Inspirational Friends: Kym and Kelly from Vegan Online + A Winner Announced!

Happy Sunday my sweet friends!

I'm so excited to continue my "Inspirational Friends" blog series today. This time I'm chatting with two very special ladies from Adelaide, Australia. Vegan Online is an online store based in South Australia selling all-vegan products. A mother-daughter duo, Kym and Kelly, founded Vegan Online in order to make cruelty-free shopping more accessible and effortless. Vegan Online offers “Shopping with conscience”, 100% vegan products from food to beauty, and ships Australia wide. Find Vegan Online at www.veganonline.com.au

What inspired you to become a vegan?

My first exposure to the cruel industries that exist in the name of profit was when I was thirteen years old and saw a pamphlet advertising vivisection.  I joined the anti vivisection union with the belief I was going to be breaking into laboratories and rescuing animals.  My awareness grew and at 17 when I left home and could cook for myself I decided to be vegetarian, thinking this is the most I could do to help the senseless slaughter of farmed animals.  It wasn’t until Kelly my daughter and Laurie my son had grown up that I eliminated all animals products and wished I’d done it years ago.

What do you love about being a vegan?

Having a clear conscience, knowing that my life choices do not affect another sentient being.  The health benefits and the wonderful array of food you get to eat on a plant based diet is fantastic and the great friends I have made within the vegan community.

Why did you decide to start a vegan business?

There wasn’t a great deal of shopping options in Adelaide when I first became vegan and I found myself driving long distances between shops just to get a varied selection of vegan goodies, so I thought if we could make one place that stocked a huge variety of vegan products and made it easier by doing it online it would provide other vegans with convenient shopping.

What is your favourite vegan product from your store?

I would have to say that my favourite vegan product is the Adorn Mineral Makeup. To have and use a product that is not only cruelty free but looks and feels fantastic on your skin is a major plus, also the fact that you can apply your whole face in 3 minutes is a huge bonus being so busy.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a vegan business?

I would say go for it, the more vegan business there are the better.  Expansion is great as the more business there are then the more awareness will be made in the community with the hope of being able to educate more people into a healthy eating habit.

What are your future plans for Vegan Online?

At the moment Kelly and I run Vegan Online and we hope to expand to be able to offer employment with us and in the long term to open a retail shop.

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

People could change their lifestyle in small ways by buying cruelty free products such as cleaning products, toiletries, cosmetics and other products that are not tested on animals.

Support local animal liberation organisation or contact organisations such as Animals Australia to see how you can learn more about animal rights issues.

Follow animal sanctuary websites like our Freedom Hill website which shows a life through the eyes of a farm animal.

Support no kill animal shelters.

Join a group that promotes cruelty free ideals where you are able to feel welcome to converse amongst other like minded individuals.

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

At first the idea may feel to daunting to cut out all animal products quickly, gradually phase out and cut back eating meat, chicken or fish might be easier.  Eating out is the hardest when trying to change to a plant based diet so getting a good recipe book and experimenting with some delicious flavoured dishes always helps. Communicating with other like minded people and exchanging ideas is great.  Anyone who is contemplating changing to a more compassionate lifestyle can always contact Kelly or myself via email at admin@veganonline.com.au  or logging onto our website at www.veganonline.com.au to view our extensive range of cruelty free products.

Who is your vegan inspiration?

Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd.  His direct action approach to marine conservation has to be admired. I also have a huge admiration for Lyn White, campaign director for Animals Australia.

What is your favourite vegan meal to prepare?

My favourite vegan meal is Coconut Korma from the Now Vegan recipe book by Lynda Stoner, it’s delicious and quick and easy to make.

Thank you girls!

Whilst talking about inspirational friends, I'm so glad to announce the winner of Jessica's e-book "Make Peace with Your Plate". Once again I was truly overwhelmed by the quality (and quantity!) or replies and choosing a winner was no easy thing to do. There was one reply, however, that really resonated with me and so I had to go with that one. Congratulations to Wendy Thomas for winning Jessica's book! Can you please email me your details and I'll get a book organised for you? Thanks!

Here's Wendy's winning reply to "What does making a peace with your plate mean to you?"

Making peace with my plate means living in agreement with nature and at peace with myself. I first became vegan in September of 2011 and my vegan journey began simply for health reasons. I was in dire need of transforming my lifestyle and after reading several books and watching several documentaries on the subject of food, it became clear that my obesity problem could lead to many horrible diseases. I became increasingly aware of how programmed most American's are...most of us live on auto-pilot and look for convenience in all areas of our lives. Unfortunately, we are also manipulated through the millions of dollars spent on advertising to look for convenience in food…hence the term fast food.

When I finally chose to take control of my life and the choices I was making, a switch went off in my head and becoming vegan made the most sense to me. As I mentioned earlier, initially, my decision to become vegan was for health reasons, but as I began to live the lifestyle, I became increasingly aware of not only the cruelty and disease that exists in the production of animal products but also became aware of how choosing to consume these products has a domino affect on the sustainability of our earth. How land and forests are having to be cut down just to be able to fit more livestock on that land to feed all the people who consume it. How fish are having to be farm raised in unnatural conditions just to keep up with consumer demand. Our population is over 7 billion people right now and growing.

The ironic part in all of this is that we don’t need animal products to live happy, healthy lives. There is plenty of protein, calcium and all the other necessary nutrients in a plant-based diet. So, I grow the majority of my food in my yard. I ripped up my grass and instead, I grow food. What I don’t grow, I buy from my local farmer’s markets or local health food grocer. Imagine what would happen if we all made the switch and decided to start growing our own food and chose 1 day a week to be a meatless day (Meatless Mondays), what a wonderful step toward preserving this beautiful earth we would make.

Inspirational Friends: Jessica from The Wellness Warrior + A Giveaway!

Happy Sunday my friends!

I can't believe it's been almost a week since we landed in Finland - time is flying past way too quickly! Next week things will get really busy; the wedding guests will start to arrive from what seems like all corners of the world (Australia, Japan, France), we will get to start decorating and propping the venue and I will have appointments for rehearsal make up and hair. Amongst all this madness, my soon-to-be husband and I have been going for long walks in the forest, breathing in the clean air and the calming smell of the trees. I just love being away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, in this remote part of the world what I call home.

Before I'll introduce you to my next inspirational friend (see previous friends here and here), I would like to announce the winners of my first-ever giveaway - Sarah's new e-book "I Quit Sugar Cookbook". I was really overwhelmed by all the great responses I got from all of you, 120 comments altogether! Needless to say, my task of  choosing just three winners was extremely hard! 

Thank you all for sharing your personal stories on why you want to quit sugar. It was truly eye-opening to see how sugar addiction is causing so many health problems, but it was also encouraging to realise that so many people acknowledge the connection between sugar consumption and health problems and want to break free. 

After reading all the comments many times, I finally chose three winners. It seemed to me that these people were all at different stages of life and had very different causes as to why they felt they needed to quit sugar. Jacqueline wants to be a good role-model for her newborn baby and acknowledges that taking care of her own health is just as important as caring for her daughter. Friendly Cook, on the other hand, is going through a menopause and has decided to heal herself by fixing her diet. I love the fact that she also acknowledges the connection between gut, mind, body and soul. That is so important! And finally, Marianne, who has a very similar approach to mine in that she want to eat a clean diet where artificial and processed foods are not masking the flavours of real food. 

Congratulations to all of you and I hope this book will motivate you on your sugar-free journey!

Giving birth to my beautiful baby girl, Sofia, almost 9 months ago, was the catalyst for me to take a good look at ME, to heal and grow stronger after delivery to be the best possible mum to her - to be energised to enjoy every single giggle, cuddle and developmental achievements, and to create a home where she is nourished with good wholesome, home-cooked, REAL food to give her the best start in life I can. Giving up sugar has been the crux of this transformation, and I thank those like Maria and Sarah for their support and inspiration through their website.

- Jacqueline

I have been chronically I'll and nutrition is key to getting back on my feet. When I went into menopause my intolerances became severe. I am making gradual changes to my diet and want to quit sugar as I come to truly appreciate the links between the gut and mind body and soul. I see this now as a journey to health rather than I'll health. Love your blog which inspires me.

- FriendlyCook

Because I'm sweet enough! I want to experience the delicate flavours and sweetness of foods as they are, with nothing added or taken away. Its then when we really appreciate the life cycle of the produce, how its grown, matured, been minimally processed etc to reach our pantries and tables :) I want to get away from cravings and reaching for something like sugar as a pick me up or energy source. 

- Marianne

Can the winners please email me at scandifoodie [at] gmail [dot] com 

and I will organise the e-books for you? Thanks!

Now, on to my next interview! Jessica Ainscough is a truly inspirational young lady who runs a website called The Wellness Warrior. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, she decided to turn her life around and start healing herself. Her daily blog is dedicated to wellness tips and advice, healthy recipes and green living. Please continue to read Jess' interview on her vegan diet, yoga routine and her latest e-book!

AND! I am beyond excited to announce that Jessica has kindly offered to give a copy of her new e-book, Make Peace with Your Plate ,to one lucky Scandi Foodie reader!

I will announce the winner at the end of this month, June 30th. To be in the running, all you need to do is to leave a comment below answering this question: 

What does making a peace with your plate mean to you?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you and good luck!!

What inspired you to become a vegan?

I became vegan for health reasons first up. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and became vegetarian. When I was re-diagnosed with the same cancer at the end of 2009 I became vegan. Animal protein is one of the biggest tumour promoters, so I knew that in order to heal I would need to give it up. The cruel way that animals are treated when they are raised for our food is heart-breaking, and knowing what I know now I would be vegan purely for this reason.    

What do you love about being a vegan?

I feel amazing! I have so much more energy, I feel lighter, my mind is clearer, my eyes are brighter, and I feel a sense of calm within my body and mind. I also love knowing that I am being kind to our animal friends and our planet just by choosing not to eat them.

Can you tell us about the concept behind your website, The Wellness Warrior?

My website started out as a cathartic way for me to express myself as I was healing from cancer. I started it a week before going to the Gerson clinic in Mexico and beginning two years of intense Gerson Therapy (juicing, coffee enemas, and a vegan diet). Over time it has evolved into a sanctuary for natural health and wellness information and inspiration.

Your latest e-book is called “Make Peace with Your Plate. How to End Your Tortured Relationship with Food”. Can you tell us a bit about this book and why do you think so many of us struggle with finding a balance?

Sure! I wrote this book because one of the major benefits I have discovered since cleaning up my diet is that I can now eat whatever I feel like eating, and as much as I feel like eating, without guilt creeping into my mind and excess weight creeping onto my thighs. The premise is to eat a whole food, plant-based diet. I think a lot of people struggle to find peace with their diets because we are constantly bombarded by false marketing from the diet and food industry. We are told that eating low fat is good, that we need to eat meat and dairy, and that eating processed food is okay as long as it has the Heart Foundation tick of approval. Not only is this all false, but it keeps us in a cycle of deprivation, binging, and guilt because it makes it impossible for us to reach the vitality and wellbeing that we are seeking,

What role do yoga and meditation play in your life? What advice would you give to someone wanting to incorporate more of these practices into their lives? 

 

Yoga and meditation are crucial for keeping the drunken monkeys in my mind tame.  I meditate for at least 30 minutes each morning – it is the perfect way for me to set the tone for my day. I go to two yoga classes each week – one Bikram and one Vinyasa, and I also try to practice at home on my own whenever I can.  My advice for those wanting to get into meditation would be to start small with whatever you have and wherever you are. You don’t need a fancy room or cushion. Start with just a minute each day of silence, stillness and deep breathing.  Then work up to five minutes each day. When you have that sorted, go for 10. Then 15, then 20, then 30.  As for yoga, I would recommend going to a class to begin with. The energy in the room and the guidance of the teacher will make all the difference.

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

My biggest tips are to consume the least amount of chemicals as possible. Aside from refraining from eating meat, this is one of the kindest things you can do for the planet and your body. This means eating whole foods, and using natural and organic beauty and cleaning products.

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

When you first make the switch, it’s important to eat plant foods that are filling. Our minds can trick us into thinking that without meat, our meal won’t be complete. Swap meat for plant proteins like legumes and quinoa, and fillings foods like whole grains and potatoes.

Who is your vegan inspiration?

Kris Carr. She is a wellness goddess.

What is your favourite vegan meal to prepare?

At the moment it’s a raw cashew cheesecake that I got from the e-book Eat Awesome by Paul Jarvis. It is the best thing I have ever eaten, and it’s totally healthy.

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

At the moment I’m working on an e-program called The Wellness Warrior Lifestyle Transformation Guide. It’s a 12-step program that will guide people through their wellness transition - from wherever they are to wherever they want to be. It will cover the importance of wholefoods, mind stuff, emotional stuff, self care, movement, money stuff, and finding your purpose. I am having so much fun creating it, and can’t wait to show it off when I launch in August.

Thank you Jess!

Vegan Inspiration - Soba Salad

It is never too late to change a habit. A habit is a habit is a habit - correct? The 21-Day Vegan Challenge has certainly proven me that if you break that habit (be it anything at all) and give yourself time to adapt (21-30 days), you will succeed. "I could never give up cheese", I used to say. "I only really eat a little bit of dairy", was my other excuse. Now, after over two dairy-free months, I feel no need or urge to eat dairy and I think this feeling is even stronger after finally opening my eyes to all that goes on in the dairy industry (not to mention the egg industry!). I strongly believe that certain things only happen when the time is right. Be it career, dietary or lifestyle, the change will happen when you are ready for it. Being vegan finally feels right for me, and like so many other vegetarians, the transformation into a vegan feels natural.

If I can single out one person that has greatly inspired me throughout this transformation, I would have to give the credit to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. Her tireless work to promote animal rights, veganism and compassionate living is truly inspirational and I am so thankful for all the work that she does to educate, motivate and encourage people, not to mention all the wonderful work that she does for the animals too, of course.

This recipe is inspired by Colleen and I think this salad is a great example how nourishing and delicious vegan food can be. I do encourage you to invest in 100% soba (buckwheat) noodles, since they have superior taste and texture to those with only a small amount of buckwheat flour in them. I am not a fan of wheat noodles, but these I am more than happy devour. Enjoy!

 Soba Salad

(Recipe inspired by Colleen)

1 packet 100% soba noodles

2 carrots, julienned

1 scallion/green shallot, finely sliced

1 small red capsicum, finely sliced

3-4 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

2 tablespoons sesame oil (cold pressed, this isn't as strong tasting!)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon tamari or Bragg's all purpose seasoning

pinch of chilli flakes

1. Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Combine the noodles, carrots, green shallot, capsicum and sesame seeds in a bowl. Toss to mix.

3. Combine the sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, tamari and chilli in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add the dressing into the noodles and toss to mix.

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I am planning to do more posts on vegan foods and vegan living in the near future, but in the mean while, please take a moment to browse through Colleen's website and especially her podcasts and videos.