When Manuel Mart stopped consuming animal products in 1974, everyone around the then-18-year-old thought he was crazy. In meat-obsessed Argentina, veganism was practically a foreign concept.

Meat, mainly steaks, and the Sunday asados (charcoal barbecues) are an intrinsic part of the countrys culinary culture. Most dishes that make up the typical Argentines diet contain some form of animal products. In 2016, the South American country was the worlds second-largest beef consumer per capita, after Uruguay.

But last July, the word vegan made its way onto most newspaper front pages when a group of young protesters disrupted the livestock show of the Argentine Rural Society, holding large yellow banners demanding animal freedom, as local gauchos on horses tried to disperse them. For vegan activists to hold such protests isnt uncommon, even in meat-loving nations where they draw little response. Yet in Argentina, the attention that the protestors got captured a quiet but dramatic shift thats underway.

Six out of every 10 Argentines are considering giving up beef and going vegan, according to a recent study by the countrys Institute for the Promotion of Beef. Mart, now 63 and head of the Argentine Vegetarian Union, remembers that, in 2000, he knew only one other vegan. A poll his organization commissioned found that 9 percent of Argentinas population is either vegetarian or vegan at the moment.

Prices have gone up so much. We eat meat way less often.

Marina Otamendi, mother of a 5-year-old

Finding a vegetarian or vegan restaurant is no longer a challenge, at least in the countrys main cities. Buenos Aires alone has at least 70 exclusively vegan restaurants. The capitals colorful walls are plastered with messages and banners demanding the protection of animals and the yearly VeganFest is becoming increasingly popular. Many local celebrities are turning their backs on animal products (soccer megastar Lionel Messi has said he switches to a vegan diet during tournament season).

Health concerns and worries about climate change drivers of veganism globally are playing out in Argentina too. But theres an additional factor pushing people away from meat and animal products: the countrys economic crisis and nearly 50 percent annual inflation. The latest report from Argentinas Chamber of Commerce for Beef and Its Derivatives found that consumption of meat products has decreased to its lowest point in the last 50 years.

Prices have gone up so much. Sunday barbecues are not a thing like they used to be. Its just too expensive, says Marina Otamendi, who lives in Buenos Aires and has a 5-year-old son. We eat meat way less often and have replaced it with other things, including more beans.

The prices of meat, milk products and eggs have risen the highest over the past year among all food items, on an average across Argentina, according to the countrys National Statistics and Censuses Institute, making them prohibitively costly for many families.

Adrian Bifaretti, head of marketing at the Institute for the Promotion of Beef, acknowledges that the economic crisis is one of the reasons for the drop in the consumption of animal products. But there are other reasons too, he says.

Changes in lifestyle are becoming factors when choosing what to eat, particularly for young people, Bifaretti says. Young people are now more interested in what they are eating, how it is produced, its quality, how it affects the environment. He insists vegetable-based diets dont provide the same nutrients as meat-based ones.

At the other end of the spectrum, vegan activists are appealing to the consciences of those who will listen. We want people to question what is behind the beef burger they are considering eating: the ill treatment of animals, of workers, all those injustices. We are all animals, says ErikaDe Simoni,an activist from Voicot, the organization behind the posters plastering cities like Buenos Aires.

Despite their newfound visibility, and the number of people joining their cause, being vegan in Argentina is still very hard, Mart says. Many vegan kids are bullied in school, even abused by teachers. In a particularly infamous case, a young boy in the province of San Luis was bullied for years at school for being vegetarian. His parents have now taken the school authorities to court. Meanwhile, its still hard for vegans to find adequate food options in hospitals and canteens, Mart says.

Its also unclear whether some of the recent converts will switch back to meat when prices stabilize.

De Simoni, who lives in a small town an hours drive from Buenos Aires and became vegan eight years ago, is more positive. We are seeing a lot of people organizing to produce and sell vegan products, food, clothes, all kinds of things, she says. We need to get over this idea that Argentina is just about meat and beef.

Mart says fighting discrimination is their big next battle. His organization is working with the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism to pass a new law to protect vegans, particularly children. There are more vegans in Argentina than members of many political parties, he says. If we realized that, we could change many things that are still needed.

Original post:

Could the Economic Disaster Turn Meat-Loving Argentines Vegan? - OZY

A vegan diet could help cut the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a new study has shown.

Medichecks, which supplies at-home medical test kits, said analysis of its data on more than 21,000 UK residents had identified several benefits for those who had become vegans.

Among the Nottingham-based company's findings were lower average blood glucose levels, increased levels of HDL cholesterol, known as "good cholesterol", and lower levels of unhealthy cholesterol.

Meat

These factors, taken together, could help lessen the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to researchers.

After comparing bio-markers from 943 vegans with 20,607 non-vegans, from data collected over the past 12 months, the company's medical experts said vegans could "legitimately claim to be healthier".

The study comes during Veganuary, with more than 300,000 people pledging to eliminate animal products from their diet this month.

Overnight, there were 20-minute queues outside Greggs, in Newcastle, as the bakery's branch hosted the launch of the eatery's new vegan steak bake.

KFC and Subway are also among firms releasing snacks free from meat and animal products.

Lifestyle

Responding to the study, GP and head of clinical excellence at Medichecks Dr Natasha Fernando, said the evidence showed the risk of developing diabetes was lower in vegans, adding that she had seen firsthand how it could benefit those already diagnosed with the disease.

Dr Fernando said: "I met a patient in November 2018 at my GP clinic when she described feeling unusually tired and low in energy.

"Blood tests revealed a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes which was incredibly disheartening for her.

"She feared she would end up like her diabetic uncle, who was on over 10 different medications and also unfortunate enough to develop further complications from this condition such a heart attack in his early fifties and nerve damage to his limbs.

"Being keen to avoid medication, I pointed her in the direction of a few studies which showed successful treatment of diabetes from diet and lifestyle changes.

Fad

"This led her to implement a wholefood, plant-based vegan diet.

"Within two months she lost over 5kg and progressed from having an overweight BMI to a normal BMI, and after three months of this wholefood plant-based diet, she was even more ecstatic to find her follow-up blood test was normal.

"Her diabetes had been reversed."

Dr Fernando said the popularity of veganism could no longer be passed off as a fad.

"Vegans have almost 14 percentlower non-HDL cholesterol," she said.

Nuts

"This is a measure of all the unhealthy forms of cholesterol within the blood such as LDL and VLDL cholesterol which are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease.

"Vegans were also found to have five percenthigher levels of HDL cholesterol, which is a good cholesterol that removes other forms of cholesterol from the blood stream."

She added that by cutting back on certain food groups, vegans did need to watch their vitamin B12 levels and particularly make sure they were getting enough iron.

Dr Fernando said: "While there's no need to start taking iron supplements unless there is a proven deficiency, vegans should ensure that they have very good iron intake.

"This includes eating lots of dark green vegetables, lentils and beans, tofu, nuts and seeds."

This Author

Richard Vernalls is a reporter withPA.

Original post:

Vegans 'reduce diabetes and heart risks' - The Ecologist

Back in July, KFC announced that it was trying out a vegan chicken burger. The Imposter Burger came, it saw, it conquered, and now the fast food restaurant has announced it will be a permanent addition to the menu.

The tasty burger consists of a Quorn patty coated in KFCs signature blend of herbs and spices, with lettuce and vegan mayo in a soft glazed bun. Delicious.

You can get your hands on it in exchange for 3.99 of your hard-earned cash.

KFC has decided to make the vegan burger a permanent fixture after demand for it in July was 500% higher than predicted. In fact, KFC Gloucester Road in London sold roughly one burger a minute in the first few days following its launch.

Ira Dubinsky, from KFC UK and Ireland, said: The Colonel was all about welcoming everyone to his table now vegans, flexitarians and our fried chicken fans can all enjoy the taste of our Original Recipe together. Weve worked hard to perfect the flavour and make a Vegan Burger the Colonel would be proud of. Its the flavour of KFC, just with zero chicken.

Tony Davison, Head of Global Foodservice & QSR at Quorn added: The chance to co-create exceptional food with an iconic brand like KFC is a pleasure, to see the results launched with such enthusiasm is fantastic. The result does the Colonels recipe justice, truly transformational vegan food that KFC fans are going to love - a finger lickin vegan favourite.

As well as hungry fans being excited, animal rights group, PETA, are chuffed about the vegan burger too.

Dawn Carr, Director of Vegan Corporate Projects at PETA said: We are delighted to have played a part in KFCs journey to bring quick, affordable, vegan options to a new audience. There is no doubt this vegan burger will be a huge hit with the skyrocketing numbers of vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians around the UK. Clucking marvellous!

Pizza Hut Launches A Vegan Pepperoni Pizza

Greggs Vegan Menu Does Feature A Vegan Steak Bake

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KFCs Vegan Burger Is Now A Permanent Addition To The Menu - Delish.com

Vegan wellness products harnessing hot trends such as CBD, blue light blockers, and adaptogens are popping up everywhere. With these 20 wellness products, youll be on-trend and ready to have the most balanced 2020 possible.

1. The Purple Pillow Sweaty memory foam, stabby feathers, and mystery foam chunks no thanks! This ultra-supportive, highly engineered pillow is made with cruelty-free materials and is going to ensure 2020 is your most well-rested year yet.

2. Warby Parkers Blue Light Glasses These lenses filter out blue light, which comes from digital screens and artificial light and has been shown to increase eyestrain and interfere with our natural sleep patterns. Protect your eyes while looking super chic and stylish in a pair of these on-trend eyeglasses.

3. Chill Pill Stress Relief Candle Made using domestically grown akosoy plant-based renewable wax, cotton wicks, fine fragrance oils and apothecary inspired packaging, these sustainable vegan candles encourage relaxation with a soothing blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, and patchouli essential oils.

4. Superfood Skincare What you put on your body is almost as important as what you put in it. Ensure your skincare routine features cruelty-free and vegan natural products such as Youth to the Peoples superfood-infused cleansers, face masks, and hyaluronic acid.

5. Cocofloss Did you know most floss isnt vegan? Well, Cocofloss is 100% vegan and comes in fun flavors such as Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus, and Vanilla Bean. Get your dental health in check and up your flossing routine with this cruelty-free alternative.

6. #MoodPills Were all stressed and overworked, and sometimes a mood-balancing supplement is just what we need to feel balanced again. These vegan-certified supplements contain Vitamin B6, GABA, organic St. Johns Wort, and organic Chasteberry, and help you deal with occasional stress, frustration, and irritability.

7. Organic Bamboo Bed SheetsThese eco-friendly sheets are as smooth as silk, as sustainable as hemp, and as breathable as linen and dont contain any materials that have harmful chemicals and synthetics. Plus the bamboo lyocell, cruelty-free sheets are hypoallergenic and regulate temperature to keep you cool as you sleep.

8. Beauty Chocolates Clinically proven to improve skin moisture, texture, and elasticity in two weeks with a plant-based collagen boost, eating dairy-free chocolate is about to be your ultimate beauty secret. Get your glow on in 2020 with these vegan chocolates!

9. CBG Oil Youve heard of CBD oil (its in practically everything!), but have you heard of CBG oil? This lesser-known cannabinoid is non-psychotropic and has been shown to have a promising wide range of potential applications for a host of health conditions.

10. Sleep Gummies This delicious, vegan gummy is made with melatonin, chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm, which have all been shown to help ease sleep. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep at night, popping a gelatin-free gummy could be your newest sleep secret.

11. GuruNanda Humidifier & Diffuser This is the worlds first open-top humidifier and essential oil aromatherapy diffuser and were obsessed. It has an automatic shut-off when the water level gets low, so you can drift off to sleep while the device fills your entire space with moist aromas from your choice of essential oils.

12. Sleep Linen Mist 2020 is all about getting your best nights sleep (it affects your overall health, after all). Restore your mental clarity and spritz away stress with this all natural calming room and linen mist. Mist it over sheets and pillow before bed for your best nights sleep yet.

13. Essential Oil for Cramps This heavenly blend of essential oils is made to lift your spirits and ease the pain when your body is feeling like a total PMS mess. If youre about to lose it, grab this roll-on essential oil stick and give yourself a moment of calm.

14. Sustainable Food Flask Bringing your own breakfast or lunch to work is the easiest way to ensure youll have a nourishing, sustaining meal to get you through your day. This cute, eco-friendly food flask has a vegan leather strap to hold its own utensils so you can skip the single-use plastic and maintain both your health and the planets.

15. Wellness Patches These hemp and plant-infused transdermal patches are made to help with a variety of ailments from insomnia and hangovers to PMS and muscle pain. Simply place one on a veinous area of your body and allow its nutrients to absorb into your bloodstream.

16. Quip Toothbrushes This electric toothbrush created by dentists and designers features a two-minute timer with 30-second pulses to let you know when youre done brushing for a suggested amount of time, is waterproof and shower-proof, and comes with a subscription plan so you can switch out the brush heads in order to keep them hygienic. Get that sparkling smile on in 2020!

17. Care/Of Vegan Vitamin Packs Wellness in 2020 is all about personalization, right down to your daily vitamins. These packs are geared towards your specific dietary and activity needs, and include the ability to make sure all the supplements included in your daily packs are vegan-friendly.

18. Mahina Menstrual Cup Feminene hygiene is finally getting the attention and energy it deserves, with eco-friendly, natural, organic alternatives to standard pads and tampons. Menstrual cups are a sustainable answer to single-use period care products and are here to make that time of the month just a little bit easier.

19. Wave Meditation Pillow This device is beat-based, so you lay down on the comfy body pillow, select a meditation track, and it vibrates to the meditation to enhance your experience. When you come home from a hard day, rest your head on this pillow and immerse yourself in the calming sounds and feelings of this pillow.

20. Turmeric Tonics Boost your skin and gut health from within with these superfood-charged powdered drink blends in original turmeric, turmeric matcha, and turmeric cacao varieties. Switch up your morning cup of coffee for one of these tonics to get the energy boost without the caffeine crash.

Sarah McLaughlin is the New Products Editor at VegNews who is hoping to make 2020 as stress-free and balanced as possible.

Want more of todays best plant-based news, recipes, and lifestyle? Get our award-winning magazine!

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Wellness 20 Must-Have Vegan Wellness Products for 2020 by Sarah McLaughlin - VegNews

Veganuary is here - and with it a slew of new vegan products in stores and restaurants.

But nothing we've seen is quite as intriguing as Iceland 's new vegan steaks, which despite being made from mostly mushroom, look very similar to normal meaty steaks.

Costing 2 for two and already in Iceland stores and available to buy on the supermarket's website, according to the online description, Iceland's No Bull Mushroom Steaks are made using 75% ground up mushroom, plus tomato paste and flavourings. There's no word on whether they actually taste nice, but they certainly look the part...

But the mushroom steaks are just one of many new vegan items hitting Iceland stores, with the retailer - who is already famed for its ground breaking vegan range - some of which are the first of their king to hit UK supermarkets.

Some of the new vegan items at Iceland include two new types of vegan burger (both two for 2), as well as an array of traditional British dishes - but re-imagined with plant-based ingredients.

This includes vegan mac and cheese (2) made with creamy vegan cheese sauce, vegan cottage pie (2) and vegan cheese and onion pasties (two for 2) with flaky pastry and melting cheese.

Less traditional but just as popular amongst Brits, fans of Chinese food can now get their hands on a vegan friendly Chinese takeaway that doesn't solely consist of vegetable spring rolls, as Iceland has brought in a new and exclusive No Chick Sweet & Sour (2), which sees soya protein, red peppers and pineapple coated in a tangy sweet & sour sauce for a stunning meal inspired by the flavours of the Orient.

Another classic quick dinner, there's also a No Porkies bacon pasta (2), a meat feast of a pasta dish with one catch... it contains absolutely no meat.

If you're doing a shop online and you're a new customer, you can save 3 off a shop over 50 using the code 3 ICELAND3 but if you work for the Police, Fire Service, NHS, Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, Mountain Rescue or RNLI and also Armed Forces, you may want to pop into a store where you can show your card at the checkout and get 10% off shops over 60.i

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Iceland is selling vegan steaks made from mushroom that look exactly like real steaks - Mirror Online

This is your body on plants.

With the new year and decade here, many resolve to make changes to their lifestyle. Maybe its a new exercise regimen, dry January, or the currently trending Veganuary which is exactly what it sounds like.

If youve considered giving up meat, or animal products altogether, in 2020 youre not alone more than 500,000 people have already pledged to go vegan on the official Veganuary site. And while maintaining a climate-conscious diet is certainly on many peoples minds, nearly half of those whove pledged to eat vegan for the first month of the year did so for health reasons.

According to experts, it is true that cutting out meat can result in health benefits but only if you do it safely. That means keeping in mind all the nutrients you are (and arent) getting from plant-based eating. Its important not to transition blindly or to assume that by dropping meat alone, your health will improve.

Assuming youre not loading up on high-carb, processed foods like pasta and sweets, one benefit of going vegetarian or vegan might be a reduction in inflammation, says Chris DAdamo, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Thats a benefit of eating minimally processed foods in general, DAdamo tells Inverse.

DAdamo explains that plants have an abundance of nutrients, especially in their non-processed form. Plant-based diets also typically mean that one is consuming more fiber, which can help with satiety making you feel less hungry and curbing overeating.

In addition to decreased inflammation, positives can include a healthier weight, better energy metabolism, suggests at 2019 study published in Nature. The researchers reviewed hundreds of studies on how vegetarian diets influence health and determined that plant-based diets, compared to conventional diets, can benefit weight, metabolism, and systemic inflammation.

The researchers write that one of the reasons those benefits arise is because of changes to the gut. Studies suggest that eating plants can cause the microbiome to foster a favorable diversity of bacteria species.

In October, Stephanie Papadakis, a certified holistic nutrition consultant at Gut of Integrity, told Bustle that the antibiotics used to raise meat are also part of the reason why the gut experiences a change when one goes meat-less.

If you cut all meat out of your diet, you would likely see a positive shift in the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, Papadakis explained. Many conventionally raised animals are given hormones and antibiotics, which can shift our own beneficial bacteria in the same way taking antibiotics can.

Other studies have shown a potential reduction in the risk of heart disease, commonly linked to red meat consumption. But theres a bit of a grey area there another review 2019 paper, this one published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggested that red meat does not actually carry the health risks weve previously thought it to have. But many doctors and nutritionists still say that cutting out red meat is still a good idea.

When looking at health benefits of vegetarianism, one factor influencing results can be the health of vegetarian population overall, says Drew Frug, an assistant professor at Auburn University.

On a population level, we see that any derivative of a vegetarian diet is associated with improved health compared to the average omnivore, Frug tells Inverse, but we often neglect the fact that vegetarians are typically pursuing multiple healthy lifestyle behaviors such as exercising regularly and not smoking.

And while in humans, its nearly impossible to prove that meat is not beneficial to the diet, its also widely accepted that humans can be perfectly healthy without consuming meat, Frug says.

Like many areas of nutrition, red meat is open for debate. But if youre thinking of going veg, there are some more immediate health concerns to keep in mind.

While plant-based foods can benefit your body in various ways, there are some health aspects to consider if youre cutting out meat. DAdamo notes that vegetarian and vegan diets can sometimes lack important nutrients, like iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and the lesser-discussed creatine, choline, and omega-3 fats.

Just cutting out animal products in favor of plant foods is not necessarily going to be healthy, DAdamo says. Really this comes down to eating minimally processed food, eating whole foods, regardless of whether there are animal foods in it or not.

To get at those potential deficiencies, vitamin supplements can be key. DAdamo says that taking a B12 supplement is something that every vegan should be doing alongside monitoring the levels of other nutrients.

Essentially, its important to consider going vegetarian as part of a bigger health push. Cutting out meat, in and of itself, is not going to improve health, notes DAdamo. But it can lead be healthy if done in the context of a minimally processed, whole-food-based diet.

On the Veganuary website, a list of foods that are vegan by accident includes treats like Oreos, Doritos, and several types of beer. Perhaps this part misses the point but the list includes some real food, too, like oatmeal and hummus.

The same goes for trendy meat alternatives, like the [Impossible Burger], Frug says. Since the burger is highly processed and high in saturated fat and sodium, some pro-vegetarian nutritionists and researchers argue that its not a healthy alternative to a beef burger.

This is a good representation of extremes in the vegetarian diet, Frug says. If all I do to call my diet vegetarian is exchange one fast food meal for another, I would expect zero health benefits, metabolic, or physical changes.

On the other hand, replacing fast-food meals with minimally processed vegetarian dishes would mean consuming less saturated fat, sodium, and likely total calories. Therefore, diet change would lead to improved blood pressure, blood glucose, and body composition.

To ensure youre truly keeping it healthy, Frug says: Learn to cook.

There are plenty of healthy vegetarian options in restaurants and grocery store freezers, but foods will almost always be healthier coming out of your kitchen, he says.

Frug adds that legumes in particular are among the least expensive nutrient-dense foods you can find at the grocery store, so following a vegetarian diet does not have to be an expensive endeavor.

For DAdamos part, he says that going vegetarian or vegan might be a totally legit way to improve your health. But he also says there are other options. For example, low-carb, paleo, and Mediterranean diets all work for some people too.

The reality is that there are many ways to be healthy, DAdamo says. Theres no one right way.

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Veganuary: What hopeful vegans need to know before giving up meat in 2020 - Inverse

RICKY Gervais has been a household name since he burst on to the scene in the early noughties in The Office.

He is now famed for hosting the Golden Globes - where he is known for shocking the audience with his outrageous jokes.

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Ricky Dene Gervais, 58, was born June 25, 1961, and is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and singer.

Ricky initially worked in the music industry, attempting a career as a pop star in the 1980s.

He was the singer of the new wave act Seona Dancing and also the manager of the then-unknown band Suede, before ditching music and turning to comedy.

Ricky started his TV career on The 11 O'Clock Show on Channel 4 between 1998 and 2000.

In 2000, he was given a Channel 4 talk show, Meet Ricky Gervais.

He then launched to international stardom when he co-wrote and starred in the BBC's mockumentary The Office.

The show was followed by Extras in 2005 - which heco-wrote, starred in and co-directed with Stephen Merchant.

He also starred in and wrote Derek.

Ricky has also performed five multi-national stand-up comedy tours.

In 2019 fans praised him for his Netflix show After Life.

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Ricky is a vegetarian but hasn't gone completely vegan yet.

He is also an outspoken animal rights activist

Ricky is known for posting anti-animal cruelty pictures and posts on his Twitter account.

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As well as TV, Ricky has also starred in numerous films including:

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Ricky has amassed quite a fortune during his time in the spotlight.

He is worth an estimated 71million.

This is mainly through his TV shows, film roles and stand up tours.

Ricky has been with his partner Jane Fallon since 1982.

He says they chose not to marry because "there's no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God".

When talking about why he hasn't had children he told The Times, "didn't fancy dedicating 16 years of our lives. And there are too many children, of course".

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Is Ricky Gervais vegan? Everything you need to know about the Golden Globes presenter - The Sun

Four years ago, Harley Quinn Smith 16-years-old at the time already had a few credits to her name. She made her first cameo in 2001s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, playing the baby version of titular character Silent Bob, played by her father, filmmaker Kevin Smith. In 2019, she starred in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot as Millennium Milly Faulken, Jays estranged daughter and a member of a girl gang. It came out just months after she played a member of the Manson family in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. She recently finished shooting a project in Dallas, which Smith says has amazing vegan food.

Being vegan on set is definitely difficult when youre shooting outside of Los Angeles, Smith tells LIVEKINDLY. But, times are changing. She discovered the Spiral Diner in Dallas. Smith adds that shes excited about the other vegan restaurants that she discovered and gave a shoutout to some of her favorites, including Champs Diner in Brooklyn. Both restaurants have something in common: they specialize in vegan comfort food.

Smith praised the Spiral Diners Frito pie (via the menu: nacho cheese, Texas red chili, and French fried onions on real Fritos.). And Champs, located in Brooklyns Bushwick neighborhood, is one of those restaurants where New Yorkers dont mind the sometimes two-hour wait for weekend brunch. Think vegan chicken and waffles, platters packed with pancakes, tofu scramble, breakfast sausages, and seitan bacon. Healthy salads and bowls are an afterthought. Smith says she tries to go to Champs any time shes in the city.

The New Jersey native was always an animal lover. Smith recalled her childhood self circa before the times of Instagram feeling compassion for elephants and other African animals victimized by poaching.

And I never made the connection between my love for animals and the fact that I was contributing to cruelty, says Smith, referring to how she would stick up for animals even before she went vegan. She adds,It was just not something that had clicked in my mind yet.

Her pet rabbit, a rescue named Cinnamon Bun, was who inspired Smith to go veganafter seeing how compassion can help traumatized animals heal. She was in a really terrible condition when I adopted her, says Smith. Cinnamon Bun was surrendered to the shelter after growing up in a hoarding situation with around 100 other rabbits.

She was pretty traumatized and abused, Smith adds. The rescued rabbit had a ripped ear, metal stitches that needed tending, and she was covered in urine. On top of that, her new rescued rabbit was terrified of humans. For about two months after I adopted her, she wouldnt let me touch hersays Smith.

But, Smith was patient with Cinnamon Bun, allowing her the time and space to understand that she was somewhere safe. Eventually, Cinnamon Bun became this really, really loving little creature with the biggest personality. After that, we just became best friends and after seeing her transition from this very scared, timid creature that I first met to this very open, loving, crazy creature who came about a few months later, I was like whoah, human compassion can really change an animal.

After that, Smith says she needed to make a change. To her, itwould be very hypocritical to continue living my life in a way that contributed to animal cruelty when I saw firsthand what human compassion can do to an animal.

Since going vegan, Smith has worked with various nonprofits to spread messages she believes in. In 2018, she, her father, and rescued turkeys starred in a Farm Sanctuary advert encouraging a vegan Thanksgiving dinner. Smith also appeared in a 2018 PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign about ditching fur, leather, and wool. The 20-year-old wants others to realize how similar animals are to animals, especially those raised for food and fashion.

You know, theres this really bizarre assumption that I never understood that farm animals cant feel, which is the furthest thing from the truth. They can feel everything that humans can feel, says Smith. She also hopes that more people will understand that theres no humane way to get an animal product.

But, she also acknowledges that the majority of people werent raised to view farm animals with compassion and respect.

Im not blaming anybody because society has conditioned us to think this way, says Smith. She adds, I used to think this way as well.

Looking ahead, Smith is set to appear in Student Body, a horror film about high school friendship. Shell also play a role in Killroy Was Here, an upcoming horror anthology directed by Kevin Smith. Being vegan on set has had its challenges (because youre in this unfamiliar area and youre working), she says. But, its not impossible. You just have to trust that the people youre working with are going to take care of you, says Smith.

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The Moment That Made Actor Harley Quinn Go Vegan

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Actor Harley Quinn Smith recalls how her adopted rabbit Cinnamon Bun inspired her go vegan and being a lifelong animal lover.

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Kat Smith

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The Moment That Made Actor Harley Quinn Go Vegan - LIVEKINDLY

In an effort to bring more vegan food options to the area, one San Luis Obispo County resident has made it her mission to provide plant-based meals through her food truck, "Plant Ivy."

While Ivy Alvarado's main dish includes the popular Impossible Burger , her journey to get to this point shows anything is possible.

"Just never give up," Ivy said. "If you really feel strongly about something, never ever give up."

For Alvarado, those words couldn't ring truer, and they're actually more of a life motto. These are words that pulled her through the hardest point in her life more than 10 years ago when she was 16-years-old.

"In 2008, Ivy had a cardiac arrest and her heart stopped, her breathing stopped and she had a brain injury as a result of that," Melinda, Ivy's mom, said.

At the time of her accident, Alvarado was working at Subway. She says a boy left his GameBoy at the restaurant and she ran after him to make sure he didn't lose it, but that was the last thing she remembers. She collapsed in a planter box and a Good Samaritan found her and started performing CPR. Melinda says the accident would follow Ivy being in and out of a coma.

"We were told that if she woke up she would probably be a vegetable and wouldn't recognize us at all," Melinda said.

It's difficult to imagine that Melinda was once told her vibrant, determined, environmentally-friendly daughter might not be able to walk or talk again. However, Ivy had different plans.

The next nine months would be filled with hospital stays and routine therapies, but in 2010 she defied the odds.

"I graduated high school a year later," Alvarado said.

Most recently, she continues working to get her stride back.

"I'm working on walking, I'm getting really, really close," Alvarado told KSBY's Brooke Martell, and Alvarado is regaining her strength while building her brand in the community through "Plant Ivy."

"I just see this as a means to be able to support herself," Melinda said.

The mother-daughter team has worked together on this business from the beginning and say they were the first to bring the Impossible Burger to San Luis Obispo County after having tried it in Los Angeles.

"It tastes like meat, it tastes so much like meat," Alvarado said, adding that it's better for the environment

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"Eighty-seven percent less greenhouse gases and 95 percent less land use when you eat one of these patties," Alvarado said.

She and her mom say this wouldn't be possible without the generous donors who provided the food truck and community members like Chris Dillow, who is the executive director at the Fig Cafe at Courtney's House in Templeton.

"Courtney's House is a non-profit," Dillow said. "We serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I realized, wow, we can be a resource for Ivy to make this dream come true for her."

And that she did. Dillow helped Melinda and Ivy navigate the logistics of owning and running a business. Plus, the kitchen at Fig Cafe is where all the food for Plant Ivy is prepped.

"Part of our mission is inclusion and opportunity and just for people to see every individual as very important, successful part of our world," Dillow said.

Alvarado hopes to one day employ workers from Fig Cafe and says the "sky's the limit" when it comes to how many food trucks she wants to operate. Her business already gives back and for every burger sold, she donates $1 to Alternative Neurological Solutions, a non-profit she frequents and credits for helping her learn to walk on her own again.

Despite the name of her main dish, Alvarado is proof that nothing is impossible unless it's a vegan burger, of course.

"I believe that things happen for a reason and you just stay positive, work hard, and never, never, never give up," Melinda said. "What's supposed to happen is gonna happen."

Alvarado and her mom cater local events across the county. Their next event will be at the San Luis Obispo Women's March next month.

For more information on Plant Ivy, click here .

Read more from the original source:

'The sky's the limit' for new vegan food truck operated by longtime SLO County residents - KSBY San Luis Obispo News

This grilled tofu salad with green beans is a must try. Whether you're an established vegan, a newcomer partaking in Veganuary or just being mindful of how much meat your eat, look no further 'cos here's a fab meat-free meal that doesn't compromise on flavour.

Tofu is definitely a controversial ingredient, with some arguing that it just tastes like nothing... but we HAVE to disagree and argue that it is all about how you prepare it. If marinaded in the right stuff for the right amount of time, it's essentially a protein packed flavour sponge that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. This salad is sweet, sour and zesty all at once... what's not to love?

Make sure you buy the right tofu to start with. Look for a firm or extra firm tofu (silken is too soft for this recipe) and if you want extra flavour, you could try a smoked version. Always press it and dry it to help achieve the best texture, and allow it to catch a little bit to give a pleasing crispy outside. You might want to prep it the night before as you preferably want to press it for an hour then marinate for as long as possible.

The great thing about this recipe is that one you have perfected the basic method for grilled tofu salad, you can add any other vegetables that you like. Add finely sliced radishes and grated carrot for a more Asiatic style salad, or throw in some olives and swap the tomatoes for sundried ones for a taste of the Mediterranean.

1. First, drain the tofu. Then place 56 paper towels onto a chopping board, lay the tofu on top of them and cover with 56 more paper towels.

2. Place a baking tray or another chopping board on top of the tofu. Then, place a heavy object, like a bowl, can or jar, on top of the tray. Let it sit for 1 hour.

3. Meanwhile, crush the garlic. Then, in a bowl, mix together the garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and sugar, to form a marinade.

4. One it has been pressed for an hour, cut the tofu into 5cm | 2 cubes.

5. Add the tofu to the marinade and leave it to marinate for 15 minutes on each side.

6. Remove tofu and set the remaining marinade aside for dressing.

7. Spray the tofu with cooking spray on all sides. Then, using a griddle pan over medium heat, grill the tofu for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

8. Meanwhile, fill a saucepan half-full with water and place over medium heat. Bring to the boil.

9. Rinse the beans under cold water and drain. Once water is boiling, add to the saucepan and cook for 3 minutes, until beans are tender. Drain and rinse them under cold water.

10. Chop the cherry and yellow cherry tomatoes into halves.

11. In a bowl, combine the tofu, green beans, tomatoes and thyme. Dress with lemon juice, and 12 tbsp of the leftover marinade.

12. Scatter with some lemon zest and serve immediately with lemon slices to garnish.

Pssst, top tip: Pressing tofu helps to remove its excess water. Consider investing in a dedicated tofu press device to make this step easier.

From Being Vegan | 12.99 on My Favourite Magazines

Find this recipe and many other easy, healthy and delicious vegan recipes in Being Vegan. Whether you are trying to cut down on meat, or are a vegan looking for fresh dinner ideas, here you will find over 30 recipes to try.View Deal

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Vegan tofu salad: grilled tofu with green beans and soy marinade - Real Homes