Looking for some delicious vegan food inspiration? Look no further than @natsveganfood on Instagram! This account is run by Natalie, a passionate vegan foodie who shares her plant-based creations with her followers. From mouth-watering muffins to hearty vegan pizzas, Nat’s recipes are sure to satisfy any craving. Her beautifully curated feed is full of vibrant, colorful food photos that will leave you feeling inspired to whip up your own vegan meals.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, @natsveganfood is a must-follow account for anyone interested in delicious, healthy food.
Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her.
Please tell us more about yourself
I’m Natalie and I’m from Virginia. I’m currently getting my master’s degree in public administration. When I finish school I hope to have a career influencing policy to help animals and the environment.
I have been vegan for about six and a half years. When I was a child I was always uncomfortable with eating animals so I slowly cut out different meats from my diet. As I got older and met people who were vegan I was always interested in going vegan but I thought dairy was going to be really difficult to give up.
One day I watched a YouTube video called DAIRY IS SCARY! The industry explained in 5 minutes. That video was the push I needed to go vegan. I went vegan starting the next day and have never looked back.
Sometimes it can be challenging finding places to go eat with my friends because some of them are picky eaters so we have to find places they like that also have vegan options for me. Usually we will all brainstorm together.
My friends will through out suggestions and then I will look at the menu to see if the restaurant has any vegan options or dishes that look like they can be easily modified to be vegan. Sometimes we call restaurants and ask if they have vegan options. Additionally I will suggest places I know have vegan options.
One time we ended up going to a restaurant that did not have any vegan options on the menu but the chef agreed to create a dish for me. I use HappyCow pretty often to find vegan restaurants or restaurants that have vegan options. It is really helpful when traveling.
Going vegan was the best decision I have ever made!
Natalie
I feel like I enjoy eating my food more because I was always uncomfortable eating meat because I knew I was eating an animal. I think I actually eat more of a variety of foods than I did before I went vegan. Going vegan has inspired me to try a lot of new foods and recipes. It also helped me become good at cooking. I also think going vegan has helped me become more confident and less shy because I found something that I am passionate about that inspires me to speak up.
How would you tell someone who’s not yet vegan or vegetarian to try vegan food?
Often times people will say, “I can’t go vegan because I love (insert animal product) too much” and then I will tell them the vegan alternatives of that animal product that I like.
Whenever people say they don’t think they could give up cheese I respond with “I used to think that way too until I learned about the dairy industry and I have found vegan cheeses that I enjoy so I do not miss eating dairy cheese”.
Often times just eating plant-based food around non vegans inspires them to try vegan food. Sometimes my cousins will ask to try my food. When I go out to eat with friend, sometimes my friend will tell me that my food looks good and she might order it next time.
When I host events, all the food I provide is vegan. Most people are usually surprised by how much they enjoyed the food. I do get some negative comments but it is all about planting the seed in their mind. Most people are exposed to veganism multiple times before they start opening their minds to it. Most people have been eating animal products their whole lives it takes time for them to want to make a drastic change.
Some of the vegan food I eat
Natalie
Some really good vegan restaurants in Chicago are Peneope’s Vegan Taqueria and Can’t Believe it’s Not Meat. I loved the Torta from Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria and the Bird Tacos from Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat.
The Flying Vegan Harvest and the Impossible Bun at Jinya Ramen are delicious.
Some of my favorite restaurants in DC are Fancy Radish, Sticky Fingers Diner, and DC Vegan.
My family and I’s favorite dishes to share at Fancy Radish are the Miso Butter Noodles, Dan Dan Noodles, Peruvian Potatoes, and Rutabaga Fondue.
I really enjoyed the chilaquiles from Sticky Fingers Diner and the Cacio e Pepe at DC Vega.
I think the biggest misconception about being vegan is that it is difficult.
natalie
After the first month of becoming vegan it becomes habit and you don’t really have to think about it as much. Another misconception about veganism is that it is extreme. I think it is more extreme to harm animals, the environment, and our own health for taste when delicious vegan food is available instead.
My advice is to try new things while also veganizing non vegan recipes you love. Follow vegan accounts on social media to get meal inspiration. I have an account on instagram where I post the food I eat. My username is @natsveganfood
While being vegan I have had so many fun experiences like going to Veg Fests, VSDC Thanksgiving, The Animal Rights Conference, Poplar Spring’s Thanksgiving with the Turkeys, visiting farm sanctuaries, and events with Plant Dining Partnerships and The Humane League. I also met some of my closest friends in the Veg Club at Virginia Tech.
Natalie
Some of the vegan food I eat
all images courtesy of Natalie