Native Foods Blog

Who Says Air Fresheners Need Aerosol?

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

 

As many of you know, the Environment Protection Agency has stated that chemicals from building materials, furniture, and air fresheners can make indoor air toxic. But not to fear, because the house plants you thought were just nice to have around for decoration can actually clean the air in your house! In his book, How to Grow Fresh Air, B.C. Wolverton, PhD and former NASA research scientist explains how.

 

 He says “Houseplants give off oxygen and help remove formaldehyde, a common indoor vapor that can cause respiratory and neurological problems, as well as cancer.” Neurological problems??? Maybe this helps explain why I’m so crazy. I need more houseplants! I currently have one in my bathroom, and used to have one in my bedroom, but it passed away last year (rest in peace, Señor Planta—you were a worthy companion).

Common pollutants are formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene. Breathing in these chemicals over time in closed ventilation systems can lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions.

  Don’t let this happen to you.

 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the culprits:

Formaldehyde: Used extensively in the woodworking and cabinet-making industry. It’s an ingredient in the glue that bonds particle board together. Particle board is used in cabinets, bank counters, and veneered and laminated woodwork. This chemical is highly toxic to animals (and that includes humans!), and the resins used the construction materials already noted amount to the one of the most common indoor air pollutants.

Ammonia: Heavily used in fertilizers, household cleaners, and as an antimicrobial agent for food products ( pink slime, anyone?) Though mammals have a natural mechanism to prevent its buildup in the blood stream, exposure to high concentrations of ammonia can lead to serious lung problems or worse.

Benzene: Commonly used in the production of polymers and plastics. It’s also used in the production of pesticides, detergents, drugs, and rubber. Benzene is no good because it can interfere with proper function of cells in our bodies.

Acetone: Probably best known for its use as nail polish remover and superglue remover, it is also used by make-up artists, and even in food packaging and as a food additive (yuck!). Though regarded as having a low toxicity, it can be very irritating to the eyes and throat, especially when under chronic exposure. And it’s highly volatile and flammable, so don’t multitask by cooking over an open flame while removing nail polish ;)

Now let’s meet our flora friends:

English ivy is great for eliminating formaldehyde. It is also quite versatile, as you can hang it in a basket or let it lay around in a low planter.

 

 

Bamboo palm is another great formaldehyde reducer, while requiring little maintenance and adding a bit of serene elegance to any room.

 

 

Peace lily is a powerhouse toxin eliminator, removing such harmful chemicals from the air including acetone, benzene, alcohols, and ammonia. And the delicate white flowers it produces are a charming bonus.

 

 

The hardy rubber plant is another one for getting rid of formaldehyde. And its extreme low maintenance makes it ideal for even the least plant-savvy owner.

 

Spring is the perfect time of year to renew yourself and your living space, and bringing air-cleansing plants into your home is a good place to start. Breathe easy and healthfully, my friends!

 

 

Based on an article from Yahoo! Health, courtesy of Health.com

 

 

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How I Fought a Sinus Infection and Won (Naturally, of Course!)

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

Spring is upon us and ‘tis the season for allergies. Don’t get me wrong, spring is actually my favorite season of the year. I love the mild weather; the blue skies alternating with cleansing rain; all the green and freshness and blooming flowers; but this year, something went awry. I actually found myself having some persistent sinus trouble. This was very strange for me, because I’ve never had any kind of respiratory allergy. All the grass, trees, and flowers were usually mine to enjoy, histamine-free. At first, I thought the culprit might be a build-up of unseen (and maybe some seen) dust in my apartment. Ok, I’ll admit, my place was definitely due for a spring cleaning. And the initial clean-up did seem to ease the symptoms a little, but I still had them and they were still pretty bad: horribly stuffy nose that would prevent me from sleeping at night; fatigue; occasional flu-like muscle aches. In fact, what I had been able to guess, it seemed I had developed a sinus infection. Yuck. I had to try something else. And I didn’t want to resort to over-the-counter drugs. If I can beat an ailment naturally, I much prefer to go that route. The side effects of man-made drugs are generally not my thing.

  Ahhh…Smell the flowers (and the pollen, and the dust, and the…) Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

So the first natural remedy in my all-natural assault on my sinus infection was my old friend, the neti pot. It is simply a small pot with a spout designed to pour water (use only water you’re sure is purified) in one nostril and out the other, thus gently flushing and cleaning the nasal passageways.   The neti pot has been utilized in India by practitioners of yoga and Ayurvedic medicine for perhaps thousands of years. I had actually first used one years ago when I found myself having some minor sinus trouble, and it worked wonders. In fact, this time around, it brought temporary instant relief: I was actually able to breathe through my nose for the night. But by the next day, the symptoms had returned. So, I had to incorporate other methods, but I kept the neti pot in my arsenal because of how effective it was in allowing me to breathe more comfortably. Not to mention, the tiny amount of salt that is called for in the water that one puts in the neti pot seemed to help, as well. Prior to using the neti pot (gross alert: I’m going to get a little graphic, here), I was finding small amounts of blood in my mucus. But after using the neti pot for a couple of days (twice a day), there was no more blood. So that was a start. But as I said, the infection persisted and I had to employ some other methods.

 

My mother actually suffers from seasonal allergies, and one thing that she swears by that has helped her tremendously is the use of stinging nettle. For those of you that don’t know, stinging nettle is an herb native to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has a long history as a medicinal plant, and has been garnering much attention as a relief from allergies. It is a natural antihistamine, but without the negative over-the-counter side effects, like drowsiness. It can be taken dry in capsule form, as a tea, or a tincture. I opted for the tincture (the liquid form is more easily absorbed by the body, and the tincture doesn’t involve taking the time to make a tea). Some practitioners also recommend taking stinging nettle with Vitamin C to enhance its effects, which of course I did (and a little extra Vitamin C is never a bad thing when you’re feeling under the weather). I was taking 25-30 drops mixed with a little lukewarm water twice a day.

Stinging nettle. Mom swears by it.

Next on my list of sinus allies is the much-touted apple cider vinegar. I don’t know about you, but ever since I started working in the health food/vegetarian restaurants some ten years ago, I have heard much praise over the wonders of apple cider vinegar. It has been purported to help with a number of ailments, and fortunately it seems it benefits in regards to alleviating sinus infection and allergy symptoms. Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins B1 and B2, A and E, and calcium and magnesium; all of which help clear sinus cavities and reduce allergy symptoms. And when taken orally, the high pH levels help to break up mucus and clear the airways. The recipe I followed was two tsp. of raw apple cider vinegar with 6oz. of lukewarm water, taken twice a day until the condition is under control. The smell is a little strong, but hey—it’s good for you, right?

And lastly, I used eucalyptus vapor to knock out my sinus infection. It’s great for opening airways and reducing the amount of phlegm and mucus. And not only that, but the properties within the eucalyptus work as an antiseptic as well as an antibiotic to soothe irritated sinus cavities and scratchy throats. I followed a recipe that calls for bringing 1 quart of water to a roiling boil, then adding ten drops of eucalyptus oil directly to the water. Drape a towel over your head and then place your head over the water to catch the vapor. Careful, this stuff is potent! I found that I had to close my eyes or they would sting for the first few seconds, and even letting some of the steam out because the vapor was too intense. But boy, I’ll ya—this will clear your sinuses for sure! It reminds of Vick’s vapor rub, which I imagine must contain some eucalyptus. Breathe normally for 5 to 10 minutes and let the vapor do its thing.

So what I did was first drink the apple cider vinegar with water, then the stinging nettles tincture with water, then used the neti pot, then inhaled the eucalyptus vapors. Within a couple of hours of doing this, I was seriously feeling better. In fact, I was already breathing easier, and was nowhere near as phlegmy as I had been. After a few days of this routing twice a day, I am very much improved. I’m not 100% there, but very close. And I was able to help myself without using over-the-counter drugs. I’m no medical expert, but if these tips help alleviate any of your sinus suffering, then I’ve done my good deed for the week. Take care, and be well!

 

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Bye-Bye Bees??

 

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

Since 2006, we’ve been hearing reports of mass die-offs of honeybees. No one could provide any answers, and theories popped up that ranged from climate change to omens of the apocalypse. Well, new research has come to light to show that the deaths of our little winged friends are in fact due to changes—but ones wrought directly by humans; and the results could actually be apocalyptic (in terms of food and energy resources).

 

Hopefully this is just a call-in and not a permanent absence. Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

A recent study was published in the American Chemical Society's Environmental Science & Technology journal that demonstrates the massive decline in bee population (formally termed colony collapse disorder) can be directly traces to insecticides that are used to coat corn seeds.  The insecticides in question are of a type called neonicotinoids, which are widely used due to their effectiveness against insects but low toxicity for other animals. The insecticide is applied by using drilling machines that suck in the seeds and coat them with the chemicals prior to planting.  The release of insecticide particles into the air is where the danger lies. In fact, beekeepers observed an increase in deaths around the time of the application of the insecticide. Unfortunately, tests to improve the safety of the drilling machines for the bees have proven unsuccessful, thus far.

  The bees are clearly sending us a message. Native Foods Cafe

 

So what if a bunch of bees die, some may ask? Well, beside the issue of whether it’s morally correct to snuff out millions of little lives if it can be helped, honeybees are important for pollinating food crops. In fact, they are responsible for a staggering $15 billion in crops each year, maintaining the existence of 130 different kinds of food crops! Respect the bees! Furthermore, scientists say the disruption in pollination could dramatically affect entire ecosystems. This could result in a host of problems for humans as well as other organisms. And then there’s the issue of the corn. Its crop production has only been increasing in recent years as a food source, as well as a renewable energy source in the form of ethanol.

  Pollination: a fertile job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

So what now? Well, thankfully higher crop yields have kept food prices from rising too high despite the loss of 30 percent of captive honeybees by the end of each winter. So we won’t starve anytime soon, but what about the bees? We could stop using the pesticides. France actually stopped the use of a neonicotinoid when bee populations declined there in 2005. But so far, the honeybee population has not shown significant recovery. On a positive note, beekeepers have been rejuvenating their populations by introducing new queens each season and splitting hives to reduce colony stress. There is even a Florida-based company named BeesFree that developed a special dispenser for bees that provides a special patented super-healthy nutritional compound they claim prevents die-offs. And among scientists, there is talk to “breed better bees.” Whatever the final solution, hopefully it’s one that is balanced and beneficial for life forms involved. 

 

For more info, check out these online articles:

 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/03/honeybee-deaths-linked-to-corn-insecticides/

 

http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2012/02/28/a-world-without-bees-declining-colonies-could-threaten-the-worlds-food-crops/

 

 

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To Drink or Not to Drink

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

In the February issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, an interesting little article was published. It takes a few tips out of the book Live a Little!: Breaking the Rules Won’t Break Your Health. Published in 2009 and based on recent research, the book dispels the importance of certain health practices that have been ingrained in us since childhood.

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Among the health traditions the authors ask us to rethink is the ubiquitous imperative to drink eight glasses of water a day. I think we’ve all heard this one countless times, right? Well, according to the authors, the research that led to this daily practice was likely based on research published in 1945 (in many cases we don’t know exactly came up with the guidelines, strangely enough.) However (as many health food aficionados are probably aware of), much of our daily water requirement is contained in the food we eat. This includes fruits, vegetables, beans and cooked whole grains like oatmeal and quinoa (which soak moisture in the pot), which all provide servings of water. And as Howard Murad, MD, author of the Water Secret tells us, these foods not only deliver servings of water to us, but nutrients, as well. “Watermelon and cucumber are more than 90 percent water, but they also contain antioxidants. With a glass of water, all you get is water,” he writes. So if pour this outdated idea down the drain, how are we to know if we are properly hydrated? Well, ultimately (and I am a firm believer in this), it’s all about being aware of and listening to your body. When your urine is pale yellow or colorless and you’re rarely thirsty, you’re good to go.

 

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And flowing on to my next thought, have any of you ever heard it’s not good to drink water (or anything, really) while eating? Having worked in health food/vegetarian restaurants for years, I’ve heard this topic come up a number of times with proponents on both sides of the issue. Well, let’s see what we can dig up from the internet. Apparently, many experts agree that drinking water with meals dilutes the acids in our stomachs, inhibiting digestion and in turn leading to bloating and abdominal distension. Stands to reason, yes? But other experts say the amount of water generally consumed with a meal is not enough to have a significant impact on the concentration of hydrochloric acid in our tummies. All in all, it seems that water won’t have too much of an effect on your digestion unless you had low levels of stomach acid to begin with (which apparently is true of half of us). In the end, it’s about moderation and awareness (good tips for most avenues of life). Obviously, you don’t want to over-drink yourself during a meal. So eat, drink (mindfully), and be merry!

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 And rolling along to the last topic today: Boxed Water. Many of you who frequent the Native Foods Cafés may have noticed a newcomer to our coolers. Is that a quart of soymilk, you ask? No, it’s water! In a box! But, why the box you ask? Well, in a nutshell (or a carton), check out the following reasons why Boxed Water is Better:

 

• The Boxed Water container is far more sustainable than plastic bottled water. About 76% of the box is from a renewable
  resource, trees.
• The trees used to make our box come from certified, well managed forests. These forests remain healthy and stable through ongoing replanting while removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
• The boxes are shipped flat to the filler which is significantly more efficient compared to shipping empty plastic or glass bottles to be filled.
• They really care about the world's water supply. 10% of their profit is donated to world water relief foundations. They feel anyone who consumes their product is in a privileged position and it's important that part of their spending goes to help those who are not as privileged. Just makes sense, doesn't it?
• They really care about the trees. So much so that they donate yet another 10% of their profit to reforestation foundations. So when you're drinking this water, you're helping to plant more trees and protect our forests, strengthening mother nature's lungs.
• The boxes are recyclable where facilities exist. The Carton Council is continuously adding new carton recycling facilities throughout the US. Please visit www.recyclecartons.com to learn more. Also, the box is easily flattened to its original state taking up less space in landfills.

 

Wow! Who knew such a little unsuspecting box was part of such a large and much needed effort? So get some Boxed Water and drink not only to your own health, but the health of the planet and it’s creatures!

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, boxed water

How Do You Like These Apples? Not One Bit.

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe 

An article posted Tuesday by the Chicago Tribune recounted some disturbing food safety trends in India. It seems adulterating food with harmful chemicals for various economic reasons has been a long-standing practice in India. And now that authorities are trying to crack down on the offenders and improve the standards of food safety, they are being met by large-scale resistance.

Let’s start with the fruits and veggies, shall we? Apparently, the use of a harmful chemical called calcium carbide is rife in India. It is used to bring fruits to a ripened state in a matter of hours, whereas the process would occur naturally in a matter of weeks. So why are the vendors trafficking in produce that is so under-ripe? Well, unfortunately the economic and agricultural infrastructure in India is currently not very conducive to the expedient transportation of fresh produce to intended markets over long distances. Due to the slow-going on traffic-jammed roads littered with pot-holes and lack of refrigerated storage, a whopping 40% of produce rots before even making it to the city market stalls. Obviously, this is just bad business. And obviously, the vendors need a solution to this problem in order to protect their livelihood. Unfortunately, that’s where harmful chemicals and consumer deception come into play.

As I said earlier, the use of calcium carbide is widespread among Indian produce vendors. Incidentally, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has gone so far as to ban the chemical because it is a carcinogen known to cause cancer. In spite of this, individuals continue to use it. Disturbingly, the official that was interviewed for this article stated that even though the chemical is “not harmful.” He even went so far as to defend its use by pointing out that ripe fruit could be transported from so far away without it. And vendors will go to other measures to sell their wares, as well. It’s not uncommon for them to polish or dip fruit in artificial colors to give them a fresh appearance. And that’s not all. Apparently, rat poison has been found in vegetables, and batches of unregulated moonshine liquor have killed scores of people at a time. Whoa! All in all, the Food Safety and Standards Authority has found that 13% of all food in India is unfit for consumption. Yikes!

The shiny ones are the ones to watch out for. “Looks good to the eye but ends up bad to the stomach,” says one Delhi vendor.

India has a seen a surge in economic growth in the past two decades, but food safety standards have struggled to keep pace. This is largely due to the massive impoverished sector of Indian society who can’t afford to be so discriminating in their consumption and selling of contaminated foods. If it comes down to eating the adulterated food or not eating at all, the choice is obvious. And if you can’t sell enough of your wares, you can’t support your family.

The situation in India is a tough one, and my heart goes out to all those people who don’t have access to basic healthy food and nourishment. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India hopes to increase its staff and funding next year, so here’s hoping they’ll help improve the health and wellbeing of all these people.

 

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The Horseshoe Crab Harvest: Million Dollar Blue Bloods

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

I love horseshoe crabs.  I grew up with them in the canal behind my parents’ house in Florida.  My friends and I would hang out in the mangrove forest and try to catch them and then let them crawl on our backs.  We called them back scratchin’ crabs.  They were nice enough… never seemed to have a problem with crawling around on our backs.

I also like the way they looked… truly prehistoric.  They have been around for more than 350 million years!  Hanging out with the dinosaurs… you know… so scientists affectionately refer to them as “living fossils.”  They are indeed strange little guys that live on the bottom of the ocean, usually in shallow areas, or sometimes can be seen cruising the beach.  Although referred to as “crabs” they are Arthropods – more closely related to spiders than to real crustaceans such as shrimp, lobsters, and crabs.  They are really cool… and really ancient and we are harvesting the buh-jeezus out of them for medical research.

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What in the heck?!  (You are probably shrieking aloud as you read this)  Well here is the breakdown… The simplicity of the horseshoe crab’s immune system (which took a really long time to evolve to this state of efficiency) is actually what makes the horseshoe crab’s blood useful to the biomedical industry. Horseshoe crabs live in essentially a cesspool of different kinds of bacteria… the ocean! But the blood of horseshoe crabs contains a critical component, Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate, known as LAL, which immediately binds and clots around fungi, viruses, and bacterial endotoxins.... essentially protecting them from some of the most dangerous toxins, bacteria and viruses around.

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Dr. Frederik Bang discovered LAL in the 1960s when he injected common marine bacteria into the bloodstream of the horseshoe crab and it immediately clotted.  It was truly amazing.  The components in LAL, for example, not only bind and inactivate bacterial endotoxin, but the clot formed as a result of activation by endotoxin provides wound control by preventing bleeding and forming a physical barrier against additional bacterial entry and infection.  Once the biomedical discovered this modern miracle, the blue horseshoe blood began to spill.

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The U.S. Food & Drug Administration now requires all drugs intended for human consumption to be tested using LAL. Including medical devices such as pacemakers!  Currently, scientists have no means to reproduce this compound synthetically; therefore horseshoe crabs are of vital importance to human drug development.  Until we wipe them out that is.

Here’s an idea!  Why don’t we start eating better… taking less drugs and then we wouldn’t need to be constantly inundating ourselves with chemicals to “fix” problems we most likely created for ourselves. Ay yay yay. 

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So exactly how do we harvest the blood of these prehistoric creatures? 

Every year, horseshoe crabs are gathered up (largely along the Eastern shore, check the picture above) and transported to a laboratory where up to 30 percent of their blood is removed while they are still alive. Once the blood has been collected, the crabs are taken back to the water and released. LAL manufacturers have measured mortality rates of less then 3%. Yet two recent studies estimate that between 10% and 15% of crabs do not survive the bleeding procedure, which accounts for the mortality of 20,000 to 37,500 horseshoe crabs per year. Another concern is that it takes the crab a few months to rebuild its blood cell count level back up after a bleeding. Horseshoe crabs could be bled up to three or four times a year, which would take a toll on the health of the animals. But LAL manufacturers claim they only bleed them once a year.  Hmmmm…..

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Some other interesting facts…. Its blood is a distinctive blue color thanks to the fact that it contains copper-rich hemocyanin as opposed to iron-rich hemoglobin. The blood also contains amoebocytes, which play a similar role to white blood cells. When a crab is wounded, the amoebocytes swim to the area and coagulate to form a viscous gel surrounding the invading bacteria. This blood-clotting mechanism ensures the crab doesn't develop an infection.  This video gives a nice rundown of the whole she-bang...

  

So of course this sad story does not end here.  The fate of the amazing horseshoe crab is delicately intertwined with that of the beautiful red knot shorebird. More on that later this week….

 

Thanks to the following sites for the copious amounts of info on the plight of the mighty horseshoe crab:

 

• http://horseshoecrab.org/med/med.html
• http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/crash-a-tale-of-two-species/the-benefits-of-blue-blood/595/
• http://www.citizenscampaign.org/campaigns/horseshoe-crabs.asp

Big Miracle Shines the Hollywood Spotlight on the Plight of Grey Whales

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

Big Miracle starring funnyman John Krasinski and the endearing Drew Barrymore premieres this weekend. Based on a true story as read in the 1989 book Freeing the Whales by Tom Rose, it tells the tale of local Alaskan newsman Adam Carlson (Krasinski) who reports on the plight of a family of Grey whales that have become trapped under thickening Arctic ice. The press he gives the situation (dubbed Operaton Breakthrough) draws help from his environmentalist ex-girlfriend (Barrymore), and ultimately the native Inuits, local oil companies, the Russians, and the Americans.

Even though the events that Big Miracle is based on occurred in the eighties, some Grey whales are still endangered. Thankfully, one population in the Eastern North Pacific has recovered and was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1994. Sadly, the North Atlantic population is extinct, and the Western North Pacific population consists of only about 130 individuals.

Currently, the Grey whales are threatened by environmental changes, including habitat loss and toxins. They are also harmed by ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, especially during their annual migrations through the coastal waters of Japan, Korea, and China.

Interested in learning more or finding ways to help? Check out the organizations below:

• Oceana is the largest international organization working solely to protect the world’s oceans. Since 2001, they have protected over 1.2 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life.
• Oceanmiracle.org is a movie-related site that offer more info on organizations and how you can get involved. You can also learn about Cindy Lowry, who is the environmental activist who was the executive director of Greenpeace in Alaska and played a big role in the events depicted in Big Miracle.  Go Cindy!
• Save the Whales is the famous nonprofit founded in 1977 that has since been at the forefront of fighting for the survival of whales in the wild and educating the public.

 

Rated PG, it’s an inspirational movie for the entire family (and if you sneak in some snacks from Native Foods Café, we won’t tell!

 

P.S.  It’s playing right next door to us (10 yards away) from our NEWEST Native Foods Café at Fashion Island!!!!    Plus it’s playing right next to us at The District in Tustin, CA,  Native Foods Café in Bridgeport Village, OR and steps away from Native Foods Café in  Aliso Viejo…..

 

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2012: Let it Be the Year In Which Species Begin to No Longer Be Endangered

by Christopher Arnett

Native Foods Cafe

In Indonesia, scientists have recently “rediscovered” a species of monkey that was long thought to be extinct: Miller’s Grizzled Langur (now that’s a name).  The cute critters are distinguished by their black faces and collars of fluffy white hair.  Initially, the team of scientists was unsure of the monkeys’ identity, since almost no photographs exist of them, only museum sketches. The monkeys once inhabited northeastern Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the Thai-Malay peninsula. Sadly, their habitat was destroyed by human activity (settlement, agriculture, and mining). A field survey conducted in 2005 failed to confirm their existence, and the animals were at thought point thought extinct. Scientists are currently in the process of confirming the size of the population. Though numerous images of the monkeys were captured over a two-month period, scientists need to determine if it was just a few families returning over and over, or a truly large and diverse population.

This is a hopeful story, considering that as the world has now entered the year 2012, innumerable species are still threatened. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is the main organization responsible for rating which species (animals and plants) are most threatened, compiled in their Red List. This List uses the term “endangered” as one of several levels of imperilment, including “critically endangered” and “vulnerable” (though in the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act, “endangered” describes the highest level of threat). Let’s take a look at some of the animal species on the Red List as presented by allaboutwildlife.com:

 

The Amur leopard: The world’s rarest cat, it is a leopard subspecies that only lives in the snowy regions of eastern Russia. It used to inhabit Korea and northern China, but has become extinct in those countries. A 2007 census counted only 14- 20 adults, and 5-6 cubs!

 

 

Javan rhinoceros: With only 50-60 individuals remaining, it is the most endangered of the world’s five rhinoceros species. Formerly ranging across Southeast Asia and Indonesia, it now only inhabits the western tip of Java.

 

 

Leatherback sea turtle: This reptile is the earth’s biggest turtle. It also has the largest range of any species, swimming the globe from the tropics to sub-polar regions. Among the threats to the leatherback are theft of its eggs by humans, and hunting (also by humans).

 

 

Kakapo parrot: There are three characteristics that make this endangered bird so unique. First, it is the world’s heaviest parrot coming in at nine pounds. Second, it is the only nocturnal parrot. And lastly, it is the world’s only flightless parrot. Wow! Once common on both of New Zealand’s main islands, it is now only found on remote isles. There are now fewer than 150 in the wild, and almost all of them have names given by conservationists. These birds are too cute!

h 

 

Chinese giant salamander: This fascinating creature is the world’s largest amphibian, reaching lengths of up to 6 feet! Whoa, there! It was once common throughout central, southwestern, and southern China. However, overexploitation as a food source has pushed it the brink of extinction.

 

 

Well, that’s all for now, folks. Here’s hoping that 2012 sees the beginning of the reversal of endangered for all threatened species.

 

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Rise Against on Animal Rights

Holladay Allen

by Native Foods Cafe

Check out this Rise Against video circa 2006.  How far have we come in terms of protecting the environment and the species that inhabit it in the past 5 (soon to be 6) years?  Not far at all in my opinion.

 

 

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Native Community Days: Thousand Waves, FFSC & Friends of Trees

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

Today, Wednesday, December 7^th a portion of profits will benefit some very cool local community groups.  So whether you are in Chicago, Southern California or Portland… you can eat for a dang cause.  And if you are not in any of these areas, fly in for the day!  Just kidding, well kind of… but chances are we are trying to get to an area near you very soon.  In Chicago, we will be spotlighting Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self Defense Center, NFP.  Thousand Waves fosters fitness, healing, empowerment and peacemaking by promoting healthy minds and bodies through violence prevention, self-defense and traditional martial arts programs for adults and children of all ages.

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 Members at Thousand waves apply the skills they learn at home, work and school and life in general. Thousand Waves has built partnerships with schools, non-profits, businesses and government agencies, bringing the tools of violence prevention and personal empowerment to diverse communities. 

Native Foods Cafe supports Thousand Waves. vegan food vegan restaurant

In Southern California, a portion of profits will benefit the Foundation for Second Chances, or FFSC.  FFSC offers a variety of programs aimed to maximize the potential of each and every child involved. These programs include after school activities, community service, mentoring, tutoring, and reading programs.  Click Here to start volunteering!  And come eat an Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger today, cause after all, it’s for the kids!

 

In Portland, the lungs of the US (Chef Tanya’s words), it’s all about the trees man.  Since its inception in 1989, Friends of Trees has planted more than 420,000 trees and native plants throughout the Portland and Eugene metro areas.  That is a whole lot of trees, or lung of the Earth…. However you want to look at it.  They are on a mission to restore as many public natural places and green spaces between freeways and neighborhoods as possible.  Wowee, that is awesome.  You don’t even need a green thumb to volunteer with them… All you have to do is click here.

Some come on by, have a piece of pie… Oh, and that pie is free* in honor of YOU and Native Community Days…

 

The Chocolate Love Pie at Native Foods Cafe
*Free Dessert is available December 6^th and 7^th only with the purchase of an entrée, side and drink