Ask Me Anything
In February 2010, I decided to open up my blog to an “Ask Me Anything” forum on formspring.me. I got this idea from Sabrina (Rhodey Girl Tests) and figured it would be another dynamic way to interact with everyone who reads Greens for Good. You can “Ask Me Anything” at any time and it’s completely anonymous!
Here are the current answers to my “Ask Me Anything” questions.
Questions 1-4 originally answered here.
1. How did you get to be so freaking cute! 
Aw, wow, thanks! Way to make a girl blush! I’m not really sure what to say…
2. What does your apartment look like?? What is your favorite brand of clothing to buy?? What is your favorite vegan treat?
To see pictures of our apartment shortly after we moved in, click here
My favorite brand of clothing to buy is by far lululemon. I do more loads of lululemon clothing than I do of my regular stuff! Most days I’m all about comfort and lulu definitely delivers that!
My favorite vegan treat is hands down, cheesy nacho kale chips !
3. I love Harvey. What does he eat? Do you believe in high quality pet food like high quality human food? Do you ever have ethical concerns about feeding your cat meat? Also, more Harvey pictures please! Love the blog, keep it up!
Thanks! We love Harvey too He eats Newman’s Own wet and dry cat food. It’s made with organically raised meat and we believe it’s the best quality food for Harvey. Similarly, we absolutely believe in high quality pet food like high quality human food. We would feel like such hypocrites if we didn’t treat our animal with the same amount of respect. As far as having ethical concerns about feeding him meat, we have none. We believe in eating the way our bodies were biologically meant to consume food. For humans, we obviously believe veganism is superior. But cats are supposed to eat meat. They’ll go blind if they don’t and we would never want to feed Harvey in such a way that would be detrimental to his health.
This is a good time to point everyone to my photos page. There are over 100 photos of Harvey there!
4. What’s the most difficult thing about going vegan?
Honestly, the food was the easy part! Everything about going vegan was easy, apart from explaining and justifying my decision early into eating this way. I got a lot of questions and concerns from friends and family members about properly feeding myself (naturally) and it was difficult to answer these questions based on experience when I was only a few days, or a month, into eating a vegan diet. As I got a few months into it, started noticing changes with my body, and had more experience with the types of foods that I was eating, I had no problem justifying the way I eat.
Questions 5-8 originally answered here.
5. What’s your favorite form of exercise?
I love all kinds of physical activities, but if I had to choose one form of exercise that I could do for the rest of my life, it would be yoga. I get an intense workout in my power yoga classes, but it’s a wonderful way to relax as well. I always leave sore, sweating profusely, and exhausted – yet energized. It’s the greatest feeling in the world to leave class glowing and feeling insanely calm, centered and focused. I also feel it is the best way to take care of my body in that it provides me a way to tone, strengthen and stretch my tight muscles all at the same time. I feel like I kill ten birds with one stone in a single yoga class!
6. Are you gonna marry Evan?
Haha, I love this question. Way to be straight forward! I think the best answer to this is, we aren’t engaged, so nothing is set in stone. We are obviously in a serious relationship (we live together), but we’ve always moved pretty slow as a couple and at 23 years old, we aren’t in any rush to walk down the aisle.
7. What is the thing you missed most about being non-vegan? cheese? ice cream?
Here’s the thing: I don’t feel emotionally connected to the food I choose not to eat. Food is the fuel I provide my body, and that’s how I approach my diet. Sure, I love or dislike certain foods, but I can’t bring myself to miss foods that I strongly feel are not compatible with my body. So without sounding completely unrealistic, I don’t miss any of the foods that I used to eat as an omnivore. I really don’t!
However, If i had to choose one aspect of being an omnivore that I miss, it’s the readily availability of food if I’m in a rush or going out for a meal with friends or family. Unfortunately our society is not grounded in providing more healthy options than unhealthy ones, so going out to restaurants that aren’t vegetarian- or vegan-friendly is extremely difficult. My options are always going to be limited, but luckily I live in a city with many restaurants where I have a huge selection in ordering right off the menu.
8. I happened to check your blog the other day and I wanted to say that you look absolutely great!! It seems you have gotten very lean and look so healthy even since your C.D. days! Do you think this is from yoga or the vegan lifestyle? A combination?
Wow, thank you so much! I definitely feel better on the inside, so it’s refreshing to know that it’s showing on the outside as well. When I first started C.D. (Chase Daylight), I was coming off of an extremely unhealthy, unbalanced way of eating, which you can read more about on my About Me page. I started running and eating better to shed some extra weight (15-20 lbs) and while I definitely did lose about 5-7 lbs, it wasn’t until I started eating a vegan diet that my body transformed. Suddenly, and effortlessly, the extra weight was gone and my stamina in physical activities (especially running), increased markedly. Before I started eating vegan, if I took some time off from running, I had a hard time going even 1 minute without feeling like I was going to pass out. Now, after not running much at all, I can run a whole mile (10 minutes or so) at a much faster pace and still feel pretty good. I definitely feel the most difference my diet has made for me when I’m exercising. It’s really incredible.
To answer your yoga question, I think it has helped, but I honestly don’t feel like I do it enough to say for sure. I do yoga 2-4 times per week, but I think a daily practice (not at power yoga intensity everyday) is necessary to achieve the yoga body. Right now, I’m slowly easing into a daily practice as my body craves it more and more.
Questions 9-12 originally answered here.
9. Love your blog! What are some tips for someone who is trying to transition to becoming vegetarian and hopefully vegan one day (especially when going out to eat with friends and living with people who aren’t vegetarian). Thanks!
Great question! I think the biggest thing that helped me was being informed. I’ve done a lot of reading and feel like I am very informed about the way I eat and why it’s good for me. On the flip side of that, I also feel very informed about the foods that I don’t eat and that made my transition painless. I recommend The China Study
First and foremost, being informed, and knowing why you are committed to the lifestyle will be your support system when you go out to eat with friends or are surrounded by non-vegetarian food in your kitchen. Second, get rid of all of the food that’s holding you back. Just get rid of it! Replace it with delicious fruits, vegetables, whole grains and meat substitutes if you wish. I know a lot of vegetarians/vegans start out eating fake meats and cheeses, but eventually don’t feel the need for them anymore. Third, going out to restaurants can be difficult! But I’ve always been able to findsomething to eat anywhere I go. You just have to be creative and nice to your server. You might have to explain to your friends at first why you’re eating differently, but that’s where being informed plays an important role. Just don’t be preachy and don’t act like you’re having a hard time finding something to eat. Think of it as a fun challenge (and acknowledge that it can be frustrating sometimes to yourself or other veggie friends).
Go with how you’re feeling, stick to your guns, and I think you’ll be surprised by the freedom you’ll feel.
10. Love the blog! I notice from your food pics that it doesn’t look like you eat many sweets. Were you ever a chocoholic or anything like that?
I’ve never really been one to go crazy with desserts. My mom isn’t a big sweets lover either, so I’m sure that’s where I get it from. I have my days when I do prefer sweet foods, but it’s never been anything outrageous. Now that I’m a vegan, I prefer more wholesome desserts that are slightly sweet (like a small square of dark chocolate or a cacao shake). I never eat your typical candy anymore because it makes me feel terrible and it doesn’t really taste that great. And I hardly ever bake (as I’m sure you’ve noticed).
If I’m going to spend time making a dessert, it’s going to be a raw dessert. I enjoy them much more and I don’t get crazy sugar highs or cravings after eating them (neither does Evan). Raw macaroons are my current sweet treat of choice, and I definitely had 4 in one day earlier in the week. Guess I was preferring sweet foods that day? 
11. Where do you work??? What do you do for work??
Well, I am a full-time graduate student, so that’s my first job! I also nanny for a family a couple days a week and do some marketing stuff for my dad. I’m also a freelance graphic designer, event planner and volunteer! I wear many different hats!
12. How did you get to be so good at photography and what kind of camera do you use? Any photography tips?
I have almost two years of DSLR experience under my belt now, and so I can definitively say that it’s PRACTICE that will make your photography stand out. I know that is a frustrating answer because it was the same one I got when I was trying to learn how to use my camera (I’m still learning!), but it’s the honest truth. Don’t be afraid to play around with your camera (DSLR or point and shoot). You aren’t going to break it! Read the manual for your camera too. You’ll learn a lot!
I have a Nikon D40
Questions 13-16 originally answered here.
13. I checked around before asking, so hopefully didn’t miss this one- what does ‘Greens for Good’ mean exactly?
Sorry you missed it, but the explanation is on my FAQ page under the “Questions About the Greens for Good Blog” section.
14. What are you getting your master’s in? What do you plan to do after you graduate/what’s your dream job?
This question is also answered on my FAQ page under the “Questions about Ryan and her life in general” section.
15. Your hair looks so pretty! What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
Thanks so much! I currently use Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo and the same brand’s B-Complex Thickening Conditioner.
I was using this brand of shampoo and conditioner for awhile and it made my hair thin and fall out like crazy. I switched to the Avalon Organics shampoo because of its thickening components, as well as scalp treatment (mine tends to be dry). It’s also paraben-free and doesn’t have Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate, which I’ve read contribute to hair loss (my old stuff had it in the shampoo). It has helped tremendously and I feel like my hair is back to normal after 2 months of using it. I got both of these products at Whole Foods in the Whole Body section.
I also use EO Hair Repair, Deep Conditioner for days that I swim. Chlorine dries my hair out in a major way and I try to add a little hydration back in with this stuff. I love it! I got this at WF as well.
16. I saw on twitter today that you were going to be looking for homes. What kind of house are you looking for?? When did you decide that you wanted to move into a house and will you and your boyfriend get engaged when you move into the house??
Our apartment lease is going to be up in May, so we are looking at our options. We’re trying to decide if we want to stay where we are and avoid the hassles of moving for a little while longer, or move somewhere that’s closer and convenient to our jobs and the places we like to go. We’re entertaining the idea of a house because we don’t want annoying neighbors beside, below or above us, and we’d like a backyard and driveway. If we move into a house, we will be renting one, not buying. Nothing will change about our relationship if we move into a house – it’s just a place to live!
Questions 17-19 originally answered here.
17. How much money do you spend per week/month on groceries.
I have a confession. I’ve been putting off this question and it was asked a few times in Ask Me Anything. After talking about it with Evan and some other food bloggers, I’m ready to answer it honestly. Here’s the simple answer: it costs money to eat an organic, produce-based diet. It just does. And I’m okay with that because I don’t want to be a part of the statistic that says if we spend less on food, we spend more on health care. I care about my body, I care about the environment, and I care about voting for better food. We pay good money for quality, organic food and not only does it taste better, it makes us feel amazing. It is all about priorities and I think it’s pretty clear where ours lie. Evan and I never really think twice about putting much of our money into food. We’re passionate about eating well and we don’t mind spending the extra money to do so.
With that said (and you’ve probably skipped to this paragraph first because you saw the $$ sign, but please read the first paragraph as well), we spend about $300-$600 a month ($75-$150 a week) on food. We tend to fall somewhere in between those two numbers but it certainly varies and sometimes we only do major grocery shopping every two weeks. It changes, depending on how many bulk items we need that month since raw nuts, seeds and grains tend to cost a lot up front, but last us awhile. We also buy products online (such as the ones in my store) that cost a lot up front, but last us a long time.
Whew, glad that’s over with. How much do you spend on groceries?
18. Could you show us a complete day of vegan eats for you? I am transitioning from vegetarian to vegan and I get lost when I try to think what I’m going to eat for each meal that will keep me from starving without cheese and yogurt.
I hope that the last couple of weeks of showing you all of the food I eat has really helped with this! Please let me know if you still have questions.
19. Was Evan always a vegan? I really would love to somehow transform my boyfriend’s carnivorous horrible eating habits…and I have no idea how to do this…I have him eating raw cabbage and he loves raw green onions (extremely salted)…any suggestions?
No, Evan was not always a vegan. We transitioned together and haven’t looked back! Evan has agreed to do a series of guest posts on G4G for all of the women looking for tips like this or the men looking for more information on being a male vegan. Stay tuned!
