Vegan food, drink and beauty to try in Veganuary and beyond

Veganuary inspires thousands of people every January to kick off the year on a vegan diet. Or a nearly vegan diet, at least. 

2021 is no different, with record numbers signing up this year – an enormous 440,000 had joined the pledge by 1 January. As we all look for ways to keep the everyday exciting in lockdown number three, we’re betting a desire to change up meal plans has nudged many of us on a Veganuary journey. 

Beyond adding variety into lockdown life, everyone has a different motivation for trying out veganism. For some it’s concerns over agriculture’s environmental impact, for others animal welfare. The potential health benefits hook lots of us in, especially since it lines up on the calendar with a new year, post-Christmas indulgence health kick. 

Having a positive impact in some way – on ourselves, the planet or animals – is what it all comes back to. And that’s something we’re all for. 

Maybe you’re already taking part, maybe you’ve missed the boat on the start date this year. We wanted to do a little introduction to a vegan lifestyle and some of our fave vegan-friendly social enterprise products for anyone who’s curious, wherever you’re at. 

So what is a vegan lifestyle? 

Food is the focus of Veganuary and what most of us think of first when it comes to veganism. A vegan diet means no meat, fish and seafood, dairy, eggs, honey or anything derived from animal products, like gelatine. 

That’s the common entry point to veganism – cutting out animal products and upping the plant-based foods in your diet. But fully embracing a vegan lifestyle means being mindful about everything you use or come into contact with. 

“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” 

That’s how the Vegan Society sums it up. 

So it goes beyond what’s on your plate and includes not wearing or buying products made of leather, wool, silk or anything that’s tested on animals. Animal testing is especially relevant when choosing cosmetics. Even though it’s banned in the UK, it’s still the norm in other countries and the brands who sell or make products in these places will test on animals. 

Don’t assume it’s vegan 

There are some products out there which commonly catch out those of us who are new to veganism or are buying for vegan friends. 

Did you know not all wines, beers and spirits are vegan or even vegetarian, for instance? Sometimes the production process uses animal products such as isinglass (that’s stuff from the dried swim bladders of fish, the idea of which might be enough to turn you on to vegan drinks). They act as “fining agents”, which remove particles and improve clarity. 

With that in mind, shopping vegan means becoming a pro label checker. Many manufacturers will include “suitable for vegans” on packaging if their product is free from animal products, but in other cases you’ll just need to read through the ingredients list. 

It’s also worth noting that cruelty free products aren’t necessarily vegan. Some products might not have been tested on animals but still contain animal-derived ingredients. 

So it can take a little research at the beginning, but you’ll soon build up a list of favourite vegan alternatives. And there are brands out there with vegan ranges who make it easy. 

Here are some vegan products from social enterprise brands we love and think you will too. 

Vegan food

It’s easier to stick to a vegan diet if you remember those little extras, alongside planning main meals that are plant-based. You want snacks you can reach for and store cupboard essentials to jazz up your dinners. 

Having a stash of Spare Snacks fruit and veg crisps is a good start in our minds. These award-winning snacks are made from unwanted produce and count as one of your five a day. Vegan, healthy and food waste-saving – impressive, right? 

Another social enterprise on a mission to reduce food waste is Rubies in the Rubble. They turn wonky fruit and veg into top notch relishes and jams. If you’re a mayo-with-everything kind of eater and can’t imagine giving up your favourite condiment, you’ll be pleased to meet their creamy Garlic Mayo. It’s made with aquafaba, the leftover water you get when cooking chickpeas which happens to be a great substitute for eggs.  

If you’ve got concerns about bland veggie meals, then fear not. Just keep this vegan-friendly Smoke ‘n’ Spice Shaker on the spice rack, which brings dishes to life with a smoked BBQ flavour. It’s made by Rubbalicious, a social enterprise that helps young people out of unemployment through the Yimuka Uganda project, which provides vocational skills training, mentorship and entrepreneurial support.

Lastly, if you can’t resist a sweet treat after dinner you’ll be pleased to learn that Miss Macaroon has launched vegan gluten-free macaroons. Eating these macaroons is basically a way of helping the environment, not to mention the young people who gain training and support from this social enterprise.

Vegan drinks

While the production process of some beers and wines makes them a vegan no-go, Veganuary doesn’t have to equal Dry January too. There are loads of brands who do stick to vegan methods – and, fyi, they’re no less delicious. 

Sea Change is a great example. They do thoughtfully made wines, with an effort made to keep environmental impact down to an absolute minimum. Sales support marine projects too. Pair your plant-based dinners with their wines, which range from an Italian Negroamaro (great with hearty pasta dishes) to Provence Rosé (great with summery salads). 

For craft beer drinkers who want to try vegan alternatives, you’re in good hands with Brewgooder. A crisp lager, tropical pale ale and robust session IPA are their core beers, with every can sold helping fund the clean water projects they support. 

Your vegan alcoholic tipple of choice can even be healthy. Yep, you read that right. Served do low-ABV hard seltzers that strike a perfect balance – a healthy drink that still feels like a treat. Oh, and they’re made from wonky fruit, so each can has an environmental benefit too. 

Vegan beauty

Not everyone might be ready or able to give up eating animal products. On the other hand, eating a plant-based diet might have you eager to make vegan-friendly swaps elsewhere in your life. In either case, your bathroom cabinet and make up bag are a good place to start.

As well as whether or not a brand tests on animals, look out for animal by-products on ingredient lists when vegan beauty shopping. A few of the most commonly used ones are beeswax, lanolin and collagen. 

As with food and drink, you don’t have to look far to find beauty brands who keep things vegan, if you want to avoid the headache of checking the fine print. 

With a mission to be kind to the environment at its heart, Conscious House is one of those you can count on for vegan products. Their whole range is natural, sustainable and organic, with items like lip scrubs, cleansers, soaps, hand creams and candles to choose from. 

We think their Pamper Box is a great note to end on right now. It’s stuffed with a selection of their soothing products, which you can buy for ethical reasons but also as an excuse to relax and unwind. Just the thing for when lockdown lethargy is kicking in. 

Check out the rest of our vegan collection for even more great social enterprise products to try in Veganuary and beyond.