Vegan: A Celebration of Plant-based Living
It’s a small, green hardback with bright orange endpapers. The front cover adds explanatory words to the one-word title, with “A Celebration of Plant-based Living.”
The introduction tells us that veganism has moved from being a fringe dietary choice to mainstream status, as the food industry scrambles to catch up. I would add that the publishing world is doing the same. Today it is possible to relish a tasty diet that even includes “clean meat” being grown by a company from animal cells and another replicating southern-fried chicken using plant ingredients.
Veganism is not confined to diet but permeates everything from beauty and health to fashion and home products. It’s about trying to eliminate animal products from everything you buy and use.
So whether you have changed, or are considering adopting a vegan lifestyle, to stop animal cruelty, to help save the planet, to look after your health or for a combo of these reasons you will be, say the authors, contributing to a more mindful, ethical and responsible way of living.
Paul McCartney, famous Beatle and vegetarian
The first chapter focuses on vegan benefits for the planet and environment, using a mix of statistics and quotes from experts and famous names, such as Paul McCartney. Up next is a section on animal welfare, including some gruesome facts behind the practices involved in animal agriculture, and many more statistics.
Venus Williams, waiting for a serve
Alternative choices in the third chapter point to impressive growth in the demand for meat-free food, that is tasty and ranges from upmarket fare to fast food, with chains like McDonalds and KFC now offering vegan options.
Vegetables take centre stage when cooking, and readers are told to roast, stir-fry and grill and make full use of spices and herbs to add zest and flavour. Tips are offered and substitute ingredients include that of aquafaba, the liquid drained from a can of chickpeas, which whips up well and can replace egg whites. Avocado flesh makes a good alternative to butter when baking cakes and puddings.
Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees
The penultimate chapter consists of statistics and motivational quotes and statistics from renowned activists like Jane Goodall, famous musicians and sports stars like Venus Williams. Finally the health benefits of a vegan diet are expounded – and here a lengthy quote from a vegan source Million Dollar Vegan suggests that the increase of viruses in live animal markets and factory farms and the overuse of drugs there to combat disease together produce a dual global threat like the present pandemic, which is driven by our consumption of animal products.
Myrna Robins
Vegan: A Celebration of Plant-based Living. Published by OH! London, 2021
