I’m one of those people who loves to hear about celebs going vegan or moving towards a more eco-friendly, health-conscious lifestyle. Sure, there is the perennial argument that famous people are quick to latch onto any trend–and just as quickly to abandon it when the next “it” thing comes along. But celebrities are people, too, and there are plenty who adhere to an ethical lifestyle and have the opportunity to set an example for their fans.
Jessica Chastain is one such vegan who has proudly shared her love for animals over the years. The Help actress was a vegetarian for 15 years before making the switch to veganism in 2007. “I don’t want to torture anything,” she told PETA after being named one of their sexiest vegetarians of the year 2012. “It’s about trying to live a life where I’m not contributing to the cruelty in the world. While I am on this planet, I want everyone I meet to know that I am grateful they are here.”
But the inspiration doesn’t stop there: Chastain’s mom, Jerri Hastey, went vegan after spending some quality time with her daughter. In fact, Hastey was so enthralled with the lifestyle that she became a chef who specializes in plant-based fare and opened a vegan restaurant. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the actress explained, “I’m vegan and she came to visit me and we spent two weeks together and so she just ate the food that I was eating and she felt so good she went back home and there weren’t any restaurants for her, so she was like, ‘Y’know what, I’m gonna open a restaurant,’ and she became a vegan chef and she’s really good.”
Now Hastey operates a vegan food truck out of Santa Rosa, California, which Chastain bought for her in 2013. The actress told DeGeneres, “It’s called Seed On The Go and it’s very, very exciting. She used to have a restaurant and now she’s more mobile.”
We could all learn something from Chastain’s gentle activism. I’m sure we all know someone we’d like to eat more fruits and vegetables (and less meat and cheese), but approaching them in a confrontational way isn’t likely to yield great results. Instead, it helps to show by example–“food activism,” if you will–how delicious and fun it can be to eat cruelty-free.
Also, is anything cuter than a mother-daughter vegan duo? I don’t think so.
Have you eaten at Seed on the Go?
Also by Molly: Vegan Drink Recipes: Warm Golden Turmeric Milk
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Photo: @chastainiac on Instagram
