The vegan diet has grown six hundred percent since 2014, according to a nationwide study released by GlobalData in June. With vegan-positive information becoming more readily accessible, people are not only hearing the message — they are listening.

Most recently, the June 16th launch of “What the Health” on Netflix caused a surge of celebrities, professional athletes, and everyday citizens to “go vegan,” attributing their diet shift to this perspective-altering documentary. Among others, stars like Ne-Yo and Danielle Brooks both credited the film for sparking their plant-based transformation. The trickle down effect is real, as fans are influenced by these public celebrity diet shifts. But inspiration is one thing, and action is another.

For those struggling with the moral implications of wanting to make a change but can’t seem to give up cheese, there is help. Mercy for Animals, the leading nonprofit focused on farm animal welfare issues as well as vegan education (and drool-worthy recipes), offers a unique vegetarian support program for individualized, long-term assistance for those in transition to a vegan diet – free of charge.

Erin Kwiatkowski, the Mercy for Animal’s Global Vegetarian Support Specialist for North America, gave us the full details on this unique program.

EcoSalon: In a nutshell, what is the MFA Vegetarian Support Program? What do you do?

EK: We provide personal support to individuals looking to move toward vegan eating. We work with people one-on-one through platforms like email, text, live chat, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The goal is to make the vegan diet most accessible. Going vegan is the most effective way people can prevent cruelty to animals and fight climate change.

ES: What does it take to be a Global Vegetarian Support Specialist?

EK: We all receive nutrition training through the T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition eCornell Certificate Program. We also regularly study behavioral theory, psychology, and behavior change. Its continual education so we can provide the best support.

ES: How long do you work with each person, on average? Is there a typical client?

EK: We try to commit to at least three months of engagement. When someone is changing their habits, behavior and lifestyle, those first three months tend to be the most volatile. If we’re able to consistently connect with them for this amount of time, we feel really good about them being able to stick to the diet long term.

People come to us from from different motivations from their health, to the environment, to ethics. The point is to actively reach people where they’re at. No matter where they are in the transition phase, we make sure they know we’re here for them, we hear them, and we want to help them through this big change in their life.

ES: Describe the resources you provide.

EK: Chooseveg.com is the primary source of information we provide for diet change. The site features tips, product recommendations, local and nationwide vegan groups, and grocery store and restaurant options. During one-on-ones, we share share recipes, cooking tips, and answer their nutrition and health questions.

ES: What challenges have you faced in helping others make the transition?

EK: Sometimes people don’t have the right information to make the switch in a healthy and sustainable way. They may be frustrated and confused about misinformation related to nutrition. I answer a lot of questions about nutrition and health because of what peoples’ friends and family tell them. Thankfully, it’s easy to chat through those concerns and make sure they know there are tons of people out there living healthy and sustainable lives. I assure them that they’re making the right decisions for themselves, the animals, and environment.

ES: Can you speak to the success of the program? Any stand-out cases?

EK: Of course! The outreach program is about two years old, but just in 2017, we have interacted with over one hundred and fifty thousand people globally. Its awesome to see because our growth pairs with the growth of veganism. It also shows that people are being touched by the resources that MFA is providing. It’s truly indicative of how compassionate and loving people are. 

As far as stand-outs go, for me recently it was Pablo in Nicaragua. He is a forestry engineer, and he used to eat meat every day. He learned about factory farming through MFA and worked with our Mexico MFA support program. Not only did he change his diet, but he also changed the forestry department’s diet. He and all of his co-workers all eat meat-free! Essentially, he’s extending this gift to the people that he works with. Honestly, my favorite stories are of people who have made a diet change and they get so excited that they turn into activists. It becomes a lifestyle rather than just a diet.

Find Tanya on Instagram and The Vegan Potluck Podcast. 

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How a charity raises big bucks auctioning frocks reconstructed by cutting edge designers.

It begins with a few yards of salvaged plum fabric and black tulle gathered by St. Vincent de Paul Society. It ends in a fanciful evening gown paraded on a catwalk amid flashing cameras and cooing from those who appreciate fashion as three-dimensional art. Bidders are informed the embellished frock, called Galatea at Twilight, was conceived by Cari Borja, and is a suggested size 4-8. They are cajoled to cough up cash to add the slinky fantasy to their wardrobe, thereby aiding victims of homelessness and poverty served by the San Francisco charity. Warmed up by sauvignon blanc and gourmet nibbles, the audience bites. That’s how Discarded to Divine rolls. Recycled fashions, renewed lives.

This much-anticipated annual event is such a heightened happening that the parking service controlling the ticket holders resembles a secret service militia supervised by former high school female gym teachers, standing by to interrogate ticket holders as they pull into the parking lot at St. Mary’s Cathedral. “What is your business here?” they bark, checking to see if you garnered a spot on their coveted list for courtesy parking, or if you should be directed to a spot in the hinterlands. Meantime, the wind is blowing like a Texas tornado and you’re just aching to get inside and preview the silent auction items that always get snapped up quickly. I don’t think New York Fashion Week is this tight.

Once inside, the show doesn’t disappoint. A large room with dozens of one-of-a-kind custom design student silhouettes on dress forms seem to beckon the seasoned eye, which marvels at the tailoring and fanciful embellishments – a ’60s white woolen Audrey shift with back panels on each shoulder displaying embroidered peacock quills or a delightful tunic featuring panels of woven textiles in the season’s pet shades of blush and salmon with a matching woolen shrug.

The silent auction showcases more of the fun and offbeat – at times even crafty party wear and accessories that let attendees walk away with an expertly tailored,  re-purposed dress for $75 – a dress with a great back story, not plucked from the rack of a department store but won via clever bidding tactics (be the last one on the list when they stop the silent auction and appetizers and direct you inside for the live show).

The live auction is an opportunity for more sophisticated formal, day and outerwear, and a chance to show what lesser known Bay Area visionaries can stitch: a stunning blue taffeta bodice dress by costumer Ulises Alcala made from a silk jacket; a gray pea coat by the Fashion Institute of Design’s Janice Paredes with an oversight yellow houndstooth trim that sprung from a woman’s blazer; a stunning Boho embellished folk coat by Olga Shor tweaked from upholstery fabric and window panels; a belted oversize purple ash woman’s coat by gr. Dano in a paisley pattern with dolman sleeves which required eight hours of hand dipping to achieve the ombre technique; and a truly divine Aphrodite Greeks style asymmetrical chiffon dress with a belt and detachable fur collar.

As with a familiar Project Runway plot line, the designers were instructed to take their inspiration from the collection of art at the De Young Museum – the location of a preview party for the fashion event – which raised more than $100 thousand for the cause. The fact that the crowd was curious to learn about the discarded part – the forgotten fabrics breathing life into the garments – proves there are plenty of good textiles to go around without ever having to produce new weaves in a factory again.  We are titillated by seeing something old become something new. Perhaps the design world will take note of this annual event and rummage through the lost pile to pull treasures for their own collections.

images: St. Vincent de Paul Society San Francisco; Xiang Zhang

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EcoSalon has praised the benefits of buying less this holiday season. At the same time, why not clean out your closets and give up what you don’t use so that someone who needs clothing and toys can benefit?

Modern Mom did a post on what they called Project Giveaway – which is an ideal way to describe what is going on in my own home as I rummage through closets, bagging what doesn’t fit and what we don’t wear. I must do it while my kids are at school because they are creatures of habit who cling to old items for nostalgia’s sake. They have put up a big fuss any time we have joined neighborhood yard sales and it has taken much cajoling to convince them to part with what they don’t use. They are generous kids with great core values but my 10-year-old likes to insist, “I’m saving that for my children!”

Follow my lead and spend a few hours this week allowing retired items to come out of the closet. An indicator you have too much?

“Drawers are usually overfilled and it is hard to find what you actually own,” I’m told by professional San Francisco organizer, Molly Coomber, who helps people get a jump start on what can be a daunting task.

For some, it’s a question of what to give away and how. I’m pretty ruthless about that, dispensing rather easily with what I think someone else could use. For those who struggle more, women like Beth Berliner of Revamp offer closet makeovers. Berliner’s service basically overhauls the contents of home closets helping busy people make the best use of what they do own.

“It’s the idea of being green and recycling and utilizing clothes that are part of your wardrobe in a different way,” Berliner explains. “I think you should get rid of what hasn’t been worn in years and what is not flattering to your body, which obviously changes over years.”

Berliner finds once you have cleared out ill fitting and outdated blouses, shoes and jeans, you are left with what really works for you.

“You end up with more because you can see what you have and you can pull more when getting dressed and save time weeding through your closet,” she says. “Taking stock of what is in there sets up a working wardrobe.”

I love the afterglow of weeding out, and I think an edited closet and toy shelves allow my children to be reintroduced to items they forgot that they owned.

In terms of what to take out, you can separate out garments  that are too small and have no sentimental value. Obviously, you aren’t going to toss out that first birthday dress or first copy of Good Night Moon, but if it has no sentimental value, kiss it goodbye.

I first donate to friends who can use the hand-me-downs and give away the bulk to various charities in my city, including the ARC, which offers  a household recycling pick up of clothing, furniture, toys and books and other household items you wish to donate. Many similar organizations abound nationwide, and are eager to collect during the holiday period. Warm weather clothing, especially,  is so appreciated this time of year.

You can also consign your clothing at many boutiques, such as Designer Consigner and the Junior League’s  Next-to-New Shop in San Francisco. Some of them pay as much as 50% on items sold and donate what doesn’t sell. Some also give percentages of their proceeds to good causes such as cancer research.

Be sure to ask for a receipt for the tax benefit of giving non-monetary items in 2009. Hey, it is just one more incentive for playing Project Giveaway. The biggest incentive for me is that cleaning out means less to contend with, and it feels so good.

Main Image: Liz Marie

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