Veganuary 2021

Ad | Contains affiliate links Veganuary has gained a lot of popularity and attention in the recent years. It is a charity that inspires p...

Ad | Contains affiliate links

Veganuary has gained a lot of popularity and attention in the recent years. It is a charity that inspires people to try vegan for the month of January (and the rest of the year too). They work with corporates, brands, supermarkets, restaurants and assist them in developing, creating and launching new vegan products. They also work towards raising public awareness about plant-based diet as a way of protecting our environment, improving health and most importantly preventing animal suffering. According to their website, during the 2020 campaign, more than 400,000 people took a pledge to try a vegan diet. 

Veganism is becoming a lifestyle choice for many across the globe.

Whether you have been thinking about reducing your consumption of animal products or if you are planning to go vegan for a month or even full-time, it is worth visiting the Veganuary website for eating guides, nutrition tips, recipes and other ways to get involved.

Going vegan has a number of health benefits. A plant-based diet means your body gets more fibre and it also promotes a healthy gut environment. There is the benefit of weight loss as well as reduction in pain caused due to inflammatory conditions. According to a recent research, those on  plant-based diet even had a lower risk for cardiovascular diseases. There are a few other health benefits too.

Some people are sceptical about going on a vegan diet as they worry that they may not get all the nutrients they need from a vegan diet. But with a little bit of research and preparation, you can ensure that all your micronutrient needs are met.

Plus, going vegan doesn't mean that you are restricted on the choice or variety of food available to you. The vegan market is evolving rapidly and you will find that there is a vegan alternative for almost every non-vegan meal. Whether you cook from scratch or are looking to eat out, there is a lot of choice for vegans. You can slowly ease yourself in to a vegan diet.

To give you a head start, I have rounded up some popular and some new vegan-friendly brands below. Take a look.

Rubies in the Rubble

Rubies in the Rubble make delicious condiments from surplus fruit and veg that would have otherwise gone to waste. Their product range includes relishes, ketchups and mayo; all made from produce that usually doesn't make it to the supermarket shelves because they’re the wrong shape, size or colour.

The relishes from Rubies in the Rubble are fantastic. I had featured them recently in a foodie gift guide. Their Banana Ketchup is also fabulous. Made with fresh bananas, ginger & chilli, the ketchup is fruity & hot and can be used as a dip, ketchup or even a marinade. An amazingly delicious ketchup.

Rubies in the Rubble have launched a plant-based garlic mayo recently – just in time for Veganuary. The mayo is made with aquafaba, a plant-based substitute for eggs, is smooth and creamy and feels and tastes very much like a regular mayo. A fantastic new product from the brand which scores great on the taste front.

Shop the Rubies in the Rubble range on Amazon.

Goodlife

Goodlife Foods have a delicious range of vegan and vegetarian frozen meals.  Nutritionally balanced, with no artificial colourings, flavourings, additives, or preservatives, the range which includes falafel, spicy bean burgers and vegetarian protein balls is great for not just for those who are trying to go vegan but also for longstanding vegans. You can use their products as a base for your vegan meal and add your own touches to it.

• Falafel: made with chickpeas and a hint of spice – these classic, Middle-Eastern falafel balls are perfect served with a yoghurt dip, as part of a mezze platter, or enjoyed in a delicious, warm flatbread.
• Vegetable Protein Balls: made with spinach, kale, peas, red pepper, sweetcorn, pea protein and chickpeas, these protein balls can be eaten on their own or in a tangy tomato sauce with spaghetti or tagliatelle.
• Spicy Veg Beanburger: rich in protein and made with white & red kidney beans, sweetcorn, carrot, red and green pepper, these bean burgers have a crunchy crumb and are packed full of flavour.

The cooking instructions for all the products are on the box and if you head to Goodlife's website, you will a number of interesting recipes featuring their product range. I am sharing one that I liked.

Recipe: Vegetable Protein Balls & Pasta

Serves 2
Prep time: 5 minutes, Cooking time: 25 minutes, Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Goodlife Vegetable Protein Balls
• Tagliatelle Pasta (or another pasta of your choice)
• Jar of Tomato Pasta Sauce
• Salad Garnish

Method

• Place the Goodlife Vegetable Protein Balls on a baking tray in the centre of a pre-heated oven set at 200ºC / Fan 180ºC / Gas mark 6 for approx. 12-13 minutes. Turn once, half way through cooking. All ovens vary, so just make sure the Vegetable Protein Balls are piping hot before serving.
• While the Goodlife Vegetable Protein Balls are cooking boil some tagliatelle according to the cooking instructions on the pack. When the pasta is cooked, add a jar of tomato pasta sauce and warm through in the saucepan, according to pack instructions.
• When the Goodlife Vegetable Protein Balls are cooked through, add the cooked pasta and sauce to two bowls, top with a few of the protein balls and add a side salad garnish of your choice.

Serving Suggestion: Great served with fresh olives and crusty bread.

Goodlife products can be found in Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Iceland and Ocado.

Kallø

Kallø, UK's no.1 organic producer of rice cakes and stocks, recently launched two new flavour-packed, plant-based stocks – Organic Umami and Organic Sriracha stock cubes.

Umami translates as 'essence of deliciousness' in Japanese and is renowned for the richness and depth of flavour it adds to paired ingredients, making it ideal for noodle bowl recipes.

Sriracha on the other hand balances spicy and sweet Asian flavour notes and can be used in recipes that call for roasted vegetables likes cauliflower.

Like all other Kallø products, the stock cubes are made with only the finest ingredients using simple processes and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. There is no added MSG and the stock cubes are vegan friendly.

Kallø's Organic Umami and Organic Sriracha stock cubes are available in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

Fancy Plants

Fancy Plants are a new vegan brand with a range of fabulously delicious, chilled, plant-based snacks. Launched just in time for Veganuary, the  plant-based snacks come with added nutritional benefits, making it easy for people to eat more plants.

Currently, there are two delicious offerings from the brand:

• Fancy Plants Silky Pot: a range of indulgent plant-based puddings available in Chocolate and Chocolate Salted Caramel flavours. With a smooth and silky texture, the chocolate dessert snack contains prebiotics and is a good source of fibre.
• Fancy Plants Chia Parfait: is a delicious cultured coconut milk layered with fruity chia compote. It is available in two flavours: Red Berry and Mango & Passion Fruit. The Chia Parfait is, currently, the only plant-based alternative to yoghurt in the UK which contains the nutritional goodness of chia. Each pot is a good source of fibre, omega 3, calcium and vitamin D.

Both the products score well in terms of taste while harnessing the power of plants. It is also good to know that Fancy Plants partners with 1% for the Planet that sees 1% of their sales going back to the planet and people through the work of high-impact, not for profit social and environmental groups in the regions they operate in.

Fancy Plants' products can be found at selected Tesco stores across the UK.

For those looking to complementing their plant-based diet with essential nutrients, there are a number of brands in the market who create quality vitamins and supplements that are certified vegan. Take a look.

MyVegan

MyVegan are one of the UK's top vegan nutrition brands with their plant-based product range including nutritious protein blends, indulgent snacks, superfoods and vitamins & supplements.

We were introduced to the brand last year and have tried a number of their offerings. MyVegan's ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shake and their Baked Cookie are two of my favourites from the brand.

If you are planning to go vegan or already follow a vegan diet and are looking for plant-based vitamins for your holistic well-being or to supplement your diet, then do take a look at MyVegan's vitamins range. All of their tablets and capsules are 100% vegan.

Two products that we have tried and recommend are the Vegan Multivitamin A-Z and the Vegan Iron & Folic Acid Supplement. The former is a comprehensive blend of 22 vitamins and minerals in a capsule form while the latter comes in a tablet form and contains Iron, Folic Acid, Copper, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin C.

Both the products are great quality, easy to swallow and a quick & easy way to get the important nutrients your body needs. 

You can check out MyVegan's website for all their product offerings.

MOJU Drinks

MOJU are market leaders in the cold-pressed juice shots category and have a product range that is made with powerful natural ingredients with no added sugar/sweeteners, colours, preservatives or synthetic vitamins.

At present there are five offerings in their products range - Ginger, Turmeric, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Energy.

MOJU’s Vitamin D Shot is ideal for boosting your daily vitamin D intake. Each shot contains 396% RI of plant-based Vitamin D, which has been naturally sourced from seaweed, making it a great choice for vegans. The shot also includes fresh-pressed ginger, turmeric root and echinacea and aids in the maintenance of bones and the normal functioning of the immune system.

MOJU's Ginger Shots contains 17.2g of fresh pressed ginger root in every shot. Along with the fresh ginger root (for maximum impact), the Ginger Shots contains Apple and Lemon and can be enjoyed straight or added to smoothies. The fresh ginger gives a natural, caffeine-free kick and these shots can be enjoyed daily to give your health and well-being a boost.

MOJU's products can be purchased from www.mojudrinks.com, Waitrose, Planet Organic and Ocado.

Willy's Winter Wellness Box

Willy’s live Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a new wellness brand with a mission to provide everyone with an easy daily dose of health. It was founded in 2015 by William Chase, who started producing bottles of ACV using 300-year-old live mother culture from the orchards at The Mother Farm. The brand has since expanded into a range of Health Shots, GUTonics, Wellness Gifts and Hand-Sanitiser.

Willy’s ACV with ‘The Mother’ contains probiotic bacteria; acetobacter and lactobacillus and with a ph of 5, can help support an alkaline diet. Willy's product range is gluten free, free of GMO ingredients and suitable for vegans. Featured in this post is their Winter Wellness Box which includes:

• Willy’s ACV 250ml Bottle x 1
• Willy’s ACV Honey & Turmeric GUTonic 250ml Bottle x 1
• Willy’s Apple ACV Kombucha Cans x 4
• Willy’s Apple Health Shot x 1

There are also Willy’s Wellness recipe cards and a newsletter.

We loved all the products in the Wellness box with the Original ACV and the Kombucha being my favourites. Gently carbonated, the Kombucha is fresh and fruity, with a fab taste. The Live ACV is also fantastic; raw and unpasteurised it can be enjoyed daily, diluted in warm water with honey and lemon. It works beautifully as a part of any salad dressing as well.

You can learn more about Willy’s ACV and check out all their offerings at www.willysacv.com

Did you know that veganism is not restricted to just the food industry? There has been a huge interest and growth in the vegan skincare market as well. Vegan skin care products do not contain any animal or animal by-products, for e.g. ingredients like beeswax, honey, carmine (colourant derived from beetles), collagen, lanolin, keratin etc. will not be found in vegan skincare products.

As with vegan food/drinks, with a little bit of research you can find vegan skincare products that work best for you.

Nuture 

Nuture is a plant-based skincare brand whose products are made from natural ingredients without the use of mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colours, parabens and silicones. Key to their product range is a unique blend of Omega fatty acids along with plant actives such as Centella Asiatica, Bakuchiol, Squalene and Arnica. All these ingredients work together in creating an effective range of products that stimulate collagen production and support the skin’s healing process.

Nuture's product range includes:

Nuture Nourishing Skin Treatment Oil: a deeply nourishing, light-weight, restorative oil that helps to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks while also improving skin's elasticity.

Nuture Skin Treatment Cream: a rich, luxurious cream with Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, omega-rich oils Grapeseed, Vitamin E and Sweet Almond, that provides intense moisturisation and elasticity while also helping to improve tone and texture of the skin.

Nuture Facial Treatment Serum: a facial serum to reduce post-blemish marks and hyperpigmentation. It helps soothe and nourish the skin also helps even out skin tone. Aims to reduce the appearance of dark spots and skin discolouration.

Nuture Family Recovery Cream: a highly effective repairing cream that works to gently soothe bumps and protect upset and dry skin.

The vegan-friendly range is made with clean and natural ingredients and has been specifically designed to provide real results for scars, stretch marks and dry skin. I love both the creams - the Family Recovery Cream and the Skin Treatment Cream - fantastic set of products!

NeuroSkinFeeds

Looking for a skincare product that is vegan, 100% natural and cruelty-free, plus suitable for sensitive skin. Then take a look at MicroMilk from the NeuroSkinFeeds.

Launched in 2020, by leading Spanish counsellor and addiction specialist, Tatu Cutillas, NeuroSkinFeeds is a brand that believes in the ethos that there is a strong connection between what you put onto your skin and your mood. In their own words, the aim of the brand is to create products which don’t pollute the blood and work on skin and on the brain!

The MicroMilk is a super hydrating and ultra-light body moisturiser that can be used daily to keep your skin healthy, supple and well hydrated. 

The key ingredients in the moisturiser are:

• Aloe vera gel – known for its hydration, soothing and cooling properties and ability to reduces inflammation and itchiness
• Shea butter – rich in fatty acids and vitamins to soften skin. 
• Camelina sativa seed oil – a strong antioxidant, also known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties
• Cannabis sativa seed oil + 1% CBD – intensively nourishes and regenerates sensitive skin, reduces inflammation, calms skin, deeply moisturises and improves skin structure helping skin retain its own moisture.

The body moisturiser has a lovely texture, is easily absorbed and is perfect for daily use on various skin conditions, especially sensitive, dehydrated and dry skin issues. A fab find!

The MicroMilk is priced at £33.00 for 250ml & can be purchased online from www.neuroskinfeeds.com

Botanical Lab

Botanical Lab is a vegan-friendly brand that utilises a blend of botanicals and science to create effective targeted skincare solutions. Their products are made without SLS, fragrances, mineral oil, synthetic colourants and phthalates.

The ingredients used in their products are selected after a 4-step evaluation of performance, safety, sourcing, and environmental impact. Some of the key ingredients in their product range are: Neem leaf, Indian clay, Clove oil, Rose oil, Turmeric, Witch Hazel, Bilberry fruit extract, Aloe Vera, Jojoba oil, Hemp oil, Oatmeal, Matcha and more.

We have used some of Botanical Lab's products and were impressed with them. The products are gentle on the skin and work amazingly well.

Botanical Lab Neem Leaf Face Wash: a gentle, pH balanced foaming face was that helps clean impurities and remove makeup without stripping the skin. With neem leaf extract and salicylic acid as its key ingredients, the face wash is great for oily skin, helping to reduce breakouts.

Botanical Lab Hemp & Matcha Tea Clarifying Mask: with Matcha Green Tea and naturally derived Cannabis Sativa Seed oil, this clarifying mask detoxifies and helps to unclog pores and improve skin texture. The mask gently removes the everyday build-up of impurities and excess oil with the included glycerin ensuring that the skin doesn't over dry. I love this one!

Botanical Lab Clay & Sulfur Drying Lotion: this one is an overnight spot treatment that contains a mix of sulfur and salicylic acid and helps to soothe and clear spots and blemishes without irritating the surrounding skin. The lotion also contains zinc oxide (known for its natural antibacterial properties) and in addition to clearing away dead skin cells it also helps to soothe blemished skin. 

Botanical Lab's products are available to buy from Superdrug, Botanical Lab's Amazon Store and www.botanicallab.com.

Vegan Cookbooks

There are a multitude of plant-based cookbooks in the market and it can be difficult to choose one. I am listing out a few vegan cookbooks that offer tempting and achievable recipes that are not difficult to put together.

BOSH! by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, features simple and imaginative vegan recipes. Some of the recipes include Thai Red Curry, Creamy Mac & Greens, Jackfruit Tacos and Cauliflower Buffalo Wings. There are many other interesting recipes and you can cook something fresh and yummy every day using the cookbook. 

Another book you could look at is Betty Goes Vegan which features around 500 classic recipes. This Betty Crocker–inspired book includes recipes for omelettes, stews, casseroles, brownies, and many other nostalgic comfort food.

And then there's Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen by Richa Hingle featuring  a wonderful collection of plant-based Indian recipes inspired by regional cuisines and Indian culture. You will find unusual and interesting recipes like Mango Tofu curry, Avocado naan, Chickpea & Lentil stew and Fudgy Cardamom Squares.

If you are planning to give Veganuary or veganism a try, then these cookbooks will help guide you make that transition to vegan life.

I will be adding to this post (more recipes, products etc.) all through the month of January, so do check back later. Also, let me know via the comments section what your thoughts on Veganuary are and whether you have tried any of the products listed in this post.

And before you go, take a look at and enter the Veganuary competition on the blog.