Reasons to Smile: The Year 2013

A round-up of KMIV's 2013 Top 25 Reasons to Smile (although there were sooooo many more), by your favorite vegan hubby, Steven Todd Smith.

JWro dives into one of his delicious recipes.

1. An amazing holistic raw vegan Reiki certification retreat at the Atlantis Rejuvenation Center in Bimini, Bahamas to launch Steve into the new year with the creation of his Reiki business, Reiki for Creative Minds.

2. The birth of the pilot episode of "How to Live to 100" with Jason Wrobel on Cooking Channel AND news of the official debut of this world's 1st vegan cooking show on January 3rd, 2014.

Vegan runner. Vegan warrior.

3. My plant-based/vegan fitness apparel from Plant-Based Junkies and Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness - worn for a Gladiator Rock N' Run, a Spartan Sprint, and my first half marathon (video - watch!).

4. Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres. Winnie, Thatcher, Li Mu Bai, Turkey Lurkey, Prince, Paolo, Bruno, Safran, Macy, Jumper, and so many more amazing geese, chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats, sheep, cows, horses, and pigs. Also, the human animals there: Cameron, Kelly, Robyn, Alex, Dani, and many other super people who care for these animals every day.

5. Stories like these that illustrate the intelligence of animals and the compassion that we, humans, can and should live out fully with all living beings.

6. Veggie Grill is going to become the country's first vegan restaurant chain at some point. I can feel it. I hope soon. 

7. "Bring It Down to Veganville" on SNL brings vegan to the mainstream with a dose of tasteful comedy. 

Drool. Drool. Eat. Eat. Yum. Yum.

8. New recipes! Our favorites? Wolfsmith Stuffed Peppers and Sweet Potato Stacks.

9. One of the best written articles regarding veganism that I've ever read. By Dr. Will Tuttle.

10. The opening of the Animal Advocacy Museum in Pasadena by the wonderful Patty Shenker and Prabhat Gautam. The creation and organization of my very first large fundraising event with the help of the passionate and talented Ciddy Fonteboa: A Night of Creative Compassion. We raised $2500 for the animals of Farm Sanctuary.

11. Family visiting us in LA! Dad & Stepmom Wolf, Brother Wolf, Sister Wolf, Mom & Dad Smith. All received tasty trips to Cafe Gratitude.

Vegan Goes Chic.

12. Crossroads Kitchen opens in West Hollywood! Fancy vegan comes to LA - and we indulge.

13. California Ag-Gag bill ruled dead! A huge win for transparency, justice, and compassion for the animals.

14. Our most precious Rini cat survived from heart failure. The emergency clinic vet gave her a 50/50 shot to make it through the night. She did. Lindsay and I were eternally grateful for the love, support, and help she received.

15. Vegan Beer Fest with The Vedge App's Jessica and Christina (thanks for the Ronald's Donuts!), Vegans in Vegas Radio's Rigel, Veggie Fixation's Christine, and so many more compassionate drinkers. Tried a most delicious coffee beer, one of my favorites ever. Oh, also Vegan Pizza Day. I learned what a Pizza Coma was.

16. Being the Community Manager for Forks Over Knives (for over a year!). Connecting with, assisting, congratulating people all over the world as they go through their plant-based journey. This documentary has created an enormous positive revolution for health and, in doing so, for compassion too.

17. Vegan babies and watching them grow up. Thanks Brian L. & Joanna W. and Jessica & Kenny S. for giving birth to such adorable kiddies and being excellent parents.

The birth of the Power V(egans).

18. Jumper the cat's nighttime ritual and high-flying theatrics (videos: you want to watch these).

19. The first (of many!) PowerV lunches at the new Gardein Tasting Kitchen in Marina Del Rey. Jason Stefanko is not only a Gardein executive chef; he's the man!

20. Films that have made and will continue to make an impact on the hearts and minds of humans - Blackfish, The Ghosts In Our Machine, Speciesism: The Movie. And looking forward to the upcoming Unity (from Shaun Monson and Nation Earth, who brought us Earthlings).

Mary helps us with our vow renewal.

21. Celebrations galore! Our friends' Molly & Dan's (vegan) wedding and our 4-year wedding anniversary (and 10-year "we've been together" anniversary). During our vow renewal at Animal Acres, Mary the sheep popped in to be our officiant.

22. The holidays this past month. So much food, so much family, so much laughter and joy and fun and presents. So much love.



23. Bill de Blasio wins us all over, vowing to ban horse carriages in NYC. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor-elect de Blasio.

24. Lindsay's booked commercial representation. Lindsay's role in the thriller, Gone in the Dark. Lindsay's first successful Kickstarter for Lady and the Bum, a short she wrote and will be starring in (coming next year). Lindsay's co-star on Criminal Minds. Lindsay's foray into a fun, potential sitcom pilot. Lindsay's immense achievements this year in acting - so keep an eye out for your KMIV creator in 2014... she's gonna be on screens all over, both TV and film :-)

25. You. Our kissable KMIV family. Thank you for your continuing readership and support. We know we've been more infrequent with posts, but we're still here! We look forward to a 2014 with some fun happenings and always love your participation. Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Family, Food, and Fun!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Holidays!

This is definitely our favorite time of the year. For so many reasons. Some of them include:

1. It's Lindsay's birthday! This one is extra special, as she's celebrating 30 glorious years. 
2. Holiday time brings out such wonderful joy, happiness, and togetherness from everyone! This year, Lindsay and I started with a belated Hanukkah and Mom Smith birthday celebration in Pennsylvania with Dad Smith and Sister Smith too, moved to a New Jersey weekend with Dad & Stepmom Wolf, and are currently in a cabin in the Catskills celebrating Christmas with Mom Wolf, Sister Wolf, Brother Wolf, and Grandma! Presents, fires in the fireplace, snow, X-Mas PJs, and more. We'll be finishing off with NYC for New Year's.
3. FOOD! Lots and lots of it. From a Tofurkey feast to breakfast scrambles to some tasty treats - we make sure to get the whole family involved, in the cooking and with their appetites.
4. A time to reflect. There's only one more week left in 2013! What an amazing year it's been. Keep an eye out for a special 2013 Reasons to Smile Wrap-Up. We'll be getting nostalgic, talking about special moments and accomplishments, in addition to thinking big for the new year 2014.
5. Pictures! Enjoy some of what we already have for you below.

What are YOU doing for your 2013 Holiday Celebration? Comment below!

Catskills cabin decorations

Playing one of our new favorite games,
Escape: The Curse of the Temple

Kiffles! A Christmas staple and a delicious treat from Mom Wolf.
They're Hungarian!

A "Welcome Home!" tempeh scramble from Mom Smith. I followed up with a Daiya Cheese-y breakfast scramble 5 days later!

Trying out Mock Chopped Liver for the first time. Mom Smith used a recipe from No Cholesterol Passover Recipes by Debra Wasserman and Charles Stahler

A Chinese food feast from New Harmony in Philadelphia

Vegan Meatballs a-cookin!

Nothing like a warm fire on a chilly day. Stockings accompany.

Presents from Santa! It's Christmas!

Your most kissable bloggers enjoying the holidays and expressing
our never-ending gratitude for your love and support

Have a happy compassionate holiday season and enjoy this final week of the year!

Friends Don't Let Friends French Kiss in Public

Ok everyone - as someone who writes A LOT about relationships, dating, and sexuality issues, I like to think of myself as pretty laid back and liberal about most things that revolve around these topics. Not much makes me uptight, and even less tends to turn me off. But I've got a bit of a confession to make...one that if I had to guess, I would imagine that most of you agree with as well! There is nothing worse than seeing a couple playing tongue tennis is a public place! I don't care how much you love each other, how much time you've spent apart, or even how good looking of a pair you are. Get a room, go home, go away, just do something other than engaging in a French kissing demonstration in the public square - we DON'T want to see it!

Of course there is nothing wrong with a public display of affection. Just remember, a big part of kissing well is a sense of class and style in your approach. Elegance is VERY erotic. Low key lust is luscious too. But everyone knows that couple who just attacks each other after they've had a few drinks at dinner, and when you're dining in a large group, trust me, it's no fun to watch! ( Especially when it's your younger brother and his girlfriend, yuck!)

So don't stop kissing...It's the sexiest and most erotic part of being passionate. Just keep the real fun stuff at home, or in private anyway, wherever you are. The rest of us will find you far sexier as well, I guarantee it!

Tips to Give Your Partner the Perfect Kiss

One of the biggest complaints from women is that there is not enough kissing. Another complaint is of the lack of good technique.

French kissing is a lot more intimate than a friendship kiss or a peck. This is because the tongue is involved. However, what makes a good and sensual French kiss?

Here are some basic rules:

Make sure that your breath is fresh. Bad breath and smoker's breath are extremely off putting.

Move slowly. Rushed movements will only scare your partner away.

Take your time when kissing your partner. Spend enough time on the kissing, as it is the best way to create the mood for more things to come.

Do not shove your tongue in your partner's mouth. Some people do not like it. Let your tongue slowly move around your partners lips before nudging in the mouth. Once in the mouth, the tongue should move slowly and in rhythm with your bodies.

Be careful not to let too much liquids pass between mouths.

Use your hands to caress areas of your partner's body. Start with gentle movements. Your partner will let you know when the intensity should increase. This usually occurs automatically between both partners.

By perfecting the art of kissing, your partner will be left thinking about that moment over and over again, and will be dying to come back for more. However, doing it wrong could spell chaos for future exploration into the world of bliss between you and your dream partner.