Cruelty-Free: Salad Days, sharon-style
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… even in the city the pace slows down, people head out of town for the weekends, and there are plenty of sultry nights when no one feels like having a hot or heavy meal. My neighborhood for the summer, Dupont Circle in Washington DC, has among all its shops and cafes, a Sweet Green. If I four-squared my whereabouts, I’d already be mayor. First, I tried two of their signature salads:
- Sabzi: baby spinach with spicy quinoa, white beans, raw beets, radish, basil, sprouts, dried cranberries; topped with carrot chili vinaigrette.
- “Chic-P”: mesclun & baby spinach with baked falafel, chickpeas, cucumbers, roasted peppers, garlic pita chips; topped with a lemon hummus tahini dressing.
Visit #3, I opted for the custom-salad, where I could select the mix myself: mesclun and arugula mixed with asparagus, roasted red and yellow peppers, sunflower seeds, roasted tofu, and a sprinkle of diced beets. Miso sesame ginger vinaigrette.
Let the summertime bring out the salad artist in you, too! Here are some ideas — think of them as building blocks — which you can use to create your own magnificent salad expressions.
- Greens: Iceberg is nice, but I think it’s even better when mixed with darker greens. Try mesclun, a spring mix, dandelions, romaine, or arugula. Radicchio isn’t a green, but it’s often included in many pre-made mixes, and I recommend adding some to complement the greens.
- Color: I cannot emphasize this enough! Think of your salad as a work of art. On occasion, a simple green salad really will be the best way to complement a meal, especially if the other things you’re serving have very strong flavors. But especially when you’re making entrée salads, try making them as colorful as your personality! Adding red peppers and yellow peppers and orange peppers to leafy greens, and maybe some white florets of cauliflower… who wouldn’t find appealing something so pretty?
- Fun with Fruit: Another great way to add color to your salad is with fruit. How about some diced apple or, if you happen to be allergic to apples (me), diced green pear? I also have been known on occasions to include orange or grapefruit slices, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and blueberries — always fresh and oh so delicious. Dried fruits also can be a wonderful addition to the mix. I especially like golden raisins as a finishing touch, and sometimes I’ll use dried apricots.
- Crunch: Right now, I’m into sunflower seeds. A little sprinkle of them really jazzes up a salad. Whole grain croutons, crumbled pita chips, and wasabi peas (spicy!) can introduce interesting flavors to your mix. I like nuts, though I use them sparingly so that I don’t end up with a really fattening salad — walnuts, almonds, and soy nuts are favorites. In the fall, I like a dash of pumpkin seeds. Whatever nuts or seeds I choose, my personal preference is for raw or roasted, unsalted. But I’ve seen candied nuts (walnuts, pecans) in plenty of salads, too; the unexpected sweetness can be a nice brushstroke for special occasions.
- Protein: Nuts are always a good way to get protein into a salad, but they’re not the only way. Beans — just a tablespoon of white beans, chick peas, or kidney beans –- pack a nice protein punch. And I discovered one time when I was cleaning out the fridge by putting together a salad largely comprised of leftovers that I really love quinoa in a salad; for those of you who aren’t familiar with quinoa yet, it resembles a grain (actually a seed), but it also happens to be a great source of protein. Thanks to Sweet Green, I just learned that I also really like roasted tofu in a salad. For those who like chicken in their salads, I highly recommend you try Gardein, a mock-chicken that will rock your world.
Tip: Keep it seasonal!
If you’re making an effort to buy local foods, the best vegetables and fruit will find their way into your salad bowl at the right time. By keeping your salads seasonal, you’ll have inspiration throughout the year and won’t fall get bored with the same old, same old. Right now, maybe some fresh peach slices in a salad could be the perfect touch. I’m envisioning a bowl of Boston ”butter” lettuce with fresh peaches, baby cucumber slices, sprouts, sunflower seeds, and fresh mint. Just a hint of dressing, maybe with some lemon or lime juice. Yummmmm…
I must conclude this post with an homage to the spinach salad, which always has been one of my favorites. For an animal-friendly version: spinach leaves, sliced mushrooms (white or crimini), tempeh “bacon” or Smart Bacon (both made by Lightlife) cut into small pieces, and heirloom tomatoes. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar (I use white balsamic). Sprinkle some Rice Topping “parmesean” over it and some coarse black pepper to complete the presentation. A classic. A masterpiece.
Cruelty-Free: Easy Dairy Alternatives
I’m hoping many of you dashed off to your local market after my last post and tried one of the non-dairy ice cream treats. A friend this past week practically swooned when she was talking about So Delicious, and I discovered that another friend and I share the same enthusiasm for the coconut-milk ice cream. To follow up, I wanted to offer some dairy substitutions for the home. While life without milk and cheese may seem impossible, I think many will find it’s actually very easy to do without dairy most of the time.
- Milk: Taste the dream… that’s the slogan of a brand that offers non-dairy milk alternatives to pour over your cereal, into your morning cup of coffee, or use in a favorite recipe. There’s soy milk, which seems to be the most popular option. In addition to Soy Dream, another popular brand that I like is Silk. My personal preference is rice milk, which isn’t quite as heavy and doesn’t have such a nutty flavor. In addition to Rice Dream, we frequently buy Trader Joe’s Rice Drink. My husband and mom both love almond milk – and, as I mentioned in the previous post, the almond ice cream sandwiches are insanely good. Hemp milk is another alternatives. By the way, did you know Starbucks is now making soy frappuccinos?
- Cheese: I’ve never been a huge cheese fan, and there are admittedly some pretty nasty cheese alternatives out there on the market. If you happen to have had one of these, don’t let it sour you on non-dairy cheese altogether. For a Parmesean substitute, I use Rice Topping by Galaxy Foods, which also makes a soy-cheese topping. Trust me… I’m Italian, so substituting Parmesean is not something I take lightly. The rice topping works great on pasta, and also makes a mean artichoke dip. Also, Daiya cheese is a wonderful option because it melts really well. I had pizza with Daiya cheese just a couple of days ago, and it was delicious.
- Eggs: Using cage-free or free-range eggs is a start, but the truth is the dairy cows and hens are not happy, no matter how cute the picture of them is on the cover of the carton. There was a time that my canine kids got cage-free scrambled egg whites for Sunday breakfast; then I discovered they were just as happy about Organic O’s cereal and rice milk. Maybe scrambled tofu is something you’d like. Or dairy-free pancakes. If you’re a baker, there are plenty of substitutes to use in baking recipes that call for eggs, such as applesauce and bananas.
- Butter: I switched to Smart Balance Light, made by Earth Balance, a long time ago – I even use it on my Sunday bagel. (If you’re a cream-cheese on-the-bagel person, try Tofutti.) Again, the baking issue seems to come up when I talk about using a butter substitute. Well, Earth Balance buttery spread comes in sticks, so why not give that a try?
Just switching out these few staples in the home will make a dramatic difference for you and your family (lower cholesterol, anyone?)… and the animals.
Cruelty-Free: I Scream for Ice Cream!
So we’ve had quite a bit of fun researching for this post. Family and friends have been introduced to some new frozen delectables. Let’s start with good old-fashioned ice cream. You don’t have to swear off dairy completely to make more animal-friendly choices. Think cage-free eggs, organic ingredients, supplied by local farms. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream has a colorful web site that tells the story of ice cream from Cow to Cone. The site offers all kinds of cool features, including kid computer games like Eco-Mission that promote conscientious consumer practices. For some, it’s problematic that the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s is Unilever (not animal-friendly); but I encourage everyone to check out the web site – it really is informative and fun.
Browsing around my local Whole Foods Market, I discovered several new ways to indulge, in addition to Whole Foods’ own line of organic ice cream and ice cream bars:
- Straus Family Creamery
Organic ice cream and frozen yogurt –try their Coffee or Vanilla Bean. - Jule’s Organic Ice Cream
Ice creams, sorbets… and strawberry-yogurt bars. Yummmm…. They also make some non-dairy desserts. How does a Coconut Fudge Bar sound to you? - Organic Boulder Ice Cream
In addition to ice cream, Boulder makes gelato, an Italian version of ice cream. Gelato is awesome for a few reasons: first, it’s usually only about half the fat of ice cream; second, gelato is made without eggs; third, it’s so light and smooth and molto delicioso! If you’ve never tried gelato before, I highly recommend Stracciatella (chocolate chip) or Cioccolato Bacio (chocolate hazelnut). My favorite gelato flavor is DiCrema (sweet cream). Reminds me of my days living in Roma!
Better yet, there are plenty of non-dairy options. I prefer vegan alternatives, so when I treat myself to a summertime sweet, these are my top choices (some of which are in my freezer right now):
- Purely Decadent (by Turtle Mountain)
These non-dairy ice creams are soy-free, made with coconut milk. Dairy-free and also gluten-free. Chocolate Brownie Almond gets a huge thumbs-up from everyone who’s sampled for me. Turtle Mountain also makes a line of soy-based ice creams called So Delicious. I haven’t tried these — I’m not big on soy-based ice creams — but I know many people think So Delicious is… so delicious. - Rice Dream and Soy Dream
These pints of non-dairy frozen dessert are tasty – I get the Rice Dream vanilla every once in a while. Good for topping birthday cakes or pies! - Almond Dream Lil’ Dreamers
Made by the Rice Dream/Soy Dream brand, these little ice cream sandwiches are rich with flavor, thanks to the almond-milk vanilla. And they’re just 100 calories each, with 4 grams of fat. The perfect poolside treat – sweet, creamy, and easy on the thighs! - Rice Dream Mint Pie
Mint non-dairy ice cream between two oatmeal cookies, dipped in chocolate. NOT low-calorie. NOT low-fat. So save the mint pie for when you’re having a really bad day… or a really good day. Or if you have someone to split it with
Truth be told, even as a kid my preference was a simple vanilla soft-serve cone with rainbow sprinkles. But my absolute favorite summertime treat is, was, and always will be an Italian ice. I still think there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day. A special tip for New Yorkers: check out Caffé Dante on MacDougal for an excellent lemon ice.
Cruelty-Free: The Birthday Box
My birthday is still a couple of weeks away, but because I leave for my internship in DC this Friday, we kicked off the festivities a little early. This past Saturday, our home was filled with family and friends to celebrate not only my upcoming birthday, but also the birthday of our canine kid, Otis. The strawberry-lemon (vegan!) cake had both our names on it – one side decorated with little dog bones, and the other with daisies.
We decided to make the event a veg potluck to keep it simple…. easy preparation and easy cleanup. As it is, I have about a hundred things on my “to do” list for this week. (In fact, rather than writing this morning, I should be planning and packing!) With some Coltrane on the stereo and some candles lit, it was a casual summer evening, with people moving between the house and the patio and yard. It’s interesting how the season changes a potluck party: for winter get-togethers, people often come with large pots of stews and soups, hearty cold-weather fare. This weekend, the countertops were spread with several antipasto plates and delicious salads, wraps and bruschetta. The beer was frosty, the wine chilled, and everyone mingled in a relaxed way that was a striking contrast to the high-energy, boisterous crowd (many of the same people) of the winter holiday season.
While I love throwing parties, including birthday parties, it’s been a long time since I’ve been completely comfortable with receiving birthday presents, other than from immediate family and close friends. But no matter how many times I’ve said “no presents, please,” the simple fact is that people are equally uncomfortable showing up empty-handed. And that’s how The Birthday Box was born.
I placed a very pretty gift box, the size of a shoe box, on the piano. Next to it, I displayed a printed-out note — I purchased an upright flyer holder from the local office supplies store:
The Birthday Box:
Elephant Sanctuary Donations
Our goal — Let’s feed “Winkie” for a week
Just a couple of bucks from each person here can make a difference!
(Thank you)
Right underneath the box and flyer, in place of a songbook, I put the sanctuary’s current newsletter, which contains profiles of each elephant, and I tabbed the page with Winkie’s update. It costs the sanctuary $30 a day to feed an elephant.
The Birthday Box is an easy way to raise money and increase awareness about a favorite cause. And no present could have delighted me more than the opportunity to send the collected money to the Tennessee sanctuary the following day. Well… my husband did surprise me with a ski trip to Jackson Hole for next winter break — that was a pretty cool birthday present, too
Birthday Box Variation for Everyday:
How much extra change do you collect over a few months… over a year? Why not set up a special jar or box where each day you can empty your pockets of all those loose coins? Decide ahead of time which charitable cause will benefit from this simple gesture that, at the same time, will reduce your clutter. And, if you have kids, this could be an especially effective way to teach them that it doesn’t take much to make a difference. Hopefully, they’ll be inspired to contribute to the jar themselves, even if it’s the dime they found on the sidewalk. The pennies and nickels and dimes add up.
Cruelty-Free: Kerin, for guys & dolls
While searching for a new briefcase (one more week, and I’m off to DC for the legal internship!), I came across a fantastic new fashion find that I’m excited to share with you. Kerin, based in New Haven, offers a collection of high-end vegan fashion brands for women and men. It’s an eclectic mix, sure to appeal to all of us who are looking for the hottest trends while keeping our closets cruelty-free: “All our fashions are environmentally friendly, animal friendly, and people friendly.”
The online store would be a great one-stop shop for Father’s Day presents. Check out the microfiber satin ties ($33-$75). S-n-a-z-z-y. Kerin also has shoes, belts, wallets, bags and tee-shirts for the guys. With well-known designers such as Novacas, Vegetarian Shoes, and Matt & Nat, you know you can’t go wrong here.
And there’s plenty for the “dolls” on this site as well. First, there’s the shoes. While I’m forever loyal to MooShoes when it comes to browsing around various top-notch brands (the New Yorker in me, of course), I’m so happy to see another site that brings together some of my favorites, such as Olsenhaus and Beyond Skin. The handbags selection is more extensive here, including some creative bags that are a little flirty and playful and could be a nice switch for an evening out on the town. Kerin offers plenty of other fashion fun, too – everything from dresses to coats, in addition to jewelry, accessories, and gifts. I’m most tempted by the Tuscan Blood Orange Gift Set ($16), which consists of travel-sized versions of Pacifica’s soy candle, body butter, solid perfume, and a little book of matches. Can I add that to my birthday wish-list, please?
One more thing to like about this site: Kerin features a custom-designed “Charity Tee” ($25) each season, and all profits go to animal rescue charities. Designers are invited to submit their own designs for future charity tees. So if you’re reading this post and you’ve got the designer gene in you, consider submitting some ideas – and let me know if you become the next tee!
Oh… and if you’re wondering how the briefcase search turned out, I went with the Yorke by Matt & Nat. I love it and it hasn’t even arrived yet.
Cruelty-Free: Animal Foster Care
Throughout most of my life, anytime someone would mention an animal shelter, the picture that immediately came to mind was a scene straight out of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp: a sassy pup with the voice of Peggy Lee singing the blues, with a bunch of scraggly strays singing backup. And then there’s the moment in the film when, in shadows, the dogs watch as one of them is taken from his holding pen and led down the dark corridor — the reminder that all these dogs were facing imminent death if no one claimed them. Terrifying. And that’s the Disney version of the pound.
Last year, I became active in a local initiative for a no-kill community program, and as a result I became more aware of the typical shelter conditions. Today’s shelters are overcrowded and understaffed. The usual holding period for any captured animal is only 3-5 days, and the clock ticks even faster if the shelter is at capacity, or for animals that show any sign of illness or aggression. Ultimately, up to 70% of all captured animals end up euthanized. The new Animal Rescue postage stamps are promoting the adoption of shelter animals; there are countless dogs and cats in desperate need of loving homes. But many of us may not be in a position to adopt a new companion animal. Adoption is a big responsibility, and a commitment that could last upwards of ten or fifteen years.
So here’s an easy alternative that literally will save lives. How about offering foster care for an animal? Basically, you’re buying an animal time… the time it takes to find him/her a permanent, loving family. So, even if you have a job that requires considerable travel, or you divide time between two residences, or a long-term commitment isn’t feasible, you can offer your home as a refuge to an animal when the odds are stacked against him.
Here are some groups from various cities around the country that coordinate foster care:
- New York, NY: Animal Care & Control of New York City
- Brooklyn, NY: Brooklyn Animal Foster Network
- Tucson, AZ: Tucson Cold Wet Noses and FAIR (we adopted our Galileo from FAIR!)
- Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix Animal Rescue
- Portland, OR: Oregon Humane Society
- Washington DC: Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation
- St. Louis, MO: Dogs Deserve Better
- Boston, MA: MSPCA-Angell
- Orlando, FL: Pet Rescue by Judy
- Los Angeles, CA: Life 4 Paws
If your location is not listed above, please call your local shelter or humane society to find out about organizations in your own neighborhood, or perform a quick “animal foster care” internet search. The decision to foster can make a huge difference to one helpless animal who simply needs time… and a little TLC.
*special thanks to Elise Traub, Michelle McDonald, Joan McKenna, and Nicole Pallotta for providing information about local organizations.
Cruelty-Free: School’s Out for Summer!
Looking for ways to keep the kids busy and happy throughout the summer months? While you’re planning all the activities, why not try to incorporate some things that could be fun for them and at the same time awaken the next generation of animal advocates? Kids are never too young to start learning about compassion, and animals can be among our greatest teachers when it comes to that. Some ideas:
- T-Shirt Painting Party
Some plain white cotton t-shirts, some paints, and some sheets of cardboard to turn a shirt-front into a personal canvas – that’s all you need! Let kids use their imaginations to come up with catchy slogans and pictures that promote awareness and kindness. - Phone Protest Party
Kids + phone usually equals mischief (think of Bart Simpson giggling as he makes yet another crank call to Moe the bartender). What if kids started dialing numbers, instead, for a cause? They can call toll-free consumer numbers to ask corporations to stop animal testing. Under proper supervision, kids can hone their communication skills and also feel like, even at their age, they have a voice. They will learn that being a consumer means they make decisions about what to buy and not to buy – and that means companies will listen to them! - Keeping an Animal Journal
Have your child keep a journal about the family dog or cat or guinea pig – observing and writing about the animal’s behavior throughout the day. Kids can get creative with this too, by imagining what the animal is thinking at any given moment. You’ll be helping your child develop his writing skills and attention to detail, while also fostering a greater appreciation for the nonhuman family member. To make this a family affair, let your child share his journal entries with the rest of the family, maybe each night before bedtime. It becomes especially interesting if siblings are writing about the same animal to see what details each notices. - Virtual Visit to an Animal Sanctuary
Most animal sanctuaries limit visits from outsiders. Through the internet, however, many offer virtual visits. Let your kids visit animals who are living happily and freely in their homes. It’s an easy cruelty-free alternative to a zoo excursion (and less expensive). The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee offers a live-stream cam — The Elecam — and the sanctuary’s site also profiles each of the elephants. I guarantee you’ll be as mesmerized as the kids by these amazing animals.
You can find these activities (and a list of phone numbers for the protest party!) and more in Ingrid Newkirk’s book, 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals. What I love about this book is that it’s written for kids – the little jokes and factoids are sure to hold their attention. And the best part about the book is that it’s empowering. Over and over again, the book suggests “What You Can Do” — it’s about what you can do now, not once you grow up.
Additional Resources on the Web:
- Share the World
A free educational program that includes a super-cool video of amazing animal footage and follow-up activities. I’ve used this video and some of the activities when I’ve run a yoga camp for kids, for ages 6-12. It’s always been a hit. I also have STW’s DVD/activity program for older kids (grades 6-12) called Just Choices, which is a deeper exploration of social justice. The DVD presentation features a group of teenagers who offer their own perspectives — a very effective way of getting other teens thinking and talking. - TeachKind
I first discovered this site while I was teaching Literature to high school students but also wanting to promote awareness by having some stuff around the classroom to pique their interest. There are materials — – books, DVDs, posters, and magazines — available for every age group here. In addition to free materials, there are free lesson plans – a great resource for home-schooling parents!
The best way to teach is to provide opportunities for kids to discover on their own. These simple activities make learning fun and will open the door for wonderful discussions between you. Just one more way to make this summer a memorable one for everyone. Enjoy!
