Pretty Plant Powered #1: Wine Isn't Vegan!?

Hello and welcome to the first edition of Pretty Plant Powered, a fortnightly newsletter where I (Ami A.K.A @gfandplantbaseddelights) share vegan product reviews, tips, restaurant recommendations and recipes I’ve been loving!

I always wish I could expand more on my Instagram captions and help others learn more about Veganism and living healthily.

Now here’s my chance…

What's hiding in your wine glass? The surprising non-vegan ingredients found in many popular wines…

When I first became vegan over 3 years ago, it took me a while to fully understand everything I needed to look out for when purchasing my fave products. There were so many hidden animal substances I had no idea were included in everyday items!

People are always shocked when I tell them that animal derived products such as egg whites, gelatine and isinglass (fish bladders…) are often used to filter wine, making it non-vegan.

Some winemakers also use animal-derived products like casein and albumin to fine-tune the wine's flavour and texture.

Here are my top tips for avoiding non-vegan wines:

• Look for vegan certification: Look for wine labels that display a vegan certification, such as the Vegetarian/Vegan Society trademark.

• Research the winery: Check the winery's website or contact them directly to inquire about their winemaking practices. Many wineries have started to include vegan-friendly information on their websites, such as "vegan-friendly" or "suitable for vegans" labels.

• Avoid certain ingredients: Mentioned above.

• Stick to organic wines: Organic wines tend to be more likely to be vegan-friendly since they often use natural and sustainable methods in their winemaking process.

I recently tried Prodolce - a sparkling wine which is vegan friendly and is somewhere between a Champagne and a Prosecco!

The Count ‘Piovene’ family, Prodolce’s co-founders, have their origins in the Veneto region where Prosecco originates and is produced. The family’s original residence dates to 1540 and designed by the famous architect “Palladio” and is now a UNESCO listed building.

It is a truly wonderful and delicious vegan alternative! I highly recommend it.

Use code AMI10 for 10% off. Unpaid shoutout - I just love this brand!

Feel more energised by reducing your sugar intake - here's how…

“We are a nation of sweet tooths, consuming more than twice as much sugar as the global average.” said The Guardian in Dec 2021.

It's no secret that our sweet tooth can get the best of us, but did you know it can also throw off our cognitive chemistry? Yes. Sugar can mess with our signals and natural bodily intelligence, leading us to crave more and more of those addictive sugary foods that leave us feeling bloated and sluggish.

A big reason for those sugar cravings is blood sugar imbalance. When we eat something sweet, our blood sugar level spikes and our body releases insulin to bring it back down. But if our blood sugar drops too low, we start craving foods that will raise it back up and give us a quick energy boost. It's like being on a "blood sugar rollercoaster" that can mess with our mood and energy levels.

However, cravings can also be caused by lifestyle factors like stress and poor sleep. When we're stressed, our body releases the hormone cortisol which raises our blood sugar level. And when we're tired, we might reach for sugary snacks to combat our fatigue. It's important to listen to our cravings and figure out if they're from true hunger, emotional eating, or just habit.

If that's not enough, sugar can also wreak havoc on our gut health by encouraging the growth of bad bacteria like candida and yeast. This can lead to digestive issues, inflammation, brain fog, and even serious illnesses.

Here are some ways to avoid excess sugars:

• Cook from Scratch: Cooking from scratch is an easy way to ensure that you are not consuming hidden sugars. When you cook your meals, you control the ingredients, and you can avoid processed foods. Preparing your meals also allows you to use fresh ingredients, which are typically healthier than pre-packaged or processed foods.

• Use Natural Sweeteners: When baking, try to use maple syrup, agave, or fruits as sweeteners instead of highly refined sugars. You can also use spices like cinnamon to enhance the natural sweetness in food. For example, you can add cinnamon to apples or pears and roast them, mix them with coconut yogurt or add them to cereals for a naturally sweet flavour.

• Choose a Balanced Breakfast: Breakfast is an important meal that can set you up for a day of stable blood sugar levels and help control your appetite and weight. Avoiding sugary breakfast options is essential for maintaining stable energy levels throughout the day. A balanced breakfast should contain slow-release carbohydrates, a little protein, and healthy fats to help keep you feeling fuller longer. For example, avocado and hummus on toast or a bit of coconut yogurt with porridge and seeds are both good options.

• Watch Out for Hidden Sugars: Hidden sugars are everywhere and can be found in nearly everything processed, even where you might not expect them. Food companies can be sneaky and try to hide sugar in the ingredients list with names that consumers might not understand. Keep your eyes peeled for the following names for added sugar:

  1. Sucrose

  2. Glucose

  3. Fructose

  4. Dextrose

  5. Maltose

  6. High-fructose corn syrup

Restaurant Review: DAUNS

DAUNS is the UK’s first fully vegan Scandinavian café, bar and deli based near Spitalfields. I had the BEST time trying out some popular dishes which were nearly all gluten free! I tried:

• Smørrebrød (Classic Scandi Open Sandwiches) – my fave was the Skagen, Tofish on Toasted Bread.

• Swedish Meatballs, Mash, Creamy Gravy, Fried Onions, Gherkins and Lingonberries.

• Sunday Roast, Seitan Medallions (not gluten free), Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, Tenderstem Broccoli, Creamed Gravy and Lingon

• Cheese Twist with Harissa Mayo.

• Spiced Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream (wow, just wow)!

• Swedish Cordial, Virgin Vargtass (Homemade Lingonberry Juice, Sparkling Water) and Julmust which were very refreshing.

The owner, Rickard was very friendly, knowledgeable and passionate and also works with local suppliers to offer a wide range of deli items – including Honestly Tasty’s incredible vegan cheese!

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recipe: Dahl with Curried Tempeh

Tempeh is a high-protein, fermented food that is rich in essential nutrients and low in calories. It is an excellent source of plant-based protein for vegans and vegetarians. Just 1x 100-gram serving of tempeh contains approximately 18-20 grams of protein!

Regular consumption is likely to improve gut health, aid in weight loss, and lower the risk of heart disease which is why I have included this delicious recipe in this week’s newsletter.

Serves: 2

Time: 35 Mins

Ingredients:

• 1 onion

• 180g Plant Power Curry Flavoured Tempeh

• 150g cherry tomatoes

• 1cm fresh ginger chopped finely ⁠

• 2 heaped tsp medium curry powder

• 1/2 red chilli chopped finely

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 100g red split pea lentils

• 300ml vegetable stock

• 1/2 tin coconut milk

• Salt

Method:

• Chop the onion and tomatoes into small pieces and add them to a frying pan along with some olive oil. Add the curry powder, ginger, chilli, turmeric and season with salt! Cook this down until nicely softened.

• Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the lentils along with the stock and coconut milk. Stir all together, making sure to add a little seasoning.

• Bring it to a simmer and then turn the heat down to a gentle simmer! Pop a lid on and allow to cook for around 20-25 minutes until the lentils are cooked through.

• In a frying pan add a little olive oil and gently fry the curried tempeh pieces.

• Divide the dahl into bowls and top with some vegan yoghurt, curried tempeh pieces and coriander leaves to finish and enjoy.

I hope this was useful!

Until next time,

Ami x

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