Since its launch in 2014, the Veganuary campaign has seen massive growth, both in its native UK and globally. It’s the month-long vegan challenge that sees millions of people dip their toes into a plant-based lifestyle every January – more often than not, making beneficial changes well beyond that. Yet to get involved? There’s never been a better time!
With global pandemics and the climate crisis looming large, it’s no surprise many are feeling a little worried heading into 2022. If you’d like to take an empowering and proactive step to enhance your wellbeing and create positive change, why not ditch the animal products this January and embrace the power of plants by taking part in Veganuary?
Multiple benefits
Avoiding meat and dairy is the single best way to help animals, protect the Earth’s climate and ecosystems, reduce the risk of new infectious diseases, and improve your health. Benefits of a plant-based lifestyle include an optimised immune system, reduced risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, and increased life expectancy.
Over 1.5 million people have signed up for Veganuary since the campaign started, and data from Kantar suggests that ten times more participate informally each year.
Veganuary’s 2021 campaign attracted more than half a million registrations, with animals cited as the main reason (46%), followed by health (22%) and the environment (21%). 82% of survey respondents who were not vegan when they signed up had maintained a dramatic reduction in their animal product consumption 6 months later, with 30% still eating a fully vegan diet, 38% eating at least 75% less meat and other animal products than pre-Veganuary, and 14% eating at least 50% less.
One chef’s journey
Sydney-based recipe creator and mum Clarissa Kocovski (aka The Nourished Chef) has not looked back since making the shift to a vegan lifestyle.
“My plant-based journey started with wanting to live my life with as much kindness and compassion as possible. I educated myself about what dairy and animal based products can do to the human body and I came to the decision that I no longer wanted to put those kinds of foods into my body,” she says. Since going plant based, she has enjoyed noticeably higher energy levels, along with healthier hair, skin and nails.
Clarissa is also passionate about sustainability. “Working with plant-based recipes in my home kitchen has been such an eye-opening journey. I not only choose plant-based cooking for my health but essentially for our planet. I had no idea what kinds of negative effects our diets are having on the planet and how so many people are overlooking it.”
Easier than ever
Through her platform as The Nourished Chef, Clarissa loves helping others discover the power of plants by showcasing the ingredients and brands she uses. Many of these involve simple switches to plant-based alternatives, which make it easier than ever to adapt our favourite recipes. For example, speaking about non-dairy milks she says, “I now use plant milk like Califia Farms oat and almond milks, which are creamy, delicious and fortified with calcium”.
A selection of recipes by The Nourished Chef, from left to right: Sticky berry French toast, Vanilla berry wellness bowl, Gingerbread doughnuts.
Taking a bite
The beauty of a one-month challenge like Veganuary is that it sets you up for success with structured support, answers to all your FAQs, and the camaraderie of taking part along with a community of other participants. It’s long enough to notice a difference and really take a ‘bite’ out of a new way of living, but is less daunting than making a permanent commitment.
Clarissa is enthusiastic about the campaign. “Veganuary is a fantastic concept as it promotes and educates the community on a global level … Anything that gets the word out for plant-based cooking and lifestyle certainly has the tick of approval from me!”
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A record-breaking 600,000 registrants are expected for the January 2022 campaign. Join ‘the new year’s revolution’ at Veganuary.com.
