An interview with Louis Jansen van Vuuren, author of There’s a vegan on my VERANDAH … By Antoinette Maake Vegan SA: Tell us about who you are and what you do? Louis Jansen van Vuuren: I am Louis Jansen van Vuuren – writer, artist, teacher and a very keen permaculture gardener. I taught at Stellenbosch University for 13 years and at The Michaelis School of art at UCT, also for 13 years. We moved to France 21 years ago where we live for most of the year before returning to the West Coast of South Africa where we have a house. Vegan SA: How long have you been a vegan and what inspired you to chan ..read more

QUESTION: Will going vegan make me healthier? This is the first question that enters your mind when contemplating a vegan diet for health reasons. Yes, provided that you eat a diet primarily composed of natural, whole foods. In the most recent studies, it has been found that a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes and obesity and high blood pressure. The key is to eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds high in fibre. In theory, you could be a “junk food vegan,” but if you avoid processed foods like chips and packaged sweets, you ..read more

Traveling as a vegan can sometimes feel like a challenge. At home and in your home town, you are in control, able to make the meals you want or eat at the restaurants you know and love. But when you are abroad, it is much harder. Your choice will be limited, and there are plenty of great vacation destinations that just aren’t very vegan-friendly. Eatting vegan on your travels However, in this day and age, traveling as a vegan has never been easier. Gone are the days of the raised eyebrows and confusion from restaurant owners when asked about meat-free options (“We have chicken. No? Fish? Wha ..read more

A review of the The Body Shop’s Avocado range… The Body Shop’s Avocado range Being vegan, the body shop has always been my go-to brand for body care products. So, I was quite excited to try out their brand-new avocado range! When I received this sample box, I was amazed at how simple yet how beautiful the packaging was. I received the products in a cute avocado-shaped box that obviously went well with the overall theme of the range. The box is rather large so I would definitely not use it to carry my products in if I were travelling, but nonetheless, it did its job in adding to the glamour a ..read more

– This is Vegan Sisters Apparel Vegan Sisters Apparel was created from a place of love, for the planet’s creatures and natural world. Founded by 2 vegan sisters, the brand aims to spread a message of love, compassion and kindness for all living beings. The 2 sisters are passionate about creating a positive change in a world where they see too much cruelty, exploitation and destruction. The brand creates wearable artwork to spread the message and start the conversation in a country where veganism can still be an unfamiliar concept. They navigate the challenges of running a business from two dif ..read more

Did you come here because you are vegetarian or vegan and are looking for a healthy recipe for a quick breakfast or a short-time lunch? Then this is for you. As a vegan, even a beginner or long-experienced, we always find it quite hard to build up a meal planner which should exclude meat and dairy while being high quality and well-made, not even to mention there’re some times in the year when things arrive to mess us up and we are super busy. However, since the air-fryer joined the market recently, it marks a huge turning point with its incredible function. Not only the time that we save in co ..read more

Recently we were asked to contribute to a Q&A article on becoming vegan by the website Porch. The issues discussed included: Basic principles for a balanced vegan diet Home meat substitutes that provide protein Staple foods for a vegan pantry Best vegan snacks for hunger pangs The Do’s and Don’ts when someone starts to adopt a vegan lifestyle Benefits of a vegan diet on overall health Avoiding nutrient deficiency on a vegan diet How a vegan diet helps strengthen the immune system How to achieve weight loss on a plant-based diet How to check if a beauty product is cruelty-free How to trans ..read more

New parents find themselves overwhelmed in a new world of products and brands, and they’re understandably concerned about making the safest, best possible choices for their new beautiful humans. A baby’s sensitivity means they are affected by almost everything, from food choices to the products used to clean in your home. Choosing organic foods, skincare and eco-friendly products lessen any long-term effects. And buying ethically-made products, that’s a cherry on the cake! So where should you start looking? OAT Baby Club is the new kid on the block! Based in the Western Cape, OAT is a 100% bla ..read more

A review of the Vegan Chef’s frozen food range… The Vegan Chef is not new, you may have seen it around, and it could possibly have been the first vegan food truck franchise in South Africa. The Vegan Chef started out by offering delectable takeaways from a food truck close to Sandton CBD with a meat-free range that can be enjoyed cooked or purchased frozen and prepared at home. The franchise was well received and the vegan fast food chain quickly outgrew its tiny truck. The tasty range of comfort foods is now being served at establishments in and around Jozi and Durban, all while the convenien ..read more

… a nutrition series for vegans by Anastacia Sampson Among the many varieties of leafy vegetables, some are just special. One is a reddish white leaf called radicchio and known to have been originally cultivated in 15th century Italy. Some ancient Romans believed radicchio to be a remedy for insomnia. This interesting plant has continued to delight Italian cuisine to this day. Radicchio is super high in vitamin K, which makes this leafy vegetable a promoter for strong bones and healthy blood clotting. Vitamin K has an active role in the calcium utilization in your body. It goes without saying ..read more