Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I live in Beaverton Oregon with my lovely family. I am a math tutor
and vegan fitness trainer + vegan diet consultant. I love helping students feel more confident in math and I equally love helping people get more confident in the gym and the way they look and feel. Vegan Bodybuilding is also one of my passions – I love to show people through example that at 51 years old one can look and feel healthy and of course gain muscle with a vegan diet.
You can vote for Pria in the 4 Week Shred Challenge. Click here! Vote for ten people and then click submit at the bottom! Share!
What lead you to veganism? How long ago?
I should have gone vegan as a child I had always made the connection that there is no difference between my cherished pet dog and a cow or pig. For many years I was a ovo-vegetarian (only eggs) and finally 4 years ago became fully vegan. I finally aligned my true values with my actions.Whats shocking is how easy it is and how becoming vegan has just made me better in every way possible. I personally believe we are at the cusp of of veganism becoming if not the norm definitely not an outlier.
When you first went vegan how did you phase out your non-vegan food, clothing and other items?
I stopped dairy and meat quite easily but eggs was a bit harder for some reason. Clothing was easy too as Im usually in workout clothes. Shoes is sometimes a challenge but gets better all the time with all the new vegan trends in fashion coming out daily
Do you make any exceptions for yourself or if you are married with kids – your family, when it comes to veganism?
My children are grown at this point. I really only allow vegan items in my home. I cant really control when I eat out with others.
Do you believe we should show children the process of how animals are turned into meats?
Yes. There is of course an appropriate way to do it that still lets them know what is happening. Like the animals they too are innocent.
What does being vegan mean to you?
Being vegan has changed from the inside out, its difficult to explain in words but it literally changes who you are, how you see the world, in some ways you wake up to a nightmare. I become more and more sensitive all the time. For instance recently I was at the local farmers market and walked by a food stand that was cooking a meat item, the smell of the cooking made me feel literally ill thinking about what those animals had to go through to end up on those peoples plates 🙁 I don’t think the smells effected me as greatly in the past. I do try to patronize vegan companies restaurants but its important to make big companies like fast food to understand that non vegans will purchase vegan burgers and help them change by purchasing items they are trying out.
How compassionate or empathetic are you towards non-vegans?
Not very sometimes, but I try … its just so easy not to be part of the cycle of violence. I need to remember I was there once too.
Any recommended Vegan books?
Any recommended social sites, blogs or pages?
James Aspey is the one we have been waiting for in my opinion
What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?
Blossoming Lotus in Portland
Please share your favorite vegan recipe?
Chickpea Tuna Salad (from the sculpted vegan)
Servings: 6
- 1 can chickpeas (approx. 400g), rinsed drained
- 4 1/2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon or spicy brown mustard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 75 grams diced celery
- 75 grams diced pickle gherkins
- 1 1/2 teaspoons capers, drained and loosely chopped
- Healthy pinch each sea salt and black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons roasted unsalted sunflower seeds (optional)
Place the chickpeas in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork, leaving only a few beans whole. Add tahini, mustard, maple syrup, red onion, celery, pickle, capers, salt and pepper, and sunflower seeds (if using) to mixing bowl. Mix to incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve on a bed of mixed lettuce leaves, tomato, sweetcorn, etc. Mixture will keep covered in refrigerator for 4-5 days, making it great for quick, weekday lunches. Serve the curry with coriander. This curry is even more delicious the next day.
Some encouraging words for new Vegans?
It may seem hard or even a complete lifestyle change but its really quite easy. I have been helping people transition to plant based for the past year to help improve health and fitness and all my clients are so so happy with the results.
What is the vegan scene like in your city?
I live in Beaverton and although Portland is only a hop skip and a jump away it is hard to find healthy vegan items I can eat since I am a high protein vegan bodybuilder.
What are you favorite Vegan non-food products or companies?
What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need?
A replacement for Greek yogurt esp for my friends who want to switch to vegan. There are lots of vegan yogurts but not high protein ones.
Talk about a time when you struggled with your Veganism?
I struggle when I am with a large group of non vegans at say a dinner party. especially if they make light of animal suffering.
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