from, or how the animals are treated.

Thank you for your efforts, please forward this email!

VADL

Please note:

This alert is not meant to incite any illegal activities and all the information in this message is for legal use only. We don’t take

responsibility for other people’s actions no matter how much they make us smile. Thanks for your support.

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Fur from China is often mislabelled as fur from other species or even as "all man made materials". There aren't any laws in Canada regarding labelling. Products do not have to say which animal the fur is a source of and don not have to even indicate that it is real.. But you can't mislabel them, legally. Fur is exported to countries throughout the world to be sold to unsuspecting customers.

PETA has been documenting articles and footage of the the Fur Industry for years. 

There are no penalties for abusing animals on fur farms in China who are the largest fur exporters in the world. Be aware, ask questions and please don't support cruelty. Compassion Is Fashion!!

Eric Clapton~Tears In Heaven

A lump in my throat and a heavy heart every time I hear this, ....but I don't wonder if they'll know me because I'm SURE my three babies will be returned to me somehow someway someday.

Eric Clapton~Wonderful Tonight

My hearts overflows with the feeling of love when I hear this song. It makes me think of Date Nights and how much needed they are to stay in tune and connected within our relationships.

Gluten Free Vegetarian Baked Potato & Leek Soup

We sorta winged this one afternoon and it turned out to be pretty amazing!

2 carrots, peeled & diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
1 leek, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 raw potatoes, diced
2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
8 cups of vegetable stock
1 can of corn
6 baked potatoes, skins peeled off & diced
1 cup 35% heavy cream
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cornstarch mixture to thicken, if necessary

Sauté the carrots, celery, leek, garlic & raw potatoes in the vegetable oil. Add salt & pepper. Stir and cook until soft.... about 5-7 minutes
Add in the vegetable stock & corn & seasonings and boil for 45 minutes.
Puree the soup until blended together then add in heavy cream. Add in baked potatoes. Stir well, add salt & pepper to taste and serve.... with chives & cheddar cheese if you like chives & cheese!

Put A Little Love In Your Heart~Annie Lennox & Al Green

This is gonna be my 2011 theme song, all! 
You just wait and see....  I hope when you decide, kindness will be your guide.
; )
Put A Little Love In Your Heart
(Annie Lennox duet with Al Green)

Think of your fellow man
Lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
You see it's getting late
Oh please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
Another day goes by
And still the children cry
Put a little love in you heart
If you want the world to know
We won't let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
Wait and see
Take a good look around
And if you're lookin' down
Put a little love in your heart
I hope when you decide
Kindness will be your guide
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in -
Put a little love in your heart...