Inspirational Friends: Amanda Rootsey

Hi friends!

We are off to Finland today, but I have prepared a few special treats for you while I'm away. I'm going to introduce you to some of my friends; the people I truly admire for what they represent, what they are doing and how they are inspiring others.

First off is Amanda Rootsey, an eco model and co-founder of Vegan Era, an online portal with information on vegan lifestyle. Please continue to read Amanda's incredible story and make sure to check out Amanda's personal website as well as Vegan Era!

What inspired you to become a vegan?

A few years ago I was vegetarian but I hadn’t quite made the switch to vegan.  Then I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and started researching.  It was very easy to cut out dairy and any other animal products after reading all of the alarming evidence that links animal protein with all sorts of diseases, including cancer.  

What do you love about being a vegan?

It feels right.  I love knowing that I’m doing what I can to ensure that I do not harm another being.  

Tell us about the concept behind Vegan Era?

Actually my partner and I have been running Vegan Era for about 5 years and it is constantly evolving.  Initially we just wanted to share everything that we have learnt along the way and have created lots of free e-books and recipes.  While it has always been primarily an information portal, we have also held seminars around Australia, put up “Save the Planet, Be Vegan” billboards around Queensland, hosted a regular 21 Day Live Vegan online program to help people transition, assisted other vegan businesses to develop their online presence and our latest project is the Vegan Card. 

Vegan Card is being launched on June 1st!

As part of Vegan Era, you are launching the Vegan Card on June 1^st. What is the Vegan Card and how can it be used?

The Vegan Card is an Australia-wide loyalty card, which gives the card holder discounts at over 60 vegan and vegan-friendly businesses online and around Australia.  We have had such an incredible response, both from businesses and from people purchasing the card, and it hasn’t even launched yet!  It’s already proven to be a great way to bring the vegan community together and introduce vegans to more businesses that they may not have heard about otherwise.  

You are also an eco model. Tell us why it is important to spread the message about sustainable and cruelty-free fashion?

I think it’s important because it’s so easy and affordable to buy fashion these days that we often don’t stop to think about where it actually came from and the effect that supporting cheap and fast fashion has on other people, the planet and animals.  Each time we make a purchase we can make a choice to support businesses that are creating their products without using child slave labour, without killing animals, without polluting waterways… as consumers, we have the power to create a better world and demand higher standards.  I think the more educated we become and the more we talk about it, the more positive change that we will see in the world.  After going through cancer I realized how fragile life is and it made me stop and consider the type of world that we are leaving for future generations.   At the rate we are going, there won’t be much left for the kiddies! 

Besides following a vegan diet, what are some simple things one can do to promote a compassionate and cruelty-free lifestyle?

There are lots of little things that we can do to tread a little lighter on the planet and be kind to other beings.  From choosing beauty and cosmetic labels that do not test on animals and do not use animal products, such as one of my favourites, Adorn Mineral Cosmetics, to buying fair-trade chocolate or shopping at your local organic farmers markets.  Not only will you be living a more compassionate and eco-friendly life, but you will also be doing wonders for your health. 

What tips do you have for people wanting to make the switch to a vegan diet?

Be gentle with yourself and find some support.  At first we can come up with all sorts of obstacles and our family and friends can instil fear and worry about whether it’s the right thing to do.  But you will know in your heart that it’s right and once you begin on this journey you feel incredible, physically, mentally and emotionally.  If you would like any help at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email or sign up for our next 21 Day Live Vegan online program which starts on July 1^st.  We provide 24/7 personalised support and try to make it as easy as possible to transition, with weekly meal planners, shopping lists, recipe books, nutritional information, tips on socializing and eating out, vegan beauty and cosmetic information, videos, personal stories, inspirational quotes and LOTS more!   

Who is your vegan inspiration?

Oh wow I have a few…I think celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Alicia Silverstone are incredible and are showing millions of people that it’s a healthy, positive way to live.  Supreme Master Ching Hai is a beautiful spiritual Master who is guiding hundreds of thousands of people to live a compassionate existence in every possible sense and helping people to get in touch with their own inner Master, Buddha Nature or whatever you would like to call it.  She is a true inspiration and her teachings make so much sense to me.   

What is your favourite vegan meal to prepare?

My favourite, simple meal that I seem to make quite a few times a week is Miso Soup.  Sometimes with noodles, sometimes with brown rice, sometimes with tofu sometimes just with loads of veggies – I am totally addicted!  

What are your future plans? Any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?

I’m really looking forward to the launch of the Vegan Card on June 1^st and we are busily working away on the next 21 Day Live Vegan online program which will start on July 1^st.  Apart from that, I’ve got a few photoshoots coming up for some gorgeous eco-friendly labels and I am also putting together an Eco-Fashion show for the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival later in the year.   

You can connect with Amanda and find out more here:

www.amandarootsey.com.au

www.veganera.com

Facebook.com/amandarootsey

Twitter.com/amandarootsey

Youtube.com/amandarootsey

Pinterest.com/amandarootsey

All images by Amanda Rootsey