Vegetarians Have Better Sex

'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

California Pizza Kitchen's delicious salad

Next time you're in the mood for a tasty salad and you are near a CPK, definitely try their Thai Crunch Salad (with no chicken of course). It is delicious! Maybe not so nutritious though with the dressing and wontons...

Page-A-Day: January 8 - 27

Wow. I have a lot of catching up to do! I'm only going to highlight the Page-A-Day tips that people are less likely to have heard - the others are pretty common tips.

January 8 - use concentrated forms of products you use everyday (laundry detergent, juice, etc.). Buy dry goods in bulk (flour, sugar, pasta, spices). (I'm not a huge fan of concentrated foods, but I definitely agree with buying in bulk - Whole Foods is great for this)

January 10 - If you have a diesel car, convert it to run on biodiesel. And use your car as little as possible. Check out: www.zipcar.com; www.greasecar.com

January 12 - Buy recycled office products. Check out: www.thegreenoffice.com, www.recycledofficeproducts.com, www.waldecks.com, www.officedepot.com/recycle.

January 14 - Leave a bucket in the shower to fill up with "gray water"  when you're waiting for the water to heat up - you can feet plants with the water.

January 15 - Eat local. Check out: www.eatwellguide.org, www.localharvest.org

January 16 - It takes an estimates 1.5 million barrels of oil to make plastic water bottles for Americans, and 77% of those are not recycled. Buy a Sigg bottle (or Klean Kanteen).

January 17 - Check out Rachel Carson, who is credited with  launching the global environmental movement.

January 19 - Make your own lunch and bring it to work (in non-plastic containers). And buy a set of portable utensils (such as To-Go Ware)

January 23 - Donate to a environmental charity, or join a environmental group such as Sierra Club or Audubon Society

January 26 - If you see the company cleaning staff mixing recycling with trash, contact your supervisor or human resources and try to prevent it from happening in the future. 

January 27 - "Man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons." ~ Douglas Adams, The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Mao's Kitchen - Venice, CA

I went to Mao's Kitchen with the vegetarian meet-up group today and enjoyed revisiting my favorite dish from there: Mapo Tofu. Mao's is incredibly accommodating - they will make virtually any dish vegan. Too bad they no longer have vegan fortune cookies though...
Here are some pictures of the dishes the group had.

Hong Kong chow mien: 

Kung pao: 

Bok choy over chow fun:

Fried (brown) rice with (fried) tofu:

Sweet & sour (with tofu): 

Mapo tofu (with brown rice):

Beijing spring rolls:

One dollar salad:

Fried wontons (complimentary)

 

Eco Banking

Next time you deposit a check at the bank, don't get a receipt. And many banks, such as Bank of America, now have ATM machines that don't require a deposit envelope or slip - saving paper.
Also, change to paperless bank statements. My bank notifies me via email every-time I have a new statement.

Ideal Bite founder on The View: Great eco tips!

I love what Jen said about picking the right fruits, veggies, and even meat. She also has great tips on batteries, wine, coffee, toilet paper, and toilet water conservation. I definitely need to do the latter.

My favorite Kombucha

I was in a Kombucha mood the other night and picked up a new brand called The Rejuvenation Company. It is very delicious, mainly because it's more sweet than vinegar-y. It's not as carbonated as other Kombuchas, so it's easier to drink. 

I found it at Whole Foods in Venice and The CoOp in Santa Monica. 

Eco baking tips

So you're baking up a vegan storm, but are you being eco-friendly?

Today, Ideal Bite had some good tips:

• Each time you open the oven for a peek, it loses up to 25% of its heat.
  
• You'll save on energy bills when you do things like turning off the oven a few minutes early.
  
• Your bake job'll go faster if you don't wait to preheat. Unless you're baking cakes or pastries, it's usually unnecessary,
  
• When you're done, open the oven and let the extra heat warm your house.
  

Home made vegan Lentil Soup

I made some delicious vegan Lentil Soup tonight, from a simple recipe I found on Recipe Zaar (thanks SaraFish!) The only change I made was adding garlic after it cooked and before I blended it. I didn't have any thyme so I left that out. The soup didn't have a strong flavor, so I had to add lots of salt and pepper, but then it was delicious. The full recipe yielded at least 5 big servings, and the ingredients cost less than $3! 

Whitney's recipe: Garlic-Ginger Pasta with broccoli, mushrooms, and coconut "shrimp"

• Organic pasta (I used Rigatoni)
• Organic Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Salt
• Organic broccoli
• Organic mushrooms (I used Crimini)
• Vegan Shrimp (I used Vege USA/Vegetarian Plus)
• Organic coconut oil

1. Start cooking the pasta. I like to add a little salt to the water.
2. In a large frying pan (or wok) over medium heat, add the (frozen) vegan shrimp and a good amount of coconut oil (to taste). Fry until well-cooked, or crispy if you prefer. When done, chop the vegan shrimp into small pieces and set aside in a bowl. 
3. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to the pan, and then saute some garlic and ginger over medium heat until garlic turns brown. Put the oil aside, but leave a little in the pan.
4. Add the broccoli and saute (add more oil, garlic, and ginger if necessary)
5. Once broccoli is mostly cooked, add the mushrooms and saute. 
6. When the pasta is done, strain it, then add to the pan.
7. Add the oil and vegan shrimp to the pan and mix everything well. If necessary, sprinkle salt to bring up the flavor.

Is my blog green?

I came across an article on MSN discussing the environmental impacts of having a blog. Luckily, the bottom line I don't have much to worry about. However, the key piece of advice was to limit the amount and size of photos & videos I post. I should also consider buying carbon offsets for the amount of energy the server computer consumes. 

The writer also suggests that readers consider the kinds of computers they use to surf the internet. How much energy does your computer consume? Maybe it's time to get a new Apple laptop...

Movie: "Starstruck"

My latest fun video project, starring my sister Mary and her horse Rossignol.

TOMS Wrap Boots

I got a pair of black TOMS Wrap Boots for Christmas and I am OBSESSED with them! They are incredibly comfortable - I wore them in NYC and walked all over town, and I felt like I was walking on air (see above pic of me in Central Park - boots are highlighted). I have also been receiving so many compliments, and I can't stop talking about them! 

I think I need to get another pair but I have no idea what color! I wish I could have them all... luckily their store in Venice is right down the street from me!

Cheesecake Factory = awful vegan selection

I have always known that Cheesecake Factory has awful options for vegans, but today I was reminded because our office is ordering lunch from there. I decided to give Cheesecake Factory another chance and looked up what others are saying online - same deal.

Vegan Eating Out posted a letter from the restaurant from October 2008 listing the options, and they are so disappointing. Basically the choices are a few salads, a portabella mushroom, or Thai Lettuce Wraps with no chicken. And when I checked out the menu I also spotted some edamame.They don't even have a vegetarian section! How pathetic for a big chain!

None of the options sound exciting at all and I'm pissed. I guess I'll try a salad and the lettuce wraps. = (

This looks the most appealing:

VEGETABLE CHOPPED SALAD
Asparagus, Green Beans, Tomato, Cucumber, Roasted Beets, Apple, Edamame, Radicchio, Romaine (ask for no White Cheddar) Tossed with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

UPDATE: I was really unsatisfied with the salad - it was really bland. However, the Thai Wraps were pretty good, due to the sauces - they would have been better with tofu though, if that was an option. Thank goodness for the guacamole and chips - those were delicious. So, I rest my case - Cheesecake Factory is not a good choice for vegans, but if you get stuck going there, get the wraps and the guac.

Thanks to my readers for this information:

• Pomegranate Dressing is NOT VEGAN! Thanks to the employees for misleading me
• Evelyn's Favorite Pasta is recommended (without cheese of course).
• Some locations have tofu as an option

"Vegan Till Six"

I stumbled upon an article from Reader's Digest about a man (Mark Bittman) who eats vegan until six o'clock, in order to stay in shape. It is a very successful diet for him. His article falls in line with a big eco-tip - only eating meat for 1/2 of your meals. 

Mark closes his article by saying, "Rather, the goal is to eat less of certain foods and more of others -- specifically, plants, as close to their natural state as possible. Above all, this is a shift in perspective, one that means better eating for both your body and the planet."

Page-A-Day: January 7

Give up dry cleaning. Hand wash instead. Or, use a wet cleaner or CO2 dry cleaner.

Here's a list of green cleaners nationwide (we use Cleaner By Nature at work)

EcoFont

My dear friend Amelia sent me a fantastic link today called EcoFont. This is a new font that you can install (for free) on your computer that has very tiny holes in it, therefore using 20% less ink when you print. You can't see the holes unless you zoom in or are using a very large font.

I love the idea so I downloaded it right away and am already using it! I haven't printed with it yet, but I will keep you posted.

How to download and install on Mac or Windows.

How to set EcoFont as your default in Microsoft Word. 

Whole Foods: Southwest Tofu Wrap

This wrap is sooo good. 

Purchased at Whole Foods in Venice, CA. 

Whole Foods: Organic Sesame Tofu

This is pretty tasty. 

Purchased at Whole Foods in Venice, CA.

Product Spotlight: Have'A Corn Chips

I can't believe I haven't written about Have'A Corn Chips! These are the best chips I've ever had. I recently learned how to curb my addiction, but it's been hard. There was a period of time where I simply had to have them all the time. And it's always been impossible to avoid eating the entire bag in one sitting. Usually I'll finish them by the time I arrive home in the car from the market. Luckily they're slightly expensive, considering the amount inside. One bag will run you about $2 for a pretty small portion. M Cafe sells them for $3.25! I wonder if they're macrobiotic...

They are made locally in Laguna Beach, so I've never seen them outside a few hour radius from Los Angeles. My sister looks forward to receiving them in the occasional vegan care packages I send her in Massachusetts.

So what makes these chips so good? They are made with soy sauce and lime. It's pretty subtle - they don't have an Asian flavor at all. And they're crispy.

I tried making my own once and failed miserably. I took some corn tortillas, cut them into triangles, sprinkled soy sauce over them, and baked them - awful! Maybe it's because I have no idea how to make chips in the first place and was just winging it.

I've also tried some knock-off versions of these chips that I found at Whole Foods and they were gross (sorry Cabo Chips, but you just don't compare). Nothing compares to Have'A Corn Chips!

This is a great article that talks about the following and mystery of the chips.

Apple Laptops - Now More Eco-Friendly

Among several exciting things that occurred at MacWorld this morning, Apple introduced a new battery for their 17 inch MacBookPro that is more eco-friendly! "Arsenci-free, BFR-free, Mercury-free, PVC-free, highly recyclable, 34% smaller packaging, 1000-recharge battery. EPEAT Gold certification."

Sustainable Works Residential Greening Program (Los Angeles)

The Sustainable Works Residential Greening Program starts up again next Monday (January 12th) and I highly recommend you take it. It is a 6 week course all about making your life more eco-friendly. I loved the class - Nancy is a fantastic teacher! Plus, it's at The Green Life - my favorite eco-store!

$25 for Santa Monica residents, $50 for Los Angeles residents. Sign up here!

Chandni buffet (Los Angeles)

Today my coworker and I got lunch from Chandni (Santa Monica). They have a great lunch buffet, and you can actually take it home if you prefer. Even better, they were totally open to me bringing in my own containers! Not to mention the all-you-can-eat buffet only costs $8 (including tax). Chandni is by far my favorite place near work to get lunch. 

Page-A-Day: January 1 - 5

My boss gave me a "Living Green Page-A-Day Calendar" to start off the New Year, so I thought I'd start sharing summaries of the tips.

Since I've missed the first few days of the New Year I have some catching up to do. 

Jan 1: Think twice before buying anything. Do you really need it? If you do, consider where it came from and how it's made.

Jan 2: Eat less meat! Meat takes a lot of resources to produce. P.A.D. recommends cutting your meat intake in half.

Jan 3: Reuse little scraps of paper

Jan 4: Sign up for green electric power (I do through LADWP)

Jan 5: Use reusable coffee mugs (my favorite is my Hybrid Mug by Revenge Is...; plus my mom gave me a really pretty one for Christmas)

Indigo Rabbit cookies

I discovered Indigo Rabbit cookies in a random supermarket in Massachusetts. They have one batch of cookies that are vegan: Luscious Lemon Chewies, and they are very tasty and actually a little healthy for you too because they have vegetables in them.

Boba/Bubble Tea

For a few years now I've been slightly obsessed with Boba/Bubble Tea, especially from Urth Caffe. However, it's a little expensive (usually around $5) and tended to be a treat for me. Not to mention I always wish for more tapioca pearls then most places add to the drink. 

So, I decided to try making it myself, and found great success and pleasure from doing so. Not only is it less expensive, but it's really fun, AND, I can add as many pearls as I want!

I bought a small bag of tapioca pearls at a Asian market in Massachusetts (New Oriental Supermarket in Littleton) for $1.50. It's really easy to make - just boil the pearls in hot water for 5 minutes. Then you drain out the water and you can mix in sugar or agave nectar to make them sweeter. I added them to green tea, and mixed in some (canned) coconut milk - YUM! 

Now I just need to find out if GlassDharma makes straws big enough to suck up the pearls! Their largest size is 12mm diameter, which is almost the same size as the standard 1/2 inch boba straws...

For those of you in L.A. there's a great Asian market on Centinela called Mitsuwa. 

Movie Review: "Then She Found Me"

Although this site mainly focuses on vegan things and being eco-friendly, my filmmaker side has some thought as well! 

I just finished watching Then She Found Me, directed by and starring Helen Hunt, and it was excellent. I can't say that the previews grabbed my attention, so I wasn't that excited to see it, but I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of As Good As It Gets - quirky, funny, real, well timed. Always nice to see great work by a female director. I saw Helen in Le Pain Quotidien in Brentwood a few weeks ago and I wish I had seen this film at that point, because I would have loved to have congratulated her on such great work.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have felt so deprived not updating my blog everyday! But I think about it everyday and have been taking tons of pictures of all the delicious food I've had in both Massachusetts and NYC - so stay tuned!

Hope you are having an amazing New Year so far!