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Filled with glazed sticky tofu, crisp veg and crunchy peanuts, these soft and fluffy vegan bao buns are comforting, hearty and fresh all at the same time. 

PSA: This vegan pad thai can be on your table faster than you can even order take out. It's deeply sweet, savoury, and punchy all at the same time and has become our go-to weeknight recipe. If you find yourself eating the whole batch in one sitting (we've been there), double it up and enjoy the greatest working-from-home lunch that ever was.

The extra time these require for flipping this vegan pancake cereal (the latest in internet food takeovers) is returned back to you in the form of delicious mini pancakes. These bite sized morsels act as little vessels for the perfect maple syrup ratio, and soak up toppings more efficiently than their larger pancake-siblings. Tuck in friends.

Once you make homemade vegan ramen, you will never go back to a life without it. It's packed with flavour, super nourishing and extremely soothing (both to eat and make). 

Paints (poster or acrylic paints will work best)

Cut out the two sides of your box with the allplants logo, they should be equal in size.

Allplants_Puzzle_Craft_Template.jpg

Grab one of the pieces and draw some objects on the brown side. The drawing will form your puzzle pieces so make sure it has fairly large and simple shapes. We chose to draw some of our favourite veg (of course) but you can draw anything. This step can be done by the little ones - but if they’re really young, ask what they’d like and draw the objects for them. If you need some help download our printable template here.

Get painting! Bring your drawing to life with paint. The more colourful the better.  

Once dry, get out your craft knife and cut around your objects, being careful to keep the part of the picture without objects intact (you’ll need it in Step 6). This step is best done by the grown ups.

If you’re making this with younger kids you could stop at Step 4, but to make the puzzle more challenging cut the shapes further into smaller puzzle pieces.

Grab the card that remained when you cut your shapes out in Step 4. Apply glue to the yellow side and stick it to the second rectangular piece you cut out in Step 1. Then paint it all one colour - this will be your puzzle tray. 

Play! You now have your very own DIY puzzle.

Here’s a crafty way to upcycle your allplants box and get creative with the little ones at the same time. This DIY puzzle activity uses minimal equipment - just your imagination, a cardboard box, paint and tools for cutting and sticking.  

Blog Post: Upcycle Your Box With This Puzzle Craft For Kids

Here’s a crafty way to upcycle your allplants box and get creative with the little ones at the same time. This DIY puzzle activity for kids uses minimal equipment - just your imagination, a cardboard box, paint and tools for cutting and sticking. 

Upcycle Your Box With This Puzzle Craft For Kids

Here’s a crafty way to upcycle your allplants box and get creative with the little ones at the same time. This DIY puzzle activity uses minimal equipment - just your imagination, a cardboard box, paint and tools for cutting and sticking. Crafting is all about having fun and experimenting, but if you want to create a vegetable puzzle just like ours we’ve also given you a printable template too.

Food diary: talk us through what you eat in an average day

Lunch: avocado or nut butter toast, or soup 

Dinner: an array of vegetables and potatoes or grains, or an allplants meal

Dessert: something delicious and sweet. Watermelon or mango, or chocolate

Drinks: throughout the day I drink a lot of herbal teas, and decaf coffee. It’s also important to drink lots of water. The brain and heart are around 70% water, and muscles closer to 80%, so being hydrated is super important to be an optimally-performing athlete.

Is there anything you’ve found particularly tough about being a vegan athlete?

I think that the only time I ever really struggled with veganism as a whole was at the very beginning. I wasn’t a very big fruit or vegetable eater. But when I had done my own research about the environmental effects of animal agriculture, the cultural biases we have grown up with, and the general health benefits, personally, I had no choice but to become vegan. 

The struggle was, and is for the majority, in the beginning, finding out how to create a full meal of food that wasn’t just a random accumulation of plants. But as time went on, I would search for new and interesting recipes to make living a vegan life more exciting and fun. And sure enough, it gets easier with time and experience. 

What does your wrestling friends think of your veganism?

There are a few different kinds of reactions to be expected from becoming vegan. It’s normally either confusion, curiosity or defensiveness. Just because humans have done something for a long time, it doesn’t make it right. Or people say ‘it’s my personal choice’ when actually it couldn’t be less personal in my mind. 

Luckily, for the most part, colleagues have reacted supportively. Now there is quite a high number of guys and girls in WWE and wrestling as a whole living a vegan or plant-based lifestyle.

How do you manage what you eat whilst on the road?

Whilst on the road, eating is pretty easy. If it’s just in the UK, there’s plenty of vegan options in most shops now, and at services. Then when travelling with WWE, they provide catering with a number of vegan choices. 

It was difficult when I was new to veganism because not only was it not popular four years ago, but I was still figuring it out, having to read the label of absolutely everything I ate. Now, I’m pretty knowledgeable about what I can and can’t eat.

What do you eat when you’re in training?

I eat the same regardless of how intense my training is. I tend to eat a lot of healthy food all day, every day. My personal favourite is a bowl of oats because they’re very easy to pimp up. You can add nuts and seeds, fruit, superfood powders or even add protein if that’s something that you feel you need more of. 

Soups are another nice and easy way to get a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and spices in. Also, juices and smoothies are a staple in my everyday consumption. 

I like to think about eating as many different colours as possible because normally each colour holds its own unique collection of vitamins and minerals. 

What would you eat as a celebration for a big win?

This is a funny question because I think most people would celebrate by eating a big heavy burger or pizza or drinking alcohol. But not me. That is something that I have definitely done before, but these days maybe I’ll go crazy and just have a fizzy drink. I like a tasty ginger beer, ha.

What’s the vegan scene like where you live?

There’s not really much of a vegan scene where I live (in beautiful Dudley). Although, there is an absolutely delicious vegan restaurant in Stourbridge about 10 mins away called VGNBoulevard. Or I’ll head into Birmingham. Natural Bar and Kitchen is probably my favourite there.

Thanks, Tyler! You can see what he gets up to in his day-to-day life via his Instagram. 

In this series, we chatted to a bunch of our vegan friends from all different walks of life to find out what they eat in a typical day, and beyond. Read about Tyler, the professional vegan wrestler.

We love dispelling vegan stereotypes. And we also love talking about all-things plant-based. So we were delighted to chat with Tyler Bate, professional vegan wrestler, about his life, his diet and what being vegan means to him.

There’s not much this city doesn’t have to offer. Five universities, The Fab Four, The Three Graces, two world-famous cathedrals and one very hungry vegan. Here’s our favourite vegan restaurants, cafes and bars in Liverpool. Don’t spot yours below? Let us know over on Instagram. 

Best vegan food in Liverpool for... when you’re craving something naughty

Ok, the award for the best restaurant name ever goes to the good people at Wootan Scran – Liverpool’s famous vegan Chinese chippy. They serve up everything your heart desires from a chip shop with a delicious Chinese twist. From fried rice dishes, noodles, bao, burgers and a whole load of chips, you will not leave hungry. (Though sorry that you probably are right now). 

Vegan Insta addicts will recognise Monami Frost as one of the biggest influencers on the scene. Liverpool vegans are also lucky enough to know her as owner of Frost Burgers – a fully plant-based burger joint in the city centre. The menu bursts with delights such as the Bacon Free, Cheezburger and Fish Free options, and if you’ve got room, make sure you try the Frost Bites too. Consider your burger cravings cured. 

Best vegan food in Liverpool for… when you need some vitamins 

There’s a reason this relatively new vegetarian spot has become a firm favourite for plant-based Liverpudlians. As well as being a great place to start a night out (their drinks menu is tasty) it’s also a solid option to stock up on your fruits and veggies the morning after. We love their Buddha bowls (the sweet and spicy one is our fave) and recommend washing it down with a detox smoothie. 

Photo credit: White Wolf Yoga and Kitchen 

Here you can live out your wildest vegan dreams by taking a yoga class and enjoying a nourishing treat afterwards (because some stereotypes are fair and awesome). The cafe and yoga studio is nestled in an old Victorian ballroom, making it the perfect place to get zen. We highly recommend refuelling with one of the hearty, wholesome salads and fresh juices for the best post-workout feast. 

Best vegan food in Liverpool for… when you’re feeling fancy 

Sit back, relax and soak up the beautiful surroundings as you sample the vegan tasting menu curated by renowned chef Paul Askew. Delectable dishes include roasted celery hearts with pomegranate molasses, herb bulgur wheat, chickpeas, and sesame-wilted Swiss chard. Because there definitely is such a thing as vegan fine dining in the UK. 

If you’re looking for a dining experience with a show, look no further. A Japanese restaurant with an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu, Sapporo Teppanyaki’s offers deliciously authentic Japanese cuisine with a western twist. As well as delicious food, the resident chefs provide a truly thrilling teppanyaki performance as they prepare your dishes right in front of you. 

Best vegan food in Liverpool for... humble hipsters

Are you even vegan or vegetarian if you don’t take a trip to The Egg cafe? (No). The Egg is a creative, comforting refuge for the city’s plant-based community and beyond. Expect stews, soups, pasta dishes and salads, with a slice of spoken word, life drawing classes and/or university society meet-ups. So take your notebook as you enjoy one of their tasty coffees and something sweet, as you just may get inspired. 

A firm favourite with students, this traditional English pub turned it up a notch when it went fully vegan in 2017. It’s the perfect place to satisfy your pub grub cravings, in laid back surroundings. From corn dogs to ice cream cookie sandwiches, they put an interesting spin on the classics making sure that no vegan or vegetarian has to go without. 

Heading north west, we’re exploring the best vegan restaurants in one of the most vibrant, young and exciting cities in the UK – Liverpool.

Heading north west, we’re exploring the best vegan restaurants in one of the most vibrant, young and exciting cities in the UK – Liverpool. Here are a handful of our favourite vegan-friendly eateries this amazing city has to offer.

Vegan Eats: Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Liverpool 

Read on to find out about our recommended vegan and vegan...ish spots for a day (and night, if you’re feeling fancy) at this, quite frankly, rather splendid seaside town. If we’ve missed one of your favourite plant-based spots, then let us know on Instagram!

Best vegan food in Brighton for... when you’re craving something naughty

Where: The Hope & Ruin, 11-12 Queens Rd, BN1 3WA

Beelzebab is Brighton’s tantalising answer to your late-night vegan doner kebab craving. With mouthwatering loaded fries drenched in vegan cheese, chilli sauce and mustard, as well as hot dogs made out of seitan and tofu topped with fried onions, you simply won’t be able to resist. Beelzebab also claims to be ‘666% vegan’, further certifying that they are indeed your naughtiest option for when you hit up Brighton. 

If you’re craving a sweet hit, then Trading Post Coffee Roasters is the naughty devil on your shoulder. With a whole section of their menu dedicated to vegan options, we can guarantee you’ll have trouble picking between them. I would personally always go for their sweet, creamy hot chocolate with oat milk to really satisfy that fancy for sweetness. Alternatively, you could go for their Dirty Chai Latte if you’re craving something different. But if you’re after that hit of caffeine over sugar, then the coffee at Trading Post is natural, sustainable and fair trade. You can see more about their sustainability practices here.

Best vegan food in Brighton for… when you need some vitamins 

After the indulgent vegan doner kebab of Beelzebab and rich hot chocolate at Trading Post, you might be feeling like you need a vitamin hit. With their mostly organic, biodynamic and locally sourced produce, the superfood smoothies and cold-pressed juices at Wolfox will be a welcome refresh. Their food counter blooming with croissants, bagels and pancakes is also all 100% vegan with gluten-free options.

Where: Open Market, Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU

Smorl’s is a completely vegan cafe that centres around, you guessed it, houmous. Based in the Brighton Open Market, you’ll have the chance to wander around all of the cute stalls before getting your vitamin hit at Smorl’s. This family business prides itself on supplying everyone’s favourite Middle Eastern dip, but created with a ‘dollop of Brighton flair’. Their houmous is made from Lebanese tahini, organic chickpeas and olive oil served on huge falafel pittas and salad boxes.

Best vegan food in Brighton for… when you’re feeling fancy 

Think fresh, organic, natural, local (yet fancy), Six is Brighton and Hove’s answer to your sophisticated brunch with friends. The restaurant setting is inspired by European fields, rich flavours and tales of romance. Their vegan brunch is one not to miss, with natural smoothies, plant-based hot drinks, cold-pressed juices and the one and only, vegan brunch bowl. A bowl of brunch? Revolutionary. Their fruit and vegetables are grown locally and mostly organically and are delivered each morning to the restaurant ensuring they are ultra-fresh.

Food for Friends is a fully vegetarian and mostly vegan restaurant that sits on the corner of the sprawling expanse of lanes that creates only the freshest and consciously sourced meals. Their offering consists of a mixture of small and large plates, as well as organic wines, craft beers and refreshing cocktails. Try the Inari Tofu Wrap along with their Crispy Thai Cauliflower for a full flavour hit.

Best vegan food in Brighton for... humble hipsters

What’s the next best thing since sliced bread I hear you ask? Why vegan pizza of course. Served lovingly by Purezza, based in both Camden and Brighton, you’ll find your stop for a humble yet delicious meal here. Proud to be the first vegan pizzeria in the UK, Purezza is paving the way for vegan as well as gluten-free and raw options to your classic Italian. Their goal is to make their plant-based menu ‘superior’ to traditional alternatives, a goal that allplants can totally relate with. Their pizza dough is freshly made each day ready to be topped with an array of vibrant veggies. They also have a bargain lunch menu where you can grab a pizza from £5 (so you really have no excuse not to hit up Purezza while in Brighton). To top it all off, why not order one of their oreo pizzas? Yes, oreo pizza. You heard right. 

Vegan sushi. Need we say more? Happy Maki has a restaurant based in Brighton with another on the way, while also serving takeaways and festivals (you may have seen them if you’ve been knee-deep in mud at Glastonbury at some point). Their ethos is that sushi can be sustainable and delicious but without fish or meat of any kind which is why they are 100% vegan. Their menu ranges from your classic sushi roll to sushi bowls, popcorn cauliflower and kombucha. Happy Maki also works off a ‘pay as you feel’ basis in what they call a ‘gift economy’ where you can pay as much or as little as you like for your meal. So for all you humble hipsters out there, Happy Maki is undoubtedly a spot to tick off the Brighton list. 

Only a quick train ride from London, Brighton offers you its quirky lanes, independent shops, edgy students and plenty of vegan restaurants and cafes to choose from. Here are our favourites. 

Only a quick train ride from London, Brighton offers you its quirky lanes, independent shops, edgy students and plenty of vegan restaurants and cafes to choose from. Here are a handful of our favourite vegan-friendly eateries this amazing city has to offer.

Vegan Eats: Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Brighton 

Daydreaming about a day at the seaside but not sure where to start? Then look no further than the rocky beaches and infamous sunsets of Brighton. Only a quick train ride from London, Brighton offers you its quirky lanes, independent shops, edgy students and plenty of vegan restaurants and cafes to choose from.

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Upcycle Your Box With This Puzzle Craft For Kids

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