2 million

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This post is kinda a chance to come up for air.

When I checked in on my blog statistics this morning, I noticed the all-time viewer count had passed the two million mark.

I know that number is not huge when some popular blogs are pulling those sorts of numbers in every month but for my little old blog, with just me behind the wheel, two million feels like a big milestone.

I started this blog almost six years ago as a way to keep self-publishing following the collapse of MySpace and as a platform on which to inspire people to go and/or stay vegan.

I was really inspired by the superstar blogs of the day such as Quarrygirl, Super Vegan and Vegansaurus. I wanted my blog to be fun, accessible and full of a very distinct voice.

The decision to launch my own blog has taken me on some unexpected paths.

I used the initial popularity of Fat Gay Vegan to help start the monthly London Vegan Potluck, a social event where people shared food and got to know each other. This event was much-loved and ran for four years and helped me develop another monthly party in the form of London Vegan Drinks.

The huge popularity of these events coupled with the demands of my blog forced me to step away from my job as a school teacher.

It was at this moment where I had to make Fat Gay Vegan pay.

Flash forward and you’ll now find me working alongside vegan brands, hosting vegan beer events, freelance writing, publicising vegan river cruises, and advising people on social and business matters.

I’m not sure how long this blog will continue, but the decision to start documenting my food and views on veganism almost six years ago has definitely been life defining.

Thanks for being part of this journey, thanks for improving outcomes for animals and thanks for contributing to that huge milestone of two million views.

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Dead animals are not art

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Lie down with roadkill, wake up with fleas.

It will be interesting to see how The Vegan Society responds to this situation.

BrewDog is expanding rapidly and part of that expansion involves raising equity in the USA. Long story short, the company’s equity scheme likes to reward investors with rewards such as discounts at their bars and so on. They had also promised a very special money-can’t-buy gift for their top investors in the USA.

Fast forward to today and the company posted details of the special reward on social media platforms as well as its website.

I’m going to leave a bit of space before I post the photo as a buffer zone for anyone who would like to check out now before they are faced with a dead animal.

Do not scroll down if you don’t want to see dead animals.

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Yep. The special reward for top investors is a limited beer housed inside an animal corpse.

The company explains on its website that roadkill has been used. Listen, I’m not here to debate if this is ethical or even in good taste. I know some people think animals should not be glorified as decorations or trophies and I also know some people are fucking horrendous pieces of shit who can fuck off.

You know which side of the line you fall.

Now, the real reason for this blog post is to ask The Vegan Society to rapidly and loudly remove themselves from any association with BrewDog.

The beer company recently started using the trademark of The Vegan Society on all of its vegan-suitable bottles.

Surely The Vegan Society is not interested in taking money from, or promoting, a company that uses the bodies of dead animals as a marketing gimmick?

I think we are all looking for swift action here.

Also, that’s me done being one of the most vocal supporters of BrewDog. I’m out.

You can see the original tweet here.

You can read about the special gift online.

Breaking news: Sgaia

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By now you all know that I am obsessed with Sgaia Mheats.

I have Instagrammed, I have blogged and I have eaten. Lots and lots. This Scotland-based company is churning out what is probably one of the finest ranges of vegan products on the planet.

Everything they do is world class.

Given my hysterical adoration for the brand, it’s no surprise that I am thrilled to give you some breaking info about a new product.

Sgaia now has Pastramheat. They describe it as peppery, smoky and aromatic.

I’m all in. For real.

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If you are critical reader, you will have figured out that GreenBay Supermarket is currently stocking this new superstar product.

Actually, GreenBay is the ONLY place in the country selling the Pastramheat. They got an exclusive!

If you want a packet of this good stuff, you need to rush to the west London grocery store ASAP because I imagine it is going to fly off the shelves.

Follow GreenBay on Twitter and like Sgaia on Instagram.

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Deep fried toffee apple pies

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Oh my.

Super-adored street food specialists Club Mexicana have just posted the champion of all teaser photos on their Instagram account.

Check it out.


Can you even cope with that?

As the post states, Club Mexicana will be serving up these delights at Hawker House this weekend. The street food market takes place very close to Canada Water Underground station on Friday and Saturday night. Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

Eat well this weekend, stay happy and keep doing what you can to improve outcomes for animals without relying on sexist, racist, homophobic or body shaming techniques! xx

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Amazing vegan Sunday roast

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If you are looking for a vegan Sunday roast experience, I’m pretty certain you’d be hard pressed to find one that looks as good as this.

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This vegan and gluten free meal is being served this (and every) Sunday at The Northern Seaman micro pub in Rochester, UK.

Doesn’t it look stunning?

Steph of Ponga Foods served this Sunday roast dinner last weekend and it proved so incredibly popular, she has committed to cooking it up every week. Pre-sale tickets sold out in record time.

The plate shown includes butternut squash, roasted potatoes and even a Yorkshire pudding. Everything on the plate is vegan and gluten free.

You need to book this meal in advance each week online. Click here to see if there is any availability remaining for this week. Tickets are only £13 and that also includes a pot of beer, cider or a soft drink.

If you are too late to secure a spot this week, keep watching Ponga social media for weekly menu updates and ticket links.

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Second location for London legend

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This is grand news.

Cookies & Scream, one of my favourite places in London to grab sweet delights, now has a second location in the capital.

Screamers thank you so much for coming out to our little shop of treats! Y’all have a good night now #hollowayroad #veganbakery #glutenfreebakery

A photo posted by Cookies And Scream Vegan/GF (@cookiesandscreambakery) on


If you love what they have been doing at their Camden Lock location for several years, you really should get along to the new 100% vegan shop front on Holloway Road in North London.

Expect all the usual glory such as decadent shakes, cookies, ice cream sandwiches and the all-time champion of the universe… the Wookee bar. All gluten free too, if that is what you need.

Click here to see the store location on Google Maps and follow the bakery on Instagram. And tell them FGV loves them when you visit!

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Vegan Christmas Market

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This is your early warning to save the date.

Don’t say you didn’t know to keep Saturday December 17, 2016 free from all other engagements.

I am teaming up with Hackney Downs Studios to bring you Vegan Christmas Market.

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This is a teaser post to get you excited. Did it work?

More details to follow.

In the meantime, RSVP to the Facebook event to get all the updates and to invite friends.

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Support young vegans

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TeenVGN is an amazing social and support group for young people looking to explore plant-based living. One of the many fabulous things they have spearheaded is the TeenVGN Summer Camp.

In top news, TeenVGN has teamed up with vegan marathon runner & world record holder Fiona Oakes to offer a scholarship to attend the UK’s only vegan summer camp for teens next year! The spot is for two compassionate young people who may not be able to afford to go to the camp.

If you are a young person who would like a spot at the camp, click here to find out more information.

If you know a young person who would benefit from a paid spot at the camp, please pass on the details.

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Follow TeenVGN on Facebook and Twitter.

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New vegan cake shop in Bristol

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Slow down, Bristol. Don’t go getting too cocky with all your vegan finery!

Having opened only five days ago, the brand new Earthcake is a welcome addition to an already vegan-friendly city. 

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Everything in the café is 100% plant based and animal-free. Earthcake focuses mainly on cakes with an eat in option including sandwiches on home made baguettes and hot drinks.

In even better news, the café will even take special orders for birthday and wedding cakes!

Click here to see the cake shop location on Google Maps and like their Facebook page.

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New vegan café in London

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London is getting its vegan stride on.

The city has taken another plant-based leap into the future with the opening of the new vegan café Paradise Unbakery in the northern London neighbourhood Kensal Rise.

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You could very well be familiar with Paradise Unbakery already thanks to their numerous raw cake stand appearances at vegan shows around London, but the café menu is taking things to another level.

The café is open seven days a week and serves stunning savoury food such as lasagne, moussaka, jackfruit burgers and more, as well as all of their favourite baked and unbaked delights.

I’m struggling to find time to get over there so my tummy is grumbling from looking at all the Instagram posts. Have you been? What did you think?

You can see where Paradise Unbakery is located thanks to Google Maps and be sure to follow them on Twitter. They are only a quick step or two away from Kensal Rise train station.

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