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

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! 

Vegetarian Choice Products at Holland and Barrett

I found these in Holland and Barrett- they are called Vegetarians Choice but are actually certified Vegan. 

They are only 99p per box and are a quick and simple meal to have in the freezer for days when you don't feel like cooking from scratch. The main ingredient is soya and they are easily cooked on the grill. 

Holland and Barrett are getting to be a very convenient choice for vegans. Their freezer section are filled with vegan options at reasonable prices. This is definitely a store for Vegans to try as you can find different products not available elsewhere.