The campaign to encourage people to try vegan in January is now in its fifth year, and is all set to be bigger than ever with Veganuary predicting more than 150,000 people will go vegan for the month. Last year, there were 60,000 registered participants from 172 countries, and one of them was Haywards Heath resident, Alice Clark.
Vegan on Female First
‘I had already been vegetarian for a while,’ she says, ‘and had thought about taking the next step but hadn’t made any real effort. Then, around Christmas last year, I saw Veganuary’s social media posts and decided it was time to sign up!’
Alice credits that month with changing her life. ‘It was one of my proudest decisions,’ she says. ‘I’m really doing my part for animals and I feel healthier, too. Veganuary was really supportive, I learnt a lot and actually found it really easy to become - and stay - vegan.’
She found the food was pretty good, too! In fact, she has named her three favourite local restaurants that serve the best plant-based foods, and says they’ll appeal to vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike. As her first ‘veganniversary’ approaches, she particularly hopes that anyone taking part in Veganuary 2018 will try them out.
Mama Ghanoushe, Hassocks. ‘It’s all so vibrant and healthy with really yummy options, it makes me love being vegan!’
V-Bites, Brighton. ‘This is where I go if I’m in need of a dirty vegan burger!’
Zizzis, Haywards Heath ‘A great place to go with my non-vegetarian friends. Their vegan menu is great, though!’
It is free to take part in Veganuary, and everyone who does so receives daily support emails that offer shopping lists, an eating out guide, nutrition advice, recipes, meal plans, and answers to common questions. They also receive social media support in a closed Facebook group where they can connect with other participants, and a free celebrity e-cookbook. There are competitions with great prizes and special offers throughout the month.
Alice enjoyed the month so much, she decided to stay vegan and her message to people thinking about taking part in Veganuary 2018 is to try it. ‘Even if you don’t think you will stay vegan, it’s a good way to learn new recipes, and you’ll soon realise it’s not a drastic change. You really don’t miss out on a single thing!’
Tagged in Vegetarian Vegan Veganuary