Following the enormous rise of veganism in the UK, there is no shortage of places to find vegan recipes. The Vegan Society, cookery books, TV programmes, vegan blogs and magazines are all obvious sources of vegan culinary inspiration.
But have you ever thought about asking your local vicar or Christian leader? No? Well, you might just want to think again because, in addition to spiritual advice, these church leaders are able to offer gastronomic tips!
With Veganuary in full swing, a record number of people in the UK are trying out the vegan lifestyle! The Veganuary campaign encourages people to go vegan for at least January, the month most commonly associated with resolution and change, and ideally for the rest of the year.
Christmas is a magical time of the year when most families come together to celebrate and indulge in delectable meals and treats. Yet with meat typically served at most Christmas lunches, life can be tricky for vegans. Don’t worry, help is at hand!
With over half a million vegans in the UK- not to talk of the rest of the world – it is fair to say that veganism is one of the fastest-growing lifestyle movements of our age and will find its way into more homes this year than ever before. If you find yourself in the position of being the only vegan at the dinner table or gathering this season, have no fear and do not feel overwhelmed. Here are a few tips on navigating and enjoying Christmas as a vegan!
If you have the time, opportunity and cooking skills, why not plan and execute a Christmas feast for your loved ones this year?
Start with some tasty appetisers. Swap the usual turkey for a nut roast or whole roasted cauliflower (yes, this is a thing!). Add some mouthwatering side dishes like spiced Brussels sprouts, coconut and turmeric roast potatoes, bright salads and roasted mixed vegetables. Then finish things off with a spectacular vegan Christmas pudding or chocolate truffles.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be anything too complicated, but you can still make a big impression with a thoughtfully chosen menu.
If you are invited to a meal where the vegan choices may be limited, why not offer to bring a tasty vegan-friendly dish or two along?
Not only does it guarantee that you will have something to eat, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to show your friends and family how delicious and satisfying plant-based meals can be.
It’s also a fun way of getting a friendly conversation about veganism started and chances are that everyone will want to try what you bring, so make sure you take enough.
This ties in nicely with the previous point. If you are all set to attend a non-vegan Christmas meal, be sure to inform your host in advance to avoid any awkward moments or having to explain your dietary requirements when you arrive.
A gracious host will ensure that there is something for you at the table and you may even be able to suggest ways that they can veganise certain dishes. When in doubt, contribute a dish that you will be able to enjoy as well, or eat in advance so that you are not too hungry when you arrive.
Questions about your lifestyle are likely to come up and this is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on how eating plant-based is a compassionate way to care for our animal friends, our health and the environment.
Try to remain patient (even in the face of incredulity or attack) and avoid heated debates, lectures or graphic descriptions of industrial farming around the dinner table. Focus instead on all the beautiful, positive aspects of being vegan. Keeping calm and setting discussion boundaries is a great way of ensuring that you enjoy the occasion as much as possible.
If you are fortunate enough to spend Christmas with loved ones this year, it is important to remember those who are not in the same privileged position.
Giving back can involve anything from donating your time and energy to helping out at a food bank, donating plant-based meals to shelters, volunteering to cook at your church, and lots more. Let’s use this time as an opportunity to spread the most important aspects of our faith and lifestyle – love and compassion.
For more vegan recipe and lifestyle inspiration, visit www.vegannigerian.com.
According to the Vegan Society, the number of vegans in Britain has risen by 360% in 10 years. This astonishing rise has sadly been accompanied by many myths surrounding the nutritional benefits of plant based diets.
In order to dispel misleading myths surrounding veganism and discover how to thrive on a plant based diet, we spoke to Ginny Messina MPH, RD, a vegan dietitian of over 30 years’ experience, in order to tackle ten of the most commonly asked questions about veganism.
To say that Dr. Melanie Joy is a key influencer in the animal rights movement would be a massive understatement. Known for coining the term carnism, she is a psychologist, speaker and author of three best-selling books including Strategic Action for Animals (2009), Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism (2011), and her most recent, Beyond Beliefs: A Guide to Improving Relationships and Communication for Vegans, Vegetarians, and Meat Eaters (2017).
With the astonishing growth of veganism in the UK being driven by young people, how are Christian students responding to the increased awareness in animal issues and plant based diets? Tim Lornie, recent graduate from Cambridge University recounts his experiences of becoming vegan, student attitudes to animal advocacy and Christian faith.
Venus Williams, David Haye, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Kendrick Farris. You may recognise the aforementioned as inspiring, world-renowned athletes, but what you may be surprised to discover is that they all follow a plant-based diet!
Matthew H. Bevere, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Ashland Seminary in Ohio, explains how God’s covenantal relationship extends to all creation and why compassionate eating should be a prime concern for all Christians.
Bruce Gregory Friedrich, Executive Director of The Good Food Institute and founding partner of New Crop Capital, talks about the role of faith in inspiring his concern for animals, the amazing developments in the ethical food industry and his vision of making sustainable and humane food choices; the default choice.
Author and lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, Dr David Grumett, discusses the distinctively Christian approach to food, the example of Christ in challenging social norms and how Christians might example responsible food production as part of their Gospel witness to wider society.