5 Foods That Fight The Flu
Now that the holiday season is in full swing, that can only mean something else is upon us, too: Flu season. But we found this wonderful article by a fave vegan blogger/Twitterer, Whitney Lauritson (aka EcoVeganGal). What you eat does make a difference in your immunity. Got more flu-fighting food faves? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!
5 Foods That Fight The Flu
by Whitney Lauritson, OrganicAuthority.com
This time of year is an immune system’s nightmare – coughing, sneezing, fever, chills, exhaustion – yep, it’s flu season. If you feel the onset of these dreaded symptoms, take a look at what’s in your kitchen before getting shot up with a vaccine. If you find lots of salty chips and sugary cookies, your sick coworker’s germs may not be the blame; the saying is true: You are what you eat. Processed fo
ods stripped of sustenance will leave you run down and defenseless, while fresh, nutritious fare results in an energized, resilient body.
Save the tissue for wrapping presents – here are the top 5 foods you should be eating for a healthy holiday season.
1. Garlic
Garlic is more than just a tasty additive to savory dishes and vampire (or bad date) defense – it has some impressive antioxidant properties. It’s trademark odor is the result of an oily, sulfurous substance called allicin, which can help prevent and shorten the duration of infections when used daily in cooking or taken as a supplement. Garlic is most potent when eaten fresh, so add it into your food after heating it – but be sure to warn anyone before they get within range of your breath!
2. Green Tea
People who prefer hot green tea in the morning to a cup ‘o Joe are getting more than just a smoother energy boost. This earthy beverage is also high in bacteria-fighting antioxidants and an immune-boosting chemical called epigallocatechin gallate. Enjoying a few cups a day will keep away free radicals and soothe the entire body. If you want to stay clear of sniffles, have some nut-based milk (like almond), as dairy milk can stir up mucus.
Read the rest of the article on OrganicAuthority.com
Friday with Friends: Chloé Jo Davis
Beyond being named one of the “Hottest Jews in the World,” by HEEB Magazine, Chloé Jo Davis is a bona fide green, vegan vixen. The editor-in-chief of The GirlieGirl Army, a green guide to glamazon living that boasts 12 years of archives and a fan base that includes major celebrities and many thousands of readers, you may also have seen Chloé as celebrity dirt’s host on RiverWired and in an Errol Morris-directed national commercial for Silk Soy Milk. An activist, writer, green expert, animal rescue warrior, radio host, online personality and ethical fashion expert, she’s also one of the celebrity judges for our Tee and Tote Design Contest happening right now. Chloé told all about motherhood (her son, Panther Britain, was born April 15th, 2010), glamazon living and her favorite vegan foods in a recent interview with Allison’s Gourmet.
Allison’s Gourmet: What items are always on your grocery shopping list aka the foods you could NEVER live without? And has anything food-wise changed since the birth of your vegan son, Panther?
Chloé Jo Davis: I was mainly raw prior to having Panther. Post birthing (and attachment parenting parents who breastfeed will totally get this) we still haven’t slept, so carbs are how I get through the day. I wish I could say I was exclusively green juice and kale chips… but I’m more like green juice, kale chips, roasted potatoes, corn, fresh coconut waters, kombuchas, 
Israeli pickles, cous cous, vegan jerky, vegan sushi, guac, roasted chestnuts, really well marinated tempeh or tofu, white sweet potatoes, avocados, hummus (homemade, of course! hint: a spice called za’atar changes the game), and obsessed with all fresh fruits and veggies, particularly those on the more exotic side. I live on jicama, and I’m mainly a salty gal. I love crackers and a good pretzel! I just love food. I could (and often do) eat 24 hours a day. Plus I cook a lot and I live in NYC, home to a billion vegan restaurants! I don’t stop with the eating. Goddess bless my appetite (shouldn’t we all applaud women who can EAT more? I’m so done applauding women who are proud to have eaten nothing but a side salad all day!)
AG: Your web site, www.GirlieGirlArmy.com spans the gamut with content, covering everything from travel to shopping. Which veg-friendly city is next on your list? What would you pack for the trip?
CJD: We just missed a family gathering in Israel, which I’m bummed about because the produce in Israel is next level, just the best. Between that and the falafel, do you really need anything else?! But Panther is too wild for long plane rides right now. The kid is a daredevil… he never ever stop! We’re planning on visiting our friends at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and Farm Sanctuary in September… but those aren’t exactly in large cities!
So, next real trip will be in October to the World Peace Yoga Jubilee which I have to say, is one of the most special, wonderful events I’ve ever been to. It’s held outside of Cincinnati and it’s the only all-vegan yoga conference that I’ve ever heard of… but it’s so beyond that. The food is sensational, the people beautiful (in and out) and the energy just quite magical. I highly recommend it! Oh, and me and my gf Alex Jamieson will be speaking again on a panel with some genius ethical icons. Lucky us! What will I pack? Probably a bunch of yoga clothes and a few good outfits that I’ll end up getting from one of my legendary clothing swaps. And I never leave home without a pair of OlsenHaus and Cri de Coeur heels.
AG: What’s your favorite summer recipe to share?
CJD: I don’t think you can beat a massive summer salad with fresh corn, chickpeas, berries, dandelion and spinach greens and tons of good olives and a really fresh crusty ciabatta (clearly, I’m not gluten-free though I find it an interesting next potential step!) and then a homemade sorbet (two minutes to make!) in your blender. 
I also grill tons of vegan sausages and make big stir fries with whatever is fresh and organic. You can’t beat Bragg Liquid Aminos, nutritional yeast, and some cracked pepper with ANY veg.
AG: What other vegan sites do you visit on a regular basis?
CJD: Yours, because it’s beautiful and I heart you. I have too many favorites to list, but the gist is – if I write about them on GGA, I mostly likely regularly visit them!
AG: You’ve been featured as an eco-beauty expert. What are some of your favorite finds?
CJD: Oy vey… too much pressure! It’s my job to discover the green and fabulous, so I’m up to my shnozz in favorites. But here are a few:
- Soy nail polish remover
– non toxic, vegan – and perfect to byor (bring your own remover) when hitting up the mani-pedi spot. - Heart of Darkness Shoes – love that my girls at Cri De Coeur launched a sub line which is more affordable for those of us on a budget, but still kept the amazingly cool and gorgeous design that we go to them for.
- Sugar-based Hairspray – it’s a revolution. It works and it doesn’t stink or give you cancer. Halle-fricking-lullah!
- Dalia Gowns – it’s not easy to find black tie worthy gowns that aren’t made from silk. Dalia MacPhee designs gorgeous and vegan gowns for us silk-free ladies.
- Tata Harper skin care line – the face oils are special. You notice a difference in your skin immediately.
AG: What’s your favorite Allison’s Gourmet product? Any product suggestions?
CJD: I’m not a big chocolate gal, though my husband Jeremy is. I tend to buy him your organic brownies, while your vegan toffee and peanut brittle blow me away. Seriously, how dare you. Generally though, I’m more of a tart tartin kinda gal, what about some more fruity confections – maybe with less white sugars and more dates for sweetness? Dare to dream! 
I’m loving baking with puréed dates lately!
Want to hear more from Chloé Jo? Check her out on Twitter and Facebook and at her blog: GirlieGirlArmy.com.
Weekly Wrap-up: Sweet Teeth and All American Potato Salad
This week on Facebook we took a mini-poll about–what else–sweets! We found that most of you enjoy something sweet every day. We do too! And, as it turns out, that may not be such a bad thing. A recent study shows that kids who eat candy regularly are less 
overweight than kids who don’t. Maybe there’s something to that “everything in moderation” theory after all (well, maybe not *every*thing!)…And we know first-hand that vegan and organic confections are a much healthier way to indulge our sweet tooth.
We welcomed lots of new fans and friends to our Facebook family, which is growing so fast! Thank you all for that! We’re also quite close to our 1,000th Twitter follower, and we’re excited about growing our family there too. If you haven’t visited us yet on Twitter, please come join the sweet talk!
In case you didn’t see the news, the word is in: Dads love organic, vegan fudge! We had an overwhelming demand for our vegan fudge during Father’s Day, so keep that in mind for all of you out there with Dads (or Dads-to-be as the case may be!)
Hopefully you have lots of relaxing and celebrating planned for the holiday weekend. Hard to believe it’s already July. Independence Day falls on a Monday this year—our favorite day of the week, of course, because it’s Meatless Monday! Whether you’re firing up the grill with veggie burgers, kabobs, or dogs, there’s one side-dish must for every July 4th picnic and that’s potato salad. Allison’s recipe is so simple and yummy, we hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do! Once you give the recipe a try, Tweet pics to us @allisonsgourmet or upload them to our Facebook page and we’ll make sure to spread them around. Happy Celebrating!
Recipe: All-American Potato Salad
Serves 6
8 cups yellow potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 large celery ribs chopped finely
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
1. In a stock pot fitted with a large steamer basket, place 2 cups of water and add potatoes. Bring to a boil and steam for 15 minutes, until potatoes begin to yield to an inserted fork. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and allow to cool for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, combine celery, onion, mayonnaise, dill, salt, mustard, and pepper. Add to potatoes and fold to combine.
Dad of the Day Giveaway!
Looked at a calendar lately? It’s almost Fathers Day! We love the Day O’ Dads over here at Allison’s and this year we’re looking for the Dad of the Day. Comment here on our blog telling us how you are going to celebrate your dad and what makes him so fantastic and June 19th might get a little sweeter! We’ll pick a winner next week, Monday the 13th, and if you win, we’ll send you or your pops a $30 gift certificate.
This Giveaway is now closed.
If you don’t win, don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered. Here’s a curated selection of products any dad (vegan or otherwise) is sure to love:
The Spice Lover’s Gift Set
For adventurous dads with a (slightly) daring palate! Spiced Peanut Brittle and Chipotle Caramels.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
Sweet and salty peanut butter hugged by delectable dark chocolate. Chocolate-loving Dad’s dream come true.
Chocolate Caramels
Buttery caramel. Smooth chocolate. Tootsies just rolled over.
Sweet Desires Gift Basket
For the dad who deserves it all! Peanut butter cups, vegan cookies, two flavors of brownies, four flavors of organic coffee, chocolate peanut brittle, vegan toffee and perfect gift packaging!
Salted Chocolate Brittle
If there was an edible Dad metaphor, this would be it. Classic buttery peanut brittle, rich dark chocolate topped with pink Himalayan salt.
Pecan Brownies
Sumptuous organic brownies fit for a king! Crowned with buttery toasted pecans.
Dad doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Here’s a variety of impeccable organic and fair-trade coffee. Excellent black, iced or otherwise.
Feel great about spoiling the ones you love. All Allison’s products are totally organic, use only the highest quality ingredients, and are cruelty free. And if Daddy loves you, he might share!
Eco-Friendly Gifts for Grads
It’s spring again, and all over the country students of many academic levels are taking finals, matriculating and making plans for next year. It’s a time of celebration, and it’s especially exciting for me to note that more and more of today’s young people are seeing the benefits of a healthy, green, and compassionate lifestyle. 
As you celebrate the accomplishments of the eco-conscious, animal-loving young people in your life, consider giving them vegan, fair-trade gifts they will love that will also align with their values as responsible global citizens. Get your soon-to-be graduate a hot cocoa sampler to keep him or her going through the final weeks of school, or give cookie of the month clubs to graduates going off to college in the fall to sustain them through late nights and all those college exams. 
Monthly clubs can be ordered now to begin shipping in August, September or any other month you specify.
Gentle on the earth, and kind to animals and people alike, our organic, vegan and fair-trade treats will be enjoyed immensely by students of any age. Conscientious young people are sure to appreciate a deliciously decadent fair-trade gift that they can feel great about enjoying and won’t take up closet space.
