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Lindsay is Vegan | Hooked on Plants Interview + Lasagna Recipe!

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Lindsay O’Donnell has been meat-free for almost 20 years and has been promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle for just as long through volunteering with organizations like Peta, Earth Save, and Sea Shepherd. She ran a cooking blog, hosted vegan supper clubs, and now keeps people informed on food issues through  her Instagram page Lindsay is Vegan!

Today she runs the food marketing company Piquant Marketing and works to raise awareness on food issues and promote veganism. Let’s hear more from her!

How long have you been vegan, and what was the pivotal moment for making the change?

This might sound weird, but there are a few things in my life that I just always knew. Like I always knew I’d be a vegetarian and a vegan. I remember my mom having a friend who was vegetarian and I remember her skin just GLOWED. I remember just knowing that I would eventually be a vegetarian too. It’s funny because my kid isn’t vegan but she says the same thing to me- that she will be when she grows up.

But the catalyst to really make changes was when I really became an activist in my teens. I volunteered with Peta, Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, The SPCA, EarthSave and eventually co-founded an ocean education non-profit too. I felt like I was asking a big change of the world and I couldn’t expect it without walking the walk myself. 

How long did it take for you to transition?

A long time! I get people that messaging me all the time and they’re apologizing because they’re cutting out meat but haven’t cut out cheese or whatever. I cut out red meat at 16, chicken a year later and seafood later. I went vegan at 26, making the transition 10 whole years!

The key is finding replacements instead of cutting stuff out (think abundance and fun, instead of restriction). When I first went vegan I just drank coke and ate bananas so obviously I failed (and was an idiot). If you’re making changes, celebrate that and now that we’re all on a food journey …and if you’re doing the first step of trying to be better with your food choices you are already making a difference.

If there was just one thing you wish everyone in the entire world know regarding veganism, what would it be?

God, it’s so hard to talk about being vegan without sounding smug. For example, I can’t really think of a good reason to still eat meat (unless you’re in a remote village and it’s your primary food source).

Ok, here’s the thing. Being vegan makes me feel AMAZING. My body bounces back faster than when I ate meat, I feel lighter, and I’m happier. Being vegan has given me so much joy. I wish people know how wonderful and beautiful it is. People think it’s about restrictions and deprivation but for me it’s been the best thing I could have ever done for my mental and physical health. I really think that if you haven’t even tried veganism…you don’t know what you’re missing.

You are SO inspiring over on instagram, and give out so many amazing facts. What are your favourite resources for finding vegan news/animal rights news/mind blowing research?

I really appreciate that! It’s funny, when I first when vegetarian it felt like it was a much more confrontational time. It’s hard to explain but people challenged you constantly on your food choices. Like I needed to have my reasons and facts for everything. Going vegetarian, and then vegan in the 90’s was like going to debate class. 

So, I just signed up for every newsletter I could think of. That way I was constantly getting nuggets of information without being overwhelmed. I still get about 50 newsletters a day…which is now overwhelming! Now there’s documentaries and social media but I still mostly read books and get newsletters. My favourite newsletters are from Peta, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, and Daily Kos. 

Some websites that really helped me in the beginning were GEFreeBC, PETA, Farm Sanctuary, WWF, Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, EarthSave, and One Green Planet. 

These are older books but still so worth reading are The Jungle, Fast Food Nation, Greenpeace (love this one for business too!), and I’m currently reading Farmaggeden. 

What are your best tips for dealing with social settings for new vegans? 

1: I constantly feel like I’m not making any difference in the world and feel sort of burnt out by it. Things take time. I once worked with a woman who said she would never give up meat or cheese and loved meat too much. Many years later she emailed me to say she went vegan, is now a big activist online, and said she always remembered some of the things I talked about with her! Seeds take a while to grow but know that by living by example you’re creating change.

2: Sometimes people are just trying to get a rise out of you. It’s about them, not you.

3: You convert more people by making them feel encouraged or empowered than by making them feel guilty or marginalized. 

Where do you see our world in 2050 in regards to the plant-based movement? 

This one is so hard because it blows my mind how main-stream veganism is. I sound so old, but I really can’t believe it. I’m reading statistics that says all meat will be plant-based by 2040 which…I don’t know if I believe?

I’m super curious to see what happens when lab meat starts becoming affordable. Many people are vegan for mainly ethical reasons, so if you only eat lab meat…are you still vegan or will that be something new? Like culture-vegans? I don’t know, it will be interesting.

I feel like consumers are generally going to have higher ethical and health standards but I can see the vegan community become fractured over things like lab meat but I also think that’s a wonderful problem to have.

I can see eating meat becoming like smoking…like there are many people that do it but it’s not seen as healthy or productive and it’s taxed heavily.

What was your main inspiration behind starting Piquant Marketing? 

I feel like I kind of fell into the food business! I had actually always wanted to work at Lululemon and interviewed there a few times but…was never successful. I then saw a posting for a marketing job at Whole Foods Market and it clicked. It was like…this is where I need to be. These are my people! People who were passionate about farmers, food, the environment, and animal welfare.

I worked there for 4 years before being a part of a big layoff of their marketing division. I sort of bounced around and realized I needed to stay in food. It’s where I had made relationships and was spending all my spare time. 

I basically wanted to do what I did at Whole Foods Market! So we started doing branding, social media, event planning, community partnerships, content marketing, and business planning for food brands. Then, last year I decided it was time to use the tools I had to make a difference and make a statement so we created core values for the clients we work with which included no meat products. Overall we have almost completely vegan clients mostly because that’s who is attracted to work with us.

Now we’re about to turn 3 years old and it’s totally wild.

For those rainy summer days, when you want to feel cozy fall feelings!

Hooked on People Interview with Roslyn aka ‘But First, Plants’ + Coconut Thai Curry!

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Roslyn has created a beautiful blog over at ‘But First, Plants’ with delish recipes (like her Thai Curry, seen below). Her love for the outdoors and the plant-based lifestyle helps her curate words and photos in an inspiring and gorgeous way. If you follow her on instagram ( @butfirstplants ) you will see how authentic, real and relatable she is. She’s got lots to share, and that’s why I felt the need to share her with you!

Roslyn grew up in Vancouver, and adopted a plant-based lifestyle in her fourth year of university while taking Communications in Calgary. After an exchange to England, she moved back to Vancouver worked in tech, real estate development, and marketing, while developing her side hustle on the side—her blog and plant-based Instagram account. She finally realized that her passion for health and nutrition extended much further than her own kitchen, so she decided to become a holistic nutritionist at CSNN where she is now! On the side she works as the marketing manager for Piquant marketing, working with small food businesses that are making waves in Vancouver.

Let’s get to know Ros, and her tips to transition to a plant-based lifestyle…

Hooked on Plants: When did you make the transition to a vegan lifestyle? Did it take you a while, or did you quit animal products cold tofu?

But, First Plants: It started in third year university—actually, it probably started back when I was a kid. I was that oddball child who preferred salad over french fries and refused to eat ham because I knew it was made of “pig”.

But back to third year university…I was living in England and my boyfriend at the time was starting to talk more and more about nutrition, the origins of food, and animal agriculture on a day to day basis. I remember being so blown away by the research he was doing on his own. I couldn’t even wrap my mind around the fact that I had been living in the dark for nearly 20 years. It made me feel both guilty and angry.

We watched Cowspiracy and that pretty much did it for me. We started tossing back and forth the idea of cutting out animal products all together, and I knew that as soon as I returned home to Canada, I would start my transition to a vegan diet. In September 2015, I cut out all animal products from my life and never looked back.

HOP: What was your ‘Why’ for going vegan? Your health, the animals or the environment?

BFP: It started with the planet, then it transitioned to the animals and the health benefits. Basically, I hit all three pillars within a one year time frame, and my reason for continuing to live a vegan lifestyle is a combination of all three like most people.

I knew that if I wanted to have children of my own one day, there was no way I could lead a lifestyle that would absolutely put their chances of having a decent quality of life in jeopardy. I also knew that I would never be able to disconnect my association of a living breathing animal and the plastic wrapped meat at the grocery store again.

I didn’t want to live in ignorance anymore and I didn’t want to use my taste buds or cravings as an excuse to buy into an industry that is destroying both the planet and our health. By nature, I’m a compassionate person who tends to think critically about everything I do. I decided that if I wanted to continue to thrive on this planet, enjoy nature, and let all other living beings do the same, there was only one kind of lifestyle I could proudly lead.

HOP: You are all about inclusivity, without judgment in the way you help people to eat more plants. Can you give 3 tips for someone trying to eat plants over animals?

BFP:

  1. Start small and work your way up: Quitting animals products cold tofu rarely works for most people (I was definitely an exception). Don’t put the pressure on yourself to be “this” or “that” within a certain time frame and you might just surprise yourself when you look back at how far you’ve come. Try not to be so hard on yourself and just start by choosing more plants over meat and dairy at the grocery store; that in itself is an achievement!
  2. Seek support: It doesn’t even need to be a nutritionist! Find someone who has made the same transition and pick their brain. It’s easy to fail when you don’t have anyone behind you. But with helpful insights and a little motivation from others, you’ll be able to make many more changes.
  3. Make food fun again! Try new recipes and experiment. The only way you’re going to learn how to cook more plant-based is by trying new things and messing up (I know I sure did!). Mistakes are inevitable, but your transition will be much easier for it.

HOP: You’re a total adventure babe! You ski, hike, run, and explore the backcountry… What is it about nature that turns your cranks?

BFP: The freedom, the silence, and the ability to experience the world in a way that is so unlike the noise we live amongst in the city.

I love living in Vancouver, but sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming. I find myself gravitating toward the mountains so I can finally hear myself think again and feel at ease. I’m not a competitive person, so I’m not in it for personal bests or the bragging rights—I show up for the pure love of the mountains and the way they make me feel. And of course, feeling strong and able to move my body in all those ways doesn’t hurt either!

HOP: What can we look forward to from But, First Plants?

BFP: More adventure, more nutrition insights, and hopefully, consulting of my own! Once I graduate from CSNN, my goal is to transition into a career as a consulting registered holistic nutritionist both in the lower mainland and online. I foresee myself focusing on helping women and men fuel ther adventures in a way that works best for your body. I want to help others feel their best doing the activities and the sports they love by empowering them to make better food and lifestyle choices in the increasingly stressful and busy age we live in.

What does this mean in concrete terms? Well, I want to start taking clients as of September 2019 while continuing to work alongside my fabulous team at Piquant marketing to help small food business in Vancouver be seen and heard in the marketplace. Of course, there’s going to be a lot more hiking, travelling, and ski touring in the mix too!

HOP: Can you share with us your fave Fall recipe at the moment?

BFP: My favourite fall recipe right now is a lentil and sweet potato shepherd’s pie from Canadian Living! I was flipping through their magazine the other day and was so excited to find a vegan recipe—I had to try it! It absolutely did not disappoint and I have a feeling it’s going to be on repeat for the next few months. And a favourite on my blog is my Coconut Thai Curry Soup with The Crispiest Baked Chickpeas on top!

Recipe found below… or check it out on But, First Plants for even more beautiful photos and direction:)


But First, Plants Coconut Thai Curry Soup + Crispy Chickpeas
 
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A warming + comforting thai dish from food blogger Roslyn aka But First, Plants!
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, soup, thai
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 tsp refined coconut oil
  • 1 yellow onion roughly diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 heaping tbsp ginger, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp yellow (or red) Thai curry paste*
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 3 medium (or 5 small) yams
  • 1 15 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 batch of crispy chickpeas** (see notes)
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
  1. Peel and chop yams into 1 inch pieces and roughly chop the onion, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Set a large, deep frying pan over medium heat and add coconut oil. Once heated, add onion, garlic and ginger and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
  3. Add salt, pepper, and curry paste and stir for 1 minute to combine.
  4. Add yams and stir for another minute or two to coat the yams in the curry paste.
  5. Add the coconut milk and veggie stock and stir to combine.
  6. Bring the pan to a simmer and then cover and cook for for 10 minutes.
  7. After ten minutes, uncover and cook for another 15 minutes. Check your yams at this point for softness by sticking a fork through a thick piece. If you can easily pierce through the yam, they’re done.
  8. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes before transferring to a high speed blender.
  9. Blend on high for 3 minutes. Taste test and add extra salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve with chopped cilantro and crispy chickpeas.
Notes
* This is the brand of curry paste she uses.

** Click here for Roslyn's crispy chickpea recipe.

Tag me and Ros if you make it ( @hookedonplants + @butfirstplants on instagram)! We love seeing your recipes.

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Hooked On People Interview: Jason Wrobel + his Crêpes with Strawberry Tomato Coulis

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Jason Wrobel ( J-Wro ) is a ball of energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and inspiration. I was inspired by this firecracker ever since I heard him speak on a podcast. He’s a wellness entrepreneur as a coach, author, chef, and public speaker. He’s put his raw food chef certification to use by preparing meals for an array of celebs. His wealth of knowledge now spreads into his new book, Eaternity and his J Wro Show Youtube channel, and he even had his own TV show How to Live to 100 on the Cooking Show Channel. Jason is all about living a full, energized, long life by eating plant-based whole foods and living life through a humorous lens of positivity.
HOP: How long have you been vegan for, and what was the catalyst?
Jason Wrobel: I’m celebrating my 20th year of veganism this year. The initial seed of inspiration to become vegan was observing the health issues in my family. In 1995, my Grandfather lost his second battle with an aggressive form of cancer
and it made me deeply question the lifestyle choices, diet and habits in my family. I took a good, honest look at how I was living and how I was eating. At that time, I took to the web to start researching nutrition, animal rights, global warming and factory farming. The more I learned, the more I realized that I was not living in alignment with my ethical or moral values. Over the course of a few years, I shifted from a SAD diet (Standard American Diet) to vegetarian to eventually vegan. By spring 1998, I was fully vegan and I’ve never looked back. It’s been the single most important, defining decision of my life thus far!
HOP: Who do you look up to in this plant-based world?
JW:
3) The Sarno Brothers (Chad and Derek Sarno)
HOP: Top 5 tips for transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle?
JW:
1) Start gradually incorporating more plant-based foods into your life. Give your body time to adjust.
2) Lean on substitutes for milk, cheese, yogurt and meat – there are plenty of vegan options for all of those products.
3) Connect with community, either local or online. Having a support system makes it easier.
4) Eat a wide variety of foods, eat all of the colors of food and focus on diversity.
5) Be courageous in the kitchen and experiment with new recipes and foods often.
HOP: Top 5 ways to detoxify an exhausted and polluted body?
JW:
1) Drink more water. A LOT more. Nature’s solution to pollution is dilution.
2) Try far infrared sauna therapy. It helps you detox through your skin and get rid of heavy metals.
3) Eat more detoxifying greens – especially chlorella, spirulina, cilantro and dandelion.
4) Eat more alkaline foods and start your day with warm water and lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar).
5) Try a 5 to 7 day liquid fast with fresh juices, tea, broth and water. It’s a good way to re-set your body seasonally.
HOP: Not only are you an advocate for healthy eats, but you’re also all about creating a positive mindset to ward off depression and negative thoughts. Can you give some advice to those who are trying to make mediation and positive thinking a habit?
JW: You have to make meditation a non-negotiable, like eating, sleeping or brushing your teeth (hopefully that’s a non-negotiable for you!) Taking 15-30 minutes each day to sit in stillness, silence and observe your thoughts is an incredibly effective way to let go of so much every day – stress, anxiety, depression, worry – these can all be allayed by doing a consistent, daily meditation practice. I’ve found (and research confirms) that meditation increases productivity and efficiency, while decreasing feelings of overwhelm. It’s good medicine for the mind, body and soul.
HOP: The vegan music festival in LA, Circle V is getting more and more popular with Moby headlining last year. Do you have a favourite musician or DJ? Do you think they’ll be at Circle V one day?
JW: That’s a tough one. That’s like asking me what my favourite dessert is. Most of my favourite musical artists are dead, so, unless they’ve been cryogenically frozen, I don’t think they’ll be coming to Circle V anytime soon. For current artists, I really love Reggie Watts – who coincidentally played the last Circle V festival. In fact, I’m actually performing with a new band in Los Angeles and our plan is to play the festival later this year! Stay tuned!
HOP: What does your ideal morning routine look like (even if it doesn’t actually happen everyday…because none of us are perfect!)?
JW: My ideal morning routine begins with a warm compress on my face and a saline sinus rinse. Then I drink 24-36 ounces of warm water with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to alkalize my body. Then I meditate and focus on what I want to create for the day. Then I’m off to the gym or a hike to move my body. And then I start the work day. I make sure the build in plenty of self-care and take care of my own needs before I start addressing the needs of others. It’s made a massive difference in my life.
HOP: What is the next exciting project that all of us need to know about?
JW: I’m launching a new coaching program where people come to my residence in Los Angeles and live on-site with me for a week, focusing on food, nutrition, mindfulness, abundance and setting a solid foundation for a more vibrant life. I’m incredibly excited about that, as I’ve never offered something so intimate and focused for new clients before. Also writing the treatments and scripts for my second television series, which I plan on producing later this year. I can’t tell you much about it (yet) but it will be fun, and crazy and VERY entertaining.
HOP: You have a lot going on! Do you have any secret time management or motivational tips for entrepreneurial types?
JW: There are so many, I don’t know where to begin.
  • Firstly, take care of your own needs before you address the needs of others. You’ll be able to show up more present and focused (and not resenting yourself for ignoring your needs!)
  • Second, master your calendar. If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not real. Get everything on that calendar so you can stay on top of your commitments.
  • Third, use online productivity tools like a pomodoro timer (to work in time blocks), Calendly (to schedule online appointments) and TickTick (simple online to-do list).
  • Fourth – try to focus on 3 to 5 big things every day. Don’t overwhelm yourself with 15-20 things on your to-do list each day. That’s the path to crazy making. Stay focused and simplify!Image result for jason wrobel
HOP: Your book, Eaternity, is all about nutrient dense recipes. What is your favourite recipe from your book?
JW: Thank you so much! Eaternity was a true labour of love and I’m grateful that it’s impacted so many lives worldwide. My current favourite recipe? It’s gotta be the Sweet Crêpes with Strawberry Tomato Coulis. The crêpes are gluten-free and it took me more than a few tries to nail that recipe. But the results were well worth it. It’s scrumptious and satisfying. Hope you enjoy it!
It seems like all I ever want for breakfast are sweet things. There’s something so sensual, satisfying, and splendid about crêpes—they feel like they should be reserved for special occasions. This crêpe recipe took me about 20 attempts to finally nail it. And the results are absolutely stunning. The inclusion of tomato in the strawberry sauce is hauntingly delicious, and you will be seduced by the perfect texture of these gluten-free crêpes. Plus, strawberries contain anthocyanidins and anthocyanins—nutrients that help reduce stress and depression. C’est magnifique!

Jason’s Tip: Using a very thin, wide rubber spatula will help immensely with getting the crêpes out of the pan. Go slowly and take your time. Crêpes don’t like to be rushed. When using gluten-free flour, make sure it does not contain any added thickeners such as arrowroot powder, xanthan gum, or ground flaxseed. These will ruin the consistency of the crêpes by making them too thick and the batter too viscous.

Jason Wrobel's Crêpes with Strawberry Tomato Coulis
 
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2 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least one hour ½ cup coconut nectar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons filtered water ½ teaspoon lemon zest ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil, melted
Author:
Recipe type: crêpes, breakfast, dessert, soy free, gluten free
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
  • Sweet Cashew Creme:
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least one hour
  • ½ cup coconut nectar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons filtered water
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil, melted

  • Crêpe Batter:
  • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 4 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 3 tablespoons golden flaxseed, finely ground
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • ½ cup filtered water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup diced strawberries, reserved for garnish
  • 1 cup crushed walnuts, reserved for garnish

  • Strawberry Tomato Coulis:
  • 2 cups diced strawberries
  • 1½ cups chopped tomatoes
  • 5 tablespoons coconut nectar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch sea salt
Instructions
  1. First, make Sweet Cashew Crème: blend all creme ingredients in a high-speed blender for 40 seconds until ultra smooth and creamy. Chill before serving.
  2. Make the crêpe batter: mix together baking flour, coconut milk, 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil, coconut sugar, golden flaxseed, sea salt, baking powder, filtered water, and vanilla extract, preferably with a high-speed blender or hand mixer. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. The batter will keep fresh in a covered container stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  3. Make the Strawberry Tomato Coulis: combine all the coulis ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor and pulse the mixture gradually until well combined, retaining a slight amount of chunkiness to the mixture. Set aside.
  4. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil over medium-low heat in a nonstick pan or crêpe pan. If using an 8-inch pan, use ¼ cup of batter. If using a 9 or 9½-inch pan, use ⅓ cup of batter. Pour the batter into the pan and shake the pan immediately to spread the batter evenly. When the topside of the crêpe is totally dry, starting to brown slightly around the edges, and producing little bubbles (after about 2 minutes), carefully flip the crêpe with a thin spatula. The other side will need less cooking time, around 1 to 1½ minutes.
  5. Carefully remove the finished crêpe and transfer to a plate. Repeat until all of the crêpe batter is used.
  6. Assemble: fill each crêpe with a large dollop of the Sweet Cashew Crème, spooning it lengthwise. Fold the edges of the crêpe toward the middle, one at a time, and then flip the crêpe over, with the top facing down on the plate. Spoon a generous amount of the Strawberry Tomato Coulis on top and garnish with diced strawberries and chopped walnuts.