Rediscovering a vegan-friendly lifestyle store: Jan de Vries blogger event

Sometimes it seems as if some stores are new to the scene, when in fact they have been around for a long time. My bus route takes me past the big Holland and Barrett store on the East End of Princes Street and I pass by their smaller store on Shandwick Place all the time, but little did I know that Jan de Vries was just around the corner on Queensferry Street.

Vegan Asian-style food in Edinburgh: review of Wee Buddha

As a Chinese living abroad, finding genuine Asian food that I remember from growing up in Hong Kong isn’t all that easy. The reason being no matter what country you live in, when you want to try and eat food from other countries, the restaurants and takeaway shops usually tailor recipes and only offer dishes that the population in that specific country prefer. For example, in Edinburgh I’ve noticed sweet and sour dishes I used to order sometimes were bright fluorescent orange and smell of vinegar with battered pieces of meat and a lot of dishes contain really strong flavours of fruit, so much so you can’t really taste what it is you’ve ordered. This isn’t really something you see often in Hong Kong.

One place that has been a real hidden gem is wee buddha on Jamaica Street. With a separate vegan menu offering Asian food, I was excited to see what they had to offer.

Vegetarian/vegan fine dining: review of David Bann

David Bann on St Mary’s Street (just off Cowgate and near Scottish Parliament) will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the restaurant the OH brought me to for our first Chinese New Year’s celebration together and we revisited the restaurant again for Chinese New Year this year. On the day of Chinese/Lunar New Year, Chinese people give the animals a day of rest from slaughter and choose to eat vegetarian for one day. I’m happy to say I no longer hold onto any guilt for only giving them one additional day and having that reprieve shortly taken away when the workers return the next day for work. I’m pleased to say that being vegan means giving more animals a chance to be free from pain and suffering, 365 days a year.

So what does this have to do with David Bann: vegetarian restaurant?

Another vegan pasta recipe: kale pasta

I like to take inspiration where I can for quick and easy meals to cook at home. With the OH being a chef who also likes some variety in what we eat (unlike me who’s quite happy to stick with the same ol’ meals day after day), it’s a nice challenge to know what else I can rustle up for lunch or dinner on a whim.

A lot of friends have commented how celebrity chefs like to share meals that are ‘quick and easy’ and oh so simple to make in 5 minutes, but it never works out that way. Derek and Chad Sarno of Wicked Healthy are great for sharing quick and easy recipes like this pasta dish below because when they say it’s quick and easy, it really is.

Review of The Caffeine Drip: South African cafe and bakery – NOW CLOSED

Updated: It is with great regret that The Caffeine Drip announced yesterday they will now be closed.

If you’ve ever had a dish that you thought you couldn’t live without as a non-vegan, I guarantee someone else has come up with a vegan alternative recipe that tastes just as good, if not better, than the dish you remember. For a while, I’d been thinking about making my own French toast at home, I even pinned several recipes to try, but when I found out The Caffeine Drip served French toast, I was more than happy to give this South African cafe/bakery a go.

DIY noodle bowl: review of Red Box Noodle Bar, Edinburgh

If there was a way to create your own bowl of noodles, in such a way that means even vegans can enjoy it without the restaurant making any changes, would that be fantastic? Say no more, Red Box Noodle Bar on West Nicholson Street has you covered.

Quick and simple vegan recipe hack: linguine mushroom bolognese

Nothing excites me more than seeing the abundance of vegan options being offered at restaurants and supermarkets now, especially the Wicked Kitchen range that’s gaining momentum in Tesco stores across the UK (see my review of the products I’ve sampled so far here), but the OH and I do enjoy cooking our own meals at home too.

I loved the idea of using mushrooms as a vegan alternative to minced beef and instead of using soy mince. We try not to cook with processed foods too often preferring to cook our own meals with whole foods and enhancing flavour with herbs and spices. Trying my hand at making a dish similar to the Wicked Kitchen Nana’s linguine mushroom bolognese was so fun and simple, I really enjoyed making it myself.

Mexican market dining: review of Wahaca, Edinburgh

Looking to the markets of Mexico for inspiration, wahaca was born from our love of fresh, honest, Mexican market food.

– Thomasina Miers, Co-founder Wahaca

It wasn’t that long ago, maybe a matter of months, that I read a notice about the exciting introduction of vegan options at Wahaca. I’ve passed by the bright fluorescent neon pink light of their logo at St Andrew’s Square in Edinburgh, but never knew what they had to offer.

Chain Mexican street food restaurant Wahaca offers a seasonal menu using fresh local as much as possible to recreate flavours from Mexico. With a South American vibe in decor, it’s hard not to feel happy and groovy when dining here.

The Creative Craft Show and Scottish Quilting Show, SEC Glasgow

Fancy getting creative in 2018? Then a trip to The Creative Craft Show and The Scottish Quilting Show is a must.

The co-hosted shows are back at Glasgow’s SEC on March 8 – 11 bringing together over 100 exhibitors showcasing artisan, handcrafted gifts, supplies and inspiration and demonstrations for crafters and quilters.

Launch of the vegans: review of Tesco’s vegan Wicked Kitchen range

TO coincide with Veganuary last month (the charity awareness month for veganism in the month of January), British multinational supermarket Tesco launched their range of vegan ready meals and wraps/sandwiches about a month ago (see here). Together with their Executive Chef and Director of Plant-Based Innovation, and Veganuary Ambassador, Derek Sarno, vegans around the UK flocked to their nearest Tesco store to try and get their hands on the Wicked Kitchen products.