VVOC.org

Not so much a campaign as a worthwhile cause…

Serendipity Farm is run by the Veivers family near Gatton, and is a “rescue farm”.  The family take in farm animals who are no longer “useful” or “required” by commercial farming and who otherwise would be put down or (or like calves no longer required in the dairy industry) sold to the abattoirs.  They love and take care of numerous animals, including a blind cow, a 3 legged goat, and an injured stock horse.  Being a huge job to care for all the animals, the Veivers are always grateful for support or volunteers.

Take a look at the story that was run by Brisbane Extra last week:
http://extraonline.com.au/stories/story/14317.html

2 tbsp oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
1 cup red lentils, rinsed well
600 ml vegetable stock (I use one stock cube dissolved in water)
300 ml coconut milk (I use the whole tin – 400 ml – and reduce the water in the stock)
2 tsp lemon juice (optional)

Heat oil in a large pot and saute the onion till clear or gently browned, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute or so, stirring.  Add the spices and cook for a further 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Add the tomatoes, lentils, lemon juice, vegie stock and coconut milk and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender and cooked.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

(Serves 4)

Help Stop the Misery of the Dancing Bears:  “Li-bear-ate the Dancing Bear”

The life of a dancing bear is one of unbelievable misery and it gives me great heartache to even read about it.  But there are organisations out there trying to help where they can.  One such organisation is Wildlife SOS who are working in India to not only rescue and rehabilitate bears, but also to try and solve the problem.  They recognise that bear dancers (Qalandars) are very poor and many feel that if they had another way to survive they would.  So Wildlife SOS is assisting them with start up costs and training to enable them to earn a livelihood in another way.

Also they are  subsidising costs so their children can go to school, and providing vocational training to their wives so they can contribute to the family income too.  This all helps to make the bear rescue efforts sustaninable, with the hope of breaking the cycle of dancing bears permanently.  For more information on this worthwhile cause, go to:
http://www.wildlifesos.com/ibr/Dbears/bdancebody.htm or
http://www.hsi.org.au/index.php?catID=164

Mango Rice Pudding

1 cup short grain (arborio) rice
400 ml water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup coconut cream
2 – 3 mangoes, peeled and sliced

Place rice and water into a saucepan and bring to the boil.  As soon as the rice boils, reduce heat to low and cover;  cook for 10 mins.  (If not cooked soft enough to your taste, add a little more water and cook for a few more minutes, repeating until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked to your taste).
Stir through sugar and coconut cream.
Spoon into bowls and serve with fresh mango.
(Serves 4 – 6)

Wildlife Victoria – Bushfire Appeal

As we all have no doubt heard, the Victorian bushfires have devestated communities with sadly many people losing their lives and whole towns destroyed.  Most people are starting to realise too that millions of animals have died, both native and pets/stock.   Thousands of animals have been left injured, many being needed to be euthanased and many more requiring treatment and care.

Take a look at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au to see the wonderful work they are doing.

As in any healthy diet, choosing fats and oils that are unsaturated is always best.  In the vegetarian diet these may inlcude the following:

• avocados
• olives
• nuts
• seeds
• peanut butter
• tahini

Including flaxseed oil in salads or smoothies is also a good choice for healthy fats, in particular omega 3 fatty acids which are important for healthy brain function.

Being vegetarian or vegan, as with any dietary choice does take some careful planning and forethought to ensure you remain healthy and gain all the essential nutrients your body needs.  This post deals with some of those essential nutrients.

Calcium

(Important for healthy bones, teeth and also for healthy function of nerves and muscles.) 

Sources in a vegetarian diet:

• Dairy foods
• Soy milk (fortified with calcium)
• dried figs
• soy beans
• chick peas
• lentils
• leafy greens
• almonds
• tahini

Exercise also plays an important role in preventing calcium loss, as does reducing caffeine and alcohol. 

Iron

(Important for healthy blood) 

Vegetarian sources

•  lentils, beans
• tofu, tempeh
• soy milk
• nuts
• broccoli, spinach
• whole grains
• and many other foods

Eating foods rich in vitamin C help to increase iron absorption, as does reducing caffeine and cola drinks.

Iodine

(Important for good thyroid function)

Vegetarian Sources

• dairy products
• iodised salt
• seaweeds

B12

(Important for health nerve cells and the production of red blood cells.)

Vegetarian Sources

•  fortified foods
• B12 supplements
• B12 occurs naturally only in animal based foods, therefore a supplement is recommended.  Your GP or dieticain is the best person to recommend the dose required.

Zinc

(Important for a healthy immune system.)

Vegetarian Sources

• nuts, wholegrains
• legumes
• tempeh

Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket

Although the majority of people in developed nations are horrified at animal abuse and neglect, and the perpetrators of it are in the minority, it remains a huge problem in other areas of the world.  In so many countries there is a dire need for education of the population about better treatment of animals, and the ongoing enormous need for organisations who care for abused and neglected animals.  Take a look at www.soidog.org.  I’m sure you’ll agree with me that the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket is making a huge contribution to reducing the suffering of many animals (not only dogs).  I truly believe that each one of them is precious in the sight of God, who created them.  Can you help just one of these precious creatures today?