Alicia Silverstone - The Christ Hospital

continued from page 10“I always needed antibiotics, aspirins or antacids. Iwas tired and had mood swings,” she says. Since goingvegan, however, Silverstone reports, “I haven’t takenany of those medicines in more than eight years.”Silverstone says being a vegan boosts her energyreserves, helps her sleep better, gives her healthierlookingskin and eyes, and helps her maintain an overallsense of calm. “I went to my doctor for a regularcheckup a few years ago and hadn’t been there forabout seven years. He checked my blood and everythingwas perfect, even better than it was years ago.My body got so healthy.”However, she’s the first to say that playing foodpolice isn’t her favorite role. “I’m not a puritan; I’mjust pure about being a vegan and doing the best I canevery day,” says Silverstone.From sugar to squashSilverstone credits her healthy bodyand immune system to her plant-baseddiet of whole grains, whole beans andfresh food. Most of the time, all she needsto do is step outside to gather a meal for herself andher husband, musician and fellow vegan ChristopherJarecki. “It’s amazing to go into your own backyardand pick vegetables that you planted with your ownlittle hands,” she says. Her organic garden and itscompost area are Silverstone’s pride and joy; it’swhere she grows sweet peas, kale, garlic, tomatoesand more.Steamed greens and miso dumpling soup areSilverstone’s breakfast staples, and a big salad fullof her fresh-grown vegetables topped with sesametofu dressing is a substantial lunch. “If I eat macrobioticallyevery day, I can lose weight and attain myideal figure. But I don’t like living that rigid lifestyle,so if I’m at a party and they have a cake with icecream, I can’t resist,” says Silverstone. “I might have aheadache the next day from the sugar and white flourand feel really low in energy, but food is an art andmade to be enjoyed.”Now-and-then exerciseThe 5-foot-5-inch Silverstone keeps her shapewith yoga, hiking with her dogs and riding her bikealong the beach with friends. “Yoga and the dog walkshappen the most regularly, but I can be a bit sporadic.I’m not a puritan; I’m just pureabout being a vegan anddoing the best I can every day.That’s where I’m lucky that my diet and lifestyle areso good, because they compensate for my irregularexercise habits, especially when I’m working,” she says.“But I love doing yoga; it’s really a blissful experience.Jumping on a trampoline is fun, too. And, not manyactresses get giddy over getting dirty fingernails fromgardening like I do.”Best of all, the healthy lifestyle habits Silverstoneenjoys have helped her achieve clarity and a betteroutlook on life. “I feel spiritually healthy,” she says.“This way of eating has led me on a beautiful path.I’ve learned more about myself and I’m more in touchwith my own body.” WHTVegan or vegetarian?These similar-sounding terms describe people whoadhere to two different types of eating systems.Vegetarians simply don’t eat any meat, fish or fowl.Vegans take it a step further; they don’t eat any animalproducts, eliminating all dairy, eggs and evenhoney from their diets. Vegans need to be sure toget adequate protein and iron from other nutritioussources, like soy products, seeds, whole grains,nuts and green leafy vegetables.© 2008 Kevin Winter/GettyImages12Women’s Health Today