VEGAN OF THE MONTH: MAY

By Leave a Comment

Lily Harty

Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

What inspired you to go vegan?

I have been vegetarian since age 10, but decided to go vegan 2 years ago. I was sick of the way that heavy, creamy foods made me feel bloated and tired after every meal, but I was afraid that going vegan would be too hard to sustain. Then, I saw a friend that I hadn’t seen in years that had gone vegan, and she made it look so easy- so I decided that I’d give it a try! After I first went vegan, I knew it was right for me.

What are some of your favorite vegan restaurants?

Sage and Little Pine are my favorites, I also love Mohawk Bend, Gracias Madre, The Springs, and Cafe Gratitude. Plus I love any Thai food, always.

What are your favorite vegan dishes to make?

I love making soups- avocado gazpacho and tomato chickpea soup are my favorites. I also love making salads- Texmex salads, vegan caesar salads, sweet potato tofu salads… anything with tofu, I’m on it. I’m really partial to meat substitutes as well.

What are common misconceptions about being vegan?

The first common misconception is that everybody is vegan for animal rights reasons. Yes, that usually comes along with being vegan and is something you learn to care about, but people go vegan for any multitude of reasons to do with health, happiness, environment, or animal rights.

What is the worst part about being vegan?

The worst part is when I’m at a party or some kind of gathering where there’s pizza, because that’s one thing that literally everyone but vegans gets really excited about eating.

What is the best part about being vegan?

There are so many best parts! Above all I love all of the new and different foods I’ve tried since going vegan. Whether it’s at a restaurant or at home, I’ve had chances to experiment with food that I would never have taken if I could’ve just easily turned back to cheese or eggs.
What advice to you have for people who want to become vegan?
My advice to budding vegans is to go cold turkey and do it for at least 2 months before deciding whether to stop. When I first started, I thought I’d do it bit by bit, but just cutting everything out all at once gave me a commitment and drive that I wouldn’t have if I allowed myself to cheat. Additionally, don’t stop if it’s not working out after one month, because it takes longer than that for your palate to adjust itself to your new diet. You will stop craving animal products very soon.
How has your life changed since you’ve become vegan?
I’ve definitely become more interested in general wellness and healthiness since being vegan. I feel more connected with animals now that I don’t feel guilty about giving love to my cat but not caring that cows and chickens are being slaughtered in the masses just so I can have a comfortable diet. I feel more connected to my body, and can sense changes in it a lot more now that I’m not getting bogged down with fatty animal products. I feel an instant connection to other vegans, and a general desire for my body to feel good all the time.
What are the top 3 reasons to go vegan?
(1) For the environment. After being vegan for 2 years, I’ve saved 803,000 gallons of water, 21,900 sq feet of forest, and 14,600 lbs of carbon dioxide, in addition to the 730 animal lives I’ve saved (according to Vegan Calculator).
(2) For yourself. You’ll feel your whole lifestyle adjusting to being vegan- when the rest of your friends want to take a groggy nap after dinner, you’ll be the one up for anything.
(3) For your tummy. Your stomach will thank you so much for feeding it well and taking care of it. You’ll see the changes in your weight and body image, but more importantly you’ll feel the changes.
What are your favorite vegan blogs/instagram/youtube channels?
@thatveganlifedoe, of course 🙂 I also like @rawspirations, @voguefarmer, @earthyandy, @planthappy, and many more. I like recipes from Collegiate Vegan, Oh She Glows, This Rawsome Vegan Life, and more.
Do you have a blog, instagram, or youtube channel?
@lilyharty on instagram and twitter.

Filed Under:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *