A little something on the side

It can be hard to know what to have with your meal. It is even harder if you are on a budget. But there are easy options to fill your plate and stomach without emptying your purse. 

Adding a side salad can be cheap and easy. Ice berg lettuce and cucumber are inexpensive vegetables. Chopped up and mixed with some white wine vinegar it can make a simple and easy addition to any meal. 

This can easily fill half your plate and is a simple way to increase your intake of vegetables. 

Another easy addition to your meal is canned vegetables. Baby carrots and chickpeas are cheap and easily stored in your kitchen. 

They can be cooked when you need a little extra food for a meal. They are quick to cook, healthy and tasty. 

Scrambled tofu is one of my new favourite foods and these extras are a great, healthy extra. Some people think eating healthy is hard and expensive but these foods are cheap and filling. They are also quick to cook for anyone looking for a quick and healthy meal and the best part they are inexpensive extras to have on the side. 

This is fast food at it's finest. Quick, healthy, cheap and filling. Add these little extras to your meal and make it extra special. 

Not the only Vegan in the Village

I was happy to come across this poster on my walk in Downham Market. 

The countryside so far has felt like a lonely place to be Vegan. No cafés cater for you, there's hardly any choice in supermarkets and it seems like an alien concept that people surrounded by dairy farms and butchers can't understand so I was so happy to see this poster pinned to a post. 

Turns out I'm not the only vegan in the village! Other people have the same beliefs as me. I'm not sure how many people will read the poster or want to learn more but it caught my eye so hopefully it will grab the attention of more people. Turns out there are other ways to spread the vegan message- I prefer the digital world but it's nice to think of vegans trying to get the message out there in all different kinds of ways. 

Sending a virtual hug to who ever put up this poster! 

Clipper Mango Green Tea

My green tea obsession continues. I am well known for loving a cup of he green stuff, so much so that a couple of friends for me boxes of green tea as a leaving gift from my last job. Amazing present!! 

Clipper is one of my favourite brands for many reasons. It is a fair trade brand which I like to support whenever I can. They don't bleach their tea bags, (something I didn't realise other brands did and which seems so unnecessary and unhealthy) and they taste amazing! 

I am loving green tea with mango. It is sweet, refreshing and has a great hint of mango in the flavour. I love the tag line drink your greens as well. Green tea is so healthy- it is full of antioxidants, can help you maintain your weight and is a nice alternative to caffeine filled tea or coffee. Plus it's addictive- when I first started drinking green tea I wasn't too keen, it was OK and I knew it was healthy but I didn't love it like I do now. It must grow on you, maybe the health benefits and goodness are addictive but if you have tried green tea and aren't keen keep drinking it you might grow to love it! Try Clipper for a good quality cuppa and see how mango can make it extra special.

Vegan Power

I keep hearing stories of people going vegan and seeing stories of new vegan restaurants and products in news papers.

Veganism seems to be increasing in popularity every day- the once almost unheard of concept seems to be everywhere. 

It shows a change in peoples thinking. People want to know where their food come from, documentaries are showing the horrors that animals experience and more people are turning away from the 'norm' to try a different way. 

It is possible to be healthy, eat delicious food and not consume any animal products and it's getting easier every day. 

Veganism is gaining in popularity. I hope one day it is the norm and meat eaters are rare. It could and hopefully will happen, look out for the articles- you'll see more and more I know I am. 

Day trips snacks Vegan style

It can be hard travelling to new places as you never know whether you will find vegan food. 

One idea when on a day trip is to bring snacks that are easily carried, filling and tasty incase you need something to eat. 

I was travelling to Kings Lynn in Norfolk to check out some of the sights. I've been before but couldn't remember any vegan places. 

Instead of being hungry and looking in vain for food I brought fruit, a nakd bar, a flapjack and chocolate mulberrys they were all small enough to fit in a small bag. They were light and easily packed. 

I didn't end up eating all the snack as luckily there was a Holland and Barrett in Kings Lynn high street where I bought a vegan sausage roll. This shop is a great place to look when on a day trip as they have a great selection of chilled food. It's a nice alternative if you can't find a vegan cafe you can simply grab take out vegan style and eat outdoors enjoying the scenic views. 

I was enjoying the walks around Kings Lynn too much to care about the lack of vegan options. You can't always have a vegan cafe ready for lunch (maybe one day). Sometimes it easier and not to mention cheaper to bring your own food. 

If you are on a budget don't let it stop you having day trips. Find somewhere nearby, pack some vegan snacks and explore. 

How being Vegan can become the norm

I was brought up vegetarian so changing to become a vegan wasn't as hard as it would undoubtably be for a meat eater. However it still had it's challenges, I spent the first couple of weeks pretty hungry as I had made the mistake of just cutting out eggs and dairy rather than replacing them. 

Once I did a bit of research and found new products I was fine. I tried different non dairy milks before finding my favourite and started baking using egg replacer powder or soy milk. I figured it out slowly and it took time. 

Now however being vegan is so normal now I've forgotten the taste of milk, I wouldn't dream of eating eggs and I don't miss cheese like I thought I would having found replacements. It's easy and it's normal. 

Becoming vegan can seem hard but once you have replaced products, found what you can and can't eat and practiced a few recipes it will be completely normal and easy. There are vegan challenges and try it for 30 days plans but in reality it doesn't have to be hard everything you eat now can be replaced. Everything has a vegan version. Veganism can be the norm. 

Vegan Valentines

Make your valentines day gift vegan this year with these cruelty free gifts. 

Etsy is a great place for vegan gifts, you can find something individual, unique and handmade and support and independent seller. This is a great place to grab a card that isn't bright red with hearts. Avoid the cliche this year with a vegan style card. 

Lush is always a hassle free option for vegan gifts. Get an already wrapped gift set that anyone will love. Who says shopping is hard. 

Booja booja chocolates are the perfect indulgent treat- do you love anyone enough to give them away?

Want something other than chocolates and flowers this year? Want to impress with your originality? How about a pair of shoes. Wills London has high quality vegan footwear. Cruelty free, well made and an original ideas you'll get great brownie points for this gift. Perfect for anyone who loves long walks on the beach but wants to do it in style.

These are just some ideas for hassel free, vegan gifts that anyone will love.