Check It. The Fighter on DVD, and The Kind Diet in paperback.

The Fighter is out on Blu-ray and DVD today. It did very well all through awards season, scoring seven Oscar noms, and two wins--for Christian Bale (Best Supporting Actor) and Melissa Leo (Best Supporting Actress).

Also out today--Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet in paperback, made with soy ink and recycled paper. She will be signing at the Grove's Barnes & Noble tonight at 7:30 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: thegeekgeneration.com

Eat Out. The Veggie Grill.

We like a good vegetarian restaurant here at the BEAT--even though we're not all vegetarians! Veggie Grill is actually vegan (Kind Diet friendly) and really delicious. Their Grillin' Chickin' sandwich (with avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro pesto, and chipotle ranch on a wheat roll) and seasoned "Sweetheart" sweet potato fries are my favorites, and they have a good bean chili too.

I stopped by the West Hollywood location to pick up a weeknight dinner last week, and the service was extremely fast and very friendly.

The Veggie Grill is located at 8000 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood (Sunset 5 structure at Crescent Heights). Other locations in Santa Monica, El Segundo, and Irvine. Info: veggiegrill.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Advance Notice. Alicia Silverstone signing The Kind Diet.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my discovery of Alicia Silverstone's website/online community, The Kind Life, an extension of her book, The Kind Diet.

In March, she'll be at the Grove for an author event (which typically means discussion and signing) in celebration of the book coming out in paperback. It's now available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble for just $12.27 (a bargain compared to the $21.99 list price - not to mention the $29.99 hardcover).

I think I'll bring along my Clueless special "Whatever!" edition DVD to see if she'll sign that too (I was in 5th grade when the film came out and thought Cher was the just the coolest).

March 15 at 7:30 p.m. Info: barnesandnoble.com, (323) 525-0270

189 The Grove Drive, Suite K 30 in Los Angeles (3rd and Fairfax)

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: barnesandnoble.com

Check It. The Kind Life.

I've been semi-interested in this book by Alicia Silverstone since its fall 2009 release. Since I'm not vegetarian, let alone vegan, I've never actually made the purchase, but after discovering her blog, thekindlife.com, I'm impressed and more interested in taking a second look at the book.

Having even just one vegan meal each day would certainly be a healthy way to start the new year. The site also has a whole section just on Los Angeles (including where to find Alicia's favorite veggie burger).

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: associatedcontent.com