So, Why Are You A Vegan? > Likes and Comments

Both my mum (she just turned 76) and I have decided, when 2020 and Covid came along, and shopping became way too much of a health hazard (my mum had a [bad] stroke in 2016), to go "heavily plant based". Mainly because shopping online means it's much easier to come by plant based proteins than it is to get reliably fresh meat. We also wanted to do our part for reducing our carbon footprint, and not eating meat was one of the easiest ways to contribute more than what we're already doing in other departments. It was a most convenient "two birds one stone" situation. Puls, yeah, the way we treat most animals, especially those breed and raised for food supplies, isn't great.

We've also been using oat milk instead of normal milk since ... I can't even remember. 2016? 2017? Something like that, I think. That was an easy decision as we're both lactose sensitive or intolerant (it's not entirely certain which of the two) and once milk substitutes where readily available for a reasonable price the switch really was a no-brainer. It only took as a few months to find the milk of our choice from the brand (actually, non-brand :-) of our choice that suited both our taste buds and needs (usage-wise).

We're not entirely meat free, but I'd say we now eat meat like maybe once or twice a month, if that. The only "problem" is tuna. We love it, and it usually ends up on our - esp. my mum's - plates at least once or twice a week. I have not been able to find a tolerable, let alone good, vegan substitute for canned tuna, yet. Plus eggs and cheese. Even though, due to the online shopping situation, we mostly use egg powder these days, as fresh eggs and online shopping also doesn't work over here (sadly not in the UK at the moment, nor able to move there easily any longer, thanks to bloody Brexit). Cheese is hard to come by too, so we're using nutritional yeast most of the time, esp. as substitute for the likes of "parmesan on pasta".

What puzzles me is that there are still, in the year 2026, some restaurants that serves pasta but aren't capable of making a red lentil based "bolognese". I can cook that one up with my eyes closed by now. And not having any [half-]decent nooch to offer vegan customers instead of cheese is just *no words*. Aside of the idealogical "excuse" called "all those vegans can piss bugger off" I cannot find any good excuse to be that ignorant or negligent in this day and age.

Anyone who claims in the year 2026 "I cannot eat vegan foods because they taste rubbish" or "I can't eat vegan foods because of nutrients" simply doesn't want to. There is no other reason (unless it's for health/dietary reasons, which might be a true cause in about 1% of cases). I get the reasons for not being able to go 100% vegan (see above), I do not get ANY reason to not at least try to eat a vegan - or at the very least vegetarian - meal at least once a week. There are so many vegan cuisines and dishes in the world, it's so easy to find them and get the ingredients one needs these days. And nutrients are, esp. if someone's not a 'strict vegan', the lamest of excuses. Besides, there are so many plant based foods to get enough - the holy grail of excuses - "Brotein" (sic!). The only real problem is B12 (also one of the reasons we haven't ditched the tuna for good, as B12 fortified anything isn't really much of a thing over here [yet], thus very hard to come by, except in the shape of tablets or capsules).

We're currently on a journey to find some vegan sausages, of various shapes and varieties, for various uses, that we can easily come by and of which we both (ideally) like the taste. And I'm planning to dip my toes into into vegan baking somewhen over the course of this year - maybe it works this year, last year I also had that plan, but ran out of time and spoons (i.e. mental and physical energy) somewhen in summer.

We haven't missed "a steak" (never been steak people, really - but you know what I mean) in quite a while, and we're both happy to expand our culinary horizon towards an even more plant based diet each and every day (I mostly watch cooking videos these days on YT, and of course I prioritise those channels that cook [mostly] plant based or vegan.

It really isn't that hard to contribute at least a little bit towards the well-being of our planet as much as the well-being of animals. I will never go full vegan, mainly because I see a problem with the "faux leather" vs real leather when it comes to the [micro]plastic problem, I still think a good [!] pair of leather shoes is vastly superior to "vegan leather" made from mineral oils which also falls apart once it gets too hot/wet/cold/old - the latter meaning anything from 6 months to 5-ish years (if lucky), by my experience. But I happily will try to eat as much plant based foods as possible and reduce my - and my mum's, she's more than happy to plod along - consumption of animal products and produce as much as possible, given all the circumstances that need considering.

Now, after writing this short story - does anyone even care? -, I have two questions:

1) What's that scrumptious looking stuff at the centre of the table (served on a glass tray or plate) on the first picture (the buffet one)? Looks like something with potatoes. Or onions, maybe?

2) What's that behind it, on the left-hand side? Some filo pastry dough filled with something dark?

And last but not least, thank you for writing books that make me laugh or feel like a hug or a warm blanket whenever I need one. As someone who's been a caregiver 24/7/365 for almost ten years now, while also being properly neurospicy (AuDHD), those laughs and warm feelings are needed, more often than you'd probably guess, as a respite and a breather. Books have always been one of my most important sources - beside music - of joy and relaxation. They are more important to me these days then they have ever been, and they've already been very important to me ever since I've learned how to read, back in the early 80ies.

I'm looking forward to, slowly but surely, reading my way through your whole already published backlog (incl all your pen names) and hope you'll be writing wonderful stories with and about so many lovely, well-seasoned (we need more of those!), characters for many years to come.

And one last, entirely unrelated, question: Which football club/s do you support? Inquiring minds - that never walk alone - are dying to know. 😄

Sending you lots of love - take care, keep on writing, and stay awesome! 💜

Thanks! The first pic is: tear and share rosemary and artichoke pizza and behind it sausage style rolls filled with a chestnut mix. Thank you for reading my books. You sound like an awesome and kind person and I’m so glad you enjoy them. Finally- Liverpool. I lived in the city for several years and I lived it.
Sending you my best wishes. Stay awesome too!🌞

Judy wrote: "tear and share rosemary and artichoke pizza and behind it sausage style rolls filled with a chestnut mix"

Thanks! I'll have a look around for some recipes, those sound both very yummy.

Happy to read we also support the same football club. I'm currently trying to come to terms with Mo and Robbo leaving. I cannot say I'm happy about losing either of them. Tomorrow will be a very sad day, no matter the result... 😢

Lacrima wrote: "Judy wrote: "tear and share rosemary and artichoke pizza and behind it sausage style rolls filled with a chestnut mix"

Thanks! I'll have a look around for some recipes, those sound both very yummy..."

Tomorrow’s game will be fascinating. Then it will be interesting to see who we sign and who leaves. We’ll miss Robbo and Mo has been special. It’s a journey rain or shine and I love the team! YNWA x