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Have you ever gotten to a point where you realized that most of the foods that you consume are plant-based foods and that your life is fabulous? Meet a vegan woman, Martina, and learn what she has to say about vegan dieting. In her case, health issues, a vegan documentary, she watches, and sympathy toward animals will turn her into a complete vegetarian – no meat and no dairy.
If you are not consuming enough protein, here are some foods that will help you meet your daily requirements. Don't be! Martina will also tell you about tasty meals made from vegetables, fruits, and grains that help improve your diet. Nevertheless, it is more than that they focus on food. This is because Martina loves all living beings and will show how she only uses and wears products not tested on animals. Feeling inspired? Martina dreams of a world where animals are valued and invites you to join her on this journey. ver wondered if eating mostly plants could change your life? Meet Martina, a vegan who loves this way of eating. She'll share her story of how health issues, and her love for animals led her to completely give up meat and dairy.
Worried you won't get enough protein? Don't be! Martina will show you delicious and healthy recipes made with vegetables, fruits, and grains. But it's not just about food. Martina believes in treating all living things with kindness, and she'll share how she chooses clothes and makeup that don't harm animals. Feeling inspired? Martina wants to create a world where animals are treated with respect, and she invites you to join her on this journey.
There were a few different factors that made me make the lifestyle change to become vegan. Prior to going vegan I was vegetarian on and off again. I had watched quite a few health documentaries and learned how animals are treated behind the scenes. For some reason it just didn’t click.
It wasn’t until November of 2020 when I was diagnosed with Endometriosis that I knew I needed to change. My health wasn’t the greatest and in May of 2021 I had to have major surgery. I knew that things needed to be different. I rewatched “Forks Over knives”. I wanted to be as healthy as I possibly could for surgery. So, on May 1st I made the decision to become plant based. I had later watched “Eating our Way to Extinction" and I learned about the treatment of animals and the destruction that animal agriculture has on the planet. I couldn’t get all of that information out of my mind. I kept ruminating about what I learned.
It wasn’t until I went out to lunch with my husband that things changed for me. We went to a lovely restaurant on the beach. I had ordered a gorgeous fruit salad topped with fish. I took a bite, was disgusted, and said to myself what am I doing? I spit out the fish and made a commitment to never eat another living being as long as I live. I finally made the connection. It all made sense. I’ve loved animals my whole life. I knew in that moment deep down in my soul, this is how I am supposed to live. I am so grateful for that moment and there’s no going back from that. It changed me as a human being. The animals mean too much. My health means too much. Our planet means too much. Some people go vegan overnight. For me it took me a while to get to this point and I couldn’t live any other way.
For most of my life I’ve suffered from recurring lung infections, eczema, strep throat, headaches, sinus infections, endometriosis and the list goes on. I believe a lot of this comes from the “food” that I was putting in my body. Before my lifestyle change I was eating meat heavy meals full of dairy, lots of sugar, and processed junk. I eventually made the connection to how I felt based on what I ate. I kept food journals of what I would eat in a day and I also started an elimination diet. I started to notice certain foods would make me feel ill. I knew there was a connection to what you ate and how it makes you feel, and to have discovered a documentary to confirm my findings was incredible.
One quote that has stuck with me from Forks Over Knives is “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” Deep down I’ve always had this passion for knowing and learning about the healing properties of food. An orange for example is full of vitamin c which can help boost immunity and fight infections.
Broccoli has the power to reduce inflammation and blueberries help improve brain function. Whole foods are here to nourish our bodies and give us the fuel that we need to live and thrive as humans. Eating Plant Based just made sense. Especially knowing I’ve dealt with so many issues early on in my life. It just made sense to me. I believe everything happens for a reason and there’s a reason I came across this documentary. It has helped me change my life and my health.
Yes I happily invite others to live compassionately. Living compassionately means being kind to everyone and everything that comes into your path whether it’s your mother, a cow, your neighbour, or a stranger. It means leaving animals off of your plate and out of your closets. We are all on this planet together. Whether you are a human being or a feathered being. We all are capable of love and we all experience loss and suffering.
Put yourself in another’s shoes. You may look differently, speak a different language, have different views on how to live your life, but in the end WE are all connected. Humans, animals, and the planet. We all exist together as one and there’s no better feeling than extending loving kindness to all those that we exist with. It makes others feel good and it makes your heart shine. Think of what others go through. Make the connection. We all are capable of feeling. We are feeling beings. There’s no denying that and the special part is when you show kindness and compassion to others it comes back to you multiplied. I feel it daily. A hug to someone who’s feeling down.
A cuddle session with your family dog or kitty. It’s really a very simple way of living and yet so powerful. We are all capable of compassion. So why not spread it like wildfire?
One of the biggest myths is not getting enough protein as a vegan. Humans believe you need meat to survive as a human being and this the farthest from the truth. There is an abundance of protein in the plant world. Examples being Beans, lentils, tofu, hemp seeds, chia seeds, tempeh, quinoa, nutritional yeast, seitan, and nuts. Even veggies contain protein such as: peas, spinach, avocado, and brussel sprouts. Plus, you aren’t doing harm to any living beings which is the biggest reason to be vegan. At least it’s mine.
Educate yourself. Read books, watch documentaries, take some courses on vegan nutrition- there are plenty out there. Watch Youtube videos, connect with other like-minded individuals on social media, in groups, and in person. I’ve made some really wonderful connections in the vegan community. It’s like a 2nd family. I'm the only one in my circle of family and friends that is vegan. So, It’s nice to have people to talk to, ask questions and just be able to connect and chat about veganism
How much time do you have?? I’ve always been a “foodie” since I was a young girl. I love experimenting in the kitchen and I love working with different flavors, herbs and spices. I would have to say Thai food is my favourite kind of cuisine. My favourite Thai dish is massaman curry because it has a soupy coconut base with peanuts and the main ingredient is potatoes.
This dish is So comforting and I can easily have seconds and sometimes thirds. Traditionally, fish sauce is an ingredient in this dish. Either make sure your dish is vegan or do what I like to do and make it at home. My favourite Thai soup is Tom Kha. This soup also has a coconut base full and is full of veggies.
Such as cilantro, lemongrass, mushrooms, and galangal(aka Thai ginger). So comforting and tasty. I could easily have these dishes everyday for the rest of my life and be a happy woman. The flavours are just outrageous and every spoonful keeps me wanting more.
Yes. Almost 10 years ago this November I lost my father. He lived a beautiful long life, but passed away from complications of COPD. Losing him left a huge mark on my heart and soul. He took a piece of me with him when he died and I just didn’t feel like me, Martina. The bubbly, sparkling, happy and positive lady that most know me to be. Since his passing I’ve been on a serious journey to find peace and happiness again. It started with yoga, yoga led me to meditation, and meditation led me to breathwork.
Along the way I knew that changing what I put into my body would also have a profound effect on my mental well being and finding my way to happiness again. This journey started in 2014 and I believe it's a continual process of healing every aspect of my life. Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and what I put in my body for fuel.
Since starting this journey and where I am today I consider myself to be a whole new person. A better version of who I was. More loving, more compassionate, more aware, more in the moment, more connected, more vibrant, and I’ve found the real me. I’ve peeled back so many layers of sadness, trauma, pain, and heartache. When you lose a loved one that loss never goes away, but all the work that I’ve done just makes me so grateful to have had such a wonderful human being be a part of my life. I’ve learned so much and I just want to share what I’ve learned with others in hopes that I can inspire others to want to heal too. I know that healing IS possible if you give your mind and body the right tools.
My hope is to help others heal and spread the message of a compassionate lifestyle. If I can help just one person or show one person that healing from pain and healing from illness is possible then I’ve done my duty as a human being. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am today. I want to show others that you can heal if you put in the work.
I meditate every morning. My day can’t start without it. I feel incomplete. I’ve gone to therapy, I’ve written about my experiences in journals, my thoughts, my feelings, my emotions. I’ve let it all go on paper, through crying, breathwork, meditation, yoga, exercise, dancing, and singing. There are so many different ways to heal. All the tools are there. You just have to use them. I want to be an example to others and show others that YES you can heal from anything. I am living proof!!
Now speaking of my vegan experience, I had no idea how most farm animals in the animal industry were treated until I started educating myself. The way animals are treated in the dairy and meat industry is cruel and very wrong. I was so unaware like many people are. I have awakened. The system is set up for you to be oblivious and unaware of what is truly going on. Paul Mccartney once said “If slaughterhouses had glass walls everyone would be vegetarian” and he’s absolutely right! Why would these companies want to expose the cruelty done to countless living beings?? They would lose so much business and so much money if that were the case. They are in it because they are a business and they are in it to make money.
Once you see the documentaries and learn the facts it’s hard to go back to “traditional” ways of living and eating. Plus, all animals are sentient. They are capable of feeling. They get sad. They can love, and they matter just as much as we do. Going Vegan has for a fact changed my life for the better. It’s brought so much love and compassion into my heart not only for the animals, but for my fellow humans and the planet we live on together. I am living my best life and it’s all thanks to living a vegan lifestyle.
I’ve had so much positive change in my life due to my healing journey and becoming vegan that I want to share all that I’ve learned with others. Afterall, sharing is caring and I believe we need to start looking after our fellow human brothers and sisters, our animal friends, and this beautiful earth we call home.
My hope is to leave the world a better place than I found it. My hope is to end animal cruelty and help save and care for as many animals as I possibly can while I am alive. I believe this can be done through living a vegan life. My hope is to show others that healing is possible. Do the work and it will pay off. I can promise you that. In the end I just want a better existence for all beings. We all deserve to live in peace and happiness.
Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! Before going to a restaurant, especially one that I haven’t been to, I will ALWAYS research the menu 1st. That is a must as a vegan especially one that has issues with gluten! If I know that there are limited options there are a few choices. You can always go somewhere else as long as the people you are with are okay with that decision. You can eat beforehand which, I’ve done plenty of times because often there are many hidden ingredients that aren’t vegan friendly.
I’ve also found that many restaurants are willing to create a special dish if you mention to your server your diet preferences. In fact, oftentimes there are many options as a vegan and dishes aren’t always listed on the menu, but usually the chef is more than willing to create a vegan dish for you. If none of these options work for you then I say eat at home!! I’d rather eat at home because well, I love to create my own meals and I know what ingredients are going into my food.
Veganism affects every area of my life. From the food I eat to the clothes I wear. Down to the nail polish I put on my fingernails. This transition, if you will, was quite an undertaking. There was a point in my life where I thought I wanted to be a cosmetologist. I have always loved playing with makeup and trying different hairstyles and such. This idea is more of a hobby now than a career. So, pre veganism I had a lot of different products. I wasn’t even aware that most beauty products were tested on animals and contained bits and pieces of dead animals. For example in lipstick to make the color of the product red they use crushed cochineal insects. Lanolin comes from the sebaceous glands of sheep which is often found in soap and lip balm and leather products well that comes from the skin of an animal.
I was just so unaware. I couldn’t believe what I was learning! I found changing what I eat to be easier than changing over clothing, make-up, and daily products that I use. I started with one area and went from there. I started with my closet. I donated shoes and purses that were made of leather. Next I went through my makeup and over time I switched out the harmful makeup for the vegan and cruelty free makeup. My favorite brand is Pacifica. I use their makeup, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, and anything they make because they are a 100% vegan and cruelty free company and I happily support them. My toothpaste even prior to being vegan has been Tom’s of Maine for quite some time. One because I’m from Maine and happily support their company and two because they offer vegan and cruelty free toothpaste. I’d like to share something that I have learned when purchasing vegan products. Not all products that are vegan are cruelty free and not all cruelty free products are vegan. Which for the consumer makes it HIGHLY confusing. I will not purchase a product unless it is vegan.
Meaning the product contains no animal derived ingredients and cruelty free, meaning that the product hasn’t been tested on animals. In my mind I believe that a company shouldn’t be able to label a product as vegan especially if it’s been tested on an animal. I don’t think it makes any sense, and it needs to be tested on humans. That’s who the product is for after all. Right?
Lastly, I switched over my household cleaning products like dish soap, hand soap, window cleaner, ETC. For example ECOS is a vegan and cruelty free brand and I love their all purpose orange plant powered cleaner. Switching over to vegan and cruelty free brands did take a while, but it’s worth it because you know that you aren’t contributing to animal cruelty and that makes my heart happy. My suggestion is do your research. Research the company, read labels, and if you can’t find the answer, reach out to the company. They can tell you what’s in their products and if they aren’t willing to, well, then it’s not worth your time. At least not mine.
My hope is to end animal cruelty completely. It’s not fair, it’s unnecessary, and just so wrong. Whoever decided that killing thousands of sentient beings is beyond me. Every being on this beautiful earth deserves a life of freedom. A life of happiness. That’s a basic right and it’s been taken away by the greed of man and that’s not okay. Veganism is so much more than just a diet it’s a lifestyle. I know I am here to show others how veganism has changed my life and expanded my compassion. It makes me want to lead by example and teach others what is moral and just. No being deserves to be treated with such cruelty. Peace truly begins on your plate and just blossoms from there.
Follow us in our interview session as we talk to vegan influencers and individuals who not only enjoy eating plants, but also love them! We ask them questions about their personality, work, and the best advice for all those who want to follow vegan lifestyle. Are you a vegan business, brand, organization, or individual generating positive change? We would love to chat with you!