Founder: My Story

I decided to become a vegetarian in 1990 and at that time started finding ways to make my favorite meat dishes vegetarian. Back then, commercially available faux meats were a rare commodity and I was frustrated with not having any good options at the grocery store or when dining at restaurants. I started creating meat substitutes for myself and the other vegetarians in my family to enjoy, not to try and mimic the taste and texture of meat but instead to provide a nutritious, protein-packed alternative to be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

My first exposure to vegan food was in 2008 but unfortunately, it was not a good experience. I was determined to never eat vegan food again. Almost 7 years later, I enrolled in a vegetarian cooking class that I later found out was completely vegan and the food was surprisingly good! It was at that point that I decided to give a plant-based diet another try and set out on a quest to “vegan-ize” some of the favorite recipes that my family, friends and I had come to love and enjoy over the years. It was with their encouragement that The Original Meat was born.

The Original Meat has one aim: to encourage people to consume a plant-based diet, the original diet given by God to mankind.

“Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, … and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1:29 (KJV)

“…you shall eat the plants of the field.” Genesis 3:18 (NKJV)

Thus, grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables comprise the original diet God chose for us, one that is both healthy and nourishing. The Original Meat makes food from these wholesome plant-based ingredients.

There are many reasons people choose to adopt a plant-based diet including moral reasons, environmental reasons, health reasons, religious beliefs and more. Whatever your motivation we hope you will agree that plant-based food should always taste this good!