The Average Vegans

A podcast to help you live an attainable vegan lifestyle. We’re not the ripped influencer vegans you hear about on other podcasts. We’re just some ordinary people, living in the south, eating plants, and loving animals.

The Future of Veganism 04/12/2024

Kombucha Taste Test 02/06/2024

Kombucha Taste Test We're at it again, and this time, with a Kombucha taste test, you have to and listen to! If for nothing but our facial expressions and reactions. Seriously, this is one of the funnier taste tests we've done and it felt like torture sometimes. Ultimately, you will hear about three kombucha drinks we liked and three we absolutely hated. Kombucha, the probiotic-rich fermented drink, has become a health sensation and a staple in many gut-loving vegan households. In our new episode, we embarked on a taste test journey that Meg has avoided since we started the podcast and David has craved! In this kombucha taste test, we feature six different varieties of kombucha, all with the base flavor of strawberry. We aimed to explore kombucha by trying various brands and uncover which ones tasted the best to us and which left a less-than-pleasant impression. If we like it, you figure you will as well. David was excited to try all the options and Meg was scared. For good reason. But we went about each sampling of strawberry-infused kombucha with an open mind. The six varieties showcased the creativity of kombucha brewers from around the country, featuring unique blends of fruits, herbs and flvaors. However, the verdict was split right down the middle. Three of the kombuchas proved to be delightful, offering a perfect balance, while the other trio left us cringing. You'll have to listen and watch this episode to see which brands won our kombucha taste test and which ones absolutely failed. Here are the six kombucha options we tried: While taste is subjective, we hope that sharing our opinions might help you find a kombucha that fits your taste buds. This was a serious reminder that not all kombuchas are created equal. Whether you're a seasoned kombucha enthusiast or a curious vegan looking to incorporate this fermented beverage into your diet, this kombucha taste test is a valuable guide to finding the strawberry-infused kombucha that suits your palate. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/29817328

The History of Veganism - Trivia Game 01/22/2024

The History of Veganism - Trivia Game Do you consider yourself a vegan expert? See how many questions you can answer correctly on our latest episode, where we play a fun trivia game about the history of veganism! All of the facts and stats in this episode come from and . Trivia About The History of Veganism We have a brand-new episode out now that'll take you on a time-traveling adventure through the unique history of veganism. We dove deep into the roots of the vegan movement, uncovering some interesting stories, stats, and fun facts that neither of us had any idea about until this episode. In Episode 84, Meg decided to spice things up with a game of vegan trivia! Picture this: Meg quizzing David about the evolution of vegan living, from the first mentions of avoiding animal products to the other names considered besides vegan. You'll learn a lot, just like we did, while also enjoying a little game of "Does Daivd know the history of veganism?" If you're a real fan of the pod, you already know the answer to that! We hope you enjoy this little game and learn something about the history of veganism along the way. We had so much fun changing things up a bit and plan to include more games in the future. As always, we want to hear from YOU! Did you enjoy the banter, the laughter and the unique facts about the vegan movement? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast app and let us know. And if you're not following us on social media yet, what are you waiting for? Join our veggie-loving community, stay updated on the latest episodes and learn more about our lives. Our Past Episode Recommendations What AI Told Us To Write In this new section, we include some of the funny things Chat GPT says we should write about this episode. We will add this in all future show notes because AI really comes up with some hysterical sayings about veganism. Enjoy! Our dynamic cohosts took a break from chewing on kale to engage in a hilarious game of vegan trivia that will have you laughing so hard that you might forget you're holding a carrot stick. Picture this: one host quizzing the other on the obscure beginnings of veganism, dropping knowledge bombs on soy pioneers and tofu trailblazers. Don't forget to binge-listen to our past episodes – they're like a buffet of knowledge served with a side of humor. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/29586208

What the Crap Happened in 2023? 01/07/2024

Sandra Nomoto, Vegan Author 04/12/2023

3 Reasons For Going Vegan 03/20/2023

3 Reasons For Going Vegan If you're new to the plant-based lifestyle, you've probably been asked your reasons for going vegan. This episode is your handy guide for replying to that coworker that scoffs at your lunch choice. For the most part, there are three main motivations. People choose to go vegan to save animals, to save the environment, or to save their own health. Our Reasons For Going Vegan In this episode, we go more in-depth on our whys for choosing the vegan lifestyle and our whys for staying vegan. The reasons you stay vegan can be very different than your reasons for choosing to be vegan. And that is true for Meg! Listen to this episode to find out how. Save the Animals We start this episode by discussing the main reason people go and stay vegan - the animals. Sometimes, it might not be their primary reason for choosing to eliminate animal products from their life. But it ends up being what keeps them living this lifestyle. Stopping the abuse, torture, and murder of animals is the backbone of the vegan movement. In this episode, we share a lot of statistics but the ones in this section are the most heartbreaking. Like this one - it is estimated that every year 80 billion land animals are slaughtered for food. That statistic alone could be the reason someone goes vegan. Not everyone decides to change their lifestyle for animals, and weirdly, some vegans judge other vegans if animal protection isn’t the main reason they go plant-based. Personally, we here at The Average Vegans don't care why you go vegan. We don't care if you do it to piss your parents off. Or if you want to follow your favorite celebrity trend. We don't care if you take small steps or big movements toward eliminating animal products from your life. We're just thankful you did. And so are the animals! If you want to hear more animal abuse statistics, you should check out which talks all about the dairy industry. Save Your Health The health benefits of a vegan diet vary from person to person. Studies have shown that a plant-based diet lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. In a 2009 study, 43% of participants following a vegan diet reduced their blood sugar-lowering medication, compared with only 26% of participants who followed an ADA-recommended diet. Reasons for Going Vegan: Save The Environment If the stats about animal abuse and slaughter weren't bad enough, we also discuss the destruction of the environment thanks to animal agriculture. One stat that might shock you is that animal agricultural production is estimated to be responsible for 80 percent of global deforestation. Keep listening to hear more reasons for choosing the vegan lifestyle. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @theaveragevegans, Subscribe to us on YouTube, or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/26268951

Darë Cheese, the Best Vegan Cheese 02/21/2023

Darë Cheese, the Best Vegan Cheese All About Darë Cheese Listen, when we say Darë Cheese is the best vegan cheese, we mean it! We both swoon over this mouth-watering dairy-free cheese. In Episode #80, we interviewed Gwendolyn Dare Hageman, the Founder of Darë Cheese. This fantastic plant-based cheese company is based in Asheville, NC and is currently available in 30 states. By May, it will be available in 46 different Whole Foods across the southeast. As with every interview, we start off learning about Gwendolyn and her vegan journey. We quickly dived into the reasons behind the creation of her one-of-a-kind vegan cheese and what her plans are for the future. This might be the most you've ever heard David and I gush over a guest because we genuinely believe in her products. You should have seen us run when we saw their booth at the 2022 Georgia Veg Fest. People Over Machinery This vegan cheese company takes pride in its team and its products. As they say on their website, “with a team of dedicated and passionate individuals, Darë chooses people over machinery and passion over everything to make a product infused with love and intention.” Truly they are one of a kind! Listen to this episode to learn about Gwendolyn's favorite product, the most popular one, and what we can look for in the future. You can explore to learn more. Check out to hear another fantastic interview. This one is with Tamara Evans, a super fan of the podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/25995030

Interview with Corrine Baker, Outsiders Sanctuary 01/19/2023

Interview with Corrine Baker, Outsiders Sanctuary Episode 79 is a must-listen! We had the privilege of interviewing Corrine Baker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Outsiders Farm and Sanctuary. We saw this fantastic sanctuary at the Georgia Veg Fest and immediately knew we had to have them on the podcast. Every time we walked past their table, there was a crowd of people asking questions. We love to see others caring so much about our local animal sanctuaries. All About Corrine Baker As we do with every interview, we start of learning more about our guest. Corrine Baker is a joy to chat with, and she's full of positivity and good vibes. You're going to like Corrine before you ever hear about Outsiders. In this episode, you'll learn about her vegan story, her tips for new vegans, and how Outsiders originated. Outsiders Farm and Sanctuary is a 501 (c) 3 Farm Animal Sanctuary specializing in potbelly pigs but they also have other kinds of animals. Their mission is to help "the unimaginable number of potbelly pigs in need of placement in the state of Georgia." They provide the right kind of food, necessary medical care, and vetted placement through their adoption program. Corrine Baker and the staff at Outsiders do more than care and love for these animals. Education is a massive part of this organization. They focus on teaching proper pig care education to animal control organizations, adopters, and animal shelters. The benefit this education offers can help save thousands of pigs' lives. In this episode, you will learn about their future plans, how you can volunteer, cute stories about their adorable animals, and so much more. Please contribute to support Outsiders Sanctuary if you are able to: You can learn more about another Georgia animal sanctuary in ! You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/25655406

Vegan Beer, Wine, Champagne 01/19/2023

Vegan Beer, Wine, Champagne Listen, you might be doing dry January, but at some point, you're going to go out with friends. You need to know an excellent vegan beer, wine, and champagne. Of course, you should always use the Barnivore app to find the perfect vegan drink. But this episode is your playbook for having a vegan drink with no worries! And we both had a little bit to drink in this episode! That's always a good time. Isn't All Beer Vegan Beer? Simply put, no. In some cases, animal products are used to create beer, and a lot of vegans don't realize this! Ingredients like isinglass and gelatin are sometimes used as fining agents. Whey, lactose, and honey are also added as ingredients. We go into detail in this episode about what to avoid to make sure you're drinking vegan beer! You can learn more about vegan beer here: What About Vegan Wine? You will also learn in this episode that some wines include fining agents made of animal protein like egg whites, gelatin, casein, and isinglass – obtained from the swim bladder of fish. That's right, we said fish. If for no other reason, that alone is why you should listen to this episode. You can also learn more here: n Is Vegan Champagne A Thing? Champagne is similar to wine in that there are fining agents that make some bottles of bubbly not vegan. If you're anything like us, you will shudder at how much fish is used in the making of wine and champagne. When you want to celebrate a great accomplishment, listen to this episode so you reach for a vegan champagne instead of one filtered with fish. Explore more information about vegan champagne here: . The Vegan Wine Meg Drank Jam Jar Sweet Wine 2019 The Simple Grape Pinot Grigio California 2021 The Vegan Beer and Wine David Drank Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Pontoon Brewing - Crushing Waves Georgia Berliner Weisse Guinness Foreign Stout New vegans, go check out ! It was made specifically for you! You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/25655346

Why is it ok not to be ok? - A Mental Health Episode 01/09/2023

Why is it ok not to be ok? - A Mental Health Episode Why do we talk about mental health? In this episode, we discuss why it's ok not to be ok. Speaking about the importance of mental health is essential to us. We hope this episode helps you as you venture into the new year and tackle new obstacles in life. Important Note: By not ok, we are not saying having a mental health crisis or feeling like unaliving yourself. More so, those times when we are sad, down, slightly depressed, and just overwhelmed with life. If you feel like unaliving yourself, please call 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/. Society's Obsession with Positivity It's not often that you hear someone say it's ok not to be ok but we want to push the importance of knowing no matter what, there is always an answer to your problems. The push to be happy, joyful, and positive all the time is everywhere. We are taught by teachers, parents, TV, and the internet to only present a positive and upbeat persona. This is toxic positivity, and we are not here for it! Instead, we encourage you to feel your actual emotions, deal with them in healthy ways, and work to find a practical solution if at all possible. Important To Feel Other Emotions- Why It's Ok Not To Feel Ok As the movie taught us, it's crucial to feel other emotions besides just happiness and joyfulness. Other emotions are just as valid. The reality is life can be sad, overwhelming, and stressful. Fighting those emotions or hiding from them is a normal reaction, but we want you to focus on the fact that it's ok not to be ok. You don’t have to positivity your way through every situation. Your Brain Lies To You One of the most challenging lessons Meg has ever learned was that her brain could lie to her and she would fully believe it. Just feeling an unpleasant emotion can sometimes spiral us into thinking that’s all we’ll ever feel. Realizing that a thought is a lie your brain is fabricating is hard to fathom, let alone make it into daily practice. Meg gives an incredible tip on how she handles her lying brain! For more mental health conversations, make sure to check out - 20 tips for dealing with stress! Books/Audiobooks/Websites/Podcasts/Social Media People We Love Daring Greatly by Brene Brown The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson Unfuck Yourself by Gary John Bishop Marc and Angel Hack Life (marcandangel.com) Kati Morton, LMFT () Therapy Jeff () Liberation Helen () Therapy in a nutshell You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/25533783

Dispelling Common Food Myths 12/24/2022

Georgia Veg Fest 2022 12/13/2022

Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary 12/09/2022

Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary In Episode 74, we chat about the amazing in Good Hope, Georgia. We recently volunteered at this farm and had the best time. Helping the staff create a lovely, safe, and fun environment for the rescued animals was the highlight of our day. About Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary: Farm of the Free is a local animal sanctuary located on a 10-acre farm about 60 miles outside of Atlanta. Their mission is "to create a space where every being feels safe to be exactly who they are." We definitely support any organization or sanctuary with a mission to save and protect all living beings. Currently, Farm of the Free has donkeys, cows, chickens, sheep, and goats. While living their best lives, each animal lives on a beautiful piece of property in designated areas. Each space is built to foster a happy, healthy life for these animals. This sanctuary plans to "offer self-care classes such as guided meditations, yoga, cooking classes, etc., as well as classes that raise our awareness about living a peaceful, vegan lifestyle with an emphasis on unconditional self-love & personal growth." About the founders: Carmen and Greg Pope have been vegan since 2013 and soon after they decided to create the Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary. In this podcast, we give a more thorough explanation of how this fantastic organization came to be and how they have continued to help animals for many years. We also discuss their farm tours, how to volunteer, where to donate, and how to shop their branded products. All of which help contribute to the continued goodness of Farm of the Free. If you missed our review of the Fruit Hunters company, You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, and the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. Show notes, links, and more can be found at theaveragevegans.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/25274097

New Vegans Most Common Questions 11/18/2022

20 Tips For Dealing with Stress 11/09/2022

A Non-Dairy Milk Taste Test 11/09/2022

Dairy-Free Options - Vegan Approved 11/01/2022

Review of the Fruit Hunters Company 10/20/2022

Interview with Tamara Evans 10/06/2022

All About Vegan Seafood 10/06/2022

All About Vegan Seafood Being a Florida girl, Meg misses seafood. So she jumped on the chance to do an episode all about vegan seafood. This is an area of food she thought she had to give up when she went vegan. Thankfully, there are a lot of options in the world of vegan seafood. We even give you a tip about an amazing, traveling, vegan seafood truck! Why Say Goodbye to Seafood? We recently did . That episode is highly recommended before you listen to this one. The effects of the fishing industry are almost beyond comprehension to those of us that value the life of animals. We give you some of the most shocking facts from the documentary in our episode. Besides the environmental effects, we also go into detail about dangers to your body when you eat seafood from our polluted waters. For people that have a hard time saying goodbye to seafood, have them watch that documentary. Then, listen to our episode about Seaspiracy and this one about vegan seafood options. They'll never look back. All About Vegan Seafood Recently, we tried every dish from the in Atlanta. To put it in the simpliest of terms, it was absolutely divine! This truck travels around the country so visit their website to find their upcoming locations. When we visited Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Truck, we tried every bit they had to offer. We ordered: Crabby spring rolls Coconut shrimp Crabby cakes Yucca fries Vegan fish and chips Fried shrimp Vegan Lobster Mac and Cheese The options for plant-based seafood come from some interesting places. Vegan shrimp and many other plant based seafood options are made from Konjac, or elephant yam, is a seaweed-based hydrocolloid. It mimics the taste and texture of a real shrimp and is sometimes used as an alternative for animal gelatin. Listen to this episode to find out what plants are used to create vegan crab cakes, fish, and lobster! Brands that Offer Vegan Seafood We are beyond thankful for all the vegan options available at grocery stories nowadays and online so that we can cook some of these options at home. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/24602694

Vegan TikTokers You Have To Follow 09/26/2022

Minisode #5 - Current Vegan News 08/25/2022

Try These Thrift Tips 08/16/2022

Try These Thrift Tips If you're anything like Meg, you love the thrill of a great thrift find! In this episode, we talk about our favorite thrift tips and how to make the most out of every visit to the local thrift store. Meg is a veteran thrifter and David is a newbie so this is a fun episode for everyone. While thrifting doesn't necessarily have much to do with being vegan, the reasons behind thrifting are very much intune with vegan efforts to save the planet. The Why, Where, and Whens of Thrifting In this episode, we start by discussing the reasons why shopping second hand is essential to helping eliminate waste and pollution on our planet. As well as where to find the best thrift stores in your area and even the best times to thrift. Yes, there is a bit of a science to thrifting! By thrifting, you are doing one of the 3 Rs - reusing. And if you then donate the item after you are done using it, it continues to be reused! Thrift Tips Thrifting takes work. You have to be ready to dig and use your imagination. Meg gives some amazing tips on how to imagine all the uses of an item and great ways to envision using that piece in your home or your wardrobe. Of course, we always want to hear from you so send us a message on to give us your favorite thrift tip. The Vegan Aspect There are materials to look out for when thrifting that might make a perfect piece not vegan. David gives a great tip on how to make that piece work! If you love this episode, you have to check out as well! You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/24069774

Say No To Dairy 07/26/2022

Say No To Dairy In Episode #63, we talk about the cruel realities of the dairy industry and reasons why you should say no to dairy. Of course, David dives deep into what consuming dairy does to the human body. If you don't know, get ready to be shocked and broken by this episode. It was very hard for Meg to get through without crying. Why You Should Say No To Dairy The reasons why diary shouldn't be a part of your diet range from the torture and murder of cows to it gives you a serious stomach ache. Saying no to dairy can be easier if you take some time off from it and see how your body reacts. We would both be shocked if you didn't feel better giving up dairy. In this episode, David goes into detail explaining how bad these products are for your body. Besides your physical reactions, the dairy industry tortures mother cows until they are of no use. Don't get us started on what happens to the baby cows. You'll have to listen to this episode to learn that. It's hard to hear but necessary to learn to say no to dairy. We also talk about the environmental impact of the dairy industry in this episode. These stats are shocking and below is a graph we discussed. Non-dairy Options We briefly discuss the non-dairy options you can use to replace those dairy choices. There will be an upcoming episode all about non-dairy products you have to check out. In the meantime, listen to to hear our vegan cheese taste test or check us out on to see us try these options in person. Check out the to learn tons more about this subject. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Pocketcast, or anywhere else you get your podcast fix. Make sure to leave us a review and recommend us to your friends, family, coworkers, strangers, the delivery driver. Of course, follow us on Instagram @theaveragevegans or email us at theaveragevegans@gmail.com. We’d love to learn your vegan story, your favorite vegan treats, your episode suggestions, and what questions you have about the vegan lifestyle. /episode/index/show/theaveragevegans/id/23869509

Sleep Tips We Tried & Loved 07/14/2022

Favorite Vegan Products At Sprouts 06/03/2022

Vegans Dating Non-Vegans 05/19/2022

Vegan Mac and Cheese Taste Test 05/03/2022

Being a gluten-free vegan 04/06/2022

Vegan News - Minisode #4 04/06/2022

The Average Vegans

TOPICS