Alicia Silverstone hopes to provide assistance to fellow vegan moms who are struggling to feed their newborns breast milk.

We’ve heard of car sharing, bike sharing, and other collaborative consumption efforts, but what about sharing breast milk? Your initial reaction might be shock, but it’s actually not uncommon for women to supplement their own milk production in times of emergency or physical inability. There are both formal “milk banks” and informal sharing circles.

Now, actress, author, and vegan activist, Alicia Silverstone, has launched her own peer-to-peer breast milk sharing program, called “Kind Mama Milk Share.” The program is intended to provide an alternative for those mothers who have made the decision to be vegan, and want to raise their newborns in the same way.

On her blog, The Kind Life, Silverstone recounts the experience that inspired her to start the milk share.

A couple weeks ago, another mama I know gave birth to a son…because of a breast reduction surgery, she found she wouldn’t be able to make enough milk for him, no matter how much precious boobie time they spent together. She tried reaching out in her community for donor milk, but it was almost impossible to figure out what kind of lifestyle choices the donors had made.”

Vegan mothers who find themselves in similar situations are often forced to turn to formulas in order to ensure proper caloric intake. Yes, there are vegan formulas, but just like the dairy-based version, it’s a poor substitute for mother’s milk.

In a move that clearly plans to mobilize Silverstone’s significant online following, she’s encouraging vegan mothers who need milk to connect with those who have extra milk by commenting on her website. There are already more than 100 comments offering or requesting milk on the post, though it’s unclear whether Silverstone will be creating a dedicated page for “Kind Mama Milk Share”.

Would you participate in a sharing program of this nature or encourage your friends to do so? Share your thoughts in a comment. 

Image: maessive

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Have you heard about jackfruit – the all-natural plant ingredient that’s been popping up in vegan and vegetarian dishes around the nation? Yea – me either. But let’s check out this amazing soy alternative.

What is it?

Jackfruit, beyond having a fantastic name, is the large fruit of a tree native to parts of South and Southeast Asia. How large? We’re talking #1 in the world – with some fruit weighing as much as 80 pounds and growing three feet long and nearly two feet wide. In other words, you can get “jacked” harvesting Jackfruit.

What’s the big deal – and why is it showing up in more veg restaurants?

Unripe jackfruit reportedly has a meaty taste – with texture comparable to poultry. It also accepts seasonings well, making it really easy to marinade or spice up. It’s appearance and taste once prepared is so deceiving that many people believe they’re actually eating meat.

It’s also super rich in vitamins and minerals and contains many cancer-fighting properties such as isoflavones, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. A full list of the awesome health benefits can be found here.

Can I grow one at home? 

Unless you live in zone 10 and above (ie; the tropics) growing a tree can be a bit hard without the right conditions. That – and well, it takes up to 14 years before the first fruit arrives. If you’re still curious, here are some instructions – but the supermarket is likely everyone else’s best bet. (Tip: Try Chinese and Indian markets. These Jackfruits were spotted last summer in Jackson Heights.)

Ok, got any recipes? 

Absolutely – how about some Jackfruit Carnitas? Jackfruit Pulled Pork? Or some delicious Jackfruit “Crab” Cakes? I’ve also heard Jackfruit Curry is pretty damn amazing. And here’s a bunch more.

Got any other great recipes? Share them with us below! – Michael dEstries

Ecorazzi covers news and gossip on celebrities and notables in support of the environment and humanitarian causes. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Image: Alex Popovkin

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Alicia Silverstone is offering up free dating advice for vegans, and those looking for other plant-based lovers.

Silverstone says you don’t necessarily have to find someone who is already a vegan. It’s important to be open minded. On her website, The Kind Life, she says, “The jist [sic] is not to limit yourself to finding someone who is already a vegan. Be open to the person who is right for you.”

When the actress and vegan starting dating her husband neither were vegan, but here’s her advice if she was currently dating. “I’d like to think that I would be able to just be looking for a really amazing person, and then trust that that amazing person – once given all the wonderful information that we have to offer, about health and the planet and animals – that that person would be so compassionate and so intelligent and so brilliant that they’d want to jump on board, as much as they possibly could.”

She says do not show up on a first date and declare “I’m vegan. You need to be vegan too!” If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Remember, people can always change.

For those looking to meet people that are already vegan, Silverstone recommends taking a yoga class, going to a farmers market, volunteering at animal organizations and attending environmental events – to name a few.

The point is, be open minded to who you’re looking to meet and who you’re dating.

Here are some further tips from Silverstone about how to meet a veg partner; if you want to introduce your partner to a kind diet; and how not to turn them off from a kind lifestyle.

Silverstone also wants to hear from you! As vegans, she wants to know about your dating and relationship experiences. She’s created a short survey, so give Silverstone a helping hand.

Ecorazzi covers news and gossip on celebrities and notables in support of the environment and humanitarian causes. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Image: bigbirdz

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