Vegan Vox Reviews...2013!

Wow, what a year! 2013 started with me becoming vegan after a quarter of a century as a vegetarian, the birth of this blog, a career change, many new friendships, opportunities and experiences. Some fabulous vegan food shows, writing for some amazing vegan publications, blogs, organisations and websites. I featured some amazing guest bloggers and wrote over 25 new recipes and reviewed many vegan items. We had a new addition to our family in the shape of rescue kitten - Pickle, Mr Vox took part in the November Vegan Challenge and then sadly the year ended with the passing of Mr Vox's mum aged just 49 years. 

However, Vegan Vox Blog is back and raring to go for 2014, with many new exciting projects happening throughout the year, starting with The 2014 UK Blog Awards. 

This blog has been nominated in the food and drink category and now it's up to you to vote for me! Please click here to register your vote and as a thank you for voting you will receive a copy of the Little Book of Blogging Inspiration which features interviews and case studies of over 30 top UK bloggers, lots of tips and insights. I am excited to share with you that my blog has been featured as a case study in the book on pages 39-41. Enjoy reading! 

The blog will be back with the usual format next week:

Mondays - The Ordinary Vegan - everyday supermarket or high street brands and products which happen to be vegan, reviewed just for you. 

Tuesdays - Vegan Recipe of the Week - a brand new recipe created for you every week with step-by-step photographs to help you cook along with me. 

Thursdays - Vegan Vox Reviews... Each week I review a vegan product, business, blogger, book, restaurant, shop or place which I have visited. Honest opinions, photos, contact information and more. 

There is so much more coming to the blog and in store for Vegan Vox over the coming year which I can't wait to share with you very soon!!

A Very Happy New Year,

Big Vegan Love,

VVx 

The Ordinary Vegan - Mr Vox's Vegan Challenge Update

It's been over a month now since Mr Vox started his Go Vegan Challenge and he is back as a guest blogger today to let us all know how he got on and whether he has taken the decision to stay vegan for life...

Vegan Challenge Conclusion by Mr. Vox

I am now at the end of the Vegan Challenge, which has been interesting and challenging.

I have enjoyed my time doing this challenge as it has made me look more into my food and what I'm eating, I have had to substitute or alter what I would normally eat with a vegan option or omit it altogether.

I managed to get hold of some Veganic Pizza Cheese not long after the first blog post and that was the cheese that didn't work for me when I used it but I thought I would give it another try and do something different with it. So I made Quesadillias with the cheese in a griddle pan and they turned out great! The cheese melted similar to cow's cheese and tasted fine with some flavour.

I started using vanilla flavoured soy milk in my tea and coffee and it made them have a subtle hint in the drink, which was very nice and it also allowed me to cut down on my sugar. I still have a couple of different milks at home to try so I am looking forward to trying them when I get the chance. I am also going to (when I need to) buy milks from different sources, like oat, and see what works with what where milk is needed. I also tried this yummy Alpro Soya Chocolate Pudding.

In conclusion this was an eye opening experience to what I'm putting in and on my body and I'm feeling better for it even though I am still getting used to the dairy substitutes, but that was the same when I became vegetarian and I don't really remember how meat was at all so I think it will pass in time. Oh and I'm staying Vegan :)

Mr Vox

Here are some of the foods I've eaten during the challenge:

Big Vegan Love,

VVx

The Ordinary Vegan - The Great Vegan Challenge

This week's TOV is a special edition totally devoted to The Great Vegan Challenge. Now, if you haven't heard of this before, it is a great way to try out being vegan for a few weeks and see how it works for you. It is run by the great people over at http://www.govegan.org.uk/ and if you or someone you know is currently an omnivore, a pescetarian or a vegetarian and is interested in veganism, the idea is you can sign up for free via the website, get loads of information, help, support and tips and you pledge to go vegan for one month during November. 

This is an easily achievable goal and then you you can see how it makes you feel and what you learn about the meat and dairy industries during your month. You may decide after the month to go back to your old diet, you may decide to make some key changes and reduce your meat/dairy intake or you may just realise how much better you feel and how much fun vegan cooking and eating can be and make a commitment to veganism for life. Whatever the outcome, you will have educated yourself about the choices you make when you eat, cook or buy products and will have made a positive difference during your one month challenge, so what is stopping you?

Here is some information about the challenge from the govegan website:

November is Vegan Month so why not try our 30-day vegan challenge? This is your chance to enjoy an animal-free diet, while we offer you all the support and information you need to make it successful and enjoyable.

You can share your experiences, swap recipes, and ask us any questions you like via our online Agony Aunt! And everyone who takes up the challenge will be entered into our prize draw to win a hamper of vegan goodies. This really is a wonderful opportunity to try a diet that is kinder to you, the planet and to animals.Register now!

If you live outside the UK, you may wish to look at the support available from a group in your country: check our list.

Mark Gold

Vegan Challenge Co-ordinator

Now, you might be thinking, "it's easy for you, Vegan Vox, you are already vegan", but remember I only became vegan in January 2013 so it wasn't that long ago I was making this pledge. Also, I thought to make things a little easier for those of you who might like to try the challenge, Mr Vox is going to join you on the one month challenge in November too. He is signing up through http://www.govegan.org.uk/ and he will be guest blogging here on veganvox.co.uk throughout the month with his updates on how it's going for him. He faces the challenge that he works in the food and beverage industry and has to serve meat, fish and dairy to customers daily, so whilst he may have it easy at home having me cook fab vegan meals for him :-), every day will be more of a challenge at work for him.

The govegan challenge is run by Animal Aid who are the UK's largest Animal Rights Group, why not get family and friends to sponsor your vegan challenge and donate the money to Animal Aid to help support the great work they do to try and end animal suffering and cruelty.

If you are already vegan but know a friend, neighbour, child or relative that may be up for the challenge please forward this post to them, encourage them to sign up and show them all of the gorgeous vegan recipes available on my blog to help them through the month!

Good Luck on the challenge and feel free to comment on this post or email me veganvoxblog@gmail.com with any questions or if you are finding it tough, maybe I can help you along your challenge.

Big Vegan Love,

VVx