Cupcakes have never been so much fun!

 For my birthday I always take time off work and plan something  to treat myself and there is no better treat than than a visit to Ms    Cupcake. I have met Ms Cupcake and tasted the delights of her  goods at the Allergy Shows in London Olympia (which I  attended, as  result of my gluten intolerant) and what a find!  Each  cupcake  has its own style, and personality injected into it and  the staff were keen for people to visit the bakery, so for my  birthday I did just  that!

 Upon arrival with my friend, also gluten intolerant, we asked if  they could cater for us today, and the smiley response, was a  definite "Of course, no problem" The staff were friendly and  really helpful in telling us about the various flavors and types, to  help I finally choose the final 4. The style within the bakery and of  the staff is quirky, fun and one that just makes you smile as soon  as you walk in.

As it was lovely weather we had the chance to sit outside the bakery on their tables outside and whilst enjoying the sun and fun surroundings of Brixton we tucked into our treats.

So how did they taste? A-MAZ-ING ! I was so excited to find a cupcake that had fantastic flavor, but totally gluten free and vegan. The fun look of the cupcake did not stop me tucking in and enjoying, the blueberry, the strawberry and vanilla flavors. The flavors were sweet, but not synthetic. The topping is soft, creamy and very dreamy. The sponge is lovely and light with a nice spring to it, leaving you feeling the whole cupcake just melts into your mouth.  Perfect !

I am no baker myself and am very nervous about making cupcakes (vegan style) so I was also delighted to see that Ms Cupcake has pulled together all her favorite recipes into a book. The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town has recipes for cookies, cakes, muffins, cupcakes and biscuits. There is something for everyone to enjoy, vegan or not.

Ms Cupcake is a total winner in my book and am planning on going back for this years birthday. An annual birthday treat maybe? (It is a 3 hour journey for me so shows they are worth it!)

Do try and make a visit you wont regret it!

Vegan Girl X

So I'm not that awkward

So ...... I am on a training course and I am provided lunch as part of the day. Not so hard when your vegetarian maybe, but can we be sure, although they say they are able to cater for us, they are able to?

You can therefore imagine my excitement and delight that even when there was teas, coffees and biscuits offered, I had a plate of my own biscuits (the lovely Doves Farm Lemon Zest Cookies) and along with a lovely vegan curry I was very well catered for. The fact I was even considered in the coffee break was lovely!

This experience however highlighted to me how quick I was to apologise for my lifestyle choices and I wonder if this is a common thing for vegans? "I'm sorry to be a pain" or "Can I be awkward?" are common comments that I nervously splutter out when I try and explain that I am vegan. I then just say "oh just do me a jacket potato" to end this embarrassment I feel. I don't know really, if this is something I am made to feel or make up in my mind.

I am hoping that, similar to now, where it is common to have 4,5,6 vegetarian options on the menu that soon there will be the same for vegans routinely throughout mainstream eateries. So when I go and get that coffee in town I can have a cookie or cake with it, like my friends, if I choose. More and more places do this, and be assured if there are good examples, out there, they will be reviewed and featured on here for all to share.

Get in touch if you are a vegan friendly eatery or have good example that you think people should visit.

Contact via the contact section of the Blog.

Vegan Girl X

The young green fingered vegan bursting to get out



Fresh and lovely and raised by my own fair hands!
 

As a child I spent weekends with my father, who had an allotment, as did his father and I have very fond memories of watching them for hours, seemingly engrossed in their tasks of sowing, nurturing and growing wonderful vegetables.

Then came the day that I was to get my very own little patch on their sacred allotment to plant my own vegetables. The excitement I felt when I saw theses onions grow, be dug up and get put into a meal later that evening. There was something quite wonderful about being about to gown your own food and watching it going from ground to plate.........


The allotments have sadly gone, but my father still has an amazing patch in his own garden. I love now going and staying for tea, where my father will pick something straight from the end of the garden, bring it down to the house, where it will be cooked for us to eat. I am lucky to still get a courgette, potato or tomato plant. It is from these plants that I continued being as green fingered as I can and whilst I live in a town, with a small garden, this is the limit. However,  I sit and dream that in time, I will have my cottage in the country, with my own vegetable patch and with my experienced father as my green fingered guru, I am sure I will producing vegetables a plenty in no time.

I am convinced therefore that these times with my father, the love of being on the allotment and the many pets we had, gave me a love of fresh, wholesome food and animals and it made sense that I became vegetarian at the age of 11.

In 2010 I was diagnosed as coeliac, so had to maintain a gluten free diet. This further increased my interested in food and made me reassess my diet and health in general and in 2012 I took the next step and became vegan.

Whatever peoples reason to becoming vegan, they are varied and interesting. I am always intrigued  hearing what little gem restaurants fellow vegans have found on their travels, a hotel they stayed in that was really helpful to vegans and a brilliant body cream that is vegan and animal friendly.

Again, this is what motivated me to write this blog. I believe these gems should be shared to encourage new vegans to not feel so overwhelmed (as I know I did at times)

I hope they are helpful !

Vegan Girl X                           



It all starts here.

Welcome to The Life and Loves of a Vegan Girl Blog!

Starting life as a vegan is a step that more and more people are choosing to take.


The aim of this blog, is to pull together and share reviews, information, advice and ideas on the following:

Vegan friendly makeup
Vegan friendly pubs and restaurants
Vegan events throughout the uk
Vegan friendly holidays
Vegan friendly hotels and B&Bs
Vegan friendly clothes and shoes
Vegan recipes
Raising and support your children and vegan family
Vegan friendly household products
Vegan friendly skin and hair care
Vegan life throughout the seasons (summer bbqs and the vegan Christmas)
Surviving those special occasions in life vegan style.

Enjoy and keep posted!

Vegan girl X