Information and Inspiration

Tonight I thought I would share with you my two favorite magazines: FOCUS, put out by the World Wildlife Fund and allanimals by The Humane Society.

FOCUS updates readers wild animals and the environment, how they are threatened and what is being done in the world of conservation. It's a fairly small publication, but the quick-hit stories and articles make it not only accessible but an easy read that is packed with information. I just received the January/February issue (shown here) and I cannot read up on a year in tiger conservation. You can get this publication by becoming a member of WWF (min donation of $15).


Allanimals focuses more on domestic and farm animals, although they usually have at least one article about an issue involving their wild counterparts. There are informational article, stories that will make you angry, and many that will make you cry, but there are also a good amount of inspirational stories (usually involving a homeless animal finding a good home or pets rescued from a devastating situation). This publication can both make the reader despise and love what humans can do with animals, which is a powerful trait for any media source.

One story from allanimals in the January/February issue (not shown) really opened my eyes to something I had no idea about (and honestly, I am very ashamed that I was clueless about this, but I suppose life is about learning)...the saltwater aquarium fish industry. I had no idea that these poor fish are being harvested in mass quantities, inhumanely, and die at such rapid rates. I own a freshwater tropical tank, and those fish are captive-bred. I have considered starting a salt tank, but now that this issue has been brought to my attention, I doubt I could even look at a saltwater fish in the pet store without feeling like a terrible person. I have one close friend who has a salt tank and many of her fish are very expensive and die within a month. Now I know why. I plan to give her the article, in hopes that once all the fish have passed, she will consider converting the tank to a freshwater. There are so many gorgeous freshwater tropical fish out there and most people can easily breed them themselves, which quickly populates a tank. Plus freshwater fish are much more inexpensive. This just goes to show that everyone needs to do research before they bring any kind of animal into their home.

There are so many other great animal welfare publications out there, and I hope to get my hands on some of them soon. Feel free to send any suggestions my way!

Kentucky-Fried Tofu

Since I thought up the idea for a blog of this nature while cooking a tofu dinner, I figured it would only be appropriate to post the recipe. Anyone who is veg hopefully knows both the environmental and personal benefits of refraining from animal consumption. This dish is a play on the American "classic" KFC, but entirely animal and cruelty-free. Plus, it is ten times healthier for you that any of that fast-food junk. The original recipe comes from The Kripalu Cookbook. 

Original Recipe
2 pounds firm tofu, rinsed, drained, and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1/2 cup tamari
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup cornmeal or unbleached white flour
2-3 tablespoons canola oil

Amy's Version
2 pounds Nasoya cubed tofu, extra firm
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
3 tablespoons sesame oil

Mix the nutritional yeast (which is named this for a reason, it is packed with protein and vitamins!) and flour in a large bowl. Pour the soy sauce into a separate bowl. Once you have the tofu cut or pre-cubed, marinate the slices in the soy sauce until they turn a brownish color. At the same time, heat a large skillet and sesame oil on medium heat. Take the tofu out of the sauce with a slotted spoon or tongs and  place into the yeast-flour mix. Entirely coat the tofu in the mix, then again with a slotted spoon or tongs place the tofu onto the skillet. Cook the tofu until the yeast has turned a golden-brown, occasionally adding more of the yeast mix into the skillet. The idea is to create a crispy outside and soft inside.

With this, I had  homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I wish I took photos, but as soon as it was ready my dad (who is not a veg, by the way) and I just had to eat it up. It was delish, but don't take my word for it, try it out!