Are you struggling to keep going with Veganuary? Did it seem like a good idea at the time, but now you’re not so sure?
Let me reassure you, it was a great idea to partake in Veganuary and even if you don’t manage the entire month – every single choice counts!
It’s a slog sometimes, I mean there are at least 76 days in January aren’t there?! Here are some suggestions to give you some inspiration and hopefully get you back on track.
Remind yourself why you’re doing Veganuary in the first place.
If it’s for your health, watch the documentary The Game Changers. This documentary shows the clear benefits to health of a plant-based diet, through the eyes of elite athletes, special ops soldiers and everyday people. Their website https://gamechangersmovie.com/ has some great resources too.
If it’s for the environment, then Seaspiracy or David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on Our Planet’ are both thought-provoking insights into the way that human consumption, of all kinds, is wreaking devastation across the whole planet. Disney’s much overlooked Wall-E animation tells the fate of humankind after they have destroyed Earth and left the robots behind to tidy up. This film isn’t typically included in the vegan canon, but if hard-hitting, blood and guts documentaries are getting you down, this is an easy, gentle watch.
If you’re doing it for the animals, Dominion, The Milk System or Earthlings are all tough-viewing exposés of the tremendous amount of suffering brought about by the animal processing industry. None are easy to watch, but it’s a cruel and destructive system at work. Keep the tissues handy.
Get hands on
Try some new recipes! There are so many vegan recipe books out there, all of them suitable for omnivores too, so it’s worth perfecting a few dishes. My favourite recipe book of all time is ‘How Not to Die’ by Michael Greger, lots of great recipes and most of them are super quick and easy.
The Veganuary.com website has an astounding range of recipes from all over the world, and a free cookbook too. Zero-waste Vegan writer Ellen Tout’s book ‘The Complete Book of Vegan Compleating’ shows how to use the whole fruit or vegetable in cooking, and I mean the whole thing. Banana Skin Pulled Pork! It’s a thing!
If you prefer free styling, nothing looks more appetising than a superbowl, full of multi-coloured veggies and grains, delicious, easy and ready in minutes!
For those in West Yorkshire, Leeds Cookery School is a wonderful social enterprise that offers cookery classes in a beautiful, converted fire station. Vegan cookery is covered, and all the proceeds support ZestLeeds.org.uk a charity working to reduce inequality locally.
Treat Yourself
Don’t focus on the ‘giving up’ element of Veganuary, try something new instead! Booja Booja champagne truffles are out of this world, and non-vegans miss out on them!
Vegan life isn’t just about the food that you eat -treat yourself to something that’s vegan in another way – a new lipstick from a cruelty free brand like Barry M, or some vegan bath and shower or skincare products from vegan friendly cosmetics company Tropic.
If you’re planning a night out, support a local vegan restaurant with great vegan options. If you’re in the Leeds area you can read about some great vegan restaurants in the city centre, https://girlabouttravel.co.uk/round-up/vegan-restaurants-leeds/
Get Social
You’re not alone in trying out veganism. There are lots of groups online that offer great support and ideas. ‘Non-Judgy Vegans UK’ is a wonderful Facebook group who are always happy to chat and make suggestions of alternatives if there’s a dish you are particularly craving.
If you’re looking for vegan inspiration and recipes to make sure that you get enough protein, I recommend Stephanie Manzinali, @that.veganbabe and Ben of @bensvegankitchen and @plantboiis, on Instagram. Use the Instagram search and you’re bound to find some vegan accounts in your area, @plantbasedpiggie in Manchester and the wonderful @thelittlelondonvegan in the capital are brilliant, upbeat accounts. For a holistic, female-centric yoga and fitness approach to veganism, there’s @jennb.pt in Leeds, and my own insta grid, @girlaboutleeds is full of Leeds based content, always with an eye on what’s vegan friendly!
Go easy on yourself
You started Veganuary, that’s really something! Don’t worry if you found it hard. If you want to keep going but you’re not sure that you can commit to the rest of the month, try a couple of days a week, or one vegan meal a day on a more long-term basis.
Remember, every choice counts. If everyone had one vegan day a week, or even one a month, it would have a huge positive effect on our environment. Be proud of the effort you’ve made so far and keep doing what you can.
Written by Sally Bendall – @girlaboutleeds
Images Sally’s own
