vegan columbus: vegan living in central ohio

Current area: Old Town East
Hometown: Northside Columbus/Westerville
Occupation: Promoter, Instigator, Problem Manchild, Sweatin' presents
Other interests: hardcore/punk/DIY shows, design, cooking, bike rides, djing, screen printing

How long have you been vegan? I went vegan at 18. I'm 36. I had a couple meat and vegetarian lapses (minus a year or two) so....we'll say about 15 years.

What made you decide to go vegan? I came up in the straight edge scene of the late 80s-90s, the hardcore community then was very political and connected a lot of dots for me when it came to violence, war, oppression, women's and queer rights, and animal rights. When I was exposed to the facts about meat and the oppressive violence it exudes, I made the decision that I don't want to support a society that brings murder to one's everyday dining ritual.

What are some of your favorite vegan places on the internet?
http://www.theppk.com/
http://veganyumyum.com/
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/
http://www.veganporn.com/

What's one of your favorite books on veganism?
Soy Not Oi!
Bark 'n Grass
RAWvolution
Veganomicon

Are you involved in any vegan groups? (e.g. MFA, other activism, the meetup, co-ops, potlucks, forums):
Nope, unless cooking big feasts for friends is considered a "group". Would love to start a vegan restaurant speakeasy, haha.

What are your favorite vegan dishes at some area restaurants?
-Rad Dog's Polish Roadblock
-Whole World's soups with extra toast
-Yau's "Martin's Tofu, not so spicy"
-Udipi Lunch buffet
-North Star's vegan burger
-Z pizza's Vegan Berkeley pizza
Out of town fave:
Chicago Diner's Reuben with a Temptation milkshake

Top 3 dishes to cook at home?
-Chimichangas
-Crock pot stews and chilis
-Mexican chocolate-pumpkin pie

What would you say is the most difficult thing about being vegan?
Living with a meat-eater.

And what's the best part?
Cooking great food for a meat eater so he basically eats half vegan meals now.

Any vegan pet peeves?
Listening to non-vegans' poor arguments. Especially when you weren't the one that started the vegan conversation.

What advice would you give to an aspiring vegan?
Learn to cook, stay away from microwaves, every good dish starts with garlic, onion, and olive oil.

Anything you'd like to add?
Have fun, share fun, and go vegan.