Anthony Proetta is from beautiful “upstate” New York just less than an hour north of the city. There’s lots of trees and wildlife up here, but I live close enough to the city so I can still work. He works in the Rail Road industry and I love it. It has helped add part of who I am. I believe public transportation adds to helping our fellow humans and should in theory also lesson pollution on the planet. His passion though has always been art. All art types… drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, music etc.. I am attracted to tattoo/ street art styles though. I have a lot of passion in promoting and advertising for family also. You can see some of my art on the social media site Instagram: @_actions_not_words or my Etsy Shop: BlackCatEye
What was the moment you realize that you wanted to go vegan?
There wasn’t a single moment, it was a collaborative effort like what you could call the “snowball” effect… I have always been weird about eating meat. I hated prepping meat to cook. I went full vegan after doing some thoughts on my cholesterol and health. I went vegetarian to see if I could handle it (when I went out to eat, if there was a vegan option I took the Vegan option). It feels trivial to look back on, but I also didn’t go straight to Vegan bc I was trying to see how family and friends would react, I knew some wouldn’t understand. Then one day one of my Vegan friends, Nick M., says “What’s holding you back from being Vegan?” I said “Pizza” … his response was “that’s it?”… realizing sometime later how bad and addictive cheese and dairy is for us!!! So I went Full on Vegan. I had some role models also, My Mom (a nurse), went Vegan few years prior to me. She became a vegan after she was overweight and became diabetic. She is a healthy weight now and easily keeps her diabetes at bay. My genius punk friend Leo is a vegan. I’ve been a big Blink-182 fan for a while and Travis Barker & Matt Skiba are Vegans, etc.. A lot of influential people are Vegan… I wondered what they knew that meat eaters didn’t.. it all came together in one big influential ball that hit me all at once. There was no denying it, it was time. Don’t miss the signs.
How long have you been Vegan?
Closing in on two years being a solid vegan. I use My sobriety date of March 19th to mark my Vegan date.
Why is being Vegan important to you?
So as I researched Veganism and doing it correctly, I found more like minded people… That’s When I found Constantin “LeFou” @iamlefou on Instagram. We got to talking about his Vegan Club and street art. How he promotes veganism is genius. Check out his website veganclub.co … Anyway, he recommended the infamous film “Earthlings” … long story short the entire reason being vegan is important to Me is because I don’t want to and will not take part in the murder of sentient beings ever again.
Any recommended Vegan books?
My Mom just gave me the book “Peace and Parsnips” by Lee Watson. I recommend it.
Any recommended social sites, Facebook Groups or other?
Some major influences in my quest to being a better person (not just Vegan):
lukewessman.com check out my brother Luke for major inspiration and how to be a gentleman. Instagram @lukewessman and @lostartofthegentleman
pnutjewelry.com my friend Rusty (Instagram: @rustypistacio ) Makes unbelievable handmade jewelry… he makes these great Vegan pins. The “V” pins even have a secret message on the inside of the pin. He Also did a collaboration with Davey Havok (DXH) who is another great promoter of veganism and anti-cruelty.
veganclub.co for some dope tee shirts and street style vegan art by Lefou (Instagram: @iamlefou ) the crazy one!
onelifeonechance.com for keeping kids off drugs
organicpunkofficial.com for vegan candles, lip products, and healing crystals.
Delicious fun vegan food (Lauren, Instagram: @lohowie lead me on to these, she always finds the best vegan food!)
I recommend:
Do you have a favorite movie or videos or your own media that you want to share?
I have a degree in environmental studies from Stony Brook university so the information in “Cowspiracy” was no surprise but highly informative, I loved it. Also If you are scared to become vegan, watch “Earthlings” you’ll never go back.
Do you actively promote veganism? How? Please share any stories you would like.
Yes. Staying active is important. Staying quiet is supporting animal cruelty. I do art related to Veganism. I have been blessed to work with Constantin “Lefou” on collaborations with him for his Vegan Club work and I can never thank him enough for that opportunity. I have promoted Veganism through street art. But also I have joined in on actual peaceful protests against animal cruelty/ fur trade. Do you want to do peaceful protesting? Then join a Vegan protest.
What is your favorite Vegan meme?
Haha, I love the vegan memes, both the hateful ignorant anti-vegan and pro-vegan make me laugh. But this is my favorite: “If Slaughterhouses had glass walls, no one would eat meat.”
What is the vegan stereotype you hear the most and how do you respond to it?
“how do you get your protein?, you could die…” I love that one… everyone is a nutritionist when they talk to a vegan. I embrace stuff like this with open arms and PMA (look it up). I accept having to explain it to everyone who asks because they deserve to know. And I do this educating with a lot of patience, people need to be aware that Vegans are smart, educated and not scared to be different. You won’t die from not eating preheated rotting dead animal parts.
What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?
What does living cruelty-free mean to you?
Cruelty-free means no animals (sentient beings) were caused any pain or anxiety for my well being. that includes clothing, food, shelter or furniture.
What are you favorite Vegan non-food products or companies?
Mrs. Myers and Dr. Bronner
What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need?
Need… eh never truly needed, but working for a rail road you need a heavy durable boot. Vegan leather is great but not as durable as real leather.
Talk about a time when you struggled with your Veganism?
The only struggle was in the beginning with people asking “You don’t Eat meat?” or wondering if everyone was going to ask me that, then I stopped caring. Other than that it’s been a great journey.
Why do you live Vegan?
So my soul lives at peace with the universe.
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