Welcome to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month we’re celebrating five AAPI influencers who are helping create a better world for animals, one plant-based meal at a time.
Ted Lai
Along with his daughter Gen, Ted is the co-founder of the podcast Asian American History 101 which explores the contributions of AAPI individuals to American society. Ted is also a chef for vegan comfort food company Plant Alchemy and shares his plant-based meals on his Instagram, @wokwildside.
Miyoko Schinner
If you’re familiar with vegan food substitutes, you’ve likely heard of Miyoko’s Creamery—but did you know the company’s backstory? It was founded in 2014 by Miyoko Schinner, arguably the queen of vegan cheese, and has since inspired the many new options of vegan dairy on the market.
Cheri Tu
Cheri Tu, or @thrivingonplants on Instagram, prepares amazing plant-based recipes with an additional focus on low- and zero-waste. Cheri decided to go plant-based when she realized that she “wanted and needed to take an ethical and compassionate stance for the animals.” With nearly half a million followers on Instagram, Cheri’s passion is far-reaching.
Sheil Shukla
Sheil, also known as @plantbasedartist on Instagram, is a physician, artist, and cook who creates traditional Indian recipes with a plant-based twist. Sheil asserts that food is medicine, and his recipes are leading examples of how plant-based cooking and cultural tradition can deliciously coexist.
Toni Okamoto
Toni’s expertise lies in showing how plant-based eating can be affordable and accessible through her aptly named blog, Plant-Based on a Budget. Toni believes that a diet free of animal products can be easy, delicious, and healthy without breaking the bank.
