VeganRun (http://vegweb.com/index.php?action=profile;u=125201) is new(ish) to VegWeb but has already made her mark! Funny, thoughtful, welcoming, and super smart, she's a very welcome addition to the forums! Let's give it up for VeganRun and let her know how much we love having her around!

VegWebber since?

I've been an official Vegwebber since November '09, but I had stalked a bit before that. I had been vegetarian for a few years, and I started doing an elimination diet to try and pinpoint what foods might be causing some health problems I had, and when I cut out dairy it didn't help my specific issues, but I felt so much better overall. So, I found VegWeb while searching for dairy-free recipes, one thing led to another, and I cut out eggs and honey too. Since then, I've been replacing items in my house with vegan items, and I'm well on my way to being as cruelty-free as I can.

Where do you call home?

I currently live in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, but I am planning a big move out of the Midwest in the fall of '11 to start med school (details not even close to coming together yet).

What do you do when you're not on VegWeb?

When not cruising VW for recipes and vegan chat, I'm going to be running, cooking, or learning to rock climb. I just finished my first marathon, and that took a lot of time out of my life. But nothing felt better than answering the typical vegan question "Do you have ANY energy?" with "Just enough to finish a marathon."  I also bake for my rock climbing club once a week.

Do you have blog or website?

Nope, no blog or website. VW is the only social network sort of site I use. I spend enough time here!

Do you tweet?

No tweeting either. I actually just got a new phone this weekend, and I am now texting! The future is crazy!

One unique thing should know about you?

Unique? My second and third toes are longer than my big toe. I'm 5'3" and I wear a 9.5 or 10 (US) shoe--pretty much clown feet for my height. Oh, and clowns? Terrified. And I have a chicken tattoo.

What’s the best thing about being vegan? (if you are!)

I appreciate the feeling that everyday I know that my actions are aligning with my beliefs. I can be bad about returning phone calls and e-mails, my apartment can be messy, I can slack in other aspects of my life, but I always know that I am doing my best to do the least harm I can. There is no guilt associated with my food choices. Oh, and vegan food is freaking delicious.

Favorite romantic recipe on VegWeb?

For romance you can't beat Chana Masala--something spicy to get you sweaty. Then cool down later with Tofu Chocolate Ice Cream (no dairy)!

Favorite recipe on VegWeb to make for non-vegans to show them how amazing vegan food can be?

I like to stick to baking to sway the omnis--Cinnamon Rolls, Super Moist Chocolate Cake (made into cupcakes). If I had to do a main dish I'd say my Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili and Burrito Filling. I like to stick to beans and vegetables; I've found omnis don't really appreciate it when I try to replicate meat (such as tempeh bacon, tofu,  or soy meat alternatives). Best to keep it simple and let the fresh flavors shine through.

One thing you wish you could make vegan but haven’t succeeded at yet?

One of my pregan favorites was tiramisu. I have seen some vegan tiramisu-inspired recipes, but I have not yet dared, lest it's terrible and ruins the iconic place tiramisu has in my mind. Maybe soon.

#1 Cooking secret/tip?

My best tip for cooking and baking is to relax and enjoy it. Learn from the experience. I've been cooking for 11 or so years, and I still screw up plenty. If you're not making mistakes, then you're not trying enough new recipes. You usually don't have to throw those mistakes away. Fix it the best you can, and then go with it. Nobody will be the wiser. And if they have a problem, you can tell them to  cook next time.

Best music to cook by?

I love to cook listening to System of a Down and bake listening to Simon and Garfunkel. You can be crazy and eccentric in cooking, cutting and chopping and tossing in whatever you want. But in baking you let the calm take over and let the recipe direct your actions. Just go along with it.

Three people you'd most like to have dinner with?

I'd like to have dinner with evolutionary biologist Sean B. Carroll, US marathoning legend Deena Kastor, and British TV personality and co-host of Top Gear James May.

All time favorite restaurant?

My favorite restaurant right now is Roots in Bloomington, IN, but that's probably because it's the only vegan restaurant I've ever been to. It does certainly rock, though, and it's omni-friendly enough that I've taken lots of people there to introduce them to this crazy diet we have.

French fries or ice cream?

I love salty foods. I don't eat them very often, though, because I don't want fries made in the same oil as chicken and fish at restaurants. I'll only have them at vegetarian restaurants.

Soy milk, rice milk, almond milk?

Almond Milk--Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla. And their chocolate makes great hot cocoa!

Tofu, tempeh, or seitan?

This is the toughest yet! Tofu is my everyday stand-by, but seitan is much a treat. Okay, tofu for its versatility and reliability. I've yet to find a seitan dessert.

Do you have any Earth Day plans?

I don't have any Earth Day plans, but I did bake some vegan cookies and brownies for a ED bake sale last Saturday. Spreading the vegan message, one baked good at a time.