A title which sums up this blog; erm. Dinner parties, more Kelly Clarkson, lack of Vegan months, Texican.

Okay, why have I only been Vegan for 6 months? It seems like way longer than that to be honest. It seems like ALOT longer than that, and to think I was eating cow puss and chicken period a mere 6 months ago actually makes me feel sick.

It also saddens me that I have to wait a further 6 months before I can get tattooed 'Vegan'. Oh well.

Anyway, I went to an Indian vegan night at my cousin, Kate's the other night. It was pretty good, I made .. er... Mark Masala, it was supposed to be Tikka Masla, but I forgot how to make it to be honest, so I just made it up - to be fair, I hadn't made it since I used to eat death things - but, it wasn't bad at all!

I also attempted to make Bombay Potatoes - although this turned into Bombay mash - I told you, I 'can't' follow recipes! Needless to say, it didn't go down too well. Kate mate a chickpea curry, with spinach and things - and although I'm not a big fan of chickpeas it was really nice. She also made Bhajis and attempted to do Samosas, but they said no.

It was a pretty good night though, apart from me being hungover - but meh.

The next vegan night is going to be Mexican (which this one was supposed to be, but Kate got a new fryer and wanted to make Bhajis,). I'm hosting this time, and I'm actually pathetically excited. I'm going to invite more people though, because at Kate's there was just four of us, and we wanted lots of food, and there was too much for just us.. ha.. so yes, more people, wider variety of food.

I actually want to go all out and have Mexican decorations and all, although I probably shouldn't, my bank might shout. =(. BUT, I do have the menu sorted, and I think i'm going to do it buffet style where you just help yourself to bits and bobs rather than a set menu.

We're be having: (clears throat, sounds excited and slightly proud): Chili SIN Carne, Tex-Mex beans, Gaucamole (home made ofc), plenty of different salsas, Wedges (not traditional, but hey), chili sin (yet kinnnd of con) Questo, Baked Potatoes (again, not Mexican, but will go well anyway), Pico De Gallo, Nachos, Borracho and Cinnamon Torilla Crisps for dessert. =P I'll probably end up adding other random things too...

AND, drink-wise - Sangria (vegan, ofc) Aguas Frescas (amazing drink which I trailed earlier), Magarita, Corona and a bit of Coke for the less adventurous sort.
Of course, the Corona comes with lime, and the Magarita glass comes salted. =P

So food is Tex-mex, or as I've taken to calling it, Texican or as a place Texico.... by mistake, and because I'm a bit of a spaz who gets confused, but let's ignore that, it works. Also gives me a great excuse to have a bit of Kelly Clarkson, the wonderful vegetarian, Texan singer as backing music. =P As well as, of course, the old Mexican HHAAA YAA CHA CHA YA YA HAAAAAA music, or whatever Mexican music is like? Yeah. Google.

Wanna come? DO! It'd be super - you have to pledge to wear funny hats and mustaches though... and bring maracas and cacti.... or just some salsa or something.

Anyway, I'm going to go and research Texan/Mexican/Texican music now.

Goodhike.

Indian Takeaway

Ok, so I've been a bad blogger and it's actually been exactly a month since I've updated - but that's not out of character for me at all. I did, however, find an Indian Takeaway whose Vegetarian dishes are all vegan as they don't use any animal fats since the owners mother apparently had a stroke and he has now learned to cook of of his dishes 'healthily'. I probably wouldn't trust anywhere else, but these guys seem pretty decent.

They even have a live webcam stream from their kitchen - which is pretty awesome and if you order online, it gives you a count-down to how long your order and you'll soon be able to track your delivery! He's also developing the worlds hottest curry, and a fully automated Indian restaurant - if you're in the Stoke area you should definitely give them a go!

On another note, I've been trying some of these wierd and wonderful vegan products, the meat and dairy 'style' ones, none of which I've been all that impressed with Redwoods's 'bacon' was pretty pointless really, didn't taste/look/feel anything like bacon and didn't add anything to the meal. The Turkey 'style' slices wernt too bad though, they were pretty good on a sandwitch.

The 'Sheese' mature chedder was one of the worst things I've tasted in my life. It was just awful and smelled of feet.

I've heard nothing but good about Redwoods ‘Super Melting Cheezly’ though, so I'll have to give that a try!

Another thing I've noticed, Soya milk - there's SO much difference in the taste in this it's unbelievable. I've been trying loads of different brands, and mixing between the stuff you get in the fridges and the stuff you get on the normal shelves (what IS the difference between those?!) because all I've noticed the is the ones on the selves are alot cheeper and very disgusting! Best value I've found so far is Morrison's own brand (from the frdige) - I think it was around 88p /ltr and it was really nice!

One thing which has caught my attention in recent weeks is PETA, I'm growing pretty fond of these guys and the work that they do - especially after reading their blog. There's some pretty good reading on there. I think I may become a member when I get some spare cash, actually!

In the world of weight loss it's now starting to go pretty well, I've cut out 80-90% of the (bad) carbs I was having before - potatoes, white bread, white pasta, white rice etc and replaced them with wholegrain/meal/wheat/whatever and I think it's working pretty well! Woohoo!

I also rejoice in the fact that Bryan Adams has been vegan for 20 years. It almost makes me want to like his music! Try Youtubing him though, it's really strange!