The objective of Veganuary, a UK-registered charity, is to inspire people to give up meat and dairy and go vegan. It has come to India for the first time with a festival in Bengaluru.
Meghana Rajanahally, city lead for Veganuary, spoke to Metrolife about the campaign, and what visitors can expect at the festival, held at multiple locations.
“As part of Veganuary, we encourage people to sign up for a 31-day vegan challenge,” she says.
You can take up the challenge by singing up on www.veganuary.in. Veganuary helps you fight dairy and meat cravings by mailing you food recipes and dairy alternatives every day.
Aparna, market analyst, took up the vegan challenge on January 1. “I miss my tea with milk but I have now found a vegan alternative for dairy,” she says.
Rohan Hingaroni, TV reality show star and ambassador of Veganuary, told Metrolife about his experience of going vegan.
“I turned vegan five years ago, understanding the need to make a change for a better lifestyle,” he says.
He was suffering from allergies, and was able to overcome them with a plant-based diet.
Rohan uses Instagram and YouTube to create awareness about veganism. “Helping people in their transformation phase is necessary,” he says, underlining the role of a vegan community. Anushka Manchanda, well-known singer and actress, went vegan three years ago. “The important thing for anyone making the change is the support. Veganuary is providing exactly that. It is a helping hand,” she says.
Turning vegan has helped her overcome some problems.“I used to have a lot of menstrual cramps earlier. Turning vegan helped in that, and with a lot of other health issues too,” she says.
Susmitha, one of the owners of Carrots restaurant, went vegan in 2003. “I took to this lifestyle after opening my eyes to the cruelty in the dairy industry,” she says. Her interest in cooking and baking developed after she went vegan.
What is veganism?
Veganism is a plant-based diet lifestyle, which seeks to exclude, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. Vegans, in addition, do not use other animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps..
Some Veganuary events
Dairy Alternatives Ninja Workshop
Venue: Carrots Restaurant, Koramangala
When: Jan 12, Saturday
Time: 4:30-6:30
Reversing Diabetes and Hypertension
Venue: Taj Vivanta, MG Road
When: Jan19, Saturday
Time: 9:00-5:30
Vegan Speed Dating Event by All Things Love
Venue: Carrots Restaurant, Koramangala
When: Jan 19, Saturday
Time: 4:30-6:30
Vegan Warrior: An evening with Monica Dogra
Venue: Mimansa restaurant, Koramangala
When: Jan 19, Saturday
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
'The End of Meat' movie premiere:
Venue: JustBe Cafe, Sadashiva Nagar
When: Jan 20, Sunday
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Fun with Fermented Foods Class
Venue: JustBe Cafe, Sadashiva Nagar
When: Jan 24, Thursday
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Vegan Market
Venue: Enerjuvate, Jayanagar
When: Jan 27, Sunday
Time: 12 to 7 pm
Discount month
Vegan restaurants such as Enerjuvate, Carrots, Crave by Leena are offering deals and discounts for Veganuary. Green Theory has put together a special menu. Burma Burma, Mimansa, Little Green Cafe,
Jumping Beans, Habibi Falafel, and House of Seitan are also joining the Veganuary movement.
Vegan alternatives for dairy
Curd: Peanut and rice milk
Butter: Coconut oil and peanut milk
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