Red & Green VegFest celebrates living healthy lifestyles
All you wanted to know about veganism awaits you at Red & Green VegFest.
This is the third year of the event, which will be held on Saturday, March 10, at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
“This is a celebration for all life, and we talk about veganism for health, diet, the planet and of course the animals and with that we try to have a fun, holistic day out sharing with the community,” said Nancy Arenas, founder and organizer of Red & Green VegFest. “We welcome vegans, vegetarians and the veg curious to come and experience things that we have set up for the day.”
The event will feature various types of exercise throughout the day, including yoga, tai chi, and Qigong. There also will be local chefs doing cooking demonstrations. There will be a food tasting of vegan products for attendees to sample as well a vegan concession stand where vegan food will be sold.
A number of presenters from around the country will be at the show discussing a variety of topics including the link between animal abuse and human violence, life at an animal sanctuary and the stories behind some rescued animals, and how to build a better community.
“We have someone from New York coming to talk about everything we wanted to know about choosing vegan wine,” Arenas said. “So we try to cover all different aspects of veganism and then we have a lady who will be talking about living your life as a message to the world. I guess being the change you want to see in the world and actually doing it not just quoting Ghandi.”
Cruelty free vendors also will be on hand including one that has an animal equality virtual reality experience of a farmed animal for a chicken, for a cow, and for a pig. The event also will feature “Brave the Cage,” which is a physical cage you get in to feel how these animals have to exist daily.
Arenas, who went vegan 4½ years ago, said a month after she went vegan she no longer suffered from migraines or fibromyalgia. She then decided to organize VegFest to provide a space where people can come and find information, support each other, find out what is out there and meet other people. Arenas’ hope is that they will make connections and know that there are people at the event that can offer support.
“I know that there is an audience and people out there,” she said. “They just don’t know where or who to turn to and I’m out there everyday trying to render information for those that want it so they can decide what they want to do. Obviously I want the whole world to go vegan but it’s everybody’s own decision but if they don’t have all the information then they can’t make the right choices.”