Vanessa

We’re running a series on our instructors – but the side you don’t see in the studio every day. Get to know our team even better through these interviews and hopefully we can all connect on an even deeper level.

First up, we’re talking to Vanessa! This is an extra special one because not only is Vanessa one of our longest-tenured instructors, it’s also her birthday! Vanessa is a powerhouse on the bike and brings her contagious energy to every class. But you already know that. What you may not know is that Vanessa has followed a plant-based lifestyle for nearly a decade and is sharing some of her experiences and favorite foods with us here.

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First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! How are you planning on celebrating?

I wish I could be teaching my normal 60-minute ride at SPARKCYCLE but since we’re not open right now, I’m filming some Instagram Live videos for my YouTube channel and celebrating with my boyfriend and a vegan cheesecake tonight.

This stay-at-home order has been tough on all of us. How are you spending your days?

I usually try to do something active right away, so I’ll go for a walk or stream workout. If I’m teaching a live pilates workout I’ll record it and post it on to my YouTube channel. 

I’m watching a lot of random shows and movies. I just watched the movie “Us” and it was really creepy/scary and “Tiger King” on Netflix which was crazy. I haven’t seen anyone in person besides my boyfriend and his roommates, and of course my cat Carlos, so I’ve been FaceTiming a lot with friends and family to feel closer to them.

I’m trying my best to eat well and stay active to help boost my immune system. The situation is already tough and I don’t want to feel bad on top of that.

Any advice for staying sane during this time?

I think people should do whatever they need to do to cope. Do what makes you feel good. Still try to take care of yourself and don’t get too down. It can be really easy to get bogged down and you have to keep yourself moving because you’ll ultimately feel better mentally and physical. I think it’s really important to stay healthy and feed your body with nutrients and keep coming.

So speaking of nutrients: you don’t eat meat or dairy? And do you prefer the phrase plant-based or vegan?

I don’t eat any meat or dairy and consider myself plant based.

A lot of people hear the word “vegan” and have a negative connotation because before it was trendy it was like this weird, unknown thing. I’ve found that the term “plant-based” is more encouraging and welcoming lifestyle. 

How long have you been plant based?

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 13 years old and plant based for the last 8 years.

Growing up I was never a huge meat-eater; I would often feel lethargic after eating it and I just didn’t enjoy it. When I was 13, my family and I went to the Philippines to visit extended family. Our relatives had two pigs, Hamilton and Hamlet, and I loved them and called them my friends. One day, we went sightseeing, only to come back and find out that Hamlet was our dinner. I immediately decided I didn’t want to eat my friends and I haven’t eaten meat since.

I continued to eat dairy until my 25th birthday [happy plant-based anniversary!] when I had an ice cream sundae and felt super sick (this wasn’t the first time dairy upset my stomach) so I made the easy choice to eliminate that too.

What are the most common misconceptions about being plant based?

I always hear that I can’t possibly be getting enough protein or nutrients. But there’s protein in so many foods that you don’t even realize – spinach, kale, nuts, quinoa, beans (even though I don’t really like them), chickpeas, cauliflower. You can also get pea protein powder or a number of other vegan protein powders. You get plenty of protein!

People think that I’ll be offended if they eat meat in front of me. My choice to be plant based is totally for me and I love animals and I love that it’s better for the environment but I’m not at all offended by what anyone else does or eats! If someone asks me about it I’m happy to share, but I’ll never push my choices on anyone.

Many people automatically associate being plant-based with being healthier. This is not necessarily true – as with any diet, you have to plan and be smart about it. Some people go plant based for the wrong reasons and eat things because they say “vegan,” but you still have to be smart about what you’re putting into your body. Vegan potato chips aren’t better for you than regular potato chips. 

What are some of your favorite local restaurants for plant-based menu options?

Best sit-down dinner: Donna Jean in Banker’s Hill

Quick snack: Parakeet in La Jolla (next door to SPARKCYCLE in La Jolla)

Best dessert: Hazel and Jade in Banker’s Hill

Honorable mention: Second Nature (lots of non-plant-based items too!), Trilogy, SoulShine (three-way tie)

Favorite make-at-home food?

For a snack I love to put some almond butter in a date then sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

For an easy dinner I cook macaroni noodles and sauté veggies (my favorites are mushrooms and broccoli) then combine it and cover it in lots of Nomad Vegan Eats mac n cheeze sauce. It’s the best non-dairy cheese.

What do you eat if you’re in the junk food mood?

Ben & Jerry’s makes a non-dairy peanut butter and cookies ice cream (even my boyfriend who eats dairy likes it). They have it at Vons!

I love any kind of potato chip or French fry (potatoes are my kryptonite. Also get the truffle fries at Second Nature). Kettle Brand chips has a pepperoncini flavor (you’ll eat the whole bag – warning you now).

Any tips for ordering plant-based at a restaurant?

It’s very rare that I go to a restaurant and can’t find something. You just have to know what can have sneaky dairy in it. Many salad dressings have dairy so I’ll just ask for oil and vinegar or a lemon. If the menu has sautéed veggies, I’ll ask if they use butter and if so I’ll ask for them to use oil. Most places are very accommodating, you just have to be polite.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

French fries with a side of guacamole.

Any last comments?

Eat what makes you feel good.

Thanks, Vanessa! We loved learning more about you and your plant-based lifestyle and can’t wait to hear from the rest of the team!