‘I am vegan and I love it’
Anri is 29 years old and started her vegan journey just over two years ago. Review spoke to her about her vegan journey
POLOKWANE – November is Vegan Awareness Month and Review spoke to Anri Matthee about her vegan journey. She believes, just like the South African Vegan Society, that veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
Anri is 29 years old and started her vegan journey just over two years ago. “I was in my 20’s and felt tired all the time and generally unwell. I watched a few documentaries about health and how people who initially felt ill all the time started to feel better after trying the vegan lifestyle. I read up on veganism and joined Facebook groups and posts and in the end decided to make the change and tried the lifestyle.”
She explains that a part from the 22 kg that she lost, she feels alive, vibrant and very healthy. “I rarely get ill and when I do, I get well more quickly. I was lethargic and at times depressed before and now I have a lot of energy and when I sleep, I sleep deep and get up feeling refreshed.”
Anri excludes all animal products such as milk, meat, eggs and even gelatin sweets from her diet. She says she had to learn how to cook again and prepare food. “It is not difficult if you know how to. There are alternatives for everything and now I can also eat as much as I want since I only eat whole food plant based meals.”
She adds that the South African Vegan Society offers a lot of help as well as the various pages on veganism on Facebook.
You may also like to read: Make the switch from processed foods to whole foods, for a healthier outlook on life
She explains that most restaurants offer vegan meal options and she especially loves Chinese food. “My pallet changed and I had to experiment to find what tastes I preferred.”
Anri’s advice to those who want to become vegan is to do research on the alternative foods which are available.
She lastly explains that people do tend to tease her about her choice of lifestyle. “They will invite me for a braai or dinner and tell me I can eat the grass. I laugh it off and let them know that it is nothing I have not heard before.
Usually the jokes used are as old as the hills and I do not take them personally.”
Here is a quick and easy recipe for Avocado spaghetti. Recipe by the South African Vegan Society.
Ingredients
• 350g of spaghetti
• 2 avocados (de-stoned and peeled)
• 2 medium shallots
• 1 lime (juice)
• 1 garlic clove (crushed)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) of light olive oil
• 1/2 tsp of chili flakes
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Coriander (optional)
Method
1. In a large pan on the hob, pour in water to the top and sprinkle in some salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Once the water has come to the boil, place in the spaghetti.
2. While the spaghetti cooks, make the sauce. Place the avocados, garlic, shallots, lime juice, chili flakes, salt and pepper and oil into a food processor and whizz up until smooth. This will take a few minutes.
3. Once the spaghetti is soft and has fully cooked, drain the pasta and place into a large wok.
4. Add 1/2 a cup of boiling water to the avocado sauce and mix the sauce into the steaming pasta.
5. Gently heat to the desired temperature.
6. Serve while warm and enjoy.
