Haus of FGV

Will you remember me?

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When you put a lot of time and effort into something, it’s nice to get some recognition. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy, right?

I have been plugging away at this blog and its associated activities for two and a half years. How time flies when you are guilt-tripping yourself into meeting self-imposed publication dates. Seriously though, I feel I have been consistent in sharing my thoughts on vegan food, products and events throughout the UK and the world. I’m proud of this little corner of the Internet.

My first FGV blog entry... EVER!
My first FGV blog entry… EVER!

It would seem the pride I have in my own abilities isn’t completely unfounded as my blog has been nominated for an award.

VegfestUK is a series of huge vegan festivals that take place in Brighton, Bristol (happening this weekend May 24-26, 2013) and London. Running for ten years, the events are a celebration of all things plant-based and are hugely popular outings for vegans and non-vegans alike.

VegfestUKBristol2013PosterPortrait

To celebrate their tenth year, VegfestUK organisers want to recognise vegan businesses, personalities and products with their own award show. Thankfully, they have included a vegan blog category meaning I was able to sneak in with a nomination.

Please visit the voting page and pop a little tick next to my name (if you feel I deserve it). If you do vote for my blog, please let me know in the comments section below. I would like to include you in my acceptance speech at the award ceremony taking place in London this October.*

*This might not happen in reality

 

You don’t have to be a super sleuth

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I know my memory isn’t what it used to be, but I’m fairly certain I have never hosted a giveaway on this blog.

Well friends, the times are changing. My first ever giveaway features a prize that is top class and the competition is available to you no matter where in the world you reside!

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Or probably more like hanging around

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If you follow my ramblings online, you could not have missed the news of your friendly neighbourhood Fat Gay Vegan hosting a Google+ Hangout a few days ago.

Kip from Messy Vegetarian Cook and Laura from VeganSaurus joined me and a handful of other interested people to talk about living life as a vegan, eating out in London and why we choose plant-based diets.

The Hangout was a lot of fun and it has given me the idea to make it a regular event. What sort of guests would you like to see me interact with and what are the main topics you would like to see covered? It should be noted I will never agree to swimming pool/topless interviews.

To give you some inspiration to answer those questions, here is the full video of my recent Google+ Hangout, originally streamed live online. Enjoy!

Calm yourself

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I am seriously into the grand, sweeping vegan announcements such as new restaurant openings and scandalous posts about non-vegan food being sold to plant-eaters. It must be the drama that attracts me.

But a FGV needs to decompress now and again. I can’t live my whole life at 10. Sometimes I need to relax and cruise around the 2 or 3 dial. That is why you get a post like this one today. It’s for my mental wellbeing.

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All I ask is you remember me

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I love a good sausage.

Of course there are a million jokes in the above statement, but I’ve no time for playground humour. I’m too busy stuffing my FGV mouth full of a new savoury delight. Meet the the meat-free Red Onion & Rosemary sausages from Linda McCartney Foods.

Red onion & rosemary vegan sausages

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Plant-based PR

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There is big news that I have posted on Facebook and Twitter but have somehow managed to keep from my dear readers here…

I am now the proud operator of a new company called fgv/PR.

 

As far as I know, I am the first 100% vegan PR company in the UK. I promote only vegan products and services. fgv/PR specialises in social media campaigns, traditional PR, events, trade show support and media appearances.

Pop on over to my new website to see what it is all about. You never know when you will need a fat, gay vegan to help you get some exposure.

Petition time!

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CLICK HERE TO SIGN or read on for more details

Do you remember when we all joined together as one vegan superpower and got Holland & Barrett to reverse their decision to not stock the Fry’s Vegetarian frozen vegan product range?

Fry’s Vegetarian original vegan burger

Well, we are about to flex our collective plant-based consumer muscle once again to ensure the same vegan food options are available all over the UK… in Sainsbury’s!

What is this campaign all about?

Consumers choose foods free of animal products for many reasons. Scientific evidence suggests the production of plant-based food contributes significantly less to environmental damage and climate change than animal farming.

Many religions require devotees to adhere to meat and dairy free diets during certain celebrations. People often choose a diet free of animal products for ethical reasons as they don’t agree with modern factory farming methods. Health is another major factor. A plant-based diet is completely free from cholesterol.

With plant-based food choices becoming increasingly popular amongst UK consumers, it is time for major food suppliers such as Sainsbury’s to answer this call for more vegan choices in their aisles. Brands such as Quorn and Linda McCartney have monopolised veggie shelves in UK supermarkets but very few of their items cater to people who want animal-free food. Quorn and Cauldron have the biggest presence of any veggie brands in the UK. The trouble is, they are the same company and clearly have little interest in serving the vegan community. Most of their products are not animal-free and those that are, are not even labeled suitable for vegans.

We don’t want egg in our food. We want burgers, pops, pies, schnitzels, sausages, sausage rolls, chunky strips and everything else made by Fry’s Vegetarian because it is all vegan!

Fry’s Vegetarian traditional vegan sausages

What can you do?

Click here to sign the petition to urge Sainsbury’s to carry vegan food by Fry’s. The petition will be sent to Sainsbury’s on your behalf.

Add extra steam to the campaign by emailing the following Sainsbury’s contacts to strengthen your request:

sarah.lich@sainsburys.co.uk Category Product Developer
alison.atkin@sainsburys.co.uk Buyer
richard.hall@sainsburys.co.uk Head of Frozen
andy.phelps@Sainsburys.co.uk Category Manager

Post a link to this page everywhere. Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. Google+. Tumblr. Post it on message boards and your own blogs. Email it to family and friends and enemies. Get everyone you know to take one minute out of their day to sign the petition. Use any part of the text on this page in any way you see fit.

Leave a comment below letting us know if you have emailed/signed the petition/heard back from Sainsbury’s. Like all big businesses, they are not going to take notice unless we have big voices.

Let’s do it!

Imagine this in your local Sainsbury’s supermarket!

¡comamos! happened

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Welcome to Messy Vegetarian Cook. She is a dear friend, an amazing artist and one of the best vegan cooks in London. She wants to tell you all about her enjoyment of the ¡comamos! vegan tapas club organised  by yours truly last weekend that featured the gorgeous food stylings of Vegan Peasant Catering and cruelty-free wines supplied by Vegan Wines Online.

Once you have feasted on her words, make sure you take advantage of this very special vegan wine deal: FGV readers simply enter code FGV5 for 5% off all purchases at Vegan Wines Online. Valid until August 31, 2012. Click here to shop.

Got your wine? Good. Take it away, Messy Cook!

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¡comamos! vegan tapas supperclub

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Spanish food is simply romantic, intoxicating and delicious. ¡comamos! Spanish supperclub is your chance to be swept up by the romance of this globally-adored cuisine.

Join blogger and London events ringleader Fat Gay Vegan as he presents the renowned Vegan Peasant Catering in a unique evening of vegan tapas, wine and Spanish music.

Held in the gorgeous surrounds of London boutique The Third Estate, ¡comamos! is set to be a magical night filled with gorgeous handcrafted delicacies, sumptuous vegan wines and la música española.

Menu

(subject to change due to availability)

Tapas

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Mairzy doats and dozy doats

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I think I might consume too much soy. I’m not one of those soy naysayers who decry it as evil but as a vegan, it is very often my go to food.

Soy (or soya in the UK… I can never get used to that) is in so many of the delicious products I consume. Soy meats, soy cheeses and soy milk are the staples of my eating plan. Now, I’m not a health food specialist or qualified nutritionist but I do understand that all foods should be consumed in moderation.

With that in mind, I have taken to swapping out the soy milk in my breakfast for the occasional splash of oat milk. Provamel have come up with a high quality oat milk that is making my breakfast routine a little more varied.

Provamel oat milk porridge with Sweet Freedom & seeds

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