I recently came across these amazing looking rollerblades on www.ecouterre.com. I rollerblade about once every couple years... So I don’t need a new pair right now...but I'm so glad a product like this exists for you rollerbladers out there!  

Not only are they super cool looking, but the laces, webbing and lining are all made from recycled plastic bottles! And instead of aluminum or steel chassis, K2 developed a frame constructed purely out of bamboo. Yay, K2!  

These skates retail for $189.99 which isn't cheap, but if you're a skater and in the market for some new blades, then this is the skate for you.  

And for those of you who have old skates lying around your garage, check out these suggestions from Ecouterre on what you can do with them:

• Use your old wheels on your luggage.
• Remove all metal parts. All metals can be recycled normally.
• Uppers can be taken to the local Nike store for shredding.
• Plastic bases and cuffs need to be delivered to a recycling facility.
• Donate your skates to a local boys and girls club or after school program.

Let me know if you find anything else that looks cool on www.ecouterre.com!

Calling all Detroit Kind Lifers - I have an opportunity for you. As some of you know, I'm shooting a movie in Detroit in a couple of days and my rock star assistant, Megan, is here with me to cook meals. She's going to be cooking for 5 or more people which is quite the undertaking.  

We're looking for people with experience in the Royal Oak area that would want to intern along side Megan. You don't necessarily have to be a chef, but if you are that's super awesome! Basically you just have to be quick on your feet and be willing to learn The Kind Diet. Or, if you don't want to cook, you could even be in charge of delivering food to the set. Delivery areas will be about 30 minutes away from where all cooking will be going on.  

The people you will be cooking for are mostly non veggies, besides me, so it's an exciting thing we are doing because we are aiming to seduce and inspire them by giving them food that will make them feel amazing.  

So if you are interested in getting some experience under your belt as a chef, a personal assistant, or just want to get experience cooking, etc. send me a personal message that is your "letter of intent" listing your qualifications and such. 

These cute little tomatoes are growing in my garden right now! They are so yummie!

I love the yellow cherry tomatoes, they are my favorites.  They taste like candy!

I’m proud and had to share!

Kind Lifer M.J. recently sent me a message telling me about some horrible things going on at Conklin Dairy Farms. This farm is based out of Ohio and they were caught on video by Mercy for Animals beating and abusing cows.

It makes me so sad. PLEASE read about this issue further on The Huffington Post. Also please watch this video that shows what went on... But be warned, this might be very hard to watch:

One of the men shown in the video was fired from Conklin Dairy Farms and arrested and charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty. However, the owner of the farm himself, Gary Conklin, is apparently one of the other men in the video, and his dairy farm is still actively run and managed by him! Olivia Wilde also told me about this case while we were in Shreveport shooting the movie "Butter" recently. The sad thing is this is not an isolated case - this is the norm with dairy farms. All the more reason to boycott dairy! You can read more of my thoughts on dairy and how it relates to your health and the environment in The Kind Diet.

What you can do to try and make this stop!

- Write directly to Gary Conklin, owner of Conklin Dairy Farms, and tell him how much it disturbs you to hear and see things like this and that it needs to stop immediately.

    Gary Conklin: 800-336-8024/614-873-8024
    FAX: 614-873-3383
    ConklinDairyFarm@AOL.com

- Spread the word via Facebook and Twitter and get all your friends on board as well. 

- Sign this petition online at Change.org, which is going strong with over 42,000 signatures and will be sent to local and state representatives in Ohio.

Please help!!!!!

I wanted to let all of you know about Olsen Haus, which is a New York based shoe brand that is completely, 100% vegan!  Not only is every style totally vegan, but their shoes are also really cute and fashionable.

I recently read an interview with Elizabeth Olsen, who is the head designer for Olsen Haus. Here is what she had to say about their new collection: “Our Fall 2010 collection is made with recycled upper of material that originated as TV factory waste. We are also experimenting with a recycled tire sole on a few styles, along with sustainable cork and wood detailing. A recycled heel is also in the works. Otherwise, we utilize organic cotton canvas, nylon, linen, and velvets – all breathable, high-quality products that surpass leather in all respects. The glue used for making the shoes is animal product free as well”

I love this! It’s great that there are people out there making beautiful, high quality shoes, that are also vegan, recycled, AND eco friendly!

They’re not exactly inexpensive – but if you’re in the market to spend on a new pair of cute shoes, these are a good way to go!  

Let me know what your favorite vegan shoe brand is!

STYLE section kindly sponsored by Susan Nichole Handbags

Meditation
By Christopher Jarecki

“I have spent the last few years trying to find a meditation practice. I tried all different kinds and they all have their benefits. I never really knew what meditation was supposed to do exactly.

When you meditate (depending on which kind of meditation you practice, some have you repeat a mantra or some have you concentrate on your breath, etc.) the key is to not think about anything and to clear your mind.  If thoughts come in that's cool, but just try to go back to the practice.

Anyways, if I meditate it gives me practice in trying not to think, and believe it or not if you practice this awhile it becomes really easy not to think if you don't want to....like when you’re going to bed or driving down the road having a fight with someone in your head, you now somehow have this tool in your tool box to kind of shut down the mind.

When Alicia meditates (not very often) she peeks and wiggles a lot.  She usually starts quietly searching for a pen cause she has to write something down.”

A note from Alicia:

In the past I would always write in my journal before I would meditate to clear my thoughts. Now I’m skipping that, because it just takes time away from my meditation. Now I journal just a few times a week, when I feel like it, or when I need to clear my mind. I’ve started meditating first thing in the morning, because a little meditation sets up my whole day. I have no excuse not to do it when I wake up!  Here’s what I do: Before I get out of bed, I take 5-30 minutes, depending on the day, and I meditate...And it feels great. I connect to the universe and feel my heart and breath... And all is good. It’s a great way to start my day!! One day maybe I will be super cool and meditate in the afternoon too. But for now, I’m thrilled to be on this routine of meditating every day that I’ve been on the the last few months!

And yes sometimes, I need to jot something down while I’m meditating, as it’s better to get it out of my system so I can get back to the practice and have a clear mind. Even if I have just one moment of bliss during my meditation, I am thrilled! It is a time for me to be with myself and to be completely quiet. If I start thinking, I just remind myself that it’s ok to be thinking, and then I remember to go back to the breath or the mantra and it just feels good and sets my day up right.

If you are interested in meditation, but just don’t know where to start, there are some great books out there on the topic. Check out these books that have helped me over the years:

-Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

-Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff...and it’s all small stuff - this is not a meditation book, but it's a great spiritual book in general.

-The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life - again, not solely a book on meditation, but it is great and has a whole chapter devoted to meditation.
  
-Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live - amazing for deep, personal growth.  If you have anything blocking or upsetting you, or if you are unsure about the direction of your life, read this one. 
 
 And here’s a video of David Lynch talking about meditation and art... Its great:

Do any of you meditate?  If you do, have you had any great benefits from practicing a certain kind?

Susan Nichole Handbags would like to introduce you to a couple of their newest products.  Check it out:

                                Nothing But Peace and Love at Susan Nichole

If you’ve followed Susan Nichole, you know our message is all about the kind life, peace and love, and striving to be stylishly conscious. Peace and love for all people, animals and our planet.
 
You can help spread the message of peace and love with one of our new PEACE handbags and LOVE bamboo tees.
 
The PEACE bag is currently available for pre-order and they’re going fast. We make all our bags in small batches, so if it tickles your fancy, reserve yours today!

And you can also spread the love wearing one of our new LOVE bamboo tees. Made from 95% Certified Organic Bamboo material with 5% Lycra, they are super comfy and super cool. 

And don’t forget to scour your closet and donate any purses, backpacks and totes you can spare to the Handbags for Hope campaign for Haitian relief. You can see more details on our website HERE.

Jessica Porter wrote “The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics” and she offers online cooking classes.

Jessica is super charming and warm, and great in the kitchen.  She’s super smartipants too.

Her cooking classes are perfect for Superheroes, and anyone who wants to learn how to make Superhero fare, but might be afraid of the kitchen.  You can check out all of the cooking classes that she offers HERE.

I have a lot of love for Jessica, and this little video on her site about her cooking classes makes me smile... Check it out – It’s pretty darn cute, you can see it HERE.

Her “Intro to Macrobiotic Cooking” video is on her website too and you can watch it for free...  It’s really interesting and engaging. You can watch that one HERE.

Enjoy!

Recently, Kind Lifer Christal Bowman wrote in the forum about a fabulous restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans that will make their menu items vegan upon request!

Christal says:

"Go to Bayona in the French Quarter for a fantastic meal! I was just there last week and had an amazing vegan dinner!  I told the staff I would eat whatever vegan delicacy they wanted to serve me, and was rewarded with fresh greens with shaved fennel and truffle vinaigrette, followed by buckwheat soba in creamy miso sauce with anise-glazed carrots, shaved asparagus, caramelized shiitakes, baby bok choy, and sunflower sprouts. The cucumber julep was also delicious!

Kudos to Susan Spicer and her crew for being so creative and accommodating!"

Yum, sounds delish!  Thank you for the great recommendation, Christal. 

Make sure to call in advance before you go, and if you try it out I'd love to hear about it.