Shooting birds...

There's nothing 'glorious' about the 12th of August for the beautiful Red Grouse - traditionally this is the day when furious hunting of these wild and farmed birds, amongst other 'game' birds, begins.

Many people think of the hunting shooting fishing way of life a mix of gentile country strolls and clean shoots that help to manage a thriving over-population of birds.

The reality is sadly very different...

Millions of game birds are reared in squalid inhumane conditions, all so that boozed up shooting parties can have fun blasting them out of the sky. And the blasting doesn't even mean a quick death, as even the most experienced gunman finds it hard to hit a bird and kill it instantly. Birds fall to the ground injured and in agony - often even not to be collected - just left to die.

And as part of the process to run these shoots, natural wildlife, that may conflict in any way with the farming of the birds, is routinely killed (poisoning of Buzzards, for example).

All these facts are what this £billion(!) industry don't want you to know - because, as usual, it's all about profit.

If this outrages you as much as it does me, please support the work of the League Against Cruel Sports. You can find out more here.

And for now - here's how I like to shoot birds - in the wild and in my garden - with a camera. When I see their beauty, ingenuity and delightful culture it astounds me how their lives can be destroyed in such cold blooded terms. To me it's far more fun to feed them and watch them - I could do it for hours!

This beautiful Cock Pheasant came to our garden at 5.30pm every day this summer for some food - along with his 'hareem' of hens!

This is my favourite ever shot of him in the wild grasses down by the river - just the flash of red showing through to give him away.

Here's one of the beautiful shy hen Pheasants - the way they run across open ground is comical - but the male protects them and their call is very recognisable. Hen pheasants make a very gentle cooing type of sound when they are feeding - it's gorgeous.

We all love the cheeky chappie Robins don't we?! They are brave birds and everywhere I've lived they have followed me round the garden curiously watching what I'm doing. They can be very territorial though and males fighting are quite vicious!

Blue Tits are another familiar friend to most gardens - although I didn't see as many this year, far more Great Tits.

Here's one of the many Great Tits we saw this year - although based on this year's survey, their numbers are in slight decline.

Chaffinches were in abundance too - they are one of my favourite little birds - quite cheeky in expression!

Another of the Finch family - this stunning Greenfinch is cracking open a sunflower seed. Husks everywhere - but who cares when you get to see them like this?!

I love our handsome Blackbirds too - a bit misty this shot as it's taken through a rainy window - but that's when the Blackbirds come out to get all the worms coming up to the surface on the lawn!

When the water got low this year I managed to spot and click this lovely little Moorhen on the exposed gravel bank - I'm sure there was a family but never got to see them all!

And well done Dave for this fabulous shot of one of our Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. There are several in our garden - sometimes fighting! And we have the Lesser Spotted too - but never a camera when they are around!

And now the Lesser Spotted Hen! This was our lovely Phoebe on a forage...

A wonderful rescued ex-bat who loved to help out in the garden.

Finally, the ever photogenic Jane - looking at me as if to say 'not another bloody photo mum!'

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY...

There are plenty I didn't capture. This year we have seen:

Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Long-tailed Tits, Marsh Tits, Coal Tits, Tree Creepers, Grey Wagtails (who were stealing the reed from our thatch!), Jays, Starlings, Housemartins, Swallows, Dunnocks, Nuthatches, Pigeons, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Swans, Ducks, Kestrels and Buzzards. Plus some others I can't identify!!!

And I have heard, but not seen (yet): Owls, and the illusive Grasshopper Warbler.

If you've enjoyed seeing these photos - then that's great! But what if I could only get half the shots?.....

It's a sad fact that certain species of birds in our country are in rapid decline. Please look at the work of the RSPB and get involved in the Big Garden Birdwatch every year so that we can track progress and work towards better conservation efforts.

Thank you.

Chantal xx

Campaign corner - make your voice count.

If you think signing online petitions for animal and humanitarian causes is a waste of time, then please think again. Often its one of the easiest ways to add support to critical world issues and positive results DO happen ALL the time.

If you think that your voice won't be heard - remember that for animals we HAVE to be their voices, we need to be their advocates. When more people sign, more people have to listen...

Thank you.

Peace & love

Chantal xx

Good news:

Research into replacing and reducing animal use in scientific experiments is to benefit from £4.8 million in public investment in 2013-14.

http://allanimalrights.org/News-759-GOOD-NEWS-Funding-for-Animal-Testing-Alternatives-Unveiled

*** Time critical *** Stop the horrific bloodshed that happens to 20,000 dolphins at Taiji in Japan each year... you can learn more here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257426/The-dolphin-snatchers-Mail-investigation-exposes-vile-trade-animals-sold-100-000-aquariums-suffer-unimaginable-cruelty.html

make your voice heard here:

Please please pass this important story on to all the people you know.

## Tell Quorn to stop using eggs in their products... [apparently they have egg-free products in the US, so it is possible!]

http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-using-eggs-in-quorn?source=facebook-share-button&time=1374072431

##  Seaworld - end captive Orca breeding programme. [If you haven't heard already of the horrors of Marineland & Seaworld then I advise you to track down a showing of the film just out - 'Black Fish' - it will open your eyes to this cruel, killer industry...]

https://www.change.org/petitions/seaworld-end-captive-orca-breeding-program

##  Find the people who committed this atrocious act of animal cruelty...

http://www.change.org/petitions/shami-dog-find-the-people-who-committed-this-act-of-animal-cruelty?utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition

##  Urge world leaders to enable safe water for all people everywhere...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/875/322/796/

##  Tell Amazon to stop selling foiegras - this Viva campaign will enlightedn you about how this product is made...

http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/foiegras/Amazon-petition.php 

##  Tell Kuwait to stop the mass slaughter of stray dogs by members of the public...

https://www.change.org/petitions/animal-rights-rescue-groups-mass-stray-dogs-murder-in-kuwait?utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition

##  Elephants in Vietnam are now critically endangered thanks to Chinese demand for ivory - help put a stop to the bloodshed...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/174/319/838/china-save-the-elephants-in-vietnam-from-extinction/#

##  Help to stop tortoise smuggling in Madagascar - these animals are now endangered too...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/164/674/930/stop-turtle-smuggling-in-madagascar/#

##  Call on our government to ban the export of live animals - a barbaric and unecessary practice...

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42002

##  Urge the Canada Goose company to stop using real fur trim...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/839/183/864/stop-the-canada-goose-company-from-using-real-fur-trim/

##  Tell the UK Royals to stop hunting and killing...

http://allanimalrights.org/articles.php?article_id=89

##  Stop the barbaric practice of beagles having their vocal chords cut so that they can't bark while they are tortured in science labs...

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-unethical-usage-of-beagles-in-clinical-trial-testing?utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition

Recipe - Smokey Aubergine Dip with Golden Garlic and Parsley Flatbreads

[Wo]Man cannot live by hummus alone....

Hence the need to share this wonderfully refreshing, tasty snack with you - perfect either for lunch, supper or as a starter for a dinner party. Let modern-day kitchen equipment do the hard work for you and it becomes super easy to make!

Be gone with you hummus I say.... (well until next week anyway...)

Chantal xx

smokey aubergine dip with golden garlic parlsey flatbreads

[serves 2-4 as a snack or light lunch, 8 as a starter to a meal, + extra dough for 4-8 more flatbreads or 2-4 small bread rolls]

Kitchen stuff you'll need: oven proof dish, 2 oven trays, food blender, food mixer with dough hook attached, lemon juicer + strainer for pips, small jug, pastry brush, dessert spoon, measuring spoons, large bowl, sharp knives, chopping board, rolling pin.

Gather

Dip

2 aubergines

100ml plain soya yoghurt

juice of half a lemon

1 tsp ground cumin (OR harissa paste OR smoked paprika)

1 clove of garlic - crushed (or 1 tsp garlic puree)

1 green chilli chopped (I used half a very large jalapeno - seeds in)

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

finely chopped parsley, fruity extra virgin olive oil and pomegranate seeds to serve 

Flatbreads

500g strong white flour

7g sachet dry fast action yeast

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp olive oil

300ml warm water

extra flour for dusting your work surface

3 tbsp vegan sunflower margarine

1 tsp garlic puree (or 1 clove of garlic grated through a microplane grater)

1/2 large bunch of flat leaf parsley - finely chopped

Create

The order of this method is the one that I use to ensure I can serve the dip and flatbreads warm from being freshly cooked at the same time.

1.  Place the flour into your mixer bowl, salt one side, yeast the other, oil in the middle and pour over the warm water. Mix on a low speed with the dough hook attachment for 10 minutes.

2.  The dough should be smooth and elastic and spring back when you press a finger into it. Lightly cover it in the bowl with oiled cling film, set your oven to 200C / 180C fan and leave the dough nearby where it's warm.

3.  Prick the skins of the aubergines with the tip of a sharp knife and place them in a baking tray and into the top of the oven for 30 minutes, or until soft and wrinkly.

4.  While your dough is proving and your aubergines are baking, prepare all of your other ingredients - add all of the other dip ingredients to your blender and melt your margarine & mix with the garlic and herbs.

5.  If you've bought a whole pomegranate rather than a pack of ready picked seeds, then now's the time to try that cute little trick of cutting it in half and holding the cut half in the palm of your hand and tapping the back of the skin, hard, with a spoon. The seeds should fall out into your hand (ideally oyu need a very ripe fruit). But do this over a large bowl, as the seeds and juice can can go everywhere!

6.  Once your aubergines are out and cooling, place two baking trays in the oven and crank up the heat to 220C / 200C fan.

7.  Take your dough out of the bowl and for flatbreads cut into 12 pieces (best done half, half again then each piece into 3).

8.  Roll out each piece to about 2-4ml thickness (*cheat alert - I use an adjustable Joseph Joseph rolling pin - but don't have the 4ml disc - which would be good). I make these quite thin as I like them a little crispy - thicker will make a doughier flatbread and you'll need to bake them for longer.

9.  Place 2 or 3 breads on each baking tray and brush liberally with the melted garlic/parsley margarine.

10.  Bake the flatbreads for about 8-10 minutes or until pale golden and 'bubbling'.

golden garlic parsley flatbreads delicious straight out of the oven!

11. Meanwhile hold each aubergine by the stalk, cut in half lengthways and scrape out the flesh with a dessert spoon. Add this to the yoghurt and seasonings and blitz until the dip is fairly smooth (I think a bit of texture is good). Taste, season and reblitz quickly until you're happy with the flavour.

scrape out the baked aubergine flesh with a dessert spoon

12.  If you need more flatbreads to serve, make a second batch!

you can freeze the remaining dough to make bread rolls or more flatbreads later

Enjoy!

You can either chill this dip or eat it warm, as I prefer to do. Divide it into the bowls you're using and drizzle over some of the extra virgin olive oil - a nice fruity flavoured one is lovely. Then add a spoonful of pomegranate seeds on top and a pinch or two of parsley. A rose (yes, rose) wine is lovely.
This simple dish soon removes the compulsive, obsessive relationship you used to have with something called hummus, to the dim and distant past.... 



 

Bonus info:

Aubergines are a powerhouse of nutrients and antioxidants that have a whole range of positive effects on your health and well-being. Ladies - they are good for PMT/S too - hurrah! And out of interest I have been eating them quite often at the moment and my PMT was miles better this month (no people got harmed anyway, which was a breakthrough) so perhaps something to try if you suffer, as I do, with severe symptoms. You can read some more info here.

Paws for thought... Should your companion animals be Vegan too?

I frequently read online that people who are vegan have successfully transitioned their companion animals (aka 'pets') primarily cats and dogs, to a vegan diet.

When David and I rescued our two lovely chihuahuas we were vegetarian at the time and didn't even consider the prospect of attempting to feed them either a vegetarian or a vegan diet. We did however initially feed them what they had been used to [Royal Canin small dog kibble and occasionally Pedigree Chum wet food) whilst looking into the content of dog foods (a real mine field if you ever do it - and a real eye opener!). We wanted to find the best, most nutritious content (i.e. not full of 'fillers' and mechanically recovered hoof) with the most ethical aspect of meat sourcing we could find.

What we came up with was Lily's Kitchen foods - which contain organic meats, no fillers and a range of more holistic-type ingredients for animals' health and wellbeing. The foods were an instant hit with our girls! 

Please can we go home and have dinner now mum??!!

They gained weight (they were underweight when we got them), grew glossier coats and were the proverbial 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' dogs they were meant to be. It was, and is, a joy feeding them.

However, when we moved on from being vegetarian and became vegan, it was surprising how one of the first questions many people asked us was whether the dogs were going to be vegan as well? We always replied no, because it was my instinct that dogs are meant to eat meat. Although I did not, and do not, want to support the meat industry in any way - where the dogs were concerned it was my one concession to using other animal products.

BUT the questions did get me to thinking about it and to doing the inevitable research to find out more.

I came across articles like this one which told of one of the world's oldest dogs having been vegan - whilst also stating that dogs are omnivores, much like humans, and can therefore cope with either diet. And I took advice on the matter from some of the larger organisations such as Peta who advocate the change, with a caveat to revert to meat if your dog doesn't get on with it! and from the Vegan Society who simply say: "Dogs can be fully nourished by a well-balanced vegan diet. There are several complete vegan dog foods on the market, but watch out for animal-derived Vitamin D3." As for my vets? Well it would come as no surprise to hear that they don't agree with dogs being fed a vegan diet - but then they don't tend to agree with feeding anything other than the foods which pack out their waiting rooms...

[I really do wonder at the fact that more vets aren't vegan - it's very curious to me... but I digress...]

The advice for feeding cats however, is slightly different. Most experts seem to agree that they are most definitely carnivores, designed to eat meat and although it is possible to feed them a vegan diet, it needs to be carefully created and some supplements will be vital.

Of course the issue does attract the odd newspaper headline now and then - such as this sensationalist one in the Aussie Herald Sun about a kitten who nearly dies from being fed a vegan diet - but when you read the article and see she was simply being fed potatoes, rice milk and pasta - it's hardly surprising the kitty was poorly! This would nearly kill most humans too. Sadly this type of negative coverage does little to dispel the perception that we vegans are all fanatically deranged hippy lunatics. Great.

Still wanting to know more before changing my dog's food I next looked for information on the physiology of dogs - as one of the arguments that vegans often quote re the human need NOT to eat meat, is that our bodies simply aren't designed for it. Our entire digestive system and gut flora is far more suited to a plant-based diet. The information I came across seemed to suggest that Dogs, even though omnivores, are much more suited / evolved to eat and digest meat.

It's with this in mind and seeing that my dogs are thriving on their meat-based diet, that I have, for now, decided to stick with feeding them meat-based foods. Their food is supplemented with some fresh vegetables from our own meals.

Wild Campfire Stew - one of the girls favourite!

But despite using a brand of dog food that I believe is one of the best and most ethically-sourced we can get (they are fabulous people too when you talk to them on the phone) I do feel a pang of conscience every time I open a tin. I do feel a slight wave of nausea every time I smell the contents.

So, I'm not going to end my research there.

The next step for me will be to look into any RCT (randomised controlled trials) / scientific studies to see if there is any hard evidence either for or against, which will help me to make an even more informed decision. 

I'll keep you posted...

The rest will then be down to the palate and the well-being of my dogs. What suits them best is what I shall feed them, because, after all - they're animals too and part of the very reason I became vegan in the first place.

Chantal xx

Are you vegan? Are your companion animals vegan? I'd love to hear from you and about your experiences with this issue. Please contact me using the form on the RHS of the page, or tweet to me @vegsoup4thesoul

Further info:

You can read more from advocates of vegan dogs (and authors on the subject) here and here. Oneof the most popular foods used in the UK seems to be Veggiepet - which you can find out more about here.

Recipe: Tabouleh-style Salad with Hot Griddled Basil-Infused Tofu.

Looks like the heatwave can't make up its mind? 

And this means that one day I feel like a hearty veg casserole and the next I could happily survive on a lettuce leaf (which doubles as a fan before I eat it)...

This little dish that I created, and wanted to post for the weekend, is perfect for our changeable weather! It's hearty, yet light at the same time - culinary alchemy wonderment.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy! Factor 50 & wellies at the ready...

Chantal xx

Tabouleh-style Salad with Hot Griddled Basil-Infused Tofu.

[serves 2 generously - easily multiplied out for more]

this warm 'salad' is tasty & filling

Equipment: Griddle pan, spatula, tongs, bowl, chopping board, sharp knives, peeler, jam jar, serving spoon.

Gather

salad

1 pack ready-cooked grains [I went posh & used Merchant Gourmet mixed grains]

10 thick slices cucumber - quartered [I peel the thick-skinned organic ridge cucumbers]

8 cherry tomatoes - halved or quartered if large

6 radishes - thinly sliced

2 spring onions - whites finely sliced

Large bunch of flat leaf parsley - finely chopped

1 pack basil-marinated tofu [I used Taifun bought in Waitrose] sliced into 8 strips

1 tbsp olive oil

dressing

juice of half a lemon [see cooks tip]

extra virgin olive oil 3x quantity of lemon juice [or your favourite omega 3,6,9 oil if you prefer]

1/2 - 1 red chilli - seeds removed & very finely chopped

1 clove of garlic - crushed [or grated with a microplane grater]

salt to taste [I use Himilayan Pink Rock Salt - expensive but you need very little]

Freshly ground black pepper [I'm addicted to this and did 20 mill twists]

Create

1.  Put the griddle on to heat up slowly and brush the tofu strips with the olive oil.

2.  Start preparing the salad and throw it all into a bowl and mix well.

3.  Just before the griddle meets the smoking stage add the tofu strips and grill until golden, then turn the strips over and repeat (about 3 minutes each side?)

4.  Add all of the dressing ingredients to the jam jar (any lidded container will do) and give it a good shake!

5.  Pour the dressing over the salad (you may have some excess if your lemon was really juicy, but you can save this for another day) and mix well to combine.

6.  Pile the salad onto your plate or bowl and top with the hot basil tofu strips.

7.  If, like me, you are ravenous, you can serve with some bread on the side as well!

Enjoy!

Hot weather: Eat alfresco with some vegan mayo on the side and a cold beer...

Cold weather: Warm the grains first and eat snuggled on sofa with extra chilli sauce and a bottle of red wine...

Cooks tip: Mary Berry's way of getting more juice out of a lemon is fab - heat it in the microwave on full power for 15 seconds, then roll gently on your work surface and leave for 5 minutes before juicing. 

I use the other half of the lemon to make a quick lemonade by squeezing it into some sparkling water with a squirt of agave syrup!