Once I started this new lifestyle everything changed.

Nicole is a NY/NJ gal living a vegan, gluten-free, soy-free lifestyle and is fascinated with sharing recipe ideas. Meatless Movement recently had an opportunity to chat with her.

Tell us about yourself, please

My name is Nicole, I live in New Jersey and work in lower Manhattan. Trying out new food is one of my favorite things to do. I also really enjoy cooking turning regular meals I used to eat vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free.

At first it was just about diet but the more i learned about veganism the better I felt about it.
@that_vegan_chik

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease 5 years ago. After much research I discovered a plant-based diet helps with many symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s. The more I Iearned about how animals are abused and how they suffer all their lives because of the demand for meat and dairy products, the easier the transition became.

I have been vegan for 3 years now. I started out by giving up red meat, then chicken, then fish, then cheese, then eggs. I also have a few food sensitivities, gluten and soy. This makes my life ALOT more complicated, but I accept the challenge and try my best to stay away from these ingredients. I am not allergic thankfully but I definitely suffer when I slip up.

Once I started this new lifestyle everything changed. I feel like a different person. At first it was just about diet but the more i learned about veganism the better I felt about it.

Going out to eat is a real production for me, I have to be sure I have something I can eat, not just drink, lol. In the beginning I definitely was eating ALOT of potatoes and salads. But in the past year or 2 there are SO many restaurants that have vegan, gluten-free options.I am even finding more places in NJ just NY. I have a list on Yelp with all the spots I know I can eat something at. When I make plans with a friend or my boyfriend I pick one from the list and we go check it out. One of my favorite spots for pizza is Tavola, in Hells Kitchen. Their gluten-free crust is to die for, so unique, crunch and delicious, and of course their vegan cheese is just as good.

I lost 50 lbs, and many Hashimoto’s symptoms I had are gone. Going vegan really changes everything about your body. I say you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by just giving it a shot.

What are some of your favorite places?

I definitely recommend Divya’s Kitchen, Lady Bird, Tavola, and Planta Queen.
@that_vegan_chik

I would recommend you to try a vegan restaurant like Lady Bird on the Lower East Side or Thyme and Tonic on the Upper West Side. They have so many options and their food is absolutely delicious. It will show a meat eater they can enjoy delicious food without harming any animals in the process. They can also try doing meatless Monday then adding 2-3 days without meat. Once you stop eating it for a while you definitely stop craving/wanting it.

I also love to make huge vegan, gluten-free, soy free spreads for the holidays!
@that_vegan_chik

I recently started posting more of my recipes and pics of my food adventures on Instagram. The vegan community is HUGE, bigger than I expected. It’s so much fun to exchange recipes and ideas, and chat with people all over the world! Also get ideas for new places to eat and new products that are coming out. My new favorite recipe to make is Penne Vodka 🙂

Animals are all created equal and don’t deserve the suffering they go through.I am also sensitive to gluten, soy, and pea protein. This has definitely made my journey pretty difficult but I am getting more and more creative with my cooking. Going out to eat is always hard, I research for hours looking for places I can order food. I also really enjoy creating new recipes and love to share them with family and friends. So why not share them with all of you!

Thank you so much for this interview it was a lot of fun!