Let’s celebrate by nourishing our bodies with delicious and sustainable plant-based foods

Please tell us more about yourself

By prioritizing my well-being through nourishing my body with whole plant-based foods, honing my physical abilities, meditating, and always learning, I’m able to FULLY savour life’s beauty and pleasures it has to offer
Darlene Jordan

I’m a Filipina Canadian residing in Vancouver, BC. Actress, Yoga Teacher, ATG Coach, Daycare Manager and Mother.

When I was about 13 my brother introduced me to the raw vegan diet. Seeing people experience the benefits of this lifestyle opened my eyes to the bodily autonomy that we can claim not only for our present lives but our future. After researching the effects of animal agriculture, it was no question that this was the lifestyle I wanted to live. It was difficult for me at that age because my Filipino family ate animal products with almost every meal. However, the more I focused on fruit, the better I would feel and the easier it was to proudly choose this lifestyle.

My brother was actually buying boxes of fruit from Ted Carr, a.k.a. Fruitarian who inspired me to eat a fruit-based diet and we became good friends. I also thought “he lives down the street from me, if he can do this, I can do this”.

But at the end of the day, fruit and veggies are better than refined sugars, saturated fats, or processed mock-meats
Darlene Jordan

The best choice I’ve made surrounding food is to stick to whole fruit and veggies and make it myself. If I ever go out with friends and family I will either pack some food for myself or eat prior so I know I won’t be hungry.

A good tip is to check restaurant menus before-hand as well. Nowadays there’s usually some yummy and healthy vegan options and I’m grateful to be living in a place where there are plenty of vegan-friendly restaurants.

It feels like second-nature
Darlene Jordan

Nothing to praise and nothing to shame because I understand that people come from all different types of circumstances and or have limited resources.

For me, there’s nothing more natural than to live symbiotically with mother-nature and enjoy the fruit that’s grown for us without disturbing the animals that we share it with.

It’s a goal of mine to create an environment for my family and community to have access to plant-foods abundantly, however that may look like.

How would you encourage someone who isn’t vegan or vegetarian to give meatless food a try?

Cheers to healthy choices & a healthier Earth! 🌳🥥🍌🌊
Darlene Jordan

I would tell them to try both sides of the spectrum. Either try mono-mealing: a whole meal of one type of fruit, ripe and juicy until you’re satisfied – no limits. Or try recreating a favorite food but make it vegan. Like vegan tacos or vegan cookies.

Monomealing fruit showed me how good my body can feel and recreating my favorite foods showed me that I never need to miss out! That’s how I started off and it made me realize how easy and delicious being vegan can be. It also doesn’t have to be restrictive as some people might think.

Some people believe that a vegan or vegetarian diet cannot sustain an active lifestyle or build a new life as a pregnant woman! This is far from true. I can attest for myself as someone who sometimes enjoys multiple workouts a day. That you can be a triathlete, a gymnast, or a bodybuilder etc. and have enough energy, gain muscle and thrive on this diet. I also had the best pregnancy you could imagine without the negative pregnancy symptoms that most women experience and would do it all over again.

Have grace with yourself and start with one step at a time. I would go for starting your day with a smoothie, juice or any type of fruit, and don’t stress about the rest of your day.

Journey to plant based living and how detoxing your processed foods can change your life!Let’s celebrate by nourishing our bodies with delicious and sustainable plant-based foods
Darlene Jordan

In closing, embracing a fruit-focused, plant-based lifestyle has profoundly enriched every aspect of my life—from the mindful practice of yoga to the dynamic demands of motherhood, fitness coaching, and managing a daycare.

This lifestyle not only fuels my body with the vitality needed for these roles but also brings a deep sense of balance and clarity that resonates through my daily life.

I hope my journey inspires others to explore the boundless benefits of a meatless path, discovering how it can transform not only physical well-being but also mental and emotional harmony.