London vegan news, reviews & events
I have been toying with the idea of writing a blog post challenging the trend of showcasing vegan men as tough, virile and strong but then the fabulous Jamie J. Hagen wrote this and used words to teach everyone a lesson with much more effect than I ever could.
But I would still like to give some personal insight.
I know I play the jolly food fool on this blog, but I do admit at times being upset by interactions I have with strangers online and in real life. Being a fat, gay vegan isn’t all crispy fake chicken and belly laughs.
Today I received a string a Tweets from a person asking why I don’t post photos of ‘real’ food and why everything I eat is processed.
I responded to these requests with a simple question of my own: Why do you want to know?
Typical of these sorts of interactions, my question was met with a nasty retort. I was told that I am not the sort of vegan this person wanted to follow. The gay part of FGV had interested them but the processed nature of my diet was a real turn off for them.
I thanked them for taking the time to judge me.
I’m sure it is as clear to you as it was to me. This person was not actually interested in finding out why I eat the way I do, they wanted to try and make me feel bad and ashamed for it.
Well, if they are reading:
The reasons for the way I eat are complex. My eating is the sum of decades of socialisation, emotional upheaval, happiness, media manipulation, body shaming, guilt, cultural experiences, joy, sorrow, privilege, discrimination, economic factors, family input, ethical concerns, poverty, personal preference and strangers projecting negativity in real life or via social media.
Now that is out of the way, here’s a little something else I want to get off my chest.
I do not welcome or seek input, advice or comment from strangers regarding what I eat or my body size, just as I would never write to a person I don’t know with similar advice.
My body and my food choices are for me to judge and manage. My platform as Fat Gay Vegan is not an invitation for you to personally critique me. If you don’t know me on an intimate level, don’t presume I want to hear your opinion on what I put in my body. I really don’t and I find your intrusions upsetting and at times very fucking distressing.
If your intent is to knowingly try and shame me for who and what I currently am, or how I identify, kindly fuck off.
One of my favourite past times is trolling up and down supermarket aisles looking for vegan products. The first thing I love to do when arriving somewhere on vacation is find the nearest grocery store. It is my signature move.
I recently (as in two days ago) moved housed to another part of London so of course before I even unpacked, I made a direct route to the supermarket.
My new local Sainsbury’s is a big one, with plenty of vegan goods to keep me overfed. Much of it was the same old stuff I’ve seen everywhere else, but three products caught my attention.
They have all possibly been on the market for a while, but it was the first time my fat gay eyes had seen them.
Have you tried any of the treats below? Do you love supermarket tourism as much as I do?
I don’t mind paying people to cook for me, but the truth is my partner Josh and I do a mighty fine job of keeping the vegan food on the table ourselves.
Josh is more of a main meal creator whereas I love snacks such as decadent toasted sandwiches. Just like Hannah Montana, it’s the best of both worlds.
Below are a few photos detailing some of the delights that have been crafted in our kitchen over the last two weeks or so. I have added a ‘Josh’ or ‘FGV’ after each photo description to let you know which fat, gay vegan made the meal.
Once you have scrolled through all the photos, for a bit of fun vote in the comments by stating whose food you would rather sit down to every night. FGV or Josh?
How lovely! My blog has been nominated for an award.
Last year I was honoured to be the recipient of the Best Blogger award, voted by visitors to the VegFestUK website, and the nominations have been announced for the 2014 version. I am thrilled to be nominated again.
You can visit the awards page here to cast your vote for Best Blogger. Of course I would be incredibly appreciative if you voted for me. It’s always nice to get a pat on the back.
While you are there, have your say in all the remaining categories as well.
Follow VegFestUK on Twitter to keep updated with all their news.
Something popped up in my Twitter timeline this morning that made me feel sad and angry.
There is an annual sporting event in Wales called Man V Horse. This mini marathon is staged through the Welsh countryside and features people attempting to complete the course before riders on horseback.
As I watched the video showcasing the event (see below), of course I was instantly horrified by the use of animals in a sporting event. I am opposed to animals being used for any form of entertainment, especially a cross country race that they most definitely would not enter and run without a human on their back.
Maybe you saw the homophobic tweet posted to the Beyond Meat Twitter account sometime over the last 48 hours. I found it very upsetting and have reproduced it below for the sake of this post.
A few days a go I posted some photos on my Instagram account of the best popcorn I have ever made. It garnered such a positive response online (and then again when I served it at London Vegan Potluck) that I have been compelled to share my secrets with you.
Wanna eat popcorn like a fat, gay vegan? Read on.
This blog isn’t all about too much beer and food. I sometimes like to use it as a platform for other worthwhile topics… and they don’t often come more worthwhile than the crucial work being carried out by NAVS.
Not sure what I am on about?
I have invited Jan Creamer (chief executive of the National Anti-Vivisection Society) to share some important information with you relating to a rare public consultation you NEED to know about.
Read carefully and act on the information supplied.
Take it away, Jan.
Just a super quick note to let you know about a new column I am writing for someone else. It’s not all about me, you know!
The wonderful and curious new online magazine called About Time has enlisted me to contribute a regular column called Fat Gay Vegan Eats. The first offering features my list of five destinations for vegans in Camden.
You can check it out here.
