Previously, Meatless Movement had the privilege of interviewing Stella Paris, whose passionate advocacy for peace, human and animal rights, and equality left an indelible mark. In her interview titled “I will never stop fighting for the voiceless. I will never give up for all species and aim to stop the myriad of ways they are exploited, even if the changes happen hundreds of years from now, after I’m long gone,” Stella shared her relentless dedication to justice and compassion for all living beings.
This time, Stella returns to share more about her continued journey as a vegan, reflecting on the challenges, triumphs, and the deeper perspectives she’s gained along the way. With her unwavering spirit, she continues to inspire a movement for peace and harmony that transcends generations.
1. Reflecting on Your Continued Journey:
Since our last conversation, how has your vegan journey evolved, and what significant milestones have you reached?
Over a year has passed since my first interview with you, and there has been some very positive and significant changes. Thank you for featuring me once again!
I have continued to advocate for animal rights on my social media platforms, mostly on Instagram where I create reels around veganism and animal welfare.
🐮🐷🐔”To the Animals” song & music video is a project in honour to all the anonymous animals who have faced unimaginable suffering at the hands of human beings
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
I have released a vegan song and music video, called To The Animals. The release of the single coincided with National Animal Rights Day.
The song is a mantra in honour to all the anonymous animals who have been exploited and/ or slaughtered by human beings. It is also a wish for animal freedom and has a spiritual message for humans to raise their consciousness and make the connection that animals are someone, not something.
I filmed the music video at a vegan sanctuary in Miami, called Earth ‘n’ Us Farm. Every month, I give a donation to different vegan sanctuaries /charities in collaboration with the proceeds from my music. I have pledged to do this for a life time, and so I urge people to stream To The Animals and my other songs in the hope that in the future I am able to donate higher amounts.
I wrote the song while I was experiencing vystopia, which is “an existential crisis experienced by vegans, arising out of an awareness of the trance-like collusion with a dystopian world”. Writing the song and singing it, made me feel better and hopeful.
When suffering from vystopia, I experienced anger, sadness and even hate towards humans and organisations who are cruel to animals. I was deeply affected by non-vegan advertisements which mocked the very animals they were selling for food. I saw and heard them everywhere – on billboards, radio stations, and television channels. I was also attacked and mocked by several anti-vegans on Facebook each time I advocated for animals. I learnt how to deal with all of this, by attending a few courses by vegan psychologist Clare Mann. Writing songs, being creative, meditating, snorkelling and travelling helped me a great deal as well.
I have also taken part in an art installation called “Fishing is NOT Human(e)” by the celebrated artist Stephanie Lane and Speciesism.WTF.
In this installation, in Liverpool she placed me and other actors in the position of fish in the trawlerman’s net alongside an ironic speech which contrasts the fishing excuses with the reality of the disregard for the pain suffered by the fish.
The near naked bodies of the humans caught together in the net is a visual expression of the fate faced by fish.
2. Could you share any personal achievements or success stories that have shaped your meatless lifestyle?
I have been vegan for almost 7 years and my body and mental attitude change completely within a year.
Mentally, I felt lighter and joyful about the fact that I was no longer responsible for the suffering of animals. I had been vegetarian for 2 years prior to going vegan due to spirituality reasons. I did not know that the dairy industry caused as much suffering to animals as the meat industry.
I remember my shock when my friend & vegan fitness coach and influencer, Anais Zanotti told me about male baby chicks being crushed into a mincer. She explained they are considered a “by product” of the dairy industry as the egg farm has no use for them. Anais also explained how cows are forcefully impregnated, made pregnant for the purpose so that they produce milk for adult humans. She also told me baby cows are taken away from mother cows and they are sold for veal at just weeks old. As a feminist, empath and spiritual person I could no longer be a part of that after knowing. I went vegan and never looked back.
In the first year as a vegan, I grew to be a very motivated and enthusiastic athlete and my body changed drastically on a plant based diet and heavy lifting. It was the first time I had seen a big transformation in my body as I became stronger and more muscular than I had ever been!
3. Navigating Nutrition and Health:
A balanced vegan diet is very easy. In this day and age we have so many meat and dairy alternatives on sale in major supermarkets worldwide.
Although a balanced vegan diet is easy, a new vegan must explore products to see what they enjoy. There must be a motivation for change, to learn to cook with new ingredients that maybe you are not familiar with, and to form day-to-day habits. Habit is what makes being vegan easy, as you get used to your favourite ingredients, recipes, restaurants, cruelty free vegan makeup and fashion.
A balance diet consists of good carbohydrates, high protein ingredients, good fats, and vitamins and minerals including VitaminB12.
When it comes to protein, tofu is a staple. I have 9 yrs experience of cooking with tofu and have gotten used to the various types and textures. It is important to learn a follow recipes at first so that it is cooked in the correct manner.
Tofu absorbs flavours very easily and is very diverse. I enjoy scrambled tofu with spinach and tomatoes; sliced tofu steaks with soy sauce, lemon and ginger as well as marinated tofu cubes in a salad bowl. You can also have tofu in a miso ramen tacos, quiches, pies in a burrito or in a Mac & cheeze dish. The possibilities are endless.
Protein- wise I also like tempeh which is also high in Vitamin B12 and probiotics. A heart warming lentil soup or chickpea stew is high in wholefood protein, simple, quick and heart warming. I also like to rehydrate soya crumbles to make tacos, loaded nachos or bolognese, as well as seitan or wheat gluten.
My partner has learnt how to mimic different kinds of meats with different proportions of gluten protein/ lentils/ tofu and jackfruit, depending on what texture, flavours or colours you want to achieve. This is a little more advanced but definitely worth learning.
Do not fear carbs! Carbohydrates are essential for muscle building. For good healthy carbohydrates, I recommend overnight oats, or a cereal/ muesli low in added sugar. Personally, I do enjoy small quantities of good quality whole wheat seeded bread or sour dough. I also recommend whole wheat pasta and brown/ red or black rice.
For good fats I recommend snacking on nuts, including walnuts, almonds & Brazil nuts, as well as including avocados in your meals.
Some people think it is hard to get Vit B 12 on a vegan diet but it really is not. You can get Vitamin B 12 from nooch – nutritional yeast, Marmite or other yeast spreads, seaweeds, mushrooms, tempeh and Vitamin B12 fortified vegan milks and tofu. For extra measures, you can purchase methylated Vitamin B12 supplement drops.
Last but not least I recommend lots of vegetables, fruit, mushrooms and seaweeds. Enjoy them as they are, cooked, in smoothies, in juices, or in teas. I also highly recommend introducing shilajit and sea moss.
4 Inspiring Others Through Challenges:
🦜🐔If you won’t eat a parrot, then don’t eat chicken.
All birds are the same under their feathers.
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
The only difference is your perception 👁️
I am very well travelled and usually I find vegan restaurants, by using the Happy Cow app wherever I go. However, this year I faced a little challenge.
I decided to spontaneously travel solo to the beautiful country of Ecuador, where I spent a month and a half.
I started my trip in the remote Amazonian rainforest, where I spent the majority of one months living with a vegan community, The Laughing Waters/ Las Aguas Risas.
After that I spent two weeks exploring the islands of Galápagos.
My stay at the vegan community was magical and perfect. The owner, Terry cooked vegan food from scratch. We used to go shopping in the closest village, which was one hour drive away, once a week. We purchased fruit, vegetables, dried legumes and beans to last a week! Terry makes tofu from scratch, using dried soy beans, makes her own oat milk, cheezy sauces and also bakes her own bread. One of the challenges was that there were no vegan “junk foods” or ready made meat alternatives on sale such as tofu, vegan bacon, vegan sausages etc
This goes to show you that if it’s possible to be a thriving vegan in a remote part of the world, it’s easy to be vegan wherever you are.
The biggest challenge was when I ventured out of the vegan community to join a tour into the Cueva de Los Tayos. The guided tour consisted of an expedition to the famous mystical cave buried deep in the Amazon rainforest, on indigenous Shuar tribe land. It was led my ex military special force commanders and it involved camping in a cave, 100 metres underground for 3 days and 2 nights.
I had asked the main tour guide if he caters for vegans, before I booked the Vertical Extreme expedition. He assured me he did. I was worried because the couple of days before I arrived at the community, I discovered that the Ecuadorean cuisine is very meat based and unlike for example Indian, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern and Ethiopian cuisines, legumes, rice and vegetables are not seasoned into stews, curries or pâtés. It is sad to say that the naturally occurring herbs and spices are not utilised to flavour vegetables. Instead rice, legumes and vegetables are simply boiled and then placed on a plate with a sprinkle of salt.
The journey into the part of the rainforest to the Cueva de Los Tayos took a lot of effort, as it included an uphill hike for over two hours and the mud was quite deep. When we arrived by the cave, we were welcomed by the Shuar tribe for a meal. Unfortunately, their dishes are very meat based and the guide had no way of contacting them prior since there is no internet in this area. I was offered boiled potatoes, boiled cassava and tomatoes with onions and lemon. Their fresh lemonade was the highlight and little did I know that it would be the best meal I will have for the next few days.
The experience of camping inside the Cueva de los Tayos was one of the best I’ve had in my life but also one of the biggest challenges. For the first time in my life, I rappelled down into a dark hole, 60 metres underground, crawled through compact water-filled tunnels and climbed up water falls within the belly of the earth. I knew no one prior to the expedition and there was a language barrier, as my Spanish is not great and the tour guide’s English is not good either.
After a long day of exertion, I looked forward to dinner. To my disappointment, the bread and noodles they had packed contained milk so I couldn’t have any substantial carbs. I ate beans and chickpeas straight from cans, & the fruit, nuts and popcorn I had packed with me. The following days were pretty much the same food-wise. During one lunch, my eyes lit up when they offered us saltine crackers and I saw the ingredients were vegan.
5. How do you stay motivated when faced with obstacles?
By being present & mindful, we can be guided to minimise our harmful impacts on animals, our land, sea and each other
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
My motivation is the animals. I am vegan first and foremost for the animals. I think of how much they suffer and how much I respect them. I know it is not right to eat another sentient being.
Having gone through hardships as a teenager and young adult, I have grown to become very persistent, determined and passionate.
In the cave, I was asked by several people why I am vegan and what do I eat. They communicated that they can never be vegan because they don’t want to be limited like I am. I explained that I had never had this problem during the 7 years of being vegan and assured them that I enjoy all the vegan alternatives they would eat outside of the cave.
When they said, the animals are already dead and the milk in the noodles won’t make a difference, I explained that eating animals for me is as absurd as them asking me to eat a dog, a cat or even human flesh. I explained that no matter the circumstances, I will not be part of the system which exploits animals. In addition to that I also explained how supply and demand works. Besides this; the very thought of eating someone’s flesh not only repulses me, but horrifies me. Why would I eat someone I love? It sounds like something out of a horror movie. I have actually had nightmares about someone forcing me to eat meat. This is a promise I made for life. I am proud to be an ethical vegan!
In tough, ill-prepared and rare situations such as what happened in the cave I am happy to eat a vegan meal or snack which doesn’t have all the nutrients. Doing this once in a while, will not harm your health or your physique.
6. Ethical and Environmental Impact:
As previously mentioned, my reason for being vegan is the animals. Humanity is breeding, slaughtering and eating more animals than ever before due to population increase. It is inhumane and also very inefficient. It takes 10 times as much corn and soybean meal to feed chicken and pigs, which would be hypothetically eaten by humans, than it would if we ate the corn and soybeans ourselves. Also, certain plants grown for animals in the dairy industry, like alfalfa use large amounts of water. This is extremely inefficient, so much so that it doesn’t make any sense at all.
Wooded areas, rainforests and jungles are being torn down; to grow food for the farmed cows, sheep, goats, pigs and chicken. This land is the home of wild animals like jaguars, puma, bears, monkeys, reptiles, different species of birds and the billions of insects. This is greatly impacting wild life, confining wild animals to smaller areas with populations going down and also endangering them by being in close proximity to farmers who may shoot them if they think they will prey on the farmed animals or eat the animal feed. Of course, farmers view the animals as profit and anyone who hinders profit is taken down.
I will continue to advocate for animals and share my knowledge by creating and sharing reels and posts, through my positive music, participating in protests, donating to sanctuaries and recommending vegan books and documentaries.
7. How do you keep your meals creative and enjoyable to maintain long-term enthusiasm for plant-based eating?
Truth be told, since I have been vegan, I have enjoyed food more than I have ever had before. I have become a proper foodie, enthusiastic and excited about meals and vegan restaurants. Maybe this is because plant based recipes are much more creative and innovative. After all, it is the particular vegetables, the herbs and the spices that give a dish its flavour.
I like to vary it up, by eating different types of cuisines. I enjoy Chinese, Ethiopian, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Jamaican ital, Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican and Middle Eastern.
I also like making traditional dishes into vegan alternatives like vegan fish and chips, using banana blossom & seaweed; as well as a mixture of wheat gluten flour to make seitan roast. I also enjoy traditional food from my county of origin; Malta, such as hobż biż-żejt. I make a vegan tuna with a recipe that includes chickpeas and seaweed. I then serve it on sourdough with tomato paste, sun dried tomatoes, olives, mint and olive oil. Another traditional dish which is originally vegan is bigilla- a bean pâté drizzled with olive oil with sprigs of mint and parsley.
The possibilities of vegan dishes are infinite, so many cuisines; so many ingredients and combinations! It is impossible to get bored. The most important thing is to be adventurous to try new things and to enjoy the delicious food in great company.
8. Empowering Lifestyle Choices:
I always check clothing labels, makeup ingredients and home products. I make sure they are not only vegan, but also cruelty free. Cruelty free ensures that neither the ingredients nor the end product has been tested on animals. This can be tricky as some brands say they are cruelty free, however if they sell their products in China, by law they pay a laboratory to test the products on animals.
I have found the makeup brand e.l.f to be the best as it is fully vegan and cruelty free so most of my makeup is from them. I also use a couple of items from KVD vegan beauty, and a vegan eye shadow palette from cruelty free brand Juvia’s Place. For facial care, I use a UK independent vegan and cruelty free brand called Conscious Cosmetics. For hair care, I use Olaplex which is also vegan and cruelty feee. My permanent lashes are synthetic.
Real fur is vulgar. It is abominable
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
End of 2023/ beginning of 2024, I also took part in a campaign together with Ending Real Fur film directed by Taimoor Choudhry. I created two creative skits bringing awareness and educating my followers regards the utterly cruel industries of mink eyelashes and fur.
With regards to clothing and jewellery, I always check that they are not made of leather, feathers, fur, wool, bones, pearls and shells. It is always important to ask if it is not labelled or you are unsure. I almost bought two pieces of jewellery from an artisan in Crete a couple of months ago. The little white beads surrounding the main wooden musical note looked suspicious to me and he replied they’re made of ox bone. I thanked him and walked away.
9. Advocacy and Education:
It’s time to question what society has “taught” you to believe is right & wrong, because those were never your chosen beliefs. Do not kid yourself!
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
There are several ways of advocating for animals and educating people regards veganism. Some are more effective than others, and different people resonate with different approaches.
As an animal advocate, the most useful way is to use skills and talents that you enjoy. I use my creative writing, personal story telling and in the past year, my music and lyric reels to spread my message across.
In several studies, a high percentage of people are initially inspired to go vegan for their health and so when they see a vegan thriving, healthy and strong it is a positive impact.
In the past, I have shared workout exercises and body transformation videos to show how my body has thrived on a plant based diet.
I also share pictures of vegan dishes and exotic fruit every now and then on my stories. I tag and share vegan companies; brands and restaurants so people can see that a plant based diet is full and substantial for healthy living. I also like to help small vegan businesses. They are also responsible for saving animal lives each day with each meal and product sold.
People who remain vegan for the long haul are mostly those who make the animals their foremost priority. This is their motivation, and thinking of the suffering animals go through, they are not likely to be swayed back into old habits.
🦜🐔If you won’t eat a parrot, then don’t eat chicken.
All birds are the same under their feathers.
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
The only difference is your perception 👁️
Although a non vegan often is attracted to veganism for health, along the line they may learn about the severe animal cruelty that comes with the meat & dairy industries.
I think it is important to share graphic animal videos sometimes as it shows the people what really happens behind closed doors. The educational system and the industries are not transparent about slaughter and the processes that lead up to that. Many people are unaware and if they are empathetic, when they see this, they make a change straight away.
However, I do limit these kind of videos in my stories and drip drop them every now and then. I personally can’t be seeing these kind of videos all the time as it is hard on my mental health and makes me angry at how people can still support such a cruel industry. I cannot live in anger all the time. I cannot help change someone if I am angry. So there needs to be a balance.
I have also organised and taken part in peaceful protests and vegan art installations. They were all very successful as it got people’ attention to sign petitions and press release stories and articles were printed in national and international newspapers. Newspapers have a bigger audience reach and so the vegan message reached even more people.
I have also shared information on my social media about documentaries and books for people to watch and read. Documentaries and books are proven to be very impactful on people to shift towards veganism.
Recently, I have also done a 7 vegan-related book giveaway to my followers on Instagram.
10 Balancing Passion and Compassion:
I just could not understand how humanity, the very species I pertain to could possibly be responsible for such atrocities. And then some others defending the very atrocities
Stella Paris, BSc(Hons)
Eating out is quite easy because I use the Happy Cow app wherever I am in the world. I always try to support fully vegan businesses and if they are not around, then a vegetarian business with vegan options will do.
If a veggie restaurant is not around then I usually look for a highly rated restaurant on happy cow with very good quality vegan options. I usually read the vegan customers’ reviews about the quality of food and vegan knowledge of chef and staff. If there are no restaurants, my last resort would be to find a chain with a vegan option like a Subway, KFC, Burger King or Mc Donald’s. I rarely use chains. I use them 3-4 times a year at max. I much prefer a home cooked meal but if I’m on the go, a packed lunch or a snack bag from the super market works well.
Most of the time I eat with my partner, who has also been vegan for 7 years. Most of the friends with whom I share meals with are vegan. When I invite friends and family over we cook for them and they know not to bring any non vegan items in my house.
Most of the time, younger family members order vegan dishes when we eat out and some of them have reduced their meat and dairy consumption even when we are not present.
Older family members, like parents and some siblings however, order meat and dairy dishes when eating out with us. It is very hard to eat in proximity to someone who is eating meat. I personally cannot even stand the smell of cooked and burnt flesh any longer. I consider animal flesh, the same as humans’. It’s very unnatural, bizarre and barbaric when you think about it. And so I’m thankful that meals with parents are not common. They usually happen 4 to 8 times a year. During such meals I try to create a “little fence” with large mugs, glasses and bottles of olive oil so I cannot see their plates.
When I eat in the presence of colleagues and acquaintances they often ask what I am eating, why I am vegan and how long. It is a conversation starter and some people are very interested.
11. Meatless Movement in Popular Culture:
It is always great to have celebrities who talk openly about veganism and animal rights.
I admire artist, Moby for donating his concert proceeds towards vegan sanctuaries, Ricky Gervais for being so open and forward about it, as well as Joaquin Phoenix’ and his amazing speech during the Oscar awards.
I also love listening to other vegan artists. The song, Meat is Murder by The Smiths is very powerful and brings tears to my eyes each time. I also love the UK vegan band, Mobius Loop. Their lyrics and music is deep, relevant and unique.
I admire author and activist, Tom Harris who wrote Your Neighbour kills Puppies and author and bodybuilder, Robert Cheeke who wrote The Impactful Vegan.
I also admire makers of documentaries promoting veganism and exposing animal cruelty like Joey Carbstrong and Earthling Ed.
12. A Vision for the Future:
I see the meatless movement growing as more people realise that meat and dairy are an unnecessary cruelty to the animals, a problem to their health & very harmful to the environment and ecosystems.
I see myself continuing advocating for the animals in different ways, as a vegan business owner, artist & singer songwriter, philanthropist, animal sanctuary owner and animal activist. For now I know these are definitely my future goals but we are forever evolving.
Who knows what else the future may hold? Perhaps I will write a book, coach people about fitness and vegan nutrition, help people tune into being more spiritual and empathetic through mediation; or even teach children about the sentience of marine animals on boat tours. The possibilities are endless and it is exciting and fun to think of different ways I can plant seeds and make a positive change.
The future is vegan.
Warmest Regards,
Stella Paris
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