Video: Jake Gyllenhaal The Sustainable Gardener, Leo DiCaprio Not As Green As We Think, & Whoopi Adopts A Cat!

I was never a huge Jake Gyllenhaal until he started talking to me about Facebook and Twitter...long story short I was working at the AFI Film Festival in LA for The Love and Other Drugs premiere, standing across from him in a tiny hallway and he caught me social media-ing about him - awkward! But boy is he charming! He's even sexier now that he's promoting his love for growing his own food and partnered up with Alice Waters to teach kids about it! Which was good timing after my eco crush Leonardo DiCaprio revealed that he didn't actually buy his girlfriend Blake Lively a Prius like we all thought last week - does he really want her to continue driving her Range Rover around town?! And props to Whoopi Goldberg for being so public about recusing a kitten from near death!

All that and more on this week's episode of ecorazzi's Good Gossip, where you'll also find out who wins the Douchebag of the Year award!

Post Vida Vegan Con Diet: Healthy Cleanse Options

Rachel Avalon

This post goes out to all the attendees of Vida Vegan Con that ate too much Voo Doo Donuts, Coconut Bliss, Upton's Naturals and Sizzle Pie. I know if I had been there I likely would have temporarily kicked my gluten and soy-free diet to the curb and indulged, no matter how sick it made me! And like everyone else, I would have needed to cleanse when I returned - so here's how I would have done it in that hypothetical situation I so wish was a reality. : )

There are many ways to cleanse, and it really depends on 3 things:

1. How long you want to do it for
2. How easy you want it to be
3. How much money you want to spend

Video Recipe: Mint Chocolate Coconut Tapioca Pudding

Head over to Eco-Vegan Food to learn how to make one of my favorite desserts: Mint Chocolate Coconut Tapioca Pudding! It's made with chia seeds and this is the perfect way to start using them if you're not already. This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and is raw if you sweeten it with dates instead of stevia. If you do use stevia, it's anti-candida friendly if you take out the coconut products. And best of all, it's easy and quick to make - you're welcome!

Video: Vida Vegan Con, Seed Bistro, Dancing Bodybuilder, Natural Allergy Relief, Giveaway & More!

Time for another weekly roundup (I love doing these!)!

Video Tips: How to Be Vegetarian or Vegan - Share Your Advice Too!

Though it may seem clear to those who are already eating a plant-based diet, people who are used to eating meat for most meals are often unsure how to be vegetarian or vegan. In this video I give my main piece advice to those who would like to transition to a animal-free diet, and I'm asking you to upload your own tips in video or comment form. If you would like to share your tip but don't want to/can't do it on camera, leave your a comment below or on YouTube - be sure to leave just ONE tip and keep it brief so it's easy to digest it all (I should have kept mine shorter!). Looking forward to your responses!

How to Campaign for Veganism: Tips from Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Others at Vida Vegan Con

Notes from the Activism Panel with Leigh-Chantelle Koch, Chelsea Lincoln, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Ryan Patey, Sunny Subramanian

How to Plan A Vegan Meal and Budget Tips from Vida Vegan Con

Notes from Vida Vegan Con's Budgeting & Meal Planning panel with Lidiana Cruz and Mo Martin, via Twitter feed.

The Best of Vida Vegan Con: Sunday Roundup

image via @monkandmao

Reporting from San Francisco, it's another summary of the best things I'm hearing about Vida Vegan Con from Twitter and blogs! Before you read this, make sure to check out yesterday's Ultimate Guide and other posts from VVC - very exciting stuff! I'll be updating this throughout the day, so check back often for updates.

First of all, you must check out these live interviews  (but don't worry, they're all being recorded):

Video: Eco Bags for Dog Poop - Biodegradable, Compostable, & Flushable Options

Did you know that there are over 70 million dogs in the United States? And each one creates up to 300 lbs of waste a year on average! It's the law to pick up after dogs to prevent pollution and water contamination, but many people use plastic bags to do this. These bags end up in landfills where they may never degrade, and the waste inside can't decompose naturally. With dog waste taking up about the same space in landfills as baby diapers, this is a problem.

Luckily, there's a solution. Check out the post and video at Eco-Vegan Dog to learn more about companies BioBag and Flushdoggy, who are helping make the world a cleaner, healthier place...and preventing people from stepping in dog shit (hate that!)

Communication as Activism: Vegan Advice from Author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

image by @JLgoesVegan

On my Vida Vegan Con roundup I started collecting all the great advice from well-known vegan author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau that attendees shared on Twitter, but there was so much great advice I figured I'd make a separate post! Thanks to all the amazing "tweeple" who shared all these inspirational words! This was the most tweeted about panel of VVC thus far, and for good reason!

How to Blog: Tips for Vegan Bloggers from Vida Vegan Con

image from The Nail That Sticks Up

On my Vida Vegan Con roundup I started collecting all the vegan blogging tips from attendees who are at the panels, but there was so much great advice I figured I'd make a separate post! Thanks to all the amazing "tweeple" who shared all this great info! This will be updated until the end of the conference (Sunday night)

Ultimate Vida Vegan Conference Roundup: Saturday

image from It's A Cookbook!

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it out to Vida Vegan Con (click here to find out why) so I'm living vicariously through all the tweets and blogs posts, which are actually making me feel like I'm there (check out these 9 ways to enjoy it without being there). Twitter is such a fantastic way to connect with people and have conversations, and all the vegan bloggers and tweeters there are doing a great job at posting every detail! First of all, you must check out these live interviews NOW (but don't worry, they're all being recorded):

9 Ways to Enjoy Vida Vegan Con Even If You're Not There

image by @lechousauvage

It's funny that I couldn't afford to go to Vida Vegan Con, the 1st vegan blogger conference, because I quit my job to focus on this blog and have been living paycheck to paycheck for about a year and a half. Certainly not complaining - I love my flexible freelance life, but it's really a bummer when I have to miss out on things outside my budget. However, I'm looking on the bright side as always and figure I'm not alone - there are plenty of people who aren't going because of the cost, location (Portland, OR), or because it sold out really fast. So here are some ways to enjoy the conference without being there.

Video Review: The Cinnamon Snail Organic, Vegan Food Truck in NJ

Food trucks are all the rage - somewhere between take-out and dining in at a restaurant, it's a fun and convenient way to eat. Unfortunately, vegan options are often lacking at these meals on wheels, aside from the occasional veggie burger, chili fries, dosa, or gourmet popsicle. However, there are a few saving graces (i.e. vegan food trucks) across the country - there's Seabirds Truck in the Orange County/LA area, Sunny Vibrations up in San Francisco, GMonkey in Connecticut and The Cinnamon Snail in Hoboken New Jersey (and perhaps others I don't know yet). Today I'm excited to feature the latter, a truck I didn't think I'd get to try due to it's seemingly random East Coast location - but taking a little detour on my way to NYC this summer was beyond worth it.

Video Interview: Bomb Truck in San Francisco Serves Gourmet Vegan Popsicles!

It's always exciting to randomly come across a sign with the word "vegan" on it, which is what happened to me a few weeks ago on a San Francisco street. While walking down Valencia in the Mission District I stumbled across a teal-colored van with the "organic vegan" on it - of course I had to stop. Upon inquiry I met Barbara, the woman behind the gourmet popsicles and a small business called Bomb Truck. While not everything she makes is vegan, the majority of her handmade treats are, and they're delicious. 

EVG Q&A: Post-Surgery Diet - Low Fiber Vegan Foods w/ Lots of Protein & No Soy

Question:

My mother in law just has surgery and has a new diet that we are having problems with satisfying. She is on a protein diet, but due to her health issues she cannot digest animal proteins. We have tried tofu and other soy products, but she has developed an intolerance to soy. She can do small quantities of soy, but items like Ensure and protein bars are out of the question. To add to the mix, the other problem is she can not digest anything with high fiber. No veggies, even if they are cooked down to nothing. I thought of beans, but am not sure how her system will react as I understand they are high in fiber. I am running out of ideas on how to get enough nutrition into her diet. Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas?

Answer:

Good Gossip: Bill Clinton Goes Fully Vegan (!!!!), PETA Launches a PORN site, & Leonardo DiCaprio is an Eco Baller

Ahhh! The eco news just keeps getting better and better, and the ecorazzi Good Gossip episodes are a blast as a result. This week, get the scoop on Bill Clinton's vegan proclamation (finally!), learn about PETA's upcoming porn site (finally proof that vegetarians are better in bed), witness Adrian Grenier being even more awkward than he was talking about veganism when EVG interviewed him (poor guy), and see how the the sexy Leo is changing the world one electric car at a time (I wish I was his girlfriend!). Check out this video to learn more:

Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese Alternatives

This post goes out to Lauren (aka @misslaurenaR) : )

There are so many non-dairy cheeses on the market these days it's crazy - we vegans are so lucky. When I first went vegan there were barely any options, and now I can't keep track of all of them! Each brand is a little different from the rest, so there's a lot of variety based on your palette and dietary preferences. Don't turn away from these if you're not vegan - many of these are fantastic even if you're used to eating "real cheese" all the time!

These are the best vegan cheeses in my opinion, ranked mainly by my favorites to the kinds that I don't know as well. If I've left anything out, let me know!

Video Recipe: Probiotics on the Cheap - How To Make Your Own Organic Coconut Kefir

Head on over to Eco-Vegan Food to check out my latest video recipe on How To Make Your Own Organic, Vegan Coconut Kefir!

Video: Eco Sex, How to Get Rid of Cellulite Naturally, Hot Rich and Green Woman, Blissful Food, & Ecolissa Giveaway Winner!

Weekly roundup day! The video says it all, and below it are links to all the amazing people and products I mention in it. Congrats to the Ecolissa winner!

Video: Vegan Dog Vet Check-Ups & Spay

Back in fall 2009 a little dog came into my life and I decided to name her Evie, long for E.V. because she was going to be an Eco-Vegan dog. Despite all the research I did, I received a lot of concern and criticism for my decision. Luckily, I had the guidance of Dr. Armaiti May, a vet who specializes in vegan dogs and cats. With her help, Evie grew up to be a very healthy pup who thrives on the vegan diet. Armaiti allowed me to record many of our vet visits and I even have footage post-spay - check out the video over on Eco-Vegan Dog to see how easy it is to raises a vegan dog with the guidance of a confident vet.

Eco-Vegan Gal Podcast Now on iTunes!

A while back a friend suggested I turn my videos into a podcast on iTunes, and despite my nerditivity I couldn't for the life of me figure it out. Then last week, amongst this refreshing burst of videomaking passion, I decided to give it another try, and low and behold it worked! 

You can now subscribe to some of the Eco-Vegan Gal videos via the iTunes store and download them for free to your computer, MP3 player, cell phone, and/or internet TV devices! Since it takes a few more steps to upload to iTunes in addition to YouTube I currently just have the weekly roundups on there, but if you would like to see others as well please let me know. 

And if you really want to make my day, send me a photo of the podcast on your multimedia device! : )

Video Review: Paleta - Organic, Sustainable Meal Delivery in LA - The Ultimate Way to Diet and/or Get Healthy

Yet another video has finally come out of the Eco-Vegan Gal vault! Just over a year ago I tried out Paleta's meal delivery service, which offers vegan and gluten-free options that are organic and locally sourced.

Video: Being Vegan is a Breeze at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles

In April I was invited to try the new vegan menu at the beautiful Breeze restaurant, which is part of Hyatt's Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Despite being on a strict anti-candida diet at the time, I thought it was worth going to have a few bites of the promising dishes. And it was well worth it! A handful of non-vegan food bloggers and I were presented with a private, upscale, 7-course vegan meal, and we all loved it.

Video Interview: Plastic Water Bottles Suck! Go Completely Stainless with Klean Kanteen!

The most memorable company I met at Expo West 2011 was hands down Klean Kanteen. I had heard about their new plastic-free reusable bottle and I couldn't wait to see it in person. They call it the  Reflect and it literally took my breath away (I'm such an eco nerd!). Of course this bottle is BPA-free because no plastic is involved, but it also has no paint or glue, and no welding is used. Klean Kanteen figured out a way to make this bottle super simple (less is more), and even put sustainably harvested bamboo on the top of the lid for a little some'n some'n.

Simply Pure: Organic, Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free Medical Marijuana Food in Colorado

Marijuana is a delicate and controversial subject. However, most people in my life have treated it with respect, so to me it comes down to a personal choice, within reason of the laws in the area you live in. After living in The Netherlands and witnessing their relaxed cultural perspective, I find it refreshing that some parts of the United States are starting to adapt that way of life. I also believe that if you're going to consume cannabis, you should get it from a safe, reliable source.

Living in California, I know a good amount of people who use marijuana medicinally because it's one of the most natural ways for them to alleviate their symptoms, whether for physical or emotional pain. That's why I am impressed by a company that makes organic, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free medical marijuana products in Colorado - something I've never heard of existing, except in personal kitchens. Amongst the run-of-the-mill dispensaries offering junk like pizza, dairy-based desserts, sugary soda, and energy drinks, Simply Pure produces high quality, "healthy, Cannabis-infused foods" like vegan peanut butter cups, salsa, and granola bars, made by trained chefs.

Good Gossip: Roseanne Barr's Organic Food & Yoga DVD, Mark Ruffalo Fed Up with Fracking, & Food Network Spares Sharks

Time for another episode of ecorazzi's Good Gossip! I think my favorite story this week is Roseanne Barr -  check out the video to find out why.

Video Recipe: Sweet Pea Guacamole Recipe from "Unprocessed" by Chef AJ

Head on over to Eco-Vegan Food for the latest video recipe - Sweet Pea Guacamole! Oil-free, salt-free, raw, easy, fast and from one of my favorite recipe books!

Q&A: Where to Buy Tofu in Bulk in San Francisco

Question: Do you know where in SF or East Bay I can buy organic tofu that isn't wrapped in plastic? Asian markets sell tofu in bulk bins but they're likely not organic. I've asked Hodo Tofu and they don't offer that option in stores.  If you have any leads, please let me know. Trying to cut down on my plastic waste. ~ Mary


Answer:

Video: Fashion Giveaway, New Vegan Movie, Man = Meat, Gluten-Free Bagels & More!

What better way to beat the Monday blues than with a weekly roundup?! Here's what I share in this week's video (hint - I'm giving something away worth $50!!):

Video: How to Make Vegan Dog Food for a Puppy

It's time for another video I should have edited years ago! : )  This one is from November 2009 in which I show how to make vegan puppy food using the VegeDog supplement. I fed this to my companion Evie until she was about 6 months old and she loved it. It has all the necessary nutrients and was recommended by my vet Dr. Armaiti May. There are no packaged vegan dog foods formulated for puppies as of yet, so VegeDog is the healthiest option if you want to start a dog young on the plant-based diet. Click here to visit Eco-Vegan Dog to see the video.

Video: Why Be Vegan/Vegetarian? You Tell Me!

My lastest video is a new experiment - I'm asking YOU as the viewer to make a video response to a question! Turn on your web cam, your flip cam, your iPhone, your camera phone, your camcorder, your 5D - whatever you have and record a 10-15 second video answering this question:

Video Review & Interview: Pure Food and Wine, Raw Restaurant in NYC

It's so nice to be catching up on all my old videos! Like my last review on 118 Degrees, this piece on Pure Food and Wine has been on my mind since I tapped it last year. In fact, my sister has been bugging me about it because she thinks it's one of the best meals she's ever had with me, and I agree. Watching the footage again reminded me of how incredible the food is there (and how nice NYC is in the summer!). 

Video Interview: Fair Trade USA

If you've ever asked yourself, "what is fair trade?" or "why fair trade?", I've got a video for you! At this point most people understand what organic certification means, but few grasp the concept of fair trade, so I went to the source to get some clarification. This spring at Expo West I interviewed the lovely Katie Barrow, public relations and social media manager for Fair Trade USA, the organization that certifies and puts the stamp on products that you see on shelves. In the video she talks about fair trade, what it means, how it effects farmers, why it's important to buy certified items, and explains that it's not just about coffee but applies to many other foods and even clothing.

ecorazzi's Good Gossip - Episode #3: Tofurky News, PETA Praises Planet of the Apes, & Amazing New Whale Documentary

It's Wednesday and hopefully by now you know what that means - a new episode of ecorazzi's Good Gossip is live! I have so much fun with these! Enjoy this weeks eco entertainment news! 

Video Recipe on Eco-Vegan Food: Raw, Vegan "Stir Fry" - Free of Oil, Salt, & Sugar

Here is the latest video recipe on Eco-Vegan Food - satisfying, filling, nutritious, and guilt-free because it's raw, gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free, salt-free, and sugar-free; and yet there's so much in it! Enjoy this Stir Fry video and let me know how it goes!

Video: Vegan Zombie, Healthy Meals Under $4 A Day, Gluten-Free Advice, Sugar-Free Ice Cream, & More!

Time for another healthy and sustainable weekly roundup video!

Top 7 Vegan Dog Cookies

Attention all dog lovers! Want to know what the tastiest, cruelty-free dog treat is? Check out this video on Eco-Vegan Dog in which Evie chooses her top 7 (and 5 runner ups) vegan cookies! Even if you don't have a dog it's worth a watch because it's pretty damn cute watching her sniff them all out and decide - haha.

Video Review: 118 Degrees - Raw, Organic Restaurant. Plus Interview w/ Jenny Ross

I'm a little behind on some videos...OK, a LOT behind. But I'm catching up fast - if you haven't noticed I'm on a video making roll! I've had a lot of great content that you deserve to see, and this is a great example.

In 2005, brand new in LA, I applied to a job ad on Craigslist for a vegan cafe called Taste of the Goddess in West Hollywood, and I was thrilled when I got an interview. But this wasn't any vegan establishment - they made raw food, which was pretty foreign to me. I'm not sure if I ever had raw food before this time - it wasn't really a big deal back in Boston. Well, I got the job and worked there part-time for about 6 months until I got too busy to keep it up - I learned so much about raw food and health from the owners Jenny & Nwenna, I even did a month long cleanse (Ejuva). Sadly, Taste of the Goddess didn't remain open much longer, but the ladies behind it went on to do bigger and better things.

Video: Forget the Dating Sites - Go to Veg Speed Dating!

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you likely want to date someone else with the same lifestyle, but that can be challenging - only about 3% of the population is vegetarian and approximately 1% are vegan. And even if you can find people with the same way of living, it then comes down to connection and attraction. Personally, I've only clicked with a few vegan men - my wonderful boyfriend falls into the "veg curious" category. So what's a single plant eater to do? How about try veg speed dating?

Video Interview With Food For Lovers: The Story Behind The Famous, Healthy Queso

If you like cheesy, spicy, dippy, soy-free, nut-free, fat-free food, then I've got just the thing for you: vegan queso by Food For Lovers. This delicious Velveeta-like "cheese dip" was created by two young lovebirds (thus the name - they're insanely adorable). Crystal is Mexican and missed her home country's dishes when she went vegan, so naturally she decided to perfect a vegan queso recipe. And perfect it she did! This healthier queso is so yummy most people gobble down a whole jar up in less than a day (guilty as charged)!

ecorazzi's Good Gossip - Episode #2: Anne Hathaway Loves Vegan Desserts (and more)!

My second episode as host of ecorazzi's new entertainment roundup show, Good Gossip, is live! I'm really excited about it because of all the progress I made with the format - certainly putting my filmmaking skills to use! Give me a few more episodes and it will be right up there with E! ; )

This week's episode features stories on:

Video Recipe on EVFood: Mocha Frappucino w/ Teeccino - Caffeine & Sugar Free!

Click the photo to see the video and written recipe for this amazing "coffee" drink!

Weekly Roundup: A Crazy Sexy Diet, Cure for Erectile Dysfunction, Healthy Soda, & Magical Enzymes

Welcome to another health and sustainability weekly roundup!

Here's what I talk about in this video: