Embracing a new lifestyle
P.E.I. group encourages more Islanders to shift to veganism and plant-based living
A local group is encouraging more Prince Edward Islanders to explore veganism and try out the variety of food options it offers.
Islanders Protecting Animals, a community group of local animal advocates, has been hosting events to introduce veganism to more people in P.E.I.
Its recent event on March 31, a community potluck featuring different kinds of vegan foods, was held at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown with about 40 attendees.
“Veganism is becoming a bit more in the mainstream so far. So often, you'll see a couple of options in restaurants. This is just a way for people to become more comfortable with the idea of veganism, and it's a very open and accepting environment. You don't necessarily need to be part of some, like, secret vegan club to be here,” said Jennifer O'brien, the group’s founder.
The group wanted to keep the event accessible to all, so donations were optional. Members plan to continue promoting veganism and animal welfare with upcoming events, including an antivivisection event by the end of April.
SIMPLE, BUT WHOLESOME
O'brien brought her homemade chocolate chip cookies to the potluck, which she noticed were “a big hit” in the previous gatherings.
“With our events, so they're 100 per cent vegan, so it'd be no meat, no dairy, no eggs, no honey or beeswax included in anything,” she said.
Participants contributed a wide range of dishes, including curries, stews and vegetable soups. Each dish came with a written description to encourage people to learn and potentially recreate the recipes at home.
Among the attendees was Charlottetown resident Sukriti Chopra, who brought her homemade chickpea salad. It was made with things like boiled chickpeas, cucumber and tomatoes, but what made her dish stand out was the seasoning – it wasn't the usual salt and pepper.
“I’ve added a little bit of Indian seasoning, cumin and some dry mango powder. It's simple, but it's wholesome. And it has protein. It has veggies. It's flavourful and it's filling,” she said.
Chopra grew up as a vegetarian in India and later travelled and lived in different parts of the world. After
32 years of being vegetarian, she made the transition to full veganism 13 years ago.
Her main reason for embracing veganism wasn't solely for the health benefits or environmental reasons, but mostly for the well-being of animals, Chopra said.
“You don't want to kill animals. Or through dairy and other things, you don't want to put animals through a life of misery.”
BE MORE OPEN
Chopra arrived in P.E.I. about two years ago and was surprised that veganism wasn't popular here. But over time, she has found herself connected with more vegans in P.E.I. and has built a stronger vegan community.
She hopes to see more Islanders open to trying veganism and experiencing its flavours and benefits.
“It opens up our mind, our palates and just opens up to newer ideas. And plant-based and vegan is a relatively new idea on the Island. So that's what I wish – just people to be more open and try stuff,” she said.
O'brien shares Chopra's sentiment and hopes more Islanders will give veganism a chance, even if it's just for one day a week.
“Like, people do meat-free Mondays, and that might be a lot better for the environment and for your health and also for budgets as well, with inflation going kind of nuts. So things like lentils and legumes and grains are a bit more affordable for us these days,” O'brien said.
Having been vegan for about 14 years, O'brien remembers how lonely it was to start her journey alone after watching a video on slaughterhouses.
But now, she has noticed a shift in P.E.I.'S food scene, with more restaurants offering vegan and vegetarian options.
“And then just recently, this past year, the community grew so much and I met all of these new amazing vegans. It’s a very nice supportive group of women that we're all kind of coming together and organizing this and supporting each other,” she said.