Hot baths, bath bombs & a little Christmas Inspiration......

With the nights getting cold and dark nothing beats a long hot soak in the tub and the bath bomb is definitely the icing on the cake as they say. Lately I have developed a new found love of LUSH bath bombs – the smell, the way they leave your skin feeling sooo soft  and the fizzing / whizzing they do in the bath is an addictive combination! However the price tag (I am on a savings mission) does not excite me. So I decide to have a go at making my own and they turned out surprisingly well! Why not have a go or make them for little stocking fillers as Christmas approaches. - perfect Sunday afternoon craft session or what?!

Homemade Bath Bombs (makes two large size or 3-4 "Easter Egg" size depending on your mould (you can easily double or triple)

4 oz. baking soda

2 oz. corn starch

2 oz. citric acid

2 oz. Epsom salt

1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons water

1 teaspoon essential oil (I love otto rose)

1 1/4 teaspoon oil (I like coconut or olive oil here)

1-2 drops food colouring (optional)

How To -

1 - In a bowl combine the dry ingredients (the first four listed above).

2 - Whisk to remove any clumps, corn starch tends to be clumpy.

3 - In a small glass jar stir together the wet ingredients (the last four ingredients listed). If you're using coconut oil, give it a quick melt in the microwave or stove top first so it will more easily combine with the other ingredients.

4 - Slowly pour the liquid mixture in with the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If you see the mixture fizz or foam, you may be adding the liquid too quickly.

5- Once all the wet ingredients are combined with the dry, take a small amount in your hand and squeeze it together. It should stick together fairly well in one or two big chunks. If it's still too powdery to hold together, just add a tiny bit more water and mix until it does hold together.

6- Then fill each half of your bath bomb mould with the mixture until it's just overflowing a little. Press together, then gently remove one side of the mould.

7- Place the bath bomb on a tray and allow to dry out just a little (10-12 minutes) before removing the other side. Once you are ready to remove the other side, gently invert the bath bomb so the uncovered side is facing down, then gently remove the other half of the mould from the top.

8- The key word, if you haven't noticed, is gently. These can fall apart on you very easily if you're not careful. If a bath bomb does crack in half while you're removing it, you can gently press it back on top of the other half, or remove all the mixture back to the mixing bowl and start the moulding process again. I had this happen to a few, so don't fret, it's easy to fix.

9 - Once they are completely out of the mould, allow them to dry out for 8 hours or overnight. Once very dry, you can wrap them in plastic wrap and store in a dry place until you're ready to use them, or you can gift them to friends. Enjoy!

You can add dried flower buds, like lavender buds, to these pretty easily. Just remember to use food grade dried flowers to avoid flowers that might have been grown with pesticides as you don't want to soak in a bath with that. No thanks! Do keep in mind that after using a bath bomb with dried petals, you will have to remove these from your tub. So if that bothers you, then leave the buds out.

The Mountains are Calling & I'm taking Vegan / Gluten Free Lasagne.......

Some times its good to step back and look at what we have, sometimes we need that space or break away to help us to see what we have and appreciate it. We live in a world that spins so fast it’s easy to lose focus on how we feel and what is important to us.  With all significant relationships there can be too much going on or maybe there’s not enough, whatever the problems sometimes space and time are the only answer. This week life and I needed a break. Frustrated and drained with the constant noise, hustle, and endless treadmill of work / study - I knew I needed some time out. So when an invite came our way to have a mini adventure celebrating our second anniversary I jumped at the opportunity.

With hiking boots, fluffy onsie and champagne packed in the car, my thoughts turned to food (what’s new!).  Self-catering has so many advantages especially when it comes to maintaining meal plans and dietary needs etc. One of my favourite advantages of self-catering   is that you can prepare meals and take them with you so after a day’s amazing adventure there is a fabulous home cooked meal minutes away from being in your rumbling belly. There was no doubt that I would be taking our favourite vegan and gluten free lasagne away with us , easy to make, great to freezer and reheated in minutes – what’s not to love!

 

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagne – Serves 4.

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing

3 cloves garlic, 2 thinly sliced and 1 whole

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1 pound white mushrooms, sliced

One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Salt

One 12.3-ounce package firm tofu, strained

One 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

One 8-ounce package vegan cream cheese

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

3 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

6-8 Gluten Free lasagne sheets

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella-flavoured vegan cheese

 

How To -

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with oil.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced garlic, fennel seeds and red pepper flakes and stir until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, until they begin to brown in spots, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon salt, bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is reduced and most of the water is evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool.

Meanwhile, add the tofu, spinach, vegan cream cheese, basil, nutritional yeast, whole clove garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and nutmeg to a food processor and pulse until smooth.

Spread a few tablespoons of the mushroom-tomato sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish and top with 4 noodles (it's OK if they overlap slightly; break 1 noodle into pieces to fill in any gaps if needed). Add half of the tofu mixture and spread out evenly. Top with a third of the sauce. Repeat with another 4 noodles, the remaining spinach mixture and half the remaining sauce. Finish the lasagne with the remaining 4 noodles and sauce. Cover with foil and bake until the lasagna is hot, about 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the shredded vegan cheese and bake until the lasagne is very hot and the cheese is slightly melted, about 15 minutes more. Let cool for a few minutes, cut into 6 pieces and garnish with basil leaves.

Serve with an icy cold glass of fizz whilst snuggling up in your onsie. Enjoy!

Period Pains & A Fab Little Bag.......

As an eco friendly bunny happily skipping along, trying to be the change I want to see in the world there are the occasional tiny (ok – some times massive) stumbling blogs and decisions about the right and wrong of an action that need to be made. Now this issue has been bothering me for some time, ladies – how do you dispose of your tampons?

 

If, like me, you care about the environment, or have ever experienced a blocked toilet, you probably hate the thought of flushing tampons – but the alternative “bag and bin” options can be fraught with anxiety, embarrassment and difficulties…

 

We know flushing a tampon is just not a good idea for several reasons:

 •Our sewer systems can only handle bodily waste and toilet paper; anything else, are a nightmare and frequently get stuck, and if it floods can end up in our rivers, seas – yuk!

 •Embarrassing… they don’t always flush away, if you’ve ever experienced poor plumbing you’ll know the problems flushing tampons can cause!

 •Sometimes you just can’t flush them eg. septic tank, festivals, camping, sailing etc.

 

So you can imagine my delight when I was contacted by Martha Silcott - inventor of FabLittleBag TM. The list of there amazing qualities goes on but here are a few…..

 

• Super Practical

 

FabLittleBagTM is a discreet little bag that you can drop your used tampon into and then seal securely with one hand using the patented clever finger loops, this is really useful if you are holding a used tampon in the other hand!

 

• Environmentally a better choice

 

Made 35% from organic material, oxo-biodegradable, and since there’s no need to flush they keep tampons out of the rivers, seas and sewers.

 

• Guilt-free, Stress-free

 

No need to worry about if there is a bin, or if you have a nappy sack on you or if there is enough toilet paper to wrap it in. FabLittleBagTM puts you back in control of disposal, every time, anywhere…

 

The best solution. Period.

 

Get yours at Amazon, Ocado or Waitrose.

 

Find out more at http://www.fablittlebag.com/

 

 

Vegan Tag Featuring Lisa from Raspberry Ketchup.....

When the beautiful Lisa from www.raspberryketchup.com contacted me and asked if I fancied collaborating with her again I immediately jumped at the chance, after all it is nothing but a privilege to work with such a lovely person who is creative and like minded!  After bouncing some ideas around we decided to challenge each other to a vegan tag, mine can be found on Lisa’s blog and I am excited to have hers here on mine. So grab yourself a cuppa (cake optional but advised!) and enjoy……

So, the other day I was introduced to a friend of a friend who was extremely curious about my veganism, one of her questions was, but what if you do all this and you still get ill or get cancer?

My response:

1. I am not JUST vegan for me. I am vegan for the animals, the planet and those around me because I practice what I preach. I am vegan for my health, but I also love that my money will not be going into industries and companies that exploit, torture, and murder animals. I love that when I cook a meal the majority of the waste biodegrades back into the ground and provides it with nutrients. I love that my carbon footprint is so much lower than someone who buys into the meat or animal products industry.

2. I want to feel as good as I can while I am here. A plant based diet will give you more nutrients and that is a fact and the more vitamins and minerals in your body - the better you will feel. Animal products just aren't good for you anyway so I don't know why people have become so protective of them? Tell me how you feel after cow's milk or a product with it in? Got mucus in your throat? That'll be your bodies defence system because it is made for a baby cow, not you. Are you feeling bloated all the time? Probably because you're putting these alien substances in your system constantly. Feel anxious, depressed and stressed all of the time? Do you think it helps that you eat animals that have cortisol (the stress hormone), epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine (another stress hormone) in as they die and you then eat it? I don't think so. The fact of the matter is you probably can't lecture me on a diet I have read so much into. Especially if you have never even given it a go!

3. The Ripple effect. 'Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into the water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects' - Dalai Lama (he is a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to veganism to be fair which is ironic I should use his quote here, but he makes a valid point). Since being vegan, I want to learn all I can about nutrition for when/if I have a child so they can pass it down my family tree. Remember, a seed never gets to see the tree it creates, but it is the start of something amazing. I don't need to feed my ego, I want to be a part of a movement for an ethical world and I want future generations to live healthy and free lives, from all species. If I've been living this diet and know all I need to know about it then I could lead a new human being with absolute confidence.

4. I'm not a pessimist. LOL. If you have ever read a book called 'Mind over medicine' or a similar book then you will know the true benefits of being an optimist. It isn't impossible to change from pessimist to optimist either so I would recommend doing so! I am not going to sit around and live my life thinking there is no point in anything so I won't even bother trying. I won't live my life thinking I will just be ill. I am alive right now and I will make the most of that. I am not easily defeated and know that I am my own authority. I refuse to put my money into industries that truly do not give a fuck if you live, become sick or die. I also know that you create the majority of, it not the entirety of your own reality with your thoughts and I quite frankly love myself too much to giving myself those kinds of thoughts, your thoughts produce your actions, your actions produce your next thoughts and over time they both produce the reality you will live in.

Peace out potatoes xo

 


 


If you want to read more about Lisa and her blog check out her amazing website http://www.raspberryketchup.com/

Autumn, Little Reminders, Pumpkin Spiced Latte & New Boots........

As the seasons change, the trees start to remind us of how beautiful it is to let dead things go, pumpkin spiced soy lattes are everywhere and you can put on your fav chunky jumper – my thoughts (and many other women’s!) turn to the dreaded winter boots. Expensive but a necessity, they must be affordable, go with everything in your wardrobe, be water proof, stylish, keep your tootsies warm and most importantly , be vegan.     Millions of animals are killed for leather every year and it’s also often impossible to find out where your leather comes from or even which animals’ skin it is. Most people would be shocked to discover that leather can be made from cows, pigs, goats and even cats or dogs. Before buying real leather, think of the true cost of this material, which is really the skin of a dead animal.

It’s easy to avoid all this cruelty by simply not buying leather. You can find stylish vegan-leather shoes on any budget, from cheap high-street offerings to high-end vegan-fashion brands. These are some of the best -

Bourgeois Boheme  - Bourgeois Boheme offers loads of stylish luxury vegan shoes for men and women.

ASOS -  ASOS has a search filter for non-leather shoes, making it even easier to find cruelty-free footwear.

Pull&Bear  - Boots from Pull&Bear are made from synthetic materials. There’s no need to buy leather shoes when animal-friendly alternatives look this good.

Wills Dock Boots - Wills has a wide range of vegan men’s shoes in every style that the compassionate shopper could ask for!

New Look - New Look has many styles in synthetic materials, and it’s easy to check whether your shoes are cruelty-free by looking at the materials information sticker on the sole.

Esprit - High-street brand Esprit has embraced the demand for animal-friendly shoes by releasing a whole range of faux-leather footwear, all clearly labelled as suitable for vegans.

Beyond Skin - Classic ladies’ loafers are a wardrobe essential, offered here in black faux patent leather. Beyond Skin offers a huge selection of styles from sandals to high heels, all suitable for vegans!

River Island Double- Faux-leather shoes are available at fashion retailers like River Island at bargain prices.

Good Guys - Good guys (and girls) don’t wear leather! This cool brand has a selection of trendy vegan shoes for men and women.

 Dr. Martens - Dr. Martens has a small selection of vegan shoes, including its most popular styles, so compassionate shoppers can still get the classic look. These products are clearly labelled and easy to find in stores and online.

Some companies can’t guarantee that all their glue suppliers are cruelty-free. If you find a pair you like, call or e-mail the company to find out! Now that you’ve got animal-friendly shoes sorted, what about the rest of your wardrobe? Why not make the pumpkin spiced latte below and check out the PETA vegan fashion awards to see the most stylish cruelty-free clothing and accessories of 2016.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Coffee/Soymilk Base:

1 1/2 cups almond milk

1-2 shots espresso OR 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee

1 1/2 Tbsp canned pumpkin (unsweetened)

sweeten to taste (I used agave syrup)

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice OR cinnamon/nutmeg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

dash of cayenne (optional, but recommended!)

 Sweet Pumpkin Foam:

1 tsp canned unsweetened pumpkin

1/4 cup warm soy milk

1 tsp agave syrup

dash of spice

tiniest pinch of salt

tool: hand foaming tool

1. In a small soup pan heat all the base ingredients. Note: If you are using coffee you can add it directly to the pan here. However if you are using fresh hot espresso you can add it last.

2. Stir all ingredients until simmering. Make sure the pumpkin dissolves into the base well and the spices don't clump. Add the spices last if you are having clumping issues. When mixture is at a low/med boil you can remove from heat, pour into a serving mug and set aside. Optional: I like to get my base mixture extra fluffy by whipping with my foaming wand a few times. A few nice bubble form..

Foamy base mixture..

3. Quickly whip up your pumpkin foam by heating all the ingredients in a tall circular glass until warm. Then whip into a foam with a foaming wand. (If you do not have a foaming wand you will have to skip this step and simply go with a no-foam latte. Simply add the 'foam ingredients' to the main base mixture.)

4. Top your steamy hot base with a few scoops of pumpkin foam. If you have not added your espresso yet, do so now. Dash of spice on top.

5. Top with soy whip if you are feeling luxurious. ENJOY!

 

 

A Vegan Miracle (well vegan / gluten free Ricotta)............

There is nothing better than finding an amazing vegan cheat that actually works and when I found this one (which really does!) I HAD to share it with you lovely lot. It is a pure stroke of genius and super simple to use tofu to make a cholesterol-free lower-fat ricotta cheese substitute that is 100% vegan and dairy-free! If you need a ricotta cheese substitute for a vegan lasagne,ravioli or any pasta dish, try this simple yet convincing ricotta cheese substitute. It's made with fresh garlic and shallots for plenty of savoury flavour, with a bit of nutritional yeast and lemon for a cheese-like taste.

Like all vegan recipes, this ricotta cheese substitute is dairy-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free, and it is also gluten-free. Winning!

Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe - courtesy of Chef Scot J. Jones.

•8 ounces firm tofu

•1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

•1/2 teaspoon minced shallot

•1/2 teaspoon plum vinegar

•1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

•1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

•1 teaspoon nutritional yeast flakes

•1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh basil

•1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

•Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

How To -

·        Press the tofu through a potato ricer into a large bowl. If you don’t have a potato ricer, mash the tofu with your hands until crumbly.

·        Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. It should be the consistency of ricotta cheese.

·        Use in the recipe of your choice. I incorporated it in to Jamie's Baked Ricotta & Tomato Orechiette (GF) With Broccoli, Fresh Oregano & Chilli. Totally pukka!

Storms, Leaking Tents & Smelly Sleeping Bags - The Girls Guide to Glamping..........

The idea of roughing it during a camping trip might sound appealing if it weren't for the sudden storms, leaking tents, smelly sleeping bags, and questionable food. For a number of people, their first camping experience often becomes their last, but there is now a camping option growing in popularity: glamorous camping, otherwise known as glamping. Organized glamping trips feature all of the exposure to the great outdoors as traditional camping trips, but the amenities found at the campsite far exceed anything most campers have ever experienced.

During a typical glamping trip, for example, the tents are often designed with bright designer colours and materials, not the olive drab canvas tents of yesteryear. These tents can be rigged for electrical power, which means occupants can operate appliances, reading lamps, and climate controls. People may sleep on full-size air mattresses, or even regular spring mattresses provided by the outfitters.

Many of these trips do involve the same types of excursions provided by traditional adventure groups, such as safaris, hiking, and river rafting, but the focus is often on the comfort of the guests. Comfortable transportation is usually provided from the campsite to the excursion and back, and guides are responsible for providing such amenities as full-course meals and laundered clothing upon a guest's return to camp. Some trips are more primitive than others, however, so guests may actually have to experience a little discomfort while glamping.

The idea appears to have been inspired by the experiences of young, rich entertainers and models at outdoor events such as open air rock concerts. Many wealthy concertgoers wondered if it might be possible to avoid the trappings of a hot tent on a muddy field just to enjoy a show or the wonders of nature. Several adventure groups saw an opportunity to cater to the needs of disillusioned campers who wanted to experience the positive aspects of camping without so many negatives.

Many companies that specialize in camping equipment and supplies have created high-end or designer gear over the years, but few campers wanted to be seen carrying brightly coloured tents or packets of gourmet foods. With the growing popularity of glamping, however, many would-be campers are now buying up designer camping gear and other amenities before going on their own trips. Even those on more modest budgets are discovering it is now acceptable to bring along a few more comfort items while camping outdoors. While this may still be a niche market, it does offer people the chance to experience all of nature, not just its insects and bad weather.

For me our annual girly glamping trip (we have been going for 3 years) is the perfect chance to kick back and relax without having to drag all the equipment you need around. A time to spend time with your girls, drink wine and cook everything on a BBQ (no idea why things taste better cooked on there!) It is an opportunity to watch the sun rise, recharge your batteries and escape work for just a few days. All I can say is bring on the next one!