Continuing Veganuary – how to make it last all year!
Veganuary is a great way to try out a new lifestyle! If you’ve been taking part and discovered being vegan is a lot easier than you thought – or you just loved how your body and energy levels feel after a month of no meat or dairy - then perhaps you’re considering taking the plunge with *gasp* being a full-time vegan.
If so, we’ve compiled some of the very best tried and tested hints and tips to make moving from a month-long vegan to full-time vegan a breeze.
Plan your meals
It may sound a bore, but getting organised and planning a week’s worth of meals before you do your food shop will help you eat more healthily and take some of the panic out, making it less likely you’ll slip up or feel overwhelmed.
Vegan blogger Kate Ford says: “Stay on track by taking half an hour over the weekend to write a quick meal planner for the week ahead. You will save money, shop more wisely, and avoid getting stuck for lunches and snacks on the go, which can be the hardest times to find vegan options.”
You’ll quickly begin to know the brands and items that are vegan and can add them to your favourites list.
Replace your favourite treats
Making sure you still can enjoy your favourite treats – both sweet and savoury - means you won’t ever feel like you’re missing out. If you’re a chocoholic, you may already know that there are plenty of great vegan chocolates out there that are so rich and creamy that you won’t miss dairy one bit!
If it’s cheese you’re craving, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a growing number of alternatives out there. While few replicate cheese perfectly, they certainly taste amazing on pizza, crackers, over pasta or in your sandwiches. It’s even super easy to make your own – from cashew nuts, of all things! Take a look at this delicious and easy recipe for garlic and herb cheese from the Minimalist Baker.
If you don’t have a good health food shop locally and your usual supermarket just isn’t cutting the mustard then panic not: you can shop online for your favourite vegan treats! Here at the Raw Chocolate Shop we stock a mouth-watering array of raw vegan chocolate, all available at the click of a button. There are also heaps of great online stores catering for vegans – offering everything from meat alternatives to beauty and cosmetics.
Follow inspiring social media accounts
Bloggers and vegan social media sites are a wonderful source of inspiration, as well as a key way to discover new vegan products or ‘accidentally vegan’ favourites. If you don’t have any vegan friends, then accounts like these will also help you feel connected and can provide motivation at those times when, as a new vegan, you may be struggling.
You’ll also discover amazing new recipes so fill up your newsfeed with like-minded features!
There’s a growing number of vegan publications too; a must for great recipes, tips and more – look out for these on the shelves in your supermarket or local newsagent. Titles include Vegan Life, Vegan Living and Cook Vegan.
Celebrate @WeAreVeganuary with these 120 awesome #vegan recipes! #govegan #veganuary https://t.co/ITeUAJpomA pic.twitter.com/wIKd1KItIy
— Vegan Food & Living (@veganfoodliving) January 16, 2017
It can be daunting to change your lifestyle but remember, no one gets it 100% right all the time. Be kind to yourself if you do make the odd mistake or slip up –instead just do what makes you feel comfortable and have fun with it. We’re sure you’re going to have an amazing vegan year!
