Jayson Home and Garden

I do a lot of research online and read many magazines - probably too many! I always come across products that I fall in love with. I wanted to share this shop with you because they have so many amazing things. They can be pretty pricey but my picks are items everyone can afford. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Butterfly Plate - $48
I just think this plate is beautiful. I love butterflies especially when they are drawn so well. They sell a ladybug and a moth plate that are just as cool as well as a few bird plates so check them out too.



Spouting Whale Tray - $112
I love whales! This illustration is to die for. It really makes me wish I had $112 lying around waiting to be spent, haha. Its really not that badly priced, especially for decoupaged glass, but for now I can just dream :) This would look great on a table or dresser or even hung on the wall.



Marseille Tray - $24
How cute is this? Thank God its affordable!



The Journey of the Bees Candles - $24
I love that these are made with beeswax and they come in tons of different scents. The packaging really gets my attention too. So clever and modern.

The Bigger Picture

My boyfriend and I were having an interesting conversation the other night. We were talking about how people feel the need to break things down so they can fit into more categories. Fore example, there are many different types of vegetarian. From the octo to the lacto to the ovo to the flexi, its just ridiculous. I know I haven't been a vegetarian long but c'mon. Honestly, in my mind there are only two versions: Vegetarian or Vegan. That's it. Nice and simple. If you eat fish, than sorry, you are not a vegetarian. So instead of telling people you are just tell them the truth and say you are Pescatarian. Are fish not living animals? Geez, give them some credit too. Its things like this that really annoy me. And you see it everywhere.

I guess I am not a big believer in the gray area. You know, the space between one issue and the other. If you're really passionate about something you have no limits. It's either you care about the Earth or you don't. For someone to say they love the Earth and they consider themselves a "green" person but eats meat, doesn't recycle and cares more about buying the new Gucci bag than helping a good cause, they are not who they claim to be. Not only are they liars but they are friggin clueless to what is really important. There are a lot of people out there that don't see the bigger picture and that is the biggest problem of all.

Why do people feel the need to create "gray areas" so they can feel better about themselves. For someone who wants to turn veg but is just too weak and selfish to do it, they still eat fish. If they don't claim to be veg, than fine. But a lot of them do and its a lie. This shows that people want excuses to do things half assed. "I need to eat fish, its good for you" - yea, ok. You don't need to eat anything that has a heart beat. Period.

I have always felt this way about this issue. People create loopholes so they get some breathing room. I just think its lame. The excuses really need to stop. How are we going to get anywhere in the world if we don't be real with each other? If you're going to do something than do it right the first time. You can take baby steps to get there but don't claim your something when your not. Do the best you can and be aware of your surroundings, don't ignore them. We all need to be strong so the world can evolve for change. Know who you are and stand up for what you believe in. But know this, the universe is grand and the Earth is the only connection we have in order to be a part of it. We need it to live. It doesn't need us. It is our responsibility to keep it clean, show it love and respect its gifts. If you can't understand that than what kind of Earthling are you?

Or maybe you are just a simple human being that doesn't see the bigger picture....

Revolt Q&A with Renee from Farm Sanctuary

When I visited the Farm Sanctuary last month, my tour guide was very informative and inspiring. Her name is Renee and she has a huge heart. I immediately felt comfortable around her during our tour and it was plain to see she belonged working there. Animals are her life and they have always been a big part of who she is. I wanted to have a Q&A with her so everyone can learn more about the Farm Sanctuary and how living a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle has so many benefits. She is young, spunky, talented and cute to say the least! I hope you are all able to collect some positive information from our interview that may help you grow, change and realize there are amazing people out there who are making a difference.



How long you have been a vegan and what was your experience like?
I have been a vegan for about six months now but transitioned for the last year. I went vegetarian when I was 10 years old. However, as I got older and started learning more and more about how interconnected the meat and dairy/egg industries are, I decided to make the switch completely to veganism. Even when I was only vegetarian though, I drank mostly soymilk and didn’t eat eggs for breakfast, that kind of thing.



Did you have support from friends and family when you made the change?
I actually had very little support from my family when I went vegetarian. My parents had both been vegetarian at an earlier part of their lives, but had since switched back to eating meat unfortunately. Surprisingly, they were not supportive of my diet because they didn’t think I would get enough protein, which is funny because studies have been done that show Americans actually end up eating way too much protein throughout their lives and causes other health problems. Plant based sources of protein are of course better because they are not high in saturated fat like meat, dairy and eggs. So anyway, my parents didn’t like the fact that I was vegetarian but I stood my ground because it was important to me and I knew it was the right thing to do. Later on when I decided to adapt to a vegan diet I did receive a lot of help and support from my friends so that was really great!!

What are your reasons for going vegan?
My reasons for going vegan are purely ethical. I truly do not believe in the exploitation of animals for human benefit. I went vegetarian first for the same reasons. The fact that being vegan helps the environment and my health are just “extra” benefits to me. I have cared for animals deeply ever since I was a very young child. They have been my most loyal friends ever since.



How long have you worked at the Farm Sanctuary and what inspired you to work there?
I have been working at Farm Sanctuary for about a month now. I started in early May. I had known about them ever since I became involved with animal welfare issues. I also grew up in the area so I always dreamed of working there after high school when I actual had a car of my own, haha. So naturally it has been in the back of my mind for a long time now. When I got a car and got more settled in to an independent life, I looked into working at Farm Sanctuary more. I wanted to be an intern for the month of January but unfortunately they already had enough interns for that month. Then one day on a fluke I was searching the jobs section of Craigslist and I saw that they were hiring tour assistants. So I called up and was able to get and interview and was then hired later on.



How much experience do you have with animals?
I have quite a bit of experience dealing with animals. When I was younger, around ten or so, I worked on a dairy farm where my job was to feed the baby calves. Working there really fueled my passion to help animals since I saw firsthand how inhumane even a small family owned farm can be. I saw a calf be born which was pretty amazing but was saddened to see it taken away from its mother only a few days after birth. I was also saddened by the moaning of the mothers for their calves after they had been taken away. When I decided that I didn’t want to work on the dairy farm I made a promise to myself that I would spend much of my life to help change the lives of farm animals.

I have also volunteered at the SPCA walking dogs, which was fun. However, I felt that I would rather be helping farm animals since they have so much less support. I also grew up in the country so I had pet chickens, a dog, cats, a bunny and at one time even goats. I always loved to be around animals and care for them. There was this one particularly funny time I remember with the goats. I came home one day to find they had escaped some how out of there pen and had climbed onto the top of the second car in the drive way. That was how I first found out just how mischievous goats really are!!



What is one dish you cannot live without?
Hmmmm, there are so many. If I had to pick a favorite though, I would have to say avocado and Vegenaise sandwiches. I definitely don’t think that I could live without those two ingredients!! Add a bit of salt, basil and tomato and anybody would wonder why everyone thinks it’s so hard to be vegan. Besides that though, I really enjoy a good Daiya cheese pizza as well!

What are your favorite brands of vegan alternatives?
Lets see, I love Earth Balance, Vegenaise (as mentioned above), Daiya cheese (for pizza and macaroni & cheese), Silk soy products (I have there creamer in my coffee daily), Tofutti, Tofurky, Turtle Mountain (so delicious!) and sooooo many more.

What are three things that people can do to help stop animal cruelty today?
1. GO VEGAN, that is number 1 for sure!!!!
2. Don’t wear products that have come from animals such as leather, wool and silk.
3. Do not by toiletries and cosmetics that have been tested on animals.



What inspires you to be positive about the world changing and becoming a better place to live in?
So much inspires me!!! In fact, working at Farm Sanctuary now inspires me the most because I see animals enjoying their lives every day. It fuels me to change the lives of the 10 billion animals slaughtered every year that can never enjoy the simple pleasures of being alive, like sunshine and green grass. Spending time with animals has always been a main motivational factor because I just think of the animals that never get attention and care, and it makes me want to do something about it. I will always be proactive in ending their exploitation…forever. I care about it more then anything in the whole world.

What other interests or talents do you have?
I love to dance, play guitar, read, draw, sew, go running, explore various woods, play Frisbee and dye my hair...

So as you can see Renee has a lot to say! Stay tuned for more Q&A in the future. If anyone has further questions or concerns for Renee you can send them to me via email and I will make sure she gets them asap! I will also feature them in a future blog so everyone can benefit from the information.

A Better Choice

I always try to talk to people about becoming vegetarians/vegans and how important it is to treat animals with the respect they deserve. My dream is that one day, hopefully sooner than later, everyone becomes veg. Not only it is better for your health and the planet, all animals benefit because they can live long happy lives! The way the industrial food industry has taken over our food is disgusting. About 90% of the food (if you can even call it that) in the supermarkets are 100% crap and filled with chemicals, toxic ingredients and tons of preservatives. Its something you cannot deny. I think its safe to say that agribusiness does not care about the people or the planet. This is why we need to make change.

You see, what the consumers want, the food industry will make. If we want organic, more of it will be produced. If we don't want to eat animals, they will stop being bred for food and the planet can finally have a normal population of them. Especially, farm animals. There are just too many of them and its all because you want to eat them! Its sad. Imagine your parents telling you when you are five years old that you were born so others can eat you. How would you feel? Well, all animals are forced into this way of life and it is simply wrong of us to do it. They are all beautiful and have rights just like us!

However, I know that I am dealing with the human race here and me wishing that everyone will become vegetarian is not going to happen. At least not when I am alive. So, I wanted to share some companies/farms that are doing things better. If you choose to eat meat, poultry, fish and dairy then you should at least be responsible enough to choose the better option. This means buying organic and making sure the animals are certified humane. Why would you want to support anything less? If you are going to take the life of an animal the least you can do is make sure they have lived a healthy, happy and natural life.

Check out these companies and do your research:

Murray's Chicken
Smart Chicken

Pederson's Natural Farms
duBreton
Born Free Eggs
Nellie's Nest
Capriole

You can find out where these products are being sold on their websites and also on Certified Humane.

I suggest you try to bring vegetarian meals into your home a couple of times a week. There is so much you can make! I hate when people find out I am veg and they ask, "What do you eat?", with a horrified expression. As if there is nothing in the world to eat besides meat! Its stupidity is what it is. As soon as I go down the list of things I cook they go, "oh yea", haha. Sorry, eating flesh just doesn't do it for me. I rather put the goodness of the earth in my body.

For more information you can check out these sites:
Certified Humane
Farm Sanctuary
Humane Society
I Eat Green
Farm Forward
Eco Farm

My Visit to the Farm Sanctuary

I recently took a trip to Watkins Glen, NY to visit the Farm Sanctuary. I was very excited about this trip because I have been looking into the sanctuary for some time now and am very pleased with what they are doing to save farm animals. As my boyfriend and I drove up the dirt road to the entrance I was anxious to walk along the green grassy hills and meet all the animals. The education director, Michelle, was very nice to have set up a tour even though it was not a normal tour day. Our guide for the day was Renee, a well informative woman who expressed her love for animals with every word she uttered and every move she made. You could just see and feel how much they meant to her. Being a vegan since she was ten years old clearly proves her dedication and passion for the cause.





We first entered the People Barn where they hold all educational classes and films. The displays were nothing less of the truth and were shown in a manner that enabled the viewer to understand the issues on a unique level. Showing the gestation crates pigs are forced to live in, battery cages which hens are sadly constricted and veal crates that confine baby cows to a life of solitude away from its mother are all ways in which farm factories torture and harm all these adorable animals. Can you imagine yourself living in conditions like these? Its worse than being in jail. With no room to stretch or breathe freely how can any living creature be healthy and happy? They can't.







I enjoyed the area for children, Kids Korner, where they can learn the truth about the food industry and see for themselves that the way animals are treated is wrong and needs to stop. On Saturdays they also feature films so people can have a more visual sense of what is going on. Interaction is a major part of information and there is plenty of it at the Farm Sanctuary. The people are very nice and informative and make sure you enjoy your visit. There is also a bed and breakfast on the sanctuary where people can stay overnight. With all the surrounding beauty it would be hard not to! I am sure the vegan breakfast they serve all the guests are surely delicious as well.





My tour enabled me to get close to the animals and really get a sense of who they were. The cows were so peaceful. Laying around eating grass and happy as can be. This is where they belong. We then moved on to the sheep and goats which was one of the best parts of the tour. They were so playful and welcoming it was unreal. Head butts galore! One in particular really liked Danny and I and kept trying to push us over. So awesome. I will never forget the two goats laying together by the food. They were so sweet with each other. You see even animals have best friends!





Next up were the chickens and turkeys. I have to say I was surprised by the personalities of these birds. If you are one to think they do not have unique traits you are wrong. There was a great sense of togetherness as well as comedy. They all just went on with their day which for some was laying eggs. I never saw a turkey egg before, never mind seeing a turkey lay one! It was so cool. There was one female turkey who insisted we all hear its unique gobble and others that had such beautiful feathers I swear they were showing them off. Such character they all had. Especially, the big man! He so wanted me to take photos! You can see it in his eyes that he liked the attention. His head felt like a brain!





On the way to the pigs we stopped by the ducks, geese and more birds who were totally living it up. This is where I found a hen that was pulling off the cutest moves. She was giving herself a dust bath and rubbing her head into the earth. So cute! I have footage of this that you will have to wait to see but trust me, it was adorable. Renee said they do this often. Who knew? Maybe if we focused on learning about THEM instead of what they can do for us we would know what interesting creatures they really are.



Last but not least, we made a visit to the piggies! I love pigs and always wanted a piglet for a pet. These pigs were far from piglets though. Weighing up to 2000 pounds, these guys had the life. Most of them were laying around napping and one was digging in the hay for food. This made me laugh because the whole time we were there his head was buried in the hay. So funny! The smiles on all their faces made my soul light up with happiness. These kind creatures are so sweet and innocent. You just want to lay with them all day. Their bellies are super soft and I loved how they adjusted their bodies to get comfy. It reminded me of my dog Olive when she is trying to sleep. An animal will always be an animal whether they are our pets or not. They all have personalities and unique characteristics we should all be able to see. I am one lucky girl to have witnessed it all in one day!



Here are some facts I wanted to share with you. These and more can be obtained from the Farm Sanctuary website and literature in the People Barn.

- More than 50% of forests and rain forests worldwide have already been cleared for livestock grazing or animal feed crops.
- Livestock rearing results in the production of methane and nitrous oxide, gases known to contribute significantly to global
warming. Manure saturated fields introduce contaminants into the environment and water supply resulting in disease, sick-
ness and pollution.
- Children who eat a vegetarian diet live healthier lives because their diet prevents cancer, obesity, high blood pressure and
diabetes to name a few. They tend to live longer as well. A plant based diet gives them the essential nutrients to grow such
as fiber, antioxidants, protein, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.
- Over 70% of U.S. grain and 80% of corn is fed to farm animals rather than people. This amount can feed approximately
800 million hungry people.
- Factory farms are breeding grounds for harmful pathogens like salmonella and e. coli.
- Farm animals are usually prevented from engaging in instinctual behavior and live only a fraction of their natural lives.
- Approximately 10 billion farm animals needlessly die every year to fuel the food industry.
- Perceived as "threats" to human activity, vast numbers of coyote, prairie dogs and other wild animals who "interfere" with
livestock are killed every year by the Federal Government.
- More than 70% of the world's fish species are either fully exploited or depleted and researchers have warned that all fish
may be gone by the year 2048 if overfishing trends continue.

These facts themselves should want you to change and start living a better life. Not just for yourself but for all living creatures. If you don't think the way animals are treated in the food industry is wrong than I would question your self worth. It would be obvious to me that you don't think too highly of yourself. You see, whether you like it or not, we need the Earth to live. It does not need us. That's for sure! All we have done is destroy it. Animals are a part of the Earth, as we are. We are all earthlings. Just because we are human does not give us the right to take over and control everything we touch. Nor does it give us the power to torture and kill innocent beings for pleasure. And yes, if you eat meat than you take pleasure in its death. Sorry but its true.

You know the truth and you decide to support the horrible acts that go on everyday. I mean, damn, you are eating the results! I hope that the more you read and the more you see you can one day stand up to the food industry and big business and take control of what you put in your body. Stand up for yourself and all living beings by choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet and live a healthier, happier, guilt - free life. Like I said before, it was the best decision of my life. I choose to live positive and not support torture, disease and death. Unlike a lot of other people, I enjoy seeing animals happy. They are amazing creatures with hearts and souls that deserve the chance to live. I will forever spread the truth and support LIFE over greed and selfishness. I cross my fingers that one day you will all do the same.



For more information about the Farm Sanctuary and these issues you can visit their website: Farm Sanctuary

I will be posting my experience at the sanctuary in the next few days on Revolt TV. I will keep everyone posted!

Lunchtime!

A lot of people tend to forget that lunch should be the second best meal of the day. What else is going to get you moving till its time to clock out! If you sit in an office all day, lunchtime is your chance to pick up some extra energy and stay productive. If you are out and about all day then a hearty, healthy lunch is vital to keep moving at a productive pace. I work mostly from home and when lunch time comes around I get excited. Not only because I am hungry but the food I have been eating lately really satisfies my taste buds. Choosing foods that have a generous amount of protein and grains will get you through the day with ease.

This was my lunch today. Quorn nuggets and brown rice. It's one of my favorite lunches! Packed with a total of 18 grams of protein and only 10 grams of fat this meal is great for lunchtime. Not only is it filling but super easy to make. I usually make a big portion of rice ahead of time so I have it for the week. ( I eat a lot of brown rice) Then just heat it up when I want to. I even eat it for breakfast. Don't be a prisoner to the breakfast food norm. It should be the biggest meal of your day and that doesn't mean you should load eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes on to your plate. I can see you getting fatter by the minute if you do! You want to eat something that has nutrients and protein but not a lot of fat and cholesterol. Also, don't run from carbs. You need them just as much as protein. If you have a nice even mix you should be fine.



Here are some more lunch ideas for you or anyone in your family.

- Burritos: I combine brown rice, corn, peppers, onions, tomato sauce, Quorn veggie crumbles and cheese. Sometimes I add black beans to maximize the protein. Amy's and Evol make awesome burritos so check them out!

- Sandwich: Quorn chik'n patty on a whole wheat bun with lettuce and a little mayonnaise. You can also put some mozzarella cheese on it and its a whole different sandwich. Another great idea is to roast up some veggies in the oven or on the grill and place them on some italian bread or a whole wheat roll. I would suggest peppers, onions, broccoli, mushrooms and asparagus. Yummo! You can use the Quorn Chik'n Tenders to make an alternative chicken salad too. Just saute them, chop them all up and mix in some mayonnaise, salt & pepper, some fresh herbs and your good to go!

- Soup: You can make a soup out of anything! Get creative and get cooking. Make it on a Sunday and have a couple of lunches for the week. I love vegetable soup, tomato soup and broccoli and cheese soup.

- Pizza: Pizza comes in all different styles so you will definitely find one you like. Don't get stuck in traditional thinking! You can put anything on dough. I like to use whole wheat flatbread and add ricotta, mozzarella, peppers and onions. Yum! The best frozen pizza I have ever ate is Amy's. They sell for under $6 at Target and are worth every penny! I like the cheese pizza with organic flour and tomatoes.

- Salad: I love salad. My favorite is a simple house salad with feta cheese but there are tons of different ways to put together a salad. Whatever you like to eat, throw it in. Add nuts, fruits, veggies...the list can go on and on. Stay away from pre-bagged lettuce and go for the fresh romaine or iceberg.

These are just a few things you can eat for lunch. Don't forget the classics: PB & J and Macaroni & Cheese are always good. Amy's makes a great mac n cheese you should try. My boyfriend loves them. You can always eat leftovers too. When I cook (which is all the time!) I try to make more than we need so I have something to eat for breakfast or lunch the next day. It makes my day a whole lot easier! So eat a healthy lunch and I promise your day will run a little smoother. Snacks always come in handy too so add a couple of nutritious treats to your day and you will have a reason to smile.

Green Giving

I found a really good website, Forever Green Gifts, where you can purchase green gifts for just about anybody. Their prices are great too! When you have the time check them out and do some shopping. Here are some of my favorite items I found.