About Veganism

National Peanut Butter Day

- Whether you’re a chunky or a smooth lover, want it smothered on breakfast foods, mixed into sauce at dinner, or slathered next to chocolate for dessert, we can all agree that this favourite spread deserves its national day of recognition! 🥜 This fan favourite staple has sustained endless lunches next to its best friend, jelly, and has found its way into many a Vegan heart by offering a great source of tasty protein, nutrients and fats. Really, what’s not to love (did we mention we also have one with caramel) 😉 P.B. Facts:  Despite their nutty taste and visual appearance, people think of them as nuts when peanuts are in fact classified as legumes, and they are grown underground. According to the National Peanut Board, the average 12-ounce jar of peanut butter requires around 540 to 550 peanuts to fill. Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal, Quebec was the first to patent peanut butter, in 1884. He developed the idea of “peanut paste” as a delicious and nutritious staple for people who could hardly chew on solid food, a condition that was quite common back in those days. Keep your jar of natural-style peanut butter in the refrigerator. Buy the smaller sized jars if you don’t go through a lot of peanut butter regularly. AND, how to mix the oil without mess….🧐 Simply store your peanut butter upside down!  The oil that accumulates at the top of the jar will slowly work its way to the bottom, redistributing throughout and leaving you with smooth, creamy peanut butter until the very last spoonful. Just make sure to keep the lid tightly sealed to avoid any leaks. No matter how you slather, snack or savour, Happy Peanut Butter Day to you!! -

National (Plant Based) Milk Day

Animal milk, especially from cows, has been a popular part of human diets for centuries. Thankfully, the unveiling of the cruelty animals endure, particularly in the dairy industry, has started to change the way people view milk. It has led many to reach for plant based milks instead, as a compassionate and humane approach. And if animal cruelty isn’t the tipping point for change, health implications of dairy milk have now been called into question as well.      A growing body of evidence shows that dairy milk is far from healthy and might even be dangerous for our health. From the risks of hormones and antibiotics to the potential for disease, dairy milk is far from a healthy food. It is often loaded with hormones and antibiotics (cows forced into milk production are given hormones, such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), to increase milk production) which has been linked to a variety of health issues, such as increased risk of breast and prostate cancer, early puberty, and insulin resistance.  Another issue with dairy milk is the potential for disease. Unpasteurized milk can contain a variety of harmful bacteria, including listeria and salmonella. Even pasteurized milk can still contain pathogens, such as E. coli and campylobacter. Drinking infected milk can cause serious health problems, including food poisoning and digestive issues. In addition, milk often contains pesticides and other contaminants that can be damaging to our bodies. Finally, dairy milk is not easily digestible. The proteins, such as casein and whey, are difficult for some people to process, leading to intestinal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. It can also lead to food sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance. The health hazards of milk are clear and far-reaching. The cruelty inflicted on cows to produce milk is unnecessary and avoidable. We now have a multitude of plant based milks that offer variety in flavour, caloric value, protein, nutrients, and that don’t aid in the continuation of harm and suffering.  Find your favourite, make the switch, and help us make today National PLANT BASED Milk Day instead!! 

Cruelty-Free Milk Alternatives

Milk Alternatives are HERE TO STAY!!  With National Milk Day coming up on January 11th, we wanted to bring light to the many, many….did we say many? milk options that are animal free, totally nutritious, and completely delicious!  By now, we all know the terrible truth that humans acquire milk from animals by forcibly impregnating them, then taking the milk intended for the animals' infants, and consuming it for themselves. This causes unnecessary suffering to both mother and child, and it’s completely un-needed because there are SO many milk options available that do not involve animal suffering!  And in comparison to cow's milk, unsweetened non-dairy milks generally have fewer calories, less sugar, and less fat. Plant milks are ideal for anyone who is vegan, lactose-intolerant, allergic to milk, watching their cholesterol intake, or wanting to live a compassionate and cruelty free lifestyle!  Please enjoy this comprehensive list, well tested by vegans, non-vegans, and inbetween-gans that’ll help you decide what milk alternative is best for your needs!  COFFEE: Coming in at #1 is the morning fan favourite pairings for coffee! If you liken yourself to a barista, fancy a fancy latte, have an extensive order at the coffee bar, then we suggest you saddle up to a BARISTA OAT MILK as they’ll froth, foam, and stand up to the heat.  A slightly sweeter, less edgy coffee drinker? Try a CREAMER with a bit of sweetened flavour to take the edge off!   CEREAL/OATS: Coming in at #2 is the other morning pairing, with breakfast! We’ve found a classic UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK takes the cake…errr…cereal ;-) BAKING/COOKING: Coming in at #3 is the best baking & cooking non-dairy option that is always so rich, so creamy, great for broths and sauces, fluffy desert whips and puddings, we’re talking about COCONUT MILK of course!  FROM A GLASS: And finally, at #4, the best milk alternative to have right from the glass? You tell us! Check out our full MILK ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS , try them out until you find your favourite!! So here’s to Almond, Oat, Coconut, Soy, Rice, Pea, Hazelnut, Cashew..to name a few ;-) CHEERS!

Beginner's Guide to Veganuary

So you’re thinking about trying Veganuary this year, awesome! Veganuary is a movement/challenge that encourages people to try veganism during the month of January. Let’s get you started and make your Veganuary a success!   Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages people worldwide to try vegan for January and beyond. During their 2022 campaign, more than 620,000 people took the pledge to try a vegan diet, while more than 1,540 new vegan products and menu options were launched in key campaign countries. Throughout the year, Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people. Going vegan is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your health, and show compassion for animals. Eating a vegan diet is the most effective way to reduce your environmental impact when it comes to food consumption. Studies have shown that plant-based diets require significantly fewer resources than those that include animal products, resulting in fewer emissions and less land and water use. A vegan diet is also associated with numerous health benefits like the reduction in risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Going vegan is also an ethical choice. By eliminating animal products from your diet, you are saying no to the exploitation of animals for food production, and sending a message of compassion. Adopting a vegan lifestyle is one of the best ways to show your support for animal rights.  If you’re transitioning to veganism, it can be overwhelming to learn about all the vegan food options out there. The good news is that there is a huge range of foods available with even more options popping up every day. Veganism is so much more than just salads and smoothies. With the right ingredients, you can make everything from hearty stews to decadent desserts. There are plenty of plant-based proteins available, including tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, quinoa, nut butters, beans, and legumes. These proteins can be used in all sorts of dishes to make meals that are satisfying and delicious. Plus, there are many vegan substitutes for cheese and dairy products that taste just as good, if not better! Don’t forget that vegan food can be fun too! You can enjoy a variety of treats like ice cream, cookies, and cakes. And keep snack-happy with things like popcorn, chips, crackers, hummus, olives, and nuts. There’s really no limit to the amazing vegan food that you can enjoy during Veganuary, and beyond! Some of our favourite sites to visit for easy vegan recipes and inspirations are:  https://minimalistbaker.com/ https://thevegan8.com/ https://plantbasedonabudget.com/ https://ohsheglows.com/ They offer vegan meal ideas that are easy, flavourful, comforting, and simple to both shop for and prepare. Congratulations on joining a global movement of carbon reduction, environmental awareness, and compassion!

Happy World Ocean Day!

On World Ocean Day, let's reflect on where we are, and how we can do better!  The average person today consumes double the amount of fish they did 50 years ago. As a result, over half of global fish populations are fully fished, and rapidly declining. David Attenbourough’s Blue Planet II, and the recent Seaspiracy documentary, have brought to light the absolute destruction that is happening to marine life, and how the delicately balanced ecosystems of our Oceans are becoming increasingly fragile and unstable. If we don’t make changes the consequences will include massive species loss, and eventually, permanent destruction of marine life altogether.  As ocean acidity increases (mainly caused by carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere dissolving into the ocean) it leads to a lowering of the water's pH, making the ocean more acidic. Many habitats, such as coral reefs, have already been lost or put at risk due to climate change and shelled marine life in particular will greatly struggle in more acidic waters. By switching to a Vegan diet, you help reduce the amount of carbon being pumped into the atmosphere for agricultural use which means you’ll help prevent the loss of species who can’t adapt quick enough to rising temperatures, and help the Ocean’s ecosystems re-stabilize!   Did you know that over a quarter of a million whales, dolphins and porpoises die each year after being caught in fishing nets? Thousands of turtles, seals and birds also die from injuries caused by nets and tackle (known as ‘by-catch’) but despite this, the fishing industry continues because of human demand. By going Vegan, we can reduce that demand and stop participating in the massive exploitation of our Oceans and the destruction of the lives that dwell within them.     To learn more about global conservation efforts, and those aiding in the protection of our Oceans and marine wildlife, we recommend following the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society here or watching Seaspiracy. At Vegan Supply we offer SO many seafood alternative selections like Vegan Zeastar’s line of Zalmon Sashimi, Shrimpz and Kalamariz, Urbani Plant-Based Tunah, Nature's Charm Calamari, Gardein Mini Crabless Cakes, Living Tree Carrot Smoked Salmon, Save Da Sea Tuna Salad + Smoked Salmon, just to name a few. Join us to easily choose Vegan alternatives and help protect our precious Oceans and the lives within them!

Veganuary

As Veganuary (going Vegan for the month of January) has begun, Vegan Supply can help provide you with the products that you need to see you through a successful month of going Vegan. We remain committed to “Make Vegan Easy” since opening online in 2015. During the month of January, we like to highlight our best sellers as suggestions for the newbie Vegans in your life, or for those taking the pledge for the month. We also offer one of the largest selection of meat and dairy alternatives in Vegan retail, as we understand that these can be one of the hardest or last switches for people transitioning to Vegan. We offer an abundance of choice because we understand tastes differ, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. That’s why we streamline our website to make it as straightforward as possible, allowing you to find what you need, want, or might want to try. Veganuary was coined out of the UK since its launch in 2014, and has been inspiring people around the globe to pledge going Vegan for the month of January, with a record half a million pledges in 2021. Upon signing up (Veganuary.com) you will be provided with tools and guidance for the entire month with daily coaching emails, nutrition guides, and easy recipes. With participants from over 200 Countries Worldwide, Veganuary continues to reach the masses and encourages people from all walks of the Globe to engage in healthy, compassionate, and environmentally focused impacts. Veganuary is free, although small donations are encouraged to help them continue to grow and thrive. Pledging to go Vegan for the month of January means you’ll be joining hundreds of thousands of others in a commitment to make this month a great way to start off the New Year!