Veganuary makes us realize that veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation, whether for food, clothing or any other purpose. Read and learn more about veganism.

Numerous studies show that the extreme of meat as well as the exploitation of other components of animal origin is unsustainable for both human health and the planet, but changing eating habits has not been easy, until the launch of the 'Veganuary' initiative in 2014 in England. 

The purpose is easy: eat vegan during the month of January following all the tips, advice and recipes to make this experiment practical and delicious. 

This is the reason why during this month, Kauri Store strongly encourages Veganuary, as an invitation to take a first step toward a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Choosing to join this challenge is in fact a way to raise awareness about the exploitation of animals in food, as well as in the fashion and cosmetics industries.

Who are vegans?

In recent years we have seen an increasing number of people opting for a plant-based diet; the main reasons for adopting this lifestyle are health and environmental concerns. There are an estimated 80 million vegan people in the world. 

Vegans do not eat products containing meat, eggs, milk, honey or other ingredients of animal origin. The diet is therefore based mainly on the consumption of vegetables, such as legumes, vegetables, beans, rice, fruits, nuts and many others.

The difference between vegans and vegetarians is that vegetarianism refers to a plant-based diet-that is, without meat or animal products-while veganism goes beyond diet. Being vegan means consuming nothing of animal origin either in food or in other aspects, such as clothing and beauty products.

What do vegans eat?

"Vegans/vegetarians eat only lettuce." This myth is often associated with these two types of diets, but know that the plant-based diet can have as much variety and flavor as any other type of diet. From adaptations of more traditional recipes such as vegan potato gnocchi, vegan eggplant rolls, vegan ladyfingers, to more diverse ones such as vegan chickpea burgers, vegan savory muffins, among others. 

How to become vegan? 

The first step is to figure out what your motivation is. Helping the environment? Empathy for animals? A healthier lifestyle?  Figuring out what you are looking for will help you stay motivated, so we give you a little nudge by teaching you the benefits of veganism for the body:

When you stop eating foods of animal origin, your body undergoes positive changes. There is improved bowel function, decreased risk of chronic diseases, improved digestion, reduced levels of bad cholesterol and blood sugar, decreased incidence of asthma and bronchitis, and alleviated and even reduced anxiety. In addition, eating without animal derivatives promotes a reduction in body swelling and inflammation, benefiting the skin and decreasing body weight.

Veganism goes far beyond food; it is a philosophy and lifestyle that aims to exclude all cruelty and exploitation of animals in any sphere. And for that to happen, you need to get into the habit of reading labels to make sure that no component of that food (or product) is of animal origin. Be willing to spend a few extra minutes in the kitchen, because the basis of vegan food is fruits, vegetables and oil seeds, which require extra time for cooking. And, of course, try new flavors, because although there are several substitutes for animal food (some of which even mimic the taste of the original), the taste will never be the same.

Change does not come overnight; it is a process. Start slowly by adopting the Meatless Monday plan, experimenting with new flavors, recipes and vegan substitutions for animal dishes, get informed and follow vegan content pages for inspiration.

What to gift a vegan? 

If you enjoyed this text and are looking for inspiration for a vegan gift, or even a gift for yourself, a great idea might be to opt for garments from Armedangels and Ecoalf, these brands hold the "PETA Approved Vegan" certificate, which ensures that the garment they are made of does not contain any animal-derived fabrics, such as leather, wool or silk.