So, you seen my degree show work and decided to 'Level Up' - congratulations! Knowledge is your prize. (Pst - If you're already vegan, check out this post instead)
Finding Vegan Eateries/Options Near You HappyCow is essentially google maps for finding vegan food places nearby. (They also have a mobile app; download here!) The places you already eat will have vegan options, these will be clearly labelled on the menu (usually with a 'vg' beside the item) Takeaway Top Tip: You can filter/search for 'vegan' on popular apps such as Deliveroo, JustEat, UberEats, etc. Swaps Made Simple Easy swaps you can make today! Remember that coffee shops offer plant-based milk, you just need to ask (I highly recommend an oat milk latte).
Cosmetics
You'd think vegan and cruelty-free would go hand in hand, however this isn't always the case. The best advice I'd give if you are looking for more compassionate cosmetics is to look for the Leaping Bunny and Vegan certification. These tend to appear like so:
Here are some places to start which clearly label their items:
LUSH(their Kitchen Subscription box is also entirely vegan)
The Body Shop (you also get a special discount here if you are a member of the Vegan Society)
Challenge22 If you feel like playing a new game, why not try veganism for 22 days? Veganuary If you're considering 22 days, why not go for an entire month? Despite what the name suggests, you can take part in Veganuary all year round! They have tons of resources available including this handy free cookbook and info on nutrition if you are so inclined. No time like the present - sign up here! Nutrition B12 deficiencies and lack of protein are a total myth (and in fact, affect animal eaters more!) There is no reason why people can't thrive on a vegan lifestyle and if you are interested in nutrition, please check out Veganuary's tips or NutritionFacts.org for more. Bonus Points
Once you are comfortable and ready, I'd highly recommend educating yourself on the ethical, environmental and health issues surrounding animal-consumption. The best way to do this is by reading and watching documentaries.
To get you started, here is a list of documentaries you might want to check out.
Ethics
Environment
Eating Our Way To Extinction (completely free to watch on YouTube)
Cowspiracy (also available on Netflix) Health
What The Health (also available on Netflix)
Game Changers