Our ambassador Harpreet has always been fascinated about food- the way it brings people together, the way it can trigger a memory, the way flavours combine and create magic:
“For me, the kitchen is the heart of the home – it’s where everyone congregates, and it holds a big part of my most cherished moments. “
Growing up with a diverse background, she was surrounded by the explosive cultural flavours of Indian, African and Caribbean cuisine; all of which "tasted like ‘home’ and are often naturally plant-based".
"Spending time with my elders and learning the ropes of recipes that have been passed down generations was priceless, but the more I learnt, the more I started becoming conscious about food as a whole.
Being heavily involved in sports such as netball, athletics and gymnastics from a young age, it was important to be mindful of what I fuelled myself with, and meat was pretty much the only source of protein I was familiar with.
I understood what being vegetarian was, but never knew about the plant-based lifestyle until I came across an hour-long presentation on YouTube called 101 Reasons To Go Vegan.
I immediately knew I wanted to switch to a vegan diet. I went cold turkey initially, but I found it difficult to maintain as I didn’t have much of an idea of what I was doing. So, I took baby steps, from being a pescatarian to becoming a vegetarian.
During this time, I became obsessed with learning about the plant-based diet and its benefits towards health and fitness; the increased activity performance, the nutrients, the vitamins, the connection to your mind, body and soul – literally everything. It’s also how I stumbled across superfoods, which are always present in the majority of my meals now!
After all, we are what we consume, and by March 2016, I felt like I knew enough to become fully plant-based and never looked back – it was the beginning of my long journey towards plant-based living and better health.
Giving up all the foods I grew up on though, was out of the question! This is when I started recreating childhood favourites with a health twist.
My goal was to veganise the non-vegan meals, while also making them super healthy and delicious! I wanted to make dishes that weren't judged by the fact they’re plant-based, but by the flavour and how they make you feel.
It's been quite a discovery journey, and I can honestly say I've never felt better!
I'm enjoying this process of growth through learning, and I truly believe that knowledge is key to becoming the best version of yourself."
Follow Harpreet’s Journey on our blog, in the recipe section, and on Instagram to find out more and get your daily dose of plant-based inspiration!
Don't know where to start? Soak Chia seeds in water to create a gel mixture that can serve as a fantastic egg replacement in vegan baking. Get our organic Cognition functional blend, which is a tasty dairy-free alternative to non-vegan hot chocolate powders. Stock up on agave syrup, a natural, vegan alternative to honey, ideal for baking, drizzling onto pancakes and to sweeten hot beverages. Replace non-vegan sources of protein with planet-friendly organic Hemp Protein, Spirulina, Chlorella, or one of our sweet organic SuperProtein blends.
Fear of missing out on indulgent spreads? Choose between our crunchy Cacao & Hazelnut and smooth Cashew & Hazelnut vegan spreads, both incredibly delicious, palm oil free and sweetened with coconut sugar.
