Eating the Colors: A Vegan’s Journey Towards a Cruelty-Free World

Join Maya on her journey to a cruelty-free world, where eating the colors is not only healthy and delicious but also ethically responsible.

Welcome to Maya’s vegan world, where her love for animals is the driving force behind her decision to go vegan. Maya understands that there are countless benefits to adopting a vegan lifestyle, but for her, it all comes down to animal cruelty. She’s passionate about advocating for animals and promoting a cruelty-free way of living.

Maya is not just about preaching veganism; she’s also a food enthusiast who loves experimenting with different plant-based recipes. Her page, EatingTheColors, is a reflection of her colorful and creative approach to vegan cooking. She shares her recipes and cooking tips through engaging videos and stunning photos that will make your mouth water.

Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her.

Maya believes that veganism is not just about what you eat; it’s a lifestyle that encompasses compassion for all living beings. That’s why she loves sharing pictures of her beloved dog, who may not be the smartest but is undoubtedly handsome.

Part 1: About me (other than being vegan)

ANIMALS. I love animals. Don’t get me wrong there are hundreds of benefits to going vegan.
maya//vegan – eating the colors

My name is Maya, and I’m a twenty-one-year-old psychology student from New York! Besides from being passionate about mental health (and living a plant-based lifestyle), I love playing the drums and singing, basketball, and going on hikes. After graduating in May, I will be working for a year in Europe, which I’m absolutely thrilled for because nothing excites me more than an adventure!

Part 2: Childhood

Ever since I’ve been able to walk and talk, the two elements of life that gave me more joy than anything else were cooking and animals. By a landslide. Nothing excited mini Maya more than trying new foods and playing with animals.

Everything about food excites me. From the variety in colors to the different flavor profiles you can achieve in the kitchen, food has always given me an outlet for my creativity. On a similar note, I have always been obsessed with animals. From butterflies to dinosaurs to dogs to dolphins, I have never been able to shut up about animals (and I’m not sorry about it). They are precious <3

However, growing up, there was always some sort of meat or dairy product in my house. If a meal my mom was cooking lacked something like chicken breast or there was no 2% milk to put into the morning coffee, they deemed the meal incomplete. And sadly, I would agree. I had no idea that there was a world of vegetarian and vegan eating that existed.

maya//vegan – eating the colors

Part 3: Vegetarian to Vegan

It all started when I left the bubble I grew up in and got to college in 2019. Within a few weeks of starting at university, I had made the decision to start limiting my meat intake, which led me to transitioning into a pescatarian. This was fine, but I knew that it wasn’t going to be enough for me. I would think about the fish compared to the chickens, cows, pigs, and other animals. Here are some of the thoughts that would hijack my brain space on a daily basis.

What made one animal better than another? Why was I consciously choosing to eat one species over another? Is this in line with my values? What systems am I enabling by continuing to consume these products?

Soon after, I was a vegetarian. This felt good. I was convinced this was going to be where I remained for the rest of my life. I told myself that by not eating any meat or fish I was no longer enabling any of these industries or harming any animals. It felt like a clean slate.

This did not last long.

After some dark family medical diagnoses, another catalyst came into play. Health. Not only was I driven by a love for animals, cooking, and trying new foods, but my well-being and longevity became the two new driving forces at play. Above all else, I am a family girl, so I was determined to figure out what lifestyle was best for me.

This in combination for my love for animals led me to a variety of different documentaries and books about Veganism and Plant Based living. While there were many media sources that played a role in my transition to Veganism, “The Game Changers” documentary and the book “72 Reasons to be Vegan” gave me the final push I needed.

I have never turned back since.

Part 4: Being vegan in college surrounded by meat n’ cheese eaters

I know it might seem daunting or even impossible to live a vegan lifestyle in college, especially when you’re living with five other non vegan roommates. But, it is possible and so damn fun.

As someone who loves cooking, my veganism challenges me in the kitchen, which is something I love. Every week, I meal prep different foods so that I always have meals to bring with me on the go or when I get home. Some of my breakfast staples are smoothie bowls with all of the fixin’s like granola, cacao nibs, and walnuts or massive overnight oat bowls packed with fresh fruits and hemp seeds. For lunch and dinner, I will likely be eating some sort of nourish bowl which consists of a salad, different roasted veggies, tofu, POTATOES, and a mountain of different dressings and hot sauces. On top of this, my fridge is always fully stocked with pink lady apples, oranges, crunchy green grapes, and baby carrots.

my giant nourish bowls featuring potatoes tofu and vegggggg galore!!! Colorful food for the win🌈

In terms of my go to snacks, I love white cheddar Hippeas, Trader Joe’s pork-less pork rinds, Trader Joe’s crunchy curls, and popcorn. I could easily down a bag of any of these snacks within minutes. What I am trying to say is that vegan snacks are incredible, so you will never feel like you’re missing out on any fun.

My tips for you are to not over complicate things. Find out what you like and what makes you feel good and make it a routine. If you don’t like a vegan alternative for a food, don’t eat it. There are so many mouth watering products out there so don’t force anything. Just take the time to find what makes you (and your tummy) happy!

What makes me happy is when I eat a lot of colors, when potatoes are present in my meals, and when I can throw everything into one bowl. A random fun fact about me is that I’m absolutely obsessed with bowls, and I will choose them over plates any day of the week.

Another aspect of my life that helps hold me accountable for my meal prep and Veganism is my Instagram page, @eatingthecolors. Every day, I post photos and videos showing my meals, vegan thoughts, and honest reviews of different products. I also go on cringey tangents about my obsession for bowls and many other things. Check it out if you wanna learn some recipes or laugh at me!!

Part 5: Tips for being a successful vegan

Before going vegan, I thought I’d miss so many types of food. Soft brie, burrata on my pizza, creamy chocolate ice cream, you get the point! But, ever since making the switch, I have never looked back. I know this might sound like complete and utter B.S., but I promise you it is not. You just need to make sure you are committed to living this lifestyle for the right reasons. You need to ask yourself why you’re doing this and why it is important to you.

For me, I’m in this for the long haul. For my health, to be a role model for my family and their health (especially in the midst of scary medical problems), my passion for creativity in the kitchen, and, of course, my love for animals.

So, ask yourself, why is this important to you?