In a recent undercover investigation, Mercy for Animals went to a turkey factory in Canada called Hybrid Turkeys. From December 2013 to February 2014, an investigator worked at the factory and documented the terrible cruelty turkeys suffer within the facility.

Throughout their investigation, the investigator saw workers punching, throwing, kicking, and beating turkeys. They also saw them crushing their spines and bashing their heads with shovels and other metal objects. Beyond the outright cruelty, the investigator also documented instances of wounded turkeys with infections left without proper care as well as inhumane breeding practices that caused the turkeys to grow so quickly they were crippled under their own weight.

To learn more about the investigation and what you can do to help, visit this website by Mercy for Animals Canada. Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about moving towards a plant-based diet you can visit our resources page. You can find cruelty-free dining options at VegGuide.org.

The Animal Rights National Conference is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow animal advocates, learn skills to become a more effective activist, and have a great time! Compassionate Action for Animals will have a table at the conference, and we’d like your help.

The conference will include:

• 100 sessions on animal abuse, organizing, tactics, and issues
• 80+ speakers from 60 organizations
• Eyewitness reports on key campaigns
• 90 free exhibits
• Video premieres
• Newcomer Orientation
• Nightly networking receptions
• Awards Banquet on Saturday evening

The conference will be held July 10-13 in Los Angeles. We will be able to provide hotel accommodations to a limited number of volunteers. Please let me know if you’re interested.

She’s one of the best and most prolific vegan cookbook authors, but with Isa Does It, Isa Chandra Moskowitz hits an undeniable, mouthwatering groove. Isa Does It features easy, everyday recipes that are satisfyingly delicious with ingredients you probably already have at home. I had the good fortune of meeting her at a book reading for this cookbook in Minneapolis last year, and it was obvious this was the cookbook of her dreams and for good reason. Brightly colored photos excite your imagination’s taste buds while the approachable recipes comfort your practical, time-conscious mind.

The cookbook features an introduction with tips for kitchen tools, pantry staples and modifications for allergies. The section on “Vegan Butchery” may seem tongue-in-cheek amusing, but you’ll probably learn something new like I did in prepping the tofu for her “Cast Iron Stir Fry with Avocado, Basil and Peanuts” (pg. 175.) The heart of the cookbook is the eleven sections of recipes; including soups, salads, handhelds, stir fries & sautés, Sunday night suppers, basic proteins, breakfasts, and desserts.

My favorite recipe was the “Cheddary Broccoli Soup” (p. 53) with its lick-the-bowl deliciousness from the mouthwatering umami of white miso, cheesy nutritional yeast and creamy cashews. It was the perfect thing to combat this Minnesota winter. A robust salad section satisfied with “Sesame Slaw w/ Warm Garlicky Seitan” (p. 58) that was a meal in itself with a feel good amount of fiber-rich red cabbage. After a long day at work, curl up with one of her meals in a bowl recipes like the “Good Gravy Bowl with Broccoli and Seitan” which creates a creamy, flavorful gravy with lentils which can be ladled over mashed potatoes, greens, sweet potatoes or whatever else you can imagine.

The recipes in Isa Does It seem solidly Midwestern to me. Not too fancy or pretentious, just solidly delicious, satisfying and accessible to most homes. The “Lentil-a-roni” (pg. 134) with its cashew creamy tomato sauce and meaty lentils nestled in the nooks of the curly fusilli noodles was reminiscent of childhood Chef Boyardee meals but more delicious, healthy and humane. Her “Puffy Pillow Pancakes” (pg. 253) grew like fluffy miniature skyscrapers on my cast iron griddle and the “Muffin Pan Mini Omelets” (pg. 247) were a quick grab protein for breakfast sandwiches throughout the week.

All in all, Isa Does It is a great staple cookbook for your bookshelf that you’ll return to time and time again to make easy, every day meals that appeal to a broad audience.

Isa Does It: Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
First Edition: October 2013
Little, Brown and Company

Our Annual Banquet is an opportunity to get together with animal advocates and celebrate our accomplishments over the last year. The banquet includes a silent auction, sumptuous vegan food, and a brief presentation recapping the previous year. It’s our biggest and most important fundraiser, and I hope to see you there! You can register online right now. Tickets are $40 for individuals, $70 for couples, and $90 for families.

I hope to see you on February 22 at our Vegan Chili Cook-Off. Please invite your friends on Facebook.

We’re hiring a full-time communications and events coordinator! Please apply and spread the word.

Our Annual Banquet is an opportunity to get together with animal advocates and celebrate our accomplishments over the last year. The banquet includes a silent auction, sumptuous vegan food, and a brief presentation recapping the previous year. It’s our biggest and most important fundraiser, and I hope to see you there! You can register online right now. Tickets are $40 for individuals, $70 for couples, and $90 for families.

Not only does this email look different, but so does our website! We released it last Friday. Did we make any mistakes? Let me know.

There are nine spots left! Show the Twin Cities that your vegan chili is the best on Saturday, February 22 at our 5th Annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off. It’s at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, 900 Mount Curve Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

We have three events next week! A dine-out at Galactic Pizza on Tuesday, February 11, our Valentine’s Vegan Bake Sale on Thursday, February 12, and our Veg Love Valentine’s Potluck on Saturday, February 15. Will I see you there?

I’m also excited to tell you about Mistress Ginger Cooks. Our long-time volunteer has written a vegan cookbook! Mistress Ginger will be singing love songs and promoting her book on February 13 and 14. I’ll be there on the 13th if you’d like to join me.

For the animals,

Unny Nambudiripad