Vegan Easter Ideas

Hi guys

Here are some vegan Easter ideas and where to get them in Australia!

Hot Cross Buns

Available from Woolworths, $4.98. The ones from Coles contain Gelatine. Many organic varieties from health food stores are also vegan. Some chocolate and mocha flavoured can be vegan, too - so check the label!

Ashmore's Strawberries in Dark Chocolate

Available from Myers & David Jones (usually sold in a 'christmas cracker' shaped container, rather than a box). $10-$15.

Pink Lady Eggs and Bunny

Available from Sweet As/Myer/David Jones, $5-$20

Booja Booja Organic Truffles

Available from Health food stores or Cruelty Free Shop, $15-$20 a box

KRAS Cherry Liqueur Chocolate Box

Available from Coles/Safeway in the International Foods section, $5-$7. Some stores do not stock this, so ensure to call first to check.

Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Thins box and Egg

Available from Coles/Woolies/SUPA IGA/Myer/David Jones, $10-15

Sweet Williams Easter Bunnies

Available from Woolworths, Leos, Coles and SUPA IGA (suggest calling to confirm), $4-6

Koko Blacks Truffles

Available from Koko Blacks. Pistachio/marzipan, Mint Fondant and caramelised oranges, $2-2.50each. Can be put into gift boxes - a great gift! The raspberry sorbet martini with pistachio and chocolate is also vegan..as is all their other dark chocolate gift bags and coffee etc.

Lindt Dark Easter bunny

Available from most supermarkets, $4 - $6. The Lindt chocolate eggs are also vegan and available from most outlets.

Choceur Marzipan Eggs and Bunny

Available from ALDI, $3.99+

The Simpsons Dark Chocolate Easter Egg with Jellies

Available at Target (please call to confirm - this item can be a little difficult to find).

Alpha Confectionery

Available at David Jones and many specialty/health/sweet stores. For those in Perth, I know these are at the SUPA IGA in Wanneroo and Kosher Mart in Menora. Most Jewish shops sell Alpha Chocolates...but not really the Easter speciality items, SUPA IGA is the best bet.

Sorini Mint Truffles

Available from Reject Shop, $3

Kirsch Cherries Gift Box

Coco Chocolate in Sydney, $35 (can also order online)

Constant Craving Chocolate Egg with Truffles inside!

Available from Cruelty Free Shop, $17.99 or through Constant Craving

Bonvita Organic Chocolate Egg and Easter Eggs

Available from The Vegan Store
Mini Easter Eggs from Gluten Free Shop



I have only mentioned a handful. There are many vegan chocolates in supermarkets - but for a larger range, I strongly recommend David Jones/Myer and if you are in Melbourne, Radical Grocery.


xx
Amy

Vegan Xmas Chocolate Ideas!

Hi everyone


I decided it is time to steer this blog away from the negativity it has been engaged in, as of late. My blog was never designed to become involved in petty internet arguments - alas, I just can't help but respond when someone says something about Phil or myself, grr! I'm not cut out for all of this debating - i'd much rather theorise about cheesecake consistency or the best type of cappucino froth.

I love Xmas! No, really, I do. I like decorating my home in festive decorations and doing the whole tree and present thing. As materialistic as it may be, it's just...fun! Indeed, I have the 'The Virus' (Read: Affluenza) - but at least I am aware of it ;)

I have put together some ideas for vegan chocolate presents. Chocolate is the best kind of present as you can give it to anyone and as an added bonus, it is a really great 'how can this be vegan' conversation starter! For me, chocolate is a vital part of my life. I see it as a core part of vegan mainstreaming (That is what I tell myself to justify my mass consumption of it hahaha).




Coco Chocolate (Store in Sydney, deliver Australia wide)
Coco specialises in Fine Organic Chocolate. Coco only sells 'real chocolate'; that is chocolate with high cocoa content and all of the expensive & delicious cocoa butter.
Coco Chocolate is made by our artisan chocolatiers in Australia & Scotland using the finest ingredients. We hand temper our chocolate on marble slabs and create a range of stunning chocolates with fruits, spices and peppers. We are advocates of organic farming, ethical trading and non GM ingredients.

Anthon Berg Liqueur Chocolate Gift Boxes
(Available in all major department stores - Big W, Kmart & Target)

Various types of dark chocolate gift boxes are available in the Anthon Berg range. The cream cocktail range is also vegan.

Sacred Chocolate (Raw, Deliver Australia wide)
Sacred Chocolate^® is hand made with much love, gratitude, and high “phi-bration" in a small custom-designed, certified organic, vegan, kosher, halal, carbon balanced factory in San Rafael, California. We are committed to providing the most exceptionally tasting and nutritionally beneficial chocolate, and educating people on the super-food properties of RAW chocolate.

Others:

• Patons dark chocolate toffee macadamia gift box (MYERS)
• Strawberry dipped in chocolate truffle gift box (MYERS) (looks like a christmas cracker)
• KOKO Blacks pistachio truffle, mint truffle and caramelised chocolate orange (Applies to Melbournians only. Great in a gift box)
• SAN CHURROS rose truffle, hot chocolate gift packs, almond chocolate gift boxes (Applies to Melbournians only)
• Walkers dark chocolate mint, rum & raisin & ginger gift box (Available in Kmart)
• Guylian Solitare gift box (Available from MYERS)
• Chocolatier dark chocolate thin gift box (Available in all leading department stores)
• Booja Booja gift boxes (Available from health food stores or buy online at Vegan Perfection)
• Alpha Confectionary gift boxes (Available from MYERS, David Jones and various other stores)
• Constant Craving Truffles (Available only by online order - really bad website though!)
• Ballantyne Ginger Lovers gift box (Available from most super markets and department stores)
• Loving Earth Raw Chocolate (Raw. Available from many health food stores)
• Lindt /Whittakers / Pink Lady Dark Chocolate bars
• David Jones dark chocolate range

There are, of course many more! If it says dark chocolate - check the label! If there are any mistakes in this list, please email me.

I hope I have helped you with some chocolate gift ideas for all occasions! Remember, we can mainstream veganism one truffle at a time :)


Cheers
Amy

Vegan Products List (Available in Australia)

Hi everyone

Here is a list of all the items available in stores that happen to be vegan*. I encourage you to add to my list or inform me if something is wrong, so I may publish this as a PDF for distribution. If I have not mentioned where to buy these, then this implies they are available in most supermarkets.

*(This list may; 1) Include items which have been processed on equipment which also produces dairy/egg products 2) Include companies that are not vegan themselves (P&G, for example) 3) And, may contain palm oil. It is up to you where you draw the line. Take soy milk, for example. Vitasoy is owned by National Foods who also produce dairy products. However, I strongly believe in supporting any non vegan company's vegan product. By increasing demand for their vegan products, we are assisting in the mainstreaming of veganism. This list is not to discourage supporting the 100% vegan companies, but rather, this list is designed to simply make your life easier :-D)


Cheese/Cold Dairy
1) Tofutti Cheese slices (Supa IGA, some Coles/Woolies or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
2) Tofutti Cream Cheese (Some supermarkets and speciality stores or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
3) Tofutti Sour Cream (Some supermarkets and speciality stores or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
4) Sheese Vegan cheese (Strong 'cheddar', smoked, edam from Radical Grocery)
5) Kingland or Soygurt soy yoghurts (note: soy life yoghurt is not vegan)
6) Rich's and Hadars vegan cream - BEST cream you will ever use (Kosher supermarkets and speciality stores)
7) Vegan Margarine (Nuttelex, Coles margarine spread, 5 STAR Margarine)

Savoury
1) Praise fatfree mayo
2) Masterfoods bacon bits
3) Birds eye corn fritters
4) Homebrand (Woolworths) garlic bread
5) Coles and Aldi onion rings
6) Coles salt and vinegar chips (BBQ is TBC)
7) Kettle salt and vinegar chips
8) Coles Hot Cross buns
9) Masterfoods traditional tartare sauce
10) Massel brand 'chicken' and 'beef' stock cubes and powder
11) Coles Worcestershire sauce
12) Gravox traditional gravox
13) Pringles texas bbq and bacon flavoured chips
14) Healtheries poato stix, chicken and potato flavours
15) Herbert Adams vegetable pies
16) Coles veggie spring rolls
17) IGA brand BBQ 'pringles'
18) Aldi onion rings
19) SPC spaghetti
20) Massel Supreme gravy
21) French fries (plain and salt and vinegar)
22) Dashan samosas and vegetable spring rolls
23) Salada (original, wholemeal, multigrain, saltine)
24) Vita Wheat (original, 9 grain, sesame, soy and linseed, cracked pepper)
25) Water Crackers (original, sesame, cracked pepper)
26) Lemon crisp
27) Heinz 8 vegetable soup and vegetable barley soup
28) IGA olive bread
29)- Kraft Peanut Butter (Smooth & Crunchy)
- Kraft Light Peanut Spread (Smooth & Crunchy)
- French Classic Dressing
- Balsamic Italian Dressing
- Italian Classic Dressing
- Free Balsamic Italian Dressing
- Free French Dressing
- Free Italian Dressing
- Vegemite
- Tomato & Basil Deli Spread
- Capsicum & Chilli Deli Spread
- Roasted Eggplant & Garlic Deli Spread"
30) Lazuppa Soup range (sweet corn, spinach and capsicum, minestrone, lentil, capsicum)
31) Tasty Bite Indian microwavable meals (Coles and Woolworths)
32) Osem Chicken Flavour Noodle Soups (Specialty stores and Kosher supermarkets)
33) Vegetarian Oyster Sauce (Cruelty Free Shop Online)

Mock Meats
1) FRYS range (Sausages, beef patties, chicken schnitzels, cottage pies) (Woolworths) (For their extended range you will need to go to a Kosher Mart. They also sell polony, beef strips, mince etc)
2) Sanitarium veggie hot dogs, veggie roast, nut meat, casserole mince
3) Red wood mock meats range (bacon rashers, pepperoni/ham slices)

Sweets
1) Cottees thick and rich chocolate topping
2) Coles brand strawberry topping (Coles)
3) Cadbury drinking chocolate (and many other brands)
4) Quick set Aeroplane Jelly
5) Pre-made jelly available in cold section (green only, red contains carmine)
6) BIG W frog lollies (BIG W)
7) BOLS licorice bullets, hard jube lollies, lemon sherberts, rainbow laces, sour straps (it was believed that their soft jubes, mint leaves and wildberries were vegan but they are NOT anymore)(KMART)
8) Black and Gold milk bottle lollies (SUPA IGA)
9) Starburst jellybeans
10) Skittles (this is not confirmed, as the coating may contain Shellac - TBC)
11) Coles choc mint crunch lollies (Coles)
12) Pez bonbons
13) Chupa chup fruit lollipops
14) Sherbies lollies (TBC)
15) Fruit tingles
16) Mentos
17) Nannas Lite Apple Pies and Mixed Berry Apple Pies
18) Darrellea licorice (most flavours)
19) Lifesavers
20) Aldi breakfast muffins (TBC)(Aldi)
21) Golden Days sesame snaps in plain and dark chocolate
22) X-treme sour straps (cola, strawberry)
23) Greens Lolly Gobble bliss bombs (original and butterscoth)
24) Candies Marshmallows (Cruelty Free Shop Online)
25) VANS Waffles (Health food stores such as Habibs on Flinders St or www.vansfoods.com)

Cake/Cakemixes/Baking
1) Homebrand/Black and Gold vanilla, butter and chocolate cake mix, pikelet mix, custard mix
2) Homebrand dark cooking compound chocolate
3) Pampas pastry (puff, shortcrust)
4) Sweet William dairy free choc chips (Health food shops or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
5) White chocolate chips (Kosher supermarkets or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
6) Aldi Blueberry muffin mix (As well as many other cake mixes in stores. Especially in the health food sections)
7) Condensed Soy MIlk (Go Vita in KNOX City, various health food stores or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
8) Orgran Egg Replacer (most supermarket health aisles or Cruelty Free Shop Online)

Chocolate
1) Guylian Solitaire chocolates (Myers)
2) Lindt dark chocolate blocks (72% and above)
3) Whittakers dark chocolate blocks (dark ghana, zesty orange (TBC), rum & raisin)
4) Odense marzipan (Myers and David Jones)
5) Blackwood Lane marzipan (Myers and David Jones)
6) Aldi Moser Roth dark chocolate (chilli, almond/orange, mint, plain) (Aldi)
7) Anna's ginger lays
8) Mrs Mays nut clusters (TBC)
9) Alpha confectionary range (Alex's Kosher Supermarket in Caulfield)
10)Bonbar dark chocolate and coconut bar (Health food stores, Lord of the fries)
11) Bonbar dark chocolate and nougat bar (Health food stores, Lord of the fries)
12) Sweet William chocolate spread
13) Cocoa Rhapsody bars (Serious Dark, Dark Nut Cove, 70%, Jaffa, Mint Condition, GingerSpiced. Visit their website)
14) Constant Craving chocolates (Coffee, Scorched Almond, Jaffa Delight, Toffee Crunch, Coconut Rough and Apricot Dream. Visit their website)
15) Eden Handmade chocolates (White, Dark or "Milk" varieties. Email them for info on delivery in Aus: sodapopz@hotmail.com)
16) Sweet William dairy free chocolate bars and multi packs (Some Woolworths/Coles)
17) Chocolatier dark chocolate thins (Kmart / Target)
18) Pink Lady dark chocolate (Myers)
19) Cocolo dark premium chocolate (Woolworths/Coles)
20) Ballantyne Giner Lovers (most supermarkets and chocolate shops)
21) Plamil organic premium chocolate (organic shops)
22) Artisse organic dark chocolate
23) Booja Booja organic truffles (Around Midnight Espresso, Hazelnut Crunch Rocher, Ginger Wine, French Champagne, Cognac Flambeed Banana. Buy from: Vegan Perfection)
24) Loving Earth raw chocolate bars (most organic/health food shops)
25) Loving earth raw chocolate spread (most organic/health food shops)
26) Lindt Swiss Thins (David Jones)
27) Walkers after dinner mints, chocolate mint leaves (BIG W, Kmart)
28) White chocolate chips (Kosher supermarkets or Cruelty Free Shop Online)
29) KRAS boxed cherry liqueur dark chocolates (Coles - International Foods section)
30) Reject Shop cherry liqueur dark chocolates (Reject Shop)
31) Reject Shop dark chocolate mint truffles (Reject Shop)
32) Personal favourite: Coco Chocolate, Superior Organic Handmade Chocolates (Buy vegan gift boxes, hampers, blocks - very high quality, great for gifts)

Biscuits
1) Oreos (original) (strawberry contains carmine)
2) Arnotts raspberry shortcake biscuits
3) Arnotts lemon slice biscuits
4) Arnotts choc ripple biscuits
5) Arnotts nice biscuits
6) Hob Nobs biscuits
7) KRAS Napolitanke wafers (all flavours - but not the one in the bigger packet, only the ones in the smaller packs)
8) Homebrand gingernut biscuits
9) Eskal scottish shortbread (International foods section in Coles/Woolies)
10) Aldi Spekulatius biscuits (Aldi)
11) BBQ Shapes
12) Coles freshly baked ANZAC biscuits (Coles)

Cereals
1) Nutrigrain
2) Cocopops
3) Rice Bubbles
4) Weetbix choc malt bites
5) Cheerios (TBC)

Icecream
1) Frosty fruits (NO LONGER VEGAN, now contains gelatine)
2) Most icy poles such as Lifesavers, Twin Pole etc
3) So Good chocolate, vanilla, chai latte (now discontinued), strawberry
4) Kosher STREETS brand sells vegan magnums, cornettos, icecream tubs (Buy from Alex's Supermarket in Caulfield, Victoria or Kosher Mart in Menora, Perth)
5) Spoil me raw (raw, available in health food shops only)
6) Nushies icecream (raw, available in health food shops only)
7) Calippos
8) Gelativo dairy-free fruit sorbet
9) Weis fruit flavoured sorbet

Alcohol
Refer to: Vegetarian Network Victoria's Alcohol List

Whats Not Vegan That Used To Be
Apart from the obvious ;)

1) Soy Life yoghurt (contains animal derived vitamin D)
2) Soy milks containing vitamin D
3) BOLS soft jubes, wildberries and mint leaves
4) Frosty Fruits

Merry Saturlina

Hi everyone

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday. I have a break from work for a few weeks and have not posted in a while, so decided to today. I have faced many iffy situations over the past few weeks which are indeed bloggable, however, i just could not be bothered and have been far too busy buying into consumerism!

I recently watched FOOD MATTERS, an interesting documentary about the medical industry and nutritional therapy. Here is a synopsis; "Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine, And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food." - Hippocrates That is the message from the founding father of modern medicine echoed in this brave new documentary film brought to you by Producer-Directors James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch. 'Food Matters' is a hard hitting, fast paced look at our current state of health. Despite the billions of dollars of funding and research into new so-called cures we continue to suffer from a raft of chronic ills and every day maladies. Patching up an over-toxic and over-indulgent population with a host of toxic therapies and nutrient sparse foods is definitely not helping the situation. In a personal quest of discovery James & Laurentine together with a film crew and the editorial and production expertise of Enzo Tedeschi have set out on an independent mission to uncover the wholesome truth. The filmmakers have interviewed several world leaders in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic illnesses as fatal as terminally diagnosed cancer. 'Food Matters' seeks to uncover the business of disease and at the same time explore the safe, cheap and effective use of nutrition and supplementation for preventing and often reversing the underlying causative aspects of the illness. With the premise of the film being: access to solid information helps people invariably make better choices for their health. The 'Food Matters' duo have independently funded the film from start to finish in order to remain as unbiased as possible, delivering a clear and concise message to the world. Food Matters."

However, I hear that FOOD INC. is better. I have not got my hands on that DVD as yet. Food Matters has got me eating far more nutrients and raw foods in my everyday diet :)

(Edit: FOOD INC. I did not like. It is very pro happy meat which I found unsettling).

I read this great post by Gary Francione on his website ABOLITIONIST APPROACH...I felt it was very appropriate;


"Speciesism occurs when we accord a different weight to a similar interest on the basis of species.
An example of speciesism is vegan bashing. We all agree that human slavery—however “humane”—is morally unjustifiable. But animal slavery—if “humane”—is defended by some so-called animal advocates who characterize veganism as “absolutist” or “purist” or “fundamentalist.” This is speciesist. Nonhuman animals have an interest in not being treated as human resources just as humans have an interest in not being treated as the resources of other humans.
I am an absolutist about human slavery. Humane slavery—however “humane”—is not morally justifiable. I am absolutist about racism, sexism, and heterosexism: I think that all of these forms of discrimination are unacceptable and that we should not promote “humane” versions of discrimination. I am an absolutist about animal exploitation, which cannot be justified even if “humane” (which it is not in any event because of the property status of animals). To be vegan is not to be “absolutist” in any way that is different from being an “absolutist” with respect to the fundamental rights of humans.To maintain otherwise—to engage in vegan bashing—is merely an example of speciesism."

I am an absolutist about fundamental human rights. Torture, rape, child molestation, etc.—however “humane”—are not morally justifiable.

And in signing off...here's a hilarious little comic;

Pets

Friends

My current stance seems to be wavering. On one hand, I think that though we are indeed aiming to abolish the cycle of breeding more animals as 'pets', we have a moral obligation to assist those already in this system (e.g dogs in pounds etc). But also, part of me thinks that we should be able to co-exist - why do we say animals cannot be part of our society? isn't THAT speciesism? 

Other individuals who disagree with me state that it is hypocritical having this stance because in owning a pet I am displaying that I am supporting the system and perpetuating the idea of animals as property. And, in supporting this idea, I may also support the notion of dumpster meat eating (by vegans) as it is the same concept.

I have been toiling over this. My ideas in relation to that argument are;

1) Everything we do can be hypocritical. The only way to be a true vegan is commit suicide. In eating a Vegie Burger on the side of the street it can, to a passer by, perpetuate the idea that burgers are good and go eat a beef burger - not knowing the reasons behind that very burger. Similarly, a passerby may not understand my reasons for homing a rescued animal and assume it the norm and do their daily business. This leads me into point two...

2) It is worthwhile in weighing up the benefit you can have in abolishing the system whilst being amongst it and educating the public as opposed to displaying no compassion and remaining out of the system. In being 'in it', not only do i maintain the opportunity to help lives, but I also maintain myself in a position to teach others about it and begin the snowball effect of rejection of a) breeders/pet shops and b) bringing more into existence (desexing).

From this thread I quite liked Silverfire's response and sums things up nicely:

"We could act like perfect beings in a perfect world.

Instead, I believe we must act like compassionate beings in an imperfect world.

We must of necessity 'pick up' after those who don't feel the need to. The world will remain this way until a critical mass is reached.

I don't believe this critical mass will be reached by point blank refusing to care for lost, abused and abandoned animals. I'm quite certain that the abuse will continue. It will be 'hid' by less compassionate means.

I think we need to work toward a more compassionate world on all fronts, and by demonstrating leadership.

Leadership and wisdom are not demonstrated by the widescale abandonment of either children or animals. "

3) I see a big difference between a vegan homing a rescued animal and eating the flesh of a dead animal. Yes, both perpetuate the idea of animals as property - but the key difference is that the pet issue is an exceptional case as through participating in the system, we can indeed work together to slowly abolish it whilst at the same time working together to assist the 'slaves'.

In homing a rescued animal and taking up every opportunity to talk about it you're a) starting to mainstream rejection of the continuation of the system (long term) and b) helping a life (short term).

4) It is EXACTLY like open rescue. Though our desired end result is abolition - in the short term we help as many as we can now, try to protect the ones trapped in the objectifying system whilst working slowly to change it.

5) It's our nature to nurture and care. We should not reject this. We nurture children, same as how we nurture our non human friends - what we need to do now is discontinue classing them as beneath us or 'ours'. So, let's try to work together compassionately. Threads like this are a great read: http://www.vegsoc.org.au/forum_messages.asp?Thread_ID=4082&Topic_ID=8

And they get me to wonder whether co-existing is possible? But if we did choose this path would we be able to remove the property status of non humans?

x

A

Calling for the divinity to prevail!!

Hi everyone

My friend Tom sent me an article about how South Africa are wanting to slaughter ten cows to 'bless' the ten stadiums for the World Cup.

Mkiva states, "We must have a cultural ceremony of some sort, where we are going to slaughter a beast. We sacrifice the cow for this great achievement and we call on our ancestors to bless, to grace, to ensure that all goes well. It's all about calling for the divinity to prevail for a fantastic atmosphere,”

The whole thing baffles me. How can humans consider the slaughter of an innocent animal be a method to call upon the divine? How can we be so void of rational thought or compassion that we fail to see what we are really doing?

I say these South African officials need to go buy some FRY's Chicken Schnitzels or Sanitarium Hot Dogs and have a BBQ! I am sure that would generate more delusional blessings than their cow slaughter ;)

This is what we need more of...

I found this article entitled; Turn Over a New Leaf, Vegan Diets are Moving More Solidly into Mainstream.

This article had an almost orgasmic reaction from me. This is what we should ALL be aiming for.

Here's a snippet of the article; "But forget the things you've heard about this type of cooking being boring and tasteless. Vegan gourmet is in, and that's no tofu baloney.

Vegan cookbooks, complete with glossy, gastro-glam pictures and sassy attitude, are sprouting like wheatgrass.

BabyCakes, a high-profile Manhattan vegan bakery, and other upscale vegan confection shops have propelled the vegan baking movement into the mainstream."

"As recently as five years ago, a vegan diet was considered alternative and radical," says Mary Lawrence, owner of Well On Wheels, a Connecticut-based personal-chef service that provides vegan meals prepared in clients' homes. "Now, with the new emphasis on healthy lifestyles, people are more open and interested."

Lawrence, who also teaches vegan cooking classes, says the availability of ingredients and meat alternatives has made vegan eating an easier choice."

This is what we need to be aiming for in our community - mainstreaming veganism into the norm! By doing so, we will encourage others to adopt it and learn the reasoning behind it. In sending death threats or putting slaughterhouses on fire, we create the image that we are indeed extreme, radical and violent. People like Pip with her delicious food blog...or Tart n Round cafe on High St, they do more for our cause than that PeTA donation or violent behaviour. I know I have said this over a million times, but some people just don't get it!

:)

x

A