vegan activism

Veganism Disrupts Normalised Violence

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The mainstreaming of animal exploitation goes on and on. It is not hidden away in some dark corner. It’s not a secret. It is right there in front of us every single day, but the trick is that the violence is made to feel normal.

From an early age we are taught a set of stories that smooth everything over. Animals are happy. Farming is wholesome. Meat is inevitable. Language does a lot of heavy lifting here. Killing becomes processing. Body parts become products. Suffering becomes efficiency.

Veganism is about seeing this suffering for what it is… and doing something about it.

Read more below.

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Choosing Veganism Is Still a Powerful Act

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Every so often I find myself pausing to think about what choosing veganism actually means.

When you live this way for a long time it can start to feel ordinary, even mundane. You shop, you eat, you live your life and it all feels normal. But the decision itself is anything but small.

Read more below.

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Why Does My Vegan Activism Look Like A Party?

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There’s a lot to admire when it comes to how people raise awareness about veganism. Marches, campaigns, hard-hitting documentaries, online debates, digital content. It’s all part of the movement.

But me? I’ve always preferred to live loudly, openly, and unapologetically as a vegan while I create celebratory spaces. I like to plan parties and I want as many non-vegans as possible to join me.

Read more below.

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15 Years Of Vegan London: From DIY Potlucks To Corporate Takeovers

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Fifteen years ago when I started this very blog, if you wanted to be social as a vegan in London you had to make it happen yourself. There were no vegan pubs and certainly no high street chains with dedicated plant-based menus.

This wilderness forced me to launch London Vegan Drinks, a monthly gathering where we carved out a space for ourselves in a world that barely acknowledged we existed. London Vegan Potluck was another community-driven event I curated, where people cooked and shared food because there weren’t many places to eat out.

Back then, if you wanted a vegan meal, you might get lucky at Pogo Café in Hackney (if they were open and serving something edible) or a measly number of eateries that weren’t always great. Other than that, it was whatever scraps you could cobble together from independent health food stores and Holland & Barrett. There were no vegan ready meals, hardly any supermarket own-brand plant milks, and certainly no Gregg’s vegan sausage rolls.

Then the independent vegan revolution happened. Slowly at first and then rapidly.

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Vegan Quarantine: Day 15

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Hi all.

Welcome to Vegan Quarantine: Day 15. This daily video series is my way of keeping spirits high and supporting the vegan community.

Links for everything mentioned are listed below.

Rebels Food is a new vegan gourmet mac n cheese business in London and they are delivering. Get details and follow them on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rebelsfooduk/

Lovage project is crowdfunding to supply 200 FREE meals a week in London to at risk and vulnerable people. Please donate:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/let-us-co…

Order vegan groceries in Swansea from
Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store for delivery. Contact them via Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brontosaurus…/

Listen to this awesome song by London-based singer Rina Sawayama:
https://www.youtube.com/watch…

Vegan Quarantine: Day 14

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Hi all.

Welcome to Vegan Quarantine: Day 14. This daily video series is my way of keeping spirits high in the vegan community while also supporting independent business, charities, and musicians.

All links for everything mentioned are below.

Moo Free Chocolates is supporting the National Autistic Society AND they make amazing vegan chocolate that you can order online:
https://www.dairyfreechocolates.com/

Shop for vegan groceries in Mexico City.
VEGATTOS have details on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/vegattosmx/

Mr. Tofu Condesa is delivering via UberEats. Follow them on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mrtofucondesa/

Considerit Chocolate is delivering vegan cream eggs! Order online:
https://www.consideritchocolate.com/shop-online

Read T.O.F.U. Magazine for free online (or pay if you can):
https://bit.ly/39jpgsR

Support London Wildlife Protection during the global crisis:
https://www.facebook.com/LondonWildlifeProtection/

Some gorgeous vegan cocktail recipes over at The Vegan Society:
https://www.vegansociety.com/…/top-ten-vegan-wonder-cocktai…

Order vegan skincare from Next of Kim in the USA: https://nextofkimbeauty.com/

Owner of Next of Kim used to sing with Black Eyed Peas. Watch a track from when she was in the group here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNtlq_Ps8ao

Watch this fascinating video feature on Kim as she talks about her decision to walk away from the band before their global success:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkSDNxM1w58

Follow Next of Kim on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nextofkimbeauty/

Vegan Quarantine: Day 13

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Hi all.

Welcome to Vegan Quarantine: Day 13. This daily video series is my small contribution to keeping spirits high in the vegan community while also supporting independent businesses, charities, and musicians.

All links for everything discussed are below:

Thyme Glasgow is a vegan Lebanese food business in Scotland. They are delivering to West End and Southside of Glasgow. Details and order via their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thyme_glasgow/

Loving Hut in Brisbane, Australia is delivering to certain nearby suburbs. All vegan menu. Details for ordering via their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/loving.hut.brisbane/

Grindcore House vegan coffee shop and café in South Philadelphia. Order for collection online:
https://www.grindcoretogo.com/

Follow Grindcore House on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/grindcorehouse/

Green Kitchen is taking orders and delivering vegan cake in Coventry. Details on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GreenKitchencov/

Music suggestion for the day: Learn Today, Earn Tomorrow by Iron On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR2V6ozmlao

Listen to full album on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4P69FEpCzYqRJGNFGfYb71

Vegan Quarantine: Day 11

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Hi all.

Welcome to Vegan Quarantine: Day 11. This daily video series is my way of trying to keep spirits high in the vegan community while also helping independent businesses, charities, and musicians.

Links for everything discussed are below.

Picky Wops is a vegan pizza joint in Brick Lane. Now delivery 8 miles from restaurant. Details on the Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HeISbhGoc/

Superstar foodies What The Pitta delivering 5 mile radius from Camden and Shoreditch stores. Details on their Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PC2-rJiUK/

Order from TheVeganKind Supermarket for home UK delivery:
https://www.thevegankindsupermarket.com/

Made In Hackney Community Cookery School crowdfunder has almost reached stretch target. Please donate:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/made-in-hackney-4

Watch me make black beans with my buddy Julio on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcSMn6HLnv4

Order my book online:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gay-Vegan-Drink-L…/…/184899351X

Music recommendation of the day. The Go-Betweens – Was There Anything I could Do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mY4CRzIKag

Vegan Quarantine: Day 10

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Hi all.

Welcome to Vegan Quarantine: Day 10. This daily video series is my small way of trying to keep spirits up in the vegan community and also support independent vegan businesses, charities, and musicians.

All links for everything discussed are below.

Hit up Post Punk Kitchen by Isa Chandra for an amazing selection of recipes:
https://www.theppk.com/

Volunteer with the NHS during current crisis:
https://www.goodsamapp.org/nhs

Read my article about how freelancers and self-employed are at risk, and what we can do to support community:
https://tinyurl.com/rgod9en

Vegan Cantonese restaurant in Accrington still open for take out. Their Facebook page:
https://tinyurl.com/qkyhq8s

Order beer from Bad Seed Brewery for home delivery:
https://brasscastle.co.uk/product-tag/guest-brewery/

Follow Bad Seed Brewery on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/badseedbrewery/

Order my book online:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gay-Vegan-Drink-L…/…/184899351X

Music recommendation of the day. Hayley Mary with The Piss, The Perfume:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhkkwTe6gb4

Vegan Quarantine: Day 8

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Hi all.

I am back with Vegan Quarantine: Day 8. This daily video series is my way of keeping spirits high in the vegan community and keeping us all connected.

I like to give shout outs to independent vegan business, charities, and live performers.

Please use the links below to follow up on everything mentioned:

Legendary London vegan fast food chain What The Pitta have reduced hours for DELIVERY ONLY via UberEats and Deliveroo. Follow the eatery chain on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/whatthepitta/

I am still working with Vegan Culinary Cruises. We have a cruise planned for NYE to celebrate 10 years of FGV! Please use all the links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veganfoodcruise/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/veganfoodcruise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganfoodcruise/
Email newsletter sign up: https://veganculinarycruises.com/our-newsletter/

My friend Steven runs a pet minding business in Jacksonville, Florida called Walk Wag Pet and Purr. Follow for awesome animal photos:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkwagpetandpurr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwagpetandpurr/

Need a good vegan banana bread recipe? Here it is from Connoisseurus Veg:
https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/vegan-banana-bread/

Are you currently in Brisbane, Australia? Order food from GrassfedVegan for pick up or delivery and follow them on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/grassfedplantbased/

Order my book online:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gay-Vegan-Drink-L…/…/184899351X

Visit The Vegan Society website:
https://www.vegansociety.com/

Need more global and progressive news than you are currently being served? Watch Democracy Now! daily:
https://www.democracynow.org/

UK drinkers. Order beer for delivery from Brass Castle Brewery:
https://brasscastle.co.uk/

Treat yourself to some vegan EDEN Perfumes:
https://www.edenperfumes.co.uk/

Music pick of the day. Dead of Night by Orville Peck:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3esGD6lcMM