tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2009-11-11:/MokoFeed2009-11-11T10:32:01+01:00tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-10-15:/2008/10/15/all-is-not-well-4874486/larsnxd2008-10-15T10:50:07+02:002008-10-15T10:50:07+02:00 <p>.....In my world.</p> <p>So I am actually finding being vegan harder! I cant find real nice food...and the food I do find is getting more expensive. My main vice at the moment is hot chocolate....in a word...nightmare! Warm the soya milk up....burn it...start again...warm the soya milk up, mix up the soya milk with the chocolate powder...mix it up? It doesn't want to mix!! Argh!</p> <p>The holiday to Zante was terrible. It was the skankiest place I have ever been to on holiday. </p> <p>At least I got engaged though!</p> <p>I'm back at the college earning not a lot of cash <img src="/img/smilies/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-/" class="middle" border="0"> but at least i'm back where I know and like the people.</p> <p>I need to move out of my parents place and start saving for the wedding!!</p> <p>So....plan of action is:</p> <p>I need a new cook book, that might help. </p> <p>Start a yoga and meditation class.</p> <p>After xmas I will either search for a new job or hopefully apply for a new vacancy that will hopefully be at the college by then. Then, that means we can look to move out in March/April time.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/10/15/all-is-not-well-4874486/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-09-22:/2008/09/22/should-be-packing-a-suitcase-right-about-now-4763394/larsnxd2008-09-22T17:35:04+02:002008-09-22T17:35:04+02:00 <p>I'm off on hols tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it.</p> <p>I need a week off from 'life in general'(?) I just need to chill out, focus on what I want from life, and once home do whatever I have decided to do.</p> <p>Its really difficult at the moment to find a spare moment to collect my thoughts, to decide what I really want from life and to try and stop pleasing everyone else all the time.</p> <p>Anyways...best go and pack (see...no spare time at all!!)</p> <p>xxx.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/should-be-packing-a-suitcase-right-about-now-4763394/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-09-06:/2008/09/06/yikes-haven-t-written-for-so-long-quicky-update-finally-4689095/larsnxd2008-09-06T10:03:26+02:002008-09-21T22:58:56+02:00 <p>Yikes!</p> <p>Haven't written for so long!<br> Quicky update:</p> <p>Geraldine died. She was losing alot of weight and just wasn't her normal happy crazy self. Took her to the vets a few times, but in the end she passed away.</p> <p>Ended up with Vincent. I brought him from a pet shop who has alot of british breeders. He.Is.Insane! I named him Vincent after Vincent Vega of Pulp Fiction. He is fat, huge and black coloured fur with bits of long tufts of fur. He's very adorable. </p> <p>Finally passed my driver's test.</p> <p>I go to Zante in two days.</p> <p>I found a perm new job....which I hated. I have more of a financial background and enjoyed working within that industry. So, after much deliberation (hm, ten minutes of letting my Team Leader bitch about me) I decided that I'd had enough. I guess I have a short fuse, but I feel a lot happier that I know that I dont have to go into that awful place anymore!</p> <p>I'm now working back at the college, when they found out I was back on the temping market they snapped me up! Its nice to feel wanted in the work place.</p> <p>Oh...and I'm still doing the vegan thing too! Im finding things a tad difficult at the moment though. I feel really fed up when I go out to dinner somewhere (except of course my wonderful Thai restaurant) I am eating alot of processed foods still, so I do really need to knock that on the head. Soups will be wonderful to take to work for the cold winter months, but dinners I usually have something quick and easy (breaded fake snitzel, I just cant help it!) I'm trying different types of tofu now aswell, but really need to get some better receipes and start cooking!</p> <p>New cook books are a must, and of course Vegan a go-go by Sarah Kramer (amazing vegan cookery writer) It is basically a cook book and a suvival guide for vegans on the road.</p> <p>Right...off to bed!<br> x. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/09/06/yikes-haven-t-written-for-so-long-quicky-update-finally-4689095/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-life-4517980/larsnxd2008-07-29T23:08:38+02:002008-07-29T23:08:38+02:00 <p>Email from SHAC rec'd today:</p> <p>H Partners dumps all HLS (LSR) shares After Raymond James decided that £7 million shares in HLS blood money were notfor them, or their subsidary Eagle Assset Management, H Partners also made aquick escape from the campaign against HLS and sold all £11.2 million LSRshares in mid July. The sale was confirmed this week by Win Animal Rights in the USA. H Partners ManagementLSR Shares: 459,539Value: $12,454,000 H Partners CapitalLSR Shares: 368,933Value: $9,998,000 Combined asset of $22,452,000 / £11,258,085.54 ALL GONE! Thanks to all supporters and campaigners, including the campaigners that diddemos in the US and London. Right now the percentage of their institutional investments is listed at 8.63%.Once the H Partners shares come off it will reduce to about 4 - 4.5% so notmany shares are being held by institutions and companies. Barclays is the next big shareholder... Get angry, keep focused, we will not stop until HLS are gone too! For all theanimals that have been tortured and killed by HLS. SHAC and the global animalright movement will NEVER let you alone.</p> <p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>Awesome like a hotdog (veg*n of course!)</p> <p>First day of work was okay. Im hoping it will get busier in time, etc!</p> <p>Just signed up to do an online dress making course. So fed up of the crap thats around now. Plus i'm fed up of importing clothing from the states (Pin Up Girl Clothing is just way way way too nice!!)<br> Anyways...off to bed now...nighty night! xx. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-life-4517980/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-28:/2008/07/28/david-camerons-office-4511236/larsnxd2008-07-28T15:07:53+02:002008-07-28T15:07:53+02:00 <p>Email from David Cameron's office regarding animal testing....</p> <p>Dear Laura, </p> <p>I am replying on behalf of David Cameron to thank you for your e-mail. </p> <p>We believe that any form of animal experimentation should be purely within the context of the necessity for advancement in medical scienceand all-round health. The Conservative Party's long-term vision is for agradual phasing out of animal testing. However, at this point in time itwould be wrong of us to assume we could abolish animal testing outrightwithout potentially damaging consequences. We applaud the work of organisations such as the Dr. Hawden Trust,Europeans for Medical Progress and others, for their advancements inalternative methods of research. However, despite this progress, we arestill not yet at a stage where, in specific instances, these methods areas reliable as experimenting with real animals. The fact that less than10 per cent of medical research involves experimenting on animals isperhaps testament to this; where the use of animals is avoidable, theyare not used. </p> <p>Please be assured that Conservatives are committed to the 3 'R's of"Refinement, Reduction and Replacement" and understand that thereduction and refinement have to come before the eventual replacement. </p> <p>Yours sincerely, Lara Moreno<br> PerezOffice of the Leader of the Opposition<br> House of Commons<br> London<br> SW1A 0AA </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/28/david-camerons-office-4511236/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-28:/2008/07/28/its-official-i-need-to-get-out-more-4510213/larsnxd2008-07-28T11:15:29+02:002008-07-28T11:15:29+02:00 <p>Woohoo! Last day of work...start new job tomorrow...cant wait! Hopefully I wont be sooo bored that I have to read newspapers online...although...another fab article! Will defo buy the book</p> <p>Use your noodle: The real Chinese diet is so healthy it could solve the West's obesity crisis</p> <p>Chinese food has a bad reputation in the UK. The rice-heavy meals and fatty meat dishes are thought to lead straight to obesity and heart disease. But properly prepared, says Chinese food expert Lorraine Clissold, the very opposite is true: the Chinese way of eating is healthy and fulfilling, fights illness and prolongs life. She also insists, in her book Why the Chinese Don't Count Calories, that a real Chinese diet won't make you fat, and that the rising levels of obesity observable in China are in fact caused by sugary, overprocessed Western food. Here are some of her Chinese dietary secrets – and the verdict of two Western nutrition experts, Patrick Holford and Ian Marber.</p> <p>1. Stop counting calories </p> <p>The Chinese don't have a word for "calories". They view food as nourishment, not potential weight gain. A 1990 survey found that Chinese people consumed 30 per cent more calories than Americans, but were not necessarily more active. Clissold says their secret is avoiding the empty calories of sugary, nutrient-free foods. </p> <p>Holford says: "The latest research into weight loss shows that calorie-controlled, low-fat diets are less effective than low glycemic load diets, which is exactly what a traditional Chinese diet is." </p> <p>Marber says: "There is one calorie in a Diet Coke, and 340 calories in an avocado. Which one is actually good for you? It's a no-brainer. The avocado supplies you with monounsaturated fats and omega-6, which actually help increase metabolic rate." </p> <p>2. Think of vegetables as dishes </p> <p>Rather than an uninspiring accompaniment to meat or fish, the Chinese treat vegetables as meals in their own right, rather than add-ons, as in the West. </p> <p>Marber says: "I'm a great believer in combining protein and carbohydrate. There aren't many complex carbohydrates in vegetables, but they should count as a dish. If the majority of your meal is vegetables, and you add some protein, you'll always have a perfect meal." </p> <p>Holford says: "Vegetables should make up half of what's on your plate in any given meal, so this fits perfectly with the Chinese diet." </p> <p>3. Fill up on staple foods </p> <p>Without rice, which is low in fat and high in nutrients and fibre, claims Clissold, it is impossible to eat until you are full. Low-carb diets promise to burn fat, but Clissold says that replacing carbs with food that is higher in fat and lower in nutrients is not a long-term answer to weight loss. </p> <p>Marber says: "I don't agree. That Chinese person shovelling rice down is slightly pudgy because they eat too much rice. But from a financial point of view it's very useful, because Atkins-style diets are very expensive." </p> <p>4. Eat until you are full </p> <p>The Chinese eat until they are full, and then stop. Westerners often take a feast-and-famine approach to eating that is ridden with guilt – purging during the week and binging over the weekend, or skipping lunch to make room for cake, The Chinese tend to eat three good meals every day. </p> <p>Holford says: "Provided that a meal has a high intake of fibre-rich vegetables and a balance of protein and carbohydrate, which a typical Chinese meal would, then you should eat until you are full. But the combination of high sugar, refined carbs (the white stuff) and high fat allows for more food to be eaten in a short space of time before the body's 'appestat' kicks in and tells you to stop." </p> <p>Marber says: "What does 'full' mean? I think so much of that message is lost in the conspicuous consumption of the Western world. But be careful: it takes a while for the brain to recognise CCK, the hormone released when you are full, so you're actually full quite a lot earlier than you realise." </p> <p>5. Take liquid food </p> <p>Soup, or a soup-based dish, is present at every Chinese meal, often in the form of a watery porridge, zhou. Western diets can be very dry, and nutritionists compensate by urging us to drink more water, which the Chinese would never do with a meal. Instead, they make a nourishing liquid food part of the meal. And it's a great way of using up leftovers. </p> <p>Holford says: "Thirst is often confused with hunger. Also, drinking does tend to fill you up. So soups help you control your appetite." </p> <p>Marber says: "I'm a great believer in soups before food. Miso soup, for instance, or anything fermented – these are probiotics, which help release nutrients from the food you are about to eat." </p> <p>6. Bring yin and yang into your kitchen </p> <p>A good Chinese diet balances yin (wet and moist) and yang (dry and crisp) ingredients. Yin foods cool the body down, while yang foods – meat, spicy dishes, wine, coffee – heat it up. The sharing, multi-dish approach to eating in China means most meals contain yin and yang in equilibrium. </p> <p>Marber says: "You should have complex carbs, a protein and a grain together for many different reasons, one of which is the experience of eating. The typical English bastardisation of Chinese food, chicken and cashew nuts, is a good example: you've got the softness of the chicken, the crunch of the nut and the satisfying rice." </p> <p>Holford says: "Most protein foods are seen as yang, carbohydrates as yin. The combination of these two helps stabilise blood sugar, which is the key to good energy and minimising weight gain." </p> <p>7. Raw power? not necessarily </p> <p>Chinese people don't eat raw salad. While raw food has a higher concentration of vitamins than cooked food, Clissold says the research ignores that lightly cooking food makes its nutrients easier for the body to take on. This way, it can conserve energy for other tasks. The stomach is unable to digest too much raw food; this can lead to bloating and weight gain. </p> <p>Holford says: "The rawer the better. In almost all cases, raw food has more nutrients, though lightly cooking some vegetables can make those nutrients more bio-available." </p> <p>Marber says: "I don't hold with this one. Eating a big salad with lots of different raw vegetables in it is very satisfying, and I can't believe your average Brit is going to blanch salad." </p> <p>8. Use food to keep fit </p> <p>Chinese medicine prescribes various foods as medical treatments: chillies to promote digestion and dispel cold; garlic to counteract toxins. The ultimate purpose is to ensure all the organs are working correctly to allow energy, or chi, to circulate smoothly around the body. </p> <p>Holford says: "Two thousand years ago, Hippocrates said, 'Let food be your medicine.' But we in the West forgot. Peasant communities tend to have more respect for the cycle of food and how it supports life." </p> <p>9. Drink green tea </p> <p>Green tea eliminates toxins, aids digestion and allays hunger. Scientists have found that it also fights free radicals, which cause cancer and heart disease. </p> <p>Marber says: "I'm a great believer in green and herbal teas. Green tea is an important antioxidant, but it will only help you lose weight if you drink 40 cups a day. I'm also a great believer in a skinny latte once in a while – or every morning, in my case." </p> <p>Holford says: "Traditionally, when the Chinese want another cup of tea, they'll keep the same leaves and add water to the pot. That's like only using one teabag a day – which means much less caffeine." </p> <p>10. Take restorative exercise </p> <p>Try regular, gentle exercise such as tai chi. A sweaty workout might shed fat, but it is stressful for your body. Energetic, aerobic workouts are yang – they heat us up – while breathing exercises are yin. </p> <p>holford says: "Exercise after a meal promotes an active metabolism and helps control appetite. Although no one has worked out how to measure chi, the vital energy that these exercises promote, it's a real thing that can easily be experienced. Many trials now show benefits to energy levels and immunity from these chi-generating exercises." </p> <p>Marber says: "Tai chi gives you a sense of balance, calm and peacefulness. Sweating it out at the gym is the precise opposite, but I can't help it – I'm vain, shallow and modern. I think we've got a really messed-up view of how the body should look, and that it's how we look, rather than how we feel, that matters." </p> <p>'Why the Chinese Don't Count Calories' </p> <p>----------------------------------------------------------------------<br> I must admit salads bore the hell out of me...unless I put some cooked mushrooms and garlic in there!<br> I tend to pick at food all day long, get bored by certain foods (for ex. I'm not liking breaded items as much anymore, I rarely eat fake pastery anymore either). I would say I have an 'odd' relationship with food, I think i'm a controlling sort of person. I tend to think about food throughout the day, I will choose at least three dinners that I might cook for dinner, the night before it will take me ages to sort out my lunch and most days I will skip breakfast, or toast some bread at work with a small amount of apricot jam...then think perhaps I shouldn't eat until dinner.<br> I think alot of westerners are odd about their food though, in my opinion.<br> -----------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>Woohoo, brought the book from play...hopefully that will get to me soon <img src="/img/smilies/graybigrazz.gif" alt=":P" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p>Will take my pack of green tea to my new job tomorrow...help keep hunger at bay! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/28/its-official-i-need-to-get-out-more-4510213/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-25:/2008/07/25/something-different-4497318/larsnxd2008-07-25T14:17:38+02:002008-07-25T14:25:28+02:00 <p>A bit of inspiration from SleepyGreen's blog. I was intriged by her blog, so I decided to look up on the net about 'Froggles'.....it seems pretty darn interesting! I nicked this from the independant....big time lol.</p> <p>Last week Laura Cousins chose to make some soap. She had all the ingredients: the drain cleaner, essential oil and rain water. "But I didn't have the sugar thermometers I needed, or a stainless steel pan, or a pair of rubber gloves." </p> <p>Cousins is part of the new "froogle" movement, which began in America. "Froogles" are environmentally-motivated types who use the internet to help them cut their consumerism back to basics. The trend grew out of waste-reducing internet groups like "Freecycle", where goods are exchanged for free. Then in December 2004, New Yorker Judith Levine realised she had spent over $1,000 in the run-up to Christmas and resolved to tap the ATM for nothing but necessities for the next 12 months.</p> <p>In her book about her fritter-free year, Not Buying It, Levine challenged her country's consumer culture. "In New York, only a day after the towers fell," she writes, "Mayor Rudolph Giuliani counselled his trembling constituents to 'show you're not afraid. Go to restaurants. Go shopping.' When the world's people asked how they could help, he said, 'Come here and spend money.' Shopping became a patriotic duty. Buy that flat screen TV, our leaders commanded, or the terrorists have won."</p> <p>Levine questioned if freedom could really be bought at the cash register. She'd heard of the International "Buy Nothing Day", but decided to take things 364 days further. In December 2005, a group of 50 San Franciscans made an identical pledge for 2006. Calling themselves "The Compact", this assortment of teachers, engineers, executives and other professionals vowed "to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of US consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc - a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact; to reduce clutter and waste in our homes; to simplify our lives".</p> <p>Their resolution permitted the purchase of food, health and safety items and underwear. Other items could be acquired second hand. Nine months on the group is still hanging in there.</p> <p>Inspired by the secular Lents of Levine and The Compact, Cousins decided she'd commit to her own 12 months of "froogalism". As we sit down for coffee in her cosy suburban home, the 39-year old drum-circle facilitator explains that she inherited a strong reduce, re-use and recycle philosophy from her parents. "They grew up during the war, and were used to a degree of deprivation. Then they moved out to California in the 1950s and I was born there in the 1960s. They never threw anything away, so green issues had always been there for me.</p> <p>Cousins gets her clothes from charity shops and jokes that she'd have to move if her local Age Concern closed. I ask about underwear. She giggles. "I haven't needed any new yet, though I admit I wouldn't buy any second-hand. But my five-year-old son's wearing second-hand pants. A friend's son grew very quickly and she passed them on."</p> <p>Cousins' husband, David, admits that he hasn't gone for the project 100 per cent. He keeps tropical fish, which need new things. And Cousins herself has cheated a little already. When she needed some camomile teabags she asked her brother if he had any. He didn't but went out and bought some for her, in exchange for a lift in her car. "That's not really the way it's meant to work," she says.</p> <p>.................it does go on from there...article is <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/froogles-the-new-challenge-to-rampant-consumerism-418795.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/froogles-the-new-challenge-to-rampant-consumerism-418795.html</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/25/something-different-4497318/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-25:/2008/07/25/who-would-ve-thought-it-4496946/larsnxd2008-07-25T12:57:28+02:002008-07-25T12:57:28+02:00 <p>...i'm not as up to date as what I should be!!</p> <p>L'Oreal brought The Body Shop....</p> <p>L'Oreal is one the biggest users of animals for cosmetic and toiletry purposes in the world.</p> <p>I checked Benefits website (as I used to love their make up) and this is what they have written:</p> <p>Q, Does Benefit Cosmetics test on animals?<br> A, No...Benefit does not test our products on animals. We love our furry friends and think the 'no makeup' look suits them best!</p> <p>Q, Does Benefit use ingredients tested on Animals?<br> A, It is impossible to use only ingrediants that have never been tested on animals at some point in the past, In conformity with European rules, test on ingrediants are not done on animals when other methods exist to ensure the safety of those ingredients.</p> <p>Okay. Anyone want to enlighten me as to what the hell that really means? Lush has (not to my knowledge!) tested ingredients on animals...I checked out their website, which has a bit more info:</p> <p>Lush's Policy </p> <p>Lush are firmly committed to a policy which not only precludes testing its products and ingredients on animals, or engaging with third-party suppliers to do so on their behalf, but we will also not buy any ingredient from any supplier that tests any of its materials on any animals for any purpose. This policy is unique in its field and is pioneering a new way to stop animal tests for cosmetics. </p> <p>Lush runs its own Supplier Specific Boycott Policy. There are clear benefits to this policy, which is different and distinct from the Fixed Cut-off Date policy employed by the Humane Cosmetics Standard (Leaping Bunny logo).</p> <p>Can the ingredients Lush use be tested for other purposes, but still used in cosmetics?</p> <p>While some other policies only preclude the use of ingredients tested on animals for use in cosmetics, the Lush policy means the company will not do business with any supplier that is engaged in any animal testing for any purpose, be it cosmetics, food, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. </p> <p>All of Lush’s suppliers have to sign a statement saying that they adhere to this policy, and the statements are resent to suppliers on an annual basis and reiterated and signed for with each purchase order for ingredients. In addition, the entire supply chain is audited by an independent consultant to ensure that suppliers are in compliance with the policy. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/25/who-would-ve-thought-it-4496946/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-24:/2008/07/24/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-4493388/larsnxd2008-07-24T16:43:09+02:002008-07-24T16:43:09+02:00 <p>Dont you just hate it when you know that you've acted like a jerk? Hmm...Im the type of person that takes things to heart so when I feel someones getting on my case about something I tend to lash out.</p> <p>Anyway...</p> <p>What is going on with these poxy clothes shops?! Not only are things expensive (well...they always have been I guess...but now i'm more reluctant to fork out my hard earned cash), but the clothes are so boring, tacky and lame.</p> <p>(I'm not getting on my moral high ground here, I promise!) Also you just dont really know where these clothes have been made, if the people who made the clothes are being exploitated, their working conditions, etc, etc. I guess you could say that about anything thats been made and sold in high street shops <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I think i'm really going to start making a concious effort to find out about the clothes shops that I do shop in. Its going to be hard...but well...I thought turning vegetarian back last year would be hard!</p> <p>Its either that or start making and designing my own clothes....hmmm....could be interesting?!</p> <p>I haven't done anything more to the website, just trying to get a basic ideas together plus the boyfriend needs to read up on the new web program he's going to be using <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/24/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-4493388/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-22:/2008/07/22/in-other-news-4483236/larsnxd2008-07-22T13:52:17+02:002008-07-22T13:56:58+02:00 <p>......I have found myself a job! Hurrah! Assistant buyer...! I start next tuesday and cant wait. Rewind about a month ago...the hairdressing thing would be not a good idea, I want to start saving to move out in October after me and the boyfriend come back from our hols (We're going to Zante for a week...finally). So being an apprentice hairdresser with shite pay is not an option really.</p> <p>Going out to celebrate with BB, K and B tonight. Cant wait! I haven't seen these guys for ages, and I miss them sooooo sooooo much. Note to self, make more time for lovely precious friends!</p> <p>Well, i've almost sorted out the front page of the website...super lol. Its taking longer than what I thought it would to be honest. I'm defo looking forward to designing and maintaining the site (thank god the boyfriend is a super graphic designer!)</p> <p>Well, roll on the weekend, lets hope for lots of sunshine!<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/22/in-other-news-4483236/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-22:/2008/07/22/news-on-animal-testing-lifted-from-msn-n-4483190/larsnxd2008-07-22T13:40:59+02:002008-07-22T13:40:59+02:00 <p>Animal testing 'likely to rise'Animal testing 'likely to rise'</p> <p>pa.press.net<br> The number of monkeys and other non-human primates used in animal experiments is expected to rise as new sophisticated therapies are developed for complex diseases.</p> <p>Scientists made the prediction as the Home Office released new figures showing a 6% rise in the number of scientific procedures involving animals between 2006 and 2007.</p> <p>The total number of procedures carried out in the UK last year was just over 3.2 million. It was the sixth year in a row that the figure had increased, mainly due to the growing use of genetically-modified rodents and fish.</p> <p>Around 4,000 procedures involved non-human primates, a fall of 6% on 2006. But experts warned that progress in stem cell research and the development of new antibody-based treatments was likely to put pressure on scientists to conduct more primate experiments in the future.</p> <p>One reason was that animals more closely related to humans than the traditional lab rat or mouse are needed when investigating ways to tackle complex neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.</p> <p>However the scientists made it clear there were no immediate prospects of using great apes, humankind's closest animal relatives, for such procedures. Experiments on chimpanzees and other great apes are currently banned in the UK.</p> <p>Dr Judy MacArthur Clark, the Home Office's Chief Inspector of Animal Procedures, said there could be no shift in the direction of great apes without a major public and political debate.</p> <p>"It will not come out of the blue," she said at a news conference in London. "This is not something that's going to be snuck in, there would be big public and political debate around it before any decisions are taken."</p> <p>At present there are no facilities for great ape experiments in the UK and no available animals.</p> <p>The new figures were announced in the latest reports on animal testing statistics from the Home Office's Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate.</p> <p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>Madness.... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/22/news-on-animal-testing-lifted-from-msn-n-4483190/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-22:/2008/07/22/another-amusing-article-this-time-from-t-4483037/larsnxd2008-07-22T12:58:23+02:002008-07-22T12:58:23+02:00 <p>How our vegan diet made us ill</p> <p><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/how-our-vegan-diet-made-us-ill-848322.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/how-our-vegan-diet-made-us-ill-848322.html</a></p> <p>Holly Paige thought her family's food regime would boost their health – but stick-thin legs and rotten teeth made her think again</p> <p>By Natasha Mann<br> Tuesday, 17 June 2008 </p> <p>RICHARD LAPPAS</p> <p>One morning over breakfast, Holly Paige looked at her daughter and realised things weren't right. Lizzie should have been flourishing. Instead, her cheeks were pinched, she was small for her age, and although she had skinny arms and legs, her belly was big and swollen. When Lizzie smiled, Paige suddenly noticed her upper front teeth were pitted with holes.</p> <p>"I was absolutely horrified," recalls Paige. </p> <p>At the time, Paige was feeding them what she thought was the most nutritious diet possible. They had been raw vegans for three years, and ate plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, soya and pulses, but no meat, fish or dairy. According to the raw-food doctrine, Lizzie and Bertie, then three and four-and-a-half, should have been brimming with good health. But Paige's mothering instinct was on the alert. </p> <p>"I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't put a finger on it," says Paige, 45. "They were two sizes behind in clothes. Of course, children come in all different shapes and sizes, but their growth seemed to be slowing further. I have two older children so I had their development to measure Lizzie and Bertie's against."</p> <p>There were other oddities: "I remember going to the supermarket and buying butter for my older children. Lizzie, who had never had butter in her life, would grab the packet and gnaw into it," says Paige. "It was really disconcerting. I would be thinking, 'What is going on? Here is this purely fed child – why would she need to do this?' I was so brainwashed into thinking dairy products are bad for you."</p> <p>When she took Lizzie and Bertie to her health visitor, she didn't seem too concerned. "She said they were in the low percentile, but thought they were OK," says Paige. "Yet I knew the children weren't growing. I could sense that there was something wrong. It felt wrong."</p> <p>Finally, Paige stumbled across the answer in an old vitamin book. Although she has no medical confirmation, she believes the family had symptoms of vitamin D- and protein-deficiency. "I felt like such an idiot. I got the information from a book I'd had sitting around on my shelf for 20 years."</p> <p>The discovery brought a swift end to her experience of veganism. In Totnes, where she lives, Paige knows many other raw vegans who have a nature-loving lifestyle. But despite taking a daily supplement that included vitamin D and B12, she and the children were suffering. Today, the family still mainly has a raw diet, but Paigeincludes butter, cheese, eggs and occasionally fish. "I had let malnutrition in through the back door in the name of health," says Paige. "It was ridiculous." </p> <p>There is a significant difference between being vegan (and eating cooked foods) and raw vegan. Vegans benefit from fortified cereals, baked goods and a wider variety of grains and pulses; what's more, cooking aids the absorption of some micronutrients. But Lisa Miles, from the British Nutrition Foundation, says: "The most dramatic change to the diet is being vegan rather than the raw element, because you are cutting out two huge food groups. This affects vitamin D and protein."</p> <p>Last week, strict diets for children were questioned after a 12-year-old vegan girl was admitted to a Scottish hospital with rickets. Her spine was said to resemble that of an 80-year-old woman. </p> <p>Rickets is a degenerative bone condition that can lead to curvature of the spine and bone fractures. It is caused by a lack of vitamin D, usually found in oily fish, eggs, butter and made by our bodies from sunshine – although in the UK the sun is only strong enough to do this between April and September. It's a disease you might more commonly associate with the Dickensian character, Tiny Tim.</p> <p>Many dieticians believe it is possible to bring up a healthy vegan child. "You can do it, but you do have to make sure you know what you are doing, especially in regards to weight," says Jackie Lowdon from the British Dietician Association. "As with any self-restricting diet, you need to get proper professional advice." </p> <p>The Vegan Society, unsurprisingly, claim that the diet is suitable for all stages of life, and have an army of strapping, healthy adults brought up as vegans from birth who are happy to talk to the media. They also publish a book with dietary advice on feeding vegan children, written by dietician Sandra Hood. A spokeswoman, however, says they would not recommend a raw vegan diet for children. </p> <p>Nigel Denby, a dietician and author of Nutrition for Dummies, says: "It can be hard enough bringing a child up to eat healthily, but with a vegan diet you are really making a difficult job for yourself. It is absolutely not something that should be tried without support from a dietician."</p> <p>Several factors, says Denby, make a vegan diet for small children more difficult. With a restricted range of foods, if children turn their nose up at one particular food, you could be stuck for choice. "With smaller appetites and portion sizes, children under five have higher nutrient requirements than adults. Therefore, every mealtime has to be an opportunity to feed them high-nutrient-based foods." </p> <p>Care must be taken with certain nutrients. "Haem iron, found in meat, is easier for the body to absorb," explains Denby. "Non-haem iron, which is just as good, is found in leafy vegetables and fortified cereals, but you have to eat a greater amount to get the same amount of iron."</p> <p>Paige now believes that her children were craving dairy products. "It was confusing because for the first year I felt good, calm and content, and had plenty of energy. The children didn't have childhood sicknesses. But something seemed to be missing. We were always picking between meals, always obsessed by food."</p> <p>Paige believes long-term breastfeeding helped sustain Lizzie and Bertie, but the toll of veganism on her own health was dramatic: "It was the third year when my body started disintegrating, frighteningly fast. I was getting thin, losing muscle and I was going to bed at half nine." She would also have "mad" binges, and eat nothing but rice cakes and butter.</p> <p>The last straw came when Paige's eldest son Bruce came to stay. He asked her to buy chicken, and Paige ended up eating half of it. After that, she couldn't stop. "I just went wild. Typically, in a day I would eat half a chicken, two litres of milk, half a pound of cheese and three eggs. I just had to do it. It went on for weeks. The children were having lots of boiled eggs and cheese." </p> <p>Paige, who now runs an online magazine and raw food shop, says her biggest lesson is never to be too restrictive again. "For a lot of people, there is something about these various nutrients in the animal form that we can assimilate. I don't know why, but experience shows a lot of us can't get enough protein on a vegan diet."</p> <p>Now when Paige looks at her two youngest, now seven and eight she is certain they are thriving. "There was a moment when I was worried damage had been done for life," she says. "Now, I'm confident they are doing well. Even though they eat as much fruit and dried fruit as before, their teeth haven't had one bit more decay."</p> <p>And nowadays, it's their growth that's the big talking point. "The first thing anyone says when they visit is: 'My, haven't they grown?'" </p> <p>--------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>Amazing right? I'd say that the parents needed to have a good ol' read up on a stack of <u>RAW</u> vegan literature. Idiots. The paper pisses me off too, because in the title it states 'Vegan Diet' ......not 'RAW Vegan Diet'.</p> <p>But, then again, there are many families out there that have raw vegan diets and are perfectly healthy.</p> <p>Right...I'm off to lunch, moan off over <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/22/another-amusing-article-this-time-from-t-4483037/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-07-14:/2008/07/14/vegan-stuff-4445928/larsnxd2008-07-14T12:29:29+02:002008-07-14T12:29:29+02:00 <p>I haven't written for a while. I've been a tad busy...what with buying too much stuff from SSOV (I know, I know...but all their stuff is sooo good quality!) and cooking loads of vegan meals from scratch, and deciding to start a vegan website, blogging needed to be pushed to the back for a while!</p> <p>So, Vegan lasagna anyone? It was amaaazing! I could only do about five layers as the dish was not big enough. I blitzed some cashew nuts in a blender and added them to the fake cheese sauce I brought, and added a dash of garlic too. Okay, I didn't cook the tomato sauce from scratch but brought that in a jar. Lots and lots of tofu! The three of us ate all of it (I thought I could save some for lunch). I'm glad my boyf likes my vegan cooking <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Had a shot of wheatgrass juice (yum!) which made me feel like I had boundless energy!</p> <p>Brought some stuffed vine leaves on saturday too...when my boyfriend and I were out in Greece I could've survived on then all day long!</p> <p>So yes...vegan website...Ooo..scary thought! Should be doing a quick write up tonight for the first page, and see where we go from there really. The boyf is fab at designing, so we're thinking about t-shirts and stickers (to start of with!) vegan recipes, reviews of vegan restaurants, general vegan knowledge, info page for people who want to get together for potlucks, meets, etc, etc! *giggles excitedly*</p> <p>BBQ soon...cant wait for that either! I will be making my famous vegan pizza, normal pizza...which isn't so famous, vegan burgers and sausages from scratch, maybe vegan lasagna (as it was bloody great) lots of pasta, maybe vegan sushi and of course all the normal stuff at BBQ's. Its going to be hella good!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/07/14/vegan-stuff-4445928/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-06-16:/2008/06/16/detox-fake-sausage-rolls-and-more-workou-4324836/larsnxd2008-06-16T22:36:56+02:002008-06-16T22:36:56+02:00 <p>I drifted into Holland and Barretts on Saturday and struck gold in a HUGE way! Before I was veggie, I adored pastry. Whether it was a saugage roll, a veggie pasty from a bakery or just couissants (cant spell, you know, the french pastry that people eat for breakfast!). Then....no more pastry as 1) its basically full of shite 2) I needed to give up shite food for the triathlon 3) Did I mention its full of shite?! </p> <p>As I ventured cautiously into H&B's (I'm low on funds & usually spend a small fortune in there) I saw the packaging for more Linda McCartney goodies....and then, as I moved the fake steak pies out the way I found....FAKE SAUSAGE ROLLS! Why wasn't I informed of this before?! </p> <p>Of course I just had to purchase....and then found some sage and onion luncheon-esque meat that had to be brought, oh, and some vegan cheese and chive dip (which, I might add, is lush!) and some dark chocolate. Pure bliss.</p> <p>I did a 25 min workout tonight (see....five minutes better already!) As soon as I got home, I put my joggers on and sweated through another session. I felt my workout was better, I could perform the moves better and my timing was more accurate. I hadn't had a big meal since 1:00, and worked out at about 18:30'ish so I felt this might've had something to do with my performence. Plus I had a MASSIVE bottle of water on hand for a cool down.</p> <p>Started my detox juice diet today. One large glass of water with smy detox shake, fruit for breakfast and that will keep me going until elevenses. My skin/complextion is normally pretty good whilst on a detox. It's only a short one this time, just a week detox. So no fake sausage rolls or chocolate until this is finished (dammit!). </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/06/16/detox-fake-sausage-rolls-and-more-workou-4324836/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-06-15:/2008/06/15/achey-ness-4319967/larsnxd2008-06-15T21:12:15+02:002008-06-15T21:12:15+02:00 <p>Just finished a 20 min workout...it was a killer. Feels like i've had a proper work out for once though! Do I really need to do this four times a week?! Blurgh.....maybe five as I havent worked out for months now...lol.</p> <p>I'm waiting for my interview with the college for the hairdressing course. I'm so concerned that they wont accept me for some stupid reason. I have no concerns over whether I can do it or not....because I just know that I will be able to do this and I know that i'll be bloody good at it! As soon as I have my interview and know that I've been accepted i'll be writing letters to all the hair salons in Essex to find a job. My contract finishes in sept/oct time at where i'm placed now...so fingers crossed i'll be able to sort something out by then.</p> <p>The vegan thing is going better...I'm reading up more about different snacks and stocking up my cupboards with yummy animal free snacks. Expensive, but guilty free. Brought some new fake ice cream, its gooorgeous! Even the boyf agreed with me that you wouldn't be able to taste the difference.</p> <p>So my drivers test is super soon! Cant wait! I took my pops out driving with me today and he said that if I dont pass my test, it'll be because of my nerves (Im a natural nerveavour --- I live on my nerves!)</p> <p>Roll on next weekend!! I'm not doing anything spesh....work just bores the hell out of me. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/06/15/achey-ness-4319967/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-06-06:/2008/06/06/my-two-great-loves-pizza-and-ice-cream-4281225/larsnxd2008-06-06T15:55:04+02:002008-06-06T15:55:04+02:00 <p>I'm back!!</p> <p>So i've been ill for about two weeks now (although i've been a good girl and only had 2 and a half days off from work).</p> <p>I've been eating alot of pasta recently, 5 days out of 7, so I think I need to stop that naughty habit. I still havent found any yummy vegan biscuits. I'm not impressed much. Although I did pop into Holland and Barretts (I know, I know!) and found some vegan ice cream (in quite a few different flavours!) which I will be purchasing this weekend!</p> <p>So my rents will be away in the Dominican at the end of July, and I sure have some plans involving food! BBQ one evening (one disposable for meat, the other for veggies), DVD and pizza night (take away pizza from pizza express without cheese...scrummy!!) and maybe i'll cook a roast dinner for my brother and his girlfriend (the boyf and I will have a nutroast or something).</p> <p>I had a great pizza from pizza express the other day, no cheese, artichokes, tomatoes, asparagus, onions and pilled high with loads of other great veggies! And a take out pizza which had no cheese, mushrooms, spinache and onion. Yummy...but not exactly healthy!</p> <p>I need to vary my diet a bit more as I eat a lot of processed rubbish (although there is no way I will be giving up Linda McCartney's fake meat pies and mustard mash!) I think I should purchase a few more vegan books to give me some better ideas as to what to eat and how to get a bit healthier as I'm feeling pretty rubbish right now.</p> <p>I've got some books on colouring and cutting hair and I cant wait to get started now. Roll on September!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/06/06/my-two-great-loves-pizza-and-ice-cream-4281225/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-05-18:/2008/05/18/update-4191714/larsnxd2008-05-18T23:19:11+02:002008-05-18T23:19:11+02:00 <p>I haven't blogged recently, so here's a quick rundown on ones life at the moment:</p> <p>Vegan thing went a bit bad a few times recently. Today I felt really sick after eating a veggie and bean wrap from tesco's. That'll teach me for not looking at the label! Also I need to find decent vegan biscuits....I miss biscuits alot.</p> <p>Work is v.dull. Not much to report to be honest. It keeps me sane though. Staying in at home was driving me crazy.</p> <p>I've been thinking on and off about going back to college to do an NVQ in Hairdressing recently. To be honest I can hardley wait to get creative and start learning again. I filled in my application form and posted it today, so fingers crossed I will here something by the end of this week. </p> <p>Going to London on saturday to spend my redundancy money on some nice new clothes <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Really missing my friends at the moment. We all seem to be so busy and finding a spare moment seems to be a nightmare for us all <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Anyways, i'm off to bed, I will write something more interesting next time!<br> x. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/05/18/update-4191714/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-05-06:/2008/05/06/so-today-4139943/larsnxd2008-05-06T19:43:12+02:002008-05-06T19:43:12+02:00 <p>Fucking Ai man!!!</p> <p>Hehehe...I gots me....a temp job! Starting Thursday for four months...schwing schwing!</p> <p>*ahem* Im a bit happy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> Thank God I dont have to spend another day at home on my own. I despise not having a job. I have to go to my old job to get some stuff tomorrow, but other than that, its see ya in hell feckers!</p> <p>Its only for four months, but at least it gives me some time to think about what I want to do and the next step to trying to sort my bloody life out.</p> <p>Tomorrow Im going to the thai restaurant with B, K, boyfriend and his friend M. I cant wait! I am so so so happy that i'm going to spend some time with these wicked people.</p> <p>Things are looking a tad better right now. </p> <p>And I guess if things could start looking up for, then they could start looking up for anyone....</p> <p>X. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/05/06/so-today-4139943/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-05-05:/2008/05/05/moan-off-time-4136187/larsnxd2008-05-05T22:45:11+02:002008-05-05T22:45:11+02:00 <p>Moan off's for this weekend:</p> <p>1) I felt like I have done nothing this weekend...no...wait...I have done nothing this weekend. Apart from feel sorry for myself as I havent got a job. I have also eaten too much junk food (vegan of course!)<br> 2) I ache all over. From playing on the new Wii Fitness thing. How terrible is that?<br> 3) I am suffering from bad bad bad stomach pains as I have overdone the beer, fizzy drinks and shite junk food I have eaten.<br> 4) I still have not sorted out my mam's birthday present...Oooopps!<br> 5) I need to get up early tomorrow to sort out a temping job.<br> 6) I have to go into work on Wednesday so they can discuss money and all the other redundancy crap.<br> 7) Im skint already.<br> 8) My sleeping pattern has been disrupted.<br> 9) I HATE MOANING OFF!!</p> <p>I saw K on saturday, we went on a shopping trip for quite a few hours. I brought some vegan shampoo which is gooorgeous, and K brought hair extensions. How boring are we?! At least I got to see her again. I've been missing B and K alot recently. I know things have to change in lives, otherwise it would get a tad mundane. Alot of stuff has changed in all our lives over the past few months. B has now gotten into a relationship and has progressed at work, K has gotten a new job which she adores. Me on the other hand, jeez I got made redundant...how lame is that? </p> <p>You know you get to that point in your life when you just feel like everything that was safe and stable has just crashed and burned and you dont feel so secure anymore? I also feel like there's nothing to look forward to. I feel like that alot of the time at the moment. I feel very lonely right now.</p> <p>I dont really know what to do with my life or myself. I wonder how things were meant to work out for me, I dont see a future for anything good right now.</p> <p>Maybe i've just got cabin fever? I haven't worked for two weeks! Must be cabin fever <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/05/05/moan-off-time-4136187/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-05-02:/2008/05/02/wallbirds-falafel-and-photo-ops-4121781/larsnxd2008-05-02T10:04:31+02:002008-05-02T12:03:51+02:00 <p>Last night was greeeat! Just what I needed to get me out of 'that funk'. Went to Camden with my brother and B. It was such a funny night. Had some Thai food (yummy!) at Camden Market and it was pissing it down. My bro and I mooched around the stalls but they were packing up early due to the thunder and lightning.</p> <p>We hopped on the trains to meet B at Liverpool St Station. There was a scary girl on the tube that would just not stop looking me and brother up and down (we dont look THAT scary when we are out and about!) It was beginning to make me feel uncomfy. All three of us then went back up to Camden and went straight to the Barfly. Its a great venue, but really small. We missed the first band because we were downstairs chatting random crap, as you do! We went upstairs and I had to check out the loo's....well....gross...! One toilet out of three actually flushed, no soap and the taps weren't working either....!!</p> <p>The second band, The Wallbirds, were amazing! I started dancing to them as soon as the drumbeat kicked it. They were so great! The band that we went to see, Hijack Oscar, in my lowly opinion, weren't a patch on The Wallbirds. If a band doesnt make me want to even tap my foot, then I dont think they're a decent band. Apparently Hijack Oscar were on some talent show thing on E4? Anyways, we all had a few beers, then the lads decided to have shots, which soon got them a bit tiddley.</p> <p>When the bands finished, my brother wanted a cd and a few piccys with the bands, to which I gladly obliged. Bless him. When we went outside, my brother pounced on the Wallbirds, poor boys and another photo had to be done! We chatted to the guys for a bit and had a giggle with them, then we mooched back up to the station and I saw FALAFELS! I got v.v. excited, and the guy put three falafels in a pitta bread and lots of salad and thai red sauce. Delicious!</p> <p>We then got into Liverpool St Station and there were no pubs open....we almost cried! We ate some chips and onion rings (yes, yes I know I said I wouldn't, but I was pissed and hungry and there was nothing open!), B and my brother had a burger....then they got a pasty each (I had a diet cola!) and we headed to our train. We got home at about 12:35ish, tired, thirsty and happy.</p> <p>You cant beat a night out like that!</p> <p>FALAFEL:</p> <p><a href="http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/?action=view&current=CIMG0277-1.jpg"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/CIMG0277-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></p> <p>THE GANG:</p> <p><a href="http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/?action=view&current=CIMG0250-1.jpg"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/CIMG0250-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></p> <p>THE WALLBIRDS (with a few extra bandmates!):</p> <p><a href="http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/?action=view&current=CIMG0275-1.jpg"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/CIMG0275-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/05/02/wallbirds-falafel-and-photo-ops-4121781/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-29:/2008/04/29/wide-awake-4112346/larsnxd2008-04-29T23:51:41+02:002008-04-29T23:51:41+02:00 <p>I'm so awake. Even Gerry got bored of playing in her wheel and has gone to bed!</p> <p>Feel like a bit of loser at the moment. No job, no cash, bills to pay and everything seems a bit on the gloomy side. Blah blah blaaaah! No use in feeling sorry for myself! I cant staaaaand not having a job! Thats my problem.</p> <p>I shall use my time off wisely....but reading up about veganism until I get bored of it...mwahaha <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> I am soooo bored!</p> <p>I wonder if my Macbeths, SSOV hoodie and Herbivore mag will arrive tomorrow? No wonder why I haven't got any bloody money! Heehee <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/29/wide-awake-4112346/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-29:/2008/04/29/title-4109186/larsnxd2008-04-29T11:02:03+02:002008-04-29T12:54:22+02:00 <p>I have now decided to cut chips and all things battered out of my diet when going into restaurants. I think I have been fooling myself as to what the chef's actually cook in that oil. Fish, Scampi, Chicken nuggets and the rest! Ok, so becoming vegan and going out to restaurants is a bit harder than I once thought. Hey, I'm still learning! I know I can go to the thai restaurant (that I adore!), but its looking like pubs are a no go for me now. </p> <p>The reason why I am cutting out chips is a comic strip I saw on Sarah Kramers website. Go to govegan.net. It pretty much banged the nail on the head!</p> <p>I've also decided to give up the vegan beer I drink too. I get tummy aches for about three days after drinking fizzy beers (I was a Whiskey, Rum and Guinness girl before being vegan!) Just fruit juices (not from concentrate) water and flavoured water for me now!</p> <p>Cooking at home is not an issue and I really enjoy cooking so much more now. My little bro has popped to the shops to get a milkshake (hangover cure methinks!) and to get some tomato puree so I can do vegan pizzas!<br> I brought a new SSOV hoodie and Herbivore Magazine. Herbivore mags are to be no more after 2008...dammit!</p> <p>Oh, and I'll leave this blog today with the wise words from Albert Einstein (maybe you've heard of him? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> )</p> <p>'Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet' & 'If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.'</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/29/title-4109186/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-28:/2008/04/28/veganism-in-the-news-4106132/larsnxd2008-04-28T17:28:18+02:002008-04-28T17:28:18+02:00 <p>I have been reading a few articles recently regarding veganism in the news. I am so sick and tired of people's comments of 'Have you ever meet a healthy looking vegan?', 'Humans are meat eaters', 'Why, if a vegan diet is so healthy, do so many have to take vitamin/mineral supplements?'...blah blah blah...I am healthier than I ever have been, I dont feel lethargic, run down and I dont take any vitamin supplements. As I have stopped dying my hair (unless with henna)and now my hair is alot heathier and doesnt break off. I have a healthier appetite, I enjoy my food so much more now and I love getting new receipes. For someone who has had a 'thing' with food since the age of 13 years old, its great that I enjoy my food now <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> I am happier, I dont feel as low as I used to. I hardly have any spots anymore. I'm alot more energetic too. Soo all in all, being healthier, looking better and hopefully saving a few animals, does anyone wish to let me know what the bad points of becoming vegan actually are?? Granted, becoming vegan is not for everyone, I just think unless you've been vegan for a while, I mean for longer than two weeks(!!), then maybe people should reassess their comments < ------ Just my opinion, not saying i'm right or anything! </p> <p>I brought some Macbeths this week (finally!) and they should be winging their way to me now. My suede DC's have been thrown in the bin. Hurrah! Being vegan is getting so so so much easier now. Also, the boyf now knows that he is lactose intolerant, so he is cutting dairy out of his diet. Even my Nan's doctor has told her to cut out all dairy products too! I'm going round to her house sometime this week to cook a lunch or dinner without the use of any dairy products, which she seems happy about.</p> <p>I might just have to purchase a SSOV hoodie too <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> Who'd have thought I've been redundant!</p> <p>About the job thing, I've decided that I'm not going to bother getting a permenant job until I found something that I really really want to do. I'm just going to temp for a while. My Mam freaked me out the other day though, I went for an interview with this HUGE company in Southend and a few days later they said that I was too nervous in my interview (I haven't had an interview for almost three years!!) anyways, I told Mam that I didn't get the job, to which she replied, 'Good, I didn't want you to get it anyway'. I was kinda shocked to say the least! I asked why, and she told me that they test on animals on that site! I was gobsmacked, to say the least.</p> <p>So onwards to temping I think! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/28/veganism-in-the-news-4106132/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-24:/2008/04/24/i-need-a-tofu-fix-4086892/larsnxd2008-04-24T08:20:53+02:002008-04-24T08:20:53+02:00 <p>I brought some braised Tofu yesterday from H&B's (as Tesco's was no where to be found!) and I also looked for the normal Blue Dragon Tofu in Sainsbury's. After searching high and low I asked a guy who was stacking shelves. At first I thought he thought I was speaking alien, then he said if its not down the section with all the free from products are the we dont stock it. And no, it wasnt with all the free from products (first place I looked!) I mean come on, no tofu, in Sainsburys?! </p> <p>So last night I opened my tin of braised tofu (never tried it before, you see). It smelled and looked like cat food. And it tasted awful. Tin went in the bin and now I'm most unhappy as I have no tofu. </p> <p>I feel so gloomy at the moment. I'm so sure my life wasn't meant to turn out like this.</p> <p>Anyways, best get up and ready for.....erm...cleaning. I promised Ma whilst I was home i'd help out more around the house (its the only thing thats keeping me sane at the moment!) I've been off work for 3 and a bit days, how can I be bored so soon?! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/24/i-need-a-tofu-fix-4086892/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-23:/2008/04/23/what-a-day-4082127/larsnxd2008-04-23T08:02:22+02:002008-04-23T08:02:22+02:00 <p>Yesterday I had to grab the bus into town (which takes at least 40 mins) to go to the only shop that I needed, which decided not to open until 20 past 9, which means I had to catch the later bus home, and then I missed my interview. Great. I had another interview yesterday which did not go well. I just got real nervous. The guy interviewing was so stand-offish, as if he had so many better things he could be doing. Got another two interviews lined up for next week though.</p> <p>On a lighter note, as i'm not at work I can prepare freshly cooked meal which taste amazing! I'm going into town today and will get some more tofu....Mmmm....tofu!</p> <p>I am going to London on Saturday, just for a mooch around. Need new sneakers (yes, I STILL haven't found any I really like!)</p> <p>I've started my detox. Only a two week detox this time though, nice and easy.</p> <p>Best have my morning detox shake then... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/23/what-a-day-4082127/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-21:/2008/04/21/1st-day-of-redundancy-4072827/larsnxd2008-04-21T10:04:53+02:002008-04-21T10:04:53+02:00 <p>is not too bad. Just feels like i'm on a holiday. When i've got no cash thats when the worrying will set in!</p> <p>I'm bored already. </p> <p>Will have to cook a yummy breakfast of scrambled tofu on toast methinks to cheer me up before my day of looking for a new job kicks my ass into reality.</p> <p>I had this gorgeous chinese soup yesterday, although I ate too much of it. It was a red curry soup with loads of vegetables. It was so hot & spicy!</p> <p>Had an interview on friday, but I didn't turn up! It was for a company called IFDS and I really did not want to end up getting a job there. Its difficult to get to, and the hours were 11 - 7. There is no way that i'd get home before 9!</p> <p>I miss having a job to go to <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"> lame, I know, but its an excuse to get of bed in the mornings.</p> <p>Had a great weekend, just chilled out mainly. Got to use the kitchen a bit more, so that was fun <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> went out for a meal with the boyfriend and his parents yesterday evening. It was nice, although I was pretty nervous as I havent seen them since we split up first time round.</p> <p>Hmmmm....best go and sort out my breakfast! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/21/1st-day-of-redundancy-4072827/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-19:/2008/04/19/lunch-today-4065590/larsnxd2008-04-19T13:27:50+02:002008-04-19T13:27:50+02:00 <p>...Was a mish mash version of Scrambled Tofu, although I added extra's:</p> <p>Tofu,<br> Onion,<br> Mushrooms,<br> Spinach,<br> Baby potatoes,<br> Salsa mix,<br> Lemon juice,<br> Pepper,<br> Toast.</p> <p>Took about 18 minutes to make, not alot of washing up (as you chuck it all in he same pan).</p> <p>In a word: Scrummy! </p> <p>Last night I cooked myself a Chinese mishmash Stirfry:</p> <p>Noodles,<br> Lemon juice,<br> Mushroom,<br> Tofu,<br> Cauliflower,<br> Broccoli,<br> Peas,<br> Carrots.</p> <p>Also another scrummy dish which tool about 18 mins to make. This vegan malarky is getting easier and easier!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/19/lunch-today-4065590/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-19:/2008/04/19/mumbles-4065093/larsnxd2008-04-19T11:09:41+02:002008-04-19T11:14:00+02:00 <p>I've deleted my blogs from myspace (I used Myspace for my blogs and dont see a reason why I should use that site anymore) and came across three of my terrible uncompleted poems...so ta dah:</p> <p><u>Horror</u></p> <p>She awakes,<br> Cant breath,<br> Sweat dripping in her eyes,<br> Cant see,Heart pumping,<br> Thumping to the rhythm,<br> To the beat.<br> All alone now,<br> Listening to the night,<br> The silence is deafening.<br> Blood pounding in ears,<br> Dont want to be alone now,<br> Afraid.<br> Cant sleep,<br> Defeat the swirling hurting feeling,<br> Pit of my stomach,<br> Stuck in my throat,<br> All in my mind.<br> She drifts away.</p> <p><u>Beautiful people</u><br> I could never compete with them.<br> But, I feel kind of liberated now,<br> Like I've seen God in Hollywood,<br> Emancipated,Death clinging to his heels.<br> They walk on by,<br> Never lifting their oh so pretty heads.<br> I kneel by this statue,<br> Tears creep down my face,<br> People pass by, confused.</p> <p><u>Rubbish</u></p> <p>We are the twentysomethings<br> The throwaway culture kids<br> We have trashy idols that become more known the more they self destruct<br> Coffee book textures of:<br> Vomit<br> Ash<br> Bad skin<br> Broken dreams<br> Broken promises<br> Dirty thoughts<br> Dirty mouths<br> Shattered minds<br> I am suspicious of your plastered plastic smile<br> We are your souce of bemusement<br> Your souce of wonder<br> Your critical glances<br> Roll eyes<br> Roll dice<br> Roll lives</p> <p>-------------------------------------------------------<br> I used to be good at writing poems....my talent has all but left me.Jobless and hopeless is the way I feel today.</p> <p>And this is what the boyfriend brought to cheer me up! His name is Bobo.<br> <a href="http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/?action=view&current=Photo_121.jpg"><img src="http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/larsnxd/Photo_121.jpg" border="0" alt="yoohoo!"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/19/mumbles-4065093/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-18:/2008/04/18/no-more-news-still-4060564/larsnxd2008-04-18T10:09:05+02:002008-04-18T10:09:05+02:00 <p>So we've got to wait until 2:00 today, HR will send out an email. Great. This is taking such a long time. I just want to leave now. I'm sitting at my desk trying to sort out a new tattoo idea. I have no work to do at all. Scary.</p> <p>I have a few interviews lined up, but I really fancy temping for a few months.</p> <p>The boyfriend brought me a plush toy yesterday to cheer me up as i've been feeling really down recently due to the job. I've got an interview on Wednesday, but im thinking of just going temping for a few months until things settle down.</p> <p>Im thinking of having my hair cut again as I'm soooo bored with havin such a normal hairstyle!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/18/no-more-news-still-4060564/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:larsnxd.blog.co.uk,2008-04-16:/2008/04/16/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-that-is-the-questio-4052788/larsnxd2008-04-16T17:19:33+02:002008-04-16T17:19:33+02:00 <p>Roll on the weekend....I have brought 3 pairs of new jeans, hat and tshirt. Im feeling gloomy so shopping always cheers me up! So, I just really need to buy some new sneakers now....like urgently!</p> <p>Still haven't had much luck. I've got an interview Friday afternoon and one next tuesday aswell, but who knows what'll happen? Security blanket has been stripped away rather quickly and violently to be honest! We await with baited breath.</p> <p>My brother finally got a job today. He had the interview this morning and by 12:00 he knew that he'd got the job. Its only part time (as he is still at uni), but at least my parents will be off his case and he'll be able to go out and have a good time with his friends without worry too much about his money.</p> <p>Im going home x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://larsnxd.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-that-is-the-questio-4052788/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>