Interview Questions from Barbara Mathison, VSU President asked to Dr. Vradenburg and Deb Vradenburg: published in the Vegetarian Society of Utah Quarterly Newsletter, 4th Qrt 2009.
1. Do you live in St. George? Yes.
2. For How Long? Five years.
3. Where was/is your favorite place you’ve lived and why? Eugene, Oregon in the 1970’s. Our “college days”. We learned how to be vegetarians. Eugene was the epicenter for alternative lifestyles, vegan diets and animal rights. There were organic vegan restaurants, and plenty of whole foods grocery stores and food co-ops.
4. What do you do or have done for a living? Don: I have been a chiropractic internist for 29 years. I also do acupuncture and Thai Yoga Massage. Before this I scrubbed in the operating room for 9 years. Deb: I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Advanced Rolfer® (Rolfing® Structural Integration).
5. What brought you to VSU? One the few pro-active groups in this area with like-minded people with whom we can connect.
6. Did you attend several events before joining? No. We joined as soon as we were aware of VSU.
7. What made you decide to join VSU? To support the whole foods plant based lifestyle in a location that is starving for it.
8. Are you Vegan, Vegetarian or an Associate member? Vegan.
9. How long have you been a Vegan or Vegetarian and made you change from SAD (Standard American Diet)? Since 1974. Some years were less vegan than others and would depend on where we lived and available whole food. We have been all vegan for the past two years. It took a while for us to find organic whole foods in Southern Utah.
10. What have you gained from VSU? Friends. We love VSU.
11. Have you had any health changes since changing from SAD (Standard American Diet)? Don has lost weight and Deb is more peaceful and the food cravings are gone. Blood panels have improved.
12. Have you found it hard to be a Vegan or Vegetarian? No. It is an easy food plan. It is quicker to buy food in a grocery store. Whole food stores have been limited in what they offer but this is slowly getting better. We still miss the huge food co-ops in Oregon and a fully stocked Asian market.
13. How does your family feel about your choice to change your lifestyle?
They used to think we were just “nuts” because were living in Oregon as vegetarians and one day we would come to our senses. They have become sick following the SAD lifestyle, and now want information from us.
14. What exercises have you found to be most beneficial? The two things that brought us to Utah were the sunshine and year around outdoor recreation. We love to hike, bike, and swim. We also use the Versa Climber, sauna, and practice Thai Yoga.
15. What are your favorite things to do? Besides outdoor recreation and playing with our two dogs; Don: hydroponic gardening, pottery and painting; Deb: music, cello, violin and piano and belongs to the Orchestra of Southern Utah in Cedar City.
16. What are your hobbies? Same as our favorite things to do, adding vegan cooking.
17. What is your favorite recipe – please include if you have it written down. We rarely go by a recipe. We usually throw stuff together and since it is vegan, it always tastes good. Deb: a big roaster full of veggies baked in the oven with soy sauce, peppers and sesame seeds. Don: anything Italian but replace the wheat with rice or quinoa or buckwheat. Use veggies in place of meat. Replace cheese with rice cheese and soy cheese or any of the recipes from the Un-Cheese Cookbook.
18. What “sign” are you? (Just had to ask) Don: Taurus. Deb: Aries. Can’t you tell?
19. Do you have any advice for our VSU members? If so, what? Stay with the plant based, whole foods diet. Keep thinking outside the box. Turn off the TV adds. Our healthiest patients and clients are eating plant based whole foods.
20. Any comments or story you’d like to share about yourself (any subject). We have traveled around the world and our favorite country to eat in is Thailand. They have the best and most healthy buffets in the world. They will serve about 30 different fresh, local fruits. We were always stuffed but we never gained any weight. Their durian fruit tastes like custard but it smells so bad it is against the law to take durian fruit to your hotel room.