Kettles usually get replaced because something inside them has gone cloudy, cracked at the seam, or started making the tea taste faintly of swimming pool. That something is nearly always plastic, and it is nearly always in a kettle whose box said stainless steel. The body is steel, certainly. The window you check the level through is not, nor is the underside of the lid where steam condenses all day, nor the little strainer sitting in the spout. Most of these carry a BPA-free badge, which the FDA considers a settled question anyway, and which tells you precisely nothing about whether plastic is touching your water.

Key Takeaways

• BPA-free and plastic-free are different claims. One means a single compound is absent. The other means the water only touches steel or glass.
• Check the lid and the spout, not the body. Stainless outside, plastic inside is the standard trick.
• The real waste is boiling more water than you need, not the kettle itself.
• Variable temperature saves energy. Green tea at 175F takes noticeably less power than a full boil, every single time.
• A keep-warm setting left running for an hour can undo the saving entirely.

What to Look For in an Electric Kettle in 2026

Read the materials line on any electric kettle properly, because it is the one specification worth being fussy about. COSORI markets one model on the phrase “no plastic contact with water” and means it: stainless interior, stainless spout, stainless underside on the lid. Plenty of kettles that look identical from the outside have a plastic water gauge glued into the wall and a plastic strainer in the spout. Neither shows up in a product photo, and BPA-free on the box does not exclude either one.

Temperature control is where the energy argument actually lives. Boiling is boiling regardless of what you are making, so a kettle that stops at 175F for green tea is doing measurably less work than one that always goes to 212F. Department of Energy guidance on small appliances is blunt that the biggest household savings come from not running things longer or hotter than the task needs, and a kettle is the clearest example in the kitchen.

Then think about how much you actually boil. Most people fill well past what they are about to pour, and the excess is pure waste, reheated later or tipped away. Energy Star does not certify kettles at all, which leaves the efficiency question entirely to how you use it. Filling to the cup rather than the max line is the single largest energy saving available in this category and it costs nothing. A kettle with visible markings on the inside rather than a fogged plastic window makes that easy, which is a small design decision with a real effect.

Gooseneck or standard is a use question rather than a quality one. The narrow spout exists for pour-over coffee, where a slow controlled stream matters; if you are making tea and filling pans, it will annoy you within a week. Gooseneck models also tend to hold under a litre, which is fine for one or two people and irritating for a household.

The Best Electric Kettles of 2026

1. COSORI Gooseneck: Best No-Plastic Interior

This is the one to buy if the plastic question is what brought you here. The COSORI gooseneck is built so that water touches nothing but stainless steel, which almost nothing else at this price manages, and it runs 1200W with five temperature presets and a 60-minute hold. A British-made Strix controller handles the switching, which is the component certifiers scrutinise most and the one that usually fails first on cheap kettles. Around $60 to $80. Where it limits you is capacity: 0.8 litres is one or two mugs, and if you are filling a teapot for four you will be boiling twice. Check current price.

2. Fellow Stagg EKG Pro: Best Temperature Control

Fellow launched the Stagg EKG in 2016 and it has been the reference point in this category since. The Stagg EKG Pro holds temperature to the degree, adds a brew timer and scheduling, and puts it behind a colour screen and a walnut handle that make it the only kettle most people would leave on a worktop deliberately. Roughly $195 to $250. The obvious reservation is the money: you are paying a substantial premium over the COSORI for single-degree precision and a considerably nicer object, and the water does not know the difference. See it on Amazon.

3. Chefman TrueTemp: Best Value

Six one-touch presets, a 1500W element that gets there fast, boil-dry protection and auto shut-off, at a price that regularly drops into the twenties. The Chefman TrueTemp does the useful part of what the Fellow does for a fraction of the outlay, and for most households that is the whole calculation. Typically $25 to $50. What you give up is the materials story: Chefman does not make the same plastic-free claim, so if that is your reason for shopping, this is not your kettle. View product details.

4. Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp: Best for Households

1.7 litres, which is roughly double the gooseneck models and the reason this one belongs in a kitchen that serves more than two people. The Cuisinart CPK-17 has six preset temperatures, a keep-warm function, a 360-degree base and a slide-out washable filter, and it has been on sale long enough to have a genuine track record. Around $70 to $100. Two owner complaints worth knowing before you buy: the buttons sit on the handle where you grab it, so you will trigger one by accident, and the water window is tucked underneath the handle where it is awkward to read. Check availability.

5. Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Studio: Best Design

Same kettle, different finish, and worth separating out because for a lot of buyers the finish is the point. The Stagg EKG Pro in the Studio colourways carries the identical mechanism and precision, in a palette designed to sit out permanently rather than live in a cupboard. Around $200 to $260. There is no performance argument for spending the extra over the standard Pro, and it would be dishonest to invent one. Compare on Amazon.

Using Less Than You Did Yesterday

Fill to the cup. This is duller than any feature on any of the kettles above and it saves more energy than all of them combined, because heating water you are about to pour down the sink is the only genuinely wasteful thing happening in this process.

Descale it on a schedule rather than when you notice. Limescale on the element acts as insulation, which means it runs longer to reach the same temperature while drawing the same power, and USGS hardness maps will tell you how fast that happens where you live.

Leave the keep-warm alone unless you are genuinely coming back within minutes. An hour of holding a litre at temperature costs more than the boil did, which is a detail no manufacturer prints next to the feature. And if the water going in is the part you have been thinking about, our guide to water filters for heavy metals covers what certification on a filter box actually means, while our roundup of countertop distillers covers the more thorough and more energy-hungry alternative.

A kettle ought to be a twenty-year appliance. Most people treat it as a five-year one, and the gap between those two numbers is almost always a plastic component that crazes, discolours and eventually starts flavouring everything that passes through it. Spend the extra on the one where water only meets metal and the arithmetic works out in your favour twice over, which is not something you can say about many things in a kitchen.

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Get out your largest plates and a ton of napkins because September 14^th is National Eat a Hoagie Day and we’ve got some big ideas for you. You may be asking just what is a hoagie? A hoagie is a sandwich that usually has meat, cheese, vegetables, sauce, and seasonings, all on a long roll of Italian or French bread. You may also know this sandwich as a grinder, a torpedo, a hero, or a sub.

The sandwich got the name “hoagie” from the nickname for Italian workers at the Hog Island shipyard in Philadelphia during World War I. The workers were called “hoggies” and they would bring large sandwiches to work. The name got associated with the sandwiches and eventually, the spelling was changed to “hoagie.”

We have a lot of tips for making sandwiches. Check out these 5 Tips for Making Incredible Sandwiches, Quick Ideas for Sandwich and Wrap Fillings, and 10 Dairy-Free Spread Ideas to Transform Your Next Sandwich then, get ready to celebrate with these 15 delicious sandwiches you’ll need both hands to hold.

1. Philly Tofu Cheesesteak With Portobello Mushrooms

Who says you have to go to Philadelphia to enjoy a Philly cheesesteak? This Philly Tofu Cheesesteak With Portobello Mushrooms is a vegan version of the popular Northeast fast food is amazing. Tofu is seared in liquid smoke and vegan Worcestershire sauce until savory and then stuffed into a sub roll with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and Portobello mushrooms. Then, it’s topped with melty vegan cheese, wrapped in foil, and baked until piping hot and delicious.

2. Oolong Banh Mi Burger

Flavorful and delicious, this Oolong Banh Mi Burger is the closest thing to food perfection. The oolong tea infusion used in the burger itself and the pickling veggies are strong enough to impart enough flavor without being overwhelmed by the more assertive jalapeño and radish. Because banh mi has a sweet component, the plums are the perfect addition, especially after grilling, which enhances the plums’ sweetness, and after a few minutes of macerating in brown sugar.

3. Fooled Pork Sandwich With Fries

This Fooled Pork Sandwich With Fries is fit for a king! Young jackfruit is simmered until tender and then broiled in sticky barbecue sauce, allowing it to absorb the flavor. This sandwich is topped with creamy, crunchy coleslaw that’s a nice contract to the tender barbecue sauce-covered jackfruit. It all comes with a side of crispy oven-baked fries — why not try piling those on the sandwich, too?

4. Cola BBQ Sloppy Joes

These Cola BBQ Sloppy Joes have the flavor of a barbecue pulled jackfruit sandwich and the texture of sloppy joes. Firm tofu is marinated in a combination of spicy barbecue sauce and cola, giving it spicy, smoky flavors and a hint of sweetness. These are perfect when served on a bun with cool, crunchy vegan slaw.

5. Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Burger With Shiitake Bacon

If you love a little fire, something with a wow factor that’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, meet the Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Burger With Shiitake Bacon. These awesome sandwiches are a foodie dream come true. It has multiple flavor dimensions — salty, savory, spicy, and cheesy — and if you want to add a little sweetness into the mix, add a drizzle of maple syrup to the Shiitake bacon marinade.

6. Italian Refried Beanball Sub

Need a quick, no-fuss comfort food? These Italian Refried Beanball Subs couldn’t be any easier. Refried beans are mixed with Italian seasoning and breadcrumbs, then rolled in even more bread crumbs before being fried until crispy and golden. Add them to a soft roll, then top with marinara sauce and plenty of savory sautéed onions and bell peppers.

7. Thai Green Curry Salad Sandwich

Having a great sandwich recipe that you can make in advance makes lunchtime easy — like this Thai Green Curry Salad Sandwich. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and takes only two steps to make enough for nearly the entire week. This puts a spin on the classic chickpea salad by adding Thai green curry paste, mango, and crushed cashews for texture. Yum!

8. Artichoke Lobster Roll

The lobster roll is a popular sandwich in New England that consists of a mayo-based filling in a soft, toasted, and buttered bun. This classic sandwich is easily veganized in this Artichoke Lobster Roll. It uses artichoke hearts, vegan mayonnaise, and a touch of dulse seaweed flakes for that “fishy” flavor. Transport yourself to Maine with this delicious comfort food sammie!

9. BBQ Pulled Veggie Sandwiches

Summer may be over but we can still enjoy the flavors of barbecue. These BBQ Pulled Veggie Sandwiches have thinly sliced veggies tossed in tangy BBQ sauce and piled on a soft bun … HELLO! Bring a tray of these playful sandwiches to your next shindig and have fun watching them all disappear!

10. Maple Chipotle Meatball Grinders

These Maple Chipotle Meatball Grinders are sweet, savory, and a bit spicy. They have green onions, maple syrup, and Chipotle chilis – a fusion of Asian and Mexican flavors. You can opt to make homemade meatballs for these grinders, or use pre-made ones if you want to speed up the whole process!

11. Fried Tuna Po’ Boy

What can you do with vegan tuna? You can make a classic tuna salad sandwich or you can take a walk on the wild side and make this monstrous vegan Fried Tuna Po’ Boy. Sandwiched between two slices of baguette with a spicy remoulade sauce, creamy avocado, jalapeños, and crisp lettuce, these fried tuna balls are crunchy, spicy, and they taste amazing.

12. Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich

With tender, yet crunchy, cauliflower smothered in a spicy sauce, this Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich is an example of how to make good things even better by putting them between two slices of bread. Layered on fresh, crispy bread with spinach, it’s the perfect sandwich for summer parties, hang outs, and picnics. Serve as is or add some coleslaw to balance out the spicy cauliflower with something cool and crunchy.

13. Beet Hummus Panini With Smashed Avocado and Greens

Need a new kind of sandwich? Try this awesome Beet Hummus Panini With Smashed Avocado and Greens. The fresh greens and zucchini are cool and crisp in contrast to the warm, grilled bread, creamy avocado, and the earthy, garlicky beet hummus. It’s great cold as well, but grilling the bread brings a satisfying crispy crunchiness to the entire ensemble.

14. Cauliflower Steak Sandwich With Romesco Sauce

Garlicky cauliflower steaks are smothered in tangy Romesco tomato sauce and topped with a dollop of creamy cole slaw in these Cauliflower “Steak” Sandwiches. To say that they’re hearty and flavorful would be an understatement. We guarantee you’ll have one of those moments where you’re so satisfied and full, but are dying to go back in time just so you can relive eating this sandwich. Try it and you’ll see this is not a dramatization.

15. Korean BBQ Tempeh Sandwich With Kale Slaw

It’s not summer without something grilled! The perfect addition to any backyard barbecue or a quick dinner for a night in, these Grilled Barbecue Tempeh Sliders With Kale Slaw are flavorful and easy to make. Grilled, barbecue sauce-covered tempeh is served on a toasty bun with a delicious kale, red cabbage, and carrot slaw. Serve with all the fixings for a perfect barbecue dinner, like corn on the cob, baked beans, or a side of fries.

Whether you call them hoagies, subs, heroes, or grinders, we can all agree that these larger-than-life sandwiches are worth holding onto with both hands.

Lead image source: Philly Tofu Cheesesteak with Portobello Mushrooms

September 16^th is a celebration of the day in 1810 when the war that led to Mexico’s independence began. Today, it is known as Mexican Independence Day, and also as “El Grito,” which means “the cry.” This references the “Cry of Dolores,” the shout by a priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla that encouraged Mexicans to free themselves and defend their rights. After eleven years of civil war, the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexican independence, was signed in 1821. Sadly, Father Hidalgo never got to see it, as he was killed by Spanish troops in 1811. He is considered the father of Mexico.

Today, people celebrate Mexican Independence Day with flags, red, white. and green flowers, lights, and parades. The historic bell from Dolores is rung by the Mexican president with shouts of “Viva Mexico” and “Viva la Independencia.”  Of course, there is also lots of delicious food.

Mexican food is very popular but much of the food people eat today at chain restaurants is not authentic Mexican food. Mexican food is filled with fresh veggies, fruits, protein, and spices and is healthy and well-balanced. Rich in history, Mexican food has influences from many different cultures. It’s also a cuisine that is easy to veganize with its bounty of vegetables, tomatoes, beans, coconuts, peanuts, vanilla, and chocolate.

September 16^th is also National Guacamole Day and if you need recipes for your own Mexican celebration, then we have plenty. Take a look at Try These Recipes for a Fiesta in Honor of National Mexican Independence Day, 10 Super Simple, Spicy Vegan Cinco de Mayo Recipes, and Stop Paying Extra For Chipotle’s Guac, Here’s the Easy Recipe! Last year, we shared 26 Meatless Mexican Recipes and now here are 15 more for the most flavorful fiesta ever!

1. Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

While we always look forward to tacos, sometimes it’s nice to change the routine up with something unique! These Roasted Cauliflower Tacos do just that! Crispy cauliflower florets, white beans, lime, and zesty avocado spread? Yum! Taco night just got better.

2. Mushroom and Pepper Fajitas With Spiced Cashew Cream Sauce

These Mushroom and Pepper Fajitas With Spiced Cashew Cream Sauce are going to become a favorite in your house. A medley of sautéed vegetables are tucked neatly into a corn tortilla, then topped with avocado, cilantro, and a spicy cashew cream sauce. Leave some of the zesty sauce on the side for dipping tortilla chips!

3. Cauliflower Ceviche Tostadas

Cauliflower is nature’s miracle vegetable. Lightly cooked cauliflower is the perfect stand-in for seafood in these Cauliflower Ceviche Tostadas. It’s cooked in salted water so it softens just a bit and it’s then tossed with lime juice, red onion, and kumquats. Served on a crispy corn tortilla, it strikes the perfect balance of crunchiness and soft, flavorful veggies.

4. Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas

These Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas may feel like a total comfort food indulgence, but they are remarkably healthy! The “cheese” is made with corn, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt, and with the avocado and cherry tomatoes, these are pretty well-rounded ingredient-wise. Who knew ooey-gooey deliciousness could be so wholesome?

5. Cheesy Doritos Chicharrones

Chicharrones de harina are a crispy Mexican snack made from wheat flour. Light and airy, they’re similar to cheese puffs without the cheese. Since their texture is so perfect for that flavor, this recipe for Cheesy Doritos Chicharrones uses nutritional yeast to add cheesiness and a blend of other spices to give it some heat. The result? Crunchy fried snacks that are perfect for munching on.

6. Mexican Cornbread Pizza Cake

The only thing better than pizza is pizza cake and the only thing better than pizza cake is vegan Mexican Cornbread Pizza cake! That’s right – three layers of sun-dried tomato jalapeño cornbread plus refried beans, nacho cheese, guacamole, pizza sauce, and veggies galore. This cake is nothing short of epic.

7. Quesadillas With Cashew Mozzarella and Chipotle Cream

These vegan Quesadillas With Cashew Mozzarella and Chipotle Cream are going to blow your mind. They’re melty, gooey, stretchy, spicy, and best of all? They take just 20 minutes to prepare, including the made from scratch cashew mozzarella! Feel like celebrating yet? You will when you taste these!

8. Chorizo Spiced Potato Enchiladas

These Chorizo Spiced Potato Enchiladas are really tasty! Potatoes are tossed in a blend of hot spices and wrapped up in a warm tortilla with black beans and fresh herbs. They’re then topped with a spicy sauce and a creamy vegan cheese sauce. The red sauce is simple and easy, the potatoes are mix-and-bake and the beans and greens are minimally processed as the flavor is all provided by the chorizo spices. Simple to make, although not completely fuss-free, this is well worth the minimal effort.

9. Cauliflower Tortitas: Mexican Fried Cauliflower

Cauliflower Tortitas is a Mexican side of crispy fried cauliflower. Traditionally, tortitas are dropped in an egg batter and fried, but for this version is totally egg-free! The tomato-chipotle sauce gives this dish the acidity and spiciness that pairs very well with the crunchiness of the cauliflower. This is great as a side or as a main served with grains and a side of greens.

10. Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Sturdy vegetables, like the bell pepper, are perfect food vessels for all sorts deliciousness. In these Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers, bright bell peppers are stuffed with zesty Mexican-style quinoa and topped with a tangy-tart avocado sauce. This dish is bright, colorful, fun and filling!

11. Layered Fiesta Taco Bowl

Smoky coconut bacon, warm black beans and corn, and lime roasted bell peppers are all layered on top of each other in possibly the most epic Mexican-style veggie bowl ever. This Layered Fiesta Taco Bowl is warm, zesty, citrusy, and above all, delicious! Top this baby with coconut sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro and you’ve really got yourself a fiesta.

12. Whole Foods Loaded Nachos

These Whole Foods Loaded Nachos are perfect for a game day afternoon, a lounge-y Friday night movie marathon, or even a weeknight dinner. The combination of crunchy tortilla chips, lentil-walnut taco meat, and melty cheese sauce will leave you obsessed! You can use as many or as little add-ons as you want and it’ll be a vegan nacho party for your taste buds!

13. Black Lentil Chili With Pico de Gallo and Shoestring Fries

This Black Lentil Chili With Pico de Gallo and Shoestring Fries is the epitome of comfort food and is packed with a whole lot of roasted pepper and tomato goodness. It’s perfect on its own or you can dress it up with yummy crispy shoestring fries and an incredible, crunchy, and colorful veggie Pico de Gallo that really adds a fresh quality to the mix. You can eat this chili with chips or add it to quesadillas, burritos, tacos, and salads. Yum!

14. Enchilada Casserole

Combine the best of Mexican food and American comfort food with this Enchilada Casserole. Soft corn tortillas are filled with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes, and topped with beans. The enchiladas are then arranged in a baking dish, covered with a homemade salsa, and baked in the oven until warm and bubbly. This dish will be a hit at home or at any potluck.

15. Cucumber Chili Paletas

Do you ever wish that your frozen treats could be spicy and chilly? Look no further! These Cucumber Chili Paletas, Mexican ice pops made from water, fruit, and sugar, are a mix of contrasting flavors — sweet, sour, refreshing, and spicy. To prepare these cucumber chili ice pops, you only need five ingredients and they can be prepared in less than half an hour.

Independence and freedom are always worth celebrating and there’s no better way to do that than with these dishes! Viva Mexico!

BONUS Recommendation: Download the Food Monster App

If you enjoy articles and recipes like these and want more, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App. For those that don’t have it, it’s a brilliant food app available for both Android and iPhone. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to cut out or reduce allergens like meat, dairy, soy, gluten, eggs, grains, and more find awesome recipes, cooking tips, articles, product recommendations and how-tos. The app shows you how having diet/health/food preferences can be full of delicious abundance rather than restrictions.

The Food Monster app has over 8k recipes and 500 are free. To access the rest, you have to pay a subscription fee but it’s totally worth it because not only do you get instant access to 8k+ recipes, you get 10 NEW recipes every day! You can also make meal plans, add bookmarks, read feature stories, and browse recipes across hundreds of categories like diet, cuisine, meal type, occasion, ingredient, popular, seasonal, and so much more!

Lead image source: Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas

Fewer than 40 Iberian orcas are left. Toñi is the oldest of them, roughly 60 years old, known to the researchers who have photographed her for more than two decades as La Abuela, the grandmother. On 11 August 2026 the conservation group WeWhale found her in the Strait of Gibraltar with around ten fresh impact marks across her dorsal fin and back. Two or three appear to have passed straight through the fin. Weeks-old photographs of the same animal show nothing there. Spain’s environment ministry opened an investigation the following day. Please sign the petition demanding a full investigation and prosecution.

✍  Sign the Petition

The Atlantic Orca Working Group assessed the wounds as consistent with lead pellets of around nine millimetres, the sort loaded into buckshot cartridges for wild boar. Nobody has officially confirmed a shotgun yet, and CIRCE, which has monitored this population scientifically since 1999 and holds a photographic archive of Toñi going back twenty years, has said the images need detailed comparison against that historical series before anyone declares a cause. That caution is worth respecting. It is also worth saying that Spain’s deputy prime minister, Sara Aagesen, described the marks as compatible with pellets and called any harm to the species a serious crime, and the ministry did not wait to open proceedings.

What sits behind this is a conflict nobody has resolved. Since 2020 Iberian orcas have repeatedly made contact with boats off Spain and Portugal, sometimes damaging rudders, and the encounters have generated a great deal of anger among sailors. Spanish authorities have issued guidance that explicitly warns against responses that could injure the animals. Janek Andre of WeWhale put the point directly: whatever anyone thinks of those interactions, shooting at these animals can never be an acceptable response. The legal exposure is substantial, with penalties reaching two million euros alongside possible criminal liability, and the population is classified as vulnerable under Spain’s Catalog of Endangered Species. Losing one animal from a group of under 40, and a reproductively significant older female at that, is a different order of loss from harming one whale. One Green Planet has covered the campaign to end orca captivity in the United States, and the investigation is reported by Euronews. WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians are preserving their photographic records and continuing to monitor her.

✍  Sign the Petition Now

Sign These Urgent Petitions!

• Petition: The World’s First Octopus Farm Was Scrapped in July. Nothing in Law Stops the Next One.
• Petition: 15 Elephants Died in One Month. Cyanide Was in Their Systems. Nobody Agrees Where It Came From.
• Petition: Every Red Wolf Alive Descends From 14 Animals. This Year, Four Litters Were Born.

The objection arrives before the sentence is finished. You mention a composting toilet and the person you are talking to pulls a face, because they have imagined a bucket in a shed. What they have not been told is that these things do not smell, and the reason is almost aggressively simple: urine and solids never meet. A trap door sends liquid forward into a sealed bottle, solids drop into a dry chamber, and a small fan pulls air out through a vent. EPA guidance on alternative systems treats composting toilets as a recognised option where conventional plumbing is impractical. Mixing the two is what creates the smell in a conventional toilet. Keep them apart and the problem largely disappears.

Key Takeaways

• Separation is the whole mechanism. Urine diverted away from solids means dry waste, and dry waste does not produce sewage odour.
• Toilets are typically the largest single use of water in a home. These use none at all.
• Capacity is measured in weeks, not litres. A four-person holiday home empties solids roughly every five to six weeks.
• Most units need 12V power for the fan and a vent run to outside. This is an installation, not an unboxing.
• Skip peat. The carbon medium can be coconut coir instead, and peat extraction is its own environmental problem.

What to Look For in a Composting Toilet in 2026

Work out where the vent is going before you buy anything, because it decides which models are even possible. Every one of these needs air pulled continuously through the solids chamber, and that duct has to reach outside. Separett’s fan handles runs of up to 20 feet with three 90-degree elbows, which covers most conversions. A unit rated for a shorter, straighter run will not perform in a bathroom in the middle of a house, and no amount of carbon additive compensates for a vent that cannot breathe.

Power is the next constraint and it is smaller than people expect. Most of these run a 12V fan continuously, and the OGO draws roughly 0.48 amps a day, which a modest van solar setup covers without argument. If the toilet is going into a boat or a camper, that number matters more than anything else on the spec sheet. In a house on mains power it is irrelevant.

The water argument is the reason this category exists at all, and it is worth stating precisely. A conventional flush toilet is usually the single largest consumer of water inside a home. EPA WaterSense figures put toilets at around a quarter of indoor household use. These use zero, which is why they turn up in off-grid builds, tiny homes and drought-restricted regions long before anyone buys one for environmental reasons.

Two things about the composting itself, since the name oversells it slightly. What comes out of a self-contained unit is usually partly decomposed material that needs further composting rather than finished compost, and public health guidance on sanitation is worth reading before you plan a garden bed around it, since disposal rules vary by jurisdiction. And the carbon medium you add matters: sawdust and coconut coir both work by creating air pockets for aerobic decomposition, while peat does the same job and comes out of a bog. Peatlands store enormous quantities of carbon and are slow to recover once cut. Nobody selling these mentions it. Coir is the better choice and it costs the same.

The Best Composting Toilets of 2026

1. Separett Villa: Best Overall

Fifty years of building waterless systems shows up in the details rather than the brochure. The Separett Villa takes a six-gallon solids container, which is what stretches a four-person holiday home to five or six weeks between empties, and it needs no additives and no mixing at all. The 12V fan copes with long duct runs, and a screen hides the contents when the lid is up. Around $900 to $1,100. What you are buying is capacity and Swedish engineering, and at this price the interior finish is plainer than the money suggests. Check current price.

2. Nature’s Head: Best Build Quality

Built in the USA with stainless hardware throughout, which matters more here than in most categories because the environment inside one of these is permanently damp. The Nature’s Head is self-contained, urine-diverting, and agitated by a hand crank on the side. It is the unit you see on boats that have been in service a decade. Roughly $1,000 to $1,200. The crank is also the compromise: it is a manual job, several turns after every use, and people with limited grip strength will find it a genuine barrier. See it on Amazon.

3. OGO Origin: Best for Vans

Fifteen by sixteen inches, which is the smallest footprint here and the reason it fits a Sprinter or a Transit where the others do not. The OGO Origin replaces the hand crank with a push-button electric agitator, holds 2.4 gallons of liquid, runs 25 to 30 uses before the solids bin needs emptying, and draws under half an amp a day. Built in the USA from polypropylene with serviceable parts. Around $800 to $1,000. The liquid bottle is the limitation: at 2.4 gallons, two people will be emptying it every couple of days. View product details.

4. Sun-Mar GTG: Best Access

The seat on the Sun-Mar GTG connects and disconnects, which turns emptying and cleaning from an awkward job into a simple one, and Sun-Mar has been in this business longer than almost anyone. Liquid and solid separation is handled by a conventional diverter. Typically $700 to $900. Capacity is where it falls behind: smaller than the Villa on both sides, so a full-time household will be emptying it noticeably more often. Check availability.

5. Compo Closet Cuddy: Best Compact Value

A 3.9-gallon solids chamber, a 12V fan, a carbon filter and no chemicals of any kind, in a unit that undercuts most of this list. The Compo Closet Cuddy is the sensible entry point if you are converting a van and not certain you will keep the setup. Around $600 to $800. The reservation is longevity data: Compo Closet is a newer name than Separett or Sun-Mar, and there is simply less evidence of what one of these looks like after eight years of daily use. Compare on Amazon.

Living With One

Add carbon medium after every solid deposit, not once a week. The air pockets it creates are what keep decomposition aerobic, and aerobic decomposition is what keeps the chamber inoffensive. Skimping here is the most common reason someone concludes the technology does not work.

Empty the liquid bottle before it is full rather than when it is. Urine is effectively sterile when fresh and develops ammonia as it sits, so the difference between emptying at three days and at six is the difference between a non-event and a job you will resent. Diluted heavily, it is also a legitimate nitrogen source for a garden, though our guide to countertop water distillers is a better starting point if reducing household water use is what brought you here.

Then be honest with yourself about the install. A vent needs cutting through a wall or roof, a 12V supply needs running, and the unit needs sitting level. This is a weekend job with tools, not a delivery you unbox on a Tuesday evening, and the people who end up disappointed are almost always the ones who bought before working out where the duct was going. Our roundup of dehumidifiers covers the other half of managing moisture in a small closed space, which matters more in a van than most people expect.

The face-pulling reaction is the interesting part, in the end. A composting toilet asks you to think about something a flush is specifically designed to prevent you thinking about, which is a genuine cost and not one to pretend away. In exchange you stop using drinking water to move waste, which is a trade a surprising number of people take once they have actually lived with one.

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Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, is one of the holiest days in the Jewish religion. It marks the beginning of ten days of repentance for the sins we committed the past year, and we vow to do better in the coming year. Rosh Hashanah is the perfect time to think about and make connections between what we hope for and what we eat. We pray for a healthy year, yet we eat in unhealthy ways. We celebrate the creation of the world, yet we do things that contribute to the destruction of the planet. We seek compassion while we show little for the animals who end up on the holiday menu. We repent for our sins and give charity. We “awake from our slumber” and “mend our ways.” So what better time is there to practice compassion, charity, and new beginnings than by eating a healthy plant-based diet that is kind to our bodies, the animals, and the planet?

On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to eat foods that symbolize the good things we hope and pray for in the coming year. Certain foods are symbols and reminders of our hopes for a sweet and happy new year. In celebration of the New Year, 5775, here is a look at some of the traditional foods and recipes, and ideas for your holiday menu.

1. Apples and “Honey”

On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, we dip challah and apples into “honey,” asking for a sweet year. Though Biblical texts mention honey, historians believe that it was a fruit paste that was eaten as actual honey was hard to come by. That’s good since we don’t want to start the New Year by hurting bees. We can practice this tradition by dipping challah and apples into agave nectar, date paste, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or the sweetener of your choice. Read about The 5 Best Alternatives to Honey and this Guide to Natural Vegan Sweeteners to learn all about the many options available.

Other sweet apple goodies to enjoy are this Maple Drunk Apple Pie, Peanut Butter and Fresh Apple Pancakes with Peanut Butter Maple Syrup, and Apple Butter Cookies.

Apples are not only for dessert. A favorite holiday dish I make is my Tofu with Apple and Onion Relish. Cut a block of pressed and drained extra-firm tofu into 8 rectangular slices. Season ½ cup flour with 1 tsp dried sage, 1 tsp ground cumin, and kosher salt and pepper to taste. Coat the tofu with the seasoned flour and shake off any excess. Heat 2 Tbs. vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu slices (in batches) and cook until they are browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the tofu to a 200-degree oven to stay warm. Add 1 large onion that has been chopped into medium-sized pieces and 2 sweet apples, cored and chopped into medium-sized pieces to the skillet. The onions and apples will both give off a lot of water so increase the heat to high and cook until the onion is wilted and the apples are golden brown. This should take about 5 minutes. Add 3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar to the pan. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and cook until the vinegar thickens and becomes syrupy. Add 1 ½ cups vegetable broth and return it to a boil. Cook until the broth reduces to half. Remove the pan from the heat, add kosher salt and pepper to taste, and whisk in 2 Tbs. vegan butter until smooth. Serve the tofu and top with the onion and apple relish. Add fresh chopped parsley for garnish.

2. New Fruit

On the 2^nd night of Rosh Hashanah, it is tradition to eat a “new fruit” – a fruit that either has just come into season, but we haven’t eaten yet, or a fruit we have not tasted for a long time, if ever. This ritual is to remind us to appreciate the fruits of the earth, be grateful we are here to enjoy them and taste the newness of the year.

People often use pomegranates as the new fruit. Pomegranates are symbolic for several reasons: it is said the fruit contains 613 seeds just as there are 613 mitzvot or commandments; we wish that our good deeds in the coming year will be as plentiful as the seeds of the pomegranate; the pomegranate is a symbol of fertility and the unlimited possibilities for the New Year. Enjoy eating the pomegranates as is or in any of these delicious recipes: Healthy Pomegranate Quinoa Porridge, Pomegranate Sweet and Sour Tempeh, and Delectable Cashew Citrus Cream Cake with Pomegranate.

However, the tradition of eating a new fruit can be an opportunity to explore farmers’ markets and produce sections and find some interesting fruits that you and your family have never tried before. Is kiwi new to you? Try this Raw Kiwi Tart with Ginger, Mint, and Coconut. Passionfruit? Enjoy this Tropical Coconut and Passionfruit Chia Pudding. Or indulge in these Raw Fruit Tartlets which have a variety of delicious, sweet fruits.

3. Round and Sweet Challah              

Besides dipping apples in something sweet, the next most well-known symbolic food of Rosh Hashanah is round challah. The bread, which is usually baked in a braided shape, is made in a round shape to represent the unending cycle of life and the prayer that another full year will be granted. Try this Vegan Challah or this Vegan and Gluten-Free Challah. If you make the gluten-free version, be sure to get a round mold for the holiday.

Besides just dipping the challah into something sweet, you can easily alter the recipes above to make a sweet, dessert challah. Here are several ways to make the challah recipe sweeter: (1) add a bit more than the ¼ cup of sugar described in the recipes. I wouldn’t add a lot more sugar, maybe just take it up to 1/3 cup; (2) add ½ tsp. ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients of the dough; (3) replace ¼ to 1/3 cup of flour with cocoa powder to make it chocolate challah; (4) add ½ cup chocolate chips to make it a chocolate chip challah; (5) when making your vegan butter, substitute cocoa butter for the coconut oil to give the bread a delicious chocolate aroma and taste; and (6) before putting the challah in the oven to bake, brush the top with non-dairy vanilla-flavored milk. Combine ¼ cup sugar, ½ tsp. cinnamon and ½ tsp. cocoa powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle it over the top of the challah and bake as usual. This is how I make my Sweet Dessert Challah with Cinnamon Cocoa Sugar.

If you are using an already-bought or already-baked challah, you can still make it sweeter. Brush the bread with non-dairy milk and sprinkle the cinnamon cocoa sugar over it. Put it in a 250-degree oven for just a few minutes until the sugar melts. Then make it even sweeter by making a chocolate drizzle for it. Combine 1 cup vegan chocolate chips, 3 Tbs. vegan butter, 2 Tbs. agave nectar, a pinch of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Over low heat, keep stirring until the chocolate melts and is smooth and glossy. If the chocolate is too thick, you can thin it out with a little non-dairy milk. Cut thin slices of challah. Place 3 slices on each plate. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Sprinkle the challah with powdered sugar and serve while warm. You get the tender challah with its slightly sweet taste served warm and drizzled with rich chocolate and powdered sugar. What a wonderful way to start the New Year off sweetly.

4. Vegan Seafood

Some people believe that it is good to eat fish in the New Year because it is a symbol of fertility and abundance. Because fish never sleep, it is also thought that eating fish will keep us cognizant and aware. We can compassionately follow this tradition by enjoying vegan seafood at dinner. Start your holiday meal with this Vegan Gefilte “Fish” made from chickpeas. Then indulge in Vegan Tofu Scallops, Tempeh “Crab” Cakes with Horseradish-Dill Mayo, or Tofu “Shrimp” Scampi. Read How to Make Vegan Seafood without the Fish for more ideas and recipes.

5. Beets, Leeks, and Dates

Beets, leeks, and dates are believed to remove spiritual roadblocks, including enemies, before a sweet New Year is granted. A traditional Jewish way to enjoy beets is by making borscht or beet soup. My Papa’s Borscht (named after my grandfather) is easy to make. Boil 6 red beets that have been peeled and chopped in 3 cups of salted water for 20 minutes or until fork-tender. Strain the beets and reserve the liquid. Let the beets cool and then cut them into chunks. In the same pot, heat 1 Tbs. oil and saute 1 minced red onion, 1 finely diced stalk of celery, 1 finely diced carrot, and 1 minced garlic clove until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Add the beet cooking liquid, 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, and 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Add 1 Tbs. fresh dill and kosher salt and black pepper to taste. For a smooth soup, strain the veggies out or keep them in for a chunkier soup. Serve hot or cold with a dollop of vegan sour cream. Use the beet greens to make a salad to go on the side of your borscht.

Other beet dishes to try include Roasted Beet Burgers, Sauteed Beet Red Greens, Beet Carpaccio, Braised Red Cabbage with Beets, and this Grilled Beet Salad with Almonds and Dried Cranberries. For a beet-y dessert, make these Beet-Root Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes. Serve this Pureed Lentil Dip with Caramelized Leeks, Cheesy Leek, and Potato Gratin and this Tempeh, Date, and Olive Marbella for added protection.

6. Foods for Prosperity

Several foods are believed to bring prosperity, blessings, and plenty in the New Year. Just like the Southern tradition, black-eyed peas are thought to bring good fortune. Eat them in these Black-Eyed Pea and Spinach Fritters with Sundried Tomato Tartar Sauce or these Black-Eyed Pea Burgers with Mississippi Comeback Sauce. Couscous is believed to bring many blessings as represented by the many tiny grains. Make this Curried Couscous and Vegetable Salad and be sure to add 7 vegetables since the number seven represents goodness and luck. Gourds are another symbolic food eaten to make our merits many. Serve some Pumpkin and Kale Hummus and Sauteed Delicata Squash Rings and praise will certainly come to you. The Indian spice Fenugreek is also thought to increase our merits. Enjoy this spice in Indian-Style Cauliflower with Ginger and Fenugreek and these Indian Whole Wheat Flatbreads with Fenugreek.

7. Other Holiday Recipes

Not all traditional and customary holiday dishes are symbolic; some are just delicious. Serve up a bowl of tradition with a vegan twist with this Matzoh Ball Soup or this Vegan Matzoh Ball Soup with a Gluten-Free Option. For an appetizer, serve this Beet, Fennel, and Lime Pate or this Mushroom and Walnut Pate, a vegan version of chopped liver. Briskets and roasts are common holiday dishes. Wow everyone with this Seitan and Mushroom Bourguignon, Braised Seitan Short Ribs in Spicy Chile Sauce, Seitan Pot Roast (which can also be made with this gluten-free version of seitan), this Portobello Wellington, and the Unturkey Roast.

For less “meaty” entrees, try this Moroccan Tofu in Lemon-Olive Sauce over Spaghetti, Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf, Raw Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado-Cucumber Sauce, Lentil Loaf, or this Creamy Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagna.

For an extra-special side dish, make my Potato and Onion Kugel with Sauteed Apples. Other delicious sides include this Onion, Celery, and Mushroom Stuffing, Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes with Braised Garlicky Kale, Spicy Lentil Salad, Roasted Red Potatoes with Turmeric and Thyme, Yam Banana Mash, and Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Red Chile Flakes.

End the meal on a sweet note with this Apple of My Eye Pie with Gluten-Free Crust, Carrot Cake with Walnuts and Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, a big bowl of this Sweet Potato Apple Pie Ice Cream, and the traditional cookie of Jewish holidays, Chocolate Hazelnut Rugelach.

There is no better way to celebrate the New Year than with food that is healthy, compassionate, and incredibly delicious. It is not only possible but also easy to keep traditions alive while updating them just a bit to fit with our newer beliefs. We hope you enjoy these recipe ideas and have a very Happy New Year. “Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim: May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

Related Content:

• How to Cook Vegan Jewish Cuisine For Any Holiday, Dinner, or Occasion
• 15 Delicious Vegan Recipes for a Happy Jewish New Year
• 10 Veg Fests From Around the World
• How to Hold a Vegan Passover Seder
• 15 Creative Ways to Incorporate Leeks into Recipes!

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With Rosh Hashanah coming up, you may be wondering what you can have instead of apples and honey to bring in a sweet new year ~the vegan way~. To help you with your Rosh Hashanah dinner, we’ve found 15 delicious vegan recipes that are sweet and feature apples! They are super tasty and will help you start the year off on the right foot. Shanah Tovah to everyone celebrating! May you have a good and sweet year!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Blondies

Source: Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Blondies

Perfectly fluffy, and moist blondies studded with soft chunks of apple, rich notes of peanut butter, and drizzled in creamy coconut-based caramel. These Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Blondies by Taavi Moore are comforting, warm, and oh so delicious.

2. Apple Roses

Source: Apple Roses

These Apple Roses by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez are not only beautiful to look at but just as delicious to eat! With a variety of apples to choose from to make these wonderful roses, you can whip up this dessert whenever you’re craving a sweet treat!

Get the Blissful Cookbook!

3. Apple-Cinnamon Pop Tarts

Source: Apple-Cinnamon Pop Tarts

These Homemade Vegan Apple-Cinnamon Pop Tarts by Shanika Graham-White are nothing short of flaky, naturally sweet, and bursting with comforting spice flavors, both inside + out, and topped with a beautiful Maple frosting. Complete homage to the classic childhood favorite, these pop tarts are a sure crowd-pleaser, especially for Apple lovers.

4. Apple Spice Coffee Cake

Source: Apple Spice Coffee Cake

Apples, breakfast, coffee, and cake – these were just meant to go together! This grain-free spice coffee cake is made with pecan meal, pumpkin pie spice, and nut milk and is then topped with a sticky-sweet pecan streusel. Katrina Nixon‘s Apple Spice Coffee Cake is quick, easy, and packed with awesome flavor and tons of nutrition.

5. Apple Almond Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Source: Apple Almond Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

There may be nothing better than a fresh batch of homemade, warm, and gooey cinnamon rolls! To make everyone’s favorite breakfast pastry seasonal, this recipe uses a sourdough base and an apple and raisin filling. The glaze is infused with almond extract, making these rolls even more autumnal and delicious! These Apple Almond Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls by Travis Piper are amazing!

6. Rustic Apple Tart

Source: Rustic Apple Tart

This Rustic Apple Tart by Teri Macovei makes a wonderful dessert and will stun your guests with how pretty it is! Classic flavors of cinnamon and fresh-cut apples, on top of a gluten-free, vegan flaky crust. It’s one inviting and warmly spiced apple tart!

7. Apple Strudel With Custard

Source: Apple Strudel With Custard

Now that autumn is here and apples are in season, what better excuse is there to have an amazing and super easy dessert? This flaky apple strudel becomes golden brown goodness as it bakes and the fragrant, sweet scent of apples is amazing. This creamy custard could not be any simpler or more rewarding! Only 4 ingredients and it tastes heavenly! You will love this Apple Strudel With Custard by Philipp Ertl!

8. Baked Apples

Source: Baked Apples

These Baked Apples by Gabriela Lupu are easy, simple, and delicious. Use apples that are very ripe if you want the baked apples very sweet.

9. Apple Pie Streusel Muffins

Source: Apple Pie Streusel Muffins

A fluffy & moist muffin embedded with soft chunks of apple and topped with a crunchy, sweet streusel topping! Taavi Moore‘s Apple Pie Streusel Muffins are fantastic!

10. Best Apple Pie

Source: Best Apple Pie

The Best Apple Pie by Petra Vogel is a delicious and reliable apple pie recipe that you will want to make time and time again. A total crowd pleaser!

11. Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Source: Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake

There may not be a better combination than apples and caramel unless, of course, pecans and a hint of sea salt are added to the mix. Now imagine this delightful combination of flavors in a cheesecake version. This dairy-free cake doesn’t contain any real cheese, but the cashews and cacao butter combine beautifully to create a raw version of the classic creamy cheesecake. If you are after a visually appealing, healthy dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth and put a smile on every face at your table this Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake by Nikkie and Zuzana is it!

12. Apple Pie

Source: Apple Pie

Delectable, with a nutty, buttery flavor and delicate texture. Don’t pass this Apple Pie by Dreena Burton by, thinking it will be brittle and difficult — despite being gluten-free, this crust does not crumble apart, is very easy to work with, and is very forgiving. My testers loved this crust, choosing it as their new go-to pastry recipe!

13. Hot Apples

Source: Hot Apples

Apple season is the perfect time to pick apples by the bushel: then dehydrate them to make apple chips, bake them, and slice and dip them in nut butter. This easy recipe will fill your entire house with a homey, delicious aroma as it bubbles and bakes. This naturally sweet treat is so simple that the most difficult thing will be waiting for it to cool down enough to eat.

This recipe for Hot Apples is excerpted from THE ADVENTUROUS EATERS CLUB by Misha and Vicki Collins, reprinted with permission from HarperOne and imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Copyright 2019.

14. Pecan Apple Loaf

Source: Pecan Apple Loaf

If you’re looking for the perfect fall dessert for this time of year…you have come to the right recipe. Sit back, relax, grab a cup of hot coffee or tea, and enjoy this slice of heaven. This Pecan Apple Loaf by Taavi Moore is moist, and fluffy, with a crunch of caramelized pecans, embedded with soft chunks of apple, an aroma of fall spices, and a hint of bay leaf…which adds a whole other layer of flavor to this loaf.

15. Cinnamon Apple Cake

Source: Cinnamon Apple Cake

This Cinnamon Apple Cake by Lenny Wu is heavenly, loaded with moist & juicy apple chunks! It’s quite easy to make and doesn’t have many ingredients! With autumnal flavors of apple and cinnamon, this is the perfect fall cake. Make it for your holiday party to impress all of your guests. This cinnamon apple cake is fantastic!

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Tubby was a stray, the kind a street collectively decides to look after. He got into a neighbour’s chickens in Lee County, Florida, and killed some of them. A neighbour then heard an air gun firing in a back garden, followed by the sound of the cat screeching. A couple of hours later Tubby came limping home with a broken leg. Nicholas Laney was arrested on 19 August 2026 and faces an aggravated animal cruelty charge. Please sign the petition asking the State Attorney’s Office to seek a lifetime ban on animal ownership as part of this case.

✍  Sign the Petition

The provocation is real and it is also beside the point. A cat killing chickens is a genuine loss to whoever kept them, and there are lawful ways to deal with it: fencing, secure coops, animal control, trapping and rehoming. Florida law does not include shooting a cat with an air gun among them. The state treats aggravated animal cruelty as a third-degree felony, carrying up to five years, precisely because the alternative is a neighbourhood where disputes about animals get settled with whatever is to hand. Laney has been charged and not convicted, and is entitled to due process.

What lifts this above one injured cat is what neighbours told reporters afterwards. They say the same person had previously grabbed a husky by the neck and threatened to kill her, again over the chickens, and again on the basis of an accusation the dog’s owners dispute. If that account holds up it describes a pattern rather than a single loss of temper, which is exactly what a lifetime ownership ban is designed for, since a sentence ends and an animal in that household does not get to wait it out. One neighbour also raised the question underneath all of this, asking why chickens were being kept loose in a residential street in the first place. One Green Planet has covered how to report suspected animal cruelty, and the arrest is reported by WBBH via CNN Newsource. Tubby survived.

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• Petition: Luna Survived. Two Other Kittens Didn’t. They Were Killed to Punish Someone Else.
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