You can subscribe to our blog using our RSS feed.
A Vegan Evening at Owamni Grows CAA’s Impact for Animals
June 27, 2024
On Saturday June 22, forty-six people enjoyed a delicious meal, connecting with fellow animal advocates, and moving CAA’s work for animals forward during A Vegan Evening at Owamni. A description of the evening and photo slideshow are below.
Food, Community, and Presentations
The evening featured a four-course menu of Indigenous food from the award-winning restaurant along with a presentation on Owamni’s mission and each of the dishes from restaurant staff. Guests had a wonderful time visiting with each other while enjoying family-style dining.
There was also a presentation about the impact of CAA’s work for Minnesota’s farmed animals from treasurer and volunteer Hannah Milos as well as executive director Laura Matanah. Hannah and Laura’s presentations emphasized the critical role of volunteers and donors in helping us reach our goal of inviting one million Minnesotans to take action for animals by 2027.
Connecting, Learning, and Inspiration: Highlights From the Animal and Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit
June 11, 2024
The 2024 Animal and Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in May brought together over 800 passionate advocates from around the world. This included five representatives from CAA. Their experiences were a fertile ground for learning, networking, and inspiration. Across various workshops, panels, and informal gatherings, our team collected valuable experiences and insights. This will assist CAA further advance its work moving forward.
What is the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit (AVA)?
AVA is an international summit for individuals and organizations involved in animal advocacy. The summit included four days of workshop and plenary sessions on a variety of related topics. These ran the gamut from communications to policy work, strategies, organizing, fundraising, activism, and much more. Participants included those active in animal rights, animal welfare, alternative proteins, food system change, and related movements.
Volunteer Spotlight: Grace Prins. Building Community and Compassion by Volunteering With CAA
June 11, 2024
Grace Prins has been a passionate volunteer with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) since 2022. Her first volunteering was at Twin Cities Veg Fest. She reports that “When I first went vegan, it felt pretty lonely because I didn’t know anyone else who shared my values and lifestyle. I started looking for ways to meet other vegans and volunteer for a cause I believed in and found CAA!” She signed up for our emails, followed us on MeetUp, and finally decided to volunteer. She was impressed by the dedication of CAA volunteers, especially those who spent a lot of time planning the festival.
Grace’s volunteer roles at CAA
Grace has volunteered in many different roles at CAA. She worked twice on the Zero Waste team at Twin Cities Veg Fest, helped plan the Vegan Chili Cook-Off, and joined the Annual Banquet committee for 2024. She also assisted people in signing up for the Veg Pledge at The Smell of Money movie screening and volunteered at Chicken Run Rescue for International Respect for Chickens Day. Beyond CAA, Grace also volunteers at Farmaste Animal Sanctuary, helping with barn cleanings.
Meet Hattie Mae: The Nurturing Nubian Goat and New Resident at Farmaste Animal Sanctuary
June 3, 2024
Hattie Mae, a 5-year-old Nubian goat, is a natural caretaker with a curious spirit. She arrived at her new home, Farmaste Animal Sanctuary on March 30, 2024. Since then, she’s been busy exploring and bonding with her new friends, Opie, a playful goat kid, and Willow, an adult goat.
Hattie Mae’s journey from the dairy industry
Hattie Mae’s journey began in the dairy breeding industry, where she produced triplets each year. She was eventually sold to a new breeder who was starting a herd. During routine tests, Hattie Mae was found to be positive for CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis), a common and contagious disease among goats. Despite this, many breeders continue to breed CAE-positive goats. She may have been sent to slaughter at this point but Farmaste was able to take her in.
Meet Kim Milligan: A Newbie CAA Volunteer Making a Difference for Animals and Beyond
May 24, 2024
Kim Milligan is a fresh face at Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA). She first heard about us this February, then jumped right in to volunteer as the Logistics Coordinator for the upcoming Twin Cities Veg Fest. She brings her enthusiasm and dedication to the cause, and we are so excited to have her aboard.
Discovering CAA: A “Sign from the Universe”
Kim discovered CAA through a friend who mentioned volunteer opportunities for Veg Fest. Feeling it was a “sign from the Universe,” she joined a CAA volunteer Zoom call that evening. Immediately, she knew she had found the right organization. She could see that she shares the same vision and moral and ethical values as CAA.
Plant-Based Progress: Wholesome Minnesota’s Spring 2024 Highlights
May 24, 2024
CAA’s Wholesome Minnesota program made a big impact this spring! We held multiple events promoting plant-based diets with a variety of groups. Jodi Gruhn, Wholesome MN Director, inspired students and families through presentations, cooking sessions, and interactive activities.
The focus was on the critical link between diet and personal and environmental health. This message resonated with diverse audiences, encouraging healthier and more sustainable dietary choices. This blog provides an overview of each of the presentations.
Rupert’s Resilience: A Duck’s Journey to Freedom and Family
May 20, 2024
In a heartwarming tale of resilience, Rupert, a Pekin drake, found refuge and family at Herbivorous Acres Farm Sanctuary after a harrowing ordeal.
A tale of rescue and survival
Rupert’s life took a dramatic turn when he was callously thrown out of a moving vehicle at the Forest Lake Marina in December 2019. Fortunately, a compassionate person witnessed this act of cruelty and promptly alerted the police. Acting swiftly, the police managed to catch Rupert and brought him to the feed mill utilized by Herbivorous Acres. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Herbivorous Acres was contacted to inquire if they had room to accommodate the injured and frightened young drake.
Feeding Hungry People Vegan Meals — How You Can Help!
May 14, 2924
Since January, CAA volunteers have been serving delicious vegan meals at Simpson Housing. This initiative helps to ensure that residents of Simpson Housing get nutritious meals — and it was all started by our dedicated volunteers!
The program has been a huge success, with volunteer spots filling up quickly, and appreciative residents who love the meals. But, to keep this program going, we are asking for help from our community.
VEGAN PLEASE Web Series Premiere: Comedy, conversation, and culinary delights
May 13, 2024
Over 50 enthusiastic attendees gathered for the premiere of the new comedy web series, “VEGAN PLEASE,” on April 20th. The event was held at the culmination of Compassionate Action for Animals’ Veg Week 2024. Guests were treated to the debut screening of episodes 1 and 2, followed by an engaging panel discussion with the series’ creators.
The event was held at Hark! Cafe and attendees enjoyed delectable vegan appetizers and desserts, adding to the event’s festive atmosphere. The menu featured mouthwatering mini pizzas, arancini, and brownies, all provided by Hark! Cafe. Known for their commitment to vegan, gluten-free, and scratch-made cuisine, these offerings delighted attendees, with food and a non-alcoholic drink included in the ticket price.
For an extra dose of premiere extravaganza, guests also had the opportunity to have their pictures taken on the mini red carpet!
Street Food | Vegan Recipe Club | July 2024
Vegan Recipe Club for July — Potluck Discussion With Zoom Option: Street Vegan by Adam Sobel
Date/Time
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
The cookbook and recipes for this month will be Street Vegan (2015) by Adam Sobel
Click here to download the recipes for this month.
If you are curious about vegan cooking, this club is for you! Each month participants make three recipes from popular cookbooks then share their reflections with the group. This month will feature an in-person discussion and potluck as well as the usual zoom option. Bring one of the dishes from the cookbook to share with other participants over a great discussion. Novice to expert cooks are welcome, as are interested non-cooks. Registration not required.
About Street Vegan
This is how the publisher describes the cookbook: “Meatless meals revamped by the Cinnamon Snail, the vegan food truck with a cult following. What’s the secret behind the Cinnamon Snail’s takeover of New York City streets? In all kinds of weather, vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike queue up for addictive vegan cuisine from truck owner Adam Sobel. Now Adam brings his food straight to your kitchen, along with stories of the challenges of working on a food truck while still finding ways to infuse food with imagination, love, and a pinch of perspective. Street Vegan brings the energy and passion of the Cinnamon Snail’s creative cooking from truck to table.”
This month’s featured recipes:
- Tequila Lime Tostones – pg 90 – 91
- Korean Barbecue Seitan – pg 130
- Gooey Salted-Caramel Pecan Turtle Bars – pg 196
optional:
- Chickpea Crab Cakes – pg 74
- Bangin’ Bao – pg 134
- Sesame Bean Paste Bao Bun Filling – pg 135
- Peking Seitan Bao Buns Filling – pg 136
- Oyster Mushroom Bao Buns with Kimchi and Sriracha Mayonnaise – pg 136
Vegan Recipe Club General Details
The Vegan Recipe Club is for everyone—those curious about vegan cooking and those more experienced with it. The club explores plant-based recipes created by cooks of varying cultures and nationalities and cookbooks are suitable for the novice to experienced cook.
This club aims to feature recipes that are great tasting and support the health of participants. It’s a chance to build community with others interested in vegan cooking. Best of all, these meals also help the animals and the environment!
How does it work?
In the month prior to the Vegan Recipe Club Meeting, you can download the recipes for free from the top of this page.
Try making one or more of the recipes then come to share and discuss what you thought about them with the group.
The group is facilitated by volunteer and board member Henry Patterson of Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA).
If you have questions about the recipes or the Vegan Recipe Club between meetings, email info@exploreveg.org.
Join us online — or in person!
The club meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are held via Zoom and occasionally in person; see details below.
Join Zoom Meeting, with passcode 467109
Or use the dial-in information: Meeting ID: 815 7424 7392 Passcode: 467109 Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Find previous recipes
View more information and previous recipes