The Green House

The Green House in Altrincham is a vegetarian restaurant but you can still find one or two vegan options. There are plenty of salads to choose from and the soup was vegan. Check out my review at Weekend Notes: http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/greenhouse-vegetarian-restaurant/

Veganism on the rise

It is always nice to see that veganism is becoming more popular. Figures show that veganism has risen 360% in the last 10 years. There seems to be a real change at the moment with more vegan products and vegan stores and restaurants starting all the time. More importantly these businesses and products are popular which shows that there is a market for cruelty free products. Even non-vegan businesses are noticing the demand for dairy and meat free items and there are new products all the time in supermarkets such as Sainsburys introducing vegan cheese. Veganism seems to be like vegetarianism 20 years ago when there was a real boost in awareness and demand. Lets hope in the future there will be vegan items in every restaurant, more vegan businesses and of course more people choosing a vegan lifestyle. 

Trek Bars

Since starting my masters course I have been trying out different vegan snacks as I am in University for long days and need filling food to keep me going. 

Trek bars have been a firm favourite so far as they are filling, energy bars which help me get through the long days of research projects and group assignments. 

I found these bars in Aldi which is becoming a great place to find offers on vegan products. Make sure to stock up when you see them as the special buys don't always last long but they are also available in most shops and supermarkets. 

The Peanut Power is one of my favourite flavours as I am a big fan of peanut butter. This is great with a green tea. It is also packed with protein giving you an energy boost when working out your brain power. These aren't just snack to have before the gym or hiking they work well for a busy day at work, university or school. It is a great on the go snack for vegans with a busy day ahead. 

Perfect Pineapple- Urban Fruit snack

As a student I need snacks which are easy to carry (along with all my books), tasty, filling (for long days at uni) and of course vegan. 

I found these Urban fruit snacks on sale and decided to try some. It is simply baked fruit. That's it, nothing else. It is obviously a healthier alternative to snacking on chocolate or crisps allowing you to eat well on the go. 

I like how convenient these are, there's no way I could fit a whole pineapple in my bag so these are perfect for getting a fruit fix without any hassle or weird looks. They also have a great taste, it feels like you are eating sweets rather than fruit making them a great choice for anyone who doesn't usually eat healthy food but wants to start or for children's packed lunches as they can eat healthy but not necessarily feel like they are. 

I am a fan of this product and will be getting them again. They are a winner for the convenience, the excellent taste and the lack of additives. Try some for a guilt free snack. vegan

Picnic in the Park?

My latest article is now live on Weekend Notes. It is about a great place to walk, exercise or relax in North Manchester- the beautiful Heaton Park. If you've never been it is definitely one for your to-do list and if you have visited before it's time to go again and see how much the park has changed. Renovations have been going on to bring the spectacular Heaton Hall back to its former glory and the tram is now back in action. Have a read of my article and add it to your list of things to do at the weekend. I recommend taking a vegan picnic and enjoying this strangely warm October weather. 

http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/heaton-park/

Tomato and Basil Houmous

This houmous from Sainsburys is a real winner. The combination of tomato and basil flavours works really well and is a nice change from traditional houmous. I used this in a couscous salad, on toast and with snacks. It is very versatile and tasty and most importantly labelled vegan. Sainsburys vegan range keeps getting better, they have a new range of vegan cheese out soon and lots of products in store labelled for your convenience. It is nice to see the vegan range gaining popularity and an increasing product list in supermarkets. 

Rabbit Food

So if you think vegans only eat rabbit food think again! These treats I picked up at the Vegan Abundance Festival were delicious and two of my favourite brands. Whole Earth is a great brand, I love their healthier versions of fizzy drinks. This elderflower drink is amazing and definitely my favourite in their range. They are made with sparkling water and natural flavourings and you can't beat the refreshing taste of elderflower. The chocolate 'Round Up' from Anandas is a vegan, gelatin free, version of a wagon wheel. The new flavours are mint and orange and there are always seasonal options to choose from. The chocolate on this biscuit is thick and crunchy with a deliciously sweet soft centre. This is an amazing product and I can't wait to try more flavours. 

Find them here: http://www.anandafoods.co.uk/store/c5/Round_Ups%21.html

The Vegan Abundance Festival

The Vegan Abundance Festival at Hulme Community Garden Centre was by far my favourite vegan event this year. It was at the stunning Garden Centre in Hulme just a short 10 minute walk away from Oxford Road station but you feel as if you have been transported to the countryside. I have never been here before but will definitely visit again. The centre had been transformed into a festival with stalls dotted around the venue in between rows of plants. There was vegan pizzas being cooked in a stone oven, plenty of burgers, cake and ice cream for sale and art, jewellery and cosmetics as well as organic fruit and vegetables. The festival was organised by the Vegan Organic Network and there was a romantic and relaxing feel to the event. Highlights of the show was the impressive musicians playing and amazing poetry by Dominic Berry. It was nice to be able to walk around a vegan festival as some are so busy and packed you can hardly move or breathe. Plus it was a nice, rain free day which you have to make the most of in Manchester. When this festival is back I will definitely go again as it is the perfect location to find exciting vegan products and sample all the delicious food.  

I also reviewed this event for Weekend Notes, make sure you visit the page and like the article to spread the Vegan message: http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/hulme-community-garden-centre/

Such an interesting location- lots of stalls in between the plants. 

A real community garden. Selling bargain plants and running community events.

Taste testing- for research purposes

The perfect lunch spot

Amazing lunch from Tea Time Collective- A great vegan cafe also based in Hulme

Weekend Reviews

I am now a events writer at Weekend Notes! I will be doing reviews of events which people may like to visit such as art shows and giving my opinion on cafes and restaurants. I will of course be trying to find the best vegan places around. 

Check out my articles here and subcribe for ideas of things to do at the Weekends:

http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/profile/835071/

Homemade Nachos

Being vegan doesn't mean missing out, you can have all your favourite foods just using alternative ingredients. I love nachos and they are easy to make without using dairy. 

I bought some ready prepared tortilla chips from Sainsburys then made the topping. I did this by chopping two salad tomatoes, half a green pepper, half a red onion and adding a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. For those who like more spice you can add jalapenos and possibly even lemon juice. I like fresh vegetables but the ready made salsa from Sainsburys' own brand is also vegan which can be used. I then grated Violife vegan cheese and heated it under the grill for a couple of minutes. 

And there you have it, a classic snack made vegan. There is nothing that can't be transformed into a plant based, cruelty free version. It's perfect for snacking whilst studying! 

Morning Fuel Food

Porridge is becoming my favourite breakfast food at the minute. It is easy to make, delicious and most importantly filling. When you are busy in the day at work, university or school you need a hearty breakfast which will set you up for the day. 

Porridge is perfect because oats are naturally filling but also really healthy. I cook mine with almond milk, it gives it a delicious creamy flavour and I often add a splash more on top when it is done. For the topping I love adding chia seeds as these are also filling and full of nutrients. Another favourite topping is banana as it will add some sweetness while giving you an energy boost and not to mention adding some peanut butter, which is a good source of protein and an even better source of deliciousness. 

With the autumn mornings starting this could be the perfect warming breakfast to fill you up and keep you going until lunch, it will also stop the need to snack throughout the morning. It is also quick to make which is important on busy days. This breakfast was made using Organic oats from Tesco which are well worth trying. 

Sunday Scones

Sunday Scones

What's better on a Sunday afternoon than a cup of tea and a Scone? This simple vegan recipe will prove that you don't need dairy to create a classic and you can make the perfect light and fluffy scones to treat your family and friends. This is the perfect accompaniment for afternoon tea on a Sunday...or any day for that matter. This recipe is quick and easy but will create a delicious classic. You could also try them with vegan cream or different flavours of jam, the possibilities are endless and you might be surprised when you taste them that they are vegan! 

Ingredients:

• 8oz self raising flour
• 2oz sugar (for flavour but can be omitted)
• 2oz non-dairy butter (try using Pure or Vitalite)
• 150ml unsweetened almond milk (other non dairy milks can be used)
• a little water to mix
• non-dairy butter and raspberry jam to top

Recipe: (Makes around 12 small scones)

1. Heat the oven to Gas Mark 8
2. Mix the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl
3. Add the butter, in small pieces, and rub it into the flour with your finger tips to create a breadcrumb like mixture
4. Make a hole in the centre and pour in the milk- mix it to form a dough
5. Add a little water if needed to create the dough
6. On a floured plate or surface knead the dough
7. Roll out the dough and use a circular cutter to create the scones
8. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper
9. You can brush the scones with milk or flour before baking to create a nice golden look
10. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes until risen and golden on top
11. Leave to cool, then cut and add butter and jam   

An eco-friendly piece of Cake

 What's better than take away cake? Only take away cake in biodegradable container. This delicious cake from V-Revolution in Manchester came in a container than can be added to your food waste bin as it is biodegradable. I am a big fan of using less plastic packaging and being eco-friendly although it is not always easy as most places use lots of plastic and packaging which ends up in the land fill. Of course this vegan business is leading the way in disposable packaging. It means you can save the planet whilst eating cake! 

Vegan Options at University

I was really impressed to find out that my University has vegan options in the cafe. They do a range of vegetarian and vegan food and I was lucky to get the last vegan sandwich (this shows how popular they are!) This houmous and Cajun roast mushrooms and veg was the perfect combination and full of flavour. University is definitely a vegan friendly environment, they had Nakd bars and a selection of herbal teas at the afternoon tea on my induction session and there is always a vegan option on the menu. It is good to see a big institution like a University catering for different diets and it also shows that veganism is popular with an educated crowd. There are other vegans on my course and lots of people seem open minded about it. I think I'm going to like it here! 

Student Snacks

Congratulations to everyone starting at University this week, I just had my first day on my masters course yesterday and my brain already hurts with the amount of work I have to do! I was worried about finding vegan options at University so to make sure I had one less thing to stress about I bought some snacks which are great for students on the go. 

I filled a lunch box with peanuts and dates, these are great options as they provide a quick, filling snack that's easy to carry in a bag, 

I also bought a pack of YoYo bears, these are a great healthy option. It's also lightweight, leaving more room for books. 

I bought some Kinnerton chocolate and broke off a few squares. Chocolate is a great quick sugar hit to keep you going on a busy day, I love this brand as it is made in a allergy free environment. I also bought some Vegan Fudge to try. 

These are just some of the snacks I've found to take to University. Hopefully they will help any student vegans survive a day of lectures and study sessions. 

How to make Chocolate Nice Cream

Nice cream is a healthy way to eat dessert while adding to your daily intake of fruit and vegetables. It is so easy to make, simply blend frozen fruit with non dairy milk and any flavourings such as vanilla or cinnamon. I personally like using bananas, mango and pineapple but any fruit is good, you can simply use what you have available. To add the chocolate flavour you simple add 1-2 tbsp of cocoa powder or cacao powder if you want to make it even healthier. I like to top my nice cream with chia seeds as it adds a nice crunch. 

Also pictured is the accidentally vegan Ruffle Raspberry bar, in case you need more chocolate. It was nice to try this bar although the coconut taste was too overpowering for me so I'll stick with my healthier dessert in future. 

Vegan Falafel Wraps

This vegan classic is something you see in shops all over. However it is easy to recreate at home. This falafel wrap was served with roasted sweet potatoes and salad- this is the perfect quick and easy vegan lunch. 

Firstly you will need to chop some salad. Tomatoes and cucumber go well in this meal as they add flavour and are inexpensive ingredients. 

Homemade hummus really makes this dish. It is so simple to make although if you are in a rush the shop bought variety is just as good. To make this simply blend a can of chickpeas with a teaspoon of tahini sauce, add some garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and water. I add cumin to mine which gives it a nice flavour. Any left overs can be stored in a tub and used up within 2-3 days. 

Add the hummus to a wrap. These wholemeal wraps were shop bought, many wraps are vegan making them a great option for lunches, just check the ingredients. 

Now it's time to add falafel, you can either use homemade or shop bought versions like these cauldron falafels which were cooked in the oven for 10 minutes. 

I flattened the falafel to add it all over the wrap. Lunch is starting to come together! 

Now add salad. I added the tomato and cumcumber mixture as well as some avocado. The choices are endless as it really depends what salad you like. Spinach or lettuce would be a great addition as well as red cabbage or onions. 

Roll and wrap. This is harder than you think so make sure you don't overload the wrap, you can always come back for more but you don't want the wrap to fall apart. 

And done! Simple add your sides, I chose sweet potato as it is one of my favourite foods and is a great combination to the flavours of the wrap. I added some extra cucumber and of course a little sauce. This meal makes a delicious lunch or dinner, it is healthy, quick and tasty what more could you want. The wraps also make great packed lunch additions and save you money on the shop bought variety as all the ingredients don't cost much more than one shop bought pre-packaged meal. Ditch the expensive meal deals and try home made! 

Lentils and Rice & Quinoa- Vegan protein meal

My go to food at the minute is lentils, I have them several times a week in many different dishes and could easily eat them all the time. They are so versatile and a great source of vegan protein. Many people don't think a vegan diet can be high on protein but lentils have 26 grams of protein per 100 grams which is really high making them a perfect addition to your meals, especially if you are into health and fitness and want to build muscle on a vegan diet. Lentils also have nutrients such as magnesium, fibre, potassium and iron meaning you get more health benefits than just protein which is something meat alternatives which are high in protein can't compete with. 

Lentils are also so simple to use. To cook they are washed and boiled in water for around 20 minutes. To make these curried lentils I simply added a stock cube and spices (cumin, turmeric and curry powder). This was serves with rice and quinoa. These are also great protein foods as quinoa has 14 grams of protein and rice has around 7 grams, depending on which brand you use. All in all this is a great, quick meal filled with vegan protein. It is perfect for after the gym when you don't feel like cooking a time consuming meal but still want something healthy and filling. And it is also a cheap dish which is perfect for vegans on a budget! 

Mini Burgers

I love making burgers, I use different ingredients every time I make them. Sometimes I use chickpeas or butter beans or even kidney beans to make up the burgers. They are so simple to make and I have recently found a new way to shape them. These mini burgers are made into round shapes by using a biscuit cutter, the type you would usually use to shape scones. It is so easy to do you simply place the burger mixture into the cutter on a lightly oiled tray and then take off the cutter leaving a perfectly round mini burger. I also cook my burgers in the oven now instead of how I used to cook them in oil. I am always looking for ways to make my food as healthy as possible and reducing the amount of oil you use is an easy way to do this as oil can contain trans fats. keep your food healthy and looking amazing!