First, did you know that Robin Quivers is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Taking Action for Animals conference in DC (June 27-30)? Register now; I hope to see you there!

In a major, hard-to-overstate-the-importance ruling this week, the World Trade Organization found that preventing animal cruelty can be a justifiable reason to limit trade in certain products. The implications for animal welfare legislation around the globe are enormous.

Speaking of the legal system, the battery egg producers responsible for the country’s largest egg recall were just charged with federal felonies stemming from that incident.

Finally, Nickelodeon star Daniella Monet is the latest celeb to join with HSUS to promote Meatless Monday to students. You can see some news coverage and watch her awesome new quick video.

Paul Shapiro
Vice President, Farm Animal Protection
The Humane Society of the United States
Follow at http://twitter.com/pshapiro

P.S. Video of the week: If there was a contest of the best ways to wake a pig, this would win hands down.

P.P.S. Photo of the week: The best kind of branch manager.

Vegan Cuts kept saying their May Beauty Box was going to be special, but dang, that shiz was BANANAS! It was mostly full-size stuff instead of samples AND totally things I’m so excited about! Because I really just like samples in general so I’m happy for whatever samples I ever get, but this has stuff that I’m ALWAYS looking for vegan versions of—like a eyelash strengthening mascara! YES PLEASE! I have bitty lashes but I thought eyelash serum things wouldn’t be vegan. 

So I’m very excited about the Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques lash-strengthening mascara. I also firmly believe in finishing powder so I love the big ol’ jar of Gourmet Body Treats Raw Finishing Powder. And I’m super excited for the Sevi texturize spray because I like a good wave. There was also a giant tube of SkinAgain Youth lotion, which is great because my mom says I’m destined to have spotty British skin like her and my grandma and I’m like, KILL THAT NOISE, OLD LADY!

Yeah, in conclusion: BONKERS!

ALSO, did you see they came out with a vegan dog lovers box?! I WANT!!!

I got this for free but if you want to try it, the box subscription is $19.99 a month, shipping included (for US addresses. International is more). 

The party you’ve been waiting for is imminent! Veggie Prom 2014 is June 8th, do you have your tickets? Get them here! 

If you know anything, you know it’s only the funnest party of the year. Pretty outfits, yummy vegan food, and cool tunes! Oh, and it benefits Darwin Animal Doctors! Partying to save animals is my favorite kind of partying. 

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. It’s at Fontana’s, everyone’s favorite Vegan Drinks hangout. You don’t need a date, but I happen to be available. For a limited time only!

There will be all kinds of yummy vegan food (Gone Pie and Regal Vegan are two of the sponsors—I hope that means Gone Pie and Regal Vegan yummies for all!!). There will also be cool prizes and of course, Prom Court!

So get your tickets now! Vegan fun times are waiting!

Yes! It’s our best giveaway ever! Vaute has a new membership program, [love, Vaute], and to celebrate, we are giving away a three month membership! That means up to six Vaute tops for our lucky winner!

[love, Vaute] was created because, as you may already know, new Vaute stuff sells out so fast! So to reward their best customers, you can now get a membership that gives you a nice discount PLUS first dibs on new shirts before they go public! And there will be brand new designs launched each month, including two dedicated to Vaute’s favorite nonprofits.

This month’s top, benefiting Born Free!

Let me explain the program. You sign up for one of three options: a monthly subscription (two tanks or tees OR one long-sleeve shirt a month), a year-long subscription of new tops each month, or a 10-pack of tops to choose over a year. Like I said, when new designs come out, you will get first dibs before they go public. You’ll have a week to pick your tops (or they will pick for you if you want!) before they go on sale for everybody. 

After you sign up for one of the three membership plans, you take the membership quiz, this helps inform future designs or what they select for you if you don’t want to choose your own. Then, every month when the new designs come out, Vaute will email you a link to the pre-sale store and you get to pick your monthly designs! FUN TIMES!

Leanne designed this top for Earth Day New York and their kids organic garden program: Lettuce Grow a Beautiful World!

Ok down to the giveaway! Vegansaurus is giving away a THREE-month [love, Vaute] membership! That means early access to choose free tops (two tanks or tees OR one long sleeve a month) for three whole months!

To win! Answer one or both of these questions:

1. What sold-out top would you like Vaute to bring back most and why?
2. What specific animal or nonprofit would you like Vaute to create a design for in the next few months, and why?

Leave your answer in the comments on this post and we will pick a winner by 5 p.m. EST next Tuesday, May 27! We will email the winner Tuesday/Wednesday. 

UPDATE: It’s open internationally! Yay!

Guys, this is so exciting. I want to enter! But I won’t. But you guys can! Ok, go!

“You see, Rodya, to my thinking, the great thing for getting on in the world is always to keep to the seasons; if you don’t insist on having asparagus in January, you keep your money in your purse.”
-Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

Like any normal person, I didn’t like asparagus as a child. But in my old age, I’m a big fan! And not only is it yummy, it’s a good source of calcium, iron, riboflavin, potassium, dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. Yowza! I hear it’s also high in antioxidants. You go, asparagus!

So I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when I got to the Carroll Gardens Green Market yesterday and saw bunches of asparagus at my favorite farm stand! It’s asparagus season again! Huzzah! I got me a nice little bunch. 

Once I got it home, I boiled it quick-like and dipped it in some Just Mayo and I called it a day. But I want to make something super cool next week! So I looked up some recipes and thought I’d share them with you guys. 

First up is a delicious looking alfredo pizza with roasted asparagus by Vegan Miam! It uses Victoria Vegan Alfredo sauce so it’d be super easy peasy. And it has beer in the crust or something! BEER!

Well look at this! SO PRETTY. It’s an asparagus and beetroot tartlet from Flavour Photos! And according to the blog, asparagus season (in the UK) starts on Shakespeare’s bday! How lovely. 

Helloooo, nurse! I would tear up this asparagus and sundried tomato quiche. From the Sweet Life Online! Gimme!

Next, for something super hearty, we have a lovely asparagus portobello risotto from our favorite food genius Vegan Yack Attack!

Here we have kale, asparagus, and chickpea pesto from Munchin with Munchkin. I could eat this maybe every day? I accept that challenge! 

Finally, if you need any tips picking the best asparagus bunch, our omni BFF Jerry James Stone has made this lovely video for you: 

So these are all the recipes I want to try! How about you guys?! Any recommendations for me?