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

Last-Minute, Meaningful Gifts

joshuakatcher — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:41:00 +0000

by contributor, Nik Tyler . . . . . . . • BOLD NATIVE (http://www.boldnative.com/store/) I am so happy to report that "Bold Native" is available on DVD! This awesome narrative indie film about a young man's epic journey as a member of the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) has every element you could wish for in an exciting, groundbreaking film; it's packed with adventure, suspense, romance, horror, humor, drama and an undeniably powerful message about freedom. I guarantee this movie will be a hit with anyone on your gift list. The DVD also has some truly kick-ass and eye-opening extras, featuring interviews with "Bold Native" supporters, Russell Simmons, former NBA star, John Salley, and "Skinny Bitch" author/activist, Rory Freedman. Not to mention, you'll get to see me sporting a pretty gnarly beard in my scene!

• EARTHLINGS (http://www.earthlings.com/)

A mind blowing documentary by visionary director, Shaun Monson, that changed my life, profoundly. It's the ultimate gift to give any "Truth-Seeker" on your gift list. Narrated by Joaquin Pheonix, with music by Moby, this film documents in detail all the ways in which our society exploits animals. Earthling's is an amazing gift to humanity, and one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. So, lets get more DVD copies out there into the world!

• SKINNY BASTARD

(http://www.skinnybastard.net/)

These "diet" books by the incomparable Rory Freedom are gonna' rock your world! Everyone on the planet should own a copy. They're funny, witty, compelling and filled with a vast array of information that will transform your diet for the better. I have yet to meet someone who has not been positively affected by reading these books. So, if you want to give someone in your life (or yourself) the gift of good health, this is the gift you must give!

• SPORK ONLINE (http://www.sporkonline.com/)

Do you have friends or family members who love to cook? Don't know how to cook? Or even hate cooking?! Then this is the gift for them... and the coolest part is it keeps on giving! The lovely ladies at Sporkonline (adorable, fun-loving, vegan chef sisters Heather and Jenny Goldberg) are going to show you how much fun you can have in the kitchen, while being kind to your body, the animals and the planet. Gift a friend, family member or yourself with a 6 month or yearly membership to their uber-cool website, where every month there's a new entertaining, informative virtual cooking class jam packed with "lifelong skills towards healthy, compassionate cooking."

• THE CONSCIOUS COOK (http://www.talronnen.com/cookbook/)

This cookbook featuring the recipes of acclaimed celebrity chef, Tal Ronen (who cooked for OPRAH!), is an incredible guide to gourmet vegan cooking; illustrated with gorgeous pictures, your mouth will start watering even before you get out the ingredients. This is a must-have cookbook for anyone who wants to cook healthy and hearty meals that look just as good as they taste! Get ready to have a work of delicious art displayed on your dining plate.

• SEA SNAX (http://www.seasnax.com/web/)

Obviously, there is nothing traditionally holiday-esque about Seaweed, but I am obsessed with this product, and I think they're a must-have at this year's holiday feast. Sea Snax, an awesome company I discovered at my local Whole Foods this year, has a delicious assortment of seaweeds that are "lightly roasted with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt". These tasty and totally nutritious (low in calories, very rich source of minerals) snacks are great on their own (tear em' up and eat em' like chips), or throw in some quinoa and avocado and wrap em' up into a nori roll that is sure to please. Sea Snax also has a terrific Seaweed Salad Mix that is a unique addition to all salads and soups.

• A SCENT OF SCANDAL (http://www.ascentofscandal.com/)

This is a fantastic gift idea for anyone who digs candles that smell so great you want to eat them! I currently have four of these delicious candles in my apartment, one burning in each room - they are just that freakin' awesome. With humorous and scandalous names for each candle like "One Night Stand", "Crazy Bitch", "Threesome", "Walk Of Shame", "Rehab", "Morning Wood", "Stoner", "Hot Mama", "Sugar Daddy", there is bound to be a special candle for every special person in your life. Some of my personal favorite scents are "Hanukakah Bush" (pine tree fragrance), "Santa's Pole" (candy cane fragrance), "Rough Patch" (pumpkin fragrance) and "Cougar" (boyz' n berry fragrance). Oh, yeah, and did I mention, these candles are totally vegan (soy wax) and eco-friendly (metal free, all cotton wicks)?! There's no poor, overworked (and eventually dead) bee's beeswax in these babies... plus, they burn between 30-35 hours.

• VAUTE COUTURE (http://www.vautecouture.com/)

Have a fashionista on your gift list? This is your one-stop shop for all things fashionable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, the designing genius behind this rad fashion line has created a stunning collection of coats and cool message tees for both men and women that are sure to make a strong and stylin' fashion statement by whoever sports them. I wear her "No Animals Are Harmed In The Making Of This Boy" message tee everywhere I go - not only is it comfortable and a great fit, but I get to wear a shirt that has a truly unique message that makes people think. So for anyone on your list who wants to look good, but also wants to change the world with the clothing they wear, this gift is a perfect fit.

• GIFT DONATION:

Last, but certainly not least, I recommend giving the gift of a donation to an awesome charity this year. The holidays are about living in gratitude and being generous and loving, so please give, give, give & love, love, love!

Here are some wonderful organizations that I love to support:

Farm Sanctuary (http://www.farmsanctuary.org/get_involved/honor.html)

Mercy For Animals (https://www.charity-pay.com/mfa/donation.asp)

Action For Animals (http://www.afa-online.org/donate.html)

Band Of Mercy (http://bandofmercy.org/donate.htm)

PETA (https://secure.peta.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donatenow) Sea Shepherd (http://www.seashepherd.org/support-us/)

UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org/support/index.html)

So there ya' go, Discerning Brutes! My 2010 Holiday Gift suggestion list. Thanks for checking em' out and I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and an extraordinary New Year!

VEGANIK: VAUTE COUTURE & THE CITY

joshuakatcher — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:19:56 +0000

by Nik Tyler . I recently visited my hometown, NYC, to attend a special presentation of Bold Native , a rad feature film I'm in about the Animal Liberation Front & The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The screening was hosted by the incomparable Russell Simmons, who gave a very eloquent introduction before the movie began. The sold out audience was filled with remarkable activists, actors, artists, musicians, friends and fam; it was an inspiring room of truth seekers! . A few days prior to the premiere, I met up with my friend, Andy, at Atlas Cafe , and was introduced to the lovely eco-vegan fashion designer, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart. Leanne is the founder of Vaute Couture , and was named 1 of 7 Best Emerging Green Designers of 2009 by Ecouterre. Her fashion line is the ultimate gear for ethical guys and gals; high-style, chic, sexy, comfortable, eco, "upcycled" and drumroll, please.... 100% cruelty-free, with no animal derived materials! .

When I visited the Vaute Couture website and perused Leanne's apparel, I remembered seeing one of her message tees rocked on the red carpet by Twilight actor, BooBoo Stewart.

"Woa! That's one helluva' awesome tee!" I thought at the time, but I didn't know who had created it or where I could score one for myself. Apparently I had my head under a rock, cause Leanne's styles had already been praised by a ton of celebs and sites, including Alicia Silverstone , Oprah.com and right here on the Discerning Brute!

When I arrived at the screening of Bold Native I was met by Leanne in the lobby of the theater; you can imagine my joy when she gifted me with that exact message tee, which I proudly sported in this pic with Moby.

So to all you stylish and compassionate gents, I highly recommend you check out the VC site immediately. It's full of unique, trend-setting and thoughtful designs (coats, tees, jewelry, even art!) for men and women that are sure to make you stand out in a crowd (while taking a stand). You'll def be the cool, conscious, compassionate cat in the room, rockin' some serious rock-steady eco-fashion that will make you a fashion icon in no time flat! And stay tuned - Leanne is about to release the men's line of eco-jackets that is sure to make everyone take note! Men's fashions are up for preorders this month (preorder specials start at 40% off and go down as it gets closer to ship date). Leanne will also be having pop-up shops by appointment to view the new pieces (and purchase current/last season stuff too) SF and NYC... tentatively scheduled for NYC first week of September.

SAN FRANCISCO: Saturday 8/28 Noon-5pm & Sunday 8/29 1:30-6pm Vaute Pop-up Shop- Tea & Cupcakes at A. Muse Gallery 614 Alabama Street, San Francisco. You can make your reservation by emailing Leanne@VauteCouture.com, and find more details here.

VEGANIK: NYC’s Upper West Side Just Got More Peaceful

joshuakatcher — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:34:02 +0000

by contributor Nik Tyler .

During my latest visit to my old stomping ground, NYC, I found myself trekking in the cold through the Upper West Side, on an epic quest for something delicious to eat. Lucky for me, a rad vegan restaurant had moved into the neighborhood! PEACEFOOD CAFE, located @ 460 Amsterdam Avenue (on 82nd Street) is my new favorite Upper West Side eatery. The energy in this vegan haven is totally chill, free n' clear of the cities all-too-common chaos and disorder. The funky-chic decor is casual and eclectic; comfortable seating awaits you, as well as a warm and smiling staff that is as energetic as they are informative. In addition to this undeniable charm, the food is out-of-this-world delicious!

I started my delectable dinner with "The Other Caesar" (I suggest adding in some avo!) which was definitely one of the best vegan caesar salads I've ever had; their secret winning dressing is the ultimate! I followed this with the "Chickpea Fries" which might possibly be the best fries I've ever had. They are light, warm and after being dunked in a creamy house dipping sauce, they effortlessly melt in your mouth. After much agonizing over the many delicious sounding entrees, I finally selected a basic four Veggie Plate & the Mediterranean Oven-Dried Seasonal Vegetable Panini. WOA! The veggie medley was delicious and it was the best vegan sandwich I've had in years, hands down. Made up of their homemade crisp n' light foccacia bread (which honestly tastes like a dessert), the sandwich is filled with alkalizing veggies (broccoli, zucchini, onions, spinach & arugula) and glazed perfectly with basil-spinach pesto and vegan cashew cheese. Mmmm Mmmm!! For dessert, I chowed the Chocolate Chip Banana Spelt Poundcake (sweetened w/ agave) which was was a moist and semi-sweet match made in heaven.

Following this extremely satisfying meal, I had the privilege of speaking with the founder of PeaceFood, Eric Yu, who opened the restaurant on June 22nd. Eric is truly a unique man, both enlightened, passionate and personable, he runs the restaurant with the mindset of "serving the universe... understanding that everything has energy, vibrations..." and because of that mindfulness, he, along with his staff strive to "always bring good energy into the food and to work." He firmly believes "the most crucial aspect..." to running a restaurant "is the cooking, serving and a good attitude." With that in mind, PeaceFood Cafe can be experienced, by both staff and patron, as a sort of "learning school"... how to eat healthy, be happy & maintain a peaceful state of mind.

All in all, an extraordinary dining experience! And I am sure you will agree! So if you live in the city or plan on visiting from outta' town, I highly recommend you give PeaceFood Cafe a visit. Not only will you get a delicious meal in a beautiful and calm setting, but you'll be supporting a nutritional and ecological restaurant that most definitely lives up to it's mission statement: an innovative and exceptional vegan cafe, with cuisine that is delicious; prepared and served with mindfulness, gratitude and the intention to nurture & love!

• PEACEFOOD CAFE: http://peacefoodcafe.com/
• PEACEFOOD Menu: http://peacefoodcafe.com/PeacefoodCafeMenu.pdf

FYI - Here are a few other vegan or veg-friendly (macrobiotic) restaurants on the UWS that I dig as well:

• BLOSSOM http://www.blossomnyc.com/site/
• OZU http://www.ozunyc.com/
• MANA http: http://www.manaorganic.com/
• CAFE VIVA http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/cafe-viva/menu

VEGANIK: SKIN TRADE, FORKS OVER KNIVES & BOLD NATIVE

joshuakatcher — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:30:52 +0000

By contributor Nik Tyler

From fur to food to animal liberation... 3 new cinematic eye-openers.

I can feel it in the wind - 2010 is gonna' continue to be an awesome year for powerful and inspiring cinema!! Following in the path of such successful and thought-provoking films as THE COVE & FOOD, INC., three soon-to-be released films entitled SKIN TRADE, FORKS OVER KNIVES and BOLD NATIVE, are going to profoundly impact and inspire our society to take a stand and change the planet for the better!

SKIN TRADE

I attended an advanced screening of the documentary SKIN TRADE at Warner Brothers on February 25th. Having previously seen the director, Shannon Kieth's, first documentary, BEHIND THE MASK, (an intense, riveting & ultra-inspiring story about the Animal Liberation Front) I was anxious to see what her second project would be like.

I'm pleased, but not surprised, to say that this film is just as powerful as her first. Shannon is definitely a "truth seeker" and in SKIN TRADE she exposes the brutal realities behind the cruel and gruesome fur trade. Through devastating, nightmarish undercover footage inside fur farms as well as several informative interviews with some of my favorite people ("Skinny Bitch" author Rory Freedman, Actors/Activists James Cromwell, Martin Sheen, Jorja Fox & Ed Begley Jr., former NBA star John Salley, and the Discerning Brute himself, Joshua Katcher, just to name a few...) SKIN TRADE's unrelentingly look into the fur industry dispels all the dumb myths associated with this very bloody, completely abominable business.

I highly recommend everyone get a copy of this film stat! Whether you're familiar with the atrocities of the fur biz, or you've never looked into it before, I guarantee, you will be profoundly affected, and most definitely inspired to tell all your friends and family to boycott fur and fur trim forever! http://skintradethemovie.com/

FORKS OVER KNIVES

Shortly after seeing SKIN TRADE, I was invited to another screening of an equally enlightening film called FORKS OVER KNIVES. Written/directed by Lee Fulkerson and executive produced by Brian L. Wendel, FOK discusses the power of a plant-based diet in preventing and even reversing degenerative diseases such as heart disease, several forms of cancers, as well as type 2 diabetes.

The majority of the film follows the fascinating journeys of the incomparable Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (a former surgeon at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic) & Dr. T. Colin Campbell (a nutritional scientist from Cornell University who penned the brilliant book, THE CHINA STUDY), who conducted several brilliant health studies, including one of the most comprehensive health-related investigations ever made. In the film, these two incredibly eloquent, engaging and intelligent physicians are on a mission to help treat several ailing patients who are living miserably with chronic conditions and an overload of prescription medications. The two doctors teach these ailing individuals how to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as their primary approach to remedying their health issues. Soon enough, all of these sick people have thrown their pill bottles away, replacing the chemical compounds with fresh veggies; and the results speak for themselves! All of these previously-ill patients begin to gain back control of their lives and get healthy!

FORKS OVER KNIVES is entertaining, informative, inspiring and literally life-changing. When the film was over, I felt invigorated and enlightened; I have no doubt that this documentary is going to dramatically change the way we prevent and cure disease in the world. So, give yourself the ultimate gift of a healthier life and check out this film as soon as it's available! You can stay in the know by visiting the film's official site for updates on a possible theatrical release near you, as well as where and when you can purchase dvd copies: http://forksoverknives.com/

BOLD NATIVE

I feel extremely lucky and proud to be a part of this very unique narrative film, which is set to be released on DVD this summer. BOLD NATIVE, a political-thriller with a lot of heart, directed by Denis Hennelly and produced by Casey Suchan & Mary Pat Bentel, tells the riveting fictional story of "Charlie Cranehill", an animal liberator wanted for domestic terrorism. The film follows Charlie and several other colorful characters (one of which is me ) as he emerges from the underground to organize and execute a nationwide action to liberate innocent animals being tortured in factory farms and testing facilities. All along, Charlie must out-maneuver the FBI who are quickly closing in on his tracks.

This film was super cool to work on; not only are the makers of the film some of the most awesome people I've ever worked with, but the majority of the cast consists of actors who are both animal rights activists and vegans. I know that this film's message is going to go far. It's not about how much money the movie can make, it's about how far can this compassionate message travel. And I'm envisioning it reaching all across the world. For none of us can truly be free, unless all of us are free!

Please check out the trailer for the film and spread the word. BOLD NATIVE should be available to purchase on DVD at the film's official website this summer, and if you'd like to host a public screening, please contact the makers of the film through the contact page on the website: http://boldnative.com/

______________________________________________________

It's definitely gonna' continue to be an amazing year for cinema and our world! With films like these to inform and inspire, our society most certainly is headed in a more peaceful and compassionate direction. I applaud all the filmmakers, truth-seekers, directors, producers, writers, actors and activists. They are exposing truths and calling on the human race to take action through growing awareness, optimum nutrition & universal respect & love for all living beings.

VEGANIK: 10 VEGAN PRODUCTS TO TRY IN 2010 (PART 2)

joshuakatcher — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:56:47 +0000

(Part II: #6-#10) By contributor Nik Tyler Continuing on my epic quest to discover new (to me) products that I think you’ll dig as well; enjoy #6-10 vegan products to try in 2010!! (see 1 -5 HERE) . . . . 6. AMY'S I think Amy's Natural & Organic meals are groovy!! Everything they produce is vegetarian, and many are vegan. They're all organic, easy to heat and serve, and darn tasty to boot! Amy's vast array of vegan options range from breakfast steel-cut oats to tofu scramble to Asian noodle stir-fry to vegetable enchiladas to veggie burgers, pizza, chili, baked ziti and even chocolate cake (and that's just to name a few)!! My personal fave is Amy's vegan "Family Marinara" Sauce - which is a fantastic addition to noodles, quinoa, beans, sauteed veggies and just about anything else you can think of! You can find Amy's products at Whole Foods and several other health food stores. For more info, check out their website: http://amys.com/ 7. MAUK FAMILY FARMS I've been a fan of Mauk Family Farms products for a while now. This company makes some really delectable Flax Seed crackers (my favorite flavor is "Garlic Onion") as well as two other great products called "Wheat Free Crusts" (brown and golden flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, celery seed, garlic, onion, red bell pepper, parsley, sea salt & water) & "Breakfast Crusts" (pumpkin seeds, black/white sesame seed,golden flax seed, garlic, onion, dulse flakes & sea salt). They have no grain or gluten and are rich in Copper, Magnesium & essential fatty acids. These crusts are totally addictive and perfect on their own... or try one of my favorite combo's and spread on some creamy coconut oil and you'll be in total ecstasy!! You can buy Mauk Family Farms products at Whole Foods, perhaps your local Co Op or in their online store: https://maukfamilyfarms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc 8. ENJOY LIFE FOODS® cookies : click to enlarge" width="195" height="302" /> Searching for a food company that makes delicious snacks and is "sensitive" to the issue of food allergies? Enjoy Life Foods is that company; their mission is to create and sell cookies, trail mix, snack bars & baking products that are uber tasty, as well as free and clear of gluten, dairy, egg, casein, peanuts, tree-nuts, and soy... And that's exactly what they've done! My favorite products that they make are the "Happy Apple" & "No-Oats "Oatmeal"" cookies; They're moist, chewy, not-too-sweet, and just undeniably delicious! So now you know a company that makes treats that can be enjoyed by literally everyone, even those who need to be extra cautious due to food allergies. Be sure and check out their full product list and learn more about this cool company: http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/ 9. 2 MOMS IN THE RAW Founded by Shari, a very cool, health-conscious mom of three, 2 Moms In The Raw is a fantastic company that produces a yummy array of organic, raw Granola ("Blueberry", "Cranberry", "Gojiberry" & "Raisin") and Sea Crackers ("Garden Herb", "Pesto" & "Tomato Basil"). The "Garden Herb" Sea Crackers are definitely my favorite; consisting of Flaxseed, Kombu (Sea Vegetable), Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sea Salt and Spices - they're light, crunchy, crisp and they taste like a fresh herb garden compressed into chip form! The "Tomato Basil" Sea Crackers are rad as well, made up of Flaxseeds, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Garlic, Kombu, Herbs & Sea Salt - they have a wonderful garlicky, sun-dried tomato bite! Both of these crackers are the perfect light-bite for kids and adults; enjoy them on their own or dip it! In addition to their delicious crackers, 2 Moms also sell raw Granola which rocks! Not your typical granola, a little more chunky, you can break it into little pieces and eat it like a breakfast bar. The two flavors I've tried, Blueberry & (Gluten-free) Gojiberry are free of refined sugars (substitute Agave) and instead are jam-packed with a ton of healthy ingredients (buckwheat, coconut, a plethora of seeds/nuts and more!!), all of which have been soaked & sprouted to perfection; chewy, crunchy, semi-sweet and utterly delicious, countless textures and flavors awaken your taste-buds and take em' on one helluva' wild joy-ride! You can purchase 2 Moms In The Raw products at Shari's wonderful site: http://2momsintheraw.com/ or look for them at your local health food store. 9. SUNPOWER NATURAL In addition to a full-blown gourmet vegan menu at their restaurant (located in Studio City, CA), Sun Power Natural has an awesome product line of raw cookies that I recently discovered at my local co op. The two flavors I've tried are "Cinnamon" (coconut, raisins, cinnamon & agave) & "Fruit Burst" (oranges, coconut, raisins, agave). These cookies are "chewy, gooey & delicious" and I definitely think Sun Power Natural has got it going on! In addition to tasting like heaven, these organic treats are raw, gluten-free & low glycemic. Look for SunPower food at your local co op and Whole Foods, or just click on this link (http://www.sunpowernatural.com/) and get some raw decadence in your life stat! ________ I hope you enjoyed my 10 vegan product picks! In addition to these yummy snacks, try and balance your diet and combat any acidic/sugar intake by consuming tons of alkalizing greens and lots of pH balanced water. Here's to your health!

VEGANIK: 10 VEGAN PRODUCTS TO TRY IN 2010 (part 1)

joshuakatcher — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:13:51 +0000

(Part I: #1-#5) By contributor Nik Tyler I am currently on an epic quest to discover new (to me) products that I think you'll dig as well! When I purchase the products listed below, I know I'm supporting cool companies that are conscious and work hard to produce delicious food that rocks in more ways than one! If you decide to try any of these out, please leave your comments and let me know what you think! So, here's Part I of my list featuring 5 out of 10 products I highly recommend in 2010! 1. KOOKIE KARMA Kookie Karma is an awesome vegan company that was created in 2004 by UCLA grad, Juli Novotny. Juli's raw, vegan, organic, gourmet pre-packaged snack line has an array of delicious cookies, chips & granola! One of my favorites is the "Salt & Pepper Crawkers"; made from an array of delicious veggies (kale, celery, parsley, carrots, to name a few), walnuts, flaxseeds, rosemary & garlic. These crunchy and peppery delights are just as addictive as potato chips, but they're a healthy version! Plus, all of Kookie Karma's products are free of most common food allergens (gluten, corn, soy, dairy, baking soda/powder, sulfites, preservatives, sugar & wheat). I also dig Kookie Karma's cookies; their "Raw Banana Bread" is like a slice of banana bread in cookie form; light, moist & subtly sweet, it's the perfect delicious treat! There are also 7 other flavors: "Cherry Cashew", "Raw Lemon Fig", "Holistic Chocolate Chip", "Holistic Carob Chip" (with a hint of coconut) and "Holistic Choco Lot", all of which create an awesome roller coaster ride for your tastes buds!! So, I guess it's obvious that I am a big fan of Juli's company and I believe that whatever you are doing right now, it would be better if you had a Kookie Karma snack there with you; so don't waste any time, check out Juli's terrific site: http://kookiekarma.com/ and get some Kookie Karma in your life!! 2. FOODS ALIVE When I think of healthy, awesome tasting flax crackers and flax & hemp oils, I think of Foods Alive. I wholeheartedly endorse this family owned Organic raw food company! Their products (all Organic, vegan, kosher, gluten free & raw/live) include delicious oils, sensational seeds and crunchy crackers, all as equally scrumptious as they are nutritious! Their flaxseed crackers, which come is several flavors, are a fantastic healthy snack; a great source of fiber, essential fatty acids, lignans and protein! My favorite has to be their "Onion Garlic" Flax Crackers which are the perfect combination of garlicky flavor and crispy crunch. I also dig their "Italian Zest" Flax Crackers, which pack a powerful garlic and oregano punch, and are so authentic that as you take a bite you might feel like you're visiting Italy. Also, their "Mexican Harvest" Flax Crackers are a fiesta in your mouth; the perfect combination of not too spicy & crispy crunch that are fantastic dipped in salsa or guacamole! When it comes to healthy seeds, Foods Alive has got it goin' on! Their Hemp Seeds are so light and nutty, they practically melt in your mouth, and their terrific Chia Seeds are an added source of nutritional crunch that are now a part of all my sautes, salads and soups! Last, but certainly not least, their oils are super. I can't say enough good things about their organic, gourmet "Green Gold Hemp Oil" & "High Lignan Golden Flax Oil", both of which are delicious ways to get that all important daily dose of healthy oils in your diet! So treat your body and your taste buds by visiting Foods Alive's website ASAP! On their site you can easily locate a store near you that sells their products, or if you want, simply order straight from them. Feel alive with Foods Alive!! http://foodsalive.com/

3. MAJESTIC GARLIC

Majestic Garlic (6x Winner of "America's Best Food Award") makes an organic, raw, creamy, vegan garlic spread that will enhance and compliment any dish you create!! I literally can put this stuff on anything and it automatically makes it ten times better!! Use it as a dip for raw veggies, flax crackers, or add it to soups, salads, sautes or udon noodles. Their spreads come in a variety of phenomenal flavors (Basil, Cilantro, Cayenne, Jalapeno and more!) and are made up of Organic raw garlic, Organic flax seed oil/omega 3, Safflower oil, fresh lemon juice and sea salt.

Majestic Garlic is available at several Whole Foods and online: http://www.majesticgarlic.com/

4. LYDIA'S ORGANICS I am obsessed with Lydia's Organics raw products, especially her "Green Crackers" made of sprouted sunflower seeds, sprouted flax, collards, celery, kale, spinach, garlic, onions, 8 other veggies & Himalayan crystal salt. I also dig her "Sunflower Bread" which is a combination of sprouted sunflower seeds, sprouted flax, carrots, celery, parsley, basil, dulse, herbs & Himalayan crystal salt. Both these crackers have a unique and satisfying taste and texture that makes it hard to put the bag down before it's empty! Try adding some Coconut oil on top, and you've got an extraordinary raw, vegan dessert that is nutritious and delicious! You can find Lydia's amazing organic raw creations at several stores across the country (Whole Foods & Co Op's for sure!) or you can shop directly on Lydia's site: http://www.lydiasorganics.com/ 5. NUTIVA If you're in search of wonderful organic hemp foods and/or coconut oil, you must try Nutiva! This tremendous company provides several fantastic products ranging from Cold-pressed Coconut Oil and Hemp Oil to Hemp Seeds and Hemp Protein, and they definitely have mastered the craft of producing high quality, delicious vegan products! My personal favorite is their slightly sweet and totally velvety Coconut Oil, which I love to cook with and drizzle on practically everything from sauteed veggies to raw kale salads to raw crackers! Also, their Hemp Oil and Hemp Seeds are fantastic; rich, nutty and a great way to get those wonderful, beneficial omega-3 fats! In addition to the superior taste of their products, I really appreciate Nutiva's mission as a company; Founder, John W. Roulac, states "Nutiva's vision is to change our country's over-reliance on corn, soy, and dairy products in favor of healthier hemp and coconut superfoods." As a corporation, Nutiva donates 1% of sales to public-benefit sustainable agriculture groups. So, not only will you feel great eating Nutiva products, but you'll be supporting a company with heart! Nutiva is available nationwide, as well as Canada, Mexico & the UK; at more than 6,000 natural food retailers. http://nutiva.com/ So I hope you'll visit these terrific sites and/or go find these products at your local Health Food Store, Co Op or Whole Foods. Be sure and leave me a comment once you've tried them, as I would love to hear what you think. And be on the lookout for Part II: products #6-#10 of my "10 Vegan Products To Try In 2010" which should be posted in a few weeks. In the meantime, happy vegan grubbing!!

VEGANIK: Infrared Saunas + The Tao Healing Arts Center Review

joshuakatcher — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Vol. 8: I am Nik’s Toxins Running For The Hills!! by Nik Tyler In addition to strenuous exercise, another awesome and effective way to work up an extreme hot sweat is in an infrared sauna. I found a terrific one at The Tao Healing Arts Center (http://www.thaconline.com/), a hidden gem located on Main Street in Santa Monica. This very zen, healing sanctuary has been a fixture in Santa Monica for years and I would always pass it by with a curious eye. But a few weeks ago, I finally went inside and I am so happy I did! The 45 minute infrared sauna sessions are incredible on many levels; relaxing, quiet and peaceful, they forced me to take some time and just be still and contemplative. What's also really cool about the infrared sauna is that the heat waves effect the body directly without heating the air inside the sauna the way a regular sauna would. Because of this, it's much more comfortable to inhale and it's an awesome way to really kick those toxins to the curb! One other great perk to The Tao Healing center is that it is located right down the street from one of my favorite raw vegan restaurants, Euphoria Loves Rawvolution (http://www.rawvolution.com/). After my sauna session, you can usually find me there replenishing my body with a delicious raw kale salad and a big side of guac! So if you live in the Santa Monica area, do your body and mind a favor and check out The Tao Healing Arts Center. It's a very special institutions of well-being & peacefulness and such a great asset to the city. And, if you aren't from my neck of the woods, where ever you live, I highly suggest you give an infrared sauna a shot. Sweat out those nasty toxins and feel the clarity of being a clearer and cleaner being, both in mind, body and spirit!

VEGANIK: Yoga Co. Review

joshuakatcher — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:43:49 +0000

I know some of us (myself included) might be skeptical of yoga. As a somewhat cynical New Yorker - I think about hippies, crystals, incense and bad Om Tattoos the moment anyone mentions downward dog. However, contributor Nik Tyler takes us on his adventure as a open-minded newcomer into yoga-land. And guess what? It sounds pretty legit. - DB

Vol. 7: I am Nik’s clarity of thought, speech & intent. by featured contributor Nik Tyler Growing up in NYC, I was a pretty active kid and teenager. An avid baseball, soccer and tennis player; and I’d like to think if I had continued playing tennis passed my teen years, I might have one day been able to compete professionally. But somewhere between turning 18 and heading off to film school, my interests in sports declined and I found my attention geared towards activities that were less about running around or hitting a ball and more about holding a video camera and yelling "Action!" At that point, I didn’t give much thought as to how those fun-filled sports, in addition to being popular past times, had significantly helped me build muscle, strengthen my heart and lungs, and just as importantly, sweat out the various toxins (both environmental and dietary) existing in my body. It didn’t occur to me at all that ceasing to play sports, and in effect no longer sweating on a regular basis, would allow toxins to pile up and thrive inside my body. It took having my blood examined under a microscope a few months ago, seeing firsthand how compromised my lymphatic system was, to finally wake up out of my lazy ways, revamp my daily routine and incorporate NEW ways to be more active and to break a sweat! A couple months ago, at the suggestion of one of my very brightly “lit from within” yogi friends, I finally got up the nerve to attend my first donation-based yoga class at a brand new studio in Santa Monica called YogaCo. (http://www.yogaco.com/). This spectacular studio, hidden away in a small building on the 3^rd Street Promenade can only be described as a haven from the outside hustle and bustle of the consumer-congested streets.
As soon as I entered the building and reached the third floor, a sense of calm cradled me. The friendly staff behind the front desk directed me to the "Water Room"; one of three (there's also an "Earth" & "Sky" room) large, open studio spaces, that are entirely zen, clean and serene. As hesitant as I had been in the past to join a yoga class, I was immediately put at ease by this beautiful and peaceful room. As I placed down my yoga mat, I was greeted kindly by the class instructor/co-founder of YogaCo., Kelsey Gottfurcht (http://www.yogaco.com/teachers/kelsey), a woman with a million dollar smile and a warmness and enthusiasm in her voice that makes you feel right at home. Over the course of our 90 minute total-body yoga workout, she gently guided the class through her custom "PowerFlow" program, a mixture of several poses, both simple & challenging, that stretched and realigned my body entirely. The time passed by, and with it, I felt my breath steadying, my core strengthening and my mind centering. By the end of the class, not only was I drenched in sweat from a terrific workout, but I felt extremely calm and clear. Kelsey brought our yoga session to a close with a very poignant mantra which I now revisit daily:

"Bring your fingertips to your forehead for clarity of thought... Bring you fingertips to your lips for clarity of speech... Hands back to your heart for clarity of intent."

I am so stoked to have incorporated yoga into my life; it's brought a whole new dimension of exercise and clarity to my day, and I'm so grateful that a donation-based company like Yoga Co. exists. If you live in the Santa Monica area, I highly recommend checking out this exceptional studio asap! http://www.yogaco.com/