Late last year I was invited to join an improv team called Scoundrel. That’s how I met Katie Bowman, and I liked her right away. Not just because of her cool hair, though I admit that didn’t hurt. She was (and still is!) funny, open, interesting, and supportive. An improviser and a standup comic, Katie can be seen all over Denver, making people laugh. So, I guess I can forgive her for making pigs and chickens cry.

Meet Katie Bowman!

How long have you been a non-vegan?

My whole life! Yikes!

Why have you decided not to be vegan? Describe your failed journey to veganism and where you got stalled.

I have a deficient thyroid and a lot of meats are good for my thyroid to speed it up! I also just like meat. Foods with soy and gluten make things worse, so I have to limit my intake and a lot of vegan foods have those ingredients in them. I try to just use vegetables as much as I can! I’m sorry!

If you had to take one step toward becoming vegan, what would it be and why only one?

I try to eat meat that has been in better conditions, and I try to limit how much I eat it!

Which fad diet or meat-eating celebrity made you want to eat animals?

I am going to say maybe Looney Tunes… Or Robin Williams in Hook when they eat all the invisible food.

What vegan food do you fear you’re missing out on as a non-vegan?

I actually love tofu and seitan, but I can’t eat them that much.

Are there any animals in your life, such as pets or funny neighborhood squirrels? Tell us a story about them.

I have a dog and a cat. My cat is Kaya. He is like eight years old! Big tabby boy! He was found outside and was given to me as an indoor/outdoor cat, and still is. It has its ups and downs. He got stolen by a neighbor for nine months and it was really sad. She kept him even though I put out neighborhood emails, signs, knocked on doors, and even called all the animals service departments. I never met her. She ended up moving and giving him to someone else who thought, “Hm, this sounds like it is not your cat,” and he took him to the shelter. They chipped him and called me and now he is back! He will literally claw out your window if you keep him inside, which leads me to believe that he really must have messed up that lady’s house.

Diego is an Australian cattle dog mix. I love him so much as well! I was planning to get him before Kaya went missing and then after three months I broke down and got him. He was pretty messed up from the shelter, but with some good love and training he has become way less shy and is super happy. His hobbies include trying to eat poop, fetch, snuggling, and chewing up all the toys.

What do you do for fun besides eating meat and dairy?

I enjoy making art and doing stand-up and improvisational comedy. I also like to go on hikes, waste way too much time with my animals, and I am single… Not that this matters but just tossing it out there. Heh…

Do you have any upcoming projects you want to plug? Tell us about them.

• You Do What!? is a comedic game show hosted by Emily Coates and myself every 3rd Tuesday of the month. It’s at the Deer Pile in Denver–above City O’ City! Have a vegan meal and come up! We have a panel of comedians try to guess what one person’s secret talent is. It is super fun!
• My improv team Scoundrel plays Wednesday nights at Voodoo Comedy Playhouse at 8 pm.
• Improv Avengers play at Voodoo as well at 9:00 pm on Thursdays.
• Brewhaha is at Diebolt Brewery May 20th at 8 pm.
• The Agency’s Bits and Pieces show is at Voodoo May 21st at 8 pm.
• Keep an eye out for other shows on my Twitter @katieginga (original, I know).

Make up a question of your own and answer it.
If you could do anything to improve your day what would it be?I would make my lunch time at work a full hour so I could work out!

Song: Poet of the Soul by Bibi Tanga & The Selenites
Recipe: Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free Mac ‘n’ Cheese!