Bamboo Vegan

Iknow Fotis for 12-13 years. I still remember back in 2004 or so when we used to spread out straight edge flyers in local shows… His fanzine, Take Your Shot, was one of the few dedicated hardcore fanzines that ever existed in Greece the last 15 years. I also had the pleasure to play in a band with him from 2010 to 2013; that was My Turn. Fotis and his girlfriend opened a vegan shop 4 years ago; Bamboo Vegan, so it was more than essential to have them share their thoughts and also food advice in this fanzine. Enjoy!

www.bamboovegan.com

Running a vegan shop in a country like Greece might not be the easiest task; but if anything, these last four years have taught us that if we can pull that off, then almost nothing is impossible. PMA! Joking aside, it’s really been a crazy ride so far. Clichéd as it sounds, I am doing something that I love. It’s something that me and my partner created on our own from scratch, in a true DIY spirit and ethic. What’s more important though, is that I am fighting a good fight, helping to do

something for the welfare of animals and people. There are fun times, and there are stressful and hard times. But it’s so much better than working a job you hate for an unethical business (and trust me, I’ve had many of those jobs). Spreading veganism is still the most important thing. Our culture is slowly changing, and is strongly questioning the vile habit of meat-eating and the consumption of other products of violence. Slowly, one person at a time, we are turning into more compassionate ways of living in the world. Or at least, veganism is growing to an extent that it challenges the mindset of even the most ignorant meat-eater. Veganism is here, and it’s here to stay. It’s not going away as long as there people like you and me. Something I would like to say is that in my eyes, veganism must point us to a wider context of co-existence which actively promotes compassion and tolerance not only towards animals but for people too, including all ethnic, economic, sexual etc backgrounds. Animal rights and human rights go hand in hand, I can believe that so many people seem to forget that. Veganism is not just about proving we’re right and attacking meat-eaters. It’s not about who’s the most righteous vegan. I just feel it’s important to extend a helping hand to everyone, and try to

make society a better place. Throughout these last four years I’ve met tons of interesting individuals from Greece and all around the world: from business people and celebrities, to crazy traveling punks and hardcore bands with vegan members that played a show in Athens. I have learned that it’s important to just try and treat everyone the same, because in essence all people have one story: they long to be treated nicely; therefore the average person coming through the door is really my job. I am talking about the person who needs a bit more respect in their everyday dealings. I hope that I can live up to this, no matter how tired I am or how bad of a day I might be having. I guess that before closing I should say that I feel ‘blessed’ or something, like so many people do when they are interviewed about their jobs, their lives etc. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that way. I am just doing my best like everyone else and I still see problems to be fixed and goals to be met. I am trying to better myself on a personal level through my job, but in all honesty I am so far from perfection as anyone could imagine. There you go. You just had a look into the mind of an awkward vegan straight edge guy, with a shop, a kid and two cats, and still enough time to worry and stress about everything.

Mexican “Chimichurri” Style Vegan Chicken

For the chimichurri: Soy medallions 4 cloves garlic 1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup veg broth

For the additional marinade: 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce

Preparation: Cut the soy medallions in small pieces or strips. Stir fry in oil and garlic. Add herbs and vinegar and let the mix cook for a while, until soy chunks have absorbed the flavor. Eat wrapped in a vegan pitta bread with vegan cheese and the sauce of your choice (we usually go for guacamole)! Add spicy stuff like jalapeño peppers if you like. Oh... And nachos, lots of them!