The Introduction to Plant Based Lifestyles area is a key area of the COP27 ‘Collaborating on Positions’ Conference taking place on the Balcony at VegfestUK London Olympia Grand November 12^th 13^th 2022, with a number of visitors expected who are new to plant-based diets and yet to discover the multiple benefits of plant-based diets for health, animal welfare, environment and sustainable food supply.

Gone are the days when people used to sneer at plant-based options, replaced by an appetite for lighter, cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable choices, with plant-based diets and lifestyles growing exponentially over the last decade or so. Even so, myths and misunderstandings persist – and understandably in some cases with a myriad of misinformation and commercial interest often clouding the picture.

The area is hosted by the impeccable Vanessa Sturman, who has much experience in helping people ease their way into this new lifestyle, and Vanessa is on hand to introduce the experts and host the area throughout the weekend ensuring a warm and welcoming environment for people new to plant-based living. A safe space to ask any questions and an abundance of free literature makes this the go-to place to be for many visitors this year.

The Saturday Schedule starts with a presentation from Olivier Mankondo, whose health has escalated and optimised since adopting a whole food plant-based diet, before Vanessa delivers her first talk on an introduction to plant-based diets, followed by long term vegan advocate Rob Masterson, who delivers a simple and easy talk on 6 steps to going vegan. There then follows a panel featuring representatives from the Plant Based Health Professionals UK,  Viva!, Animal Aid and The Vegan Society, all of whom run 21 day or 30 day introductory vegan support programmes throughout the year – an ideal opportunity to get a look into the different programmes for those new to plant-based living. And then a talk for distinguished academic Dr Andrew Knight whose specialist area includes domesticated animals and plant-based diets.

Sunday continues with some fabulous talks starting with Sascha Camilli looking at plant-based alternatives within the world of fashion,  before an illuminating and helpful session from Rupert Worden & Lisa Hinze whose work includes training chefs in plant-based options. Vanessa delivers her introductory talk once more on Sunday, ideal for anyone new to the lifestyle before  Dr Arielle Griffiths  presents on plant-based options for dogs. The day is wrapped up by an excellent session from filmmaker Tom Pickering, whose film I Could Never Go Vegan is due for release in December 2022.

An absolute must for people new to plant-based living, a warm reception awaits for visitors attending the conference wanting to learn first hand about why so many of us have shifted to choosing plant-based options as the default in our lives.

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY

11:00

“The Plant-Based Nutrition: How it’s going to change your life” by Olivier Mankondo

Every species on earth has a specific diet and we, human beings as a race, are no different. In this highly inspirational talk, I’m going to show your audience the specific diet adapted to the human mechanism, which will give people optimum health.

12:00

“An introduction to easy and enjoyable plant-based eating” by Vanessa Sturman

How to make plant-based eating easy, delicious and accessible for everyone. You can start making simple and small changes that will benefit your health, your performance, the environment and the animals (whether you want to be fully plant-based or not). Come and see what you can start doing today.

13:00

“6 Steps to Going Vegan” by Rob Masterson

Are you thinking about going vegan? Have you tried being vegan before but come across some challenges? Are you a new vegan? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then please join us at our Vegan Approach talk.

14:00

“Plant Power Workshop” by Heather Drummond

Welcome to the Metaverse! The studio that helped us produce this compelling ‘Plant Power’ documentary was deeply touched by the content and discounted the production by 97%. Most changed the way they eat. So come and be inspired; you’re bound to learn something new and maybe start teaching it too.

15:00

“An Introduction to Plant-Based Diets” with Rohini Bajekal, Pia Werzinger, Tod Bradbury & Hannah Coyne. Hosted by Vanessa Sturman

An excellent panel of experts discussing 4 of the best introductory plant based challenges, with representatives from Animal Aid, The Vegan Society, Viva and the Plant Based Health Professionals comparing notes about the different approaches and successes of these challenges, designed to help people adopt a plant based diet. Hosted by Vanessa Sturman.

16:00

“Should Cats and Dogs go Vegan?” by Andrew Knight

A revolution is underway in the pet food sector. Vegan pet foods are disrupting a traditionally meat-based industry. Key large-scale studies since 2021 provide new evidence about pet health, nutritional soundness, dietary palatability and environmental sustainability. These key results are reviewed.

SUNDAY

11:00

“Change the world with your wardrobe” by Sascha Camilli

Sascha Camilli’s talk will shine a light on the exploitation of animals for fashion, and PETA campaigns that are shifting the focus of the fashion industry away from animal use. The talk will also highlight the material innovation that is replacing animal skins in fashion.

12:00

“Inspiring Chefs” by Rupert Worden & Lisa Hinze

It is the Chef’s we need to get on side. We show Kitchen teams how easy and cost effective it is to adapt to plant based cooking. We inspire them to bring a little more plant based into their own lifestyle, promoting wellness, increased energy, health and immunity, including recovery from fatigue.

13:00

“An introduction to easy and enjoyable plant-based eating” by Vanessa Sturman

How to make plant-based eating easy, delicious and accessible for everyone. You can start making simple and small changes that will benefit your health, your performance, the environment and the animals (whether you want to be fully plant-based or not). Come and see what you can start doing today.

14:00

“Parallels in vegan dog nutrition compared to human health on a vegan diet” by Dr. Arielle Griffiths

I discuss the fascinating journey of domestication of dogs that has resulted in them having the ability to digest the same foods as us and even share the same gut microbiome as we have. Dogs on a balanced vegan diet will live longer and be healthier than those on a meat-based diet just like us.

15:00

“’I Could Never Go Vegan’ – a discussion with the filmmakers and stars of the documentary” by Tom Pickering

An overview of feature documentary I Could Never Go Vegan, with the filmmakers sharing their creative process and findings, along with how others can get involved in this type of work. We’ll then be joined by Sophia Ellis, Minil Patel and Paul Youd, star athletes from the film, sharing their inspiring vegan journey.

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