8. A Candid Conversation with Vegan Cooking with Love (Michelle Johnson)

Michelle is one of my best friends, so it only made sense that we would get together and talk vegan life and food on my latest podcast episode.

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I have to tell you that I was sooo nervous to record with Michelle because we tend to have like 80 convos going at the same time and I wasn't sure if people would be able to keep up. lol

Listen here…

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I listened to the convo back and think we did a great job of keeping it together. We talk about dealing with family after transitioning to vegan eating, how to eat out, why being a vegan isn't a life of perfection and why vegan meals isn't "space" food.

Notable Quotes from Michelle:

"This diet can be as easy or complicated as you make it."

"There's no need to claim anything (vegan title). Eat in a way that make you feel good from a moral perspective."

"Whatever little bit you do makes a difference."

Our talk is pretty lengthy (but awesome!), so I just typed up a time stamp if you feel like fast forwarding some of the conversation.

Time stamps:

10 mins - Is being vegan for health reasons enough?

18 mins - Why you don't have to shop at expensive stores to be vegan

22 mins - Why it's so important to replace ingredients when you start a vegan journey

24 mins - Tips on getting started on a vegan journey & why "all or nothing" shouldn't apply

34 mins - Good vegan books & documentaries

37 mins - Why free-range animal products aren't a good idea

41 mins - Why vegan food isn't "space" food

46 mins - What positive/negative changes did you not expect when you changed your lifestyle

49 mins - "I love my pet but I eat meat" The disconnect discussion

53 mins - Why the food industry doesn't care about you

1:06 mins - Being served non-vegan food at a restaurant-eat it or toss it?

1:13 mins - How to eat vegan while out

Reach Out to Michelle:

Check out Michelle's site

Her YouTube

Social media: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter

Products mentioned in this episode:

Gardein-to replace chicken

So Delicious

Daiya vegan cheese

People mentioned in this episode:

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Video with my friend Lisa

Stella McCartney

Books mentioned in this episode:

How to Be Vegan by Elizabeth Castoria

Diet for A New America by John Robbins

By Any Greens Necessary by Tracye McQuirter

Sistah Vegan by Breeze Harper

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman

Cornell Plant-Based Certification

Documentaries:

EARTHLINGS

Vegucated

Forks Over Knives

Michelle was also on episode 60 talking about being vegan on Thanksgiving. Check it out here