Mr. November

Say Hello to Mr. November.  His Rasta Roots run deep even all the way in Toronto Canada. A man of great patience and dedication to life itself is easily displayed in his career path as an elementary school counsellor.  This 37 year old natural vegan bodybuilder is just getting stronger by the day and it doesn’t look like there is anything that is going to stop him from from bigger and better things.  Read more about our Mr. November Richard aka the Vegan Rasta.

 

 

most muscularName:  Richard Campbell ( Vegan Rasta)

 

Where do you live and where are you from?   I live in Toronto Canada which is in the province of Ontario. I was also born in Toronto Canada. My ethnicity is of Jamaican decent.

Age?  37

What do you do for a living/profession?  I am a Child & Youth Counsellor in a elementary school.

What do you like to do for fun?  I love to strength training!!! Naturally as a vegan bodybuilder I love to hit the gym and push weights around lol!!! I like to listen toconscious reggae music eg:( Bob Marley, Jah Mason, Peter Tosh). I also enjoy watching NFL and spending time with my two daughters and my wife.

 

How long have you been vegan?  8 months ( On my 37th Earthstrong AKA Birthday)Killing Chest
Why did you become vegan?  

I became vegan for moral, ethical & spiritually reasons. Eating vegan feels right for the mind, body & soul. It’s a livity (Livity means life. Livity means love. Livity means loving other people in the same way you love yourself. Livity means being connected to the life source, the earth, and everything that sustains it).

~ A lifestyle, a way of living~

  
How was your transition?  My transition was fairly easy due to the fact that I have not had any red meat in over 9 years and no pork in over 15 years. I have been a off and on vegetarian over the past 4 years with no dairy in my diet. In the last 6 months before I turned vegan I only had fish in my diet because I was brainwashed by non-vegans that it could not be done and it was not healthy to live a vegan lifestyle. I did my research and put all the misconceptions to rest then I dropped the remainder of animal products that was in my diet and there was no turning back. So in a nutshell it was fairly easy!! When you want something in life you will do it.
What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?  Vegans can’t build lean muscle mass.
What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?  Living off the land!!!   Not getting sick!!!
What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan?   Respecting life, the earth and everything that sustains it. Living as one “ONENESS”.

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

One of my favorite recipes from my personal list of recipes it a dish called Ital Stew it a Jamaican dish.

Here is how you recipe on how to prepare the meal:

Ital Stew Peas is sometimes called Veggie Stew Peas or Vegetarian Stew Peas

INGREDIENTS :

  • 2 cups red peas (kidney beans)
  • 2 whole scotch bonnet peppers (if you like it hot cut the pepper up)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • bay leaves
  • 10 pimento grains (allspice)
  • cloves garlic (1 crushed and 3 whole)
  • 3 chopped scallions
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 3 sprigs of thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon natural sea salt (sold in stores)
  • 2 potatoes (Irish), cubed
  • 1 sweet potato, cubed
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • Veggie spinners/dumplings (See Recipe Below)

METHOD:

  1. Soak the peas in water for a least 10-12 hours in the pot
  1. Place coconut milk, bay leaves, scallion, pimento grain, whole garlic and whole pepper in the pot.
  1. Slowly boil and simmer for 1 ½ hours or until the peas are tender.
  1. Season by adding the onions, crushed garlic and thyme.
  1. Add carrots, spinners and potatoes
  1. Let simmer for 30 minutes
  1. Remove the scallions, bay leaves and hot pepper before serving.
  1. Serve hot with white rice.
What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?  Hogtown Vegan in Toronto Canada- http://www.hogtownvegan.com/
What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?  Do your research on veganism/vegan diets.
To be able to make this transition work, some people see themselves as committed vegans immediately, but work it out over a period of a few months.
Get support from like minded people.
Cut out animal products in groups, one week or one month at a time until the transition is complete, starting with whichever ones happen to be easiest to drop.
Find variety in your diet so you don’t get bored of the same foods.
Get involve in social media support groups/ holding a social.
Know your limits in regards to training.
Try new things, always keeps it fresh.
Do you have a website to share with the BAV nation?

3 Comments. Leave new

  • Great article and inspiring. I like the recipe but where is the rest of the recipe? It says below is the recipe for the Veggie Dumplings. That part of the recipe is missing.

    Reply
  • Josefina Moctezuma
    December 10, 2013 11:55 am

    You are absolutely inspiring and thank you for your story. I will be following your blog. Who knows I may tell you I’ve changed my life style completely, I’m working on it slowly but surely. One love Rasta Vegan

    Reply

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