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Juno Bamboo Water

For parents raising a vegan family, it is an unfortunate reality that our children may face additional challenges throughout their younger years. From worries about fitting in, pressure from peers, and struggling with conflicting parallels, life as a young vegan will require lots of support from family, friends and caregivers.&nbsp; One area of support that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalvegansociety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Vegan Society</a> is trying to establish is for children and adolescents at school. It may come as a shock to learn, but unfortunately, many schools throughout the nation do not cater to vegan children and teens, with many schools not yet providing a vegan-friendly option on the school meals menu. We caught up with Laura Chepner, Education Officer at The Vegan Society and Chair of The Vegan Society’s Education Network, to find out more about their innovative <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/608670" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegans Unite campaign</a>, petitioning the government for all UK schools to provide at least one vegan school meals option. V-Land (V-L):&nbsp;Hi Laura, thank you for chatting with us today. What inspired you to work for The Vegan Society? The Vegan Society (VS): Prior to working at The Vegan Society, I was the UK’s first vegan inclusion education consultant working under the pseudonym, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/primary_veducation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Primary Veducation</a> and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veducated-Educators-Guide-Vegan-Inclusive-Teaching/dp/1940184622" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Veducated! An Educator’s Guide for Vegan-Inclusive Teaching</a>, I’m also a mother to two vegan girls. Vegan inclusion is both my passion and my profession, and I am super excited to share the Vegans Unite campaign with V-Land readers.&nbsp; V-L: We’re thrilled The Vegan Society is running this campaign, many of our team are parents and struggling with this very issue. Can you tell our readers more about the campaign? VS: My daughter was refused vegan food on her first day of school, based on the grounds that veganism was a ‘lifestyle choice’ and not a religion. What many schools and caterers fail to recognise, is that under equality law ‘Religion and/or belief’ are the same categories, and veganism falls under that protected characteristic as an ethical belief.&nbsp;On that premise, I was able to win the case for my daughter to be served a hot, vegan meal each day, but it was heartbreaking. Off the back of that experience, I have been working with vegan families every day, supporting them with the indirect discrimination that comes with the refusal to serve students vegan food at school. What I have found and is quite profound, is the regret that schools feel after they learn what ethical veganism is, how they have failed in their public sector duty and how easy it is to implement a plant-based option.&nbsp; In every instance the vegan student feels alienated, the vegan parents/guardians feel discriminated against and the schools feel remorseful and overwhelmed. All parties have such raw emotions that could easily be avoided if the Government would implement that there should be a nutritious, plant-based option on every school meals menu.&nbsp; The contradiction of knowing that human rights provisions apply to veganism, ,but then on the other hand, having no statutory vegan options in public sector institutions is unfathomable. It is no wonder that schools say ‘no’ if they are not legally bound to. The Government puts the onus back onto the parents/guardians, the schools, and canteen staff without any support, and that is simply not fair.&nbsp; That is why we launched <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/608670" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Vegans Unite’</a> along with the <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/vegan-parents-and-students-benefit-new-education-network" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegan Society’s Education Network</a>, of which I am chair. The Vegan Society has been campaigning for plant-based options on public sector menus with their <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/take-action/campaigns/catering-everyone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catering for Everyone</a> campaign and this drive is a focus specifically on the education sector. V-L: What are the biggest challenges the campaign faces? <a href="about:blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">VS:</a> The end date is August 17th and we still require 75k signatures. We have been reaching out to vegan celebrities and influencers but we can’t quite seem to get anyone with a large enough following to back the petition. We know this works as we had a surge in signatures after Kerry McCarthy MP and Caroline Lucas MP both shared, but we have a long way to go. Luckily the creator of this petition, Aaron Browning, does the rounds on social media with hilarious meme posts, but it is not enough, and we would love to reach the target so that this topic can be discussed in Parliament. V-L: What other possibilities do you think lie ahead for veganism within schools? VS: Vegan-inclusive education is slowly becoming recognised as our community grows. As discussions about the environment are taking priority on the curriculum, that is currently the best opportunity for a ‘way in’. However, there is still a long way to go.&nbsp; We are working on it and seeing the wider societal changes that are happening in vegan marketing with plant-based investing, and the creation of child-led resources such as the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vivithesupervegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vivi the Supervegan</a> book series. I am confident that positive change is on the horizon. There is simply a lack of understanding of what it means to be an ethical vegan and what protections we have. That is why I am excited to be in this position as the Education Officer and offer CPD accredited training to help fill those gaps and support both vegan families and schools with their vegan-inclusive transitions. V-L: Are there any other campaigns that The Vegan Society is planning to launch? VS: Excitingly, we are holding our first Vegan Inclusion Education Conference on October 1st. There are more details about that on the Education page of <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/vegan-inclusive-education" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Vegan Society Website.</a> V-L How can our readers get involved? VS: It would be amazing to see V-Land readers sign and share the <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/608670" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">petition</a>. Importantly too, if they could tag their favourite vegan celebrities, vegan businesses and vegan influencers or write to them personally about this petition, this would make an enormous difference. The more they see it the more obliged they may feel to spread the word. The campaign is called ‘Vegans unite!’ because it is we vegans who can make this difference for generations of vegan children to come.&nbsp; If we don’t care enough to mobilise, then who will? We will! The V-Land team will be signing the Vegans Unite petition and sharing far and wide. If any readers are struggling with vegan parenting, check out what we feed our children’s minds for a helping hand on raising a vegan family.

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Vegans Unite: The Vegan Society UK campaign to get vegan meals in schools

When it comes to influential and motivational vegans to follow on social media, there are countless inspirational UK vegan influencers and famous British vegans to check out. Here are some UK vegans that V-Land love to support that are certainly worth a follow. <h2>Accidentally Vegan UK - vegan information Gurus</h2>A brilliant source for vegan newbies and veterans alike, this account posts about the latest vegan products with a focus on products that are ‘<a href="https://www.instagram.com/accidentallyveganuk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">accidentally vegan</a>’ and which supermarkets and shops to find them in. An essential follow for UK vegans, there are endless products out there that are accidentally vegan and this account saves us checking the ingredients at the checkout. <h2>Those Vegan Guys - vegan YouTubers</h2>These two down-to-earth UK vegans do it all. The pair are most widely known as <a href="https://youtube.com/c/ThoseVeganGuys" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTubers</a>, showcasing vegan recipes and live cook-alongs, they also give tutorials for vegans who want to grow their own fruit and vegetables, giving tips on how to be vegan on a budget and are activists. These are two UK vegan influencers we love following. <h2>Fat Gay Vegan - vegan blogger&nbsp;</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fatgayvegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">This</a> famous UK vegan blogger is a curator for <a href="https://www.veganculinarycruises.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegan Food Cruises</a> at a Luxury All Vegan Cruise and Tour Company. He mainly travels around London, road testing and reviewing the capital’s best spots to eat vegan and has since built up a keen following with his good-hearted content.&nbsp; <h2>Jade Crawford – vegan chef&nbsp;</h2>One of our favourite vegan chefs, her <a href="https://instagram.com/jadesgreenkitchen?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> showcases simply gorgeous looking food that she creates along with providing some of her recipes to cook at home too. Another UK vegan influencer that’s great to follow. <h2>Matthew Pritchard – ‘Dirty Vegan Chef’&nbsp;</h2>You may know <a href="https://instagram.com/pritchardswyd?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matthew</a> or ‘Pritch’ from Dirty Sanchez, the British prank show, but along with being famous for his time on the tongue-in-cheek stunt TV show, he is also a famous british vegan chef renowned for creating uncomplicated, honest and seriously tasty food. <h2>Earthling Ed – vegan activist</h2>Ed Winters, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/earthlinged/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Earthling Ed</a>, is one of the UK’s most famous vegan activists. He has often spoken at schools and universities to promote veganism and is most well known for his peaceful, articulate and concise approach towards vegan activism. His book <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-is-vegan-propaganda/ed-winters/9781785043765?awaid=3787&amp;utm_source=redbrain&amp;utm_medium=shopping&amp;utm_campaign=css&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_J4gSFUxi4XZ0tdSLuTKN70r&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwtIaVBhBkEiwAsr7-cwsX1ZL0BxxuqziggQTtBsHrR-1IRLFKMZp0Q8yXhyHkZxg08MXV9xoCNZUQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegan Propaganda</a> is definitely worth a read too. <h2>Thandiwe Newton – vegan actress</h2>Voted PETA’s ‘Sexiest Vegan’ in 2014, <a href="https://instagram.com/thandiwenewton?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thandiwe</a> who was inspired by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/woodyharrelson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Woody Harrelson</a> to go vegan,&nbsp;uses her celebrity voice to promote the vegan cause. We certainly need more celebrities to spread the word and she is the epitome when it comes to famous British vegans. <h2>Dale Vince OBE – vegan environmentalist</h2>Not only is <a href="https://instagram.com/zerocarbonista?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dale</a> vegan, but he is also a British "green energy" industrialist and founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ecotricity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecotricity</a>, the only vegan electricity company in existence and owner of Forest Green Rovers football club, the only vegan club in the world. As one the UK’s most vocal environmentalists, he is always pushing boundaries to make the planet a better place. One of the <a href="https://twitter.com/dalevince?s=21&amp;t=DRcMBz8MQbzBPXkhic0kIw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zero Carbonista</a>’s latest endeavours is <a href="https://skydiamond.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sky Diamond</a>, diamonds produced by extracting carbon from the air. His book <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/manifesto/dale-vince/9781529107098" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manifesto: How a maverick entrepreneur took on British energy and won</a> is an inspiring read.&nbsp; And let’s not forget the V-Land team contributors and staff writers can be followed too, check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/team" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our team</a> section, we have a smorgasbord of talented and passionate vegans to follow, and our <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/category/interviews" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interview</a> section where we’ll be getting up close and personal with everyone’s favourite vegan celebs.

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8 famous UK vegans to follow on social media

The fifty year anniversary of Pride has been a momentous one, with activism and celebrations running all month long, from local events, parades and festivals, to the penultimate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prideinlondon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pride in London</a>. Tackling any form of inequality, whether human, animal, or nature-based is vital in a world where we want to see positive change, become permanent change. We sat down with long-term vegan and LGBTQIA+ public figure Sean O’Callaghan, best known as <a href="https://instagram.com/fatgayvegan?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fat Gay Vegan</a>, to discuss his vegan journey, the importance of liberation movements such as Pride, and his upcoming events and ventures. V-Land (V-L): Hi Sean, thanks for chatting with us today, we’d love to hear how your vegan journey began. Sean O’Callaghan (SO): For me, like many vegans I imagine, my choice to live a more compassionate lifestyle was rooted in wanting to protect animals. I was vegetarian before I became vegan and back then I thought I was the height of compassion; I genuinely thought there was nothing else I could do as a vegetarian that could do more good for animals. Fast forward a few years as the internet became more prevalent in our lives I started to have access to more information, it was then that I began to see the realities of dairy farming and egg production. There wasn't a lot of vegan messaging out in the world like there is now, so it was thanks to the information that I found online that stood out to me as saying; ‘If you care about animals here’s something else you can do.’&nbsp; For me, it was a real awakening to go from vegetarian to vegan, and once I understood, and the information in my brain matched the desire in heart, it was easy to switch from vegetarian to vegan. I felt guilty that I hadn’t realised sooner, I was still using products that weren’t vegan at the time, such as toothpaste and hairspray etc, but we are all on our own journey, and we all wake up in our own time, but that was over twenty years ago for me that my vegan journey began. V-L: Twenty years is an amazing achievement. You wrote a book about your journey, Fat Gay Vegan; Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh*t, what made you want to share your journey with others? SO: At the time I was helping support independent vegan businesses, working with different vegan brands, writing my vegan blog and running vegan events, but I’d had a desire ever since I was a child to write a book, I just didn't know what shape that would take. So when I was approached by a publisher here in London, saying that they liked the way I approached veganism, moving through the different types of social justice concerns that people could have, whether that be veganism or anti-oppression, they asked if I could write a book around those themes, a ‘Fat Gay Vegan’s guide to life’ as it were. The <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Gay-Vegan-Drink-Live/dp/184899351X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fat Gay Vegan book</a> was my manifesto of how to get the most out of being a compassionate person, and how to share that compassion. V-L: That’s very inspiring. People are gravitating towards veganism more and more each day and books like this will no doubt help get the vegan message out there.&nbsp; SO: For many people, it’s how we’re raised, until we see or read something that resonates, we don’t know any different. In my book there are stories from my childhood, where I talk about not knowing any different. As a child I was taken to the circus to see animals, I was raised seeing people fishing as I grew up in Australia near the beach, I witnessed people betting on the Melbourne Cup and horse racing, and saw the amount of animal food waste at Christmas time and at family gatherings. It was such an ingrained part of my cultural experience, to undo that conditioning was such a big job, but I was happy to do that job. Once I was aware of the reality, sharing my story was always going to be the next step for me. V-L: What’s the feedback from your book been like? SO: I think the stories within the book really resonated with people, because, I didn’t just say, “Here’s why you should be vegan, go vegan.�? The book was built around my own personal stories, and personal stories of my friends and our shared history. I asked my friend Michele to talk about what it’s like to be a disabled person and to be vegan, and to live a vegan lifestyle. I talked to my friend Helen who used to come to my events regularly, she was vegetarian for many years and she talks about her experience of being accepted into the vegan community and being able to come around to veganism in her own time, without feeling shame or ridicule. The book talks about why it’s good to be vegan, but also the other challenges we face as vegans and why we should be fighting all forms of oppression.We don’t just have to be vegan. We don’t have to pick or choose one battle.&nbsp; V-L: We couldn’t agree more, it’s vital that we attain equality for all living beings, human and animals alike. If enough people make their voices heard, we stand a bigger chance of making positive, permanent change. With that in mind, did you celebrate Pride this month? SO: I celebrate pride every day of the year. I live in Soho in London so if I look out of my window, there are rainbow flags every day of the year, I don’t have to choose which days I celebrate. But I do like to elevate ideas and voices around what Pride means. Pride isn’t just a celebration, it’s a protest, and I got to explore what that protest means in my first column with Plant Based News, entitled <a href="https://plantbasednews.org/opinion/opinion-piece/lgbtqia-people-are-for-life-not-just-pride-month/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LGBTQIA+ people are for life, not just Pride month</a>, which went out earlier this week. The piece is about how brands use pride month to market to the LGBTQIA+ community but often forget about us the rest of the year. Much like how greenwashing happens, ‘pinkwashing’ happens in June for Pride month, and then brands may not be as mindful about LGBTQIA+ communities the rest of the year.&nbsp; What was important for me was to voice that Pride isn’t just a celebration, and why it’s important for us to fight for rights, not just to celebrate who we are, but to fight for protection for ourselves and our communities, because this is where Pride was born, and that’s why it was necessary, and why it is still necessary. For me, celebrating Pride is about perpetuating why we do it. Getting behind it and saying; this is why we needed it in the past, this is why we need it now, and this is why we need it in the future.&nbsp;Much like what happens with veganism and how the message gets watered down by a lot of people, and the original intention of veganism can often get forgotten, similar things can happen to other social justice movements, such as Pride. People think it’s just about having a gay bar or a drag queen where you can go and celebrate, and yes that is important, but the underlining struggle needs to be recognised and dealt with, and not forgotten. V-L: We think it’s great that you spoke out about this, many of our team are a part of the LGBTQIA+ family and Pride is a movement that is close to all of our hearts, especially our founder Will and his husband Martin. ﻿ <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1656093971/Image_one_12_pic_2_edit_5545c07f19.jpg" alt="Image one (12) pic 2 edit.jpg"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvlpza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Nxt Lvl Pza</a> V-L: Are there any projects you have in the pipeline that you’d like to share with our readers? SO: I’m really excited to be working with a company called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvlpza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nxt Lvl Pza</a> which is a new start-up vegan pizza company which is opening delivery kitchens around London. It’s about making vegan pizza accessible and affordable for everyone. It's a completely vegan company, the pizza itself is delicious and I’m really happy to be working with them. I get to be Fat Gay Vegan in a professional setting so I get to go to corporate-style meetings and give my opinion which is really fun. We’re having our official launch party in Hackney in the coming weeks so people can look out for that.&nbsp; I also work with a fantastic company called <a href="https://instagram.com/veganfoodcruise?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegan Culinary Cruises</a>, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to have our first departure due to the pandemic. We're hoping to launch a hotel based land tour next year in the National Parks in the USA to ease people into feeling safe about travelling again, and hopefully we’ll get the cruises up and running not too soon after. I also run <a href="https://fatgayvegan.com/events/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">London Vegan Social</a>, running various social events for vegans in the London area. We have social gatherings and karaoke, a vegan board game afternoon once a month, an LGBTQIA+ karaoke evening, and last week I hosted my first Vegan Business Owner Social where independent vegan business owners could network, share stories and help each other out. People can find out more about London Vegan Social meetings on my <a href="https://fatgayvegan.com/london-vegan-social/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blog</a>. V-L: The events sound great, we’ll have to pop in for a karaoke session soon! It’s been lovely hearing about your journey and everything you have coming up Sean, can you leave our readers with one sentence on why people should go vegan? SO: Sure.&nbsp;It’s an easy way to do better. We couldn’t agree more. Want to keep up with all things Fat Gay Vegan? You can sign up to the <a href="https://fatgayvegan.com/mailing-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mailing list</a>, or check out his <a href="https://fatgayvegan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vegan blog</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fatgayvegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.twitter.com/fatgayvegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FatGayVegan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for all the latest news and events.&nbsp; For more exciting interviews with inspiring vegans, check out our <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/category/interviews" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interviews</a> section. Next week we’ll be chatting with The Vegan Society on a life-changing campaign for vegan students in UK schools. Have a fav vegan individual or brand you’d like us to interview? Let us know on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vlanduk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.twitter.com/vlandukmag" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

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Up close and personal with Sean O’Callaghan aka Fat Gay Vegan

Grounded in science <a href="https://www.phizz.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Phizz</a> is on a mission to create and develop products that are designed to simplify wellness and provide us with the everyday essentials that our body needs through multivitamin drinks.&nbsp; Designed to triple hydration, one <a href="https://www.instagram.com/phizz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Phizz</a> tablet in a glass of water replenishes <a href="https://www.phizz.co/pages/ingredients" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">18 essential vitamins</a> and minerals including potassium, calcium and vitamin C. These innovative multivitamin tablets&nbsp;are conveniently packaged and easy to carry on a busy day, Phizz will be there to help beat dehydration. These small but mighty multivitamin tablets can help fight against many everyday issues like headaches and tiredness.&nbsp; On top of this, these effervescent capsules are charged with electrolytes. These help our bodies to perform at their best and are often lost during exercise through sweat. Drinking Phizz replenishes those that are lost and prevents cramping and muscle fatigue. This is what makes Phizz a great companion to any workout, providing everything needed from hydration, to energy, to recovery. While Phizz boasts many health benefits it can also be a great relief for those not-so-great morning afters. All of these premium clean ingredients aren’t only good for us but may even help out a hangover! V-Land got the chance to try out Phizz’s <a href="https://www.phizz.co/collections/all-products/products/the-phizz-discovery-bundle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bestseller Bundle</a> which included two flavours of multivitamins. This bundle comes with both the <a href="https://www.phizz.co/collections/all-products/products/phizz-multivitamin-hydration-tablets-2-in-1-orange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">orange</a> flavour and <a href="https://www.phizz.co/collections/all-products/products/apple-blackcurrant" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">apple and blackcurrant</a> flavour as well as a handy water bottle optimising maximum hydration. Amazingly, each multivitamin tablet contains more vitamin C than three oranges, more potassium than a whole banana and more zinc than three cups of spinach! They’re also low-calorie and entirely vegan, ensuring that consumers get guilt-free wellness from each drink.&nbsp; Available online and in stockists like Sainsbury’s around the UK, Phizz is an easy and healthy option for people who love to exercise as well as those who like to take it easy. If you’re interested in other vitamin supplements then check out <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/say-heyoo-to-the-new-you-health-and-wellbeing-vitamins-to-help-you-seize-the-day" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heyoo</a> and Spruce.

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Level up your water with Phizz multivitamin tablets

Being well dressed makes you feel wonderful. Even more so when those clothes are made with sustainable materials AND when part of the profits go to help out our animal friends. That’s what organic, vegan clothing brand <a href="https://www.instagram.com/organski_clothing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Organski</a> are bringing to you the customer. Beautiful design, quality and purpose. Amy and Nikki, the lovely people behind Organski wanted to try something different. Unique designs not available anywhere else, the desire to help animals by giving 10% of all profits to animal shelters up and down the UK; every purchase you make goes to help provide food and bedding for those waiting for their forever home.&nbsp; Furthermore, thanks to their partnership with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teemillstore/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Teemill</a> who print their garments using sustainable energy and materials, each garment is made to be “remade�?: what that means is that when you’ve worn your T-shirt and you’re looking for something new you can send the garment back to Teemill for free using a special QR code and they’ll repurpose it into more clothing AND you’ll get 10% off your next purchase as a thank you for supporting a circular economy. Teemill uses only certified organic cotton. Here’s why that’s important: organic cotton is better for the producers and the ecosystem in which it is produced. Instead of more toxic pesticides, fertilisers or plastic, organic farming encourages biodiversity and leads to the extra soft feel of their products. This leads to higher earnings for farmers with better soil quality and water security, with food crops grown on the same soil in the dry season. Fewer inputs also mean less water, but even organic cotton is still a thirsty crop. So where you grow it matters. The fields that grow the organic cotton for Teemill products are in the North of India, where the monsoons fill reservoirs that supply almost all the water needed. Also, each T-shirt is designed in-house and the small but brilliant team are continually working on fresh new designs, so you’ll never be out of style. What’s not to love? PLUS for a limited time only, their distinctive <a href="https://organski.co.uk/pride/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pride collection</a> is available on the <a href="https://organski.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>.

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Organski: Planet friendly, fashion forward

International Yoga day is upon us. In a modern world full of to-do lists, distractions and being glued to technology, we should relish any opportunity to take a deep breath and relax.&nbsp;In order to achieve a healthy lifestyle it's important that we eat well, exercise, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep, but so often we forget to take a moment to relax and really check in with our bodies. Yoga is a fantastic way to explore where we're holding any tension, strengthen muscles and improve posture. It's also a wonderful opportunity to slow down and take our mind off of daily tasks, work and anything else that needs to be done. A number of studies show that yoga helps to reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. YouTube yoga instructor <a href="https://instagram.com/adrienelouise?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adrienne Mischler</a>, otherwise known as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yoga With Adrienne</a>, also says that yoga encourages childlike play and curiosity, exploring moving the body in ways that adults tend not to and strengthening muscles we sometimes don't use.&nbsp; Yoga is a fantastic activity for de-stressing, strength building, and can include cardio exercise. We have devised a list of five wonderful YouTube yoga instructors, and we'd love to share a little about each one with you. We've indulged in some self care and done a short practise by each Yogi. We hope we can help you find the best YouTube yoga instructors for you. <h2>Yoga With Adriene</h2><a href="https://instagram.com/adrienelouise?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adriene Mischler</a>, co-founder of <a href="https://youtube.com/c/yogawithadriene" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'Yoga With Adriene'</a> is the all round best YouTube yoga instructor according to fans around the world. Adriene is sweet, funny, encouraging and offers yoga classes from five to ten minutes to over an hour, for all abilities and ages. All with the help of her trusty sidekick Benji. You will often see Adriene's adorable Blue Heeler dog Benji in her videos. We particularly enjoy her <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-UzwxbWCWDbTzEwsZnnROBTIL" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">30 day yoga challenges</a> which really help to build strength and incorporate yoga into everyday life. We tried Yoga With Adriene's <a href="https://youtu.be/VpW33Celubg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10-Minute Yoga for Self Care</a>, a short practice which encourages us to check in and discover how we feel today, including mindful breath and massage. We were very impressed with how simple to follow this video was, we felt like we had stretched our muscles while also feeling very relaxed. <h2>Travis Elliott</h2><a href="https://instagram.com/realtraviseliot?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Travis Elliot</a> is a world-renowned yoga and meditation instructor. He teaches Yoga in Los Angeles at festivals and retreats around the world - and fortunately he has a <a href="https://youtube.com/user/traviseliotonline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> just for us too. His channel includes yoga, guided meditation and 'daily wisdom'. We tried the <a href="https://youtu.be/Vg67sNfmIsw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Minute Power Yoga Cardio</a>, a fast paced yoga flow with a lovely relaxing stretch at the end. This would be a great YouTube yoga session for when you need a quick pick-me-up! <h2>Yoga With Bird</h2><a href="https://instagram.com/yogawithbird?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bird</a> is a certified yoga instructor from Canada. Her aim is to help others find inner peace, self love and happiness through yoga. Her gentle approach to teaching makes her videos suitable for all abilities. Bird is so knowledgeable and her calming voice talks you through sessions as if no time has passed at all. We tried Yoga With Bird's <a href="https://youtu.be/A0pkEgZiRG4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Minute Yoga Full Body Stretch For Tension Relief</a>, which definitely does what it says on the tin! A very easy to follow session which stretches out and relaxes the muscles, we find short sequences like this do wonders to calm the mind and break up a stressful day. On <a href="https://www.yogawithbird.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bird's website</a> you can find more information about the benefits of yoga.&nbsp; <h2>Breathe and Flow</h2><a href="https://instagram.com/breatheandflow?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bre and Flo Niedhammer</a> are yoga teachers from Silicon Valley who quit their day jobs to travel in their RV and teach yoga via their workshops and YouTube videos. They believe that yoga "is a beautiful healing system for health and happiness" and we couldn't agree more. Their channel includes <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBfRLLhSBb-COKrbavJHY7tsgZz17BIzN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">30 day yoga challenges</a>, beginner, intermediate and advanced yoga and classes specifically aimed at a male audience. We were curious to try a guided meditation and so we chose <a href="https://youtu.be/h3R7XN4pn0o" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arrive</a>, day one of their ten day guided meditation programme <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBfRLLhSBb-CCuF4-_2HmiZnPAONsUvPY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'Expand'</a>. We were surprised how quickly time passed, listening to Bre's inspiring words helped us to relax and lifted our spirits. <h2>Cosmic Kids Yoga</h2>We couldn't leave YouTube yoga for kids out of our list. Yoga improves children's emotional regulation, concentration and memory as well as all the physical benefits that improve their health and self esteem. Schools in the US who have experimented with yoga instead of detention have reported improvements in children's behaviour, reduced rates of suspension and increased attendance.&nbsp; <a href="https://instagram.com/cosmickidsyoga?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cosmic Kids Yoga's</a> mission is to make yoga and mindfulness fun for toddlers and kids, their themed interactive adventures "build strength, balance and confidence." Of course we had to enlist some little helpers and try it out! Our mini V-Landers loved Cosmic Kids' <a href="https://youtu.be/C4CaR0syf1g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jungle Safari Kids Yoga and Nursery Rhymes</a>. It was so engaging and fun, although we learned that toddler yoga will likely end in predictable chaos, these videos are perfect for keeping kids' attention and&nbsp;getting them interested in trying it out. They really do feel like you're going on an adventure in your living room! No Yoga session would be complete without a healthy snack and hydration fix to truly relish the benefits that yoga has to offer. We recommend Spruce hydration and Reboost smoothies for people on the go, or for a great snack, try Kooky freeze dried fruit, the mangosteen option is out of this world!

woman doing yoga with woods and snow in the background

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5 YouTube yoga channels to try for International Yoga Day

As it is Diabetes Week, what better time would there be to write an article about the global epidemic that impacts <a href="https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">at least 422 million</a>? Type 2 diabetes accounts for over 95% of this figure and unlike type 1 diabetes it is <a href="https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">largely</a> a result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. You may be wondering how is it possible to treat type 2 diabetes?&nbsp; Firstly, it is important to state that if you have diabetes do not enact any changes without discussing them with your doctor as, “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20185610" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patients who adopt</a> a plant-based diet can experience decreases in blood sugar and blood pressure relatively quickly after changing their diet, especially if they are taking medications for these conditions. Close monitoring and anticipation of hypoglycemia is critical; medications may require adjustment.�? You may have noticed that this warning implies that a plant-based diet can be effective in treating type 2 diabetes: it is what The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) recommends for disease management.&nbsp;The aim when treating T2D should be to achieve remission - <a href="https://shireenkassam.medium.com/review-of-the-weeks-plant-based-nutrition-news-29th-may-2022-4fa99a4b6bc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the most effective way</a> is an intensive dietary approach complemented with other lifestyle changes; this advice was bolstered by a recent <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15598276221087624" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">study</a>. “There is a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466941/#!po=2.45902" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">general consensus</a> that the elements of a whole-foods plant-based diet [WFPB] - legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, with limited or no intake of refined foods and animal products - are highly beneficial for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes…&nbsp; Equally important, plant-based diets address the bigger picture for patients with diabetes by simultaneously treating cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, and its risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, hyper-lipidemia, and inflammation.�? Cohort studies summarised in the paper quoted above suggest that vegans may be the best protected dietary group against diabetes and that even modest amounts of meat could have a significant impact upon the chances of developing diabetes. The same paper also suggests that plant protein is protective against type 2 diabetes whereas animal protein has at best a null association with type 2 diabetes. Red and processed meat seem to be the worst for diabetes; this may be due to the saturated and trans fats which <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12816776" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">increase the risk</a> of developing diabetes.&nbsp;&nbsp; One thing which can be confusing is that some people refer to carbohydrates as a homogenous group which are all bad, especially for those with diabetes - this is not the case. The type and source of carbohydrate have a significant influence: refined carbs appear to be disease-promoting and whole grains are health-promoting, this even appears to apply to T2D. Several daily servings of whole grains appear to be protective against diabetes and cereal fibre <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466941/#__ffn_sectitle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">appears to be</a> particularly effective when aiming to prevent type 2 diabetes.&nbsp; Research such as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2738784?guestAccessKey=5e8aaedb-e77d-4bc1-9d52-b626e406138e&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=072219" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this</a> suggests that a predominantly WFPB diet is one of the most crucial factors when trying to prevent type 2 diabetes or return blood sugars to a healthier range; high levels of fibre, whole grains and vegetables <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-prevent-prediabetes-from-becoming-diabetes#Steps-you-can-take" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">appear to be</a> particularly important.&nbsp; The majority of individuals who are diagnosed as&nbsp;“prediabetic�? are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12920" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">able to prevent it</a> from progressing to type 2 diabetes and 1 in 5 appear to be able to revert to normoglycaemia.&nbsp;The CDA <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25802755/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">found that</a> the greatest barrier in preventing individuals from adopting a plant-based diet to treat or manage type 2 diabetes was ignorance; 89% of patients had not heard of it being used as a strategy.&nbsp; For the prediabetic individuals in this <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12920" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">study</a> there was an association with lower systolic blood pressure, no heart disease and manageable weight and more successfully returning to normal blood sugar levels: a WFPB diet may help with all three factors. Those following plant-based diets <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671114/?report=reader" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tend to have</a> a lower BMI. WFPB is the only diet <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466936/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">proven to</a> reverse heart disease and it can also help reduce blood pressure: you can view these as ‘side-benefits’ rather than side-effects of the diet.&nbsp; In conclusion, we often do have personal agency and control over the likelihood of us becoming prediabetic, diabetic and even reversing either of those stages than we may be aware of. Knowledge is power. No matter your diabetic status hopefully you will feel more empowered to improve your chances of avoiding, or even reversing type 2 diabetes - with the supervision of a doctor.&nbsp; If you are interested in plant-based nutrition you may like to read our articles: <a href="https://v-land.co.uk/fabulous-fungi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fabulous fungi</a> and <a href="https://v-land.co.uk/7-plant-based-doctors-to-follow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">7 plant-based doctors to follow</a>.

spread of different types of multicoloured vegetables on plates and square platters

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Can a plant-based diet help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes?

A man just came by who’s been doing some work for us and, charmed again by the sheep, mentioned he’s been telling his children about them, and they’re asking him if they can ‘have’ sheep. He lives on five acres further down the mountain and has the space; you can tell he’s as interested as they are. But I’m not sure I trust him to take only – to wait for – ‘rescue’ sheep. I suspect, if he and his family decide to ‘have’ sheep, he’s more likely to go out and buy a couple from some farmer nearby.&nbsp;From one angle that’s just not on. One rescues sheep when one can, but one doesn’t buy them, since this only supports the industry. Any sheep taken out of the system in this manner will be swiftly replaced.&nbsp;Should this man be discouraged then? It’s not as simple a question as it appears.&nbsp; On the one hand there’s a chance any sheep we rescue will be replaced just as readily, and arguably neither of us, rescuers or purchasers, are making much difference. But on the other we are, each of us, saving some lives, and, although we cannot hope to change the culture of millennia overnight or even in our lifetimes, we can’t discount – daren’t, for in some ways it’s one of the few things we have – the possibility that the example we set, of choosing to let live, to befriend and help rather than master, exploit and devour, will have, cumulatively, some effect. One of the children of this man may decide that he or she will not eat meat, because of the sheep he or she has known. Or a friend might. The man himself might. The odds are against these things – the countervailing pressure is intense and relentless – but they’re much worse if we do nothing.&nbsp;&nbsp; A lot of the time we can barely see the effects of our actions and lifestyles, but what kind of effects will we see if we don’t do what we are doing? T. asked me, numerous times, in darker moments, in our first years, what the point was in all our advocacy: we didn’t see changes, or saw only minor ones. In three or four years we could point to no friend or acquaintance who’d become vegan. But now, another five years on – friends, acquaintances, students – we can think of a dozen.&nbsp; Whether such things have anything in particular to do with any one of us is anybody’s guess. Few of us have any idea what effect our choices and lifestyles and actions and practices have on others; but (a) if we truly believe in them we will do them regardless; they will be unconditional and won’t in any way depend upon visible successes or credit to ourselves, and (b) if we don’t do them – if we give up because we can’t see evidence of our effects upon others – we give tacit permission for everyone else to give up also, and then where would we be? More importantly, where would so many non-human animals be?&nbsp; In some ways our own patience, commitment and – I was going to say persistence, but I think consistency is the better word – are some of the best devices we have. In some vital senses we don’t know who we are – that’s for others to decide – and the desire to see the positive effects of our actions and examples, the desire to be rewarded in this way, might ultimately be irrelevant and, worse, counterproductive. In this, as in so many other ways, we must get over ourselves. We are not doing this for ourselves. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This essay, from Brooks’s book <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-font-serif">Turin: Approaching Animals</a>, is published with permission of <a href="https://www.brandl.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-font-serif">Brandl &amp; Schlesinger</a>. David G. Brooks is a poet, novelist, short-fiction writer, and essayist. He has taught literature at various Australian universities, and from 1999 until 2018 was co-editor of Southerly, the premier journal of Australian literature and new Australian writing. He is the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Turin: Approaching Animals</a>, <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/books/grasslibrary.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Grass Library</a>, the collection of essays <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wSFixUAsBs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Animal Dreams</a>, and many other award-winning works. Currently, an honorary associate professor in Australian literature at the University of Sydney, Brooks is a vegan and animal rights advocate and lives, with rescued sheep, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

close-up od a goat looking into the camera

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Getting over ourselves 

<a href="https://instagram.com/madeinhackney?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Made In Hackney</a> (MIH) is a non means-tested, culturally diverse plant-based community cookery school, providing plant power to the people through classes, wild food walks and essential free nutritious vegan meals to those in need. It was the first plant-based community cookery school and was set up in 2012 by Sarah Bentley and is about to reach its ten-year milestone. Sareta Puri was <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Made In Hackney’s</a> Head Chef August 2020 - December 2021. The free meal service was set up in April 2020 by MIH in response to the pandemic; roughly 200 people receive this service a week. Sareta was instrumental in heading the kitchen team to produce emergency food for those in the community that most needed it through the pandemic. Her current role is Cookery Teacher &amp; Special Projects. Sareta is still intrinsically involved in Made In Hackney and one of her focuses currently is their Plant Futures programme - Sareta co-wrote the training and is the lead trainer. Sareta became vegetarian when she was eight as a result of “seeing pigs as her best friends�? and has been vegan for seven years. She was kind enough to sit down with us and answer some questions. V-Land (V-L): How were you able to keep the free meal service going through the pandemic? Sareta Puri (SP): For the first three to four months from April 2020 we ran the free meal service in conjunction with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/angelina.dalston/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Angelina</a> a restaurant in Dalston as it was closed due to the pandemic. Off the back of a massive crowdfunding campaign we ran it in collaboration with them: it was our project but they had the kitchen and the team, so they made it happen. They reopened around July and then I was brought in by Sarah to run the kitchen, which we set up in what was essentially an empty restaurant; we were there two days a week making six meals for each of the individuals who were signed up to the service, which provided them with a hot meal (once reheated by them) almost every day of the week, with three being delivered on the Tuesday and three on Thursday. It was also hard for our community classes as prior to the pandemic they were all in-person and we had to move them all online. V-L: So the meal service was a short-term response and now potentially you are hoping to be able to continue it for as long as you can? SP: Absolutely. The plan was to run the service for two months but the pandemic continued as there was a clear need, so we kept it going and it is still being provided at the moment and we hope to be able to continue running it. If we can continue to be funded to deliver the foodservice, we absolutely will. We realised that if people say they need food, we need to believe them. We don’t means-test anyone. Unfortunately, society is in a position where some people do not have access to food. We rely on donations to our crowdfunding to run the service, in December we reached the goal of £150,000 which enables the service to run for one year, until December 2022. The meal service also does welfare calls, so if individuals are struggling we may signpost them to somewhere else to help them out. V-L: What was the inspiration behind the Plant Futures programme? And how is this being received? SP: We were wondering how we could encourage businesses, organisations and local groups to put more plant-based options on their menu and thought that giving them the information and skills to do so could provide value and positive change. It is being received really well we have done three of the ten cities so far; we will have been to all ten within the next twelve months. They have all been fantastic. It is very easy to live in a ‘vegan bubble’ or a ‘London bubble’ but to go out there and to see there are so many people who are passionate about these issues and that they are not necessarily plant-based or running vegan businesses, but they understand the benefits for the environment, health and animals. People want to know more and want to learn; they are also very interested as we have done this for a decade and we know what we are talking about. We have also been learning from other people. V-L: We noticed quite a few notable people have been involved with MIH; who are some of the most famous ones you have worked with? SP: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andioliver/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andi Oliver</a> came down to the meal service the other week, that has been amazing as she has a really good following and is really on board with what we do. The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bosh.tv/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BOSH!</a> guys also came down to the meal service and will be doing a webinar with us later in the summer. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sami_tamimi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sami Tamimi</a> came down in December in my last week, I was tasked with scaling up his dish to two hundred portions, which was quite terrifying but I managed to do it and he loved it which was nice. We also had Olivia Colman who gave out some meals at the start of the pandemic! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1656590524/Image_1_4_5307124f8d.jpg" alt="Image 1(4).JPG"> <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent;">Made In Hackney</a> V-L: What was your most memorable moment during your time as Head Chef? SP: There were a lot of memorable moments. On the very first day that we were meant to cook we couldn’t access the building that we were tasked to go in because the electricity had been disconnected because it was an empty restaurant and I don’t think the landlord had paid the bills. I tried to go in the day before to take some stock in, luckily I went and found this out before the actual start day. The keys had been changed and there was a sign saying contact London Electricity or something similar. We tried everything from getting in touch with the head of the electricity board to trying to persuade the landlord to do something and even Hackney Council to try and help us. This was at the height of the pandemic - everything was closed. There were loads of empty kitchens but because of bureaucracy we couldn’t necessarily get into these empty kitchens.&nbsp; We eventually managed to convince one venue to give us the kitchen for the day. We managed to get our cooking equipment from where we were initially meant to be cooking in, but couldn’t turn on the electricity; we then managed to get a van to transfer all of this early in the morning to the temporary kitchen and then at the end of the day brought it all back. This was the first day cooking as a team so we didn’t really have systems in place and weren’t completely sure how to scale up the meals. We learned a lot in one day!&nbsp;But, from then it just got better and better and better. You are constantly facing a challenge in that environment so we knew we could respond to anything after that first day - we worked really closely as a team. Another fond memory was the community we built within the team across the meal service and community cooking aspects of MIH. It gave those involved a purpose, people to meet and to have a laugh with and meet others during the challenging times of the pandemic in which many were furloughed and struggling due to social isolation. Many volunteers said that it had made everything better and changed their lives! V-L: Do you believe innovation is an important element of how successful Made In Hackney is in supporting the local community? If so, how do you encourage innovation within the team and organisation? SP: MIH is a very collaborative place. There isn’t really any hierarchy the main management team of MIH we follow a sociocratic system: everyone is equal, everyone has a say on any issue, everyone is paid the same - even the founder Sarah. There is no one who makes the final decision and has greater influence than the others. I think that has really helped to innovate over time because we have all listened to each other and we have also engaged in the community; we have had to be quite responsive to what they say they want. It’s not as if the main management team are the sole decision-makers - the community are clear stakeholders and part of the decision-making process also.&nbsp; In relation to the meal service, having a team of chefs who are there because they want to be there and are really passionate about what we do, meant that every week we could come up with different meals. The chef team was rather diverse culturally which meant that each member brought ideas from their own heritage and areas they are trained in, or when travelling abroad or are childhood favourites. We would all learn from one another - so those factors definitely helped. V-L: If there were many more community-based kitchens such as Made in Hackney do you think it could have a significant impact on reducing chronic disease? SP: Absolutely. If you can educate and inform people and arm them with that skill set to be able to enact these ideas: educating individuals about how to shop more efficiently, economically and healthily; helping them navigate what options to choose if eating out; as well as giving them the skill set of being able to cook nutritious food can create sustainable, positive change. We found from our research that every person we engage with and passes on to four other people: we’ve reached 100,000 directly, but that’s cascading to 400,000. V-L: Do you think MIH has a deeper impact beyond educating, informing and providing meals? SP: Definitely, it provides a sense of community and belonging for those that come to our classes, some come just because it’s a nice thing to do. It’s also been helpful in bringing together people from different cultures and communities as well as bringing people together within those communities that might not have done so otherwise. During the pandemic some people’s only human contact during the week was with our delivery drivers and they would have a small chat for maybe thirty seconds or a couple of minutes on their doorstep, and that just uplifted them. We also try and raise awareness around food justice issues on our <a href="https://instagram.com/madeinhackney?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">social media</a> as we believe it’s really important for people to know where their food is coming from and the environmental, health and animal impacts of it. We stretch far beyond Hackney in our reach. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1655416876/Resized_pic_3_edit_3765c204cc.jpg" alt="Resized pic 3 edit.jpg">Hubub V-L: Has the rise in the cost of living put pressure upon MIH and the individuals that use and rely on it?&nbsp;SP: Yes. People have got less disposable income which has negatively impacted upon two areas; classes and the meal service. As the public is being squeezed financially they are having to make decisions about what to prioritise - this is not limited to just those on lower incomes - and our classes have unfortunately had to be moved down that priority list for many. It has also meant that the meal service is even more vital as for some individuals it is their only food; if their delivery doesn’t arrive or they miss the delivery, they might not have a meal and they phone us up and they can be quite upset. Some can’t even afford to heat up their meals anymore, so they have to eat them cold. For some of the individuals we provide them with seven rather than six meals a week as without the seventh meal they would have no way of eating on that day.&nbsp; There have always been people on the waiting list as we can only cook so much due to the limitations in space, capacity (within the free venue - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/queenofhoxtonldn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Queen of Hoxton</a> pub which offer it up two days a week - we use to prepare the meals, we couldn’t do it without their kindness), and the time it takes to cook two hundred portions. More and more people are joining the waiting list, and often they are individuals you may not think would be on the waiting list for a service like this.&nbsp; The majority of the produce for the meal service is donations from organisations such as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefelixproject/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Felix Project,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestlondon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City Harvest</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/edible_londonuk/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edible London</a> and certain vegan brands/businesses like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clubmexicana/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Club Mexicana</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/betternaturetempeh/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Better Nature</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/this.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">THIS</a>. We have a rough plan of what we will be preparing ahead of time, but we need to be flexible and it allows us to cook different meals most weeks. An issue we are having is a lack of volunteers, as most people have now returned to work post-pandemic and also individuals desperately need any extra money at the moment. V-L: Do you believe that our education system should have compulsory cookery and nutrition classes?&nbsp; SP: Yeah, I think so. I think nutrition and cooking are core skills as well as learning about how to budget effectively and where to get your food. Often in poorer neighbourhoods they don’t have access to a large supermarket, they often have a cornershop which has nothing that is fresh and a limited option of foodstuffs. We find it is often a skill which is lacking in adults as well as children. V-L: MIH is approaching a decade, what do you think could be achieved in the coming decade?&nbsp; SP: We want MIH to be educating and inspiring even more people outside of London. <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/services/plant-futures" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Our Plant Futures Programme</a> is the first step in achieving this vision as well as trying to support others to do their own community food services. We are also working on a Global Training and Mentorship Programme that will be launching in 2023 which will help others learn within and outside the UK how to do as we have been able to do at MIH. We can share our experience, knowledge and mistakes we have learned from so hopefully they can do it more rapidly then we were able to; such as within three rather than ten years.&nbsp; We also hope that by the end of the next decade we will see some of the societal changes enacted such as health conditions reducing, more people eating plant-based food, people not having to live against a cost of living increase, for there to no longer be a lack of accessibility for nutritious, reasonably priced food: I think we will be responsive to the progress made in these areas, we want to see a better, fairer, more just world and for us to have played a part in making this happen.&nbsp; Maybe, in order to save the NHS, there needs to be an investment into more places such as Made in Hackney? Well, Made In Hackney’s <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/impact/data" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data</a> very strongly suggests so: of the 4465 individuals they worked within 2019-2020, 94 per cent ate more fruit and vegetables, 87 per cent now eat less junk food, 97 per cent of volunteers said their experience enhanced their sense of community and 94 per cent of volunteers said the classes improved their overall mood. They not ‘only’ provide essential meals but provide individuals with the skills to take personal power and responsibility for their health, and a cornerstone for better health is eating more plants which is what Made in Hackney preaches. You can <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/get-involved/volunteer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">volunteer</a>, <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/madeinhackney-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">donate</a>, sign up to their <a href="https://madeinhackney.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5cdc6e5e89d82579c93ddd68c&amp;id=07794c4a76" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a> or simply find out more on their <a href="https://madeinhackney.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madeinhackney/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.&nbsp; If you are interested in plant-based nutrition you may like to also read our article about the health benefits of mushrooms and <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/can-a-plant-based-diet-help-prevent-and-treat-type-2-diabetes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">whether plant-based nutrition can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes</a>.

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Made In Hackney’s Sareta Puri: Plant power to the people

Living life on the veg is the best, and it is even better with the range of vegan products from our friends at <a href="https://instagram.com/goodlife.food?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GoodLife</a>. These gorgeous super-convenient meals are available in the frozen section of Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. V-Land UK road-tested some of their vegan range, and we were not disappointed.&nbsp;&nbsp; First up, we have <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/falafel-with-chickpea-cumin-coriander" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Falafel</a>, a traditional Middle Eastern dish that has been a staple vegan dish for many years, and these are up there with the best we have ever eaten. Despite being a frozen product, they tasted as if they had come fresh from the oven! There are infinite accompanying ways to enjoy falafel, we particularly enjoyed these in a flatbread with shredded red cabbage, grated carrot and sriracha mayo. The leftovers were a big hit with our mini V-Landers in their school packed lunches.&nbsp; Next up, the <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/vegetable-paella-slice/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegetable Paella Slices</a>, these pizza-slice shaped treats are vibrant and packed with edamame beans, tomatoes and peppers. We had these in lieu of hash browns on our cooked breakfast; the smokey paprika taste gave the meal a lift. We also think that these would be a great addition to your next vegan BBQ! Last but definitely not least, our favourite, <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/vegetable-firecracker-melt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegetable Firecracker Melt</a>. The market in frozen burgers generally consist of mushy bean burger or imitation meat patties, these melts stood out above these, with their crispy breadcrumb coating, stuffed with edamame beans, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli and peppers and topped with a warm Asian-inspired spicy sauce, our taste buds exploded! Our serving suggestion is in a vegan brioche bun, with a smoked vegan cheese, like <a href="https://instagram.com/applewood_cheese?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Applewood</a>, and perhaps a bold choice – some kimchi.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GoodLife’s</a> vegan range also includes <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/mighty-nonmeaty-sausage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mighty Non-Meaty Sausages</a>, <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/vegetable-protein-balls-with-spinach-and-kale/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegetable Protein Balls</a>, <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/picador-parsnip-sweet-carrot-nut-burgers-with-crunchy-cashews/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nut Burgers</a> and <a href="https://www.goodlife.co.uk/products/spicy-veg-beanburger-with-a-kick-of-chipotle-chilli/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spicy Bean Burgers</a>.

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Living life on the veg with GoodLife

Summer is just around the corner, and we plan to make the most of the glorious sunshine by eating alfresco wherever possible. Struggling for ideas for vegan picnic food? Look no further, we were dreaming up ideas for the perfect vegan picnic hamper all winter long!&nbsp; <h2>Homemade sandwiches</h2>You can't have a picnic without sandwiches! Whether you're a simple cucumber sandwich lover or you like to get experimental with your fillings, sandwiches are an easy and filling meal or snack that you can make at home. We love <a href="https://instagram.com/marksandspencerfoodpr?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marks and Spencers'</a> new <a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order/adventures-in-food/plant-kitchen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Plant Kitchen</a> cooked ham slices in our sandwiches as it's so versatile and easy to enjoy with salad, coleslaw or mustard, but you can find lots of inspiration for vegan picnic sandwiches, wraps and more on the <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-sandwich-recipes/amp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BBC Good Food website</a>. <h2>Easy to pack snacks</h2>Our go-to vegan picnic snacks have to be cheese and crackers. <a href="https://instagram.com/boursinuk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boursin</a> released their creamy <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/boursin-plant-based-garlic-herbs-cheese-130g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plant based spread</a> in the UK last year and it would definitely be on our list to enjoy with some <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/jacobs-savours-salt---black-pepper-200g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cracked black pepper crackers</a>. We'd also include a selection of fruits, some of our favourite crisps such as <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/kettle-vegan-sheese-red-onion-chips-135g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sheese &amp; Red Onion Kettle Chips</a>, <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/cauldron-falafels-200g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cauldron Falafels</a> and <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/gosh!-naturally-delicious-veggie-cocktail-sausages-with-sage-black-pepper-240g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gosh! Cocktail Sausages</a>, all available at <a href="https://sainsburys.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sainsbury's</a>. <h2>Summer salads</h2>There's nothing quite like enjoying a fresh salad on a hot day. If you're looking to buy an assortment of salads, look no further than <a href="https://instagram.com/marksandspencerfoodpr?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marks and Spencer's</a> <a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order/adventures-in-food/plant-kitchen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Plant Kitchen</a>, who offer a range of whole grain and pasta salads including their <a href="https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-super-nutty-wholefood-salad-554157011" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nutty Super Wholefood Salad</a>, vegan <a href="https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-plant-kitchen-potato-salad-517903011" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Potato Salad</a> and No Chicken or Bacon Pasta Salad.&nbsp;You could also check out Peng Vegan Munch on <a href="https://instagram.com/pengveganmunch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and try his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdbK-_VKzGw/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Orzo Summer Salad</a>. <h2>Sweet Treats</h2>No picnic is quite complete without some sweet treats. We love <a href="https://instagram.com/tescofood?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tesco's</a> <a href="https://instagram.com/wickedkitchenfood?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wicked Kitchen</a> chocolate chip <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/309170987" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cupcakes</a>. If you're keen to impress, we'd recommend trying Meg Long’s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZHyaO0odTN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vegan Pavlova</a> recipe on Instagram. <h2>Cheers!</h2>For many of us, the main event! Make sure there's space in your cool bag because vegans don't have to miss out on a beer or a glass of wine in the sun. <a href="https://www.tesco.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tesco's</a> own brand <a href="https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/255246186" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cava</a> is vegan friendly and affordable at £5.75, lots of lagers including <a href="https://instagram.com/sanmiguel_uk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Miguel</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/stellaartois?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stella Artois</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/carlsberguk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carlsberg</a> are vegan. <a href="https://instagram.com/oldmoutcideruk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Old Mout</a> cider is fruity and delicious and all flavours are vegan. If you'd like to have a go at making your own picnic treats, we'd also recommend checking out V-Land's perfect <a href="https://v-land.co.uk/brownie-recipe-you-are-going-to-want-to-try/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">brownie recipe</a> and this <a href="https://v-land.co.uk/melt-in-your-mouth-chocolate-cake/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">melt in your mouth chocolate cake</a>.

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Vegan picnic essentials: Pack the perfect vegan picnic hamper

Mind. Being. World. Inadequate as these notions are they are pretty much all we have in terms of representing our conceptualisations of whatever it is we find ourselves living through every day, whether these days be those of the wild adventurer or the local council worker. They, or the things that they attempt to capture and explain, are our familiars, the lenses by which we see or attempt to see everything we encounter, feel and experience.&nbsp; They have been presented, of course, as tools for the understanding of human being, human world, human mind, but it’s inconceivable that non-human animals don’t have them too. Very likely for each species each one of these things will be different. A dog can hear and smell far beyond the human range and in this sense – in these dimensions – his/her immediate World may be larger than a human’s. We could say that each species looks out upon that Greater World, in which what humans may wish to call World is a kind of bubble of consciousness, through a different window, from a different angle. Angles may be different, some windows may be large, others small, but one senses that dimension has little to do with it, is either irrelevant or naïve. The point is that we are all in it together, every species, all species; we – dog, sheep, duck, cicada, human, ant – partake in Being, we partake in Mind, we partake in World.&nbsp; Martin Heidegger – for of all contemporary or near-contemporary philosophers it is perhaps he who has most influentially (and controversially) attempted to sort out these things – says that animals are ‘poor in world’ (Being and Time, 1927), and, by implication, that humans are rich in it. We could expect no other position with regard to a concept that humans have devised essentially for their own use, to facilitate their own survival in and manipulation of that World. But even in this derogation of the (non-human) ‘animal’ world Heidegger is admitting that ‘animals’ have it too, that ‘world’ applies to them as much as to humans. And, ironically, if we can admit as we have learned to do – as I don’t think Heidegger ever could – that humans themselves are animals, then he can be seen to be pointing (not very consciously) to the limitations of our ‘World’ also.&nbsp; The point is important for all sorts of reasons, but let’s just say for now ‘for our respect for the other beings around us’. This sense that they too have a weight and intensity of being, of experience. That it is not a matter of size. That a duck or a rat or a cicada can have his or her glory days, his or her days of toil, his or her days of devastating tragedy. (T. was cleaning up sheep poop at the top of the paddock yesterday, near the duck-pond. She looked across and there was a female wood duck – she thinks the mother of the brood of four ducklings who first appeared four days ago, but who seem all to have died or been killed since – standing alone by the pond, and she said – but who can know these things? – that she seemed to be disoriented, demented somehow, to have lost her mind.) And that as we open ourselves to this aspect of the being of others – that if we look at them as if we shared such things – we can find our own being, mind, world, our own portions of Being, Mind and World, incrementally (if only infinitesimally) expanding. The realm is unknown to us, we do not know what we receive; we may not even have words for it, since the words we do have are for things that we have already experienced. But there will be arcings, moments of strange accession. In the past we might have called them mystic. But that is to hold them at bay. It is not inconceivable that they one day become our familiars. The point is important in that way, yes, but that’s not why I make it. Human animals have come to dominate the world. In innumerable ways. I cannot conceive of a non-human animal that has not been influenced by the existence of human animals. Pollution, climate change, destruction of habitat have reached even those parts of the planet (such as they are) that humans have not yet physically reached. And for a huge number of non-human animals the impact has been profound, devastating. Human impact is responsible for most extinctions, but as it happens I’m referring to species still in existence. If Heidegger, in saying that ‘animals are poor in world’, is right in any sense, then it is perhaps in this one, that we have impacted upon, damaged, and deprived them of much of their World, in effect stolen it from them.&nbsp; Most sheep, for example, go to slaughter at little over twelve months of age, when in ‘human’ terms they are barely more than four years old – barely, that is, out of infancy. How much World do we deprive a creature of, when we deprive him/her of fourteen fifteenths of his/her possible lifespan? And if, as I know all too well, a sheep can be rescued from this horrid mill, it will still be for a life of constraint, manipulation, confinement, if only to ‘protect’ him/her, ‘for [his/her] own good’. In this sense I think it is very true to say that ‘animals’ in the world as we now have it, non-human animals, live within the human, just as, say – though I think in more insidious and pervasive ways – the people of lands conquered by the Romans (or the British, the Belgians, the Dutch, the…) lived inside those worlds. And although this may seem paradoxical they are also to some degree therefore within us. The ‘animal’ has long – perennially, perpetually – been regarded as the ‘Outside’ of philosophy. This is one of the main reasons Philosophy has always failed non-human animals so badly. We think of the Animal as outside, but No; we – humans – have affected, influenced everything: the Animal is inside, a wild-card in our guts (our Mind, our Being, our World). This essay, from Brooks’s book<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Turin: Approaching Animals</a>, is published with permission of<a href="https://www.brandl.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.brandl.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Brandl &amp; Schlesinger</a>. David G. Brooks is a poet, novelist, short-fiction writer, and essayist. He has taught literature at various Australian universities, and from 1999 until 2018 was co-editor of Southerly, the premier journal of Australian literature and new Australian writing. He is the author of<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turin-Approaching-Animals-David-Brooks/dp/0645374792/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KT2TTW4TJFP0&amp;keywords=turin+approaching+animals&amp;qid=1652051363&amp;sprefix=turin+approaching+animal%2Caps%2C422&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Turin: Approaching Animals</a>,<a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/books/grasslibrary.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/books/grasslibrary.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">The Grass Library</a>, the collection of essays<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wSFixUAsBs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wSFixUAsBs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Animal Dreams</a>, and many other award-winning works. Currently, an honorary associate professor in Australian literature at the University of Sydney, Brooks is a vegan and animal rights advocate and lives, with rescued sheep, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

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Mind. Being. World.

There are so many great reasons to be vegan, but saving the oceans should be high on our lists, as we humans are affecting the seas with everything from climate change to plastic pollution. The good news is that by adopting a vegan life, we can help preserve the oceans and their amazing creatures going forward. Here are a few reasons to go vegan for the oceans. <h2>Bycatch</h2> Even if you only eat one type of seafood, the process of catching these fish has consequences for all marine animals. For every one pound of fish caught for human consumption, up to five pounds of other species are caught and thrown away — around the world, as much as 40 percent of caught fish and bycatch goes to waste. In addition, it’s estimated that fishing vessels kill up to 650,000 whales, dolphins, and seals every year. Being vegan will help save all of these animals. Learn more at<a href="https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Cowspiracy</a>. <h2>Pollution</h2> &nbsp;We’ve all heard of the<a href="https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-the-great-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch-4864171" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-the-great-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch-4864171" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Great Pacific Garbage Patch</a>, and this is just one of many regions of the ocean inundated with our trash. The fact that fishes consume this plastic is reason enough to give up eating them, but fishing itself is a large part of the pollution problem: 70 percent of plastic in the oceans comes from fishing gear, and in only one day, longline boats put out enough fishing line to wrap the planet 500 times over. And fishing-industry pollution isn’t limited to plastic: oil leaked from fishing boats coats the feathered bodies of penguins and other seabirds, which kills them by destroying their natural insulation. Learn more at<a href="https://www.seaspiracy.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.seaspiracy.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Seaspiracy</a>. Being vegan is important to the oceans not only to help keep plastics and oil out of the sea but to keep waste from animal agriculture out of the water as well.<a href="https://mission-blue.org/2015/02/whats-the-role-of-mass-animal-agriculture-in-ocean-degradation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://mission-blue.org/2015/02/whats-the-role-of-mass-animal-agriculture-in-ocean-degradation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Millions of gallons of manure enter our waterways and oceans</a>&nbsp;from factory farms, which not only kills fishes but also raises the temperature and acidity of the oceans. By not eating land or sea animals, we’ll help make the planet cleaner for everyone. <h2>Krill</h2> &nbsp;Krill are crustaceans that are tiny but absolutely essential for healthy oceans, and especially for healthy marine animals. Yet krill (which are used to make supplements for humans and to feed farmed fishes) are<a href="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/challenges/sustainability/overfishing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://discoveringantarctica.org.uk/challenges/sustainability/overfishing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">overfished</a>&nbsp;— more than 100,000 tons of krill are caught every year. And this means that polar marine animals, including penguins, seals, whales, and fishes, don’t have enough krill left to feed themselves. A<a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/10/28/study-confirms-antarctic-penguins-are-harmed-by-krill-fishing-and-climate-change" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/10/28/study-confirms-antarctic-penguins-are-harmed-by-krill-fishing-and-climate-change" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">recent study in Ambio journal</a>&nbsp;shows that when high numbers of krill are caught near Antarctic shorelines in warm years, penguin populations decrease in the following year (the farther penguins have to travel at sea to find food, the less likely they are to return to their mates in time to feed their chicks, who will die of starvation). By leaving the krill in the oceans, we ensure there will be plenty to eat for the penguins and other animals who depend on this food source. <h2>Ghost nets</h2> While plastics and oil from fishing boats cause plenty of pollution, ghost nets are uniquely harmful. Ghost nets — abandoned or discarded nets from fishing vessels — trap animals and cause them to<a href="https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/plastic-problem/plastic-environment/ghost-nets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/plastic-problem/plastic-environment/ghost-nets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">choke or starve to death</a>. If we can reduce the demand for seafood, this means fewer fishing boats out there and fewer animals —<a href="https://oliveridleyproject.org/what-are-ghost-nets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://oliveridleyproject.org/what-are-ghost-nets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">including dolphins, whales, sharks, sea turtles, rays, and seabirds</a>&nbsp;— who will be trapped, maimed, injured, and killed by abandoned fishing equipment. <h2>Climate change</h2> &nbsp;Warming oceans not only<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/science/australia-antarctica-krill-climate-change-ocean.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/science/australia-antarctica-krill-climate-change-ocean.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">threaten krill</a>, but climate change has other devastating consequences for animals who live and eat at sea. The endangered Galápagos penguin is threatened by<a href="https://www.treehugger.com/galapagos-penguin-5220507" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.treehugger.com/galapagos-penguin-5220507" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">ongoing drastic climate events</a>,&nbsp;and a recent heatwave killed hundreds of Magellanic penguins in Argentina, where penguins breed on land and temperatures reached 111.2 F in the shade in 2019 — the highest temperature recorded at the<a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/01/04/magellanic-penguin-heat-wave/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/01/04/magellanic-penguin-heat-wave/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Punto Tombo colony</a>&nbsp;since researchers began studying it 40 years ago.<a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/01/04/magellanic-penguin-heat-wave/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/01/04/magellanic-penguin-heat-wave/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">University of Washington researchers</a>&nbsp;determined that most penguins likely died of dehydration; they found 27 percent of the adult penguin bodies along paths heading out to the ocean in search of water. Being vegan helps limit the greenhouse gas emissions that affect marine animals like penguins, who breed on land. Despite the issues facing our oceans, the bright side is that we&nbsp;can&nbsp;be the change. Being vegan is a great first step — for the land, for the oceans, and for all the human and nonhuman animals on the planet. Midge Raymond&nbsp;is the author of the novel<a href="https://www.midgeraymond.com/books/mylastcontinent.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.midgeraymond.com/books/mylastcontinent.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">My Last Continent</a>&nbsp;(about a penguin researcher who becomes a rescuer when she encounters a tourist shipwreck in Antarctica) and is co-founder of<a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(46, 163, 242);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Ashland Creek Press</a>, a boutique publisher devoted to environmental and animal literature.

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World Ocean Day: 5 reasons to go vegan for the oceans

There’s a lot to love about Brighton - the seaside, the vast range of independent businesses, the vibrancy of the city and its people who take their freedom of expression to an all-time high, and being one of the most liberal cities in the UK, Brighton has been unofficially named the Queer capital. But not only is it a mecca for the LGBTQIA+ community, it has also recently been crowned the <a href="https://www.chefspencil.com/veganism-popularity-report-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">vegan capital of the world</a> - are you sold yet? In honour of Pride month, we’re giving a shoutout to some of our favourite businesses supporting the LGBTQIA+ and vegan community in Brighton.&nbsp; Green Kitchen<a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenkitchenbrighton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 185, 102); background-color: transparent;">Green Kitchen</a> is a much loved favourite in Brighton by local vegans, and was opened back in 2016 by wives Katie and Catherine through their passion for showing how easy it is to eat kindly. Best known for its small-batch, handmade meat alternatives, <a href="https://www.greenkitchenbrighton.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Green Kitchen</a> also has an extensive menu of vegan goodies from breakfasts to toasties, pastries to burgers, even banana splits. They are committed to supporting animals through their business, and even support the work of Retreat Animal Sanctuary through the sales of their vegan meat-alternative rashers - we love to see it!&nbsp; The ActorsFormerly known and loved as the Marlborough Pub &amp; Theatre, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theactorsbrighton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">The Actors</a> pub has a long-standing connection with the LGBTQIA+ community and remains one of the most popular gay bars in Brighton, and is housed in one of Brighton’s oldest venues. Offering a range of pizzas from the likes of Pizzafaced, we love that <a href="https://www.actors.pub" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">The Actors</a> have catered above and beyond for vegans with delicious meat + cheese alternatives including vegan nduja, chorizo and sour cream. Holler<a href="https://www.instagram.com/hollerstorebrighton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 185, 102); background-color: transparent;">Holler Store</a> is Brighton’s contemporary boutique for canines - offering an exclusive collection of dog accessories, clothing and homewares, it's the perfect place to pamper your pooch.&nbsp; What began as a mutual feeling of frustration at the lack of choice and quality when it comes to finding stylish clothing and accessories for dogs, partners Cian and Ryan launched <a href="https://holler.store" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Holler</a> in 2019 in the vibrant lanes, with an ambition of providing the most premium products from around the world. Though not specifically vegan, we love that Holler are there to help our beloved pets look and feel as good as we do - after all, who doesn’t love a pamper? The Feminist Bookshop<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefeministbookshop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 185, 102); background-color: transparent;">The Feminist Bookshop</a> is an independent bookshop and vegan cafe opened in 2019 by Ruth Wainwright. Seeking to create a fun and inclusive community space that supports female and non-binary writers, Ruth describes <a href="https://thefeministbookshop.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">The Feminist Bookshop</a> as a “intersectional, anti-racist, trans-inclusive and LGBTQIA+ space and we actively work with charities and organisations to ensure the safety of these communities�?.&nbsp; It’s the perfect place to get stuck into a new book whilst enjoying a cuppa and a cake, supplied by some fabulous local independent vegan bakeries. You won’t want to miss visiting Brighton at its most vibrant time of year for <a href="https://www.brighton-pride.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Brighton Pride</a>, happening 5th - 7th August 2022. There are so many more vegan places to explore here in the vegan capital, why not check out our recommended <a href="https://v-land.co.uk/delightful-vegan-brunch-options-in-brighton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">brunch spots</a> or fish and chip guide.

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Brighton businesses supporting the LGBTQIA+ and vegan community through Brighton Pride and beyond

The summer months are almost upon us! The sun worshippers amongst us wait for them year-round. We all know that it's important to protect our skin, but many of us don't incorporate a good SPF product into our daily skincare routines. With many vegan SPF products available we wanted to look at how they can fit into our busy schedules. We have learned that it's important to include ideally a minimum of SPF 30 into your skincare routine every day to minimise your exposure to harmful UVB rays, but is SPF 30 enough? It seems that SPF 30, when regularly applied, will block almost 97% of rays, whereas SPF 50 upgrades that protection to 98%, meaning that when generously and regularly applied SPF 30 will certainly provide enough protection for an adult. Still keen to learn more about different products we can use and where to find the best vegan SPF products, we've enlisted some help!&nbsp; <a href="https://instagram.com/demicolleen?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Demi Colleen</a>, award-winning blogger and influencer has shared her skincare tips on her <a href="https://instagram.com/demicolleen?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLwoCjHc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a> from affordable, cruelty-free products to more specialist skincare reviews and insights into her daily routine. She has kindly set aside some time to talk to us about the importance of using a good vegan SPF. V-Land (V-L): Why is SPF so important? Demi Colleen (DC): SPF is what protects our skin from harmful UV rays. These rays can damage skin cells’ DNA and cause them to age. We see this in the form of sagging and wrinkling. UV rays can also cause skin cancer. Whilst ageing is inevitable, we can slow down the process by protecting our skin with sunscreen on a daily basis - yes, even if it’s cloudy! V-L: What does your daily skincare routine look like? DC: It’s actually relatively straightforward! I focus a lot on hydration as my skin is dry and dehydrated. I will wash my face in the morning and then apply a humectant like hyaluronic acid before applying a brightening serum such as vitamin C, moisturising and then slathering my face in SPF. I top up my SPF throughout the day with an SPF spray. At night, I always double cleanse and then I tend to use exfoliating products or actives such as BHAs, AHAs or retinol. I will also include hydrating products as well as a thick moisturiser and occasionally treat myself to an oil or overnight balm if I’m in the mood! V-L: Have you always had a good skincare routine? How do you stay motivated to keep up with it? DC: Not at all! A few years prior to starting my blog, I used to wash my face and wear coconut oil and nothing else, I don’t think anything makes me cringe more than that! I definitely have evenings where the last thing I want to do is spend time in the bathroom rubbing products into my face, but I have many a photo of my skin before I started caring for it and that is all the motivation I need. Skin issues may not be fixed overnight, they can take a lot of time, effort and money and so I never skip a day. However, if I’m really not feeling it I just strip my routine right back to a cleanse and moisturiser and leave it at that! V-L: What is your favourite vegan SPF? DC: Absolutely impossible to pick, I have so many favourites for many different reasons!&nbsp;The current stand outs for me are <a href="https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/biossance-squalane-and-zinc-sheer-mineral-sunscreen-50ml/13437419.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Biossance Squalane and Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen</a>,<a href="https://www.nipandfab.com/glow-spf-30" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;Nip + Fab Illuminate SPF</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beautybay.com/p/hello-sunday/the-everyday-one-face-moisturiser-spf30/?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwvqeUBhCBARIsAOdt45Z1W6mlav7X8oT1M4FcmTfMssrgp5svPGz1mbCMUyihuYOPjSRn13caAlEFEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hello Sunday ‘The Every Day One’</a>. V-L: We love your unique, colourful style, it brings the sunshine to our screens, is summer your favourite season? DC: 100%! As soon as I can stop wearing a jacket, I am on a constant high throughout the season. Everything small and mundane suddenly becomes exciting and like a treat. Walking down the road with an iced coffee with the sun shining gives me a skip in my step - winter could never. V-L: As we mentioned earlier we love your skincare content and we love your fashion content too. Do you have any new projects coming up?&nbsp; DC: I sure do!&nbsp;My influencer career started with an actual physical <a href="https://demicolleen.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blog</a>, which I adored - and whilst I adore visual content I craved to start writing again. My website will be launching very soon, with more in-depth looks into fashion, homeware and beauty (SPF included, always). If you're interested in finding out more about vegan SPF, you may like to read our article about best vegan suncreams. You can find skincare, fashion content and more from Demi on <a href="https://instagram.com/demicolleen?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLwoCjHc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a>.

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Demi Colleen: Vegan SPF and the importance of skincare

Do we need to be healthy to be vegan? In short, no, we don’t. A healthy and balanced diet should, advisably, always be advocated for and implemented to the best of one’s ability, but being vegan is not synonymous with being healthy. To say that all vegans are unified by health consciousness seems to reduce the complexity of what it means to be vegan. After all, what does it even mean to be healthy? Can anyone truly say that they know how to be one hundred percent healthy, whether vegan, or non vegan? It is useful to consider what is meant when the words healthy and unhealthy are used, after all, health is as much about the body, as it is our mind and soul. That being said, a common assumption is that all vegans must be one of two very different oppositions: physically healthy or physically unhealthy. To say that all vegans are either super health conscious exclusively eating whole foods, or only eating processed, expensive, prepackaged&nbsp;vegan ‘junk food’ every day, is making a wide assumption, as in reality, for many, it may be a mix of both. Besides, vegan ‘junk food’ is by no means a disservice to veganism. Many popular vegan brands have introduced healthy vegan alternatives that are incredibly ‘real’ to pre-loved classics, and are attractive to transitioning vegans because of how accessible they are to buy. Additionally, who can resist a hearty, nutrient dense, whole foods based meal? There are many incredible and credible health benefits to going vegan, even if health isn’t your main motivator. In 2021, UK health service Medichecks undertook a <a href="https://medichecks.com/blogs/news/veganalysis-2021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">‘veganalysis’</a> that involved the comparison of over 10,000 Medicheck customers' key biomarkers. Amongst the data collected, it was found that “the average HbA1c levels were almost 4% lower in vegans.�?&nbsp; HbA1c refers to the body’s blood sugar count, and its ability to control glucose levels, which if high, can lead to the development of diabetes complications. It was also revealed that vegans had lower total cholesterol levels than non-vegans, meaning there was a decreased chance of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart disease. Although health benefits such as these are fantastic, they are often considered to be much welcomed by-products of the refusal to contribute to animal cruelty. This refusal and the prioritisation of animal rights is central to veganism as a whole. Veganism, for many, is considered to be a lifestyle as opposed to a diet, with animal rights ethics and environmental concerns outweighing the health benefits of eating vegan food. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1655505375/Image_one_7_pic_2_edit_ea8d90b04b.jpg" alt="Image one (7) pic 2 edit.jpg"><a href="https://www.canva.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">Canva Pro</a> A vegan diet is an integral part of the vegan lifestyle, but this lifestyle encompasses so much more than just the food on one’s plate. Lifestyle recognises the self-identification of veganism as a big part of a person’s identity, clothing, language use, politics and everyday choices. <h2>Lifestyle proceeds diet</h2>Vegans are multifaceted, complex individuals who all practice veganism very differently, and for many reasons. Simply put – any reason that someone decides to go vegan is a good one. It might not be related to ethics or health, and that’s perfectly fine. Other reasons might include, but are not limited to, the environment, taste preferences, or maybe food aversions / allergies. You do not have to eat vegan to justify that your diet is healthy or that you eat what is ‘right.’ Every individual is different and has their own reason for being vegan. If you are interested in the connections between health and veganism you should also check our article about<a href="https://v-land.co.uk/7-plant-based-doctors-to-follow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);"> plant based doctors to follow</a>.

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Do I have to be healthy to be vegan?

Emilia A. Leese, hosts a <a href="https://thinklikeavegan.com/podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast</a>, writes a <a href="https://emisgoodeating.com/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blog</a> as well as essays on life, travel and veganism for a variety of online publications and is closely involved in a long-term forest <a href="https://birchfieldhighlands.org/about-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rewilding project</a> in the Scottish Highlands: she was kind enough to sit down and answer some of our questions around her wonderful book <a href="https://thinklikeavegan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Think Like a Vegan: What everyone can learn from vegan ethics?</a> V-Land (V-L): How would you describe your book, Think Like a Vegan: What everyone can learn from vegan ethics? Emilia A. Leese (EL): Think Like a Vegan is an approachable and accessible vegan ethics guidebook. It’s for anyone interested in veganism, the values behind it, and what we can all learn from its practice. It explores how vegan ethics can be applied to every area of our daily lives. In it, we&nbsp;examine a variety of contemporary topics related to animal use: from the basics of vegan logic to politics, economics, love and other aspects of being human. We’ve also included a chapter on practical, real-life scenarios to help readers work through what might be tricky situations and at the end of each chapter, we provide a short summary of the key takeaways. V-L: How did you meet Eva? EL: Eva and I met in 2016 at a vegan conference on the campus of University of California at Berkeley. Our chance meeting was thanks to vegan pastries. Also, we were both interested in listening to the same speakers. Unbeknownst to one another, we had been for a run in the same canyon that morning and were in the same vegan deli for breakfast, and we had the same list of must-try vegan food spots. During one of our first breaks, off we went to Donut Time. And what sealed the deal was bringing back a box of doughnuts to a macrobiotic cooking presentation. V-L: Why did you write Think Like a Vegan?&nbsp; EL: Despite living on two different continents, we met up every year at a large vegan outdoor festival that took place in various cities in the US and Canada and which Eva helped produce. I volunteered to be in the festival’s “Why should I go vegan? Ask here!�? tent, where I’d answer people’s questions about veganism. Over time, I’ve spoken with thousands of people. In the summer of 2018, after the Toronto festival, we were once again inspired over vegan pastries.&nbsp; We were chatting about our experiences in talking with people about veganism, whether at the festival or just in general. We found people were asking us about veganism and even other vegans would defer to us when asked questions because they didn’t feel confident answering.&nbsp; We don’t feel we have any special powers or knowledge that anyone else couldn’t also share. And we believe everyone is an advocate in their own way. So, we set about thinking what we could do to empower others to think and talk about veganism confidently.&nbsp; Initially, we thought writing the book as a sort of workbook would be sufficient – and that’s what we’ve done with the last chapter of the book with the real-life scenarios it presents. Then, we considered that idea needed more substance to support it. After all, you can’t have a workbook without a proper foundation. And we wanted that foundation to be conversational rather than a lecture on vegan ethics. We wanted people to learn and think about veganism organically, as if they were having a conversation with us about different topics. And that’s how we settled on the format and content for the book. V-L: What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book? EL: Two things. The first is time! Researching, thinking, writing, editing and rewriting are all very time-consuming. And that’s writing the book. Then there’s all the activities related to promoting the book and getting our work out there. That’s also been very time consuming and just as essential as writing the book. I’ve learned so much about video editing, promotion, social media and different styles of communicating that I’d no idea I’d be learning after writing a book.&nbsp; The second thing is understanding the full scale and magnitude of animal agriculture both in terms of the sheer numbers of animals used each year and of economics. It’s one thing to be vaguely aware of it and quite another to have the facts and figures. And it’s all been worth it. V-L: What do you want readers to get out of reading Think Like a Vegan?&nbsp; EL: There’s so much interest in plant-based foods and so many new products. And that’s a great thing! We don’t want the philosophy to get lost though.&nbsp; We want to help someone non-vegan to understand their vegan friend, colleague or family member. We want vegans to think about veganism more fully and be more confident in being advocates in whatever way they choose, even if that activism is living their vegan lives day by day. And if we can do both these things, it means we’ll be encouraging and facilitating positive and productive conversations within and across social communities. Fundamentally, we want people to think about veganism as the simple concept that using animals is unjustified and unnecessary. Including animals, who are sentient like us, in our moral sphere is basic fairness. And we owe them that. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1655459397/Feature_image_11_pic_1_edit_455a588a5c.jpg" alt="Feature image (11) pic 1 edit.jpg">Emilia Leese V-L: Many people have taken an interest in veganism because of environmental concerns. Do you talk about that in your book? EL: We have a chapter dedicated to the environmental impact of animal agriculture. We’ve made sure to cite studies and scientific sources so people can read in more depth if they’re interested. And even within this chapter on environmental concerns, we bring our focus back to ethics because ultimately our moral obligations to those communities on the front lines of climate breakdown clearly intersect with our moral obligations to animals. V-L: And what about health concerns – do you offer readers some insights into that aspect? EL: Our “Healthy and Frugal Vegan�? chapter tackles some of the myths associated with eating a vegan diet. We provide a handy reference to what well-respected medical and dietary institutions say about veganism.&nbsp; We talk about how veganism isn’t either a marker for good or ill health. It can help, sure. But we wanted to ensure the conversation went deeper than that and away from the oppressive, and often ableist, ideas that eating this or that will make one healthy or unhealthy. Health is a complex matter deserving fulsome discussion and not magic foods. And the other big topic we address is food costs and accessibility. Veganism isn’t all about products or about replacing one type of meat for another, plant-based one. So, we talk a bit about cost considerations, comparing a variety of food items, covering subsidies and scale and generally expanding on the usual beans are cheap and vegan cheese is expensive narrative. V-L: You’ve set veganism squarely within social justice. Can you explain that? EL: Although our primary focus is the injustice of animal use, we recognise that society’s systemic injustices are related and interconnected. Seeking a fair world for animals means we must also seek to reject and redress the injustices perpetrated on people. These aren’t mutually exclusive goals, or mutually exclusive ideas. Seeing the vulnerability of one will open our minds, eyes and heart to the other. All human injustices may be opposed, fought, addressed, dismantled, read, written, learned and talked about, whilst sticking to eating plants and being vegan. V-L: During author talks and events, what’s the single most surprising thing for your audience? EL: Many non-vegans attend our book events. Without a doubt it’s the fact almost 83% of global agricultural land is used for animal farming, whether that’s growing the crops to feed animals or grazing or housing them, and animal products only providing 18% of global calories. The next most surprising thing is when they learn 75% of global soya production goes to animal feed, including farm-raised fish. V-L: What’s your elevator pitch for veganism? EL: Like us, animals aren’t things. They feel, think, dream, play, have friends and families. They do these things differently than us, sure. They have different intelligence and skills than we do. And they look different from us. And so what? We all look different or live differently, and have different intelligence and skills. None of these are good enough reasons to exploit and kill anyone. All of us, human or animal, want to live. We all don’t want to be exploited and used as objects. And that’s why we should be vegan.

woman looking in the camera sitting on wooden stairs inside a cottage in the backgroung

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Do you think like a vegan? Emilia Leese discusses how to

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/fgrfc_official/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forest Green Rovers</a> is best known around the world as the first fully vegan English football club. This newly promoted League One side also boasts being the world’s first carbon neutral football club too. Whilst at the club, all players and staff benefit from enjoying a balanced vegan diet, and for some past and present players; this lifestyle has been adopted into their personal lives too.&nbsp; V-Land UK sat down with <a href="https://www.fgr.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forest Green Rovers</a> right-back Kane Wilson, the League Two Player of the Season. The twenty-two year old has made appearances for West Brom and England Junior teams and his vegan journey started before his career at Forest Green Rovers. Kane was also recently crowned Player's Player and Young Player of the Season, as Forest Green Rovers celebrated personal achievements following the final home match of the campaign. V-Land (V-L): Congratulations on the Player of the Season Award. What an achievement! What was it like going out on the stage to receive it? Kane Wilson (KW): Thanks, it was surreal! I thought Matty (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattystevens_98/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matty Stevens</a>) was going to win the Player of the Season award. In my opinion, it could have been eight or nine of us from the team that could have won. Both Matty and Cadds (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nickycadds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nicky Cadden</a>) have had incredible seasons too. But, it was me and I was fully grateful for it. The award will be on my fireplace for a long time as it’s something I am going to be really proud of. I hope my son will be proud of me when he grows up and sees it. I thank the fans, I thank everyone that is involved at Forest Green because without them I wouldn't have got my hands on the award.&nbsp; V-L: What were the celebrations after winning the award like? KW: It was a euphoria that I probably haven’t experienced before which I’m going to chase and keep trying to experience because it is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. It was a weekend to remember, I'll tell you that! V-L: So Kane, how long have you been vegan? KW: I have been vegan for just over two years. I went vegan on my own, then I joined Forest Green a couple of months after. V-L: What made you make the change? KW: I would be lying if I said originally I made the change for environmental reasons or anything like that. I had been suffering from an injury called tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon, a thick tissue that connects muscles to bones) in my knee. It was an injury that was painful, it was inconsistent and it was costing me games in my career. I started researching ways to make it better. I had seen some <a href="https://www.instagram.com/netflix/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Netflix</a> documentaries, like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gamechangersmovie/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Game Changers</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wthfilm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What the Health</a>, and in one of them, there was an athlete who was a similar build to me who suffered from tendonitis his whole career. He went vegan and it nullified it. The vegan diet had helped reduce inflammation; the science behind it was really interesting. From that point I decided I needed to do it, to get rid of this injury. V-L: What kind of impact did the transition have on your injury? KW: Since that point, I haven't suffered with tendonitis since or missed any games that have been in my control. This is the only change I have had to make, and credit to this new lifestyle; everything has settled down. V-L: Tendonitis aside, do you think being vegan has influenced you on the field in other ways? KW: One hundred per cent, coming off the pitch, it helps me recover quicker, which means I can play more too. V-L: Has your journey inspired anyone around you to make the change? KW: My partner has gone a lot more plant-based, purely because we eat meals together. She hasn’t gone fully vegan yet, but maybe one day. Some of my family have tried and some have made changes but not fully there yet either. V-L: For many vegans, criticism for going vegan can become a regular occurrence. In the competitive sporting world, have you experienced criticism for choosing to live a vegan lifestyle? KW: Sometimes being vegan is an easy joke to some, there is a lot of banter amongst male friends, but overall I haven’t really experienced many negative views. Being vegan is a lifestyle choice and no one should judge anyone else’s lifestyle. V-L: That’s encouraging to hear! Is there anything you’d like to say to any sport and fitness readers that are on the fence about making the change? KW: I would say it’s how you feel after doing it, physically and mentally, it is how I view consuming meat, what I take into my body and of course, things like recovery time. The reason I stick to being vegan is the extra energy I get, it’s almost euphoric. It is like a drug, being vegan is a legal high! We couldn’t agree more - thanks for chatting with us Kane and best of luck with the rest of the season, we’re rooting for you! When it comes to sports performance and recovery, plant power is the pioneering way forward. If you’re concerned about protein intake why not try Roots ‘n Shoots vegan protein powder, still not convinced? Check out these <a href="https://www.v-landuk.com/article/5-tokyo-2020-olympians-you-didn-t-know-were-vegan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">five world-class Olympians you didn't know were vegan</a>!

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Being vegan is a real high! Exclusive interview with Kane Wilson

In our modern world, people care more about their health and wellbeing than ever before and are also constantly on the go - so the need for easy-peasy, no hassle products that do all the hard work for us are appreciated. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heyoovit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heyoo</a> have created their vitamin range with this in mind, recognising how an extra dose of daily vitamins can make all the difference, and making it a simple ritual that anyone can fit into their routine to help us seize the day. We tried two products from their range; <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heyoo-Sleepyhead-Effervescent-Tablets-Flavour/dp/B088FT1WB9?ref_=ast_sto_dp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sleepyhead</a>, which helps to reduce daily fatigue and support your immune system, and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heyoo-Mastermind-Multivitamin-60-Tablets/dp/B07X8BST9M?ref_=ast_sto_dp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mastermind</a>, a great all-rounder multivitamin that helps contribute to normal cognitive function. Whilst both are packed full of top quality vitamins, they can be absorbed in different ways, which we think is really important for ensuring we remember to take them daily.&nbsp; We love taking Mastermind as a supplement with breakfast before rushing out the door to start our day - it's a small tablet making it easy to consume and has made a significant improvement to our energy levels, and left us feeling alert for longer periods. The multivitamin includes vitamin C, B6 and vitamin B12 which is particularly important for vegans to include as part of their daily intake.&nbsp; Sleepyhead is a great option for getting a good dose of vitamin C, and comes in the form of a delicious orange flavoured effervescent tablet. This makes it a great alternative to something like squash or a fizzy drink to keep you energised throughout the day, and its portable packaging makes it really easy to take to work or on the go.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.heyoovit.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heyoo</a>’s products are available as a one-time purchase or as a subscription (with a discount!) which come straight to your door, so there’s no more excuses for forgetting! We love Heyoo’s no-nonsense attitude towards nutritional information along with their fun packaging and great quality vitamins, making it easier than ever to say Heyoo to the new you and definitely a supplement to include as a vegan shopping must-have.

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Say Heyoo to the new you: Health and wellbeing vitamins to help you seize the day

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/oneplanetpizza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">One Planet Pizza</a> was the winner of the Favourite Vegan Ready Meal at the VegFest UK Awards 2021 and we can see why. It is pizza with purpose: which hopes to demonstrate that pizza can be delicious and sustainable. Mike Hill, one of the co-founders was kind enough to sit down with us and answer some questions. V-Land (V-L): We saw that One Planet Pizza exhibited at the Natural &amp; Organics Products Europe 2022 show in London? Do you feel that the tide is truly turning towards natural, organic, plant-based foods and that it is not a fad but a serious long-term trend? Mike Hill (MH): Yes, this was the second time that we have attended NOPE, the first was three years ago and it’s amazing to see the changes over that time period. The part of the show dedicated to plant-based brands has doubled and the range of products has increased significantly as well. I think there is an increasing segment of the population that is making decisions about what they buy and use/eat based on health and sustainability factors. V-L: What was it that sparked you to co-found One Planet Pizza? MH: I have always loved cooking – pizzas in particular. Combine this with my long-term beliefs in the power of a plant-based diet, and it seems obvious that I would end up running a vegan pizza company! Six years ago my son and I were thinking about the fact we couldn’t get a good quality vegan pizza and so decided to make them ourselves, the rest is history as they say. V-L: The other co-founder is your son Joe Hill, how has it been working together? MH: Yes, we set up the business together 6 years ago now. It has been a great learning curve for both of us, I have more experience in running a business but Joe is closer to our demographic than me, and leads on marketing and new product development. Our skills are complementary and we are both good communicators and believe in delivering great customer service. I think we work well together but you had better check in with him as well! V-L: How do you hope to change opinions around plant-based eating as fast as the esteemed Sir David Attenborough? MH: The best way of changing people’s opinions about plant-based food is through creating great-tasting options and alternatives to traditional meat and dairy favourites. Pizzas are a great example of this, being one of the most popular fast foods in the world. The frozen pizza market in the UK alone is worth over £600m: if we can grab just 1% of that we have a large business that is making a real impact on the amount of meat and dairy being consumed and therefore on carbon emissions and other environmental impacts that the meat and dairy industry is responsible for. In addition, it’s important that people can afford plant-based alternatives, and we have been working hard to bring our selling price to below £4 per pizza. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1657476751/Image_12_5359888809.png" alt="Image-12.png"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oneplanetpizza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(102, 185, 102);">One Planet Pizza</a> V-L: How long did it take you to formulate the recipe, which you now hope is the best plant-based pizza in the world? MH: We have continued to work tirelessly to improve our pizzas. Pizzas are a combination of 4 key elements – the base or crust, the sauce, the toppings and finally but not least the cheese, or cheeze as we call it! Our base took a few years to get right and changed from a medium crust to a thin crust about a year ago. The sauce is a family recipe that hasn’t changed since we started, with only five ingredients. Our toppings have been perfected until we have now ended up with a classic core range of the four most popular pizza flavours in the Western Hemisphere, and finally the cheeze is something that we helped develop ourselves with our cheeze producer. It is one of the best vegan cheezes out there, not just for the taste but also for the way it melts, and pulls and stretches when it is sliced. V-L: How do you plan to become the number one plant-based pizza brand in the world? MH: We have just launched in the UK in Asda, which is our first UK major supermarket listing, and this will mean we are available throughout the UK in over 500 retail outlets, from local independent health stores right through to a ‘big four’ supermarket listing. But some of our most exciting expansion is overseas, we are already available in over a dozen countries outside of the UK, but this is projected to increase to 20 by the end of the year. Even Australia is interested in taking our pizzas, we just need to work out the best way of getting them there! V-L: Do you have any plans for new flavours and/or new product ranges in the future? MH: We certainly do! We love new product development and have big plans for the next 12 months. Look out for the UK’s first vegan pizza pockets, as well as plant-based cheezy dough balls. In addition, we enjoy collaborating with other brands and celebrities to create ‘mash ups’ as we call them, which focuses on our own website for people to buy them and get delivered straight to their own door. &nbsp;Visit<a href="https://www.oneplanetpizza.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.oneplanetpizza.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">One Planet Pizza</a> to find out more or purchase some of their wonderful pizzas which are also available in over 500 independent stores and retailers across the UK: you can find out where they are located<a href="https://www.oneplanetpizza.com/store-locator/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.oneplanetpizza.com/store-locator/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">here</a>. You can also follow them on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/oneplanetpizza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oneplanetpizza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(75, 172, 72);">Instagram</a>.

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Mike Hill, co-founder of One Planet Pizza: Pizza with purpose

Midge Raymond and John Yunker started Ashland Creek Press when they realised there was a gap for vegan and environmental literature. Other than publishing they also have a passion for providing writing programs that encourage change and question preconceived notions, which they kindly shared with us below. V-Land UK (V-L): What is the Writing for Animals program? Midge Raymond (MR): <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/classes/writing_for_animals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing for Animals</a> is an online writing program designed to help writers become more effective advocates for animals. Originally a four-session live Zoom class, we decided to create an online, self-paced version as well because we had a lot of interest from people who couldn’t make it to the live classes. We also had a lot of international students who got up very early or stayed up very late to take the class, so we thought we’d offer an alternative that would allow for more flexibility.&nbsp; The online program comprises eight lessons that include a video lecture along with writing prompts and handouts. There are also three bonus “deep dive�? sessions that focus on editing, essays, and publishing. All participants receive a copy of <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/books/writingforanimals.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing for Animals: New perspectives for writers and instructors to educate and inspire</a>, which is the collection of articles and essays about writing for animals that inspired the class itself. (VL): What will writers learn in the classes? (MR): Whether they’re writing fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, writers will learn tips and tools for writing about animals with empathy and compassion, and as individuals rather than props in their writing. We also talk about how animal literature has evolved over the past hundred years, how writers might use animal voices in their stories, and how to open readers’ hearts and minds to the difficulties animals face in the twenty-first century — as well as how to navigate the publishing industry as someone who’s writing about animals. (VL): What sorts of reading and writing are part of the course? (MR): Using the book <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/books/writingforanimals.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing for Animals</a> as a guide, we look at historical and contemporary literature with an eye toward examining how animals are treated in literature, both what works well and how we might do better. We study the writing of myriad authors ranging from Brigid Brophy to J.M. Coetzee to Olga Tokarczuk to Stephen King.&nbsp; Writers also get short reading and writing assignments in each class to help them put what they learn into practice in their own work. We offer a lot of writing prompts designed to jump-start new writing, or to find new perspectives on what writers may already be working on. The program is designed for all writers, whether you’re just starting out or whether you have a project in progress. (VL): What happens after writers complete the W4A program? (MR): We have a certificate for those who complete the online program, but best of all, everyone who finishes Writing for Animals becomes part of our W4A alumni community. This means book discounts as well as special readings, workshops, and other events for alumni. And we also celebrate the successes of all of our students. It’s not easy to be a writer, and it can be especially difficult when you’re writing about issues that most people don’t want to be aware of. So we view the class as equal parts education and inspiration — for us as well as the students. (VL): Are there any other courses that Ashland Creek Press offers? (MR): We are thrilled to announce a new class that complements Writing for Animals — it’s called <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/classes/writing_like_animal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing Like an Animal: A Persona Poem Class</a>. Taught by poet and educator Gretchen Primack, this is a two-part program about writing poems in the voice of another, focusing on animals’ agency and selfhood. It’s for poets and prose writers of all levels, and during the two classes participants will read persona poems and write their own.&nbsp; (VL): Where can readers and writers learn more and register for these classes? (MR): On our <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website </a>you’ll find information and registration links for both classes. Both <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/classes/writing_for_animals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing for Animals</a> and <a href="https://www.ashlandcreekpress.com/classes/writing_like_animal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Write Like an Animal</a> have introductory videos on their respective web pages above where you can hear a little from the instructors and get a feel for the video format.

Writing for Animals: Changing perceptions through linguistics

Ray Star is an award-winning author of young adult fantasy, creating stories that centre around global issues like climate change. In addition, her contribution towards creating a better world is furthered by the fact that with every book sale a tree is planted. V-Land (V-L): What was the inspiration behind the book’s protagonist, Peridot? Ray Star (RS): Peridot holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. She is the innocence that remains in our world, the child that doesn’t yet comprehend what a chicken nugget or pork sausage is made from. Her name came to me when I lost my father to pancreatic cancer in 2017. Dad had a Peridot ring that he asked if I would wear when his time came to leave this plane, and go, wherever it is that our life force goes when that time comes. I’ve worn it ever since. It’s on my finger now as I type away. The band is aged, the gemstone scratched and worn. It reminds me not only of Dad, but of the reason it’s on my finger now instead of his, and a few weeks after his funeral this filled me with purpose; no daughter, son, sibling, parent, or friend should have to lose a loved one to the dreaded C word. There are a few C words I detest, and that one trumps them all. Whilst it’s considered common knowledge that one of the main causes of that type of cancer is the foods consumed and circulating within the pancreatic system, it’s not common knowledge to everyone. Yet.If Peridot’s story encourages even one person to move away from animal-based foods to plant-based or vegan alternatives and saves animal lives, or helps the environment in the process, Peridot has served her purpose, and I will have served mine. V-L: What was it like writing your first book? What was the biggest challenge? RS: I genuinely enjoyed writing <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earthlings-Beginning-1-Ray-Star/dp/191452912X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Earthlings</a> and I hope readers feel that sense of enjoyment when they are reading it too. I put my heart and soul into every word: especially the characters, they may be works of fiction, but they are real to me, beside me everywhere I go. I hope they stay with readers too. Everyone needs a Peridot in their life, a Euan, a Phoenix, a Freyja - even a Vallaeartha… although, perhaps not an Alan. He is one dastardly foe. The hardest part of writing <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earthlings-Beginning-1-Ray-Star/dp/191452912X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Earthlings</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dominion-Earthlings-Book-Ray-Star-ebook/dp/B09XHWWQ2B" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dominion</a>, and A Land of Hope and Glory (release date TBC) was the research. To write accurately about speciesism, I had to get my facts straight about it first, and the research process tore my heart in two. To then incorporate that research into the story in a child-friendly approach, was equally as difficult, but I hope I’ve achieved the above whilst still doing justice to the cause. It is my hope to one day open The Peridot Animal Sanctuary and Nature Reserve to help some of the beings mentioned in the trilogy. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1655461028/Image_1_6_pic_2_edit_dd66a2724b.jpg" alt="Image 1 (6) pic 2 edit.jpg"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RayStarBooks/photos/a.105902681160492/451871196563637/?type=3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 138, 0);">Ray Star</a> V-L: When you started writing did you always know that your story would form a trilogy? RS: Truthfully, I didn’t have a plan when I started writing <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earthlings-Beginning-1-Ray-Star/dp/191452912X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Earthlings</a>, I didn’t storyboard or map it out. I had the idea to write a story that puts humans in an animal’s paw prints to create empathy and (hopefully) positive change. The words, characters, and story, found me from there. As it progressed, I realised I couldn’t fit the story into a stand-alone novel and the trilogy started to take form in my mind. Next came the idea to title each book after animal rights documentaries to hopefully gain more awareness for animals, and to substantiate some of the moments that unfold within the chapters. The books within the Earthlings trilogy are in homage to the following documentaries: <a href="https://www.nationearth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Earthlings</a><a href="https://www.dominionmovement.com/watch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dominion</a><a href="https://www.landofhopeandglory.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Land of Hope and Glory</a> V-L: Why did you decide to write Earthlings, Dominion and A Land of Hope and Glory?&nbsp; RS: I could write an entire essay on this one question as it has so many answers, but I’m going to go with the most important answer to me at this present moment in time.I want to save animals. I hope the Earthlings tale achieves that goal. V-L: Why is eco-living so important to you? What does eco-parenting entail? RS: Along my vegan journey of wanting to become healthier, came the desire to want to save animals, and then, on a grander scale, the desire to help save our planet too. That statement, in hindsight, seems rather daft, as I’ve come to realise that the planet doesn’t need saving. We do. Mother Nature is suffering, on an unfathomable level. But, she is also adapting, evolving, changing - as we have forced her to do so. Ultimately, she will survive these changes. Perhaps that’s why it’s called climate change. Not climate end. It’s almost an ironic narrative, that those who will not survive the harshest realities of climate change are those that created it. Us. Humans. And sadly, innocent creatures who have not contributed towards climate change, are likely to be wiped out along with us. Unless of course, we change. Become aware. Live consciously. Evolve. I believe it to be a responsibility for every human on this planet to take accountability for what we are doing to our home and at the very least, try to help it regain balance and beauty once more. To stop taking from Mother Nature and start giving back. I try to do that as much as I can and encourage my children to do the same. V-L: What made you choose to write about parallels of real-world fears and environmental issues and magic? RS: All of the above and more. When I’m passionate about something I can write my socks off about it, so, in a nutshell;I want to save animals and help our world rekindle its former beauty, and I thought a good way to start was to write a story about it. I am a huge believer in the power of intent, and to enhance the probability of my intent becoming reality, I had to incorporate my intent (or as I prefer to call it; magick) into the story. Many dystopian fiction novels have an aura of doom and gloom about them, which is the opposite of what I am trying to achieve with Earthlings. I want people to follow Peridot’s journey and feel inspired, empowered even, to do better, to be better, just as Peridot is trying so hard to do, even with so many odds stacked against her. Peridot’s power is that of the elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mother Nature in all her glory</a>: the ultimate force on this planet (other than time) that is not to be reckoned with. You can rage wars across her lands, detonate bombs on her fields, pillage her forests, pollute her rivers, and massacre her children, but you cannot, and will not, ever, destroy her. Mother Nature will always adapt. Mother Nature will continue to live on. One way or another. The question left on my lips is, will we? V-L: What’s your opinion on a vegan lifestyle? How has it changed your life? RS: I would recommend vegan living to anyone looking to feel happier, healthier, and more connected with the natural world around us. It has enhanced my life in so many ways, it blessed me with my children and two stress-free pregnancies, a happier (and cheaper) way of life, it helped me create a career path I actually enjoy, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll help some others along my way with my lifestyle changes too.Like many others, my only regret is that I didn’t discover veganism sooner. V-L: How important is it to you that your book creates good in the world, both through its message and through planting trees with its sales? RS: It means everything to me. It’s all I want to do. To try to make this world a beautiful place to live again. I hope Peridot’s story leaves readers with a desire to do the same, and if it doesn’t, they’ll have planted a tree for each book they purchase, so it’s a win-win either way. All my works past, present, and future are printed on recycled paper where possible. I plant a tree per paperback copy via <a href="https://ecologi.com/raystarbooks?r=60a7b33b56b35447e37a5b9e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecologi</a>, and in my spare time, I try to raise awareness about the climate crisis and animal rights either via author events, school visits or <a href="https://www.raystarbooks.com/schoolvisits" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing for nature workshops</a>. All anyone can do is try. And a memorable lesson I’ve learnt in life is that often, trying, does the trick in the end. @RayStarBooks<a href="https://www.raystarbooks.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ray Star Books Website</a>

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Ray Star: Writing for nature

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/running_vegan_baker/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amy Hudson</a> is a runner with the Inverness Harriers and not only was Amy the first British Woman past the post in the 2019 Chicago Marathon with a personal best of 2 hours and 58 minutes. She owns and operates “Pure Bakery�? a vegan bakery that produces stunning and delicious celebration cakes. <h2>Andy Stone</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/triathlon_worldrecord_andy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andy</a> has set himself the incredible challenge of competing in 70 triathlons in 70 days. He’s been training for this for the past year and his first triathlon in the challenge takes place on April 4th 2022. However he says his greatest achievement has been being sober for the past 6 years. Inspiring and incredible, he’s already raised over €4000 for various charities. <h2>Chaz Wasserman</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/_chazzyboi_/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chaz</a> is a South African pro MMA Fighter who is also co-owner of Pointbreak Fitness Centre in Cape Town. He is also a fitness trainer and life coach who firmly believes that �?Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside, is what you will manifest on the outside�?. <h2>Chris Smalling</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/smalling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris</a> is a British Footballer who plays for Italian club AS Roma. He and his wife are both vegan and in June of last year he invested in a Spanish vegan meat brand called Heura. He followed his wife in converting to a vegan diet. As he told Forbes magazine “…I realised my tastebuds weren’t more important than the pain of all of these animals and the future of the planet�?. <h2>Fiona Oakes</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oakes.fiona/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fiona</a> has been vegan since the age of 6 and now holds four world records for marathon running. This is despite losing a kneecap due to a tumour at age 17. She owns and runs Towerhill Stables Animal Sanctuary where she cares for over 500 animals. Her book Running For Good is available now and proceeds go to the Animal Sanctuary <h2>James Wilks</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lightningwilks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James</a> was born in Leicestershire and has not only been an MMA fighter he is a vegan activist and film producer responsible for the phenomenal “The Game Changers�? a 2018 documentary film looking at the sports world evolving attitude to plant-based proteins. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/v-land/image/upload/v1655506412/Image_1_5_pic_2_edit_4037c206f9.jpg" alt="Image 1 (5) pic 2 edit.jpg">Victor Freitas <h2>Lawrence Okolie</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lawrenceokolie/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lawrence</a> �?The Sauce�? Okolie, competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is now a professional boxer who holds the current WBO Cruiserweight title. He switched to a vegan diet because he was told that his energy levels would rise and he has never looked back. <h2>Mathew Pritchard</h2><a href="https://www.instagram.com/pritchardswyd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mathew</a> is a pro skateboarder and former tv daredevil and star of Dirty Sanchez and Balls of Steel. He now presents the BBC’s first vegan cookery show, Dirty Vegan which inspired the cookbooks of the same name. During lockdown he completed the challenge of rowing across the Atlantic to raise funds for Dean Farms Trust animal sanctuary, as well as Humen, a men’s mental health charity. <h2>Norma J Reynolds</h2>Although a shocking and horrific car crash almost wrecked her chances, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/normajreynolds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norma</a> has been a champion in the NFF (Natural Fit Federation) since 2018. She’s also a motivational coach and writes and publishes vegan recipes. Not only that she is also a singer/songwriter and linguist.

athlete running on a highway with landscape in the background

Vegans Unite: The Vegan Society UK campaign to get vegan meals in...