Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 166

dog and baby have a giggle fest!

This is a sweet video of a big 'ol Rottweiler licking a little baby and making him laugh! The dog is so gentle with the baby.
 
I think that animals are the greatest gift to little ones.
 
Do you have dogs and small children? Do you feel animals are good for your kids?

Via LA Unleashed

sponsored post: kind your beauty routine with kaia house

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Are you ready to revamp your cosmetics collection? Kind your skincare regimen? Find the perfect chemical-free nail color? Kaia House is here to help you make the transition to a kinder beauty routine! We bring you organic beauty products from vegan skincare and mineral makeup to nail colors and soy-based polish remover all at super reasonable prices. Time Out New York awarded us Best Indie Beauty in NYC and celebs such as Rachel Bilson and Jessica Alba are devotees of our nail colors.
 
We're offering you Kind Lifers an exclusive 30 discount on all of our products so you can get started on kinding your beauty routine today. Just use code KIND now through 11:59 Pacific Thursday June 30 to get your 30 discount on any purchase at KaiaHouse.com!

Kind Your Skincare

We have many vegan skincare products which use oils and clays that have been traditionally used in Africa India and Asia for centuries. Our Blueberry Rhassoul Mask brightens tightens and clears; our Green Tea Moisturizer treats acne calms your skin and gets rid of redness and our fast-working After Party Repair helps give you a fresh glow overnight! We make skincare products for women men babies and pets so all your loved ones can enjoy affordable organic skincare!

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Nail It

All of our nail colors are vegan non-toxic and named after the cities that inspired the colors like Helsinki Paris and Dubai. We have over 56 colors and counting and we're giving away ten colors to each of five kind winners! Entering for a chance to win is easy:

Just sign up for our newsletter here
Then comment on the post below telling us what you most need to replace in your skincare & beauty collection

We'll announce our winners tomorrow afternoon so sign up now and comment away! And don't forget to take advantage of our 30 discount now through June 30 at 11:59pm Pacific!

simple ways to reduce waste!

Many of us are conditioned to be "good" consumers buying and discarding as fast as our wallets allow. As ingrained as they are in our culture these habits result in a lot of unnecessary waste! Being mindful about how you use and dispose of products at home or in the office makes the Earth and your bank account happy. So step one is consume only what you need reduce step two is buy used whenever possible reuse and step three is recycle what you need to discard recycle.

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 Here is a compilation of great tips for reducing waste in your home and office:

Avoid disposable items whenever possible.
Choose durable products that can be used again and again.
Use the blank sides of scrap paper for notes and lists before recycling the paper.
Print letters and reports on both sides of the paper and set the default switch on your photocopier to double-sided.
Use e-mail instead of paper memos and reduce the number of messages you print out.
Post or circulate materials rather than copying one for each person. Share training manuals and internal documents.
Eliminate printer and fax cover sheets.
Buy copier paper with at least 30 post-consumer recycled content
Save plastic produce bags and paper or plastic grocery bags for reuse
Carry a cloth or string bag to use when you shop.
Buy in bulk whenever possible; take your own bag or container when possible.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to reduce waste and save money.
Choose products with minimal packaging or packaging that can be reused or recycled easily.
Carry a reusable cup or mug for beverages to avoid disposable cups.
Borrow books from the library or buy them used rather than purchasing them new.
Repair broken or damaged items rather than replacing them.
Donate items you can no longer use to a nonprofit group or thrift store.
Purchase quality used items such as furniture clothing sports equipment toys and books at second-hand stores garage sales and through classified ads.
Compost leaves and grass clippings in a home compost pile and kitchen scraps in a worm bin. Use the compost to improve your garden or feed houseplants.

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Those of you who work in offices will have to enlist the help of your colleagues to green your office but it is well worth the effort! Below are 10 tips from the Canadian government for reducing office waste – even implementing a few of these ideas can make a difference:

Know Your Waste - Understanding what your wastes are and how much waste your company is generating will help you to develop the most cost effective waste reduction program.
Keep up-to-date with existing provincial and municipal legislation concerning solid waste management. You must ensure that all banned materials are being diverted from your garbage.
Educate everyone in the organization about your waste management system. Employees need to know what is expected of them. Include information on solid waste management and policies and provide hands-on training in orientation sessions with new staff. Reinforce the message regularly.
High Staff turnover? It is particularly important to provide extensive amounts of education and training to employees. The key is to make separation easier by simplifying separation procedures as much as possible.
If you have customers and suppliers that access your waste containers you may need to educate them on recycling and composting to reduce contamination this may simply be posting information for these groups near the bins.
Consider arranging tours for your staff to composting or recycling plants. This may trigger employees to be more interested in your programs.
Use proceeds from refundable materials like beverage containers to go to staff for a staff function or a staff sports team or to buy supplies for the lunchroom. The money may be donated to a charity of the staff's choice. Charities and organizations are often willing to collect refundables on a regular schedule from businesses.
Reward individual employees or departments for "contaminant-free" recyclables/organics. Offer incentives such as small gift certificates to good performers.
Create contests to maintain interest in the program.

If recycling seems like a hassle consider these reasons why recycling is important from the EPA:

Recycling protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness
Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration
Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials
Recycling saves energy
Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change
Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber water and minerals
Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations

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If we fail to take steps toward reducing waste and continue to embrace "perpetual growth" we and our children are left to grapple with consequences like environmental destruction poverty and hunger even amongst immensely wealthy communities. So why not do your part to curb these trends?  

I'm sure that many of you already do most of these things... But I hope that this inspires newbies!
 
Let me know how you avoid waste and if you have any tips to add to the lists above!

the art of getting by

I recently did a tiny role in a film called The Art of Getting By. I loved the script so much! It's a very sweet story about teen romance between two high school students in NYC. It's also a coming of age tale about overcoming teen angst and figuring out what you want to do with your life. 
 
I saw the finished film and I think it's really good. It stars  
This movie had me crying at the end and my husband also loved it so it's good for big boys too! The Art of Getting By comes out on Friday so check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think.

What movies do you plan to see this summer?

sponsored post: chipotle couscous from simply organic!

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Preparing kind home-cooked meals can be time-consuming but it doesn't have to be. Simply Organic makes delicious foods that help you fit the goodness of organics into your busy lifestyle in minutes.
 
Not only is our food wholesome and organic we support organic farming practices and sustainable agriculture. In fact one percent of sales on all Simply Organic spices seasonings baking flavors and mixes goes to research about issues such as organic weed control crop rotation and how pesticide use affects bee populations. The one percent fund also helps give organic farmers grants and contributes to education and grower development.
 
So let's get organic! Here's a delicious recipe to get you started:
 
Chipotle Couscous

Ingredients

1 package Simply Organic Chipotle Black Bean Dip Mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup couscous

Steps

Combine Simply Organic Chipotle Black Bean Dip Mix water and couscous in a medium saucepan
Bring to a boil and cover
Remove from heat and let sit five minutes

Chef Suggestions: Add cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for a lively twist. Serve as a savory side or add raisins and your favorite sliced vegetables for a healthy main-dish salad.
 
Go Organic!
 
Today through Sunday June 19 at 11:59 PM Pacific get 20 off any order placed at SimplyOrganicFoods.com. Just use code Simply Kind at checkout!

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Win It!
 
We're also giving away a gift basket containing an assortment of our vegan products pictured above to one lucky Kind Lifer! To enter for a chance to win like us on Facebook and leave a comment below telling us what Simply Organic product you'd love to try!

fathers day is almost here!

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June 19th is Father's Day! Since it's at the beginning of summer Father's Day often means BBQ. So this year why not surprise your dad with a kind BBQ complete with all his favorites! Here are some suggestions to help you plan the perfect Father's Day BBQ!

Grilled Veggies - mushrooms zucchini onions whatever your favorites are!
Grilled Corn on the Cob…yum!
Cole Slaw – here's a nice-looking recipe that uses vegenaise instead of dairy 
Potato Salad - see recipe below!
Mac 'n Cheez - recipe courtesy of Seedling Catering
Baked Beans - my husband's favorite BBQ food!
Grilled Gardein Scallopini – could be good to try!
Field Roast Sausages - you could make whole sausages or kebobs with grilled veggies and sausage on a stick!
Kind Creme or your favorite non-dairy ice cream - Rice Dream mint sandwich bars are a summery fresh treat!

Here is a recipe for a summer favorite of mine that could be great for your dad's special day. I haven't tried this one but I love me some potato salad! I rarely eat it but it's such a nice treat for a pool party or BBQ. And it's so easy to make a healthier version... And sooo much yummier!

I would personally leave out the peppers and I think it would be way yummier that way but if you are someone who loves peppers leave them in!
 
Summer Potato Salad
 
Ingredients

2 lbs. baby new potatoes cooked peeled and halved
1 large shallot chopped
4 scallions chopped
1 small bunch fresh chives chopped
1/2 bunch flat leaf Italian parsley chopped
1 red bell pepper diced
1 yellow bell pepper roughly chopped
1 orange bell pepper cut into fine strips
1/2 c. Vegenaise
3 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste

Steps

As potatoes are cooling mix the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl - your mixture should be thick not soupy
Add a little more vinegar or a spoonful more Vegenaise to get an appropriately "saucy" consistency
When potatoes are still slightly warm add them to the mixture and stir delicately so as not to mar the skins of the potatoes
Let cool in the fridge for about 2 hours or if you just can't stand it eat while still warm

Go wild making veg versions of your dad's favorite dishes and desserts! What else do you love at a BBQ? What would make the perfect BBQ meal? How do you plan to celebrate Father's Day?

introducing my new store!

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I recently launched a store with Open Sky where I'll be sharing my favorite cruelty-free eco-friendly products from home and health to beauty and baby.
 
I am very excited about this! When I began my kind journey I definitely could have benefited from an experienced kind shopper to suggest great green alternatives to the products we use everyday.
 
How It Works
 
To see my store and start shopping just go to OpenSky.com/AliciaSilverstone. You can sign up with your email address or Facebook account. From there you'll get to see the products I've already selected and you'll be the first to know about upcoming sales!
 
I hope this is a super helpful resource for all of you. I can't wait to hear what you think. So go to Open Sky and then tell me what you'd like to see next in my store in the comments below!

cheese chicken and mud pies!

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Kind Lifer Christi recently asked me to recommend great vegan alternatives for cheese chicken and mud pies so here goes!
 
Cheese

Daiya - the most popular on the veggie streets!
Galaxy – I've never tried this brand but if you do let me know how you like it!
Follow Your Heart

You can read more about great vegan cheeses in my previous blog all about cheese! 

Chicken

Gardein – the scallopini is great!
Any plant-based "chicken" nuggets in the frozen section are good!

Mud Pie

I've never had mud pie but I found an insane recipe for vegan mud pie pictured above from Chef Chloe. Uh hello! I'd take one of those – a few big bites! Yum!
 
There's also a vegan bakery in Kansas City MO called Mud Pie Bakery and Coffee House – I don't know if they actually serve mud pie but if you leave near Kansas City check it out and let me know! And try Rice Dream's Chocolate Pie. My fave is the mint flavor!

These foods are great for flirts and vegans. For all you superheroes these are not foods to eat everyday but if you want that naughty fix you can't go wrong here!
 
What are your favorite vegan treats or brands?

ask a superhero: whats up with wheatgrass?

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You Kind Lifers ask some great questions in the forum and I know that if one person is asking a lot of people are probably wondering the same thing! So I wanted to start featuring your questions on the homepage with detailed answers from guest experts. The first question in the "Ask a…" series comes from Kind Lifer Karuna who recently asked about wheatgrass in The Kind Forum. I have my own feelings about it but I also asked macrobiotic counselor Christina Pirello to lend her expertise to this question.

Personally my reaction to wheatgrass is that I find the taste disgusting – like literally before I was superhero I would try it and want to throw up. But that's just me. From a health point of view it's certainly better than coffee or tea when you need a boost. And of course it's loaded with real-food vitamins and minerals. I personally don't feel like I need it in my life but I'm not on a campaign against it! If it makes you happy that's awesome.

With that said here's what Christina Pirello has to say about the matter:

What's Up With Wheatgrass?
By Christina Pirello

Wheatgrass is one of the most intensely concentrated nutrients. And while I always say it tastes like drinking the lawn it can be a healthful addition to one's diet.

For superheroes wheatgrass can be a great little energy boost or can be used as an occasional cleanse maybe 1-2 times per week. For those who aren't eating well or are not eating a lot of greens wheatgrass is a great way to get chlorophyll which translates to hemoglobin – which is great! It's also a great source of folic acid and iron. It can be a very useful supplement for people who are weak or chronically tired and it can also balance the liver which helps to regulate the metabolism and control weight.

I don't agree with a lot of macrobiotic people who say that wheatgrass is extreme or can result in an imbalance. However for those who eat superhero wheatgrass isn't necessary. In fact too much of it can make you feel cold. But in general it's a healthy supplement to a vegan diet that may not be quite superhero.

And it will never hurt anyone so if you love wheatgrass feel free to drink it and if you've never tried it give it a whirl if you're curious. To make it a bit yummier you can take the one ounce shot with a slice of fresh orange. It takes the edge off the grassiness of the flavor!

Thanks Christina! What do you Kind Lifers think about wheatgrass?

kind bloggers: meet hally!

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This month I want to highlight Kind Blogger Hally and her new blog The Odd Couple Eats. Hally is a vegan and her husband is a reluctant flirt. Since so many of you have told me that you live with non-veg hubbies or family members I thought you'd love to hear Hally's take on the topic! Here is a quote from her blog:
 
"I am a Tucson native who recently relocated to New York City with my husband Johnny. I have been vegetarian on and off since high school but made the change to veganism a few months ago. Johnny has some diet restrictions due to his health but he is an omnivore to be certain. I only cook vegan meals at home and on this blog I share reviews on the food I prepare from my vegan perspective and his skeptical omnivore perspective. I hope to inspire others to incorporate vegan cooking into their lives as much as possible!"
 
How brilliant is Hally? I love her for this! It's so perfect to cook yum food for her hubby and let his body taste buds and good health come around. Bravo!

Do any of you cook for omnivores regularly? What are their favorite veg dishes? What do they tend to order when you take them to vegan restaurants?