Neal Barnard, M.D., President of PCRM at Vegetarian Summerfest 2010 

Brenda Davis, R.D. at Vegetarian Summerfest 2010

Jerry Cook and Brenda Davis at Vegetarian Summerfest 2010 (She's wearing our necklace!!)

Howard Lyman- activist and author of Mad Cowboy.  He is wearing our pin on his pocket.  2000

James Cromwell movie star and activist wearing our pin on his shirt pocket.  2001

Jane Velez-Mitchell of Issues founder of  VegTV.com wearing our necklace.  2001

Tonya Kay (center) at Vegetarian Summerfest 2005.  www.TonyaKay.com Fabulous dancer, actor, poi fitness expert, and raw food vegan. 

A manure pile.  It is 2 stories high and the size of  a football field.   Chino, California

A manure pile. Notice the telephone poles for size reference. See my rearview mirror on the left, I could see this from the the road. Chino, California

A manure pile.  There's a semi tractor-trailer and telephone pole in the background for size reference. This photo was used in the book Six Arguments for a Greener Diet on page 111 by The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)   Chino, California   (they edited me out)

These poor veal calves are not far from people's homes (those are rooftops in the back). Most all stalls have calves but you cannot see them because they are laying down (see other picture). Look at the faces you can see. What a shame.

Dairy cows on top of their urine soaked manure pile. These are some of the cows that were filmed being abused and caused the largest beef recall in the U.S. Chino,  California

    A peculiar thing would happen the days after a Santa Ana wind blew in southern California.  There would be flies all over the cars in the garage and a brown powder in the house on window sills, under the stove vent, and under doors.  When I figured it out, I was horrified.  The manure from the farms was blowing in the air and into our home (and lungs) and of course onto crops.  No wonder there have been outbreaks of spinach contaminated with E.Coli.  

Hans Diehl at Vegetarian Summerfest  2010

Melanie Joy, Ph.D. Ed.M. and Dr. Michael Greger at Vegetarian Summerfest 2010

Rikki Rockett-vegan activist and drummer for the rock group Poison.  He is wearing our necklace.  2000

Linda Blair holding a pin and necklace along with her book Going Vegan.  2001

John Robbins (Founder of EarthSave International and author of Diet for a New America and his newest book The Food Revolution) at WorldFest LA wearing a pin and necklace.  2001 

Laying chickens in cages.  The piles below them are manure.   Chino, California  

Some cows left to graze on burnt land.   Chino,  CA

Dairy cows crowded under an awning in 100+ degree heat.  These are the real "California Happy Cows".  Chino,  California

Cows in 100+ degree heat with no shade (the awnings  are outside their fence). Chino,  California

Veal calves. If you look closely you can see the ones laying down in each stall. The boxes are so small that they cannot turn around.  Chino, California

Without shade, hoses spray cattle in 100+ degree weather at a beef feedlot in central California. 

Without shade, hoses spray cattle in 100+ degree weather at a beef feedlot in central California.  This photo was used in the book Six Arguments for a Greener Diet on page 93 by The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)

One overlooked way to reduce our impact on the environment is to recycle clothing, furnishings, and building materials.  I was raised shopping at thrift shops and garage sales out of necessity.  Most all my family's clothing and furnishings are second hand (still out of necessity) but also to reduce the demand for new products.  Today's thrift stores have brand names and current styles (because most people are so wasteful) and even have sale days when everything is 50% off.  For example, Ohio Thrift here in Columbus has a huge inventory of Abercrombie & Finch, J Crew, Limited, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, etc. and jeans and shorts are $3-$6, shirts are $1-$2.  Some chain stores (Macys, Target) donate returned and damaged items to thrift stores so some items are actually "new".  Habitat for Humanity has "ReStores" all over the country that sell donated building materials.  A few of the items I've bought at ours is a dishwasher, fireplace doors,  storm doors, many light fixtures, and cabinet hardware.   Check out the thrift stores in your area and give them a chance.

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3/17/10