Reasons to Smile: Happy 4th of July!

1. 4th of July BBQ's filled with veggie dogs, veggie burgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon. Mmm…

2. Receiving my July/August edition of VegNews in the mail yesterday!

3. Reading in my VegNews about this awesome fact:

"Last October, Baltimore City Public schools banished meat from their Monday lunch menus. The change affected more than 80,000 students and made the district the first school system in America to adopt Meat-Free Mondays. School officials report that the program has made Monday the most popular lunch day of the week, and that preparing vegetarian meals benefits its budget, as cruelty-free cooking costs 20 cents less per meal than serving meat."

Go Baltimore! Alright, who's next?

4. Also discovering through VegNews the talents of vegan chef and baker Chloe Coscarelli, who happens to be the latest winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network!

Check out this awesome video of Chloe on VegNews TV making two fun and delicious 4th of July desserts!

5. Replacing my past three morning cups of coffee with kale, fruit, and almond milk smoothies.

 6. My interview next week with Vegan at Heart founder and 2010 Veggie Prom Queen Marisa Miller Wolfson. Rock on!

7. Belated news, but happy news nonetheless - Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper finally going vegan is a major smile inducer!

8. Erik Marcus's fascinating book, Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating. What a great discovery!

9. The Italian Pasta Salad with Lundberg Brown Rice Pasta, Field Roast Sausage, Annie's Italian Dressing, and fresh tomatoes Steve and I will be making for our weekend at the Jersey Shore. Yumminess and smiles abound!

10. My rescue kitty, Holly, enjoying some much-needed resting time on the couch.

Holly is still in need of a home, so if you know someone in the NY, NJ, PA, or CT area who is interested, please send emails to kissmyvegan@gmail.com. 

11. Organizing a benefit concert with my sister at rockin' venue Joe's Pub in NYC on July 20th, with proceeds to benefit the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary!

Interested in checking out the show? Click here for more info! 

12. A very befitting 4th of July quote: 

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.  

- Albert Camus

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! I hope you have a safe and yummy holiday!