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TofuTogether 

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Dogood

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Honestly Tasty

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Prism 

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Jake Drinks

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Passenger

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Otherly

The future of food production is in space. As farming crops on land becomes more challenging with our changing climate causing droughts and floods, scientists are looking upwards for the future of food.&nbsp; If growing food in space, the food would be plant-based because the conditions in space would not be sufficient to have grazing livestock, let alone address the number of plants it would take to sustain these animals. The latter highlights this earthly ignorance of how <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/soy#:~:text=More%20than%20three-quarters%20(77,,%20edamame%20beans,%20and%20tempeh." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">77% of soy is fed to livestock</a><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/soy#:~:text=More%20than%20three-quarters%20(77,,%20edamame%20beans,%20and%20tempeh." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">,</a> with just 7% used directly for human food products. The future of plant-based-in-space therefore points towards a new beginning for plant-based farming. <h2>Plant-based space</h2>Plants are already being grown in space. NASA have created The Vegetable Production System, known as <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/veggie_fact_sheet_508.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Veggie</a>, which is a garden that resides in their space station. The Veggie garden is around the size of a small suitcase and can hold around six plants. They are grown in a ‘pillow’ filled with a clay-based growth media and fertiliser. The ‘pillows’ help distribute water, nutrients, and air in a healthy balance around the roots.&nbsp; Plants use light to guide growth in the absence of gravity. A bank of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) above the plants produces a spectrum of light enabling the plant to grow.&nbsp; Veggie has grown a selection of plants, including Chinese cabbage, Mizuna mustard, red Russian kale and zinnia flowers.&nbsp; However, although providing foundations for the future of growing plants in space, expansion is needed to create more plants to prepare for future generations. As Earth becomes less habitable, should we look towards another planet for the future of our food?&nbsp; <h2>Mars and spacey salads&nbsp;</h2>Most planets cannot sustain life, mainly due to their temperature. Venus, for example, can get as hot as 471℃ and has a dense atmosphere at a pressure that is 91 times the pressure found at sea level on Earth. Mercury’s surface temperatures can reach a scorching 450℃. Mars, however, although with fluctuating temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius and -153 degrees Celsius, proposes a more promising environment for growing plants. With its soil thought to be rich in iron, it makes it ideal for growing leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and kale. Mars’s atmosphere is mainly carbon dioxide, which plants need to turn into oxygen.&nbsp; Plants on Mars would require less water, due to its gravity (which is approximately 38% that of Earth’s), and because the soil can hold more water than on Earth it would drain slower into the soil. However, certain conditions would make it difficult to grow plants on Mars. Although next to Earth, its distance from the sun, at around 50 million miles, makes it much colder. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1696014312/Image_1_69_pic_2_2faa5add5d.png" alt=" Martian-esque landscape with glass dome">Dmitry Grachyov/Unsplash <h2>Looking further afield… or a planet</h2>Elon Musk has acknowledged the practicalities of growing food in space and that keeping livestock would interfere with that. He states how he wants to give people ‘free choice’, interestingly, but not unsurprisingly, failing to acknowledge the choice of the animals not to be killed. Encouragingly, however, Musk also addresses some of the issues (although ignoring the ethics) of keeping animals in space, thus leaning towards a plant-based future in outer space.&nbsp; Musk <a href="https://www.livekindly.com/elon-musk-predicts-vegan-colonies-will-be-on-mars-in-7-10-years/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">states</a>, "I'm a big fan of free choice for any future Martian colony. That said, it is likely that early Mars colonists would have a mostly vegetable diet, because of the energy and space needed to raise farm animals." The president of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, illuminates the issues present with animal agriculture and its damaging effects on the environment: "If&nbsp;Elon Musk's vision of a colony on Mars&nbsp;comes true, the last thing those people will need is the disease and destruction that results from eating animals, whether you're settling into your new Martian home or staying here on Earth, going vegan is the best way to ensure that you'll be able to enjoy the world around you for as long as possible."&nbsp; The disease and destruction inherent to agricultural farming is a key factor in ensuring that cultivating on Mars is done correctly - with a plant-based approach. After all, <a href="https://karger.com/mip/article/30/1-6/2/196843/The-Causal-Relationship-between-Eating-Animals-and" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">some pandemics on Earth appear to have been caused by eating animals</a>, so why not start afresh and create a plant-based planet? Until we’re all on Mars, we’ll be obsessing about what Earth’s restaurants have to offer. Check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/jack-the-falafel-delicious-lunch-spot-in-bristol-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Jack the Falafel: a delicious lunch spot in Bristol</a>, and learn more about animal agriculture <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/the-environmental-impact-of-animal-agriculture" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">here</a>.

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Veganism on Mars: Cultivating plant-based diets in outer space?


London has no shortage of vegan restaurants and cafes, but they are by no means evenly dispersed. East London is a hotbed for plant-based eateries, but it is definitely worth venturing to other parts of the city where the pickings are less abundant. And we promise, you won’t be disappointed.&nbsp; <h2>Go west, life is peaceful there&nbsp;</h2>As clearly stated by the popular <a href="https://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/fpculw/go_west/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Village People song</a>, there is a lot to be said (and sung) about heading west. It’s peaceful, it’s open, and you’ll do just fine. Actually, if you head to our top picks of vegan eateries in West London, you’ll do more than just fine.&nbsp; <h2>Revival Cafe</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/revivalcafelondon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Revival Cafe</a> is a plant-based eatery close to South Ealing underground station. Once the bakery of their parents, this London vegan coffee shop is now run by compassionate siblings. The relaxed and welcoming space has been created with a focus on sustainability and a desire to make a positive change. Open early in the morning, they serve the usual coffees and specialty lattes like turmeric and matcha. With a selection of sandwiches and pasties, there is no shortage of options for that savoury fix. However, it is their sweet treats you should not miss. Cookies, loaves, croissants, cheesecakes, and more. Buy every single one, twice. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1695381842/Image_1_68_pic_2_af2279aad3.png" alt=" Pastry, coffee and desert from Revival Cafe, West London"><a href="https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/250209141_115182194282780_5791298902826643229_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=5614bc&amp;_nc_ohc=3cBR67CTQuUAX9VzyxW&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&amp;oh=00_AfC7dB1E7CBqaI11_v9sbpcgarAOqzOIBA2YdcgQiJgcFg&amp;oe=64F5A35E" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Mark</a> Flood <h2>The Humble Veg</h2>A few blocks up from Northfield station is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehumblevegealing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Humble Veg</a>. Jacquie is the owner and chef at this small but perfectly formed takeaway. Inspired to create tasty, healthy, homecooked dishes, the coconut-based lentil love or beans &amp; green curry are guaranteed to satisfy. With the additional options of sandwiches, burritos and nachos, there is enough variety to return again and again. They also feature a selection of cakes from local bakers, but their rocky road is a chunky delight you won’t regret investing in. A chocolate biscuity heaven. <h2>Benji’s Buns</h2>Lastly, it is the newest plant-based kid on the block, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/benjis_buns/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Benji's Buns</a>. After a stint at the local food market this London vegan bakery opened its first store in Ealing Broadway in 2022. Having just opened at a second location in Notting Hill, this bun empire is starting to build. Specialising in dreamy freshly baked warm and gooey cinnamon buns, we see a bright, and sweet, future. We suggest you ease yourself in with the standard glazed bun before expanding your horizons and opting for something a little more extravagant. Options can vary but with flavours like chocolate, Lotus Biscoff, orange marmalade or blueberry, these super indulgent treats will leave you beyond satiated. They also offer additional treats like brownies and cookie sandwiches, so there is something to satisfy those non-bun cravings too. Get there as soon as you can.&nbsp; For more London vegan restaurant highlights, you should check out what we think of the long-standing <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/mildreds-soho-where-taste-and-style-converge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mildreds</a>, the more recent, <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/v-izza-london-s-hidden-gem-for-vegan-pizza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">V-izza</a>, or Scandinavian-inspired <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/dauns-superb-scandinavian-inspired-vegan-cafe-bar-and-deli" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Dauns</a>.

West London may not be off the beaten track if looking for an area with lots of vegan eatery choices but any extra effort will be worth it. We promise!

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Go West: London vegan eateries a little off the beaten track

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Could you live in a banana cocoon? Vegan sustainable architecture

Most V-Land UK readers are Brits, and it’s safe to say we have it made on this little island when it comes to vegan-friendly cities. From London and Brighton to Manchester and Edinburgh, we are spoilt for choice with plant-based metropolises. London is often described as the most vegan-friendly city in Europe due to the number of restaurants alone. But what about the vegan Brits travelling abroad, what are some other cities that make the perfect getaway for those on a plant-based diet? We explore the city with the most vegan restaurants in each continent (except Antarctica!) around the world and what makes them unique. <h2>New York</h2>The Big Apple has such a cultural significance, especially across the Western world. It’s natural for those all over the globe to want to visit this exciting concrete jungle at least once. Vegans should be no exception to this, as New York is home to over 1,400 vegan restaurants or places offering a wide variety of vegan dishes. Stop almost anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn and you’ll be just feet away from a delicious vegan meal.&nbsp; <h2>São Paulo</h2>This Brazilian metropolis, home to over 12 million people, has embraced plant-based eating, and offers an impressive array of vegan restaurants, cafés, and options in its food markets.&nbsp; From delectable traditional <a href="https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/feijoada-brazilian-black-bean-stew/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">feijoada</a> made with plant-based ingredients to enticing tropical fruit-based desserts, São Paulo's vegan options are sure to impress. Additionally, the city hosts numerous vegan festivals and events, promoting sustainable living and ethical eating practices. Beyond the culinary delights, São Paulo's bustling culture, friendly locals, and vibrant atmosphere make it an ideal destination for vegan tourists seeking an unforgettable travel experience. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1694949031/Image_1_11_450c4629bc.png" alt="São Paulo city skyscape">Joao Tzanno/Unsplash <h2>Taipei City</h2>The capital of Taiwan, it’s estimated that over 10% of Taipei’s residents don’t eat meat. These meat-free residents and the incredible cuisine Taiwan has to offer makes for the perfect vegan getaway. Vegan travellers can enjoy an incredible city break knowing they will certainly be catered for and just moments from Taiwan’s stunning rural side. <h2>Melbourne</h2>Often described as the coffee capital of the world, with its high number of cafés and coffee-lovers, did you know that Melbourne was also a great spot for anyone on a plant-based diet? A truly multicultural city, Melbourne is known for its incredible restaurants, with a great number of them being solely dedicated to servicing plant-based dishes. The city has been described as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world by <a href="https://www.happycow.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Happy Cow</a>, making it the perfect stop for any vegan who finds themselves Down Under. <h2>Cape Town</h2>South Africans are known for being meat lovers. From a family braai to their beloved biltong, they have a national passion for animal products. It may surprise then, that Cape Town is one of the best vegan cities worldwide.&nbsp; Cape Town attracts tourists from all over. The coastal capital is known for its stunning beaches and incredible restaurants. Many of these restaurants happen to be either vegan-friendly or completely plant-based. Many countries and cultures across the globe are embracing plant-based eating and, while vegan food can be found anywhere, it’s fantastic to find these vegan-friendly travel hotspots all over. For more pieces about veganism around the world, take a look at our <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/category/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">travel</a> section.

Bird’s eye view of Cape Town, South Africa

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Top vegan city in every continent: From Cape Town to Taipei City

With plant-based milk seeing a massive rise in popularity and still growing, it’s plain to see that even non-vegans are gravitating to milk alternatives for their morning brew. The United Kingdom is the <a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/10985/plant-based-milk-and-dairy-alternatives-in-the-uk/#topicOverview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">second largest market in Europe</a> and home-grown milks further encourage consumers' need for sustainability. <h2>Scottish and proud</h2>East of Edinburgh is a small company called <a href="https://instagram.com/broseoats?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Brose</a>, which produce an oat drink using locally produced oats. Scottish oats, in our humble opinion, make the tastiest porridge to kickstart your day. We were kindly gifted four glass bottles, triggering happy memories of the clinking from the milkman in the morning - two of their Original Style, and two Barista Style. As coffee drinkers who verge on addiction, the Barista Style excites us the most - but we were prepared to drink all the bottles dry. <h2>Tasting the difference</h2>As soon as we received the delivery, breakfast was set, and we poured the Original Style onto the dry cereal. Although not too thick, it coated the cereal and fruit beautifully. Taking a cheeky sip from the bottle, it tasted rich, full of flavour from the oats, with a hit of sweetness that surprised us as the drink contains no added sugar.&nbsp; It was time to try the Barista Style, which looked thicker in the bottle. While warming it, we noticed the creamy, velvety texture, which bonded so deliciously with a couple of espresso shots. It did not disappoint. It wasn't oily and did not separate like some oat milk can. The foam was good, and the kick of sweetness meant there was no need to add any syrup. We can imagine Brose drinks would work beautifully for cake recipes and other sweet treats, and it blended well for a morning protein shake. We can also confirm that it mixes with tea perfectly, the nemesis for many plant-based milks. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1694948822/Image_1_10_996ea4a2ee.png" alt="Someone pouring Brose oat drink onto a bowl of cereals and fruit">Alex Osborne <h2>You need to try it for yourself!</h2>We were so grateful to receive the bottles, and when you are visiting Scotland, there are plenty of cafés that will make you a professional coffee with Brose’s delicious oat drink. For residents, there are many stockists in Edinburgh, Glasgow and other locations in the central belt for you to buy a bottle (or two) and try it for yourself at home.&nbsp; Also, it’s worth remembering that their glass bottles can be returned too, and if returned they will provide a good discount toward your next bottle - we guarantee that you will be wanting more once you have had your first taste! You can find all the information on the <a href="https://www.broseoats.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Brose website</a>. Most of us love oat milk. If you’re feeling more adventurous, check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/7-unusual-vegan-milk-alternatives-worth-trying" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">7 unusual vegan milk alternatives worth trying</a>, and how about some creamy <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/h-p-creamy-oat-milk-chocolate-bars" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">H!P chocolate</a> made with oat milk?

Two glass bottles of Brose oat drink on a wooden table with a green background

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Brose: Really floats your oats

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/huwwackman_excel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Miaer Lloyd</a> - DJ name Huw Wackman - from Cwmbran, Torfaen, thought he had entered his final DJ competition 25 years ago, after coming runner-up multiple times.&nbsp;However, he decided to give it one last shot this year in front of a crowd at Boomtown Festival, where he played the set of his life and was named Technics DMC UK Champion; as a result of his win, he’ll be representing the UK in the World Finals in San Francisco in November.&nbsp; V-Land UK (V-L) Thank you for chatting with us, congratulations on your recent win! What was it like playing in front of that Boomtown crowd and being announced as the champion?&nbsp;Miaer Lloyd (ML): It was an amazing experience. The event was quite intimate, 500 people plus, but that works best for turntablism events. Becoming the DMC UK champion after all these years and at the age of 52 is a great feeling. I had so much support, especially from older DJs, who have commented it has inspired them to continue with their own DJ journey. That’s almost as good as the win itself.&nbsp;V-L: How long ago did you go vegan and what prompted your decision? ML: Been vegan for four years now. Initially, it was for health reasons as I started to cycle a lot. I did see a YouTube documentary called “Dairy is Scary” which triggered my conscience about the horrific treatment of the animals, and it snowballed from there. Took about a year and a half to go fully vegan, food, clothes etc. Wished I’d been more aware sooner.&nbsp;V-L: How are you feeling ahead of the World Finals in San Francisco? Do you already have your set planned? ML: I don’t deviate from my set too much. It’s a winning set and my style is very different from the majority of turntablists in the final. I have two months this time to practice instead of two weeks, which is much better. I may tweak things here and there but it’ll be mostly the same. The UK title was all I really wanted, so San Fran and the Worlds are just a great bonus, and imagine - a half-hundred-year-old DJ wins it! Gotta make a movie, right? <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1694259002/Image_1_66_pic_2_39ca92650c.png" alt="2023 DMC UK DJ Champion award">Miaer Lloyd ﻿V-L: It should definitely be made into a movie! Fingers crossed. Has being vegan helped, hindered, or had a neutral effect on your DJing? ML: I’m healthier than when I wasn’t vegan. Weighed around 15 stone before, and now, with training and fasting, I’m 13 stone. Whilst training for the UK final I had flu and a broken finger so I need a rest before I start the practice for the World Final.&nbsp;V-L: Are you the odd one out in the turntablist scene as a vegan? ML: There aren’t many, I’m guessing, although the great <a href="https://www.instagram.com/djwoodymusic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">DJ Woody</a> is vegan, and he’s a great person and an incredible DJ talent. Two is better than none!&nbsp;V-L: What drew you into DJing and more specifically turntablism/scratching? And what has kept your passion going for over three decades?&nbsp;ML: Hip-hop hit Wales in the ’80s and I went through most of hip-hop's elements: breakin’, graff, and rap, until I found DJing. I had a solid ten years battling between DMC and Vestax DJ comps, but just ran out of steam. Takes a lot of practice and imagination coming back each year to compete.&nbsp;This year I thought I’ll probably never get a chance to enter again, so I took the risk and had fun with my set. I’ve forgotten more than I know in terms of skills, but I’m a showman, and that element is my trademark. I think it struck a chord with the crowd etc. so I’m happy I took part and people enjoyed it.&nbsp;V-L: Do you feel there is, or will be, a resurgence of true turntablism?&nbsp;ML: DMC have just added live DJ finals again as it was all online for a number of years. I think next year's UK Final will be very hard to reach and win as there will be an influx of talented DJs wanting to take part, which raises the talent standard again, so it’s a great thing.&nbsp;It’s a lot easier to win an online title compared to a live final, as you can record your set numerous times until it’s perfect. On the night of a live event, you only get one shot to get it right, and you just can’t beat the crowd interaction. I want to thank <a href="https://instagram.com/dmcdjchamps?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">DMC</a> (Dan, Alex) for the opportunity and will do my best to do the UK proud at the World Final in November. Best of luck with that, we’re sure you’ll do the UK proud; we’ll be rooting for you!&nbsp; You may like to check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-music-legends" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan music legends</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/5-vegan-artists-using-music-as-a-form-of-animal-rights-activism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">5 vegan artists using music as a form of animal rights activism</a>.

Vegan DJ Miaer Lloyd holding one of his DJ decks

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Vegan DJ Miaer Lloyd on winning a prestigious UK turntable trophy


Recently we headed to the Bristol Vegan Fayre at <a href="https://instagram.com/document.bristol?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">DOCUMENT</a>, a restored warehouse in St Jude’s that provides a space for artists, workers and events. The two-day event is hosted by <a href="https://instagram.com/vegfestuk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">VegfestUK</a>, an event management company that combines a Bristolian love of live music with animal and environmental advocacy.&nbsp; The Bristol Vegan Fayre hosted an abundance of grassroots activists, independent sellers, local Bristol DJs, comedians and over 20 vegan food vendors from across the UK. The event was free entry and only a five-minute walk from Bristol city centre. The first stall we came to was <a href="https://instagram.com/gilliefoods?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Gillie Vegan Foods</a> from Manchester, and it was one of our favourites. They specialise in vegan oriental cuisine and use wheat or soya to create mock meats that are packed with protein and seriously delicious. We were quickly sold by their vegan chicken drumsticks, which were layers of mock meat wrapped inside what seemed to be fried rice paper. We also tried their steamed bao, filled with Omni’s plant-based pork strips, fresh lettuce and spring onions. Gillie Vegan Foods were incredibly generous with their portions, and we paid less than £5 for both items.&nbsp;&nbsp; We enjoyed some Biscoff doughnuts from <a href="https://instagram.com/doughnutz_official?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Doughnutz</a>, a Birmingham-based company who sell mostly vegan doughnuts. We simply could not miss their bright pink stall, which had rainbow sprinkles, identical to their strawberry doughnuts! We grabbed several of their sugary ring doughnuts, coated in a rich Biscoff spread and crushed biscuits. It was fantastic to speak to volunteers at the <a href="https://instagram.com/bos_uk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation</a> and learn about the conservation of the Bornean rainforest. We took part in an interactive experience using VR headsets, and through our lenses, we watched volunteers at ‘jungle school’ care for baby orangutans and teach them how to look after themselves and find food. It felt truly bizarre to be immersed in the thick, green forests of Borneo.&nbsp; We even spotted several vegan delis which had baked goods like cheese straws, onion bhajis, samosas, and vegan Italian classics like arancini and orange polenta cake. It has never been easier to be vegan in Bristol. We were spoiled for choice and even treated ourselves to some live music outside in the sunshine.&nbsp; Bristol Vegan Fayre is great, whether you’re a Bristol local or if you are willing to travel the distance. It is an accessible and community-centred event which brings like-minded people together to learn, share ideas and enjoy a plethora of vegan cuisine. Keep an eye out for VegfestUK London later this year. VegfestUK grew from a small fayre to the UK’s number one indoor vegan exhibition. Check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegfest-the-uk-s-biggest-indoor-vegan-festival" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">our interview with the Founder, Tim Barford</a>.

Promotional graphic for Bristol Vegan Fayre 2023

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From mock meats to VR forests: Bristol Vegan Fayre unveiled

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/veburgeruk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">VeBurger</a> is a fully vegan fast-food restaurant located at Wapping Wharf in Bristol. They pride themselves on creating ‘classics made vegan’, and they certainly live up to this! Offering an extensive menu of vegan chicken and beef burgers, loaded fries, sides, and even desserts, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/veburgeruk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">VeBurger</a> has you covered for those junk food cravings, and is the perfect place to bring your vegan foodie friends.&nbsp;&nbsp; With green walls and groovy green lighting, this place is a little vegan heaven. We were greeted by the friendly staff, Dillona and Gwydion, when we walked in and ordered our food at the machine. We settled on the deal for two, which includes any two burgers, loaded fries, two drinks and two desserts. We were also intrigued by the ‘frickles’ (deep-fried pickles) that the team highly recommended and a side of gravy for that all-important chip dip. <h2>Let’s begin with the burgers</h2>We went for the Big Ve with added vegan bacon and the Sweet Chilli Rooster with added jalapenos. Both burgers were epic! The Big Ve lived up to its title; loaded with two meatless patties, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, Ve Sauce, and the added bacon in a triple stacked bun, this burger was super delicious, a kind of vegan replica of the Big Mac - but better!&nbsp; The team warned us that it would be messy, so only order this burger if you’re prepared to get messy with the delicious secret sauce, or be fancy and grab a knife and fork - part of their 100% sustainable packaging. This burger was certainly mighty, and you can really taste the freshness and the quality of ingredients.&nbsp; The Sweet Rooster was sweet, spicy, and the added jalapenos provided that extra kick! This burger consists of crispy ‘chicken’ with sweet chilli and fresh lettuce in a sesame bun. Their ‘chicken’ was really realistic, and the coating added a satisfying crispiness.&nbsp; <h2>On to the sides!&nbsp;</h2>The Dirty Ve Fries consisted of a large serving of fries topped with their homemade melted cheese, Ve sauce and crispy onions. The cheese had a beautiful melt and was a perfect match with the sauce, with the crispy onions adding a delicious flavour.&nbsp;The gravy was awesome with a smoky chicken flavour, and we especially loved the deep-fried pickles.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1693957827/IMG_2531_6fcb63bc0a.png" alt="Dirty Ve Fries from VeBurger in Bristol">Róisín Hamilton <h2>Delicious dessert</h2>For dessert, we had a doughnut and a blueberry muffin, which we took to go and enjoy by the sunny Bristol Harbour. The doughnut was sweet and light and coated with a layer of icing. The fluffy blueberry muffin was the perfect dessert with its gooey jam centre.&nbsp;&nbsp; Our visit to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/veburgeruk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">VeBurger</a> was excellent. The restaurant was modern yet cosy, the staff were attentive and polite, and the food was top-notch vegan yumminess! We will most definitely be back to sample their range of burgers and more of those frickin’ delicious frickles! Interested in the other delicious vegan food Bristol has to offer? Check out our visit to <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/koocha-mezze-bar-bristol-s-first-fully-vegan-restaurant" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Koocha Mezza Bar</a>, and for pasta lovers, Bristol’s <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/pastan-bristol-s-handmade-plant-based-pasta-specialists-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Pastan</a> is pasta-tively amazing!

Vegan burger with vegan cheese and bacon from VeBurger in Bristol

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Satisfy your vegan junk food cravings at Bristol's VeBurger

When considering vegan-friendly travel destinations, France is not the country that comes to mind. However, we were pleasantly surprised during our last trip to the continent: we decided to book a last-minute ticket and go on a quick Biarritz holiday.&nbsp; We got there on the sunniest afternoon with a very clear plan: get as much sun and try as many vegan restaurants as possible.&nbsp; After extensively researching vegan restaurants in Biarritz, we were excited to try <a href="https://www.instagram.com/xuxubiarritz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Xuxu</a>. Unfortunately it happened to be closed during our holiday. We had a peek inside the closed establishment, and if you are in the area when it’s open, it certainly looks good to try; we saw that they share super interesting insights about the locally sourced products they use. Speaking of local produce, a trip to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/biarritz_halles_centre_ville/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Les Halles</a> (the local market) is really a must! The French&nbsp;take pride in producing and consuming locally, and it really shows in their cuisine. We would suggest going early with a straw basket in hand. Pop into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lobitacafe/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Lobita</a> for a quick specialty coffee and walk around the different flower, fruit and vegetable stalls. Other recommendations would be <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bloom.biarritz/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Bloom</a>, a very French épicerie where you can buy spices, olives and even veggie patés in bulk. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.mezzeona.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mezze Ona</a>, a Lebanese takeaway restaurant (with different locations in the area), has the most delicious hummus and some vegan lunch options.&nbsp; If you are one for sweet treats, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hungrybelly.biarritz/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Hungry Belly</a> is really your spot in Biarritz. It was our first stop when we arrived in town, and it was so good that we visited again! Run by a very friendly woman (and her friendly dog), you’ll find amazing coffee and a wide offering of vegan cakes. However, what you’ll be most impressed with is their vegan (and gluten-free) patisserie: especially the soft almond biscuit with a (frozen) pistachio mousse filled with chocolate and peanuts, which was to die for! They also offer some lunch formulas and takeaway options. And if you really want to go all in with the sweet options, try another patisserie in town called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nutsbiarritz/?hl=es" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Nuts</a>.&nbsp; Another place you can’t miss is having a drink or a meal by the Côte des Basques: an iconic surfing spot which boasts an exceptional setting, where you can see the iconic neo-Medieval mansion that was built on a cliff, iconic <a href="https://www.instagram.com/villabelza_/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Villa Belza</a>, and on the south side you can see the Spanish coastline. In order to take it all in, go to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/etxola.bibi/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Etxola Bibi</a> early in the morning and have a black coffee (it only costs 1 euro from 8 am to 10 am) and follow up with an açaí or mango bowl for breakfast. And if you really fancy the view, stay for lunch and order a vegan poke bowl and a glass of wine. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1692900783/Image_1_65_pic_2_bcf09d440d.png" alt="A view of the Villa Belza in Biarritz, France">Dany/Pexels In the same neighbourhood, you’ll find <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joiebiarritz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Joie</a>, a pizzeria with a lovely vibe and cute terrace. And just a few metres down the street is the cutest restaurant we’ve ever visited: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aiete_biarritz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Aiete</a>. We learned that afternoon what an amazing meal can do to the soul. An authentic and modern little spot with an open kitchen, lovely ambience and tasteful décor. Not only were the staff the friendliest, but also the most accommodating we have come across in a long time. The chefs were happy to veganise everything we ordered: the best (avant-garde) patatas bravas we’ve ever had came with a kimchi sauce, and we loved the homemade naan bread with confit chicory, hummus and edible flowers. All paired with a fruity Spanish orange wine. It can’t be stressed enough - you must go! The fusion of Basque and French cultures is really evident in the cuisine and when walking through the streets of Biarritz. So if you fancy an easy-going and quaint escape, a Biarritz holiday is the way to go!&nbsp; Travelling as a vegan can be daunting, but we have the perfect <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-travel-tips-plan-ahead-for-your-perfect-vegan-holiday" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan travel guide</a> to take the stress away, and if, like us, you have some festivals planned, we have a <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/eco-friendly-festival-tips-dance-without-destroying-the-planet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">guide</a> for that too!

Biarritz Grande Plage (beach) in summer, France 

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How to enjoy a vegan-friendly holiday in Biarritz, France

The National Animal Rights March (NARM) was a fantastic success this year. Around 1000 vegans marched together for the animals on August 26th through London. There were several activist and campaigning groups present, and that’s the brilliant thing about the march: it brings together so many different people and organisations for a day of national action.&nbsp;&nbsp; Campaigners from <a href="https://instagram.com/vivacharity?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Viva!</a> and the <a href="https://instagram.com/animaljusticeproject?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Justice Project</a> marched alongside <a href="https://instagram.com/veganrunnersuk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Runners UK</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/animalaid_uk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Aid</a> and the <a href="https://instagram.com/hunt_saboteurs?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Hunt Saboteurs Association</a>. Street outreach groups and many other smaller grassroots groups were present too. The event started at Marble Arch with the route passing through Trafalgar Square before finishing in Parliament Square for speeches.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Speakers&nbsp;</h2>The speakers this year were diverse and each very passionate about the march and animal rights. First up was performer <a href="https://instagram.com/by_katie_white?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Katie White</a> who sang a very powerful and emotive song to the crowd.&nbsp;This was followed by talks from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/create.liberate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Fran Vas</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/sean.ultra_vegan?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sean Barrs</a> (me), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/auralitepalmer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Aura Palmer</a>, Mel Broughton and <a href="https://instagram.com/wendymcgovern269?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Wendy McGovern</a>. The talks covered a range of topics and came from different levels of experience, but all expressed a need to unite and to continue with activism. The crowd were very receptive and applauded the speakers and the NARM organising team loudly. If you missed the march and are interested in hearing the speeches, or if you simply want to hear them again, you can do so on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NationalAnimalRightsMarchUK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">NARM’s YouTube channel</a>. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1693403067/Image_1_9_9620a3c57a.png" alt="Large gathering of vegan protestors during the National Animal Rights March 2023 in London outside Parliament Square ">Jaysee Costa <h2>NARM 2024</h2>Although this year’s march was an undeniable success, it was organised in a very short time frame. Before the pandemic, the march saw much bigger numbers; the organisers are very keen to grow it back to its former size and glory, uniting the vegan community with such an important national event.&nbsp; Next year’s march will be on the 7th of September and will follow a similar route. The early date release will give the organisers time to plan and allow the march to grow. This means next year’s march will be even bigger and better. So, make sure not to miss it! If you want to find out more details about NARM 2024 you can do so here on the <a href="https://fb.me/e/1rlUrfUGs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">event page</a>. Alternatively, you can follow the march on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094406502864" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/narm.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Instagram</a>. If you’re interested in learning more about activism in general then you can do so by reading our article on <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/unique-uk-animal-rights-activism-approaches" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">unique UK animal rights activism approaches</a>.

Vegan protestors holding placards and a large banner with ‘Animal Freedom’ spelt out on it during the National Animal Rights March 2023 in London

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1000 vegans march through London for animal rights 

September term marks the start of a new school year, and whether your child is returning to primary or secondary school, or starting their first year in reception, knowing how to support a vegan student can be a challenging experience. From finding out whether there are vegan student meals on the school menu and sourcing vegan-friendly uniforms, to braving an uncomfortable conversation with a teacher if speciesism is normalised in a classroom setting - it can be hard to know where to start.&nbsp; To make the transition a little easier, here’s our guide to making vegan-inclusive education for parents/guardians and students a positive prospect to look forward to and enjoy together. <h2>Student rights at school</h2>In the UK, vegans are protected under human rights and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegans-are-people-too-equality-act-2010-and-vegan-rights-at-work" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">equality law</a>, meaning that schools are obligated under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalvegansociety/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Vegan Society</a> has <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/take-action/campaigns/catering-everyone/information-news/schools#:~:text=Vegan%20rights&amp;text=and%20equality%20law.-,This%20means%20that%20schools%20have%20an%20obligation%20to%20ensure%20that,on%20the%20grounds%20of%20veganism." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">a great range of free resources</a> for parents/guardians, students and schools, providing supportive and inclusive settings for vegan learners. Their team has a <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/take-action/campaigns/catering-everyone/information-news/schools#:~:text=Vegan%20rights&amp;text=and%20equality%20law.-,This%20means%20that%20schools%20have%20an%20obligation%20to%20ensure%20that,on%20the%20grounds%20of%20veganism." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">support line</a> should you need any additional assistance, and a helpful <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/take-action/campaigns/catering-everyone/write-your-rights/template-letters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">letter template</a> that can be edited to your requirements and sent to schools/teachers etc. They also provide free <a href="https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t3-p-165-dietary-requirements-veganism-lesson-pack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan-friendly teaching and catering resources</a> for schools and teachers. <h2>Getting ready for school</h2>The most important aspect of school life for any student, is to ensure they feel supported and safe in their learning environment. Before the new term begins, talking through any concerns, and having a plan in place for how to deal with any potentially uncomfortable situations that may arise, is a good place to start. As a parent or guardian, allow your child to express themselves openly so you understand how they feel as a vegan learner. If you are a student yourself, airing any anxieties you may have will make it easier for the school to support your learning experience, and confiding in friends and family may help too.&nbsp; When sourcing vegan-friendly clothing and footwear, many school uniforms are vegan-friendly and usually made from a mix of cotton, polyester and viscose. Mainstream supermarkets such as <a href="https://direct.asda.com/george/school-uniform/D10,default,sc.html?_ga=2.91903453.691358497.1692191709-2087293339.1692191709" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Asda’s Back to School range</a> is (mostly) vegan-friendly and great if you’re on a budget too. If the school has a strict uniform policy that is not vegan-inclusive (i.e., leather shoes/wool jumper etc) they have a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to provide a vegan-friendly, accessible and affordable alternative. This <a href="https://www.healabel.com/vegan-fabrics-materials-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan materials list</a> is helpful to better understand which materials are/aren’t derived from animals. <h2>In the classroom</h2>For classroom essentials and stationery, most items are vegan-friendly, from pens and pencils, to rulers, erasers, and pencil cases, but items such as glue and other art and craft supplies may need to be checked first. A widely available vegan-friendly glue brand is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elmersproducts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Elmers</a>, which can be bought online or in stores such as <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/search/elmers%20glue" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Asda</a> and <a href="https://www.therange.co.uk/stationery/office-supplies/glues-and-tape/pack-of-three-elmers-purple-gluesticks-6g/#49578" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Range</a>. The current curriculum in schools can be challenging for vegan learners, whether it’s feeling comfortable to voice a different opinion to a teacher in front of peers, or refraining from taking part in an activity, such as dissection or science experiments that use ingredients derived from animals. It is important that the school is made aware that a student is vegan, so that they are able to provide alternative options to partake in.&nbsp; The Vegan Society has a helpful selection of <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/vegan-inclusive-education/resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">letter templates</a> to help with approaching schools when requesting vegan-inclusive education, and this downloadable <a href="https://vieducation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegan-Inclusive-Education-Booklet_March-2021_upd_online.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Education Booklet</a> is useful too. You can also <a href="https://vieducation.co.uk/pupils/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">add a school to the Vegan Inclusive Education database</a>; they will send a generic letter alerting the Headteacher that vegan students are in attendance at their facility, and how the school can best support them. <h2>Bullying</h2>A recent survey by<a href="https://vieducation.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://vieducation.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Inclusive Education</a> concluded that 73% of vegan pupils are teased for their beliefs, with 42% having experienced bullying, sometimes including physical harm. With less than 40% of vegan children feeling safe in school, putting adequate safeguarding procedures in place is vital. Having a support network for vegan learners so that they don’t feel ostracised or alone will help them feel safe.&nbsp; Changes in your child's behaviour may signify a <a href="https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-parents/spotting-signs-my-child-being-bullied?gclid=CjwKCAjw5_GmBhBIEiwA5QSMxDireI5A2XO5pDfInm-5tGMPQS3vYxTliCE2ohM2oi2GEaCLJ3P3ZRoC388QAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">sign of bullying</a>, listen and provide reassurance, and calmly contact the school to speak with the Headteacher. It may be beneficial to seek advice from anti-bullying charities such as the <a href="https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Anti-Bullying Alliance</a>, <a href="https://actagainstbullying.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Act Against Bullying</a> and the <a href="https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/about.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">National Bullying Helpline</a> for additional support. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1692900039/Image_1_64_pic_2_5d1d13e72c.png" alt="Young children reading books lying on the grass in a field with their parents">Canva/Halfpoint <h2>School trips</h2>School excursions are a great opportunity to learn outside the classroom and have fun with classmates. Whilst many school trips are not always vegan-friendly, that doesn’t mean that vegan students need to miss out.&nbsp; There are many educational activities available to schools that help students of all ages reconnect with nature and animals, from a local hiking trip in a <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/nature-reserves" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Wildlife Trust nature reserve</a> to <a href="https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/expert-advice/growing-in-your-space/schools" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">organic gardening classes</a>, <a href="https://www.raystarbooks.com/workshops" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">writing for nature workshops</a>, or tree planting initiatives with your local council.&nbsp; Research local animal sanctuaries in your area and enquire whether they accept school visits, if they do, suggest this to the school instead of the farm/zoo/aquarium trip they had planned, and try to have an open conversation with the school organisers about the reasons why. More often than not, approaching the subject calmly, and openly, can lead to a positive outcome for all involved - including animals too! For more help and advice on supporting a vegan family, check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-parenting-helpful-tools-for-raising-vegan-children" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">helpful tools for raising vegan children</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-children-what-we-feed-our-children-s-minds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">what we feed our children’s minds</a>.

Two girls smiling in front of a blackboard 

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Vegan education: How to help vegan students thrive at school

Aizzy’s (pronounced eye-zees) is a hidden gem for amazing vegan food that we’re so happy we came across!&nbsp; Currently cooking up each dish in a compact unit in St Jude's, we can confidently say that <a href="https://instagram.com/aizzys_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Aizzy’s</a> is home to some of the best Jamaican vegan food in Bristol.&nbsp; Serving up a variety of classic Jamaican dishes that have been veganised, Aizzy’s offers ‘boxes’ that include anything from mac and cheeze, vegan fried chicken, seasoned chips, curried goat, rice &amp; peas - all completely vegan.&nbsp; If you’re looking for something lighter, Aizzy’s regularly has special deals and lunchtime offers, with one of their most popular deals being the fried chicken, seasoned chips and drinks deal - all for under ten pounds.&nbsp; Available on Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Food Stuff in Bristol, believe us when we say Aizzy’s isn’t to be missed.&nbsp;<h2> </h2><h2>Where it started&nbsp;</h2>It was a pleasure to speak to Ria, the owner of Aizzy’s. Her passion for creating fantastic vegan food really shone through during our conversation, and she let us know the story behind how her family-run business first started:&nbsp; “Aizzy’s actually first started under a different name, ‘The Taste of Life’, back in 2018. I was running my business from my home at the beginning.”&nbsp; Ria’s father is Jamaican and mother is English. She grew up eating delicious Jamaican food and always loved cooking.&nbsp; “When I went vegan, I wanted to recreate the same flavours from my childhood, just without the meat or dairy.”&nbsp; After falling pregnant with her daughter, Ria realised she wanted to have the freedom to spend time with her new family. This merged with her love of cooking fantastic Jamaican vegan food and sparked the start of Aizzy’s as we know it now (which is named after her daughter, Aissa).&nbsp;<h2> </h2><h2>The Feast Box&nbsp;</h2>We were lucky enough to try one of Aizzy’s highly rated Feast Boxes, which consisted of vegan fried chicken, curried ‘no goat’, rice &amp; peas, mac and cheeze, fried plantain, a pot of coleslaw, and topped off with a generous tub of jerk gravy.&nbsp; The Feast Box comes in a large tub filled to the brim with each dish, with all the flavours coming together and complementing each other so well.&nbsp; The creaminess of the mac and cheeze pairs beautifully with the rich sauce of the curried ‘no goat’. For each mouthful, you want to combine a bit of each option so you can taste it all!&nbsp; There are such a fantastic variety of different dishes in this box, we think it’s worth giving a run down of the key parts of this meal.&nbsp;<h2> </h2><h2>Curried ‘no goat’&nbsp;</h2>Aizzy’s curried ‘no goat’ is a take on the popular Jamaican dish of curried goat.&nbsp; The flavours were rich and comforting, with each bite making you want to return for more.&nbsp; With generous portions of vegan ‘goat’, the meat is recreated using lentils and wheat gluten, which soaked up the seasonings in this dish.&nbsp; You can enjoy authentic flavours when having Aizzy’s curried ‘no goat’, cooked using garlic, pimento, potatoes, peppers, onions, and a generous helping of scotch bonnet, perfect for vegans who love a bit of spice.&nbsp; When we asked Ria what her favourite dish was from Aizzy’s, she answered with certainty, “Definitely the curried goat. I was amazed at how well I could recreate the flavours in the vegan version.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2> </h2><h2>Vegan fried chicken&nbsp;</h2>The vegan fried chicken from Aizzy’s truly blew our minds. Coated in a golden crispy batter and complemented by the flaky and tender inside of the ‘vegan chicken’ (made from wheat gluten and soy!). With the Feast Box, you get two large pieces of vegan fried chicken, which is a match made in heaven when dipped in the jerk gravy. If you can’t have soy or prefer a different option, you also have the option to have fried oyster mushroom instead, which also comes in the flavour-packed crispy batter.&nbsp; <h2>Mac and cheeze&nbsp;</h2>Mac and cheeze is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and Aizzy’s vegan version is not to be missed.&nbsp; Their creamy baked mac and cheeze comes with a generous amount of cheeze sauce. Creamy and light with a distinctive cheesy flavour, this dish is topped off with a sprinkle of onions and chives that cuts through the softer flavours.&nbsp; Available in both the Feast Box and Mega Box options, the gooey mac and cheeze pairs well with the crispy fried chicken and rich sauce from the curried ‘no goat’.&nbsp; <h2>The coleslaw (not to be underestimated!)&nbsp;</h2>Rarely do we find a vegan coleslaw as good as Aizzy’s. The crunchy and creamy texture of the coleslaw is almost addictive, with a slight hint of sweetness. It’s not to be missed with the Feast Box.&nbsp; “You have to have coleslaw with the dishes, especially the curried goat!” says Ria.&nbsp; <h2>Jerk gravy&nbsp;</h2>Added as a complimentary sauce with any box from Aizzy, this fruity yet fiery helping of jerk gravy helps bring together all the flavours in Aizzy’s vegan Jamaican food.&nbsp; Rich, smoky and with a slight hint of spice, the gravy is the perfect accompaniment to any dish at Aizzy’s, whether dipping your vegan fried chicken, or pouring it straight over each dish in the Feast Box.&nbsp; You can tell that so much love and time has gone into every part of Aizzy’s. With such a great variety of Jamaican vegan food, you’re spoilt for choice when ordering from this family-run business.&nbsp; Whether you live in Bristol or are planning your next visit, read our guide to the <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/best-vegan-restaurants-in-bristol" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">best vegan restaurants</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/where-to-go-for-vegan-cocktails-in-bristol" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">where to go for vegan cocktails</a>.

Variety of vegan Jamaican food from Aizzy’s, includes: fried plantain, ‘vegan goat’, rice, coleslaw and gravy

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Aizzy’s: Mind-blowing vegan Jamaican food in Bristol


<a href="https://www.instagram.com/loocaswoodland/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Lucas Woodland</a> is no ordinary vegan; he’s a vocal powerhouse fronting <a href="https://www.instagram.com/holdingabsence/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Holding Absence</a>, a band comprised of vegans and veggies. Often found touring the world, and with a new album releasing at the end of this week, we were incredibly lucky to have a post-festival chat about all things music and vegan. V-Land UK (V-L): How did your journey into veganism begin?&nbsp; Lucas Woodland (LW): I’ve been vegetarian for almost ten years now and it was a really positive life choice for me. I decided to make the change on January 1st, and several years later, I’d started to feel a little hypocritical about being a veggie. So, eight years later, on January 1st again, I decided to make the switch to veganism. My family are very used to it now, but the biggest change was to my health - I have very bad acid reflux, and I struggled a little at first. A year or so later, after shifting my diet etc, everything’s smooth and great! V-L: Your new album, The Noble Art of Self-Destruction, is fast approaching release. How are you finding the build-up? LW: It’s tough some days, everything is hectic, and some days I grow impatient. It’s the same with everything, to be honest, there’s never a midpoint, but we’re absolutely counting down the minutes until it drops! We’re so proud of it. V-L: From what we’ve heard, the new album sounds amazing already! Being a touring musician, how do you find vegan options on the road? Which country has been the most accommodating? LW: I religiously use <a href="https://www.happycow.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">HappyCow</a>. It’s led me to have some of my favourite meals of all time in the most random places! I’d honestly say the UK is best, and then Australia in swift second place. America and the EU can be great, but they’re both so big that for every brilliant independent restaurant, you’ll find yourself eating pretzels or fries. V-L: Do you get a chance to try vegan vendors on the festival circuit? If so, which vendors stand out to you? What’s the best vegan meal you’ve ever had? LW: I will always try a vegan vendor if there is one at a fest! I’m pretty sure there was an insane <a href="https://vfcfoods.com/vfc-acquires-meatless-farm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Meatless Farm</a> vendor stall at Download Pilot - I think I ate six meals from there over the weekend! My favourite restaurant used to be <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci7ZAo1rvi6/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">V-Revs Manchester</a> (RIP), but I currently love <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oowee_vegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Oowee Bristol</a>, and have to shout out <a href="https://www.restaurantji.co.uk/wales/cwmbran/the-queen-inn-/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">The Queen Inn Cwmbran</a> and <a href="https://veggiehut.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Veggie Hut Pontypridd</a>. It’s great to see vegan food places pop up in the small Welsh areas I grew up in. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1692356968/Image_1_63_pic_2_11fe715d30.png" alt="The Queen Inn Cwmbran"><a href="https://www.restaurantji.co.uk/wales/cwmbran/the-queen-inn-/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Queen Inn Cwmbran</a> V-L: Do you think that your vegan diet has an impact on the amount of energy you have on stage? LW: I’m not entirely sure, to be honest. I went vegan during COVID, so I don’t really know how much it affected me, but as a vocalist it’s made my life far easier. No more stinky dairy clogging up my vocal cords! V-L: What are some of your favourite vegan brands (food and/or clothing) and favourite vegan restaurants? LW: I’ve tried so much vegan stuff that, at this point, I’m just happy to try something new, whatever it may be! I’ve no real brand loyalty, if it’s vegan, I’m down. I will say though, bonus points to brands like Richmond incorporating vegan products into their lines. V-L: Your latest song, Honey Moon, is utterly beautiful and we just want to say a huge thank you for creating such fantastic music - from 2019 when you held the Eat &amp; Greet to playing the main stage at Slam Dunk in 2023, it’s impressive to see Holding Absence skyrocketing. How do you look after your mental health? LW: Thank you so much!! We’ve loved the journey this band has taken us on… I’d say honestly, my mental health is preserved by being afforded the luck to do what I love, and also to spend time with the people I love when I’m home too. I’m in a very fortunate spot lately! <a href="https://www.banquetrecords.com/holding-absence/the-noble-art-of-self-destruction/4065629701321" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Noble Art of Self-Destruction</a> will be available on 25th August 2023 in stores and on all major streaming platforms. This album aims to end on a note of hope, of looking forward free of fear and embracing yourself, cracks, and all.&nbsp; If this piqued your interest, check out our article on <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-music-legends" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan music legends</a>.&nbsp;

Lucas Woodland, lead vocalist from Holding Absence, singing into a microphone during a live performance

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Holding Absence’s Lucas Woodland on the noble art of veganism

New York City and London are two vibrant metropolises renowned for their cultural diversity, iconic landmarks, and thriving food scenes. While each city has its unique charm, there is a particular connection that has blossomed between the vegan communities of London and New York. In this article, we explore why vegan Londoners have fallen head over heels for the plant-based delights that the Big Apple has to offer. <h2>Culinary excellence</h2>New York City has emerged as a haven for vegan cuisine, offering a vast array of innovative plant-based dishes that tantalise the taste buds. From vegan burgers stacked high with mouthwatering toppings to delectable vegan pizzas and artisanal vegan cheese, New York's eateries have mastered the art of creating plant-based versions of beloved classics. For vegan Londoners who appreciate diverse culinary experiences, the city offers a culinary adventure like no other.<h2> </h2><h2>Diversity and choice</h2>New York City's vegan scene is incredibly diverse, reflecting the multiculturalism that the city is renowned for. Whether it's Ethiopian injera, Mexican tacos, or Japanese sushi, vegan Londoners can explore an extensive range of global flavours without compromising their dietary choices. The abundance of vegan-friendly restaurants, cafés, and food trucks across New York ensures&nbsp;that vegan Londoners are spoiled for choice and can indulge in a world of cruelty-free culinary delights. <h2>Ethical and sustainable lifestyle</h2>Veganism is not just about food; it is a lifestyle that encompasses ethical and sustainable choices. New York City shares this commitment to promoting environmentally-friendly practices, making it a perfect fit for vegan Londoners. The city embraces sustainable initiatives, ranging from farmers' markets and organic stores to eco-conscious fashion brands. Vegan Londoners find solace in the shared values and the sense of community they discover in New York. <h2>Social activism and support</h2>New York City has an active vegan community that rallies around causes related to animal rights and sustainability. Vegan Londoners who visit or reside in New York can participate in protests, educational events, and fundraisers, fostering a sense of empowerment and solidarity. The city's numerous vegan meetups, workshops, and support groups provide an invaluable opportunity for vegan Londoners to connect with like-minded individuals and cultivate lasting friendships. The bond between vegan Londoners and New York City is undeniable, driven by a shared passion for delectable plant-based cuisine, ethical values, and a commitment to sustainability. The vegan scene in New York City not only satisfies the taste buds but also offers a platform for vegan Londoners to engage in social activism and connect with a vibrant community. As the vegan movement continues to thrive in both cities, the love affair between vegan Londoners and New York is bound to grow, inspiring positive change and culinary innovation on both sides of the Atlantic. New York isn’t the only city that’s great for vegans: check our vegan guides to <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/fall-in-love-with-the-copenhagen-vegan-scene" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Copenhagen</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/must-dos-when-spending-24-hours-as-a-vegan-in-berlin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Berlin</a>.

Skyscrapers of New York City with the North Atlantic Ocean in front of them

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The love affair between vegan Londoners and New York City

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesmooreactor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">James Moore</a> is an <a href="https://disabilityhorizons.com/2019/01/disabled-actor-james-moore-wins-best-newcomer-at-the-ntas-2019/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">award-winning</a> soap star, famed for his role as Ryan Stocks on Emmerdale, who uses his platform to advocate for disability representation in the media. James has <a href="https://www.ataxia.org.uk/patrons/james-moore/#:~:text=You%20may%20recognise%20James%20from,and%20is%20a%20disability%20activist." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">cerebral palsy with ataxic symptoms</a>, and in 2016, directed a short film on YouTube called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m2K72xCbYU&amp;t=110s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Spaghetti Legs</a>, which is a satirical take on what it’s like to be disabled and the way people communicate with disabled people. James is also a passionate vegan and has been an ambassador for <a href="https://veganuary.com/soap-stars-veganuary-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Veganuary</a> since 2020.&nbsp; V-Land UK (V-L): Hi James, thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed! How long have you been vegan for? James Moore (JM): Thank you -&nbsp;I've been vegan for five years. V-L: What inspired you to adapt to a vegan lifestyle? JM:&nbsp;A friend of mine was vegan, and I was interested, so he recommended I watch a documentary called <a href="http://www.nationearth.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Earthlings</a>, and that changed my perspective on the way I viewed animal consumption.&nbsp; V-L: As a vocal advocate for disability representation, how did it feel to represent a character with a disability on a mainstream television show? JM: Although they didn't base the character on me, I feel like me and Ryan have a lot of similar attributes, which helped me understand their vision of the character and develop it from there. V-L: Do you receive any negativity for your role on Emmerdale, and if so, how does it compare to any negativity you may receive for being vegan?&nbsp; JM:&nbsp;I have received negativity online, but it mainly comes in the form of ableist comments about my voice, or the way I walk, or even my long hair. Thankfully, these comments are few and far between, and I think now people are a lot more used to my character, so it isn't a big deal anymore. ﻿<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1692034275/IMG_2399_58d0a57ac9.png" alt="James Moore from Emmerdale sitting inside a pub">ITV V-L: As vegans, we can be naturally very empathic, but do you think that living with a disability makes you even more empathetic? JM: Perhaps, because I feel like I'm more able to relate to people's struggles, but I think it's all relative. Regardless of whether you're disabled or vegan, I think empathy is something that's going to come from you and your personality, not necessarily your lifestyle choices.&nbsp; V-L: What have you struggled with the most in relation to being vegan, eating vegan food, and the perceptions of those around you?&nbsp; JM: Honestly, the biggest struggle at the beginning, was finding out what I could and couldn't eat! There is so much stuff that has milk in that you wouldn't think does, so adapting to that was difficult. My family were really accepting and began helping me find vegan food and cooking more vegan options, and even trying more vegan alternatives themselves! V-L: Where are some of your favourite vegan places to eat? Do you ever struggle to source vegan food? What is the catering like on-set, and does it accommodate different diets? Or do you struggle to find vegan food?&nbsp; JM: I love going to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oowee_vegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Oowee</a> in Bristol. It's a great vegan junk food restaurant with loads of amazing burgers, loaded fries, etc. Sometimes it can be a struggle to find vegan food, depending on where I am, and what I'm doing. But I use the HappyCow app when I'm visiting a new location and a lot of the time that really helps with finding places. V-L: What do you think we can do as a society to challenge the perceptions of people who don't necessarily support veganism, or refuse to acknowledge the practices that take place across the world? JM: Different methods are going to affect people in different ways. Some people could be turned to veganism by the realisation of how barbaric the meat and dairy industry is, but you're not going to reach everyone that way. Some people may be persuaded by the idea that eating a well-balanced, vegan diet is actually very good for your health, especially when you consider how much disease meat can cause. Also, I feel like no one ever talks about it, but when you become vegan, you really reduce your risk of food poisoning, because most food poisoning will happen as a result of bacteria from meat and dairy products. It's still possible, but the risk is a lot less.&nbsp; If you enjoyed this article, check out our article on the <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegans-are-people-too-equality-act-2010-and-vegan-rights-at-work" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Equality Act 2010 and vegan rights at work</a>, or if health is more your thing, check out our article on <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-keep-crohn-s-disease-in-remission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">whether a plant-based diet can help keep Crohn’s disease in remission</a>.

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Emmerdale's James Moore on the challenges and rewards of veganism


Vegan Camp Out was a hugely successful event this year, and it attracted many <a href="https://www.instagram.com/veganrunnersuk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Runners</a> who attended the parkrun in record-breaking numbers. As the festival continues to grow, so does the number of Vegan Runners in attendance every year. Everywhere you looked, someone was wearing a Vegan Runner shirt or hoodie.&nbsp; <h2>Vegan Camp Out&nbsp;</h2>15,000 tickets were sold for the festival, with attendees from all parts of the country and abroad. The weekend was a massive success, with several leading activists such as Joey Carbstrong and Tash Peterson speaking on the stage, along with representatives from organisations such as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vivacharity/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Viva!</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/activism.wtf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">We the Free</a>. In addition, vegan celebrities like Romesh Ranganathan and Sam Ryder were also part of the lineup.&nbsp; The food line-up was equally as fantastic, with a huge list of options far too long to list here. There were so many to choose from! Several clothing stands and activism stalls were also operating throughout, one of which was run by Vegan Runners, which signed up many new members throughout the weekend.&nbsp; <h2>Bicester Parkrun&nbsp;</h2>A record-breaking number of Vegan Runners attended Bicester parkrun, just three miles away from the venue, during the Vegan Camp Out weekend. 300 vegan runners were scanned at the parkrun on the Saturday morning of the camp-out (and gathered for a group photo before the run to mark the occasion) which is the highest number of club members attending the same parkrun. As the festival continues to grow, so does the number of club members in attendance and the parkrun gatherings get bigger each year too. 2024 is set to be bigger and better for Vegan Camp Out and the running club. Tickets for the 2024 are already available to purchase online <a href="https://vegancampouttickets.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">here</a><a href="https://vegancampouttickets.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</a>&nbsp; <h2>The Growth of Vegan Runners</h2>Vegan Runners started in 2005 with just 10 members and has been growing every year since. As of 2022, it has 3042 members. The club has runners of all abilities, from elite-level athletes to casual joggers. The best thing about the club is its inclusivity. Sure, it’s great to have runners who can win races, but it is also great to have runners who can relate to runners who run for fun, fitness and general health. Anyone and everyone are welcome to join, regardless of ability, provided they are vegan.&nbsp; If you’re interested in joining the club, you can do so <a href="https://www.veganrunners.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">here</a><a href="https://www.veganrunners.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</a>&nbsp; And if you’re interested in hearing about one of the club's most inspiring members, check out our interview with <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/never-too-old-to-run-85-year-old-vegan-ultra-runner-paul-youd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Paul Youd</a>, the 85-year-old ultra-runner.

Large group of Vegan Runners gathered in Bicester park during Vegan Camp Out

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300 Vegan Runners joined Bicester parkrun during Vegan Camp Out

Activism takes many forms and over the years social justice movements have approached the fight to obtain rights in many ways. Direct action, marches, protests, petitions and even social media can play a part.&nbsp; If you are of an artistic disposition, you can use your creative skills to great effect. A perfect example of this is music. As a medium, it has the ability to evoke strong emotions. It can be powerful and visceral, enabling a strong animal rights message to be heard and acted upon. Below are V-Land’s top 5 vegan artists who use music as a form of activism. <h2>Moby</h2>After going vegan in 1987, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moby" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Moby</a> is now a prolific and vocal advocate for animals. Much of his music is influenced by this position and in 1996 he released the album titled <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3xmlMrPhua2HDRR0YwkUH0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Rights</a>. This deviated from his usual style, and given the subject matter, it wasn’t that well received by his broader fan base. Nonetheless, he has amassed a catalogue of 20 studio albums and sold over 20 million records.&nbsp;&nbsp;An interesting watch is his feature-length documentary, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9q1IidazY8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Punk Rock Vegan Movie</a>, which looks at punk rock’s links to animal rights activism. As anarchists, punk rockers were more likely to question societal norms, including how the food we eat is produced.&nbsp; <h2>Prince</h2>Like Moby, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prince" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Prince</a> needs little introduction. His music impacted a generation, and with over 150 million records sold worldwide, he is one of the best-selling artists of all time.&nbsp; After going vegan in the 1990s he released the single, “<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1PxVh7MUB9iGtd3opcfXnJ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Kingdom</a>”, in 1998. This firmly rejected the notion that it was OK to exploit animals for any purpose. A year later, he released the album <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/54xp79ruakOSPWUE7YawIe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic</a>. On the cover, he wore a tight-fitting blue outfit, typical of his style. It was a definite statement piece in presentation and meaning. In the sleeve of the album, he wrote: “If this jacket were real wool, it would have taken seven lambs whose lives would have begun like this… Within weeks of their birth, their ears would have been hole-punched, their tails chopped off and the males would have been castrated while fully conscious. Extremely high rates of mortality are considered normal: 20-40% of lambs die before the age of 8 weeks: 8 million mature sheep die every year from disease, exposure or neglect. Many people believe shearing helps animals who would otherwise be too hot. But in order to avoid losing any wool, ranchers shear sheep before they would naturally shed their winter coats, resulting in millions of sheep deaths from exposure to the cold.” Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but his contribution to the movement lives on and still influences people to this day. <h2>Macka B</h2>With a career spanning decades, this British-born Jamaican reggae artist has a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ph6mRzG0lANVJRBTUIxI2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">back catalogue</a> any musician would envy.&nbsp; Following the principles of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ital" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Ital</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/officialmackab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Macka B</a> adheres to and promotes the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet.&nbsp; <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0IDk2BLXypQbSK6yi4ekuH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Wha Me Eat</a> is a firm favourite. It chronicles the very relatable tale of vegans having to explain what they do and, more importantly, don’t eat. For a more playful, solo vegetable-focused track, check out <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2sLd6kJMLkVi2jgy1RTIC7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Cucumba</a>. The song regales the multiple health benefits of the humble cucumber. You might be surprised by its versatility. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1691099221/Image_1_61_pic_2_8a6d0275cb.png" alt="Macka B holding a microphone and smiling "><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61711688" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Krd</a>/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">CC BY-SA 4.0</a> <h2>Mobius Loop</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mobiusloopmusic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mobius Loop</a> are an independent philosophical folk band with veganism at their core. Their desire for improvement includes humans, with songs and lyrics that reflect this mission. With 3 albums under their belt, the latest offering, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4HhVBH6NGI1kecyRnt6E9U" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">2020 Vi5ion</a>, includes the strong anti-hunting song, “<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6Yymx8C9GFUyw2Bbp3cSZf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Foxtrot Tally Hoedown</a>”.&nbsp; Eccentric in presentation and performance they are well worth checking out <a href="https://www.mobiusloop.co.uk/tickets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">live</a>. <h2>Vegan Queen V&nbsp;</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/veganqueenv" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Queen V</a> is a solo female pop singer who is passionate about both human and non-human rights. Her debut album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4aPKaroFeAqZhYKYBrHYke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Freedom Warrior</a>, was released in May 2022. It is exclusively dedicated to highlighting all the ways in which animals are exploited. “<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZzO2Eph7WNE0iE3v5KzNq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Dominion</a>”, the opening track, is a melancholic questioning of why humans continue to abuse their position of power. If you listen to just one album today, this should be it.&nbsp; <h2>Honorary mentions&nbsp;</h2>Another dedicated animal rights album worth adding to your playlist is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3KdauY9XaYaiqGjdRdTjdW" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Liberation</a> by <a href="https://musicdigi.com/post/artist-spotlight-3a-liberation-drummer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Liberation Drummer</a>.&nbsp; And our final pick is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andyjonesofficial" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Andy Jones</a>. He has released multiple albums which include tracks like “<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2kAjcUSZhG0dDPG0tYXCU9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">I See You</a>” and “<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZdVU77zIrDi3PyYpBaXM5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Better Than This</a>”. Like the artists above, if you want to get creative with your animal rights activism, check out which vegan artists to follow on Instagram in our article, <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/art-as-activism-vegan-artists-to-follow-on-instagram" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">art as activism</a>. For even more inspiration on how to get started, or for additional options to expand your activism, have a look at <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/unique-uk-animal-rights-activism-approaches" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">unique UK animal rights activism approaches</a>.

 Moby singing into a microphone and playing guitar

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5 vegan artists using music as a form of animal rights activism

Set within the Rutland Works, a building once filled with the sound of clanging hammers and quenching steel, we visited <a href="https://www.instagram.com/templeof.fun/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Church - Temple of Fun</a> (aka Church) - the best place to go in Yorkshire for vegan food, or any kind of food for that matter. Fresh off a hectic tour schedule, we were fortunate enough to bump into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/olobersykes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Oli Sykes</a>, the owner of Church (and international rockstar!) outside the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dropdeadofficial/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Drop Dead</a> Warehouse - which backs onto the actual restaurant. You’d be forgiven for not associating an international rockstar with a vegan diet, but Oli proves you can be rock ‘n’ roll and lead a healthy lifestyle.&nbsp; After a chat and some pictures, we headed inside and were amazed at how visually stunning Church is, with notes of <a href="https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100252535;jsessionid=5090848110B281DB54BB345DD81393F0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Opus Francigenum</a> and a touch of Latin American Church combining perfectly with the walls adorned with artwork, crosses, candles, and shrines. The seats are ex-church seats with spaces for bibles behind them, and the décor is an ode to archaic art, with a heavy influence of religion, but if you’re thinking of traditional religion you’d be wrong for the religion to follow here is veganism.&nbsp; <h2 class="ql-align-justify">What makes this restaurant stand out from the rest?</h2>Given that Church is owned by Oli Sykes, we expected the place to be overrun with alternative folk but were surprised to find that this is truly a family restaurant. There were people at the bar having their daily pint (or three) and families all gathered around the large screen watching a movie. Far from the metal heads and emo kids we were expecting. They recently held a pop-up event for <a href="https://overnight-angels-crew.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Overnight Angels</a>, had <a href="https://www.instagram.com/malevolenceriff/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Malevolence</a> play on New Year’s Eve, frequently screen films, and regularly hold life-drawing/doggy day drawing sessions. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">What was the food like?</h2>Our waitress, Liv, was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, so we decided to give her full control over what we were served. We asked for her favourite items, and she delivered. Drinks were up first and as soon as we saw the frozen margarita cocktail with a shot of CBD, we were sold. The glass was so cold that it started to frost over before the drink even started melting - exactly what was needed on such a hot sunny day. We also tried the delightful Beavertown Neck Oil IPA which helped to wash down the food, making space for dessert. With the sun blasting through the windows and a gentle breeze emanating from the double doors leading to the balcony, we were served an array of food. We began with chilli cheese criss-cross fries with homemade guacamole and sour cream. The chilli cheese sauce dribbled into the holes of the criss-cross fries, ensuring that every single bite was packed with flavour. The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with visible steam leaving after every bite. Next up were the oyster mushrooms with BBQ sauce, and wasabi mayonnaise. The BBQ sauce was fruity, tangy, and had a beautiful layer of smoke which paired perfectly with the oyster mushrooms, which were fried to a crisp perfection (and not a single drop of grease or oil present). The silkiness of the wasabi mayonnaise combined with the heat from the horseradish set the tastebuds into an overdrive of pleasure. As if this wasn’t enough, we were then served another two dishes: BBQ chicken salad bowl and the signature Syko burger, aptly named after Oli himself. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1691098189/Image_1_60_pic_2_77b01435cd.png" alt="Syko vegan burger with a charcoal bun and chips on a wooden table in Church in Sheffield">El James Interestingly, the BBQ chicken salad bowl contained BBQ chunks from Oumph! and believe us, Oumph! has never tasted so good. The chargrilled pieces of protein had a slight chew but remained deliciously moist, leaving us savouring the entire bowl. From the perfectly cooked corn ribs to the freshness of the salad, it’s not hard to see how this could become the go-to summer dish.&nbsp; The Syko burger was served with a bed of lightly seasoned fries and consisted of a homemade B12 burger sandwiched between lettuce and tomato on a charcoal bun, drizzled with Syko sauce, and a beer-battered onion ring. The Syko sauce had a sweet BBQ twang to it, and we completely devoured the burger. Notably, this burger can be made gluten-free except for the charcoal bun, as the onion rings are made with gluten-free beer. As Liv provided us with dessert - a KitKat cheesecake with Oreo crumb and whipped cream - rings of Happy Birthday rang out for someone celebrating a 60th Birthday. Despite being full to the brim with delicious food, we somehow found room for the cheesecake and demolished that too. The chocolate mousse was light and airy, and the Oreo crumb balanced out the slightly salty mousse. This was a visit of utter divinity with absolutely no complaints, no improvements needed, just wonderful food and customer service. Bursting at the seams, we somehow made it to the balcony, where we took in the sights of the River Don and the beauty of Sheffield. It would be a disservice to call Church your everyday, run-of-the-mill, celebrity venture. Church is absolutely a place that has established itself as the heart of the community, and what a community it is. From doggy drawing sessions to bands like Malevolence playing on New Year’s Eve, there is truly something for everyone at Church; and they welcome you as though you’re a part of the family. Church gets the V-Land UK stamp of approval, and we will absolutely be back! If this article has left you desperate for some vegan junk food, check out what happened when we visited <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-noms-brighton-guilt-free-vegan-junk-food" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Noms</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/rabbit-food-edinburgh-s-new-favourite-spot-for-vegan-junk-food-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Rabbit Food</a>.

Décor inside Church - Temple of Fun in Sheffield, influenced by archaic art and religion

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Church - Temple of Fun: A place of worship for vegan foodies

Being vegan shouldn’t stop you from rocking a full sleeve; you just need to make sure you’re clued up before you get tatted up, on what ingredients you should look out for. Veganism, as many of us know, is about so much more than just what we eat, and thankfully the tattoo industry is now well-versed in how the traditional practice of tattooing isn't always vegan-friendly. Certain ingredients and ways of tattooing can mean that unassuming things like a disposable razor and the tattoo ink itself aren’t vegan.&nbsp; <h2>Tattoo ink</h2>As something that’s going to be on your body forever, it had better be vegan! Tattoo ink can contain gelatin, a type of collagen derived from animal muscle and bone that acts as a binding agent to hold ink together. Most tattoo artists pride themselves on being inclusive toward vegans and will use a vegan tattoo ink that has ingredients such as carbon or burnt logwood. Tattoos often contain bone char, an ingredient used to blacken the ink and create a darker pigmentation. To get the end result of ‘bone char’ is exactly what it sounds like, animal bones are burnt and charred to achieve charcoal.&nbsp; Tattoo ink can also contain shellac, which according to <a href="https://www.peta.org/living/food/animal-ingredients-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">PETA</a> is the “resinous excretion of certain insects.” These insects are the female lac bug found in Southeast Asia. Before the lac bug lays her eggs she will cover herself entirely in this secretion called ‘shellac’, a desirable commodity that gives a distinct sheen to sweets, furniture polish, and even apples! Farmers will collect the shellac off branches, along with the lac bug’s eggs which are sadly killed as a byproduct of shellac farming.&nbsp; <h2>Tattoo prep and aftercare&nbsp;</h2>Maybe most surprising, at least to us, are the ingredients used in the preparation and aftercare of getting a tattoo. Disposable razors are not only bad for the environment with well over a million thrown away each week, but they also contain glycerin, an ingredient found in the lubricant strip of razor blades. Glycerin derived from animal-based fats is most commonly tallow, aka beef or lamb. Vegan tattoos use glycerin made from vegetable fats.&nbsp; You can always ask your tattoo artist about the ingredients they use, bring your own reusable razor, or just book a <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/are-tattoos-vegan-vegan-tattoo-artist-mogg-fills-us-in" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan tattoo artist</a> who specialises in vegan tattoos. You’ll be supporting a vegan artist and can feel assured that your new ink is cruelty-free.&nbsp;&nbsp; Another important aspect of tattoo aftercare is vegan tattoo balm. Beeswax is a popular ingredient used to soothe and moisturise dry and sensitive skin, especially after a tattoo. Many creams will use beeswax as a natural anti-inflammatory to create a barrier to prevent the newly inked skin from getting infected. Look out for balms that contain ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, or even coconut oil.&nbsp; Most importantly, feel excited about your new tattoo and try not to worry too much!&nbsp; For all things vegan tattoo check out our interview with vegan tattoo artist <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/are-tattoos-vegan-vegan-tattoo-artist-mogg-fills-us-in" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mogg</a>.

Multicoloured tattoo sleeve on a black background 

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Vegan tattoos: Think before you ink

Lisbon is a historic city which can be traced back as far as the Neolithic period. Today, its extended boundary is home to around 3 million people and is bursting with culture and tradition. It is a truly global city and sits on the westernmost point of continental Europe. If you have never visited, V-Land highly recommends a trip, or three. The history, the stunning architecture, the glorious weather and the Portuguese vegan food combine to make it a must go to destination.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>The Portuguese love for food</h2>We can all agree that any good trip starts and ends with fabulous fayre and Lisbon delivers. Consider yourself warned as the city is hilly, so take a good pair of walking shoes; you’ll need them and an energy boost to get around. Thankfully there are many eateries across the city to ensure you have a constant supply of the necessary food fuel. We could easily recommend all the vegan Lisbon restaurants we visited and suggest you check <a href="https://www.happycow.net/europe/portugal/lisbon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Happy Cow</a> to see what appeals to you, but here are our top three picks. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_green_affair/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">The Green Affair</a> has 4 locations, all with a sophisticated art deco feel. We visited two of them and they did not disappoint. Their cuisine is international and the highlights for us were the gyoza dumplings, seitan steak and mushroom risotto. We were even compelled to write a note to the kitchen staff to thank them for the delicious dishes they had prepared for us.&nbsp; Nestled in the hilly streets to the west of the city is the small but perfectly formed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/legumisushi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Legumi Sushi Vegan</a>. As far as vegan sushi goes, Lisbon or otherwise, they excel. Be sure to arrive hungry, as our recommendation is to order the all-you-can-eat option. The centrepiece of your meal will be the sushi boat: a wide selection of sushi and tempura presented on an impressive serving boat. Given the size of the restaurant, we have no idea where they have room to store them. In addition to this masterpiece, you order whatever you want on the menu. You will leave beyond satiated.&nbsp; Just a few blocks from the plaza, Praca do Comercio, is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kongveganfood/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Kong - Food Made With Compassion</a>, so it is easy to combine when planning your day. They mostly serve typical Portuguese dishes which have been given a plant-based makeover. Their croquettes and ‘fried egg’ topped seitan steak have tons of table appeal. Make sure to leave room for dessert though.&nbsp; <h2>The sweet stuff</h2>If you are partial to a sugary treat, then there are two bakeries you must visit.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vegannata.pt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Vegan Nata</a> specialises in vegan custard tarts. The original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_de_nata" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Pastel de Nata</a> is native to Portugal and was first created by monks using eggs in the early 1800s. The Vegan Nata founders wanted to prove that vegan food can be tasty and they have succeeded. It makes for the perfect mid-morning snack with a side of coffee. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scoopndough/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Scoop n Dough</a> does what it says on the tin. Given its prime central location, it is easy to find and get to. With a wide selection of mouthwatering ice cream and delectable doughnuts, one visit is not enough. We went several times and on the first occasion, we had to seek confirmation that everything was indeed vegan. Every visit after, we observed new customers arrive and ask the same question as they, also, could not believe it was possible. We could not get enough of the chocolate truffle doughnut or raspberry crumble ice cream. Do grace them with your presence and indulge. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1691096565/Image_1_59_pic_1_2147773529.png" alt="Vegan doughnut oozing with chocolate from Scoop n Dough in Lisbon"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/scoopndough.pt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Scoop n Dough</a> <h2>Bars with a difference</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebotanicalden/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Botanical Den</a> can be found in one of the craziest nightlife areas in the city: Bairro Alto. This means it is open late for all your cocktail and burger needs. They use Beyond patties and serve other snacks, including vegan hot dogs, hummus and guacamole. We had a very brief chat with the affable owner who expressed his passion for setting up and running an ethical business. This is an added bonus to the tasty food and drinks, so do support them if you are in the city. For a destination with a more unusual past, visit <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pensaoamor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Pensao Amor</a>. This luxurious bar and hotel has many rooms with varied décor, all with a nod to its past. The building used to house a very popular brothel and it continues to attract people from far and wide to enjoy a different kind of pleasure late into the night. Go, drink and enjoy the entertainment or simply relax and soak up the ambience. <h2>What to do in Lisbon as a tourist</h2>If a big plaza is your thing, Lisbon will not disappoint. Facing the harbour in the heart of the city is the <a href="https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Baixa-Lisbon/praca-do-comercio-lisbon-portugal-guide.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Praca do Comercio</a>. Located where the Royal Palace used to be before the earthquake of 1755, this grand open space is surrounded by yellow buildings typical of Portugal. There are many fine viewpoints across Lisbon, but one of the best can be found at the <a href="https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Baixa-Lisbon/Elevador-Santa-Justa-Lisbon-elevator-lift-guide.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Santa Justa Elevator</a>. This magnificent wrought iron structure is officially part of the public transport system but is actually more of a tourist attraction. Find it in central Lisbon and access it from the ground floor or the hill, if you are feeling fit, as an adjoining bridge connects to it. When visiting, you must experience a ride on one of the many old-style trams - <a href="https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/lisbon-transport/lisbon-tram-28.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Tram 28</a> is a popular choice. It weaves through the downtown before heading west, taking in many more of the city's highlights, including <a href="https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/lisbon-sights/estrela-basilica-lisbon.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Basilica da Estrela</a>, <a href="https://stoantoniolisboa.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Church of Santo Antonio</a> and <a href="http://castelodesaojorge.pt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sao Jorge's Castle</a>.&nbsp; <h2>Escape from the city centre</h2>Like any respectable tourist city, Lisbon has a number of hop-on hop-off bus options. There are so many places to visit beyond the city centre and these buses make them super accessible. The added benefit is the audio guide as you ride, so you get to know a little more about the city’s rich history. First on your list should be the <a href="https://torrebelem.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Belem Tower</a>. This fortress, at the entrance to the Tagus River, was built in the 16th century to bolster the existing defences. The impressive architecture sits, resplendent and isolated, against a backdrop of sky and water. It is picture postcard stunning.&nbsp;&nbsp; Relatively close to the tower is the spectacular <a href="https://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/dgpc/m/mosteiro-dos-jeronimos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Jeronimos Monastery</a>. Built in the 16th century, it is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular attractions in Lisbon, so plan ahead and expect to queue. A little further afield, at nearly 30 km, is <a href="https://www.sintra-portugal.com/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sintra</a>. Filled to the brim with majestic palaces, splendid villas, an abandoned castle and hidden gardens, it is worth the trek. You could make your own way there by car or train but you may find it easier to book one of the many day trip tours that are available. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1691096834/Image_2_6_pic2_25498e98bc.png" alt="Brightly coloured buildings in Sintra in the Lisbon region in Portugal"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/beige-and-pink-castle-1547735/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Daniel Frese/Pexels</a> <h2>Bonus vegan discovery</h2>In a world with the internet, finding and purchasing vegan-friendly products is easier than ever. However, there is nothing quite like being able to see, touch and feel items of interest in the real world. Therefore, we were thrilled to stumble across the eco-vegan store,<a href="https://instagram.com/sapatoverde?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://instagram.com/sapatoverde?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sapato Verde</a>. They stock everything a self-respecting vegan may need: shoes, clothing, bags, toiletries and even companion animal accessories.&nbsp;Further elevating our excitement was the addition of the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenbeans_vegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenbeans_vegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Green Bean</a> café and grocery store at the back of the shop. If you were to consider what a vegan utopia would consist of, this would be it, and it is the work of a husband-and-wife vegan power couple. Grab a toastie and a pair of shoes the next time you visit. Looking to do more vegan travel in Europe? Check out our guide to <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/the-inside-scoop-on-palma-de-mallorca-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Palma de Mallorca</a> or venture to rural France for a stay at <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/longing-for-a-luxurious-vegan-holiday-head-to-la-cour-de-husson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">La Cour de Husson</a>.

Two of Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams travelling besides one another

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Discovering the secrets of Lisbon as a vegan tourist

On Gloucester Road, home to some of Bristol’s coolest restaurants, pubs and vintage shops is where you’ll find some of the best falafels in Bristol, in a vegan café named no other than <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jackthefalafel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Jack the Falafel</a>.&nbsp; With its welcoming wooden exterior and bench outside the front, the café is in a sunny spot, so it’s perfect if you want to sit and enjoy the outside seating on the bustling Gloucester Road.&nbsp; We chose to sit inside under all the plants and take a look at their extensive menu, displayed on the chalkboard and available on the counter to take back to your table. After feeling torn between all the delicious dishes, we asked the waiter, Billy, what he recommended.&nbsp; He suggested the jackfruit dishes and gave us a sample to try. Sweet, spicy with a barbeque flavour, it was utterly delicious, and made us more intrigued about the other dishes, setting the bar high for the rest of the menu.&nbsp; <h2>Delicious drinks&nbsp;</h2>For drinks, we settled on the intriguing Butterfly Pea latte and the tempting apple, cinnamon and fresh ginger juice. Whilst we would usually opt for an oat milk coffee, the butterfly pea latte charmed us, and we were eager to try it! Although slightly apprehensive about pea milk, the latte was deliciously sweet and light with a fantastic blue colour. The fresh juice was satisfyingly punchy with its ginger flavour and beautiful cinnamon tones, the perfect palate cleanser before the food.&nbsp; <h2>Mesmerising mains</h2>On to mains! Finally deciding on the vegan pancakes with almond butter and the aubergine parmigiana, we opted for a sweet and a savoury dish. The food arrived very quickly and was beautifully presented! The aubergine parmigiana was served on a huge plate filled with an array of vibrant salads, very Instagrammable! Layers of slow-baked aubergine topped with cheesy vegan parmesan, the dish was spicy, smoky and very filling. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1690638391/Image_1_26_a56e1353be.png" alt="Aubergiene Parmigiana from Jack the Falafel">Róisín Hamilton﻿The banquet of sides was mesmerising, offering tangy sauerkraut, fluffy couscous, crunchy red cabbage and carrot, a mixed salad and a grilled flatbread, all drizzled with a sweet beetroot sauce. This dish was a real show-stopper! The flatbread was perfect to dip in the parmigiana and the sauerkraut was a stand-out addition to the other salads.&nbsp; The pancakes were charmingly presented, topped with kiwis, strawberries, apples, grapes, almond butter, chocolate sauce, vegan whipped cream and sprinkled with coconut. They were fluffy and light - the nutty and fruity flavours complemented each other extremely well. The perfect breakfast or dessert option. Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying the falafels, and they were delicious. Served with vibrant yellow hummus, green olives, and beetroot sauce, they were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, lightly spiced with coriander flavours. The hummus was silky and a perfect duo with the falafels.&nbsp; A fellow customer recommended that we try the cakes and the hot chocolate so we will definitely be back.&nbsp; If you’re looking to sample these legendary falafels for yourself, or perhaps the fruity pancakes, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jackthefalafel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Jack the Falafel</a> offers a huge menu of delicious dishes to try, or you can order in by using <a href="https://wearefoodstuff.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Foodstuff</a>; they are also on <a href="https://www.toogoodtogo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Too Good To Go</a>. If you’re a vegan foodie who wants to sample what Bristol’s food scene has to offer, be sure to check out the <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/best-vegan-restaurants-in-bristol" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">best vegan restaurants in Bristol</a>. Or maybe you fancy a tipple? If so, our guide to <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/where-to-go-for-vegan-cocktails-in-bristol" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">where to go for vegan cocktails in Bristol </a>shouldn’t be missed.

Falafels in a brown bowl from Jack the Falafel 

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Jack the Falafel: Delicious lunch spot in Bristol

Insects. Love them or hate them, they are truly fascinating creatures. From Leaf Cutter Ants to Hammerhead Worms, Elephant Hawk Moths, Goliath Beetles and the utterly astounding Creatonotos Gambis, there is a seemingly endless array of weird and wonderful insect life to discover on planet Earth. Or, at least… there was. Sadly, recent studies have shown that in the past two decades, <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/news/bugs-matter-survey-finds-70-decrease-insects-less-20-years" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">we have lost nearly 70% of insect life in the UK</a>, with many species facing the threat of extinction, resulting in a potential insect apocalypse if we do not adapt to a bug-friendly way of living. The biggest threat that insects face is a combination of habitat loss caused primarily by agriculture and urban development, coupled with pesticide use and intensive agricultural methods (such as harmful fertilisers, and over-ploughing, degrading the quality of soil etc) resulting in a <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/save-the-earth-the-biodiversity-crisis-nobody-is-talking-about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">biodiversity crisis</a>. The UK was once home to an array of abundant wildlife, but as we continue to sacrifice woodlands, peat bogs, meadows and waterways in the name of profit and growth, we’re leaving less of the countryside habitable for non-human life. That being said, it’s not all doom and gloom; there are many insect species that we feel drawn to, and wish to protect. Gone are the days of hoovering a house spider, or swatting away a honeybee.&nbsp; In fact, the urgency to save pollinating insects, such as bees, has resulted in communities across the globe joining together to try and save them. Most households recognise the importance of how to save the bees, but what about the lesser-known insects? Do we deem these creatures not worthy of saving due to their ‘creepy-crawly’ appearance? Or, is what lies beneath the surface, equally as important as what hovers, flies and buzzes above it? Recent studies show that some <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269127401_Similarities_and_Differences_between_Humans'_and_Social_Insects'_Building_Processes_and_Building_Behaviors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">insects lead lives not too dissimilar to our own</a>. From an ethical perspective, it’s imperative that we try to help them. Ethics aside, insects are the very foundation that our planet's ecosystems depend on. They fertilise our soil, decompose our dead, pollinate our crops and provide a source of food for birds and mammals across the globe. Put simply, if an insect apocalypse were to play out, we would soon perish alongside them. Our world could not sustain life as we know it without an abundance of insect life both above, within and upon the soil. So what can we do to help these small, yet fascinating and vital creatures that hold our ecosystems together? If you have access to a green space or garden, you hold an exciting opportunity to give struggling insects a safe space to take shelter, feed, procreate and raise their young. Top of the list could be creating a bug hotel. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifetrusts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Wildlife Trusts</a> provide a fantastic guide on <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-bug-mansion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">how to make a bug mansion</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/woodlandtrust/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Woodland Trust</a> has a great list of <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/09/how-to-build-a-bug-hotel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">bug hotel ideas</a> too. Bug hotels are easy to make, and great fun to create, especially if you have children that want to join in. Familiarising children with insects and teaching them to appreciate, rather than fear them, is also crucial to a behavioural shift within society towards insect life. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1690636279/Image_1_58_5671a10ff8.png" alt="A bug hotel made from wood, bricks and natural materials">Johnatapw/Getty Images Another helpful tool to help British bug life is available via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/buglife_ict/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Bug Life</a>’s splatometer app. The innovative <a href="https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">free app</a> is simple to use, and helps wildlife organisations better understand how insect populations are faring. Users simply need to take a picture of their number plate before and after a journey, then upload the images to the app, which is based on the ‘windscreen phenomenon’, a term given to the observation that people tend to find fewer insects squashed on the windscreens of their cars compared to previous years.&nbsp; If you have time for a more hands-on approach within your local area, there are endless wildlife charities and community groups looking for volunteers to help wildlife. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/savebutterflies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Butterfly Conservation</a> is restoring depleted peatlands, with the initiative aptly named the <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/bogsquad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Bog Squad</a>, and multiple <a href="https://www.thecrt.co.uk/listing/category/volunteer?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8NilBhDOARIsAHzpbLB0sU6KURNH0ij6Zr3EQL81eLTMAEmyC9UlY6qEnOR0q-AeBOW9mrwaAjQSEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">wildlife groups are recruiting volunteers</a> for tree planting and wildlife conservation.&nbsp; Another ray of light for British bugs lies in rewilding. From participating in <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/no-mow-may-help-nature-this-earth-day-and-let-it-grow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">No Mow May</a> to donating to rewilding charities, there is an urgently needed transition to help restore nature's balance, for insects, animals, and humans on a global scale. And thankfully, there are a rising number of rewilding projects focused on restoring plots of land and returning them to nature.&nbsp; In the UK, inspirational not-for-profit the <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/rewilding-in-the-uk-with-vegan-land-movement" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Vegan Land Movement</a> have recently acquired their <a href="https://globalvegancrowdfunder.org/vegan-land-movement-animal-agriculture-land-buyout/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">fifth parcel of land to rewild</a> and help struggling species. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/globalvegancrowdfunder/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">VLM</a> acquires auctioned land previously used within animal agriculture and restores it solely for wildlife. Their mission to save land and species comes at a crucial time, and <a href="https://globalvegancrowdfunder.org/dairylandbuyout6/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">donations are welcome via their website</a>. Is an insect apocalypse foreseeable? If we do not change our ways, it is possible. Is an insect apocalypse preventable? If we become bug-friendly, most definitely! What action will you take to help the tiny creatures our planet depends on?&nbsp; For more ways to help out our insect friends, check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/5-ways-to-help-save-the-bees-this-world-bee-day-and-bee-yond" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">5 ways to help save the bees</a>, and encourage biodiversity in your garden with <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/veganic-gardening-save-the-planet-with-green-manure" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">veganic gardening</a>.

Brightly coloured large beetle on a large green leaf

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Is there an impending insect apocalypse? And how can we avert it? 

We at V-Land UK caught up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/youdpaul/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Paul Youd</a>, the 85-year-old vegan ultramarathon runner, who shared some of his story with us. We couldn’t wait to question him about his running and fundraising, and more importantly we wanted to delve into his reasons for taking on such hard challenges at such an advanced age. So, let’s get started. V-Land UK (V-L): Firstly, we want to thank you for taking the time to speak to us Paul. You have run so many ultramarathons at such an advanced age, and we must ask: is it as easy as you make it look?&nbsp; Paul Youd (PY): Well, I’d better start by saying that I’m walking at the moment - after breaking my leg last year. However, since 70% of ultra participants walk them, I’m in good company. And no, I have to say, I don’t ever find them easy. But there are highs and lows.&nbsp; I’ll never forget my very first ultra - when I was climbing Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Somerset. My overriding memory of that day was the weather - it was appalling. The rain was torrential, the wind was whipping across, and there were thunderstorms around. Conditions were brutal - and I heard later that several people had gone down with hyperthermia.&nbsp; Whilst climbing that muddy, stony trail, attempting vainly to control my poncho, I remember saying to my companion, “You know what, mate? There’s nowhere else I’d rather be!” All my senses were on full alert - I felt so alive! And from that moment, I was hooked. V-L: Your transition to veganism is quite an interesting one, you gave up meat to avoid mad cow disease and eventually went vegan when you realised what was happening in the animal agricultural industry. What was it specifically that revealed the true nature of the industry to you?&nbsp; PY: It was learning about the horrors of the dairy industry that sparked my move towards veganism - and around the same time there was a TV programme about the fate of male chicks - who don’t lay eggs, so they are disposed of on the day they are born. Well, I didn’t want any part of that, so I gave up all animal products. To my shame that didn’t happen until I was 65. Part of the reason for my animal rights activism is to try in some small way to atone for all those years of hurt I caused. V-L: You told The Vegan Society that your transition to a vegan diet cured your osteoarthritis. This is hugely significant! What other benefits came with the diet change? PY: I was diagnosed with COPD, caused by smoking in my youth. I was discharged from the Lung Clinic after 6 months because I was so fit - and now I don’t think I’ve got COPD any more. I certainly don’t suffer from any chest complaints.&nbsp; Oh, and another benefit of being vegan is that I sleep easy with a clear conscience! V-L: We see that you have taken part in several fundraisers and have raised such a large amount of money in the process. What is it about Viva! that makes you choose them for your fundraising? PY: I initially fundraised for Dean Farm Sanctuary - when I started doing my ultras, I thought I would switch my fundraising between sanctuaries and groups that took part in some form of direct action. But Viva! encompasses a whole range of animal-friendly activities, I thought I would just stick with them. Makes the admin a whole lot easier! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1690635660/Image_1_57_pic_2_98b2c6f68c.png" alt="Paul Youd smiling before running a marathon, wearing a Vegan Runners shirt">Paul Youd V-L: You have inspired a lot of people, vegan or otherwise, with your story Paul. What advice would you give to those new to running? PY: Run easy. Have a look at 80/20 running, where 80% of your runs take place in heart rate zone two, which is very slow, but it trains the cardio and respiratory systems to work more efficiently. The result is you run with less effort during higher intensity runs.&nbsp; I’m inspired by some of the athletes I’ve heard interviewed on Rich Roll’s podcast, which are great to listen to when you’re out there running (or walking). Some of these include David Goggins, Fiona Oakes and Courtney Dauwalter, but there are many more - each with an inspirational story. David Goggins in particular has given me several mantras which carry me forward when things are tough: Be uncomfortable; become comfortable with being uncomfortable; we can all do much more than we think we can. When you think you’re done, you’ve nothing left - you’ve only used up 40% of your resources. And, when I’m out there on the trail, I’m doing it for the animals. And no matter how hard it might be for me, animals have it far worse. So I just get on with it. V-L: As well as being an active member of Vegan Runners UK, we see you are also an ambassador for the Running on Plants campaign. How did you find the experience through the month of June?&nbsp; PY:&nbsp;I found it very beneficial! All the training plans, exercise routines I found very useful. I was pretty much up to speed with plant-based nutrition, but I know others would have found it to their advantage. I myself knocked a couple of minutes off my 5k walk over the 30 days. V-L: To run such large distances your nutrition must be on point. Are there any foods or products you recommend eating before an ultramarathon?&nbsp; PY: Yes, I take a shot of Beet It Sport Nitrate 400, before each day of an ultra, and another at the halfway mark. It produces nitric oxide which helps deliver more oxygen to your muscles (and I think it is recommended by over 230 sports organisations). The effects kick in about 3 hours later.&nbsp; V-L: Lastly, we want to ask what’s next for Paul Youd? Are there any challenges you’re currently working on?&nbsp; PY: My next challenge is in early August - the SWC50, a 50k loop from Minehead along the coast to Porlock, over Dunkery Beacon, then back down to Minehead again. I did this last year accompanied by film producer Tom Pickering, for the film I Could Never Go Vegan, due for release ‘shortly’.&nbsp; Then at the end of September, I have a 50k ultra over the Chilterns. My overall target is to do 100 ultras - a mixture of actual and virtual - by my 100th birthday. If I do three of each, every year, I should get there. I’ve done 11 so far, and I’ve just embarked on a virtual trek from Lands End to John O’Groats, which I should complete sometime in the New Year. These virtual ones have the benefit of making sure I get out there and put the miles in so that I’m fit when an actual ultra comes around. Good luck with your upcoming ultras Paul. You’ve inspired so many and have certainly had a positive impact on others. If you’re interested in reading about more inspirational plant-based athletes check out: <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/how-does-a-plant-based-diet-help-these-famous-vegan-athletes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">how does a plant-based diet help these famous vegan athletes?</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/5-tokyo-2020-olympians-you-didn-t-know-were-vegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">elite vegan athletes: 5 Olympians you didn’t know were vegan</a>.

Paul Youd smiling with a baseball cap on with ‘Vegan AF’ spelled out on the cap

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Never too old to run: 85-year-old vegan ultra-runner Paul Youd


We're all going on a vegan holiday... We're paraphrasing, but there'll be no more worries for me or you if we follow V-Land's vegan travel tips to eat, drink, and explore on your vegan holiday. Whether you're jetting off to an exotic location or enjoying paradise closer to home on a staycation our travel tips will help you to prepare for every eventuality. <h2>Surviving the airport&nbsp;</h2>Long waits in the airport leave little else to do but hunker down with a book and some snacks or find a bar or restaurant to pass the time. Restaurants, bars and coffee shops in the airport usually have vegan options but if you want to stock up, you can take solid food snacks through airport security in your hand baggage. You can take your favourite crisps, crackers, seeds, sweets, cookies and other solid food options through the airport and onto the plane. Planning a staycation? Whether you're travelling by car, rail or coach, be sure to pack plenty of snacks in case you don't find your vegan favourites at the bus, train or service stations. <h2>In-flight meals</h2>Check before you jet off on your vegan holiday whether your flight offers vegan meals. If not, you can bring your favourite solid food snacks and you will have at least some drink options including tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol from the trolley but many will have limited vegan snack options. <h2>Utilise your apps</h2>For food and drink, your one-stop app for everything is <a href="https://www.happycow.net/mobile" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">HappyCow</a>. This app pinpoints your location and recommends places that are either vegan, vegetarian, or have veg-friendly options. This app is used in 180 countries and is full of helpful, honest reviews that can guide you to the best spots on your trip.&nbsp; Don’t get lost in translation. Try the <a href="https://vegan.cards/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">V Cards: Vegan Abroad</a> app, which is available on iOS. This app translates the definition of veganism into 100 different languages. Just show the app to the restaurant or bar staff to make sure that your requirements are understood. Try searching vegan on <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Tripadvisor</a> to find pointed reviews from customers and discover hidden gems near where you are staying.&nbsp; For alcohol, the website <a href="https://www.barnivore.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Barnivore</a> is a vegan wine, beer, and liquor guide that you can use wherever you are to determine whether your drink is vegan. Breweries, winemakers, and distilleries can use animal products in their creation processes, so be aware when visiting another country and look up your chosen drink.&nbsp; Socialise and get to know the culture. If you’re feeling social, there are great apps to meet like-minded people. Try <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bumbleforfriends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Bumble For Friends</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meetup/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Meetup</a> to find your crowd and get tips and recommendations for things to do, eat, and drink. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1690637919/Image_1_25_c483f6886e.png" alt=" Group of friends sitting in deck chairs on the beach around a firepit"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/edJPD9XlNpo?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=view-photo-on-unsplash&amp;utm_campaign=unsplash-ios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Toa Heftiba/Unsplash</a> <h2>Learn the lingo</h2>If you're travelling to another country try to learn some useful phrases, such as how to ask if something is vegan in your destination's language. If you haven't learned any useful phrases then Google is your friend.&nbsp; Use Google Translate to translate key phrases so that you can ask where to buy vegan food, if your vegan holiday destination has any specifically vegan restaurants and find out whether food products or toiletries ingredients are vegan-friendly (just beware that it can translate very literally, so sometimes you could be met with a slightly strange look by locals). Keep a physical list of some useful phrases just in case your phone battery dies!&nbsp; <h2>Explore dining options</h2>If possible, try to look at local restaurant options and their menus ahead of time. It can be difficult to navigate restaurant menus when you see they are full of meat- and dairy-filled dishes, but if you're out exploring and your options are limited try not to be disheartened, and instead look for side dishes, salads and components of dishes that you can eat.&nbsp; More often than not restaurants are able to accommodate vegans and people with different lifestyles and dietary requirements if we just ask. Even if your dish is a vegan marinara pizza, order it loaded with your favourite vegetable toppings or instead of settling for chips, ask if you could have roasted or grilled vegetables and a salad with them.&nbsp; If you're staying in a holiday apartment or anywhere else with cooking facilities, be sure to do a small food shop so that you have snacks and a couple of quick and easy dishes you can prepare when needed.&nbsp; <h2>Pack the essentials&nbsp;</h2>Pack plenty of <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/the-best-cruelty-free-vegan-suncream" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen</a> and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-and-cruelty-free-makeup-for-your-travel-bag" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">toiletries</a>. All of Superdrug's own brand products are vegan and cruelty-free and are available in travel-size minis. One of our most important vegan travel tips is to always carry your vegan-friendly sunscreen, Aloe Pura is a great chemical-free option and for kids, Childs Farm is a chemical-free factor 50 sunscreen that is available from Boots in a roll-on. If you're travelling abroad, remember to pack these in your main luggage as you won't be able to carry certain-sized liquids beyond airport security. <h2>Have fun!</h2>Now that you're fed, watered and your skin is protected, it's time to have some fun. Research activities and excursions online to find beaches to lounge and swim, book a boat trip, find a local market, look for museums and art galleries or explore a national park.&nbsp; We hope our vegan travel tips have prepared you for your dream vegan holiday.&nbsp; Check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/longing-for-a-luxurious-vegan-holiday-head-to-la-cour-de-husson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Longing for a luxurious vegan holiday? Head to La Cour de Husson</a> for some travel inspiration, but first find the best <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/the-best-cruelty-free-vegan-suncream" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan suncream</a>.

 Group of friends running into the sea on a beach

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Vegan travel tips: Plan ahead for your perfect vegan holiday

Ah, the age-old dilemma of closet congestion! You know the feeling when your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, leaving you with fewer outfit options than a penguin at a black-tie event. Well, fear not, fellow fashionistas! It's time to bid adieu to those once-beloved garments and embrace the art of decluttering. And what better way to do it than by donating your clothes to a worthy cause? In this vegan-vogue edition, we'll explore the hilarious journey of wardrobe woes and the ethical high-fashion solution. <h2>The closet chronicles</h2>Picture this: you open your wardrobe, and it's like a game of Tetris gone horribly wrong. Sweaters precariously piled on top of one another, jeans fighting for breathing space, and a sock drawer that resembles a black hole. It's a closet catastrophe! But instead of tossing your clothes out the window in frustration, why not take the high road and share your fashion finds with those in need? <h2>One man's trash, another man's vegan treasure</h2>Now, let's talk about the eco-friendly and compassionate side of decluttering. Donating your clothes to a charity not only clears up your wardrobe but also extends the lifespan of those fabulous threads. Remember, one person's outdated blazer could be another person's fashion revelation. It's like giving your old wardrobe a new lease on life - a sartorial reincarnation! <h2>Ethical fashion: Where vegans strut their stuff</h2>Vegan fashionistas, this is your moment! Donating your clothes for a cause aligns perfectly with your compassionate lifestyle. As a vegan, you understand the importance of ethical choices, not just when it comes to food but also in the world of fashion. By donating, you help reduce waste, promote sustainability, and showcase that being cruelty-free doesn't mean sacrificing style. Talk about fashion-forward thinking! <h2>The joy of giving... and giggles</h2>Let's not forget the sheer joy that comes with donating. As you sift through your wardrobe, reminiscing about questionable fashion choices from the past, laughter ensues. That pair of neon parachute pants you wore to that '80s-themed party? It's time to bid them farewell, but not before having a good chuckle. Donating clothes becomes an opportunity to reminisce, laugh, and embrace your own fashion evolution. So, dear fashion enthusiasts, it's time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and embrace the art of decluttering with a side of vegan vogue. Say goodbye to overcrowded wardrobes, hello to ethical fashion choices, and let your donated clothes bring joy to someone else. Remember, the journey to a clutter-free life is paved with laughter, compassion, and impeccable style. It's time to donate, my fashion-forward friends, and make space for the fabulous new adventures that await you! Summer is still here so why not check out, <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/slow-fashion-for-your-summer-wardrobe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">slow fashion for your summer wardrobe</a>. Or, for second-hand enthusiasts, the intriguing question: <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/can-vegans-wear-second-hand-leather-is-leather-a-byproduct" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">can vegans wear second-hand leather?</a>

Happy young woman sorting wardrobe indoors at home, charity donation concept.

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Time to donate: Wardrobe woes and vegan vogue

Of all the things you might think of ditching when becoming vegan, cigarettes probably aren’t one of them. But are cigarettes vegan? We take a look at the ingredients, production and impact of cigarettes. When transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, there are some very obvious changes that need to be made. For example, cutting out meat, dairy, eggs, and honey is the clearest first step. Following this, many people turn to things like their cosmetics, where they may find that a lot of products they use aren’t vegan-friendly.&nbsp; The next step may be things like clothing, avoiding leather and wool for example, but what about the smaller and more obscure things in many people’s day-to-day life that they might not have even considered. Cigarettes certainly fall under this category. So, are cigarettes vegan and if not, why not?&nbsp; The truth is, for the most part, cigarettes are not vegan for a number of reasons: <h2>Ingredients</h2>Some ingredients found in many cigarettes are not part of the vegan lifestyle. From hydrolysed milk solids to <a href="https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/natural-beauty/skincare/vegan-beauty/beeswax-alternatives/#:~:text=Soy%20wax%20is%20often%20used,of%20its%20low%20melting%20point.&amp;text=It%20can%20also%20be%20used,as%20well%20as%20other%20cosmetics." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">beeswax</a>, of the almost 600 ingredients in the average cigarette (yikes) there are some that just aren’t conducive to a vegan life. <h2>Animal testing</h2>One of the biggest reasons that many vegans turned to a plant-based lifestyle is due to wanting to reduce the harm their way of living is having on animals. While it’s often argued that living in the modern world naturally causes suffering to animals, going vegan is certainly one of the best ways to reduce your impact overall. When someone isn’t eating animals and therefore not supporting the animal agriculture industry, the number of <a href="https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/105-animals-saved-a-year-by-eating-plant-based-study-finds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">animals they save</a> in just a year is astronomical. However, even if you don’t eat animals or their byproducts, the things you buy can still cause harm to animals if they are tested on them. While many companies have come a long way in stopping the practice of testing their products on animals, others still do. Many cigarette companies still <a href="https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/animals-used-experimentation-factsheets/smoking-experiments-animals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">test on animals</a> today, meaning that, even without the ingredients being considered, they aren’t vegan. <h2>Other considerations: The planet and your health</h2>Although not technically a vegan issue, the fact that cigarettes have a detrimental impact on health and the environment, certainly doesn’t help as many people go vegan for <a href="https://thehumaneleague.org/article/environmental-benefits-of-veganism#:~:text=As%20we've%20previously%20explored,secure%20our%20global%20food%20supply." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">environmental</a> reasons and for their <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-benefits" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">health</a>. If you’re one of these individuals, smoking doesn’t fit well into your way of living.&nbsp; So, whether you’re a pack-per-day kind of person or just a social smoker, if you’re interested in living a vegan lifestyle, it may be time to <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">quit</a>. If you’re curious about whether other things are vegan, check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/are-fireworks-vegan-should-they-go-out-with-a-bang" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">are fireworks vegan? Should they go out with a bang?</a>

A lit cigarette with smoke coming from it

Are cigarettes vegan?

After spending a weekend in Edinburgh, we are ready to tell you all about the Edinburgh vegan scene and everything you should put on your itinerary for a short stay in Scotland’s capital city. From award-winning restaurants to culture and nightlife, we have you covered.&nbsp; <h2>Day one</h2>On our first day, we walked to Dean Village, a bucolic hub of charming 19th century houses and cobblestone pathways. We went for a scenic walk along the River Leith which runs straight through the small village, beneath the mews houses and stone bridges. Dean Village is straight out of a fairytale; it’s perfect for a relaxing stroll or a few photos between the picturesque walkthroughs.&nbsp;&nbsp; Next, we visited Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, a 15-minute walk away, to check out their second-hand and vintage shops. We went into about ten charity shops down a stretch of just 500 metres. Buying second-hand is a great way to boycott fast fashion whilst still enjoying clothes.&nbsp; For lunch, we went further into the city centre, across St Andrew Square, to one of the most popular vegan cafés in Edinburgh, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/holycowedinburgh/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Holy Cow</a>. Recommended by a friend who happens to be a Scottish local, Holy Cow exceeded our expectations. Their menu offered a great variety of sandwiches and burgers. We shared a vegan Reuben sandwich and a delicious New York-style strawberry cheesecake. The Reuben sandwich was a tangy delight packed with many pickled vegetables and heavily spiced layers of seitan pastrami. The mustard, pickles, mature cheese and sauerkraut were in thick slices of their soft homemade sourdough bread. The vegan cheesecake was baked to a crumbly brown finish, but still so soft and creamy on the inside. The strawberries on top were cooked down into a fine syrup that sat on top of a generous layer of their cashew-based ‘cream cheese.’ All of their cakes are vegan, and mostly gluten-free. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689020701/Image_1_56_pic_2_e1b1c6a593.png" alt="Vegan Reuben sandwich on a white plate with a side of salad in Holy Cow Edinburgh"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02DczkSNkWEtSxPjFkiZF9NERskCx8rHPPeZpdeBJn1pgh6TNpi3ymsXWCuZEya5C1l&amp;id=100036617145990" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Holy Cow</a> In the afternoon, we went to the <a href="https://www.rbge.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk2MC7QCxYA6itoIDP6Q7KQzTfx7FxAD44WCcrWY-CRpm5WW_q4x5cxoCf1MQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh</a>. As plant enthusiasts, we were keen to stroll around the grounds and soak up some sunshine. The conservationists house plant collections from across the globe, including many endangered species, such as the Chinese Paperbark Maple, which has gorgeous copper bark that unravels to look almost like a paper scroll. There was no pressure to know what you were looking at, or to see everything. After an hour, we returned to our hotel to relax.&nbsp; The first restaurant we went to in Edinburgh was <a href="https://instagram.com/hendersonseatbetter?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Hendersons</a>. We knew we had to try vegan haggis in Scotland, and we needed a reputable restaurant. Hendersons opened its doors in 1962 and is considered <a href="https://www.hendersonsrestaurant.com/about-hendersons" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">the UK’s longest-running</a> vegetarian restaurant. After closing in 2020 due to the pandemic, they reopened in a new location but under the same name Henderson, thanks to their grandson, Barrie Henderson. They are passionate about organic, locally sourced ingredients and everything they cook is seasonal.&nbsp; We first ordered the broccoli salad, but do not be fooled by its humble title, the salad incorporated finely chopped cavolo nero, orange segments, cranberries, toasted hazelnuts, and a hazelnut and orange dressing. The sturdy, green vegetables were made tender and soft by the citrus in the dressing and slices of tart orange.&nbsp; We also enjoyed the banana blossom pakora in ‘sweet tattie chapati’ with coconut raita. This dish was an Asian and European fusion of chapati made from sweet potato, and it worked so well. The hardiness of the sweet potato meant the chapati resembled more of a shell than a flatbread - which was perfect to hold the flaky pakora and yoghurt-based sauce. The pakora was crispy and so juicy once we bit into the flesh of the banana blossom.&nbsp; The vegan haggis was served with root mash, whisky and tarragon cream, and caramelised red onions. It’s easy to see why locals have fallen for this vegan substitute of the well-loved classic, haggis neeps and tatties. Henderson’s haggis was shaped like a classic pie made with layers of lentils and root vegetables, smothered in a boozy, rich cream.&nbsp; After what we believe was the best vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh for a traditional Scottish dish, we headed to the <a href="https://www.brassmonkeyedinburgh.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Brass Monkey</a> on Drummond Street for a few drinks. The Brass Monkey is a kooky bar with a room full of mismatched sofas that run wall-to-wall. People were lying down, propped up, sipping their cocktails, whilst we gingerly sat on the edge of a ginormous six-person sofa! The décor was playful with band posters and film memorabilia plastered everywhere. If you like something different and fun, this bar is for you.&nbsp; <h2>Day two</h2>On our second day, we decided to take in the panoramic view of Edinburgh from the top of Colton Hill. The walk itself was only five minutes from top to bottom, and it’s a great option if you’re not feeling up to climbing Arthur’s Seat. We then made our way down the Royal Mile, a tourist hotspot of souvenir shops, whisky cellars and, of course, Edinburgh Castle at the very top.&nbsp;&nbsp; We slipped down a side street and found <a href="https://instagram.com/antojitostruck?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Antojitos</a>, vegan Mexican street food, served inside a quirky pub called <a href="https://instagram.com/thedoghouseedinburgh?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Dog House</a>. Inside, every single wall was either bricked, full of illustrations or hung with curiosities such as shoes, mirrors and teddy bears! We were surprised by how much their plant-based menu offered: tacos, quesadillas, loaded vegan nachos, and even grilled elote. You haven’t taken in the Edinburgh vegan scene until you’ve tried Antojitos’ southern fried pineapple tacos: charred pineapple with chimichurri, grilled peppers, onions and chipotle mayo. We also had their shredded ‘chicken’, aka pea protein, tacos with melted mozzarella ‘sheese’, guacamole and pickled onions. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689020850/Image_2_5_pic_3_b9a582d6b1.png" alt="Antojitos’ southern fried pineapple tacos"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0DFoyeHEPa1uJ2Tpg6DmGTeCfXc776BaEF2YtyhAn1dKj8DPkrZevp3jkFmXRFUEWl&amp;id=100035244853724" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Antojitos</a> We spent most of our second day in the <a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">National Galleries of Scotland</a>: Modern One and Modern Two. Both galleries showcased contemporary art from the 1900s to the present day. We particularly enjoyed the immersive exhibition of <a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/alberta-whittle-solo-exhibition-scottish-national-gallery-modern-art-2023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Alberta Whittle</a>, a Barbadian-Scottish artist who uses mixed media such as collage and film to discuss Scotland’s historical involvement in white supremacy. Her work celebrates her Barbadian heritage and makes a hopeful plea for a future of kindness and community.&nbsp; Later in the evening, we went to <a href="https://instagram.com/thejazzbar?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">The Jazz Bar</a>, a multi-genre basement space which hosts live jazz and acoustic music. The band we saw played modern jazz with an influence of disco. The saxophonist and lead guitarist would often go off script and jam out to the tail end of each song. The Jazz Bar is a must if you’re looking for an intimate and relaxed venue that plays live music from Scottish artists.&nbsp; For dinner we tried possibly one of the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh, <a href="https://instagram.com/soralellaedinburgh?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Sora Lella</a>. Owned by a small family from Rome, Sora Lella is Edinburgh’s first entirely vegan, Roman restaurant. Multi-award-winning Sora Lella proudly holds the title of ‘best chef’ for the 2021 <a href="https://scottishitalianawards.co.uk/2021-finalists/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Scottish Italian awards</a>. Their plant-based menu pays homage to Italian classics such as Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, and the best tiramisu we have ever tasted. It was hard to choose just a few dishes from their enormous menu, with over 10 different vegan pizzas, all of which could be made into a calzone, and over 15 different vegan pasta dishes.&nbsp; For starters, we opted for the pizza dumplings with spicy arrabiata sauce and fried bolognese rice balls, filled with mozzarella, not the most authentic, but so delicious! Sora Lella’s take on arancini was fun and indulgent. The ingenuity and creativity of their starters definitely trumped our - also very tasty - mains. The pizza balls were fresh and doughy, not to mention smothered in a rich tomato sauce and vegan parmesan. Our ‘meat feast’ pizzas were baked until deep brown and had red onion, and mock ham, chicken, pepperoni and sausage. We think it’s great that Sora Lella offers authentic Italian dishes, but also great vegan meat alternatives and fun dishes like the pizza dough balls!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you haven’t been yet, check out Edinburgh’s nourishing <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/nurture-your-soul-at-seeds-for-the-soul-edinburgh-a-vegan-haven" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Seeds For The Soul</a>, or for some cheeky junk food, then <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/rabbit-food-edinburgh-s-new-favourite-spot-for-vegan-junk-food-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Rabbit Food</a> will have you nibbling for more!

Edinburgh aerial view with shops, houses, church and castle 

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Edinburgh vegan guide: Where to eat and what to see in a weekend

Tickets: Check. Tent: Checked. Itinerary: Check? Vegan Camp Out 2023 is finally upon us, and we are definitely excited; we’ve poured over the schedule to give our top picks for the weekend as 10,000 vegans and ‘v-curious’ people descend on Bicester Heritage for its 7th edition.&nbsp; <h2 class="ql-align-justify">There’s so much to do! What should I check out?</h2>Possibly the world’s most well-known vegan chefs, Henry Firth, and Ian Theasby, better known as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bosh.tv/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">BOSH!</a> will be taking to the stage to talk us through their success, and they will be closing out the night with their legendary BOSH! DJ set.&nbsp; Never one to mince his words, Adelaide activist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joey_carbstrong/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Joey Carbstrong</a> will also be appearing on Saturday. Recently, Joey has appeared alongside the likes of Jeremy Vine and Piers Morgan to debate the truth behind animal agriculture, and the ethics of eating meat. Vegan comedian and leader of The Ranganation, Romesh Ranganathan will be headlining on Sunday evening. On headlining the festival, Romesh said “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuml_7MoTU_/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Finally a gig where I won’t be booed for being vegan</a>”. We couldn’t ask for anything better than an hour-long set, filled with back-to-back jokes to close out the weekend!&nbsp; You may have seen Hogwood or witnessed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pritchardswyd/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Matt Pritchard</a> standing outside of Muller HQ during the <a href="https://viva.org.uk/animals/campaigns/muller-killer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Viva! ‘Killer Muller’</a> campaign, but now you can see <a href="https://instagram.com/julietgellatley?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Juliet Gellatley</a> live in person. Juliet is the brains behind Viva!, and we are excited to hear both of her must-see talks over the weekend, as well as catching up with our lovely friends at Viva! <h2>What kind of music can I expect?</h2>VCO have provided a musical smörgåsbord and whatever your taste, you will likely find yourself visiting the music stage at some point over the weekend to dance or rock-out to the fine acts. On Saturday, you will find headliners <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mobiusloopmusic/?hl=en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mobius Loop</a> providing an eclectic mix of Gypsy Folk music, intertwined with conscious rap and free-form dance. The Preston-founded three-piece operate under the mission “May all beings be free from slavery. May every cage be open &amp; empty”.&nbsp; Quickly emerging as one of the rising stars of modern British music, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samhairwolfryder/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sam Ryder</a> will be the Sunday music headliner. Emerging on TikTok during the pandemic, the Space Man himself has performed with Queen at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert, for the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee, and for the King at The Coronation Concert!&nbsp; Notorious for their energetic stage show and conscious lyricism, grime/rock artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bobbyvylan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Bob Vylan</a> are our recommended pick for the weekend. Since forming in 2017, Bobbie and Bobby Vylan have been tearing up stages around the world, with no message considered taboo. With songs “Health is Wealth” and “We Live Here” you can expect to find yourself tackling topics such as racism, gentrification, and access to healthy food.&nbsp; <h2>There’s so much food, I’m overwhelmed! What do you recommend?</h2>Have you ever found yourself watching MasterChef and wondering what the food will taste like?&nbsp; Well, let your imagination become reality with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yom.uk/?hl=en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Yom!</a> Founded by Junior MasterChef finalist, <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/jordan-pomerance-on-being-the-first-vegan-in-a-uk-master-chef-final" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Jordan Pomerance</a>, Yom! aim to provide food with purpose, for the mind, body and soul which is also 100% gluten-free. Also heading down all the way from Manchester, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wholesomejunkies/?hl=en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Wholesome Junkies</a> are bringing their award-winning food to VCO. An absolute must-visit and rumour has it that they may be bringing their incredible Minted ‘Lamb’ Burger on the Sunday! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1690286132/Image_1_7_801a4434fe.png" alt="Vegan Minted ‘Lamb’ burger from Wholesome Junkies"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuts1MitK1W/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Wholesome Junkies</a> Famous for their mind-boggling Tofish and Chips, <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/ed-winters-shares-why-he-s-compelled-to-champion-vegan-activism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Earthling Ed</a>’s No Catch Co will also be bringing their van to the festival. We were fortunate enough to find them and try them at Download Festival in June, and we aren’t ashamed to admit that we returned every day of that 4-day weekend, sometimes twice a day! <h2>Activites</h2>New for 2023 is the Slipshod Faire, a shipping container village bringing games, shows, workshops and even a steam-powered train to VCO. This entertainment area is the place to be for the whole family.&nbsp; Meditation, yoga, or breathwork? Vegan Camp Out has a full line up of mind &amp; body activities to take part in throughout the weekend. Our pick is the Beyonce vs Lady Gaga Yoga taking place on Saturday evening, but if you prefer something a little less strenuous, you can also attend a talk about self-love, manifesting mastermind, or attend <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/dr-alan-desmond-shares-how-to-foster-a-healthy-gut-microbiome" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Dr Desmond’s talk</a>! Looking for love? Friends? Turned up alone and looking for companions for the weekend? Why not visit the speed-dating events being held on Friday or Saturday? This event is a great way to meet people; fast. The rules are simple, you have one minute to talk to your partner before the bell will ring and you’ll be faced with someone completely new. How will you make those seconds count?&nbsp; Don’t forget to visit <a href="https://www.instagram.com/novaglitterbar/?hl=en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Nova Glitter Bar</a> and load up on biodegradable glitter just in time to Shake It Off at the unofficial Taylor Swift afterparty on Saturday night! There are two types of people to never cross; Swifties trying to get Eras tickets, and vegans when asked “but where do you get your protein from?!”.&nbsp; V-Land UK will be providing coverage of Vegan Camp Out 2023 across the weekend on our social media channels so don’t forget to say hi if you see our CEO, El James, around! If you’re heading to a festival this year, why not check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/the-vegan-guide-to-festival-drinks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">the vegan guide to festival drinks</a>, or for more on VCO stars of the past check out our interview with <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/matt-pritchard-highs-lows-and-journey-to-veganism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Matt Pritchard: highs, lows and journey to veganism</a>.

Vegan Camp Out 2023 promotional graphic with the name, dates and prices included

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Release the tent-ion with our ultimate guide to Vegan Camp Out

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/terreaterrebrighton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Terre à Terre</a> is a stunning, multi-award-winning restaurant in Brighton that opened in 1993; founded by chefs Philip Martin and Amanda Powley the restaurant is known for its colourful, artistic, and tasty vegetarian and vegan food. Before a plant-based diet became mainstream, they showed that a meat-free dining experience could be thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, not just vegans or vegetarians. Terre à Terre serve mouth-watering à la carte food that has seen people travel across the country to try their exquisite dishes. When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly staff and the manager Matt who took us to our table and talked us through the menu. We mentioned that we’re vegan, and they recommended some dishes, confirming that some vegetarian options could also be made vegan.&nbsp; Almost all of the menu options appealed to us, and it would be a hard choice to choose just one each, but luckily, they do a sharing appetiser which features samples from the menu. While we waited for the food, we admired the well-lit interior with lots of seating and a small garden area, perfect on sunny days. When the starter arrived, we were given a brief description of the food. We were amazed at how stunning it looked and smelt. This is vegan food at its best, with no mock meats in sight. We couldn’t wait to get stuck in. The standout dishes were the Karekatsu Smoked Tofu, Kentucky Fried Cauliflower and Charred Aubergine Zhuganoush.&nbsp; As starters go, it was a very generous serving, and we were blown away by the crispy deep-fried tofu in teriyaki sauce. This well-marinated tofu would win over any carnivore or tofu dodger. The delicately flavoured cauliflower in breadcrumbs was a taste explosion, and passing diners stopped to ask us what we ordered - it was visually stunning. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689683727/Image_1_bdc0a18e90.png" alt="A variety of vegan starters on a white plate on a wooden table">Aaron Calder For our main courses, we shared Rosti Spinach and Sneaky Peeking Steamers. The rosti was made with crispy potato, onion and garlic on a bed of deep vibrant green sautéed buttered spinach finished with cream. It would normally come with egg, which they replaced with the most delicious umami-flavoured tofu. This dish is worthy of an Instagram post as it’s so beautifully presented.&nbsp; The steamers were wonderfully soft steamed rice buns stuffed with Szechuan mapo tofu, ginger and bok choy. They came in a wooden steamer basket and were paired with kimchi Chinese cabbage, Lapsang Souchong pickled watermelon and miso chilli sauce; we enjoyed every bite of both dishes. Adding the different sides to each bite of the steamers made every mouthful taste unique. It was time for pudding, so we ordered, Snap, Crackle and Choc, a deep, rich, creamy 70% cacao mousse on a toasty hazelnut praline and chocolate shortbread, served with mandarin sorbet. The pudding was a work of food art, decorated with tiny pink pepper aquafaba meringues and chocolate crack shards. The bitterness of the rich chocolate mousse paired with the ripe and refreshing sweet mango sorbet was a winner in our eyes and mouths.&nbsp; As we enjoyed our pudding we commented on how far vegan desserts have come - dairy is not needed. We already had our eyes on the other puddings for our next visit. They offer a sweet sharing plate, which is ideal when you can’t decide on one dish. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689684367/Image_2_ee631a4fae.png" alt="Slice of chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream on a white plate">Aaron Calder It’s clear why Terre à Terre is so successful after so many years. Every element of the menu was well thought out, and when it’s combined with excellent service and beautiful décor, it’s a dining experience we will never forget. If you’re looking for something very special in Brighton, this is the place to go. Has reading this whet your appetite? Check out our interviews with French gastronomic chef <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/one-on-one-with-alexis-gauthier-it-s-all-about-fine-dining" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Alexis Gauthier</a>, and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/antonio-alderuccio-meet-the-award-winning-chef-behind-plant-club" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Antonio Alderuccio</a> the man behind the award-winning Plant Club.

Potato rosti in a vibrant green sauce in a white bowl on a wooden table

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Terre à Terre: Outstanding food that just happens to be meat-free

Festivals are back in full swing after a long pandemic hiatus. As the Glastonbury hype fades, a range of UK events, including Leeds Festival, Reading Festival, Latitude, Wireless, Boomtown, and many more, continue to take place. People travel around the country to see their favourite performers. Festivals are often a hub of catharsis and excitement for many people; nevertheless, we can’t overlook the reality of how people flocking to green spaces, waste from single-use plastics, and increasing carbon emissions damage the ecosystem. According to a pre-pandemic environmental impact analysis for UK festivals titled <a href="https://www.powerful-thinking.org.uk/resources/the-show-must-go-on-report/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Show Must Go On</a>, an alarming report from festival think tank Powerful Thinking, UK festivals generate 23,500 metric tonnes of rubbish per year, and the industry generates 19,778 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. Now that the festivals have aimed to mitigate the effects on the climate, what can we do as attendees to make a difference? Whether it's your first time at or you're a regular, here are some eco-friendly festival tips.&nbsp; <h2>Do your research!</h2>Research is key. While the first thing on everyone’s minds will be which of their favourite artists and bands are playing, it’s worth understanding the background of the festival before attending. Many festivals in the UK are committed to addressing sustainability issues; notable examples include: • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/isleofwightfest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Isle of Wight Festival</a>, which uses a biogas firm to generate electricity and water pipes donated by local farms. • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wideawakeldn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Wide Awake</a>, whose tagline is "No Music on a Dead Planet", has a positive, sustainable policy to avoid burying any waste in landfills, ban single-use plastic, use eco toilets, and use HVO fuel. • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/boomtownfairofficial/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Boomtown</a>, a community committed to achieving sustainability through the use of renewable energy sources and minimal environmental impact.&nbsp; • <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glastofest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Glastonbury</a> runs on wind and solar energy, employs composting toilets, and has prohibited single-use plastic since 2019. <h2>Travel sustainably</h2>Consider your carbon footprint before you set off, whether that’s by carpooling or attending a festival closer to home. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are transported around the UK by excellent car and bus companies. Notably, the largest carbon-neutral coach travel company, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/biggreencoach/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Big Green Coach</a>, has pick-up locations in every city across the UK to get people to hundreds of different festivals. Car sharing is frequently rewarded at festivals, such as Boomtown in 2019, which provided free early Wednesday access to all <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gocarshare/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">GoCarShare</a> travellers. Travelling in groups can&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;both you and the environment. <h2>Reuse and recycle (everything)!</h2>The <a href="https://aiforg.com/initiatives/take-your-tent-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) estimates that</a> 250,000 tents are left at music festivals across the UK each year, which often end up in landfills. Invest in a tent that you will reuse, look for used tents online to encourage recycling of materials and don’t leave your tent behind.&nbsp; Avoid overall waste by bringing reusable water bottles to fill up and reusable lunchboxes and cutlery for your food on site. Minimise your waste by being conscious of what you’re bringing, i.e., flannels over wet wipes, natural deodorants, and metal straws. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689683135/Image_1_7ec9c58855.png" alt=" A woman raising her arms in front of tents at a music festival"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/DSB1MZWsGco" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Krists Luhaeurs/Unsplash</a> <h2>Avoid fast fashion</h2>Fast fashion has a <a href="https://www.earthday.org/campaign/sustainable-fashion/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">detrimental effect on the environment</a>: 100 billion garments are produced each year, and 87% of these will end up in a landfill or an incinerator, with only 1% being recycled. We can be tempted to reach for convenience but avoid buying throw-away one-use items, be conscious of the materials your clothes are made of and shop for pre-loved clothes.&nbsp; Apps like Depop, Vinted, and eBay have excellent clothing in need of a new home and frequently have the best choice of festival fits. If glitter is a part of your festival ‘look’, make sure you wear biodegradable glitter. Glitter contains microplastics that pollute our oceans. Companies such as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bioglittergb/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Bioglitter</a>, offer plastic-free sparkles that decompose in natural environments. So, you can look good without compromising the ecosystem. Festivals are working towards a greener atmosphere through incentives and waste reduction. Think carefully about the history of the festivals you'll be attending, do your research, try to reduce waste, and resist the urge to purchase one-use fast fashion items. This summer, dance, sing and enjoy yourself without damaging the environment.&nbsp; If you fancy a quieter camping experience, check out our guide to <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/vegan-camping-guide-how-to-cook-tasty-meals-in-the-great-outdoors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan cooking in the great outdoors</a>, and we speak with <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/tom-hunt-the-eco-chef-s-how-to-guide-for-fighting-food-waste" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Tom Hunt</a> on fighting food waste.&nbsp;

A crowd of people with their hands in the air at a music festival in the evening in front of a brightly-lit stage

Eco-friendly festival tips: Dance without destroying the planet

His recipes and sense of humour have made him a huge success on social media. In a relaxed chat, we sat down with personal trainer and vegan coach <a href="https://instagram.com/davidclearyveganpt?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">David Cleary</a> to understand what motivates him to create his simple, healthy and quick recipes without sacrificing quality. V-Land UK (V-L): Thank you for taking the time to give us this interview! Before we talk about the success you’ve had on social media, can you let readers know when you became vegan and why? David Cleary (DC): I became vegan during Veganuary in 2017 for two reasons: for the animals and my health. I thought it would be perfect if I could bring the two together, and that's what I did. I don't think it's fair what the dairy and meat industries do to animals. Watching a BBC documentary, I saw a pig being slaughtered, and that scene opened my eyes to the plight of farm animals.&nbsp; And, of course, on top of that, having a healthier diet has definitely made me happier. I enjoy cooking, so since I became vegan, I've learned a lot in the kitchen, and the best part is, it doesn't cause harm to any animals. However, my background comes from a family raised on Irish farms where dairy production was still present, but it never made me think, "It'll be hard for me to go vegan." V-L: Does that mean you support the Veganuary movement? DC: 100%. It gives people a guide on how to start their vegan journey. It makes things much easier for a new vegan. V-L: You've been growing a lot on social media with food-oriented content, especially protein-related content. Where does this passion for food come from? DC: I love to eat! Who doesn't? Especially as a big guy, I eat a lot. But in day-to-day life, it becomes difficult to cook complex meals. So my passion on social media is to show my audience that delicious, nutrient-dense food doesn't have to be a recipe that takes an hour or two to cook. In a matter of minutes, we can prepare something tasty and nutritious containing all the vitamins, minerals, and protein that our body needs. And again, eating, besides being one of the most pleasurable things in life, is also a necessity, so why not simplify things and cook with more flavour and fun? Also, a big guy like me, around 100kg, needs a lot of protein to stay active in the gym and play rugby. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689586576/spag_pic_82a61383e9.png" alt="Bowl of spaghetti with tomatoes and chopped green herbs ">David Cleary V-L: What’s an ingredient you can't live without in your recipes or your diet? DC: Definitely tofu. I can have tofu every day, everywhere (as an ingredient to make other meals). Also, I'm an oat addict! I have oats every day, 2 to 3 times a day, sometimes more. I always try to have a balance between what I consume and what I publish in my recipes (some protein, carbs, etc).&nbsp;We need to have some calories in our meals to have a balance and burn those calories daily. This is healthy!&nbsp; V-L: When did you realise you were becoming an icon for veganism on social media? DC: I don't know! Things were happening. My passion for wanting to show the world that these days there are no excuses for not being vegan led me to this place.&nbsp; Back in the day, many people didn't go vegan because they were afraid of what their diet would be like, but today with so many options for ingredients and flavours, there's no excuse not to try a plant-based diet. I think I have managed to put this passion into my videos in a simple and easy way, showing that healthy eating doesn't have to be complex if you understand how your body and organism work.&nbsp; Simply from 700 views, my content now has 40,000 views per video, sometimes. This means that more and more people are trying my recipes and understanding that they don't have to eat meat, eggs, or dairy to live a healthy life. V-L: Any plans for the future? DC: Maybe a book and travelling the world giving lectures about "where I get my protein from." If you like David’s content and want to have a nutrition guide and his recipe books, you can go to his <a href="https://instagram.com/davidclearyveganpt?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://davidclearyveganpt.gumroad.com/?fbclid=PAAaYqTXh-evgPzl0auzaEfxX0mrPtGVuTgu_qZ_8xVU2QB1yPGCewu_SDThA_aem_AdaqHY0yYxlceqehBaFdUqwTNcwntfLRwKpbWGUFUwv7q8qvHdaSjonEnO5y65SqGRg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">click here</a> to purchase his Ultimate Vegan Bundle. If you want to learn more about nutrition, check out our interview with Dr Alan Desmond, who <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/dr-alan-desmond-shares-how-to-foster-a-healthy-gut-microbiome" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(75, 172, 72); background-color: transparent;">shares how to foster a healthy gut microbiome</a>.

David Cleary sitting at a desk with his hands together with a plate with vegetables in front of him

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David Cleary shares his passion for making veganism easy

Never Have I Ever is a popular party game that often involves revealing personal experiences or preferences. It's a great way to get to know others and spark interesting conversations. For vegans, this classic game takes on a whole new dimension, offering a unique opportunity to share experiences and insights related to a plant-based lifestyle. Let's explore how Never Have I Ever can be a fun and engaging game for vegans. <h2>Plant-based adventures</h2>"Never have I ever eaten a juicy steak." As a vegan, this statement might be true for you. Use the game as a chance to share your plant-based journey, including the delicious vegan meals you've discovered, the vegan-friendly restaurants you've visited, and the creative recipes you've tried. Your experiences can inspire others to explore the world of vegan cuisine. <h2>Animal-friendly activities</h2>"Never have I ever visited an animal sanctuary." Embrace the opportunity to discuss your visits to sanctuaries or volunteer work you've done for animal rights organisations. Share heartwarming stories about the animals you've met and the positive impact these sanctuaries have on their lives. This can foster empathy and encourage others to support animal welfare initiatives. <h2>Vegan travel tales</h2>"Never have I ever travelled to a vegan-friendly destination." Use this statement to showcase the exciting destinations you've explored as a vegan. Talk about the vegan food scenes in different cities or countries, highlighting memorable dining experiences and vegan-friendly accommodations. You can inspire others to plan their vegan adventures. <h2>Environmental advocacy</h2>"Never have I ever participated in a climate change protest." As a vegan, you likely understand the environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. Take this opportunity to discuss your involvement in climate change activism, whether through protests, education campaigns, or sustainable living practices. Encourage others to consider the environmental impact of their choices. Never Have I Ever is a game that transcends dietary preferences and can be adapted to any lifestyle, including veganism. By incorporating plant-based experiences and topics into the game, vegans can engage in meaningful conversations, share their unique perspectives, and inspire others to embrace a compassionate, sustainable lifestyle. So, the next time you gather with friends, don't hesitate to bring a vegan twist to Never Have I Ever - it's an enjoyable way to showcase the positive aspects of being vegan and encourage others to explore this compassionate way of living. Have you ever heard of these <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/5-famous-vegan-actors-you-may-not-know-are-vegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan celebrities</a> or watched these <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/are-there-many-vegan-tv-characters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">vegan characters on screen</a>?

Woman in a pink jumper peering through her fingers on a blue background

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Never have I ever as a vegan: A plant-based spin on a classic game

If you’re on the hunt for some of the best vegan pizza in London, look no further than <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vizza_pizza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">V-izza</a>, born from a love of creating unique flavour combinations. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into each handmade pizza created at V-izza. From toppings like cashew cream, fresh figs and oyster mushrooms, it feels like V-izza is paving the way for unique vegan pizza in London.&nbsp; Their vegan pizzas are available on Uber Eats and Deliveroo: you can order their vegan pizza in Camden, Fitzrovia and Wood Green on either delivery app.&nbsp; <h2>Foraged Fig Pizza</h2>First up on the menu was the Foraged Fig Pizza. With fig being a more unusual topping, we were particularly excited to try this pizza.&nbsp; This was topped with finely sliced fig, mixed leaves, walnuts, and finished off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.&nbsp; The sweetness of the fig was balanced out perfectly by the tanginess of the vegan feta cheese base.&nbsp; The mixed leaves on top made the pizza feel very fresh, and the walnuts added a final nutty flavour which really married up all the ingredients.&nbsp; A great bonus about this pizza was that it didn’t feel as heavy as some traditional pizzas. It was light and crisp with high-quality toppings.﻿<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689018961/Image_1_55_pic_2_0848eae99c.png" alt="Vegan pizzas from V-izza topped with salad and balsamic ">Louise Giddings <h2>Wild Wood Pizza</h2>Secondly, we tried the Wild Wood Pizza.&nbsp; Taking it back to basics, this pizza had a vegan mozzarella base, topped with wild oyster mushrooms and a generous helping of olive oil. This was finished off with a sprinkle of lemon and crushed black peppercorn.&nbsp; The Wild Wood Pizza is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. The combination of the oyster mushrooms and truffle oil complemented each other perfectly: V-izza got the balance just right, adding just enough truffle oil so that it didn't overpower the other flavours.&nbsp; The vegan mozzarella was particularly impressive and mimicked its traditional dairy counterpart. It was stringy and gave us that classic cheese pull, which can be a struggle with vegan cheese! The delicious and soft texture made it a fantastic base for this pizza.&nbsp; And finally, the sprinkle of lemon and crushed peppercorn on top was the fresh kick that really topped off this pizza.&nbsp; Their pizzas truly live up to the hype, and offer some unique flavour combinations that we’ve not seen before. So be sure to look out for them on your next weekend takeaway night or for a weekday treat.&nbsp; As the ultimate comfort and sharing food, it’s essential that vegans can access good pizzas; we speak with <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/mike-hill-co-founder-of-one-planet-pizza-pizza-with-purpose" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Mike Hill, co-founder of One Planet Pizza</a>, to get the lowdown on how pizza can be delicious and sustainable. And if you’re heading down to sunny Brighton, check out some Shroomin’ <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/flower-power-pizza-brighton-s-groovy-vegan-pizza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Flower Power Pizza</a>!

Vegan pizzas from V-izza, one topped with vegan cheese and oyster mushrooms and the other with rocket and onions

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V-izza: London’s hidden gem for vegan pizza

Being vegan and striving towards sustainability often go hand in hand, with veganism being a great way to cut down your carbon footprint and reduce your overall negative impact on the planet. For those looking to go one step further when it comes to eco-conscious living, zero waste might be for you.&nbsp; Here is our ultimate beginner’s guide to zero waste living, and how small changes, accumulatively, can have a great impact on reducing waste.&nbsp; <h2>What is ‘zero waste’?</h2>Coined in the 1970s by chemist <a href="https://zerowasterepublic.com/the-zero-waste-movement/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Paul Palme</a>r the term ‘zero waste’ was initially meant to reduce the amount of chemical waste in laboratories. The term was later picked up by eco-conscious individuals and businesses trying to cut their waste, specifically plastic waste.&nbsp; The <a href="https://zwia.org/zero-waste-definition/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Zero Waste International Alliance</a> defines zero waste as: “The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.” In our current system, it’s almost impossible for consumers to reach actual zero waste, so the term is more of an aspiration than a rule. Related terms you may have heard of include ‘low waste’ and ‘circular living’. Followers of the zero waste movement&nbsp;aim to reduce what goes into their general waste bin to almost nothing. Overall, recycling should be reduced where possible but not eliminated.&nbsp; In the early years of the movement, the ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT0uqEPzbd0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">trash jar</a>’ was a common way to track waste that is still being created. <h2>Shop second-hand</h2>Shopping second-hand has boomed in recent years, with the environmental and economical benefits speaking for themselves. With sites like eBay and Vinted making shopping this way easier than ever, there are rarely reasons to buy something new.&nbsp; Shopping this way fits perfectly into zero-waste living for two reasons. Firstly, when you buy something new you are essentially telling that business to keep making more of something. From your phone to your clothing, buying something new encourages further production.&nbsp; Secondly, when you buy something second-hand, you are extending the life of that item and getting more use out of the energy or resources that went into it before it ends up in landfill.&nbsp; In the UK, we have an abundance of charity shops, making second-hand shopping easier than ever before. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1689017331/Image_1_54_pic_2_fb1847fccb.png" alt="Smiling woman holding a pink top that she picked of a clothes rail in a second-hand clothes shop">RyanJLane/Getty Images Signature <h2>﻿Find a refill store</h2>In the past decade, the number of refill stores nationwide has boomed. These stores allow users to live more sustainably as they can bring their own containers and find pantry staples, as well as other day-to-day goods all free from packaging. Finding one of these locally to you can be a game changer in your zero-waste journey. One of these <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/eco-friendly-store-in-lancashire-goes-fully-vegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">stores in Lancashire</a> recently went completely vegan, with many others following suit - meaning you can shop at a store that meets your dietary needs and your sustainability goals. <h2>Always carry a tote!</h2>This is a daily habit that many have got used to since the introduction of the plastic bag charge in many supermarkets across the UK, however it can’t be understated. Taking a tote bag around with you wherever you go can really help reduce your waste. They can be folded or rolled and popped into your main bag, or even a jacket pocket.&nbsp; It’s easy to remember your bags when you’re planning to go shopping but how many times are you out and have to buy a plastic bag for an impromptu purchase? With plastic bags taking over 1000 years to biodegrade, ensuring that you always have a bag on you can really cut down on your use of them. <h2>Soap</h2>Popular books on zero waste living, like Bea Johnson’s <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/zero-waste-home/bea-johnson/9780141981765" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Zero Waste Home</a> or Gittemarie Johansen’s <a href="https://www.gittemary.com/2022/03/my-book-sustainable-badass-is-ready-for-pre-order.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Sustainable Badass</a> go into detail about how you can reduce your bathroom waste to almost nothing.&nbsp; From your moisturiser to the way you shave, there are many alternatives to plastic-wrapped or disposable grooming options. However, for those just starting out, your soap is one of the biggest bathroom changes you can make. Whether it’s hand soap, body wash, shampoo or face wash, the soap you use often comes in plastic containers. Switching to solid soap can help save both the planet and your shelf space.&nbsp; Whether it’s a solid conditioner bar from LUSH or a run-of-the-mill bar of soap by your sink, you’ll be surprised how quickly your little bathroom bin becomes obsolete. <h2>Drinks</h2>The drinks industry relies on the concept of single-use. From cans of fizzy drinks to plastic bottles of water, there are many drinks you can grab and go. But while that drink might last you an hour or two, its packaging will, unfortunately, last a lot longer.&nbsp; Taking your own bottle for water or flask saves you money, with bottled water up to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4qJdPSznbKK1rJcDkKlWMSL/is-bottled-water-cleaner-and-better-for-you-than-tap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1000 times</a> more expensive than tap water!&nbsp;A common argument for buying bottled water is that it tastes better? If you live in an area with soft water, like much of the North, Wales and Scotland you might not have this problem. However, water in the South, particularly places like London is incredibly hard and can be cloudy or taste off. In these cases, investing in a water filter can really help you start to embrace tap water. Filtering hard water can truly improve the quality and help you go cold turkey on bottled water. Taking your own reusable cup into coffee shops when ordering takeaway drinks also cuts your waste dramatically. For example, if you buy a coffee on your way to work everyday, that’s up to 260 coffee cups per year from one individual. Taking your own cup cuts this number down to zero. By making these small changes, in any combination, can really help make a difference. For more advanced zero-waste tips, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming content. Interested in protecting the planet? Take a look at our <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/category/environment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">environment</a> page for more articles on this topic. For more information on the paradox of sustainable fashion, consider having a ‘<a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/can-haute-couture-subvert-fast-fashion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">couture mindset</a>’.

A variety of eco-friendly, reusable utensils such as water botttles, wooden cutlery and metal straws