Savvy Frugal Vegan and Friends of Trees

My two guests are committed to creating spaces for belonging and utilizing their unique talents to serve others. Listen in as I interview Heather and Kaitie as they share how they are striving to make a difference in our community.

Heather Zeitzwolfe of Savvy Frugal Vegan is a passionate speaker and advocate dedicated to helping people transition into veganism and adopt a plant-based diet. Her mission is to challenge the status quo and encourage others to think differently, particularly regarding veganism and ethical living. Heather guides people toward embracing the benefits of veganism and provides the tools needed to maintain a cruelty-free lifestyle. She is dedicated to animal rights, equality, and justice, inspiring others to make compassionate choices. Heather is a GenX'r, nerd, doll collector, film geek, cat mom, entrepreneur, AI enthusiast, content creator, Tofu Wizard, and podcaster. She lives each day, sharing laughter and positive energy. Heather, of the Savvy Frugal Vegan, empowers individuals and entrepreneurs to embrace a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle through in-person and virtual coaching, workshops, retreats, and events. A dynamic speaker, activist, and YouTuber, Heather’s mission is to support one million people in adopting and maintaining a healthy, affordable, plant-based diet. She challenges the status quo, encouraging others to rethink their diet, ethics, and environmental impact, all while making vegan living fun, accessible, delicious, and impactful. If you would like to learn more: (3010) Savvy Frugal Vegan - YouTube; Savvy Frugal Vegan; @savvyfrugalvegan • Instagram photos and videos; 

Mentioned in the show, replay from live broadcast: Compassionate Living Festival - Animals, People, Planet | KBOO

Kaitie Benedek grew up in Maryland and always had a love for the outdoors and environmentalism. She received her Bachelor's in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan, and spent 5 years working as a forestry technician, natural resource specialist, and education technician for federal agencies in Wyoming, Texas, and Oregon. She is now a Greenspace Specialist for Friends of Trees, an urban forestry non-profit that brings people together to plant and care for trees and shrubs in the Portland metro area. Over the last 3 years working with Friends of Trees, Kaitie has  shared her passion for native plants and climate justice with an incredible community of volunteers and partner organizations. Kaitie currently lives in Portland where she spends her time exploring the mountains and alpine lakes, cooking with friends, and planning her next international trips! 

Friends of Trees inspires people to improve the world around them through a simple solution: Planting Trees. Together. We need trees more than ever. Heatwaves, flooding, and all of the increasingly catastrophic effects of climate change make it clear that every day needs to be the day for climate action. Since 1989 Friends of Trees has planted 950,000+ trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas in six counties across two states. We’ve done this through engaging tens of thousands of community members, and while implementing and growing programming that aims to do this work inclusively and equitably. We plant trees, and so much more; if you would like to learn more about The Friends of Trees Way - what makes Friends of Trees so uniquely effective, go to friendsoftrees.org. What we do: Growing healthy communities through planting and caring for trees and natural areas. Together.