Never bland never boring …. Vegan

Mona-Lisa Bux is a passionate health care professional who has dedicated years of her life to the betterment of her community. With a background in nursing and HIV counseling, Mona-Lisa is a Public Health Inspector who has gained a deep understanding of the dynamics of food. Her journey towards a vegan lifestyle began when she witnessed firsthand the inhumane practices and harmful effects of meat production.

Motivated to make a positive change, Mona-Lisa made the decision to become a vegan, believing that one small change can make a significant impact. Her journey towards a plant-based lifestyle has been a source of inspiration for many, and she takes pride in being a vocal advocate for ethical and sustainable living.

Through her experiences, Mona-Lisa has gained valuable insight into the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. She firmly believes that our food choices have a profound impact on our physical and emotional well-being, and that a vegan diet is the best decision she has made for herself and the world around her.

Join us as we delve into the world of Mona-Lisa Bux, and discover how her unwavering commitment to a vegan lifestyle has transformed her life and inspired countless others to make the switch.

Please tell us more about yourself

I believe in lifetime type of love and expressing that through small gesture

Mona-Lisa

My name is Mona-Lisa Bux.I have worked in health care for many years in nursing as an HIV counselor. I am also a Public Health Inspector, a job that allows me to have a deeper understanding of the dynamics of food.

I’m from the beautiful twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the home of carnival, steel pan and calypso. I am a lover of nature. I enjoy hiking and being out in nature. It truly brings me a sense of
peace.

What brought about the change in diet for me is as a Public Health Inspector I saw how meat in particalur is reared and processed. Let me say that I was not impressed with what I saw. The entire process is too inhumane and the health impacts from large amounts of antibitoics and other chemicals found in meat has on our bodies is very alarmimg.

I wanted to change that, so I decided to change the way I eat. I truly believe that one small change can make an impact. Being vegan is the best decision Ive made. I have been a proud vegan for four years now.

V.E.G.A.N…… best decision I ever made😉

Mona-Lisa

So many opportunities have come my way since being vegan. I can say it has been nothing short of amazing. I started my instagram page “Triniplantbased” in the thick of the pandemic in 2020. It started from some 10 followers to some over 3000 persons now who are truly inspired by the veganized “Trini” cuisine. I also represented my country in a Vegan cookbook called “ Plantbased planet” which showcased vegan recipes from around the world.

The cookbook was sold out internationally. I was featured in my country’s local newspaper and local youtube channel. It still blows my mind that one small diet change has opened doors I never imagined.

Eating out in the beginning of my diet change was difficult as most places didnt really offer vegan items on the menu. I found myself stuck with ordering fries or salads that made my dining experience a bit of a bore.

Now there are more selections and even if there arent any vegan items on the menu, I ask if a vegan meal can be prepared and I actually make suggestions. So far most resturants have been very accommodating.

I actually feel great about being a vegan

Mona-Lisa

In fact this is the best decision Ive made for my body. I feel so energised, my skin is glowing and my health is better. It doesnt get better than this.

I have actally experienced this with family members and coworkers. People eat with their eyes first. So once food is presented in a way that is truly appealing then half the work is out the door. Once I introduce a vegan meal to a non vegan/vegetarian I make sure it’s presented well and it tastes amazing. So far Ive only had rave reviews about my vegan meals. Hearing someone say “your meals make me want to go vegan” truly warms my heart.

Homecooked meals are my favorite as fresh ingredients are mostly used and cooked with the right amount of love. Jerk mushroom pasta, Trini corn soup, Mashed sweet potated with grilled portobello mushroom and green beans, curry channa (chickpeas) with basmati rice are just a few meals that I enjoy.

The way to my heart…. 🤎. I have always been a foodie. I can say that cooking is a love language. A lot of effort, time and love goes into preparing a meal. As my mom always says “if your cooking cook with love” it shows on the plate and in your belly 😂

Vegan/vegetarian food is bland or boring. These are some of the common misconceptions Ive encountered since becoming vegan. Vegan food is far from that.

What I have experienced is it allows me to be more creative with food preparation and presentation. In fact people are usually shocked when they visit my page. They are like “wow you eat all that”. I most definitely do.

My goal is to nourish my body

Mona-Lisa

I would say do it gradually as opposed to a sudden halt which can be a bit overwhelming for some and can cause you to fall off the wagon. To those struggling, have someone hold you accountable and even offer encouragement to do it along with you. This gentle approach goes a long way for some people.. My personal experience is that I went from a meat eating diet to pescatartian diet to vegan. The transition was easy for me as I am a very disciplined person and I have not looked back since.

A lot of people have this misconception that a vegan diet is quite expensive. Once you stick to whole foods when purchasing grocery items it’s pretty affordable. Another tip is to look for fruits and vegetables that are seasonally available as they are usually quite fresh and cost effective.

Do your research and consult your doctor before doing any diet changes. Ensure that you include whole foods in your diet to get the optimum amount of required daily nutrients. Most importantly, have fun eating. Life is too short to be eating boring food.

Again thank you so much for the feature.

Mona-Lisa🌱

Proud Trinbagonian ….Caribbean food vegan style
🎯 DON’T USE PICS WITHOUT PERMISSION
Living and loving in T&T 🇹🇹

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all images courtesy of Mona-Lisa🌱