On today’s program, we are delighted to present to you Simone Reyes, an American actress, country music singer-songwriter, and passionate animal-people rights activist with a heart of gold. For over 20 years, Simone has rescued animal-people and used her vast on-camera and public speaking experience to advocate for the suffering people from the animal kingdom. For her immense efforts, PETA renamed their sanctuary in India, “Animal Rahat,” to “Simone's Place.” Simone once said: “I may be a woman, a friend, a daughter, a painter, or an executive, but I will always be an activist first.” Simone cites the internationally acclaimed French actress and animal-people activist Brigitte Bardot as her role model. Inspired by Brigitte, Simone traveled to Japan in 2019 to campaign with famed marine life protector Sea Shepherd for the tens of thousands of dolphin-people slaughtered mercilessly in Japan each year. In June 2021, more than forty cow-friends fearing for their lives escaped from a slaughterhouse in California. Diane Warren, a renowned songwriter, together with Simone managed to negotiate with the authorities to save at least two of these members, including a pregnant cow-mother and helped settle them at the Farm Sanctuary. Why must we protect and love our animal-people friends? Let us listen to an excerpt from a lecture by our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai from 1991 in California, USA: “Vegetarian (vegan) is just because the God inside us wants it, you understand? It doesn't mean we limit ourselves in that way, you understand? That means we expand our life to all kinds of life. Our life will be not limited in this body, but extended to the life of the animal-people, and all kinds of beings. And that makes us grander, greater, happier, and limitless.” Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Heartfully present Simone Reyes the Shining World Compassion & Courage Award with all love, appreciation, and best wishes for her noble mission. May Heavens forever bless and protect you and your loved ones.”

Geoff was an Olympic junior swimmer in high school and learned at an early age the importance of nutrition and its effects on the body. Geoff wanted to keep people staying in fitness with consistency. He thought about ways to help people to see and feel fitness results quicker. Through his own diligent research, Geoff found a cactus flower that can block 80% of the conversion of testosterone to both estrogen and DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a metabolized pathway of testosterone. Geoff saw an opportunity and launched his company “Clean Machine” in 2013, that committed to distributing the highest quality, natural, and unique supplements from some of the highest nutrient content plants ever discovered.Then in 2017, the company launched its new super ingredient LENTEIN which comes from water lentils, that not only has a higher concentration of essential amino acids and BCAAs (Branched-chain amino acids) than any other plant on the planet studied so far but is also the first plant found to have a higher nutrient density of Vitamin B12, making it the number one superfood. On December 1, 2018, Geoff and his team at Clean Machine, in partnership with the Naturally Fit Federation, created the world's first All-Vegan Natural Bodybuilding event for both men and women which was held in conjunction with the South Florida Vegfest in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Participating athletes were required to have been living a 100% vegan lifestyle for 12+ months by the date of the event. “So, at any age, you can do this completely drug-free. So, this amazing machine that we're born into, this incredible physiology that we're born into, I am encouraging people to keep this machine clean, so, free of drugs, free of animal products.” "What really works for me is eating fruits and vegetables every day." "I’m a 3-time pro builder." "All protein comes from plants." "Years from now, it's going to be remembered as the very first ever, when the people thinking bodybuilding, they would think vegan; and the people thinking vegan, they'll be thinking bodybuilding. That is what I want in the future."

On today’s show, we will hear from natural bodybuilding champion and vegan, Geoff Palmer, and go beyond the vegan stereotype of needing a huge amount of protein to build muscle. Geoff Palmer is the founder and CEO of Clean Machine, a plant-based, all-natural, fitness nutrition company. The sudden joy of walking out of the darkness of depression enlightened Geoff. He realized that “happiness” wasn’t what one got out of life, but what one gives to life. “And my higher self just spoke to me and said, stop harming the animals. You know you don't want to suffer. You're glad that you're no longer suffering. The animals don't want to suffer either. So, it just was automatic. I quit drinking, quit smoking, quit doing all animal products in one day, it was just, it was done.” Geoff has since dedicated his life to informing others about veganism and nutrition. “The first thing that people ask me when they find out I’m vegan is: ‘Where do you get your protein?’ My response is something that usually leaves blank faces which is: ‘The same place that you do.’ And they are like, ‘No, I eat meat’ I said, ‘Yes, but that protein doesn’t come from that animal. All protein is only made by plants.’ The question that then arises is, ‘Why are we feeding all this plant nutrition, the vitamins, minerals, essential fats, protein, carbohydrates and fibre to an animal and then killing the animal and taking all of its plant nutrients?’” Our most gracious and beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai is unconditionally committed to save all those who give up the barbaric habit of meat-eating. Please repent and change to the compassionate vegan diet. “Just turn vegan, U-turn, and everything else will be wiped out. I will have the power to do that. I will wipe out everything. Whatever they have done before, it will be all forgiven. But I need them to cooperate. That’s all. Just turn vegan and repent.”

The Chickens’ Lib organization used many different methods to inform the public about the immense brutality inflicted on bird-people in the meat and egg producing factories. They organized street demonstrations, held “sit-ins” in government offices, and mailed out thousands of fact sheets. They also handed out photographs showing the cruelty to animal-people. Clare soon realized that she needed a more effective way to stop the gruesome animal-people factories. After some research she discovered that, according to UK’s existing animal-people welfare laws, many of the practices conducted in meat and dairy factories were illegal. Clare says that governments and some animal-people welfare organizations often concentrate on improving the conditions to raise animal-people in meat and egg factories. “And you find that label on it doesn't actually mean very much, and so on. And I think it's a waste of time. Why not have a plant-based diet?” With our world currently facing challenges for survival because of pandemics, climate change, and natural disasters, Clare feels it is extremely urgent for people to shift to the vegan lifestyle. She says that the quickest way to achieve this would be through government intervention. “And it's integral to climate change and food supplies.” “I'd like to see no animal farming at all for food, and far more trees, forestation, and the soil considered the wonderful and totally essential thing that it is. We need to have some initial intelligence and compassion for animals, and we should realize we can't live without the proper balance of nature, because we cannot. No. Well, I would like everybody to try veganism for, let's say, a year. And think (about) how many animals you've saved during that year. I think that would be wonderful.” Our most beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai also frequently reminds us about the extreme urgency of halting climate change, pandemics, and all other natural disasters. She explains that a global shift to the vegan lifestyle is the only way to save our planet and calls on world leaders to reinforce animal-people laws for a Vegan World. “All you have to do is just change all these slaughterhouses, abattoirs into vegan farms, vegetable farms. Organic farms are better.”

On today’s program, we meet a true pioneer for the rights of animal-people, a renowned author, and the co-founder of Chickens’ Lib, Ms. Clare Druce. Chickens’ Lib was one of the first organizations in the world to campaign against the cruel treatment of the people from the chicken kingdom who were being forcefully raised in animal-people factories as so-called “egg-layers” or “broilers.” Ms. Druce devoted more than 40-years to exposing these barbaric conditions and challenging the legality of the animal-people industry. Clare and Violet co-founded the organization, Chickens’ Lib. They began their work in the early 1970s, long before the internet or any other forms of mass information dissemination were available. As a result, informing others about the cruelty on meat and egg producing factories was a highly labor-intensive job. For example, after collecting facts and photographs about the cruelty in the animal-people factories, they would mail these out to thousands of people. In Clare’s book, “Chickens’ Lib,” she writes, “If we don’t do something, people 100 years on will look at the way we feed the population as barbaric, in much the same way the slave trade is viewed in hindsight.” One of Clare’s major objectives was to raise awareness that all people from the animal kingdom (including chicken-people) are sentient beings who deserve our love and protection. “Anybody who's given it really good thought realizes they are sentient. And they're as sentient as, and as intelligent as, cats and dogs. And people worship their cats and dogs, make them family members. Don’t they, virtually? And yet the same people will happily eat (chickens).” Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Gratefully present the Shining World Advocacy Award to Ms. Clare Druce, plus US $10,000 as a humble token of support for your lifelong dedication to protecting the wellbeing of chicken-people. May you and your loved ones enjoy continued blessings and constant protection by Heaven.”

"A lot of people are worried that they’re going to miss their cheese and they’re going to miss their meat. This is the only reason why I enlarged Nafsika’s Garden, so that people can not worry about that. They can just try it and you have nothing to lose, they just try it. And so, when you try it with your food some people don’t even know that it’s vegan actually." The multi-talented Nafsika not only started the non-profit organization “People Against Violence,” to promote peace and provide support and resources to help victims around the world, she also created another wonderful personal safety app called “uAlert,” that anyone can download onto their smart device and use it in any country. In this critical era of global pandemics Nafsika shared her message to the countries’ leaders looking for the most effective pathway out of our planetary crisis. "Help everyone go vegan, promote veganism, because we wouldn’t have a pandemic if everyone were vegan. When you’re not eating meat, you’re reducing your chances of getting any kind of you know, disease of any kind, there’s so many things in there in meat there’s those antibiotics, there’s hormones, there’s, you know, I mean, there’s cancer in there, you know, it’s like so many things. So, I think if the countries really care about their people, they should promote a plant-based diet." Nafsika’s positive message is echoed by our benevolent Supreme Master Ching Hai, who shared Her wisdom with everyone at the Ahimsa and the Environment Conference, in October this year. "Then of course, by consuming these dead animal-people products, not only our soul will recognize it as unbefitting, cruel, wicked and devilish, but also our physical body will revolt. And then, sicknesses come… Let’s pray for the quick rescuing of our planet and that our leaders and co-citizens alike will take heed of the warnings from nature, because nature is our own reflection." “Let’s pray that God still gives us a chance and all humans will change to Ahimsa, thus rebuild a benevolent world. May it so be. Amen!”

Today, we continue featuring Chef Mark Reinfeld who has over 20 years of experience preparing innovative plant-based and raw food cuisine. He is not only exceptionally creative in the culinary field, but also passionate about the caring, sustainable vegan lifestyle that helps to heal oneself as well as our beautiful planet. “Choosing plant-based foods is helping our body. It is helping the environment; it is helping the animals. We like to say ‘Healing ourselves, healing the planet!’” “It would be nice if plant-based foods got the same kind of subsidies and attention that the animal-based ones do; you mentioned organic farmers or small farmers. I think it would level the playing field a lot if either the meat-based [products] didn't get the subsidies that they do, or the plant-based alternatives did because they realize that these are the foods that actually can help promote health. That would be nice to see.” We will conclude this program with the following loving wish from our Most Beloved and Highly Respected Supreme Master Ching Hai. “I wish the World Vegan, World peace. That’s all I wish. Every day I keep repeating that to Heavens, make sure They hear me to help us. Because without World Vegan, there will not be lasting World Peace. That’s why I ask people to pray and meditate only for World Vegan. And World Peace also comes along. I would advise all the leaders to save all the money unnecessary, for war for other things that are frivolous spending. Keep their money and just give money to the poor. Give them something to start their lives with business, with education, or with farming, with changing their lives about from meat business to organic vegan business. It’s very easy. And then they would take care of themselves. And the more people are vegan, the fewer government leaders should worry, because they will not be so violent if they have enough work for them to do, to earn their money, to take care of themselves; they would never make any trouble for governments. There will be less suffering, then also less sickness and fewer criminals in the world. Then it’s good for everybody.”

Nafsika Antypas is a TV show host, certified health coach and a loving mother with a golden heart. Nafsika went vegan while her children were still young and embraced the lifestyle wholeheartedly, to the point where it became her fulltime occupation to share the countless benefits of a compassionate change with all beings. Her passion to inspire others to experience a plant-based way of life has resulted in a TV series called “Plant-Based by Nafsika,” a line of vegan products, and a non-profit organisation against violence. Nafsika’s own shift to a plant-based diet gave her a natural ability to relate to others who were unsure on how to take the necessary steps towards a vegan lifestyle change. 'If you plant it - it will grow' is Nafsika’s motto created for her TV show. "So, this motto I came up with when I launched the TV series. So 'If you plant it, it will grow.' It means to me planting seeds, helping them grow, feeding the plant, you know, blossoming, growing. So that’s how I see my life, but, what everyone is doing in veganism, in the vegan movement, basically, we’re all planting seeds, we’re all helping it grow. It’s a movement. So, I think all together we can, you know, help this movement grow even more. And that was the idea with the TV show. I was trying to find ways to instill I mean, different I guess, topics and beliefs and everything to people, to the viewers that are watching and very casually get them to open up to this type of plant-based vegan lifestyle." Nafsika’s passion is not only for the well-being of other humans, her empathy towards animal-people compelled her to start a non-profit organization called 'People Against Violence.' We asked Nafsika about its beginnings and if compassionate food choice was a factor relating to violence and one’s state of mind. "Absolutely. So, when I went vegan, one of the first things I did is, I created this charity, this non-profit called 'People Against Violence.com' and well, 'People Against Violence org.' And we have a certified counselor to help people more about domestic issues, you know, involving violence. But we also talk about veganism, we promote veganism, because, you know if you want to have, a peaceful and compassionate you know, world, then people should go vegan, that’s my thought on it."

Chef Mark Reinfeld has been awarded the Honolulu Advertiser’s I’Lima Award for “Best Restaurant on Kaua’i” for the Blossoming Lotus Restaurant which he co-founded in 2002. “And I chose that name because the Lotus symbolizes the evolution of consciousness. And for me, that plant-based cuisine represented that evolution of consciousness as it applies to food. And so, we had people really bring mindfulness, and gratitude, and love into the recipes that we serve to the public.” Chef Mark Reinfeld is also the author of numerous books, including: “Vegan World Fusion Cuisine,” “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw,” and the “30-Minute Vegan” series: the original “30-Minute Vegan,” and “Taste of the East,” “Taste of Europe,” and “Soups On!” Mark also wrote “Learn the Art of Massage,” “Healing the Vegan Way” and his latest publication: “The Ultimate Age-Defying Plan.” Vegan World Fusion Cuisine is a guide to living harmoniously not only with Earth's precious beings but with nature and the environment. Chef Mark Reinfeld’s most recent books “The Ultimate Age-Defying Plan: The Plant-Based Way to Stay Mentally Sharp and Physically Fit,” and “Healing the Vegan Way: Plant-Based Eating for Optimal Health and Wellness” have been very well received and helping the awareness of the plant-based diet in the medical profession. “There's such a growing awareness in the medical community. More and more doctors are coming on board, and doctors who are running hospital systems.” “The latest books, the “Healing the Vegan Way” and “The Ultimate Age-Defying Plan,” they have contributions from a lot of the leading plant-based medical doctors and nutritionists.” “We have a strong emphasis on using whole-food, plant-based ingredients. But we like introducing them, just to show people the potential: you can really create plant-based (foods) in a way where they taste just as good. And for me, I think they taste even better.” For decades, Supreme Master Ching Hai has been advocating the vegan way of living as the only way to eradicate major chronic diseases and natural disasters. “We all want to have a peaceful world and we all talk about how we want peace and love. Well, I think we should start it now and let peace begin on our plates. Let love begin with our choice. All the benefits of a vegan diet cannot be overstated. And now there is a spiritual aspect also.”

Victoria Moran is one of the foremost leaders and educators to have helped propel the vegan movement towards the mainstream status it enjoys today. Among her many ardent fans are renowned TV personality Oprah Winfrey, celebrity talk show host Ellen Degeneres, and former US President Bill Clinton. “And when somebody asks me about why I choose not to use dairy, then I'm very happy to tell them that the cows have to be impregnated, that they're separated from their babies. And just that raising cows for dairy is not the same in the modern world as it was 5,000 years ago.” Today, Victoria continues to work diligently, taking every opportunity to inspire and support the vegan lifestyle. “It's not just about health. It's not just about animal rights. It's not even just about saving this planet, as huge as that is. It's about living in a way that just uplifts; it just uplifts body, mind, and spirit.” 36 years as a powerhouse for the vegan movement is no small accomplishment. Yet today, at the age of 71, Victoria is just getting started! “I'm living in a time in history when that luxury is not there. If we have something to share that can change the future of this planet, and each of us, I know, can only make a little tiny contribution, but all of us together can do it. So, nobody gets to retire from this.” True to her words, Victoria continues to encourage the vegan lifestyle through her writing. Victoria is thankful to the many individuals, groups, organizations, and media outlets that are actively promoting the vegan lifestyle. She is especially grateful for Supreme Master Television and its global viewers. “You have chosen to listen to something that is going to uplift not only you, but the world.” Our most gracious Supreme Master Ching Hai also tirelessly encourages the vegan way of life, not only for better health, but also to make our Earth a paradise. “The world is getting better all the time. It’s just that the world’s people have to catch up with it, and then it will be even better and better all the time. So, if they became vegan, our lives would be more comfortable. We will live happily, healthy long lives, and connected with the Divine even, because Heavens will be able to show us some expressive signs of Their love and Their connection with us.”

On today’s program, we are delighted to introduce a multiple-award-winning vegan chef, author of many very top-selling vegan cookbooks, and vegan culinary consultant and trainer with more than 20 years of experience in developing unique and innovative gourmet vegan and raw food cuisine, including raw specialities. He is none other than the Celebrity Chef Mark Reinfeld. “In 1989, I was on a Kibbutz in Israel, and I became vegetarian during that trip. I started seeing animals in their natural setting, and just experienced love and compassion for them, and that started me [on] becoming vegetarian. And then, shortly thereafter, I started learning about the practices of the meat, of the dairy and egg industry and especially regarding factory farming, and that led me to become fully vegan shortly thereafter.” “I've brought my life into my career. I want to put my energy into helping the animals, helping the planet, and helping people live healthier. So, that's the most rewarding. I mean, as a chef, it's very satisfying to prepare food, serve it, and have people like it. You get a nice feeling from that. I like referring to it as food activism because we can say why it's important to eat plant-based or vegan, and everyone can say “OK, I'm onboard.” But then if they have foods that are not tasting good or satisfying, then it's not going to go very far. So, by helping people realize that they could have food that’s delicious and satisfying, good for their health, good for their environment, and can help protect animals, I think, it's a win-win all the way around.” The remarkable vegan chef co-founded the Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy with his wife, Dr. Ashley, and friends Courtnay and Dave Dietz. The Academy opens in Boulder, Colorado, to train vegan chefs and also to provide vegan cooking classes for the public. Mark makes the following passionate opening statement on the Academy’s website: “The Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy is the culmination of my dream to bring mindfulness, passion and compassion to the culinary world by encouraging more people to discover the joy and benefits of plant-based cooking.”

Today, we are honored to present to you a longtime animal welfare advocate who is admired by many as the “fairy Godmother” of the vegan movement in the USA, Victoria Moran. A graduate of the T. Colin Campbell Foundation/eCornell program in plant-based nutrition, Ms. Moran is an inspirational speaker, certified health counselor, and the author of 13 books specializing in both veganism and spirituality. “I was lucky as a little child to have a nanny (grandmother) who was also interested in this kind of thing. So, she told me about vegetarians when I was about five years old. So, when I started studying yoga at 17 and all of those books said, ‘Well, you need to be vegetarian,’ I started on the path.” At 71 years young, Victoria still has a youthful appearance. In fact, in 2016, she was named as the “Sexiest vegan over 50” by PETA. Throughout her life, Victoria has been interested in spirituality, and the role veganism plays in following a spiritual path. “I think they are hand in glove. And I certainly feel like not harming our fellow beings has to be God's will.” Her first book, “Compassion the Ultimate Ethic: An Exploration of Veganism,” was a groundbreaking work that delved into the history of thought and practice regarding nonviolence to animal-people, opening many eyes to the virtues of veganism and was the first work on the vegan philosophy in the USA to come from a major publisher. An exciting recent addition to Victoria’s impressive motivational book lineup is the 2017 “The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook,” in which she teamed up with Main Street Vegan Academy alumnus and culinary instructor JL Fields to showcase over 100 mouth-watering vegan recipes. In a talk about one of her benchmark works, “The Good Karma Diet: Eat Gently, Feel Amazing, Age in Slow Motion,” published in 2015, Victoria discusses some of the karmic consequences of our food choices. “Do good and good comes back; feed your body well, and health shows up. People who embrace compassion feel that their lives become richer and fuller.”

Despite Michele’s busy schedule leading the Solid Rock Community School, in 2018 she started Green Culture, a vegan restaurant. Michele’s husband Eric was convinced of the power of a plant-based diet, and he jumped in and joined her for this project. “The mission is to get animals off the menu and put plants on the plate, and everyone that works here is part of that mission.” “We definitely do drive a message because we are an educational restaurant; we call ourselves an “edu-restaurant,” I think I made that term up. We have TVs up that play a recurring looping educational video. Most importantly, all of our staff is plant-based or vegan. So, we're here to answer your questions.” As a natural extension to compassionate vegan food, Green Culture also offers a ‘Fur Baby Menu’ for canine friends. “We love fur babies. We love them to come; we love to talk to the people that have dogs.” “All of our packaging is eco-friendly, because that is important to us. We have to walk what we talk. And we are here as a plant-based restaurant; we are Ocean Friendly Certified.” As part of her educational journey, Michele became involved in the Plant-based Lifestyle Movement (PBLM) organization, where she holds the position of Vice-president. Green Culture hosts many talks and presentations by the doctors and professionals from PBLM, as well as other plant-based educators and pioneers. Supreme Master Ching Hai shares with us the value of dedication to noble work such as Michele is doing: “If you want to save the world, if you want to do anything toward this goal, you’re enlarging your nobility, your Heavenly attribute. So if you spread the encouragement to save the planet, if you go veg, if you go green, if you do good deeds, you help others because you want to save the lives of other beings on Earth, then you have a saintly quality. You reawaken your holiness.” Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Gratefully present the Fasnachts the Shining World Compassion Award with all love, respect and best wishes. May you continue to pursue your lofty, saintly goal in God's Mercy and Grace.”

As a fully vegan school, the children learn about the positive impacts of a vegan diet on animal-people friends and the environment, as well as on their own health. “Animal Friends is a Humane Education program. And that teaches students to respect the animals that share our world. It looks at things like, we all love dogs; we all want to rescue that hurt dog over there. But here's a hurt pig. And how are they different? Because a pig is just a pink dog.” “The purpose of the Animal Friends workshop is really to foster compassion and empathy for the animals that share our world. And we do that through service learning and hands-on opportunities. So, each week we take students to different animal sanctuaries where we volunteer.” Caring for our animal-people co-inhabitants is naturally connected with caring for the environment. Miss Monett is also the Environmental Biology teacher, and she offered to take us on a field trip to a six-acre ‘Outdoor Classroom’ that the students are so fortunate to have access to as part of their learning experience. “All students in grade K through twelve participate in environmental classes. And they learn about issues like recycling, sustainability, and how to be good stewards of our planet. We do what we can to be as environmentally friendly on our campus as possible. So, we don't use single use plastics or foam; we recycle; we added solar power to run our tower gardens, our aeroponic gardens and our greenhouse.” “The Virtual School uses a combination of pre-recorded videos, live zoom meetings. It aligns with our values and mission. All of our classes are going to with healthy eating, plant-based eating, compassion to all, compassion to animals, sustainability, environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, all those things that matter to people who care about our planet, the health of our children, the starvation that's happening in the world, and all of the things that we can do to make this world better.”

We are fortunate in this show to be immersing in euphonious explorations with none other than Maestro Paul De Castro, a vegan musician and professor, arranger, composer, sought-after soloist, orchestral lead, and so much more! “I tell my students, I think all my students know, I'm vegan, because it comes up one way or another. I always have vegan pamphlets and materials in my office. And if they look, and they asked what it is, I say, well, take one. I think part of being a professor, or a teacher of any type, is not only about teaching an instrument, or teaching how to do a task, but it's also about teaching what's important in life, how to lead a better life, and in my opinion is that a better life is a vegan lifestyle.” “Well, since I was a child, I felt great affection towards them (animals). You know, if there was a cat, there was a dog, You know, and it took me a while to understand that a pig or a cow is not different than a dog or a cat. They are the same beings, they have the same feelings, they want to live. You know, that if I'm eating milk, the end-product is that the animal will suffer. So that's when I decided to become vegan.” Maestro De Castro seeks to transcend borders through music, to “open doors” between cultures and nations with music as his instrument. “When the pandemic started, I was in the middle of recording a new project using the Chinese suona to play Cuban dance music. The working title for the group is very, very simple. It's called La Corneta China, ‘The Chinese Cornet.’” Dr. De Castro has brought sounds of peace through the vibrant Afro-Latin music genre across continents, performing in China, Cuba, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, and the USA. In music as much as through his words, Dr. De Castro effects a beautiful fusion of hearts coming together in oneness and harmony. “Of course, the immediate wish is that everyone would be vegan. I think that if we want to achieve peace, we cannot be violent towards other beings, directly or indirectly.”

Today we begin our show with an exploration of the school’s incredible “One Meal a Day” plant-based program. “Well, our menu is actually designed with the students in mind. So, it's the food they like. We take traditional favorite foods, and we veganize them. So, instead of a hamburger, it's a veggie burger. Instead of a meat taco, it's a veggie and bean taco. Instead of pasta and meaty red sauce, it's pasta and lentil Bolognese sauce.” “We tried it out for a month just to be more healthy, and we just never went back, back in 7th grade. And we like it, I like being vegan. It’s a good, healthy decision.” “Because of this food, it is actually the reason I turned vegan. Because after a while, I really started to see that animals were being affected, and all this other stuff is going on. The food is just really good, it’s all natural and tastes amazing. I told my mom, my mom at first was like, ‘You don’t have to make it a big deal. You can still eat vegan, but you can still eat stuff.’ But I was like, ‘No, I want to go full vegan.’ So then after that my mom went vegan, my dad went vegan, and my brother came back home and he went vegan.” “I am teaching Environmental Science for elementary students. That’s not usually a subject for elementary. I am basically creating a program where children learn to appreciate animals and plants and nature, and helping them to understand that humans and animals and plants could live harmoniously together.” “Solid Rock developed the ‘Seed-to-table’ program that's fully integrated into the school week, teaching hands-on gardening to support a culture of health and wellness throughout the school. They have an opportunity to engage in agricultural practices and learn about the responsibilities and impact of land cultivation. They explore the web of interactions among the living and the non-living players that sustain life. Students grow, sow, tend, and harvest produce for the school plant-based kitchen, and they eat it in the plant-based lunch program. The kids that are part of the seed-to-table garden, they literally love it.”

In today's program, we share the fascinating story of Michele Fasnacht, an educational pioneer and social activism leader in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Guided by a strong ethical stance for education, animals and the environment, Michele’s professional journey of positive leadership and change in the community, combined with her personal journey from sickness to health through the vegan diet, will leave you inspired and amazed by what just one person can achieve. “Well, honestly, I'm personally motivated by my own children when the school started. And it was the desire for them to have an education that respected them as individuals and focused on their personal strengths. And it included things that weren't necessarily part of traditional education.” In addition to their special curriculum and pedagogical approach, Solid Rock Community School is one of a small handful of schools worldwide that offers Kindergarten through Year 12 with the compassionate and fully vegan lifestyle at the core of everything they do. From school meals, to gardening, environmental and animal welfare programs, Solid Rock brings a balanced and true education and lifestyle to our precious next generation of adults. “If you're somebody who's looking for a school that focuses on compassion, and plant-based health or health and fitness, or going green, we are a school that's like no other.” As a 30-year-long vegetarian, she couldn’t believe that the dairy industry was just as cruel as the meat industry and immediately eschewed all animal products to become 100% vegan. This was in 2015, and what happened thereafter seemed like a miracle – her condition began to reverse, her eyesight returned and she became fully mobile again. To this day, she leads a happy, healthy, and pain-free life. With her amazing recovery and this newfound knowledge, Michele was determined to alter the orbit of Solid Rock and its precious students and staff. Fourteen years after the school was opened, with the educational and resource guidance of Dr. T. Colin Campbell and son Nelson and the PlantPure Community, and against all odds and resistance, Michele and her team led Solid Rock through a two-year transition to become fully plant-based in 2020.

The vegan cooperative “IN VEGANS WE TRUST” is an online hub created by Esther, a “facilitation space” to boost vegan businesses and services. Esther stated on the company’s website: “It’s actually a win-win-win-win situation because it’s winning for the vegans, winning for the vegan businesses, winning for the team members who are participating, and winning for the animals.” For IN VEGANS WE TRUST, all the money spent supports vegan products or services without jeopardizing any animal’s wellbeing. Esther believes the cooperative serves to shift meat eater's thinking about veganism, making it easier for them to transition. “So we have a vegan marketplace, a vegan school, a vegan community, and an e-zine, which is an electronic magazine where we bring vegan content together. So, on the community, members can find vegan house shares, vegan coupons, and accommodation. They can sell things. Marketplace is perfect for service providers as well as product makers. So if somebody was a babysitter and they're vegan, they could list their services. And the drive behind it is to facilitate a space to boost the vegan economy.” Being empathic and deeply caring, Esther encourages others to try their best to be more aware of themselves and their surroundings. “IN VEGANS WE TRUST” provides teaching opportunities for vegans with talented skills to start a vegan business. If you need a job, the company lets you find a suitable job within the vegan community. Before her vegan enterprises, Esther graduated from Southern Cross University, Australia, with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in music composition and media. She has utilized her artistic skills for her book “November Fox,” which took about five years to complete. “I've written most songs in my life about life and love.” In many ways, her songs are connected to veganism because vegans choose not to eat animals for the love they have toward them. “My wish for the planet is that consciousness continues to awaken and light up the world. And that because of that, it becomes a world where kindness becomes stronger and stronger. Kindness towards ourselves, kindness towards the animals, the planet, and each other. Be a hero, be vegan, save the world.”

Esther, a vegan, dedicates her artistic talents as an author, musician, Creative Entrepreneur and CEO to spread vegan awareness to children and adults. As the founder of two companies, “Conscious Fiction” and “IN VEGANS WE TRUST,” her messages have been spreading across the globe. Vegans are uniting, helping one another and the world. Conscious Fiction was founded in 2010 when Esther wrote the young adult book, “November Fox,” about a vegan orphan rock star and her journey across space and time. Esther’s books are infused with ancient wisdoms of holistic wellness combined with today’s modern technology as a means to educate the youth for their mental and emotional development. The mission of Conscious Fiction is “From small seeds, big minds grow,” representing Conscious Fiction’s hope to inspire young generations to be happy, healthy, and live a more fulfilling life. Esther’s collection of children’s books enables young readers to embrace a consciously loving Earth where they learn to thrive and fulfill their maximum human potential. The stories also instill wisdom, teaching youth about kindness, compassion, and respect towards all creatures. For instance, in “Little Blue Saves the World,” the story opens to a magical world that tells us about the importance of being green and having trees in green spaces for our health and the health of our Planet Earth.Let’s take a look at her book, “The Crown of Gratitude,” showing the difference between pride and gratitude. The illustrations in Esther’s books are very eye-catching for the purpose of inspiring kids’ visual thinking that helps them better understand the messages communicated. “Sadie The Snail: I’m Happy Being Me” is a sweet and vibrant rhyming book that focuses on the message “I’m happy being me.” One of her most popular vegan books, “The Vegan Alphabet Book,” illustrates a clever way of introducing young children to the wonderful world of delicious vegan food and vegan ethics. Esther is planning a second edition that is releasing soon.

In today’s show, we are honored to have Quincy share with us why he decided to open a vegan restaurant after he reached the pinnacle of his career: “What inspired me to take the next step and open up this vegan restaurant of Uncle Q's is that, first of all, I love to eat, like most people. And the second reason is that many people want to know and how do you make a vegan burger or how do you make a vegan taco or just vegan, sandwiches. They just want to know. So, you have to show people, you have to show them that this is possible and it can be done. You can make a vegan burger. You can make vegan cakes, vegan desserts, ice cream. All that stuff can be done not using milk, egg or animal products.” “The main reason why people should become vegan is because, it's more healthy, it’s a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle for our bodies but not just our bodies. Because we, as human beings, we have a big ego to think that we’re the only ones in this world but it's a whole ocean of fish and environment that thrive off our ecosystem. Not just for us, but also for them, the animals, the world, the environment. We're all living in this world together. So, vegan lifestyle is the most sustainable it's the best option to sustain a healthy life for the world.” “The hopes and dreams for the future, not just for me, but just for the world is that breeding livestock is really causing carbon emissions more than the vehicles and the airplanes around the world, that's releasing carbon monoxide and it's really hurting the planet. So again, we don't have to participate in the mass production of these animals for human gain or for human appetite.” “If you are vegan, continue 加油! (Go Ahead!), continue doing your job of making yourself healthy and saving the world. And those of you who are not vegan, take time to try a vegan hamburger. A vegan dessert. And I promise you, you would be very much surprised about the taste and about how delicious it is. So, just take a stance and give it a try. That's all I ask.”