NAME: Jana Coke
AGE: 31
OCCUPATION: Wardrobe Consultant. I help people build confidence in their personal style.
LOCATION: Long Beach, CA
WEBSITE: The Frugal Stylist; Frugal Jana

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VEGETARIAN? AND WHAT INSPIRED YOUR JOURNEY?

Six years ago, I needed to lose 40 pounds caused by a medical illness. I started to research all types of diets and some how came across veganism. For a full month, I researched the health benefits of a plant based diet. Convicted by my compassion for animals, I knew that consuming meat for my pleasure was a contradictory action to the verbal love I expressed. What started out as the need for a diet turned into a need for a lifestyle change! I have since lost the 40 and gained a new perspective towards food.

HAS VEGETARIAN ENHANCED YOUR HEALTH? WHY OR WHY NOT?

My first year of veganism was hell! I had major digestive issues, my skin was filled with rashes and acne, and I was always tired. I thought being a vegan would IMPROVE my health!

I later discovered that I was gluten intolerant and allergic to soy!

I had to learn how to cook nutritious and delicious meals without utilizing those two proteins. Since discovering my intolerance’s, I haven’t been sick in over 3 years and I able to train and complete marathons as a vegan!

IN RETROSPECT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MEAT? OR DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON AMERICA’S MEAT INDUSTRY?

Meat is the by product of suffering and greed. The meat industry in the USA ruins our ecology, contributes to obesity, the cause of many cancers, and because the importance of profits are in place over the welfare of humans and animals, it is the epitome of greed. There’s nothing compassionate about eating meat.

WAS THERE A COMMUNITY OF BLACK WOMEN THAT HELPED YOU ALONG YOUR MEATLESS JOURNEY? AND IF NOT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO CHANGE THIS FOR OTHERS?

Unfortunately, I did not have a community of Black Women that supported my lifestyle change off of the internet. In the high day of MySpace, I belonged to a vegan group for Black Americans, but besides that- I did not have a support system. To be the change I want to see, I constantly post delicious vegan (gluten and soy free) meals on my Facebook page, and encourage my friends with 30 day vegan food challenges.

I’m also adding a vegan lifestyle page to my blog. As a wardrobe consultant, I offer an eco stying wardrobe service where I assist women with transitioning to a compassionate wardrobe and diet. You can be fashionable and vegan!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ONE OR TWO TIPS ON TRANSITIONING INTO VEGANISM?

I encourage people that are interesting in transitioning to a vegan lifestyle to connect the benefits of veganism with a personal passion for wanting to change. It could be to end a family history of diabetes or not contribute to the suffering of animals. That passion will convict you whenever the challenges associated with this lifestyle arise.

Are you a vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian? Email shane@frugivoremag.com if you’d like to be featured in the Black Vegetarian Series. Check back every Tuesday and Friday for a new profile! Click to read past profiles here.

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6 Comments

  1. I love Jana Coke what a great spirit for I totally enjoyed the information about her Vegan journey. From The Vegan Marathoner….

  2. Dr. F. A. Young, Esq

    Kudos and much continued success. Going to share your info with all the fam and friends. Peace & Much Luv 4 U from the PeaceZone Empowerment Network

  3. Congrats Ms. Jana Coke. Your an inspiration to all of us suffering from obesity, medical issues, diabetes and etc.

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