If you're curious about how to be vegan in Milwaukee, the fourth annual MKE Vegan Expo is your one-stop shop. It will take place March 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The expo has a brand new location this year and will be held in the UWM Student Union Ballroom as the event is in partnership with UWM Nutritional Sciences Club.
The event welcomes all foodies, locavores, vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians and anyone who is interested in a plant-based lifestyle. While the event will be educational and will aim to show the impacts that dietary choices have on animals, personal health and the environment, there will also be several speeches and cooking demos throughout the course of the day.
At 11 a.m. the first speaker, Aaron Yarmel will talk about strategic vegan conversations. Yarmel's talk will focus on showing others how to engage in better conversations about veganism in a variety of scenarios. In particular, Yarmel will talk about how to categorize and respond to every anti-vegan argument while building a genuine connection with whomever the argument stems from, instead of pushing them away.
From 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m Jennette Cable will give a talk on "compassionate action as a tenet of wellness," and at 1 p.m. Mike Stura will talk about stories of animal rescue.
Later on at 2 p.m. Dr. Yami Cazorla-Lancaster will present and discuss how eating a plant-based diet can promote health, longevity and joy. She will also share ways to keep it simple, sustainable and enjoyable for life.
And at 3 p.m. Dr. Alex Sassani will present a brief overview of the research that has convinced thousands of medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and athletes to choose plant-based nutrition and lifestyle over SAD (Standard American Diet).
While these speakers are presenting, there will also be several cooking demos taking place throughout the day.
Caroline Carter will be showing how she makes one meal three different ways from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
And from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Amberlea Childs of Plant Joy will be demonstrating how to cook eggplant meatballs.
And finally around 3 p.m. things get a bit sweeter as Madeline Ruyle of Bunny's Bites will teach those in attendance how to make chocolate espresso truffles.
There will also be a 30-minute yoga class for people of all experience levels from 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The class will be taught by Alcy Sivyer of Everyday Bliss Yoga.
The event is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 per person. Those who wish to attend must register here. Donations can be made online or at the door.