Trick or treat, give me something good to eat!
A 400g bag of vegan sweets for a fiver from Zad’s takeaway, made by Cruelty Free Candy
Vegan Pick n’ Mix Sweets
eco lifestyle
The ‘Zadams Family Pumpkin Spice’ Vegan Pizza from Zad’s, Manchester
The Zadam’s Family Pumpkin Spice Pizza from Zad’s is THE best vegan pizza I have ever eaten!
Not too sweet (like a lot of vegan pizzas tend to be), but savoury, with just a little sweet spice. Perfect balance!
‘Pumpkin, squash and sweet potato puree base, with garlic drizzle, sage, thyme, crispy kale, cheese, red onion, roasted chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, apple chunks and diced walnut coated with cinnamon and dash of chilli flakes to warm your soul’.
The most Autumnal thing I’ve eaten this year!
🦇✨Chrissie✨🦇
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Visit to Bundobust – Indian Vegetarian Street Food and Bar – Manchester
Spot my bloke on the right
I’ve always loved that Bundobust is a no frills, eco friendly canteen and bar (even the cutlery is biodegradable), serving Indian street food.
It’s really spacious but still manages to be cozy and friendly. We reserved a booth because I’m not able to climb into and sit on the bench seating, plus we wanted to be isolated because of Covid.
They have gluten free beer, mango lassi, cocktails, chai tea, the most delicious peshwari paratha (sweet bread) and kulfi (pistachio ice cream).
Saag Aloo (spinach and potato); Paneer, mushroom and pepper kebabs; Peshwari Paratha (sweet bread); Sev Puri (Dry noodle, layers of samosa, yoghurt and tamarind sauce); Okra fries.
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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Monthly Round Up – September
Now the weather has cooled my chronic fatigue and brain- fog has calmed a bit. Unfortunately this makes my ADHD (self diagnosed as a teen but wildly obvious) a lot worse. It’s like I’ve drunk three espressos all of the time. Nice to have some energy and my quirky personality back though! 😄 It took me five six attempts to be able to write this properly. 😆
Style
My ‘sensible dress’ which I hardly ever wear. However, I got so many compliments on it (over on my Instagram) that I’m going to wear it a lot more.
Food
We went to Allotment Vegan Eatery in town, which had beautiful food and cozy decor but would have been too dear if we hadn’t taken advantage of the government ‘eat out to help out’ scheme.
Had a lovely meal at Sai Spice in Chorlton. Here are leftovers of Mutter Panner (peas and cheese which tastes nicer than it sounds), Young coconut and green beans and vegetable Kolpahuri which was really piquant!
Vegan and gluten free cheese-on-toast using Genius bread and Follow Your Heart, Pepper Jack flavour. Wow!
Beauty
After three months of loosely following The Curly Girl Method (but with other products) my hair is shiny and soft, with less frizz AND holding it’s curl shape.
Lifestyle
The most geeky and awesome book I have ever read! This is like the crazy dreams I’d have regularly as a kid in the 80’s.
Still writing down happy things that have happened, as and when they occur, so I can read them back when I’ve been having a succession of shitty mental/physical health days, to give me some perspective.
Watching
Dark – Complex, family oriented sci-fi
Boardwalk Empire – Sprawling 1920’s Gangsta series set in Atlantic City
Hero’s – Series featuring time travel and a big cast of characters discovering they have unique powers.
The Months Most Used Emojis
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Really looking forward to a chilly but beautiful Autumn and Halloween of course. 🦇
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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The Allotment Vegan Eatery – First Impressions
The Allotment Vegan Eatery, located on Lloyd Street, makes fine dinning simple and relatable (and gluten free too). As soon as you walk in it feels welcoming and cozy, even though it’s quite spacious.
We visited early on a rainy Monday to take advantage of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, which they are continuing through September. I really liked the simple and natural feel to decor and layout. There is an extensive drinks menu offering juices, bottled soft drinks, beer, teas, cocktails and wine.
Small Plates
My bloke’s tiny dish was too tiny to eat out of properly but he found the Edamame Salad, with kale, chilli, spring onions, soy and tamarind dressing was really refreshing.
I found the little boats made from Chicory leaves to be the perfect way to eat tenderstem broccoli with black olive tapenade, toasted hazelnuts and pumpkin and pomegranate seeds. A unique combination which worked really well.
Large Plates
My bloke likes a good risotto but he’d never tried a beetroot risotto with ricotta before. This dish had a lovely flavour but both the maple glazed beetroot and the ricotta were similarly sweet, so it needed another salty or sharp flavour to break them up and help define them both.
I ordered the ‘fish’ and chips. Wow, we’re those chips big and crispy! The minted peas had a subtle flavour which was just right and the homemade tarter sauce was a perfect accompaniment. The ‘fish’ was made from banana blossom which had a texture similar to shredded duck and tasted strongly of lemon. The batter had a nice crunch but the fish was crying out for some kind of salt but there was no salt and pepper on the table, a trend which is becoming more common I’ve noticed.
Dessert
There were only two desserts so we ordered one each to share. Blueberry Cheesecake and a Hazelnut Slice.
The hazelnut slice base was made of crushed hazelnuts, with a thick layer of salted caramel praline, topped with solid Belgian chocolate ganache. The portion of this delicious desert was so big I was glad I was sharing it.
The base of the blueberry cheesecake was made of crushed pea cans and almonds, topped with a vanilla and blended cashew filling, topped with blueberry and chai seed compot. Such skill must have gone into making this as it was wonderful!
The inclusion of fresh fruit and ice cream with both deserts was a nice touch and lifted their flavour, rather than just being sweet deserts.
One thing I have to mention is how uncomfortable the wooden chairs are if you don’t have any back fat. The next day a part of my spine actually felt bruised! There is a settee (which was taken) and I noticed other metal chairs when we were leaving.
Service was timely and friendly although we did arrive early and it got a lot busier later. We wouldn’t eat there again unless it was for a treat like a birthday as we found it to be too pricey for our budget but I can understand why, as it’s evident a lot of thought, skill and care goes into the food.
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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My Surprisingly Green Lifestyle 1970’s – 2000’s
70’s
My Grandparents were quite poor so they ‘up-cycled’ or made things to reduce buying cheap crap which wouldn’t last.
🧷🔩🧺
80’s
My parents supported nature by planting insect and bee friendly plants (their parents had organic allotments/gardens all their lives) growing tomatoes and hanging up bird feeders.
🌷👩🏼🌾🦆
I was in Junior school in the 80’s where we got taught about the hole in the O-zone layer, global warming and recycling (you had to take it to certain supermarkets).
🏭🌍♻️
In the 80’s we lived a 20 min bus ride away from The Body Shops so I saved up my spends and bought cruelty-free skincare and perfume.
🧴🐰💄
90’s
We never ate much read meat, only in Potato Hash and corned beef butties. Any fresh meat we bought from the local butchers, who had local suppliers.
So for a kid from a low income family, in the middle of a city, I was lucky to grow up with a fairly sustainable and considerate lifestyle, without actually considering it!
🏙🏘🏗
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2000’s
I’ve cut right back on fast-fashion. Overall, I only buy things which I know I will wear for years or even decades to come. If I like something I will take a photo of it, wait for five days and then if I’m still sure I want it (and it earns a place in my wardrobe) I’ll buy it.
👟👗🤗
When I come back from the shops I empty my spare change into a money box and when it’s full I spend the money at an independent business and/or charity shop.
💰💸💳
💚 What do you aim to start or stop doing? 💚
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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Monthly Roundup – August
I’ve taken screen shots from my Instagram to remind me, and show you what I’ve been up to this month.
Skincare and Haircare
I changed my contraception so got quite a few hormonal spots and this Body Shop Tea Tree, Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner was invaluable; as was The Ordinary, Lactic Acid which very gently and naturally exfoliates.
Now it’s the end of August and my skin has settled so I’m using Neal’s Yard Remedies Orange Flower Toner and Orange Flower Moisturiser everyday to keep my skin all glowy and nourished (along with the The Ordinary Lactic Acid twice a week).
Food, glorious food!
Me and my bloke spent our Tesco vouchers on Pizza Express (who will be going into liquidation next month apparently) and order two ‘new’ veggie pizzas and all of the salad.
To take advantage of the governments ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme we went to Ruyi Vegetarian Restaurant. Amazing!
I’ve gotten back into the fake meat brand Vivera and have been making simple stir-fries. Like these Vivera Shwarma Kebab strips with rice and pea and sweet corn and Jamaican Jerk BBQ sauce.
The hot weather made really reduced my appetite so these mezze/tapas style bowls were great to nibble on.
Style
I’ve had purchasing a Nirvana tee at the back of my mind for decades and this month I found an official pale pink one. Cute and grungy!
I got sick of buying summer shoes that were either too flat and bad for my shitty joints or too heavy or that flew off my feet going down stairs. I bit the bullet and bought Crocs. I actually think these look pretty bad-ass as they remind me of late 80’s/early 90’s street style. Here’s my full review of Crocs.
I still think the simplest thing to wear is a maxi dress. Hides a ton of sins and all you have to choose are shoes and then a jacket/cardigan for evening.
Lifestyle
In the crazy hot weather I’ve been wearing these sandals from Newlook, drinking Rockstar blueberry energy drink, using this light and fruity perfume from Eden and ( even with my limited concentration span) flew through My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
The households charity shop donations for the second quarter of the year: A crazy wide pair of linen trousers, a face scrub you have to mix from powder (I managed to spill the first pot everywhere), vest I’m now too big for, too small jeans, a teeny-tiny dress from Japan, shoes which I’ve had over a decade and worn out.
Tips on How Not To Be Constantly Late and a fun checklist to see How Basic Are You?
Listened to
80’s pop and bluesy rock.
Watched
Snowfall about the start of the crack epidemic in early 80’s LA, like a mixture of Breaking Bad, The Getdown and The Wire.
Canada’s Drag Race, love Priyanka!
Galdem (on BBC iPlayer) about women making it in the UK grime scene.
Read
My Sister The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
Don’t forget to like, comment or subscribe! Xxx
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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First Impressions of Ruyi Vegetarian Restaurant
Finally visited Ruyi Vegetarian House (Withington) who do delicious vegetarian and vegan food, specialising in mock-meats.
They are doing the #eatouttohelpoutscheme during the week.
The general standard of cooking was fantastic and the staff (even though they were so busy) were so attentive. Really relaxed, friendly atmosphere too.
I ordered: Peking Ribs (lovely), Salt and Pepper Tofu (quality), Mixed Veg (subtle seaweed flavour).
My Bloke ordered: Peking Ribs, Satay Chicken (amazing) and Stir Fried Mushroom (lovely).
They’re moving to Chorlton very soon, which is a very trendy and unique place to be. I do think it will be such a shame for this part of Withington that another veggie/vegan place has gone, along with the closure of Boho Utopia cafe recently.
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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Monthly Round Up – July
Style
I’ve mostly been wearing this combo or these pants with the-dye tops. I’m all about clashing prints this summer.
I bought these adorable and very unique Freda Kahlo earrings by Wilderness from Sour Cherry, who are located in Afflecks and they also have an online shop.
I’ve been wearing this outfit (shrug, maxi dress, black gladiator sandals) the few times we’ve been out and about.
I posted about Items of Clothing That Seem Ideal in Theory but…
Hated my heavy, long fringe in the heat so gave myself a short choppy one instead.
Food
After reading that Pizza Express will be slowly closing branches permanently from September my Bloke used up his Tesco points and treated us to a meal. We thought it crap that the rocket didn’t come with the mozzarella and tomato so we ordered that as well. We also ordered three 14″ pizzas which were amazing. A spicy, smokey one with aubergine, peppers and humus (added after cooking); a slightly sweet one with sultanas, black olives and red onion and a cheesy one with garlic.
I tried Aldi’s No Steak Bake which had the loveliest flakey pastry and a mince sauce that was so rich it would have suited a Spag Bol better!
Did a comprehensive Cupboard and Fridge Shop at Ocado (didn’t realise they have Follow Your Heart Cheese unfortunately). It’s all gluten and dairy free apart from the pepperoni which has milk in the flavouring.
We visited V Revolution. I had this cheese burger with bacon, slaw and onion rings. My bloke had the burger between two doughnuts which he said was very tasty and not as weird as you’d think. Okay…!?
I’ve started putting chilli (fresh, or oil, or sauce), spring onion and crushed roasted peanuts on everything. So refreshing for summer!
Skincare and Makeup
If I Could Only Use One Skincare Product this is what I chose and explained why.
I blogged about my Lifestyle Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin.
Unpopular Opinions – Makeup Tag was surprisingly fun to join in with. Spotted on Just Geeking By.
Lifestyle
I posted 20 Tips for Living a Greener, More Sustainable Lifestyle
Another tag which I find by the lovely Heather over at Just Geeking By was The 90’s Tag I was a teen in the 90’s so this was so much fun!
The last tag I joined in with was The Daily Gratitude Tag – Home Sweet Home
TV
Limitless – a spin off from the film staring Bradley Cooper. A guy who’s on pills which expand his mind consults for the FBI. Light and entertaining.
Preacher – About a preacher, a con-woman and a vampire ft. God and a murderous Saint. Totally nuts!
Films
The Avengers films – Never get bored of these.
Captain America – Kinda boring.
Mortal Engines – Film Set in the future most cities will have morphed into huge machines which move around and swallow smaller cities to survive but not all cities are as ruthless as this. Two young people fight to find justice and fairness. Based on the Mortal Engines Quartet books by Philip Reeve.
Super 8 – A film incredibly similar to Stranger Things before that series was created.
Youtube
Brad Mondo – Very honest, funny, sweet hairdresser who reacts to people doing their own hair and also does tutorials.
Music
Kate Bush album Hounds of Love; Fun Loving Criminals album Scooby Snacks; Lady Ice (fellow Mancunian) single No Silence; Nadia Rose single Skwod.
If there’s anything you want to ask me or to tell me, please leave a comment, I love reading them and replying to you!
🖤✨Chrissie✨🖤
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20 Tips for Living a Greener, More Sustainable Lifestyle
TIPS ON LIVING A GREEN LIFESTYLE
- Recycle/Upcycle
- Reuse/Repair
- Buy organic
- Reduce plastic consumption (use wooden/fabric/glass/metal alternatives)
- Avoid single use plastic
- Support independent companies
- Buy local produce
- Campaign/fund raise for wildlife and nature
- Drive an electric car or cycle or use public transport
- Use cruelty free and natural skincare, selfcare and household products
- Buy from and donate to charity shops
- Sell quality items on Depop and donate the money to smaller charities
- Use fabric tote bags for shopping
- Grow your own veg (growing a little tomato or chilli plant or regrowing veg ends like lettuce on your windowsill counts)
- Avoid fast fashion as much as possible
- Get clothes altered and learn how to hem and use darts to alter size/shape (fairly easy but makes a huge difference).
- Buy your electricity and gas from Good Energy/Ecotricity
- Use the phone provider Eco Talk
- Turn off the light when you leave the room
- Wear another layer, rather than turning up the heating
Just do your best and don’t stress!
