Vegan

Oceans apart

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Bowl For Oceans is turning into what will surely be an amazing event. We have vegan snacks to feed attendees. We have three very different DJs to supply us with an eclectic mix of tunes. We have karaoke. We have ten pin bowling. We even have pool tables.

But one thing we won’t have with us on the day is all of you.

final bowling

Distance gets in the way of a lot of celebrations and Bowl For Oceans is no exception. That noted, a lot of you have reached out to say even though you can’t be physically with us on the day, you would still like to make a contribution to the fundraising efforts.

In order for friends to make a financial contribution even if they are not in London on the day, we have created a special non-attendee donation ticket. For just half the price of a full ticket, you can help us in our campaign to raise money and awareness for the UK arm of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Click here to buy a ticket or make a donation NOW!

Your ongoing support and dedication to helping animals is what makes events like Bowl For Oceans possible. Please spread the word across all of your networks and help us make the biggest donation to Sea Shepherd that we possibly can.

I’ll be gone

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Businesses come and go quickly and sadly vegan businesses can be the swiftest departures of them all. It is extremely difficult to stay afloat at the best of times and even harder when you are part of a ‘niche’ market.

I am sad to hear of the closure of a gorgeous vegan cafe in Barcelona called Vegan Bakery. I had only just visited a few months ago and now it appears to be no more. I’m not on the ground in that town to do my usual snooping, but I have seen whispers on the Internet that the close is temporary until a new location is found.

I would love to hear from anyone involved in the cafe or anyone with information on their future. It won’t be too long before I’m heading back that way and I would really love to support their endeavours.

Until then, take a sneak peak of what I enjoyed during my recent visit to Vegan Bakery.

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Give ’em the old Razzle Dazzle

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I was starting to think I couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming Bowl For Oceans fundraising party for Sea Shepherd UK, but then this happened…

There are companies that make nice food, there are companies that do good things for others and there are companies that are run by lovely people. Razzle Dazzle Ices somehow manage the rare trifecta of possessing all of these traits.

Razzle Dazzle is a family-owned and operated company from Taunton, Somerset. As stated on their website, their drive to create a tasty dairy-free ice cream came from wanting their son (who can’t eat cow milk) to be included in treat time. But after setting out to perfect their recipes in their own home for their own enjoyment, Razzle Dazzle then put their efforts into spreading the vegan ice cream love far and wide across the land.

The Razzle Dazzle Ices range includes such tantalising flavours as Mango Sorbet, Coconilla and Hintamint. Check out where all five of their fun flavours are available right now! They even sell to stores, cafes and restaurants, just in case you are a business owner and want to impress your customers.

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Razzle Dazzle tubs

But what was this blog post supposed to be about? Oh, that’s right! Razzle Dazzle Ices are coming to Bowl For Oceans!

January 6, 2013 is the date where compassionate party goers are in for a big treat. Not only does their ticket purchase get them bowling, karaoke, music, pool tables and crisps by Barrow Boys, it now also gives them a chance to sample Razzle Dazzle Ices for free.

The company will be on hand to dish out their tasty wares to attendees and talk about how they create such delicious, cruelty-free delights.

If you have already purchased your tickets for this mammoth event, congratulations are in order because you are in for one fun day out in London. If you are yet to snap up your entry, act fast to ensure you are part of what is surely going to be one of the most-talked about events of Winter.

Buy your Bowl For Oceans tickets online

Visit Razzle Dazzle Ices online

Like Razzle Dazzle Ices on Facebook

Follow Razzle Dazzle Ices on Twitter

I know you’ll take another

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As a sugar-loving vegan, certain times of the year are tougher than others.

My recent trips to grocery stores and supermarkets have been met by a familiar sight for this time of year. Christmas shopping frenzy means I am confronted by countless varieties of boxed chocolates, truffles and candy. This onslaught of boxed confection also sweeps through my life around Valentine’s Day, mothers day and an increasing number of commercialised celebrations.

As a fat, gay vegan all I wanna do is drop a few of these boxes into my basket as I waddle to the checkout. Until a few days ago, this was but a dream.

Enter Celtic Chocolates.

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Google me baby

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What do you get when you mix FGV, Google and a Mexican restaurant in Central London? A whole lot of delicious fun, that’s what!

I was recently approached by Google+ Local to host a vegan event in the capital. Of course you know all about Google+ Local, right? Local is a fully integrated way to share your experiences, read reviews, view maps, browse businesses and immerse yourself (and your friends) in your local area. I am already swamped by social media but I am slowly getting to grips with Local.

I’m glad Google asked me to get involved with organising a vegan event as it has been a great way to sink my teeth into their new service. I have been writing reviews for my favourite London locations, as well as contemplating the idea of hosting a hangout. If you like the idea of exploring your local area via Local, read all about it here.

But what about the event? Read on!

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That’s your bloomin’ lot

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There used to be a store I frequented as a younger person called Popcorn Palace. This maize emporium was located in a shopping mall on Australia’s Gold Coast and with my hometown just an hour or so away by car, my friends and I would often find ourselves buying bags of the good stuff.

Popcorn Palace was one of those places that believed in the mantra ‘more is more’. I used to marvel at the vast array of flavoured popcorn lining the shelves and always ended up buying more jumbo tubs than I could handle of the irresistible snacks. I remember the watermelon variety extremely fondly.

Thus commenced my lifelong love affair with popped corn.

Flash forward to a few years (decades?) later and popcorn still rules my roost. Popcorn is probably second only to potato in my most-loved category. I might not have Popcorn Palace in my life these days, but the good people of Bloom’s are working hard to keep my maize malaise at bay.

Nutty & Sweet by Bloom’s

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Alright, me old fruit?

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Some things are an acquired taste and whether you like them or not can depend on where you grew up. When I was a child, I adored Vegemite. I understand why people from outside Australia might not like it, but I couldn’t get enough of this savoury cousin of Marmite from down under.

I recently spoke with someone who couldn’t imagine anything more disgusting than fruit cake with marzipan frosting. I would eat so much of this at family weddings back in Brisbane that I would have to be carried to the car. The UK seems to share this history of wedding/Christmas cakes and I couldn’t be more pleased to discover Lazy Day Foods have launched this loved product in an accessible way.

Lazy Day Foods make me happy

My trip to As Nature Intended in Ealing Broadway a few days ago was a triumph in both nostalgia and deliciousness. Lazy Day have taken a slice of my childhood and turned it into vegan, gluten-free, finger-sized delights.

Cake and fruit and icing, oh my!

Get into your local health food provider or spend some time perusing the free from aisle in the supermarket to snap up these delights today. And when you are settled in with a few bars of marzipan-topped fruit cake and a cup of tea I want you to sit back, smile and think of FGV eating himself sick as a young wedding attendee back in Australia.

Small FGV not eating the cake on the table… yet!

Visit Lazy Day Foods online

Like Lazy Day Foods on Facebook

Comida mexicana gratis

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Are you available on Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 6:30pm? “Maybe” I hear you say? What if I told you I am hosting an event in conjunction with Google Local at a Mexican restaurant where all attendees will be treated to free vegan food and a tequila tasting? Of course you are available!

Eight people will join me in feasting on vegan Mexican delights and a sampling of fine tequilas picked out exclusively for our event. All at no cost to them.

How do you get an invite?

Get over to the Google event page and RSVP. Then follow the instructions on securing a place. I ate in the restaurant recently and believe me when I say you will adore the experience.

Click here to secure your spot at the event – spaces extremely limited

This event is taking place just a short walk from Euston and Warren Street.

Free event in North London

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If the idea of attending a free event that involves vegan food, relaxation and swapping goods with likeminded souls appeals to you, you are going to love this day out in North London.

I was recently contacted by Mia and asked to pass on this information regarding the event she is hosting. The floor is yours, Mia:

We’re holding a Free Christmas Fair on 25 November, 2012 at Pakeman Primary School, Holloway N7 from 10:30am. During this event there will be a ‘give and take’ which will include clothes, books, toys etc. We will be having film viewings (Forks Over Knives, Story of Stuff and No Impact Man) as well as services like Reiki, massage and maybe a yoga class. All for free.

The event is run by volunteers who are donating their time just for the love of it.

We are also asking people to bring a vegan dish to the event so we can share in some yummy vegan food. Those who might not have tried vegan dishes before could be able to taste them.

All offers of help, especially food contributions would be very gratefully received!

To get involved or to find out more information, email Mia miadukelow AT aol.com or visit the Facebook event page