To share my passion for salads, I’ve had a little side project going on for a while: the creation of an e-book entitled Stellar Vegan Salads. It’s still in the works… slated to become available in the fall. However, I thought I’d give my Cruelty-Free Faves friends a sneak preview with this salad that’s very easy to put together. In my home, I usually make one big bowl that my husband Seth and  I share. One bowl, two forks!  Enjoy!

Summertime Sunshine Salad

ingredients:

• Living butter lettuce
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Roasted nectarine*
• Roasted sunflower seeds
• Fresh mint
• Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• White Balsamic or Champagne Vinegar

directions:

1. Slice one firm nectarine into eight wedges and roast in oven.*
2. Toast sunflower seeds over medium heat for about 3 minutes. SEt aside.
3. Place rinsed butter lettuce leaves in bowl.
4. Arrange sprouts in circle along the outer edge of the bowl.
5. Cur up fresh mint and sprinkle generously over the lettuce; set aside a sprig for the center as garnish.
6. Add olive oil and vinegar.
7. Place 6-8 nectarine wedges in the bowl; add some more sprouts aruond the wedges.
8. Sprinkle sunflower seeds and add center garnish.
9. Ready to eat immediately, while nectarines are still warm!

*Oven-Roasted Nectarines: Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees. Place wedges in an oven-safe glass dish and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. You want the wedges to be warm and slightly soft, but not mushy.

Brave Gentleman 
For all the sexy vegan men out there looking for fashions that express their personal style as well as their ethics: you need to know about Brave GentleMan.  New York-based designer Joshua Katcher launched the online mens shop in 2010; it offers vegan fashion and accessories, including cruelty-free custom made suits. Although there’s lots for the vegan man — and for us girls to buy for our vegan men – I couldn’t resist buying a Houndstooth Plaid Tie for myself, to wear every once in a while for an Annie Hall-inspired look. The vegan ties are made with organic cotton and recycled hemp, and stiffened with a process that uses recycled plastic bottles. Bow tie designs also are available, if that’s more your style.

Bonus Tip!
Check out Katcher’s site, The Discerning Brute – “fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man.”

Forgotten Souls Organic, Ethical Clothing
A few Forgotten Souls organic tee shirts came as part of the Candle 79 gift bag that I won at  the silent auction following The Genesis Awards.  These super-soft tees are made from 100% herbal dyed organic cotton, and the organization uses sustainable methods in all aspects of production — from the water used in the dying process to the biodegradable bags used in packaging. What makes wearing FS a win-win: part of the profits go to help animals worldwide. Since its launch in August 2010, Forgotten Souls already has donated $12,000 to worthy causes such as helping street animals through the Bali Street Dog Fund and protecting Australia’s wildlife through the Wombat Awareness Organisation.

Big Miracle
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t have at least a little crush on Drew Barrymore? She’s as cute as ever in this film based on a true story about efforts to save a family of whales trapped under the sea ice in Alaska. And that guy from The Office is pretty likable, too. This recent film does a great job of showing how people with very different interests can still come together to help animals in need. Greenpeace and oil companies working together?! Yes, it’s an uplifting film that’s perfect for “date night”; or the whole family can enjoy this one together, and it should stimulate some thoughtful discussion afterwards.

Watch the Trailer:

Chimpanzee
This one just hit the theaters a few weeks ago, coinciding with the 2012 Earth Day celebration. Kudos to DisneyNature for making a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute for every ticket sold during the film’s opening week. I was among those who went opening weekend — a great Sunday matinee experience with my husband Seth and my parents. In just 78 minutes (that goes by very quickly), the audience gets a glimpse into what life is like for chimpanzees in their natural habitat.  The baby Oscar will melt your heart, and the film does a good job of showing how these animals bond with each other as extended families. The kids in the audience were loving it as much as the adults. I applaud DisneyNature for this and its other films that let us connect with animals and share with children just how amazing animals are — a wonderful alternative to taking them to the zoo.

Watch the trailer:

Dolphin Tale
This film was one of this year’s nominees at The Genesis Awards, which recognizes major news and media for producing works that raise awareness of animal issues. Based on the true story of a dolphin named Winter who lost her tail, Dolphin Tale provides another example of people working together and doing extraordinary things for animals. Morgan Freeman is the one developing a prosthetic tail for Winter — which she will need to survive. Meanwhile, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr., and two adorable kids become Winter’s friends and support system as the dolphin faces the challenge of learning to accept and use the prosthesis. It’s a terrific cast, but Winter — the real-life inspiration who also stars in the film — steals every scene. If you just need a feel-good movie one night, something that will bring a few happy tears but will leave you feeling hopeful, this is the movie pick for you.

Watch the trailer:

Mine
This documentary came out several years ago, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include it here as a favorite. Mine tells the story of Hurricane Katrina animals who were rescued and re-located, and the incredible efforts to reunite them with their New Orleans families. There are plenty of interesting twists and turns in this film, including the ownership issues raised when some of the new families — who had these animals for more than a year — don’t want to give the animals up. Property law and family law issues come together to create a dilemma that doesn’t require a legal background to fully appreciate. And out of the chaos and heartbreak, some beautiful stories emerge about the human-animal bond. A must-see, available on Amazon and Netflix.

Watch the Trailer:

Baked Ziti (we doubled the recipe for our potluck party)

As promised in last week’s post, here is the recipe for Baked Ziti that we made for  a veg potluck we recently hosted in our home. The “Simple Italian Herb Baked Ziti” recipe comes from the March/April 2012 issue of All Animals magazine by The Humane Society of the United States. You’ll see we also added a few personal touches. It’s SO easy to make and was a hit with vegans and non-vegans at the party. Molto delicioso! 

ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta (Barilla and De Cecco are favorite brands)
• 3 cups Italian sauce (we use Trader Joe’s Organic Marinara, jazzed up with some garlic powder and basil)
• 16 ounces Italian-flavored tofu*
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sea salt and dash of pepper
• 1 cup non-dairy, grated vegan mozzarella (Daiya!)

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and blend tofu, oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions, and drain.
3. Layer pasta, tofu mixture, and tomato sauce in 2-quart baking dish. (We included an in-between layer of mozzarella, too.)
4. Sprinkle with mozzarella on top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.

*We didn’t use tofu that was already flavored with Italian herbs. If you have Italian Seasoning in the pantry, that’s great (use about 2 teaspoons). Even better — fresh chopped basil and oregano works like a charm to give the “ricotta” just the right flavor.

What’s Daiya cheese made of?
For this or any other dish that requires melting “cheese,” Daiya is the only way to go. People always ask me if Daiya is made from soy. FYI —  the ingredient list for this wonderful vegan cheese is filtered water, tapioca and/or arowroot flours, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, cocnut oil, pea protein, salt, vegan natural flavors, inactive yeast, vegetable glycerin, xanthan gum, citric acid (for flavor), titanium dioxide (a naturally occurring mineral). Soy- and gluten-free!

• Vegan Gourmet Sour Cream by Follow Your Heart
  Smooth and creamy texture right out of the fridge. This is definitely was an instant new fave for us — for taco night, to top off a baked potato, or for having with some homemade guacamole and chips.
• Trader Joe’s Soy Yogurt, Peach
  I don’t use many soy products on a regular basis, and I’ve not been a huge fan of soy yogurts. But I saw this on the shelf during a recent TJ’s run and decided I’d give it a try. So excited! This is just what I need to satisfy that yogurt craving I still get every once in a while, and peach has always been one of my favorite yogurt flavors. The Trader Joe’s brand (strawberry yogurt, too) doesn’t have the after-taste I’ve noticed with other soy yogurt brands. And at 160 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, it’s a great option for a quick breakfast.
• Daiya Mozzarella
  This is not the first time I’ve sung the praises of Daiya. I’ve never been a cheese person, so I don’t use the substitute on a regular basis. But Daiya mozzarella has had a couple of moments in the spotlight recently in our home: first, an Italian quesadilla — some mozzarella shreds sandwiched between tortilla for a quick appetizer or snack; second, we recently tried a new recipe for Baked Ziti and once again relied on Daiya to veganize an Italian dish. SO good! Check back with me next week for the recipe.
• Vegetarian Plus Ethnic Cuisine
  Although I love cooking up  recipes from scratch– especially ones that get creative with spices and sauces — frozen entrees that are this delicious are always nice to have handy on days when it’s dinnertime and I’ve been working non-stop all day. My husband, in his pre-vegan days, was a big Vindaloo fan, so we were particularly happy to discover this Vegan Lamb Vindaloo. The “lamb” has terrific texture, and the sauce is excellent —   a good amount of spice for him, without being too spicy for me.  Similarly, the Kung Pao “Chicken” should fill the bill for those of you who are missing an old take-out favorite. One heads up: these entrees are not complete frozen meals. You’ll need to make the rice on your own, or add peanuts and/or veggies to the Kung Pao.

One for the Pups!
Natural Balance, Vegetarian (wet food)
Many of us remember Dick Van Patten as the dad on the television show “Eight is Enough.”  Who knew the actor was also a partner in an animal food company? Natural Balance makes food for dogs and cats, and also for large carnivores such as lions, tigers, and bears — oh my! Although the entire line in not vegan, I’m happy to share with you that there are Vegetarian dry food and wet food flavors available for dogs. Although I’d heard about them, it’s only recently that my local Whole Foods started carrying the wet food. It’s actually vegan — and our canine kids love it.

In the summer of 2009, just before starting at the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, I contacted the Animal Legal Defense Fund to find out how I might get involved and help generate interest on campus. The ALDF staff connected me with a third-year law student and, together, we took the necessary first steps towards organizing a student chapter. By my 3L year, we had successfully petitioned and worked with the faculty to have an Animal Law class offered in the fall semester. We’ve come a long way!

Over the past three years, I have been so inspired by my classmates, watching them get excited and more involved in animal-related efforts ranging from those focused on farmed animals to companion animals. In addition to successfully petitioning for the Animal Law class, here are some of the highlights from my time on campus:

John Becker speaks on Pet Estate Planning

• Guest speakers such as Mike Duffey (Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona); Cheryl Leahy (Compassion Over Killing); Tucson attorney Nikia Gray, discussing her efforts on behalf of elephants at Reid Park Zoo; Phil Brown (Animals & Home Owners’ Associations); and John R. Becker (Pet Estate Planning)
• Visits to Ironwood Pig Sanctuary & Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary
• Pet toy drives for Hope Animal Shelter, Tucson’s only no-kill shelter
• Presentations by students about their own animal-related papers/notes
• Film screenings: Got the facts on Milk? and Mine)
• Tabling in the main lobby with Animal Law materials (and free vegan cupcakes!)
• Happy hours & potlucks with members of the State Bar of Arizona’s Animal Law Section
• Sending two students this year to the National Animal Law Competition
• Students attending the annual Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark
• K-9 unit demonstration of explosive detection by University of Arizona’s Police Department
• Cereal buffets with nondairy alternatives (great fundraisers!)

SALDF members at Equine Voices Sanctuary

Today is the last meeting of the school year. I’m just a few papers and an exam away from graduation day; and today the 3L students will officially pass the torch to those students who will continue to make the SALDF chapter and Animal Law issues a part of the law school community.

A special thank you to those who have served on the board of our student chapter, taking leadership positions to get the chapter going and growing. From Day One, the student chapter has been a team effort. And, as the 3Ls leave school to follow our individual paths, I am most grateful to know that my SALDF friends and I will always have this connection with each other. Finally, thank you to our faculty sponsor, Shaun Esposito, and all the faculty who have been so supportive of the student organization.

For Law Students
Interested in creating a student chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund at your law school? Check out the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund site for all the details and support you need!

An Ashkenazic Seder

• Mock Chopped Liver (cashew, onion, and mushroom pate)
• Simple Vegetable Soup with Vegan Matzo Balls
• Vegan Matzo Balls
• Traditional Haroset
• Spectacular Spring Salad
• Spinach, Leek, and Potato Matzo Gratin
• Quinoa Pilaf
• Sauteed Asparagus & Broccolini
• Passover Fruit Crisp ot Chocolate Matzo Brittle, or Coconut-Almond Macaroon

A Sephardic-Style Seder (includes legumes and grains other than wheat)

• Sephardic-Style Date Haroset
• Moroccan-Style Vegetable Soup with Vegan Matzo balls
• Green Salad w/ Artichokes, Oranges, and Pickled Beets
• Eggplant Matzo Mina
• Morroccan Carrots
• Sephardic Stewed Green Beans

Just to tempt you, here’s the recipe for the Mock Chopped Liver, which I’ve tried and love. It’s easy to make and a delicious substitute for  liver pate. I hope you’ll check out this cookbook and also be inspired to look for other cruelty-free alternatives to enjoy this Passover!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Mock Chopped Liver (cashew, onion, and mushroom pate)

ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup sliced baby bella or crimini mushrooms
• 2/3 cup toasted cashews
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
• finely minced fresh parsley for garnish

directions:

1. Heat oil in a small skillet. Saute the onions slowly over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until nicely browned. Add the mushrooms and continue to saute briefly until wilted.
2. Combine the onion mixture with the cashews and lemon juice in a food processor. Process until smoothly pureed, scraping down the sides of the work bowl as needed. Season with salt and pepper and additional lemon juice if desired, and pulse on and off to work into the mixture.
3. Transfer to a serving dish and cover until needed. If making ahead of time, store in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. Just before serving, sprinkle the top with paprika and parsley.
4. Serve with raw vegetables and matzo crackers.

Elf Cafe
Great little vegetarian/vegan Mediterranean place on Sunset Boulevard. The cafe only seats about thirty people, so the atmosphere is intimate, but high energy. My husband Seth and I started by splitting a crock of organic lentils that came topped with deliciously roasted crimini mushrooms and carmelized onions. While Seth opted for the Mushroom Risotto as a main course, I chose the Roasted beet & Braised Fennel that was served with basmati rice and a port wine reduction– a dish I will be attempting to re-create at home very soon!

Roasted Beet & Braised Fennel, Elf Cafe

Real Food Daily
The West Hollywood location turned out to be the ideal place for Sunday brunch with some friends from Compassion Over Killing. I’d been thinking about pancakes since I woke up that morning, so I had the Blueberry Pancakes, complete with vegan butter and maple syrup. Seth ordered the RFD Benedict, a vegan version of a classic that substitutes savory herbed tofu for the eggs. Complete with tempeh bacon and vegan hollandaise sauce — it’s to die for! Other great dishes at our table: the Sausage Scramble made with Chipotle seitan sausage, onions, peppers, cilantro, and melted cashew cheese, and the Triple Decker Club Sandwich of seitan, tempeh bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and veganaise on sourdough. (I didn’t catch what Tobey Maguire was having at the next table.)

RFD Benedict

Cafe Gratitude, Los Angeles
Well… we didn’t get here during our long weekend, but I’m including it on the list anyway. Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood has been one of my favorite spots in that city. However, it’s one of the northern California locations now closing its doors. I’m happy to know there’s one to visit in L.A. the next time I’m in town.

If you have a Los Angeles fave, I’d love to hear about it!

There were a few locations listed on the Aveda web site that were within just a few miles of the hotel. After a little extra searching on the internet for some customer reviews, I decided on Fabulous Stylez on Melrose Avenue in the West Hollywood neighborhood.

First, Ashleigh did my hair in an up-do inspired by the hairstyle worn by actress Berenice Bejo at this year’s Academy Awards. (This proved particularly fitting, as I ended up hanging out with the canine star of The Artist, Uggie, later that evening.) After my hair was taken care of, Alexia worked some make-up magic.

Thanks to both ladies at Fabulous Stylez for helping me get ready for a truly fabulous evening.

Bonus tip!
I’ve visited Aveda salons in several cities. If you find yourself in a town you don’t know very well and you need a hair cut, a touch up, or an up-do, Aveda is like an old friend you can always count on.

NOTE: After posting this, one of our CFF Facebook friends pointed out that Aveda is owned by Estee Lauder, a company that still tests on animals. Although Aveda operates as a separate entity and is admirable for its own stance against animal testing, I’m hoping its parent company gets on board with cruelty-free soon!

with Uggie, from The Artist

This past weekend, I was in Los Angeles to attend The 26th Genesis Awards held at The Beverly Hilton. Each year, The Humane Society of the United States hosts a star-studded event that recognizes the contributions by major news and entertainment media in raising public awareness about animal issues. Saturday night’s program was hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba of “Dancing with the Stars.”

The evening began with cocktails before sitting down to a 3-course vegan meal, followed by the awards show. Celebrity presenters included Colbie Callat, Bill Maher, Rose McGowan, Cloris Leachman, Jason Ritter, and Moby. In the midst of all the mingling, I enjoyed a conversation with the Today show’s Jill Rappaport, who won for her series of reports on rescuers of homeless animals. However, the highlight of the evening for me was getting lots of face licks from presenter Uggie, star of the Academy Award winning film The Artist.

All of the nominees deserve a standing ovation for their inspiring work. Here’s a list of some of the night’s winners, just to give you a glimpse:

• Feature Film
  Rise of the Planet of the Apes
• Feature Documentary
  Born to Be Wild 3D
• Dramatic Series
  Hawaii Five-0
• Reality Series
  Animal Planet Investigates– “Captive Hunting Exposed”
• Children’s Programming
  Teennick News w/ Linda Ellerbee
• National News
  NBC Nightly News
• Talk Show
  The Ellen DeGeneres Show
• TV NewsMagazine
  20/20 (ABC)
• On-Line Award
  The Atlantic.com

Ian Somerhalder of “The Vampire Diaries” received the Wyler Award, which is awarded each year to a celebrity or public figure who has raised awareness of animal issues via the media. The Ian Somerhalder Foundation “aims to empower, educate, and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. ” Ian actively tweets and blogs about all kinds of animal issues, and even went before Congress to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2011. Awesome!

The Genesis Awards will air on Animal Planet, May 5th at 4:00pm (EST), with an encore broadcast on May 6th… watch for me in the audience!

by Impostor

Silent Auction
In addition to the dinner and awards, the night includes a silent auction and a rockin’ after party. Among the items to bid on were some of my favorite cruelty-free products, such as a coat by Vaute Coat and a faux-fur vest by Impostor. I walked away with a gift bag by one of my NYC faves — Candle 79: a gift certificate to the restaurant, plus a few tee-shirts and the new Candle 79 cookbook.

A peek inside the program…
Extra special for me about this event: as purchasers of “Gazelle” tickets, we were listed in the program among the supporters of the evening’s event. And so, this became the first official social event for Riverside 105 Media, the newest joint venture by my husband Seth and me. Riverside 105 serves as an umbrella for various projects we have in the works, including Cruelty-Free Faves, my Animals & the Law blog, Letters To Pushkin — the web site and the new e-book — and Seth’s film company, Plant-Based Productions.