Breaking Barriers: Mona's Story of Vegan Advocacy and Creating a More Ethical World
Hello everyone,
My name is Mona, I'm 57 years old, and I've been living a vegan lifestyle since
September 2019.
Back when I was in school, I stopped eating my beloved tuna pizza overnight after
Greenpeace activists explained to me that dolphins had to die for it.
Actually, I wanted to go vegan a year earlier, but the doctors at the rehab clinic
where I was being treated for my rheumatism strongly advised against it. They
believed it wouldn't be beneficial for my body as I wouldn't get all the necessary
nutrients, vitamins, and so on. I was disappointed, but I initially accepted their
advice.
Then, I started to try a few vegan alternatives.
I also began receiving more and more information about how animals are
mistreated, tormented, exploited, and abused for food, clothing, entertainment,
etc.
I made the decision to live vegan because I no longer wanted to be responsible for
animals dying for my food. Before that, I had lived vegetarian for many years.
Naturally, like many others, I thought that was enough to protect animals.
I then started trying various cheese recipes from the wonderful book by Miyoko
Schinner. Like so many, I was addicted to cheese and couldn't imagine a diet
without it. But I had reached a point, triggered by so many horrifying revelations
about the immense suffering animals endure for cheese, milk, and yogurt, that I
put my personal pleasure aside.
It then became truly fun to experiment with these amazing recipes. Friends were
always surprised at how delicious my vegan dishes were and would ask for
recipes to replicate them, which of course brought me great joy.
I began veganizing our favorite recipes, and my family had to taste-test everything.
After a year of experimenting, testing, tweaking, and creating new recipes, my
youngest sister said to me, "Mona, you really need to share your fantastic tips with
the public. There are many people who would be interested."
My son was immediately willing to help me with everything.
He set up an Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube profile for me
(monasveganworld).
We then started creating cooking videos and posted the accompanying recipes on
IG and FB.
In addition, I shared tips about natural body care, interesting platforms like
Crowdfarming, information from Peta, my latest cooking and baking creations,
vacations in vegan hotels, and recommendations for vegan restaurants in various
cities.
Yet, I always wanted to actively advocate for animals and raise my voice. This
came to fruition at the beginning of 2023 and I have been regularly taking to the
streets for animal rights. On January 5th, 2023, I uploaded my first activist video
on Instagram.
Since then, I've regularly posted Reels and Stories about animal suffering and
work to educate on the mistreatment of animals for food, clothing, entertainment,
and everyday life.
From there, things took off rapidly. I got in touch with the Animal Rights Group
“Activists for the Victims”. We are regularly in Hanover with the "Cube of Truth" to
educate people about the atrocities in the animal industry and to give assistance
for a vegan lifestyle.
My mission is to raise my voice for the animals whose voices go unheard; to give
my voice to the voiceless; to stand up for animals and make people aware of what
they inflict upon them when they choose not to live vegan. I want to help people
recognize that they have the power every single day to choose life or death when
they shop at the supermarket.
I plan my days off around attending demonstrations, vigils, and the Cube of Truth.
I'm also willing to travel long distances within Germany. For instance, I went to
Stuttgart (a 7-hour train ride) and took part in a large Cube of Truth with over 50
activists from all over Germany!
I'm loud at pressure demos and quiet at vigils. At the slaughterhouse, I
documented the condition of the animals that were on their way to death.
My life's work is to stand up for animal rights, to be loud, to be active, to never give
up until they stop killing animals and all the cages are empty!
Then I came up with the idea of designing clothes and accessories for activists
and vegans. This is how I created my first collection with 8 motivational statements
or requests, which I offer on my Spreadshirt shop and at Spreadshirt.
Furthermore, since September 2023, I have been a partner of the multi-award-
winning Austrian company Ringana, which offers fresh cosmetics and dietary
supplements. Of course, everything is vegan, cruelty-free and absolutely without
fillers. These products are only available through partners.
For 6 months in 2023, I worked 1-2 days on the weekends as a vegan cook in a
vegan bistro. Cooking and baking have always been my hobbies, so I was able to
make them a part of my professional life too.
I love salads, fruits, crispy vegetables, and legumes. Hummus and tahini are my
absolute passions. I prefer them homemade. I especially enjoy cooking from the
cookbook of the wonderful Serayi, "Orient Meets Vegan."
I like to start my day with fresh fruit. Salad also has to make its appearance at
some point during the day. I'm also a big fan of smoked tofu. I prefer it with
mustard – it's so simple and even delicious cold.
I kick off my workday with "Overnight Oats". I prepare them on Sundays for the
next 4 days and store them in the fridge. In the mornings, all I have to do is grab a
jar.
My Vegan Highlights are:
- Overnight Oats with hearty oat flakes, nuts, protein powder, fresh fruits,
linseed oil, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, rosehip powder (sometimes with cacao
nibs, dates) topped up with water.
- Goulash with bread dumplings and red cabbage
- Creamed herring with boiled potatoes (Cooked by Alex)
- Boiled potatoes with herb quark (A family favorite)
- Tomato quiche
- Greek potato pot
- Apple crumble cake
- Fruit yeast cake (especially with plums)
- Lemon cake
I highly recommend my Keese (vegan cheese) Tips as well.
It's truly worth trying multiple recipes-
I don't need to be liked by everyone! I draw attention to the suffering of animals.
Only a vegan lifestyle is a salvation for the animals!
IG : @monasveganewelt
Warm vegan regards – Mona