I recently watched the Oscar award winning documentary, “The Cove,” which documents the slaughtering and shipment of beautiful bottle-nose dolphins in what’s referred to as, the cove, in Taiji, Japan. Richard O’Barry, the dolphin trainer for the once popular TV show, Flipper, demonstrates a massive amount of courage in his gripping documentation of the fate of these dolphins in Japan. Each year in Taiji, the Japanese “fishermen” slaughter 23,000 dolphins in one cove alone! These dolphins, which are extremely high in mercury (toxic levels) are either sold to places like SeaWorld to live in captivity for the remainder of their lives, or they’re slaughtered among their brothers and sisters and intentionally mislabeled as a high quality fish in the markets including being fed to children in the school lunch programs.

I often encounter people that choose to not eat “meat” which they categorize as coming from land animals; “The Cove,” presents a totally new perspective on our fishing industry and how healthy seafood actually is for humans due to the high mercury levels that fish consume through their food chain (which humans in turn consume). The FDA should require that the tender cuts of meat that we see nicely packaged in the store be required to have an attached DVD on fishing and farming practices throughout the world; because so much killing happens behind closed doors, we must spread the word and expose to the people around the world just what they are consuming and supporting when they choose to consume what was once living, breathing, playing, and loving.

Documentaries like, “The Cove,” are always a great reminder that we all share this planet and even though we are all from different countries, this Earth belongs to all of us. I highly recommend watching this documentary and supporting the dissemination of this critical information to all of the people you love and care about.

This documentary is available for rent on Netflix, and the website is available here: The Cove

Other important websites to visit are:

Save Japan Dolphins

Dolphin Slaughtering in Taiji (Ocean Preservation Society)

Contact Authorities, the Japanese Consulate, local dolphinariums, and SeaWorld

Thank you for being so caring!

This is my new favorite t-shirt. It says, “Animals are my friends.”

Sunflower Restaurant in Vienna, VA had an amazingly delicious vegan booth.

Grow your own mushrooms in 7 days! Love. Food for thought: What do you call a 12 inch mushroom? …A ‘fungi’ to be with!

Vegan dessert. My weakness! Good thing the line was outrageously long and I have no patience.

Admittedly so, I had to think for a while about where on earth my local firehouse was. With the help of this handy website, I found it in a snap: http://www.localfirehouse.com/departments

Join me in celebrating and remembering the lives our American heroes this Sunday.

God Bless America!

I recently was featured on the Madison Plus website as their new Fresh Face. I really am honored to be a part of a such a beautiful movement; where models can be themselves–happy and healthy. Madison Plus is based out of New York City and offers a common ground for the fashionable, modern, and average/plus-sized woman. I really appreciate website’s like Madison Plus because the site doesn’t define or label you by your size or shape, but rather offers a common ground for all women of all sizes.

http://madisonplus.com/mp-insider/mp-fresh-face-emily-nolan-nyc/

Another website/ blog I really love is www.plussizemodelsunite.com (PSMU). I have had the pleasure of becoming close friends with the website’s co-founder, Angela Jones, (who looks like a hybrid of Cindy Crawford and Martina McBride) and I refer to their site and Facebook page almost daily. I love to read their model’s interviews from around the world and see what they’re up to, as well as meet interesting people who believe in coming together and uniting as healthy individuals; PSMU is about defying all of the labels and definitions that the media has indicated that everyone should live by.

http://plussizemodelsunite.com/

This holiday, I’m grateful for many things, like the opportunity to live out my dream as a professional model, and stand-up for all the young women who aspire to do the same. Most of all, I’m grateful that a ‘home’ has been built for women, like myself, through wonderful people like the women at Madison Plus, Plus Size Models Unite, my agencies–Click +, Dorothy Combs, and The Campbell Agency– my beautiful fellow model friends (all of which have absolutely tormented my older brother and close guy friends), and my dear family who has supported me and allowed me to blossom as I am.

Straight or curvy...either way, embrace it and have fun sister!

As I was growing up, I listened to the Dixie Chicks religiously. To this day, I can sing every song they’ve ever released, and with each word, I can vividly remember the emotions, sense of empowerment, and the feeling that I’d get that, knowing that there were other women out there, that were going to be there, for me. For each other.

…Just like my modeling community and the wonderful people who have shaped my life and created so many opportunities for so many more beautiful women in the future.

“I’ve seen ‘em rise, and I’ve seen ‘em fall. Some get nothin’, and Lord some get it all. Some just run while others crawl away. So hold my hand baby don’t let go, I’ve got some front money and I’ve got a next show, and I’m gonna need you down this yellow brick road.” – Dixie Chicks

For all the women who choose to be you, all the women who have united to help create a healthier community and lifestyle, and for all of the young women who are full of hopes and dreams, we are here–I am here–to hold your hand as you walk down your yellow brick road. And what an exciting road that will be!

Happy holidays!!! And may your new year be full of much success and happiness! BIG hugs and kisses.

Warm holiday wishes,

xxEmily

Book review: ‘Unbearable Lightness’ by Portia de Rossi.

Another reason that I truly admire Ellen and Portia, is because they are hugely compassionate about sparing animals from our diets. Sure, you do not have to be a vegan to be healthy, but some people find it healing to practice compassion and advocate for an animal-free diet and lifestyle.  Ellen offers her tips on, “Why Go Vegan?”

Just for kicks–and laughs–I thought I’d include Ellen’s recent CoverGirl commercial where she jokingly asks, “Why do models always look so mad?” …Enjoy!

I was watching CBS WUSA Channel 9 News last night and saw a clip on the rise in popularity of “Laughter Clubs.” …after watching people laugh themselves to tears, I decided this is something that I must try!

Laughter truly is the best medicine! There’s nothing like a good belly-aching, tear jerking laugh that goes on for minutes. I have a girlfriend that makes me laugh so hard, that I always look forward to being around her…as a matter of fact, I think I’ll call her now!

Laughter and love! XoX

It is certainly an exhausting battle that much of the modeling industry is fighting now, advocating that healthy and happy models are what we want our children to grow up idolizing, and how we want our end consumers viewing our respected designer’s clothing lines (that would be us, the one’s standing in line at the store waiting to fork out a pretty penny for those size 10 and 12 dresses–whatever fits your curves). With the full support from the industry’s pioneers, happy and healthy models are on the cutting edge of defining what’s to come for–at least–the next ten years.

Growing up, my Grandma jokingly taught me that, “If you can’t look skinny, look rich.” …The bigger the jeans, the bigger the pockets!

Certainly top designers like Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, and Karl Lagerfeld have been in the good company of beautiful curvy woman like Emme, Rachel Ray, Raquel Welsh, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Hendricks, Oprah, Beyonce, and even Martha Stewart…and hello, most of their pocket books have topped Forbes’ lists year after year. If it were up to me, I’d use models that looked like those women. As a consumer, I interpret the advertisements that use real beautiful women in them as, “we’re healthy and happy women, and you can be too! We’re rich (however you want to define that), happy and healthy!” …and that message is definitely more certain than any fortune cookie.

(As a side, I opened a fortune cookie after dinner last night, and it revealed that, “You will have good luch.” ….oh boy…!)

The reality of it all is, people want to see curves. People want to see reality. Let’s give it to them.

So, I say, let’s all have our cake and eat it too!

Check out some of the beautiful woman who are pioneering this movement:

]]> http://mlestyle.com/haute-and-healthy-women/feed/ 5 http://mlestyle.com/wilhelmina-curves-for-change/ http://mlestyle.com/wilhelmina-curves-for-change/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:17:26 +0000 MLEstyle http://mlestyle.com/?p=564 Read the Rest...]]> I was so excited when I found out about Wilhelmina’s “Curves for Change” initiative! Curves for Change is bringing attention to the modeling industry’s bad reputation for using models that are dangerously thin, and promoting the new push for healthy-sized women in the industry. Truly fantastic!

I looked at my schedule to see if I’d be able to make it to the 5k run/walk in NYC this November 20, and it looks like I’m free! Well, not anymore; I’ll be signing up for my first 5k ever!

For the most part, I do my running on a treadmill, but on November 20th, you’ll catch me running outside, in honor of every healthy woman out there! What a beautiful thing!

XoX, Emily

People often express how much they would love to eat a vegan diet, but they just don’t know how it would be possible to eat that way, everyday.

Does this sound like you?

I believe that making the decision to become a vegan–or even a vegetarian–is a completely personal decision. Whether the doctor has ordered you to eat a plant based diet, or your knowledge of commercial farming practices has swayed your cravings for any animal based products, we all have our reasons. So for all of us who are journeying towards the vegan lifestyle, or merely interested in finding out what it’s all about, I recommend that you take a look at two books that really changed my life:

The China Study

And

Skinny Bitch

If you’re interested in eating a vegan diet, or know someone who is, I have created a list of vegan alternatives for the animal based food products that we’ve all been accustomed to eating at one point in our lives.

Let me start by saying, every meat has an alternative. Take it from me, taco night is just as fun when you’re a vegan! Usually, a grocery store like Whole Foods, will offer almost everything you could possibly need to satisfy your cravings, in addition to satisfying your new lifestyle. For instance, instead of using hamburger meat in tacos, I use veggie protein crumbles (looks and tastes identical to hamburger meat). Think you’re gonna miss out on buffalo wings during football games this fall? Don’t worry…check in the freezer section, they’ve got alternatives for those wing cravings too! Chicken? Check. Steak? Check. Cheese? Check. You name it, there’s an alternative product!

So let’s cut to the meat of the subject! Here’s a quickie list of alternative products for those of you who are interested:

Cheese: Try Daiya cheese (cheddar and mozzerella–I SWEAR by this product!)

Milk: Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Rice Milk

Yogurt: Soy yogurt

Meat: Alternatives for all meat–check with your local grocer…try Whole Foods.

Eggs: Ener-G Egg Replacer

Boxed recipes (like cake, cookies, brownies): Alternatives for everything in the baking isle.

Chocolate: Look for dark chocolates and check ingredients–obviously, milk chocolate has…milk.

Butter: Earth Balance (I SWEAR by this product too!)

Artificial sweetener: Truvia (made from the Stevia plant)

Sour Cream/ cream cheese: The brand Tofutti makes great alternatives!

Gelatin: Animal-free gelatin alternatives–they taste exactly the same!

Ice cream: Soy ice creams, sorbets, and get this–you can even make your own delicious recipes! My boyfriend loves my vegan chocolate ice cream recipe…he said it’s like sex in his mouth–better than Coldstone!

Of course we’ve all heard that it’s a healthy way to nourish our bodies. Did you know that one vegan person can save over 100 animals a year just by sticking to their diet? A vegan lifestyle is exciting–your body will look amazing, you will feel amazing, and all while you’re doing a good thing for the animals…even if that isn’t your initial intention. Pretty cool.

And please make sure that if you’re considering a vegan lifestyle, you consult your doctor first. You will need to take a multivitamin, and you should take an additional B Vitamin (B12) supplement: I also take a Blue Green Algae supplement(at the request of my older brother) because I eat a gluten free and fairly “raw” (meaning uncooked) diet, which requires that I supplement certain amino acids to feel satiated and healthy enough for my hard workouts.

And remember, it’s about the journey–there is no failure if you’re trying. Don’t stress the mistakes!  As we become more knowledgeable about the topic, what to eat and what we like to eat, the less stressful it becomes–that’s the truth.

Good luck to all you vegan lifestyle seekers! A great big pat on the back to all you who are educating yourselves.

Hugs + kisses…and most importantly, stay happy and healthy!

XoX

And what about FILA? …Hmmmm…never has been a brand I was too crazy about until I saw these tight black spandex shorts in Nordstrom the other day. I had to get them! So I scooped up a very cute Juicy Couture bright blue workout tank to pair with the spandex, and I threw in the matching Juicy sweatshirt (yoga-style) for the winter workouts–I love planning ahead!

So today is the big day. Another outfit debut for the gym. I put my new Nike sports bra (highlighter yellow) on, my Juicy Couture tank top, and my tight black spandex shorts by, ohhhh who makes them again? …oh that’s right, Fila!

As I was getting dressed for the gym, I noticed writing on the inside of my new spandex shorts that said, “Made in USA”. Which made me wonder…needless to say, I was curious enough to strip off my Juicy Couture tank top and twist my Nike sports bra around to find that one label that said, “Made in Vietnam,” and the other, “Made in China.”

Hey…why don’t you try it on? Wearing a true American brand feels great!

(YOUR FACE HERE)

God bless the American that made these tight black spandex shorts! A big shout out to the people at Fila who made the decision to manufacture their apparel in this great country!

Off to gym! Kisses!

Healthy + Happy…XoX

You get the point. Asking yourself those questions can sometimes feel like stepping on the scale and facing that diet-breaking brownie sundae that you ate the night before; you want so badly to avoid knowing the truth….”You mean, we have to wait three months to buy this dress??? (Cue mascara running down perfectly made up face). I can’t (sob sob) just put it on my credit card?”

Girlfriend, amidst the fake nails, fake hair, and fake tata’s, we could use some reality. Really.

So, instead of getting caught in a sticky situation, why not plan for what we can afford, instead of react to what we did afford. Or even better, why not let this free and secure website do it all for us? www.mint.com.

Mint.com

This website is like a fun babysitter watching over us in our most impulsive and vulnerable states. Like, hello, we all know, shopping alone is like eating in front of the TV; when no one’s watching, we want more, more, more! Well now, we won’t ever have to shop alone! Which if you think about it, is a great thing. A free babysitter that helps you budget for that dress you’re dying to have? A shopper’s nirvana. We all like to hear, “Yes! You can buy it!”…even if we do have to wait a while for that to happen.

Now, I don’t own a credit card, but I would sure know how to use one if I did. So remember, I’m not an expert on budgeting–by any means–but I am a woman that almost always finds a way to get something that I really want…even if I have to wait. The exact reason why I love this site so much!

In my particular case, there are several things that I am saving up for this year; things that are larger ticket items, one-time purchases, etc. It only takes ten minutes to enter all the personal information into Mint.com’s website and before you know it, you’re able to review all of your spending habits. The website even breaks down your personal budgets, just for you, based on your past spending: Shopping, Groceries, Gas, Medical, Pets, Spa, etc. I promise you, I really detest the words, “finance,” and, “budgeting,” but mint.com has semi-brainwashed me with their colorful pie charts and spending buttons.

If you haven’t made your New Year’s resolution yet, now’s the perfect time! Embrace the personal budget. Buy that dress! After all, it’s free and fun. Give it a shot.

Happy New Year! …To your health, wealth, and happiness. xoxo