Join Juliette as she explores the incredible world of fungi and how they can benefit our health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In this talk Juliette will explore the sacred journey she has been on with 7 magical mushrooms.

GP and conservation medic Dr Ishani Rao presents the scientific evidence that she uses to educate the NHS about the benefits of a vegan diet. She hopes that this talk will equip you with the facts to best argue a case for adopting a plant-based diet

How diet, lifestyle and natural remedies can help support one’s mental wellbeing

Should we be vegan if we practice yoga? What is the true meaning of ahimsa? Is puppy yoga ok if it brings us happiness and joy? This talk will explore the links between veganism and yoga, drawing on the often forgotten philosophy that is at the roots of the practice. In today’s western world where yoga is commonly viewed simply as an exercise practice for those with enough money, time, and physical ability to do so, how do we begin to share these teachings beyond the yoga mat to make the world a kinder, and more compassionate place to all beings.

The idea of not eating animal prodcts is nothing new – Pythagoras was an early advocate of a plant-based diet – but so many of us were brought up to believe that the maintenance of health and fitness can only be achieved on a diet based around animal protein. Many omnivores believe that it is impossible to remain healthy on a diet of only plants!

We now have incontrovertible evidence that this is entirely incorrect – indeed it is becoming clear that the healthiest of diets is a Whole Food Plant Based Diet.

This means a diet based 100% on plants – and they should be consumed in a form that is as close as possible to how they were grown and harvested. It should include little, if any processed or refined products – for example, no added sugar or oil.

In this talk, I will outline some of the evidence for this.

In this talk Dr Storm will explain the rationale behind a low fat, high raw, plant-based approach to health maintenance and health recovery, and the U-Turn Health approach to helping us to increasingly leverage the benefits of this diet-style. She will discuss the plant-based and food addiction staircases and the wheel and spoke model of health, and introduce you to Harry the high raw hamster! As VegFest is a trade show, she will be inviting discussion around the question: ‘how can plant-based and ethical businesses begin to provide for the needs of true health seekers in the UK?’

Animal cruelty
What’s religion got to do with it?

We begin by examining the dual role of religion in both opposing and endorsing the cruelty and exploitation of animals. The central theme of this discussion revolves around employing a reflective approach to comprehend why certain individuals, even when presented with factual information, remain insensitive to the suffering of animals. We conclude by contemplating how empathetic individuals manage to endure the agony that animals suffer.

Paul Youd, 85 year old ultra athlete, shares his tips and tricks on thriving on a plant-based diet while on his path to completing 100 ultra marathons. Kate Dunbar discusses how she overcame chronic arthritis by running on plants, completing her first marathon at age 60, and Dr Minil Patel talks about combining weight training with running to maximise performance. Founder Tom Pickering will also share an overview of the new Running On Plants campaign and how individuals can get involved.

Have you ever wondered how you can maximise your energy through food and lifestyle choices?

Zane will be exploring rationale behind daily Ayurveda rituals (sanskrit: dinacharya), which help to maximise energy, feel happy, maintain immunity and empower others.

Our daily food and lifestyle choices are those simple yet powerful actions that maximise our energy, improve digestion, mental and emotional wellbeing, how we perform at work.

Zane will dive in to explore how using in synergy right food combinations, seasonal eating, circadian cycle and knowledge of your own body type gives fascinating health benefits.

She will invite a discussion on how ethical and B-Corp Vegan businesses can facilitate healthy workplace environments for their employees, who thrive to live healthier lifestyles.

Do you suffer from bloating, irregular bowel movements, pain or cramping? Have you been diagnosed with IBS or IRRITABLE bowel syndrome where your life continues to revolve around your symptoms? Do you notice that stress or anxiety make your symptoms worse?
Learn simple and practical ways to immediately begin supporting your digestion daily with herbs! Dominica will be discussing ways to promote digestive enzyme release and breakdown of food, how to support a healthy microbiome, also to combat the impact stress has on your digestive processes.