So last Jan was my first year of doing Veganuary and I actually really enjoyed it!

Mainly because:

-It made me vary my meals from breakfast through to dinner.

-I discovered many a tasty recipe that I continue to use outside of Veganuary.

-Even tho I normally only eat lean meat the whole removal of bad temptation (ie naughty snacks) meant I felt so much healthier inside by the end of the month.

-I also saved quite a bit of money from not buying meat.

-I eat a lot of fruit & veg anyway but this still increased by a significant amount.

-I tried things that I never thought I would try let alone enjoy!

-And the best one of all…I got to eat more carbs 🐷

So for 2019 I’m exploring the Vegan scene right here in Dublin!

Dinner Time

Yamamori South City

What I ate: Teppan Roast Vegetables and Tofu Teriyaki

How much it cost me: €18.95/£16.96

Comments: There were a few vegan options in each section on the menu however I did have to check as they were only marked as “Vegetarian”. The meal overall was a solid 9 out of 10 🤤

Portion sizes were very generous so will definitely be coming back again!

Cornucopia, Dublin 2

What I ate: Lebanese aubergine stew with rice and salad 🥗

How much it cost me: €14.95/£12.98

Comments: Probably not the most aesthetic meal I’ve taken a photo of but it was an absolute taste sensation in my mouth 🤤 Cornucopia is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in central Dublin with several amazing meal choices which changes on a daily basis! Big plates at an affordable price 👌🏼

Veginity, Dublin 1

What I ate: Soy-Va-Laki Gyros with marinated soy strips, fire roasted peppers, red saltsa, garlic sauce, Greek fries on home baked Gyros bread 👀

How much it cost me: €33.25/£29.02 (this was a wine, main and dessert kind of outing 😏)

AND THEN: Loukomades (Greek Donuts) 👀

Comments: OMG the meal just proves being vegan doesn’t have to be plain and boring – the dish was so full of delicious flavours and the menu changes on a weekly basis (this week was Greek themed)…cannot wait to see what’s up next!

Brunch O’Clock

Sophie’s @ The Dean Hotel

What I ate: Spinach, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, fruit salad

How much it cost me: I threw the receipt 🤷🏽‍♀️

Comments: I was actually quite surprised that there wasn’t a single vegan option on the menu! However the waitress and chef were very accommodating and pulled together the above meal for me.

It was a really lovely bar set up and environment to be in 👌🏼

The Greenery, Donnybrook

What I ate: “The Healthy Breakfast” – Irish soda bread, avo, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms

How much it cost me: €12.90/£11.51

Comments: Again, no vegan options on the menu however “The Healthy Breakfast” was veggie so we just removed the poached egg and asked for more spinach and mushrooms 😋 But the first time our meals came out there was butter on the bread even tho we had specified we were vegan…🤔

Wait…there’s another meal outside of brunch and dinner?! “Lunch”

The Woollen Mills, Central Dublin

What I ate: Soup of the day 🍅

How much it cost me: €7.95/£6.88

Comments: Nice option for lunch! Little bit on the sweet side but I kind of liked that 😋 Good price and kept me full until dinner 👌🏼

Okay the next one wasn’t in Dublin but still in Ireland!

Jumon, Belfast

What I ate: Malacca Laksa 🔥

How much it cost me £11.50

Comments: OMG this was to die for 😍 Majority of options on the menu were vegetarian/vegan or vegan adaptable – amazing work guys 👌🏼 I could have eaten it for dayssssss 😋

All in all I’d say a successful time in eating out in Veganuary 💚

Instagram: @flyefit

Website: http://www.flyefit.ie

Location: Dublin 2

Facilities: abundance of free weights, resistance machines, cardio machines as well as huge spaces to create your own workouts with TRXs, dumbbells, kettlebells etc plus a zen studio and spin studio!

Changing rooms: showers, hair dryers, lockers (provide your own padlock).

Summary:

– Okay first of all this gym is HUGE. And when I say HUGE I mean HUUUGE! Literally so much equipment, so much space, so much EVERYTHING 🙌🏼

– There’s multiple rooms for classes and a wide variety of classes to coincide with this.

– There’s a whole two floors dedicated to allow you to create your own workout in the unbelievable space that is available as well as equipment of all shapes and sizes to enable you to achieve all kinds of body goals 💪🏼

– Flyefit has 11 different studios across Dublin and multi gym access is only €32 a month or if you pay for a year up front the equivalent of only €27 a month!

– We went Saturday around 3pm and there was so much free equipment you would be able to do any kind of workout your heart desires!

– Basically I think I’m in love and 99% sure this is the gym for me! 💕

Instagram: @bendunnegyms

Website: http://www.bendunnegyms.com

Location: Dublin 1

Facilities: plenty of cardio machines, spin bikes, swimming pool, weights floor (resistance machines also on cardio floor)

Changing rooms: showers, hair dryers, lockers (provide your own padlock).

Summary:

– LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION – from when I left the office I was at Ben Dunne in approx 3 mins! 👍🏼 (pros: no time to talk myself out of going to the gym in the evening, cons: dragging myself into town to get my weekend workout in)

– It was quite busy at peak on a Tuesday but that is expected in a city centre – despite this there was still plenty of equipment available to get a decent workout in 💪🏼

– Not the widest ranges of classes on the timetable – only spin in the mornings and none on a Thursday or Friday morning 😳 may force me to focus more on my weight training though so not necessarily a bad thing!

– Classes are also held on the gym floor which might put a few people off, not too much of an issue from my perspective though, coz once you’re sweating, you’re sweating 😂

– Excellent value for money – €24.95 a month or equivalent of €20.75 per month if you pay for a year upfront.

– Overall – id say a good contender for my Dublin gym choice!

Instagram: @gymplusclarendon

Website: http://www.gymplus.ie

Location: Dublin 2

Facilities: cardio machines, spin studio, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, weights floor.

Changing rooms: showers, hair dryers, lockers (provide your own padlock).

Summary:

– Initial impression was that the equipment seemed slightly out of date as well as the building which could do with a touch up as appears dated.

– Wasn’t too busy at peak after work on a Thursday which was nice. I would have been able to use any equipment that I wanted to.

– Was able to trial a spin class. Again the bikes were out dated and fans were used instead of air con. This was fine with me as I was at the front near a fan however not sure how I would have felt if I was further back!

– The website states you get unlimited 1-1 sessions with a trainer however this is slightly misleading as it turns out you are limited to one every 6-8 weeks.

– There are a wide variety of classes which is appealing as I do like to mix between the gym and classes when I can’t be bothered to think for myself!

– I hate to say it but for €45 euros a month I don’t think it’s worth it unless it had a full revamp.

Instagram: @1escapehealth_club

Website: http://www.oneescape.ie

Location: Dublin 7

Facilities: cardio machines, resistance machines, free weights, boxing area, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi

Changing rooms: Plenty of lockers (need to provide your own padlock), showers, hair dryers

Summary:

-Wide range of classes throughout the day (weekdays and weekends) where the trainers clearly focus on ensuring all clients are executing the exercises with correct form.

-Memberships are limited so that there is never a time where the gym is overcrowded which I think is a great idea!

-You get a 4-6 week catch up with the on site qualified personal trainers.

-Full health club experience as there is a pool, sauna & jacuzzi which was actually empty at peak on a Saturday! Members also get 10% off the on site beauty salon.

-Slightly more pricey at 65 euros a month for off peak membership, ideal membership option would cost 80 euros a month. If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend!