No More!

 

Not as clear as I would like, but click on it, to see clearly.

Bristol Vegan Fayre 09. A fabulous vegan day.

This year's Bristol Vegan Fayre was held on the weekend 30/31 May 09. Each year that it has been held, it has become bigger and bigger. There is talk of it not happening next year, and it would be a shame if it didn't take place, as it is very popular with, vegans, veggies and everyone else.
On arrival, we went into the marquee with stalls. A huge space for all things vegan to be sold. Many samples of food to try, from raw chocolate to burgers, and everything inbetween. Quite a few of the stalls are known by me, since I've been to several vegan fayres, so I mostly know what to expect, and it really didn't dissappoint.
There was Fry's food, that sell vegan fake meat products. If you can get over the likeness to meat, they make fab savoury things like burgers, sausages, 'chicken' pieces. I like their products, they're convenient and tasty, and 'NO' I' m not longing for meat, when I eat them, they make VEGAN products, if it was meat, I would never touch it. Hey, if it helps anyone lay off animals, , it's a great idea to try these, but also, like I said - convenient, and tasty, and in no way trying to be meat. I mention this because it's asked so many times, I would never eat animals 'because I liked the taste of it', I'm not trying to compensate for not eating them (as though i'm deprived), I simply see them as savoury foods, easy to cook, and somewhat easily available.
Other stalls where Bute Island Scheese, which sells a good variety of vegan 'cheeses', my
favourite being their 'cream cheese'. There were stalls selling clothes, shoes, all varieties of foods, stalls giving out leaflets and information, some for animals, some for the environment and even a political party, Animals Count who certainly get my vote!

Throughout the day, we listened to fab bands, bumped into a few people we knew,and ate lots of delicious vegan food.
My picassa collage above gives a picture of the day. It was fab. And I so loook forward to next year's - fingers crossed!

A little bit of self promotion.

As anyone who has seen my Veganessa shop, will be aware, I like making things that have a message to promote veganism, cruelty free, peace and love. The latest tote bag I have designed has a very poignant message on it. It hardcore vegan/animal rights, and I love it. I love it so much that I just have to keep it. However, I have made a listing in my shop, and will make more bags to order. I have already used the tote, and am very pleased to be carrying this cruelty free message around and promoting animal rights. What do you think of it?

VeganVillage Notice Board

Just read this in the Vegan Village Notice Board , so thought I'd post it here to help get the word around! :

Benefit Gig 4 bristol A/RNot long now till our first benefit gig in ages! Benefit gig for Bristol Animal Rights Collective, Saturday 4th of April at the Plough, Kilburn Street, Easton from 8pm 'til late. Bands include Bones at the Bottom of the Barrell, Circus of Invention and Rat Face. Please spread the word! Funds will be used by the group to print new leaflets to promote animal liberation and a vegan diet and animal sanctuarys which are desperate for cash. Please repost this message,tell your mates and turn up! emailaddress2468@yahoo.co.uk

Why Vegan

I am always amazed at 'peoples' reaction to me being vegan. So I have decided to write about my journey to veganism, and where I am today.

It all began way back in the 80's. I'm not sure exactly when, but somehow becoming aware of what I was actually eating- a dead animal, so i became vegetarian. this lasted a few years, and as I learned more, about the dairy industry, the woollen industry etc, it seemed like a natural progression to go Vegan. It felt like a natural choice. i only knew of one vegan at the time, so got as much info from them as I could. I went away to college. i remember eating mainly chips and beans from the college canteen, and making soup at my lodgings. there weren't any ready made meals or soya foods around in those days. Tea and coffee was drunk black (no milk), I used sugar to take the edge off it. I gradually learned of more and more products that I could have, such as soya milk.
When I finished college, having studied fashion and textile design, i returned to my home town. I looked up my only vegan friend and became her lodger. This made veganism a lot more inviting, as she lived quite well and introduced me to 'luxury' vegan foods, such as soya cream 'cheese', pate etc. I was then working, so able to be more adventurous in my diet. Over the years I had discarded any animal goods that I had, when they were worn out, for instance shoes, clothing, replacing them with non animal alternatives. I splashed out and bought a pair of Vegan DM's. i got involved with the local animal rights group, and went on demos, met more vegans, met interesting, caring people, many of who I still see and keep in touch with occasionally. I worked in the costume department of a local theatre. I refused to work in leather or fur, it may have annoyed them, but they kept it quiet, and I made wonderful costumes in non animal fabrics. the costume department often had fur coats donated to them, as more and more people became aware of the the cruelty involved and wanted to dispose of them. I think (if my memory serves me well), that I persuaded them to donate a few to the local AR group to use in displays against fur. I made the group a banner. I was happy to be involved with them.