70.3 miles and still smiling!

For many of us, 70.3 miles is a long drive in a car—but imagine swimming, biking, and running those miles. It takes a dedicated, skilled, and driven athlete to take on the challenge of competing in a triathlon. But for PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange, this is one feat she can cross off her bucket list.

On July 17, Lisa completed the Vineman Ironman 70.3, which consisted of swimming 1.2 miles, biking a whopping 56 miles, and then running an impressive 13.1 miles. Of the 613 women who finished the race, Lisa ranked 141st with a time of 5:48—which is quite impressive, especially for a first-timer!

As you can imagine, life can get pretty hectic when you are the senior vice president of the largest animal rights organization in the world. But Lisa didn’t let 14-hour workdays keep her from training, and thanks to her vegan diet, she had plenty of energy to do both.

Having just started training last fall, Lisa says that being vegan gave her a leg up while preparing to compete in the Vineman. She quickly made great strides in strength and endurance because her diet fuels her body more efficiently than one laced with meat, eggs, and dairy products. Avoiding animal-derived products also helps to repair muscles quickly after grueling workouts—she was out running again just two days after the competition!

Lisa is living proof that vegans are strong—and get plenty of protein. Her celebratory meal of choice once the race was over was a double veggie burger, fresh fruit, and mango-vanilla soy ice cream with vegan chocolate-chip cookies. So who inspired this ultra-fit vegan to participate in a grueling triathlon? Her PETA rescued mutt Sophie, who always sleeps in while “mom” is training, and her race “consultant”—PETA supporter and fellow vegan Ultraman Rich Roll.

Have you ever dispelled a myth about being vegetarian or vegan? I’d love to hear about it! Share your story in the comments section below.

Are you currently planning a special event or party? Whether it’s an upcoming birthday, anniversary, or baby shower, we want you to celebrate in style and luxury with a one-of-a-kind vegan cake! After all, vegan cake is delicious—and it has none of the cruelty of milk, eggs, or other animal ingredients. What could be sweeter?

To fuel your sugar-filled celebration, PETA is giving away one custom vegan cake! All you have to do is complete the form below for a chance to win a custom vegan cake from one of the top specialty bakeries in the country—Chicago’s Bleeding Heart Bakery.

Whether you want a cake full of personality or something more traditional, Bleeding Heart’s got you covered. The bakery’s cutting-edge designs and methods of producing its delicious deserts and pastries are based on Bleeding Heart’s mission to use local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Plus, the lucky winner will get to choose the cake’s design, colors, and flavors—making it truly unique!

We know that finding that perfect cake can eat up a lot of your time and budget. This is the ultimate opportunity to save some of your energy and money while you wow your guests with a cake that tastes just as fabulous as it looks! Showcasing vegan foods at your party is a great way for you to demonstrate how wonderful and easy it is to be vegan! Plus, you’ll feel great knowing that no animals had to suffer for your party.

Complete the form below for your chance to customize your own vegan cake from Bleeding Heart Bakery (up to a $500 value). Entries must be received by August 16, 2010. One lucky winner will be chosen at random and notified on August 18, 2010.

By filling out this form, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

By signing up here and giving us your details, you’re acknowledging that you’ve read and agreed to our privacy policy.

I find it very difficult to write or even think about the topic of cruel dog-training techniques. In fact, it makes me feel lightheaded and sick to my stomach. Because of my close relationship to my dogs and my familiarity with their beautiful nature and endearing qualities, it’s incomprehensible to me that someone could purposely inflict pain on them while claiming to be teaching them. The only thing that dogs can learn from the infliction of physical pain is terror, which is the same thing that we would learn.

So it was especially disheartening to read about a dog trainer named Jeff Loy who was brought up on charges of severely beating a 6-pound shih tzu named Moby with an 18-inch piece of PVC pipe, as well as abusing the dog with a choke collar, slamming him to the floor, and punching him in the chest with a clenched fist. The dog had to be rushed to the vet and was found to have sustained a broken rib, a bruised liver, a bruised bladder, profuse internal and external bleeding, and ruptured blood vessels in his eyes. The incident took place in New Jersey in 2007, but the trainer wasn’t convicted until just recently after a lengthy investigation.

And this was no isolated incident. Last March, a dog trainer in Ontario, Canada, was convicted of cruelty after a dog she was training was found to have suffered from heatstroke and sustained severe cuts to all four paw pads, indicative of having been dragged.

Last year, an article in the St. Petersburg Times profiled a dog trainer who routinely uses the technique of “helicoptering,” in which he hoists dogs off the ground by a choke chain and leash, and then swings them around him in a circle. Trainers have also been exposed for using shock collars in extraordinarily cruel ways, including reportedly placing two on a dog simultaneously (one around the neck and one around the groin).

Prong collars have no place in legitimate dog training.

It’s important to know that there is no certification or licensing requirement for dog trainers in the U.S. Anyone can call him- or herself a dog trainer. So it really is a case of “Buyer, beware.” Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a guest post by PETA staffer Royale.

We’re well into the summer season, and I’m sure it has come to your attention by now that the must-have shoe of the season is none other than the clog. After seeing these babies on Alexa Chung at the Chanel Couture 2010 show in Paris, I’ve been on the hunt for vegan versions. And speaking of Chanel, I’ve gotta give chief designer Karl Lagerfeld props for faking his furs, but I sincerely wish that he’d kick leather to the curb, like my favorite cruelty-free designer, Stella McCartney, did!

So, while it may be impossible to fake chic, one can certainly be chic in fake fur, faux leather, and other stylish synthetics. After all, what’s chic about wearing shoes that, without the process of tanning, would rot right off your feet?

After months of searching, these longed-for vegan versions have finally hit the scene—and my closet! They are dead ringers for the originals, and no one had to die in order to make them.

These trendsetting clogs would have made this vegan a lot happier if they had been made from synthetic materials. It’s never cool to be cruel.

Chanel Black S/S 2010 Runway Clogs Shoes: $945

Vegan versions are available online and at just about any local mall. Take a look at some that I was able to find.

Aldo Galuski: $80

Alloy Keller Clog: $36.90

Newport News Platform Clog: $34

Forever 21 Biker Babe Clogs: $24.80

Tell me in the comment section below which pair are your favorite. You’ve got four different colors to choose from—or not choose from if you want to buy them all. No judgment.

*All shoes available online at time of writing. Please check your local stores for similar styles.

Did you know that July is “National Hot Dog Month”? As a fan of quirky holidays, I always try to participate by turning the non-veg-friendly ones into a way to show my family and friends how fantastic it is to be vegan!

So this month I’ll be firing up the grill and noshing on some Tofurky Franks! And if you ask me, they taste even better cooked over an open fire. Slather on your favorite toppings and serve ‘em up to both the vegans and the meat-eaters in your life—because, like any other food, Tofurky Franks are best when shared with others!

Straight from the Tofurky site, these delicious not dogs are described as having “a superior, meaty wiener taste on top of a turkey-like base. As well, our franks have a firm texture like the gourmet kosher hot dogs sold on the streets of New York City. They are a satisfying choice to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.”

Here at PETA, we understand that non-meat-eaters like to celebrate too. So we’re offering Tofurky coupons to the first 500 individuals who complete the form below! But first, head over to PETA’s Facebook page and click “Like.” Then complete the form for your chance to receive a coupon (while supplies last).

And of course, happy “Veggie Dog Month!”

Sorry! All coupons have been claimed.

The following is a guest post by PETA intern Cheryl Lyons.

All parents want their children to have the opportunity to try new activities. Whether it’s playing soccer or baseball, learning ballet, or exploring the great outdoors, kids just want to be kids and get active. Although some children’s athletic equipment contains leather and other animal-derived materials, it’s easy to find vegan alternatives. There are plenty of cruelty-free products out there even for the tiniest of animal lovers.

There has been a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the World Cup this summer, and kids are becoming fascinated with soccer. With all the excitement, who wouldn’t want to take out a ball and dribble in the backyard? Fair Trade Sports has vegan soccer balls available online. You can feel good buying these products because the company pays its workers a fair wage and the balls are eco-friendly and cruelty-free, meaning that no animals had to suffer in order to make them.

For the baseball lover, Carpenter Trade Company makes custom synthetic baseball gloves. By buying your next glove from this company, you can save an animal from a life of misery and earn PETA money too! Just mention PETA on the phone when you’re ordering, and 5 percent of the purchase amount will go toward supporting PETA’s lifesaving work.

Ballet lessons are a great way for kids to stay active and make new friends. It’s also easy to find great ballet slippers that aren’t made from animal-derived materials. Thanks to Cynthia King Dance Studio, you can buy vegan ballet slippers online. Cynthia King Dance Studio is a PETA Business Friend as well!

There is nothing better than taking the family on a hike or camping trip to get a taste of the great outdoors. Some of my favorite childhood memories include camping with my family in the Deep Creek Lake area in Maryland. This summer, let your kids explore mountains, cross streams, and see uninhabited land. On the trails, children should wear hiking shoes so that their feet will be comfortable and dry, and it’s important to watch out for shoes made from leather. Remember: Lots of companies offer children’s hiking shoes that are made from faux leather or other synthetic materials. The North Face has multiple styles of hiking shoes for boys and girls that you can order online.

What activities did you enjoy as a kid? Have you found a great deal on vegan sports equipment? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Carly loves exercise!

I recently came across a German newspaper article whose title in English would be “Fat Guardians Have Fat Dogs.” It explores some of the causes of and potential solutions to this unfortunate phenomenon. It states that morbid obesity in American dogs has reached epidemic proportions and that currently, 41 percent of dogs in the U.S. are too fat. I was curious to see how human obesity in the U.S. compared―2008 figures put it at nearly 34 percent.

Obesity can lead to a lot of pain and heartache: cancer, diabetes, joint problems, heart attacks, and a shortened life span, for starters. In dogs, obesity can make it difficult for them to clean themselves and to reach itchy spots, and it can really curtail their ability to run, jump, and play.

We all know what causes obesity: too many calories and not enough exercise. So given the fact that we have complete control over our dogs’ food intake and exercise, why would our dogs become fat? Well, I can think of a few reasons. Topping my list would be the notion that food equals love. Food has always played a big role in my family’s gatherings, and I still remember my Italian grandmother telling me, “Mangia, mangia!” Now it’s hard to resist treating my dogs the same way. Another reason would be a busy schedule that makes it hard to squeeze in time for regular and frequent exercise.

And as much as I love dog parks, I suspect that they have also contributed to this state of affairs because I’ve noticed that many dogs enjoy going to dog parks to socialize but they don’t spend a lot of time running around. And their guardians also just stand around and talk or watch. It’s fun, but as far as exercise is concerned, it can’t compare to a 30-minute brisk walk.

The first time I struggled with obesity in one of my dogs was in the early 1990s. I had a very sick dog who didn’t want to eat much, so all his leftovers went to Rogan, my cocker spaniel. Soon, Rogan was waddling around like a baby walrus. So I cut his meals in half and substituted raw grated cabbage for the rest of the food, and the pounds just melted away and stayed away for the rest of his life. (I’ve since learned that it’s best to use a variety of veggies.) More recently, I was told by a vet that my dog Dexter had to lose 8 pounds. So now I’m cutting back on his regular food and substituting mashed steamed veggies. And it’s working! He’s lost about 4 pounds in only a month.

If you have a chunky canine who needs to slim down, there are many simple things that you can do to turn the situation around: Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a guest post by PETA staffer Amy Cook.

Creating a creamy dish doesn’t mean you have to load it with fat or animal products. It’s possible to have rich flavor and a luscious texture in dishes such as cream pasta while also keeping the fat to a minimum if you use vegan ingredients instead of milk-based ones.

To make a cream sauce that is healthier than the norm, start with a roux—equal parts flour and fat, such as margarine or oil, cooked over low heat—and add a good amount of unsweetened plain soy milk. This will be the base of your sauce and will create the creamy consistency that you’re looking for. Next, flavor the sauce or add a small amount of vegan cheese (make sure it’s one that will melt!) before seasoning to your taste.

One take on this basic cream sauce is the jalapeño-tomato version that I whipped up this weekend and tossed with whole-wheat pasta. I just had to take advantage of the mountains of ripe tomatoes at my local farmers market. And the dish contained only 1 tablespoonful of margarine and 1/4 cup of vegan cheese for all six servings!

Since almost anything can be used to jazz up this basic sauce, what flavors would you add?

Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a guest post by PETA intern Jared Misner.

Let’s be honest for a second, guys.

There’s nothing like sitting next to one of your showoff colleagues in his silver tie clip and polished shoes—while you can only manage to throw on an old pair of dingy hand-me-down penny loafers—to make you feel self-conscious at the annual staff meeting.

And while we’re being honest, I’ll let you in on one of my secrets: I used to be the guy in the penny loafers.

When I went vegan after realizing the horrors involved in raising cows for the leather industry—horrors that include castrating, branding, dehorning, and mercilessly slaughtering cows without anesthesia—I had a hard time finding dress shoes that were both easy on the eyes and cruelty-free.

Luckily, you have me to help you become that guy everyone in the office will envy—the guy with the shiny new kicks and a newfound smug expression that comes with the knowledge that no animals were killed in the making of his footwear.

You’ll have to find the tie clip on your own.

We all love deals, and when it comes to deals, Payless ShoeSource will never let you down. Frequently offering buy-one-get-one-free or buy-one-get-one-half-off deals on shoes, this personal favorite offers some seriously stylin’ shoe selections for your cruelty-free closet.

Check out these pairs for less than $35:

Callum Slip-On

Trent Dress Slip-On

And this one for less than $29!

Carlo Slip-On

With a soon-to-be-full closet of shoes and a surprisingly full wallet, you’ll be turning heads with every cruelty-free step.

You can thank me by telling me about your favorite vegan shoe deals in the comments section below. I can always use another pair—or two.

Win a Faux Gras party platter
from The Regal Vegan!

As promised yesterday, we’re giving you the chance to try some upscale vegan cuisine in your very own home. The chic dish is vegan foie gras.

Why is there a need for vegan foie gras, you ask? Well, for many food enthusiasts, chefs, and restaurants, foie gras is synonymous with cruelty. In order to produce foie gras, male ducks and geese have metal pipes shoved down their throats so that they can be force-fed until their livers swell to up to 10 times their normal size.

Fortunately, there are some restaurants that have removed this “delicacy of despair” from their menus for good. There are also some pretty awesome individuals who have decided to create cruelty-free versions of this well-known, yet controversial French food.

The fine-dining fanatics over at The Regal Vegan have created their own vegan version of foie gras, called “Faux Gras.” It is described on The Regal Vegan’s Web site like this: “Deliciously decadent and ridiculously healthy, this mousse-like, creamy spread makes toast, crackers and crudité proud.” And we’re giving three people the chance to try it out.

That’s right—we’ve teamed up with this enlightened company, and we’re giving away a Faux Gras party platter and a limited-edition T-shirt to five lucky winners!

For your chance to win, leave a comment about how you have “veganized” or plan to “veganize” a traditional recipe. Comments must be received by July 30, and five winners—chosen at random—will be notified on August 2.

Be sure to read PETA’s terms and conditions and privacy policy before you comment—by leaving a comment, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agreed to both.

Good luck!