First vegan cafe aims to transform lives
A new kind of health kick has come to Ayr town centre after the opening of the county’s first vegan cafe.
Joe McGinn, 61, opened Vegan Earth, on Kyle Street, after insisting veganism transformed his wellbeing.
Now, he’s hoping his Buddah bowls, pancake stacks and homemade cakes can make others aware of the environmental impact our diet has.
Owner Joe said: “Veganism is really the way forward.
“The cruelty to animals is absolutely horrendous and it’s all hidden.
“I didn’t equate a steak wrapped in cling film to a cow.
“Chickens used to take 16 weeks to get to their full weight and now they’ve got it down to about 10 weeks.
“It’s not natural- and people are eating this.
Joe, who has been vegan for two years, says his views on the no animal product lifestyle changed after chatting with a group of like- minded individuals at his former cafe cheffing job in Prestwick.
And after ditching milk his health improved dramatically.
He said: “Whenever a vegan came in I was like ‘ oh what, I’ve got to cook for a vegan’.
“But they kind of took my blindfold off to what’s happening in the world and eventually turned me.
“I’m trying to get a message out and let people know about milk etc.
“It’s the perfect food for baby calves but not people.
“I thought milk was fantastic and great for you- I used to drink it until I ended up with osteoporosis and a hip replacement and broke my wrist a few times.
“But now I’m off all my medication – I don’t take a pill now at all – and I’ve lost a stone and a half.
“In the afternoon I was always so tired and needed a nap- but since I’ve became vegan I’ve just got so much energy.
“I walked up Goatfell about six weeks ago- I couldn’t have done that last year, no way.
The cafe boss thinks more people are inclined to try a vegan lifestyle nowadays as there is more education and evidence on the diet and how it directly affects the planet.
He said: “If I had opened this place a year ago I think I might have struggled.
“But this is what the town needs- a wee
niche spot.
“Even David Attenborough is saying this planet is totally screwed.
“To a lot of people if you say ‘ vegan’ they immediately shut off, but if you say ‘ plant based’ there’s a better response.
“It changes your life but it does make
you sad when you know what’s going on.
Joe added that anyone on the fence about veganism should give it a go.
He added: “Take your blindfold off; educate yourself, watch documentaries.
“Look after your body, it’s the only one you will ever have so nurture it and feed it.”