Veganuary anyone?

[mnpeasantry]

So, never had a lot of luck with launching popular threads but wondered if anyone was game for a bit of vegan January?

My plan is to eat a plant based diet and cut out booze for all except 3 pre planned events in January.

I've put together a list of meals that sound good to me and not too arduous to put together on top of working and caring for two under 3.

Meals include:

Chips
Quinoa and sweet potato cakes
Avocado
Guacamole and tortilla chips
Veg chilli
Lentil soup
Brocolli and cashew stir fry
Spicy coconut noodles
Onion bhaji
Aubergine curry
Hummus
Sweet potato and white bean chilli
Curried coconut veg noodles
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-noodles-with-curried-coconut-sauce/
Sweet potato chickpea curry
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/sweet-potato-chickpea-amp-spinach-curry/
Pumpkin, chickpeas and coconut curry
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/pumpkin-chickpea-coconut-curry/
Vegan shepherds pie
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/vegan-shepherd-s-pie/
Best vegan burger
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/the-best-vegan-burger/

Why? Feeling a bit fat after Christmas and still need to lose a bit of baby weight. I feel that I have become a bit meat based in my meal planning lately and would like to diversify a bit. I'm aware of environmental and ethical issues surrounding the consumption of meat and I feel like I'm starting to believe that dairy doesn't really agree with me and triggers a number of allergies in my family.

So, is anybody with me? Let's (hopefully) improve our health and fitness, complexions, environment, digestion, etc! Feeling hopeful.

[WetPaint4]

I keep reading that there are several health benefits linked to veganism (is that a word?) But I love meat so much. And milk. Maybe trying it for a month is a good idea though, to see how it goes. I've got the rest of the day to think about it and do more research on the options.

[SimonNeilshair]

I'm joining you mnpeasantry I signed up to something on facebook and they will send daily emails with recipes etc.

I'm veggie anyway and went vegan for lent last year but feel that I need to reduce my dairy intake for environmental and health reasons. Hopefully veganuary will help reset my reliance on cheese and eggs for quick meals.

[crazycravings]

I will join!!

[LauraMipsum]

I went vegan in May (veganuary seemed like the wrong time of year) intending to do it for a month, still going now. DP joined me at the end of October after noticing I'd lost a stone without trying so now the whole family are vegan killjoys

We really like

Whole baked cauliflower with tahini-yoghurt dressing (waaaayyyy easier than it sounds)

Saag aloo

Lentil and mushroom salad

Huge roast dinners

Bean chilli

Linda McCartney sausage and mash with onion gravy

Vegan lasagna with garlic bread (the everyday value ones at supermarkets are often vegan if you make your own)

Pasta with olives, tomatoes and pepper

Dd who is 2 likes making cupcakes with a Betty Crocker mix and a can of pop. The mixes are all vegan apart from the red velvet which contains carmine.

Good luck!

[NormaSmuff]

might give it a go

[mummypig14]

Me me me!!

Ive been vegetatian my whole life, but a chocolate and pizza addict. Ive been vegan on and off for years but ready to try again for ethical and weightless reasons.

Being prepared makes it massively easier, especially at work.

If anyone wants inspiration for their health, Dr Fuhrmans 'Eat to live' book is great, it's very readable compared to something sciencey like the China Study.

If I'm having a weak moment, watching documentaries on netflix are really inspiring! Vegetated, conspiracy etc

[Veterinari]

I'm veggie and would like to try this.

Does anyone have any vegan breakfast ideas? I usually have eggs - not a fan of cereal or toast so any savoury vegan breakfast suggestions much appreciated!

[LauraMipsum]

Scrambled tofu!!

Avocado and dukkah on toast

Mushrooms on toast

Bubble and squeak

[WetPaint4]

Didn't realise this was a major thing, a link for some additional info:

veganuary.com

[hazelnutlatte]

I'm doing Veganuary too! Started a thread in food / recipes yesterday but only got 1 reply. Your food ideas list sounds great op, I'll definitely be doing some of those recipes.
I was vegan for a year 10 years ago but that was pre dc and I've forgotten a lot of the meals I ate.

[namesstress2323]

I've been vegan for 2 years but gained so much weight by eating vegan junk, Oreos Pringles chips pasta etc is all vegan but not exactly healthy so don't be tempted to do that! Ur meals look good tho gd luck :) it is also great for the environment and health

[crazycravings]

Vegan Society website have loads of ideas!!

[mnpeasantry]

Happy new year! I thought I had lost his thread so am very pleased to see your replies. It's made me feel very positive. Thank you for the recipe suggestions.

Racking my brains for a good vegan non cereal/toast breakfast. Agree with PP that avocados are a good option. Will try to think of some others. Nuts?

Best of luck to all of us. Will share as we proceed. Xx

[hazelnutlatte]

Morning all, happy Veganuary!
For breakfast if I'm pushed for time I have a smoothie - banana, spinach, almond butter and almond milk is lovely, plus I sometimes add some vanilla protein powder for a high protein breakfast. (I used to have non vegan protein powder but I've just bought a vegan one so I can carry on having my smoothies).
I've also heard overnight oats are good but I've yet to try it.

[SimonNeilshair]

Morning all, happy veganuary.

Smoothies are great for breakfast, baked porridge is also lovely using almond milk as a substitute. Naturally Sassy has a lovely carrot cake baked porridge recipe.

I have loads of cheese left over from a NY gathering last night....I don't know what to do with it

[SimonNeilshair]

Naturally Sassy recipes www.naturallysassy.co.uk/recipes/explore

[Dafspunk]

Love love love that your first meal option is chips

[timeforabrewnow]

marking place as I like the look of some of Jamie's recipes there. I made some vegan chickpea burger things from one of his recipes and they turned out really well

[PhoenixJasmine]

I've been reading/pondering a lot about trying a vegan diet for a while, various reasons. I can't commit to veganuary for various reasons but I def want to do my own delayed version.

Recipe wise I tries this recently, minus the feta, and its gorgeous. The second time I did it I didn't have enough mung beans, so used a combination of mung beans, yellow split peas and green lentils, and it was equally delicious, and a hit with my meat-loving parents too.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/21/bean-salad-lentil-soup-recipes?client=safari

[pickledsausage]

Also marking place, thanks for the links!

[mnpeasantry]

@dafspunk

Welcome one and all!

So my friend brought me a tea with milk in bed this morning and I drank without thinking but we came and had breakfast at home and I had a sliced banana with a spoonful of peanut butter and it was delicious! Will definitely try the smoothie too.

[mnpeasantry]

@phoenixjasmine the carrot and mung bean salad looks delicious! Going to sort my online shop later today so will add the ingredients to this.

[SuffolkBumkin]

I would like to join too. Been vegetarian forever, and never touch milk or eggs, but there are so many by products in everything, It would be good to hit this from another angle.

[TopCatte]

B - muesli and fruit juice
L - very disappointing. Ate out and the only vegan option at Carluccio's was spaghetti with tomatoes, not in the least exciting. Did have focaccia and olives.
S - soup and fruit

[SimonNeilshair]

B porridge made with almond milk, pumpkin and sunflower seeds

L Linda Mc pulled pork burger with roast dinner trimmings

D vegan Christmas pud and oatly custard