After a childhood rooted in dairy and pig farming, Brigitte Gemme, the creator of Vegan Family Kitchen, experienced a pivotal moment in 2013 that led her to question their environmental footprint and embrace a vegan lifestyle. A simple remark about the environmental impact of fueling a bike commute with steak versus driving a Hummer sparked a profound transformation. Join us as Brigitte shares her inspiring journey from traditional farming roots to an urban life focused on sustainability and plant-based living, revealing the intricate ties between personal choices and environmental consciousness. Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle while honoring family traditions presents its own set of challenges. Brigitte candidly discusses the struggles and triumphs of swapping dairy with leafy greens and crafting nourishing meals for a family deeply entrenched in dairy farming heritage. Discover her creative strategies for simplifying vegan cooking, from developing popular meal plan templates to understanding the basic grammar of cooking. Learn how these strategies not only ease decision fatigue but also help them connect with others on similar journeys. While navigating the social dynamics of veganism can be daunting, our conversation highlights the power of mindfulness, community support, and the practice of batch cooking as key elements in maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Brigitte shares insights into forming a virtual cooking club that fosters connection and accountability, offering a welcoming space for anyone interested in plant-based cooking. Drawing inspiration from Buddhist teachings, she reflects on the broader implications of food choices, emphasizing their impact on health, relationships, and societal well-being. Guest Bio: Brigitte Gemme is passionate about helping more people eat more plants. She empowers others to take charge of their health and live in alignment with their values. On her website VeganFamilyKitchen.com, she teaches regular workshops about healthy vegan nutrition and cooking, from mindset to meal planning and batch cooking. Previously, she worked as an academic researcher in the fields of education, sociology, and clean energy. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children. Thanks for listening to another episode. Follow, review, and share to help Consciously Clueless grow! Connect with me: https://www.consciouslycarly.com/ Join the Consciously Clueless community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/consciouslycarly Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciously.carly/ Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consciously.carly.blog Music by Matthew Baxley