
Diana Goldman

As the weather cools, we let the kitchen warm us. We’re roasting, we’re baking, we’re making pies and tarts and pizza. Yum!
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Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
Some of the best nutrition is to be found in wholegrains (and pseudograins) that have been around for thousands of years.
A colourful array of veggies combine with succulent tofu strips and fine kelp noodles in this classic Asian dish that is packed with flavour,...
Panzanella is a popular Tuscan salad starring stale or dry bread drenched in a classic vinaigrette dressing. This version features colourful...
Falafel is Israel’s national snack. The consensus among culinary historians is that fried chickpea balls originated in Egypt at least 1,000...
Everybody loves macaroni cheese! And what’s not to love? It’s comfort in a bowl – flavourful, homely, and delicious.
These tempeh stacks are light yet filling, and absolutely gorgeous to look at. Super easy to make – just stack the roasted veggies and tempeh...
Vegan egg made with white beans, potato, dill pickles, tabouleh and salad are stuffed in warm pita pockets to make these hearty, delicious...
This easy bliss ball recipe is the perfect bite size treat without the guilt.
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
Changing our habits is notoriously hard. That’s one of the reasons for month-long challenges like Veganuary and VeganEasy, that provide intensive support for newcomers to the vegan lifestyle. But how do you make it stick for the long term? Plant-based coach and behavioural science researcher Diana Goldman shares four proven strategies for staying the course.
As a behavioural science researcher who studies habit change as it relates to a vegan diet, I’ve seen what makes for a successful transition. These four strategies will help you sustain the steps you’ve taken after an initial trial run, while maximising the joy and benefits of plant-based living.
However ‘well’ or ‘badly’ you think you’ve been doing so far, pause and acknowledge yourself for the changes you’ve made. Every step towards a vegan way of life is meaningful and – in a nonvegan world – something to be proud of.
One of the best ways to sustain these changes for good is to keep exploring the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Many plant-based medical professionals, scientists, chefs, podcasters, YouTubers, authors and advocates are committed to sharing what they know and helping you in the pursuit of your goals. This means there’s a fantastic range of resources out there, including documentaries, podcasts, farm animal sanctuaries, recipe books, blogs and magazines, so go ahead and take advantage of them!
The more you learn, the more intrinsic motivation you’ll have – replacing the need to rely on willpower, which we know is a limited internal resource.
Let’s face it. We are compassionate beings who aim to act in ways that benefit us and the world around us, and we are also social beings who want to fit in. This can be challenging while vegans are still in a minority – albeit a rapidly growing one!
Seeking out like-minded people and communities helps us to feel secure in our belonging, so it’s a great idea to embrace support from a vegan friend, coach, mentor, workshop or online group. Your sense of community and self-confidence will increase. You’ll receive empathy, insights, positive feedback, motivation and accountability, and you’ll gain new inspiration and knowledge to help you navigate new situations.
Do you wonder what to eat or how you will have time to prepare vegan dishes? As a plant-based coach, nutritionist and recipe creator, I’ve seen the difference it makes to set yourself up for success with these simple, practical steps:
Although a wholefood, plant-based approach is optimal for health and longevity, vegan convenience foods can have a useful role to play too. From ready meals to vegan cheese shreds and mock meats, there’s an abundance of options that can smooth your transition and help you adapt your favourite recipes into vegan versions. The textures and tastes can be delicious, and these plant-based options are almost always healthier than their animal product equivalents – and certainly better for the environment and the animals.
When travelling, I always advise packing a variety of satisfying snacks, so you don’t find yourself hungry and optionless on the road. Some great choices include energy balls, veggie wraps, granola, dried and fresh fruit, and hummus with crudités or crackers.
As with so many life goals, our mindset is crucial. My number one tip here is to focus on progress not perfection. While some people switch overnight and never look back, the majority of us do well transitioning over time, so be patient with yourself as you take small steps and make incremental changes.
We know from research that a perfectionist mentality sets us up to fall short. In a major US survey, 43% of former vegetarians and vegans went back to eating animals because they felt it was too difficult to be pure with their diet. But there’s no need to give up entirely, just because of slip-ups along the way. This is why it’s so important to focus on celebrating your successes, learning from your setbacks, and owning your own journey.
With this mindset, you can feel good about each and every step you are making. Together, they are contributing to healing the planet, a compassionate relationship with other sentient beings, and the positive wellbeing of your body and mind.
Great food photos can have us drooling over dishes we’ve never even tasted. Here’s how to take your food photography to the next level.
We know we’d benefit from it, but we just can’t do it! Here are five ways to find your flow state through a more active form of meditation.
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Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
Is there a place for packaged products in a healthy plant-based diet? Vegan sports nutritionist Caitlin Adler weighs in.
Diversity is just as important as quantity if you want to boost your health and wellbeing with the veggies you eat. Read on to discover 10 ways...
One month. No meat. What a difference it can make! Here’s why we should all give No Meat May a go this year.
Apple and cinnamon combine beautifully with the creaminess of Licor 43’s tigernut-based horchata in this sophisticated sunset-hour sip.
Restaurant quality, yet surprisingly simple to make, this classic black-lentil curry from Made with Love and Plants by Tammy Fry is sure...
The ultimate vehicle for a colourful array of vegetables (vary the mix by season or as you choose), this rich and fragrant korma with tender...
This Indonesian fried noodle dish can be found at both high-end restaurants and street food vendors in the region – it’s a popular dish for...
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
Ramen is an all-time favourite Japanese dish, full of flavour and nutrition. The secret ingredient to our vegan eggs is black salt. Known as kala...
The star of the dish is the cashew cream. Be sure to push the veggies down so they are covered before baking. The magic happens when they soak up...
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.