There’s been a lot going on in the world of animal advocacy lately. You’ve probably heard of this little thing called Ag-Gag. If not you can click on the link in the previous sentence to read more about it or really just visit any website for any advocacy group for animals or free speech like the ACLU* and you’ll find information on what it’s about and what you can do – because honestly – even if you’re vegan for health reasons and could care less about animals – this is the kind of thing we all need to care about. I mean if it becomes illegal to expose abuses and shady practices involved in industries – how will we ever know what’s really in our food, how it’s being produced and who was hurt in the process? So please take a minute and sign some petitions. You can also see if one of these bills are happening in your state and make a call to your representatives if it is. Yeah Tennessee I’m looking at you!

Yesterday, a lovely woman in Utah named Amy Meyer was arrested for filming a slaughterhouse from a public street. The charges were dropped after 24 hours and what I can only imagine was a biblical flood phone calls. This isn’t the end of the story. They could still recharge her but the media and public outpouring of support almost brought a tear to my eye last night. I’ve done my time behind the camera in the 90s and can remember how powerless and alone you can feel. To see this outpouring of just outrage that politicians would prioritize big business over public safety and health – let alone animals – in such a bold-faced-jerk-sauce-way – well it touched my old lady activist heart that yearns for the day when filibusters are used the way they should be, schools don’t have to cut programs while companies like Weyerhaeuser and Exxon get tax breaks and there’s a vegan in every home!

I’ve been distracted by this, our upcoming trip to Portugal and all these Vegfests. Last weekend we were in Baltimore and before that we were in Worcester. It’s been a lot of emails and not getting to all the emails. We finally got on Instagram. I know welcome to 2009 but I’ve been busy. You can click here to follow me on Instagram. I know a lot of you have been following AJShannon on Instagram thinking that was me but no. Not me. Those are not my Asian children. But I am at MeetTheShannons. I promise to at least be interesting if not potentially awesome-pants-super-fly**. If you’ve already been following me on all those crazy social network kids – you have probably already seen the photo I posted of this recipe the other day.

Cowboy Caviar is not a recipe I had ever heard of before Betty Crocker came into our lives but I’ve come to really appreciate it this week. We’ve been busy and we’re always hungry. This recipe doesn’t just make a lot in like no time at all but it’s super versatile. It would be pretty much impossible to find an easier recipe. You can make a huge batch for a potluck, party or BBQ*** or you can enjoy it for a few days as leftovers in some pretty creative ways. We’re were pretty conservative the first night and had it with chips. The second night, we had it for dinner in taco shells. Today I’m enjoying the last little bit in a baked sweet potato. So yeah this recipe pretty much rocks.

Cowboy Caviar

1 can Black Eyed Peas, drained and rinsed

1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

1 can Corn Kernels, drained and rinsed

1 can Sliced Black Olives, drained

1 Avocado, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces

1 Red Onion, diced

2 Tomatoes, diced

1 Red Bell Pepper, diced

1 Jalapeño, sliced and take out the seeds

1/3 cup Cilantro, diced

1/3 cup Lime or Lemon Juice

1-2 Tablespoon Hot Sauce (depends on how hot you like it)

1 1/2 teaspoon Cumin

1 clove Garlic, minced

In a large bowl, mix all your ingredients except Lime Juice, Hot Sauce, Cumin and Garlic with a large spoon. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Then pour your Juice mix over your vegetables and beans and mix with a large spoon. Cover and put in the fridge for 1 hour to marrying those flavors together.

Serve chilled with chips or like I said above – in taco shells, in a baked potato, in a tortilla… whatever. This is your caviar, cowboy! Enjoy however you darn well please.

*YES – this is what Dan has been working on lately with the ACLU. So do me a favor and sign this petition if you have a second.

**HAHA. I have no idea.

***Those are coming.