THE PROTEGO FOUNDATION - Latest Blogs

‘Mandrakes Feel Pain! And Other Magical Vegan Myths’ - Interview with Courtney Crisfield of Northern Star Productions

9/17/2021

Northern Star Productions was founded by Courtney Crisfield and Bayne Orion Bradshaw, two talented actors and creators who also happen to be vegan activists.

Based in Australia, the dynamic duo has been hard at work writing, producing, directing, AND acting in multiple projects that make up their Lights Up: Animal Activism Through Fiction anthology series.

Among these projects is one that greatly piqued our interest: Mandrakes Feel Pain! And Other Magical Vegan Myths. It poses the question of what would happen if a vegan attended Hogwarts.

To put it simply, this is right up our Diagon Alley!

Interview with Ellie Darcey-Alden

9/7/2021

It’s not every day your young witch turns 22. In celebration of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” actress Ellie Darcey-Alden’s recent birthday, we’re taking a moment to honor her and the fantastic activism that she has been partaking in.

The British actress and Oxfordshire native made her big debut in the Potter film franchise when she appeared as the young Lily Evans. The small role launched the ginger-haired Gryffindor straight into the hearts of Potterheads all around the world. Ellie’s five minutes of screentime left such an impression that she is still showered with love by fans 10 years later.

Ellie’s compassion for animals and her commitment to veganism led us to admire her more than we already did. We’re proud to welcome Ellie into The Protego Foundation as our very first official Ambassador!

Now dwelling in Los Angeles and balancing her acting career with a side job as a nanny for a vegan family, Ellie has been exploring ways to become a better vegan, activist, and advocate for animals and the planet.

We had the exclusive opportunity to speak with Ellie about the animal rights and welfare causes that mean the most to her, what inspires her as a vegan, and her tips on being an environmentally-conscious animal supporter on even the tightest budget.

Here’s what Ellie had to say.

Harry Potter New York Review

8/31/2021

June 3rd, 2021 marked the grand opening of Harry Potter New York. The unveiling of the new store had a bit of a rainy start. But, as Ron Weasley oh-so-cheerfully suggested to Harry in Prisoner of Azkaban, we weren’t going to let the Muggles (or in this case, weather forecast) get us down. A dreary morning of lashing rain and gray skies wasn’t enough to deter the colorful crowd of people lined up on the New York City streets of the Flatiron District.

Among them? Some of the team from The Protego Foundation!

With as much excitement as queuing up for the Quidditch World Cup or one of the original Harry Potter midnight book releases, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, Gryffindors, and Slytherins all united to explore (and maybe even plunder) the untold depths of magical merch at New York’s very own (and the world’s first) flagship Harry Potter store.

The Protego Foundation was there among the thousands of magical people who passed through the hallowed halls of the store on the very day it opened to the public.

Vegan Butterbeer Recipe

8/25/2021

Ah, butterbeer. There's no denying that it's the most popular drink found in the wizarding world.

If you've ever found yourself daydreaming about cozying up in a booth at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade with a warm mug of butterbeer in hand, we're right there with you.

Or perhaps you'd prefer your butterbeer bottled and chilled, straight from the cellar of the Hog's Head (sans dust). Luckily, we have a recipe that can be prepared either way!

We think Harry, who's been known as an avid butterbeer fan since he first tasted it in his third year, would approve of this simple, frothy, and delicious recipe!

10 Vegan Recipes from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

8/20/2021

After spending two years within the magical walls of Hogwarts Castle, it’s understandable that leaving the wizarding world behind for the summer holidays in the Muggle world at the beginning of Prisoner of Azkaban was such a dismal thought to Harry Potter, especially since he had to spend months with his dreaded Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley Dursley.

However, to Harry’s delight, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he didn’t end up spending much time with the Dursleys between the end of his second year and the start of his third.

After accidentally blowing up his Aunt Marge, Harry packed his belongings, found himself on the Knight Bus, and ended up at the Leaky Cauldron, spending the remainder of his summer basking in the glory of Diagon Alley.

Between his daily ice cream sundaes from Florean Fortescue's and discovering Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, we'd say that Harry had a pretty good year when it came to food!

As our own summer season comes to an end, we thought we’d put together some delicious recipes from Prisoner of Azkaban for you to enjoy!

Witch Weekly's Most Inspiring Activist Award: Evanna Lynch

8/14/2021

Our Witch Weekly series is back – this time with the courageous and compassionate Evanna Lynch! To celebrate Evanna’s birthday (August 16th!), we’re exploring what makes this fearless Gryffindor our newest Witch Weekly’s Most Inspiring Activist!

We’re introduced to the Irish actress in Order of the Phoenix as the quirkiest witch of her age – Luna Lovegood!

Beyond the world of Potter, Evanna is one of the most daring and outspoken advocates for veganism, animal welfare, and animal rights. Through her writing, podcasting, and entrepreneurship, Evanna is inspiring Potter fans worldwide to adopt a more compassionate lifestyle.

Evanna started her activist journey young when, at the age of 11, she became a vegetarian because she was distressed at the thought of animals being used as food. She wanted to avoid “bloodshed” on her plate.

Common Cat Myths

8/8/2021

It’s time to give your feline friends an extra cuddle — today is International Cat Day!

Our cat companions are there for us through hard times, fun times, and the plain, average days when, like them, you want nothing more than to nap in the sun or curl up under a fuzzy blanket. We’re taking today to appreciate them and the love and affection they show us every day.

Time for a quick Muggle history lesson.

As noted by the “brightest witch of her age,” Miss Hermione Granger, the Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats. During this time, cats made the world safer. In a practical sense, they stopped other animals, such as rats and snakes, from spoiling grain stocks or sneaking about inside clay vases.

In a spiritual sense, cats in Egypt were thought to be able to spot someone treacherous. Primarily they were known for their association with the protection goddess Bast, who was famous for her powerful ability to vanquish evil spirits.

Maison de Magique Fragrances

7/21/2021

Maison de Magique creates magical, vegan, and cruelty-free fragrances that make the perfect present for a fellow witch, wizard, or magical person (or a little treat for yourself!).

Perhaps you’re going to the Yule Ball, to a Weasley wedding, or for a drink at The Blind Pig Speakeasy. Wherever you’re headed, add a spritz of one of Maison de Magique’s House-themed scents and you’ll be sure to impress.

Whether you’re brave, intelligent, loyal, or cunning, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Maison de Magique offers four scents, each reflecting the different traits of the four Hogwarts Houses: Eau de Gryffindor, Eau de Ravenclaw, Eau de Hufflepuff, and Eau de Slytherin.

These enchanting fragrances are presented in reflective black glass bottles, each embellished with their corresponding House crests. The golden crests shimmer with the House colors subtly showing through in the background. They come in lavish packaging with an elegant paper insert that features images of Hogwarts Castle and the House mascots.

Let’s take a closer look at these magical fragrances!

The Wizards Magic Plant-Based Chocolate

7/21/2021

James and Oliver Phelps, the British actors who brought the mischief-making prankster twins Fred and George Weasley to life on screen in the Harry Potter franchise have returned to the wizarding world. . . but not in the way you’d expect.

The brothers, like their red-headed film characters, are now also trying their hand at entrepreneurship! They’ve concocted a line of chocolates, appropriately named The Wizards Magic, that may well have been ripped straight off of the Hogwarts Express trolley.

At first glance, these treats are what Luna Lovegood might call “exceptionally ordinary.”

But unlike their wizarding world counterparts, which are often full of milk, cream, and other dairy products, the new plant-based line of The Wizards Magic chocolate is all vegan! With flavors that include Vanilla, Mint, and Orange, along with the classic Chocolate, there are options for every sweet tooth.

Fandom Forward's Camp GLA 2021

7/16/2021

Fandom Forward's annual event, Camp GLA, is completely virtual this year.

It’s the only place in the world where fans, creators, organizers, and academics of all ages come together to tap into their collective imagination as a powerful force for good.

The Protego Foundation is honored to be a Virtual Vendor for the event!

Read on to learn more about Fandom Forward and the amazing lineup of panels that they have scheduled. We are really excited to attend this one-of-a-kind conference and support the work that Fandom Foward is doing as a fellow fandom-inspired nonprofit!

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The Protego Foundation and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. 'Wizarding World,' 'Harry Potter,' ‘Fantastic Beasts' and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.