March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #31 - Chloe Coscarelli

http://eco-chick.com/2011/04/7816/heroines-for-the-planet-cupcake-queen-chloe-coscarelli/

Chloe Coscarelli:

Know her from: She might look like more of a model than a baker, but believe it or not, this fresh-faced and gorgeous young lady got her big culinary break on the Food Network. That big break came when she competed in - and won! - Food Network's Cupcake Wars in 2010. As the only vegan chef of the 4 contestants on the show, many considered the odds heavily stacked against her. But Chloe came out on top, winning the $10,000 prize, and the chance to provide 1000 of her cupcakes for a swanky party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel hosted by Ok! Magazine. She has worked professionally at the Millennium Restaurant in San Francisco, Counter Organic Vegetarian Bistro in NYC, and Herbivore Restaurant, in Berkeley, California. She has done guest spots on The Today Show, The Big Morning Buzz on VH1, and CBS's The Talk. She also published her very first cookbook Chloe's Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way, out this month. I suspect that things will only go up for her from here.

Website: http://chefchloe.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/chloecoscarelli

https://www.facebook.com/ChloeCoscarelli

Why she's vegan: Chloe said she became a vegetarian in about the 7th grade (which is totally when I did, I love her already!!!). She says that, at that time, she made the connection between her pet dogs and the animals that wound up on her plate. Why love one and eat the other? This question has been coming up more and more lately, and there is even a book about it called Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. But, back to the topic at hand...Chloe credits the success of her vegetarian diet largely to the support of her family. Chloe's mother went to great lengths to make sure Chloe, still a child at the onset of her vegetarianism, had access to tasty, healthy foods, and a good selection of special eats on holidays like Thanksgiving. Chloe's family actually decided to make the switch to vegetarianism themselves when Chloe was in high school. At that time, Chloe decided to take that extra step to veganism, again because of her love for animals. Now, every holiday at the Coscarelli household is 100% vegan! Chloe says that vegan food never leaves her feeling exhausted or heavy after a meal the way that animal products did though.

Why she's awesome: I am basically amazed by this girl, because she had already graduated from UC Berkeley and the Natural Gourmet Institute, and appeared on Cupcake Wars before the age of 23! She says she signed up for the Food Network showdown on a whim when she saw an ad on Twitter. Pretty bold! No guts, no glory though I suppose! (Although, it should be noted, there was nothing even resembling guts in her cupcakes...). Coscarelli is now a published author, and has worked in some nationally (if not internationally) renowned restaurants. Her cookbook also showed up at #1 on VegNews Magazine's (basically my favorite vegetarian magazine ever!) 10 Must-Buy Vegan Cookbooks for 2012. Chloe is getting rave reviews for her recipes from vegans and non-vegans alike though, and she is really reaching her goal of proving just how interesting and varied vegan food can be. And additionally, Chloe is also sort of a poster girl for complete vegan health. In order to keep active, she does yoga, dance, and Exhale's Core Fusion. And she has some beautiful skin too!

So Chloe, you and all of your enthusiasm and ambition will fit right in in the Hot Vegan Army. And since you've already seen action in the Cupcake Wars of 2010, I think you'll have to be our Army's version of Napoleon. You're pint-sized, and you seem set to take over the world. So welcome to the Hot Vegan Army!!!

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #28 - Mac Danzig

http://stek.org/professionals/ufc/mac-danzig/

Mac Danzig

Know him from: Danzig is an UFC fighter and mixed martial artist. According to Muscle Works Magazine, Danzig has held the following titles during his career: MMA national amateur MMA champion, Gladiator Challenge lightweight champion, IFC lightweight champion, 5 time King of the Cage world lightweight champion, and The Ultimate Fighter season six winner. Now, I'll admit, pacifist as I am, I'm not really into blood sports. But one of the points of my March posts is to prove that you can be anyone you want to be and still be a vegan. Even if that person you want to be happens to be in a ring pounding the, let's say Jujubees, out of another consenting adult...

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Danzig

http://macdanzigphotography.wordpress.com/

Why he's vegan: Despite the fact that Danzig makes a living fighting human beings, he refuses to contribute to animal suffering. He believes that animals should not be subjected to cruel and inhumane practices because they don't have a choice in the matter. As he sees it, people do have a choice. Danzig says that one of the most profound moments he remembers in his childhood was the day he saw a truck full of pigs headed for the slaughterhouse. Danzig was 13 years old at this time. He remembers making eye contact with one of the pigs in the truck, an intelligent creature destined for a cruel end, and it made him really sad. But Danzig grew up in a family without much money to go around, so they ate what they could get their hands on. Danzig cut dairy products out of his diet back in 1999 though, due to a series of debilitating chronic sinus problems he traced to his dairy intake. While his situation is not typical, dairy allergies are no joke.

Mac tried veganism for a year in his early 20s, but he believed what others told him when he started training in mixed martial arts in 2000, that animal protein is necessary for success in sports training. However, with support from MMA trainer Mark Mahler, Danzig learned he could train for the sport he loves without taxing his conscience. Danzig became vegan in 2004, and has upheld this diet and lifestyle ever since.

Why he's awesome: It seems hard to believe, but Danzig's last job before he started fighting was working in an animal sanctuary in Pennsylvania called Ooh-Mah-Nee Farm. It is at this farm that he first met a committed group of passionate vegans, and began his first foray into this lifestyle. I think this is awesome because it is a unique story, and because Danzig has followed his dreams and his heart both inside and outside of the Octagon. As atypical as the combination might be, Danzig loves fighting professionally, and is passionate about animal welfare. Also, did I mention Mac's a pretty accomplished photographer? Check out his website above. And, while I typically prefer non-violent means of exercise, just look at the guy. His abs have abs.

To get that intense physique, Danzig says that he chows down on brown rice, tempeh, quinoa, legumes like beans and lentils, portobello mushrooms, veggies (particularly leafy greens like collard greens, spinach, and kale), fruit, nuts and seeds, alternative milks, Brendan Brazier's Vega Protein Powder, and a supplement called Ultimate Meal. When he's not in training, Mac hits the thai food, soy ice cream, seitan, and other imitation meats pretty hard. But the less processed food he puts in his body the better when he's training.

Another great thing about Mac Danzig is that he proves veganism and testosterone do mix. I don't think anyone could call this guy a wuss just for being a vegan and live to tell about it. Although, Danzig urges vegetarians not to try to change people by force. Non-vegetarians aren't "evil," he said in a PETA article, they may just not know the information that convinced vegetarians to try the lifestyle. Danzig urges vegetarians to take the opportunity to discuss animal issues in a non-confrontational way when someone asks a question. Danzig also says, if you're passionate, get involved, either politically, or through volunteering. You can help your cause, he says, and life's too short to put it off. Now that is a pretty manly thing to say if you ask me.

So Mac, I think you'll be in charge of Hot Vegan Army Boot Camp. You seem to know how to defend yourself pretty well, and how to train hard to meet rigorous physical goals. I'm also pretty sure you have that certain air of authority. If you yell at me to drop and give you 20, I'm sure gonna do it...

Welcome to the Army Mac. Keep kickin' it new school. We're right behind you.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #27 - Emily Deschanel

http://www.allcelebspics.com/emily-deschanel-pictures-2/

Emily Deschanel

Know her from: This statuesque beauty is primarily known for her role in the tv series Bones, a popular crime scene investigation show now in its 7th season! Emily also appeared in several well-known films, such as Cold Mountain, Glory Road, and It Could Happen to You. In the last movie in that list, Emily's feature film debut, Emily played a paint-throwing fur activist. So even some of her screen roles reflect some of her animal-loving values. I'd also like to note that Emily appeared in a few episodes of the tv show Providence back in 2002, a show so near and dear to my Rhode Island heart :-)

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Deschanel

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221043/bio

Why she's vegan: Emily has been vegan for 19, almost 20 years now, to which I can only say "Wow!" and "Go Emily!" She says that she went vegetarian, and then vegan, back in high school after watching Diet for a New America (a film - and accompanying book - which discuss the implications of dietary choices on health and global concerns). Emily even remained vegan throughout her pregnancy and the birth of her first child last September. Emily has been an advocate of animal rights (and vegan health) for years, working with the Humane Society, Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, and Farm Sanctuary, recently signing on to promote national walks for farm animals. The lifestyle also seems to agree with her too, judging by her notably beautiful clear skin and healthy physique. She says she sticks with her lifestyle, however, not for beauty, but because she doesn't want to contribute to animal suffering. She says that "looking good" wouldn't be enough of a motivation for her on its own.

Why she's awesome: Emily is not only the star of her series Bones, she is also its producer, and has been since the 3rd season of the show. Her brainy character on the series is obviously not such a departure from reality it seems. She says she does try to have some episodes in the series focus on animal welfare, but she tries not to be too excessive about it. She has gotten costar David Boreanaz, who initially made fun of her veganism, to commit to Meatless Mondays, however.

Emily seems incredibly honest and down to earth, and says that beauty, for her, is being comfortable with yourself and who you are, "warts and all" as they say. Emily says she gets more confident and more comfortable every year, and that her long-time friends from when she was growing up have really kept her grounded. I admire her because she seems to know what she wants in life, and not accept anything less. I think that that is a great way to view your life and its challenges, no matter what they are.

So Emily, due to your skills of keen observation, I think you'll have to be the first one to the scene when crimes have been committed within the Hot Vegan Army. Someone's kale chips and hummus are bound to go missing in an unexplained fashion one of these days, even if they are labeled clearly in the refrigerator. I know you'll be able to get to the bottom of it...unless you were the one who got to the bottom of the bowl of hummus....though I am pretty sure you're too principled for that.

Welcome to the Hot Vegan Army, Emily. And congrats on the new addition to your family!

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #26 - George Laraques

http://www.georgeslaraque.com/default.asp?mn=1.39.57

Georges Laraque

Know him from: Georges is a recently-retired* hockey player from the noble northern nation of Canada (a country I love almost as much as my own). During his active career, he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, and, most recently, the Montreal Canadiens. Since his retirement, Georges has been actively involved with Canada's Green Party, of which Laraque is now a deputy leader. Georges also hosts a sports radio show based out of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. OMG I just read how he owns Crudessence, a vegan raw food restaurant with 2 locations in Montreal. I totally went there this past fall. Georges you are my hero...

Website: http://www.georgeslaraque.com/default.asp?mn=1.39.100

Why he's vegan: Laraque became a vegan back in 2009 because he does not believe in treating animals as commodities. After this animal lover saw the film Earthlings, he could not, in good conscience, eat animals, wear animals, or pay to see them in circuses or zoos. Georges also cares about the environment, and notes that the environmental toll of animal agriculture is incredibly high. Georges is an athlete though, and thus also cares very much about his nutrition and physical health, so he contacted a nutritionist to help him ensure that his nutritional requirements were being met with his very active lifestyle. Seriously, you have to be on your game if you're either body-checking someone into the wall in an ice rink, or getting checked yourself. So, "check yourself before you wreck yourself" is kind of a rule with Georges Laraque. I can respect that.

Why he's awesome: Georges says that he's not on a mission to "veganize" everyone, but rather to help people to educate themselves about what they buy, and about what they are putting in their bodies. He notes on his website that if you can get through Earthlings and still eat meat, then that is your choice, but he still thinks that people should see what their dollars contribute to with open eyes. Georges states on his website that, when you make a strong stand, there will always be people who react negatively. Georges' stance on the slaughter of seals in Canada's yearly seal hunt (many of the seals are killed at age 3 mos. or less), and his affiliation with PETA, will not make him friends everywhere he goes. And also, when you connect yourself with any political party, there will obviously be people who disagree with you. I appreciate that Laraque is willing to put his opinions out there, come what may. And honestly, with his fight record in professional hockey, I wouldn't want to mess with him...

I know I'm not making too much of a "Laraque Leap" here, but Georges isn't just another pretty face. He is a businessman (see his restaurant holdings above!), a published author, and philanthropist. Georges was born to Haitian parents, and has been active in the recovery effort in Haiti after 2010's devastating earthquake. If that weren't enough, Georges also reads. He took part in the "Canada Reads" literary competition last year. He also practices yoga. I'm pretty sure that growing up in Montreal with Haitian-born parents, he probably also speaks French. Go ahead y'all. Swoon away.

So, Mr. Laraque, given that you eat organic food, market your own special juicer, and that you own Crudessence restaurant (p.s. loved the raw avocado key lime pie!), I am going to ask that you head up the raw nutritional division of the Hot Vegan Army. I think I just also really want to hear people all around the Hot Vegan Army barracks shouting "Can you smell what Laraque isn't cooking?" :-)

Welcome to the Hot Vegan Army man. Glad to have you.

*Please note: Laraque retired due to herniated disks in his back - not because of his veganism. I mean, it is hockey after all...you do kind of get slammed around a lot...The end.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #25 - Kathy Freston

http://vegetarianstar.com/2011/03/16/kris-carr-or-kathy-freston-who-would-you-vegan-best-sellers-edition/

Kathy Freston

Know her from: Her bestselling books, The Veganist, Quantum Wellness, Quantum Wellness Cleanse, The One, and Expect a Miracle, or, possibly, from, you know, OPRAH! Freston famously convinced Oprah to take part in a 21-day vegan challenge, along with a good portion of Oprah's staff - a few of them fast-food-aholics. In fact, basically an entire Oprah show was dedicated to veganism and the challenge. Despite some bumps along the way, a number of the staff liked how they felt so much that they decided to stay vegan long after the 21 days were up. Freston has also appeared on Charlie Rose, Good Morning America, Extra, Martha Stewart, the View, Ellen, Dr. Oz, and in many other shows and magazines. Freston's newest book The Lean: A Revolutionary (and Simple!) 30-Day Plan for Healthy, and Lasting Weight Loss will be available on Tuesday 3/27.

Website: http://www.kathyfreston.com/index.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston

Why she's vegan: Kathy is a vegan for numerous reasons, among them nutrition and wellness, the current cruel methods of factory farming, ecological issues, animal rights, human rights violations in the slaughter industry, and spiritual reasons.

Why she's awesome: In addition to being gorgeous and fit, Kathy Freston is also a logical, realistic, and understanding person. She continuously urges people not to try to change every bad habit they've ever had in one fell swoop. Phew! She advocates what she calls "leaning" into change. She believes that people are much more likely to develop positive, lasting patterns of good health - mentally, physically, and spiritually - if they do not hold themselves to impossible standards.

I can't help but agree. I would never have been able to go vegan overnight and stick with it. I was a vegetarian for many years before I decided to make the switch to veganism, and I took months to make the transition. I hear many people, even a number of celebrities, talking about what an "easy" time they had becoming a vegan, but that was not 100% true for me, and I know it isn't true for everyone. It's still one of my best-ever life decisions, but it wasn't a cakewalk. Even if becoming vegan is easy for some, I think it's best that people not assume an inconvenience-free transition. You know %$*! happens...

Ms. Freston, I admire you for being able to bend the ear of some of the most influential personalities in the media today, and for bringing vegan issues to a wider audience than ever before. The power of positive thinking is no joke when it gets you on Oprah to promote your books. Respect.

So Kathy, welcome to the Hot Vegan Army. I know you'll have a sympathetic ear for the rest of us when stuff gets us down, so I appoint you Spiritual Counselor to the Hot Vegan Army. Also, if you could casually introduce me and my mom to Oprah I would get daughter points FOR LIFE. Just putting it out there...

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #24 - John Salley

http://listentoleon.net/index.php/2009/05/14/who-is-john-salleys-agent/

John Salley

Know him from: John Salley is a former NBA championship athlete. He played for the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and the L.A. Lakers. After his retirement from professional basketball, he tried his hand at acting, and appeared in the Bad Boys movies (1 and 2) alongside Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. He also appeared in the Whoopi Goldberg movie Eddie and, more recently, he played a shopaholic attending group therapy with Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic. Salley has also hosted a number of tv shows, including The Best Damn Sports Show Period, which he hosted for 7 years. He was also host of BET's Ballers, and VH1's Basketball Wives.

Website: http://johnsalley.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/thejohnsalley

Why he's vegan: A bad breakup back in 1991 spurred John to start taking control of his health and well-being. He tried a few different diets before adhering to vegetarianism. He said that he didn't want to age quickly or become out of shape, and the vegetarian diet helped him meet his goals - even while playing championship basketball. Salley went a step further and became a vegan in 2008, to help control his genetically-high cholesterol. He then became a raw vegan in 2010 when he heard that that diet could help to reverse or prevent diabetes, a disease from which John's father suffered. John even produced a documentary film called Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days. I can't say I know a ton about the science behind the raw food movement, but I will say that John Salley appears to be in very good shape at 47 years of age. I will also note that he has tweeted a few times recently (twitter handle above) that "Healthy is the new SEXY."

In addition to promoting the health benefits of veganism, Salley encourages people to "vote with your fork, 3 times a day," and stop supporting factory farms. When Salley saw behind-the-scenes videos of slaughterhouses for the first time, it just solidified the vegetarianism he adopted back in 1991. When you see something like that, he says, "you're either hot or cold, you can't be lukewarm." Salley says that vegan food also makes him feel good, healthy, and strong, and he wonders if he might not still be playing basketball today if he had dropped animal products from his diet sooner.

Why he's awesome: John is certainly not a one-hit wonder. He is a multi-talented athlete, actor, multimedia personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is affiliated with Operation Smile,which helps children around the world, Farm Sanctuary, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, PETA, an organization dedicated to exposing and preventing animal cruelty, and the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). An avid foodie, John contributes to magazines and makes appearances promoting his healthy vegan lifestyle. He also runs his own production company these days, where he works to spot new talent for tv and film. In addition, he writes for his blog and posts videos on his website Johnsalley.com (please see above). In fact, his most recent post says he's hosting a cooking class at the Northridge, California Whole Foods on 3/27! Line up now Californians!!!!

In a way, John Salley is kind of like a tall vegan Madonna...now hear me out on this one....This guy continues to reinvent himself, and he always looks for new opportunities to get involved with something great, challenging, and fun. He comes by it honestly too, because he even managed to get his mother to go vegetarian at the age of 84. So in case you're thinking vegetarianism is only a younger person's game, just look to Mama Salley.

So Mr. Salley, you are formally invited to join the Hot Vegan Army. And not just to reach the stuff on the high shelf either...I think you'll have to be the host of our new reality show: Hot Vegan Naked Chef. Are you in, or are you in?

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #22 - Carl Lewis

http://portfolio.joemcnally.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=2&p=1&a=2&at=0

Carl Lewis

Know him from: Lewis is a former world-class athlete and 10-time Olympic Medal Winner (9 of these medals were gold). He also won 10 World Championship medals, and 8 of these were gold. His best year of track and field was in 1991, the first year he became vegan.

Website: http://fitforever.com/help/about_us

Why he's vegan: Carl had very bad eating habits when he attended the University of Houston. He was a competitive athlete, and he ate meat, but tried to control his weight in an unhealthy way, by skipping meals. He was so hungry by dinnertime that he ate to excess during this final meal of the day. Carl started to realize that he was not treating his body well, and wanted to make a change. Just at the right time it seems, he met Jay Kordich (a.k.a. the "Juiceman"), and Dr. John McDougall, who urges better living through improved nutrition. The former encouraged Carl to optimize his health with the power of fresh plant foods and their juices, and the latter urged Carl to try a vegetarian diet. Carl chose to go vegan in 1990, with support from McDougall, who told Carl that it was necessary to eat enough calories to sustain his energy levels through strenuous workouts and training. Plant foods are nutritionally rich, but not as calorie dense as meat, so more food volume is required to reach proper daily calorie levels. Many people, including Carl, appreciate this benefit, because it is possible to eat a much larger amount of plant foods without gaining weight, keeping one fuller and more satisfied.

Why he's awesome: It's pretty much fantastic if someone wins 1 Olympic medal (no matter what it's made out of) nevermind 10. And when you compete against the best athletes in the world and come out on top, it's pretty darn notable. As mentioned above, Carl credits his best year as an athlete, 1991, to his vegan diet. He won the 100 m competition at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, beating the #1 athletes in that event from the past 2 years, and setting a world record. He called it the best race of his life, and he was 30 years old, an age when many Olympic athletes are considered past their prime. That same year, Lewis also set a record in the long jump competition, that has still - as of the writing of this article - not been surpassed. It has even been suggested that Lewis is the greatest track and field athlete in history.

Since Lewis's retirement from world-class competitive sports in 1997, he has worked as an actor, and even tried to run for the Senate in New Jersey in 2011, but was disqualified due to state residency requirements. He has also created FitForever.com (see "website" above) and the Carl Lewis Foundation, in order to encourage people of all ages (but especially children) to live healthy and fit lifestyles. I think you have to be a pretty confident person, driven by your own goals, and completely self-motivated, to succeed in any one of the areas that Lewis has ventured into. I admire people who go after what they want, even if it doesn't make perfect sense to others. Carl Lewis is another vegan who proves that one can be healthy and meet many impressive health and fitness goals on a completely plant-based diet.

So Carl, I am thinking you are going to have to run the Boot Camp for the Hot Vegan Army. You have dominated in the health and fitness arena, and I think you could whip all the hot vegans into even more impressive shape. Welcome to the army man.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #20 - Jared Leto

http://forgotmypursee.blogspot.com/2012/01/jared-leto-to-world-im-sexy-and-i-know.html

Jared Leto

Know him from: An array of movies such as Requiem for a Dream, Fight Club, Panic Room, American Psycho, The Thin Red Line, Girl Interrupted, Urban Legend, Prefontaine, and many others. He rose to considerable prominence in the mid-nineties for his part on the cult hit tv show My So-Called Life, as the object of a teenage Claire Danes' affections. You may also know him from his band 30 Seconds to Mars.

Website: http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireallyam/

http://thirtysecondstomars.thisisthehive.net/blog/

Why he's veg(eteri)an: Leto seems to be a bit cryptic on this matter (in fact, I can't even quite confirm that he is completely vegan or simply full-time vegetarian), but his meat-free choices appear to be at least partially due to his concern for the environment. While on tour in 2006, Leto's band 30 Seconds to Mars traveled in a tour bus powered by vegetable oil, and worked to minimize their carbon footprint as often as possible. While filming a music video in Greenland, the band actively minimized energy use, and used renewable energy as often as possible. The band also launched abeautifullie.org to bring further awareness to environmental issues around the world, and to give people ideas about ways to help these causes. Leto also contributed the cover art for a compilation album called 97X Green Room, on which Leto's band appeared. Proceeds from this album benefitted the Nature Conservancy.

Why he's awesome: Whether you agree with the guy or not, he's got some ardent fans, steady credits in both the acting world and the music world, killer abs (more impressive when you don't kill anything to get them), he's received numerous accolades for his acting roles (many of which are NOT likable characters), and the guy still looks 20 at 40 years old. He may have been called "pretty" a time or two in various media outlets, and, yes, some people may have meant this in an insulting way, but you can insult me with the word "pretty" any time you want...

Also, the guy's a chameleon. Just Google his picture. You'll be hard-pressed to find him sporting the same look for too long. And, honestly, why only praise the ladies for changing their style? I don't even know what color Rihanna's hair is right now. She gets bored, she changes it, then people follow her lead. Most people don't tend to watch the Oscar red carpet for the men, but if the men switched it up more often, wouldn't you be a bit more curious to see what they were doing? If Russell Brand [or insert other male celebrity of choice] decided to dress as a peacock to attend the Golden Globes, tell me you wouldn't at least try to see a picture online...

One of the things I appreciate consistently in a performer is shamelessness in their performance...and I'll tell you why. Don't you sometimes wish you could get up in front of a crowd having NO idea if they'd like what you were doing, perform your heart out, and get off the stage feeling like the same person no matter what the crowd thought of you? If they like you, great, if they don't like you, you've lost nothing of yourself. I admire that. Especially if you wrote whatever it was you performed. Coincidentally, Jared Leto writes most of 30 Seconds to Mars' songs. He also directs most of their music videos.

So, whether or not you are going to start (or add to) a poster collection of Jared Leto on your walls now, just know that this guy hikes, paints (he studied it in college), writes music, travels the world, performs with his band, turns down jobs when he doesn't want them, supports political figures and charitable organizations that he believes in (see "philanthropy"), and still jumps around like an active kid at 40. Plant-based diets can't be all bad...

So Jared, you and whatever you bring to the party are welcome anytime in the Hot Vegan Army. If you happen to somehow see this post, your thoughts on veganism might inspire someone here, and would be greatly appreciated. And, given what we've seen above, we won't even require you to wear a uniform. ;-)

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #17 - Carrie-Anne Moss

http://gallery-hot-photos.blogspot.com/2012/02/carrie-anne-moss-gallery.html

Carrie-Anne Moss

Know her from: Global hit movies such as The Matrix trilogy, cult suspense-thriller Memento, and the beautiful and satisfying Chocolat. She also appeared recently in several episodes of Chuck, the geek-turned spy comedy (of which I am a fan) on NBC. She also worked as a model and soap star in her 20s. I'm excited to tell you she was also on an episode of Baywatch back in the mid-90s (check her -and her sizable hair - out catching the eye of the 'Hoff here!)

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie-Anne_Moss

Why she's vegan: She initially became interested in becoming a vegetarian during the shooting of Chocolat in France. She used to walk past pastures filled with cows in the small rural French community all the time, and spend a good amount of time near those pastures in between shooting days. She began not only to like the the cows on a friendly, familiar level, but to notice their personalities, which reminded her of her pet dogs. She became disenchanted with eating steak, now making the connection of where it comes from. Carrie-Anne also has an affinity for raw foods, and is a fan of raw foodie and author Ani Phyo. This might help explain why the beautiful 44-year-old Moss has such beautiful and glowing skin, whether she wears make-up or not. Many sources of health and nutrition information out there today tell us that incorporating organic, raw fruits and vegetables into one's diet will tend to do wonders for one's inner health and outer appearance. Moss is known to frequent organic farmer's markets these days, and I, for one, am convinced to join her given the results.

Why she's awesome: She's pretty much pulls off the role of a strong, smart, badass woman in everything I've seen her in, which definitely encourages more of those sorts of roles to be written for women in general. Despite her often feisty on-screen persona though, she seems to be rather refreshingly shy and retiring in her personal life. I tend to think that, when possible, keeping one's private life somewhat private encourages healthy personal relationships. This certainly seems to be true for Ms. Moss, because Carrie-Anne is a happily-married mother of 3 these days. Due to her roles in the Matrix movies, however, she still can't wear sunglasses in public without someone recognizing her. She has managed to break the curse of the major hit blockbuster though, as she appears still be working steadily, years after the global phenomenon of the Matrix has calmed down. This statuesque beauty is also from Canada, and I basically love that entire country. So she gets a few more points for that too. And for the fact that she bravely moved off to Europe at the age of 20 to pursue modeling and acting. Following one's dreams can often be an intimidating thing to do, and I admire her for her follow-through in that regard.

So Ms. Moss, what with all of the fight-training you went through during the filming of the Matrix series, I think you should be responsible for physically training the rest of the Hot Vegan Army...and for making us raw green smoothies.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #16 - Joaquin Phoenix

http://www.tapeta-joaquin-czarne-phoenix-wlosy.na-pulpit.com/

Joaquin Phoenix

Know him from: This Oscar-nominated actor is probably best known for his admirable portrayal of Johnny Cash in the movie Walk the Line opposite Reese Witherspoon. He also featured highly in two of M. Night Shyamalan's movies, Signs and The Village. He played a prominent role alongside Russell Crowe in the 5 time Oscar winning Gladiator, and in the gritty We Own the Night. He has been acting since childhood, and has had quite a large number of other movie and tv roles since the early 80s. He just finished filming a movie called The Master, currently in post-production, which also stars Amy Adams, and is currently filming an as-yet-unnammed film alongside Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquin_Phoenix

Why he's vegan: His oft-repeated story is that he became a vegan when he was just a tiny 3 year old tot, after he saw a fish beaten against the side of the boat on a fishing trip. He said he realized at that moment that that is what it takes in order to eat animals: a living being has to die violently. He and his four siblings all grew up vegan. Joaquin loves tofu and vegetables, and he always wears only animal-friendly clothing. He recently filmed a pro-vegetarian Thanksgiving PSA for PETA, which you can see here. This animal rights activist also lent his voice to the documentary Earthlings, produced by day #3's Maggie Q, which reveals the horrific way that most animals and animal products arrive on one's plate. Ellen Degeneres has credited this movie (nicknamed "the vegan-maker") with solidifying her resolve to adopt a plants-only diet and lifestyle.

Why he's awesome: Besides the dark and mysterious, kind of "bad-boy" good looks, Joaquin Phoenix has shown that he will not compromise his beliefs for convenience. He apparently wore all-pleather jackets during the filming of Walk the Line. He has also said that producers on the sets of his various movies have been very accommodating about making sure animal-frienly options were always available for him. In fact, famous vegan cookbook author Isa Chandra Moskowitz has a pretty funny story about how she had to make vegan egg rolls for one of JP's movies filmed in NYC, as Joaquin had to eat an egg roll while walking down the street in a scene. Read her hilarious take on the whole odd situation here.

One of the many reasons that I like Joaquin is because it is hard sometimes, even for a vegan like myself, to look at the harsh realities of what happens to animals the world over, either for fashion, food, or merely for increased profit margins. Joaquin seems to stare these realities in the face constantly, and try to lead others by example and by education. And plus, he's really good at his job. If you haven't seen the movies listed above, particularly Walk the Line, go find a way to see them. I bet you'll have a new respect for the guy, especially if you currently only know him for his publicity stunt from a few years ago...

Which brings me to what some of you may have been thinking the whole time reading this article: that Joaquin Phoenix is just a weird guy. His scruffy, out-of-it appearance on the David Letterman Show back in 2008 and the veritable media firestorm that followed is probably what caused this reaction. Apparently, however, the whole stunt was actually just supposed to become a part of a "mockumentary" film that Joaquin Phoenix was making with fellow actor Casey Affleck. The storyline was such that Joaquin was "quitting acting" to become a rapper. Now, I'll grant you, this whole thing clearly didn't go well, and perhaps Casey and Joaquin might have wanted to film this scene on Letterman separately for the purposes of the movie, or at least let Letterman in on it...

But regardless, here is the way I think of it. Many of our favorite actors and actresses have been part of some TERRIBLE movies in their time, whether before or after they were famous. Sometimes the acting business is hit or miss. And, sometimes, I would imagine it's tough to be inside this sort of closed-off world and still have any sense of how things would look from the outside. Look at many of the box-office bombs that have existed since the early days of the movie business. None of those movies would have been made if the people working on them thought they'd do that badly.

Entertainment is incredibly subjective. And initial public opinion tends to count for a lot in terms of whether an artistic endeavor gains or loses momentum. Just think of what would have happened if the first people to see Michael Jackson's Thriller music video had hated it. It was a really weird concept if you think about it. These zombies rose from the dead to take part in some wild 80s fashion and dance it up Jackson-style. It was odd, and people could easily have seen it that way. Or take Lady Gaga's fashion sense. People could easily think of it as weird, but they have chosen to think of it as ground-breaking. That is really "the line" one "walks" in entertainment, you're either brilliant, you really missed the mark, or even worse, you were "predictable."

So, that said, Joaquin, welcome to the Hot Vegan Army. I am thinking that since you are such a master of disguise that you'll have to infiltrate the enemy camps and covertly plant some vegan lasagna. Report back here when finished.

March of the Hot Vegan Army - Day #15 - Jenna Dewan Tatum

http://www.splashnewsonline.com/2011-01-20/justin-bieber-joines-up-with-peta-to-make-u-smile/spl227725_001/

Jenna Dewan Tatum

Know her from: You may recognize her from her breakout role in the dance hit Step Up, and another dance-centered movie called Take the Lead. She was also cast for The Playboy Club series on NBC which was set to air last Fall, but enjoyed only a short run. However, this talented dancer has previously worked with a number of big name music acts, most notably Janet Jackson, 'N Sync, Ricky Martin, Toni Braxton, P. Diddy, Missy Eliot, and Celine Dion. She has also appeared in music videos alongside Janet Jackson and Christina Aguilera. She's married to Channing Tatum, star of 21 Jump Street, whom she met on the set of Step Up, in which the couple played the 2 leading roles.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenna_Dewan

Why she's vegan: Jenna has been a vegetarian about as far back as grade school. She recalls sending in an application to join PETA at a young age because she didn't want to eat anything that had a "mom," and she agreed with PETA's mission to help animals everywhere. After learning about some of the cruelty that takes place on dairy farms, she became a full-fledged vegan about 2 years ago, spurred on by an article in the Huffington Post. She says that the dietary change has done wonders for her skin and her energy level.

Why she's awesome: Ms. Dewan-Tatum is an exceedingly talented woman who exudes confidence (watch her in this Step Up medley from about minute 4:10; her now husband joins her around minute 5). She is clearly very comfortable with her body - although who wouldn't be given the evidence (go ahead and stare, no one's watching)...She is kind and clearly cares about animals, even if they are not "cute and fluffy," like the exotic snakes on whose behalf she poses above. She is another athletic and high voltage person who shows us all that you can live very healthily on plants alone. In fact, it seems she must be a pretty good cook too, because she sent a vegan recipe in to the Ellen show. I think it's been passed around the web a bit, but here it goes again! (Vegan Spinach and Quinoa Enchiladas).

Ms. JDT seems to be of a similar mind to myself in terms of PETA's famously sexy ads on behalf of vegetarianism. Use whatever tools you've got (and Jenna sure has 'em) to stand up - or lay down on a large fallen log - for what you believe in. If even one person starts to think more about living a cruelty-free lifestyle because of ads like these, they've done their part. I know that judging someone based on their physical attributes might seem superficial, but, again, the point I am trying to drive home here is that vegan ≠ hobbit. You can look like a million bucks on a plant-based diet, so don't let that myth stop you from looking into it. If you are thinking about trying a vegan or vegetarian diet, please read up on it to make sure your nutritional needs are taken care of, but the sky's the limit, and you'll be in some good company.

So Ms. Dewan Tatum, since you know so much about camouflage, I think you'll have to be in charge of painting up all of the other hot vegans in the Hot Vegan Army so we can have the element of surprise - as well as the lesser-known element of *wolf-whistle*.