When you hear the word "vegan" what do you think of? Some hippie or even an anarchist punk? Well, I want you to get rid of those stereotypes and meet some real life vegans.
That's why I started my latest project..."Interviews with swell vegans". I've interviewed vegans before, of course, but this will be a huge range of vegans. You'll learn that there are so many kick ass vegans who will inspire you and show you that being vegan is not some crazy, hard to achieve thing!
What better person to interview than the first vegan friend I made! It all started at one of my favorite restaurants, Follow Your Heart. There was a dinner made by vegan chef Tal Ronnen and his cookbook signing. We met in line, and we instantly became pals.
Who is she, though? Well, she's Vegyogini of the Hugger Food blog, an absolutely rad blog. She's also a yoga enthusiast and amazing cook and baker. I would know, I've made pancakes with her and have tried her baked goods. Vegan Cadbury Creme Eggs anyone?
Here it is!
Why/when did you become vegan?
I've been vegetarian since October 10, 1998 and vegan for a little over 5 years. Around the time when I was 12, I became very aware of nutrition's connection to health, and started eliminating certain foods from my diet. I was also very concerned about environmental issues as a teenager. Then, when I was in college, I faced the reality of animal testing and stopped buying products tested on animals. It was a natural conclusion to become vegetarian shortly thereafter. I became vegan for my health, for the health of our planet, and for the health of the animals.
Where did you go to college? What was your major?
I went to UC Santa Barbara and majored in French. It was the perfect major for me. Right after college, I went to Loyola Law School for my law degree.
What's your favorite food?
Fresh blueberries!
What's your favorite music?
I love singer-songwriter rock, classic rock, the music I grew up with in the 80s and early 90s, and I have a huge soft spot for 60s protest music.
What's your blog about?
I strongly believe that delicious vegan food is an excellent ambassador. I write about what I cook at home, vegan cookbooks (or veganizing recipes from non-vegan sources), the food I eat when I'm out, and occasionally products I like.
So you like to cook/bake, what's your favorite thing to make?
I love cooking Indian-inspired soups and stews; I make a lot of those in the fall and winter months. As for baking, a couple years ago, I had a lot of fun veganizing my two most popularly requested cookies: Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodles. I have always loved baking cookies for people because it makes them so happy! Within our vegan community, though, I get the most requests and praise for my vegan Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Do you have a hero?
Not particularly, but I greatly admire people who stand up and (peacefully) fight for what's right.
What is you favorite movie?
"Breakfast at Tiffany's"
What's your favorite book?
I'm such a bookworm and I always have been! You've seen in person the number of books I have carefully organized on my many bookshelves at home. I am always in the middle of at least one book. Right now, I'm reading Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m. by Sam Wasson, which is about the making of "Breakfast at Tiffany's." All that being said, I don't really have a favorite book that I've read as an adult, but The Giving Tree is one of the most beautlfully-written books I've ever read. Also, when I was younger, I read and re-read The Secret Garden more times than I can count.
What are your hobbies?
This question really makes me wonder about my own definition of the word "hobby." I'd say that writing my blog, Hugger Food, is a hobby. I don't really consider cooking and baking to be hobbies because they're such a big part of my life, although I suppose you could throw them into this category. Yoga has been so ingrained in my lifestyle for the last 6 1/2 years that I don't really consider it a hobby, either, but I will put it down here anyway. I also love music (recorded and live), film (mostly independent, documentaries, and classics), and, as I said earlier, I am a total bookworm!
Thanks Vegyogini of the Hugger Food blog! You're an inspiration and soul sister!
