The Vegan Kind TVK22 Unboxing

I'm finally all moved in, and guess what was ready and waiting for me when I arrived back in the countryside... My August TVK22 box! It's taken me several weeks to get myself organised and figure out the best photography spots in the new house, but I'm finally here to share this month's dose of cruelty-free snack-pornography with you - albeit a little late. 

Best of Pinterest: Avocado Edition

Sorryyyyyyy!!! Been a little MIA from this blog for a few weeks. In truth, now that I'm freelancing and blogging full-time, I'm still trying how to figure out how best to juggle maintaining my professional website, beauty blog and this blog (all while packing up to move back to Derbyshire next month). This blog is my 'fun' blog so it always seems to be the first to suffer when I've got a lot on. However, I'm here now, and I want to pass along a few delicious avocado-based recipes that I've found recently on my Pinterest travels. I find it's really easy to get into an avocado rut and, while I enjoy nothing better than regular old mashed avocado on toast with grilled tomatoes and a dusting of salt and pepper, Pinterest has opened my eyes to how versatile this gloriously green fruit (yes, fruit) really is. Here are 5 avocado recipes that I will definitely be trying out in the very near future, accompanied by much avocado-porn...

Book Review: The Freemind Experience by Tom Fortes Mayer

This is a bit of a first for me. I've always had trouble switching off from things. I'm a thinker and a worrier in equal measure. I'm also terminally unlucky, particularly with health and my career goals. As a vegan I think it's very easy to, subconsciously, build up a resentment towards others, and society as a whole, for not acknowledging, and often ignoring, the suffering and pain we inflict upon other species on such a huge scale. For me this sometimes results in a feeling of negativity that is hard to shift and can really impact my mood and ability to look at life through a positive lens. Weirdly, when I spotted the opportunity to review The Freemind Experience*, it suddenly really appealed to me, despite me having never really read anything like it before (I'm a Game of Thrones and Tolkien girl). I was really interested by it. So here's what I thought of it..

Fathers Day: 25% Off Organic Grooming at Green People

I thought I'd slip this post in here today to give you guys a heads up on an exclusive offer I got my paws on this week from Green People. With Father's Day creeping up on us, I've got this fantastic little discount code for 25% off across their male grooming and personal care ranges. What a great way to pamper all those compassionate dads out there, or just to introduce the men in our lives to more wholesome, cruelty-free options. 

Is Vegan Food Weird?

I was chattering with a non-vegan friend on Facebook the other day. Not about veganism specifically but, as it is something that has significance in multiple areas of my life, it tends to pop up organically in many everyday conversations that I have. Most of the time the omnis take it in the context of the conversation and respond accordingly, but this time the person wrote back "I don't know how you can eat all that weird vegan food". I was perplexed for a moment, I considered his reaction and then I just giggled. Just for fun, I thought I'd write this post to showcase some of the weird, bizarre and downright unappetising food I eat on a regular basis (cue freeflowing sarcasm)...

Veganuary Needs YOU!

Good afternoon all! I really hope you're enjoying the long weekend. I'm here today to chat to you about a new crowdfunding campaign in support of Veganuary 2016. Veganuary are absolute heroes for animals. Each year they inspire, support and encourage thousands of people all over the world to try vegan for the month of January and their results speak for themselves. Their website is an invaluable resource for new and seasoned vegans alike, but they need our help!

Veganuary are looking to make January 2016 their biggest ever. Their 2015 campaign saw participation increase four-fold compared to 2014 and they really need to maintain this kind of momentum for their upcoming 2016 campaign. That's where you come in...

The Vegan Kind TVK19 Unboxing

I've been slacking. It seems like forever since I've posted a The Vegan Kind* box, so today's post is all about the vegan, cruelty-free, eco friendly goodness that is TVK. We're onto box number 19 now and it's glorious (as always). It's their usual combo of sweet and savoury snacks, awesome ingredients and useful toiletry/household items. Enjoy! I know I did...

Harper's Soya Wax Candles

Good evening my lovelies! Something that has been well established on my beauty blog for a long time is my obsessive scented candle hoarding and I thought it was high time I shared that obsession here as well. I came across Harper's 'Proper-Smelling' Candles shortly before Christmas when one turned up in my festive The Vegan Kind box. It was love at first sniff! Since then my collection has started to expand and I couldn't resist sharing them with you all....

Best of Pinterest: TOFU!

As part of my 'Best of Pinterest' series I thought I'd bring you today my Top 5 tofu recipe pins. I'm an absolute tofu nut-job. I seriously can't live without it. Even before I was vegan I had some weird obsession with it. I love it fried, scrambled, baked and marinated. I love it in curries, quiches, stir-fries and salads (as I said - obsessed). Not quite sure what it is about it that I adore so much but that's not important. What is important is that Pinterest is brimming with new and delicious ways of enjoying tofu. Here are the pins that are currently making my mouth water the most...

Vegan in London: Mildreds, Soho

I went on a jaunt up town last week with a dear friend prior to my final exam. Since we ended up wandering, hungry in Soho I jumped at the chance to take her to Mildred's restaurant. Over the past year I haven't really got out much. The final year of my degree at Greenwich University has really been busting my balls (so to speak) so, when I do find myself with time to spare in Central London, I like to make it count and eat ALL OF THE VEGAN THINGS! One of my favourite places to do that is Mildred's and I thought I'd dedicate my first post-university blog entry to telling you why with a review....

New Year, New TVK!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL! Jeez, how late am I to 2015? Honestly, I've been so bogged down with dissertations and essays and presentations (even over the Christmas break) that I've entirely failed as a blogger. For that I apologise both to you, my lovely readers, and to anyone whose product I currently have on my 'to-blog' pile. Thought I'd (finally) kick off my blogging year with my favourites, The Vegan Kind*, and their January box. Needless to say, after a Christmas of eating everything in sight, some healthy, wholesome snacks were just what the doctor ordered this month!

It is known that I love me a hot cereal, especially at this time of year. I had this OTE Superfoods 'Power of Red' oat cereal (RRP £2.29) with hot rice milk and a drizzle of agave straight from the carton and it was delicious. I expected it to be really 'healthy' tasting (which isn't always a good thing), but it was sweet, comforting and definitely warmed me up on a cold morning.
This year I have vowed to pack in the fruit and veggies like never before and cut back on processed or 'pre-made' products. The organic pear puree pouch (try saying that 10 times) by Clearspring (RRP 89p) was perfect for giving me a little sugary fruit hit before my gym session and was surprisingly filling. It would also make a great 'breakfast on the run' when teamed with a cereal bar.

I remember Hectares Sweet Potato Crisps (RRP £1) from a previous TVK box so was thrilled to discover them in a new flavour. Salt and black pepper is a favourite of mine when it comes to crisps. As always, the crisps were wonderfully crunchy and delicious.
Since I've been receiving TVK's boxes I swear I've only had to purchase washing powder ONCE. They always come up trumps with the eco-friendly household items. Washing powder is one of those things that still vexes me as a vegan so it's so helpful to have surprise product discoveries sent to my door. These GreenFrog soapnuts (RRP £3.99) look like they'll last a long time. I've tried soapnut powder tabs before (another TVK find) but never in their natural state, so looking forward to giving these a go!

Okaaaaay, I'll be honest, this Creative Nature Tropical Treat bar (RRP 99p) wasn't my cup of tea at all. I couldn't finish it. HOWEVER, this is the only variety of theirs that I've tried that I haven't liked. I'm not a huge fan of coconut to begin with and the combo of coconut and ginger really didn't work for me in this form but all the coconut-heads out there will probably love it!
I remember the regular Pulsin Raw Choc Brownie (RRP £1.79) from the first ever TVK box I received so I was thrilled to see one in this box. This one had raspberries and goji and was seriously yummy as a study snack with a cup of green tea. Almost completely guilt-free too! Not something I could afford to indulge in often but there are often bulk-buy deals on Amazon for Pulsin products.

As always, TVK have collaborated with a featured vegan charity, and this month 10p from every box went to the fabulous team at Veganuary. This year's Veganuary has been a roaring success with over 10k sign-ups! If you haven't checked out their website yet (I had the honour of contributing as a copywriter this year) then you're seriously missing out. So many amazing vegan tips, guides, recipes, products and inspiring stories. Grab a cuppa and go explore!

As always, for more info and to subscribe for future TVK boxes, visit
www.thevegankind.com

(There's still time to sign up for the February box!!!)

You can also connect with them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for vegan news, products and foodporn.