Lula's Sweet Apothecary (NYC): chill-out with vegan "ice cream" in the heat of summer

Whenever I ask for advice on where to eat in New York City, Lula's Sweet Apothecary is mentioned. Therefore, on my trip to the city this past June I was sure to finally check it out - and I quickly learned why it was so highly recommended.

EVG Q&A: Should I Wear Leather If It's Part of a Uniform?

Question:

I'm 16 (female). I go to private school and the shoes that we are required to wear are sperry topsiders and they're made out of leather. Is wearing those shoes as a vegan being a hypocrite?

KindKreme - phenomenal raw, vegan frozen dessert in Studio City

I am thrilled to finally share this enlightening interview that I did with Mollie Engelhart, co-founder of KindKreme (originally called Nice Cream). This was shot soon after the raw, vegan, organic dessert shop opened this summer, and they have been receiving rave reviews since that time. This is the first entirely vegan "ice cream" shop that has opened in L.A. - very exciting! However, some of the products do contain honey, which many vegans do not consume (check out the video to learn why they use honey).

5 Delicious Foods that Boost Your Energy

It’s 9am. Last night you had an incredible time out on the town, but now it seems you’re paying the price - the lack of sleep is kicking in just as you’ve sat down to tackle your work load. Instead of heading out to get your caffeine fix at the local cafe, grab a snack. That’s right - food can boost your energy just as well as coffee or tea. In fact, you won’t experience the highs and lows that you do with your favorite venti skinny latte. Here are 5 tasty treats that will give you another excuse to go out tonight and power through the following morning.

Read the rest of my article on Organic Authority

EVG Q&A: How Vegetarian Males Can Maintain Their Weight

Question:

My beau is 42, of a lean build, and is trying to stop eating meat.  However, he has had to re-add animal proteins to his diet in the past after having quit because he lost weight so rapidly.  He has cut back to eating meat this time to about once or twice a week, and is already showing massive fat and muscle loss. Part of the problem is, he's allergic to most nuts, so this is not a protein option, doesn't digest lentils well, and cannot do dairy, either.  I know he really wants to do this, but even I, a vegetarian of 24 years, cannot believe the changes in his weight and muscle tone... Anybody out there who can help?  Please!!  Thanks - signed, Lover of Man and Beast

My answer:

DIY Kitchen Staples: Beans, Beans, They’re Good For You!

When you hear the word "beans" you might be reminded of that embarrassing jingle the boys in junior high used to sing. Though, you have to agree, beans are pretty magical - they're delicious and fill you up, and to top it all off they’re a great source of protein. There might be a stack of canned beans in your kitchen cabinet, but beware: these cans often contain a toxic chemical called BPA; there goes your appetite. Here’s a solution: ditch the can and go for fresh, dried beans! Doing it yourself is safer, and have a better flavor when cooked fresh.

Read the rest of my article at Organic Authority.

Tips and Tricks for Eating Dairy Free

For many people, dairy is a big part of life. As soon as we’re weaned off of breast milk, we’re given milk in a bottle, and most people never stop drinking it. However, lactose intolerance has become a very common condition that affects millions of people, and some say it’s because humans are not meant to drink the milk of other animals. Others have given up dairy for general allergies, to lose weight, or for animal rights. Whatever your reason, here are some tips on how to make a successful transition to the dairy-free diet.

Read the rest of my guest post on Living Harvest's blog.

Featuring my favorite dairy alternatives:

• Daiya
• So Delicious by Turtle Mountain
• Earth Balance
• Tofutti

Living Purely

I’ve been a vegan and environmentalist for over 5 years, and both passions took a while to develop. Recently, I realized why they were so important to me - they brought me closer to purity. However, I felt that I wasn’t living as purely as I could. According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, one of the definitions of the word pure is “without any extraneous and unnecessary elements”. When I stepped back and took a look at my lifestyle, I saw that there was a lot of nonessential elements - for example, I was eating food that wasn’t nutritious and was wrapped in a lot of packaging. I resolved to ask myself a question whenever I was making a decision: “do you truly need this?”  In many cases, the answer was, “no"

Read the rest of my guest post at purely elizabeth, and enter their Live Pure Contest for a chance to win a weekend getaway in Vermont!

Here are my past reviews of purely elizabeth's gluten-free products:

• Purely Elizabeth Ultimate Cacao Muffin Mix
• Purely Elizabeth: gluten-free pancakes

The Elephant in the Room: Where Vegetarians Get Their Protein

Whether you’ve been a vegetarian for years or are giving it a thought for the first time, the most common question you’ll get about your diet is, “where do you get your protein?” Instead of drawing a blank, get prepared for this situation and impress your audience with a solid answer. Here are some facts you can share:

Most of us are aware that protein has an important roll in our bodies, but you may not know why. Made up of amino acids (oxygen, nitrogren, carbon, and hydrogen), protein is the nutrient responsible for growing new cell and building and repairing tissue. However, contrary to popular belief...

Read the rest of my article at Organic Authority