lies to unlearn about being vegan

[@sockelf]

ariel's plot twist got me gagged 😯😯😯😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[@aritrueswell7841]

This is how I found out about her engagement lol

[@marloesk9753]

@@aritrueswell7841 Same or actually, your comment is 😅

[@360shadowmoon]

I weirdly feel special finding out this way, like I was in on the personal phone call or something lmao

[@joeyleery2002]

You can go into any five star hotel in London and approach the concierge and ask nicely for a sewing kit. Yep, I have done it. They have been lovely. Niche, I know!

[@madeleine2631]

I take them every time I stay in a hotel with them lying about! But honestly there wouldn't have been enough thread for the seriousness of that rip 😂

[@ruthhollander9361]

Hearing Ariel is engaged from this video is so iconic

[@slightlycrummy]

This video is a masterpiece. A nuanced take on a complex topic with twists, turns, friendship, and a romance?! Phenomenal

[@leenanorms]

Hahah aw thank you

[@leilathecuttlefish]

I second this!

[@ZaydaFleming]

I am so proud of you for not succumbing to the path of least resistance and putting in the effort to repair your dungarees! 10/10 great job Leena!

[@leenanorms]

* bows * thank you!

[@annikamin6914]

The dramatic jumpsuit repair storyline 😂

[@laurenseatter9391]

My nan had a milk allergy and the amount of frustration due to unnecessary milk in products that absolutely don’t need it was constant! Quite often she wouldn’t be able to eat anything on a menu or find something in a shop and several times got sick due to undisclosed milk in food products/meals at restaurants

[@LaureMBrussolo]

My brother had a milk intolerance in the 90s: it was heart-breaking to go out. It's much, much better now with labeling.

[@joyoriordan]

The amount of unnecessary milk powder in things is so frustrating

[@raraavis7782]

Same. I'm only low key allergic, so nothing terribly dramatic happens if I slip, but I've become *very* aware of this since my diagnosis. Luckily, in larger German cities, most places have several outright vegan options available, so I don't have to 'interrogate' the server, every time I eat out. But most processed food from the grocery store is 'off the menu' quite literally now. And I missmissmiss cheese 😆

[@lunarose9]

My girlfriends ex had this, which was lucky for me because when I went vegan she already knew all the snacks I could and couldn’t eat. Having someone who knows what they are doing can go a long way.

[@queeniemarkham8022]

This is my life. Ugh. Recently I discovered dairy milk powder in coconut milk powder, which I think is the STUPIDEST use of milk powder I’ve yet come accross.

[@elizabethgranger21]

now when I go to exclusively vegan restaurants I get so overwhelmed by choice!!!

[@alrockon]

lol same !!! hahahaha not used to so many choices

[@4n6h4r4d]

As someone with a dairy allergy it is crazy the number of things that have milk in and even crazier the number of people selling food that don’t know what “dairy” is and don’t know what makes something vegan. I was at a wedding fair for my own wedding and asked about dairy free cake at all the vendors. One of them genuinely offered me their cakes made of wheels of cheese because according to them “cheese doesn’t have any dairy in it”. Another woman when asked about vegan cake said “these are fine they only have egg, no milk” her son was vegan!!! These are people running independent cake businesses and they didn’t know these things 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@leenanorms]

Agreed, so worrying?! I don’t know if it’s generational but we need to sort out public education around food because it’s wild

[@CookietheCalico]

I watched this an hour ago, but just had to come back and let you know im still laughing at the image of you eating your train pizza with such gusto that a stranger was compelled to take the piss 😂

[@miraaa19]

Such a wholesome moment though 😊

[@Miss_Lexisaurus]

This has prompted me to pack a sewing kit in my bag! lol! You are a legend!

[@judithrussell9162]

As someone who was vegetarian most of my life and vegan for the last six, there will always by sneaky eggs/milk in foods where it just doesn't make sense. And after you've bought the thing and taken it home (I'm talking to you bao bun). It's fine, the thing is in the world, you didn't bring it into the world, no harm was done by you, and the only ethical thing to do is consume it to the last crumb. And learn. So well done Lena, you make a difference.

[@paigedawson9687]

This was me last week. Ordered a vegan taco, ate the taco, realised it had sour cream on. The taco FILLING was vegan but the toppings weren't (sneaky marketing). Would be a waste to bin it so I ate it and chalked it up to experience 😭

[@sexyscientist]

@@paigedawson9687 Were the toppings not added to the "vegan taco" when served? Were the toppings ordered separately, or were the part of the "vegan taco" order? I'm pissed reading this, Paige. Imma sue these bastards.

[@360shadowmoon]

I once accidentally ordered a vegan (Impossible) burger with bacon on it.@@paigedawson9687

[@Acehigh-Jenkins]

Yep I’ve done that! I either eat it or give it away to a non vegan so it’s not wasted!

[@nymeria941]

One thing I love about your challenge is that you actually talked us through how you navigated the unexpected. Specifically, your experience with the Magnum and digestive reminded me of this: “we don’t need one person doing zero waste perfectly. We need everyone doing zero waste imperfectly.” And as somebody who comes from a family, where we have a lot of food allergies, I appreciate your discussion of how that impacts people’s decisions to go vegan or not. It’s a perspective that I don’t usually see from people who do not themselves have those food allergies.

[@taylor-]

I've been vegan for about 4 years now, and I remember the biggest surprise for me was how easy it was. Although, to be fair, i was a lactose-intolerant vegetarian before that, so that probably helped lol ++ for showing that it doesn’t need to be an all or nothing thing!

[@sexyscientist]

I'm sorry, I don't understand. What is the difference b/w lactose-intolerant vegetarian and vegan?

[@jessicataylor2753]

@@sexyscientisteggs

[@alexandriawest]

@@sexyscientist There's a wide range of lactose-free dairy products available now, so a person could still be eating all of the dairy stuff.

[@sexyscientist]

@@alexandriawest Lactose-free dairy products!!! Nice. How long humans has been consuming these?

[@isabbygabbyorcrabby]

I do really enjoy the lowered decision fatigue caused by being vegetarian!

[@MissNoechen]

Me too! When I'm having a bad day, I sometimes even get mad that there are more options nowadays because it brings back the overwhelm

[@nathaliesluijs765]

Me too! Love having like 2/3 options to pick from 😊

[@nimrodgrrrl]

This is so interesting, because as a coeliac and someone who often eats vegetarian (because I don’t really like meat anyway) it’s actually very difficult!! Even with less options I still struggle. I’m also autistic though, so that might be it.

[@sonyamohe]

re: the sewing kit not being recyclable, carrying around a sewing kit is an absolute must. u can use that for the rest of your life tbh

[@leenanorms]

Yeah it’s definitely not going to get thrown away any time soon!

[@Theslowishdiaries]

The points mean prizes has been revolutionary! I actually used it as a class challenge this term (not about being vegan but getting them to line up and come into class quietly 😅) if they managed 50 points by the end of term they were allowed to bring their teddy to school on the last day 😊

[@EowynDriscoll]

LOL the Ariel Easter Egg alone makes me want to upvote this (also the vid is great)

[@IzlyeSellos]

I keep a sewing kit in my desk at work and in my bag. Came in handy when a coworkers shirt button came off. It was the button right in the middle of the boob area 😬.

[@sexyscientist]

Threads of that button take the most strain. So, it is expected.

[@zoeziebee]

I’ve been dairy free for health reasons since I was 15 so I’m well aware of all the hidden milk in things and having to read packets. Also eating out can be so stressful when staff aren’t clued up on their allergens

[@gingeypie9321]

I LOVE your realistic approach to veganism (and just about every thing else for that matter!) Congrats on doing so well; looking forward to see what your well earned prize is!

[@alexandraporter1]

I once had to repair a dress I was wearing to a friend's wedding in the toilet of a train to Oxford with a mini sewing kit I'd picked up in the Boots at Paddington station after it ripped right down my bum while I was on the tube. So much relating and so proud!!

[@MariannesStudio]

I love the vlog and chat format:)

[@Julielovescats7455]

The point you made about there beeing less choices, i totally agree with. I've been vegan for 3,5 years now, and whenever i actually go to a vegan restaurant that has more than two vegan options, i get incredibly overwhelmed. The lack of choice has never felt like a sacrifice for me, since i'm not a picky eater and like trying new things. I only feel like its simplified my life and theres less decisions to be made.

[@vhangel36]

Agreed. Having limited menu options is strangely freeing and makes the decision process so much easier.

[@Marciocha319]

I went vegan for the planet a few years ago now (except for some carefully selected honey) and it's been lovely to be along on your ride exploring reducing the animal products you eat in such a thoughtful, low pressure and meaningful way. At the end of the day, any choices we make that we have to make (as in, we have to eat) really matter and need to be made in a way that's sustainable for you.

[@lisa_wistfulone7957]

I’ve made it to fairly consistently pescatarian, but I appreciate your mention of allergies, because it’s difficult for me to go fully vegan. I have a soybean allergy, and in the U.S., many vegan options (and lots of non-vegan foods!) rely on soybeans for protein. Restaurants use soybean oil for regular cooking, not just the fryer, and store shelves are full of products (like peanut butter!)that unnecessarily use soybean oil. It’s difficult for me to find enough safe products that will also provide sufficient protein and healthy balance, without loading tons of fats. I’m doing the best I can, but if anyone in this community has advice, I’d appreciate it.

[@lightanddarklove]

I'm almost in the same boat, It's all beans for me as well as things in the broccoli/ cauliflower family, and although it's a digestive sensitivity, not an allergy I will pay for it the next time I go to the toilet about a day after eating whatever has soy/beans/my other sensitivities. Most vegan cheeses I've looked into contain something that will upset my system. Plenty of meat substitutes are bean based so I usually rely on one brand and look carefully into the other brands to see if they have something that will work for me. I have switched out regular milk in cereal for oat/ almond milk to make most of my breakfast things vegan. Quorn ground beef substitute isn't vegan, but it only contains eggs, so it works for people who have milk allergies as well as bean allergies. I'd recommend it in something richly flavored, since it doesn't have much flavor on it's own, like a chili, tomato sauce for pasta or any beef based soup. For baked goods, if you're up for making your own pastries, chia seeds will often serve as a good egg substitute when mixed with water, though it does hold the food together worse than egg products. My favorite butter substitute is coconut oil for baking/ pancakes, and walnut oil for starches like rice and pasta. A good nutty vegan snack is melting coconut oil over walnuts (tastes similar to popcorn). Even doing some swaps are better than nothing, so long as you're still looking out for overall health.

[@hollydarby272]

I've been vegetarian for 4 years and I have a few tips that might be helpful (mostly for cooking at home)! If you like other types of beans and can eat them, that is a wonderful place to start- my favorites are black beans, chick peas, and pinto beans, plus all types of lentils. You can make tofu super easily out of red lentils which could be a good option! I also make seitan which is made from wheat and one of my favorite options for a more realistic meat substitute. Seitan is also something you can buy ready made from the store which can be really convenient. It sounds like you're doing a great job already, but I hope this helps a bit!

[@rivkashapiro8119]

I'm also allergic to soy and it's one of my few barriers to going fully vegan! Can only imagine how much harder it is for those allergic to nuts 😢

[@lyndabethcave3835]

Honestly, I'd say making sure your body has the nutrients it needs are more important than going full vegan. It's all a cost-benefit balancing act when it comes to food and sustainability. And when you throw in dietary concerns like allergies, it changes the balance compared to what people without allergies can do. If you have resources, capacity and the desire to go more vegan, go for it, but you don't have to. Maybe that energy would be more effective devoted to other aspects of sustainability. Only you can know what's best for your situation.

[@noodlespook6689]

Allergic to soy, nuts and gluten over here, so I feel you! If the latter isn't a problem then Saitan might make for a good Tofu alternative? I've only recently developed my allergy to soy and as a result I've simply decided to cut myself some slack. Dairy products are such a convenient and relatively affordable source of protein for me that I've made cheese and yoghurt an accepted exception again and I'm so much happier for it. Can't fight for no change on an empty stomach 🙌

[@glassesandmalibu6612]

The jumpsuit plot was oddly relatable, I went through every emotion with you there 😂 however, I couldn't help but wonder if going to a tailor or alteration shop and telling them it's an emergency would have been an option, too? Just for consideration, in case something like this happens again 😅

[@wessicajalford]

I've been vegan 8 years now and it's amazing how quickly you can train your eyes/brain to scan ingredients lists and items in shops and cafes. Most places only offer a few vegan options so you can make a choice really quickly! When I go somewhere that offers an extensive vegan menu I get so thrown off.

[@BookCat18]

I have a casein allergy in milk. I haven't found a reliable way in my town to avoid dairy, except in coffee/tea. Everything else is likely to have dairy in the bread, the toppings, the sauce, or the filling. Except Oreos XD and for fully vegan items my garlic allergy blocks me from anything premade.

[@fryingpan552]

ugh yes! I have sensitivities to garlic and onion, which are just added in to so many snacks and pre-packaged food products

[@LG-ex8bu]

I love you embracing imperfection. Imperfect sewing repairs, imperfect veganism, imperfect everything. Imperfection makes me so happy❤❤❤

[@anna-ne9zk]

even as an aspiring-vegetarian, going out to restaurants to find i have 2 options to choose from ??? amazing. makes the deicsion so easy for me.

[@victoriajenkins1424]

The sad thing is that before I was vegan I would eat the same meal each time at any given restaurant, but now that I’m vegan, I want to try everything! I know that I actually want everything to be vegan, not that I want to eat all the non vegan things.

[@lavanyasunthara]

You are the coolest, even if you have a humiliating day... it just looked adventurous, colourful and wonderful to me !!

[@leenanorms]

Xxx

[@Nico5890]

"Disheveled but invincible" is my favorite mood ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@leonik7152]

I had to learn (or realise) that not all Tofu/Seitan menu options are vegan. And still (not even in Berlin) all people now exactly what vegan or vegeterian means. I had to ask if there was fish sauce or something similar in the dish so she ran to the kitchen to ask. She showed me one dish that had no animal product in it but tbh until today I am not 100% if she was correct or maybe she even lied so I order something :D

[@katarinakidd9450]

I loved this style of video so much! Perfect mix of old school Leena video where it’s more casual and chatty with the video essay style you’ve been rocking lately. So great!

[@frank_fruitsalad]

I have a nut and sesame allergy and am also vegan! But yes of course the allergy stopped me from trying to be vegan for a long time. I live in a big city which definitely makes it easier like you said!

[@miraaa19]

That's why I always have a sewing kit with me. A bit of thread, a needle and a safety pin don't take up any space but can SAVE THE DAY 😄

[@nikkid5627]

Cheese was definitely the hardest and last non-vegan thing I gave up. But now 6-7 years down the line I genuinely don't even think about it. So whilst it is really hard to stop thinking about diary as a default and feels like that will be a struggle forever, I genuinely believe most of us can move past it eventually. It just takes time and distance from the memory of it. I sincerely agree with your whole concept of veganuary for new and curious people to try this lifestyle and is sort of what I did in the early days. I just tracked vegan days, and when I hit 20 in a month, in December no less, I realised I could probably just do it every day and did. So good for you for promoting this message - well done you!

[@EarlaPurla]

My favourite emergency mending supply is a stapler! Surprisingly helpful when you don’t have a sewing kit and have a fabric that isn’t prone to snagging!

[@lightanddarklove]

If I had a rip that bad during a day out in a city, I absolutely would have gone to the thrift store so kudos to you for making it work. I do rely on a car most days and keep a spare pair of pants/shirt in the trunk for these kind of emergencies.

[@kelseymilburn8676]

OH MY GOD THAT JUST HAPPENED TO MY LUCY AND YAK JUMPSUIT - LIKE LAST NIGHT WHAT ARE THE ODDS

[@kelseymilburn8676]

did yours rip along the seam though? cause mine ripped just next to it so im not sure on how to sew it up

[@eyejay404]

I’ve had the same problem with three different pairs of L&Ys. It’s a shame, I’m not sure what’s going on with their construction.

[@fionashaw9097]

Yeah this happened to both pairs of my Lucy and Yak blue jeans - there is definitely something wrong with their denim!

[@MaggieMacKenzie]

It happened to me with the corduroy! I was at a theatre show 😅

[@madriarc]

Yep happened to two of my Addison's 😭

[@Ditto787]

Congrats on making it through the month! I am also not gonna lie, I both had a laugh and felt some kind of kinship. Because as someone with a cow milk allergy, your veganuary sounded a lot like my day to day !

[@aquaprincess9879]

The one I didn't find out until I'd been vegan for many, many years was FRUIT AND VEG 😖 Some of the waxes used to preserve produce like citrus, melons, apples contain shellac or beeswax and there's no way to tell unless the seller puts a label somewhere (see the Great Tesco Non-Vegan Orange Scandal from a couple of years ago). Also, coconuts can be controvesial beacuse some producers use trained (and badly treated obvs) monkeys to pick them. I know it sounds like a joke but I promise you it is not...

[@susanbartlett5052]

No one could be expected to be faithful if they found themselves in a taxi with Paul Mescal!

[@silliepixie]

I love using stickers to track progress on a goal. For some reason the visual representation of accomplishment with a sticker just really makes my brain happy.

[@daisyrye]

I really loved this vlog style video! They're not my usual type of thing to watch but I massively enjoyed this change of pace! Xx

[@marianakamimura6561]

Having a tiny sewing kit in your bag is a must! I usually keep a needle, a small bobbin of thread and small nail clippers. It takes up absolutely no space and you can even bring it on a plane with you ✨ About veganism: switching to more Asian meals helped me a lot when choosing vegan, because it’s so easy to adapt the recipes and there are SO many options! Love your video, as always ♥️✨

[@Sims2Pack]

I've had celiac disease (wheat allergy) my whole life so I'm always reading ingredients lists (great strat with the allergens notification by the way - but I don't think Canada is as strict as the UK about it) and it is exhausting, same with the always-risky dining out. What made veganuary much easier for me was subscribing to a vegan meal plan - it also has saved me money on groceries. I recommend Rainbow Plant Life's, and I've made it all as a single person. side note - I'm not sure if you've done this before or have any interest in this, but have you considered making a travel/tourist guide for folks visiting London and the surrounding areas? I've been wanting to visit the UK for ages and if everyone is half as cool and funny as you I have to see it!! Thank you for your work your videos always put a smile on my face :)

[@savannanl8734]

I got lactose-intolerant in 2020 (I know) and I'm still so grateful to my dietician for warning me about toothpaste! Now let that really sink in... Yes, there can be lactose in toothpaste! And a lot of medicine as well. It's really frustrating as it's super unnecessary; a celluose would do!

[@crisantema5672]

I did veganuary in 2022 and I decided after to continue eating vegan at home since I got used to do vegan grocery shopping, and be vegetarian when I was out. That really worked for me and it made me feel less scared of being vegan, which I became later on in the year. The goal is for change to be sustainable so I'm all for baby steps!

[@MaiuLunekund]

Seeing a vlog without music, but with realistic sounds and friend-like chat was like a breeze of fresh air 🙏

[@leenanorms]

Hahah aw thank you - I definitely wanted it to feel more realistic and calmer so really glad it worked for you!

[@Alenajellybeans]

12:42 this!! In the past I've made some nebulous goal of "reducing my animal consumption" which led to decision fatigue bc every snack and meal I was asking myself "is this worth it, should this be vegan?". Now it's just the default and I actually find it easier to maintain.

[@cIvy726]

I have just discovered you, and I think you are delightful! Full disclosure, I'm a long-time 71 year old (ethical) vegan (almost mostly generally), born in London, but raised and living in Canada. So, that's my cultural frame. Imagine my surprise when I heard that your aunt suggested you just push the boat out and get a magnum of champagne because you've both had a tough day! I struggled to work that into the picture I was forming - it seemed a bit excessive, but what the hell! lolol! We don't have Magnum ice cream here. Fuller disclosure, ice cream and chocolate are generally the items that destroy my vegan status. And cheese at Christmas.

[@filipacarvalho173]

when I saw Ariel on the phone I immediately hoped you were filming at the perfect time, and you were!!!

[@deuteragonist1078]

I had the goal of not buying any new non-vegan food this month (so I could finish out my groceries without them going to waste), and I kept it up for most of the month! I bought three non-vegan foods while out because my area doesn't have a lot of great options, but I still ate a lot less dairy overall, tried out some new options at restaurants, and felt motivated to keep going even after I messed up. Thanks for your veganuary videos, they were super helpful!

[@Charlie_Fuchs]

I did the same thing! I bought vegan pesto instead of regular pesto, tried new snacks, learned how to cook tofu, made bread (incredible) and I feel like I'm set to continue down this path some more.

[@chattylily]

I became a vegetarian 15 years ago. I live in France so all there was to eat at school was bread, fruit and yogurts (even the sides had meat in them most of the time). When I switched to veganism 8 years ago, there were already many more veggie options, but almost nothing 100% plant based. Now, even though we are way behind compared to the UK, there are vegan foods in every shops and most restaurants. Things are changing fast, and you can do it Leena, well done! And also good on yhou for not going with the all or nothing approach, it really is better to approach veganism that way for most people!

[@abbyburns3127]

I really appreciate the bit at the end about how difficult dietary things can be for some people and how our society isn't set up to help facilitate support for those individuals. I am primarily vegetarian, but am also someone with disabilities. I don't often run into issues with being mostly vegetarian in regards to my disability, but have run into issues when trying to source vegan alternatives for things like nutrition shakes. They aren't impossible to find thanks to the internet but are nearly twice the price and are something I'd have to mail order which are added barriers. Here's to hoping things shift in a more positive direction like they did with gluten free items!

[@chiarachiaretta]

Just to say I've enjoyed this video very much! Thank you Leena! hugs from Italy

[@buffienguyen]

I have been vegan since I was in my home country Vietnam and then I moved to Germany, which made being vegan so so much easier. Menus in restaurants are required to list their allergens, and products that are vegetarian or vegan often just has a small logo that says so. Most restaurants have at least a vegetarian option and there are many yummy vegan food!

[@indiabilly]

I wanted to be vegetarian but I have autoimmune diseases and what I am using successfully to treat (after medication to correct it first) it is the AIP diet which bans seeds nuts dairy eggs nightshades and grains so I can’t unfortunately, but I feel the pain of not being able to rely on what I believe something is made of and what it’s actually made of xx

[@MLiesel]

2:32 I love Earl Grey tea with oatmilk! In the part of the US where I live, we call a tea latte made with Earl Grey a “London Fog.” Is that a common term, or just what we say here?

[@susankiepe6912]

I'm going to try that. London Fog - love it

[@theonlyenekoeneko]

Leena did incredibly well!! (Also the trouser repair situation omg 😅 I have had a similar thing happen, I ended up sitching up the rip from the outside while still wearing it 🤭) I hope no one is put off continuing to try being vegan by the little mishaps/mistakes/confusions. Doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It gets easier and pretty much automatic surprisingly fast. 100% worth the effort!

[@emmadroste8493]

2 tips about the sewing things from someone who also struggled with this: i carry a handmade sewing kit everywhere theyre really fun to make out of scrap fabric. Ora lin gas a free pattern for one too! Also: needle the thread dont thread the needle. AKA hold the thread close to the end and manipulate the needle over the thread. It doesn't help the poor lighting sitch but it does make it easier when you don't have a needle threader.

[@bl1776]

Hi ! Nobody said it but i consider myself a vegan and i would have definitely went to get that magnum. Animal suffering includes humans, and i will not make my loved ones miserable. Bothered and angry okay, but not miserable. If there was anything vegan in that shop I definately would have gotten it, but if someone is inviting me in a state of absolute dispair, I'm not gonna do something that would look petty. I draw the line at meat still. Also could you do something about sexism in classic litterature please ? I have practicaly thrown away a classic from all the putrid values it upheld, but I still feel bad deciding never to read 19th century white men litterature again. What do you think abour reading only women for a year, or how hard it is to do 50/50 ?

[@leahaf808]

Re: chocolate bars - Fry's chocolate creams are vegan - there were some in the top right when you panned over the choc shelves. Milk powder in EVERYTHING is soooo frustrating. Been vegan for nearly 8 years and still get caught out on occasion.

[@irismeeow]

it really takes practice to scan ingredients for animal products. fish, dairy and eggs are easy to spot because they'll always be highlighted for allergy reasons but then there's also meat, gelatine, honey, beeswax, carmine, shellac etc that can be more sneaky. one really important thing to pay attention to is the word "flavourings", this is sometimes meat (in gravy for example) or in rare cases honey. so if the product is marked vegetarian, it's usually safe to assume the flavourings are vegan friendly :) it also takes some getting used to to refuse gifts from others because there's an emotional element to it. you said "of course i won't say no" but you are well within your right to say no to something you fundamentally disagree with. the longer i've been vegan, the stronger is my belief that this is the right choice. i used to make exceptions at the beginning that i can't even imagine now. for me personally, it was easier to switch overnight. i didn't give myself the option to still have dairy or eggs and not having them for a while completely changed what i'm craving. i started really enjoying cooking and making up new recipes, my diet is so much more varied now :)

[@boelena5656]

I can't figure out whether it's the hair cut or the colour of hat, but you look phenomenal! I haven't seen your videos in a while and omg, that cut looks so so good! I have always been told my face is too full to cut my hair any shorter than shoulder length but seeing your hair hit at the cheeks and jaw and looking STUNNING makes me believe these people don't know what they are talking about. I was gonna get mine cut anyways, maybe i will go shorter than i planned.

[@charliebrown1184]

My personal favourite accidental vegan item is probably oreos. Also mix with oat milk in a mug and microwave for a minute with dark chocolate chips (which are sometimes also accidentally vegan) and you have a little chocolate mug cake.

[@melzymoomin888]

I like Oreos but was over the moon when I discovered Biscoff biscuits and spread are vegan. And jammie dodgers. And pink panther wafers.

[@Yozora0no0Hoshi]

In part due to one of your recent videos, I’ve started trying to be vegetarian before dinner. I’m already mostly lactose-free, and my work has a great lunch program that has lots of tasty, healthy vegan/vegetarian options. While the husband would never join me in this, it’s liberating to be on a “steady, upward trajectory” towards more climate-friendly eating habits. I still eat meat and dairy and occasional packaged snacks, but I’ve definitely cut down. 1% is better than No%!

[@lucysmith7658]

Nice work! I have been Vegan for a number of years, but like you, if a well meaning loved one offered me a something with dairy or egg in it in such a meaningful time, I will eat it. Thank you for speaking so openly/candidly about your experience going vegan, it isn’t as scary/ hard as people usually think. Also Ariel!!! Yaaaay!!!

[@Natalanium]

this video was like a warm hug

[@t.kruste3085]

the thing about being reared on dairy or animal products in general is so real!!! All the nostalgic foods and like meals I remember preparing with my mum in my childhood aren't vegan and while the products can be made vegan (pancakes for example) the process of cooking them is just not the same and there comes some grief with not wanting to implement those in my life. Since I moved out 7 years ago I've mostly only taught myself to cook vegan meals and it does sometimes feel like there's something missing. I think I can acknowledge that and still be (mostly) vegan as I am. I think it's part of a bigger grief that comes from human life in late stage capitalism being so, so different with every generation and having to figure out so much stuff, that our parents didn't have to deal with (while also having priviledges they might not have had). Damn, so many thoughts about this!

[@Delay_the_smartphone_NZ]

Bloody brilliant! Absolute Gold! What an exciting day out in London with you! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@fishfish7985]

The snack hour (evening period/ bit where you want the snacks especially on high symptom days (I was told that chocolate fixes things which is a whole thing ) are really tricky

[@bookishdaydreams4993]

I totally agree that going vegan is not something that you keep deciding to do, but something a bit more along the lines of a one-time decision! I actually find it easier to be 100 % vegan than 95 % vegan, just because then I don’t have to decide when I’ll eat animal products and when I won’t. I also agree that being vegan isn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I have celiac, so I can’t eat gluten, and that is far more difficult to navigate than being vegan is.

[@redheadreading]

I do adore the joyous embracing of problems! I have also found myself with a denim pinafore dress split entirely down the side, but mine was like half way around a big country walk so I just had to wing it and clutch it together until we were done 😂 I have to do a lot of ingredient checking because of allergies - small cafes and stuff are tricky because they might not have clear labelling but most chain places will have allergen matrixes you can also check against! They let you filter so it only shows you items which don't contain them and can be quite good if you're a bit stricter and care about "may contain" milk/egg 😊

[@judesgoldpearls7828]

You could have gone into a changing room with loads of clothes and sat there to sew? Brilliant video!!! Well done on veganuary! Your videos are like a breath of fresh air. Unique, funny and engaging! Great that you do you! 🎉

[@scaz7989]

love the journey this took me on

[@mglouise97]

So excited for Ariel!!!! Cant wait to see her video about it

[@Chocolatetart88]

I loved this video! I’ve just finished my fourth veganuary and I find it so rewarding every year.

[@Ruth_Rosa]

This was so fun to watch and so inspiring ❤ Your comment about allergies really resonated with me - I’m allergic to nuts, soy, and I have a severe sensitivity to gluten, so there no milk or meat substitutes that are safe for me and trying veganism is incredibly sad and hard for me. Thanks for acknowledging the allergy folks ❤

[@cupcakeinlace]

I've been some form of vegetarian since 2015, so I got used to the whole reading labels thing (which is worse here in the USA, probably compared to your area), but I remember when my husband decided to become more plant-based how absolutely disheartened and frustrated he was to be buying things that shouldn't have dairy in them and they absolutely do for no reason 😭🤣

[@julietsteed6474]

You can go the punk way and always have 10 safety pins on as accessories which can double to hold rips .. after which decide if you like the distressed look on the piece or machine sew it later

[@rochelle2758]

My irrational horror of spending any more time than absolutely necessary in public bathrooms led me to put my thinking cap on: fitting room at the nearest department store? Take in a couple of things to "try on" and then quietly make repairs, Robert's your father's brother.

[@angelal8829]

As someone that tries to trend vegan but is definitely not there, I so appreciate this. And I think everything we can do to break down the vegan/not vegan binary is so valuable.

[@annalizer1992]

Those TREK protein bars are a lifesaver. I often have one of those in my bag, because they are not only vegan, but also low fodmap. I have a hard time getting enough protein to keep me going while on a low fodmap diet doing manual labour (IBS girlies unite). And they are delicious, so a win all around. The only thing is that they are a little pricey, but I'm willing to let it slide for the convenience and deliciousness.

[@littlemusic4x]

For all my bathroom needs I usually just go into a nice hotel 😅

[@Charlie_Fuchs]

I also did the reward system for this month, plus only buying vegan stuff. I tried new snacks, new desserts, new recipes... and all in all it has been pretty fun. I do miss cheese though, so im not going to be full vegan right now, but im thinking of eating vegan during the week, and being allowed veggie meals on the week end (im already vegetarian). I used stickers and it's been really fulfilling so I'll keep this up!

[@samsarasuplex]

16:31 Chocolate digestives are hard to resist at any point.

[@Anna-jd7fd]

super fun video. thank you!!! (Not the point, of course not, but in Germany there is vegan magnum - yum!!)

[@dottiewi661]

Yes, it is tasty! (Though, I thought, when it was first advertised, for ages, other non vegan ice cream companies made super interesting vegan flavours, and then Magnum comes along with a “boring” vegan vanilla one and expects to be applauded, when they have super interesting flavours, generally? Though, I question some ideas of some companies like Ritter Sport, who needs quinoa in their chocolate? I don’t know, if one can taste it, I suppose, it’s only there, because they think, vegans will buy chocolate with quinoa because it sounds healthy?)

[@Jodie_May92]

Also, I have that same YAK jumpsuit and now I live in fear that I too will fall victim to the side split 😱

[@3534538]

You could pre-emtively sew the part over, with a sewing machine preferably 🤔 I do that with shirt buttons that are "stategically placed"🤣

[@ellaluka5]

Loooove this video!!!! I’ve been vegan for 7 years, AND am allergic to all nuts & sesame!!! Admittedly it can be very annoying & I avoid a lot of the popular vegan restaurants/options. BUT also I was very used to checking allergens on everything, so I found the transition quite easy!!!! X

[@sarahwatts7152]

On the eating of a magnum - when I was a vegetarian, I made sure that my grandmother knew that I would always eat things like meatloaf (something I have always loved, especially made by her) so that she knew that I loved and respected her. Sometimes the food is less important than the relationships. Leena did a great thing!

[@jackiemartin7276]

Thank you for mentioning the allergy bit at the end! Trying to nut-free vegan protein options is ROUGH

[@becca2525]

Congratulations! Would love a video on your favourite recipes or accidentally vegan items that you discovered, if that's something you'd enjoy making

[@Jodie_May92]

I’ve tried to do vegan a couple of times but I’ve found it difficult due to a combination of living in a small town with mainly independent places with minimal vegan offerings (a lot of places you’d struggle for a vegetarian dish, and the veggie dish is pretty much always cheese based where there is one) and my partner has a huge meat preference. We have a little one and I’m already cooking twice a day most days as she eats earlier than we do, having to make 2 different meals every night for us just got too much.

[@thelovelymadbs]

I’m so impressed that you fixed your outfit under all of those circumstances!!!!!! Also loved just being able to follow you for a day

[@noodlespook6689]

Ironically a well lit place, with mirrors even where you could take your clothes off would be the changing room of a large fashion store... 😂

[@SuperBookdragon]

Disheveled yet invincible.... No apologies.....I'm stealing that line

[@bernadette8727]

My dad is intolerant to milk protein (not lactose) so he couldn't eat a lot of things. When I started to eat vegan as a teenager my dad profited as well because my mum and I cooked a lot of vegan alternatives that he could eat as well.