Peace to all Creatures this Easter Time.

 Whether Religious or not, Easter is a time for reflection. Spring is here, the world is showing us hope for new life, and abundance. How will you use these precious resources?
We are what we eat, so what are you made of?
Animals are slaughtered, in fear and pain. Do you absorb the terror they feel?
Beautiful lambs and chicks are born, innocent and free. Or so they think, they do not know what horrors lie ahead of their brief, pitiful lives.
At the same time, trees bringing forth an abundance of fruit, vegetables are starting to grow. There is nothing in a vegan diet that is lacking for health and nutrition. Nature gives us an abundance of delicious vegetables, grains, pulses, herbs, fruit. Colourful, fresh and tasty. These days, vegan foods can be easily bought, ready made, so even the most time pressed or laziest cook, can have a quick nutritious vegan meal. Food with a clear conscience.

Spring. Little rabbits being born. Domestic rabbits make wonderful pets. But please remember that just like any other animal, they are for life not just for Easter/Christmas/birthdays etc. Not usually a good idea to buy someone a pet for a present. The recipient may not really want it, and the novelty soon wears off, leaving a poor abandoned animal, that has gone from having a warm , loving home, to being neglected and discarded. At this time of year, rabbits are becoming more popular to give as Easter gifts. Research rabbit care first, only give as a gift if the recipient really wants it, and is able and willing to care for it for it for the whole of the rabbits' life. Or better still wait until after Easter, and give a home to one of the poor abandoned rabbits that were given as an Easter gift.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell 1865-1940
Kindness to all god's creatures is an absolute rock-bottom necessity if peace and righteousness are to prevail.
The Adventure of Life

Pythagoras, 6th century B.C.
Alas, what wickedness to swallow flesh into our own flesh, to fatten our greedy bodies by cramming in other bodies, to have one living creature fed by the death of another1 in the midst of such wealth as earth, the best of mothers, providers, nothing forsooth satisfies you, but to behave like the Cyclopes inflicting sorry wounds   with cruel teeth! You cannot appease the hungry cravings of your wicked, gluttonous stomachs except by destroying some other life.
depicted in Ovid: the metamorphoses, translated by Mary M. Innes

Probably the best vegan cheese for pizzas.

Since Heather Mills bought the Redwood Wholefood Company, their products have increased to satisfy a wide range of tastes. mainly savoury, but also some sweet.
The Cheezly range is a delicious range of cheeses, styled in familiar flavours, such as Cheddar, Edam and Mozzarella. Also more adventurous flavours such as Pepperjack, and Cranberry, mmmmm very nice! Some cheeses come in super melting type, so perfect for cheese toasties or pizza.
Redwoods produce other delicious savouries, such as their Cheatin range, which are 'fake meats' sure to satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike. Different shops stock different bits of their products, so it can be pot-luck as to what your local wholefood shop sells, but most well stocked wholefood shops will have something in their chiller cabinet from Redwoods.
While talking heather Mills and Redwoods, it's worth a mention about VBites. Based in Hove near Brighton, this fabulous vegan cafe has just re-opened for the summer, and has a new menu. The cafe is family friendly so a welcome break on a warm Spring day.

Cider with Raspberry on a hot sunny day...........................

Sometimes you just have to thank supermarkets for their vegan products, especially when they are labelled as vegan, making shopping so much easier.
Here's a gem of a find - Sainsbury's Cider with raspberry. Serve chilled. I'm not a big cider drinker, but on a hot day, a glass of Sainsbury's  Cider with raspberry, served chilled, really does hit the spot. Pure refreshment! It tastes quite mild, neither too much apple or raspberry. It reminds me of summer, and I will certainly be buying the odd one or two when the weather is hot.
It's got me thinking about other flavoured ciders, and which ones are vegan, so I'll be on the look out, and checking, and will report back my finds, and my thoughts. Now, if only the UK had more sunny days......................