Richard Branson Tries to Ban Shark Fin Soup, Avatar Coming to Disney World and Celebrities Demand Green Jobs

On this episode of ecorazzi's Good Gossip I give you the scoop on Kate Middleton, James Cameron, Orlando Bloom, Richard Branson and Drew Barrymore!

25% Off Organic Clothing From BGreen Apparel!

My giveaway of a gift certificate at bgreen apparel was so popular that I reached out to them and asked if they could extend a discount to those who didn't win but still want to buy some organic basics. From today until October 11th they're offering Eco-Vegan Gal readers 25%! Just enter the following coupon code at checkout:

Review: M Cafe de Chaya

Haven't had time yet to do a write up, but this video review of M Cafe de Chaya in Los Angeles should speak for itself (for now).

What a Vegan Eats for Lunch: Pad Thai - gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free, salt-free

Have you checked out my new YouTube channel yet? It's called "What A Vegan Eats" and I'm uploading video journals about food I eat and make throughout the day. If I get enough requests I'll make video recipes too - I have a feeling this super healthy Pad Thai will be desired...

Video: The Healthiest French Toast You'll Ever Make

It's 7:30am - your alarm is going off and you want to throw it across the room. Cheer up - I've got a guilt-free breakfast that you can whip up in 10 minutes that will give you energy and satisfaction before a long day at work. It's also perfect for lazy weekend mornings - no need to pack on calories and mix together unhealthy ingredients to start the day off with yumminess. Head over to Eco-Vegan Food for 3 vegan french toast recipes (in video format) that are gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free, oil-free and salt-free and still manages to taste great. All for less than $3 a serving - save your cash and skip out on a cafe's overpriced and unhealthy french toast! Dr. McDougall will be proud.

Official Statement from Bob's Red Mill Regarding OHSU Donation & Animal Testing

I was deeply saddened when the blogosphere and social media world released information about Bob's Red Mill donating money to OHSU, a facility that is known to do animal testing. I recently interviewed Bob Moore and had posted the video just days before this happened. However, I was unsure how to react and felt that there must be more to the story - it didn't seem like Bob would knowingly give money to a place that did this kind of testing. Along with many other bloggers, Tweeters, and Facebook users I communicated my feelings to the company and even touched base with one of their team members via email, who seemed very disturbed by the situation. Well, the waiting paid off - Bob published a letter tonight on the company website explaining his decision and the Dean of OHSU responded as well. Here are the highlights:

Video: Organic Delivery, Best Indian Food Ever, Funny YouTube Videos, Vegan Advice, VegFest and More!

The title kinda speaks for itself - aren't you curious where I had the best Indian food EVER?!

Healthy Finds At Safeway: A Slideshow of Their Organic, Local, Gluten-Free and Vegan Foods!

In an effort to help people around the country find healthy foods no matter what stores are within reach and what the budget is, I've been exploring the options at national grocery markets. I started out with Kroger's Food Co, but wasn't able to find much at that discount warehouse. So my expectations were low when I ventured into a Safeway in San Francisco (16th & Bryant), but boy was I in for a surprise! This location has at least 100 vegan options, most of which are organic and many are gluten-free! Here are some of the highlights:

Video About Soy: Benefits of Removing It From Your Diet & What Healthy Foods To Eat Instead

I get a lot of questions about why I stopped eating soy and whether or not it's good for you, so here's a video that sums up my answers.

Is Beer Healthy?

I wasn't a big beer fan until a couple years ago. Don't know what happened, but suddenly I liked it. Especially Fat Tire by New Belgium (totally eco-vegan!). When I went gluten-free I got even more into beer, probably because of the novelty of finding the best GF options. That came to a halt when I started a cleanse back in April and I haven't felt the desire to drink much of it since. However, my boyfriend LOVES beer and drinks it like water, which got me curious about the health effects - what are the pros and cons of it? I explored the topic for my recent Organic Authority article called, "The Lowdown: Is Beer A Healthy Drink?"

Check out the piece then let me know what you think - do you like beer? Do your prefer wine? Or are you alcohol free?

Video Interview: Rhythm Superfoods - Raw Kale and Sweet Potato Chips

If you're looking for a guilt-free snack eat kale chips. They are the ultimate in healthy indulgence. Crispy, sweet, slightly salty with organic, raw, minimal ingredients (gluten and soy free). It's a financial splurge worth making since making them at home requires a dehydrator (to do it right) and at least half a day of waiting for them to be done. There are a lot of kale chips on the market, and one of my favorite companies is Rhythm Superfoods. I interviewed the co-founder, Keith, at Expo West 2011 and he told me the story behind the products and his passion. 

How to Choose the Healthiest Food From A Vending Machine

I can't remember the last time I bought something out of a vending machine, so today when I saw one I decided to check out the options inside - grim as I imagined. However, several people I was in a meeting with went up and made purchases because they were hungry and wanted something instant. I remember what that felt like - examining the choices, weighing out the health effects versus what flavors I was craving, and ultimately deciding to splurge and get something sweet or salty. It's sad that these machines prey on our moment of weakness and offer up foods meant to manipulate our eyes and our tongues... Since that is the current reality, then here are some ways to make the healthiest decision, and the top choices from this particular vending machine. 

Video Review: Grilla Bites Ashland, OR - Organic, Vegan Food Made with Passion

Last year on my West Coast trip with Robert Cheeke during his book tour we stopped in Ashland, OR to grab some food for the road from their local coop. The town was so beautiful that we decided to crash there for the night - it's Shakespearian, organic, vegan-friendly vibe completely won me over. We sought out a place with WiFi so we could book a place to stay and update our websites, which is how we stumbled upon GrillaBites. The green certifications on the windows and vegan items on their menu lured us in, but we had no idea how much of a treat we were in for.

Eco Island Living, Hayden Panettiere Day and Star Wars Uses The Force For Good

Lots of world changing stories on this week's episode of Good Gossip! Featuring Naomi Campbell, Hayden Panettiere, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Seth Rogan, Price Charles, Justin Bieber, and 50 Cent!

Bob's Red Mill Supports Animal Testing?!

Animal rights advocates are all abuzz about some disturbing news on Bob's Red Mill, the hailed whole grain company is supposedly donating millions of dollars to Oregon Health and Science University, a institution that tests on animals. The story is best summed up in a blog by The Informed Vegan. While Bob's doesn't really promote themselves as being vegan, I believe almost all of their products are plant-based (grains, flours, and baking mixes). I had a great interview with Bob himself earlier this year, but now I'm considering taking it down.

I reached out to Bob's Red Mill via Twitter, Facebook, and email. So far I've received this email from their marketing team:

Vegan Donut Shop Opening in NYC?!

image from Dun-Well

Despite all of my passion for health and gluten-free, sugar-free living, I admit I can not resist a vegan doughnut. Perhaps it's a good thing that they're hard to find, but that's slowly changing. San Francisco has Pepples, Las Vegas has Ronalds, Seattle has Mighty O', New Jersey has Cinnamon Snail, and now New York may have Dun-Well.

Video Recipe: Baked Pasta with Butternut Squash and Kale

Head over to Eco-Vegan Food to learn how to make this tasty and filling autumn dish!

Video: MSG in Doritos, Cooking with a Vegan Zombie, How to Compost, Mind Upgrade and Free Organic Clothing!

You know what time it is: healthy and sustainable weekly roundup time! Learn what superfoods you should eat everyday, how to compost, what chips to ditch MSG-soaked Doritos for, how to make almond milk, where to get a mind upgrade, and enter to win $50 worth of organic clothing! Are You Ready For Dis?!

The Healthiest Salads at Chain Restaurants

Don't be fooled by the salad selection at restaurants, especially the chains - not all salads are created equally! You wouldn't believe the calorie count and unhealthy ingredients in many of them. Check out this list of the Top 5 Healthy Salads at Sit-Down Chain Restaurants in an article I wrote for Organic Authority. *I did mention some salads that are on the menu with animal products in them, but they can be vegan if requested. 

Video - Eco-Vegan Gal Diet: Learning How To Lose Weight & Love My Body In A Healthy Way

Yep, that was me almost 10 years ago, 1 year before I went vegan. While that was probably the heaviest I ever was, I have always struggled with my weight. Here is the story behind my journey to find a healthy diet that helped me learn how to understand and love my body. The following video includes more before and after pictures and videos.

Eco-Vegan On TV: Infomercial for Neat Co.

A few months back I tapped a video testimonial for Neat Co. explaining how their products have helped me go paperless, and the informercial is finally airing on TV! Let me know if you see it because I don't have TV. Here is my clip:

You can learn more about Neat Co and their amazing products by clicking here. A few people have asked if they paid me to say such great things about them and I can assure you that they don't! They did however give me a Neat Desk to review, but I was already in love with their products before that.

Video Interview with Bob's Red Mill About Health and Sustainability

While at the Natural Products Expo West this year I had the opportunity to interview the founder, president and face behind Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods: Bob Moore himself! He spoke about the importance of whole grains in the diet, his vast gluten-free offerings, organic options, where his ingredients come from (how far from the base near Portland, OR), and the sustainability of the company. Bob is a very sweet and sincere man - my favorite quote from him is the very last one in the video about life as an 82 year old! I hope you enjoy this interview!

Video Reviews: Las Vegas Restaurants with Vegan Options

I'm one of those people who loves Las Vegas, aside from the environmental disaster it is. Fortunately, the vegan options are growing - since my first time there in 2006, several great places have opened and others have expanded their menus to accommodate the plant-based diet. In 2007 and 2008 my vegetarian sister and I made a few videos documenting our dining experiences, which I've finally edited. I've changed a lot since then, in appearance and eating habits, but want to share with you some of the delicious food the city has to offer (vegan donuts anyone?)

Q&A: Where to Buy Glass or Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers

Question:

Could you recommend an online store to buy stainless steel/glass tupperware and storage containers at a (very) reasonable price? I'm ready to rid my house of plastic!

Answer:

Video: Ryan Gosling Loves Chickens, Jamie Oliver Cooks Vegan, Ke$ha Partners with PETA, and Leo Goes Green in Australia

In this episode of ecorazzi's Good Gossip, lots of animal-based stories (good and bad)! Find out what Ryan Gosling is doing for chickens (despite not being vegetarian), the scoop on Jamie Oliver's vegan meal for Sea Shepherd, what Ke$ha is doing with PETA and cruelty-free cosmetics, the latest on Leonardo DiCaprio (he just keeps gettin' greener!), and what happens when you say your product is natural when it's not. 

Q&A: Eco & Vegan Flip Flops

Question:
What source do you recommend for good vegan flip flops?

Answer:

Video Recipe: Lemon-Kissed Brussels and Butternut Squash from The Blissful Chef

Last week Christy Morgan, aka The Blissful Chef, was in San Francisco as part of her book tour. Christy and I became friends while living in L.A., so we made sure to squeeze a video in before she left my new town. I did a poll on the EVG Facebook page and I was surprised that the recipe chosen by the majority featured Brussels sprouts, a vegetable few people seem to like. Christy's Lemon-Kissed Brussels and Butternut Squash recipe is a perfect way to introduce yourself and your friends to how incredible Brussels sprouts can taste! Not only is this recipe delicious, but Christy offers up some great cooking tips in the video!

How Vegan Men Can Maintain a Healthy Weight

vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke enjoying a banana at the gym!

Question:

Have a guy on our rig crew, he has stopped eating meat and all animal products. He has read up on it and has the camp kitchen sorting his food so he will still eat healthy. Problem is two weeks into a twenty day shift and he has dropped eight kilos (17.5 lbs). I think that he might be getting very sick. Is there anything we can feed him to help him.

Answer:

Video: How to Get Vegan Protein & B12, Give Up Caffeine, Achieve World Peace, And Win Free Food!

Sorry for the delay on this weekly roundup (usually get them up Monday mornings) but better late than never!

What Stores Sell Natural, Healthy Food (North America)

image from greggavedon.com

A very common question I receive is, "where can I find natural food?", especially when it comes to unique recipe ingredients. My answer is typically to go to your local natural market or buy online. Availability really depends on where you live, so I did a poll on the EVG Facebook page & Twitter to find out where my community shops, and here are their answers (it's quite the list!):

Video: Natural Flea Control & Treatment For Dogs

If you'd like a distraction from September 11th coverage and discussion, my video of the day is on Natural Flea Control & Treatment For Dogs. Loving a canine companion is an amazing way to heal pain.

Video - Remember 911. Remember Love

The 911 attacks on the WTC are still as chilling today as they were 10 years ago. So many emotions come up for me: sadness, fear, confusion, nostalgia - but most of all, compassion. September 11, 2011 was a day when we remembered to love strangers, no matter who they were, what they looked like, or what they believed in.  We all came together because we needed that - we needed to feel connected. Every year we're reminded of this, but unfortunately it's not long lasting for most. 

Healthy Finds At Kroger's Foods Co.

If you frequent this website you know that I shop mainly at natural markets like co-ops and Whole Foods. I stopped shopping at Trader Joes because of all the packaging and lacking organic options, though I do enjoy the occasional visit. However, these stores are all quite expensive due to their high quality offerings, and I realize that not everyone can afford to shop at them and may not have a location nearby. So I've decided to start visiting bigger chains with lower price points in search of healthy foods - focusing on vegan items of course. 

Video Interview: Hail Merry Raw Vegan Gluten-Free Snacks & Desserts

There are a LOT of great products at Expo West each year - it's pretty overwhelming. But one of the most memorable foods I tried in 2011 was without a doubt Hail Merry. If you live in certain parts of the country - like Colorado, Texas or Virginia - you may have spotted their raw tarts in the refrigerated section and drooled over their descriptions and affordable price; if you didn't buy them you're a fool! These vegan tarts are mind blowingly good - in fact, they don't even taste raw or gluten-free. They're sweet and creamy - thank goodness they're small because if they came in a regular pie size I'd likely eat it all in one sitting. And I'm not alone - Veg News agreed and awarded Hail Merry the Best New Veagn Product of Show!

Video Recipe: "Tuna" Salad Using Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

I've got a bonus video recipe for you thanks to reader Lindsay who asked me how to make Vegan "Tuna" Salad Using Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans). Head over to Eco-Vegan Food for the written and video recipe - enjoy!

Video Review: z pizza - Vegan and Gluten-free Pizza Made with Organic Ingredients

Berkeley Vegan pizza

Forget Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Dominos - go for something healthier and higher quality. If you live in a big city in the U.S. chances are there's a place call z pizza nearby, where you can get a delicious pie with fresh, organic ingredients. Today's video features z pizza in West Hollywood and their vegan and gluten-free pies, including an interview with the store owner and son of the founder.

How to Cook Quinoa: Easy Recipes That Add More Protein to Your Diet

Quinoa is a staple in my kitchen - it is my go-to food when I want a healthy, filling, easy, quick meal. There are so many ways to make it and sometimes it's overwhelming! Check out these recipes to learn how to make it yourself, and feel free to add your favorite ways to prepare quinoa in the comment section!

Vegetable and Herb Stems: Food or Compost?

Most recipes call for the heads, leaves or flowers of a plant, like broccoli, kale, and herbs such as parsley. But what about the rest of them - the stems/stalks? Don't you feel a little guilty tossing such a big part of your food into the compost? Have you ever wondered if they're edible? Have you ever tried a bite and felt discouraged by the bitter taste or tough texture? If so, I've got an article for you! Check out my latest piece on Organic Authority, entitled: "Vegetable and Herb Stems: To Eat or Not to Eat", and learn about all great ways to eat them!

Video: Vegetarians Like Oral Sex More Than Meat Eaters...and More on This Week's Good Gossip!

Yep, you read that title right - studies show that vegetarians enjoy giving oral sex more than meat eaters do. So if your partner starts pressuring you to go veg, now you know why! ; ) And this totally explains why PETA is starting a porn site...

Video Recipe: Lentil Chili and Sauteed Kale with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Check out this video of recipes I threw together when I thought I had nothing to eat in my kitchen! Both of them are super easy to make and cost under $1.50 each per serving! Gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free and can be made without oil or salt.

Video: Natural to Eat Meat? Bras Cause Cancer? Vegans Can Be Bodybuilders? Organic Mexican Food? Another Giveaway?!!

It's Weekly Roundup video day!! As usual I had a ton of things to share, but there one ran a little longer than I had hoped - but don't worry, it's worth your time (though I'm biased)!

Healthy and Fast Alternatives to Microwaving Your Food

Balancing work, family and a social life can be so much of a juggling act that quality time in the kitchen is often the first ball to drop. While it's tempting to toss organic leftovers in the microwave to shave 30 minutes off your day, what's the point of destroying all the nutrition in the premium food you spent your hard earned money on?

Read my full article on Organic Authority

Video: Easy, Cheap, Healthy Vegan Meals That Take Less Than $2 and 15 minutes to Prepare

I get a lot of questions about and requests for me to do videos on cheap and fast vegan meals - so here it is! I was pretty shocked myself when I compared prices at Kroger, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods and found that you can make many meals for $2 or less and spend 15 minutes max preparing it. And that's in San Francisco, which is likely more expensive than most areas of the country/world. Prices depend on whether the ingredients are local, in season or are organic, but you'd be surprised how cheap food can be even if all of the above. 

Check out the video for 13 meal ideas under $2 that take less than 15 minutes to make. I give options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, then mention some cheap foods you can have for dessert and snacks.  Most of them are gluten and soy-free and are low in oil, salt, and sugar, or can easily be adapted to fit any dietary preference.

Video: Eco-Vegan on the Cheap: Interview with the Groupon Deal Site of the Cruelty-Free World

One thing that often gets in the way of people going vegan or having a healthy vegan diet is money. I've been there too, but someone I always get great organic food in my life (sometimes it's just more basic than other times!). It's no wonder deal sites like Groupon have taken off - everyone wants to save money! And fortunately, there has also been an explosion of green offerings, like GatherGreen, WinWinLiving, Blissmo and Daily Gourmet. Unfortunately, as great as these eco-friendly deals are, they're not always vegan friendly, so when they pile up in the inbox or social media feeds it can become a little frustrating for vegans who want to save too. In comes VeganCuts, a deal site that is exclusively vegan, featuring discounts on beauty products, clothing, shoes, food, etc. and is the subject of today's video.

Veg Speed Dating at San Francisco's Millenium Restaurant

I got a lot of great feedback from my coverage of Karine Brighton's Veg Speed Dating event in Berkeley last month - even though I didn't participate I had a blast being there and meeting all the interesting people. Well, it's about to get even better because the next event is happening at one of the best vegan restaurants in the country (so I've heard): Millenium! If you are single get your hot butt to this event, no matter how shy or skeptical you are. You will feel so comfortable and meet great people, if not love interests than new friends or business partners. Don't believe me? Check out my video from the Berkeley event:

Video: Vegan Tour of Portland, OR with Robert Cheeke

I really should have posted this last week before Portland was flooded with vegans from Vida Vegan Con...oh well. This is a video I taped a year and a half ago when I visited PDX for the first time thanks to vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke - been meaning to edit it ever since but life got in the way until now. We went to so many restaurants and vegan shops in just 4 days, and each place is summarized in about 1 minute in this video. Here's where we went:

Sweet Options for a Diabetic: Alternatives to Artificial Sweeteners

Question: Being diabetic, I need to avoid sugar, but artificial sweeteners are, well, too artificial. Which would you suggest as the lesser of the two evils?

Answer: