Haus of FGV

Vegan for a reason

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Hey kids. FGV is on a rant.

Have you noticed the rise in bloggers and commentators trying to tell us that when we draw a line in the sand with our veganism that we refuse to cross, we are doing a lot of harm to the vegan movement? Some of these bloggers even go as far to suggest to that being an inflexible (i.e. dedicated) vegan contributes to the suffering of animals.

How do they arrive at this conclusion?

The idea some pundits are spouting runs something like this: if we make veganism appear a difficult choice to embrace with rigid humourless rules, people won’t want to go vegan therefore we are responsible for them eating animals.

Enough of this bullshit!

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Mexican menu

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This is a bit late seeing as the event has almost sold out, but below is the 5-course vegan menu I am serving at my 4th annual Day of the Dead dinner on November 1.

Aperitivos: Mini tortillas with guacamole, salsa verde & pico de gallo
First course: Esquites with Vegenaise, epazote, fresh lime juice and chile powder
Second course: Black bean & lime soup with smoked paprika, chipotle and cumin
Third course: Flautas filled with chorizo and potato served on a bed of lettuce, drenched in salsa verde and topped with marinated onion
Fourth course: Albondigas de lentejas (lentil meatballs) with adobo sauce
Fifth course: Chocolate cake with sticky spiced chocolate sauce, served with vanilla ice cream and hibiscus-chile sprinkle
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The entire menu is gluten free this year.
There is a 5:30pm seating where there is just one ticket remaining and an 8:00pm seating which has completely sold out.

Click here to buy the final ticket.

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On the cover of a magazine

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Check it out, people.

The words ‘Fat Gay Vegan’ have been emblazoned across the cover of the latest issue of Vegan Life Magazine.

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I was recently interviewed by editor Maria Chiorando about my blogging history, vegan food in the UK, why I do what I do and so much more.

This issue is now available via the Vegan Life app which can be downloaded here.

Physical copies of the issue will be hitting shops on Thursday. You can find Vegan Life Magazine in Sainsbury’s, WH Smith and many independent and chain newspaper stores.

In addition, check out this story about my monthly Dear FGV advice column starting in Vegan Life Magazine this December!

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Thank you

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I’m taking a moment out of my busy overeating schedule to say thank you.

I was nominated in the recent VegfestUK Awards for the Best Vegan Lifestyle Website category. It was an unbelievable playing field which saw me going up against the giants of the vegan world such as Animal Aid, The Vegan Society, TeenVGN and Viva! Campaigns.

I want to give a sincere and heartfelt thank you to every single one of the 970 people who voted for me, placing me as runner up. This is a tremendous result and it has humbled me greatly.

To be only 200 votes behind a 70 year old society with over a quarter of a million fans on Facebook is staggering and I am moved by the number of people who wanted to put my name on their ballot. Second place feels like first with such overwhelming support from my readers.

Also, thank you to VegfestUK organisers for placing my blog within a field of such hardworking and highly respected groups and organisations.

See you all at VegfestUK Scotland in December!

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I spoke these words

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I was invited to talk (by Kim Stallwood) as part of a panel at VegfestUK London this weekend just passed.

The topic I was invited to talk about? What’s the most effective way to campaign for living as a vegan and make vegan values mainstream?

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This is a rough version of what I said. It has been transcribed from the notes I took into the talk, meaning it doesn’t include all of the ad-libbing I did such as saying hello every time I saw one of my friends in the audience or any of my hilarious (!) of-the-moment wisecracks.

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Special guest

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Here is some news that has me grinning from ear to ear.

Some people are effective activists. Some people are powerful public speakers. Occasionally, you will find people who possess both of these attributes. Even rarer? Someone with these skills who is also an absolute dream to be around due to the fact they are incredibly friendly, personable and charming.

Yes, I’m talking about Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

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To say I am often blown away by Colleen’s capacity for compassion and her ability to powerfully disseminate information is an understatement. I could listen to her talk for hours.

And this news I speak of?

Imagine my absolute joy to be able to announce Colleen Patrick-Goudreau as a very special guest on the 100% vegan cruise I am a part of this Winter on the Danube.

This 6-night cruise between Germany and Austria was already a fabulous situation. All inclusive with only vegan food and drink served on board. Shore stops in some of the most gorgeous and scenic cities in Europe. My annual New Year’s Eve party hosted on the ship as it is docked in Vienna.

And now Colleen!

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More than half the cabins have already been booked for this historic cruise and with Colleen on board, I would imagine the remaining suites will move quickly.

You can go here to read more about the cruise.

Visit Colleen Patrick-Goudreau online, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter and Instagram. You will fall in love with her insightful, engaging videos and informative podcasts. Guaranteed!

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Dear FGV

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Exciting news!

I am thrilled to announce I have been signed on as a regular contributor to Vegan Life Magazine. 

My monthly column is called Dear FGV. It is a space for me to dish out advice to readers relating to ethical dilemmas and the struggles associated with living vegan in a non-vegan world.

Expect a bit of sass mixed with lots of goodwill and heart!

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I’m hoping to help readers solve problems such as how to date a non-vegan, dining out with meat eaters and how to covertly promote compassion through gift giving. Perhaps you want advice on vegan-friendly holiday destinations or the inside scoop on the best place to shop for cruelty free groceries in your town.

I do not expect to be answering questions about diet and nutrition. If you think writing to someone called Fat Gay Vegan about nutrition is a clever idea, you are beyond any help I can offer!

This column is going to be genuine advice for real world problems mixed with FGV-branded humour.

If you have a plant-based problem and are looking for advice, send your question to maria@veganlifemag.com and it will find its way to my desk.

Look for the debut column from Dear FGV in the December issue of Vegan Life Magazine.

Visit Vegan Life Magazine online, like the mag on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

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Vegan t-shirts at VegfestUK

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Hey there.

Here is some fab news about VegfestUK London, taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Olympia.

I will also be speaking as part of a panel on Sunday at midday.

So much to see and do at VegfestUK! Are you going?

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FGV talking

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You have your VegfestUK London tickets for this weekend. You’ve planned all your eating adventures. Meeting times/spots have been agreed with friends.

But have you pencilled in a trip to the Vegan Vision panel discussions taking place on the Sunday of the two day event?

Come along for three, one-hour long panel discussions exploring being a vegan campaigner in a non-vegan world.

I have been asked to contribute to one of the three panels and will be joined by Kabaret co-owner Louise Wallis and EVA co-founder Tobias Leenaert. Our panel discussion is titled:

What’s the most effective way to campaign for living as a vegan and make vegan values mainstream?

I hope to see a few of you at this talk, where I expect you to ask me hard hitting questions to leave me looking confused.

See you at midday on Sunday (October 11, 2015).

Check out all of the panel topics here.

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