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

Vegan Festival at Chorlton Irish Festival

I loved visiting the Vegan Festival run by the Vegan Organic Network last Saturday. It was different to other vegan festivals I have been to as it was outdoors, the sun was shining and everyone was enjoying the day. When I went to the Vegan Festival in Manchester it was indoors and really busy, there was hardly any room to move. It was nice to see how popular a vegan event is but it felt claustrophobic. Having a festival at the Chorlton Irish Centre using both the indoor and outdoor space was a brilliant idea, it meant there was more space and even though it was extremely busy you weren't bumping into people. 

It was nice to see the turn out, every stall was busy and the burgers and ice cream stalls were extremely busy. Who says vegans only eat salads. There was also entertainment from singers to dancers and outdoor seating to enjoy it all. This was an amazing event, it was well organised and a fun day out for all the family. There was face painting for kids, and an indoor bar and chill out room for adults and talks upstairs in the centre. I think vegan festivals are one business which is guaranteed to make money, it is nice to spend time with other people who share your lifestyle and find new vegan products and eat delicious food without needing to check labels. It was nice to sample Jamaican vegan food and see all the make-up brands available. I got loads of recipe ideas and had a great day out. I hope there are more outdoor festivals like this is the future! 

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. 

Live a better life Fair

On Saturday the 19th March the Live a Better Life fair is taking place at Liverpool's St Georges Hall between 10am and 4pm 

There will be 120 stalls, food samples, talks and demonstrations and everything is 100% Vegan. 

With only a £2 entry fee this is going to be a great event, plus it is very convenient for anyone within travelling distance of Liverpool as St Georges hall is directly across from Lime Street train station.

Run by the Ethics and Health Foundation the fair is all about teaching you how to live a healthy, happy life without hurting animals, other people or damaging the environment. There will be a range of fairtrade, organic and cruelty free products to introduce you to ways of living a more ethical life.

This is set to be a great day out, whether you are vegan or interested in living a cruelty free lifestyle and learning more this is the place to be. Go and stock up on interested products, sample vegan food and see how you can live a better life.  

Vego Mini Bar- Product Review

I picked this up at the Northern Vegan Festival as part of the Vegan tuck box sample bag and I was excited to try it as I've only heard positive reviews. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the chocolate and hazelnut bar, not being the biggest fan of hazelnuts I was dubious as to whether I would enjoy it but the chocolate is delicious- smooth and creamy which complements the crunchy hazelnuts. I had the mini bar which was filling enough but a full size bar is 150 grams which would be more than enough to satisfy even the biggest chocoholics cravings. It's also fair-trade, vegan, uses organic ingredients and is gluten free you can't really ask for more in a snack. 

The Northern Vegan Festival- Saturday 17th October

Are you excited!! The northern vegan festival is tomorrow in Manchester from 10am-6pm and with only £2 entry and over 150 stalls you wont want to miss it. 

The festival is running at four different locations in the city.

Sachas Hotel, Tib Street, M4 1SH will have 100 stalls, talks, poetry readings and speed dating for all you beautiful single vegans. 

The Methodist Church, Oldham Street, M1 1JQ will have 74 stalls and will also be running speed dating events. 

V Revolution, 88 Oldham Street, M4 1LF will be showing films all day. 

The Thirsty Scholar, 50 Wakefield Street, M1 5NP will have a vegan beer and cider festival. This venue is open until 3am.

If you are in Manchester or can get here tomorrow make sure you check out the festival, this is one of the best ways to learn about the vegan lifestyle, check out products you've never heard of and support vegan businesses.