Who will be there for the new vegans?

Apologies for not posting recently. An unhealthy dose of the flu - albeit not swine flu, I hope - made the prospect of sitting in front of a computer somewhat unappealing but did give me time to plug into my iPod and catch up on some podcasts I had missed. And during this enforced convalescence I came upon the virtual firestorm in the debate around the use/non-use of violence by the movement, so here's my 2 cents...for what they are worth.

I am still a relatively new vegan and continue to struggle hard not to allow the anger, guilt, and distress of my new-found knowledge to overwhelm me. And, at times, it is easy for me to see how some of the pro-violence phalanxes within the movement can be attractive to folks who, like me, have just woken up, as they offer a means to purge those turbulent feelings in a very visceral way. Going to war against the producers, setting the individual exploiters within your sights, taking down the researchers, the slaughterers, the profiteers...yes, I can totally understand how direct action against those who stand to gain the most from our socially-accepted abuse and torture of non-human animals is an attractive prospect indeed.

However.....yes, you must have known there would be a 'however' in all of this.....as much as trashing a research facility or throwing paint on a fur-wearer may seem like a very reasonable response, I keep coming back to the question that Elizabeth Collins raises in a recent podcast, 'In support of Non Violence': how does it benefit the movement?

And - of course - it does not. In fact, it is inherently antithetical to the guiding principle of ethical veganism which sees ahimsa and compassion for all life as its basis. Violence is part of the problem and as such it cannot be part of the solution.

Elizabeth also raises another significant question: who will be there for the new vegans? If we are all, as a movement, running around sabotaging this and smashing that, who will be there to guide, comfort, educate, mentor and befriend the new vegan who is falling into a vertiginous pit of horror and despair at their new understanding and at their complicity? If we are ever to build a cohesive movement, if we are to create a vegan future, we must focus on that which is effective, which adheres to our principles, which does most service to the animals and which supports and assists our newest members.

And that is creative vegan education.

With every campaign of violence, we alienate legions of moderates who we might otherwise reach with positive and creative argument and the truth of animal exploitation. And, quite honestly, I just do not believe that we can permit ourselves the time or the latitude to allow our actions to turn anyone away from our message: at this point in our evolution, any act of violence is a self-indulgence which, while going some way to assuaging individual anger, in no way helps shape a more compassionate, more peaceful social future.

Your thoughts, vegan friends?

Need I say more....?

Stay vegan, friends! :)

The most marvelous two years.....

Today I am celebrating is my 2-year vegan-niversary! No, I'll not blow my own trumpet, but it's hard not to have a frisson of pleasure at reaching this milestone. I'm sure as the years roll by it will become less of a source of pride, but right now I am dang pleased!

It's been a great 2 years, the best of my life so far. My eyes have been opened to reality and it's been an education, a source of intense sadness and grief at learning of our egregious and unconscionable treatment of non-human animals and of our profit from their suffering. My world view has changed completely, irreversably, and permanently: I no longer look at people through the same lens, but struggle to see past the inherent selfishness and greed that underpins our willingness to contribute to and look away from animal abuse and exploitation. Each day, a hundred jagged reminders, a thousand reproaches and still no change in sight.

But is has also been a source of tremendous joy and pleasure. I have feasted with the animals, not upon them.





I have met new people along the way, teachers who have guided me and mentors whose patience and friendship has helped me through the trauma of awakening.



I'm now part of a community so much more vibrant, creative and compassionate than I ever dreamed of. It is almost a full-time job keeping up with volunteer activities and online activism - and I love it! It's been my privilege to witness dramatic changes close to home: my mother has adopted a vegan diet; my husband's proved himself more willing to adapt, open-minded, accepting, and loving than I had any right to expect. Thank you, Geoff.



Always a 'foodie', I am no longer conflicted about my choices of ingredients and, through a renewed interest in cooking and nutrition, enjoy every single meal, every last bite. My skills have grown (as has my waistline, or - at least - it has not shrunk!) as I've rediscovered an almost childlike joy at the alchemy which is baking. From co-workers to friends to family, I try to ensure that everyone around me feels the benefits directly, and I suspect they are quite happy!




And of my non-human companions, I have reached a depth of closeness with them that is born of no longer feeling guilt at the arbitrary distinction of 'pet' vs 'food'. In recognising the moral personhood of all animals, I can now look at 'my' dogs and see them for who they truly are - extraordinary souls with their own agendas, interests, joys and pleasures. And I am able to love them just that little bit more too!

I don't yet know how this next year will unfold. More reading, talking, thinking, grieving and more activism. More understanding, more anguish and more joy - this is certain. And I am profoundly grateful for it all.

Stay Vegan, Friends!

On the Challenges of Building a Compassion-Based Business...

It is not often that I get to promote an all-vegan company - selling all-vegan products and run by all-vegan staff - nor is it often that I can claim an exclusive. But, on this one occasion, I'm going to do just that, as I was recently given the opportunity to look behind the scenes of a real-life online vegan store with a turtle-y cool 'spokesperson'!

Welcome to the face of Shop Vegan!




UK-based Shop Vegan, together with its sister store Vegan Health and Beauty, are co-owned and run by Rob Massey and his partner, Stacey, who have successfully transitioned their business from the traditional bricks and mortar model to a purely virtual venture. Enjoying a cozy long-distance 'chat' with Rob was an extremely pleasant way to while away an afternoon, and this is his story...


Cackleberry: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Rob! So, to kick off, could you tell me a bit about the history of the stores?

Shop Vegan: We have been in business since 1999 (so around 10 years now!). The main company is called Green Valley Trading Co. and it began as a local health food shop in the Midlands 1999 with the original website a very small part of the business. Although the shop was well supported locally it became apparent after a couple of years that there were many more people outside the local area who actually wanted to order products online. As overheads were getting pretty high on the shop it was decided that we should close this and concentrate all of our efforts on the online market.

Cackleberry: And in what ways do you see your business as different from your competition?

Shop Vegan: There are a couple of vegan-run online companies in the UK that sell some of the same range of products, but as far as we're concerned this is great and the more choice that there is for vegan shoppers the better. We don't specifically try to differentiate ourselves from these companies as we're all swimming in the same direction really. We meet a few of the people behind these companies at various events and get on really well with them. I think the fact that we are a 100% vegan company selling vegan-only products probably distinguishes both us and them from the vast majority of other companies out there who may sell some of the same things but don't really share the same ethical beliefs.

Cackleberry: Could you tell me a little more about your target market, how you source your products and the kind of focus that is important to you?

Shop Vegan: Well, we had a good idea about what products it was difficult for us to buy locally [...] and we have always just tried to think of ourselves as potential customers. We have thought along the lines of "we're vegan...what would we like to see made available?" We're always guided by what people ask us for too. Obviously there are some limits on what we can easily send to people through the postal system but we always listen to suggestions that customers give us about what they would like to see on the sites. [Although we] visit the large natural health exhibitions which is good to get a feel for new products that are on the horizon, [...] most of the time we find companies through the internet and articles in magazines etc. and think that their products would fit in well with what we offer. Sometimes they approach us and we're always happy to talk to them. We are currently trying to shift the emphasis in our range a little bit away from the "health" type products... broadening it out a little more. I can envisage us having a range of mineral make-up included at some point as well as many other types of products that we don't stock at all at present.

Cackleberry: So, apart from your adorable spokes-turtle, is there someone who is 'the face' of Shop Vegan/Vegan Health and Beauty?

Shop Vegan: Well, we are essentially a family-run business so I'd have to say that the "face" of Shop Vegan/Vegan Health and Beauty would either have to be myself or Stacey, my partner. We don't really promote ourselves as such though and really prefer the products and the service to be what people associate with the company rather than any individual.


Cackleberry: In the decade you've been in business, in one form or another, what are the challenges you've had to overcome to build a compassionate business?

Shop Vegan: In all honesty I can't say that we've had any challenges that wouldn't apply to any other business really. Just like any other company there are always bits of bureaucracy that have to be dealt with, but I can't say that these have been any different because of the nature of the products or the business itself. The most difficult thing is probably having to accept that there will always be some people who won't ever understand or appreciate the reasons why being vegan is beneficial and that whatever the rest of us do the damage being done by the still massive meat and livestock industries will continue.


Cackleberry: In referring to 'damage' can we assume that was it environmental or ethical reasons that brought you to veganism?

Shop Vegan: As a youngster I never enjoyed eating meat. I'd often push it to the side of the plate and avoiding eating it. The realisation that what I was eating was once a living breathing creature that was just like me was certainly at the back of my mind somewhere but, like most people, I found it more convenient to keep it there and not really think about it too deeply. I went along with what others told me was "normal" at that point.

My journey towards becoming vegan really began when I saw television news reports about the protests against the live export of calves for the veal trade. This was going on quite near to where I lived and, although I was bordering on vegetarianism by that time anyway, I hadn't really given much thought to where dairy products actually came from and the suffering that was inherent in the system that produces them. I picked up some leaflets about the meat and dairy industry from a local stall and I went along to a meeting of a local animal rights campaign group. This really opened my eyes to the horrors that I had been ignorant of previously and I went veggie straight away. The learning process continued and after finding out more about the production of dairy products and a visit to a battery-egg producer where the smell of the place (as well as the conditions that the hens were kept in) brought tears to my eyes I made the step to being vegan. After this, staying vegan was easy. I felt healthier and happier not just from the weight that was lifted from my conscience, but from the wider range of foods that I tried that I wouldn't have considered trying previously. Everything I have learned since that time from the environmental damage that our reliance upon animal-based products is causing to the links between some major diseases and eating meat/dairy has only served to strengthen my belief that being vegan is the right thing to do. Not to mention the wonderful, inspirational people that I have met have along the way too.


Cackleberry: Speaking of which, how strong is the vegan community in the UK?

Shop Vegan: I'd say that it's as strong as it's ever been and growing. At least I hope so and I don't think that this is just wishful thinking. Previously most vegans that you speak to have become vegan for ethical reasons and have primarily been concerned with animal welfare etc. I don't think that this has decreased at all as a reason, but I do think that there are also an increasing number of people who are becoming aware of the wider environmental arguments for becoming vegan. The UK government is constantly pushing for people to eat more fruit and vegetables, but is still quite guarded about giving out the message to eat less meat. However, I think that the combination of these messages and the greater knowledge about the impact on the planet is starting to make even more people think about giving up animal products for good.


Cackleberry: Finally, do you have any stories of vegan outreach/education to share?

Shop Vegan: We encounter many little things on a daily basis. Because not all of our customers are vegan they do sometimes ask us for products that we don't supply, that are not vegan. It's surprising how many people don't realise what is in some of the products they consume or use, whether it's the glucosamine that they take being made from shellfish or lanolin in the lipbalm that they use many people are quite unaware.


Cackleberry: Rob, Stacey, thank you for taking the time to talk to me and for offering a unique insider's perspective into your journey to veganism, building a compassion-based business, and the state of veganism in the UK today.




Stay 'turtle-y cool' and stay vegan, friends!

Eat your leafy greens, for pete's sake!

I've been having a few headaches lately - of the literal and figurative kind - so, in a step to overcoming at least the literal ones, I went to see my eye doctor last weekend. He ran all the usual tests - digital retinal photography (imaging the retina), Zeiss GDx (risk for glaucoma), QuantifEye (screens for macular degeneration), and Corneal Topography (maps the cornea). All very interesting and not at all painful...except on the wallet, of course. However, it's been three years since I had an eye exam so it really was time I stepped up and got it all done.

To cut a long story (3 hours of testing and waiting, in fact) short, I need glasses for reading. Well, I am approaching that fearful age that begins with a '4' and ends with an '0' and I work on a computer all day (as a programmer) so guess what....my eyes are getting older and more tired. I am not vain and I don't mind having glasses, in fact I hear they can be quite attractive these days. I will simply have to avoid the 'Ugly Betty' type, I guess.

However, the really interesting part of the whole experience (aside from the proffered hope that I may yet be able to beat these headaches by fastening a simple occular device to my face) was the result of the QuantifEye test for Macular Degeneration. Apparently, a measure from 0 to 1 is taken of the macular pigment in the eye and baseline score is assessed: 0 is blind and 1 is perfect eye health, I assume. The lower your score, the less macular pigment you have and the more likely you are to develop Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). So in this case, we shuld be shooting for 0.50 or higher.

I scored 0.24 and was horrified.

The risk factors are being female, light-skinned, overweight and a smoker. I strike out on three out of four of these factors (I do not smoke, in case you were wondering...) so I guess it should come as no surprise that I score low.

Except for the fact that the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy level of macular pigment are lutein and zeaxanthin - both of which are carotenoids and therefore found in green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens etc) and fruit/veg along the yellow-orange spectrum - orange peppers, carrots, corn etc. And, being vegan, these tend to form the basis of a healthy, wholefoods diet. You see the irony here?

So, in order to ward off eventual blindness in old age, the good doctor suggested I take a supplement called EyePromise Restore which contains Vit C, Vit E, Omega-3, Zinc, Mixed Tocopherols, ALA, Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

'Fine' I said, 'except that the Omega-3s are derived from fish oils and I do not eat fish oils.'

'Allergy to fish?' he asked innocently.

'Vegan', I replied, still peering myopically through those Harry Potter-esque lens-fitter machines.

'Oh, but fish oils are really good for the eyes', he continued.

'But not so great for the fish', I countered firmly.


And that was that.

So as long as my eyesight holds up - and I figure I have at least another 40 years or so - I am looking for a vegan equivalent of the EyePromise Restore. I imagine it must be out there somewhere and - having only recently opened my eyes to the reality of the world and how we treat our fellow earthlings - I do not intend to allow my vision to be clouded ever again.

So while I search for this vegan supplement, I am making one other commitment: to stop being a hypocrite and start eating a ton more of those leafy greens that we vegans are always so happy to tell others they need to nibble!

Stay vegan and eat your green leafies, friends! :)

The power of a word....

I have never really understood why more people don't see the shape of words. I don't mean just the shapes of the letters that comprise the words, but the emotional shapes and essences of words. Take, for instance, the word 'terror'...I have always thought that - at least in its lower case format - the right-slanted rs give it a decidedly menacing aspect. Likewise 'horror', to me, is a word that looks like an expression of that which it is describing - a face with eyes wide open, frozen in a mime of pure fright.

Am I alone in reading such images into words?

Perhaps not. There are, as even a brief gander around the blogosphere will show you, plenty of folks who attach images and emotions to the word 'vegan'. This otherwise unassuming little five-letter term seems to be inextricably bound up in negative connotations in the minds of non-vegans of all flavours and is often accused of ugliness or crudeness or is associated with '-isms', such as militantism, dogma, extremism and radicalism. All of this is, to my mind, bound up in the fact that veganism turns the spotlight on the social acceptance of animal abuse and exploitation. And this makes non-vegans naturally uncomfortable.

To me, however, the word vegan is a perfect expression of compassion in action, of simple and elegant truth, of the philosophy of intentional and active non-harm. It encapsulates the values I choose to live by, that form who I am and who I strive to become. It is an everyday manifestation of my principles and the ethical baseline for every action I take, every thought I think and every interaction I have with others. Distinct and separate from 'vegetarian', it is so much more than just a diet: it is a whole way of being in the world and of looking both inward and outward. Spiritually, it is peace; physically, it is beauty; emotionally, it is empathy, kindness and love.

So.....that is why I am joining the ranks of those who love and celebrate this word, who embrace and wear it proudly.

I am getting my first tattoo: vegan.

:)

Grandma - we can no longer afford to keep you!

Website: www.helphomelessanimals.com

Tel: 1.888.689.3698

Write: Positive Options - c/o ASRI
PO Box 1815
Westfield, MA 01085-1815


It is thought of as a sign of the times: the dire state of the economy is taking a toll on families across the nation and across the world. Jobs are being lost, incomes are sharply reduced and homes are being foreclosed upon. Almost everyone, to some degree or another, is feeling the effects.

And the animals are feeling it too.

In my own town, a new initiative - Positive Options - has sprung up with the mission of helping families keep their pets through times of financial hardship. A small flyer arrived for me yesterday (courtesy of a utility bill) through which contributions are being solicited. The aim of the initiative is as follows:

"[to] supplement the pet food donations that are collected regularly throughout the City of Westfield and other local communities. The donations are used to help keep a pets [sic] with its' [sic] family by supplying food and necessities that a family may not be able to afford at this time. Our goal is to help people keep their pets."

This is a completely laudable objective and I intend to make a donation but one point struck me when reading through the flyer - the underlying acceptance of the disposability paradigm. It goes like this.....

1) Times are hard and we need to make cutbacks.
2) Certain things are not negotiable - rent, mortgage payments, food - therefore we have to cut back on non-essentials.
3) Our pets - those beloved 'members of the family' in good times - are non-essential.
4) Cutbacks can be made on the expenses associated with them.

In short, the animals go.

I know there's a lot of hand-wringing, tearful discussions and heart-wrenching decisions made along the way to this conclusion. And equally, I imagine that it's not the first option most reasonable, normal people accept as a way through these tough times. However, my point really is that it IS an option on the table, in a way that would never be applicable to human members of the same family. Try as I might, I cannot imagine the scenario wherein a couple decides that their income simply cannot sustain the family and therefore the youngest child must go. Nor yet the case where Grandma is just such a drain on resources that it might really be time to have her put to sleep.....

But it is an acceptable scenario in any case where the family member is a non-human. A cat, dog, bird, rabbit, whatever.....And this acceptance is rooted purely and simply in our perception of animals as property to do with as we wish. They are considered disposable and replaceable; their status that of object, the same as a table or chair. More lovable, perhaps, certainly cuter, but an object - no more, no less.

Recently, I have become increasingly interested in the framing of the abolitionist perspective within the animal rights debate and it seems to me that this current situation is a perfect example of how the welfarist position might indeed be inadequate. Inherent within the framing of this Positive Options initiative is the supposition that it is fundamentally understandable and acceptable to abandon a non-human family member in times of crisis. For the sake of the animal, this organization seeks out a foster home in the hope that the abandoned pet does not end their days prematurely - confused, terrified and alone - in a kill-shelter. However, I think that the abolitionist argument that such short-termism does not truly benefit the animals is valid. What we really need is education, a sea change of social thought wherein the idea of surrendering a pet in times of economic distress is as far from our minds as that of abandoning of our children. Until people no longer perceive companion animals as disposible and replacable, until we all take our life-long responsibilities to them as seriously as we do the human members of our families, the future for the animals will not change.

And, just we judge a society by how it treats its poorest members, it is a measure of our values - of us as individuals - how we treat our non-human dependents in challenging times. And I believe, I can only suspect that we are in grave danger of failing ourselves, of not stepping up and rising to the challenge, in this regard. I hope I am wrong.

And, in case I am, I will be mailing a check to the address above. Perhaps you might too?

Stay together and stay vegan, friends.

Maple Syrup and Garlic....where's the link????

.....The Farmers' Market, of course!

This summer has been uncharacteristically miserable - weather-wise, at least. Many days it has poured with rain continually and I'd begin to believe that a) I'd been magically spirited back to England, that (in)famously drizzly isle, and b) that I'd better evolve some webbed feet. PDQ....!!!

Yesterday, however, the day started out beautiful and doggedly remained that way and so, to celebrate, My Beloved and I hot-footed it up to the Farmers' Market in Northampton. It's a pretty low-key affair, with only a handful of stalls, and a preponderence of plantable plants....bedding plants, annuals, that kind of thing.





However, there are also at least two or three extremely well provisioned vegetable stalls with a truly impressive array of greens - kale of every kind, mustard greens, collard greens, you name it, they have it - root vegetables, enormous bunches of fresh herbs, and some fruits. Since we are still experimenting with growing our own kale, I restricted myself to getting some fingerling potatoes (delicious simply boiled and tossed with thinly-sliced garlic sauteed in olive oil), heirloom tomatoes, baby eggplants (just 2 inches in length - perfect for grilling lightly and popping into your mouth!), white eggplants, corn, a bunch of radishes the size of small plums, and some summer squash. It's all somewhat cheaper than the grocery store and I love that the money is going direct to the grower, the farmer. One of the stalls was offering only shallots and different types of fresh garlic:




Show me the grocery store where you'd find this kind of choice of garlic bulb!!!! We bought a handful of different kinds and I'm planning to roast them with a little olive oil and then use in soups, breads, or as pizza toppings.

The other specialty stall belonged to the maple syrup guy. We've bought from him before and the syrup is wonderful, ranging from a very light amber to a deep golden color. I love to use the former on crepes and french toast and the latter in baking - especially as I want to use more of these natural sweeteners and (ultimately) leave refined white sugar behind.




The whole market is basically just one small side street of the town that they close off to traffic for the morning, but it was heaving with shoppers. Perhaps the sun brought them out or perhaps it's just the nature of Northampton. There were folks with strollers, young tattooed couples, one young woman proudly sporting a Vegan Radio t-shirt, spry seniors, bicyclists, people with their dogs. It's very much a mixed bag. One couple, I noticed, had a very unusual dog - an American Hairless Terrier. I didn't manage to get a picture - to be honest I was kind of embarassed to ask - but, while talking with the man, I learned that they had bought her on the internet. From a breeder. I could barely stop myself from rolling my eyes and sighing - it's not like we don't have dogs galore here in shelters and pounds who need a home!!!!!! But no, these guys had the dog driven up from heaven knows where. And it struck me that this hairless dog is really going to enjoy the New England winters, oh yes indeedy! Hmmmmm.....

One of the few stalls that I avoid - for obvious reasons - is the farm-raised, free-range, happy-beef stall. Usually, I try to walk directly past it and just not look. I find it altogether too sad. And it struck me yesterday how different the vibe was coming from that particular stall...see what I mean?

The canopy seemed a ridiculous contrast to the butchered bodies in the altogether pathetic coolers. And the owner was not exactly doing a brisk trade, I am glad to say. I clung tightly to my Vegan Outreach bag as I walked by and tried not to think too much about it all. 

As we were leaving - the 'happy beef' stall having totally killed my earlier good mood - the fates intervened and presented me with the following sight:




It's hard not to feel better when you look at them isn't it!

Do you have a farmer's market where you are? And if so, what do you like best about it?

Stay Vegan Friends!

Simple pleasures

Sometimes when the world is just too crazy and complex, you really need to reconnect with what's good and beautiful and worthwhile in life. To that end, My Beloved brought me these as a reminder.



And Humphrey, my smallest pup, brought me the one thing he could.....







...his own trusting self

Oh, to be on 'island time'.....

One of the real indulgences I have come to enjoy in the past couple of years is the annual pilgrimage My Beloved and I have made to commune with the fishes. We're both keen SCUBA divers and - being Brits through and through - love the warm waters of the Caribbean. In past years, we've made aquatic acquaintances, fishy friends and marine mates with turtles, sharks, squid, rays, one now famous and beloved octopus, and sundry other reef dwellers in the waters off Tortola and Cayman Brac.

This year, however, with the state of the economy as it is, we felt it financially 'prudent' to remain home and not commit to such an unnecessary expense.

However, it seems that I may be missing the trip even more than I thought I would. And perhaps this would explain my sudden and overpowering urge to create the perfect vegan Caribbean Ginger Cake. The recipe I had from years ago makes liberal use of animal products in the form of butter and eggs so I decided to do away with all of that and this is the result:




It is super moist and sticky with a dense and chewy crumb that'll have you reaching for a second slice before you know what's hit you. Studded with chopped candied ginger, it packs a little heat and an element of surprise.....

Here's the recipe, if you'd like to give it a try. You will need:

(wet things)
3/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup non-dairy butter (I like the Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
1/2 cup ginger beer (note: not ginger ale - good powerful ginger beer!)
1/4 cup candied ginger, chopped coarsely
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 whole over-ripe banana, mashed
2 tbsp dark rum

(dry things)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Here's what you do:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease/line a 9"x 9" baking pan
2. In a large saucepan (actually, I use a saute pan, but who cares?!?!) gently melt the non-dairy butter with the molasses, brown sugar, candied ginger, fresh ginger and the ginger beer. While this is melting, mash your banana and stir the rum into it. Turn off the heat under the saute pan and then add the banana-rum-goo and stir well to combine. (In the original recipe, the molasses mix had to be left to cool as the next stage was to add in some beaten egss...see, veganizing it makes the recipe not only more compassionate but quicker too!)
3) Next onto the dry ingredients: into a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and powdered ginger. Stir with a clean spoon to mix.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix well and pour the batter into your prepared pan.
5. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

You could leave it to cool and frost the top thickly with a basic vegan lemon cream cheese frosting or just serve it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Which is my preference.

OK, so it's not the same as swimming with the fishes but an afternoon in a sun-splattered garden with a fruity little cocktail in one hand and a slab of this in the other...well, I can always pretend I'm on 'island time', right?

Eat well and stay vegan, friends!