Mayim Bialik plays a genius on the hit show ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and, we have to admit, she has some pretty awesome opinions in real life too. The vegan actress took to her Twitter account this weekend to give her followers some advice on their eating habits. “If you haven’t seen the documentary @forksoverknives, you owe it to yourself. It’s unbelievable the health changes they discuss from changing how you view food and body,” she wrote on Sunday evening to her fans. “They just came out with a cookbook/eating plan. Wonderful. Check it out!” Bialik also included a link to the book which features a four week plan to transition to a plant based lifestyle. With over 100 recipes by Doctors Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman, who are featured in the documentary, the book walks readers through replacing their breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks with healthy plant based meals. The actress released her own cookbook earlier this year filled with original vegan recipes, and is raising her kids on a vegan diet. (ecorazzi.com)

Looks like the Big Apple is returning to its roots. New York, once known for its strip steak, was declared 2014's "Most Vegan-Friendly City" by PETA in a special ceremony at City Hall on Sept. 17. The commemoration took place on the steps of City Hall and featured actor Alan Cumming, a New York resident and famous vegan. Cumming, alongside PETA, presented City Council members a Manhattan skyline replica carved entirely from vegetables, including butternut squash, taro root, radishes, eggplant, broccoli, carrots, lemongrass, banana leaves and beets. It was designed by food artist, James Parker. "New York boasts more than 140 vegetarian restaurants, countless veggie-friendly establishments, and the first vegetarian public school," says City Council member Corey Johnson. "The trend in green cuisine is healthful, draws food tourists, and employs thousands." (ecorazzi.com)

Actor Mark Ruffalo took time out of his busy TIFF schedule to urge his fans to go meat free one day a week. "Join the fight against climate change & make your pledge to go meat free for one day a week #MFMclimatepledge [http://pledge.meatfreemondays.com/ ]," the Oscar-nominated actor tweeted Monday night. The Meat Free Monday pledge initiative launched yesterday a week ahead of the UN climate summit that’s to take place in New York City. According to the website, 14.5% of global carbon emissions are directly related to meat production. It’s the campaign’s hope that going vegetarian for at least one day a week will combat climate change in a major way. It will hopefully also act as a first step, paving the way for people to eat even less meat, or adopt a total vegetarian or vegan diet. (ecorazzi.com)

A comprehensive new analysis released yesterday says that nearly half (49%) of all recent tropical deforestation is the result of illegal clearing for commercial agriculture. The study also finds that the majority of this illegal destruction was driven by overseas demand for agricultural commodities including palm oil, beef, soy, and wood products. In addition to devastating impacts on forest-dependent people and biodiversity, the illegal conversion of tropical forests for commercial agriculture is estimated to produce 1.47 gigatonnes of carbon each year—equivalent to 25% of the EU's annual fossil fuel-based emissions. (enn.com)

With a rich display of healthy vegan food, ecological products and innovations and cosmetics that is not tested on anmals, more than 80 exhibitors are waiting for you at this year's ZeGeVege Festival. The ZeGeVege Festival also welcomes foreign exhibitors, V-label holders, many associations and humanitarian and ecological initiatives. The ZeGeVege Festival will take place at Ban Jelacic Square, the central square of the city of Zagreb, on September 5-6 2014. For the list of all exhibitors who will be there please visit the ZeGeVege official website www.zegevege.com.