Veggie Friendly Celebrities

It's almost the end of February!

Thank goodness. However, one thing which keeps me entertained during this horrid month is award season. I love seeing celebs out on the red carpet.

As we know, the majority of celebs are very health conscious. And this is what this blog is about- veg celebs!

Some may surprise you, others may not. I know I was surprised about a few.




1. Natalie Portman:

Love her. I love how she quit acting to get her BA. I love how she proves being successful doesn't mean selling out your morals. She is amazing. She also has a vegan friendly shoe company, called Te Casan. Their website is currently being reconstructed and should be running soon.

2. Casey Affleck:


Have you seen him in Good Will Hunting or Gone Baby Gone? Very well done. He has lost some points with the whole Joaquin Phoenix fiasco. However, being a veg celeb makes up for his lame choice of friends.

3. Stella & Paul McCartney:

This daughter/father duo are both famous and successful by their own right. Stella is one of the few celeb offspring who is actually famous for her own talent. All of her clothes are made from organic materials. I hope one day I could afford one of her designs! Have a view her website

4. Alicia Silverstone:

After being criticized for gaining weight, Alicia replaced her high fat diet with an all veg diet. Now, she looks amazing. Her ads with PETA are beautiful. Here is her testimonial:

Like most people, I wasn’t always a vegetarian, but I’ve always loved animals. If you ever have a chance to meet a cow, pig, turkey, or goat, you will see that they are just as cute and funny as your dogs and cats and that they, too, want to live and feel love. They don’t like pain. Now when I see a steak, it makes me feel sad and sick because right away, I see my dog or the amazing cows I met at a sanctuary. I’ve been vegan for 10 years, and it’s the single-most important and helpful decision I have ever made. Physically, the effect has been amazing. Once I went vegan, I lost the weight I wanted to lose, my nails were stronger, and my skin was glowing. I feel great, and I look better now than I did 11 years ago.

Read more about Alicia's story at Peta's website

And here are some pics of other veg celebs:


Leona Lewis


Hayden Panettiere, from Heroes


Pamela Anderson


As you can see, these are a few of the MANY veg celebs dominating Hollywood.

Peace, love and carrots

A few of my favourite veggie things

Thank goodness February is almost over. Finding good things about this month is very difficult. Good moods are few and far between, and it seems so appropriate to cuddle on the couch with some chips and watch American Idol. So, in order to boost my spirits (and perhaps yours!) I am going to focus on the positives, things which I have discovered during the month of February.1. Whole Foods Market

I know a lot of opinions vary about natural and organic foods. Some people only buy organic, while others (probably the majority) think its a hoax. As I've mentioned several times, I LOVE food. Like, seriously have a mad crush on it. I get excited when 6pm comes around, just so I can cook. Last week, a girlfriend and I discovered Whole Foods. I've been commuting to Oakville for almost 6 months, and had yet to step foot into this place. An hour later, we both left with huge smiles on our faces. The variety is amazing, freshness bar none, and most importantly, the prices were not too insane. Now, I didn't buy everything organic, which cost a bit more, but all in all, what I paid here was just slightly higher than any other grocer. But, the foods I got were made with natural ingredients, and I got foods which I couldn't find anywhere else. I have a new crush, and its name is Whole Foods.

2. Spicy Mixed Nuts

Amazing. Simply amazing. I have already sent this recipe to several people and all love it. I got it from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch. Here is the recipe:

1 egg

2 tablespoons warm water

1 pound roasted, salted mixed nuts

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1.5 teaspoons cayenne powder

Preheat oven to 250F

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and water until foamy. Add the nuts and toss to coat. Transfer the nuts to a strainer and let drain for at least 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, wipe out the bowl and combine the sugar, salt and cayenne. Add the nuts, tossing to coat. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes. Stir with a spatula and spread the nuts out again. Reduce heat to 200F and bake another 30 minutes, or until dry.

They nuts will crisp as they cool to room temperature. Thoroughly cooled, they can be stored for up to one week in an airtight container.

If you try this and don't like it.....then....I just don't know. Side note, you don't need this much sugar. I use about 1/2 a cup and if I need more than gingerly add it while coating the nuts.

3. M.I.A.

I know this doesn't directly link to food, but, exercise is a part of a veggie lifestyle. I saw Slumdog Millionaire in January, and earlier this month decided to download some of the songs. O Saya is an absolutely amazing song. The beat is great for running, especially when you are about to approach a really tough hill or need that extra bit of motivation. I've downloaded a couple of her songs and they make running that much easier.

So there you go- 3 little things which help make this month that much more bareable.

peace, love and carrots.

"But, how do you get your protein?"

Besides being asked, "what made you go vegetarian?", the next popular question is, "but, how do you get your protein?!" I have to admit, I am not the best at getting my daily essential protein. I was browsing online today, and found on vegetariantimes.com a great article about veggies and protein. They outlined 8 protein rich foods which veggies should eat...

1. Tofu

Ugh. Really. Tofu? I am trying REALLY hard to make tofu interesting. But it is so hard. So far, the best result has been to marinate and then pan fry. I probably lose all the nutritional value, but it's the only way I can eat it! Besides being high in protein, it's rich in calcium and vitamin D.

2. Lentils

These are great to add to soups. They can be bought in bulk, which makes it a lot cheaper. They are also good for fiber!

3. Beans

These are a veggies best friend. They can be added to anything, or simply eaten on their own. Make sure to wash them really well, as canned beans are typically covered in syrup and salt. Nasty.

4. Nuts

Last week I made this wicked Spicy Nut Mix, which was absolutely delish! Almonds are great for protein and help ward off hunger. With this mix, some organic sugar was added and that helped with my sweet tooth.

For a complete list go and visit www.vegetariantimes.com and you will find the list on its homepage labeled, " 8 Foods Every Vegetarian Should Eat." They go more into detail about the protein and nutritional value of each food.

peace, love and carrots

L.

Where all the Cool Veggimites Shop

Happy Monday!

Although it may sound lame, but one of my favorite things to do is grocery shop. I love looking up recipes before hand, browsing the aisles looking for fun and interesting foods, and then trying out my new creations at home. Finding food for the veggie friendly can sometimes be a task, but it is not too difficult!

For today's post I want to share my favorite food shopping places.

1. St.Lawrence's Market



One of Toronto's oldest landmarks, the St.Lawrence Market is the mecca of all farmer's markets. I recommend going on a Saturday morning, as you will witness first hand Toronto's diversity and multiculturalism. Do try and go early, to avoid some of the rush. Breakfast is the best! The market holds hundreds of vendors. There are so many types of vegetables, fruits, breads, pastries, meats, sauces, marinades, etc. Also, take cash, as majority of vendors do not accept credit or debit.

Make sure to take your time, don't rush. I like to go by myself, as I like to wander and take my time. Going with a friend, parent and significant other is also fun. Sometimes just people watching makes the trip totally worthwhile.

Here is their link for more information, such as hours of operation, maps, directions and other information

www..stlawrencemarket.com

2. Loblaws

Sometimes you just don't have time to spend the day at the market. For quick, convenience and variety, I really like Loblaws (or now Loblaw in some locations). Their veggie friendly frozen meals (I especially enjoy Amy's organic brand of frozen dinners) is reasonably priced. Loblaws tend to have many sales on its veggie friendly and organic foods.

3. Planet Organic





You may have seen their link on my blog. I love this little store! Although it is somewhat expensive, I know what I am putting in my body is healthy. If I spend a bit more on some organic skin care, I just don't drink at the bar that weekend. Their health and beauty section is
wonderful. I find my skin goes crazy in winter, and Planet Organic has merchandise which really helps my skin. It may be more expensive than Shoppers, but I think its worth it. Not all of my beauty products are organic, but I do try and buy shampoo, conditioner, and body cream natural. If I have extra room in the budget, cleanser and toner would be bought too.


4. Bulk Barn

Bulk Barn is amazing. As evident by its name, Bulk Barn sells food in bulk. This is wonderful for nuts, lentils, beans, spices and the occasional candy fix. This is a cheaper alternative to the pre-packaged nuts, etc you get at a grocery store.


I try and be tight with my spending- ordering water at a restaurant with my meal, buying clothes 50% off. One thing I do not skimp out on is food. Food is so central to everything I do. Whether its having some wine and appetizers with girlfriends in a living room, sharing a romantic home cook meal with a loved one, or just having some fun in the kitchen with a new recipe, food is a staple in my life.

Embrace food, and it will embrace you back!

Peace, Love and Carrots

L.

A New Take on an Old Fave

This is a new recipe which I am going to try this week. Sounds delish and not too bad on the calories. It is however, a little high on the sodium. If anyone cooks this let me know what you think!

Grilled Cheese
with Fig and Basil

Vegetarian Times Issue: January 1, 2006 p.42

Fresh basil and fig preserves transform good ol’ grilled cheese into a sophisticated sandwich. Honey-lovers will like this recipe as is; others may prefer the less-sweet honey-free rendition.

Directions

1. Combine chèvre and honey, if using, in bowl, and mix until well blended. Spread about 1 Tbs. mixture on each of 4 bread slices; top with 1/2 tsp. basil each. Spread remaining slices of bread with 1 1/2 tsp. fig preserves. Close sandwiches, and lightly coat both sides with cooking spray.
2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches to skillet. Place heavy skillet or pot on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until bread is lightly toasted (leave skillet or pot on sandwiches while they cook). Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Serve warm.

Ingredient List

Serves 4

• 4 oz. chèvre (soft goat cheese)
• 1 Tbs. honey, optional
• 8 thin slices cinnamon-raisin bread
• 2 tsp. minced fresh basil
• 2 Tbs. fig preserves

Nutritional Information

Per SERVING:

Calories	280
Protein	10g
Total fat	10g
Saturated fat	5g
Carbs	40g
Cholesterol	30mg
Sodium	320mg
Fiber	3g
Sugars	20g

Saturday Night is Alright For Eating Homemade Pasta

Happy Saturday!

Today, my dad and I went to St.Lawrence Market today for a sole purpose. To get ingredients for homemade pasta. I love St. Lawrence on Saturdays. It's so full of life with the most interesting cast of characters. The food is unbelievable, with produce that I have never seen before. It is a dream land for food lovers. That's the thing- I thought becoming a veggie would limit my food options-with myths of nasty tofu with flavorless veggies as a side. This could not be further from the truth. Becoming a veggie has allowed me to expand into new and creative ways to make meals. I get more excited now about cooking at home than going out for dinner. But I digress...

When we came back to my dad's we were armed and ready for our pasta adventure. We were going to make tortellini with butternut squash and ricotta cheese as a stuffing, with a garden salad and freshly made french baguettes. Excited, we began making the dough and then.....it failed. Like, epic failure. Not only was the pasta inedible, but we put bets on how quickly it would disintegrate in hot water. Nasty! Which is so very sucky, because I was so excited about this!!! Boo urns. Oh well-chudleighs blueberry pie helped ease the pain. :)

peace, love and carrots to all!

L.

The friendly veggie

Whenever I tell someone I am a vegetarian (which I lovingly call 'being a veggie') I get the following responses:

1. OMG, no way! I had no idea.
2. Wow, seriously....no meat?! How is that even possible, I could NEVER do that!
3. Now how am I suppose to cook a meal for you?! (thanks mom....)

I have learned the fine art of smiling and nodding. I kindly answer their questions, and then life continues as normal. I am fortunately, because the majority of my friends and family wholly support my lifestyle and make sure there are plenty of options when I come over for dinner.

This blog is for my Corporate Communications program, in our Online Communications class, where we have to blog about something of interest to us. Since being a veggie affects me daily, I've decided to blog about this! Being a 24 year old veggie has its challenges, and sometimes I do buckle, especially if I am at Christmas Dinner or if a shrimp cocktail is being offered at a party, I may indulge. I'm not perfect and sometimes having a quick bite of some turkey allows me to feel involved with holiday dinners. But, this is only a few times a year. 99.9% of the time I chose a veggie lifestyle. To be honest, I did have some chicken at a professional event and I almost ralphed it up on the drive home. Sometimes, when its between starving because there was NO food besides bruschetta and chicken kabobs, a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

All in all, life as a veggie is great. More on that later!

love, peace and carrots
L.