Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 190

lilys transition to a kind diet

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Kind Lifer Lily recently shared her experience of transitioning to a kind diet in her hometown of Boston. Check it out!
 
"When I began eating a vegan diet my boyfriend was "worried" about me not getting enough nutrients and protein from vegetables. Also he freaked out when I wouldn't have eggs and milk. He said that was a bit extreme and told me how milk provides me with calcium so I don't end up being a weak old woman with weak bones. But the truth is that even before I was vegan I barely ever had any milk except for pancakes and that was once every month or so. I don't really eat cereal either.
 
I don't know why he was freaking out! At work nobody really said anything except they looked at my yummy lunch with curious eyes and asked if they could try it! One of them told me I should patent my vegetable soup since it was so delicious! I also made pasta with tofu and other veggies and white beans with brown rice.
 
I was having so much fun cooking and shopping for my recipes and spending less money than before. The people at the cafe I used to go to so much even told me they'd add some more veggies and healthy items to their menu so that I could come back. The only problem other than my boyfriend's skepticism was that going out to eat was a little hard. I tended to order side dishes and asked the waitress how the food was made and if the chef could please not put any butter on my pasta etc…
 
This lifestyle is just so awesome for me and the biggest reminder really is looking in the mirror! My skin just glows now and all my jeans are so loose that I seriously need to go shopping soon which should be fun! I plan to hit the second hand shops first and sales last ;"

Lily recently sent me an update on her new lifestyle!
 
"I am happy that I made the choice to eat a kinder diet! Now it is getting easier to cook vegan food. I have been trying to vegan-ize a couple of my favorite Guatemalan dishes and I try to get my family more involved in living a meatless life. Although they still eat it both my daughter and boyfriend agreed to eat it less. To that point that Kaitlyn my 10 year old now calls McDonald's 'McCruelty'!
 
I have been exploring my city Boston for more vegan places and found some good ones! I'm trying to make sure all the products I choose for me and my home are vegan-friendly. The next step is being more involved with the vegan community here in my city. I did volunteer with The Boston Vegetarian Society for the Vegetarian Festival they had about a month ago. And I do plan to support the local activists in this area in the future as well so hopefully time will allow me to do that. I also try to update my blog as often as I can."

Congratulations Lily and be sure to let us know of any groovy veg events in the Boston area!

If anyone else has a success story to share post it in the forum and "like" it. I may feature you on The Kind Life homepage!

vegan latkes!

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Since latkes are most people's favorite Hannukah treats I wanted to share a latke recipe with you! This veg version from Girlie Girl Army courtesy of VegNews Magazine sounds delicious. I haven't tried it yet but I want to! Check it out:
 
Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and grated
1 small yellow onion peeled and grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil for frying

Steps

In a colander set over a large bowl place potatoes.
Using your hands squeeze out the excess liquid from the potatoes.
Pour off the liquid and place potatoes in the bowl.
Add onion to potatoes along with parsley flour baking powder salt and pepper and mix well.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
In a large skillet over medium heat heat a thin layer of oil.
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.
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 creme. And make more than you need... these go fast!
 
Have a great weekend enjoy the latkes and don't forget to share your holiday recipes in the Kind Recipe Gallery!

happy hannukah!

Happy Hannukah everyone!

I did a blog around this time last year about great gift ideas and in honor of Hannukah here are some more fun gift ideas ...

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Candles and journals...

[image error]Beautiful children's books from Tiana Krahn

[image error]Some sweet treats from Sweet Freedom Bakery



[image error]A Farm Sanctuary animal sponsorship




[image error]For flirts and veggies alike a subscription to VegNews!

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Eco-friendly gifts for kids! From yo-yo's to speakers to puzzles to dolls…

 

[image error]Kind chocolate from Rescue Chocolate is perfect for anyone! Their peanut butter bar and the mint bar are both amazing!



[image error]Clothing for fashionable ladies from Nicole Bridger just watch out for the wool products in her line

[image error]For the new mommies in your life BPA free bottles teethers and accessories from Life Factory

 
You can also browse The Kind Shop to find some good ideas. There is a really cute Mat & Nat purse in there as well as some really pretty earrings that are made from reclaimed silver.

What other gift ideas do you have?

how to fall in love with greens...

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The other morning I had some kale with umeboshi vinegar and flaxseed oil and I thought "My God if people aren't eating this they are crazy!"
 
If you haven't been using the ume-flax combo on greens you are missing out! It is just so delicious. Of course sometimes greens like kale collards or bok choy are good on their own – especially for superheroes. But when you feel like your greens need a little extra kick you must put a tad of umeboshi vinegar and a bit of flaxseed oil on them. Yum! The Bok Choy and Ume Vinaigrette recipe in my book p. 264-265 will do the trick and ume-flax dressing is insane with cabbage leeks and toasted sunflower seeds too.
 
Also if you are afraid or new to greens and they sound disgusting to you this will cure you! Try some greens with my Tahini Dressing p. 263 Basic Ume Vinaigrette p.172 or the Ume Sesame Dressing p.262-263 from my book – I'm pretty sure if you hate greens and you put one of these sauces on them you'll love 'em. And of course your body will too!

Remember to eat greens at least once a day – the dark leafy ones. Iceberg lettuce doesn't count! I'm not talking Swiss chard or spinach I'm talking Chinese cabbage kale bok choy or collards. Swiss chard and spinach are fine for vegans but not something superheroes want to eat frequently no more than 1-2 times per week. For info on why see p. 64 of The Kind Diet.

There is whole world of green goodness waiting for you so try dressing up your greens with umeboshi vinegar and flaxseed oil ASAP!

What's your favorite way to prepare greens?

sophia bush talks to craig ferguson about the kind diet

Sophia Bush from the show "One Tree Hill" recently talked about flirting with a vegan diet on the "Late Late Show" with Craig Ferguson. I was so thrilled to hear that she's been inspired by The Kind Diet!

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Hurraw! A Cute Healthy Vegan Gift For The Holidays! Sponsored Post

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Many of you checked out the October Hurraw! Balm post on The Kind Life. Hurraw! would like to thank you for all your great comments and for making Hurraw! Balm a big hit.

We thought you might like to share Hurraw! Balm this holiday by giving the gift of healthy vegan lips! Hurraw! Balms make a fun vegan stocking-stuffer or gift-topper!

Hurraw! Balm's passion is creating the perfect balm: All natural vegan super smooth not draggy not sticky not sweet not too glossy not too smelly never grainy and long lasting on the lips. It also has to hold up to being in a back jeans pocket without falling out or melting into a gooey mess.

Small batches are handcrafted daily in Whitefish Montana from premium raw organic and fair trade ingredients. The balms ship super fresh with absolutely no artificial ingredients flavors or colors. The oils are infused with raw seeds pods fruit zests barks and roots.

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This gives added flavor and great color check out the juicy Black Cherry and tingly Cinnamon flavors for a sheer red lip tint. You might even get a few vanilla bean seeds in the Vanilla Bean balm!  

As a special offer to The Kind Life readers Hurraw! will include extra cotton tea bags & little gift tags for each gift order at no extra charge so you can give a super cute healthy vegan gift!

These beauties come in 16 unique flavors and are just 3.79 each at www.hurrawbalm.com the shipping is super affordable too! When checking out please be sure to let them know how many extra gift tea bags and gift tags you need in the notes section of your order.

Happy Holidays!

why i love pcrm

PCRM is by far my favorite organization. Being scientists and doctors they are especially effective and influential. They are determined to end human and animal suffering. They look for the truth. They say no to the cruel practices that are taught in school and by society and search for compassionate solutions not just easy ways to cut costs.

I have worked with PCRM for more years than I can remember - maybe 12 years now! I love them! If you aren't familiar with PCRM check them out - and if you know anyone who is ill with diabetes or cancer or anything else check out their programs and information on those conditions.

I love PCRM and of course my dear hero Dr. Neal Barnard as well as all of the wonderful doctors and scientists at PCRM - you are all my heroes! If you have any concerns whatsoever about your health or whether or not you are doing the right thing for your health PCRM has an amazing team of doctors who can answer any of your questions.

win a sampler from rescue chocolate!

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So we all know that chocolate is not superhero but it can be very vegan and very flirty and there are certain times when you just gotta have some. If  you are ever feeling like you absolutely need your chocolate fix Rescue Chocolate is a great option.
 
Founded in Brooklyn New York in 2010 Rescue Chocolate is 100 vegan and donates 100 of its net profits to animal charities. Every wrapper has a sweet little dog on it and bars come in several flavors like Peanut Butter Pit Bull and Pick Me! Pepper! You can buy Rescue Chocolate online or at stores in New York San Diego and Chicago check out their website for a list of stores that carry Rescue Chocolate.
 
Rescue Chocolate has offered to give away a Chocolate Sampler to one lucky Kind Lifer! All that you have to do to enter is write a comment below telling everyone why you think it's important to rescue dogs.

Good luck and thank you Rescue Chocolate!!!

Its Pie Week on Made Just Right - Sponsored Post

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A couple of weeks ago I gave you a heads up about the Earth Balance Made Just Right™ Holiday Bake-off sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Well it's here! This week Earth Balance is kicking off the competition with a pie recipe contest. Winners will receive a 400 Whole Foods Market gift card and a year's supply of Earth Balance® products!

Did you make a delicious pie at Thanksgiving? Submit your recipe to the contest here! Even if you didn't I bet you can dream up a yummy pie. You have a week to submit your recipe so start baking! Pie recipes must be submitted by 11:59 EST on December 5th.

Here is one of my favorite pie recipes from my book p. 189.
 
Peanut Butter Pie
 
Ingredients

1 vegan chocolate cookie crust
1 10-oz bag of grain-sweetened non-dairy chocolate chips
½ cup of Earth Balance® soy milk
1 ¼ cups of Earth Balance® peanut butter you can also use regular peanut butter. Earth Balance® peanut butter has agave in it so it might make the pie too sweet. If you use Earth Balance peanut butter just go easy on the maple syrup as the pie will already be sweet enough

1 12.3 oz box of silken tofu firm
½ cup maple syrup
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract to taste

Steps

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bake the cookie crust for 4-5 minutes just to make it a bit crispy. Cool completely.

Melt the chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water. If you don't have a double boiler place a stainless steel bowl over boiling water and melt the ingredients in it.
Whisk in the milk until combined and smooth.
With a measuring cup scoop out about 1⁄4 cup of the chocolate mixture then pour the remainder into the cookie crust.
Place the cookie crust in the refrigerator to cool completely.
While the lling chills combine 1 cup peanut butter the tofu syrup and vanilla extract in a food processor or blender; process until very smooth scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour the peanut butter mixture on top of the chilled chocolate lling in the cookie crust smoothing it out over the pie as you pour and return the lled cookie crust to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour or until rm.
To serve return the reserved chocolate lling to the double boiler or stainless steel bowl and stir in the remaining 1⁄4 cup peanut butter.
Stir until the chocolate and peanut butter are very well combined and very warm. If the mixture seems too thick to drizzle add some soy milk until it is runny enough to pour.
Decoratively drizzle the mixture over the chilled pie in zigzags or swirls or use a small spatula to spread it smoothly over the whole pie.
Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Have fun baking your pies and remember to submit your recipes at Made Just Right™!

marjies transition to a kind diet

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Kind Lifer Marjie has been vegan for a month and recently shared how she has maintained her diet. Check it out:
 
"Since I'm fresh off my first month as a Vegan...with family...in a small town in the Midwest...I've learned a few things. First everyone has a lot of questions! I am continually surprised by how much all of the people I love and work with sincerely want to know. So I answer all of their questions as best I can. Usually it goes something like this. Yes I did it for health reasons. Well it just seemed like a good time. No it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. You'd be surprised how fast meat started to look distasteful to me. Yes I have considered animal rights and social justice issues and this just seems to make more sense to me. No I don't really crave anything as long as I keep really good food around. My answers have all sort of landed in the gentle and kind category and I never let them stray into the "you should" category no matter how messed up someone's health or eating is. Becoming vegan turned out to be not such a big deal but it's still a completely personal decision.

As for coping with friends and family I've eaten at a bunch of restaurants with a bunch of friends and family and usually end up with a green salad and a plain potato or beans. Not great but it works and I don't have to feel like a pariah.

As for family including my husband and children they can eat what they want. There's not much meat in the house because I don't feel like buying or cooking it but they've been known to go out when I have a class. And at family gatherings I take good food with me. I decided that the food-pushers' issues belong to them not me. A quiet reminder that I'm fine usually works. I may have some moral high ground here that helps. I've lost 135 pounds only 5 of them as a Vegan.

The really funny part is that everyone keeps digging into my food. My kids my husband my niece and even my friends keep stealing my chow. I was going to declare some items off-limits but then thought I should just make more."
 
Congratulations Marjie! Does anyone else have a story like this?