I can’t wait to introduce you to Samantha Schwartz, one of the key organizers and masterminds behind the 2012 Bethlehem Vegfest! She is behind the scenes at the Downtown Bethlehem Association and has some insight into this year’s event.

Let me start by telling you that I eat meat. I eat turkey. I eat fish. I eat chicken. I eat red meat. I also eat tofu, lentils, hemp, quinoa, and beans. I am a flexitarian. In other words, there are days that I only eat plant based foods, and there are days that I eat meat.

Okay, now here’s the deal. You are probably eating too much of the wrong kind of animal based protein. If you answer the “where’s the beef/meat” question with “on my plate each night,” I am going to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone—Hang on, here we go. I want you to go totally meatless this Monday… and every Monday thereafter. You read it right; one day a week, I want you to go vegetarian. That means that if it clucks, moos, swims or oinks, I don’t want you to eat it. I think you’ll be surprised by how good it feels.

The YouAnew team is excited to be a part local history as a vendor at Bethlehem’s  Second Annual VegFest!! We are also making history by participating in a fabulous project called “Veganize Me!”  I’ve been asked to help turn a meat-loving, middle-aged man into a vegan for one month…It’s going to be wild!

Vegfest is a street and food festival that will take place Saturday, September 8 on Southside Bethlehem’s Greenway from 11-6. The festival is free; meat lovers and meat loather alike are welcome! There will a variety of events (speakers, cooking demos, kid activities), food samplings and healthy/inspiring vendors.

YouAnew is teaming up with The Fresh Market of Center Valley and will be serving up YouAnew approved vegan fare! Come find us for delish free-samples, body composition analysis and Fresh Market/YouAnew giveaways!!!  Can’t wait to see you there.