Empty the Tanks 2018

https://youtu.be/ygqdFx9_Cb4

A Brief History of Lucky

Here’s my #collage of a #campaign that I hold dear to my #heart❤️ - countless #weekends (over the course of years) were spent in front of the #sanantoniozoo #advocating for Lucky (she was the lone) #asianelephant 🐘 for years. She was always called #odd by Steve McCusker who was the former executive director of the zoo. When Tim Morrow took over (coming from #seaworld) wasn’t much better with helping Lucky. It took #activists educating the people and a #lawsuit to help Lucky have her exhibit extended, have #trees🌳 added for shade and instead of going to a #sanctuary getting friends (Karen and Nicole) from #ringlingbros. Lucky is #happy and according to #elephantexperts they all get along. This is what #protesting can do, but there has to be a goal to the campaign.

World Vegan Day

World Vegan Day

November 1st was World Vegan Day and it wraps up the month of Vegetarian Awareness Month. Starting off with World Vegetarian Day and World Farm Animal Day, this month is a long celebration has been created to share wisdom, compassion and educate all of us to rise to the next level....

I have been busy with protesting a Bison and Cow meat packing plant, and socializing with friends that share the same thoughts. As much as being active making a difference in the world has great impact on all, we need to be able to take those much needed breaks and recharge....

So, in this up coming holiday season. Seek out the friends who make you laugh and smile, along with making new friends. Continue to make a difference for those you love or those who have no voice.

Conflicts of the Congo~Beyond Blood Diamonds & Minerals

While we’re watching the presidential candidates speak about the issues we feel are important. And, some of them are, don’t get me wrong. Elephants are fighting to just survive on the land that has been their home for decades.

On Tuesday, I read an article in The New York Times about elephants being slaughtered and poached at an alarming rate. While I was at work (on my break) reading the article in NYT, I’m crying. Yesterday, I read in Treehugger.com and CNN a “cliff notes” version of the same information. Elephants are being slaughtered for their ivory, to be sold in China. Like every commodity that Africa has, diamonds, minerals (used in our electronics), ivory is being used to fund corrupt government officials, the L.R.A. (Lord’s Resistance Army) and Joseph Kony funding some of the major conflicts of the Congo, and becoming his new lifeline. Joseph Kony is using guns like AKs, G-3s, PKMs and FNs, killing up to 10 elephants at times for the ivory to fund his atrocities on animals, humans and the environment.

While the NYT article went in to gory details about the poaching and implicating that even organized crime is involved. Stating that during the smuggling process, the ivory is being packaged in chilies to throw off the scent of sniffer dogs. Read the whole article here: www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/world/africa/africas-elephants-are-being-slaughtered-in-poaching-frenzy.html?pagewanted=all

The reason I’m SO upset, is that the article didn’t mention what we can do…. In fact, all of the e-mails flooding my in box on this topic (since there are many) don’t mention what we can do. How do we, as citizens, take action? I already boycott items made in China, so much so that I work for a company that doesn’t purchase materials made in China to make the products we manufacture. How can I sleep at night knowing that this is happening and I have no idea where to begin as an activist?! In the ‘80s, when elephant poaching was at its peak, elephants still had a fighting chance. Today, some of the people hired to help them live, flourish and survive are partaking in the poaching. Today, poachers are using helicopters and scaring them into a contained area on the protected land. Today, weapons are being used that didn’t exist in the hands of poachers and today we are looking at 15-20 years of elephants in peril and facing extinction.

Vegan Chick-fil-A Sandwiches

Vegan Chick-fil-A Sandwiches
Vegan; Serves 4

This is for the people out there that are trying to have a smaller carbon footprint, needing something that is kid friendly (that are transitioning to a kinder lifestyle) or are boycotting for support of gay rights! I've found this posted on several sites including The Kind Life and PETA....

4 vegan chicken cutlets (try Gardein Chick'n Scallopini)
3/4 cup plain, unsweetened soy or hemp milk
1/4 cup pickle juice
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
3 cups peanut, canola, or vegetable oil, for frying
Olive oil cooking spray
4 buns
16 dill pickle chips

1. Defrost or thaw the chicken cutlets if frozen.

2. Combine the soy milk and the pickle juice in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.

3. Combine the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, dry mustard, and powdered sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.

4. Warm the peanut oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Dip a "chicken" cutlet into the wet mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Toss into the flour mixture and coat generously. Repeat with the remaining cutlets and set aside.

5. Place one cutlet in the frying pan using a pair of tongs. Flip occasionally to ensure even cooking. Allow to cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the outside is crisp and golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.

6. Lightly spray the buns with the cooking spray and place in a frying pan over low heat until slightly toasted.

7. Place 4 pickle chips on the bottom half of each bun, then top with the fried "chicken." Serve immediately.

Carson & Barnes Circus Demo

Yesterday, when I got off from work I participated in The Carson and Barnes Circus Demo. For those who don’t know what this is about, I’m an activist at heart and use my voice to speak up for those who can’t; from animals to the environment, women’s rights and abused neglected children. I’ve got a strong background in pet adoptions and have worked with abused and neglected kids at a long term care residential treatment center (RTC). One could say that I’m passionate about what I do, and one would be right…

Going back to the circus demo, I have to admit that this was one of the better ones I’ve been to. Small, with about 4 people showing up to use their voice, to show that they care and know, and are the change that they want to see in the world. In San Antonio, TX, a person holding up their sign is usually met with arguments more than a person stopping and asking about the why and the how.

Last night, the majority were positive responses and there were 2 negative responses; including a middle age man, overweight giving us the finger. Well what I would like to tell this man is, while we may not agree and if you want to insult us that is your choice. However, that shows your lack of maturity and please, do the gesture right!

It doesn’t matter if the group is large or small; when you use your voice to speak up for those that are abused (whatever cause) there is a sense of liberation. One leaves the peaceful demonstration or event more empowered and feeling like there is a difference being made. While I can’t keep elephants out of the circus yet, the more of the public that learn about what happens behind the scenes and stop going is a victory that continues. Someday, I hope that animals of all sorts are able to be free from the torture of electric prods and get to remain being animals; that they will no longer be exploited for entertainment, experiments, or robbed of their offspring. Until that day comes, I will continue to use my voice.