While I would like The LL to be all about keeping vegan classy, it’s most certainly also about the people who are doing so.
I have mad respect for all folks who adhere to a stringently particular way of living, whether it’s a diet, a workout regimen, a strict journaling schedule… you name it, because I understand that life can be challenging enough without rules and regulations. For this reason, my aim is to inspire a sense of ease and humanness into anyone who wants to dabble into the vegan lifestyle. From the day I chose “vegan” as a personal descriptor, I promised myself I would never allow it keep me from doing the things - going out to eat, for example - that I so much love to do. Yet this is coming from someone who has been cooking vegan since long before I cut out the meat and dairy. |
Being vegan is also about community, for me. I’ve felt strongly for years now that we are only as impactful as we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone. That being said, another promise I made myself was never to decline an invitation to a dinner party or cookout just because the food options may be limited. Rather, I will bring something delightful that I will enjoy, and make certain others can enjoy it, too. This way, my community - the people I can get to know, learn from, and love - grows exponentially with each conversation I have, whether it’s with a fellow vegan or someone who runs from the word like the plague.
This is also because I believe that being an animal-rights advocate is only as impactful as one is a human-life advocate. I’m not talking about abortion issues here, folks. I’m talking about living. Living, in my eyes, entails seeking enrichment in every way possible, outside of your comfort zone, through getting to know people that you may not initially think think shares a common ground with you. It is about surrounding oneself with beauty and soul, and savoring the joy of even the simplest things. It’s also about stopping to smell the ugliest flowers, getting your hands dirty, and listening to the loud guy in the corner with deep intention.
This is Life.
My hope is that these words and my recipes inspire you, one day at a time, to live fully, to embrace each bite of life with an open mind, and to share the love only you have to offer even when it makes you slightly uncomfortable.
Thank you becoming my community.
Hannah Joy L.