More About Lisa...

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Interview:  Why I Became Vegan

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Hello beautiful, I'm Lisa! A self-proclaimed “veganista”, professional vegan chef, YouTuber, recipe developer, food blogger, meditator, philanthropist, artist, communication enthusiast, “PetMom” of 3, and citizen of the world - currently living in the beautiful Bay Area of Northern California. I’m also a passionate advocate of Vipassana meditation, veganism, self-care, yoga, and self-development - crafting a life of joy, vitality, purpose, peace, compassion, and community, while being actively involved in my local communities empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to do the same. 

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Vegan Vittoria is my online sanctuary where you’ll enjoy nutritious tasty recipes, calming meditation inspirations, fascinating travel/cultural exposure, easy-to-follow cooking tutorials, and healthful life-hacks! You may even notice a theme of humor, zeal, calm, and artistry (in food and life) woven throughout. My intention is that you’ll be moved to create mouth-watering healthy vegan meals, take on self-caring techniques like meditation and yoga, plus obtain more vibrancy and vitality in your life! 

 

My Story

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In 2013 I embarked on a meditative culinary world tour - and begun my travel journal of treasured authentic vegan recipes, after I had left my former corporate career in a depressed yet newly enlivened state. Previously, I was a marketing specialist for a multi billion-dollar tech company, and my days often consisted of constricting, unfulfilling, mundane assignments, plus excessive social and even solo drinking, diminishing outdoor enjoyment, and heedlessly running from one meeting or party to the next. Veganism and mindfulness were unbeknownst to me, plus sobriety was (at that time) also not even possible for me; I was desensitized to say the least. Also, I was your quintessential, “pleaser”, and going through life unconscious and detached from my food, and most importantly - myself.

  

Over the years leading up to that pivotal awakening, I had been diagnosed with depression, high cholesterol, alcoholism, an eating disorder, too little weight, too much weight, acne, and insomnia. It was virtually one agonizing diagnosis after another.

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I’ll never forget the fateful day when I rang up a doctor seeking help, which catapulted my present and peaceful path, albeit a road of self-discovery, self-care, and self-expression.

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Ultimately, I realized my dissatisfaction towards my life choices and myself, were exponentially affecting my health, so I made the biggest boldest shift of my life - I made a plan to set out on my own “Eat Pray Love” adventure, left my job, and set forth to learn an ancient natural healing technique, called Vipassana meditation, plus devote my time to be of service, somewhere out in the world! After just several enriching months off, the dots finally connected and I learned how to really nourish my body – through food and lifestyle.

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Inspired by my personal travel diary of worldly recipes I collected/created, I cultivated Vegan Vittoria to share my healthy recipes, peaceful techniques, and lessons learned in the kitchen. I became a dedicated meditator and professional vegan chef through the Dhamma Vipassana Org, and somewhere along the way my closest friends persistently asked me to start a YouTube channel.

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Today, I’m passionate about transformation, and sparking joy in others to make positive food and lifestyle changes – at any age. With yummy, simple, wholesome, gluten-free recipes along with inspiring travel and lifestyle posts, I’m elated to show you that a plant-based life is not boring, and vegan food is not constrictive and hard but abundant and easy! 

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Where to Start?

If you’re new to plant-based cooking, here are some great places to start:

• Watch more about my vegan journey.

• Check out my recipes page where you can sort recipes by category.

• Learn how prepare vegan cuisine via my cooking videos and grow your confidence in the kitchen. Also, kick-start your health and new inspiration with my transformational interviews and wellness exercises videos.

• Start with a vegan grocery haul. It’s amazing how learning a few simple recipes, like homemade date paste, vegan mayonnaise, almond butter, chia pudding, hummus, tofu scramble, spaghetti squash, aquafaba, and cauliflower rice can transform your cooking. (Video links to follow.)

 

What's Next? Join The Community!

Thank you for taking the time to read through my story. I’m so happy you’re here…and I’d love to get to know you!

• Come say hello on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. 

• Subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest videos and tutorials.

• Get free recipes delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to weekly emails...this is coming soon!

• And lastly, our Facebook page to chat with Vegan Victors  around the world.

If you’d like to contact me you can email me at veganvittoria@gmail.com. I love hearing from you!

 ~ Lisa

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Features

As Vegan Vittoria has grown, it’s been featured in numerous wellbeing and personal development organizations including Acterra - Action For Healthy Planet, High Tea Universe, Center For Healing By Design Inc, Holistic Love Neighborhood, Landmark Worldwide Education, DreamBridgers, among others.

I’ve also been a speaker at wellness conferences at the Silicon Valley Capital Club, on Insight Meditation and Vegan Holiday Cooking.

Between the website and YouTube channel, Vegan Vittoria  is growing daily and reaching thousands of people across the globe (which is still mind-boggling to me). Moreover, I’m incredibly grateful, especially to my Vegan Victors who come back week after week to make my recipes.

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Fun Facts

• Born: I’m a Bay Area native (more uncommon today than ever:).

• Education: I received my Bachelors of Science in Business-Marketing from University of CA State, East Bay.

• Travel: I’ve lived for stints in 7 countries and traveled throughout 42...and I've studied cultural vegan/vegetarian cuisine among each location! I was also a guest teacher in India at a school for underprivileged children, and additionally I lived throughout Indian and Europe in meditation centers and on organic farms for almost 3 years. Meditation, travel, and cooking are indeed my happy places.

• Favorite Colors: Rainbow, can that be a color?! 

• Favorite Ingredients: Garlic, Indian spices, tofu, and coconut!

• Most Loved Recipe: Curries and vegan burgers. It’s the best way to play with and use up leftovers from the fridge!

• Favorite Dessert: Vegan Chocolate Cake...video to come.

• Biggest Fear: Public speaking...the oxymoron is I also enjoy doing it!

 

Vegan Vittoria® is a registered trademark of Lisa Vittoria.