Category: Vegan

Jimmy Joy: Review Take Two

5/8/2021

I love a good meal replacement. Convenient, healthy, cheap, fun and tasty. And so my excitement level when Jimmy Joy sent me some freebies was through the roof! Read my original review here. And read on for my thoughts on Plenny Active Chocolate and brand new flavour Plenny Original Pistachio.

I recently spent 10 days doing a Workaway on a small farm (yup, that’s another blog post waiting to happen). I was only slightly concerned when the host said “I don’t know what vegan means.” But never fear, Jimmy Joy is here! I took a delightfully green bag of the all new pistachio flavour with me.

First impressions: as I ripped the top off the packet, it smelt great! Disappointingly, the powder isn’t as green as the packet. Probably best, since that would require unnatural food colourings… but, the first sip was delicious - kind of like marzipan, but more pistachio-y. I was in a bit of a rush (I’m always late for everything so this isn’t new to me), so I ended up chugging the shake a bit too quickly. By the end, the reality of drinking a whole marzipan drink kind of got to me and it stopped tasting quite so nice.

Plenny Pistachio, on the farm, see chicken walking by for proof.

Second impressions: the next day, both my hosts were working at their regular jobs and I was left alone with the goats, chicken, dog, cats, kittens, geese… anyhow, this meant that I didn’t have to stick to a particular schedule, so long as the chores got done. I made up my pistachio shake and put it in the fridge while I did a bit of yoga and then made some coffee. I sat at the window with my chilled shake and sipped gracefully while watching the goats frolic in their paddock (until I thought one of them was dead - but that’s the next blog post). The shake was MUCH nicer. A lovely smooth texture, nutty and sweet flavour, plus drinking slower meant I felt full and satiated. In fact, it was so nice that I had another shake for lunch that day too.

Plenny Pistachio kept me fuelled whilst digging holes, sweeping sheds, weeding vegetables patches, feeding goats and chopping wood.

When I got home, it was quite nice to change it up and finish off an open bag of Huel that I had. Then, it was the perfect moment to try out the Plenny Active Powder. This is Jimmy Joy’s direct Huel rival, as it contains more protein than the regular Plenny, and practically the same amount as Huel White Edition. I decided to have a week on it. Lunch every day last week, plus some breakfasts, and most days this week have been a Chocolate Active Shake plus a carrot and/or apple. (I love apples, I literally eat one every day.)

First impressions: as with the other shakes, it’s nicer chilled but perfectly tasty when it’s freshly shaken too. It’s a bit sweeter than Huel, but not too sweet in my opinion, and it has a smoother texture - Huel is a little bit grainy. I generally chilled it for around half an hour before lunch, whilst completing my runner’s strength training workouts. It is smooth, chocolatey, and delicious!

Everyday I’ve felt full and energetic. In fact, I feel amazing! It’s probably a combination of having had a break whilst on the farm, the physical activity, and eating more healthily, but I feel very energetic and positive.

It’s quite possible that I’m a Jimmy Joy convert. It’s a little bit cheaper than Huel and the other flavours of the Active Blend that I want to try include Chai Latte and Strawberry. I’ll probably mix and match which I buy (I’m excited to try Huel’s Salted Caramel) but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jimmy Joy.

Are you a meal-replacement fan? Do you think drinking a meal is too weird? Or are you a Huel fanatic who couldn't bare to be disloyal? Comment below.

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Fasting in Ramadan: Friendship and Gratitude

20/5/2021

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Calais, France in May 2020

Last year, during Ramadan, I lived in France. I was staying with some people who are Muslim and were fasting during the daytime, before preparing lovely evening meals which I was invited to. So I took the opportunity to join them in fasting for a few days.

In May last year in France, sunset wasn’t until after 9:30pm. That’s a looong time to go without food. I picked a day when I would be quite busy with voluntary work and accepted that it would be a challenge. I didn’t find it too difficult to sit with the other volunteers while they were eating lunch, I was mindful that I had chosen to do this and that avoiding the world isn’t really the spirit of it.

Dinner that evening was wonderful. My housemates had prepared a lovely meal, nicely laid out on the table with dates, juice, bread and a vegetable lentil dish. The final hour had been mentally hard as my stomach growled knowing that I would eat soon, but the tastes of the food and the companionship with my friends was certainly worth it.

Lovely iftar food!

This year I was in Bosnia for most of Ramadan. I was volunteering with No Name Kitchen. My friends who were sleeping rough in the city, refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and elsewhere, were fasting despite the difficult living conditions. I talked with a lot of people about what it was like, and many people told me that they are used to it. They’ve grown up with the fasting tradition. But the words of one of my closer friends struck me the most.

“We’re used to going without food. Sometimes we will have two or three days when we can’t eat anything, fasting during the day is no problem.”

I chose not to fast while I was working in Bihac. We had long, exhausting days, and I didn’t want to affect the work we were doing when people were counting on us to help. But once I had returned to Germany I fasted for a couple of days. I found it refreshing. It helped me realise (not for the first time) how lucky I am to have access to any food I want almost all the time.

The freedoms of a Western European life start at the basics - access to food and water, the most basic of human rights.

My Muslim friends, who are still stuck in Bosnia, were very happy to hear that I had fasted with them for a short time. It was a pleasure to be able to have something in common, despite our lives being so different.

We talked about next year, that we will be able to celebrate together when they have reached safe places.

To show support for people stranded in Bosnia, donate to No Name Kitchen here.

Do you fast for Ramadan? If not, would you try it? Comment below.

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Always Be Kind: Losing my Religion

23/11/2020

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Kindness is such a simple concept, which is taught by all religions. In 2017 I was looking for some religious answers, so I went to India to ‘find myself’. I thought perhaps Buddhism would provide more meaningful responses where Christianity had failed to answer. I ended up with more questions than answers at first, here’s how it happened.

Working in the church, you’d think you’d meet honest, helpful and kind people. “Love thy neighbour” and all that. Of course not everyone is the same and many people were nice, but I was often confronted by selfishness and stubbornness when it came to communicating with my church colleagues. By the time I’d been in India for a while, of course I had met a whole host of people. Some of them were lovely, some of them were not. The ones who were not so lovely chipped away at my idea that Buddhism would be the answer to my restless soul. The final hope slipped away whilst I was on a tuktuk near Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar is a sacred place for Hindus, so no meat or eggs are allowed here. Paradise for me as a vegan! Yet on my tuktuk ride to visit Aloo Babba (a holy man famous locally for fasting a lot and eating only potatoes) we passed a giant chicken farm. Long metal sheds just like those found in Norfolk, with feed towers and a dreadful smell. How could a sacred place be so close to an awful factory? Why did anyone living here think that this was ok? Money I suppose, supply and demand. That’s when I realised that hypocrites are everywhere, not just in the church.

I went through an atheist phase, if there is a God, I thought, why is there poverty like I’d seen all over India and Nepal. However, there were a series of other things that led me to where I am now: after a particularly intense yoga class, meditating on a bus, meeting someone special. (You’re going to have to ask me about these occasions in person!)

Now, I kind of think of myself as multireligious. I’m pretty sure there is a God/creative force, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t matter whether you worship Him/it in a church or temple, but I know for certain that it is good and right to be kind. I think there is much to be learnt from spiritual figures of the past, but mostly I try and apply kindness to everything in my life - from picking up litter as a kindness to others who will come that way, to going to volunteer in the Balkans.

I’m not the only one who has come to this conclusion. Have you heard of “The Kindness Guy”? Leon Logothetis made a TV show called “The Kindness Diaries” where he travels the world reliant only on the kindness of others. He shares the homes and meals of people around the world, sometimes surprising their generosity with kind acts in return. The people he meets and the experiences he has are really life-affirming (albeit with a TV camera hanging around). You can watch it on Netflix.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
Christianity

“Kindness should become the natural way of life,not the exception.”
Buddhism

“Kindness is a pearl of the heart; without it, the heart is just an empty shell.”
Islam

"Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life.”
Sikhism

Kindness includes small, everyday things, doing the washing up or buying someone a coffee, without being motivated by an expectation of repayment. Or big things like taking responsibility for someone who needs help. It also includes kindness to oneself, you cannot pour from an empty cup. I forget and relearn these things all the time, I neglect my own well-being and I am sometimes shy and lazy and don’t follow through with things I say I will do. But I remember again and try harder. Kindness and openness have led to many different and extraordinary experiences which I could never have imagined, let alone planned. Situations and encounters which are not just unique to lucky or brave people, but to anyone who wants to be kind and open towards others. I know I can always do more and I will keep trying my hardest to be kind.

If you want a way of being kind, you can make a donation to help refugees here.

Have you had an occasion where being kind has led to something amazing? Comment below!

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Norwich UK: Tips and Tricks for visitors

9/1/2020

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Norwich, “a fine city” according to the signs on entering via road. It’s a great place to visit and there’s lots to do. I grew up here but am always discovering new things. Read on for a sneaky tip for visiting the Castle Museum as well as budget lunch options and the best coffee in town.

The Castle Museum

Us Nor-folk just call it The Castle. This imposing Norman structure can be glimpsed almost all the time when wandering in Norwich. It houses everything from artwork to natural history exhibits, Egyptian mummies and changing exhibitions about local history. They’ve recently acquired a landscape by renowned landscapist JMW Turner and are currently displaying a portrait of local boy Lord Horatio Nelson on loan from London’s National Portrait Gallery. With the hefty price tag of nearly £10 a ticket you’ll want to spend the day there. But if you’re short on time there’s a special Twilight Ticket - entry during the last hour before closing is just £2.

Cheap and tasty lunch

Norwich Market is worth a wander even if you’re not hungry. There are stalls selling everything from an Asian supermarket to fruit and veg. But the food stalls are the main draw. There are plenty of vegan options but Falafel and Friends is my favourite. Don’t be fooled by the name, the food is adventurous and unique. Aubergine Schnitzel Burger, Cajun Potatoes and homemade kimchi are all on offer along with bao buns and tofu nuggets. Prices are around £5 per meal and you’ll be stuffed at the end. And make sure to try the black garlic mayo...!

Strangers Coffee - ethical, sustainable and spreading all over Norwich. The beans are sourced from the best places world wide and roasted right here in Norwich. Your life will be better for having drunk a cup. Sit in the window of the Pottergate location to watch the world go by.

Have you got top tips for your hometown? Let me know in the comments, and tag me in your food photos after your visit to the market!

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Huel: What's the point and does it taste nice?!

30/10/2019

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There's been a surge of healthy convenience food in recent times, but are they actually useful? Do they taste gross? Are they even good for you? Huel is one of the bigger brands, so I thought I'd give it a try.

According to their website, Huel is

"Nutritionally complete, convenient, affordable food with minimal impact on animals and the environment."

Is it useful?

I live in two different cities at the same time. Us millennials call it a “split screen lifestyle”, at the weekends I’m a hardworking church organist and music educator, by week I’m an outdoors fitness fanatic in the countryside.

I thought I’d give Huel a try for several reasons. The little food shops near my London digs are really expensive and so much of the fresh produce comes wrapped in plastic. Buying lunchtime meal deals when I’m out and about is expensive, plastic inducing and, as a vegan, not always readily available. I love a packed lunch but I’m not always organised enough to make one. Enter Huel. I can put three scoops in my shaker, throw it in my bag and know that’s it’s there. Just add water.

Here’s my pros and cons list for anyone else thinking of trying it.

Pros
Doesn’t go off - the resealable bag will sit waiting for you, unlike that green mush in the fridge that used to be lettuce.
Nutritionally balanced - don’t worry about the balance of macronutrients in your meal, Huel and some registered nutritionists have done the thinking for you. (37% of the energy comes from carbohydrates, 30% from fats, 30% from proteins and 3% from fibre)
You don’t need a shop/kitchen/any equipment - Huel send you a shaker and a scoop with your first order, other similar products require a blender.
Cheap - unlike a Tesco meal deal, it works out as just £1.45 a meal.

Cons
You feel like a prat - I take the dry powder ready in my shaker and then add water when I'm ready to have lunch. If I'm shaking in public I feel rather conspicuous
Washing up - if you don’t give it a rinse right away then it can be a bit of a sticky mess by the time you get home.
Real food envy - sometimes you want to chew your lunch, not just gulp it down.

Does it takes gross?

I haven’t mentioned the all important taste factor. I’ve had vanilla and chocolate now. Both tasted fine, better than fine. Vanilla is my favourite but both flavours are a lot better than similar products I've tried and many protein powders. The texture is a little gritty. I’ve got used to it now but some people may not like that. Huel suggest using a blender but that’s not going to work for my life.

Is it even good for you?

The powder, ready-to-drink and bars have slightly different nutritional values but the powder is composed thus: 37% of the energy comes from carbohydrates, 30% from fats, 30% from proteins and 3% from fibre. I don't know much about nutrition but I trust that this is better than a bag of ready salted and some oreos.

To conclude, I really like knowing I've got Huel as a back up, some days I may take it with me just in case I can't find vegan food. It takes the anxiety out of unknown situations. I personally wouldn’t use Huel to substitute all my meals, one meal or possibly two a day is enough. I enjoy cooking and want to chew some real food too. But it has really helped me not to buy expensive, plastic wrapped, unhealthy food. The ultimate convenience food.

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Race day tips: Royal Parks Half Marathon

17/10/2018

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After the Royal Parks Half on Sunday 14th October 2018 I’ve now completed five half marathons, two 10ks and a full marathon. All the events have been very varied but these race day tips apply to them all.

Plan your fuel - I don’t usually eat before I run in the morning but the distance and the extra time everything takes means I need to eat on race day. On Sunday I had a small bowl of cereal with soy milk and a black coffee about 2.5 hrs before the start time. That’s enough time for digestion to get started before the running does. Try not to eat anything you’ve never tried before as you don’t know how your body will take it.

Arrive early - you don’t want to add to your stresses by arriving to the event as you need to be lining up. There are usually queues for bag drop and toilets and parking may take longer than you think. There were loads of loos in Hyde Park on Sunday but I still had to wait ages!

Stick to the plan - during your training you should have worked out what pace you want to go at. I was aiming for 1:50 so knew I needed to run at about 5:10 per kilometre. Again, plan nutrition. I don’t use gels or anything for a half marathon but try them out in your training to see if you want to use them.

Stretch and refuel afterwards - I almost always forget this! There’s so much going on at the end and you’re so pleased to have finished that stretching gets forgotten. I remembered on Sunday and felt pretty much fine on Monday. I always bring my own snacks to refuel but you usually get given free goodies. I recommend a vfuel protein shake to hydrate and support muscle recovery as well as dried fruit for some sugar. My stomach can’t take too much too quickly after a long run so I eat little and often for the rest of the day.
Enjoy - if you’re like me then you may put pressure on yourself to achieve certain times. All the hard work leads to one chance to get a good time. Be organised and you’re more likely to enjoy it, stick to your plan and you should run the time you’re capable of. And if you’re slower than you want to be or something goes wrong? Well, there’s always next time.

I hope these tips help. What do you find helpful on race day? Or what is a mistake you’ve learnt from? Let me know, comment below!

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Protein Powder; Vfuel Product review

12/6/2018

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Ah the confusing world of nutritional supplements. What are ketones? Should I use protein powder? I am not at all qualified in the science of any of this, I’ve just read some stuff to make decisions for myself, and in the process I found vegan company vfuel.co.uk who kindly sent me some stuff to try. Read on for the product reviews.

I don’t really understand Acai berries and I’d never had them before vfuel sent them to me. They’re supposed to promote ‘weight loss and healthy skin’. They smell lovely but the tablets are enormous! The dose is 2-4 tablets with breakfast - me and my sensitive gag reflex manage two if I bite them in half first. Next time you see me maybe my skin will be amazing.

Raspberry ketones are supposed to help with fat loss. These tablets are mercifully small and the suggested dose is only one per day. They also smell delicious. Am I shredded yet?!

My search for good and affordable vegan protein powder led me to find vfuel in the first place. They sent me this sample of their vegan lean. I choose to use protein powder as part of my diet to ensure I get a good boost of protein after a run or workout (if I were more organised and tried harder I could get plenty of protein from plant sources). There are so many products on the market, but vfuel is the best I’ve found. It’s cheaper than many other brands (£19.99 per 1kg plus £2.99 for shipping), it’s a blend of pea and soy protein and contains some other things which are bound to be good for you (there are those ketones again). It also actually tastes more than ok! I mixed my sample with 300ml of water (they suggest 200ml but I wasn’t paying attention when I filled my shaker) and it wasn’t chalky, was a good thickness and tasted chocolatey. I was previously using Sun Warrior vegan chocolate and it’s loads nicer than that one, and cheaper too!

Of course you don’t have to just chug it (not the best picture is it?), why not make Snounty Protein Balls.

I’m going to continue taking the supplements, partly because I hate waste, but I don’t really think that they do a whole lot. However, I’m going to continue using a protein shake after a workout, ensuring I get enough protein in a day and helping recovery after exercise. And vfuel is going to be my choice. It’s lovely to support a small and fully vegan company, and their tubs are recyclable. Connor was very responsive to all my many questions and very friendly. Thanks team vfuel.

Disclaimer: vfuel sent me these products free of charge for me to review but the opinions are entirely my own, honest opinions. I am in no way a qualified nutritionist or fitness coach, please do your own research into use of nutritional supplements.

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Snounty balls: very easy vegan protein balls recipe

11/6/2018

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Why are they called Snounty Balls I hear you cry! Because they taste like an exact cross between a Snickers and a Bounty, that's why. They're incredibly easy to make: you only need a bowl and spoon (no messy mixers to wash up), and if you are even lazier than me you don't have to roll them into balls. Try pressing the mixture into a tray and topping with coconut before cutting into sections. And what about different coatings? The possibilities are endless...

Nutritional Information approx. per ball

Calories 82
Fat 4.9g
Carbs 5.5g
Protein 3.4g

Ingredients

200g crunchy peanut butter (I used Whole Earth but be sure to check that the palm oil used is sustainably sourced)
80ml maple syrup
50g rolled oats
25g chocolate protein powder
20g desiccated coconut PLUS another 20g for rolling/topping

Method
Weigh the peanut butter and maple syrup into a mixing bowl and combine using a wooden spoon. Add the oats, protein powder and 20g of coconut and continue stirring until you have a kind of dough that you could roll - sticky but not too sticky. If it's too wet add a little more protein, it it's too dry then add a drop of water.

Break off pieces and roll between your palms into balls. The balls will end up about 3cm across. Pour more coconut onto a plate and roll the balls in it until coated. You should get about 25 balls from this recipe. Refrigerate if you can resist trying them. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Easy right? You could try rolling them in sesame seeds, cocoa powder, icing sugar, linseeds, poppy seeds... what else?

If you make them then send me a picture!

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Jimmy Joy: Review Take Two

Fasting in Ramadan: Friendship and Gratitude

Always Be Kind: Losing my Religion

Norwich UK: Tips and Tricks for visitors

Huel: What's the point and does it taste nice?!

Race day tips: Royal Parks Half Marathon

Protein Powder; Vfuel Product review

Snounty balls: very easy vegan protein balls recipe

Hannah the traveller

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