Lane Gold is the author of the Vegan Junk Food recipe book and she will be speaking at the upcoming Greenfestival in Los Angeles October 29 & 30, 2011. I caught up with her to discuss her approach to making fun Vegan Junk Food recipes. The interview follows…

Why & when did you decide to go Vegan ?

About 10 years ago I was mostly a vegetarian, had grown up in a vegetarian house and I realized that with just a few changes I could easily be vegan, a choice I knew was for life. It was that simple.

What is your definition of health ?

I guess as I get older the definition changes. I am a lot more concerned now than I was in my twenties about weight and fitness goals. Also my focus on my future health has sharpened so I try a lot harder to make better food choices and exercise more. Health is definitely of the mind first, I try to do things that make me happy – I guess that is my definition of health; being happy from the inside out.

What are your top 3 health secrets ?

Getting enough sleep, why is this so difficult? I find that when I’m rested I am more accomplished across the board. I’m a night person so I often find myself motivated, (it’s very late as I type this), to start things in the evening when I should be resting. Making lists and starting in on them early has been a goal so that my sleep doesn’t suffer.

I always tell my 8 year old that every day is a do-over no matter how rotten today is tomorrow is a fresh start. While I try to always eat right I have moments of yuck eating, but every day is a do-over so I start right back in with what I know makes me feel great.

I’m not a natural athlete nor am I a gym-person, but I do love to hike and try to do it as often as I can. Finding that one thing you love that gets your heart pumping is so important otherwise exercise becomes a hassle.

What is your definition of cool ? sexy ? fun ?

This is an easy set of questions. My definition of cool is a well-worn pair of Chuck Taylors, sexy is pairing them with jeans and a black t-shirt and fun would be standing in those Chucks right against the stage at a concert.

Do you believe there is a one size fits all diet ? if yes what is it and why ?

I think we all approach diet differently, and we all need different things from our diets so I can’t imagine, aside from a few basic health tenets, that there is a diet that works for everyone.

What is your favorite recipe from your cookbook ?

Hands down the Boston Crème Pie, pretty much anything smothered in chocolate ganache is good by me.

What’s the quickest recipe from your cookbook ?

I included a lot of dips that are easy to pull together for a fast snack.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to a new vegan?

Here’s what a new vegan should know: there’s a learning curve, you will face obstacles, you might walk by a burger joint and feel guilty about wanting to give in to a double cheese burger, but like most serious changes in your life it’s a process don’t worry you will become an expert label reader, you will become over time a “natural vegan” it won’t always feel so difficult, and you will learn to answer silly questions about your diet with grace. (Is this one piece of advice?) And most importantly: tomorrow is a do-over.

See Lane Gold Live at the GreenFestival Los Angeles :

Topic: Vegan Junk Food
Date: Sunday, October 30th
Time: 12:00 Noon
Location: Good Food Stage

Also See : How To Balance Party & Transition Foods [VIDEO], How to Transition into a Healthier Diet [VIDEO], Ani Phyo – Part 1 of 3 – Health on Limited Time and Budget, Coffee free for 20 Years – Taramisu & My Broken Foot

Tags: fest, festival, food, gold, green, greenfestival, junk, lane, vegan