Thanks to winning a day pass from Yoga Local, I spent the greater majority of Saturday exploring The Seed Experience in NYC – restaurants, retailers, doctors, bloggers, heck, even musicians (cellist) graced the spacious loft in Soho to embrace and promote all things animal-friendly.
I was excited to attend because I’ve been inching closer to a comfortable place within my eating habits by following what I’ve purely wanted inside for a while – to live compassionately and healthfully. Any chance to absorb knowledge about this lifestyle, the better. I would in no way label myself a ‘vegan’, but a plant-based diet is something I ‘ve been adhering to 85% of the time. I feel great and have been enjoying this evolution.
The vegan event started with quite the queue, but thankfully scheduled presentations were held 45 minutes late so I didn’t miss the session I was most looking forward to, the Vegan Blogger Panel:
JL (from JL Goes Vegan), Gena (from Choosing Raw) and Yoli (from Yolis Green Living) were great – each had their own outlook and advice about blogging in the vegan-sphere based on their unique styles and they were lovely, passionate and informative. I was especially excited to hear from Gena whose recipes have inspired me for a while. She told us, “your blog doesn’t have to stay same in the journey; allow it to take you along” - much-needed advice for me at the moment! I plan to do a recap of her advice on blogging and The Semi-Raw Life later this week.
Afterwards, JL and Gena were gracious enough to chitchat briefly and pose for a pic. YES! I was very excited for this as I admire them both.
What surprised me the most was the talk by speaker-writer-chef Colleen Patrick Goudreau. Not because I underestimated her, but because I had not previously heard of Colleen, and I’ll definitely be looking into her writing and cookbooks now! Her lecture, titled From Excusi-tarian to Vegan throbbed with dynamically penetrating inspiration: “Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything” she urged to almost-vegans like me. So many people don’t adopt any changes in their lives because they think little bits won’t help, but the truth is, it will in more ways than one.
It was impossible to cram it all in as you can see from the day’s jam-packed schedule…
…but I had to make time for the vendors because I was excited to see who was broadcasting vegan delights in the three airy rooms. My only purchase was a huge tub of vanilla chai Vega protein supplement for $38 when it usually runs between $65-70! Blair and I love their powders and I was so disappointed to not be able to hear the founder, Brendan Brazier speak the following day.
Then my senses turned me around to spot scrumptious hummus from a place I’ve previously dined at, Candle 79. I devoured f a few scoops while admiring their cookbook which I’d love to have lining my shelf one day. Other restaurant booths I checked in at were two I’ve yet to dine at, Pure and Cafe Blossom and one that I’ve visited for a fresh juice, Terri.
How cute is this Vaute Couture tote? So hard not to spend a million dollars here!
And someday far into the future when I really have more money (say $500+ more disposable income), I NEED to get a me Vitamix. Their blender presentations make me dually drooly and googly-eyed as the guy whips up taco soup, cold treats, and green smoothies for everyone (I oogled over it at the Yoga Journal conference, too):
So now I’ve saved the best table for last: Yoga Local NYC! Their team is just the cutest of the cute – so friendly and kind. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook which is where I found out about this contest. They have a yoga app for anyone living in or simply visiting NYC to spot the best local yoga studios and deals. Here I am with Ben and Julian:
The only disappointment I had in the whole day was not being able to stick around for Dr. Joel Furhman’s keynote speech. Blair and I had another event to attend with his buddies from the hospital which we were already an hour late for.
On my way back to the metro, I glanced at the boutique-lined cobblestone lane I’d just spent the day in. A street over from the hustle of Broadway St, the beautiful refuge still wasn’t without its honking, but this is New York, after all.
Sometimes I still have to pinch myself….
Linds, thanks for taking me to New York city for 20 minutes. I absorbed as much as a could. Love Aunt Anne
Love you Anne!