Miss March 2012

How long have you been vegan?  I’ve been vegan for a year, vegetarian longer!

Why did you become vegan?      I became vegan because of my strong love for animals. Once I saw the videos of factory farming I was completely horrified. At that moment I tearfully decided that being vegetarian was not good enough. We can’t allow baby chicks to be ground alive in egg/hen factories just for being born male. It’s not fair. It’s ungodly. Its absolute terrorism. Also, I’m a huge environmental activist. I sponsor an environmental group for elementary age children and I became aware of just how much of our natural resources are being consumed for the sake of mass meat production. I have limits on how long I shower in the interest of saving water! So knowing that it takes 800 gallons of water just to yield three ounces of beef was a huge problem for me. My health is another reason I switched over. I dont want my stomach turning into a burial ground for innocent animals. I want to connect to the Earth by eating the food that grows naturally from the ground. In order to be balanced spiritually I am a believer in abstaining from consuming animal products. I am even trying to move toward a more Raw, Alkaline based diet.

How was your transition?  Beautiful. Easy. I simply stopped purchasing animal products. Not so easy when I’m in restaurants though..It seems they put butter and eggs in everything. Grrrr. I like when the wait staff at restaurants are knowledgeable about what they are serving, not when they simply guess. My diet is important to me.

What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?  If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “What??! YOU DONT EAT MEAT??? How do you live? Where do you get your PROTEIN?” I would be rich. I’m still alive…meat free.

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?  Everything! I love being healthy. I love teaching others and leading by example.

What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan?  A sexy bad ass vegan has a strong will to do the right thing, a love for animals, a fearless determination to be proud of being the minority and a will to teach others and spread our loving ways to the world.

What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen?  Welllll, I dooooo make the BEST guacamole in town. But if I tell you how I make it, I’d have to kill you. 😉

What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?  Man, thats a tough one. I love Sublime because its fancy and has a full bar. It has a variety of foods as well. Yum! But I love Mi Vida Cafe and Choices Cafe soooo much. I can’t decide!!!!

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?  Just do it! It’s worth it! You won’t regret it! Surround yourself with other vegans and learn how to cook your favorite dishes because the majority of restaurants won’t have what you want! lol Do you have a website to share with the BAV nation?  http://aishathalia.com Check out my blog, video reel, and pics!