Ana and Jeanette are thrilled to be joined by Kimberly Carroll on this episode of Veg Out! Kimberly has an extensive background in animal rights activism, including co-creating the “why love one but eat the other” transit ad campaign, as well as co-founding Mercy for Animals Canada. She is also a campaign strategist for Animal Justice.

New year, new opportunity to build healthier habits! We wanted to kick off another year of the Veg Out podcast with an episode featuring Dr. Shane Williams (originally from Newfoundland and now based in Bracebridge, ON), a community leader and cardiologist with in-depth knowledge about the power of plant-based nutrition to prevent cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Well, we’ve come to the end of 2020! Our merry podcast hosts Sweta, Jeanette, Steve, and Ana take some time to reflect on a year like no other. From highs to lows to lingering uncertainties, we’ve managed to stay connected through virtual events and have introduced exciting new TVA programming looking ahead to 2021.

We’re now fully into December and the holiday season, a time when people turn to baking for comfort, sharing and gifting. Toronto based vegan cookbook author Ally Lazare joins Barbi and Jeanette to talk about her latest book, Vegan Dessert Cookbook, as well as share tips and recipes for baking for the holidays, and baking.

With all the talk about developing a vaccine for COVID-19, have you ever wondered about the medications, supplements, and vaccines we take – and how to find out whether their production methods and ingredients are vegan? Sure, you can read the ingredient lists but it can be hard to decipher the medical terms.

On today’s show we will be talking about the Montreal Vegan Festival (Festival végane de Montréal). Our guests are Alexandre Gagnon, the president and one of the founders of the Montreal Vegan Festival, and Nafsika Antypas, TV host, executive producer, writer, author, and entrepreneur. 

Thursday October 1st, 2020 was World Vegetarian Day. It was also the 80th birthday of our podcast host and volunteer Steve Beiko! In this second part of a two part interview, we learn about Steve’s athleticism, activism, and what veg life was like in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

This year Veg Food Fest went virtual! Your friendly Veg Out hosts collectively watched nearly all of the online programming and have lots to share (in case you missed it, don’t worry: you can still catch all the online talks and panels at vegfoodfest.com for one more week). From the positive health impacts of a plant-based diet to building community through vegan social groups to youth activism, there are more possibilities than ever to bring veganism from the personal to the political and from your home to the broader community – whether that is virtual or in-person. Want to share your impressions, inspirations, and questions about Veg Food Fest programming? Did you host a Zoom viewing party with friends, fuelled by all your favourite vegan snacks? Tag us on Twitter or Instagram @TorontoVeg – we’d love to hear from you. 

Hosts: Steve, Sarah and Sweta 

Show Summary: Sarah Bradley 

Editing: Sweta 

Theme Music: Matt Judge

We’re just a week away from Veg Food Fest! Whet your appetite with this episode all about fast food from a vegan point of view. We are lucky to have a bevy of delicious (and sometimes nutritious) vegan fast food options in the GTA, but it’s not always easy to find them elsewhere, especially on road trips or in more rural communities (“cheese isn’t vegan?”). Hosts Sweta and Steve and special guest Barbi also share their thoughts on cross-contamination in restaurants, which is an interesting topic as more omnivore restaurants start to offer plant-centred meals. Plus, get a preview of what to expect at the virtual edition of Veg Food Fest, happening September 11-13. While it may not be quite the same as roaming around the Harbourfront Centre, we’ve planned quite the lineup of interactive events. 

Credits Hosts: Steve, Sweta and Barbi 

Show Summary: Sarah Bradley 

Editing: Sweta 

Theme Music: Matt Judge

On this episode, Jeanette chats with Melissa James, the founder of Eastend Vegan. Melissa shares her vegan journey, how she crafts her almond cheese, being vegan in Scarborough, and previews some exciting new products that will be debuting at the Virtual Veg Food Fest.  Check out Eastend Vegan on their website, Instagram or on Facebook. Virtual Veg Food Fest will be happening from September 11 to 13 at vegfoodfest.com.