As we referenced in our last post, social media has given rise to a number of vegan chefs. Undoubtedly, these wonderful chefs must take some credits for the rise in veganism by inspiring hundreds if not thousands of viewers with their moorish content. Their videos have inspried people to adapt to a plant based cooking often modifying their diet to include more delicious and oftentimes, healthier version of an otherwise meaty dish.
It can't be underestimated how important these chefs are in a movement that's undoubtedly intertwined with an overarching subject: the climate crisis.
More than a few years ago I watched a documentary called Pig Business. This changed my life. I had already enjoyed vegetarianism for nearly two decades at this point. But the documentary didn't only reinforce my "why", but illustrated the dark practices companies engaged in to produce meat in order to make huge profits. It made me realise these companies really do not give a shit about the planet if it means their short term financial gain.
Pig Business has today transformed into the pressure group, Farms not Factories, a charity campaigning to end animal factories with a spotlight on pig factories in particular. The film (link on their website) takes you across Europe to countries including Poland, where ruthless factory owners (in this case American) spoil local river by dumping factory waste including faeces and dead piglets. These companies endanger local jobs in the process under the guise of "job creation." In 2026, it would be unbelievable to meet anyone who wasn't aware of the mirkier side of the meat industry.
That's why shouting loudly about cleaner and kinder alternatives is the way forward and Instagram, being widely accessible with so many content creators opting for video content means it has never been easier to have a "cook along!" with your favourite vegan chef.
Today we are shining the spotlight on the first of five chefs: Carleigh Bodrug aka PlantYou.
Carleigh Bodrug is the US based queen of self styled scrappy cooking, a style of cooking Carleigh often attributes to her later Mum, who wasted nothing! Carleigh's style of cooking and creating is endlessly imaginative it makes the mind boggle as to how her recipes and ideas keep breaking new ground.
Carleigh's style of cooking and creating is endlessly imaginative it makes the mind boggle as to how her recipes keep breaking new ground.
Carleigh, who's recently had a baby, shares a wide range of food ideas from breakfasts, smoothies, desserts and dinners. With an audience of over 5 million on Instagram and also has a New York Times bestseller, her cookbook entitled, PlantYou, you could say she is enjoying her fair share of success- and rightly so.
One of the first posts pinned to her Insta page at the moment is a video post entreating you, "Stop!" throwing away pickle juice. Instead, Carleigh suggests adding tahini to have yourself a scrumptious alternative to hummus! Let's face it, pickle juice is often thrown away at the sight of the last pickle being consumed.
As well as hundreds of great recipes, Carleigh's platform is crammed full of tips on how to wash berries, to prepping freezer batches and what to do with pumpkin seeds. One that I have tried myself is Carleigh's "simmer pot" using lemon skins. Simply gather your fruit, add some thyme and cloves, simmer until water is well infused. Allow to cool, transfer to a spray bottle and you have yourself a beautiful homemade room spray! I guess you could also add 1:5 vinegar to make it into a cleaning product? What do you think?
What recipes are we are dying try:
Buffalo Cauliflower Quesadillas
Image: Buffallo Cauliflower Quesedills from PlantYou website - link to the website embedded in image
Creamy Tortellini Pasta
Image: Creamy Tortellini Pasta from PlantYou website - link to the website embedded image
There are a plethora of great cooks on socials and Instagram seems to be their preferred place to congregate. The thirst for recipes and content by home cooks and trained chefs seems only to be growing. If, like most of us, your focus is on saving money, trying out lots of different recipes can unduly eat into your budget. Particularly if you consider your "basic pantry" many chefs refer to being thin on the ground. But many, including Carleigh, encourage you to build up your pantry slowly and instead, use ingredients you already have to try a new recipe.
Carleigh's website, PlantYou is a wonderful place to get dinner inspiration. Whether you are plant based or not, Carleigh's recipes are comforting, balanced and colourful. Be sure to have a look at both her website and her Instagram next time you want to try something planet friendly and delicious.