Meg, originally from Essex but having spent her formative years in Shrewsbury, has journeyed through the UK, eventually settling in Kendal, nestled in the picturesque Lake District. Her journey toward a plant-based lifestyle began in 2015 when she became a vegetarian. Though she initially struggled with veganism during her university years in Preston, the lockdown period gave her the opportunity to fully embrace it.
Meatless Movement had the opportunity to chat with her recently.
Meg was a dedicated vegan for several years, but in 2023, she began incorporating some vegetarian elements back into her diet. Today, she identifies as 90% vegan and 10% vegetarian, with a firm commitment to never returning to eating animals.
Please tell us more about yourself
Hi! I was born in Essex, UK spent most of my time growing up in Shrewsbury, UK then moved to Preston for university and now live in the lake District in Kendal.
I went abroad in 2015 and volunteered in Ghana for a month with Projects Abroad, we stayed in quite a lot of rural home stays and the food we ate was primarily chicken and rice two sometimes three meals a day. I wasn’t complaining at the time because I know to be grateful for the food on my plate. However as soon as I got home, I stopped eating meat all together.
I believe I tried to remain eating fish, but I quickly went off of that too. I’d say I have been a vegetarian since 2015. I attempted being vegan at university but quickly failed, in hindsight I didn’t put enough energy and time into ensuring I was checking labels for the non-vegan ingredients. Lockdown came and I tested being vegan and didn’t go back for years. I was fully vegan up until 2023, then started to introduce various vegetarian things back into my diet. Now I would say I’m 90% vegan, 10% vegetarian. Despite making this change, I will never go back to eating animals.
What are the common challenges in finding plant-based food?
I would say certainly in the beginning in the UK and abroad, there hasn’t always been alot of plant based options. This has come on tremendously now, but in the beginning it could be a struggle. I remember a particularly dire meal in rural Netherlands back in 2018 I believe, possibly earlier, which was just a couple of pieces of tomato and a few lettuce leaves. That certainly did not fill a hole.
How does it feel to follow a plant-based diet?
I’m so happy I made the change and I can’t imagine ever not being plant-based for the sake of myself and the animals / world 💛❤️
I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I feel alot better in myself for not eating meat. I’m eating better than I ever have before and a lot healthier, my boyfriend does the cooking in our house and the plant based meals he makes are incredible.
What are some top food spots or home-cooked meal ideas, and why do you love them?
Ooh I’ve got so many! The first one whilst not a place is an absolute staple now I’ve found it, shout out to Ramona’s Jalapeno Hummus. It can be found in pretty much any supermarket, small or big tub – great to grab while on nectar card.
Onto the meals now, there’s a local place called fell bar in Kendal, Jim’s Pizza does some of the best vegan/veggie pizzas I’ve ever had. Firm favourite since moving to Kendal. My usual go to is a margarita with jalapenos, hot sauce & garlic mayo to share but he’s got so many tasty options to choose from.
Home made recipes wise, recently was a cheesy lentil bake, salt & pepper tofoo flat breads with Korean mayo and Veggie Gyoza Ramen. We love recreating No Meat Disco recipes too, so whether your vegan or veggie you should check him out on Instagram.
What are the common misconceptions about people on a plant-based diet, and how can you address or educate others about them?
I personally have found people have a lot of mixed reactions when I say I’m plant based, because they think I’m going to be “preachy” which is not true about most veggies/vegans.
Another misconception would be the fact people think a plant based diet is expensive. Which is entirely untrue, you can do a plant based diet on a budget very easily.
To someone who’s just beginning to go meatless, what is your advice?
Try to avoid the overly processed alternatives, although it may be easier to grab all of the Quorn items try not to just go for them. You can do a lot with a tin of chickpeas or a block of tofu.
Thanks,
Megan
25, Cumbria 🥳👯♀️🦄🍻🍆✨
all images courtesy of Megan Riley