VEGAN HEAVEN (5/5)

42 Juice

By our last day in Brighton we were feeling a bit bloated and sluggish, after all the amazing food we'd stuffed ourselves silly with (see previous posts 1-4) - which you know is nice from time to time but it really does make you appreciate healthy food and how great it makes you feel afterwards. That's where 42 Juice stepped in, we were headed for our train home and decided to do our bodies a favour (and start as we meant to go on) by grabbing a 'Skinny Green' juice. 

I've never seen a more beautiful concept for a store, this juice bar looks like it just landed straight out of Scandinavia with it's fresh, white, minimal interior. All juice is cold-pressed, raw, organic and vegan and the choice, oh my! There was something to suit every mood or ailment - everything from your standard green juice to a 'hungover' smoothie and even a charcoal almond mylk! Some of the colours I'd never seen as a beverage in my life (they actually looked more like delicious bottles of paint) which shows how ahead of it's game this juice bar really is - or how far behind I am?!

Having been so impressed with the whole concept of the store (can you tell by how many pics I took?), I decided to find out more. It turns out the story of how the co-founders created 42 juice is just as impressive as their menu. If you have a spare minute go have a read and get ready to feel seriously awe-inspired (note: juicer purchase may ensue). They also create handy juice cleanse bundles which are available to buy through their website.

VEGAN HEAVEN (4/5)

Wai kika moo kau

By now I'm probably boring you with all these Brighton posts but there really is a lot to say on the matter! It has without doubt been the easiest place I've found to holiday and eat 'normally' without having to worrying about a thing, which is exactly what you want from a relaxing trip away - alas if only vegan was the norm worldwide, but for now we have Brighton!

Wai kika moo kau (or Why kick a moo cow) is a strictly veggie/vegan cafe situated in the laines. It was our breakfast place of choice for the last morning of our stay, we chose pancakes as I'd been craving them for quite some time! They came nicely presented in a fluffy stack of 4, with cinnamon and sugar dusted all around the plate and a large pot of maple syrup for pouring - they were light, fluffy and absolutely divine. We decided to go all out, seeing as it was our last morning and ordered a creamy banana mylkshake to go with, the whole breakfast could have been straight out of an American diner.

I like that it took a while for them to arrive as this is usually a good sign (i.e no microwaves). The menu was also surprisingly cheap for the quality and quantity received. The place itself was light and airy with a fun cow print adorning the counter and walls. It also had a good energy about it, which I usually find with most strictly veggie/vegan places, I believe like-minded people coming together in this kind of environment in a great inducer of mindful conversation and feel good vibes. I would be interested to know if this is something other people have experienced while visiting all veggie restaurants and cafes, let me know in the comments below!

VEGAN HEAVEN (3/5)

Terre a Terre

Terre a Terre has a really special place in my heart as it opened my eyes to the wonderous possibilities of vegan food and made me confirm in my mind that I'd made the right decision by turning vegan. It's also the very reason we came back to Brighton in the first place, it's THAT good, albeit an indulgent treat. I've never had such beautifully presented plates that taste better with every bite, you won't want to waste a morsel! It deserves 10/5 for everything; food, presentation and service - no exaggeration.

This is a predominantly vegetarian restaurant but the menu is clearly labelled with what dishes are vegan or have a vegan choice and the same goes for gluten free. We were so excited to eat we actually forgot to say that we wanted the vegan option and had to hurriedly change our order!

While we don't normally drink wine this was organic and vegan so we decided to give it a try. We had it with our meal last year in celebration of my birthday and enjoyed it so much we had to order it again. You can even buy their wine, condiments and sweets to take home which I thought was a clever idea, especially for those that live out of town. Fyi these products are also available through their website if you can't make it all the way to Brighton. 

We skipped starters and went straight for the main. I fully recommend you go for the Terre a Tapas Plate to share as you get two of every mini dish (one on on either side), again much like the Food for Friends mezze it gives you a chance to sample a variety of different dishes the restaurant has to offer. The creamy possibly(?) cashew cheese dip in the middle was to die for and the grapefruit tucked into a Japanese style bun initially looked like salmon so that was a fun detail. To top our meal off nicely, for dessert we chose churros that came with 3 incredible dipping sauces: salty caramel, vodka cherries and dark chocolate, mm mm!

VEGAN HEAVEN (2/5)

Rock-Ola

After having a large dinner at Food for Friends the evening before, coffee bar Rock-ola was our port of call for a late all-day vegan breakfast. While it's not a strictly vegetarian/vegan place, what first attracted us to visit Rock-Ola over all other breakfast joints was the fun 50 and 60s diner theme, which made it so much more than your typical greasy spoon.

The attention to detail given to the theme can be seen throughout the diner, from the wall hangings and shelves of memorabilia, right down to the retro salt and pepper shakers. The cafe even joins on to a record shop, which was a nice continuation of the music theme, there's also a free jukebox complete with songs from the time for you to peruse and play records while you dine.

The breakfasts were naughty but super tasty, we'd never tried fake bacon before (or fakon if you will) so that was a nice change, it really just tasted like the smokey bacon flavour found in crisps, so it wasn't as scarily meaty as it first seemed. While I wouldn't normally eat this much 'bad food' or buy fakon myself, I feel it's fine to splash out on holiday and try something different once in a while (providing it's vegan!), to me life is about balance.

We had the option of chips or hash browns and beans or tomatoes, being the opposite couple we are we had to choose differently but then try each others - which were equally delish in different ways. We had it with a cup of soya milk tea and the breakfast came with a huge plate of (vegan) buttered toast - bonus! If I lived in Brighton I'm sure this would be a regular haunt of mine.

VEGAN HEAVEN (1/5)

Food for Friends

Last week we decided to treat ourselves to a weekend away from the big smoke, we wanted somewhere by the sea where we could relax but have fun and not have to worry about where to eat. Brighton seemed to fit the bill perfectly. We'd been before and visited a veggie restaurant called Terre a Terre which made us hungry for more! - (not literally we were stuffed to the brim). It turns out the rumours were true, Brighton really is like being in vegan heaven. All the food we had was to die for, I could not recommend it more for a completely indulgent mini break. There's plenty of healthy and raw vegan options too so there really is something for every mood.

We visited Food for Friends on our first evening in Brighton for dinner, as I'd done my research before our trip we knew it was a highly rated vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan options so we were prepared to have an amazing meal. It didn't disappoint, the ambience was sophisticated and special enough for occasions but still felt homely and warm. The food was hearty and filling with a rustic feel and we got to sample all kinds of vegan options from around the world. I liked that everything was clearly marked on the menu as to whether it was vegan, gluten free or contained nuts, making us so called 'fussy-eaters' feel normal by not having to ask. The little bowl of complimentary vegetable crisps on the side were also a nice touch - though definitely not needed due to the vast portion sizes!

To start we ordered some bread which came in huge chunks (there's that rustic feel again) with a sesame breadstick and some balsamic and chilli dipping sauces. The cocktail to the left was a non-alcoholic strawberry and elderflower mixer and like everything else it was delicious so I savoured every sip!

If your one of those people that likes to try what's on everyone else's plate (hands up thats me - much to the annoyance of my bf) the best thing to do is to share a mezze platter. It's a real experience for the senses and that way you get to sample a variety of dishes the restaurant has to offer. Food for Friends even has a sweet platter made up of 4 different desserts complete with different sauces, cream and garnishes - it was out of this world! 

PAI SKINCARE REVIEW

My skin is notoriously dry and sensitive, especially in the cold weather. Even so, tired from work I would guiltily swipe a face wipe over my face before bed and only cleanse when I had extra time on my days off. This month after learning that toxins are absorbed through our skin and then go directly into our bloodstream, I decided to extend my clean living diet to my skincare regime too. 

Organic skincare brand Pai was recommended to me by a friend and it's exactly what I had been looking for. All their products contain naturally derived ingredients and are specifically formulated for sensitive, allergy prone skin. Their ingredients list is clean with no nasty hidden chemicals, while the packaging is modern, luxurious and fresh. The fact that these products are so luxurious to use - from the heavenly smell to the thick creamy formula - means I now enjoy taking a bit of extra time out of my day to look after my skin. 

Camellia and Rose Cleanser:

I've never used a 'wet' cleanser before and always thought they would be a hassle but the Pai Camellia and Rose cleanser is a dual acting product. As well as being a facial cleanser, it can also be used as an eye makeup remover, making it quick and easy to remove all of your makeup at once. It even comes with a little organic exfoliating muslin cloth to wash it off with - 3 products in 1! My face feels so fresh and soft after cleansing this way and I don't think I could ever go back!

Fragonia and Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream:

It's almost like you can feel the moisture being sucked into your skin the instant you put this on your hands (hence the name!). I love that this formula is non-greasy as that's the main reason I usually try to avoid hand cream. I also really admire that Pai uses intelligent ingredients in their products, for example - 'Fragonia, has anti-inflammatory properties, while Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip and Grape Seed extracts promote cell regeneration and skin restructure' - perfect for mature or dry hands like mine. 

Avocado and Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream:

I feel positively glowing after using this moisturiser. I like that it dries quickly and is light enough to use under my makeup. It makes my face feel baby soft but doesn't add the greasiness I've experienced with moisturisers in the past. 

While these products are a bit on the pricey side (definitely more than my £3 face wipes) you gain so much from them. I believe this is a luxury to invest in, they really are a treat to use and have improved my skins radiance and softness. I also found I only needed to pump a small amount of product, meaning they should last a long time. They're also definitely more environmentally friendly than throwing away a face wipe each day. 

RAW TAHINI ENERGY BALLS

I love making raw energy balls, they're quick and easy to make plus you get a really deliciously healthy treat as a result. They keep fresh in the fridge for days so you can make a big batch of them in advance then eat them all week long!

The combination of dates, cacao and maple syrup makes these energy balls decadent enough to satisfy any sweet tooth while the tahini and oats will provide you with enough energy to see you through the afternoon, way more effective than reaching for a biscuit or chocolate bar! Paired with a nice cup of almond milk tea these are just a dream! All in all these energy balls are a perfect work-break pick me up, on the go snack or healthy lunch box treat.

Ingredients (makes 9-12):

- 1 1/2 cup gluten free oats

- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted

- 1/4 cup light tahini

- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
- Small cup of sesame seeds and/or cacao for rolling (optional)

Method: 

1.) Put all the ingredients listed into a food processor or Vitamix blender. Blend on high until a smooth texture is achieved and you can't see any oats whizzing round, you may need to scrape down the sides of the processor/blender. 

2.) Scoop out the mixture out with your hands or a spoon - this is the really messy part but don't worry it's supposed to be sticky! 

3.) I then like to refrigerate the mixture for an hour or even overnight until it hardens slightly, making it easier to roll into balls. 

4.) Roll them in a bowl of sesame seeds or cacao powder to coat. 

The cacao powder makes them feel more truffle like and brings out the cacao flavour while the sesame seeds give them a nice texture and bring out the tahini more. You could even turn them into an extra special treat by drizzling some melted dark chocolate over the raw mixture and adding them to a bowl of banana nice cream. 

If you liked these check out my Raw Cacao Bliss Balls recipe.