BEAR, LOOKING AT INGREDIENTS

BEAR, THE NOT SO MYSTERIOUS SHOPPER
LOOKING AT INGREDIENTS

SAY WHAT?

Lately, I've been taking a closer look at the ingredients in Vegan food. What's really in 'em? I looked at a few ingredients in popular Vegan foods, and I can't say I'm impressed.

COCONUT MILK

I looked at all the different products pertaining to be “coconut milk” and it doesn't look good. The main ingredient is water, guar gum, and “coconut essence”. Is coconut essence an artificial flavoring? I would imagine that the way this product is created there's little or no nutritional value at all.

I don't think I'll be using such products in my cooking. I was looking at alternatives…

This product by Koko could be good. But after consuming a chocolate based coconut yogurt, I'm hesitant to give this a try.

Coconut cream looks like a good solution.

SAY CHEESE!

What does “Vegan flavour” actually mean?

And, it looks like guar gum is quite a popular thickener in many foods, including Vegan.

I reckon I'd be better off learning how to make my own Vegan cheese.

I will be giving these produces a miss!

I have noticed that in both Vegan and Vegetarian foods there is a need for many substitutional products to mimic dairy and meat. Why is this so? Me? I miss goats cheese, not as a food, but as a flavour. I can do without cheese and the need for a Veganized (that's my word) version that has dubious ingredients, but if I could find a decent natural Vegan food that has a similar flavour I'd be happy. Hmm… What could possibly taste rancid - like baby vomit - and be good for me?

To veer off into another tangent, I had the idea to produce breast milk products. Sometimes I come up with some weird ideas. I think consuming certain foods can alter the brain chemistry of which bizarre dreams is a by-product. Since becoming a Born Again Vegan, my dreams, or nightmares, come about from witnessing such cruelty in this world.

EGGY BREAKY HEART

I also came across some egg replacement products aimed at Vegans. I look at that stuff and I just wonder if crafty business folk make money from the idea that we need Vegan equivalents to eggs for breakfast and cooking in general. I don't think so!

I looked at Vegan Egg and saw the price tag, and realized that I was being sucked into the Matrix of buying into the simulation of the falsehood that happens to be everything non-Vegan.

PECULIARITIES

When I look at a carrot, I am not thinking, “How can I make this thing look like a chicken wing?” Sure, I get foods like burgers as it's a convenient way to consume vegetables in one patty. Still, one has to possess an awfully strange mind to look at a cow and envisage flesh molded into a circle sandwiched between bread. It's the same with the sausage. Who can look at a pig and think, “I can create penis shaped foods out of this creature,”?

Accept no substitutes!

Well, those are my thoughts of the day…

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Bear XOXOXOXOXO

XMAS PUDDING, BIO BODY FUEL

Above: Bear's Vegan Xmas Pudding.

BEAR GENE'S BIO BODY FUEL - VEGAN POWER

BEAR'S VEGAN XMAS PUDDING

Hey, Vegan Friends! It is wonderful to see you as always! I hope that all is well with you and yours! This is just a quickie...

As you may know, if you are a following my blog, I have embarked upon a journey to change my vocation from being a Graphic & Multimedia Designer to a Vegan Chef/Cook. Last Xmas, I was able to make a few Xmas Puddings for family and friends! I used to make a healthier Xmas Pud way back... This time around I removed what I consider to be unnecessary elements such as bread and sugar. C'mon... If you, like me, have an allergy to wheat then you know how it makes your stomach feel. I wanted a bloat free Xmas and thought it would be a great idea to improve upon my wholemeal bread formula for something much better! But I didn't tell my family and friends anything... You know what non-Vegan's can be like, right? LMAO!

The feedback I received was great! Very, very encouraging! So, with a bit of good fortune, I will be able to concentrate on Vegan cooking come the end of April the latest! That's the time-frame I am working towards. I am not going to hang up my mouse for good. Oh, that didn't come across right... I meant my PC mouse! No rodents were hurt in writing this blog! I still enjoy computing and using the PC to be creative. I just think it is time to get out and be a part of a team again! I am so looking forward to starting my new job!

Already, I am thinking about ways in which to improve upon my Vegan Xmas Pudding! I reckon I can sell a few in due course... Cool! Well, I have quite a way to go but the most important thing is to take the first step and enjoy the journey!

Thank you for reading! Your support is invaluable! 

Lots of love, 

Bear XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

BEAR BIO BODY FUEL VEGAN LIFE LIVE 2017

 

BEAR GENE'S BIO BODY FUEL - VEGAN POWER

#Vegan #Health #Fitness #VeganFood #VeganLife #VeganCooking #Cooking


Vegan Life Live 7th - 8th January 2017

Hi, Vegan and non Vegan Friends! It's your good Born Again Vegan pal, Bear! Blue Bear! Bear Gene, or just Bear! Today, I am sharing my recent experiences at the Vegan Life Live fair, Ally Pally, Saturday 7th of January 2017.

GOOD VEGAN FORTUNE
I found out about the Vegan Life Live fair through what can only be described as serendipity! Friday night, I was about to go to bed when I decided to give my Facebook a check before I put the lights out. I saw a link to an online magazine that listed Vegan events for this year.I was delighted to discover the Vegan Life Live event was happening the next day! It was a little short notice but it wasn't like I had anything major planned. As Born Again Vegan, I felt excited about the prospect of attending a Vegan Expo; I just had my first proper real Vegan Xmas that left me feeling great! The Vegan Life Live event presented itself as a fine way to see in the New Year - albeit a little late!

JUST IN TIME
Much to my utter annoyance, I arrived a little later that I had intended. Well, it has been a long, long while since I visited London's famous Alexandra Place. It brought back some childhood memories... I got off at the wrong stop and had to walk the rest of the way. I should have been more observant and followed the small crowd on the bus. 
 
Above: Adonis Smart Foods.

Anyway, I was through the doors and in a Vegan Wonderland! There was a lot to see and take in. I started on my left and worked my way around in a spiral pattern (to cover the inner exhibits). I enjoyed picking at the samples and purchasing some snacks. It was also very enlightening to converse with some of the exhibitors. I could have kicked myself for not getting there earlier and for not being on duty as a journalist. Yes, I am a journalist specializing in Consumer Technology; foolishly, I had it in mind that it was a chill-out day for me. No! It was anything but a chill-out day! It got pretty hot inside very quickly and there was a mass of exhibitors to explore. 


Above: The Primal Pantry. I love The Primal Pantry snack bars.

I did all I could do to make the most of it!

INSPIRATIONAL
Since returning to the Vegan Fold late 2016, I have received a calling to become a Vegan Chef/Cook and spoke to several exhibitors about the prospect. My Vegan Chef/Cook prospects are looking good! At the moment, I am preparing a presentation that I am going to present to Vegan food establishments around London. I am determined to be a Vegan Chef/Cook! I have given myself until the end of April 2017 - the latest - to attain this goal. I am so very keen on adopting an ethical vocational life. 



Above: The Vegan Life and Cook Vegan magazine exhibit. I bought a couple of Cook Vegan issues with a view to following some of the recipes!

It was great to see that there were a few opportunities to become a distributor of ethically sound products. Early last year, I was looking to bring my brand of Vegan based protein bars to the marketplace. To say that I underestimated what bringing a Vegan protein bar to the market entails would be an understatement. Sorting out the packaging was the biggest bugbear and I may tell you about my experiences regarding the packaging aspect alone! 

Above: Hempen; they have a range of hemp based products. I am interested in the oil as it may contain some great properties to aid the immune system. I figured that it could help with my recovery time after working out at the gym.

WISHLIST'S
Apart from having an unlimited purchasing capacity, I would have liked to have seen some exhibits geared towards sports/keeping fit. I am aware that there are alternative sporting footwear and I did not see any sports specialists there. 

Above: Dorset Chilli Shop! I love chilli! Dorset Chilli Shop makes great tasting chilli sauces!

There should have been a ticket that included the price of a basic lunch/meal and/or the greeting pack could have contained some money off vouchers for goods - including refreshments. 

IN CLOSING
I had a great time! I left the Vegan Life Live event feeling super-empowered and positive. The inspiration is with me to this day and will forever remain! I must answer my calling! I am looking forward to the next Vegan event in London and that I will make sure that I get there from the start - with my journalist kit! I have made a phenomenal life change to become a Vegan and, as a result, beautiful opportunities are opening up before me.

Above: Seed and Bean! Great tasting chocolate! Amazing combinations!

If you aren't a Vegan, I recommend that you try it! Give it a good go!

Thank you so much for reading!

Love, 

Bear XOXOXOXOXO