tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314341892024-03-13T18:35:22.038-07:00The Modern Day AbolitionistWorking against human trafficking, abortion and animal cruelty.
<br>
1 John 4:7
"Beloved, Let us love another. For God is love."Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-41901067402961818162009-07-27T09:18:00.001-07:002009-07-27T09:18:55.347-07:00Free sample of Kiss my Face showergelBoy do I love freebies in the morning! :)<br /><br />http://dengaku.com/free_off1.phpDesert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-23149648711867370752009-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:002009-06-08T20:48:22.725-07:00Why I don't eat fishMy main reason for not eating fish is that I believe no animal has to die for me to live. There are plenty of alternatives to the nutrients found in fish without the cholesterol or risk of dangerous mercury levels. Protein can be achieved through beans, nuts and seeds and whole grains. Omega-3s can be obtained through adding ground flax seed to baked goods, oatmeal, cereal or smoothies. It is a cheap source (at least in my area.) A box of ground flax usually costs less than $2. A few brands of soymilk have added omega-3s and you can take veg sources of omega-3s in supplement form.<br />A second reason is that there have been new studies done that show that fish are capable of feeling pain. Check them out <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmxpdmVzY2llbmNlLmNvbS9hbmltYWxzLzA5MDQzMC1maXNoLWZlZWwtcGFpbi10b28uaHRtbA==">here</a>.<br />The third reason is the one that I mentioned was very close to my heart. Even if you don't think fish are sentient enough to warrant concern surely you would think twice about eating animals such as dolphins (who have proven to be very intelligent) and endangered species of shark and turtles. Well, everytime you purchase fish you are supporting the killing of those animals and the destruction of the oceans. Commercial fishing practices often accidentally catch other marine species. Due to lack of space on the boats they are thrown off either already dead or injured. The practices used to catch fish, shrimp and crustaceans destroy the ocean floor.<br /><br />Please consider at least reducing your intake of fish. You can improve your health, help the animals and help the earth at the same time.<br /><br />Useful links:<br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRyeXZlZy5jb20vY2ZpL3RvYy8/dj0wNGFxdWF0aWM=">Compassion Over Killing: Aquatic Animals</a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJpdGUtYmFjay5jb20vbG9uZ2xpbmluZy5odG0=">Shark Conservation: Dangers of Long-lining</a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnRoYW5raW5ndGhlbW9ua2V5LmNvbS8=">Rethinking the Way we Treat Animals</a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnZlZ2lld29ybGQuY29tL2NhcnQvc2hvcGRpc3BsYXlwcm9kdWN0cy5hc3A/aWQ9MzAmY2F0PVZlZ2V0YXJpYW4rU2VhZm9vZA==">Vegetarian Seafood</a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdmVnd2ViLmNvbS9pbmRleC5waHA/Ym9hcmQ9MzI2LjA=">Vegan Seafood recipes</a><br /><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdmVnYW5wZWFjZS5jb20vdmVnYW5pc20vY29tcGFzc2lvbi5odG0=">Vegan Peace</a><br /><br /><br />P.S. If you love Sushi and have a lot of sushi restaurants in your area try the vegetable roll at each place. I find they are different at each place. It's exciting and delicious!Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-46276550858514764402009-05-31T18:03:00.000-07:002009-05-31T18:29:37.692-07:00How can you be pro-life if you kill people?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lifepeace.tripod.com/ribbon.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 50px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Elfearz_hunterofthemystra/prolifebla.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>I write again with very grave news. With all else going on in this crazy mixed up world, I would like it if just once I was bringing good news about the causes I care about. but, no. Alas, I am not. Today, it is about George Tiller the infamous late-term abortionist. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tiller_shooting">He was recently shot to death </a>while participating as an usher in his church. I really don't understand how anyone could think violence against another living being could be ok? It absolutely isn't. Violence is not justified, it is not justified, it is not justified. My heart goes out to his family and friends as well as my prayers.<br />I can't put it anymore beautifully than <a href="http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NDM5NGYyYWMxZDY3NWFmYjhjZmJiNTI2YmRjZmRlYWE=">Robert George</a> has.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-12447238708242776252009-04-15T13:45:00.000-07:002009-04-15T13:59:06.429-07:00The ends do NOT justify the means.Sorry I have been so silent lately. I've got the end of semester fever. Things have been crazy busy, especially with a family member getting married last month. I really wanted to comment on a recent news piece I heard about on the radio. I believe <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/116644">this article</a> in <span style="font-style: italic;">Newsweek</span> covers what the talk show hosts were discussing. Here is a bit of the article:<br /><p style="font-style: italic;"> <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/related.aspx?subject=University+of+California-Los+Angeles" class="related">"University of California, Los Angeles</a>, research ophthalmologist <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/related.aspx?subject=Arthur+Rosenbaum" class="related">Arthur Rosenbaum</a> stepped from his home one morning last June and discovered a firebomb had been planted under his white BMW. Cops evacuated the neighborhood, the bomb squad came, but the device's crude fuse had already fizzled. Rosenbaum's UCLA colleague, neuropharmacologist <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/related.aspx?subject=Edythe+London" class="related">Edythe London</a>, was less lucky. In October, a garden hose was shoved into a broken window of her Beverly Hills, Calif., home, flooding it, causing thousands of dollars in damage. And then on Feb. 5, a Molotov cocktail detonated on her doorstep, scorching her entryway but failing to burn down the house.</p> <span style="font-style: italic;">Who would want to target academics? Underground militant animal-rights activists took credit for the attacks, but despite an FBI investigation, no one has been arrested. UCLA officials complain that protesters--angry over the school's use of research primates--have continually harassed, threatened and vandalized the university, as well as its faculty and staff.</span>"<br /><br />That's the gist of it. Click on the link to read more of the story. I love animals. I am very adamant that animal testing is morally unacceptable. Let me be very clear: <span style="font-weight: bold;">What these animal activists did is not ok. It is NOT OK. It is NOT OK. It is NOT OK.</span> The ends never justify the means when violence and harassment is involved. This is disgraceful and they should be ashamed of themselves. I don't care how important the cause (this goes for activists of any kind not just animals) violence is never the answer. I am thoroughly disappointed in my fellow animal activists. The point of living an animal friendly life is extending your realm of compassion to animals. This means you must have compassion on ALL humans as well. I don't know the religious affiliation of these thugs who did this, but this is especially true for Christian political activists. The actions of these individuals have disgraced the reputation of animal activists everywhere and hurt the movement. Yes, that's right, they are really hurting animals by their actions. I hope staff at UCLA will stay safe and unharassed in the future. I hope a peaceful dialogue can be had on both sides.<br /><br />Let me leave you with some <a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Martin_Luther_King_Jr./">quotes</a> from an amazing man of peace:<br /><dl><dt class="quote"><a title="Click for further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/11327.html">Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.</a> </dt><dd class="author"><div class="icons"><b>Martin Luther King Jr.</b></div></dd></dl><br /><dl><dt class="quote"><a title="Click for further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/37959.html">Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.</a> </dt><dd class="author"><div class="icons"><b>Martin Luther King Jr.</b></div></dd></dl><br /><dl><dt class="quote"><a title="Click for further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38982.html">Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.</a> </dt><dd class="author"><div class="icons"><a title="Further information about this quotation" href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38982.html"><img src="http://www.quotationspage.com/icon_blank.gif" alt="" border="0" width="16" height="16" /></a><b>Martin Luther King Jr.</b></div></dd></dl>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-81928851782065715182009-02-22T23:12:00.001-08:002009-02-22T23:31:39.686-08:00Porn IS human trafficking.I don't write about human trafficking as much as I would like. It's an issue that is largely underestimated and under covered.<br /><br />I just finished reading an eye-opening article in<a href="http://www.worldmag.com/"> World Magazine's</a> newest issue about the problem of child sex slavery in the United States. Surely, child prostitution is a gross epidemic in other countries, but I had yet to realize the depth of it in my own country.<br />The most beautiful part of the article was the spotlight on an organization working against it and how they get to the heart of the matter. Sure, they help the girls get out of the bad situations and this is a very important job. However, they are also working on changing a culture that exploits and degrades women.<br /><br />The Church needs to be a leader in this. We need to speak out about this problem and about the infection of sin in the church. (Christians fall prey to porn too and porn and human trafficking are linked)<br /><br />http://www.thepinkcross.org/<br />http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/469/Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-35933083663047127102009-02-18T13:44:00.000-08:002009-02-18T13:52:57.915-08:0012 year olds impassioned speech against abortionI know this has been picked up by the majority of the pro-life blogs across the internet and has gotten over 200,000 hits on youtube, but just in case anyone hasn't seen it.... please take a look.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOR1wUqvJS4&eurl=">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOR1wUqvJS4&eurl=http://www.care2.com/c2c/people/profile.html?pid=745236049</a>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-18414677870107647582009-02-14T07:46:00.000-08:002009-02-14T08:01:01.786-08:00Take time to love yourself this Valentine's dayTake some time to take care of yourself. I promise it isn't selfish. Especially if you have others counting on you to be refreshed. Here are some tips to stay at the top of your game:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't forget quiet time</span><br />Health experts now agree that there are many aspects to health including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Take some time to slow down. Go somewhere quiet. Get outside in the fresh air, go to a park or a museum where you can be surrounded by something beautiful. If you are a Christian take some time to pray or meditate on scripture.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1 Samuel 25:6 "Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shut Off the News</span><br />For goodness sake, turn off the news every once in a while! Don't read blogs for a day. They will still be here tomorrow. For political and social activists this can be hard to do, but trust me its important. Being constantly bombarded by depressing news can numb you to the true horrors of this world. It's OK to take a break. Spend time with friends or family doing something fun or new and exciting. You will come back with more energy to combat injustice.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Proverbs 15:30 " A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and good news gives health to the bones."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flaxseeds</span><br />Get in your Omega-3s with flaxseeds. Grind them up and sprinkle them on salads, bake them in breads (sweet or savory) or blend them in a smoothie. Other sources are Walnuts and Almonds. Try <a href="http://www.odwalla.com/">Odwalla's</a> Berries GoMega bar.<br />For more information on Omega's click<a href="http://veganpeace.com/nutrient_information/nutrient_info/omega_info.htm"> here</a>.<br /><br /><br />Grace and Peace to you!Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-21591153089440980522009-02-10T21:29:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:57:04.057-08:00Same old tired argumentsThere should be a name for the "People who care about animals don't care about people" argument. I'm going to call it the Mutually Exclusive Fallacy. It just shocks and saddens me that after all this time, people <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>don't get it. They repeat it blindly.<br />I guess I'll have to continue repeating myself too until it sinks in.<br />SO....<br />Further proof:<br />From the website <a href="http://www.serialkillers.ca/">Canadian Serial Killer's</a>:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Born in Vancouver British Columbia on the first day of January 1940, Clifford Robert Olson Jr </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">killed a total of eleven people</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> before being caught. From a young age, Clifford Olson was in trouble with the law. Olson was a known bully </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">who it was rumoured tortured and killed animals.</span><span style="font-style: italic;">"<br /><br /></span><span>As many cops learn cruelty to animals can be a gateway to violence against humans. And the opposite is also true:<br />"</span>"Amazing Grace," a film biography of <span style="font-weight: bold;">William Wilberforce</span>, anti-slavery crusader and <span style="font-weight: bold;">co-founder of the world's oldest anti-cruelty society</span>, captures Wilberforce's deep devotion to animals and his determination to end the cruelty and suffering imposed upon them in the late 18th and early 19th centuries." (from <a href="http://www.hsus.org/about_us/celebrity_support/william_wilberforce_1.html">HSUS</a>) Of course he also devoted his life to making slavery illegal in England.<br /><br />More examples:<br />http://www.vegansoapbox.com/care-more-about-animals-than-people/<br />http://www.ringsurf.com/ring_browser.php?id=99538<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-89416935044089443212009-01-15T22:30:00.000-08:002009-01-15T22:32:44.550-08:00An update on my last blog post.I would like to point out that the author of the article in my last blog post responded to the criticism many animal rights/welfarist posted. I would like to say that I may have jumped to conclusions about the article in question. However, my comments about the pro-life movement in general still stand. I would still like to urge pro-lifers who do not agree with the animal rights movement to end their hostility towards those who support both the life movement and animal rights. As I said it is doing no one justice.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-50579895357600611002009-01-09T10:40:00.001-08:002009-01-09T11:03:04.520-08:00Disunity is harming women and babiesPlease read this article entitled: <a href="http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/seal_pup_silliness/">Seal Pup Silliness</a><br />The gist of the article is that it is silly to fight for humane treatment of animals. It makes the fallacious argument that I have often rebutted here that if you care about the welfare of animals you must not care about fellow human beings.<br /><br />Here is my response:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is why the pro-life movement is failing. You alienate people with different beliefs for example those who are both pro-life and animal rights activists. We are squabbling amongst ourselves while women and unborn babies are being harmed by abortion. Even I, a staunch animal rights activist, am appalled that most who fight for animals to be treated humanely don't think of the plight of unborn humans, but this kind of attitude (i.e. calling the fight for humane treatment of seals "silly") is not helping anyone. As I said it is alienating part of the pro-life movement. I understand your frustration, but please try to see things from others point of view. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you. </span><br /><br />and here is further proof that many in the animal rights movement (some pro-life some pro-choice) care about humans:<br /><a href="http://veganpeace.com/sweatshops/sweatshops.htm">Vegan Peace on buying sweatshop free </a>(wait, what? They care about the conditions of people who make their products too? Not just animals? Shocking!)<br /><a href="http://www.notmilk.com/abortion2.html">Notmilk on abortion</a><br /><a href="http://www.all-creatures.org/letters/sub-abort.html">All Creatures on abortion</a><br /><a href="http://www.liberalandprolife.com/">The liberal case against abortion</a><br /><a href="http://www.animalsuffering.com/forum/index.php?f=116&sid=5444b34228f69aae2e58a59fc3645787">Human Rights Section of ARCO</a> (ARCO stands for Animal Rights Community Online. Being a message board you will obviously find a diverse amount of opinions. Obviously I will not deny there are SOME animal rights activists that are callous towards humans, but please don't generalize.)<br /><a href="http://episcoveg.weblogger.com/">Episcoveg blog</a> (Episcopal blog that's mostly AR, but also mentions the problem of hunger and poverty and pascifism.)<br /><br />and of course my blog! I hope I have conveyed my deep concern for God's children as well as his creation.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S. I apologize for my snarky tone I am just so tired of having to explain this concept to people. It shouldn't be that hard to understand! </span>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-20927557607526189382009-01-03T09:49:00.000-08:002009-01-03T10:39:36.525-08:00Another Gem from C.S. Lewis<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Dreams of the far future destiny of man were dragging up from its shallows and unquiet grave the old dream of Man as God. The very experiences of the dissecting room and the pathological laboratory were breeding a conviction that the stifling of all deep-set repugnances was the first essential of progress." </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">- </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">That Hideous Strength</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> pg. 203</span><br /><br />I like this quote for two reasons. The first is the same reason I would recommend this book to people. The premise of this science fiction novel is a struggle between science and morality. Let me just say that I do not think science in itself is evil. I am alive today, because of medical progress. However, scientists today are trying to play God. They spend so much money and time on things like ED medicine that does nothing to further humanity. All the while conducting cruel tests on animals (usually). Not to mention the others evils such as cloning, embryonic stem cell research, human/animal hybrids and so on. There is such a great need for ethical scientists today. Where have they all gone?<br /><br />The second gem of wisdom in this quote is that cruelty to animals deadens human's senses. It is the starting point at which people move on to violence towards fellow humans. Furthermore, a large majority of role models were kind to animals. Take for example, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm">St. Francis</a> or <a href="http://www.amazingchange.com/">William Wilberforce</a>, who both fought to make slavery illegal in England and also founded the first SPCA.<br /><br />For more information on why we should not support animal testing please visit this website:<br />http://veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/animal_testing.htm <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">(warning: graphic pictures)</span>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-39320530755426470182009-01-02T14:23:00.000-08:002009-01-02T14:56:15.535-08:00Pulling weeds and trying new productsI was gardening quietly yesterday. It was the perfect day with the sun out, clear blue sky as far as the eye could see and a gentle breeze. I was going to attempt to come up with some profound metaphor for using weeds, but I decided to let creation do all the talking.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v329/elfearz_hunterofthemyst_ra/photos/?action=view&current=antseyeview-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/elfearz_hunterofthemyst_ra/photos/antseyeview-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v329/elfearz_hunterofthemyst_ra/photos/?action=view&current=goldentree.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/elfearz_hunterofthemyst_ra/photos/goldentree.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />and now for something completely different! A product review for:<br /><a href="http://www.kozyshack.com/prod_soy_vanilla.html">Kozy Shack</a> Soy Vanilla Pudding Cups<br /><br />The texture was amazingly creamy. I just wanted to roll it around my tongue. The taste was pretty good too. Just the right amount of sweetness and vanilla flavour. It did have a distinct soy taste, but not in a negative way. Overall, I would buy it again when I have spare cash for treats. I give it 4 stars. They have chocolate pudding too! I will try it next.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-8458603690958379652008-12-31T21:36:00.000-08:002008-12-31T21:49:19.037-08:00Its a sinThe Oxford's new dictionary aimed at children has taken out words such as sin and added words like blog and MP3 player. While I understand the need to keep up with the times, the words they took out were important. (Read the story: <a href="http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1092668/Is-sin-Christian-words-deleted-Oxford-dictionary.html">here</a>) Baudelaire wisely noted that: "the devil's best trick was to convince us he doesn't exist". In a world that is increasingly falling apart we would do well to remember the definition of sin. Of course there is the religious implications of a society that blurs the lines, but in the late 1800s <a href="http://durkheim.itgo.com/suicide.html">Durkheim</a> (a Sociologist) came to the conclusion that the moral confusion that comes with modernity led to higher suicide rates. This is a phenomenon he called anomie.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-43821233732129570142008-12-20T22:43:00.000-08:002008-12-20T23:10:54.600-08:00Only so much one can do.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcigM6oQgS-FZ6VwzX_XKuEPyFBzimwVlScJpnhlmhQMaIPjEgzbhFImUa-JyslptzqqbL6SCcXZ4gYPEHIPGBjbUhtWnVWykEOX5X8vTin6OfXiYjuWnvWbxAdMUTygBDOT-2Q/s1600-h/keep-your-coins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcigM6oQgS-FZ6VwzX_XKuEPyFBzimwVlScJpnhlmhQMaIPjEgzbhFImUa-JyslptzqqbL6SCcXZ4gYPEHIPGBjbUhtWnVWykEOX5X8vTin6OfXiYjuWnvWbxAdMUTygBDOT-2Q/s200/keep-your-coins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282137377227098226" border="0" /></a><br />I look around me and see so much cruelty so much hate. I do believe love will triumph one day, but in the meantime it can be so hard to take. I wish I had an endless amount of time and money and words to give to the causes I care about, but I don't. Especially money this time of year and with the way the economy is going.... It's so frustrating sometimes. There's only so much one person can do. I feel like I'm trying to drain the ocean with an eyedropper.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-16141312728419495302008-12-16T22:01:00.000-08:002008-12-16T22:12:59.455-08:00GoulashI cook much like the way I was raised (minus the meat.) For the most part it is simple cooking with non-expensive ingredients. Both my parents are decent cooks who don't really use recipes. They throw stuff together that sounds good and it usually ends up being tasty. This is why I don't really post recipes often, but for some reason I have had the urge too.<br /><br />This is a meatless take on a meal growing up that my parents called "Goulash"<br />(measurements are basically guesses)<br /><br />1 cup cooked pasta (elbow or shells)<br />3/4 cup spaghetti sauce<br />1/2 cup corn<br />1/2 cup garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas)<br />any other veggies you want.<br /><br />Throw it in a pan and heat and serve.<br /><br /><br />Now for some ideas for giving back this season:<br />Donate cans to your local food pantry. Canned food can be bought relatively cheaply. Here you can buy a can of veggies, fruit or beans for $1. You can spend less than $5 to help someone who needs food. All over the news is stories of longer lines at food pantries with less to go around.<br /><br />An eco-tip:<br />There are many ways to save wrapping paper: Use bags that you can reuse or reuse old wrapping paper. Wrap presents in old paper shopping bags, cloth or old ads.<br /><br />Have a merry Christmas all and a happy holiday season. :)Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-78615795646080890252008-12-14T18:09:00.000-08:002008-12-14T18:20:32.938-08:00Vegan Cookies part 2Argh! The pictures aren't working.... oh well.<br />Here is the link to the recipe I thought some might want it:<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ingredients:</span><br /><br /> 1 1/2 cup flour (I use organic, unbleached, white flour)<br /> 1/2 cup sugar (I use Florida Crystals)<br /> 1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br /> 1/2 teaspoon salt<br /> 8 tablespoon oil<br /> 1 tablespoon vanilla<br /> 1 tablespoon maple syrup<br /> 1 egg replacer<br /> cinnamon and sugar for coating<br /><a href="http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=6394.0">http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=6394.0</a><br /><br />The changes I made were instead of egg replacer I used a tablespoon of lemon juice and added an extra tablespoon of maple syrup. They came out a little crumbly but otherwise perfect. I also decorated them instead of putting cinnamon and sugar.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-30359097785495068982008-12-06T23:37:00.001-08:002008-12-06T23:50:13.040-08:00Joyful Vegan BakingI love Christmas cookies!<br />I baked and decorated sugar cookies tonight, I felt like a little kid.<br />I'll probably post pictures later.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-86664083907359946932008-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:002008-11-30T14:48:54.471-08:00Attacks on Free speechThank you to the Canadian blog:<a href="http://www.prowomanprolife.org/"> ProWomanProLife </a><br />to alerting me to the threat to free speech that is occurring. For more information check out the blog (p.s. if you enjoy the blog as much as I do please vote for them for the Canadian bloggie awards) but I will give you a basic rundown of what happened. Pro-life groups are being told they can not hold up signs showing the realities of abortion,because they are too graphic. I would like to point out that as a life activist I do not use graphic images. However, this is a college campus, not an elementary school. These are adults and if they are old enough to have an abortion then they should be old enough to see what the aftermath looks like. Not to mention that you don't have to be pro-life to be outraged by the University's decision. You just have to enjoy free speech and want others (even those whom you may disagree with) to be able to enjoy that as well.<br />So, please take a look at this well-written sensible blog. <a href="http://www.prowomanprolife.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-45978657227532324682008-11-06T22:18:00.000-08:002008-11-06T22:35:02.902-08:00Recent ElectionsOne good thing to come out of the recent elections was that Proposition 2, in California, passed. I was ecstatic. Prop 2 banned confining animals in crates. After all the sweat,tears,prayers,emails,blogs,flyers... I can't believe it passed!!<br /><br />Not all the news was good. Proposition 4 or Sarah's law would have made it mandatory to inform gaurdians of a minors intent to have an abortion. It lost by 4% Pro-lifers will need to double their effort now. We can do it. I have faith. More sweat and tears and prayers are needed.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-90081875451283920052008-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:002008-06-05T13:28:04.059-07:00The dangers of abusing knowledge<div style="text-align: left;">"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."<br />Luke 11:52<br /><br />I was reading a post from a blog I frequent that is called R.A.G.E. Media. This is how they describe their mission<br /><p><b>"R.A.G.E.</b> Stands for <b>Rebellious Affirmation of Greater Existence</b>. </p> <p>The phrase has a double meaning: First, that there is a greater existence for humanity than we generally realize. We sell ourselves short, in other words, of our potential and our purpose. Secondly, that there is a superior being greater than ourselves. "</p><p>The post was about embryonic stem cell research specifically, but I have been thinking a lot about how many scientists are abusing the knowledge that our creator gave to us as a gift. Their is great danger in doing so. It sounds silly, but you can look at old science fiction novels to see where our society is headed and how eerily accurate they have been so far. Yes, it is still fiction, but all fiction is rooted in some fact. <span style="font-style: italic;">Schindler's list</span> is a good example of this point. The blog quotes a sci fi computer game where a robot sings about science. Read the lyrics and blog <a href="http://www.dyinglight.com/index.php/05-20-2008/doing-science-on-those-still-alive-embryonic-stem-cell-research-and-evil-video-game-computers/">here</a>. One of the things the robot says is 'we do what we must because we can.' It really struck a cord with me. This seems to be the philosophy of the many unethical scientists of today. It must have been a divine appointment then when I was reading C.S. Lewis' <span style="font-style: italic;">Out of the Silent Planet </span>and came across these quotes:</p><p>"You cannot be so small minded as to think that the rights or the life of an individual or of a million individuals are of the slightest importance in comparison with this [advancement of science] "</p><p>"I happen to disagree," said Ransom, "and I always have disagreed even about vivisection[animal dissection/testing]... " (pg.29)</p><p>I added the words in the brackets to elaborate. It just chills me that some people really feel this way. So, what will history say about us? That we wasted the brain God gave us or that we used our knowledge wisely? That we created something terrible and monstrous such as in the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">I am Legend </span>or that we created (ethically) something that enriched and/or saved lives? Will the history books declare "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.(Deuteronomy 4:6) With the way things are going I am glad we have a master author with a plan.<br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-63003601241190880002008-05-11T13:37:00.000-07:002008-05-11T14:26:58.288-07:00Mother's dayProverbs 10:31<br />"10A wife of noble character who can find?<br /> She is worth far more than rubies.<br />11 Her husband has full confidence in her<br /> and lacks nothing of value.<br /> 15 She gets up while it is still dark;<br /> she provides food for her family<br /> 16 She considers a field and buys it;<br /> out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.<br />17 She sets about her work vigorously;<br /> her arms are strong for her tasks.<br />20 She opens her arms to the poor<br /> and extends her hands to the needy.<br /> 26 She speaks with wisdom,<br /> and faithful instruction is on her tongue. <br />28 Her children arise and call her blessed;<br /> her husband also, and he praises her.<br /> 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;<br /> but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.<br />31 Give her the reward she has earned,<br /> and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."<br /><br />I cut parts of it out, only because it is a very long passage, but worth reading all of it. If you are a young woman (such as myself) it should be the reference for the characteristics we should strive for. I thought these verses were relevant to today. Especially the last few where we are called to praise and bless our mothers for all they do for us.<br /><br />Now, I'd like to speak about two issues close to my heart. (No, I will not let politics take a holiday off as a subject of my blog. Injustice never sleeps, so neither will I.)<br /><br />The first is abortion. Please give pregnant mothers hope and an alternative option. Please support local pregnancy centers. Donate time, money or items to them. You can even donate for free by using the search engine good search. I bring up abortion as a topic for mothers day because abortion not only effects the child, but the mother as well. I love and respect women. The "pro-choice" movement has deluded America into thinking being anti-abortion is the same as being anti-woman. How can I be against my own gender?<br /><br /><br /><br />The other issue is the treatment of mother hens and cows in factory farms. Please take a look at these other blogs:<br /><a href="http://www.veganucopia.blogspot.com/2007/08/universal-mothering.html">universal mothering</a><br /><a href="http://www.compassionatecooks.com/blog/2007/08/maternal-instincts-belong-to-all.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Maternal instincts belong to all animals</span></a><br /><br />because they deserve better.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-86717880661108344982008-04-17T00:19:00.000-07:002008-04-17T00:21:17.732-07:00I wanted to post a few lyrics from Relient K's song <span style="font-style: italic;">Death Bed. </span>It is a beautiful song/story about redemption.<br /><br /><h4>[Jon Foreman of Switchfoot sings, as the voice of Jesus:]<br />I am the Way<br />Follow Me<br />And take My hand<br />And I am the Truth<br />Embrace Me and you'll understand<br />And I am the Light<br />And for Me you'll live again<br />For I am Love<br />I am Love<br />I, I am Love</h4>(thanks to http://www.findlyrics.com/relient_k/death_bed/)<br /><br />It is a long song, almost 11 minutes, but well worth it. It is so well written.Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-68378463789628441292008-04-13T18:53:00.000-07:002008-04-13T18:54:05.897-07:00The face of abortionIn 1970, three years before <i>Roe vs. Wade</i> knocked down all laws against abortion in the United States, California had already legalized abortion. Sarah’s mother, Betty, had an abortion in Los Angeles. Neither she nor the the abortionist realized she was carrying twins. As a result, one of the twins--Sarah--survived the abortion. <p>"Somehow, miraculously, I survived!" says Sarah. "My twin brother wasn’t so lucky. Andrew was aborted and we lost him forever. Several weeks later, my mother was shocked to feel me kicking in her womb. She already had five children and she knew what it felt like when a baby kicked in the womb. She instantly knew that somehow she was still pregnant." Sarah’s mother went back to the doctor and told him she was still pregnant, that she had made a big mistake and that she wanted to keep this baby. </p> <p>"To this day, my mother deeply regrets that abortion," says Sarah. "I know the pain is unbearable for her at times when she looks at me and knows she aborted my twin brother. Mom says ‘the protective hand of Almighty God saved my life,’ that God’s hand covered and hid me in her womb, and protected me from the scalpel of death." </p> <p>Sarah survived the abortion, but was born with bilateral, congenital dislocated hips and many other physical handicaps. Nine days after her birth she was taken to an orthopedic surgeon who applied a cast to each of her tiny legs. "My mom would remove these casts with pliers every Monday morning and take me to the doctor to have new casts put on," she recounts. "At six weeks I was put into my first body cast. Many surgeries and body casts followed over the next few years." </p> <p>Sarah’s life has been painful in many ways, and her future holds more painful surgeries for her. Yet Sarah says she continually thanks God she survived the abortion. But the pain is not hers alone and not merely physical. The emotional pain continues, she says, for everyone in her family. "In memory of my brother Andrew, we bought a memorial gravestone and placed it in a cemetery in Southern California. It reads: Andrew James Smith, Twin Brother of Sarah - in our hearts you’ll always be alive - November 1970." </p> <p>On April 24, 1996, Sarah Smith delivered a powerful address at the international "Congress for Life" in Rome, organized by the Legionaries of Christ to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter <i>Evangelium Vitae</i> - The Gospel of Life. Sarah told the conference how she came to discover the dreadful secret that she had somehow intuitively felt: </p> <p> </p> <blockquote>"I did not know of the abortion until I was 12 years old. I grew up feeling that I was the same as my friends, except for having numerous surgeries and physical complications. The only difference I felt was an incredible loneliness and a knowledge that something was missing. I never felt whole. <p>"I battled with severe depression and found myself dying of anorexia nervosa at age 12, when my mother knew it was time to tell me the truth. She sat next to me and took my hand and looked me in the eyes and said, 'Sarah, you are a twin. I aborted your twin brother and tried to abort you. Please know I did not know what I was doing and I pray someday you are able to forgive me. I love you and need you to know that you are a welcome part of our family.' </p> <p>"At that moment I knew what I had been missing all my life and that I was called to something much greater than I had knowledge of. Immediately I felt the overwhelming pain of the knowledge that I should be dead. </p> <p>"As I stand before you today," Sarah told her Rome audience, "I am painfully aware that this is only possible because my twin brother took a scalpel for me, and I stand in his place and memory, giving him honor and a face. Statistics are coldly impersonal and cannot convey the human tragedy of the abortion slaughter. Thirty-two million babies [have been] killed in the United States alone. Yet every one had a face, a life, a Creator who loved them and created them in His image. As you look at me today, you realize that I am no different than you, yet I stand before you today a representative of the dead - a representative of the innocent lives who today may lose their lives. Who will speak for them?"</p> </blockquote>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-61312183172478690452008-04-04T13:32:00.000-07:002008-04-05T10:19:54.925-07:00politicsWhat is wrong with people? Why do so many people feel you can only support animals or humans and not both? This isn't Sophie's choice. It is quite possible to dedicate half your time,money and effort to both causes. Must animals suffer just because humans do? I poise this question to both animal rights activists and pro-life activists. You are both, generally, hypocritical and inconsistent. Animal rights activists: Please consider the basic right of unborn humans to live. Also, consider the welfare of the mother. Abortion isn't the easy choice. There are women who suffer physically and/or mentally from abortion. To pro-life activists: Stop this insane crusade against animals. Especially, those of you who are religious. Take a moment to actually read your bible and consider the fruits of the spirit in Galatians: "For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy,peace,patience,kindness,gentleness and self control. Against such there is no law"<br />and to all: Don't blindly swallow the common thoughts of those around you. Don't blindly swallow anything I have to say either. Use criticial thinking. USE YOUR BRAIN.<br /><br />Though I do not agree with 100% of the content on these websites here are some good links:<br />"Abortion and Animals rights: The connection"<br /><a href="http://www.all-creatures.org/discuss/abor-ar.html">http://www.all-creatures.org/discuss/abor-ar.html</a><br />"Coming to terms with Abortion and animal rights"<br /><a href="http://www.notmilk.com/abortion2.html">http://www.notmilk.com/abortion2.html</a><br />pro-life vegan group on livejournal<br /><a href="http://community.livejournal.com/prolife_vegans/">http://community.livejournal.com/prolife_vegans/</a>Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31434189.post-59617288331504889092008-01-25T13:47:00.000-08:002008-01-25T14:14:21.160-08:00It has been pouring rain here in "sunny" southern California. A few days ago after a particularly bad day at work I got into my car to drive home and grumbled at the weather. <span style="font-style: italic;">"How appropriate"</span> I thought as the gloom reflected my mood. Then, suddenly I saw it or rather them. Not one but <span style="font-weight: bold;">two</span> rainbows flashing colorfully in the sky. A sign perhaps. A gentle whispering from God. <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm still here. I care.<br /><br />"</span>God continued, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I'm putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth."<br />-Genesis 9:12-16Desert Dogs Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021756566626266810noreply@blogger.com2