FEATURE: Adaora Ngozi Osimiri-Lewis

Goth In The Raw is the brainchild of Nigerian-American industrial musician/model/entrepreneur Adaora Ngozi Osimiri-Lewis, a Goth Raw Vegan/Vegan Private Chef. Her food is a representation of all aspects of her: the arts, avant-garde/dark fashion, her love of food and health, her unique style and love of the Goth subculture, which she has loved and been a part of since a young age. She has also been a vegan since she was 16 and transitioned to raw vegan 6 years ago. Her dishes and recipes have a dark/avant-garde aesthetic that is bold and eerie yet beautiful and all plant-based.

In such a short time since introducing herself to the world in late 2015, she has been featured in and is a Guest Contributing Editor for Vegan Lifestyles Magazine (Australia) and is gaining new fans and followers daily - vegan, raw vegan, non-vegan, alternative, goth and, well....everyone! She has been called by some fans,"The Morticia Addams of the Raw Vegan World", a title that she is ever so delighted to have. With the new year in her hands, she has a major venture in the works as well as a product launch and her YouTube Channel launching this year. She will be featured in the March 2017 Issue of Vegan Life Magazine (UK) with a "Meet The Chef" feature, interviewed for Plant based Cooks Magazine and was recently at the Atlanta VegFest 2016 and is preparing for AVF 2017.  She also has been working with The Humane League of Atlanta, an animal rights and animal activist organization.

She is married (husband is also vegan) and also a mum to two little princes, ages 2 1/2 and 3 years old, who are also little vegans themselves. She shares her love of health, recipes, mummyhood, life, the darkness and all of its beauty with anyone who dares to venture into her world. Adaora has even caught the attention of fellow vegans/activists: female vocalist Otep Shamaya of the metal band OTEP, Tattoo Artist/Celebrity Kat Von D and Alisa White-Gluz, female vocalist of the metal band All That Remains...just to name a few. She shows that vegans of all kinds exist.....even those that are children of the night.

Social Media

Instagram: @gothintheraw

Website:  www.gothintheraw.com

FEATURE: Gina Mondesir

My name is Gina Mondesir and I am the owner of MELONATED. Melonated is a plant based blog that features food, fashion, and lifestyle through the melanin eyes. What started the process and basically my journey into veganism was when I saw my mother single-handedly butcher a live pig when I was 16 years old. She wanted to cook fresh griot for dinner. For those that do not not know, griot is a popular Haitian cuisine. The pork is fried until it is golden brown and served with crispy plantains. However, watching her hammer away limb after limb really affected me. Also, my best friend chased me two blocks with the head of the pig my mother gruesomely slaughtered, That is when I began to question what I ate.

After high school I began my transition, I also met my husband who is a vegan and it really helped...but it was not easy. Back then I was trying to change my old eating habits but I felt like I was losing my Haitian culture. Not being able to indulge in those delightful dishes at family get- togethers put me at conflict with my higher self. But the less I ate meat the more I began to feel alive. Then I back-sled! It wasn't until I was feeling sharp pains in my uterus and my urine started to leave a foul smell that caused me to take my health a bit more serious. This eventually led me to the person who I am today and who I am today is Gina Mondesir vegan, mother, wife,entrepreneur, and just a better version of the old me. 

You can find me on Instagram @melonated Twitter @melonated I also have a cooking show on Youtube which is www.youtube.com/loveafroveg and my website is www.melonated.com. 

FEATURE: Darrion Smith

I was first introduced to the vegan lifestyle in late 2014 when I met Elandria Williams. She is a vegan and I learned a lot about the benefits and challenges of veganism from her. Until that time, I had never had anyone in my life who didn't eat meat or consume dairy products. This absolutely intrigued me.

I had already given up red meat and pork. I was still indulging in chicken, turkey, fish and dairy products. So this lead me on a journey of really exploring the activism of a plant-based diet. Through constant education and learning cultural history, I gradually eliminated meat from my diet. I also cut off a lot of dairy products. To me, veganism is a form of activism and resistance. I am no longer putting the chemicals, antibiotics, and steroids that are forced into animals inside my body. By no longer eating meat, I'm not contributing to the inhumane treatment and torture of God's living creatures. I also gave up dairy because of the pesticides and also learned that cows milk was not intended for human consumption.  

Through changes in my eating habits, my health has improved dramatically. I no longer feel sluggish, have labored breathing, my skin is clearer, I have more energy, and a better attitude. My journey to veganism began about 2 years ago. My life has definitely changed for the better. 

FEATURE: Glenn Wilson

I’m a 51 year old vegan who started this journey over 25 years ago. Over the years people have asked me why I became a vegan. Well, it wasn’t initially for health reasons or for animal rights or anything such as that. It was because of vanity!
 
I sought medical help for my flaky, discolored skin condition. After more than a decade of going to different dermatologists and receiving no relief, I accepted it was just something I was going to have to live with for the rest of my life. But then something really bad happened; I started to lose my hair…but only in certain sections of my head!!
 
I went to see Dr. Sebi about my conditions as a last resort. After his guidance and herbal treatments I had a full head of hair within one month! My skin condition had reversed itself. All within one month!
 
Energy levels? Out of the roof. And I had a mental clarity I had never had before. It was like a fog had been lifted off of me. I’m still not sure how to convey this experience in words but it was like I discovered a new way to see the world.
 
I experienced first hand what a simple and proper change in diet can do for you.
 
I went from not being able to do a single push up to quitting smoking, becoming involved in the martial arts, gaining a first and second degree black belt, training with the worlds’ best self defense instructor and learning that system to become an international instructor myself, and a nightclub security professional. I can perform push-ups with someone sitting on my back (not recommended), workout regularly and uncover the joys of body weight exercises.,,all because of what I now use to fuel my body, which is plant-based.
 
When I read Diet for a New America by John Robbins, that was the first book where I was able to see a tie between natural resources, diet, animal rights and what we collectively call “race”. I had always been aware of the issues of race because my mother exposed my brother and myself to such giants as Dr. John Henrik Clark, Dr. Ben, Dr. Ali Mazrui, and Professor George Simmonds. It wasn’t until I read this book, however that I saw how this dietary thing really affects every aspect of our lives and the lives of our people in a direct and indirect manner.
 

Social Media:

Website:      Vegan Odyssey
Email:           MightyGVeganOdyssey@gmail.com
Facebook:   Vegan Odyssey
Twitter:        @MightyGVegan
YouTube:     https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCD-IKd9qoh454iTgP15jtLw

FEATURE: Lindsay Cottin

Lindsay is a professional dancer, Shiatsu Therapist, fitness trainer and Therapeutic Recreation student from Toronto, ON. She is constantly working to help others mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being vegan for over a year, she now implements her vegan lifestyle into all areas of her work. Whether she is creating dances, fitness training or healing others with Shiatsu, she is continuously advocating for others to take on a more vegan lifestyle.

Prior to becoming vegan, I was an extreme healthy and chemical free vegetarian. When I decided to go vegan it was for spiritual and cleansing reasons. I felt in order to be whole mind, body, and spirit that it only made sense to cleanse myself of all animal flesh. My friends and family are used to me going to the extreme in my life, so going vegan seemed natural for me. I have even now inspired some of my friends and family to slowly transition to go vegan. 

Veganism is a vital component in keeping your body healthy on the inside and outside. As a fitness lover, dancer, and trainer I feel so much more energised since I became vegan. What's important to remember is that going vegan does not mean instant healthy bliss. The fact is you need to avoid junk food, processed foods, and chemicals as much as you can; just as when you are not vegan. 

 I think being vegan as a black woman can be very influential and is really important to help rid the black stereotype of our inability to live without eating chicken and other flavorful foods. If we consider the Rastafarians who live an "Ital" way of living in which they utilize and only eat from the earth, this would suggest that veganism has nothing to do with being a "white' fad or trend right now. 

In regard to veganism being expensive, I would tell people to go in their fridge and look at what they are already spending their money on. Most people spend more then enough money on meats (eggs, chicken, bacon etc) as well as other processed foods that just sit in their cabinets. Going vegan means you will buy a lot of veggies, fruits, legumes etc, however you will no longer be buying all that meat and processed foods. So as far as being expensive that won't be the case, you would either be spending the same amount, or from my experience and after helping others to transition, you can actually end up spending a lot less.

On a final note, as a black dancer and woman I think we have to work much harder at advocating and bringing awareness about veganism and racism. I use dance performances as a means to tell a story and through that hope to influence other black women to understand how beautiful and how much power and influence they can have in this world. 

Both physically cleansed and at my highest state of spirituality, going vegan was the best decision I have ever made.

Social Media

Instagram: lindsay_dance_fitness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.cottin

Website: www.lindsaycottin.wix.com/dance

FEATURE: Sonia Moise

Hi! My name is Sonia Moise and I go by the name the_humble_vegan on IG. I became a vegetarian about 7 years ago because, ironically, my daughter learned how meat was actually brought to the store and onto our table. She was absolutely mortified! I was shocked as well because I thought she knew the process. My  daughter, Katherine, is the cook in the family and after she explained what her eyes witnessed she said to me "Mommy, I'm not touching meat anymore, I'll make fish but not meat."

From that day forward, we both became vegetarians. I too, shared her views after I saw the look in her eyes and the compassion in her voice. The slaughter of animals for our own selfish consumption is heartbreaking and unethical. As a Registered Nurse, I also find that meat is the cause of so many illnesses, such as gastrointestinal issues, circulatory problems and heart disease. Prior to being a vegetarian, I had digestive issues and my cholesterol had increased to the point where my physician wanted to start me on an anti-hyperlipidemia drug. He knew how I personally felt about drugs of any sort so I had no choice to change what how I ate. Once I changed my eating habits, my digestive issues went away and my cholesterol came down dramatically.

My only downfall, still, was dairy and seafood. I found that dairy has too many pesticides and antibiotics which can influence many illnesses as well and the water in which the fish and shellfish swam is also tainted. My vegan journey began 3 years ago and I've never felt better. My energy is up, my skin is bright and my temperament is much better. With the practice of veganism and yoga, my balance in life has never been better. Namaste!

FEATURE: Dexter Scott King

Dexter Scott King, son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is a civil rights activist and chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. (the King Center in Atlanta, GA). Dexter was only seven years old when his father was assassinated, yet continues to spread his mother and father's message of peace and change. 

He's also an advocate for veganism and animal rights and even convinced his mother to go vegan in 1995. He became vegan after being introduced to the concept by Dick Gregory. King famously said:

“If you’re violent to yourself by putting things into your body that violate its spirit, it will be difficult not to perpetuate that onto someone else.” 

FEATURE: Coco Kapfer

Aloha!

I’m Coco and I live in Portland, Oregon with my partner Bubba. The two of us live a vegan lifestyle. While diet does play a huge role in being vegan, I see it as a lifestyle because it expands much further than what I eat. It is a day to day commitment that I make to the animals, my health, my community and the planet… but it’s also about the food, let’s not forget the food. 

I am truly obsessed with food. Let’s rewind a little. - Leaves in my hair, a diaper full of sand, a smile that took up most of my face, proudly holding a platter of “food” that I had prepared for my mom from flowers and water. It’s not only my first memory but also the moment I knew that my world was going to revolve around food. - See? Food has always been at the heart of it. 

Food is my medicine, history, art, sustenance, treat, culture, politics, love and joy.

I have not always been vegan. Growing up I was a vegetarian and pescetarian. Making the connection that pigs are pork and cows are beef was simple. Making that same connection with eggs, milk, and fish took longer...much longer. 

To be completely honest I looked into eating a plant based vegan diet for health reasons. I had a lack of energy, my body ached and after leaving Hawaii for Portland, I also had severe seasonal depression. 

One day while on Youtube I stumbled upon a vegan video. It was a short little video of a mama and her son eating an abundance of raw fruits and veggies. The health, vitality and happiness that the two of them were so effortlessly radiating got me hooked! So I made the change. 

I went from eating TONS of eggs, butter and cheese to eating a diet of ripe fruits, fresh veggies and whole foods overnight. My partner did too (thank goodness, the support was so vital). I felt the change in my health right away. 

I was however still craving animal products, missing ‘flavorful foods’ and was now comparing myself to thin white women with blond hair. While the online vegan community propelled me into veganism I knew something deeper and more personal was going to engage me to stay with the diet and eventually blossom it into a wholesome lifestyle. 

I started taking matters into my own hands. I found vegan meet ups, talked to seasoned vegans, read books about animal agriculture’s ties to the environment, watched movies that tugged on my heart strings, tried cooking my favorite dishes vegan and asking questions that made most vegans uncomfortable to hear. Research was the key for my success. It still is. It also made me realize that my voice and story was important. 

That realization gave me the motivation I needed to start Eclectic and Vegan. Eclectic and Vegan is aimed at vegans and non-vegans alike. Its a place where questions are welcome. Just as the name implies we pull from a variety of sources and delve into veganism with curiosity,  wonder and joy.   

S O C I A L M E D I A

Youtube: Eclectic and Vegan
Instagram: Eclectic and Vegan
Twitter: @eclectic_vegan
Tumblr: http://eclecticandvegan.tumblr.com/ 
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/eclecticvegan/ 
Blog: http://www.eclecticandvegan.com/?page_id=2