Vegetarian Lives

Easter and my beef with vegetarians: "Vegetarians are a selfish and self-righteous people. God save us from them!"

2010-04-01T17:54:00.007+01:00

I found this rant about vegetarians from Franklin Johnston of the Jamaica Observer (scroll down a bit). He writes: "Vegetarians are a selfish and self-righteous people. God save us from them! Or have I met the wrong lot?"

I wonder how many vegetarians he based this observation on. He writes: "Now for my rant on vegetarians.

"Why are vegetarians intolerant exhibitionists who think they are better than those who eat meat? Meat eaters never advertise themselves or impose their choices, vegetarians feel the need to flaunt their food choices and lecture us. Why?"

Not happy with offending people because of what they eat, he starts on people's sexuality. He says: "They are like exhibitionist gay people - in your face! Why do I have to know you are vegetarian? Why announce it? Just live it!"

The mindless drivel goes on and on. If you're interested the article is here but I warn you he's an absolute idiot.

Irish recipes: St Patrick's Day vegetarian style (of course Guinness is involved)

2010-03-16T08:23:00.008Z

I know it's really about Guinness and dancing but I thought I'd gather together a few traditional St Patrick's Day recipes - vegetarian style.

The vegetarian society website have a few good ones as well as other sites. I've never cooked for St Patrick's Day but I might try making the Guinness and Tofu stew.

- COLCANNON which involves potatoes and cabbage

- VEGGIE POT PIE> which is also gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan

- CHAMP which involves onion and (more) potatoes

- MOCK 'CORNED BEEF' AND CABBAGE this looks really tasty

- ST PATRICK'S SOUP which involves lots of veg and oatmeal

- BOXTY this has cooked AND raw potatoes involved

- VEGGIE SHEPHERD'S PIE bit of a complicated recipe but looks like it could be worth it

- IRISH COFFEE one of my favourites

- GUINNESS AND TOFU STEW I really want to try this one

If you've got any St Patrick's Day recipes send them to me and I'll add them to the list...x

REVIEW: Aldo Zilli's vegetarian restaurant: Zilli Green

2010-03-15T08:12:00.006Z

I blogged a couple of months ago about celebrity chef Aldo Zilli opening a vegetarian restaurant.

Well, it's open and I just read the Guardian review. Oh dear, things don't look good.

Guardian reviewer Matthew Norman wrote: "In so many regards is Zilli Green a total shocker that it's hard to know where to begin. "

However, after a bit of searching I found another review which describes the food at Zilli Green as delicious, superb and generous in quantity.

Sounds like you've just got to try it yourself.

Corey Haim in the midst of comeback before he died including film called "The Vegetarian Hunter"

2010-03-11T19:36:00.005Z

Corey Haim was apparently in the midst of a comeback before he died.

The '80s icon, who starred in such classics as The Lost Boys and License to Drive, was linked to movies including The Vegetarian Hunter.

NYDailyNews.com say the film would have been about a hunter who goes to New York and falls in love with a vegetarian girl.

It also says of the film: "She does good things to animals that backfire" - I don't really know what that means.

Read the whole article here

Twlight Saga: Eclipse trailer with vegetarian vampires Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

2010-03-11T16:49:00.005Z

It's finally here!!! The first Eclipse trailer. I hang my 27-year-old head in shame as I admit I'm a closet age-inappropriate Twihard. I'm ashamed even to use the word "Twihard".

The story of my addiction is a sad tale and there is no hope of recovery.

I let the Twilight film pass me by completely when it came out all those years ago. I imagined a teenage rom com which would make me feel 100 years old. Here's the Twilight trailer (a little treat to break up this blog post)

Then my sister booked a "girly bonding" trip to the movies. She booked New Moon tickets and the rest is (a very sorry) history. I borrowed the Twilight DVD before going to see New Moon. I watched it. I watched it again (within two days.) Ouch. And then I went to see New Moon (the same day)...(double ouch.)

The vampire/werewolf/human love triangle tickled a giggly girly part of me deep down which remembered the Point Romance books I'd read 12 years ago (only girls will remember that series of books) and undeniably female things like that

I think that's part of it: it's a "girl thing". The cinema is full of girls....and more shockingly...many women. It somehow spans age (just like vampires and werewolves!!!!)

It's something you feel only girls can understand. Having two beautiful, buff, supernatural men fighting over you when you're so plain, boring...normal.

Here's the New Moon trailer to complete the set so far (thank god we still have the fourth book Breaking Dawn to come in movie format):

I'm relatively well read, I studied English literature for five years at university, I have bulging bookshelves but I have (shamefully) bought and devoured the Twilight books.

I wouldn't recommed anyone to read them. They are not books to pass down the generations. They are like drinking a whole bottle of wine. You really shouldn't do it and you would never advise anyone else to do it however sometimes, just sometimes, you can't help but do it (even if it kills brain cells).

Serious health warning: don't do it. (But if you do...ENJOY!)

Vegetarianism and athletics: Baseball star Prince Fielder on being a veggie

2010-03-08T20:34:00.007Z

I blogged the other day about winter olympics medalist Hannah Teter and how she was a vegetarian.

It seemed, from the comments I got back off people, they really enjoyed reading about vegetarianism and athletics.

As a result I thought I'd mention this article I saw on this dish is vegetarian.

The article is about baseball star Prince Fielder and how he changed to a vegetarian diet.

He appears to smash any myths about vegetarians being meek and lacking energy. Hooray.

Here's the article.

Why Eating Meat-Shaped Vegetarian Food Is Like Having Sex with a Blow-up Doll: Anneli Rufus

2010-03-05T09:26:00.008Z

I found THIS article. It likens eating meat-shaped food to having sex with a blow-up doll. Have a read for yourself (here). It's really long so I skimmed through the last bit but certain parts are interesting.

The whole blow-up doll/sex is a little gratuitous and probably designed to achieve more hits but it gets his message across.

I don't have a problem with meat-like vegetarian products. I use veggie mince, chicken-style pieces, sausages, burgers, chicken-style fillets, the lot.

I live with a meat-eater and these products make life so much easier. If he's having spag bol we use the same sauce but whack beef in his saucepan and veggie mince in mine.

Separate out the pasta and voila! Also works brilliantly with the chicken pieces making curry, stir fry, everything.

One of the most interesting "substitutes" I've had was aromatic mock duck pancakes at the Pacifica Chinese restaurant in St Helens.

On the menu it's described as: "Made from wheat gluten and deep fried until crispy, to be rolled in pancakes with hoi sin sauce and salad."

When it arrived I had to shread it like real duck. That bit felt unnecessary but it was tasty and full points to the restaurant for the veggie choice.

I think meat-shaped products are only a problem to vegetarians who are making some kind of moral (nobler/purer/kinder than carnivores as Anneli Rufus puts it) statement.

The rest of us just think of it as a convenient way to get some lovely protein. Attaching any kind of guilt to food is never helpful nor healthy.

Eat healthily and happily.

Hollywood celebrity Drew Barrymore says being a vegetarian makes her a "picky eater"

2010-03-02T17:11:00.005Z

BEAUTIFUL Drew Barrymore has said being a vegetarian makes her a fussy eater.

I absolutely and completely disagree with the idea that people are fussy eaters simply because they are vegetarians.

According to ABS CBN News she said: "I'm a bit of a picky eater, but that's because I'm a vegetarian.

"I'm like a typical American teenager when it comes to my favorite foods! I love peanut butter with bananas. That's my favorite. I like grilled cheese sandwiches and I love homemade macaroni with cheese."

I'm a vegetarian and I'm a million times less fussy than most meat eaters I know. I will eat anything but meat and fish.

Surely that makes me a very unfussy eater and I bet there are tons of vegetarians just the same.

Surely people who think of vegetarians as fussy have a lack of culinary imagination.

End of rant. Back to work.

Ps. Read the whole Drew Barrymore article here

Vegetarian Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney's son James kicks off UK tour in Liverpool

2010-02-26T14:14:00.003Z

I wrote this review for my newspaper and website Liverpool ECHO and Post. As the McCartney family have such strong links to the vegetarian community, it seemed appropriate to pop it on my blog too. Hope you enjoy:

BEING a Beatles baby can’t be easy – especially when you’re stood on stage as your audience gazes around the room hoping to see your famous father.

James McCartney, son of Sir Paul, kicked off his first UK tour in Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, last night.

Looking like a younger, blonder version of his old man with a blue guitar slung round his neck, McCartney Jr. casually performed his set for the small but eager crowd.

He opened by dedicating his first song, New York City, to his Liverpool family and although his dad wasn’t backstage, his rock photographer uncle Mike was.

The 32-year-old also dedicated a song, called My Friend, to George Harrison whose birthday it would have been yesterday and paid homage to Sir Paul with his performance of I Love You, Dad.

The 14-strong setlist mingled angry, powerful rock numbers with soft, peaceful ballads. Simple lyrics and memorable melodies meant fragments of previously unheard songs stuck in the mind after just one play.

McCartney ploughed through his set, quickly introducing songs, singing them and moving onto the next. It wasn’t until a 50-something rocker yelled: “Go on, Jim lad” that McCartney cracked a smile and seemed suddenly more confident and at ease.

Although the multi-instrumentalist has played music all his life, he shied away from the limelight until last October when he played a handful of secret shows hiding behind the name “Light” in a bid to avoid his dad’s shadow.

At times he seemed uncomfortable and lacked the showmanship of his doe-eyed dad – but the audience warmed to him and roared their applause as he closed the concert with the words: “You are a heavenly audience. You’ve been the best audience in the whole wide world.”

Quinoa recipes

2010-02-25T09:14:00.002Z

Quinoa, herb and pomegranate salad

Quinoa rice pilau with dill and roasted tomatoes

Here's some more but I'll add to this soon...

Winter Olympics: Gold and silver medalist Hannah Teter on being a vegetarian and posing for Sports Illustrated

2010-02-25T08:32:00.007Z

Loads of my Google alerts are about American snowboarder Hannah Teter at the moment. I'm not interested in snowboarding so I haven't explored them much but she said something really positive about turning veggie last year.

She said: "I started that last year and feel stronger mentally and physically, and springier." (Read the whole interview with People Magazine.) I sometimes wonder how different I'd feel if I ate meat and fish: would I be fatter/ thinner, more alert, have healthier skin, hair etc...?

Having been a vegetarian for so long I have nothing to compare how I feel with. I guess I need to read the book I blogged on yesterday about the life-long vegetarian who started eating meat for health reasons.

Anyway...back to Hannah Teter. She eats loads of Quinoa. Quinoa is weird but really good for you.

Check out the blog post I've written on Quiona recipes. If you send your recipes and pics to jokelly2@googlemail.com I'll add them to the blog too.

Going slightly off on a tangent (but it's still connected), I found a piece written today about how vegetarian diets don't limit athletic excellence.

Sarah Gross writes: "Vegetarian diets are growing in popularity among athletes, for numerous reasons.

" One study by the Yale Medical Journal found that vegetarians are often more capable of maintaining athletic endurance than their meat-eating counterparts."

It's really worth a read. You'll find it here.

BOOK: The Butcher and the Vegetarian by Tara Austen Weaver

2010-02-24T11:23:00.006Z

A Google alert popped up in my email saying: "A vegetarian goes over to the dark (meat) side."

I was intrigued.

The link led to a (slightly boring) Q&A with Tara Austen Weaver who gave up being a vegetarian when her holistic doctor suggeted she eat meat for health reasons. (Read the Q&A here)

She had been a veggie all her life. In her book she describes what it was like beginning to eat meat. This includes enjoying barbecued bacon and "meat hangovers"

The blurb on the book reads: "One Woman's Romp through a World of Men, Meat and Moral Crisis." This put me off. It makes it sound like some kind of Sex in the City meets the Bible meets a cook book.

Maybe it's just me. I hate it when people connect vegetarianism with morality. It's a personal choice about diet not some kind of religious superiority to those who eat meat.

I haven't read the book so I won't judge it. It might be fantastic...just with a rubbish blurb. Either way it'd be interesting to read about the effects of eating meat on the body and mind of a life-long vegetarian.

Check out Tara's website and blog.

McDonald's hope veggie burger and coffee will spur growth in Germany

2010-02-16T01:19:00.006Z

McDonald's in Germany is apparently re-introducing the veggie burger to attract more women customers.

They think fresh food is more likely to bring in the female fast food lovers.

It will be made from potatoes, peppers and carrots. Although the Veggie Deluxe fills a guilty hole, I always liked the Quorn Premiere far more but according to a website I've found (Makeupyourownmind) there wasn't enough demand for it.

The website claims "The site has been set up for you to find out anything you would like to know about McDonald’s food, business, people and practices."

People ask questions and get them answered. Here's the answers on the Quorn Premiere and the Veggie Deluxe.

I haven't had a McDonald's for ages but the last thing I had involved chickpeas and an odd sauce. It helped ease a hangover but I won't be rushing back for another.

The Spicy Veggie Deli sandwich was good but didn't satisfy burger-cravings even though it was probably as laden with sugar and fat. (After a quick bit of research, I learn it contains 555 calories and 21g of fat - find out what the nutritional value of your McDonald's favourites here.)

My message has to be..

...BRING BACK THE QUORN PREMIERE!!!

I'm a Celebrity...king of the jungle celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo's vegetarian Eggs with Mediterranean Vegetables in Tomato Sauce recipe so good

2010-02-15T17:47:00.008Z

As I've said before, I'm no cook. However, I'm trying at the moment because I'm doing that "low carb" diet again so bunging noodles in the microwave just won't cut it.

I found this brill recipe in Gino D'Acampo's book Fantastico! (£8.31 on Amazon)

It's called Eggs with Mediterranean Vegetables in Tomato Sauce (not exactly inventive) and is super easy, especially with my cheeky cheap cheat.

Instead of messing with all the fresh vegetables (because I was busy not lazy...honest) I got a tin of organic vegetables, which worked great. (I'm sure fresh veg is nicer and healthier though.) Anyway...enough chatting..here's the recipe from Gino's website.

But first...here are pictures of my attempt. Doesn't look too bad? It was really filling and super tasty. I recommed it.

Eggs with Mediterranean Vegetables in Tomato Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
3 medium courgettes, roughly chopped
1 large yellow pepper, roughly chopped
400g tinned chopped tomatoes
5 fresh basil leaves
50g pitted Kalamata olives
4 medium eggs
70g freshly grated Cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

Preparation:
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion, courgettes and pepper until soft and browned, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, add in the tomatoes, basil and olives. Cook, uncovered, over a medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the water from the tomatoes is well reduced.

Meanwhile, preheat the grill. Make four slight hollows in the tomato mixture and very gently break one egg into each. Sprinkle over the cheese and cook under the grill for about 10 minutes or until the eggs are set as you like them.

Serve immediately with warm crusty bread. (Not so great on the low carb diet but nevermind.)

Enjoy x

Aldo Zilli relaunches Soho restaurant Signor Zilli as purely vegetarian after Celebrity Fit Club experience

2010-01-28T18:11:00.007Z

CHEF Aldo Zilli is apparently relaunching his Soho restaurant as a vegetarian venture.

The award-winning Italian chef will open Zilli Green in Soho on February 14 after being inspired by his time on Celebrity Fit Club to have a new lifestyle.

He said: "Before going on Celebrity Fit Club a few years ago I decided that I wanted a new lifestyle and a new way of looking at food.

"The programme inspired me to alter the focus of my cooking with new ingredients and different patterns of eating.

"This year marks my 30th anniversary as one of Soho's original restaurateurs. At the time, I brought a fresh new approach to eating Italian food to London and I want to mark this anniversary with an equally exciting new approach to a fresh and healthy way of life for everyone to enjoy."

Although I think it's brilliant such a high-profile chef is bringing vegetarian food into the spotlight, it sometimes annoys me people assume a vegetarian lifestyle is "the healthy option."

I remember being on an American flight as a child - when everyone got a ready salted bag of crisps as a snack, I was handed a stick of celery.

I do, however, like how Zilli focuses on how tasty vegetarian food can be. He said: "...vegetarian food doesn't have to be dull or tasteless - but exciting and delicious with quirky flavours and combinations."

Starter dishes (from £3.50) include Beetroot Lasagna with Dandelion & Rocket Salad; Jerusalem Artichoke Tart with Goats Cheese, Fig & Grape Chutney; and Red Lentil & Barley Soup.

Pasta dishes (£6.00) include Pumpkin ravioli with Butter, Sage and Nutmeg Sauce; Artichoke and Smoked Mozzarella Risotto with Toasted Sunflower Seeds; and Black truffle lasagne.

Other mains include, Lentil Cake with Steamed Baby Vegetables, Fried Fennel and Beetroot Oil; Marinated Seared Tofu with Asian Salad and Miso Soup; Thai Curry with Quinoa & Blood Orange Chutney; and Purple Sprouting Broccoli & Oyster Mushroom Tempura as well as a Daily Roast.

I particularly fancy the Jerusalem Artichoke Tart with Goats Cheese and...well...all the mains. Check out the whole menu for yourself.

Vegetarianism isn't a moral choice for me. I love going to veggie restaurants because I can completely relax about what I'm eating, I know my food hasn't been cut with the wrong knife in the kitchen or touched something non-veggie.

However, vegetarian restaurants should not be held up as somehow better or healthier or more moral than other eateries. They are simply another choice, as is being a vegetarian.

Vegetarian Christmas present ideas: sweets, Haribo, vegan marshmallows and more

2009-12-16T23:41:00.006Z

Well, I've been rubbish at updating the blog. I have no excuses but will make it up with loads of interesting posts about tasty veggie treats.

Today it's the wonder of sweeties. As I may have said before, I've been a vegetarian since I was four so I don't "miss" meat and animal products in the way a more recent veggie might. One thing I do wish I could have is jelly sweets, marshmallows and other sugary naughtiness.

A friend from work did a bit of Googling and found me these websites:

Sweet Vegan

Sweet Vegan will be sending out Christmas orders up to December 21st. They appear to sell four products: vanilla marshmallows, coconut marshmallows (both £4.99 for 200g), mint hot chocolate and hot chocolate (both £4.95 for 300g).

Although there aren't a lot of products to choose from, the marshmallows are handmade and look like they'd make nice gifts. (Let's hope the boyfriend's reading this!!!) Next site is...

Scrumptious Sweets

This site sells classics like cola cubes, jelly beans and fizzy fangs.

There are tons of sweets to choose from and best of all they have Christmas gift packs including Deluxe Organic Vegetarian and Vegan Xmas Fondue Gift Box (£75) and a Fruit Sweet Treats in a Mug (£19.99) plus many more.

Gift packs range in price from £9.99 to the Exclusive Christmas Gift Hamper for a whopping £95 but it does include:

Exclusive Chocolate Fondue set.
Vegan 'Free From' Chocolate.
Vegan & Vegetarian Vanilla Marshmallows.
Vegan & Vegetarian Coconut Marshmallows.
Vegan & Vegetarian Cinnamon Pecan Marshmallows.
Vegan & Vegetraian Marshmallows Ghost.
Vegan & Vegetrian Peanut butter Smores
vegan & Vegetarian Rocky road.
Vegan & Vegetarian Organic Sour Fruit Drops.
Vegan & Organic Sweet Fruit drops.
Vegan & Vegeatrian Herbs and fruit Drops.
Vegan & Vegetarian Peppermint and Eucalytus Drops.
Jar of Vegan Organic Sugar Jelly Bears.
Jar of Vegan Organic Jelly Sour Worms.
Jar of Vegan Organic Oranges & Lemons Fruit Slices.
Luxury Gift Box or Hamper.
Personal Greeting card.
FREE DELIVERY to anywhere in the UK!

Sweetie World

No fancy gift sets on this site but lots and lots of choice from Wham bars to Raspberry Millions.

You can order up to December 22nd for Christmas and as a nice bonus £1 from every order made between the 16th-22nd December gets donated to charity Crisis.

There are loads more veggie sweeties site but I thought these three were quite different. If you're only going to look at one, I recommend Scrumptious Sweets for their gift sets.

Enjoy

The American Dietic Association says vegetarian and vegan diets are healthy

2009-07-07T12:22:00.003+01:00

The American Dietic Association has announced that following a vegetarian/ vegan diet can be healthy.

In the July 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, it said: “It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.

"Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes.”

Read VegBang.com's fuller article.

PETA reveal country music star Kellie Pickler from American Idol as sexiest celebrity vegetarian

2009-06-17T13:58:00.006+01:00

Country and music star Kellie Pickler only became a vegetarian last year but has topped a vote of sexy veggie celebs.

People Magazine reported she said: "One night I couldn't sleep and I was up just Googling random stuff and I'm like, 'Hmmm, PETA.

"I saw all the videos and I just thought it was horrible. It's animal cruelty. A lot of it has to do with knowing what happens to the animals. It really bothered me and so I will not eat meat."

Click here for more details about the news.

Wonderful vegetarian soup, salad and sandwich bar in Liverpool city centre: Soupernatural

2009-06-16T13:36:00.014+01:00

Work is really busy today but just wanted to put a quick note on about a lovely veggie eaterie I found on my lunch. It's called Soupernatural and it's on Rumford Street in Liverpool city centre.

View Rumford St in a larger map

It's mainly a take away but has a few chairs and tables to eat in if you want. I had a "help-yourself" salad - pasta, cous cous, olives, houmous, etc etc etc. My other half had Italian vegetable soup and a cheese toastie. It was all obviously homemade and delicious. All this food plus two juices and a huge portion of veggie sushi only came to £10.

When I googled Soupernatural, I found this picture of the woman who served me and here's a link to an interview with her I found on a business website.

Her background and story are interesting. Worth a read. Anyway....I have to get back to work now.

Are vegetarians who don't drink enough milk more prone to brain strokes?

2009-06-15T09:38:00.006+01:00

I came across this article today - it's a bit scary. It's about how vegetarians are more prone to brain strokes because we get less vitamin B-12.

A neurologist did a study of 460 cases of brain strokes and 80% were vegetarians who did not drink milk.

I don't really drink milk. I only have it in tea and I only have about five cups of tea a day.

Here's the Food Standards Agency info page on milk.

Right I'm off to the fridge for a large glass of the white stuff.

Ps. enjoy the Accrington Stanley Ad from the 1980s.

Nigella Lawson's involtini recipe

2009-04-21T16:11:00.004+01:00

I know I haven't posted for ages but I had to share the recipe for this dish. My friend Kate came round to my new flat on Friday and cooked it for me.

It's called Involtini and involves lots of cheese and aubergine. My boyfriend, who's never had an aubergine and usually needs a bit of meat to keep him satisfied, loved it and even had leftovers the next day.

He's really becoming a fan of Nigella - we seem to be watching her a lot on tele of late. Hhhmmmm....

Anyway, enjoy.

Public school offer fees discount for vegetarian students

2009-02-11T13:53:00.005Z

A public school, which costs £15,000 a year to attend, offered students a 10% discount in fees if they take up the Vegetarian Scholarship.

The Telegraph reported the story .

I'm not sure whether I agree with trying to bribe youngsters into making a decision on their diet. As long as people are healthy then they should be left to eat what they what.

A financial incentive not to eat meat seems an awful idea and shouldn't be allowed. Guilt should never be attached to food and having a "special" prize for eating a certain way is bound to affect how those without the prize feel about what they eat.

The article says students at Wycliffe College aren't interested and I'm glad. Let's hope no parents try to influence them to get a cut in fees.

Kareena Kapoor wins sexiest vegetarian from PETA India

2009-02-04T09:44:00.004Z

India Today reported Kareena Kapoor has won the PETA India's sexiest vegetarian celebrity of 2008.

She said: “If my fans are looking up to me and have turned vegetarian, then I am happy about it. I am a pure vegetarian and it helps me keep fit and healthy."

She beat international celebrities including Pamela Anderson and Paul McCartney to the title.

Read the full artcile here.

Non-dairy vegetarian diets versus Amanda Cross' low Gi diet

2009-02-03T09:16:00.007Z

Found this blog called Pace and Kyeli while messing about on the internet.

It's about a couple of people who are trying to be non-dairy vegetarians for three months. The writer, Pace, says some interesting things about cheese - When I stopped eating dairy, I felt better, more clear-headed, more compassionate, and I had more energy."

I have to disagree with this completely. I recently decided to lose weight and struggled to find a diet to suit me. Weight Watchers was ok but working out all the points could be a nightmare.

Slimmers' World was rubbish for me because red days (where you lose the most weight) are difficult when they advised so much meat.

I settled on Amanda Cross's low GI diet book . It was tough at first because I got headaches and fatigue but after a while I felt a lot better. It was amazing how much energy I had from eating such high levels of protein.

It was really difficult to eat as much as the diet required but I would recommend it to fellow vegetarians. High protein definitely made me feel better - less bloated, chubby and stodgy.

One last thing - I now find that if I eat something like pasta then I crave it for days afterwards but if I avoid it I can live without it easily.

Is Eating Meat Bad for your Skin?

2009-02-02T10:49:00.003Z

I found this really interesting article about the effects of eating (and not eating) meat on your skin.

It's written by a beauty scientist called Laurie. She/ he discusses heart disease, prostate cancer, sex hormones and other health issues.

It's interesting but doesn't really come up with anything conclusive and the actual effects are vague. Still worth a read though.

NBC ban Super Bowl ad because it's too sexy

2009-02-02T09:21:00.005Z

Apparently, NBC rejected this PETA ad from the Super Bowl because it was too sexy.

PETA reported getting this reply to the ad from the NBC:

The PETA spot submitted to Advertising Standards depicts a level of sexuality exceeding
our standards. Listed below are the edits that need to be made. Before finalizing the
spot, we would like to view a Quicktime file as well as a DVD with high resolution.

:12- :13- licking pumpkin
:13- :14- touching her breast with her hand while eating broccoli
:19- pumpkin from behind between legs
:21- rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin
:22- screwing herself with broccoli (fuzzy)
:23- asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into vagina
:26- licking eggplant
:26- rubbing asparagus on breast
Victoria Morgan
Vice President, Advertising Standards
NBC Universal

Check out PETA's Veggie Love website.

I think it is too sexy for family-time tv but the NBC banning it probably gave it more publicity than if it'd been shown so it's win-win for PETA.

Wall Street trader suing boss over vegetarian homo comment claim

2009-02-02T09:02:00.008Z

This story is all over the internet but here's My Fox's coverage or read Daily News' article here:

A Wall Street trader is suing his former employer over allegations that his vegetarianism led his ex-boss to repeatedly accuse him of being gay and to eventually fire him.

According to a New York Daily News report, Ryan Pacifico claims that his former boss at the American office of French financial firm Calyon called him a "vegetarian homo" when another trader wondered what Pacifico would eat at a company outing at a steakhouse, and reacted to Pacifico's vegetarianism by asking, "At what point in time did you realize you were gay?"

Pacifico is not gay, and says that he served steak to guests at his wedding.

The suit also alleges that Pacifico's former boss made a point of only ordering hamburgers and pizza with meat toppings for weekly team lunches, and that the firm manufactured reasons to fire Pacifico when the real reason was his boss' perception that he was gay, the New York Post reports.

Hospitals to take meat off the menu to cut carbon?

2009-01-26T11:33:00.005Z

NHS hospitals could cut meat meals in a bid to curb carbon emissions.

The Guardian article said that last year the NHS served up 129m main meals costing £312m.

Read the entire Guardian article here.

Outburst at "obnoxious" vegetarians is uncalled for

2009-01-21T14:38:00.003Z

I had to post a link to this article.

"Meanest Mom" reckons you can tell a vegetarian at a party because they are the ones "asking about the ingredients of everything on the buffet table and making little throw up noises when you take a bite of your chicken satay."

What an idiot? How can she talk about vegetarians as a whole? She obviously socialises with very ignorant, rude people.

Her point about restaurants not having to have options for vegetarians is so old fashioned. For God sake - get with the times.

I also get vexed by veggies who try to impose their choices on others but I'm not rude about it and I don't make "little throw up" noises. I find people are interested in why I'm a vegetarian so if they ask, I'll tell them but otherwise I keep it to myself.

Great Tapas restaurant in Liverpool with vegetarian options

2009-01-20T10:56:00.004Z

Hi. Sorry I've not posted for a while. Life's been a bit hectic after Christmas at work and at home.

Had to let you know about a lovely restaurant I visited on Friday night - Tapas Tapas on Back Colquitt Street in Liverpool city centre.

We had six dishes including Pimientos Con Queso, which was peppers stuffed with vegetarian goats cheese. I also had Champinones Paprika, which was mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, garlic, paprika and cream. Really tasty.

As well as six dishes, we ordered a bottle of Cava for £14.95 and the whole bill only came to £40.40 - amazing. If you're in the area, I'd definitely say give it a try.

Vegetarian Christmas Nut Roast

2008-12-27T22:47:00.003Z

Here's the Christmas Nut Roast I posted the recipe for on December 14. Mum made it as always and it was fab.

Fed six of us - five of them were meat-eaters and were completely happy not having turkey on Christmas Day.

Mum just popped slices of mushroom on the top for decoration.

We had carrots, roast potatoes and red cabbage with it. Everything was lovely.

Here are a few more recipes for nut roasts that I've found. Not tried them but they look nice.

Vegetarian Nut Roast

Australian Nut Roast

Basic Vegan Nut Roast

Cashew Nut Roast

Let me know if they're any good x

Best UK vegetarian restaurant award from Vegetarian Society

2008-12-23T12:46:00.006Z

The UK vegetarian restaurant award was announced as the Dandelion and Burdock in Sowerby Bridge.

The full article can be read here and their website can be visited here (but it's rubbish).

It was nominated by society members, shortlisted then visited by a secret diner, who gave it almost full marks in every catergory.

Can't wait to visit.

Being a vegetarian can prevent heart disease and cancer?

2008-12-22T14:26:00.004Z

Just found this article called Three Health Advantages Of A Vegetarian Diet. It's really interesting.

The blogger splits it into three sections: heart health, skin health and increased natural consumption of antioxidants.

I think what some people don't understand is: being a vegetarian is more than just not eating meat.

I recently tried to lose weight by doing a low carb diet - it was so hard to do as a vegetarian.

I had to be so organised. It also made me realise that as a veggie, it's so easy to pig out on carbs - pizza, pasta, bread etc...

I thought of myself as a healthy vegetarian but I didn't eat enough protein.

Give the article a read - it recommends more nuts, soy milk and seed oils among other things.

Vegetarian goat's cheese, tomato and rosemary sables recipe ideal for Christmas parties

2008-12-21T21:55:00.003Z

If you're looking for something veggie to wet people's appetite at Christmas parties this year, give this recipe a go.

Me and my friend, Kate, made them for a party last night and they were fab. So cute and tasty.

I'm a rubbish cook so if i managed it, anyone can. They were quite easy to make but looked really fancy.

Kate found the recipe on the Channel4 website. It is:

Makes 15

Ingredients
100g flour
1 tbsp each of rosemary and flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
75g butter
1 egg yolk
25g Parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt and pepper
8 x cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp Maldon salt
1 tbsp thyme
150g goat's cheese
50g walnuts, toasted and ground

1. For the sable: Blend the flour and herbs together to incorporate the colour. Add the softened butter, Parmesan and egg yolk to bring the mixture together. Allow to rest and then roll into tubes. Allow to reset for a further 30 minutes then slice into 3 to 4mm round slices and rest again for 20-30 minutes.

2. Bake in the oven at 160ºC for about 20 minutes and allow to cool.

3. Peel the goat's cheese removing all the rind and blend to a smooth paste. Roll into tubes slightly smaller than the sables and allow to set. Roll in the toasted walnuts and slice into 1.5cm rounds.

4. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves and dust with Maldon salt and thyme. Leave in a barely warm oven to dry slowly. Minimum 3 hours.

5. Stack the sables, cheese and tomatoes in that order and serve.

TIP: To roll the cheese into tubes place the mixture into piping bags, pipe into long thick rolls onto cling film, then shape by rolling the cling film tightly and twisting the ends (the mixture needs to be the same diameter as the sables), then allow to set.

Singer Katy Perry wants to be a vegetarian

2008-12-16T12:51:00.004Z

Singer Katy Perry has apparently wanted to join the ranks of Shania Twain and Pink by becoming a vegetarian.

According to website ecorazzi.com she said: "I want to try to be a vegetarian because I know it would be more of a healthier option for me.

"But I love chicken. I think I am just gonna try and be a healthier person and ya know think about my family more."

While I'm posting - check out this article on The Hindu, which discusses animal activist group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

It says they wrote a letter to the chief of Citigroup calling for a vegetarian menu in its executive dining room.

Interesting but I doubt it'll happen.

Quorn is better for you than chicken?

2008-12-16T09:19:00.003Z

Hello. Hope everyone's having a good day. Just sat down at my desk with a lovely lemon tea.

Haven't got long because I've got tons of work to do but I just saw this really interesting article by Jane Clarke on yesterday's Mail Online.

She recommends meat-eaters to swap to Quorn because the rich mycoprotein in it is wonderful for reducing cholesterol levels.

She also says studies show mycoprotein is more likely to fill you up than something like chicken.

Well worth a read.

Sir Paul McCartney asks the Dalai Lama to turn vegetarian

2008-12-15T15:58:00.004Z

Online Sindh Newspaper, SindhToday.net, reported:

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney tried to turn the Dalai Lama vegetarian, insisting the famed Buddhist was ‘wrong’ to eat meat.

McCartney wrote to the Tibetan spiritual leader to point out that meat-eaters contribute to the suffering of animals, contradicting the latter’s statement that Buddhists ‘believe in not causing suffering to any sentient beings’.

Contactmusic.com reports McCartney said: "I found out that he was not a vegetarian, so I wrote to him saying ‘Forgive me for pointing this out, but if you eat animals then there is some suffering somewhere along the line’.

"He replied saying that his doctors had told him he needed it, so I wrote back saying they were wrong."

How to lose weight - become a vegetarian?

2008-12-15T09:38:00.003Z

Here's a story from the Erie Times about a woman, Bonnie Little, who lost 80 pounds by giving up meat:

Ten months later, Little's cholesterol and blood pressure are normal -- without the help of medication -- and she has lost about 80 pounds. How did she do it?

She switched to a mostly vegetarian diet, trading her chicken wings and pizza for kale and parsnips. "I have always liked vegetables, and I learned that I could eat almost as much as I wanted," Little said. Keep reading here.

What to cook a vegetarian at Christmas - Cashew Nut Roast with Mushroom and Sherry sauce

2008-12-14T17:59:00.014Z

I promised to post the recipe for the Cashew Nut Roast with Mushroom and Sherry sauce.

Every year when mum (below) makes it, we look at it and think - this isn't going to fill us.

Me (right) and my sister Lorna

However, every year - it does. It's really filling so you'll only need a few veggies to go round it.

We put the roast in the middle of the plate and surround it with colourful veg.

Pop a sprig of holly on top and voila - vegetarian Christmas.

The cook - mum (Barbara Kelly)

You've got to make the mushroom sauce to go with it though - it really goes well together.

Even meat eaters (who often don't think vegetarian food is substantial enough) enjoy this roast.

I recomment colourful veg but not parsnips as they're already in the nut roast.

Maybe carrots, sprouts and celeriac.

The recipe is:

Serves 6-8

1 tbl spoon of oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
8oz (225g) cashew nuts
4 oz (110g) fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg
3 medium parsnips, cooked and mashed with a little butter
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or 0.5 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon yeast extract
0.25 pint (150ml) hot water or stock
salt and freshly ground pepper
1oz (25g) butter
8oz (225g) mushrooms, chopped
butter for greasing tin

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350F (180C).Heat the oil and fry the onion and garlic until soft. Grind the cashew nuts in a nut mill, blender or mincer, then mix with the breadcrumbs. Beat the egg and add it to the dry ingredients, then mix in the mashed parsnips and herbs. Add the fried onion, being sure to scrape the pan so that all the juices go in as nut roasts can sometimes be a little dry.

Dissolve the yeast extract in hot water or stock and add to the other ingredients. Season well.Melt the butter in a frying pan and sauté the chopped mushrooms until soft. Grease a 2lb(900g) loaf tin with butter, then press in half the nut mixture. Add the sautéed chopped mushrooms and then the remainder of the nut mixture.Cover with foil and bake for one hour. When cooked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before turning it out. Serve hot or cold.

Mushroom and sherry sauce (makes 1.25 pints/550ml sauce)
1 oz (25g) butter
8 oz (225g) mushrooms, wiped and quartered
1 tablespoon sherry
4 teaspoons flour
1 pint (570ml) strong vegetable stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Interesting blog post about Lecithin and vegetarians

2008-12-13T14:42:00.000Z

I found this really interesting blog about Lecithin and there a post about being a vegetarian - well worth a read:

"The thing with vegetarians is they do not get to consume those nutrients that are normally found only in animal products.

"Since they do not eat meat, vegetarians often restrict their diet to foods like: macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, cheese pizza, eggplant parmesan,...and other non-meat products.

"One such nutrient that vegetarians hold a danger of inadequate intake is lecithin."

Read the rest of the post here.

Sexiest Vegetarian Marine in the US Marine Corps.

2008-12-12T13:47:00.000Z

Article from thecalifornian.com:

"Proving that you can serve your country without serving meat, Monterey-based Lt. Col. Bob Lucius has been chosen by PETA as the sexiest vegetarian in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Read the rest here.

A Vegetarian Christmas

2008-12-12T13:08:00.000Z

MY FAMILY are wonderful - they always have a vegetarian Christmas for me. They're big meat and fish eaters but rather than leaving me with a plate of veg, mum creates a Cashew Nut Roast with Mushroom Sherry sauce and everyone tucks in.

I'm at my desk in work at the moment so I can't post the recipe but I will when I get home.

Apparently, according to this week's article on Medical News Today, a vegetarian Christmas can be the healthier option.

The article said: "With Christmas just around the corner and preparations in full swing, you might be starting to think of meal planning for the big day.

"It can often be challenging for vegetarians and those catering for them to get a meat-free Christmas dinner just right....read the rest of the article here."

Anyway - better get back to work but I'll try to pop that recipe on over the weekend.

x

Vegetarian sausages from award-winning organic website

2008-12-11T23:58:00.000Z

I haven't got time to tell you my tales of Florida today but I just wanted to let you know of a particularly tasty discovery.

Dragonfly soysages. You get four in a pack for £1.95 and I'd really recommend them.

They're more substantial than Quorn or Tofu sausages I've had - more of a nutty flavour.

I ordered them from organic site Abel and Cole, who have their very own vegetarian and vegan section and they deliver to the house.

You can order the soysages here. Let me know what you think. I really appreciate feedback.

Vegetarian nightmares at Disney World and Denny's

2008-12-10T22:51:00.000Z

I've been a vegetarian for more than 20 years and in that time I've taken the bad eating out experiences with the good but a recent fortnight's holiday in Florida took the biscuit (not made with lard, obviously).

I won't rant about every bad experience I had in that two weeks in one go but I wanted to explain what finally led me to start this blog.

I wanted to encourage a community where people can share their experiences (good and bad) of living without meat or fish. I wanted to create a forum where people can come for advice and support because it can be hard.

I wanted to make a space where people can enjoy, even relish, being a vegetarian because sometimes it feels as if it's treated as a flippin' disability.

Anyway - that's a quick introduction. In my next post I'll share some of the awful service I had to endure in America last month from endless Chicken Salads (hold the chicken) to ham in my "Veggie Omlette".

Bet you've all been there.

Jo x