What Is Veganuary and Why It Matters: A Dairy-Free Perspective with The Coconut Collab

Happy Veganuary, everyone 🎉

Okay, yes — I know it’s become a bit of a running joke that I still haven’t posted my “About Me” blog post. But honestly, if it keeps you on your toes, I’m fine with leaving it in drafts just a little longer. I will post it one day, I promise… I’ve just lost the motivation a bit. Let’s blame ADHD and move on 😅

That said, here’s a little more about me anyway. I’m somewhat allergic to dairy — or to be specific, anything cow-derived. The strange part? These allergies didn’t appear until just over five years ago. Before that, I basically survived on cheese and yogurt. So yes, adjusting to a dairy-free lifestyle has been… an experience.

I still catch myself sneaking the occasional bite of my childhood favourite, Petits Filous, fully knowing my sinuses will stage a full rebellion afterwards. And yes, laugh if you want — I eat children’s yogurt. It tastes elite, and I will not be taking questions.

Discovering The Coconut Collab

Now for the good part. A few weeks ago, my aunt introduced me to The Coconut Collab’s original coconut yogurt, and I was genuinely impressed. Like pause-and-recheck-the-label impressed.

It tastes remarkably like regular dairy yogurt. If you really concentrate, you can pick up a subtle coconut note, but otherwise? The texture, the look, the overall experience — it’s all there. Naturally, my first thought was: If I add raspberry jam, I can recreate my beloved raspberry yogurt.

And then — plot twist — I discovered The Coconut Collab already makes a raspberry flavour. I didn’t walk. I ran.

Finding it, however, was a mission. After searching high and low, I ended up emailing The Coconut Collab directly in a moment of desperation-meets-determination. A lovely woman named Charlotte replied with a list of stockists, and off I went on a full-blown yogurt raid at Morrisons 🛒

I bought four pots. I’m not sharing. I’ve missed raspberry yogurt that much. Breakfast yogurt is officially back in my life, and honestly? I’m thriving.

Why Veganuary Matters (And Why I’m Trying)

As an animal activist, I do want to gently encourage you to consider trying plant-based alternatives — even if it’s just small changes. The reality of the dairy industry is deeply upsetting. Calves are taken from their mothers shortly after birth, and witnessing that separation is genuinely heartbreaking. I once watched a video of a mother cow chasing after the van carrying her calf, and I cried real tears.

I’m not fully vegan yet, but I’m learning, unlearning, and doing better where I can. If Veganuary encourages even one person to question their habits or try something new, that matters. No living creature deserves unnecessary suffering — and change often starts with awareness.

What Veganuary Actually Is

Veganuary isn’t just a trend or a January challenge — it’s a global movement that started right here in the UK back in 2014. The idea is simple: people commit to eating vegan for the month of January and see how it feels — for their bodies, their conscience, and the planet.

What began with just a few thousand participants has grown into something truly remarkable. Millions of people across over 200 countries now take part each year, and the movement continues to grow at an incredible pace.

In fact, by 2025, over 25 million people had participated worldwide, and an astonishing 98% of those who tried Veganuary said they would recommend it to others. That alone says a lot.

The Impact of Veganuary

One of the reasons Veganuary resonates so deeply with me is the tangible impact it has. Even a single month of plant-based eating can significantly reduce carbon emissions, save water and grain, and lessen the demand placed on animals.

It’s also a chance to explore food differently — more fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. It’s not about restriction; it’s about discovery. And judging by the 1,480+ new vegan products launched for Veganuary 2025 alone, it’s clear that brands and businesses are listening.

The Organisation Behind It All

Veganuary is a non-profit organisation with a clear mission: to encourage people worldwide to try vegan — not just for January, but beyond. They support individuals and businesses year-round, helping make plant-based living more accessible, less intimidating, and far more inclusive.

What I really admire about Veganuary is their values. They focus on impact, empowerment, collaboration, and compassion — without judgement. It’s about progress, not perfection. About meeting people where they are and helping them move forward at their own pace.

Their long-term vision is a world where vegan choices are the norm rather than the exception — and honestly, seeing how far they’ve already come, that future doesn’t feel so far away.

Final Thoughts

Veganuary doesn’t have to mean an overnight lifestyle overhaul. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as finding a yogurt that doesn’t hurt your body — or your heart. For me, The Coconut Collab has been a small but joyful step in the right direction.

If you’re curious, hesitant, or somewhere in between, I’d say this: try. Try one product. Try one meal. Try one week. You might surprise yourself.

And if nothing else, at least try the raspberry yogurt. Trust me on this one 💚