London vegan news, reviews & events
The weather in London at the moment is not suited to dining by the river. Winds are getting chilly as temperatures sink. We were even gifted with an ever so light dusting of snow a few days ago.
Being forced indoors has prompted me to recall my last meal by the Thames prior to the sad weather descending on the capital. Even more depressingly, the meal was just as dull as the current weather situation.
What do you get when you mix FGV, Google and a Mexican restaurant in Central London? A whole lot of delicious fun, that’s what!
I was recently approached by Google+ Local to host a vegan event in the capital. Of course you know all about Google+ Local, right? Local is a fully integrated way to share your experiences, read reviews, view maps, browse businesses and immerse yourself (and your friends) in your local area. I am already swamped by social media but I am slowly getting to grips with Local.
I’m glad Google asked me to get involved with organising a vegan event as it has been a great way to sink my teeth into their new service. I have been writing reviews for my favourite London locations, as well as contemplating the idea of hosting a hangout. If you like the idea of exploring your local area via Local, read all about it here.
But what about the event? Read on!
There used to be a store I frequented as a younger person called Popcorn Palace. This maize emporium was located in a shopping mall on Australia’s Gold Coast and with my hometown just an hour or so away by car, my friends and I would often find ourselves buying bags of the good stuff.
Popcorn Palace was one of those places that believed in the mantra ‘more is more’. I used to marvel at the vast array of flavoured popcorn lining the shelves and always ended up buying more jumbo tubs than I could handle of the irresistible snacks. I remember the watermelon variety extremely fondly.
Thus commenced my lifelong love affair with popped corn.
Flash forward to a few years (decades?) later and popcorn still rules my roost. Popcorn is probably second only to potato in my most-loved category. I might not have Popcorn Palace in my life these days, but the good people of Bloom’s are working hard to keep my maize malaise at bay.
Some things are an acquired taste and whether you like them or not can depend on where you grew up. When I was a child, I adored Vegemite. I understand why people from outside Australia might not like it, but I couldn’t get enough of this savoury cousin of Marmite from down under.
I recently spoke with someone who couldn’t imagine anything more disgusting than fruit cake with marzipan frosting. I would eat so much of this at family weddings back in Brisbane that I would have to be carried to the car. The UK seems to share this history of wedding/Christmas cakes and I couldn’t be more pleased to discover Lazy Day Foods have launched this loved product in an accessible way.
My trip to As Nature Intended in Ealing Broadway a few days ago was a triumph in both nostalgia and deliciousness. Lazy Day have taken a slice of my childhood and turned it into vegan, gluten-free, finger-sized delights.
Get into your local health food provider or spend some time perusing the free from aisle in the supermarket to snap up these delights today. And when you are settled in with a few bars of marzipan-topped fruit cake and a cup of tea I want you to sit back, smile and think of FGV eating himself sick as a young wedding attendee back in Australia.
Visit Lazy Day Foods online
Like Lazy Day Foods on Facebook
Are you available on Wednesday November 21, 2012 at 6:30pm? “Maybe” I hear you say? What if I told you I am hosting an event in conjunction with Google Local at a Mexican restaurant where all attendees will be treated to free vegan food and a tequila tasting? Of course you are available!
Eight people will join me in feasting on vegan Mexican delights and a sampling of fine tequilas picked out exclusively for our event. All at no cost to them.
How do you get an invite?
Get over to the Google event page and RSVP. Then follow the instructions on securing a place. I ate in the restaurant recently and believe me when I say you will adore the experience.
Click here to secure your spot at the event – spaces extremely limited
This event is taking place just a short walk from Euston and Warren Street.
If the idea of attending a free event that involves vegan food, relaxation and swapping goods with likeminded souls appeals to you, you are going to love this day out in North London.
I was recently contacted by Mia and asked to pass on this information regarding the event she is hosting. The floor is yours, Mia:
We’re holding a Free Christmas Fair on 25 November, 2012 at Pakeman Primary School, Holloway N7 from 10:30am. During this event there will be a ‘give and take’ which will include clothes, books, toys etc. We will be having film viewings (Forks Over Knives, Story of Stuff and No Impact Man) as well as services like Reiki, massage and maybe a yoga class. All for free.
The event is run by volunteers who are donating their time just for the love of it.
We are also asking people to bring a vegan dish to the event so we can share in some yummy vegan food. Those who might not have tried vegan dishes before could be able to taste them.
All offers of help, especially food contributions would be very gratefully received!
To get involved or to find out more information, email Mia miadukelow AT aol.com or visit the Facebook event page
Whenever you eat vegan food in a non-vegan establishment, you really are at the mercy of the place. I recently found out that one of my favourite non-vegan vegan food suppliers was maybe not taking my food choices as seriously as I was.
Does this story have a happy ending? Read on…
I miss the USA for a few reasons.
I miss the constant sunshine and warmth of Southern California. I miss loved ones. I miss my favourite restaurants such as Native Foods, Flore, Vedge and Veggie Grill. I miss Homegrown Smoker. I miss Las Vegas. I miss New York City. I miss the Florida Keys. I miss Sunday afternoon beer busts in gay dive bars. I miss the prevalence of spoken Spanish.
And I desperately miss these products…
I am seriously into the grand, sweeping vegan announcements such as new restaurant openings and scandalous posts about non-vegan food being sold to plant-eaters. It must be the drama that attracts me.
But a FGV needs to decompress now and again. I can’t live my whole life at 10. Sometimes I need to relax and cruise around the 2 or 3 dial. That is why you get a post like this one today. It’s for my mental wellbeing.
