Almost two weeks remaining for the start of summer. The sun, king in the highest and giant fried egg in the lowlands, bursting the thermometer as if angry at excess leaden sky during the cold months. This is the time of the resulting heater under our skin. We do not know if the dance of hormones is due to sunlight, natural biorhythms or everyone is lighter clothing, but as the warm weather approaches we-want-a rare thing to rejoice in the light and warm even more. Cooliflowerenses, is the perfect time to talk about PETA and, incidentally, collect a good selection of her controversial photos.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, for the known universe, are famous worldwide for their campaigns by environmentalists neophytes seldom free from controversial. We, frankly, in an Iberian attitude, we spent all this because it seems ridiculous. What can we say! It is strange that a piece of bare skin, may be obscene to some subjects that provide unblinking bloodshed during the afternoon. If the images of their campaigns are obscene, opportunistic, provocative or sexist, the Venus de Milo or Michelangelo’s David would cover of Penthouse.

Among the many virtues of PETA, is the wide dissemination of their campaigns with great results. They know little pressure as NGOs (take a look at his campaign against McDonalds). What does it arguably falls within the limit of his philosophy, which may be to equate a murderer (to be murderer, by definition, is to kill people) and a family who sacrificed a chicken to eat. They said on their website “may believe that animals should be killed, that black people should be enslaved or that women should be beaten, but not always have the right to take their beliefs into practice.” Well, until proven otherwise, humans are naturally omnivorous and vegetarian option, healthy, but an option …

What we believe in Cooliflower about PETA? Although we disagree on certain issues and grind his policy of “animal euthanasia,” sometimes to balance an extremely uneven balance is needed to counteract the excess weight … without preamble: a great evil can be good the great remedies. About what we harbor no doubts and share with the brazen petarianos is that one way to end hunger in the world is consuming more vegetable for PETA said: “Only the world’s cattle consume a quantity of food equivalent to the caloric needs 8,700 million, ie more than the total population on earth.. ” And now, friends, to enjoy the images. We love to be educated as well. Experience the green!

Discover the song of the week.

Organic gourmet dog treats

Published in 2009 by the Kairos editorial in Spain, here’s the bestseller by Daniel Goleman “Ecological Intelligence”.

As one of our favorite bedside books, our blog would have been incomplete without an entry dedicated to it.
You know Goleman, no doubt, as the psychologist who popularized the term “Emotional Intelligence” in 1995. Since then, job selection processes are more entertaining (and sometimes more surreal). It not only seeks a skilled worker, but it charges the highest relevance the empathetic factor. Goleman came to tell us, for the common people and similar to that ad of tires, that “intelligence is nothing without control.”

“Ecological Intelligence”, although, in our view, it is not fair to the organic cotton industry or at least as far as our t-shirts and dyes are concerned, remains our primary reference manual because the most important is learning to think. The ideal is to achieve the status of citizens (and therefore consumers) changing the world with individual actions.
Goleman explained in the first chapter how he discovered that a harmless toy car for his grandson could be toxic because of its high lead content. When in doubt, never gave this present and decided to study the intricacies of society and industry. He also delved into the hidden part, mixing sustainability and ethics, coming to a conclusion that he takes from the South African Ian McCollum: “We have to stop talking about healing the Earth. There is no Earth, but we who need to be cured. “
The cure, according to Goleman, is based on what he calls radical transparency. He wondered how will affect us all if society, including children in school, have access to all information in the manufacturing process and distribution of products. Probably many myths fall. We would stop buying “green” products, as some low-emission vehicles because they reserve their load of CO2 and environmental impact to the manufacturing process.
Without getting longer, because what’s interesting is to read a great book that leads to the thought itself rather than indoctrination, we pick this line about buying a product: “Have you ever wondered how they can produce it so cheap? (…) What kind of liquid will spill into a river, which gas have they released into the air, and what materials have they thrown in a landfill? “.

A book to enrich the brain, essential for Cooliflower fans.

Are you unemployed, without a couple, suffering from bunions? Are your debts besetting you? Are you hungry on the street? We have the solution: we will sacrifice you and… Hardship out!
We do not need sad people who, when is not seeking for an employment, stay in a park feeding the pigeons. Relocating is delicate. Too much paperwork, too many mouths for few plates of food … But do not despair, you will rest (in peace) and we too.

Indeed, the above was irony. We have not gone mad, but actively working on it for the good of society. This introduction emerged of an “animal protection framework” that will bring us closer to Europe and improve the luck of all animals. The announcement brings some hope for the International Year of Biodiversity with the utmost respect for all species, including our faithful companions. Respect is important, after all. And there are a lot of people more unpleasant and less profitable than a dog that is not released left in the middle of nowhere.

Remember that when a dog is abandoned, it’s most likely fate is death. Why? Less costs, less paperwork … and less suffering, they say. Dogs are not as clever as humans. They don’t reason, don’t understand what they did wrong to be in the street and that leads us to destroy them for their own good … The human logic is often more complicated than the dog’s logic. So, if someone that doesn’t bark is able to solve this insane puzzle, please do it.

If we could go back, straighten the course, banish those who sow skeletons, resurrect the dead ones, construct solid walls between people and dictatorial politicians, ask Mother Earth to a truce… We can’t. There are no words to eliminate pain. Haiti is dying, crying new tears on dry tears. It never rains but it pours.

Let’s observe a minute of silence.

And now, abandon the condolences in the booth of useless things and let’s do something to help. Silence will not rebuild lives.

Haïti, mon pays, wounded mother I’ll never see…

A way to help:
Wyclef Jean (Black Eyed Peas). Through his foundation Yele, Haitian-born singer earmarked $ 5 to benefit the island by sending a text message to number 501501

Denmark, evolved society paradigm, is the country with the best wages, the happiest people, less corrupt politicians… This perfectly balanced society sent to prison Nora Christiansen, Christian Schmutz, Joris Thijssen and director of Greenpeace Spain, Lopez de Uralde, for displaying the banner: Politicians talk, leaders act. Fortunately they have been released but pending trial.

Some might say this was not a peaceful act but a breach of safety standards to destabilize an international meeting. What’s more, they will add that they threatened global security. What would have happened if Obama had caught influenza A because of him? What if they had blown up the more expensive hair implant of an agent? How rare are these guys of Greenpeace!

Semi-seriously, to imprison peaceful activists has been shameful when war criminals are free to attend charity events. But is the fear of fear, terror of the unexpected (dear friends, if not unexpected life is no life!) what sells, coerces and distorts our vital prism.

Acts such as the “happily-ridiculous wannabe terrorist” who managed to undermine their own briefs brings us back to the Orwellian universe, rendered to a relentless struggle against nonexistent enemies. Beware of people from Greenpeace!
Peaceful actions by and for a better world, if not always legal, may be lawful. Cooliflower rejoices in the release of the activists but mostly by the momentum that the news has given the bland Copenhagen agreement disagreement. It is heartening to know that Greenpeace has raised by 20% the number of new partners, but Cooliflower prefer awareness to avoid the need for martyrs. After thousands of years of learning, we should proceed without them.
* Do the Evolution, Pearl Jam

Half of the oaks around the world are in the Iberian Peninsula.

We should thank these sturdy trees. A multitude of animal and plant species are associated with them, generating stable and rich ecosystems. Oaks are representative of nature, friends that never fail and forgive our faults, always strong against fire, wind or incompetence. Its thick bark saves them from fire and it’s altruistically transferred for industrial use. This majestic giant is deeply rooted in our history. Spain and Portugal make up half of the cork forests worldwide and over 80% of the world’s cork production.
The indiscriminate felling, fire and property speculation diminish our forests. But when environmental policies do not take care of the environment industry can do, though sometimes it’s responsible for the deforestation.
Cork is sadly being replaced by non-sustainable materials. It is becoming increasingly common to find bottles of wine with plastic stoppers. We must convince employers and institutions that the forest area, as well as ornamental, is profitable. Our message is clear: nature, except rare exceptions, is generally impossible to improve. The cork should continue to be our great ally, either in the form of stopper or as a natural insulator.
Cooliflower fans, toast with knowledge. Use cork and save forests.

The growing awareness pays off; as are millions of us actively looking for a better world. And as we know that the sum of all the little details will change the world, we’ve created a simple list of purposes for 2010.

• Energy efficient lights. Right now! Ten times more duration and between 50% and 80% energy savings. There is still any conventional light bulb at home? You’re losing a lot of money and valuable energy.
• Take advantage of technology. There are efficient appliances that provide significant savings. Why not low-power computers? The writer of these words is proud to use an inexpensive computer that consumes less than a light bulb.
• Take advantage of technology … but not too much. Do we need to change every six months mobile phone? New technologies do not always make life easier. Millions of people die in both the coltan mines and in the wars associated with the extraction of this rare mineral. If your phone works, it’s not a brick and you don’t need more … Why do you buy another one?
• If you do not use, disconnect! A mobile phone charger plugged ALWAYS uses energy. A TV Stand by consumes power even when not apparent. Switch off is a big change.
• If you don’t really need the plane, don’t use it, Rockefeller. We keep insisting: Domestic flights are the main allies of CO2.
• Look for fair trade and organic. Buy-whenever possible-with consciousness. Gaia and its people will thank you. We want you in our green ranks. We offset the CO2 and use organic cotton, but not only have we believed in a better world. Search the market!
• And most important: Think! Do not settle, don’t believe everything they say. Compare numbers and data. Read from “Ecological intelligence” to “The Lies of Climate Change”. Give yourself the gift of indulgence to rectify without fear. The amount of different and unexpected situations will give coherent answers. Take the initiative and responsibility, no politician or NGO decide on your daily actions.

And above all, be happy! The wonder of ecology is that life, despite everything, always comes out.

“Only 11 countries are responsible for 95% of trawling in depth, and Spain is the main country that performs this type of fishing.”
Sebastián Losada, head of Greenpeace’s oceans campaign.

Seeing our experienced fishermen in international waters to combat the elements (accepting elements as pirates) their situation moves us. It’s a hard work, dangerous and poorly paid. And when we feel sorry for people, we run the risk of being partisan, not knowing if their work is beneficial to humanity. Because not all types of fishing are positive, because in Spain, queen of drag, there are pirates from another kind. Before changing this year, I left four reflections for the last Christmas Gourmet tour:
• Fresh products out of season does not come from nowhere. The balance of ecosystems is based on respecting the cycles of nature.
• Food chains are essential for the survival of all species. If the shrimp is overfished it eliminates dozens of marine species, if the tuna is extinct our costs will be filled with jellyfish (one of the main food of tuna).
• The sustainable fishing international seal is hardly used in Spain. To be able to buy with a conscience we must push governments and shops.
• Look at your table this year. The luxury does not exist, is a story to feed the ego. The luxury is unique and difficult to achieve happiness with consciousness as smooth as possible.

Cooliflower fans, if you’ve reached the end of this post, you deserve a prize. A great song belongs to the beautiful film “Where the Wild Things Are” to end the year. We hope this 2010 will be infinitely better than 2009. All is love, a big hug.

We would be a few hypocrites if we were not admitting that this global crisis is caused by consumerism. The longing to have has knocked down empires, has showed us to always ask for more, at any cost, even when we don’t know what is more. A bigger car, a softest skin, less wrinkles, bigger breast, less buttocks… If you only value what measures a piece of meat, you are simply a butcher.

Dear friend, no object replaces an embrace, no economic ostentation conceals individual lacks. Remember the happiest moments of your life; what was there? Kisses, landscapes, friends … To fight against the passage of time with a credit card as sword is to fight against an impregnable dragoon, against your own life.

But, what am I going to tell you? Also we would be hypocrites if we don’t admit that in punctual moments of our life, we need this consumer part. It is one’s recovers for the eventual sadness. Doing the shared process of purchase, you can touch hearts. Excuse me for this candy moment, it must be because of the dates … Make presents with love! Tell someone that’s so important for you. Make presents with heart and with conscience.

We – only if you want! – are an option. We make it very easy for you and now, with our 25 % of discount for Cooliflower fans, much more attainable. In the Cooliflower shop, when you are going to buy any of our products and we ask you for your user information, select the option: “Gift Voucher”. Once finished the process of purchase, the person that you have elected will receive in his e-mail your personalized letter of congratulation and the notice of the sending of your gift. It is nice to send happiness.

And finally, Cooliflower fans, Merry Christmas!

More info:

Looking for the perfect gift?
1. Decide on the product you want to offer.
2. Make your purchase as usual.
3. When you ask your user data, select the “Send Gift Voucher”
4. Once the purchase process, the person you’ve chosen will instantly receive in your email your personalized greeting and send notice of your gift.

**** Cooliflower, the only present doubly ecological ****
All our products help offset a portion of your CO2 emissions and on the other, are made with certified organic cotton, according to a traditional and sustainable production.

We had light suspicions, but there is no doubt: it is not the climate. It is not the man. It is not the lack of commitment. It is the bad use of the grammar what is finishing with the world.

We have to fight against psychopathic sentences that avoid the morality. They serve to damage in an elegant way or to iron wrinkles. We talk about what’s politically correct, about the hypocrisy turned into word, a Champagne of two hundred Euros per bottle reserved only for high spheres. Do not forget it, never do a “preventive assault that provokes collateral damages”. The evilness, protected by grammar, must be done to planetary scale. To damage a man rapidly is a crime, to murder thousands and thousands slowly is named politics.

Copenhagen has been a Roman circus where our favorite euphemisms have been overcome by a surprising victor; a small sentence will go on to the history in a shameful way: “not binding agreement“. We needed much more than another Kyoto protocol and we have something worse: a not binding agreement to check in a year. So, we can sign a thing and do another. Nothing represents better all our epoch.

What do we still have now? Bukowski was saying “they give us nice pats in the back and say that our poison is politics”. And the poet, with his sincerity afloat – a stopper of cork about alcohol – was telling the truth. Recently a friend was commenting: “always I have myself, my own best friend and adviser”. And this is what we still have, that is not small. Look us in a mirror and feel proud of the reflection, of what it represents. Let’s leave the bureaucrats to consume its soul among papers. Give example to others doing of our life a binding agreement, which joined us with the Earth when we were born.