Vegan

Top nine Instagram posts of 2019

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It’s the end of 2019 so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and highlight the most liked posts from my Instagram post from across the year.

Here is an overview of the nine most liked of the year.

Let’s break it down into individual posts.

Here are the top nine posts from my Instagram account for 2019, with the most popular at the bottom.

Enjoy… and please follow me on Instagram if you don’t already.

The ninth most popular post was a photo of me accompanied by a plea for people to not buy or breed dogs. It resonated with a lot of people and is a message for the ages!

There was a HUGE response for this photo of my Follow Your Heart pin. I never expected this to be on the end of year list, let alone come in at number eight.

This is the first of two photos of London vegan cheese shop La Fauxmagerie to make my top nine Instagram list for 2019. Having two entries is proof of how excited vegans were about this shop opening.

Vegan food in airports can be a bit uninspired so this photo of my breakfast at Wagamama at Heathrow got a lot of likes. It was a tasty treat to enjoy before a long haul flight.

I shared this message from Chapter One coffee shop in Edinburgh and it was popular enough to land at number five on my top nine list for the year. People loved reading news of this popular café switching to become a totally vegan business.

I am surprised this post took off like it did because it is kinda an ugly photo! The Wicked range in Tesco is one of the most successful product launches I have ever seen and this photo being in my top nine is evidence that people can’t get enough.

This post is not a happy read and contains a few upsetting memories of bad times from throughout my life. People who follow me on Instagram were kind and supportive, making this the third most popular post of mine for 2019.

Warning: it is a very upsetting read so do proceed with caution.

LOTS of people responded positively to this photo I took in Heathrow airport. It is exciting to see so many mainstream business be so open about their vegan options.

La Fauxmagerie took the number one slot on my Instagram account for 2019. News of this vegan cheese shop opening in London broke the Internet and more than 4,500 people liked this photo.

Much love to everyone who has helped make my blog and social media accounts viable for another year.

All of this is done to help promote veganism and independent vegan businesses. I want people to go vegan and stay vegan to help improve outcomes for animals.

Christmas as a young non-vegan

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This is an excerpt from my book Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t.

You can order the book via Amazon if you personal politics permit. You can also get the Audible version read by me. Buy from WH Smith, Foyles, or order from your local independent bookstore via Hive.

Christmas in my hometown was always brutal. First of all, it was always sweltering hot and furthermore we had the joy of sitting around with relatives ranging from mildly to wildly racist.

Animals featured heavily Christmas day, from the pig-now-called-ham wrapped in a water- soaked pillow case to keep it fresh to the family dog sitting under the table hoping for scraps. Prawns, crabs, chickens and turkeys who used to all be alive at some point were scattered around the buffet in order for me and the people I didn’t like all that much to experience festive cheer.

So, animals were absolutely everywhere in my life as a child in Australia, but I honestly didn’t give them much more thought than what I have described above. Not one adult explained to me the difference between prawns on the table and the dog under it. Understanding how animals lived and died was not my concern. I was socialised into thinking animals were available to eat, wear and prod with sticks unquestionably.

That’s what I think I have in common with a lot of you turning these pages (or reading this blog post) right this moment.

Reflect for a moment on just how much animals were used in your young life, but how little thought was given to the how, what, when and why. Did adults and people responsible for your emotional growth explain the process of factory farm to dining table? The shark took a chunk from the turtle (early story in book) just as I watched crabs being boiled alive in my kitchen at Christmas time, but they were all just ‘things’ in my mind. Objects. Just like the pine cones and the cliffs and the polished glass fragments at the seaside.

I didn’t understand that these animals were capable of fear and pain because nobody told me, and I would bet my last block of tofu they didn’t tell you either.

New vegan white chocolate raspberry truffles

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Have you almost gotten a handle on gift buying for Christmas?

Good. I’m here to tell you about your next vegan gift giving opportunity.

Valentine’s Day!

Moo Free are one of my favourite sweet treats companies on the planet and I’m thrilled to hear about this new product they are launching in 2020.

Inspired by their Hazelnut Truffles that hit the shelves recently, Moo Free has now created the perfect self-indulgent treat or thoughtful gift.

The heart-shaped truffles are filled with a soft raspberry centre which uses a unique raspberry concentrate mixture to achieve its mouthwateringly wonderful flavour.

Made from a white chocolate alternative recipe, these tasty new truffles are created using UTZ certified cocoa in association with the Rainforest Alliance, which helps support sustainable farming and provides better opportunities for farmers, their families, and our planet.

Produced in Devon, these new Moo Free truffles are certified vegan and are gluten and soya free.

Moo Free‘s White Raspberry Truffles will be available to buy from their online factory store (you can pre order now) and in a select number of Waitrose stores at the RRP of £4.99.

Follow Moo Free on Instagram.

Christmas themed vegan syrups

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I love Sweet Freedom.

The company has been around for a number of years now and I adore how they keep expanding their range, sometimes even releasing limited edition vegan sweeteners and syrups.

Speaking of limited edition releases, the brand has just a few days ago released four Christmas products which are available in Aldi stores around the UK.

So, what have we got in the range?

  • Gingerbread Syrup
  • Cinnamon Syrup
  • Choc Shot Winter Spice
  • Choc Shot Mint

All of the Sweet Freedom products are perfect for adding to coffee, frappes, cocktails or drizzling over pancakes and porridge.

Follow Sweet Freedom on Instagram and get your Christmas supplies from Aldi stores.

Disney star invests in vegan fast food company

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One of the fastest growing fast food brands in North America just got a financial boost and vote of confidence from a Disney star.

As more and more people come to understand the value of a vegan lifestyle, a lot of people are also investing in plant-based companies. 2019 is the year that saw a whole bunch of celebrities and influencers associating themselves with leading companies focussed on the vegan and plant-based field.

Mena Massoud, the start of Disney’s Aladdin live action remake, has announced he has become an investor in San Diego-based Plant Power Fast Food.

Although best known as an actor, Massoud is recognised by his fans and social media followers as a passionate advocate of a plant-based diet. He is the founder of the travel show Evolving Vegan and is also known to regularly share photos of vegan cuisine or his thoughts about the vegan lifestyle with his 2.4 million Instagram followers.

Photo by Kathryn Page

Since opening their first location in San Diego in January 2016, Plant Power Fast Food has grown to a five unit chain with four additional locations in current development. They also have a new food truck operation in Los Angeles.

Describing his love of the brand, Mena states, “I’ve spent a great deal of time touring North America visiting a lot of plant-based restaurants. Plant Power Fast Food immediately stuck out as a big player. They have massive ambitions in the space, and they don’t just outsource their products like many of the other companies in the marketplace. There is great attention to detail, and we share the same outlook, that in order to cause real change, we have to make plant-based living accessible to the masses.”

He added that a vegan diet is much more than a fad or passing trend: “It’s about evolving in the right direction so that we can help save our planet, our bodies and our fellow living souls.”

You can follow Mena Massoud on Instagram.

You can follow Plant Power on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Visit the chain’s website online here.

Vegan Ethiopian food in South London

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Do you all remember that Ethiopian restaurant located at Art Works shipping container village at Elephant and Castle?

It used to have a lot of vegan options and the owner was super passionate about the food.

Well, guess what? It isn’t there anymore.

But also guess what?!

Beza has moved to another location in Elephant and Castle and has turned 100% vegan. Yay!

Both the food and interior of the restaurant look sensational.

Beza describes the restaurant as an “Ethiopian restaurant in London that specialises in traditional Ethiopian vegan food.”

Their menu is alive with truly delicious and nutritious seasonal food, all served in a beautiful setting. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan. The restaurant is proud to serve the local community with inspiring exotic dishes.

Eat with them ASAP and then often.

You can follow Beza on Instagram and Facebook.

See the exact location of the restaurant thanks to Google Maps.

Top 5 vegan things to do in London this weekend

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London. You are quickly becoming the most vegan place on the planet.

From north to south and east to west, the UK capital is overflowing with plant-based places to eat. There is so much choice in fact, it can be difficult working out how to cram it all in. Or more likely, how to pick just a few.

I’m here today to give you my pick for the best vegan things to do in London on the weekend of December 14 and 15, 2019.

Plan your weekend well and have a fabulous time!

  1. Of course I have to pick the 4th annual Hackney Downs Festive Vegan Market. I started this locally-focused but broadly-loved market to help independent vegan traders have a decent shot at making a living from their work. It only comes back for special occasions such as Christmas, but the heart of this event never dies. Support it on Saturday December 14, 2019 between 11am and 5pm. Full details online here.

2. Get along to the grand opening weekend of the new Picky Wops restaurant on Brick Lane. Cristiano, Andrea, and their team have worked hard to bring their world famous pizzas to this new permanent location and you really want to be a part of this history-making opening. Try the pasta and desserts, too! Read my blog post about the opening online here.

3. Enjoy baked Christmas-themed goods from legendary vegan business, Ms. Cupcake of Brixton. The bakery is now stocking a massive range of their seasonal cakes and goodies, including a chocolate caramel reindeer cupcake that is too cute. The shop is also the only place in the UK to buy ready-made vegan Yorkshire puddings and if you spend £30 or more in store this weekend (both days), you get a free copy of the latest edition of the Vegan London Guidebook valued at £9.99. Click here for the Ms. Cupcake website.

4. Do a massive vegan grocery shop for Christmas at an independent vegan store. GreenBay Supermarket in West London has everything you need for festive celebrations including gourmet vegan cheeses, roasts, boxes of chocolates, sweets, ready to serve cream, and even panettone. Follow GreenBay on Instagram and see their exact location on North End Road thanks to Google Maps.

5. The end of the year makes a lot of us feel sentimental so it is the perfect time to catch up with friends and loved ones. Message your nearest and dearest and tell them you are meeting up for drinks at London’s superstar vegan pub, The Spread Eagle on Homerton High Street. Enjoy their fantastic cocktails and leave a bit of stomach space for the tasty cuisine of in-house kitchen experts Club Mexicana. See the exact location of the pub thanks to Google Maps.

Have a great weekend, London!

Vegan snack bars for the UK

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Eat Natural are those snack bars that vegans always get harassed by in supermarkets.

You know when you are looking for something quick and easy to grab when you are at the checkout or running out the door quickly? Eat Natural bars are ALWAYS there, in every store.

If you are anything like me, your brain gets excited for a millisecond before you remember that they contain honey.

It’s not the worst thing to happen to humanity, but it is a little bit annoying.

Eat Natural must have gotten tired of vegans like me complaining (nagging works!) because they have now released three products suitable for vegans and one of them is even called Simply Vegan.

The new products include:

  • Simply Vegan – a gorgeously coconut-ty bar with a lovely swoosh of proper dark chocolate underneath, packed with nuts and dried fruit
  • Maple syrup, pecan and peanut bar – part of their ‘bars with benefits’ range. It carries extra protein thanks to all the nuts and seeds
  • Low Sugar Granola – a stunning granola made with coconut blossom nectar

I would recommend a store in which to look for these however I do believe they are sold almost everywhere in the UK.

Vegan Christmas pizza in London

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Vegan pizza is everywhere.

I’m in no way saying that is a bad thing, I’m just commenting on how it seems to be popping up everywhere in London.

One of the most-loved vegan pizza joints in the UK capital is Good Belly which is located inside The Railway Tavern just a few steps from Dalston Kingsland Overground station.

The pizzas at Good Belly get rave reviews from those in the know, so I can only imagine how delicious these two Christmas-themed specials will taste.

The first seasonal special I want to tell you about is their Christmas Day Pizza. It is constructed from a cranberry & merlot tomato base, mushrooms, red onion, stuffing crumbs, bacon bits, parsnip puree, and shredded sprouts.

That is one dreamy Christmas pizza!

Another special they have is their flaky (and delicious) Santa’s Sausage Roll. Good Belly assure me it is one of the best sausage rolls on the planet.

Check it out.

Both of these specials from Good Belly will be on their menu until December 22, 2019 so hop along rapidly if you want some seasonal treats.

You can see the full regular menu from Good Belly online here, follow the restaurant on Instagram, and check out the exact location of The Railway Tavern thanks to Google Maps.

Vegan cream tea in West London

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I know a lot of people love an old-fashioned cream tea but finding a vegan version in London can be tough.

There is good news out of West London, however.

The Stables café located at Osterley House is now serving vegan cream tea!

Maybe you are scratching your head at the mention of cream tea.

What is it?

Cream tea is a variation of afternoon tea and is traditionally served with scones, clotted cream, and jam. The idea of cream tea is usually attributed to the tea rooms of Devon and Cornwall.

The Stables Café is located inside Osterley Park & House in Isleworth, West London. The café is open between 10am and 5pm, 7-days a week.

You can see the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.