Author Michael Pollan and vegan actress and author Alicia Silverstone appeared recently on Oprah to discuss the importance of a mindful, healthy diet, the perils of grocery shopping, and changes we can all make toward better nutrition for mind, body, and planet. View the episode on Oprah’s website.

Ever the eloquent advocate for the organic food movement, Michael Pollan defended attacks on organics at a Grist event in San Francisco recently. Learn more about how and why he argues that organic agriculture can, in fact, feed the world at the Grist website.

See him also recently on Democracy Now! on the DN! website.

This powerful documentary goes behind the scenes and celebrates some of the individuals and organizations leading the sustainable food movement.

Leading up to the theatrical release on April 9th is a series of events including the Clean Plates NYC sponsored Farm to Table series hosted by some of the most delicious and sustainable restaurants around town.

Kicking it off is a 5-course lunch on Thursday, March 25th at Lupa Osteria from 12:30 – 4:30 prepared by Chef Cruz Goler. To reserve a seat, call Lupa Osteria at 212-982-5089.

For a detailed listing of FRESH screenings, events, and participating restaurants click here http://tinyurl.com/freshnyc

Enlighten your palette by joining Jared Koch, creator and coauthor of Clean Plates NYC this Wednesday, March 24th at The James Beard House from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. to discuss “Eating well When Eating Out” as part of James Beard’s newly developed Enlightened Eaters series featuring readings, workshops and other programs focusing on health, nutrition, sustainability, and environmental issues.  Reserve your seat today by calling Colleen Vincent at 212.627.2308.  Suggested donation only and Food and Dessert provided by Slice and Stogo.  To read invite click below cleanplatesnyc.com/evite

From the New York Times comes a startling article about the company Beef Products Inc.’s use of ammonia to eliminate pathogens in processed meat, and the response from the US Department of Agriculture. Sadly, the response is not the skeptical one you might expect; rather, the USDA praised Beef Products Inc.’s methods as extremely effective, and exempted the company’s products from routine testing. As you can imagine, dangerous meat contamination ensued…and found its way into school hamburger supplies.

Read more on the New York Times website.

Clean Plates-approved restaurant Angelica Kitchen got the New York Times’ thumbs up for its delicious organic vegan brittle, which Florence Fabricant describes as “nothing short of addictive.” We’re thrilled to hear praise for organic’s taste as well as healthful qualities. Kudos to the folks at AK!

Read the review on the New York Times website.

What exactly is Clean Plates NYC, and who is it for? In this short video, founder and coauthor Jared Koch presents a simple description of how his restaurant and nutrition guide can serve as a helpful and accessible resource for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Recently on the Huffington Post: GMO expert, author, and filmmaker Jeffrey Smith confronts the president of a major food company about genetically modified crops in his products, fearing the worst in ignorance and stubbornness. What transpires is magical – and bridges the gap between dogmatism and true understanding. Read about their discussion, and the mutual awakening it inspired at the Huffington Post website.

Smith also points toward a great resource for non-GMO produce at The Organic and Non-GMO Report website.

Olympic snowboarder Hannah Teter is setting a new precedent for world-class athletes: she adheres to a strict vegetarian diet, donates her competitive winnings to humanitarian organizations, and uses the proceeds from her maple syrup company to sponsor clean drinking water infrastructure in Kenya. Not your typical dumb jock! In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, she describes her lifestyle and her commitments, remarking on vegetarianism, “I feel stronger than I’ve ever been, mentally, physically, and emotionally. My plant-based diet has opened up more doors to being an athlete.”

Read more at the Huffington Post website.

Coming up at Urban Zen: The FitTown Town Hall will bring together advocates for child health and present solutions that enhance physical and emotional health and wellness for children and teens in the home, at school and in the community. The goal is to engage parents and school staff as agents of change in bringing proactive health and healing practices to American youth. Learn more about www.urbanzen.org.

Day 1: March 10, 2010
Nutrition in Schools
with Ras Baraka, Annemarie Colbin, PhD, Alexandra Jamieson, First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, Barnaby Spring, and Brian Wansink, PhD
Creating a Healthy Environment
with Kristy Borak, Michael Conard, Sarkis Kalashian, Eric Komoroff and Jean McTavish
Food Thought in Underserved Communities
with Sarita Dhuper, MD , FACC , Anna Hammond, Terri Kennedy, PhD, Craig King and Jerusha Klemperer

Day 2: March 11, 2010
Kids Going Green
with Theresa Dolan, Sarah Fishstrom, Lynn Fredricks,  Annie Novak, Joy Pierson, Akiima Price and Kim Wiley-Schwartz
Exercise, Music and Art Therapy for Kids
with Yong Kim Cedro, Anne Desmond, Beth DeFuria, James O’Brien, Mache Seibel, MD and Clyde Valentin
Spirituality and Mental Resiliency
with Dianne Connelly, Heath Grant, PhD, Tara Guber, Stephen Josephson, MD , Lisa Oz and Alan Wherry

FitTown: A Healthy Path for Kids
Wednesday & Thursday March 10 & 11, 2010
Urban Zen Center at the Stephan Weiss Studio
711 Greenwich Street (at Charles Street)
New York, NY 10014
Tickets: $180 for both days or $100 per individual day
For more information: rsvp@urbanzen.org or 212.414.8520