The Web Site the Meat Industry Doesn't Want You to See

http://www.meat.org/

Laman Web Inilah yg Industri Daging Tidak Ingin Anda Lihat.

CHOCOLATES WITH RENNET??

Chocolate-loving Vegetarians may need to be more careful when purchasing cocoa-based confectioneries.

I have just read of an ALERT posted by the Vegetarian Society (UK) that chocolates manufactured by Masterfood Company Chocolate Products (MARS) contain RENNET (a coagulaing enzyme extracted from the lining of cow's stomach). The manufacturer is not denying this and further said that this was a "principled decision" on its part.

Many other brands of chocolate may have contents which are not suitable for vegetarians BUT may not reveal them (the contents). To be on the safe side, my friends and I will only consume NESTLE products which we know for sure are free from animal by-products (except milk and milk-related ones).

Please read further on this link and note the list products from MARS to avoid if you are a vegetarian:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6653175.stm

List of MARS products:
Bounty · Celebrations · Dove Chocolate · Flyte · Galaxy · Kudos (North America) · Lockets · M-Azing (North America) · Maltesers · M&M's · Mars Bar · Mars Delight · Milky Way · Minstrels (UK only) · Mars Planets (newly inroduced in UK) · Skittles · Snickers (The top-selling candy bar in the United States. Known in the UK as Marathon until 1990) · Starburst (Originally Opal Fruits in the UK) · 3 Musketeers (North America) · Topic · Twix · Snicker's Marathon Energy Bar · AquaDrops

Happy blogging!!!

Greening Kapit

May 1st (2008) - It wasn't supposed to be that grand of an event. Having the highest official in Kapit, Sarawak, accepting our fellow's invitation to attend our "Kapit Go Veg, Go Green" campaign was totally unexpected.

Thanks to fellow pencinta alam for boldly jump-starting the Kapit Green campaign, many of us learned that success of manning an event wasn't only that unstinting determination, but keeping pure and positive at heart, coupled with God's grace and blessings.

To kick start the event, Tuan Residen Hang Tuah Merawin, gave a speech. He was very supportive of our mission, and agreed that vegetarian lifestyle is essential for the health of Mother Earth and all lives. He was also impressed that vegetarian food comes in a wide variety, and that they are delicious and some even taste like real meat.

Also present were Temenggung Sng, Councillor Ngo, and Chairman Ma of Kapit's Restaurants & Coffeeshops Association. Says Temenggung Sng, "After this, I will also encourage my family to take more veg!" while Councillor Ngo, can't agree more that a vegetarian lifestyle is the best way to save Earth. Chairman Ma, awed by the colorful and sumptuous vegetarian delicacies stated that even though he can't go veg 100% yet, he certainly would be cutting down a lot on meat.

SOS-Save the Planet DVD was played and SOS flyers were distributed to all. Response was positive. Our home-cooked vege food were gone within an hour! We were glad to have provided Kapitans such a delectable vege lunch. See the thumbs up? :) Great job to our head chef!!!

We thank Tuan Residen, Temenggung, Councillor, Chairman Ma, and all Kapitans that came by and showed their immense support. Thanks for Going Green, for Kapit and its future generation and for a sustainable Earth, cheers!!!

TREE PLANTING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

It is heartening to read in today's STAR (18th June) that SCHOOLS nationwide will embark on a tree planting campaign to instil a sense of responsibilty among our youths, towards the environment.

Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim - Deputy Education Director informed that they aim to reach a target of 20 MILLION TREES by year 2020!! That's a lot of trees. What a challenge!! BUT I am very confident that it can be done. There is no better place to start than in schools to inculcate a love for the environment. Moreover, school children of today will be decision makers of tomorrow... and hopefully, responsible ones too. Go to the The Star site and read in detail on this subject.

2020 may seem a long way off but 12 years may just not be enough to 'heal' the damages already inflicted by worldwide deforestation and wood-related industries. It is good that MALAYSIA is taking this first step towards addressing the effects of global warming. Although blessed with lush greenery, many natural vegetation have to make way for development. There have been quite a few uproar from concerned parties over this issue. Let's hope that planting more trees will help to counter effect the harm done.

If everyone can just plant one tree in one's lifetime.... we can help brake and reverse the negative effects of climatic change. Coupled with the use of renewable energy, adopting a meatless diet, recycling and/or eliminating plastic products etc.... we can and will reduce our carbon footprints. We don't have to wait for governments to draw up policies for what we can and must do as a RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN of the World.

I planted an umbrella tree sapling 3 years ago... and I am proud to say that it has grown strong and tall... giving me a sense of hope that, if we truly care enough, we can SAVE MOTHER EARTH from further destruction.

If anyone out there has a view on this.... you are welcome to add or detract from it.

Kurangkan Pemakanan Daging

Dlm Seminar Pemanasan Global Antarabangsa di Seoul, Korea Selatan yg terbaru, Mahaguru Ching Hai, seorang humanis, artis dan guru rohaniah yg terkenal di dunia menyatakan bhw punca pemanasan global ialah sifat tidak bertimbang rasa kita terhadap rakan sepenghuni kita - haiwan, dan juga terhadap alam sekitar; kita mesti hentikan semua pembunuhan dan penderitaan terhadap manusia dan haiwan, sebab "Bila kita membunuh, kita hanya akan dibunuh." Beliau mengesahkan lagi bhw menggunakan produk bebas-haiwan ialah cara tercepat utk hentikan 80% pemanasan global.

In a recent International Seminar on Global Warming in Seoul, South Korea, the Supreme Master Ching Hai, a world-renowned humanitarian, artist and spiritual teacher points out that the root cause of global warming is our unkindness to our co-inhabitants – the animals, and our unkindness to our environment; we must stop all killing and harming to humans and animals alike, because “When we kill, we only get killed.” She further affirms that using animal-free products is the fastest way to stop 80% of global warming.

Ahli Senat Queensland, Australia, Andrew Bartlett menyatakan: "Tiada perkara yg lebih mudah, murah dan cepat yg kita boleh lakukan utk mengurangkan dgn banyak dan berkesan pengeluaran gas rumah hijau kita sendiri drpd mengurangkan jumlah daging dan bahan tenusu yg kita ambil."

Senator Andrew Bartlett of Queensland, Australia states: "There is no easier, cheaper and more immediate thing we can do to significantly reduce our personal contribution to greenhouse emissions than to cut the amount of meat and dairy products that we consume.”

Menurut satu kajian terbaru Institut bagi Kajian Alam Sekitar Amsterdam, Netherlands, jika semua penduduk British tidak memakan daging sehari seminggu utk setahun, itu akan mengurangkan 13 bilion kilo pengeluaran CO2 - suatu pengeluaran karbon yg lebih banyak drpd mengeluarkan 5 juta kereta drpd jalan raya di UK (10.4 bilion kilo CO2 setahun); dan ini hampir bersamaan menggantikan satu bilion mentol cahaya yang jimat tenaga.

According to a recent study of the Institute for Environmental Studies of Amsterdam, Netherlands, if all British people abstain from eating meat 1 day per week for a year, that would save 13 billion kilos of CO2 emission – a greater carbon saving than taking 5 million cars off the road in the UK (10.4 billion kilos of CO2 per year); and this would be almost equivalent to replacing one billion light bulbs with low energy ones.

Monfort Boys Town Open Carnival

Sunday dawns bright and clear on the 4^th of May, when a team of 12 pencinta alams made their way to Shah Alam where Montfort Boys Town is located. Their mission - to help raise fund in Montfort's 2008 Open House Carnival under the banner of Supreme Master Television.

Founded in 1959 by a brotherhood of St Gabriel, Monfort is a welfare and industrial training centre catering to boys aged 16 -18 who are school dropouts from underprivileged homes or are orphans. According to their aptitude, the students receive training in printing, welding, motor mechanics, machining, carpentry, graphic designing, computer maintenance and even baking skill. Besides education, they are also well rounded in sports and many recreational activities to help develop personal and leadership potentials. The 350 resident students pitch in to help in the daily maintenance and cleanliness of the school. They even have a small farmyard and grow organic vegetables and fruits for their own consumption.

We took up a booth to help in fund raising, as well as in creating awareness on global warming, promoting vegetarianism and Supreme Master Television.

Montfort was more than happy with the distribution of new colourful and informative SOS flyers and SOS Save our Planet DVDs. Global warming and other constructive programs downloaded from Supreme Master Television, were played throughout the duration of the Carnival which ran from 9am to 5pm.

Pencinta alams who were good at cooking were roped in to cook a variety of delicious vegetarian/vegan food for sale. Our table load of vegetarian/vegan fare ranged from Mmmmmmm... Japanese sushi, Japanese tempura, fruit and veggie rojak, cupcakes, mushroom pancakes, seaweed and yam rolls, Bar-B-Q sticks, glutinous rice and satay. All ingredients used were mostly economical and local. Patrons were pleased to find that not only vegan food is delicious but also affordable! Our booth was the only one selling vegan food. Many came back after sampling and even packed to take home for their family. All serving plates/spoons, take-away boxes and carry bags were eco-friendly. We even sold some recycle cloth bags to many individuals as part of our ‘Go Green’ campaign instead of using plastic bags.

Many stopped by to watch and ask questions on environmental issues and also the whys and wherefores of adopting a vegan diet. Banners promoting Supreme Master Ching Hai's books – The Dogs in My Life and The Birds in My Life – were also displayed prompting a few who were interested in buying them. They were directed to go to Amazon.com to make their purchase. Go Green posters and relevant information were also prominently displayed to let people know on the urgent need to address global warming and its consequences.

As the crowd started to join the Carnival, pencinta alams stationed themselves at strategic points and braved the hot sun to distribute the SOS flyers and bookmarks. The DVDs were given out to individuals who stopped to ask for more information. By the end of the day, flyers were given out to an estimated number of about 3000 guests attending the carnival.

Ms Jamie, the chair-person of the Carnival was gladly interviewed by Malaysian Supreme Master Television team and shared her positive views on the environment and vegetarianism. A good number of the crowd also came forward to be interviewed, eager to share their experiences on the steps they are taking to help stop global warming.

At the end of the Carnival, we were delighted that all our food was sold out. While appreciating each others’ effort and closeness when working together like a big family, we are indeed grateful to the Almighty to be given this opportunity of sharing, and blessings throughout the whole fruitful event.

Get Chic! Use Recycle Bags

I was still in a sweet siesta when I got a call from Candy, a fellow pencinta alam. The elation in her voice, told me right away she has a great new idea to share. Sheepishly I listened to the young mother, who carries with her cool-looking recycle bags every time she goes for groceries: "Today, a lady in pasar asked me where can she get these recycle bags. I was thinking that we can push for having "Go Veg, Go Green" printed on recycle bags to raise awareness!!! She has a daughter who goes to college, lugging around books in such bags. Just like my daughter, she loves taking them to school too, it's hip!"

And I was more impressed hearing that having recycle bags with fancy imprints is all the rage these days. Even an 10 yrs old thinks it's way cool. And I wonder why many adults are still unwilling or feeling shy to shop with recycle bags. Just the other day, someone told me that her maid is ashamed to carry one.

Candy continued, "I was caught by surprise having asked such question, and my mind went blank."

Well, I don't blame her as it is quite unusual for such question to be raised here in Malaysia. But what was more important was that it goes to show that there are people out there who are now paying more attention and are more receptive of recyclable items.

Candy was carrying Giant's recycle bag. They are sold for RM2.50 each in all Giant's and there are similar ones you can find in other hypermarkets. Some vege restaurants like New Giant Bowl in SS2 PJ, and gift shops sell them too. They are cheap and last a long time.

And yes, back to the question on promoting 'Go Green' by printing the slogan on recycle bags - it is an excellent idea. But even more brilliant if the mass media would join in the fight to curtail global warming by simply publishing short reminders like "Go Veg, Go Green - Save The Planet" everyday, on their media. To save our only Mother Earth, it's worthwhile. Wouldn't you think so?