Thursday 28 January 2010

Making the most of a sunny day.



With the weather being quite unpredictable lately, we were glad to have a sunny Sunday. What better excuse to take the dogs to the park and enjoy the fresh air!
We all has a lovely time and felt so much better for it.

Monday 18 January 2010

VegiDeli Organic Brussels Style Pate





A vegan alternative to Pork Liver Pate.
I must say, I was a bit hessitant to try this, as I don't like fake meats that are too realistic (meaty), kinda scary. But as I've not seen this pate before, I thought I'd give it a try. Made some toast, buttered it, which I don't know if one would butter toast to spread pate on, or if one should just have the pate on toast, but I fancied mine buttered!
The pate spread quite thickly, which I guess is what it's supposed to do, after all it is a pate copy not a paste.
The taste, hmmmm, well, the taste was meaty. scarily meaty. I can't say I liked it. It left a fatty meaty aftertaste in my mouth. I suppose that if you like the taste of meat but don't want to eat it, or if you want to give your meat eating friends something vegan without them moaning they've not got meat, then this would be a good product to use. I can't remember ever having pate (pre vegan days), so I looked it up on the web, to see what brussels pate contains, the ingedients varied but the overall idea is pork liver, pork fat, some had chicken liver too.
here's a typlical ingredients list:
Pork Liver (35%), Pork Fat, Pork (17%), Cows' Milk, Water, Preservatives (Sodium Lactate, Sodium Nitrite), Salt, Onion, Pasteurised Whole Egg, Milk Protein (From Cows' Milk), Spices (Celery), Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Dextrose, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid). 
nutrient
per 100g

Energy kCal
390
kCal


Energy kJ
1,612
kJ


Protein
10.6
g


Carbohydrate
1.1
g


of which sugars
1.1
g


Fat
38.2
g


of which saturates
16.6
g


Fibre
Trace


Sodium
0.7
g


Salt
1.8
g
compared to :

Organic ham style pieces, water*, sunflower oil, textured soya protein, tofu, wheat starch & protein, yeast extracts*, sugar, onion powder, salt*, carrageenan* & locust bean gum, herbs & spices, iron oxide*
Energy:
1143.90kJ / 273.40kcal
Protein:
15.20g
Carbohydrate:
8.00g
(of which sugars)
1.80g
Fat:
20.40g
(of which saturates)
3.90g
Fibre
1.30g
Sodium
0.88g
Calcium
0.00mg

Both high in fat content, but there is a difference (if fat content counts for you), the vegan option has about half the fat compared the the animal one.  Also the vegan pate has higher protein content. so hey, when someone asks the silly question "were do vegans get their protein?" -  well from vegan brussels pate of course!!!!!!!!!!























Sunday 3 January 2010

Ta-Daa! the collection of Vegan Samples for the Valentine's Day Bags!


So here they are. Phew, what a crafting marathon!
I have finally finished my donations to the Vegan Craft Sample Bags.
I've made an assortment of brooches -  cats and rabbits, with an embellishment saying 'vegan' and hearts. Look fab, and spread love and veganism wherever you go! And some tissue holders, that are a nice touch - next time someone needs a tissue, offer them one from your tissue holder, and display a 'vegan embellishment', advertising, veganism and cuteness in one. They're bound to be impressed and it's a good way to start a conversation about veganism.
All made from acrylic felt, with various decorations. Why not order a Vegan Craft Sample Bag   and you may be lucky enough to have one of these handmade goodies.
There will also be similar items for sale in my Etsy shops: Midnightrabbits and Veganessa, should you wish to purchase some/one on it's own.

The latest cuties from MidnightRabbits - it's rabbit brooches!!!!


Continuing my Vegan Sample Bag donations,
these cure rabbit brooches are decorated with vegan wording and flower print. Made from acrylic felt, what better way to show off being vegan. Thesevegan  rabbit brooches would look good on a bag, a garment or anywhere you care to display it.
As with all my samples to the Vegan Sample Bags, ther will also be similar item, for purchase, on my Etsy sites: MidnightRabbits and Veganessa.

Friday 1 January 2010

Valentine's brooches for the Vegan Sample Bags


My latest creations for the Valentine's Vegan Craft Sample Bags.
I decided to make some heart brooches, since it's for Valentine's, they turned out really pretty. I really like working with heart shapes. I might get chance to make some more, or some more cat brooches, before it's time to post off to Heather for the VeganCraft Sample Bags.
Wonder how everyone else's donations are coming along?