I made a yummy, walnutty, chocolaty, banana bread today for my friends who dedicated their weekend to protesting the circus in the sweltering heat.

“If we are not raising new generations to be better stewards, then there is no hope” -Dr Jane Goodall

This weekend, the circus came into town.  And, of course, my friends and I were out there to show our opposition.  Many people don’t really understand why we are out there protesting this “show”, but here it is…

We are out there to try to educate the public about the cruelty under the big top.  Countries around the world have realized that the methods of training circus animals are barbaric and cruel. They have also recognized the inhumanity of supporting such cruelty by allowing these circuses to confine these animals in very small cages, with hardly ventilation, deprive them of food/water, and force them to travel around the country and work throughout the entire year.  These are reasons why other countries have banned animal based circuses.  Sadly, America is still a bit behind.  Which is why people, like us, are outside circus venues, protesting and passing out anti-circus information, because most don’t know the truth.  They just see the circus commercials, the posters, the colors, the tents, etc..  We hope to change people’s minds about contributing to cruelty in the future.

Different animal based circuses have been charged with neglect, torture, and abuse of the animals time and time again.  Here is a recent article about the USDA filing charges against Cole Brothers (more info HERE) in relation to the”physical safety and psychological wellbeing of two elephants”, which isn’t anything new.  And, we all know that these are WILD animals, so there will be accidents here and there.  Some circus animals have have injured and even killed trainers and circus goers.  So, one should also think about the safety of themselves and their loved ones when going to an animal based circus.

If you really want to go to the circus without contributing to cruelty, check out CIRQUE DU SOLEIL!

Click on the link and watch the trailer and read the info from www.circuses.com

http://www.howibecameanelephant.com/

Here is another video:  CLICK HERE

My friends and I enjoyed interacting with the public and hanging with one another.  And, since everyone worked so hard, I decided to bring something yummy!

I basically altered my my previous banana bread recipe post and made it even more chocolaty.   It is moist, nutty, chocolaty, and heavenly! 

Ingredients:

• 2 mashed bananas (extra ripe)
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup vegan sugar
• 1/4 cup of vegan chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 2 egg replacer (I use ENER-G Egg replacer)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup warm to hot water
• 4 tablespoons of crushed walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Mash bananas
3. Add vanilla, oil, egg-replacer, and sugar to your mashed bananas.
4. Add flour, baking soda,cocoa powder, salt, and water into the mixture and mix together.
5. Add chocolate chips and mix some more.
6. Place in an 8″ x 8″ pan (prepared/greased)
7. Bake for 45 minutes.
8. Let cool for about half an hour and serve.
9. Enjoy!