This is the first vegan Q&A video where I answer some of your question, like when, how, and why did I go vegan? Just how old am i? What is the BEST way to eat veg? What are my thought on Raw Till 4, and more!
How and when did I go vegan? What exactly do I eat? Just how fucking old am I? What are my thought on “Raw Till 4”? That and more in today’s Q&A!
Today I’m going to be hitting some of the basics. If you don’t hear your question today, don’t fret. There’s going to be a lot more Q&A videos. And some of your questions might require their own video.
For instance, I had a lot of requests about my tattoos so I did a tattoo tour video on Monday. I also had a lot of B12 questions so Wednesday was all about b12. If you missed either of those, there’s links to them in the description below.
Why And When Did I Go Vegan?
The most-asked question by far was how and why and when I went vegan. Well honestly, I can’t give you an exact date. My mother tells me when I was four years old I started to refuse to eat meat. I don’t consciously remember this myself. But as I grew up and learned where dairy and eggs actually come from, I stopped eating those as well. You see when other kids my age were going door-to-door selling girl scout cookies, I was the weird kid going door-to-door to educate about the plight of mountain gorillas in Africa, and raising money for the Dian Fossey Foundation. I find that when you’re, like, three feet tall, people don’t really take you seriously. But I was definitely not raised in a vegan household, which addresses Eric Jones’ question, “is anyone else from your family vegan?” Sadly, no.
What Did I Do With Non-Vegan Items I Had From Before I Went Vegan?
This is referring to items like leather belts, wool sweaters, non-vegan shampoos, etc. When I originally went vegan in my youth I don’t think a lot of those things were actually on my radar. But when I became aware of them, my personal choice was to throw away whatever items were animal-derived. But that’s not a vegan dictate that you have to do. If your choice is to have no shoes in winter or wear a pair of leather boots that you bought ten years ago before you were vegan, wear the boots!
What’s My Best Response To The Classic “Animals Were Put On Earth For Us To Eat” Remark?
There’s actually a really kick-ass quote from Alice Walker that addresses this very question. She says, “The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men.” Although the argument that animals were put here for us to eat, presupposes the existence of a god or creator. And if you don’t personally hold that belief and are talking to someone who does, the conversation might not be that productive.
Do I Have A Vegan Idol/Hero?
I’d have to say Gary Yourofsky. I was already vegan the first time I saw Gary’s talk. But his activism, and its effectiveness, inspired and drove me to try to make even a fraction of the difference that he has in the world. Which, by the way, answers Chemese Armstrong’s question, “What made you start making videos?” If you haven’t already, please watch Gary’s talk.
I was also asked if I actually know Gary personally and if I’ve met him. And yes I do and I have. In fact, one of the times I was volunteering at SASHA Farm animal sanctuary, Gary and his wife came out. And with Monte, the co-founder, we helped rescue these two beautiful boys: Bhima and Dharma.
What Is My Specific Dietary Regiment?
The way I eat would most likely be categorized, I guess, as a high carb low fat raw vegan diet. Now that’s not to say I don’t get a wild hair up my butt every once and a while and steam some vegetables or a potato.
What Are My Views on Raw Till 4 & What’s the BEST Vegan Diet?
Well first off, I support any diet that’s vegan. The way of eating vegan that I support the most, and that I think is the perfect way to eat vegan, is whatever way of eating you can sustain and will keep you vegan. I don’t think there’s one right way to do vegan. I really enjoy eating a raw diet, but it’s not for everyone. Whereas eating vegan is for everyone. I think the Raw Till 4 diet is a great blend of the benefits of being a raw vegan, and a way of eating that’s sustainable and realistic for most people.
Being vegan should not be a chore. It should not be something you have to “suffer through.” You shouldn’t feel deprived or unsatisfied. Being vegan should be delicious and full of variety. So whatever way of eating vegan that fulfills you, and is something you feel you can continue for the rest of your life, that is the perfect way of eating vegan. If you’re coming from a pure health standpoint, then yes, certain ways of eating are going to be better than others. But as far as I am—and, I’m sure, the animals are—concerned, even if you sit on the couch all day with one hand down your pants and the other hand shoving Sweet Chili Doritos into your gaping mouth—as long as you’re not consuming animal products, it’s a-okay with me—and them!
If you have any other questions you’d like answered in a future video, leave them in the comments below. I’ll see you soon!
— Emily Moran Barwick
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You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light
and make it important. A lot more people must check this out and understand this side of
your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you certainly possess the gift.
well thank you so much. and i hope that the videos start gaining more exposure and the project continues to grow. i too, of course, would like for it to be bigger than it is and reaching more people already! but i’m doing what i can and hopefully it will keep growing ;) thank you for your kind words!