If your tofu has turned green, you'll probably want to toss it. But the results of a recent study show that our tofu is so green that it's a cause for celebration!

The findings of this new study reveal how vegan foods, such as veggie dogs, tofu, and seitan, contribute little to climate change compared to meat. For example, only 350 grams of carbon dioxide are released for each kilogram of soy "meat" produced, while an equivalent amount of ground meat is responsible for around 7,200 grams of carbon dioxide. If my math is correct, that means a hamburger patty causes more than 20 times more harmful greenhouse gasses to be released than does a veggie burger of the same size.

PETA's always said that "meat's not green" because of the severe environmental damage caused by factory farming—which releases massive amounts of the greenhouse gasses that cause climate change.

With a growing focus on our responsibility for maintaining our planet, there's still no better way to go green than by going vegan.

© Joe Cicak | iStockphoto.com

Here's the skinny: Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution, but it has yet to ratify an official state food. Well, PETA has a suggestion that the "Keystone State" can really sink its teeth into: tofu. Why bean curd? Because it was first promoted in the U.S. by Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania's most famous Founding Father.

We wrote to Gov. Tom Corbett and suggested that he could help to quell the state's obesity epidemic and honor his predecessor in the governor's seat by getting Pennsylvanians to eat more tofu and less meat. And in this tough economy, because legislative decisions have to be all about the Benjamins, tofu is the perfect choice: Not only is it cheaper than meat and therefore easier on constituents' wallets, making the switch can also lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, saving the state money on healthcare.  

You don't need bifocals to see that patriotic tofu should be first in the second state—and in the rest of the country.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

For years, the PETA Files has been telling you how eating vegan is all the rage. But now, the clever folks at Google Labs have given us the tool to prove it. Their new Books Ngram Viewer allows visitors to see and compare, in graph form, trends in word usage over time, based on a database of books (here's a more thorough explanation of how it all works). And the food editor at Good has noticed that mentions of the word "tofu" have far surpassed those of "hot dog."

So if you know someone who still hasn't gone vegan, you now have graphic proof that all the cool kids are doing it! Then make sure they won't be left behind by sending them here.

Written by Jeff Mackey

You know that tofu has truly arrived when homemaking bible Better Homes and Gardens features herbed tofu cakes as one of its "prize tested recipes" and Jessica Simpson extols the virtues of tofu on Twitter. So it was only a matter of time before tofu started getting its own T-shirts.

First came PETA's runaway bestsellers "Powered by Tofu" and "Tofu Never Screams." Now, the folks at 11:11 have come up with this retro-cool little number:

To take home your very own "Say 'Tofu'" tee, just post a comment below sharing your most creative use or recipe for tofu. Remember: You can sauté it, marinate it, grill it, fry it, crumble it, scramble it, stew it, skewer it, slice it, dice it, bake it, shake it, shred it, bread it, freeze it, squeeze it, whip it, flip it, dip it, and sip it—just about the only thing that you can't do with tofu is skip it!

The five people to leave the most impressive uses for tofu will each walk away with a "Say Tofu!" heather tee. The contest ends on August 4, 2010, and we'll pick the winners on August 6, 2010. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. May the tofu god smile on you.

Written by Alisa Mullins

Take a tip from this guy: Embrace soy!
JOE MARINARO / CC by 2.0

People have been enjoying soy and reaping its health benefits for thousands of years, but there are still some myths circulating about soy and soy products. Last week, the Guardian printed an eye-opening article that uncovers the shady origins of anti-soy propaganda—most of which can be traced to a group that sings the praises of eating artery-clogging animal fat and tries to scare people away from soy by citing the results of scientifically flawed animal experiments. The article explains the myriad health benefits of soy foods, including protection against diabetes and breast cancer and improved bone health and brain function.

Of course, soy foods are just one option in a nutritious, animal-friendly diet, and it's easy to be a healthy vegan without touching tofu or sipping soy milk. Other excellent protein sources include lentils, nuts, beans, peanuts, seeds, chickpeas, green veggies, and whole grains.

But for anyone who's ever wondered, "Tofu or not tofu," here's the real deal: Soy is safe, smart, and infinitely kinder than dining on decomposing animal flesh or drinking bovine mammary secretions. So discover the joy of soy and wear that "Powered by Tofu" shirt with pride!

Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post

Heard about the "Vegan Before 6" movement? Well, how about the "weekend vegan?" That's what CNN dubbed Jessica Simpson after she tweeted about test-driving a vegan diet:

Hmm, is tofu the "gateway" food to hardcore vegan living? We hope so, and to help Jessica stay "clean," PETA is sending her a copy of our vegetarian/vegan starter kit and Alicia Silverstone's book, The Kind Diet.

What advice would you give Jessica to help her stick to her vegan diet?

Written by Paula Moore

As a blonde myself, I always felt a twinge of sympathy for Jessica Simpson as the dumb-blonde jokes flew. But even her snarkiest critics have to give credit where credit is due: Jessica just tweeted about her first taste of tofu and called it "yummy."

Has Jessica stopped eating animals (my fingers are crossed)? Could refusing to wear them be far behind?

With so many fab cookbooks (and condiments) out there to help spice up your foray into vegan cooking, there's no reason not to give tofu a try.

Written by Jennifer O'Connor

It's "tofu buck" and "seitan bird" season over at Adult Swim thanks to the new online game Tofu Hunter.

Thanks to the creative minds over at This Is Pop, who also created our Breasts Not Animal Tests game, now's your chance to bag a nine-point block of tofu. Keep an eye out for the trophy buck (he'll score you bonus points), and avoid hitting any does (unless you're looking to end your game early).

As the name suggests, the game is a tongue-in-cheek takeoff on revolting hunting-simulator video games such as Deer Hunter, and it might not be for the faint of heart: Its disclaimer notes, "This game contains graphic depictions of violence against tofu." But if the thought of blasting animated blocks of soy curd disturbs you, just remember: Tofu never screams.

Written by Jeff Mackey

Last week, vegetarian Carmen Cusack walked into the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles looking to change her license plate to read "ILVTOFU."

Dreaming of kung pao tofu, barbecue tofu sandwiches, and tofu tacos, Carmen was ready to educate everyone she shares the road with about the benefits of a vegetarian diet.

Well, it seems that the guys over at the DMV had a rather naughty interpretation of Carmen's message ("I-LV-TO-F-U").

Florida is the second state this year to reject an "ILVTOFU" license plate. Instead of risking rejection here in Virginia, we've taken a different tack.

northernvirginiamag / CC

If we can get 350 people to prepay just $10 for one of these stylish new "vegetarian" license plates, they'll be put into circulation in April of 2011!

If you live in Virginia, what are you waiting for? Let others know about how much you love tofu by sending your application to the Virginia DMV today.

Written by Liz Graffeo

examiner / CC

Funny: Cartoons about cats on a lazy Sunday.

Not funny: Making jokes about barbecuing cats when you're supposed to be working.

We're relieved that the Federal Aviation Administration apparently agrees that making jokes at a dead animal's expense is inappropriate. It has removed the "jokester" from duty.

Written by Karin Bennett