Chic Vegan contributor Ines Lopes is a social media junkie who currently works at Rutgers University and is pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts in Poetry. She also holds a Masters in Teaching and hopes to one day combine her educational background and extreme adoration of food and fitness to help others lead the healthiest, strongest, fittest (plant-based) lifestyle possible. In her spare time she volunteers at a local animal shelter, loves to work out and blogs about recipes, product reviews, and fitness related musings.
Chic Vegan: How long have you been a vegan?
Ines Lopes: A little over a year.
CV: Who or what inspired you to make the change to a vegan lifestyle?
IL: I started volunteering at an animal shelter and worked really hard at saving the lives of those cats and dogs. One day I just realized that it seemed silly for me to be putting in all that time and energy if I was just going to go home and eat other animals, so I stopped. Eventually, I phased out all animal products.
CV: If you could give someone who’s thinking of going vegan advice, what would you say?
IL: Be kind to yourself, be patient. It doesn’t necessarily happen overnight and it can be daunting. There is a lot to learn. There are a lot of resources out there – which is great – but can also be overwhelming, considering you’re going to pretty much overhaul everything you’ve ever known. It’s easy to beat yourself up if you slip up and have that nonvegan cookie or a piece of cheese. Let it go and move on, and know that every passing moment is completely new opportunity.
CV: Let’s talk beauty. What’s your favorite cruelty-free product?
IL: I’m a lip gloss junkie! Crazy Rumors probably makes my favorite because it goes on smooth and they have the best flavors!
CV: Where are the best vegan bargains?
IL: Drug store brand items are often accidentally vegan! You can find bath and beauty products and even some snack foods. They’re great if you’re on a very tight budget or in a rush.
Also, pretty much anything at Trader Joe’s! I’m completely obsessed.
I like the comment about being kind to yourself. After switching from vegetarian to vegan I had so many floods of guilt, thinking I was a terrible person, for not making the switch sooner. My best friend (another vegan) was great about reminding me that making the switch is what’s important, and to leave past choices behind.
I do want to point out that it is pretty hard to find drugstore brands that are certified to have not tested on animals.