Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 167

be the neighborhood sheriff!

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So I've wanted to write a blog about this topic for a very long time and finally I was inspired! So in LA it had been raining like crazy. Really really hardcore rain - well hardcore for Angelenos. One morning I was walking down to my car and I noticed that one of my neighbors had their sprinklers on... this drives me insane! Why don't people turn their sprinklers off when it's raining? It's so unnecessary and it's such a waste of water. Even one person turning off their sprinklers after it rains would make a difference but collectively if a ton of people turned off their sprinklers for a few days after it rained it would save a ton of water! The same principle goes for turning your lights off when you're not home keeping lights off during the day when you have natural sunlight etc.

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I always go for walks around my neighborhood which I love doing but when I go on these walks I see a lot of things that could be done differently to save water and electricity. So one day I started carrying around little notes with me on my walks and when I saw sprinklers on in the rain or outdoor street and property lights on all day I would write a friendly little note saying something like "Hi there this is your neighbor! I wanted to give you some friendly information because I noticed that your lights are always on during the day time or your sprinklers are leaking or your sprinklers are on when its raining."  I just slip the note into their mailbox or under their door and it makes me feel better! I don't know how much luck I have with those notes but I like to think that it's putting those ideas out there.

I do have one great story about how I talked to a neighbor in a super friendly way because for months all of her outdoor lights were on 24 hours a day. So one day on my walk I knocked on her door and just said "Hey! Just wanted to let you know that your lights are on during the day wanted to alert you in case you didn't know!" And it turned out that she didn't even know that her lights were on! So she immediately went and had it addressed and it never happened again so I feel very proud about that! This particular girl was really cool about it but beware that some people won't be as cool about it. However I think it's really worth trying to get your neighbors to think about it and raise their awareness.  

As long as you're really friendly about it you're not causing any harm! My husband calls me the "Neighborhood Sheriff" but I like to think of it as more of an Earth Fairy!

I'd really love to hear how all of you handle situations like this. Let me know in the comments below and I can start featuring my favorite Neighborhood Sheriff stories here on the site!

sarah says goodbye to endometriosis!

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Kind Lifer Sarah recently shared her story about overcoming endometriosis by adopting a kinder diet - despite living in a very meat and dairy-centric environment! Check it out:

"I've been a vegetarian since January because I have endometriosis and I did some research into it and found that the hormones in meat were wreaking havoc on my own hormones. I was also told to forego yeast wheat and dairy products - oh and sugar!
 
I found all the restrictions a bit tough so I decided to cut out the meat and most dairy and try my best with the rest. It worked well enough but I wasn't 100 better. I was able to function and experience pain free days however so I was very happy.
 
This year I decided to go vegan completely because I was introduced to much more information about the vegan lifestyle - and to be honest the word vegan didn't frighten me any more. Being from Ireland the land of meat and dairy it was hard to admit that I didn't eat meat and I was always having to explain my decision. It was easier to claim I wasn't hungry and eat nothing than to have to sit through a 'you'll never survive properly without meat' discussion.

Anyway in the end I did it and I have to say that for the first month I fell off the wagon a bit but after that I've done really well only the odd bit of chocolate here and there!

I was expecting to feel different when I got into this way of life I refuse to use the word diet! but the extent of the transformation is amazing. I have lost the extra few pounds I put on after I had my second baby which I was thrilled with but there are other things I've noticed as well. One of the symptoms of endometriosis is mild to severe depression. I used to get down for at least a week every month but since I have gone vegan I haven't had one down day! I get too tired to do house work but that's normal - I don't feel like I physically can't get off the chair anymore.
 
I have been told by a spiritual healer friend of mine that I have 'lost layers' in a spiritual way rather than just physical and I definitely feel more centered. I have more energy for the important things in my life and I am gaining more self-confidence in running my own Aromatherapy practice - all of which I attribute to losing the unnecessary baggage from animal products! This way of life suits me and I have you to thank for that."

Yay Sarah! I'm so happy for you and your newfound health. When others question your kind choices just tell them that you have cured your illness. When they learn how your health has improved they'll be inspired!
 
About the chocolates – if you're talking about flakes and crunchy bars or basically the English Cadbury chocolates well that's tough because they are insanely good! It's a whole world of sweets that we Americans are not aware of but being of English blood I am familiar with the deliciousness. I really don't miss them anymore though especially because there are so many good vegan chocolates out there for times when the temptation strikes! Plus I think the real sugar and dairy would just about kill me at this point... But man can I remember how good those treats were!

The funny thing is when I revisit foods I remember as being amazing after a long period of time avoiding them just to try them or have a taste I'm always happily surprised that my memory was much more exciting than the actual taste and feeling. So I walk away thinking "I scratched that itch but I'm really not missing out on a thing!" Yahoo!
 
As for the word diet I hear ya. I like to remember that the medieval definition of diet was a day's journey or a way of living. I like that!

If anyone else has a success story to share private message me or post your story to your profile and "like" it. I may feature you on The Kind Life!

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behind the scenes of my movie vamps

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The New York Post published this photo of me and Krysten Ritter on the set of Vamps. Here's another one from NY Post's PopWrap:

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You can see The Kind Diet peeking out of Krysten's tote bag!
 
Stay tuned for more info about Vamps!

kind book club: this months selection is

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Girls Gone Green! This is such an inspirational book for young people and adults alike. I'm loving it and I can't wait to hear what you think! Here's an excerpt:

Girls Gone Green
By Lynn Hirshfield

Over the last four years I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting so many young people working on a vast spectrum of environmental initiatives and a majority of these young green activists are girls. Perhaps it is natural for girls who may one day be mothers as well as working professionals to feel especially nurturing. Some of the young women profiled in this handbook have earned national recognition for their achievements while others are making strides on more local levels. Some are packing up for college while others are still packing their lunches for elementary school. Each and every one of the girls profiled in this book is an eco hero who offers hope and direction for her generation.
 
I hope you find this book inspiring! You can find new or used copies here or you can always check your local library. As you read add your thoughts and questions to the comments below. I'll compile them and post some of your feedback in a month.
 
Happy reading!

check out rob corddrys show!

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My friend Rob Corddry has created a comedy called "Children's Hospital" that season premieres tonight at midnight on Adult Swim. I like this show so much - it's completely demented and ridiculous; it makes me chuckle.
 
Rob and I met on Butter where we play a married couple. His show features lots of my pals. Lake Bell and I did "Miss Match" together and the great Megan Mullally is my pal. Rob and I cooked up this crazy idea for what my character would do in the show when working in Shreveport on Butter so stay tuned for the episode I'm in that will air August 4th!
 
Anywho "Children's Hospital" is the most un-politically correct show ever but that's the point I think. It's just plain fun.
 
So if it sounds like your kind of show check out "Children's Hospital" tonight and let me know what you think!
 
What have you been watching on TV lately?

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my favorite restaurants in detroit

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I'm so grateful to all you Kind Lifers who gave me such great restaurant recommendations while I was shooting Vamps in Detroit.
 
I tried to get to as many veg or veg-friendly restaurants as I could while I was there but I worked so many hours night and day that there weren't a lot of opportunities to go out to eat.
 
Although I didn't have time to make it to all the places I wanted to go the recommendations made me drool! Here are the places I loved and the places I wanted to go but couldn't make it to.
 
My favorite eating out experience was at Goodwell's Natural Food Market next to Avalon Bakery. It was really yummy and so cute. I loved it!
 
I also liked a sushi restaurant I went to while there. I can't remember the name but maybe some of you Detroit Kind Lifers will recognize it from my description! If so let me know in the comments below! They had a decent iceburg lettuce salad with carrot ginger dressing and a good burdock sushi roll. Everything probably had sugar in it but it was a nice treat. The fried tofu roll was great too. The only problem is that the sauce has a little dairy in it – they should make it with veganaise! Everyone harrass them to do this and maybe they will. For now you just order it without the sauce. They also made one of my favorite rolls for me: asparagus tempura with avocado in a roll.
 
I had a great brunch with Kind Lifer Lisa at What Crepe that I blogged about here. On another occasion I went to the Inn Season Café for brunch. The French toast was really nice the vegan omelet was yum and the cinnamon buns were huge! Just like Cinnabon.

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This is my husband Christopher at the Inn Season Cafe. I was super pregnant in the first trimester so food was hard for me...any kind! I hated it and I wanted to cry. So that's also why I didn't get to eat at all the places I wanted to try.

I really wanted to make it to Amicci's Pizza but I just ran out of time. If you're in Detroit it sounds amazing! Om Café also sounded good to me but I never made it there. Mind Body & Spirits is an organic restaurant in Rochester that was also high on my list. I really wanted to check it out but didn't get the chance.

Here are some other restaurants that I didn't get to but that sound great:

Red Pepper Deli – heard good things!
The Jolly Pumpkin – looked great but never made it
Earthen Jar – an Indian buffet that plays Bob Marley this place sounds like a great deal so check it out if you live in Ann Arbor
The Whitney – this place makes a great vegan tasting menu if you give them 24 hours' notice. I didn't get to try it but it sounds like a great place for fancy pants dining!
Sangria – this is a vegan tapas restaurant in Royal Oaks that has dancing too! Sounds really fun!
Sugar Kisses Bakery – this bakery in Berkley sounds great. I didn't make it but check it out if you're in the area!
Moo Moo's – this is a vegetarian catering service in Ferndale that could be great for flirts or vegans who need delivery service
Lark Restaurant – this restaurant is owned by John Sommerville from Top Chef. It's a fancy place and looks like it serves every kind of animal on the planet but he told me he could do a vegan meal. If I were in Detroit again I would check it out because I heard his food is great and it's 85 organic.
Seva – vegetarian restaurant in Ann Arbor

I know I was in Detroit like a hundred years ago now - I think I left in September! But I had a great time there and wanted to share. What are some great vegan or vegetarian restaurants in your town?

success stories: maddys amazing success!

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Kind Lifer Maddy sent me her success story and it's so adorable and inspiring I wanted everyone to see! Fourteen year old Maddy has been able to heal her body and also transition her family to a kinder diet. Take a look:

"I'm fourteen so I haven't exactly found the meaning to life yet but I'm getting there. I was born with asthma severe "use your inhaler everyday" athsma. It was a real obstacle for me and I thought I would have to struggle with it forever. My mom had raised me vegetarian and about a year ago I made the decision to go vegan. This caused quite an upset considering my dad's an Australian...'nuff said? They don't really eat quinoa in Australia... I convinced them to let me try it out like a trial run.

I was successfully vegan for just a few days and I had never felt better. I know there's physical and scientific reasons for the 'new me' but I think I honestly felt good because I didn't feel as if I was carrying any suffering around in me anymore. My body and I no longer contribute to the pain of other beings and I guess I hadn't noticed before...but pain weighs a lot. Not to mention that my asthma completely went away. I haven't used my inhaler in months and I can't tell you how much better life is without carrying around an inhaler...which weighs a lot more than I thought apparently. No more pain no more inhaler.

I also cook like crazy. I absolutely love it. So does my family. I cook almost every night using Kind Diet recipes and now creating my own...I make a mean vegan apple cake : You are my inspiration. Now as I sit eating a tub of KindKreme I thank you for all that you've done for the world and will continue to do. You do make a difference. I do make a difference. We are all making a difference. Thank You."

I'm so happy for you Maddy! Congratulations you are a very inspiring young girl! I mean seriously she is fourteen years old and cooking for her whole family cause she loves it!! What a rock star and such an inspiration!

I recently met Maddy at one of my book signings and she was an absolute angel. She is so sweet and beautiful; she blew me away. She came with her mom who is gorgeous too so young looking I'm sure because of her veggie lifestyle!

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