Our March Profile:    Featured:  Kimberly Hosler:   Vegan Activist, Vice President Albany Vegan Network 

Some of the resources for veganism noted in the interview --
Albany Vegan Network.
Anonymous for the Voiceless
National Animals Rights Day 
​Albany Vegan Lady Gang
​

Could you tell us where your interest in veganism began?
*Sure! Ten years ago I was diagnosed lactose intolerant. While I was searching the web for ideas and recipes on how to live without cheese and ice cream I stumbled upon the movie Earthlings. WOW! It took me three separate attempts to watch the movie in its entirety but I did. And afterwards I threw out all animals products in my kitchen.

Was there a transition time for you from meat-centered to plant-centered cooking and eating? Any particular inspirations? (books, films, people, etc)
*No transition. Earthlings made me an instant vegan!
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What comes to mind when you think of animal rights/ activism for animals?
*Compassion. We all have it and we all believe that animals do not deserve to be abused. We just need to connect the dots to include ALL animals, not just the ones we deem as our “pets”.

If someone new to to being vegan asked for advice on how to get started, what would you suggest?

*Find a vegan support group-it greatly helped me to know and be around other vegans. Read everything you can about veganism and about animal agriculture. Stock your kitchen with vegan essentials and learn to plan ahead when attending social functions that are not vegan events.

We'd like to hear a bit about the community groups you are involved with in the Capital Region/ Hudson Valley region.. I see you are involved in activist and support groups.
*I am the VP of the Albany Vegan Network. We’re gearing up for our 10th vegfest on June 2nd at the Polish Community Center in Albany and our 2nd National Animal Rights Day on June 3rd. I am the Albany Chapter Organizer for Anonymous for the Voiceless. We use street activism through outreach and video demonstrations to raise awareness of the cruelty of the meat, dairy, and egg industries. I am the founder and president of the Albany Vegan Lady Gang.  We are a gang of vegan ladies who support and uplift one another. We do dinners, coffee, and social events together, volunteer at local animal sanctuaries, and attend protests. In addition to being a licensed massage therapist, I also work on a christian vegan animal rights website, all-creatures.org.

What are a few of your favorite vegan dishes..both to prepare and to eat?
*Ah, I love food so much more since becoming vegan! I feel lighter eating it,  the food tastes more flavorful, and I enjoy cooking vegan food so much more! Some of  my favorite are vegan pizza, tofu scramble, zucchini noodles tossed in fresh garlic, EVOO, grape tomatoes, sea salt, and cracked black pepper, and sauteed peppers and onions over red quinoa!

Any restaurants you would recommend in our area that are vegan friendly?
*There are more and more restaurants making vegan options available but when in Albany, vegan owned and operated Berben & Wolff’s and when in Woodstock, vegan owned and operated The Garden Cafe are musts!

​We appreciate getting to know you a bit more. Thanks so much Kimberly.
*Thank you, it’s been an honor and pleasure!  

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Our February Featured Member:    Super Vegan Chef and Animal Lover Drake Page, with Arabella  

We are happy to get to know one of our members, Chef Drake Page.   In January, I had the chance to talk to Drake.     He has catered some fantastic in-home, private, gourmet vegan meals for our group.   He is also the director of  the DPchutney supper club   https://www.dpchutneycollective.com/.  This Hudson Valley club offers both gourmet, multi-course intimate in-home catered meals, and cooking classes.  Thank you for talking with us Drake! 
 
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##  Could you tell us what sparked your interested in vegetarianism/veganism?
While I certainly enjoy the health benefits and positive environmental impact of a plant-based diet, my primary motivation to be vegan has always been a concern for the welfare of animals. Waking up to the plight of these creatures living and dying in factory farm conditions was a life-changing moment to me; it informs every decision I make about what I choose NOT to eat.

## You made quite a notable change in careers. If you don’t mind sharing a bit, what led to that?
I worked for 11 years, until 2010, doing PR for the hedge fund and private wealth management industry. When I was eventually  laid off after the 2008/2009 financial collapse I was blessed to receive a severance package which helped me start a micro-business called The DP Chutney Collective, making and distributing small-batch, artisanal condiments. That in turn led to catering and working as a private chef and teaching cooking classes. Basically, I just didn't know what to do next after losing my job in financial services so decided to follow my passion for food and see where I landed.

##  We'd love to hear about your transition to and history with vegetarianism/ veganism: 
Oh sure. I became vegetarian at 18, then a few years later vegan. Then, sadly, I fell off the wagon and spent a few years incorporating some meat and dairy in my diet. Eventually I realized that these choices weren't compatible with a) what my heart was telling me and b) the person I hoped to be and the Change I hoped to represent. It's a personal choice and every one arrives at it differently. I'm always disappointed in vegans who criticize or judge those people who haven't fully committed to the lifestyle yet. Every single meal anyone ever eats that is free of animal products is a small victory for all of us  - humans, animals and the planet.

​## Was there a transition time for you from meat-centered to plant-centered cooking and eating? Any particular inspirations?
If I had to name one source of inspiration it would be the book Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. And I guess also the song "Meat is Murder" by The Smiths. I'm serious!

##  Could you tell us a bit about any particular cuisines that you find the most interesting cuisine? 
Without a doubt Indian cuisine is my favorite, the one cuisine I've studied and practiced and cooked the most. I love of course its vast array of vegetarian dishes and the wildly different styles of cooking across the subcontinent. I've taught at Brooklyn Brainery a dozen or so classes in regional Indian cuisine - everything from the food of Kashmir to Rajasthan to the Himalayan Rim to Bengal to neighboring Sri Lanka - and they're all so varied in the ingredients used, methods of cooking, spices employed. 

I'm also passionate about Middle Eastern food and the cuisines of south east Asia, Vietnamese and Thai in particular. It's always an enormous treat to have Ethiopian food but it's soooo difficult to prepare at home.

##  What are a few of your favorite vegan dishes..both to prepare and to eat..  Also... are there any particular environments or situations that you enjoy catering for?
So many favorites . . . it's almost impossible to choose even a few. If I'm cooking/eating Indian food I think a delicious dal/dhal is an important cornerstone of the meal. It can't be too watery or bland, not the sort of after-thought of a side dish it so often is at less-than-terrific Indian restaurants. I make it sometimes with masoor dal (split red lentils), chana dal (yellow split peas/chickpeas), urad dal (white split lentils) but I'm partial above all to moong dal with spinach, seasoned with black mustard and cumin seeds, curry leaves and sliced chilies. Favorite dishes to prepare often fall in the category of Quick Weeknight Meals, for me at least. Things that are simple and fast but still delicious - Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, Gazpacho, Nachos, all sorts of homemade pizzas and flatbreads. I love cooking for clients, friends (old and new) and family. As long as I'm doing that I'm happy, no matter when or where. I've prepared meals and taught classes at a yoga studio in Greenpoint, a wine bar on the Upper West Side and at large food conventions. It's always a blast.

##  Could you tell us something about your animal companions...some of us have met them at your house.
​The loves of my life are my son Lloyd (a kitty) and my daughter Arabella (rescue pit bull). I wake up to their beautiful faces and personalities every morning and end each evening the same. Those two are my inspiration for just about everything. Oh, and p.s., they adore everyone they meet so come on over and say hello!