The Veganuary Workplace Challenge 2023
How to Survive (and thrive) on a Plant-Based Diet at Work.
It’s that time of year again – Veganuary is upon us, and for many, that means a month of plant-based eating. While it may seem daunting to take on a vegan diet in the midst of the daily grind, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with a little bit of planning and some creative thinking, you can make Veganuary a breeze.
This year, Higgidy is a proud sponsor of Veganuary so we felt it only right that we should take on the Veganuary Workplace Challenge. Here’s how the team have got on…
Pre – Challenge
Beki, one of our food technologists is getting ready for Veganuary like a pro, stocking up on all the necessary plant-based essentials. From quinoa to lentils, and avocado to tempeh, she’s leaving no leaf unturned in her quest to make this month a delicious and sustainable one. She has even been spotted browsing recipes for vegan versions of her favourite dishes, like plant-based “chicken” shawarma and “beef” stroganoff. With her determination and a fridge full of fresh produce, Beki is sure to make this Veganuary one to remember. We asked Beki for a few words on how she’s feeling, to which she replied, “I’m ready”. Powerful stuff.
Being an experienced member of the group, having already completed this challenge EIGHT TIMES; Suzi, another of our technologist team, is approaching Veganuary with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm as an Olympic athlete preparing for the big race. She has been spotted at the local health food store stocking up on vegan protein sources like tofu and seitan and has been scouring cookbooks for new and delicious plant-based recipes. Suzi even has a “Veganuary” calendar hanging in the Higgidy kitchen to keep her motivated and on track. With her game face on and a fridge full of fresh veggies, Suzi is ready to take on Veganuary like a champ.
Jordan, Higgidy’s Culinary Chef is the one to watch. We all know he can cook up a storm in the kitchen and has a very innovative mind but might his desire for chocolate catch up with him? Let’s find out…
Post – Challenge
Beki embarked on Veganuary with a lot of enthusiasm and determination but found it to be a challenging experience. As the month went on, she found herself missing the taste of some of her favourite non-vegan foods such as cheese and eggs. Beki also struggled to find adequate replacements for certain dishes that she enjoyed, such as her morning omelette but despite these challenges, she made a conscious effort to try new plant-based foods and recipes which allowed her to broaden her culinary horizons and find new dishes that she loved. Ultimately, Beki found that Veganuary was a valuable learning experience, and she is proud of herself for completing the challenge and exploring new ways of eating. We caught up with Beki, who stated “I’m ready for cheese”. You’re not alone.
The Veganuary eight timer, Suzi, showed her experience and absolutely smashed this challenge! With strong determination she found it to be a challenging yet delicious experience. Suzi told us that Elmlea plant double cream and vegan Flora salted butter were lifesavers and that having access to so many more vegan-friendly restaurants in Brighton made it even simpler. She found that the benefits of being vegan, both for her health and the planet, were too good to pass up and she’s excited to continue this journey, proving that being vegan is not a punishment, but a pleasure. However, she did struggle with dry January, but that’s a story for another day.
Jordan, a chef by trade, took on Veganuary with a mix of excitement and scepticism. He found it to be a culinary adventure. When we spoke with him, he confirmed that he was a vegan from Monday to Friday, telling us straight up that he gave in on the weekends. We support you, Jordan! Who doesn’t enjoy treating themselves on the weekends? Experimenting with new ingredients and flavours, especially with Indian cuisine, was what Jordan enjoyed the most. However, Jordan quickly realised that the real challenge was not missing meat but instead dairy products, especially chocolate. He missed the creamy texture and the taste of cheese and chocolate that he used to love so much. By the end of the month, Jordan felt proud of himself for completing the challenge and had decided to continue incorporating more vegan meals into his daily menu whilst still allowing himself some flexibility. He also found that the benefits of being vegan, both for his health and the planet, were too good to ignore, but also that he couldn’t resist the temptation of a good piece of chocolate from time to time.
As we come to the end of Veganuary, it’s been an enlightening and challenging experience for all who participated in this year’s Veganuary Workplace Challenge. We would like to thank the team that took part and celebrate their success. Let’s continue to make conscious and sustainable choices for the benefit of ourselves, animals, and the planet.
If you took part in this year’s challenge, we’d love to hear how you got on!
