Ideal Bite

Recently I met up with Justina Blakeney, Jill-of-all-trades and co-author of the popular 99 Ways series of books, at Veggie Grill (my new lunch obsession, BTW). Over our matching Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' sammies (all the food is vegetarian) and sides of Steamin' Kale, we caught up, lamented about The Climate Race and other doom and gloom-y matters, and she told me about her newest book that just launched this month, Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into a High Style Handbag.

And she really means Read the full post... 

Not to be confused with the cheesy, ABBA-filled musical, Mama Kia has both an orphanage, Casa de Milagros - with a huge, organic greenhouse and garden where the kids learn about green-thumbing and cooking - as well as the off-the-grid Hanaq Pacha Retreat Center in Peru.

This incredible woman was just diagnosed with Bone Cancer, so fellow yoga teacher Ashley Turner (who has gotten close to MK during the annual retreats that she leads at the center - next one is in March BTW…) is co-hosting the fundraiser Fiesta de Milagros to help raise awareness and support for Mama Kia's medical expenses, her 31 adopted children (eat your heart out, Octomom), and two soup kitchens.

The event is happing this Saturday, Read the full post... 

Well, actually he was sitting two tables away from me, but that still counts, no? Plus, Sheryl Crow, Amy Smart, (see photo - courtesy of Sarah Strack Photography) Ricki Lake, Anna Getty, and Arianna Huffington - they were all attending the Healthy Child Healthy World gala last Wednesday at the LEED-certified Montage Beverly Hills. I sat between Ideal Bite's cofounder, Jen Boulden and a lactation consultant (no joke) during dinner.

HCHW is all about fighting for children’s environmental health, and although I'm not a mom yet, I was very interested to hear what the who's who on this subject matter had to say. The event honored three Champions of Children’s Health, and I was Read the full post... 

Try to say that 5 times fast. If you or someone you know writes about eco issues and lives in LA, join EcoStiletto at Environment Furniture (8126 Beverly Blvd., WeHo - Map It) on November 6 from 9 am to noon, where Green Works Natural Cleaning Products presents the first-ever Green Blogger Convention.

First you'll chat up other green bloggers, writers and editors, while you sip organic Cafe de Olla from Border Grill and get complimentary first-come, first-served sustainable beauty treatments from Read the full post... 

I recently went to see a lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall, famous scientist and animal ambassador (she's the one on the right - photo by Tyler Shaw). The focus of the evening was children. In collaboration with ICRT, she talked mostly about Roots and Shoots, a youth-driven program she started where kids act on behalf of the environment, animals, and other people. There are 10,000 groups in 111 countries around the world, involving kids from preschool to university, and they are doing some amazing things. For example, in CA, one group pulled 450,000 pounds of trash out of the LA River in a day. Another group planted 1,000 trees. Another raised $16K through recycling and bought 3,000 Read the full post... 

What I've got you've got to give it to your mama…or just keep it for yourself. One lucky Biter is going to win a limited edition, not-sold-in-stores Aveeno Envirosax reusable bag filled with Aveeno products. It's created with 100% organic cotton, sourced from a co-op in Peru.

The trick to reusable bags is to actually remember to use them - keep them in your car and bring them into the store so you can say "no" to paper or plastic. (Bonus: Stores like Safeway and Whole Foods offer a five-penny discount if you BYO.)
 
Anyways, the first Biter to email the correct answer to "Paper or Plastic?" (hint: it's in the link above), along with your name and mailing address to contests@idealbite.com wins. Be sure to put Read the full post... 

There are three awesome events coming up in LA, and whether you decide get an organic facial, watch a movie outside, or get a dose of rad vintage fashion, it's all for a good cause. Read on and maybe we'll bump into each other there…

Beauty for a Cure
What: Aveda Institute LA's Beauty for a Cure event. Make any donation to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in exchange for complimentary haircuts, mini facials, neck and shoulder massages, and makeup applications using Aveda's plant-based, mostly organic prods. Call (614-291-2421) extension 3 to schedule a free appointment.
Why Care: During the month of October, the Aveda Institute LA hopes to raise $7,500 in donations to Read the full post... 

I dragged myself to Trader Joes in WeHo the other day to buy ingredients for "The Soup" (my sister's healing, chicken-less chicken soup). As I chatted up the bagger and told him what I was going to make, he looked at me as if I had lost it and said, "Soup??"

I happen to have a stinking cold during LA's heat wave. And I'm anti-antibiotic (OK, I took them in September '05 because I was under the weather and heading to Bali; and last Christmas when I was sick as a dog and had to be a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding), so I've been trying to heal in a more homeopathic way by eating The Soup, Neti Pot-ing - I know it looks weird, but I'm a huge fan - and drinking a very zippy Throat Tea, Read the full post... 

Two days, two Emmy events, and one too-short weekend later, I'm trying to write this blog instead of watching red carpet arrival recaps (J-Lo flashbacks with Blake Lively's red hot number, right?)…

On Thursday, I went to Noreen Fraser Foundation's Focus On A Cure Emmy event with Eater LA's editor, Kat Odell (see pic of us). I had the pleasure of chatting with Noreen right after she got off the phone with Arnold Schwarzenegger (for reals). Stage four-breast cancer motivates her to raise awareness about early detection for the prevention of women’s cancers - which Read the full post... 

When I'm not trying to wow you Biters with the latest and greenest happenings in LA, you can most likely find me on a yoga mat either practicing, teaching, or occasionally modeling…

Last Saturday I was shot by Jasper Johal (top notch yoga-tographer) for Hard Tail (famous for its roll down, tush-flattering yoga pant), and was stoked to find that there's a Hard Tail Green Label now - a collection made with organic cotton and such. That day, two other yoga teachers and I had to do everything from Peacock to Read the full post...