animal bones

Okay, I know I have put up three posts today. But since I've actually had some free time lately, I am trying to give the blog as much love as possible before I go MIA once again...

I was browsing the Etsy forums the other day and found a thread about vegan food, and I learned a little bit about what animal byproducts go into processed foods. Needless to say, I was a little disgusted.

So I did a little of my own research on this topic. I found out that gelatin (the stuff that is used to make jell-o, custards, marshmallows (yes, even PEEPS!) is made from the bones, connective tissues, organs, hooves and some intestines of animals like cows and horses. A lot of glues also contain these same animal byproducts.

For me, that thought was a little hard to "stomach"....
pun intended.

So, after researching, I found a gelatin substitute! Its called agar agar, and its made from boiled and dried seaweed. It is used in the exact same way gelatin is-- in cooking and also to make adhesives. And its animal free. yippe, skippee. It comes in a powder form or in long strands.



I found a recipe for home-made envelope glue that I am going to use to make some of my own hand made envelopes that are animal free. I don't know about anyone else, but simply put, it is comforting to know that when I seal an envelope, I'm not licking the remains of dead animals.

If anyone is interested in this simple glue recipe, here it is:

Ingredients:

-6 tablespoons white vinegar
-4 oz. agar agar powder (found at most whole food markets)
-1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or any flavor that you like!)

Directions:

Bring vinegar to a boil in a small pan. Add agar agar and stir until dissolved.
Add extract and stir until mixed. Remove from heat, allow to thicken SLIGHTLY.
Brush on thin layer onto back of an envelope flap. Let dry. Moisten to adhere. Store excess glue in a sealed container and melt again for future use by putting in a pan of warm water.

the end!