Dog Fighting Investigation on Animal Planet

Next Monday, January 25th at 10:00 pm, Animal Planet will air its investigation on dog fighting in the US. The episode, part of the channel's new series of quarterly specials, "Animal Planet Investigates: Dog Fighting" spotlights the work of the Humane Society of the United States and its anti-dog fighting operations.

The special investigates the world of dog fighting and explores the urban street culture that propagates the practice, law enforcement challenges, and the push to increase penalties.

Read more at HSUS and help spread the word to End Dog Fighting.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili on a Chilly Lunch Hour

Winter has, it seems, been here for a very long time. Winter months, I find, can be some of the hardest for this struggling vegan. Most nights, I want to snuggle up on the couch with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or a big bowl of mac'n'cheese.

For today's chilly lunchtime hour, I heated up a pot of (leftover) Sweet Potato Chili and whipped up some creamy polenta. As I have blogged this recipe before, leftovers seemed most fitting!

Now, polenta might not be your first choice with chili. However, polenta is a common go-to in my kitchen: quick, easy, and versatile. It is the perfect substitute for rice on those days where I neither have time nor energy and need a warm meal fast. Served fresh off the stove, polenta is soft and creamy.

Polenta

1 cup corn meal

4 cups water

Pinch of salt

1- Once water is at a rolling boil, add cornmeal (polenta) whisking non-stop to prevent lumps.

2- After all cornmeal has been added, reduce heat to a low simmer and continue stirring, using your whisk or fork, until thick.

3- Cover pot and continue to stir every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking. Cook 10-15 minutes.

 Heat up leftovers...

And serve with piping hot Sweet Potato Chili.

                            

Life's Fine Balance

When you write and blog for others all day long, it can be hard to find the time, (mental) energy, and creativity for one’s self--something that I had never considered when I first set out on this little adventure of mine.

I know writers who are so dedicated to their personal projects that they not only manage to etch out blocks of time for themselves in a week, but manage to productively use them! This is not to say that I am not dedicated to this project, despite what these last few months may demonstrate, but merely that I wasn’t endowed with the gift of balance. I often find myself going full-tilt in one direction with blinders on like an out-of-control calèche—something that I continuously need to work on with my calèche-driver Anne Waymann.

On top of the seemingly leaky hourglass, I also recently fell off the wagon. In October, when we were experiencing an unseasonable deep freeze on the East coast of Canada, I fell ill with a particularly nasty throat infection. It surprisingly kicked up a deeply suppressed cheese addiction.

And I’ve been gorging since.

So as part of the New Year, I have renewed some promises to myself: To write more for me and you, and To eat cheese no more.

I didn’t name myself the struggling vegan for nothing.