Showing posts with label vegan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vegan. Show all posts

Sunday 19 November 2017

Sustainable Christmas

Happy Sustainable Christmas!

It’s a well-known fact that we all enjoy indulging ourselves a little more than usual at Christmas – whether it be by buying our loved ones more gifts planned, treating yourself while Christmas shopping (cos that shizzle is exhausting!), or having to unzip your jeans after dinner. But spoiling ourselves this season does not mean we need to spoil our planet too.

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a sustainable Christmas this year. Challenge accepted? 

1) Sustainable Christmas Trees

Christmas is a massive tree brushing the ceiling of your living room, adorned with glittery baubles and lights and memories of Christmases past, right? Doesn't have to be! Why not try an artificial tree for a more Sustainable Christmas – these can be bought from most shops and last on average up to 20 years.



Not only that, but they come in all shapes and sizes – for example, there is the classic artificial tree, but also more unconventional trees such as this stunning steel tree above. Stick it away in the loft when January rolls around and re-use every year!



Another option for a sustainable Christmas tree would be to rent one! Yes, you read that right. There are now companies all over the UK, such as Forever Green, Christmas Tree Rentals, or Living Christmas who specialise in growing Christmas trees in pots. You simply order yours, they deliver it and you water it every day. Then, come January, the company comes to pick it back up and look after it all year until it gets rented again the following Christmas. The benefit of this is that trees are not simply being planted to be chopped right down again come Christmas time. Here at M&M, we think renting Christmas trees is a pretty great idea and will certainly be renting ours from now on!



2) Eco-friendly decorations




There is nothing prettier than an autumnal wreath on the front door at Christmas time and our friends at Fleur de Rue in Stroud Town Centre are selling the most stunning wreaths that would look amazing in any home this winter!




Why not pop down to their stall and have a little nosey for yourself at their beautiful pieces?



3) Recycle your tree!

You do not have to rent a tree or buy a fake one to be sustainable this Christmas. Make sure to recycle your tree when Christmastime is over and ensure you're not contributing to the 90% that end up in a landfill. For advice on recycling your tree, simply call your local council.

4) Send e-cards




Not in the mood to handwrite hundreds of Christmas cards this year? No worries – check out how to create an e-card and then email them to your recipients. The process takes minutes and all your cards can be sent at the same time – saving you time and effort, which means more time to get into the Christmas spirit with your family and save trees in the process! Win-win! Or a voucher from us, now what's not to love! 

5) Why not try a Vegan Christmas dinner?



The Vegan Food and Living website has some incredible Christmas meals and snacks to try. What's to stop you from updating your Christmas dinner, whilst still allowing for tradition? Check them out now for stunning and simple recipes such as Vegan Christmas Pie and Vegan Tofu “Egg” Nog and enjoy a sustainable Christmas dinner.
6) Eat your leftovers!
Boxing Day's leftover-sandwiches are a great part of the season's culinary offerings. Ensure to make your Christmas leftovers last and avoid throwing away good food this Christmas instead of binning your food remains. Books such as Love Your Leftovers from Friends of The Earth are a great way of doing this, but failing that, it might be an idea to donate your leftovers to your local homeless shelter. For some, it may be the only Christmas dinner they will get this year and you will be helping to cut down on global food waste whilst making someone feel loved. Is that not what Christmas is all about?!


However you choose to spend Christmas this year, we hope this has been of some help to you in having a more sustainable Christmas! All of us at M&M would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year and thank you for all your support this year.
Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Saturday 30 September 2017

#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/
Avocado Mango Brown Rice Sushi


Sincerely, Madia & Matilda

Friday 18 August 2017

#Foodie - Veggie Noodles With Tomato-basil sauce



We all love a home cooked pasta dish, therefore with our new inspired meal ideas Madia & Matilda have prepared a dish we can all enjoy. 


Ingredients
1/2 tbsp (7 ml) olive oil
4   garlic cloves, pressed 
1 onion chopped up 
2 pkg (10.5 oz/595 g each) grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted vegetable stock, chicken stock or chicken broth
1   large aubergine (eggplant for our American friends) , unpeeled
2 medium courgette
2 medium yellow squash
3/4 oz (20 g) fresh basil leaves, snipped
1/2 tsp (2 ml) each salt and black pepper



Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat for 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add pressed garlic and chopped onion; cook for about 30 seconds. 
Add tomatoes and chicken stock. Cover; bring to a boil over a high heat.  
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 6-8 minutes or until tomatoes burst. Gently squeeze any whole tomatoes with Tongs. Using grater or veggitable stripper grate vegetables into long strips, avoiding seeds. Stir vegetables into tomato mixture. Cook, uncovered, 3-6 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Finally stir in basil, salt and pepper. 
You will make enough, for 6 servings, enjoy.


Tips:
For variety, stir in any of the following in Step 4. 
• Fresh baby spinach • Cannellini beans or for our non vegan friends - Diced cooked chicken, Italian sausage.


                     Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Wednesday 9 August 2017

#Foodie - Pea Soup


Why not choose a creamy pea soup for a delicious autumn dinner to keep you going in the middle of the week



Ingredient:

Creme fraiche (optional)
Butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion or spring, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley
6 cups peas, fresh or frozen
½ cup water
4 cups vegetable stock
½ cup half-and-half (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

You will need:

Pan, a hand held Blender, Spoon

Directions:

Heat butter and oil over medium heat until the butter melts in pan. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme (or parsley); cook, stirring, until fragrant, for about 10 seconds.

Stir in peas. Add in water and the stock; bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook for about 1 minute.

Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Stir in half-and-half, add in salt and pepper.

Finally add in Creme fraiche (Leave out if Vegan)

Tip:


Ready  to eat in 35 m, with 3 servings, you can also make ahead of time; refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

  

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Monday 3 April 2017

Sweet Potato Fries - #Foodie


Today's recipe is for the ever amazing Sweet Potato Fries! It is well-known that tastebuds for SPF can be expensive when eating out, but fear not for we have an awesome recipe for you to replicate your fav sweet fries from home. 


Vegan? No problem! You can still enjoy these.

Level: Easy
Prep: 10 minutes 
Cook time: 30-40 minutes 
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
  • 4 Sweet potatoes scrubbed and cut into large chips
  • 2 teaspoons of olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons of light soy sauce
  • (optional) finely grated nutmeg
Method:
  • Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
  • In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato chips with oil and soy sauce.
  • Transfer to a shallow roasting tin and season with black pepper and nutmeg if you like.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, until crisp.
Enjoy!


Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Thursday 2 March 2017

NEWS - London Fashion Week Debut





AW17 SHOWCASE

Classy, quintessentially classic, contemporary and clean-cut... next season's style is one to watch out for.





We geared up and got ourselves down to Chelsea last week for the release of our next season's clothing and we are delighted to let you in on a little sneak peek!




Elmira getting ready to shine

The girls arrived to our location in the lovely area of Old Church Street, Chelsea at Haute Elan for an early start to get their hair and make-up done.




It's the little things




Our fab make up friend, Chloe Versaci doing Danielle's make-up pre-shoot.







The lovely Linn having a giggle with Chloe.




Economic, social and environmental sustainability is something that is very important to us here at Madia & Matilda. Our new collection initiative is designed for simple-living.







The girls wore LilyFlo Jewellery, which you can find in our curated brands, accentuating their looks and with a little cuddle and gal time before taking to the stage.







Shardarae and Elmira pulling off our AW Collection effortlessly.






Linn wearing one of our next season daily looks.




Oriana showing off our new dress collection.




Wanting a more classy look? Danielle shows us how it's done in this new top and skirt combo.




Oriana still slaying in Lilyflo's new season minimalist, urban-geometric pieces whilst having a little sit down mid-shoot.





Is it even a showcase if we don't include a classic black and white behind the scenes?






Life isn't perfect but your outfit can be.



From left: Danielle Esprit, Shardarae P, Linn B. Saeb, Oriana Findlay, Véronica McBeal, Elmira Panjavi.

 Designer & Director Shalize Nicholas, Jewellery - Lily Flo - Designer Diana Sherling, Photographer  Rosalind Rosalind Alcazar & Claire Dytham, MUA Chloe Versaci, Showroom Haute Elan

Pre-order the new collection in August.


Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Sunday 7 August 2016

News - Competition Time


We’ve teamed up with vegan brand Bourgeois Boheme shoes a London-based, Ex-Podiatrist Alicia is the founder and director who specialises in one of the most established vegan footwear brands out there. A brand that is independently minded, with an animal free ethos at the core; all BB shoes are Vegan Society trademarked and PETA approved from the finest eco-friendly Italian vegan leathers.



Founded in 2005 by ex-Podiatrist and long-term vegan, Alicia; with her foot care expertise with her vegan values and bring the luxury animal-free footwear to life, without compromising on quality or ethics.



We love their subtle yet impactful androgynous designs that fuse beautifully hand crafted and versatile shoes, produced in Portugal’s São João da Madeira, where Alicia herself handpicked artisans and factories.

bboheme vegan shoes

Bourgeois Boheme timeless design suits our minimalist style so well, that we even collaborated with Bourgeois Boheme for Madia & Matilda latest season fashion showcasee, AW16 at St Martins in the Fields, Leicester Square.

We believe Bourgeois Boheme shoes are a brand to watch; with a vegan celebs fan base including Natalie Portman, Bryan Adams and Torrey DeVitto.




To find out more about the collaboration check out our Autumn Winter 16 Collection or see below for terms & conditions to enter our competition. 




Join in to Win
The competition gives you the chance to win Bourgeois Boheme shoes to give you the chance to ‪#‎WIN‬ a £40 gift certificate to use towards our (Madia & Matilda) timeless pieces as well as another £40 gift certificate to spend on your favourite vegan Bourgeois Boheme shoes.
To enter:
1. Like Bourgeois Boheme & Madia & Matilda
2. Tag your friends.
3. Share this post.
Competition ends on the 14th August 2016. One winner will be announced on the 15th August 2016. Good Luck!