Ten Questions: Vegan Rock Star with Diana Rein...

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Critically acclaimed blues-rock musician Diana Rein was born in Romania but grew up in Chicago, which is very evident in the soulful, lively music she creates. Labeled the “Six String Siren” by fans, the virtuoso guitarist and singer enjoys a growing fan-base as a working musician on the rise – she’s opened for Bonnie Raitt – and keeps a very busy schedule, but as she goes, she continues to be a voice for the animals and mindful, compassionate living from her platform. She will be playing at the San Diego Veg Fest October 1, so you will definitely want to check out the fest and her performance if you are in Southern California. I am honored to feature the warmhearted rock star Diana Rein as this week’s Vegan Rock Star.

1. First of all, we’d love to hear your “vegan evolution” story. How did you start out? Did you have any early influences or experiences as a young person that in retrospect helped to pave your path?

My sister, who is seven years older than me, became a vegetarian as a child after our pig named Poo-Choo was sent to slaughter in Romania. I was too little to understand the horrors of it all and as I grew up my family would give her so much grief about not eating meat that I didn’t think twice about eating meat. Somehow not eating meat meant less love to my child self so I kept eating it. But in my 20s after my mom had a hysterectomy due to cancer I researched everything I could to help her naturally after her surgery and to also help myself because I had digestive issues, acne, acid reflux. I ran across the raw vegan diet and I started doing that as well as eating cooked vegan foods...but sometimes I veered towards eating vegan junk food, which was way better than eating meat, but still not the healthiest. I did that off and on for a couple of years until finally in 2008, after taking daily yoga classes at a studio in Chicago, I just couldn’t bear the thought of eating anything with eyes, a soul and a heart anymore. My body didn’t want it and my compassionate self couldn’t handle that burden anymore. So ever since then, I’ve been eating a vegan raw or cooked diet.

2. Imagine that you are pre-vegan again: how could someone have talked to you and what could they have said or shown you that could have been the most effective way to have a positive influence on you moving toward veganism?

I find that the most popular documentaries that have come out over these last years like “What the Health” and “Forks Over Knives” can be very influential to someone wanting to know more. I also feel like the proof is in the pudding. I would have loved someone to make me a vegan meal and invite me over to see what the possibilities could be without any animal products on the dining table. Or I would have loved to have a friend that was thriving on the diet that could be a great example. But the bottom line is love. Loving yourself and working at it daily. When you love yourself, not from an egoic place, but from a spiritual place...you find it extremely difficult and heart wrenching to inflict pain on another being. So you naturally start seeing the error of your ways and clean up your karma. And compassion just flows over into every aspect of your life. If someone could have taught me that from the start it would have helped me avoid many hurtful moments and bad decisions in my life.

3. What have you found to be the most effective way to communicate your message as a vegan? For example, humor, passion, images, etc.?

I try not to draw attention to it on purpose. I tend to talk about my health struggles and how veganism has helped me because I know that most everyone is hurting on the Standard American Diet. Or if they are not hurting yet, they have family that is hurting. And once you are vegan for a while, you really start shining...especially if you stick to the more whole food plant based side of the vegan street. Heck, go to eating mostly fruit and you will glow like the brightest star. I am not a zealot about my lifestyle choices because I learned my lesson when I first started being a raw vegan in 2005. I started feeling so good that I couldn’t stop talking about it and it turned my family off. But once I just led by example and they saw the changes that were happening in my life over time...they started treading lightly on the path as well. My mom is fully vegan now, my Dad has gone on/off being vegan but he has dramatically reduced his consumption of animal products. My husband rarely eats any animal products at all. So I think the best way to be is to be is to do what you have to do to be healthy and happy, let it transform you from the inside out and then you won’t have to say a thing. People will be begging to know what your secret is.

4. What do you think are the biggest strengths of the vegan movement?

You can’t mess with the truth. There is way too much evidence now that animal products cause disease. I attribute it to the same trajectory that happened with cigarettes and smoking. It took awhile before people were convinced about the dangers but then it finally got ripped open and the jig was up. We are at the brink right now with veganism where the scales are tipping and people are finally waking up to the truth. Not only that, but man, we are bunch of awesome people that make change happen! In my community of Temecula, CA, we have a Facebook group called Temecula Valley Vegan Society and we are relentless to create vegan friendly options in this town. It’s so refreshing to be a part of a community that cares enough about every living being on this planet to create opportunities for others who have not woken up yet to see that there are options that don’t hurt animals. We are passionate people and passion will move mountains!

5. What do you think are our biggest hindrances to getting the word out effectively?

I think the biggest hindrance is Fear. Fear doesn’t allow people to be open-minded because eating a certain way is part of who they “think” they are. It’s their identity. And it doesn’t just come from ourselves...our friends and family also put a label on us so it can be really frightening to shift things because the ripple effect of that can also cause a disturbance in the relationships you have with everyone you know. That’s a lot to take on! So if we can aim to relay our message in a caring and understanding way then we can slide into that hard protective shell that people keep up and really allow them to think before they do. I also don’t feel it is necessary to tell people that have eaten meat their whole lives to stop cold turkey. We should tell them to just give it a try. Maybe just one meal a week, then maybe that can go to three, four, etc. Or maybe you can eat the plant and vegan foods first for a meal and then decide if you still need that meat. Here is the thing, we crave what we are currently eating. If someone who regularly eats meat starts eating more salads, it won’t be long before they crave some salad. And the slower they go through the transition, the less disturbed their ego will be and the less abrupt the change will be to those around them. Make it a transition and not a race.

6. All of us need a “why vegan” elevator pitch. We’d love to hear yours.

Your health will dramatically improve in every way, it is highly unlikely that you will get heart disease if you are eating a healthy vegan diet. Your sense of “helping make the world a better place” will feel very tangible when you realize that what you put on your plate makes a big difference. You are saving more than 100 animals a year by being vegan! You will decrease suffering on the planet. You will feel more love in your heart for all beings. You will let the powers that be know that you don’t stand for cruelty by putting your money into vegan products. Meat is full of bacteria, antibiotics and fluids from the animal, not to mention the energetic sadness and fear that comes from an animal that knows it is about to be slaughtered. I could spout off more but then it’s time to get real and say... Just take a moment, in silence. Listen to your heart, not your mind. I am sure that you will hear and feel what the right choice is.

7. Who are the people and what are the books, films, websites and organizations that have had the greatest influence on your veganism and your continuing evolution?

I adore Tao Porchon-Lynch who is one of the most amazing ladies I have ever learned of. She is 99 years old and still wears high heels and teaches multiple yoga classes every week on the East Coast. She also took up ballroom dancing in her 80’s. She is a total vegan rock star and she is really proving that with how active she is.

I am also in awe of Ellsworth Wareham, the 103 year old Heart Surgeon (who is no longer practicing) that became vegan in his 50s and is thriving and very active. I also have read a lot of Tonya Zavasta’s books on the raw vegan lifestyle and she is 60 years old but looks half her age, as well as Annette Larkins who became vegan at the age of 40. I have many examples of beautiful men and women that are radiating true beauty because of their vegan lifestyle.

I have also watched many films like “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead,” “Forks Over Knives,” “What the Health,” “Food Matters,” “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes,” “Super Size Me.” On my list to watch are also: “Vegucated” and “Peaceable Kingdom.” I have also done a 200-hour yoga teacher training and in reading the books that came along with my course, I came across the practice of ahimsa: the concept of not harming any living beings. So this message is everywhere, not specifically from a vegan book but why are there still people on the planet who are not listening? How is harming an animal any different than harming a human? We’ve been indoctrinated to believe that there is a hierarchy on this planet and there isn’t. The more we keep sharing that, the more it will get embedded into our makeup that we all belong and we all have a right to live out the journey we came here for.

8. Burn-out is so common among vegans: what do you do to unwind, recharge and inspire yourself?

I love doing Kundalini yoga and working with the breath and my energy field. I love going to the Ocean and being with my family on weekend getaways to just laugh and love.

I love not wearing shoes and grounding myself with Earth energy. I also love doing cleanses, especially with watermelon juice and dry fasting. I love playing guitar, which puts me in a meditative mode. I also love reading and researching new and old natural ways of healing as I really believe that the body can heal itself if given the chance.

9. What is the issue nearest and dearest to your heart that you would like others to know more about?

Well, my Mom has had a couple of cancer scares so I would say the big C word...Cancer. Since I do a lot of research I have read about many who have gone against the grain and have healed themselves naturally to the point where I feel that there is a cure and your body will take care of it if you give it the opportunity. If you cleanse it, if you exercise it, give it good water, fresh and raw foods, sunshine, reduce stress and get good sleep and dive into some emotional work...you can heal. But once again fear provided by the medical community doesn’t give people enough time to really figure this out. It’s been very depressing to see how my mother’s condition has been handled. The doctor’s talk so fast and push you hard to make decisions quickly and chastise you for doing any research or for opting out of treatments. It is truly sad because it doesn’t feel like they are really working with you from a heart place. It’s from a money place. Things are so twisted. So I just say take it back to square one and know that it is possible to heal from such a disease. And best of all, try your best to prevent it from ever happening. The most control that we have is with what we put in our bodies and on our bodies. So get to health by eating a vegan diet and also look at those lotions and potions that you use...there are so many vegan and natural options available nowadays. I don’t even wear perfume anymore. Way to many chemicals in commercially produced perfumes. It’s all about the energetic and healing powers of essential oils...and they smell so good!

10. Please finish this sentence: “To me, being vegan is...”

...the only way to be.”
It will change your life and it will be a domino effect where things just start going well in all areas of your life. Health, Love, Work, Sleep will improve. Moods, Stress…everything negative will start falling away and the Universe will reward you for your positive life shift. Your frequency will starting rising up higher and higher and you will attract better and better things. It’s a gift for the gift of life we are not taking away from sentient beings. And do yourself a favor and visit an animal farm sanctuary. See how full your heart feels when you get the privilege of being close to a beautiful animal. They know so much more than we do and they feel so much more. They are way more enlightened than us. It will hurt because you will get a download of all of the horrible pain that us humans have inflicted on such innocent beings. But it’ll keep you a vegan for life. Your whole being will desire to be a part of this shift.

A Story of Chicago VeganMania Told in Photos...

A day in the life of Chicago VeganMania and not really including much of it: the 250 volunteers, the volunteer lounge, much of the Culture Café, our beloved Green Team (sorting waste in the back), much of the load in, any of the tear down, most of the food court (22 restaurants!) any of the speakers, panels or cooking demos that were happening simultaneously all day, the rest of the vendors (more than 80) and on and on and on. Still, this gives you a sense. Until next year!

 

10 Questions: Vegan Foodie with Julie Hasson

 

This week’s vegan foodie is someone who just sends me into an instant shame cycle with her productivity. Julie Hasson has been a fixture in the vegan scene for a long time, and as if being owner of the popular Native Bowl food cart in Portland, recipe developer, prolific cookbook author, columnist, cooking show host, and baking mix entrepreneur weren’t enough, she has now embarked on a new project with her friend and fellow vegan, gluten-free foodie Kittee Berns: fun and fabulous new e-books and consultation via their new venture together, Julie & Kittee. Despite her impressive resume, Julie remains an approachable, friendly, warm and engaging presence online, helping everyone learn some amazing new vegan recipes without judgment or condescension. She’s just the bomb and I am honored to feature Julie Hasson as this week’s Vegan Foodie.

1. How did you start down this path of creating delicious food? Was a love for food nurtured into you? Did you have any special relatives or mentors who helped to instill this passion?

My mom really instilled my love of food, as well as my French grandmother, at a very young age. So it was of no surprise to my family when I changed my career path in college from pursuing an art degree to enrolling in culinary school. My brother and I are both chefs.


2. What was your diet like when you were growing up? Did you have any favorite meals or meal traditions? Do you carry them over today?

Growing up I ate a very healthy diet. Until my mom went back to work when I was in 6^th grade, my parents were health nuts. My mom made everything from scratch. It was all about whole wheat bread, home-grown vegetables, tofu, carob, and granola. No Wonder Bread sandwiches for me, no matter how much I may have begged at the time. Chocolate and sugar were frowned upon for quite a few years there too (and may have inspired my future career in pastry!). My mom’s bread and homemade soups were some of my favorites.

3. It’s late at night and you just got home: What is your favorite quick and simple vegan meal?

Fried rice! I just shared the recipe in the new issue of VegNews.


4. If you could prepare one meal or dessert for anyone living or dead, who would it be for and what would you create?

That’s a hard one! I’ll have to get back to you on that.

5. What do you think are common mistakes in vegan cooking and how do you avoid them?

Under-seasoning food is the biggest mistake I see. Vegan food should have tons of flavor, and texture and color too. Don’t be afraid to really season your food with layers of spices and fresh and dried herbs, as well as lots of colorful vegetables. Also, a little salt and oil go a long way in flavoring food.

6. What ingredients are you especially excited about at the moment? Also, what ingredients do you always like to have on hand?

I am loving the last of the summer corn, peaches, and tomatoes. It’s hard to see the summer fruit and veggie season come to an end. As for ingredients I always try to have on hand, there are lots! There’s nutritional yeast flakes, chickpea flour, a variety of gluten-free flours, smoked paprika, granulated onion and garlic, zucchini, fresh garlic, onions, tomatoes, scallions, lemons and limes, broccoli and red cabbage. I know I’m missing some, but that’s a good start.

7. What are your top three cuisines from around the world?

Again, so hard to choose, but Korean, Mexican, and Italian, followed closely by Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Indian. I really love spicy, bold flavors, as you can see.

8. Who or what has been most influential to you on your vegan path?

My friend Heather for sure! She really inspired me to go vegan when I was first vegetarian. Also Tanya Petrovna, who shared her delicious recipes and let me assist her cooking classes years ago, when I was a vegetarian chef. And Bryanna Clark Grogan, who inspired me with all of her amazing recipes, and did a 3-day cooking intensive with me in her kitchen!

9. What issue is nearest and dearest to your heart that you would like people to know more about?

There are so many important issues to focus on now that need our attention, so it’s really hard to pick just one issue. But, that said, dog rescue is something very close to my heart. I became involved with One Tail at a Time – Portland, which is doing amazing work, including setting up a hospice program for old and sick dogs, and creating a short-term fostering program for those that are hospitalized and have no one to take care of their dogs while they’re away. There is also a huge need for fostering dogs as well as adopting. I wish I could foster all the dogs in need.

10. Last, please finish this sentence. "To me, vegan food is…”

“Amazing!”

Guide for New Vegans: Update!

Hi, all!

Just a quick note to say this this week's update is a new chapter in an ambitious project we've been working on, The Guide for New Vegans. One thing I have noticed is that there are many vegan starter kits that help people learn about the "whys" of veganism as well as some of the "hows" but there is a dearth of materials available to help people who are already on the path but who, in those new months, are facing challenges. Without materials addressing the challenges, what we are doing is asking people to consider going vegan but not setting them up for success.

People often struggle, sometimes in silence, when they face challenges with their new vegan path and think that they lack the character, the willpower or whatever else to successfully maintain a vegan transition so they quit. We created the Guide as a user-friendly way to help people navigate the often steep learning curve of the first year, from listing free or inexpensive resources available to discussing how to find community as a vegan and everything in between, trying to keep it succinct but genuinely helpful. As a living document, we will be adding new sections and resources as we think of them and learn of them. As more people are exploring veganism with popular new films and books out that promote it, we feel this resource couldn't come at a better time.  If you've not seen it before, please check out the Guide and send me an email with any materials we should consider adding. If you have seen it before, please check out Chapter Five, our newest chapter and perhaps the most important, on "Staying Strong Against Social Pressure and Gaining Resilience as a Vegan," which is, to my mind, the biggest challenge new vegans face. We also have new links up on Chapter 2 and Chapter 7 as well as revisions throughout.

We are proud of this resource. We'd love it if you would share it as the feedback we've gotten on it has been very positive. Last, if you'd like to support the work we do as Vegan Street to create free materials like the Guide as well as all the recipes, memes and other content we create every week, please consider signing up as a Patreon, which affords us the ability to dedicate our time to creating this work.

Thank you!

PS - It will be available as a PDF soon. :)

20 Reasons Not to Go Vegan

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There are many valid reasons to go vegan but probably as many misguided ones. Don’t misunderstand, I am happy for anyone who quits eating animals, but the main thing is that I want it to last. When people are motivated by reasons beyond than their perceived personal gains, in my opinion, veganism has the greatest likelihood of lasting, which is not to say that all the benefits shouldn’t be appreciated.

When people “go vegan” for reasons that are more outwardly directed or in pursuit of something that a vegan diet doesn’t necessarily guarantee, they are susceptible to becoming the disgruntled “former vegans” I talk to all the time. While people are driven by a variety of motivating sources, I think it’s important to remember that veganism is at its foundation a way of living that seeks to reduce cruelty and make the world more just, equitable and sustainable. Does that mean that you are an inauthentic vegan if you’re primarily motivated by something else? Not at all. It just means that there are some very bogus reasons and if you want veganism to stick, rooting your veganism in ethics will provide a more stable foundation.

With that, I offer twenty reasons not to go vegan.

1. You want to be skinny.

2. You’re feeling inspired by a celebrity who was paleo just last week.

3. You want to impress someone, especially a romantic interest/partner.

4. You want to rebel against someone, especially a parent/relative.

5. You thought it would be a fun challenge, kind of an endurance feat.

6. You’ve heard good things about being gluten-free.

7. The most popular kid in school/at the office is vegan.

8. You haven’t gotten attention for a while.

9. You saw a picture of a vegan Instagram celebrity with washboard abs so…

10. It was either that or try paleo again.

11. You think veganism might help you live forever.

12. You think veganism might help you never get sick.

13. You think veganism might help you look 20 years younger.

14. Maybe this will be your ticket to making six figures as an influencer after all.

15. Alkaline something-something? Something about alkaline?

16. You saw a David Wolfe meme.

17. You’re bored.

18. Blood type something-something? Something about blood type?

19. You’ve been wanting to go on a cleanse.

20. It’s trending.

So forget those twenty reasons because this is the only reason you need to go vegan: Because you don’t believe animals should be exploited, suffer and be killed for your fleeting desires and the fact that you can help to improve the environment as well as prospects for future generations and enjoy some health benefits at the same time is just the icing on the cake.

If you are vegan for one of the other reasons listed above, don’t fret! Just build a stronger foundation underneath it if you want it to stick.

On Virtue Signaling and Identity Politics: Or How to Misuse A New Phrase You Barely Understand…

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My husband is a great guy but, honestly, he has a hard time keeping up on the latest from popular culture and emerging trends. Take, for example, new phrases. Over the past few months, Vegan Street has been hit with a bunch of terms on our various social media platforms (but especially Instagram) that have left John with a proverbial cartoon thought balloon containing a big, red question mark over his head and two phrases are appearing most often. It usually goes like this: We post a meme about cruelty to animals and we’re accused of virtue signaling. We make a statement against the oppression of other humans and suddenly, we’re accused of engaging in identity politics.

Let’s dissect these phrases, shall we?

What is Virtue Signaling?

Is a person anti-racist to the extent that he or she is working to eradicate white supremacy or is someone anti-racist in that he or she will post a Martin Luther King meme on the third Monday of each January? If it’s the latter, that person may just be virtue signaling.

Virtue signaling is sharing thoughts on important issues for the sake of being seen as a good person without doing the actual work to create a better world. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, virtue signaling is “an attempt to show other people that you are a good person, for example by expressing opinions that will be acceptable to them, especially on social media: Virtue signaling is the popular modern habit of indicating that one has virtue merely by expressing disgust or favor for certain political ideas or cultural happenings.” Coined by British journalist and author James Bartholomew, virtue signaling skillfully describes the spectacle on social media of people posting disingenuous and largely anodyne sentiments about important matters, often in the realm of social justice, for the main purpose of trying to be seen as virtuous. It is an increasingly common feature of our daily lives. The phrase “virtue signaling” is very handy in describing something that didn’t have a term for it until social media forged in into being but you wish you’d had it in your vocabulary long ago.

What is Identity Politics?

Identity politics has some similar aspects to virtue signaling. Developed as a term to describe a personal, political and ideological focus on the issues relevant to various groups that are defined by a wide array of shared characteristics, for example, race, sexual orientation and religion, “identity politics” is more of a neutral term than virtue signaling, which is always derogatory, as it’s one that has both positive and negative connotations. At its best, identity politics helps to serve, elevate and amplify the needs of often-ignored groups and at its worst, identity politics is a blunt instrument that encourages conformity, suppression of individual voices and hyper-focuses on division and separation. I think that both interpretations can be true. In the hands of someone who scarcely understands the expression, though, identity politics becomes, like virtue signaling, just another self-conscious way to show off.

There is truth to the criticisms; there are people who are prone to bland, self-centered “activism” and certainly social media lends itself to the garish pageantry of this. However, rather than a thoughtful critique, I am seeing the terms used as a knee-jerk and reactive cynical response more and more these days. Rather than examining why they themselves aren’t more engaged with creating a more just world, those who invoke the terms often seem like they would just be content if we’d all admit that no one really cares and that those who are trying to make the world a better place are grandiose, attention-seeking hypocrites. I have noticed a cold, cynical nihilism at the root of much of this accusation of phoniness rather than a thoughtful analysis.

I know we love our new expressions, especially ones with a bit of a zing, but slapping them on with a broad brush whenever we think it might apply tends to neutralize terms that are actually useful and helpful to understand. To adapt an idiom, when your shiniest, newest phrase is a hammer, all of the sudden, everything and everyone become a nail.

With this in mind, I’ve come up with a newbie’s guide to these two new phrases.

On Virtue Signaling…

Sample quote: “Pardon me, your shoe is untied.”
Instead of: “Hey, cool. Thanks.”
Newbies Might Try: “What makes you think you’re so la-dee-dah heroic? Show off. You virtue signalers are so annoying.”

Sample quote: “Excuse me, your gas cap isn’t on.”  

Instead of: “Oh, thanks so much!”
Newbies Might Try: “So now I guess you think you’re like the best person in the world for that, huh? Awesome virtue signaling.”

Sample quote: “Hi, I found your dog running in the street and have him at my house for you to pick up.”
Instead off: “I am so grateful! I didn’t realize our back gate was open and I’ve been looking for him for an hour. Oh, thank you! I am so happy!”
Newbies Might Try: “What do you want, a virtue signaling cookie?”

Sample situation: Taking a public position on abuse, harassment, oppression, bigotry, misogyny, tyranny, etc. [fill-in-the-blank].
Instead of, “Thank you for -”
Newbies Might Try: “Oh, my god, enough with your virtue signaling, okay? I guess you think you’re so superior and all that?”

On Identity Politics…

Sample quote: “I am a feminist.”
Instead of saying: “That’s great to hear. Political, social and economic equality of the sexes should be a given.”
Newbies Might Try: “Ugh, people and their labels! Some of us are too mature for narrow-minded identity politics.”

Sample quote: “I think speaking up against racism is kind of the least I can do.”
Instead of saying, “I agree. We should be doing everything we can to reverse white supremacy and ending systemic racism.”
Newbies Might Try: “Well, whoopety doo, you’re against racism. What about reverse racism? I had to work for everything I have. I am so tired of everyone’s damn identity politics.”

Sample quote: “As a gay person and business owner, I like to support businesses that are on the record for supporting LBGTQ causes and withdraw my support from those who don’t.”
Instead of: “Showing support of businesses that stand for LBGTQ rights is a great way to use your dollars to reward those whose values you appreciate and withdraw support from those you don’t.”
Newbies Might Try: “Oh my god, what’s next? This is like Nazism. Enough with the identity politics.”

Sample quote: “As a vegan, I take a position against the oppression of all beings. Whether we’re talking racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry, aligning with discrimination is in conflict with my vegan convictions.”
Instead of: “Yes, that makes sense. I mean, you’re opposed to suffering and cruelty, right?”
Newbies Might Try: “Ugh, how about you take your damn identity politics out of your veganism? Not every vegan is a SJW libtard.”

Or, you know, maybe we shouldn’t bust out new phrases whenever we feel threatened or reactive but look within at our responses instead. It’s your call, virtue signaler.

10 Questions: Vegan Rockstar with Eric C. Lindstrom...

Yay for Eric C. Lindstrom! A talented designer and President of ThankTank Creative as well as the new Marketing Director of FARM, Eric is responsible for helping to position so many vegan businesses and non-profits for success with beautiful, smart logos and communications. As an author with a popular new book, The Skeptical Vegan, Eric deconstructs how a self-described former carnivore could – and why he would – go vegan, painlessly and willingly, with joy and even enthusiasm. I am so excited for Eric’s book, which can reach people in a way that many vegan advocacy publications cannot by showing readers that at one point this vegan champion was just like them.

With a disarming and self-deprecating humor buttressed by his unflagging honesty, The Skeptical Vegan gives people a real lens into what a vegan transformation can look like – how deeply and richly it manifests in our personal lives as well as how making simple changes to our mindsets and our kitchens can net significantly positive results –and, more important, gives readers access to helpful resources and insights that can remove barriers to veganism. I can’t recommend it enough. Plus, I was fortunate enough to meet Eric in person at the most recent Animal Rights Conference when we were on a panel together and he’s just a great guy all around: talented but down-to-earth, generous, warm, smart and really tuned into the what is happening in the world, Eric is just the bee’s knees. I am honored to be able to shine a spotlight on Eric C. Lindstrom as this week’s Vegan Rockstar.

1. First of all, we’d love to hear your “vegan evolution” story. How did you start out? Did you have any early influences or experiences as a young person that in retrospect helped to pave your path?

I’ve been telling people that my vegan story is the blog that inspired the bet that inspired the book, The Skeptical Vegan. While the early days of veganism were started from a challenge set forth by my wife that soon became the “bet I refuse to lose,” I’d have to say the people along the way who I met were really what inspired me to stick to it. Having support, and a support system, made it possible for me to go, and stay, vegan.

When you’re a new vegan and you get to have lunch with Dr. Greger, or work closely with Miyoko Schinner, or brunch with Steve-O, going vegan seems like a very cool club to belong to. Without these early influences, I don’t know if I would be where I am today.

2. Imagine that you are pre-vegan again: how could someone have talked to you and what could they have said or shown you that could have been the most effective way to have a positive influence on you moving toward veganism?

There was no talking to me back then. Back when I ate animals, I wouldn’t listen. The first vegan who said to me, after finding out I ate 68 chicken wings in one sitting, “so, you support animal cruelty?” I thought she was crazy (still do, kind of). I didn’t support animal cruelty, I loved chicken wings. Year later, I’m that crazy person and I know now where she was coming from. Maybe in some ways her words helped me see the light but at the time I wasn’t having any of it. The “old me” wouldn’t listen and this is the challenge. I’m not sure there is one way to approach this since every person is in a different place when it comes to their own choices.

3. What have you found to be the most effective way to communicate your message as a vegan? For example, humor, passion, images, etc.?

I’ve been known for my snark. Great white snark. It’s been my sense of humor that has opened the doors for a lot of people to walk into veganism. They can see that there is an actual “life” as a vegan. The stereotypes are no longer true. Promote the vegan message with a sense of humor and approachability and I think we’ll all succeed.

4. What do you think are the biggest strengths of the vegan movement?

Power in numbers. Having just returned from the Animals Rights National Conference, it’s inspiring to see so many (and I mean thousands) people behind this movement. Getting to hear a talk by Nathan Runkle makes me confident we are going to win. For the animals. There are so many amazing people, and now amazingly generous philanthropists, making sure the next generation, and the one after that, doesn’t have to pay for our past when it comes to the treatment of animals.

5. What do you think are our biggest hindrances to getting the word out effectively?

The biggest challenge facing the vegan movement are the “fly-over states.” Everywhere between New York City and Los Angeles. The coasts are covered and some interior cities like Austin, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Boulder know what’s going on; but there are so many golden buckles on the corn belt that still live off of butter and beef. Just when we think we are making strides, we get data that pork consumption is on the rise. From where I sit, literally in hippy Ithaca New York, this seems impossible. But it’s not.

6. All of us need a “why vegan” elevator pitch. We’d love to hear yours.

“Animals are not food.” This is all I ever have to say. There is no counter-argument to this in my mind. Some friends I have who are recent vegans always ask me how to respond to omnivores as to why they are now vegan. This is all I tell them: Animals. Are. Not. Food.

7. Who are the people and what are the books, films, websites and organizations that have had the greatest influence on your veganism and your continuing evolution?

I mention in The Skeptical Vegan some of the earliest influencers in my vegan journey. From Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s 30-Day Vegan Challenge to Joe the Juicer’s Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, most of my influence came from a health perspective. I’ve been fortunate to have T. Colin Campbell as a personal friend and he has helped and inspired me in so many ways. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Steve-O. Meeting him just as I was about to go vegan had a positive impact on me as I realized that anyone, at any age, can make radical life changes.

8. Burn-out is so common among vegans: what do you do to unwind, recharge and inspire yourself?

I continue writing. Just as The Skeptical Vegan hit the shelves nationwide, I started working on my next book, Mind Your Peas and Cukes: A Guide to Raising Vegan Kids. While writing may seem like work, it’s actually a respite from the rest of my hectic life and when the words all come together and make sense, it’s very fulfilling. Other than this, I spend the majority of my time chasing around our two vegan toddlers.

9. What is the issue nearest and dearest to your heart that you would like others to know more about?

I, like so many other vegans, have had it with the terms “humane meat” or “free range” in regard to omnivores food choices and their arguments for continuing to eat meat, dairy, and eggs. Some of the less-than-kind reviews of my book have been readers complaining that it seems as though I want them to stop eating animals entirely. Which I do. Since animals are not food.

10. Please finish this sentence: “To me, being vegan is...”

… the right thing to do. For your own health, the health of the planet, and for the animals.