Actress, Vegan, Author: Alicia Silverstone

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ALICIA SILVERSTONE'S CHEERFUL, lispy voice immediately conjures up Cher, the uber-fashionista she played in the 1995 teen flick "Clueless." But in real life, the amiable actress' main passion is veganism, not, like, totally important designers. Her new lifestyle book, "The Kind Diet" ($30, Rodale), doles out practical suggestions on why adopting a plant-based diet can make you look and feel better.

» EXPRESS: What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
» SILVERSTONE: What I want is for people to realize you can be happy, look amazing and be kind to the planet all at the same time by following [a vegan] diet. I want to reach the people who take aspirin all the time for headaches, or reach for coffee in the morning for energy, or want to lose some weight. There is another solution.

» EXPRESS: Encouraging people to go vegan is a bit of a tough sell.
» SILVERSTONE: My other dream is for people not to look at this as a vegan book. It's really about being your best self — it just so happens the journey to that is being vegan. This isn't my opinion; I didn't make this up. All this information is scientifically backed up with medical research.

» EXPRESS: You've suggested that people can start by making small changes and being "aspiring vegetarians."
» SILVERSTONE: One of the three diets in my book is the "Flirting" diet, based around the idea of trying a few new things. I really believe that the food is so powerful that you'll start seeing changes even if you start small.

» EXPRESS: Before you were vegan, did you feel more stressed and less healthy?
» SILVERSTONE: Oh, yeah. All the toxins from the regular food we eat just clog up our systems. Before becoming vegan, I was puffier, heavier, more swollen. Look at pictures of me now and then, and you'll see a definite difference. I don't mean to sound obnoxious, but I can wear no makeup now for days on end — my skin has this great glow that wasn't there before.

» EXPRESS: There are tons of tasty-sounding recipes in the book as well.
» SILVERSTONE: The peanut butter cups and chocolate fudge brownies are insane. Vegan food doesn't have to compromise on taste. I challenge cheese to a duel! I think any of my amazing dishes are better than a cheese plate any day.

» EXPRESS: What small change would you love for everyone to start making?
» SILVERSTONE: Try out your local vegetarian restaurants sometimes. Add more greens and grains to your life. Even just replacing your butter with Earth Balance spread or mayonnaise with Vegenaise will make a difference. I promise they taste exactly the same. Mail it to me if you don't think so! OK, don't really mail it to me, but it's just as good, and so much better for you.

» EXPRESS: Now that the book is out, what's next for you?
» SILVERSTONE: I start rehearsals on a Broadway play, "Time Stands Still" in December. I'm planning just a really sexy time in New York this winter —; having hot apple cider, enjoying the cold and focusing on myself and the play. It will be nice having just one job instead of seven for a change.

Photo courtesy Victoria Pearson