Every decision we make, on every scale, affects the world around us

Erika is a remarkable individual who understands the profound consequences of our choices and the potential impact influencers can have on raising awareness about critical issues. In a world where our love for material possessions is propelling us towards an environmental catastrophe, Erika recognizes that even seemingly trivial decisions, like purchasing a new pair of tracksuit pants, can have far-reaching implications for humanity, animals, and the planet’s well-being.

Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.

Erika firmly believes that we must educate ourselves in order to make better choices for our planet, and influencers play a vital role in this process.

Please tell us more about yourself

What are you doing for the environment?
Erika Bernardes

“I’m Erika. I’m Brazilian, my ethnicity is Brazilian-Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Like many people I wasn’t born or raised vegan. I growing up, I was fed a host of nonhuman animal body parts. Yes, meat eating “culture” is huge in my native country.

One of the most well-known facts about Brazil is Churrasco, the Brazilian BBQ style, an ancient tradition loved by Brazilians that is mainly based on beef. Brazilians generally love to eat beef. The country is known for its all-you-can-eat steak restaurants. It is a leader in meatpacking. In fact, there are more cows than people in Brazil.

Brazilians eat a lot of beef. It’s the favorite protein option in the country (and the fifth most-consumed food). It loses only to Coffee (technically a drink), Rice, Beans, and Bread. The most common way to eat beef is with rice, beans, fries, and a salad on weekdays. On weekends Brazilians enjoy the time off by eating Churrasco, which traditionally is mainly composed of red meat. On Saturday lunch, the traditional option is Feijoada, which can take some beef in the stew, but most of the meat used is pork. However, on Saturday nights and especially Sunday lunch, a barbecue Brazilian style occurs.
Churrasco is a national passion. Beef is an essential part of the diet of the population and the most used meat in the Brazilian-style BBQ.

But Rice and beans are part of the daily life of many Brazilians too. Rice and beans are one of the most complete dishes from a nutritional point of view. Rice and beans is eaten by everyone largely by tradition and preference, but also because it is the least expensive way to support human life nutritionally in Brazil.
The problem is because our “eating meat culture” it’s usually eaten with a salad and nonhuman animal protein on the side (beef, chicken, pork and eggs are the most common).

So, from here started my nightmare, I never enjoyed eating meat. I grew up listening “I have to” eat meat. Worse?! When my son born and the pediatrician introduced the meal I have to make him eat meat and eggs. My son hated red meat and didn’t like cow milk. He loved soy milk. He asked me to buy broccoli and spinach in supermarket or farm markets. Can you imagine what it can cause in a meat family or meat country?

Unfortunately, humans have not been very good stewards of the Earth over the years
Erika Bernardes

When we moved to Canada, I decided that we will restart everything and our meals was included that. I taught my children to love and respect all animals and they are growing up making their choices.
I’m vegan for 5 years but I can tell you that I was almost vegan my entire life because I can’t eat any meat. My daughter is vegetarian, my husband vegan and my son is not vegan or vegetarian but he doesn’t eat red meat or pork meat. I think that is a good step.

Living a vegan lifestyle is not difficult whatsoever, especially when you love animals and think about them. We don’t need nonhuman animals for our survival or to exploit them for any purpose and I keep telling that the biggest problem in our world is about traditions and cultures.

And sure, I love rice, beans with salads, vegetables, tofu, fries, banana fried… I can not live without rice and beans.”