Monday Motivation

Monday's can be a struggle but it is the best time to start afresh and set some goals. Staying active is one way to motivate yourself, if you start being active on a Monday it is easier to keep going throughout the week. Also one way to make sure you get out walking, hit the gym or go for a run is to join forces with a friend and keep each other motivated. It's easy to convince yourself not to exercise when working out alone but if you are going to let someone else down by not going it will give you that bit of needed motivation. So find yourself a workout buddy and set some goals. Staying active is so important for your health and it doesn't need to cost anything. If you can't afford a gym membership simply go out walking or do an at home workout. It is so easy to improve your health and well-being and the best time to start is today. There is never a bad time to start getting healthy, it could be this instant and it could change your life. Stay positive, stay motivated and start today. 

Vegan in the Countryside

I've just got back from another trip to the countryside and I still found it a struggle to be vegan but I think things are slowly improving. I was pleased to find Gosh food burgers for sale which were healthy and only use natural ingredients and are of course vegan. There was also a garden centre which sold vegan cakes which was a real shock to find and there was of course plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in abundance. I still haven't found any vegan options in cafes but there were a few places with vegetarian options so maybe in time veganism will move to the smaller villages and towns in England. I will be detailing different things I have found in the countryside but it was also nice to have simpler meals and not rely on ready made vegan options. The healthiest foods are wholefoods so it doesn't really matter if you can't find ready made vegan products as long as you have fruit and vegetables you can always have delicious, healthy meals. Wherever you travel it is about being creative and realising that plant based foods are always available wherever you go. 

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! 

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! 

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! 

The Magazine for Vegan's- Vegan Life

"Bringing Vegan into Vogue" Vegan life magazine is the perfect read for finding new vegan products, recipes and information. 

This is a great read for hearing stories of other people's reasons for becoming vegan, articles about the environment, nutrition and health. Being vegan can be a bit alienating in mainstream culture- other magazines will feature recipes that are not suitable for you or give health tips that don't suit your lifestyle. This is one reason this magazine is perfect, it is about all areas of life and shows people that there is a vegan community. Vegan Life is also amazing for finding out about new products, the adverts featured are all vegan businesses that you might never have heard of. 

The fact that there is a vegan magazine on the shelves shows that veganism is increasing in popularity. The only downside is trying to find places that stock the magazine- it is worth contacting your local independent shop or supermarket and asking them to stock the magazine.