Vegan of the Week

Vegans are everywhere in this town, in every shape, size, age, color, heritage, creed, and socio-economic background. Compassion knows no bounds. Each made the choice to follow their heart, to take control of their place on our planet, and to say "no" to the terrible things people do to animals. Each week, the team (aka Anika) over at Seattle Vegan Score, is pleased to introduce you to one member of our really awesome community. Subscribe to the Seattle Vegan of the Week on Flickr.

Week of March 27, 2011
Sadaf Hussain

Photo by Rebecca Bolte, All Rights Reserved (c) 2010, www.rebeccabolte.com

Name: Sadaf Hussain
Age: 40
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge/Ballard
Vegan Circa: 1999

Why I Find Her Interesting: Sadaf is a super woman in my mind: she is both a medical physician AND opened Seattle's all-vegan shoe store and chocolate shop. Honestly, I don't know many people who are ambitious enough to tackle just one of those things, much less both - simultaneously! But not only that, she is generous and humble. And she is extremely classy. I don't know about you, but I can always use a little more class in my life.

Why Vegan: "Because once you know the truth about the way humans treat animals of other species, you either have to adapt your life to be in accordance with that truth, or engage in an ongoing lifetime of denial, rationalization, and compartmentalization; that is, willful ignorance. And I chose to live the truth I discovered, and that meant being vegan." - Sadaf

Spends Time:
- Trying out new foods, restaurants, chocolates, and recipes.
- As a self professed shopaholic! She justifies it by believing that she is encouraging the economy to grow.
- Walking, reading, yoga, belly dancing.
- Volunteering at Sidecar for Pigs' Peace. (I didn't even know this!)
- Owning and running The Chocolate Shoe Box, which is a vegan shoe and chocolate shop in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. She is trying to work towards getting a larger store eventually, and/or have multiple locations. She would love to be able to make and sell her own truffles someday.
- And last but not least, as a Urgent Care Medical Doctor in the Kent Multicare Clinic.

Sadaf Suggests: shopping at Sidecar for Pigs' Peace because it supports a wonderful cause, and they have fabulous items along with super knowledgeable staff.

If you see Sadaf on the street: talk to her about chocolate, food, what's happening at The Chocolate Shoe Box, or the benefits of a vegan diet on health. Her patient's definitely get an earful of that whenever she gets the opportunity!

Go get your vegan shoes at her shop! There will be a 1 year anniversary party for The Chocolate Shoe Box on April 16-17th from 11am to 7 pm with cake, a prize drawing, sales, and more! There will also be a Vegan Bake Sale benefiting Precious Life Animal Sanctuary on April 30 and May 1 from 12-6pm. Swing by either of those events and say "Hi" to Sadaf and get to know her a little better.

Anyone can try veganism. In Seattle it is really easy. If you are interested, visit: www.goveg.com/order.asp and Order the FREE Veg Starter Kit.