VegiDeli Organic Brussels Style Pate

A vegan alternative to Pork Liver Pate.
I must say, I was a bit hessitant to try this, as I don't like fake meats that are too realistic (meaty), kinda scary. But as I've not seen this pate before, I thought I'd give it a try. Made some toast, buttered it, which I don't know if one would butter toast to spread pate on, or if one should just have the pate on toast, but I fancied mine buttered!
The pate spread quite thickly, which I guess is what it's supposed to do, after all it is a pate copy not a paste.
The taste, hmmmm, well, the taste was meaty. scarily meaty. I can't say I liked it. It left a fatty meaty aftertaste in my mouth. I suppose that if you like the taste of meat but don't want to eat it, or if you want to give your meat eating friends something vegan without them moaning they've not got meat, then this would be a good product to use. I can't remember ever having pate (pre vegan days), so I looked it up on the web, to see what brussels pate contains, the ingedients varied but the overall idea is pork liver, pork fat, some had chicken liver too.
here's a typlical ingredients list:
Pork Liver (35%), Pork Fat, Pork (17%), Cows' Milk, Water, Preservatives (Sodium Lactate, Sodium Nitrite), Salt, Onion, Pasteurised Whole Egg, Milk Protein (From Cows' Milk), Spices (Celery), Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Dextrose, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid). 

nutrient	per 100g
Energy kCal	390	kCal
Energy kJ	1,612	kJ
Protein	10.6	g
Carbohydrate	1.1	g
of which sugars	1.1	g
Fat	38.2	g
of which saturates	16.6	g
Fibre	Trace
Sodium	0.7	g
Salt	1.8	g

compared to :

Organic ham style pieces, water*, sunflower oil, textured soya protein, tofu, wheat starch & protein, yeast extracts*, sugar, onion powder, salt*, carrageenan* & locust bean gum, herbs & spices, iron oxide*

Energy:	1143.90kJ / 273.40kcal
Protein:	15.20g
Carbohydrate:	8.00g
(of which sugars)	1.80g
Fat:	20.40g
(of which saturates)	3.90g
Fibre	1.30g
Sodium	0.88g
Calcium	0.00mg

Both high in fat content, but there is a difference (if fat content counts for you), the vegan option has about half the fat compared the the animal one.  Also the vegan pate has higher protein content. so hey, when someone asks the silly question "were do vegans get their protein?" -  well from vegan brussels pate of course!!!!!!!!!!

Two of my favourite things.

I guess it's the time of year, or maybe I just feel indulgent, but recently I had the pleasure of acquiring two of my favourite things. perfume and Cheesecake, and not always in that order!

Last year, when I was in Swansea, I visited Govinda's Restaurant in Swansea. What a delight that turned out to be. First impressions was that it was very clean, the decor a bit like a canteen, lots of white and metal. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was simply amazing! The Restaurant is vegetarian, but has plenty of vegan options. They serve mainly Indian styled food, which was delicious, aromatic and not too spicy. The real treat came when we selected our dessert. They had Lemon Vegan Cheesecake. Wonderful.
A quick trip to the loo was worth it too, as the toilets were spotless, I've
 never seen such clean premises. While we were at the restaurant, one of the waiters mentioned that they  were bringing out their own line of cheesecake to be sold at Holland and Barratt (I guess he could see how thrilled we were with their cheesecake!). Which brings me onto the next item Cheesecake found in Holland and Barratt -

Now I don't know if this is the one they were talking about, but it's vegan and delicious. I have only seen it in strawberry flavour, which is fab, as I love strawberries. It is sold frozen, so once defrosted eat it! I eat half of one earlier - I just couldn't stop- well actually, I didn't want to stop, you know how it goes - 'just one more piece', looking at the calorie load on the box, i managed to consume about 900+ calories in one go! oops! luckily I'm not on a diet! Moderation is not my strongest point. the cheesecake has a tasty biscuity bottom, and was sweet, strawberry flavoured and creamy tasting. a real treat.



Wonder how long the other half of it will last!



 My other treat was this sumptuous fragrance by L'Occitane. A quick read on their website FAQ under "are L'Occitane products vegan products" -
"Yes, since we do not use any animal products or by-products, except for beehive products such as honey or royal jelly."  also  "Ever since the company was created in 1976, we have chosen not to test our products on animals. As a reflection of this approach, we have never used products of animal origin, with the exception of beehive products (honey, royal jelly, propolis) and we were among the first to indicate this commitment in writing on our products."
Which actually means NO, but many of their products are suitable for vegans, although not all. The bee ingredients are in the minority, and easy to avoid.
The sell online, and also have nationwide stores. Their shops are a delightful experience, with friendly staff, and testers to try out. They have a wonderful range of perfumes, each splendid and different.

I chose one of my favourite scents - Rose.
I comes in two sizes, of course I chose the largest :).
The Eau De Toilette 75ml.
The description on their website says it much better than I ever could, it reads:
"The delicate freshness of a bouquet of roses, the velvety softness of petals kissed with dew. 
Provence holds many secrets and legends of which the passer-by is often unaware.
The daughters of the Count of Forcalquier were as beautiful as the roses they cherished - the Grasse rose, the Bulgarian rose, the Moroccan rose and the Turkish rose. Each one of these daughters married a king, and so it was that Marguerite, Eleonore, Sancie and Beatrix became the four Queens of Forcalquier. 
Their favourite roses are blended together, concentrated in the 4 Reines Eau de Toilette, a fresh, delicate and velvety scent."

How I love to treat myself - I know I'm worth it ;)

The most delicious Coconut Ice ever!

The Ultimate Candy Company has produced this wonderful Coconut Ice.
This Coconut Ice is simply the best I have ever tasted.
It is pure luxury.
It tastes of strawberries and coconut. It is sweet without being too sweet. It tastes creamy. It is very satisfying.
It is Vegan!
I have only found this delicious candy at Holland and Barrat Food stores.