When you’re in the public eye, there is little that can be hidden from criticism. Choices that seem personal turn into public scrutiny easily, specifically for celebrities. Recently, many pop culture icons have evolved and transitioned to a plant-based diet, or a vegan lifestyle. Some already living as vegetarians for years witnessed the overwhelming evidence in documentaries such as “Forks Over Knives” (one of my personal favorites as well) and felt compelled to make the change towards a completely plant-based diet. I commend those who have made the transition, as I spoke about in my recent video, transitioning to a plant-based diet is simple. It can be done easily-I promise-Im a Leo!! Understanding others values and thoughts that go into the transition to a vegan diet is a huge part of the process and because we are a society who is easily impressed by “Celebrity” I believe it is important to recognize the choices of the following celebrity vegans! Remember: Humans, like other Animals, are social-pleasure seeking Beings who enjoy impressing each other……
10 Vegan Celebrity Role Models:
1. Moby, musician
“When I think of the fact that literally tens of billions of animals are killed every year for human purposes,” he says softly, “part of me wants to go out and join the Animal Liberation Front [a militant group that breaks into labs and factory farms to release the animals held there]. But on a utilitarian level, I realize that to try to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number of people, sometimes we have to become salesmen for what we believe, and part of being a salesman is being effective.” (quote from Home and Garden Article)
In his blog post, Moby addresses individuals who disagree with his vegan choice with a quote from Genesis: 1:29..” and god said ‘behold i have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food…i have given every green plant for food’. See the blog post here!
2. MariLu Henner, actress and author
The 60-year-old popular author of “MariLu Henner’s Total Health Makeover” pays tribute to her youthful appearance completely to her vegan lifestyle. As an American actress, known for her role in Taxi, Marilu has turned into a nutrition and health advocate using her books and website as a platform. She went vegan after doing the research and finding out that “meat and diary kill!” For more information on Marilu, check out her website!
3. Woody Harrelson, actor and peace activist
As a raw/vegan food enthusiast and yoga instructor along with his many other hobbies and knowledge, Woody understands the value of a plant-based diet. The former “Cheers” star has done much to help rid the world of animal cruelty with his PETA campaigns and activism.
“Because superior non-animal methods are used for this exact training by military and civilian programs around the world, animals are clearly not required to meet your objectives. … I’m sure you agree that our military personnel deserve state-of-the-art training and that our country deserves to be respected for its civilized treatment of animals” - Woody Harrelson , VeganPeace Article
“Raw food is the best way to have the cleanest energy. We take so much care about what kind of fuel we put in our car, what kind of oil. We care about that sometimes more than the fuel that we’re looking at putting in our bodies. It’s cleaner burning fuel.” - Woody Harrelson, VeganPeace Article
4. Russel Brand, comedian and actor
The 36-year -old actor also known as PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity of 2011” transitioned to his vegan diet after viewing the documentary “Forks Over Knives” with his former wife, Katy Perry.
After being a practicing vegetarian since he was just 14 years old, going vegan was easy for him after seeing the health risks involved with non-vegan diets portrayed in the film. After a simple tweet to Ellen Degeneres, Russel turned vegan!
5. Ellen Degeneres, talk-show host and comedian
As you already may know, Ellen is pretty much the poster girl for veganism. She works closely with many animal rights and vegan organizations in order to promote plant-based diets. Recently, she has been getting some slack for admitting that she does in fact eat eggs, but only from “happy chickens”. Although many fellow vegans were shocked and angry about this comment, I commend Ellen for practicing veganism as much as she does. Remember, as David Bowie says, “Even just for one day…”. You can get great vegan tips and recipes on Ellen’s site under her “Going Vegan With Ellen” page.
“I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings. And I just couldn’t disconnect myself from it any longer. I read books like “Diet for a New America” and saw documentaries like “Earthlings” and “Meet your Meat,” and it became an easy choice for me. - Ellen Degeneres in Ecorazzi Article
6. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, actors
This celebrity couple recently announced not only their pregnancy but also their switch to a plant-based diet. Kristen Bell, after being vegetarian since she was just 11 years old, made the switch to “veganism” after viewing “Forks Over Knives” as well. Soon after, she convinced her loving husband to transition from being a meat-eater to a vegan, just like that!
”It’s more about the health benefits than the ethics. But it’s compounded by the fact that I love animals and feel better not eating them.” - Kristen Bell (interview in woman’s health)
He said, “It’s nothing like the pill in The Matrix but damn good, like 15 percent across the board in every respect. I sleep 15 percent better. My allergies are at least 15 percent better. I have fewer body aches. My skin looks better. I’m never starving, and I never need to ride the couch feeling completely full and disgusting.” – Dax Shepard
7. Alanis Morissette, singer and actress
After reading Dr. Fuhrman’s “Eat To Live”, the singer of “Ironic” decided making the switch to a vegan diet was right for her. She tells those interested in the transition that she lost 20 lbs. in 3 months after making the change!
”I used to get out of bed in the morning and things were aching, and I just thought, this is what happens when you get into your 30s. But now I jump out of bed and have so much energy. I feel very alive. I have no more aches and pains, and my allergies are gone, too.” - Alanis Morissette, interview from Vegan Nutritionista
“I realized I want to live till I’m 120. There’s a lifestyle that I am now happily creating that can, as best as is possible, prevent most forms of cancer and other diseases.”
8. Carrie Underwood, singer
A vegetarian for 7 years, the American Idol star switched to the vegan lifestyle recently. However, she admits that considers herself 95% vegan because she just can’t resist eating cake during holidays and birthdays! Underwood is interested in one day having her own farm.
“My veganism is based on a concern about where my food is coming from. In my perfect world, I’d have webcams wherever food is processed so I’d know how clean it is.” - Carrie Underwood, Interview in Taste Of Country
9. Casey Affleck, actor and film director
The Good Will Hunting and Ocean’s Eleven star is not only well known because of his family’s fame (he is brother of Ben Affleck) but also for his contributions for animal rights. He preaches that individuals should try the vegan lifestyle, even for just for one day to make a difference.
“Be good to the ones around you, the ones you see. They need your help. They need you to butt in, to intervene, to be nosy, to be a busybody, to be confrontational with those who are abusing them. People should try eating no animal products for just ONE DAY a week. People should read Diet for a New America. I haven’t read all of it, but I have read some, and it was very informative, and I am very grateful to the person who gave it to me.”
“When people ask me why I don’t eat meat or any other animal products, I say, “Because they are unhealthy and they are the product of a violent and inhumane industry”. … Chickens, cows, and pigs in factory farms spend their whole lives in filthy, cramped conditions, only to die a prolonged and painful death.”
- Quotes from Interviews with PETA
10. Daryl Hannah, actress and environmental activist
The 1984 “Splash” star has been a vegetarian since age 11 and recently transitioned to a plant-based diet based on her love and passion for protecting animals. Her video-blogs include fun and interesting information on vegan junk food!
When asked what “fortifies her activism” -” My love of life and the wonderful creatures on this amazing planet; some of them are humans.” - Daryl Hannah in Vegetarian Times Article
When it comes to making life choices, healthy eating is a must. As seen in episode 4 of Joan Landino Says, food really does matter! Make a difference, even if it’s just for one day or for a lifetime.
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