How long have you been a vegan?
On and off for four years, but now it’s been officially a year and a half now.
What made you become a vegan?
When I was stressed I would binge eat and it turned into a very destructive cycle as a teenager. I found that being vegan restricted the binges and helped me control some of my detrimental behaviour because I felt better about myself in general.
If it was for health reasons, what changes have you noticed?
I have a healthier mindset about food and my relationship with food now. I enjoy what I eat and my body responds positively as well.
Has becoming a vegan improved your life?
It’s made me a happier person. Being vegan has become part of my identity and made me value my body and how I treat it.
What is your best tip for new vegans?
Never slack on the protein! Find foods that you enjoy that contain protein because it’s so important. There’s so many great ways to cook tofu, tempeh, and legumes. Experiment. It’s important to have enough protein for yourself but also to be a good example of how healthy a vegan lifestyle can be.
What non vegan food (if any) do you miss the most?
Crêpes! My dad loves to cook and on special occasions he would make me nutella and strawberry crêpes with maple syrup in the morning!
Favourite cafe/restaurant?
My favourite vegan restaurant is in Toronto, Canada and it’s called Vegetarian Haven, which is ironic because all the food is vegan. I think it’s because they don’t want to scare away customers by using the word “vegan”, sometimes we get a bad rep.
Favourite vegan website, blog etc..
My favourite vegan website, I know this is cliche, has to be Peta.org! I follow many other websites and blogs, but honestly I find Peta’s posts very relevant and inspiring. I used their “vegan cake hack” tips to make vegan cake for my friends for Halloween (simplest thing ever to make) and it worked like magic. They loved it! As a college student I find I don’t have time for a lot of the recipes that a lot of the blogs post about, so that’s why I prefer reading lifestyle pieces or pieces directly intended for students. Another cool blog is vegangirlfriend.com, they’re quite the new blog but I love following their posts because they’re all about places I’ve been or should go in my hometown (Toronto). Also, I’ve been that vegan girlfriend a couple of times so I know the struggle. Hehe.
An example of a normal day of eating for you
It really depends on where I am or what I have available at the time, but this is what I eat usually.
Breakfast – Almond milk with quinoa granola, sliced apples, almonds slivers, and random assortment of things I have around the kitchen with a cup of coffee or green tea. I always throw in an assortment of fruits but for some reason I always have apples around so they’re a staple.
AM Snacks – A little box of Chocolate Almond Milk.
Lunch – Salad. My favourite always contains avocado. So many people diss on this wonderful gift of the heavens because of its fat content BUT it’s healthy fat so everyone should eat it. SERIOUSLY ! 🙂
Dinner – Something high in protein, or if I had a larger lunch I will make a soup with leftover vegetables. I love asian inspired soups. My newest obsession is noodles that are made of tofu. What could possibly be better than a noodle that also gives you protein??
Dessert – I ALWAYS EAT DESSERT. Honestly, no matter what I can’t go to sleep without it. I try to switch it up so it will either be vegan carrot cake, a chocolate chip cookie, a piece of dark chocolate, some vegan gummy bears. It’s nice to treat yourself every day! Being vegan is not about depriving yourself from everything yummy and wonderful!
Evening Snacks – A tangerine or two usually. Maybe some cauliflower with hummus (hey it’s never a bad time for hummus)
Drinks – TEA TEA AND MORE TEA! I drink about six cups a day. My favourite is chai with unsweetened almond milk and stevia.
Brief info about yourself or any interesting facts?
I’m a pretty small girl and I hate when people underestimate my strength. I’m not one to be taken care of which is why I weight train about four or five times a week and take kick boxing lessons. It’s less about the aesthetic and more about being strong and self sufficient. But hey, that doesn’t mean I can’t still play the cute card sometimes …. And I’m obsessed with tattoos.
Do you have a blog or Facebook page you would like to include?
@genadonin (instagram)
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