Since 1983, followers of daytime tv have recognized the Emmy-winning actress Tracey E. Bregman because the glamorous redhead Lauren Fenmore – now Lauren Fenmore Baldwin – on The Younger and the Stressed, and in earlier than that on The Daring and the Lovely within the ’90s.
Outdoors of the CBS studios, the real-life Bregman has been a vegetarian since she was a younger lady, and he or she now follows a principally vegan way of life. Bregman likes to work out, hike, and do Pilates and has served as a spokeswoman for a vegan make-up brush model. Her profession spans visitor appearances on the Love Boat, to writing songs like “Younger & Stressed Perpetually.”
Bregman talked to The Beet in regards to the plant-based way of life she loves.
The Beet: When did you go plant-based?
Tracey E. Bregman: I grew up in London, England. At age 8, I made the connection [between animals and my food]. In London and most locations in Europe, you go to the butcher in your meat. Even at age 5, I wouldn’t go into the butcher due to the odor and the animals hanging up alongside the wall. It was an excessive amount of actuality in my face. As a younger little one, I at all times had an affinity for animals, nevertheless it’s referred to as a hamburger – not floor cow!
I suppose after I was standing there sooner or later, I simply couldn’t do it anymore. I stated to my mother, “That’s it!” At age 8! And never solely that, however I went uncooked vegan. So my poor mother – residence of the meat pot pie, and I used to be in personal faculty, so in a personal faculty, and I refused to eat something – not even cooked greens. After all in London, they love mushy greens.
My mother was a rock star! She stated “Okay,” and by no means made me really feel unhealthy about it. She gave me all my greens uncooked, and to at the present time, I nonetheless eat all my greens uncooked. I prefer to roast them too, however I will eat something uncooked.
The Beet: Have been your mother and father supportive?
Tracey: My mom made me separate meals and likewise plenty of salads. After which after we moved to the USA, everybody thought I used to be bizarre. As a result of whereas everyone was consuming peanut butter and jelly and baloney in school, I used to be consuming cucumber sandwiches on entire wheat.
Nobody knew what to do with me. However my father was forward of his time, healthwise. So he bought it. And I actually must credit score my mom for by no means as soon as making me really feel unhealthy about my determination, and that’s a tough factor.
It was very humorous after I assume again on it. We’re speaking a few time when McDonald’s had began to essentially get fashionable, and everybody was going out to quick meals. So nobody knew what to do with me.
However as soon as individuals realized that I might convey salad over, I grew to become the recent ticket to have for dinner. I got here to the states in the course of fifth grade and out of the blue I used to be like the recent ticket in grammar faculty.
The Beet: When did you go from vegetarian to principally plant-based?
Tracey: I used to be solely vegetarian as a result of I didn’t learn about dairy again then, and in highschool after they gave you the recent lunch, all I may eat was the dessert. The one factor I may eat was just like the strawberry mousse.
I’m certain I felt aid that I wasn’t consuming animals, however as soon as I made the connection [about the harmful ways they made dairy] it by no means left me. That’s why I dwell on a farm now – as a result of I would like room for every little thing. I dwell on a farm in Nashville, and I fly in to shoot [The Young and the Restless].
The Beet: What’s been your greatest triumph or greatest problem as a plant-eater?
Tracey: My greatest problem is while you get invited to dinner or a cocktail party, and nobody asks you if there are any allergic reactions or consuming variations. That’s after I know I’ve to both convey my very own meals or eat prior.
And I don’t have an issue with that, however I’m at all times afraid of offending the hostess or the host. I bought invited to a chili occasion sooner or later. And nobody requested if there have been any consuming variations. And I went, “Oh okay. So what I’m going to do is make my very own vegan chili and convey it, so I’m consuming what everybody else is consuming.” And I feel my solely worry is that I simply don’t wish to offend anyone. I don’t wish to be in a scenario the place I can’t eat both.
The Beet: Do you’ve a favourite vegan snack?
Tracey: I really like the Past Meat Sizzling Italian Sausage. I additionally love their meatballs. So I’ll … throw some olive oil in a pan and sauté the meatballs, and simply do a vegan marinara. That to me is such a hearty, fast meal. I additionally am obsessive about Misha meals – the black truffle unfold. Oh my God. I nearly cried Sunday after they stated they had been out of it.
You will get it at Entire Meals or the farmers market. I get Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free The whole lot Bagels and then you definately put that on it – Oh my God!
The Beet: Do you’ve a straightforward vegan recipe that you just like?
Tracey: You understand, I do a whole lot of issues from scratch. However I’m good at holidays; however I’m not good at, “I might make myself that.” After I’m in L.A., I’m ordering from Crossroads Kitchen and Nic’s on Beverly on a regular basis. Nic’s on Beverly is wonderful, the finest vegan meals, in my view.
The Beet: What are your typical breakfasts, lunches, and dinners?
Tracey: I begin with sizzling water and lemon. I normally simply drink some espresso within the morning. For lunch, I really like a superb avocado toast. Dinner might be the kale Caesar from Crossroads. That may be a typical day.
The Beet: You have got a grueling schedule. How do you handle to eat vegan?
Tracey: You begin early within the morning, and typically a number of episodes are shot in sooner or later – I at all times order the day earlier than, or no matter I didn’t end the day earlier than, I convey. However we’re actually fortunate as a result of we shoot subsequent door to The Grove, and there’s the Veggie Grill there. So I can run over and choose up one thing actually, proper exterior the gate.
The Beet: Do you usually convey your breakfast with you?
Tracey: I at all times rise up earlier than work and eat. I rise up about an hour and a half earlier than I’ve to depart for the studio. As a result of I would like time within the morning – I would like time to eat, have a little bit espresso. I at all times stroll into the studio able to go.
The Beet: What recommendation would you give to anyone going plant-based?
Tracey: My expensive good friend is Kathy Freston has written six books on veganism. So she says one thing that I feel is admittedly, actually essential.
She makes use of the phrase, “Lean in.” So when somebody says to me, “OK that’s it. I’m going cold-turkey vegan, and even gluten-free, what I say is, ‘Lean In.’”
I feel for those who do one thing unexpectedly that you just’re not used to, you possibly can really feel such as you’re being disadvantaged. So Kathy says to “lean in” and begin as soon as per week. After which transfer it to twice per week and hold going. So I at all times recommend that – make a gradual and gradual changeover.
I additionally at all times say to individuals, I’ll buy groceries with you. As a result of I’ve spent all these years honing what I feel is admittedly wonderful. I like to buy groceries with individuals and switch them on to nice merchandise as a result of if they struggle one thing that’s not nice, that may flip them off of veganism fully.
My son Landon is encyclopedic. He truthfully ought to have his personal weblog as to the place to eat, what to order. He’s one of the best orderer ever. And what I really like about the truth that we’re each vegan – I’ll say, “I’ll have what you’re having.” So long as it’s vegan, I can eat it.
His weblog ought to be referred to as “I’ll Have What You’re Having.” As a result of he’s actually adventuresome and actually likes to attempt new locations as I do. However I generally is a creature of behavior. And so, he will get me out of that.
As a result of I finished consuming meat after I was 8, I finished as a result of I don’t just like the style of meat both, and I’ve misplaced the style for it. So I don’t want something that tastes like meat, as a result of that can really flip my abdomen. I had the toughest time consuming Past Meat for the longest time as a result of it seemed an excessive amount of prefer it. It took me a very long time to have the ability to eat it.
The Beet: Do you assume there are lots of people who assume, “I can solely do that if I’ve one thing that basically tastes like a burger.”
Tracey: That’s why there’s vegan fish and vegan rooster. Now, it wouldn’t be my first selection, as a result of I don’t want something to style like that. Though at Crossroads, they’ve this rooster sub that Landon ordered me a few weeks in the past and I used to be like, “My God, that is actually good!” Once more, opening my eyes to various things.
Now, I’m attempting to get my 89-year-old mom to eat extra plant-based, and it’s powerful. The factor that cracks me up is, our total childhood, everybody says, “Eat your greens! Eat your greens!” After which while you’re an grownup, and all you do is eat your greens, everybody thinks, “How are you getting your protein?”
And I’m like, “Have you ever seemed on the protein content material of precise greens? Have you learnt what I’m consuming in comparison with what you’re consuming?” And I don’t have the saturated fats, or the processing, or all of that. That’s very humorous.
I at all times get the query, “How do you get your protein? How do you do that? How do you try this?” And so I’ve to open them up: What greens have protein? Quinoa, cup for cup, has extra protein than meat.
The Beet: Have you ever impressed a number of individuals to go vegan?
Tracey: I feel as a result of I cook dinner extra for my mother after I’m residence and since I’m roasting greens on a regular basis and making salads, she’ll eat extra plant-based. And he or she’s at all times shocked how satiated she is.
I roast greens for lots of my mates, and so they stated, “Oh my God, I’ve by no means had greens like this. It tastes so good.” Now they’re cooking for his or her youngsters – that at all times makes me really feel good.
The Beet: Do you additionally like tofu, or is that too meaty?
Tracey: I’m not an enormous tofu lover. I’ve had a few tofu dishes which were okay, nevertheless it’s not my go-to. And I simply purchased Jessica Seinfeld’s new e-book, Vegan, at Occasions, so, I’m going to begin doing a few of her recipes. And I do know she makes use of a whole lot of tofu, so I’m going to attempt it!
