The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » holiday

Racy Tees, Adult Chocolates & Lab Meat

joshuakatcher — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:31:39 +0000

• This new tee from Kill Shop Kill makes quite a statement, but it also is for two good causes, and I bet the ladies won't complain or disagree. This latest collaboration with veg smut star Jessie Lee was undertaken to help her cover medical expenses incurred when she suffered a near fatal car crash on November 5, 2010. She is still recovering serious physical and brain injuries, and the purchase of the shirt helps a lot, and also promotes being kind to animals - and the ladies. • Right on topic, and perfect for Vday, why not get some chocolate "Furious Vulvas" or "Anatomical Hearts" from Lagusta's Luscious. These organic, vegan chocolates look amazing and taste even better. • Speaking of not eating meat, Yahoo News reported yesterday on some updates in the world of lab-grown meat:

One pioneer in the field is Dr. Vladimir Mironov, a developmental biologist and tissue engineer at the University of South Carolina.... the lab-based approach to meat cultivation promises to be more humane than the factory-farm alternative. His research team has indeed received a grant from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in an effort to reduce both the need for massive farms and, well, the need to slaughter animals for food. The process is similar to how yogurt is made. "Once a meat-cell culture exists, it could function the way a yeast or yogurt culture does," Robin wrote, "so that meat growers wouldn't need to use a new animal for each set of starter cells."

Awesome? Gross? What do you think?

ETHICAL EXPLOITS: Holiday Therapy

joshuakatcher — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:22:33 +0000

by contributor, Matt Lara

Tips and ideas for a truly caring season.

Hark the herald angels shop… I am packed in a department store dodging the usual giant shopping backs full to the brim, and eagerly browsing customers searching for the perfect deal. Normally I would panic seeing as I thoroughly loath any store during the holidays. This year is different, however, as I have risen and shipped out early on the final day of Divine Design—the annual charity shopping event created by Project Angel Food. The group truly is divine, as they provide food and care to those unable to provide for themselves due to HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening diseases. So, today’s shopping spree is more of a joy. How nice to actually shop in Beverly Hills without having to incur serious debt. You see, the deals are fantastic with each item marked down 50% off on the first day, then down another 10% for each succeeding shopping day. And this isn’t discount crap either — the merchandise consists of brand new packaged goods donated by retailers and most are quite a steal. Today, I’m wandering through apparel, shoes, a large selection of Barbies (I don't know), and spend most of my time plucking home goodies and gifts for my family. I walk away with happy to have supported such an amazing organization. With every Christmas card I trash… I must admit that I am in the spirit, although I’m just as likely to be a big Scrooge among the hassle, traffic, and cost of it all. I pull out my Christmas box full of old holiday cards wondering if I should keep them. I have card conflict—someone took a moment and spent a few dollars on that little piece of plastic-coated card stock. (Are these even recyclable?) I decide not to throw them away, but turn on yet another one of my very manly talents: crafting. You just watch out for my glue gun… Every crafter knows where to look… let’s just call her Mother Martha. She’s one of the most successful, and more notorious, craft queens ever. And her website has the perfect craft for that stack of cards as thick as a two-by-four. My new family heirloom: Handsome, right? Basically, you’re going to need to cut about 20 circles out of holiday cards, and be really savvy with the scissors and glue. It’seasier than it looks. By the way, I buckled and purchased a box of simple greetings from Quotable Cards. Each one is made from recycled paper, soy-based ink, and manufactured using wind power. I think an elf must have guided me to these smart little cards. Another holiday tradition I have conflicts with: wrapping paper. It’s so sleek, and I love a well-wrapped gift, but I can only imagine a landfill piled high with that lawnbag-full of discarded paper city after city has thrown out (not to mention the mountains of cardboard and plastic packaging). This year, I’m turning to my late Grandfather—a cowboy, veteran, and rough-and-tumble S.O.B. when he needed to be—for inspiration. He was notorious for wrapping gifts in newspaper. Too tacky? Fine, pop a sticky-bow on there if you want. I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t. I got some good ideas here and here. Magazine pages work well too. If you really, really want those snowmen and candy canes all over your gifts, use holiday catalogs. Remember how much our junk mail is wreaking havoc on the environment? Take it from a Brute who loves to wrap gifts—reuse! Oh Christmas beans, oh Christmas beans… I feel like I’m in holiday therapy, what with me spouting off my conflicts and solutions and so on. I have yet one more to chew over. Holiday meals conjure visions of some old school cooking—can green beans drowned in canned mushroom sauce and crispy onions. How in the world did we come up with this dish with it’s odd, crunchy, salty comfort? (this is how, according to Wikipedia) This year, my family and I are perfecting our attempt at deconstructing Green Bean Casserole as inspired by VeganYumYum (where are you Lolo? We want you to update the blog!). We’ve since abandoned the deconstructed part, but let’s just say we are never going back to the canned crap. I never say never but…never. Another conflict solved! Make a holiday classic from scratch, and see just how good it gets. Silent night, scandalous light… I’m signing off until next year, but not after I tell you about some last minute shopping. If you’re in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, you have to check out Spork Foods. I went up to their Holiday Bazaar this year and ran into good friends Ari and Mikko from A Scent of Scandal and browsed the array of naughty aromatic candles. I want to be a good boy for Santa therefore I cannot say the names of scents without having to wash my mouth out with soap. All I can say is, there’s Scandal wafting through my holiday… Have a happy and conscious holiday. We face a new year of both challenges and triumphs. I believe if you’re here reading this, you’re making an effort to do good in the world, and that is the greatest gift one could hope for this holiday. -Matt Lara

They Eat Babies. Happy Mother’s Day.

joshuakatcher — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:57:59 +0000

Who eats babies? A lot of people. From lamb and veal to suckling pig, like fairy-tale villains with the taste for young, tender flesh, this food-fetish is responsible for systematically destroying nature's bond between mother and child. The dairy industry depends entirely on the exploitation of the reproductive systems of mothers. Can you imagine if you were forcibly impregnated (dare I say raped?) by a farm worker sticking his arm up to his elbow into your anus, threading an implantation device through your cervix into your uterus over and over throughout your life, only to have your baby torn away and shackled so some adults of another specie can drink your milk and devour your baby's soft muscles? This is beyond any mother's worst nightmare. Mother’s Day is a time for honoring motherhood. You can honor the mothers of animal agriculture by not drinking the milk intended for their babies, and not eating their babies. You can show your support by wearing the cow ribbon on Mother’s Day and doing what you can to help them with every meal you eat. You can also sponsor a rescued farm animal in honor of motherhood: For a list of excellent gifts for mom, straight from brand-new-mom Chloe Jo at GirlieGirlArmy, Click here!

Eco Designers Earth Day Special, Part 2

joshuakatcher — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:56:23 +0000

How will you dress after the 40th anniversary of Earth Day? Go read part 2 of my "20 Designers to Know by Earth Day" special, over at the respected fashion website, Hint Magazine, featuring Kuyichi, Cri De Coeur, Samantha Pleet, NOHARM, and The Hill-Side. If you missed part 1, click here!

Spring Biker, Best Doc & Easter Candy

joshuakatcher — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:11:48 +0000

Cheap Monday has a nice faux-leather biker vest available at Alter $105 (Shop via text message through or Subports web store.) Gilt offers a Rogue poly-cotton faux-leather, asymmetrical zip jacket in black or (here's your Invite to be a Gilt member) We were THRILLED that The Cove won an Academy Award for Best Documentary last night! If you haven't seen it, you must! Watch the trailer, buy the movie, then find out what you can do to help! What's the best part about Sweet & Sarah's Easter marshmallows in the shapes of chicks, bunnies, and eggs? There no boiled cow or horse hooves, tendons or cartilage in them! Don't get me wrong - I love how cute Peeps are as much as the next guy, but there's something as sinister and creepy as a Zombie-Jesus about disguising nasty slaughterhouse-scraps as yummy candy for kids. Thanks to Sweet & Sarah your celebration of Easter doesn't have to support factory farming. Also, don't forget to include some vegan Cadbury-style 'cream'-filled eggs from the Chocolate Wendy House.

Mardi Gras Party & Rhode-Esposito Exhibit

joshuakatcher — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:06:43 +0000

Looking for something to do tonight in NYC aside from staring out the window at the snow? Attend the Rhode - Esposito Art Exhibit and Fundraiser for Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary at the Jivamukti Cafe in Union Square and celebrate Mardi Gras, raw-style, with our friends at Rockin Raw in Williamsburg Brooklyn

Mardi Graw!

Rockin Raw 6pm onward 178 N. 8th St Brooklyn, NY 11211 • Featuring $5 sides of New Orleans classics (Rockin' Raw style): red beans and rice, gumbo, jalapeno cornbread, cajun sweet potato chips, marinated string beans, pistachio crusted tomatoes, southern greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc... • $8 hurricanes all night long. • King Cake Tradition!w Whomever is to find the baby hidden in the king cake will be crowned the king or the queen of the Mardi Gras with really cool prizes such as very cool beads and dessert on us. And as tradition goes they will also be gifted with great luck all year round.

Rhode-Esposito Exhibit at Jivamukti

JivamukTea Cafe in NYC 7-9pm on Tues, Feb 16th 841 Broadway, 2nd Floor. 100% of the art sales go to benefit WFAS! (www.woodstocksanctuary.org) Meet and mingle with the artists and WFAS Co-Founders Jenny Brown & Doug Abel. Musical performance by Ray Ippolito http://www.rayippolito.com/ (website in progress it seems) but he often plays with this group and this is his sound: http://www.myspace.com/violetsamudra

Would You Be Mine?

joshuakatcher — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:41:35 +0000

Last year I did a Vday crafts segment with the legendary design king, Todd Oldham. Remember? DBTV Valetine Special: TODD OLDHAM HEARTS YOU Here's the recipe for the vegan chocolate cake!

Here's some more romantic ideas and yummy treats to try (we'll take any excuse to eat chocolate):

Order now and get your heart in time for Valentines Day. The Farm Sanctuary logo chocolate heart was created by Sjaak’s Organic Chocolates. Sponsor a Farm Sanctuary or Woodstock FAS animal and share your Valentine’s Day spirit with one of these sweet animals. Bluestocking Bonbons are perfect for the sweethearts in your life--particularly the lovely women you're sweet on, since each one celebrates an inspirational woman. Sweet & Sara, who was recently featured on Food Network's 'Unwrapped' has some Vegan Marshmallow Hearts dipped in organic chocolate. Three-inch hearts, hand-cut and hand-dipped ... for that special someone. Get 20% off with the code FN20! Don't forget to set the mood with some naughty Vday candle scents! Or support a cause with the purchase of a candle. See the Valentines Gift Ideas pages over at Vegan Essentials, The Vegan Store, and Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe.

The Strong, Sexy, Silent Type (of New Year’s Cleanse)

joshuakatcher — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:28:34 +0000

By featured contributor, Dr. Alejandro Junger

How does a discerning gentleman such as yourself get ready for the brand spanking newness of 2010? By getting squeaky clean, starting from the inside out.

No matter how many better-for-you-than-the-alternative-but-still-sweet-vegan goodies you scarfed down this holiday season, there's hope for squeezing into those animal & eco friendly duds you got for Christmas or Hanukkah and feeling your overall fabulous (yet manly) self. All of you gentlemen out there want pretty much the same things: to get rid of that spare tire or beer belly, look in the mirror and see clear, chiseled features, hear the women in your lives exclaim over how good you smell, alleviate depression (common with the lack of sunlight this time of year), feel sharper and stronger, have clear thoughts and increased stamina, as well as lower your risks for possible diseases and health problems in the future. You know that to accomplish all of this, a detox is definitely required, and before you write them off as too expensive or complicated, think again, because a detox is something you can easily do at home with a bit of advice and some motivation. So here you go: Consider this a house call/kick-start from your very own personal detox specialist! 1. YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE, SO CLEAN THE HOUSE! Literally, by getting rid of toxins from as many areas as you can. Consume, bathe, slather, sleep on, wear and generally surround yourself with as many organic and all-natural products as possible. Yes, it's incredibly important to eat chemical-free foods (local and seasonal as well) but don't forget about your cleaning products, or the sheets you spend 1/3 of your time in (maybe more if your new clean habits increase your stamina and suddenly magnetic attractiveness!), or the shaving lotion, cologne and toothpaste you use. Our skin is our largest organ and if toxins are going on it, you can rest assured they're doing harm in your body as well. 2. LOVE THOSE GREENS. There was a reason Olive Oyl was enamored with Popeye. He loved his green vegetables and had the muscles to prove it. Dark green vegetables are powerhouses of energy, vitamins, minerals, mood-boosters, immune system strengtheners, weight loss tools, and basic overall miracle workers. They are tools that no man should be without on the road to optimal health and vitality. Raw, juiced, steamed, sauteed, blended; however you eat them, just make sure you are! 3. BE THE STRONG, SEXY, SILENT TYPE. It works for rugged cowboys, and it will work in more ways than one for you. When you find time to be quiet as often as you can throughout the day, you are alleviating the stress and anxiety that builds up from normal everyday life. Stilling the mind works the connection between mind and body and when your mind is calm, quiet, strong and regenerated, your body immediately follows. Nothing fancy, just a few minutes a day, so instead of zoning out in front of the tv, lie, sit or stand with your eyes half lowered or closed and let your thoughts simply fall away without control or stress or pressure to do anything in that moment except BE. When you're called out for being lazy and unmotivated, invite whoever it is to join you and raise the peaceful love vibration of the world, so suddenly you have entirely universal and unselfish results for what started out as sort of a self-serving act! Oh and don't forget your beauty sleep either. . . most of us need roughly 8 hours to have the best skin, metabolism, immunity and overall mood possible. Winter is the perfect time to become a bit more bear-like and hibernate more than usual, it actually harms our health to fight nature as we do, working like crazy even when the sun is telling us to slow down a bit. 4. LOSE/HEAL YOUR GUT. When you work to promote optimal gastrointestinal health, you simultaneously streamline your size as well. . . a healthy gut is usually not a bloated and extended one so take a daily probiotic, eat lots of fermented foods (miso, sauerkraut, spicy kimchi, kombucha), and make sure you're staying well hydrated with plenty of water. Also don't forget to move around. Walk, run, stretch, lift, swim, climb stairs, play with your kids, play pickup ball games, have sex, cook a meal, hug everyone. . .any kind of movement benefits you in more ways than one, between losing extra weight, acting like happy pills, and making human connections.

So what are you waiting for? Get busy cleaning up your act this January. . . and get your sexy back.

Dr. Alejandro Junger lives in New York City, where he practices at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center and at the Akasha Center in LA. He is the Director of Integrative Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital.