VegOut Magazine

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN! It’s the time of year we drop big bucks on detoxes, dieting challenges, gym memberships, and other efforts intended to fix what’s “wrong” with us. But why do we need to be fixed? Who decides what “wrong” is? And can’t we do things just because we like the way they make us feel? Marketing messages bombard us with products intended to shrink our waists, fill in our wrinkles, and freeze our fat. And media supports and promotes these messages. As the founder of a progressive publication, I’m intentional about the brands we partner with and highlight editorially—staying away as much as possible from diet culture and other toxic wellness trends. I try to focus instead on guiding you toward options that have the potential to nourish your body…

@tammieortlieb @alliemitch @laveganaenojona @killaxkim @vegcentricdietitian @vickmitch @jerrymanderng @cayla__white @rockymountaindreamin…

LAUREN TOYOTA @laurentoyota Lauren is the author of two bestselling cookbooks—Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes to Feed Your Face and hot for food all day. She’s been named one of Canada’s Most Influential Vegans (Impact Magazine) and has appeared on many national television programs sharing her expertise for making vegan food fast and fun. Lauren’s YouTube channel, Instagram, and website have amassed millions of views and devoted fans. JARED CROSS @crossjared Jared’s passion for travel and culture are fueled by his upbringing near the Mexican-American border in San Diego. He is in constant pursuit of ways to reduce his carbon footprint and dreams of someday owning a cocktail bar. Take a look in his fridge and pantry, and you’ll find an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables grown by the region’s farming and co-op communities. ALLISON…

CURRENTLY IN HIS 18TH NBA SEASON, Chris Paul is one of the best point guards of all time! He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns and holds up his nickname “The Point God,” making steals and assists left and right. Over the years, Paul has won NBA Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, and two Olympic gold medals, among other awards and titles. As an athlete in the spotlight, Paul uses his platform to advocate for plant-based living. He invests in and has partnerships with a number of vegan brands, including Beyond Meat, JUST Egg, Koia, and Umaro Foods. Most recently, he launched his own plant-based snack company, Good Eat’n. In addition to playing in the NBA, working with a number of vegan companies, and making public appearances, Paul prioritizes…

TRAVIS BARKER Launches Vegan Skincare Line Vegan celebrity Travis Barker added skin care to his vegan wellness brand Barker Wellness. Barker Wellness offers CBD-infused wellness products for sleep, muscle recovery, and pain relief. The vegan skincare line launched in September and features cleanser, moisturizer, and serums infused with various cannabinoids to support skin health. All products are vegan and cruelty-free, of course! PLANT-BASED MEALS Are Now the Default at NYC Hospitals Vegan dinners are now the default for inpatients at Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull Hospitals. New York City Health + Hospitals partnered with the organization Greener by Default to launch the initiative. This dinner program is an expansion of the health care system’s successful plant-based lunch default program, which launched last year and currently boasts a 95% satisfaction rate. This new program was put in…

VegOut (VO): What inspired you to pursue a career in culinary arts? Shenarri “Greens” Freeman (SGF): After studying at Howard University, I transitioned to a plant-based diet and ended up attending ICE (the Institute of Culinary Education). It gave me the space to express myself creatively through food, and I saw it as a chance to expand my knowledge on food and cooking. VO: Before you went vegan, what was your perception of the lifestyle and food? How did that change once you transitioned to veganism? SGF: My perception of veganism is and always has been very white-washed. The food comes off bland and full of soy products. As a plant-based chef now, I’m doing the complete opposite. I focus on building flavor with real fruits and real vegetables, playing around with textures,…