Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 180
February 14, 2011
lets fight national snack food month!
Back in August I posted about Roger Doiron and World Kitchen Garden Day. At that time Roger was protesting the announcement of "National Snack Food Month" a bogus celebration of junk food started by the Snack Food Association. Well the month they chose for National Snack Food Month is March and it's almost here!
Roger has come up with an alternative campaign to combat National Snack Food Month. It's called the 20ate campaign and it's a crowd-sourced open-source campaign whose goal is to get us to opt out of unhealthy processed snack food for the 20ate days of February. Now I know we're halfway through February but the effort to promote real foods is year-round – and I think it's important that we make a statement in favor of real foods during National Snack Food Month in March.
Here's how you can support 20ate:
Share your participation in the campaign on Twitter and Facebook using the 20ate hashtag. Here are some sample tweets http://20ate.org/tweets.
"Outlike" the cheese puff fan page on Facebook by "liking" the 20ate fan page http://20ate.org/cheese-puff-challenge
Avoid processed unhealthy snacks. Buy and eat real foods only!
You can also donate money to the campaign here. How do you plan to combat the Snack Food Association's fake holiday and celebrate your commitment to eating real foods?
February 11, 2011
donate a bed to a dog in need for valentines day!
This Valentine's Day Lu Parker of KTLA News is raising funds to provide beds for dogs in a South LA shelter.
Right now the dogs sleep on concrete floors and any linens that are provided for bedding usually get soiled or chewed up because the poor doggies are bored. A donation of 65 will buy a durable elevated bed that is comfortable for the dogs and will last for a long time. Plus the first 140 donors will get a free bouquet of flowers and a personalized card while supplies last.
If 65 seems a bit steep for you you can still donate your old linens and newspapers. Shelters are always in need of these especially newspapers! That said the 65 beds are the best option as they are long lasting and comfy for the dogs. So if you can swing it please celebrate Valentine's Day by showing your love for South LA's shelter dogs!
To donate go here.
daikon!
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For all your flirts or anyone new to the superhero diet this is what a daikon looks like!
Next time you're at the grocery store buy one and try the Braised Daikon in Mirin and Shoyu from my book p. 271. Here's the recipe:
Braised Daikon in Mirin and Shoyu
Ingredients
1 large daikon roughly 1 pound but size doesn't really matter
2 T shoyu
½ cup mirin
2"-3" strip kombu
Steps
Slice the daikon into 3/4" rounds
Place them in a skillet in a single layer
Add water almost to cover the daikon
Add the shoyu mirin and kombu
Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat
Reduce heat to very low cover pan and simmer the daikon for 30 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed
Enjoy!
February 10, 2011
breastfeeding basics
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When I posted my recent vegan pregnancy blogs breastfeeding was one of the most hotly discussed topics in the comments! You asked many great questions that I will be answering soon but in the meantime I wanted to share this useful article from Girlie Girl Army.
Girlie Girl Army's Chloe Jo has some great tips for all you new moms or moms-to-be. She's had an epic journey with breastfeeding! Her personal experience was difficult and painful at first but she fought through it with the help of nipple soaks massage and pumping - and after an excruciating first two months breastfeeding was a breeze.
Here are some of Chloe Jo's tips:
Watch a mom breastfeed - Learn by watching. Sit with a new mother and watch her breastfeed her baby – ask her questions discuss challenges that she's faced. If you don't know anyone who is currently breastfeeding attend a local breastfeeding support group. You can find your local La Leche League Group here.
Do some research - There are tons of great breastfeeding resources both online and in print. If you're looking for a good place to start check out Bravado Designs for great resources divided by stage.
Connect with moms who have been there - Probably the greatest resource you will find is listening to and talking to a mom who's been through the challenges and successes of breastfeeding. Learning what they "wish they had known then" as well as having support for when you're going through rough patches can be invaluable.
Keep your employer in the loop - Talk to your boss before you go on mat leave and let him/her know that you intend to pump when you return back to work. Giving your company advance notice is better than springing it on them on your first day back.
Include your partner - Have a candid discussion about not only what's involved but what both of your expectations are. Having your partner as your "breastfeeding cheerleader" is a great way to boost your confidence as well as involve him/ her in the feeding experience.
Set up your lactation station - Set up a spot before baby comes: a comfy chair and a pillow are all you're going to need to get started.
Invest in two nursing bras - You're going to want at least two nursing bras when you're starting out – one to wear and one to wash. Choose a nursing bra with flexible sizing and cottony comfort as your size will be changing especially throughout those first few weeks. The GGA Mom Squad swear by the Bravado Bras and tanks and we tried every brand. The Bravado were endlessly comfortable durable sensible and great under everything. Our faves? The Body Silk Seamless Nursing and the Essential Nursing Bra Tank. Trust us any other brand will just sit in your drawer and rot.
Create your support network - In an ideal world breastfeeding will come easy but if it doesn't don't be afraid to ask for help. Identify your support network beforehand whether it's a Lactation Consultant doctor midwife or doula.
Are any of you Kind Lifers currently breastfeeding or have you in the past? What has your experience been like?
February 9, 2011
7-11 adds vegan options
I've been told that FitPerez.com recently reported that 7-11 ya know home of the Slurpee is now going to offer a few vegan-healthier choices! Dishes you can purchase at 7-11 now include artichoke spinach noodles vegetable lo mein and two types of dumplings.
Now I wouldn't recommend making 7-11 fare of any kind a regular thing but in a pinch or when you're on the road it's great to know they are vegan friendly!
Where else do you kind lifers get vegan convenience food?
delicious desserts from candle caf!
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Candle Café is one of my favorite veg restaurants in NYC and until recently you had to go there to get their tasty treats. Luckily for those of us who don't live in New York they just debuted a line of desserts that are available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide!
Candle Café's desserts are all-natural vegan 100 dairy free kosher and made with organic ingredients. They come in four flavors:
Chocolate Mousse Tart
Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart
Raspberry Linzer Tart
Vanilla Cheesecake
They'll also be making their vegan mini-muffins available soon so watch for those! The muffins will come in the following flavors:
Orange Cranberry
Corn
Blueberry
Pumpkin
Chocolate
Chocolate Chip
Lemon Poppy
Carrot
Of course this is not superhero fare! These desserts have sugar but they are sooo insanely perfect for flirts and wild & crazy vegans!
Which dessert do you want to try most? I want the chocolate peanut butter tart.
February 8, 2011
calling all kind bloggers!
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I know all you Kind Lifers are creative and opinionated – and many of you express yourselves in your own blogs. So I want to share your blogs with the community by spotlighting one Kind Blogger per month. Leave the link to your blog in the comments below with a sentence about why you started it and you may be featured on the homepage of The Kind Life! If you don't have your own blog feel free to tell me about your favorite blogs too!
Happy blogging!
cutie patoot janah!
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Recently I blogged about Janah's cooking class at Sur La Table. She loves to cook and she also teaches private in-home classes for groups or individuals.
She's super reasonable and affordable and sweet as can be! It can't hurt to have an extra hand in the kitchen every once in a while for you high-powered ladies or men who have no time and want good food. Just make sure to tell her you are vegan Janah has been veggie her whole life but not vegan.
If any of you LA folks would like to tune up your skills in the kitchen or just need some help for a big party she is wonderful. She's so warm and has a huge heart!
If you're interested in working with Janah you can contact her here delishyourdishgmail.com.
February 7, 2011
how to pack a healthy lunch that your kids will actually eat!
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I found this great article on Girlie Girl Army and thought I'd share these tips with all you kind moms!
How to Pack a Healthy Lunch that You Feel Good About and Your Children Actually Eat!
Lunches are such a tricky thing…on one hand all of the children are comparing what they got in their lunchboxes and do you really want them to be the ones with the lame lunch?. And on the other hand you want to send them off with something nutritious to fuel them through their day that you feel good about and that they will eat! If this is your conundrum read on!
Most Mom's Lunchbox Criteria are that the lunch must:
Be quick and easy to pack.
Be healthy and include fruits and/or vegetables.
Contain foods kids will actually eat.
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This Insulated Cow Lunch Bag pvc-free/ ethically made and 30 is a perfect way for your kid to explain why s/he doesn't eat animals!
Some Healthful Hints to Improve the "Lunch Box Battles"
Get your kids involved in the shopping and/or preparation and ask what they like. Take them somewhere like Whole Foods or your local healthy grocery shop and let them pick out some healthy options for their lunchboxes. Spend some time in the produce section and let them experiment with some different fruits. If your child normally only eats apples try the cherries if they are in season! Buy a few mangos a box of strawberries or some clementines. These make healthy delicious lunchbox additions as well! Encourage them to make their own decisions as to what they want to try- whether it is a new type of drink or treat. They will be much more likely to embrace it if they have chosen it. Do not and I repeat do not take them to a big grocery store where the aisles are lined with potato chips and cheese puffs!
Buy a lunchbox that is easy to use and that your child likes!
My children use the Lands End ones but there are many other fun ones to choose from these days! One of my favorite companies is Laptop Lunches which has fun bento box style lunchboxes and also a wide variety of fantastic lunchbox ideas!
Include multiple colors & textures into their lunches.
When we are at a restaurant we like a variety of colors and textures on our plates and kids are like that too! Pack a soft sandwich crunchy carrot sticks and creamy vegan yogurt for a satisfying combo. For nursery age children cut their sandwiches into shapes and make fun things like 'ants on a log' celery filled with vegan cream cheese topped with raisons.
Include condiments in their lunchboxes!
Condiments are not just for grown-ups and children love love love to squirt and dip things. You could include hummus or ranch dressing to dip carrots into ketchup for a tofu dog or even maple syrup to dip a grilled almond butter and jelly sandwich into- yum!
Leftovers are great for lunch!
Get out of the 'grilled daiya cheese and pb&j thinking' and be experimental with what you include. Did you have grilled tofu the night before? Then wrap up the tofu in a wrap! Have pasta the night before? Include that too! You will be surprised how much more your children will enjoy their lunches and eat them! Lunch boxes don't have to- and shouldn't- contain the usual sandwich every day! If you do pack a sandwich vary the bread- serve it on whole wheat one day a wrap the next a pita the next and try to add vegetables such as lettuce and tomato when you can.
Last but certainly not least remember to always pack a treat!
When your child opens their lunchbox you don't want them to be the only one without something to look forward to! So make sure when you are at the grocery store with them that they pick out something that is delicious but not high in sugar high fructose corn syrup and saturated fat! I keep a variety on hand and just vary which one I throw in their lunchboxes.
Below are some specific ideas for you:
"The Cheat Sheet"
Main Course choose one:
PB&J with a twist- use almond butter & banana grilled on a whole wheat served with a side of agave
Smart Dogs- in a bun or rolled up with vegan cheese in a tortilla
Vegan Cheese Quesadillas on corn tortillas with a side of salsa
"Perfectly Healthy" Veggie Pancakes recipe below- cook it the night before & serve at dinner then heat it up in the morning and pack it the next day these also freeze well
Avocado & tomato sandwich
"Mexican Sushi" see recipe below
Vegan chicken nuggets with organic ketchup for dipping
Snacks choose one:
Fruit- bananas apples oranges clementines cherries or grapes
Vegan Yogurt- choose one high in acidophilis and low in sugar
Carrots sticks with hummus for dipping
Celery sticks filled with vegan cream cheese
Dried fruits no-sugar- raisins apricots bananas papaya or mango
Trail mix no-sugar- try one with Goji berries for iron and Vitamin C
Veggie Booty Roberts American Gourmet
Spelt Pretzels
Organic "Cheese" Crackers by Eco-Planet
Treats every lunchbox must have a treat right!?!
Organic animal crackers
Newman's Own "oreo" cookies
Late July peanut butter crackers
Some snacks via Vegan Girl Next Door
Drinks choose one:
Always pack them a big bottle of water in a bottle of their choosing as well and encourage them to drink it throughout the day! Opt out of the sports drink route unless you find some without added sugar!
Honest Kids- fun squeeze packs comes in Tropical Tango Goodness Grapeness or Berry Berry Good Lemonade
Apple & Eve All-Natural Apple Juice box
Vruit Carrot Apple Juice box
R.W. Kudsens Spritzers- Lemonade Red Rasberry or Grape can- they think it is soda!
Vita Coco Coconut Water box
Good Old-Fashioned Water!
Good luck and good packing! Do you have any great tips for packing kids' lunches?
valentines day gifts from farm sanctuary
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Farm Sanctuary is doing a Valentine's Day thing - you can adopt an animal friend for your loved one or you can buy chocolates and jewelry with all proceeds going to Farm Sanctuary.
Here's a selection of gifts they're offering:
Vegan Edible Chocolate Heart
Veg For Life Necklace
Farm Sanctuary Necklace
You can buy any of the goodies above by clicking on the pictures and you can find out about the animals who currently need adoption at Farm Sanctuary's website.
What are your favorite Valentine's Day gifts to give or receive?
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