As March comes to a close, it is time for us to introduce you to somone so powerful yet graceful that you will look at life differntly after reading her story. Her 3 tips for anyone looking to go vegan: Do it slowly, Find Your Why, Bless the Haters. Please help us welcome the legend Alyssa Fasciano to the BAV family

Name:  Alyssa Fasciano, aka animal babe 

Where do you live and where are you from? I am from Hoboken, New Jersey in the United States.

Age?   32

What do you do for a living/profession?

I work for the incredible vegan Chef Chloe Coscarelli & bartender on the weekends.

What do you like to do for fun? My idea of a good time is spending the day at the beach with my 3 legged pup zola, visiting a farm sanctuary or making a tasty vegan dinner with my family.

How long have you been vegan?  it will be 11 years this spring! 

.

Why did you become vegan?   I dabbled with vegetarianism as a teenager when i would see behind the scenes PETA videos, but it didn’t stick until i was about 21 years old when i made the connection between my dog, cows, pigs, chickens, mice, bugs etc. I knew i could never harm an animal for food so i asked myself why was i paying someone else to. Once i realized that veganism wasn’t a sacrifice but a huge upgrade in my life in every way i never looked back.

How was your transition?  well, 10 years ago, there was definitely less info about plant based living. I took the time to do it very gradually and supplement properly. I pretty much used my body as a guinea of sorts and tested out how different plant foods helped my body. i noticed immediately how my skin cleared, my mental clarity was sharp & my energy levels increased. People ask me every day how i stay in shape and i’m not in the gym as much as some may think. it’s my diet, i could never go back. 

What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?    i was recently told that veganism is propaganda and a cult hahahah. i have to laugh because ya know what, if not harming beautiful animals to eat, having a clean digestive system and having better abs than 90 percent of people is that, consider me the cult leader. I think it’s interesting now the desperation that is coming from the meat industry and it’s minions. the best advice i can give you is you have to laugh it off, these people are constipated and are consuming the stress hormones from meat, you can’t really blame them for being angry. 

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?

#1 laying my head down at night knowing i didn’t have to harm any of my earth brothers and sisters to sustain my health. #2 defying the stereotype that vegans are weak and protein deficient. being a walking billboard for a plant based lifestyle is something i do with my head held high, so when people ask me for my workouts i always tell them my real secret. 

What Do you think makes a BadAss Vegan?   First of all, this is a massive honor and i can’t believe i was picked! but if I had to say it’s my ability to be multifaceted. i love that i can be compassionate, committed to this movement, yet remain my fun, sexy, strong outgoing self. people think when you become a vegan that you have to be angry and throw paint at people wearing fur. i am proud to say i have gotten through to people with my message with love and gentleness. 

.What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen?   

ah! this is so hard! i’m a sushi lover for life. so as simple as it is, i often make hand rolls at home. i mix it up sometimes i make avocado, kimchi, roasted carrot, whatever veggies i have in my fridge. i use organic nori, pickled ginger, wasabi and i make spicy veganaise. for this i use “follow your heart” soy free mayo, chili flakes, sriracha, cayenne and little lemon juice. sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and i can eat about 10 of these! 

What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?   i’m blessed enough to work with my favorite Chef in the world. funny enough i was only a fan of hers when i applied for the position. any project of Chef Chloe Coscarelli’s is my weakness. we did two pop ups this past year in NYC and i think i broke a record on how many cauliflower tacos i ate. her nachos, her mac and cheese, salads, i can never get enough. her food is true magic!

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?   

3 tips –

Do it slowly! there is no rush. you are undoing a lot of conditioning and this takes time for your mind and body to recover from if you want it to stick.

and your WHY – whether it’s your commitment to a more compassionate lifestyle, health or for environmental reasons. I keep my why very close, I follow all of the “save movements and stay updated on animal welfare laws to remind me why I started. there are countless benefits to adopting this lifestyle- pick a few and mantra them. 

Bless the haters – people are so defensive of their eating habits they will project onto you when they feel threatened. this will come up when people feel guilt or entitlement to consuming animal products. i’ve had the same people who have tried to mortify me at the dinner table, a year later tell me they changed their diet and it was the best thing they’ve ever done. when someone is attacking you remember, it has nothing to do with you. breathe and stay in your peace. 

BADASSVEGAN OF THE MONTH is brought to you by:
@livevegansmart