It's Veganuary! The annual challenge where people can try Vegan for a month and hopefully see how easy it is. Although we are already vegan, I thought it'd be fun to join in and document our daily meals (well tea in the evening not absolutely everything we eat).
It's so great that there are organizations like this promoting and educating people about a vegan lifestyle and that there are many restaurants and stores getting in on it all too. However, I still feel that many times it's made out to be more complicated than it needs to be. Recipes shared, foods added to takeaway menus and companies bringing out vegan versions of items in the supermarkets are busy, ingredient heavy and 'extra'. For example, instead of a plain margarita pizza they bring out a 'Sticky BBQ Jack Fruit' one and recipes are full of crazy things you would never usually buy/eat.
As a fussy eater who grew up only ever being able to get a plain pasta or bowl of chips when eating out anywhere, I want to help promote recipes and meals that are more down to Earth, basic and easy.
Because being vegan is easy. It's varied, healthy, unhealthy, comforting, filling, tasty and way more.
Vegan food can be anything and everything. There is vegan junk food, vegan comfort food and obviously health food. Almost every meal can be made vegan.
I am not a chef, I don't even like cooking but I made all of the things shown in the photos and it's proof that if you want to do it you will do it.
If you are interested at all in a cruelty-free diet that benefits your health and our planet give Veganuary a go...it's never too late just pick a month and go for it. It's way easier than you think, especially these days with such a huge range of vegan products including meat, cheese, milk etc substitutes (though obviously you don't have to use those at all).
If you really don't think you can do it, try first to commit to doing some meat-free days each week.
It all makes a difference.
Anyway, here is what we ate from January 1st - 7th 2021.
Day 1 - Leek and Potato Soup
My version is homemade however many flavours of tinned soups are also fully vegan.
A quick and easy meal, that is filling and hearty especially at this time of year.
My version is homemade however many flavours of tinned soups are also fully vegan.
A quick and easy meal, that is filling and hearty especially at this time of year.
Day 2 - Boiled Potatoes, Veggies and Gravy
'But what do you eat for Sunday/Christmas/Thanksgiving Dinner?!' etc.
Such a boring question when the majority of your plate is vegan!
Usually we would have mash potatoes and you can even add a meat replacement if you feel you need it.
'But what do you eat for Sunday/Christmas/Thanksgiving Dinner?!' etc.
Such a boring question when the majority of your plate is vegan!
Usually we would have mash potatoes and you can even add a meat replacement if you feel you need it.
Day 3 - Spicy Wraps with Cous Cous, Hot and Spicy Quorn Burgers, Lettuce and Siracha and Broccoli.
The Quorn Hot and Spicy burgers are a big favourite of mine considering I don't like many meat replacers.
These have the texture of a processed chicken burger but are animal-free and packed with much more flavour!
The Quorn Hot and Spicy burgers are a big favourite of mine considering I don't like many meat replacers.
These have the texture of a processed chicken burger but are animal-free and packed with much more flavour!
Day 4 - Gluten-free (why it's so yellow!) Penne Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Green Beans
Here's the pasta! I have cut down a lot on pasta over there years.
There was a time years ago where I would eat it multiple times a week.
There are so many things you can do with pasta and this is a quick and easy, filling meal while still getting some greens in.
Here's the pasta! I have cut down a lot on pasta over there years.
There was a time years ago where I would eat it multiple times a week.
There are so many things you can do with pasta and this is a quick and easy, filling meal while still getting some greens in.
Day 5 - Hot/Smokey Sauteed Potato Rounds with Peas and Broccoli
Recently, as in since I married a chef, I've tried more. I've literally expanded my range of foods I'll eat 10 fold.
With that, I have also become more experimental and often cook dinner on a whim.
I knew this night we were having veg and potatoes but from that I winged it. It was great.
Recently, as in since I married a chef, I've tried more. I've literally expanded my range of foods I'll eat 10 fold.
With that, I have also become more experimental and often cook dinner on a whim.
I knew this night we were having veg and potatoes but from that I winged it. It was great.
Day 6 - Balti Curry with Brown Rice and Soy 'Chicken' Pieces.
Another quick and easy meal that took no prep and little time.
This is a jar of pre-made curry from the shop with rice. The meat replacer is again unnecessary.
Check the ingredients as milder sauces may contain milk/yoghurt etc.
Another quick and easy meal that took no prep and little time.
This is a jar of pre-made curry from the shop with rice. The meat replacer is again unnecessary.
Check the ingredients as milder sauces may contain milk/yoghurt etc.
Day 7 - Homemade Lentil Soup and Homemade Rolls
The first was a Friday and we started our meal plan on a Monday so usually there would only be soup once a week in winter.
This time I tried some no-yeast rolls (as ours was out of date) to have with it.
The first was a Friday and we started our meal plan on a Monday so usually there would only be soup once a week in winter.
This time I tried some no-yeast rolls (as ours was out of date) to have with it.
Something Sweet - Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie
I'm a huge chocoholic and sweet tooth, which was the only thing that held me back going vegan.
Don't worry though there are more and more options coming by the day and this ice cream tastes exactly the same!!
I'm a huge chocoholic and sweet tooth, which was the only thing that held me back going vegan.
Don't worry though there are more and more options coming by the day and this ice cream tastes exactly the same!!
That was one week in our vegan meals. I hope it showed that it isn't all tofu, mushrooms and seeds. You can be a fussy eater, have other dietary requirements, not be the best cook, have little time to prepare meals and still be vegan. If you love animals or care about the future health of our planet or even just want to improve your own health, please consider giving vegan a chance.
You can see more of our meal ideas in these posts here.
For more of an explanation why vegan is the way to go, without graphic imagery etc, listen to this >
Some simple yummy meals here. I eat a meat free diet with soups, wraps and potatoes being staples. Great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah I just see so many recipes online and places sharing Veganuary Ideas and it's like, not down to earth or helpful for normal people eating daily meals. So I want to share what actual normal people eat haha!
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