Where It All Began
That’s really hard to say. In 1997 when I stopped eating meat? Or over the past 10 years as vegans got more vocal and vegetarians got lumped in with them? Or in the many years where I was the only vegetarian I knew? Well, if you’re here to get to know me, this is how my brain works. I ping from thought to thought to thought quicker than anyone, but those who know me best who can follow. But this when I speak. Ironically, during the day, I’m a professional writer, and I’m damn good at putting everything into words, so let’s back up.
Who is Liz PErry
I’m a longtime vegetarian who lived in Omaha, Nebraska for nearly all my life … until I moved to the New Orleans area in late 2020. I was raised by a single mother, and though we had very little money, she taught me to not let it hold me back. I worked my butt off to have the opportunity to travel the world with a competitive choir throughout grade school and high school, attend college in California for a year, finish my bachelor’s degree in Nebraska, and later get my master’s degree. She taught me to be stronger than I ever thought I could be, which shone through at the absolute hardest time in my life. In one year in my mid-20s, my mother died of leukemia the day before my 26th birthday and I survived an abusive boyfriend, sending him to prison for two years.
Professionally, I’m a copywriter and marketer, and have been doing so since 2001. I’m an animal FREAK and currently that means being mommy to three chihuahuas (Hazel, Sushi and Anya) and two senior cats (Pacey and Rascal), whom I adopted after fostering for a year, when I moved to Louisiana. When I say currently, I mean add a foster dog to that list every once in a while; when I adopt a pet, it’s for life.
So now that I’ve shared a bunch of the good stuff, I’ll share a weakness … well two: carbs and cheese! More specifically, food was everything in our family growing up. You’re having a horrible day? Here’s some food! You’re having a great day? Here’s some food! And of course we were a “finish your plate” family. I”m constantly working to break my bad eating and lifestyle habits to reach and maintain a healthy weight. I’ve been there before (that’s a much longer story) but I”m only halfway through this life, so it’s time to get there and stay there.
The Moment Veggie Every Day Began
I had a coworker, who was the only “real vegetarian” I’d ever met. Living in Nebraska, it’s not too common to avoid meat, and most people I had met who called themselves vegetarians were actually flexitarians (aka I eat meat sometimes).
We talked a lot about vegetarian diet, how to do it healthy, new options that were available, etc. One day it hit me: this is the answer! I love creating content. I enjoy writing for a living, but it’s also great to have a site of my own where I get to share everything I’m passionate about. This used to be my blog LPO Beauty, but I ended it when I realized some of the animal components that are in beauty products. I knew I wanted to start a YouTube channel, and a new blog, and this was perfect. I realized people constantly ask me questions about my vegetarian lifestyle, and I love helping out how I can. And Veggie Every Day it was … because I’m not just vegetarian sometimes.
My Hopes for Veggie Every Day
- Create recipes and tips for both vegans and vegetarians; a lot of what’s available today, especially on YouTube is vegan.
- Take the next generation of food in my family in a new direction — healthy. My grandma was a cook, my mom had a catering company and my grandpa was a chef (he actually helped design the kitchen at the hotel in Omaha where the reuben was invented, and his recipes ran in a column in the Omaha World-Herald). It’s my turn to carry on the tradition, but differently.
- No judgement! My friends always describe me as “not one of those vegetarians.” I believe everyone makes their own food choices for their own reasons. So whether you’re vegetarian, trying to eat less meat, cooking for a vegetarian, or just curious, you’re welcome here.
- Connect vegetarians and those who love them — most people who fall outside the meat and potatoes crowd don’t know a lot of other people who eat like them. Or lifelong meat eaters whose kids or spouses go vegetarian aren’t sure what to do. I want to build a community where we can all help each other out, whether it’s sharing recipes, ideas or advice. (Hint, hint: the community I’m referring to is our Facebook group, Vegetarian Food, and I love connecting with all sorts of people on YouTube too.)
