No Meat, No Problem

It’s been such a fun, productive year for Green Goddess Public Relations. We’ve had our clients everywhere from Dr. Oz to Bon Appetit, Fox News, CBS, NBC, Yahoo! and the list goes on and on. We only work with clients that we have a true interest in and as you’ll see below there is a lot to interest us!

This is just a handful of highlights from media placements over the last six months or so. We can’t list everything because the list is long, but I think this gives you an idea of how great our clients are.

Thanks to everyone who supports us, without you we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

July 2016

Women’s Health features Dr. David Neuman’s joint health tips for millennials from his site, Pop-Doc.com

FOX Happening Now interview Physical Therapy Dr. Karena Wu about posture tips during traveling

CBS New York sizzles up July 4^th eats with Chef Mark Bailey

PopSugar gets fit with Dr. Karena Wu’s ab-flattening routine

MindBodyGreen interviews fitness class tips from Dr. Karena Wu, Dr. David Neuman and Dr. Michael Forman

NY1 interviews Dr. Karena Wu about how arthritis is rising in millennials

PIX 11 features 16 Handles giveaway

NY1 interviews Dr. Prem Chattoo about his work with ORBERA weight loss balloons

PIX 11 talks about ORBERA in their “Summer Skinny” special

Livestrong writes about Dr. Karena Wu’s posture tips

June 2016

NY1 interviews Orthopedist Dr. David Neuman about joint health

Black Enterprise honors Chef Mark Bailey as Top 100 Modern Man for 2016

NY1 covers Chef Bailey’s recipes that alleviate arthritis pain and help diabetes

The Dr. Oz Show tests Chef Mark Bailey and Physical Therapist Dr. Karena Wu about mustard health

NY1 does features story about ORBERA weight loss balloons

One Green Planet fans about 16 Handles going vegan

NY1 interviews Gastroenterologist Dr. Prem Chattoo about his work with ORBERA

Bon Appétit Magazine mentions 16 Handles in July issue

Miami Community Newspapers interview Clinical Nutritionist Dr. Michael Forman about his work with food-based medicines

Business Insider mentions 16 Handles in new food app story

 

May 2016

The Dr. Oz Show interview Physical Therapist Dr. Karena Wu about corset waist training

FOX Business interviews President of Apollo Endosurgery, Dennis McWilliams, about ORBERA weight loss balloons

CBS New York races to Chef Bailey’s Kentucky Derby Eats

Delish and Holly Madison talk about Holly’s original fro-yo recipe at 16 Handles

FOX What’s Happening Now interviews President of Apollo Endosurgery, Dennis McWilliams, about ORBERA weight loss balloons

Good Day Philadelphia makes breakfast in bed with Chef Bailey

Yahoo Beauty features ORBERA weight loss system

Snob Essentials features Chef Bailey’s Strawberry Gimlet

Examiner.com covers how arthritis is rising in millennials with help from Dr. Karena Wu and Dr. David Neuman

Fit Nation covers tonics and elixirs with help from Clinical Nutritionist Dr. Michael Forman

April 2016

OK Magazine spotlights Chef Mark Bailey as the chosen chef for the Sirius XM + THE MOMS’ event

Fox News shares Dr. Chattoo’s work with gastric balloon weight loss

Teen Vogue features Chef Mark Bailey’s Tomato Basil Breakfast Bowl recipe

AARP covers the stretches everyone should know with help from Physical Therapist, Dr. Karena Wu

GoodHousekeeping.com mentions how cancer survivor loves 16 Handles

New York Post highlights 16 Handles in a post about warmer weather

Yahoo! News shares Dr. Chattoo’s work with gastric balloon weight loss

PIX 11 cooks up BLT’s with Chef Mark Bailey

Fit Bottomed Mammas covers Dr. Karena Wu and Dr. David Neuman’s injury prevention tips for spring, plus work with Pop-Doc

SouthFlorida.com spotlights Shout Karaoke as the place to go for the weekend

March 2016

16 Handles on Rachael Ray 

NBC New York “springs” back into fitness with Physical Therapist, Dr. Karena Wu

Elite Daily features Dr. Karena Wu and Dr. David Neuman’s workout tips to switch up a fitness routine

SELF spotlights Dr. Karena Wu’s tips on how to ease back into workouts

ABC World News Now celebrates National Cereal Da with Chef Mark Bailey

Fox News features Dr. Chattoo’s work with gastric balloon weight loss procedure

Women’s Running shares Dr. Karena Wu and Dr. David Neuman’s post-winter fitness tips

Organic Spa Magazine publishes a print feature on Joni Juice

Palm Beach Post tells the locals to head to Shout Karaoke for Valentine’s Day

Restaurant Magazine covers 16 Handles’ new MMMilk & Cereal flavor

February 2016

Chopped brings on Chef Mark Bailey to compete in a masterful cook-off challenge

CBS New York interviews Orthopedist Dr. David Neuman about winter injuries

Yahoo! Finance covers how to score free frozen yogurt at 16 Handles on National Frozen Yogurt Day

CNBC talks about 16 Handles and Mr. Green Tea partnership

Eater spotlights 16 Handles as part of the restaurants in the breakfast frontier

PIX 11 makes last-minute Super Bowl recipes with Chef Mark Bailey

International Business Times covers 16 Handles and Mr. Green Tea partnership

Max Sports & Fitness covers Karena Wu’s tips for long runs and defined abs

MindBodyGreen features the foods Physical Therapist, Dr. Karena Wu, swears by

Greatist interviews Orthopedist Dr. David Neuman about sprains

 

This is a restaurant that certainly doesn’t need to “grow” on me. Ever since I moved back to Miami this past summer I’ve watched with wonder as Grown was constructed just a few minutes from my house. I had read all about the concept from basketball player Ray Allen and his wife, Shannon. They were reportedly looking to open a spot with healthy fast-food options. Friday was opening day.

There was already a long line on day one and Ray Allen himself was helping expedite food. I don’t know much about Allen, but was glad to see he truly is involved in the restaurant and not just an investor. The only thing more I would have liked to see is a smile on his face. He wasn’t even posing for pictures with guests, which the PR person in me wasn’t happy about. I would have told him, at least the first day, smile and take pictures with guests. After all you want people to blanket Instagram, FB and Twitter with the news that your restaurant is open. The more publicity on this the better!

As for the menu there are a couple of vegetarian or vegan options. I was going to order the Homemade Falafel dinner, but they were out of falafel (sigh). I wasn’t thrilled they were out of something on their first day, BUT since it was their first day I’ll give them a break. I instead opted for a whole wheat wrap with seared portobello mushrooms in a style they call Havana “Vibe.” It came with fresh greens, corn and black bean salsa, avocado, plantain strips and salsa fresca with a cilantro lime vinaigrette. The menu also says it comes with white cheddar cheese, but there wasn’t any cheese on mine (not sure why) so I believe this was vegan. The plantain strips also seemed to be missing from my wrap. All that said this was DELICIOUS. I would definitely get it again. I can’t say I’d get it every day though because it was $16. It’s $11 for a basic wrap and then the protein adds anywhere from $5 – $7. My “protein” was the mushrooms and those were an extra $5. I had read the Allens were trying to do healthy fast food at affordable prices so the $16 price tag on a wrap is rather stunning. It’s even more expensive than the super hot “By Chloe” in NYC where the most expensive menu item is $10.95. Miami prices should NOT be more than NYC prices so I am worried the prices will scare people away. I would probably come back here several times a week were it not for the high bill. 

I am still looking forward to trying several other menu items on future visits including the Falafel entree with Green Beans, Caramelized Onions and Toasted Almonds, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chimichurri. A personal portion of that is $14, but if you want it family style it’s $42. I haven’t been to McDonald’s in years, but I know you can serve an entire family there for under $20 so I’m not sure Grown will ever win over that crowd when family style entrees range from $42-$54. Those prices just don’t jive with the fast-food world. They might be better off calling themselves quick-serve so you don’t expect low prices.

For those who aren’t vegan or vegetarian there is free-range rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, grilled wild caught salmon and slow cooked grassfed brisket. Other sides include esquites Mexican corn, farmers market vegetables, grilled asparagus and sauteed broccoli and roasted garlic brussel sprouts. It looks like those veggies can only be served with entrees, NOT sure if you can order them by themselves.

Breakfast is also on the menu with smoothies, juices and a couple gluten-free options including blueberry pancakes and muffins (I had the banana one, which is also vegan). I was happy to see an Acai bowl on the menu, but again the $12 price tag is steep. My husband just had one at Acai nation in Los Angeles and it was $9.95. Breakfast options at fast-food spots should definitely not be above $10. Also there is an Egg Ohm-Wich option (love the Ohm part, very clever). You can also order these as an Ohm-let. There are four “vibes” to choose from here and I found it strange that three out of the four include regular old bacon. Not even a turkey bacon for those who avoid pork, but really what I would have liked to see is vegetarian bacon.

I also would love for Grown to consider adding tempeh as one of their proteins. I think it would work great in all their options. I’d also like to see a v or something on their menu that tells you what is vegan.

The verdict? The food I had so far was really fabulous. If you can afford it run, don’t walk to this new restaurant. If you can support it I think you should because we want to see more places around like this. While you are there though ask them to make their menu more affordable. We want this food to be available to people in all income groups. If everyone has access to this kind of food we truly could see a shift in the fast-food industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I attended two events with the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, the Fit and Fun Family event at Jungle Island and the Lucky Chopsticks: An Asian Night Market on the beach outside the Ritz South Beach. I’ve attended food festivals like this for years, mostly though as a journalist, food competition judge or speaker. This was one of the first times I went as a regular patron and I have to say it wasn’t the same.

We got to the Fit and Fun Family event Saturday right after the event started around 10:15am. We were shocked when we got there to see about 500 people (at least) in line to get in. This was an event with kids, so imagine hundreds of kids waiting in a line that long. We asked what was going on and were told that the festival people only had two ticket scanners so buckle in for a long wait. It took about 30 minutes before we got in and then it was a scramble to make it to the venue where Restaurant Impossible’s Robert Irvine was speaking. We snagged one of the last seats and luckily Irvine kept his 45 minute presentation rather entertaining. The other big shocker here though was that even though this was a “food festival,” the food consisted of a McDonald’s booth, a Barilla pasta tent, Kind Bars and a few other offerings. Definitely NOT food festival material, but we let it slide because this was geared toward kids.

Fast forward to Sunday night’s Asian market. We got to the event and the line was super long again. Luckily I did have a pass that allowed us to skip the line. Inside the event lines were also already forming (see a pattern here), lots and lots of lines. Since this was Asian I figured there would be a decent offering of vegetarian food, but I was wrong. There were maybe 3 or 4 little bites that I could eat. As for the all the other people there? I couldn’t help but think they paid $150 (some less thanks to Groupon) to stand in line and wait for a one or two bites of something? So that is $300 a couple. The event was sold out so obviously there are lots of people who think this is a great idea, but for $300 they could have feasted at the best restaurants South Beach has to offer. Guess what we actually did leave the event after a short time and went to eat at a restaurant. We were still very hungry!

As for the daytime event on Sunday? The Grand Tasting is $225 per person ($450 a couple). I went to it last year for free, but skipped it this year because there is no way I’d pay $450 to attend it. I know a lot of people that went this year and the feeling was mixed. Someone I know who attended for free said it wasn’t great, but then some people I know who paid thought it was fun (but $$$ isn’t a big issue for them).

So what’s the verdict? I don’t think the events are worth it at those steep prices. The NYC Vegetarian Food Festival is a fraction of the price so that is definitely still on the to do list, but don’t look for me to pay those BIG prices anytime soon.

 

 

 

It’s been quite a year for my public relations firm, Green Goddess Public Relations! We expanded our business and now have offices in New York and Miami. Clients have been featured on national shows, local news, newspapers that are read around the world, ultra-local sites and every where in between. Nothing makes me happier than getting great clients the recognition they deserve. Take a look at some of the great stories our clients have been involved in over the last few months:

September

The New York Times highlights Blossom Du Jour’s new turnstyle location

NBC New York interviews Joni Juice Founder Cindy Kasindorf about healthy school lunches

PIX 11 News features Dr. Lager’s work with The Trazer at Gotham City Orthopedics

CBS features Dr. Lager’s work with The Trazer

NBC talks about backpack safety with Physical Therapist Karena Wu

NY1’s “City Health Beat” talks health issues with Dr. Chattoo

CBS New York grills up Labor Day with Chef Bailey

Fox & Friends cooks up last-minute summer recipes with Chef Bailey

My Tech Bits highlights IT Expert Aaron Ross, Dr. Lager, Dr. Chattoo and Physical Therapist Karena Wu in article about cloud computing in the medical industry

amNewYork talks about fro yo popularity in Queens and 16 Handles

August

Food and Wine features Blossom Du Jour Owner Pamela Elizabeth and her vegan pioneering

CBS New York interviews Joni Juice Founder Cindy Kasindorf about food being the fountain of youth

Today Health interviews Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Sean Lager, Gastroenterologist Dr. Chattoo, Physical Therapist Karena Wu, Joni Juice Founder Cindy Kasindorf, Blossom Du Jour Owner Pamela Elizabeth and Chef Bailey about adding spice to your meals

Forbes features 16 Handles in Snapchat marketing article

NY1 interviews Physical Therapist Karena Wu about backpack safety

Fox & Friends talks about the romance of food with Chef Bailey

NBC New York features Chef Bailey’s Labor Day recipes

Time Out New York names Blossom Du Jour’s Soy Bacon Cheeseburger best veggie burger

CBS interviews Dr. Sean Lager about summer injuries

Livestrong quotes Physical Therapist Karena Wu about how to fix posture

July

Fox Business interviews Joni Juice Co-Founder Henry Kasindorf about juicing industry

Fox & Friends celebrates 4^th of July with Chef Bailey

My Tech Bits highlights 16 Handles and Snapchat marketing

Elite Daily turns to health expertise of Physical Therapist Karena Wu and Dr. Prem Chattoo in sex fears story

NBC CT grill up for summer with Chef Bailey

Benzinga interviews IT Expert Aaron Ross about Chicago cloud tax

NY1 interviews IT Expert Aaron Ross about how to protect yourself from cyberterrorism

The Fashion Spot features Joni Juice Founder Cindy Kasindorf’s chia fresca recipe

The Daily Meal interviews 16 Handles CEO Solomon Choi, Physical Therapist Karena Wu, Joni Juice Founder Cindy Kasindorf, Blossom Du Jour Owner Pamela Elizabeth, Gastroenterologist Dr. Chattoo and Chef Bailey about the pegan diet

MindBodyGreen spotlights Joni Juice flavors for detoxing

June

ABC World News features Chef Bailey’s Father’s Day breakfasts

PIX 11 News anticipates NYC dog restaurant bill with Blossom Owner Pamela Elizabeth

Spoon University writes humorous story about all the types of 16 Handles customers

PIX 11 News features 16 Handles in Father’s Day segment

INC shares 16 Handles’ social media posts supporting gay marriage

CBS New York features Physical Therapist Karena Wu’s work with SpiderTech tape

PIX 11 News covers the pegan diet with help of Dr. Prem Chattoo

Spoon University names Blossom Du Jour best vegan restaurant

Yahoo Finance! shares starting success of Joni Juice

PIX 11 News features Joni Juice flavors for summer slimming

May

New York Magazine mentions Jordana Brewster’s love for 16 Handles in interview

Elite Daily spotlights 16 Handles and Blossom Du Jour as game changing restaurants attracting millenials

Fox & Friends celebrates Mother’s Day with Chef Bailey

The Huffington Post shares how 16 Handles toppings are worth it

PopSugar spotlights Chef Bailey’s Avocado Banana Smoothie

CBS New York cooks up Memorial Day dishes with Chef Bailey

Eater covers Blossom Du Jour’s new turnstyle location

International Business Times quotes IT Expert Aaron Ross on NSA data collection

The Daily Meal features Physical Therapist Karena Wu’s work treating chefs

Examiner covers 16 Handles and Nutella partnership

 

These days doesn’t it seem like almost everyone you know has an allergy, intolerance or simply doesn’t want to eat certain foods? Problem is lots of restaurants still haven’t gotten with the program. Sure in NYC there are lots of options to make all kinds of eaters happy, but that’s certainly not the case everywhere in NYC and it’s especially not the case in the rest of the country.

Take Miami for example. I was just at a lunch spot that has no vegetarian items on the menu, NOT one. You could get a house salad without the bacon and what not, but that is not a MEAL option. So isn’t that restaurant and the countless others missing out on a big part of the population? I certainly wouldn’t return there and I’m sure it’s caused others to avoid going there.

The question is why? Why not appeal to everyone? Is it really so hard to have a couple vegetarian options, at least one vegan option, something gluten-free, etc. etc. The answer is it’s NOT and that’s why I’m taking my expertise and using it to help others.

My mission is to help show restaurants how easy it is to add certain options to their menu that will help them add to their customer base. Don’t you want to be the restaurant that appeals to a whole cross-section of eaters? Sure there are those stubborn Chefs that like to bad mouth vegans and vegetarians (and anyone with allergies), but for the most part I think restaurant owners would like business to come from almost anyone and everyone.

I am taking what I learned in culinary school, mixing that up with everything I know about the restaurant business and transforming restaurants one menu at a time. I look at it as an extension of my public relations business because it really is about bringing in more business and pleasing the business you already have.

Have a restaurant menu you want “transformed” to be vegetarian-friendly, vegan-friendly, and everything in between? Send me an email at cindi@greengoddesspr.org

I’m giving away two sets of cookbooks to two followers on Twitter. I will pick a winner in two categories. One is a set of 8 cookbooks for vegans/vegetarians and the other is a set of 5 cookbooks for someone who likes all kinds of food & sweets.

All you have to do is follow me on Twitter @ChefCindi and tweet “Hey @ChefCindi my favorite cookbook is….” For instance “Hey @ChefCindi my favorite cookbook is “The New Green Grocer.” I’ll be taking entries for one week until May 27th at midnight ET. Then I’ll pick two winners on May 28th and I’ll tweet the winners.

It’s been a great year for my firm Green Goddess Public Relations. We love spotlighting clients that are healthy-minded and family-friendly. From Time magazine to Fox News to Food & Wine, clients have been able to get their message out to the masses and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s a look at some of the media that has been spotlighting them.

APRIL

TIME, Cosmopolitan, Yahoo! Health, ABC News, The Huffington Post and more name 16 Handles as best date spot

ABC World News cooks breakfast in bed with Chef Bailey

FoxNews.com covers how Natural Epicurean’s healing cuisines reduce medical costs

Food and Wine spotlights Natural Epicurean’s turmeric expertise

Yahoo! Sports covers ActiveCare Physical Therapy’s Karena Wu’s safe heel tips

The Daily Meal features 16 Handles Superfood Smoothies

Foodista celebrates Earth Day with Natural Epicurean, Chef Bailey and Blossom on Columbus recipes

NY1 spotlights vegan comfort food with Blossom Du Jour’s Pamela Elizabeth

NY1 talks private chef business with Chef Bailey

One Green Planet features Blossom on Columbus risotto recipe

MARCH

Elite Daily features 16 Handles, Natural Epicurean, Blossom Du Jour, Blossom on Columbus and Ross Backup’s successful teams and job opportunities

The Wall Street Journal spotlights the Blossom Du Jour name

CNBC spotlights 16 Handles’ fro yo bubble

Fox News talks healing cuisines with Natural Epicurean’s Rich Goldstein

CBS New York springs into safe shoes with ActiveCare Physical Therapy’s Karena Wu

Fox & Friends celebrates National Cereal Day with Chef Bailey recipes

Good Day New York has Chef Bailey on to talk about recipes for the popular show Empire 

Gothamist covers Blossom Du Jour’s expansion

Time Out New York names Blossom Du Jour and Blossom as best vegan restaurants in NYC

CBS talks with Ross Backup’s Aaron Ross on saving yourself from internet hackers

FEBRUARY

USA Today features 16 Handles breakfast

INC spotlights 16 Handles as best brand using Instagram

Fox News shows love for Chef Bailey’s Valentine’s Day breakfasts

NBC New York shows love for Chef Bailey’s Valentine’s Day breakfasts

Yahoo News shares TV coverage for Chef Bailey’s Valentine’s Day breakfasts

Eater eats up 16 Handles breakfast

International Business Times spotlights’ Ross Backup’s Aaron Ross’ tech expertise

Jewish Business News writes feature story on Ross Backup’s Aaron Ross’ life and success

One Green Planet recommends Natural Epicurean’s vegan chili

Ask.com covers Blossom Du Jour’s candy line

JANUARY

Yahoo.com spotlights famous model’s love for Blossom Du Jour

Fox News interviews 16 Handles’ CEO on state of frozen yogurt industry

CBS interviews ActiveCare’s Physical Therapy’s Karena Wu on safe winter walking

Vice highlights 16 Handles’ Snapchat marketing

Ask.com covers Ross Backup’s expertise on cloud computing

CBS New York recommends Blossom Du Jour for vegetarian Superbowl

Monster.com features ActiveCare Physical Therapy job opportunites

Examiner.com spotlights Natural Epicurean’s healing cuisines

Marketplace.org covers Ross Backup’s expertise on cloud computing

Austin Chronicle details Natural Epicurean’s open house

If you are looking for public relations please contact me at cindi@greengoddesspr.org