Going Vegan: A Plant-Powered Life

2020 is an exciting time to be vegan!

If you've been considering becoming plant-based, you're not alone. According to the Vegan Society, the number of vegans here in Britain has quadrupled in the last five years, and by 2025 they expect vegans and vegetarians to make up a quarter of the population (not to mention all the flexitarians). 

In the last few years, there has been a revolution in the variety of products and vegan options on the menu. As a millennial with many herbivores in my life and as a veggie eater myself, I noticed vegan options appearing in shops and eateries across the country; no longer hidden away in dedicated meat-free restaurants and retailers.

As someone with a hectic working life and who has never been much of a cook, I found my options for food on the go and eating out were enriched with both healthy choices and quick comfort food - Beyond burgers, avo smash and Greggs sausage rolls were all the rage. Recent trends include pink beetroot buns and ingenious seitan versions of popular meaty dishes such as Buffalo wings and popcorn 'chicken'.

Going against the grain

Living compassionately and with a smaller carbon footprint is now easier than ever, and it makes sense if you care about our plant or animal welfare. As a slightly picky eater, I had fears about going fully vegan. Was I enough of a cook and foodie? Would I find things to eat when out and about? Would I get all the vitamins and fuel my body needed? How would I cope when challenged on my choice?

The main nutrient you might be missing is B12, and possibly iron or calcium, but there are loads of vegan-friendly options for these - both dietary and in supplements. You will have to spend a little time checking labels for sneaky meat and dairy ingredients in food, but once you find your favourites and accidentally vegan items it becomes second nature.

It can be frustrating to deal with ignorant questions and haters but remember you are making a bold choice that is better for the planet and your health, and you can use knowledge or humour to deflect the critics. There are loads of like-minded people out there who can support and advise you; when I was transitioning I went to local vegan markets to meet people and discover products from small businesses.

Give your life a green makeover

I take the view that absolutism is not a helpful approach to changing your lifestyle. You can make changes slowly, one aspect at a time, and if you have to make compromises or fall off the wagon occasionally it doesn't negate all the times you made a green and cruelty-free choice. 

My own journey was that as a veggie I gradually phased out most animal products over recent years, preferring plant milk anyway, and last summer I decided to go all in. Thankfully there are delicious substitutes for all your old cravings like bacon, cheese and chocolate!

First stop essentials: the Happy Cow food finder, TheVeganKind supermarket, Veganuary tips, the Vegan Filter, and get yourself a Holland and Barrett loyalty card. Now get out there and enjoy the plant-based world. 💚

Survival Guide for Long Car Trips

The Open Road. 

We all have epic road trips to make occasionally. Perhaps you're moving house, visiting relatives or friends, collecting an eBay bargain or sight-seeing somewhere miles from home. 

In my freelance theatre career, I have often had to do long drives: either on touring shows, transporting props and furniture, and to reach a new city where the contract is. When you have the option, as relaxing and green as train travel can be, when staying away from home or moving large oddly-shaped items sometimes it seems wise to jump in a car or van and motor.

"Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road." - Jack Kerouac

Having more luggage space, snack storage, your own space and pace can be liberating, but sometimes the idea of hours crawling on the motorway is the last thing you feel like. These tips are aimed at the solo driver, as opposed to family and group road trips, which have their own challenges but at least mean you can share the driving duties.

Some of my more epic journeys include Cheshire to Brighton for the festival (9 hours due to traffic!),  Oxford to Cheshire during the 2018 heatwave with no aircon, Birmingham to Edinburgh after travelling to Brum and loading the van, and a 250-mile round trip collecting antique candlesticks and a taxidermied crow. That last one was in my old faithful Yaris which was a teenager at that point! I know that truckers and couriers drive for a living, but how can the occasional day-tripper prepare?

1. Is your vehicle running well?

This is common sense, but if you have been putting off topping up your oil or tyre pressure, changing the dodgy wiper, or getting repairs or a service done, make sure you fit this in before your long journey. I recently ignored this advice and had to drive for hours in heavy rain with my broken wiper gaffer-taped into place...lesson learned.

If your car has cruise control features, learn how to use them before your big excursion. When used properly they really save a tired accelerator leg.

Make sure you have your insurance contact details and breakdown cover or at least the number of a garage you trust.

2. Stock your car with essential supplies

There are a million variations on what you might like to keep stashed in your car, particularly in case of breakdown. Make sure everything you need often is within easy reach. My recommendations would be:

• Bottled water
• Sunglasses
• Tissues
• Cleaning wipes/hand gel
• Snacks such as nuts, mints, biscuits
• Audio and charging cables
• Phone holder if used for navigation
• A blanket
• Spare warm/waterproof clothes
• Energy drink(s)
• A torch
• Gaffer tape (honestly invaluable!)
• Road map in case of technological failure
• Insurance/breakdown details
• Spare cash for tolls etc
• Washer fluid/oil

3. Pace yourself

These days I use Google Maps for navigating, and while it is super helpful I find it always takes longer than expected to reach a destination. You need to factor in time for breaks every 2 hours or so, taking wrong turns, traffic jams and bad weather. Google Maps has led me on 'shortcuts' down flooded country lanes before! 

Leave yourself plenty of time, try to travel earlier in the day, and don't skip meals or staying hydrated to save time. Your body needs proper fuel to maintain your focus whilst driving. Over-caffeinating will make you jittery and soon wear off; try sipping on tea (especially green) and eating high protein snacks for better stamina.

Know your own limits, and if you have to pull over and rest somewhere that is better than pushing on when you feel too tired to concentrate.

4. Boredom busters

In terms of audio, there is plenty to keep your brain engaged as the miles go by. Some people like music best, especially as it can positively affect your mood if you choose upbeat or calming tunes. 

There is always the radio, with so many stations to choose from with music, chat and comedy. Listening to the news and currents events can help you feel in touch with the world inside your metal bubble, and can also alert you to weather/traffic warnings. Recently I have been listening more to podcasts and audiobooks, which are ideal for long journeys, there are so many to choose from. It can stop the time from feeling 'wasted'.

Making phone calls is a bad idea even with a hands-free set up, as research shows this distracts our brains' visual processing from assessing the route and hazards ahead, so save any calls for your pit stops. Don't forget to download some of your chosen entertainment to save on phone data usage.

5. Enjoy the ride

After a decade of driving, I sometimes look forward to these road trips of a few hundred miles believe it or not. A lot of my other duties in theatre production tend to be pressured, fast-paced and socially demanding. At the end of a contract, or during a busy rehearsal period, having an undisturbed day of driving can be like a refuge. Driving alone like travelling solo in general (if not on a tight schedule) means you can decide when to leave, which way to go, where to stop and eat, what to listen to and so on. 

There are times when you feel stiff and drained with hours left to go, when the monotony gets to you. But I find more of the time is spent listening to media, admiring the scenery ahead, and letting my mind wander when the road conditions are steady. 

Why are you making this journey in the first place? You might be excited to get home, to experience a new place, to see distant loved ones, for a long-awaited event. We might as well make the best of what life throws our way.