If choosing a college is something you have to tackle in the next year or so, and vegetarian food choices are a factor in your decision, this list should be a monumental help for you.
peta2 has compiled a list of the Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Colleges! These are all American colleges, so apologies to our foreign friends. So who eats the most tofu? Let's find out.
1. American University
Living up to its tradition of having one of the most motivated student populations in the nation, AU students rallied long and hard for this victory, and it shows. With countless healthy and delicious vegan options available on campus—from vegan Korean barbecue to spicy seitan in miso broth with noodles—it's clear where students get their energy!
2. Wesleyan University
Rarely have we seen a campus so enthusiastically embrace their meatless options the way that Wesleyan has. By setting up voting stations and even hanging large banners on campus reminding students to cast their ballots, the university was able to draw national attention to the many cruelty-free options available in its dining halls, such as barbecued tempeh wraps and seared tofu with broccoli over sticky rice.
3. University of Oregon
At a university that epitomizes the progressive attitude, it's no surprise that the dining halls at UO are light years ahead of mainstream America when it comes to vegan options. Featuring eye-catching choices like tempeh fajitas, tofu Philly sandwiches, and teriyaki tempeh skewers, it's no wonder that one dining-services representative said of the vegan options on campus, "[I]t is simply part of what we do and absolutely ingrained into our menus and culture."
4. Purchase College (SUNY)
After placing fifth in 2006, Purchase College has returned triumphantly to this year's list! Some of the many vegan options that have led to its success include breaded soy chicken, barbecued tofu, and portobello mushrooms stuffed with wild rice and cranberries. And don't forget about Terre Ve Café, Purchase's all-vegetarian hotspot. If these trends continue, we expect big things from Purchase in 2009!
5. University of California, Santa Cruz
With "going green" all the rage on college campuses, it should come as no surprise that schools like UCSC are leading the charge—starting with the food! Under the supervision of the student animal rights group, Banana Slugs for Animals, the university has dazzled its diners with vegan breakfast burritos, polenta lasagna, tofu scramble served on tomato-chipotle flatbread, and many, many more! Santa Cruz, your students, the planet, and animals all thank you!
Cruise on over to peta2 to check out numbers 6-10, and to see the veg friendly Canadian colleges.
What do you think, does being a veggie-friendly school influence your decision?
-SocialVibe
Today isn't just the first day in December and the start of another holiday season - it's also World AIDS Day. And in a time when over 33 million people are affected worldwide, we just can't stand by idly. We've collaborated with Direct Relief International with the goal of raising $30,000 to provide medical treatment to AIDS patients in Kenya.
We have a special message to current and future SocialVibe members from Kristi of Direct Relief, who has and will continue to personally visit Kenya to be sure all your donations are going towards the cause.
The reality of HIV in our world is huge. There are over 33 million people infected right now, and two-thirds of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa, home to only 10% of the world’s population. Kenya alone has about 2 million people infected and sadly over 80 percent of them don’t even know they are infected. Without access to HIV test kits and medicine to decrease the virus in the body, millions will die prematurely and even more children will become orphaned.
In response to this growing need in Kenya, Direct Relief International provides HIV test kits and drug therapy to locally based clinics. I recently visited our partners in Kisumu, Kenya to see the impact of the disease myself. I found about 55 to 60 percent of those tested were found positive. Unfortunately, many of the facilities lack the resources to provide the life-prolonging medications that can help these people. This is why Direct Relief is doing all it can to help.
While in Kenya, I spent a day visiting several people infected with HIV, who are patients of our partner clinics. I heard so many stories of hope and thankfulness. One man told me, "I was close to death, but these medicines have given me life again. Now I must find others and tell them there is hope." A woman with tears in her eyes told me how her son dropped out of school to care for her while she was ill. Now, after receiving treatment provided to her local clinic by Direct Relief, she feels healthy and strong and is able to care for her family again.
Life-threatening if not treated, HIV doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Knowing your status early and beginning treatment before the virus increases beyond what your immune system can handle means you can live a somewhat normal life.
My wish is that SocialVibe can help Direct Relief extend life for some, save a parent for others, and give hope to many. Thanks for all your support!
We can't reach this goal without you, our members, and here's how you can help.
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1. Dedicate your status to the cause on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social network. Update with :
2. Change your default profile picture to the image below.
Click image for full size
3. Invite your friends to join SocialVibe in honor of Direct Relief. Visit their Cause page on SocialVibe and click "Spread the Word." The Top 3 members who recruit the most people to join in support of Direct Relief by the end of the year will win one of three autographed Linkin Park albums.
With your help, we CAN reach our goal by the end of the year! To find out more about what Direct Relief is doing to help in Kenya, visit their website.
-SocialVibe
Continuing it's official world tour, the SocialVibe Pink Ball recently arrived in London.
Got a pic of the Pink Ball in your city or on vacation with you somewhere cool? Send it in to us at pinkballphotos@socialvibe.com.
How to get a Pink Ball? Visit socialvibe.com/pinkball
Happy Sunday!
Now that the holiday season has officially arrived, many of us are in ultra-consumer mode, buying for ourselves and for others. Before you start eying that new, trendy coat for yourself this winter, take some time to go through your old coats and jackets and donate them to someone in need.
Here are just a few helpful ways to clear your closet and give someone else warmth this holiday season.
- One Warm Coat - Search by zip code to find a coat drive happening in your community. You can even think bigger and organize your own coat drive through the site too!
Got an old fur coat? Take it to your local Buffalo Exchange store sometime before Earth Day to donate it to The Humane Society of the United States, and the group will use the fur to warm and comfort orphaned or injured wildlife. The condition of the coat isn’t important, and fur trims, accessories and shearling are acceptable too.
New York Cares
This website is much like One Warm Coat, but is specific to New Yorkers. Find drop-off spots for your coat in the big apple or organize your own drive.
Aside from those three, I'm sure your local shelter or thrift store would be happy to take your old threads off your hands.
I have more than a few coats in my closet that aren't doing much aside from taking up space... they'd be much better off with someone who is less fortunate than me. I think I know what I'll be doing this weekend, and it doesn't involve buying a new coat!
via Green LA Girl
