Caitlion O'Neill
Vegan Cheesemaker and Environmental Law student
Enjoys spending time outside, especially the beach, and teaching people to make vegan cheese in live demo classes!
"[Veganism] has been a very healthy lifestyle for me."
Why did you go Vegan?
I became an ethical vegetarian at the age of 13 after learning about factory farming. After I developed a dairy allergy in 2014, I was prodded into becoming vegan and have never looked back! It has been a very healthy lifestyle for me.
What is your go-to breakfast when you are on the run?
I make and freeze burritos when I have leftover rice, beans, and veggies, and it takes just 4 minutes to heat in the morning!
What is your favorite vegan or accidentally-vegan dish at a restaurant?
I’m a bit biased because I consult for the restaurant, but Kindred in New Orleans makes a mean spicy chick’n sandwich! At a national chain, I like Blaze Pizza because I can load up on veggies and vegan cheese for no extra cost!
What is your favorite vegan dish to cook? I’ve been cooking much more with my partner recently, and I recently taught him to make enchiladas. I love when we make them together!
Tell us about a vegan recipe you tried to make but didn’t quite succeed (or failed entirely!)
I wish I was a better baker! I am good at following my nose to fix cooking mishaps, but I usually fail at my bread adventures :/
What are your five staple groceries?
Dried beans, tahini, avocados, wine, local vegetables
Where do you get your protein? 😉
From eating nosy humans who ask this question!! But actually from beans, tofu, seitan, bread, and lentils!
What one-sentence advice would you give your pre-vegan self?
Think beyond your tastebuds, and it is TOTALLY POSSIBLE to make delicious cheese from plants!
Share a favorite vegan hack with us (can be food, clothing, makeup, anything cruelty-free related).
If you are looking for an amazing, durable material for wallets, belts, shoes, and bags, buy cork!! It’s very durable. Just be sure to buy from a company that specializes in it to get the best quality.
What has been your favorite memory/moment with PAN?
I loved teaching pledges to make vegan queso in a beautiful demonstration kitchen!! That was amazing.
I became an ethical vegetarian at the age of 13 after learning about factory farming. After I developed a dairy allergy in 2014, I was prodded into becoming vegan and have never looked back! It has been a very healthy lifestyle for me.
What is your go-to breakfast when you are on the run?
I make and freeze burritos when I have leftover rice, beans, and veggies, and it takes just 4 minutes to heat in the morning!
What is your favorite vegan or accidentally-vegan dish at a restaurant?
I’m a bit biased because I consult for the restaurant, but Kindred in New Orleans makes a mean spicy chick’n sandwich! At a national chain, I like Blaze Pizza because I can load up on veggies and vegan cheese for no extra cost!
What is your favorite vegan dish to cook? I’ve been cooking much more with my partner recently, and I recently taught him to make enchiladas. I love when we make them together!
Tell us about a vegan recipe you tried to make but didn’t quite succeed (or failed entirely!)
I wish I was a better baker! I am good at following my nose to fix cooking mishaps, but I usually fail at my bread adventures :/
What are your five staple groceries?
Dried beans, tahini, avocados, wine, local vegetables
Where do you get your protein? 😉
From eating nosy humans who ask this question!! But actually from beans, tofu, seitan, bread, and lentils!
What one-sentence advice would you give your pre-vegan self?
Think beyond your tastebuds, and it is TOTALLY POSSIBLE to make delicious cheese from plants!
Share a favorite vegan hack with us (can be food, clothing, makeup, anything cruelty-free related).
If you are looking for an amazing, durable material for wallets, belts, shoes, and bags, buy cork!! It’s very durable. Just be sure to buy from a company that specializes in it to get the best quality.
What has been your favorite memory/moment with PAN?
I loved teaching pledges to make vegan queso in a beautiful demonstration kitchen!! That was amazing.