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Recipe of the Week is Three Bean Chili & Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake!

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Oct 23, 2020
  • 4 min read
Three Bean Chili

  • 20 MIN Preparation

  • 60 MIN Cooking

  • 80 TOTAL TIME Total Time

Hearty, creamy, and a little spicy, this protein-packed chili has us excited for fall weather. Garnish with some tangy, refreshing, cilantro lime crema for an added kick. Grab a bowl and load up!


25 INGREDIENTS Check out the recipe ingredients to build your shopping list!

  • 2 Packages Impossible Burger

  • 1 White Onion

  • 1 Carrot

  • 2 Ribs Celery

  • 1 Red Bell Pepper

  • 1 Green Bell Pepper

  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper

  • 2 Jalapenos

  • 4 Cloves Garlic

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

  • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin

  • 2 Teaspoons Coriander

  • 1 Teaspoon Paprika

  • 1 Teaspoon Cayenne

  • 3 Bay Leaves

  • 28 Ounces Can Of Crushed Tomatoes

  • 2 Cups Vegetable Stock

  • 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

  • 15 Ounce Can Of Great Northern Beans

  • 15 Ounce Can Of Black Beans

  • 15 Ounce Can Of Kidney Beans

  • 1 Cup Sour Cream

  • 1 Lime

  • 1/2 Bunch Cilantro

5 STEPS

PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS USED

  • 1 White Onion

  • 1 Carrot

  • 2 Ribs Celery

  • 1 Red Bell Pepper

  • 1 Green Bell Pepper

  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper

  • 2 Jalapenos

  • 4 Cloves Garlic

Dice the white onion, carrot, celery, bell peppers, and jalapeños. Mince the garlic.


START THE VEGETABLES INGREDIENTS USED

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

In a medium stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add all vegetables (onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bell peppers & jalapenos) to the pot. Season with salt and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.


COOK THE CHILI INGREDIENTS USED

  • 2 Packages Impossible Burger

  • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin

  • 2 Teaspoons Coriander

  • 1 Teaspoon Paprika

  • 1 Teaspoon Cayenne

  • 3 Bay Leaves

  • 28 Ounces Can Of Crushed Tomatoes

  • 2 Cups Vegetable Stock

  • 0.25 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

  • 15 Ounce Can Of Great Northern Beans

  • 15 Ounce Can Of Black Beans

  • 15 Ounce Can of Kidney Beans

Crumble Impossible™ Burger and add to the vegetables. Stir until cooked through. Stir in the dry seasonings. Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable stock, and apple cider vinegar. Bring mixture to a boil, then drop to a simmer. Drain the canned beans and add to the pot. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until reduced by 20%.

MAKE THE CILANTRO LIME CREMA INGREDIENTS USED

  • 1 Cup Sour Cream

  • 1 Lime

  • 0.5 Bunch Cilantro

Finely chop the cilantro. Combine with the sour cream, lime juice and zest, and chipotle chili powder in a bowl and stir until well-combined. Serve chili in a bowl and top with crema. *Make it 100% plant-based with plant-based sour cream.

SERVE, SHARE, AND ENJOY Makes 16 servings of chili.

No-Bake Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake

  • Dairy Free

  • Grain Free Recipes

  • No Refined Sugar

  • Vegan

Ingredients For the Crust:

  • 3/4 cup pitted dates or raisins

  • 1/2 cup almonds

  • 1/2 cup pecans

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons water, if needed

For the Filling:

  • 2 1/2 cups soaked raw cashews

  • 1 cup pumpkin purée, no sugar or salt added

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted plus 1 tablespoon coconut butter, melted

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon lucuma powder

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or coconut nectar

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, plus more to taste

For the Topping:

  • Mulberries

Preparation

  1. Prepare the crust by processing the dates and nuts in your food processor. Add the water if needed until you have a sticky consistency. Transfer mixture to a cheesecake pan and leave in the refrigerator while you make the filling.

  2. Blend the cashews, pumpkin, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and spices until you have a very creamy consistency. Add melted coconut oil and blend again.

  3. Spread mixture over the crust and freeze for at least 12 hours. Once ready, leave outside the freezer for 15 minutes and remove from pan while still frozen. Take back to the refrigerator and leave for another 8 hrs before slicing.

  4. Top cheesecake with mulberries, your favorite fruits, or any other topping you want.

Priscilla Soler Easy raw vegan desserts with the occasional Mediterranean-inspired lunch. Priscilla is a certified health and detox coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and holistic nutrition student at Pacific Rim College. She has a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University and certified in raw cuisine from Matthew Kenney Academy. She shares her passion for health through her different social media Gastrawnomica, where her followers can learn more plant based recipes, nutrition tips and detoxification practices. She also works with clients all over the world as a holistic nutrition consultant and detoxification expert.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

Death Penalty Focus, Pervis Payne, Julius Jones, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty...

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Oct 23, 2020
  • 5 min read
Pervis Payne

Pervis Payne is a man who has been on death row for 32 years-over half of his life. He has maintained his innocence and the same story this entire time. He is set to be executed in the state of Tennessee on December the fourth 2020.

When he was given the death sentence in 1988 the DNA evidence was not tested in this case. Multiple times Payne has asked for the finger prints to be tested too and he was denied.

He also has an intellectual disability and in the state of tennessee the supreme court has ruled twice that they have, “No business executing people with intellectual disabilities.” It is also unconstitutional due to the 8th amendment.

The details of the crime are as follows. Payne heard his neighbor cry out in her apartment and went to go help. He found her and her daughter stabbed almost to death. He removed the butcher knife from her neck and attempted to revive her. When the police came he fled for fear that they would kill him on cite because they would assume he was guilty because of his race. He saw another man flee the scene as well.

None of the DNA on the crime scene was tested and there is virtually no evidence proving his guilt. His execution is not only unconstitutional, but it will also be an execution of an innocent man.

Julius Jones is innocent. Don’t let him be executed by the state of Oklahoma. 6,052,299 have signed Cece Jones-Davis (Julius Jones Coalition)’s petition. Let’s get to 7,500,000!


Sign now with a click. When Julius Jones was 19-years-old, he was convicted of a murder he says he did not commit. I need your help to save his life.


Julius has lived on death row for almost 20 years, and is held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. He is allowed one hour of sunlight a day, and three showers a week. Every minute we wait to take action, Julius is suffering. Every second that goes by brings Julius closer to being executed for a crime he didn’t commit. 

At the time of the crime for which he was convicted, Julius was a 19-year-old student athlete with a promising future, attending the University of Oklahoma on an academic scholarship. It is clear that Julius’ lawyer did not adequately defend him, and that explicit racial bias played a significant role in the process.. For example:

  • Eyewitnesses place Mr. Jones at his parents’ home at the time of the murder, miles away from the crime scene. 

  • Mr. Jones’ co-defendant admitted to being involved in the crime and is now free after testifying against Julius. He was heard bragging that he “set Julius up.” Mr. Jones’ co-defendant matches the only eyewitness description of the shooter based on the length of his hair.

  • Newly-discovered evidence shows that at least one juror harbored racial prejudice that influenced his vote to convict and sentence Mr. Jones to death. One juror reported telling the judge about another juror who said the trial was a waste of time and “they should just take the n***** out and shoot him behind the jail.” 

I learned about Julius’ story through Viola Davis’ docuseries “The Last Defense.” As a person of color and a person of faith, I knew that I couldn’t stand by while an innocent man was killed. I am an Oklahoma taxpayer and the idea that my money will be used to kill Julius makes me sick. 

Sign now with a click...Visit petition page...Every day an innocent man is forced to sit in solitary confinement, awaiting his death. Recently, a grassroots movement successfully pressured Texas to stay the execution of Rodney Reed, another black man sentenced to death for a crime he says he didn’t commit. If we can save Rodney, then Julius has a chance. Please join me and demand justice for Julius.

Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty

Despite many new barriers, our work continues to press forward as we gear up for legislative campaigns in several states come January. We hope you’ll continue to contact your lawmakers about pressing and needed criminal justice reforms in your state. While the national level may feel hopelessly divided, we continue to see significant bipartisan action at the state level – where conservatives are leading in the fight for individual liberty, limited government, and pro-life policies. Take heart!


As we head into election season, it’s important to remember the significant role local politicians play in the battle for criminal justice reform. District attorneys hold almost unilateral power in determining which cases move forward and what sentences are sought, and most are rarely challenged for re-election. Attorneys general command significant influence over the law. Elected sheriffs and mayors, who appoint chiefs of police, are vital figures in our system. State senators, state representatives, and governors determine which bills become law. And city councils play a big role in setting local policies.


These are elections that are often overlooked by the general public but that have far more influence on our day-to-day lives and laws. It’s imperative that we pay attention to and participate in these races.


Recently, I covered the ongoing corruption in the Breonna Taylor case out of Louisville, Kentucky. This case is a perfect example of the reasons why so many conservatives have lost faith in the justice system and why we believe in limited government in the first place. Government is prone to error, corruption, and inefficiency. This case highlights those aspects and, importantly, points to the reasons that the government should never be trusted with the power of life and death. You can read the full piece here.

“The Libertarian Christian Podcast”

We joined “The Libertarian Christian Podcast” to discuss the reasons both libertarians and Christians are turning against the death penalty. In this in-depth interview, we talk about theology, political science, and even philosophy. Join us for this deep conversation. You can stream the episode here.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

Rescue TV, HART Wildlife, Gladys, Kartini, Garfield, some news on Rae, 7 Rescued Bears & Jeff Wood!

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Oct 16, 2020
  • 8 min read
The SAN Rescue Network, Wildlife Aid TV, Official PETA TV, Flying Fur Animal Rescue, Animals Asia, ASPCA, Hope For PAWS, Beagle Freedom Project...
Gladys, the guide dog

Meet Gladys, a six-month-old puppy who will become a guide dog for the blind in South Africa. She needs your URGENT HELP if she is to fulfill her destiny. While most of us see dogs as loving and faithful companions, some dogs go one step further and save lives. Gladys is one of those extra-special dogs. The challenge is that because of the economic meltdown in South Africa caused by the corona crisis, the South African Guide-Dogs Association is desperately short of funds. Corona has had a severe effect on donations because people are suddenly poorer. Gladys needs medical treatment that is straining the ability of the Guide-Dogs Association to pay. If we can raise $6,000 (£4,600), not only can we pay for the physiotherapy Gladys needs, we can pay for the completion of her two-year-long training so she can give a blind person a new life as quickly as possible.

The challenge is that because of the economic meltdown in South Africa caused by the corona crisis, the South African Guide-Dogs Association is desperately short of funds. Corona has had a severe effect on donations because people are suddenly poorer. Gladys needs medical treatment that is straining the ability of the Guide-Dogs Association to pay.

Not every dog is suitable to take on the task of helping a blind person and so the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind has a responsible breeding program, using sperm from US guide-dog organizations.

Glady’s was born in the program and underwent extensive medical exams. During a check-up, it was discovered that Gladys has a potential problem with an elbow joint. If treated immediately, it can be fixed - if not, Gladys will never become someone’s life-changing companion. The vet bill for this care is astronomical and Gladys will still need extensive physiotherapy to ensure that she makes a full recovery.

Orangutan Kartini

Orangutan Kartini arrived at the forest school as an afraid and fragile orphan. But today she is one of the most independent orangutans at our ORANGUTAN FOREST SCHOOL in Borneo

His homeless owner disappeared one day and he didn't trust anyone!!!

Garfield spent his days at the park, alone and confused because he didn't know where did his owner disappear. Luckily, we got a call on the #HopeForPaws emergency line. Loreta Frankonyte and I headed out, and after a long search for him, one of the construction workers who have been feeding him pointed me in his direction. At the point I was alone, so I waited for Loreta to meet up with me. The plan was for her to close the gate in the far end of that dead-end street, and I would cover the width of the street with my snappy snare.

Staff at our Vietnam bear sanctuary perform first ‘in-house’ root canal surgery on Rae!

Following training from dental specialist Dr Cedric Tutt, Senior Vet Surgeon Shaun Thomson performed the first 'in-house' root canal surgery at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre. Bear Rae’s tooth has been filled and now she is loving life (and lunch) again!

Mom protects babies with her body after one was stolen!!!

Just when you will think this rescue is over, you will find out that it's NOT! Mama Jade knew something was wrong, but she didn't know how to tell me that someone stole one of her babies!!! This one will require watching until the end. Life is so hard for homeless animals, and when puppies are added to the equation, it's just a nightmare! This story could have ended terribly in so many ways, but because Stephanie Brooks (who was visiting from New Jersey) knew to call Hope For Paws, this story has an incredible ending.

Desperate kitten screaming for his family to save his life!

Sadly, his family was nowhere to be found, so Hope For Paws got the call for help! https://www.HopeForPaws.org We love doing this work and we don't care how late or how early it is... we just need your support with covering their medical needs, and together we can change the world of so many animals! Oscar, Jacky, Ramon - Thank you so much for joining me on this rescue! It is always cool to meet people who care and love animals. Oscar and Jacky own a Taco Truck called "Tacos De Birria De Res" so if you drive in Los Angeles and see them, make sure to stop and get some tacos! If you can't find them, text them: 213-884-6666 Ramon Livingston is a lawyer and he helps (and fosters) many cats! Our friends at Kitty Bungalow are now fostering Taco, so if you would like to adopt him, please contact them directly: https://www.KittyBungalow.org

Seven recently rescued bears

Happy #MoonBearMonday. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new week than an update on seven recently rescued bears who are integrating into their new bear houses? Clara tells us all about how Florence, Valerie, Tuan, James, Alice and Bân are settling in.

Cantik and friends

Orangutan Cantik is one of the smartest orangutans at our ORANGUTAN FOREST SCHOOL in Borneo and she has become a good teacher for the other orphans!

Rescue of a senior dog by the freeway could have gone horribly wrong!

Max could have ran in any direction he wanted, but he knew that the chance of dying that day was real!


https://www.HopeForPaws.org


I am so grateful to Danhy Drago for texting me about this rescue, for finding the exact location (it wasn't simple), and for joining me on this mission. It was cute to see a text reading "If anyone can rescue this dog, that's you"

Leo and Melanka

Leo and Melanka still need your help! We’ve been fighting for months to relocate the two President bears, as soon as the coronavirus measures allow it and we would get the official green light. Now we really have reason to hope to rescue them very soon! At BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr, Leo, as well as Melanka, will receive the care and support they so desperately deserve. To achieve this, we continue to need your support. Together we can make a difference and give Leo and Melanka a new, prosperous life

Donkey Puica and ram Nhan

As you might remember Puica the donkey and Nhan the ram, were both rescued from different situations: Beautiful donkey Puica was found abandoned in a field about 60 km from Bucharest. She was unable to stand, lying alone on the ground and left in pain. Fortunately, our local partner ARCA was able to rescue her just in time.


Last year a cargo ship transporting 14,000 sheep, including Nhan, capsized. Luckily we managed to save 180 incredibly lucky sheep, together with ARCA, from the wreckage. Both rescued animals had to undergo surgery.


Now they are recovering in each other's company. As you can see, they are enjoying their new natural and safe environment and are looking better day by day! We are so happy for them.

HART Wildlife Rescue

A snapshot of who we are at HART Wildlife Rescue. Hampshire's wildlife rescue centre.

Hope For Paws Rescue Rocky Who Lost the Will to Live

Hope For Paws Rescue Rocky Who Lost the Will to Live! This is a #HopeForPaws#StrayPaws#DogRescue Marathon featuring Viktor Larkhill Extreme Rescue - its a fund raiser supporting Let's Adopt International. This fund raiser is made possible by the volunteers of the World Animal Rescue Network and WA2S Films and is a cooperative partnership between Let's Adopt International and the World Animal Awareness Society Please, consider using the donate button to the right and below the video to support the important life saving work of Viktor Larkhill Extreme Rescue. To learn more about Viktor Larkhill Extreme Rescue & Let's Adopt International: https://www.facebook.com/ViktorLarkhi...

South Bay Wildlife Rehab - Young bird of prey crashes into a window and then goes down to the ground!

This is our first Bird Of Prey rescue video and I am so happy I got to be there for the rescue, visit her during the rehabilitation, and all the way to the releasing back to the wild! The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America and I actually never got to meet one until that day - I didn't even know what she was, but our friends on Instagram knew to help me out with that: https://www.instagram.com/hopeforpaws... I am so happy that one of our supporters sent us the special gloves for handling birds of prey... it's like they knew I would need those one day :-) To join our team with a small donation, please visit our website: https://www.HopeForPaws.org Special thanks to South Bay Wildlife Rehab for fostering this baby, for training her on how to survive in the wild, and for inviting me to visit every step of the way. To learn more about their work, please visit http://www.SBWR.org

The call for help arrived after the runt passed away

We are posting more frequently on the #HopeForPaws channel, so please make sure to subscribe and don't forget to press the notification bell


The rescue technique by our JoAnn Wiltz worked beautifully!


To adopt Nefertiti or one of her babies, please contact our friends at: https://CatsAtTheStudios.com


Thank you so much for helping us save so many more lives! If you can, please join us with a small donation here: https://www.HopeForPaws.org

Go deeper with our vets and see inside rescued moon bear Isabella.

See a rescued moon bear as you never have before, from the inside! Isabella visited our bear hospital where our vet team investigated a blockage. Read about the state of the art treatment she received thanks to you and our amazing team. Full story: https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/medi...

Capone Will Never Spend Another Minute Trapped in a Filthy Cage

Capone spent his days either imprisoned in a tiny wire cage or tethered to a filth-covered porch. Until finally, his owners gave him to PETA. Watching him “dance” and enjoy life will make your heart sing!

Lion Rescued From Jeff Lowe Can Barely Walk

Juvenile lion, Nala, whom PETA rescued on September 21, 2020, from Jeff Lowe, operator of the now-defunct Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, is so lame she can barely walk. Visit PETA.org for more information.

An easy rescue turns to be an emergency rescue - the end is not what you would expect.

We were not ready for a rescue that day... we were on our way home when one call after another to the #HopeForPaws line changed the whole evening. I am glad Loreta Frankonyte and I happened to be in the area so we could respond as quickly and rush from one location to another. We had to pay a lot of money to the emergency hospital for Catalina's surgery and we have so many cases like this every week. If you can, please take 2 minutes to set up a $5 monthly donation. If many of you will participate, the Hope For Paws team will be able to keep going at full speed and help prevent pain and suffering: https://www.HopeForPaws.org As a thank you for your support, we have a gift for you that is worth quite a lot of money and will give you peace of mind. Please click here to read all about it: https://www.hopeforpaws.org/who_will_... To apply to adopt Sparkles, please visit our friends at: https://catsatthestudios.com Thank you so much for your support!

Volunteer with the Animal Rescue Team

One of the most commonly asked questions for our Animal Rescue Team is, “How can I volunteer?” Our team has—and relies on—a strong network of volunteers to help us make a real difference for animals in rescue and disaster relief work. We truly depend on them to help us get this important, lifesaving work done.

One of the most common mistakes prospective volunteers make is waiting until a natural or man-made disaster strikes to begin the application process and to begin proper training and preparation for becoming an Animal Rescue Team volunteer. Unfortunately, by then, it’s too late. If you want to volunteer, it’s important to apply before a disaster. If you get everything done early, you, like our many other volunteers, will be ready to deploy when animals need our help.

I can’t speak enough to the impact people feel from saving animals in need. If you want to make a difference, this is a way to do it. I encourage you to start your application today. With hurricane season on the horizon, our team will be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice - The Humane Society of the United States


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