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In the Spotlight

Andria Williams

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1. How Long have you been eating plant-based? I have been plant-based for almost 4 years now.

2. What made you decide to go plant-based? My journey into a plant-based lifestyle actually started off as a joke. I had a few coworkers at the time who were vegan/vegetarian and they both had told me that when they went to the bathroom it didn’t smell. Thinking that it couldn’t be true I decided to go 30 days of no meat. On the very last day I was presented with a bunch of information about health, our environment and what was really going on with our food supply, so that kept me on my journey of not eating meat. I decided to go plant-based due to some health issues I was having. Nothing serious, but I noticed that a lot of the food I was eating was making me extremely bloated, and causing a lot of gas; an issue I was having even after not eating meat. By the way it’s true. The cleaner you eat, the less it smells. Sometimes not even at all.

3. What are the benefits eating plant-based have done for you? My whole life has truly been changed. I feel better, I look better, I think better, and I am way more in-tuned with my body then I have ever been before. I have way more energy, and was also able to stop drinking heavily. My immune system is amazing and I no longer get sick and don’t even worry when I am around sick people. I also have an easy menstrual cycle due to cleaner eating.

4. What did you find to be the biggest challenge of eating plant-based? I would definitely say going out to eat, and how I view food. I was on the opposite side when it came to eating habits. Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, pizza, burgers, SWEETS, anything that wasn’t good for me, I loved. Now it’s a complete 180. I am extremely picky about the quality of food I consume. So if I’m not sure of the place that I want to visit has the same standards as I, it really can take the joy out of it. Also I am not really into cooking, so having to make my own meals based off the things I would typically go out to eat for, has been an interesting experience. And still is. Not being hard on myself has been a big mental challenge too. That if I choose to eat something I wouldn’t consider healthy for me, I don’t beat myself up for it. Also just being comfortable choosing to live this way, and breaking the habit of needing to explain why it is that I do, has been a amazing learning experience into myself. As well as not putting my belief systems on to others. It’s easy to talk to someone who has the same view points or at least similar ones, compared to someone who doesn’t understand or is even extremely against this type of lifestyle. Coming to the complete realization that this lifestyle choice is for me, and for me only. That explanation isn’t needed, unless I want to explain. It has truly been a mental process, but one that gets easier, as time goes on.

5. What are your go to foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner? I love to eat, but am not a very great cook or actually even enjoy cooking. So when I am preparing foods myself I tend to stick to things that are easy to make, and don’t require a lot of steps or ingredients. For breakfast I usually have some combination of a juice, smoothie, smoothie bowl, oatmeal or some fruit. Lunch/Dinner is really up in the air. It’s usually a few things from this list being either quinoa, rice, beans, salad, sweet potatoes, veggies or some type of pasta. I’m currently working on food combining as well, so that will sometimes play a part into what I consume. I do have the blessing of working at amazing vegan restaurant called Vegenation. Check it out, if you’re ever in Las Vegas. So sometimes I will get food from there, which has a good mixture of indulgence and healthier options.

6. Do you have a favorite cookbook, tip or recipe to share?
My favorite tips:

Don’t be hard on yourself and listen to your body.

Train your mind, like you would train your body.

Take the time to do your own research. Because the journey into health is really a selfish journey, that leads to wonderful, wonderful things. What works for one person might not be the best option for you. Be your own guinea pig, it’s fun, and you get to learn a hell of a lot about yourself!

I am currently working on an awesome project, that should be ready to come into a brighter light in a few months. So when I do I will be sure to post this information. Otherwise you can follow me on Instagram @axm_yz and check out the place I work at www.vegenationlv.com.

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