WELCOME

It’s our first birthday and it’s our best issue yet by a stretch,
we reckon anyway. We made issue 4 available online free to
The Team
download for the first time in August, around about the
Design Jenny Jenius and Dutch Tim same time that the website www.offthehoof.co.uk was
launched, and its been a huge success, with thousands of
Website Excellart people able to download the whole magazine around the
globe for the first time. So much so in fact that we decide to
Resident Too Tone, Posh Eddy,
give issue 5 away free online too – as well of course it being
Writers SuperKazza, UberBitch H, Slim T
available in printed version in selected Borders across the UK
Guest Writers Pat Reeves, Super Agent H and some of the better independent health stores too.
Added to that all the Eco Veggie Fayres coming up and we’ve
Sales Peter
been busy to say the least. The consequence of this is that I
Office Manager Fred The Foreman have lost weight, stopped drinking, upped the training and
changed my name yet again – this time, its Slim T, editor of
Editor Slim T
Off The Hoof, and that’s the way it’ll stay. For a while.

This issue is a cracker and the lead article about Noahs Ark Zoo is a
stunner, with Super Agent H going undercover and coming up trumps
once again. An amazing interview with Janey Lee Grace and a visit to
Lancrigg hotel lightens the mood following some hefty Climate Change
analysis with Posh Eddy dishing the dirt on the current batch of world
leaders, & there’s loads of stuff on food including an excellent analysis of
sprouted nutrition from Pat Reeves, an alarmingly forthright contribution
from Too Tone on the 5 a Day campaign, plus all our regulars including
SuperKazza and the Eco Roundup, Old Mother Hubbard, the Champions
League Snack Bars feature & a hysterical piece from UberBitch H
including her favourite xmas booze selection! Enjoy
xxxpeaceSlimT

www.offthehoof.co.uk
OFF THE HOOF WEBSITE NOW LIVE
The Off The Hoof website www.offthehoof.co.uk is now live and in
full effect. With regular news updates plus free competitions,
subscription offers, product reviews, general gossip and chat, the Off
The Hoof website will take the
whole OTH concept into a new
dimension! Keep up to date with
all our writers’ blogs and win loads
of free kit! You can also sign up for our FREE MONTHLY E BULLETIN
which included subscription offers and free giveaways!

Yaoh, PO Box 333, Bristol,

BS99 1NF
info@yaoh.co.uk

Subscriptions
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or over the phone on 0117 9239053 or write to Off The Hoof PO Box 333 Bristol BS99 1NF

Advertising
We have the most excellent rates for advertisers – please see the website www.offthehoof.co.uk for our latest rates or phone the office
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Copyright
Yaoh November 2009. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written permission of the
publishers Yaoh. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and are not necessarily shared by the editor.


CONTENTS CONTENTS

3 Introduction

6 Welcome:
to the Eco Veggie Fayres!
Lifestyle Current Affairs Organised by Off The Hoof!

90 Excellart Roundup 12 Noah’s Ark Zoo: 8 News and Events:

62 Janey Lee Grace:
7 Ways to Love’ with SuperKazza
Products
80 Champions League:
‘Snack Bars’
84 Welcome to the world of VeggieVision:
SuperKazza’s vieW through the lens
92 Veggie Friendly Directory
a short roundup
SuperAgent H goes undercover.
10 News
24 Climate Change & World Leaders
Happy Birthday to The Vegan Society!
Posh Eddy dishes the dirt
32 Campaigns:
51 Charlie & the Chocolate Factories Campaigns Round Up
Slim T checks out the best dairy free options
70 Travel
Lancrigg Hotel – Heaven on Earth
Slim T enters paradise and survives
76 Humour:
UberBitch H and her fave Xmas
Booze Choices

12 FOOD
38 Foods For Life:
5 a Day Campaign

44 Christmas Recipes

46 Fry’s Christmas spread:

Xmas Veggie Special

48 Old Mother Hubbard’s Xmas Cupboard

56 Sprouted Nutrition:
with Pat Reeves

 www.offthehoof.co.uk 
NEWS NEWS

Off The Hoof have been planning the Eco Veggie Fayres all summer of 2009 and by the
time this Issue hits the streets the first one at Croydon on November 1st will have been
and gone! Then it’s the Reading for the Xmas Eco Veggie Fayre on Saturday December
19th before the Brighton Do next spring at The Hove Centre on Saturday March 20th. And
then it’s on to the 2 day outdoor mega bash in Bristol on May 29th and 30th 2010 !!

All our Eco Veggie Fayres are family friendly and focus on eco friendly, veggie friendly
and fair trade stalls, talks, demos, films and entertainment, and there’s stacks
of freebies, tasters, discounts, special offers and much much more at all the The Brighton Eco Veggie Thanks to our sponsors
shows. Fayre

Saturday March 20th 2010 11am – 6pm
The Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre At The Hove Centre, Hove
Sponsored by Beanies Health Foods
Sunday November 1st 2009 11am – 6pm
At the Fairfield Halls Croydon A fab venue with loads of space and two big halls full
Hosted by Foods for Life, sponsored by Beanies of stalls – expect a busy and bustling show with lots
Health Foods and Plamil going on, including Cookery Demos for both
beginners and advanced, an ‘introduction to the
A wonderful all day show in the heart of Croydon with Veggie Lifestyle’ room with the ABC’s and nuts and
the emphasis firmly on fun – including competitions bolts of those new to the concept, and a debating
such as Best Cake ,the oddest shaped vegetable, and area with some deliberately provocative and
a best poetry comp judged by famed Jamaican poet challenging topics to help stimulate meaningful
Yasus Afari, appearing live performing his new album, debate!! And being Brighton, its gonna be loads of fun,
plus a Kids Pirate treasure Trail. Films in the huge 750 you know that. Some excellent caterers are lined up
seater cinema include The Age Of Stupid and A for this one too, and there’s lots more to come on
Delicate Balance. this one yet – see updates on the website for the
latest
Admission only £3 Adults and £1 Kids and OAPS
www.croydon.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk Admission only £3 Adults and 31 Kids and OAP’s
www.brighton.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk
We want to say a massive big thanks to our first
three sponsors for the Eco Veggie Fayres
First off to Beanies Health Foods for their extra
large sponsorship for the Croydon, Reading and
Brighton shows- a most superlative show of
support from this delightful family team from
the South Coast that is responsible for
distributing the award winning ranges from FRY’s
(veggie burgers and sausages) and B’NICE (Rice
Ice Cream) www.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk
A big round of applause for our Large sponsors
for Croydon – Plamil Foods, who have
consistently stepped up in support of pioneering
events like this to help enable them flourish and
develop during the early days especially. Plamil
manufacture some of the world’s greatest dairy
free chocolate as well as other amazing products
like their soy a milk and especially their
groundbreaking mayonnaise range.
www.plamilfoods.co.uk

And a vast a heartfelt show of appreciation

The Reading Eco Veggie
Fayre
Saturday December 19th 2009 11am – 6pm
At The Town Hall, Reading
Sponsored by Veggie Snow and Beanies Healthfoods
A beautiful venue right in the heart of Reading City Centre
on the Saturday before Xmas sees a really warm and
hospitable show with some great food, some fabulous
shopping and two all day licensed bars to make sure the
Christmas spirit is in full effect! The Cinema upstairs is
showing some excellent movies and there’s also an
informal Consultancy room where a variety of experts in
diet, nutrition and healing will be on hand to chat about
areas including diet and pregnancy, kids and nutrition–
amongst others! Expect a most wonderful Santa’s Grotto
and some great music too. Definitely a party going on, in
between the education and inspiration!
The Bristol Eco Veggie Fayre
May 29th and 30th 2010
At The Waterfront and Amphitheatre, Bristol harbourside
Sponsors TBC
Two days of lush outdoor festival style with the best of all the
previous shows along with even more space and lots more going on
– a combination of all the 3 previous shows all in one! Plus – some
most amazing bands playing live on stage later in the evening.
Previous headliners at our earlier shows over the last 3 years have
included Bad Manners, The Beat, Dreadzone, Aswad, Misty in Roots,
The Blockheads, Macka B, Zion Train, Puressence and Horace Andy
with Dub Asante – so expect some decent headliners for 2010 – to
be announced next year
Admission prices TBC
www.bristol.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk
to our Extra Large sponsors for Reading
– Veggie Snow. These organisers of
the most excellent veggie skiing holidays
every year are also big hearted
supporters of a number of initiatives
including the Reading Eco Veggie Fayre
–where not only are they sponsors, but
co hosts too, plus putting in a massive
promotional shift in the form of getting
all the flyers and posters out! Awesome!!
Thanks too to our other supporters
including Animal Aid and Bute Island as
well as local firms helping on all the
shows.
If you would like to sponsors one or
more of the Eco Veggie Fayres contact
the office by email info@yaoh.co.uk

Admission only £3 adults and £1 Kids and OAP’s

www.reading.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk

 www.offthehoof.co.uk 
NEWS
The Vegan Environmental Awards 2010
– The Vegan Top One Hundred
The Vegan Environmental Awards enter their
4th year in 2010, with 10 categories and 10
nominees in each – the Vegan Top One Hundred.
Voting is on-line and starts on February 1st 2010
and continues until midnite May 29th 2010. The
winners will then be announced at the Bristol
Eco Veggie Fayre on Sunday May 30th.
The categories and nominees and details of
how and when you can vote will be announced
shortly on the Off The Hoof website -
www.offthehoof.co.uk
And there will be full coverage in Issue 6 - out
February 1st 2010.
Fry’s range in Holland & Barrett
Beanie’s have recently announced that nearly all
their entire range of FRY’s veggie products is now
on sale in selected Holland & Barrett, following
some excellent sales growth during the last year
especially. ‘We’ve had a few Fry’s products in
H & B for a while now’ said Beanie’s owner Pat
Drummy, ‘and last year they saw a 10% rise in
sales despite the recession. So H & B have taken
on 12 out of the 14 products now – almost the
entire range – making them accessible to many
more people. We’re thrilled.’
www.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk
New products from Redwood
New from Redwood - organic Vegideli pork-
style sausages. Ready to eat, these succulent
sausages are a wonderful meat-free alternative
to the classic breakfast banger. They’re great at
Christmas too and the perfect accompaniment
to Redwood’s Vegideli Turkey Style Roast stuffed
with wild rice and cranberries - fantastic for a
festive feast! Also new to the Redwood range is
organic Brussels style pâté, delicious on toast or
hot pitta bread.
www.redwoodfoods.co.uk
 www.offthehoof.co.uk
Launch of Evolve! Campaigns Website
EVOLVE! Campaigns is a new campaigning
organisation promoting a plant-based lifestyle
to benefit human health, the environment
& exploited animals worldwide. They have a
cracking new website, and its well worth a look
with loads of info on it. Big man James is the
main man behind it all we believe – fair shout to
him and his dedicated team for a new, dynamic
and most excellent resource.
www.evolvecampaigns.org.uk
Viva! launch Fruity Fundays with
Heather Mills
A new campaign from Viva!, and spearheaded by
Heather Mills, is encouraging people to give up
meat and eat more fruit & veg. Backed by a stack
of celebs, and working closely in Bristol, Bath and
Brighton with local businesses, Local Education
Authorities, local government, Primary Care
Trusts and communities to encourage people to
commit to Fruity Fundays with only veggie food
served one day a week or more.
www.viva.org.uk
NEWS
1st November
Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre
Fairfield Halls Croydon
Organised by Off The Hoof, hosted by Foods
For Life, sponsored by Beanies, Plamil and The
Vegan Society.
www.croydon.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk
7th November
Lincoln Vegan Food Festival
Trinity United Reformed Church Hall, Garston
Street, Lincoln
Loads of free vegan food tasters.
http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1455
5th December
Liverpool Christmas Vegan Fayre
At the Old Police Station, Lark Lane, Liverpool,
this is an annual event to promote vegan
food, cruelty free products etc... organised by
Merseyside Animal Rights.
For updates see www.scouseveg.co.uk
6th December
Christmas Without Cruelty
Kensington Town Hall. Organised by Animal Aid.
Massive knees up with an orgy of cruelty-free
shopping just before Xmas.
See www.animalaid.co.uk for updates.
12th December
East Midlands Vegan Festival January 2010
The Town Hall, Nottingham Vegan Pledge
Organised by Veggies Vegan Campaigns is running another Vegan
Now in its 6th year, excellent do in the centre Pledge in January 2010, which has proved to
of Nottingham, in the almost medieval setting be very popular the past two years. For more
of the rather grand town hall – with only the info on the Pledge, see last year’s report here:
sheriff missing. http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/campaigns/
http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1460 veganpledge09.html
19th December 6th February 2010
Reading Eco Veggie Fayre Incredible Veggie Roadshow
Town Hall, Reading The Guildhall, Bath.
Organised by Off The Hoof, sponsored by Veggie www.viva.org.uk
Snow, Beanie’s and The Vegan Society.
Loads of Xmas goodies plus some great food, 20th March 2010
bar, café, plus a green Santa. Brighton Eco Veggie Fayre
www.reading.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk www.brighton.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk

NEWS
The Vegan Society is celebrating
its 65th anniversary on
November 1st – World Vegan
Day. Off The Hoof extends
a warm and fluffy birthday
greetings to this venerable outfit
that has consistently pumped
out information, support and
advice about the Vegan Lifestyle
to millions over the years.
You can join the Vegan Society
for not a lot of money, to
help support their work and
you will also receive a copy
of their highly informative
magazine The Vegan – go to
www.vegansociety.com for more
information.
10 Background Photo courtesy of Vegfam & Concern Universal.
NEWS
This coming year The Vegan Society is focusing
on the developing world, starvation and how
livestock farming plays a crucial part in depriving
many indigenous people from being able to grow
enough food for themselves.
One billion of us will go to bed hungry tonight,
mostly in the developing world.
Meanwhile, the United Nations say that over
three billion people could live on the grain fed to
farmed animals.
Yet, the United Nations Environment Programme
recently calculated that the calories currently
lost by feeding grain to livestock represents the
annual calorie needs of more than 3.5 billion
people
Human animal farming now threatens global
food supplies.
The Earth’s capacity to feed us is being strained
to the limit by growing human and farmed animal
populations. There is not enough land and water
to feed us all with meat and dairy based diets.
Animal farming is also in the top three human
contributions to global climate change, another
threat to global food security.
Plant-based diets make better use of land and
water to grow nutritious food suitable for people
of all ages.
Stock-free farming - plant agriculture, without
captive animals - can help to reduce world
hunger.
The Vegan Society is calling for an urgent
stock-free farming revolution. We are talking
to farmers, policy-makers and international
development workers. Please see our
website, www.vegansociety.com or email
info@vegansociety.com or telephone
0121 523 1730 to find out more.
We offer free booklets on stock-free farming,
nutrition and recipes, and scientifically referenced
fact sheets on the benefits of UK and worldwide
stock-free farming for global food security.
Slim T, the editor of Off The Hoof, would very much
like to take this opportunity to say a deep and
heartfelt thank you to everyone with the Society
who has supported his ventures with so many
contributions in so many different ways over the
last 7 years. You have been superb.
xxxbigluvslimt2009
www.offthehoof.co.uk 11
CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS

You may have heard of Noah’s Ark Farm

by now…...it’s been all over BBC and
Points West recently. During the summer
of 2009 SuperAgent H went undercover
at Noah’s Ark Zoo just outside Bristol,
volunteering for 6 weeks at the Zoo.
Armed with a camera, during that time
she found out a whole catalogue of
nasties and that is all reported faithfully
over the next 10 pages.
 
By the look of it the Zoo was seriously in
breach of some regulations and the
owners would appear, to say the least, a
little economical with the truth when it
came to their PR. But what firm isn’t –
especially in a recession? What firm
doesn’t cut corners and save a few quid,
turn the odd blind eye, and curry favour
with a shady trader….that’s survival right
now for many businesses. So is it fair to
go after a small business that some
consider to be a perfectly good day’s
entertainment out with the kids, and
indeed with possibly a whole lot better
conditions than your average inner city
zoo.

The thing about going undercover, you

don’t know what you are going to find.
That’s the whole point of undercover,
afterall, to uncover anything that might
need to be uncovered. Are the undercover
efforts of Agent H justified? Everyone has
a different opinion and my guess is your
opinion as a reader rests on how highly
you rate the treatment of animals in your
life. Should people be allowed to run Zoos
in this manner? Should they be shut
down? Or should they be advised,
assisted and even funded on how to
improve their standards. Should they be
demonized, boycotted, tolerated, or
enjoyed?.

You decide…..and true to form, Off the

Hoof doesn’t shy away when it comes to
asking the questions.

By Super Agent H

12 www.offthehoof.co.uk 13
CURRENT AFFAIRS
In 2009 the Captive Animals Protection Society
(CAPS) heard that Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol
were breeding animals for the Great British Circus.  utterly clueless.  I have no knowledge of animals
The information claimed the zoo had received
camels from the Great British Circus and returned
offspring to them, and they were going to have
tigers on a breeding loan from the circus.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm are members of
BIAZA, the British and Irish Association
of Zoos and Aquariums, which is said to
be “the professional body representing
the best zoos and aquariums in Britain
and Ireland”.
Amidst a flurry of publicity On 24 June
2009 two six-year-old female hybrid
Bengal tigers, Kushkja and Tira arrived
at the zoo, followed on 17 July by
two-year-old male Tanvir.  The arrival of
the tigers was a huge marketing point
for the zoo whose official line to the
press was that the tigers came “from a
private collection up North.”  This private collection
‘up North’ is in fact the private collection of Martin
Lacey, Ringmaster with the Great British Circus. Tira
was heavily pregnant when she arrived at the zoo,
and while it’s legal to transport a pregnant female
unless within the last 10% of the gestation period
this move showed a lack of concern for her welfare.
I’ve arranged an interview with the Volunteer
Co-ordinator Sadie and the following week it’s
pouring with rain when I arrived at Noah’s Ark.  Sadie
showed me around and told me they currently
haven’t got a need for any more volunteers.  I was
stunned, so I begged, I literally begged, and asked if I
could start on Friday.  Thankfully she said yes.  Then
said I could have a look around the rest of the zoo
while I was there.  I headed up to see the tigers, who
were trying to ignore fat chavvy kids banging on their
glass.
 
30th July.
 
I’ve just received a text from Craig at CAPS saying
that three tiger cubs were born, two were stillborn
and one survived.  During the morning meeting Anthony asked keeper
31st July 2009.
 
I spent my trial day working with two Animal
Management students, Mandi and Jackie.  We walked
past the camel field when Mandi said the camels
came from a circus.  Unbelievable, it’s my
first day and I’ve been told this.  I’m
elated, however, it’s important that the
information is clarified from someone
with a bit of clout at the zoo rather than
just work experience students.  I spoke to Emma, one of the Tiger
 
At 10am all the staff convene for the
daily meeting led by the zoo owner,
Anthony and his wife Christina.  They
come across as a most endearing
couple and I can’t imagine them having
any kind of relationship with Martin
Lacey from The Great British Circus, at
this point it seems like a ludicrous allegation, but I
remember that Mandi said the camels apparently
came from the circus.
14
CURRENT AFFAIRS
I’ve met some of the other volunteers, the youngest I’m trying to find out why when four cubs were born 11th August 2009.
being 12.  They “wanna work wiv animals” but are the zoo told the press there had been three.  
During the morning meeting Anthony told us that
whatsoever, I’m a Journalist and a Mum, and today I bought some animal feed in the gift shop to feed Tira the Mummy tiger died during the night of a
I’ve already proved that I don’t know the difference the camels during my lunch break. serious cat virus.  He said Tira’s head and paws
between an alpaca and a llama, but so much of would be sent to a taxidermist, and her fur coat
working with animals is common 5th August 2009. would be made into a wall hanging for the meeting
sense. Lots of the work experience   room.  How lovely!  This place is so weird.
students and volunteers are doing I was told to put on a Noah’s Ark uniform today,  
Animal Management courses, but which unfortunately covers up the camera!  It’s a Today I opened the freezer in the kitchen next to the
lack common sense. hideous orange t-shirt with matching baseball cap, Gibbon House and found a loaf of bread, some
  which makes me look like I work in a fast food outlet.  chicken pieces, a dead hedgehog, two dead moles, a
There’s a daily Animal Show where It’s been a busy day working in the gift shop, not baby marmoset, and a dead baby corn snake.  Zoo
different animals are brought into quite what I had in mind! Thank you drive through! Keeper Mark came into the kitchen and I asked him if
the main arena and a talk is given,   he knew what was in the freezer, he said he did, I
then fourteen lambs are let in to 8th August 2009. asked him why they had the dead things in the
be bottle fed by the visitors. Jackie   freezer and he laughed and said, “coz it’s cool.”  Mark
said that some of these lambs are I’m using a new camera kit which has a component then got a funny looking thing from the freezer and
orphaned lambs, but some are that constantly vibrates when the camera is asked me to guess what it was, I couldn’t.  Mark said
taken from their mothers at birth recording.  It’s given me a few giggles, I’ll miss it that when the alpaca had died he thought it would
because the public wants to feed when I have to give it back! be good to keep it’s tongue, so he cut the tongue out
lambs. That’s barbaric! and froze it.
  Craig from CAPS rang me to say that he’s been  
During my lunch break I went to see the camels, two keeping an eye on the Noah’s Ark website. They
females and a male. They’re great. People say have a web-cam streaming live ‘tiger cam’ of the
they’re smelly but they’re fantastic. adult tigers and the cub who’s in another room, and
there’s discussions on a blog about how ill Tira’s
Walking back from the llama field Jackie told me that looking.
four tiger cubs had been born instead of three, but
we weren’t allowed to tell anyone.
 
My trial day has been successful and I start properly
next week.
 
4th August 2009
 
My first day filming and I was so anxious.  I woke up
at 4am with nerves about the day ahead so went to
Asda in Bedminster.  I’ve got a pair of knee length
shorts to put my camera kit in, I look like Jeaneatte
Krankie off of ITV in the 1980’s.  I’ve tried ringing
Craig at CAPS and I can’t get hold of him, though it’s
5:20am, which is probably why. I’m panicking.  First
day nerves and all that. I was so nervous I drove to
Nailsea to throw up by the side of a field. 
 
Mark to give a tiger update, we’re told that the
remaining cub is putting on weight but the mother,
Tira is depressed because she’s had babies who’ve
died, the one remaining one has been taken away
because she’s rejected it, and she spends her days
being stared at by fat chavs.  The tiger beds are right
next to the windows, which means that when the
tigers are trying to rest people
banging on the glass are constantly
bothering them.
 
Keepers today who confirmed that
there’d been four cubs born, three
died and one survived.  She has
previous experience of keeping big
cats at the Isle of Wight Zoo, but
went for a weeks training at
Whipsnade Zoo with fellow keeper,
Mark. Head Keeper Chris went to
‘the place where the tigers came from’ for a week.
It’s quite bizarre that to work with these animals
requires just one weeks training.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 15
CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS

13th August 2009.

 
During the morning meeting Anthony asked
Catherine, the zoo’s Education Officer, (also a
non-practicing vet) to give us a tiger update. 
She said that the cub was 50/50 and that she,
along with Tom, one of the ground staff had
opened up dead tiger Tira and found her to be
full of pus
 
A volunteer told me that one of the mice has a
red lump on it’s stomach, so we told Sadie
about it, she asked us to bring her the mouse,
which we did and she killed it by swinging it by
the tail and smashing it’s head on the floor. 
She put it in the bin and left.  I was sick.

A volunteer told me that one of the mice has

a red lump on it’s stomach, so we told Sadie
about it, she asked us to bring her the mouse,
which we did and she killed it by swinging it by
the tail and smashing it’s head on the floor. 
She put it in the bin and left.  I was sick.
14th August 2009
Happened to bump into Catherine today and
talk to her about Tira’s post mortem.  She
said after Tira died she was brought down to a
back shed where she was cut open.  spend some time with the camels, and I also want to
Catherine’s accomplice, one of the ground
staff, Tom who’s a former butcher cut off
Tira’s head and paws and skinned her.    the camels for seven years and they’d come from the
Catherine said Tira had been buried on the
premises, which was illegal, and that she and
While we were talking I noticed a baby ostrich with a large lump on
Anthony, and Clare, the official Zoo Vet are
his neck, about the size of two golf balls.  Catherine said she’d
well aware of this. I checked with CAPS who
pierced it a few days earlier and it had been a haematoma, (full of
said burying Tira on site was potentially a
blood).  Catherine explained that she was a vet and was often asked
breach of DEFRA’s Animal By-Product
Regulations. Also the two vets’ being
to conduct veterinary treatments at the zoo despite not being the
zoo’s official vet, mainly to keep costs down.
complicit in this may put them in breach of
 
their own codes of practice.
18th August 2009
 
Anthony announced he was going to show Tumkur the
tiger cub in the Animal Show this morning and that
“we should make the most of the tiger cub for as
long as we have him,” which makes it sound like he’s
going to die. Just before the Animal Show Head
Keeper Chris brought Tumkur in, he was in a large
plastic crate with a transparent lid, we all had a look.  said it was barbaric because they still don’t know whether
Tumkur was tiny, smaller than a domestic cat, and
was shaking.  I asked Chris why he was shaking and
he said, “probably because he’s a spastic.”
Samantha, the Zoo’s Marketing Manager said that
she’s really short staffed in the office, so I asked if
she wants a hand, she does, and I’m pleased as I get
to see a different side of the zoo, also being a
Journalist I’m thrilled with the idea of getting into the
office and attempting to get my hands on potentially
valuable information. Also, all this animal husbandry
is seriously knackering!
19th August 2009
During the morning meeting, Keeper James said it was
inappropriate how yesterday the volunteers crowded
around Tumkur’s box before the animal show as the cub’s
still vulnerable and James is worried about Tumkur picking up
germs.  I wanted to point out that clearly they’re exposing
him to germs by bringing him into an Animal Show full of
people and other animals.  He’s obviously not well, now I’m
not a vet, but it’s obvious that a premature cub shaking and
twitching is not in the best of health. What is wrong with
these people?
I’ve been working with a new volunteer today, she’s a
Zoology graduate and is now doing an MSc in Vet Medicine.  enclosure during the night to give the tigers some
She was excited about seeing the tiger cub in the animal
show today, but after she saw it, twitching and shaking she
was furious, saying that Tumkur was in no fit state to be
treated like that and walked off.  When I went after her she
he’ll survive and it’s ludicrous parading the poor thing in
front of the public.  My sentiments entirely.
 
 
21st August 2009
 
Arrived at Noah’s Ark to be told that during the night
Tumkur had died.  There’s been a lot of crying.  No one has
bothered to mention that once the revenue had been
brought into the zoo from people coming to see Tumkur he’d
probably have spent the rest of his days performing with
the Great British Circus.
Veterinary Lab at Bristol University. Anthony came in
and I asked him about the camels.  I really want to
find out if they really did come from the Great British
Circus.  During the conversation Anthony said he’d had
circus and they were trained to do tricks!
 
I went to see the camels in my lunch break and took
them some apples that were buy one get one free.
25th August 2009
Today’s been a really productive day.
During the morning meeting Anthony said that
Hercules the male goat had been put into the tiger
enrichment today. It must have been very stressful for
Hercules to spend the night in there.
I was in the office with Catherine this afternoon and
mentioned that Anthony said the camels were from
the circus, she said this surprised her as no one was
supposed to know. Catherine said that Anthony didn’t
like having post mortems done as it cost him money
so she would look at anything that had died. She
knows this is wrong as The World Association of Zoos
and Aquariums ‘Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare’
(Appendix 6) states “Unless there are sound reasons
not to do so, each animal which dies in captivity, or
during a release to the wild program, should undergo
post-mortem examination and have a cause of death
ascertained.”

16 www.offthehoof.co.uk 17
CURRENT AFFAIRS
27th August 2009.
Today I nearly got caught.  For fear of outing my stupidity
and myself I won’t go into details, but I had an hour and a
half of hell until someone on the outside had sorted out
the situation. 
At the end of the day Anthony took me to see the camels
in their field.  We took large bundles of Ash cuttings and
they enjoyed gobbling them up.  Anthony said in the seven
years he’d had the camels they’d given birth to four babies
who had “gone back to his friend Martin in Lincolnshire.”
(The Great British Circus have their winter quarters in
Lincolnshire, run by Martin Lacey), and Helyne trains the
camels.  (I wonder if this would be Helyne Edmonds from
the Great British Circus?)  Then Anthony openly admitted
that the three camels had all come from the Great British
Circus and their offspring had been returned to the circus.  Anthony and Christina some money.
While we were in the camel field I found some camel fur
that Anthony said I could keep.
My elation about Anthony’s admission turned to fury
when I found out I hadn’t got any of it on camera.  I’ve
been plagued with technical problems, and I’m in such a
state about today.  I didn’t get a second of it on camera,
which means I’m going to have to try to do it all again.
 
Such a weird day, I spent the evening at the pub in Bristol
and when I was asked what I’d done today I replied, “just
admin,” when I really wanted to say, “admin and stroking
camels!”
 
28th August 2009.
 
Spent the day in the office with Catherine, she told me
about Anthony’s involvement with the Great British
Circus.  Catherine said the circus owner wanted the head
and the feet of the dead tiger for “educational purposes”
but she suspected that he wanted to sell them.  Catherine
said quite clearly that the tigers had come from The Great
British Circus and they were kept for breeding purposes. 
She also confirmed that Head Keeper Chris had been up to
spend time at the circus winter quarters in Lincolnshire.  Miranda who were just leaving, I wanted to ask them if
Catherine explained that when the tigers arrived Anthony
was adamant they’d been outside before, but according to
Catherine their reaction showed that it was unlikely they’d
ever experienced being outside. She then said, “at least
Tumkar didn’t have to go back,” and the tigers were on
some kind of breeding loan from the Great British Circus.
Catherine explained that Tira was buried on the farm site
and she and the official zoo vet Clare had turned a blind
eye.  When it was suggested that Tira may have had TB
Anthony offered to exhume her for Catherine to
re-examine!  Catherine said the tigers have to be fed meat
fit for human consumption and the zoo have a regular
supply of pigs heads and chickens from a local abattoir but
Anthony had recently fed the tigers a diseased goat. 
Catherine said she was glad that the tiger cub died
because then it wouldn’t have been sent to the circus.
18
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Catherine also went on to question the relationship
between the zoo and their official vet Clare, who visits
once a month. Catherine said that legally she’s not
allowed to do any veterinary treatments at the zoo so
anything requiring treatment is ‘saved up’ for Clare’s next
visit, when sometimes the vet should just be called out
straight away, again animals suffering just to save
I nipped into the loo and discovered I’d got the whole lot
on camera.  Delirious!
2nd September 2009.
 
It’s my first day back out with the animals for what feels
like ages. Tomorrow the zoo is having an unofficial
inspection from BIAZA (British and Irish Association of
Zoos and Aquariums) and in preparation we had to do lots
of tidying up!  I was with a new work experience student
today, a graduate of Zoology.  She pointed out that the
goats had foot rot, one goat has a severe eye infection and
is seriously underweight. These goats are on show to the
public and look frightful!
 
3rd September 2009.
 
The day of the ‘unoffical inspection’.  David and Miranda,
two representatives from BIAZA came to visit.  I’ve been
out with Keeper Emma doing the llamas, tapirs, capybaras,
and camels. The camels love bananas so I’ll be off to buy
bananas tonight!
Walking through the car park I bumped into David and
they liked the circus animals, but restrained myself!
Surely in the course of their inspection they’d have asked
where the tigers came from?
 
After lunch we had to go up to the top stable to squeeze
pus from the goats feet.  These goats were on display
yesterday but Keeper James said they’d been “put out of
the way for the BIAZA visit.”  They’re in a terrible state. 
Squeezing pus from the infected feet of goats is
something I will now be able to add to my list of weird
experiences. 
 
9th September 2009.
 
During the morning meeting Anthony announced that a
new male tiger would be arriving within the next few days. 
I headed up to the tiger enclosure at lunchtime to hear
Emma daily tiger talk.  She fed the tiger lumps of fish on a
stick and spent a long time talking about tiger
conservation, which was so misleading.  These tigers are
not part of a conservation programme, they’re from the
sodding circus!  In fact the zoo doesn’t participate in, or
contribute financially to any conservation programme. 
(This is the usual justification for the existence of zoos).
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CURRENT AFFAIRS
10th September 2009.  Just before the animal show I had another one of
 
Went to the pub in Bristol last night, just what I
needed. It’s been quite isolating recently and just
to be able to go out and socialise has helped me
feel better!
I cleaned the Animal Ark,
where there is an
assortment of small animals
for people to handle. I
noticed that a rabbit hutch
had been lined with fur, which
meant that a rabbit would be
about to give birth, though I
have no idea which rabbit –
there’s so many of them!
One of the llamas was sold today. I went up to
their field and Head Keeper Chris was taking him
away. I met the people who were buying him I told
them all about his personality and how I’d got to
know the llamas in the last few weeks, and also
how he could be a bit twitchy about un-natural
things like his own reflection in glass and traffic.
The people seemed great, but they weren’t buying
his brother. These llamas have never been apart
and as Chris led the llama away the remaining one
was screaming and running up and down. He was
clearly distressed. I cried.
20
those cracking chance meetings with Catherine
by the coatis. I asked her about the two dead
tiger cubs in the freezer and she said there was a
wallaby head as well, and that she and Sadie were
going to defrost the tiger cubs and open them up.
I told Catherine about the bloated lambs, they
really are massive and she said that they
shouldn’t be fed milk as they are
too old to digest it. I showed
Catherine the lamb that was
really bloated and she said not to
feed it after the animal show, so I
held him back. Sadie came
storming out and said that
although the lamb was swollen he
still “needed his milk” and if need
be she’d “shove a tube down his
throat later on to release the air”.
Sadie said that last week a lamb
died from bloating. This place is
warped. Feeding milk to lambs too old to digest it
has got to be a breach of the Animal Welfare Act.
The act states that an animal should be fed a
suitable diet, and feeding an animal something it
can’t digest, which is subsequently going to cause
it pain or discomfort is surely breaking the law?
After the animal show I got hauled over by Sadie
who gave me an utter bollocking for telling the
llama buyers that he was a ‘twitchy llama.’ She’s
in a massive strop about me being honest about
the llama and me questioning six month old sheep
being fed milk.
This afternoon one of the other volunteers told
me that the head of Tira, the Mummy tiger, was in
the chest freezer in the feed room. I have steered
well clear of that freezer as that’s where they
keep frozen chicks but she took me to see the
head. It’s huge and wrapped in a black bag. She
guarded the door while I took photos of it.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
11th September 2009.
This morning I spent two hours in the giraffe
house with Keeper James who said that Anthony
is bloody mad because he wants to breed the
zebra with a donkey to make a ‘Zonkey’.
During the morning meeting Anthony announced
that the new male tiger 8-year-old
Khan, would be arriving today.
None of us are allowed anywhere
near the tiger enclosure while he
arrives, but I asked Samantha the
Marketing Manager if I could go and
photograph the tiger arriving, she
said no. Apparently the press are
coming, then she changed her mind
and said she wasn’t inviting the
press. I hid in the toilet and invited
them for her.
I had to do a short stint in the animal handling
village. The rabbits have been giving birth and
Sadie just grabs the babies and pops them in the
bin. It’s barbaric these rabbits being handled and
stressed out when they’re pregnant / giving birth.
It’s just so matter of fact – vile. While I was doing
the rabbit handling a lady pointed out that her
daughter was covered in blood, which was coming
out of the rabbit. This rabbit had obviously just
given birth. I put all the rabbits away and locked
up, I couldn’t bring myself to do it anymore.
I saw Catherine and asked her about the arrival of
new tiger, she said that BIAZA had said that they
weren’t allowed to get another one (tiger) and it
was common knowledge Noah’s Ark would get
kicked out of BIAZA, this implied that BIAZA were
aware of the relationship between Noah’s Ark Zoo
Farm and the Great British Circus.
The new male tiger, Khan arrived at 2:45pm in a
small crate in the back of a van.
12th September 2009.
Craig from CAPS came down and spent the
morning filming at Noah’s Ark, and more
importantly bought me a nice bag of goodies
including Kettle Chips. He went to Emma’s tiger
talk at lunchtime and on several occasions
members of the public asked where the tigers
were from, each time Emma replied “up North,
from a private collection.”
At the end of the day back at my digs we were
just about to get down to the nitty gritty of the
project when I got a call from home to say that
the youngest of the offspring had fallen off a
skateboard ramp and had broken her arm. It was
a long and stressful drive home.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 21
CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS

15th September 2009.

The big thing at the moment is all this stuff about

e-coli on petting farms and children dying. Well, that’s
if you read the tabloids. We were given a massive
briefing about washing our hands and encouraging
visitors to do the same. It’s more of a damage
limitation exercise than anything else, the last thing
Noah’s Ark want is bad publicity.

16th September 2009.

I’m feeling really focused again since Craig 19th September 2009.
came down on Saturday. I have to get more
photos of the head of Tira the tiger. Ideally I My last day here. Today is the day I have to get
have to get her head out of the freezer and put everything I need but leave the option to go
it on the floor to take photos. Easier said than back if necessary. Craig has come down
done, I’ve not been able to get near the feed to assist me filming and photographing
room all day. the head of the dead tiger in the freezer. I
simply couldn’t do it on my own. Today I
This evening I went out and paddled an open got it, but it was bloody hard work. I had
canoe in Bristol Harbour, I’ve got loads of no idea of the weight of a dead tiger head
writing to do, but just needed to go out and do and really struggled to lift it out of the
something normal other than thinking about this freezer. It made me wretch, and I was
weird zoo thing. mortified when I came out of the feed
room to discover I was covered in tiger
hair!
17th September
I asked Sammi the Marketing Assistant
Got to work at 7:30am to spend time with the camels
why when there were four cubs born
and have a good wander around.
were the public told that there were only
three? She said that they thought they
I nipped into the reptile house and bumped into one of
had three cubs, and after the first press
the builders in there. I asked him where the female
release was sent out they then found
tiger was buried and he said he didn’t know. I said that
another one, so instead of contradicting it
I wanted to go there in my lunch break and do a
they maintained there were three cubs.
funeral for the tiger, you know, read a poem and leave
some flowers, that sort of thing. As I left he leaned
Finally at the end of the day, I had
forward and whispered, “just behind the windmill,
Anthony to myself and the opportunity to
about forty metres.”
question him about the tigers and camels.
I’d waited weeks for this moment. I asked
I went to the tiger talk at lunchtime and took loads of
him about training the camels as I’ve been
great pictures of Kushja and Khan. I’ve been so
saying this is something I’m interested in, and
irritable today and thought I was really going to lose
Anthony told me all about a camel trainer called
the plot when a lady came up and commented on
Helyne, “Helyne from the circus?” I asked, “from the
what a wonderful zoo it was because the animals had
circus” he replied, “and she is an absolute master.” I
so much room and they must be happy because
cut to the chase and ask Anthony directly if the tigers
they’re having babies! I replied, “that’s crap actually
came from the circus. His response? “All I’m telling
my dear, just because the animals have got big
anybody, BIAZA, anyone, is that they came from a
enclosures and look happy doesn’t mean they should
private collection because that’s where they come
be here. In fact, since I’ve been here nearly
from. If you know they came from a private place you
everything that’s been born has either died or
can tell whoever you like,” “without lying?” I question,
been dropped in the bin by my useless boss.”
he nods, and replies, “without telling them lies.”
No, I didn’t say that really, I just looked at her
Knowing I’m pushing my luck I asked Anthony again if
and smiled.
the tigers came from the circus, he said to me, “you
don’t want to know where they came from?” (I bloody
I asked Chris about the possibility of
well do!) and says that he “doesn’t want to burden me
re-homing the death row goats. He asked
with information that isn’t necessary? We finish our
me how much I’d pay for them and then I
conversation and I prepare to leave.
really lost the plot. I said, “those goats are
infected, lame, underweight and one has a
This information is necessary, necessary in the public
skin condition and an eye infection, they’re
interest, and that Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm are breaching
going to need months of veterinary
zoo guidelines and blatantly lying to people. I went to
treatment and you expect me to pay for
say goodbye to the camels, and walked up the path for
For more information check out:
them?” Chris said I’d have to ask James. Now
what will probably be the last time. It’s been a very
I feel wretched, maybe I should have just offered £200
Images sourced from Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) weird six weeks.
or something.

22 www.offthehoof.co.uk
23
CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS

As the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of human evolution edges ever-closer to an

environmental disaster, we look to our leaders to lead us to safety. But who are they? What are
their credentials and can we trust them with this most sacred of responsibilities, the stewardship
of the planet? Off the Hoof decided to take this opportunity to strip bare a mixed bag of today’s
most influential political leaders and see just what environmental credentials they’re packing
beneath the impeccably coiffed and well-oiled exterior. Posh Eddy dishes the dirt…
24 www.offthehoof.co.uk 25
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Blind Faith
So we approach the end of 2009 and all eyes seem
to gaze toward the semi-messianic figure of Barack
Obama on almost every issue, from global
economic collapse to terrorism. The problem of
climate change and the moral conundrum of how
we treat the rapidly dwindling selection of
creatures on this planet, both flora and fauna, is no
different.
However, our almost blind faith in an untested and
unproven (albeit inspirational) politician may seem
naïve and hopelessly expectant but it actually
represents a profound shift in the public’s attitude
toward today’s political leadership. They’re still
selling the same old shit. We’re just not buying it
anymore.
Bob Dylan’s closing line in his Subterranean
Homesick Blues “Don’t follow leaders, watch your
parking meters” may at first seem mildly satirical
but it holds a deep truth, the same truth which
keeps our corrupt politicians in positions of power.
Until we stop sub-contracting out our
responsibilities as humans to a detached and
inherently self-serving political elite, we will forever
be in a state of perpetual frustration at the
apparent inaction being taken to save our fragile
ecosystem. So just what on Earth is going on?!?
G20 Meeting
The annual G20 meeting of the most economically
powerful nations in September had a strong
environmental focus. In December this year, the
Kyoto Protocol, that is the agreement and
mechanism by which a nation’s emissions of
harmful GHG’s (Green House Gases) are regulated,
is to be ‘ratified’ or updated in Copenhagen. So far
it has 183 signatories which includes virtually every
industrialised and unindustrialised nation on Earth
(labelled ‘Annex 1’ and ‘Annex 2” respectively),
includes the rapidly growing China and India, but
crucially does not include the United States, Iraq or
Afghanistan. Interesting.
26
CURRENT AFFAIRS
The inability of industrialised wealthy nations to Livestock Devastation
take responsibility for the environmental damage
In case, like America, were in a state of denial over More than half of the world’s tropical
that their economic gains have inadvertently
not just climate change but the current state of life forests have been lost. Each year, over
wrought on our ecosystem plays a huge part in
on planet Earth and the natural world upon which 63,000 square miles are destroyed.
legitimising their moral authority to limit the
they depend, here are some uncomfortable
growth of lesser developed Third World nations. Of
veggie-related truths about the current Thinking about giving up meat? According
course such countries are desperate for the
predicament facing not just our political leaders but to PETA, each vegetarian saves one acre
economic growth in order to lift their long-suffering
every human being with a conscience on the planet: of trees every year and according to
populations out of poverty. This however MUST
scientists from the University of Chicago,
happen without further damage to their immediate
. the environment could benefit more if
environment, which often contains protected
Animals raised for food currently you go V Reg than if you buy an
habitats and many endangered species which reside
generate between 15 - 20% of methane eco-friendly car.
therein. It is a problem that needs resolving
emissions globally
yesterday.
According to recent studies, 70% of the So with these kind of statistics flooding into every
The role of big business and the ability of political
world’s marine species are at risk of political orifice in the known world, why is so little
leaders to control heavily polluting corporations,
extinction actually being done? Perhaps the answer lies in the
will also play a huge role in our ability to stem
fact that almost every world leader without
climate change. As Native American elder Oren R.
Fish farming has been developed to exception is there not to initiate change but to
Lyons points out, “..of the top 100 economic ‘units’
replace to wild fish stocks that are perpetuate the status quo. They have allegiances to
in the world, only 48 are nations. The rest are
critically low, but these farmed fish are the military-industrial complex, big business and
corporations. What does that tell you about the
fed wild fish thus depleting the oceans the über-wealthy who finance their campaigns and
decision-making that is happening on a global level
even more. (It takes 5 pounds of wild put them in power for that very reason. I’m afraid
which effects the environment and everything living
ocean fish to produce a single pound of they’re puppets in the greatest play on Earth. World
within it.” Unfortunately most political leaders are
farmed fish). politics.
hamstrung by their allegiances to big business and
the individuals who control them, as often they
Rainforests have taken thousands of ‘The puppet-masters don’t want change.
finance many of their campaigns and so are
years to form but every second a portion They want money and power and more of it
corrupted by that process.
the size of a football field is destroyed. 50 and the environment isn’t particularly high on
million tonnes of paper are consumed
annually by Americans resulting in more
their agenda..’
than 850 million of those trees being cut
down.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 27
CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS

BARACK OBAMA
The 44th President of the United States has
effectively now become the de facto leader of
the world community because he appears to be
different. He seems oddly out-of place in photo
opportunities with the other world leaders and
that’s not just because he is black. Maybe it’s
because he appears to have a conscience – an
attribute which doesn’t seem to be a
pre-condition of political power in today’s
world. Maybe its because he seems to be a
‘do-er’, someone who might actually get things
done.

At the tail end of September this year, he

hosted arguably the two most important
conferences of the year, the G20 summit on the GORDON BROWN
economy, held in Pittsburgh and the UN Climate
Conference in Manhattan, New York. Both Despite coming from a country renowned for its
unfortunately proved depressingly, if sub-zero temperatures, only recently has he
unsurprisingly inconclusive. He received shown himself to be even mildly concerned that
criticism for his speech on the eve of the we could be headed for a premature ice-age.
Manhattan summit which was considered Snubbed by Obama at the recent Manhattan
worryingly conservative and subsequently fell Climate Summit and consistently lambasted by
well short of expectations. As Matthew almost every environmental pressure group
McDermot of the NY Times said “..2 years ago it since coming to power, he certainly won’t be on
would have been remarkable…now these the shortlist for Earth Alliance Environmental
targets of which he speaks are no longer Awards.

Don’t hold
sufficient”.
His one good eye has always tended to focus on
So despite all the expectation and hype of this the economy and as such he has become
‘Second Coming’, no real progress has disconnected from the mother-hub. Long-time

your breath.
yet been made on either ending the green campaigner and his long-time
oil-addicted energy culture or Environment Tsar Jonathan Porritt, who
initiating the kind of radical steps recently resigned from his cabinet, said he spent
needed to offset the environmental years as Chancellor preventing action on
catastrophe we see happening before climate change. In Porritt’s own words he
us. President of China, Hu JinTao and ‘absolutely didn’t get it’.
the Indian Environment Minister,
Jairam Ramesh both recently stated His recent decision to railroad through the
the need for the US to show construction of Runway 3 at Heathrow was a
meaningful leadership on this issue as a slap in the face of anyone with any kind of
pretext for their commitment, and the rest Earth-friendly conscience. It was in Porritt’s
of the developing world, to initiate real change. words a “..ludicrous decision, with no serious
intellectual or economic rationale..”. Don’t hold
The world is watching you Mr Obama. your breath.

28 www.offthehoof.co.uk 29
CURRENT AFFAIRS
SILVIO BERLUSCONI
With more money than sense and a
string of erotic liasons that would
make John Holmes green with envy,
this 72 year old lothario
media-mogul has personally
steered Italy through some of its
most turbulent political scandals to
date, most of which have centred
around him. His interest in the
environment is somewhat limited,
seems to hinge primarily on how
deep a shade of mahogany his
suntan can maintain and as one of
the last serious global-warming
sceptics left in a position of real
power, he seems more interested in
underage prostitutes and a reliable
supply of Viagra than the ecological
meltdown we see all around us.
His laissez-faire position on the
environment has seen Italy’s political
influence wane behind that of Poland and he was
once famously described by Nicolas Sarkozy, the
French President, as the man who “..always says
no, but in the end will always say yes”.
He is like a Kinder egg. Looks good and
well-presented but beneath the carefully
manicured exterior, he is mostly hollow, lacks
substance and one wonders why on Earth
people maintain an interest. Perhaps it has
something to do with the fact he controls
almost every media outlet in the country, his
cabinet is mostly comprised of former models
and ex porn-stars and he can still get laid with
17 year-olds and get away with it. Christ alive
what a legend. What a dick.
30
KIM JONG IL
More famous for his megalomaniac tendencies
and a penchant for amateur theatre, or possibly
his recent appearance in the hit comedy Team
America, one would struggle to secure him even
a temporary membership with ‘Friends of the
Earth’. Not especially renowned for his fervent
stance on the environment and with an
apparently insatiable lust for nuclear weapons
and illicit torture it would appear he is more
concerned with beefing up his arsenal than
tackling the huge environmental problems
associated with his country.
These include over-exploitation of natural
resources resulting in drought, biblical-esque
insect attacks on civilians and a disease-ridden
water supply akin to ladling sewage water
straight from the U-bend. With
70% of the country once
covered in rich forest, it is now
a pitiful legacy of its former
self. Deforestation has doubled
in recent years, as have
wildfires and firewood
consumption. Air quality is at
an all–time low, coal use has
soared and oil consumption is
expected to rise from 48
million tonnes today, to 96
million tonnes by 2020.
As if that wasn’t enough, this
depressing excuse for a nation
host three of the most
endangered species on the
planet. The Black Bear, the
Amar Leopard and the Siberian
Tiger.
It doesn’t look good.
DAVID ROCKEFELLER
As one of the world most grotesquely
powerful and wealthy figures and as such one
of the most prolific puppet-masters in world
politics, his influence in manipulating world
events is unseen yet profound. Few people
realise how much influence banking families like
the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds have on
world leaders. They not only finance their
campaigns through their corporations If you
haven’t heard of the Bilderberg Group you need
to do some homework.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
By setting up such internationally recognised,
but entirely misunderstood institutions and
think-tanks such as the Council on Foreign
Relations and the Trilateral Commission they
feed and are responsible for the policies which
are adopted by mainstream politicians. The
Kyoto Protocol and its carbon trading
scheme which is effectively a way of
making MORE money from the
environment is perhaps the brainchild
of this hidden elite. Apparently though
this clique (the real Illuminati?), see
the biggest problem in the world as
overpopulation. According to
whistleblowers like George Green and
the now deceased Aaron Russo they
have plans to cut the world’s
population by 80%, bringing it down to
a more manageable level using
biological weapons. Nothing like a spot
of eugenics on a Sunday afternoon.
Ultimately, it is up to us all as
individuals to take responsibility
ourselves for our immediate impact
on the environment, only then can
real change occur on a collective
planetary level.
A primary focus for future
environmental change on this global
level, and as such requires the
cooperation and commitment of our
world leaders, is the concept of
‘sustainable development’ as we move
forward into the 21st century. This in
effect means marrying the twin imperatives of:
the developed world’s environmental goals with
the developing world’s economic aspirations. As
Obama said at the UN Climate Summit in
Manhattan (September) "That so many of us are
here today is a recognition that the threat from
climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is
growing. No nation, however large or small,
wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of
climate change.”
It is also an exciting time however as we have a
unique opportunity to change the way we live
and treat each other, and indeed all creatures on
this planet. The economic collapse we see before
us is symptomatic of this process of sweeping
away the old systems and ideologies and
replacing them with new, better, more efficient
and compassionate ways of being human.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 31
CAMPAIGNS CAMPAIGNS

A bloodsport usually referred to only in history books

and thus associated primarily in people’s minds with
the Middle-ages, and for good reason. It does however
still occur in parts of Pakistan, specifically in the Punjab
and Sindh provinces. A practice one would expect to
have been consigned to the annals of humanity’s dark
and shameful past, it is unsurprising with all the
cruelty in the world that such an abhorrent excuse for
entertainment still goes on.

Asiatic Black Bears, which are on the World

Conservation Union’s ‘Red List’ of endangered species,
are poached as cubs and sold to ‘Kalanders’ or
traditional bear-owners. These bears are then
mutilated to remove their teeth and claws, whereupon
they are literally ‘hired out’ to local
Landlords who keep and train dogs
specifically for the purpose of
baiting. These dogs are of course
also victims in this cruel charade,
and are often hurt terribly when
their jaws are prised apart by
wooden poles to end each ‘round’.

This process involves the bears

being tied to a post, usually by its
neck and the dogs, who are bred for
their ferocity, attack the bears who
can seldom defend themselves. The
process usually goes on for three
‘rounds’, the result of which are
determined by whether the bear is hauled to the
ground or not by the dogs who tear into the neck and
lips. It is a savage spectacle and made even worse by
the fact that the creatures involved are almost always
kept alive as they hold so much value.
Such events are often attended by
crowds of over 2000, despite it being
illegal and banned in the holy Qu’ran,
thus being considered ‘un-Islamic’.

It has been tremendously popular

throughout history with herds of bears
being maintained in England by various
monarchs since the 16th century.
These include both Elizabeth I and
Henry VIII, who was himself such a fan
he had a Bear ‘pit’ installed at
Whitehall. It was officially banned in
1835, with the Cruelty to Animals Act.

However, it survives to this day in these remote

provinces of the North-West Frontier and despite
being illegal it remains interminably popular. To help end
this barbaric practice please find out more at
www.wspa.org.uk.

Preventative steps so far include campaigning to

Pakistani authorities in order to bring awareness of
international opposition to the ‘sport’, and then
working with the Pakistani government to halt the
fights, whilst looking at alternative livelihoods for bear
owners. They also work toward preventing bear-cub
poaching, educating spectators through Islamic
teachings. IN 2007, the WSPA persuaded over 1000
mosques to preach against baiting in target areas. It
also funds a home for rescued bears called the Kund
Park Sanctuary. They need your help.

32 www.offthehoof.co.uk 33
CAMPAIGNS
Whatever one’s sentiments surrounding the use
and exploitation of animals for domestic and
commercial purposes, it is unfortunately a grim
necessity in many of the poorer and less
developed countries to use them as
‘beasts of burden’ to perform many
of the tasks one would expect to
have been mechanized by 2009. This
affects many Third World agrarian
industries, where they are often used
to work the land, but particularly
those animals who support, quite
literally, the tourist industry. Animals
who suffer most acutely are donkeys
and horses.
‘The Brooke’ is the UK’s leading overseas equine
welfare charity and its aim is simply to improve
the lives of horses, donkeys and mules working in
the poorest parts of the world. It currently helps
some 700,000 animals worldwide. These animals
often form the backbone of the economy in many
of these developing countries, where many
people earn less than a dollar a day and where the
ferrying of burger-munching, often obese,
tourists is the only way to earn that singular
buck.
34
CAMPAIGNS
The Brooke has mobile veterinary teams and
community animal health workers worldwide
who provide free treatment to animals and train
animal owners, local healers and farriers to look
after their animals more effectively. It is of
course a great irony that these animals are even
maltreated at all. Even if one takes the moral,
ethical and compassion-based arguments out of
the equation, it would appear to make
economic sense to ‘protect one’s
investment’ as a horse or mule
cannot ‘earn’ their owners any
money if they are lame or infirm.
Unfortunately, owners often make
these poor creatures work
regardless of their state of health,
often in intense heat and on tricky
terrain with little shade or rest, all
day, every day until they die.
Unfortunately the owners are not
always cruel, they simply cannot afford to not
work themselves with families to feed.
My own experience in Morocco whilst infusing
myself with the local culture, and the treats on
offer, left me in a permanent state of despair at
what I saw, not only in terms of animal welfare or
lack thereof, but more importantly it offended
me more that western tourists would even
contemplate mounting an evidently lame animal
to save themselves a few beads of perspiration.
Brooke are attempting to
implement their newly established
‘HAPPY HORSES HOLIDAY CODE’
(see website: www.thebrooke.org)
which encourages tourists to act
responsibly when using these kinds
of services.
The charity currently operates 
across  ten countries in Asia, Africa, 
Central America and the Middle East. The
enormous difference the Brooke makes is thanks
to the kindness of supporters, donations and the
dedication of local vets and approximately 800
highly-skilled staff working directly on the
ground.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 35
CAMPAIGNS
Imposing one’s own belief systems, albeit in the
name of love and compassion for animals, on
another culture is always going to result in the
taking of offence and accusations of ‘ignorance’
from both sides, particularly when it involves the
issue of religious practice. This particular charity
and its campaign aims to prevent that
misunderstanding and raise awareness regarding
cruelty to animals, namingly with reference to the
mass slaughter and extreme animal cruelty at the
Gadimai, Sasarimaiko and Khokana festivals. They
also draw attention to the barbaric practice of
animal sacrifice in general.
The festivals often involve live goats
being thrown into a pond and torn
apart by young men and even the
rounding up of 7,000 young buffaloes
who are then killed by a thousand
drunk Nepalese men carrying khukuri
knives. Help.
36
CAMPAIGNS
At the ‘Gadimai Mela’ festival in particular the
horror is unparalleled in scale alone. It takes place
every five years in Bariyarpur, Bara district (south
Nepal) in November. Up to 200,000 animals are
sacrificed to appease the Gadimai goddess, who
am sure is pleasantly appeased by the genocide
committed in her name. The fair reaches its climax
on an ‘auspicious’ day, when thousands of buffaloes
are ‘sacrificed’. The public beheading of these young
buffaloes and also goats is often carried out by the
army.
These events take place regularly in Nepal, a
country where animal sacrifice is an important
ritual to the majority of the Hindu
population. In 1780, Nepal outlawed
human sacrifice but animals are allowed
to be killed to satisfy the goddess Kali,
who is rather appropriately the god of
destruction. Not everyone agrees to
these practices. In fact, during Dasain,
the largest Nepalese festival, the media,
religious leaders and indeed the public at
large increasingly speaks out against the
mass-killings.
The charity aims to make the public
aware of these events, to raise
awareness about alternatives and
ultimately to try to prevent cruelty
conducted in the name of culture or
religion. A worthy cause if ever there was
one. On a personal level they encourage
people moved by the campaign to sign a
petition and even write to the Nepalese
government. Donations are always welcome but
the website has many helpful tips as to the best
way to contribute.
It is surprising that religions which preach love and
compassion to all other beings, could condone or
promote the killing of so many animals. It tugs at
the heartstrings of anyone with a conscience and
so if you feel compelled to raise awareness or help
in any way you can visit the website:
www.animalnepal.org.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 37
FOOD FOOD

By Too Tone The Age of Stupid, one of the films being shown in the Ethical cinema
at the first Eco Veggie Fayre, Fairfield Halls Croydon delves into the
(Tony Bishop - Weston Foods for Life Nutrition Consultancy) question about just how stupid humans really are.

The official Christian Wikipedia, The Bible says that God created man
in his own image, does that mean God is as stupid as we are?

Meanwhile the humanists and atheists maintain there is no God with

a capital G.
Personally, as an eternal optimistic, I find the thought of humans
being the most intelligent being in the universe too terrifying to
contemplate.

We are burning down the left lung of the planet (the tropical forests),
and poisoning the right hand lung (the Seas), we made our air close to
un-breathable, wasted the world’s fresh water supplies, we’ve even
broken the protective filter that protects us from the sun’s harmful
rays so we have a choice of cancer from not enough vitamin D
because of sun block or skin cancer from too much sun.

It seems totally implausible to little old optimistic me, and absurdly

arrogant to assume we are the most intelligent life form that ever
lived in the vastness of infinite, universal, galactic space.

Having reasoned optimistically that it’s plausible there is a more

intelligent life form out there, somewhere, it seems pretty futile to
me to try to think beyond that point. It’s most likely akin to a sheep
trying to fathom the logic of a human’s inane commuter activities or
an ant trying to work out the next move of sheep.

38 www.offthehoof.co.uk 39
FOOD FOOD

If there is a greater superior life form out there

then I wonder how flabbergasted and
Tony Newman - Labour Group Leader at Croydon Council has A new messiah for the vegan lifestyle appeared at the
exasperated by a race that have all the tools,
said "This has my full support" and promised to bring it up at London Vegan Festival fresh from an epiphany instigated by
have all the knowledge, have abundant
the next meeting. But Croydon have to get their skates on if Dr Neal Barnard. Six months ago 70 year old Peter Greave
resources but are hell bent on self
they want to be the first UK Local authority to embrace this had chronic heart disease, was overweight, loosing his
destruction.
initiative. There are many others that are already on the case. eyesight and on maximum drugs. Now he is off the drugs,
declared free of diabetic symptoms, having lost 2 ½ stone,
One of the reasons Croydon was chosen for
Liverpool schools could be the first in the UK to go meat free and reversed his eyesight problem having followed Dr
The first Eco Veggie Fayre and to launch the 5
one day every week encouraged by Sir Paul McCartney’s Meat Barnard’s Diabetic Vegan Diet book.
A Day Day campaign was because it was
Free Monday campaign. A Meat Free Day has already been
nominated as the unhealthiest borough in
discussed by the Council there. Peter is naturally very indignant, “Why did no-one tell me
London. The local newspaper estimate
about this before?” he demands “I’ve seen doctors,
Croydon’s chronically overweight at
Brighton, Lancaster and Leeds are also putting a motion to the surgeons, dieticians, opticians, diabetes specialists both in
overweight at 75,000 people (63,000 adults,
full Council with help from Animal Aid (see www. Meat Free the UK and in Australia and not one of them mentioned
12,000 children)
Monday .com) that I could be cured by eating a plant based diet.”
According to the Association of Public Health
Meanwhile Bristol Council is being targeted by Viva's Fruity He complains that no-one he had previously seen seemed
Observatories 2009 report there are 247
Funday Campaign , Thames Valley Vegetarians have Reading to provide any hope and had just palmed him off with the
early deaths per year in Croydon due to heart
Council in their sights and Veggies at the Sumac Centre are attitude that to ‘just keep taking the pills’ was the only
disease & stroke per annum
targeting Nottingham  Council with a veggie day. hope for him.
At the time of writing, in the whole of the UK,
Peter is be attending the Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre, and is
less that one hundred people have died from
keen to meet with health professionals,
swine flu in the UK yet we have national
share his story and empower them with
epidemic strategy in place. Thus three times
his personal success.
as many die early from heart disease and
stroke (proven to be helped by better diet)
Like Howard Lyman the dynastic dairy
that died from swine flu but the papers are full
cowboy, and John Robbins heir to the
of swine flu. Could that be because they have
Baskin-Robbins ice-cream empire
protective vaccines and drugs to sell but
before him there is nothing as
there’s not as much profit in fruit and veg?
powerful as a born again vegan.
Diabetes is up by 145,000 UK cases this year,
“Peter Greaves is a motor
having risen to 2.6 million are we bothered?
cycle enthusiast, a salesman
No, because we have drugs that keep you
and a successful retired
alive, you go slowly blind and you don’t get
businessman. He is quite
better but you don’t die.
angry that he has been
lied to, that his friends
Croydon Borough is significantly worse than
and family are being
the England average in at least 4 categories
cheated out of good
health and is incredulous of
15,074 people in Croydon per annum
the opposition and bigoted
diagnosed with diabetes ( Nat average
discrimination that many
22 % of people on GP registers with a
vegans and vegetarians
recorded diagnosis of diabetes
take for granted.” says
2007/08)
nutritionist Yvonne
112 New cases of tuberculosis per
Bishop-Weston “He is a
annum
powerful ally in changing
31 Infant deaths per annum
the world as there is no way
378 new cases per annum obese
to dilute his message by
children
accusing him of putting
animals before people, being a
Foods for Life believe that a weekly
stooge for the vitamin industry or
day of focus on vegan foods could
simply ill-informed and untrained.
greatly affect the health of Croydon
He is living proof that a better diet
and then provide living proof that
can reverse diabetes.”
other councils throughout the UK
would find it hard to publically ignore.
Having already faced death Peter is
also unafraid of conspiracy
Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston Yvonne-Bishop-Weston theorists warnings that he is a
says “When you walk into Mayday, our Nutritionist walking target for the
hospital in Croydon, the first thing you
pharmaceutical industry who stand
see is Burger King. The PCT and Croydon
to lose millions if people follow his
Council have to start leading by example. By
advice en mass. He seems quite
ignoring and turning a blind eye to the status
prepared for martyrdom should it be
quo that promotes chronic disease they are
enforced upon him.
inadvertently condoning it and discouraging
healthy eating and wellness.”

40 www.offthehoof.co.uk 41
FOOD
Are you getting enough?
More 5 a Day Day Statistics
In 2009 with new plant based foods tumbling off the
shelves we must be careful not to loose sight of the fact
that it’s the fruit and vegetable element of the diet that’s
enabling vegans to be healthier than the national average.
This is coupled with unadulterated essential fats from nuts
and seeds. Veggies need to be vigilant that they try to eat
foods rich in essential fats and fairly unprocessed rather
than tons of pork-less pies full of hydrogenated fat, salt and
sugar.
Thankfully manufacturers of ‘free-from’ foods are realising
that products need to be healthier as well as delicious and
even the once lambasted Linda McCartney sausages have
reduced fat and salt and increased levels of protein.
1) Omnivores are beginning to work out the vegetarians’
secret ingredient to health. The EPIC-Oxford research, a
study with 57,500 participants, men and women aged 20 to
97 found that high consumption of processed and/or red
meat is associated with an increase in colorectal cancer risk
2) On BBC 2’s The Truth about Food programme they took
9 people with dangerously high blood pressure and
cholesterol levels and locked them in a zoo next to the
Gorillas on a raw vegetable, fruit and nut diet for 12 days.
The result was an average of 23% reduction in cholesterol.
Blood pressure returned to normal in everybody. One guy —
the most worrying case of the group — reported “lots of
energy” and “sleeping well”. His insulin level went from 20.7
to 8. In conclusion they said “Scientists believe that many
of our modern health problems stem from a mismatch
between what we ate as we evolved and the food we eat
now.”
3) The Journal of the American Dietetic Association
published a 22-week study of 99 people with type 2
diabetes who were randomly assigned to follow either a
low-fat, low-glycemic vegan diet or a diet based on ADA
recommendations. The vegan diet dramatically cut
consumption of cholesterol, fat, and saturated fat, and
increased healthful fibre, beta-carotene, and vitamins K and
C intake, compared with the diet based on ADA guidelines.
Almost half of the participants in the vegan group reduced,
if not eliminated, their medication, compared with only 26
percent of participants in the ADA group.
Even the NHS agree eating more fruit and vegetables is
a good idea. Here’s what they say about 5 a day
4) Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables can
significantly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.[3-5]
It has been estimated that eating at least 5 portions of a
variety of fruit and vegetables a day could reduce the risk of
deaths from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke,
and cancer by up to 20%.[1]
5) It has been estimated that diet might contribute to the
development of one-third of all cancers, and that increasing
fruit and vegetable consumption is the second most
important cancer prevention strategy, after reducing
smoking.[2] In 1998, the Department of Health's
Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy and Nutrition
(now called the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition)
reviewed the evidence and concluded that higher vegetable
consumption would reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and
gastric cancer. There was also weakly consistent evidence
that higher fruit and vegetable consumption would reduce
the risk of breast cancer. These cancers combined
42
represent about 18% of the cancer burden in men and about 30%
in women.[4]
6) Higher consumption of fruit and vegetables also reduces the
risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.[3] A recent study found
that each increase of 1 portion of fruit and vegetables a day
lowered the risk of coronary heart disease by 4% and the risk of
stroke by 6%.[6] Evidence also suggests an increase in fruit and
vegetable intake can help lower blood pressure.[7, 8]
7) Research suggests that there are other health benefits too,
including delaying the development of cataracts, reducing the
symptoms of asthma, improving bowel function, and helping to
manage diabetes.[9, 10, 4, 11] Some fruit and vegetables are also
good sources of folate (such as green leafy vegetables and
oranges). All women of childbearing age are recommended to
increase their consumption of foods naturally rich in folate and
foods fortified with folic acid.[12] Women who are trying to
conceive or who are likely to become pregnant are advised to take
a daily 400microgram supplement of folic acid until the 12th week
of pregnancy.
8) As well as the direct health benefits, eating fruit and vegetables
can help to achieve other dietary goals including increasing fibre
intake, reducing fat intake, help maintain a healthy weight, and
substituting for foods with added sugars (as frequent
consumption of foods with added sugars can contribute to tooth
decay).
FOOD
References:
1 Department of Health. 2000. The NHS Plan. London:
Department of Health.
2 Department of Health. 2000. NHS Cancer Plan. London:
Department of Health.
3 Department of Health. 1994. Nutritional Aspects of
Cardiovascular Disease. London: HMSO.
4 Department of Health. 1998. Nutritional Aspects of the
Development of Cancer. London: The Stationery Office.
5 World Health Organization. 1990. Diet, Nutrition, and the
Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Geneva: World Health
Organization.
9) The reason why fruit and vegetables are so beneficial is
6 Joshipura KJ, Hu FB, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer
because of their array of compounds. As well as vitamins and FE, Colditz G, Ascherio A, Rosner B, Spiegelman D, Willett WC.
minerals, fruit and vegetables also contain many complex 2001. The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on risk for
plant components (called phytochemicals), including coronary heart disease. Annals of Internal Medicine; 134:
1106-14.
flavonoids, glucosinilates and phyto-oestrogens. Some of the
vitamins and phytochemicals are also antioxidants, destroying Appel L, Moore T, Obarzanek E et al. 1997. A clinical trial of the
7
free radicals in the body. These free radicals are known to have effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. New England
Journal of Medicine; 336: 1117-23.
a role in causing cancer as well as other harmful effects.
8 John J, Ziebland S, Yudkin P, Roe L, Neil H. 2002. Effects of fruit
10) It appears that the benefits of fruit and vegetables stem and vegetable consumption on plasma antioxidant
not only from the individual components, but also from the concentrations and blood pressure: a randomised controlled
interactions between these components. Dietary
trial. The Lancet; 359: 1969-74.
supplements containing isolated vitamins or minerals do not Taylor A, Jacques P, Epstein E. 1995. Relations among ageing,
9
appear to have the same beneficial effects as fruit and antioxidant status and cataract. American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition; 62 (supp): 1439-47s.
vegetables themselves..[4]
10 Forastiere F et al. 2000. Consumption of fresh fruit rich in
vitamin C and wheezing symptoms in children (Italian studies
on respiratory disorders in children and the environment).
Thorax; 55: 102-08.
Hughes J. 2000 (unpublished). The Case for Increasing the
11
Population Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables and the
Evidence for the Effectiveness of Interventions. Prepared for
the Department of Health.
12 Department of Health Expert Advisory Group. 1992. Folic Acid
and the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects. London:
Department of Health.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 43
FOOD
Too Tone’s family know what they are getting
for Xmas this year – even his 3 year old is on
the end of a copy of The Healthy Vegan – a
scary title it has to be said, but nevertheless an
absolutely top rate DVD starring not only the
Tone himself but also famed TV chef Rose Elliot
and also John Bayley, who is less well known but
an equally accomplished creator of tasty veggie
creations. The DVD is full of most excellent
recipes, which will provide no end of inspiration
to those not only completely new to the plant
based diet but also those who took those steps
a while back and are looking for fresh ideas and
culinary expertise.
Available from www.thehealthyvegandvd.com
Rose Elliot MBE is Britain’s foremost vegetarian
cookery writer, and her books have won her
popular acclaim all over the world. She has
written over 60 books, including Vegan Feasts,
and is a frequent contributor to national
magazines, radio and TV, as well as giving
cookery demonstrations throughout the UK. For
more about Rose, her books and recipes, see her
website, www.roseelliot.com
44
An ideal Christmas gift!
A DVD for everybody, with 37 recipes by top
Vegan chefs, Rose Elliot, Tony Bishop-Weston
and John Bayley!
From delicious Blueberry Pancakes and Smoked
Tofu Pate, to tasty raw food alternatives such
as Cashew Nut Ice Cream - these healthy and
mouth watering selections are a nutritious and
rewarding option for any diet.
Bonus material includes advice on nutrition, a
52-page booklet and more!
Available from www.thehealthyvegandvd.com
Released by WDF Productions
CHESTNUT PATE EN CROUTE
By Rose Elliot
Serves 4-6
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 celery sticks, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 x 240g cans vacuum-packed whole chestnuts
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
A few breadcrumbs, optional, see recipe
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
350g packet ready-rolled frozen puff pastry
FOOD
Preheat the oven to 200oC (Fan 180oC), 400oF,
Gas 6.
Heat the oil and fry the onions, celery and garlic
gently for about 10 minutes, until soft.
Remove from the heat. Add the chestnuts,
mashing them with a potato masher to make
a mixture that will hold together. (If it is a
bit sloppy -- because the onions and celery
produced some liquid when frying -- add a few
breadcrumbs to firm it up as necessary).
Add the soy sauce and lemon juice and salt and
pepper to taste. Leave to cool.
Lay the pastry out on a flat baking sheet. Spoon
the chestnut mixture onto the centre, heaping
it up into a loaf shape. Wrap the pastry around
it to completely encase it. Arrange on the baking
sheet with the seam side underneath. Press the
edges together and trim off excess pastry. Cut
leaves or decorations from spare pastry, brush
with cold water and place on top of the pastry.
Make 3 steam-holes on the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown,
crisp and flaky. Serve at once, with vegan gravy,
red currant jelly and horseradish sauce.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 45
FOOD FOOD

The FRY’s range of veggie burgers, sausages and

ready meals is just the job when it comes to
the Xmas period – stacks of different flavours,
textures & varieties and all of them quick, easy,
nutritious and completely plant based, making
them the ideal products to stock up on for the
Xmas break and fill the freezer full right up.

So take the weight off your feet, stick the telly

on and watch some old rubbish repeat from
1973, eat all the chocolate decorations, and
when you all get peckish again you can have a
family argument about whose going to get the
burgers in the buns. Happy Xmas!!!!
The FRY’s range is distributed in the UK by
Beanie’s Health Foods, and is available from
FRY’s are also the popular choice for lunch in the Holland & Barrett, as well as independent health
Off The Hoof office, and OTH’s office manager stores across the country, and on-line from
Fred the Foreman describes why he chooses Goodness Foods. Beanie’s also distribute the
FRY’s. B’NICE range of dairy-free rice ice cream.
‘They are amazing… not only really tasty, and full
www.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk
of protein, but also paradise for the lads. You
can buy them in bulk and chuck them in the
freezer, which means less shopping, they need
no preparation and cooking is so simple even I
can manage them, and even better – they go
under the grill and straight into bread rolls so
there’s no washing up which basically means
more time for beer and football. Sorted.’

Slim T would like to take the opportunity to extend

huge hugs and kisses towards the whole Beanie’s
bunch and say a vast and grateful thank you to all
of you for your amazing work rate and especially
for continued support for all our humble efforts in
promoting the veggie lifestyle.
xxxbigluvslimt2009

46 www.offthehoof.co.uk 47
FOOD FOOD

Snuggle up to a Bear Skin Beaver

Meanwhile, you may fancy something else to
keep you warm on those long winter nights.
Some people don’t like furry, they much prefer
it smooth. Although I love my little pussy dearly
I’d think twice about sharing a bed with her as
she’s not nearly hygienic enough for my liking.
This beaver looking, faux
fur, bearskin, furry hot
water bottle may be just
Hello dearies.
the thing. It’s non allergenic
Goodness gracious me the world just whizzes by when you get and I believe you can pop
it in the washing machine,
to my age. It seems like just last Tuesday when I was scribbling
which of course you can’t
away last year about Christmas, what Santa gets up to, and that do with a pussy.
episode under the mistletoe. Actually, I think the editor may have www.notonthehighstreet.
cut that bit as he ran out of space - at least, that was his excuse. com approx. £30
Last year, I put my bus pass to good use to visit the speciality fine
food fayre, but I got sidetracked by fruity Fred from the market Fuzzy Wuzzy Wasn’t Bare, Wuzzy?
and by the time I came too, it had passed me by. Like I said dearies, some folk prefer it bare. Now
girls, before you start to question your sexuality
So excuse me, it has been a struggle, sorry if the cupboard is a on the basis of a natural dislike of men being
bit bare, but hopefully you’ll find something here to tickle your too hairy to be comfortable with, ask yourself
fancy. this? Is it the smelly, coffee and beer breathed,
football and bosom obsessed, simple minded,
emotionally challenged farty man you dislike?
Or is it just his fuzzy body you are squeamish
about? If it’s his hairy back and bottom that
All I want for Christmas... a little makes you itch then try this solution – Bamboo On Your Trike!
Pyjamas! A big, new shiny bike is the ultimate traditional
Couple-lation
A lot of the youngsters I speak to have yet to Bamboo is soft as silk but ethically and Christmas present in many homes. All you
meet their split apart, someone they feel they environmentally sustainable. It even has subtle environmentally friendly Mothers may be
can make babies with and engage vegan caterers natural anti‑bacterial properties. You can interested in hitching up your skirts and climbing
with for a big day. transform your fuzzy wuzzy Neanderthal into a on top of this monster.
bare skinned dreamboat in seconds. The Tri-Kid-oo trike is a better, more sustainable
Now I’m in two minds (neither of them in
perfect working order) whether it’s better that www.bambooclothing.co.uk bottoms approx. alternative to a new Prius or a 4 wheel drive
all the veggie folk go out and find omnivores and £22 and tops approx. £35 hybrid (is there such a thing?) It takes a bit of
gradually chip away at their packed lunches and getting used to, as it’s all to do with the steering
Savage Sunday Sacrifices or that we keep it in rather than the balance as with normal cycling,,
the family and just mate with each other, keep but it’s much safer than the balancing act you
ourselves to ourselves. have on your hands with a child on the back of
a normal bike and it takes up to 3 children. You
If it’s the latter you hanker after, then try may want to consider an electrically assisted
Veggievision’s new dating service, which looks one if you live somewhere hilly, as even with one
like it may last a little longer than some others toddler on the back it’s tough going up hill. Great
that have tried this method of making the world for those inner thigh muscles.
a happier place. Veggiematchmakers.com is
probably the best known of the older ones and www.trikidoo.co.uk £925
they claim a number of successful marriages.
www.veggievisiondating.com
According to nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston
Veggie Starter Kit
If you have a friend who is considering dipping
there’s also mounting evidence that caffeine can
their toes in the ethical waters of the veggie
Wake up and Smell the Coffee interfere with your reproductive systems, be
lifestyle for the first time you may consider a
counterproductive in maintaining energy levels
Breath and make losing weight harder. Teeccino has all
gift or two that would help them on their way to
If you are considering the mating game you may environmental nirvana. These three should help:
the intensity of the flavour of coffee without the
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on good anecdotal authority that vegans taste
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a hedgehog’s bottom. www.dragonfly-teas.com £7.74 312g pack www.amazon.co.uk £11.04
Nutrition Consultation Gift Pack
www.optimumnutritionists.com from £75

48 www.offthehoof.co.uk 49

Aaaaaaaaahhh chocolate… better than
sex - at least that’s what the missus
says. And during the winter months,
especially so. Off the Hoof’s Charlie
Chang has started Uni recently and
didn’t have time to write this article,
so Slim T is filling in for him, but we
thought it would be a shame to change
the title. Not sure why, but the Charlie
bit has a familiar ring to it….
So it’s over to Slim T to feast on the
Food of The Gods…
The Chocolate Heart Factory
Recently my home has been inundated with
deliveries from the postman, bringing all sorts of
weird and wonderful gifts to my doorstep, most
of it samples of chocolate. Great you may say, a
gift from heaven, a true paradise on earth - but
that is assuming I am actually someone who
likes chocolate. I don’t. Not really, anyway. Not
in a ‘regular daily/weekly/monthly buy’, anyway.
It’s OK – just not that interesting. A bit like the
Carling Cup, I suppose.
FOOD
So all this chocolate stuff has turned up and now
in the interest of strict journalistic accuracy, I
am now obliged to eat it all. I did think of inviting
OTH hack Uberbitch H over to assist, knowing
she is a devout fan of all things chocolate, and
she is currently in the area on an undercover
mission and living in an old brown Ford Fiesta
(whoops, sorry love), but to be honest I’m a
little scared she might try and seduce me, so I
passed on that one, in case she misinterpreted
the ‘come over and eat some chocolate and help
me compare notes’ to ‘please shag my brains
out until I am completely mindless under the
guise of tasting my chocolate’.
In the end, I took the bait and did the deed myself,
and wow, what a treat. Is this a new definition
of ‘pleasure thyself’? I had no idea chocolate
could taste so good. I mean, yeah, orgasmic is
the word that springs to mind time and again,
in fact on a multiple level even, which is quite
something for a mere male of the species.
Anyway, enough, and on with the tour. We
contacted a dozen UK dairy-free chocolate
factories, and requested info, answers, piccies
and samples of their best offerings – and this is
what we came up with.
FOOD FOOD

Plamil Foods
Plamil Foods has been making dairy free
chocolate for over 50 years now and
indeed is the pioneer in this particular field, Raw Living
and still a market leader today, partly due
to not only the continuation of the firm The clue is in the title with this one –
faves in the stable, but also innovative and these bars are both raw and alive. Raw Om Bars from Mood Foods
fresh flavours, textures and ingredients means that the cacao hasn’t been heated,
and therefore retains the original complex Very stylish, excellent value for money
that keep the range at the cutting edge of
nutritional properties. Owner and founder and generally the most ‘normal’ tasting The Chocolate Heart
Chocolate. We asked Adrian, the master
Kate Magic pens the answers of the raw chocolate brigade. Highly One of the new kids on the block
chocolatier, a few questions:
recommended by Slim T, who has even – as in 60 kilo blocks of raw
Favourite part of the day? The start of a Favourite part of the day? I don’t know been known to part with a couple of Cacao from Peru landing on your
new day! QC tasting chocolate has got to about favourite part of the day, but the quid for one of said bars from his local doorstep. Emma Clacher is behind
be the best job in the world. After almost best part of making chocolate has got to wholefood shop. Richard from Om Bars the operation.
30 years I never get bored of it! be the smells - it’s real aromatherapy. fills in the blanks.
It’s impossible to feel bad about life when Favourite part of the day? Dusk…
Why did you start a chocolate factory? you have the aromas of cacao butter and Favourite part of the day? (Not the it’s a magical feeling when the light
(or work in one?) Plamil wanted to mesquite floating in the air. cleaning at the end!) We aim to start starts to fade and the colour of
actually make vegan chocolate, not and complete a fresh batch of chocolate the flowers and greenery seems to
re‑melt or re‑brand, as decades ago, and Why did you start a chocolate factory? everyday. The best bit is surely when become richer and more striking.
still true today, Plamil recognise even dark (or work in one?) We discovered raw the alchemy of the ingredients starts to I can look out of my window while
chocolate made in factories handling milk chocolate in 2004. Chris was hooked happen - when they’re blended together I’m working and see the beautiful
probably contain significant amounts of instantly, and he said to me he wanted to in our grinding machine. All these raw countryside.
undeclared milk. start making chocolate bars and selling ingredients come together to create
them. At that time, Raw Living was a something which smells and tastes Why did you start a chocolate
What’s the fave chocolate that you very small on-line store, and I had three factory? (or work in one?) I love
amazing... hmmm.
produce? Making over 40 varieties of children under seven. I just laughed and coming to work… as soon as you
choc, it’s difficult to choose! At the said, you do it, I’m not getting involved, Why did you start a chocolate factory? start there’s the smell of fresh
moment it’s our latest Rum & Raisin Bar… I’ve got too much on. Famous last (or work in one?) I kind of stumbled into chocolate wafting through the air!
but I stray back to mint choc very easily. words! having a chocolate factory rather than Delicious!
carefully planned to start one. Cacao
www.plamilfoods.co.uk What’s the fave chocolate that you What’s the fave
nibs have a mysterious force that calls
produce? My personal favourite is people to experiment with them, until chocolate that you
Hi‑lovers; I love the rose and the Etherium ultimately you end up with something like produce? Everyone I
Pink. The most popular is Be the Change; a chocolate bar and then, all of a sudden, know absolutely loves
lots of people have said it tastes like a you’re running a chocolate factory! What the lime truffle bites,
Wispa. Whoosh is the most addictive; happened?? but personally I have to
that’s for the hardcore chocaholics. say, it is the Himalayan
What’s the fave chocolate that you Salt mini bars. The
www.rawliving.eu produce? Currently Acai & Blueberry, I sweet-salty flavour
think. There’s a really nice feeling about combination is a surprise
starting with very pure, dark, raw cacao, to your taste buds, and
then adding outrageously nutritious because you get 15 little
purple fruit powders to create something bars, you have lots of
I know is incredibly nourishing but gentle. little flavour explosions!
Once again Plamil Foods have put their money And the chocolate’s a purple-ish colour
where their mouth is and backed the Off The too, which is pretty interesting. www.thechocolateheart.com
Hoof Eco Veggie Fayres to the hilt, and for this
we are eternally grateful. Not many firms in the www.ombar.co.uk
UK have such an awesome track record as Plamil
for supporting small ventures like ourselves
and this goes back to the original ethics of the
founder of the company, Arthur Ling.
Arthur was an outstanding pioneer who not only
started the UK’s first soya milk manufacturers,
but also helped develop the whole concept of
bio‑fuels too – a man way ahead of his time.
Plamil is now directed by his son, Adrian, along
with an excellent team of noble and upright
colleagues who, between them, continue to
steer the good ship Plamil through choppy and
still waters alike with the same relish, quality
and enthusiasm as ever. Much loved and valued
by many, including all of us at Off The Hoof.

52 www.offthehoof.co.uk 53
FOOD
Hipo Hyfryd
A combination of delicate and subtle flavours
like Rose, Orange, Lavender and Maple, combined
with robust and macho offerings along the lines
of Chilli, Balsamic Vinegar, Cardoman and Salt
and Pepper, with Gareth the main man behind
the mix.
Favourite part of the day? Halfway through the
day I have a fresh batch of liquid chocolate truffle
swirling in front of me, demanding that a spoon
must be filled and its contents consumed.
Why did you start a chocolate factory? (or
work in one?) A desire to bring my style of
chocolatiering to the general public and to add
to the growing number of quality chocolates
available to people who are dairy free.
What’s the fave chocolate that you produce?
With its simple, velvety decadence, I would
choose my maple chocolate truffle but every
now and then the exotic salt and Szechwan
chocolate bar fills me with forbidden flavours.
www.hipohyfryd.co.uk
Booja Booja
Countless awards from this uber choc outfit
straight outta East Angular, with a range of
luxury truffles, as well as the most awesome
dairy-free ice cream ever made – their aptly
named ‘Stuff in A Tub’. Has the added advantage
of being sold only through the Independents and
never in supermarkets – excellent stuff. Emma
from BB comes up with the replies.
Favourite part of the day? Reading emails sent
in from our passionate and happy customers -
I email them all around the office, as it makes
everyone’s day to hear how people are enjoying
a little Booja-Booja.
Why did you start a chocolate factory?
(or work in one?) I applied to work at the
Booja‑Booja chocolate factory as I wanted to
be part of the mysterious world of Booja-Booja;
it is fascinating to see the journey of an idea,
turning into a product, and then being sent out
to our customers, all under one roof.
What’s the fave chocolate that you produce?
My favourite are the Cognac Flaméd Banana
Truffles, however, the overall favourite of our
customers has to be the Hazelnut Crunch
Truffles. Both of which are dairy free, gluten
free, cholesterol free, and wheat free.
www.boojabooja.co.uk
54
Conscious Chocolate
Really tasty and sublime, proper melt in your
mouth job, recently repackaged and looking like
in for a marathon not a sprint, unlike some of the
raw food choccie choices. The equally gorgeous
Conscious Chocolates founder Emma Jackson
picks up the story...
Favourite time of day? The mornings. I like the
clarity after sleep and this is when I have my
best ideas. This is also the best time of day for
chocolate!
Why did you start a chocolate factory?
(or work in one?) My vision was to create a
luxurious chocolate full of health and goodness
that could be eaten by everyone, regardless of
dietary requirements. Healthy food should taste
great.
What’s the fave chocolate that you produce?
I love them all, so my favourite changes daily! For
me the most enjoyable part of being a chocolatier,
apart from the tasting, is experimenting and
creating new flavours.
FOOD
Some other excellent offerings
include…..
The Raw Chocolate Company
Delectable bars of raw cacao with a mixture
of laves making them sweeter than most, and
generally easier on the taste buds that some.
Raw Chocolate remains a mystery for some,
and an addiction for others, and this brand soon
dispels the myths and starts you on the rocky
road to the 12 step recovery programme. Well
packaged, good size, good value, a winner.
www.therawchocolatecompany.com
DetoxYourWorld
DetoxYourWorld are the suppliers of Shazzies
range of Raw Choccie delights, which include
the most seductive sounding names imaginable,
definitely sexing up with a Temptress, a Goddess,
a Siren and an Empress raw choccie bar on offer
amongst others. Very nice
www.detoxyourworld.com
Cacao –Food of The Gods!!
(Nearly) everyone loves chocolate and cacao
is the chief ingredient. Revered throughout
history for its super nutrient qualities, and now
worshipped by billions across the planet. The
recent rise in popularity in raw choccie products
has seen the birth of a whole new set of fans
– and apparently in its raw state the cacao
preserves its essential nutrients and becomes
an even more powerful beast!
Here is a proper accolade from one of the original
Raw Choccie peeps, the wondrous Raw Living.
‘Cacao is the food of the revolution. Cacao
opens up your heart and helps you remember
that life is magic. Cacao puts you back on track,
in your flow, fully empowered to be the ecstatic
superbeing you really are. Cacao transforms
your consciousness, activates your cells, aligns
you reality. With Cacao, you really can have your
cake and eat it – this is chocolate that loves
you back. Cacao is the food of enlightenment, a
sun food of the gods and goddesses too. Cacao
is a gift from the universe to help us through the
shift of the ages.’
Apparently.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 55
FOOD
Living Miracle Pat Reeves gets to grips
with the benefits of sprouted seeds
and beans – the ultimate nutritional
fighting force.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Seeds and beans are tiny powerhouses of
nutrients – when water is added, the magic
begins!
Sprouted foods are one of the key constituents
of a raw food eating regime because of the
available vital substances and also because of
the texture and flavour they lend to a meal. Just
soaking seeds and allowing them to germinate
has a radical effect on the bio-availability of the
nutrients they contain. They are easier to digest
when sprouted, as their starch breaks down
– and their overall nutritional value increases
up to ten-fold. Apart from plentiful vitamin C,
56
FOOD
Alive and Kicking Among the sprouts, lentils are the richest single
Sprouts are biogenic – they are alive. I am source of high-quality protein. Seven cups of
utterly convinced that a carload of cooked food sprouted lentils contain approximately 58 grams
cannot do for healing and regeneration of the of protein – more than enough to meet the
human body what a single sprouted seed will do. recommended daily allowance for the average
Imagine a farmer cooking seeds before sowing active person.
them! For that matter – can you picture in your Proteins are constructed of building blocks called
mind any food in your present diet that, when amino acids. There are eight essential amino
planted, will sprout and grow up to create a acids, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
new life? Cooked grains, beans and vegetables phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophane, and
won’t. Neither will animal foods such as meat, valine – which the body must synthesize from
eggs and cheese. Only uncooked germinated
seeds, grains, nuts and beans can give us their
the proteins we eat. When these eight are
not provided by the diet, the body is unable to
living energy. re-generate its cells properly and deficiency
symptoms arise. The fourteen other amino
Proteins and Amino Acids acids are actually just as essential, but can be
Plant proteins are the highest-quality proteins formed by the body internally, when the above-
available and sprouts are loaded with them. Plant mentioned ones are ingested.
proteins are easy for the body to use, are low in
Amino acids act on the blood and body cells in the
fat and contain no saturated fats or cholesterol.
process of self-renewal that rejuvenates us and
In contrast, the proteins in animal foods are prolongs life. They are important to so many body
generally associated with large quantities of functions and systems it would be impossible to
potentially harmful fats and are difficult for the list them all here. I can summarize their effect
body to assimilate. Animal foods, especially by stating that they are essential to proper
iron, calcium and magnesium, they contain the when they have been cooked, tend to produce digestion and assimilation of foods, cell renewal,
B group of vitamins, essential fatty acids and
toxic waste products when they are broken immunity from disease & illness, rapid healing of
vegetable protein. They are very alkalinizing down during the course of normal digestion. cuts & wounds, and for efficient liver function.
which helps the body restore its acid-alkaline
balance.
Even more! – they are such fun to work with!
You will be entranced each day as you watch
them grow and their character changes. Do
experiment with spelt, rice, buckwheat, barley,
quinoa, amaranth, chickpeas, lentils, aduki, mung,
black eye peas, mustard, basil, broccoli, all the
cabbages, carrots, leeks, sunflower, pumpkin,
sesame – this is not an exhaustive list!
Basically then, the value of sprouts is three-fold
– the seeds themselves are easily transported
from the shop to the home; the preparation
required to turn the seeds into sprouts is
absolutely minimal; the sprouts themselves
provide fresh shoots which are extremely rich
in vitamin C, and frequently in carotenes and
the B complex, with a much increased amino-
acid (protein) balance, together with valuable
trace elements and minerals. As has already
been said, they are easily assimilated to provide
the vitamin and mineral needs of our bodies.
Sprouts prepared at home in this way are eaten
as required and do not have a chance to lose
their nutritional value – you just grow them on
a scale and at a rate to suit your own particular
requirements.
To obtain the full benefit of the nutrients, the
seeds should be freshly sprouted, so that they
are eaten at the very moment when they are
at the peak of their nutritional value. The vital
food factors in sprouts and other living foods
are released from plant cells during the process
of chewing and digestion, and become usable for
the regeneration of the human body.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 57
FOOD
A deficiency of only one amino acid can result
in allergies, low energy levels, poor digestion,
lowered resistance and premature aging. The
replacement of the missing amino acid can as
easily result in a complete reversal of these
symptoms.
Amino acids are found in abundant variety in all
living foods. Sprouted seeds, beans, grains and
nuts provide complete protein, hence they will
provide you all eight essential amino acids. It
is best, however, to eat a variety of sprouts, as
each kind has a different proportion of amino
acids.
In essence, the amino acids supplied by sprouts
can make a difference between fair health and
below-average energy levels – and overall
well‑being and vitality.
Vitamins
The question of whether we need nutritional
supplements, including vitamins, is hotly
debated – needlessly. Vitamins are essential
nutrients that regulate chemical reactions in
the body. They help to make the energy present
in food available to our cell, and all the vitamins
necessary for health are supplied abundantly
when plenty of sprouts and living foods are
eaten.
The majority of supplemental vitamins, while
they may appear to be chemically identical to
natural vitamins, have a much less biological
activity, making them a poor substitute for their
natural counterparts. The vitamins found in fresh
sprouts and other living foods are completely
safe and are capable of sustaining us in good
health as long as enough of the right kinds of
foods are eaten. I recommend the use of several
cups of sprouts each day in salads and various
guises. If this amount is not taken supplements
may become necessary for certain conditions.
Right up to the moment you eat a fresh raw
sprout, it is growing and increasing in nutritional
value. The nutrients remain intact until you
begin chewing. Whereas other living foods, such
as fresh vegetables, contain ample supplies of
58
FOOD
vitamins, their nutrient values begin to steadily called the ‘anti-stress vitamins’, aid the normal Dietary minerals are our lifeblood. They serve
decline as soon as they are cut. The vitamin functioning of the nervous system, thus as the foundation for body’s overall metabolism
C level contained in a crushed raw radish, for bolstering it against stress of all kinds. – the vital chemical and physical processes that
example, decreases by half in about five minutes, keep the body functioning smoothly. Minerals
Wheat is one of the best sources of vitamin E,
and by up to seventy percent in twenty minutes. figure in the formation and function of all body
which functions as an antioxidant, preventing
In cooking, much of the vitamin (and mineral) enzymes. They also keep the proper alkaline
valuable nutrients from being destroyed or
content of fresh foods is lost – thrown out with electrical charge in all sources of calcium in
wasted. In addition, this vitamin is a protector
the cooking water, or oxidized by exposure to air organic form.
of the heart and a fertility tonic. Sprouting
and heat.
wheat increases its vitamin E content by three Potassium is sometimes called the ‘youth
Amazingly, raw un-sprouted lentils have too low times over that of raw un-sprouted wheat. In mineral’ because it helps the body to maintain
a vitamin C level to measure, but after sprouting addition, the type of vitamin E found in sprouted smooth and tight skin and balanced body weight.
their vitamin C level increases enough to make seeds, grains and nuts – such as oats, rye, It also helps to maintain the proper alkalinity of
them one of the better sources of it. Vitamin C alfalfa, sesame, sunflower and almonds – is at the blood. Almond, sesame, sunflower, mung and
is important to the health of the skin, teeth and least ten times more easily assimilated by the black eye pea sprouts supply more potassium
gums. It also aids growth and development and body than synthetic vitamin E. Vitamin E from than many fruits and garden vegetables. Alfalfa,
protects other vitamins from oxidation. sprouted wheat is more abundant, and of better fenugreek, lentil, aduki and mung sprouts are
quality than that from wheat germ – a noted good sources of the iron needed for red blood
Nutritionally, fresh lentil, cabbage, mung and
source of this vitamin. cell formation and the transport of oxygen from
aduki bean sprouts are good sources of vitamin
the lungs to the cells.
C. Sprouted chickpeas and black eye peas (also Vitamin K is found in abundance in alfalfa
known as cow peas), also contain this vitamin. sprouts. This little known vitamin is especially Sprouted seeds are also rich in iron. Even though
Alfalfa sprouts are not only a good source of important during pregnancy, as it is responsible some of our own iron is recycled internally, we
vitamin C but a provider of vitamin A as well. In for blood clotting. It aids in the prevention of need to get additional iron in organic form from
fact they have more vitamin A than is found in a haemorrhages and miscarriage. Vitamin U, our food. This is especially true for women who
comparable amount of tomatoes, lettuce, green another less known vitamin is replete in cabbage may develop deficiencies due to menstrual
peppers and most fruits. The sprouts are rich in sprouts. It is currently being investigated for blood loss.
vitamin A, containing up to four times than raw, its potential to prevent stomach and intestinal
In general, sprouts are excellent sources of
un-sprouted seeds. Sprouted cabbage, clover, ulcers.
trace elements, such as iodine, zinc, selenium,
peas and mustard are also excellent sources of
chromium, cobalt and silicon. Alfalfa sprouts
vitamin A. This is in the form of carotene body
& sprouted pumpkin seeds are especially good
cells, guarding them against acidic degeneration
sources of zinc – essential for the synthesis
and invasion from harmful microbes which live
of protein, for many liver functions and in the
on acidic substances in the body.
healing of cuts and wounds. Selenium, which is
now being tested for anti-cancer properties, is
Minerals also supplied by many sprouts, especially alfalfa.
To meet your body’s requirements for minerals
such as calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus
and magnesium, I recommend you take them in
from sprouts and other living foods in the form
of organic mineral salts. This is the way humans
have been fulfilling mineral needs for millennia.
Sesame sprouts are an exceptionally good source
of calcium, having about as much as cow’s milk,
and more than almost any other plant food.
Almond, sunflower, alfalfa and chickpeas are
also excellent, which is converted into vitamin
A in the intestine, as needed. Carotene is non
toxic, even in large quantities, whereas synthetic
vitamin A, or that found in fish oils, liver and
other animal products, accumulates in our liver
and can become toxic. Vitamin A is essential
for normal growth and development, for good
eyesight and reproduction.
The B vitamins, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and
niacin are abundant in sprouted almond, alfalfa,
wheat, rye, sunflower and sesame. Sunflower
and sesame sprouts are richer in these
important B vitamins than are raw un-sprouted
seeds (which even like this are considered to be
a good source of B vitamins). Vitamin B complex
helps the body digest carbohydrates and use the
energy in them and also promotes resistance to
infection. Moreover the B complex, sometimes
www.offthehoof.co.uk 59
FOOD FOOD

From aduki to wheat - an overview of Summary

Chlorophyll
One of the most important nutrient compounds
contained in sprouts – chlorophyll – has been
thoroughly researched for its nutritional and
healing properties. By itself, chlorophyll, a
protein compound found in green plants including
sprouts with green leaves (such as alfalfa,
cabbage, clover, sunflower and radish), doesn’t
appear to be anything special. But there are two
vital aspects of chlorophyll which should not be
overlooked. First is its creation in the plant as
a result of a conversion of the sun’s energy –
which makes it a sort of living battery. Second
is its remarkable similarity to a vital component
of human blood – haemoglobin. Circulating
the bloodstream, haemoglobin molecules carry
oxygen to the cells throughout the body.
Unlike humans and animals, both of whom
derive energy from food, plants get their energy
directly from the sun. Plants create and store
carbohydrate energy as a result of the sun’s
action upon their leaves, in the process known
as photosynthesis. In fresh green sprouts,
this energy is readily available for healing and
regeneration of our cells.
Moreover, the chemical elements contained in
chlorophyll are effective in building up the red
blood cell count of the bloodstream. Exactly
how and why this can occur is still largely
unknown, but many theories have been offered.
The chlorophyll molecule is quite similar to
haemoglobin. The main difference is that
chlorophyll has a magnesium ion as a nucleus,
whereas haemoglobin is structured around iron.
It is conceivable that since chlorophyll is soluble in
fat particles, and since fat particles are absorbed
directly into the blood via the lymphatic system,
that chlorophyll is converted (absorbed) into
blood inside us. Once the chlorophyll molecule
is absorbed, its magnesium ion is replaced with
iron, making new haemoglobin.
nutritional content of sprouts:
Aduki – amino acids, iron, vitamin C
Alfalfa – Vitamins A, B, C, E & K, rich in minerals
and trace elements
Almond – rich in protein, essential fatty acids,
minerals, Vitamins B & E.
Black-eye peas – rich in protein, carbohydrates,
Vitamin A, C and C plus a whole array of
minerals
Buckwheat – rich in rutin, magnesium and
manganese. Chlorophyll develops when grown
to buckwheat ‘lettuce’
Cabbage – Vitamins A and C, S-Methylmethionine
(Vitamin U), trace elements and chlorophyll
Chickpea (Garbanzos) – Protein, fibre,
carbohydrates, minerals
Clover (red) – Vitamins A & C, trace elements,
chlorophyll
Corn – fibre, carbohydrates, minerals, Vitamins
A, B and E
Fenugreek – rich in iron, phosphorus and trace
elements
Lentils – rich in protein, iron and other minerals,
surprisingly good source of Vitamin C
Millet (un-hulled) - carbohydrates, fibre,
Vitamins B & E, protein
Mung – protein, iron, potassium, Vitamin C
Mustard seeds – mustard oil, Vitamins A & C,
most minerals
Oats (whole groats are best – though somewhat
difficult to obtain) – carbohydrates, soluble
fibre, minerals, Vitamins B & E, minerals
Pumpkin seeds – essential fatty acids, protein,
phosphorus, iron and zinc
Radish – Vitamin C, potassium
Rye – carbohydrates, protein, mineral, Vitamins
B&E
Snow peas – protein, carbohydrates, fibre,
Vitamins A & C
Sesame seeds – rich in protein, calcium and
other minerals, essential fatty acids, fibre,
Vitamins B, E
Here is a summary of the many benefits derived
from eating raw, plant-based foods:
a) Supports overall health. When a high
percentage of your daily food is prepared
in this way chronic ailments such as acne,
allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, post-
nasal drip, dandruff, fungus infections,
high blood pressure, depression, backache,
premenstrual symptoms, overweight etc.,
just don’t happen any more. Life-threatening
health challenges such as cancer, heart
disease, diabetes, etc. can either be
prevented, minimized (as with myself ) or
cured with a raw regime.
b) Avoids chemicals which are added to cooked
(processed) foods and nutrient losses
c) More available daily energy
d) Provides a radical personal and political
commitment for a better world
e) Increases sensitivity of the taste buds and
pleasurable eating
f ) Effective method to free yourself from
addictions and heighten self-esteem
g) Provides congruence with ecological values
and health beliefs
h) Develops an appreciation of the plant
kingdom
i) Places you at peace with the animal kingdom
and also peace with your own body
j) Clarifies energy awareness and to become a
channel of both energy and spirit

Enzymes and vital food factors, proteins,
vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll – the
nutritional benefits of including fresh sprouts in
the diet are numerous – and I urge you to make
the most of what nature has to offer us – to
effect your own exemplary health for a long and
productive life.
Sunflower seeds – essential fatty acids,
proteins, mineral, Vitamins B & E
Watercress – Vitamins A & C, calcium,
magnesium and trace elements
Wheat – carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus,
Vitamins B & E

60 www.offthehoof.co.uk 61
LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

Janey Lee Grace has become something of

an institution in the UK over the last few
years due to her widespread media work,
and her books on the organic and natural
lifestyles are of biblical proportions – in
fact one of them is even called a Bible. To
be honest though we still think her work
in a previous lifetime for Cola Boy (7 Ways
to Love, lalalalalala) is her best. OTH’s
SuperKazza asks the questions before
Slim T nearly ruins a perfectly good
interview with his inane, childish and
slightly filthy attempts to get the real
lowdown on life with the Cola Girl, and
discovers she has recently been compared
to Mozart amongst other things..

62 www.offthehoof.co.uk 63
LIFESTYLE
I am typing away to the sound of Seven Ways to
Love - you know that super hit that was a chart
topper in 1992.
And I am thinking of when I met with a new PR
client last year. We met in the hotel that’s
next to the BBC and in walks Janey Lee
Grace.
‘Hmmm….’ I think to myself, ‘shall I
risk looking embarrassed in front
of my client if JLG says “Who are
you?”?
Yes! - so what if this happens! I
can laugh it off.
However instead my friendly greeting
of “I don’t know if you will remember me
I am Karin Ridgers” was met with “Hi Karin
fantastic to see you – how’s VeggieVision? How’s
your son? How is the PR business going?”
Wow.
She must meet so many people and she
remembered me so I am even more
impressed.
I always liked Janey’s outlook on life &
we are sorting out filming together for
VeggieVision TV too. Watch this space.
Her stunning books are ones that you
will love, read, re read and keep for
reference:
? Imperfectly Natural Woman:
Getting Life Right the Natural Way
? Imperfectly Natural Home:
The Organic Bible
? Imperfectly Natural Baby
and Toddler
I decided to pick Janey’s brains and find
out more for you too…….
64
So Janey you are being juicy this week sunning
and yoga-ing in Turkey with Juice Master Jason
Vale. How are you finding it living off juices?
 
Fantastic, it’s my fourth time, the first time I
was convinced I'd be  emaciated and
miserable but because its all
nutritionally worked out you don't feel
hungry at all.  your direction from singer to
I have tried his juice diet but I did
cheat by eating some almonds –
My sister Debbie – the singer
songwriter called DRIVER is
going out next week so I am quite
envious! What your favourite
juice?
Avocado, celery, lime, apple over ice.
Hmmmm, sounds delicious. Not sure what
mine would be I may do the juice diet again.
Well Janey we know you from your fab song as
Cola Boy and you also sung backing vocals for
George Michael, Kim Wilde and Boy George,
and toured the world with Wham! for three
years. Wow – we are huge 80’s fans –
what was this part of your life like?
What were these guys really like??!
Great fun, we toured the world and
had a great laugh including the amazing
trip to China, we were the first
western band to play there and it was
before the changes so weird!   George
and Andy were great. I did only one
tour with Kim, she was lovely and with
Boy George only a few TV shows but I
loved his voice, and his song writing, I
always felt he was underrated.
I loved them all. I went to a few of the
80’s revival concerts a few years back
with my then gay best friend Neil. We
had a laff. We were at some concert
and Paul Young was performing. The
crowd went mad as the guy from This is
Your Life walked on and presented Paul Young
with the big red book. It was amazing.
LIFESTYLE
I can imagine – My sister Carol, the journalist &
editor, and I still talk about the radio shows we
presented a few years back. Talking of which
you kindly did an interview on my VeggieVision
radio show a while back – I am passionate
about radio. What’s your tip for sounding good
Is there anything you miss from this time and while being on air?
anything that you are glad to see the  
back of?! Be relaxed, imagine you're talking
  to one person (even though there
Well I miss the gigs, I loved doing may be thousands or millions of
concerts and specially as a backing listeners) each one is hearing you
singer, you have all the fun with talk to them personally.
none of the responsibility!
Yes I like that. I do get a bit excited
I don't really miss the constant & then speak quickly – although
travelling; I was never any good at when I am at BBC Essex I don’t
packing. have the pressure of operating the
  desk and I love that. You are seen
Me neither, living out of a suitcase as the natural expert now Janey –
doesn’t appeal. So what changed is this part of your plan to reach
more people?
presenter?
Definitely, my passion is to get the message out
It happened gradually really,  I was promoting a loud and clear, there are natural alternatives to
record (a cover of Donna Summers 'Love to Love almost everything and you'll save money and the
You Baby' produced by Paul Oakenfold and in planet as well as your health.
going to radio stations I started to think this was
something I'd like to do.   I got myself a training
course and then helped out at BBC London,
meanwhile I was still doing session work if not
tours, I was doing my own show on GLR (now
BBC London) when I had my hit record.
I still sing, occasionally do gigs with a piano player
and the odd session if I'm asked but no more
touring.
 
You were presenting at Virgin and now at Radio
2 – any big differences?
 
Huge difference! Virgin is all about the ads, Radio
2 is about an eclectic mix of music and
interviews.
 
Yes I do like Radio 2 and Steve Wright seems like
a cool guy – what’s he like to work with?
Hilarious, if only you could hear what goes on
when the mics go off !
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LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

When & why did you start getting into a

more natural way of living.

Gradually really, I became veggie 25 years ago

and felt better health wise but then over time
looked at the holistic picture, why  
supplements etc matter and what’s going on Home in time to make tea or be with the
Buy my book !  haha !  Seriously I have done all
in my head!  I didn't come to the eco thing till kids, get the younger ones in bed,
the research for you so just choose
my first child was born 11 years ago. occasionally walk to my local veggie
something simply to start, replace your
  restaurant in Herts, a yoga class once or
deodorant with a natural one, chuck out your
And now you have written some fantastic twice a week and get to bed about 11pm
air freshener and make your own, replace
books on this subject – any more on the - pretty normal really.
laundry and cleaning products etc.
way?
I also offer a phone / email Sounds full on – and I know what that’s
Sure is, my next book is all about! What is the big plan of action
consultation service if
called ‘Girlfriends Guide to Janey? More books? TV? World take
anyone wants to go into
Natural Living - Without over?!?
more depth about their
Ditching the Lipstick’, it will  
personal situation.
be out next spring. I'd love to do a TV show, it’s SO needed,
 
  any producers reading this?  Definitely
That’s great to know and
Cool – I do like a bit of more books and if I could finance it I'd like
yes I second that re your
lipstick! Janey are we right to expand the e magazine, so many people
books. Is there anything
in thinking you have 4 are interested in natural / eco alternatives
that screams out don’t do
kids??! As a mum too - its a great time for it all.
it – maybe a certain
what tips do you have for  
chemical or product that
fitting everything in? I think that another super Jason Vale
you find practically evil??!!
  juice is calling Janey so just a quickie -
Yep, ages 11, 9, 5 and 4 - I anything that we should have asked and
Plug in air fresheners are
just become adept at didn’t? Aren't you doing breaks with
pretty hideous, anything
juggling but I'm very lucky Champneys ?
with artificial parfum is
with a supportive husband.
worth avoiding, also
anything that contains Yes !!      Girlfriends Guide to Natural
I know that you are Living with Janey Lee Grace, 1st one is
Phlalates, they can be
passionate about Nov 21st at Forest Mere,  All the usual
hormone disrupting.
cookware and this is an Champneys stuff on offer, their yoga,
 
area that I feel isn’t highlighted so much – meditation classes etc are excellent
Such a subject – maybe another interview!
could you kindly let us know what the dos and the break includes 2 free
OK what’s a typical Janey Lee Grace day
and don’ts are for what we should be using thalassotherapy sessions, I'll be
like?
to cook with. covering DIY skincare and cleaning plus
 
Up at 6.30. 20 min walk, make breakfast for all the usual stuff and individual
Well I avoid non stick pans like the plague and consultations all included.
the kids, plus a big smoothie or juice of
obviously aluminium, it’s best to use high  
course,   do some office stuff on my website,
grade stainless steel or cast iron for How can people find out more about
there’s always loads to do jacking up
saucepans and frying pans  and for grilling, you?
competitions etc for the monthly ezine. 
roasting etc.
Prepare for any consultations I have on the
go,  off to London for late morning, do the www.imperfectlynatural.com
I use the amazing Stoneware from pampered For the ezine its free but sign up via the
Radio 2 show.
chef, this stuff is brilliant, it cooks food evenly site, and join the free forum, a great
using NO oil and afterwards you simply wash bunch of like minded people all helping
with hot water, no detergent. each other out.
 
I need to invest in some more cookware and Thanks a lot Janey and well done on your
hey maybe review them for the Off the imperfect approach to living naturally,
Hoof readers so thanks for this. So Janey great chatting as always and look forward
what are the first steps people can take for to filming with you soon.
a more natural life?

66 www.offthehoof.co.uk 67
LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

68 www.offthehoof.co.uk 69
TRAVEL TRAVEL

Deep in the heart of the Lake District

in Cumbria, nestles a secluded,
peaceful and quality building that is
none other than Lancrigg, the fabled
hotel and restaurant that has seen the
likes of such noble scribes as William
Wordsworth and Charles Dickens
stay in the very same spot. Indeed,
Wordsworth waxed lyrical about his
daffodils not 50 yards from the door
of Lancrigg, and now OTH scribe
Slim T gets delusions of grandeur as
he attempts to relate in detail the
incredible experience that is Lancrigg,
without wandering lonely as a cloud
too much.

hard to recall going on holiday and getting any

decent grub in the last 25 years, since I shunned
the flesh and got weaned off the dairy.

So it was with great anticipation that we sailed

through the wrought iron gates of the hotel
at about 6pm on Friday after scooting up the
M5 and M6 from Bristol for a weekend’s luxury
– and we were not to be disappointed, that is
for sure.

The rooms were straight away most gorgeous,

Holiday
Without a holiday in 2 years and heartily sick
of running 4 businesses in a recession, it didn’t
take a lot to persuade me to drop tools, close
down Outlook and join my Dad Chris, now in his
80s, for a quick sojourn North of Watford for
a weekend break – and when Chris suggested
the Lake District, Lancrigg was the obvious
choice. Why? Because it has the most incredible
reputation for its food, and as a foodie who
chooses a plant based diet, I always get palmed
off with a load of old rubbish on holiday. Take last
time, two years ago, Greece. I mean, honestly.
Not being rude or Greekist or anything, but the
Greek food is generally disgusting and stinks. It
is most off putting. Tomato salad for two weeks
is OK if you are on a rapid weight loss diet but
trying to enjoy a holiday, forget it. In fact, it’s
or at least the one we had chosen, the Easedale,
on the ground floor, which was immaculate.
Oldie worldly mixed with charm and comfort, all
mod cons with an air of Victorian decadence,
mixed together in a heady concoction that
immediately enhanced the senses into relaxation
and de-stress. We were most impressed to find
fairtrade coffee sachets and Pukka Tea bags in
the room too – a real touch of class, no doubt.

70 www.offthehoof.co.uk 71
TRAVEL
Lentil Soup
Lancrigg has an award winning restaurant
attached to it and we were both very much
looking forward to our 3 nights and 3 gourmet
evening meals and 3 gourmet breakfasts too,
and it was a hugely difficult choice to decide just
exactly what to eat and when.
There are, it seems, 4 set starters and 4 set
mains to choose from, plus a special each day.
Chris went for the Chefs salad -marinated tofu,
chargrilled vegetables, pesto, olives & seeds
served on a bed of leaves finished with balsamic
dressing – and that was just the starter –
huge!!
We were both suitably impressed – although
not easily won over by tofu – but the other
starter – the ‘special’ of the day, lentil soup,
was mindblowing and way and above the best
I have ever had the pleasure and privilege to
taste – now you may laugh, but it was a lust for
Lentil Soup that broke my year long 100% raw
diet back in the early 90s, having completely
adored the humble lentil for most of my adult
life. So to discover the ultimate in Lentil Soup
was more than the Grail itself; never mind hosts
of bloody daffodils, give me bowls of Lentil Soup
any time. And especially the Chefs Special 25th
September 2009, for which I have been trying
unsuccessfully to get the recipe. I did ask the
chef for the recipe and he tried palming me off
with ‘oh, just some lentils and a bit of tomato
purée’, yeah right, whatever, I pressed him
further in the interview and you can see if I got
anywhere in a couple of pages.
72
Nut Roast
Anyway, I digress, there was no intention to bore
you all stupid with my Wordsworth-esque ‘ode
to the lentil’ – so back to the restaurant and the
Main Course. Unbelievably, this was even better
– quite literally the most outrageously humbling
Nut Roast this side of Nirvana that was settling
delicately in a rich red wine and onion sauce,
accompanied by some al dente vegetables and
some deep roasted potato wedges, all capped
off with a ‘hefty’ bottle of something special and
old from Bordeaux.
Chris got tucked into an imaginative looking
fennel dish and there was absolutely no chance
of any pudding, ‘cos we was both stuffed and I
was still spouting verbal orgasms over the Roast
whilst trying not to embarrass my dad and
the other guests by surreptitiously licking the
plates clean - totally acceptable and sensible
move to me but apparently not done in the best
restaurants.
Talking of guests, it’s impossible not to notice,
don’t want to seem like a voyeur or anything,
but it is a small hotel restaurant and most of
the guests are couples and they are all looking
lovingly into each others eyes all through the
evening meal, coy, shy and subtly brushing each
other under the table and then next morning
there they are in breakfast, bold as brass, all
giggles and smiles, grinning from ear to ear, now
let me guess, oh yes, renewing the wedding vows
all nite have we, would never have guessed, of
course….scuse me, I digress again.
Sunday Breakfast and Dinner
The weekend was spent in a bit of a haze, the
lakes don’t seem to have changed since the 50s
or something and Lancrigg at times resembled
something out of an Oscar Wilde theatre set
– ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ springs to
mind, if you know your English Lit.
The price included breakfast too, and Chris was
all for tucking into a massive do, which included
some excellent veggie options involving tofu and
avocados, a proper job fry up type affair which
is just the job if you are going off walking all day,
which is what most of the guests seemed to be
up to (except the honeymooners of course; they
looked a bit exhausted for all that caper).
Me, I’m a 3 pots of black coffee and fags sort of
a guy when it comes to breakfast, but lunch was
taken at the hotel on the Sunday and the most
beautiful bit of hummus was rustled up fresh
by our host Robert, who made it to order and
was heavy on the tahini, which was excellent,
just how I luvs it, so that went down a treat
and, oh yes, the single malt whisky double in
the early evening was pretty welcome too, and
the dinners did not disappoint. To be honest,
Saturday I wasn’t feeling that hungry and didn’t
really do justice to it, but Sunday we didn’t eat
all day to make sure we could really do it proud,
and my gosh what an awesomely stunning dinner
it was – the best use of tofu yet in the form of
the Tofu burger topped with pesto, chargrilled
vegetables & mayonnaise served with paprika
wedges, tomato sauce & salad for the mains,
with a starter of Root vegetable rosti topped
with mushrooms & Cumbrian rarebit served
with a salad garnish setting us up nicely.
TRAVEL
Cheesecake
Brilliant, both dishes, but the best was yet to
come in the shape of the one and only dessert
I managed during the whole weekend, the
Lemon baked ‘cheesecake’ served with fruit
compote, which, in this case, was fresh
blackberries I think, tart and crumbly, dry, not
too sweet, more reminiscent of the original
Bavarian Cheesecake to which I was introduced
to and fell in love with when only 13 during a trip
with my Dad to Bavaria. He showed me many
things in my early life, but a standout memory
is my introduction to a lifelong love affair with
cheesecake and it was one of my biggest misses
when I chose the dairy free path back in 1984,
although my pal Julie does knock out a most
awesome sweeter US-style Blackcurrant tofu
cheesecake, but this Lancrigg affair was just so
stunning; unbelievable.
Heaven
Capped off with a cognac, short expresso and
those beautiful deep luxurious sofas in the lounge,
it was easy to start drifting and imagine what it
was like to live in a world of incessant luxury.
Is this what Christians call heaven? Is this what
all good Muslims strive for in their next life? Is this
paradise? Is this the good karma the Buddhists
believe come to all who put out? Or just the
dreams and realisations of owner Robert, his
wife Janet and their lush team of hosts and a lot
of hard work? Bit of everything really, I guess.
Proper paradise though and if that’s heaven,
I’m gonna be a good boy from now on, say my
prayers and be proper born again.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 73
TRAVEL
Robert Whittington the owner,
opened the hotel back in 1985 and
here writes eloquently about his
beautiful home, the food and some
of the guests...
Romance
Lancrigg indeed has a very romantic atmosphere.
In the past it was a favourite haunt of the
Romantic Poets. Many guests ask for champagne
and chocolates to be put in their room on arrival.
One amorous guest ordered hundreds of pounds
of fresh daffodils to be put in his room so he
could propose to his girl friend. The day before
his arrival, a thousand stems were delivered,
all with tight green buds. We had to spend the
whole night opening each bud with hair dryers.
It worked, and so too did his plans.
Difficult guests
Rarely, but yes we do get them. Of course we
sometimes make mistakes and if I receive a
complaint I know immediately if it is genuinely
valid. Of course I do all that’s possible to put
things right and make amends. Just occasionally
a guest will take a seemingly personal dislike to
Lancrigg and to me. Anger breeds hostility, but
for me the secret is to stay perfectly calm and
courteous.
Someone once didn’t like the wine. After
sampling 5 bottles (at my expense), none of
which was sweet enough for him, he literally
went white with rage and physically threatened
me. I found out later that the whole restaurant
was ready to rise up and take up arms in my
defence. However, I diffused the situation by
passively deflecting his threat. Non-violence
should extend beyond actions to words.
74
Why is Lancrigg so special?
Lancrigg is more than a hotel. To many it is a
spiritual and inspirational space. The serenity
of Easedale and the calm environment of the
house reflect in people an inner tranquillity. It is
a place where writers become inspired, artists
paint and musicians muse.
We are the first ‘Health Creation Hotel’. This
is a place where guests overcoming illness or
just wanting to revive their tired spirits can
relax and nurture their body and soul. Janet is
a nutritionist and ensures all our menus are
balanced and healthy. We cater for a wide range
of specialist diets.
We have a huge ‘extended family’ of guests who
have returned time and again over the years. I am
very privileged to know so many warm hearted,
genuinely caring and like-minded people.
The Chefs
Backstage we have two full time chefs: Geordie
Darren and Shaiva from Florence. They are both
fully experienced in vegetarian and vegan cuisine
and are fluent in the art of tasteful cooking and
culinary presentation. Darren was the creator
of your lentil soup. I don’t know whether he’s
answered your question directly, but the
secret seems to rest in the slow cooking and
the addition of carefully prepared ingredients.
Important is the caramelising of the red onions,
which have a sweeter and creamier taste than
white and yellow ones. Ingredients – all organic:
Red lentils, previously soaked, caramelised red
onions, vegetable stock, fresh oregano, salt &
pepper. He’s good isn’t he?
TRAVEL
The Staff
We carefully choose the staff here. They come
from all over the world and bring their own
benefits. I try to treat them equally and fairly.
I work here and I do not expect them to do
jobs I would not do myself. I try to make them
feel inclusive in the Lancrigg ethos. They eat
the same food as the guests and occasionally
we have bonfires in the woods, or just share a
bottle of wine. I also eat the same food, though
when I do manage to go home for a meal we
tend to eat a simple plate of salad or freshly
steamed organic vegetables.
Other hotels
Of course I would like every hotel to be
vegetarian. Even with today’s choices, veggies
get a poor deal when we go out. It doesn’t
make me feel smug that we are serving pure
and honest food, without first the necessity of
Our Organic Certification a death. Rather disappointed would be nearer
We put a huge emphasis on our organic status. the mark.
It is a big challenge and we have to source our
ingredients with great care. The taste is superior,
the nutritional content is optimised, they are a Famous guests
Sting is one of our nearest neighbours, but he
joy to use and are much, much better for the
planet and all that live on it. Our food is pure, doesn’t seem to want to eat here. We have had
clean and honestly prepared with love and care. many musicians, writers, artists and actors.
But hey, I’m not going to name any. This place is
special for its seclusion and anonymity.
Our outlook on the veggie lifestyle
We live in very privileged times, where our
conscious mind, rather than our surroundings, My Message to the World
Smile when the sun shines and when it rains
can determine our lifestyle. The veggie lifestyle,
be thankful.
along with the equally important growing,
storing and preparing of food without the use We are all cells interwoven and connected
of harmful chemicals is not a luxury. It is a through the universe to each other and for a
necessity in a sustainable world, even more so harmonious and peaceful coexistence we should
in today’s climate of global warming. respect and revere all life.
Once we had a Texan beef farmer accidentally
book into Lancrigg for a night’s bed & breakfast.
He was surprised, and more than a bit
confrontational, to find we did not serve meat,
and announced he had never in his life eaten a
meal without it and didn’t relish the thought of
trying now. He rather reluctantly agreed to stay
and after his breakfast next day he announced
they would like to stay a further four nights.
Not only that, but he and his wife nervously
booked in for an evening meal. After that they
ate in our restaurant every night. One day, I saw
him standing on the lawn in the pouring rain.
I went out and apologised about the weather.
He held his arms outstretched and with water
streaming down his face on to his soaking open
necked shirt he exclaimed ‘This is true Paradise.
The food, the setting, and everything you are
trying to achieve here. I’ll return home with my
mind opened’.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 75
HUMOUR
UberBitch H gets into the Christmas spirit in more ways than one, as she
investigates the bottom of several bottles in her quest for the perfect Xmas
booze guide – that is, once she has done all the pies, obviously. The puddings
have disappeared too. And all the cake and brandy, even the vicar. Scandalous.
Who Ate All The Pies?
Who ate all the pies? Me, basically, me, and I’m
not afraid to admit it.
And while I’m at it, I may as well admit I drank
all of the beer as well. I ate all the pies, but at
least they were veggie ones and weren’t full of
the brains and spinal cord that the meat variety
are, and my beer was veggie too.
Sorry, I should stop harping on about how
perfect I am, I digress, I am here to advocate
the healthy living lifestyle of which I lead. Forget
mung beans, rice cakes and juicing. I borrowed a
juicer once after reading one of Jason Vale AKA
The Juicemasters’ books. He was a fat bloke who
experienced some kind of body miracle after
switching to a liquid diet, he then wrote books
and made a fortune from banging on about pints
of carrot and parsnip juice.
I tried the liquid diet when Co-op wine was
three for a tenner, but this resulted in an
unconsciousness of a not very pleasant variety.
76
HUMOUR
Recycled Soya Milk cartons & yurts
Anyway, back to the pies. It’s well known that
meat is produced at a massive detriment to the
environment, mainly from the crap being belched
out of a cow’s backside, so if you really want to
be as environmentally friendly as possible, you
can achieve this state of holier than thou‑ness
by cutting all animal products from your diet,
wearing clothes made from recycled soya milk
cartons, and living in an organic fairtrade yurt
and only washing every six years, and you too
could just be perfect, like me.
Darlings, I should stop this, you mere plebs don’t
want to hear about how wonderful I am. Let me
for once say something nice about somebody or
something…. Hmmm, what? I’m lost for words.
Viva Roadshow
Well, I had the most wonderful experience
recently at the Viva! Incredible Veggie Roadshow
in Cheltenham, which is where Viva! basically
organise a free knees up in a large hall to spread
the word of Redwood Sausages and their own
merchandise - of which I have lots, though the
merchandise lasts longer than the sausages,
mainly coz you can’t eat books and pencil
sharpeners.
So the whole point of these shows is to woo Plamil Mayonnaise
people in with the free food on offer, and in this
case, Cheltenham, it happened to be very posh Oh! I have remembered that I was going to
say something nice. Yes, listen up. I have been
indeed. Even posher in that it clashed with the
demo at Highgate Rabbit Farm, so all the ones spending all my husbands’ hard earned cash on
a very large stash of Plamil products.
with the freaky haircuts and ripped jeans went
off there with their megaphones to torment the It’s a terrible thing. This Adrian dude from Plamil
police while all the posh ones mooched around a is like Willy Wonka - he comes parading around
grand hall in Cheltenham filling up on free food. various vegan fayres in a skirt, and silly women
like me fall under the Plamil Spell and end up
carting bags and bags of chocolate home.
Well, this time it was mayonnaise. Despite the
opinion of the other half, I bloody well do have
a use for 24 jars of mayonnaise in a variety of
flavours. Absolutely, I will eat them. Probably
off a small wooden spatula like they have at
the fayres, as that’s how it tastes best. The
words of a precocious seven year old sum it
up, “Mummy why does Redwood cheese taste
better at Vegan Fayres than it does at home?”
www.offthehoof.co.uk 77
HUMOUR HUMOUR

UberBitch H’s guide to

Christmas drinking
Freedom
Organic Lager, Pilsner and Dark Lager £1.99
www.freedomlager.com

Alcohol is a funny beast. Not only does

it get you legless quickly, it also often
contains all sorts of various animal Vintage Roots
Jean Bousquet
products in its making – including Malbec Reserva 2007
the use of Isinglass, which is the gall £10.75 a bottle
bladder of a sturgeon, apparently. www.vintageroots.co.uk
Amazing. How disgusting is that?
But not all alcohol contains fish gut Pitfield Beer
or egg white – some of it is free from Shoreditch Stout
£3.00 for 50cl bottle
animal products and here are some of www.pitfieldbeershop.co.uk
the best which I have found particularly
enjoyable – as well as your standard
Becks, Grolsch and Red Stripe which
nearly every drinking hole on earth
seems to serve, fortunately.
Tishbi Estate
Thanks to all those who sent me Shiraz 2006
some free samples, much enjoyed. £16.99
www.tishbi.eu
And please – more free samples, I’ll
be doing another one soon.

Fallen Angel
Fire in the Hole chilli beer + Gardeners Delight
£2.40 per bottle (500ml).
www.fallenangelbrewery.com.

78 www.offthehoof.co.uk 79
PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

Snack bars are huge in the
UK and there are a stack of
dairy-free options available
from your average health
food store, and most possibly
the supermarkets and other
outlets, but to be honest we
just nipped next door to Wild
Oats and bought the first
8 that fitted the criteria
– which was free from dairy
products and honey, and not
too full of gak either – i.e. a
genuinely healthy option.
The taste tests were held over a period
of a few moments cos it didn’t take long
for our team to guzzle the lot actually,
approximately 30 seconds on each.
The Off the Hoof Champions League
Snack bars 2009/10 testing team
consisted of Slim T, Fred the Foreman
and one of their smoking buddies, but
Fred was having a duvet day that day
so it was down to Slim and his pal to
get the munchies and do the dirty and
get tucked in, and off they went with
a relish.
As in the Champions League, it’s the
group stages first and then through
to the knock-out stages. Thanks to
all those that have supplied testers
and please note that unlike the real
Champions League you do not get
millions of TV money appearance fees
OK… just wanted to clarify….

Dorset Cereals Seven Seeds Nakd Tropical Raw Organic Bar Miracle Bar Real Fruit Gillian McKeith
Maple + Pecan and Nuts Cocoa Loco Fruit Bar Chocolate Coconut with Moringa Snack Energy Bar
Size / Cost 50g - £1.15 40g - £0.79 68g - £1.19 45g - £0.79 Size / Cost 50g - £1.29 68g - £1.65 15g - £0.35 70g - £1.59

Appearance Chunky, wholesome, Very interesting, Hefty, Plenty of fruity Appearance Immediately Heavyweight, Very thin, purple Very interesting,
filling nutty and chunky wholesome, dark chunks impressive, very hefty, stout spotted gooey
Taste Divine, superlative, Excellent, varied Balanced, very Not bad at all, sweet stylish
awesome and balanced interesting, and fruity Taste Subtle, sweet, sexy, Interesting, very Not amazing, but Sweet, a bit
quality coconutty interesting, datey gets better, ends unusual, nice
Texture Chewy, nutty, Chewy, creamy Nutty, moist, well Balanced, pretty up nice
creamy aligned impressive Texture Very smooth, clever Well oiled and a joy Interesting, not Smooth,
Moreishness Yeah, yeah, yeah Very Slow start Interesting, pretty mix to eat sure really wholesome, chewy
but becomes good Moreishness Undoubtedly Slightly unusual Sort of, wouldn’t Gets better & better,
addictive back for more but a likely yes kick it out of bed grows on you
Eat Again? Oh yes Yes, certainly Very much so Likely, yes Eat Again? Unmissable Most probably At the right time Yes, probably
and place
Buy Again? Definitely Most likely Most certainly Most probably Buy Again? Season ticket holder Worth the money Maybe Very likely

Champions Chelsea Paris St Germain Most certainly FC Zurich Champions Man United Arsenal Real Betis Liverpool
League Team Quality through and Dressed in green Barcelona Tidy but not League Team Champions Full of surprises Not quite Madrid Expensive squad,
Similarity through and very good A cut above quite through Similarity (clue is in the title) quality
Verdict Into the Just missed out Straight Didn’t quite make Verdict Group winners Just out Dumped Just through
semi-finals through it

80 www.offthehoof.co.uk 81
PRODUCTS
Dorset Cereals versus
Raw Organic Chocolate Coconut
The eclectic combination of the Dorset Cereals date and pecan
bar was a joy to watch in a fashion reminiscent of Lampard,
Drogba and Terry at their best, and could easily have walked this
but for the quality of the opposition – a Raw Organic Bar which
just like Messi and Barcelona was just too much on the nite for
Forza Dorset.
Nakd Cocoa Loco versus
Gillian McKeith
Similar in appearance and both packing a punch from midfield
meant that this was always going to be a close run thing but in
the end the robust and effective Nakd Strike Force was enough to
breach the McKeith defence and see the Nakd crew into the finals.
Apparently they all took their clothes off at the end to celebrate.
82
PRODUCTS
Nakd Cocoa Loco versus
Raw Organic Chocolate Coconut
And so, the Champions League Snack Bar Final 2009/10
contested between the mighty Nakd Cocoa Loco Bar against
the stylish composed Raw Organic Chocolate Coconut Bar.
A tight first half produced no goals, but on the hour a sublime
move saw the Raw Organic Bar steal ahead and so it stayed
up until the final whistle, ensuring that a stylish, tightly fought
match resulted in a veritable feast for everyone, and the Raw
Organic just shading it over a very wholesome, firm and sexy
Nakd Cocoa Loco. Just like watching Barcelona versus Man
United.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 83
PRODUCTS
SuperKazza’s view of the universe through the eye of her own lens
SuperKazza set up
VeggieVision as the UK’s first
veggie lifestyle internet TV
station and her website www.
veggievision.co.uk has recently
been updated with all sorts of
fun stuff, including new clips,
comps and blogs. Over the next
few pages we get an exclusive
look from behind the lens into
the world of VeggieVision and
what’s hot to trot.
84
Cabin Fever!!
Well where is 2009 flying to? It only seems
like yesterday when the world was panicking
over ‘The Millennium’ and now 2010 is fast
approaching.
It has been a whirlwind this end – the work
behind the scenes for VeggieVision TV has been
full on. SO pleased that it is now live, so we can
focus on more video content to get the positive
word out there. Huge thanks to our presenters
in LA, Paris and Cyprus! Please do check us out
– you can watch now, win now, earn now and
even love now! :O)
I am very excited as my log cabin
office has now been built in my garden.
I decided that I am not going back to
my office at the newspaper where I
was based, but we wanted / needed
the space that the home office was
taking up. We did a ton of research
and looked at many garden offices,
and were horrified to hear of people
who had ordered their cabin, only to
find that half of it was missing or not
delivered and likely to never arrive.
If you work from home, you will know
of many pros and cons of doing so.
When I asked a bunch of fellow PRs
and writers, the main outcry was
how fab it is and no one misses the
daily commute. Not to mention no
travelling costs and a lower carbon
footprint.
PRODUCTS
Liz from BDR in Wickford in Essex was so
supportive and helpful with our many questions
and Len from Ridgeway, who she recommended
to put the cabin up, was brilliant. They supply
people from miles around and are a lovely family
business who I got to know as well.
I picked their brains….
So what’s the main benefit from working from
home?
The cost element - you paying rent for premises
to work from. Working from home is extremely
convenient, which is why a lot of people
nowadays opt for a home office. After it’s
served its purpose as an office, the cabin can be
changed into whatever space you want.
Our customers tend to use the cabins as offices
and workshops, games rooms/playrooms for
the children, gyms - which is what I use mine
for - and occasional accommodation. We have
seen a big rise in people extending their living
space with the use of a cabin - especially people
with either older children, who are ready to
move home but cannot afford to get onto the
property ladder, or people with older parents
who want them living with the family whilst still
maintaining their own independence; planning
permission may be required for this.
Off the Hoof readers are concerned about being
ethical and environmentally friendly – how do
you meet our needs?
We are proud to be involved with one of the
most environmentally friendly products in the
industry:
• All of our cabins have a negative carbon impact
on the environment.
• We only use natural insulation products with a
negative carbon footprint.
• We only use timber from sustainable sources.
• Our manufacturers have the PEFC, ISO 9001,
ISO 14001 and the CE marking - Luoman are
registered with the PEFC, Europe’s leading timber
accreditation body. Our operations are supported
and directed by ISO 9001 standards, and the
ISO 14001 environment management system.
Luoman operate one of the most efficient milling
plants in Europe, with all waste produced during
manufacture used in other applications, such as
wood pellets. The CE-marking right indicates
that the product meets the essential demands
concerning mechanical strength and stability,
fire safety, hygiene, health and environment,
safety on usage, noiselessness, saving of energy
and heat insulation.
If you want to know more, check them out here:
www.bdretail.co.uk
www.offthehoof.co.uk 85
PRODUCTS
Uber Cool Xmas
Gifts for the Boys
and the Babies….
I thought we could look at some cool gifts that
could make a difference to our fave boys and
babies in our lives, especially with Christmas
around the corner.
Bulldog
The Bulldog range was born out of frustration
that there were no options available for
switched‑on men who wanted to reduce
the number of man‑made chemicals in their
bathrooms.
Each product included in their Christmas gift set is
body friendly and does not contain controversial
man-made chemicals such as parabens, sodium
laureth sulphate, artificial colours, synthetic
fragrances or animal products. Bulldog is sure to
impress even the most difficult family member;
ladies be warned, the men in your life may be
reclaiming a bit of the bathroom.
Priced at a super £10 and available at Sainsburys
and www.meetthebulldog.com.
Glyn says: “Soothing as well as masculine – Love
these and will buy again”
86
Aubrey Organics
Founded by ecologist Aubrey Hampton and
adored by A-Listers, including Sarah Jessica
Parker, Kim Cattral and Samuel L Jackson, Aubrey
Organics is the world leader in all-natural hair
and skincare and the first to be certified organic
worldwide.
All products are handmade daily; there are
no chemicals, parabens, artificial colours or
fragrances - just heaps of good stuff to help
you look and feel great! The range boasts an
extensive and exotic ingredients list, including
blue chamomile for scalp soothing, milk thistle
to protect from free radicals and rosa mosqueta,
the purest form of rose hip oil, which derives
from a rare flower that grows in the Andes.
The men’s range is priced from a reasonable
£3.90 to £13.21. www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk.
Glyn says: “The best I have ever used. You
can feel the moisturiser working and the hair
products left my hair feeling fantastic.”
Method for babies!
Method want nothing but the best for all our
families, so they took their time and did their
research, then they made naturally gentle
products, made them fun for kids, easy for
parents and safe for mother earth.
Method are 99% pure plant-derived, containing
ingredients like protecting rice milk and soothing
mallow, all in people-friendly packaging to clean,
moisturise and calm delicate skin, to keep your
little ones soft and cuddly. All Method products
are biodegradable, contain no parabens,
ethoxylated compounds or animal by-products
and are never tested on animals.
These are super yummy products that feel and
smell lovely.
The baby products cost £4.88 each or £12 for
the Christmas set of bubbly bath, body lotion
and hair + body wash.
www.methodproducts.co.uk
Method baby products are currently available
from Boots and in Waitrose from October.
PRODUCTS
Eating at
GreenWoods Spa
At VeggieVision TV and Off The
Hoof we work flat out - like most
people nowadays I know! So when
hubby and I decided to celebrate
our 15th Wedding anniversary
(where does time fly to?) we
thought shall we arrange a party,
shall we go to the theatre, shall
we go away somewhere - and all
we wanted to do was to crash out
for a bit!
About 15 minutes away from
us is the lovely Essex village of
Stock where Greenwoods, a 17th
Century Manor House hotel and
Spa, is based.
Greenwoods is a beautiful 17th Century, Grade II
listed manor house set in extensive landscaped
gardens. It has a good gym, lovely swimming
pool with sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi as well
as a spa.
We went for a twilight session with dinner, so
you can make use of all the facilities from 5pm.
After a full on day it took us a while to unwind
and the swimming and Jacuzzi helped. We then
had to drag ourselves away, although by that
time I was quite hungry, so getting changed
didn’t take long.
Although items are not marked on the menu,
the very helpful waitress found answers to our
questions and dietary requirements. We had a We were quite stuffed, so we just shared a fruit
few items from the menu and for others we salad for desert with strawberries, melon and
mixed and matched. pineapple.
Starters I am not a big coffee drinker, but I do have one
For starters, I wolfed down the Tomato & from time to time when soya milk is available.
Sundried Tomato Soup with Basil with some We decided to have a couple of Irish coffees,
tasty fresh bread. Nice. which were made with frothy soya milk instead
of cream.
Glyn had Tomato Bruschetta with a Red Onion
Compote. Needed more tomatoes! The restaurant is stunning and it feels
comfortable and not stuffy. The waitress who
After a relaxing time chatting our mains arrived: served us was fantastic and asked questions
Mains about our needs in a friendly, interested way.
Filo Pastry Tubes filled with Onions, Peppers, Of course, it would be great if there was a
Tomatoes and Aubergine topped with a Tomato special menu and some dairy / egg free deserts,
Sauce. Glyn had Grilled Mushrooms topped with but we were looked after and all the food is
the same filling as I had, with a tomato sauce prepared freshly to order. A super day, evening
and chunky chips, too. We had steamed baby or weekend treat. Do give plenty of notice for
sweetcorns, whole carrots and green beans. dietary requirements so they can look after you,
as this is not a quick bite to eat.
Salad with Juliennes of Tomatoes, Cucumber,
Spinach, Onion, Carrots, Olives and Artichokes. This is obviously not a veggie restaurant, but
This was my fave. there was a good choice provided.
www.offthehoof.co.uk 87
PRODUCTS
Water Can Be ACID!
I am fascinated by alkalising our bodies. Meat
and dairy products are acid forming, but we all
lead such busy lives now and this creates acid
too.
When I tried water from Water-for-Health.
Co.Uk, I was amazed at how different and fresh
it tasted. So I did a taste test on hubby – we
tried tap water and water from another filter.
You have just got to try this out, and what a
super pressie too.
We asked Roddy MacDonald the founder of the
company a few q’s…..
OK, so why not tap water?
Tap water throughout the UK conforms to
international standards for water quality.
However, that does not necessarily mean it is
the best water for you to drink.
Firstly drinking water is chlorinated and, of
course, we know that chlorine is not good for
hair and skin. It is also increasingly being linked
to other health issues, either through drinking it
or through its absorption through the skin.
However, what is currently of increasing
concern is the effect of low levels of toxic heavy
metals, pesticide residues, pharmaceutical
drug residues and hormonal residues which are
known endocrine disrupters. Although these are
all individually in low levels it is not known what
the cumulative effect of these toxins is. Hence,
it is very desirable to filter tap water to remove
impurities.
(While quickly reaching for my filter). How does
water turn acid?
Water is either acidic or alkaline, depending on
the concentration of acidic or alkaline minerals.
What is important is the impact that drinking
water has on our bodies. Most drinking water that
comes from our taps is slightly alkaline, having a
pH of between 7.5 and 8. Unfortunately, modern
living in terms of diet, stress and environmental
pollution leaves an increasing acidic burden on
the body that requires to be neutralised, or it
can lead to health problems.
Also, with certain filters, such as reverse
osmosis systems, the water can be slightly
acidic after filtration. Although the filtration
process will remove all minerals, carbon dioxide
can pass through the membranes and leave the
water acidic. Hence, it is best for people with
these types of filters to add on another stage to
alkalise the filtered water.
88
PRODUCTS
Let There be Light
I have always found it really difficult to get up in Their DawnLite Natural Alarm Clock is the
the morning. As a kid, I remember feeling really perfect purchase to help you to get out of
cosy under the duvet knowing that I only had 10 bed with a spring in your step. The DawnLite
minutes before the school bus would arrive and Natural Alarm Clock is a gentle and altogether
telling my sister that if it arrives she was to tell calmer way to start the day. Instead of being
it to wait for me!! Ha ha. Sadly, things haven’t shaken awake in the dark winter months with a
changed much, as I always try to get my son to noisy radio or bleeper alarm, the DawnLite will
come and play Power Rangers so I can have 5 naturally and gradually increase the light in the
room to replicate a summer dawn.
more minutes in bed!!
The DawnLite is available for just £79.90 and
Something has helped me though – this super
would make an excellent gift for anyone who
company that I have got to know well. The S.A.D.
doesn’t like getting out of bed, who is suffering
Lightbox Company is one of the pioneers in the
with S.A.D. All lightboxes are available on a 30
field of light therapy for treating symptoms of
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) day home trial to allow the purchaser
and has been manufacturing & to see whether light therapy
retailing lightboxes in the works for them, without
UK and around the financial risk.
world for over
20 years.
(While gulping down a glass of greens mixed with
ionized and alkalised water)… Why is alkaline/
ionized water best for us?
There are 3 reasons why alkaline ionized water
is best for us.
Firstly, it typically has a pH in the region of 9.0
to 10.0. It is fairly alkaline. Note the pH scale is
a logarithmic scale so water at pH 9 is 10 times
more alkaline than water at pH 8. The alkalinity
of the water helps to neutralise both directly and
indirectly accumulated acidic waste in the body.
Alkaline water has got a higher oxygen content,
and oxygen is vitally important to sustain life.
Secondly, if we look at the oxidation / reduction
potential (ORP) of water, we will find that tap
water typically has an ORP of +300mV. That
means it has things in it that can oxidise. Cut
an apple in half and it will soon turn brown,
because it oxidises. Alkaline ionized water has
an ORP of about -150mV, so instead of being an
oxidiser it becomes an antioxidant. This is very
important. Out in Japan and Korea they promote
it as antioxidant water, because they believe its
antioxidant properties are of prime importance.
Water does not exist as a single molecule but
clusters of water molecules weakly bonded For a free
together. Tap water typically exists as somewhere information pack
between 12 and 20 molecules in a cluster. When on light therapy
water is ionized, the process breaks it down into please call S.A.D.
much smaller clusters, which are then much Lightbox on 0845
more readily absorbed into the body. In simple 095 6433 or visit
terms ionized water has got life in it. www.sad.uk.com
You know this all makes sense. I know what
water I am drinking from now. Check out more
at: www.water-for-health.co.uk
www.offthehoof.co.uk 89
LIFESTYLE
The latest hot eco-Xmas gifts . . .
La Lumiere
scented
La Lumiere scented Organic soy
Organic soy Oil Candles Oil Candles
Soy wax, organic essential oils, £2 from every
with hemp wicks - naturally free candle sold via the
from pesticides. Packaging 100% website goes to
recycled. From £15 to £18. cancer charities
www.lajewellery.co.uk LATCH and YES2
or 01600 740 385
LIFE. Designed
by Annastarzzia
Dickenson, a young
person who was
diagnosed with
cancer at the age of
14, as she wanted
to try to help
others who have
been affected as
she has been.
www.lajewellery.co.uk
EcoChic Organic Eco
White bed linen
This range of high-quality
bed linen is Soil Association
certified and includes pillow
cases, duvet covers, flat
sheets and fitted sheets.
Pillow cases, fairtrade - £18
+ P&P
Duvets, fairtrade - £40 + P&P
Flat Sheets - £25 + P&P
Fitted Sheets - £25 + P&P
www.ecochiccollection.co.uk
Ian and Jenny are the partners of Excellart, an ethical marketing agency, specialising in PR, marketing,
design, on-line marketing, e-newsletters, website design and on-line shops. They offer special rates for
small businesses and charities on their marketing and design services.
To find out more call 01761 413 022, e-mail zippy@excellart.co.uk or log on to www.excellart.co.uk.
90
LIFESTYLE
The Wheatgrass Manual
Juicer and Juicer Kit ECO Rocks necklace in recycled silver £46
A sturdy stainless steel juicer,
from www.lajewellery.co.uk
specially designed to get the
maximum juice out of every
blade of wheatgrass; most
other juicers shred the grass
causing a huge mess and no
juice. Ideal for obtaining juice
from other vegetables and
fruits and making smoothies
too – saving money (and
packaging) on cartons and
bottled versions, and no
running costs.
The Wheatgrass Juice Kit
includes a Wheatgrass Juicer,
2 trays and 4 measured
bags of Wheatgrass seed, 1
book ‘Wheatgrass: Nature’s
Finest Medicine’ by Steve
Meyerowitz, and growing and
juicing instructions. Petit Ivy Cufflinks in recycled silver £52 - www.lajewellery.co.uk
Juicer £94.99 and Juicer Kit
£109.99.
www.wheatgrassforlife.com
Edelweiss Anti-Ageing
Serum from Natural
Organic Experience
Anti-ageing combination of
Edelweiss and fruit extracts,
for firmness and elasticity, as
well as softer, smoother and
more revitalised skin.
£36.99 from www.natural-
organic-experience.com
www.offthehoof.co.uk 91
Animal Aid
Top campaigning outfit with an excellent
on‑line / mail order department, including AA
merchandise as well as loads of other goodies
– most certainly worth a visit!
Telephone: 01732 364546
www.animalaid.org.uk/shop
Alternative Stores
www.alternativestores.com
Goodness Direct
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk
Secret Society Of Vegans
www.secretsocietyofvegans.co.uk
Veggiestuff
www.veggiestuff.com
Unicorn
www.unicorn‑grocery.co.uk
Veganstore
www.veganstore.co.uk
Green Valley Trading Company
www.gvtc.co.uk
The Lodge
The Lodge is a carbon neutral vegan paradise
surrounded by mountains overlooking the
Caribbean Sea – marvellous! Brilliant food,
wonderful hosts and an exotic location – and
completely vegan.
www.thelodgegrenada.com
BetterYou
The Barn
A range of food supplements created with
‘The Barn’ is a vegan B&B/guest house in the
beautiful New Forest, Hampshire, and is full of today’s busy lifestyles in mind. All ingredients
character and the occasional eccentricity..... are from wholefoods & naturally sourced.
www.veggiebarn.net www.betteryou.uk.com
Organic Holidays Earth Wind & Solar
Wide selection of places to choose from in this Specialise in installation, supply and commission
website directory of organic holidays. Includes of renewable energy systems. Surveys, advice,
self catering, B&B and hotels. project management, testing, servicing and
www.organicholidays.co.uk after sales. Jack Sprats
www.earthwindandsolar.co.uk Awesome looking veggie/vegan café in
Lancrigg Newcastle, with a welcoming homely vibe and
www.lancrigg.co.uk Viridian friendly staff – families welcome too, games
Viridian provides organic Vitamins and and toys provided! All food cooked fresh.
Fern Tor supplements. From the company’s launch in
www.ferntor.co.uk www.jackspratsne.com
December 1999 with 24 products, the Viridian
Paskins range now comprises 150 plus products. Food For Friends
www.paskins.co.uk www.viridian-nutrition.com www.foodforfriends.com

Coast Natural Nursery Terre a Terre

www.coastcornwall.co.uk The Natural Nursery. 209 North Street, www.terreaterre.co.uk
Southville, Bristol BS3 1JH. The George
Telephone 0845 890 1665 www.thegeorge.co.uk
Kingfisher Toothpaste Café Maitreya
www.rainbowwholefoods.co.uk www.cafemaitreya.co.uk
Health Plus/Veganicity Saf
www.veganicity.co.uk www.safrestaurant.co.uk
Vitamix 222
www.vitamix.co.uk www.222veggievegan.com
Veggie Pets Dandelion and Burdock
www.veggiepets.com www.dandelionandburdock.uk.com
Highbarn Oils
www.highbarnoils.co.uk
 Bute Island
Quite exceptional range of dairy-free cheese
known as Sheese from this Isle Of Bute based
team of beauties, now well established on the
vegan circles & often to be seen at a variety of
vegan shows across the UK. Their distinctive
Beanies
packaging brings alive a variety of flavours -
Absolutely amazing family run firm distributing
both the ‘Hard’ & the ‘creamy’ Sheese ranges.
the awesome Fry’s range of burgers, sausages
Perfect for reducing dairy dependency as well as
and other ‘meat free’ products. The Fry’s range
providing a long term alternative to cheese.
is a stunner and consistently wins accolades
www.buteisland.com
throughout the world for their healthy, nutritious
and tasty creations – all of them vegan. Beanies Redwood
also distribute the stunning B’Nice Rice Cream www.redwoodfoods.co.uk
range, and are diehard supporters of the vegan
Good Oil
movement and established in the top echelons
www.veggieomega3.co.uk
of the trade for several years now.
www.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk Plamil
www.plamilfoods.co.uk
Infinity
Massive outfit based on the South Coast with a Natural Balance
load of different vegan products under their own www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk
label including the extra popular Infinity vegan Coconoil
mayonnaise – not to be missed! www.coconoil.co.uk
www.infinityfoods.co.uk
Chunkies
Vintage Roots www.nuvale.com/chunkies
A stunning collection of organic & vegan wines,
beers & spirits with some top choices, all Total Raw Food
available mail order form this excellent outfit www.totalrawfood.com
based in Newbury. Winners of many awards The Heavenly Cake Company
& often to be seen out at shows, always www.theheavenlycakecompany.co.uk
with loads of tasters! Contact them direct
on 0800 980 4992 or visit their website The Fresh Network
www.vintageroots.co.uk for all the latest new www.fresh-network.com
lines & special offers. Detox Your World
www.detoxyourworld.com
EauPlus
V Pure is the world’s first omega-3 with algae with
EPA & DHA. Algae are the source of Omega‑3,
not fish. So why plunder our oceans when there’s
an ethical and sustainable alternative to fish oil
omega-3? Non fish source omega-3. Toxin and
contaminant free. Conserving natural resources
- sustainable. Reducing environmental impact.
Reducing carbon footprint.
www.v-pure.com
Vinceremos
The UK’s longest established organic drinks
specialists, with a fantastic range of organic
drinks, almost all vegan-friendly. Delicious
wines, beers, ciders, spirits and liqueurs direct
to your door. 0113 244 0002.
www.vinceremos.co.uk
Essential Trading
Bristol based outfit with thousands of veggie
items available, now with an on-line shop. Own
lines include a most splendid dark chocolate
spread. Main Line 0845 458 0201.
www.essential-trading.coop
Conscious Foods
Handmade baked savoury and sweet snacks that
are all vegan as well as gluten free, supporting
small farmers in India.
www.consciousfood.co.uk
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Vegfam
Beautiful outfit that feeds the hungry without
exploiting animals. Active since 1963 and
supporting a number of vegan projects across
the globe, often in places neglected by main
stream charity efforts.
Yaoh www.vegfamcharity.org.uk
Yaoh’s awesome range of hemp bodycare
includes shampoos and shower gels, as well Animal Aid
as moisturisers and lip balms, plus an award Organisers of the Christmas Without Cruelty
winning sunblock range – all vegan and all show every year in London, as well as veggie
free from harmful chemicals, and organic month in March and vegan month in November,
where possible. Yaoh also run the vegan fayres alongside a number of well publicised campaigns
(www.veganfayre.co.uk) as well as publish aimed at ending animal suffering and cruelty.
Off The Hoof! Brilliant on-line vegan shop too, and staunch
www.yaoh.co.uk supporters of many a vegan event, where their
stalls are rammed with goodies as well as info.
The Natural Skincare Company www.animalaid.org.uk
Superior, organic, cold-blended skincare. No
artificial preservatives, colours, perfumes. Fresh Safer Medicines
fruit extracts, pure essential oils. Including Paul www.safermedicines.org
Penders vegan range.
Seal Protection Action Group
www.thenaturalskincarecompany.co.uk
www.sealaction.org
Lemonburst Viva!
Top quality natural health, beauty and www.viva.org.uk
eco‑friendly products on-line. Free UK postage!
www.lemonburst.co.uk Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation
www.vegatrain.org.uk
Brackencraft Soaps
Brackencraft - vegan cosmetics products Greyhound Action
including Soaps and Bathbombs, fizzing bath www.greyhoundaction.co.uk
melts, lip balms, body butters and a small range Monkey Sanctuary Trust
of moisturisers. www.brackencraft.com www.monkeysanctuary.org
Organic Botanics Sea Shepherd
www.organicbotanics.com www.seashepherd.org
Lucy Rose
www.LucyRose.biz Animal Protection Agency
www.animalprotectionagency.com
Vegan Health and Beauty
www.veganhealthandbeauty.com Evolve Campaigns
www.evolvecampaigns.org.uk
Green People
www.greenpeople.co.uk Vegan Society
Lush Celebrating their 65th year of bringing
www.lush.co.uk information on all things vegan to the people all
over the globe. Recently relocated to Birmingham
Jason and thriving in all departments, with a new
www.kinetic4health.co.uk
focus for 2010 which includes focusing on and
Raw Gaia highlighting the link between livestock farming
www.rawgaia.com and starvation in developing countries. Brilliant
quarterly mag The Vegan published too.
www.vegansociety.com
Vegetarian Society
Mainstream organisation that crosses the
middle ground in all things veggie/vegan, with a
large membership & well known trademark, plus
a quarterly magazine – as well as their National
Vegetarian Week in the end of May every year,
which sees thousands of people across the UK
get to sample vegetarian food for the first time.
www.vegsoc.org

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Vegetarian Shoes Excellart

Excellent range of cruelty free footwear from
this Brighton based firm – been around for a
long time now and always improving in style,
comfort and quality. Great label and a respected
reputation for helping the underdog including
The Big Issue and many veggie/vegan causes.
Run by the enigmatic Robin Webb, featured in
Issue 1 of Off the Hoof.
www.vegshoes.com
Freerangers
Fabulous, casual 100% vegan shoes 17 colours.
Breathable, comfortable and repairable. Hand
made by Freerangers in their UK workshop.
Free catalogue from: Freerangers, 87 Derwent
Street, Chopwell, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE17 7HZ Telephone: 01207 565957
email: info@freerangers.co.uk
www.freerangers.co.uk
Hempish
Wonderful dedicated team providing some
quality hemp products including bags, clothes
and accessories. On-line shop and also available
at a number of vegan shows across the UK.
www.hempish.co.uk
MerryGoRound
Organic and ethical Baby and Kids clothing from
this funky on-line shop with loads of options for
the 21st century parent.
www.merrygorounduk.co.uk
Turtle Bags
www.turtlebags.co.uk
Bourgeois Boheme
www.bboheme.com
Bamboo Clothing
www.bambooclothing.co.uk
Neon Collective
www.neoncollective.com
Beyond Skin
www.beyondskin.co.uk
Ethical PR, marketing and design Company
specialising in vegan friendly companies and with
an excellent track record for effective lo cost
and highly achieving PR campaigns for small and
large businesses and organisations alike. Highly
recommended by all those who work with this
delightful family firm.
www.excellart.co.uk
Foodsforlife
Foods for Life specialise in vegan nutrition and
advice as well as excellent vegan nutritional
products – as well as PR and marketing. Foods
for Life offer over 10 years in the natural health
food business and how to get your new products
known about by the key audience. Representation
at trade shows and consumer exhibitions, cost
effective marketing through various PR projects
and sponsorship opportunities.
www.foodsforlife.co.uk
Mad Promotions
Passionate about promoting you and
your business – with a focus on all things
compassionate and healthy living. Run by the
effervescent and irresistible Karin Ridgers, with
some of the best media contacts in this field
– currently working with Heather Mills’s team,
she is that good! Empower yourselves and your
business/charity with Karin’s supreme skills.
www.mad-promotions.co.uk
The Healthy Vegan DVD
Acclaimed chefs, Rose Elliot, Tony Bishop-Weston
and innovative vegan chef John Bayley present
culinary techniques and recipes for creating
tasty healthy meals without the recourse for
fatty animal produce. The DVD combines Rose’s
approach to traditional and special occasion
meals; with Tony’s every day simple meals;
complemented by John’s creative approach to
using raw food to create some simply mouth
watering and nutritionally balanced menus.
www.thehealthyvegandvd.co.uk
Available from info@wdfproductions.co.uk or
telephone 0207 3545320.
Gina Shaw
www.vibrancyUK.com

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