Vegetarian and no turning back

I want to share my story of becoming Vegetarian because it is one of the best choices I have ever made and I'm not saying its for everyone but defiantly something to think about. I have always been a fussy eater when it came to meat and wouldn't have it unless I had too so becoming vegetarian was easy for me. All my life I have loved animals and since I was a kid I wanted to work with them so it got me thinking how can I possibly care for animals when I'm 'eating' them, kinda gross I know but its the truth. So back in December 2013 I finally made the choice of cutting meat out of my life altogether and honestly I couldn't be happier. Knowing an innocent animal isn't being killed to supply me with food feels immensely good and its such a small decision but has a remarkable impact.
So that's my reasons for going Veggie lets get onto the good bit.. the food.
Quorn products is a Veggie's lifesaver. They have an amazing variety of products from your typical burgers to my favorite the smokey 'ham' slices. Their all made from mycoprotein which is low in saturated fat and high in protein and fiber. Some examples of my favorite veggie foods are below.

Quorn Mince is must it cooks super fast and is high in protein but also means your not left out of favorite meals such as pasta of Shepherds pie. We've all seen good ol' Mo Farrah on the TV add swapping meat for mince and what more of a reason do you need. You could get a nice shiny gold medal.

These two are hard to choose between. The Turk'y' burgers are simply scrumdilliumsish and honestly better than any chicken burger. As for the veggie burgers okay again their scumdilliumsish as mostly I wouldn't really like the veg take on burgers this one is deffo the yummiest.











One thing I did learn about eating out veggie is most places make spicy dishes to make up for the sometimes bland flavors of the meat free products and me being the fussiest eater isn't so keen on the spice but it is something I'm getting used to. Vegetarian diets are becoming more and more popular so going out for meals isn't something you have to worry about as most places now cater for veggies. Take McDonald's for example my favorite thing there was the crispy chicken & bacon wrap so I had to swap it up for the Spicy veggie wrap which is insanely spicy but still real tasty. Going veggie has changed the way I eat altogether I'm more adventuress when choosing food as I don't have to worry about the meat part of it and yes the spice is something I've had to come to terms with but I'm actually starting to like it.
One day in Subway I had the best thing I have ever eaten honestly I was in such a food coma after and telling everybody about it, it was the the Veggie patty which needs a better name come to think of it, I'm thinking the 'delightful- melt- in- your- mouth- full -of -flavor -need- to- try- it- in- your- life- patty- in- a- roll' because trust me this is a sub you have to try.
I'm looking forward to my life as a vegetarian I know to some people it might not seem much but to me it means a lot and is more than just a diet its something I am proud to be.

Just Get Me to Morganville

Okay so everyone who knows me knows I talk about The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine about a hundred times a day, so I thought I might as well do a little post on them because everyone needs to know how freaking amazing this books are. Years ago I got the first book  Glass Houses free in a magazine and never pasted much heed of it then one day I decided to read it and boy am I glad I did, TMVS is actually hard to put into words how good it is. Its not like a scary vampires rolling through the night attacking people kind of book, don't get me wrong that does happen but it is also a deep story where you fall in love with characters and also have a deep full hate for others *cough Brandon cough*. From the moment I finished the first book I searched everywhere for the next ones and found them in the Library which was great at first but I probably freaked out the Liberian by how much I took out the same books so after saving I got the whole collection (fifteen) on amazon, which I started straight away tucking into and spent hours on end reading them which I loved because I didn't have to wait to see what happens I just picked up the next book. That's the thing about this series you can not put them down I spent nights up in the dark with a torch (probably not a good idea, being vampires and all) because each time I got to a new chapter I couldn't wait I had to read on always saying "just one more chapter" ending up "Might as well finish the book". So without spoiling the series, because I know your gonna have to go and read them now life isn't accomplished unless you have read this series, I will tell you the basics. Clare Danvers your typical, hate to use it 'science nerd'  is so far advance in the school department that she goes to college at just sixteen. Being sixteen her parents don't allow her to go to one of the big colleges in the city so it is settled she goes to Texas Prairie University in Morganville (basically a crap school before you even mention vampires). After getting beat up by self appointed Queen of Morganville Monica and her back up wannabes Gina and Jenifer, Claire decides to move off campus and finds the residents of the Glass House Michel (Glass), Eve and Shane all high school friends looking for a roommate. Eventually its decided Claire is part of the Glass House family and that is one thing I love about this series she fits in so well and its hard to think how the others life's would have played out if she hadn't been a part of it.  I know what your thinking what could possible happen to have taken fifteen books to finish the series but we haven't even introduced the best part yet. The town is run by vampires. Actually correction the town was created and built for and by the vampires and only exists to accommodate the vampires. Why have a college and a busy community in a place full of vampires?? well they do need food. Of course though the vampires aren't greedy people, the Morganville residents are what the vampires like to call it 'Protected'. Each person or family is assigned to a vampire and given protection against being hunted. Oh no that doesn't mean they don't give blood or taxes as its called in Morganville. Yup in Morganville you pay your taxes by giving blood every so often. So that's it then you all caught up, but your probably wondering what it is that has me so hooked on these books. Well its Rachel Caines amazing way of creating the MV world, that and the fact that each book has a new and well dreadful adventure for the Glass household to overcome. Weathers its Ameile (founder of Morganville), Bishop (Amelie's father) or the Draug (something the vampires aren't quite fond off), Claire and the gang have to work together.. that or be dead.

A New Begining

I hate to say it but YOLO. Life is what you make it and I've only started to realize its up to me to go out and experience new things. My favorite motto is 'Dream as if your going to live forever, Live as if its your last day' and I think it describes itself perfectly and is a perfect motto to go by. Everyday could be the same old boring things unless I do something about it. Since finishing school its dawned on me I can do anything I like to do, and that is what I've been doing, making the most of every single day and trying out loads of new things. I have a whole year to find myself and experience as much as I can before going to college and I plan on not wasting a single day. I've surprisingly (to even me) started getting up at 8.30 am which yes was hard in the beginning I like my lie-ins but doing it everyday its just become normal and I instantly feel more awake and find the day much longer. Everyday we wake up is a blessing, so many people wake up ill or in pain so I'm not taking that for granted anymore and the fact that I have a long day to explore and do as much as I can makes everyday even better because at the end of the day I have a list of achievements I'm proud of. Another new thing I've begun is to start the day of right with a huge bowl of fruit and a nice glass of water. Its easy to say you will start eating healthy, I say it every year as my New Year Resolution but finally its just become a everyday thing and I honestly feel so much better and have more energy.
 Something I'am extremely excited about is volunteering at the ISPCA National Animal Center. All I have ever wanted since I was a kid was to work with animals and take care of them, yes I may only be a volunteer but from the moment I sat in the office they said I was part of the team and that is something I took straight to heart. This is my dream job and I couldn't be more happy, you can tell as I was meant to stay an hour the first day and ended up staying four.
Yoga is something I have also found incredible, I was one of those people who thought it was just a hippie-dippie thing where you had to be flexible, but it is so much more than that. I again instantly felt relaxed and I also felt happy it had a strange way of seeing into your mind and bringing out thoughts you actually always had. I've been doing it online through YouTube videos right now as the classes are a little pricey but I still am enjoying it so much.
Another new found hobby of mine is skateboarding. I'll admit I was absolutely terrified the first day and I spent more time sitting on the board than standing but one day it just clicked and I found my balance and ever since I haven't stopped. Every evening I head down with my dog to this old road no one uses and I skate while he gets some of that energy burned off.
From meeting friends for smoothies to going for picnics everyday is unique and every day is what you make of it. I am looking forward to this year and what I will experience, but one thing for sure I'm going to be doing things that make me happy and make the most of my life.

One of my favorite things to do is watch the sunset, it is never the same and will always be one of the most  beautiful things on Earth. Each night before going to bed I look at the stars also, it doesn't matter where in the world you are the stars will always be there and I think that is something each person should remember.