A Review of Tesco vegan mac and cheese - A wasted opportunity

When I saw Tesco had brought out vegan (gluten, wheat, dairy, egg free) mac and cheese, I was pretty excited. This to me is the ultimate vegan feast.

Sadly, the meal didn't live up to the hype mainly because of the overpowering taste of mustard. 

Yep, like so many foods manufacturers make for the vegetarian/vegan market, Tesco probably think they have to spice things up because they believe the myth that vegetarian and vegan food is tasteless. Hence an overdose of mustard that completely ruined the taste of this for me. It was so strong only eating some liquorice (Panda's original vegan) got rid of it.

This was a pity because without this mustard the mac and cheese would have been tasty. 

Using macaroni pasta was a good move as I find rice pasta can be a bit bland. 

The sauce was also a nice consistency but it could have done with some yeast flakes. The parsley was also a nice touch.

Overall I'd rate this 3 out of 5 stars 

My manifesto for a more compassionate world

1. Products that are tested on animals should be legally made to show graphic images like the diseased lungs on cigarette packs in the UK.

"Because I'm worth it." 

Is animal suffering worth it? Let people see.

Hey, maybe there are people who don't care about rabbits being blinded or mice being mutilated, but there are also those who have no idea that cosmetics and household products are still tested on animals.


Time we had pictures like this showing animal experiments on products that use animal testing.

2. There should be legal definitions enforceable by law, over what constitutes vegetarian and vegan suitable products. At the moment, there are just recommendations. But, hey, I could recommend from birth that every baby is given wings, it don't make it so.

3. Clearer labeling on all products not just a list of ingredients, but an explanation of what the more ambiguous one are. Does everyone know that gelatin/gelatine is ground down animal bone and muscle? What about the insects that go into cochineal? Or, the fish bladders called isinglass used to filter some drinks? People have a right to know what they and their kids are eating.

4. Clear vegetarian sections in stores that are kept away from non-vegetarian and vegan foods. One of the stores I shop in (Tesco Glasgow) put Redwoods vegan sage and onion slice in the fish aisle, down from a rotisserie where a chicken was going round. What the hell?

5. CCTV cameras in every slaughterhouse. Animals shouldn't be beaten, have their legs broken been thrown against walls. Let's ensure that every slaughterhouse worker knows that if they abuse animals unlucky enough to end up in their workplace that they could be caught on camera and prosecuted. There's a UK petition here and worldwide here.

6. Sentences for animal abusers to be changed from years to months. In the UK, if people are convicted their sentences (if they get prison at all) are months, rather thank years. They throw in 'banned from keeping a pet' for a certain amount of years, but who actually polices it?

7. The end of breed selective legislation for dogs. No man or animal should be killed for how they look. Let's do it for Lennox.

8. A ban on dog breeding for profit. Until every shelter is empty, nobody should be bringing any more dogs into the world.

Puppy farms should be banned.

What would be in your manifesto?

I'd love to know. Please post a comment.

5 Hidden Nasties in Our Food that are NOT suitable for vegetarians

There are some things in foods that are strictly not suitable for vegetarians never mind vegans. Trouble is they can be hard to find.

1- Cochineal (also known as Carminic Acid, Carmines Natural Red 4 and E120). This is a sneaky little colorant that finds its way into everything from cakes to stews, confectionary and even cosmetics. It’s made by boiling and then pulverizing the bodies of tiny insects to get a reddish/pinkish and orange coloring. Watch out for anything that says it uses ‘natural colorings and flavorings’ because it may contain this nasty substance.

2-Gelatine (also spelt gelatin) comes from the bones of slaughtered animals, usually cows and pigs. It can be replaced by a number of ingredients in products like sweets (candies in America) and marshmallows, but it’s cheap and nasty which is why companies use it.



Killed for candies

3-Isinglass – This comes from the swim bladder of a fish and it’s used as a filtering agent in drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  The final drink does not contain isinglass as it’s for filtering only, but the fact the fish have to be dead first to get their bladders makes anything filtered with isinglass not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Guinness uses isinglass.

Isinglass

4-Glycerin/Glycerol (Glycerine in the UK) – This can come from animal fat, but you can also get vegetarian glycerin. Unless a product specifically states it is vegetable in origin, it’s wise to assume it’s of the animal variety.  If in any doubt, ask the manufacturer as companies do not always put the source of the glycerin on the label.

Products that may contain animal glycerin - soap, cosmetics, toothpaste, and some foods like candies (sweets as they call them in the UK).

5-Whey - This is one of those tricky ingredients you’ll find, sitting somewhere in the middle of the list, usually in chocolate products.  Whey most often comes from the cheese making process where animal rennet is used, so is not suitable for vegetarians never mind vegans. It’s also used in some crisps. 

Unless it specifies that it comes from cow’s milk, whey is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans because to get it involves killing a calf.

Killed for whey

Choose Organic Splendor for cruelty free cosmetics

Since I started this blog, I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people. People who believe like me that the world can be a more compassionate place to human beings and animals.

One such company is Organic Splendor. Their handmade mineral make up, bath care and skin care products are completely vegan (the company is run by a vegan) and even better, titanium dioxide free.
You can visit them here

Living Cruelty Free is on its way!

Yay, Living Cruelty Free is now completed and is in the hands of the publisher. After auch a long journey to publication, I am looking forward to seeing it published. First as an ebook in January 2012 and then as a traditional book later on in the year.

One thing I am particularly glad of is that I no longer have to research the topics in the book. Things like veal, fur, foie gras. Reading about how these things are derived from such extreme cruelty has been heartbreaking.

What has been uplifting is reading about how so many people are turning their backs on things that come from such cruelty. In the UK where I live, people who wear fur are seen as social pariahs.

Another fact that makes me happy is that people's eyes are being opened to the cruelty involved in bringing low cost fashion to our high street chains. What's more, people are saying 'not in my name' and are shunning stores that sell wares made by slave labour (often child slave labour).

Together we can all make a real difference, I genuinely believe that and that's why I wrote Living Cruelty Free.

To be human is to show compassion to our fellow human beings and to animals. Those are words we can all live by.

Milk replacer tips

When I stopped drinking milk (for health reasons and because of the horror that goes on in the dairy industry), there were two things I missed most of all -

1. Cereal. I loved cereal and ate it all the time.

2. Tea. In Scotland where I live, we are a nation of tea lovers. We drink it all the time even although there seems to be a Starbucks on every corner.

Then I made two discoveries. Firstly, that I could replace milk in my cereal with soya (soy) milk. I tried all the different varities: sweetened, unsweetened and various flavours. I also tried rice milk, oat milk and almond milk. To be honest, I didn't like them much.

Then I discovered Provamel's banana flavoured soya milk and thought, 'Mmm, now this I like.' So, I've been having that in my cereal ever since.

You may find your tastes are different, but there should be one non-dairy milk that you like.

My latest discovery is SoyGo coffee creamer, which you can buy either in a carton or in sachets to carry around with you. One box contains 25 sachets. I bought it from the VIVA online shop, but you may be able to find it in a health store.

I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the best milk replacer I have used. Tea tastes like tea and if you take away the fact that you need to really stir your tea or coffee to ensure this dissolves, then I have to give it a well earned 9 out of 10.

How you can change the world

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Anne Frank

Anne Frank wasn't just one of the bravest people to ever live, she was also one of the smartest because she was right when she wrote the above.

We can change the world and we can do it one small step at a time.

You don't believe me?

Here's an example - ducks and geese are being forced fed by having a metal tube shoved down their throats to make Foie gras until their livers expand several times their normal size.

What can you do about it?

Maybe you are a vegetarian or vegan who wouldn't eat dead animals anyway. So, what can you do to change things?

Make sure anyone you know is made aware of what Foie gras is so they will never eat it. What happens then is that if even just one person listens that will be one less person eating this cruel food.

If you are a meat eater, you can say that you will never eat this so-called French delicacy and tell others what it is so they won't either.

Education is the key, because how many people who eat these things know about the cruelty involved? Some people may know, but them all? No way. It's not like theforce feeding of animals is done out in the open because it's nothing to be ashamed of. No, it's done in secret well away from people's eyes.

Less people eating Foie gras means less animals suffering.

How to change the world...
The key to changing the world is to start small. This won't leave you frustrated and angry that you can't stop all cruelty, because no one can.

Why not try it today.

Think...what do I want to change?
Ask yourself...how do I do that?
Remember...a world free of cruelty begins with you by you now knowingly participating in it by buying products where animal abuse is involved and where people are not paid fairly for the goods they produce.

In my books, The Greatest Guide to Living Cruelty Free, there will be loads more ways that you can change the world and make it the more compassionate place we all want it to be.

5 surprising things that are not vegan

Cows, the most used & abused animal on the planet.

1. Condoms. The majority of condoms contain casein, which is a protein from animal milk. Vegan friendly ones exist that use cocoa powder instead. Brands include Glyde, Fusion and  Condomi.

 2. Candles. Some candles use cochineal as a colorant. Cochineal is not vegan or vegetarian friendly and is the equivalent of having meat in your candles.

3. Margarines, butters and spreads. Most contain milk, but there are vegan alternatives available.

4. Vegetable soup/broth. Not all vegetable soup is suitable for vegetarians never mind vegans. Some soups like Campbell's in the UK are made with beef broth. Always check the label and assume nothing. As Dwight says in The Office (US), assume makes an ass out of you and me.

5.Crisps, or potato chips as they are called in America. Quite often they have milk added, especially in the store's own versions. Cheese flavoring may be made with animal rennet and meat flavours like beef and bacon may use animal flavourings.

Note - Chips/fries can also be made in animal fat.

For advice on whether things are vegan, why not check out http://www.isitvegan.com/?

 

The Lazy Vegan’s Store Cupboard

Unfortunately I can’t cook like Vegan Dad This is for a number of reasons –

1- My kitchen is so small, it should be in Lilliput (land where Gulliver’s Travels is set)

2- Anything I cook from scratch is either inedible, burnt or both.

Here are the things I could not do without –

1. Soya Mince. Extremely versatile, it can be used in a multitude of ways. My personal favourite is Shepherd’s Pie.

Here's a great recipe on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D-IVPVZfzE

Tip – If it’s the dry kind, try soaking it in vegetable stock first.

It can also be used as just mince – add some carrots, onions, mashed potato and turnip to give it a great taste. In fact, add any root vegetables you want.

You can also add sausages and mash and turn it into my favourite dish vegetarian stovies (also suitable for vegans).

2. Jacket potatoes/loaded potato skins/filled potatoes.  What could be quicker that popping a potato in the oven/microwave and then adding whatever you fancy?

Daiya Cheese is used http://www.daiyafoods.com/

 Go to http://weeklyveganmenu.blogspot.com/2010/07/thursday-lunch-buffalo-baked-potatoes.html for details of what this baked potato contains. There's mre great recipes on the site.

I love grated carrot and onion on mine, but there are fillings to suit everyone. Also great for children. Don’t forget the smiley face with the salad.

3. Pasta (check it contains no eggs, because if it does it might not be vegetarian never mind vegan as battery hen eggs may have been used). Like soya mince, you can add anything to the pasta that you fancy. How about boiled potatoes and freshly chopped tomatoes with a sprig of parsley?

4. Soya Protein Chunks or Textured Soya Protein (TVP). Great in stews (it’s about the only thing I don’t burn, not for the want of trying though), lasagne or, how about having a curry?

Found this simple recipe at the South African Vegan Directory http://www.vegansa.com/recipe-dark-soya-chunks-curry.php

Vegan Dad also has some fantastic recipes. Here’s one of the best - http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2010/08/thai-chickpea-curry-with-thai-basil.html

5. Tofu. Scramble it, fry it, stir fry it, bake it, marinate it, grill it, but just don’t do what I did and forget about it until it turns into a brick wall.

It can be used in soups and stews if you freeze it and then let it thaw. If you have silken tofu, you can even use it in desserts to replace dairy things like cream.

Here’s some ideas here - http://vegetarian.about.com/od/desertrecipes/qt/Tofu-Desserts.htm

Pimp My Tofu

I can't cook the stuff, but this lady certainly can.

For more videos, visit YouTube.

Thanks to iquiteatingmeat on Twitter for the link.

4 Top Cruelty free cosmetics companies

1. Liz Earle

Animal testing? They never do it. Animal products in their cosmetics? ‘None of our ingredients are of animal origin (except beeswax, propolis and manuka honey). All products are suitable for vegetarians,’ says their website

http://uk.lizearle.com/

2. Beauty Without Cruelty

When I first became vegetarian 25 years ago in Scotland, this was the cosmetics brand to trust at a time when other companies didn’t give a monkeys, well about the monkeys, rats, bunnies, cats and dogs they tested their products on.

Their products are Vegan Society Approved and as such suitable for vegetarians too.

http://www.bwcshop.co.uk/

http://www.beautywithoutcruelty.com/

3. Jason Natural Cosmetics

They’re listed on the http://www.leapingbunny.org/  site for good reason.  They don’t test products or ingredients on animals and the only animal product they use is beeswax in a couple of their lip balms. That makes them not only vegetarian, but vegan (if you can without those lip balms).

They even have a handy tool on their website where you can find out where your nearest stockist of their products is http://www.jason-natural.com/store-locator/index.php. Now that’s what you call customer orientated.

4. Neal’s Yard

They promise never to test either their products or the ingredients on animals. And, they have a list of vegan products. Lots of them – 54 pages of them, in fact. I’m in love. Why can’t all companies be this fabulous?

http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/

https://us.nyrorganic.com/

Note – You will notice that I have not included The Body Shop. This is because it’s a contentious one as although they are completely cruelty free they are owned by a company who are definitely not, animal testing L’Oreal. 

It’s also come to my attention that they use animal by-products that you wouldn’t expect in their products, like lanolin (comes from sheep’s wool and therefore definitely not vegan) and someone suggested that make up brushes they sell contain pig’s hair. Not sure if that is true or not.

For more companies who are cruelty free, visit http://www.leapingbunny.org/

Or click on this for a downloaded document on cruelty free companies in the UK http://www.buav.org/_lib/userfiles/files/Guides/BUAVA_LittleBook_OnlineVersion_Feb2011v2.pdf

Nasty animal by-products in cosmetics

You don’t want animal stuff in your cosmetics, right? Here’s some of the nasty stuff to look out for in the list of ingredients –

1-Lanolin

2- Carmine/Cochineal – wee insects boiled and crushed to make a colorant.

3-Tallow – from bones. Yuck. Me too.

4. Elastin (from cows).

5. Beeswax/pollen/other bee products. Down to choice for veggies. A no, no for vegans.

6. Collagen – usually comes from fish. Was given something from Maybelline recently, thinking the company was okay only to discover this muck was in it. End result? In the bin. Maybe it’s blooming not Maybelline.

7.Glycerine (glycerin in the USA) can come from animal and vegetable sources. Unless it says a product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, assume its animal glycerin.

Note - L'Occitane have been removed from my original list after I was advised that they have lost their Humane Society accreditation.
A statement on the company's site reads - 'L'OCCITANE has long been committed to associations such as One Voice or PETA. Also it was one of the first companies to be admitted to the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) list in 1997. Yet, this association has decided in December 2011 to remove from its list companies operating in China because Chinese authorities may carry out limited tests when registering products for the local market. At no time has L'OCCITANE practiced these type of tests, but nevertheless has been subjected to this position because L'OCCITANE cannot bring formal evidence that these tests are not carried out by Chinese authorities at any time.'