{"id":5,"date":"2011-07-26T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-26T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/letsnomnom.wordpress.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2023-05-18T15:59:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T22:59:05","slug":"about-me","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/about-me\/","title":{"rendered":"About Me"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/waz-wu-vegan-blogger.jpg\" alt=\"Waz Wu, Vegan Blogger in Portland\" width=\"1240\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/waz-wu-vegan-blogger.jpg 1240w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/waz-wu-vegan-blogger-600x242.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/waz-wu-vegan-blogger-768x310.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/waz-wu-vegan-blogger-1140x460.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1240px) 100vw, 1240px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Hello, I&#8217;m Waz!<\/h2>\n<p>Hi, I&#8217;m Waz &#8212; a content creator, food blogger, and cat lady in Portland, Oregon. I feature all things vegan, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/category\/restaurants\/\">restaurants<\/a>, yummy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/category\/recipes\/\">recipes<\/a>, plant-based living, and local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/category\/events\/\">events<\/a>. I also launched <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theveganizers.com\/portland.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Veganizer PDX<\/a> and contribute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eater.com\/users\/Waz%20Wu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Eater PDX<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I discovered my love for food while <a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/wazwu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">working<\/a> in advertising for the wine industry. As an architect turned graphic designer, storytelling has always been a passion of mine, and I believe the greatest stories are told through food or over a delicious meal. Previously known as Let&#8217;s Nom Nom, this blog began as a way to journal the dining scene when I moved to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/category\/new-york-city\/\">New York City<\/a> in 2011. At home, I enjoy creating approachable recipes and veganizing classic dishes. Mac &amp; cheese is my signature dish, but ramen and pizza will always have a special place in my heart.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to Portland, I&#8217;ve lived in New York City, Berkeley, Pittsburgh, Copenhagen, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. I enjoy scoping vegan-friendly restaurants and sharing snapshots of my adventures when I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/category\/travel\/\">travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This is <em><strong><u>not<\/u><\/strong><\/em> a strictly vegan blog as you&#8217;ll find old posts back when I still ate meat if you dig back far enough. This blog has followed me on my journey from omnivore to vegetarian to vegan. The more I learned about where our food comes from, the more I realized that I no longer wanted to consume animal products. A vegan lifestyle is healthier and kinder to my body, to the animals, and to the environment. I believe the best way to promote veganism is by raising awareness of the positives of the lifestyle and by celebrating great food that just happens to be vegan. Although I am passionate about veganism, we won&#8217;t make any progress by isolating ourselves from those who see things differently or by judging others for not being vegan enough. A little bit of patience and compassion goes a long way.<\/p>\n<h4>For a look at what I&#8217;ve been up to recently, head on over to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/waz.wu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Let&#8217;s Work Together<\/h2>\n<p>Please reach out if you would like to learn more about sponsored posts, recipe development, content creation, and other opportunities. I&#8217;d love to hear from you and look forward to working together! (I do not accept guest posts.)<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/work-with-me\">Learn more<\/a> about working with me. Please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/contact\/\">contact me<\/a> to discuss partnership ideas.<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>I&#8217;ve Been Featured In&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/acScv6monnQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.portlandmercury.com\/say-nice-things-about-portland\/2023\/05\/17\/46511406\/say-nice-things-about-portlands-unstoppable-makers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portland Mercury<\/a> &#8211; Say Nice Things About Portland&#8217;s Unstoppable Makers<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barandrestaurant.com\/food-beverage\/how-restaurants-can-offer-more-plant-based-options-and-why-they-should\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bar &amp; Restaurant<\/a> &#8211; How Restaurants Can Offer More Plant-based Options, and Why They Should<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=acScv6monnQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Humane League<\/a> &#8211; #WhatIAte Portland Edition<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketofchoice.com\/recipe\/almond-cashew-sauce-noodles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Market of Choice<\/a> &#8211; Almond Cashew Sauce Noodles recipe<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@thesunsetscoop\/waz-wu-a-portland-food-journalist-9d0cb7fa6945\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sunset Scoop<\/a> &#8211; Waz Wu: A Portland Food Journalist<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.veerah.com\/blogs\/vegan-lifestyle\/loving-vegan-living-mindfully-food-compassion-and-more-food\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VEERAH<\/a> &#8211; Loving Vegan, Living Mindfully<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/a-conversation-with-waz-wu-content-creator-and\/id1453778923?i=1000542757187\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I Just Want To Eat<\/a> &#8211; Ep 18: A Conversation with Waz Wu<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/life\/food-drink\/is-portland-americas-most-vegan-city-our-travel-writer-wandered-down-to-find-out\/\">Seattle Times<\/a> &#8211; Is Portland America&#8217;s most vegan-friendly city?<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/am-extra\/takeout-tuesday-vancouver-pizza-shop-veganizes-menu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KOIN<\/a> &#8211; Veganizer Muffulettas at Rally Pizza<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/herbivoreclothing\/vegan-high-five-food-travel-and-funny?e=ff28f62524\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Herbivore Clothing<\/a> &#8211; The Vegan High Five! newsletter<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tv\/CGYCzGGnprm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINEX<\/a> &#8211; Vegan Mac &amp; Cheese IG Live demo<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/rightatthefork.libsyn.com\/ratf-presents-the-joy-of-drinking-podcast-with-joy-church-episode-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Joy of Drinking<\/a> &#8211; Ep 5: Covid-19 Drinks at Home and Bars<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/user\/11314936\/ep-78-why-veganism-matters-now_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Four Top<\/a> &#8211; Ep 78: Why Veganism Matters Now<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/artsandlife\/article\/the-four-top-why-veganism-matters-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">OPB<\/a> &#8211; Why Veganism Matters Now<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/living\/food\/meat-replacements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Peta<\/a> &#8211; Vegan Meat Brands That Are Changing Everything (photo)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wweek.com\/restaurants\/2019\/06\/30\/five-pop-ups-to-eat-at-this-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Willamette Week<\/a> &#8211; Five Popups To Eat At This Summer<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BzGDnQvAf_R\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Culinary Fight Club<\/a> &#8211; Judging Panel at Vegan Blended Burger Battle<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/katu.com\/amnw\/am-northwest-cooking-recipes\/diy-vegan-charcuterie-board\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">KATU<\/a> &#8211; DIY Vegan Charcuterie Boards<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgw.com\/video\/entertainment\/television\/programs\/tonight-with-cassidy\/vegan-dumpling-pop-up-at-feastly\/283-8110576\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">KGW News<\/a> &#8211; Veganizer Dumpling Popup at Feastly<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgw.com\/video\/entertainment\/television\/programs\/live-at-7\/veganizer-helps-restaurants-go-vegan\/283-2787652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">KGW News<\/a> &#8211; Veganizer Helps Restaurants Go Vegan<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brewbound.com\/news\/portland-cider-co-releases-concord-grape-seasonal-cider\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Portland Cider<\/a> &#8211; People&#8217;s Choice at Willamette Week Beer &amp; Cider Pro\/Am<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pdx.eater.com\/2017\/4\/10\/15245740\/best-portland-pop-ups-supper-clubs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"&quot;noopener noopener\">Eater PDX<\/a> &#8211; The Hottest Popups in Portland Right Now<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mydarlingvegan.com\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">My Darling Vegan<\/a> &#8211; Ep 2: Red Sauce Pizza Goes Vegan with Veganizer&#8217;s Waz Wu<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/22\/green-acres-farm-sanctuarys-vegan-mac-smackdown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vegan Mac Smackdown<\/a> &#8211; Judging Panel at Green Acres&#8217; Vegan Mac Smackdown<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BXGfVdzAKCZ\/?taken-by=ariagin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Aria Gin<\/a> &#8211; Seasonal cocktail named Waz Collins<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/mysteryingredient\/episode-6-with-waz-wu-of-veganizers-portland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Vegan Iron Chef<\/a> &#8211; Ep 6: Waz Wu of Veganizer PDX<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/living\/food\/screamers-vegan-pizza-opens-in-brooklyn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Peta<\/a> &#8211; Brooklyn Gets Its First All-Vegan Pizzeria (photo)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/work-with-me1.jpg\" alt=\"Work With Me\" width=\"1240\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/work-with-me1.jpg 1240w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/work-with-me1-600x242.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/work-with-me1-768x310.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/work-with-me1-1140x460.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1240px) 100vw, 1240px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello, I&#8217;m Waz! Hi, I&#8217;m Waz &#8212; a content creator, food blogger, and cat lady in Portland, Oregon. I feature all things vegan, including restaurants, yummy recipes, plant-based living, and local events. I also launched Veganizer PDX and contribute to Eater PDX. I discovered my love for food while working in advertising for the wine industry. As an architect turned graphic designer, storytelling has always been a passion of mine, and I believe the greatest stories are told through food or over a delicious meal. Previously known as Let&#8217;s Nom Nom, this blog began as a way to journal the dining scene when I moved to New York City in 2011. At home, I enjoy creating approachable recipes and veganizing classic dishes. Mac &amp; cheese is my signature dish, but ramen and pizza will always have a special place in my heart. Prior to Portland, I&#8217;ve lived in New York City, Berkeley, Pittsburgh, Copenhagen, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. I enjoy scoping vegan-friendly restaurants and sharing snapshots of my adventures when I travel. This is not a strictly vegan blog as you&#8217;ll find old posts back when I still ate meat if you dig back far enough. This blog has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wazwu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}