1. When did you decide to go vegan and why?
My name is Lorraine Palmer, I am a raw food expert, vegan chef, coach, mentor and author. I support people who want to transition to eating more plant based foods whether cooked or RAW, via workshops, talks, demonstrations, in groups or my ‘RAWdom!’ course for those who prefer 1 to 1 support.
My vegan journey started about 5 years ago when I consistently experienced that life without meat or animal products was better for my health and the planet. Prior to going vegan many years ago I had periods of eating meat, then no meat, being vegetarian, then only eating raw plant based foods, then meat, then no meat etc. - it was not a seamless transition.
I represent a lot of people who have had a chequered journey in making the definitive soul connection that eating animals is not great for many reasons. I remember visiting a place called Arbor Low a few years ago. It is a prehistoric monument and likened to ‘Stonehenge’ due to its stone circle. Whilst looking around, as you do, I came across some lambs (I was not vegan at that time). I was thinking how cute they looked, their little stubby tails waved so quickly, ‘arrr they are so cute, they deserve to live a full life and not have it cut short just so I get to eat their flesh’. A few months passed and guess what? Yes, I went out for dinner and ordered the lamb. Needless to say I had mixed feelings - guilt, shame, enjoyment and satisfaction, not necessarily in that order. Some time later it became apparent that I was being supported by the universe to change my habits for the better, finally committing to being fully compassionate towards all living beings.
2. How did your friends and family react when you decided to go vegan?
My friends and family who I am in close contact with were very happy that I was adopting this lifestyle - some have since joined me whereas others look on in admiration because they feel they could not stop eating meat, let alone cheese. Little do they know; adopting a vegan lifestyle will open up a world of foods they would not normally entertain including RAW plant based foods. Some family and friends that I connect with on social media who are still meat eaters openly support what I am doing - spreading the word about only eating plants. I feel they will go vegan one day!
3. What advice do you have for other folks who think veganism is 'too extreme’?
I say to them that they are entitled to their opinion, but I see it as being kind to ones body, animals and the planet. Fellow sentient beings are not being killed for my use or pleasure. If a discussion appears out of this topic I sometimes ask whether they see this as extreme…..‘loving and caring for animals like dogs and cats but finding it easy to eat a piece of steak’ which also comes from an animal. I find that extreme …going from cuddling an animal to chewing another without a second thought.
4. Is there anything else you want our audience to know about you and the book you've written?
Being vegan is not about me wanting to live longer, it is about living the healthiest life and not being a burden on the health system or reliant on the death of another for my life to thrive.
‘Raw Food in A Flash’ is part self-care guide and raw food recipe book for the menopausal woman (any woman really, as we will all go through this transition). Eating RAW foods helped me through my transition by curbing my menopause symptoms - this book is the perfect guide for those who want a more natural way of supporting their bodies.
I advocate eating ‘more RAW’ plant-based food because of the dense nutrients and available enzymes. You do not have to eat 100% RAW foods to benefit from it - ‘more RAW is better than no RAW’.
You can access me on social media
Twitter - https://twitter.com/veganrawcooked
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/veganrawcooked/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/veganrawcooked/
LinkedIn - https://www.bit.ly/2zwW93l
Facebook - (I go live!) - https://m.facebook.com/veganrawcooked/
Buy my book here - https://www.lorrainepalmer.com/raw-food-flash/
Contact me here - lorraine@lorrainepalmer.com
