A must-see film for 2013 ...

My post for the start of this week is a simple one.

This could be the most important film you ever see.

'Earthlings'

Thank you.

Chantal.

Veggie soup for the soul... stories of amazing animals

If you've ever worked with animals or shared your home with them, you'll know for certain that all of them are sentient beings, just as we are - with intelligence, emotions and distinct personalities.

Each week on this blog I'll seek out a story from across the world that shows the true nature of the animals that we share our planet with. Stories that inspire, lift the heart and demonstrate their equality to man and their right to a peaceful existence.

'the elephant and the dog'

It's long been scientifically recognised that both elephants and dogs are highly intelligent and emotional animals. Never has this fact been more demonstrated by the relationship that Tarra, an elephant at a sanctuary in Tennessee, formed with a stray dog called Bella.

The two played, ate and slept together and when Bella was seriously ill Tarra maintained vigil by her side for weeks.

Renowned biologist Joyce Poole even observed Tarra delicately lifting one of her her enormous legs to stroke the belly of the dog and also using her trunk to try and cradle her.

Sadly Bella was attacked and killed by coyotes - but even then Tarra found her and gently carried the body of her best friend of 8 years back to the place where they had spent much of their time - in order to mourn her loss.

All of the staff at the sanctuary were so moved by the strong bond that the two had formed, that when Bella died they set up a tribute page for her.

You can watch the two playing together here:

Bella and Tarra

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Chantal

x

I'm lovin' it...

I've only been vegetarian for a year now but I can't remember the last time I went to a McDonald's. Growing up in Weston-Super-Mare in the 80's I remember when the corporate giant came to this seaside town. We were all so excited. This was a new era in 'food' and we spent many a Saturday morning and afternoon eeking out our pocket money and our cheeseburgers just to look cool hanging out in the garishly lit plastic shop.

OMG if I knew then what I know now...

Films like 'Fast Food Nation' and 'Supersize Me' helped me to rethink whether contributing to these corporate criminals was something I wanted to do. And I didn't.

But anyway, I digress - the reason for the title of this post is because I sang this on my way home from food shopping today!

The sheer excitement of food shopping now is a side effect of becoming vegetarian that I just did not expect...

Coming home with a huge bag full of fresh fruit, veg, salads and herbs is a surefire way to make you feel virtuous, smug even...

But this isn't just a New Year's resolution to eat healthier foods - its a way of life for me every day and every week now and yes, I'm lovin' it! I know that I'm doing my best to feed my body with wholesome, healthy, nutritious and DELICIOUS ingredients that are animal /  cruelty free :)

p.s I know there's a slight irony in filling an Ikea bag given the corporate jab...

Chantal

x

Why becoming a veggie is simple as pie these days.

Why becoming a veggie is simple as pie these days.

Life is full of excuses - we all use them, every day. I often hear from people, who are tentatively thinking about becoming vegetarian, that they either don't have the time (?), or don't know where to start. And of course it could be argued that if you really have a strong enough desire to do something - especially something as emotive as making the decision to no longer eat meat and use animal products - that you will find a way; excuses won't stop you.

But there still seems to be a perception 'out there' that veggie food is all bland nut roasts, tofu and lentils. This coupled with the fact that people fear nutrient deficiency as a result of ditching meat and fish is compelling enough for them to worry that becoming veggie is all too complicated and risky.

I only have my personal experience to go on - but I just wanted to offer my advice on how best to get started. Make the decision and then leap in, because its easy to learn as you go along.

I promise that you'll be glad you did.

Best start for general veggie info:

Check out the Vegetarian Society web pages.

Subscribe to a magazine such as 'Vegetarian Living' - I found this magazine really does do what it says in the title and it's packed with relevant info (rare for a magazine these days) about all aspects of vegetarian living, as well as delicious recipes to suit all budgets and occasions.

Best start for eating:

Check out the veggie section in your local supermarket (frozen and chilled). Pre-prepared veggie products have really moved on and there's plenty of delicious choices that can get you started with little or no hassle at all. You can enjoy cooking new dishes from scratch later if you wish - but, like I say, to help you take that first leap more easily then some of these products are really great.

A few of my favourite food products are:

Quorn

Great for over 100 meat-a-like products such as sausages, mince, 'chicken' pieces, snacks and ready meals.

I'm loving their mozzarella and pesto escalopes and their new best of British Banger that they've done - its delish for brunches, casseroles and with good old mash and beans! 

         

Higgidy Pies

They have some great pies, tarts and quiches in their range - I'm loving the sweet potato, feta and pumpkin seed pie.

Cauldron

A lovely range of tasty sausages, snacks, kievs and tofu products. Favourites include their Moroccan Kiev and their falafels.

    

Innocent Veg Pots

These are super for lunches and for suppers. Several creative flavours to chose from and so far my money's with the Caribbean one.

Waitrose own brand

As usual this slightly more ethical supermarket has made more effort than most to provide great ranges of clearly labelled foods that are suitable and that offer variety beyond the norm.

Some of my favourites so far have included:

Vegetable moussaka, nut roast wellington, chestnut mushroom pizza and pumpkin and pine nut piorelli. 

A lot of these foods / brands provide a main meal base and then you can pile mixed salads and vegetables on the side to your hearts desire. Yum.

You should also look out for food labelling that either clearly states 'suitable for vegetarians' or that sports the Vegetarian Society Approved symbol. 

        

Tip: Don't assume that a food product without meat is suitable, as many contain other animal ingredients that you may not have realised. If I'm ever in doubt I look for an alternative product instead.

Note: You may be familiar with Linda McCartney as a main vegetarian brand and indeed it was one of the pioneering brands. I've tried many of the products in their range but its such a shame to say that I feel other brands have superseded this one in terms of quality and flavour. The range has expanded now and you may like it - but I'm unable to recommended it here.

Best start for ethical living:

Animal derivatives in products and animal testing is so prevalent that this can be extremely difficult to avoid these days. I found that the best starting point was to review and change the household products I commonly use (chemical cleaners and toiletries in particular) and to avoid any further purchase of either leather or feather products in favour of material and man-made alternatives.

Research soon lead me to realise that leather and feathers are not by-products of the meat industry, but are an industry in themselves - the treatment of cows being reared for leather is simply horrific and feathers are ripped from live birds bred purely for this purpose.

As with the food - further learning about products can be done as you go - its easy to start getting into the habit of checking labels.

Look for the bunny symbols as proof that a product hasn't been tested on animals.

        

Some of my favourite products so far include:

• Attitude and Ecoleaf for household cleaning [available from Goodness Direct]
• Green People and Organic Surge for skin care and hair care
• Urban Decay [available at Debenhams] and Beauty Without Cruelty for makeup and amazing nail varnishes!

So there you have it! Easy ways to learn more, eat veggie and live more ethically - simple pimple as we used to say - what are you waiting for?!

Questions? Please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Chantal

x

Hopeful New Year!

Ah... 2013 and another new beginning.

I love New Years - I start out full of hope and positive expectation of what life could bring and what I might experience and achieve.

I always write resolutions - and whilst I'm not going to publish them here (they're way too private an issue) you might guess that this new blog could perhaps be just one of them.

The test will be if I'm still writing come February.....

One thing I CAN say is that the committment I made last January - to follow a completely vegetarian lifestyle - is probably one of the few 'resultions' that I have (very) happily stuck with for the entire year.

I haven't missed meat.

I haven't looked back.

I've never felt happier with a decision.

I know that I will never revert to eating meat again and I will try my best to never use products that either contain animal derivatives or that have involved animal cruelty in their production.

In just one year I've learned an immense amount about animals, food, cooking, farming, manufacturing and ethics, in often surprising contexts. But I needed to hunt and gather to assimilate all of this knowledge.

I'm hoping that this blog can be used to assimilate all of that info and become a valuable resource for existing vegetarians, those who are 'v curious' and of course those die-hard carnivores for whom the mists of indoctrination haven't risen yet.

Yes, you have to start the New Year with optimism don't you?

Enjoy.

Chantal D-H

x