October is my favourite month

Being vegan in London has just been blown sky high with amazingness. If you think that sounds like hyperbole on overdrive, check out the new vegan patisserie known as October Cafe and you’ll soon see the reason for my excitement.

Following a disappointing, half-uneaten breakfast at another vegan establishment, Josh and I were on the lookout for something to lift our spirits. We hopped a few buses, walked along Old Street in the City of London for a short while and arrived at one of the loveliest vegan experiences in existence.

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Crisp alert

The approach of summer really isn’t amounting to much here in the UK. The warm days are few and far between while the rain has been visiting more than usual. We are in dire need of a morale boost in these grey times and Tyrrells just might be the folk to dish it out.

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Vegan ice cream wars are back on

Pompompous Maple Pecan by Booja-Booja

The lovely people of Booja-Booja recently got in touch with me to ask if I would be willing to give one of their vegan ice cream flavours a try. Ummm… how long do you think I needed to think about that one?  I’m not sure I finished reading their email before I hit the reply button.

If you cast your mind back a short while, you will remember my ecstatic review of the Booja-Booja Hunky Punky Chocolate variety. I have been a massive fan of their frozen treats since that day and the flavour that was recently delivered to me by the company has only cemented my love.

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The suspense is killing me

Rumours have been circulating for a while now about new products coming soon from vegan food manufacturer Fry’s Vegetarian. Here at the Haus of FGV we have been just as excited as the next vegan foodie and if the whispers we are hearing are correct, cruelty-free eaters the world over are going to be ecstatic.

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Legumes for me

Delicious vegan snack

Here we have a super fast post about a terrific snack on the go.

When it comes to snacks, one of my favourite companies is Tyrrells. Operating out of Herefordshire, Tyrrells produce a large range of gourmet potato crisps of which a significant amount are marked as suitable for vegans. I have long been a fan(atic) of their crisps and now I have an extra reason to sing their praises. That reason is Habas Fritas.

This packet of glory contains broad beans that have been covered in some sort of magical and irresistible coating before being cooked to crunchy perfection. Never before have I experienced such an urge to keep eating. Every time I have torn a packet open, the bag hasn’t left my hand until every last bean was in my belly.

Apologies for the short post but I’ve worked myself into such a Tyrrells frenzy I need to go shopping. You should grab a bag soon and let me know what you think.

Habas Fritas in my FGV hand

Over the moor

Sometimes you have to go the distance for a quality meal.

When I lived in Australia, I would travel from Brisbane to the Gold Coast for stunning vegan pizza at Threeworlds Organic Cafe. My Los Angeles vacations don’t seem complete without a road trip to my favourite Native Foods Cafe in Costa Mesa. These meals are worth doing the miles for and now I can add another destination I’m willing to travel to for vegan dining… Glossop.

The Globe of Glossop

Glossop is a country town situated just over 20km/15 miles east of Manchester. It is steeped in history and evidence dating back to Roman and Saxon times can still be found. Windswept moors rise up around the town and a short trip by car will take you to the grim scene of the infamous murders on Saddleworth Moor. Visitors shop the local fresh markets while fans of dark comedy program The League of Gentlemen delight in spotting locations in nearby Hadfield.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Glossop, but I’m about to give you the only one you need. The Globe.

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And people are stupid

War is horrific. Conflicts currently raging around the globe are responsible for destruction, death and untold suffering. Historical battles account for the loss of life of millions and millions of humans. In addition, many non-human animals perish during wartime but this loss is not often remembered.

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London Vegan Potluck II review

London Vegan Potluck II

Last night was simply amazing. London-based vegans and their friends converged on Ms. Cupcake in Brixton for the 2nd London Vegan Potluck and what a night we enjoyed!

The company was engaging, the free Sweetbird smoothies flew off the table and the vegan food on offer was beyond amazing. Thank you to everyone who poured their heart into a dish. There is nothing like staring at a table of over 30 dishes and knowing everything is vegan.

Before we move on to looking at the photos, I need to say a massive thank you to Sweetbird for the sponsorship. Please tweet, message on Facebook or contact via their website to let Sweetbird  know how much you appreciate them getting behind our vegan event. If you tried one or more of their smoothies, let them know what you thought. They would love to hear from us. Keep an eye out for them in shops, cafes and coffee outlets too.

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I’m too much in love

Moo Free vegan chocolate

An important part of my FGV job description is to search out the most delicious candy and chocolate in the world. I don’t want to do it, but I must if I intend to keep hold of my position. My chubby, queer fingers glumly wade through foil and wrappers in search of the best sugar out there. It is grueling.

But it isn’t all bad news, for you all get to live vicariously through my eating adventures. I don’t mind doing the hard yards if it means I get to share with you news of tasty vegan products. It is in this sharing spirit I inform you of one of the most delicious vegan chocolates available anywhere. Moo Free is creamy, tasty and incredibly satisfying. Want to see more? Come on then, I’ll unwrap it for you.

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A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom

Summer is almost upon us here in the UK but you’d be forgiven for thinking it had passed us by without saying hello. There are dark, ominous clouds filling the western sky as I type from under my blanket. I feel there is only one thing that can bring the warmth and brightness back into my dull world. Cider.

I am a huge fan of Brothers cider. Their vegan range is an impressive collection of tasty drinks housed in bottles and cans. I have written about their strawberry, toffee apple and pear flavours previously and am always on the lookout for their other varieties.

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