The Protego Foundation's 7 Tips for Veganuary

1/10/2022

Happy New Year from The Protego Foundation!

The new year brings magical new beginnings for people worldwide and an opportunity to set new goals. A popular resolution for many is choosing to go vegan! Whether you are a daring Gryffindor, a wise Ravenclaw, a loyal Hufflepuff, or an ambitious Slytherin, here’s what you need to know about dipping your toes into the world of veganism.

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is a charity that encourages people from around the world to adopt veganism for January (and hopefully beyond!). It has become a global phenomenon since its founding in January 2014. The international reach of this successful organization is undeniable—a whopping 582,538 people registered in 2021 alone.

Why Veganuary?

There are a range of reasons for people to try Veganuary. The golden trio of reasons are:

1. Animals
You don’t need to be a budding Magizoologist to recognize that the creatures we share our planet with have value beyond how they can be exploited and commodified. In our global food system, it is estimated that 75 billion land animals and trillions of fish and shellfish are slaughtered each year for human appetite. The suffering in which our fellow creatures endure before slaughter is unavoidable. By choosing a lifestyle that doesn’t involve animal exploitation, you are choosing compassion.

2. Health
Plant-powered diets are proving to be popular amongst top Quidditch players and St. Mungo’s healers alike, with many noting significant benefits in athletic performance and recovery, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduced risks of type 2 diabetes. Studies are also investigating a link between animal-derived food products and carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, properties!

3. The Environment
Twist your Time-Turner to transport yourself back to The Protego Foundation’s “Wizards for Environmental Protection” campaign. It’s common knowledge that a leading cause of deforestation is animal agriculture and that our oceans are being polluted and overfished to devastating levels. You don’t need to be Professor Trelawney to predict the outcome. We are all aware that if we maintain the current status quo of exploiting our planet and the creatures who live on it, our home will no longer be habitable.

As seven is the most powerful, magical number, why not give our seven helpful tips a whirl to kickstart your vegan adventure.

1. Connect With Your “Why.”

As with any New Year’s resolution, it is important to anchor yourself in why you are pursuing this new challenge. In 2021, Veganuary reported that from their 582,538 participants, 46% were motivated by animals, 22% by their health, and 21% by the environment. Tune in to your Wizarding Wireless Network or scour your local library to find a podcast, documentary, blog, or book that resonates with you. These will help you to remain motivated and empowered in your vegan mission. We might be biased, but we recommend listening to The Protego Foundation’s very own ProtegoCast for your exploration into animal rights and veganism in the wizarding world!

2. Plan, Plan, Plan!

If Hermione Granger taught us anything during her time at Hogwarts, it was the importance of planning for success. Whether you’re studying for your O.W.L.s, forming the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, or defeating the Dark Lord, this tactic is definitely necessary. “Vegucate” yourself on all things nutrition and meal planning so you can keep yourself healthy, happy, and enthusiastic about continuing your latest adventure. Fail to plan, and you might find yourself Confunded!

We recommend experimenting with PETA's Two-Week Vegan Meal Plan before you conjure your own. Monitor your nutrition and learn what your body needs by downloading Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen App.

This planning includes going out to eat, too. Spend time exploring your local vegan scene with friends! By casting Appare Vestigium while using The Happy Cow app, you can track down vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants. *Make sure to follow all local health guidelines on eating out during the pandemic.

3. Veganize Your Favorite Dishes.

Embracing a vegan lifestyle is filled with abundance, despite what others may have led you to believe! There is a vegan recipe for all of your favorite dishes. With a swish-and-flick, get creative and switch your creature comforts for animal-free alternatives. Start simple, like subbing non-dairy milk and plant-based butter for cow’s milk products, to build your confidence. At The Protego Foundation, we love veganizing our favorite wizarding world foods and sharing them with you. Why not delve into our Pensieve of past recipes and get inspired?

4. Arresto Momentum! Take It Slow.

When you cast Revelio, you can’t help but see creatures suffering everywhere you turn. Whether it’s your clothes, cosmetics, medicines, or motor vehicles, it is a Riddikulus, never-ending cycle! Although veganism is more than our dietary choices (we are here for total wizard and creature liberation, after all!), it is vital to take it slow. Ensure the steps you take are gradual and sustainable for your long-term, creature-free future.

5. Find Your Community!

In the same way that “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home,” you can find a home within our enchanting and diverse vegan community. Delve into online and offline vegan communities to discover a safe space where you can connect and make friends. There are many different variations and some communities may fit your truth better than others. Your community can offer reassurance when you have made a mistake, advice when you’re faced with a cooking catastrophe, and friendship to remind you that you’re not alone. You can even join The Protego Foundation’s Discord to meet other magical folks from around the world.

6. Embrace Mistakes!

Repeat this incantation:
“It is impossible to be a perfect vegan in an imperfect world!”

There is a myth that if you cannot be a perfect vegan, then you might as well not bother at all. Anyone who embraces veganism knows this is not the case. It’s not about the destination, but rather the journey – you will always be learning and growing in your veganism. You will make mistakes. It’s natural! Cravings for creature-based concoctions may tempt you back in. If you fall off your broom, just remember to jump back on again so you can learn from the experience!

7. Show Compassion to Yourself and Others

Like Hermione’s fight for S.P.E.W., you may find it challenging to advocate for your new lifestyle and encourage others to follow suit. It can take tremendous effort to convince family and friends that their choices can cause suffering. There may be times when your passion for veganism and animal rights oversteps the mark and, on some occasions, alienates those near and dear to you. It can also become overwhelming knowing that there is so much suffering in the world and you may feel that what you are doing is not enough. Have patience and show compassion to yourself and others. Leading by example and presenting your arguments from a place of concern can often have powerful effects.

Be sure to follow our socials for more magical Veganuary inspiration and resources. Share your journey into plant-based living and let us know all about your victories and challenges by tagging us in your posts, reels, and stories! You can sign up for Veganuary here.

Written by Lucy McCabe

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The Protego Foundation's 7 Tips for Veganuary

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