Anyone else doing veganuary?

[Ozzyskye]

I'm a guilty meat eater but for the past few years have done vegetarianuary. This year I want to try veganuary, at least at home (we go to pil for dinner once a week and don't want to add pressure!). Is anyone else giving it a go? Want to share any ideas? I could also do with losing a stone but though calorie counting and veganuary might be a bit much. I'm also doing dry January so that'll help hopefully!

My usual go to food is hearty food like stews, toad in the hole, cottage pie etc...

I can make a mean Passata for pasta, and I'm thinking chunky vegetable soups, tofu stir frys etc but would welcome any ideas! Also will look into some smoothies and juices with coconut milk or overnight oats for breakfast (when I actually eat it) I drink a lot of coffee but already prefer with oat milk.

I'm not planning on continuing past January, I enjoy meat and dairy too much but am willing to commit for a month at least and maybe discover some tasty dishes to integrate into my repertoire!

@Hellostrawberries that sounds yum

@KnittedCardi how about tofu, are you OK with that? Great for curries, or even as "fish".
Battered "tofish" and chips can be amazing

I'll be doing it for the third year in a row. I'm normally pescetarian so it's not too much of a stretch but I do really miss milk chocolate, proper cheese and fish when I do it. But I find it's a good way to call a halt to the overeating of the Christmas period (any leftover non-vegan biscuits, cake and chocolate will just get put away until Feb).
We got an air fryer for Christmas so I'm anticipating quite a lot of roast veg in January and I'm going to try making crispy chickpeas too

@Roundaboot have you tried hip chocolate? It's amazing

I have and I agree it's pretty good but I do still miss dairy milk chocolate unfortunately! Last year the first non vegan thing I ate on 1st Feb was a Creme Egg

Fair enough

I did it about 10 years ago when it was a new concept, vowed never again.

Did it again a few years and have been vegan ever since.

This recipe "Rita's no beef stew" is definitely worth a go. It will fool even the most staunch meat eater.

Loving Nomo caramel chocolate bars at the mo, they're amazing

Has anyone got any favourite dinners they are willing to share as I need inspiration 😁

@VeganNugsNotDrugs sorry didn't see your recipe before posting, that sounds good

I have been vegetarian for 40 years as I hate the taste and texture of meat so I have to avoid a lot of meat substitutes that taste like, or have the same texture as meat.

It's great as a beef stew (I chuck other veg in as well halfway through cooking for more of a complete meal type stew) but also great as a pie filling. Most supermarket ready roll puff pastry is accidentally vegan.

I have downloaded the checklist of foods to eat daily from the veganuary email- it is really useful.. also it refers to supplements- do people who have been vegan for a while take any supplements ( if that isn’t too personal a question!)

I try (when I remember!) to take a multivit, I use the boots vegan A-Z one. That said I've probably not taken them at all for the last 12 months and recently bloods for things like vit D, B12, calcium etc we're all perfect

@VeganNugsNotDrugs thank you - will look out for the vegan ones, might be an idea to take them until I get into the swing of eating what I need nutritionally speaking

So day 1:

Coffee and oat milk for breakfast (I don't usually eat breakfast normally anyway)
Currently got simmering a veg soup:
Veg stock
Carrots
Onions
Celery
Brussels
Potatoes
Chilli flakes
Pepper
Flora plant based

Was going to include pearl barley but didn't realise how long it needs to cook!

I'm genuinely surprised at how delish the soup is!

Sounds good, I've only had tea and toast so far, as can't be arsed today 😁

On and off, I always give my daughter her multivitamin but I’m not as good at taking mine (I was religious about it during pregnancy though and my blood work was very good). I do eat lots of fortified food but I think a multivitamin is good as well, I have the veg 1 ones from the vegan society. If you’re not going to eat much in the way of flax seeds/ chia seeds then an omega supplement can be handy too.

Sounds lovely! My breakfast has been leftover shortbread and veg samosas from the nye buffet 😆 What’s for dinner? I’m going to a family thing and I actually don’t know what I’m having.

I've just done my meal plan for the week as have an asda delivery tomorrow so thought I'd share in case it gives any inspiration!

Breakfasts will generally either be porridge, toast (or bagels) with houmous and tomatoes or with smooshed avocado, bit of lime and tomatoes.

Lunches will generally be left overs from the night before, or...
jacket spud, some sort of filling and salad
Or a packet of micro rice, frozen stir fry veg and tofu chucked together in a pan with some kind of hoisin/teriyaki/similar sauce
Or soup and a sandwich

Dinners this week will include...

Vegan Wellington (have a freezer full after they were reduced to 1.50 each on boxing day!), veg, potatoes and gravy (Bisto red is accidentally vegan)

Jacket potato, bbq beans* (Bosh! recipe) & salad

Cottage pie* & veg

Spaghetti bolognese* garlic bread (the very cheap value supermarket baguettes are often accidentally vegan) & salad

Sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry* & accompaniments

Dan Dan noodles (Bosh! recipe)

*all these will do additional portions for lunches/freezer for quick midweek meals.

Not normally this healthy but its January 😳

@kikisparks Sounds lovely! My breakfast has been leftover shortbread and veg samosas from the nye buffet 😆 What’s for dinner? I’m going to a family thing and I actually don’t know what I’m having

My kind of breakfast 😁 Hate to be "that" person though but does the shortbread have milk in?
As I love shortbread but can't have anymore because of the milk content so would love to find one that isn't, and also handy for Veganuary to know

@kikikikisparks I'm not actually sure... We're also out for dinner at pil but I might take something with me as it's be a bit rubbish to not do a whole vegan day on the first one!

I might just take some hummus and pitta and bits, I'm not starving today.

I purposefully didn't buy any sweet vegan bits as I have zero self control and if there's stuff in I'll eat it - I did pick up some persimmons though as I haven't had one for ages.... They're like candy!

Genuine question- I’ve heard about Veganuary but what is the point in doing it or why do people do it? Especially if people say they are doing it for a month, why?