21 April 2010

Time on my hands

I haven't decided yet whether I miss having the internet at home yet. I'm starting to think that I'm better off without it. I've been practising drawing and I'm starting to really like the way I draw, I did a whole sheet of facial expressions and I'm quite proud of them. Instead of the internet I might treat myself to a scanner so I can show you all this stuff!

Not being on the internet all evening (I sit on it all day at work) means that I've had a chance to do alot of reading and thinking that I think I have really cut myself off from for the last few years. I bought Gender Trouble by Judith Butler to read again and I'm hoping by the end of it I will have some more ideas about my 'queer' identity, which I want to write a zine about. I'm still on the look out for some less academic/more personal queer books and zines if anyone has any recommendations!

I've also been thinking alot about what I eat and consume, and I think I am going to take the plunge and go vegan (I can't be super strict as the medication I take contains animal derived products so it will need lots of research to replace these). Last night I baked a vegan chocolate and banana cake and that pretty much convinced me I can cut out dairy :)

It's been really nice, after so many years together (6 in August!) me and Dan still find new things to bond over. After both becoming obsessed with bikes we're now both becoming interested in sustainable and low impact lifestyles which I guess has been fueled by cycling. I find myself mroe and more thinking, 'I could just do that myself' and I finally feel like I am in a place where I can just do that. So this weekend I am going to clean out my cupboards of anything with animal or harmful products and replace or make everything with much kinder things.

Does anyone know of any good websites/blogs/books/zines about vegan baking/lifestyle or just more generally ethical living?

5 comments:

  1. oh god, i should cut off internet at home aswell.

    i LOVE "vegan cupcakes take over the world" by isa chandra moskovitz and terry hope romero, it is really good, the recipes are described quite detailed which i love, and they never seem to fail! is moskovitz also has a website with lots of recipes: http://www.theppk.com/ she also made a few other books, i also love this a lot: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegan-Brunch-Isa-Chandra-Moskowitz/dp/0738212725/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271857149&sr=8-46

    this is also great: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegan-Yum-Decadent-Animal-Free-Entertaining/dp/0757313809/ref=sr_1_36?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271857201&sr=8-36 it has lots of recipes that use really common things and not like lots of other vegan cookbooks all the expensive stuff

    oh and you should definitely read "eating animals" by jonathan safran foer and watch this movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHVGYnryYtw (the trailer is in german but they don't really talk in the movie anyway so it doesn't really matter)

    i also believe miss tukru is writing a pretty cool cooking zine at the moment ;)

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  2. maren - you should try cutting off the internet for a week, I have done so much cool stuff that I just never 'had the time' to do before!

    vegan brunch looks really yummy! and vegan yum! ohh i can't wait to get cooking :)

    i've heard of 'eating animals' and i will definitely keep a look out for it.

    and yeah...definitely looking forward to tukru's cooking zine!

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  3. Just so you know, it IS vegan to take meds that contain animal products. A dead/sickly activist is not a good activist. And besides, all medicines are tested on animals.

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  4. Going vegan is the BEST. I agree with 'sunshine' tho, I have to take medication, but I am positive it has been tested on animals at one point, but I wont stop taking it because well, my health is most important....

    http://www.thegluttonousvegan.com/

    Brilliant.

    Also check out SSOV for some swwwwweeeet vegan oreos/biscuits etc, slightly overpriced but its all imported stuff.
    http://www.secretsocietyofvegans.co.uk/shop/
    They also do hot drinks at the shop, amazing gingerbread soya latte, fuck you starbucks only doing them at christmas!!!!


    I would recommend getting

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Animal-Free-Shopper-Vegan-Society/dp/0907337317

    basically it lists all your major brands/uk stores in order, own brand things, cleaning products, etc etc etc its only a few quid but its worth having, even if you dont decide on going vegan its worth having for a more 'ethical' lifestyle. I have mine in my tote at all times.

    Basically veganism is easy, I am the fussiest of eaters, I really am, but its alot easier than people think, be prepared for 'vegan 101' from work collegues, I get it all the time......but alas. Enjoy it, and if you ever need any more links etc etc I dont know alot but I am totally here.....

    x

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  5. sunshine - that's a good way of thinking about it. i had always thought that there are some things I just can't avoid for my health, but I was worried it would seem presumptious of me to call myself a vegan and use those meds.

    jessica - thanks for all the info and links! it's great to hear from a normal girl about what it's like. I was beginning to wonder if all vegans just nibbled on seeds, I knew there had to me more yummy things out there.

    so far it's been quite easy, i think it helped that i planned what i was going to eat and knew i had tasty alternatives.

    if i ever need to support staying on the vegan path i will def get in touch xx

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