The benefits of lemon water

Some people swear by lemon water and believe it has many health benefits. While many of us will only reach for a lemon when we are ill and in need of a boost to our immune system there are many reasons why drinking lemon water should be part of your daily routine: 

1. It gives out immune system a boost. Why wait until you are ill, drink a glass each day and fight off those pesky coughs and colds. 
2. It cleanses your body. Drinking lemon water can actually help flush toxins out of your body.
3. It is also great for digestion. 
4. Lemon water is believed to help people lose weight. So this is a top tip for those looking to shed some pounds. 
5. It is a great breath freshener. No need for expensive mouthwashes, this drink can do the work for you. 
6. It can make your skin clear. Who needs make-up when you have lemons! 
7. Another great reason to drink lemon water is because it is an excellent source of potassium and vitamin c. 

There are so many health benefits to lemons. Adding lemon water to your diet either daily or weekly can help you stay fit and healthy, what better reason to add a few to your fruit bowl. 

But what do you even eat?

Another day, another ridiculous question vegans get asked. Is it really that hard to understand what a vegan can eat. All you have to do is understand what we don't eat- any animal related products. What's left is an abundance of food- fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and believe it or not pizzas, pastas, curries and cakes. That's right a vegan can eat anything that everyone else does as there is a vegan version to everything. You simply replace the animal products with alternatives. If you eat burger and chips there's a vegan version and many meat alternatives that can actually taste weirdly similar. If you want pizza you simply use vegan cheese and with so many vegan sweet options from cakes to chocolate to ice cream you are spoilt for choice. I think most people assume vegans eat like rabbits when the truth is there is so much choice and not all vegans eat the same. There is such a thing as vegan junk food or vegans who are ultra healthy and only eat whole foods or raw foods. 

The question really does annoy me as it shows a real ignorance towards food. Do meat eaters really eat dead flesh at every meal and can't possibly think of any foods that don't contain animal products. Have they never eaten a salad? It seems strange to me that most people's food revolves so much around meat they don't even understand what you can eat without it. There is a whole world of food with thousands of edible plants and amazing vegan options. I feel like I should have a list prepared for when people ask me this question and just reel off all the foods I eat or maybe carry around a food diary but this might be too much effort. For now I keep repeating the same things, I eat what everyone else does I just have the vegan version because there is a cruelty free version of EVERY food! So the real question is not about what I eat but why do you choose to eat animal products when there is a healthier, murder and cruelty free option? 

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. 

Raw Salad

For a quick and healthy lunch a raw salad is convenient and will leave you feeling great. For this easy meal idea follow these simple instructions: 

You will need: 

• Half a courgette 
• 1 carrot 
• Half a cucumber
• Half a red onion
• A handful of lettuce 
• Mixed seeds (eg. sunflower, pumpkin) 
• Organic cider vinegar and mixed herbs 

Simply chop all the ingredients apart from the carrot which should be peeled and grated and mix in with the vinegar and herbs (Around 1tbsp of vinegar and any herbs of your choice) 

This raw meal is so quick and simple, it is the ultimate vegan fast food. Raw food holds more nutrients and fills you up as vegetables hold a higher water content. It is perfect for a hot day or when you are bored of sandwiches. Try adding different vegetables each time and different herbs and spices which will change the flavour. The easiest way to stay healthy is to make your plate as colourful as possible as you know you are getting a range of vitamins and minerals in every meal. 

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! 

Eating Organic for Less

Aldi are continuing to provide more organic food, these banana's are the latest product I have discovered. This whole bunch of fairtrade and organic bananas were only £1.08. They are priced based on weight so all the bunches were different prices but they were all around this price. I think this is so reasonable as it is a similar price to buying non-organic bananas in other supermarkets. I really welcome the bargain stores like Aldi starting to stock organic food as it means living an organic lifestyle is becoming more doable on a budget. Taste wise these bananas are lovely, fresh and sweet tasting, I do think they taste better than the non organic version although this may be because I know they are healthier and better for me as well as better for the environment. I also like that they are fairtrade as I like supporting ethical products. With items like this in shops eating organic for less is easier than ever.