Tag Archives: foodswings

Vegan Like Me No. 22

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Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world! We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that. If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Bud Burdick

Bud, vegan 6 years

Bud, vegan 6 years

Where do you live?  Brooklyn, NY

How long have you been vegan?  ”Almost 6 years”

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?  ”My move toward a plant-based diet began a little over eight years ago.  I was at a hardcore show and the Syracuse Animal Rights Organization was tabling, offering pamphlets and leaflets, and showing videos portraying the plight of animals.  I later watched the film Meet Your Meat by PETA and was convinced that I needed to change.  I immediately stopped consuming most animal products with exception to “cage free”, organic eggs and shrimp.  Two and a half years later, after having eaten shrimp that smelled like bleach at a restaurant and looking more into the “cage free” industry, I decided to become vegan.”

What do you love most about being vegan?  ”I love knowing that I do no harm to others.  I love trying new foods, exploring those I am familiar with, and being part of an awesome community of caring, thoughtful individuals.  I love the fast recovery I experience after exercising, and the fast recovery following my chemotherapy treatments as I am currently battling leukemia.”

What three items do you always have in your pantry?

“1) Peanut Butter – a staple for sandwiches and smoothies.

2) Oatmeal – often used in smoothies as well, or eaten hot or cold with dried fruit

3) Whole Wheat Pita – great with hummus, I buy the varieties with the fewest ingredients.”

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  “Foodswings” (Vegan restaurant in Brooklyn)

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  “It is important to be open to try new things.  Many vegan foods are different from the standard American diet.  Explore the produce aisle, the internet, and local book stores for more options and ideas.  Seek out like-minded people through Meetup.com groups or local vegetarian groups, and be prepared to answer questions.  This means knowing why you are making this decision, and speaking on things that you know to be true.  You will be questioned by friends, family, and many people you meet as to why you made the change.  If you ever end up in a situation in which you feel “outnumbered” and are being lambasted with questions from non-vegans, offer to take down emails and send information at a later time.”

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  “I do not.”

Any other comments you or words of wisdom you would like to add?  “I have recently experienced life changing events and have documented much of my journey into veganism and through these times in my blog. I feel I have some good things to say and this is my outlet. Check it out:  budburdick.com “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it” -Chinese Proverb”

Thank you so much, Bud, for sharing your story.  I highly suggest visiting his website, as I believe he offers a unique outlook as a vegan, and someone who has been dealt some pretty serious challenges… best of all, he does it with a smile.  It can serve as inspiration to anyone – vegan or otherwise – to truly love and experience your life to the fullest.  Thank you for such an inspirational perspective, Bud!  Let’s high-five at the next Vegan Drinks, ok?  

The Seed: A Vegan Experience

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I had the distinct pleasure of attending The Seed: A Vegan Experience this past weekend.  As you might remember, earlier this year I attended the Vegetarian Food Festival, which was fantastic.  However, the idea of an entirely VEGAN expo really tickled me.  I must say, a lot of my excitement came from the fantastic job that the organizers did in building anticipation via different social media outlets.  They really exemplified prime use of social media in order to promote their event.  In the days and weeks leading up to the event, they announced vendors, speakers, movie screenings and more and it really built up the anticipation.  Well done.

My first red carpet pic! (Does it count if it was taken by your partner?)

The main draw for me to this event was that Colleen Patrick-Goudreau would be speaking.  She is from the West Coast, and produces a podcast that I love called Vegetarian Food For Thought. She presents veganism in such a positive, inspiring way that it often is very re-affirming and helpful to have a listen, particularly when I’m feeling down and/or defeated.  She didn’t let me down, either.  Her talk left me feeling great!  Afterwards, I was able to get her to sign my  copy of Vegan’s Daily Companion as well as snap a photo together.

Another great speaker, one that always moves me (and I quite often refer to like being at vegan church), was my friend Jenny Brown, co-founder of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.  Both she and Kathy Stevens (of Catskill Animal Sanctuary) told personal stories of these animals as individuals.  They are all sentient beings, with personality quirks and preferences, and hearing some personal anecdotes was so wonderful.  Jenny’s talk, however, took it a step further and was exactly what this conference needed — someone who isn’t afraid to address the issue of what actually happens to these animals in this industry.  Sure, the talks about all the health benefits are great, and people skirt around the topic or gently word what actually happens to these animals, but Jenny was the only one to put it out there, right in front of you and told you what it is for what it is.  I believe this is necessary.  One of the biggest reasons why so many vegans become vegans IS because of the animals.  Yet for some reason, people want to shy away from the truth of it, they’re either afraid to offend, to alienate, to frighten.  Yes, it is graphic.  Yes, it is upsetting.  But it is the reality for the over 300 billion farmed animals in this world.  I always think of the now infamous Gretchen Wyler quote – “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.”  Thank you, Jenny, for being brave and sharing the truth.

There was a great panel on effective vegan blogging, moderated by friend of WFAS and Jersey City Vegan, JL Fields.  Her fantastic blog, JL Goes Vegan, is such a source of inspiration for me.  I related to her experience as a blogger the most, her story of the how and the why she got into it, and that it ended up leading to more opportunities for her.  She is a great blogging role model and I am grateful for her contributions to the vegan community.

That’s JL on the left in the blue KALE shirt!

 The food at this event was also of the highest quality.  While most were ones I was familiar with, I was introduced for the first time to Foodswings who have a restaurant in Brooklyn.  They were selling these delectable vegan chickun wings – complete with hot sauce AND bleu cheeze!  Talk about yum to the tenth power!  I coulda had several more of these things, but refrained due to the fact that they were deep fried.  Another new yum?  All the way from Miami came the Mac’n Food Truck.  They were parked outside along with The Cinnamon Snail (whom I LOVE!) and are up in NYC for the summer.  Since the Snail had lines pretty much out to Chicago, and partly because we’ve had the Snail many of times, we decided to give Mac’n a try.  Oh boy.  Ohhhh boy.  Well, let’s just show you what the food looked like…

Frannie’s Southern Fried Tofu Sammie

Garden Mac’n Cheeze

Holy vegan gods can you please send me to vegan food truck heaven?!  Between these two food trucks, I could eat well for the rest of my life.  The mac n cheeze was creamy and delicious.  The breaded tofu spicy sammie (served on a killer wrap, cause they ran out of buns) is probably in my top three vegan sandwiches that I’ve ever had.  I loved it so much, I had it the second day of the festival as well (and served on that wrap, even though they had buns!).  Other notable foodstuffs from this event?  Ella, The Regal Vegan herself (of Faux Gras fame!), shared her new spread called Basilicotta, a cashew-based ricotta-like creamy spread.  They were selling vegan banh-mi made with the Faux Gras and oh man was that good.  Anyone who knows anything about banh-mi knows that traditionally, it is made with pate.  There has not been a vegan version of that kind of banh-mi – until now!  A round of applause for Ella and her vegan pate and creamy spread.

The second day of the festival I was lucky enough to be able to table for the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.  If I ever had an opportunity to gush all day long about my beloved friends there, this was it!  All day long I talked about Star, my chicken buddies, the sweet piggies, everyone.  I was all talked out by the end of the day.  But it was a blast and I look forward to more opportunities to do this for them.

All in all, I think most were in consensus that this event was superb.  I raise my glass to the founders of the event, the organizers, the volunteers and anyone who made it possible.  My only suggestion?  More please!!!