Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 103

Homemade Raw Ice Cream Bars

I came across this recipe from Veggie Wedgie and it looks like a yum summer treat….

Homemade Raw Ice Cream Bars

Ice Cream Ingredients

Chocolate Pudding Ice cream Base
4 ripe avocados
1 cup raw cacao powder
1 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup water

White Chocolate Shell Ingredients
150 grams raw shaved cacao butter

4 tbsp raw coconut butter/oil


6 tbsp coconut milk powder (this is not a raw product, but you can substitute with lucuma, maca or yacon powder)


6 tbsp agave nectar


1/2 tsp ground vanilla powder

Instructions
Head to this recipe on Veggie Wedgie for the instructions.

This recipe makes about 10 small ice cream bars.

What's your favorite kind ice cream treat? Share a link to the recipe in the comments below!

Visit Your Local Co-Op

 

If you're in Los Angeles this summer, please take some time to visit the Co-Opportunity Natural Foods Market in Santa Monica for fresh organic juices and local organic produce! Alicia shops at this store when she’s in the area and co-ops are cool.

The cool thing about Co-Ops is that they're actually owned by their community. They offer annual membership with special discounts for members only (but you can shop there whether or not you’re a member). Members share a common passion for good food, good community and a lot of great benefits, not least of which is knowing they are supporting a more sustainable way of life.  Co-Ops strive to make a difference in the health and well being of their members, shoppers and community and supports the sustainability of the environment. They promote certified organic products and GMO-free items, while encouraging manufacturers to include more organically grown ingredients in their products as well. They also believe that by supporting local farmers, craftspeople, and other local businesses, they can help to improve our community.

The Co-Opportunity Natural Foods Market’s unique history began back in 1974, where four founders started the market out of a tiny garage in West Los Angeles. As the ownership ranks swelled, the Co-op quickly outgrew the confines of the cramped garage and relocated to a proper storefront on Santa Monica Blvd.  Finding a new storefront was a challenge - more owners meant more viewpoints to consider. After much deliberation a final consensus was reached—the Co-op would move to Santa Monica from its previous location in West L.A. to a small place on 16th and Broadway, a quiet, commercial-industrial area in Santa Monica.  Today, they're a thriving Cooperative with deep roots in the community.  They've just recently undergone a major makeover of not only their physical location, but their operations in general.  It's amazing how the vision of four founding owners operating out of a tiny garage has evolved into a thriving Co-op with more than 11,000 owners! Click the link if you’re interested in joining the Co-Opportunity Natural Foods market.

Do you belong to a local Co-Op? Are there any great Co-Ops near you?

Share the info below for other Kind Lifers in your area!

Kind Classics: My Thoughts on Beeswax

 
source: Treesha Duncan

 

Ok, so here is my opinion on beeswax: I try hard not to use it, and would rather that no one use it. 



Bees are smarter than we think, and have a lot going on in their nervous systems. Like many animals, bees have a very good sense of sight, smell, and communication. According to University of Arizona's agricultural department, bees can see six "groups" of colors, including ultraviolet, a color that humans can't see. They can also smell each other's pheremones, and rely on smell to signal danger, as well as to identify who is part of their hives. They use their antennae to sense the space around them, which comes in handy when they are building comb. Bees experience life, do what they can to avoid pain and harm, and go after things that they want! Yes, they are bees, but they are creatures that deserve their natural, god-given right to life... and they are the most gifted pollinators!



Beekeepers truck nearly 2.4 million hives all over the country to track seasonal crops. This stresses the bees out and bombards them with pesticides and diseases that are present at the different locations where the trucks stop en route. Beekeepers also go to nasty extremes to keep colonies going. They will replace honey (what bees eat) with corn-syrup or refined sugar. Access to only a single food source weakens bees' immune systems. In fact, studies show that bees who pollinate 5 crops have stronger immune systems than bees who pollinate just one crop, or subsist on just one type of nutrient. Beekeepers will also cut off the Queen bee's wings, keep her in a cage to stay away from a hostile hive (Queen bees are often transplanted to foreign hives from their home hives), or kill her off when egg production slows. And they will often use smoke to force the bees out of their hives. 

In 2006 millions of bees across the country vanished from their hives.

There is a great PBS documentary called Silence of the Bees about this that researches why and what happened. The whole deal is just not at all friendly - the bees are kept constantly working and not living their bee lives as they would if they remained undisturbed. 



All that said, I do need to give a disclaimer here. I would personally rather support a natural skin care line that has beeswax in it than a company that is vegan but uses tons of chemicals. That's just my personal feeling. You have to remember that these chemicals we see in so many products on the market are hurting the planet, hurting us, and hurting animals as well (by destroying their habitats). The more we support natural products, the less damage we do to the environment, to ourselves and to animals.

source: botheredbybees
 
 

Of course, I prefer that a beauty product line be as natural as can be, and be vegan and free of beeswax...but sometimes a pretty great line will have one or two ingredients that are less than ideal (i.e. carmine or beeswax, both not nice). Now, we can write letters to them and ask them why they use these ingredients and ask them to use something else instead. Maybe they've never tried to do it another way and with your help, will consider alternatives. Either way, it's always good to be an engaged consumer.



In the end, it's all about finding the best possible solution, under all given circumstances. I will continue to search for the perfect solution and appreciate the best ones or the best-for-now ones in the meantime. This is why some of the products I have listed around the website have beeswax in them or insects – because they are the "best for now" options. And to be honest, I had gotten so excited about all natural and lanolin-free stuff out there that I forgot to check the insect/beeswax factor, so thank you, community, for reminding me. I have tons of respect for insects and definitely don't want to use or harm them unnecessarily.



A word about organic beeswax – regulations are not well defined, and because bees often forage 1-2 miles from their hives, it is hard to control their contact with pesticides. Companies producing organic beeswax do claim that they keep their bees away from chemicals or pesticides. But as far as the bees are concerned, the "organic" label does not address practices that are hurtful to the bees – only practices that would be potentially harmful to humans (e.g. exposure to pesticides and chemicals). That's an important distinction to keep in mind whenever assessing natural or organic products. 



Of course there is so much more for me to learn on this subject – but this is where I sit with the info I have now. Stay tuned as I learn more.

Please share any insights you have here!

Blackfish: A Powerful New Documentary

 

 

My friend Lisa told me about this fantastic-looking documentary. The trailer is great and I can’t wait to see it. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is available everywhere this Friday, July 26th. I really think this is something everyone needs to see…

Here’s a little synopsis:

Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. Along the way, director-producer Gabriela Cowperthwaite compiles shocking footage and emotional interviews to explore the creature’s extraordinary nature, the species’ cruel treatment in captivity, the lives and losses of the trainers and the pressures brought to bear by the multi-billion dollar sea-park industry.

This emotionally wrenching, tautly structured story challenges us to consider our relationship to nature and reveals how little we humans have learned from these highly intelligent and enormously sentient fellow mammals.

You have to watch the trailer:

You can find out more about the film and where it’s screening in your area on their website Blackfishmovie.com and by following the film on Facebook and Twitter.
 
Are you interested in seeing this?

Please bring as many people as you can!!

My Snacky Dinner

Recently, I got home from an exercise class and needed a quick meal. I’d cooked a full dinner the night before. I was pms-y and grumpy and just wanted something easy, so I got resourceful and ended up with a very quick, satisfying dinner.

I had a few ingredients in my fridge that needed to get eaten or they would go bad. I had intended to make brownies for a party that call for soy yogurt and tofu cream, but I couldn’t find the Sunspire grain sweetened chocolate chips I needed, so I was stuck with the soy yogurt (made by Whole Soy) and tofu cream cheese (made by Follow Your Heart). I also had a loaf of raisin bread from a friend who didn’t want to throw it away and a container of eggplant dip from Dean & Deluca. The eggplant dip wasn’t too exciting on its own, but it was going to go bad if I didn’t eat it, so…here’s what I did:

I toasted the raisin bread and spread it with cream cheese. Then, I spread the eggplant dip on top of the cream cheese raisin toast and made an open-face sandwich. It was delicious! For dessert, I had a childhood favorite of mine, yogurt with raisins. An easy, delicious snack, and I used up the ingredients I had on hand!

Side note: we need to bring Sunspire’s grain sweetened chocolate chips back!! What happened to them? Let’s start a campaign to bring them back!

Side note #2: I have yet to find a soy yogurt that is unsweetened or sweetened with brown rice syrup. Every soy yogurt I find is sweetened with agave, cane juice, or something else that isn’t superhero. If anyone knows of an unsweetened soy yogurt, please tell me in the comments below!

Side note #3: This is not superhero, but it was delicious! And crazy.

What snacky meals have you thrown together recently?

Photo source: treehouse1977, Charles Haynes, followyourheart.com

The First Couture Label to be Vegetarian Society Approved

Lucy Tammam, creative director and designer of London based sustainable, animal friendly, fair trade and generally ethical fashion label Tammam, tells us about becoming VegSoc approved, starting an ethical fashion label and the call of couture.

 

I am sure you have noticed that most luxury fashion houses are rather keen on using animal products in their collections. Catwalks are often graced with fur trims, leather, silk gowns (for most silk extraction processes moths are boiled alive), and tailored garments filled with horsehair canvas. The Tammam label is the exception, not only does the label avoid use of all animal skins and materials obtained through cruel practices – we also have spent the last 10 years researching and developing fabrics that are suitable alternatives, and are also eco-friendly. For vegans and strict vegetarians Tammam has developed silk alternatives using fibres like banana and hemp, as well as offering beautiful luxurious cotton alternatives.  In fact we have worked so hard to ensure our practices are animal-friendly we have now been approved by the UK vegetarian society – the first couture label to have such an honour!

Its not just animals that are saved through Tammam’s unique supply chain. Our ethical fashion house will also only work with fair trade labour – ensuring all people along the way are treated with respect and paid properly. Also steering clear of manmade fibres – unless from a recycled source - we are working with a fully monitored sustainable supply chain to ensure our products are saving the world, not harming it.

I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years. As a young activist fighting for animal rights and campaigning for vegetarian organizations, I realised that my passion for ecology, love of animals and skill as a designer, pattern cutter and couturier could be married together to create a unique, interesting and powerful fashion label. Setting up the business in 2007 with my life savings and a small grant from the OR A? vegetarian charity, I started Tammam, offering beautiful fashion pieces to the wholesale market.

The label’s offering soon changed when I kept being asked for wedding dresses, and my creativity and love of craftsmanship took over, propelling Tammam to the dizzy heights of couture and bespoke bridal wear.

Now a favourite amongst the high society of London, celebrities, and eco brides, Tammam gowns can be seen on red carpets as well as at the best weddings (veggie or not).

Atelier Tammam, our showroom and studio, is situated in Bloomsbury in central London, clients can book an appointment for a consultation to discuss their dream gown or outfit and our experienced team will guide them through all the options, ensuring not only personal style is catered for but also personal beliefs.

What would your dream eco gown look like?

Share with me in the comments!

Kind Classics: All About Agave

All About Agave

Guest Blog by Christina Pirello

To agave or not to agave; that is the question. It seems that everything today creates scandal and confusion-our food, our politics, our neighborhoods, how we exercise and now even our sweeteners, natural and otherwise.



A relative newcomer to the culinary world (but not the world) is agave nectar, processed from the agave cactus. It became quite popular with the raw foods community because it is processed at low heat, but in reality, about 30 degrees higher than most raw foodists would deem acceptable, but let's let that go for the moment. 



It seemed that this low glycemic sweetener was destined to be the next big thing in healthy cooking. Deliciously sweet, naturally processed, gluten-free, delicate enough for most recipes, it had it all. Or did it?



Some facts about agave: agave plants are crushed and the sap is collected in tanks. It's heated to about 140*F for about 36 hours to concentrate the sap into syrup and develop the sweetness. See, the main carbohydrate in agave is a complex form of fructose, one of which is insulin. I know; I know, too science-y. Anyhow, the sap is not very sweet, so when the agave sap is heated, the complex form of fructose is hydrolyzed and then filtered to obtain the desired sweet flavor, from the dark to the lighter, milder amber. In short, the complex fructosans are being broken down into fructose.



Based on my own research, I am not as in love with agave as I was in the beginning. I believe that it's more processed than I originally thought and in that processing some of the vital nutrients that made it healthy for us are lost.



It is marketed as being low-glycemic and therefore safe for diabetics. Well, I say "Not so fast" on that one. Not only is the whole glycemic index misinterpreted and mis-used, but agave is considered low-glycemic because of its high concentration of fructose as compared to glucose (only about 10%). My concern is that this ratio of 90%/10% is not natural. Even high fructose corn syrup only contains about 55% fructose and we consider that to be the Darth Vader of food because of its high concentration of fructose.



And the big deal about fructose? Ay, ay, ay! While fructose naturally occurs in fruits and veggies, it is in small concentrations, so the liver can handle its metabolism. But when concentrated like it is in agave and high fructose corn syrup, an added burden is placed on the liver. Glucose, our body's desired fuel is metabolized by every cell, while fructose is not. It has to be metabolized by the liver, which can lead to fatty deposits showing up in this most overworked gland. And since it's metabolized by the liver, it is more likely to contribute to weight gain than other natural sweeteners.



Some studies also show that fructose can be indirectly linked to the inhibition of collagen and elastin production in the body, resulting in skin that is not so firm.



And finally, this form of hydrolyzed fructose contains no enzymes, vitamins or minerals, so like sugar; it can rob the body of these nutrients in order to assimilate itself for use.

Now that I front-loaded the bad news, there is good news about agave. First and most important, its high fructose concentration is where its similarity to high fructose corn syrup ends. Agave is natural, while HFCS was invented, making agave superior in quality.



Agave's low glycemic index does make it an okay sweetener to use in small quantities. Its molecular structure allows it to provide sweetness without a "sugar rush" and resulting crash and no blood sugar spike. And it does make great tequila, so it can't be all bad. (Kidding!)



Look, I have always found agave to be too sweet in taste, so I did not use it much in my cooking. But I have found it to be a nice alternative for people looking for a more intense sweet without sugar and a gluten-free option for natural sweetening.



Do I think you should throw out your agave and cower in fear? Nope. But I do think that I will stick with my old reliable brown rice syrup, which I have used with great success in both cooking and health for more than 25 years. After processing, brown rice syrup remains 50% complex carbohydrate, 45% maltose and 5% glucose. This strong polysaccharide structure allows brown rice syrup to be used by the body more efficiently and is less likely to store as fat. And it digests more slowly so you are less likely to crave more and more sweet taste and binge. You will be satisfied with less. And in most cases, it also is gluten-free, so read the labels before you buy if that is a concern.



Now that's not to say you can use it without reservation. With about 70-75 calories in a tablespoon, brown rice syrup, like all sweeteners is calorically dense (about 60 in a tablespoon of white sugar) and can pack on the pounds if not used wisely. So while a better choice than white sugar, because it's a polysaccharide, like all sweeteners, brown rice syrup is a treat, not a staple of life, as much as we would like that to be our truth. If it becomes a staple of life, you will have the waistline to prove it!



But, back to the topic at hand. Is agave healthy as a natural sweetener? In small amounts, I would say it's okay, not the best, but okay. Is it healthier than HFCS? Yes, because it's natural, not invented. Is it healthier than artificial sweeteners? Heck, yes, for so many reasons. Are there other options? Yup, from xlyitol to stevia, healthy, natural, low in calories. If you like them, go for it. And it's vegan, as is rice syrup, so it ain't all bad news. And as our modern food supply goes, you could do a lot worse than agave nectar.



I prefer (and will likely always prefer) brown rice syrup as my primary sweetener for baking, sauces, puddings and all things sweet.

So relax and enjoy the sweetness of life!

Note from Alicia:

Thanks Christina! You can check out more articles and recipes from Christina here!

As much as I love the taste and the vegan-ness of agave, it doesn't sit well with me. Since I eat superhero most of the time, I actually do feel spiked by it the same way I do by maple syrup and cane juice. You don't have to avoid it like the plague - agave is great for an occasional treat. I just don't get excited about it in terms of how it makes me feel. Brown rice syrup never did me dirty though...love that!

How often do you use agave? What are your favorite sweeteners?

photo source: flickr.com / amantedar

My 10 Favorite NYC Restaurants (And Many More)

 

 

Some of these are mandatory for every flirt. Vegans, bring your flirty friends here. They will be thrilled.

My 10 Fave Spots In NYC

1. Pure Food & Wine
54 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
T: 212.477.1010
Website

I’m obsessed with the nori-wrapped cashew cheese kimchi rolls with plum sauce. I seriously think about them a lot. I went by myself the last night I was in New York on our winter adventure and then I went again with my friend Daniel Breaker when I was there this spring for a speaking engagement. We had a lovely salad of creamy romaine and a dish Daniel picked—a “pasta” with baby leeks called ramps. Ramps are only in season for a quick hot minute. It was delicious! Pure Food is food art and so fresh and special. I look forward to my next visit!!

2. Hampton Chutney
There are several locations around NYC. Check out the website.

Stop the press! So good. The dosa with butternut and arugula and portabella mushrooms and no cheese is an amazing seasonal dish they have. Run and order it for your non-veg friends.

3. Del Posto
85 10th Ave
New York, NY 10011
(212) 497-8090
Website

I ate here three years ago with my friend Alex. It’s really great and I need to go back. Here’s my blog about it.  

4. Gramercy Tavern
42 East 20th St
New York, NY 10003
T: 212.477.0777
Website

This meal was soooo good. It’s a fancy place in terms of price, but the veg tasting menu is so good. Have your parents take you or go on a special occasion. I can’t remember what I ate, but it was food art, and I loved it all. Flirts and non-veg people can eat the vegetarian menu. It’s great and so easy to ask for a vegan version, which of course, I do. Run here if you can.

5. Dovetail
103 West 77th St
New York, NY 10024
T: 212.362.3800
Website

I love this place for the consommé and the fresh and yummy food. This restaurant has a fancy casual vibe. It’s on the upper west side, so a little stiff, but the food? Insane! Monday nights only, they have a full veg tasting menu. Daniel and I went there, and what did me we do? We each ordered a different tasting menu so we could try it all. The consommé was my fave. I had it for dessert too! Seriously, I asked for more consommé for dessert. They also had a marinated beet dish I loved.

I had my meal with a glass of pinot noir, which was delish. I would go back in a heartbeat…I’m sad because I can’t go back until my next visit! Dovetail is great for all non-veggies. This is a great place to take your parents or family. Make sure to look for the veg plates because this place serves meat too.

The special Monday might menu has vegetarian dishes, but you can have it all made vegan. I might not stay for dessert – it’s good, but when I know there are all of the Lula’s Ice Creams out there, or the chocolate bar I’m dying to try, I’d do that next time, unless the dessert menu at Dovetail sounds insane. It’s not too pricey either, which is so nice.

6. Lula’s Apothecary
516 East 6th St
New York, NY 10009
T: 646.481.5852
Website

I didn't made it on my most recent trip, but three years ago, I went with Laura Linney. I think about it a lot and I hope to make it there next time I’m in the city. If you haven’t been, run there for delicious ice cream and such a nice vibe.

7. Candle Café – West
2427 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
T: 212.769.8900
Website

I love the spaghetti and meatballs, seitan piccata (in The Kind Diet, pg. 156), and the mezze plate. Their flautas and spinach ravioli are yum, and the seitan chimichuri. We ate here a lot during The Performers. Check out the cast's favorite dishes.

8. NY Dosas
50 Washington Sq S

New York, NY 10014
T: 917.710.2092
Website
 
This Indian food stand is sooo good. It was on the corner of the park near my apartment in New York. It’s great for non-veg folk. The only bummer is they use Styrofoam. Let’s all tell him we would love no Styrofoam! I blogged about NY Dosas last time I was in NYC too.

9. Hangawi
12 East 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
212-213-0077
Website

This place is always good. It’s so tasty...not superhero, but great for non-veg friends.

10. Vegetarian Dim Sum House/Zen Vegetarian House
(2 locations, both delicious)

Vegetarian Dim Sum House
24 Pell St
New York, NY 10013
T: 212.577.7176
Website

Zen Vegetarian House
663 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 282-2255
Yelp

Yum sooo good! I usually don’t go for Chinese food, but the food at Vegetarian Dim Sum House is so authentic and clean and delicious. I don’t feel bad at all after eating here. The waitresses here are always delightfully nasty which makes me giggle. Christopher hugged one of them one time, and she didn’t know what hit her, cause she was so grumpy. Anywho, the food is great and worth running to. Bring your non-veg friends immediately. It’s similar to Zen Vegetarian House, which is also great. If you end up at Zen Vegetarian House, try the honey (I know, it’s not totally vegan) “pork,” plate of ginger greens, and “chicken” fried rice.

And here are some more great spots I need to mention…

 

The Butcher’s Daughter in Nolita (pictured above) was really great the first time we went. I loved the bagel and “cream cheese” with tomato. They also have juices and soups, but I haven’t had a chance to try those. It’s very flirt and non-veg friendly. It shows no sign of veggieness, just complete grooviness. It’s so sophisticated and stylish. It’s very seductive to the non-veg world.

Sadly, Christopher went back recently and they didn’t have the bagel with cream cheese and we were really disappointed with the avocado sandwich. Hopefully it was just an off day and they get back to being great!

Angelica Kitchen is a nice spot for simple, good quality superhero food. I’m not sure I’d run here, but I like it a lot. And I’m definitely not running with a flirt or non-veg friend. But for vegans and superheroes, it’s a wonderful place. And thank god for it! Nice and simple, good macro food.

Candle 79 uptown is a must try for all non-veg folk. You must order the seitan piccata (pictured below). This meal is the perfect way to turn someone on to veg eating meal. It’s not superhero, but it’s so good. Perfect for fun food and elegant dining.

Candle Café East - My fave dish is the paradise casserole and the iced tea (it’s not caffeinated). They have great superhero dishes and fun dishes that are good for non-vegheads too. It’s uptown. I don’t head there often...but I love all the Candle restaurants and they were our go-to for take out during performance days.

Dirty Candy I went here with my friend Daniel Breaker – we met on The Performers. The wine here is really good. I didn’t love the dessert as much, but the food is good. It’s worth another visit (photos below).

 

The Fat Radish (pictured below) is a great cocktail spot downtown. They have food too, but their cocktails are crazy good. I had a tequila cocktail with jalapeno and grapefruit juice. I’d go there for a drink and a big fat salad. Their salad greens and kale are so fresh and vibrant and the staff is really friendly. It’s got a super groovy vibe.

 

Food Swings is the place to go for dirty, yum, frisky vegan junk food. Potato skins, fried chicken, milk shakes…yum! I went a year ago when I was living in Brooklyn. It’s fun food perfect for your non-veg friends. Superhero? No way! Go there when you’re feeling very naughty. 

 

Gobo is good for seitan, kale, and rice. Their macro plate is great but not a first choice for your non-veg friends. There are multiple locations – check out the website to see which is closest to you.

Jivamuktea Café is good for a quick bite. They have superhero plates and fun, festive vegan fare. It’s not my first choice for turning on your non-veg folk, but it’s very good and has a good vibe.

Jewel Bako has a nice veg dishes if you’re looking for a fancy sushi meal.

 

Kajitsu - I went here a few times about three and a half years ago, and I haven’t made it back yet. But I’m dying to! It’s so sweet in there. The vibe, the serving ware, the cups are so cute! Kaijitsu serves Shojin cuisine, an ancient Japanese cuisine developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries. It’s delicious and great for non-veggies, flirts and superheroes (as long as you skip the sugary desserts). Or if you’re feeling naughty, go crazy and have a treat. I love the simple and elegant food here. I cant wait to go back. It’s an East village, groovy, sweet spot.

 

Palà Pizza - If you love pizza, this place in the lower east side has good vegan pizza. It’s not all vegan, but they have separate sections on their menu for vegan salads, vegan pastas, and vegan pizzas. The service is awful and there are not very good vibes there, but if you are a huge pizza lover, then check it out. But plan to wait for at least 40 minutes for your pizza (and that’s when they’re not busy!). For me, it’s not really worth it, but some people might love it so I had to share about it. They had good pizza.

Maoz - This place is so great. Really yum! You can make your own little sandwich at the bar. These restaurants are a chain. I went to one in Paris once. So good. There are several locations – check out the website.

Natural Gourmet Cooking Institute - I’ve been two times, once three years ago, and once on this most recent trip. The students make a fancy meal and it comes at a really good price. Go on a Friday night for dinner. I really enjoy this meal. You can bring your own wine if you want. It’s good food for veg and non-veg folks!

 

Mangia This salad bar isn’t vegan, but I had the best quick lunch here. It has such a nice, upscale veggie selection…truly great, especially for a salad bar! I was excited when I saw the food and then delighted by how yum it all tasted.

Otarian Burgers in midtown has great fries and chocolate cake if you’re in the mood. It’s not superhero, or the first choice for non-veg people, but it’s good.

Peace Food Café has nice food. The kale is especially great. All the food we ordered was good. I would go again. It’s uptown, so I wouldn’t run there, but it’s good, and if you live in the area, definitely go there.

Quantam Leap has good buckwheat pancakes on weekends. Yum! They also have a good macro plate. Nice and easy. I would take someone non-veg for the pancakes, but not the other food. Though they do have milkshakes! I didn’t indulge that day. I used to eat here 10 years ago, all the time, when I did The Graduate on Broadway.

Red Bamboo - I went here three years ago. I remember the “fried chicken” being good.

Sacred Chow Vegan Bistro - I like the Reuben and the pate, but it’s not for non-veg folk in my opinion.  

Sushi Zen has really nice food and lots of veg stuff.

 
Souen is my favorite go-to and my husband’s favorite as well. It’s very superhero, and very good. I’m not sure I’d run there with non-veg folk. Although my husband sees Harvey Keitel there everyday, and I don’t know that he is a veghead. Souen does serve fish, but they have many great veg dishes. I love the yuba soup, the black eyed pea soup, the tempura, the maze rice, and the watercress salad. There are multiple locations – check out the website to see which is closest to you.

 

Spice Thai has good vibes. The style is comfortable and cool, and everything is fresh made daily. The side salads are not on the menu, but they’re always good. It’s not superhero so much, but yum and cozy. I wouldn’t make it the first choice for your non-veg friends.

 
Sullivan Street Bakery - This place has yum pizza slices. They’re not all vegan, but they have one called “pizza patate” and it’s so good… it has potato, onion, olive oil, and rosemary and it’s vegan. They have a few other vegan ones as well.

Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen I went to this East Village spot three years ago. It’s super cute and I want to go again!

 

 

Zen Palate is good. I like the sticky rice, the dumpling soup, and the noodles with the Hong Kong style fettuccini (ask them to make it vegan). The celestial tofu with sundried tomatoes is great too. I ate here a lot when doing plays. It’s very quick and convenient. They practically bring the food before you hang up the phone! Multiple locations – check out their website!

 

That’s it for now!

Do you have any restaurant recommendations to add in NYC or your hometown?

Did I miss any super amazing places that I must try in NY?

Share in the comments below!

The Milky Way

America has one of the lowest breast-feeding rates of anywhere in the world. Jennifer Davidson, a registered nurse and lactation consultant, is trying to start a conversation through her documentary The Milky Way on how important breastfeeding is and how lost it is becoming in our society. Here’s a little bit about The Milky Way:

“Jennifer and Chantal, the producers of The Milky Way, are passionate about empowering mothers. We want women to have accurate information about their bodies and their babies. The Milky Way reveals the real power vested in women’s bodies and how that affects their babies—even the tiniest of preemies. One of the primary goals for the film is to assure women that they have the tools they need to trust their instincts, and to know that each mother is truly the expert regarding her own baby."

Check out the good short video on their Kickstarter campaign page. Let’s all help!

 

 

 

 

Eco-Friendly Car Wash

 

I’ve seen a couple of eco car washes popping up lately, so I wanted to highlight them in case you’ve been looking for an eco-alternative to the regular toxic soap and wasteful water routine. I rarely wash my car… usually only when my husband points out how dirty it looks and insists. I never notice dirty cars, but it is nice when the car is clean, every once in a blue moon.
 
Eco Detail is a new waterless auto detailer who uses nothing but all natural eco-friendly products to clean your car, saving 50 gallons of water per car. That’s a lot of water to save!
 

They have a location in San Diego and several around Los Angeles. I just tried them and the guy was with my car for at least two hours! It looked really great and it has stayed clean for a long time. He used no water and all of the products are apparently natural. I was a little suspicious because they were really colorful products with no labels, but it did smell clean and completely non-toxic. Even so, I called to confirm—the exterior cleaner is a ph-balanced, plant-derived solution (with some polymers). On the interior, they use a special bio-enzyme solution.
  
Keep it Klean is another company in Los Angeles I’ve called to wash my car. You call them up and make an appointment, and they come to your house. They offer a waterless, eco-friendly car wash using a citrus-based cleaner that is not harmful to the environment, which is great.  For the interiors, they use Green Works brand cleaning products.
 
Unfortunately, for shampooing and detailing, they use the normal cleaning-type stuff, which contains palm wax (here is more info on why palm oil is bad from kind lifer Wildflower). So, not ideal, but it doesn’t seem or smell anywhere near as toxic as the stuff they use when you take your car to a drive-in type place.
 
For washing your car at home, Mary Cordaro gives us some great suggestions: For the exterior, just add a couple of drops of any castile soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s, to a bucket of water and clean with a soft cloth. It works even better with a soft microfiber cloth. For the interior of the car, wipe down all non-fabric surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth--no cleaner needed! Vacuum the carpets and fabric upholstery. For a general cleaner, you can mix water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. Spray, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe with a clean cloth. For dirty or stained carpets, try AFM Carpet Shampoo.
 
The most eco thing I can think of is don’t wash your car! Ha! If you have these waterless dudes or dudettes come wash your car, ask them to use your soap for interiors so everything is non-toxic and eco-friendly. 
 
Anywho, these options seem better than wasting a ton of water and using chemical-laden soaps to wash your car. If anyone knows of a better service, please share.
 
Is there an eco-car wash near you?
 
How do you keep your car clean and eco-friendly?