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Interviews
Presenting the Vegan Vixens
Interviewed by Laura Bruno
The Vegan Vixens were listed as "Hipster Vegans" in the "Many Faces of Vegan," first published in August 2007 on VegFamily. For those readers not familiar with your work, please let us know a bit about yourselves. Who are the ladies behind the title?
Well, the ladies behind The Vegan Vixens are all the same in that we are all sweet, very down to earth, have the common purpose of saving animals, our planet and being healthy and compassionate. We all love to laugh and have fun. We are all involved in helping others in different ways. None of us are materialistic or superficial in any way. These are all actual requirements we need to have to be Vegan Vixens. We are all very different also:
Kim works with kids that have developmental disabilities and is the producer/creator of a new DVD/TV show for moms and kids fitness. She has been married for over 8 years now and has a vegan daughter--age 2--named Noella. She loves going to rock concerts and making collages.
Sky has her own animal shelter and does educational outreach, adoptions and TV appearances to help find homes for her rescued friends. She is the lead singer of the group and has been in several rock bands through the years. She loves to travel, go out dancing and do outdoor sports like hiking and dirt bike riding.
Sunny is an actress and a fairy model. She loves fairies so much that she has even posed as fairies in beautiful art books. She is a hostess at an amazing restaurant and loves to try new vegan food at pot luck events, meet new people and play with her loveable cats. Sunny is getting married this year!
Stevie is a belly dancer. She has appeared all over the world and teaches dance and performs all the time. She loves doing work to save the planet and loves animals. She was recently blessed to befriend the famous Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan!
Jenae has worked with preschoolers for many years. She is getting her degree in child psychology. She loves fashion design, especially with a punk or gothic look. She's very spiritual and has her own non-profit where she helps kids.
How did you all meet?
Sky:
I created the Vegan Vixens a little over 4 years ago. I started this wonderful group of sexy and smart vegan ladies to educate the masses. I held a casting call a few times, and also met a few girls through My Space.
The ladies had to be true vegans. We got a lot of fake vegan ladies applying. It was funny! One girl showed up in leather boots and said it ok if it's a gift.
If someone wanted to become a Vegan Vixen, how might she join? What sorts of qualities make someone a potential Vegan Vixen?
Sky:
To be a Vegan Vixen you must have it all, a healthy bikini body, be well educated on foods and issues about animals and our planet's welfare.
You must be a great public speaker, and have an amazing personality (NO EGOS). That is number one with us.
The Vegan Vixens are like sisters, and they have hearts of gold. The ladies must also be able to sing, dance and model well.
Do you limit the number of vixens?
Sky:
We like keeping it to 5 girls. We at one time had 15. Fifteen vegan vixens were too many to travel with, to dress, to feed and too many personalities to deal with. We do have honorary Vegan Vixens who help us out for fashion shows and fundraisers. We have girls asking us to join daily, some from other countries.
You're also known as "the sweetheart activists." Is being a Vegan Vixen a fulltime job?
Sky:
It is a full time job. We are always educating, doing animal rescue, radio and TV interviews, fashion shows and photo shoots. Now we have an organic clothing line in the works and a GREEN rock album too.
How do you choose your fights and promotions in the vegan world? What sort of events or demonstrations do you have planned for 2008?
Kim:
Our events and plans for 2008 include appearances on FX channel's Morgan Spurlock's "30 days," Discovery Channel's "The Daily Green Show," live appearances where we sing and do a fashion show at The Star Eco Station in Culver City in May, and at Earth Day events. We are so excited to be coming out with a Vegan Pin Up Cookbook and our own bamboo clothing line later this year!
How has combining sensuality with veganism helped you to spread your message? Can you please share a story or two about any "die hard" omnivores who were reached by your over-the-top style and beauty?
Stevie:
Allowing the always alluring feminine energy to be at play is a wonderful and fun way to express certain ideals. I really don't think that people need or want to be told that they are wrong at any time. It is the playful nature of the Vegan Vixens that opens the door for conversations that otherwise people might miss out on. We want people to see beyond the typical vegan stereotype, too skinny, too stinky and out of touch with fashion. Although, we love all our vegan brother and sisters and we want people to know that being vegan means that you get to be who you want (sexy, strong and successful) without needing to convert to an alternative life style.
Of course you meet people who like to challenge us by saying things like "Milk does a body good." Our response is "yeah right...look at our bodies, the proof is in the vegan pudding." We look good, feel great and want all people to enjoy these great feelings along side us. We love our bodies, animals, and the planet. We want to be a catalyst in the movement towards ending the abuse.
The Vegan Vixens are notorious for taking to the streets and presenting individuals with "The Vegan Challenge." We have them try a variety of foods known for being full of meat and dairy. The only catch is that they are not... they are 100% vegan!!! This means the food is made without the use of ANY animal products. After they try all of our yummy vegan foods, which they love by the way, we ask if they are willing to keep up with the healthy habit and stay with a vegan diet for a week. They sign a paper stating their commitment with their email contact, which allows us to keep in touch to offer our support. They get a cool vegan started kit, courtesy of the Vegan Vixens with important health, environmental, animal information, vegan lip balm, and scrumptious vegan treats. During these challenges the Vegan Vixen's hearts are open and we are looking to be a seed in the conscience of the people we meet.
How has embracing a vegan diet and lifestyle changed your appearance? Are vegans really sexier?
Sunny:
Being vegan makes you sexier by default. When you make the transition, you become leaner, your skin clears up and has a healthy glow, you begin to have more energy and stamina and all of these things can definitely help you book modeling gigs. The camera picks up every little thing. Being vegan means having the self confidence to go to a photo shoot or modeling gig looking top notch and ready to roll.
Kim, I noticed that you work with disabled children. Has your vegan lifestyle informed the way you work with children?
Kim:
I feel that my vegan lifestyle inspired me to begin my work with kids that have disabilities because I have always loved being a voice for the voiceless and do so by teaching kids that are mainly nonverbal to be able to vocalize important words. Kids that cannot say a word, after being taught and worked with can learn to say "eat" and "Hi." It's so wonderful!
A question for Sky: you named your animal shelter after St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Saint. How has veganism combined with your sense of spirituality?
Sky:
I named my non profit for animals The Saint Martin's Animal Foundation because Saint Martin de Porres was an amazing man. Well known in the Hispanic and Latino culture, he dedicated himself to feed and care for the sick, and loved ALL animals equally* He was like Gandi or Buddha . He was soft spoken, yet could move mountains. My mother and I are both practicing SGI Buddhist and believe in cause and effect, and the power of chanting. I know this has helped me through many problems and heartache.
It has helped me keep the faith in my life, and made me truly feel that there is a greater power watching over me.
Being vegan is the most wonderful gift you can give to your soul, it makes you feel pure, healthy and kind. I'm caring for my body, mind and elevating the suffering of others, now that rocks!!! I don't go to mass on sunday, and not eat meat on friday. I do it everyday, I feel being vegan is a type of religion without leaders. We walk the walk and talk the talk. We are always helping others, and never contribute to the pain of animals*
Stevie, are you a belly dancer? Please feel free to share some of your experiences here.
Stevie:
Yes! I love all dance. My dance training started at a very young age, mostly ballet, tap, and jazz and I now also belly dancer. I started studying Arabic culture, music and dance while I have been living in Los Angeles and now I perform and teach all over the world. Being a dancer, body image was always at the top of the list of things I consumed myself with. I struggled for a year or so once I was living on my own in LA trying to figure out what is the best fuel for my body. I would be dancing five or more hours a day and training my body to the fullest and still not see the body that I wanted to see. I didn't get to see that body (the real me) until 2003 when I made the life changing choice to allow my body to work at potential and be vegan.
Jenae, are you still a school teacher?
Jenae:
No, I am no longer a school teacher. With the Vixens and fighting it was too hard to juggle everything. I do sub once in a while because I do love children. I just can't devote 100% of my time to teaching, which is what the job requires to be fair to the children.
Also for Jenae, you sound like quite the athlete! Soccer, pro fighting, dancing ? on the Vegan Vixens website, you mention that you initially went vegan for health reasons. Has a vegan diet given you more energy and stamina in your sports? You also mention that a doctor told you going vegan would help your fair complexion. Can you please talk a little more about this: did it work? If so, what have noticed different about your skin?
Jenae:
I am pretty involved with sports. During fight career I turned Vegan and I did notice that I became lighter and quicker. I found that I felt healthier and recovered more quickly from eating a proper vegan diet. I have also noticed that my skin has cleared up a lot eating vegan. I have not had any problems with cancerous spots, and believe that is due to staying out of the sun and my vegan diet.
None of you looks like the stereotypical vegan tree hugger hippie-type. What are your favorite beauty products, and would you please give some style and attitude tips to other vegans who want to show that veganism can be sexy, too?
Sunny:
Well, I am a personal fan of mineral makeup. Monave Mineral Makeup has an amazing line of beauty products that are top quality. Their eye shadows are glittery and beautiful and I love anything that sparkles. I also love using Mychelle beauty products. They all smell amazing and make my skin feel refreshed. It all boils down to individual style. Each of the girls has their own unique look when it comes to fashion and makeup. The fact that we actually use makeup and beauty products sets us aside from the stereotypical tree huggers. There are so many vegan/organic makeup and beauty products on the market that there really isn't any reason not to buy them instead of the ones that contain chemicals, preservatives and artificial ingredients. Keep in mind that your skin absorbs whatever you put on it. Nobody wants nasty chemicals in their bodies.
How do you feel about the magazine images of women affecting teenage girls' self-esteem? Any suggestions for mothers dealing with teen daughters?
Kim:
I think magazine images can affect teenager's self esteem if they take them too literally. These girls need to realize that these models are airbrushed, and have a makeup artist, stylist, and personal trainer. The Vegan Vixens try to be positive role models for teens by teaching them to eat healthy and go vegan. If you eat the correct way as a vegan, there is no need to diet. All five of us are healthy and fit and do not starve ourselves ever. We all are different ages and body types and nationalities, which shows teens that there are many definitions of beauty.
Can you please share any common traits you've noticed in vegan men? i.e., are they sexier, stronger, more sensitive?
Sunny:
I think it's the sexiest thing when a man is vegan. It shows that they are compassionate and could care less about the stereotype that all men have to be "machismo" and eat meat. Vegan men are kind of on another plane, a higher state of awareness. This doesn't mean you should rule out dating non vegans though. When I first met my fiancé he was a carnivore but had been vegetarian and even raw in the past. I knew he just needed to be educated on the truth about factory farming. He's been vegan now for 3 1?2 years. I honestly think if you love animals and are a sensitive and compassionate person, going vegan is the easiest thing in the world to do (especially considering there is literally an alternative for every animal product). It's amazing for your body and health, the animals and the planet!
What's the number one restaurant experience for encouraging someone to embrace a vegan diet?
Stevie:
I am an Asian cuisine lover. In L.A., I would encourage people to try "Truly Vegan." You can find the typical Thai dishes there along with their own more American style options. Everything they offer is vegan so you can dine with the pleasure of knowing you are having food that is full of good karmic energy.
But, to truly embrace a vegan diet I would suggest people start in their homes. Either with your family or solo you can have a lot of fun changing up recipes or creating new ones. Substitutions such as apple sauces instead of eggs in baking will leave you with the same result. "You become a part of the solution, not the pollution."
Do you have any favorite and effective recipes you'd love to share?
Sky:
Yes, I have a lot of them, but you will have to check out our Pin Up Cook Book due out this year. Until then, I will give you two great recipes to try.
The Green Monster
This is a strange color, but really sweet and yummy!
Blend together:
1 avocado
1/2 cup of plain or vanilla silk creamer
1/4 cup soy or rice milk
2 scoop of vanilla soy ice-cream
2 table spoons of maple syrup
a few mint leaves
1 cup of baby green spinach
It's is so tasty, and the kids will get iron, protein and a funny green drink they will love.
The Big Vegan Vixen Burrito
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp sea salt
Package of large flour tortillas
2 tbs olive oil
1 cup of grated (Follow Your Heart) cheddar cheese- available at Whole foods market
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 tomato cut into very small cubes
1/4 cup of chopped red onions
tbs fresh lemon
2 tbs of vegan sour cream (Tofutti brand)- available at Whole foods Market
1 package of frozen (Morning Star) ground beef crumbles- available at most markets.
Prepare Salsa- 1/2 cup cilantro, tbs lemon, 1tsp sea salt, 1tsp of garlic powder, 1tbs oil, chopped tomato, red onion. Then mix together and set aside room temp.
Pour tbs of oil in medium skillet, add the veggie crumbles and add tsp of garlic powder and sea salt.
Heat slowly until browned.
Then lay out your tortillas on a cutting board and prepare. Try to keep food more in the center, add 1 tbs of sour cream per burrito, 1/2 cup of cheese and beef.
Now roll it up and set aside. In a different skillet, gently oil the bottom of a large skillet with a paper towel.
Heat low and lay down the rolled burritos and cover it till cheese is soft.
Make sure both sides are lightly browned, serve with salsa on top!
This is a hungry man dinner, without the slaving in the kitchen.
Thank you, Vixens, for an inspiring interview and for continuing to raise awareness in a fun, compassionate way.
For more on the Vegan Vixens, please view their website: www.veganvixens.com.
Laura Bruno is a Life Coach, Medical Intuitive and Reiki Master Teacher. For information on classes, raw food coaching, intuitive coaching, animal communication, and letting your gifts shine through your career, please see: http://www.internationalrenaissancecoaching.com.
Laura also authored the long-awaited "If I Only Had a Brain Injury: A TBI Survivor and Life Coach's Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Concussion, Lyme Disease, Migraine, or Other 'Medical Mystery,'" available now in paperback: http://www.ifionlyhadabraininjury.com
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