“Succeeding as a champion athlete or champion student takes plenty of nutritious fuel for the mind and the body. Students need more fruits and vegetables that will help them stay healthy, fit, and ready to learn. That’s why it’s important for Congress to stay on top of its game by reforming the Child Nutrition Act.”

- John Salley speaking to congress about the importance of vegetarian foods. Salley was joined on Capital Hill by Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich and representatives from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2009, which regulates the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, will come up for congressional review next year. Here’s hoping that congress make smart choices!

This guy is the REAL DEAL and absolutely ahead of his time.

On June 21st, the world’s first annual Vegan Earth Day Celebration was held at Pierce College in Woodland Hills California, and Mr. Kucinich delivered a special video message. 

In the clip below, Dennis says: 

“What does it mean to be a vegan? Well, I can share with you what it’s meant to me. When I made that decision back in 1995, I was in a different state of health. For many years I suffered from what some know as Crohn’s Disease and I was told that there was no cure for it. But by a vegan diet and by the use of Chinese medicine as an extra help, I don’t have a problem anymore.

I just want to tell you that for health reasons, for compassion for animals, there are many reasons that people can make that change.  And also for helping to save the planet. There are as many reasons why a person may be a vegan as there are vegans, I suppose. But for me it’s been one of the most important decisions in my life. It’s enabled me to have increased clarity and vitality, and its given me a joy of life that I can’t say that I really had when I had another diet that was weighing me down physically and spiritually.”

See what I mean? HE’S THE MAN!!

Check out the whole video and then head on over to GoVeg.com to get your free vegetarian starter kit.

Vegan rockstar and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich got a little 1-2 last week when Ohio County Commissioner and party chairman Jimmy Dimora decided to poke fun at his plant-based diet.  

According to blog.cleveland.com: ”U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s diet is one of Dimora’s frequent targets, and Dimora didn’t miss an opportunity Sunday.”

When Dennis’ vegan meal was served, Dimora requested that Kucinich take his food home with him, saying: 

“I don’t want anyone getting sick from that.” 

Hey listen, I’m all for joking a guy every now and then, but you’re really gonna suggest that vegan food makes you sick? Yikes! Not to be a Judgmental Jonah, but Dennis looks a hell of a lot healthier then Jimmy if you ask me. 

All I’m saying is maybe next time Dimora should skip the ribeye and ask Dennis for a bite of his vegetable wonderfulness…or get a better joke.

- Dennis Kucinich discussing global warming and how it relates to what we eat. As many of you know, Dennis is basically a super-awesome dude and we totally think he’s on to something! To read the rest of the interview, visit VegNews.com!

Dennis Kucinich is the only vegan in congress and a continuous supporter of animal rights and the Farm Sanctuary. As you can imagine, he was a super hot guest and not easy to pull away. However, when everyone went downstairs to eat dinner I stayed perched in the VIP lounge scanning the crowd for exciting tid-bits! At one point I saw Dennis sneak away from his table and visit the silent auction area and I knew that was my chance! So I swooped down, introduced myself (and my tape recorder…her name is Molly) and began the interview. Enjoy!

Parrish: First off, let me just say I’m a huge fan of yours and think that the examples you set in congress are totally inspiring. Tell me about what brings you here tonight?

Dennis Kucinich: Well I’m always looking for opportunities in the congress to protect farm animals. Right now we’re having an investigation in my sub-committee of a plant in California that was actually processing downed animals. So I’m investigating that right now. Years ago I was responsible for a bill that stopped importation of products from China that contained dog and cat fur that came from live dogs and cats. The whole idea of being involved with an animal rights effort is to show that all living creatures deserve respect. If we show that respect throughout our entire ecology then perhaps that’s the path to peace.

P: Wow! I absolutely agree with you. Now I know that you’re vegan. How long has that been for you?

DK: I’ve been vegan since 1995.

P: And what inspired it?

DK: You know I was in a relationship where I met a woman who was vegan and so I tried it and what I was surprised to learn is that I immediately experienced some beneficial health effects and together with Chinese medicine I was cured of Crohn’s.

P: That’s really amazing.

DK: Isn’t it?

P: Well listen I know I kind of sidetracked you over here so I’ll let you get back to dinner. Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

DK: Well, that my website is Kucinich.US. Please check it out.

P: Thanks again for your time congressman.

I enjoy a lot of things: really good margaritas, paid vacation time, that noise bubble wrap makes when it’s popped, but none of those compare to how much I love the annual Farm Sanctuary Gala. In case you’re late to the party, Farm Sanctuary was started in 1986 with the rescue of Hilda, a “downer” cow left for dead in a stockpile. Today they are considered to be the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization and work tirelessly to expose and stop cruel practices in the food animal industry. After over 20 successful years they now have 2 fully running sanctuaries in New York and California that are home to hundreds of animals, tons of staff and plenty of curious visitors.

Each year the organization holds a ritzy, celebrity-packed gala to help raise money for their many noble causes. Two yeas ago, before my Ecorazzi days, I volunteered at the event and was truly inspired by a room full of like-minded people all coming together to celebrate those that are so rarely even thought about. This year I got to attend with a full access, fancy-pancy press pass and pick the brains of those very famous VIP’s I once so fondly cooed over.

I arrived at 4:30, signed in and was told I had “full-access” to the event. Score! After getting my photographer Andrew Ford set up on the red carpet I headed inside for some investigative work (and perhaps a little appetizer munching). The space was pure elegance with beautifully decorated tables, a silent auction area and, of course, the second floor VIP loft. I started slowly and perused some of the items on the silent auction tables. There were signed photographs, paintings, jewelry and plenty of eager volunteers to help answer any questions I might have.

Next I headed upstairs to the VIP lounge where I had the chance to speak with Melissa Rivers (a regular Ecorazzi reader), Emily Deschanel, Rory Freedman, Dennis Kucinich, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Victoria Moran, Ally Sheedy, Loretta Swit, Russell Simmons and Farm Sanctuary president and co-founder Gene Baur. The celebs were kind, well-spoken and all agreed on one thing: Farm Sanctuary is pretty damn incredible. FYI — throughout the week Ecorazzi will feature The Farm Sanctuary Gala Interviews, a series of exclusive one on ones with the many celebrity guests in attendance.

After celeb-time, the ceremony began with host Heather Mills admitting that she wanted to “convert all the meat-eaters in the house.” Awesome! The dinner came a bit later and was partially designed by Mills herself. Now even though I had “full-access”, I didn’t have “full-access” to dinner!! However, you better believe those years of waiting tables taught me a thing or two about getting on the good side of servers. I quickly befriended a waiter and made sure I got a plate of vegan lasagna with bechamel sauce. Sadly, I must admit that I was far from impressed. The plate appeared rather sloppy, adversely juxtaposing the elegance of the evening, and the overly sweet bechamel sauce left much to be desired. Luckily I filled up on delicious appetizers like fresh guacamole, vegan chicken and green tomato soup.

The ceremony continued with awards given to many, including Karen Dawn for her outstanding activism and the Jivamukti Yoga School for their leadership in compassionate living. As the evening began to wind down Susie Essman got on stage and auctioned off a few pretty incredible gifts — my favorite being a portrait sitting with world-renown painter Peter Max. The ceremony closed with a twilight reception and a musical performance by Grammy Award winner Shawn Colvin.

As I chowed down on my out of the this world vegan brownie cheesecake, care of Vegan Treats, I looked around the room at a group of people who were all spending their time and money on a cause they truly believed in and I felt so proud to be among them. It was getting late and my feet were tired so I headed for the exit and was offered a remarkably heavy gift-bag with enough vegan products to last me for the next month!

A big thanks to the folks at Farm Sanctuary for pulling off such a lovely event and for inviting your beloved Ecorazzi team to take part in the festivities. If you’d like to visit the farm or learn how you can get involved, visit FarmSanctuary.org. Also, don’t forget to check Ecorazzi all week long for the Farm Sanctuary Gala exclusive interviews!

Photo Credit: Andrew Ford

Ding, Ding, Ding! Round one! The roar of the crowd, the smell of the freshly sharpened number two pencils, the hum of the voting machines; that’s right friends, it’s election time. George W. Bush has served his sentence, and a series of new guys (and gals…or gal) are all lining up for a shot to take over the oval. Everyone has their opinion about who might be the best person for the job, and that of course includes our famous brothers and sisters.

This weekend, Sean Penn released an official statement giving his full support to Dennis Kucinich, saying, “He has been the dominant voice of integrity on issues of trade, labor, education, environment, health, civil liberties, and the one endlessly determined voice of peace.” Penn, never particularly shy to share his political ideas, continued on to speak fondly of Kucinich for his “moral courage”, and devotion to the constitution.

Penn also shared his thoughts about Hillary Clinton, “Don’t underestimate the damage her poisonous ambition can do to this country. We can’t wait for the benefit of hindsight to service the benefit of Mrs. Clinton’s career. ”

Wowsers! And it’s only December kids! Buy your tickets now for another 11 months of celebrities putting on those partisan boxing gloves all in the name of peace. Amen.

To whole speech is available here.