Vegan tips for life

 

A plant-based diet and becoming a vegan are two different subjects, decide why you want to become vegan if it is for the diet or if it is for the animal welfare side. If it is a bit of both remember perfection does not exist when it comes to being a vegan. Just doing your best is what you should strive for. 

My first tip would be to go in slow. Try being a vegetarian first. Do this for a few weeks and then the transition to a full-blown vegan diet is much easier. 

Next tip: Try not to be an unhealthy vegan. Chips and coke can be vegan. You do not want to end up overweight with skin issues and low energy levels. Look out for replacements to get you through in the beginning. Tofu, soy, tempeh are all good protein alternatives. Check out all the recipes online. Pinterest is a good site for recipe inspiration.

You can pretty much make any of your non-vegan meals with vegan replacements or simply leaving out the non-vegan ingredients. My favorite egg replacement is chia and flaxseed mixed with a little water which goes great in cakes and bakes. Tofu scramble instead of eggs are easy and healthy.

Do not let people judge you, if you are concerned with this you do not have to announce to everyone you are vegan, you can always say you follow a plant-based diet. On the other side, it is also important to understand people who are not vegan. If there is one way to turn people off beckoning vegan, it is a vegan that does not understand or judges them. Remember this is a lifestyle, not a diet, start slow and see how your mind and body feel in the process.

Images from: https://pixabay.com

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Foodie - Vegan Chicken Noodles Soup

 Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup, perfect for winter

(via @cleaneatswithcleo)

Ingredients⁣

1 tbsp olive oil ⁣

1 large yellow or white onion, chopped ⁣

4-5 large carrots, peeled and cut into coins ⁣

4-5 celery stalks, sliced ⁣

2 garlic cloves, minced ⁣

1 tsp fresh thyme (dried works too)⁣

1 tsp salt ⁣

1/2 tsp black pepper ⁣

1 15-oz can of chickpeas 

10 cups vegetable broth ⁣- you can add more to achieve desired consistency! 

8 - 8.8 oz of noodles, I used @barillauschickpea rotini ⁣

Fresh dill for serving (or parsley!) ⁣

⁣

Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions, carrots, celery and cook until softened.

 Add the garlic and thyme, salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.⁣

Add vegetable broth and bring mixture to a boil. Add the chickpeas or chicken and pasta, reduce to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes. ⁣

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Things to do in - Victoria, Islington, Dalston & Peckham

If you have been following our escapades on social media, you will have seen us pop up in secret locations around London this month. 

As it is fashion week, we wanted to showcase the best of our sustainable fashion range while meeting and exploring with the city. Therefore we have complied this guide to London's best kept secrets and as it is half term, why not check it out for your self. 

Peckham 
Packed with great restaurants, bars and things to do, we visited Peckham levels - a fantastic community hub jam packed with events, Sip on cocktails and eat an array of foods all while gazing at the London skyline at Near and Far bar in Peckham Levels 

The Prince of Peckham is also a must visit for culture, community and good food or you could explore Peckham’s cultural quarter at Copeland Park and Bussey Building or catch a movie at the Peckhamplex 

Our designer Shalize regularly visits and knows the area well and recommends Bellenden Road for eating, drinking and shopping with cute little vintage shops & independent boutiques it's a good Saturday out on the high st.

One great pit stop along Bellenden road is the Begging bowl a Japanese restaurant for the foodie obsessed for independent boutiques this street is brimming with cool stores to visit.

Islington / Victoria 
In a prime location between the hustle and bustle of central London and the affluent suburbs of north London, Islington is a shopping hive of activity, dining and drinking options, Islington is not just for the Socialist.With a vibrant arts scene and big-name theatres and clubs. Check out our picks for the best things to do and see in Islington. 

Browse in Camden Passage If you are after a flat white in funky café Drink, Shop & Do, a cafe and moonlights as a hip bar running quirky craft and disco events is the perfect pitstop.

Shop at the Farmers Market Islington Farmers’ Market is the place to go for fresh seasonal produce. Open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, the market sells everything from cakes to fresh pasta and fruit and veg and even flowers 

Visit the Theatre 
Almeida is a small local theatre that’s made a big impact on London’s performing arts scene. Open since 1980, this theatre puts on a variety of drama productions, ranging from classics such as Orwell’s 1984 and Shakespeare’s Hamlet to new productions by contemporary playwrights. 325-seat theatre, shows most plays in London’s West End. 

Looking for a laugh, Angel Comedy Club 
Currently hosted between two venues. The Camden Head, which hosts Angel Comedy Raw. It’s a free night featuring a mixed bill of new and established acts. The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar.. It shows fringe theatre, stand up and even TV sitcom and sketch show read throughs. There’s also occasional Edinburgh previews and improv nights. 

Aesop store is a must, the aromas that come from this store are out of this world. Beautiful moisturizer and fragrances teas, if you are a beauty guru this will be up your street. 

Visit Upper st, which runs right through Islington as its main high st.

Our recent event at The Market Hall Victoria 

Market Hall Victoria 
The affordably priced Market hall Victoria is well worth a visit, we visited for an event at the Market hall. (see the pictures above) Just a stones-throw away is Wicked, which if you were planning a trip you could catch in the theatre in Victoria


Dalston / Hackney
Draughts Board Games Bar A gamers dream! There are over one thousand games to play inside Draught’s most recent bar, which has relocated from its former Haggerston home, to this grade-II listed space. Expect delicious cocktails, and even more tasty food in this stylish bar Find it at 41 Kingsland High Street, E8 2JS. 

Rio Cinema One of the few independent Art Deco cinemas in London, It mostly shows foreign and indie films, although you might catch a mainstream movie every once in a while. The architecture is beautiful, the auditorium boasts plush red velvet seats and the classic, long red curtains reveal the screen before the movie begins. See what’s on here. Find it at 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB. 


ABQ Saint Pizzeria - a hidden gem of a restaurant, full of little quirks, with vegan pizzeria's or create your own cocktails whilst seated in a 'breaking bad' van or chill out in the restaurant with friends; we visited for one of our secret events in fashion week. Check out our social channels for further details or see the pictures below. 18 Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU

Fernada Dassoler  in our Robyn Dress

Andreza Fisher in our Kiera Top & Jenna trouser at ABQ Vegan Pizzeria

Tina we salute you, a  coffee shop, with a large table right in the centre of its room with walls covered in art and most definitely the best restaurant name 47 King Henry’s Walk, London, N1 4NH 

Fair trade coffee and great selection of homemade cakes, a busy spot at weekends, with locals crowded around the big communal table and or sit on its window seats. (if you can find a spot)

Vortex Jazz Club and Servant Jazz Quarters are the two best places in the area
The former - has a  host of wide-reaching gig. The latter - is a similar venue, with a great bar upstairs and often with artists who, in a year or so’s time, will be some of the most talked about names on the scene.

The Arcola Theatre is the place to go for an intriguingly mix of productions, produced by emerging playwrights from the local area as well far more established names. showcasing new plays in an intimate the main auditorium the experience is fantastic.

If you are looking for an art fix The Invisible Line Gallery, is good to see the best work by local artists. Its exhibitions are varied in taste and there is always something different 

Credits
https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/peckham-london-area-guide

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/best-things-see-peckham-london/

https://londoncheapo.com/food-and-drink/things-to-do-islington/


https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/islington-area-guide

https://spotahome.com/blog/spotahome-neighbourhood-guide-best-things-to-do-in-dalston-london/
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/things-to-do-dalston-best-restaurants-bars-pubs-turkish-a4009541.html

https://secretldn.com/reasons-to-visit-dalston/

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Foodie - Vegan Cinnamon Doughnuts

Vegan Cinnamon Doughnuts

Ingredients

For the batter1 1/4 cup plain flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice/all spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup pumpkin pureé
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
​
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
1/4 cup melted coconut oil or vegan butter
1 cup organic sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

The recipe

Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease the doughnut tin.

In a large bowl mix the flour, spices, baking powder and salt. In another bowl lightly whisk the brown sugar, almond milk, pumpkin pureé, coconut oil and the vanilla.

Next combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time, this should result in a thick batter.

Then, using a spoon to fill the tray, make sure that the mixture is evenly distributed in each mould. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Leave to cool on a wire rack and prepare the sugar coating.

In one bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon, in another pour the coconut oil or vegan butter. Make sure the oil/butter is a liquid but not too hot.

Once the doughnuts are suitably cooled, dip one side into the oil/butter and then straight into the cinnamon sugar mix.

If they last long enough, you can display them on a cake plate or stand.

If you want to find out more information about this recipe, click here. #madiamatilda if you would like to share your creations with us

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

#Foodie - Sushi Making Ideas

Homemade Vegan Sushi Rolls are a healthy and economical way to enjoy sushi, using vegetables instead of seafood. These amazing recipes produce the an incredible taste, and at a fraction of the cost of seafood sushi. Give it a go, we dare you!

Basic Sushi Recipe

You will need:

Nori sheets (made from dried seaweed)

2 cups white rice (medium grain)

120ml water

3 Tbsp rice vinegar

3 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp mirin

2 tsp salt

1 cucumber, cut into strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

1 carrot, shredded

1 avocado, cut into strips

Soy Sauce for dipping

Thai Sweet Chile Sauce for dipping

Toasted sesame seeds, to garnish

Method

• Thoroughly rinse rice until water runs clear
• Cook rice according to packet instructions
• Let rice cool completely, and transfer to a non-metallic bowl
• Mix vinegar, sugar and salt until dissolved and pour into rice
• Gently mix rice to incorporate seasoning
• Prepare veggies by cutting them into strips
• De-seed cucumber
• With rough side of the nori sheet facing up, spread the rice to a thickness of about 1/2 an inch. Leave the top 1" off the Nori sheet bare
• Layer veggies on the bottom of the Nori sheet. Then, with a mat or towel, carefully roll up the sheet so all the veggies are rolled up firmly inside
• Slice with a wet knife
• Season with sesame seeds, if you desire
• Use soy sauce or sweet chilli for dipping

Makes approximately 24 rolls

Avocado & Mango Brown Rice Sushi

Serves 4

You will need:

for the rice:

• 1 cup short grain brown rice, rinsed well
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

for the rolls:

• 1 cucumber, sliced into long strips
• 1 ripe mango, sliced into vertical strips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• ⅓ cup micro greens, optional
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, optional
• 4 nori sheets

serve with:

• tamari or ponzu sauce

Instructions

1. Combine the rice and water in a rice cooker and cook on the brown rice setting. If you don’t have a rice cooker, combine the rice, water and 1 teaspoon of olive oil and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove the rice from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to allow the sugar to dissolve.
3. Prep the filling ingredients for the rolls and set aside.
4. Transfer the rice to a large bowl and pour in the vinegar mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold in the rice until the mixture is fully incorporated. The rice will start to look glossy. (Traditionally, you fan it to cool it while doing this)
5. Place a small bowl of water and a kitchen towel near your work area as your hands will get sticky. Place one nori sheet, glossy side down, onto a bamboo mat and press a handful of rice onto the lower two-thirds of the sheet. At the bottom of the rice place your toppings (see picture). Don’t overfill or it will be more difficult to roll. Use the bamboo mat to tuck and roll the nori. Once rolled, use the bamboo mat to gently press and shape the roll. Place the roll to the side, cut side down. Repeat with remaining rolls.
6. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the sushi. Wipe the knife clean with a damp towel between cuts.
7. Serve immediately with tamari or ponzu sauce and coconut peanut sauce, if using.

This recipe is from a lovely blog called Love and Lemons: https://www.loveandlemons.com/

Sincerely, Madia & Matilda

News - Children in Need - Fashion Show - SS17

Join us for a Charity Fashion Show at the Hallmark Hotel 

14th Oct 2016 - 7pm till Late

Find out more below

http://www.madiamatilda.co.uk/events-and-pop-ups-

Sincerely Madia & Matilda