vegan columbus: vegan living in central ohio

Current area: Northwest Columbus
Hometown: Upper Arlington, Ohio
Occupation: Magician
Other interests: Martial arts, reading, good television shows.

How long have you been vegan? I have been vegan 5 or 6 years. I can't keep track any more.

What made you decide to go vegan? A bar room debate with my friend. We were both meat eaters but he pointed out being a non-vegan is morally indefensible. I tried like hell to justify why it was a good thing to eat meat and failed miserably. I became vegan. He became a self-proclaimed hypocrite.

What are some of your favorite vegan places on the internet? Columbusvegan.com by far. I like veganstore.com a lot too. Ecorazzi has good vegan gossip.

What are your favorite vegan dishes at some area restaurants? The Nachos Grande at Mad Mex. The Mujadara Pocket at Aladdin's (with no pocket and with Spinach instead of mixed greens). Aloo Chana at Taj Palace. And Benevolence's tofu wrap - if they ever exist again.

Top 3 dishes to cook at home? Beans and brown rice. That's about all I can make. I made an awesome green thai curry once. It was a real pain though. My tofu scramble is good too.

What would you say is the most difficult thing about being vegan? I find it hard to relate to non-vegans at this point. I don't understand how we can think so differently about something that seems so obvious. When I think about it too much it can become depressing.

Conversely, what would you say is the best part? The new experiences and new food I've gotten to eat. Feeling better.

Any vegan pet peeves? Vegetarians. Their philosophy doesn't make any sense.

What advice would you give to an aspiring vegan? Date (and marry) other vegans. You might be able to make it work by being with a non-vegan, but it's much better being with a vegan. Night and day.

Anything you'd like to add? I believe the human body is a better thing on a vegan diet. I will try to prove it soon.