And it is something that I have been toying with for a while now but have never quite fully committed to myself to do. So I have decided right now, rather than in 2017 as a failed New Year resolution I am trying to become more plant based. This will be a slow process for me but at the very least I would like to go vegetarian with a focus on plant based. I've barely eaten much meat over the last couple of months and in the last few weeks have cut down to zero and even went Christmas day without the roast turkey so hopefully this should be possible.
One thing that makes this world very inaccessible is how overly complicated it can be and over pricey to the exclusion of others. I really rate a lot of the big health bloggers out there but their recipes can be overly complicated with hard to source ingredients and this can put people off. The other thing I've found is that this wellness movement is really dominated by girls. There's some great male health bloggers like Joe Wicks out there but not as many high profile plant based guys so I'm hoping to offer something a bit different by documenting by journey as a guy into the plant based world.
Typically men and health has always been about bulking up, protein and muscle and of course this is inevitably going to be more meat and dairy based. I hope to try and approach health for guys from a more holistic point of view with the focus on nourishing yourself and being healthy rather than looking good or 'gains'.
The other thing about me is I can be quite lazy. I do like to cook but I see nothing wrong with using everyday, simple ingredients and mainstream big name brands to help me achieve my health goals. Sure, you can make your own almond milk but I'm happy to buy it - there's less mess, it's cheaper and actually if you're going to be cutting back on dairy, I want one that is fortified and contains calcium even if the more extreme health bloggers take a more militant line on this.
And of course it has to be tasty. An example of quick, easy plant based meal is the breakfast I had today below. All normal items you can get from the supermarket, not overly expensive and it tastes lovely and is ready in a couple of minutes with the microwave - again I have no problem with a microwave if it helps me eat healthily. It's nice festive recipe for gingerbread porridge using Dorset Cereals Gingerbread porridge mix, which is actually plant based. It's a little high in sugars (mostly from dates, which are a healthier, natural sugar) so I only use half a sachet and cut it with other ingredients to still get the taste but with less sugar - it also makes the recipe more affordable by bulking it up with cheaper, standard oats. The gingerbread Nakd bar is a seasonal little extra I add but feel to top with nuts or whatever takes your fancy - granola might be good 😊
Cheat's Gingerbread Porridge (Dairyfree, Wheatfree and Vegan)
Serves 1
40g oats
1/2 sachet of Dorset Cereals Gingerbread Porridge (21g)
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
1 small teaspoon of gingerbread powder
150ml of almond milk and 150ml of water - or increase the almond milk for a thicker, creamier texture
1/2 gingerbread Nakd bar
In a bowl, mix the oats, dorset cereal gingerbread porridge, flaxseed and ginger powder
Add the almond milk and water and give it another stir
Blast in the microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds, remove , give it a stir
Blast in the mircrowave for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until it's the texture and consistency you like
Top with crumbled up bits of a Nakd gingerbread bar
This is the type of recipe and food I like to eat. Healthy, low in sugar with lots of goodness from the oats, dates and flaxseed but also tasty and quick and easy to make.
Going more plantbased is a journey so any tips or ideas or support will be greatly appreciated.
