When I went vegan I was compelled to learn how to cook, and in the process of going vegan I learned that there are people who go plastic free, which compelled me to reduce my plastic consumption. You wouldn’t believe how much this desire has lead me to learn how to make all sorts of things from scratch. I buy bulks, I pickle produce, this summer I’m starting my first vegetable garden. Eating processed foods is NOT compatible with living plastic free. I recently learned how to make my own tofu and am thrilled at how much plastic I will save from ultimately finding its way into our ecosystem. I am also glad not to be giving my money to multinational corporations such as Hain Celestial or Dean Foods.

I think that all systems of oppression are linked, and when your eyes are open to one (animal rights) you begin to learn more about others (the environment, global capitalism or feminism, for example), and these all combine to help you forge a new lifestyle path. I’m very grateful to veganism for opening my eyes to empowering myself through food. And it really doesn’t take much time to cook from scratch or work on nifty food projects with enough knowledge and thinking ahead. I work hard as a PhD student and still find the time to make three squares a day with my boyfriend.