Heather Mills has achieved an impressive amount in her 57 years. She’s been a model, campaigner and nabbed a Guinness World Record as the fastest disabled female skier of all time. She’s also married and divorced a Beatle and set up more groundbreaking businesses than you can shake a cruelty-free stick at. Feeling inspired? You haven’t seen anything yet…

You look amazing: quite the advertisement for veganism! Tell us about your plant-based journey.

“In 1993, I crossed the street and ended up losing my leg, crushing my pelvis and splitting my head open. Five months later I was still in hospital and still not healing. A friend introduced me to a vegan diet and I swear I healed in two weeks. There was no going back. I created my own vegan food company so I could eat anything I liked, by replicating what turned out to be hundreds of meat, fish and dairy alternatives.”

What tip would you give to anyone considering becoming vegan?

“Start slow. For me, being vegetarian was never good enough as eating dairy can cause so many ailments. Even fast-food addicts can find brands to reach for, like Vbites, which give easy alternatives. Eventually, you will find yourself naturally adding more beans, lentils, pulses and vegetables into your diet.”

Is it possible to eat vegan on a budget?

“It’s such a myth that vegan is more expensive! I’ve done countless spreadsheets to show families how much waste happens in their house. Not only can being vegan be more cost-effective, but it can also lead to a happier, healthier life. The key is to look at the requirements for a whole month. I’m always stocked up on kale, spinach, aubergines, carrots, courgettes, potatoes, rice and quinoa as you can make so many meals with them.”

“We guess you’re a force in the kitchen. What do you cook for friends?

“I like to show them they can eat the same things as they do in a restaurant, but plant based. I had a TV show in Italy called My Planet Vegan, where I taught Michelin chefs how to do vegan versions of favourites like soufflés, lasagnes and pizzas, which was so much fun.”

How else has being vegan affected your health?

“I’m 57 and still have periods! It may be genetic, but I believe it’s my diet because until I went vegan, I couldn’t have children. I kept having miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, but after going vegan, within years I had a beautiful baby. I strongly believe veganism is the future and I’ve been shouting about it for 30 years! You may feel like you can’t do anything about the state of the world, but individuals make choices – and those individuals become groups. I want to educate as many people as I can and feed them great food.”

You’ve launched a new food line, No Bloat. Can you tell us a little about it?

“No Bloat is going to change people’s lives, offering on-the-go, healthy, clean food to help heal gut issues. In 1999 I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which destroyed my colon, caused my appendix to burst, as well as me having to have my gallbladder removed. I was told I had to live with a stoma, which I refused. Then, while on a liquid diet and suffering from extreme IBS for years – all while training for my Guinness World Record! – it was discovered I was intolerant to onions, garlic, and many mushrooms. Once I understood the problem, I created No Bloat, and I’m proud to say that after 13 years of testing with cameras in the colon, it’s now the first food to get stamped by the Harley Street Functional Gut Clinic, Monash University and Dr Michael Klaper.”

You also founded the make-up brand, Be At One, with your make-up artist pal Milena Thacker. How hands on are you?

“When I met Melina, she’d created a make-up business but didn’t know anything about veganism, so I worked with her to create a high-quality, low-cost vegan brand. One of the big companies recently wanted our mascara because it’s amazing and doesn’t irritate the eye, but we said no as we want to keep the price low, as well as save animals. I’m a bright red lipstick girl, but it amazes me how few people know they swallow insects every time they lick their red lips. We use vegetable colouring, not crushed beetles.”

What’s next?

“At the moment the food industry is a mess, so I would like to help change that. The country is obese, and the government are soft and allowing people to get lazy. It’s pretty simple, but common sense is disappearing. It’s time to stop making excuses. There needs to be a revolution – and we do that through the choices we make.”

Find out more and shop for the No Bloat line-up here.

The post Interview: Heather Mills appeared first on Checklists.

When you regularly try new vegan foods, the ones you like quickly work their way into your everyday diet. However, our classic favourites can always take a little persuading.

Here are some companies offering amazing vegan alternatives that you need to give a shot.

1. Plenish

Award-winning plant-powered drinks brand Plenish has launched a new range, Enriched M*lks, that are the most nutritionally complete plant-based m*lks on the market.

Their Enriched M*lks are fortified with calcium, iodine and vitamins B12 and B2, as well as essential nutrients that many are deficient in, like vitamin D and omega 3.

Created by expert nutritionists, they come in almond, oat, and soya. They can take your latte, breakfast and baked goods to the next level.

Doing something good for the planet has never been easier!

Find out more at plenishdrinks.com

2. Miami Burger

Plant-based health hackers Miami Burger declare they have created ‘probably the healthiest burgers in the world’. With their Classic imitation beef patty containing just a fraction of the saturated fat of other burgers and only 167 calories, it’s hard to argue with them.

Miami Burger’s patties are free from cholesterol, heme, palm oil, and coconut oil, and unlike some other vegan burgers, they are made in northern Europe, reducing their burgers’ total carbon footprint.

The burger makers also offer a plant-based Louisiana chick’n patty with a panko crumb. The Louisana is wheat-based and has 17 grams of protein while still only 0.7 grams of saturated fat.

Find out more at miamiburger.co.uk

3. Banhoek Chilli Oil

The idea for Banhoek Chilli Oil stemmed from a fear of average-tasting chilli oils. When chillies are mixed with olive oils, the taste of the olives gets in the way of the pure chilli flavour. That’s why they use high-quality rapeseed oil – it does not get in the way of the chilli taste.

On the other hand, made-to-fresh or dried chillies served in oil never quite cut it consistency-wise and so they infuse the chilli flavour to keep the chilli flavour and hotness consistent.

Find out more at banhoekchillioil.co.uk

4. Crazy Bean

Crazy Bean aim to be the world’s number one online platform for buying and selling vegan products. They support producers by enabling sellers to list products and sell completely free. They know how hard it is to start a business and want vegan sellers to secure market share and beat the bigger companies.

They want to support these new startups by helping them through their first steps to market. Crazy Bean also aim to create a vegan seller community where forums and events will bring people together to tackle challenges that all new businesses face. Sharing stories and solutions will help businesses through the risky and difficult first years.

Find out more at crazy-bean.com

5. Faith in Nature

One of the original pioneers in natural beauty, hair and skincare products, Faith in Nature has been creating recipes from naturally derived sources for over 40 years, and from humble beginnings at the kitchen sink.

Established in 1974, they believe in harnessing the raw power of nature without harming it in the process. They don’t use animal ingredients in any of their products, making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and are proud to be registered with the Vegan Society.

All their formulations are biodegradable to ensure that they are gentle on the planet, minimising the impact they have on the environment.

Find out more at faithinnature.co.uk

6. Moo Free

Moo Free have been creating delicious chocolates for the last decade, perfecting recipes brimming with milk chocolate flavour but without using any milk. All of their products are ethically made in Devon, are certified for vegans and are free-from dairy, gluten and soya.

At Moo Free they believe there’s no such thing as normal. They champion the fact that everyone is different, broadening minds through their dairy-free chocolate.

Find out more at moofreechocolates.com

7. The Vegan Society

In 1944 The Vegan Society founders coined the word ‘vegan’, making them the world’s oldest vegan organisation.

The vegan movement is thriving, with more people choosing a kind, healthy and sustainable lifestyle every day. They’re a little different to most. They live a life less ordinary. A healthy life that they live to the fullest.

The Vegan Society continues to hold true to the vision of its founding members as they work towards a world in which humans do not exploit other animals. They’re as determined as ever to promote vegan lifestyles for the benefit of animals, people and the environment.

Find out more at vegansociety.com

8. Reclaim Your Self

Reclaim Your Self retreats run 10 transformational yoga-travel experiences a year, taking their guests to breath-taking locations in some of the most remarkable places on earth.

Retreats include world-class yoga with top teachers Emma Henry and Adam Husler. Delicious plant-based and vegan menus are created by the brilliant Bettina’s Kitchen, author of Happy Food and the 7-Day Vegan Challenge.

Stay in exceptional, unique accommodation like eco-lodges, remote farms, treehouses, off-grid cabins and yurts. Travel in style to Costa Rica, Japan, Lapland, Scotland, Iceland, Svalbard and Mongolia.

Reclaim Your Self are passionate advocates for responsible travel and their retreats have a positive impact on the places and people they visit. They limit their environmental footprint while supporting local economies, respecting nature and helping wildlife to thrive.

Find out more at reclaimyourself.co.uk

9. Sweet Freedom

Sweet Freedom, the fast-growing, best-selling, Great Taste Award-winning plant-based brand started by two best friends in London has added a brand new decadent tasting palm-oil-free Chocolate Spread to their bestselling range of 15 all-natural, vegan sweet syrup and spread products.

Sweet Freedom have always been wild about animals. They donate 10% of the profit from every jar to The Orangutan Project which are dedicated to saving these critically endangered creatures.

Find out more at sweetfreedom.co.uk

10. Sacla

Italian food is a way of life for Sacla. They are on a mission to ‘transform’ your food life, from the busy supermarket trip to the satisfied smiles around your dinner table. They love nothing more than sharing plates of home-cooked Italian food. From their pesto to rich pasta sauce, and juicy antipasti, their products will bring the taste of Italy to your kitchen and table.

Sacla have used their expertise to create a vegan alternative, so it’s easy for everyone to enjoy the same authentic dishes. There’s no compromise on flavour either – it’s still got that marvellous cheesy taste. Whether you’ve followed a vegan diet for years, or you’re trying it out, you can always experience the joy of fantastic Italian food.

Find out more at sacla.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The 10 delicious alternative vegan foods you need to try appeared first on Checklists.

1. Luxury pampering gift set

Ideal if you want to sample as much of Ralph’s Orchards products as possible for a great price, their gift set features a variety of items from their range in one convenient bundle.

The set contains their Lavender and Eucalyptus bath salts, a candle from the wellness collection, a wax melt and a botanical wax melt and air fresheners.

2. Wax melt advent calendar

If you fancy something a bit different over the festive season, Ralph’s Orchards Advent Calendar is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chocolate-filled paper and plastic calendars.

Filled with 12 different wax melts, the calendar will have every room of your home smelling of Christmas this December. It contains some of Ralph’s Orchards most popular scents from their autumn and winter collection.

3. Bergamot, Rose and Honeysuckle candle

Checklist recommends this candle for freshening up the living room or changing the scent profile of your kitchen.

This fragrance was designed to promote clarity of mind. Take in the top notes of bergamot, blending into rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, neroli, geranium and davana, finishing with vanilla, patchouli and musk.

4. Cassis, Rose and Green Tea candle

Looking for ways to relax after work? Checklist recommends trying Ralph’s Orchards’ Zen collection.

Settle down with a clean and calming fragrance combining cassis, violet leaf, and green fig leaf at the top with rose, geranium and green tea at the very heart. There’s also soft amber, musk and cedar wood to complete this beautifully composed fragrance. 

5. Vintage Bookshop candle

If you’d rather relax with a proper book and a soothing aroma, Checklist loves this novel candle.

This beautiful musky and woody scent has a lovely perfume, best accompanied by a good read! It is romantically inspired by leather and dusty tomes on creaky wooden shelves. This scent is rich and slightly masculine, with tones of cashmere, leather, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, and warm ginger.

6. Lavender and Eucalyptus Bath Salts

To wind down in a calming hot bath, Checklist recommends Ralph’s Orchards lavender bath salts to enhance your relaxation after a long day.

These hand-made luxury bath salts contain 100% pure essential oils of Lavender and Eucalyptus, and 100% organic sweet almond oil to nourish your skin. Epsom salts, coarse sea salt, and bicarbonate of soda make up the remaining ingredients so your skin will feel fresh.

7. One-of-a-kind upcycled candles

Fancy something a bit unique? These soy candles have a strong throw and come in all kinds of quirky containers. Find up-cycled wine glasses, vases, crystal bowls, plant pots, teacups and seashells. Particularly stunning is the Thai Benjarong set, with candles set into an exquisite pair of vintage bowls.

These are unique artisanal candles and therefore have limited availability.

8. Frankincense and Myrrh candle

Checklist has found this candle is ideal to give a room a festive scent, even in the office.

Experience the heady smell of Christmas mass and incense; with the resin frankincense immersed in warm amber, rock rose and myrrh and complimented by woody cedar, vetiver and patchouli.

Part of Ralph’s Orchards autumn-winter scent collection, these scents are meant to evoke those days when the cold sets in and the harvests reaped. So light a candle, snuggle down and let nature come to you.

9. Cigars and Cognac candle

For the candle-lover who fancies something a bit different, Ralph’s Orchards refined aroma offers an alternative to floral and herbal scents to Checklist readers.

Immerse yourself in a surprisingly elegant and smooth scent, combining creamy vanilla and leathery tones. 

10. Enchanted Forest candle

Transport yourself to a winter wonderland. Evoking the fresh smell of Christmas trees, this scent has strong hints of pine needles, cedar and oakmoss.

Perfect in the living room for a festive ambience.

Make sure to check out Ralph’s Orchards if you’re interested in any of these products.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The top 10 calming vegan candles to make any room smell wonderful appeared first on Checklists.