Vegetarian Star

Find out more about Masta Killa at peta2.com.

Is hip hop becoming vegetarianized?

Russell Simmons has always been open about his vegan lifestyle he’s practiced for almost a decade.

Recently, half of hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, N.O.R.E., documented his successful weight loss by following a vegan diet and even changed the name of his blogs to reflect his diet switch.

Now, Masta Killa of Wu Tang Clan has recorded his PSA for vegetarianism. Good to know he’s not recording a PSA for the veggie burger on waffles his band mate RZA created.

Masta’s been vegetarian for 13 years, ever since he decided to forgo the turkey at Thanksgiving.

Perhaps what’s even more exciting is that he’s normally the group member who doesn’t give many interviews!

It’s great to see African-Americans speak up about vegetarianism and hopefully, they can influence other minorities to adopt the lifestyle known to reduce their chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, illnesses known to disproportionately affect those communities.

If Masta Killa doesn’t convince you to go veg, his adorable son, Eternal sure will.

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New Orleans is alive and kicking and according to the New York Post, “the place for upscale travelers to visit this winter.”

The Big Easy certainly provides warmer weather than what many of us are experiencing now and the variety of food and culture rich spots such as the French Quarter, make celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Martha Stewart, and Brad Pitt all repeat fans.

Like any traveling adventure, a visit to New Orleans for vegetarians and vegans requires planning in terms of where to eat, and hip hop mogul Russell Simmons admits to the temptation of all the non vegan goodies.

“It’s the most difficult place to be vegan in the world,” he said. “I have found a lot of vegan food and vegan jambalaya, but the other food is so attractive!”

Not to fear, as online guides such as VegGuide.org, give you the rundown on every veg and veg friendly restaurant in New Orleans or anywhere else.

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Every morning Russell Simmons lights a candle and sits still for 30 minutes as part of his daily meditation routine. That’s only a dream for those of us who don’t know the meaning of “time out.” Luckily, for him, he’s learned that spiritual business is equally important as the financial.

His spiritual practices are what led him to the vegan diet and lifestyle he’s maintained for almost a decade.

“My motivation for eliminating animal products from my diet was [the Hindu and Buddhist practice] ahimsa, or non-violence,” he told Tracey Pepper, free-lance writer for Vegetarian Times. “If you really want to live a happy life, cut the animal products from your diet.” Simmons is featured in the January 2009 issue of the magazine.

As the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, the parent recording company to famous hip-hop acts such as Nas and LL Cool J for you old school folks, creator of his own clothing line, Phat Farm, and the author of a best selling motivational book, Do You! 12 Laws To Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success, he’s certainly reaped large financial rewards, even if he hasn’t been doing it all for the money.

“I never chase money. I used to think that money was part of the reward, but they can’t pay you enough to make you feel good about something you don’t really enjoy. I’ve found that the more I enjoy giving something that’s lasting and promoting happiness, the more lasting happiness I have. It’s always evolving and there’s always going to be some amount of suffering, but I’ve found my business through giving what I think it good.”

Read the rest of Russell’s interview with Vegetarian Times in the January ’09 issue on the stands now to learn what direction he’d like to see hip-hop take in the future.

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Russell Simmons said he originally started yoga because he wanted to meet good looking gals who were doing the same. Soon after, he realized there are so many other benefits besides watching the ladies bend themselves into pretzels. It’s probably safe to say he still gets a lot of female eye candy rewards for going to the studio. We’re sure it’s less than 100%, but not by much. Watch the video below to watch vegan Russell demonstrate yoga. Extra pointers if you see the bottle of Smart Water at his side!

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Go Russell, it’s your birthday. You’re gonna party like it’s your birthday. You’re gonna drink Smart Water like it’s your birthday.

Smart Water and Global Grind are having a party and Russell Simmons will do a lot of drinking. Drinking of Smart Water,that is.

Global Grind is a hip hop version of Huffington Post. It’s an aggregate of news, gossip, blogs, videos, and much more of any media that is hip hop and urban culture related. They’ve done some redecorating and they’re throwing a party to celebrate, partnering with Smart Water to do so.

Russell Simmons will be making a guest appearance at Global Grind’s one year anniversary party on September 29th at Tongue & Groove in Atlanta, Georgia. But it gets even better for Simmons as the party is also a dual event to celebrate his birthday.

“I chose Smart Water as a partner because it aligns well with my vegan lifestyle, with the work I’ve been doing to positively influence the community and with the highest purpose I have for Global Grind,” he said.

via The Hip Hop Cosign

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Russell Simmons has become the latest vegan celebrity to bite into Kentucky Fried Chicken’s new vegan faux chicken sandwich, which currently is only available in Canada.

He was one of many stars who worked with PETA to convince KFC to treat its chickens better before sending them off the slaughter. As part of the deal, KFC now offers a vegan chicken sandwich.

“As I bit into the delicious un-chicken and lettuce wrap, I remembered how frustrating and seemingly unfruitful mediating those talks between KFC, their supplier Yum Brands, and PETA were.”

“I have long been concerned with promoting better eating habits for myself, my family, my community and the planet. I am saddened by the fact that the most accessible and affordable food to low income communities is fast primarily unhealthy food. Therefore, I view KFC’s Canadian launch of this new vegan sandwich as the first step toward a more compassionate KFC and hope it will be made available here in the United States for all to enjoy.”

“If each one of us has a more watchful eye where we step, we will create a new earth where the abuse of the planet, the animals, and each other will be less prevalent. For that I thank KFC in Canada for making a conscious effort to support the growth of this new earth.”

Read more of Russell Simmons’ article in the Huffington Post.

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Not long ago, we brought you the news of Russell Simmons asking the chef at Nick and Tony’s Restaurant in New York to make his risotto vegan.

We are guessing risotto is one of this yoga loving hip hop mogul’s favorites as we have read that another New York restaurant made changes to their menu in order to please him.

The Waverly Inn’s chef John DeLucie makes quinoa risotto with green curry sauce as a result of a request from Mr. Simmons.

We’ve never had the pleasure of spotting Mr. Simmons live in action (yet), but we definitely are taking notes in case we’re ever awarded the prize of having lunch or dinner with him.

via NYmag

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Russell Simmons gave an interview to CNN in which he spoke about veganism, yoga, and his support for Obama.

Some of his motives for going vegan included less harm to the planet. He said his friends have also reported he’s looked better over the years since his meatless adventures started.

Turns out, he originally got into yoga to check out the hot chicks! He soon learned there was much more the meditation could do for him (with hot chicks being a bonus).

Go here to watch Russell, learn about his book, and hear him talk about the hot yoga chicks.

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