Win A Vegan Food Box

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Vegan Food Box

Vegan Food Box

2 prizes of a selection box of vegan products to win.

Boutique Vegan opened their online store to a bit of a fan fare last year. I recently checked in with them to see how it is all going, and we decided it would be a rather good idea to showcase a selection of new, and much loved vegan products for 2 lucky readers to try. Vegan food for free!

The winners boxes contain the following:

  • miigan soy protein - low carbohydrates and zero cholesterol, which makes them a perfect base for any low-carb diet.
  • Vego chocolate bar - you just have to mention the name of this hazelnut packed chocolate bar to a vegan to get them salivating.
  • Hurraw lip balm - infused with ayurvedic herbs to keep your lips at their kissing best
  • Violife vegan cheeses - One of my favourite soy free, melty vegan cheese slices made with coconut.
  • Chimpanzee energy bars - all natural protein bars made with brown rice protein and dates.
  • HanFu hemp seed paté - a delicious healthy nut free, lactose free pate made from hemp seeds.
  • Vantastic Foods Veggie Carpaccio - organic vegan parma ham style slices. NOT GLUTEN FREE - made with wheat protein.

Entrants in Europe only with some area exceptions - see here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

good luck!

x

 

 

Latest From VegFest. It’s A Mock Meat Fest!

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Haven for carnivores at Europe’s biggest veggie festival on Bristol Harbourside

One of Europe’s prime foodie event VegfestUK Bristol will feature a number of high-quality meatless meat products that will have even committed carnivores not only enjoying the new textures and sensations that meat-free products provide, but also maybe even being tempted to think about replacing some of their favourite animal products with plant-based alternatives.
The festival, which enters its 12th year on May 23rd 24th 25th at the Amphitheatre and is set to attract around 20,000 visitors, aims to showcase the crème de la crème of following a plant-based lifestyle. ‘Meat’ plays centre stage in the myriad of products on show, and this year the UK public have the chance of sampling the following brands of plant-based meats at this event:
 
Bute Island Foods are the producers of their “Vegandeli” range of mock meats which include 7 delicious varieties of meat-free continental sausages, from original/spicy/smoked/Italian gourmet Mortadela, Chorizo sausages, Mock Ham, Gourmet Morcilla - all highly versatile besides being very tasty, giving the meat-based counterparts a good run for their money.
Gillie Food are one of the Oriental Vegan and Vegetarian meat-substitute alternatives food manufacturers & importers in UK. Their products range are based in Textured Soya Protein and Wheat Protein, which is a nutritious member of the protein family, is entirely meat free. Their products are NON-MSG with no GMO nor preservatives.
Grano e Vita (a.k.a Muscolo di Grano) offers superb plant-based meats based on wheat and legumes that have a nutritional value similar to meat while remaining totally plant-based. It’s the ideal food for those who wish to eat a healthy and nourishing meal and still enjoy all the flavours of the Mediterranean cuisine.
Vegusto produces a range of meat free alternatives made from only the highest quality ingredients. Options include: farmhouse sausages, Wiener sausages, festive roasts, schnitzels, etc. They’ll be serving freshly made hot dogs at the show alongside their impressive array of meats.
 
The show organisers added, “It’s an absolute pleasure to witness the rise of these top-notch plant-based meat brands in the upward trend of healthier, more eco-friendly and sustainable living, given the huge toll that livestock farming has on the environment and animal products have on our health. Arguably the biggest obstacle for many in going veggie or eating healthily is the sumptuous taste of their meat. Those heroic producers of vegan meat substitutes have really made plant-based living both convenient and more than palatable for many souls out there, and we’re honoured to showcase these products to the public.”
 
These ‘meats’ come in conjunction with many vegan milks, cheeses, chocolates and other substitutes for animal produce which can be found at the 140 stalls including 5 all day bars at the show – and with numerous special offers available, make sure to bring plenty of cash and shopping bags with you! If you wish to learn more about plant-based lifestyles, don’t miss the dozens of talks, cookery demos, workshops and short films.
 
There’s still time for a variety of entertainment from kids cookery classes, hoola hoops, comedians and musicians during the day. Focus shifts to headline music in the evenings with Boney M ft. Maizie Williams, Gwen Dickey’s Rose Royce, Abba Gold, Peter Hook and the Light, Ruts DC, Goldblade, Zion Train and Black Roots gracing the Amphitheatre stage.
 
Admission from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday is £3 (on the gate) and free for kids under 16. Full admission info and advance tickets for the evening events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is available at www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/ticket-information, with a BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE offer running till April 30th.

All press materials are available here:

  • Event programme www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/programme
  • Press releases www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/press-releases
  • Posters and flyers www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/posters-and-flyers
  • Banners www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/banners
  • Facebook posters www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/facebook-posters

VegfestUK Bristol is sponsored by: Fry’s Vegetarian UK, Yaoh, JASON Natural Care, Bute Island Foods, Nakd Wholefoods, Lavera, Suma Wholefoods, Living Naturally, Koko Dairy Free, Vegfund, Out of Hand and Viva!

VegfestUK organise 2 other events this year – London on September 27th 28th at Olympia West Halls, and Brighton on March 29th 30th. The Brighton event attracted a large crowd of over 5,000 visitors, and the London event is set to draw around 10,000 people. All products displayed at VegfestUK events are 100% plant-based. Seewww.vegfest.co.uk or email [email protected] for full details.
 



This blog post is a guest post by VegFest

Exploring Gothenburg, Sweden. Cafes Cakes & Culture

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Until 2 weeks ago, I thought that Goteborg and Gothenburg were two separate cities in Sweden.  I asked my friend on the way over which would have the most to see, do and vegan eats.  So, I find out they are the same.  Ok, so life is a constant lesson.

I had three days to explore the area, with my Swedish friend.  I’d never been to Sweden and had failed to swot up before I flew, so the itinerary was all down to her.  Once I’d loosened my grip on the reins (I’m so used to travelling alone) I just let her steer.  We only had a day in Goteborg.  The other days we spent chilling out by her lakeside home.  The other, checking out the deserted beaches nearby. I only had two requests.  Find me some quirky cafes, exercise me plenty, and find some vegan food.  The cafes were no trouble. Since the 18th century when workers cafes offered Goteborg residents a place to gather, cafe culture has been a vital part of the city. She also walked my feet off! The vegan food is revealed a little later.

The oldest part of the city is surrounded by a moat which also leads to the harbour.  We booked a Paddan Boat Tour. Not something I’d usually do in my pathetic attempts not to be a ‘tourist’, but it is a great way to get a leisurely upload of information whilst chilling out.  The boats are flat-bottomed and low in the water, to glide under the 20 bridges.  It was so funny when we had to slide off our seats and onto the floor to make sure we weren’t decapitated on the Osthyveln (cheese slicer), the ridiculously low bridge on the canal. It made me wonder at their planning! With that and the old, tall ship that was trapped in the harbour forever when they forgot about it whilst building the bridges!  I bet they don’t make good chess players!  At 15 Swedish Krona, the boat tour isn’t cheap.  And yes, it is touristy but sometimes the tourist traps can offer a gem.


all duck for the ‘cheese slicer’




As with most cities, Goteborg has neighbourhoods or districts, butting up against each other with atmospheres all of their own.  My most favoured was Haga. It was once a working class suburb and bohemian hive of artists, but, as will ALL neglected areas that attract interesting types, it was eventually gentrified in the 1980’s.  I loved the wooden buildings, the like of which I’d not seen anywhere else.  Minus 15 degree winters have rendered cafes cozy places for friends to meet in the warm. It was hard to choose which one to visit first!  But, as it was lunchtime when we finished the boat tour, my first Swedish meal was to be at Raw Food Baren. I mistakenly thought the name meant an establishment with ideas of nobility. Baren, actually just means bar.  It is the only raw food restaurant in Goteborg.


There were five lunch options on the menu.  The server, a really helpful girl who turns out was originally from California, helped us choose.  I opted for the raw carrot burgers.  My friend had the raw pizza.




The place is quite small, with a cozy side ‘nook’.  We took a seat and waited for our meal. The food was nicely presented. As I watched plates heaped high with fresh ingredients delivered all around me, I felt a little disappointed at the rather miserly portion of carrot burger!  The raw pizza was really very good.  The base had a great ‘bread’ texture and it was so flavoursome.  I’d highly recommend this place. 


Kanelbullar - HUGE cinnamon buns, .  Sadly not vegan! 


One of the many cozy cafes in Haga district.


I loved this place.  A vinyl record store with a cafe.  So hip! Cafe Santa Domingo  I discovered after on Happy Cow they serve some vegan snacks, too.

We stopped at Two Little Birds for vegan treats.  The cafe is owned by a group of artists who have created a welcoming space for friends to gather and enjoy an ever changing display of art.  The interior is mis-matched retro, with comfy chairs and 70’s wallpaper.  We loved it.  As we loved the cakes too.  My thin, chocolate covered gluten free vegan ‘Snickers’ bar was gorgeous.  All of the owners bake, and one of them has been steadily steering them over to the vegan side of life.  They don’t tout it as such, not wanting to alienate anyone, rather say it they are just great bakes for most tastes.  



Two Little Birds, is warm and open.  Originally started by two girls with a love of Bob Marley…3 little birds..or so the legend goes.



With not much time to scout for vegan happenings, I did my best for you.  Food in Gothemburg/Goteborg is so expensive.  I think being vegan and healthy here would challenge most.  ‘Life’ have a chain of stores, this one is called Grona Boden is a food market with many raw food, vegan, health products.  It is where you’ll find the best vegan cheese and a range of vegan sausages I didn’t get to try.  I found Fram to be more affordable, with bulk bin’s, or bags in their case.  The staff were helpful, English speaking as with ALL the interactions I had.



In the evening we met up with another friend and went to a vegetarian restaurant Hagabion, set in a gorgeous old brick building.  It’s where the cultured meet to chat, go to events and watch cinema.  It felt so welcoming. A gold circular bar was centre stage. The sort of place you could rock up by yourself and it wouldn’t be amiss. Great atmosphere with vintage furniture and retro movie posters.
We had the only vegan dish that we could see was gluten free. Though the menu was extensive.
We were not disappointed. It was delicious.  Faultless.  I wished I could have bagged up a few portions to take back to the UK!

Red Quinoa, thyme roasted tempeh, mushrooms and shoots on bitter red cabbage.  Sounds a bit simple. I don’t know what they did with it but the flavours were incredible.  Filling too.  No room for pud!

Unfortunately, the seaside sauna at Varberg was closed on the day we visited.  The green privacy boards you can see under the pier are where the guests dip from steamy sauna to icy sea, for maximum health benefits.  This is where I will head first when I next go to visit.


Finally, I thought I’d share with you my friends jetty on the lake.  The mist is rising as the sun was hitting the still, frosty air.  Here we began our days with a (very) refreshing skinny dip!

I hope to go back and explore more of Sweden next year.  A friendly chat in a shop informed me that Northern Sweden has vegan cafes in even the small towns.  If the quality of the food in Goteborg is anything to go by, this alone would be worth the trip! 

A handy tip* If you go to the tourist information office in the city they have a Vegoguide till Goteborg.  A leaflet containing most of the vegan/vegetarian restaurants, cafes and bars. It is provided by Animal Rights Sweden. Their website has an easy translation button.

Have you been to Sweden? Did you find any great vegan eats you want to tell us about?  We’d love to know!

Veganz Buffet - What To Eat For Sunday Brunch In Berlin

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Berlin, Berlin, what are you doing to my waistline?  What’s a girl to do when quality AND quantity exist together in delicious harmony? Ok, it is vegan, fresh, mostly raw, packed with super foods and served with love, but a glutton is a glutton. It was an unfair challenge (to myself) to try and eat just one plate and a small dessert, when I visited the brunch buffet at Veganz recently.  The beautifully laid out display of numerous salads, raw bruchetta and crackers topped with beautiful diced vegetables, and whipped dips and souffléd nut creams made my eyes bigger than my belly, as my dear old Dad used to say.  The four hot dishes were, all but one, gluten free; tempeh goulash, coconut curry, wild rice and roasted squash hash.  The squash dish ranked no. 1, in my opinion. Happy belly food.

Dessert comprised of a meley of breakfast type dishes; cornflakes, fruit, yogurt, jewel-red chia jam, and chia/coconut porridge.  The porridge called me back twice. It was thick, unctuous,  creamy and satiating (well it would be after all the food that preceded it!).  I spooned over a toffee coloured, sweet nut spread too. Oh, and there was me nearly forgetting…I also ate my way through a slab of raw cheesecake, subtly flavoured with orange zest.

This was amazing value. Just over €12  Veganz is a totally vegan store, one of many popping up all over Europe.  This is the future of food shopping, eating. The store is bright, clean and modern.  It has everything you could wish to buy with an ethical heart. The buffet is only on Sundays but the Goodies cafes is open every day.

I will be posting more about Veganz in the coming week or so.  I hope you’ll come back and read about that too.

Veganz

Address: Schivelbeiner Straße 34, 10439 Berlin
Phone:030 44036048