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While there’s an obvious flaw in this competition, since Isaiah is disqualified from entry (nepotism, schmepotism), you should still check out PETA Kids’ Cutest Vegetarian Kid Contest and vote for your favorite tyke.

In addition to being pretty freakin’ cute, these kids have all gotten an early start on animal advocacy, from sharing vegan food with their friends to saving cicadas to sponsoring rescued animals at local sanctuaries. Read all about them at PETAKids.com and vote, then consider following in their considerable footsteps by taking a night off from SYTYCD and organizing a demonstration, joining PETA’s Action Team, or drafting a couple of letters to animal abusers.

Order a free copy today!

Jealous, hungry, inspired. That’s what I felt the instant I started paging through PETA’s new Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals, the free magazine from PETA that will help kids channel their passion for animals into easy everyday actions.

Jealous—because as an animal-loving kid with no idea how to put that to good use, I spent a lot of time crying at Old Yeller and missed out on tons of opportunities to make a real difference (and yes, in case you have any doubts, kids can make a difference). Designed for the not-quite-tween, the Kids’ Guide has tips and tricks for all aspects and phases of a kid’s school and social life. From what to do if your school is planning a field trip to the zoo to cruelty-free shopping tips.

Hungry—because of the luscious photos of vegan snack goodness (and because it’s close to lunchtime).

Inspired—to provide my son with as many opportunities as possible to make choices that will help cultivate his innate sense of compassion. Sure, he can’t read yet, but it’s never too early to start talking about helping animals!

One of my esteemed colleagues sent me this video today. It was so cute that I had to share.

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I am not really sure if Sprout is the Green Giant’s son or just a smaller, cuter version, but regardless, he is cute and potentially even a good Halloween costume idea. If you have a cute little sprout of your own, be sure to enter him or her in our third annual World’s Cutest Vegetarian Kid Contest!

Vegetarian foods—which are rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals—are the best foods for children to eat. They form the foundation of dietary habits that support a lifetime of good health. Healthy vegetarian diets are also easy to plan and maintain—especially since products that are fortified with calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 are now available in most grocery stores. Just check out our easy vegetarian school lunch ideas for inspiration!

The deadline to enter the contest is September 30. The winners will be announced to their hometown media, which will make them instant celebrities, and they’ll also win an awesome prize pack containing an iPig docking station, an “I Am Not a Nugget” T-shirt, and PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk’s book 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals! And as if that weren’t enough … the winners will also be featured in PETA’s Animal Times magazine!

Enter now!

Send your photos and help elephants!

Far too soon for my taste, my little boy is cruising around the house—walking, running, tripping, and falling into just about everything I wish he’d stay away from. Yesterday, he got his first bloody nose, and it just about broke my heart. I imagine I’m not alone in wanting to shield my kid from pain, whether that’s a minor head wound or the worst the world has to offer, which is why I’ll never, ever take him to an animal circus.

PETA released an undercover investigation of Ringling Bros. circus a couple of weeks ago. The footage was deeply disturbing. Elephants, many of whom were ripped from their homes in the wild only to spend decades crammed into boxcars, chained for hours and hours every day, forced to breed and then bear the pain of having their babies taken away … these sensitive, intelligent animals are whipped, beaten, and screamed at by Ringling employees. Again and again, handlers and trainers sink the sharp points of heavy metal bullhooks into elephants’ tender skin, often just minutes before the elephants go on stage. Night after night, the venue changed, but the beatings and intimidation didn’t.

There are so many cruelty-free alternatives to circuses with animals and so many better ways to spend time with our children: take a nature walk, have a game night at home, volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center, or visit an animal-free circus featuring willing human performers, like Circus of the Kids or Circus Finelli. And talk your kids (and to other moms and dads!) about why you won’t visit Ringling when it comes to town. If your child’s school plans a field trip to the circus every year, talk with your child’s teacher and the principal about the violence inherent in animal circuses and urge them to consider alternatives.

I know I won’t be able to protect Isaiah from every bad thing, but there are decisions I can make as a parent to help him grow into a kind, compassionate man. Avoiding circuses that use and repeatedly abuse animals is just one small step I can take toward that goal.

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Does your child dread going back to school? After months of playing with the dog or cat, swimming, and tabling at fairs and festivals, sitting in math class probably doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps you can help “ease the pain” by encouraging him or her to look at it as an opportunity to teach other kids about animal rights issues. That will make any blossoming activist eager to get back to class.

Here are six easy ways that students can help animals. Show them to your child or tween and urge him or her to come up with other ideas—after math class, of course!

1. Decorate your locker and folders with free animal rights stickers from PETA—that way you’re spreading the message every time you’re at school or in class. You can even order PETAKids stencils to design a T-shirt or backpack.

2. Homework isn’t all bad. If you have to write an essay or give an oral report, why not incorporate animal rights issues, such as animal testing, spaying and neutering, or vegetarianism, into the assignment? Your classmates—and your teacher—can learn a lot from you.

3. Set up a donation jar in class (with the teacher’s permission) and encourage other students to put their change from lunch in the jar. When it’s full, give the money to a local animal shelter with a nice note signed by all the students.

4. Ask your teacher if your class can do one of the activities in the Share the World humane education program.

5. If your school carnival or fair has contests that give away goldfish as prizes, get a group of caring students together and politely complain to the principal. Explain that a frightened, lonely goldfish is no prize, and suggest stuffed animals as prizes instead.

6. Say “No!” to mystery meat. For lunch, pack a sandwich made with vegetarian deli slices from Yves or Tofurky slices. Fake meats are sold in most grocery stores now. When friends ask what you have for lunch, tell them proudly.

For “extra credit,” ask the school lunch server to offer more vegetarian meals. Circulate a petition to show that other students want healthy, humane fare. PETA’s youth division, peta2, has a pack of resources to help you out. You may want to ask your mom or dad to help out too.

For more ideas, activities, success stories, quizzes, facts, and jokes, check out 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals.

‘I Am Not a Nugget’ Messenger Bag

A recent trip to the mall made me aware of exactly what time of year it is—school shopping time! So whether you are shopping for yourself as you head back to campus or prepping your kids with all the gear that they will need, check out the goodies we have lined up at the PETA Catalog:

1. ‘Cut Class, Not Frogs’ T-Shirt

2. ‘I Am Not a Nugget’ Messenger Bag

3. PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook

4. Skelanimals ‘Animal Testing Breaks Hearts’ Fitted Tee

5. Glamour Kills ‘Animal Testing Breaks Hearts’ Fitted Tee or
Glamour Kills ‘Animal Testing Breaks Hearts’ Standard Tee

In addition to these great finds, don’t forget to arm yourself with the knowledge you need when hitting the stores for cruelty-fee products. Research brands before you go so that you will be sure to choose only cruelty-free personal-care products, or if you have an iPhone, get the “Be Nice to Bunnies” iPhone app. Be sure to also check out our Shopping Guide for Compassionate Clothing for a list of resources on where to score vegan shoes, bags, belts and more. Happy shopping!

You don’t have to leave your principles behind when you go away this summer. Here are some tips to help you have a good time on vacation—but not at animals’ expense:

1. Enjoy Animal-Friendly Attractions: Marine parks, zoos, and other animal exhibits aren’t fun for captive animals. Avoid these deadly destination spots like you’d avoid poison ivy. Instead, visit a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals, go to an animal-free circus like Cirque du Soleil, book an eco-tour, or simply take a trip to the beach or botanical gardens.

2. Bring Your Appetite Along: A vacation is a great opportunity to savor new vegetarian cuisine. See VegCooking.com for information about vegetarian-friendly restaurants around the U.S. If you’re traveling abroad and are concerned about a language barrier, pack a Vegan Passport, a passport-size booklet explaining in 56 languages that you want a cruelty-free vegetarian meal.

3. Go Road-Tripping With Rover: Your dog likely gets left behind when you go to work or school. Spend some quality time together on the road. Just don’t fly Fido in an airplane cargo hold—it’s too dangerous. Click here for tips on what to bring on a road-trip and how to keep your best buddy safe and comfy. Check out more tips on traveling with Rover on DivineCaroline.

4. Be a Hero Everywhere You Go: Stray and abused animals don’t get to take a break from suffering, so please don’t take a vacation from helping them. Before you depart on your journey, visit WorldAnimalNet.org for a list of law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, and animal protection organizations near your destination. Pack a small rescue kit, including a pop-top can of cat food, dog treats, and a leash. Take stray animals to a reputable shelter or have them checked out by a local veterinarian and bring them home with you, if possible.

5. Save Animals While Saving Money: For the best rates on hotels, cruises, and tour packages, join the free PETA Member Advantage Program™. All purchases made through the program result in a donation to PETA.

Bon voyage!

PETA recently became partners with the online information hub for women: Divine Caroline.

Divine Caroline is a lifestyle site for women, by women. It is fueled by stories, information, and the personal experiences of experts and everyday people.

We will be posting our articles there as well as continuing to post on PETA Living, but on our Divine Caroline page, you will also be able to check out our product reviews and other helpful ways to share animal-friendly tips and information.
Divine Caroline is free to join, read, write, start forums, and pass things along to your friends. Check out our profile, and if you have your own already, become our friend!

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PETA Catalog

I went vegan when I was in college, many moons ago. Since I went to a community college and I still lived at home, I didn’t really have to worry about what to buy in the campus cafeteria. It was a good thing, too, because back then, not nearly as many schools offered vegan or even vegetarian options, except maybe French fries or fruit.

Since I lived nearby (and I was new to activism), I never attempted to “veganize the school cafeteria.” If I was going to be on campus for a while, I brought my lunch from home and nuked it in the microwave, if necessary. Usually, it was something boring though, like boiled broccoli and cauliflower or a phony baloney sandwich. I wasn’t much of a cook back then, and I never had enough time (or money) to make something more inventive anyway. When I was in school, I really could have used PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook, the new cookbook with 275 recipes that can be made with only a few inexpensive ingredients and no stove. It would’ve been one of the few books I actually opened!

But even though I’m older and can cook a bit better now, I still need this cookbook. I don’t always have the time or patience to make recipes that have mile-long ingredient lists, and I’m too frugal (i.e., cheap) to buy many exotic spices and oils and such on a regular basis. So the simple sandwich, snack, and smoothie recipes still appeal to me.

Here are a couple of the easy ideas from the book. Try them along with the recipes for fresh salads, hummus wraps, and veggie burgers, and you’ll feel like you’re really cookin’.

Skinny Chick Chickpea Salad
1 (16-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
1 1/2 cups celery, diced (can usually be found on any salad bar)
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh or from the squirter)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pita (optional)

• Mix the chickpeas and celery. Add the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Serve in pita pockets or as an individual salad.

Melon-Berry Bliss
2 frozen bananas (peel and cut into chunks before freezing)
4 or 5 cantaloupe chunks (grab them from the dining hall salad bar)
4 or 5 honeydew chunks (grab them from the dining hall salad bar)
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup apple juice

• Blend everything together until smooth.

See, no matter how old you are, there’s no need to subsist on unfrosted blueberry pop tarts, peanuts, raisin bran, and bananas alone.

P.S. You can try your luck at winning a copy over at the Veg Cooking Blog!