Meet Janani, a passionate food writer and blogger living in the San Francisco Bay Area! Janani is an avid vegan with a goal to encourage people to incorporate more vegan meals into their diet, and to give it a chance. Ultimately, she wants us all to leave a smaller carbon footprint on this planet and move toward a more sustainable future!
Q: When did you first go Vegan?
A: 4 years ago.
I was vegetarian my whole life but after seeing disturbing footage in college transitioned to vegan.
Q: What happened, what was the reason you chose to go Vegan?
A: I always considered myself an animal lover and thought my actions as a vegetarian were aligned. I couldn’t ignore the footage and devastating animal cruelty and environmental devastation that came with dairy and egg production though. I knew I needed a plan to transition to vegan.
Q: How did you feel when you made the decision to go Vegan?
A: I felt very supported by my family. They are vegetarian and my parents went out of their way to veganize traditional Indian dishes like paneer. My mom even helped me develop a homemade soy Greek yogurt. Back in India my family buys plant milk and novelty vegan items for me whenever I visit. I will say however, that there is a loneliness- it’s like when the reality of animal agriculture hit me I was no longer able to look at anything the same way- fashion, food, furniture, etc. it remains frustrating and heartbreaking to this day how prevalent animal exploitation is in our everyday lives.
Q: What 3 words best describe how you felt?
A: Peaceful, frustrated, excited
Q: What was or has been the most challenging part?
Q: How did you feel when you made the decision to go Vegan?
A: I felt very supported by my family. They are vegetarian and my parents went out of their way to veganize traditional Indian dishes like paneer. My mom even helped me develop a homemade soy Greek yogurt. Back in India my family buys plant milk and novelty vegan items for me whenever I visit. I will say however, that there is a loneliness- it’s like when the reality of animal agriculture hit me I was no longer able to look at anything the same way- fashion, food, furniture, etc. it remains frustrating and heartbreaking to this day how prevalent animal exploitation is in our everyday lives.
Q: What 3 words best describe how you felt?
A: Peaceful, frustrated, excited
Q: What was or has been the most challenging part?
A: The most challenging experience in my vegan journey has been recognizing that the default way of living is in cruelty, and the simple act of not wanting to contribute to it is seen as “extreme” and “preachy.”
Q: What was the hardest food for you to 'give up'?
A: Yogurt. A lot of people have a hard time giving up cheese but for me, the last thing I veganized before going vegan was yogurt. I grew up eating a traditional South Indian staple called “thayir saadam,” or yogurt and rice. It’s always been my comfort food and once my mom and I perfected a homemade soy yogurt with a near identical taste, I went vegan.
A: Yogurt. A lot of people have a hard time giving up cheese but for me, the last thing I veganized before going vegan was yogurt. I grew up eating a traditional South Indian staple called “thayir saadam,” or yogurt and rice. It’s always been my comfort food and once my mom and I perfected a homemade soy yogurt with a near identical taste, I went vegan.
Q: Are there any foods or products that you are available now that you wished existed back then?
A: Maybe vegan cheese? It has come a long way and melts so much better than it used to. I say “maybe” because cheese wasn’t a limiting factor for me, but I definitely am grateful for the renaissance! Other than that, as a vegan I’ve discovered so many products and brands that I had no idea existed before so I feel spoiled for choice now!
Q: Did you go Vegan by yourself or did you know others?
A: I went vegan alone. That being said, my parents actively researched vegan dishes and explore vegan restaurants with me. So I don’t feel alone in my social circles.
Q: Did you go Vegan by yourself or did you know others?
A: I went vegan alone. That being said, my parents actively researched vegan dishes and explore vegan restaurants with me. So I don’t feel alone in my social circles.
Q: What do you find the most challenging about being around non vegan people?
A: The cognitive dissonance. If you wouldn’t like a chicken fried golden retriever sandwich, you shouldn’t want a chicken fried steak sandwich.
Q: What's it like being Vegan in the San Francisco Bay Area?
A: It’s very easy here! I’m so lucky to be in such a beautiful and vegan friendly city. Most restaurants are familiar with the term and have something other than a sad piece of lettuce to offer. There are also many entirely vegan restaurants to choose from. Over the last few years I’ve built a community of vegan Indians in the Bay Area, with whom I enjoy meeting and grabbing food- I am so grateful!
A: The cognitive dissonance. If you wouldn’t like a chicken fried golden retriever sandwich, you shouldn’t want a chicken fried steak sandwich.
Q: What's it like being Vegan in the San Francisco Bay Area?
A: It’s very easy here! I’m so lucky to be in such a beautiful and vegan friendly city. Most restaurants are familiar with the term and have something other than a sad piece of lettuce to offer. There are also many entirely vegan restaurants to choose from. Over the last few years I’ve built a community of vegan Indians in the Bay Area, with whom I enjoy meeting and grabbing food- I am so grateful!
Q: What would you say has changed the most in terms of Veganism over the course of your journey?
A: Definitely my stance of veganism as solely for the animals- that still definitely drives it primarily but I had no idea the kind of environmental devastation animal agriculture causes. I knew it was bad, but learning the deforestation, pollution of waterways, water intensity, land intensity, emissions, public health concerns, etc really gave me more perspective on why it is so important to eat plant based.
A: Definitely my stance of veganism as solely for the animals- that still definitely drives it primarily but I had no idea the kind of environmental devastation animal agriculture causes. I knew it was bad, but learning the deforestation, pollution of waterways, water intensity, land intensity, emissions, public health concerns, etc really gave me more perspective on why it is so important to eat plant based.
Q: What do you eat at least 3-5 times a week?
A: Tofu noodles! In any shape, flavor, or form :)
Q: What do you find is most challenging when it comes to Vegan Fashion?
A: That “quality” is socially very closely linked to leather.
Q: Can you share 3-5 of your favourite Vegan Brands or Products?
A: Thrive Causemetics, Maelove, Inkey List
A: Tofu noodles! In any shape, flavor, or form :)
Q: What do you find is most challenging when it comes to Vegan Fashion?
A: That “quality” is socially very closely linked to leather.
Q: Can you share 3-5 of your favourite Vegan Brands or Products?
A: Thrive Causemetics, Maelove, Inkey List
Q: What was the funniest/craziest thing that someone has said or you've heard/read about Veganism or about being Vegan?
A: That eating vegan meats makes vegans hypocritical
Q: The #1 reason you are Vegan:
A: For the Animals
Q Anything else you would like to add?
A: One day I hope we get rid of the “vegan” qualifier. Food should be delicious, not just “good for vegan food.” The qualifier turns a lot of people off.
You can follow Janani on Instagram @thevegetariancarnivore and check out her recipes here: thevegetariancarnivore.com
