Vegan Japanese food in Brixton

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Josh and I were in Brixton a few weeks ago and had an hour to spare before seeing a concert.

I was also hungry.

I strolled past the Ms Cupcake bakery and into Brixton Market to have a look around for anything new or new to me. That’s when I saw Kamome Japanese Kitchen.

The menu on the window showed a lot of meat but my attention was grabbed by the use of the word ‘vegan’ all over the place.

I prefer to eat in all vegan establishments but my tummy was rumbling and The Killers were about to take the stage at Brixton Academy.

So we jumped on in and ordered a few of the vegan dishes. Check them out.

Some of the food was extra tasty and enjoyable, while some of it was just OK.

The katsu curry with tofu was one of the highlights, as was the tempura and sticky rice bowl.

I wouldn’t make a special trip across London for these vegan options but I would certainly recommend if you are in the area as there are very few vegan choices in Brixton for dinner.

You can check out the Kamome website here.

Vegan Life Magazine

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Remember when I announced with sadness that my monthly advice column for Vegan Life Magazine had been discontinued?

It appears that there were a few people who loved my column, so much so that the magazine has asked me to return with a brand new monthly column!

The latest issue has just hit new stands and magazine racks around the UK (and the world).

I’m thrilled to be back and getting the chance to share my insights with Vegan Life Readers. It’s also very cool that I have been bumped up to a coverline with my story right there on the cover for the world to see!

You can subscribe to Vegan Life Magazine online here.

Veganism and mental health

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Here is some news from my buddy, Ryan Patey, about the new issue of his incredible magazine T.O.F.U.:

Following the path set by T.O.F.U. #11, which focused on veganism, chronic illness, and failing health, the twelfth issue of T.O.F.U. tackles the topic of veganism and mental health. From discussions of anxiety, depression, and addiction to an interview with Emily von Euw of This Rawsome Vegan Life that covers such things as gender, the stigma around mental health, and more, the issue continues to highlight the stories of those who know that veganism doesn’t cure everything.

Even before its release, people were excited for the magazine to be focusing on such a crucial topic, which is too often overlooked or simplified by the vegan and animal rights community in its messages and actions. Now, just days after it was made public, the issue seems to be striking a chord with people around the world.

“This issue, coupled with the last one, was created to support those who feel alienated by a community they very much deserve to be a part of,” explains T.O.F.U.’s Editor, Ryan Patey. “Whether it’s through (wrongly) dismissing people’s issues as the result of too much processed food or having events and social activities refuse to acknowledge the needs of those with such things as anxiety or PTSD, the fact is that a movement fighting to end the oppression of animals is oppressing others in turn and it needs to stop.”

Luckily, thanks to the willingness of over a dozen vegans to share their personal stories, the latest issue of T.O.F.U. will hopefully play its part in changing not only the conversation within the community, but also the attitudes.

Click here to access this latest issue. The concept is pay what you can/feel like with the suggest price being $5.

Vegan burgers 6 days a week at Borough

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Here is some huge news for vegan burger fans and supporters of independent vegan business.

Big V London has just been given the go ahead to trade at Borough Market six days a week.

This exciting news means that Borough Market finally has a 100% vegan stall trading every day that it is open. Big V was previously trading Thursday until Saturday but they are now serving their decadent burgers and sumptuous salad bowls daily.

Of course you can also catch Big V London and their burger bar at Hackney Downs Vegan Market this Saturday. See the full list of traders here.

Follow Big V London on Instagram.

Find Vegenaise in Sainsbury’s

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A few days ago I broke news of Vegenaise and a couple more Follow Your Heart products being launched into 130 Sainsbury’s stores around the UK.

The news came close to breaking the vegan Internet but of course people wanted to know which stores were selling the products.

I didn’t know then. I do now.

Click this Sainsbury’s Store List to see the full list of Sainsbury’s stores stocking the Original Vegenaise, Vegan Honey Mustard Salad Dressing and the Organic Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing.

How exciting! Is your local on the list?

The FGV book arrives early

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Of course you all know I have a book being released in January 2018, right?

Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t is being published by Nourish Books and is available to pre-order via Amazon right now.

But…

If you are super keen to read what I am calling my ‘manifesto for living a compassionate life’ and can’t wait until January, my publisher has made a limited number of copies available for VegfestUK London on October 21 and 22, 2017.

I will have 300 copies of my first ever book to sell from a stall on level three of the VegfestUK venue and I will be on hand for most of the weekend to chat with you about it.

I am also hosting a presentation in the auditorium on the Saturday at 4:00pm to talk about the themes of the book and explain my approach to veganism, how I think we can expand our compassion beyond caring for animals and where I think veganism is heading in the future.

In addition, I will be hosting an informal discussion about the importance of running local vegan markets and offering some tips for anyone interested in starting one on their area on Sunday at 2:00pm.

You can read about my VegfestUK London talks online here.

Hope to see you at the show!

Vegan Xmas treats at Tesco

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Here is a super short post about something I saw in Tesco today.

If you celebrate Christmas and shop at places such as Tesco, you can pick up this vegan chocolate selection box for yourself or a friend. I saw them in the special ‘seasonal items’ aisle (and not in the free from section) of the Tesco Extra in Osterley, London.

What do you think?

Will this be one of your stocking stuffers this festive season?

New vegan cafe and art space

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A speciality, sustainably minded vegan coffee shop and arts space on Hackney Road in East London has just opened. It’s called Unripe Banana.

Upstairs they have a coffee shop with a bit of extra seating downstairs and then also downstairs they have an art gallery and events space with artist studios.

On the menu at the moment they have coffee by Origin Coffee Roasters that they pair with nut mylks made by the East London Mylkman. They also have Oatly Barista available as well as cashew and almond.

They told me their plan is to set the bar for vegan speciality coffee and eliminate the idea of dairy free mylks being bad.

They have a selection of different cakes/croissants available and even offer a cheese and tomato filled croissant.

The menu also includes a cheese pesto and rocket toastie, a tofu BLT, smavo marmite and chilli on toast (smavo being smashed avocado) and a spicy chickpea blend with spinach and avocado. There are also different flavours of overnight oats and right now they have carrot cake jars of overnight oats.

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Unripe Banana is minimal waste and against air miles so they do everything with a ‘think locally’ mind set and avoids plastics wherever possible.

They also have a retail section where they sell UK designed dungarees by Lucy and Yak, their handmade banana mugs and a variety of different items by artists and makers.

Click here to see where exactly Unripe Banana is located thanks to Google Maps (just a few steps from Hackney City Farm on at Unit 7, 268 Hackney Road).

Follow Unripe Banana on Instagram. The café is open 7:30am until 4:00pm Monday through Friday and 9:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Cooking class

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Here is some info about an upcoming vegan cooking class taking place in London.

Join in a celebration of vegan cooking with diverse recipes drawing on Lee Watson’s recent travels around the world. Lee will be cooking a variety of nutritious and tasty dishes at this event in Brixton on Saturday October 21, 2017.

Techniques will be explained clearly and you will receive a bespoke recipe booklet meaning that you’ll have the confidence and resources to try all the dishes at home. Lee will share loads of ideas and tips, and you’ll get to taste all dishes at the end when you enjoy a buffet lunch.

You’ll be shown:

  • Plant-based cheese
  • Raw desserts
  • Simple curry tips
  • The best of tofu and tempeh
  • Ultimate breakfast smoothies
  • Buddha/Poke bowls
  • Wholegrain dishes
  • and much more

A spot at this event costs £40 per person.

Lee will be signing copies of the ‘Peace and Parsnips’ book after the event.

Click here to RSVP to the Facebook event page or click here to book a ticket.

Breaking News: Follow Your Heart news

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Breaking vegan news is coming thick and fast these days, so it can sometimes feel like we might be reaching a point where it stops being a big deal.

Well, don’t get jaded just yet because this next piece of news is certainly worth getting excited about.

Superstar brand Follow Your Heart from California is launching three of its products across 130 Sainsbury’s locations from Sunday October 8, 2017. Yes, this weekend!

This launch includes the finest vegan mayo product on the planet, Vegenaise. This legendary plant-based mayo just celebrated its 40th anniversary. 40 years old and we just got it listed in a major mainstream UK supermarket.

Better late than never! Here is the full list of participating stores. Sainsbury’s Store List

Alongside the iconic vegan mayo, Sainsbury’s stores will also be stocking the Vegan Honey Mustard Salad Dressing and the Organic Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing.

You can send your love to Follow Your Heart via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Congratulate them on this giant leap forward and let them know how happy you are to have them in the UK with more accessibility.

Don’t forget that you can also buy Follow Your Heart products from local independent health food stores. Do that when you can, people! Support local business.

Yay for the growth of veganism and vegan mayo.