Wakey, wakey rise and shine and make sure National Vegetarian Week 2012 is in your calendar. From 21- 27 May the UK is invited to throw caution to the wind and join the Vegetarian Society in a celebration of all things vibrantly veggie.

To help everyone focus, this year’s extravaganza of veggie vitality will celebrate the most important meal of the day – breakfast. An essential part of everyone’s day whether you are veggie or not.

Liz O’Neill, Head of Communications at the Vegetarian Society, said “National Vegetarian Week is a great vehicle for many sectors – there’s a myriad of opportunities to delve into. It lends itself to the topics of health, wellbeing, the environment and of course food. This year’s breakfast theme will help everyone to get off to a good start, realise how much veggie food they already eat and help to tackle head on the  notion that life isn’t worth living without a bacon butty.”

Check out our five recommendations over the week for veggie breakfast recipes and to get you in the mood:

A tasty solution for those who are always on the move

• Serves 4 (8 small bars)

• Preparation time 5 minutes

• Cooking time 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes cooling time)

• Can be vegan*

Ingredients

50g butter (or vegan margarine*)

3 tbsp sunflower seeds, roughly chopped

3 tbsp pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped

3 tbsp sesame seeds, roughly chopped

1 ripe banana, mashed

100g rolled or jumbo oats

50g ground flaxseed

50g dried goji berries or cranberries

3 tbsp golden syrup

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200C.
2. Melt the butter (or margarine*) in a small pan, then add the remaining ingredients. Mix well.
3. Pack into a small, foil lined loaf tin (approx. 18cm x 10cm) and bake for 25-30 minutes, until crispy on top. Leave to cool for at least ten minutes before removing from the tin. Then wait a further 20 minutes before cutting into eight small bars.

© The Vegetarian Society 2012

Wake up to going veggie

Even the government has reduced its recommended red meat intake, so more and more people are curious about the difference a meat-free diet might make to their vitality and wellbeing.

Going veggie reduces your carbon footprint and saves animals, but it can also be better for your own health and wellbeing.

Obviously you can eat unhealthily as a vegetarian but if you swap meat for more pulses, nuts, fruit, vegetables and wholegrains you will be changing your eating habits for the better.

People choose to go veggie for many different reasons and lots of other life choices contribute to good health, but a well planned vegetarian diet really can make you feel better inside and out.