I possess the ability to care for others and their pain more than just myself. Just like you all. You all care about others deep down inside

Shani is an Israeli-born and raised foodie with a passion for culinary arts. With professional culinary training and a love for exploring the world of plant-based cooking and baking, Shani is on a journey to share her experiences and creations through her own blog.

Have you ever experienced that moment when you’ve recently become vegan and find yourself at a family meal, surrounded by loved ones who are unsure how to accommodate your dietary choices? Or perhaps you’ve had conversations where people ask, “So… what do vegans eat?” and you’re surprised that they don’t realize that many of their favorite dishes are already vegan-friendly. These are just a couple of the reasons that inspired Shani to create her blog. Despite the abundance of amazing food and vegan blogs worldwide, she believes there is always room for more as long as people continue to ask these questions.

Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with Shani.

With years of cooking experience, starting from a young age and later professionally in restaurants, Shani has developed a diverse culinary background. Her extensive travels have exposed her to different traditions and kitchens, fueling her desire to explore and deepen her expertise in cooking various cuisines worldwide, especially in the realm of plant-based cooking and baking.

Tell us more about yourself, please

For my compassion
For my ability to be vulnerable, say what I truly feel
For this hard work, and dedication
For what I give from myself,
For how I love creating recipes and how happy it makes me ❤️ and how healing it is to share that with you all
Shani 샤니

Hello!

My name is Shani, I’m currently 38 years old and live in Bat Yam, a small beach town in Israel near Tel Aviv.

My journey with vegan food started somewhere around 2016’ where I experienced a huge and significant awakening – in many areas in life, food, and how it is produced, was one of them. I was very big meat eater, I used to indulge on good food.

I remember that from a young age though, from time to time, I had an image of a face of a cow. And then I would think about the fact that we eat steaks and their meat. And then I kept wondering if what happens in between makes sense at all. How does it make sense- what we are taught at school and our upbringing? that animals will is to sacrifice themselves for us to eat. And me, scared of the sight of death and blood, and the sight of the slaughter – shook my head as I snaped out of it, and mumble to myself, “I definitely don’t want to be instead of them.”

I used to try to hurry and switch to a positive thought to distract myself from this one…
Shani 샤니

It all changed when a good friend of mine, the best, and me sat and watched EarthLink’s movie. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. Then and there all my defenses were dropped once and for all. I was devastated. I couldn’t believe that such evil and cruelty exists. That we are the one who are the cause to this. The rabbit hole definitely went deeper and deeper as I asked more questions and followed the money, and the corporates and all the industries who hold the agenda of keep selling meat.

After this movie I went cold turkey. vegan overnight. It was so hard that it didn’t last. I went back and forward. However, the struggle continued. I couldn’t keep eating meat and poultry knowing all the things I know. I decided then to do it gradually. Slowly. So, my body could finally accept it. So, I was vegetarian for few years, and in the last 4 years I’m living a vegan lifestyle.

I’m making my strides in the vegan world
Shani 샤니

At 2018 I decided to follow my heart and go study culinary to work at the food industry. These were the most difficult years in my life. Because as I was going more and more toward accepting my vegan lifestyle, the culinary school itself was actually not vegan nor vegetarian at all.

I studied techniques and practiced on meats, chickens, fish and other animal-based food. So, the conflict kept ruling my life, many times I felt like it’s a mistake that I am there. Towards the end of these studies, I decided to start my own vegan recipes blog. Cacao-Shamaness. Even though there are many blogs, endless recipes, it’s all over – still so many are unaware.

These days I love being vegan, I don’t feel I’m missing out. There is so much food. So many recipes I get to experiment, enjoy my food, share it with others and I’m satiated.

I don’t inflict my veganism on others as I already realized that many are on their own path and process and as I couldn’t accept this at an earlier stage in my life so I wont force anyone. I am definitely open to that discussion though and if people are asking me, I am sharing my opinion. I feel like the effort I put on my blog is doing my part as contribution. I do appreciate the people who are fighting for animal rights, it is something I want to do at some point in my life when I am able to. But right now, I just use as an example rather than directly talking about that with people.

Don’t miss out on this deliciousness!
Shani 샤니

There are many restaurants in Israel that are vegan or offers vegan options. Few recommended ones are, Green Roll Sushi, OPA, Anatasia, and The Green Cat Pizza.

One of the misconceptions of being vegan is that there is nothing to eat. And its not true there is a lot. Way too much, just research and see that for every dish you miss there is a vegan option.

Working my way through the world of plant-based cooking and baking
Shani 샤니

If you want to explore some of these options, please feel free to visit me at www.cacao-shamaness.com and if you have any question make sure to ask on the comments below available on each blog post. You can also follow my Instagram: @cacao_shamaness, for mor inspiration!