The Website The Meat Industry Doesn't Want You To See

Considering going vegetarian or vegan?  Just want to see where your meat truly comes from?  Then you should check out http://www.meat.org/, the website the meat industry doesn't want you to see.  The idea of the website is simple, meaning it's easy to use...spread the word about the meat industry...the TRUTH about the meat industry, that is.  For those who are skeptical, or think this was just started by some supremist group, you should watch any of the many videos provided on the site as proof of how the meat industry treats animals, or check out the one below.


Find out more at Meat.org.

So...that's pretty much the gist of it.  In addition to the videos it has to watch, the site is specifically designed to spread word of what you find out on social networking sites, such as facebook and myspace, or email, if that's your preferred method of delivery.

If you find yourself disturbed by the truth you see in the videos on this site, but you're not quite sure you can make the transition to the vegetarian lifestyle, then why not try out their 30 day vegetarian pledge, featured below, like I did?  And to help with your transition, they offer a free vegetarian starter kit on the site, or you can find it here:  http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit.aspx

<3 and peace, Helena

Advertisements Advocating Worker's Rights

Some terrifying ads about what can happen with subpar conditions in the work place, and worker's rights ignored.

Elephants Never Forget

Could you forget being beaten?  Or being chained up for days at a time?  How about being kidnapped from your mom?  This is a reality for elephants used for people's entertainment - and elephants never forget.  Now that you know the truth, will you?  This kind of treatment of elephants is completely unnecessary and sad, and that's why I'm a big supporter of Elephants Never Forget (http://features.peta2.com/NeverForget), PETA's campaign to end the use of elephants for our "entertainment".

I love the way the site is set up...from the moment it loads, it shows this cute little elephant, and after it loads, it has a "circus-esque" feel to it.  It's so easy to use, and has little widgets that make it easier to spread the word about "elephant rights" to your family, friends, and followers.  For those of you who aren't quite sure what the big deal is, please watch the video below of PETA's undercover investigation of the Ringling Brother's treatment of elephants.

So, if you decide that you can no longer stand by and watch this cruel treatment of elephants, then please get involved in this campaign and let's end this together!!!  Check out the links below for a good place to start, especially the pledge to never go to a circus that uses animals, like the one I signed above.

To order your Elephants Never Forget action pack: http://features.peta2.com/NeverForget/actionpack.asp
Elephants Never Forget merchandise: http://features.peta2.com/NeverForget/merch.asp
For a complete list on how you can help with this campaign: http://features.peta2.com/NeverForget/help.asp
Pledge to never go to a circus that uses animals here: http://features.peta2.com/NeverForget/pledge.asp

<3 and peace, Helena

McCruelty

Did you know....in the slaughterhouses of McDonald's (http://www.mcdonalds.com/) U.S. and Canadian chicken suppliers, birds are dumped out of their transport crates and hung upside down in metal shackles, which can result in broken bones, extreme bruising, and hemorrhaging. Workers have the opportunity to abuse live birds, and birds have their throats cut while they are still conscious. Many birds are immersed in tanks of scalding-hot water while they are still alive and able to feel pain.  This is why PETA's McCruelty campaign is one of my favorites.  Don't believe me?  Watch the video below for proof (warning: not for weak stomachs)....


McCruelty: I'm Hatin' It--Learn More.

Many think People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA (http://www.peta.org/) is an extremist group who villainizes anyone who doesn't conform to their standards of living (going vegan or vegetarian), but as long as I've been a member, I've never been pushed into a direction I didn't believe in, even when I wasn't ready to make the vegan switch yet.  For the purposes of their McCruelty campaign (http://www.mccruelty.com/), they aren't trying to eliminate McDonald's altogether (for those of you who are absolutely unwilling to change their meat-eating ways), they're just trying to provide more humane alternatives to how they kill the animals, which as one of the largest sellers of chicken meat, I'd say that's their corporate responsibility.

To sign up for McCruelty updates: http://www.mccruelty.com/signUp.aspx
To make your own McCruelty sign: http://www.mccruelty.com/generator.aspx
To take the McCruelty Facebook challenge: http://www.mccruelty.com/facebook.aspx
Ways to share the McCruelty campaign: http://www.mccruelty.com/share.aspx
To play PETA's new Super Chick Sisters game: http://www.mccruelty.com/SuperChickSisters.aspx
What you can do to help: http://www.mccruelty.com/whatYouCanDo.aspx
Take action: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1696
Part of PETA's street team?  Want more points?  Check out what more you can do for the McCruelty campaign here: http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-McCrueltyActions.asp

<3 and peace, Helena

Oceana

Are you into saving whales?  Dolphins?  Sea Turtles?  Fish?!  Then working with Oceana to protect our oceans and marine life might be for you!  Oceana (http://na.oceana.org/) is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Their offices in North America, Central America, South America and Europe work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. Their scientists work closely with their teams of economists, lawyers and advocates to achieve realistic results for the oceans.

Even if your thing isn't the ocean, maybe it's the environment as a whole, or animal rights...it doesn't matter, Oceana's actions list has something for everyone.  You can choose to help by doing anything from saving Sharks, Loggerhead and Sea Turtles, to trying to put a stop to off-shore drilling, to getting stores to post mercury warnings on seafood displays and pledging to not trash the oceans.  If you choose to put your activism skills to work on this cause, see http://na.oceana.org/en/act for a complete list of actions.  If you're interested in joining Oceana's Wavemaker program, it's is easy and free. Immediately after joining, they send you an e-mail confirming your membership and telling you about some opportunities you can take to protect the oceans.  Sign up here:  http://takeaction.oceana.org/t/7443/content.jsp?content_KEY=4154

• Oceana on twitter:  http://twitter.com/Oceana
• Oceana on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/oceana
• To shop Oceana:  http://na.oceana.org/en/support-oceana/shop-oceana
• Donate to Oceana:  https://oceana.democracyinaction.org/o/209/t/7453/content.jsp?content_KEY=4155&utm_source=donate%2Bredirect&utm_medium=oceana&utm_campaign=fundraising or donate $10 to Oceana by texting OCEAN to 50555
• Adopt an Animal:  http://takeaction.oceana.org/t/7423/content.jsp?content_KEY=4144
• Pledge to be an ocean hero!

In addition to all those ways you can help, http://na.oceana.org/en/our-work catalogues different campaigns they're working on, and what you can do to help further whichever particular cause you choose.  Another cool feature this site has to offer is their animal discovery page (http://na.oceana.org/en/explore/creatures), which shows all the different life that inhabits our oceans, along with cool facts about them.  Their Living Blue page (http://na.oceana.org/en/living-blue), a clever take on "living green", is full of fun ways to get lost, including recipes, a green list, a plastic's pledge, do one green thing, 10 things you can do to save the ocean, and more! 

<3 and peace, Helena

I Am Equal Foundation Pictures

Some of my favorite pictures from the I Am Equal photo campaign.

<3 and peace, Helena

What Does Your Signature Say About You?

Some ads put out by Amnesty International....pretty interesting, if you ask me.

<3 and peace, Helena

Stop Stereotyping

Some advertisements put out by Amnesty International in hopes of ending stereotyping.

<3 and peace, Helena

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Some advertisements for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) advising the masses about the dangers of drunk driving.

<3 and peace, Helena

Oxfam Advertisements

Some ads put out by Oxfam.

<3 and peace, Helena

Think Before You Speak

Some advertisements for Think Before You Speak (http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/), a campaign aimed at ending the use of anti-LGBT language and verbal bullying in teens.

<3 and peace, Helena

I Am Equal Foundation

The I AM EQUAL FOUNDATION (http://iamequal.com/) global scholarship initiative is bringing opportunity, education and empowerment to youth who may otherwise languish in silence on the streets around the world. This program gives children from high-risk and depressed economic conditions a light of inspiration to continue the journey of education.

The I AM EQUAL FOUNDATION was established in response to the I AM EQUAL PROJECT (http://www.iamequalproject.org/), a world photo tour from creator Jason Beckett and international photographer Matt Spencer in an effort to focus the overwhelming response from the photo project into productive actions steps that effect the global condition.

The I AM EQUAL 100,000 PHOTO WORLD TOUR is an unprecedented project that empowers humanity to take a stand for equality and the rights of all people.  Photographer Matt Spencer captures the power and passion of individuals from all walks of life as they stand up for the causes that are near to their heart.  Some people are taking a stand for civil rights while others are protecting children. Some are here to speak up for women's rights or to end human trafficking. There are some who are standing up for gay & lesbian issues and some want to stop female genital mutilation.  It's up to each person individually to make this picture valuable. Sharing it is the first step.  When someone asks about the picture, that's your opportunity to share the cause that's most important to you and inspire your friends & family to step up with you.  This is a global vision to change the world and it truly starts with the individual. We can take the picture, but we can not give it value...that's up to you.

Starting at age 11, the students have an opportunity to choose into the I AM EQUAL FOUNDATION scholarship program and begin an 8 year journey of academic and social development. As an organization we inspire and engage with these students for many years, encouraging them to place their personal value and contribution at the forefront of their consciousness. Yearly essays, and regular communication from the students ensure they are actively engaged in reaching their goals of academic excellence and receiving the scholarship they work so diligently to achieve.

There are countless ways to contribute to the I AM EQUAL FOUNDATION. As a volunteer, your time and talents in support of these scholarship students makes a huge difference in the ultimate success of the application process. They work with a limited number of volunteers every year as student advisors for the program. Each volunteer must pass a background check and a rigorous training program. If you would like to participate as a Student Advisor, please contact their office directly.

For more information, visit their blog here:  http://blog.iamequalfoundation.org/

<3 and peace, Helena

Sex Education (Use A Condom)

These advertisements are aimed at educating teens about condom use and what that means for "safe sex".

<3 and peace, Helena

Don't Talk While He Drives

Some frightening advertisements trying to raise awareness about the dangers of talking on your phone while driving.

<3 and peace, Helena