31 January 2018

Veganuary: An honest review

For the past few days I have been in the best mood. Partly because it's (finally) payday today, but mostly because it's the end of January, ergo the end of Veganuary.

Veganuary – a whole month dedicated to eating plant-based foods, or, rather, food that doesn't come from animals (it's not necessarily healthy). Basically: The vegans are TAKING OVER.

But that's okay! They won't be converting me anytime soon.

Source: Veganuary

Let me just clarify, I went into this month with a completely open mind. I had no idea whether or not I would continue following a vegan diet at the end of the 31 days, but I was not opposed to the idea. Actually, in the days/weeks leading up to this challenge, the idea of eating meat was starting to gross me out a bit. I made a meal plan and even ordered a big food shop that included two types of vegan cheese – most of which was left at the back of my fridge, uneaten (it smelled and tasted like cheese strings, which made me question the legitimacy of my favourite mid-afternoon snack).

It turns out that this was the easiest January I've had in years, and the happiest, too. As well as taking up a vegan diet I also decided to run every day to keep the January blues at bay. Having something to focus on, to tick off in my bullet journal each day, was satisfying in itself. The sense of achievement at the end of each day – another day of not contributing to animal cruelty, global warming, of healing my gut (maybe) – was what kept me going. But as the month went on I began craving cake, pastries, butter and cheese more, not less. I noticed no difference in my health, fitness or general wellbeing, and I was looking forward to the end – to a time when I could enjoy coffee AND a pain au chocolat from Hart's bakery, cheese on my pizza, a bowl of cereal with ice cold cow's milk, just the CHOICE, you know? If Veganuary taught me anything it's that restrictive diets are not for me.

Some people believe that animals and humans are equal, but I am not one of them. Every day this month I opened the Veganuary email and every day I felt myself moving further away from this way of life. This was, in large part, due to the manipulative, preachy, judgmental and cult-like language and tone used in Veganuary's marketing collateral.


'How do you kill something humanely if it doesn't want to die?' is a perfect example of the harmful language used by the Veganuary team. If that is what you believe then that's fine – you don't have to kill animals, you don't have to eat animals, but you can't force your beliefs on other people. Actions speak louder than words, so lead by example, don't shame people into following a vegan diet. It won't work.

Having said all of that, my overall experience of Veganuary has been positive. I ate some great meals and ate much more mindfully. I spent less money and more time in the kitchen. All good things! If you'd like to see what I ate during Veganuary I saved my favourite meals on my Instagram story highlights – @wnwrote. 

I won't be sticking to a plant-based diet religiously but I will try and eat less meat and dairy with the aim to buy produce from only good, local farmers. There is a middle ground when it comes to treating animals well and eating a healthy diet. It's not always black and white, so don't let anyone – meat eaters or vegans – tell you otherwise. Everyone has the right to eat the diet that is right for them. What you eat is no one else's business.

What are your views on veganism? Do you think you could give the vegan diet a go for a month?


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13 January 2018

Vegan Peanut Butter & Banana Pancakes

Good morning! I'm writing an impromptu post today because I have just made the most delicious vegan pancakes for breakfast. I can't believe they turned out as well as they did, so obviously I had to write about it and share the recipe!


Saturday means pancakes for breakfast. I usually wake up late, plod downstairs in my jammies, stick Saturday Kitchen on and make my Grandma's pancakes – the recipe can be found in one of the very first posts on this blog. It is one that has run in my family for many years and it's the only one I use. Until now! I'm taking part in Veganuary this month and needed a vegan version of my favourite pancakes – I can only go a week or so without them.

I had a look online for a vegan-friendly recipe but I wasn't very inspired. So, I decided to have a play around with my Grandma's recipe and the result was a fluffy stack of pancakes you wouldn't even know were completely plant based.


Anyway, I'll stop going on now. Here's the recipe!

You will need:
200g self-raising flour
50g caster sugar
1 tsp baking powder
25g vegan spread – I used Flora Freedom Dairy Free Spread Avocado & Lime
1 very ripe banana, mashed
240ml non-dairy milk – I used Rude Health almond drink

  • First combine the flour, sugar and baking powder with a whisk or wooden spoon. Then, with clean hands rub the vegan spread into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. 
  • Add the mashed banana and milk and stir until combined. In a non-stick frying pan melt a little more vegan spread on a low-medium heat and dollop in three spoonfuls of the batter. Wait a couple of minutes for bubbles to appear on the top of the pancakes, allow them to pop, then flip and cook for a further two minutes.

Note: As these pancakes have banana in them they take a little longer to cook than a regular pancake recipe.

I stacked mine with Whole Earth smooth peanut butter smothered between each layer and topped with homemade blueberry compote, cosied up with a cup of coffee and let the morning unravel.

Are you taking part in Veganuary? I'd love to know what your favourite recipes are – let me know in the comments or get in touch via Twitter/Instagram: @wnwrote.
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10 January 2018

East Village Cafe - Bristol


The arch house deli had been a highlight of many visits to Clifton village, a corner of Bristol I frequent most weekends, actually – it’s so close to where I live.

I once had the most delicious chunk of cheese from that deli. I don’t know what it was – a comte or gruyere – I couldn’t tell you, but a nice man wrapped it in wax paper for me and I paid £6.50 for the privilege of midnight nibbles and after-work snacks like no other.

You can imagine my sadness then, when the arch house deli closed last year! I was so sad, that I did what any normal, loyal, person would do, and stuck my nose up at the news of a vegetarian/vegan café taking its place. My stubbornness didn’t last long, however, (it never does), as I popped in for some cake and coffee one Saturday before Christmas and LOVED the place.

I’m not usually this fickle but all good things must come to an end and better things can often take their place and old doors close and new ones open etc etc etc.


Anyway, since East Village took over the space, it seems to have doubled in size, and is so much brighter, too. An original lover of flamingos (before every major retailer took it too far), my eyes fixated on the flamingo print – it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before and I want it for my future home. I’ll also have greenery draping from the ceiling and gold and silver stars on the walls; a sweet, fun and homey yet enviably stylish setting for coffee catch ups. East Village Cafe certainly fits in with its neighbours – which include some of my absolute favourites; Anna Cake Couture and Papersmiths to name a couple.


While on the surface East Village Cafe looks to be just another place for Basics to Instagram their coffee and cake against a fuzzy backdrop of glowing gold and green (that would be me) – something Bristol definitely does not need – it is, in fact, exactly what Clifton needs. The vegetarian and vegan cafes are sparse in this particular area of the city, and as this way of living becomes more popular the demand must be met. East Village Café filled a gap in the market with a menu made up entirely of vegetarian and vegan food and drink and I couldn't be happier about it.


As a temporary vegan, this café appeals to me. I can go in and order absolutely anything without having to look for the (V) sign. Isn’t that great! I save all of three minutes of my menu browsing experience.

Anyway, these are the cakes Emily and I got: 



Carrot cake with, what tasted like, coconut cream (yum).



And the last slice of their cranberry bakewell tart (YUM). 

Along with the interior decor, we especially liked the cutlery and crockery. These things matter, deeply, and East Village Cafe is smart to take care in these aspects of its new business. Anything aesthetically pleasing will find its way onto the 'gram, and that's free advertising. I have a feeling this place is here to stay, so check it out next time you're in the village. If you can try a slice of the Nordic blueberry pie then definitely DO. It's incredible and, like, Nordic Bakery standard.

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