Villa Costa - Guest House

We had a lovely meal at Villa Costa in Pretoria last night.  Let them know your are coming and they will present you with a scrumptious meal in a homely atmosphere.

- Restaurants -

South Africa:

Gauteng Province:

Vegan/Vegetarian

Leafy Greens in Honey Dew -  www.leafygreens.co.za
Fruits and Roots in Bryanston -www.fruitsandroots.co.za
Fresh Earth in Emmarentia - www.freshearth.co.za
Conscious 108 in Greenside - hello@conscious108.co.za
The Greenside Cafe in Greenside - www.thegreensidecafe.co.za
Freefood (Melrose) - www.freefood.co.za
Cafe Raw (Hurlingham) - 082 8968176

Restaurants with Vegan options:

Spiceburg in Greenside or Midrand - www.spiceburg.com
Duke's Burger in Greenside - www.dukesburgers.co.za
Vikram's in Lonehill - www.vikrams.co.za
Doppio Zero in Sunninghill, South Downs and more franchise - www.doppio.co.za
Pizza Vino Pizza and Italian Food franchise - www.pizaevino.co.za
Colcacchio Pizza and Italian Food franchise - www.colcacchio.co.za
Primi Piatti - www.primi-world.co.za
Wakaberry Sorbet - www.wakaberry.co.za
Woolworths (salad sandwich & soya cappuccinos) - www.woolworths.co.za
Moroccan House: Le Terrasse Rooftop Café (delicious platter - replace mince balls with phyllo pockets) Pretoria - www.moroccanimports.co.za
Gusto Latino (Pretoria East) - 0798383002
The Secret Garden at Uncle Tim's Cabin (Benoni) - 011 967-1816
One Life Cafe & Deli (Pretoria, Hennopspark) - 012 6543750

Cape Province:

Vegan/Vegetarian:

Plant - www.plantcafe.co.za
Crush - www.crush.co.za
Wellness Warehouse - www.wellnesswarehouse.com
Tibetan Tea House - 021 7861544
Moonshadow Coffee Shop (Swellendam) www.moonshadow.co.za
Pure Cafe (Greyton) 0767228830

Restaurants with Vegan options:

Addis in Cape - www.addisincape.co.za
Knead (veggie burgers/pizza) www.kneadbakery.co.za
Masala Dosa - www.masaladosa.co.za
Kalkbay Cafe - www.kalkbaycafe.com
Primi Piatti - www.primi-world.co.za
Noisy Oyster (Paternoster) - 022 7522196
Gaatje (Paternoster) - www.saltcoast.co.za
Oep ve Koep (Paternoster) - 022 7522105
Enrico's (Keurbooms Strand) - www.enricorestaurant.co.za
Mount Nelson Hotel - Planet Restaurant (Cape Town) www.planetbarandrestaurant.co.za
Tulbagh Hotel (Tulbagh) www.tulbaghhotel.co.za
Readers (Tulbagh) www.readersrestaurant.co.za

Kwazulu-Natal Province:

Vegan/Vegetarian restaurants:

Little Gujarat Vegetarian Restaurant (Durban) - 031 305-3148
Cafe Bloom (Midlands) - 033 2666118

Restaurants with vegan menus:

The Chef's Table (Umhlanga) - +27 31 001 0200
Sebastian's (Umkomaas) - +27 39 973 0009

Mpumalanga Province:

Vegan Restaurants:

Old Joe's Kaia Lodge (Schoemanskloof) - www.oldjoes.co.za

Restaurants with Vegan Options available:

Saffron Restaurant (Nelspruit) - 013 7441146


Namibia:

Restaurants with Vegan options:

Garnish (Windhoek and Swakopmund) - www.garnish-restaurant.com

Macadamia Nut Cheese

The cheese can be used as a spread or in wedges.

 Soak the nuts for 3 hours if you don't have a power blender.  If you have one, skip this step.

 Blend all ingredients except the agar in soya milk and probiotics.

 Divide into 3 - 6 ramekins to be used as moulds.

Recipe:

2 1/2 C (400g)  macadamias (soak the nuts for 3 hours then rinse if you are not using a power blender)
1 C water
1 C unsweetened soya milk
1/2 tsp agar agar powder
1 T lemon juice
1 T organic maple syrup or agave
1 1/2 t Himalayan rock salt
1/2 t coconut oil
2 probiotic capsules

Heat soya milk with agar agar powder to boiling point.  Simmer for 2 minutes.

Blend all ingredients except the probiotics and agar agar/milk mixture in a food processor or power blender until the nut cheese is completely smooth.  Add warm soya milk with agar agar slowly to the blender.  Add probiotics and blend through on low speed.

Use any bowl or container that will easily release the cheese. Spray with a non-stick cooking spray.  Divide mixture equally into ramekins/containers.

Allow for fermentation time in the fridge of 24 hours. Loosen on the sides with a knife and turn over onto serving dish.  Use within 1 week.

Optional:  Add -1 tsp of fresh herbs of your choice.
                          1 clove garlic
                          1 t freshly ground black peppercorns

Quinoa with Sweet Peppers and Pineapple

This is a wonderful high protein recipe that my 10 year old nephew, Alex, adapted from one of Jamie's 15 minute meal TV programs.  Yes, he did take notes while watching the show.  He is an amazingly enthusiastic young cook.

 Spinach, spring onions, coriander leaves, mint and bell peppers

 Alex

 Alex chopping Peppers into bite size pieces

 Fresh Pineapple

 Chopping done.

 Fry together with Paprika and All Spice

 Blended greens mixed with Quinoa

Voila!

Ingredients:

250g Quinoa

2 -3 Cups of roughly shredded Spinach

3 Spring Onions

1 green Chili

1 handful of fresh Coriander leaves

½ Cup of fresh Mint leaves

For the Topping:

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

2 x large red and yellow sweet Peppers cut into bite size pieces

1 x Pineapple cut into bite size pieces

300g Vegan Chicken Strips or Vegan Chicken Julienne

1 tbs Paprika

1 tsp All Spice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:

• Cook the Quinoa according to the instructions on the packet. (Rinse before cooking)
• Blend the Spinach, Spring Onion, Chili, Coriander leaves and Mint leaves in a food processor until finely shredded.
• Add green mixture to cooked Quinoa.
• Fry the Sweet Peppers, Pineapple, Paprika and All Spice in the Coconut oil. When it starts to brown (about 6 to 8 minutes) add the Vegan Chicken Strips or Vegan Chicken Julienne. Cook until done. 
• Add Salt and Pepper to taste.
• Dish the fried ingredients on top of the Quinoa on a large platter.
• Decorate with Balsamic Glaze. 

Serves 6

Earth Day - 22 April (2013)

                                                                                                        Source: Being Vegan                                               

                                 What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to live a vegan lifestyle!


As a species, we can help save our planet from depletion through a method as ridiculously simple as eating a plant based diet. Yes - if you are vegan, you are already contributing to this effort - whatever the reason for your decision to abstain from using any animal products. But if you knew the facts, which by the way have been distorted and completely twisted by the global giants of the Animal Industry, you would take the truth as a responsibility and contribute even more to the healing of our precious Earth.

Dr Richard A. Oppenlander in his book 'Comfortably Unaware' captures the whole scope of Global Depletion. Instead of focusing on issues that branch off from the actual problem, this book reveals and lays on the table the issue society seems to be avoiding - the fact that global warming is only a small piece in the growing puzzle of Global Depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources. He states:

"Meat and dairy industries are responsible for using 45% of Earth's entire landmass and 29% of all fresh water withdrawals, they produce over 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 80% of all rainforest loss, cause over 50% of all modern day extinctions, eating up 77% of all coarse grain produced in the world, and causing more water and land pollution in the U.S. than all other industries combined. Our demand to eat fish has caused the collapse of 85% of the world's fisheries with more than 1,000 fish species now endangered--on the verge of extinction." 

So take the chance to learn what everyone should have been taught a long time ago, share the facts and tell them why every environmentalist should be vegan. Make a difference in your immediate environment. 

After all - the Earth is what we all have in common.

Choc Chip Muffins

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and to celebrate I baked some vegan, gluten-free muffins.

Although, calling it baking might be a bit of an exaggeration because these muffins are so easy!

Ingredients:

-Glutagon Choc Chip Mix (Found at Dis-chem)

-240ml Soy Milk (You can use rice milk or almond milk too)

-60g vegan margarine (I use Cardin but find other alternatives here )
-Icing (I used Nicoletta Glitter Writing Icing but later saw that the red/pink contains cochineal derived from an insect so only buy the purple, white or blue)

Method:

Mix the first 3 ingredients together, spoon into a 6 tray muffin pan and bake for 21-23 minutes at 180'C

I told you it's too easy to be called baking!

Now the fun begins... decorate!

Wine List

Arendsig Hand-Crafted Wines                                               

Audacia Wines        
Beau Joubert WinesBlack ForestBon Cap OrganicsCranefields
Creation (White wines only)
Brampton Wines
Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc
D'Aria Winery
Diemersdal Estate
Elberti
Evolution
Fairview Wines
Goats Do Roam Rose
Kaapzicht
Kleine Draken
Kumala Organic
Laibach
Leopard's Leap Wines

Boschkloof Wines

Lord's

Lothian Vineyards

Louis Wine

Long Mountain

M'hudi Wines

Marianne Wine Estate

Matzikama Organic Cellar

Merwida

Mt Vernon

Mullineux Family Wines

Neil Joubert

Neil Ellis

Opstal Wine Estate

Third Millenium Chenin Blanc Chardonnay

Seven Sisters

Spice Route Wines

Spookfontein

Stellar Winery

Tall Horse

The Green House and Bon Cap

Waverly Organics

Additional information available on http://www.vegansa.com/foodstuffs-wine.php

Where do you get your protein?!?

As a vegan, one of the most common questions I get is "Where do you get your protein?"

Well when last did you ask an elephant where they get their protein from?

PLANTS!

 picture from: http://desktopwallpaperswide.com

People tend to think that the only source of protein is found in meat and dairy... 

This couldn't be further from the truth!

 Protein is found in leafy greens, nuts, legumes and seeds.

We do not need animal protein to function as healthy and happy humans.

This being said, protein deficiency is common in both meat-eaters and vegans.

So in order to make sure you are eating enough protein you can do this simple calculation:

body weight x 0.8 = g of protein needed on a daily basis

eg: 60kg x 0.8 = 48g

The average woman needs about 46 grams and the average man 56 grams.

Pregnant woman need up to 71grams a day.

So here are a few examples of how to get your protein in as a vegan.
(Please note that the following are brand and product specific and are just meant to be used as ideas to proof the point that protein can be obtained from plants)

250g soy milk  - 8g

50g nuts - 9g

1 cup of chickpeas - 15g

1 Fry's original burger - 13g

= 45 grams

See, easy!

* Zanzibar Lentil Dip / Spread *

Blend in a food processor:

2 diced onions

2 tsp chopped garlic

2 tins brown lentils

3/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp fresh ginger

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Stir in roughly chopped fresh coriander.

Enjoy as a dip with crackers or as a spread on potatoes, seed rolls or any fresh bread with slices of avocado pear.

******

"Veg head"

Source unknown

- You are what you eat -

Vegan Travels: Cape Town

On a recent trip to the Mother City, we explored all that Cape Town has to offer for vegan visitors.

Travelling as a vegan can sometimes be a bit daunting, and if you are a foreigner I recommend buying The Vegan Passport  as it allows you to tell people about your diet in more than 73 languages including most of the African languages.

Cape Town is a relatively vegan-friendly city as a lot of people know and understand what it entails. 

Most restaurants will have a vegan option, and if they don't, then they are usually willing to make one up for you. If all else fails, Woolworths is always a great place to find a fresh produce or even a salad sandwich.

We visited the following restaurants on our trip:

Wakame: With breathtaking views, you can enjoy a vegan meal her in the form of sushi. Sushi is always an easy option for vegans, just make sure they don't add any mayonnaise

The Bombay Bicycle Club: This wonderfully bohemian restaurant does offer a few vegan options including a veggie board. The managers were kind enough to offer a vegan pasta and curry if I didn't feel like the veggie board. I tried their curry, and it was amazing. My food was the best at the table, and we had a wonderful evening.

Neighbourgoods/ Old Biscuit Mill Market: This hipster market offers quite a few options for vegans. I enjoyed a freshly squeezed beetroot and carrot juice before digging into the most delicious Just Mushrooms. There were also vegan burgers for sale, as well as an organic veggie stand where I dived into the fresh coconut. Make sure to visit this market on a Saturday.

Slug and Lettuce: Unlike the other Slug and Lettuce I know, the one on Kloof Street has a bistro feel to it. I enjoyed delightful veggie spring rolls here.

Darling Brew: This locally brewed vegan beer is available at most venues in Cape Town including Primi Piatti .

Addis in Cape:  This trendy yet traditional restaurant in Church Street, Cape Town offers a full vegan menu of at least 10 dishes. They also offer Leopard's Leap wine by the glass or bottle.

Masala Dosa:  A quaint restaurant in Long street serving south Indian Cuisine with ample vegan options to choose from. Be warned, no knifes and forks. Quirky and full of fun. 

Gaaitjie:  A 70 year old fisherman's cottage, now turned into a restaurant, nestled amongst the rocks in Paternoster on the West Coast.  Remember to book in advance and let them know you are vegan.  We were pleasantly surprised with a very tasty 3 course meal.

So the next time you travel to this beautiful part of South Africa, make sure to check out some of our favourite spots. If you have some other suggestions please feel free to post them as comments.

Seaweed Rolls with Cashew Nut Spread

The first time I tasted these incredibly delicious seaweed rolls was at Leafy Greens Cafe in Muldersdrift.  To make my version of  these yummy rolls you are going to need a packet of 10 Nori Sushi Sheets. 

- Easy Broccoli Salad -

Broccoli florets (1 head)
1/2 - 1 cup vegan mayonnaise (Crosse & Blackwell Trim mayonnaise) according to taste
1/3 cup almond flakes
1/3 cup Organic shelled hemp seeds (optional)
vegan cheese shavings (Vegusto No-Moo Mildly-Aromatic or Piqant)
A handful of chopped pistachio nuts to garnish

Steam the broccoli florets for a few minutes - they must still be firm and bright green. Mix the mayonnaise, almond flakes and hemp seeds (a wonderful complete protein) together and stir into the broccoli. Garnish with cheese shavings and chopped pistachio nuts. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Note: Vegusto vegan cheeses are available at Shoprite Checkers in South Africa. The Organic hemp seeds are available from health shops - I use the Superfoods brand.

# # # # #

How to get your body’s PH more alkaline.

The reason why we have to try and get the PH in our bodies more alkaline is because the western diet is acid-producing. As explained in the Rawlicious recipe book, when the body is too acidic the red blood cells clump together and oxygen cannot get to all the cells.

By alkalizing the blood, the red blood cells can flow freely and deliver oxygen to all the cells in your body. Aches and pains, tiredness, lack of concentration are all symptoms of a too acidic body. All acidic food is not unhealthy and one needs the nutrients. An alkaline intake between 50% and 80% is a good way to get the acid-alkaline body correct.

The easiest and most effective way to get more alkaline:

1.  is to eat and drink more alkaline foods. Broccoli, baby spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, avocados, apples, lemons, limes, celery, cucumbers, dates and figs are all examples. Try to purchase organic fruit and vegetables, otherwise make sure that it is properly washed or peeled to avoid toxic pesticides.
2. drink green vegetable juices. The juice I make my family on a regular basis is in the July archive called Carrot, Beetroot, Apple and Ginger Juice. The Rawlicious recipe book has a variety of different alkalizing juices
3. drink greens drinks like Barley and Wheat grass twice a day to boost your alkalinity. These are available in dried and fresh form. The Real Thing has a great variety of greens and is available at Dischem and healthstores like Weleda and Fruits and Roots. 

Find a Acid-Alkaline food chart here.

Fresh Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto

This risotto is so creamy and delicious!

(Serves 6)

6 cups vegetable stock
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh mushrooms 
3 tbsp oil
1/4 cup vegan butter/margarine
1,5 cup fresh asparagus tips - lightly steamed 
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup shallots, finely chopped
1 cup Arborio rice, uncooked
1/3 cup white wine
1/2 cup vegan mock Parmesan cheese
1 tsp chopped fresh chives, for garnish
salt and pepper

In a large saucepan add the vegetable stock, cover and keep warm over low heat. 

In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, add 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Using the same pan, heat remaining oil and add onions and shallots, stirring until soft. Add the garlic and remaining butter and sauté for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir until well combined. Add the wine and stir until the wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup of the warm stock and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until nearly absorbed. Continue adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each additional stock be absorbed before adding more.  Continue adding the broth until the rice is tender and creamy, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Stir in the sautéed mushrooms, asparagus and parmesan cheese to the rice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of chives and enjoy!

Adapted from Kim Barnouin's recipe 'Wild mushroom & asparagus risotto' (Skinny Bitch - Ultimate Everyday Cookbook)

Do it for the survival of humanity.

Since going vegan I have naturally tried to convince the other people in my life to do the same. 

I am a huge animal lover as well as being health and environmentally conscious. 

Most people respond to the animal abuse facts I give them, but some people simply don't feel the same affection for these beings as I do (this blows my mind, but I try be as open minded as possible).

So for those people who don't feel guilty for consuming our fellow animal for the luxury of taste I have plenty other reasons for going vegan, and the number one reason is health.

We all like to think we are taking care of our health, some more than others, but even people who are extremely unhealthy take out medical aid insurance in case. 

So this is something us humans (and other earthlings) have in common... basic survival instincts. 

These instincts sometimes get blurred inbetween all the other things we have to think about in our busy modern lives, but when disease strikes we are naturally inclined to try and cure it.

Diabetes, cancer and heart disease are claiming lives every second of every day.

"Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 63% of all deaths" Who.int

Image from Boston University, School of Public Health

Pretty depressing right? Well veganism is the light at the end of this tunnel.

Following a whole-food, plant-based diet can not only prevent but in some cases reverse these dreaded diseases. Stories about people curing themselves from cancer without harmful chemical are becoming more and more common.

Need more convincing?

Forks over Knives is a brilliant documentary explaining how we should all follow a vegan diet for our health and the health of generations to come. 

We have to break the cycle of consuming something that is killing us prematurely. 

We need to evolve in order to keep our species from self destructing.

So if not for the animals, then do it for yourself and the well being of humanity.

GO VEGAN.

* Becoming vegan - living your truth *

To me the most dangerous phrase in any language is;  "We've always done it this way". I am thinking of the many who are still holding their sense of mercy in check for fear of social disapproval, for standing out in the crowd. 

Changing the world begins with the very personal process of changing yourself, the only place you can begin is where you are, the only time you can begin is always now. Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone. I can personally testify that the best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies, no excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it.  

Choose to align yourself with people who are like-minded, your life is simplified enormously when you don't have to defend yourself to anyone and when you receive support rather than criticism.

As you walk around with this illumination, this beautiful light, you change that which is dark. This is the day your life really begins.  

For me personally the journey of 'living my truth' began the day I decided to become vegan.

'The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous'  -- Emile Zola

There are no excuses, I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that benefit or are profitable to the human race. The pain we inflict upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my objection toward all of it - that one meal soon forgotten in exchange for a whole life, the cruelty of the dairy industry, the egg and chicken hatcheries, the slaughter houses, the rodeos, the bull runs, the zoos, the pet shops, the cattle farms, the production of foie gras, the hunting industry, the clubbing and killing of so many creatures for their fur, their meat, their fins. My only concern is the suffering which we deliberately inflict upon the voiceless, tormenting those who have never harmed us, and who cannot defend themselves.  

Yes, I am hopeful - not because I am foolishly romantic - my hope is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, kindness. I believe by living a life of compassion, by being vegan, you will not know whose life you actually touched, but the fact is that you unmistakably did. Gentleness and compassion are engulfing our world today, the only question is whether or not you are willing to join the revolution. I believe that if you really want to do something you'll find a way, if you don't you'll find an excuse.

So Please.... Honor them, Love them, Help them, Heal them, but above all else, Free them.

A Guide to Vegetarian, Vegan & Jain Dining in SA

The large increase in the number of Indian tourists holidaying in South Africa has led SA Tourism to publish a vegetarian cookery book, to guide local restaurants and hotels in the preparation of vegetarian, vegan, and Jain dining. ‘Guide to Vegetarian, Vegan & Jain Dining in South Africa’ is available free of charge to hospitality establishments, and has been prepared with input by the SA Chefs’ Association.

The latest SA Tourism newsletter reports that the Guide has 50 recipes for snacks, starters and sides, salads and soups, main courses, and desserts, and ‘lists food items that each group may (and may not) eat; gives a brief explanation of the culture that informs the dietary lifestyle of these tourists; and offers a wide selection of delicious recipes that will keep vegetarian, vegan and Jain visitors happy and well-fed as they explore and fall in love with South Africa’.  The book also explains the differences between vegetarians, vegans, Jain eaters, pescatarians, and lacto-vegetarians, and suggests the best local places to source ingredients.  Jainism is a religion in India which dictates vegetariasm, but its adherents may not eat root vegetables, says Wikipedia

‘South Africa is justifiably famous globally for its cuisine and delicious fresh produce. We want to make sure that South Africa delights the palate of every single visitor - even those whose dietary preferences are strictly vegetarian,’ said Thulani Nzima, CEO of SA Tourism. ‘We also want to educate the local hospitality industry and tourism operators about how to best meet the dietary requirements of these visitors,’ continued Mr Nzima.

One of South Africa’s fastest-growing tourism markets is India, which grew more than 26% in 2011 and continues its strong growth. ‘Our research has found that the culture of visitors from India differs markedly from South African Indians, and although Indian visitors love our destination, their specific dietary needs are not taken care of in South Africa,’ added Mr Nzima.

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Why honey is not vegan.

'We've been tricked into believing that honey is simply a byproduct of the essential pollination provided by farmed honeybees.'  


To read this informative and beautiful article, please follow this link to a gentle world.

I won a trip to Europe...

I can't believe it, but I have won a trip to Europe thanks to The Big Issue and Busabout!

After being randomly selected along with 11 other contestants it was a battle for votes, and thanks to my amazing family, friends and co-workers I managed to get the most votes.