Why isn't this Vegan??

There are a few things that could so easily be egg and dairy-free. But they're not. This grinds my gears. If I had the time, I'd write to all these companies suggesting animal-free alternative ingredients, but as it stands I'll probably do Cauldron and Co-Op (because they're wonderfully ethical companies who might actually listen) and then just stop there.

• Cauldron sundried tomato pate (not sure about the other flavours)
• Co-op swiss-style muesli (and most other mueslis, surprisingly enough. For some reason, they contain milk powder)
• Wine (all co-op wines are veggie and vegan. Pretty much all other mainstream wines are fined using Isinglass, made from fish.)
• Quorn products, and other meat alternative products (why would you alienate half of your target audience by throwing egg into the mix??)
• McDonalds Veggie Burger (I can understand why this isn't vegan, but for the love of god, why isn't it vegetarian?!? Yeah, it's fucked up right.)

In wonderful news of the opposite kind - it seems that Birds custard powder IS Vegan - yay! :)

Dairy Christmas

So, I've had my last Dairy Christmas, and I have to say, I don't think I'll miss it. The chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate (which I don't really like anyway), the cheese and crackers after dinner (cheese makes me feel a bit sick), the stodgy desserts with cream and custard... I'd much rather have a nice fruit salad and save my arteries, thanks.

Unexpectedly, I've found that my ex-veggie mother is actually not very vegan friendly. She is a shining example of the the things you shouldn't do if you want to live past 45. She does no exercise. None. At all. She smokes 40 marlboro a day, eats no breakfast or lunch, binges in the evening on cakes, biscuits and sweets, and drinks at least two bottles of wine every evening and into the early hours as she talks enthusiastically to our 4 dogs and repeatedly tells me and my sister to 'find a man and get knocked up'.

With good intentions, she bought a huge pile of Quorn goods for me and my sister to feast on over the holidays, but hardly any vegetables. It is only then that I realised how veg-less my life was before I moved out on my own. Dinner here is meat + carbs (Or Quorn + carbs, for me). I'd forgotten what life is like without a good stock of courgettes and broccoli. This is the kind of family who count potatoes as one of their five a day...

(She also tutted at my reasons for the change, stating that animal cruelty is a 'myth' started by PETA to steal our money.. Yeah, that's my mum. Lets not even get started on my Grandad, who got very angry at me proclaimimg that prawns ARE an animal, and that I refuse to eat them.)

Luckily I have an amazing sister and friends, who gave me awesome presents including a cute bento box, vegan chocolate, and the awesome cookbook 'Vegan with a Vengeance' - which I would reccomend to any other would-be-vegans like myself.

I feel ready for the change, and have been living on a mostly vegan diet for the last while anyway. I just need to switch my Quorn to Redwoods (and use more tofu and experiment with Seitan) and get myself some Quinoa, Soba or rice noodles (for my beloved stir-fries) and maybe some cheesly, although tbh I don't really like cheese.

It bodes well for me that I have an obsession with vegetables - in fact I've never met one I didn't like. So this SHOULD be easy. I have a vegan friend who hates most vegetables. She can't stand the sight of a courgette. So if she can do it, anyone can.

And I am anyone.

And funnily enough, so are you :)

Parsnip Sweetcorn and Tomato soup

I made this soup the other day just by throwing some leftover pasta sauce in a pan with some leftover veg and adding water. It turned out delicious and I added some short spaghetti to make it super-filling. A proper winter warmer soup.

(for some reason I can't upload pictures at the moment but I will add them later)

You will need:

* pasta sauce (about half a mug) - I use 'Dolmio extra winter vegetable bolegnese sauce'
* Parsnips (2 or 3 big, or about 5 small)
* Sweetcorn (3 - 4 tablespoons full)
* Spaghetti or small pasta
* Fresh Basil or other herbs to taste

First chop your parsnips into small (about 1" cubes) chunks of fairly equal size.

Throw these into a pint and a half of boiling water in a large pan on the hob.

Tear spaghetti into short lengths, or use other small pasta, and add to pan.

When the parsnips feel tender add the pasta sauce and sweetcorn. The pasta should start to absorb the water, making a thicker consistency.

Put the lid on the pan and simmer for ten minutes or until pasta is soft and ready to eat.

Serve with mini garlic bruscettas (will put recipe up in a minute) and fresh basil leaves.

Enjoy :)

(again, blogger isn't really working at the moment so will format this later)

My New Years Resolution

Most people give something up for new years, cigarettes or alcohol for instance, but few carry it through the year. As someone who already happens to be a non-smoking vegetarian, and only a moderate social drinker, at first I thought I'd go for the classic 'Go to the gym more often', then came the idea of giving veganism a go.
It's a move I've been considering for some time. I don't particularly enjoy dairy foods, especially when I think about where they come from (and the methods used in its production) and mainly live on soy products in place of my meat and dairy.
I do, however, have a few vices:

• Quorn
• Cheesestrings
• Mozzarella
• Quavers
• Pesto

This is to name but a few. The list of dairy items I consume mostly consists of junk food, and eating cheese always makes me feel a little sick afterward. So it makes sense from all points of view to just bite the bullet and cut it out completely.

Unfortunately, I happen to be an incredibly lazy person, and the only way I ever get anything done is by getting other people to nag me. So, I came up with the idea of this blog to stop me straying.

Every day in 2010 I will post what I eat.

This idea is twofold:

• It will pressure me to make a healthy balanced delicious vegan meal every day, because I know I have to post it to the public.
• Some people may find this blog and offer recipes/tips/encouragement.
• Some people may find this blog and get recipes/tips/encouragement for themselves.

And hopefully, if all goes to plan, it will help show how easy it is to live on a healthy balanced delicious vegan diet :)

The main blog won't start until 1st January 2010. but there will be a few posts before then .

Please follow, leave comments and share :)