Eco-Vegan Gal

San Francisco Vegan Drinks (Video)

2012-01-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended my first SF Vegan Drinks hosted by VegNews and VeganSaurus and had a blast. Not only way the company great (Robert Cheeke was in town!) but I got to use my new camera. And when I say new, I mean it was gifted to me less than 2 hours before the event (thanks to my incredible boyfriend Owen). What perfect timing - I got to test out my camera on some internally and externally beautiful people! Anywho, check out the video to see how much fun SF Vegan Drinks is - if you're not in the Bay Area then you should seek out a vegan drinks in your area. And if there isn't one nearby then start one yourself, even if it begins with just you and your cat/dog/goldfish and a bottle of organic beer or virgin mojito!

Oh, and I wanna give a shout-out to the venue: Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. Aside from having an outrageously awesome name, they had a special vegan menu for us attendees, including sliders, sweet potato tater tots (fried in truffle oil), fried pickles and beets, and White Russians! Yep, that marked my first time having alcohol in the new year (due to my cleanse) but it was so worth it, as was the yummy fried food. Definitely give this place a call and request that they have vegan options on a regular basis - would be great to have another fun option in the city (as if the Mission District wasn't a vegan hotspot already).

Vegan Success Story: January Cleanse Inspired Dietary Change

2012-01-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

Here's an amazing email I received from an old family friend. I think I've known her as long as I've been vegan (going on 9 years), so witnessing her transformation is quite special. She and her daughter decided to try being vegan for the month of January, mainly to cleanse, but it resulted in a lot more:

I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE being a vegan!!! We are preparing the most visually and deliciously beautiful meals. I don't miss the animal products at all (except perhaps a piece of fish now & then). I feel energetic and clean! I also feel a sense of peace that I was not expecting. A reconnection to the earth and to my body. This whole thing is really blowing my mind. I was a vegetarian for many years before I had children - I forgot how good it made me feel.

Eating out is a bit of a challenge. This morning your mom & I went for breakfast and I had such an unpleasant interaction with the counter woman when I told her I didn't eat animal products. Couldn't even get her to serve me a bowl of granola w/soy milk - two products I know they have. I wrote to the owner of the bakery and he was very gracious and apologetic. Never thought I'd be advocating for veganism!!!

Surprisingly I haven't lost a single pound. I am trying NOT to think about that, as the real reason for adopting a plant-based diet was for my health. I was secretly hoping it would be a by-product! Perhaps that will come in time, but I do tend to eat more carbs albeit healthy, whole grain only.

Your website and videos have been a big help, along with some terrific other sites. Thrive Foods is great!!

After reading her comment on weight loss, I decided to ask some women around her age and older (late 40s and beyond) about their own successes, challenges and insights, and I received these great responses on Facebook:

From what I read over the years weights are amazing for woman. They build and tone muscle. Muscle not only keeps you safe from injuries as you age it also speeds up your metabolism. The muscle mass burns calories without even trying. Walking is also great for burning calories and conditioning the heart. Oh and I've been doing yoga and while I am still only 32 I know women who are in my class who are older and loss weight because it builds muscle and releasing stress. Stress causes a shift in chemicals that cause weight gain so getting rid of it helps. The thing to remember as others said here is that you need to love yourself, I believe losing weigh should first and foremost be for health and a better fuller life!
Not everyone is the same, and some people may not change with age, that doesn't mean no one will. I turned 40 recently and have been noticing a gradual slow down in my metabolism, and I have never eaten so healthy or exercised so much as I have this last year! Just be healthy and learn to love the body your meant to have!
As a 47 year old woman I can say that for me age does have something to do with it. In my 20's and 30's I could eat anything and not gain weight. As I got older and hormones change, metabolism slows down, etc., the body does change. I have to watch what I eat much more and pay more attention to how I treat my body in general. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week which incorporates spin, yoga, Pilates and weight training and I eat on the healthy side of vegan. I will never be the size I was when I was 20. I am curvier now and embrace it. It's sexy and I don't mind. I am much more concerned with being healthy than I am with being super skinny. Curves are sexy and so is helping animals
I don't buy into gaining weight w/ age. My neighbor & friend Chrissie is 48 years old and is in the same shape as you Whitney. She works out about 3-4 days a week - eats organic & healthy. She doesn't eat sweets - ever - and has portion control. She is consistent.
I am 51 & was so upset yesterday cause I'm doing things right & still 40 lbs overweight... discovered I am allergic to wheat last month, stop it completely, thought, "It was wheat ~ it'll melt off now", nada. But I keep on w/ doing the best I can, eating healthy, exercising, etc. & I have faith I will eventually reach my goal. No matter what, Luv myself the way I am AND I'm ready 4 more energy & vitality!
I am eating really healthy and exercising 3-4 days a week and still can't get my weight to drop. I am 59. I refuse to get discouraged because I feel great and know I am doing the best thing for myself and the planet by eating clean vegan.
Metabolism slows and your hormones go wacky. I used to be able to drop weight quite easily. I now have to work twice as hard. That paired with physical limitations I have due to spine issues - nerve compression, herniated discs - caused from arthritis and sitting in a desk for almost 20 years which causes poor posture. So age is absolutely a factor.
...changing hormones and metabolism make it more difficult, the key for me has been to keep my metabolism ramped up with an hour of exercise a day... stay fit! and don't drink alcohol...
Stick to 1600 calories a day.
Portion control and keep moving!

How To Help Friends & Family Understand Why You're Vegan: A Guide

2012-01-19T00:09:00.000-08:00

Question from a Reader:

My wife has been vegan for many years and I just joined her a while back (talk about a good way to improve a marriage!).

I am getting resistance from friends (and our kids, college age) and wanted something to point to for them to see the benefits of being vegan. I remember watching a video you had which was basically showing your transformation from pre vegan to vegan with oil and sugar, finally to where you are now, and I have to say the changes were so impressive! Can you point me to a video where you showed that?

Answer, Plus List of Resources:

First of all, how wonderful that you went vegan, and that it improved your marriage! Eating healthy and being more compassionate is a great way to strengthen a bond between people. As for your question, I have 2 responses:

1. Here's my video on my journey from non-vegan, to unhealthy vegan, to healthy vegan: Learning How To Lose Weight & Love The Body In A Healthy Way. So glad it inspired you and I hope it does the same for other people in your life.

2. You inspired me to gather resources to help people in your situation, who are vegan but don't have support from friends and family. I reached out to my social media community and asked what they use in these cases and I received this fantastic list. Browse through, give each one a read/watch when you have a chance, and keep them in your back pocket when in need of some assistance explaining why you're vegan.

Websites and Blogs:

The Abolitionist Approach - animal rights info
ADAPPT - this page answers nearly every question about veganism...
BeVeg.ca
Compassionatecook.com - Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's recipes and resources
The Fruit Pursuit/Some Like It Raw - holistic health articles and raw recipes
Happy Herbivore - recipes and blog (check out my review of her book)
Heart Attack Proof - website of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.
The Kind Life - Alicia Silverstone's blog with tips and recipes
No Meat Athlete
Oh She Glows - inspirational blog with recipes
PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)
T. Colin Campbell Foundation - scientific integrity for optimal health
Vegan.org
‎Vegan Coach
Vegan Consultant - inspirational and informative blog
Vegweb.com - recipes, articles, forum

Movies and Online Videos:

Books:

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living
The Cure: Heal Your Body, Save Your Life by Dr. Timothy Brantley
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn
Living Vegan for Dummies
Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat by Howard F. Lyman

I love this unique tip from MyVeganJournal.Com:

My camera!! Use your cameras, people! Best resource ever! People LOVE to see yummy vegan food! I try to get to their hearts through their stomachs ;)

Of course this list could go on and on, but those are the top responses I received from people who are working hard to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, no matter what opposition or challenges they face. I hope this helps!

Review: Coconut Curry Crackers From Livin' Spoonful (Video)

2012-01-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

It's hard to find really satisfying, well-priced healthy snacks...well, I suppose it depends on what your definition of healthy is, but for me it means:

plant based
unprocessed
organic
gluten-free
soy-free
low or no SOS (salt, oil, sugar)

Try to think of some snacks off the top of your head, aside from produce and nuts/seeds, and you'll feel a little stumped. My favorite snack lately has been kale chips, but at $5-8 a bag it can add up, especially when I eat them all in one sitting (aka 10-15 minutes). Then there are nuts, which are great except that they too can get pricey and I get sick of them pretty fast. So what's a Eco-Vegan Gal (or Guy) to do? Personally, I go to different natural markets/sections of stores and see if I can find new treats, and luckily I did yesterday.

Just as I was about to give up hope of finding something exciting at Valencia Whole Foods in San Francisco, I noticed Livin' Spoonful's raw crackers for $4.20. I remember my friend Amber trying them but I couldn't remember what they were like. The flavors excited me: Pizza, Pesto Pumpkin Seed and Coconut Curry. I was in the mood for something sweet so I opted for the latter, thrilled that it didn't any agave nectar in it (just dates and raisins) - score! But I expected it to be dry and too savory and salty. Boy was I wrong!

Check out this video to find out why Livin' Spoonful's crackers are my new favorite healthy snack

What Food to Buy on A Healthy, Vegan Cleanse (Video)

2012-01-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Since I've been sharing my cleanse journey and inviting others to join me, I'm often ask what to buy at the grocery store. It depends on what type you're doing, but in my case it's the 21 Day Adventure Cleanse from Crazy Sexy Diet, which focuses on alkaline, whole, plant-based foods. During my last trip to Rainbow Grocery I documented each item I purchased and made this video and list to give you an idea of what to buy on your next trip to the store.

What I bought:

Liver tea (loose)
Wakame
Wild Rice
(brown rice on another trip)
Quinoa
Sesame Seeds
Walnuts
Almonds
Cashews
Pine Nuts
(sunflower seeds on another trip)
Brown Rice Pasta
Oil-cured Olives
Coconut Milk, unsweetened
(fortified brown rice milk on another trip)
Flax Crackers
Kale Chips
Kelp Noodles
Brussels Sprouts
Dill
Parsley
(cilantro on another trip)
Kale
Chard
Green Onions
Broccoli
Cucumbers
Spinach
Avocado
Carrots
Red Bell Peppers
Tomatoes
Ginger
Shallots
Onions
Garlic
Lemons
Flax Oil
Hemp Oil

I also recommend you check out these posts:

Foods to Eat While On A Healthy Vegan Cleanse (Video)

Healthy Snacks to Eat on a Cleanse (Video)

I would love to hear about what you've been eating as well!

Green: Now and Then

2012-01-11T00:07:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine in her 50s posted this great perspective about being green on Facebook, which was written by a friend of hers. Definitely worth a read and would love to hear your reactions.

From photographer Jackie King:

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. I apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days". The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations". She was right about one thing--our generation didn't have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on "Our" day here's what I remembered we did have....

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's nappies because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Wales.

In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.

We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.

We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service.

We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then? Please e-mail on so another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smarty-pants young person can add to this.

Healthy Snacks to Eat on a Cleanse (Video)

2012-01-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

Looking for something yummy, satisfying and filling to have in between meals during your whole foods plant-based cleanse? Here are some things you can pick up at natural markets like Whole Foods, online (see links), or save a little money and make them yourself!

Snacks:

Kale chips (I love Alive and Radiant's best)
Flax crackers (I like Go Raw and Doctor in the Kitchen)
LARABars (except for peanut or sugar-containing varieties)
Nuts & seeds (try Kaia's Garlic Sunflower Seed Mix)
Coconut water (try to find organic if you can, like Natural Factor's)
Dried fruit (unsweetened and organic, like Navitas Naturals )
Fresh fruit, especially less sweet varieties like berries

Healthy Vegan Food in Las Vegas: Interactive Map

2012-01-08T03:17:00.000-08:00

image from Eating Vegan in Vegas

Las Vegas isn't usually the place to go when you're eating healthy. One would assume it's also not great for vegans either, but when you look closely and do your research both assumptions are quite false. You may have seen my reviews from my trips to Vegas in the past, but those were the old days - my diet has changed and the city is getting healthier and healthier, so I can't wait to go back and try it all out.

This post was inspired by my boyfriend's trip to LV - he's headed there for a week and is doing the Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse with me. At first I was practically positive his clean diet wouldn't last, especially without me there to guide him, but after several hours of intensive internet scouting I found plenty of fantastic options so I figured I should share them with you too.

The following is a interactive map and list of restaurants that offer the healthiest food in Las Vegas - if you have a device like the iPhone click here to view the map on it. Each recommendation is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, vegetable and grain based, and low in soy and oil whenever possible. Since the cleanse focuses on fresh foods and juices, I've listed those options as well. You should always confirm with the waiter/cashier to make sure the ingredients match your diet. If you're looking to do some vegan indulging (and who can blame you in the city of sin?!), check out my older posts, be sure to visit the Wynn hotels and Pure Vida, and visit the resources at the end of this list.

View Healthy Vegan Food in Las Vegas in a larger map

Things To Order While Eating Clean:

Anything raw vegan
Salad
Roasted vegetables
Brown rice & beans
Gluten-free, vegan pasta
Baked potatoes (without butter and sour cream)
Fruit
Oatmeal
Falafel with brown rice, hummus
Most Mexican, Asian & Indian food with brown rice (no bread)

Things To Stay Away From While Eating Clean:

Coffee
Alcohol
Sugar
White bread, pasta, rice
Processed foods (including fake meats and cheeses, though Daiya is OK)
Chips (including corn chips)
Curries (will likely have sugar)

image from Eating Vegan in Vegas

Places to Go on The Strip and What To Order:

Smoothies & Juice:
make sure there's no yogurt, sherbet, or sorbet added - just fruit & juice

Serendipity 3 (Caesar's Palace)
Canyon Ranch Grill and Cafe (Venetian)
Grand Lux Cafe (Venetian)
Jamba Juice in Fashion Show Mall (across from Wynn)

Canyon Ranch Grill (Venetian) - tofu scramble, oatmeal, mediterranean chopped salad (no feta), winter quinoa salad, vegetable stir-fry, black bean chili,

Canyon Ranch Cafe (Venetian): fresh fruit smoothie, juices, oatmeal, breakfast tofudilla

Wynn & Encore hotels:

Terrace Pointe Café
Bartolotta - salads, chickpea cake, risotto, grilled vegetables
Botero - tomato caprese, broccoli salad (without croutons), tofu & eggplant,
Country Club - salads, tempeh crab cake, quinoa pasta, wild mushroom napoleon, seared tofu, grilled vegetables
Society Cafe - kabocha squash soup, roasted tomato bisque
Lakeside - salads, grilled hearts of palm
Sinatra - salads, soup
SW Steakhouse - salad, tomato soup, roasted broccoli
Switch - tofu carpaccio, polenta-mushroom cake
Tableau - tomate bisque, salads, savory tofu napoleon
Wazuzu - sushi, edamame, salads, Buddha's Feast

Red Velvet Café (in Fashion Show Mall, across from Wynn) - chopped salad, sautéed vegetables, any tea but black (stay away from vegan "meat" and cheese)

Chipotle: veggie bowl with guacamole and fresh salsa (no cheese or sour cream)

California Pizza Kitchen (in Fashion Show Mall, across from Wynn) - lettuce wraps with Chinese Vegetables, Roasted Vegetable (no Dijon balsamic), Field Greens Salad (no Dijon balsamic or candied walnuts)

Cheesecake Factory (at Caesar's Palace) - edamame, grilled artichoke, Fresh Vegetable Salad (without cheese), Fresh Vegetable Platter

Chin Chin (at New York, New York) - Spinach with Garlic, Vegetable Lettuce Cups, Sauteed Broccoli, Fragrant Vegetables, String Beans, Green Vegetable Trio, brown rice

P.F. Chang's (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) - edamame, spinach stir-fried, snap peas, vegetarian lettuce wraps, buddha's feast

Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant & Market (at Convention Center)

Grand Lux Cafe (at the Venetian) - Manhattan Salad, Shaved Vegetable Salad , Vegetables with Brown Rice, Baked Potato

Simon (at the Palms) - fresh juice, oatmeal, edamame, raw salad, bamboo steamed vegetables

Julian Sarano (at Aria) - vegan menu: roasted red pepper salad, sautéed padron peppers, sautéed baby spinach, lobster gazpacho (ask for no lobster)

Panevino Gourmet Deli (south of the airport): grilled veggies, Mediterranea salad, mixed greens salad, lentil salad, organic lemon and cranberry quinoa,

image from The Green Girl Next Door

Just North of the Strip:
Pura Vida Bakery & Bystro - Completely vegan! You can get almost anything, as long as it's unprocessed and gluten-free. Smoothies. Healthy options: sage veggies and brown jasmine rice, “The Latin’tude” breakfast burrito, Bean Salsa and chips, Chicken fettucini & biscuits

Bar+Bistro @ The Arts Factory: red lentil soup, vega mofongo, stuffed pequillo peppers, potatoes brava, trio roasted tomatillos, vega paella tapa, vega salads, vega paella velazquez, à la barilla vegetales

Off the Strip:
Go Raw Cafe - raw vegan

Greens and Proteins - healthy juices and smoothies, salads, grain dishes

Mantra Masala - Everything cooked without oil. Order off the vegetarian section and make it vegan.

Miko’s Izakaya Sushi & Tapanese - Choose gluten-free, un-fried options off the vegetarian/vegan menu

Firefly: Gazpacho soup, Garden Variety Salad, Roasted Baby Beet Salad, Padron Peppers, Tomato-
Basil Soup, Veggies & French Lentils, Warm Spinach Salad, Big Bowl Salad, Vegetable Paella

Rachel's Kitchen: fresh juice, smoothies, salads

Elixir Cafe & Lounge: organic juice, smoothie, soups, salads

More Las Vegas Vegan Resources:

Cleanse Update & Progress (Videos)

2012-01-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to check in for those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or YouTube (though I can't imagine you don't follow at least one of those!). My cleanse is off to a great start - on Day 3 and going strong/feeling wonderful! Plus, my boyfriend decided to do it with me, which has been really great (see Cleanse Day 2 video). I haven't had a lot of free time to write so I've been doing mainly video content - check out the following videos when you have a chance. If you're doing a cleanse as well and would like some support I encourage you to join the Google Group (which has 34 members) and stay tuned for live video hangouts on Google Plus and occasional UStream live Q&As. I love hearing from you so would love an update on your cleanse in this comment section or any of the above sites.

Cleanse Day 1 Summary & Tips

Cleanse Day 2 Summary & Tips

Cleanse Q&A On UStream (Video)

2011-12-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

Since I've been receiving so many questions about cleansing I decided to do a live Q&A session on UStream. It was a last minute decision but I still received 17 lives views, and since it went so well I'm going to do more and give you a heads up so you can tune in and interact with me next time. If you missed the live show, you can watch it here:

In the video I answer questions about:

traveling on a cleanse and when eating healthy in general
cheating/indulging/splurging while on a cleanse
frozen foods on a cleanse - meals and vegetables
cleansing when already on a healthy diet
health tooth whitener recommendation: Vitacare

If you want to take the live experience a step further, join me on Google Plus and let me know that you're interested in being in my cleanse circle so I can invite you to a video hangout!

Foods to Eat While On A Healthy Vegan Cleanse (Video)

2011-12-30T02:11:00.000-08:00

No matter if you're on a cleanse or trying to follow a healthy diet it's important to stock your kitchen well. You may be new to the whole foods plant-based way of eating or simply looking for ideas on what to eat for your January detox, either way here's a video of suggestions followed by a list of foods to buy on your next shopping trip.

In this video I mention these 6 books are resources for healthy eating information and recipes:

I combined my personal experience and research with details from these books to put together this list of foods that are perfect for a month-long vegan cleanse and long-term diet. For details on why I chose them I recommend reading Crazy Sexy Diet - it's a quick read with great summaries on how these foods effect your health. Of course you can add in more foods like fruits, just be wary of their sugar content. If you're not too sensitive to gluten, add in some more whole grains. Most importantly, but entirely organic - if unavailable, only buy items that are part of the Clean 15.

Healthy Vegan Cleanse Shopping List:

*instead of printing, email this to yourself and view on a mobile device

Vegetables

Asparagus

Bell Peppers

Bok Choy

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Celery

Collard Greens

Cucumbers

Daikon Radish

Fennel

Green Beans

Green Onions

Kale

Leeks

Lemon

Lime

Onion

Peas

Romaine Lettuce

Spinach

Sprouts

Tomato

Zucchini

Fruits

Avocado

Berries

Dates

Olives (Oil-cured)

Grains

Brown Rice

Millet

Quinoa (technically a seed)

Wild Rice

Legumes

Adzuki Beans

Black Beans

Chickpeas

Lentils

Tempeh

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds

Almond Butter

Cashews

Chia Seeds

Flax Seeds

Hazelnuts

Hemp Seeds

Nut Milks (unsweetened)

Pistachios

Pumpkin Seeds

Sesame Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

Walnuts

Sea Vegetables

Dulse

Kelp (dried and in noodle form)

Nori

Wakame

Herbs & Spices

Basil

Cayenne Pepper

Chili Powder

Chipotle chile

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Cumin

Dill

Garlic

Ginger

Mint

Dried Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Sage

Dried Thyme

Turmeric

Vanilla

Fermented Foods

Coconut Kefir

Kimchi

Kombucha

Sauerkraut

Drinks

Coconut Water

Purified Water

Tea: herbal, white or green

Condiments

Apple Cider Vinegar

Coconut Aminos (or Nama Shoyu)

Coconut Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Flax Seed Oil

Miso, white & unpasterized

Nutritional Yeast

Sea Salt

Sun-dried Tomatoes

Tahini

Snacks

(Anything gluten-free, organic, raw and/or not too processed)

Brown Rice Cakes

Kale Chips

LARABARs

Mary's Gone Crackers

Mochi

Sweets

Cacao Nibs

Carob Powder

Dried Coconut
Goji Berries

Dried Mango

Stevia Powder and/or Liquid Drops

Why Do A Cleanse? What Are Your Goals? (Video)

2011-12-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone has a personal reason for doing a cleanse. Perhaps it's to lose weight, to control cravings, to feel better, to get in shape, to transition into a new diet...the list goes on and on. In this video I ask you to share why you are starting a cleanse and what your goals are, then I tell my own story. Be sure to check out the Google Group and join me on Google Plus so you can literally hangout with me and other cleansers!

The Cleanse: How to Begin Your Healthy Diet (Video)

2011-12-29T02:21:00.000-08:00

So, you've decided to do a cleanse huh? Well, congratulations! It's especially exciting if you plan to do it at the same time as me and the other EVG community members. Whatever type of cleanse you choose, it's important to mentally prepare for it. I like the advice in Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet book - she recommends that you give yourself a week to transition and start cutting out the junk and adding in the wholesome, and this means both dietarily (is that a word?) and emotionally.

Check out this video for some tips from the book:

Even if this advice is completely foreign to you, do not be put off - you can do it! Cleansing is a great way to introduce yourself to a healthier lifestyle, especially if you do it slowly and remain patient and loving towards yourself, even if you go off course a bit.

I look forward to taking this journey with you in January. Be sure to check out the Google Group and join me on Google Plus so you can literally hangout with me and other cleansers!

Cleanse Support: Google Group & Hangout

2011-12-29T02:10:00.000-08:00

Planning on cleansing with me in January? Join me and other cleansers on Google! Since this site is based on Google and most people have Gmail accounts I figured the easiest way to host an interactive destination to interact with and support you is to make a Google Group. If you're interested, please join the group.

I'm also going to experiment with doing a live video conference using the Google Plus Hangout feature, so if you'd like to be involved with that please add my Eco-Vegan Gal profile to your circle. I'm still learning how to use all of this, so if you have any experience or suggestions please let me know in a comment below!

Diet for a New Year (Video): Cleanse With Me!

2011-12-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

I don't really like the word diet because most people associate it with unhappily restricting food in order to lose weight. However, when I do use it, I'm referring to a way of eating, such as the vegan diet. With that said, I do think most people could use a little tweaking to their diet, whether it means taking out junk food and/or adding in more nutritious foods, and the new year is a great excuse to do it. Or, perhaps you're just looking for an opportunity to challenge yourself or make a change - maybe go vegan, vegetarian, raw, become more eco-friendly, get off sugar or caffeine - so why not start off 2012 on a good foot and devote yourself to a month (or so) of habit building?

Cleanses, detoxes, diets, whatever you want to call them, work best when you have support, but not everyone has a friend who is willing to do it with them. So I thought it'd be great to build a virtual support team through the EVG community! Join me and the group of people as we dedicate ourselves to a healthy January. You can do whatever cleanse you'd like, or follow along with my choice: Crazy Sexy Diet. If you've never done it before and don't know where to start, here's a list of other healthy cleansing options that I recommend. If you have a cleanse you love, leave your suggestions in the comment section below.

I'm looking for suggestions for offering online support, such as weekly live video check-ins and daily video posts. I'd also love to see video journals from you if you're able to make them too. If you have some specific ways you'd feel most supported please comment below and I'll absolutely do my best to make it happen. My aim is to get a bunch of people involved that can support each other - you may even make some new virtual friends!

Looking forward to reading your thoughts and cleansing together in January!

Submit Your Blog to The Eco-Vegan Recommendation Directory!

2011-12-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

I'm often contacted by readers and businesses who are looking for more blogs in the eco-vegan realm to visit or reach out to for various opportunities (like partnerships, giveaways, advertising, etc.) If you're interested in being on my recommendation list, please fill out the following form. Looking forward to learning more about your blog too!

Video: Recipes for an Organic, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free Vegan Christmas

2011-12-22T20:27:00.000-08:00

I'll be honest, even though Christmas is only 2 days away I have no idea what I'm going to do for it, let alone what I'll eat. I guess that's what happens when work prevents me from being with my family for the holidays... but shall I decide to cook on December 25th I've got plenty of delicious recipes to choose from that are free of animal products, gluten, sugar and soy - all thanks to an ebook.

Blogger and chef Nicola Griffiths of TheLivity.com sent me her marvelous e-cookbook, Vegan Christmas, to check out and I'm really blown away by it. It is one of the most beautiful ebooks I've ever seen - incredibly well laid out and the pictures make me want to run into the kitchen and cook/bake all day. This book should be in print (maybe with your support it will be!).

Here are some of the tastiest looking recipes:

Olive Oil and Thyme Oatcakes
Definitely not Foie Gras
Ackee Tarts
Petit Pois and Nutmeg Soup
Aubergine Steaks with Basil Marinade
Amazing Gravy from Scratch
Clementine Cheesecake

Instead of wheat recipes are made with buckwheat, gram flour, brown rice flour and occasionally rye, kamut flour and wholemeal stone ground spelt for those that can tolerate them. Refined sugar is replace with xylitol and agave, though you could probably use stevia too. Though the recipes are not advertised as being soy-free, most of them are and the rest are easily modified to be.

There are even 4 sample menus at the end to help you figure out what dishes to combine for an incredible Christmas meal. The ebook costs just under $8 (£4.99) and while you could find some free recipes on the web, I'd love to see you support Nicola - what a great gift that would be for her. : ) Plus, making holiday foods from scratch is much more eco-friendly than buying pre-made or packaged items at a store - just sayin'. I'm confident that you'll absolutely love the book - if you're unsure check out her sample recipes.

Video Recipe to Celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day!

2011-12-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to share this delicious organic vegan hot chocolate recipe with you (gluten-free, soy-free and sugar-free!!!), so head over to Eco-Vegan Food to check out the written instructions and video!

Looking for New Posts?

2011-12-11T23:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of updates recently - I've been traveling, working my butt off and enjoying life. However, I have been doing lots of vlogs on my YouTube channels and posts on social media. Best way to see what's going on in the Eco-Vegan world is to:

Subscribe to Eco-Vegan Gal YouTube channel
Subscribe to What A Vegan Eats YouTube channel
Check out my new Tumblr account for quick news, events and deals
Like the Eco-Vegan Gal Facebook page
Follow the Eco-Vegan Gal Twitter account
Friend the Eco-Vegan Gal Foursquare account

You can also read my articles on:

And view my past videos on the Ecorazzi YouTube channel for entertainment news

And stay tuned for upcoming posts - I'll be back on track in no time! : )

Eco-Vegan Gal on Tumblr!

2011-11-30T00:45:00.001-08:00

I've had a Tumblr account for a few months, but had no idea what to do with it until last night. Then it occurred to me: use it to post all the press releases and eco-vegan news I receive via email! Now you have a destination for all the healthy and sustainability events, discounts, announcements, opportunities, and funny articles I hear about! It's like taking a peek inside my email account. Check it out and let me know what you think : )

Eco-Vegan Gal & Guy Shirts for Sale! Limited Quantities - Get One Before They Sell Out!

2011-11-29T01:58:00.000-08:00

Are you an Eco-Vegan Gal or Guy? Tell the world with an organic t-shirt made in the USA by three passionate vegans! Order now and you'll be one of the few to receive the very first run of EVG clothing!

Price: $25 (plus $5 shipping to anywhere in the US, or $12 shipping to Canada)

shirt sleeves are rolled up in this photo

Earlier this spring I had an Eco-Vegan Gal t-shirt made so I could wear it to events. It was important to me to have it be organic, made in the USA and not very expensive. Not only did I find someone that could make all three happen, but she also happens to be a vegan activist in LA (local to me at the time) who designs beautiful vegan shirts for companies like PETA. Along with her partner Hal, Christina Cho of Lavish Lint is a vegan t-shirt rock star! I ended up with a beautiful shirt that is very soft and comfortable - I have received many compliments on it, so now you can have your very own!

Would you like to wear an Eco-Vegan Gal or Eco-Vegan Guy shirt? They're:

organic cotton
made in the USA
designed in Los Angeles (then screen printed)
soft
pre-shrunk
machine washable and durable
long (you can cut them shorter and they won't fray)
sizes are true to store-bought sizes - if you're typically a medium then you'd want a medium in this shirt too.

Check out the shirts in one of my latest videos:

Price: $25 (plus $5 shipping to anywhere in the US, or $12 shipping to Canada)

Photos by Melissa Schwartz & Whitney Lauritsen

Video: How To Turn Black Friday Green

2011-11-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

Black Friday is right around the corner. Some people prefer to call it "Buy Nothing Day". While I try not to consume too much, it is a good day to save money on holiday gifts. So why not look for deals on eco-friendly presents (or items for yourself that you can't normally afford)? Here are some tips for greening the whole day, in video and bullet point form:

Buy only what you, or the person you're giving to, needs. Black Friday can be a great day to save on necessities (though it depends what your definition of necessary is). Ask your friends and family what gifts they could really put to use, instead of buying things because they're fun or cute.
Buy from local, small business. They need your support more than the big companies do, and they're usually more eco-friendly.
Look for things that have minimal packaging, or no packaging at all (donation, classes, online subscriptions, etc.)
Buy products that were made in America.
If you go out to shop on Black Friday, map out your destinations before you leave. Try to plan so that you're going to places close to home and close together. If possible, take public transportation, or walk or bike to stores instead of taking a car. If driving, park your car once and walk to each store. Carpool with friends, or offer to bring them along with you.
Shopping online can be more eco-friendly (versus driving), and you might find better deals (see below). "to have 10 pounds of packages shipped by overnight air uses 40 percent less fuel than driving yourself round-trip to the mall, according to the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions."
Bring your own shopping bags.
Limit your shopping to a few hours, and spend the rest of the day with your family and friends! If a deal requires waiting in a long line, ask yourself if it's really worth the time you're spending.
Shopping lends itself to eating out, so be prepared and bring your own water bottle, coffee mug, utensils, napkin, and/or to-go container.
Why not buy gifts second hand? You'll save money and recycle at the same time! Many cities have second-hand stores, and you can also go to garage sales. If you live in a big city, you can get some really nice stuff at estate sales.

Thanksgiving Ideas: Make This One (Eco) Friendly

2011-11-22T11:39:00.001-08:00

Aside from getting a day off, the thing people most look forward to on Thanksgiving is eating. Even though most of the ingredients for the dishes are available year round, or at least for a few months in the season, there are specific foods we only eat on this late November day. Mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie...and turkey. Many call this holiday Turkey Day because it's all about eating the bird. In fact, over 300 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving each year, after living a miserable life with no room to move, standing around in their own excrement, and being pumped full of antibiotics - doesn't sound so festive.

How about we call it ThanksLIVING instead? Focus on making the world a happier, more loving place. A healthier, more eco-friendly alternative would be to leave out the meat and focus on all the delicious dishes made from vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. Looking for ideas? Check out this video:

If that's not inspiring enough, how about this home video from my childhood, which features me and my sister playing with our pet turkey Friendly. I send a little prayer to him every Thanksgiving, because I'm thankful for the joy and love he brought me:

Video: Talking About Shoes, Dog Food & Towels on Blythe Raw Live

2011-11-07T00:06:00.000-08:00

I was invited onto a live vegan internet show that tapes in Los Angeles called Blythe Raw Live, which is all about raw food, natural beauty, fitness, and sustainable lifestyle guidance for optimal living. They asked me to talk about some of my favorite products and it was incredibly hard to narrow it down. With Blythe's help we decided to talk about vegan shoes, dog products and reusable towels, so I picked:

You can watch a clip from the show here:

Or the full segment here (my part starts 14 minutes in):

At the beginning of the show Blythe made the most amazing raw ice cream - you have to try it (omit the honey to make it truly vegan). I also love the ecoSkin line that she features. If you like this episode, you can watch Blythe every Friday, live or recorded.

Videos: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau Speaks At 2011 San Francisco Veg Fest

2011-10-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

On World Vegetarian Day 2011 (October 1st) I attended the San Francisco Veg Festival, which was a really lovely event despite its small size. The highlight was easily a talk by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a well known vegan author, speaker and all around advocate. After all the buzz around her talk at the Vida Vegan Bloggers Conference in Portland, I knew I had to record her SF lecture so I could share it with you. It was about 50 minutes in length, but I went through and edited it down to 3 segments totaling 24 minutes so that it'd be easier to watch.

In the first video Colleen talks about vegan nutrition, highlighting myths and offering up lots of interesting facts and perspectives. The second video summarizes some common excuses on why people say they can't go vegan, which Colleen negates. And the last video is about the social aspects of veganism - how to stand up for your beliefs and stay true to your values despite the differing opinions of others. Enjoy!