Got Mercury?

Did you know...



So turns out, in my case, never trying dolphin meat was actually a step in the direction of self-preservation.

However, this is not the only seafood that contains dangerously high levels of mercury. According to the Natural Resources Defence Council, one of the most common ways in which people are exposed to mercury is through tuna fish. In fact, if I (weighting 125lbs/57kg) were to eat just one can of tuna per week I would be exceeding the safe level of mercury ingestion outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency. Makes my tuna salad look quite a bit less appealing...

Week 4: Shaping Up

~~~

Week 4: Shaping Up

I have always considered myself to be quite fit. I danced a lot growing up (something which I am convinced set me up with an awesome metabolism for life), I walk often, and I go for the occasional run. However, recently the two flights of stairs up to my flat have become increasingly tiresome and I have come to realize that I am, in fact, totally out of shape. This needs to change. After all, I can't be productive or help anyone else if I do not take care of myself. 

Resolution: Do some form of serious exercise at least three times a week.

Day 27

~~~

Breakfast at Boulders. Perfect Sunday morning. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 26

~~~

Spent the morning doing outreach with high school choirs from around Cape Town. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 25

~~~

Had an amazing vanilla chai smoothie after choir tonight at Coco Oola. Apparently they also love herbs on the windowsill. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 24

~~~

I love Mexican food. And margaritas. And catching up with good friends. ♥

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that I am getting an opportunity to make a difference in the world through my research.

2. I am thankful for the hot weather; it won't last forever.

3. I am thankful for peach season.

Day 23

~~~

Date night. ♥

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 22

~~~

Spent the afternoon helping first year UCT students register. Admin to the max, but it's wonderful to be able to make this difficult transition a bit easier for them. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 21

~~~

Visited an amazing park in Claremont for the first time today. Filled with duck ponds, secret pathways, and rolling green lawns, it provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 20

~~~

I ♥ YouTube. And talented musicians. 

(Screen Shot)

Week 3: Meat-Free Times Two

~~~

Week 3: Meat-Free Times Two

In Week 1, I resolved to adopt a meat-free diet on one day of the week. Honestly, this wasn't difficult at all and, after watching Earthlings, I feel as though I need to continue to take steps towards a fully vegan diet. So this week I am upping the ante! 

Image Source

Resolution: Continue with my vegetarian diet on one day of the week (Mondays) and adopt a vegan diet on an additional day (Tuesdays). 

ps. For those of you who want to try this too, when you start looking for them, vegetarian and vegan recipes are easy to find, can still be super simple to make, and are full of variety. Here are a few of the awesome recipe websites I've come across so far:

Mouth Watering Vegan

Happy Herbivore

Vegan Yum Yum

Viva

Jamie Oliver

Day 19

~~~

Morning glory for a glorious Saturday.

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 18

~~~

There was a traffic jam on Kloof Street tonight. Very strange. But, rather than succumbing to road rage (which would have been very easy considering the general incompetence of involved drivers), Sister and I decided to take this as an opportunity to take a little detour through the beautiful suburb of Tamboerskloof. Can't complain. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Doing it for the fame...

Ok, that's probably a bit harsh. And, I have to admit, I was not immediately able to identify every person on the left. But, it is interesting how fame is distributed.

Those who make significant contributions to the world are often largely overlooked by the general population (do you know who won the Nobel Prize for Physics last year? I don't.), while those who achieve nothing of any consequence (aside from being entertaining) become household names. Arguably, Darwin did not write The Origin of Species for the fame (while Snookie's life appears to be one big publicity stunt) but is this skewed distribution of recognition ok? Or is it problematic that people know the "Guidos'" phrase "gym, tan, laundry," while Freud's "id, ego, and superego" flies over their heads. Would mankind be able to evolve more successfully if people had a better knowledge of history, of the amazing things that people have done before, and the innovations taking place today? Is pop culture drowning out all other culture?

Maybe. What do you think?

Day 17

~~~

Thesis-ing.

(Screen Shot)

Earthlings

"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women made for men." 

~ Alice Walker

Recently, my life has changed quite dramatically. In one very important respect, I have lost my blissful ignorance. My eyes have been opened, and, despite how much I might want to, I can't close them again. I am haunted by my knowledge of reality. 

I can no longer peacefully wander through the grocery store. I can't happily order my usual Hawaiian pizza. I can't lust over skilfully crafted leather wallets at Fossil. I am now painfully aware of the fact that as I go through my daily life I am continuously surrounded by and ingesting the carcasses of tortured and slain animals. I can't do it any more. 

Of course, I have always generally known where meat and other animal products come from and, aside from a year-long stint in my teens, I have not been a vegetarian. So, now you are probably wandering what brought about this sudden and drastic change of perspective. Simple. I watched Earthlings. 

EARTHLINGS is an award-winning documentary film about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research. Considered the most persuasive documentary ever made, EARTHLINGS is nicknamed “the Vegan maker” for its sensitive footage shot at animal shelters, pet stores, puppy mills, factory farms, slaughterhouses, the leather and fur trades, sporting events, circuses and research labs. 

The film is narrated by Academy Award® nominee Joaquin Phoenix and features music by platinum-selling recording artist Moby. “Of all the films I have ever made, this is the one that gets people talking the most,” said Phoenix. “For every one person who sees EARTHLINGS, they will tell three.”  

In 1999, writer/producer/director Shaun Monson began work on a series of PSAs about spaying and neutering pets. The footage he shot at animal shelters around Los Angeles affected him so profoundly that the project soon evolved into EARTHLINGS. The film would take another six years to complete because of the difficulty in obtaining footage within these profitable industries. Though the film was initially ignored by distributors, who told Monson that the film would “never see the light of day and should be swept under the rug,” today EARTHLINGS is considered the definitive animal rights film by organizations around the world.

Although seeing the magnitude of suffering depicted in this film was very difficult for me, I made it to the end by continually reminding myself that embracing ignorance is never a solution. It is never the way towards a better future. 

So, now I know the horrible details of this reality. Initially, this knowledge was nothing but upsetting. However, after a period of reflection, I have been able to harness it and adopt an alternative way of being in the world which brings me peace. A way in which I am no longer part of the problem. A way in which I am doing the least harm possible. A better way. 

Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is power. 

So, please, take this opportunity to empower yourself. 

Thankful Thursday

1. I so am thankful for my bursaries and that I no longer have to worry about how I am going to pay for varsity this year.

2. I am thankful that I have a beautiful and peaceful home to come back to everyday.

3. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to sing in the wonderful Cape Town Youth Choir.

Day 16

~~~

Had a lovely dinner with a lovely friend tonight. Wine, laughs, and deep and meaningful conversations were had by all. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)

Day 15

~~~

Purple shutters. Proof that old is still beautiful. 

(Kodak EasyShare C513)