|  | Joe and Brandon chopping away on stew ingredients with Al in the background
getting the corn bread into the oven |
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A Taste of Sharing
by Dallas Rising
Safe, healthy food should be a right, not a privilege. Yet, for the homeless, access to fresh, nutritious food is often difficult, if not impossible.
So I've long wanted to prepare and serve a vegan meal at a shelter for people who are currently homeless, and was excited when ARC got the opportunity to do so over Memorial Day weekend at Family Place Shelter in St. Paul. Family Place provides temporary shelter and resources, and teaches life skills to help people get back on their feet.
We made a vegan black bean, corn, and chik'n stew (made with Beyond Meat Chickenless Strips) with fresh cornbread. We left out the chipotle peppers called for in the recipe and added the shredded Chickenless Strips. All the chopping paid off because the meal was delicious. No one needs to suffer the ill health effects of processed, cholesterol-laden foods on top of other struggles, and we were glad we could provide a harm-free, warm, hearty meal on a cold rainy day to people without regular access to healthy food.
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|  | Marcy, Greg, and Dallas with
ARC's North Vegans at this spring's Cleveland Neighborhood Cleanup |
| How Can This Possibly Help?
by Greg Kiefer
Sometimes when I'm standing out in the weather on the hard concrete, attempting to convince strangers to accept a piece of literature from me that asks them to challenge their assumptions about animals, I catch myself wondering: What's the point? How can this possibly help? How is this more than annoying?
Fortunately I need only look back on my own personal experience as my vegan journey started with me as a teenager being one of those people taking a piece of literature. I remember sitting on my bed reading the pamphlet over and over again. It was a black and white photocopy printed on pink paper, and there were pictures of animals being abused on factory farms. The most important thing for me was the pamphlet let me know there is an alternative. That was the revelation that changed my life and set me on the path to animal activism and veganism.
I don't know how many other people have had a similar experience, and I don't have any real sense of metrics in terms of conversion or influence ratios, but it didn't matter. The fact that somebody handed me a leaflet changed my life forever. Each person influenced brings us one step closer to a better world, one in which all animals have the rights they deserve. So I take a deep breath, stand up straight, smile, and look each person in the eye as I hand them a leaflet, knowing that in doing so, I may change the world for someone.
ARC's Street Team distributed 1,081 pieces of literature in May. Contact dallas@animalrightscoalition.com if you're interesting in leafleting with the Street Team; our next leafleting is after the Imagine Dragons concert at the Xcel on Tuesday, June 9.
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Befriending Bugs:
6 Ways to be a Bug Buddy
by Dallas Rising
You'd have to be living under a rock with the pillbugs not to have heard the buzz about the trouble with bees these days. And I hear even the pillbugs are starting to get a little antsy.
Bees are important to most forms of life because they act as the primary pollinators for so many plants, including most of the fruits and vegetables that humans need to be healthy. While we as individuals aren't the primary perpetrators when it comes to spraying the chemicals that are killing bees, there are things we can do to create a safe haven in the spaces we care for. And we can be kind to other bugs with whom we share the earth, too.
1. Take home a bee house, butterfly house, or insect hotel from our vegan boutique, Ethique Nouveau. These unique and fun structures provide a customized habitat for different insects, encouraging them to move in and stay awhile.
2. When mosquitos land on you, instead of slapping and killing them, simply blow on them and they'll fly away. To discourage them from hanging out on you, try one of the new, all natural, chemical-free Para Kito clips we carry at Ethique Nouveau.
3. Pass on the pesticides and chemicals when caring for your lawn. Not only are these substances toxic to insects, but they can also harm companion, wild, and aquatic animals when they wash into streams and lakes.
4. Listen to your inner child and embrace dandelions! Remember when you were a kid and loved to pick those cheerful yellow flowers? Sometimes grownups get things wrong - and being crabby about dandelions is one of them. They, and clover, are wildflowers and provide important food for bees.
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Get a New Vegan Recipe Every Week!
ARC's Vegan University sends out a delicious vegan recipe via email once per week. These recipes are easy to make, with affordable and common ingredients, and the recipes will be archived on our website. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, put "Vegan Recipe List" in the subject line and email Chelsea at chelsea@animalrightscoalition.com.
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Want to Help Animals?
Join the ARC In Action meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at 317 W 48th St. in Minneapolis. You don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to participate. We'd like to get to know you, and the animals need your help. If you can't make a meeting, just fill out our online volunteer form.
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Petland Protest
Saturday, June 6, 1:00-3:00 p.m., 2123 Old Hudson Rd., St. Paul
Speak out against the cruel pet trade. Details and RSVP at Minnesota Animal Rights Meetup.
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Free Screening of Fragile Waters
Monday, June 8, 6:30 p.m., Beth El Synagogue, 5334 W 26th. St., St. Louis Park
Join the film's directors for an exploration of the fragile relationship betrween people, whales, water, and fish. See the trailer and RSVP at Minnesota AR Meetup.
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Free Screening of Forks Over Knives
Thursday, June 11, 7:00 p.m., Parkway United Church of Christ, 3120 Washburn Ave. N, Minneapolis
View this film about the claim that many degenerative diseases can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. See the trailer and RSVP at Vegan Meetup.
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Midtown Farmers Market Vegan Outreach
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2225 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
Stop by the ARC booth at the Midtown Farmers Market where we're excited to begin a series of summer vegan outreach events.
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Three Vegan University Events:
Vegan Grocery Shopping Tour
Wednesday, June 10, 7:00 p.m., Whole Foods, 12201 Elm Creek Blvd. N, Maple Grove
Help! I'm Going Vegan! Workshop
Saturday, June 13, 1:30 p.m., Washburn Public Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Easy Peasey Plant-based Cooking Class
Saturday, June 20, 10:00 a.m., Mississippi Market, 1500 W. 7th St., St. Paul
RSVP for all at Vegan Meetup.
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Twin Cities 2015 Pride Festival
Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28, Loring Park, Minneapolis
ARC will do Pay Per View outreach and hand out leaflets and temporary tattoos at this year's Pride Festival. We can never have too many volunteers for this fun event so email chelsea@animalrightscoalition.com if you'd like to volunteer.
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