Known for her love of food, Amythest is a vegan with a penchant for herbs, savory, and spicy flavors. Amythest is also the founder of Vedji, an emerging vegan liquid vitamin company that actively supports a carbon offset initiative verified by Verra with each purchase.
Her journey towards conscious eating began in 2014, motivated by a desire to address health issues prevalent in her Eastern North Carolina community, where conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer affected many. Faced with a family history of such ailments, Amythest made dietary changes to prevent similar outcomes and improve her overall quality of life.
Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.
Please tell us more about yourself
After all, the animals people eat get their nutrients from plants🌱.
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
Hello, my name is Amythest. I am happily married to my husband, and we are dog “pawrents” to a 3-year-old toy poodle named Chilli.
I was raised in North Carolina, but now live in South Florida with a career in public health. One thing my family and friends know about me is that I love food! I’m a vegan that enjoys herbs, savory and spicy flavors. I am also the founder of Vedji, an up-and-coming vegan liquid vitamin company. We will also support a carbon offset initiative verified by Verra, with every purchase.
Back in 2014, I had decided that I wanted to be more conscious of what food I was eating for health reasons. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, everyone knew someone that was overweight or suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and/or cancer. Unfortunately, those ailments were prevalent in my family! I had to make changes to prevent the same outcomes and achieve a better quality of life.
Go straight to the source and get your nutrients from plants
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
I first gave up pork, then red meat (I had never really been a big fan), then poultry. Through that transitional period I became a pescatarian, but what really pushed me to end my participation in animal cruelty was one of Gary Yourofsky’s controversial speeches available on YouTube. I remember watching it in tears at certain points, and made up my mind that I could no longer support the harm done to animals just for me to live. At that moment, my end goal was to become vegan.
I am so happy I made that decision and now have proudly been vegan for a little over a year now.
A healthy mindset can take you further in life. So choose wisely.
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
Before I started my transition journey, I did not care about my body like I should have. Since I decided to show myself more love, and was eating more plants, I noticed that my mindset had become more clear.
During my transition period, I attended a few vegan block parties here in South Florida because, again, I love food! It was amazing to be surrounded by vegans and non-vegans that enjoyed vegan food and supported vegan vendors. From fried “chik’n” to burgers to ice cream to cold-pressed juices, I was overwhelmed with all the options which opened the door to a new world for me to enjoy a plant eating lifestyle.
What difficulties do you encounter when seeking vegan or dining out with friends?
The biggest challenge I see is when it’s time to travel, vegan food is extremely limited at fast food restaurants and convenient stores. Chips and granola bars are the only thing that is available in stores and fries from fast food restaurants. Yes, those places offer salads, but what other ingredient is in the salads? Meat.
I suggest going shopping for food before a trip and packing your own healthy snacks, such as popcorn, seaweed chips, nuts, fruits and water.
Living in South Florida, I am fortunate to be near plenty of vegan restaurants that offer vegan options such as healthy bowls, vegan sushi and tropical smoothies.
Mother Earth provides the answers to our nutrition 🌍
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
One thing I enjoy about being a vegan is when I “veganize” dishes that I love. That feeling when you have accomplished creating the vegan dish, and it tastes amazing…priceless! I have also realized in those moments that animal ingredients are not needed to create healthy yet delicious meals.
Another aspect of being vegan has allowed me to interact and learn more from other vegans online, since I didn’t know many other vegans in my immediate circle. It’s inspiring to learn from vegans like Tabitha Brown and Chef Babette. Their stories have inspired me to eat more plants, and how to live fruitful lives.
Have you thought about how the animals people eat get their protein? 👀
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
It may shock you, they eat plants! They get their essential nutrients from plants, including protein
I have had people ask me how to incorporate a vegan diet before. I usually suggest picking one day a week, like on Mondays, and commit to not eating meat for a month. Instead, add more plants to your plate. If you can do that, then try to eat meatless for two days and so forth, until you reach your goal.
Everyone’s journey is different, it’s better to take it slow and get more comfortable with going meatless.
So achieve your health goals by eating the right foods for your future self.
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
Of course I have to share one of the best vegan restaurants in South Florida that executes elevated vegan vibes, and it’s PLANTA! Their Truffle Fried Rice, Udon Noodles, Bao Buns & Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies??? Amazing. You wouldn’t even know that you’re in a vegan restaurant until you read the ingredients on their menu.
I also enjoy meals made at home. It’s kinda fun recreating a popular dish without using meat. It tests your creativity. A few staple items that are kept in our kitchen are quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, heart of palm, and mushrooms. I could make soups, salads or stir fries from using one of these staple items. I wish I had more pictures of the delicious meals I make, but I’ve always been the person that enjoys being present.
Many people eat meat/dead flesh from animals that suffered and killed “humanely” then later develop diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. ❤️🩹
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
I’m pretty sure that many people on this animal-free journey have been asked at least once about where they get their protein. I think the biggest misconception is that humans have to eat meat to get their protein. If we look at the purpose of eating meat, it is to consume the amino acids that our bodies need. Those same amino acids are not exclusively available in animal products people eat. They are also found in the plants that those same animals eat. Why not get the nutrients from the source itself? I have had my blood test done, and my results are normal.
For someone who is just starting to adopt a meatless lifestyle, what guidance would you offer?
Number one, add more plants to your plate. Be open to try new recipes and also prepare your go-to meals, but omit the meat. Instead, add vegetables in its place. Also, focus on one meal at a time starting out. The last thing you want to do is set an ambitious goal, start it then later feel like it’s too challenging. Pace yourself, slow and steady.
Be a part of the movement for a healthier you and a healthier Earth.
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
When you are vegan or vegetarian, social gatherings that involve food are usually a miss. There’s a vegetable or fruit tray somewhere in sight. That’s pretty much it. Personally, it’s been pretty cool to feel included when there are potlucks at my job. My coworkers have been open to try my vegan dishes and even offered to bring vegan dishes they prepared themselves. By simply sharing my lifestyle, my peers have been open to providing and trying vegan foods.
Going meatless has triple benefits — good for your health, saves the animals and our environment. Once I got rid of meat from my diet, I look back on my old eating habits and realize that I didn’t need to eat meat after all. You can still thrive going meatless.
Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱
Entrepreneur
Founder of vegan liquid supplements • Vedji ™ 🌱• ⤵︎
Personal Instagram: @rayeofgoldensun
Website for vegan liquid vitamins: www.vedji.life • Business Instagram: @vedji.life
all images courtesy of Amythest | 🌱 Plant Eater • Vegan 🌱