“Care” Certified Our Butts
Compassion Over Killing is suing United Egg Producers for consumer fraud over the labeling of egg cartons. For years they were giving the cartons a self-congratulatory and disingenuous “Animal Care Certified” stamp of approval, when really it was just their stamp of approval. Think Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” sign. And now, despite the fact that it is illegal for them to do so, UEP is still using the logo.
We shouldn’t be eating eggs at all, but while a large majority of Americans are eating eggs, I’m happy that groups like COK are fighting for the chickens with any legal avenue they’ve got. This brings attention to the issues a little bit better than a fake tanned woman in a bikini does and maybe consumers (or, people buying stuff as it were) will wise up to the fact that they are being lied to. Of course, most still won’t really care, but it would be a step in the right direction.
For instance, every single egg producer (and when I say egg producer, I don’t mean the chickens, I mean the people “keeping” the chickens) kills the male chicks either by gas or suffocation or grinding them up, because the boy chicks are mostly useless. Yes, even those nice people at the farmers market practice this. Not to mention that the laying hens are killed at 8 to 18 months because they are “spent”. So where are your humane eggs now? Huh? Huh? I am shoulder shoving you and asking. Even in the best situations these are the bare minimum facts, and that is not even mentioning what a bunch of malarchy free range is.
Anyway, please don’t argue with me in the comments about how you have a chicken sent by god in your backyard that begs for you to eat her eggs. Just bite the bullet, go vegan and leave me alone. It isn’t that hard and it’s really fun! See how much fun I’m having?!
February 21st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Preach it, Isa!
February 21st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
That’s the not so swwet truth and it will not stay quiet.
February 21st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Thank god someone is doing something. I am getting sick and tired of all this fraud and bullsh*%!
February 21st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I like that there are pictures of eggless cupcakes next to this post. Or are all cupcakes eggless? I can’t remember. The point is they’re vegan.
February 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I wish someone had shoulder-shoved me and told me all this a few years ago when I was buying those bunk-ass free-range eggs and congratulating myself on caring a whole lot. Sing it, sister!
February 21st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hell yeah
February 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Hell YES! Now let’s all keep posting all the awesome things you can make without eggs! I know I don’t feel deprived!
February 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Wow, I applaud COK - now would probably be a good time to donate to help them with their efforts!
February 21st, 2008 at 11:25 pm
damn straight…….say it, Sista!!
When you speak people listen.
February 21st, 2008 at 11:56 pm
God sends people chickens now? I thought he was all about quails. [watches Old Testament joke sail over most peoples’ heads]
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I totally agree with Suzie. I’m glad someone is doing something.. so sick and tired of all this fraud and bullsh*% too!
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I love eggs. I could eat them 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If I weren’t eating eggs I’d be eating chickens. Don’t you people have anything else to worry about.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
Seriously EggsRYummy, that’s the best you could do?
I guess the question is don’t you have anything better to do than bait people who don’t give a s*t what you think of them?
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 am
I myself cannot eat eggs anymore. I think of it this way….
the egg is unfertilized, hence why there is no chick… As a woman (sorry if this is gross) it is the same thing, we produce the “egg” each month. I cannot go and eat what i give.
It just really grosses me out. Has anyone even thought of the logic in this ? It is the same thing!
Gross.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
“It isn’t that hard and it’s really fun! See how much fun I’m having?!”
Sounds a little desperate.
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
umm…”A”, i think Isa said that in a joking manner. i can’t imagine Isa trying to convince someone to do something by saying “It’s really fun!”
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Yeah, I am desperate, but that particular thing I said was joking. Sorry, babe. Try again. I mean, it is fun. But the see how much fun I’m having part…
February 24th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I would not be writing this if I hadn’t gone today to a woman’s backyard where she keeps her chickens in a large pen with her rabbits. There were maybe 25 roosters and hens clucking around. The chickens get no antibiotics or hormones. The woman wanted the same price for the chickens’ eggs as I could buy in the store. She can only sell eggs when the hens are laying, they just started laying again. I feel lucky to have a way to support this woman and her animals (who would not survive if she did not take care of them).
February 24th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Anna, what does she do with the hens when they stop laying? And how did she get the hens? I think you miss the point. There are ways to support chickens that have been saved from animal agriculture - donate to a farm sanctuary! Check out bravebirds.org and United Poultry Concerns. http://www.upc-online.org/
Please do check those links out, thanks!
February 24th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Here’s the one dish that makes it hard for me to stop eating eggs: poached eggs over anything (tomato sauce, polenta, veg. broth–throw in some noodles or grains or whatever else to hand, etc etc). It’s so quick and easy and flexible and yummy that I fall back on it a lot.
Any suggestions for a good, humane substitute for this stand-by? They’d be much appreciated.
February 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hey Addie,
I understand having that one damn thing holding you back. What I did when I was transitioning was to eat vegan except for the few things that I thought I couldn’t live without. My things were blue cheese and smoked mozz. That way you kind of get used to the lifestyle and cooking aspects of everything even if you haven’t jumped in with both feet yet. But I still would bake vegan and cook vegan except for the few times a week where I ate my security blanket dairy things. Eventually I just gave those up, too, and I didn’t even notice. That method doesn’t work for everyone, but it worked for me.
As far as a substitute for poached eggs, I regret to say that I don’t have a suggestion for that exact thing. However, have you ever tried black salt? It has a great sulfuric eggy taste. I make a simple scambled tofu and sprinkle some black salt on. It is perfect. I also find that soft polenta satisfies that desire for - uh - “runniness”, for lack of a better word.
Susan at fat free vegan has a great looking recipe for an omelette for one:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/09/vegan-omelette-for-one.html
I bet that would be great with some black salt, I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, though. I’ll keep thinking about the poached egg thing, too.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Thanks, Isa, for the black salt suggestion! I’ve been vegetarian on and off all my life, and I think it’s really sticking this time. Don’t know if I’ll ever be fully vegan, but I am taking the sort of approach you describe, and just adding more and more vegan recipes to my repertoire, with the aim of shoving out more dairy and eggs.
Maybe I can create some sort of blobby dumpling-thing to simmer in sauces and broths and stuff.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Addie,
It is so funny you mention that, i was eating a pierogi and thinking something along the same lines.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I always think that polenta with nooch, salt, and pepper tastes just like the fried eggs I used to eat. Now that Isa agrees with me, I feel less crazy.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:02 am
okay, so hit me on the head with an idiot stick. i really had no idea. i always bought local, organic, etc. etc., and thought my eggs were okay. we cook 90% vegan anyway, so i don’t think it will be much of a leap. my vegan friends are so fired, though. they should have known that one photo of fluffy baby chicks in a dumpster would bring me over to their side. thanks sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for the info!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
this is the same kind of narrow-minded “there is only one right way” militant bs that turns me off to most religion, politics, and now, vegans. i am interested in many of the same things you care about, however you could do much to improve your approach.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
e, there really is only one right way in this case. Sorry, but don’t shoot the messenger! If you are interested in the things I’m talking about, please look into egg production and you will see what I mean. Also, my approach is awesome. I make vegan cupcakes!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
r, you’re very welcome! I was actually looking for a cute fluffy chick photo, but I thought it would be a cheap shot.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
i admire your restraint. ::grin:: don’t worry, your cookbooks are converting people right and left, no baby chick photos needed.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:43 am
It’s nice you care so much about the unborn chicken…wish you did the same about the unborn human babies that are being aborted by the millions in the name of women’s rights…perhaps you do…perhaps you defend the human “chickies”?
Just like the unborn chicken can’t speak for itself, neither can the unborn human female and male…
March 1st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Did COK sue them like..2 years ago or something?
Anyhow, that video was nauseating. I’m pretty much over “happy” meat and eggs. I think it’s half being lied to and half wanting your cruelty cake and eating it, too.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Thanks for posting this..
March 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Serena,
Take that shit elsewhere. Comparing eating chicken eggs to abortions is not only stupid but also totally inappropriate.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:34 am
for the fetus i will attack
March 30th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Serena - eating eggs is the same as eating a woman’s menstrual cycle, on a month she does not have sex. Just so we get our science clear - because it would be so sad to see you “Pro Lifers” coming off as ignorant…..oh, wait, you do that without misunderstandings about what you eat.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Serena,
Isa’s post had nothing to do with unborn chickens. Are you insane? Also your blindingly obvious disagreement with women’s rights really has no place ON A VEGAN FOOD BLOG. Scram.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:16 am
All the posts are really very meaningful. And would like to suggest one thing more which can be a very useful appliance for your kitchen:
Viners Oval Roaster
This mirror-polished stainless steel roaster comes with a wire rack and a ribbed lid, which can be used as serving dish.
It measures 13×35x25cm/5×14x10 inches (suitable for up to a 6kg/13lb roast or 4.5-5.5kg/10-12lb chicken).
Dishwasher safe and suitable for all hobs except induction.The roaster comes with a 10 year Viners guarantee.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:41 am
[…] as i belive that eggs are “incredible edible” because the egg industry says so. READ: “‘Care’ certified our butts” (+ some basics and details on the “free-range” […]