Sunday, November 22, 2009

Fancy something sweet?

With christmas approaching, it's always nice to have the odd sweet treat. Well actually, who needs an occassion to eat sweets, if I fancy it, i'll have it! It just seems that at this time of year, maybe because it's colder, I quite often fancy something sweet. Lucklily, there are plenty of sweet treats in plenty of shops to satisfy my cravings. the lastest 'finds' are easilty obtainable and are not too expensive.
I popped into Lidl. Which Europeans will know is a German store, that sells a mix of branded products and it's own brand, a bit like a small supermarket. Both Lidl and Aldi are known to be reasonable on their prices, and as the advert says 2 don't change your lifestyle, change your supermarket", or something like that. I've certainly known friends go there and buy what they can, and anything they don't have, go to the bigger supermarkets, probably saving a fortune. Anyway, enough of that, I neither advocate using them or not, it's personal choice. here are the sweeties I bought from Lidl:






Coconut Ice was a real surprise find. I've not had this sweet for years. And it's labelled Vegan, so makes identifying it's suitability much easier. Coconut Ice is super sweet. I mean, very, very sweet. really, one piece is all I can manage at any one time. It's actually too sweet for me,but I'm sure many people would enjoy it.


Then onto Aldi, which is another German small supermarket, similar to Lidl. Here I found  Riter Sports in minatures. I like novelty things, so the mini squares appealed to me. Of the two flavours that I could see were vegan suitable, I liked the Marzipan ones the best. the other ones being Very Dark Chocolate. the Marzipan squares were light and only slightly tasting of marzipan, whereas the Very Dark Chocolate squars were a bit too bitter/dark for my taste buds. Maybe with a strong coffee when I'm in the mood for a caffeine fix, but not today!












Finally, as it's getting nearer to Christmas,  it's almost compulsory to have a mince pie. I have never made mince pies, nor do i want to, as I'm not a big fan of them, but once a year, feel, it's necessary to have one or two, or it won't be christamstime! Sainsbury's Value range do a cheap and cheerful mine pie, which satisfies my need to partake in a mince pie at this this of year, without making me feel too stuffed and yuk1 about them! They're small, less filling, pastry/crust is a bit doughy but fine, and probablt one of the best for the money. That is of course unless you LOVE mince pies, and really know what it takes to make a person really want one! Then of course they may not measure up!













While checking these products on manufacturers websites, I came accross Elizabeth Shaw's Mint Crisp, which used to be vegan, but now contains traces of milk, what a drag! so I've deleted them from this page, and passed the actual chocolates onto a non vegan friend. I do wish manufacturers would stick to their ingedients, or better still label their products as 'suitable for vegans'!

A cross blog reference.

I have reviewed some vegan products and services in my other blog 'MidnightRabbits', so I thought it may be useful to include some links here:
http://midnightrabbits.blogspot.com/2009/06/bristol-vegan-fayre-09-afabulous-vegan.html
http://midnightrabbits.blogspot.com/2009/04/fine-collection-of-vegan-beer.html 
http://midnightrabbits.blogspot.com/2009/03/weekend-in-brighton.htm
http://midnightrabbits.blogspot.com/2009/01/vegan-haggis-one-answer-to-worn-out.html

Just a few to go on with. The Weekened in Brighton post is all about the Vegan Fair in Brighton and vegan places to eat and shop in Brighton, I can't wait to go back there.

A BIG thanks to the EatOutVeganWales crew for a mention on their website- you guys rock!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Peace to all Creatures 'zine


A wonderful vegan woman called Pippi and a friend of hers, Jessi, produce a quarterly 'zine called 'Peace to All Creatures'
For those not familiar with 'zines, they are a - in the words of Wikipedia -A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced /ˈziːn/ "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of coloured paper stock.

While not wholly about veganism, it has a mainly vegan slant, all of the articles are vegan freindly, and certainly this Fall 09 issue is 'the Vegan Issue' Couldn't get more vegan than that! This is the second issue of this zine that I have contributed to, the first being a written piece about Freeganism, and in the latest issue I sent in a drawing. I get a real kick out knowing my work is in a publication that anyone anywhere can see. How fab is that.
Aside from the self fulfillment contributing to the zine gives me, I must say it is also a fabulously good read. It's refreshing to find real articles from real people, about subjects that they have an interest in, instead of a mainstream magazine that is written by journalists, that do it for a living regardless of the subject. It seems like a much more personal read, and by the end of it, it makes one feel as though you've had a little insight into other people's ideas and interests. The articles are interesting and informative, also varied. The adverts are vegan friendly. The artwork is superb, right from the Front Cover, showing the two beautiful 'Kissing Cows' by Mvegan5, through to the Back Cover, which is a photograph of sweet cows, one looking right into the camera, by Ryan MacMichael - Vegblog.org.
The zine is well made, and is of good quality, both in print and paper. It includes articles such as 'Taking a Road trip with Your Dog', 'Marketing Veganism' and 'Aromatherapy'. And a lovely little surprise is that it arrives with some very pretty postcards and a pin badge.
The 'zine is available from UberDuperCreations Etsy Shop, is available as a hard copy or a digital download, and can be shipped Worldwide. Well worth buying and suitable for vegans, and non-vegans alike, eco friendly peeps and any peeps that want to look 'hip' - carry this super fab 'zine around!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Eat Out Vegan Wales


This free booklet and Internet guide 'EAT OUT VEGAN WALES' is a must have for vegans in Wales or a Vegan visiting Wales. Areas are listed alphabetically, and it's a big help for vegan eating in the smaller towns of Wales , where one may otherwise not have known where on earth to find vegan food. It's nice to know, cafes and restaurants are being added regularly, and listings amended when establishments are less than vegan friendly.
I will be doing a review of places I come across or have tried, many whom have been found in this guide. Put together by a friendly bunch, Tim and Paul and others? (don't know who else), who are enthusiastic, fantastic vegans. It's worth getting on their email list, as they sometimes arrange a get together for a vegan meal, which has always been a lovely evening out, and a real bonus to sit amongst vegans, and know that animal products are not going to be on the table. With Christmas coming up, I'm hoping they'll arrange a Christmas Meal, as the few I have been to were wonderful. An essential information guide for veggies in Wales.

Jobs at Animal Defenders


Job ads at Animals Defenders in London and San Francisco. They do fabulous work campaigning on behalf of abused animals worldwide:

Junior Research Associate, London
Closing date: Friday 27 November 2009 Reporting to: Head of Research Hours: Monday–Friday, with overtime as necessary Holidays: 4 weeks, plus 4 days Christmas-New Year office closure

Campaigner, London
Closing date: Friday 27 November 2009 Reporting to: CEO and Campaigns Director Hours: Monday–Friday, with overtime as necessary Holidays: 4 weeks, plus 4 days Christmas-New Year office closure

Fundraiser, London
Closing Date: Friday 27 November 2009 Responsible to: Supporter Relations Director Hours: Monday–Friday, with overtime as necessary Holidays: 4 weeks, plus 4 days Christmas-New Year office closure

Office Administrator, San Francisco
Position: Office Administrator Location: Animal Defenders International, Inc., San Francisco, USA Office hours: 9-5pm Monday-Friday Vacation: 4 weeks, plus Christmas-New Year closure

Latest Hair Styling Products


I am so happy to have found the latest hair styling products from Tara Smith
Rock on Hard Hold Styling Gel, vegan certified, and smells lovely. It holds very well.
I am a fan of Tara Smith products
and have blogged about her other products in another other blog, VeganEtsy
So you can imagine my delight when I found another addition to her range. I have just tried out the Rock On Hard Hold Gel and it's fab. I washed and conditioned my hair with Tara Smith shampoo and conditioner and applied a small amount of Rock on Hard styling gel . I can assure you, only a small amount is needed, it goes a long way. My hair feels fresh and light, with a good style and strong hold, along with the fact that it carries the Vegan Society Logo I love it.