Liv is a passionate vegan based in Manchester who runs an Instagram and TikTok page called @nomeatmanchester and hosts monthly vegan meetups. Liv has been a vegan since November 2020, after transitioning from being a vegetarian for several years.
Initially hesitant about giving up cheese, Liv’s decision to become a vegan was prompted by a personal experience with her pet rabbit Gizmo, who became very ill and left Liv feeling like a hypocrite for continuing to consume animal products. Since then, Liv has never looked back and has become an advocate for veganism not only for ethical reasons but also for her health.
Meatless Movement recently had a chat with her.
Please tell us more about yourself
There’s nothing more I love than cooking for people & eating together alfresco✨
No Meat Manchester
Hi, my names Liv and I’m from Manchester. I run an Instagram & TikTok page called @nomeatmanchester and run monthly vegan meet ups.
I love my food! My favourite places to eat in Manchester are:
- Bundobust and This & That for Indian food
- What The Pita for kebabs
- Vegan Shack for breakfast
- Purezza & Rudy’s for pizza
- Lotus Plant Based & Ruyi Vegetarian for Chinese food
- Bondi Bowls for health
- Manzoku Street Food for sushi and Gina’s Katsu curry
- Otto Vegan Empire for Middle Eastern food
- Wholesome Junkies for burgers
Basically, I want to show just how cheap and easy veganism can really be
No Meat Manchester
Char siu & black rice Buddha bowl💚
After the Christmas & New Year period, I felt like some healthy goodness and what better way than whacking everting in a bowl!?
In the bowl is:
✨Char siu tofu
✨Organic black rice – kindly gifted by @finandearth a beautiful sustainable online shop check them out!
✨Apple cider vinegar kale
✨Tomatoes
✨Red pepper
✨Red onion
✨Spring onion
✨Green chilli
✨Coriander, lemon & tahini dressing
Truffle hummus & chick’n pappardelle pasta💛
I didn’t know what I fancied for tea tonight so I headed to big Sainsbury’s to see if there was anything new and I’m really glad I did as I loved this!!
In the bowl is:
✨Pappardelle pasta
✨Sundried tomatoes
✨Kalamata olives
✨Broccoli
✨Truffle hummus – a new autumn @sainsburys special, would have liked it to have tasted the truffle a little more 2bh
✨Pesto chick’n pieces – @wearetheflavourists these were realllllly good. I really enjoyed them and I’ll definitely be buying them again
✨Fresh basil
✨Pepper
✨Not pictured is the aftermath of @notoriousnoochco cheezy nooch
Salt and Pepper Tofu💚
With veggie wholemeal rice✨
Ingredients for the crispy S&P tofu:
🌱Extra firm tofu
🌱Salt and pepper seasoning
🌱Soy sauce
🌱Chilli oil
The perfect mid-week meal!
I’ve now been vegan since November 2020, but before that I was veggie for quite a few years. I was very much a “but I can’t give up cheese” vegan and only had cheese left to give up.
How I became vegan is quite a sad one, I had two rabbits Gizmo & Pancake (Pancake’s still thriving) but Gizmo became very poorly. He had neurological episodes where he would become completely paralysed in all his limbs. I was so upset about how helpless he seemed that I just felt like a massive hypocrite that I was still eating animal products.
I knew just how much I love and cared for animals. I made a promise to him and myself if he got better, I would go vegan and he did get better for a little while so overnight, I gave up the cheese and started my vegan journey. I have honesty never looked back. As a lot of vegans say, I just wish I’d done it sooner. I was originally vegan for just the animals/environment, but now I’m also a vegan for my health.
What are some of the social and convenience challenges that individuals may face when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, and how can they overcome these obstacles?
Some challenges that I have found since being vegan are the social aspects and convenience. I eat separately to my family and when eating out with friends we have to make sure there’s something for me to eat, which at first I felt awkward about, but now realise they would only have to do the same with religion/allergies. I also sometimes find it tough when you go to a smaller supermarket and have a craving for a specific meal such as a vegan supreme pizza but they don’t sell that but I manage a way around this by being creative. For example, I’d buy puff pastry, vegan cheese and toppings or a plain vegan pizza and toppings.
If you’re thinking about going vegetarian or vegan, but you’ve never tried vegan food before, I would stay away from vegan cheeses, tofu & tempeh as at first they have different tastes and textures than what you’re used to. I would try to veganise your favourite things you like to eat at home whether that be a lasagna or pizza so you don’t feel like you’re missing out too much. I would also try to see being vegan as not being a restricted diet, but more adding things to your plate such as flavours and nutrients.
My heart is so full. So grateful to have met such beautiful people through this little community!🌱
No Meat Manchester
You’ve just got to remember that everyone’s journeys are different and it’s okay to slip up (I did at the start loads and still occasionally do it’s not a vegan world!).
I think being vegan can be frowned upon for a number of reasons and change can be scary to some, but I’ve gained the most amazing friends, become the healthiest version of myself as a vegan runner and eaten/cooked some unreal food since I’ve been vegan.
If you’re interested in coming to one of the monthly meet ups to meet like minded people, what vegan food is like in Manchester or need some vegan food inspo, give my page a follow for more @nomeatmanchester 🐝🐾
Liv🌱
Manchester Vegan
Liv🌞🐰
Reviews, recipes & all things vegan🌱
📍Manchester & beyond
all images courtesy of Liv