Howdy! Welcome to the 72nd issue of the Mad Cowboy Newsletter.

Today we've got a special end-of-the-year letter from Howard, and an
announcement about the new "Heart Healthy Pizza" cookbook (with a Foreward by
Howard).

In this edition of the newsletter, you'll learn about the prolific and
knowledgeable Dr. Greger's new website, "NutritionFacts" with superb short
videos on scores of topics. There's also information in this issue about which
food companies are spending the most on lobbying Congress, a new report on the
state of America's Heart Health, and how a very large study indicates that
vegetables and fruits significantly lower your risk of strokes.

Reading further, find out about the world's "toughest woman" (hint: she's
vegan), see a video of former President Clinton discussing his vegan diet, find
out what vegan Ellen Degeneres is up to, and the stats in a recent survey by
the Vegetarian Resource Group on the number of vegans in the United States.
Monsanto has some serious problems, cows contribute much more to Global Climate
Change than previously thought, the movie "Farmageddon" is screened on Capitol
Hill, crows have a "danger" tool, and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act is
being legally challenged.

As usual, there's an abundance of new items in the Mad Cow Info Round-Up ("Pink
Slime?") and lots to see and hear in the Vegan Digital Media Theater.

... as always, a tip of the hat to our new subscribers: y'all can browse/search
through past issues at the Mad Cowboy Newsletter Archives at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mad_Cowboy/

Wishing all readers a bountiful, exciting, and rewarding New Year!

Best regards, Mark MC editor/webmaster

[personal vegan blog:
http://www.soulveggie.com


***********************************************
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00: A Special Holiday Message from Howard
01: The Vegan Mind-Bender Contest Winner/Challenge!
02: Announcing the "Heart Healthy Pizza" Cookbook
03: Mad Cow Info Round-Up
04: NutritionFacts, Food Lobbying, US Heart Health, Lower Strokes
05: Toughest Woman, Vegan Clinton, Ellen's Site, No. of US Vegans
06: Vegan Digital Media Theater
07: Monsanto Bugged, New Cow Gas Stats, Food/2011, Farmageddon
08: Corp./Animal Rights, Swine Case, Crow Tools, AETA Challenged
09: Quick Bytes
10: Closing Thoughts


************************************************
*00: A Special "End of the Year" Message from Howard
************************************************

"With Jack Frost nipping your cheeks it is clear that 2011 is drawing to a
close. It has been a significant year in the acceptance of a plant based diet.
The ex-president stating on nation television that he was a near vegan and his
vice president finally admitting that livestock were the largest contributor to
global warming.

It is my belief that it takes a crises to change human behavior and it was clear
in 2011 that we were not short of crises. The weather on planet Earth was about
as extreme as we have ever had in recorded history. Drought, floods, earth
quakes, and blizzards were just some of the abnormal weather problem that
greeted folks this year.

In 2011 I decided to limit my travel and public speaking. This allowed me to
spend more time with my wife after over twenty years of almost continuous
travel.

I'm surprised that Willow Jeane has not encouraged me to return to my former
schedule. This year we took a vacation of over forty days driving over seven
thousand miles visiting many of our relatives scattered all over North America.
It was the first time my wife and I ever traveled without having to adhere to a
speaking schedule. It was pure heaven.

Spending time in my garden, expanding our local vegetarian society, restoring
our hundred year old Odd Fellow hall, and sleeping in my own bed is something I
have put on hold for many years and I feel like I have died and gone to heaven.

I'm pleased that there are thousands of new plant eaters changing the world ever
day and I'm sure that this is a train that has left the station and will not be
stopped by cries of the animal industry.

Each and everyone of us must do what we can every day and there just may be a
bright future for our children and grand children. Please join with me and do
what you can and enjoy the changes as they happen.

2011 is the watershed year in our struggle and we are winning.

Your friend and fellow traveler, Howard"


************************************************
*01: The Vegan Mind-Bender Contest Winner/Challenge!
************************************************
LAST ISSUE'S MAD COWBOY VEGAN MIND-BENDER:
"Of the following, which is NOT one of the top five sources of energy for 2 - 3
year olds:

(a) whole milk (b) fruit juice (c) pasta (d) HFS-based sodas (e) Starbucks
Triple Latte with Double Expresso

Both (c) and (e) are correct:

["For 2-18 year olds, the top sources of energy were grain desserts, pizza, and
soda. Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda and fruit drinks combined) provided almost
10% of total calories consumed. Nearly 40% of total calories consumed by 2-18
year olds were in the form of empty calories from solid fat and from added
sugars. Half of empty calories came from six foods: soda, fruit drinks, dairy
desserts, grain desserts, pizza, and whole milk:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101001105211.htm

Congratulations to Karmy Mina of Rochester, NY, for correctly guessing (e) and
winning the luck of the draw from all those who also picked (c) and/or (e).


THIS ISSUE'S MAD COWBOY VEGAN MIND-BENDER:

"Aside from having a diagnosis of heart disease-related concerns, there are 7
factors thought to be important for a healthy cardiovascular system. In 2009, 3
or more of these factors scored poorly in what percentage of U.S. adults?

(a) 72% (b) 51% (c) 44% (d) 38%

Please e-mail guesses to: webmaster@... with the word "contest" in
your subject line by NLT January 31st, 2012. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS (U.S. domestic only). It will not be sold nor given out to anyone but
VegNews.

[Many thanks to Joe Connelly, Editor, VegNews, who has offered a FREE one-year
subscription to a winner chosen at random those submitting the correct answer to
each MC Newsletter's Contest. Our thanks to Joe, and you can learn more about
VegNews at:

http://www.vegnews.com or e-mail: editor@... or call 1.415.665.6397]


************************************************
*02: Announcing the "Heart Healthy Pizza" Cookbook
************************************************

"The "Heart Healthy Pizza" cookbook, by Mark Sutton, contains over 100 no-added
oil, plant-based recipes for making pizza.

Through the imaginative use of grains (oats, quinoa, millet, rice, and barley)
as well as legumes (such as chickpeas, black eyed peas, navy beans, dal) and
various vegetables (artichokes, carrots, corn, etc.), the author has created
unique "cheese-like" sauce recipes that range in taste texture from a delicate
velvety sauce to a custard firmness.

Coupled with recipes for making pizza crusts (including gluten-free versions),
several "bottom sauces" and total pizza concepts, this book will help anyone
create the most nutritious and Heart Healthy Pizza possible.

At the following website, you can:

- read the cookbook's Foreward (written by Howard Lyman)
- view the Draft Table of Contents and Recipes Index
- see a slide show of photos taken during development & testing
- sign-up to be notified of when the book is available for pre-order or purchase
online

http://www.hearthealthypizza.com

Mark's e-mail address:
msutton@...


************************************************
*03: Mad Cow Info Round-Up
************************************************
"HOW MAD COW DISEASE 'CAN BE SPREAD THROUGH AIR':" (01/14/11): "Mad cow
disease can be spread by airborne particles, researchers warn. And they fear
that those who work in abattoirs, slaughterhouses and laboratories could be at
risk. Their study shows prions, the infectious agents which cause BSE and its
human form, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, can be dangerous if carried
through the air. The discovery could also explain why some of the victims in
the 1990s were vegetarians. Dr Aguzzi said health and safety rules in labs,
slaughterhouses and animal feed plants did not usually include protection
against airborne particles. This previously unappreciated risk for airborne
prion transmission may warrant re-thinking on prion biosafety,' he said.
However, patients with CJD pose little risk because they do not breathe out
prions, he added."

[Edited from:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1347003/How-mad-cow-disease-sprea\
d-air.html


"EUROPE'S WORST FOOD-POISONING: NEW STRAIN OF E.COLI:" (06/02/11): "LONDON --
Scientists on Thursday blamed Europe's worst recorded food-poisoning outbreak on
a "super-toxic" strain of E. coli bacteria that may be brand new. But while
suspicion has fallen on raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce as the source of the
germ, researchers have been unable to pinpoint the food responsible for the
frightening illness, which has killed at least 18 people, sickened more than
1,600 and spread to least 10 European countries. An alarmingly large number of
victims - about 500 - have developed kidney complications that can be deadly.
Chinese and German scientists analyzed the DNA of the E. coli bacteria and
determined that the outbreak was caused by "an entirely new, super-toxic" strain
that contains several antibiotic-resistant genes...the strain appeared to be a
combination of two types of E. coli."

[Very edited from:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/02/e-coli-outbreak-new-strain_n_870176.htm\
l


"LISTERIA CANTALOUPE OUTBREAK ENDS AS MOST DEADLY IN 100 YEARS:" (12/09/11):
"A 28-state Listeria outbreak is over, with the sad distinction of being the
most deadly outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States in 100 years. In
the end, one out of every five of the victims died from the Listeria
contamination spread by a locally grown but widely distributed variety of
cantaloupes from Colorado. Thirty of 146 persons infected did not survive. A
miscarriage suffered by an Iowa woman was also blamed on outbreak-related
listeriosis... The onset of illnesses was from July 31 to Oct. 27. A majority of
the victims, 58 percent, were females. Ages ranged from less than one year to
96 years. Median age of the victims was 77 years old.

...To find a more deadly outbreak of foodborne illness than this 30-death
tragedy, one has go back to 1911 when contaminated raw milk killed 48 in
Boston."

[Very edited from:
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/12/listeria-outbreak-ends-as-most-deadly-in-1\
00-years/


"SOUTH KOREA DIAGNOSES TWO CASES OF CJD WITHIN ONE YEAR:" (12/09/11):
"November 2011, the Korean Center for Disease Control determined that a
54-year-old woman, who died earlier this year, died of iatrogenic
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). After her death, doctors identified several
defective prion proteins in her brain, signaling the presence of CJD. This week,
a second individual (identity withheld for privacy reasons) was diagnosed with
iatrogenic CJD. Both cases underwent brain surgery 23 years ago. During each
surgery, a product called Lyodura was used for tissue grafting purposes.
Lyrodura is often made of human dura mater, or the outermost of the membranes
covering the brain and spinal cord, which is acquired post mortem. Officials
believe this product may have been contaminated."

[Edited from:
http://www.healthmap.org/news/south-korea-diagnoses-two-cases-creutzfeldt-jakob-\
disease-within-one-year


"HANNAFORD SALMONELLA OUTBREAK, A CONTINUING TREND OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE:"
(12/12/11): "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today that
a total of 16 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella
Typhimurium have been reported from 7 states... Preliminary testing shows that
the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium is resistant to several commonly
prescribed antibiotics. This antibiotic resistance may be associated with an
increase in the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in
infected individuals. Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted by
officials in local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and
regulatory agencies linked this outbreak to eating ground beef purchased from
Hannaford stores."

[Very edited from from the following article which also lists past outbreaks
historically of note:
http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/hannaford-salmonell\
a-outbreak-a-continuing-trend-of-antibiotic-resistance/


"59 IN MISSISSIPPI ILL FROM SALMONELLA TIED TO ONE RESTAURANT:" (12/14/11):
"The Salmonella outbreak in Corinth has now been pinned on a single restaurant,
so there is no threat to the general public in northeast Mississippi, the state
health department advises. But the Don Julio Mexican Restaurant in Corinth, MS
is closed indefinitely after 59 of its customers and employees have returned
cultures positive for Salmonella. "Our investigation has shown that the
incident does not appear to be a food producer or supplier issue," Dr. Jessie R.
Taylor, the Northeast Mississippi District health officer, said in a news
release. "It appears to be an isolated problem with this particular restaurant,
and the restaurant is working closely with us to correct the problem."

[Edited from:
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/12/salmonella-outbreak-hits-59-one-restaurant\
-named/


"HONG KONG CULLS THOUSANDS OF BIRDS AFTER VIRUS FOUND IN CHICKEN:" (12/21/11):
"Health workers here began slaughtering more than 17,000 chickens on Wednesday
after a carcass infected with bird flu was found at a poultry market, government
officials said. It was the first large-scale culling in three years. The cull
was part of a series of precautionary steps being taken after the chicken
carcass was found to have a "highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus," York
Chow, Hong Kong's secretary for food and health, said in a statement. Hong Kong
officials also raised the territory's bird flu alert to "serious," increasing
monitoring for influenza at hospitals and closed the market where the carcass
was discovered until Jan. 12... "We have to be very cautious," he said, noting
that the H5N1 virus has a mortality rate approaching 60 percent in humans. "But
there is no need for panic."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/world/asia/hong-kong-culls-chickens-after-bird\
-flu-is-found.html

"BEEF: IT'S NOT WHAT'S FOR DINNER:" (12/24/11): "The USDA estimates that the
2011 U.S. per capita beef consumption at close to 57 pounds, but that's down
about 25 percent since 1980 and, due to a sour economy, it continues to fall.
For the past decade, cattle ranchers and meat packers watched with despair as
America's beef consumption steadily declined, ceding ground to leaner meats as
well as vegetarian trends among the health-conscious. Most recently, high
unemployment in the world's wealthiest nation had cash-strapped Americans
avoiding restaurants where beef is a common entree and had them switching to
lower cost non-meat dishes at home. USDA estimates 2011 U.S. per capita beef
consumption at 57.4 lbs, down 13 percent from 10 years ago and down about 25
percent from 1980. In 2012, USDA predicts, Americans will eat 54.1 lbs of beef
on average. "Americans are cutting back. We've consumed ourselves to a plateau,
but the growth and demand is there for exports."

[Very edited from:
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/12/beef-its-not-whats-for-dinner/\
250442/


"BURGER CHAINS DROP USE OF 'PINK SLIME':" (12/26/11): "McDonald's and two
other fast-food chains have stopped using an ammonia-treated burger ingredient
that meat industry critics call the "pink slime," according to a report in the
Sioux Falls, Argus Leader here The product, ammonium hydroxide, is widely used
as low-fat beef filling in burger meat, including in school meals. But there
have been attacks on its use by consumer food activists and high profile chefs
such as Jamie Oliver who said, "Basically, we're taking a product that would be
sold at the cheapest form for dogs, and after this process we can give it to
humans," in a segment of his ABC television show, Jamie Oliver's Food
Revolution, that aired last spring.

...Critics of the use of such products in the meat industry say it raises
serious questions about whether the huge factory farm and processing operations
are relying too heavily on "chemical washes and other technology" to kill
bacteria that is so prevalent because of the practices of that industry instead
of doing more to prevent the contamination at the source by changing how animals
are raised and slaughtered in the big meat processing plants.

[Very edited from:
http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/BREAKING-NEWS/BURGER-CHAINS-DROP-USE-OF-CHEMIC\
AL-IN-BURGERS-CALLED-PINK-SLIME-861300


************************************************
*04: NutritionFacts, Food Lobbying, US Heart Health, Lower Strokes
************************************************
"NUTRITIONFACTS - A NEW WEBSITE FEATURING DR. GREGER:" (2011): "The typical
nutrition facts packaging label shows consumers a miniscule fraction of the
estimated 100,000+ biological active constituents of food. How do you tell if it
may actually help promote health and protect against disease?

It is estimated that North Americans spend in excess of $50 billion annually on
diet products and self-help books and videos. However, given that Western
society continues to see increased obesity and other "diseases of affluence"
such as Type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and certain forms of cancer,
much of that money is being wasted. We believe that a significant part of the
problem is that individuals who want to make the correct nutritional choices for
themselves and their families are faced with a deluge of confusing and
conflicting nutritional advice. The goal of this website is to present you with
the results of the latest in nutrition and health research, presented in a way
that is easy to understand.

NUTRITIONFACTS.ORG is brought to you by the Jesse & Julie Rasch Foundation in
partnership with Michael Greger, M.D. Dr. Greger scours the world of
nutrition-related research, as published in scientific journals, and brings that
information to you in short, easy to understand video segments. We also provide
links to the original journal articles whenever possible so that you can source
the information directly, if you so desire.

[From:
http://nutritionfacts.org/about/


"FOOD LOBBYING TOPS $1 MILLION FOR SOME: (12/13/11): "A lot of the attention
on the intersection between food and the U.S. legislature recently has focused
on the impending revision of the Farm Bill. Thousands of jobs and the health of
millions ride on the billions of dollars that will be doled out by the Farm
Bill, so it's an understandable target of interest. But the Farm Bill is far
from the only piece of legislature that affects the food world. In fact, every
year, food and beverage companies spend tens of millions of dollars trying to
influence dozens of bills under consideration by the Senate and House of
Representatives. These bills ranges from overhauls of elementary school
nutrition program to tweaks to rules on patent protection -- and all are subject
to lobbying... Such detailed information on lobbying would have been almost
impossible to find a few decades ago. But thanks to the magic of the Internet,
it's now only a few clicks away. With the help of website OpenSecrets.org, we've
assembled a list of the 10 food and beverage companies that have spent the most
on lobbyists so far in 2011. Click through below to find out who "won" the
dubious honors.

[Edited from:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/13/food-company-lobbying_n_1146425.html


"U.S. HEART HEALTH: LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT:" (12/16/11): "Among seven
factors for heart health, almost all Americans have at least one factor at a
"poor" level. The American Heart Association has issued America's annual heart
health report card. While there is good news, much of it is overshadowed by bad
news, and we definitely have room for improvement. The death rate from heart
disease and stroke dropped more than 30% between 1998 and 2008, but we're remiss
on habits that help the heart, such as getting regular exercise and maintaining
a healthy weight... "We have a major tsunami that is threatening us. That is the
obesity epidemic, which has been with us for 25 years. We are seeing the leading
edge of this tsunami that is going to reverse many of the gains we have achieved
in the last 40 years." "We need to get serious about the obesity epidemic
yesterday," he [researcher Donald Lloyd-Jones] tells WebMD..."

[Very edited from:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500368_162-57343911/u.s-heart-health-lots-of-room-fo\
r-improvement/

[The Report cited in the article above:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2011/12/15/CIR.0b013e31823ac046.citati\
on


"EATING FRUITS, VEGGIES MAY LOWER STROKE RISK:" (12/02/11): "Eating plenty of
fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are rich in antioxidants may help
reduce a woman's risk of stroke, even if she has a history of heart disease, a
new study suggests. It's thought that antioxidants may help protect against
stroke by neutralizing damaging molecules called free radicals that are linked
to heart disease and stroke. Fruits and vegetables contributed about half of the
antioxidants in the diet of women with no history of heart disease... "Eating
antioxidant-rich foods may reduce your risk of stroke by inhibiting oxidative
stress and inflammation," said study author Susanne Rautiainen, a doctoral
student at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

For the study in this week's issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart
Association, Rautiainen and her co-authors followed more than 31,000 women
without cardiovascular disease and another 5,700 women with that history who
filled in questionnaires about their diet and other lifestyle factors."

[Edited from:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/12/02/stroke-antioxidants-fruits-vegeta\
bles.html


************************************************
*05: Toughest Woman, Vegan Clinton, Ellen's Site, No. of US Vegans
************************************************
"VEGAN ATHLETE CROWNED WORLD'S TOUGHEST WOMAN:" (12/20/11): "Last weekend,
vegan athlete Juliana Sproles was crowned the "toughest woman on the planet"
after finishing the "The World's Toughest Mudder" competition, a 24-hour,
mud-filled obstacle race in below-freezing temperatures. Sproles credits
diligent training and a plant-based diet for her victory. Tough Mudder
competitions are grueling endurance tests, typically 10-12 miles in length and
featuring 20-30 challenging obstacles designed by the British Special Forces.
The competitions test all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and
camaraderie. At the end of each year, the top 5 percent of participants from
previous Tough Mudder competitions are eligible to compete in the World's
Toughest Mudder series final in order to "find the toughest man and woman on the
planet.'''"

[Edited from:
http://www.mfablog.org/2011/12/vegan-athlete-crowned-worlds-toughest-woman.html


"BILL CLINTON'S VEGAN JOURNEY:" (08/18/11): "After undergoing two separate
heart procedures since leaving office a decade ago, former President Bill
Clinton changed his diet to slow the progression of heart disease. But when a
doctor told him that more "intensive changes" were needed for someone with his
family history of heart disease, Mr. Clinton -– the man famous for his love of
McDonald's and junk food -– went vegan, or nearly so. "At Thanksgiving, I had
one bite of turkey," he told CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay
Gupta.... The former president now says he consumes no meat, no dairy, no eggs,
almost no oil. "I like the vegetables, the fruits, the beans, the stuff I eat
now," Clinton told Gupta.

View the full report [and CNN clips], "From Omnivore to Vegan: The Dietary
Education of Bill Clinton," and then please join the discussion below."
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/18/bill.clinton.diet.vegan/index.html

[Edited from:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/bill-clintons-vegan-journey/


"ELLEN DEGENERES' NEW VEGAN WEB PAGE & BLOG:" (08/10/11): "Another sign that
Ellen DeGeneres is passionate about promoting veganism: she just put up a new
web page and blog devoted to the subject. The web page offers a nice collection
of introductory material, and the blog seems to be updated whenever she covers
something vegan on her show."

http://vegan.com/blog/2011/08/10/ellen-degeneres-new-vegan-web-page-blog/

http://vegan.ellen.warnerbros.com/

[As noted at:
http://www.vegan.com


"HOW MANY ADULTS ARE VEGAN IN THE U.S.?: " (12/05/11): "With numerous groups
pushing Meatless Mondays, Tofurky Tuesdays, or other campaigns to cut back on
meat one meal or day per week, The Vegetarian Resource Group wondered how often
Americans are eating vegetarian meals. In order to find an estimate, VRG
commissioned Harris Interactive® to conduct a national telephone poll.

Seventeen percent of Americans stated that they "don't eat meat, fish, seafood,
or poultry at many of my meals (but less than half the time)" and 16% don't eat
these foods at more than half of their meals (but not all the time). Thus, 1/3
(33%) of the country are eating vegetarian meals a significant amount of the
time (in addition to vegetarians)! This is certainly good news for companies
producing vegetarian foods. No wonder why so many restaurants have added
vegetarian options.

In a 2008 Vegetarian Resource Group national telephone survey, 40% said when
eating out they often order a dish without meat, fish or fowl. For those of you
trying to get a handle on the population very interested in vegetarian foods,
though not vegetarian, it appears to be 30% – 40% of the country..."

[Edited from:
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/12/05/how-many-adults-are-vegan-in-the-u-s/


************************************************
*06: Vegan Digital Media Theater
************************************************
Slideshows:
"THE 10 MOST FATTENING FAST FOOD DISHES"
http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-most-fattening-fast-food-dishes


Videos:
"THE SPIRAL DIVING DOG"
http://www.hulu.com/watch/301994/weird-news-diving-dog-makes-splash-with-spiral-\
dive-skills#s-p5-so-i0

"THE PLASTIC PLANT"
http://firstrunfeatures.com/plasticplanet/

"THE VEDUCATED DOCUMENTARY"
http://www.kindgreenplanet.org/programs/glasswalls/

"DIVE: LIVING OFF AMERICA'S WASTE"
http://www.divethefilm.com/trailer.aspx

"THE SECRET LIFE OF BEEF"
http://informinc.org/pages/media/the-secret-life-series/secret-life-beef.html

"JONATHON SAFRAN FOER AT GOOGLE"
http://vegan.com/blog/2010/12/30/jonathan-safran-foer-at-google/

"FILMMAKERS DISCUSS "FORKS OVER KNIVES"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfY2C4WaJ3s&feature=share

"CANCER FIGHTERS IN YOUR KITCHEN - DR. OZ" (see videos bottom of page, including
Rip Esselstyn on the show)
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/cancer-fighters-your-kitchen


Audio/Transcript/Book Excerpt:
"CONSUMPTION: HOW WESTERN DIETS ARE MAKING US SICK"
https://www.npr.org/2011/03/24/132745785/how-western-diets-are-making-the-world-\
sick

"NEW ZEALAND RADIO INTERVIEW WITH DR. CALDWELL ESSELSTYN"
http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/12/heart-disease-and-cancer-listen-to-foremos\
t-expert-tell-how-to-prevent-them.html

"SHOULD WE EAT MEAT? DEBATE BETWEEN ANTHONY BOURDAIN & JONATHON SAFRAN FOER"
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2011/01/03/q-contest-should-we-eat-meat-1/


Interactive:
"GENERATE YOUR OWN KFC SIGN"
http://signgenerator.kfccruelty.com/index.asp?SignSubmission=8cfa9387-75a4-4d23-\
8aee-1128cf073ecc


************************************************
*07: Monsanto Bugged, New Cow Gas Stats, Food/2011, Farmageddon
************************************************
"THE BUGS THAT ATE MONSANTO:" (12/13/11): "Now that 94 percent of the soy and
70 percent of the corn grown in the U.S. are genetically modified, Monsanto --
one of the companies that dominates the GMO seed market -- might look to some
like it's winning. But if we look a little closer, I'd say they're holding on by
a thread... Over the last several years, so-called "superweeds" have grown
resistant to the herbicide RoundUp, the companion product that's made Monsanto's
herbicide-tolerant (aka RoundUp-Ready) corn, soy, and alfalfa so popular... The
superweed problem is so bad that farmers in some parts of the country are
abandoning thousands of acres because the weeds are so out of control, or
dousing the crops with ever more toxic (and expensive) combinations of other
herbicides... And now Monsanto's other flagship product line, the
pesticide-producing "Bt crops," named for the pesticide they are genetically
modified to emit, is in trouble.

... In a new report [PDF] -- unpublicized and buried deep in a government
website -- and analyzed in detail over at Mother Jones, the EPA confirms many
anti-GMO activists' deepest fears. The report "officially" found evidence that
corn rootworms, a major pest for corngrowers, have grown resistant to Bt in
several states; even worse, that resistance is strong enough that EPA scientists
are insisting the company implement a "remedial action plan." In addition, the
report criticizes Monsanto for missing the rise of the rootworm resistance
problem via its faulty monitoring system..."

[Very edited from:
http://www.grist.org/industrial-agriculture/2011-12-13-the-bugs-that-ate-monsant\
o


"THE GOOD FOOD NEWS OF 2011:'' (12/22/11): "
1. Urban farming is flourishing.
2. Young farmers make noise.
3. Local food isn't just delicious and eco-friendly.
4. Food Day makes a comeback.
5. We don't need industrial ag to feed the world.
6. Despite the influence of the ultra-consolidated meat industry, the "ag-gag"
bills went nowhere.
7. Eaters are (a little) more aware of the people behind their food.
8. Food access got more attention.
9. More information helps eaters make better choices. 
10. The Occupy movement adds fuel to the fire."

[Edited from the following article where each "good news item" is expanded on:
http://www.grist.org/food/2011-12-22-the-good-food-news-of-2011


"51% OF GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSION FROM LIVESTOCK:" (11/2011): "A recent
authoritative report published by the World Watch institute, authors Goodland
and Anhang concluded that over 51% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions come
from Livestock. A widely cited 2006 report by the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, estimates that 18 percent of
annual worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to
livestock….however recent analysis by Goodland and Anhang co-authors of
"Livestock and Climate Change" in the latest issue of World Watch magazine found
that livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion
tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide GHG
emissions..."

[Edited from the website where you can also automatically send an e-mail of
concern to a representative or environmental minister:
http://51percent.org/


"FARMAGEDDON VIEWING ON CAPITAL HILL A SUCCESS:" (12/16/11): "WASHINGTON,
December 16, 2011- This week a special viewing of "Farmageddon- the Unseen War
on America's Farms" was screened in the Capital Building for members of congress
and the senate.

Farmageddon vividly conveys the stories of numerous farmers who found themselves
on the wrong side of government food policy. New laws and rulings have adversely
affected small farms and organic buying clubs, and have gotten the attention our
politicians... Also in attendance and fielding questions were Linda and Larry
Failace- Linda and Larry appear in the film, and Linda is the Author of "Mad
Sheep,"the personal story of her own experience being raided by the USDA and
having her sheep confiscated because of fears of Mad Cow disease.

[Edited from:
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/omkara/2011/dec/16/farmagedd\
on-viewing-capital-hill-success/

[The website:
http://farmageddonmovie.com/


************************************************
*08: Corp./Animal Rights, Swine Case, Crow Tools, AETA Challenged
************************************************
"IF CORPORATIONS HAVE RIGHTS LIKE PEOPLE, SHOULDN'T ANIMALS?" 12/22/11:
"[Wise's] grand ambition is for nothing short of a legal revolution. He wants to
systematically overturn more than 2,000 years of law by winning basic common law
rights for other sentient beings we now know suffer, feel fear, have complex
emotions, and possess sometimes startling levels of intelligence. Welfare laws
notwithstanding, unless they are "legal persons," to Wise they have no rights at
all in the eyes of the law and therefore their lives don't count... He walked
away from his comfortable 18-year law partnership and founded The Center for the
Expansion of Fundamental Rights, the world's first nonprofit dedicated to
achieving legal rights for nonhuman primates, and later the Nonhuman Rights
Project... Animal law is a growth industry. "I would call it an emerging field,"
says Frankie Trull, founder and president of the Foundation for Biomedical
Research. "It's in its infancy." Harvard and Georgetown law schools first
offered animal law courses in 1999. Now, approximately 121 U.S. law schools,
including the top 10, offer them. There are 160 Student Animal Legal Defense
Fund chapters nationally. And by April 2011, 47 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands had elevated some animal
cruelty crimes from misdemeanors to felonies..."

[Very edited from the very long and comprehensive article at:
http://www.alternet.org/vision/153547/if_corporations_have_rights_like_people%2C\
_shouldn%27t_animals/?page=entire


"SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS ON DOWNED SWINE:" (12/14/11): "U.S. Supreme
Court justices will decide whether California law can prevent the slaughter of
nonambulatory swine within the state. In National Meat Association v. Harris,
the meat industry organization is fighting legislation passed in January 2008
that requires immediate euthanasia of any nonambulatory animal at a federally
inspected slaughterhouse. The federal government is supporting the industry's
appeal. The state law was passed in response to footage released in January
2008 that showed abuse of nonambulatory cows at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Co.
slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif. The Humane Society of the United States released
the video. The complaint filed by the National Meat Association in the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of California focuses on the state law's
prohibitions on the sale, receipt, or processing of nonambulatory swine or
products from such swine within the state. The association argued that federal
regulations govern handling of fatigued and stressed swine, which are usually
able to stand and walk after rest and supervision and are not disabled because
of disease..."

[Very edited from:
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan12/120101j.asp


"CURIOUS CROWS USE TOOLS TO EXPLORE DANGEROUS OBJECTS:" (01/14/11): "What
happens when a New Caledonian crow meets a toy rubber spider? New Caledonian
crows use tools to investigate unfamiliar and potentially dangerous objects,
according to scientists. New research shows crows cautiously investigating new
objects using sticks as an extension of their beaks. New Caledonian crows are
known to fashion tools to access food sources such as wood-boring beetle larvae.
Scientists suggest this study is the first time birds have been recorded using
tools for multiple purposes... The findings are published in the journal Animal
Cognition..."

[Edited from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9353000/9353588.stm


"ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SUE TO CHALLENGE FEDERAL LAW - AETA:" (12/15/11):
"BOSTON — A group of animal rights activists sued the U.S. government Thursday
to challenge the constitutionality of a rarely used law they say treats them
like terrorists if they cause a loss in profits for businesses that use or sell
animal products. Five activists represented by the Center for Constitutional
Rights filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston, asking that the Animal
Enterprise Terrorism Act [AETA] be struck down as unconstitutional because it
has a chilling effect on lawful protest activities. Staff attorney Rachel
Meeropol said the 2006 law has left activists afraid to participate in public
protests out of fear they will be prosecuted. "There are many terms in the law
that are not defined, and because of that protesters don't have notice that
certain conduct is going to violate the statute and what conduct is protected by
the First Amendment," Meeropol said. "Some of my clients want to engage in
simple public protests — perhaps in front of a fur store — to change public
opinion about fur," she said. "But they feel restricted from engaging in that
clearly lawful activity because under the plain language of the law, if that
protest is successful in convincing consumers not to shop at that fur store,
they could be charged as terrorists..."

[Very edited from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/animal-rights-activists-sue-to-challenge-\
constitutionality-of-animal-enterprise-terrorist-act/2011/12/15/gIQAG40wvO_story\
.html


************************************************
*09: Quick Bytes
************************************************
AGRICULTURE:

[Useful resource and for networking:
http://www.kitchengardeners.org/

[SUPERB CSA (community supported agriculture) interactive resource:"
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/

BLOGS/PODCASTS:

["Vegan Daily Blog:"
http://www.yourdailyvegan.com/

["Organic Consumers: Read, Blog & Meet-up!:"
http://organicconsumers.org/chat/index.php

[The Mad Cowboy Newsletter Editor's Vegan Blog:
http://www.soulveggie.com

[Podcasts, radio:
http://www.veganradio.com/

[Robin Robertston's "Vegan Planet:"
http://veganplanet.blogspot.com/

["The FatFreeVegan Blog:"
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/

["The Vegan Lunch Box Blog (PETA & Bloggy Award-winning:"
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com

[Bryanna Clark Grogan's Blog:
http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/

["Raw Vegan Blog and Podcasts:"
http://www.rawveganradio.blogspot.com/

["Recommended Blogs & Websites for Food & Farming Information:"
http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_563.cfm

[100 Useful Websites for Vegetarians and Vegans:
http://www.ultrasoundtechnicianschools.org/100-useful-websites-for-vegetarians-a\
nd-vegans/

NEWSLETTERS/GROUPS/LISTS/FORUMS:

[The FatFree Vegan Yahoo Group List:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fatfree_vegan/

[Farmed Animal Net:
http://www.farmedanimal.net/

[VegNews Monthly Newsletter:
http://www.vegnews.com

[FARMUSA's MeatOut Monday Newsletter:
http://meatoutmondays.org

[VegMichigan's PlantPeaceDaily Newsletter:
http://www.plantpeacedaily.org/newsletter.html

[PCRM Membership News and Info:
Send e-mail to: membership@...

[Vegetarians In Paradise Newsletter:
http://www.vegparadise.com

[International Vegetarian Union Newsletter:
http://www.ivu.org/news/index.html

["In a Vegetarian Kitchen: (Nava Atlas):"
http://www.vegkitchen.com

["International Organization for Animal Protection:"
http://www.oipa.org/

["VeggieBoards:"
http://www.veggieboards.com

RECIPES:

[Over 10,000 veg'n recipe links:
http://www.madcowboy.com/02_VegRecipes.html

["Over 1,000 International (regional) Vegetarian Recipes:"
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/regions.html

[PCRM Recipe Archives:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/recipe_archive.html

[Almost 2,000 searchable fat-free veg'n recipes:
http://www.fatfree.com

[Award-winning searchable veg'n recipe database:
http://vegweb.com/

[Constantly wonderful site of vegan recipes:
http://www.fatfreevegan.com/

[Some stunning recipes:
http://vegandad.blogspot.com

[Fine collection of McDougall Recipes:
http://drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10075

[Heart-healthy Vegan Recipes:
http://heart.kumu.org/recipes.html


************************************************
*10: Closing Thoughts
************************************************

"Really, this [heart] disease is kind of a paper tiger. Chronic heart disease
is not inevitably progressive, like cancer, this is something that really can be
changed, can be changed drastically when you make significant changes in the
nutritional profile."

--- Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (February 2007, "Mad Cowboy Interview")


"In my opinion, cheese is to heart disease what water is to drowning. Vegan
pizza was as rare as seeing hair on a frog."

---- Howard Lyman (Foreward, "Heart Healthy Pizza")


"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of
the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it
just gets better and better as the years roll on."

--- Steve Jobs ("Steve Jobs", by Walter Isaacson)