Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 36

Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies: Everything You Need to Know (Plus 4 to Try)

 Apple cider vinegar (ACV)  has become one of the most popular nutritional trends recently. But it’s not new— ACV has been used as an antiseptic (both internally and externally) and as a dietary supplement since the beginning of recorded history. In fact, Hippocrates, aka the “Father of Medicine”, used it to treat his patients as early as 400 BC, making ACV one of  the first known medicines.

For my ACV supplements, my team and I explored the science behind this age-old remedy. Then, we combined ACV  with unique, clinically studied organic ingredients that are backed by modern trials, and work synergistically to provide distinct health benefits. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Like any vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a juice first, allowed to ferment with yeast, which turns the naturally occurring sugars in the juice into alcohol. Bacteria then turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives vinegar that distinct odor and taste. It’s that strong acetic acid that may be ACV’s secret. Researchers think this is where the most benefits are found. Cider vinegar can contain 5 to 6 percent acetic acid, making it a rich source of this healthful ingredient.

Apple Cider Vinegar ‘Mother’

What does “the Mother” really mean?  

The term “with the Mother” refers to the fermentation which comes from the cultures of helpful bacteria and yeast. These cultures produce a host of beneficial compounds with acetic acid being the most important. During the fermentation process, the yeast is filtered off to remove the cultures, leaving the acetic acid and other healthy composites in the liquid. You want to make sure that when using an ACV product that it has at least 5% acetic acid, which actually comes with “the Mother” culture and is not added chemically after the fact. Ours is natural and with “the Mother,” as it comes from the organic fermentation of apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

Despite the lack of formal studies on the benefits of apple cider vinegar, it’s enjoyed thousands of years of anecdotal evidence—from Hippocrates’ early use to more recent claims like those touted by well-known ACV brand Bragg’s. 

There’s certainly some truth to the hype. 

While not a replacement for medication (and always talk with your doctor about major dietary or lifestyle changes, especially if you currently take any medications), ACV has also been linked to a healthy metabolism and the balance of blood sugar.

Research has found it improved insulin sensitivity and lowered blood sugar when consumed after eating a carb-heavy meal; and it improved overall insulin function.

A 2006 study found that regular consumption of ACV may also be beneficial for heart health.

ACV has a history of use as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Some women swear by it as a facial astringent in the prevention and treatment of acne blemishes, too. Some people use it to treat dandruff and keep hair extra silky and shiny.

You can also find people who swear by ACV for a number of other issues from treating ear infections and varicose veins to getting rid of head lice.

Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements

We created four unique formulas that have specific applications including Immune and Digestive Health, Energy Support, and Weight Management. 

As we do with all mykind Organics products, this new line of mykind Organics Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies is made in the most natural and healthiest way. They are Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified, Vegan, and are made without the use of any artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, harsh chemicals, or any animal products. They are made from clean, nutritious ingredients and they are the yummiest Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies ever!

How did we do it?…First, we started with farm fresh organic apples that we chop and steep in water. Then we added yeast to ferment and to create the alcohol. Next, we used a friendly bacteria called acetobacter to convert all of the alcohol into vinegar. This probiotic-rich vinegar consists of several organic acids, but mostly acetic acid.  Our acetic acid is at a 5% concentration and is with “the Mother,” providing the greatest health benefits.  

Our Formulas: “Original”  Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

These are designed for universal use and are formulated to promote immune and digestive system health, and assist with energy support and weight management. Our delicious Green Apple and Strawberry blend is full of organic goodness packed with antioxidants and Whole Food B12. 

Probiotic Gummies

These gummies are deliciously powerful, delivering 2 billion CFU of clinically studied probiotics targeted for digestive and immune support. They also contain Whole Food  B12 to help you meet your daily needs.

Energy Gummies

These mood-boosting gummies contain natural caffeine from Organic Coffeeberry and Organic Green Tea to boost energy and sharpen focus. They also contain Whole Food B12.

Diet Gummies 

These gummies make your diet and exercise program more effective with Organic Green Coffee Bean Extract, which has been clinically shown to burn fat and help maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

I am very proud of our new mykind Organics Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies creation! They are so fun to eat! They are made from the cleanest, most nutritious ingredients available and are super delicious! 

We’re also thrilled to be the first ACV product line at all Whole Foods Markets across the country and online. Try for yourself and see what sets us apart from every other Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy on the market.

Disposable Face Masks: An Environmental Crisis We Need to Address

We’re facing a mask crisis, and this time, it’s not a lack of supply—it’s an overabundance, littering our streets, parks, and oceans in alarming numbers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, surgical masks have been in high demand; but as with any single-use product, they’re wreaking havoc on our planet and wildlife. Attempts to recycle them have failed miserably, and even if they end up in a landfill rather than your local park, they’re piling up at a distressing rate. 

The Global Impact of Mask Waste

Historically, medical masks were made from reusable materials such as woven cotton. But by the 1960s, they were replaced with disposable non-woven synthetic fiber materials. Throughout the pandemic, the use of disposable masks has skyrocketed. Greenpeace reports that during the first three months of the pandemic, Taiwan used 1.3 billion disposable surgical masks that generated 5,500 metric tons of waste. That is the equivalent of 1,100 garbage trucks carrying masks alone! Many people are careless when disposing of these masks, causing them to pollute our waterways, tainting ocean ecosystems, and disrupting marine food chains. According to the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology, “Mismanagement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a monthly estimated use of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves globally, is resulting in widespread environmental contamination.”  

Disposable face masks also contribute to greenhouse gases (GHG), and GHG emissions are produced along every step of their life cycle. From the production of the polymer resin, the nonwoven sheet conversion, the face mask assembly, transportation to the site of use, and then on to incineration or landfill transportation, masks crank out a ton of CO2. The University College of London projects the 66,000 tons of mask waste generated each year in the UK results in 178,200 tons of GHG. 

Can Face Masks Be Recycled?

The primary reason disposable face masks and other PPE equipment (such as gloves, gowns, and goggles) are largely non-recyclable is that they’re technically medical waste, and potential health hazards to anyone who comes into contact with them.  That means that there are unfortunately no healthy or responsible methods of reusing disposable masks. Attempts at sanitizing them have also proven to be extremely toxic. Nurses in Washington State reported that face masks were being collected in order to decontaminate and reprocess them using ethylene oxide. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that ethylene oxide is carcinogenic to humans, increasing the risk of lymphomas and breast cancer.

How Can We Minimize Waste During a Pandemic?

The food we eat, the businesses we support, and the masks we buy to protect ourselves and our loved ones are all choices that have potentially far-reaching consequences for our planet and our health—so please make sure you do your research and choose wisely. In addition to ethically-made, reusable cloth masks, many organizations such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) are making masks from recycled plastics and upcycled ocean waste. And of course, you can also make your own reusable face mask from recycled fabrics, or support a small business that uses recycled or ethically sourced materials. And please, if at any time you do need to use a disposable mask, make sure you break the loops on them to prevent animals from getting tangled up or injured, and don’t forget to dispose of them responsibly in a lidded trash can.

Looking to Buy a Reusable Face Mask? Here Are a Few I Love:

 

 

This 4-pack of masks from Ética is great for traveling! Comfy, cute, & the company donates masks, plant trees, and give to environmental non-profits with every purchase!

 

I also love these reusable masks from OhSevenDays – they are so cute and are made from repurposed fabrics scraps!

These masks from Mate the Label are so cozy & breathable! Great for running errands, or keep an extra in your purse or car as a backup! Use my code Alicia20 to get 20% off your purchase!

These up-cycled cotton masks made by Whimsy & Row are perfect for spring & summer and pair well with your favorite sundress!

These fair-trade certified, organic cotton face masks from Mightly are so sweet! Bear wears them whenever we are out & about!

Earth Day, Then & Now

 On April 22nd 1970, more than 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day. Now more than 50 years later, more than 1 billion people in more than 190 countries use the day to educate their populations and raise awareness of environmental causes. While we have made a lot of progress on environmental issues since the first Earth Day, we still have a long way to go.

A History of Earth Day:

Earth Day came to be after a number of iconic environmental disasters in the late 1950s & ’60s spurred the beginning of the environmental movement. In 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, discussing the dangers of pesticides and their detrimental impact on wildlife, and in January 1969 there was a horrific oil spill off of California’s coast that coated Santa Barbara’s beaches with the horrible substance, and many watched first hand as the affected wildlife along the once beautiful coastline were coated in oil and died.

Volunteers cleaning the oil off of a Surf Scoter affected by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.

Not 6 months after this oil spill aired on the evening news and rocked the nation, another oil-based environmental catastrophe struck. In June of the same year, the surface of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland burst into flames (which was actually a rather common occurrence) after sparks from a passing train set fire to the oil-soaked debris floating along the river. TIME magazine published dramatic photos of the burning river that was so saturated with sewage and industrial waste that the magazine described the movement of the river as it “oozes rather than flows”. These photos of the flames along the Cuyahoga, following a decade of one environmental disaster after another, were the tipping point for creating change. The conversation surrounding these events would eventually lead to the passage of the Clean Water Act, and the creation of state and federal environmental protection agencies.

Fire Fighters extinguishing flames on the Cuyahoga River, where oil and other industrial waste caught fire in 1952.

In the fall of 1969, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, and a man who is now considered to be one of the leaders of the modern environmental movement pitched the idea for Earth Day at a conference in Seattle. The event was to take the form of a “teach-in” at colleges and universities across America.

Denis Hayes, a young activist and Stanford University Student President, was selected as Earth Day’s national coordinator. He worked alongside dozens of student volunteers and staff members from Nelson’s Senate office to organize the project. However, even the team of dedicated environmentalists was surprised at the overwhelming participation across the country, with Nelson once stating “Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”

Fifth Avenue, New York City, shortly after traffic was shut down to allow the mid-day Earth Day demonstration during the first-ever Earth Day, April 22nd, 1970.

Earth Day Now:

Now, Earth Day is an international event, with more than 1 billion people participating every year. It is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world –a day of action to focus human behavior’s impact on our environment and spur global, national, and local policy changes.

We have fortunately made great environmental progress over the last 50 years. In the United States, we have cleaner air and water, oil spills are less common (although when they do happen, they are usually larger and more catastrophic), we no longer have flaming rivers, and certain pesticides such as DDT are banned due to their impact on our planet.

Washington D.C. Citizens gather to celebrate Mother Earth and show support for environmental movement during Earth Day in 2015.

However, even with all of this progress we still have a great deal more progress to make to ensure the safety of our planet and all of its inhabitants, and we are currently facing greater, more challenging threats that require international collaboration. Global climate change is a pressing threat to all life on earth, our oceans are warming and acidifying, and we are currently in the midst of a mass extinction caused by human actions. It is not all doom and gloom though! We know the science behind why these things are happening, and know the course of action to take to help combat these crises – we just need to actually implement these changes, on both a personal and societal level. So, what actions can you take this Earth Day to do your part?

 

What You Can Do This Earth Day: One of the simplest things you can do this Earth Day is to take a few minutes and reflect on your relationship with our planet. Take a walk outside and collect litter along the way, visit an animal sanctuary, plant your flower or vegetable garden, go for a hike or bike, or even just go sit in your local park and enjoy the spring weather. While you are spending this time outside you can think about what our planet means to you & what environmental causes you care most about.

Get outside and show our planet some love this Earth Day!

Attend an Earth Day event! Many local environmental groups and organizations host Earth Day events. Participate in a park cleanup or help plant a community rain garden! There are plenty of opportunities. Check the official Earth Day website to find an event near you.Call your local government officials and let them know you support progressive environmental policies. You can find how to your local government officials here.Eat a plant-based diet and encourage your family and friends to do the same! One of the most effective ways we as individuals can reduce our carbon footprint and water use is by cutting animal products out of our diet. If one person exchanges eating meat for a vegan diet, they reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 tons per year. The diet of meat-eaters creates 7x the greenhouse gas emissions of the diets of vegans, and on average a meat-eating diet requires 4,000 gallons of water per day, in comparison to the average vegan diet that only uses 300 gallons. My book, The Kind Diet has plenty of tasty plant-based recipes if you are unsure of where to start!

Take the time this Earth Day to celebrate the beautiful planet we call home and reflect on how you can give back. While we need to see large-scale systemic changes happen, Earth Day has proven that grassroots movements can create real change.

Spring Cleaning for Body & Mind: How to Detox

Happy Spring!

As the days get warmer and the plants start to turn green once again, many of us are feeling a renewed sense of energy and are doing a bit of spring cleaning! Now is a great time to not only declutter our physical spaces to start the season fresh, but also to focus on pressing our inner reset buttons, to gently start anew. 

We all want to live as the healthiest version of ourselves, but wellness does not just fall into our laps – we need to work at it. Whether that means prepping healthy meals for the week, going on a daily walk, or drinking enough water throughout the day, these actions take discipline and commitment – especially when we first begin our journeys to prioritizing wellness. Boosting our immunity and optimizing our wellness should be something we focus on all the time for the betterment of our long-term health and happiness. It is also particularly important these days when trying to not get sick. Viruses don’t stand as much of a chance when fighting against a healthy immune system. 

Sticking to a healthy diet is HARD. There are plenty of times where someone with good intentions will offer me a delicious vegan treat, but I know it is full of sugar, which wreaks havoc on my body. Whenever I have sugar, I am almost guaranteed a bad night’s sleep full of odd dreams and thirst, and restlessness. But even just removing refined flour and sugar (breads, cookies, etc) can do wonders for your body. You’ll also feel much of the benefits from deleting meat and dairy, too.

Luckily, The Kind Diet is a great resource for getting started with your health journey – by following the Kind Diet you will lose weight more easily, your skin will glow, and you will have tons of energy. When we really focus our attention on giving our bodies good, clean nourishment, we will feel it in every aspect of our life. You will feel more rested, increase your energy, your skin will glow, you will feel stronger, and your bodies regulatory systems will be working efficiently! 

Additionally, the Kind Diet is cruelty-free and sustainable, so you can feel good about the choices you are making for your body AND the planet! If you are already accustomed to a plant-based lifestyle the Superhero section of the Kind Diet will offer you the absolute best results. If you are new to plant-based food, I recommend reading the whole Kind Diet book so you can fully understand why you may want to make these changes and where to start!

Whether you are just starting your health journey or are looking for an extra boost to reset yourself for the spring season, I have a few simple practices you can add to your daily routine to get clean and start feeling your best. 

Mindful Chewing

This may sound odd, but how we chew is SO important! Our body has the amazing capacity to convert complex carbs – like a grain of brown rice, a green bean, or even a hunk of squash – into Glucose. AKA sugar… the good kind! You come equipped with flat molars, a jaw that moves in little circles for grinding, and a special enzyme in your saliva, called ptyalin, that breaks down complex carbs into glucose. When this glucose travels to your brain, it gives you the most amazing feeling of satisfaction. You will feel nourished and centered, and your brain will be free to generate happy thoughts. And all this begins in your mouth! Truth be told, I am not always the greatest chewer, but I try hard to chew every mouthful 30 times, but often don’t meet that mark, or I forget altogether. That’s why we call these practices! It’s really about trying your best, and discovering that feeling of satisfaction that will motivate you to improve. A few tips to help your chewing practice: 

Eat some meals alone: It’s way easier to chew when you’re not expected to talk!Put your fork down between bites: This simple trick interrupts mindless gobbling.Really taste your food: You went through all the trouble to get it, by paying close attention to your food you can relax and enjoy every little bit of flavor.The first couple of times you really try chewing your jaw might hurt: When any unused muscle gets a workout, it feels it, and your jaw has been slacking off for years now! But like all exercise, it will get easier and your body will soon thank your jaw because you will perform so much better on chewed food.Drink Water

Water is SO important. Water makes up 60% of our bodies – 75% of our muscles, and 85% of our brains! Yet studies have shown that up to 75% of American adults are chronically dehydrated. There is such a simple solution: Drink more water! In the mornings I try my best to have 32 ounces of water before anything else, and it makes all the difference. I admit I am not the best when it comes to hydration, I often will find myself realizing at 4pm that I haven’t had any water all day! Adding lemon and mint makes me love to drink and gets it in me much easier. When I do remember to drink enough water, I can truly feel the difference. If you find yourself having a hard time remembering to drink water, having a great reusable water bottle that you can carry with can help. Having my water bottle nearby is always a visual reminder that I need to be drinking water throughout the day. (Try this reusable water bottle to help you drink more water.)  

Start Your Day with a “Green” Routine

Starting your mornings right sets you up for success throughout the rest of the day. That hour or two you take for yourself puts your body and mind in the right mindset from the moment you get up. As we just mentioned ideally, I will start my morning with 32 ounces of water. Then it’s great to get something green in your body to fuel up! I like to have about 16 ounces of celery juice or blanched green veggies, followed by a smoothie 45 minutes later. My favorite morning go-to smoothie includes protein powder, frozen fruit, nuts, and water or nondairy unsweetened milk, 2 dates or 3 drop stevia, and a green powder, although if I am in a rush or don’t want that much fruit I will do a simple combination of protein powder and water. Once you are all fueled up for your day, go for a walk! Getting some fresh air and light exercise in during my mornings always energizes me, and releases those good endorphins, the chemicals your brain releases that keep you feeling energized, happy, and focused!  

Move Your Body

Speaking of exercise and endorphins, another really simple thing you can do to support a clean, healthy lifestyle is move your body! If you start to incorporate exercise and movement into your everyday routine, you give your body the cue that it needs to be energized and engaged every day! In addition to a daily morning walk, I try my best to do three strength classes a week, and yoga on the other days. Again, we all live busy lives and I am by no means perfect when it comes to this routine. I regularly miss my exercises, and that is OK! Forgetting a day or two—or a few weeks!— in a row doesn’t mean you’ve failed, just try your best to pick up the practice again when you can. I am working on making it a bigger priority, and this spring detox is a great motivator to bring this to the front of your to-do list. Exercise delivers your body oxygen and nutrients and helps improve your cardiovascular system. When you exercise it is truly like giving your body a cleaning or tune-up to make sure that every system is functioning to at its best all the time, as well as stimulates the lymphatic system, cleaning it out & promoting our cleanse!

Take Your Organic MyKind Vitamins

Keeping track of your nutrition can sometimes be tricky or overwhelming for some, but there is an easy way to ensure you are getting all of your daily needed vitamins and minerals. By taking our organic MyKind vitamins you can ensure you are keeping your body properly fueled. Our gummy vitamins are delicious and a great way to feel like you are having a treat, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Unlike most gummy vitamins on the market that pile on the added sugar, syrups, animal byproducts, and artificial dyes and colors, these gummies are actually good for you! They are totally free of added sugars and harmful ingredients, and they are deliciously sweet thanks to the inclusion of organic apples and peach puree! For stress there is Ashwaganda, and for restful sleep check out the Sleep Well Pills or Delicious Spray, and our newest elderberry sleep for immune support. 

For more of a cleanse, you can follow this daily routine: Morning

As I mentioned earlier, water is so important so try your best to drink 32 ounces before you eat or drink anything else, followed up with 16 ounces of celery juice, and 30-45 minutes after that a healthy smoothie. This should be more than enough for you to feel well fueled in the morning! Once you are feeling fueled up get some movement in. A walk, a dance class, a cardio routine, or a yoga strength training. Bear & I love BullyJuice on Youtube! He has a super cute & infectious personality and leads some great workouts. 

Lunch

A light soup or salad is a great fuel boost in the middle of the day. A dish I am loving right now is Carrot Ginger Soup – I make a basic roasted butternut soup and add some steamed carrots and plenty of ginger, blended all together, it is fantastic! I have also been loving having Split Pea Soup, or Immune boosting Miso Soup. For salads, I do a mix of of red leafy lettuce, red onion, mushrooms, raisins, avocado, tomatoes, tahini, lemon juice, flax oil, a little ume vinegar, and a little olive oil. Check out my book for tons of additional tasty & clean soup & salad recipes! 

Dinner

Another delicious soup or salad to fuel you through the evenings is great, but if you are wanting to get creative, you can experiment with lots of steamed veggies & sauces! Some of my favorites are Steamed Beets with Tahini Sauce or sauteed kale with lots of big slices of garlic, topped with sliced almonds, lemon juice, and a little salt. You can find my tahini recipe in my book or online here! You could also make any of the vegetable dishes in The Kind Life for dinner!

Movement

Be sure you are listening to your body. Try exercising enough throughout your week to keep your body and mind happy! 2-3 strength classes per week, complemented by yoga, hiking, biking, running, or walking to get enough movement during your cleanse, but if you are feeling tired be sure to honor that and take the time to rest! Something light like walking is a great way to incorporate movement into your day while still being gentle with yourself. Walking the dog counts, too!

Bedtime

Having a bedtime routine as well can really help with your rest and mindset! Go to bed early and be sure to digitally detox in the evenings (much easier said than done!) I promise, if you take the time to stop working, put your electronics aside, and read or bathe before bed you will feel so much more relaxed and well-rested! If you are looking for some great before-bed book recommendations check out Untamed, Happiness Project, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Red Tent, or, of course, any of my books. 

Follow this plan for a week and I promise – you will feel lighter, happier, and more energetic. If you need a bite of your kids rice and beans, go for it, but this cleanse is meant to be vegetable heavy for a reason. Your body has been so busy digesting so many heavy things – this allows it to take a moment off.

After your detox you can keep your new healthy lifestyle up by slowly adding in all the other deliciousness from my book like beans & whole grains. And keep the motivation alive by visiting farm sanctuaries, going on walks, and noticing how deep and relaxed your breath is as you’re walking. Start shopping at farmer’s markets to be motivated to try new recipes with the freshest and most seasonal produce available, especially in spring.

Happy renewal, friends!

Love, 

Alicia 

*If this is your first time ever doing a cleanse you may have some detox reactions – this is good! Not a sign that you need to eat a burger, just your body realizing how much it needs to do this. But be sure to always speak with your primary care physician before starting any new cleanse or diet.

Dear Starbucks: How Much Longer Will We Have to Pay More for Vegan Milk?

Many of us on a plant-based diet have run into the same inconvenience: you might be grabbing a morning cup of joe from a coffee shop, and are being charged extra for your non-dairy milk or creamer. Lots of activists have raised the issue of sustainable, cruelty-free options being more expensive than their harmful, animal-based counterparts. I even voiced my concerns on the topic of Starbucks’ lack of sustainable practices a few years ago on Twitter. This price discrepancy makes it hard for the environmentally-friendly option to be accessible to everyone. 

Most recently, actor and activist Alan Cumming has added his voice to the many who are calling for sustainable and cost-friendly options with a powerful letter he sent to Starbucks Canada’s Senior Vice President, urging them to drop the extra charges for vegan milk. 

Cumming wrote, “As a vegan and an honorary director of PETA, I was heartened to read that Starbucks will expand its vegan menu to meet the increasing demand for plant-based food and to work toward its sustainability commitment. However, there is one simple action that Starbucks could take right now to show that it’s serious about cutting its carbon emissions and reducing waste: Stop charging customers more for choosing environmentally and animal-friendly vegan milk.”

“If Starbucks really wants to help the planet, it must do more than just talk about its goals,” he wrote. “It’s time to take action. The secretary-general of the United Nations has urged world leaders to declare a ‘climate emergency,’ and President Biden has signed an executive order for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris climate agreement.

“As you know, greenhouse gases are released at nearly every stage of milk production, and manure from dairy farms contaminates our waterways and creates dead zones in the oceans where no life can survive.

“The most responsible move would be to stop selling cow’s milk altogether,” Cumming said, “but at the very least, Starbucks can — and must end the vegan milk upcharge.”

These charges may seem small, but they penalize customers who are making humane and environmentally-friendly choices. It also penalizes people for issues they can’t control, like being lactose intolerant—which affects 65 percent of the population, predominantly people of color. 

In response to the pandemic, many companies are attempting to become a greater force for good in the world, and people want to support responsible businesses that are making a genuine effort to combat climate change. 

This appeal comes just after CEO Kevin Johnson acknowledged at a Starbucks investor meeting that the most dominant shift they are seeing in consumer behavior is toward plant-based products, more than a year after Starbucks completed a sweeping environmental assessment. This review of their environmental practices revealed that in 2018 the franchise was responsible for emitting 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, using 1 billion cubic meters of water, and dumping 868 metric kilotons — more than twice the weight of the Empire State Building — of coffee cups and other waste. (They could take the initiative that other companies like Blue Bottle have done.) Additionally, the franchise discovered that dairy products were the number one source of the chain’s carbon emissions. 

Some, like those who responded to my Twitter post, may try to argue that non-dairy milk and creamers have a more expensive overhead cost and therefore the extra 50-plus-cents are necessary. But in looking at Starbucks’ profit margin per cup, that argument falls flat. Coffee is about $8 a pound, and Starbucks likely gets it for cheaper buying in bulk, which gets you about 26 cups of coffee. So, for just the coffee, that’s about 30 cents a cup. The average cost of a coffee drink sells for around $3-$4, in 2021. Subtract the cost from the revenue and divide the difference by the original cost to get the margin. The margin in this scenario is roughly 90% percent on the coffee alone. With such a high-profit margin per cup of coffee, even after overhead, it is not an unreasonable request to stop charging for non-dairy milk. 

The real costs of milk (and meat) are always much more than their market prices. Meat and dairy receive significant subsidies to the tune of nearly $40 billion a year from taxpayers. This artificially deflates the real cost to produce these products. It also deflects the issues Starbucks says it’s invested in, such as the impact on our air, water, and soil — not to mention the animal cruelty we’re paying for every time we buy the artificially low-priced meat and dairy.  If the true cost of milk were reflected by its carbon impact alone, it would cost far more than the surcharge we’re forced to pay on the sustainable alternative.  

Another argument being made by Starbucks itself is that any alterations to the original “recipe” of their drinks are charged extra, including adding flavor or extra shots of espresso. (If that is the case… why doesn’t Starbucks have any non-dairy drinks on their “menu” for the same as the dairy drinks?) Eco-friendly substitutions should not be lumped into the same category as additions to drinks. How can a company that has voiced a commitment to sustainability be so hesitant to make a simple change for the betterment of our planet? 

The market trends, and alarming scientific data linking climate change and the dairy industry (not to mention the animal rights issues!)  point towards an obvious need for phasing out dairy products. If Starbucks hopes to meet its goal of reducing 50 percent of its carbon emissions, water use, and waste by 2030, then an obvious first step is to ensure that the environmentally-friendly options are accessible to everyone by lowering the price of their non-dairy options, and not penalizing those of us who are already choosing the sustainable, kind products. Like Mr. Cumming and the many other voices on this issue, I am once again urging Starbucks to do the right thing and drop the extra charge for non-dairy milk.  

Please join me in calling out to Starbucks and other coffee chains and urge them not to charge customers more for making the responsible and sustainable milk choice. 

Love, Alicia

 

Victory for the Planet: LA Limits Single-Use Plastic to ‘Request Only’ Status

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to establish a local law that would require restaurants and other foodservice businesses to provide takeout and delivery utensils “upon request only.” Basically, if you need them, you can get them, but if you don’t — no need to waste! City officials hope this new ordinance will go into effect on April 22, 2021 — Earth Day. This will prevent waste and save restaurants money.

Disposable plastic use is on the rise across the globe. The United States throws away more than 30 billion single-use forks, knives, and spoons each year — the vast majority of which cannot be recycled.  According to research conducted at UCLA, no recycling facility in LA County accepts plastic utensils. This is due to their small size, food contamination issues, and type of plastic materials used to produce them. A report from the International Waste Association estimated that the amount of wasted single-use foodware and accessory items have increased about 250% to 300% during the pandemic, as more people pick up food and dine at home.

This #SkipTheStuff initiative will save the City and taxpayers money from unnecessary trash cleanups in our neighborhoods, and reduce the extremely costly need to expand landfills to accommodate additional waste.  So many fossil fuels and other resources go into producing these utensils. This ordinance is a win-win for the environment, businesses, and communities.

Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

Single-Use Plastics

Plastic utensils were introduced in the 1940s, but were not mass-produced until the 1950s, with the introduction of polypropylene, a common type of plastic. At first, plastic utensils were only used for large gatherings like birthday parties. By the 1960s plastic spoons, forks, and knives were common, but they were reusable. With how cheap and ubiquitous plastic has become, it is often less expensive for most restaurants to use them than to hire a dishwasher.

So much of the trash that ends up in our landfills seems to be generated uncontrollably. You’ve probably cringed when you’ve ordered take-out and specified “no utensils or straws please,” and they still ended up in the bag. As individuals, we all need to do our part to reduce our stream of waste, but with teamwork and common-sense ideas, we can reduce even more plastic pollution from major sources, like factories, businesses, and restaurants.

Many of the plastic spoons, forks, and knives provided for carry-out food are never even used at all, classifying them as “zero-use.” Zero-use plastics are even more wasteful than single-use, and both are on the rise since 2020. It’s only logical that restaurants and food delivery services set the default option as “no utensils,” rather than automatically creating more pollution with every order.

The primary ingredients in most of today’s plastics are hydrocarbon molecules, mostly produced from oil or natural gas. After the fossil fuels have been drilled, they are sent to various factories that are often significant sources of pollution in their communities.

Photo by Maria Ilves on Unsplash

Plastic’s Environmental Impact

Dirty fossil fuels are sent to dangerous factories where they are converted to chemicals, then converted into small pellets called “nurdles.” Nurdles can be melted and molded into utensils and other objects. The word plastic actually comes from the Greek verb plassein, which means “to mold or shape.” Often, these single-use items are bundled with other plastic objects and then wrapped in a single-use plastic wrapper that also ends up in landfills.

Many of these factories are in impoverished communities in the United States and China. This process creates a lot of air and water pollution. Some of the chemical and plastic byproducts are known to be carcinogens, neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins, and prolonged exposure to these chemicals can increase the risk of cancer, neurological effects and reproductive abnormalities.

These impacts also present significant environmental justice issues, with frontline and fenceline communities bearing a disproportionate burden of the impacts from climate change, fossil fuel extraction, and incineration associated with single-use waste. our nation’s municipal landfills are exceeding their capacity, and invariably require expensive expansion to accommodate the growing amount of waste. Such expansion projects can be wildly expensive and cost local taxpayers millions of dollars that could otherwise go toward expanding vital social services.  As individuals, we all need to do our part to reduce our waste output, but with common-sense legislation, we can reduce even more plastic pollution from major sources like factories, businesses, and restaurants.

Plastic pollutes our streams, rivers, and oceans. We need tougher plastic laws. LA will inspire other cities and counties to adopt this legislation. This new law gives us a glimmer of hope shining from sunny Southern California! You can help by spreading the word. Please plant the seeds for this solution to grow in your communities by discussing it with your friends, family, and especially your elected officials!

Learn more about reducing waste here.

How to Have a Kind Easter Celebration

Happy Almost Easter, Kind Lifers!

Spring has sprung and, for those who celebrate, Easter is just around the corner! Easter is a celebration of rebirth and renewal, so it is only right that we should be conscious of how we can help foster a rebirth and renewal of the Earth on this holiday as well! Between all of the chocolate and egg dyeing, and classic lamb or ham roasts, traditional easter celebrations can be harmful to both our planet & the creatures that inhabit it. So, I have put together this little guide full of ideas to help you plan a vegan & harm-free celebration! 

Everyone from child to adult can enjoy the activity of dyeing lovely pastel easter eggs. There are plenty of alternatives to still enjoy this celebratory craft without using real eggs. 

Paint or dip-dye some ceramic eggs (a company called Eggnots makes these ) or wooden eggs that will last. Marshmallow Eggs ( marshmellows )  are also really fun to dip dye! For your easter egg hunt, instead of buying and using plastic eggs check out these paper easter eggs that you can paint or papier-mache! 

Photo by Jessy Smith on Unsplash

Ethical Chocolates

Another consideration when filling up your Easter basket or easter eggs is ethical chocolate. Many chocolate brands are sourcing cocoa from farms and plantations that exploit workers and use child labor, and can also include incredibly harmful ingredients like palm oil or milk. If you are unsure whether the brand of chocolate you are buying is ethical, you can check that it is recommended by the Food Empowerment Project! This fantastic California-based nonprofit organization has launched a campaign to end the worst forms of child labor in cocoa production. They compiled this handy list of vegan chocolate companies that do not source cocoa from regions where the worst forms of child labor are common. 

Before we get too sad about one more thing we can’t have, I have good news! All of my favorite chocolate companies on the list are all on the recommended ethical list If your favorite company isn’t on this list or isn’t recommended by FEP, reach out to them and urge them to make their practices sustainable and to get on FEP’s recommended list!

Lagusta’s Luscious chocolate easter assortment is yum, and best to order in advance as they sell out super quickly. We loved the Matzo Toffee, Maple honeycomb, Chocolate Nougat (Bunny), English Cream Egg, Riesling Rosewater caramels, Peanut butter egg, “Milk” Chocolate marble egg, miso + Black sesame caramels! 

Another simple way to get your sweets in on Easter is to bake some vegan treats to celebrate with your loved ones like these:

decadent vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Jelly Donut Cupcakes, vegan ‘ rolo ‘ eggs, chocolate/date filled but in an egg shapeone kind lifer wrote she makes pumpkin chocolate bread in the shape of an egg, sounds yum!vegan sugar cookies shaped like eggs, decorated and colored with natural colors and vegan sprinkles! yum!The “Vegan Holiday Cooking from Candle Cafe” cookbook has a really delicious-looking recipe for French Toast Coffee Cake! Yum!

If you are looking for cruelty-free vegan recipes to make for a celebratory Easter dinner for your family or friends, my book has great recipes to check out. Or you can try this Seitan in Balsamic Wine Reduction, or King Oyster “Scallop” recipe from the blog! 

A perfect Easter to me is spending time making a lovely kind brunch, taking a walk enjoying all the flowers and pretty trees in bloom and especially smelling fresh jasmine in the air, working on the veggie garden and maybe dyeing some vegan marshmallows as a fun alternative to eggs (way yummier, too!), and maybe visiting an animal sanctuary enjoying  beautiful, kind moments with the wonderful animals, Of course, visiting adorable rescued bunnies on Easter is festive, but you can also love on the cows, turkeys, sheep, chickens, and all the other cute rescue farm animals! I hope these ideas inspire your celebrations.

Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash

What’s Wrong With Eggs?

In our family, we don’t buy eggs largely because of how commercial chickens are treated. More than 325 million egg-laying hens are forced into laying nearly 100 billion eggs every year.

These smart and curious birds live in tightly-packed, dark, and dirty conventional factories, which are notorious for their inhumane treatment of the birds, whether it’s depriving them of space, light, and natural interactions, or damaging their bodies with unnecessary hormones and antibiotics.

Even if the eggs are “organic” or “pastured,” the birds still aren’t given the kind of life that all creatures fairly deserve. In The Kind Diet I discuss eggs in detail, and mention that that is no legal definition of “free-range” eggs, and the only certifications that are upheld are the “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” (and it must say exactly that on the package!) or “Certified Organic”, which only upholds some of the relatively humane standards. I’ll stick to the marshmallows and wooden eggs, thanks! 

But that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the Easter fun. In fact, by avoiding eggs you can have a much sweeter and lovelier celebration that honors the spirit of this fun holiday. 

 I hope you plan some fun, sustainable celebrations, and that everyone has a wonderful holiday! HAPPY SPRING!

Love,

Alicia

How to Make Vegan Charoset for Passover

When cooking with my good friend Aleeza in prep for Passover, we made this super easy date based Charoset. Keep in mind we made a big batch, but you can easily adjust it to meet your needs.

Prep time: 5 minutes | Serves: 10-15

Ingredients:

3 cups walnutsaround 30 dates, 1/4 cup Manischewitz wine2 tablespoons date paste (optional)lettuce leaves for serving* (also optional)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients (walnuts, dates, wine, and optional paste) into a food processor. Process until the mixture is finely chopped. Remove the mixture from the processor and place in a serving bowl. Serve with lettuce leaves or however you wish!

*Aleeza likes to serve this on lettuce leaves but eat Charoset however you prefer to eat it!!

Tell me what you think in the comments below! I’m hoping to try this one again for Hanukkah this year. 

Image via vganish 

Cookie’s Sweets! Vegan Tahini Cookies & Cocoa Krispies

In addition to making water hallah, matzo ball soup, and charoset at Aleeza’s house, Cookie made some sweets! Her tahini cookie and cocoa tahini rice krispie treat recipes are both fun and easy to follow. They are by no means super hero, but definitely fun food! We stuck with her original recipes which happen to be vegan, but if your looking to use healthier flours or sweeteners, please do! I’m sure they will be just as yum! Enjoy!!

Tahini Cookies

These are really yummy!!

Makes about 18-25 cookies.

Ingredients

3 cups flour (we used white flour but you can use healthier flours like half whole wheat pastry or gluten free oat or brown rice flour, let me know how it goes!)1 cup raw tahini2 sticks earth balance butter1 cup sugar (can use healthier sweetener like maple syrup or raw coconut palm sugar)2 teaspoons baking powderSliced almonds option for decoration

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degreesIn a mixing bowl, mix together the flour, raw tahini, earth balance, sweetener, and baking powderOnce thoroughly mixed, roll the dough into tiny balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If your feeling decorative, you can press a fork on the surface of the balls or add some sliced almonds

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Bake the cookies for 20 minutes, until their top has a golden hue

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Enjoy!

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Cocoa Rice Krispies

Makes about 50 small-sized squares

Ingredients

7 cups rice krispies cereal (can use brown rice krispies brands like Erewhon or Barbara’s)500g baking chocolate (I would use Sunspire)16oz raw tahiniHalva to taste (optional)

Directions

Place the rice krispies in a mixing bowlMelt the 500g baking chocolate with the 16oz of tahini on a stove top until throughly melted togetherOnce the chocolate and tahini mixture is complete, remove from stovetop and pour over the rice krispie filled bowl

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Mix the rice krispies and chocolate tahini togetherOnce mixed together, place the chocolate tahini krispies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

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If your feeling frisky, grate some halva on top of the evenly spread krispies while their still warm (so it melts a bit)

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Cut the krispies as you wish. We did small squares about 15 x 6

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Place in the freezer until they hardenEnjoy!

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Have you experimented with tahini in any of your sweet treats? Have you made similar dishes using different kinds of flour and sweeteners?

By the way! The yummiest tahini in the world is Brad’s Organic. You must order it online but it’s so good! Especially on mochi waffles or a rice cake with strawberry jam… It’s better than peanut butter I tell you! Not needed for these recipes but just a must buy if you like tahini!

 

Top Right Photo & Second Photo Credit: Stephanie Todaro

Vegan Matzo Ball Soup Recipe That Tastes Like You Remember

I love my friend Aleeza’s cooking. When spending time with her recently, we had such a fun time cooking this vegan matzo ball soup! This recipe tastes like the traditional real deal. Once a month after service at my childhood temple there would be a friday night Shabbat dinner that always served matzo ball soup. This recipe tastes just like that memory… but it’s not that healthy. Most traditional matzo ball soup recipes include the packaged matzo ball mix, which has some not so healthy but vegan ingredients. I’ve seen some new healthier looking matzo ball mixes but haven’t got to trying them yet. I’m determined to find a healthier way to make matzo ball soup and get back to you. But if your looking for one that that is yummy and reminiscent of traditional matzo ball soup, this one is great.

Also, keep in mind that matzo ball soup its traditionally made with egg. In my experience when making it without egg, the balls either fall apart or become too dense. This recipe is very tasty, and the balls are not dense, but fragile. We think the recipe and instructions below will keep them from falling apart! Though the good news is even if they do fall apart, it still tastes delicious. This recipe will make a big batch so proportion as you wish!

Prep time: 45 minutes | Cook time: 60 | Serves: 10

Broth Ingredients:

Chop all the following ingredients into large chunks1 celery root1 rib celery2 or 3 carrots2 parsnips1 whole onionfennel (cut into about 4 big chucks)sea salt/pepper/olive oil to tastedesired spices such as onion powder, and parsley or desired garnish

Matzo Ball Ingredients:

preferred matzo mix, egg replacer, water, preferred oil

Instructions:

For the vegetable broth: add 10 cups of water into a saucepan, add in the onion and carrots and bring the water to a boil. Next, throw in the remaining veggies (celery root, parsnips, fennel, celery) along with desired spices and add in 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch pepper and/or olive oil. Once boiling, simmer and cover. When the vegetables get soft (about 45 minutes-1 hour) remove them.

While the broth is cooking make the matzo balls: take 4 packets of matzo mix and your chosen egg replacer (usually 1 tablespoon egg replacer to 3 tablespoons water), follow the instructions on the matzo ball mix box. Mix in the directed measurements of oil and water, but be sure to use more oil/water in addition to that listed (so that the mixture is not too dry nor too wet). This will help achieve the right consistency that we show in the video. Once thoroughly mixed, place in the refrigerator to chill for 5-20 minutes

Once the balls have sufficiently chilled, roll them. When rolling, try not to make them too tight. They should be patted down into a ball shape sized to your liking (we aimed for big, about 1/4 the size of a fist). Then before adding them to the broth, make sure the vegetables have been removed. Once removed, this is the time to assess the broth and see if it needs more salt, pepper, or spices like onion powder.

After removing the vegetables and checking the broth, add in the matzo balls for a total of 15 minutes: the first two minutes should be brought to a boil and the remainder of the time simmer and cover. Again, these balls are super delicate so be sure to check on them. Once the 15 minutes is up, remove the lid and take the balls out of the water and keep them separate until you are ready to eat the soup (this will help in keeping the shape).

When ready to eat the soup, add in the balls and whatever garnish you prefer such as some chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Check out more Passover recipes here.

What’s your favorite matzo ball soup recipe? When do you typically make it- Hanukkah,  Shabbat, Passover?