Announcement! Recording Of My Live Q&A With Eco-Vegan Gal Is Now Available!

June 23rd, 2014 - filed under: Furthermore » Inspiration

Happy Monday y’all! I just wanted to post this real quick here, and let you guys know that the recording of last Saturday’s Q&A is now available! So if you weren’t able to tune in live, never fear! Watch it here:





Or if you’re more the podcasting type, you can download the audio on it’s own, here.

I had SO MUCH FUN doing this! We both did I guess, since we ended up going waaaaay over time, haha. What can I say, I’ve got a lot to share! We talked about everything from raising vegan kiddos to preventing ex-vegans, and had a really fun live audience question and answer period at the end, where we chatted about eco and vegan weddings, navigating non-vegan grandparents, relying too much on carbs, and much more.

A big big thank you from the bottom of my heart to Whitney, miss Eco-Vegan Gal herself, whose wisdom and passion is absolutely infectious. I always find myself so inspired by her, and I know that you will be too!

And just as an aside, I spoke a lot throughout this video about protein and why I think it’s important. This is something I bring up regularly and I know that it can be off-putting for some vegans . . . as evidenced by the [raw] vegan who brought it up in the question and answer period. Which I was grateful for, actually, because it gave me an opportunity to clarify my position in a really spur of the moment, authentic kind of way. If you’re interested in hearing that, you can skip ahead and watch the question and my answer, from around 1:27:15 – 1:30:30.

Alright, that’s all for today guys! I’ll be back on Wednesday with another exciting announcement. See you then!

♥ ♥ ♥

  • Sonja

    I love the Q&A and you have so much wisdom to share! This morning, I came across another ex-vegan-post: http://www.theblondevegan.com/ Maybe that’s of interest for you. Have a great day!

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    This was such a great Q&A! And was there mention of a possible newsletter in the works? (Because you have SO much free time, ha!)

  • http://www.theveganchickpea.com theveganchickpea

    what an amazing video! thank you so much for being so thorough and talking for so long. i could have listened forever- literally. you are such a wealth of knowledge and i hope you do more in the future!

    also, i would have loved if you talked more about the ex-vegan phenomenon. i saw recently a couple vegan bloggers had “why i’m no longer vegan” blog posts. i love your view on it (from the talk you gave a few months ago with matt) and would love to hear more. especially in a non lawnmower in the background environment ;)

  • Emily

    Just watched the whole video and it’s awesome! I am especially interested in the ex-vegan topic. I went vegan in 2009, and now stick to a close to vegan diet with the exception of the occasional eggs for breakfast. I still eat eggs because I’m “scared” (can’t think of quite the right word) of just being completely vegan, but I think that’s just silly of me and the more knowledge I gain I realize I don’t need the “safety net”. Just listening to you guys talk though is so helpful and further encourages me. I’m 33 weeks pregnant and going to get some blackstrap molasses ASAP as my iron has dropped. Will definitely be trying pudla too!

  • amber

    I thoroughly enjoyed this video. You two are so knowledgeable and genuine, and so respectful of others. Also, you’ve helped me relax a little more as far as eating certain foods and not eating certain foods, and don’t combine it with this, and yada yada yada. I am still fairly new to veganism and there are so many voices out there telling you this is better than that and I tend to get a bit overwhelmed at times. You explaining there is not one perfect diet really made sense.
    Also, when I first became vegan, I started following several vegan bloggers that I found through IG or twitter, and having 5 within the past few months come out saying they are no longer vegan has been so discouraging to me. It’s had me worried that I may be faced with this situation at some point, too. I want to say, though, I loved your post about when you were sick and so determined not to cave because it wasn’t about you – it was [and IS] about the animals. I am going to hold on to that as hope. Like you and Whitney said, watching movies such as Earthlings and Blackfish, etc. remind us why we’re doing this. It’s not about ME.

  • Radha

    Balance your spiritual energy and get in harmony with your soul by practicing these Radha-Krishna meditations.

    Sri Gita Govinda

    -A book written in the 12th century, this is a description of the intimate loving affairs of Radha and Krishna

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/keqr4lqp7wr1rru/Sri_Gita_Govinda.pdf

    Govinda Lilamrta

    -An 400 year old book which poetically describes the eternal daily pastimes of Radha and Krishna

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/uhcuigauc6uqiei/Govinda_Lilamrita.pdf

    Ananda Vrindavan Campu

    -This is probably the most poetic and intimate portrayal of Sri Krsna’s life in Vrndavana that has ever been written.

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/k9j3ldwbt17be3b/Ananda_Vmdavana_Campu.pdf

    Prayers of Service to Radha and Krishna (Sankalpa Kalpadruma)

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/lvkqsro3sbzm249/Visvanath_Cakravarti_Thakur_Sankalpa_Kalpadruma.pdf

    Prema Samputa The Treasure Chest of Love

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/mpbncdyt97nw0x7/Prema_Samputa_The_Treasure_Chest_of_Love.pdf

    And the following four are taken from Visvanath Cakravarti’s Camatkara Candrika, a 300 year old scripture that talks about the love meeting of Radha and Krishna:

    The Meeting in the Box

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/c81a7cp43n5v6aj/The_Meeting_in_the_Box.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as a Female Doctor

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/hgomrnem7829pda/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_as_a_Female_Doctor.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/gyuboduhn8dvdml/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_as_a_Female_Singer.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as Abhimanyu

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/911h9qoxn4ca027/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_As_Abhimanyu.pdf

    And lastly, we have the supreme scripture which describes the 24 hour daily loving affairs of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, called Bhavanasara Sangraha. This book is now available on Amazon for Kindle, for only $3.49

    http://www.amazon.com/Bhavanasara-Sangraha-Mahanidhi-Swami-ebook/dp/B00CW9H4DI/ref=la_B00J2M5LAQ_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402209195&sr=1-15

    Here is a 41 page sample of Bhavanasara Sangraha:

    http://www.mediafire.com/view/t4gsse2d4sw0f8p/Sample_of_Bhavanasara_Sangraha.pdf

    The above book can also be read on your PC using Amazon Kindle for PC, download here for free:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311

    , . .,.,

  • Manda

    Sayward, I love your perspective and really appreciated this video! I’ve come off the vegan wagon a few times in the last 13 years but am currently a happy vegan mama with 2 kiddies (10 yrs and 3yrs) and your blog has been instrumental in keeping me motivated amd on track. I feel a lot of anxiety and responsibility raising 2 kiddies vegan and that’s been a real struggle for me.

    One thing I have to say about the video and I don’t want to be snarky but I would have loved to hear more from you and less from whitney. I get that she is super passionate and enthusiastic and that’s great but I was expecting and hoping for more of your voice.

    XX!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you so much Sonja, and I’m so glad you found value in our video. I did see that ex-vegan post and was saddened by it. She is another victim of orthorexic messaging from all side on the Internet, leading to massive food fear and intense over-restriction. It’s the same story, over and over. It makes me sad but also inspires me to get out there and make my voice LOUDER.

    Thanks for listening and being a part of the solution. ♥

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you Monika! ANd oh man, I know I know. Whitney has really been busting my butt to get a newsletter going. I need to do it! It’s on the summer to-do list . . . =D

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thank you so much Caitlin, I’m so glad you liked it and I’ll definitely try to do more of these. The ex-vegan thing is very ripe in my mind right now, as I too have seen the recent rash of ex-vegan bloggers. It saddens me and re-ignites my fire to continue this work and continue to spread my message. It’s hard, because it’s so often met with such resistance (Matt and I were turned down for speaking at every conference we applied to – proof that vegans just don’t want to acknowledge this in any real way, which is a danger and a shame, I say), but I know that we just need to get out there and find a way to make our voices heard. The people who need to hear this message respond SO STRONGLY, it’s obviously ringing true with many (and hitting a nerve with others, haha). Anyway, thank you, your support means the world to me and I assure you, I’ll keep putting myself out there and talking to anyone who will listen. No more unnecessary ex-vegans!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Thanks Emily, I want to say that I think what you’re doing right now is AWESOME! You are eating almost exclusively plant-based and that is fantastic for the animals and for your own health. Of course I want everyone to be vegan, but I’m also realistic. If those occasional eggs are what allows you to make your otherwise-exclusively vegan diet/lifestyle sustainable in the long term, than congratulations on finding something that works for you. Hopefully some day you’ll feel confident enough to go all vegan all the time. But in the meantime, I still think what you’re doing is amazing!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Hi Amber, this comment really resonated with me. It’s something I’ve discussed with many of my clients – all the voices out there telling you what to eat and what NOT to eat and how this will hurt you and that will damage you and this is poison and GAH! So it’s good (and healthy!) to take a little step back, take a deep breath, and look around for a little perspective.

    If you read back through those recently ex-vegan bloggers, you’ll see some striking similarities, many of which are things I talked about in this video. Namely, elimination of entire groups of food (oil/fat, “sugar” including fruit, soy or gluten, etc) and unnecessary severe restriction/food phobia. The fact that you’re already noticing the demonizing of food around the blogosphere, as you pointed out in this comment, means you’re already tapped into this – which is great. The key to veganism is finding a *sustainable* lifestyle. There’s nothing sustainable about over-restriction, deprivation, and a never-ending quest for [impossible] “optimal” health.

    In studying ex-vegans, I’ve also been studying the converse – successful long term vegans, and looking for patterns. Wanna know the main one I’ve found?

    Long-tern vegans don’t really think about their health. They eat what they like and they like what they eat, and that’s about the extent of their focus on food. They eat mostly whole foods and “healthy”, but allow themselves treats when they’re so inclined. Most importantly, they don’t stress out about it!

    Letting go of the stress around food – I think *that’s* one of the most important keys to successful long-term veganism.

    Anyway, thanks for the comment and for watching. Good luck!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Hi Manda! Oh man, so funny you said that – as I was re-watching it I was feeling like I was dominating the whole conversation and talking way too much! Funny how people perceive things differently.

    And I completely relate to your feelings of anxiety and responsibility in raising your kiddos. I have felt the same way. When that happens, it helps me to get really centered and check in with myself. I ask myself: “Would this anxiety truly disappear if I started feeding my son a different way?”

    The answer is always – NO! The anxiety isn’t there because I’m vegan, it’s there because I’m a mother (and because I’m me, haha). But you know what I mean. Either you’re worrying about the lack of calcium from not feeding them milk, or your worrying about the flood of hormones if you ARE feeding them milk. Either you’re worrying about fat and protein when you don’t feed them meat, or you’re worrying about the carcinogens and diabetes if you ARE feeding them meat. These are just examples, but you get the point.

    It’s so natural to worry. That’s sort of our job! But like I say, let your kiddos be your guide. As long as they’re healthy, you can put some of that worry to bed. ♥

  • http://coconutandberries.com/ coconutandberries

    Thank you SO much for doing this ladies! I couldn’t watch live but I’ve just watched it all the way through now.
    Beyond the wealth of valuable information you shared, I’ve come out of it even more passionate about this lifestyle and inspired by your enthusiasm and commitment to veganism.
    I’m into my 5th year of veganism now but there’s always more to learn and do better at. I try not to get disheartened when I see all these ex-vegans popping up, particularly on social media and blogs, and even more so when they’re praised for “listening to their bodies”… I’m so grateful for the work you do on the subject.

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

    Okay, I haven’t seen any vegan bloggers announcing that they’re no longer vegan. I must be living under a rock! (Not that I want to see these ex-vegan proclamations . . . )

  • unethical_vegan

    DHA is *NOT* an essential n-3 fatty acid. Large human populations do not generally consume aquatic organisms or visceral organ meats and have no problem propagating themselves for millenia.

    Moreover, the large epic-oxford study examined n-3 pufa consumption and found that vegetarians and vegans essentially consumed no exogenous EPA or DHA and had normal serum levels of these non-essential fats.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/92/5/1040.full

  • Miriam Capellan

    Such a great video. Wish I had your book during my last pregnancy! I had no clue what to do and regret not eating vegan during that time. Been back to eating vegan for over a year now though (sigh of relief)
    I really loved hearing your perspective as a student of evolutionary biology. Read “Paleofantasy” by Marlene Zuk this winter, it was so fascinating. Now I can’t help cringing when I hear someone claim to know what humans are “meant” to eat. Would love to know your thoughts on the whole debate around how humans evolved larger brains. I hear the “meat gave us larger brains” theory from meat eaters in my family all the time! Sorry if you addressed this in another post already :)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Haha, I never understood that argument! If meat gave us our big brains, how come lions aren’t on the cutting edge of technological advance?? =D

    The *only* thing that’s different between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom, is fire. There’s a really good book about this that makes a pretty solid case for the role of cooked food in human advancement.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catching_Fire:_How_Cooking_Made_Us_Human

  • Miriam Capellan

    Cool, thanks. Was secretly hoping for a book rec ;) Besides your fabulous book, of course. Funny enough I’m just listening to this week’s Splendid Table podcast and there is an interview with another author Paula Marcoux “Cooking with Fire” and an interview with John Joseph vegan musician and author. My summer reading dance card is officially full! PS I’m totally stealing that one liner about the lions next time it comes up with my fam

  • unethical_vegan

    Eating the occasional backyard egg should not exclude someone from claiming vegan identity.

    And I’m not the only one who thinks this way.

    Matt Ball of Vegan Outreach:

    “For example, …. if Carole Morton (who runs
    Green Acres Farm Sanctuary and is a humane agent in
    a rural PA county) were to eat the eggs laid by the
    hens she has rescued … do I want to cut them off,
    shun them from our vegan club?”

    http://www.veganoutreach.org/advocacy/definingvegan.html

  • http://www.vegan.ee/ Minna T.

    Sorry, I already asked this on your Facebook page.. But have you got any idea if or when Whitney of Eco-Vegan Gal is going to upload the video where she interviews Waits? :) Would love to see that one!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Soon! I was just harassing her about it over the weekend, haha. She’s a busy lady, but – soon!

  • http://www.vegan.ee/ Minna T.

    Yay! And yes, she really seems to be very busy, I’m amazed at how much she does :)

Subscribe to my RSS feed Follow me on twitter Find me on Facebook Find me on Pinterest