The unusual animal on the left is a Quagga. This animal, which was zebra in the front and horse in the rear, once flourished in South Africa. These magnificent creatures were hunted to extinction and the last one died in a zoo in 1883. 
Let me say that one more time - THE LAST ONE - gone from our planet, gone forever. Not due to natural causes, not due to the species not being strong - Gone because man hunted them to extinction. Zero left for our children and their children to ever see, touch, or admire.

Here is another number that is disturbing - 20,000. That is the estimated number of Polar Bear left in the world. As the ice continues to melt so does their habitat. It is now where we find the ironic fact, the only predator they have is perhaps the only one that can help them - Man. 

As an civilization it is unconscionable that we allow any species to become extinct because of our actions. 

This year as Coca-Cola teams up with WWF to support their holiday mascot, we should all support the efforts of organizations that are trying to make sure that the tragic fate of the Quagga will never be repeated.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html

Which egg do you think is healthier? 

It starts with an egg but becomes so much more. When Holly Emmons of Union Hospital in Maryland, decided to really look into what was being served, her eyes really widened. Eggs from chickens that had been given arsenic (http://www.grist.org/food-safety/2011-06-08-fda-admits-supermarket-chickens-test-positive-for-arsenic), meat they were buying had excessive hormones and antibiotics (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-04-12-tainted-meat_N.htm) 

Holly didn't shrug her shoulders and complain she couldn't do anything about it. She took action. Changing their buying procedures to cage free eggs (http://www.uhcc.com/News/2010/UH-Joins-Cage-Free-Egg-Movement) and moving to local grass fed beef, raised locally and humanely. Buying vegetables fresh, local, and in season, Holly freezes these so they can enjoy the wonderful taste and nutrition of local produce year round. 

So the next objection would be organic is too costly. So how did Holly make this switch with no increase to her budget? She instituted meatless Mondays. The cost savings covered the high cost of better, natural food. Let's face it, most people eat too much meat to begin with. Having a meatless day or two in the house would be a good thing for everyone (it would also help reduce the amount of people with high cholesterol). 

If Union Hospital can make this change, so can other hospitals, restaurants, and business & industry out there. So can our fast food chains. So can we at home.

The goal at the hospital was healthy food, but the way to get good food is by treating animals respectfully, growing them naturally, and understanding that the food chain, our world, and the universe is one big circle of life.