Next up in my 2011 Veggie Girl Power Interview Series is the owner and founder of SeaBirds vegan food truck, Stephanie Morgan.
Not only is the SeaBirds truck famous for being a beloved, vegan-eats staple of Orange Country, California - but SeaBirds also gained nation-wide fame last summer when Stephanie and her team competed on season two of Food Network's reality show: The Great Food Truck Race, with host Tyler Florence. Meet the "Mama Bird" behind the truck!..
Life on a food truck. As a food blogger, food trucks fascinate me. I love them. With their creative, ever-changing, locally-inspired menus, mobile addresses and social-networking savvy. Passion and enthusiasm for food served up in each dish. Recipe to plate.
And over the past few years when I lived in NYC, I saw how the popularity, mainstream appeal and trendiness of food trucks really boomed. Food trucks went from lunch-hour back-up-plans to "stand-in-line-for-hours-just-to-get-a-bite" hot spots.
But the question for me was, "Where are all the vegan food trucks??"
Stephanie Morgan answered that question for the lucky residents and visitors of Orange County California when she founded SeaBirds. (And yes, there are a few other awesome vegan food trucks nationwide like Cinnamon Snail in the NYC area).
Stephanie says about why she started SeaBirds: “This truck came to life with a dream and a desire: A dream for vegan street food, and a desire to provide healthy, local food that’s convenient and fairly priced ... I started Seabirds because I wanted to make a difference not only in the lives of the people of Orange County, but in the world we love and live in.” ~Stephanie
On the menu: last week the menu featured delicious local Zucchini Watercress Soup, Waldorf Salad, cinnamon Dusted Sweet Potato Fries, Beer Battered Avocado Tacos, Jack Asada Tacos, Yellow Cashew Curry and Orgainic Vegan Cupcakes. Yum
Last summer, the SeaBirds gave us a real vegan reason to watch Food Network when they were contestants on The Great Food Truck Race. Stephanie and her team, including the talented Nicole & Raya, definitely held their own as they battled head to head with mainstream, meat and cheese-loving food trucks.
It was inspiring to watch the ladies find veggie inspiration in every new town they arrived in. It was proof positive that where ever you may find yourself, vegan deliciousness is just a recipe away.
Let's meet "Mama Bird" of the SeaBirds!..
2011 Veggie Girl Power Series Interview: Stephanie Morgan
Q1: Sunrise, what is the first food and/or drink you reach for to start your "Veggie Girl Power" day?
Stephanie: Smoothie! With rice milk, orange juice, raw protein powder, ground chia seeds, frozen mango, banana and wild blueberries.
Q2: As a Veggie Girl Power trailblazer you inspire many girls, who or what has inspired you?
Stephanie: I’m inspired by any one dedicating their lives to improving the health and lives of others. I’m a huge fan of Ellen Degeneres, Julia Childs, Pink, Tanya Petrovna and Isa Chandra.
Q3: When you first went vegan, what was the most challenging aspect of your new lifestyle? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Stephanie: Although I pretty much went vegan overnight, the world around me was not on the same page. I quickly realized how every menu I read was dominated by meat and cheese. The inconvenience of being vegan was what turned me on to cooking and I am grateful for that because it ignited a whole new passion in me.
Q4: When people ask you why you 'went vegan' what is your usual response?
Stephanie: It happened for me when I started wondering about all the ingredients I couldn’t pronounce in so many of the foods I was eating. I walked down to the Borders on E 86th St and bought about 6 books on food, nutrition and the politics of our food systems. I never intended to go vegan, but what I learned was shocking and turned me off to animal products; I just didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.
Q5: What is the one message that you always try to project to your fans/followers?
Stephanie: I think that it’s best not to judge others’ diets but to be available to answer questions and share your knowledge if asked. When you are pushy about something as personal as food, others get defensive and don’t want to listen. I think its best to lead by example, to walk the walk, and to be a mentor.
Q6: Vegans love to share their knowledge about food and nutrition, what is an interesting food fact you love to share with people?
Stephanie: Something I’ve experimented with is eating times. I found that when I eat a large breakfast and lunch and either nothing for dinner or something very light (maybe some fresh fruit or a small salad) I have a lot more energy when I wake up. When you think about all the energy it takes to digest food it makes a lot of sense.
Q7: Vegans don't live on carrot sticks and hummus alone, give us your most creative/delicious vegan snack idea!
Stephanie: Oh wow so many! I rarely have bread or vegan cheese in my fridge but when I do it’s loaded grilled cheeses! My most recent favorite is vegan mozzarella and cheddar, arugula, seared tofu and marinara sauce. It tastes like a vegan chicken parm sandwich! You can easily make them in a waffle maker or George Foreman and it seems a lot fancier than it is. I always add something green to my grilled cheeses so I don’t feel guilty 🙂
Q8: Words to live by: what is a favorite life tip or quote of wisdom?
Stephanie: “Health, excellent or ill, is passed to our children not through our genes but primarily through our recipes.” — Joanne L. Mumola Williams.
Q9: How do you respond to negative comments from those critical of a vegan lifestyle - both online and in the real world?
Stephanie: It’s hard to do but I ignore any negative comments online. If I receive a negative comment in person, I just smile at them and don’t give them the satisfaction of an argument. It’s hard to take an attack for a lifestyle choice that is benefiting humans, animals and the planet. Not every individual understands that though, they usually think you are just weird. You just have to believe in your heart that what you are doing is right and hope that one day that mean ol’ bully will someday be more compassionate.
Q10: What vegan ingredients and/or vegan products have you discovered that you simply couldn't live without?
Stephanie: I’m a sucker for Vegenaise, Pepperjack Daiya, Rice Milk, Earth Balance, hemp seeds, kale chips, and Amande Coconut Yogurt.
Connect with Stephanie:
Twitter
Facebook - SeaBirds Truck
Website - www.seabirdstruck.com
On Yelp - reviews with fabulous ratings
Check out all the interviews in this year's VGP series! more ladies to come.
(Linked ladies have posted already)
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Stephanie Morgan
Annie Shannon
Anya
Kathy Freston
Portia de Rossi
