My girlfriend and I had the most amazing organic and vegan dinner last night at New York’s Candle 79. A huge thank you to Benay Vynerib for making it such a memorable experience, we can’t wait to come back!

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1. Appetizer - GRILLED ARTICHOKES & ASPARAGUS

(grilled portabello mushroom, basil-pine nut pesto). 

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2. Salad - STUFFED AVOCADO

(baby greens, quinoa, zucchini, spring peas, grape tomatoes, radishes, toasted pumpkin seeds, chipotle-avocado dressing) 

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3. Main Course - CARIBBEAN JERK GRILLED SEITAN 

(pilaf, collard greens, black bean sauce, mango-papaya salsa, jalapeño-cilantro coulis)

MUSTARD SEED CRUSTED TOFU 

(cauliflower & sugar snap peas, basmati rice, tomato-chickpea curry)

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4. Dessert - CANNOLI 

(vanilla cream filling, vanilla chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate drizzle)

An interview by Pete Ryan from the Vegan Society Magazine. 

Being a strength athlete was there any concerns that you might lose strength when you first changed your diet, & what did you find when you did make the change?

I was concerned at first but didn’t care. I made a conscious and ethical decision to give up meat and was willing to face the consequences. It is more important to practice what I believe in than to worry about being a strength athlete.

My body did not feel right at the beginning and it took a couple of weeks to adjust with out the meat. Eventually, I began to gain energy and consistently lost weight. I have never felt better in my entire life and it was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. 

Most people will have tried arm wrestling at some point, but most of us think of it as something to do in a bar, after a few pints, not really an athletic pursuit, how did you get involved in the sport of arm wrestling?

I was always strong at arm wrestling, getting the genetics from my mom. She could beat most men, including my dad, and even competed in a tournament before I was born. In High School, I met a guy that competed professionally and he talked me into giving it a shot. My first tournament was in North Carolina back in 2000. I ended up taking fifth place and have been addicted ever since.  

What sort of training do you need to do to enter your sport?

The best way to train for this sport is to get on a table and arm wrestle. It’s hard to simulate and hit the right angles at the gym, almost impossible. Try to find some pullers in your area and see if you can practice with them. Some useful websites are armwrestlingtv.com andarmwrestlersnearyou.com. 

As well as being an athlete & highlighting veganism through your strength you are also active with several animal rights groups.  Do you think that now strong guys like yourself are appearing on the vegan scene we’re starting to smash the stereotypical image of the pasty, wimp of a (male) vegan & do you think that this might be a good way to get more guys involved in the vegan movement (by highlighting more male vegans with strength & power)?

I am pasty but definitely not wimpy! Most people are shocked when they find out I am vegan and don’t understand how I am strong without meat, milk, eggs and etc. I have been doing the best I can with educating, inspiring, and breaking the typical stereotypes. 

You look like you’ve got massive arms, just how big are your guns?

Ha ha. I actually haven’t measured by arms in years, I’m not that kind of guy. I hardly train for size rather for strength. It’s a huge miss conception that the bigger the bicep the stronger the arm wrestler. This sport is a precise combination of technique, speed and entire body strength. Also, if you don’t have a strong hand and wrist then you won’t be successful.  

Would you suggest that other vegans get involved in the sport of arm wrestling & if so how would you begin to get involved?

I think other vegans and vegetarians should give it a try, who doesn’t like to arm wrestle? It’s the biggest underground sport that is about to explode on the scenes. There is a great new documentary called Pulling John that will bring our sport to the next level, like Pumping Iron did for bodybuilding.

If you had a sentence or two to convince someone to try out a vegan diet, what would you say to them?

If not for the awesome health benefits then at least make an effort for the animals. If being a vegan seems impossible then cut back on meat a few days a week, every effort counts. People don’t realize the harsh cruelty and suffering these animals go through before eventually ending up the meat in your sandwich. Being vegan also means being green, it is the absolute best thing for our environment!

Vega’s Guiding Principles

Quite often the simplest solution is the best one. Over the past 50 years, however, our Western culture has managed to complicate matters concerning diet and its relation to health. Obesity and malnourishment exist simultaneously while the over-consumption of calorie-rich but nutrient-poor foods drain our energy. To make matters worse, we treat obesity with drugs and fad diets and combat fatigue with refined carbohydrates, sugar and caffeine. These are short-term solutions that eventually render us energy depleted, over-stimulated, chronically stressed and vulnerable to illness and premature aging.

So what can we do to address this problem? Today, many health experts believe the solution is to consume primarily plant-based whole foods; pure and simple as nature intended. Whole foods support all the requirements of a healthy body system, from absorption to elimination.

The challenge with whole foods has always been their relative inconvenience to prepare, compared to the gamut of fast food offerings so readily available to us. Born of the belief that one should not have to compromise between whole food goodness and fast food convenience, Vega was created with the following principles in mind:

Plant-based whole foods are the true future of optimal health

“Eat your fruits and vegetables.” This is one of the most tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet. Plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, enzymes, fiber and phytonutrients and countless studies support their many health benefits. Vega is made exclusively from plant-based whole foods.

Raw, alkalinizing food are the best defense against illness and disease

In stark contrast to processed food, raw plant-based whole foods foster an alkaline environment within the body, an ideal platform upon which optimal health can be built. The main cause of all illness and disease stems from the disruption of pH balance in the body. Raw, alkaline foods help neutralize acid in our diet to promote healthy pH balance. Vega is slightly alkaline (pH of 7.2), similar to human blood (pH 7.4).

Nutrient density is more important than calories

Once the body is supplied with the nourishment it needs, cravings will cease. Consuming nutrient dense whole foods is a healthy way to naturally reduce caloric intake resulting in the creation of a stronger, leaner body. Vega is very nutrient dense, yet low in calories.

Food should provide energy, not drain it

Ease of assimilation is a key benefit of wholesome, natural food. The less energy the body must spend on digestion and assimilation, the more it will retain. Enzyme rich to conserve energy upon digestion, Vega offers superior net energy gain.

Food should energize through nourishment, not stimulation

Refined foods, sugar and caffeine “˜lend’ temporary energy by stimulating the adrenal glands, creating a brief increase in energy levels but eventually resulting in fatigue. Vega contain an ideal balance of essential fatty acids, fiber and low glycemic carbohydrates to provide a constant, enduring supply of energy through nourishment, not stimulation, resulting in improved performance, mental clarity and enhanced ability to burn body fat.

Avoid common allergens to reduce food sensitivities

Many people, whether they know it or not, have sensitivities to foods that are abundant in the modern diet; commonly resulting in headaches, mild flu-like symptoms, low energy, and difficulty shedding body fat. Clean and green, Vega is free of most common allergens including artificial sweeteners, corn, dairy, gluten, soy, wheat and yeast.

It is possible to grow  younger body

Regular exercise to break down body tissue, coupled with premium, whole food nutrition to rebuild it is what keeps us biologically young. Depending on activity level, six to eight months from now your body will have regenerated almost all of its tissue at the cellular level. It will literally be made up of what you eat between now and then. Supply your body with premium building blocks such as those found in Vega and the result can literally be a healthier, younger body.

Melissa Menard of Crowded Closet and I gripping up at 151 Rivington, NYC.

Got the six bone spurs removed from my right elbow and ulnar nerve repositioned. The four hour surgery hurt like hell but the guys at NYU did a great job.