We spoke to L.A. based JVS member Deborah Elkins about her family’s recent experience in front of the camera…
Our family was overjoyed when asked by Eric Day, producer of “Vegan Movie”, to be part of his upcoming documentary exploring the rising popularity of veganism.
We hope our four children, Dane – 16, Jaden – 14, Cody -10 and Madison – 8 will inspire people to take a closer look at the food they eat. We have been promoting a compassionate lifestyle for a long time, and have gained exposure in the past, having appeared as a family on the network series, “Beverly Hills Nannies” and have been covered in various newspapers and online blogs.
Our fourteen-year old son Jaden became an international celebrity vegan advocate last year by insisting that he celebrate his Bar Mitzvah with a vegan party at Veggie Grill in Los Angeles. We hosted more than 70 guests at the event and Scott Nicholson, Vice President of Operations at the popular vegan fast food chain told Jaden that he was a “hero.”
Working with the crew of “Vegan Movie” was really special. They were all vegan and made us feel really comfortable. They asked the kind of questions most non-vegans are curious about… such as, “How do you manage to eat out”, and “what do you about parties and family social events?”
We sometimes get emotional talking about family holidays, especially Thanksgiving. We have had to alter our family tradition now that we are no longer invited to share this holiday at the annual relatives get-together. Thanksgiving is a powerful experience for vegans, overwhelmed with sadness at the forty million turkeys killed in ‘celebration’ of this holiday.
We are saddened that we are not able share this holiday with our relatives, but believe that in time most people will make the change.
Our daughter, Madison shared her most recent awkward experience, telling the crew that her teacher at the religious school she attends would not accept a “no” to eating a marshmallow. Her teacher said, “Just take one little bite” and when she again refused, said, “ I feel so sorry for you.” When Madison was asked on camera, why she said refused to eat the marshmallow she said, “It’s because I know what’s inside the marshmallow. I love animals and I don’t want to hurt them. Marshmallows are made from gelatine made from ground up animal parts.”
Jaden got to talk about his vegan Bar Mitzvah and how so many of his friends who used to make fun of vegan food admitted to being surprised at how good all the food tasted. He mentioned how Therese Stover, an executive at Veggie Grill invited all the guests to come back another time to try a free entree of their choice.
My husband, Brett spoke about how when you make one good choice, such as saving an animal’s life, you get to possibly extend your own as a result of being healthier, and you also save the environment… all from that one choice!
A producer who contacted us after reading about Jaden’s Bar Mitzvah article will be filming the kids this summer making healthy plant-based meals, and talking about their vegan lifestyle.
Glenn Scott Lacey, the director of “Vegan Movie” said he was really impressed with our kids’ understanding of the issues society faces caused by the traditional diet. They understand how being vegan can affect health and the environment in a positive way.
“Vegan Movie” will explore the lives of everyday vegans, just like us and is expected to be released in 2016 please visit veganmovie.org/about for more information].