Veganism is a contender to be one of Britain’s fastest growing lifestyle movements. 2016 saw half a million vegans living in the UK[i] – that’s more than the entire populations of Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester, but, it’s fair to stay that not everyone has completely committed to the vegan way of life.
Vegan on Female First
More than one third of people in the UK instead identify as flexitarians[ii] - people who eat a plant-based diet with the occasional addition of meat. With the number of Flexitarians living in the UK set to surge by 10%ii Holland & Barrett has issued a month by month guide to living without meat.
JANUARY: Chinese New Year
GranoVita’s mock duck.
FEBRUARY: National Pizza Day/ Pancake Day
February is the month of love and we all love a good pizza. If you make your own pizza you can choose your favourite veggie toppings to make a meat free feast. Be sure to start with a dairy free base such as Hale & Hearty’s Quick and Easy Pizza mix, £2.65 for 180g.
Pancake Day also takes place in February and this year it falls on February 28th. Make it a flipping good one by stocking up on a vegan pancake mix such as Amisa’s gluten free pancake mix. Make with buckwheat and wholemeal rice flour it makes delicious fresh fruit pancakes. £2.69 for a pack of 2.
MARCH: Mother’s Day
Make sure you’re in mum’s good books on Mothering Sunday by baking a cake. If mum is vegan she’ll love Mrs O's Vanilla Cake Mix Vanilla Cake Mix. Made with the finest natural ingredients this versatile vegan and gluten free mix gives you the freedom to bake either cupcakes or a single layer cake. £6.99 for 450g.
APRIL: Easter Sunday
No dairy doesn’t have to mean no chocolate. Get your chocolate fix with Choc Chicos’ fun dairy free chocolate making kit. It contains organic cacao ingredients, a low glyceamic sweetener, cocoa beans, mini baking cases and a simple recipe book to make chocolates that are free from dairy, gluten, processed sugar, artificial flavours and additives. £9.99 for 337g.
MAY: National BBQ Week
If there’s ever a time that vegans feel the pressure to cave into meat it’s at summer BBQs. Save yourself a grilling by marinating mushrooms and grilled vegetables with Sweet Mandarin’s Barbecue Sauce. This thick fruity sauce contains no artificial colours or MSG and is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. £2.99 for 220ml.
JUNE: Father’s Day
Treat Dad to a vegetable curry on father’s day using Free & Easy’s Madras Curry Paste. A hot and fragrant curry sauce it blends fiery chillies with tomatoes, onions, garlic and aromatic spices to create an authentic taste of southern India. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike it is also free from wheat, gluten and dairy, as well as other allergies such as nuts, celery and mustard but bursting with full-on flavour. £1.99 for 198g.
JULY: Summer Scorcher Solutions
If you’re feeling the heat this summer cool down with a Mango & Coconut Smooze Ice. Made with freshly pressed coconut milk it conjures up images of an exotic, tropical island holiday where time slows down, happiness abounds and cares simply wash away. £2.75 for 5 ices.
AUGUST: Afternoon Tea Week
Pop on the kettle this August and celebrate the great British tradition of afternoon tea. Sweeten up your scones with Coconut Merchant’s revolutionary coconut jam. Smooth and caramel sweet it is made from only 100% coconuts, with absolutely nothing added. One taste and you'll be hooked! £5.75 for 330ml.
SEPTEMBER: Back to school snacks
Hold onto the taste of summer buy snacking on Mello Watermelon Seeds this September. High in protein, fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium this nutritional powerhouse is suitable for vegans & vegetarians. £3.49 for 125g.
OCTOBER: Halloween
There’s no trick to going vegan but plenty of treats. If you’re stocking up on sweets for herds of Halloweeners look no further than the Goody Good Stuff range. The range includes gummy bears, cola bottles and a sour mix of sweets that are all free from gluten, lactose and gelatine making them suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. From £1.49 for 100g.
NOVEMBER: Bonfire Night
Looking for the perfect, gluten free, vegan marshmallow to add some sparkle to your bonfire celebrations? After 10 years of research and development the perfect mallow is here. Freedom Mallows are sweet, light fluffy and completely gelatine free marshmallows that are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans. Creamy, delicious, velvety smooth they melt in your mouth. £2.49 for 75g.
DECEMBER: Christmas
As the temperature drops keep warm with a seasonal hot chocolate. Sweet Freedom’s Choc Shot Orange Spice is a Liquid Chocolate that's bound to be on Santa’s nice list! Made with a hint of orange spice coupled with indulgent chocolate and fruit syrup this vegan treat is 95% fat free. £3.59 for 320g.
All of the above mentioned products can be purchased in Holland & Barrett stores nationwide and on www.hollandandbarrett.com. Present your Vegan Society membership card in store to receive a 10% discount on all purchases. Please this note that this discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other instore offers.
[i] https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new/news/find-out-how-many-vegans-are-great-britain
[ii]https://www.forumforthefuture.org/sites/default/files/files/Role_of_plant_based_diets_Oct16_FINAL_2(1).pdf
Tagged in Vegan