Budget Buys

Just like most people these days I am on a budget and need to be careful with money. Sometimes vegan options can be expensive which can put people off buying them or trying them for the first time. 

However it is possible to find vegan options on a budget, these products are my bargain finds and may give you ideas of where to shop. Reviews on these products will be on the blog soon. Happy shopping. 

The following items were found at Heron Foods the budget freezer food store. 

This Almond Dream milk was only £0.69. This is half the price that supermarkets sell non dairy milk for. This is the place to stock up and try different non dairy milks for cheap. 

This Almond milk is a different brand from the same store, they seem to have different versions every week. This is great as it allows you to try different options. This milk was again £0.69 brilliant! 

This Rice Dream chocolate milk came in a pack of three for only £0.39, I had never tried this brand before, this is why budget shops are great you can try something new for a bargain price. 

The next items are from Holland and Barrett, this is a great store to look in when they have a sale as they have a great selection of vegan treats. 

These Booja Booja chocolates are a luxury brand. They were half price at only £2.49. How could anyone resist. 

This mushroom pate was on offer for £0.99. This is something I hadn't tried before which is why I chose it. Sales are a great chance to try something new. 

The next products are supermarket finds, all supermarkets have offers and sales on different items each week so it is worth shopping around to see what's on offer and try new things when they are cheap as this can save you money. Don't stick to the same products as you miss out on bargains. 

These accidentally vegan bars were on offer in Tesco for £1. I have never eaten them before and saw them online. Products like this are worth trying when they are on offer. My review will be on the blog soon. 

This Vanilla Rice Milk by Rice Dream was £1 in Asda. It is something I hadn't tried before so I decided to give it a go.

These Pulsin bars were from Aldi, they stock different brands so it is worth looking out for new products to try. These were £2.49 for three bars. 

All these bargain finds are cheaper than the recommended retail prices. It is worth shopping around and looking in bargain stores for special offers. The cost of living goes up all the time and every little way of saving money is worth doing. Hopefully these tips will help- search out offers and shop around and save, save, save! 

Whitworths Fruit

 The fresh food isle isn't the only place to look for your fruit fix, these bags of fruit from Whitworths are perfect for baking and snacking. They tend to be sold with the baking ingredients such as flour and sugar and are perfect for adding to cakes. The handy, resealable bags mean you don't have to use all the fruit straight away. It also makes them perfect for travelling as they are small enough to bring in a bag. These dates are delicious and lovely on their own but they are perfect for baking in a sticky toffee pudding as they are already chopped and prepared. The figs are tasty and great for snacking especially if you are eating more raw food or want a healthier snack. I plan to use the dates in a recipe soon which will be on the blog soon. 

Find out more about the range at http://whitworths.co.uk/ 

Pure New Range

Pure are bringing out a range of dairy free meals that will be found in the chilled section. This is exciting as it can be hard to find vegan convenience food on the go. This is a nice change and hopefully a sign of how being vegan is getting easier by the day. These products would be good for a quick snack or lunch on the go. Look out for them in the chilled section. 

Smoothie bowl toppings

Here's just a few ideas to make your smoothie bowls delicious, filling and looking good on your pictures because if you eat healthy and don't share a picture of it does it really count?

Some delicious toppings include: 

• Grapes- add some sweetness and colour to your smoothie bowl
• Banana- a classic topping, it's filling and will give you an energy boost
• Apple- sweet, healthy and easily chopped up
• Melon- with it's high water content it will help fill you up 
• Oats- these are filling and give you prolonged energy, perfect if a smoothie bowl is your breakfast

These are just a few ideas to help make your meal even more amazing. Always add a selection of toppings as it will make the meal tasty and give you a range of vitamins and minerals. Enjoy! 

The benefits of lemon water

Some people swear by lemon water and believe it has many health benefits. While many of us will only reach for a lemon when we are ill and in need of a boost to our immune system there are many reasons why drinking lemon water should be part of your daily routine: 

1. It gives out immune system a boost. Why wait until you are ill, drink a glass each day and fight off those pesky coughs and colds. 
2. It cleanses your body. Drinking lemon water can actually help flush toxins out of your body.
3. It is also great for digestion. 
4. Lemon water is believed to help people lose weight. So this is a top tip for those looking to shed some pounds. 
5. It is a great breath freshener. No need for expensive mouthwashes, this drink can do the work for you. 
6. It can make your skin clear. Who needs make-up when you have lemons! 
7. Another great reason to drink lemon water is because it is an excellent source of potassium and vitamin c. 

There are so many health benefits to lemons. Adding lemon water to your diet either daily or weekly can help you stay fit and healthy, what better reason to add a few to your fruit bowl. 

But what do you even eat?

Another day, another ridiculous question vegans get asked. Is it really that hard to understand what a vegan can eat. All you have to do is understand what we don't eat- any animal related products. What's left is an abundance of food- fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and believe it or not pizzas, pastas, curries and cakes. That's right a vegan can eat anything that everyone else does as there is a vegan version to everything. You simply replace the animal products with alternatives. If you eat burger and chips there's a vegan version and many meat alternatives that can actually taste weirdly similar. If you want pizza you simply use vegan cheese and with so many vegan sweet options from cakes to chocolate to ice cream you are spoilt for choice. I think most people assume vegans eat like rabbits when the truth is there is so much choice and not all vegans eat the same. There is such a thing as vegan junk food or vegans who are ultra healthy and only eat whole foods or raw foods. 

The question really does annoy me as it shows a real ignorance towards food. Do meat eaters really eat dead flesh at every meal and can't possibly think of any foods that don't contain animal products. Have they never eaten a salad? It seems strange to me that most people's food revolves so much around meat they don't even understand what you can eat without it. There is a whole world of food with thousands of edible plants and amazing vegan options. I feel like I should have a list prepared for when people ask me this question and just reel off all the foods I eat or maybe carry around a food diary but this might be too much effort. For now I keep repeating the same things, I eat what everyone else does I just have the vegan version because there is a cruelty free version of EVERY food! So the real question is not about what I eat but why do you choose to eat animal products when there is a healthier, murder and cruelty free option? 

Vegan Fair Saturday 28th May 2016 Chorlton Irish Club, Manchester

Just a quick reminder for those of you in Manchester, there is a vegan fair this Saturday at Chorlton's Irish Club located at 17 High Lane, Manchester, M21 9DG between 11am-5pm. 

This vegan fair is run by The Vegan Organic Network and there is going to be over 70 stalls selling food, drinks (including alcohol), arts and crafts as well as complementary therapies, live music, wind-solar rickshaw rides and vegan speed dating. 

It is only £3 entry and kids go free so if you are looking for something to do over the weekend this looks like a great event and a chance to find new and exciting vegan products. 

Raw Salad

For a quick and healthy lunch a raw salad is convenient and will leave you feeling great. For this easy meal idea follow these simple instructions: 

You will need: 

• Half a courgette 
• 1 carrot 
• Half a cucumber
• Half a red onion
• A handful of lettuce 
• Mixed seeds (eg. sunflower, pumpkin) 
• Organic cider vinegar and mixed herbs 

Simply chop all the ingredients apart from the carrot which should be peeled and grated and mix in with the vinegar and herbs (Around 1tbsp of vinegar and any herbs of your choice) 

This raw meal is so quick and simple, it is the ultimate vegan fast food. Raw food holds more nutrients and fills you up as vegetables hold a higher water content. It is perfect for a hot day or when you are bored of sandwiches. Try adding different vegetables each time and different herbs and spices which will change the flavour. The easiest way to stay healthy is to make your plate as colourful as possible as you know you are getting a range of vitamins and minerals in every meal. 

Taste over Life?

Meat eaters are constantly using the reasoning that meat tastes nice as a way of defending eating dead flesh. Apparently the rotting carcass of an animal makes a delicious meal. Thankfully, having never eaten meat, I can't comment but I do wonder why saying something tastes nice is an excuse for murder? 

Yes that's right I didn't say slaughter or production...these animals are killed, that is how they end up on your plate. Fact. And just because you like the taste of it doesn't mean it's a good reason to eat it. Lots of things taste nice which are bad for you, in fact most junk food tastes nice that doesn't mean it is doing anything for you other than causing heart disease and obesity. 

When it comes to meat eaters I find this excuse weak. As a vegan there are loads of scientific articles I read which prove how dairy, meat and animal products are proven to be bad for your health. I think this is why meat eaters fall back on tired excuses like taste because they have no research that proves that you need meat in your diet, if you did I wouldn't be alive! All they have is their own belief that they are superior to an animal and their enjoyment is worth more than a life. I feel like people with this basic reasoning can never be argued with, people don't want to give up something they enjoy so they bury their head in the sand and pretend that they haven't paid someone to murder a living creature when they bought their 'tasty' meal. Just so you know as you lick your lips that animal died against it's will, it was in pain, it suffered and had no escape because you fancied eating something which you don't need to survive. 

Sadly I don't think their reasoning will save them from heart disease, obesity and all the illnesses their delicious dead flesh brings them. Maybe one day people like this will wake up and smell the rotting flesh. Maybe they will realise that you can't eat meat raw for a reason because it will kill you and it is flavoured with so much seasoning you don't really know what it actually tastes like. Maybe these same people will realise there is a vegan version for everything and that you can choose a cruelty free meal which tastes delicious too. Hopefully more people will see sense because valuing taste over a life is the most ridiculous excuse meat eaters have. Fact. 

Wheatgrass Powder update

I have been using wheatgrass powder for a few weeks now and I am definitely noticing a difference. I drink it every morning before having my breakfast and notice and immediate effect. It gives me an energy boost, which is very welcome in the morning when I feel like a dishevelled bear who has been woken from hibernation. I drink it quickly as it doesn't have the best taste, I didn't notice the strong flavour when I first got it as I wasn't feeling well but now I do! I've read articles about people drinking it with cranberry or prune juice to disguise the flavour which is one idea but I prefer to just down it like a shot on a night out with better health benefits. I am definitely going to keep up with drinking it and hopefully more health benefits will emerge! 

Eating Organic for Less

Aldi are continuing to provide more organic food, these banana's are the latest product I have discovered. This whole bunch of fairtrade and organic bananas were only £1.08. They are priced based on weight so all the bunches were different prices but they were all around this price. I think this is so reasonable as it is a similar price to buying non-organic bananas in other supermarkets. I really welcome the bargain stores like Aldi starting to stock organic food as it means living an organic lifestyle is becoming more doable on a budget. Taste wise these bananas are lovely, fresh and sweet tasting, I do think they taste better than the non organic version although this may be because I know they are healthier and better for me as well as better for the environment. I also like that they are fairtrade as I like supporting ethical products. With items like this in shops eating organic for less is easier than ever. 

No Vegan Labels

After a rather annoying visit to Asda, where yet again I was charged for items which were 'on offer' and had to queue up at customer service like an extra from Oliver Twist begging for my money back in order to save a few pennies (every little helps right?) I'm wondering why I shop here at all? 

It's not my regular supermarket as I mainly shop at Aldi but for some branded products I occasionally shop in different supermarkets depending on where I am closest to that day. I don't mind the store and there are some things which are cheaper, the Asda brown pasta is very reasonably priced and they do stock some vegan options, however their own brand food is not vegan friendly. 

None of the Asda's own brand products are labelled vegan, even though some of them obviously are. They label things vegetarian and it is then a case of reading ingredients and checking for dairy or egg products. This would be far too time consming if this was my weekly shopping haunt and it's wasting valuable minutes of my life I could be spending writing my blog or relaxing on the sofa! Some of the products are fine and are actually vegan friendly so why don't they label them vegan like other supermarkets such as Sainsburys and Tesco have been doing for a while? 

It seems a little lazy, if you can have a vegetarian label on food why not a vegan one? Even things like rice cakes only have vegetarian labels on them, it's not a major issue but if other supermarkets are capable of vegan labelling it's strange that this major chain don't want to do the same and appeal to the growing number of vegans in this country. 

I think from now on I am going to be supporting the vegan label more often as I feel it is the only way to show demand for vegan products, so if Asda can't be bothered to label something vegan I won't bother to buy it. 

Sea Dog Chocolate

Another day another discovery of vegan chocolate. One of my favourite foods in the world and there are just so many vegan options! I liked the look of this Sea Dog chocolate I saw in the supermarket as the brand (Montezumas) has a range of unusual flavours like this Lime and Sea Salt bar. I love the packaging and the fact that it is a British company so you are supporting a local brand. It also uses minimal ingredients which is also a bonus and could be an interesting option to use in baking as it would give your desserts an interesting flavour. This was found in the supermarket along with all the other bars of chocolate, this shows how vegan options are becoming more popular and mainstream. A lot of the time the vegan chocolate is separate in the 'free from' isle so it is nice to see a vegan choice along with all the other options. This is another option for when you are out shopping. It does not clearly state it is vegan on the front so it may be a brand you've never heard of. Enjoy! 

Find out more about the brand here: https://www.montezumas.co.uk/

Hemp Protein- Vegan protein powder

If you are looking for a vegan protein powder to add to smoothies or food Hemp Protein is a great option. This product from Pulsin is suitable for vegans, is a natural products which provides a lot of protein. This is good for anyone wanting to increase their intake of protein as it can be added to smoothies giving you a boost before or after working out. These powders last a long time as well as you only need a small amount so it is value for money. Hemp is a great choice as well as it has many other nutritional benefits, it is high in fibre and is a source of Omega 3, making it healthy choice to add to your diet. 

Check out more protein powder options here: http://www.pulsin.co.uk/pulsin-protein-powders

The Cosy Club Manchester

The Cosy Club in Manchester's Corn Exchange is a great place to stop for a bite to eat day or night. With a full, separate vegan menu it is so easy to order vegan food and it means you can go out to eat somewhere with your non-vegan friends and family. You have to ask for the separate menu however it is also available online so you can see the range of options here: http://www.cosyclub.co.uk/uploads/1246.pdf

The vegan options are actually quite impressive and not just the standard salad or chips which some places serve, there is a vegan breakfast along with other breakfast items, panini's, a burger or tabbouleh as mains and plenty of sides or tapas items. All in all it is quite impressive and allows a vegan to have options which is often unheard of!

The actual restaurant is nicely decorated (with the exception of the animal heads why?) It has a vintage, eclectic feel and you can choose to eat in the living room style bar area, the restaurant or outside if there is ever any Manchester sun. One thing that sets this place apart as well is the selection of games, making it a really cool place to come with friends and it is great day or night from breakfast to after work drinks this place is very versatile and has a relaxed atmosphere. I guess it has to with a name like the Cosy Club!

I've been here a few times and have recommended it to friends and family who have all liked the food and there has always been great customer service.

These pictures are from the first time I visited the Cosy Club and had lunch. The portions were huge, the falafel sandwich was delicious and along with chips it is definitely a filling lunch! The prices are good too so you don't have to spend a fortune. I definitely recommend this as somewhere for vegans to eat in Manchester and The Cosy Club have restaurants in other cities too so you might find one near you. The relaxed atmosphere and separate vegan menu make this place a winner, add it to your list of places to visit. 

Find out more here: http://www.cosyclub.co.uk/ 

Eat Real Chips

For a vegan snack try Eat Real's selections of chips. They are a healthier version of crisps made from different grains in a variety of flavours with many of them being gluten free as well. These are great for guilt free snacking and perfect on the go or maybe you might even share them? 

The hummus chips are nice although very plain. These are great if you prefer ready salted crisps over stronger flavours. This is also a gluten free choice. Products like this are especially great if you are trying to get healthy, you can still have treats but opting for a product like this over other crisps allows you to eat something tasty which also has less fat. 

These quinoa chips are delicious and full of flavour. They remind me of quavers, they definitely had me double checking to make sure they were definitely vegan as the sour cream flavour is so realistic. These are perfect if you feel you are missing out on cheese flavoured snacks as very few on the market are vegan. 

These are a perfect choice for a healthier way to snack and are a vegan guilt free treat. 

For more information on the Eat Real product range click here: http://eatreal.co.uk/index.html

Veg Out Jumbo Sos Roll

If you need a quick lunch on the go this is one of my favourite go to foods. It is a vegan sausage roll, filled with a soya based filling. It is really tasty and filling and nice cold. It is once of the rare vegan convenience foods as not many places cater for vegans. It is not something I would eat all the time as I prefer whole foods and home made options but sometimes you need something quick and tasty, perhaps when you are out shopping or forget your lunch at work. This is available at Holland and Barrett which is great as they have stores on most UK high streets. Grab a quick vegan snack to go and if you try it let me know what you think in the comments. 

Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Wheatgrass Powder

I've heard good things about Wheatgrass powder so I decided to try it to improve my health. This was the cheapest brand I could find which was organic and had great reviews. This wheatgrass powder from Sevenhills wholefoods is labelled vegan and is certified organic. I am trying to opt for organic brands where possible so this was definitely a great option. I watch a lot of vegan youtube videos and learnt about the amazing benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice from one of these videos. It is great to drink in the morning before breakfast to start your day. 

Wheatgrass is so beneficial as it contains all minerals known to man. There are so many reasons to drink wheatgrass you might be surprised by the numerous health benefits: 

1. It is full of vitamins including calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc
2. It is an effective healer because it contains so many nutrients and is antibacterial
3. It contains Chlorophyll which is an excellent blood builder and is known to slow down the ageing process
4. It purifies the liver and gets rid of toxins 
5. It can help with digestion problems 
6. It can reduce blood pressure 
7. Some of the many nutrients in wheatgrass include vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. 

It is clear that wheatgrass is a powerful supplement to take, I bought this after having a cough for a few weeks to see if it could help improve my health. I will do an update if I notice any benefits. I have started drinking it in the morning to start my day. I am impressed with all the studies and research done which show that it can improve energy levels and is even said to turn grey hair darker! I'm hoping that I notice some effects and I am pleased I was able to find a product which is both certified Vegan and Organic. 

Should Vegans take a B12 supplement?

Vegans are at risk of not getting enough B12. This isn't a flaw in the diet it is simply because B12 is formed from bacteria and in today's ultra clean world we avoid bacterial at all cost. B12 can be found in soil and untreated water which is not something people consume. The reasons meat eaters can gain B12 is because animals are often given supplements and often eat food which contains soil. This is a second hand way of getting B12, it is definitely easier to gain it from either a supplement or another source. Many foods are fortified with B12 so it is possible to get enough of this essential vitamin on a vegan diet. 

Vegan sources of B12 include fortified cereals, plant based milks and spreads. Yeast flakes provide B12 and can be added to many foods as well as yeast extracts like Marmite. Another option is simply to take a vitamin Healthspan have a vegan vitamin that you simply take once a day. It takes the worry out of getting enough B12 and you can avoid becoming deficient. 

Check out B12 vitamins here: http://www.healthspan.co.uk/products/vitamin-b12-1000mcg

and learn more about B12 here: https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/vitamins-minerals-and-nutrients/vitamin-b12-your-key-facts/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

Budget Vegan- How to save money when shopping

 Food is essential and it can also be expensive especially if you don't shop around. Most people stick to the same supermarkets, buy the same products and perhaps don't realise how much they could save. Another bad habit people have is doing a big weekly shop, buying lots of ingredients with the good intention of using it only for it to go off and get thrown away. If this is something you do you are literally throwing money away. Nowadays most people do not have a lot of money to spend, I am on a budget myself but determined to find ways to be healthy. To do this you need to shop smart and find bargains. 

One tip for saving money is to only buy the ingredients you need. If you are making a meal for one or two people you will obviously need less ingredients so why buy family sized products? Also if you only want to use one ingredient in one meal there is no point buying in bulk. Buying loose vegetables allows you to only buy what you need, loose fruit and veg is also often cheaper than the ones in fancy packaging that you only throw away anyway and the bonus is it is better for the environment. There is far too much plastic on food that doesn't need it these days which only ends up in the land fill so save your money and save the environment by buying loose vegetables and smaller amounts. You'll be amazed by how much you save and how little you need to throw away. 

Why I am slowly changing to an organic lifestlye

Every time I shop I'm looking for organic options and if I can afford them I buy them. I would love everything I buy to be organic but at the moment it is a slow process. 

The main reason I want to go organic is for my health, in my opinion organic food is healthier and better for your body, how can it not be when it doesn't contain pesticides and is GMO free. Organic food is often fresher as well and the way it is farmed is better for the environment. 

One of the great things about organic food is that it is traceable to the farm where it was grown, you know exactly where your food has come from and what has gone into making it. The farming practises of organic food also follow legal rules meaning you can trust in the process. 

Organic food is also scientifically proven to be better for you. Organic crops contain 68% more antioxidants than non organic and organic fruit and vegetables contain less pesticides and less toxic metals. 

To find out more about the benefits of organic food check out: https://www.soilassociation.org/organic-living/why-organic/

The problem with organic food is the cost, it is more expensive than none organic food. This is usually the case, when something is healthier it tends to be more expensive. However I believe that good food and your health is something worth investing in and hopefully an organic lifestyle will become cheaper as stores like Aldi are introducing more organic food into the stores. Having budget stores like this sell organic food at prices similar to standard fruit and vegetables at other shops finally means a fully organic lifestyle is manageable. 

I personally find that the organic food I have tried is tastier and fresher. It also feels good knowing that you are not filling your body with toxins. I am slowly learning where to buy organic products from and trying new foods all the time. It is also a good idea to look out for reduced organic food in supermarkets, because the products are more expensive they often don't get sold quickly so products nearing their sell buy date are frequently marked down. This is one way to shop organic on a budget and try these foods to see if you can taste the difference. 

To find out more about Aldi's organic products click here: https://corporate.aldi.co.uk/en/responsibility/resources-for-our-products/organic/

I will also be reviewing more organic food in the future so stay tuned and try organic! 

Meal Idea- Sweet potato medley with cous cous

Sweet potato is my favourite carb, it is full of nutrients such as vitamin A and C and is delicious! It also provides a filling evening meal. Simply boiled for 20 minutes until soft then added to fried red onion, mushrooms and spinach you have a very quick, healthy meal. It can be flavoured with mixed herbs or spices of your choice and served with couscous which is a lighter alternative to rice or pasta. This is another quick and simple meal which makes being vegan so easy and budget friendly. 

Beech's Chocolates

I got these amazing chocolates as a birthday present. They are Pineapple flavoured creams covered in dark chocolate and are an amazing vegan find. 

I had never heard of this brand and was excited to try them. They are delicious, the flavour is nice but not overpowering and they come in a lovely box making it a perfect gift. 

I was impressed with the packaging and the taste of these chocolates. I am happy to have found another vegan product. Beech's make a range of chocolates not all of them are vegan but they do have many other vegan flavours to try and a dedicated vegan section on their website which makes it easy to find suitable products. 

Check out the amazing choice at: http://www.beechsfinechocolates.com/vegan_chocolate_products/

Agave Nectar the vegan alternative to honey

Agave nectar from the Groovy Food company is a great alternative to honey. It can be used instead of sugar and is a natural, fat free sweetener. You can add it to drinks and toast just like you would have used honey. It is also great in baking, I used it in my flapjacks- the recipe is on the blog. It is also an organic product and most importantly vegan. This sweetener comes from a plant and the nectar is gained from the middle of the plant. This product has a low GI so doesn't effect your sugar and energy levels so is a healthier replacement for sugar. I am going to try this alternative in baking without sugar next time to see the difference but it is looking like a healthier way to bake.  

Natural cough remedies

I've neglected my blog lately as I've got a bad cough. I've been trying a lot of natural remedies to try and improve my health. Most coughs clear up within 3 weeks but there are some natural ways you can help sooth your sore throat. 

1. Hot Lemon- A simple drink of lemon juice and hot water. Wait to cool before you drink it and it can help sooth your throat and cleanses your liver. 
2. Gargle salt in warm water- This can help get rid of the virus and sooth your throat.
3. Hot lemon, agave and turmeric drink- This is another version of a lemon drink that can help when you have a sore throat. Turmeric has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties so it is perfect for adding to drinks. The agave will make it sweeter and give it a nice taste. 
4. Licorice Root tea is believed to help loosen mucus in the lungs and ease a sore throat. If a simple herbal tea can do the same job of a cough medicine it's worth trying. 
5. Smoothies- Make a drink that packs in the nutrients. Blend frozen fruits such as pineapple, mango and banana with water for a cold drink that helps sooth a sore throat and help you get better quicker.

These are just a few natural remedies to help with a cough and sore throat. Try as many natural remedies as possible as they are better for your health.