Camille is a vegan from France. She has a strong commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, and that includes eating a plant-based diet. Camille is passionate about sharing her lifestyle with others. She is currently living in Vietnam and excited to explore the vegan food options available here. She is looking forward to discovering new recipes and flavors that she can share with her friends and family back home.
Meatless Movement recently had a chance to chat with her.
Tell us more about yourself, please
Hi everyone ! My name is Camille, I’m 26 years old and I’m French. I’m currently living in Vietnam to visit a part of my family. Before this, I studied in Thailand and I worked for a few months in Barcelona. I love to discover different cultures and foods. I recently started an Instagram account to show how you can be vegan all over the world and to inspire you in your daily cooking!
I’m a real foodie and i want to share food, tips, advice, places and recipes here
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
I turned vegetarian 6 years ago then vegan almost 1 year ago.
In my childhood days, my mother was not able to provide us with the luxury of meat. As a result, I never developed a taste for it. It was something that I never experienced in my childhood, and I never had the opportunity to develop a fondness for it.
Growing up, I was educated to respect nature and the animals that inhabit it. My mother taught me to recognize the intelligence and sensitivity of animals, and this understanding became even more clear when I reached adulthood and chose to become a vegetarian.
Being vegan is the thing in my life that makes me the most proud. I will never go back.
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
The first day of my vegetarian journey I proclaimed during lunch “IT STARTS TODAY” and little did I know, I was actually eating meat on a pizza. This experience taught me that it takes time to build a new mindset, new habits, and to learn and discover from the plant-based culture. It’s a journey that requires patience and dedication, and I am determined to make it work.
Six years ago, veganism was still quite a new concept in France and Europe, with no vegan brands in grocery stores or vegan influencers to help with transitioning. This posed a challenge for me to find a balance with nutriments and to educate myself on what a healthy meal should look like. To my surprise, I discovered that even when I was eating meat, my daily meals were not balanced!
In the beginning, my friends laughed at me and made the casual joke, “Oh, so what are you going to eat? Salad, like a rabbit?! Hahaha.” I was prepared for this reaction and accepted it as the fair price to start my journey. Now, however, they understand and often ask me for advice on how to reduce their own meat consumption.
Everyone deserves a chance to reach their goals and it is our job to help them get there.
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
My principle is to never judge someone who is trying. Everyone has their own journey and it is not up to us to decide whether or not they are doing enough or succeeding. Just like a flower, it takes time and effort to grow and reach its full potential. We should be encouraging and supporting those who are trying, instead of judging them for their progress.
I am immensely proud of my decision to become vegan. It has been a life-changing experience for me, and I am certain that I will never go back to eating animal products. Being vegan has made me more aware of the impact of my food choices on the environment, and it has also made me more conscious of the ethical implications of the food I consume. I am proud to be part of a movement that is making a positive difference in the world, and I am proud that I have taken a stand for what I believe in.
If you are going meatless for the first time, here are a few tips to help make the transition easier:
Stop looking at negative vegan content on social media. Some people may have strong opinions about dietary choices and may express them in a negative or insensitive way. It’s important to remember that everyone has the right to make their own choices about what they eat and it’s important to respect those choices, even if they differ from your own.
Above all, take your time and be proud of yourself
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
If you are just beginning to explore a meatless lifestyle, I would be more than happy to help you learn more about the benefits of veganism and vegan food. There are many advantages to living a vegan lifestyle, and I am passionate about teaching others about the health and environmental benefits of this way of life. I can provide you with resources and recipes to get you started, and answer any questions you may have. Going vegan can be a positive and rewarding experience, and I am here to help you make the transition.
For your first vegan meal, I would recommend two options to consider. The first option is to introduce you to transitional products like vegan “meat” so you can get a feel for the texture and flavor of the vegan diet. This way, you can ease into the vegan lifestyle and get used to the different flavors and textures. The second option is to try something completely different, such as lemongrass tofu with Vietnamese rice. This is my personal favorite and is a great way to explore the vegan cuisine.
Both options would be a great introduction to vegan cuisine, so it really comes down to personal preference.
There are many delicious vegan options available at restaurants and food establishments
I have so many recommendations it’s impossible to choose ! Ok Ok i’ll try…
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
In Da Nang city, Vietnam : Khong Kitchen to discover vegan vietnamese food, Root’s plant and their incredible hummu’s and Kurumi with their delicious creamy pasta
In Dijon, France : Le Nid, this restaurant change the menu everyday depending on the seasonal products they received, and they have vegan and vegetarian options. The place is in the city center and their dish are so colorful !
During my two-day trip to Hoi An, I explored the city with the eye of a detective, looking for the best places to eat. I was not disappointed! I found Minh Hien restaurant, where I tried some delicious vegan Pho and my all-time favorite Vietnamese dish, lemongrass tofu 💚. The spices used in the dishes were so flavorful and the food was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to take part in one of the cooking classes offered by the restaurant, but I was still able to enjoy the amazing food.
iVegan is part one of my top 3 for Western vegan food in Da Nang. If you’re looking for a place to start your vegan journey, then look no further than this restaurant. They have bowls with a variety of vegan proteins in their recipes, making it a great option for vegans. Not only that, but the restaurant also has a gorgeous Greek style with many handmade decorations, making it a great place to enjoy a meal.
There are many misconceptions about vegans and veganism. These include
- Vegans are destroying the planet with the soya culture : Well, most of the soya go to the animal you will eat…
- Vegans are full of deficiencies : You must learn about nutriments and balance food, it’s not because you eat chorizo on a pizza that you’re not deficient in protein…
- Eating meat is natural : Bro, nowadays nothing is natural in the process of how your sausage came in your plate. If you like nature that much you can simply walk in a forest haha.
People often think that vegans are only interested in eating salads, or that veganism is an extreme lifestyle choice. However, veganism is much more than just a diet. It is a lifestyle choice that involves avoiding the use of animal products and by-products in all aspects of life, including food, clothing, and other everyday items. Additionally, vegan diets can be incredibly varied, with many delicious and nutritious options available.
« Animals are my friends and…well I don’t eat my friends ! »
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
Being benevolent and respectful towards the other person can create a more positive and constructive environment for discussing and learning from different perspectives.
Most importantly, more people are making conscious choices to reduce their consumption of animal products and decrease the harm caused to animals.
I did a post on it but to me, i find very interesting the difference between traditional vegans and new vegans.
Traditional vegans, also known as ethical vegans, adopt a vegan lifestyle primarily for ethical reasons, such as opposition to the exploitation of animals for food, clothing, and other purposes. Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism believe that it is morally wrong to use animals for human benefit and that a vegan lifestyle is the most ethical and compassionate choice.
New vegans, also known as dietary vegans or plant-based eaters, adopt a vegan lifestyle primarily for health or environmental reasons. They may not have the same level of commitment to animal rights as traditional vegans and may not avoid other animal-derived products such as leather and wool. Some people adopt a plant-based diet for health reasons, as it is often associated with reducing the risk of certain diseases and promoting overall health and longevity.
It’s important to note that there isn’t a single way to be vegan and people may adopt a vegan lifestyle for a variety of reasons.
Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be a big change, but it can also be a very rewarding one
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
I would like to finish this interview by two advice : Don’t judge people and take your time. You see I’m living in Vietnam. It can be challenging to ensure that a product is 100% vegan, as some products may contain trace amounts of animal-derived ingredients or may have been processed using equipment that also processes animal-derived products. So…I learn Vietnamese to improve my understanding and communication in the language, to avoid foods that contain animal products.
It’s important to be patient and persistent in your efforts.
Thank you soso much for this interview, i’m proud to be part of this movement! I hope that Meatless Movement will continue to grow stronger and become more and more popular each day.
MangeForest – Vegan Foodie
😸 Camille, 26yo, frenchie
🧆 Helping travelers to keep their vegan diet in any countries
✨ Inspiration for vegan cookers
🛵 Currently in Vietnam
all images courtesy of MangeForest - Vegan Foodie