Best selling authors and passionate bloggers, Michael & Maša Ofei explore what it means to live with incredible intentionality. They bring honest conversations to your ears discussing a range of topics including; minimalism, veganism, zero-waste, productivity, consumerism, travel amongst other things!
The Minimalist Vegan Podcast is coming to an end (indefinitely). Tune in to the episode to find out why we're moving on and what we have planned for the future (some exciting news!). We also share raw behind-the-scenes of the ups and downs of producing the show. A special thanks to our wonderful listeners. Your attention means a lot to us
Are you overwhelmed by the idea of cooking? Or wish you had a few more go-to recipes? Then this episode is for you. We've said it before, and we'll say it again. Learning how to cook is one of the most valuable skills you can understand, and preparing a meal is one of the creative and thoughtful ways to impress others and show love. And if you're not cooking for others, you're still cooking for yourself. In this conversation, Maša, the powerhouse responsible for all the recipes on our website, shares shortcuts, tricks, and tips to make cooking at home enjoyable. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/073/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
One of our fondest memories is having a family outing at the zoo. It was surreal to see lions, tigers, elephants, and monkeys in person. Not only that, but zoos are critical for conservation and public education. At least so we thought… There's a dark side to the zoo industry to suggest it's more entertainment than conservation. But is it? In this conversation, we discuss the ethical considerations of zoos and some alternative ways to connect with animals. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and ethical underwear & everyday essentials. They're a brand based out of Copenhagen & owned by two sisters – Arina and Anya Woron. Browse their full range at woronstore.com. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 15% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/072/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
On the surface, it appears that minimalism has reached the mainstream. Minimalism is more widely accepted and, as a result, has lost its flair. Back in episode 46, we discussed what the future of minimalism would look like and pontificated on the trendiness of the movement. Well, almost two years on—where does it stand? More importantly, how do we feel about minimalism today? The answer might surprise you… In this conversation, we share our reflections on minimalism from people who create content about the very topic. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and el brand that uses organic cotton and fair trade practices. Browse their full range at www.bhumi.com.au. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 25% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/071/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Studies show that vegans are viewed more negatively than atheists, immigrants, homosexuals, and asexuals. In fact, the only group viewed more negatively than vegans were drug addicts! Beyond the surveys, we've felt it too. Whether it's eating out with friends or meeting someone for the first time, veganism comes with an air of inconvenience, stigma and sometimes hate. Why is that? Why do so many people seem to dislike vegans? In this episode, we step outside of our vegan-friendly algorithms and face the harsh truth of how people feel about vegans and what that means for animal rights advocates. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and ethical underwear & everyday essentials. They're a brand based out of Copenhagen & owned by two sisters – Arina and Anya Woron. Browse their full range at woronstore.com. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 15% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/070/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
When you meet someone for the first time, consciously and unconsciously, you're assessing their status based on their job, education, where they live, the clothes they wear, the car they drive, and their cultural background. And you know what? They're doing the exact same thing to you. But how healthy is status classification? Why does it matter so much to us? Whether we want to admit it or not, we have a deep desire to prove ourselves and feel important. And what's scary is that we place much of our self-worth on these status signals. In this conversation, we explore the challenges with wrapping status into our identities, and how minimalism can play a role in shifting the perspective of identity and value. This episode is brought to you by Bhumi. Bhumi is a bedding, bath, and apparel brand that uses organic cotton and fair trade practices. Browse their full range at www.bhumi.com.au. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 25% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/069/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
The combination of automation and a global pandemic has pushed society into a new norm of work. There's no escaping the digital revolution as it impacts every industry. Lockdowns have given us some time to take a step back to evaluate what's essential and what work-life balance should look like. In this episode, we share our reactions to some pretty compelling statistics about the future of work before sharing our approach to navigating these changes. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and ethical underwear & everyday essentials. They're a brand based out of Copenhagen & owned by two sisters – Arina and Anya Woron. Browse their full range at woronstore.com. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 15% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/068/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
As we recently celebrated our 7th vegan anniversary, we thought it would be interesting to share what we've learned. In this conversation, we compare what we expected to experience when we first transitioned with how things have panned out. Whether you're veg-curious, a new vegan, or have been living cruelty-free for decades; we trust you'll be able to relate to some of our lessons so far. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and ethical underwear & everyday essentials. They're a brand based out of Copenhagen & owned by two sisters – Arina and Anya Woron. Browse their full range at woronstore.com. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 15% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/067/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Wool is one of the oldest and most popular fabrics in human history. What was once a resource used for survival has evolved into a commercial behemoth leading to the exploitation of sheep and lambs worldwide. However, is the wool industry really all that bad? Can we still buy products using wool as ethical consumers? Is there such thing as vegan-friendly wool? We discuss all these questions and more in this episode in an attempt to bring some clarity to an often confusing area of veganism. This episode is brought to you by Bhumi. Bhumi is a bedding, bath, and apparel brand that uses organic cotton and fair trade practices. Browse their full range at www.bhumi.com.au. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 25% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/066/ Check out our cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
It's no secret; mindful meditation is officially mainstream and a particularly prevalent practice that you'll see many high performers (in all fields) starting their day with. If you don't currently meditate, you may wonder if it really lives up to the hype. I mean, it must if you're to allocate time in your busy day to connect with your breath. We've been there! Trust us. You can listen to and read about meditation in many places, but you don't often hear about people's personal struggles and experiences with such a profound practice. We're no experts in this area, but we believe that our journeys are very relatable. In this candid conversation, we share our initial experiences with meditation, what shifted for us to make it a priority in our lives, and what the practice looks like for us today. This episode is brought to you by Woron. Woron is a sustainable and ethical underwear & everyday essentials. They're a brand based out of Copenhagen & owned by two sisters – Arina and Anya Woron. Browse their full range at woronstore.com. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 15% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/065/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Minimalism and environmentalism, while sometimes at odds—make for a powerful dual-value lifestyle that fights the good fight against consumerism. In this conversation, we share some interesting statistics, like how many things we own versus the household average, before diving into some actionable tips to help you along your eco-minimalism journey. This episode is brought to you by Bhumi. Bhumi is a bedding, bath, and apparel brand that uses organic cotton and fair trade practices. Browse their full range at www.bhumi.com.au. Use discount code MINIMALISTVEGAN at checkout to get 25% off storewide. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/064/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Crop pollination is a polarising topic when it comes to assessing the ethics of the beekeeping industry. Non-vegans claim that vegans are hypocritical not to consume honey when they support migratory beekeeping. And vegans respond by re-explaining the definition of veganism. In this conversation, we move beyond honey and beeswax and dive into the cruelty of the crop pollination business. The topics that we cover are: - The challenges of pollinating certain crops - An overview of migratory beekeeping - Monocrops versus polycrops - The edges of veganism - The most ethical options for buying plant foods Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/063/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Many of us have learned that supporting local beekeepers and buying honey is good for us and good for the local bee population. Even though this has some truth to it, there's much more that needs to be unpacked. In this conversation, we discuss the ethics of beekeeping on both a commercial and local level. Why it's not as straightforward as we may think, and what we can do to help. Topics covered are: - What is honey, and how is it made - How bees make honey - How is honey harvested and processed - How much honey does a bee make in its lifetime - The dark side to commercial beekeeping - Backyard beekeeping - Native pollinators vs honeybees - Tips on how to help bees and other pollinators Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/062/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
The kitchen is one of the most trafficked areas in any household. It’s also a potential dumping ground for clutter, whether on the bench surfaces or in storage. Not many situations are more frustrating than trying to get dinner made in a cluttered kitchen. Then throw in family or roommates, and you have a recipe for conflict, overwhelm and toxic habits. In this conversation, we take you behind the scenes of how we transitioned to a minimalist kitchen and created a much more peaceful kitchen environment where we were happy to spend time. Specifically, we discuss: - Why you would want a minimalist kitchen - The difference between a minimalist kitchen and an organised kitchen - Actionable tips to get started with your minimalist kitchen Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/061/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
In this episode, we give you an update of what's working and what isn't with our new approach to nutrition and exercise. In the second half of our conversation, we get vulnerable and share how our mindset has perhaps been the biggest contributor to better overall health. Specifically, we discuss: The impact of trying to introduce more protein into our diet Bringing fun to exercise An overview of growth versus fixed mindset Breakthroughs from adopting a growth mindset Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/060/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
When it comes to ecological impact, the ocean often gets overlooked—despite representing the lion’s share of the worlds environmental issues. Commercial fishing has a devastating effect on animals, plants, CO2, and even the fishing workforce's well-being and safety. In this conversation, we share our thoughts and reactions to the new documentary Seaspiracy and some findings on the ethics of consuming sea animals. Specifically, we discuss: - Initial reactions to Seaspiracy - Industrialised farming versus fish farming versus recreational fishing - Our experience reading labels at our local supermarket - What steps we can take to help preserve aquatic life Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/059/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Does the effort of buying secondhand things outweigh the potential destruction of buying something brand new? These two approaches represent a few grey areas as we consider the philosophies of minimalism, frugal living, sustainability and gentrification. In this conversation, we debate both sides of the equation, including some personal experiences along the way. Specifically, we cover: - The pros and cons of thrifting - The pros and cons of buying new - Finding the balance between both approaches Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/058/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
As plant-based recipe creators, we spend copious amounts of time and energy trying to show folks that you don't have to miss out when it comes to food. There's an abundance of curries, cakes, cookies, pasta and pastries that you can make from the comfort of your home. However, we're quickly closing in on our 33rd birthdays, and we acknowledge that what used to work for us even a couple of years ago to stay healthy doesn't do it anymore. Our metabolisms have slowed down, and with that, we've had to change how we approach our eating and exercise moving forward. This episode will give you a peek behind the scenes of the intentional decisions we're making to be more healthy as we age and how we plan to integrate those changes into The Minimalist Vegan. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/057/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
When you live your life with certain values, it can be hard to get others on board. In this week's podcast episode, we discuss how we can encourage minimalism without being pushy. It's a sensitive topic for many to bring up as we're mostly met with a defensive front and a sense of dismissiveness. Only when we learn to put ourselves in their other's shoes, can we have an honest and open discussion. In this conversation, we talk about the issues that can come up with living or being around non-minimalists, what some of the objectives are for others when it comes to minimalism, as well as sharing plenty of tips on how to have these conversations with others and so much more! Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/056/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
In this episode, we break down the misconceptions and truths about how much vegans spend on food. More specifically, we share exactly how we spent on food in the last 30 days as a little case study. Being the start of a new year, we also touch on Veganuary and how you can get involved. If you've always wondered how much vegans spend on food and have thought that it's only a lifestyle for the "privileged", this conversation will help broaden your perspective and see how food, vegan or not, can be cheap or expensive. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/055/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Veganism is one thing, and 2020 is something entirely different. But one theme that overlaps is the challenge of accepting other people’s perspectives. This at least has been hard for us, and we want to use our experiences of being vegan in a non-vegan world to help us connect and love others who fundamentally disagree with us, and vice versa. Specifically, we discuss: ~ The deep desire to feel accepted ~ The trap of the vegan bubble and confirmation bias in general ~ How being vegan naturally creates conflict and division ~ How we plan to accept others while disagreeing with them This episode is brought to you by online vegan cooking platform Veecoco. Go to veecoco.com and get $10 off their gift cards today with our discount code TMV10. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/54/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Even as minimalist’s, we can admit, splurging on nice things can be exciting. We sometimes get a temporary high from a purchase, especially if it gives us “joy”. But with such a feeling, we risk giving all the power to our possessions and take power away from who we are as individuals. So how do we toe the line between enjoying a purchase, seeing the value in what we have while simultaneously detaching ourselves from our things? That’s what we discuss in this episode. We share our internal struggles of finding happiness in things while trying to keep perspective about what ultimately matters. This episode is brought to you by online vegan cooking platform Veecoco. Go to veecoco.com and get $10 off their gift cards today with our discount code TMV10. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/53/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Creating content, while at times glamorous, can be incredibly labour-intensive. The constant cycle of ideation, planning, editing, publishing and sharing can take a toll, and before you know it, you burnout. We’ve been creating for a living for a few years now, and we have lots of experiences to share about crafting a life that’s personalised and empowering. In this conversation, we discuss how we’ve built a content creation practice that’s built with longevity in mind. This episode is brought to you by online vegan cooking platform Veecoco. Go to veecoco.com and get $10 off their gift cards today with our discount code TMV10. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/052/ Check out our new cooking show on YouTube https://bit.ly/36XRk6V Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
We live in a world where it’s never been easier to buy things. Between Amazon, the extinction of cash and excessive supply, there’s no resistance or friction to purchase what we want when we want. Sure, it can be exciting to grab something impulsively, but that approach leaves you more vulnerable to buyers remorse or a wasted purchase altogether. Minimalist or not, at some point you’re going to need to buy something. In this conversation, we break down our approach to slow purchasing, and spoiler alert, it’s not always ideal. Looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/051/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
After an 8 month break from the show, we're back with updates on how we've been dealing with the chaos of 2020. More specifically, we discuss our plans for the podcast moving forward, the challenges of moving to Slovenia, and farm life vs city life. It feels nice to get back on the microphone and connect with you and each other. We hope you enjoy the episode! Are you looking for more? Submit your question or topic suggestion at https://theminimalistvegan.com/podcast/ Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/050/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
With all that is currently happening in the world, do you find yourself paying attention to the news more? Or have you always kept up to date with local and international affairs? We have felt judged on many occasions for choosing to opt-out of keeping up with current news stories. It’s been considered selfish and ignorant. In this week’s podcast episode, we discuss how we have willfully ignored news for years and haven’t felt like we have missed out on what happens. We also look at the vast contrast of how we feel when we start to pay more attention to the media. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/049/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Let’s just come out and say it. Veganism is stigmatised. Yes even in 2020. It’s been a while since we became vegan, so we’re a little out of touch. But every now and then, we see the comments. “Ah, there go those vegans again.” “Those bloody vegans are everywhere.” It’s subtle, but it’s there. We wonder, is this stigma creating a barrier for more people to be vegan? Are people merely not trying a vegan lifestyle on the principle of not being those “people” instead of focusing on the objectively positive reasons to be vegan? In this episode, we discuss the sometimes detrimental brand of veganism and how it’s potentially hurting the movement. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/048/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Fundamentally, humankind and nature are connected. We’ve built infrastructure and technologies to co-exist with nature. However, we routinely disrupt nature to exist and evolve. With such advancements, it’s easy to draw a rift between yourself and our natural environment. There’s a connection to our surroundings that’s magical, but most of us choose to neglect it, sometimes unknowingly. Our theory is that if we become immersed in the beauty of nature, we’ll appreciate it more and thus treat it better. But is it that simple? In this conversation, we explore the growing divide between nature and humans, and some things we’re experimenting with to get reconnected. We also share some of the challenges we’ve faced with our relationship with nature. Has our disconnect gone too far? Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/047/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
We know we say it all the time, but minimalism has changed our lives in ways we didn't think was possible. But for all of the clutter we've reduced and money we've saved, it's the essentialist mindset of minimalism that has been perhaps to most valuable gift. Although minimalism as a lifestyle has gained momentum in the last decade, we often wonder what the future of minimalism looks like. Does it have a future? Or is minimalism merely a trend that will eventually go away? In this episode, we discuss how minimalism has grown over time as well as our thoughts on what we think minimalism will be in the future. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/046/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Entrepreneurship has exploded over the last couple of decades, as starting a business has become more accessible through the internet. What used to be super-professional business people in a suit or your mom and pop store down the road, has evolved to high-profile tech entrepreneurs with billions of capital in their 30s. With such a shift in business, it seems like everyone has a side hustle with the hopes of generating a part-time or full-time income from their project to escape their job. We know what it’s like to daydream about all the possibilities of establishing a profitable business. But just because you can start a business, does it mean you should? And just because you can grow your business, does it mean you should? Trying to create a successful business is one of the hardest things anyone can do, and it often comes with massive compromises. Not only that, but running a business can put a strain on your family, finances, and your self-esteem. The principles of minimalism and intentionality often get overlooked when it comes to self-employment as the success of your business depends on growth. With growth comes some of the most suffocating mental clutter you can experience. In this conversation, we discuss the challenges of wanting more in your career as it relates to contentment and intentionality. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/045/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
We recently watched The Game Changers, which follows James Wilks (ex MMA fighter) around the world as he finds links between physical performance and a plant-based diet. We couldn’t help but notice that this documentary was marketed heavily to men who are sceptical about trying a vegan diet. The Game Changers got us thinking deeply about why men, in particular, seem to resist veganism more than women. This is not just coming from us. Numbers show time and time again that between 63-79% of the vegan population are women, depending on the country. Why is that? Is it because of a perceived loss in masculinity, performance, taste in food? It’s likely a combination of all three. In this episode, we use Michael’s experience of being a part of these “manly” communities to discuss how to encourage men to go vegan. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/044/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Can minimalism and Christmas co-exist? The product of Christmas means to consume at incredibly unsustainable rates, and minimalism promotes the opposite. But Christmas is also a time to have enriching experiences with those nearest and dearest to you. Our approach to minimalism at Christmas has changed year to year, and in this episode, we share what we’ve learned how we plan to refine the experience. There are many minimalist principles that we can implement and learn from at this time of year. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/043/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Today we continue our conversation about how to transition to a vegan lifestyle. In the previous episode, we covered the mindset you need to go vegan, different approaches, and how to prepare vegan meals. In this episode, we discuss tips for eating out, going beyond food, dealing with friends and family, and how to get started with animal activism. We hope you enjoy pt. 2 on how to transition to a vegan lifestyle. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/042/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Going vegan at first can feel completely overwhelming, especially if you’ve been used to consuming animal products your whole life. What can I eat? Where do I find products? Is it going to cost me more? Is it going to be any good? What will my friends and family think of me? While there can be some natural resistance to going vegan, it doesn’t have to be hard. There are so many resources to help your transition into veganism be accessible and empowering. In this episode, we’re going to discuss all of the tips and tricks we wish we knew when we first decided to embark on our vegan journey. We’re treating this like, if we were to go vegan today, how would we go about it? We cover all of the foundations of veganism from mindset to different approaches, to cooking and balancing health and comfort. There’s quite a lot to get through, so we’ve broken this podcast into two episodes, starting with pt. 1. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/041/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan Email us your questions at info@theminimalistvegan.com
Just when you feel like you’ve simplified, complexity has an uncanny way of creeping back into your life. Even though some situations call for things to be complex. More often than not, complexity manifests as overwhelm, clutter, burn out and a lack of results. Simplicity is beautiful but elusive. You need to continually fight for it as the world is designed to make your life complicated. In this conversation, we discuss our ongoing battle for simplicity. We know how good it feels to live simply, which is even more motivating to get back to that feeling. But why is it so hard? Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/040/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
We’ve been working full-time in The Minimalist Vegan for seven months now, and we thought we’d give you an update on our progress so far. It's only been such a short amount of time but feels like so much longer. In this conversation, we talk about if Michael is still eating one meal a day, an update on our plans to move overseas, our overall health, how we stay productive, and how we're feeling about the podcast. Sometimes it's helpful to pause and check-in with yourself to see if you're living with intentionality or reacting to your environment. We hope you enjoy this raw discussion and just know that we’re still figuring these things out. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/039/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan We also want to thank our sponsor, Audible. Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Here is the link to get access - http://www.audibletrial.com/TheMinimalistVegan
The final quarter of the calendar year represents holiday season or festive season in many cultures around the world. Consumerism is at it’s highest as this is the money-making quarter for many businesses selling consumer goods. Not only that, but this is also the quarter where most animals are exploited and slaughtered for human consumption. In such a confronting time of the year, what can you do to have a good time as a vegan? And if you’re not a vegan, how do you ensure you continue to have a good time with friends – family and colleagues, who are vegan? In this episode, we discuss how this time of the year has changed since we became vegan, and some tips for both vegans and non-vegans alike to ensure everyone continues to have a great time. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/038/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan We also want to thank our sponsor, Audible. Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Here is the link to get access - http://www.audibletrial.com/TheMinimalistVegan
We decided to shake things up and take you behind the scenes on how we became full-time bloggers. The journey to becoming a professional blogger isn't as glamorous as it sounds and it often takes multiple attempts before finding something that works. We were lucky to find a topic and audience that we feel so strongly about, which ultimately helped us to persevere through the ups and downs. In this episode, we share how we get started with blogging, what worked and what didn't, and finally, what we've learned along the way. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/037/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan We also want to thank our sponsor, Audible. Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Here is the link to get access - http://www.audibletrial.com/TheMinimalistVegan
We hear it all the time. “I only buy ethically sourced meat” or “I only support food from animals where they’ve been killed humanely.” We used to think this way before we became vegan. We didn’t like the idea of killing animals for our consumption so we wanted to at least ensure it was done with some compassion. As vegan’s we’ve never investigated how farmed animals are typically killed. It’s not exactly an exciting topic. It’s quite the opposite. But we felt it was important to understand the killing cycle to see if there is a way to kill animals humanely. In this conversation, we share our findings as well as our opinions on animal slaughter as it relates to culture. We also break down how we used to buy meat before becoming vegan and what we thought was the right thing to do. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/036/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan We also want to thank our sponsor, Audible. Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Here is the link to get access - http://www.audibletrial.com/TheMinimalistVegan
Physical clutter can be incredibly overwhelming. Clutter on bench tops prevents you from getting full functionality out of your furniture. Clutter in your wardrobe creates too many decisions for you to make about what you’re going to wear. And clutter in your spare room represents a long list of to-dos you need to deal with. If we objectively understand that clutter is stealing some of our overall happiness and clarity, why do many of us struggle to take action to remove clutter from our lives? Decluttering, while admirable, struggles to make it to the top of our priorities. Even though we know the impact of it will completely change the way we feel. In this episode, we break down why most people struggle to get traction when it comes to decluttering and offer some tips on how you can move forward. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/035/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Being a mindful consumer is more than assessing how much you consume through minimalism or what you consume through the lens of veganism. Even the sustainability of a product is not enough! A significant part of the consumption puzzle lies in chemicals. Scientifically, there are some positive chemicals just as much as there are toxic chemicals. We're going to focus specifically on the harmful ones. Why do brands use harmful chemicals in products? How can you start to make better decisions for you and your family? In this episode, we go back and reflect on how we transitioned to a chemical-free lifestyle and share some tips on how you can limit the number of harmful chemicals in your life. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/034/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
If appears that some people blaze through life, knowing exactly what they want and have no problem saying no. However, they may come across as selfish, ruthless, or narrow-minded. Nevertheless, they are not over-committed and they generally live with incredible intentionality. Then you have the other side of the spectrum. People who walk around saying yes to just about every opportunity and demand. You say yes for everything your boss throws at you, to your spouse, to your friends, to your child. You just can’t help it. You want to please and you also don’t want to miss out. But what is the impact of saying yes to most things that come your way? That’s what we break down in this episode. We look at the impact of saying yes and offer some tips on how you can start saying no more often. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/033/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
As the vegan movement grows, it’s increasingly common to see folks go on and off and back on the vegan lifestyle. This is particularly apparent with online content creators, as many influencers boycott veganism for various personal decisions. It’s only natural for our beliefs to change over time. With such a convicted lifestyle, we’re curious to break down some of the recurring reasons as to why people stop being vegan. Perhaps if we learn from these patterns, we can do a better job of having the right expectations when starting the vegan lifestyle for increased longevity. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/032/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
"I’m an aspiring minimalist. I’m a transitioning vegan. I love to write, but I’m not a writer." Does this sound familiar? Today we’re breaking down the pros and cons of owning your identity. We look at the stigma of labels, and when and how to use them to your advantage. This topic is especially close to home for us, as we’ve built a brand around two identities, minimalism and veganism. While at times it can feel restrictive to make bold claims about what you stand for, we’ve found so many benefits from owning our identities. If you struggle with labels and identity and find yourself being non-committal, then this episode is for you. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/031/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Since we became vegan over five years ago and the noticeable rise in the vegan movement, we have noticed the lines getting blurred between what is vegan and what is not. According to the Vegan Society, veganism is: "A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals." We all sometimes like to turn a blind eye to something as willful ignorance can prevent uncomfortable and maybe even downright awkward situations when socialising. We talk about everything from backyard eggs and beekeeping to alcohol and cosmetics. There's a lot to unpack in this episode, but fundamentally we wanted to discuss the idea of washing down the vegan message with our actions knowingly. How many of us have heard "I won't tell anyone if you have this ...." or "it's only a little bit of ....." or "it's just this one time". Too often others help to test us or attempt to make our lives "easier" to help us blur those lines and water down the vegan message. When we have a strong why and have done the research to understand the real definition of veganism, we can help the animals by staying true to the lifestyle. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/030/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
We’ve recently found ourselves binge-watching Tiny House shows on YouTube. It’s been fascinating watching people of all walks of life decide to downsize into such a small yet personalised space. Their motivations are different depending on their age and values. Some owners are single and looking to escape their fast city life and decide to live in the woods in their small house. Retired baby boomer couples choose to pair down in a stable location to keep their costs down while having an incredibly personalised home. Then there’s a minimalist vegan couple in Australia who want to reduce their ecological imprint while still having the ability to enter the property market at an affordable price. All of these stories have inspired us to think differently about tiny houses, and honestly, we may very well join the movement in the future! In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of tiny house living, and we have an honest conversation about how we would approach it if we decided to go down that path. Are you looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/029/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
In this episode, we discuss the possible challenges of cooking at home. We unpack our upbringings and how that reflected on our cooking styles and passion for making delicious food. We discuss how important learning to cook at a young age is and that it should be a mandatory subject to do in school. Such a fundamental skill, yet not many people have acquired the basic skill of cooking at home. We both love food and find eating out one of our favourite things to do. This helps us reflect on our recent experiences and how we are starting to enjoy cooking at home more than eating out. Making food at home and sharing it with others is such an important practice. For those that are new to cooking or want some help, we also discuss how creating meals that you enjoy, and having a tight rotation can be a great way to start. This will give you the enthusiasm and interest to get in the kitchen and cook more often. Lastly, we share the fundamentals of cooking and our must-haves in the kitchen. If you or someone you know struggles in the kitchen, or you just want some inspiration, this podcast episode is definitely worth a listen! Looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/028/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Developing an exercise habit has been a struggle for us, especially as we've gotten older. We both used to be quite active when we were younger, but over the years, we have dropped off exercise as a priority. The most that we get these days is a walk with our dog every day. Michael might do a short but explosive exercise routine, whereas Maša might do a yoga stretch once in a blue moon. It is something that we’re really conscious of starting up again, but there is some resistance there since we haven’t developed a habit out of it yet. We tend to go in and out of it. In this week's podcast, we chat to our friend, yogi, author and naturopath, Gemma David from The Compassionate Road. She's incredibly in tune with the needs of her body and has developed a deep physical, emotional and philosophical connection with movement—that cascades into the rest of her value-driven lifestyle. Gemma shares with us her journey through creating a regular exercise practice that is stimulating in many ways. She shares with us how movement has brought so much meaning to her life and has created this compassionate and connected bond with herself. We were hoping that our conversation would inspire us to change and break that habit. All we need is a strong enough why. We certainly felt very inspired, and we hope that you do too. Looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/027/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
This past year has pushed and challenged us in more ways we thought was possible. In our quest to support ourselves online and move to Slovenia, we’ve had to rethink the expectations of our means. You hear it all of the time. One of the keys to happiness is living within or below your means. What does that mean exactly? What are one’s means? The pressure of money, if you’re not careful, can completely dominate how you experience life. We’ve all fallen into the trap of wanting more money so we can experience more of what life has to offer. Whether that's through tangible goods or non-product related experiences. We’ve for the most part have always seen a direct correlation between financial resources and living a better life. More money means more opportunity, right? But since we became minimalists, we’ve shifted our mindsets about how much we need to live the life that makes us happy. Minimalism helped us to downsize in many areas, and that’s what we want to talk about in this podcast episode. Looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/026/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
Last year we wrote an article exploring the dynamics of fashion and our need to express ourselves through clothing. As minimalists, clothing has always been a challenge for us as we try to find the balance between functional long-lasting garments that can be worn all of the time. For over 12 months, Michael has been experimenting with wearing the same clothes every day and has learned a lot throughout the process. In this episode, we reflect on some key points from the article as well as Michael’s experience to see how feasible it is for people to wear the same clothes and how it makes us feel in a society that is promoting us to stand out through fashion. Looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/025/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
What could some of the trade-offs for being vegan be? In this podcast episode, we reflect on the honest truth about transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, and how it can be an adjustment for your tastebuds to continue to be excited about food once you remove products that contain meat, dairy and eggs. We’ve been vegan for five years now and have spoken to many people about veganism. We've reflected on how veganism has changed even in the short time that we have lived this lifestyle, and the gap for excuses in becoming vegan is slowly diminishing. Maša shares a personal story about a decision that she made a few years ago that convinced her that certain foods even though they may seem appealing, may not be all they cracked up to be. The simple question is, do you want to contribute to the suffering of other sentient beings? If not, veganism is worth some sacrifice. The mission is much higher than what we choose to put in our mouths. Looking for more? Visit the show notes at https://theminimalistvegan.com/024/ Follow us on Instagram @theminimalistvegan
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