As someone who has lived in Newcastle for about two and a half years, and been vegan all that time, it’s fair to say that I know a fair amount about the vegan food landscape of the city. Newcastle has so much to offer in terms of vegan food, and although it’s not somewhere I’ve heard people talk about elsewhere in the country as a great place for vegans, it is truly an unexpected vegan paradise. In this post, I’m going to bring you through some of the best places to get delicious vegan food in different areas of the city. So no matter if you’re a long-time resident, student, or just visiting for the weekend (once restrictions permit!), there’ll be something here you’ll love! This isn’t an exhaustive list however. There are always new places popping up and I can’t claim to have tried all the vegan food in the city. Some of these places are still doing takeaway or delivery, so do please support them if you can to make sure the vegan scene in Newcastle stays as amazing as it is! City Centre Supernatural Café   Right next to the train station, Supernatural is a long time They have some incredible cakes, some of which I genuinely think are the size of my head. As well as delicious sweet things, they also have larger meals and lunches. Inside, it’s decorated with fairy lights and sofas alongside the tables. A very cosy setting on a cold Winter’s day!  NCL Teahouse (formerly, and forever in my heart as, Quilliam’s) (Now closed) Quilliam’s is potentially one of my favourite places in Newcastle. It’s cosy, unique and I always feel more relaxed when I walk in there. It’s a great place for working (I’ve had many a study group there), blogging, reading books for my course or just for fun, and for meeting up with friends for a chat and a cuppa! As they’re open until midnight every day except Sunday, they’re a great place to go if you’re a student and need some place to go and work that isn’t the library (when lockdowns aren’t in place that is).   Quilliam Bros. specialise in tea, but if you don’t like tea then there are one or two coffee and hot chocolate options. Their menu does also include several vegan options, and many options which can be veganised, these include larger meals but also some cakes, scones and soups.    Nudo Sushi (Grainger Street and Northumberland Street) I love sushi. I did before I was vegan, and it’s something I am still able to enjoy. Nudo was one of the first places I tried when I moved here, and their food is certainly tasty. All allergens are really clearly labelled, and they have several different vegan options, from spicy tofu noodles to sushi boxes and hot rice bowls. One thing I’d say about Nudo is that it’s difficult to avoid plastic and non-recyclable waste there. Karma Kitchen Tucked away amongst the clubs in Bigg Market, you could so easily miss Karma Kitchen. The main restaurant is up a flight of stairs through a door you could easily miss if you didn’t know where you were going (I can’t remember if there’s a lift so I’m unsure on how accessible it is if you want to eat in) but it’s such a hidden gem! Run by two sisters, Karma Kitchen’s menu is entirely vegan and is ridiculously delicious. If you miss going out for an Indian since becoming vegan, this place will calm all your worries. Some of my favourites options include their Tofu Makhani and Tofu Tikka Massala. I happen to love tofu, but there are loads of non-tofu options if that’s not your thing, don’t worry!   When my family (three omnivores) came up to visit me last year, I took them to Karma Kitchen for a meal out. We all had completely different mains while sharing a few different starters, and absolutely loved it. One thing we all noticed was how good the dips were that came with the poppadoms. While they were still the same main four you tend to get at most Indian restaurants in the UK, we agreed that these were some of the best we’d had. We left feeling full, satisfied and with a bag of leftovers for me to finish at home.    They also do deliveries both locally around Newcastle, and also all over the UK through the post! Shijo Ah Shijo… How I love you but how you damage my bank account, and how I have missed you since lockdown began. Their main shop is in Haymarket Metro Station, and the smell when you walk passed it never fails to make me hungry. In 2019, they opened a shop in the basement of Newcastle Uni Students’ Union and it has become even more of a temptation for a ‘treat yourself!’ kind of lunch. My go-to Shijo order is Tofu Teriyaki, which isn’t surprising considering how much of a sweet tooth I have. They also do Pumpkin Katsu Curry, Vegetable Gyozas, Vegetable Spring Rolls, and sometimes do Pumpkin Teriyaki if they’ve run out of tofu! Hi You Hi You is an Asian supermarket on Newgate street, and it is a treasure trove. I usually got there to get some ‘Beef Jerkey’ flavoured dried beancurd or some packs of mo chi, which are some of my favourite snacks/treats, but I will also sometimes get some packs of tofu or other bits and pieces too.  Zapatista Zapatista are a burrito bar, and have shops on Grainger Street and Ridley Street., as well as a new one in Durham as well. I haven’t had their food much but my flatmate (who is veggie) absolutely loves them! They may be a burrito bar but they also sell tacos, chillis and fajitas. You can pack them full with loads of veggies, just make sure to have none of the dairy fillings if you want your burrito to be vegan.  Vegano Vegano has a wide range of food from breakfasts to doughnuts to lunches and evening meals, they have everything! Including some incredible looking milkshakes, I have been dying to try but have been prevented from doing so by Covid. They have been open for around two years and I remember being so excited when they opened and went several times in the summer term of my first year at uni.  Vegano is also pretty close to several city centre student accomodations, so if you’re a student and fancy a snazzy vegan doughnut as a post-essay celebration, this is the place to go! Quayside Market Run every Sunday, the Quayside Market has so many vegan options available. Sellers often include some businesses with shops elsewhere in the city, including Vegano, and Redhead Mac and Cheese, but there are also lots of mobile businesses who sell their food there. These include Sun of Seitan, who do delicious BBQ ‘meats’ made out of (you guessed it!) seitan, and Curry Rolls. There are loads more sellers and lots of different options. You can find food from around the world at the Quayside market and there’s something for everyone, including too many vegan options to choose from. It’s the perfect place to go with omni friends or family.  Curry bowl I bought from Curry Rolls at the beginning of September Newcastle Uni This post may be particularly useful for Newcastle students who are wondering about the vegan options available to them when they come to Newcastle. I don’t know what’s available in Northumbria, but I can tell you the vegan options on Newcastle Uni campus!    Food vans   Occasionally there are food vans (owned by the uni) which set up around campus, and which always have at least one or two vegan options. I had a lush green Thai curry from one before.  Luther’s As a student, Luther’s bar is one of the places you’ll first see around campus. Many society bar crawls start there, and it’s a great place to stop off in between lectures (when they’re actually in person). They also sell a variety of food, including some vegan options. In my first week, I had some spicy noodles with tofu which I remember liking, and there are a couple of other options too (although I don’t go there such anymore as I’m on campus less) Humpit (Now closed) It’s a bit of a vegan stereotype to be obsessed with hummus, but let’s be real the occasional stereotype can be accurate. Located on the top floor of the Students’ Union, Humpit do huge pittas stuffed with hummus and salad, as well as hummus bowls, salads and shakshuka. They also have some sides and hot and cold drinks. A must-have for any hummus lover! Co-op Co-op have really upped their game in terms of their vegan options in the past year, and while it’s appreciated, it’s not necessarily great for my bank! In 2019, the NUSU shop transformed into a fully-fledged Co-op with so many more products, including their new vegan range, Gro. This range has lots of tasty options, including a hoisin ‘duck’ protein pot, hoisin duck wrap, hot pasties, steak bakes and sauasage rolls, ready meals, frozen items and indulgent chocolate cupcakes as well as the usual falafel and hummus combo. My favourites are the protein pot and cupcakes, but I need to try out more of their meat substitutes. The Stack (Venue now closed) There used to be more vegan options available in The Stack. From the Hungry Vegan, who had the most amazing vegan subs, to Soul Shack and Junk It Up who had been a staple within the Newcastle vegan landscape before the pandemic and are sorely missed. Hopefully, new vegan businesses can open there and bring new vegan foods to us! Sushi Me Rollin’ Yep, even more vegan sushi options! I tried their food ages ago and I remember it being super tasty if a bit pricey. Grainger Market Grainger Market is a gold mine of local businesses and food outlets. Some of its more well know food options may include huge and cheap pizza slices, but there are vegan options too! While these are some options I love, there are always new places popping up in Grainger Market and options in pre-existing shops may change to be more vegan-friendly. Bulk Stores There are a couple of places in Grainger Market where you can buy food in bulk, using your own containers. The main and oldest is Fruit and Nut. They have loads of barrels of all sorts of items, from chocolate powder, oats and flour to lentils, rice, dates, granola, and more! They have so many options and for generally reasonable prices, it’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already! Although make sure you have cash as they don’t accept card.    More recently, another bulk with a bigger emphasis on ‘zero waste’ opened called Nil Living. They are a lot shinier than Fruit and Nut, and do sell lots of the same things (e.g. legumes, flour, etc.), but they are more expensive. Because of their emphasis on ‘zero waste’, they also sell liquid refills (body wash, household cleaner, etc.), and a wider range of plastic free and vegan general items, including candles, soap bars, foil, combs, vegan condoms, a variety of sustainable menstrual products and biodegradable nappy sacks.    I recommend using Fruit and Nut for as many of your food needs as the have available, and then going to Nil Living for any other items (or if you want to have a look and see some sustainable menstrual products in person!).  Snackwallah Indian street food right next to one of the doors going into the market, and it’s entirely vegan! It’s super cheap and super tasty. If you’re looking for a break from shopping or a day about town, Snackwallah is the perfect pit stop.  Veg Shops I try to do as much of my veg as shopping in Grainger Market as possible. There are so many veg shops to choose from, and it’s a great way to support local businesses and buy more local and seasonal produce (although keep any eye out for labels of the product’s origin and know what you’re looking for  while not breaking the bank. It’s also an easy way of buying food without plastic packaging, just make sure you bring along your own reusable bags and you’ll be good to go.  Redhead Mac and Cheese Ah mac and cheese… a meal so reliant on animal products it can be difficult to recreate as a vegan. But there are ways! I have found and tried several recipes online, but if you’re don’t in the mood to make one yourself, Redhead Mac and Cheese have a vegan option! Obviously most of their menu is different dairy versions, but they didn’t forget the vegans. Their mac and cheese is super creamy and rich, and you have the option for extra siracha ontop. Redhead also do deliveries of pre-made mac and cheese for you to heat up at home.  Pumphrey’s Pumphrey’s has been in Newcastle for decades, I think actually centuries?! They are most famous for their coffee, which you can buy as grounds or sit in and drink at their Grainger Market shop. They have oat and soy milk, so they have vegans covered! They also have a shop in a different part of the market selling loose leaf tea. A lovely spot for a pitstop or catch up with pals.  Acropolis  I only went to Acropolis for the first time this autumn, and I am now obsessed with their vegan souvlaki. It’s so good. They pack them completely full with vegetables, it’s so good. They have various other veggie and meat options too. It’s the actual best. They also have several other locations around the North East! Sandyford and Shieldfield Kimchi Planet (now based in Newcastle University Students' Union) I am obsessed with Kimchi Planet. I’d been meaning to go there for a while, but I finally made my first purchase there in the first week of the March lockdown (we love a bit of comfort food), and they have had my heart ever since. As the name might suggest, Kimchi Planet is the place to go if you want to get some incredible Korean food. Their menu includes rice bowls, kimbaps, kimchi fried rice, drinks and other sides. They have several vegan options, all of which are super yummy. My go-to order is Vegan Beef Bulgogi with a side of kimchi. You genuinely couldn’t get better than that.    Both of my parents have tried some of their meat options when they’ve been visiting or helping me move in/out of houses, and have loved those just as much as I have the vegan options, so this is definitely a place to bring your meat-eating friends and family.  Little Green (Now closed) Out of all the vegan cafés and restaurants in Newcastle, Little Green is the one you will probably be most likely to hear about. I went there for my 20th birthday with some friends, and we had a really nice time. I tried their tapas, which was delicious! They had so many tapas options, including ‘Miso Tofu’, ‘Meatballs in Tomato Sauce’. The others mostly had different pizzas. Little Green have a wide range of food, changing night to night. For example, Thursday is Curry Night. They also have brunches, salads, dough balls, cakes, and a whole lot more! The Carriage Ever dreamed of going to a completely vegan pub? Well one actually exists – two, really, but I’ll talk about the other one later. The Carriage is a bit out of the way, and like Karma Kitchen, would be easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it. I first went there over a year ago with a friend, and tried their ‘Fish’ and Chips, made out of banana blossom. I won’t lie, the texture was so similar to actual fish that it kind of freaked me out a bit, but I managed to get passed that and it was super tasty.  Heaton Shoetree Café (Now closed) If you’re looking for incredible vegan fluffy pancakes, Shoetree is the place to go. They are completely vegetarian, with most options either being vegan or able to be veganised. Theya re quite small, and every time I’ve been they’ve been very busy and I’ve only just been able to get a table. Apart from pancakes, they sell toasted sandwiches, cakes, a wide variety of coffees, and more. They also have a small number of toys nearer the back for children! Since reopening after lockdown, they’re now takeaway only.  Sky Apple Café I’ve still not actually been to Sky Apple yet! I’ve walked past it several times and it’s on my list of places to go. They’re a veggie and vegan café on Heaton Road and are currently still open for takeaways on Friday nights! They sell burgers, breakfast burritos, curries, BLTs and pasties, and become a chippy on Friday nights, including vegan fish and battered sausages! I’m hopefully going to give their food a try soon.  General Store 109   If you don’t fancy going all the way into town for bulk food, General Store on Heaton Park Road have loads of products. From spices, coffee, and other dried foods to refills of oil, showergel, shampoo, and more, they have so much. They also sell freshly baked bread and pastries if you fancy a treat!    Butterfly Cabinet The sister café of Quilliams, Butterfly Cabinet is right next to Sky Apple and has several vegan options, including a huge vegan Full English Breakfast! They also do some incredible fried potatoes and caramelized onions. Delish!  Heaton Perk Heaton Perk is just lovely. It’s right next door to General Store and is such a cute café. They have some lunch options, but mostly have hot drinks. They also do really tasty vegan milkshakes! It’s a great place to work, study, write or eve just have a bit of a people watch, especially if you have a window seat. Jesmond Fat Hippo   Fat Hippo is an all-round favourite of Who doesn’t love a burger and some snazzy chips? Fat Hippo have got loads of different types of both, including vegan dirty fries which are increeedible. This is another one that’s great if you’re eating with omnis too. They also have an underground restaurant in the city centre too.    Café Bar One This is another one I’ve not tried the food yet, but their menu looks lush and they sell good hot drinks, including some lush vegan winter specials! Definitely somewhere to try once lockdown is lifted!   Ouseburn The Ship Inn This sister pub of The Carriage, The Ship has a similar menu, and is just as incredible. However, the location of The Ship is definitely nicer than The Carriage. Instead of being surrounded by roads, The Ship is right next to Ouseburn Farm and is surrounded by trees and away from main roads. They have a huge amount of outside space, which is absolutely perfect for social distancing, and generally makes for a lovely space to eat when it’s a nice day.   Their food is also brilliant. I genuinely think they might have the best chips I’ve ever eaten?! They have typical pub food, but veganised and it is LUSH, with portions that will keep you full until the next day.    The Tyne Bar Another staple pub with lovely views right by the River Tyne and Ouseburn Canal, and with plenty of outdoor space, The Tyne Bar is a gorgeous place to grab a drink or some grub. You can get a vegan hot dog, pulled jackfruit bowls and burritos, as well as falafel wraps and burgers.  From when the pubs were still open! Ethical Clothing I also want to highlight some great ethical or secondhand clothing businesses in the Newcastle area that I think are worth your support! Mojo Lingerie If you’re looking for some ethical and sustainable lingerie, have a look at Mojo Lingerie. Run by one woman in her garage, she makes everything herself (as well as running the social media and posting everything to customers). She also makes reversible pieces, so you can wear polka dots one day and stripes the next!  Melanie Kyles Melanie is a fashion designer who focuses on ethical and sustainable design and production. She has a few items available on her website, but also makes items to order and sells embroidery kits and tuition. If you have any recommendations for places to get great vegan food or other sustainable and ethical items, like clothes, please let me know by commenting on this post or messaging me on either Instagram or Twitter!  If you liked this post you might like: Being Vegan in Disneyland Paris | What I Eat in a Day Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Google+ | Twitter

Cooking is something which calms me down. Being in the kitchen, have a bit of a boogie and creating something (hopefully) delicious, is something that will never fail to make me feel better. Food is my escape, part of my self-care and a means of exploring food and learning new things. That’s why during lockdown and social distancing, cooking and baking has been super important to me (as those of you who follow me on Instagram will be able to tell from my stories). Although I am yet to make a banana bread… Here are some of the recipes I’ve made several times in lockdown and will definitely make again in the future. They’re all pretty easy so don’t worry if you’re not a top chef! 1. Fruit Crumbles Fruit crumbles are potentially my favourite food ever, specifically rhubarb crumble. If I could live off them for the rest of my life, I would. To me, crumbles are something which should be shared, and I love making them for my family and housemates.I don’t have a specific recipe for this one, as I like to switch up the fruit I use and sometimes the actual crumble. Some of my favourite include plain ol’ apple, apple and plum, nectarine and plum and, as I already mentioned, rhubarb. These can be changed depending on what’s in season and what you can find in stores (I like to go with whatever I can find plastic free if possible). Crumbles are also a great way of ensuring fruit doesn’t go to waste. For instance, I find Nigella’s strawberry crumble (sounds weird but it’s actually very tasty) great for using up strawberries which are on the brink of going off. And of course, all crumbles are made better with cream or custard (I use the Alpro vegan alternatives).  2. Lemon Drizzle Cake For a while, I’ve struggled to find the perfect vegan cake recipe, and to be honest, in this recipe, I think I may have found it. It’s moist, super lemony and completely moreish. I get a bit addicted to it when I’ve made some and it goes down super quickly. As it uses ingredients such as vegan yoghurt and ground almonds, so there’s even some protein in there! Find the recipe here. 3. Miso Roast Aubergine I’ve discovered a real love for aubergines this year, and have included them in a lot more of my meals, from snacks or sides like crispy baked slices, to curries and tagines, with BBQ pulled jackfruit, and to making them the main event themselves. This recipe does just that: it puts aubgergine at the front and centre of the meal. I love the taste of miso, and it clicks really well with the softness of the cooked aubergine flesh as well as the crispy skin. I like to serve it with couscous and greens and have for a lunch.  Find the recipe here. 4. Tofu Makhani After I left Newcastle, I had a craving for the tofu makhani I’d had from the vegan takeaway Karma Kitchen a few weeks before. It was so good and I was desperate to try and recreate it. After a short search, I found this recipe. The recipe I found isn’t as thick and creamy as the one from Karma Kitchen, and is spicier, but it’s still great and fills the metaphorical hole in my stomach which had been there for several weeks. I love adding a lot of mango chutney to this (and really, to any curry, I just love mango chutney) and you could add some extra greens if you fancied.  Find the recipe here (I accessed it during a free trial and wrote it down). 5. Fluffy American-Style Pancakes  Who said vegans couldn’t have pancakes?? These are honestly lush and are ridiculously easy to make and use ingredients I often have in the cupboard anyway. I’ve made these with several different toppings, including blueberries and yoghurt suggested in the original recipe and my attempt at a warm raspberry coulis (frozen raspberries heated in a pan with some lemon juice and sugar), and they’re so good. I’ve had a few different vegan pancakes in cafes before, and these are certainly just as good.   Find the recipe here. Have you been cooking much in lockdown? What have you been making? I'd love to find out! If you liked this post you might like: Being Vegan in Disneyland Paris | What I Eat in a Day Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Google+ | Twitter

A bit over a month ago, I went on a mini tour of Europe with two of my best pals. It was so lovely to see them as now that we’re all at uni or in full time jobs we don’t get to see each other very much, so spending just over a week together was much needed after months apart! Our first stop was Prague, and after a long day of navigating delayed public transport (yes, you know that was UK trains – it took us longer to get to Gatwick from Hampshire than it did to fly from Gatwick to Prague), flights and the figuring out how to navigate the city’s tram network in the dark, we finally made it to our Airbnb at 11pm, and just about collapsed into our beds as soon as we could. As soon as we stepped out of the airport we were overwhelmed by the heat. The British Summer was being its usual rainy self when we left, so jumping up to 32 degrees was a major difference and it took us a little while to get used to it.  The next day, we saw Prague in the daylight at last, and it was beautiful. But boiling. First on our list was to get ourselves some food, and we managed to find a reasonably large supermarket about 15 minutes down the road. I was actually really impressed by their range of vegan food, they had way more plant milks and meat alternatives than expected- pretty cool. We then headed back to our flat, made our lunches (hummus, salad and a few strips of fried pre-marinated tofu wraps) then headed into the centre of town. We had a long list of potential places to visit, and with only 2 days, we had way too much stuff on my list to fit in that time (but hey, if any of us go back to Prague, we have some ideas). The first item of our day was Petrin Hill and Observation Tower, which we could just about see in the distance from a window where we were standing. We made our way across the city on the tram, which was a lovely way to get a more general taste of Prague. On our way to the rail which would take us up the hill, we saw a memorial to everyone who died under Soviet Communism, and on the way up we got to see the beautiful park and glimpses of the view across the city’s rooftops. Once we got to the top of the hill, we stepped out into a gorgeous garden, which was mostly quiet apart from a few families and group of school kids. We had a bit of a wander, and found a space of grass near the Tower to sit on to have lunch and a bit of a chill in the heat.  After lunch, we left the park and headed through a gap in a wall around some buildings which I’m still not sure what their function is, and walked around gradually down the hill on a public pathway through some fields and eventually reached an old monastery where they had a café in a shaded spot outside. It was a good place to stop, fill up our water, stay in the shade for a little while, and have a weird blueberry beer which I am so glad I will never have again. We then managed to get back down the hill to where the main city is, and made our way towards Prague Castle. I won’t lie, we were a tad confused about how to actually get in and which parts were the castle and where the cathedral was in comparison to the castle, but we figured it out in the end – turns out the cathedral is insidethe castle walls! The cathedral was gorgeous, even if it stuck out in a slightly weird manor against the yellow walls of the castle. Several parts of the castle were only accessible for those who had paid extra at the door (it’s free to get into the castle walls), so we didn’t see several parts, including going to the top of the cathedral tower. However, we did get to see the view across the city in all its glory as we left the castle, and I don’t think we could have lasted that much longer anyway as we were flagging quite a lot due to the heat.  We had a little time to kill before the place we were going for food opened, so ended up going to the National Gallery, which was just around the corner from the castle’s exit. It was very small, and the main exhibit was of the artist Josef Šima, who none of us had heard of before. I won’t lie to you, his stuff wasn’t the most amazing, but we still enjoyed ourselves and there were some really cool things further down in the exhibit where there were several other artists. After we’d gone around the gallery and cooled down a bit, we went around the back of the building to the Wallenstein Gardens. These were absolutely beautiful, and we got to see some massive fish in the pond, and we had a lot of fun watching all of them mooch around and enjoying their time.  That evening, we went out for food at a restaurant called Vegan Prague. I guess it’s exactly what it says on the tin. Genuinely though, it was such good food, our expectations were well and truly blown away. It took a while to get up there as it was at the top of quite a tall building and we had to go up several flights of stairs (not very accessible, sadly), but was quite cool when we got there. The menu was had a lot of traditional Czech food, except veganised. I love eating at places like this when I’m away, as you don’t usually get to try many traditional dishes if you’re vegan or veggie (they typically tend to be meat central) so it’s great when there are vegan versions available. I ended up having some Czech dumplings in sauce, and they were absolutely lush. They didn’t look like much when they arrived, but they were so tasty and actually really filling. Would highly recommend to anyone going to Prague, vegan or not. This was actually one of the only times I didn’t take pictures of my food (it’s a habit vegans have whenever we go out, we’re just amazed to be eating something that’s not broccoli), and that was probably because we were all so hungry and tired (again, a lot to do with the heat) that we just dove into it straight away.  On our way back, whilst waiting for the tram back to our Airbnb arrived, we saw what turned out to be Prague’s Pride. It was so small and looked quite sad, but we hoped they had a great time. To top it all off, it suddenly started raining really heavily with the biggest raindrops I have ever seen. We thought it was incredible, and quite entertaining watching people run around to escape it whilst we were dry on the tram, however, we did feel so bad for their Pride, I just wanted to go up and give them all a hug and find them a warm place to dry off and eat food. Ah well, I hope it ended up okay. That evening we went out to Bukowski’s, a bar just around the corner from our Airbnb, which was very convenient. It was a nice place to sit and chat with a few strong cocktails, before we headed further into the centre of town to an 80s club we’d found online, along with a group of Americans we’d met on the way. However, we didn’t quite seem to remember that we were in fact in central Europe, and their 80s music would be quite different from the 80s music we would normally think of. And that, my friends, is how we ended up dancing our hearts out in an almost empty nightclub to 80s Europop.  The next day we woke up a little later and got breakfast at a waffle place. It was absolutely delicious and we had a great time! They had a couple of vegan options, including a pick your own toppings option, which meant we all had completely different waffles.   After our (rather large) brunch, we got the metro right to the centre of Prague, where we then visited the Prague Sex Machines Museum. I was told about this place by a friend and it was absolutely hilarious going around and just seeing really old and extravagant dildos. It was quite a small little place, but it didn’t need to be any bigger as they packed a hell of a lot in the space they had. Safe to say we had a great time laughing our way around, as well as at the several people who were walking around looking very seriously at the exhibits. Who takes themselves seriously in a sex museum??? The Sex Machines Museum was just around the corner from the main square and the Old Town. We watched the Astronomical clock go around and had a wander around. There was a military performance thing on (don’t know the details), so it was quite loud in the square as we all as lot of guns (which made us quite uncomfortable), and we headed to find a café a little out of the way. We had some lush lemonades, chilled for a bit to cool down (pun oh so intended).  Once we felt like we could brave the sun and heat again, we had a walk around some of the Old Town. As we knew that Franz Kafka lived there, we made sure we found his statue which was right next to a shopping centre. It was a very snazzy statue. That evening we made ourselves a lentil bolognaise, packed, then headed back into the centre of town to a bar we’d found online. It was very loud, although it wasn’t that busy (just dance music blaring when there wasn’t a dance floor. Great.), so we had one drink and went to find somewhere else to go. We ended up at a karaoke bar called Berlin (which we found quite amusing considering our next destination), had several delicious cocktails, sung our hearts out (along with other people, we weren’t on the stage, the queue was too long), and ended up chatting to an English stag party who were actually really nice. That night we said we’d have a couple of drinks and leave at a decent time… Fair to day that didn’t happen thanks to our friend sweet absinthe-y drinks.  The next morning, we got a bus to Berlin, and (despite a couple of hiccups early on - hangover related as I’m sure you can imagine), we made it to our hostel in one piece. For a number of reasons, we ended up staying in the same hostel we went to during our first trip to Berlin two years ago with our college (you can read all about that trip here), and in a way, it was kind of comforting having some kind of familiarity in where we were going. We went out for a lush vegan pizza at a place a bit further out from the centre, and had a lovely evening going to various different bars and having a chat. One of the places we went was a bar linked to an exhibition created by local artists, who had made lots of mechanical monsters, which we’d been told about by a friend. It was hilarious, and one of the artists who was acting as our guide of the monster lair was absolutely bonkers. We had a great time looking at these weird and wonderful things and I think we would all recommend it to anyone going to Berlin. Also, does anyone else know about any smoking laws in Germany? We were literally in a bar surrounded by smoke because someone had shut the doors and everyone came to smoke inside. Weird when you’re not used to it.  The next day we headed to a vegan doughnut place called Brammabil’s, and they were absolutely delicious. We honestly could have spent all of our time (and money) there trying everything they had on offer. Mine was caramel cherry crumble and was so freaking good I can’t even describe it properly. Incredible. I desperately want more in my life. Can we get one in Newcastle and Southampton please? Thank you.  As we’d been to Berlin before, we weren’t too fussed on seeing all of the major tourist attractions and historical sites again, so took our time exploring. We headed over to see the Brandenburg Gate again (it has to be done) and then to Checkpoint Charlie, where we saw a biker rally which seemed nationalistic in some way, but we weren’t sure whether or not it was alt-right or promoting diversity and acceptance, so didn’t know how to react. We tried to look it up but couldn’t find anything, so I guess we’ll never know. Whilst we were over there we got vegan currywurst from a place directly opposite Checkpoint Charlie we’d been to on our college trip – again, delicious.  We then made our way over to Charlottenburg Palace. This took a while and was more complicated due to roadworks and our confusion with the buses, but we got there in the end and it was a nice way to get out of the sun and away from the buzz of the main city for a little bit. We were given free audioguides and went around the inside of the palace and learned all about various Prussian royals, particularly the first inhabitants of the house, one of whom the palace (and the surrounding area) is named after. Our feet did hurt after a while, so it was lush to be able to sit down as soon as we found a bench. The gardens were absolutely beautiful outside. There was a section where a path ran alongside the river, and then in the main garden there was a fountain which splashed us (mostly me) a few times – something that was seriously welcome considering the heat.   For our tea that night, we got a burrito at Dolore’s – a Mexican place we went to together to escape the rain when we were there before, and was as yummy then as it was two years ago – and then headed back to our hostel to get an early night as we had to get up in the early hours of the morning for a flight to Amsterdam. Before anyone says anything about the environmental impacts of flying, it was by far the cheaper option, and I have never claimed to be perfect (I have in fact claimed the opposite, you can read that post here), but I do want to make much more of an effort in the future to travel by train and bus where possible.  We arrived in Amsterdam at around 8:30 in the morning, and just about managed to figure out how to get out of Schipol, and bought ourselves a 3-day travel pass each. We stopped off at a café at a train station on the way to our Airbnb as we had a bit of time to kill before we could check in. There, we had some very tasty smoothies and were loving being able to wear jumpers and not be overheating! We dropped off our stuff in our Airbnb and then made our way to Amsterdam Central. One thing which immediately struck me about Amsterdam was the architecture. The buildings are just so interesting, and genuinely like nothing I’ve ever seen before. They’re so thin and tall, and must all go back so far.  Although we spent our first day in Amsterdam absolutely exhausted from having been awake for so long, we still made the most of it. The first thing we did when we got into the city centre was to make sure we got some lunch. Beforehand, we’d found a food chain called Beans & Bagels which had some good looking vegan bagels available. When we got there, we all ended up getting the burger bagel, which was absolutely lush. I’m going to have to start making that in daily life, and to be honest with you, I don’t know how one of us hadn’t thought of it before – a genius idea if ever there was one!  From there, we made our way away from the coast and a bit more centrally. We just wandered around for a bit, looking around the various canals and streets. There were various different vintage clothes shops, cafes and food places which all looked so interesting, I’d love to go back and look around all those places we saw. There was one Syrian restaurant which was advertising its vegan options outside which we didn’t have time to try but I would love to go to if I go to Amsterdam again. Later on that afternoon we went to Vegabond – a vegan deli and shop where they sold all sorts. We specifically went in for cake – how could we not? The others had brownie-esque things (I can’t remember the details) and I had a Dutch Apple Pie which was one of the best things to grace my tastebuds ever. Deee-lish. So good in fact that we went back on our last morning in Amsterdam! At 5:30 we were booked to go on a tour of the Anne Frank House Museum. It was an experience I think everyone should go through. It started at the bottom of the house, in the basement which was used as storage for the business which the Franks were hiding above, and then we worked our way up the building through offices and eventually into the annex, then worked our way back down again. At the end of the museum they held her original diary and it was incredible and heartbreaking to see. I won’t lie I did have a little cry at several points around the museum. Stories like Anne’s are in the millions and they are happening right now under our noses and we aren’t taking action. Change needs to happen now and we need to make it. Okay, back to me and my friends forgetting about world issues for a bit… We then got the bus straight back to where we were staying and made ourselves some food. We spent the rest of the evening chilling outside on deckchairs then had what was (for me at least) one of the best sleeps ever. I mean we had been awake since 3am, we had plenty of reason to be needing a proper sleep. It took us a while to get going the next morning, so the first thing we did was to head to get some lunch. We went to Happy Pig, a pancake place which had several options for vegans. They were so tasty and really cute in their presentation. I had apple crumble mix and maple syrup on mine, and it was my dream pancake. 2 of my favourite things smushed together: apple crumble and pancakes.  We then had a walk around and ended up looking in the fanciest shopping centre I’ve ever been in whilst on the hunt for public toilets (even though we didn’t end up using them because it was one of those “you can only piss if you pay” places).  Close to that was Dam Square, which seemed like kind of a central point for Amsterdam. There were all sorts of things going on there – everything from what looked like recruitment for a cult to a Free Palestine demonstration.  We then walked for a couple of minutes to the Sex Museum – a must do if you’re a tourist in Amsterdam right? Again, like the Prague one, this was just hilarious. This museum was much bigger and had a lot more variety than one we’d visited in Prague. Rather than old sex toys, this one had a lot of artwork, photography and discussions and exhibitions on particular people. There were some elements which were a tad problematic and/or inaccurate, but most of it was interesting and fun.  We then visited the Stedelijk Modern Art Museum, and stayed there until about 6pm. There was loads of stuff there – some which was a bit meh and way too pretentious, but also a room with pinball machines you could use and we had a great time in that bit! Gradually, we made our way back to where we were staying in Zaandam and had another chill evening making some yummy fajitas, enjoying the evening sunshine on the sun loungers they had outside, and doing some packing. Our flight was in the late afternoon, so we had a fair amount of time the next morning. We check out of our Airbnb and then headed back into the centre of town to have a bit of a wander again, then headed back to Vegabond for some more cake (only this time with our chared suitcase in tow). Charlotte and Lizzi tried some other cakes to last time but I got the Dutch Apple Pie again, and it was just a delicious as last time. Charlotte and I also bought some cheeky Cashew Camemberts. They weren’t cheap but we were treating ourselves with the little bit of cash we had leftover. I tried mine as part of a lunch when I was home the next week and it was very tasty, although not the consistency of dairy camembert but still purty good.  After finishing our cake, we went and found a nice place to sit along a canal and have our lunch – some extra fajitas we’d made the night before. After that we made our way back to Central Station and then on to Schipol airport for our flight back home. Our last impression of the Netherlands was of a guy sat next to us asking us if it was okay to play his guitar on our little bit of the carriage and was absolutely brilliant. The Netherlands is just lovely isn’t it? This trip was great, mostly because I got to spend over a week solidly with two of my absolute favourite people, but also because we got see so much cool stuff and eat some much snazzy food. If you liked this post you might like: 4 Days in Ireland Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Twitter

The end of June already? Lockdown genuinely messes with time perception.  Favourite part? This month has seemed to blur together. This month hasn’t been very busy, just like the past couple of months and presumably the months coming up. I’ve been reading, watching, trying to do more yoga and planning more for this here blog. I’ve been really proud of my content lately, and have a lot of ideas, and have lots of posts planned.  I’ve spent more time outside, which I think has helped. Not exercising really, but sat outside reading or working, and that’s a step. I may hate myself for saying this, but hopefully next month I may try and go for some longer walks.  I’ve continued to enjoy cooking. As usual I’ve made various crumbles, however I did branch out a bit, and made my first ever vegan cheesecake and vegan mac and cheese. I loved the mac and cheese, and basically used a load of Applewood cheese and nutritional yeast, and added some kale I had in the fridge which needed using up, and it was absolutely lush. I’m not 100% happy with the cheesecake. Don’t get me wrong, it was super tasty (it had 5 lemons in it!) but the texture was not quite right. But hey! It was my first time making a cheesecake, and it’s a place to improve from.  Oh! And I finally bought my blog's domain! Blogspot is now no more. Took me long enough, but it feels great for it to be officially mine. Best read? I ordered lots of new books in the past couple of months, and I have been trying to put together a plan of action so that I can eventually get through all of them. At the moment, I’m prioritizing my library books. As libraries are now reopening, the deadline for returning my books before I get a fine is edging closer, even if it’s in August. Those books I’ve read this month are Rise by Gina Miller and A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes. The latter I haven’t finished yet but I’ve really enjoyed both.  I also read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, after having loved the TV series adaption. This book is like a hug in paper form. It’s funny and the characters are brilliant. I have a feeling this is going to become a bit of a comfort read. I’ve also been reading as part of a book club I help run. This month I read a couple of chapters of Malcolm X’s autobiography, and am going to read it gradually over time, as it’s pretty long. For this book club, I’ve also been reading Shereen El Feki’s Sex and the Citadel, which I am absolutely loving! It looks at sex and relationships in the Middle East, primarily in Egypt, and is fascinating. If you’ve followed my blog or my other social media online for a while, you may know that I love studying sex and relationships. It’s something I find so interesting and relevant to so many issues. I’m only on Chapter 3 of this book, but already I would highly recommend! Favourite tunes? I have had a few dance in-the-shower dance parties to the playlist I put together for Newcastle FemSoc. There are some bangers on there and it helps lift my mood and makes me feel at least a bit better about myself.  Favourite watch? This month I have watched a fair amount. From a Moana and Maleficent move night, I got the idea for my dissertation, which I’ll be completing next year. That’s not something I want to talk about loads online as it’s still in my head and I don’t want to put any pressure on my future self, as I’m sure you’ll understand.  Randomly, I also watched Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief several times, as well as my usual Outnumbered rewatch. These are definitely comfort watches and that is completely valid. I also watched the first four series of Line of Duty.  June has definitely been a month of documentaries for me. I first discovered A House Through Time in April, but caught up on the last few episodes this month, and I think it’s brilliant. Since then, I’ve become kind of in awe of David Olusoga, who presents this documentary among many others and is an established historian if you haven’t heard of him before. I’ve also watched his documentaries Black Britain: A Forgotten History and Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners, both of which were fascinating and really informative, covering events and people I’d mostly never heard of before. In all of these documentaries, I think his style is engaging, particularly the way he focuses the history he tells through people – something I think increases impact.  Other documentaries I’ve watched include 13thand the accompanying conversation between Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey, and the BBC film about one man’s experiences with the Windrush Scandal, Sitting in Limbo.  I’ve also been watching Dear White People. I didn’t see it when it first came out, but I’m so glad I’m watching it now. It’s so well written, the characters are all so complicated that my opinions on them changes frequently like with any real life person. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. It’s a genuine masterpiece. Image Credit What did I learn? A whole lot of Black history through some of the documentaries mentioned above and other sources online. And that I need to take things more slowly, even if that’s difficult. What’s happening next month? I should really take this question out for the time being shouldn’t I? Honestly, who knows. I’ll be spending most of my time at home. I’ll be writing blog posts, hopefully baking, doing things for N.E.S.T, and trying to organize my things. And hopefully the house hunt for next year will finally be over! What’s been on my mind? How to be a better ally. I’ve been trying what I thought was my best for years, but frankly, that’s not good enough. I, like everyone else, has to do better, and I’m trying to figure out a longer term and effective strategy to be better. Ally is a verb, not a noun, after all.  Favourite blogger/vlogger? As usual, Leena Norms and Hannah Witton have been people I’ve watched on Youtube this month. Recently, I think that both of them have really upped their game.  Favourite post? I am actually really proud of all the posts I’ve published this month. I feel like I’ve got my blogging mojo back and I’m so excited for the content I’ve got planned. Out of all of them, I’d say the one I like the most is Quitting Fast Fashion: Where to Start, as it’s a topic I’m really passionate about and am going to write more on in the future. However, I would say that I’m most proud of is Self-Care is Not Pretty | Rethinking Wellness, as it’s probably the most open and vulnerable I’ve been on here, hopefully in a good way. Biggest inspiration? Ah I don’t know anymore. The same as last month’s: watching other people working to change the world and seeing the real life impact they’re having.  Any other favourites? Mindful Bites chocolate spread has got to be mentioned here. My friend Angie tagged me a post of theirs, and I ended up buying a couple of pots of their spread and it is delicious. I’ve had Vego several times before, but this is so smooth and somehow feels more luxuriant. Since going vegan I haven’t been able to truly recreate Nutella on crumpets, but this really hit the spot (plus it doesn’t use any palm oil!). It’s something I’m going to keep in mind as a bit of a treat in the future, and would highly recommend!  If you liked this post you might like: May 2020 | Monthly Wrap Up Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | | Twitter

It feels like October has been going on for ages, but it’s officially autumn and yes it’s now getting cold and dark but currently the leaves look pretty and deadlines are still a little bit distant.  Favourite part? I finally started back at uni! Albeit mostly from the same desk in my bedroom, but it’s good to be back in a learning environment again. All of my lectures are prerecorded, so I only have live seminars at the moment, which means that my time is even more flexible than previous years and I have to make more effort to manage my time and effectively create my own timetable.    It was also my 21st birthday this month! As I’m sure many people have experienced this year, lockdown birthdays are a bit weird, and a bit more understated than we may otherwise have been. However, I still had a really great day and am thankful for my flatmates for that. We had pancakes for breakfast, went out to Tynemouth and North Shields during the day for walks around the parks, beaches and looking around charity shops and Keel Row Bookshop. We had takeaway from Karma Kitchen, a family run vegan Indian restaurant I absolutely adore, and had a great time.    With uni starting, so did society events. I’ve loved the events Feminist Society have run so far this year and was so proud of the first Book Club event I ran with my friend Martha about the book Feminism, Interrupted by Lola Olufemi. I could rave about this book for hours and the discussions we had were so engaging and made me so excited for the rest of the year! I also represented FemSoc at a Gender and Sexuality discussion group with other students from Newcastle and students from University of Pittsburgh. It was a really good discussion and I really enjoyed it!    I’ve also listened to several other talks online, including several about environmental movements, particularly about intersectional environmental movements, about clothes and the garment industry and a talk Lola Olufemi gave through the University of Dundee.    This month has reminded me how cooking really is my meditation. Most of my days look pretty similar: at my desk doing uni work, reading, doing NEST work, etc., and taking time away from screens putting food together is my main source of respite and recharging immediately after I’m done for the day. I’ve also realized how easy it is for me to stay inside for days on end if I don’t force myself to, so I’m taking steps to ensure I’m not in my flat 24/7. It was also my flatmate’s birthday yesterday, so at the time this post goes up it’s likely I’ll be a bit hungover.   Best read?   I’ve actually read a bit more this month although it doesn’t really feel like it. With uni starting back again, so does uni reading. I’m currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and The Beetle by Richard Marsh for one of my module, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.    I also read Out of Office by Fiona Thomas, which is an incredible guide for anyone who wants to do freelance work and was a really accessible and enjoyable read too.   I also read the short satire book New Erotica for Feminists by which I as given as a present last year and finally got around to reading this year. It was funny though at times I thought it was a little bit off. At one page for example I crossed out the words ‘Margaret Thatcher’ and wrote Angela Davis underneath. Apart from that I enjoyed and it was a read to take my mind off other stresses. Favourite tunes? I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s Red and folklore on repeat, particularly ‘betty’ and ‘last great american dynasty’ as shower songs to lift my mood at the beginning of the day. Favourite watch? I’ve been really loving Staged recently. I love the pairing of David Tennant and Michael Sheen, the layout of the show and found the Wales jokes particularly funny. I’m certainly looking forward to the next series!    I finished rewatching Game of Thrones. I still love it as much as ever and the last (two) series still frustrates me as much as ever. I just wish there had been more time given for character development nearer the end…   Strictly is back! Even though it’s not as it usually is, it’s definitely a comfort to have something so familiar back on regularly. I am always here for the glitz!   I’ve continued to watch more Taskmaster and Bake Off. In fact, I think Bake Off is one of the only things which helps me realise what point in the week we’re at. I’ve also been watching Married at First Sight and First Dates.    I’ve also watched a few films, including the absolute classic that is Flushed Away and the recent adaptation of Rebecca, which I really enjoyed and I am now desperate to read the book! Source What did I learn? 9ams aren’t as bad as they seem, even if several of them on the trot isn’t fun, and they're much more manageable when online than in person! I should probably try getting up earlier as I genuinely am more productive and I need the extra time at the moment.    Boundaries work and are there for a reason. It’s noticeable when I don’t follow them.    What’s happening next month?   More of the same. I’m continuing with my uni work (I’ve got some of my first assessments), my work with FemSoc and NEST, as well as more writing. I hope to still have some fun time around Newcastle if we’re not in full lockdown!   What’s been on my mind? Healing – how it looks, how it changes and its more of its impacts. I’ve not necessarily been thinking about it in a bad way or from a place of hurt, but more reflective and looking forward.    I’ve also been really trying to keep on top of everything and thinking about what I need to say no to and what I need to prioritise. My final year of uni in a global pandemic isn’t the most relaxed experience (anyone in the same situation to me will be able to tell you that!) but it’s the situation I’m stuck in and need to figure out how best to handle.    Favourite blogger/vlogger?   Not specifically just her blog, but I’ve been really loving Victoria/In The Frow’s Instagram, particularly the creativity of her reels – they’re so professional and stunning! I’ve also been enjoying some of her blog posts, especially about how repeating outfits helped her find her style.    And as always, Leena Norms’ videos have been a major comfort to me.   Favourite post? I always enjoy the posts that occur around my birthday. It’s great to look back and reflect on the past year, at how I’ve grown and the things that have shaped me. I did that in two posts this year, my usual Me at… post as well as 21 Things I’ve Learned in 21 Years.    I’m also really proud of my other two posts. I love the images used for my When Harry Met Sally OOTD (thank you to Jude for taking them!) and I think that a younger me would have found What’s So Bad About Fast Fashion? very useful as it compiles so much about the industry it took me years to learn.    Biggest inspiration?   Wanting to do the best in my degree now that the end is in sight. Working on improving and maintaining my mental health, happiness and overall wellbeing because I deserve for all of those to be prospering.    Any other favourites? The app Planta! I downloaded it after my flatmate recommended it and it is a lifesaver. You basically input all of your houseplants, stating which room they’re in with the different light levels etc., and it gives you notifications when you need to water each of them and you can tick those tasks off once you’ve completed them. For any new plant parent, this will help you!  If you liked this post you might like: September 2020 | Monthly Wrap Up Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Twitter

Climate news is incredibly overwhelming right now. All regions of the Earth are either burning or flooding right now, at rates we’ve never seen before. The IPCC report that came out last week only confirmed everything we already knew, but with all of that information in one place combined with the events of this year, it impresses the situation more urgently on us. We all need to be taking action in whatever capacity we can. Here are 25 things you could be doing to help tackle the climate crisis. These aren’t necessarily things that are accessible to everyone, but the point is to do whatever you can. Maybe pick 3-5 to know that you can do and commit to ensuring you do them. Many of the actions I have included on this list aren’t things that should be done once and forgotten about once you’ve given yourself a pat on the back. Make sure you’re continuously doing things and make that as easy for yourself to do (however that may be). The important thing is that we all do something.   1. Sign the Stop Cambo open letter (UK)   Oil giant Shell are currently trying to seek approval from the UK Government to build a new oil field off the coast of Shetland - as you might have guessed, the field would be called Cambo. These plans are currently going ahead, with apparent approval by the Government (despite claims of ignorance by the Prime Minister). It is expected to extract up to 170 million barrels of oil from 2025-2050. 2050 is the year the UK has pledged to be net carbon neutral. This proposal goes against all the environmental pledges the UK has made, including its signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and declaring a climate emergency in 2019. If Cambo went ahead, it would be catastrophic.    Check out all the links in their linktree, which contains loads of information, resources, and ways to take action. These include the open letter, emailing representatives, and joining protests.  2. Email your MPs   This one gets brought up all the time but honestly, if you have political representatives you need to be communicating with them. They are the ones with the potential for influence and to make larger impacts, let them know you want them to act and act now. Email them constantly, badger them, hold them to account and fill their inboxes. They should being doing more, they should be doing better – they need to be doing better.   If you’re not sure what to do or how to contact your MP, you can check out the websites Write to Them for their contact details (as well as those of your councilors), and They Work For You for their voting records and previous offices held.   3. Support the Stop Line 3 Campaign (USA)   Over the years there have been many, often and frustratingly successful, attempts to build new or expanded oil pipelines through indigenous lands in North America. You might have heard about the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines in this context? Well the new pipeline on the block is Line 3, which is proposed to run from the Alberta Tar Sands in Canada through to Wisconsin, USA. In the same vein as Cambo, we cannot be extracting any more fossil fuels. This needs to stop urgently – it needs to have stopped already.    Head to their Instagram and campaign website for ways to get involved.    4. Join Green New Deal Rising   Green New Deal Rising are a youth campaigning group aiming for the implementation of a Green New Deal in the UK. It’s aims are: to decarbonise, fast; jobs and a just transition; transform the economy; protect and restore; and to promote global justice. For more detail on all of these points and what they entail, they included detailed explanations on their website.    Their strategies are to disrupt the political system, force politicians to choose a side (cough, Keir Starmer, cough) reach out into our communities, and to elect inspiring green new deal champions. They have already been doing this, with amazing work holding politicians like Nicola Sturgeon and Keir Starmer to account and challenging them directly in-person on issues such as Stop Cambo and the Green New Deal.    It’s free to sign up and they have regular welcome calls to help get you involved. And you don’t have to be a young person to get involved with the campaign for a Green New Deal – have a look here for ways to get involved.  Image source 5. Donate to get Unite for Climate Action to COP26   Unite for Climate Action are a group of young people from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, who have been either directly or indirectly affected climate change trying to get to COP26. These are the people we need at the decision-making table. They need to be at the heart of the discussions and to be leading the way in strategies to tackle this crisis.    Unite for Climate Action are aiming to change whose voices are heard at COP26, as previously most young people at these international conferences have been from the Global North – not representative of the people who are most affected by the climate crisis. They are also starting a new educational series which I for one am looking forward to taking part in – knowledge is key to tackling the climate crisis!    They need £70,000 to get to COP26. If you can please support them to get there.     6. Turn up to protests in your local area   Direct action has been proven to work time and time again throughout the years with so many different causes. In fact I don’t think you can say any cause has achieved anything without the use of direct action, in whatever form. Protest and direction are crucial to tackling the climate crisis and ensuring governments listen. Countries like the UK claim to be democracies but fail to act when citizens call for change. We must make them listen and act. Join in wherever and however you can.    Before Covid you would regularly see protests in city centres on all sorts of issues, particularly the climate crisis. These included the regular Friday school strikes started by Greta Thunberg. Now, they’re a bit rarer but still happening. Covid has still changed things – I would frequently turn up to protests before Covid but haven’t attended one since the pandemic as it’s a prospect that’s still pretty terrifying to me – even though I am hoping to be able to attend protests in a few months depending on case levels. If your mental health and capacity to other actions will be compromised through being around a large group of people, skip this and focus on other ways to make change. But still support protestors, stand up for the right to protest whenever it is under threat (as it is in many countries all over the world, including the UK), and attend whenever it is accessible for you to do so.    7. Demand fashion brands sign the Bangladesh Accord   On 24th April 2013, the Rana Plaza garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed, killing +1,330 people and injuring over 2,500. It was the worst industrial disaster the fashion industry had ever experienced. In its aftermath, over 200 brands, along with several workers’ organisations and trade unions, signed the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety. The Accord is legally binding and ensures basic health and safety measures in garment factories in Bangladesh. It is huge and makes real impact on the welfare of garment workers. It is the bare minimum and it is also under threat.    The Accord is due to expire on 31st August, and the progress we have seen since Rana Plaza could go down the drain. Workers’ rights and the environment are intrinsically linked, and garment workers deserve to know they are safe in their workplaces. So far, only 12 brands have committed to renewing the Accord. That’s an unacceptable number. Brands who still refuse to renew the Accord include H&M, Zara, Primark, American Eagle, M&S, Aldi, Matalan and a whole load more.    To take action, tag them in social media posts, comment on their social media posts about it, and send them emails directly asking why they haven’t renewed the Accord. For more information and ways to take action, head to Remake and Clean Clothes Campaign.    8. Donate to Choose Earth   Choose Earth is an offshoot campaign from Earthrise and Choose Love – an organisation you’ve probably heard about who do loads of amazing work with displaced people. Choose Earth however raises funds specifically for indigenous Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Brazil. It’s a great way to directly support those on the front lines of climate change, and those who know how best to take care of the Earth and to live in harmony with it. Head to the Choose Earth website to donate as well as to find more educational resources on the climate and indignenous rights.    9. Talk to the people around you about the issue   While everyone is somewhat aware of the climate crisis, I don’t think everyone truly gets how far it has gone and how much needs to be done to lessen its damage. Talk about it to literally everyone – friends, family, flatmates, grandparents, a random person in a coffee shop, on a first date, teachers, students, anyone and everyone you can. Talk about it, spread awareness of the facts and encourage everyone you can to take action.    This can also count with sharing articles, magazines, books etc. with people in your life. Even if that is sharing an online article with those people on Facebook, or casually suggesting someone can borrow a magazine on climate issues (like Shado Mag, Atmos, and It’s Freezing in LA) that you’ve finished reading.    10. Challenge mainstream media depictions of the climate crisis   Lots of mainstream media are getting their climate coverage incredibly wrong. Specific cases come to mind of BBC Newsbeat interviewing Boohoo CEO John Lyttle about the fashion industry’s polluting nature only for him to defend his horrifically toxic company, and on coverage of the recent heatwave in the UK, asking how we get used to this heat with little mention of its causes.    Reporting like this is not okay. We need to be shouting at every moment that this is down to the climate crisis and to hold our governments and billionaire CEOs accountable for their actions. Call media outlets out for their portrayals. Write to them demanding better. We deserve better. We deserve for the climate crisis to be covered like the emergency it is. It should be on the front cover of every newspaper every week if not every day and should be highlighted in every news reel.     11. Support legal campaigns like Paid to Pollute   Legal challenges tackle our governments head on, and the Paid to Pollute case gives me so much hope and motivation. It is currently going to the High Court, and the UK Government has made many attempts to quash it, but has so far failed. This case, brought forward by claimants Mikaela Loach, Jeremy Cox, and Kairin van Sweeden, says that the UK Government is not living up to the promises it made by signing the Paris Agreement in 2015. They are using the evidence of public payments to big polluters such as Shell and BP, and the proposals of new oil fields such as Cambo (which I mentioned in number 1).    To show your support, follow them on social media, donate to the case, spread awareness of the case, sign the petition, and write to your MP telling them they have your support. The Paid to Pollute is something to celebrate and has the potential for huge impact.   Image source   12. Read, learn, take in information on the climate   In order to tackle an issue effectively, you need to understand the issue properly. I’m not saying I’m perfect when it comes to knowledge on the climate. I have specialist knowledge to the fashion industry in particular, but I’m trying to have more basic understandings of other areas. But ultimately we don’t all need to be experts on every single factor, we just need to know the basics.    Books I’d recommend include This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein, We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer, and Stitched Up by Tansy Hoskins. There are loads others, but those are some of the ones I’ve recently read and would recommend. I’m also particularly looking forward to Aja Barber and Leah Thomas’ upcoming books!    As I mention earlier, I’d recommend also reading magazines such as Shado Mag, It’s Freezing in LA, and Atmos who have lots of detailed articles both online and in print on these issues.    There are a whole host of podcasts to listen to as well. Some of my favourites include Idealistically, The Yikes Podcast, Drilled, Outrage and Optimism, and Remember Who Made Them. Reasons to Be Cheerful have also started a series of episodes on the climate crisis in the run up to COP26.  You can also check out documentaries such as Earthrise's The Breakdown series and Remake's 'Made In' series. There are so many relevant documentaries out there so see what you can find. With everything, make sure you're thinking critically about the documentaries, books, podcasts, etc. you're consuming. Research what other people (especially more marginalised people) are saying about them - for instance, think twice whenever David Attenborough mentions overpopulation. Image source   13. Donate to support people displaced by extreme weather events   Thousands of people have been displaced by the recent extreme weather events. As well as campaigning for their international protection (see number 17), it you have the funds, give to support people in the immediate aftermath of losing their homes. They need direct and urgent support. Organisations seeking donations to support people are often shared after these disasters occur so if you see them and have the means, please do support them. Sometimes they get shared by larger accounts too. Basically keep your eyes open and support where you can.   Places currently dealing with the aftermath of climate disasters include: Greece, Turkey, California, Algeria, and Haiti, along with a whole load more. If you have any fundraisers or organisations seeking donations you want to recommend, please share them in the comments of this post so other readers can access them. Similarly, if you know of fundraisers having more direct impact than the ones I've shared please contact me so I can highlight fundraisers with the most possible impact.   14. Change your bank to a more ethical one   This is something that can be relatively easily done by most people. Most of the big banks are awful, with investments in fossil fuels, arms trades, and a whole host of other all-round bad things. Not something we want to be supporting and not something that’s good for the planet. Have a research of your current bank’s ethics and of those of prospective banks. I would also recommend reading Besma’s post on ethical banks as a shortcut!    *Note for people with student/graduate accounts!* You may have more restrictions on changing banks if you have these kinds of accounts. In the months leading up to my graduation, I was researching more ethical banks and was hoping to switch from Santander (we all love the free railcard with that one) to Nationwide. I was then told that I couldn’t switch to their graduate account as I’d not had an account with them previously and that to change my student account to another student account I would need to do so while I was still in the first 18 months of my course. This was when I was 2 months from completing it. As I still want to keep my free overdraft that comes with a graduate account, I have to stay with Santander for a bit longer, but I’ll be changing completely as soon as I feel like I can do without it.    15. Sign the Make My Money Matter petition   Make My Money Matter is a campaign which aims to make pension funds kinder for both people and planet. I’ve just graduated, I don’t have a pension right now, but it’s something that a huge number of people do have and a way that you can have significant impact. Just like big banks, many pension funds are invested in industries such as fossil fuels, tobacco, and weapons without us ever really realising. Not great. With so many pensions in existence, they have the potential to help change where gets more money.    As well as signing the petition, check out the Make My Money Matter website for help on how to take control of your own pension and more information on the issue itself.    16. Slow down your fashion consumption   This is something I have written extensively about, both on this blog and in articles elsewhere. Have a look through my slow fashion posts to learn more about how and why the fashion industry is currently so damaging to both people and planet. You could start with this one, or this one, or this one. After you’ve informed yourself a bit more through those posts, try and ensure you wear your clothes for more times than usual and think more closely about how often and where you’re buying clothes.  17. Show your support for migrant and refugee rights   Out of basic human empathy this is something you should be doing anyway, but this issue is going to become more prominent as the climate crisis worsens. We are already seeing climate refugees, as thousands are displaced by extreme weather events all over the world. Kiribati, an island in the Pacific, has almost been submerged by rising sea levels and a recent case in New Zealand denied someone from Kiribati asylum there last year. However that case did leave potential for change in future cases once the situation has worsened. The issue of refugee and migrant rights was already essential and urgent, but with the climate crisis steadily worsening and displacing more and more people, it will only become more so. We need to stand up for people to have the right to live somewhere safely and to be given provisions. Everyone deserves safety.    We also need to change what we think determines someone to be a refugee – the climate crisis is not currently a factor considered, conflict is the main factor recognised when granting asylum. In addition to being displaced by extreme weather events, the climate crisis is also known to increase the likelihood of war and conflict in regions most affected. In fact it has already impacted current and previous wars. The rights of people fleeing these areas in order to survive need to be protected. To achieve climate justice, we need to ensure the people most directly affected by the climate crisis are at the heart f our actions, strategies, and policies.    In the UK specifically, this means challenging the racist policies trying to be implemented by Home Secretary Priti Patel. Patel has several bills currently going through Parliament which would be incredibly harmful to people seeking asylum as well as all migrants. Her Nationality and Borders Bill goes against many human rights set out by the UN Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and the UN Refugee Convention 1951. Particularly under threat is the principle of non-refoulement which essentially means that it is against a person’s human rights to be sent back to a country they have fled where they are under threat. Just basic human kindness and empathy, right? Well that’s what our Home Secretary and entire government are lacking. This bill is one of the most horrendous pieces of legislation to be put to Parliament, and it needs to be challenged. It is currently still in the committee stages in the Commons, so add this to your list of things to write to your MP about and to challenge in protests. It is not okay.  Image source   18. Check the sustainability of your energy suppliers   Energy is a common topic of discussion when it comes to the climate crisis – whether that’s on larger scales or the individual brands we use in our own homes. And it’s important to discuss.    This is not an area I can claim to be an expert in by any stretch of the imagination, but it is something I want to learn more about. Octopus Energy is a name that gets brought up regularly, and has People’s Energy and Bristol Energy. Have a bit of a dig, question your current suppliers to ask what they’re doing to reduce their impacts, and try and find a supplier you’re happier with. And yes, this is something I’m going to try and make more time to research myself.    19. Sign the petition for a Wellbeing Economy   We need to move away from an emphasis on GDP to evaluating our state success in terms of the wellbeing of the people and planet. What’s the point of having a shit tonne of GDP if 4.3 million children are living in poverty? We need to rethink the way we see success. Ultimately that would mean moving away from the capitalist system all together, and while that is a bit of big step for the next few months, this is something that might help.   This petition is spearheaded by the likes of Caroline Lucas MP and seeks to change our focus on growth to a focus on ‘health and wellbeing of people and planet’. It currently has +40,000 signatures, and while the government has responded with something a bit vague and non-commital, it would need 100,000 before the 26th September to be debated in Parliament. Help get this debated in Parliament and bring it to the attention of friends, families, and your local MPs. In discussions with people you know, bring up the idea that would should be prioritizing health over growth and profit, start changing attitudes on a smaller level as well as bringing up on a national one.    20. If you can, try and eat fewer animal products and eat more plant-based   This is something that gets brought about time and time again when discussing individual action, and while it’s not accessible for everyone to do completely, it’s something that is important as we do know that eating fewer animal products is better for the environment. As someone who has been vegan now for over 3 years (!), I can tell you there is lots of very tasty vegan food out there for you. Cutting out meat and dairy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour. If you’re still not convinced, have a read of We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer.  21. Call out greenwashing wherever you see it   In the past year greenwashing has reached new heights. Honestly, it’s ridiculous. Particular offenders include Amazon, H&M, Shell, and now Boohoo are upping their game too. If you want to learn more about the new tactics of fashion brands, check out this article I recently wrote for Remake!   As I’ll go into in more depth in a future bog post, greenwashing is essentially when a brand spends more time, money, and resources on marketing its products as sustainable than actually making its products sustainable. Take H&M for example. They launched their Conscious Collection in 2012 and have recently launched a new campaign highlighting child climate activists, and yet there is no proof they pay their workers a living wage, they have refused to renew the Bangladesh Accord, and at the beginning of this year 21-year-old garment worker Jeyasre Kathiravel (who made clothes for H&M) was raped and murdered by her factory supervisor after months of sexual harassment from him. What was that about being ‘Conscious’ H&M?   Green-trolling is our friend here. Call them out online. Brands care about their reputation. Their reputation has a lot of impact on keeping their profits high. Drag them down publicaly, in private conversations, in emails, share that article about their latest ethics scandal to family and friends. Express your outrage in whatever way you and encourage the people around you to boycott them if they can (spoiler alert: many people can, or can at least start slowing down their consumption). Again, express this outrage to your MPs and call for legislation about what brands can claim in advertising campaigns. Currently it’s like the Wild West when it comes to sustainability claims.    22. Sign the petition to prevent oil giants from attending COP26   While groups like Unite for Climate Action should be the ones leading the conversation, the main instigators of the climate crisis should not. Frankly, they shouldn’t be driving the narrative as that way they avoid accountability. They need to be interrogated, face consequences, and ultimately forced to change. Not attending a COP summit should be part of this wake up call for them.    23. Look for local organising groups for you to get involved with   There are so many climate activist groups out there, and within those so many roles as well. There truly is a role for everyone, even if, as Tolmeia Gregory says, that’s simply making tea in meetings. Search something like ‘climate action group’ and the name of your local area. Try different variations and see what comes up. There are lots of different larger organisations who will have regional groups as well, and ask around people that you know either in person or online for information about how to get involved. Hey, you could always create your own group!    If you’re a student, check out what societies are at your uni. Groups like People & Planet are doing great work targeted specifically for students to hold universities accountable.    24. At job interviews, ask what your prospective employer is doing to be more sustainable   If you’re like me and feel like your life is mostly made up of job applications right now, this will be relevant to you! If you get interviews at some of the jobs you’re applying for, ask your interviewer what the company is doing to tackle the climate crisis? Even if they don’t have a good answer, it will bring the issue onto their agenda and show that this is something jobseekers care about. I saw someone mention this on a Facebook group and honestly think it is brilliant.     25. Ensure you have joy in your life   If there’s no dancing in the revolution, I don’t want it. I can’t remember who I’m paraphrasing there but the point is true. We need joy in whatever world we live in, and ultimately an ideal world would not be ideal unless it had joy. Joy is what sustains us, if that’s in the form of a late night dance party, our favourite takeaway, or laughs with friends. We need joy, otherwise none of this will be worth it. Have joy to keep on going.  If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa!  If you liked this post you might like: 5 Quick Ways To Learn About Fast Fashion When You Don't Have Much Time Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Twitter

Semoga selalu kompak dan semakin solid Psht Jaya

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