Indie Rocker Sonia V. Wants You to Kick Your Meat Addiction to the Curb

Sonia V. knows that a lot of people think they need meat to be healthy. She’s also aware that this outdated concept is all in their heads. After all, she found out firsthand five years ago just how much your health can improve after you switch to a plant-based diet. Want to know more about the benefits of going veg and why Sonia’s including our “Jesus Loves Me, Too” stickers with her new CD, a thing or 2? Well, you’ll just have to read our exclusive interview to find out. Oh, yeah, and don't forget to sign up for peta2 E-News when you're done so that you can stay informed about Sonia and all our other peta2 friends, as well as some awesome contests.

Why did you decide to become a vegetarian?
I became a vegetarian a little over five years ago, in 2000. This is mostly due to health and digestive problems I have. Digesting meat and dairy is hard on me, and since I became a vegetarian, my digestive health problems and even allergies have significantly decreased. Although my digestive disease will not completely go away, being a vegetarian has made eating a lot easier, and I love to eat! Plus, just the thought of eating flesh of a living creature really grosses me out. I don’t like the killing of animals.

Why did you want to insert the “Jesus Loves Me, Too” sticker in your CD for your fans?
I liked the cute chickie, and it promotes the cause in a positive way.

What do you hope to accomplish by inserting the stickers in your CD? How would you like your fans to react?
It’s a gentle nudge for people to check it out for themselves and become informed about the mistreatment of animals.

Why do you think it’s important to use your voice as a Christian artist to make people aware of animal rights and the cruelty behind factory farming?
In Genesis 1:26-31 (The Message Translation Bible), I think God makes it pretty clear His original plan for mankind was to be responsible for and take care of the Earth and the animals in it. It is also clear that He provided every “seed-bearing plant and fruit-bearing tree for food.” Now that was clearly His “original” plan. If we were still living in that, we wouldn’t have the need to slaughter animals for any reason. But it’s pretty clear that we don’t “need” to eat meat for nutrition, because everything we need is provided for us on the green earth. Most people are unaware of or don’t care about the process taken so they could have their chicken nuggets. Out of sight, out of mind—it’s kind of how we deal with a LOT of things, isn’t it!

What have you found to be the most effective tool in reaching into minds that, at first, seem very shut to the idea of animal rights and vegetarianism?
Just living a healthy lifestyle. You can help more people by being a positive example. 

What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking of going vegetarian or vegan but hasn’t made the switch yet?
It’s hard to change any habit when you are addicted to a way of thinking and a certain lifestyle, especially the way you eat. Whether you’re dieting, trying to go veg, or have to change the way you eat because of health reasons, addiction plays a strong role. Once you get used to the idea that your nutrition doesn’t have to include meat and can come from other natural and sufficient sources, you’ll realize it’s all in your mind and a matter of willpower and choice. Once you make your mind up and stick to it, you’re on your way.

What are your favorite vegetarian foods?
A lot of the same things I used to eat before, just without the meat. I love Indian cuisine, and Malai Kofta is my favorite dish at The Woodlands restaurant in Orlando, Fla. Pizza with mushrooms, olives, and green peppers, any kind of Italian—especially pasta with artichokes and mushrooms—Mexican food and Mediterranean/Greek—love those stuffed grape leaves and hummus with tabouli.

What would your message be to your fans about having compassion and getting involved?
For any kind of change to happen, it starts with the individual deciding to make a difference. For each person, there is a different emphasis and outlet for getting involved. Find your strong suit and go for it!

What’s up next for you?
A Boca Burger!