FOOD + DRINK
PLANT POWER CONT .
Goupie Chocolate ( www . goupiechocolate . com ) is a prime Kentish example of this : devilishly moreish , dairy-free , vegan and gluten-free , this handmade confectionery is just one example of what was once a treat only available with dairy , but that has become perfectly fine for vegans to consume and just as delicious . Kentish wines , Balfour ( www . balfourwinery . com ) and Folc ( www . drinkfolc . com ), were two of the first English wine brands to jump on the vegan wine bandwagon choosing to either leave the particles to sink naturally to the bottom of the wine , or use non-animal fining products in the process . Other plant-based alternatives come in the form of faux-meat too , with products such as TiNDLE ( www . tindle . com ) ‘ chicken ’ taking the high-end dining scene by storm , in addition to chain eateries such as as Greggs and McDonalds releasing their own vegan substitutes : the much loved vegan roll and highly anticipated McPlant burger .
Remember , it is not all about food either , ‘ vegan ’ comes in all shapes and sizes - from vegan footwear to vegan cosmetics - there are plenty of ways to get involved . With research and development , leather is being outdone in lots of areas of fashion with better materials created for purpose-made items such as running and hiking shoes , which now use more durable and animal friendly materials . If this is all feeling like too much to think about , don ’ t be put off . Although Veganuary is a great time to go vegan , it is not the only time to be or not to be vegan . Dipping in and out of a diet and lifestyle is a great way to begin more dramatic changes , or simply just embrace something new you might enjoy - if my grandmother can do it , so can anyone .
insideKENT ’ S SEVEN EASY STEPS FOR EMBRACING VEGANISM
1 . Take it slow . Things don ’ t happen overnight , so take it in manageable steps by doing things such as replacing a meal with a plant-based meal or being vegan for a week .
2 . No pressure . Don ’ t think about the things you can ’ t eat , think about all the things you can eat and perhaps some you haven ’ t tried before . Don ’ t berate yourself if you slip up or accidentally order a coffee with dairy milk instead of oat .
3 . Don ’ t just eat vegan junk food and ready meals . Focus on eating mainly whole foods like fruits , vegetables , beans , nuts and grains to ensure you ' re getting plenty of nutrients .
4 . Meal prep . Changing your diet can seem overwhelming , but it doesn ’ t have to be with organisation . Plan your meals ahead of time , use recipes for inspiration and shop for them with a list of ingredients .
5 . Supplement . An important part of making big changes to the diet is knowing what vitamins or minerals you may need to supplement . Holland and Barrett are great for nutrient advice , so check in with them to ensure you ’ re not missing out .
© Saymom Leão / Unsplash © Alexandra Andersson / Unsplash © Shannon Nickerson / Unsplash
6 . Experiment with recipes and cook for others . This is a great way to stay motivated , share your experience and inspire others while getting the most fun out of your diet .
7 . Try new restaurants . Whether it ' s inspiration or just a really good meal you ’ re looking for , every city and town is sure to have a brilliant vegan restaurant - or at least one with a vegan menu . Kent is no stranger to a plant-based foodie paradise , so make sure you check out our round up of favourites on pages 71 and 72 .
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