Fucking horrendus

As you know, previously-vegan range Goodlife now contains a few products with dairy.

Like many compassionate consumers, I am appalled that a company claiming to be ethical would take this huge step backwards.

Look below to see a Twitter conversation from earlier today between me and Goodlife.

goodlife tweetsThis might very well be the worst attempt at recovering from a product scandal that I have seen in years.

Goodlife are sorry that I am upset? Don’t worry about me, mate. I’ll be fine.

Worry about the poor fucking cows that will be used, abused and left for dead when they are no longer productive. Think about the contribution you are making to the constant cycle of exploitation every time you send a pallet of products out to stores. As you receive payment from customers, know that those funds are yours only because baby cows are being ripped from their mothers every single day in the UK and sent to veal crates or factory farms.

No, don’t worry about upsetting me. It’s your tragic family I feel sorry for with its need to earn money any way possible. What an absolutely fucked up thing to know your bills are being paid because animals are being impregnated constantly and killed when they are spent.

Look at this quote from the Viva! White Lies website.

Dairy cows are portrayed as having an idyllic life but the reality is that cows (like all mammals) only produce milk for their young after giving birth. Dairy cows are kept in a cycle of near constant pregnancy and lactation (meaning huge physical and psychological stress, often leading to disease and exhaustion). Every year, dairy cows also suffer the separation from their young just a day or two after giving birth, calling for each other desperately – the trauma and stress have been studied and even the dairy industry admit it causes emotional stress. The fundamentals of dairy farming – removing newborn calves to sell the cow’s milk – always conflicts the animals’ physical and emotional welfare.

Goodlife. Reverse your ridiculous decision to include dairy in your products. Make them vegan again. If not for the individual cows suffering through the dairy process, for your family. Don’t make the horror of dairy farming be your family legacy.

I urge all concerned readers to reach out to Goodlife via Facebook and Twitter.

 

Plant milk

My partner Josh just posted this photo from his workplace that highlights the explosion in popularity of plant-based milks.

10402775_10152588904638751_8087180804920234631_nJosh took this photo in his staff kitchen this morning and I thought it was fabulous. I really wanted it to share it with you all.

I see the photo as a signpost for how far we have come in our struggle to educate people about dairy alternatives and in turn, help improve outcomes for animals.

This is just one small staff office in one part of London. Imagine the huge number of milk drinkers who have switched to plant-based milks over the last few years all over the UK. It is overwhelming to think of the positive impact this is having as it lessens the demand for cruel dairy.

Let’s celebrate plant-based milks!

If you have people in your workplace considering ditching dairy, share this link with them. It is an excellent resource site created by Viva! Campaigns to assist people in removing dairy milk from their diet.


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Lucha

My 3rd annual vegan Day of the Dead party was already set to be a mammoth and memorable affair, but add KANKUN to the mix and it has just reached another level entirely.

KANKUN make a range of delicious sauces so you can recreate your favourite Mexican dishes in your own home without the hassle of learning how to create them from scratch. The range includes Chipotle Hot, Chipotle Mild, Marinade, Habanero and Jalapeño meaning there is a heat level for every taste. The brand was recently recognised with a Great Taste award, so you don’t have to rely on my opinion that they are top notch sauces.

I am thrilled to announce the KANKUN luchador (Mexican wrestler) will be at my Day of the Dead party to hand out samples of their Mexican hot sauces, talk to guests about Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and pose for photos.

As you probably know, I am completely infatuated with lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) so you can imagine my delight to have secured this very special guest for the party.

kankunThis is set to be an afternoon and evening to remember.

Don’t miss it this November 2nd. Book your tickets now!

Visit KANKUN online

Follow KANKUN on Twitter

Like KANKUN on Facebook

 

Help animals

We all have a friendship in life that is unaffected by distance and time. A person you have known for decades and another decade can pass without your relationship spark flickering in the slightest even though you don’t see each other as much as you would like.

Let me introduce you to Steven.

Steven has been an integral part of my life since my teenage years. To say our friendship has seen some outrageous moments would be selling it to you softly.

FGV & Steven many years ago
FGV & Steven many years ago

We have danced until daylight in tacky gay bars in Brisbane. We have supported each other through emotional turmoil and romantic drama. Steven has given me a place to live when I had nowhere else to go. We have laughed at and with each other. We have fought with each other. We have splashed through the surf under the blazing Australian sun. We have propped each other up and dragged each other down.

My life wouldn’t be what it is without this friendship.

Where am I going with this blog post? I am asking you to support Steven in his campaign to raise funds for Farm Sanctuary, the legendary rescue home for farm animals. This group has been advocating and educating for decades, giving comfort to countless creatures.

Steven and his husband Nate are taking part in the Walk for Farm Animals fundraiser in San Diego and I would be so deeply moved if readers of my blog could help them reach their fundraising target of $1000. I am incredibly grateful and appreciative that one of my dearest friends is taking action for animals. It would make me proud to know we helped Steven and Nate help animals.

Please click here to donate to their fundraising effort. Your money will directly help improve outcomes for rescued farm animals. Make sure you leave a comment on their team page saying hello from FGV!

Donate now!


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Spandau Ballet

Hey music lovers.

Just letting you know my other writing outlet related to music has me reviewing the greatest hits of Spandau Ballet. Yes, that’s correct. Spandau Ballet. Totally awesome radness, right?

You can read my take on the new release of these old songs over on the Louder Than War website.

Enjoy!


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Day of the Dead menu

My annual Day of the Dead party is coming up close (Sunday November 2nd, 2014) and I am frantic with preparations for the super-sized event.

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This year marks the 3rd outing for the event and I’m pulling out all the stops. Click here if you want to read about all the fun activities I have planned, but read the rest of this post to fall in love with the incredible menu.

Read more

Gaga in Berlin

As regular readers will know, I write reviews for fab music website Louder Than War.

My latest contribution to their site is a review of the Lady Gaga concert I attended in Berlin last week. This particular review might just have a little more interest for vegans as I make my feelings clear on Gaga’s celebration of wearing dead animals.

Click here to check it out.

Lady-Gaga-2014-Trailer0


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Prince review

One of my hobbies outside eating all the vegan food in the world is writing music reviews for the wonderful Louder Than War website, owned by notable punk and vegan John Robb.

The latest piece I’ve written for LTW is a review of the brand new album by Prince. I used to think Prince was vegan but I got a bit confused when I read an interview with him where he had yak milk in the fridge. He has spoken of being vegan so who knows what is going on with him.

Anyway, click here to read my review.

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Day of the Dead 2014

I host a few big parties each year and my Day of the Dead extravaganza is certainly one of my favourites. Lots of candy, a vegan feast and a chance to wear one of my Mexican wrestling masks all night… what’s not to adore?

Get ready to party your socks off as Day of the Dead takes over London on November 2nd, 2014 from 3pm. For the third year in a row, I am asking you to celebrate with me as I show you why I love this festival so deeply.

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This year’s party is set to be the biggest and best yet as I team up with brand new vegan venue Kabaret of Wood Green. This huge venue allows our party to explode in size and what we have lined up for entertainment is sure to thrill.

Need some reasons why you should book a ticket?

  • massive vegan buffet to keep you well fed – prepared by chef straight from Mexico City 
  • Vanessa of Essential Vegan giving a cooking demo and talking of Finados (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Brazil
  • Emma of Veganbnb Travel talking about her vegan holiday business in Spain and Guatemala and giving you an insight into Day of the Dead celebrations in Guatemala
  • a 100% vegan bar staffed by the wonderful owners of Kabaret
  • Day of the Dead craft activities
  • pose for photos with a luchador (Mexican wrestler) thanks to KANKUN
  • venue decorated for a traditional Day of the Dead celebration
  • buffet contributions by Scoff Sweets, Cocoafeliz chocolates and Bloom’s popcorn
  • altar to place photos of dearly departed loved ones so they can celebrate with us
  • stay late and dance into the night
  • dress in Day of the Dead costumes for a chance to win prizes (check this for inspiration)
  • more to be announced

This is going to be a party to be remembered. I am thrilled to be helping vegan London take part in a celebration that has roots all over the world.

Below is the buffet menu.

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Tickets are available for £25 (plus booking fee) and are non-refundable, although you are welcome to sell on or gift to a friend in the instance you can’t attend. This price is only for pre-purchased tickets and the cost will rise on the door if we have space.

The party is all ages and a specially-priced ticket for children under the age of 18 costs £18 plus booking fee. All attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone wanting to buy and consume alcohol will be required to prove they are of legal drinking age.

Ticket price includes vegan buffet and activities, but not drinks. You will be required to pay for your own drinks at the bar. The bar takes card payments.

Book now by clicking here!