An intially reluctant veggie
So if you haven’t figured it out by the name – I eat plant-based. That being said, I don’t like to categorise myself as “vegan” since that word is often politically (and sometimes negatively) charged.
I have been fully plant-based since January 2020 and was primarily plant-based since January 2019. In 2019, I was reluctant to commit due to the perceived stigma attached to the diet and lifestyle. I didn’t want to have to explain my eating habits with a fear of sounding preachy or sparking a debate. I finally committed to it during Veganuary 2020 I am now confident in my ability to explain that I eat this way to nourish my body whilst also giving me a new challenge in the kitchen.
Changing your diet is like any other change – it takes time, but you get used to it. Nine months in, I don’t think twice about eating meat or dairy. It doesn’t even cross my mind. Even at restaurants I can always find something without feeling deprived or missing out. There are also amazing alternatives to various animal products and while it isn’t perfect, it has come a long way.
diet & lifestyle doesn’t have to be a tick box
Although I follow mostly vegan/plant-based bloggers, podcasters and recipe developers, the majority of my friends and family would consider themselves flexitarian or “normal.” Essentially, I teeter somewhere between the plant-based and the omnivorous community. This has helped give me an interesting perspective, allowing me to respect mine and other’s choices. For me, the best way to eliminate other’s judgement is to cook for them and show them just how delicious and satisfying my food really is.
I have learned that my diet is not a tick box. We live in a world where there is pressure to categorise and put everything neatly in a box. I eat mostly plant-based but that doesn’t mean I have a temper tantrum if I order a dish cooked in butter at a restaurant or I try a new cuisine abroad. We’re all trying to experience new things, grow, and be healthy so cut yourself (and others) some slack before making judgements on lifestyle choices.
Overall I want this site to be for anyone who even slightly plant curious. Hell, you could eat meat or dairy every meal and you’re still welcome here (remember, omnivores can still eat vegan food!) I don’t want my name to scare people off or be the punchline of a vegan joke. (The internet is a scary place -please be kind).
beyond the recipes
Originally, I developed this site as a creative outlet to expand my culinary skills and recipes. While I still have dozens of plant-based recipes in my arsenal (and continue to develop more), I also want to develop as a writer/blogger. So, starting in October I will be introducing weekly blog articles where I will delve deeper into how, why and what we eat.
Whether you are interested in why certain food trends have or haven’t been successful across the pond; you are interested in the influence of social media on our plate; or want some more insight into plant-based staples, I aim to be an insghtful resource for a variety of people.
I hope you will stay around for a while whether you can make vegan cheese sauce in your sleep or if you only occassionally drink almond milk. Everyone is welcome and I am excited to share more!
xoxo
Holly
