How And Why To Try Veganuary
If you’ve ever flirted with the idea of veganism, this month is a great time to give it a try!
Every year since 2014 the non-profit organisation Veganuary has challenged and supported people and businesses all over the world to eat a plant-based diet for the 31 days of January. There is lots of help, recipes and a cookbook which is free to download:
Just visit their website veganury.com if you’d like to try Vegnuary - but why would you want to?
Well, by going vegan you’ll be doing three wonderful things. You’ll be reducing the exploitation of animals for meat and dairy. Your diet will produce much less climate-destroying CO2 than a traditional British diet (important to note in a week when 2023 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record), and third, you’ll be improving your health, and particularly your heart health.
Still not convinced? Watch this film ‘Why Did Six Million Brits Sign Up To Veganuary?’
If you’d like to know more about the climate benefits of vegan and vegetarian diets, you can read about a BBC Futures investigation here. You’ll also find some thought-provoking ways to lower emissions from food.
Veganuary can also encourage us to have fun discovering a greater range of foods and dishes than before. These days so many exciting vegan food options are readily available that it’s easier than ever to follow a plant-based diet whether cooking at home or eating out.
Here’s an easy and cheap vegan recipe to start you off. You can adapt it in all sorts of ways.
Lentil Bolognese (serves 3 or 4)
1. Chop and fry one onion and a clove of garlic.
2. Add a tin of tomatoes, chopped up.
3. Chop and add whatever other vegetables you have. I like a stick of celery, and then some of the following: mushrooms, half a red pepper, half a courgette, some butternut squash…..
4. Stir in a couple of handfuls of red lentils.
5. Add some veggie stock and maybe a little red wine.
6. Season with whatever herbs you like. Mixed herbs work well.
7. Simmer gently till everything is tender, adding more stock if necessary.
8. Serve with pasta
If you love to cook and want a recipe with some added steps choosingchia.com has a great one plus recipes for Vegan and Vegetarian Lentil Stew, a Red Lentil Curry and a Vegan Lentil Loaf - all great for this time of year!
If you’re looking for a meatless meatloaf however, our favourite is this Chestnut and Cashew Nut Roast from thinlyspread.co.uk and if you have some extra chestnuts try this scrumptious Chocolate Chestnut Cake - who says being vegan is no fun!
