2 Parts Holiday Cheer, 1 Part Cute Rock Star, 1 Part Shameless Plug

This video has been out for a little while, but I just saw it on tv and think it sends a really beautiful message - one that is perfect for the the new year, yeah? In 2010, let's help make the world a better place! Anyway...I play the Young Mom with the cute kids who, if it were age appropriate, started popping out when I was 13. Annnnyway. Enjoy!

Natalie Portman on Top Chef

There has been a lot of confusion about Natalie Portman's status as a vegetarian or vegan - I'm not one to judge either way because I think anyone of her status is doing the cause great justice - but anyway, people have been confused. From what I can gather, she kind of wavers in between vegetarianism and veganism but she's been veg for ages. In other veg accomplishments, she launched a vegan shoe line. She's a huge advocate of Johnathan Safran Foer's new book, "Eating Animals," and she's claimed that this book has converted her back to veganism. Then, in a new Top Chef episode this season, she hosted and judged a vegetarian (not vegan) challenge. I just found this clip of Moviefone's Unscripted with Natalie, the amazing vegan Toby Maguire, and my sexy future boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal promoting their movie "Brothers." In it she states that the Top Chef challenge was vegan. Maybe they changed it in the editing to make it seem less daunting? Maybe she was mistaken? I don't know, but either way I thought I would post this - there's a funny little tiff between Natalie and Toby about who ate latkes and who eats chocolate (starts around time code 8:25). It's kinda funny so I thought you might enjoy it. I like when Jake tries to chime in with "Rice Dream!"

Also, for an extra entry in the Baby It's Cold Outside Giveaway, go to that post, leave a comment, and tell me who your biggest celebrity crush is! ;)

Leftover Mania!

Sometimes I think the best meals are those you throw together from leftovers - this is never more relevant than it is after the holidays. What to do with all those random dishes in your fridge? I usually like to make a pot of brown rice and some kind of roasted vegetables on the weekend so I have it during the week, which is perfect to throw into a pan and heat up with the rest of your food!

My awesome lunch pictured here was leftover roasted veggies (eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini), roasted veg fries (squash, carrots, parsnips), fresh
spinach, and a Field Roast sausage over a scoop of brown rice.

Seriously, I think leftovers are really overrated. Jazz 'em up and eat 'em just like new!

Christmas Goodies!

Hey my loves! I hope those of you who celebrated the holiday had a beautiful time. My extended family celebrated Christmas Eve at my grandparent's house and it was a really fun evening. My dad unfortunately had to leave town on Christmas morning and my mom and I both woke up feeling under the weather, so it was a super lazy day - aka didn't even get out of our pajamas. We started to watch some of the classic Christmas movies (A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation, obviously) but my sister was being a bit of a scrooge so we ended up watching the "Say Yes to the Dress" marathon. So random - and I usually hate reality tv because it's putting us actors out of work - but there's just something about watching all those big white dresses! Plus it was nice to relax and be lazy and lay on the couch with my girls. Gotta love it.

My mom was really great about making me a vegan version of the dishes she was making for Christmas Eve dinner (a cheeseless eggplant parmasean, couscous, salad), so luckily I only had to make a few things of my own. I bought the above plates a few years ago but forgot that they were wrapped up in my closet! So obviously I hate to pull them out for the photo shoot. Cute, right?

Seitan-Sausage Pot Pie

This was a big pot pie/casserole with onions, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, garlic, broccoli, italian sausage-style seitan, a vegan bechamel sauce, and topped with phyllo dough. Once everyone got over the fact that it was vegan (oh dear God!), it became a huge hit. My grandpa said it was his favorite dish of the evening - he may have been trying to flatter me, but I wouldn't doubt it ;)

CocoaNut Balls

Inspired by the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Babies I made a few weeks ago, I made a batch of the balls with dates, cashews, cocoa, and coconut. They were great! It just so happened that the only festive cookie cutter we had was a tiny gingerbread man, so once again I am following in CCV footsteps. Unfortunately it wasn't as big of a hit as the pot pie...in fact, only a few people tried them. That shows me for bringing a healthy dessert to an Italian celebration full of sugar lovers. Oh well - more for me back at home! I'll make cupcakes next time.

The Snow!

We woke up on Christmas Eve to our deer friends lying outside under our trees. They were gone by the time I thought to take a picture, but it still looks pretty!


I posted it kind of late yesterday, but if you haven't seen it yet don't forget to go check out The Baby It's Cold Outside Giveaway!

The Baby It's Cold Outside Giveaway!

For those of you who haven't noticed, it's cold out there. The trees are dusted with snow, the roads are icy, and and the thermometers keep dropping. But let's not fight it, let's embrace it! Who wants ice cream?! Thanks to the generosity of the people at Living Harvest (I'm looking at you, Peter) I am hosting the Baby It's Cold Outside Giveaway! Five lucky Veg is Sexy readers will each win a coupon for a free pint of Tempt Frozen Dessert (see my original post about it here)! The winners will also each receive a coupon or two to save you money on future Living Harvest products and purchases! Thanks, Living Harvest!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your favorite winter activities! Whether it's something you eat/drink/do/watch, tell us about it!

For an extra entry, help spread the vegan/freestuffgiveaway/awesomeblog word to others and simply send this link to a friend. In a separate post on this comment, just write "I sent this link to my friend [insert first name here]"! Using vegan scout honor, I will take your word for it. (And yes, tweeting or posting on your blog definitely counts!)

Stay tuned for more ways to enter in the posts! Winners will be chosen at random and posted on Sunday, January 10th. Good luck and thanks for reading!

My Ex Boyfriend, Gym.

As many of you know I stress fractured my foot in November, so I've been dealing with a walking boot and no exercise (yes, that photo of me is at a Michael Jackson theme party starring my blinged out boot). It's been six weeks now so the boot is off (unless I'm walking for long periods of time), which means that I'm back to seeing my old flame, Gym. I shouldn't have broken up with him for the past six weeks, but it was so tempting to be single, sitting on my couch in the mornings instead of on a bike. But it's time to go back to him. Especially since I pretty much ate this whole thing last night.

Anyway, I took advantage of one of my gym's holiday deals and signed up for five personal training sessions. I LOVED having someone encourage me and kick my butt, even if I did think secretly I was going to throw up at one point. We did some elliptical and a ton of weights/squats/toning, which I loved - it's just not easy to do that stuff on your own!

What gets you to the gym? What exercises do you love to do? I've noticed that so many vegetarians and vegans looove their yoga - me included! I've only taken vinyasa and bikram. What are your favorite kinds of yoga? I'd love to explore different methods!


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Merry Christmas!


To all my dear friends, may your holiday be filled with peace, love, laughter, and compassion. Lots of love from me to you.

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Milk Sucks

A few weeks ago I did a post called Dear Dairy, asking how you got yourself to kick dairy to the curb. An anonymous commenter posted this video, which is featured on MilkSucks.com. After perusing this site, I found it to be incredibly helpful and informative - a must read! Just so many intriguing facts about the industry, and definitely a lot of information to help you kick milk for good! For example:

- Rennet is the coagulant used to make milk into cheese. Rennet is the enzyme from a cow's stomach, so technically...is cheese vegetarian?

- The waste from dairy cows has poisoned and ruined countless rivers, lakes, and water supplies around the country.

- Every glass of milk is contaminated with cow pus, so the "somatic cell count" has been established to get a sense of how much pus is in each glass. The limit is 200 MILLION per litre, any more is considered unsanitary. However, studies in all 50 states have shown that nation-wide the milk supply is contaminated! The average liter of milk in Illinois (where I am now) contains 322 million somatic cells. Louisiana has 479 million. Florida has 548 MILLION somatic cells of pus in their milk!!! To see your state, click here.

- PETA's "Got Beer?" campaign was more than just controversial...it was true! Nutrition label vs. nutrition label, beer is more nutritious than milk.


I did myself the favor of making vegan Mac and Cheese tonight and enjoying every bite, knowing that it was dairy-and-pus free!

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Teavana: aka my new love!

I've always been a tea lover. Boxes and boxes of yummy flavored teas sat in my kitchen cupboards and I would drink several cups daily. But in my quest to be healthier and more natural/organic in my eating, I found out that loose leaf tea is not only better for you but also higher quality. Making tea without the bag with the string hanging out of the mug was a totally foreign concept to me and I got a little sad and turned off - until now! I clicked on a blog ad on a whim and came upon Teavana, a tea company chock full of gorgeous loose leaf teas. Their web site is beautiful with crystal clear pictures, descriptions, suggestions, and customer reviews on on their teas and products. I also purchased the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker and am newly in love - you can see how it works here! I purchased the Japanese Wild Cherry Green Tea, My Morning Mate (aka "the coffee kicker"), and the Strawberry Misaki Blooming Tea. Mmm!

What are some of your favorite flavored teas?

Sarry.

I know I've been super inconsistent with the posts, but I've been spending most of my writing time on a grad school application essay - what? Grad school?! I know... it's a last minute decision and I'm only applying to ONE, so if I don't get in it's on with my original plan - LA in August.

Anyway, I'll be back soon!

Sarry.

Product Pick: Vegenaise

Before going vegan, back in the days of crazy weird dieting, I cut mayonnaise out of my diet. To this day I usually replace mayo in sandwiches and recipes with avocado or hummus, but whenever I've had those vegan restaurant TLTs (Tempeh Bacon/Lettuce/Tomato sandwiches), the mayo is just SO good. I decided it was time to try buying it and using it on my own, and let me tell you - so worth it. I put some on my veggie burger tonight and it just tasted phenomenal. It's the little things that make recipes so good, so if you're just missing that something extra, try this!

A friend of mine went to France and stayed with a host family, and during a dinner the host mother put an orangey sauce on the table. My friend and her American peer were just floored and ate it up, finally asking the French mother what was in it. "It's just mayo and ketchup, I made it for you, I thought you Americans loved that." Haha! Well, we do, all of us. Go for it, vegans.

Product Pick: POM Wonderful

About 4 years ago I got caught up in the "OMG-you-need-antioxidants-to-survive-and-be-healthy" craze and started adding copious amounts of pomegranate juice to my diet. I now acknowledge that the number of calories and sugar grams consumed in multiple bottles a day were way out of control, but pomegranate juice - specifically, POM Wonderful - is still a healthy treat I love to enjoy once in awhile.

POM Wonderful is rich, healthy, and flavorful. Pricey? ...Yeah, a little. But if you only drink half a bottle in a sitting and save the rest for the next day, it can really last. It is pretty thick, so you can also dilute the juice with a little water.

POM recently came out with two new flavors: kiwi and tangerine. Both are tangy and interesting, but I would have to say my favorites are cherry and mango.

Health benefits of pomegranate juice include tons of Vitamin C, plus folic acid and Vitamins A and E. And let's not forget the insane amounts of antioxidants, which help prevent cancers and heart disease.

Cheers!

Celebrity Spotlight: Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi

I've been meaning to do a "Celebrity Spotlight" feature on the site, and when I received a notification on Twitter that Ellen Degeneres was following me I was, um, totally floored. Cheers to you, Ellen! I love you!

Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi (both amazing women, I might add) became vegan in 2008 and have been very public with their decision. They both claim that the final push came from their love of animals - after watching documentaries such as Earthlings and Meet Your Meat, the choice was clear. Portia has said that "When Ellen and I first got together I was wearing fur and Ellen was wearing very expensive Italian calfskin leather. She was giving me a hard time about wearing the fur and I said, 'Why is a fox any more important than a cow?'"

Both women say that weight loss has been a huge benefit of the vegan diet. They have each lost a dress size or two and claim to feel amazing. They have also said that they feel wonderfully healthy and, more importantly, live a more compassionate life.

For more information on their choice, check out The Ellen Show Why Vegan page. You know what I love? Celebrities being amazing role models. That's sexy.

Just a Reminder...

ThanksGiveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Laura Jill at Veganlicious, Blogalicious for winning a holiday trio of Crazy Rumors lip balm!
Laura, e-mail me with a mailing address at sexyveg@gmail.com!

Thanks to everyone for reading and entering.
There is another Crazy Rumors giveaway coming up in the near future, so stay posted! xoxo

Recipe Review: Pumpkin-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies from Happy Herbivore

I was craving something delicious, healthy, warm, and sweet on this evening of crazy snow storms and treacherous driving conditions. I remembered seeing a recipe for Pumpkin-Raisin Oatmeal cookies on Happy Herbivore and thinking that they looked simple and yummy. After clicking around online and looking through the kitchen pantry, I realized I had all the needed ingredients! Woohoo! They literally took about 20 minutes to make INCLUDING baking time. Such a quick, yummy, guiltless treat. Next time (and there will be a next time) I'll use a little less pumpkin pie spice, but that is totally to my taste. I loved the little hint of banana and raisins in each bite. I highly recommend trying these!

ThanksGiveaway ends Friday!!! Check it out and enter! Extra entry by responding to Dear Dairy!

BANGORANG!!!

I think I've been on such a '90s movies kick because I'm a nanny for two '00s kids who are missing out on some CLASSIC kid flicks! Do you guys have those moments in your favorite old movies where when you see them now you just can't help but cry? I have so many... when King Triton rides a wave up to Ariel on the boat and she says, "I love you, Daddy." When Juliet cries out, "thy lips are warm!" When Pockets the Lost Boy is smoothing out Peter's face and makes him smile and then gasps and says, "Oh, there you are, Peter!" I also just saw "Up" and, I mean, if you didn't cry I say PROVE IT.

I hope you are having a BANGORANGing beginning to December, eating some warm hearty meals, and loving the holiday season!

There are a few days left to the ThanksGiveaway! If you haven't entered originally, click here!
And for one more extra entry, leave a comment on the Dear Dairy post. I really would love some more advice from all you seasoned vegans!

The Love Family

I came upon the "Urgent Request" post on Ginger is the New Pink where Lauren posted the Living Light Culinary Arts institute plea for donations. You can read the letter yourself below. I thought, 'I have never even heard of Elaina, and times are tough so money is tight...blah blah blah.' But one look into the eyes of Dominic just made my heart melt. If you have the means to send even $5, please do so by clicking here. Merry Christmas season, and I wish you much health and happiness today. Love, A

We are writing on behalf of our dear friend and Living Light Chef Instructor, Elaina Love. Many of you who are graduates know that besides being a Master Raw Food chef, Elaina is a beautiful loving person who always gives generously to others.

We were saddened yesterday to hear that her son, Dominic, who has been in a treatment program for leukemia, has taken a turn for the worst. Dominic was diagnosed with leukemia on January 15, 2009. He underwent the traditional cancer treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplant, and he seemed to be responding well, until recently, when the leukemia suddenly and aggressively returned. There is nothing more to do in the medical arena.

Elaina has faith in the body’s ability to heal itself, so she took Dominic to Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida for 3 weeks where he will eat a completely green, raw, vegan diet of juices, daily wheatgrass implants, and oxygen therapy. She is there with him now and will remain there with him through it all.

This program is very costly, starting at $20,000 for the first three weeks of expenses, so we at Living Light would like to invite you to participate in a fundraising effort for Elaina. If you choose to participate, you can donate as little as $5 to this campaign. If you donate $20 or more through the Living Light fundraising campaign for Elaina and Dominic, we will enter your name in a raffle to win your choice of a FREE FUNdamentals of Raw and Living Foods class (a $365 value), or 2 tickets for the Vibrant Living Expo and Culinary Showcase, August 27- 29, 2010 (a $450 value). The drawing will be December 15 (Midnight December 14 will be the last day to donate to be entered in to the drawing).

100% of all proceeds will go directly to Elaina Love to help with Dominic’s expenses. We have set-up an easy way to donate funds – you can put it on your credit card by clicking on the link below to contribute in increments of as little as $5 (every little bit helps!) We know that this is a challenging time for us to ask you for money, but if you or someone you know has been touched by Elaina and her gentle and joyful presence, please consider helping her and her only child in their time of need. We greatly appreciate anything you can do and most of all we appreciate your warm wishes and all your prayers. Thank you for your kind and generous support of our beautiful sister, Elaina, and her wonderful son, Dominic.

Dear Dairy

Since going vegetarian almost two years ago, I have come to the realization that the very idea of meat disgusts me. I have no desire to ever in my life eat a piece of flesh from another living creature. Period. Since declaring myself vegan seven months ago, even the thought of eggs - the product of a bird's menstrual cycle - has become unappealing. And only once in my life have I ever had a straight up glass of cows milk, so switching over to soy or nut has been a piece of cake.

But for some reason, no matter what I do, I go through cycles of being tempted by cheese. I know many of you are closing your eyes and nodding your heads in agreement, acknowledging the moments we gave up mac and cheese or eggplant parmesan. But for some reason, every couple of weeks or so I just get a craving. Thinking back, I'm shocked at how many times I've given in - especially because each time I feel so nasty afterwards!

What do you tell yourself to avoid cheese? What made you stop eating it? Was there a particular video, story, or fact you discovered that stopped you? I know I'm not the only one with the cheese temptation, so compiling a list here of anti-cheese resources would be absolutely fantastic!


Also, don't forget our ThanksGiveaway!
You can also check out this giveaway on CCV!

Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

Get ready for your new favorite meal. Ready? Ok. My mom got this idea from (I believe) the Food Network, so we decided to go do some experimenting and veganizing in the kitchen. Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries. Baaaaasically my new favorite dish. We tossed it with pasta for an even more filling, delicious meal. And not only does it taste good, it looks gorgeous! I think with these gorgeous colors it just might have to make an appearance on the Christmas table. Try it!







Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries

• Olive oil, to coat the pan
  
• Garlic, minced
  
• Brussels Sprouts
• Dried cranberries or Craisins
  
• Salt (to taste)
  

- Cut the bottoms of the brussels sprouts, then slice lengthwise. Separate the leaves as best as possible, but it's doesn't have to be perfect.
- In a pan, warm up the olive oil and toss in the minced garlic.
- Throw in the sprouts and toss the leaves. Cover and continually toss until the leaves start to get crispy.
- Add cranberries and toss.

Hello, Deer!

I took this picture in my backyard on my phone and just wanted to share. The deer in the Chicago suburbs are as rampant as rats in New York City - and just as unafraid of people! But they sure are cute...

Birthday Cake!

One of my best girly's birthdays was Monday, so over the weekend I made this kick ass chocolate cake from The Joy of Vegan Baking! This is the standard Chocolate Cake recipe (although there is nothing 'standard' about it because it is reeeallly really good) with her Buttercream Frosting. FYI, this frosting is OUT OF THIS WORLD. You would never know that it's vegan, and it is made with whole ingredients rather than that crappy crap canned grocery shizzle. Just fantastic and I highly recommend it - hell, make a batch and eat it with a spoon, it's that good. I used vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips to make the 'M' (I get mine from Trader Joe's), and vegan chocolate beans made by Whizzers for the border. The flower is vegan, but, um, probably not edible...it was from the Thanksgiving centerpiece...

Happy Birthday, Lady M!