As a Vegan…..

Having read a post about Soapnuts on Alicia Silverstones Kind Life blog I was so glad to receive some to test out.

The soapnuts are from Living Naturally and come in a box with a muslim bag to put them into for your machine. I was very impressed by my first load the clothes came out very clean and even appeared to be less creased and softer than with my old liquid. Yes there is no need to use a softener when you wash with soapnuts and 250 grams gives 65 – 85 washes!

They do not pollute our water systems like other detergents do either.

Soapnuts are of course vegan, great for the environment, organic, suitable for the most sensitive of skins and can be used at all temperatures from 30.c – 90.c.

The only negative point is that I wish I had discovered them sooner!

I made these Cashew and Red Lentil Burgers the other night and they were very tasty, my partner especially enjoyed them and they have a spicy tang too. The recipe is from Color Me Vegan page. 183.

These burgers can be made a day in advance then stored in the fridge for when you need them after a long days work. Serve with salad and a spicy relish and enjoy.

I have been a fan of Terry hope Romero’s book  Viva Vegan for sometime now and think that the recipes for seitan and chorizo are so good and simple! I have eaten the Latin Shredded Seitan a few times and decided to try a variation the Cuban “Ropa Viera” Style p. 107. I am so glad I did, the extra sauce, oregano and bay leaf gives a really good depth of flavour.

I chose to serve it with cubed potatoes which I cooked in a sauce  made from1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 teaspoons dried oregano and cumin, freshly ground black pepper, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of French’s mustard. This was a really enjoyable meal and i will definitely make it again soon.

Here is another lunch idea in my Black and Blum Box Appetit. The Box Appetit kept my salad so crisp in the heat and my salad dressing did not leak at all from the container.

It is worth treating yourself to a Box Appetit simply for the fact your salad won’t ever be soggy again as you just add the dressing before you eat!

This is a similar salad to my previous blog, however I made a harissa dressing this time. I made the dressing by mixing a teaspoon of harissa paste with 3 teaspoons of garlic infused olive oil, it gave my salad a nice kick!

Its such hot day I had to reach for the ice-cream.

I really love the raspberry flavour from Swedish Glace it is so tasty and low in calories.

I have often shared it with non vegans and they can not tell the difference. Most who tried it have started eating it instead of dairy to save their figures it is that good!

I get mine from Ocado for just £2.05

Please, please everyone help these poor dogs today before it’s too late! Both are little girls approximately 2-3 years old -one is black and the other is brindle coloured. 
It cannot be emphasized the importance of this life saving appeal. Doris Banham Dog Rescue have offered transport to any rescue place in the UK.

Any rescue centres that kindly offer help please meet the following criteria: 1- A NO DESTRUCTION POLICY 2- HOMECHECK ALL PROSPECTIVE OWNERS 3- DOG GETS RETURNED TO THE SANCTUARY IF OWNER CAN NO LONGER KEEP Homechecks will be carried out on those kind people offering loving, forever homes

If you can help please contact Trudie James from the Doris Banham Dog rescue who is trying to save these precious lives on 07597049231 emailtrudie.james@yahoo.co.uk

 
The GB Circus is due in Rochford showcasing animal cruelty from Tuesday 9th August until 4th September.
There is a need for  as many attendees as possible to demonstrate on the opening night from 6pm for an hour.

Southend Animal Aid are hoping to have a demo every day whilst they are there.They need people to get in touch and advise of dates they are available to help as they will have a rota.

You can contact them here; southendanimalaid@hotmail.com

Further to my review of the 30 Minute vegans Taste of the East here is a picture of the Kung Pao Tempeh p.123 I made for dinner a few days ago.

It is really tasty, however,  if you love things hot like I do I  would recommend adding more chillies than the recipe states.

 I chose to make the Asian Inspired Edamame Salad p.105 from the book Color Me Vegan by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. Not only does the salad match my Box Appetit (silly I know) it is also packed with 17g of protein too. I chose to accompany my salad with; Japanese black sesame rice cakes from Clearspring and some Neals Yard Thai chlli rice crackers both of which I purchased from Holland and Barrett.