Beyond simply abstaining from animal products, Catherine emphasizes the importance of making the switch to vegan beauty products.
With a mission to make veganism accessible nationwide, Catherine diligently seeks out vegan options at various establishments, including chain restaurants.
Through her content, she aims to inspire others to consider the ethical implications of consuming animal products, highlighting the shared pain experienced by animals.
Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.
Catherine prompts reflection on the treatment of animals, drawing attention to issues such as forced breeding, which she equates to rape. Through her advocacy, Catherine not only promotes veganism as a means to save the planet but also seeks to impart wisdom and facilitate healing journeys.
Please tell us more about yourself
Here to make your vegan life easy 💚
My name is Catherine Chai. I am from the United States living in Mobile, AL. I decided to become a vegan content creator that being vegan is easy and accessible even in smaller cities. I go to restaurants, groceries, and write recipes.
I decided to become vegan because I dislike the suffering of animals. Also soon decided to be plant based for health. I label myself as both. I have been one for 5 years.
It’s interesting that there are foods that I disliked non vegan versions of and loved the vegan versions of them. For example, tartar sauce, cheese and hamburgers. I had the most delicious tartar sauce at Oh My Cod Food Truck, I can’t get over enjoying vegan cheeses and I love vegan hamburgers.
Some of the challenges that I find when eating vegan food is being with family during the holidays and I started telling my mom to make me basic dishes such as salads a vegetables. I’m the only vegan in my family.
How would you encourage someone to experiment with meat-free cuisine?
I personally enjoy it because it has opened doors on trying new foods that I did not think that I would like and also I don’t have constipations anymore and this year is the first year where I didn’t get sick during cold and flu season.
I would tell someone who’s not yet ready to try meatless food the name of the dish instead of saying it’s vegan. I was at a Vegan Holiday tasting event and brought Barvecue Vegan Pulled Pork and told the guy who isn’t vegan that it’s pulled pork sliders and he loved it and got a lot of it even though he isn’t ready to change.
Vegan food can be comforting without animal products 🚫🥛🐄🧀
Catherine Chai
Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Co is a pop up that comes to a lot of towns and they can be looked up on social media on locations. They make decisions vegan seafood. I had the Buffalo Shrymp, Coconut Shrymp, and Scallops.
Merry Me Vegan Queso Dip that tastes so real like and recipe is on my Instagram and TikTok. Uses Barvecue Products because I’m an ambassador for them.
I have to say that 2024 has to be the best year to be alive and vegan 🌱
Lindsey Bakes in Mobile, AL makes vegan treats from cookies, cakes, and quiches. She is available at Dropout Bakery from Thursday- Sundays. She can be kept up on Facebook and Instagram.
The misconceptions about being vegan that I find a lot of people think it’s too expensive when it doesn’t have to be and I tell them that they can go to bargain places such as Aldi, Walmart, and Dollar Tree to find options. They don’t have to go to upscale places such as Whole Foods. This is why I do my content work on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook and I’m trying to grow as a content creator.
To someone who’s just beginning to go meatless, what is your advice?
You don’t have to only be ordering fries and a boring salad at restaurants nor do you have to only be eating only Oreos and bread
I would tell someone who is starting out that their journey doesn’t have to be perfect and they don’t have to go cold turkey on animal products if they don’t feel comfortable doing so in the beginning. Everything will come gradually as times go on. They can start by following vegan influencers and using VeggL for chain restaurants and Happy Cow for both chain and local restaurants
Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite flavors or foods and also it’s not a restrictive diet as most think it is because you can enjoy anything that you enjoy as a non vegan version to being a vegan version
I did not mention this above but it’s interesting that I started liking pickles after being vegan for a while when I didn’t like them before becoming vegan. This means that my palette has expanded. Also it’s interesting to learn that being vegan is more sustainable to the environment than owning an electric car.
Also all my recipes can be found on Facebook as well. I also made a Vegan Pulled Pork Breakfast Casserole made from Barvecue Pulled Pork and my recipe is on all my socials.
Catherine Chai
Here to glamorize veganism✨
Vegan restaurants (chains and local) and grocery guide 🌱
Vegan recipes 💚
Your vegan bestie 🏆
all images courtesy of Catherine Chai