Category Archives: Vegetarian/Vegan

Double standards

While watching Countryfile this morning, I was warned of distressing scenes. These came in the form of stock footage of cattle corpses being burnt in the early 2000s foot and mouth outbreak. Then, more recently, pig corpses in Belgium, following the arrival of African Swine Fever.

One wonders why most viewers would be disturbed, since death would inevitably be the end result. But, of course, slaughterhouse scenes are rarely shown on TV.

One proposed solution to the spread of African Swine Fever is genetic engineering. Currently, the approach is is to cull wild boar, to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. There’s apparently some opposition to this, but the main drive isn’t one of animal welfare, but of impact on food production.

The programme has now moved on to fluffy rabbits. They’re cute, so they’re allowed to live out their lives in better conditions. More importantly, they’re allowed to live out their lives.

I Want Junk

Boho was a brilliant vegan restaurant on Pink Lane and I was so disappointed when it closed. But, in it’s place, we have Junk It Up, a vegan fast food place.

We were so impressed with the food.

Sensible

I might have to be sensible more often. After a few pints of Guinness after work, then a takeaway pizza, I retired much earlier than usual.

Which enabled an early start to my Saturday. This morning, at a time I’d usually be eating toast, I’ve already:

– Been to the bank to withdraw boiler funds

– Collected a prescription

– Bought (and consumed) a Greggs’ vegan sausage roll

– Bought my first beer of the day

For the latter, I chose a refreshing blood orange IPA, in the Mean Eyed Cat. Well, after all, I’d usually be drinking orange juice at this time of day.

Weekend

Yesterday afternoon, we paid a visit to the second hand furniture shop in Ouseburn. Where we bought a rather nice mid-Victorian side table. It’s small, but solid mahogany and quite heavy. A bargain at £40.

This was followed by late lunch in the Ship Inn.

Although this picture might give the impression that the place was quiet, the opposite was the case. It’s great to see a vegan pub doing so well. The food was, as usual, really nice.

And I had a pretty good Oakham IPA, the first ever pint of an Oakham beer I’ve tried. And the first I’ve come across that didn’t contain fish.

Then there was tine for a pint in the Cluny before heading home.

Where I spotted a Lovely Eggs poster, for next Friday’s gig (top right).

And a Shiverin Sheiks poster, for next Sunday afternoon. We’ll be there too.

Today was largely spent plastering, which wasn’t as much fun as yesterday.

Marley’s ghost

We also visited Kingston today. Where we went to the Bob Marley museum.

There’s just the one picture, because cameras weren’t allowed inside. But it was worth going. Essentially, it’s a Georgian house, largely as it was intended, apart from the 70s recording studio.

The shot room was a little strange, though. Best look it up.

I did learn something new about the bloke. He was a vegan. Which makes him cool. Forget the music, he was a vegan.

Collagen

Watching Dragon’s Den. Someone’s making gin with collagen.

I do love gin, but I don’t understand why anyone would want to drink such a beautiful thing with the inclusion of liquidised animal tissue.

Fucking disgusting.

Grumpy Panda

I’m still surprised that a vegan fast food place can survive in Gateshead. After intending to visit Grumpy Panda since it opened, we finally made the (short) trip this afternoon.

Well worth it too.

Think this could be a regular thing.