Vegetarian Star

Brandy Kuentzel

It’s down to the final three on The Apprentice and vegetarian Brandy Kuentzel has survived Donald Trump‘s ax by winning challenges and demonstrating her business expertise. Vegetarian Star was fortunate to get an exclusive interview with Brandy to learn about her motivations behind going vegetarian, her work with animal welfare and her idea of the ultimate green job.

Did your vegetarian diet come up at any time during The Apprentice, either among the contestants or the show’s staff?
I think that any time you make an effort to ask where you food comes from (whether that’s refraining from eating factory-farmed meat, eating vegetarian or vegan fare, not buying products that are tested on animals, etc.), it sparks conversation. Simple everyday choices can make you an advocate for animals. This certainly was the case while filming The Apprentice. I was pleasantly surprised by how accommodating The Apprentice film crew was of my dietary preferences. Since vegetarian food had to be brought in for me, others also ended up choosing the (often healthier) vegetarian option. Of course, some cast members did not consider it a “real” meal unless meat was involved. C’est la vie.

Describe some of your experiences working with animals or animal welfare issues.
I’ve personally volunteered at animal shelters for nearly a decade, and I currently volunteer each week at the SFSPCA. You can also find me at the SFSPCA/Macy’s holiday windows in San Francisco this December. For those individuals looking to get more involved, the HSUS offers amazing seminars on animal advocacy…and, of course, don’t forget to vote!

If you had the opportunity to be “hired” for the ultimate green job, what would it be?
If I could really shoot for the moon, my ultimate green job would be to host a television show with my best friend showcasing our common passion: ethical, conscientious eating prepared to perfection. By showcasing innovative restaurants, family farms, dairies, markets, orchards, vineyards, breweries and artisanal shops, the show would educate the consumer and provide realistic options for dining anywhere along the meat-eating spectrum. I think that consumers want to learn how to eat with the seasons, how to enjoy the perfect humane cheese and how to grow herb gardens in 600 square foot apartments. Urban homesteading and conscientious eating is not just a fad – it’s at our roots. If The Universe delivers on this wish, I guarantee that our lemon-carrot soup would bring all the boys to the yard.

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A big slice of vegan birthday cake goes out to to the following vegetarian or vegan celebrities today.

• Sarah Silverman (40)

Photo: PR Photos

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Donna Karan‘s Facebook fan page was taken over by a few animal rights activists yesterday, who logged into their accounts, changed their icons to a big, bold, black letter corresponding to a derogatory statement by the designer and wrote on her wall.

The protest was staged to draw attention to the designer’s decision to use rabbit fur in some of her collections, especially since she has promised to stop using fur in the past.

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For those looking to make a statement with their holiday gifts this year, Greenpeace has just launched a new online shopping store through Cafepress.

Clothing for babies, kids, men and women are available in organic fabrics and display art illustrating some of Greenpeace’s most pressing issues on the environment, such as drilling.  There are also BPA-free water bottles, greeting cards and Christmas ornaments.

All items are printed when you place an order and usually ship within 24 hours.

To browse the collection and begin shopping, visit Greenpeace.org/shop.

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What on earth!

The powers to be have decided that white potatoes aren’t nutritious enough and WIC recipients (mothers and kids eligible for assistance because they’re living at a certain poverty level) shouldn’t be buying them.

The head of the Washington State Potato Commission disagreed and put himself on an all potato diet, losing 20 pounds in 2 months while doing so, to prove potatoes are indeed good for you and should be included in the WIC program.

Chris Voight’s typical meal plans would include “3 pounds of mashed, 2 pounds of sliced and fried, and 2 pounds of roasted, snack-cubed red and fingerling potatoes” given a special kick with spices like rosemary, thyme, oregano and dill. Sometimes he’d mix in bouillon cubes and gravy for a “special treat.” For Thanksgiving, it was a tur-tato, a turkey shaped potato.

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Lily Tomlin will be a guest speaker at the screening of the film, “Elephants and Man: A Litany of Tragedy” at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood on January 20, 2011, as part of the “Kat Kramer’s Films That Change the World” series.

The film, produced by Melya Kaplan and directed by Jacek Kropinski, chronicles the history of elephants in captivity for entertainment and film purposes and offers solutions to combating the problem today, when animal welfare activists are still fighting for causes such as “Billy The Elephant,” a large creature held at the Los Angeles Zoo that many want released to a sanctuary.

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“Visiting the Romanian bear sanctuary was truly an eye-opening experience. These bears have suffered horrible tragedies, but now have an amazing second chance at life in a safe and peaceful environment – all thanks to the WSPA and its supporters. I am honored to be a spokesperson for WSPA’s campaigns, and I encourage others to join in our fight to protect animals, worldwide.”

—Leona Lewis, on her trip to a Romanian bear sanctuary which houses bears rescued from neglectful and abusive situations like tourist attractions, roadside exhibits and zoos that fail to provide adequate care. Lewis visited a sanctuary owned and operated by World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which says it has rescued and placed 34 bears in the sanctuary to date.

Photo: PR Photos

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Some parents name their children when they’re under the influence (of alcohol, epidural or whatever). Pink and her husband Carey Hart have decided to name their first child after the substance that causes tipsiness.

Pink told Access Hollywood, “My dad’s name is James, and my brother’s name is Jason. [Carey and I] are both Irish, Carey’s middle name is Jason, [and] Jameson – we like whiskey. That’s a no brainer.”

For those that worry about the well being of a child that’s named after alcohol, have no fear. Little Jameson is already on the cool list cause he’s named after vegan whiskey!

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