Miso Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings - Shawn McClain (photo by Ann Stratton) This recipe is from the Green Zebra restaurant in Chicago and it is sure to liven up your standard miso soup thanks to the delicious dumplings. This recipe calls for wonton wrappers but if you can't find these in the shops, here is a link to a recipe for vegan wonton wrappers. View recipe at Epicurious
Curried Carrot Almond Soup - Andrea Albin (photo by Stephanie Foley) Who knew almond milk could be used in soups? Well, it can and it is sure to create a creamy, light and delicious taste. Perfect for a winter warming lunch! View recipe at Gourmet
Hot and Sour Broth with Noodles - Olive Magazine Nothing beats a good noodle soup and vegetarians and vegans (or anyone) will adore this simple yet flavourful recipe. View recipe at BBC Good Food
Mulligatawny with Chickpeas - Body + Soul Mulligatawny is an Anglo-Indian soup but this recipe can also be served with rice as it is quite similar to dhal. View recipe at Whole Living
Mixed Mushroom Soup - Body + Soul Mushroom mania in a bowl! Porcini, oyster, shiitake and the whole gang can all be found in this highly nutritious soup. View recipe at Whole Living
Spicy Roasted Vegetable Soup with Toasted Tortillas - Bon Appetit (photo by Brian Leatart) You will be instantly transported to Mexico after one spoonful of this wonderful soup thanks to ingredients such as jalapeno and chipotle chilies, garbanzo beans, corn, cilantro and of course, lime! View recipe at Epicurious
Spicy Coconut Noodle Soup - Good Food Magazine Enjoy a luscious and creamy soup the healthy way with coconut milk and other ingredients such as mixed mushrooms, bean sprouts and red curry paste. View recipe at BBC Good Food
The River Cafe's Winter Minestrone - Good Food We all need a great minestrone recipe to turn to, especially during this colder weather. If you can't stop by the revered River Cafe in London to enjoy their minestrone soup, why not whip up a batch yourself at home? View recipe at BBC Good Food
Natalie Portman (InStyle.com - image by Richie Buxo/SplashNewsOnline.com)
Tulip Party Dress Actress and vegetarian, Natalie Portman looked regal in this blue Jason Wu dress at the premiere of her new film. I spied an equally pretty eco dress from Tara Starlet (love the name) which is made in London from end of line fabrics.
To achieve a similar look to Natalie just add vegan accessories such as the vibrant yellow clutch and classy shoes.
Gigi Sunflower Clutch - Mar y Sol, $79 (made in Madagascar and Kenya / raffia) Contrast a dark coloured dress with a bright clutch such as this yellow one from Mar y Sol. The Gigi clutch is also available in other fun colours and styles that will clash and match perfectly with the various colours of the Tulip Party dress.
Cinnamon Shoes in Black - Charmone, $179 (made in Italy / vegan) I keep turning to these sweet vegan shoes from Charmone because they not only look divine but they always seem like the perfect shoes for any dress.
You can opt for the strapless Tulip Party dress in blue or visit Tara Starlet to view the dress in more colours (£65). Equa also stock the dress in red or purple (£70).
Phew, I'm back home in London after a whirlwind trip to Auckland, Sydney, LA and Las Vegas. Accessing the net and finding time to post was difficult but hopefully I can catch you up on the green parts of my trip in some upcoming posts soon.
I was doing quite well on the vegan food front until I reached Vegas and then I became quite hungry. It was tricky finding vegan and healthy food options! I also spent most of the trip window shopping and I kept my reusable shopping totes empty as it was hard finding time to visit the best vintage stores or eco boutiques in each city. I was okay with being 'that girl who rarely shops' and then I serendipitously stopped by It's A Wrap in LA and seriously made up for not properly shopping for over a year! It was definitely a birthday splurge and the nine pieces I snapped up were all disused stock from television and film studio wardrobe departments (I will post more info and pics soon).
My only other eco fashion splurge happened in Surry Hills, Sydney. Surry Hills had numerous vintage stores and Puf' N Stuf in particular caught my eye. They had the cutest and quirkiest upcycled dresses. I couldn't resist picking up the three dresses above (which I believe were made in Thailand). They'll be great for summer but also during winter here in London with stockings, cardigans and blazers.
Sydney sure was hot. After living in London for over four years, my pale, pale skin didn't know what had hit it. I was close to reenacting the scene from the Wizard of Oz where the Wicked Witch shrieks, 'I'm melting, melting' but soon composed myself and reached for the Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen instead. I hadn't tried an organic or natural sunscreen before so I bought a tube of Badger especially for this sun soaked trip.
I love the ingredient list and the fact zinc oxide is used instead of titanium dioxide. The sunscreen had a pleasant and subtle lavender scent and was super thick. It did take awhile to rub into the skin and it did leave a white residue a few times (but once I really massaged the cream into the skin, it didn't happen again). The final piece of proof that this was a fantastic sunscreen option for the eco-conscious was the fact I didn't get burnt in the blazing Sydney sun! For more sun related information about Badger's sun shielding abilities visit their site here.
Another wonderful product I discovered was Erbaviva's Organic Jasmine and Grapefruit Deodorant. I was thoroughly impressed that this organic deodorant worked so well during the 30+ degree weather. The scent was gorgeous too with a citrus spiked, light earthy, perfumey loveliness! So now I have three favourite aluminium free, natural deodorants to choose from: Weleda's Citrus Spray, Bicarbonate of Soda and Erbaviva's Jasmine and Grapefruit.
Purchase at Love Lula in travel size (£4), 100ml (£12) or Erbaviva $6 or $18 Contains: organic grain alcohol, jasmine, grapefruit, ginger, cedarwood, cypress, orange, sage and lemon essential oils - certified organic by USDA.
Here I am in Sydney! I can't believe I'm back visiting my homeland after more than four years away. Of course flying from London to Sydney (via Auckland) is not the greenest thing to do but I'm justifying the extra air miles to myself because I haven't flown for 18 months and its my birthday this month (hence the reason I'm flying back via LA and Vegas). I am still trying to maintain my green lifestyle as I travel but it sure can be challenging! Here are a few pics to give you a taste of life in Sydney for a green, vegan girl.
We started Sunday morning in Bondi so we could enjoy the Bondi Beach Walk to Coogee (but we only went as far as Bronte beach due to the intense heat!). Sydney Water even had a stand set up along the walk which allowed me to top up my reusable water bottle (which is really an old glass bottle I've lugged here from London).It was great to catch all the contemporary art on display from the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit. Lots of people were snapping the one above of a straw sticking out from the ocean.
Enjoyed an exquisite, icy cold and fruit filled frappe at Trio Bondi Beach. This cafe is a fantastic place for breakfast.
I'm spotting lots of Jurlique beauty stores around Sydney, which makes buying natural, biodynamic Australian beauty products super easy.
Lunch was sushi filled with asparagus, avocado and cucumber and the drink was water in my reusable bottle.
Decided against hiring a rental car and have been travelling around on public transport. This is a billboard sign I saw at Town Hall station.
Spotted this Solar Sailor boat in Darling Harbour which ferries passengers around Sydney Harbour.
Amazing summer drink alert! I had the most divine and refreshing drink at Le Pain Quotidien. It was made with organic limes, ginger, mint and sparkling water and tasted so good that I must remember to try making it myself when I get home. I love that all coffee, tea and bread served at Le Pain Quotidien are organic also.
Just wanted a light dinner after a long day in the sun so I ordered a vegetarian pizza sans cheese from a place close to my hotel. The artichokes and basil oil made it delicious!
I will try and write again soon and show more pictures of...
three amazing upcycled dresses I bought in Surry Hills
the natural and organic beauty supplies I am travelling with
the organic deodorant and sunscreen that are getting me through the heatwave in Sydney
I will also have to tell you about the 'dairy free debacle' at a store that thought it was selling vegan muffins and cakes. So scary!
I'm off to Auckland tomorrow and hope to find more great green and vegan discoveries to share with you!
Mar y Sol Jujube Made in Madagascar and Kenya / Raffia with wooden handles This adorable bag is adorned with handmade rosettes and is available in three colour combinations (black/natural, espresso/natural or natural/black). Purchase at Mar y Sol - $89
Kelly Barry Hazel Gold Stripe Leggings Made in California / 92% Hemp + 8% Jersey Spandex A 'wow' pair of leggings always comes in handy any season and these hemp ones are guaranteed to impress thanks to their gold stitching detail on the outseams.Purchase at BTC Elements - $66
Raw Earth & Wild Sky Quant Cardigan Made in Los Angeles / Organic Cotton + Tagua Nut Buttons Keep your layered look unique and stripey with this edgy, eco cardigan (available in three cool colour combos). Purchase at BTC Elements - $90
Mountains of the Moon Edie Dress/Tunic Made in USA / Organic Cotton (photography by S. Karena Bouvier for Ame) A classic, black dress that will carry you from day to evening effortlessly! Love the cute, white hem and the fact this can be worn as a dress or tunic. Purchase at Mountains of the Moon - $78
Skin & Threads Button Tee Made in Australia / Organic Cotton This sweet organic tee should be scooped up for its style, ethics and fabulous price. Purchase at Beklina - $25
Stewart + Brown Long Sleeve Mini Trench Made in USA / 90% Organic Cotton This is one of those coats that you are guaranteed to live in and clearly many others think the same because it is one of Stewart + Brown's best-selling coats. Purchase at Stewart + Brown - $98 (was $273)
Stewart + Brown Mini Trench Made in USA / Organic Cotton Blend I do love a trench and when they come in an adorable cropped form, even better. Just as well this one comes in three colours and is majorly discounted! Purchase at Stewart + Brown - $58 (was $271)
Stewart + Brown Racer Back Jumper Made in USA / Organic Cotton Blend Another great trans-seasonal piece that is ideal for creating a lush, layered look. Available in graphite grey. Purchase at Stewart + Brown - $38 (Was $199)
Stir-fries are quick, easy and often bursting with healthy goodness but if you're tired of tossing together the same old sad stir-fry, here are seven new recipe ideas for a little inspiration. Get those woks ready!
Oriental Mushroom and Pak Choi Stir Fry (above) - Angela Boggiano View recipe at Delicious Magazine
Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Tofu and Vegetables - Kate Merker, image by Christopher Baker View recipe at Real Simple
Brown Rice Stir-Fry with Flavored Tofu and Vegetables - Body + Soul View recipe at Whole Living
Soba, Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry - Body + Soul View recipe at Whole Living
Mociun Moonwalker Skirt Made in Brooklyn, New York / Organic Cotton Here is a space age skirt that definitely rocks. From the colourful print to the cute button waistband and pockets, you'll be wearing this every season. Purchase at Beklina - $280
Del Forte Marina Skirt Made in LA / 99% Organic Cotton This classic denim skirt is on sale for a great price (it was $158). I love the fillagree buttons and corset tie back. Purchase at BTC Elements - $79
Mountains of the Moon Ellie Skirt Made in USA / Hemp + Tencel This high waist black tiered skirt strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated and playful. Also available in a beautiful Periwinkle blue colour. Purchase at Mountains of the Moon - $168
Rani Jones Ruched Jersey Body Con Skirt Made in the UK / Organic Cotton Jersey Go glam with this sleek, figure-hugging skirt. Available in dark grey and grey blue, it will look impressive day or night. Purchase at Fashion Conscience - £89
Stewart + Brown's Jordie V Yoke Skirt Made in USA / 96% Hemp + 4% Spandex Opt for elegance with this classy yet comfy skirt, available in mulberry, black or storm (grey). Purchase at Stewart + Brown - $105
