October 16th, 2009 by Editor
Emily Deschanel is one of those charitable celebrities that just keeps on giving! Through her work with organizations like Farm Sanctuary, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and PETA, Deschanel is winning hearts and minds, and changing the world in a big way!
It’s been a while since we chatted with Em and couldn’t think of a better celeb to feature during Vegetarian Awareness Month. Check out our exclusive interview with the talented actress below and find out just why we think she’s so grand!
Ecorazzi: How long have you been vegetarian/vegan?
Emily Deschanel: Vegan for 16 years, baby!!
E: What first inspired you to adopt this diet?
ED: The documentary and book “Diet For a New America.”
E: In three words tell me why you’re a vegetarian/vegan.
ED: Animals, earth, health – in that order.
E: What’s been the most rewarding part of going VEG?
ED: Feeling that my lifestyle is in line with my values and morals.
E: What’s been the most challenging?
ED: Traveling. I don’t have a problem in LA or New York, and a few other cities, but Europe can be a challenge. In Spain the “vegetarian restaurants” have meat!! It’s a great thing that now there are so many resources online to help you find places to eat all over the world.
E: What’s one tip you’d give for somebody who might be interested in transitioning to a more plant-based diet?
ED: I really believe in the Kathy Freston technique of doing things slowly and removing one thing from your diet at a time. Be kind to yourself. If you’re eating vegan most of the time, that’s a lot better than most people.
E: If you had the chance to meet one person who you’ve found specifically instrumental in the vegetarian community – dead or alive, past or present – who would it be and why?
ED: Well, I think I already met her. Rory Freedman. She reached so many people who would never have considered being vegan or vegetarian through her Skinny Bitch books. People picked up those books just wanting to lose weight, and they got educated about factory farming and the negative effects of animal products on our bodies, to the animals, and to the environment. She is such an animal rights hero!
E: In just a sentence, what/who is your favorite:
Food: Veggie soup (it’s getting colder in LA — soup keeps you warm.)
Restaurant: Madeleine Bistro in LA.
Book: The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen.
Product: Dr. Cow cheese.
Designer: Stella McCartney.
Celebrity: Alicia Silverstone (she was the original- gotta love her!).
A great big thank you to Emily Deschanel for taking the time to sit down with us for a chat. Don’t forget to check out Bones every Thursday at 8/7c on Fox. Happy Vegetarian Awareness Month!!
Alicia Silverstone, America, diet, diet for a new america, Don, Dr. Cow, Emily Deschanel, Europe, Kathy Freston, LA, Madeleine Bistro, New York, PETA, physicians committee for responsible medicine, Rory Freedman, Spain, Stella McCartney, time, vegan, Vegetarian, World
“I still love my big ballgowns with a kind of twist to them, but I also likeVivienne Westwoodbecause she’s kind of punky and does really nice shapes for ladies. I likeAntonio Berardibecause I like his shapes too. AndWilliam Tempest. And I likeStella McCartneybecause she’s got a vegetarian range. I want to do a vegetarian range of clothing. I haven’t had time to properly focus on it, but I’m still designing.”
“It’s just not for me. I’m a vegetarian, but I don’t have a problem if you want a hamburger. Marriage, to me, is like eating meat. I think it’s gross and f***ing crazy. It’s this superbarbaric, old-timey tradition that no one remembers we don’t have to do anymore.”
As many of you might already know, October is Vegetarian Awareness Month! WOO!