The Ultimate Vegan Shop
“Every year, it's getting easier to shop vegan. New products are being launched and restaurants are now offering vegan options. Is this the new cool trend or are people finally starting to make the connection? Or both? Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or veg-curious, there are an abundant of products on the market. With veggies, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds alone, you can already create a myriad of delicious dishes, but with the rapid growth of veganism in todays society, companies are going out of their way to create products that not only resemble animal products but taste very similar. I've created a list of some products currently on the market, including a list of staple ingredients to have in your pantry. From savory plant-based meats to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, there's something that will satisfy everyone! “
Thanks to @Vegvibez (on Instagram) for this page!
"Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food"
-Hippocrates
DAIRY-FREE
The thought of going dairy-free may seem overwhelming, but in fact it is the exact opposite! There are so many alternatives that resemble the taste of dairy, that are, in my humble opinion and backed by scientific research, healthier for your body, more environmentally friendly and cruelty-free. Below are some my best recommendations for some remarkable plant-based dairy alternatives that I believe will make your transition to dairy-free easier, happier, and more delicious. Be aware of sugar content, especially in milks. You can buy unsweetened milks, but that depends on your personal preference. Also, try to avoid ingredients such as carrageenan, which is a seaweed-derived additive that is used as a thickener and emulsifier in milks, ice creams, yogurts, etc. Research has shown that it can cause digestive and inflammation issues. If you have time on your hands, you can also make your own almond or cashew milks, yogurts, and cheeses.
Milks
There are so many options we can’t list all the brands! Almond, Cashew, Soy, Coconut, Hemp, Rice, or Oat milk and creamers - try a few and pick your favorite.
Cheese
Before transitioning to a vegan diet, I was a HUGE cheese lover, especially sharp cheddar and string cheese. People ask me all the time what vegan cheese tastes like, and it's a hard question to answer because I haven't had "real cheese" in almost a decade. When I ate dairy, I remember having major indigestion and heartburn on a daily basis which drastically improved when I cut out dairy. Nowadays, I can eat vegan cheese, heartburn-free and enjoy every bite. Some of my personal favorite brands are Violife, Fieldroast and Chao, Follow Your Heart and Miyokos, yet not all supermarkets carry them (so be sure to check beforehand).
Here is an up-to-date link from PETA which lists out all of the cheeses you can possibly imagine, including shreds, cream cheeses, soft cheeses, hard cheeses, nacho cheeses, parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella, etc.
Yogurt
Looking for some probiotics in your diet? Quick and easy breakfast on-the-go? I've got you covered. Below are some dairy-free yogurt brands on the market, with my favorite being Kite Hill (who also makes amazing cream cheese, must I add). These brands have a variety of flavors and types including regular and Greek yogurt.
Butter
Ice Cream
We all know that this is the most important category... because who doesn't love ice cream? There are so many delicious options in the freezer section, including well-known brands that added non-dairy flavors to their product line. Ben & Jerrys, Haagen Dazs, Breyers, So Delicious, Nada Moo, Coconut Bliss, Oatly and Whole Foods 365 brand, just to name a few. Even Target has a dairy-free ice cream now!
Click on the link from Urban Taste Bud to see many of your choices. You might have to up your game at the gym to burn off all those added calories once you get hooked!
Why switch?
Click here for some info from our friends at Vegan Dairy Fair
MEAT-FREE
I impulsively gave up meat and went vegetarian at age 5 (by choice) because I simply loved animals and didn't want to eat them. It was not until I was around 15 of age when I went vegan as a New Years resolution after learning about the horrors of the egg and dairy industry. By no means am I a doctor or nutritionist, but there are numerous studies that show the benefits of plants over animal products. If you're interested in learning more, watch the documentaries called 'What the Health' and 'Forks Over Knives'. You'll be shocked!
First and foremost, let's get this straight. People constantly nag at vegans for mocking animal products with the belief that they should just eat the damn meat instead of making 'fake' products. The answer is very simple. Most vegans grew up eating meat. It's not that we don't like the taste of it, we simply don't want to harm animals, the environment or our health. Furthermore, for those attempting to transition to a vegan lifestyle, it is useful to replace plant-based substitutes in meals they used to love. The transition to a plant-based diet doesn’t instantly undo a lifetime of habit-forming.
While I try to eat as close to a whole plant-based diet as possible, I still do love the various meat substitutes that have been introduced recently on the market. Plant-based products have exploded in recent years, and it is truly possible to 'veganize' almost every dish in some way! My personal favorite brands for quick, ready-made meat substitutes are Gardein and Beyond Meat. These brands can be found in many supermarkets and restaurants are starting to introduce them on their menu (yay!).
Here are some other meat alternatives that can be used in cooking:
Tofu is one of the most popular meat substitutes, especially in Asian cultures. It is an excellent source of protein, amino acids, magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. Soy often gets a bad rap for some health-conscious consumers, noting that it may cause future health problems. Additionally, it's known to be incredibly flavorless. However, anyone who has had good tofu can attest that organic soy, in moderation, has many health benefits and can taste incredibly delicious, when flavored with marinades and spices. For more information, Dr. Michael Greger has an abundance of knowledge on the topic of soy at www.nutritionfacts.org.
Tempeh is firmer than tofu and has a more grainy texture. It is made from fermented soybeans and has a nutty flavor. It’s packed with protein as well as fiber, calcium, and vitamins.
Seitan is a great meat substitute that has a chewy, dense meaty texture. It's soy-free and made from the wheat gluten, making it super high in protein. Check out this link for the nutrition facts of seitan: https://www.superfoodly.com/is-seitan-healthy/
Jackfruit is a large tropical fruit that has recently gained popularity as a meat substitute because of the way its texture tastes mimmicks that of pulled pork or shredded chicken. While it's high in nutrients such as potassium and fiber, it's relatively low in protein. If you're in the mood for some cruelty-free bbq pulled pork, pick up some jackfruit!
Lentils, mushrooms, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds... all of these are filled with important nutrients for the body and can be used in place of ground beef and in stews.
“I don’t see why someone should lose their life just so you can have a snack.” -Russell Brand
EGG-FREE
Many people wonder, 'If a chicken lays an egg, isn't it going to waste anyway?'
The egg industry is frightening, cruel, dirty and inhumane. They have done a wonderful job at keeping people in the dark, hiding the horrific truths. Similarly to the fast food industry in the U.S., the egg industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars that they've put into advertising and campaigns promoting eggs.
Most people are under the impression is that chickens lay eggs no matter what. In reality, hens have been genetically manipulated to lay between 200-300 eggs a year, while hens in the wild who have not been genetically manipulated lay only 10-15 eggs annually (similar to a female human's reproduction system). This puts a massive strain on their bodies. Since eggs are the products of the female reproduction system, male chicks born to egg-laying hens cannot lay eggs, and are also not the breed used for meat.
So where does this leave all of the male chicks? Whether "free range" or factory farmed, male chicks are completely useless to the egg industry and are killed almost immediately after hatching. They're either ground alive in high-speed industrial grinders, called macerators, gassed to death, or thrown in the trash while suffocating alive.
In the female egg farms, the birds spend their lives in hard-wired battery cages so small they cannot even stretch their wings. There are 5-10 birds packed in one cage alone, which causes hens to peck at one another from stress causing injury and death. In these cages, they are also forced to urinate and defecate on one another, causing the birds to rot and die. Rather than give them more room, farmers cut off a portion of their beaks without painkillers. A chickens beak is loaded with nerve endings; therefore, many birds die of shock immediately.
If this isn't enough of a reason to avoid eggs, they also produce many health risks. First off, they are cholesterol bombs! Eggs are the single, largest source of cholesterol in the American diet. Eggs have zero dietary fiber, and about 70 percent of their calories are from fat—a big portion of which is saturated. Many studies have been done where eggs can increase the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
On a positive note, there are so many egg-free alternatives for cooking and baking. Look below for some fun ideas.
Egg Alternatives
Apple sauce
Banana
Ground flax seeds
Chia seeds
Commercial egg replacers (Check out JUST Egg)
Agar agar
Nut butters
Vegan yogurt
Silken Tofu... and more!
Mayos
Follow Your Heart Vegenaise
Hampton Creek Just Mayo
Sir Kensington
Vegan Skin Care
Thank you to Sophie from MRSCS High School for providing this website on skin care!
Vegan Fashion
Thank you to Katie who got her Girl Scout Voices for Animals Badge. This is a senior badge that explores the connection between humans and animals so they can make informed choices and help others make them too. The badge requires the girls to investigate animals used for science, take a look at animals used for sports and entertainment and dive deeper into animal rights issues. She recommends: lulus.com for cruelty free clothes. Check them out!