Student at the University uses platform to promote veganism

By Nelida Insua-Coelho

For Florida International University, sustainability and environment student, Brielle Murch, documentary called “Cowspiracy” helped her broaden her mind to the destructive ways of the animal agricultural industry.

When it comes to veganism, women make part of most of the vegan population. Female empowerment has been a huge trend in the community with the connection made between women no matter if we were born a different species, because to be a feminist is to be vegan.

“I never knew beforehand how consuming conventional meat and dairy could directly promote climate change, deforestation, pollution and even world hunger,” said Murch.

Despite its negative image, veganism in the world has gone from one percent of the population in 2014 to six percent in 2017, according to a report by research firm GlobalData.

Documentaries, new research and the advancement of plant based foods have been a huge help in promoting veganism as a possibility.

As for many others, she could no longer consume products knowing that they caused harm to other sentient being on this planet. Educating herself on how a plant-based diet heals and prevents many illnesses prevalent today such as diabetes, heart-disease and even cancer brought her closer to veganism.

“Veganism has helped me practice self-control, patience, and mindfulness in other areas of my life as well, since the dedication it takes to fully embrace this lifestyle has become who I Am, rather than who I choose to be at the dinner table,” she said. “It is an embodiment of being who we are all truly meant to be, a loving, caring being of light. We all feel this connection deep within our hearts, it is just about listening to that inner intuition and honoring it in all ways.”

Murch funnels the same energy for the environment. Her eco-company, Everything Earth, Inc. was created with it’s motto being to respect, reconnect and restore.

“The name symbolizes all of us living in this one home together, therefore we are all Earth and all One. In order to bring back this mentality and internal spirituality of oneness, I believe the first step is learning to respect oneself, to then therefore radiate that respect for all life,” said Murch.

According to Murch, the second step is to then reconnect back to the symbiotic, natural ways of being and living with the land, the elements, neighbors and life.

Educational workshops and community events such  as potlucks, raw vegan workshops, beach cleanups, meditations, educational lectures, worm composting workshops and zero trash workshops are some of the many activities made possible through the ‘Everything Earth’.

“I am inspired to teach about worm composting because when I learned about it, I was shocked and in love with the process, but I was also a little saddened I didn’t learn about this sooner in life,” she said.

Compost is a nutrient rich soil created from the breaking down of organic matter, including fruit and vegetable matter, leaf litter, manure, dry leaves and other natural materials.

It keeps food scraps out of the landfills, which when sent there, are not able to decompose into the Earth to properly add these nutrients back into the soil for the plants to then absorb. The food scraps are usually trapped within plastic bags, unable to live out their purpose.

“We don’t learn about this in school or in our average daily lives within society, yet it is a practice that could help our planet drastically. Why don’t we learn about this? I felt the calling to spread the word to children and the community within Florida,” said Murch.

Potlucks are also a favorite of Murch, claiming they are wonderful, hope-filled inspired gatherings. They are held at different parks so as people eat vibrant plant-based foods they are also coming in contact with nature.

“I feel community is the most important tool we can utilize to bring positive impact within the world and that is the main mission I hope to accomplish with Everything Earth,” she said.

When asked about her plans after graduation, Murch said that she’d like to continue hosting events and focus more on developing unique concepts for community workshops and seminars.

“In the long-term visions, I hope to purchase land to build our own farm/eco-village, where one can get permaculture certified, sustainable training, vegan culinary classes, a farm to table vegan cafe experience, a vegan, zero-trash grocery store and a spiritual sanctuary,” she said.

Photo retrieved by Flickr.