Our latest interviewee is a healthy living advocate who devotes her time creating online content that promotes a lifestyle that focuses on health and the environment. Whitney Lauritsen is the founder of the @EcoVeganGal brand and the author of the ebook Healthy Organic Vegan on a Budget. In this interview, she talks about her advocacy to spread awareness and provide support to people who want to embrace a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Q: How long have you been a vegan? When and why did you decide to make the switch?
I went vegetarian in May 2003 after being inspired by a high-school friend. 6 months later, after doing lots of research and experiencing all the joys of giving up meat, I went vegan. My preliminary motivation was centered around health. After I learned the cruel, damaging truth about eating animal products, there was no turning back. Over the years I fell in love with every element of the lifestyle due to how good I felt emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Q: Can you tell us more about your work as a healthy living and eco-friendly lifestyle advocate?
Through the @EcoVeganGal brand, I create videos, social media content and digital products to supporting people in making healthy eating choices, developing a planet-friendly lifestyle and living the most fulfilling life possible. My newest offering is a online membership community called Eco-Vegan Pal that connects compassionate people all around the world. We do book clubs, movie clubs, meetups and accountability partnerships. I also do online coaching and consulting with my company Creative Wellth to help wellness content creators and small businesses build their brands and monetize.
Q: What made you decide to create the Eco-Vegan Gal?
In fall 2008 I attended a panel that featured bloggers who wrote about eco-living. I was so inspired by their work that I started my own blog for fun in October 2008. It was just a hobby at first until I realized it was all I wanted to do with my time. It became my part-time career at the beginning of 2010 and then I made it my full-time career in 2012.
Q: What have you learned about the global vegan community since you started running your site?
I’ve learned a lot from all the amazing people I meet online and at events. Even those that come to me for advice teach me something through their questions. Before I started my work I felt pretty isolated and misunderstood. Now I feel connected to the whole world through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. I think vegans across the globe really want to make an impact on the planet and everyone has a different approach to creating change. The biggest lessons I’ve learned in 10 years of creating content revolves around communication. I’m always practicing what I say and how in order to help others understand my message (and learn how I can best listen to theirs).
Q: What are some of the common stereotypes of veganism and vegan travel that you think others should stop believing?
What I hear most often is people thinking that the lifestyle is too restrictive, complicated and/or expensive. I work hard to position it as something fun, easy and affordable with many options and long-term benefits. In fact, I wrote an ebook called “Healthy Organic Vegan on a Budget” for this very reason. I aim to position myself as friendly, approachable, understanding and patient. It’s common for vegans to be perceived as judgmental or superior, which can be a big obstacle in conversations. Once people feel safe and let their walls down, they are more likely to absorb and consider information and eventually give something new a try.
Q: What was the last place you’ve visited? What vegan-friendly dish would you recommend for vegan travelers who may be heading there?
I just returned from the San Luis Obispo area, which is on the central coast of California. I had breakfast at a really sweet vegan restaurant in Morro Bay called Shine Cafe. Their tofu scramble impressed me and everyone at my table! And I enjoyed their made-to-order gluten-free pancakes too.
Q: What are the most vegan-friendly places you’ve been to so far?
Los Angeles is probably the most vegan-friendly, followed by New York, at least in terms of the places I like to visit. I’ve found plant-based options in almost every state in the country, and those two cities feel the densest.
Q: You live in Los Angeles. How vegan-friendly is the city? How does it compare with your home state in Massachusetts?
Los Angeles has vegan options practically everywhere. It’s harder to find a place without options than it is to find one with them. Massachusetts is pretty vegan-friendly too, especially in Boston and around the colleges. Every year that I visit my family there’s a new restaurant, shop or market to try. I went vegan while living in Boston and there were many options 15 years ago; it just keeps getting better and better.
Q: What is the one meal vegan travelers heading to Los Angeles shouldn’t miss?
Shojin is my top recommendation because it’s very unique, high quality and beautiful. They really bring the wow factor with their menu options, presentation, and service. I prefer the Downtown location in Little Japan, and their Culver City spot is great too. They also have a dessert shop in mid-city called Pomegranate that is not to be missed!
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of making the switch to veganism?
You can do it! The most common thing I hear from non-vegans is, “I could never do that.” Do you think 15 years ago I thought I’d be where I am today? It took me a while to get to this point, and it happened because I never told myself that I couldn’t do it. It’s also important to be patient and open to trying new things. There are many foods to try, so if you don’t like one thing try another version of it. Look for vegan communities in your area, such as meetup groups or online forums, because having a support system is very important. Be confident in your choice to go vegan. You will meet many people with lots of opinions on health and wellness. Listen to what they have to say, then take time to research it on your own to see if you agree. All of this information will lead you to discover what works best for you. Though the road may be bumpy at times, never give up!
If you need support, check out my free resources at ecovegangal.com and the online community of like-minded people at ecoveganpal.com. I’m here for you!
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Follow Whitney on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
