Meet Vegan Consultant, Kelly Bennett

Meet fellow vegan, Kelly Bennett.  Kelly has recently founded the vegan lifestyle website, veganconsultant.com, where she brings her compassionate lifestyle- being mindful of the welfare of animals, and the environment – together with her commitment to good health.  One of the unique features of her website is the on-going series of interviews with other vegans.  It’s such a great way to get to know the people behind the websites, products, or businesses.  She’s interviewed some awesome vegan folks such as Vegan Fusion, Mojave, The Plant RX, Quarry Girl, and Barnivore!

Kelly has also recently interviewed Your Daily Vegan, which was just so cool.  (When she asked if I was interested in an interview I said, “hell yes!” –  which should surprise no one.  What fun!)  It also gave me the opportunity to talk to Kelly a little more about her brand-spanking-new website.

Here’s what she had to say:

1.  When and why did you become vegan?  How has that influenced other areas of your life?

Well, I was vegetarian for five years first then a year ago I started eating a vegan diet. What in inspired me to start eating vegetarian and now vegan was for health reasons. From when I can remember my stomach was always hurting. When I was in high school I was finally diagnosed Lactose Intolerant but no doctor ever suggested a vegan diet. I still suffered stomach pains as a vegetarian and then started breaking out really bad with acne. I was a hot mess! I took really harsh acne medication that mean to my body and my skin still was breaking out. The acne and stomach problems got really bad in my early 20’s when most people’s skin has cleared up.

After some research and working in the health and beauty industry for many years I realized the answer was to change my diet.  I first bought the vegan cookbook The 30-Minute Vegan to get inspired. I started to feel a lot better! My stomach aches are no longer an issue and my acne is more under control. I still break out if I am really stressed but overall my skin is much happier that I am vegan. Also adding that I have tried a lot of different diets and methods to maintain my weight and honestly a balanced vegan diet has worked the best for me!

My vegan journey started for health reasons but now I really hold the vegan values of compassion towards animals and the environment very dear to my heart. That is the amazing thing about this lifestyle; it shows you how to make compassionate choices in all aspects of your life. The vegan lifestyle overall inspired me to create my own website  www.veganconsultant.com so I can share this compassionate lifestyle with as many people as possible.

2.  What inspired you to start a vegan consulting website?

Like I said earlier, the overall vegan lifestyle inspired me to start my website www.veganconsultant.com. I have worked in many industry, professions and people and nothing has been as fulfilling and meaningful as working in the vegan community. My goal is to create my own vegan lifestyle consulting and vegan marketing consulting company. This is the perfect fusion for me because of my marketing, international business, entrepreneurial, health and beauty background. I’m really excited to see what the future holds for me and veganism!

3.  You’ve lived in England, China, New York City, and now Las Vegas- which place has been the most vegan-friendly?

When I lived in China I was still vegetarian so I did eat eggs… now looking back I think gross! In Chinese there is NO translation for vegetarian or vegan. You literally have to say in Chinese “I don’t eat meat, I eat vegetables” etc. Chinese people are so nice and want to share a lot of meat with you to show respect and wealth to visitors… so sometimes it was awkward.  Also they put pork fat on tofu, inside veggie dumplings, and other items you would think would be safe. I have to say though when I was living in Chengdu last there were a few vegetarian restaurants which is a HUGE step! I wrote an article about traveling veg with some China tips.

I think New York City is amazing and I lived in the East Village which is like the mecca of veganism in New York. It was like heaven! So many places to eat, local health stores and health practitioners all around you! Again, vegan heaven!

Currently I am in Las Vegas, NV. I have lived on and off in Vegas for six years and the last time I was here I was vegetarian. This time living in Vegas has been really surprising! There are actually vegans here. Coming from the East Village where like the every other person is vegan to Las Vegas I had this image of me the lonely vegan in the desert. I found a meet up group called Vegas Veg which was been awesome. Even though Vegas doesn’t have a proper all vegan restaurant, I know of one coming soon. It’s been a cool experience seeing things grow here.

4.  Favorite I-can’t-believe-I’m-going-to-admit-I-eat-this vegan junk food or treat?

I REALLY love vegan desserts like ice cream, cake and donuts. Actually in Las Vegas we have a donut shop with vegan donuts, vegan friendly ice cream shop, and amazing vegan red velvet cake. For my birthday this year in LA I had JAM Vegan Bakery cupcakes and Tandy Cake Pops that made my birthday amazing for the vegans and even vegan skeptics!

5.  What are some of your favorite websites?  What would we catch you reading on a lazy Sunday morning?

I really like Kimberly Snyder’s blog, she does more raw vegan. Crazy Sexy Life is great for health and wellness. I like Oh She Glows for easy vegan cooking tips and where I found an awesome vegan pancake recipe that I will be forever grateful! Also one of the best parts of my vegan website is finding so many great sites like Your Daily Vegan!

6.  If you could have one vegan wish, what would it be?

I would have to say it will be the day when I tell a random person “I am vegan” and they simply say “Me too”.