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. 

Rice Dream Chocolate Milk

You can never have too much chocolate in your life. Either eating it or drinking it, the delicious taste of chocolate will never get old. This is why I love finding new products like this Rice Dream chocolate. It is Rice milk with added chocolate for a tasty drink. This is great for packed lunches or a chilled drink on a hot day. I liked the taste of it, rice milk is quite light and full of flavour. The chocolate adds a nice taste as plain rice milk doesn't have a particularly strong taste. I definitely recommend this product as a great snack. It is easy to take with you to work or school and has added calcium and is also low in fat. Bonus! 

Mallows- Vegan marshmallows

How cute is the new packaging for Freedom Mallows. These vegan marshmallows are delicious I have eaten them before but this packaging is new. I love the cute little character and packaging design. I love great illustrations on packaging and it seemed like a good enough reason to buy them, not that I needed much persuading as they are the perfect accompaniment to hot chocolate which is one of my favourite things.

They are labelled vegan and also suitable for many other diets as they are gluten free, dairy free, fat free, soy free and GMO free as well as nut free. Making them a really versatile snack for many people. This is another great vegan product. Check out more here: http://www.freedommallows.com/

So I may have become a little bit obsessed with Ma Baker bars while I was staying in Norfolk. Since it was quite hard to find vegan options when I came across these in Dents Farm shop I stocked up! I also went back again a few days after to get more much to the shop assistants amusement but you gotta do what you gotta do on a vegan lifestyle. I didn't picture the banana bar which is another one of my favourites. They are just so delicious and considering in the past I used to hate any sweet foods with fruit in them I was surprised I liked these so much. They became my evening snack- a flapjack with a green tea. The fruit gives each one a sweet taste and each flavour has a distinct taste but I liked them all. They are very similar to home made flapjacks which is what I like about them plus they are filling making them the perfect snack as you aren't reaching for something else to eat afterwards. 

They are also great for hiking as they are small enough to carry. When I'm home I eat much more home made snacks so these were a nice treat but I am loving this brand more and more, weirdly I have only seen these in the countryside and online but I'll be looking out for them in the city. 

Check out their range here: http://www.firstqualityfoods.co.uk/mabaker.html ps not all there bars are vegan so avoid the smoothie and chocolate smoothie bars. 

Alpro Soya Chocolate

If you haven't tried this chocolate milk from Alpro yet give it a go. It is delicious and will remind you of being a kid enjoying a chocolate milkshake. It is available in supermarkets in packs of three and is perfect for adding to a lunch for work or a picnic, drink it chilled for the unbelievably chocolate taste. You'll appreciate it at work when you are fed up of pretending to be an adult and it's healthier than you think as it contains adding vitamins such as calcium and B12, it is also low in calories and a source of protein so there's no need to feel guilty about this treat. A word of warning though when my nephew drank this he was full of energy and didn't want to go to sleep, maybe keep this one for yourself, it's far too good to share! 

Accidentally Vegan- Hotel Chocolat Orange Tangs

Chocolate and Orange a match made in heaven. These Orange Tangs from Hotel Chocolat are accidentally vegan, meaning you can enjoy the lovely combination dairy free. Hotel Chocolat is a great place for gifts and they actually have a few vegan options meaning you can still enjoy luxurious chocolate. This is one to add to your shopping list. 

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/ 

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/

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

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. 

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.  

Vegan Candles

Veganism is definitely a lifestyle, it is not only about what you eat but what you buy. If you avoid animal products in food you should avoid them in any other item. Candles were not something I considered until I went to a vegan festival and found these amazing Soya wax candles. I will now not buy beeswax candles especially when the alternative is so amazing. These candles look and smell beautiful, this love and peace candle is scented with essential oils that will make you feel relaxed and happy. You know you are a real vegan when even your candles aren't made with animal products! 

Vegan Finds- Chick pea dhal

Found at Sainsburys, this vegan chickpea dhal is perfect for a quick curry night. Simply heat and eat with brown rice. Being vegan is becoming so easy with more convenient foods to have in your cupboards. I love cooking but sometimes a simple, fast meal is helpful on busy days. Why not stock up for rainy days and you can always copy the ingredients when you want to make your own home-made version. 

Ma baker Giant Bar Blueberry

Another vegan option to look out for. Ma Baker have a selection of vegan bars with added flavour, from blueberry and raspberry to peanut or cherry you'll be spoilt for choice. The idea of these bars is to have delicious oat snacks that are a healthy alternative. 

This is a products I haven't seen before and it was available on the VEssentials website. Definitely one to stock up on for taking to work or bringing on your travels. 

Find out more here http://www.firstqualityfoods.co.uk/mabaker.html 

Or shop here: https://vessentials.co.uk/

Unboxing a parcel from V Essentials

I am on a Facebook page giving vegan offers. Here I found out V Essentials were having an offer of free delivery in February. I decided to use this offer and see what the company was like. 

They had a good selection of vegan products from brands such as booja booja, Moo free, Biona, and ten acre. 

I ordered some items and the parcel arrived three days after I placed the order. There was also the option to pay via paypal which was a nice option as I feel safer using Paypal on-line. 

I was impressed with the speedy delivery, the box was delivered by a courier. The convenience of online shopping is great and having a website that caters just for vegans is ideal. 

I clearly stocked up on vegan snacks. They weren't all for me though promise! I put in a few orders for my family. This is a good idea if you want to save postage costs when you can't get free delivery, order items for several people family and friends and share the postage price. 

Of course vegan chocolate was ordered! And these organic Leek and Potato soups are perfect for bringing to work. I replaced my Orgran Egg replacer as I love to bake and this is one of the best egg replacers I have tried so far it is convenient to have in for making those delicious vegan cakes. 

There was one problem with my order, I ordered two Hummus chips and only received one. Having contacted the company I received an email back instantly and a refund for the missing item was done in minutes. This was seriously impressive. Mistakes happen so this wasn't a problem but how a company deals with a problem is key. Customers are won or lost through the customer service. I was happy with the response I received so I will definitely use this company again as it's handy for stocking up on treats. 

The store also sells toiletries and essentials like pasta. Overall I am very pleased with the company, I am glad I tried it as it is somewhere I will use again. 

Check it out at https://vessentials.co.uk/ and if you do use the site let me know what you think. 

Homemade Vegan Cocktails

My favourite drink is Disaronno, which is vegan and a lovely amaretto drink. 

I used to mix it with fizzy drinks but I was looking for something healthier so I bought some Cherry juice to mix it with. This is obviously better than drinking acidic fizzy drinks. 

The cherry juice is from Sainsburys and labelled vegan, again I like the move for more products to be labelled vegan even if they are simple products that you can assume are suitable it makes it easier to shop and find products to buy.

This is a simple drink to make, a small amount of Disaronno with cherry juice is an easy and simple home made cocktail. 

Having juice instead of fizzy drinks is also healthier than having sugary fizzy drinks. Obviously any alcohol should be consumed in small amounts but compared to cocktails mixed with various spirits and mixers in bars, this home made version will be better for you.  

Grab your favourite spirit and try a home made cocktail with your favourite juice there are so many option from blueberry to pomegranate you'll be spoilt for choice.  

Vegan finds at the Co operative

The co operative Food shops are great places to find vegan products. They have many vegan options and label their own products vegan clearly. This is perfect when you need some quick, convenient vegan food. Co-op stores are local in many areas so hopefully you will have one near you.  

This pasta sauce was a great buy. It is vegan and delicious! I used it to make a quick pasta bolognese. If you don't feel like cooking you could simply heat this sauce and add it to cooked pasta. If you feel like making the meal more interesting you can add soya mince, onion and mushrooms. 

There is also a great selection of vegan alcohol, it is clearly labelled so no need to waste time looking it up. This Cava was delicious and the best part is it's vegan! 

There is a nice selection of vegan products at the co-operative food. The trend of supermarkets labelling more products vegan is continuing which is great to see and makes shopping as a vegan easier all the time.  

Vegan Easter- Some dairy free options for the Easter holidays

Easter is up there with the best holidays. Getting to eat an unnatural amount of chocolate without people becoming concerned for your health. That's my kind of holiday.

Vegan Easter Eggs are easily available so you can celebrate in style. Moo Free have a great range of Easter eggs, available in a variety of flavours you will be spoilt for choice.

The accidentally vegan Green and Black's Easter egg is one for lovers of dark chocolate. This luxury egg makes the perfect gift. And it's fair trade too, you can feel good while you eat your body weight in chocolate.

Choices have a huge range of dairy free chocolates from Easter eggs to chocolate bunny's you'll be spoilt for choice with this brand.

The Easter egg I am most excited about is the Kinnerton Easter egg, the chocolate bars are amazing for cooking so I'm sure the Easter egg will be delicious. 

Celtic is a brand I haven't heard of before but I am happy to see this Easter egg in the supermarkets, dairy free choices are becoming easier to find and this treat looks lovely. 

If you are looking for a bit of luxury Booja Booja have not disappointed with their options for Easter, the beautifully wrapped Eggs are almost too good to eat. Almost! These would make amazing gifts. 

As always you are spoilt for choice in the dairy free options. Going vegan doesn't mean missing out and it certainly doesn't mean you don't have options. The hard part is deciding which Easter egg pick. Happy shopping!