Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 191

robin quivers talks about her vegan diet on jimmy kimmel!

I was watching Jimmy Kimmel the other night and caught Robin Quivers' segment where she talks about being vegan. It's always nice to see people talking about that. She looks happy and cute.

Robin was at my book launch in New York last year at Candle 79... She is a nice good lady.

kind celebrities talk about thanksgiving

As we near "turkey" day which I like to think of as adopt-a-turkey not eat-a-turkey day it's nice to know that our feathered friends have some well-known allies! Farm Sanctuary sent me this roundup of celebrity quotes about Thanksgiving including a few words from yours truly! and I thought I'd share:

[image error] "Save a life this Thanksgiving and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project." – Ellen DeGeneres Farm Sanctuary's 2010 Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson

[image error]"Turkeys are among the most abused animals on earth. The horrors these smart sensitive birds routinely endure behind closed doors on our nation's factory farms all so that their tortured bodies can be the centerpiece of a holiday celebration about gratitude are appalling and incongruent with most Americans' values of compassion." - John Salley 4-time NBA Champion and wellness guru

[image error] "After spending time with the rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary's shelter and seeing how similar they are to my furry companion animals at home I knew I needed to do everything in my power to protect these friendly and curious birds from the daily pain and suffering they endure on factory farms." – Ginnifer Goodwin Farm Sanctuary's 2009 Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson

Watch Ginnifer's Thanksgiving PSAs and read our interview with her here!

[image error]"If people knew how personable and fun to hang out with turkeys are and if they knew the horrors that turkeys on factory farms go through for their entire lives I think fewer people would want to take part in supporting factory farming. Honoring turkeys who have been abused by the system as they embark on their new life on the sanctuary is a great thing to do." – Daniela Sea

Read our special holiday interview with Daniela here! 

[image error]"Here is a list of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. It's so simple to create a delicious holiday meal without animal cruelty. I promise no one will miss the turkey! Enjoy!"- Alicia Silverstone

[image error]"Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and express our gratitude for all that we have to be thankful for. In the true spirit of this holiday take a moment to think about the importance of all life. By choosing a vegetarian diet every one of us can take part in ending the cruelty animals endure on factory farms. Like cats and dogs turkeys are intelligent social and sensitive beings who want to live. Give thanks this holiday and save a life." - Persia White

[image error] "There are many ways of giving thanks. Eating turkeys doesn't have to be one of them. Healthy and delicious vegetarian options now make compassionate holidays easier than ever. This Thanksgiving join with my family in starting a new tradition that celebrates life and promotes peace for all beings." - Corey Feldman

[image error]"Our family holidays always include our animals. On Thanksgiving we love to walk around our farm and visit with our rescued pigs goats horses emus and many other rescued animals. We give them all special vegetables that day and the whole family enjoys a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. We know that the animals are giving thanks that day and we are also giving thanks for the joy they bring to our lives." – Noah Wyle

Tracy Owen and Noah Wyle's favorite Thanksgiving treats: Baked yams mashed potatoes stuffed squash and pumpkin pie.

Click here for the Wyle family's favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

[image error] "Every living thing feels pain and should be protected from cruelty. Farm animals are no different." - Kim Basinger

Kim's favorite Thanksgiving treats: Squash casserole sweet potato soufflé asparagus meatless tomato basil loaf and pumpkin pie.

[image error]"I became a vegetarian because when I ate that way I felt better physically and I couldn't stand the idea that I was in some small way supporting the extreme cruelty of factory farming." - Casey Affleck

Casey's favorite Thanksgiving treats: Tempeh cranberry sauce Brussels sprouts gravy and rice.

[image error] "I like to stuff myself at Thanksgiving not turkeys. Save a life this holiday season … adopt a turkey instead of eating one." – Kevin Nealon

Kevin's favorite Thanksgiving treats: Tofurky and pumpkin pie!

[image error] "We all oppose animal cruelty. But sometimes we forget that animals on farms suffer and feel pain like all other animals. They too deserve to be protected from harm and cruelty." – Charlotte Ross

[image error] "Turkeys are misunderstood. Once I adopted turkeys I understood this large bird to be a great companion. Contrary to popular belief they are sweet kind and funny. My adopted girls filled my heart every day with joy." – Linda Blair  

What is your take on Thanksgiving?

have a wonderful and kind thanksgiving!

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I hope you're having a fantastic day so far - I just wanted to share this great website I found in case you need any last minute inspiration! FARM is a wonderful non-profit organization that works to promote vegan plant-based diets to save animals protect the environment and improve health. This Thanksgiving they've launched a Thanksgiving website with a ton of resources including recipes a vegan starter guide information about cruelty to turkeys and how to talk to your non-vegan family about the Thanksgiving meal.
 
Check it out and let me know what you think. I hope you're enjoying a wonderful gentle & kind Thanksgiving day!
 
Love
Alicia

my thanksgiving menu

This year we have a huge crowd coming over and while I love to cook there will be a ton of family in my home and lots of commotion. I want to be present and not running around like an insane woman. I can't cook and talk at the same time – I get very focused while cooking and can't answer questions. I just lack that ability! So my solution is to do some cooking and some ordering in – a nice balance that will let me enjoy hanging out with my family.

Christopher's Mom Candy is going to help me tons with the set up and keeping things warm. I'm going ot ask my Mom to be in charge of tea making - as that is her specialty!

So here we go! This is my menu for Thanksgiving 2010:
 
Cheese from LEAF – this is sooo good! If you haven't tried it you must get it – it's like cream cheese and it comes with yummy chips. It's all raw but I still love it for the cheese taste - definitely something to win the hearts of meat eaters!

Field Roast Apple Smoked Sausages – always a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike!

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Pecan-crusted Seitan - from my book p. 154-155

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Wild Rice Cornbread Stuffing – we'll probably make this yummy recipe from Rachel Spurr!

Mashed Rutabegas & Potatoes from M Café

Tofurky Gravy - it's easy and good!

String beans – I'm going to make these with my husband's step mom Carol!

Sweet Potoatoes With Suzanne's Ricemellow Creme – Going to make these with Carol

Plain Biscuits from M Café – these are delicious!

Winter Salad from M Café – really good! Has a light crumble "cheese" on it with pears.

Cranberry Sauce – from my book p. 162

My Pecan Pie – I just mastered this recipe! I will share soon.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake – from my friend Mark whom I wrote about here. I'll serve with a little vanilla "ice cream"

Mulled Wine – from my book p. 210

Hot Apple Cider – so good with cloves and cinnamon sticks!

Organic Beer and a little Champagne for dessert

Cucumber-Mint Water – a nice way to fancy up plain 'ol water for a special meal!
 
That's it! What are you planning to eat this Thanksgiving?

introducing the kind lifes shop!

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I am very excited to introduce the newest feature to The Kind Life – our very own shop!  

I wanted to create a space for all of you Kind Lifers where everything has been handpicked by me. Sometimes shopping especially online shopping can be so overwhelming and I know that I always feel much better about buying something that has been personally recommended to me by someone I trust who has the same guidelines as I do... So that is what I wanted to create here for all of you – a cute little store that has all of my absolute favorite things in it.

And right now the store is pretty small and a lot of my favorite companies and products aren't in there yet but keep checking back because I will continue to add my favorite things and make the store bigger and better all the time!

I've partnered with a company called OpenSky to build the store and they will make everything super easy for you. If you need help with the store or have any issues you can call OpenSKy at any time... And with every product that you purchase you'll get their 365 Day Guarantee where you can return items for 1 full year at no cost to you!

To celebrate the launch of the shop OpenSky is offering 15 off of anything that you purchase from my store today through Wednesday December 1.  Just enter coupon code thekindlife15 when you are prompted during checkout.

Now I've said this before... I would never want any of you to buy things for no reason and that is not what this shop is for! Many of you have said that it's very hard to find some of the foods that I mention in the book which I'll be selling in the store or just hard to know which beauty products are truly eco friendly and so on... I just want to make shopping for kind products easier and more convenient for all of you so that is the goal of this shop!

Check out the store here and let me know what you think! Also I want to hear what products would you like to see in the new shop as I'll constantly be adding more stuff to the store. Let me know in the comments below and I'll see if we can get them in there.

amazing pumpkin pie

 

This is an amazing tofu pumpkin pie recipe that I shared last year courtesy of Kind Lifer Megan Lipshultz. It's so good and perfect for Thanksgiving – your non-veg friends will be amazed I promise!

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Megan says this pumpkin pie recipe was originally submitted by vegweb.com user Robin a couple of years ago and it's hands-down the best pumpkin pie I've ever had…ok maybe 2nd to that insane pumpkin pie they make at Urth Caffe in LA but still…considering it's beyond easy to make it's freakin' delicious.  

I've served this time and time again to tofu-haters and they have no clue it's filled with it. Then once the pie is safely in their bellies I smile and tell them that it was super high in protein because of the tofu content. Gotta love that. I feel very 007 every time I make this.

It's a must to top the pie slices with Rice Whip or Soy Whip by Soyatoo! exclamation point included in the brand name just fyi They sell these at Whole Foods and other specialty stores. If they don't have this near you ask your local grocery store to carry it! And careful because some other brands of non-dairy whipped creams contain milk!! I know crazy right? It says non-dairy on the bottle but you look at the ingredients and it says milk. Not sure how they get to advertise that as non-dairy but oh well. Just be sure to check the label.

A few more notes:

For the tofu I've found the Organic Firm Silken Tofu by Mori-Nu works the best.
For the pie crust get one from your grocer's frozen section. Try for one that's sugar-free. You don't need a sweet crust because the pie is the bomb all on its own.
I'm a spice freak so I always use all the optional spices.
I think the pie is best after it has been chilled which is good because you can make it for a dinner the night or morning before but it's still awesome warm.  

All right that's enough on the pie. Go make it! Serve it to everyone you know. And if you're really feeling crazy pair it with some non-dairy vanilla ice cream or if you are weird like me pair it with the carrot cake ice cream from Rice Dream…yummmmm!

Tofu Pumpkin Pie

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 can 16 ounces pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice optional
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
2-3 tablespoons cornstarch to firm up the pie filling
1 package 10-12 ounces silken/soft tofu
1 9-in unbaked vegan pie shell

Steps

Preheat oven to 425 F.  
Blend the pumpkin and sugar.
Add salt spices cornstarch and tofu mix thoroughly.  
Pour mixture into pie shell and bake for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 350 F and bake for another 60 minutes.  
Chill and serve. 

NOTE: Don't use the low fat tofu then the pie tastes like it was made with tofu.

vegnews talks about turkey day

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I hope everyone is planning a wonderful kind Thanksgiving! As you're preparing your yummy dishes I thought I'd share this great article from Veg News honoring turkeys their heritage in America and the sanctuaries that are working to restore the lives of these intelligent birds.
 
Check it out and tell me what you think!

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Turkey Time
By Brooke Still

This Thanksgiving meet the smart funny and affectionate turkeys not destined for your holiday table.

As dropping temperatures twinkle lights and the fa-la-la music that sings out of car radios signal it is officially the holiday season. Now is the time of year for being grateful spreading joy and embracing peace. Just like greeting cards abound tell us 'tis the season of togetherness giving and love. In other words it's a season of celebrating compassion.

Year after year to celebrate families and friends come together in a physical manifestation of Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving portrayal gathered around the holiday table to break bread. And yet at the focal point of the painting is the turkey a creature who lived anything but a life of freedom. The proud bird now on a platter instead most likely spent his short life on a crowded factory farm where he was afforded no comfort little care and much fear and disgrace. Crammed into a warehouse with sometimes thousands of other birds the turkeys then face the elements unguarded driven to slaughter if he even survives that long. Only then does he become the centerpiece the focal point of the meal and traditionally the very epicenter of the American holiday table.

The creature that received Benjamin Franklin's vote to be the national bird over the bald eagle was meant to lead an enriching full life each one possessing his or her own individual personality. Wild turkeys have more than 20 unique vocalizations that can be heard more than a mile away and they use these voices to recognize and communicate with one another. A turkey emotes through its snood the flap of skin that hangs over the turkey's neck. As Jenny Brown co-founder and director of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in Woodstock NY says "They have mood-ring like heads that change color depending on their excitement level" and the snood can "shrink and grow depending on their mood." Additionally wild turkeys are capable of learning the geography of an area as large as 1000 acres through which on short sprints wild turkeys can run up to 18 miles per hour. They also have the ability to take short flights bursting into the air like a helicopter.

But put a large brown and golden-feathered wild turkey alongside a commercially raised factory-farm turkey and the vast discrepancies are obvious. The commercial turkey has been stripped of its camouflaged feathers bred to have starkly white plumage a result of the consumer desire for all-white meat. The commercial turkey will appear more swollen — between 1965 and 2000 the average weight of a turkey rose 57 percent. This is a result of harmful breeding practices intending to create bigger bulkier meatier turkeys. Because people are willing to pay more and more for bigger turkey breasts the birds suffer. His insides grow faster than his frail avian skeleton can bear culminating in a long list of ailments. His legs toes and joints will suffer and he'll never be able to fly roost or run. Even more drastic the swollen breasts make it physically impossible for the turkey to mount and procreate thus farmers must artificially inseminate the female birds. He has been de-beaked and de-toed so as not to accidentally hurt the other turkeys with whom he lives in unbearably close quarters. And at the end of the line it's estimated that nearly 300 million turkeys are killed each year in the US 45 million of those for the Thanksgiving holiday alone.

And yet the turkey remains one of the most iconic tokens of the holiday season an emblem of Americana. They are transported and killed for the Thanksgiving table they are sold live off of farms and they are used as incentives for holiday promotions. But in the midst of the dark rancid life the turkey lives is a solitary beam of hope: the farm sanctuary. Something truly to be thankful for this holiday season are the farm sanctuaries working to rescue and liberate turkeys and provide for them the life they deserve.

Kathy Stevens founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary CAS in New York's Hudson Valley says that while the sanctuary receives turkeys all year round "We get more bizarre calls about turkeys in distress around the holiday time." This was the case with Petunia a small female turkey rescued by Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary WFAS. Petunia was found being chased by kids down New York streets the day after Thanksgiving. The story goes that a father had brought her to the Thanksgiving table as a gag after which he put Petunia in the backyard from where she then escaped. Scooped up just in time by WFAS she was taken to her first warm barn temporarily placed in an isolated pen until workers ensured she didn't have any parasites she could pass on to the other turkeys. It's a good thing she was clean because Petunia wasn't about to wait to meet her new friends. She was still young and small enough to fly over the wall and join the other turkeys. Today Brown says Petunia "tears across the yard or driveway from one point to the next for no apparent reason…she'll get a notion and start running just because she can—and she's found a place where she gets to do what she wants and be exactly whom she is."

As evidenced by Petunia's eagerness to join her feathered brethren turkeys often form strong bonds with one another creating a "social network like anybody else" says Gene Baur co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary. "You bring in somebody new they sort of adjust to how they relate to each other…you remove certain ones…they miss their friends" Baur says. Not only do turkeys become attached to one another but also they often can find friends among other species. Such was the case with Ian a shy turkey left out of his flock at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary PPS in Deer Trail Colo. Having spent most of his time unsure and alone PPS volunteer Joanna Lucas writes in her story Ian's Crossing that he was "a shy and serious bird a grave and silent little person craving tenderness." That tenderness came when a hen rescued from a backyard egg operation named Simone came to PPS. The two "gravitated toward each other" Lucas writes. When Simone fell ill and needed constant care inside of the house Ian sat patiently each day at the front door waiting for the volunteers to bring Simone out so he could nestle beside her pillow. And when Simone finally passed they brought Ian her empty pillow next to which he sat all summer long.

Turkeys have been known to create strong connections with humans as well. "Once they trust that they're safe they do tend to seek people out" Stevens says. "They sit in our laps they coo when they're happy they put their wings down on the ground which is sort of the turkey equivalent of a huge smile." At Farm Sanctuary in Orland Calif. lives Lydia the "hugging turkey" Baur says. If one of Lydia's human friends were to come visit her in the barn Baur says she would graciously greet them by craning her neck.

This Thanksgiving vegetarians farm sanctuaries and even Ellen DeGeneres Farm Sanctuary's official sponsor for its annual Adopt-A-Turkey event are encouraging Americans everywhere to keep turkeys off our plates end the cycle of cruelty and celebrate these marvelous birds.

Check out some of the celebrations and programs happening across the country:

ThanksLiving Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary Woodstock NY
Celebration for the Turkey Farm Sanctuary Watkins Glen NY
Adopt-A-Turkey Project Farm Sanctuary Nationwide
Thanksgiving Dinner Mercy For Animals and Sunrise Sanctuary Columbus OH
Thanksgiving Love Feast Park Vine Cincinnati OH

a yummy pumpkin cheesecake recipe!

Last year before Thanksgiving my friend Mark had me over for a super yummy Thanksgiving meal. He made the best cheesecake ever – the recipe came from the Vegetarian Times and it's a great option for your Thanksgiving menu this year! Check it out and if you have any great recipes for Thanksgiving please post them in the comments below or in the Recipe Gallery!

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This cheesecake is adapted from a recipe in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times and was originally submitted by Kathryn Hostettler who won honorable mention in the recipes contest in that issue.

To make it a bit easier Michael uses a pre-made graham-cracker crust and also uses Whole Foods Market Organic Pumpkin Pie Filling as part of the cheesecake filling. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Cranberries

Candied Cranberries

Ingredients

2 Cups fresh cranberries rinsed and drained
2 Cups sugar substitute either maple syrup or agave nectar whichever you prefer

Steps

Prick each cranberry several times with straight pin.
Bring sugar substitute and water to boil over medium heat.
Cook until sugar reaches 230 F on candy thermometer.
Add cranberries and cook ten minutes or until syrup gels a bit.
Remove berries with slotted spoon and lay out on plate.
Save in refrigerator for adding to top of cheesecake later.

Crust

Ingredients

Pre-made organic vegan graham-cracker crust for ease

Or if you prefer to make your own:

10 sheets vegan graham crackers
1/4 tsp salt
2 oz Earth Balance butter

Steps if you aren't using premade

Process crackers and salt into fine crumbs in food processor.
Add Earth Balance and pulse to combine.
Press mixture into bottom and half way up sides of 9 inch spring form pan.

Cheesecake Filling

Ingredients

12 oz. silken tofu
8 oz. vegan cream cheese
3/4 can Whole Foods Organic Pumpkin Pie Filling
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Steps

Puree all ingredients in food processor until very smooth about 3-5 minutes.
Pour into crust and bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.
Chill completely in refrigerator at least 3 hours up to overnight.
Garnish with candied cranberries slice and serve.

Daily Deals for Kind Consumers From Pure Citizen Sponsored Post

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Pure Citizen is a brand new site delivering daily deals for the kind conscientious consumer.

From organic clothing for kids and adults to non-toxic beauty products fair trade accessories yoga products and gifts for the home Pure Citizen carefully chooses values-based companies to offer products up to 90 off retail prices. It's savings with a conscience delivered directly to your inbox!

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Each 24-hour sale will also benefit a non-profit organization but the coolest part is customers choose which percentage of their savings if any they donate to that day's non-profit. Donate a lot save a little; or donate none and save a lot – you're totally in control!

It's free to join you get cool savings on conscious companies delivered right to our inboxes every day and you get to do some good for non-profits so check it out!

Sign up today to be sure you're in on Pure Citizen's big Thanksgiving sale!

thanksgiving menus...

Last year I posted a bunch of kind takeout menus from vegan-friendly caterers in the Los Angeles area and I've updated the menus for you this year! Below is an assortment of yummy Thanksgiving options available around LA this year:

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I wanted to let you all know about FoodInk Catering a company in Los Angeles who has made some amazing vegan food for me over the years. If you are in need of a great place to order Thanksgiving dinner from or really looking to cater any type of party call FoodInk! They are so great to work with and they can make everything vegan. I always have a tasting of foods that I haven't tried before from them. Just beware that they serve meat and you just have to make sure to tell them that you'd like your food to be prepared vegan.

Here are some of my favorites – the greatest things they do:

Pecan Pie: Insane!!!!
Fall Squash Ginger Soup: I'm going to try to get the recipe for all of you it's so good and the vegan community needs it!

They make a really nice succotash salad with confit peppers corn edamame cherry tomatoes runner beans; tossed in a citrus vinaigrette
Their mashed potatoes are nice too
And their vegan Crème Brulee will knock your socks off!

To inquire about catering from them you can either call them directly: 323 934 9401 or send them an email at eventinfofoodinkcatering.com

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I would also like to mention Kristina Brindley from Seedling Catering. I have been using Seedling Catering for a while and they are great. They also helped with my book launch party! 

They have so many amazing dishes right now that would be perfect for Thanksgiving.  Check out how great these sound.

Zinnia - Ripe plantain fritters stuffed with cashew cheese
Orchis - Potato blini with eggplant "caviar"
Salad of black mission figs roasted red pepper and fennel
Squash Fennel and Apple Soup – a sweet blend of squash and apple with a little accent of fennel
Seedling Galette - seasonal apples pears or a delightful combination of both on a flaky baked crust.

You can see the menu here and email Kristina to place an order.

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Another great place to order a kind Thanksgiving dinner from in LA is Madeleine Bistro a great vegan restaurant. They have a whole Thanksgiving-To-Go menu and everything on this menu looks so good and perfect for Thanksgiving.

Salad - Baby spinach quinoa candied walnuts dried cranberries pomegranate vinaigrette
Soup - Butternut squash bisque
Entrée includes - rustic mashed potatoes pan gravy coconut yams pan-roasted veggie medley and cranberry relish as well as:
Choice of Protein: Seitan - Grilled lemon-rosemary or Herb crusted or Tempeh: Braised or Herb crusted
Choice of stuffing - Sourdough-sage OR Wheat-free quinoa
Dessert - Choice of: Pumpkin pie or French apple tart or Both

You can check out the menu here and call 818 758-6971 to order.

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M Café also has a Thanksgiving Holiday menu that looks soo good. So many great vegan options!

Spiced Butternut Bisque
Winter Field Greens Salad with Fennel Cranberries & Bosc Pear
Holiday Roast Dinner: Savory Sliced Seitan Herbed Bread Stuffing Pan Gravy and Cranberry Relish
Whipped Potato & Rutabaga
Mashed Pumpkin with Couscous & Raisins
Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash
Brussell Sprouts & Chestnuts
Sauteed Brocolini with Garlic & Red Chile
Green Beans Amandine
Herbed Bread Stuffing

Wild Rice Pilaf
Cranberry-Ginger Relish
Whole Apple Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cupcakes

You can download the menu here and call 323.543.1192 .

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Real Food Daily also has a great Thanksgiving to-go menu including butternut squash bisque faux turkey sage stuffing mashed potatoes and parsnips mushroom gravy sweet garnet yams roasted vegetable medley cranberry relish and pumpkin pie with tofu whip.

You can order here or call Real Food Daily at 310 289-9910.

And I want to hear from all of you – do you know of any great take-out situations in your town that would make things easier?  Please leave recommendations in the comments below!