Vegan Pizza Hut

A couple of weeks ago I learnt from one of my lovely followers that Pizza Hut are now serving vegan cheese for a limited trial run period at certain selected restaurants (*Update - now available in all Pizza Hut restaurants!). I have to say that I was really surprised when I first heard this as I hadn't seen any promotional ads anywhere for it, but maybe that was just me!? Either way there hasn't been much talk about it online from what I have seen so I decided to go and try it out for myself.

Cosy Candles For Autumn & Winter

Now we are in Autumn, and Winter is just around the corner, it's definitely time a time of year where I love being able to get cosy at home with the help of candles. At the moment I am lighting candles every evening when I sit down to watch TV and there's no denying that they really help me to feel relaxed and  cosy. When the evenings become more darker lighting a candle really is the perfect way to add some extra light and comfort to your room.

The Vegan Kind - #TVK48

This months Vegan Kind box really couldn't have arrived at a better time. I found myself at home on a dreary cold dark day with very little in the cupboards and then when the postman knocked and I saw what was in his arms I really could have hugged him! Sometimes you just really need a little pick me up and this is exactly what this box has become for me. It's the perfect treat for yourself!

My Roo

Until a few weeks ago I had never heard of the organic and free from skincare brand myroo but I am so glad to have been introduced to their products and I have been so looking forward to sharing them with you all too. 

Tibits Bankside

Last weekend we found ourselves in the South Bank area of London and it was the perfect opportunity to try out the new Tibits Bankside restaurant. As soon as I heard Tibits were opening another restaurant I was so happy because this is definitely my favourite place to eat out vegan when I am in London. 

My House Plant Collection

This month I have been taking part in the #myhouseofhouseplants Instagram competition and photo sharing event which has been so much fun! It's been great to be able to share more photos of my house plant collection and get to know some other plant enthusiasts online. It has meant posting a photo a day throughout October which relate to the following daily prompts....

Borough Market

When I lived in South London many moons ago and when I was a student at university, I used to love nothing more than a stroll down to Borough Market at the weekend to pick up some food and to admire the huge array of different delicacies available. I can't quite believe it's taken me so long to plan a return visit, especially as it's not even that far away from where I live in Essex. Anyway, return I did last weekend and it felt so good to be back! I was really curious to see what was available for vegans, especially from the hot street food section, and I couldn't wait to get exploring. 

Chia

Chia in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, has been on my hit list for quite a while so I was really pleased to be able to make the long awaited visit last week for lunch. If you didn't already know, Chia is a completely vegan cafe which has a focus on healthy and nutritious plant based foods. All the photos and reviews I had seen online had me really excited for what was in store!  

Advent Calendar Picks 2017

Yes it really is that time of year again! It's time to start thinking about what advent calendar you'd most like to kick off the festive season with and this year the choices really do seem better than ever. 

Five Documentaries That Will Change Your Life

As the colder weather and darker evenings start to draw in you will no doubt be looking for something decent to watch on your TV or Netflix. Personally I love a good documentary and something that will keep my attention and get me thinking.  

When the people at Panasonic recently got in touch and asked me to put together a post on my favourite and most life changing documentaries it presented itself as the perfect opportunity to share with you all some of the films that have really encouraged me to change my life for the better. They're currently promoting their new Panasonic 4k TV which joins the OLED revolution for a superior viewing experience. Perfect for viewing some of these amazing documentaries on!  

Earthlings

Ok, I'm going to go in with the film most vegans will tell you about - Earthlings. This film is, in it's simplest form, a collection of footage from hidden cameras which documents the practices of industries, and individuals, who depend on animals for financial gain. It's definitely not for the faint hearted and it's a film that haunted me for weeks after watching it. I think when I first saw it I had been dipping a toe into living a vegan lifestyle and it was this film that really pushed me into wanting to make a difference for all animals. This is also the film which made my husband give up meat for good. It's hard hitting, it will probably make you cry, it will certainly make you angry, but it's a film I believe everyone should watch at least once.  

Cowspiracy

Cowspiracy is a documentary that really opened my eyes up to how animal agriculture impacts on our environment. I gave up eating meat primarily for the animals but after watching this film I was truly shocked and amazed by how my diet choices were impacting on the environment we live in. It's a fascinating watch and it had me gripped from start to finish. I also know of a few people who turned vegan after watching this film which is quite something! And, for those who may be worried, there are only one or two very minor scenes of animal cruelty which are bearable to view and won't leave you traumatised. This documentary is in no way as intense as Earthlings but it still hits home and leaves you thinking about it for weeks, even months, afterwards. 

What The Health

If animal cruelty and the environment aren't your areas of concern then maybe your health is? I only watched What The Health quite recently and it left me very thankful for adopting a plant based diet when I did. Again, my health really wasn't linked in any way to my decision to go vegan but it's definitely now a huge plus point to it. This documentary focuses on how the consumption of animal products is linked to disease and what the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries don't want you to know. It will no doubt leave you feeling uneasy and with your jaw dropped.  

Black Fish 

I watched Black Fish many years ago, and well before I took the plunge into veganism, but I will always consider it to be a documentary that awoke something inside of me and it changed me forever. The film itself focuses on the life of Tilikum, a captive Orca involved in the deaths of three individuals at Sea World. Looking back now I can see how this film got me thinking deeper about humans relationships with animals and how we use them against their will for entertainment. I have never since stepped foot back inside a zoo or any business making a profit from the exploitation of animals. This is quite simply a must watch!  

Minimalism  

A documentary which recently changed my life for the better is Minimalism. I sat down to watch this film one evening last year with no expectations and I was completely unaware of how it was about to impact on my life. This documentary explores how material possessions ultimately do not bring us happiness and how we can lead a more meaningful life with less. 'Mind blown' are two words I often use to describe this film! I completely resonated with everything in it and it sparked off the beginning of my own journey into leading a more minimal lifestyle. In fact I started having a clear out immediately after watching it and instantly felt better.

It's actually quite interesting reflecting on the documentaries that have impacted so greatly on me and my life. I honestly do not think my life would look the same as it does today if it wasn't for these films which is quite a crazy thought. 

     

   What documentaries have been life changing for you?

* This post was created in collaboration with Panasonic.  All views & opinions expressed are my own. 

Wagamama Vegan Menu

You may have heard that Wagamama's have bought out a new vegan & vegetarian menu and when I caught wind of this I knew I had to pay a visit to find out what it's like. It had also been quite a while since my last Wagamama's visit so I was looking forward to seeing what's new on the menu. 

New Makeup For Autumn

Whenever Autumn arrives I always feel an overwhelming need to mix up my makeup and my usual routine. Rather than minimal makeup and the barely there lips I enjoyed in the Summer, I now find myself reaching for the more bolder colours and making more of a statement with my looks, especially when I am heading out somewhere. I find that with Halloween season also comes a need to let out my inner vampy-ness and what better way to do it than with makeup! 

My Autumn Bucket List

I feel like a real cliché blogger when I say I love Autumn but I really do! It's my favourite time of the year. I love that Summer is over and the anticipation of new beginnings in the air along with all of the changing colours of nature. I think everything from now until until the new year feels festive and, being my favourite time of year, I really like to make the most of everything. It's also when I feel my most creative and inspired.