So I wasn’t sure what to start my first food-related blog post with, but I have had a few questions about veganism. Yes, that word almost has as much stigma attached to it as sex work. It seems I like collecting controversial labels!
As I mentioned before I was vegan for three years after learning about how unstable mainstream farming methods are. I’m afraid the days of animals living outside eating grass and roaming around is not the reality for most of the meat on sale, no matter how the supermarkets try to market it to make it seem like it’s come from a little local farm. After 3 years of eating vegan (and studying nutrition so I had a good idea of what I needed to eat to get protein, Iron, B vitamins etc) but still I never felt at my optimum, my hair and nails weren’t in great condition, and my speed when running and cycling had plummeted. I read a lot while being vegan on the pros and cons of eating animals and facts such as grass not being digestible to humans, but cows can turn this plentiful resource into nutritious meat that’s rich in iron and protein. I started to realise that being a strict vegan wasn’t necessarily the answer to a more responsible sustainable diet. I recently saw actress Helen Monks describe herself as a Vaguen (vague/vegan). Which I liked she mostly identifies as a vegan but doesn’t restrict herself to the ideals of the diet 24/7. I think it’s better to at least try to eat fewer animal products rather than see it as an all or nothing option. So, as a result, you will occasionally (usually once a month) treat myself to a nice grass-fed, organic, free-range steak (usually rump, I don’t buy into this fillet steak being the best cut rubbish!) I’ll also get fish through a scheme that works directly with British fisherman, and I’ll eat organic free-range eggs (even though I realise the baby boys get ground up at a day old in any egg system 😢)
So anyway I figured I’d use this post to give some advice on some easy substitutions you can make to reduce your animal product consumption if you want to. This includes meat, fish, eggs, and dairy (vegans also consider honey an animal product)
(I’ll still leave out my dairy rant for now)
For me, the easiest swap is to a non-dairy milk. I personally find different ones suit different things. For example, I use soya milk in tea, but oat milk in Coffee. My fav brand is Oatly, they also make a Barista version which makes the best flat white ever! Evey one I know that’s switch to dairy-free lattes, cappuccinos etc always tell me that they don’t feel bloated and sluggish like when they consume dairy milk. If any of you try it, I’d love to hear if you notice you feel better too! I must also mention my absolute fav coffee shop which is Bell Boi just off Bricklane. My absolute go to for an oat milk flat white!
I always get asked about breakfast. In fact, I use to do ParkRun every Saturday morning wearing my Vegan Runners running vest (When I was vegan) and the question I got asked more than anything was, “what on earth can you have for breakfast.” This is super easy. most cereal is vegan, so just splash on that dairy-free milk and you’re good to go or make porridge with a dairy-free milk. My family and my man both love coconut milk on their breakie. Toast is also super simple, loads of dairy free butter alternatives. A lot of spreads etc are all good too, Peanut butter is a personal fav. (no it doesn’t actually contain butter, and yes I have been asked that more than once). Baked beans are also a vegan staple! cant beat good old beans on toast!
For lunch ideas, I thought I’d mention a few great high street options for a quick lunch on the go. Top of my list is Pret! They do loads of options including an amazing Super green and reds sandwich, which is basically avocado, peppers and tapenade. To be honest I love anything with avocado in! They also usually have a vegan soup, and some salads available. A surprising one that I would indulge in from time to time is The West Cornwall Pasty Co.’s Wheatmeal Veg Pasty, or Green Thai Veg pasty are both vegan, and totally yummy! Leon also clearly marks its vegan options on its menu. I can always find at least one of those on any high street or airport so you always have options!
I thought I’d round this blog off with a little review of one of my fav places to go for vegan food. Cookdaily can be found in Boxpark Shoreditch, They have also recently opened in Boxpark Croyden. Cookdaily brings you fresh, healthy & fragrant Southeast Asian Vegan food.
On my last visit, I went for the Jungle curry. Which is spicy saucy herbal curry with no coconut milk. Served over brown rice. I added some extra chilli because I’m a bit of a chilli fiend and even though this dish is described as spicy, in my opinion, it isn’t at all! Despite not being as spicy as I’d like the dish is super tasty, and although I’m not a massive rice eater I couldn’t help but finish the whole lot as it had soaked up all the tasty sauce and was too good to leave. You might think a big bowl of rice and veg is pretty unsatisfying but it really isn’t. I left feeling utterly satisfied without the heavy feeling you can get from eating meat. The place gets pretty busy but in my opinion totally worth the wait. I also just noticed they do delivery so maybe even a good lunch break option!
Kingcook is doing an event at the Truman Brewery on Brick Ln this Thursday so I’ll definitely be heading there at some point around Thursdays Fuck Club (for those of you that don’t know about fuck club I might explain more in my next “fucking” blog.)
So that concludes my first proper food post. I hope you guys liked it if you didn’t never fear, i’ll only be wittering on about it once a month, so check back next week for my fitness blog, or the week after for my fucking blog. Or my mystery topic blog the week after that!
As always thanks for all your feedback, be it comments on this blog, tweets or DMs, I love hearing from you all.
TTFN
Ad x
