Ask A Vegan!

I have been wanting to do a weekly feature on my blog for a few weeks now and I wasn't sure if I was up to the Wednesday Wishes (I have more delusional fantasies then wishes)or enough tattooed friends to do the Tattoo Tuesday (most are prison grade tattoos...ha! just a joke) so I decided upon my own lil' awesome weekly thing-a-ma-bob. And now without further ado allow me to introduce...Ask A Vegan! *applause* (crowd goes wild, I think someone lost a shirt!) See what I mean by delusional? So anywho back to what I was saying, Ask A Vegan will be every Monday with a new Vegan giving me answers to some pretty rad (basic) and clever (basic) questions I have put together with my sweet and highly attune (delusional) brain. The answers will not be censored so I hope they do not offend. Since this is my very first Ask A Vegan there will definitely be needs for improvement so please if you have and suggestions or ideas please let me know. And if you are Vegan and you would like to participate, I would love it! Just shoot me an email and who knows maybe you will be next week's victim...er, I mean Vegan. (:

My first pick is my buddy Brian. He and his lady Erin are super cool! I met/stalked them at Trader Joe's. I rang them up one day and Brian was wearing this awesome Vegan shirt his friend in Phoenix made for him and it was like at first sight. We went out on our first double date not long after that, and the rest is as they say, history.

Name: Brian Straub
Age:30
Location: Tempe



How long have you been Vegan?
12 years.

What made you decide to go Vegan?
I no longer wanted to participate in the exploitation of animals for food, clothing and other products.

How do you feel health wise with this diet choice?
The same.

Are you open about your Veganism?
I am out of the closet.

If so, are you involved in any activism i.e. protests, leafleting etc…
Not currently, but I founded the Animal Welfare Alliance of AZ back in the early 2000's, which was a pretty active group for a couple of years. We did some cool demonstrations at rodeos, animal research facilities, circuses and other industries that exploit animals.

What does your family, friends, co-workers think about your diet?
I would consider this more than a diet, I consider veganism a lifestyle and belief system. many of my friends and some family think veganism is interesting.

What advice would you give those interested in becoming Vegan?
Avoid thinking that becoming vegan is a huge change and difficult. Transition by eating vegan meals here and there and then switch.

Would you eat at Mc Donald’s if they carried a Vegan burger?
No.

What is your least favorite question that you are asked about your diet?
How do you get your protein? If I become vegan, will I have a bodybuilder physique like you?:)

What is your favorite dish?
Not sure about a dish, but Asian food is my favorite.

What do you typically eat at Thanksgiving?
Tofurkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Last year I tied the veggie ham from the vegetarian house and it is great.

If I could make you any flavor cupcake in the world what would it be?
Chocolate and peanut butter.



Please share your favorite Vegan Recipe:

It is not my favorite, but I love it.


Vegan chili

Green olives-one half 14oz jar, sliced

Morning star farms meat crumblers-1 bag

Green chilies mild diced-one 7oz can

Chili beans in sauce-one 15oz can

Kidney beans-one 15oz can

Pinto beans-one 15oz can

Plum tomatoes, whole peeled-two 28oz cans with sauce, tomatoes sliced up

Garlic-5 crushed/minced cloves

White onion-1 whole chopped

Jalapeño pepper-2 peppers chopped

Cilantro



Directions:

Cook onion and garlic in olive oil. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, sriracha (hot sauce) sauce and cayenne powder to taste. Cook for approximately 60 minutes. Add cut cilantro to the top of chili once in bowl. Prepare for nose and rim singers.


Now, wasn't that fun?