36 Reasons You Should Know This Vegan Advocate

By Published On: 15 January 2015Last Updated: 23 January 2017

This is an advocate you should know.

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I first met Daria in 2011 when she sent me her story of vegan evolution, but it would be a few years before we’d team up officially. At the time, Daria had been vegan for only a few years while I had been vegan longer. I felt a sense of familiarity about my own journey reading her story. So later, when I decided to partner up with a few regular contributors and saw her application, I was quick to ask her to join the team. I knew she would bring that sarcastic eye-rolling because of course you can live without cheese unapologetic vegan attitude that is so YDV. I also knew that she would be able to editorialize the everyday in such a way that the mundane becomes interesting. For the past two years she’s done that and more.

Today is Daria Zeoli’s 36th birthday! (I can say her age since she already told you all about it yesterday.) Daria is not only an amazing YDV Editorialist, she is an amazing vegan advocate (and friend). Daria is the kind of vegan advocate that you want to know. She’ll make you think and then she’ll make you rethink and rethink again. In honor of her 36th birthday, I want to give you the 36 reasons you should know her.

1. She is a Voice for the Voiceless.

The past three years have been full of invaluable experiences. I’ve met my vegan heroes. I’ve walked for farm animals and marched in a veggie pride parade. I’ve inspired others to take steps towards reducing their animal consumption. I’ve met beautiful animal ambassadors – including some turkeys who made an indelible impression on me. Perhaps the biggest realization I’ve had –  you know, besides the realization that animals are not here for us – is that we all have a voice, and there are countless ways to use it. This point is not to be taken lightly; remember, anytime we use our voice, we are speaking for billions who cannot speak for themselves. How can we not speak, then?

2. She understands Omnivore Amnesia.

I know that I hate it when someone makes a sweeping generalization about vegans being “too hardcore” or “crazy” or “intolerant,” and I can’t imagine it’s different from the other side. We don’t need to apologize for our choices, but we do need to be patient with others. Unless someone’s being a complete jerk to you – dangling meat in your face, repeatedly mourning your “gross, tasteless” vegan meal at the shared dinner table, or other such actions – remember that they aren’t in the same place you are… yet. And they might get there with your help.

3. She knows the importance of animal sanctuaries .

My first visit to one of these amazing places was last summer, when I headed upstate to visit Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. I was lucky enough to take a tour led by Jenny Brown, co-founder and director who runs the sanctuary with her husband, Doug Abel. While much of what she explained about factory farming was information I had learned about over the previous couple of years as I transitioned, it’s a very moving experience to hear the words while looking at a battery cage, or a picture of a now thriving steer who had been rescued from a veal crate.

4. She knows that compassion doesn’t stop with the animals.

The truth is, veganism is a journey, not a destination. Last weekend, I happened to be in a bookstore, reading, when someone asked me about my “Friend Not Food” turkey pendant. I had an opportunity to explain why I wore it, and why veganism works for me, and I did just fine.

5. She can show you Why Eating Vegan Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive.

Eating vegan on a budget – even the smallest – is not impossible. It just requires some mindfulness in what’s going into the shopping cart and the willingness to prepare some meals.

6. She understands the Vegan Dilemma of Traditional Medicine.

Vegans and non-vegans alike will tell you that you must be your own advocate when it comes to your health. It’s up to each and every one of us to ask questions, seek answers, and research ways that we can gain optimum health in the best way possible.

7. She knows all about how Fish are, in fact, Animals (no really, they are).

The miscategorization of fish as “not animals” by human animals is just one example of the great disconnect that occurs when it comes to relating to other living beings on this planet. Is this why it’s so easy for people to go fishing and not even think of the pain associated with a fish having a hook through its mouth? Is this why we don’t think twice about burying our pet goldfish “at sea” in the toilet bowl at the end of its life? Is this why the depletion of our oceans isn’t seen for the very real crisis it is by much of the population?

8. She can see the vegan spin in Hollywood films like Lincoln & Finding Nemo & Noah

We haven’t learned a damned thing since we started walking around on two legs and we really need to think about our legacy on this planet that we’re screwing up so completely.

9. She knows about the Double Edge Sword of Celebrities.

For good or for bad, celebrities are on a platform (some might say pedestal), and what they say and do carries weight. It doesn’t make their choices or opinions any more (or less) important than yours or mine, but when they make or state one, you can bet people will hear it. In some cases, it hurts our movement. In others, it helps.

10. She isn’t afraid to call out Liam Neeson.

11. That one time she told off Clorox.

Truth, after all, doesn’t sell product, and companies simply want you to remember their commercials next time you go to the supermarket and see their product on the shelf. Big business doesn’t want its customers to think for themselves or to question their tactics. That would hurt the bottom line. They do their best to desensitize you and it starts when you’re a child, that way your compassion can be stifled ASAP.

12. And Red Robin.

13. And Geico.

14. And Panera.

15. And Aldi’s.

16. And I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.

17. Not surprisingly, Taco Bell got schooled.

18. She told Chobani to Get Real.

19. She’s called out Whole Foods.

20. Not even NPR’s The Salt was safe.

21. So she started a series, Ad Nauseam, to examine advertising through the ethical vegan lens.

22. She knows You’re Addicted to (dairy) Cheese and wants to help you through it.

 I enjoy Daiya shreds and cheese wedges – it’s so nice to have a vegan cheese that melts and stretches and feels familiar – but I’m sure I could do without if I had to (though I’m glad I don’t!). I much prefer not being part of an advertising machine that keeps me addicted to a “food” that is good for no one involved – and to me, that’s just one of many side benefits of this vegan journey.

23. She can guide you through Going Vegan at Olive Garden (she’s Italian)

24. She sticks up for Geese.

Canada geese are monogamous, mating for life. They raise their young in creches, bringing broods together, and sometimes they will even help raise another pair’s goslings, which is why you’ll see a family increase or decrease in numbers from day to day. Really, the natural habits of free-living geese are pretty fascinating.

25. And Stray and Feral Cats.

26. She can tell you 7 Ways to Help Elephants Right Now.

27. And she can give you the 411 on What to Do If You Find an Injured Squirrel.

28. Daria even knows the 7 Do’s & Don’ts About Turtles.

29. Turkeys saved her life. She says that they can save yours too. I believe her.

30. She gives shout-outs to animal daddies (including hers).

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the biological fathers who step up and do their part for their kids, so we’d like to tip our hats to the emperor penguin, the seahorse, the red fox, robins, cardinals, red-tailed hawks, and

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[we could go on all day] for showing some stellar parenting skills.

31. She rescued this dog (or did this dog rescue her?).

side eye millie

32. She made this meme of herself to accompany this post. Yup, her eye-rolling started young.

vegan advocate

33. She knows that veganism is really For the Animals, Period.

34. She wants to show you how to Let Veganism Empower You.

35. She knows what it’s like to be Vegan in a Non-Vegan World and can help you through it (you’re not alone).

36. Finally, she shares her journey in the hopes to inspire others.

Bonus!

37. Twitter

Happy Birthday Daria, thank you for being so awesome. Be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday in the comments or @DariaZeoli!

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2 Comments

  1. HALLE March 4, 2015 at 9:27 pm - Reply

    Happy belated birthday Daria! Great article by the way!!

    • Daria Zeoli March 7, 2015 at 6:59 am - Reply

      Thanks for the belated birthday wishes! And yes, KD certainly knows how to flatter a gal!

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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