In honor of the new Peta Bunny collaboration SpiritHood, I wanted to share one of my favorite Meatless Monday meals with you and introduce you to my friend, Chef AJ!

If you are unfamiliar, Meatless Mondays are about starting each week with healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives.  By cutting out meat once a week, we can improve our health, reduce our carbon footprint and lead the world in the race to reduce climate change.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a cooking class by one of my favorite vegan chefs, Chef AJ.  Her cookbook, Unprocessed, is one of my favorites!  Not only are her recipes cruelty-free, but they are also so healthy!  No sugar, no salt, no oil.... just pure deliciousness!  And guess what... Chef AJ also likes to get hoodie with it!!

Chef AJ's Lentil Tacos are the perfect way to begin an busy week!  So easy and so yummy!  This recipe comes from here book, Unprocessed.  For more delicious healthy vegan recipes, check out her book and website www.eatunprocessed.com

Lentil Tacos
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
14 ounces water
1 cup salt-free salsa
Salt-free seasoning, to taste

Method:
Put everything in a crock pot and cook on high for 8 - 12 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed.  This taco filling can be used anywhere you would normally use a meat taco filling, such as in taco shells and on salads.
Peta Bunny Collaboration SpiritHood
Peta Bunny Collaboration SpiritHood
Did you know that 30% of net profits from the Peta Bunny collaboration SpiritHood are donated to Peta?  Not only is hood awesome, but buying it is also a good way to give back to the ethical treatment of animals!

 
 
I have been looking forward to the release of the Peta Bunny SpiritHood for quite some time, and I am happy to announce that it is HERE and available to purchase now on www.spirithoods.com!

Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the largest animal rights organization in the world.  They does an amazing job of raising awareness of animal cruelty and fighting for animal rights.  The white bunny with the blue lining represents the official symbol for Peta.

Snag this awesome Peta Bunny SpiritHood while it's available!  30% of net proceeds on this hood will be donated to Peta's anti-fur campaign!
 
 
Alicia Silverstone
Last night I was fortunate enough to see Alicia Silverstone speak at UCLA about nutrition and how our dining choices affect our health, the environment, and animals.  The event was put on by Bruins for Animals and PETA2.  As a passionate animal lover, I can completely relate to Alicia's journey in becoming a vegan.  She is so inspiring and down-to-earth. 

Additionally, at the end of the night at the book signing she told me she loved my SpiritHood!  AWESOME!  (sadly I wasn't able to catch a pic with her and my brown bear)

I am not writing to lecture you about becoming a vegetarian, although if you love animals and the environment as much as I do, I hope that limiting your consumption of meat and animal products is something that you will consider trying. 


In anticipation of Thanksgiving, I want to share a delicious vegan recipe for Pumpkin Bread from Alicia's book, The Kind Diet.  If you are interested in more yummy, cruelty-free recipes, please check out her website, www.thekindlife.com or her book, The Kind Diet.

Alicia Silverstone's Cruelty-Free Pumpkin Bread (serves 8 to 10)
  • 5 cup(s) of cooked pumpkin (fresh is best, but canned will do)
  • 2 cup(s) of maple sugar
  • 2 “eggs”: either 2 tablespoons flaxseeds pureed with 6 tablespoons water, or 2 eggs worth of egg replacer
  • 1 cup(s) of almond milk or other nut milk
  • 3/4 cup(s) of safflower oil
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla extract
  • 4 cup(s) of spelt flour
  • 3 tsp. of baking soda
  • 3 tsp. of baking powder
  • 1 tbsp. of ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. of ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup(s) of grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips
  • 1 cup(s) of whole macadamia nuts (save a little bit of chocolate and nuts to sprinkle on top at end, if you want)
Steps
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Oil two 9”x5” glass loaf pans
  3. Combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, “eggs,” milk, oil, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and most of the chocolate chips and nuts if reserving some to sprinkle on top
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until just combined
  6. Fill the prepared pans with the batter
  7. Top with the reserved chocolate chips and nuts
  8. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the top springs back when pressed with a finger
  9. Let the loaves cool in the pans for a few minutes, then turn out onto a baking rack to cool completely

Buying a ProBlue spirit hood is one of many ways that you can help support beautiful animals who are endangered.