Being Vegan, Vegan Being: Lenny Gerard: Musical & Artistic Entrepreneur Working to End Domestic & Animal Abuse.

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Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Lenny Gerard. I am primarily a singer/songwriter/visual-artist but consider myself to also be an entrepreneur as I’m always creating new projects such as @veganswag. I grew up in NYC and moved to Los Angeles about a year ago to further pursue my music career. My most recent work was featured on the Huffington Post in the form of an interview with me about my music video that raises awareness on domestic violence amongst males (and how it is often overlooked).

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Vegan Swag is very close to me as I’ve been vegan for almost a decade. I’ve been cooking since I was just a little boy as well. I took cooking classes and was fortunate enough to enter a summer culinary program for children at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, France when I was just 11. Ever since then, I’ve considered each plate I create to be a blank canvas that I decorate with food. Today, I find side gigs as a personal vegan chef for LA’s elite and health-conscious. I love it!

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

Freshman year in high school when I read the book “Skinny Bitch” by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. A friend recommended it and after I finished reading it, I instantly went from carnivore to vegan with ease. I highly recommend this book! Along with The China Study and Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

How long have you been Vegan?

About ten years!

Why is being Vegan important to you?

The meat and dairy industry is killing not only us, but innocent animals. It’s the holocaust for animals. Being a product of four holocaust-surviving grandparents, I don’t condone this. The factory farming industry in America is also our country’s leading cause of global warming as it produces approximately 75% of our CO2 emissions! There’s so much more I could say about this but I’m cutting myself off here.

Do you have a blog or favorite vegan blog you read?

I just met @VeganFatKid recently and have been obsessed with his Instagram page as it lists vegan yummies all over LA!

Any recommended Vegan books?

People’s Co-op Cookbook from San Diego, CA. (Can only buy this in store!).

Any recommended social sites, Facebook Groups or other?

I’ve always been a huge fan of Oh How She Glow’s, Angela Liddon. Anything that woman makes or creates is EPIC. I look forward to meeting her someday soon.

Do you have a favorite movie or videos or your own media that you want to share?

Check out my music videos: www.LennyGerard.com
Check out my art: www.LennyGerard.net

Do you actively promote veganism? How? Please share any stories you would like.

I’m trying to make VeganSwag into a book (if anyone has any leads send them my way! [email protected]). I think its perfect for amateur cooks who want to create a delicious memorable and visually appealing dishes. You too can be vegan!

Do you miss any non-Vegan foods?

I have yet to find truly good vegan cheese. The closest I’ve found is from the vegan cheese shop here in LA called “Vromage.”

What is your favorite Vegan stereotype? If someone asks you a question about it, how do you respond?

Q: “How do you get your protein? Are you getting enough?”
A: “There is protein in everything you eat. The amount we need to stay healthy in America is grossly exaggerated. That’s why we’re so fat! Protein is not even a nutrient because it’s found in anything you eat and is the building block for any food. You only need about 20g a day to stay perfectly healthy (unless you plan on bodybuilding etc.) A can of black beans in my pantry has 60g of protein.

What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?

Gracias Madre here in LA.

14. What’s your favorite recipe? Please share it.
Sun-dried Tomato, Mushroom, and Spinach Tofu Quiche

Sun-dried Tomato, Mushroom, and Spinach Tofu Quiche

What is the one big stereotype you hear about Vegans that you want to dispel?

That they’re weak or will die early from malnutrition. Statistics show vegan live 10 years longer and eat ZERO cholesterol in their diets as it only comes from animal by-products. Take that, meat eaters!

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Some encouraging words for new Vegans?

Get ready to start glowing! Trader Joes sells so much yummy vegan foods and they’re cheap! Get out of the In-n-Out drive through line and start cooking at home!

Are you a cruelty-free vegan?

I try to be. I’m sure I’ve made some mistakes here and there with some of the products I buy for my home/wardrobe etc. But hey, progress is progress. A little bit goes a long way.

What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need? Toothpaste, Deo, glue, etc..

Tasty vegan cheese! Vegan gelatin? Vegan eggs and egg replacements that don’t taste like ass.

What is one question you would ask other Vegans? Please answer it.

What’s your favorite vegan dish to make at home? A Tofu Scramble with red bell-pepper and avocado.

Also, check the wonderful things that Lenny does as an artist.

Check out Lenny’s video in the Featured Artist Video to the Right.

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