Being Vegan, Vegan Being: Amy Burkman – I Realized My True Passion Was Helping Others!

I am from Monterey County originally but moved to San Diego County over a decade ago to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. I eventually realized my true passion was helping others so now I do that through art by performing live art to help spread awareness or raise money for various causes.

What was the moment you realize that you wanted to go vegan?

The moment I realized I wanted to go vegan was when I watched a documentary called Earthlings.

How long have you been Vegan?

I started changing my diet and products I’d purchase about 4 years ago.

Any recommended Vegan books?

I haven’t read a lot of vegan books, but Skinny Bitch I thought was a good one.

Any recommended social sites, Facebook Groups or other?

I belong to San Diego Vegans and find inspiration and see other vegans supporting one another.

Do you actively promote veganism?

I’ve been in the process of designing t-shirts that will be thought-provoking and hopefully inspire others to consider switching to a vegan lifestyle. I also have been thinking of ways to use speed painting performances to help spread awareness and raise money for animal rescue. I will be attending the animal rights conference in June to perform live art and raise money as well as learn more about activism and what more I can do.

Favorite vegan meme

There are so many good ones! I recently saw someone post the following quote: “I could never go vegan, said every vegan before going vegan.” But another one I thought was hilarious.

What is the vegan stereotype that you hear the most and how do you respond to it?

I think the biggest one I hear is “I need my protein, so I could never go vegan.” I explain that there are many plants, beans, and other products that have the protein you need. I try to remind them of the animals, like rhinos and hippos, that are herbivores and they get their protein from plants too!

My favorite vegan restaurant?

I’d have to say is Little Pine in LA. Not only is the food delicious (especially the banana cream pie) but 100% of the proceeds are donated to animal rescue groups. Since I live in San Diego, I also have to give a shout out to La Taqueria Vegiee! It’s an amazing vegan taco truck that I visit once a week!

Favorite vegan recipe.

There are so many it’s hard to list just one. Okay, so I love tacos and burritos and an easy recipe I make quite often are veggie tacos. I sauté broccoli, potato, and onion as the filling. I run a little water over the corn tortilla so the nutritional yeast will stick to the tortilla then grill that. Add the filling and top it with fresh guac or avocado, cilantro, jalapeño and salsa. My goodness, it’s good.. I might go make that right now!

Some encouraging words for new vegans.

In the beginning, some might be worried that they are giving up happiness by giving up foods that you are used to eating and loved. What I have found and seen in others is that you get even more excited about delicious food than ever before. It’s exciting to open your fridge and see a garden of vegetables and fruits, and it feels even better knowing that you are not contributing to the suffering of animals. Now is a better time than ever to go vegan. There are amazing restaurants and products that taste like the real thing.

Living cruelty-free means that I am considering all living things. I buy products that are cruelty-free, when I bought a vehicle a couple years back, I choose the option without leather seats. I just try doing the best I can and always stay open to learning and changing how I live my life so less have to suffer.

Favorite Vegan non-food products.

I am always trying new vegan products so I don’t have a favorite necessarily. I always like looking at Bourgeois Boheme shoes and even though I have not purchased a pair of my own, I love that they make stylish vegan shoes!

Share a time you struggled with veganism?

Times I struggled with veganism was when I was traveling and would stay with people who would cook for me. There were times I allowed a vegetarian diet because people would not know what to cook for me. These days, I’ve tried to stop worrying about inconveniencing someone and make sure I communicate what I need or come prepared so I am not eating any animal products.

A question I would as other Vegans is their approach to spreading awareness and how they have encouraged others to make the change to a vegan lifestyle.

Tastemaker Supply – 100% Vegan Footwear – Pictured – Women’s Taste Artistry (Red)

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