It’s mom’s special day so what will you do to show her how much you love and appreciate her? Well, if you’re stumped on what to get her outside of making heror taking her to a nice meal, here are some of my favorite gift ideas that will not only put a smile on mom’s face but also keep her healthy, happy and green!

Goodies and Gifts

• Heart of Haiti – Mom will love these handmade home decoratives, jewelry and other fun things that are not only beautiful, but help the people of Haiti thrive.
• Amy Kathryn Bags – Give mom a beautiful, eco and vegan handbag that is stylish and compassionate all in one!
• Elysian Organics – Mom will smell and feel like a million bucks with this delicious line of healthy, eco, vegan and organic body care products.
• Allison’s Gourmet – You can never go wrong with a box of sweet vegan treats!
• Cri de Coer Shoes – New shoes will make any mom blush, especially when they are green and cruelty free!
• H&M’s Green Line – H&M has delved into the green world so mom will love her stylish new green threads!
• 360 Cookware – Help mom cook her great food even healthier with this stae-of-the-art cookware.
• Alima Pure Makeup - Keep her beautiful face shining for years to come with this all natural, cruelty-free, organic makeup!

Services and Activities

• Gift certificate to Compassion Couture - Let her shop to her hearts desire the eco and conscious way
• Gift certificate to an organic spa – All ladies love a day of pampering, especially an uber healthy one!
• Gift certificate to a local healthy cooking class – Sure, mom’s cooking rocks but she’ll love a class to learn that specialty kind of cooking she’s always wanted to master!
• Gift certificate for a green maid service – Give mom the day off from the cleaning and have someone come in to green it up!
• Send mom to an eco bed & breakfast – With her man or her girlfriends, she is sure to love this little getaway, complete with a yummy breakfast in bed ; )

No matter what you gave mom, she is sure to love it. Enjoy your time with mom and don’t let Mother’s Day be the only day you remember to celebrate her! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms of the world!

I look forward to the Humane Society’s Genesis Awards every year because it’s a great evening full of delicious vegan food, rubbing elbows with celebrities and honoring people who do wonderful things for the animals. The entertainment industry is usually just that, entertainment, but on this night, Tinsel Town goes all out to shed light on those who love and help the voiceless in all aspects of the media.

This year, I met some exciting new people who I’ve not met in years past and again, got to devour a incredible meal. Back at The Beverly Hilton for the 26th Annual Genesis Awards, the gourmet vegan dinner was prepared by house chef, Chef Suki. Here is what this year’s Genesis attendees, along with my hungry self enjoyed:

• Salad – Arugula and field greens with champagne cashew cheese
• Entree – Encrusted vegan grain cutlet with tomato sauce and braised veggies
• Dessert – Mango custard and vanilla cake encased in chocolate dessert cups
  

  Delicious vegan meal by Chef Suki

After dinner came the award show. A star studded event that was kicked off by the veg friendly songstress, Colbie Calait. Hosted by Dancing With The Star’s Carrie Ann Inaba, the show was full fun highlights, laughs and some tears.  The HSUS’s 26th Genesis Awards celebrity presenters and attendees included Kaley Cuoco, Bill Maher, Colbie Caillat, Deepak Chopra, Ke$ha, Jason Ritter, Sophia Bush, Kristin Bauer van
Straten, John Bernthal, Rose McGowan, Bill Maher, Wendie Malick, Moby, Cloris Leachman, Fiona Gubelmann, Penelope Ann Miller, Pauley Perrette, Michael Vartan, Wilmer Valderrama and Uggie the Dog. Check out who took home top honors this year:

All smiles with Jason Ritter

• FEATURE FILM – RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX/CHERNIN ENTERTAINMENT
• FEATURE DOCUMENTARY – BORN TO BE WILD 3D – WARNER BROS. PICTURES, IMAX CORPORATION
• SID CAESAR COMEDY AWARD – THE COLBERT REPORT – COMEDY CENTRAL
• DRAMATIC SERIES – HAWAII FIVE-0 – “Lapa’au” – CBS

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

• TEEN – NICK NEWS WITH LINDA ELLERBEE , “Dangerous Crossroads: Human Animal vs. Wild Animal” – NICKELODEON
• PRE-SCHOOL -SID THE SCIENCE KID – “Save the Stump!” PBS KIDS
• TV NEWSMAGAZINE – 20/20 – ABC
• NATIONAL NEWS – NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
• LOCAL NEWS FEATURE – KTLA NEWS AT 10 (Los Angeles)
• LOCAL NEWS SERIES – WOIO-TV ACTION NEWS (Cleveland)
• MORNING NEWS SHOW – TODAY – NBC
• TALK SHOW – THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW – SYNDICATED
• TV DOCUMENTARY – GORDON RAMSAY: SHARK BAIT – BBC AMERICA
• REALITY SERIES – ANIMAL PLANET INVESTIGATES: CAPTIVE HUNTING EXPOSED
• BRIGITTE BARDOT INTERNATIONAL – THE MEDAN CONNECTION – CARTE BLANCHE M-NET SOUTH AFRICA
  

  Uggie mugs on the red carpet

PRINT

• MAGAZINE – VANITY FAIR – “Agony and Ivory”
• SERIES OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES – MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
• ONLINE AWARD – THE ATLANTIC.COM
• BRIGITTE BARDOT INTERNATIONAL – THE INDEPENDENT (UK)
• WILLIAM WILBERFORCE AWARD – PRISM – “A Call to Compassion”
• THE WYLER AWARD – IAN SOMERHALDER, INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN

After the awards, attendees party the night away at a food and booze filled reception. Photo booths, video games and other goodies, the reception is where everyone let’s loose and enjoys the rest of the evening. As always, the yummy desserts and post award show treats are vegan with savory finger foods to decadent cheesecakes. The silent auction is chock full of incredible prizes, with all proceeds going to the Humane Society.

Blowin' it up with Ke$ha

Stay tuned for my red carpet coverage coming soon and maybe you can join me next year!! Be sure to catch the 26th Annual Genesis Awards on Animal Planet on May 5, 2012 at 4pm.

Giggling with Cloris

The HSUS’s 26th Genesis Awards is sponsored in part by Misix, Market Development Group, The InterGroup Corporation, Hilton San Francisco Financial District, One Car One Difference, Prai Beauty Group, Tenet, Euro RSCG Edge, Honda, IMAX, Warner Bros., The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation, American Dog Rescue and Modern Dog.

So while Easter isn’t the largest gift giving season of the year, there are gifts given nonetheless. Be it a cute chocolate bunny or candies eggs to a basket of toys for kids, gifts should as be as thoughtful as they are healthy and eco. In fact, the Easter bunny prefers eco, healthy and vegan goodies!

Some things to think about:

• Opt out of buying cheap, disposable, plastic baskets. Not only are they not green and they fill up the landfills with junk, they are petroleum based and toxic. Buy a nice basket that can be re-used again and again either from a fair trade organization, arts and crafts fair or even thrift store!
• Nix the Easter grass! Also toxic and dangerous, not to mention bad for the earth, plastic easter grass is the worst and a total waste of money. Shred green construction paper or grow your own Easter grass!
• Don’t waste eggs, get creative with paper mache eggs, paintable ceramic eggs or find eco-eggs made from corn to hide treats in.

Check out some of my faves for kids and adults alike!

Chocolate, Candies and Treats

• Allison’s Gourmet – Vegan chocolate bunnies and eggs and candy galore! The best around!
• Vegan Essentials – Always stocked with vegan sweets fit for kids and adults.
• Chocolate Inspirations – Another one of my all time faves for chocolates and divine morsels
• Surf Sweets – All natural, vegan gummies, jelly beans and candies

Baskets and Fillers

• Etsy – For handmade, unique Easter gifts, this is THE place! From crochet eggs to sweet soaps, you can fill up a basket with tons of eco, vegan goodies!
• Fair Trade USA – Find beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts and baskets that are green and help people around the world
• Heart of Haiti - A great product line of handmade, artisan gifts and crafts (gorgeous handmade baskets!) that help families and micro-preneurs in Haiti
• Easter bunny crayons – So cute!
• Eco Art Card Set – Eco and creative, the best combo for young minds!
• Rabbit Needle felting Kit – Keep your kids happy and busy by gifting them a kit to create their own eco doll!
• Eco Sidewalk chalk – Green fun!

What are your favorite Easter treats?

Who says Eco can’t be hot, sexy and affordable!!

H&M’s new “Exclusive Conscious” is an eco-collection is all of that and more! Made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester, it features beautiful pieces in eye-popping colors that have already been seen on celebrities anxious to get their hands on them. Kristin Davis attended the Vanity Fair dinner in a green embroidered number, Viola Davis reportedly owns the hot pink sleeveless top and skirt, and Amanda Seyfried wore the blue tuxedo blazer and shorts to a London Premiere. That’s quite an endorsement considering the collection isn’t available until April 12th (it will be sold in 100 stores worldwide). “This collection shows how important sustainability is to H&M,” reads their latest press release.

Thanks H&M for making green look awesome while saving us all some green too!

On my 5th annual visit to the Natural Products Expo West, I’m happy to report that I found some new and exciting healthy and green living products.  Along with making time to chat with friends, have a successful book signing with my friends at Daiya Cheese as well as serve up some of my original  recipes for Onion Crunch, it is absolutely ginormous and overwhelming. So much so that it is almost impossible to choose favorites but for the sake of time and brevity, I’ve compiled my top finds to chat about with you!  Be sure to look for the following goodies at a store near you! (or online outlet!)

Food & Beverage
(in no particular order)

• Chicago Soy Dairy Soft Serve - Vegan Soft Serve, sinfully delicious!
• Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Peanut Butter - And their chocolate PB, Spicy PB and whole line of awesome fun, all natural peanut butters
• Cool Cups – Vegan jello cups in all natural flavors.
• Swerve – All natural, zero calorie sweetener (like stevia) with no nasty aftertaste
• Mild Vegan Queso – Mild, zesty, cheesy, creamy, this really kicks up Latin and Mexican cooking up to a whole new level. Fantastic!
• Whole Soy Vegan Frozen Yogurt – Can’t wait to see this yumminess at yogurt ships everywhere!
• Gourmet Flavored Veganaise – Very exciting to add to the already awesome veganaise line! Pesto, chipotle, garlic and more!
• Bold Vegan Pizza – Great gluten free, vegan frozen pizzas
• Silver Hills Gluten Free Breads – With sprouted, gluten free and vegan varieties, these breads will be your new favorite for breakfast as well as your lunchbox!
• Daiya Cheese Wedges – Daiya in blocks, mmmm!
• Tofurky Chorizo – A delicious ground vegan beef and mexi style vegan ground that has the texture and heartiness of the real thing. plus non-gmo!
• Helen’s Kitchen Noodle Entrees – Full of flavor and non of the guilt
• Tres Agaves Margarita Mix – All natural without that tart and processed taste
• Bolani – Delicious Afghan food, sauces and flatbreads
• Graham Cracker Crisps – Awesome vegan graham cracker snacks and crisps

Health, Beauty & Lifestyle
(in no particular order)

• Sir Richards Vegan Condoms – Vegan condoms that also give back to international communities for aids awareness and prevention
• Kegel Balls by Intimina – For pre and post pregnancy as well as to battle incontinence in ladies
• Alima Pure Mineral makeup - Vegan, allergen and chemical free mineral makeup
• Vega One – Reformulated for better taste, results, nutrition an portions
• Bamboobies – Organic, functional bamboo breast feeding pads
• Endangered Species Stone Paper & Washable Crayons – A great way for kids to be creative, compassionate and green
• Love Bottle - Beautifully designed glass water bottles with positive intention
• Reusable and sizeable cloth diapers by Sweet Pea -
• Eco and healthy toothbrushes by EcoFam – Bristles fine enough for flossing made with silver so they kill 99% of brush bacteria.
• Eco Lunch Box - Awesome stainless steel lunch boxes in all shapes and sizes
• Childlife Essentials Toothpaste Tablets – A great way to get little ones to brush in a  healthy and natural way!

I’m exhausted after days of trolling the grounds of the expo but I’m already excited for 2012!

Making his big splash this past weekend, The Lorax is a bona fide hit. For kids, it’s a fun world filled with color and whimsy while adults are faced with its eco message. Sure, it’s an animated film where swelling orchestrated music and manipulated characters really lay it on thick but the message is all to real nonetheless.

Despite it’s new 3D debut, the story of The Lorax is over 40 years old. Meaning that the wonderful Dr. Suess had put pen to paper, warning the younger generation about pollution and safeguarding our resources long before it was trendy to do so.

So whether you believe in global warming or not, I think we can all agree that pollution is bad as is wasting our resources. If you have children or even if you can appreciate the complexity and art that goes into making a 3D animated film, it might be worth your time to head to the theater and heed the call of The Lorax!

One of my all time favorite restaurants is Candle 79.
Back in the day I used to dine at their first locale, Candle Cafe
and 79 is their fancier joint with all
the deliciousness of the original.
And even though I live 4000 miles away, I can enjoy their fabulous
vegan cuisine with their awesome
Candle 79 Cookbook!
Check out some of my favorite recipes:

• Cashew Cheese Stuffed Yuca Cakes
• Ginger Seitan Dumplings
• Live Avocado Cucumber Soup
• Stuffed Avocado with Quinoa Pilaf and Chipotle Avocado Dressing
• Saffron Ravioli with Wild Mushrooms and Cashew Cheese
• Seitan Piccata
• Panko Crusted Seitan Milanese
• Chickpea Crepes
• Sourdough French Toast
• Mexican Chocolate Cake
• Chocolate Mousse Tower
• Cucumber Basil Martini
• And more!

So if you’re in the Big Apple, don’t miss Candle 79 but if you’re at home,
don’t miss their recipes!

In the coming months we will be launching a whole new section called “Road to Parenthood”. Here we’ll be talking about everything from family planning and pre-pre-natal care to dealing with teens and food allergies, and everything in between. We’ll be working with moms in every stage of motherhood and answering all those “What you always wanted to know about____ but where afraid to ask”.

In the mean time, we’re going to be adding in a sprinkling of baby product reviews and other parenting related topics. This week we have chosen to turn the spotlight on The Honest Company.

Founded by Hollywood beauty Jessica Alba, this site, company and service takes healthy and eco baby products seriously. When Alba was pregnant with her first child, Honor, he preparations brought her to an alarming discovery that baby products were full of harmful chemicals from detergent and lotions to fabrics and diapers. Wanting to be the best mother she could be, she took it a step further by launching the Honest Company for her babies as well as all the others out there whose moms and dads were concerned with the state of healthy baby products and services available.

With a whole line of eco-friendly and healthy, chemical and even gluten free products such as laundry detergent, shampoo and other daily essentials, their flagship service is their monthly service that delivers such essential products to your door. Diapers and wipes to safe home cleaning supplies, you can customize your delivery bundle to suit your needs. The diapers alone are a fabulous service as you know they are eco friendly and chemical free.

So as more and more celebrities use their fame to do good, I’m glad that the shift is a good one ; ) Kudos and congratulations to Jessica and her passion for honesty in this market!

You may have heard the news that our fave funny gal Ellen and her lovely wife Portia were opening a vegan eatery here in LA. With partners musician Chrissie Hynde and Hollywood producer Steve Bing, along with top vegan chef, Tal Ronnen, the details have been kept on the very much on the d.l.

But the news has leaked just a tad, giving us a hint as to where it is and what it might look like! Taking over a Studio City tapas restaurant, Bokado, the mega anticipated plant based hot spot is set to open in late February.

As Angelenos and veggie tourists wait with baited breath, get a sneak peek of the possible look as it seems they have hired designer Waldo Fernandez to give their locale some chic pizazz!

Stay tuned for more information on the opening, menu and more!

Gluten free is everywhere! Whether you are celiac or just
looking to rotate your daily foods for health and well-being,
gluten free has permeated our
restaurants, recipe books, food blogs and markets.
In this cookbook, The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Bread, author Laurie Sodowski
tackles the most popular taboo to
gluten free diners, bread! Loads of simple yet tasty
gluten free, vegan bread recipes, you will never feel deprived again,
gluten free or not.
Check out some of my faves:

• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Cinnamon Swirled Sweet Potato Bread
• Apple Chai Scones
• Maple Glazed Baked Doughnuts
• Easy Cheesy Dinner Biscuits
• Banana Monkey Bread
• Chocolate Filled Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls With Orange Glaze
• Mexican Mole Bread
• Crusty Rolls With Dijon and Thyme
• And more!

The wide variety of gluten free products and fabulous books like these are your keys to unlocking the glutinous shackles!
Celiac or not, you can eat bread!