Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 15

7 Sustainable and Ethical Jewelry Brands

Jewelry is gorgeous; it’s sentimental, too. But did you know it can also be incredibly damaging to the environment? Jewel mining can hurt people and destroy nature. Here’s everything you need to know about why it’s important to choose sustainable and ethical jewelry whenever possible. 

Jewelry Mining

Jewelry mining is toxic and dangerous; according to the EPA, it’s a leading cause of waterway pollution in the U.S., and around the world. Mining poses human health risks, bringing harm to local communities as hazardous gas emissions pollute the air. Mining is also a leading cause of land erosion, impacting ecosystems and local biodiversity.

Slave Labor

Another leading cause for concern in the jewelry industry is the use of forced and child labor. According to the International Labor Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the most child labor in the world. Children account for 21 percent of all labor across the region. The US Dept. of Labor found that child labor is common in diamond mining regions such as the Republic of Sierra Leone. This work can involve heavy labor, such as carrying more than 100 pounds of gravel.
But not all jewelry comes from these conditions. In fact, there are a number of eco-conscious brands creating gorgeous options that are improving the jewelry industry on a number of levels. According to jewelry designer Melissa Joy Manning, the best way to change the industry is to demand better product. “Consumers control the market- when they demand transparency in the supply chain by asking where and how things are made designers and corporations will have to provide it,” she told me in an interview a few years back. “If we pay more for a label why can’t we pay more for a belief?”
Here are my favorite sustainable and ethical jewelry brands.

 1. Idyl

This gorgeous jewelry maker uses “green gold,” which comes from conflict-free regions where no one is harmed during the mining and uses sustainable lab-grown diamonds. I  like this earring for a little sparkle!
Find it here.

2. Elisa Solomon Jewelry

This line is made to order, ensuring there is no waste. All stones and diamonds are responsibly sourced and this maker keeps a small environmental footprint by making everything in her studio!
Find it here.

3. Linjer

Linjer makes really nice, delicate pieces. They use recycled gold, and conflict-free diamonds. Their rings are perfect for stacking, and come at a great price point.
Find it here.

4. Mam

Mam makes really funky unique pieces. They use recycled metals, FSC wood, and sustainable shipping to offset their CO2 emissions. Everything they make is extremely thoughtful to the environment while still being super stylish and unique.
This multi-finger ring and hand ring is pretty cool.
Find the hand ring here.

5. Faeber Studio 

This is another great new find for the season! All items are handcrafted and made to order. All of the silver is 100% recycled, and the brass is 30% post-consumer recycled material. They work with local suppliers like family-owned businesses and artists/refineries. I swear I had a pair of earrings that looked just like this when I was 14! 
Find the pretty statement earrings here.

And my easy go-to hoops here.

6. Tumbleweed Bead Co.

This company makes all of its jewelry from recycled materials and natural stones. They have a lot of very pretty, simple styles, like this one.
Find it here.

7. Chime

Chime’s jewelry comes from used drum cymbals. These fun earrings caught my eye.
Find it here.

 

Christmas and Chanukah, Eco Style

There are so many easy and festive ways to have an eco-friendly Holiday Season. Here’s how to bring sustainable celebrating to Christmas and Chanukah.

Check out our simple and fun alternatives to cutting down a live tree. In addition to those options, there is an awesome company called The Living Tree that operates in California that brings live trees to your home for the holidays. Then after the holidays, they pick it back up and replant it. How cool and kind is that? Bear and I have done this many times.
San Francisco, California offers a similar tree ‘rental’ service, in which you pick out a tree, pick it up, and then either return it or arrange to have it picked up for a $25 fee. After your tree is picked up, it gets planted along San Francisco’s city streets.
Somers, Connecticut, Pell Farms is another company that sells both cut and potted Christmas trees.

An Even More Eco Option:

Instead of buying a tree, decorate one in your yard using decorations you already have, along with energy-efficient Christmas lights, if you like.  Then not only do you get to enjoy the decor, but your neighbors do too! You can also hang these DIY pine-cone bird feeders on your outdoor Christmas tree to celebrate the season with your feathered neighbors. Be creative!

If you’re gonna have a tree, it might seem like an artificial tree is the more eco way to go, since they are reused, but really, it’s not. Surprising, right? People usually only use them 4 times or so and then toss them out where they will sit in a landfill forever. They also use lots of energy to produce, package, and ship them….not to mention that they are made with toxic materials.

If you are going to get a cut-tree, search for an eco-friendly tree farmer near you.  Organic Christmas tree farms including low-spray and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Christmas trees exist!  If you decide to go this route, your most green option is to find a sustainable grower from a certified organic farm. You will also be supporting your local farmers. If you go this route, be sure to recycle your tree after Christmas by chipping it into mulch or composting it. You can also visit this article to find tree recycling and other Christmas item recycling options.
I’m always so sad when I walk the streets of New York after the holidays with all the trees dead and discarded on the street. It feels so wasteful and sad. Luckily, there are lots of alternatives- let’s not be the people who leave our resource-guzzling, discarded Christmas trees out on the curb!

Tree Ornaments & Decorating

I like to use things I’ve found or made to decorate. This will also save you $$$ instead of buying them all new from the store. You can use a baby shoe or an old children’s toy as an ornament and add a little one’s name and date. Hang cookie cutters from a ribbon. Make ornaments from nature!! Pinecones and twigs. Go crazy….buttons, silverware, things in your sewing kit….glue photos onto wood scraps or lids.  Use Pinterest for crafting ideas, that’s a treasure trove of upcycling ideas!
If you do buy ornaments, try to find groovy used ones on eBay, Craigslist, or from your local thrift store. If buying new ones, choose the most eco ones you can get your hands on. This usually means lead-free, Fair Trade, or ethically sourced options.

Stockings!
They don’t have to be something super fancy, in fact, the more you use them, generally, the more you start to love them and enjoy pulling it out each year. You can look for used stockings and big socks, or even big oven mitts from your local thrift shops, garage sales, Craigslist, or eBay. If you buy a new stocking for the holidays, look for ones made from recycled or organic animal-friendly materials (that means no wool, too).

Holiday Cards
I save the fronts of holiday cards and reuse them. I keep them in a little box and pull them out when I need them. Try to reuse old cards, or make them out of stuff you have at home…magazines, old wrapping paper, etc.
But if you will be purchasing new ones, definitely try to go for 100% recycled cards….made from 100% post-consumer waste, or seed paper that can be planted. And if they are printed with soy-based ink, that’s even better! GreenFieldPaper.com sells recycled cards and hemp cards too!

Gifts & Gift Wrapping
You can peruse my Holiday Gift Guide Here.  For wrapping paper use old newspaper or thrift store fabrics and ribbons. You can also re-use brown paper bags (although hopefully, you don’t have a ton of these, because you are using your reusable canvas bags), or get creative with magazines and even junk mail (hopefully you have stopped your junk mail. If you haven’t, go here to learn how).

Holiday Meals & Parties
Choose a holiday recipe from The Kind Life website which is full of kind, warming, beautiful meal options that would all be great for your holiday gatherings!
Try to make your party a little or no-waste event.
In conclusion – here’s a cheat sheet to green up your grand fete!

Do not use disposables. You and your family members can trade dishwashing. That includes tablecloths and napkins! Investing in vintage or new cloth napkins and tablecloths is a beautiful tradition!  Go for your own plates, cloth napkins, glasses, and silverware, but if you will be buying disposable, try for recycled or compostable/biodegradable dishware and utensils.Bring Tupperware, or send the family home with doggy bags that are freezable.Drop your leftovers off at a local homeless shelter, or feed them to the doggies (as long as there is no chocolate or onions involved, of course!)Compost food leftovers, or drop your leftovers to your local farmers market or co-op which always have compost.Don’t overbuy – buy exactly what you know your guests will eat. I personally hope that’s not tortured, dead birds! If you need tips on a vegan Christmas meal or Latkes – use the search engine!Use your own cloth or reusable bags when shopping.Use acorns, small pumpkins, pinecones, rosemary, wildflowers, and gourds to decorate your tablescape – and when you’re done with them – leave them out for wildlife outside to nosh!

Happy Holidays!
Love,
Alicia

Who Wants to Celebrate Christmas With a Dead Tree? Try These Eco-Friendly Options Instead

Did you know that every time a Christmas tree gets cut down, an elf dies? It’s true. Ok, seriously, it’s a little crazy that we celebrate this holiday by killing a tree! Especially when there are so many other ways to decorate.

Here are some options:

Buy a Live Tree

Stores like Home Depot sell potted trees. You can decorate them then replant them after the holidays. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, check out The Living Christmas Company. They will bring you a healthy live tree and pick it up once the holidays are over. Decorate your living tree with stuff you have. Photos, concert ticket stubs, cookie cutters, twine, and any crafts your kids make in school, all make great Christmas tree ornaments.

It takes an average tree about a decade to reach the right height to be sold as a Christmas tree. While the tree is growing, it absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and supplies oxygen, which is good, but if it’s grown far away from your house, the transportation of the cut tree results in unnecessary carbon emissions. I maintain that the most environmentally friendly options are to buy a live tree (which gets replanted after you’re done with it), craft a tree from materials you already have, or not buy a tree at all. I respect the life of a tree, and it makes me sad to see Christmas trees lined up in gutters and on curbs after the New Year, waiting to be taken to the landfill. Not a pretty sight.

That said, there are eco options for buying a cut tree: get it from a local, sustainable farm. Call ahead and ask where your local Christmas tree lot got its trees to determine if they are grown locally or if the trees were transported over a long distance.  Keep in mind that trees left curbside may or may not be taken to a yard waste recycling center – every city is different, so once the holidays are over, check out Earth 911’s guide to recycling your Christmas Tree to make sure your tree doesn’t end up in a landfill.

Adopt a Christmas Tree

Check your local areas for adopt-a-tree programs where “elves” deliver live trees before Christmas and pick them up again afterward to be replanted. Can’t find one in your area? Maybe you should start one!

Decorate A Tree In Your Yard

I love this option! If you have outdoor lights already, use them until you are ready to give them away. Or, you can recycle them with LED Christmas Lights. If you’re buying new Christmas lights, LED lights are a more eco-friendly option. If your town has a tree at City Hall or in another public place, take your family to the tree lighting ceremony, and enjoy a giant Christmas tree with the whole community.

Reminder: Don’t Buy A Plastic Tree

A good rule of thumb is to stay away from plastic as much as possible, Christmas trees included. Most plastic trees get used about four times, then they’re discarded and end up sitting in a landfill. Even if you reuse it year after year, it’s still made of plastic and very difficult to recycle.

Next, check out my ideas for eco-friendly gift wrapping here!

Photo source: flickr.com / Lori L. Stalteri

King Oyster Scallops with Shaved Asparagus & Corona Butter!

I have known Chad Sarno since meeting him at a raw food convention in Jamaica in 2000, where we immediately became friends. He had an amazing restaurant in London called Saf. He is also the co-author of The Wicked Healthy Cookbook and the co-founder of Wicked Foods alongside his brother, chef Derek Sarno. They shared this king oyster mushroom scallops recipe (yum!) from their book and it’s so yummy. Makes a perfect dinner appetizer for when you really want to impress.

The technique of pan-searing while basting with butter creates a rich, golden crust on mushrooms. It works great on crosscut slices of king oyster mushrooms, which have thick, firm stems and relatively small caps. It’s even better when you simmer king oyster “scallops” with sea vegetables and miso in a dashi-style broth to amp up their savory umami taste before pan-searing. With a creamy puree of Corona beans and some shaved asparagus, the seared scallops make a sexy plated appetizer. Make the Corona butter a few days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. —Chad

SERVES 6 AS A PLATED STARTER
INGREDIENTS
King Oyster Scallops
6 cups water
¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
3 thin slices fresh ginger (no need to peel)
6 cloves garlic, halved
2 (6-inch) pieces kombu
2 tablespoons white miso
6 king oyster mushrooms
Tamari Butter
2½ tablespoons plant-based butter, softened
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced extra-fine
Seared Scallops
2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Shaved Asparagus Garnish
1 bunch asparagus, about 1 pound
2 teaspoons best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons yuzu juice or lemon juice
2 shallots, sliced wicked thin on a mandoline
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups *Corona Bean Butter (see below), for serving

METHOD

For the king oyster scallops: To make a broth, combine the water, tamari, ginger, halved garlic, kombu, and miso in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Taste the broth. It should have a slightly salty, slightly savory flavor. If it tastes under-seasoned, add a bit more miso.Meanwhile, remove the mushroom stems from the caps. You’ll be using only the stems, so keep the caps for another use (see Pro Tips for ideas). Slice the stems crosswise into coins about 1 inch thick. The shapes will resemble scallops. You should get 3 or 4 scallops from each stem.Drop the scallops into the broth and simmer very gently until they absorb the flavors, 15 to 20 minutes. Use immediately or chill in the fridge in the braising liquid for up to 1 day.FOR THE TAMARI BUTTER: Stir together the butter, tamari, and minced garlic in a small bowl.TO SEAR THE SCALLOPS: Score the poached mushrooms with a few crosshatch cuts on each side. Heat a large heavy sauté pan (such as cast iron) over medium-high heat. Turn on a fan or open a window because pan-searing the scallops will produce some smoke. When the pan is hot, add the 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, tilting the pan to coat it evenly. Carefully place the scallops in the hot pan— tongs are helpful here. Let cook undisturbed until the scallops are nicely seared on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Add dollops of the tamari butter around the pan, and tilt the pan to help it seep underneath the scallops. When it does, flip the scallops and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. While searing, spoon the melted butter over the tops of the scallops. (Spooning helps to brown the scallops and keep the butter from burning on the hot pan.) Flip one or two scallops over to make sure you have a nice golden-brown sear on each side. When both sides are golden brown, remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.FOR THE ASPARAGUS GARNISH: Using a vegetable peeler, shave each spear of asparagus along its length. Remove all of the green peel from each spear. These are the shavings you will use. Refrigerate the remaining inner white part of the asparagus for another use (see Pro Tips).Right before serving, bring a pot of water to a boil and set up a bowl of ice water. Drop the shaved asparagus in the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds, then transfer to the ice water to halt the cooking process.Gently toss the shaved asparagus with the olive oil, yuzu juice, and shallots. Season lightly with salt and pepper and taste, adding more seasoning if you think it needs it.Grab 6 small plates and swoosh a big spoonful of *Corona butter on each plate.Place 3 or 4 scallops on the *Corona butter and garnish with a small handful of shaved asparagus.

*SLOW-COOKED CORONA BEANS with ROSEMARY and LOTS of GARLIC
INGREDIENTS
1 pound dried Corona beans
About 8 cups Vegetable Stock (page 284) or store-bought low sodium
8 cloves garlic, chopped coarse
3 to 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
2 dried red chiles, such as cayenne
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
METHOD

Soak the beans overnight in water to cover.Drain the beans and place in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat so the liquid simmers, cover, and simmer gently until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Test by pressing one bean on a cutting board: It should crush easily but not be mushy. (While the beans are cooking, check the liquid level now and then; you may need to add a bit more stock or water to keep the beans covered during the entire cooking time.)Serve hot with some of the cooking liquid.

*CORONA BEAN BUTTER: After cooking the beans, remove the rosemary, bay leaves, and chiles. Transfer half of the beans and their liquid to a bowl or stand blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, and blend until very smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate for a few days, then spread anywhere just like butter. Makes about 2 cups.
PRO TIPS

Slice the leftover mushroom caps and use in a stir-fry or soup, or chop them to add to the mushroom filling in Porcini Ravioli (page 211). You could also add them to Mushroom Stock (page 284).If the mushroom stems are different diameters, you can use a small ring mold or cookie cutter to cut them uniform (if you’re fussing for a special occasion). To use the leftover broth, strain out the solids and use the broth to cook noodles.You can pan-fry the leftover asparagus for a veg bowl. Or add it to a stir-fry. Or do what we did for the green sauce dollops in the photo: Blanch the leftovers and a few asparagus spears in boiling water for 30 seconds, shock in ice water, then puree with a little olive oil and salt. That gives you a simple asparagus puree to decorate the plate here and there.

About Wicked Healthy
The Wicked Healthy Cookbook presents a simple game plan endorsed by every doctor and health organization in the world: eat more plants. Chefs Chad and Derek Sarno are among the world’s foremost authorities on plant-based cooking and this cookbook shares their secrets for making killer meals. Celebrating the central role of beautiful, crave-able food for our health and vitality, Chad and Derek give readers 129 recipes for everyday meals and fancy dinner parties alike, and also show us how to kick back and indulge now and then.

5 Benefits of Vitamin C That Make It So Important to Take Every Day

While there are all kinds of supplements that have earned rockstar status recently (turmeric, mushrooms, ashwagandha, to name a few!), the OG of vitamin superstars has to be vitamin C. It’s a staple in my diet and cupboard and likely yours. But do you know why vitamin C is such an important nutrient? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of vitamin C and the best sources to include in your diet to get it.

It’s likely you’ve known of vitamin C’s benefits for some time—it’s an essential nutrient most of us learn about from a young age. Citrus fruits such as oranges often become synonymous with vitamin C’s benefits—catch a cold or the flu and it may be one of the first recommendations from loved ones. Although, coming from a Chinese medicine and macrobiotic background, I would recommend greens and soup over juice. Juice is acidic and too sugary. The anecdotal orange juice remedy, while maybe not the healthiest for other reasons, is backed by science—vitamin C is a proven immune booster, but it’s so much more, too. 

Vitamin C benefits

Vitamin C is best known for its immune support benefits, but it’s so much more than that. Vitamin C works as a co-factor, helping more than a dozen enzymes in the body. These enzymes play roles in the function of a number of processes including metabolism, tissue repair, collagen formation, iron absorption, and the formation of bones and cartilage, among other functions. Let’s dive into some specifics.

1. Immune support

Yes, vitamin C is critical for healthy immunity. That’s because it stimulates the production of white blood cells, which fight infections and help them function optimally. This is why taking vitamin C before, during, and after an infection such as the cold, flu, or covid, is recommended. Vitamin C also does some heavy lifting when it comes to fighting off microbes that could cause more extensive damage. And it helps support immune cells that have past their prime, so you always have a new and healthy line of defense. This is why we need vitamin C daily because doing the job of fighting off microbiotic attackers is a full-time job.

2. Healthy skin, bones, and  joints 

A lot of skincare companies and experts in the field recommend collagen products both topically and taken internally to give you healthy skin. But what your skin really needs? Collagen-promoting nutrients so that it can produce it itself. Eating collagen for healthy skin is a bit like eating healthy skin to get healthy skin! Healthy skin is made by a nourished, healthy body, And, you guessed it: vitamin C is one of those key nutrients. It works both internally and topically to promote elasticity and may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found higher intake of vitamin C is associated with better skin appearance and fewer wrinkles. And just like collagen helps keep skin healthy, it also does the same for our hair, bones, joints, and connective tissue. Plus, vitamin C helps protect our skin from oxidative stress, so whether or not you’re taking collagen, vitamin C plays a critical role in healthy skin.

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash3. Supports the brain and nervous system

Our brains run on a few key ingredients: glucose, protein, healthy fats, and vitamin C. It supports healthy pituitary function and is found in high concentrations in the brain. Vitamin C also supports healthy adrenal function so we can better handle stress—if you ever hear about adrenal fatigue, this can often mean not enough vitamin C! It’s a stress-buster that helps lower cortisol levels and balance hormones. And bonus, it’s readily available in a number of delicious fruits and vegetables (more on that in a bit), so if you’re feeling a little frazzled, reach for berries, oranges, lemon, kale, broccoli — and even potatoes.

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash4. Increases iron absorption

Iron plays a critical role in immune function, DNA synthesis, and healthy red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body.  Vitamin C serves as a carrier in the digestive tract. Think of iron as a celebrity being mobbed by fans—vtiamin C is the security guard clearing a path through the crowd. It supports iron solubility in the small intestine, ensuring it gets into the bloodstream so that your body can absorb all that good iron and get it where it needs to go.

Photo credit: Justin Kuo5. Antioxidant power!

A multipurpose nutrient if there ever was one, vitamin C is always working to neutralize free radicals—those pesky atoms that go rogue and damage cells. Vitamin C protects cells—literally makes them less penetrable to free radicals—so that they can keep your body healthy. It also helps another antioxidant, vitamin E, which also works to protect cells and tissue in the body stay safe, strong, and healthy.

Where to get vitamin C

A plant-based diet is bursting with vitamin C. Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with the nutrient. Some delicious places to find vitamin C: 

Citrus (oranges, lemon, grapefruit)KiwisBell peppersStrawberriesTomatoesCruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale)CantaloupeParsleyRed chili peppersGuavaWhite potatoesMustard greensPapaya

 

 

Need an extra boost? I developed the MyKind Organics vitamin C sprays, and I absolutely love them! Because C is so good at balancing stress and supporting immune health, and traveling or being on set can make eating healthy meals so tricky. So for me, it’s essential to have my vitamin C sprays in my purse or in the car for a quick boost of energy, especially if I’m feeling depleted or exhausted, or just need a fun sweet treat.  

 

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Puppy for Christmas

Of course a puppy in a box is as absolutely precious and adorable as anything could ever possibly be on Christmas morning. But what about when the puppy chews the legs off your couch, nips your son, or has a big ol’ accident in the middle of your Persian rug?

Dogs are indeed family members, and they shouldn’t be bought (ever) and shouldn’t even be adopted if the gift-giver themselves isn’t ready to accept the full responsibility of caring for a new member of their family.

I volunteer for an animal rescue group that regularly gets inquiries as to our adoption fees. I always flinch when we get that question knowing that if the nominal adoption fee is an issue, what will the plan be when (heaven forbid!) the pup gets cancer, breaks a leg, or develops lifelong severe allergies. Veterinarians, holistic remedies, and good quality pet foods are not cheap. A dog can be human-child level expensive, depending on their needs. We have to keep that in mind when considering the bliss that comes along with the heavenly sweetness of being a dog Mama or Papa.

The realities of this often set in a few weeks after Christmas when many Christmas puppies end up in shelters. So what can we do to stop that? Discourage gifting puppies for the holidays.

If you’ve been discussing this as a family for a long time, and are ready for the fiscal and physical, and emotional obligations of another family member – then by all means, adopt yourself a Christmas puppy! Happiness is a mutt on its butt!

Here’s some hard talk from someone who knows a little too much about what happens on the inside of the animal rescue world.

Please do not consider buying a dog when over 800 dogs per day, per state, are euthanized because people buy instead of adopting. These are not vicious, horrible dogs; 99 percent of them are fully adoptable and are euthanized simply because there’s no space in the shelters.

Other reasons dogs are euthanized in shelters: they have an easily treatable condition like heartworm, mange, or allergies, but the shelter cannot afford the meds, the shelter doesn’t have the foster volunteers needed to take an overflow of dogs (when there are no more available kennels) home, or some dogs may just have been waiting too long and have overstayed their welcome.

How you can help is by adopting, fostering, and donating to shelters (both financially and with supplies — shelters and rescues almost always need things you already have in your homes like towels, sheets, old rugs, crockery, heaters, baby gates, baby playpens, all cleaning supplies, etc).

All breeds of dogs are available to adopt — simply sign up for alerts on petfinder.com or adoptapet.com with your zip code and breed and age preferences — you’ll get a daily email and find your baby. Other ways to adopt: follow all your local rescue groups on social media (you get to see who is coming in first that way!), head over to your local shelter, or attend an outdoor adoption event.

Apprehensive? One way to take it slow in terms of adoption is by fostering. Fostering is such a wonderful way to jailbreak a doggo, and give a sweet mutt a little time to unwind from the stressful situation of being in a shelter.  You can test run being a furry Mama, and if it doesn’t work out or it isn’t a perfect match — no biggie, you gave a pup some wonderful couch and yard time! If it does work out, wonderful!

Vegan Potato Latkes Two Ways

This year, I’m sharing two versions of everyone’s favorite Hanukkah dish: potato latkes! Both of these recipes are vegan but the latkes do everything you’d expect. Enjoy!

This veg version courtesy of VegNews sounds delicious. I haven’t tried it yet, but I want to! Check it out:
Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and grated1 small yellow onion, peeled and grated1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced1/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperCanola oil, for frying

Instructions
1.  In a colander set over a large bowl, place potatoes.
2.  Using your hands, squeeze out the excess liquid from the potatoes.
3.  Pour off the liquid and place potatoes in the bowl.
4.  Add onion to potatoes along with parsley, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
5.  Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
6.  In a large skillet over medium heat, heat a thin layer of oil.
7.  Take a heaping tablespoon of batter and flatten it before gently placing it in the hot oil. Make three or four more potato pancakes this way, and add to skillet without crowding pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides, turning once, about 8 minutes total.
8.  Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding more oil as necessary. Remove the cooked potato pancakes to paper towels to drain, then transfer to an ovenproof platter and keep warm in the oven until all pancakes are cooked.
Editor’s Note: Serve with applesauce and vegan sour cream. And make more than you need… these go fast!

Our second version is from Post Punk Kitchen. I can’t wait to hear what you think of these!

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds starchy white potatoes, peeled (russets, idaho, et al)1 small yellow onion, peeled1/4 cup potato or corn starch1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper2 cups matzoh mealLots of vegetable oil

Instructions
1.  If using a food processor, use the grating blade to shred the potatoes and the onion. (If shredding by hand, use a grater to shred all the potatoes. Dice the onion as finely as possible).
2.  Have ready brown paper shopping bags or paper towels for draining the oil from the latkes. You may also want to have the oven on at 200 F to keep the latkes warm until you’re ready to serve. If serving immediately then just have a baking pan covered with tin foil ready to keep the finished ones warm after they’ve been drained.
3.  In a large mixing bowl, using a wooden spoon or your hands (it’s faster to use your hands) mix the potatoes and onions with the potato starch until the potatoes have released some moisture and the cornstarch is dissolved about 2 minutes.
4.  Add the salt and pepper to combine. Add the matzoh meal and mix well. Set aside for about 10 minutes. The mixture should get liquid-y but sticky.
5.  In the meantime, preheat a large preferably cast iron but definitely non-stick skillet over medium heat, a little bit on the high side. Add about 1/4 inch layer of vegetable oil to the pan. The oil is hot enough when you throw a bit of batter in and bubbles rapidly form around it. If it immediately smokes then the heat is too high and you should lower it a bit. If the bubbles are really lazy then give it a few more minutes or turn the heat up a bit.
6.  With wet hands (so that the mixture doesn’t stick) roll into small golf ball-sized balls. Flatten into thin round patties. Fry about four to six at a time. Fry on one side for about 4 minutes, until golden brown. Flip over and fry for another three minutes.
7.  Transfer to the paper towels and proceed with the remaining latkes. Once latkes have drained on both sides, place in a baking pan to keep warm.
 
 

Caroline’s Divine Tomato Sauce

Our friend Amy (The Kind Mama was photographed by her ) makes a lovely pasta sauce. It is so delicious, in fact, that I had to get in touch with Amy’s mom Caroline (an awesome woman, pictured below, who has more style than anyone I’ve ever seen!) to get her secret recipe. Well, it’s not a secret anymore! Thank you Caroline for sharing the recipe and its rich history!
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Red Sauce Spaghetti 

Red sauce spaghetti has been the Christmas Eve dinner in my family since I was 7 years old.  My family suffered through a Swedish white dinner: steamed lutefisk, boiled white potatoes, white sauce, white turnips, white rolls.  All the table linens and china were white. Aunt Mae would walk around and tell us to raise our arm and then poke our armpit and say, “Eat up! It’s a sin to waste food.”  We would spit it into our napkin, push up the tablecloth and place the nasty food on a ledge under the table.  The adults got through dinner by consuming lots of vodka.

How excited I was when my parents opted to go to my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Orv’s for Christmas Eve dinner in Denver — they weren’t Swedes.  They weren’t Italian either, but my Aunt Kathy made killer spaghetti, and smelling it simmering for hours was pure heaven.  I made an announcement following dinner that I was no longer Swedish, but Italian.

There are many varieties of tomatoes available and they will need to be very ripe the day you want to make the sauce.  The Hollywood Farmers market, or any farmers market, I’m sure, has a great variety and Trader Joe’s has an abundance of cherry tomatoes.  Yellow tomatoes have a great flavor, too. Don’t be afraid to overbuy because any leftover sauce can be frozen — and you’ll be glad you froze it in the depth of winter!

Serves 10-12 people
Ingredients (try to buy only organic please)

Enough tomatoes to fill a large shopping bagFennel seeds – I use half a spice bottle if making sauce for 10-12 servings2 organic tomato pasta sauce in glass jars…store brand fine3 large brown onions1 bunch celery2 whole heads fresh garlic per serving (yes, it’s a lot)Large container olive oil1 cube earth balance butter3 – 16 oz packages of spaghetti (wheat or rice pasta both taste great) put a splash of olive oil in the water when cooking and it helps prevent stickingFresh basil or parsley chopped for garnish

Directions

In a very large stainless steel pan or ceramic pan that can be used on stove top add 1/2 inch of olive oil and earth balance butterAdd 2-3 tablespoons fennel seeds and sauté until fennel seeds change color.Add 3 cups chopped onions and 1 1/2 cups diced celery and sauté until clear, and then add LOTS of fresh chopped garlicOn very low heat continue to sauté until all is pale brown and sticky.  The kitchen will now smell like heaven!Cut the tomatoes in pieces and slowly keep adding so they can get a bit browned. Turn the heat way down and let it simmer. You might need more olive oil and water if it gets too thick. Don’t use a lid because it will make it steam.  Salt and pepper to taste.Add as much tomato sauce as needed to serve 10-12 people and simmer for 45 minutes uncovered.You can make ahead and reheat with no loss of flavor.

Enjoy with a simple green salad, good crusty bread and a good red wine!

How I Approach Gift Giving

There are lots of ways to show love and appreciation during the holidays, and not all of them involve buying stuff. You can bake and share a kind recipe, offer to cook Christmas dinner, plan a special outing, take your family to the movies, help your family sort through the garage and donate old items, volunteer at an animal shelter, or offer to watch your neighbors’ pets while they’re away. The point is to be mindful of the needs of others.

Giving Gifts That Are Useful

If you do plan to give gifts, focus on things people need. Don’t we all have too much stuff anyway? There’s a great movie called The Story of Stuff that really shines a spotlight on this issue. I recommend checking it out if you haven’t seen it. I always look for gifts that are eco, healthy and useful.
When I approach gift-giving, the first thing I ask myself is “do they know about healthy eating?” I consider what book they might love. Maybe The Kind Diet or possibly Engine 2, Meat is for Pussies, The China Study, or No Impact Man (this last book isn’t about healthy eating but it’s just a great book). If they are not familiar with healthy foods, I may get them Vegenaise, Earth Balance, and some Soy Delicious Ice Cream. These are great foods to get newbies hooked on delicious, healthy alternatives to dairy products.

If they are already health-conscious, I may get them some umeboshi plums, high-quality salt or olive oil, and aged balsamic vinegar. It’s yum and fun for foodies who love to cook. For the ladies, I might get some really yummy products for their skin like make-up brushes like from Eco Tools. I think, “What do they already use that I can I vegan-ize or eco-ify?” I like to pick something that they will love so much that they’ll continue to purchase it.

Essentially, gift-giving is a wonderful opportunity to inspire and excite people about the things that you love that is better for their health and the planet. If you’re on the hunt for kind gifts, my ultimate vegan gift guide includes a bunch of options.

Let Go of the Stress

Last but not least, if you’re stressed about gift shopping this season, try to let it go. There’s no need to get caught up in spending and giving a ton of stuff. If the expense and effort of shopping for gifts feels like a burden or obligation you don’t have to do it. Give what your heart wants to give, whether that means an act of kindness or a tangible gift handpicked or handmade by you for someone you love, or even gifting yourself a year or two off from the gift-giving business. Whatever feels best to you.

At the end of the day, the people who love you and whom you love wouldn’t want you to be stressed and they don’t care about presents that much. It’s the thought and consideration and love you give them that matters. So, don’t forget that, and really, you can give them that every day.

And remember to wrap your thoughtful gift eco-style!

Vegan Matzo Ball Soup Recipe That Tastes Like You Remember

I love my friend Aleeza’s cooking. When spending time with her recently, we had such a fun time cooking this vegan matzo ball soup! This recipe tastes like the traditional real deal.

When I was a kid, once a month after service at my childhood temple, there would be a Friday night Shabbat dinner that always served matzo ball soup. This recipe tastes just like that memory… but it’s not that healthy. Most traditional matzo ball soup recipes include the packaged matzo ball mix, which has some not-so-healthy but vegan ingredients. I’ve seen some new healthier-looking matzo ball mixes but haven’t got to try them yet. I’m determined to find a healthier way to make matzo ball soup and get back to you. But if you’re looking for one that is yummy and reminiscent of traditional matzo ball soup, this one is great.

Also, keep in mind that matzo ball soup is traditionally made with eggs. In my experience when making it without an egg, the balls either fall apart or become too dense. This recipe is very tasty, and the balls are not dense, but fragile. We think the recipe and instructions below will keep them from falling apart! Though the good news is even if they do fall apart, it still tastes delicious. This recipe will make a big batch so proportion as you wish!

Prep time: 45 minutes | Cook time: 60 | Serves: 10
Broth Ingredients:

Chop all the following ingredients into large chunks1 celery root1 rib celery2 or 3 carrots2 parsnips1 whole onionfennel (cut into about 4 big chucks)sea salt/pepper/olive oil to tastedesired spices such as onion powder, and parsley or desired garnish

Matzo Ball Ingredients:

preferred matzo mix, egg replacer, water, preferred oil

Instructions:
For the vegetable broth: add 10 cups of water into a saucepan, add in the onion and carrots and bring the water to a boil.

Next, throw in the remaining veggies (celery root, parsnips, fennel, celery) along with desired spices and add in 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch pepper and/or olive oil. Once boiling, simmer and cover. When the vegetables get soft (about 45 minutes-1 hour) remove them.

While the broth is cooking make the matzo balls: take 4 packets of matzo mix and your chosen egg replacer (usually 1 tablespoon egg replacer to 3 tablespoons water), follow the instructions on the matzo ball mix box. Mix in the directed measurements of oil and water, but be sure to use more oil/water in addition to that listed (so that the mixture is not too dry nor too wet). This will help achieve the right consistency that we show in the video. Once thoroughly mixed, place in the refrigerator to chill for 5-20 minutes

Once the balls have sufficiently chilled, roll them. When rolling, try not to make them too tight. They should be patted down into a ball shape sized to your liking (we aimed for big, about 1/4 the size of a fist). Then before adding them to the broth, make sure the vegetables have been removed. Once removed, this is the time to assess the broth and see if it needs more salt, pepper, or spices like onion powder.

After removing the vegetables and checking the broth, add in the matzo balls for a total of 15 minutes: the first two minutes should be brought to a boil and the remainder of the time simmer and cover. Again, these balls are super delicate so be sure to check on them. Once the 15 minutes is up, remove the lid and take the balls out of the water and keep them separate until you are ready to eat the soup (this will help in keeping the shape).

When ready to eat the soup, add in the balls and whatever garnish you prefer such as some chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Check out more recipes here.