Veg Mentors

Mentor: Kim
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Raw Foods
* Veg Companion Animals
From the mentor:
“I adopted a vegan lifestyle on July 4, 2003, after about 4 months of being a vegetarian. It seemed a fitting day to celebrate my ‘independence’ from all animal foods and products. I’m excited about the idea of helping others make new choices in their own lives—on whatever level is appropriate for you at this time. I will happily provide assistance without judgment to anyone with a genuine interest in learning to make more compassionate choices.”
~ Kim
Additional information:
* 3L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Editor in Chief of the Animal Law Review
* Law Clerk at the National Center for Animal Law.
She has two beautiful black cats, who are also vegan, and an extensive library of books and videos on animal welfare and animal rights philosophy. She loves to cook—and prepare living foods—and has lots of yummy recipes to share.


Mentor: Jami
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Vegan Junk Food
* Veg Companion Animals
From the mentor:
"I've helped more than 20 people go vegan or vegetarian, and I enjoy helping others tailor their approach depending upon their personality. I am interested in helping anyone, whether you want to be vegetarian, vegan,
pescetarian, flexetarian or any kind of -ism or -arian." ~ Jami
Additional information:
* Portland animal law attorney
* Vegan since 1999.
She didn't have a transitory vegetarian phase, so she is familiar with what it's like to eat meat one day, and to go vegan the next. She has a particular fondness for dispelling untruths about veg*n nutrition and philosophies. Jami hails from a Christian family, so she has learned how to deal with vegetarianism issues as they relate to Christianity.


Mentor: Jeff
Specialties:
* Veganism
From the mentor:
"I became vegan after being a flexetarian, a pescetarian, and most recently a vegetarian. It's so easy to do now in this country, and especially in Portland. I would love to share my knowledge and experiences of how best to reduce or totally eliminate the use of animal products." ~ Jeff
Additional information:
* Surfer, hiker, mountain biker
* Enjoys traveling
His family includes three vegan companion animals - a feral born cat named Lily and two shelter adopted dogs, George and Sherman.


Mentor: Sarah
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Veg Companion Animals
From the mentor:
“I went vegetarian when I left home and moved to Africa at age 18. There weren’t many appetizing meat options there, so the transition was easy! It wasn’t until I met my good friend JB in grad school in 1999 that I understood that being vegan is easy, in addition to being fun and exciting. I took a few months to make the transition. It’s not an overnight process for everyone. I’m a somewhat quiet advocate… new people I meet often don’t know I’m a vegan because I don’t wear it on my sleeve. But it’s one of my favorite things about being me!” ~ Sarah
Additional information:
* 2L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Primatologist in her previous life
She remains active in the world of captive great ape protection and plans on someday returning to that world with her newfound advocacy skills. She has a pup named Toby, also a vegan, who thinks she doesn’t spend nearly enough time snuggled up with him on the couch.


Mentor: Bethany
Specialties:
* Veganism
From the mentor:
“What you eat is a very personal choice, but people generally don't understand the profound impacts that choice has on animals, the environment and on other people around the world. I feel strongly that each person can have a significant positive impact by making humane and environmentally conscious choices about how (s)he eats, and that doing so isn't nearly as hard as it may seem." ~ Bethany
Additional information:
* 2L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Loves to cook
Bethany went veg after a "vegetarian epiphany" experience at age 7, though her family continued to eat meat. Growing up she ate a lot of side dishes. She became vegan towards the end of high school and continues to refine her diet by concentrating on eating local, organic and seasonal foods. She is ready and willing to share recipes, techniques, results of years of trial and error with store bought vegan foods, favorite local restaurants and grocery stores, etc.


Mentor: Jenn
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Veganizing "Regular" Recipes
From the mentor:
“Anyone can adopt a more animal and earth-friendly diet, from small changes to a complete rehaul of their eating and consumer habits. I hope to provide advice to make this possible for anyone.” ~ Jenn
Additional information:
* 2L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Loves to make anything vegan
After being vegetarian for ten years, Jenn adopted a vegan diet in early 2003. Although supportive now, she remembers the early days when her mother would cry over her food choices, so she will be a good shoulder for those dealing with shocked and clueless families! She will gladly share her tips and tools to make things vegan - especially her mom's cooking.


Mentor: Robert
Specialties:
* Veganism
From the mentor:
"I switched to vegan after a couple of years as a vegetarian and a long time not bothering to consider the effects of my lifestyle on animals. I'd be happy to chat with anyone considering becoming a vegetarian or vegan about motivations. I'd also be happy to share shopping and dining excursions or tips for anyone interested in the challenging game of buying & living vegan." ~ Robert


Mentor: Kristen
Specialties:
* Veganism
From the mentor:
"What to eat is a very important decision, one we all make many times each and every day. These decisions happen so often, with such ease, it is difficult to remember their vast effect. Our food choices affect not only our minds and bodies, but the health and safety of our environment, the lives of farm-workers, and the welfare of animals. Many small, individual choices can together add up to significant change. I would be happy to help people make any change to their diet and lives, no matter how small or how large.”
~ Kristen
Additional information:
* 1L at Lewis & Clark Law School
She would be happy to share recipes, grocery-shopping trips, yummy restaurants, and stories of her struggles with her family in their acceptance of her decision.


Mentor: Matt
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Freeganism
From the mentor:
"What to eat is a very important decision, one we all make many times each and every day. These decisions happen so often, with such ease, it is difficult to remember their vast effect. Our food choices affect not only our minds and bodies, but the health and safety of our environment, the lives of farm-workers, and the welfare of animals. Many small, individual choices can together add up to significant change. I would be happy to help people make any change to their diet and lives, no matter how small or how large.”
~ Matt
Additional information:
* 3L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Self-appointed policy expert
* Human companion to 2 dogs and 4 cats
Why would Mr. Simpson be a good veg-mentor, or as I call it a vegtor?
Well, I have been vegan for a while now and I worked for a long time in a natural food grocery store. When we restocked the shelves, we often had a "sample an item from each aisle" policy in place, so I have gotten familiar with just about every vegan item offered at a whole foods in the years 2001-2003. Also, my girlfriend is a very detail oriented vegan and has shown me the art and science of reading labels for animal ingredients.
What other vegtor skills do you possess?
I am also a believer in dumpster diving. Although I choose to eat bagels and other non-rotting food that would otherwise be thrown away, I understand that this is a bit much for many people. What I don't think people realize is the other stuff you find in dumpsters. To date my list includes: a 1973 Les Paul, at least one television, a brand new soccer ball, a table that now serves as a TV stand, clothes, shoes, toothbrush. Well, not a toothbrush, I got a little carried away there, but the rest are true.
Matt, I understand you have a theory regarding vegtors that if they unite, they will have a combined force the likes of which Voltron would be impressed by?
Is that a question or a comment...
Right, back to the interview, any last vegtor-related statements you would like to make?
I would be glad to be a resource on several different topics, depending on what someone is interested in...here are a few ideas: vegan cooking, shopping for vegan food, why I believe in animal rights/liberation, animal activism, pro-animal punk rock, the way of the freegan, 80's vegan belts, naming your cats after country music legends, the politics of Converse all stars, vegan celebrities. I will also be glad to NOT bring up any of these topics upon request, not everyone wants to know Kevin Nealon is a vegan.


Mentor: Jake
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Vegan Junk Food
From the mentor:
"For the animals, for the environment, for my own conscience--I'm vegan. I was vegetarian for 9 years before I found my own vegan mentor to show me just how truly easy it is to switch. I can't believe it took me so long, but I'm so glad I did. I recognize it's a personal choice for everyone so I don't preach or judge, I just try to be a resource for people who are curious or who may be on the fence." ~ Jake
Additional information:
* 2L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Spends most of his time finding new and creative ways to not study
* Loves to cook and go grocery shopping
* Loves finding vegan meals at restaurants
Growing up in Texas, Jake would avoid almost all vegetables unless they were deep fried and served with a side of ranch. His skills in the kitchen are often hit or miss, which, unfortunately, doesn't stop him from trying. Having worked for a fast food restaurant in high school, he's still trying to work off his karmic debt by helping as many people go veg as possible.


Mentor: Danielle
Specialties:
* Veganism
From the mentor:
“I adopted a vegan lifestyle almost ten years ago after reading John
Robbins' book Diet for a New America. I chose a vegan lifestyle because I
didn't want to be complicit in animal suffering and environmental degradation, the health benefits are a huge bonus. I would love to help people adopt a totally vegan diet or gradually reduce suffering in their day-to-day lives.” ~ Danielle
Additional information:
* 3L at Lewis & Clark Law School, came to study animal law
* Recently finished an externship at the Humane Society of the United States
Animal Protection Litigation Section in Washington D.C.


Mentor: Adam
Specialties:
* Veganism
* Creating symbiotic relations with the world and the evolution of necessity within a capitalist environment
* Really tasty cake recipes
From the mentor:
“On the 3 meal a day, a few snacks throughout, and a drink or two for fun schedule of modern life; putting the power of money into the few progressive businesses that exist creates positive ripples throughout the inherently negative capitalist environment. Adding in the moral belief and effort of the revolutionary standings of veganism makes waves of those ripples; some fierce enough to destroy the habit-structures of much of that which makes our lives so subjugated. In this sense, eating can be a very useful weapon for changing the world.” ~ Adam


Mentor: Britt-Marie
Specialties:
* Vegetarianism
* Pescetarianism
Additional information:
* 3L at Lewis & Clark Law School
* Interested in the effects of pesticides, pollutants, animal-product consumption, and pharmaceuticals on the human body
* Consumes fish on occasion but has not eaten land mammals or fowl for over a year
* Would be a great resource for someone starting their journey toward vegetarianism!