The Compassion Experiment

Photo by Brian Villemaire The Compassion Experiment: It's not a blog, it's a Blitter. Too short for a blog, too long for a Twitter. One of the things we had been searching for, was reusable bags for all the vegetables we get each weekend when we shop at the Organic Garage ( www.organicgarage.ca ). Even before we started The Compassion Experiment, we loaded up on veggies, now that has nearly doubled, thus doubling the amount of plastic bags needed for the veggies. And we wanted to do something, because that is a lot of garbage being generated. While doing our tour of the Green Living Show, we found a booth selling reusable bags for vegetables. Credo Bags Inc. is an eco-conscious company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Their goal is to inspire people to make small, simple changes in their everyday habits; changes that collectively and cumulatively help our environment. http://credobags.com/ We use the bags every weekend now, and our only real regret is not buying more of the...

The Compassion Experiment: It's not a blog, it's a Blitter. Too short for a blog, too long for a Twitter. As promised, here is a new recipe we tried last night, and I have to admit, it was damn good. A Compassionate Shepherd's Pie Filling: 1 medium onion 3 small carrots, chopped 1 stalk of celery 1 large tomato, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil 1 can of green lentils, mashed 1 tsp dried basil 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp tomato sauce Topping: 4 potatoes, chopped 1 tbsp oregano 1/4 cup soy milk 1 tbsp butter flavour spread salt to taste Preheat oven to 350F. Boil the potatoes. Saute the onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes in the oil. Once carrots are tender, add the mashed lentils, salt, soy sauce and tomato sauce. Stir and simmer without a lid until the liquid evaporates. While the veggies are roasting, mash the potatoes, milk, buttery spread, and spices in a bowl. Set aside. Pour the veggies into an oiled, small casserole dish, and then layer the potatoes on top. Bake for 15-20 minut...

The Compassion Experiment: It's not a blog, it's a Blitter. Too short for a blog, too long for a Twitter. A couple months ago, just trying to be a vegetarian was a struggle. I can admit it, I was raised in a meat lovers family, where meat, white sugar and desserts were the three staples. Tasty? Yes. Fattening? Yes Yes! Terribly bad for me? Yes Yes Yes! Family plays such a huge role in the eater that you become later in life. I can't eat a meal without thinking: "What's for dessert?" I swear to god, this plays out every meal, including breakfast and snacktime. It's hard to break habits, especially ones you lived for most of your formative years. The first few weeks of The Compassion Experiment were really tough. Hard to believe we are going on week 5, but I can tell you, things have gotten a lot easier. That's because we are in the habit now, of choosing meals that are compassionate, and in living this lifestyle. Also the people around us understand wh...

The Compassion Experiment: It's not a blog, it's a Blitter. Too short for a blog, too long for a Twitter. Well, it's been a hell of a roller coaster week for all of us here at The Compassion Experiment. From the York OSPCA scandal, to the Cogeco Rising Stars event, hell, I even began mending fences with my arch nemesis, MWI (no one could have ever seen this one coming!). We slipped a little out of the groove we had been in, things changed as the York OSPCA travesty started to unfold, and for us, it felt so good to be able to do something about it. The Compassion Experiment has turned out to be one of the greatest decisions that we have made together. We've had an outlet for issues that we want to speak out about, we've been trying amazing recipes, had our eyes opened to all the wonderful animal free products out there, and we've had friends come together to support our efforts in saving the animals. It's truly amazing. In the days ahead, we will definitely ...

The animals say THANK YOU!! Well, it looks like the people were heard! http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/808805--ospca-heard-the-outcry-suspends-mass-euthanasia?bn=1 To be honest, I can't believe it. As the song goes: "Power to the people." Who would have thunk it? Yes, 100 animals were put down, and yes, some more might die, but considering the original number of 350 has been reduced, and some lives have been saved, this is downright amazing. Some might even say miraculous. You can't tell me, people don't care about animals. 100 protesters, death threats, a planned funeral march, animals stolen, this stuff is AWESOME!!! I commend every single person who wrote, who called, and who protested this gross error in judgement. The article states that it was really a money thing, and that the animals were going to be killed to save $$$! Imagine that came out after all the animals died?! Those death threats would become real life. I can tell you first hand, that it ...

We got this through email. I'm proud to see so many people working so hard to save the animals. Any life saved, will be amazing. Read this and voice your concerns! UPDATE........ The Minister of Community Safety has declined to take any action citing that the SPCA is an arms-length agency and he has no jurisdiction. As recently as 3:15 this afternoon MPP Klees spoke with the minister again urging him to use whatever means are necessary to stop the killing of these animals. Klees explained to the minister that veterinarians, members of the public, landowners in the vicinity are offering their facilities to accommodate the segregation of animals that can be saved. PLEASE CALL THE PREMIER'S OFFICE TO VOICE YOUR CONCERN NOW 416-325-1941 www.premier.gov.on.ca feedback May 11, 2010 MPP Calls For Stay of OSPCA Euthanasia Plans http://www.frank-klees.on.ca/Newsroom/OSPCAstayMay11_2010.htm (Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees today called on the Minister of Community Safe...

Could you kill these cats? This is unbelievable: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/807590--ospca-to-euthanize-350-animals-at-york-region-shelter?bn=1 Here is the short and long of it. York OSPCA is euthanizing all their animals, ALL! That's 350 cats, dogs, rats, everything, dead. Apparently they have been dealing with a ringworm outbreak, and the OSPCA vets have decided they all need to die. The Star says: "Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes small patches of hair loss, skin redness and discoloration. Ringworm can make an animal so itchy they break their skin when they scratch for temporary relief. Ringworm usually starts in one area and multiplies if not treated." I am not vet, I am just an animal lover, but from what I've read, ringworm isn't fatal. It isn't great, and can cause animals discomfort, but to kill them all, wow. It breaks my heart, because I work at the Oakville and Milton Humane ...