Vegetarian Star » Nicole Lapin

Nicole Lapin Interview With Vegetarian Star–Part 2

Vegetarian Star — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:09:57 +0000

We told you to stick around and it paid off! Here’s part two of our interview with news anchor Nicole Lapin.

You’ve been involved with several charitable organizations and campaigns like the United Nation’s “Girl Up” initiative. Are there any vegetarian, animal rights, sustainable food or environmental organizations you’re particularly fond of?
You caught me! I can’t say no when a good cause asks for my help…I know, I know, that sounds so Pollyannaish, but it’s true. I have done some work for the Humane Society and am happy to help with any other organizations that need it.

I’ve read in some of your other interviews that you’ve mastered putting together a vegan meal in the most unlikely of places, including gas stations. Can you name some healthy vegan ideas from places where it’s hard to find vegan food like vending machines and convenience stores?
I have to say, I’ve eaten every meal at Starbucks more often than I’d like to admit. They have some really wonderful new options with Two Moms In The Raw and Peeled dried fruit.

What’s the veg environment like at CNBC/MSNBC? Are there sufficient vegan options in the cafeteria or do you usually go out or order in for lunch?
Well, since I start on the air at 5am…My “lunch” is still while people are eating breakfast. But, yes, lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Sometimes I bring something fancy to make a regular salad feel special, like an avocado or hearts of palm.

I remember reading that your parents didn’t want you to watch any news when you were younger, but you always found a way to sneak around and keep up with coverage of things like the Gulf War when they weren’t looking. Obviously at a very young age, you had already determined you loved media. Now that you’re such a successful journalist, is the sneaking around you did when you were younger to fulfill your passion something you and your mother laugh about?
It’s funny; I still don’t have time to watch a lot of news. I still have the Sunday shows that I catch but my schedule is so nuts, that ironically, I still have to sneak to watch the news these days. It’s still a guilty pleasure after all these years.

Finally, who’s your favorite vegetarian or vegan celebrity?
I have to give a shout out to the new “power vegans” in business/politics- welcome to the club: Bill Clinton, Steve Wynn, Bill Ford and Mort Zuckerman!

For part one of Nicole’s interview, visit here.

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Nicole Lapin Interview With Vegetarian Star–Part 1

Vegetarian Star — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:45:33 +0000

If you’re heading out to the Tribeca Film Festival that’s taking place in Manhattan until May 1, you might be lucky enough to catch of glimpse of Nicole Lapin, an anchor for CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange, the only global show on the network. This amazing journalist who attended Harvard University at the age of 15 and graduated at the top of her class at Northwestern, has covered everything from the 2008 presidential election to the Humane Society’s efforts to keep downer pigs out of the food supply.

Lapin’s schedule with the festival is keeping her pretty busy, but she found time to answer a few questions for Vegetarian Star in an exclusive two-part interview. Here’s part 1.

Tell us more about what you’re doing with the Tribeca film festival this year and how you were approached to be a juror.
I am convinced I snuck my way in. It’s definitely the best type of jury duty I’ve ever done.

Your family is Israeli so you obviously must have grown up eating a lot of Mediterranean and other ethnic foods. It’s been said that many other cultures have diets that are naturally healthier because they are heavily based on grains, legumes and vegetables instead of meat. What were some of your favorite plant-based foods you ate growing up even before you became a vegetarian?
A lot of colorful chopped salads. The staple, of course, is cucumbers, onions and tomato salad with just lemon, salt and pepper as dressing. But then, I have a great nostalgia for cumin cucumber salad and minced eggplant. When my grandfather used to visit, he used to use the salsa bar at Mexican restaurants as a salad bar. I used to think it was weird that he ate a bowl of pico de gallo– but that’s more traditional Mediterranean than any lettuce-based salad. And, oh how it’s come full-circle, I’m that girl at Whole Foods that buys the fresh salsa by the tub…And, um, no chips!

What are some of the events that led you to go vegetarian and then vegan?
My philosophy is pretty simple. I just don’t think it’s necessary to eat dairy or meat. I am not waify; I am very healthy and never feel deprived. My thinking really comes down to embracing innovation more than anything else. We are smart enough to come up with nut “cheese,” “milk” and “ice cream” — we should celebrate (and chow down on) these strides, advances and creativity.

Tofu, tempeh or seitan. What’s your favorite?
I’m raw vegan these days — but I used to love them all!

You’ve reported on some food and animal rights issues in the past like the Humane Society’s investigation of downer animals in the food supply. Is there an area of vegetarianism or veganism you’d like to explore more as a journalist?
Absolutely. Right now, though, I am focused on financial journalism primarily reporting on food/commodity prices and how that affects the global economy.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

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Nicole Lapin Gets UN’s Girl Up Campaign Goal For Her Birthday

Vegetarian Star — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:15:27 +0000

What’s better than a vegan eating good? A vegan doing good!

Former CNN anchor who once reported on downer pigs getting into the food supply and current CNBC anchor Nicole Lapin recently celebrated her 27th birthday by achieving her goal to raise money for Girl Up. Girl Up is a campaign of the United Nations Foundation that encourage American girls to empower girls in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Liberia, and Malawi by donating to the campaign that assists in purchasing school supplies, building essential facilities like health clinics and promoting the end to practices that hurt women.

Lapin achieved one of her goals of raising $1,837.53, but you can still join her team and make a donation on behalf of her to help even more.

A small donation of only $5 can bring basic needs to girls such as school supplies, access to health care and even clean water.

The Girl Up campaign targets American girls for donations because statistics show they are extremely interested in charity and encourage everyone around them to do so.

According to the Girl Up site, 79% of American teens have donated food, clothing or other household items. Seventy-six percent have volunteered their time and 66% have asked family members or friends to give or volunteer their time.

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Nicole Lapin Proposes Cucumber Sandwiches For All If Queen

Vegetarian Star — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:06:21 +0000

Nicole Lapin Kate Middleton. Image: CNBC.com

Nicole Lapin has discovered she could be television double for Kate Middleton, fiancee of Prince William and the future Queen of England.

This got the vegetarian journalist and television anchor thinking about what she would do if she had were Queen for a day…or a little longer. Some vegans would make everyone eat egg, butter and dairy-free brownies. Lapin just wishes for England to return to its historic roots of eating cucumber sandwiches, citing, “Meat is way too expensive.”

The idea of sticking a cool cuke between two slices of bread may sound dull and boring, but add some vegan cream cheese, sprinkle a dash of pepper and garnish with mint, parsley or watercress and you’ve turned a stiff and stuffy sandwich into one worth stuffing in your mouth, like Vegan Yum Yum did.

Cucumber Sandwiches. Credit: Vegan Yum Yum

Earth Vegan, who had the pleasure of creating vegan cucumber sandwiches for an event that celebrates British food by veganizing it, writes that you can also smear dairy-free butter on the bread slices and in India, herb chutney adds an even more flavorful twist.

Other variations include mixing cream cheese with a dry Italian dressing, cream cheese and mayonnaise combination for the spread and peanut butter on the bread.

Yum. We’re feeling like royalty already.

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Nicole Lapin Gives Favorite NYC Vegetarian, Green Secrets

Vegetarian Star — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:23:18 +0000

Nicole Lapin

Nicole Lapin is a Global Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile, the same charity that offers surgery for oral deformities to children in need that recently awarded model Christie Brinkley for her service. This Harvard educated news anchor puts a smile on her face when she frequents her favorite New York city hot spots that cater to her vegetarian lifestyle. She explained she’s likely to find something pleasurable, even in the odd hours.

“There is always passion, energy, and life in the city, even at 2 a.m. when I head to work,” Lapin said.

At Haute Living, Lapin shared the restaurants, markets and eco-friendly businesses filled with passion, energy and life.

Vegan ice cream restaurants, vegan restaurants, vegetarian sushi eateries and a certain farmers market make her list, as well as environmentally friendly ways to travel, like the ZipCar.

Here are a few of her favorites:

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Pure Food and Wine

BEST SUSHI: Soy & Sake Village Vegetarian Cafe

BEST DESSERT: Stogo’s gourmet, organic, dairy-free ice cream

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH: COUNTER Vegetable Bistro & Organic Bar

ALL-AROUND FAVORITE SPOT IN NEW YORK: Union Square Farmers Market

Visit Haute Living to learn Lapin’s recommended NYC nature spot for exercising and more.

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Danielle Staub Enjoys Houston’s Veggie Burger For Birthday Bash

Vegetarian Star — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:52:40 +0000

It’s hard to believe that in 2 more years, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Staub will be 50.

The reality TV actress recently celebrated her 48th at Houston’s in Hackensack, NJ with a friend, and Radar Online reports the two had an almost completely vegetarian dinner–spinach dip, french fries and veggie burgers which probably eventually smelled fishy before the meal was completely gone due to the sashimi salad they shared.

The Houston’s House Made veggie burger consists of “brown rice, black beans and oat bran recipe with sweet soy and melted Jack.”

It’s also a favorite of journalist Nicole Lapin.

Photo: PR Photos

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Nicole Lapin “Can’t Believe It’s Vegan” And Other Vegetarian Dishes

Vegetarian Star — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:30:51 +0000

Besides Boo Boo Stewart‘s raving about his mom’s Japanese style tofu, the Vegetarian Times was able to catch a few other celebrities at the Genesis Awards to find out what their favorite dish was.

Moby loves the vegan tacos at Real Food Daily as well as the vegan sushi at Souen in New York.

Nicole Lapin sounded as if she’s a fan of old fashioned comfort food, as she had plenty to say about the meals that were prepared during a “Fabulous faux” dinner party she hosted, featuring “you wouldn’t believe it’s vegan” versions of American dishes.

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Nicole Lapin “CNN” HSUS Downer Pigs In Food Supply Ban (Video)

Vegetarian Star — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:54:54 +0000

After the victory of preventing downer cattle from entering the food supply, the Humane Society of the United States would like to extend this rule to pigs as well.

Nicole Lapin, CNN anchor reports: “Not only cruel, but the Humane Society says it’s also dangerous to our health to have so-called downers enter into our food supply.”

Perhaps everyone should follow Lapin’s lead and go veg, excluding pigs and all animals from their diets.

The National Pork Producers Association insists proper precautions are already being made to ensure diseased pig product isn’t delivered to the consumer, but Dr. Michael Greger of the HSUS has a different opinion.

Watch to find out.

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