All Opportunities are Not Equal

This is a warning call to society and mostly to all the girls out there with a mission, with a goal, with a dream and passion to attain it.

My mission and dream begins with my childhood, growing up in a loving, caring, affluent family with parents who never drank, never smoked, and instilled in me the highest of morals. I was taught to care for others, to respect my elders, and to always choose the high road without ever lowering myself to fight for a cause. I developed a fondness for the planet and all living creatures, a rebellious spirit, and a desire to uncover truths hidden by greed. In my day to day choices now, I use those values to evaluate the opportunities I create and the ones presented to me.

I've been able to see through the perverse nature of some troubled individuals trying to manipulate and control young women and use their beauty for their benefit. Unfortunately, some young girls fall for these schemes and are swiftly taken under a whirlwind sad and viscious cycle which will deplete their spirit and exploit their physical beauty. Then guess what happens to their "message?" It's ruined. Tainted. Under no circumstances should women lower their morals for a buck.

It is time for society to WAKE UP and see what this is doing to our children and our future. Why is it that men can be so quick to exploit women and yet if their daughters were caught doing the same, they would disapprove? It is because there is a double standard in American Society.

So, all opportunities are not created equal and this is why I turn things down regularly. Guess what? Sex sells, but I'm not trying to sell sex. I'm trying to help the planet, help increase your longevity, improve the level of compassion in the world, and this global message I have is not going to be effective if I allow one society to exploit my appearance.

On to the NEXT...

Urban Vegan

In a recent article in the Huffington Post, author Victoria Moran writes about her transformation from MidWestern omnivore to animal activist turned vegan and all her experiences in between. I recommend this to any of you curious about the reasons why us vegans change our diets and lifestyles in the name of animal rights, compassion, and global responsibility.

Peace!
-♥K

Loco for Vita Coco

My NEW Favorite Summertime Drink!

At last month's Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, I was introduced to Vita Coco. It is the most delicious, refreshing, light, and nutritious way to hydrate!

I am going on 2 years without purchasing or using sugar, so i prefer drinks with no added sweeteners. You would never believe Vita Coco is not sweetened! It is all natural! It's light as water with just the most natural sweetness ever!

Everytime I leave a tradeshow like the NASFT Fancy Food Show, I wonder "when and where will i ever be able to taste that product again?" Well, in this case, you can get Vita Coco almost anywhere! Last night, while shopping for Organic products at Wal Mart, I found Vita Coco there!
My absolute FAVORITE Flavor: Pineapple! Totally amazing and so perfect for the Beach or Pool parties!
Ingredients: Natural Coconut Water, Pineapple and Coconut Purees, Vitamin C.
More electrolytes than leading sports drinks, 15 times the potassium (more than 2 bananas) which helps with recovery and hydration, 100% natural. Try it and let me know what you think!
♥ K

One Meal at a Time

Our food industry has changed more drastically in the last 60 years than ever before in the history of human kind. That change has been brought on by industrialization and the effect of population growth on supply and demand. Food companies have become empires, farms have become factories, and farmers have been replaced with machines.

Animals are no longer seen as animals, they are referred to as "livestock," "cattle," "poultry," or "pork," and they are "grown" not raised. Huge factory farms are now the breeding ground for mutated disease-causing organisms which multiply rapidly among animals crammed so tight and knee deep in their own filth, feces, pus, and urine that the run off from these factory farms contaminates neighboring farms growing spinach, leafy greens, and other nutritious vegetables.

When we go to our grocery stores, we no longer look for in-season tomatoes. The tomatoes are always bright red, perfectly shaped, and shiny. When we need a quick meal, we no longer shop for wholesome ingredients to cook--we drive through the closest fast food establisment where we can feed a whole family for $10.00!

Salmonella outbreaks, E. Coli deaths, an increase in obesity, heart disease, digestive problems, allergies, immunities to antibiotics, diabetes and a myriad other health issues can be directly linked to our current Food Industry.

But where does your food come from? The transportation of food from thousands of miles away not only congests our highways, but also contributes to the amount of smog and pollution in the environment.

There are ways you can help change this epidemic. You can start by making informed decisions at every meal! You can start getting healthy and making a change ONE MEAL AT A TIME. Don't feed your children food that will cause them to have health issues in the future. Cheap food is not really inexpensive on a social, health, and environmental level.

Buy in-season produce

Shop at Farmer's Markets

Choose Organic produce

Buy free-range

Buy from socially responsible companies that treat their workers, animals, and the earth with respect.

Buy Local

Plant a garden in your own backyard, you will be proud to serve your guests and family food that you grew yourself!

And try a Vegan meal a few times a week!!!

Be well and always QUESTION, READ LABELS, AND ASK "WHERE DID MY FOOD COME FROM?"

What's So Special About Specialty Foods?

Everyday we make choices which will impact our health by choosing to consume highly processed, preserved foods or authentic, high-quality specialty foods. Only products which are innovative, minimally processed and packaged, and use the highest quality ingredients fall into the category of specialty foods.

Since 1955, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade has been showcasing these products at their Fancy Food Shows twice a year. This month, I will be attending the NASFT 56th Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. There will be thousands of food companies representing their various specialty foods and beverages. I can't wait to see all the new Vegan foods!

I'll post video and photos during the trip on my social media accounts: Facebook ; Twitter ; Flickr

Visit SpecialtyFood for more information on the 2010 NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show!

Visit Verdelicious.com for all the latest news in the Vegan world!! Looking forward to featuring my vegan amiga Hayley Marie Norman showing us new Vegan spots!