Hi everyone! Today, I am very excited to share an interview with Shannon from The Glowing Fridge. She is a plant-based vegan blogger with many vibrant and nourishing dishes. I first came across her Instagram account, which is just beaming with color and health inspiration. It is no surprise that her account has over 9000 followers!
Read below to see how The Glowing Fridge began, some of Shannon’s favorite foods and more!
The Glowing Fridge has so many amazing vibrant recipes and helpful health tips. How did it all begin?
Thank you Brittney! I try to keep things colorful around here :) I started this lifestyle a little over a year ago after watching the documentary, Vegucated, which turned me into a plant based vegan overnight. It was eye-opening and shocking but I dove right in because I had such positive feelings about it. Since that night, I haven’t eaten any animal products. It’s amazing how good our bodies can feel just by eating plant foods. Plant based cooking was new for me so I started experimenting with different recipes, flavors and colors and everything just blossomed from there. Now on my blog, I share whatever is working for me whether it be certain super foods, beauty products, spiritual enlightenments, blog posts I love and of course lots of yummy recipes.
Have you always had a passion for healthy living?
I’ve always loved learning about nutrition and health – ever since junior high. Health was definitely my favorite class! I loved helping my mom cook healthy recipes for dinner all throughout high school, it was our thing we did together and helped me later on when I was on my own in college. I studied at Purdue University, earning a degree in Health and Fitness. Now I’m looking into a certification for holistic nutrition and possibly nutrition coaching.
Tell us about The Glow Effect.
The Glow Effect is the ultimate starter handbook for anyone looking to begin a plant based vegan lifestyle. It’s lengthy (60+pages) with information on everything you need to know to succeed in your journey – from why one should consider a plant based diet, how to transition, what to expect, the detox stage and symptoms, common concerns, supplements, portion sizes, dining out, dealing with friends/family, FAQ, how to maintain for the long-term and so much more as well as 30 + new and delicious recipes. I created it because I was receiving so many questions about how to start and I wanted to offer my experience in one form. I recommend it for anyone who is ready to make the switch, anyone who wants to learn more about it or just learn how to incorporate more plant foods in their diet :) it’s a helpful tool!
{Sesame Kale Glow Bowl}
What is your favorite food to cook with?
My favorite food has to be vegetables! All of them, haha. They are so versatile and can be made many different ways. From smoothies/juices to raw salads and dressings to steamed veggies and stir frys to curries/stews and pastas to roasting them in the oven. I need lots of them every single day!
What does a typical day look like for you?
On a typical day I wake up around 7, let my dogs outside, then head to the kitchen for my daily lemon water + a shot of E3Live, and coffee with coconut creamer. I drink my coffee at my desk to check on the blog and check on what I have to do that day, for a few minutes. If I plan to workout that morning, I may eat a banana or piece of fruit to hold me over. If not, I make breakfast (usually a smoothie/overnight oats) and snap a picture of it for instagram if its picture worthy :) and then get ready for my day. Each day is different and one wouldn’t think that blogging can be a full-time job but there’s so much to do and always something to work on! I answer emails, work on collaborations or sponsorships, work on new posts, create and write recipes, style the food, photograph it, edit the photos, manage all social media accounts, work on yucky financial things (!!), work on my new cleanse program (to be released soon!) manage blog design, blog promotion and so much more. Sometime between 11-1pm I’ll have lunch which is usually a salad, a new recipe I created or leftovers from the night before. When my boyfriend gets home from work around 7, we like to take our dogs on a walk or spend time with them, then have dinner together. Lately we’ve been working after dinner but if not then we relax on the couch with the occasional glass of wine (and a piece of chocolate for me!!), catch up on our favorite shows – and go to bed sometime between 10 and 11. I always wash my face before bed and drink a glass of water too!
{Chocolate Covered Brownie Pops}
Who or what inspires you most?
My inspiration is the entire plant based community. I find lots of inspiration from other bloggers too like Annie Jaffrey, The Balanced Blonde, RawManda, The Skinny Confidential, Chocolate Covered Katie, Oh She Glows, In My Bowl, Ceara’s Kitchen, My New Roots, Minimalist Baker and of course Gal Meets Glam, Pink Peonies and Something Navy :) I admire and look up to all of them!
If you could pick one food to eat over an over again, what would it be?
Definitely dark chocolate – or maybe watermelon. I can’t get enough of either, really.
Where can everyone keep up with you to learn more?
Learn more and keep up on the blog! – theglowingfridge.com
Follow my daily social media posts on:
Instagram: instagram.com/theglowingfridge
Pinterest: pinterest.com/shannonleparski
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Glowing-Fridge/656306227776447
Twitter: twitter.com/glowingfridge
I really enjoyed doing this interview with Shannon. Be sure to check out her blog and ebook!
-Brittney
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