Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages people to trial a vegan lifestyle for January and beyond. Over 500,000 people took on the challenge in 2021 for a variety of different reasons, from environmental benefits and animal welfare to improving their own personal health.
At Higgidy, we’ve always celebrated the glory of veg so taking on the Veganuary Workplace Challenge should be right up our street. Without further ado, let us introduce you to the team members taking part this year…
Before the challenge
Meet Louise – our Social Media Manager
Why are you taking on the challenge?
“Although I’m not fully veggie yet I’ve been reducing my meat intake over the last few years and a lot of the meals I currently make at home are vegan so I thought I’d give it a go to see how easy it would be to make the transition full time. I’m hoping it also gives me an insight into where my food is coming from and the sustainable impact of eating plant-based food for a whole month.
I’m a Veganuary first timer but I think it’s a great time of year to give it a go – I’ve had my fill of cheese over Christmas!”
How do you think you’ll find it?
“I think I will find it a bit of a challenge because I’ve not always been a big fan of milk alternatives in the past and I’m a tea and coffee fiend, but with so many great options out there I’m feeling good about finding one that works for me.”
Meet Sarah – our Marketing Director
Why are you taking on the challenge?
“I am already Pescatarian so don’t eat any meat but do eat a lot of fish. I would like to use Veganuary to kickstart a more sustainable approach to eating.
Whilst I don’t see myself being fully vegan beyond January I hope Veganuary will help me find interesting new ways to reduce my fish intake in general and increase the amount of plant based meals I have each week. My main driver is the impact on the planet.”
How do you think you’ll find it?
“I think I will find some aspects easy (because I already eat a lot of veggie/vegan meals) but other aspects will be really difficult, for example with certain foods; Chocolate, Cheese, eggs and Fish (not together!). And definitely when eating out. Luckily I already enjoy a lot of the dairy alternatives so that should make it easier. I do not like Avocado though – which seems to be in a lot of Vegan foods!!!!”
Meet Suzi – our Process Manager
Why are you taking on the challenge?
“I have taken part in Veganuary now for the past 5 years, I really enjoy the challenge of cooking different things without the “usual” ingredients. For example making Yorkshire puddings without egg or milk or a cake without eggs or butter. I find it makes me think and plan my meals.
I have made lots of lovely vegan dishes and had some disasters in equal proportions, I have also worked on certain dishes and improved them over the years, I make a mean raspberry and chocolate brownie, the first attempt tasted like glue, the latest attempt you wouldn’t even be able to tell it was vegan!”
How do you think you’ll find it?
“Eating out as a vegan has become easier and the choice is now quite plentiful. The first year I did Veganuary there were barely any options and it was really limited where you could eat. I have found I don’t really like the vegan alternatives for cheese and I definitely miss this ingredient the most in January .The hardest thing I find about Veganuary is making a vegan meal for me and something different for the rest of the family.”
During the challenge
Louise – our Social Media Manager
How are you finding it so far?
I found the first week the hardest, especially after indulging myself over Christmas but now we’re a couple of weeks in I’m finding it a lot easier. I also feel like I’m making healthier choices when it comes to food and not necessarily compromising on taste – there are some fantastic vegan options out there!
Is there anything during the transition to vegan, that you are finding particularly easy or hard?
I’m finding it harder to be spontaneous about food, so I’ve found there are less vegan options available in terms of quick and easy food-to-go. I’ve also found cooking vegan meals at home easy, although not every meal has been a success!
Are you surprised at any vegan alternatives and why?
Although it took me a while to get used to it, I’m now really enjoying soy and almond milk – even oat milk has even grown on me which is great news for my morning coffee and is something I’ll continue doing once Veganuary is over.
Sarah – our Marketing Director
How are you finding it so far?
During the week I am finding it ok , especially now I have stocked my fridge with plant-based alternatives to everyday cupboard / fridge ingredients (butter, cheese, yoghurts etc) I also have done a Mindful Chef box – which has helped me with inspiration, so I have not found the meals I eat boring at all. Although turns out whilst I like Tofu I DO NOT like Tempeh.
Is there anything during the transition to vegan, that you are finding particularly easy or hard?
Something I find hard is eating out – although there are a lot of options (and I don’t eat meat normally) I would normally chose fish. I enjoy eating out so do it regularly and I find it hard to not choose the fish option. They just don’t sound as exciting to me. I find cooking at home easy though.
Are you surprised at any vegan alternatives and why?
Plant based butter – when used with cooking you would never know. Cheese – some have been DISGUSTING and some have actually been ok (as long as you are a fan of mild cheeses.. which I am) also very happy with my plant based yoghurts – some flavours I wouldn’t know they were plant based.
Suzi – our Process Manager
Is there anything during the transition to vegan, that you are finding particularly easy or hard?
Something I find harder is that it’s time consuming to make one meal for me and a different one for the family, sometimes I have given the family the vegan option and they haven’t noticed. The amount of vegan products now available on the market has made it easier to grab a snack and food when on the go.
Are you surprised at any vegan alternatives and why?
Plant based butter is a really good product and I love bread and butter so this has really stopped me craving it. I have really enjoyed Tofu this Veganuary and have cooked with it a lot. I find the best way to cook vegan is to really over season with herbs and spices to get lots of flavours into the food. I have avoided vegan cheese as have really disliked these as an alternative to cheese, it is best to go without.
The end of the challenge
Louise – our Social Media Manager
What are your thoughts on your Veganuary journey as a whole?
“I’ve really enjoyed it and have found the transition a lot easier than I thought I would, goes to show how many fantastic plant-based options there are and how easy it is to make the change.”
Are you planning to continue any aspects of your vegan diet after Veganuary?
“I think I’ll continue using milk, butter and yoghurt alternatives at home and I think a lot of my meals will continue to be vegan/veggie. I feel like Veganuary has really made me think about where my food is coming from and the impact of choosing plant-based options. Veganuary in particular have some fantastic resources and have been a really helpful guide throughout the month.”
What were your favourite vegan alternatives?
“I’d definitely recommend trying OGGS Brownie Bites! These are great if you’re craving something sweet – I was also really grateful to find a vegan pesto which spiced up what would have otherwise been a fairly boring pasta dish.”
Sarah- our Marketing Director
What are your thoughts on your Veganuary journey as a whole?
“I was surprised how easy I found it at home (once I got into it) but how difficult I found it eating out. I was also surprised what I missed, there are a lot of good vegan substitutes but there are also a lot of bad ones!”
Are you planning to continue any aspects of your vegan diet after Veganuary?
“I’ll continue using milk, butter and yoghurt alternatives at home and I think a lot of my meals at home will continue to be vegan/veggie”
What were your favourite vegan alternatives?
“Coconut Collaborative vegan chocolate pots for a sweet treat, you would never guess they were not vegan. And found a really good vegan puff pastry which was great for making tarts (savoury an sweet)”
Suzi – our Process Manager
What are your thoughts on your Veganuary journey as a whole?
“I have been taking part in Veganuary for many years now and it is definitely getting easier to do, this time I haven’treally missed meat or dairy. The vegan offerings in the supermarkets and restaurants had made it considerably easier especially when out and about.”
Are you planning to continue any aspects of your vegan diet after Veganuary?
“I have made some really good dishes and my favourite were Mediterranean aubergine meatballs and tagliatelle. I will definitely have meat free and dairy free days going forward and eat a more diverse range of fruit and vegetables.”
What were your favourite vegan alternatives?
“Elmlea plant double cream and Flora salted butter alternative are both really tasty. I have also enjoyed Soreen malt loaf.”
