Angela is from the vibrant city of Phoenix, Arizona. As a devoted mother to a little girl and caretaker of three beloved dogs, Angela’s heart extends even further as she selflessly volunteers her time and spearheads development efforts at the Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary—a haven dedicated to rescuing senior dogs in need.
Her journey towards compassionate living has been marked by transformative choices. Angela’s conscious choices led her to a vegetarian and pescatarian lifestyle before she embraced veganism in March 2019. With nearly six years of dedication to rescuing senior dogs, her commitment to these furry companions is both admirable and inspiring.
Angela’s awakening, however, didn’t stop at the animal companions she cares for. The profound realization of the sentience of all creatures compelled her to delve into the intricacies of animal agriculture. The revelations she unearthed left her utterly horrified, prompting her to delve further into the ethical implications of her choices. Previously content with her vegetarian lifestyle, it was the unveiling of the harsh realities within the Dairy Industry that crystallized her decision to become vegan—a choice she unequivocally refers to as the easiest and most morally aligned decision she has ever made.
Meatless Movement recently had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with her.
Angela’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of education, empathy, and unwavering dedication. Her story reminds us that even the smallest actions, when guided by compassion, can ignite profound change—for ourselves, the animals we share the world with, and the communities we touch.
Please tell us more about yourself
I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I am a mom of a little girl and three dogs; I volunteer and handle development at Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, a senior dog rescue.
4 years vegan, and cooking for people has become one of my biggest passions
Angela Heckler🌱
I became vegan in March 2019. Before that, I was vegetarian and pescatarian. I’ve been saving senior dogs going on six years, now. When I learned how sentient livestock are, it propelled me to research animal agriculture and I was horrified. I thought I was doing my part by being vegetarian, but when I learned about the Dairy Industry, becoming vegan was the easiest decision of my life.
I think it is easy and so misunderstood
Angela Heckler🌱
I come from Wisconsin and was the biggest meat eater. I couldn’t wrap my head around a meal without dairy or meat. It has been interesting to see how people react to this change. To me, eating animal products is a past life.
I’ve learned that being vegan is similar to practicing an unpopular religion. In social settings, it is inconvenient and people have a lot of questions. It is always a challenge eating out so I’ve set a very low bar when it comes to the restaurants accommodating. I always eat again afterward.
How could you encourage someone who hasn’t embraced a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle to give meatless food a try?
I don’t. I show. I make food for them and they are always shocked. I think “telling” is the most ineffective way to get someone to open up to the idea of not eating meat. People do not like change, and they do not like to be questioned.
Please make these – you will amaze all of your non-vegan friends!
Angela Heckler🌱
If you want to cook for a non-vegan and blow them away, Noracooks.com is my go-to for both savory and sweets. For more desserts, I highly recommend Thebananadiaries.com, Addictedtodates.com, and Thelittleblogofvegan.com. The best vegan restaurants near me are Nami Vegan Sweets https://namivegansweets.square.site and Green New American https://www.greenvegetarian.com – both 100% vegan.
What are certain misunderstandings people have about vegans or vegetarians? How would you go about clarifying and educating about them?
Sometimes, simple is best ❤️
Angela Heckler🌱
That we are angry. It is easy to discern who is asking questions because they are genuinely curious, and who is asking out of judgement. There are so many times where I have been picked on, or jokes have been made at my expense.
Being picked on would make anyone upset, and I think people have to be more conscious about their responsibility in having a disagreement with a vegan. I explain how I have been rescuing dogs for years and after learning about livestock, I realized that all animals deserve to be fought for.
For someone who is just starting to adopt a meatless diet, what advice would you offer?
Be kind and be patient
Angela Heckler🌱
Begin with mock-meats. Make very small changes, otherwise, it will not be sustainable. Humans are creatures of habit. Just like any diet, if you go all-in over night, you are bound to go back to your old ways.
I used to despise cooking. It was my husband’s doing almost every night. Once I became vegan, I grew an enormous passion to learn and cook for others. It has become another purpose for me. I married one of the biggest meat eaters (we met before I was vegan), and he eats about 1/10th the meat that he used to.
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Angela Heckler🌱
Vegan recipes🌱
all images courtesy of Angela Heckler🌱