Ms. September has been an inspiration to so many women with her amazing weigh loss story (and many men as well). Well she has stepped her inspiration up even greater since she has gone vegan. If you are everything that you can’t or that you are not able to do anything, make sure to check out this amazing powerhouse to boost you up! Please Join me in welcoming Ms. September… Jennifer, follow her at @JenniferNicoleLee
Name: Jennifer La Tigra, means the tigress in Spanis
Where do you live and where are you from? I live in Miami, but I was born in New York, and raised in Tennessee. I have lived in Miami for 18 years. Love it here!
Age? 41
What do you do for a living/profession? Fitness Expert, Author, and Motivational Speaker
What do you like to do for fun? WORKOUT! Its really my passion! Also motivating people. Its part of my spirit, who I am! I also love marketing, and being a creative director to all of my projects. I love to also pray, meditate, and drum up positive energy. Yes, this is really what I do for fun! LOL!
How long have you been vegan? For 9 months. However, in elementary school, I decided to go vegetarian, as even at that young age, I felt an internal nudge not to eat animals or animal byproducts. Living in the deep south of Italian decent, I was bombarded with meat, dairy and cheese. Back then also, not much info was available on how to successfully be a vegan. Here I am now at the ripe age of 41 feeling the best ever with my diet and food choice. I love being a vegan, and there is no turning back!
.
Why did you become vegan? Many reasons. Internally I felt it to be wrong both health wise and also for mother nature and the poor animals. It just didnt make sense! My body physically also just gave up on eating meat and dairy. When I would eat it, I felt so horrible afterwards. January 2016 I made the commitment and the decision to transition into a vegan lifestyle, and it has been the very best decision I have ever made.
How was your transition? PHENOMINAL! Im having so much fun cooking, and trying out new vegan recipes. The food optoins now are so wonderful, from vegan burgers, to grain meats, and I just love eating a strong low carb, high plant based diet. I love how now Im helping our world and the animals one meal at a time! Back then when I tried to go vegan in my childhood it was hard, with little to no support. But now, being vegan is almost the norm! So many powerful influencers have made this transition, and there is much more information and support now.
What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans? The funniest is that we starve ourselves! That we only eat like tree bark, and leaves! I eat SO MUCH! And I always have tons of energy.
What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?
WOW! Where do I start! Most important for the animals and the earth. I also love how it makes me truly appreciate the delicious fruits and vegetables that have been treated like “step children” to meat and dairy! I often joke that I dream at night of fruits and vegetables, as they are so pure, clean, and so healthy! I love also the health benefits also of eating a plant based diet. I have more of a healthy glow, and way less tummy aches from when I ate meat and dairy. Now my body just absorbs and digests so easily mother natures “dirt candy” as I call fruits and vegetables.
What Do you think makes a Bad Ass Vegan? AWE! WOW! I think being simple & humble is sexy. Also as I have matured in life, being okay with being quiet and letting your success speak volumes for you is sexy. I live in Miami, so there is always alot of “hot, young, eye-candy” out there, that it just becomes one big blur. To me being sexy means helping others, being real, working hard, never giving up, and relentless in your dreams and passionate about the greater good. Not being self-centered is sexy.
.What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen? Well, if you see my Instagram @JenniferNicoleLee you see that Im always making ZOODLES! LOL! I use my spiralizer all the time! I add a pesto sauce to it, or a marinara and some grain meat. Its like an Italian dish full of flavor, and its very filling. I also love a big bowl of salad. I also do a cauliflower rice dish with Indian Curry.
What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at? I love Plant Food & Wine for more an upscale experience.. Also Choices for more of a fast food on the go meal.
What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? ENJOY IT!! You should be SO EXCITED as you are giving yourself (and the animals and the world) the best gift ever! Endless energy, an upbeat attitude, immeasurable health, and a good clean karma from not eating the tortured animals. Also, THERE IS SO MUCH SUPPORT out there now for us! Find it online, cookbooks, youtube, and awesome mentors like Bad Ass Vegan himself!
Do you have a website to share with the BAV nation?
