World Vegan Month: What’s On Offer?

For some, going vegan is an ethical decision; for others, it is about health. Studies have shown that on average vegans have a healthier Body Mass Index and have lower cholesterol levels. What’s more, by going vegan you can dramatically decrease your greenhouse gas emissions by half.

The Vegan Society estimates there are currently 600,000 vegans in the UK, a four-fold increase on the 150,000 it counted just five years ago. 

Whatever your reason for experimenting with veganism, November is probably a good time to try it as there is so much support out there as a result of World Vegan Month.

To drink:

Absolutely delicious – Earlybirds is a new nutritious ‘snack in a bottle’ that is as dedicated to its environmental impact as it is to clean and fresh vegan ingredients. The high protein, high-fibre, no-sugar added, drinks come in Berry Bircher and Mango & Oats flavours and are perfect as a snack drink or a brekfast on the go. What’s more, they are packaged in compostable bottles made from sugarcane. A great eco win. RRP £2.25 per bottle.

If you’re keen to get your vits on the go, the delicious range of plantshakes from FOGA are worth giving a go. Created to help time poor Belles ensure their diets are rich in a diverse range of whole plant the single drink sachets are packed full of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to optimise health and wellbeing. Pour the contents into a bottle, add 250ml water, shake then drink. Choose from Peach & Cayenne, Beetroot & Ginger and Kiwi & Greens. Order from Foga.co.

But if you fancy something a bit less fruity and more fizzy, Mionetto offers a range of refreshing sparkling wines that are not only delicious but also suitable for vegans as no animal-derived products are used in the production process. Our favourite is the MO Prosecco DOC Extra Dry. Showcasing the Glera grape’s finest qualities, it boasts creamy, lingering pin-point bubbles, with notes of apple, acacia blossom, citrus, and almond. The Mionetto MO Prosecco DOC Extra Dry makes a wonderful aperitif wine and is also the perfect match for festive treats and pastries. Found at Sainsbury’s and Ocado for £12.00.

To eat:

Veggie substitute stalwart Linda McCartney foods has released a new vegan range in time for World Vegan Month, and Christmas. There’s a roast alternative featuring turkey-flavored soya roast with lentils, sultanas, pumpkin seeds and millet, finished with a spiced Bramley apple and pomegranate sauce. Also red onion and rosemary stuffing balls, and an oh-so-festive vegan turkey and cranberyy plait. Shop the full range at most major supermarkets.

Taking meat substituation to another level though is the Vegetarian Butcher. Founded by a 9th generation farmer, the brand claims to be created by meat lovers for meat lovers, and the range features tongue-in-cheek names such as Little Peckers(chicken-style nuggets), What the Cluck (chicken-style chunks), Chickened Out Burger (chicken-style burger patty) and Good Karma Shawarma (chicken-style shawarma). The outspoken plant-based brand produces products to mimic meat which are indistinguishable from the real thing. And they really are. Kids will enjoy the nuggets, while the chunks are great as part of a casserole or curry.

And when it comes to snacking, we like Madegood granola bars which are also totally allergen free. Slightly sticky but totally tasty, available in Mixed Berry, Chocolate Chip and Chocolate & Banana from ASDA. Each box contains 6 x 24g bars and costs £2.79.

To cook:

Riverford Organics offer vegan recipe boxes direct to your door and with a little scrubbing the ingredients really pack a punch. All the recipes are dairy free, 100% organic, full of fresh seasonal veg from their farm, and most can be prepared in around 30 minutes.

If you’re a pasta fiend, do try Explore Cuisine’s plant-based range. Their selection of pasta from across the globe integrates beans, peas, lentils and rice to provide you with the basis for nourishing meals that are easy, quick, naturally colourful and most importantly delicious. Explore Cuisine’s range is a healthier alternative to traditional pasta that looks, cooks and keeps the same texture as regular pasta. Crafted from organic beans, chickpeas and lentils, unlike standard wheat pasta, these pastas are gluten-free, high in protein and high in fibre. Perfect for filling you up without the uncomfortable bloated feeling that often follows indulgence.

To go:

The vegan menu at The Athenian draws on Greece’s healthy eating traditions and abundant fresh produce from its stunning natural landscape to create authentic vegan and vegetarian street food specialities. In the UK, Greek Food historically has been associated with little more than grilled meats and moussaka, but The Athenian has been challenging these misconceptions by adding an array of plant-based options to the menu. The vegan gyros combine seitan marinated in herbs, lemon juice and olive oil served with vegan Athenian sauce and oregano flecked fries. Other vegan treats include flourless brownie, tomato croquettes or courgette fritters generously drizzled with an array of plant-based sauces. 

The menus at Kaspar’s at The Savoy, created by the recently appointed Head Chef Joost Bijster, showcase contemporary seasonal dishes from land (and sea) that capture the vibrancy of the natural landscape. An a la carte menu is refreshed almost monthly and features vegan delights such as Cauliflower Steak with Broccoli Puree, Broad beans, Pickled potatoes and Grill Farm Vegetables with Romesco sauce, Fregola and Puff Amaranth. 

Head to Gauthier Soho, Ceviche in Old Street, and Lyle’s in Shoreditch for daily offerings of vegan meals that are bursting with flavour and goodness.

And St James’s Baby Bao has built up a loyal following with its Meat Free Monday menu. They have plenty of vegan bao and sides including Mushroom bao with sweet n’ sour, miso mayo, crispy shallots, scallion and pickled carrot.  Chakra Kensington is a recently refurbished Indian restaurant with a dedicated vegan menu featuring highlights such as Chakra Channa, Assam tea-infused chickpea curry cooked with channa masala powder and tomatoes. 

To read:

If you’re still stuck for inspiration on where to dine, invest in a copy of Vegan London, the ultimate handbook for hungry Londoners and tourists alike, listing venues, menus and more. Compiled by vegan blogger Serena Lee, you can find anything vegan from bangers ‘n’ mash to banh mi between the pages, and in the capital. With eighty of London’s best vegan and vegan-friendly establishments at your fingertips, you’ll find food and drink for every budget and for any occasion, all done the ethical way.

To use:

If you’re giving Veganism a real go, you might not have considered how vastly your beauty regime could also be affected. While testing on animals is thankfully not so common with brands any more, many still contain animal-derivative ingredients. If the product is vegan – it will tell you. If it doesn’t it’s unlikely to be!

While more and more brands are joining the organic and vegan movements, not all manage to combine their ethical stance with product quality. However, here is our pick of the ones that do:

• For hair: Argan Oil of Morocco has a whole range of haircare products which contain the finest certified organic Argan Oil, which has been used for centuries by Berber women to naturally nourish, moisturise and restore shine and softness to the hair. And as well as being 100% organic, the range is also 100% vegan. 

• For skin: ECO Warrior by Little Soap Company is a collection of six thoughtful, high impact, job-specific bar soaps, each with its own distinct use and bespoke essential oil blend and no synthetic fragrances.  From washing and exfoliating to shaving and even shampooing, these vegan soaps have you covered. They’re also simply wrapped in a recyclable box to help eliminate single use plastic bottles from bathrooms.

For teeth: White Glo’s Pure and Natural toothpaste is completely vegan and organic. Free from fluoride, harmful chemicals and bleaches that are often incorporated into tooth whitening products, White Glo’s toothpaste formula whitens teeth with natural ingredients.

Worryingly there are an estimated one billion plastic toothbrushes contained within landfill sites across the U.S alone. To try and combat this, White Glo’s toothpaste includes a free biodegradable bamboo toothbrush that naturally decomposes as opposed to plastic toothbrushes that take an estimated 400 years. RRP £6 and available from Boots.