Two Parts Sunshine

treekisser:

In case you missed it, this past week an incredibly brave activist, Jacqueline Traide, endured painful and humiliating tests in the storefront of LUSH Cosmetics (one of my absolute favorite companies, which I now love even more!), to call attention to the millions of animals poked, prodded, caged, abused, tortured, and killed all day every day across the world, in the name of “science,” or worse, vanity.

LUSH (partnered with Humane Society International) continues to be a leader in the global campaign against unnecessary animal testing for cosmetics.

Please join them by supporting their work (shop with them!), boycotting companies that DO test on animals, and especially signing their online petition!!!

(via fuckyeah-animalrights)

vegansofig:

Everyone should know where their food comes from and how it’s made. It’s especially important for those of us that are already vegan to know the facts. When you discuss veganism with an omnivore, all of a sudden they’re a nutritionist. “Where do you get your protein?” “Do you get enough B12?” “My friend’s cousin has a ranch and they treat their cows great!” If you understand nutrition and food production, holding your own in a debate is much easier.

Seeing as we are a minority, becoming a vegan means becoming an ambassador to veganism. Like it or not, if an omnivore meets one vegan they don’t like or encounters one vegan meal that’s subpar, they tend to use that bad experience to speak for us all. I’ve posted about other vegan books and films, but I’d like recommend some more essentials. They’re not just to inform yourself, but to recommend to non veggies as well. When someone asks you where you get your protein, you should rebuttal with, “Can you tell me what protein is?”

When you educate yourself, you can educate others, and the better informed you are, the more chance you’ll get someone to open their eyes and see why veganism is so important. I try to explain things and best I can, and to “kill ‘em with kindness” but I’ve snapped at others before, I’m not proud of it, but it’s happened. So I make it a priority to stay as informed and ready as possible, so I’m ready for every question and every attack. It’s hard to remember everything, but having a little arsenal or information to re-read or lend out to a friend is very, very helpful. #vegansofig

(via plantmoretrees)

(Source: icanread)

Earth Day really snuck up on me this year, but we managed to have an eventful one. We did not do any planting this go around since we did the majority of our spring planting a few weeks ago, but did stop by Earth Day Dallas Sunday and enjoyed the festivities.

The Nature Conservancy needed aide breaking the world record for the largest picnic in history, so we packed our brown bag full of raw goodies, parked our blanket by the fountains, and dined with strangers in the grass.

There were over 250 exhibitors indoors and out at Earth Day selling all kinds of handmade products, honey, seeds, sustainable clothing and shoes, and much more.

Outside were the latest models of energy-efficient vehicles and several other forms of sustainable transportation. I have always had my heart set on a Prius. Funny how some people dream of owning a Porsche or a Corvette, but not this girl. I would settle for an energy-efficient car any day!

We then checked out this awesome airstream run completely on solar panels from SolarWorld USA.com. I wouldn’t mind cruising down Route 66 on a road trip in this guy, it was awesome. Clark Griswald would be so jealous!

All in all it was a great day and an event I hope Dallas continues to bring back year after year. There were some great bands, yoga sessions, seminars, and so much to take in we hardly got it all done. While we were heading to the car we noticed this Green Machine that was run completely on recycled vegetable oil. That got us talking on the way home, but think about all the fast food joints in the world. If they alone recycled their oil think of how many vehicles could turn their dependence off gasoline? The sky’s the limit and I have to commend all those smarties out there that have been so creative in inventing a new and improved green way of life. Cheers to Earth Day 2013!!!

It’s Easter and time for those over-packaged chocolate eggs with big boxes, lots of plastic and too small eggs. But some manufacturers are cleaning up their act — as they should — since Easter eggs create 3,000 tons of garbage in the UK alone.

So who are the good guys, or should that be “buys”?

Montezuma’s, a British chocolate company that is Fair Trade and organic. Their wrapping is so simple; there are just two parts. The biodegradable outer shell is made of 70% post industrial recycled corrugate and is compostable. The inner foil wrapping is also recyclable. Available in the USA for $12.00. Well done!

(Source: treehugger.com)

Quote from the documentary Bag It, regarding the harmful effects of the plastics industry to our planet and what the U.S. government fails to do about it in order to increase their own profits and greed. We as society are the government and do have the power. We influence industry. So make selective, conscientious choices about things you buy and consume.

Tiny Buddha

mothernaturenetwork:

One of the more encouraging aspects of the food reform movement is the latest push by urban planners and city dwellers to save neighborhoods from neglect through community gardening. People are realizing that greenspace and the environmental services that plants provide can be just as important to the overall health of a metropolis as its infrastructure.
10 inspiring urban gardens

hrrrthrrr:

Print by Wasted Rita

Jackie Stewart