What: Reception following the opening night screening of The Ghosts in our Machine Where: 134 York St. Ottawa, ON When: 9:15 – 10:30 PM, Monday, September 23, 2013 Who’s invited?: Everyone! Come even if you can’t make the film that evening. Cost: $10 per person
As I mentioned a couple of days ago (click here to read), The Ghosts in our Machine will be playing at the Bytowne Cinema from September 23-25.
Following the opening night screening, the NCVA will host a reception to celebrate the incredible work of the film’s protagonist, Jo-Anne McArthur and director, Liz Marshall.
This feature documentary was one of the top ten audience favourites at this years Hot Docs festival in Toronto. It follows Jo-Anne, a professional photographer, as she travels the globe trying to bring the plight of animals to light through her photographs.
The reception will feature delicious vegan snacks, a brief presentation by Liz on the film’s upcoming American release, and a brief presentation by Jo-Anne on her new book – which no less a legend than National Geographic’s Wade Davis describes as follows: “If ever there was a document that might cause human beings to reconsider our entire relationship to the animal world, this hauntingly beautiful book is it”.
Jo-Anne (an Ottawa native, by the way!) will also have prints of some of her favourite photos for sale, and will be happy to sign them.
So please come out and meet these two trailblazing activists and celebrate their amazing accomplishment.
Tickets are $10, with proceeds going to support the film’s US release (check out the indiegogo campaign here).
Note that a minimum confirmed guest list of 30 people is required for this event to go forward, so please RSVP to the facebook event if you intend to come.
Advance tickets to the reception can be purchased here. Note that these tickets are just for the reception. The film screenings are not private events but are part of the Bytowne’s own lineup – So you just purchase tickets at the theatre as you would for any other film.
*The venue is a 5 minute walk from the Bytowne Theatre, so you may prefer to walk and avoid the exorbitant Byward Market parking fees.
Those of you who know me, either through this blog, Animal Voices, or “real life” know I shoot my mouth off a lot about gluten-free food. I mean, I completely sympathize with celiac sufferers, but I can’t help but wonder if the whole gluten-free thing that’s sweeping the Western World isn’t some big conspiracy to make my food taste like crap.
But that being said, I know that a lot of the NCVA’s members are gluten-free, and I wanted to make sure they felt welcome at the upcoming pancake/waffle breakfast. So began my quest for the perfect vegan/gluten-free pancake and waffle recipes.
I’d been working on my regular waffle recipe for a while (Neil is very fat now) and, as of this morning, I thought I had it pretty much down. So this afternoon I tried a gluten-free version.
Mind blown!
The outcome of that experiment has nearly shattered my universe.
You see, the gluten-free ones were better than the regular ones. Look at them! Fluffy! Crispy! Golden!
What the hell was going on? They were supposed to be crumbly pieces of cardboard that I would serve with apologetic sympathy to the gluten-free unfortunates in between bites of my own glutenous squares of wafflly magnificence.
But, with every weird gluten-free cloud comes a silver wheaty lining. In this case, my discovery that gluten-free waffles reign supreme over regular ones might actually save me some work. I’ve decided that rather than make regular and gluten-free versions of both the pancakes and the waffles, all pancakes will be regular ones, and all waffles will be gluten-free.
And for all those who doubt my claim that the gluten-free waffles are fantastic, have faith. Or if you can’t have faith – well, have a pancake.
As you may recall, the NCVA sponsored a screening of the documentary Maximum Tolerated Dose in September (check out their website to check out all the exciting things the film’s creators have been doing since, by the way).
Rachel Sleeping - photo from faunafoundation.org
You may also recall that part of the proceeds went to the Fauna Foundation Chimpanzee Sanctuary outside of Montreal. That was the first time I had the pleasure and honor to meet Gloria Grow, Fauna’s formidable co-founder and voice for research primates everywhere. I also had the honour of interviewing her on Animal Voices – if you have a minute, listen to it online – it’s worth it for the story about Tom and the paint alone!
Anyway, Gloria sent the NCVA a letter of thanks – it’s below. Please give it read, and know that all the effort we go through to organize events, and to attend the events organized by others, is very much appreciated.
Oh, and since it’s Christmas, consider adopting a chimp on behalf of the animal lover on your list. Cool chimp-themed shirts and hats are also available at their online store, as is Andrew Westoll’s The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, which is based on the author’s experiences working as a volunteer at the Fauna.
In this post, I’ll provide a bit more info on this amazing sanctuary. I’ll also encourage everyone (again!) to come out to the film, where you’ll get to meet the amazing Fauna folks who work every day to give the former research chimps in their care a second chance at life.
In 1990, Dr. Richard Allan and Gloria Grow purchased a 100 acre farm in the Monteregie region of Quebec, about 20 minutes from Montreal. In 1997, the property became the not-for-profit Fauna Foundation – whose primary objective was to create a protected environment for neglected, abandoned or abused farmed and domestic animals and animals from entertainment, education and research.
Chance the chimpanzee. Copyright faunafoundation.org
In addition to horses, cows, pigs, goats, geese, llamas, monkeys, and other animals, Fauna is now home to 11 chimpanzees…
Chance spent the first years of her life in near-total isolation. Despite her emotional scars, she now loves interacting with her house-mates, playing in the water, and raisin bread with hot tea.
Jethro was never considered a good research subject, refusing to eat or drink when he knew he was in a study. Words that would be used to describe Jethro’s personality include: warm, approachable, solid, companionable, loving, tender, courteous, respected, loyal, strong, intuitive, intelligent and protective.
Sue Ellen spent her first 15 years in entertainment, and had her teeth knocked out with a crow bar. She was then sold into research, where she was mostly involved in HIV studies. She is described as being easily hurt and extremely emotional, but loyal and fearless
Read more about Chance, Jethro, Sue Ellen, and the other residents of Fauna Sanctuary on their website, or read Andrew Westoll’s new book, “The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary“.
And of course, come out to the film (and the pub night aferwards!). Meet the dedicated Fauna team, buy some cool pro-chimp merchandise, and have yourself a tasty treat from our “Cupcakes for Chimps” cart (all proceeds to Fauna!).
An important film for an important cause. We hope to see you there!
Just in case you forgot, the NCVA is sponsoring the Ottawa premiere of Maximum Tolerated Dose, a documentary by Karol Orzechowski. It will be held on September 20th at the Mayfair Theatre. Doors open at 6:15. Advance tickets are on sale now.
So here’s reason #2 why you should go … Over the last few years, I’ve witnessed something of a sea change in the way animal issues are “marketed” to the mainstream population. Previously, most animal rights films focused on graphic images of the horrible things that animals endure at the hands of humans.
The problem is, a good 90% of the population is completely incapable of processing that kind of imagery. Most turn away in horror. Others dismiss it as propaganda – in many cases for the ironic reason that it simply seems “too terrible to be true”.
It’s taken a while, but animal advocates seem to be catching on. They’re softening their imagery and messaging in order to draw on other emotions besides shock, fear, disgust and shame.
Many at the forefront at of this “new animal rights movement” are artists: painters, musicians, writers, photographers and filmmakers. This is not so surprising, for who knows better how to simultaneously attract our attention and touch our hearts?
Copyright Jo-Anne McArthur weanimals.org
The NCVA invited Jo-Anne McArthur to speak at last April’s VegFest. Her We Animals project is one of the best examples of animal advocacy through art that I can think of. Her images are neither gory nor shocking in the conventional sense. And yet they somehow manage to elicit an incredible empathy with their animal subjects. Through her eyes, we see not just the abused objects the animals have been bred to be, but the individuals they were born to be.
Maximum Tolerated Dose takes a similar approach. It’s not devoid of shocking imagery. When you’re talking about animal testing there’s no way to avoid completely the simple facts of what we do to them. But such imagery is not the film’s focus. Rather, it artfully combines appropriate, meaningful, transparently-sourced imagery with the candid testimony of individuals who have seen the animal experimentation industry from the inside.
I’m proud to have the opportunity to promote this new turn in animal advocacy. I think it has the power to change hearts and minds.
I’ve never been able to bring myself to watch a graphic animal rights film. I’ve never seen Meat your Meat, Earthlings, none of them. But I made it through (a rough cut of) Maximum Tolerated Dose without fleeing the room or dissolving into hysterical tears. And, as I discussed in my last post, the film taught this fifteen-year vegan and animal advocate some important stuff she didn’t know about animal experimentation. If you’re still unconvinced – check out the trailers.
The Ottawa screening will take place at the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St., Ottawa; Sept. 20th, 6:15 - 9:00 pm
As most of you probably know by now, the NCVA is sponsoring the Ottawa premiere of Maximum Tolerated Dose, a new documentary by Karol Orzechowski.
When I first heard that this film was going to be made, I was very excited. You see, Karol used to host Animal Voices, and it was his interview with Dr. John Pippin that provided me with the first really new insight into the world of animal testing that I have had in a very long time.
Until that interview, I had a rather naive view of the debate between animal advocates and vivisectors: the animal advocates thought animal testing was wrong and/or bad science, while the vivisectors thought animal testing constituted good science that justified animal use. In other words, vivisectors really believed they were working for the betterment of humanity.
When Dr. Pippin said that his work vivisecting beagles was really more about furthering his own career in an academic climate of “publish or perish”, I was gobsmacked.
I was gobsmacked because I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized that before. I myself have a PhD and have been in research all my life. I’ve seen first hand how research of dubious quality and usefulness is churned out in the literally thousands of academic journals that now constitute professors’ single most important means of securing a job and gaining tenure.
Dr. John Pippin
Thing is, I’m in social research. For whatever reason, it had just never occurred to me that the same thing was going on in biological research. I guess because, when social scientists build their careers on not-so-enlightening statistical models of social phenomena (which could fill the grand canyon twice over!), no one really gets hurt. When a vivisector wants to pad his “Curriculum Vitae”, however, rows of confined, violated, and even tortured animals pay the price.
So this is reason number one why I regard Maximum Tolerated Dose as such an important new film. It examines Dr. Pippin’s revelations – and those of other scientists – in greater detail. It challenges the naive notion that the animal experimentation controversy is simply about the ideological differences between vivisectors and animal advocates. Rather, the film reveals animal experimentation as an industry in itself. And, like most industries, it is primarily concerned with its own perpetuation. And with making money.
If you’re already convinced that you should see the film, please click here for more information and to purchase advance tickets.
If you’re still on the fence, stayed tuned for more ;)…
For those who’ve already heard about the film, and just want to buy their tickets without hearing me go on and on about how important it is that they see it, all the event details are on the poster below. As a *pretty please* from the organizers, I ask that you click here to buy your tickets in advance, and also that you click “join” on the Facebook event page to let all your FB friends know you’re going (’cause then they’ll want to go too, of course!).
For those who haven’t yet heard of the film and want to know more, tune in tomorrow to listen to me…well, go on and on about how important it is that you see it…Or just check out the film’s website, as well as that of Quebec’s Fauna Foundation Chimpanzee Sanctuary, to which Decipher Films and the NCVA will be donating 50% of the evening’s proceeds.
We are now less than three days until Veg Fest gets underway, so we thought we would take the opportunity to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the event.
Firstly, to summarize, Ottawa Veg Fest is organized by the National Capital Vegetarian Association (NCVA- that’s us!) and sponsored by The Table Vegetarian Restaurant. It will be held on April 29 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Glebe Community Centre and Corpus Christi School. It will feature exhibitors, guest speakers, cooking demos, a silent auction, and Ottawa’s Next Top Vegan 31-Day Challenge. Admission is free.
Q: What is the NCVA, and how does it organize Veg Fest?
Veg Fest is 100% volunteer driven
A: The NCVA is a small volunteer-run organization committed to promoting the vegan lifestyle for its many benefits, and helping to develop the social infrastructure to support it. The NCVA has no paid staff. The Veg Fest organizing group is a small core of volunteers who commit many hundreds of hours to bringing the event to life.
Q: Do I have to be a vegetarian or vegan to come to Veg Fest?
A: Heck no! Everyone is welcome at Veg Fest, and we mean everyone. And no, not in the same way a vegan is “welcome” at a grilling contest. We want people from all walks of life to come and enjoy delicious vegan food, and learn more about this way of living, in a no-pressure environment. Drop by the NCVA table to say hello!
Q: Who are the speakers at Veg Fest? How do I know when they will be speaking?
A: That info is available on our website. (They are Jo-Anne McArthur, Jack Norris RD and James McWillians PhD.) If you want more detailed info about each speaker, scroll back a page or two on this blog. We have done extensive Q & A’s with each of them.
One thing to note is that the presentations will be occurring at Corpus Christi school this year, which is across from the Glebe Community Centre. Watch for the costumed carrot, cow, pea and planet earth to help guide you there.
Q: What is this Veg Challenge panel happening at 4 p.m. Is that just for people who have signed up for the 31-Day Vegan Challenge?
A: The panel includes NCVA President Josh Flower, Wellness Warrior Coaching‘s Deb Gleason, and Credible Edible‘s Judi Varga-Toth. They will be answering questions plant-based diets. We encourage Veg Challenge participants to come to this event to have their questions and concerns addressed, but we welcome anyone who wants to learn more to come and ask a question.
Q: Why isn’t _______ an exhibitor at Veg Fest? Who are the exhibitors?
A: There could be many reasons. It is possible they weren’t interested in being an exhibitor. It is also possible that they were interested, but tried to register too late. Veg Fest exhibitor space fills up quickly every year, usually about six weeks before the event. We only have room for about 32 exhibitors, which also means we have to be a bit selective about who participates.
As for who the exhitibitors are, you can see a list here.
Q: Why doesn’t Veg Fest have _______?
A: There could be many reasons for that too. It could be that we didn’t think of it. It could also be that we did think of it but researched it and realized it wasn’t feasible. It is also possible that we really wanted to do it, but didn’t have enough volunteer power. We invite you to make suggestions for how we can improve the event, but even more, we invite you to become part of organizing future events. Just email us at ncva.avcn at gmail dot come if you would like to get involved.
Q: What happened to the cupcake contest?
A: Nothing happened to it, we just decided to do the 31-Day Vegan Challenge instead, to try something new. The venue isn’t big enough to hold lots of different off-shoots of the event. We are considering holding the cupcake contest as a stand-alone event sometime in the coming months, but it will really depend on our volunteer resources.
Q: How do I get to Veg Fest? Is there parking?
A: The great thing about the Glebe is there are lots of ways to get there. There is parking available throughout the Glebe, and some limited off-street parking available in the immediate vicinity of the community centre. For a map, see here.
Q: Where do funds raised for the silent auction go?
A: The silent action is the single fund raising event that the NCVA does to raise money for itself. The silent auction money is used to support NCVA operations, including things like paying to exhibit at other events, normal operating costs, printing etc. On other occasions where the NCVA has raised money (i.e. Veg Ball, the Glebe Garage Sale) the NCVA donated the money to other charities. The NCVA receives no grant money; it is just a very leanly operated organization.
Q: Why does Veg Fest only have vegan food and products when your association has vegetarian in the name?
A: The NCVA promotes plant-based diets, and wants to show people all of the amazing plant-based foods that are available. Cheese, dairy, eggs and so on are all readily available everywhere, and are not plant-based, so the NCVA sees no need to include them at Veg Fest. Having a vegan-only policy also ensures that people at all points on the veg spectrum can enjoy the offerings at Veg Fest without the normal struggle of constant label reading. This includes NCVA volunteers, the majority of whom are vegan. Veg Fest strives to be a safe place for those who wish to keep animals and animal products off their plates.
Q: Can you guarantee me that everything at Veg Fest is 100% vegan?
A: The only way that anyone can guarantee that is to make their own food all of the time. The NCVA requires its exhibitors to sign an agreement which statess that they understand the Veg Fest rules and regulations, which includes that all products being sold and promoted at Veg Fest be vegan. We clearly explain the definition of vegan, and we try to screen the exhibitors the best we can to ensure that their products/services are suitable for vegans. We do our very best, but cannot be held liable if there is a rogue exhibitor. If it is brought to our attention, we will address the issue as quickly as possible.
Q: So how do I show my appreciation to this fabulous organization that is doing so much to advance the veg cause in the Ottawa Community? 😉
A: That’s easy! For one thing, come to Veg Fest. Once you’re there, become a NCVA member. It is $20 for the year and has some awesome discounts at restaurants like Cafe My House, ZenKitchen, and The Table. Plus, you are supporting a small volunteer organization to make a difference. And if you are totally inspired, then consider joining us as a volunteer. We could always use more enthusiastic people on our team.
David Schellenberg has been talking tech on the radio since 1994. He has covered the rise of the Internet, high definition televisions and the evolution of video games. He covers both the technology, and its impact of economics, politics and the way that we communicate. His segment, TECHBiTE, airs on LiVE 88.5 just after 7 a.m.
But on April 29, David will be talking vegan as a guest emcee at Veg Fest. And between May 1 and May 31, he will be eating vegan as he undertakes the NCVA’s 31-Day Vegan Challenge. In the interest of disclosure, David has been dabbling in the vegan lifestyle for the past several months on the advice of his personal trainer, Kyle Den Bak (who, incidentally, ran the Boston Marathon today).
Got all of that?
David will surely be a fierce contender for the title of Ottawa’s Next Top Vegan—don’t let his non-committal attitude and fear of tofu tell you otherwise (on that note, can anyone give the poor guy a decent tofu recipe?).
Want to join David in the challenge? Just email the Challenge organizers at vegchallenge (at) ncva (dot) ca.
Next, David talks about his veg experience so far, including vegan perogies and the vegan beer pairing night he hosted.
NCVA: What is your current veg status?
David: Currently I eat very healthy at home with lots of whole natural foods especially vegetables and fruit with very little prepared food of any kind. On the road is a bit more complicated to eat properly but I try to make the best choices I can.
I love food – especially a big variety. Growing up in a family that is comprised of naturally great cooks has given me a true appreciation of how good food can really taste. My parents are both from farms and we had a big garden in the city. Tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and everything else just doesn’t taste right unless it is fresh. (Peas are particularly tasty from the garden and awful from a bag or can.)
Nothing beats fresh peas, says LiVE 88.5's David Schellenberg.
NCVA: Tell us about your veg history- what got you interested in the lifestyle, what has been your experience?
David: My primary motivation is simply to lose some weight and the suggestion to go vegan came from my trainer. My early morning shift initially played havoc with my eating schedule and it has taken me a couple of years to get back on track.
My experience has been pretty positive. I have found lots of new foods to try that have been amazing.
NCVA: We understand that you did your own veg challenge in recent months. How did that go? Tell us a bit about it.
David: My trainer is encouraging me to do what he calls the “6 Week Vegan Challenge”. Part of the challenge is going well. As my fridge has slowly been emptied of non-vegan foods they have been replaced by
healthier choices.
I am starting to realize that a purely vegan diet is probably not going to be in my future, but I have made dramatic changes already and don’t intend to go backwards.
NCVA: You had a perogie party recently that was not vegan, so obviously you are still on the fence. What benefits are you hoping to derive from moving in a more veg direction?
David: My personal goals are losing weight and being healthier.
The perogie party was an interesting experience because it was a great mix of people where everyone was making and sharing their perogie masterpieces. Personally I found that some of the best tasting perogies where vegan – plus, dipping perogies into salsa or guacamole was much more tasty than sour cream.
I also had a vegan beer pairing night where the guys came over during the NHL All Stars game. Each guy brought a vegan dish and a beer to pair. Was an amazing mix of foods.
Another time, I had a paleo/vegan dinner with a bunch of friends. Eight people came for dinner and each one brought a dish that was both vegan and paleo with a wine pairing. This dinner had it all with appetizers, soups, main courses and desserts that where healthy and delicious.
NCVA: What interests you about the NCVA Next Top Vegan challenge? Are you in it to win it?
David: My interest is to find new foods and eat smarter. I feel no pressure to win a competition but I look forward to the experience.
NCVA: Have you been to Veg Fest before? What are you looking forward to at the event?
David: I have never heard of Veg Fest until this year. I am looking forward to being able to discover great new foods.
NCVA: What have been the highlights of your veg experience to-date? Any funny or terrifying moments?
David: Biggest discovery so far has been how unhealthy many prepared vegan foods can be. Reading the labels of most recommended vegan prepared foods reveals that they usually high in salt and often high in sugar. It is a real disappointment to see many ‘health’ stores stocking their shelves with products that may be vegan, but are certainly not healthy.
I still haven’t found any way of preparing tofu that I enjoy. No matter how many varieties or recipes I have explored it always manages to taste like a firm lump of goo.
I do have a new found appreciation for classic foods that happen to be vegan. So many Italian and Mexican dishes are amazing. Fresh Italian pasta with a thick tomato sauce full of sweet red peppers is so tasty. Salsa with organic chips and guacamole is healthy, easy and a huge crowd-pleaser.
Join the challenge any time between now and Veg Fest, April 29
By Dee
Veg Fest. Where it all happens.
Could you, for one month, go without milk chocolate, cream in your coffee, eggs at your weekend brunch, cheese (seriously, think about how often you eat cheese), chicken, pork (read: bacon) or steak? I mean, what would you eat? Just vegetables? For a month?
To become one of Ottawa’s Next Top Vegans, you must avoid eating animal products for 31 days. But don’t worry; the NCVA will be there to help you along the way!
Our support emails with tips, recipes and local guides, as well as optional around-the-town events, will certainly help your challenge – which launches at Veg Fest on
Lucy
April 29 – go smoothly. CBC’s Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld, who underwent her own 31-day vegan challenge in March, will share her words of wisdom at Veg Fest to help kick start the challenge. And don’t miss the Vegan Challenge expert panel between 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. where the NCVA’s experts can answer whatever questions you have.
(Register for the Vegan Challenge at Veg Fest, or in advance by emailing vegchallenge (at) ncva (dot) ca.)
The 31 Day Vegan Challenge officially starts on May 1 and ends on May 31, 2012. A final celebratory dinner for those who complete the challenge will take place on Friday, June 1, at The Table Vegetarian Restaurant with prizes to be won. Already a vegan? This is the perfect excuse to cajole your friends and loved ones into trying out this fabulous lifestyle for a month. Who knows- maybe it will stick!
Why wouldn't you want to eat these all month?
So… back to the whole just vegetables for a month business. You’d actually be eating a lot of filling, healthy foods from these four food groups:
1. grains (this includes pasta, bread and cereals, such as quinoa, oats, etc)
2. legumes (peas, beans and lentils)
3. fruits (this includes nuts). Just roam the biggest, most colourful aisle at your grocer.
4. vegetables
Whoa whoa whoa…what about protein?
Answer: See #1, #2, #3, and #4 (yup, they all have protein too…the guilt-free kind)
While we’re on the topic, want to know how much protein you actually need? Click here. So at least you won’t wither away to nothing in 31 days, with all that plant-based protein you’ll be mowing down.
Fine, then… what about calcium? Those fragile bones!
Answer: See #1, #2, #3, and #4] and p.s. here’s a list of excellent guilt-free calcium sources.
Won’t it be hard to substitute meat and dairy in recipes, and expensive? If you’re a lazy omnivore, chances are you’ll be a lazy vegan too. You’ll be buying faux meats all month (good thing there are now many good ones that’ll trick even your sleuthiest meat-eating kid/pal. Here’s a list of where to find it all, in Ottawa).
But if you’re the type who embraces opportunities to learn new skills, then you’ll find that whole foods are actually better value than what you’ve been eating. Plus, you’re more satiated afterwards, so you’ll probably snack less (although there are lots of vegan snacks!). Dark-chocolate-covered cranberries are my weakness! (Yes, you can still have –dairy-free– chocolate! ).
Why would you want to eat this?
If you actually like to cook, you are going to love all the new, healthy, flavourful recipes that you haven’t looked at before, because you were always looking at THE OTHERS. And because people have been eating this way for a long time (it’s even becoming hip to be vegan; be the trendsetter in your group!) , a lot of companies have created all sorts of plant-based foods to replace animal bits!
Will you miss eating chicken, pig and cow? C’mon, it’s 31 days. But if you do, maybe this will help.
Okay… one last thought…how will your family and friends deal with it?
Option A: Know that what you’re doing is way healthier, better for the environment, and guilt-free. Do something for yourself, the 650,000 million animals killed inhumanely every year (in Canada alone) so we can eat them instead of the four plant-based food groups the environment. Be truly green for one month. Confused?
Option B: Feed them the same food. It’s healthy food, remember. It’s not McDonald’s ammonia-laced chicken nuggets made of pink slime, or a pig who’s smarter than your dog, castrated without anaesthesia. Sorry was that too much? It’s okay, because you won’t be eating that anyway. You’re eating whole, happy food, full of every vitamin and mineral you and your family needs. And, you only have to do it for 31 days to *Tyra Banks’ voiceover* be in the running to become Ottawa’s Next Top Vegan.
Option C: Ditch ‘em all, move to Hawaii, grow dreads, and hunt for berries in your bare feet.
Good luck, have FUN, try new things, visit our Facebook page to keep yourself motivated, and know that you are doing a great thing for yourself and your family.
What: Reception following the opening night screening of The Ghosts in our Machine
As I’ve reported in previous posts, 50% of the proceeds from this Thursday’s screening of 
Read more about Chance, Jethro, Sue Ellen, and the other residents of Fauna Sanctuary on 
Just in case you forgot, the NCVA is sponsoring the 
Q: Why isn’t _______ an exhibitor at Veg Fest? Who are the exhibitors?
Q: What happened to the cupcake contest?
David: Biggest discovery so far has been how unhealthy many prepared vegan foods can be. Reading the labels of most recommended vegan prepared foods reveals that they usually high in salt and often high in sugar. It is a real disappointment to see many ‘health’ stores stocking their shelves with products that may be vegan, but are certainly not healthy.
VegOttawa Association 