Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer

I’m feeling romantic. Come with me as I spirit you back to 2005, the year I first met one of the true loves of my life. People often say you can’t help who you fall in love with and in that vein, dear FGV readers, I would like to introduce you to Original Pale Ale by Coopers Brewery.

Coopers Pale Ale

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Stay calm. Don’t freak out.

So you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to vegan candy and chocolate? Be prepared to have your entire sugared-confectionery schemata redefined.

The ridiculously-talented people behind Moo Free Dairy Free Chocolates just can’t help themselves. They are literally compelled to keep creating delicious treats that I can’t resist. Just when I thought the vegan Easter egg by Moo Free was the pinnacle of desire, they had to go and blow the game apart… again!

Check it out! Moo Free are about to launch this stunning range of finger-sized snack bars and I can barely contain my excitement.

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A reasonably good buy

Come here often? Good, then you’ll know that I love roller derby, drinking vegan booze and overeating. If this is your first time visiting me, you’re about to get a crash course in what makes a fat, gay vegan extremely happy. Buckle up, friend.

A few weekends back, Josh and I rolled on into the inner-city district of Earls Court to take in an evening of contact sport, vegan cider and delicious cruelty-free food.

Earls Court

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Magical sneaky snack time

As I reported a few months ago, the grocery store chain Co-operative is a market leader in labelling cruelty-free products. What many other high street food retailers are now just doing, Co-operative has been doing well for over a decade.

You can buy all manner of food and household products that are suitable for vegan shoppers within their walls. Even though they are being overtaken by other supermarket giants for vegan food availability, Co-operative will always hold a special place in my heart for their inclusive practice.

And just when I thought I couldn’t be more loved up with the grocery store, I discover delectable frozen onion rings that have taken my life by storm. Check out my new favourite snack coupled with one of the best vegan mayos on the market.

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Vegan ice cream wars into overdrive

Every now and then something unexpected comes along and changes my life. My existence is peppered with random signposts, events and life-altering moments that have impacted deeply upon me.

One such occasion occurred last week as I was innocently trolling the Internet. I was casting an eye over the Vx website (as I had heard they were hosting a 2 year anniversary celebration) when I stumbled across an invaluable nugget of information: there is a new vegan ice cream on the market in the UK. My world was once again turned on its head.

The humans behind the new vegan desserts known as Bessant & Drury’s are wildly talented individuals. I can’t recall ever having been so instantly enamoured with a vegan ice cream in my life. Stunning doesn’t cut it. Would you like to share in my accidental, life-changing joy? Read on.

Bessant & Drury's

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And a big, bright, healthy smile

Sweetness is my weakness. Well, so are saturated fats and deep-fried foods but a FGV has to keep a special spot in their heart for sugary snacks. My body craves vegan delights such as chocolate and cupcakes…. and who am I to deny it?

Most of the sweet stuff I consume is made with processed cane sugar but I have recently come to adore an alternative to this regular sweetener. Vegans and vegan-curious, I would like to introduce you to Sweet Freedom.

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Feel my temperature rising

Are you in the mood to look at delicious, cruelty-free food that is too good to be true? Excellent. You will not be disappointed.

Superstar vegan food producer Redwood Wholefood Company are very seldom matched for quality, range and taste. Their extensive selection of compassionate foodstuff includes deli slices, breaded vegan cheese, bacon rashers, burgers, faux chicken pieces and flavoured desserts. This brief product rundown is not even close to exhaustive… I could go on and on.

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I eat eggs

Of all the religious celebrations that I opt out of, Easter seems one of the strangest. Can someone enlighten a FGV with atheistic tendencies? Why do people imagine a giant bunny is hopping around leaving chocolate eggs in nests?

As a naive child in Australia, I would fashion beach towels into makeshift nests and settle in for a night of anticipation. Would the Easter Bunny visit my ramshackle egg depository?

I am thankful those days (and sleepless nights) are long gone as I put my trust in more logical ways of thinking. However, the amusing twist in this bunny tale is the fact that I still adore devouring chocolate eggs whenever a vegan version makes its way into my FGV nest.

Cue the wonder and talent of Moo Free Chocolates!

Moo Free vegan Easter egg

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Just like a book I read, I’m heading west

My travels have taken me far and wide. I have enjoyed poolside cocktails in Western Australia and Winter walks through NYC’s East Village. The nights spent drinking in Mexico City gay bars are balanced by the morning train journeys endured between Leeds and Halifax. I have witnessed sunsets in Paris, Narita and Phoenix. City lights and country stars have hypnotised me on several continents. I never want discovery to end.

This insatiable appetite for moving recently spirited me to an unusual place located only 90 miles from Cuba, yet many more miles removed from my reality. Bound by water, Key West turned out to be a bizarre yet lovable town with one of the best vegan cafes found anywhere and a rather vibrant gay scene.

Key West at sunset

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