When not working with chocolate, Sarah keeps herself busy with U.S. Veg Corps, the vegan event company she founded with partner Nira Paliwoda. U.S. Veg Corps is known for organizing the New York City Vegetarian Food Festival every year, as well as other events such as The Better Booze Festival and the upcoming Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival. I always run into Sarah at her events, and she’s usually so busy that we rarely have time to talk other just a few words, so when I saw her at The Lusty Vegan Experience last month I asked if I could interview her for Chic Vegan. We talked about veganism, veg fests, and one of my favorite subjects, chocolate.

Chic Vegan: What motivated you to become vegan? Was it an overnight switch or more gradual shift?
Sarah Gross: It wasn’t super-fast or –slow, but probably just a normal rate of progression in my thinking. I always had a soft spot for animals. Back in middle school I volunteered at my municipal animal control facility (which had a very high kill rate), trying to socialize the dogs and cats to make them more adoptable. Around the same time I became a vegetarian, purely from the humane point of view. The more I read about how dairy products are produced, the more I realized that there is incredible cruelty even in a vegetarian diet. So then I made the transition to become a vegan. It was only later that I learned about the health and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

CV: When people learn that you are vegan, what is the #1 question they ask and what is your response?
SG: I’m constantly asked how I get my protein, which is the funniest question given the truth. As a lot of people who go vegetarian and vegan soon realize, no one in the country has ever died of a protein deficiency! Calorie for calorie, broccoli and leafy greens have more protein than meat!

CV: Other than chocolate, is there a vegan product that you can’t live without?
SG: Nut butters, beginning with everyone’s favorite peanut butter and moving on to almonds, cashews and delicious mixtures of the above.

CV: Tell me a little bit about Rescue Chocolate and what inspired you to create the company.
SG: The company’s mission is two-fold. First, to provide a superior chocolate product which is vegan, organic, fairly traded, handcrafted in Brooklyn, kosher, and delicious. Second, to raise funds for–and awareness of–animal rescue. Each flavor is named after a specific animal issue, and there are links to further resources about that issue on the Rescue Chocolate website. I select an annual animal rescue organization to receive my profits, and I also partner with rescue groups to aid them in their own fundraising efforts.

CV: Do you have a favorite in the Rescue Chocolate line? (Mine’s Peanut Butter Pit Bull!)
SG: That is everyone’s favorite and the best-seller by a landslide. I actually cycle through every flavor in turn as my favorite. Right now I’ll go with the Robust 82% bar, which is one of my newest bars. It is SO deep and smooth. Mmmm! It has the highest cacao percentage of any of my products, and it is for the real chocolate aficionados.

CV: There have been some new products added to the Rescue Chocolate line this year. Can you tell us a little about them?
SG: I introduced a second mini bar (after the PBPB mini), which is a coconut rum flavor. It was one of 4 flavors that I included in a holiday gift set last year, and it was too good to offer only seasonally. The other big launch was my Robust Rescue line. In addition to the 82% mentioned above, I have bars in 70% and 75% varieties. They are larger than the typical Rescue Chocolate bar, and they pack a blissful punch. They’re also considered low glycemic as they’re our first bars sweetened with just coconut sugar.

CV: You also co-founded U.S. Veg Corp and co-organize the NYC Vegetarian Food Festival. What was the motivation behind starting an event planning company?
SG: It’s just one more avenue for getting the word out about the benefits of veganism. The events are all entirely vegan, but the casual attendee might not realize that. My partner and I make sure that there are all kinds of engaging speakers, family-friendly activities, musical entertainment, cooking demos, book signings, mingling with the gobs of delicious vegan food samples. We started in New York because, remarkably, there wasn’t a well-established Vegetarian Food Festival as there were in other world-class cities around the country. Next up, we’re invading Scottsdale, Arizona where we uncovered a similar hole to be filled.

CV: What events can we expect to see from US Veg Corp in the future?
SG: In addition to our large-scale festivals, we like to do more intimate and funky events. In the past, we’ve done a vegan ping pong tournament, a merciful fashion event, a vegan cookbook/art installation/tasting evening, and a neighborhood food crawl in Greenpoint. We’ll definitely be going down those types of roads again. The 2^nd Annual Better Booze Festival will return, you’re the first to know, in June 2015!

CV: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who want to start their own vegan business?
SG: Don’t listen to the naysayers, and just follow your passion. I have no formal business training. In fact, I previously worked as a professional ballet dancer and then as a Pilates instructor. But I have found it is supremely possible to learn as you go along, and find success doing what you’re most passionate about!

CV:  In your wildest dreams what will your life look like in 5 years?
SG: I’d love for Rescue Chocolate to be carried in wider distribution so that people everywhere would have no trouble picking up their bars as easily as they pick up their favorite cereal. I’d like to house Rescue Chocolate operations in a bigger production and shipping facility. And I’d also like for the Rescue Chocolate mascot—my dog, Mocha—to have a yard of her own in which to romp! She’s content to be a New York City apartment dog now, but I’m sure her sights are set on enlarging as well.

The post Interview Series: Sarah Gross from Rescue Chocolate appeared first on Chic Vegan.

As vegans, we’ve all heard the question, “Where do you get your protein?” Well, not only do we know the answer to that question, we know that there are plenty of athletes out there who do amazingly well with the vegan lifestyle!

I had the opportunity to chat with Personal Trainer Greg Sher, who runs “I Kill Fat” in New York City. My good friend Lois Eastlund (whom I also interviewed for Chic Vegan a few months ago) became a client after hearing him speak at The NYC Vegetarian Festival this year. I like a guy who would rather kill fat, than animals, so it is my pleasure to introduce him to you.

Chic Vegan – How long have you been vegan and how/why did you become vegan?

Greg Sher – I’ve been plant-based since March 29th, 2010. Passover, of all things happens to be my vegan anniversary. I went vegan because I always loved animals. Even though I adopted a vegan lifestyle for ethical reasons, a by-product happened to be feeling physically awesome and mentally clear which was a nice surprise.

CV – What inspired you to create your business? Why become a fitness trainer?

GS – I originally became a personal trainer because I knew the only way I’d be psyched to roll out of bed in the morning was if my job entailed helping people. I just feel like helping people truly gives me a purpose in life. I started my own business as an independent personal trainer so I wouldn’t have to answer to anyone. Being your own boss is pretty sweet!

CV – What are your strengths as a vegan athlete?

GS – I’d say recovery time. Since going plant-based in 2010, my recovery time in between workouts is very short. This leads to more workouts throughout the week. Also, having long-lasting natural energy from the food I eat.

CV – What is your biggest challenge?

GS – I’d say my biggest challenge is mentally dealing with the world around me that isn’t vegan. It’s certainly not my protein intake!

CV – What is your fitness philosophy?

GS – Eat cleaner, move more.

CV – Describe your personal style. I’m a stylist, I have to ask!

GS – I guess I have 3 main “styles” (if you want to call them that).

1. Work style – Clad in Nike or Under Armour gear when training clients and teaching classes.
2. Hanging out style – Macbeth shoes, jeans, and a band t-shirt.
3. Smart casual – Novacas shoes, Chino Banana Republic pants, Michael Kors or Calvin Klein shirt.

What are your thoughts on these looks? I watch a lot of Fashion Police, but I still need all the help I can get.

CV – Really, Fashion Police! I love that show, it’s hysterical. You certainly have a good sense of your own style.  As long as you’re not wearing your workout clothes anywhere but the gym, I think you’re good!

When people learn that you are vegan, what do they usually ask you and what is your response?

GS – Usually, the response is “oh, that’s cool, cool” while nodding their head in agreement as if to say “that’s not weird to me.” For the most part everyone I meet is cool about my beliefs. Of course there are the occasional knuckleheads who try to argue that “animals are meant to serve humans” (someone actually said this to me once).

CV – What type of clients do you take on? Do you have a favorite success story?

GS – Anyone who is willing to consistently work towards their fitness goals is an ideal client for me. In the 5 years I’ve been training I’ve had the pleasure of working with all walks of life.

As far as success stories, I have a few clients that stand out in my mind. One was a woman in her 70’s who came to me with 3 broken bones in her pelvis. Our first session consisted of mat work. She was on her back the whole time due to the fact that standing or walking caused her a great deal of pain. Within two months she was doing full range squats, interval training on the treadmill, and full body movements like Walkouts.

Those types of clients and success stories really put wind in my sails.

CV – Do others in your industry disagree with your views on a vegan diet?

GS – If there’s one industry that is anti vegan, it’s the personal training industry. I overhear trainers tell their clients to buy fish oil, eat eggs, spend their hard-earned cash on bottles of ridiculous supplements that you can only get at GNC . . . . It drives me nuts!

I’m just happy that I’ve been able to reach dozens of people with the message that adopting a plant-based lifestyle is the healthiest option for them!

CV – What is your favorite indulgence?

GS – This would have to be Lula’s Sweet Apothecary down on 6th street, between Avenues A and B. Greatest ice cream I’ve ever had in my life! I’m also a huge fan of Rescue Chocolate (peanut butter pitbull flavor to be exact).

CV – Walk me through a day in your life.

GS – Wake up with the sun, head out the door and train my morning clients. When the morning rush is over I work out myself for at least an hour. If I’m lucky I have a little break during the day so I can come home, work on my business a little bit and hang out with my cats. I’m usually booked solid from about 5pm to 9pm. I get home soon after my last client, hang out with my wife, then go to sleep so I can do it all over again the following day.

CV – What vegan product could you not live without?

GS – Plant Fusion protein powder, Nutiva hemp protein, Gardein, Avalon Organics face wash . . . . But, with that being said, I’m sure I’d get by as long as I still had Almond Butter.

CV – In your wildest dreams, what will your life look like in 5 years?

GS – Personal training has been a great avenue for me to help people. In 5 years from now I will most likely be doing this, or something that is an extension of personal training.

CV – What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a vegan entrepreneur?

GS – You already have your niche.  That’s a huge head start.  Now you know where and who to market to.  Be prepared for the work load.  When you’re your own boss you never have a day off.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a lot of work.  Don’t get discouraged by your mistakes, learn from them.  Don’t be shy to ask for help and advice.  Don’t get comfortable.  Think big.  And above all else, keep the PMA!

Greg filled me in – (PMA – Positive Mental Attitude), which is something he definitely lives by.  If you’d like to know more about Greg or contact him, see him in action here: I Kill Fat video and read here:

Greg Sher, Founder of I Kill Fat Manhattan Personal Training, Manhattan Personal Training has been a personal trainer in NYC for over 5 years (and vegan for 4!).

Offering custom resistance training programs, nutritional guidance, and convenience to his clients, Greg’s mission is to make training as efficient and fun as possible. Download his new eBook: How Not To Be A Junk Food Vegan, and catch Greg speak at The Seed this year!

The post Interview Series – Greg Sher from “I Kill Fat” appeared first on Chic Vegan.

These small businesses are scattered all over the five boroughs of the city, but have no fear, there is a way to find them all in one place!  February 12^th  marked the first anniversary of the Vegan Shop-Up, which is the only all vegan pop up market in NYC.  This awesome event, which is held at the all vegan bar Pine Box Rock Shop (yes, you read that correctly, an animal ingredient free bar – down to their cruelty-free Irish Car Bomb) in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, is a cruelty-free dream come true.

The pop-up market, called Vegan Shop-Up, is held every two months and was pioneered by fellow New Yorker and over-achiever, Sarah Peltier, who on top of organizing this market, juggles a day job, owns a wholesale bakery and has a summer stint as a chef.   When Sarah heard last year that the New Amsterdam Market was holding a themed market for Valentine’s Day, she was so impressed with the idea that she decided to start up a vegan themed one of her own.  In only a year’s time, the event is already outgrowing its space, with each one getting more crowded than the last (with both shoppers and vendors).  I’ve witnessed this personally as a participant for my e-boutique Compassion Couture.  It’s truly unbelievable the amount of interest and attention the event draws.  People of all shapes and sizes crowd the bar, and there are points when it’s literally hard to walk from booth to booth.

After the craziness of the February 12^th Valentine’s Day market subsided, I got a chance to catch up and interview Sarah to hear a little more about her and the Vegan Shop-Up:

TRACEY – What sparked the idea to start an all vegan market?

SARAH –  Last February, a week before Valentine’s Day, I noticed the New Amsterdam Market was having a Valentine’s Day market.  I got excited for all the themed goods, then realized I wouldn’t really be able to enjoy many of them myself.  So I gathered the zany idea of creating my own. A few calls and a week later the first Shop-Up was held.  It seemed only natural to have it ongoing since there is nothing else like it, and it’s quickly taken on a life of its own!

T – Vegan Shop-up just celebrated its first birthday.  In the past year have you seen a growth in the number of vegan businesses in the area?

S – Absolutely! We live in such an inspiring and positive environment for small businesses, especially food, to get started and find support.  It’s exciting to see people succeed at their specialty – despite the legalities and hard work.

T – Organizing the market must take a lot of work but you make it seem so easy.  What are some of the challenges you face while setting it up?

S – It’s a good amount of constant tending to.  Press is always on my mind to make sure the market gets good recognition each time, and with a greater audience.  Arranging the layout of the market can be stressful too. We’re outgrowing the space a bit, but still have to ensure vendors are appropriately placed, requests acknowledged, and allow for a comfortable flow of foot traffic.

T – Give us a little info about yourself – what is your day job?  Do you live in Brooklyn?  How long have you been vegan?

S – I live in Woodside, Queens actually!  I have a full time office job, my wholesale bakery, Woodside Bakehouse, and cook at Rockaway Taco during Summers.  I’ve been vegan for 9 years.  And a better cook for it.

T – What can we expect to see in the future from Vegan Shop-up?

S – More new vendors!  Pop-ups in new and different locations!  Outdoor markets!  We’re growing as the vegan community cheers us on for more.  And we’re always happy to collect ideas, suggestions, and fresh new products.

The next Vegan Shop-Up will be held on Sunday, April 15^th and there is a rumor that because of so much interest it may be a two day event.  If you are planning to be around the New York area then, definitely come check it out!

Hope this doesn’t make you too jealous but here are some close-ups of just some of what was offered for sale last week.  I owe a big thank you to Danny Rico for taking these awesome pics and for letting me use them for this post.

 

The post A Peek at NYC’s Vegan Shop-Up appeared first on Chic Vegan.