Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 52
December 6, 2018
Hanukkah Festivities
We are in the midst of Hanukkah so I wanted to share some photos from our 2017 celebrations. As I mentioned last year, Bear is thrilled about his Jewish heritage. It’s so innocent and sweet! Though it’s exciting and significant to him and I have a deep connection and appreciate for my Jewish upbringing, what I really value about the holiday is honoring the celebrating tradition for it’s festivity and culture. I really like creating rhythm and ritual for Bear by marking the time and moment.
That said, this year has so far been the most epic Hanukkah. The first night we were with my parents and the happenstance accompaniment of a rabbi. The next night Bear and I celebrated with each other. Today, I spoke to Bear’s class about the holiday and what it means to me. Another mom talked about the theme of social inclusion and being socially conscious. We lit the menorah and did a prayer, then passed out latkes and apple sauce. Tonight we’re going to a temple for celebration. The next couple days the festivities continue – we’re going to one of Bear’s classmate’s place and then his school’s hosting a winter festival. This weekend we’ll be at another friend’s home enjoying a vegan Hanukkah feast
December 4, 2018
Bear’s 7th Birthday
I’ve been meaning to share with you all how we celebrated Bear’s 7th birthday! This year Bear wanted to plan his own party and keep it pretty low key. He invited five of his good friends over to our house and started the party with a swim. Then, they adventured up a hill in the canyon behind our house for a walk and to seek out sticks for marshmallow roasting. As part of the party planning process, Bear mentioned being excited about having some kind of monsters on the mountain that he and his friends would have to fend off..! So Christopher and our friend Chip helped make this happen
December 2, 2018
New York City Delicious Eats
These are my go-to NYC restaurants! Fill me in on your faves below..
ABCV is amazing! Jean Georges food is insanely delicious. Bear and I went three times last time we were in New York City. The beet Carpaccio is out of this world.
This place has beautiful sexy chic vibes! The wait staff is kind and helpful and the food is the best of the best. I really enjoy two of their toasts, the smoked eggplant puree and the tomato jam with almond ricotta. Both are so so good! Their mushroom dish with king oysters and leeks is off the chain and the beet avocado black sesame plate is absolutely delicious!! For dessert, the rice pudding is lovely. No sugar, just pure yumminess! Even more, the wine is great. I can’t wait to go back!
Last time we were there, Bear got a cinnamon muffin and I had a thin mint cookie, it tasted like real deal Girl Scout thin mints!! It was insane. I also had some bites of a lemon pound cake and cinnamon coffee cake. Both were really really nice!
Never been but excited to try!
When I’m in a crunch time wise, their taco salad is handy!
Must try chic upscale restaurant. Perfect for flirts! I recommend: Seitan Picatta, Seitan Chimichurri, and peanut butter bliss…and the cocktails! Sangria! Rub owner Bart’s belly for me! Give joy a hug…and enjoy the really sweet staff.
Excellent for flirts. I recommend the Aztec salad, club sandwich, hummus plate and chimichurri for sure!
I love the spaghetti and meatballs, seitan piccata (in The Kind Diet, pg. 156), and the mezze plate. Their flautas and spinach ravioli are yum, and the seitan chimichuri. I always eat here!
This place is good. The smoothie with ice cream is great, and the burrito is terrific.
Haven’t been here yet but looking forward to try!
Vegan tasting menu that’s lovely and amazing. This place is divine.
Insane! Their truffle oil pizza – so good.
Has ice cream now! Yum!!
This place is a great cocktail spot downtown. They have food too, but their cocktails are crazy good. I had a tequila cocktail with jalapeño and grapefruit juice. I’d go there for a drink and a big fat salad. Their salad greens and kale are so fresh and vibrant and the staff is really friendly. It’s got a super groovy vibe.
This is HanGawi’s sister restaurant. It is good for flirts. The teas there are so good, and the savory pancakes are great. The sushi is also really good.
Amazing tasting menu..
I love their location in the Hampton’s it’s so good. I order #6 Masala Deluxe with avocado and butternut squash added. I love tomato and pumpkin chutney’s. Off the charts!
Great Korean restaurant. There is a lovely zen, sexy vibe in there. Great place for flirts! I recommend the vermicelli noodles, the mountain roots, ginger grilled tadok root (SO good), veg dumpling soup and the desserts (pudding, rice balls). Tell them hi from me! I love the people who work there!
The counter service food is great here.
Jewel Bako has lots of nice veg dishes if you’re looking for a fancy sushi meal.
Good for flirts . Great for vegans and superheroes. The vibe is nice. The staff are super friendly and helpful. I loved the quinoa, kale, and rosemary seitan. Also loved the grilled cheese and the eggs on toast!
I went here a few times about three and a half years ago, and I haven’t made it back yet. But I’m dying to! It’s so sweet in there. The vibe, the serving ware, the cups are so cute! Kaijitsu serves Shojin cuisine, an ancient Japanese cuisine developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries. It’s delicious and great for non-veggies, flirts and superheroes (as long as you skip the sugary desserts). Or if you’re feeling naughty, go crazy and have a treat. I love the simple and elegant food here. I can’t wait to go back. It’s an East village, groovy, sweet spot.
This place is so great. Really yum! You can make your own little sandwich at the bar. These cafes are so convenient and have multiple locations. I went to one in Paris once. So good.
It’s amazing but a little tricky to get a vegan meal. Sometimes you get luckier than others! The food is so good, check their menu or call ahead!
Natural Gourmet Institute Friday Dinners
Go on a Friday night for dinner, the students make a fancy meal and it comes at a really good price. I really enjoy this meal. You can bring your own wine if you want. They also have great cooking classes.
This Indian food stand is sooo good.
Amazing!! Jean Georges!
Excited that this place exists in Midtown!
This place has good buckwheat pancakes on weekends. Yum! They also have a good macro plate. Nice and easy. I would take someone non-veg for the pancakes, but not the other food. I used to eat here 10 years ago, all the time, when I did The Graduate on Broadway.
A lot of great side veggies.
Sacred Chow is a great little veg joint with an indie vibe. The Reuben sandwich is a must. I’ve only been here once, but can’t wait to try the rest of their menu.
This is paradise for superheroes! This is my favorite spot in NY…. And there are 2 locations! They have great, simple, clean macro food. I recommend the squash, greens and daikon, and carrots with carrot dressing. I also like the kinpira, yuba soup, the black-eyed pea bean soup, the tempura, the maze rice, and the watercress salad. I’m obsessed with their soups! Some of my go-to dishes more recently include: amazing avocado kale salad, sautéed mushrooms, burdock root sushi, hijiki, and squash tofu dish. They also have really yum baked goods!
Great pizza. Flirts will like and vegans will rejoice!
So nice! This place has the best bloody mary and food on the Upper East Side.
Amazing ice cream! A wide selection of great vegan options.
Great for flirts! Staff is grumpy but it’s a fun adventure. The food is yum. I love the pork buns and the veg soup.
If you end up at Zen Vegetarian House, try the honey (I know, it’s not totally vegan) “pork,” plate of ginger greens, and “chicken” fried rice.
Photo: ABCV
November 20, 2018
Mississippi Vegan’s Apple Rose Tart
Timothy Pakron of Mississippi Vegan is sharing this beautiful looking tart recipe! His new book Mississippi Vegan recently hit shelves. Check it out for delicious looking southern classics. Over to Timothy!
Apple Rose Tart
Serves 8
Here’s a fancy spin on the classic apple pie. Of course, I would never pass up a homemade-looking pie, imperfections and all. But this variation is just too pretty to not try at least once. And I bet after you make it, you’ll make it again and again! Be forewarned: This is a weekend dessert that takes a lot of time. This is the kind of dessert you bring to your significant other’s parents the first time you meet them. Get my drift? This is the kind of dessert that will leave people talking, you feel me? As it turns out, this is the kind of dessert that is just as delicious as it is gorgeous, which, as most of you know, isn’t always the case.
Ingredients:
Double Buttery Crust (see recipe below) or one 9-inch store-bought vegan pie crust
½ cup roughly chopped toasted walnuts
1¼ pounds Granny Smith apples
1¼ pounds pink-fleshed apples
1 large lemon, halved
¹⁄³ cup vegan butter, melted, plus more for brushing
½ cup vanilla sugar (see note below)
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Fit the pie dough into a regular pie dish. Poke holes in the dough with a fork and place a piece of parchment on top. Fill the pie shell with dried beans to prevent bubbles. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the beans, sprinkle in the toasted walnuts, and set aside. Leave the oven on.
Using a mandoline, slice the apples into ⅛-inch-thick rounds. Then slice the rounds in half. Transfer the slices to a bowl and squeeze the lemon juice on top to prevent browning.
Pour steaming-hot water over the apples. Let them soak for a few minutes, until they are soft enough to manipulate. Drain off the water and leave the apples in the bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and sea salt. Pour the mixture over the sliced apples and gently toss.
Delicately roll the slices into rose shapes, placing them into the pie crust as you go. Once tightly filled, transfer to the oven and bake until the apples are tender and the kitchen smells like apple pie, 25 to 35 minutes. Brush with melted butter and serve.
NOTE
Vanilla Sugar is simply granulated sugar that has been infused with vanilla bean pods. Simply add your desired sugar (preferably organic and unbleached) to a jar and throw in one or two vanilla bean pods. You’ll be amazed when you open a jar after only a few days to find the sugar bursting with vanilla flavor. In my kitchen, I keep a small jar of granulated sugar for savory recipes and one very large jar of vanilla sugar for my desserts and sweets.
Double Buttery Crust
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
¼ cup cold vegan butter, cut into ½-tablespoon chunks
¼ cup cold vegan shortening
½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Mix in the sugar. Add half the butter and shortening, cutting them into the flour with your fingers or a pastry blender, until the flour appears pebbly. Cut in the remaining butter and shortening.
In a measuring cup, mix together 2 tablespoons of ice water and the vinegar. Drizzle the mixture into the flour by the tablespoonful, gently mixing it after each addition. Knead the dough a few times, adding more water until it holds together. You may need only the 2 tablespoons, but add up to 1 more tablespoon, if needed.
Roll the dough into a ball, then press it into a disk, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough until ready to use in the recipe.
Reprinted from Mississippi Vegan by arrangement with Avery, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2018, Timothy Pakron
November 12, 2018
Elderberry Goodness
With winter right around the corner, don’t overlook the power of elderberry to boost your immune system and assist with ailments like the cold or flu!
Elderberry has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for immune support. They’re packed with phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonols, which are powerful antioxidants that help boost your immune system and repair damage! In addition to being one of the most powerful antioxidants, they’re loaded with beneficial minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorous, and copper as well as vitamins A, B, and C.
I take mykind Organics Herbals Elderberry Immune Gummies or our Elderberry Immune Syrup when traveling for an extra immune boost and it’s my go-to if I feel the onset of a cold or if my son Bear isn’t feeling 100 percent. Your in immune support is in business with elderberry and our tasty vitamin c spray! Both of our Elderberry products are delicious like candy, sweet treats that your body will thank you for. They’re organic, Non-GMO Verified, and free of added sugars, just pure fruit and veg. Learn more about mykind Organics herbals here!
Curious about our elderberry herbals? Leave me a note below and I’ll select 5 kind lifers to receive one of our mykind Elderberry products on Friday 11/16/18!
• LIMIT ONE COMMENT PER ENTRY. MULTIPLE COMMENT ENTRIES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. (NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, SORRY).
• THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS AT MIDNIGHT PST, THURSDAY 11/15/2018
• AFTER WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED, ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLAIMING YOUR PRIZE WILL BE EMAILED.
• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS GIVEAWAY.
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
November 7, 2018
Q&A with Life-Long Vegan Ayinde Howell
Ayinde Howell is a life-long vegan and vegan chef. He got his start in the Seattle and NYC vegan scene. After he catered one of the first mykind Organics photoshoots, I learned what all the hype was about. His Mac & Yease! It’s seriously delicious.. And now if your in SoCal, Las Vegas, Maui, or Oahu you can get your hands on it! They serve it in the hot bar. How cool is that? Congrats Ayinde!!! Go try his Mac & Yease asap!
How long have you been vegan?
I was born vegan from a vegan pregnancy, so for life. Let me just answer your follow up questions, No I’ve NEVER eaten meat ever!
What influenced your mama to be plant-based?
My maternal grandfather passed away very early and my mother’s pregnancy with me had complications that started with a bad diet. She decided that she was going to end that cycle.
Did you notice impacts it immediately had on you? What memories do you have from being a little vegan kid that were lovely and fun? Are there any memories that weren’t so sweet or challenging?
I notice I’m still quite healthy and the kids I grew up are now adults and battling with chronic illnesses and disease.
My best memories of being a vegan kids was eating, my parents made EVERY meal for us and we had. Fresh from the garden! I just remember mealtime being the best parts of the day. The challenging times were anytime we interacted with any other kids or family members around food. They didn’t understand veganism and thought my parents were “crazy” and putting us in danger. Truly they were just horrified that I had never had a piece of fried chicken.
How has your family, friends, and co-workers responded to your diet?
I moved to LA because it’s one of the most vegan friendly cities in the world so it’s easier here than in most places. Everyone has an eye on my protein intake so I feel quite comforted in that.
When your diet comes up in conversation with non-veggie friends, do you have a favored elevator pitch to encourage them to eat more plants? If so, what is it?
Because I’m a chef I usually invite them to break bread with me you know have a meal, and the ceremony of eating is the thing that binds us as friends, family and community. So instead of having a conversation about an idea, I show them – let them taste and smell and the conversation flows.
What is a typical?
Well now I’m on a cleanse but..
Breakfast:
Cereal, fruit and a smoothie or yogurt. If it’s the weekend I’ll do tofu scramble and some toaster waffles and fresh fruit.
Lunch:
Tacos, salad, chips
Dinner:
Thai takeout, or a super loaded salad
Snack:
Fruit
What are some of your favorite spots to dine at (in whichever city you spend the most time)?
Bulan Thai, Beelman’s, Crossroads, Tatsu, and mostly in my own kitchen.
Ayindé Howell is a restaurant trained chef of nearly 20 years and a life long vegan. I Eat Grass (iEG) came to be after children teased him thinking that grass was all he could eat growing up vegan. Chef Ayindé’s Original Mac & Yease gives you a healthier, creamy, full of flavor version of America’s favorite dish.
November 4, 2018
Happy Birthday Kind Life Community!
Thanks for being a part of this community! I can’t wait to interact with you guys on the forum. Simply go here and create an account, from there you can post topics and engage with other kind lifers. See you on the forums!
October 30, 2018
Mixed Martial Arts Vegan Rockstars
There are so many plant-based athletes in the mixed martial arts world! It makes total sense, to be at their best health and weight required for competition, going vegan is incredibly beneficial. Check out these four vegan MMA rockstars below!
Jake Shields
Jake is an MMA professional with a background in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. Watch his video below with Peta2!
Nate Diaz
Nate is American professional mixed martial artist ranked as #8 in official UFC lightweight rankings! He told Men’s Journal,“I like to promote the vegan industry… I hear a lot of criticism from people saying you need meat to be strong and for recovery, and it’s a bunch of bullshit, because I train harder than everybody. It’s so easy to argue with these people. I’m like, ‘Dude, have you done a tenth of what I’ve done?’”
Mac Danzig
Mac is a MMA competitor who has competed at the highest level, winning “King of the Cage” for four consecutive years from 2005-2008. You can seem him featured in the film From The Ground Up speaking about his diet and lifestyle!
James Wilks
James Wilks is a MMA fighter who is best known to many as winner of the Ultimate Fighter. Trained in traditional striking martial arts, James holds a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Brown belt in Brazilian Jui Jitsu. In reference to plant-based eating, James says “What I discovered was so revolutionary, with such profound implications for performance, health, and the future of the planet itself, that I had to share it with the world.” James is one of the producers of the film Game Changers, a documentary that attempts to debunk the ideas that plant-based diets are low in protein.
October 28, 2018
Giveaway: von Holzhausen Purse
von Holzhausen is a brand on a mission to spread ethical style. The company designs essential, easy to wear bags and accessories in timeless palettes. Everything is made in the USA out of “Technik–Leather”, a 100% animal–free and sustainable leather alternative that’s also toxin and PVC free. In their manufacturing process, over 99% of the materials used to create their products are recaptured in the process and recycled back through so they can re-use resources. I have one of their totes and am a fan!
Do you want to be the recipient of one of their chic bags? Leave a comment below sharing why your looking for a bag upgrade
October 21, 2018
Why I Created mykind Organics + Herbals Giveaway!
This vitamin journey began when I was pregnant with my son, Bear. In order to grow the healthiest little human possible, I was already feeding my body with all the clean, nutrition-packed foods that had transformed my health years ago. But because these babies can be little nutrition vampires-and because some days were not all sunshine and kale-I wanted to have peace of mind that I was getting every health-supporting vitamin and mineral that my body needs during this special time. I embarked on a quest to find the cleanest prenatal vitamin possible, ideally one that was aligned with the way I eat: organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and free of funky processed junk. I didn’t want a bottle of chemical isolates dressed up with organic fluff. The vitamin I wanted to take didn’t exist. So I went looking for a partner – the stars aligned with Garden of Life – and I co-founded mykind Organics. Together, we created an entirely new kind of vitamin line that is Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and free of synthetic binders and fillers.
We did we create mykind Organics Herbals and why are they unique?? We knew we wanted to make the cleanest possible herbal line out there. Herbals marketed as “natural” have extraction processes that aren’t natural or healthy. Even if a product has organically sourced herds, our competitors use an extraction method that is carried out with ethanol (GMO corn), hexane (gasoline), or vegetable glycerin (corn is the primary source). Their primary method of extraction are not organic compliant and use genetically modified corn. mykind Organics Herbals are truly traceable back to the seed and to the organic farms where they are grown. Our extraction method uses water first and if we must use alcohol, we use only Organic, Non-GMO ethanol. mykind Organics is the first dual certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified Herbal line. They are clean and grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides and are Vegan Certified and Gluten-free Certified too!
Our line was formulated with the help of Master Herbalist, Dr. Terry Willard, CI.H,Ph.D, who provided unique combinations of herbal ingredients specifically selected for their ability to work together to provide greater efficacy. Most of our herbals have added probiotics for optimal bioavailability (digestion + absorption). mykind Organics Herbals are also available in multiple delivery formats such as tablets, liquids, sprays, powders, and gummies!
Our packaging is beautiful and made from recycled materials, is recyclable and made with plant-based inks.
I am really proud to share these with you! Do you want to try out some herbals? Let me know in the comments below which one of the line you’re excited to have in your life. I will select 5 recipients!
As well as these
With love,
Alicia
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