Lauren Toyota on Focusing on the Things that Matter
Presenting one of the most influential vegan celebrities of all time. She’s mastered TV, content creation across 8 platforms, and authored multiple books. Lauren Toyota is a passionate animal rights activist and Youtube super-star!
What was your first experience with plant-based living like? Did you transition immediately or gradually?
I transitioned over a few months and by January 1, 2010 I was eating fully vegan. I was set on feeling better and I knew it came down to how I was eating. I spent a lot of my life struggling with what to eat and always knew that eating animals wasn’t right for me. When I made the switch I immediately felt the difference physically, emotionally, and mentally. However it wasn’t until 2 to 3 years later I started to consider all the things I was consuming and using and their impact on animal welfare and the environment. It took me a while to transition my entire life to being vegan-friendly – things like clothing, cosmetics, and cleaning products.
deciding if it needs #NOOCH 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OPHJtmJPQ4
— hot for food (@hotforfood) November 22, 2018
What are the top 2 changes you noticed once you were fully plant-based?
I didn’t have guilt anymore about my food choices after eating, including junk food or treats. And I physically felt way better. I used to deal with stomach aches constantly when I was an omnivore after almost every meal. I also noticed a lightness, better sleep, better skin, hair and teeth and just an overall happiness that started to appear.
What’s the most important reason why you feel committed to vegan lifestyle?
At this point I’ve seen the huge impact it’s made on my life and my physical and spiritual well being. I am more connected to myself and to the planet. I can’t undo that and I can’t go back. I can’t be part of the demise of the planet and I don’t feel OK about using animals for anything when I know very well all food can be plant based and incredibly delicious and satisfying. I want to help make that connection for people which is why I’m committed to it and have made my entire career about accomplishing that.
Just a couple more days to #vote for me in the @NotableCA #NotableAwards for Content Creator of the Year!! https://t.co/5HZBfMwxRq #thankyou 😘
— Lauren Toyota (@laurentoyota) November 14, 2018
Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes to Feed Your Face was the #1 best selling cookbook in America during the week of its release. Plant-based living is becoming mainstream! How do you think veganism is evolving?
The word vegan is still very scary for some people, but that’s why I use it. It doesn’t need to come with such attitude. The world is getting on board and people are waking up which is incredible to see. I would still like to get rid of some of the constraints that “vegan” comes with and the accountability that other vegans seem to think they have a right to impose on everyone else. My point is, let’s focus on things that matter and real actionable change in the big picture. Let’s reduce animal consumption and reduce the consumption of staple animal by-products. Do we need to be nit picky with everyone and everything all at once? No! That deters from the whole point and doesn’t encourage people to move in the direction of vegan living.
The word vegan is still very scary for some people, but that’s why I use it.
You’ve mastered TV, content creation across 8 platforms, and authored a best-selling book– what’s next? We’d love to share your next big thing with our readers.
I’m in the process of pitching my second book and have already envisioned a third book. I’m calling it the “hot for food trilogy”! I’m also working at getting the hot for food brand into grocery stores. I don’t know exactly what that will look like but I would like it if you could go buy the nacho cheese sauce at your local grocery store, heat it up, and serve it. In the meantime I will continue to release youtube content and recipes and just keep building the brand.
Watch Lauren Toyota’s Youtube channel here
