Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2022 i Vegan Life

Hello, And welcome to another full-to-the-brim issue of Vegan Life. Can you believe that we are about to step into spring? It seems like only yesterday we were waking up to frosty Veganuary mornings! Sunday 20th March marks the Spring Equinox, ushering in longer days and (hopefully) warmer temperatures. I’ve already seen bluebells and daffodils peeking through the soil — a sight I have been longing for all winter. Spring is the perfect time to give your home a thorough once-over, but did you know that not all cleaning products are vegan? Plus, many are super harmful to the environment and wildlife. Our spring-cleaning feature this month will teach you all you need to know about cruelty-free and eco cleaning; what non-vegan ingredients to look out for and how to…

@mao_chow mao-chow.com Where: 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GY When: Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 10pm One of the few all-vegan Chinese spots in London, Mao Chow Express’s approach to bold flavours, hits of spice and carefully balanced textures will have you drooling in seconds. Mao Chow Express, located at London’s Boxpark, is the second venue within the Mao Chow portfolio, this time focussing on Chinese takeaway classics teaming with 90s nostalgia. The sensational food means that even the most dedicated of carnivores won’t notice what makes Mao Chow truly special, until you point it out. All housed in a modern food court setting, Mao Chow Express sits within a unit in which you need sunglasses to enter — you’ll find clashes of yellow, pink and chequered floor tiles,…

Love veganism? Want to get published? Have an exciting story to tell? You’re in luck — we want to help you to spread the vegan word, whilst simultaneously getting your own voice heard. Since our launch back in 2014, Vegan Life magazine has become the UK’s favourite vegan monthly. We were the nation’s first newsstand vegan title, covering more than a meat and dairy-free diet; our pages encompass everything from food, health and nutrition through to sustainable fashion, beauty, art, environmentalism and activism. As five-time winner of Vegfest Best Vegan Magazine, our readership now spans much of the world, from America to Australia, and most countries in between. This global audience extends from ‘old school’ vegans who came before the shops stocked oat milk, to newbie vegans just starting out…

UK entries only. Send your emails, letters and poems to Gemma.Tadman@primeimpact.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning a gorgeous Sisal Country Boucle Poppy Field With Birch Border (2.19m x 1.04m) rug from Sisal and Seagrass. Sisal and Seagrass are specialists in creating beautiful natural floor coverings and rugs. Their stylish floors make it easy to combine design with ethical purchase principles. The brand prides themselves on providing premium products, customer service and an ongoing commitment to the planet with their Plant A Tree pledge with the World Land Trust. All their products come from sustainable resources and are completely natural. Even their labels and printing are made from recycled paper, and they only use vegetable dyes. Find out more at sisalandseagrass.co.uk…

Feline Fantastic Hannah Turner Handmade Ceramic Cat Spoons, Box of Four Are you an animal-lover on the look out for some quirky tableware? Is your best friend crazy on cats? Whether these handmade spoons are a gift for a loved one or for yourself, they are sure to cause a stir. £33, hannahturner.co.uk Spoonful Of Heaven Oppo Brothers Vegan Double Salted Caramel Swirl Lower Calorie Ice Cream Tub Who says you can’t indulge at the same time as keeping a check on your health? This divine, dairy-free ice cream has lashings of caramel set in creamy coconut ice cream, but comes in at only 165 calories per half a tub! So, grab a spoon and enjoy without feeling guilty. £4.50, oppobrothers.com Positive Brew Sanctuary Coffee Sanctuary Blend Save animals with…

Since going vegan 25 years ago, I have avoided wearing animal products and I have never had a problem. However, drilling deeper into the issue… was the glue vegan on everything I bought? Were the dyes vegan? How far down the rabbit hole do we venture? Luckily, these issues are fading into the distance as the hard work is being sorted for us with fantastic entrepreneurs who have researched and found vegan-friendly solutions. Like many of us, I love shoes and handbags, and they can be statement pieces that say, ‘look at me!’ like those from Vendula London or the more subtle VEGAN Happy Clothing designs, intended to spark a conversation. M&S now label their vegan footwear — a fantastic move forward and, of course, you must have read my…

Serves 1-2 So fast, easy and delicious! Silken tofu is super healthy, full of protein and other goodies as well as making a very creamy scramble. We give you the basic recipe, which is great in itself but feel free to improvise; see our optional extras suggestions in the ingredients section. • 1 tsp vegetable oil• 1 clove garlic (peeled and crushed) OR ½-1 tsp garlic purée• ½ packet of firm silken tofu (approx. 175g/6oz) or firm tofu• 1 tsp tahini• 1 tbsp tamari (gluten-free) or shoyu• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes• ½ tsp turmeric Optional extras: • Sliced avocado, sliced tomato, lightly cooked cherry tomatoes, super sprouts, chopped peppers or chilli, rocket or kale 1 Gently fry the garlic in the oil for about 30 seconds until lightly golden.…

Serves 4-6 This is a great healthy snack to make for a few days ahead, especially if you are meal prepping. The Dijon, vegan honey, sesame oil and soy sauce give a rich taste to the vegetable and will definitely surprise anyone that is sceptical towards carrot chips or ‘bacon’. If you want to make this extra authentic use a small amount of liquid smoke (a substitute for cooking with wood smoke). It is quite concentrated so ½ teaspoon will be enough to add to the mix before baking. • 3-4 carrots, sliced into thin strips• 1 tbsp sesame oil• 1 tbsp vegan honey• 2 tsp soy sauce• 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside. 2…

Ethique Bliss Bar This zero-waste, plastic-free cleansing bar is gentle, creamy and super effective at washing away your make up. £14, ethique.co.uk Beauty Kube Bath Kube in ‘Refresh’ Soothe your cares away with a palm oil-free and vegan bath bomb. £5.95, peacewiththewild.co.uk Inika Organic Daily Renewal Skincare Set Containing a powerful cleanser, day cream, night cream and serum, this is the ultimate skincare set for daily skin nourishment. £11, uk.inikaorganic.com Miaroma Lavender Blended Essential Oil, 10ml A relaxing blend of lavender oil for a peaceful and calming experience that leaves your body relaxed and mind soothed. £5.50, hollandandbarrett.com Georganics Toothpaste Powder in English Peppermint Naturally stain-removing and whitening, this toothpaste powder is vegan and environmentally-friendly. £6.90, uk.georganics.com Wild Sage and Co Lemongrass and Teatree Shaving Soap Plastic-free shaving has never…

Makes 1 loaf Perfect for beginners, this no-knead bread is made with just four ingredients. • 360ml (12.1fl oz) warm water• 7g fast action dried yeast• 500g (1.1 lb) Carr’s Strong White Flour• 7g salt 1 In a large food box with lid, pour in the water and dried yeast. Stir until dissolved. 2 Add the flour and salt then mix well, using your hand with a claw action to combine all the ingredients. 3 Put the lid over, but don’t close completely. Leave for around 2 hours (or until it’s doubled in size) in a warm place. 4 Put the lid firmly on and place in fridge overnight. 5 When ready to bake, take out the dough and tip onto a lightly floured work surface. Fold the dough over…

Makes 540g/1lb 3oz A gluten-free flour mix for making tasty bread inspired by traditional Irish soda bread. • 210g (7.4oz) brown rice flour• 140g (4.9oz) buckwheat flour• 70g (2.4oz) white rice flour• 40g (1.4oz) oat flour• 40g (1.4oz) potato starch/flour• 40g (1.4oz) tapioca flour Mix all the flours together and store in an airtight container. Recipe from Happy Vegan Food by Bettina Campolucci Bordi (reprinted with publisher permission, Hardie Grant, £15). Photography© Nassima Rothacker.…

Makes 5 Full of delicious seeds and sweet agave nectar, these bread rolls are a real treat. • 500g (1.1lb) Wessex Mill Six Seed bread flour• 10g (0.3oz) salt• 7g yeast• 20g (0.6oz) agave nectar• 280ml (9.4fl oz) water 1 Add all the ingredients into a bowl ensuring the yeast and salt are not placed on top of each other. Mix the dough until smooth. If you have a bread machine you could add all the ingredients into the pan and then use a dough setting to make and prove your dough. If you do have a bread machine skip to stage 3 of this recipe. 2 Turn the dough onto your kitchen surface and fold four times. Place in a bowl and cover with a wet tea towel or…

Make up and hair products can do wonders for our creativity, confidence and self-expression, but even in this day and age — in the (what feels like futuristic) year of 2022 — many beauty tools are still produced by companies that use animal testing somewhere along the line. To learn more about the archaic practice, we hear from Michelle Thew, chief executive of the world’s leading anti-animal testing organisation, Cruelty Free International. What is the importance of cruelty-free beauty and personal care products? “We know many people are looking to make more ethical choices when it comes to purchasing. They want brands with strong ethical credentials and that includes a commitment to ending animal testing. In fact, a 2020 global survey by management consultancy firm Accenture found that consumers ‘have…

Sometimes, simple is best: accessible, clean ingredients with minimal processing. One way that you can know for sure what goes into your make up, is to make it yourself! So, jump on the eco beauty wagon and try creating these easy homemade make up ideas. Eyeshadow Make your own all-natural eyeshadow by mixing a base of ¼-½ tsp arrowroot powder with different coloured spices, herbs and dried ingredients until you get the desired colour. The more arrowroot powder you use, the lighter the eyeshadow will be. To finish, mix in ¼-½ tsp shea butter. Make sure to mix or ‘cream’ it in thoroughly so that you get a soft, silky powder. Play around with different spices to discover new colours (just stay away from chilli powders!). Store in a clean…

This recipe is such a lovely pick-me-up to have mid-afternoon or as a snack to have with drinks. Za’atar is a herby Middle Eastern spice blend of sesame seeds and usually oregano, thyme and sumac with salt. • 100g (3.5oz) strawberries, hulled and chopped• 150g (5.3oz) mixed nuts e.g. pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews• 25g (0.8oz) mixed seeds e.g. sunflower, pumpkin• 1 tsp olive, rapeseed or sunflower oil• 2 tsp za’atar 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/Gas 6 and line a baking tray with parchment. Spread the strawberries out into a single layer and bake for 15 mins until slightly dehydrated. Set aside to cool. 2 Spread the nuts and seeds in a single layer on another tray, drizzle with the oil and roast for 5 minutes. Remove from…

Serves 2 This delicious meal provides a hit of vitamin A from the squash plus a whole load of antioxidants making it great for your skin and hair. • 200ml (6.7fl oz) tamari• 200ml (6.7fl oz) sesame oil• 4 tbsp vegan honey or maple syrup• Zest and juice of 1 lime• 10g (0.5oz) fresh ginger, grated• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• Small bunch of basil, leaves picked• 2 wedges of Crown Prince or onion squash (approx. 300g/10.5oz each), seeds removed For the wild rice salad: • 100g (3.5oz) wild rice, sprouted• 100g (3.5oz) red cabbage, very finely sliced• 50g (1.7oz) mustard leaves or any dark peppery leaf 1 Preheat the oven to 170°C fan/190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Line a baking tray with baking paper. 2 Make the marinade by placing all the ingredients,…

Serves 4-6 Dates contain a good amount of vitamins C and D; these particular vitamins help to maintain your skin’s elasticity, among many other benefits. • 2 cauliflower heads, cut into florets• 75ml (2.5fl oz) rapeseed oil• Salt and black pepper For the dressing: • 75ml (2.5fl oz) rapeseed oil• 4 tbsp The Groovy Food Company Organic Date syrup• ½ tsp ground cinnamon• ½ lemon, juiced• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped• Salt and black pepper For the salad: • 150g (5.3oz) dates, pitted and cut into quarters• 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced• A handful of mixed salad leaves• 2 tbsp chopped dill• 2 tbsp chopped parsley• 2 tbsp chopped coriander• 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds• Salt and black pepper• Mixed toasted nuts or seeds, to…

S’mores Rice Krispie Treats Makes 9-18 squares A mashup of s’mores and rice krispie treats takes plain-Jane rice krispie cakes to a whole new level. It’s the perfect marriage of your favourite childhood and summertime delights. • 170g (6oz) salted vegan butter• 454g (16oz) bag mini vegan marshmallows, divided• 140g (4.9oz) vegan-friendly puffed rice cereal• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 50g (1.8oz) semisweet vegan chocolate chips• 35g (1.2oz) vegan graham cracker pieces (crumbs and small pieces), plus 1 whole cracker for topping• 1 (125g/4.4oz) vegan chocolate bar 1 Spray an 8 x 8-inch (20 x 20-cm) pan with nonstick spray and/or line it with parchment paper. Measure all your ingredients before you begin so you don’t leave the melted marshmallows unattended while you’re grabbing ingredients later. 2 In a large nonstick pot…

Serves 6 Cherry and chocolate, what better combination is there? These make a quick and simple dessert for any dinner party. • 100g (3.5oz) dairy-free dark chocolate• 4 tbsp maple syrup• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract• 5 tbsp almond milk or coconut milk drink• 2½ tbsp cocoa, sieved• 2 large ripe avocados, flesh scooped out• 1 jar Opies Black Cherries with Luxardo® Kirsch, syrup reserved (keep some cherries back too for decoration) To serve: • Reserved cherries• Dairy-free dark chocolate, grated 1 Set aside 25g (0.7oz) of chocolate for decoration and break the rest into squares. Melt in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (not boiling). Make sure the base doesn’t touch the water. 2 Stir in the maple syrup, vanilla, almond or coconut…

Makes about 12 These chewy and chocolatey cookies are a great dessert to have on-hand. They get their wonderful texture from coconut oil, have just the right amount of sweetness, and use protein-rich chickpea flour. • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds• 120ml (4oz) gently melted coconut oil• 100g (3.5oz) coconut sugar or soft light brown sugar• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 185g (6.5oz) chickpea flour• 1 tsp baking powder• ¼ tsp salt• 50g (1.7oz) dark vegan chocolate chips or roughly chopped chocolate• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top (optional) 1 Combine the ground chia seeds with 6 tablespoons of water in a large bowl and whisk to combine; this should form a gel-like consistency. Add the melted coconut oil to the bowl with the chia seeds, along with the sugar…

This month’s founder: Damian Eadie VeggiePets.com Hampshire, UK My vegan story I’ve been vegan for over 20 years now. I originally became veggie at 14 years old back in the 1980s, when I was walking home from school over a footbridge and a truck from a slaughterhouse passed under me. What I saw was enough to put me off meat for dinner that night, then the next night and it turned out, forever! Early inspiration I had a very varied career, training as a primary school teacher, college lecturer in art and design, before becoming a web designer, specialising in building online stores. Eventually, I thought I’d prefer having my own online store to solve a problem for vegans and started VeggiePets.com in 2003. “Take good advice from people with…

Vegan events for your diary Saturday 5th March Masterclass in Vegan Southern Indian Cooking Made in Hackney Community Cookery School, London, E5 9AA Book online from £125  billetto.co.uk Saturday 12th March Glasgow Vegan Festival Hampden Park, Glasgow, G42 9BA Entry from £5, under 16s free  veganeventsuk.co.uk Sunday 13th March Cirencester Vegan Market 34A Market Place, Cirencester, GL7 2NW Free entry  veganfairs.co.uk Wednesday 16th March Vegan and Vegetarian Speed Dating The Frog Hoxton, London, N1 6PD Tickets £22.15  eventbrite.co.uk 1 in 4 Brits have reduced the amount of animal products they consume since the start of the COVID-19 pandemicSource: vegansociety.com…

Seafern Candles is a luxury plant-based candle and wax melt start-up, based in Dunfermline, Fife. Hand-poured, clean burning and made from only natural plant-based ingredients, the candles and wax melts are available in beautiful and unique fragrances. Just over two years ago, Gail McCathie, Seafern Candles founder, started making candles as a hobby. Now, her products are being sold by multiple stockists throughout the UK. Gail tells Vegan Life: “I began my candle business as a hobby, as I have a passion for candles. I made them for friends and neighbours, but people started to come back for more. I researched and tested my products for a year and a half before I started selling. I have twin girls, who were a great help — they started up my website…

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 Is electricity vegan? It can be, but often it isn’t. In the UK, electricity can be generated by burning fossil fuels, through nuclear reaction, or from renewable resources. With the climate crisis already upon us, burning fossil fuels is just plain reckless, and nuclear is also problematic, not least because of the waste that stays radioactive for tens of thousands of years. Renewable is the safest and most sustainable option, but not all renewable energy comes from the sun, sea and wind. Another form is via anaerobic digestion, and increasingly factory farms are…

Mega Brunch Bowl Serves 2 Smoky sweet potato sausages, juicy cherry tomatoes and filling chickpeas make this brunch bowl the perfect comfort food on a lazy Sunday. • 4x Gosh! Smoky Sweet Potato Sausages• 8 cherry tomatoes• ½ tbsp olive oil• ½ medium brown onion, diced• 1 clove garlic, crushed• 100g (3.5oz) mushrooms, sliced• ⅔ tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed• 2 tsp smoked paprika• Salt and pepper, to taste• Handful of spinach• 1 avocado, sliced• 2 slices sourdough bread (optional) 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan oven)/350°F/Gas 4. 2 Place the sausages and tomatoes on a lined baking tray and cook in the oven for 12-15 minutes. 3 Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic for a few minutes. 4 Add the mushrooms and…

Serves 2-4 Jazz up your cooked breakfasts this month with the addition of some avocado and black bean mash and some wild mushrooms. • 200g (7oz) mixed small peppers• 3 tbsp olive oil for drizzling For the tomato and tamarind ketchup: • 1 banana shallot, finely chopped• 40g (1.4oz) fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated• 2 tbsp tamarind paste (available from large supermarkets)• 400g (14oz) tin chopped tomatoes• 1 tsp of palm sugar For the avocado and black bean mash: • 1 large ripe avocado, mashed• 200g (7oz) black beans, crushed slightly• Squeeze of lemon• ½ clove garlic, crushed• 1 tsp cumin, ground• 200g (7oz) wild mushrooms, brushed clean and roughly chopped• 200g (7oz) spinach, washed and roughly chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Place the peppers on…

Last December, I was kindly gifted an organic fruit and vegetable Christmas box from Organibox (organibox.org), although in the interest of full disclosure, I ate the produce before Christmas! The box was filled with clementines, red cabbage, garlic, lemons, limes, potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, onions and kale. The fruit and veg arrived in paper bags, in a cardboard box, and I even received a mesh bag from sustainable, plastic-free, zero-waste, eco-friendly store Green Island (greenislandco.com). The day it arrived, I ate a couple of the clementines, chopped carrots to eat with houmous, and used onion and garlic to make a mung bean dal. Winter fruit and veg is not just for Christmas, and Christmas boxes are not the only kind that Organibox offer. You can buy juicing boxes, office…

Hi, Charlotte! Why was the brand first founded? Skin Proud was launched in the spring of 2020, the same month that the global lockdown began. We were already developing the brand, but we saw the intense consumer demand for easy-to-use, vegan and cruelty-free skincare. We are familiar with Gen Z consumers through our other make up brand — Lottie London. So, we’ve noticed that our amazingly creative community would often ask us about skincare. But a true realisation came while noticing my daughter’s increasing interest in taking care of her skin as a long-lasting solution. She would easily choose a new make up item she’s seen on social media but spend hours trying to understand when and what items are required for her skin and the high price tag attached…

Maple, Fig & Pecan Bread Serves 4-6 This bread is delicious served fresh from the oven, spread with some vegan butter. • 350g (12.3oz) strong white bread flour• 150g (5.3oz) granary bread flour• 7g dry yeast• 1½ tsp salt• 150g (5.3oz) dried figs (roughly chopped)• 100g (3.5oz) pecan nuts (roughly chopped)• 260ml (8.8fl oz) tepid water• 40g (1.4oz) softened unsalted vegan butter• 1 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich taste) 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/430°F/Gas 7. 2 Mix together the two types of flour. In the same bowl, add salt into one side of the bowl and yeast to the other then mix everything together. 3 Add the chopped pecans and dried figs. 4 Gradually add the tepid water whilst mixing then add the…

Serves 8-10 Try a bread you’ve probably never had before with this surprising recipe. The sweetness of cherries is offset by rosemary and salt in this fabulous focaccia. Those plumped up cherries get richer and more concentrated in the oven, and the rosemary remains nice and crisp. • 500g (1.1lb) strong white bread flour• 7g sachet dried yeast• 350ml (11.8fl oz) lukewarm water• 1 tsp table salt• 150g (5.3oz) cherries halved and pitted• 3 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked• 75ml (2.5fl oz) olive oil• Sea salt 1 Tip the flour into a large bowl. Add the yeast on one side of the bowl, and the salt to the other side of the bowl, this is to make sure the salt and yeast don’t touch as the salt kills the yeast. Make…

Serves 4 This recipe is a great way to include your freshly baked bread into a delicious wholesome lunch. • 60ml (2fl oz) olive oil• 150g (5oz) wholemeal bread, cut into cubes• 2 garlic cloves, chopped• 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked• 20g (0.7oz) pine nuts• 250g (9oz) closed-cup mushrooms, quartered• 50g (2oz) spinach• 2 tbsp soy sauce• 1 pinch of salt• Freshly ground black pepper You will also need: • 26cm (10-in) frying pan (skillet) 1 Heat the oil in the frying pan, add the bread and fry over a medium heat for 7 minutes until lightly browned. 2 Add the garlic, thyme and pine nuts and fry for 3 minutes, stirring. Add the mushrooms and fry for a further 5 minutes. Add the spinach and soy sauce and…

Vanilla Berry Açaí Bowl Serves 1 A vibrant, tropical and simple breakfast bowl filled with superfoods, fruits and plant-based protein. This açaí bowl is perfect for breakfast or a snack and can be topped with anything you like. • 100g (3.5oz) açaí, frozen (or more frozen berries)• 1 ripe banana• 80g (2.8oz) frozen berries• 1 scoop vanilla protein, optional• 60ml (2fl oz) plant-based milk To serve: • Granola, dried goji berries, coconut, chia seeds, cacao nibs, chocolate peanuts, banana slices, strawberries, syrup 1 Add all the açaí bowl ingredients to a blender and process until thick and creamy. Add more milk as necessary for a smooth consistency. 2 Pour into a bowl and top with your favourite toppings. Recipe by Amy Lanza, creator of Nourishing Amy, nourishingamy.com.…

Serves 4-6 This is so incredibly rich and filling that you probably won’t need more than 1 burger per person. • 230g (8.1oz) chopped walnuts• 220g (7.7oz) sunflower seeds• 250ml (8.4fl oz) chlorine-free water• 125ml (4.2fl oz) raw miso paste• 60ml (2fl oz) vegetable oil• 2 yellow onions, finely diced• 2 garlic cloves, finely diced• 1 tsp dried oregano• 1 tsp dried basil• 2 tsp plain or gluten-free flour• 240g (8.4oz) dried breadcrumbs 1 Mix together the walnuts, sunflower seeds, water and miso paste in a medium-sized glass bowl or container. Stir to combine, so the miso is well distributed. Cover the bowl with a lid or tea towel and place it in a cupboard to ferment for 24 hours. 2 The next day, heat the oil in a large…

Serves 2 This quick and fresh salad by Elena Silcock is the perfect way to get more vitamin C into your diet. • 2 heads fennel• 400g (14oz) tin chickpeas, drained• 200g (7oz) fresh cherries, pitted and halved• Small bunch parsley, leaves picked• 50g (1.7oz) toasted flaked almonds• 100g (3.5oz) vegan feta For the dressing: • 1 lemon• 3 tbsp olive oil• 1 tsp mustard• 1 tsp vegan honey 1 Mix the ingredients for the dressing in the base of a large bowl, season well with salt and pepper. 2 Cut the fronds from the top of the fennel and finely slice, add to the bowl. Add the remaining ingredients apart from the feta and toss well — leave the parsley leaves whole as they act as the leafy green…

Serves 8 The perfect fresh and sweet treat, with antioxidants from the cherries helping to make your skin feel and look healthier. The best part about making your own ice cream is that there are no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Once you try it, you’ll never want store-bought again! • 250g (8.8oz) fresh pitted cherries• 600g (1.3lb) coconut yoghurt• 2 tbsp agave• 50g (1.7oz) white or dark vegan chocolate (optional) 1 Place the cherries in a food processor and blend until roughly chopped. You could also do this by hand if you don’t have a food processor. In a mixing bowl, stir the agave into the coconut yoghurt. Swirl in the cherry mixture, divide between 8 lolly moulds and freeze for at least 12 hours. 2 You can either eat…

No matter what you eat, it is important that you eat a well-balanced diet. Understanding how to do this is important to ensure good health. So, what should we include to ensure our healthy plant-based diet has no nutritional gaps? We should consider: • The four vegan food groups• Supplementation• Including healthy fats• Including low GI carbohydrates• Including plant-based protein• Avoiding too much salty, sugary, processed, and packaged foods• Eating a variety of different plants (30 per week)• Eating the rainbow when comes to fruits and vegetables• Not restricting calories too much (eat when hungry and stop when full)• Avoiding calorie laden drinks (soft drinks, sugar sweetened teas, coffees etc.) The four vegan food groups These include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains (oats, brown rice, quinoa and wholewheat bread), and legumes (includes…

Serves 3 This recipe is fairly easy to make, and they are great to serve a crowd: simply double the recipe if you’ve got more people to feed. • Coconut oil, melted, for greasing• 120g (4.2oz) plain flour• 110g (3.8oz) icing sugar• 30g (1oz) cocoa powder, plus extra to decorate• ½ tbsp instant ground coffee• ½ tsp baking powder• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda• 1 small ripe banana• 120ml (4fl oz) dairy-free milk• ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar• ½ tbsp vanilla bean paste For the chocolate filling: • 120g (4.2oz) dairy-free chocolate, broken into chunks 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Grease 3 individual 10 x 7.5cm (4 x 2in) ramekins with coconut oil. 2 Sift the flour, icing sugar, cocoa powder, coffee, baking powder and bicarbonate of…

Serves 1-2 Nothing beats a cosy cup of hot cocoa in the wintertime. This dairy-free hot cocoa features the antioxidant-rich, rawest form of cocoa: cacao powder, blended with cinnamon and a hint of salt for the most deliciously silky, warming treat. This hot cocoa is ready in a matter of minutes and is also naturally sweetened. • 360ml (12.1fl oz) plant milk• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder• ½ tsp cinnamon• Pinch of salt• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract• 2 tbsp maple syrup Toppings (optional): • Fluffy coconut whipped cream• Cacao nibs 1 Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the cacao powder, cinnamon, salt, vanilla and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking frequently, then remove from the heat. Serve with a dollop of…

Serves 4 This dip is a healthy alternative to a chocolate fondue, packed with protein and natural sugar alternatives. It goes well with a variety of sweet dippers, making it a perfect sharing dessert for gatherings and parties. This is also great for kids, or anyone with a sweet tooth — you will be surprised by how creamy this dip is! • 400g (14.1oz) can salt-free chickpeas (or rinse them very well)• 25g (0.8oz) raw cacao powder• 60ml (2fl oz) maple syrup• 60ml (2fl oz) coconut cream or coconut milk• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Drain and thoroughly rinse the canned chickpeas, then put them into a blender or food processor. Add in all the remaining ingredients and blend until creamy, scraping the side of the blender or food processor…

Stay Social @twospoonsca @lovorika_official @mariasloughphotography @veganlife_mag @veganlifemagazine @veganlife_mag Hi Vegan Life, I just had to get in touch to say that your Recipe Of The Month in Feb, was AMAZING — the Baked Le Rond Spaghetti. Seriously cheesy and proper hearty. It has become our Friday night dinner on our weekly meal plan! More recipes like that, please. From Lila S STAR LETTER PRIZE Dear Vegan Life, I have eaten mostly plant-based for the last few years, but until this year hadn’t made the final connection. My girlfriend, who is vegan, often shares with me what she knows about the meat and dairy industry, but for some reason it just hadn’t stuck. This year, she challenged me to do Veganuary, and I am so glad she did. My eyes have…

Rhythm 108 Chocolate Indulgence Box Gift pleasure, with this ultimate Chocolate Indulgence Box from Swiss vegan chocolatiers Rhythm 108. The box contains a Chocolate Orange Bar, Hazelnut Praline Bar, Creamy Coconut Bar, Almond and Sea Salt Bar, Dark Cocoa Orange Bar, Mint Fondant Bar, Hazelnut Truffle Bar, a Truffle Selection Gift Box and two Soft-Baked Filled Cookies in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Hazelnut Chocolate Praline, as well as a Double Chocolate Hazelnut Biscuit Share Bag. That’s a lot of choc! £30, rhythm108.com The Vegan Kind Bi-Monthly Beauty Box UK Subscription Treat Mum to a bi-monthly beauty box subscription from The Vegan Kind. Every two months, they’ll receive a beautiful assortment of skincare, cosmetics, beauty and other products through their door for a well-deserved at-home pamper session. £18.95 every two months,…

Serves 2-4 Smoky baked beans are a quick and easy vegan staple. Enjoy them as a main served with toast or as a side served with all the breakfast bits of your choice. • 1 tbsp vegetable oil• ½ small onion, diced• 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped• 1 tin chopped tomatoes• 1 tsp smoked paprika• 2 tsp red wine vinegar• 1 tin butterbeans, cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed• ¼ tsp sugar or ½ tsp syrup (e.g., maple or agave etc) — optional• ½ tsp mixed herbs (optional)• Salt and pepper to taste• 2 slices of wholewheat toast with vegan butter/spread (use gluten-free, if necessary) 1 Heat the oil in a small saucepan and add the onion and garlic, frying until soft. 2 Add the tomatoes, paprika,…

Serves 2 This Mind Food Fry Up is a real morning treat, with extra bean power from the Qi beans. Admittedly, more elaborate than your average bean but perfect for a quick and satisfying meal made ahead of time and served on toast, pancakes, or with fresh crusty bread. ‘Qi’, pronounced ‘chi’, meaning energy is exactly what these beans give you, with flavour and fibre to see you through the day. For the Qi beans: • 2 tbsp olive oil• 1 red onion, finely sliced• Pinch of salt• 1 carrot, finely diced• 1 celery stick, finely diced• 1 garlic clove, crushed• 3 tbsp tomato purée• 1 tsp white miso• 1½ tbsp harissa or hot sauce• 200ml (7fl oz) passata• 400g (14oz) white butter beans, canned and drained• 125g (4oz) kimchi…

Monday I start the week with an early fight class, followed by a huge bowl of oats topped with banana, pumpkin seeds and maple syrup. I drink water during the workout and black coffee with breakfast. I write until lunch, when my partner returns from personal training. I roast vegetables — onion, carrot, peppers, tomatoes — mix in quinoa, soy sauce and tahini. Monday is pasta night — Sacla Vegan Red Pesto sauce is a favourite with the kids. After an exercise class, I have a Pulsin Pea Protein Shake. Always the same, mixed with banana, chia seeds, cacao nibs, spinach, blueberries and peanut butter. It shouldn’t work but it does. Tuesday The day starts with an exercise class, followed by the school run. Oats and a coffee when I…

Job uncertainty and even job loss has been an all too real concern for many of us over the past few years. The pandemic has resulted in a tumultuous financial environment in which we’ve had to push our household budgets past what felt possible. These money difficulties have meant a lot of us have explored ways to spend less on groceries and shopping and even though I’m no financial expert (as my tax bill proves), I have put together a few money-saving tips for the vegan household. Shopping in discount retailers is an obvious place to start, however many people equate budget grocery stores with lower quality produce. The truth is that most fresh produce in both regular supermarkets and budget outlets is sourced from the same suppliers. By choosing…

Meeting Paul Kerton, founder of the Hench Herbivore YouTube channel can only be described as living proof of the social penetration theory and the fact that an onion is most commonly used to explain the theory, seems beautifully just, for this extraordinary plant-based mover and shaker. Bullied as a youngster he struggled with social anxiety in his earlier years and sought refuge in multiple toxic substances, before finally finding his foothold with plant-based living. I sat down with him to find out more. “I truly believe that veganism can heal the world,” he tells me. This no nonsense attitude is what gives Paul his USP. “I received a little bullying at school. Nothing like as bad as some poor kids get, but enough to know that I didn’t like it.…

Makes 1 loaf This bread gets better if you leave it overnight as it develops more flavour. It’s also good for freezing, so if you go for a bigger batch, it’s perfectly fine to keep in the freezer. • 150ml (5fl oz) orange juice• 12g fresh yeast• 30g (1oz) malt syrup (+ 2 tbsp for coating later) For the dry ingredients: • 0.5 tsp salt• 65g (2.3oz) spelt grains or pearl barley (boiled and drained)• 12g (0.4oz) rye bran• 50g (1.7oz) wholemeal flour• 80g (2.8oz) malted wheat flour 1 Warm up orange juice and add crumbled yeast. When it is mixed, add 2 tablespoons of malt syrup to the orange and yeast mix. 2 You can boil spelt grains/pearl barley in beer so it will develop some more flavour. 3…

Makes 1 loaf This gluten-free loaf is inspired by traditional Irish soda bread, a great option for any gluten-intolerant people or coeliacs who want to make their own bread. • 280g (9.8oz) Gluten-Free Flour Mix (see recipe)• 40g (1.4oz) ground flaxseeds• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)• Pinch of salt• ½ red or green apple, sliced• 625ml (21.1fl oz) water Add-ins: • Pumpkin seeds• Sesame seeds• Sunflower seeds• Poppy seeds 1 Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/Gas 3. Put all the dry ingredients into a bowl. 2 Put the apple into a blender with the water and blitz until fully incorporated. Mix the apple water with the dry ingredients until you have a porridge-like consistency. 3 The salt, bicarbonate of soda and the sweetness from the apple will all activate…

Serves 8 Soda bread is known as quick bread, with no complex sequences or steps. It’s the perfect low-maintenance recipe to befriend. • 400ml (14fl oz) Rude Health Soya Drink• 2 tbsp crushed flaxseed• 4 tbsp warm water• 500g (1.1lb) plain flour• 40g (1.4oz) granulated sugar• 2 tsp baking soda• 1 tsp salt• 4 tbsp plant-based butter 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or baking parchment. 2 Whisk the flaxseed with the warm water and set aside. 3 Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Cut the butter and mix with your hands through the flour. Add the soya drink and flaxseed mixture. 4 Gently fold the dough together until dough is too stiff to…

Do you love make up? Adore changing up your hairstyle? Want to stand out from the crowd? Or, perhaps you want to let your natural beauty shine? This product round up is sure to have something for every kind of beauty lover, with gorgeous vegan goodies for eyes, face, lips, nails and hair. Benecos Natural Mineral Powder The Benecos Natural Mineral Powder is perfect for a flawless complexion. Rich in natural ingredients, the powder keeps oily skin at bay, fixes make up in place and hides any imperfections, plus it’s vegan! £6.95, benecos.uk La Riche Directions Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Colour in Flame Red Burn bright with this season’s hottest hair colour — flame red. £3.99, bluebanana.com Lethal Cosmetics Lumen Lip Gloss A weightless lip gloss that is shiny, not sticky.…

Makes 450g (1lb) It’s so quick and easy to make houmous and this recipe with blackberries is delicious and packed with antioxidants, which are great for skin health. • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped• 2 tbsp olive oil• 400g (14oz) can chickpeas, drained• 75g (2.6oz) cooked beetroot (not in vinegar), roughly chopped• 100g (3.5oz) blackberries• 3 tbsp tahini• 2 tsp lemon juice• Handful roughly chopped parsley• Crackers, celery, peppers, cucumber sticks to serve 1 Heat the oil in a pan, add the garlic and cook for around 30 seconds just to soften the garlic. Remove from the heat. 2 Place the chickpeas in a blender or food processor and blitz to a coarse paste. Add the oil and garlic, beetroot and blackberries and blend again until smooth. Stir in the…

Makes 350g (12.3oz) Nut butters are easy to make and will store in the fridge for a week or so. Spread them on toast or cut up an apple and dip in for a healthy, immune boosting and relaxing snack! • 200g (7oz) whole almonds, skin on• 1 tbsp maple syrup• 150g (5.3oz) fresh cherries, stoned and chopped• Pinch chilli flakes• Pinch salt 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan)/375°F/Gas 5. Spread the nuts out on a baking tray and roast for 5-10 minutes until they have darkened in colour and you can just smell them. Cool slightly. 2 Place the nuts in a food processor and blitz to a coarse paste. This will take several minutes and you will need to keep scraping down the sides but eventually…

Serves 4 Rich and creamy rice pudding topped with luxurious black cherries in kirsch. Cherries are so good for you as they are very high in vitamin C and A, as well as antioxidants. • 100g (3.5oz) pudding rice• 1.1 litres (2 pints) sweetened almond milk• 1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp of vanilla essence• 12 Opies Black Cherries in Kirsch, drained and reserved syrup• Grated nutmeg to decorate 1 In a large heavy based pan, add the pudding rice and almond milk. 2 Split the vanilla pod in half, scrap out the vanilla seed and add to the pan as well as the pod. 3 Over a gentle heat, stirring occasionally cook for between 30 and 40 minutes until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the pod.…

Serves 4 Chocolate for breakfast? Yes please! Adding some dark chocolate to your morning porridge adds an extra level of comfort. • 100g (3.5oz) oat flakes• 400ml (13fl oz) rice or coconut milk• 50g (2oz) dark chocolate, chopped You will also need: • 24 cm (9.5-in) saucepan 1 Put all the ingredients in the saucepan. Cook over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Recipe from One-Pot Vegan by Sabrina Fauda-Rôle (with publisher permission, Hardie Grant, £12.99) Photography© Akiko Ida.…

Makes 1 (9-inch [23-cm]) pie Avocado and chocolate together are a creamy dream team that will leave you surprised after every bite. The simple peanut crust is made with just three ingredients, the chocolate avocado filling is made with only five ingredients and there’s no baking required, which could possibly move this pie up on your list of favourites. For the crust: • 290g (10.2oz) peanuts, roasted and salted• 100g (3.5oz) coconut sugar• 120g (4.2oz) coconut oil, melted For the filling: • 3 medium avocados• 50g (1.7oz) unsweetened cocoa powder• 120ml (4fl oz) maple syrup• 80g (2.8oz) coconut oil, melted• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Topping (optional): • Sea salt 1 To make the crust, in a food processor, pulse the peanuts and sugar into semi-fine crumbs. Add the oil…

Whether you’re a car enthusiast or hate anything with an engine, and drive or not, you will have seen on roads the growing uptake in electric vehicles (EVs). With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles looming ever closer, each month is seeing more motor companies bringing out new and improved EVs. The ban is part of MPs ‘10-step climate plan’, in attempt to reduce emissions and prevent global warming and environmental destruction. But why are EVs better for the planet, as well as our health? It is well known that the transport sector burns most of the world’s petroleum and is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). On top of this, vehicles contribute to air pollution releasing high amounts of…

My kid came home from school yesterday and asked me if I knew what a Sea Lemon was. I told him I had no idea but that it would probably make me retch. Turns out I was right. It’s a kind of Sea Slug, yellow, green or brown, with warty lumps and feathery gills they use to breathe, located by their rear end. They lay long ribbons of eggs. Blech. What sick taxonomist decided that any weird kind of squishy, pulpy, secretion-ejecting aberration that lurks on the seabed should be named after a fruit or vegetable? Why would you do that? GUCK. Maybe there’s some secret omnivore campaign to make us all fruit-and-vegetable phobic. At any rate, it’s worked on me. I didn’t need an excuse not to eat lettuce…