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Summer is almost here, and iced drinks are on the menu.

You may have improved your chillin’ choices lately – maybe you’re avoiding sugary, caffeinated Frappacino-type drinks and opting for iced green tea, lemonade, or herbal concoctions. So you’re doing better, right?

Wait! What about that straw you’re sucking through? Did you know it’s made of petroleum-based plastic? If you scrape your teeth along that straw, changes are you’re ingesting microscopic bits of chemicals as well as dyes, plastic and who-knows-what-else.

The remedy? Glass straws!

The brilliant folks behind Glass Dharma Straws have a beautiful line of eco-friendly straws that you can use every day without worrying about what bits you’re slurping up.

Want to win one of two $25 credits on Glass Dharma’s website? Here’s how you can win:

1. Go to GlassDharma.com, and look around the site.

2. Leave a comment here on this blog about why you want to win a glass straw! Winners will be chosen at random on June 9th, 2010.

Good luck, and happy sucking!

The National Cancer Institute has posted on it’s website that frying meat creates cancer-causing chemicals:

“Research has shown that cooking certain meats at high temperatures creates chemicals that are not present in uncooked meats. A few of these chemicals may increase cancer risk. For example, heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are the carcinogenic chemicals formed from the cooking of muscle meats such as beef, pork, fowl, and fish…”

The evidence is clear: most cancers are caused by lifestyle and dietary factors. Eating fried and processed foods is not recommended if you want to avoid illness and cancer. In fact, all major cancer institutes recommend a cancer-fighting diet high in plant foods, and devoid of highly-processed foods. I’m guessing deep-fried and grilled, non-organic chicken falls into that second category.

I was floored to see that the Susan G. Komen For The Cure foundation has partnered with Kentucky FRIED CHICKEN to raise money for cancer research. For each pink bucket of KFC’s chicken sold through the end of May, $.50 will be donated to cancer awareness and education projects.

One wonders: will the education create awareness that fried food can lead to cancer?

Cancer awareness groups, like Breast Cancer Action, have come out against KFC’s campaign and find this marketing partnership to be more damaging than benefiting to the health and awareness of consumers.

I urge you to write to KFC and the Susan G. Korman foundation and tell them what you think of this advertising campaign.

Have you ever fantasized about walking down the streets of New York City, looking fit, glamorous and radiant?

Enter to win e a private VIP 1-Day adventure of pampering, wellness treatments and personalized guidance from Alexandra!

The day in New York City will include:

- One-on-one coaching and mentoring with Alexandra

- Healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during this full-day excursion

- A visit to NYC’s hottest gym for a yoga class and spa treatment

- A behind-the-scenes look at how Alexandra shops, eats and enjoys a natural lifestyle in New York City

- Custom designed health history breakthrough and food plan

- A personalized health food store tour

*If the winner is a New York City resident, we’ll go to your home and perform a kitchen clean-out!

This contest is open to anyone who lives in New York City or is willing to travel here for this amazing offer. Certain date restrictions apply, and the VIP day must take place by September 5th, 2010.

**BONUS – A signed copy of my latest book Living Vegan for Dummies!

To Enter:

1. Sign up for Alexandra’s newsletter here by Tuesday, June 1st at 8pm EST.

2. If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, leave a comment here on this blog post by Tuesday, June 1st at 8pm EST about why you want to win this amazing package!

The breakthroughs that are possible for you during this incredible day are limitless. This will be a day to remember!

I’m always thrilled to hear about my past clients’ success stories, and wanted to share an email I just received:

“Hi Alex,

I was a participant in your January Detox Tele-class.  We had discussed my cholesterol during my one on one with you and you were interested in hearing results of how my diet change has affected my readings.  To give you a quick background, I was diagnosed with high cholesterol late in 2004 – my total cholesterol at that time was 375 with the LDL at 281.  I tried diet and exercise and with running every day had my total cholesterol in 2006 at 269 with the LDL at 179.  I went on meds and my reading in September 2009 was at 262 with and LDL of 150. (I became vegetarian Feb 2008)

So the big news – three months after my detox with you and “mostly eliminating dairy” from my diet – my total cholesterol is at 205 with my LDL at 119…I believe the detox and elimination of dairy has had a big effect.

Thank you – thank you for helping me find a healthy AND satisfying diet.

Best regards,
Christine D.”

Heart disease is still one of the top killers of American women. High blood cholesterol levels are a major indication that you could be on the road to heart disease, and proper diet plays a big role in changing those cholesterol levels.

The beauty of Christine’s story is that she experienced such wonderful results (including weight loss and reduced congestion) with such simple dietary changes.

Here’s to your health!

Alexandra

When I worked in advertising, I heard this mantra a lot : “K.I.S.S.” This stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid! Sometimes the simplest ingredients can yield the most satisfying results. A case in point, Raw Chocolate Heaven Dip. Please to enjoy.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

½ cup almond, peanut or cashew butter (unsweetened, unsalted)

3 tablespoons brown rice or raw agave nectar

3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder

scant pinch sea salt

Optional fruit for dipping: apple slices, peeled orange segments, or spread on banana slices with a knife

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
2. Using the back of a rubber spatula or spoonula, cream the ingredients together until completely mixed.
3. Serve with sliced fruit for dipping.

Come join Alexandra at the luxurious, top-of-the-line Equinox gym on 74th Street and 2nd Ave in New York City this Wednesday, May 19th at 8pm:

Getting that Glow For Summer!

How to Transform Your Looks and Help You Feel Your Best with Holistic Nutrition

When you feel good, you look great. Healthy people have a light about them—a kind of inner glow. And let me tell you, nothing beats adequate rest and having reserves of energy. This gives you the strength, courage and heightened awareness to handle anything that comes your way. Come learn the nutrition and lifestyle secrets to getting that glow.

RSVP for the opportunity to get one-on-one tips and instruction at the May 19^th class to Kelly.wickstrom@equinox.com

The interactive class will offer tips of plant-based nutrition for glowing energy and healthy weight loss strategies to get you ready for the warm weather that’s coming.

And you’ll get so many bonus goodies:

- Free Vegan Pizza from Slice Pizza

- Free samples of natural, cruelty-free products

- A guest pass to work out at this amazing Equinox facility the day of the lecture

I’ll also be signing copies of my books The Great American Detox Diet and Living Vegan for Dummies, and offering a special price of $30 when you buy both books.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Just remember to RSVP to Kelly by midnight on Tuesday, May 18th.

Alexandra

“I’m thoroughly loving the new way of eating. Never felt better.”

Wahooo! This is why I love this work.

Be well, Alexandra

I was honored to be a judge for Veggie Conquest 4 here in NYC

Jasmin Singer of OurHenHouse.com filmed the event and put together a great video – watch the fun here!

Our Hen House on Veggie Conquest from jasmin singer on Vimeo.