ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

October 30th 2008

Ecorazzi Wants To Know How You’ll Celebrate World Vegan Day!

Filed under: animals, campaigns, events, green and famous — parrish @ 2:05 pm

For us plant-eating folk, October is one big month-long celebration. As Ecorazzi previously reported, October 1st is World Vegetarian Day and kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month. To end the cruelty-free holiday, we pure vegetarians raise a glass and celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st.

But you don’t have to be vegan or even vegetarian to participate in the fun. Anyone can party hard on World Vegan Day simply by abstaining from animal products for 24 hours! Simple, right? Of course you could always kick it up a notch by baking vegan cookies, wearing a pro-vegetarian t-shirt, passing out leaflets, or simply posting something groovy on your blog!

This year I’m spending World Vegan Day at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, but on November 3rd I’m continuing the celebration and renting out a space in midtown, inviting 40 of my nearest and dearest and hosting a screening of Earthlings – a great documentary narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and co-produced by Persia White. Rory Freedman, my very favorite Skinny Bitch, has even agreed to write an extra special introduction for the event. How can anyone not heart Rory?

So the only question remaining is: how will YOU celebrate World Vegan Day? A picnic? A dinner party? Maybe a special meal at your favorite vegetarian restaurant? Leave a comment below and tell the world how you’re getting involved!!

graphic: chow.com

October 2nd 2008

It’s Official, ELLEN DEGENERES HAS FINALLY GONE VEGAN!

Filed under: animals, events, film-tv, food & drink, television — parrish @ 10:13 am

Ya’ll, I come bearing such news for you this morning! So last night, in celebration of World Vegetarian Day, I spent the evening drinking Drunken Monkey’s and hanging out with some of the coolest kids around at Karen Dawn’s birthday/ book-signing party (stay tuned for a full post about that later today, including great pictures and an exclusive interview with world renowned author Peter Singer).

Anyway, Chloe Jo (Ecorazzi’s new bff) and I were chatting, and she told me that last week at the Proposition 2 benefit in LA, Ellen DeGeneres officially came out as a full-fledged vegan. You guys, I FREAKED OUT! First, because veganism is like the most amazing thing ever and having heavy hitters on our team is so important. And second, because HOW IN THE WOLRD DID I NOT KNOW THAT???!!!!!

Some of you might remember that even before Ellen’s vegan wedding, Ecorazzi predicted that Ellen was mere moments away from taking the veg pledge, and now it looks like she’s finally gone and done it. So what inspired this balls to the wall move? None other than a super awesome book called Skinny Bitch by another one of Ecorazzi’s bff’s, Rory Freedman. If you ask me, Skinny Bitch has totally revolutionized the vegan movement and we all owe Rory a great big standing ovation! Go buy this book right now!

Now I know there’s some drama because Ellen is the new face of Procter & Gamble’ CoverGirl– a horrific company that still tests heavily on animals – but this may not actually be such a bad thing. Just think, if Ellen has the selling power to make the company big bucks, perhaps she might also have the clout to finally convince P&G to ditch their medieval methods of animal abuse and join the ranks of progressive companies who test their products in a more responsible manor. She’s definitely contributed to major political reform before!

So Dear Ellen, on behalf of all the vegans and vegetarians out there, WELCOME TO THE CLUB! I look forward to covering all of the many wonderful things I know you’ll do for the movement. You rock my frigin socks, lady!

June 27th 2008

Jorja Fox, Emily Deschanel, Talk About Going Green By Going Veg

Filed under: animals, books — michael @ 9:21 am

Access Hollywood recently attended the launch of the new book Thanking The Monkey: Rethinking the way we treat animals — which provides an overview of major issues in animal rights, past and present. Also present were several celebrities from Jorja Fox to Rory Freedman to Emily Deschanel. All had something to give about going green and the benefits of an organic, vegetarian/vegan lifestyle for both body and planet. Check it out below!

May 22nd 2008

Will Ellen Follow Oprah To The Vegan Side?

Filed under: animals, books, film-tv, food & drink, green and famous, television — parrish @ 2:26 pm

Yesterday Ecorazzi went apples and bananas over the fact that Oprah had decided to try her luck with veganism! Well now it looks like Ellen just might be walking the vegan line too.

Tomorrow on the Ellen show, friend of Ecorazzi and Skinny Bitch author, Rory Freedman, will be on to discuss her two bestselling vegan books. And then to continue Veganmania, on May 28th Ellen will welcome Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness — also known as the book that encouraged Oprah to take the vegan plunge.

Ellen is a huge animal supporter and encourages eating local and organic food, but she still eats meat. Many people have expressed disappointment that Ellen valiantly fights for the animals and then later consumes them with the same passion. Will Ellen follow Oprah and adopt a vegan lifestyle? We will just have to wait and see!

Listen, I know its way dorky that I get excited about this kind of stuff, but I do, and I’m psyched that some really influential people are starting to get excited about it too! So eat that tofu and stay tuned to Ecorazzi for all your daytime talk show vegan news!

May 22nd 2008

Farm Sanctuary Gala Exclusive: Russell Simmons Wants Change

Filed under: animals, ecorazzi exclusive, events, events: nyc, green and famous, music — parrish @ 11:52 am

Ok, so far Ecorazzi has brought you exclusive interviews from Melissa Rivers, Swoosie Kurtz and Rory Freedman all of which took place at the Farm Sanctuary Gala on Saturday.  Up next: Russell Simmons.

Besides being a music mogul, Russell is well known for his work with animals — participating in programs with PETA, Farm Sanctuary and other organizations that help shed light on the cruelty of the food animal business. He was a popular guest at the event, but I managed to get a few words in.

Parrish: Hey Russell. I work for Ecorazzi. Have you been to our site before?

Russell Simmons: Oh yeah, I’ve read you guys. Do you ever go to Global Grind?

P: I’ve been before, yeah.

RS: You guys are one of the RSS Feeds.

P: Oh great! So tell me about your work with the Sanctuary.

RS: I get involved anytime I get called. Any group that makes an effort to commit to consciousness, if I have time I like to show. And these guys call me. I’ve chaired events to raise money and awareness for them. I love what they do. There’s 10 billion farm animals and no representation. They get abused. And these companies are abusing Mother Earth and that’s important to stop. If we keep it up we won’t be here. We need groups that are aware and conscious and pay attention. And this group is special. They’re the number one advocate for farm animals. The work that they’re doing — the legislative work and the other work — it’s inspiring. They’re honoring my gurus today [ Sharon Gannon and David Life from Jivamukti Yoga School ] so I couldn’t miss it for the world.

P: I’ve followed your career and I know you’ve done a lot of  really great work for animals including appearing in a PETA public service announcement to speak out against dog fighting.

RS: Oh yeah I’ve worked for PETA. I’ve worked for PETA in negotiations for corporations too.

P: And you’re vegan?

RS: Yeah, I’ve been vegan for 8 years.

Continue reading our interview with Russell Simmons!

May 21st 2008

Farm Sanctuary Gala Exclusive: The Skinny Bitch Herself, Rory Freedman

Filed under: animals, books, ecorazzi exclusive, events, events: nyc, green and famous — parrish @ 4:12 pm

Well hello again! This is a continuation of our exclusive celebrity interviews from the Farm Sanctuary Gala this past Saturday. Yesterday we told you about Melissa Rivers’ green ideas and Swoosie Kurtz’ love for Ed Begley Jr. Today we get literary as we bring you our exclusive convo with Skinny Bitch co-author Rory Freedman.

Rory and I first spoke about a year ago when I noticed something strange in a few of my female friends who happen to be reading Skinny Bitch– THEY WERE ALL GOING VEGAN! Now, after two best sellers she’s continuing her work advocating for animals and honoring the Farm Sanctuary at their annual gala. Here’s what she had to say:

Parrish: So tell me why you’re here tonight.

Rory Freedman: I love Farm Sanctuary. I’ve been inspired and motivated by the work they’re doing for — I don’t even know how many years now —  but I will say this: I was working at Ford Models as an agent for five years in New York City and then I attended a Farm Sanctuary conference in New Jersey that my two friends brought me to, and within five minutes of the conference starting, as Gene Baur was speaking, I turned to my friends and I said, ‘That’s it! I’m quitting my job at Ford and I’m gonna become a full-time animal rights activist’. So literally Farm Sanctuary is the reason that Skinny Bitch the book was written.

P: Wow. That’s really incredible. Now you and I have talked about veganism before and it’s something we’re both super passionate about, so why don’t you tell our readers all about your experience with the vegan diet.

RF:I’ve been vegetarian for 14 years and a vegan for 4. It is without a doubt the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I’ve never felt better. I’ve never been in better shape. I’ve never had more energy. But more than anything else, knowing that I am not contributing to the torture and slaughter of animals just because I like the way their flesh tastes is what matters the most to me. It was my motivation for going veg. It was my motivation for going vegan. And it’s all I need everyday to remind myself why I lead this lifestyle.

Click here to continue reading our interview with Rory!

May 20th 2008

Farm Sanctuary Gala Brings Out Heather Mills, Melissa Rivers

Filed under: animals, ecorazzi exclusive, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, honors — michael @ 9:27 am

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.

Click here to continue reading about the night and see our collection of exclusive photos!