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I've talked about my closet love affair with dairy before. Take anything that's smooth and creamy and I'm in. Freeze it and add some chocolate and nuts, and i'll likely be stealing your portion also.
I used to consume a lot of dairy, especially when I decided to be fully vegetarian. Back then I thought I needed it for protein and calcium, and of course I was a big fan of the taste having been brought up in dairy-crazed New Zealand. After some research though, I realised that the dairy industry is not that great a place for cows to hang out. You see in order to produce milk, dairy cows need to be kept continually pregnant and give birth every year. However once their calves are born there is no further use for the vast majority of them. These 'bobby calves', which include all male calves born and around three quarters of female calves born, are separated from their mothers within as little as 12 hours after birth. A few of them are raised for a couple of months, then slaughtered to be sold as veal (baby calf meat). However the remainder are transported, completely bewildered, to be killed as unwanted 'waste products' of the dairy industry.
Because there is little money in bobby calves, they are normally transported in terrible overcrowded conditions without food, water or room to lie down. Understandably they arrive at the slaughterhouse fragile, weak and absolutely terrified without their mothers. There is often additional abuse by farm workers that takes place. Mother cows also grieve for their lost babies, and it is common on dairy farms to hear the sad howling of mothers calling for their lost babies for weeks. I've read about a number of instances where a mother cow has broken out of the paddock and run for hours trying to find her lost baby calf.
In the New Zealand dairy industry alone (a country of only 4 million people), over 1,700,000 bobby calves are killed every single year (2015 update - this is now over 2 million). In Australia more than 700,000 are killed each year. The global dairy industry is one of the least understood animal industries, and has long operated under a veil of secrecy. What they want us to see is rolling meadows of happy cows milling about. Understandably, we're never shown footage of what happens once they're inside closed walls. The industry knows that many consumers of milk would find the callous treatment of bobby calves completely unacceptable and rethink their consumption of dairy and financial support of the industry.
Another shocking practice in the dairy industry is the induction of healthy, pregnant cows, who are forced to abort their calves prematurely simply to fit in with the farmers' milking schedules. This is so the whole herd can be brought into line with each other and begin producing milk at the same time, rather than inconveniencing farmers until they have all given birth naturally. Many of these calves die during the abortion process, while some are born alive and killed not long after birth (2015 update - the practice of induction is now illegal in NZ, however is still practiced overseas - premature birthing is also still encouraged on some farms in the hopes of birthing a stillborn and therefore not having to 'deal' with another living calf).
In the US it gets worse, where dairy cow mothers are confined in factory style concrete sheds, unable to roam pastures as they naturally would, and fed artificial hormones and low quality grains instead of their natural diet of grass. Their baby calves earmarked to be sold as veal are kept in tiny steel metal crates for the few short months of their lives, where they can't move their muscles, and are kept weak and anaemic (no iron) so as to achieve the apparent 'delicacy' that is a lighter coloured more tender piece of flesh.
It's a pretty nasty industry, all in the name of a slice of cheese, a tub of greek yoghurt, or a creamy ice cream. It's also generally the reason why most people who've chosen to be vegetarian for ethical reasons, end up veering towards being 'vegan'. If you'd like to learn more (no nasty videos I promise), SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) in NZ provides some great information here, as does Animals Australia here.
It was therefore with great excitement that I spotted my friend Insa making these gorgeous homemade Magnum Ice Creams one day. Magnums have long been my all time favourite icecream, and truth be told I've struggled to replace them with an equally delicious creamy frozen treat that's cruelty free too. So these tasty treats have been my saviour. Creamy, indulgent and delicious, yet healthy, dairy free and refined sugar free.
They also don't contain palm oil which I was horrified to learn was also an ingredient in my beloved Magnums. Palm oil plantations are one of the main causes of mass deforestation in subtropical Asia, as well as the cause of a number of endangered species such as Orangutans, Rhinos, Pygmy Elephants, Sun Bears and Snow Leopards reaching near extinction (many of these animals now have less than 50 of their kind left in the world - truly shocking stuff).
So here's to the bobby calves, their dear mums, the orangs, rhinos, elephants, sun bears and snow leopards. And here's to my wonderful friend Insa for sharing this delightful recipe with us, helping us save the world one cruelty free ice cream at a time.
Makes 4
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Always use certified organic ingredients where possible
1c coconut cream
1c (about 2) ripe bananas
1tsp vanilla powder/vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
½c cacao butter (or coconut oil*)
½c cacao powder
2 Tbsp coconut nectar/agave syrup/maple syrup/brown rice malt syrup
Caramel Filling
1c soft medjool dates
2 Tbsp almond butter
c = 250ml cup, tbsp = 15ml tablespoon, tsp = 5ml teaspoon
*The chocolate can also be made with coconut oil. I have made it both ways: cacao butter gives a nicer texture and taste (and won't melt as quickly), but coconut oil is also lovely.
To remove the ice creams run water over the mould. They should pull out easily (if not, repeat this step). Lay the popsicles onto a tray lined with baking paper and return to the freezer while you make the chocolate.
To make the chocolate: stir the cacao butter over low heat until melted. Add the cacao powder and maple syrup and stir until smooth.
Dip the popsicles in the chocolate. Place back on your paper lined tray and return to the freezer while you make the caramel.
To make the caramel: blend the dates, almond butter and a splash of water in your blender, food processor or Thermomix. You will need to stop and scrape the sides of your machine a few times, and add small amounts of water as you go, to get a smooth thick caramel consistency.
Spread the caramel on one side of each ice cream, being careful to smooth the edges and top as much as possible. Return to the freezer for another 1-2 hours until the caramel has firmed up to the touch and is no longer sticky.
Gently re-melt the chocolate over low heat if necessary and dip the popsicles in the chocolate one last time. Return to freezer for another 30 minutes or so. Allow to thaw for a few minutes before devouring!
Note this recipe recreates the classic "Magnum Ego" otherwise known as a "Magnum Double Caramel". You can however also use the recipe to recreate many of the others in the range eg:
The possibilities are endless. You could also add half a cup of berries to your ice cream base for a berry version. I'm contemplating trialling a White Magnum (one of my favourite flavours) soon, using the basic recipe but swapping the cacao powder for raw soaked and blended cashews!
PS If you liked this recipe we'd love you to share it on Facebook (hit the Like button below), Tweet it, or forward to a health loving friend. And if you make it on Instagram, tag us @begoodorganics and #begoodorganics to be in to feature in our monthly 'Your Be Good Organics' album on Facebook.
Insa Haidn is a Brisbane based librarian, crafter, cat mama and organic gardener who is part-time studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Australia. She has a passion for creating delicious vegan treats using only wholesome ingredients, and is a whizz at making homemade dairy free ice creams. You can catch her delicious treats on Instagram.
Source: SAFE, RSPCA, Animals Australia, Sydney Morning Herald; The beautiful bobby calf images are thanks to Edgars Mission in Australia.
Buffy is the founder of Be Good Organics, and loves creating delicious yet simple plant-based whole foods recipes. Buffy also oversees our Be Good Organics online store, full of plant based goodies that she personally uses and loves. Sign up for our newsletter below to be the first to receive her weekly recipes.
These deliciously dark and mysterious tarts are just a little bit special, with a secret ingredient. Modestly sweet, with an earthy, nutty flavour- a lovely change from the usual fruity/chocolate affairs - give them a go, and fall in love!
These light and fruity muffins use one of my favourite fruits – feijoas! If you're a feijoa fan you'll love these (and if not, come to NZ to try them). Best of all, they have no added sugar – just the natural sweetness of feijoas, coconut, dates, and vanilla.
With the days getting colder and shorter, it's time to bring out the roast veg! This wonderful winter salad is spiked with the warming flavours of turmeric, cumin & smoked paprika. Pre-heat your oven and get ready for some tasty roasties.


text: Cheyenne – Laramie County Annual Tire Collection Is Saturday By Gailen Sprague May 16, 2012 11:21 AM Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How many times have you thought or used the excuse that "You are going to get rid of all this junk, but the landfill just won't take it"! Well you can't say that anymore …your dreams have come true!On Saturday May 19th, 2012 from 8am until 1pm. Cheyenne & Laramie County residents are welcome to dispose of old tires (including rims), batteries, e-waste, white goods and household hazardous waste at the Cheyenne Transfer Station, 22o North College Drive. No latex paint will be accepted and please no dealers. For more information, contact the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 307-633-4090 or visit their website at www.laramiecountyhealth.com Filed Under: annual tire collection | Cheyenne | laramie county Category: Events | Information Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Leave a comment Send to a friend! Print this page Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr! Best of KING FM Wyoming, Colorado Kids Take On Mini Bulls at Cheyenne Frontier Days [Photos] Cheyenne Council OKs Anti Rolling Coal Ordinance Authorities 'Swamped' With Six Fires Burning in Northeast Wyoming Meet A Famous Illustrated Horse in Real Life At Cheyenne Frontier Days Recommended For You ZergNet Best of the Web ZergNet

subset: commoncrawl


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Today we're headed to the pumpkin patch with Cupcakes' Daddy, Grandma, Poppa, Uncle and Aunt. And myself of course. 🙂 Pumpkin patch day is one of my favorites of the year! Here are some throw backs. Enjoy! <3
A year(ish) after Hobbs and I met
The October after we were married.
What a great photo idea I had, lol!
The Littlest Pumpkin <3 Oct. 2011
She was about 10 months old when we went to the pumpkin patch last year. 🙂
One of my favorite pictures of Cupcakes <3
I can't wait to see how excited Cupcakes is going to be seeing all those "punkins"! She just loves them so much and I love that she loves them! I think she is going to be beside herself, just thrilled!


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LIFE expectancy boost: Hatch Warren and Beggarwood has come second in a national table of districts ranked for life expectancy in a report for Public Health England.
According to the figures in the report, girls born here today have a life expectancy of just over 104 years!
SCHOOL choir at the O2: Hatch Warren Infant School Choir had a very big date this week – they performed at the O2 in London as part of the Young Voices Concert.
The concert took place yesterday and was a fantastic experience for the children. Here's hoping they had a wonderful and memorable time.
COMMUNITY association: Membership of the community association is up for renewal now.
Membership means not only supporting the running of the centre, with all the activities and events it provides, but also plenty of benefits, including discounts on tickets, early notification of events, and reduced fees for room hire.


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Project DescriptionThough traditional in appearance, this new three-bedroom home incorporates building techniques for the 21st century. The house is sited so that the south elevation is facing "solar south". This will maximize the amount of sun available for space heating and solar generated electricity. The house is exceptionally energy efficient in terms of the building shell, the appliances, and light fixtures. The goal is a net-zero design that provides enough on-site energy to satisfy demand. On an annual basis, the photovoltaic panels on the roof will provide the energy necessary to heat and power the home. This is accomplished with net metering. Surplus electricity that is generated in the summer months is "banked" or sold back to the electric company and this surplus is subsequently drawn down in the winter months. The solar panels are located on the adjacent barn roof.
The building shell is built of two 2 x 4 stud walls separated from each other by 5 inches. This provides a 12" deep cavity that is filled with dense pack cellulose (R-42). The roof joists are 14" deep and are filled with dense pack cellulose and covered on the interior with 2 inches of extruded polystyrene (R-59). The windows are triple-glazed on the north face.
The house is heated and air-conditioned with an air source heat pump. It works on the same principal as a refrigerator: it removes heat from the house in the summertime and works in reverse in the wintertime: it extracts heat from the outside air and uses it to heat the house.
Exterior materials are white cedar shingles, fiberglass and aluminum-clad wood windows, cypress trim, and a painted standing seam metal roof.