Ep 21: Vegan Chocolate with Coco Caravan feat. Elliot Knight

This one's for the vegan chocolate lovers out there! This week Evy, and guest co-host, Elliot Knight, expound on their deep love for all things smothered in thick layers of delicious chocolate, and the importance of indulgence on a vegan diet. We talk about the struggle of satisfying your vegan sweet tooth when vegan treats and desserts are often seen as too obscure or difficult to make, by non-vegans. Later on we interview the fantastic Jacques Cöp, founder and head chocolatier of vegan chocolate house, Coco Caravan, to learn about the process of making vegan chocolate and how raw chocolate is actually a healthy food. Also on this episode...

  • Meet this week's guest host, actor and fellow vegan, Elliot Knight
  • Elliot shares his joyful outlook on embracing the sweeter things of vegan life - ‘Life is a dessert - get a spoon and get on in!’
  • Jacques tells of a chocolate vision that came to him and changed his life!
  • Jacques explains why you CAN 3-4 chocolate bars a day and feel good about it!
  • Why vegan chocolate is better than ordinary dairy milk chocolate.
  • The benefits of eating raw chocolate.
  • What is coconut palm sugar?
  • We discuss vegan businesses taking over the world vs keeping business local and family-run.
  • Elliot reaches chocolate-nirvana mid podcast.
  • Jacques shares his abundant mindset as a vegan: ‘With going vegan you don’t really have to miss out on anything.’
  • Listener question: What do you do when you’re required to eat animal products for an audition? Elliot and Evy weigh in on how they would handle the situation.
  • How NOT to fall off the wagon when non vegan chocolate is the only thing in sight.

Links:

Learn more about CocoCaravan!

Follow CocoCaravan on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Follow Elliot Knight on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch

Ep 20: Cheese! with Miyoko Schinner

This week we’re talking about all things cheese and why so many aspiring vegans find it difficult to give it up. Momo and Evy share some charming details about the process of dairy cheese production and then compare the nutritional content of dairy cheese vs vegan cheese. Later on, (24.20) we interview the phenomenal Miyoko Schinner, vegan cheese queen and founder of Miyoko’s Kitchen her early struggles going vegan while being a cheese aficionado, and how she founded her legendary vegan cheese empire. Also on this episode…

  • What is rennet?
  • The chemically addictive properties of dairy cheese
  • How do you quit your cheese addiction? We discuss how to get cheese out of your system.
  • Miyoko shares what it was like being vegan 30 years ago compared to the vegan scene today: ‘This is the renaissance of the vegan movement.’
  • Miyoko discusses being a huge ‘stinky gooey funky cheese aficionado’ and why she believes being vegan shouldn’t be prohibitive of enjoying the finest foods.
  • Being a bonne vivante vegan : ‘Joy comes with being a vegan when you realise you’re no longer causing harm.’
  • The process of making vegan cheese: Miyoko describes the life of a vegan cheese.
  • Is vegan cheese healthy? Are dairy and vegan cheeses nutritional equivalents?
  • ‘I think we need health on both an emotional level and a physical level. Sometimes having a delicious baguette with a big thick slab of vegan butter on it can be quite healthy for the spirit.’
  • What’s it like launching a vegan cheese business and how Miyoko built her brand.
  • ‘I really see our competitor as being the dairy industry.’
  • Phenomenally Vegan: Miyoko explains why she thinks it’s important to be loud and proud about your vegan values.
  • Miyoko shares good basic cheese recipes
  • Tips for giving up dairy cheese: ‘Go snuggle up with a cow’.
  • 'There’s a wider array of foods available when you go vegan because you’re thinking outside the box.'

Links:

Miyoko's Kitchen

Tomorrow’s Creamery - Cashew vs Dairy infographic

Miyoko's Books and DVDs

Miyoko's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

The Cheese Trap Book by Dr. Neal Barnard

PETA UK - Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese

PETA USA - Everything you need to know about Vegan Cheese

PETA AUS/NZ - The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese

If you'd like to take part in a 'The 1 month no cheese experiment' in the GLO Vegan Community on FB, join here: www.facebook.com/groups/GloVegan

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch

Ep 19: Wicked Healthy with Derek Sarno

You may be thinking that for a vegan podcast we really don't spend much time discussing how to make delicious, simple, healthy vegan food. We thought that too, so this week we are joined by talented chef, co-founder of Wicked Healthy, Director of Plant-Based Innovation at Tesco, and all-around wonderful person, Derek Sarno. Evy and the newest ChickPeeps' recruit, MJ, talk to Derek about Buddhism, why he prefers the term 'free from animals' over veganism, and the future of plant-based food. Also on this episode...

  • Meet MJ, friend to The ChickPeeps and our very first guest-host!
  • What is Varganism? MJ explains the latest craze in the plant-based world.
  • Derek explains why he went vegan or ‘free from animals’.
  • How losing the love of his life led Derek to Buddhism and a deeper empathy with animals.
  • ‘It hurt so bad that I didn’t want anyone else to feel that pain.’
  • Derek explains the parallels between going vegan and the five steps of grief.
  • Vegan food for meat eaters: Derek shares the inspiration behind the Wicked Healthy range.
  • When you’re not a foodie: Some basic recipes and tips for beginner vegan cooks.
  • How to train yourself to like gross vegetables: Evy shares a dark vegan secret.
  • 'You can find an excuse not to do anything…whatever it is, cleaning your room, veganism… it’s the reasons to do it that really matter.'
  • ‘Plant-pushers not meat-shamers’: Derek tells us about the versatility of mushrooms as a non-processed plant-protein and how he hopes the farming industry will embrace them.
  • “I don’t need anything to die for me to live a very happy and successful life.”
  • We discuss snobbery towards vegans in the restaurant business and how to earn respect from non vegan chefs.
  • 'There’s no way that the way we eat now can sustain itself, there’s some immediate actions that need to be happen and it’s not eating animals.'
  • Uh-oh, we screwed up! The ChickPeeps receive an update on the fennec fox story from a listener, and we are sorry.

Links:

Derek and Chad's website

Preorder the new Wicked Healthy cookbook!

Wicked Kitchen @ Tesco

Wicked Healthy Instagram

Derek Sarno's Instagram

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch

Ep 18: Zoos with Freedom For Animals

This week Tylor, Evy and Robbie take on the heavily-debated subject of whether or not zoos are vegan-friendly. As animal-lovers, many vegans crave the opportunity to meet animals in person and zoos might seem like the obvious option, however there is no denying that wild animals in captivity are caged against their will. We talk about our experiences with zoos and the role zoos play in education and conservationism. Later on, we interview Maddie Taylor, the Campaigns Officer for the animal rights organisation, Freedom For Animal (previously known as the Captive Animals Protection Society). Also on this episode…

  • Are not-for-profit zoos more ethical?
  • Tylor: “We don’t want bigger cages; we want empty cages.”
  • Listener question: What about zoos that help conserve certain species?
  • Is Newt Scamander’s suitcase a zoo or a sanctuary?
  • Breaking news from the vegan wizarding world brought to you by The ChickPeeps’ most persistent tweeter.
  • What is life like for animals in zoos?
  • Maddy: “I think part of the problem is that a zoo is very much about creating a great day out for the visitor… giving you the perception that those animals are free.”
  • What is Stereotypic behaviour and what are some examples of it?
  • Marius the giraffe and “Surplus” animals - how was Copenhagen Zoo allowed to kill a perfectly healthy animal and is this a common practice?
  • Where do zoos get their animals?
  • What about zoos’ role in conservation projects?
  • Alternative ways to learn about animals
  • Do certain zoos improve the lives of animals in captivity?
  • What we can do to help animals in captivity now?
  • Robbie takes issue with Evy’s vegan highlight of the week

Links:

Freedom For Animals' Website

Take part in Freedom For Animals' Zoo Awareness Weekend

Follow Freedom for Animals on Facebook and Twitter.

Article by YourDailyVegan on Zoos (List of alternative ways to learn about animals at bottom of page)

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch

Ep 17: Fighting Animal Testing with Hilary Jones

This week, Momo and Evy delve into the complicated world of vegan beauty products, and how to make sure your vanity table is 100% vegan. We discuss the apparent oxymoron of cruelty free products that are not vegan, and why we demand more stringent measures from beauty brands than from food manufacturers. Later on (18.30) we interview Hilary Jones, the ethics director of Lush cosmetics, a 32 year vegan and a fierce and knowledgable advocate for ending animal testing. Also on this episode…

  • What is the difference between cruelty-free and vegan?
  • Crushed beetles, sheep’s wool and pig fat: Momo and Evy discuss the hidden non vegan ingredients often found in cosmetics.
  • Our favourite beauty bloggers.
  • The China thing: the legislation that blocks the world’s biggest beauty companies from being cruelty free.
  • Are our expectations too high? How can we expect makeup brands to be totally Cruelty-Free as we vegan food at non vegan restaurants?
  • How to veganise your cosmetics closet.
  • Why is fighting animal testing part of Lush’s mission?
  •  “Companies create paranoia and sell products off the back of that... We don’t want to test on animals, we don’t want to make people feel bad about themselves.”
  • "That’s not science, that’s just brutality” -Hilary explains how animal testing is not necessary or effective way of verifying the safety of our products.
  • How do Lush test their products if not on animals?
  • What happens to animals during testing.
  • The LD50 test: Hilary explains the standard test that kills 50% of its subjects.
  • What is The Cosmetics Drive and the Lush Prize.
  • Will Lush ever go vegan? Hilary shares her feelings on being a vegan at a vegetarian company and her hopes for the future.
  • What can individuals do to achieve a world free from animal testing?
  • “Think about the animals in all that you do.”

Links:

Lush's website

Follow Lush on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

The Tasty Vegan non-vegan ingredients list

Our favourite CF/Vegan beauty bloggers: Logical Harmony and Cruelty-Free Kitty

Logical Harmony's list of Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands

Article on Animal Testing in China and hope for ending it

Lush's Live Demonstration on Regent's Street (warning: this video is graphic)

 

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch

Ep 16: Attractivism with Victoria Moran

Special guest alert! This week Evy tries to keep her shit together as she interviews the woman who inspired The ChickPeeps Podcast in the first place, and who is an all-around beacon of light in the vegan community, Victoria Moran. Victoria is the host of the award-winning vegan podcast, Main Street Vegan, the author of thirteen books and the founder/director of the Main Street Vegan Academy where she trains and certifies vegan lifestyle coaches. A vegan for 35 years, Victoria shares what it was like being vegan when nobody knew what that meant, and discusses the concept of Attractivism as a tool for change. She also explains how veganism is an extension of her faith and spiritual life and shares her best advice for accelerating the dream of a vegan world. Also on this episode…

  • 35 years vegan! Victoria talks about what life was like as a vegan over three decades ago: ‘It was so weird that very few people criticised it.
  • Victoria shares her struggle going vegan as she was trying to overcome a binge eating disorder.
  • What is a ‘Main Street Vegan’?
  • ‘If we’re going to have a vegan world then we’re going to have to be open to liberals and conservatives and religious people and atheists and agnostics and rich people and poor people…the way I look at it is that every human being has at least one thing in common and that is that we all have a heart.’
  • The Main Street Vegan Academy - Victoria describes the process of becoming a Vegan Lifestyle Coach
  • Attractivism - Living in a way that makes other people want what you have.
  • Is attractivism enough? We discuss the best way to do in-person activism.
  • Raising a child vegan and Victoria’s advice to worried parents of young vegans.
  • 'In every reputable study over the past 50 years -with the exception of vitamin B12 - we don’t see any [health] problems with vegans.'
  • Veganism and Religion - how extending love to animals should be a core tenet of one’s spritiual practice.
  • Victoria’s advice to all vegans wishing to make a change: Be aspirational. Live your very best life.
  • Tylor and Evy discuss their vegan weeks and a problematic story circling the vegan news sites.

Links:

Victoria's Website, Main Street Vegan

Become a Vegan Lifestyle Coach!

Victoria's Podcast, Main Street Vegan

Victoria's upcoming movie: A Prayer for Compassion

NutritionFacts.org

Book Recommendation: The Medical Medium

Victoria on Twitter @Victoria_Moran and @MainStreetVegan

On Facebook @MainStreetVegan

On Instagram @MainStreetVegan

Subscribe to MainStreetVegan on itunes

Check out Man by Steve Cutts

Social Media

Twitter: @ChickPeepsPod

Instagram: @ChickPeepsPod

Facebook: @ChickPeepsPodcast

Momoko Hill: @oh_momoko

Robbie Jarvis: @robbjarvis

Tylor Starr: @tylorstarr

Evanna Lynch: @msevylynch