Save Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary

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The following message was shared on the Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary Facebook page:

It is with much sadness and regret that I must advise that we have hit the end of the road.

Fiona’s mission to rescue as many animals as possible and to promote the cruelty free lifestyle in her unique and awe inspiring way of the past 25 years looks like it is over.

We are so grateful to all our supporters who have helped us with the feed bills over the years, but tragically the level of support is simply not enough for us to continue on. Despite Fiona’s incredible athletic achievements gained in the face of chronic disability, she remains relatively unknown/supported within the vegan community and virtually unknown in the wider community – the UK’s most accomplished athlete that no-one has ever heard of.

We had hoped that her film, Running for Good, would reach a wide audience, but despite our & the producers best efforts this has not happened – frustratingly everyone who has seen it has been blown away by Fiona’s accomplishments and many of those have gone on to donate to the sanctuary, but again the numbers are painfully low and not just enough to make the difference we needed to make the animal sanctuary work.

We had hoped that as promised during filming, Fiona’s inclusion in the Game Changers movie would bring her name and work to the 10m+ audience that will see this film and that this would save the sanctuary, but having been edited out from the final cut, this now will not happen leaving poor Fiona to reside in relative obscurity.

The running costs of the farm site have escalated beyond our initial expectations as the amount of work required to turn it into the sanctuary for animals that we wanted it to be is colossal – we thought we had completed the fencing having fenced what was absolutely necessary, we had hoped that the original fencing in some of the fields combined with dense natural hedging would be enough to keep the animals in, but the cattle have tested the fencing in several places resulting in them getting out a few days ago – net result is that we have to spend around a further £19k on 1000m of additional fencing – Funds we simply do not have.

We are behind some £20k on feed bills & as we head towards the end of the summer, we have done the math & we just can’t carry on.

We have 350 loyal supporters to whom we are very grateful & we have personally put everything we have into keeping going these past few years, but we have nothing left to put in.

In the meantime we will clearly keep caring for the animals in our care, but if we can’t find additional supporters and raise significant funding in the next few days, then it’s over.

I can’t even begin to explain how crushed Fiona is. These events have destroyed her totally.

Please don’t let this happen to her and the rescues.

If you can donate or set up a monthly direct debit it would be so appreciated.

Click here to donate or set up a monthly donation.

Vegan cooking classes for children in London

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A Culinary Trip Around the World!

Top facts to know:

  • Monday 5th to Friday 9th August, 2019
  • 10:00am to 12:30pm
  • Held at a community hall in Queensbury, north-west London.
  • Open to children aged 8 to 14 years.
  • Not restricted to children from a particular borough
  • Your child can be enrolled for all five sessions or for individual sessions of your choice

Now in their sixth year of running this unique and special series of hands-on cooking classes, Shambhu’s chef Nishma Shah will expertly guide and inspire young students as they produce delicious healthy meals. They will be applying culinary styles from around the world, using wholesome plant-based ingredients together with various natural flavour-enhancing and healing spices and condiments.

These are very much hands-on cooking classes and are always a fun, fulfilling, and educational summer-holiday activity for children.

They are also an excellent opportunity for children to learn and practise food prep and cooking skills, gain knowledge on relevant topics such as nutrition, spices, flavour-pairing, and discover how to minimise food waste.

For all the finer details including prices, click here.

5 vegan entertainers and why I love them

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Music and movies have been a huge part of my life, much as I imagine they have been for most people reading.

Some of my earliest memories revolve around music. Radio was a huge part of my childhood in Australia and I soaked up everything I heard. Rock radio at the time made me more than familiar with Australian bands such as Cold Chisel, INXS, Divinyls, and Midnight Oil.

Movies have always moved me emotionally and worked as an escape from reality. As a teenager, I was obsessed with the films of Winona Ryder and loved sitting in the dark with a jumbo popcorn as she perfectly portrayed the eternal angst-ridden teen on the big screen.

Later in my life television underwent a cultural reawakening and as an adult looking to reflect on my existence from a more critical position, shows such as Six Feet Under had me thinking of life, death, and the universe.

The popular (and sometimes not so popular) culture I’ve accessed throughout my life has helped me survive and build a sense of self.

This lifelong connection and nurturing I’ve received from performers is made extra special when someone I admire turns out to be vegan.

When a song or a piece of art speaks to me clearly and distinctly, it is an added bonus to know that the performer has a compassionate approach to life.

Let’s check out five of my favourite entertainers and why I adore them.

Most ‘vegan celebrity’ lists are just that. Lists. I wanted to give you some personal insight into how these people reached me over the years with their creative output.

Alicia Silverstone

I was 21 years old when the classic teen comedy Clueless was unleashed on the world and it instantly became a staple amongst my circle of friends. Unforgettable quotes from the film were fused into our speech patterns until we almost couldn’t separate our real life interactions from the screenplay.

The role of Cher in Clueless was enough to make me adore Silverstone forever, however I still enjoy watching her pop up across my screen now and again.

I thoroughly enjoyed her brief stint in the title role of the short-lived sitcom Miss Match. I also delighted when I saw Silverstone pop up for a four-episode arc on the dramedy Suburgatory, opposite her clueless co-star Jeremey Sisto, and in a supporting role in the 2018 film Book Club.

Woody Harrelson

I was quite a young person when Woody Harrelson entered my consciousness.

Cheers was one of my favourite TV programs and Harrelson played the supposedly unintelligent yet loveable Woody Boyd. I didn’t have a happy home life and Cheers was one of my escapes, with Woody being a familiar and happy face for me.

Woody has ever since been a part of my pop culture landscape across many decades.

I cringed at yet loved his turn as a serial killer opposite Juliette Lewis in Natural Born Killers. I adored his starring role in Zombieland and am excited for the sequel coming soon. I even loved Woody in the Han Solo movie from 2018!

Tony Kanal

No Doubt have been one of the important musical forces in my life and co-founder, bassist, and songwriter Tony Kanal is one seriously cool dude.

I first met Kanal as a fan back in the 90s when No Doubt were in Australia on a promotional tour for their smash hit record Tragic Kingdom. I went on to see the band live numerous times around the globe including London, Brisbane, and Houston.

Tony later went on to form Dreamcar with Tom and Adrian from No Doubt, alongside Davey Havok of AFI fame, and released one of the most criminally-overlooked pop records of all time.

I recently got to say hello to Tony again in person this year as we were both attending the massive Eat Drink Vegan event in California. It was a warm moment and I cherished the chance to say g’day to one of my all time musical heroes.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik as been an influence in my life for a very long time and now that she is set to open a vegan restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, I’m certain she will be on my radar for a few more decades at least.

Mayim first entered my life thanks to her title role is the 90s sitcom Blossom. I adored the show and her personality. Bialik also starred as the younger version of the Bette Midler character in the big screen tearjerker Beaches and this was a HUGE film in my younger years.

I’ve always enjoyed Mayim’s on screen comedy timing in The Big Bang Theory when I’ve seen snippets on TV but I’ve never really warmed to the show overall due to its sexist and racist undertones.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah was such a huge movie star in the 80s. I watched so many of her film on VHS from the local Blockbuster including her turn as a mermaid in Splash with Tom Hanks.

I adored Hannah in Roxanne, Wall Street, and Steel Magnolias. These films were all on heavy rotation in my house.

Daryl Hannah has been one of the most active social justice and environmental activists when it comes to celebrities throwing their weight behind causes. She has even been arrested for putting her body on the line as a form of protest.

What do you think of my list? Who would you add?

Gorgeous vegan Indian cuisine in Sheffield

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One of the most-loved places for vegans and fans of Indian cuisine to eat in Sheffield is Ajanta’s Vegetarian, a recently-opened restaurant on Abbeydale Road.

Located in the old BurgerLols spot (yep, they shut down a while back), Ajanta’s is bringing affordable and irresistible Punjabi recipes to the Sheffield masses with a 100% vegan menu.

The menu is truly world class. Check it out below:

Mains

  • Dal £5 – slowly cooked lentils in a secret blend of spices
  • Chana masala £5 – a classic Punjabi chickpea dish packed with flavour
  • Aloo £5 – spiced potato and toasted cumin seeds
  • Peppers & ‘chicken’ £6 – vegan ‘chicken’ pieces and peppers fried in paprika and garlic
  • Sabji £6 – Fresh seasonal vegetables gently cooked with aromatic spices

Sides

  • Basmati rice £2 – matured over two years for a beautiful fragrance and flavour
  • Jeera rice £2.50 – Basmati rice with toasted cumin seeds
  • Naan bread £1.50 – soft and fluffy, perfect for mopping up the last mouthful
  • Mixed salad £2 – dressed with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and lemon juice
  • Vegan yoghurt £1.50

Snacks

  • Samosa £3 – golden pastry stuffed with spiced potato and peas (x2)
  • Golgappa £3 – crisp puri balls filled with chickpeas, potato, and tamarind sauce
  • Poppadom 50p

Thali

Traditional Thali trays come with a selection of dishes served with mango chutney and lime.

  • £7.99 Thali – chana, dal, aloo, ‘chicken’ & peppers, basmati rice
  • £6.99 Thali – chana, dal, aloo, naan, basmati rice

What are you waiting for?!

Follow Anjata’s Vegetarian on Instagram and Facebook, and see the exact location of the restaurant thanks to Google Maps.

UK pub chain adds vegan burger to menu

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The plant-based Oumph! Burger, from Swedish multi-award winning Food for Progress, is now on the menu in a number of Shepherd Neame flagship pubs in Kent and London.

“There is a growing market for vegan burgers, so we decided to put a number of different brands to the test before introducing one on our menu. We asked 30 members of our team to try the burgers, and every time the Oumph! burger came out on top for taste and texture. When comparing the nutritional content of the burgers, the Oumph! Burger also scored very highly”, says Shepherd Neame head development chef Simon Howlett.

The inspiration for The Oumph! Burger was based on a juicy rare burger, but the difference is that the Oumph! Burger is made with entirely plant-based ingredients. Like all Oumph! products, The Oumph! Burger is made with soya beans, and the fine red colour comes from beetroot. The Oumph! Burger weighs 113g, which is the equivalent of a Quarter Pounder.

Dave Smith, head of UK Foodservice at Oumph! and Food for Progress comments:

“We’re pleased to see that such a well-established pub company as Shepherd Neame has chosen the plant-based Oumph! Burger for their pub menu. No doubt this will be very welcome among vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians.”

The Oumph! Burger is now available in the following Shepherd Neame flagship pubs: The Spitfire in Kings Hill; Ship & Trades in Chatham Maritime; Royal Hotel in Deal; Bell Hotel in Sandwich; Royal Albion in Broadstairs; Samuel Pepys in London; Sun Inn, Faversham; Market House, Maidstone; Jamaica Wine House in London; and Marine Hotel, Tankerton.

The Oumph! burger at these Shepherd Neame locations is totally vegan including the bun and all accompaniments . It’s cooked in an oven and grill, while their preparation and service of vegan food follows the same guidelines as their allergen controls. One person oversees the burger from start to finish in order to control process and quality.

Other Oumph! products include Pulled Oumph!, Oumph! Kebab Spiced, Thyme & Garlic, The Chunk, Salty & Smoky, The Oumph! Pizza Italian Style, and The Oumph! Burger.

A number of different Oumph! products are available in Asda, Tesco, Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market, As Nature Intended as well as independent stores across the UK.

Visit the Oumph! website and follow them on Instagram.

London has a vegan dive bar

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Stop the presses!

Did you know that London has a 100% vegan bar situated right next to a 100% vegan pizza café?

Get informed and then get along for to draw drinking.

Hackney Dive is the latest vegan venture from hardworking legends Carla and Marco, the humans behind the incredibly-adored Young Vegans pie and mash shop in Camden and the gourmet vegan pizza hotspot called Death By Pizza.

Carla and Marco have worked tirelessly to bring London some of the best vegan food on the planet, so their next logical step was give vegan London a better drinking experience.

Hackney Dive is your number one spot to grab cocktails, beer, and cider in east London. The bar is situated in a shipping container right next door to the Death By Pizza pizza hatch, making it the perfect destination for eating and drinking.

I reached out to Carla of Hackney Dive to ask for her top 5 drinks you MUST try on your next visit:

1. Köln Style Lager by Hackney Brewery (Draft)
2. Hackney Mule – Double Vodka, Ginger Beer and fresh lime juice
3. Aperol Spritz
4. Kapow! – Pale Ale by Hackney Brewery (Draft)
5. Crate Brewery Cider (Draft)

OK. Now I’m thirsty.

You can see the exact location of Hackney Dive in Netil Market thanks to Google Maps.

Check out these gorgeous photos from Hackney Dive and neighbouring Death by Pizza below and be sure to follow London’s most fabulous vegan bar on Instagram.

Vegan fast food chain opens 5th location

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Plant Power Fast Food, a plant-based fast food restaurant chain based in San Diego, CA, opened its fifth location last week in Long Beach, California.

The three-and-a-half-year-old company reported that sales from the Long Beach location on its opening Sunday June 30, 2019 were the highest for any of the company’s five locations for one single day in its history.


Chief Operations Officer and Co-CEO Zach Vouga said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this vibrant community and we’re overwhelmed by the warm welcome we’ve been receiving from customers old and new.”

Company President and Co-CEO Mitch Wallis said that their brand was specifically designed to appeal to everyone, not just those on a plant-based diet.

“By presenting a fresh, GMO-free, plant-based menu in the familiar fast-food format, we’re able to provide an easy-to-access alternative for those looking for healthier options”. He added, “The majority of our customers are omnivores who are exploring new food choices”.

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Co-CEO Jeffrey Harris believes that there is a huge opportunity to bring a plant-based alternative to the U.S. fast-food space: “In the United States, the fast food market exceeded $255 billion in sales in 2018 according to market research companies Statista and IBIS. While traditional fast food restaurants deliver the taste, cost and convenience factor that their customers enjoy, the majority of mainstream brands have failed to adequately address the evolving needs of consumers who are looking for healthier, more humane and environmentally sustainable options.”

Asked about the current news of major fast-food brands adding vegan items to their menu, Harris was positive. “We’re thrilled to see many of the major fast-food brands expand their offerings to include plant-based options.”

Harris further adds, “The introduction of vegan burgers at some fast food restaurant chains indicates that a significant attitudinal shift is in motion, just as we predicted several years ago when we first began developing our business. That said, we believe that consumers are looking for more than just a couple of vegan options on the menu. We’re excited to be able to offer something radically different to customers who are hungry for real change”

New location for Plant Power Fast Food

ADDRESS: 5095 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804
HOURS: Breakfast 7:00am – 11:00am. Lunch/dinner from 11:00am – 10:00pm
MENU ITEMS: From burgers, shakes, “chicken” tenders, to fries, salads, juices and raw items with seasonal options throughout the year

Follow Plant Power on Instagram and visit their website.

Sage Bistro in Los Angeles

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One of the nicest places you could ever hope to have a comfort food experience is Sage Plant-Based Bistro.

With three locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, Sage is the perfect dining spot to make your Californian adventure extra special.

Last year I had a truly sensational meal with my buddy Patricia in the Culver City location, while a few weeks ago Gil and I ordered a whole bunch off the Echo Park menu.

The Brussels sprouts had us pushing each other out of the way and my strawberry shake was too creamy for this horrible world. We don’t deserve treats this nice.

Check out our feast below and be sure to follow Sage on Instagram.

Five vegan launches you need to know this week

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With the world turning vegan friendly at a rapid rate, it can be tough for a plant-based consumer to keep up with the latest happenings.

I’m doing my bit to help you out this week by showing you five vegan product launches that might have slipped under the radar.

Let’s go shopping!

Vegan makeup from Lady Gaga

The superstar of music, TV, and movies has launched her Haus Laboratories makeup range and guess what? It is ALL VEGAN.

The FAQ page of the website clearly states that the entire range is vegan friendly. All products are available for pr-order online here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8DkvHlhoT/

Vegan pizzas by Fry Family Food Co.

I blogged about this a short while ago but I’m updating you here. (Read original post online)

Superstar vegan food company Fry’s has launched two vegan pizzas in Australia with the rest of the world soon to follow.

Nut butter cups by Doisy & Dam

Doisy & Dam have been making cute chocolates for a few years but they have totally taken things to a new level by releasing vegan-friendly nut butter cups.

Available in both Hazelnut and Almond. Dreamy!

Vegan Culinary Cruises

I have teamed up with a respected and established cruise company to create a new vegan cruise arm of their business!

I am the Director of Development for Vegan Culinary Cruises, a high end luxury vegan vacation specialist with a focus on fine dining.

We have two cruises planned for 2020 so far including an LGBT-friendly (all welcome) vegan cruise on the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia, plus a late summer general vegan cruise in the south of France.

I’m thrilled to be on all cruises as the group leader and I can’t wait to experience these destinations with likeminded people!

Click here to find out more info about the cruises and follow Vegan Culinary Cruises on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Chocolate toffees by Jeavons

UK company Jeavons have long made gorgeous vegan treats that were so popular, they were forced to scale up and they did it with total style.

Visit their website to explore the tempting range of toffee-based delights and order your own for delivery.

Vegan tacos in Mexico City

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If you have been toying with the idea of visiting Mexico City but need an extra slice of motivation, check out this Instagram post from my feed this week.

Por Siempre Vegan Taquería is the best place to eat vegan food in the city and this seitan trompo is drawing huge crowds.

Tacos al pastor is like a national pastime here in Mexico, so this vegan version is proving to be extremely popular.

The seitan is cooked much like kebab or shawarma before being thinly sliced, fried on a grill, and served with fresh pineapple in tacos.

The menu at Por Siempre is nothing short of stunning and give you a true taste of Mexican street food without the animals getting hurt!

You can follow Por Siempre on Facebook.