Hale and hearty: Red & Green VegFest promotes healthy living, planet kindness

Healthier living can be as simple as changing your diet.

The Red & Green VegFest can provide some insight on eating better and being kinder to our planet. The event, on Saturday, Aug. 17, is put on by the nonprofit Sprouting Compassion that promotes awareness about the intersection of veganism and social justice issues.

Hale and hearty: Red & Green VegFest promotes healthy living, planet kindness

“What we do at the VegFest is we offer informative sessions on veganism, ethical choices and the impact of our options in daily life towards the planet, the animals and our health,” said Nancy Arenas, president and executive director of Sprouting Compassion.

The festival brings together like-minded people who are interested in helping support advocacy for animal rights, environmental sustainability and the fair treatment of all animals for the betterment of our health.

“(VegFest) fosters a sense of community among those that are inspired and have the passion for positive change,” Arenas said. “And of course, the VegFest showcases sustainable products, plant based cuisine and eco-friendly practices. So again, encouraging attendees to be a little bit more conscious about the choices they make for a better world.”

Several speakers will speak on different aspects of veganism including Hope Bohanec, who wrote the book “The Humane Hoax: Essays Exposing the Myth of Happy Meat, Humane Dairy and Ethical Eggs”; and psychologist Angela Crawford, who will talk about how we make some choices and not make others as we’re influenced by society and family. Gabriel Gaarden, who is a registered dietitian in New Mexico, will give a presentation on diet and nutrition and do a cooking demonstration on vegan smoothies.

“And then we have this vegan bodybuilder who’s going to talk about how he maintains himself and how we can all be healthier and accomplish whatever goal, whether it’s to be an athlete or just to have a life that’s not consumed by diabetes, heart disease and cancer,” Arenas said.

More cooking demonstrations will be presented by on-air radio personality Paul Roybal on vegan barbecue, vegan chef Carole Levy on whole food plant-based cooking, and animal rescuer Kelli Guider on easy, quick chocolate mousse.

“These demonstrations are showing how easy it is to make food and all different kinds of food,” Arenas explained. “You don’t give up anything by going vegan, you just have to refocus to healthier food that you’re eating. (The demonstrations will show) how (a vegan diet) can be nutritious and delicious and all you need.”

Food trucks and vendors will be part of the event.

“We have people who are in the community,” Arenas said. “We help with community building, with those who have businesses, who are compassionate and who are guided by ethical choices. It helps the local economy by supporting these local businesses and vendors.”