The Only Lip Balm This Veganuary
New year’s is just around the corner, which means many people are starting to think about resolutions. If your goal is to lead a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle this coming year, then Veganuary may be perfect for you. This popular ‘new year’s revolution’ is a challenge to commit to a vegan lifestyle for the month of January and beyond. As you probably know, a vegan diet offers numerous health benefits, plus it’s great for the environment and compassionate towards the animals we share the planet with.
What is Veganism?
Veganism basically means not eating or using animal products. A vegan diet is entirely plant-based, so vegans abstain from eating meat, eggs, cheese, and dairy. The vegan lifestyle also involves using products that are not derived from animals and are cruelty-free, meaning no animals were harmed or exploited to make them. Some examples of animal-derived products include leather, silk, wool, gelatine, and beeswax.
If you’re considering going vegan for the month of January or longer, it pays to do a little bit of research into the products you use because you’d be surprised how many contain animal-derived ingredients. For example, many lip balms use beeswax as a base, meaning they’re not entirely vegan. Some soaps and household cleaners also contain animal products. A quick look into ingredient lists can reveal whether your favourite products are truly vegan.
The Benefits of Veganism
Studies show that switching to a plant-based diet can have huge benefits for your health. A vegan diet can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol, and reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Veganism is also better for the environment because plant-based farms use up far less resources and are far less polluting than animal farms and slaughterhouses. In addition, veganism is more compassionate because it doesn’t involve animal exploitation or suffering.
How do I Join Veganuary?
Veganuary is open to all and free to join. To sign up, head to the Veganuary website and register with your email address. The organisation will then send you a starter kit to download and provide you with daily support emails that include vegan recipes, meal plans, restaurant guides, and helpful tips. You’ll also have access to the invite-only Facebook group where you can get support and advice from thousands of members from around the world.
What Can I do to Prepare for Veganuary?
Cutting out meat and animal products entirely can be difficult at first, so it helps to do a bit of preparation beforehand. You may want to read up on veganism to learn about the philosophy behind it and what exactly it entails to see if it’s a good fit for you. You can also start gathering recipes and try a few dishes out beforehand to get a feel for the diet. Before the challenge, you can stock up on fresh fruits, veggies, and healthy meat alternatives like grains, beans, and nuts so that you have them ready to go. Many people also find that it helps to prepare weekly meal plans so that you have a blueprint to follow.
What Happens if I Slip Up and Eat Meat or Use Animal Products?
The Veganuary challenge is designed to support and empower you on your vegan journey, not to judge or punish you if you happen to stray from the path. Making any lifestyle change can be daunting in the beginning, so it’s only human to slip up every once in a while. While the event is set up as a community challenge, it’s also geared towards your personal mission. If you find that it’s just too difficult to go completely vegan, you can always readjust your goals. For example, you could aim for two vegan meals a day or vegan meals every weekday and meat only on the weekends.
Bali Balm Celebrates Veganuary All Year Round
At Bali Balm we’re proud to offer 100% vegan products made with ingredients that are ethically sourced, harvested, and processed. Unlike most lip balm brands that use beeswax as a base, we use candelilla wax, which comes from the leaves of a shrub. This plant-based wax is rich in nutrients and deeply hydrating, so it is highly beneficial for the skin. Plus, it can be harvested without putting stress on bee populations that are already diminishing. We also flavour our lip balms with all-natural botanical ingredients that are known for their skin-nourishing benefits.
If you’re considering going vegan for January or any other month, we salute you and are happy to be part of your journey!