By Demelza de Burca
Move over dry November! This month is all about going vegan and that means abstaining from all animal products for the next four weeks. Traditionally November is a month where many come off the drink for the festival of All Souls, or more recently, it has been practised as a way of cleaning out the system in preparation for an indulgent Christmas.
You might wonder why one would add another misery into the mix but with health, climate change and animal welfare at the fore, many people from today are using this period to test out a plant-based lifestyle.
The term vegan was coined in England in 1944 by Donald Watson, the founder of the Vegan Society, to mean that “man should live without exploiting animals”.
A vegan diet and lifestyle excludes meat, fish, dairy, eggs and honey, leather, wool, silk or any clothing that comes from an animal.
Products that have been tested on animals or which contain animalderived substances are also banned.
Famed for his strong views on animal rights, former Smiths frontman Morrissey lauded vegans as “superior beings” in an interview last June.
But the singer is in good company as a huge number of A-listers including Brad Pitt, Alec Baldwin, Bill Clinton, Russell Brand, Ellen Degeneres and Stevie Wonder have overhauled their jet-setting lifestyles to make this most eco-friendly of choices with regards to their diet.
Former Glee star Lea Michele, Black Eyed Peas hitmaker, will.i.am, Jessica Chastain, Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Kate and Rooney Mara are also vegans.
Woody Harrelson, Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Portman, legendary dance musician Moby and Clueless actress Alicia Silverstone have ditched all animal products from their diet.
Famous Irish vegans 2fm star Keith Walsh, Aisling O’loughlin, Deric Hartigan and the Happy Pear brothers Steve and Dave Flynn.
Former Miss World and nutritional therapist Rosanna Davison has been a vegan for over 10 years.
“I don’t eat any animal product at all, so no eggs, meat, cheese or dairy products, but by choice I choose not to eat gluten products or sugar,” said the 34-year-old.
“It doesn’t limit me, it just opens up a whole new world of foods that are not as mainstream as other foods. It got me really into cooking and preparing meals because you look beyond the normal meals.
“I only really shop in the one supermarket where you can get everything you need but there is so much to choose from.”
The Dubliner added: “I honestly never have a problem.
“Restaurants are so used to people having allergies to gluten or milk anyhow that they understand. I just get the vegetarian option with no dairy.”
Fellow top
Heffernan, who model Thalia earlier this year investigated the growth of veganism in Ireland on RTE’S Ear To The Ground, turned vegan last year.
She said: “Initially, it was my moral challenge that made me turn to a plant-based diet, definitely, but after a few months, I’ve found myself reaping the health benefits too.”
The former Dancing With The Stars contestant and avid animalrights advocate, added: “Plant-based diets can be a bit more complex when it comes to getting all of your essential nutrients but having variety in your meals will almost certainly give you everything that you need.
“It’s always best to contact a nutritionist or your doctor before you consider changing your diet in any dramatic manner and check your blood during the first few months. Supplements are readily available depending on what you may need.”
Feeling inspired? Why don’t you try our two plantbased recipes
(right) to help you kick-start
Vegan
November.