Celebrity spotlight: Acacia Courtney, Miss Connecticut 2014

Celebrity spotlight: Acacia Courtney, Miss Connecticut 2014

Miss Connecticut 2014 dishes with us about why she went veg, how she's spreading the word about Meatless Monday, her must-have stay-healthy (and swimsuit competition-ready) snacks, and more as she prepares for the Miss America competition next month.

California Dreamin’ (SmartGirlVeg style): Part 1

California Dreamin’ (SmartGirlVeg style): Part 1

Let’s be honest: California VegHeads tend to have it easier than non meat-eaters in the rest of the country. The state leads the way in produce production—nearly half of the vegetables, fruits, and nuts grown in the US come from California.

As for the rest of us—the state is a fantastic place to visit.

[recipe!] The Smart Girl’s Take on McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

[recipe!] The Smart Girl’s Take on McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

It's March, which means it's Shamrock Shake season at McDonald's restaurants across the United States (Canada and Ireland too, we're told). Each year, the seasonal St. Patrick’s Day offering—a bright green minty whipped cream- topped shake—seems to develop more and more of a cult following. If you're not headed to the golden arches to get one this month, surely you know someone who is.

Meatless Monday is looking for a few good teens!

Meatless Monday is looking for a few good teens!

Surely, you’ve heard about Meatless Monday by now! In case you haven’t—Meatless Monday is a terrific campaign that aims to get people starting out each new week with one meat-free day. We mention it a lot in The Smart Girl’s Guide to Going Vegetarian because it’s a stress-free, low-commitment way to move toward a more plant-based diet (and a totally non-threatening way for your parents and others to see that meat-free meals are really no big deal, not to mention pretty delicious).

The Smart Way to Snack (and a delicious giveaway!)

The Smart Way to Snack (and a delicious giveaway!)

Have you had a snack lately? If you have, you're not alone. On any given day, eighty-six percent of teenagers have had at least one snack, according to research from the United States Department of Agriculture. And while many people assume that snacking is a bad thing, I don't agree with that—smart snacks can be key to eating a healthy diet, particularly for vegetarians. 

[recipe!] Chia Power Pudding

[recipe!] Chia Power Pudding

Have you heard about chia? These little seeds—the same ones used to grow the grass-like "hair" in those infamous Chia Pets—are all the rage in the food world. Not only are they fun to cook with, but they're also a good source of the plant-based form of omega-3 fatty acids, the nutrient found in fish that is good for your heart, brain, skin and more. 

That moment you went veg.

That moment you went veg.

As someone who has been veg for a long while, people often ask me "what made you give up meat?" Of course, there are lots of reasons. I never really liked the taste of meat. I love animals. I'm concerned about the environment. However, the reason I woke up one day as a meat eater, and went to bed as a vegetarian is simple: Leather couches.

Talking Turkey: The Top 5 Questions You'll Hear This Thanksgiving (and How to Respond)

Talking Turkey: The Top 5 Questions You'll Hear This Thanksgiving (and How to Respond)

If there's one holiday that puts meat front and center, it's Thanksgiving. So it's no surprise that your vegetarian or veg-leaning eating habits may provide your relatives with hours of endless discussion this year (no, not really—but it sure can feel that way when you're the one in the spotlight). 

Questions Parents Ask...

Questions Parents Ask...

Recently, Tampa Bay Parenting magazine featured a Smart Girl's-inspired article by our very own Rachel on questions parents should ask when their children make the decision to go veg. Did your parents ask you lots of questions when you decided to give up meat? What do you wish they asked you?