Atlanta
Metropolitan has gone vegan,
well for the weekend. The Atlanta
Veg Fest has come to the grounds of Atlanta Metropolitan to show future and
existing vegans exciting new recipes and ground-breaking discussions in the
vegan world.
Being a vegan is
not just about better food options but rather a lifestyle choice. Vegans live
strictly off of plant products that the earth provides. Many consider veganism not just a diet but
also an upstanding philosophy.
“The need to
change the idea about eating animals must be looked at,” said Kevin Roberts who
has been a vegan for 8 years. “We as humans must take the opportunity to save
the world.”
People of the
vegan lifestyle usually have many reasons for going vegan some include: a
conscientious relationship between humans and animals, the physiological human
composition, spiritual evolution, solutions to population outbreak, and the
open-minded concept of maintaining health and spiritual wholeness.
Vegans
eat only fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains,
nuts, and seeds. Vegans exclude dairy products, eggs, fish, fowl, flesh, honey,
animal
gelatin and any other foods that may hail from an animal origin. They also exclude animal products such as
leather, wool, fur, and silk for clothing and household goods such as soaps, cosmetics,
toiletries and other household goods.
“I
personally can’t do without meat,” says Meagan Dorsey, a student of Atlanta
Metro. “I do try and eat healthy but the whole no meat thing might take some
work.”
Atlanta Veg Fest
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support our community
and to promote the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle founded in compassion
for animals, people, and the environment.
The Atlanta Veg
Fest was held Saturday November 7th, 2015 in the Easley Conference
Pavilion. Many vendors supportive of the
vegan movement came to back this cause.
“I
think its definitely exciting learning about the vegan world,” says Jamie
Kellam Atlanta Metro English tutor. “This will give the students at Atlanta
Metro an opportunity to learn about other options for a healthier lifestyle.”
There
were many opportunities to experience the vegan life at the Atlanta Veg
Fest. This festival was organized for
every person in the family, vegan or not.
The
PlantBuilt athletes took the stage to
show their dynamism in being vegan and a body builder. Other seminars range
from “Animal Protection is Human Protection,” by Dr. Aysha Akhtar, “Eating
Vegan on a Food Stamp Budget,” and “I Cant Live Without Cheese and Other Myths
about Living Vegan.” These seminars help
with reducing the vegan is boring or has no flavor myth. Or the ever-so-popular
veganism is for hippies.
“I
thought the body
builders from PlantBuilt were pretty cool,” said Naim Scott, an Atlanta
Metro student who took off of work to attend the festival. “I’ve been thinking
about the vegan thing but I was honestly scared to, I’m so used to meat and
other products I don’t know how hard it’ll be to stray away from meat and other
stuff.”
The
doors opened at 10 a.m. closing at 5 p.m. for a full day of activities and
sights for all ages and different levels of commitment from the vegan community
of Atlanta. There were also round table
discussions involving Vegan consumerism, Grassroots activism, and Vegan
nutrition.
The
first 300 guest received a goodie bag full of various coupons and samples from
of the sponsors who range from Sevanada Food Store in Little Five Points to
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant in the West End. The festival only asked in return
for a $5-dollar donation at the door, but patrons were not turned away if they
didn’t have a donation.
“The
goodie bag was a delight!” said Sherry Newsome, a seasoned Atlanta Metro
student. “Even though I’m not a vegan my doctor told me to eat healthier so I’m
here to find new ways of eating better for my health.”
Whether
you choose veganism as a lifestyle choice for health or for environmental
reasons, the promotion of being a vegan has its benefits.
“Becoming a vegan
was one of the single most liberating experiences of my life,” says Kevin. “I
am healthier, more vibrant and I feel closer to the animals by helping save
their livelihood.”
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