How long have you lived in Hawaii and how long have you been a vegetarian/vegan?
I've lived in Hawaii for 15 years and during that time I was the director of Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine for Castle Medical Center in Kailua on Oahu. I have been vegetarian for 38 years and of those years I have been vegan for 15 years.

Why are you a vegetarian/vegan?
As a registered dietitian with a Ph.D., I have learned that a vegetarian/vegan diet is the healthiest diet that there is.

What challenges did you find in going or being a vegetarian/vegan? How did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was with the different aspects of socializing with colleagues and friends who did not share my vegetarian lifestyle. I’ve been steadfast in my commitment, which has generated interest among the people I have interacted with. Their questions have given me the opportunity to explain the benefits of vegetarian lifestyle, and I’ve made a few converts along the way.

What's your favorite vegetarian/vegan dish?
I have many favorite dishes! I don’t think I can pick just one. However, my favorites are vegan Thai and vegan Chinese cuisine.

Do you exercise or do certain activities for fitness?
I like to be active. I swim a lot. I have been in 13 Waikiki rough water swims. I weight train, use the treadmill and walk. I try to go to the gym often.

As a vegetarian/vegan, what kind of snacks or desserts do you like to eat?
I like fresh fruit the best. Healthy prepared desserts are fine, but you must be careful not to overdo it. Even though they are healthy, vegan cakes, cookies and other desserts still have calories and can cause you to gain weight. An apple has 80 calories and a slice of apple pie has over 300. A dessert rich in calories is fine, but not all the time. Just make healthy choices by exercising moderation. For me, fresh fruit is the way to go.

Do you have any advice for people who want to or are trying to become vegetarian/vegans?
The best advice I have is to just do it. Decide whether you’re going to be vegan or vegetarian and get on with it. If you try to transition into it, it’s harder to break away from your old diet, especially if you still have meats and junk food in your house. The best thing you can do is change your environment. Stock up your home and kitchen with healthy vegetarian foods. Go to Down to Earth where you can get lots of great vegan and vegetarian foods!

Make sure to exercise. Just eating a vegan or vegetarian diet is not enough. There needs to be some type of exercise as well. A friend of mine, the famous exercise guru Jack Lalane, once told me “Exercise is king, nutrition is queen and with the two you have a kingdom”. If we apply this concept to our daily routine, we’ll all have longer, healthier lives.

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