Green Options » Melissa Elliott http://greenoptions.com/author/melisser/ Post archive of Melissa Elliott Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:58:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en http://greenoptions.com/author/melisser/ http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/15d6dc1b3ae2e82e0f6e09f01bcdf02d?s=65&d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32 Green Options » Melissa Elliott PETA Enlists Tim Gunn to Convince Donna Karan to Ditch Fur http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/22/peta-enlists-tim-gunn-to-convince-donna-karan-to-ditch-fur/ http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/22/peta-enlists-tim-gunn-to-convince-donna-karan-to-ditch-fur/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:58:31 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/22/peta-enlists-tim-gunn-to-convince-donna-karan-to-ditch-fur/ Just days after Project Runway’s Tim Gunn sent a message to Donna Karan asking her to ditch the use of fur in her collection, the company has announced that her fall 2009 lines will be fur-free with “no plans” to use fur in the future.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/22/peta-enlists-tim-gunn-to-convince-donna-karan-to-ditch-fur/feed/ Simple Seasonal Spread: Curried Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/19/simple-seasonal-spread-curried-roasted-butternut-squash-hummus/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/19/simple-seasonal-spread-curried-roasted-butternut-squash-hummus/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:07:01 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/19/simple-seasonal-spread-curried-roasted-butternut-squash-hummus/ This fast, simple spread will add a kick to your typical hummus, as well as some essential vitamins. Make use of the abundant butternut squash this season and serve it at your next party.

Curried Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Spread
Recipe courtesy of Celine Steen at Have Cake, Will Travel

2 cups chopped roasted butternut squash [400F oven, butternut squash cut in 8 pieces, brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with fresh milled pepper, coarse sea salt, 45 minutes or until tender]
1 14oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 big garlic clove, grated
1 Tbsp roasted peanut oil
1/4 cup tahini
juice of 1/2 medium lemon, about 2 Tbsp
1 generous Tbsp curry powder
pinch ground cumin
pinch coarse sea salt + more pepper, if desired.

Throw all the ingredients in your food processor or blender, blend until smooth, scraping the sides with a rubber spatula to make sure everything gets blended well.
Serve chilled, at room temperature, or even warm, with crackers, pita bread, or chips. Makes about 3 cups.

Celine Steen is the author of the blog Have Cake, Will Travel, as well as co-author of the upcoming book “500 Vegan Recipes” by Fair Winds Press.

]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/19/simple-seasonal-spread-curried-roasted-butternut-squash-hummus/feed/ Top 5 States With the Worst Animal Protection Laws http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/18/top-5-states-with-the-worst-animal-protection-laws/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/18/top-5-states-with-the-worst-animal-protection-laws/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:27:09 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/18/top-5-states-with-the-worst-animal-protection-laws/

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has released a new report showing that while animal welfare laws have made great progress in recent years, five states lag far behind.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/18/top-5-states-with-the-worst-animal-protection-laws/feed/ Conservationists Warn Koalas Could Be Headed For Extinction http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/15/conservationists-warn-koalas-could-be-headed-for-extinction/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/15/conservationists-warn-koalas-could-be-headed-for-extinction/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:07:08 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/15/conservationists-warn-koalas-could-be-headed-for-extinction/ Conservationists claim Australia’s iconic koala will become extinct in some areas of the country if the federal government does not take urgent action. A group of Australian scientists recently met with government officials to develop a national koala conservation strategy to keep key populations of the animals from dying out.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/15/conservationists-warn-koalas-could-be-headed-for-extinction/feed/ Vegetarian Celebrity Loses Reality Show by Refusing Kangaroo Penis http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/12/vegetarian-celebrity-loses-reality-show-by-refusing-kangaroo-penis/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/12/vegetarian-celebrity-loses-reality-show-by-refusing-kangaroo-penis/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:06:02 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/12/vegetarian-celebrity-loses-reality-show-by-refusing-kangaroo-penis/ British celebrity Timmy Mallet found himself booted off of the UK reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here! after the producers organized a challenge where they had to eat kangaroo penis and testicles blended into a variety of drinks and he refused.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/12/vegetarian-celebrity-loses-reality-show-by-refusing-kangaroo-penis/feed/ World Famous Wildlife Sanctuary in Zimbabwe Faces Closure http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/12/world-famous-wildlife-sanctuary-in-zimbabwe-faces-closure/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/12/world-famous-wildlife-sanctuary-in-zimbabwe-faces-closure/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:23:38 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/12/world-famous-wildlife-sanctuary-in-zimbabwe-faces-closure/ Due to acute food shortages, one of Africa’s biggest wildlife rehabilitation centers faces closure. The shortages also threaten to wipe out the entire population of wild creatures that draw thousands of tourists to Chipangali every year.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/12/world-famous-wildlife-sanctuary-in-zimbabwe-faces-closure/feed/ KFC Customers Disgusted by Employee Bath in Sink, Not by the Food http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/11/kfc-customers-disgusted-by-employee-bath-in-sink-not-by-the-food/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/11/kfc-customers-disgusted-by-employee-bath-in-sink-not-by-the-food/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:13:34 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/11/kfc-customers-disgusted-by-employee-bath-in-sink-not-by-the-food/ A trio of Anderson, California girls are in hot water with their fast-food employer for dipping themselves into the sink used to clean dishes and taking photos that landed on Myspace.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/11/kfc-customers-disgusted-by-employee-bath-in-sink-not-by-the-food/feed/ Botswana OK’s Diamond Mine Under Condition That Locals Get No Water http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/11/botswana-oks-diamond-mine-under-condition-that-locals-get-no-water/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/11/botswana-oks-diamond-mine-under-condition-that-locals-get-no-water/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:24 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/11/botswana-oks-diamond-mine-under-condition-that-locals-get-no-water/ Mining company Gem Diamonds has gained approval from the Botswana government for a controversial diamond mine on the land of the Kalahari Bushmen, under the condition it does not provide the Bushmen with water. The government has, however, reserved the right to use water boreholes drilled by Gem for wildlife.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/11/botswana-oks-diamond-mine-under-condition-that-locals-get-no-water/feed/ Is An Endangered Tree Equal To An Endangered Animal? http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/10/is-an-endangered-tree-equal-to-an-endangered-animal/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/10/is-an-endangered-tree-equal-to-an-endangered-animal/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:48:46 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/10/is-an-endangered-tree-equal-to-an-endangered-animal/ The Whitebark Pine Tree may be the first widely dispersed tree to receive endangered species protection. Conservationists have filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stating the tree’s extinction could leave huge holes in some of the continent’s most spectacular landscapes and eliminate food sources for wildlife, including grizzly bears.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/10/is-an-endangered-tree-equal-to-an-endangered-animal/feed/ “Madagascar Two” Movie Inaccurate According to Sea Shepherd http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/09/madagascar-two-movie-inaccurate-according-to-sea-shepherd/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/09/madagascar-two-movie-inaccurate-according-to-sea-shepherd/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:33:17 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/09/madagascar-two-movie-inaccurate-according-to-sea-shepherd/ The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has put out a report from Madagascar saying along the coasts, there has been a dramatic decrease in all marine life due to excessive demand of shark fin and sea cucumbers from China.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/09/madagascar-two-movie-inaccurate-according-to-sea-shepherd/feed/ Seasonal Soup: North African Chickpea And Kale Soup http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/09/seasonal-soup-north-african-chickpea-and-kale-soup/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/09/seasonal-soup-north-african-chickpea-and-kale-soup/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:53:09 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/09/seasonal-soup-north-african-chickpea-and-kale-soup/ Whether you have a cold or it’s cold outside, soup season is here and there’s no better way to use an abundance of winter greens than this Chickpea and Kale Soup. While the name mentions North Africa, you won’t have to go that far to gather the ingredients, just check your local farmers market.

North African Chickpea And Kale Soup
recipe courtesy of Susan Voisin at FatFreeVegan.

1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced or diced
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8-1/4 teaspoon chilli powder or cayenne
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
generous pinch saffron, lightly crushed
2 bay leaves
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
3 cups cooked chickpeas (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
8 cups vegetable broth (or water plus bouillon)
1 large bunch kale, thick center ribs removed and chopped (at least 8 cups)
about 2 cups water
salt to taste

Spray a large saucepan with olive oil spray and heat it. Add the onion and carrot and cook over medium-high heat until the onion begins to brown (about 5 minutes).
Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the spices, including bay leaves and cinnamon stick, and cook, stirring, for another minute.
Add the chickpeas and stir to coat them with the spices. Pour in the 8 cups of vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the chopped kale and stir. If necessary add water to cover the kale and cook until it is tender, about 10-25 minutes, depending on how cooked you like your kale. Check frequently to see if it is becoming dry and add water as needed. Add salt to taste and serve.

Susan Voisin is the author of the popular blog Fat Free Vegan Kitchen, which has won blog awards from VegNews Magazine and the Well Fed Network.

]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/09/seasonal-soup-north-african-chickpea-and-kale-soup/feed/ Japan Plans to Arrest Sea Shepherd Crew http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/08/japan-plans-to-arrest-sea-shepherd-crew/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/08/japan-plans-to-arrest-sea-shepherd-crew/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:27:47 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/08/japan-plans-to-arrest-sea-shepherd-crew/

The announcement by Japan’s Fisheries Agency that Sea Shepherd crew will be arrested if they disrupt Japanese whale killing operations has done little to stop the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The direct action animal rights organization, as seen on Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars”, says they are “undettered” by the threats.

“When you are willing to die for a whale, the threat of arrest is somewhat trivial,” said Captain Paul Watson. “It can only further our cause of defending the whales if the Japanese take Sea Shepherd crewmembers hostage and haul them back to Japan for prosecution. The diplomatic, political and jurisdictional issues will be profound.”

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/08/japan-plans-to-arrest-sea-shepherd-crew/feed/ Live & Die Vegan: PETA Makes Themed Coffins http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/live-die-vegan-peta-makes-themed-coffins/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/live-die-vegan-peta-makes-themed-coffins/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:38:53 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/live-die-vegan-peta-makes-themed-coffins/

While studies suggest vegans and vegetarians live longer, we all have to go sometime. Animal activists looking to show their devotion to the cause after they’re deceased can now purchase an eco-friendly coffin, courtesy of PETA.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/live-die-vegan-peta-makes-themed-coffins/feed/ Bank of America’s Coal-Funding Concessions Delight Climate Activists http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/bank-of-americas-coal-funding-concessions-delight-climate-activists/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/bank-of-americas-coal-funding-concessions-delight-climate-activists/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:46:54 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/bank-of-americas-coal-funding-concessions-delight-climate-activists/ Bank of America received praise from the Rainforest Action Network for its decision to phase out financing for companies that practice mountaintop removal coal mining, a controversial method of coal extraction.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/bank-of-americas-coal-funding-concessions-delight-climate-activists/feed/ Seasonal And Delicious: Chipotle Chili With Sweet Potatoes And Brussels Sprouts http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/04/seasonal-and-delicious-chipotle-chili-with-sweet-potatoes-and-brussels-sprouts/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/04/seasonal-and-delicious-chipotle-chili-with-sweet-potatoes-and-brussels-sprouts/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:59:18 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/04/seasonal-and-delicious-chipotle-chili-with-sweet-potatoes-and-brussels-sprouts/ With an abundance of sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts in local Farmers Markets, there’s no better way to use the season’s bounty than this hearty chili, a perfect dish for cold nights.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2008/12/04/seasonal-and-delicious-chipotle-chili-with-sweet-potatoes-and-brussels-sprouts/feed/ As Tigers Move Towards Extinction, Poachers Target Leopards http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/as-tigers-move-towards-extinction-poachers-target-leopards/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/as-tigers-move-towards-extinction-poachers-target-leopards/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:37:39 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/as-tigers-move-towards-extinction-poachers-target-leopards/ As the number of tigers decline, Indian wildlife authorities believe recent seizures of leopard-skins suggest that poachers are increasingly on the prowl for the country’s other big cat.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/04/as-tigers-move-towards-extinction-poachers-target-leopards/feed/ Sexy And Sustainable; Coco de Mer’s Eco Sex Shop http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/03/sexy-and-sustainable-coco-de-mers-eco-sex-shop/ http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/03/sexy-and-sustainable-coco-de-mers-eco-sex-shop/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:05:22 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/03/sexy-and-sustainable-coco-de-mers-eco-sex-shop/ When you think of fair trade and environmentally friendly products, the items in your bedroom may not be what come to mind. Coco de Mer is changing the game with their eco-friendly sex shop, selling all things erotic.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/12/03/sexy-and-sustainable-coco-de-mers-eco-sex-shop/feed/ PETA to Give Away Fur Coats to the Homeless http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/27/peta-to-give-away-fur-coats-to-the-homeless/ http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/27/peta-to-give-away-fur-coats-to-the-homeless/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:33:34 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/27/peta-to-give-away-fur-coats-to-the-homeless/ Many people including Mariah Carey, Kim Catrall, and Sharon Osbourne have been sickened by exposés of animals on fur farms, resulting in the donation of thousands of fur coats to PETA. On November 28th, under a sign stating “Free Fur Coats,” PETA and A Better Place will hand out dozens of fur coats to some of New York’s neediest people.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/27/peta-to-give-away-fur-coats-to-the-homeless/feed/ Animal Rights Activist Hayden Panettiere’s Calfskin Handbag Project Confuses PETA http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/26/animal-rights-activist-hayden-panettieres-calfskin-handbag-project-confuses-peta/ http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/26/animal-rights-activist-hayden-panettieres-calfskin-handbag-project-confuses-peta/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:02:47 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/26/animal-rights-activist-hayden-panettieres-calfskin-handbag-project-confuses-peta/ PETA and other animal welfare groups are confused by Hayden Panettiere, vegetarian and animal rights campaigner, who is working with leather goods manufacturer Dooney & Bourke on a signature bag available this Spring.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/26/animal-rights-activist-hayden-panettieres-calfskin-handbag-project-confuses-peta/feed/ Project Re-Runway Brings Recycled Fashion to the Middle School Set http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/24/project-re-runway-brings-recycled-fashion-to-the-middle-school-set/ http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/24/project-re-runway-brings-recycled-fashion-to-the-middle-school-set/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:57:42 +0000 Melissa Elliott http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/24/project-re-runway-brings-recycled-fashion-to-the-middle-school-set/ Project Re-Runway, a program created by Citizen Schools and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, is teaching young girls to design wearable fashions from recycled goods for an upcoming fashion show.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/11/24/project-re-runway-brings-recycled-fashion-to-the-middle-school-set/feed/