Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Vegan Life

Welcome to May — we hope you’re excited, because we’ve got a jam-packed issue for you this month to help you with activism, living your most eco-friendly life and with cooking delicious vegan meals. Have you watched NETFLIX documentary Seaspiracy yet? Following the mass success of the film that seeks to expose the fishing industry, we’ve got tonnes of fish-free and ocean-friendly sea-inspired recipes for you to try. Next time your non-vegan friends or family say that they want to order or cook seafood and chips, why don’t you get them to watch the doc, then cook them Edward Daniel’s Vegan Fish and Chips from our recipe assortment? It will blow their minds and help them realise that even vegans can enjoy ‘fishy’ flavours. But if that doesn’t float your…

Certified vegan, the Sheese range is healthy and delicious, perfect for any plant-based diet. Sheese is dairy-free, gluten-free and non-GMO and contains 30 per cent less fat than traditional cheese — with no artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavours or colours. Plus, it has a superior texture to other vegan cheeses; it melts when hot, crumbles like a cheese should and tastes just as good when cold on a cheeseboard. Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and thevegankindsupermarket.com, our favourites are their Mild Cheddar Style blocks, Mild and Mature Cheddar Style slices, Mozzarella Style grated and their Original Creamy and Garlic and Herb Creamy Sheese. For details of all Sheese products plus, some inspirational vegan recipes visit buteisland.com. Those generous people who make Sheese are offering 10 readers the chance to win ?20…

@nourishing.amy @amschela @brittsveganbites @veganlife_mag @veganlifemagazine @veganlife_mag The lambs Spring is coming the grass is green Lambs are everywhere to be seen Jumping, running and having fun They never stray too far from mum. 25, 15, 12 and 8 Unaware of their impending fate The sun is shining and the days are long But one day soon that truck will come. Taken away still so tiny Where’s my mum? please come and find me. The truck arrives they are hurried on We’ll be there soon it won’t be long. Where are we going? Why are we here? Bleeting fiercely they feel the fear Pushed and shoved and sensing doubt Friends call back, there’s no way out. Extracted from a poem by Becky Roberts…

Each month, send us your questions and we’ll pitch them to those in the know. Whether you’re unsure about the best way to cook tofu, or you need some vegan dating advice, we’ve got your back. Q My friends tease me for being vegan. I know they are only joking, but it sometimes upsets me. How can I talk to them about it? Our friends can be hilarious, can’t they, but sometimes their banter can slip into something hurtful, although they may not even know the effect they are having on you. There are various ways to deal with this. First, you could accept that it’s just your turn to be on the sharp end of the jokes and laugh along. In time, when they see the great food you’re…

Serves 4 We use fragrant jasmine green tea as a portion of the liquid in this breakfast pudding. Its floral flavour is pretty to your taste buds and unexpected. You can, of course, experiment with different teas here; each one brings its own personality. Saffron tea is another favourite, as is strong lemon chamomile tea or tulsi cinnamon tea. Basically, if you have a favourite, try it here! The toppings make or break this dish, so don’t skimp. • 350ml (11.8 floz) cold jasmine green tea• 350ml (11.8 floz) almond or oat milk• 80g (2.8 oz) plus 1 tbsp chia seeds• Pure maple syrup or coconut nectar• Smashed berries, quinoa crispies or crisped brown rice cereal, crushed dried rose petals, and/or toasted almonds, to top 1 In a medium bowl,…

Serves 4 (Fills a 20-inch (50 cm) round board) This Mexican-inspired breakfast is a perfect one for when all the family are eating together; pile it all up on the board and let everyone dig in. • 1 batch Chickpea Scramble with Mushrooms (see recipe)• 4 burrito-size tortillas, (or collard green leaves for a gluten-free option)• 120g (4.2 oz) baby spinach• 240g (8.4 oz) pico de gallo or salsa• ¼ red onion, chopped• 1 (420g/15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed• Pinch of salt• 1 bunch coriander (cilantro), chopped• 2 tomatoes, diced• 2 tbsp (30ml/1 fl oz) hot sauce• 1 red bell pepper, cored and sliced• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced• 1 lime, quartered 1 Preheat your oven to 100°C/200°F/Gas .. Make the Chickpea Scramble with Mushrooms and…

Serves 2-4 This tasty Sweet Potato Pancake recipe is exactly what you need to start the day off on the right foot. Add a dash of Banhoek Chilli Oil for an early morning spice kick to really wake you up! • 4 tbsp ground flax seed + 12 tbsp (. cup) of water (unground flax seeds are also fine, simply grind them into fine powder using a coffee or spice grinder before mixing with water)• 700g (1.5 lb) sweet potato, peeled and grated• 1 tsp ground cumin• 1 tsp fennel seeds• 8g (0.2 oz) coriander leaves, roughly chopped• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed• ½ tsp salt• 70g (2.4 oz) flour• 3 tbsp sunflower oil (you might need a little more if you want more crispiness) To serve: • 1 cup…

Finding stylish, sustainable designer shoes had, until recently, not been so easy to do, but step no further, as I’ve chosen my top five shoe brands — all vegan, ethically made and tried-and-tested by myself during my own search for planet-friendly, luxury fashion. Beyond Skin Emmie Black Faux Leather Stiletto Mules £230, beyond-skin.com I’ve praised this brand many times for their luxury ethical designs so early on in the ethical fashion revolution — finding stunning cruelty-free shoes hadn’t been easy task, but Beyond most definitely paved the way. Established in 2001, Beyond Skin vegan shoes are at the forefront of vegan ethical fashion, luxurious trans-seasonal vegan women’s shoes, boots and trainers, standing apart in a world of fast fashion. All footwear is created with breathable faux leather and beautifully handmade…

Braeburn Apple, Chilli & Pea Spread On Sourdough Serves 2 Consuming an apple a day is one healthy portion towards our recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake of five-a-day, so add this fruity sandwich to your lunchbox. • 80g (2.8 oz) frozen peas• 150g (5.3 oz) Braeburn skin on apples, roughly diced• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus extra to drizzle on the toast)• 1 tsp paprika• ½ tsp dried chilli flakes• Pinch of salt and pepper• Sliced sourdough or rye bread 1 Blend the spread ingredients together in a food processor or bullet blender — you’ll be left with a rough textured spread. 2 Toast the bread and spread thick amounts over the slices, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Recipe by British Apples and Pears, britishapplesandpears.co.uk.…

Makes 2cups This pumped-up guacamole is for all of you garlic fans out there. It’s not only great for dipping into with chips, but also makes a wonderful spread on sandwiches or toast or dolloped on tacos. • 2 large ripe avocados, halved• 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice• 3 tbsp minced white onion• Scant ½ tsp fine-grain sea salt• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil• 4 cloves garlic, minced• 1 serrano chilli, seeded and chopped (optional)• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds or hemp seeds 1 Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Add the lemon juice, onion, and salt. Mash the avocados with a fork and spread across your serving bowl. 2 Place the olive oil, garlic, and chilli in a cold small pan or skillet. Turn the heat to…

Serves 4 In Vietnamese cuisine, banh mi is a sandwich made on a baguette that is perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The bread is the focal point of the sandwich, so we recommend picking up a loaf baked fresh the morning you plan to serve this Vegan Banh Mi Board. • 1 fresh French baguette• 60g (2.1oz) vegan mayo• 1 batch Banh Mi Pulled Jackfruit (see recipe)• 2 jalapeños, sliced into rounds• 1 batch Quick Pickled Carrots (see recipe)• ½ cucumber, sliced• ½ bunch coriander (cilantro) 1 Slice the baguette into four equal pieces. Then, cut each piece almost all the way in half lengthwise, leaving about. inch (1.3 cm) of the bread intact. Place the sandwich loaves on the board. 2 Spoon…

Makes 2 Recipe from Vegan and Easy by Bianca Zapatka (Lotus Publishing). 53 Believe it or not, Japan has a bit of a sandwich culture — although perhaps not quite the type you may be thinking of. These fun rice parcels make an alternative to a traditional sandwich. • 240g (8.4 oz) precooked sushi rice• 1 tbsp olive oil• 1 handful of kale• 1 tsp tamari• 2 nori sheets• 1 spring onion (scallion), green and all, chopped• Pickled ginger For the houmous: • 240g (8.4 oz) drained tinned chickpeas (garbanzos)• Juice of 1 lemon• 120ml (4 fl oz) light roast tahini (sesame paste)• 1 garlic clove• 30g (1 oz) black sesame seeds• 60ml (2 fl oz) water 1 Make sure you have cooked the sushi rice according to the packet…

Haircare Friendly Soap Lavender & Tea Tree Conditioner Bar Wash bad hair days away with this Friendly Conditioner Bar. Using a nourishing blend of cocoa butter and castor oil for amazing results. £4.95, friendlysoap.co.uk Cake Beauty The Curl Friend Defining Curl Cream Captivate your curls and enhance your natural definition. This savvy styler wraps each tendril in a veil of silky-moisture for glossy, defined, frizz-free curls. £8.99, boots.com Herbatint Permanent Hair Colour Gel Colour your hair the natural way, with Herbatint’s gorgeous gel, made with eight herbal extracts. £10, herbatint.co.uk Khali Min Rescue Oil A weightless oil that blends premium oils sourced from Egypt with active botanicals from around the world. It restores vibrancy to hair, nourishes; fights frizz and helps itchy scalps. £38, khalimin.com Noughty Haircare To The Rescue…

Serves 4 Radishes become slightly sweet and easier to digest when cooked. They’re a great side dish or topping for soup. Here they add great texture and flavour alongside this light and cleansing green soup. While the radishes roast, prepare the soup. Dosha Notes: Vata — Pair with a cooked whole grain. Pitta — Omit asafoetida. For the radishes: • 6-8 radishes (red or French breakfast), trimmed and quartered• 2 tbsp olive oil• Salt For the soup: • 2 tbsp olive oil• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped• ½ tsp ground coriander• ½ tsp asafoetida• 200g (7.7 oz) loosely packed greens (watercress, spinach, green chard)• 480-720ml (16-24 fl oz) cups hot water• 1 avocado, pitted• ½ cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley• ¾ tsp salt• Microgreens or pea shoots, for garnish…

Recipe from The Ayurveda Kitchen: Transform your kitchen into a sanctuary for health — with 80 perfectly balanced recipes by Anne Heigham (£20, published by Aster, octopusbooks.co.uk). Illustrated by Abi Read. Top Tip: Oat milk works well too as a nut-free milk and has lovely calming properties. Serves 1 Rose water is soothing and calming, especially at times when you feel as though you could do with extra emotional support. Nutmeg has sedative properties and is slightly heating, but its warming quality is counterbalanced by the rose. • 200ml (⅓ pint) almond milk• 2-3 drops of rose water or 1 tsp dried rose petals• Tiny pinch of ground or grated nutmeg 1 Put the milk into a small saucepan and warm gently over a low heat until you see steam…

The brain is the organ that is responsible for the whole functioning of the body through a series of feedback systems that we know as the nervous system. Specific brain functions include learning, memory and the ability to recall pieces of information, and it is these functions that can noticeably reduce when the brain is undernourished, stressed, exhausted or during age-related impairment. There are several nutrients to be aware of that are connected to brain function. These include, B vitamins, especially choline, vitamin B12 and folate, in addition to zinc, iodine, iron, vitamin D and omega-3 essential fatty acids in the form of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA, DHA). In a vegan diet, several of these nutrients are absent or may be at lower levels. The good news is, with…

Floozie, inspired by the rebellious 1920s, is an all-vegan ‘stuffed cookie’ concept knocking out plant-powered treats by ex-Claridge’s Pastry Chef, Kimberly Lin. Kimberly worked in some of London’s most acclaimed kitchens, but now the innovative chef is going it alone, and vegan. Utilising her pastry knowledge and professional training, Kimberley channelled her energy into creating the very best vegan cookies — stuffed for extra deliciousness. Floozie’s cookies are now available for delivery nationwide, as well as takeaway from their Covent Garden outpost in London. Currently, the stuffed cookies come in five indulgent core flavours, including cinnamon crunch, chocolate chunk, celebration cake, pecan pie and PB and J. There is also a sixth rotating seasonal option — so keep your eyes peeled for this season’s cookie! Visit flooziecookie.com…

HECK HECK’s new pea protein vegan mince is seasoned with tomato, salt, pepper and paprika to create the perfect Bolognese flavour. It’s high in fibre and protein and is soya and gluten-free. £3.50, heckfood.co.uk Future Farm Future Farm are trying to stop the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, and with products as delicious as their Plant Based Mince, we think they will succeed! £3.80, futurefoodgroup.nl Meatless Farm Meatless Farm’s Plant-Based Mince is a delicious vegan alternative to meat, packed full of taste and texture, with none of the bad stuff! £3, meatlessfarm.com…

Dear Vegan Life, I just wanted to let you know how wonderful it was to read in Issue 69 March 2021 about FGR and all the incredible work they have been doing within their community. It is fantastic to know that they are using their platform in such a positive and caring way. By offering great initiatives to local schools and free meals for children during their games, they are helping to shape a more positive future for the next generation. I was super impressed that their generosity in helping others didn't stop there! The fact that they phoned their ticket holders to help combat loneliness and all the work they did over Christmas, with meals for the homeless, is just incredible! It is so heart-warming to know that this…

Spick And Span Clean Living International The Complete Cleaning Kit Clean Living’s Complete Cleaning Kit provides everything needed to clean with conscience. It contains the vegan brand’s full range of environmentally-friendly biological cleaning products — all free from harmful toxins and animal cruelty. The Complete Cleaning Kit also comes in a hardy carry caddy that’s ideal for storing the products neatly. When purchased, bottles arrive empty to reduce carbon emissions. All you need do is simply pour the refill sachets into the correct bottles, top up with tap water and you’re ready to clean! £43.99, cleanlivingint.com Hummus Is Life Eat Real Sea Salt Organic Hummus Chips Crisps made from our favourite vegan food… Count us in! Eat Real’s Sea Salt Organic Hummus Chips are lightly flavoured and super tasty; they…

While I am over the moon that veganism is everywhere, and every supermarket is falling over themselves to show off their latest animal-free offering (come on with the biodegradable plastic already!), I, however, seem to just want to get back to basics. And I am not the only one. I am lucky enough to be sent fantastic vegan delights to review for my website VeggieVision TV and I must be choosy, as everything we have tried out food-wise has been delicious. However, some products I have picked up have been a little disappointing, to say the least, and some I feel would put sadly people off vegan options! And the more vegan fake ‘meats’ I see makes me just want steamed vegetables, chickpeas, and a little miso soup! Now, I…

Serves 1 Acai is a berry which is native to Central and South America. Some studies have shown that this tiny berry is a powerhouse of antioxidants making it a perfect addition to any breakfast. • 80g (2.8 oz) rolled oats• 240ml (8.4 floz) oat milk• 1 tsp maple syrup• ½ tsp açai powder• ¼ tsp vanilla extract 1 Mix all ingredients together in a jar or bowl. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. 2 Remove from the fridge in the morning, stir, and enjoy!…

Serves 6 A plate of steaming savoury Poha with a dash of lemon juice and a hot drink is a balanced and nutritious breakfast, or even a light treat between meals when one feels peckish. Poha is cooked in many different ways and with a range of vegetables, nuts and even lentils added in the central states of India. • 300g (10.5 oz) poha (rice flakes, medium)• 100g (3.5 oz) raw peanuts preferably red skinned (in the case of an allergy, you can substitute equal amounts of potato)• 120g (4.2 oz) fresh or frozen coconut, shredded• 1 tbsp fresh lemon/lime juice• 4 tbsp sunflower oil• 1 tsp black mustard seeds• ½ tsp asafoetida • 10 green curry leaves• 3 medium size onions, thinly sliced• 1 carrot, diced small• 2 potatoes,…

Serves 3 Traditionally, a Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef, but our version uses mushrooms in a spice mix to replace the taste and texture of the meat. For the pickled red cabbage: • 240ml (8.1 fl oz) white wine vinegar• 2 tbsp caster sugar• 100g (3.5 oz) red cabbage, shredded For the Russian dressing: • 2 tbsp soya milk• 60ml (2 fl oz) olive oil• 1 tsp cider vinegar• 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce• 1 tsp smoked paprika• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup• 1 tsp cayenne pepper For the mushrooms: • 4 large flat mushrooms, sliced• ½ tsp smoked paprika• ½ tsp mustard powder• ½ tsp thyme• ½ tsp garlic salt• 1 tsp olive oil For the sandwich: • 6 slices rye bread• 1 tbsp dairy-free butter• 3 slices…

Serves 1 This fresh veggie sandwich is filled with creamy houmous and crisp vegetables, layered between two fluffy slices of sourdough bread. There are so many delicious options for lunches these days but sometimes you can’t beat the classics! • 2 slices of vegan sourdough bread• Fresh lettuce or dark leafy greens• Heirloom tomato• Cucumber• Radishes• Houmous 1 Wash and slice your produce. 2 Spread the houmous on the sourdough bread and pile your fresh veggies on top.…

Serves 4 • 1 (560g/20 oz) can jackfruit in water or brine, drained and rinsed• 60ml (2 fl oz) low-sodium soy sauce• 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup• 1-2 tsp chili garlic sauce• 1 tbsp (15ml) lime juice• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil• ½ yellow onion, diced 1 Cut away the tough inner core from each piece of jackfruit (the part at the pointed end) and discard. Place the fleshy part of the jackfruit in a bowl and use clean hands or two forks to pull the pieces apart. 2 Rinse the jackfruit again, then squeeze out as much water as possible. Set aside. 3 Combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, and lime juice in a small bowl. 4 Heat the toasted sesame oil in a large skillet…

There are a lot of haircare brands, and more and more beautiful vegan companies emerging by the month. But with the amount of waste and damage done to our planet, don’t you think that these brands should try to do more? More for the environment and more for correcting the harm already done to the Earth. Afterall, even vegan companies can and do impact nature. Enter: R+Co Bleu — they are a new haircare brand that’s going that extra mile. We catch up with representative of R+Co Bleu, founder and CEO of Luxury Brand Partners, Tev Finger, to find out more. Tell us about R+Co Bleu. R+Co BLEU launched at the end of 2020. It is the couture collection from R+Co and is designed for the customer that doesn’t want…

Serves 4 The scoffin lies somewhere between a muffin and a scone, and it provides the perfect portable lunch. The liberal addition of olive oil helps to counter-balance the astringent and drying nature of lentils. The rosemary and thyme give the scoffins a delicious flavour, and also help to enhance digestive functioning and prevent the production of excessive gas due to lentil consumption. • 150g (5. oz) spelt flour• 2 tsp baking powder• 2 tbsp olive oil• 80ml (2. fl oz) water• 50g (1. oz) Puy or green lentils, soaked for at least 4 hours, then cooked until soft• ½ courgette, grated• 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme• Pinch of paprika• Unrefined salt and black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 200oC/400oF/Gas 6. Line a muffin…

Serves 4-6 Instead of your basic mixed greens, this chopped summer salad uses shaved fennel bulb and seeds for an added crunch. All parts of the fennel plant — seeds, bulb and frond — are supportive for pitta. The fennel and fresh herbs in this recipe are slightly sweet and cooling. Dosha notes: Vata — Skip if digestive fire is weak. For the salad: • 60g (2.1 oz) fresh greens (arugula, spinach, mesclun)• 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed, quartered and shaved thinly• 5g (0.1 oz) chopped basil• 6g (0.2 oz) cup chopped parsley• 60g (2.1 oz) pumpkin seeds• 40g (1.4 oz) hemp seeds For the vinaigrette: • 60ml (2 fl oz) olive oil• 60ml (2 fl oz) flax oil• 60ml (2 fl oz) lemon juice• 1 tbsp maple syrup• 2 tbsp…

Makes a small jar This is one of our go-to recipes for enkindling digestive fire and aiding digestion. It’s a super easy chutney that only takes a few minutes to make and can be drunk or eaten off the spoon 15-30 minutes before meals to get digestive juices flowing, if you are struggling with digestion. • 1 palm of fresh ginger root (grated) • 1 tbsp agave, maple or date syrup • ½ lemon juiced • ½ tsp rock or sea salt • ½ tsp black cracked pepper 1 Wash and grate the palm of ginger into a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of sweetener, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight jar in the fridge. That’s it! 2 15-30 minutes before meals take ½…

If you look in any textbook for a description of Ayurveda you will undoubtedly come across its meaning ‘the science of life’, Ayus meaning life, and Veda meaning Science, it is an ancient holistic medical system from India with scriptures dating back 5,000 years and an oral tradition even longer. Ayurveda bases its philosophy on the creation of nature and uses these principles as a blueprint for healthy living, so you can say that wherever there is life, Ayurveda exists. Although life has changed dramatically in 5,000 years Ayurveda continues to evolve with it making it a timeless practice for health and wellbeing. Using Ayurveda as a lens you can gain deep insight and connection to your unique nature, how you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually as an individual through…

Vegan Scallops with Coastal Wild Herbs Serves 2-3 This dish is reminiscent of foraging for alexanders, samphire, rock samphire and sea purslane — these wild coastal herbs don’t get enough credit; they can really enhance your repertoire of recipe offerings. King oyster mushrooms are used here as a substitute for the shellfish, with seaweed for the umami flavour. • 250g (8.8 oz) king oyster mushrooms• 150ml (5 fl oz) white wine• 300ml (10.1 fl oz) vegetable stock• 3 tbsp olive oil• ½ tsp alexanders (seeds)• ½ tsp rock samphire (seeds)• 1tbsp tapioca flour• Small bunch of sea purslane• Small bunch of samphire• 1 tbsp seaweed (We used egg wrack, ground)• Rice or potatoes, to serve 1 Cut the king oyster mushrooms in strips. Take each strip and then criss-cross with…

Makes 4-6 cakes A delicious and flavoursome alternative to crab cakes — just without the cruelty! Nori packs a real sea-punch here. • 1 tin artichokes in brine (if you cannot find them, use the 1 jar artichokes in oil)• 1 large floury potato, cooked and mashed• 2 tbsp capers, finely chopped• 2-3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped finely• ½ sheet nori, soaked in hot water• 1 tsp soy sauce• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice• 1 tbsp powdered nori (blitz remaining half of nori, coffee grinder works the best!)• Panko breadcrumbs-optional (omit these to keep recipe gluten-free)• Salt• Pepper• Lemon mayo or tartare sauce, to serve 1 Chop artichokes into small pieces, add mashed potatoes, and combine roughly. Squeeze excess water from the nori and chop very finely, add to…

I don’t know whether it’s lockdown, modern technology, too many hours lost scrolling on my Instagram feed, but I hear community and my mind goes to the online kind. That’s where I know @nutriyourself from, Instagram, my online community, known in the real world community as Agnieszka Dopichaj (nutriyourself.co.uk). She is a nutritional chef whose culinary skills extend to making granola for her plant-based son and his friends to support their exercise regimes. Agnieszka finds many brands can lack flavour and wanted to be sure that the boys were getting tasty granola with good amounts of protein and fats. It then happened that the father of a friend of her son’s had turned his pub, The Red Lion, in Ealing in West London, into a community store following the first…

Popular plant-based brand (likeMeat.com) are expanding further in the UK with the launch of their Like Mini Drumsticks in Tesco. "We’re really excited to be bringing our newest LikeMeat product — Like Breaded Mini Drumsticks — to Tesco and its customers," says Domencio Speciale, general manager at LIVEKINDLY Collective UK, partnered with LikeMeat. Like Mini Drumsticks are easy to cook — just fry or bake and serve with a side of salad, or perfect with chips and dips in front of the TV! "LikeMeat continues to inspire, with exciting new product concepts to fulfil every occasion. These succulent mini drumsticks offer all the taste of your favourite chicken-based snacks but are 100 per cent plant-based and gluten-free, too," adds Speciale.…

Just Eat Natural (JEN) Just Eat Natural, also known as JEN, is a vibrant and delicious vegan catering business based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. JEN serves an array of fresh cold-pressed fruit and veg juices, smoothies, wraps, salads, raw and cooked snacks, dishes and meals, and raw freefrom desserts. In 2014, after over 23 years working for a voluntary organisation as a legal advisor, JEN’s founder, Jenny Sebastian, was made redundant. Jenny was unsure of what she was going to do, only knowing that she didn’t want to work for another employer and needed a change. JEN came about after years of frustration — whenever Jenny was away from home, she could never find something she liked to eat. This fact frustrated Jenny, and others looking for vegan options shared her…

Next Month’s Star Letter Prize Send your poems or letters to Gemma.Tadman@primeimpact.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning deliciously zingy goodies from Vadasz, worth ?50. The exciting plant-based bundle from the pickle gurus will include a pot of each of the Vadasz products, including its original Kimchi, Super Green Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Pickles and Red Onion — the prize will also include a beautiful Chilly’s water bottle, to make sure that you never need to buy plastic water bottles again! For more info, visit vadaszdeli.co.uk…

Chinese Omelette Serves 1 A quick and easy breakfast option that will help to set you up for the day ahead. For the Chinese Omelette filling: • 2 tbsp olive oil• 2 garlic cloves, chopped• ¼ head of Chinese leaves (stem lettuce), thinly sliced• 1 carrot, grated• 1 tbsp medium-heat tamari• 1 tbsp sesame seeds• 1 tsp sesame oil• 1 spring onion (scallion), green and all, thinly sliced For the omelette: • 60g (3 oz) chickpea (gram) flour• ⅛ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar• 125ml (4 oz) water For the topping: • Chilli sauce or sriracha (optional) 1 Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the garlic, cabbage and carrots and fry for 5-10 minutes until nice and soft. Add the tamari, sesame…

Serves 4 This is a traditional Czech breakfast recipe made vegan! It’s kind of an omelette, and full of fibre, protein, selenium, and potassium among many other vitamins and nutrients. • 500g (1.1 lb) forest (wild) mushrooms• 1 red onion• 1 white onion• 150g (5.3 oz) yellow pea flour• 225ml (7.6 fl oz) unsweetened soya milk• 1 tsp black Himalayan salt• 40ml (1.3 fl oz) vegetable oil• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt• 1 tsp pepper• Parsley and dill 1 Wash and drain the mushrooms thoroughly. 2 Cut the mushrooms into large slices and dice the onions. 3 Mix the yellow pea flour with the black salt and the soya milk. Stir the mixture well until smooth. 4 Saute the onions in a pan and add the mushrooms, salt and pepper…

If your lockdowns and lengthy periods of isolation have been anything like mine, you have probably spent more time than usual in the kitchen discovering new culinary skills and revisiting old recipes that haven’t been utilised for a while. Even though the 2020/21 pandemic came at a time in history when we enjoy more vegan food choices in shops and stores than ever before, we just haven’t been able to access them as easily as we would like. Restaurants with menus overflowing with plant-based options opened briefly but mostly we have been left to our own devices when it comes to throwing together a special vegan meal. Dining out has been a rare treat during this past year and a half, meaning we have been pushed to become more self-sufficient…

Eco-friendly fashion Looking to replace that old bikini top that is just too worn? Is your favourite T-shirt beyond patching up? Perhaps the hole in your trusty backpack is simply too big to be mended? It’s important to repair and recycle the items in our wardrobe whenever we can, but when we can’t, we must try to buy from eco-friendly and ethical clothing brands. Here, we round up some of the best around! Global WakeUp Brown WAKEbag Backpack This rucksack — made from paper (!) — is practical, waterproof, washable and is the perfect size for a small laptop, water bottle, coffee cup and lunch. £35, globalwakecup.com Frida Rome The WEEK/END Crossbody Bag The WEEK/END crossbody can be worn three ways; as a crossbody, over the shoulder or as a…

Makes 500g Freshly made pesto is the perfect sandwich filling. Spread this hemp-boosted pesto thickly onto two slices of wholemeal or sourdough bread, top with some salad leaves and tomatoes and, voila! A delicious and nutritious lunch. • 60g (2.1oz) pine nuts• 200g (7oz) fresh basil leaves• 100g (3.5oz) fresh parsley leaves• 2 cloves garlic• 60ml (2 fl oz) of hemp seed oil• 60ml (2 fl oz) of extra virgin olive oil• 50g (1.7 oz) nutritional yeast flakes• 1 lemon (juice) 1 Toast pine nuts in a pan on med-low heat until golden brown. 2 Put all ingredients, except pine nuts, in a food processor. Season well and blend until almost smooth. 3 Add pine nuts and pulse in until desired texture. Store the finished pesto in an airtight container…

Serves 2 Choose from your favourite recipes below, or experiment with your own toppings for delicious open sandwiches. For the rocket and tomato sandwich: • 4 Violife Smoky Cheddar flavour slices• 2 slices of rye bread• 1 tomato, cubed• A handful of rocket leaves• 1 tsp paprika• 5 olives, sliced For the chickpea sandwich: • 4 Violife Smoky Cheddar flavour slices• 2 slices of rye bread• 2 tbsp guacamole or smashed avocado• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved• ¼ cucumber, sliced• 2 tbsp canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed For the avocado sandwich: • 4 Violife Smoky Cheddar flavour slices• 2 slices of rye bread• ½ avocado, sliced• 1 green onion, thinly sliced• 2 tbsp pickled onion, sliced• 2 radishes, finely sliced 1 To make the open sandwiches choose your favourite toppings, top…

Serves 4 • 2 tbsp (25g) sugar• 180ml (6 fl oz) rice vinegar• 120ml (4 fl oz) hot water• ¼ tsp salt• 225g (8 oz) carrots, peeled and julienned, or red onions, thinly sliced• 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 1 Combine the sugar, rice vinegar, hot water, and salt in a quart-sized jar and secure the lid. Shake vigorously until the sugar and salt dissolve. 2 Add the carrots or onions and sliced ginger to the jar and gently press down with a spoon to submerge the carrots or onions and ginger in the pickling liquid. Secure the lid and allow the mixture to come to room temperature before transferring the jar to the fridge. 3 The flavour of these quick pickled vegetables will improve…

Skincare Yours Naturally Naturally Yours Ltd. Enhanced collagen booster A powerful age-defying serum that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars, blemishes, cellulite, hyper-pigmentation and dark circles. £16.99, ynny.co.uk FRUU Original Coffee Scrub This gorgeous-smelling skin scrub contains nourishing organic coconut oil, watermelon seed oil and mango butter. £11.99, fruuurskin.com Ishga Hebridean Marine Face Toner Refreshing, uplifting and bursting with powerful skin antioxidants, this toner is a real treat for tired and stressed-out skin. £26, ishga.com Honesty Cosmetics Rose Shea Butter Cream A luxurious moisturiser to nourish the whole body, containing shea and olive butters, and scented with the precious essential oil of rose absolute. £18.95, honestycosmetics.co.uk WILD Refillable Deodorant WILD is a fantastic all-natural, refillable deodorant brand, and even better, it’s plastic-free! To get 20% off use…

Almond, Saffron & Rose Lassi Serves 2 This simple and nourishing drink is great for a light breakfast in warmer months if you are not super hungry, or a power-up if you need energy in between meals. It also increases Ojas — the essence of vitality and immunity. • 150g (5.3 oz) almonds (soaked for 8 hours and skins peeled)• 500ml (17 fl oz) filtered water• 1 large or two small dates (pitted)• Pinch of rock or sea salt• 1 cardamom pod or ¼ tsp cardamom powder• 1 tsp of rose petals or ½ tsp rose water• Pinch of saffron 1 To make the activated nut milk, put the cup of whole almonds in a bowl and cover with filtered water. Soak for 8 hours or overnight, strain and peel…

Serves 4 The versatile mung bean is the feature of this dish. When cooked down with molasses and spices, mung beans have a rich taste and texture that stands up to your standard taco filling. Try this with a chapati as a tortilla for this Ayurveda-inspired spring taco. Dosha notes: Vata — Enjoy with extra avocado. Kapha — Serve with corn tortillas instead of chapati. For the mung beans: • 200g (7.7 oz) whole mung beans, soaked overnight• 2 tbsp olive oil• 2 tbsp coriander seeds• 1 tbsp cumin seeds• 1 tsp fennel seeds• 1 tsp ground fenugreek• 1 tbsp finely minced or grated fresh ginger• ¼ tsp asafoetida• 2 tbsp molasses• 960ml (1.6 pints) water• 1 tsp salt For the veggies and greens: • 1 tbsp olive oil• 6…