World Vegan Day is celebrated annually on the first day of November. This event was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis of the Vegan Society in the United Kingdom to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the organization and of coining the word “vegan” and “veganism”. According to him, he chose November 1 as the celebration for World Vegan Day because it was apt and auspicious to coincide it with Halloween and the Day of the Dead—being a traditional time for feasting and celebration.

Now, it is celebrated worldwide and November is even regarded as World Vegan Month. Vegans all around the world host plant-based parties, do outreach activities, support local businesses with vegan products, and share their favorite vegan recipes on their social media. On this blog, we will also share some of our favorite vegan dishes!

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Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Making Spicy Thai Green Papaya Salad

Mapo Tofu originated from Sichuan, China. It is spiced using Sichuan Peppercorns and red chili pepper flakes called the Mala Spice, which gives a slightly numbing sensation in the tongue. In the Healthy Nibbles and Bits’ vegan Chinese recipe, ground pork is replaced by putting a generous amount of doubanjiang and black bean garlic sauce.

Try using the Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce and the Tae-Kyung Korean Red Chili Pepper Flakes Powder Gochugaru to achieve a restaurant-quality vegetarian Mapo Tofu right at home!

Who doesn't love a good hot pot meal? This Spicy Vegan Hot Pot recipe from Full of Plants can satiate your appetite in a healthy and vegan way! It might be a bit tedious for some but the experience of cooking food right in front of you and enjoying a piping hot and rich-flavored broth especially during winter time is simply priceless.

To help you fuss less about the prep time, there are ready-to-cook vegan hot pot soup bases like the Little Sheep Tomato Based Flavor Hot Pot Soup Base, so all you have to do is put it in a pot, add some water, and mix well. Hot pots are best eaten with dipping sauces too. Try the Mizkan Goma Shabu Shabu Sesame Sauce for a complete hot pot experience.

Miso Soup is a staple vegan Japanese recipe that’s made from fermented soybean paste called Miso and dashi stock. It has a briny taste which is complimented by the flavors and texture of tofu, vegetables, and seaweed. Miso soup is incredibly easy to make, but if the cravings can't wait for more than a minute, you can always go with the ready-to-cook ones like the Hikari Minute Miso Organic Instant Miso. All you need is hot water, and you’ll be sipping an authentic vegan Miso soup right off your bowl.

This recipe’s main ingredients are chickpea, potato, Japanese curry, and tomato sauce. You will have a vegan Japanese curry dish that has a milder spicy taste compared to Indian or Thai curry. You simply can't miss out on its explosive flavors! Scroll down until the end of this blog to get its full recipe!

Becoming vegan is not what you decide on overnight. You have to think about whether you’re ready to commit to this lifestyle. Here are some useful tips you can try to make a smooth diet transition:

1. Know Why You’re Doing It

It isn’t enough to be vegan just because it’s the next “hit” on the internet. You need to think about what motivates you to become vegan. Is it your passion for saving the animals and the environment? Is it because you want to change to a healthier lifestyle?

Whatever it may be, it has to be deeply personal for you. Take for example Annie Chun’s love for the sea. It pushed her to produce sustainable vegan seafood products. Knowing your “why” can help you stay committed.

2. Start with What You Know and Love

The beginning is always difficult so the least you can do is make it worthwhile by preparing food you actually like, with minor changes! Try cooking your favorite meal, but substitute the meat with tofu or your choice of protein.

Don’t get pressured by people being able to go vegan overnight. Remember that you can go at your own pace. You can start by switching from whole milk to soy milk, or devoting your dinners to plant-based meals.

3. Research and Get Enough Nutrients

One of the things you need to make sure of when going vegan is that you have a well-rounded diet, so you can get all the nutrients your body needs. This will require you to do a lot of research.

For example, you'll get protein and fiber from beans; leafy greens are great sources of vitamins A, C and K. Choose produce from all colors of the rainbow to get all the benefits. One thing everyone can do for better health is to eat more plant-based proteins. Vegan sources of protein include tofu, tempeh, edamame (soybeans), lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Nuts, like almonds and walnuts, and seeds, like sunflower and pumpkin seeds, also deliver protein.

Making cappuccino a daily habit can be cheap! Try this easy homemade cappuccino recipe using instant coffee and discover some of its health benefits. READ MORE

Among many other days, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is the perfect occasion to dive into vegetarian dinner recipes. We share flavorful and easy plant-based food ideas. READ MORE