Midlife is a new compilation album from Blur, with music from 'Leisure', their debut album released in 1991, to their last, 'Think Tank', released in 2003, with five others in between. Originally formed in 1989, they are an alternative rock band that helped to popularise the Britpop genre. They also had a famous rivalry with Oasis, called 'The Battle of Britpop'.
However, in 2003 the band split up, with guitarist, Graham Coxen, following a solo career, singer, Damon Albarn, writing and performing in the band 'Gorillaz', and bassist, Alex James, becoming a cheese farmer. But in July, they will reunite to perform in Hyde Park and after the tickets sold out in less than two minutes, announcements were made of an extra show, with promises of even more performances in the future. So it's probably no coincidence that this album has been released less than a month before the shows.
Blur have already released a compilation album in 2000, titled 'Blur: The Best Of', which featured many of the band's singles. However, this new one is made up of more than just the singles, containing some of the songs that Blur's biggest fans, and even the band itself, would call their favourites.
Although it contains some of their biggest and most famous hits, such as 'Song 2', 'Girls and Boys', and 'Parklife', it also has some less well known (but just as good) songs, for example, 'This Is A Low', and 'Trimm Trabb', which you wouldn't have heard if you have only listened to Blur on the radio.
Even though this compilation was made to show off some of the bands lesser known work, it was a big surprise to find that it does not include 'Country House', one of their biggest hits, which went into direct competition with Oasis's 'Roll With It' when both singles were released on the same day. 'Country House' got 58,000 more sales than 'Roll With It'.
If you already have all of the Blur albums, apart from 'Popscene', which has previously never been released on an album, there won’t really be anything new for you. However, if you are new to Blur, but can't afford to buy all of their albums, this compilation CD, with 25 songs over two discs will give you a good idea of what Blur were, or maybe still are, all about.
Daniel Garlick
Monday 29 June 2009
New Bacon's College Leadership Team
The New Bacon’s College Leadership Team
Head Girl: Lauren Scoltock
Head Boy: Daniel Antwi
Deputy Head Girl: Olive Mackintosh-Lowe
Deputy Head Boy: Joey McEwan
Leadership Team:
Chloe Holdforth- In Charge of Arts and Design
Banah Rashid and Jusna Khanum- Relations with year 11
Daniel Rands- Performance and Charity Appeals
Arnob Shahriah and Frederick Heath-Renn- Gifted and Talented
Abbey Chapman- Mediation
As some of you may know, the new Leadership Team has been decided. Lauren Scoltock has been chosen as Head Girl and Daniel Antwi as Head Boy. The deputies are Olive Mackintosh and Joey McEwan. For the first time in Bacon’s history, the Head Boy is an external student. In his speech to the Sixth Form Daniel spoke about how surprised he was to be picked Head Boy, “It came as a surprise to me, but I was told I was the right person for the job… its an honour”.
Lauren also expressed her delight at being given the role of Head Girl, “I couldn’t stop smiling… it feels good to know that I am trusted to represent the interests of my friends and peers”.
Head Girl: Lauren Scoltock
Head Boy: Daniel Antwi
Deputy Head Girl: Olive Mackintosh-Lowe
Deputy Head Boy: Joey McEwan
Leadership Team:
Chloe Holdforth- In Charge of Arts and Design
Banah Rashid and Jusna Khanum- Relations with year 11
Daniel Rands- Performance and Charity Appeals
Arnob Shahriah and Frederick Heath-Renn- Gifted and Talented
Abbey Chapman- Mediation
As some of you may know, the new Leadership Team has been decided. Lauren Scoltock has been chosen as Head Girl and Daniel Antwi as Head Boy. The deputies are Olive Mackintosh and Joey McEwan. For the first time in Bacon’s history, the Head Boy is an external student. In his speech to the Sixth Form Daniel spoke about how surprised he was to be picked Head Boy, “It came as a surprise to me, but I was told I was the right person for the job… its an honour”.
Lauren also expressed her delight at being given the role of Head Girl, “I couldn’t stop smiling… it feels good to know that I am trusted to represent the interests of my friends and peers”.
Finally! A Briton Wins Queen
FINALLY!
After 70 years of waiting Briton finally has a Queens champion.
Andy Murray has won the AEGON championship in an impressive manner, as he dispatched of American opponent James Blake in straight sets.
The match began with both players delivering solid serves, as they both showed why they deserved to be at the final stage of the tournament. Blake began impressively as he struck with purpose, this left many English fans wondering whether the British no.1 could handle the pressure. But Murray showed just why he is the British no.1 as he displayed exquisite manipulation of the ball, which allowed him to take an early lead.
However the encounter was not over as Blake more than held he’s own against the Scot and eventually took the lead. The American continued with powerful shot after powerful shot and he seemed the better of the two at the time. Murray was clearly facing his biggest challenge of the tournament so far.
Murray managed to make it 5-5 and he finally gained some composure over the match. The pressure intensified and a number of gruelling rallies started to take their toll on Blake as errors started appearing in his game. With Blake making a number of errors Murray had the chance to serve out the set and he did so, taking the set 7-5.
The second set began in a similar fashion to the first as both players were holding their serve. At 2-2 Murray broke going 0-30 up but a combination of the American’s power and the Scot’s own errors lead to the chance quickly vanishing. The two both tried to push on the other’s serve, but it was Murray that once again did that little bit extra to claim the breakthrough at 3-3. At 5-4 Murray made no mistake of delivering the final blow as he won the set 6-4. This was the first time that a Briton had won the title since 1938 and it raised the question can Murray win Wimbledon?
After 70 years of waiting Briton finally has a Queens champion.
Andy Murray has won the AEGON championship in an impressive manner, as he dispatched of American opponent James Blake in straight sets.
The match began with both players delivering solid serves, as they both showed why they deserved to be at the final stage of the tournament. Blake began impressively as he struck with purpose, this left many English fans wondering whether the British no.1 could handle the pressure. But Murray showed just why he is the British no.1 as he displayed exquisite manipulation of the ball, which allowed him to take an early lead.
However the encounter was not over as Blake more than held he’s own against the Scot and eventually took the lead. The American continued with powerful shot after powerful shot and he seemed the better of the two at the time. Murray was clearly facing his biggest challenge of the tournament so far.
Murray managed to make it 5-5 and he finally gained some composure over the match. The pressure intensified and a number of gruelling rallies started to take their toll on Blake as errors started appearing in his game. With Blake making a number of errors Murray had the chance to serve out the set and he did so, taking the set 7-5.
The second set began in a similar fashion to the first as both players were holding their serve. At 2-2 Murray broke going 0-30 up but a combination of the American’s power and the Scot’s own errors lead to the chance quickly vanishing. The two both tried to push on the other’s serve, but it was Murray that once again did that little bit extra to claim the breakthrough at 3-3. At 5-4 Murray made no mistake of delivering the final blow as he won the set 6-4. This was the first time that a Briton had won the title since 1938 and it raised the question can Murray win Wimbledon?
Pastel Romance
Think Wuthering Heights meets Pride and Prejudice but with a modern twist. Think preppy, polished, voluptuous sleeves and delicate frills. Think candy-floss pinks and blues. Think romance. This summer there is one trend that captures all of these perfectly. Full of romance and luxury, ‘tis the season to be gorgeous.
Take British designer Luella as your main source of inspiration this season with her collections showing a more fresh and airy look for this summer. It is filled with candy pinks, vibrant oranges, sultry lilacs and fresh creams o indulge yourself in fantasy. Most of her pieces contain frills or bows attached to complete this cute and summery look.
Primark does really good imitations of Luella’s spring/summer collection for a good price. Items such as floral shirts and light and airy pastel coloured dresses from around £9.00. From a recent shopping trip I came home with more bargains then I expected for this trend; a cream coloured dress, a collection of white, coral, and pearled jewellery, white bowed shoes and a bright pink chain-bag. And all for the delectable price of £25.
Topshop also does this well, with the store having pretty pastels scattered around the store. The high street has done well with this trend, welcoming it and doing it justice, so saunter down to Oxford Street now!
Gordon to Brown
Sarah to Brown
Love from Tony!Up to Down
Gordon to Down
Down to Brown
Gordon to Brown
Brown to Down
Down to Brown
Gordon to Drown
Gordon to Brown
Gordon Brown is goin’ down
Sarah to Brown
Love from Tony!Up to Down
Gordon to Down
Down to Brown
Gordon to Brown
Brown to Down
Down to Brown
Gordon to Drown
Gordon to Brown
Gordon Brown is goin’ down
The Queen is very posh
The Queen eats lots and lots The Queen is kind of nice
And she NEVER looks at the price The Queen, I think, is lean
And also kind of mean The Queen is quite long-winded
And……I can’t think of a rhyme
So on that line I've ended
The Civil War by Eren Gul
The Civil War
There is nothing civil about war.
War……….war doesn’t change, but men do.
On a tired battlefield an ex-military serviceman who has seen enough bloodshed to last him several lifetimes again finds himself in the middle of a conflict, not knowing quite where it will take him. His extensive skills are no match to the new recruits he is sitting next to on the truck. They are currently being transported to the frontlines of the raging battle between the divided brothers of East and West. Our merc, David, looks around for a second to examine the battleground and execute his orders to perfection like he has done many times before. He only takes a few seconds to do this, but it seems as though it is in slow motion and taking minutes, but he knows very well that spending a second longer than what you need, to do something can result in death.
They arrive at the frontline and dismount. They are greeted by bullets and haze. No wonder why nothing good ever came from war, he hears grown men screaming in pain, and crying for help, but its nothing that he hasn’t come across before. He presses on to a point where he and a fellow soldier are pinned down behind a wall by heavy gunfire. The soldier beside him is young, in his 20’s maybe, 25 at the most, but the main thing that separates these two men from each other isn’t their experience on the battlefield; but their reasons for being there. The young man has lost all his family when opposing soldiers came in the middle of the night to his small village and killed everyone but him; he survived just barely with gun shot wounds to the shoulder and legs. But that night the young man lost everything, his mum, his dad, his younger sisters. The soldiers of the West burnt down his whole village, by the time he came to and was able to walk, there was not a single sign to show that his village once existed, everything was burnt, shattered and broken leaving behind smolders and rubble. The young man collapsed at the sight of just horror and devastation, he felt powerless and so a sense of guilt overwhelmed him, and from that day on, he vowed to himself that until he draws his last breath on this world, he will fight to regain his honor and avenge the deaths of his loved ones.
There next to our merc, sat a changed man, a young man who has nothing left to lose, and so with that in mind the soldier leapt from his seat, lifted his gun and fired away, our merc had never seen such a thing in his life, even under tremendous amount of fire the soldier killed 3 of the opposing militants and was not hurt himself, it was like he was being shielded from all the hurt and pain because he had a personal reason for being there, one that he believed in. The merc stood still in despair, while the soldier ran across the battlefield while under fire to another wall, bullets hitting the floor and raising the dust, despite all that he made it and signaled the merc to follow while he provided covering fire. The merc made it one piece. They both now stood side by side looking at the enemy dead in the face, thinking that they will be victorious, but there are no winners in war, only losers, and war doesn’t determine who is right, but only determines who is left. The young soldier had shown great courage under fire, he turned to out merc and said “wow that was lucky.” To which David replied “there is no such thing as luck on the battlefield, only those who have and show great skill and those who die.”
Now it was time for our merc to lead and show the novice how combat is supposed to be undertaken, he was on point and gave the signal to follow. The two men supported other fighters to run the rest of the scattered enemy infantry out of that area, but it was pure mayhem, and chaos. It was every man for himself, as all the soldiers of the East move on through the area they encountered pockets of resistance, but they have received some casualties. Finally they had achieved what they wanted and drived all the enemy out of the area, big cheers, shouts and songs of joy followed as they all started to relax a little, but this was short lived, because suddenly mortar strikes were inbound, shells were hitting the floor all around them creating clouds of dust, blood and death. They soon realized that the enemy had withdrawn not because they were retreating, but to gain a strategical advantage by getting them into the vulnerable open. Their location had been zeroed; the mortar shells landed with deadly accuracy, everybody ducked and ran for cover. Again more ear deathening explosions and screams of soldiers were being heard by our merc, he and the young soldier were also exposed, and they were headed for some cover when the screeching sound of a mortar shell slicing through the air came closer and closer. And BANG! A mortar round had landed near them; the impact was so bad that the smoke did not go away for a minute. When the smoke lifted there was no sign of either of them, could it be? Has the legendary merc finally been killed on a battlefield he spent most of his life on? But a rugged figure in the distance rose from the floor………it was the young soldier, he stumbled over to the place where the merc lay, his ears ringing from the explosion and his body shaking from the blast that sent him flying. He again found himself on his knees, feeling powerless; the merc had severe injuries to his whole right side, half his face was burnt to an extreme state, his torso ripped apart from the shrapnel, his right arm and leg cut and blood everywhere. His last words were “listen kid……create your own luck on any battlefield, fight for what you believe in.” the soldier was in such a state that he could not reply, he just shook his head in agreement, still while this is going on around them more shells are exploding, and finally the merc says “go!” and the young soldier has no other choice but to leave the merc to his inevitable fate. Amongst all that anarchy, the merc lay feeling cold and in a solitary state. He contemplates if this was all worth it, well…….was it worth it? The whole point of life is to live it for yourself, to teach the next generation right from wrong and to leave behind a legacy, your legacy. He had wasted nearly his entire life fighting, and all for what?
I know the story of that lone merc, because once a great man told me to fight for what I believe in and so I am, I’m putting up a fight in another battle, but this battle is called life.
War……….war doesn’t change, but men do.
By Eren Gul
There is nothing civil about war.
War……….war doesn’t change, but men do.
On a tired battlefield an ex-military serviceman who has seen enough bloodshed to last him several lifetimes again finds himself in the middle of a conflict, not knowing quite where it will take him. His extensive skills are no match to the new recruits he is sitting next to on the truck. They are currently being transported to the frontlines of the raging battle between the divided brothers of East and West. Our merc, David, looks around for a second to examine the battleground and execute his orders to perfection like he has done many times before. He only takes a few seconds to do this, but it seems as though it is in slow motion and taking minutes, but he knows very well that spending a second longer than what you need, to do something can result in death.
They arrive at the frontline and dismount. They are greeted by bullets and haze. No wonder why nothing good ever came from war, he hears grown men screaming in pain, and crying for help, but its nothing that he hasn’t come across before. He presses on to a point where he and a fellow soldier are pinned down behind a wall by heavy gunfire. The soldier beside him is young, in his 20’s maybe, 25 at the most, but the main thing that separates these two men from each other isn’t their experience on the battlefield; but their reasons for being there. The young man has lost all his family when opposing soldiers came in the middle of the night to his small village and killed everyone but him; he survived just barely with gun shot wounds to the shoulder and legs. But that night the young man lost everything, his mum, his dad, his younger sisters. The soldiers of the West burnt down his whole village, by the time he came to and was able to walk, there was not a single sign to show that his village once existed, everything was burnt, shattered and broken leaving behind smolders and rubble. The young man collapsed at the sight of just horror and devastation, he felt powerless and so a sense of guilt overwhelmed him, and from that day on, he vowed to himself that until he draws his last breath on this world, he will fight to regain his honor and avenge the deaths of his loved ones.
There next to our merc, sat a changed man, a young man who has nothing left to lose, and so with that in mind the soldier leapt from his seat, lifted his gun and fired away, our merc had never seen such a thing in his life, even under tremendous amount of fire the soldier killed 3 of the opposing militants and was not hurt himself, it was like he was being shielded from all the hurt and pain because he had a personal reason for being there, one that he believed in. The merc stood still in despair, while the soldier ran across the battlefield while under fire to another wall, bullets hitting the floor and raising the dust, despite all that he made it and signaled the merc to follow while he provided covering fire. The merc made it one piece. They both now stood side by side looking at the enemy dead in the face, thinking that they will be victorious, but there are no winners in war, only losers, and war doesn’t determine who is right, but only determines who is left. The young soldier had shown great courage under fire, he turned to out merc and said “wow that was lucky.” To which David replied “there is no such thing as luck on the battlefield, only those who have and show great skill and those who die.”
Now it was time for our merc to lead and show the novice how combat is supposed to be undertaken, he was on point and gave the signal to follow. The two men supported other fighters to run the rest of the scattered enemy infantry out of that area, but it was pure mayhem, and chaos. It was every man for himself, as all the soldiers of the East move on through the area they encountered pockets of resistance, but they have received some casualties. Finally they had achieved what they wanted and drived all the enemy out of the area, big cheers, shouts and songs of joy followed as they all started to relax a little, but this was short lived, because suddenly mortar strikes were inbound, shells were hitting the floor all around them creating clouds of dust, blood and death. They soon realized that the enemy had withdrawn not because they were retreating, but to gain a strategical advantage by getting them into the vulnerable open. Their location had been zeroed; the mortar shells landed with deadly accuracy, everybody ducked and ran for cover. Again more ear deathening explosions and screams of soldiers were being heard by our merc, he and the young soldier were also exposed, and they were headed for some cover when the screeching sound of a mortar shell slicing through the air came closer and closer. And BANG! A mortar round had landed near them; the impact was so bad that the smoke did not go away for a minute. When the smoke lifted there was no sign of either of them, could it be? Has the legendary merc finally been killed on a battlefield he spent most of his life on? But a rugged figure in the distance rose from the floor………it was the young soldier, he stumbled over to the place where the merc lay, his ears ringing from the explosion and his body shaking from the blast that sent him flying. He again found himself on his knees, feeling powerless; the merc had severe injuries to his whole right side, half his face was burnt to an extreme state, his torso ripped apart from the shrapnel, his right arm and leg cut and blood everywhere. His last words were “listen kid……create your own luck on any battlefield, fight for what you believe in.” the soldier was in such a state that he could not reply, he just shook his head in agreement, still while this is going on around them more shells are exploding, and finally the merc says “go!” and the young soldier has no other choice but to leave the merc to his inevitable fate. Amongst all that anarchy, the merc lay feeling cold and in a solitary state. He contemplates if this was all worth it, well…….was it worth it? The whole point of life is to live it for yourself, to teach the next generation right from wrong and to leave behind a legacy, your legacy. He had wasted nearly his entire life fighting, and all for what?
I know the story of that lone merc, because once a great man told me to fight for what I believe in and so I am, I’m putting up a fight in another battle, but this battle is called life.
War……….war doesn’t change, but men do.
By Eren Gul
Monday 22 June 2009
The Government - Chloe Kirk
The government
Are very trustworthy
Honest!
No idea why people pick on them
No idea why they’re all angry
Labour sits in his office
Stumped
He’s come fifth
A minority group
While Conservative dances all night
Labour growls
Greasy Mr Conservative
Dances all night
Are very trustworthy
Honest!
No idea why people pick on them
No idea why they’re all angry
Labour sits in his office
Stumped
He’s come fifth
A minority group
While Conservative dances all night
Labour growls
Greasy Mr Conservative
Dances all night
Give Me a Bowl - Chloe Kirk
Give me a bowl
Pure water
Made of glass
Lapping at the edges
Sparkling
Pretty light
Plays on its surface
Give me a bowl
Pure water
Made from glass
The world is made of bowls
Pure water
Made of glass
Lapping at the edges
Sparkling
Pretty light
Plays on its surface
Give me a bowl
Pure water
Made from glass
The world is made of bowls
A Long Piece of Rope - Chloe Kirk
A long piece of rope
Climbs from the sky
To the ground
Grinning
And it slips
Falling into the sky
Through the clouds
And from view.
Clutch at the grass
I don’t want to fall into the sky too
Climbs from the sky
To the ground
Grinning
And it slips
Falling into the sky
Through the clouds
And from view.
Clutch at the grass
I don’t want to fall into the sky too
Monday 27 April 2009
New Short Story - The War Copy
The war, 1944. The blitz. The bombs are falling, London lies in ruin and smoke pours through every street. A girl rushes past, fourteen or so, and fear is written on her face, she clutches the hand of a sandy haired four year old, he tugs a teddy behind him. She pulls him forwards, whispering in his ear that every thing will be okay when her face clearly suggests otherwise.
They take a sharp turn and come into a narrow alleyway, and then out and up a steep slope. They stop at the top and gasp for breath. The scruffy teddy slips from the boy’s hands and then down the slope and back into the dark, eerie alleyway. With a cry of despair, the small boy runs down the slope and into the darkness.
“ALFIE!” the young girl shrieks, “Alfie, NO!”
And then the small boy appears, smiling. He holds up the teddy.
“ Found Mr Ted. Loo-”
And then he disappears in the reds and oranges and noise. The explosion obliterates him. The girl runs forwards and searches for the teddy. When she finds it, she sits cross-legged on the street, and allows the tears to stream down her face, her dark eyes empty.
London, 2008. Southwark.
Charlie decided that archaeology was dull work, no matter how hard his dad tried to interest him, he remained unconvinced, he had gone on work shops and countless digs with his dad since the age of five, he was eleven now and he hadn’t found a single treasure, he glared at the hole that cost him sweat and hard work. And then he saw something dirty and matted-looking, half covered with soil. He lent down and pulled out the object: it was a very scruffy teddy. He had found something! He went round the house to find his thirteen year old sister sitting on the pavement eating her breakfast. Obviously she had had one of her many arguments with mum and dad, they were always arguing.
He showed her the teddy and saw that she seemed unusually interested so he smiled smugly.
“Wow!” she exclaimed, un-noticing of his smug face, “can’t believe you finally found something, from the war! And there I was thinking you’d disappoint dad!” she pointed at a tag that he hadn’t noticed before:
He raced to his room. HE HAD A REAL WAR ARTEFACT! He gave it place of honour on his TV.
That night, with thoughts of his artefact and suchlike, he wriggled down in his bed, smiling. Until he saw the figure sitting on the end of his bed, she was translucent and ghostly. She turned her head to look at him,
“Alfie?” she asked in a whisper, she lent over to touch him but disappeared just seconds before she made conact.
In the morning, the first he did was to throw the blasted, haunted teddy out. But when he opened the door to go to bed the teddy was there again, staring at him with those same empty plastic eyes… he threw it out of the window and finally nodded off. But then, in the middle of the night, he woke up again to see the ghost sitting on the end of the bed, she lent over and her mouth formed the same words as the night before: Alfie? But no sound came out, he recoiled and again she disappeared. When he looked in the morning, he saw the teddy was back, but this time he was on a pile of books next to the TV…
These nightly visits became part of his routine and he almost felt worried when the girl was late, but there was this thing that made him just slightly uneasy; each night, the teddy seemed to come slightly closer to his bed, he told himself that he was imagining things and he just put the teddy back firmly to the top of the TV where it belonged but still…
One night though, it was different. He woke up, as expected, at midnight but the lady was not yet there, his eyes darted to his wardrobe where the teddy had been the last night but it was not there, it was on his bedside cabinet. He put it back firmly on the TV and decided to read until the lady came. When she did though, she seemed much more real. She lent over, as always, but she didn’t stop, her hand was millimetres away from his cheek and still coming closer, she wasn’t going to stop… but then she disappeared, he heaved a sigh of relief and turned over, but this was a mistake, the teddy was inches away from his face… it’s paw rose… and it touched him.
There was nothing but darkness, until the alleyway came into focus. An alleyway, at least, that’s what it seemed to be. Two figures ran past him: a teenager and her little brother, just like the one who had brought him here. A few minutes later he heard a voice above the many bangs that were happening around the place:
“ALFIE! NO!”
The boy had run back down but he hadn’t seemed to notice Charlie.
He picked up something and then disappeared to the other side of the alleyway again.
“Found Mr Ted. Loo-”
It was then that the world exploded.
When Charlie’s dad came to bury the hole that he and Charlie had dug a few weeks ago he found a pile of bones wearing Charlie’s pyjamas…
By Chloe Kirk
They take a sharp turn and come into a narrow alleyway, and then out and up a steep slope. They stop at the top and gasp for breath. The scruffy teddy slips from the boy’s hands and then down the slope and back into the dark, eerie alleyway. With a cry of despair, the small boy runs down the slope and into the darkness.
“ALFIE!” the young girl shrieks, “Alfie, NO!”
And then the small boy appears, smiling. He holds up the teddy.
“ Found Mr Ted. Loo-”
And then he disappears in the reds and oranges and noise. The explosion obliterates him. The girl runs forwards and searches for the teddy. When she finds it, she sits cross-legged on the street, and allows the tears to stream down her face, her dark eyes empty.
London, 2008. Southwark.
Charlie decided that archaeology was dull work, no matter how hard his dad tried to interest him, he remained unconvinced, he had gone on work shops and countless digs with his dad since the age of five, he was eleven now and he hadn’t found a single treasure, he glared at the hole that cost him sweat and hard work. And then he saw something dirty and matted-looking, half covered with soil. He lent down and pulled out the object: it was a very scruffy teddy. He had found something! He went round the house to find his thirteen year old sister sitting on the pavement eating her breakfast. Obviously she had had one of her many arguments with mum and dad, they were always arguing.
He showed her the teddy and saw that she seemed unusually interested so he smiled smugly.
“Wow!” she exclaimed, un-noticing of his smug face, “can’t believe you finally found something, from the war! And there I was thinking you’d disappoint dad!” she pointed at a tag that he hadn’t noticed before:
He raced to his room. HE HAD A REAL WAR ARTEFACT! He gave it place of honour on his TV.
That night, with thoughts of his artefact and suchlike, he wriggled down in his bed, smiling. Until he saw the figure sitting on the end of his bed, she was translucent and ghostly. She turned her head to look at him,
“Alfie?” she asked in a whisper, she lent over to touch him but disappeared just seconds before she made conact.
In the morning, the first he did was to throw the blasted, haunted teddy out. But when he opened the door to go to bed the teddy was there again, staring at him with those same empty plastic eyes… he threw it out of the window and finally nodded off. But then, in the middle of the night, he woke up again to see the ghost sitting on the end of the bed, she lent over and her mouth formed the same words as the night before: Alfie? But no sound came out, he recoiled and again she disappeared. When he looked in the morning, he saw the teddy was back, but this time he was on a pile of books next to the TV…
These nightly visits became part of his routine and he almost felt worried when the girl was late, but there was this thing that made him just slightly uneasy; each night, the teddy seemed to come slightly closer to his bed, he told himself that he was imagining things and he just put the teddy back firmly to the top of the TV where it belonged but still…
One night though, it was different. He woke up, as expected, at midnight but the lady was not yet there, his eyes darted to his wardrobe where the teddy had been the last night but it was not there, it was on his bedside cabinet. He put it back firmly on the TV and decided to read until the lady came. When she did though, she seemed much more real. She lent over, as always, but she didn’t stop, her hand was millimetres away from his cheek and still coming closer, she wasn’t going to stop… but then she disappeared, he heaved a sigh of relief and turned over, but this was a mistake, the teddy was inches away from his face… it’s paw rose… and it touched him.
There was nothing but darkness, until the alleyway came into focus. An alleyway, at least, that’s what it seemed to be. Two figures ran past him: a teenager and her little brother, just like the one who had brought him here. A few minutes later he heard a voice above the many bangs that were happening around the place:
“ALFIE! NO!”
The boy had run back down but he hadn’t seemed to notice Charlie.
He picked up something and then disappeared to the other side of the alleyway again.
“Found Mr Ted. Loo-”
It was then that the world exploded.
When Charlie’s dad came to bury the hole that he and Charlie had dug a few weeks ago he found a pile of bones wearing Charlie’s pyjamas…
By Chloe Kirk
New Poetry - The Warming Symptoms of Sunburn
A rosy Friday afternoon,
Like the glowing symptoms of sunburn.
Excited I reach for a loyal hair band, lip balm,
Your present in crinkled brown paper. Quickly,
Smiling I shut the door – a dull slam,
Yellowing light of the retiring week.
I gain the pavement – steep, unkempt.
On past a place of painfully cheery past times,
All of which you witnessed, none of which you saw.
The clutter and bunching of leafy park trees
Pressing on against the sturdy iron railings
While giving structure, keeping order
They never keep the chubby children
From the relish of the tarmac playground.
Around the round about now, impatiently I shuffle
Through track after track – bored of inner chattering monologue
I anticipate ours.
The penultimate house – still square, still solid
But not yours
The creamy green of two glossy doors
The memory of a great tree stretching to the sky in previous years
Now merged in my mind
– Gone now the giant still holds a presence.
The rubber round button against my finger tip, patiently
I pause – you, always late but always there:
“Tea?”
By Olive Mackintosh
Like the glowing symptoms of sunburn.
Excited I reach for a loyal hair band, lip balm,
Your present in crinkled brown paper. Quickly,
Smiling I shut the door – a dull slam,
Yellowing light of the retiring week.
I gain the pavement – steep, unkempt.
On past a place of painfully cheery past times,
All of which you witnessed, none of which you saw.
The clutter and bunching of leafy park trees
Pressing on against the sturdy iron railings
While giving structure, keeping order
They never keep the chubby children
From the relish of the tarmac playground.
Around the round about now, impatiently I shuffle
Through track after track – bored of inner chattering monologue
I anticipate ours.
The penultimate house – still square, still solid
But not yours
The creamy green of two glossy doors
The memory of a great tree stretching to the sky in previous years
Now merged in my mind
– Gone now the giant still holds a presence.
The rubber round button against my finger tip, patiently
I pause – you, always late but always there:
“Tea?”
By Olive Mackintosh
Thursday 18 December 2008
The Princess In the Tower - by Feyishayo Shonde
THE PRINCESS IN THE TOWER
Once there lived a beautiful maiden named Saphiere. She had fair skin and gorgeous golden locks. Her entrancing eyes twinkled and sparkled in the dark of the night. She was humble, sweet, elegant and loved by all around her.
Saphiere lived in a gigantic, underwater palace made of gold and silver. It was decked with fine exotic jewels with marble pillars and a grand marble staircase leading to the royal quarters. Golden drapes hung from the ceiling as diamond chandeliers dangled from above. She wore fine lace and silk but remained humble and unselfish.
Her father (King Augustus) loved her most out of all her family. She was a diamond in disguise and had a heart of gold. However, her step-mother’s heart was stained with hate and jealousy. Despite her envy of Saphiere, she still loved her. Saphiere’s step-mother envied her too much. Even though she tried her hardest not to show her hatred little flashes of a deadly sin appeared often on her face.
One gloomy afternoon a wicked witch came flying through the palaces gates. The witch had crooked yellow teeth and a long brown broomstick. She was rather pretty, but the hairs on her nose did not do her any justice; along with the warts on her face that added to the effect. She wore a black hooded shawl and long pointy shoes, along with tights that were patched with multicolored spots. The witch, who was very cruel and rather ugly, also envied Saphiere because of her wealth and beauty and therefore decided to place a curse on her. She transformed her into a catastrophic creature! Saphiere now had a pointy nose and her face drooped down onto her shoulders! In addition to this her gnarled fingers were crippled like claws. She took the magnificent clothes and replaced them with torn, dirty old rags. Sadly she locked Saphiere into a tower; that was ugly on the inside but beautiful on the outside.
“Your mother is a very cruel and an evil woman. She has refused to change her ways, as a result you are to remain in this tower until you find someone who truly loves you. You will be allowed one visitor and if they see you for the loving, sensitive, adorable kind person that you are, I will set you free”, explained the wicked witch. With that she abruptly disappeared, as the night swallowed her slender silhouette.
Saphiere wept bitterly; the thought of not being with her father made her cry even harder. Each night she gazed thoughtlessly from the stained glass window hoping for that special person to come and save her. For three years she stayed locked in the tower and nobody dared to come near.
One fine day a handsome price came riding past the tower. Saphiere heard the galloping of a horse and stared out of her window. “I’ve got to trust in myself, I must stay strong”, Saphiere whispered to herself “I want him to be the one!” Suddenly three knocks on the door were heard. There before her amazed eyes was this handsome blond head prince. He wore silver armour and rode a white swift horse with a hairy mane.
With that the prince appeared in the room. Unexpectedly she heard a deep voice. “What am I doing here? And who on earth are you?” exclaimed the handsome stranger. His sapphire eyes dazzled beautifully making Saphiere spellbound.
“Well I’m locked in here and I was feeling lonely and wondering if you would like to join me for dinner?” “And by the way, what is your name?” The prince was taken aback. She was hideous! He was just about to reply no, as politely as he could, but something about her made him want to stay a while longer.
“Lancelot, and what might yours be?” asked the prince.
“My name is Saphiere” she stammered surprised that he had not run away yet!
They talked for hours hopelessly lost in each other’s eyes. For the magical time that they spent together her appearance didn’t seem to matter. He saw what she looked like before the curse. The sun had set cherry red in the sky illuminating the castle; for a second it left the ground and sparkled dangerously. They floated past the clouds driven forward only by their love for each other. The tower, (ugly on the outside yet beautiful on the inside) reflected the beauty Saphiere possessed. They gazed into each other’s eyes entranced, for what seemed like minutes but when they looked up from each other it was evening again.
“Promise me you’ll never leave and you’ll stay with me forever”, she said. He embraced her then slowly leaned towards her lips. He kissed her gently and the spell was broken!
Saphiere and her handsome prince found themselves back at the underwater palace at their wedding ceremony! They both lived happily ever after.
THE END
By Feyishayo Shonde 7MD
Once there lived a beautiful maiden named Saphiere. She had fair skin and gorgeous golden locks. Her entrancing eyes twinkled and sparkled in the dark of the night. She was humble, sweet, elegant and loved by all around her.
Saphiere lived in a gigantic, underwater palace made of gold and silver. It was decked with fine exotic jewels with marble pillars and a grand marble staircase leading to the royal quarters. Golden drapes hung from the ceiling as diamond chandeliers dangled from above. She wore fine lace and silk but remained humble and unselfish.
Her father (King Augustus) loved her most out of all her family. She was a diamond in disguise and had a heart of gold. However, her step-mother’s heart was stained with hate and jealousy. Despite her envy of Saphiere, she still loved her. Saphiere’s step-mother envied her too much. Even though she tried her hardest not to show her hatred little flashes of a deadly sin appeared often on her face.
One gloomy afternoon a wicked witch came flying through the palaces gates. The witch had crooked yellow teeth and a long brown broomstick. She was rather pretty, but the hairs on her nose did not do her any justice; along with the warts on her face that added to the effect. She wore a black hooded shawl and long pointy shoes, along with tights that were patched with multicolored spots. The witch, who was very cruel and rather ugly, also envied Saphiere because of her wealth and beauty and therefore decided to place a curse on her. She transformed her into a catastrophic creature! Saphiere now had a pointy nose and her face drooped down onto her shoulders! In addition to this her gnarled fingers were crippled like claws. She took the magnificent clothes and replaced them with torn, dirty old rags. Sadly she locked Saphiere into a tower; that was ugly on the inside but beautiful on the outside.
“Your mother is a very cruel and an evil woman. She has refused to change her ways, as a result you are to remain in this tower until you find someone who truly loves you. You will be allowed one visitor and if they see you for the loving, sensitive, adorable kind person that you are, I will set you free”, explained the wicked witch. With that she abruptly disappeared, as the night swallowed her slender silhouette.
Saphiere wept bitterly; the thought of not being with her father made her cry even harder. Each night she gazed thoughtlessly from the stained glass window hoping for that special person to come and save her. For three years she stayed locked in the tower and nobody dared to come near.
One fine day a handsome price came riding past the tower. Saphiere heard the galloping of a horse and stared out of her window. “I’ve got to trust in myself, I must stay strong”, Saphiere whispered to herself “I want him to be the one!” Suddenly three knocks on the door were heard. There before her amazed eyes was this handsome blond head prince. He wore silver armour and rode a white swift horse with a hairy mane.
With that the prince appeared in the room. Unexpectedly she heard a deep voice. “What am I doing here? And who on earth are you?” exclaimed the handsome stranger. His sapphire eyes dazzled beautifully making Saphiere spellbound.
“Well I’m locked in here and I was feeling lonely and wondering if you would like to join me for dinner?” “And by the way, what is your name?” The prince was taken aback. She was hideous! He was just about to reply no, as politely as he could, but something about her made him want to stay a while longer.
“Lancelot, and what might yours be?” asked the prince.
“My name is Saphiere” she stammered surprised that he had not run away yet!
They talked for hours hopelessly lost in each other’s eyes. For the magical time that they spent together her appearance didn’t seem to matter. He saw what she looked like before the curse. The sun had set cherry red in the sky illuminating the castle; for a second it left the ground and sparkled dangerously. They floated past the clouds driven forward only by their love for each other. The tower, (ugly on the outside yet beautiful on the inside) reflected the beauty Saphiere possessed. They gazed into each other’s eyes entranced, for what seemed like minutes but when they looked up from each other it was evening again.
“Promise me you’ll never leave and you’ll stay with me forever”, she said. He embraced her then slowly leaned towards her lips. He kissed her gently and the spell was broken!
Saphiere and her handsome prince found themselves back at the underwater palace at their wedding ceremony! They both lived happily ever after.
THE END
By Feyishayo Shonde 7MD
Wednesday 17 December 2008
CHRISTMAS SHOUTOUTS!!
Merry Christmas Melissa & Beth from Diana Diaia
Merry Christmas to all the sexy bois out there, 2K8 XOXO
Merry Xmas to my girlies Jessica, Nyomie, Jasmine, Katerin, Kerrie and Stacey-Lee
Shout out to my Wiffy, you’re my number 1 babe, luff you forever (foreeffah)
Love you sesky!
We love you Toni Ross! We love ur blonde (gingerness) and ur left handed (special personness) Love Amber, Faye, Poppy and Mia
To Eva Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year love loads from Amber Poppy Toni and Chelsea.
Merry X-mas to Jessica Roberts Luv Uhss!
Merry Xmas peeps!
Merry Xmas OXO Luv X-U-X Jess and Josie and Nyomie and me!
Me Corquitt, Kepp smiling!
Merry Xmas to Josie, J23, Nyomie, N Katerin
Mr Amor – Live a long life.
Meryy Christmas Jeto
Merry Christmas to all the sexy bois out there XOXOX
To James Worster – you are the loudest most annoying science loving freak I’ve ever met. You should live a good life! From F Amor.
Merry Christmas to all the begs and the good people and buttrz bois and gals out there
XOX
1001 Jokes!
Merry Christmas to Josie, Jassica, Nyomi, Jasmine, Stacy-Lee
Merry Christmas to RAT, Stacy
Have a nice Christmas Lala!
Dear Sarah, Merry Christmas X you are the best present anyone could ask for. I love you lots, Love Daniel Maddock XXX
Merry Christmas to all the sexy bois out there, 2K8 XOXO
Merry Xmas to my girlies Jessica, Nyomie, Jasmine, Katerin, Kerrie and Stacey-Lee
Shout out to my Wiffy, you’re my number 1 babe, luff you forever (foreeffah)
Love you sesky!
We love you Toni Ross! We love ur blonde (gingerness) and ur left handed (special personness) Love Amber, Faye, Poppy and Mia
To Eva Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year love loads from Amber Poppy Toni and Chelsea.
Merry X-mas to Jessica Roberts Luv Uhss!
Merry Xmas peeps!
Merry Xmas OXO Luv X-U-X Jess and Josie and Nyomie and me!
Me Corquitt, Kepp smiling!
Merry Xmas to Josie, J23, Nyomie, N Katerin
Mr Amor – Live a long life.
Meryy Christmas Jeto
Merry Christmas to all the sexy bois out there XOXOX
To James Worster – you are the loudest most annoying science loving freak I’ve ever met. You should live a good life! From F Amor.
Merry Christmas to all the begs and the good people and buttrz bois and gals out there
XOX
1001 Jokes!
Merry Christmas to Josie, Jassica, Nyomi, Jasmine, Stacy-Lee
Merry Christmas to RAT, Stacy
Have a nice Christmas Lala!
Dear Sarah, Merry Christmas X you are the best present anyone could ask for. I love you lots, Love Daniel Maddock XXX
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Monday 15 December 2008
Thursday 11 December 2008
Tuesday 9 December 2008
WINNER OF THE GRAPHIC SHORT STORY COMPETITION!
Well done Lily Xutong Zhao! Lily's work has an original style, we particularly like the way the cloud is drawn, and the interesting way both the cloud and the sun speak. Would love to see more from you Lily - Don't forget to collect your prize after school on Monday from the library.
Thursday 4 December 2008
Wednesday 19 November 2008
The Wife
By Harry Godfrey
One day, years ago, a man married a woman very dear to his heart. Her name was Veronica, and she was the most beautiful and kind lady the man had ever had the pleasure to meet.
They had no children, no pets and it was very quiet around the house.
Something seemed to upset his wife, shortly after the man lost his job, but he still loved her so, but she found it difficult to carry on supporting him.
One morning, the man woke up to find his wire hanging off one of the curtain poles from one of his old work ties. When he saw her he felt like he could not breathe. He sat under the kitchen table and spoke to himself.
‘Was it me?’ he asked himself, ‘Was it me?’ He sweated. ‘Was it the fridge? Dumb fridge! Always bloody getting too hot!’ he twitched. ‘Or was it the window? The table? OR THE FLOOR?’
He never slept in their bed again, always on the kitchen floor, he never changed his clothes or washed ever again, he never watched telly, he just lay there in the front room staring at her cold, still body.
Over time he lost all interest. He never really ate, only when he had to, when he had no energy to stand up. He then decided it would be best to meet her himself. He locked himself in the bathroom and avoided all water and food. He then slowly drifted away.
Yes one day, many years ago, a man married a woman very dear to his heart. Her name was Veronica, and she was the most beautiful and kind lady the man had ever had the pleasure to meet.
One day, years ago, a man married a woman very dear to his heart. Her name was Veronica, and she was the most beautiful and kind lady the man had ever had the pleasure to meet.
They had no children, no pets and it was very quiet around the house.
Something seemed to upset his wife, shortly after the man lost his job, but he still loved her so, but she found it difficult to carry on supporting him.
One morning, the man woke up to find his wire hanging off one of the curtain poles from one of his old work ties. When he saw her he felt like he could not breathe. He sat under the kitchen table and spoke to himself.
‘Was it me?’ he asked himself, ‘Was it me?’ He sweated. ‘Was it the fridge? Dumb fridge! Always bloody getting too hot!’ he twitched. ‘Or was it the window? The table? OR THE FLOOR?’
He never slept in their bed again, always on the kitchen floor, he never changed his clothes or washed ever again, he never watched telly, he just lay there in the front room staring at her cold, still body.
Over time he lost all interest. He never really ate, only when he had to, when he had no energy to stand up. He then decided it would be best to meet her himself. He locked himself in the bathroom and avoided all water and food. He then slowly drifted away.
Yes one day, many years ago, a man married a woman very dear to his heart. Her name was Veronica, and she was the most beautiful and kind lady the man had ever had the pleasure to meet.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Vegan Recipies Of The Day - Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th
VEGAN LAYER SPONGE CAKE
I made this today. It migt be a little burnt, but it's still good...
I never said I could cook did I?
I made this today. It migt be a little burnt, but it's still good...
I never said I could cook did I?
It was meant to look like this:
This Recipie was from the book 'Puddings'
Eggless Sponge
8oz self-raising wholemeal flour
6oz caster sugar (I used brown sugar)
2 tsp baking powder
6tbsp sunflour oil
9 floz water
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 tbsp jam (I used way more than this)
caster sugar, for dusting (I didn't bother)
Mix the flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl
Pour in the oil, water and vanilla flavouring. Mix well witha wooden spoon for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth
Grease and line two 8" sandwich cake tins and spoon the mixture evenly between the two
Bake in a preheated oven, Gas Mark 4, for about 25-30 minutes (mine was only in for 20 but it still burnt, but that's just my oven).
Leave to cool and transfer to a wire rack. remove the baking paper and place one of the sponges on a plate.
Spread jam on the sponge which is on the plate and place the other one on top, then top it caster sugar to serve.
------------------------------------------------
Tuesday's 'Recipie':
Sandwiches.
Not really a recipie, but to be honest everyone eats sandwiches, and without vegan sandwich fillings, lunches would be a bit more complicated. So here's some vegan sandwich ideas for you.
Houmous
Houmous and salad
'Veggie Slices' (basically liike flavoured tofu slices. surprisingly nice)
Vegan 'Egg Mayo' (Vegan mayonayse, available from health food shops, with mashed tofu)
Marmite (with or without sliced cucumber)
Cucumber
Vegetable Pate
Any type of vegan dip
Miso
Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter and Banana
Peanut Butter and Jam
Jam
Tofu (any kind, prepared any way)
Vegan cream chese
Falafel's, houmous and lettuce
Salad
Mashed Kidney or Butter beans (with/ without salad)
Roasted Vegetables
Vegan Chocolate Spread (from health food shop)
There are more..but I could never list ALL the possibilities
Anything goes as long as theres no animals involved.
How To Get All Your Nutrients on a Vegan Diet
A healthy diet must include:
Protien, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, water
Everything here can be found in a vegan diet, and here's how...
PROTIEN
There are 10 types of protien requited from the diet, these are:
Arginine (not needed for adults)
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Llysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Arginine: Alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumbers, green vegetables, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, parsnips, nutritional yeast.
Histidine: Apple, pomogranates, alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion, endive, garlic, radish, spinach, turnip greens.
Isoleucine: Avocados, papayas, olives, coconut, sunflower seeds.
Leucine: Avocados, papayas, olives, coconut, sunflower seeds.
Lysine: Apples, apricots, grapes, papayas, pears, alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion greens, parsley, spinach, turnip greens.
Methionine: Apples, pineapples, Brazil nuts, filberts, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, dock (sorrel), garlic, horseradish, kale, watercress.
Phenylalanine: Apples, pineapples, beets, carrots, parsley, spinach, tomatoes, nutritional yeast.
Threnoine: Papayas, alfalfa sprouts, carrots, green leafy vegetables such as celery, collards, kale, and lettuce (especially iceberg), lima beans, laver (Nori -- a sea vegetable).
Tryptophan: Alfalfa, brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, chives, dandelion greens, endive, fennel, snap beans, spinach, turnips, nutritional yeast.
Valine: Apples, almonds, pomegranates, beets, carrots, celery, dandelion greens, lettuce, okra, parsley, parsnips, squash, tomatoes, turnips, nutritional yeast.
CARBOHYDRATE
This is not at all hard to get in a vegan diet.
Try bread, rice, cereal, potatoes, nuts and more..
FAT
Vegetable oil, nuts, seeds and more
VITAMINS
Vitamin A: carrots, broccoli leaves (more than florets), sweet potatoes, spinach, leafy vegetables, pumpkin, apricots, papaya, mango, peas
Vitamin B: potatoes, bananas, lentils, chilli peppers, tempeh, nutritional yeast (or brewer's yeast), molasses
VItamin B12: Marmite and vegemite (claim to be the best), nutritional yeast, B12 fortified cereal, B12 fortified soy milk, or suppliments (but I would not reccomend suppliments, they are unneeded and weird. plus a vegan diet is perfectly healthy so there is no need to suppliment)
Vitamin C: broccoli, capsicum, kale, cauliflower, strawberries, lemons, mustard and turnip greens, brussels sprouts, papaya, chard, cabbage, spinach, kiwifruit, snow peas, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, limes, tomatoes, zucchini, raspberries, asparagus, celery, pineapples, lettuce, watermelon, fennel, peppermint and parsley
Vitamin D: the sun (that's right!)
Vitamin E: vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals
Vitamin K: leafy green vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts avocado and kiwifruit
MINERALS
Iron: soy, dried beans, dark green leafy vegetables, lentils, spinach, potatoes and more
Calcium: tofu (if prepared using calcium sulphate contains more than four times the calcium of whole cow's milk), green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts. (The calcium in green vegetables is absorbed better than the calcium from cow's milk!)
Phosphorus: see calcium.
Sodium: salt
Potassium: bananas, citrus fruit, grains, vegetables
Iodine: seaweed, iodised salt
Magnesium: tofu, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, wheat bran, Brazil nuts, soybean flour, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, pumpkin, squash seeds, pine nuts, and black walnuts, peanuts, whole wheat flour, oat flour, beet greens, spinach, pistachio nuts, shredded wheat, bran cereals, oatmeal, bananas, and baked potatoes (with skin), agar seaweed, coriander, dill weed, celery seed, sage, dried mustard, basil, cocoa powder, fennel seed, savory, cumin seed, tarragon, marjoram, poppy seed
Zinc: beans, lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals
Copper: whole grains, nuts, raisins, legumes (beans and lentils), cereals, potatoes, peas, mushrooms, some dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach or kale), some fruits (such as coconuts, papaya, and apples), tea and rice
WATER
Water
Protien, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, water
Everything here can be found in a vegan diet, and here's how...
PROTIEN
There are 10 types of protien requited from the diet, these are:
Arginine (not needed for adults)
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Llysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Arginine: Alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumbers, green vegetables, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, parsnips, nutritional yeast.
Histidine: Apple, pomogranates, alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion, endive, garlic, radish, spinach, turnip greens.
Isoleucine: Avocados, papayas, olives, coconut, sunflower seeds.
Leucine: Avocados, papayas, olives, coconut, sunflower seeds.
Lysine: Apples, apricots, grapes, papayas, pears, alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion greens, parsley, spinach, turnip greens.
Methionine: Apples, pineapples, Brazil nuts, filberts, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, dock (sorrel), garlic, horseradish, kale, watercress.
Phenylalanine: Apples, pineapples, beets, carrots, parsley, spinach, tomatoes, nutritional yeast.
Threnoine: Papayas, alfalfa sprouts, carrots, green leafy vegetables such as celery, collards, kale, and lettuce (especially iceberg), lima beans, laver (Nori -- a sea vegetable).
Tryptophan: Alfalfa, brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, chives, dandelion greens, endive, fennel, snap beans, spinach, turnips, nutritional yeast.
Valine: Apples, almonds, pomegranates, beets, carrots, celery, dandelion greens, lettuce, okra, parsley, parsnips, squash, tomatoes, turnips, nutritional yeast.
CARBOHYDRATE
This is not at all hard to get in a vegan diet.
Try bread, rice, cereal, potatoes, nuts and more..
FAT
Vegetable oil, nuts, seeds and more
VITAMINS
Vitamin A: carrots, broccoli leaves (more than florets), sweet potatoes, spinach, leafy vegetables, pumpkin, apricots, papaya, mango, peas
Vitamin B: potatoes, bananas, lentils, chilli peppers, tempeh, nutritional yeast (or brewer's yeast), molasses
VItamin B12: Marmite and vegemite (claim to be the best), nutritional yeast, B12 fortified cereal, B12 fortified soy milk, or suppliments (but I would not reccomend suppliments, they are unneeded and weird. plus a vegan diet is perfectly healthy so there is no need to suppliment)
Vitamin C: broccoli, capsicum, kale, cauliflower, strawberries, lemons, mustard and turnip greens, brussels sprouts, papaya, chard, cabbage, spinach, kiwifruit, snow peas, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, limes, tomatoes, zucchini, raspberries, asparagus, celery, pineapples, lettuce, watermelon, fennel, peppermint and parsley
Vitamin D: the sun (that's right!)
Vitamin E: vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals
Vitamin K: leafy green vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts avocado and kiwifruit
MINERALS
Iron: soy, dried beans, dark green leafy vegetables, lentils, spinach, potatoes and more
Calcium: tofu (if prepared using calcium sulphate contains more than four times the calcium of whole cow's milk), green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts. (The calcium in green vegetables is absorbed better than the calcium from cow's milk!)
Phosphorus: see calcium.
Sodium: salt
Potassium: bananas, citrus fruit, grains, vegetables
Iodine: seaweed, iodised salt
Magnesium: tofu, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, wheat bran, Brazil nuts, soybean flour, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, pumpkin, squash seeds, pine nuts, and black walnuts, peanuts, whole wheat flour, oat flour, beet greens, spinach, pistachio nuts, shredded wheat, bran cereals, oatmeal, bananas, and baked potatoes (with skin), agar seaweed, coriander, dill weed, celery seed, sage, dried mustard, basil, cocoa powder, fennel seed, savory, cumin seed, tarragon, marjoram, poppy seed
Zinc: beans, lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals
Copper: whole grains, nuts, raisins, legumes (beans and lentils), cereals, potatoes, peas, mushrooms, some dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach or kale), some fruits (such as coconuts, papaya, and apples), tea and rice
WATER
Water
Monday 17 November 2008
Friday 14 November 2008
Vegan Recipie Of The Day - Thursday 13th & Friday 14th
Sugar Cookies
From 'The Garden Of Vegan' by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer. The recipie is measured in cups as the people who wrote it are canadian. You can buy measuring cups from homeware stores or supermarkets. One cup is approximatly equal to 130g.
3/4 cup dry sweetner (a.k.a. sugar)
1 cup margarine*
Egg replacer** equal to one egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
*dairy free margarine is available in normal shops and as far as I'm aware it doesn't cost any extra. It's just margarine made from vegetable fat instead of butter.
**egg replacer powder is available in health food shops and mayebe some supermarkets, you could also use 1/2 mashed banana per egg to be raplaced OR 1/4 cup mashed tofu OR 1 tbsp soyflour / cornstarch + 2tbsp water.
In a large bowl, stir together the margarine, sweetner, egg replacer and vanilla. Stir in the salt, flour and baking soda and mix well. Roll out and shape. Baker for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned at the edges.
Vegan Quiche
This recipie uses tofu instead of eggs to create that quiche-y texture. You can vary this recipie by adding any vegetables you want.
For the Pastry:
100g plain flour
pinch of salt
50g margarine
2-3 tbsp olive oil
To make the pastry:
sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the salt and margarine. Rub/ process the margarine into the flour until the mixture forms breadcrumbs.
Mix the oil with 3tbsp water and add to the bowl. Mix or process briefly until a dough forms. Wrap it in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Grease a 8-9" tin and preheat the oven to gas mark 6/ 200C. Roll the pastry out thinly and place into the tin. Pierce the base with a fork. Bake for 10-20 minutes or until the pastry is browned.
For the filling:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 packet tofu
1 tbsp chopped herbs of your choice
1 tbsp soy sauce
salt & pepper
nutmeg
Preheat the oven to gas mark 4 / 1180C
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onions for 10 minutes. Put half the oinion in a liquidiser and blend with the garlic and tofu. Add the rest of the onions with the fresh herbs, soy sauce, salt, peper and nutmeg to taste.
Spoon the mixture into the pastry case and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and set.
From 'The Garden Of Vegan' by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer. The recipie is measured in cups as the people who wrote it are canadian. You can buy measuring cups from homeware stores or supermarkets. One cup is approximatly equal to 130g.
3/4 cup dry sweetner (a.k.a. sugar)
1 cup margarine*
Egg replacer** equal to one egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
*dairy free margarine is available in normal shops and as far as I'm aware it doesn't cost any extra. It's just margarine made from vegetable fat instead of butter.
**egg replacer powder is available in health food shops and mayebe some supermarkets, you could also use 1/2 mashed banana per egg to be raplaced OR 1/4 cup mashed tofu OR 1 tbsp soyflour / cornstarch + 2tbsp water.
In a large bowl, stir together the margarine, sweetner, egg replacer and vanilla. Stir in the salt, flour and baking soda and mix well. Roll out and shape. Baker for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned at the edges.
Vegan Quiche
This recipie uses tofu instead of eggs to create that quiche-y texture. You can vary this recipie by adding any vegetables you want.
For the Pastry:
100g plain flour
pinch of salt
50g margarine
2-3 tbsp olive oil
To make the pastry:
sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the salt and margarine. Rub/ process the margarine into the flour until the mixture forms breadcrumbs.
Mix the oil with 3tbsp water and add to the bowl. Mix or process briefly until a dough forms. Wrap it in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Grease a 8-9" tin and preheat the oven to gas mark 6/ 200C. Roll the pastry out thinly and place into the tin. Pierce the base with a fork. Bake for 10-20 minutes or until the pastry is browned.
For the filling:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 packet tofu
1 tbsp chopped herbs of your choice
1 tbsp soy sauce
salt & pepper
nutmeg
Preheat the oven to gas mark 4 / 1180C
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onions for 10 minutes. Put half the oinion in a liquidiser and blend with the garlic and tofu. Add the rest of the onions with the fresh herbs, soy sauce, salt, peper and nutmeg to taste.
Spoon the mixture into the pastry case and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and set.
Thursday 13 November 2008
Recipie Of The Day - Wednesday 12th
Vegan Stir Fry
Not amazingly interesting, but quick and easy to make and it a great staple food. You can add anything you like to it and as it doesn't contain dairy or eggs, as long as there's no meat added (and you don't have egg noodles with it) it's completly vegan.
Vegetables of your choice, chopped.
Tofu (optional)
'Straight to wok' noodles. (just because it's really easy)
Basically, heat some oil in a pan (wok's are best but you can use any old frying pan). Then add the veg and tofu, stirring constantly. Add the noodles a bit later as they don't need that long to cook. Once everything is heated through and the vegetables are cooked, it's done.
Not amazingly interesting, but quick and easy to make and it a great staple food. You can add anything you like to it and as it doesn't contain dairy or eggs, as long as there's no meat added (and you don't have egg noodles with it) it's completly vegan.
Vegetables of your choice, chopped.
Tofu (optional)
'Straight to wok' noodles. (just because it's really easy)
Basically, heat some oil in a pan (wok's are best but you can use any old frying pan). Then add the veg and tofu, stirring constantly. Add the noodles a bit later as they don't need that long to cook. Once everything is heated through and the vegetables are cooked, it's done.
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Vegan Recipie Of The Day - Tuesday 11th
Couscous with stir-fried lettuce and marinated tofu, green beans and roasted pumpkin and red onion.
Put the tofu in a bowl with some sweet chilli sauce for about 10 minutes to flavour it a bit, then fry it in some oil with chopped iceburg lettuce.
The green beans you can buy frozen, add them to some boiling water and cook for a while, and then add to the pan with the tofu and lettuce.
Chop up the pumpkin and put it in a baking tray with the onion (also chopped). Season to taste and add olive oil. Bake for about half an hour.
To make the couscous, you just put it in a bowl and add boiling water.
That's it!
serve everything together and add whatever you like to put on your food (soy sauce is good =) ).
This recipie is a bit random and made up but it was quite nice, hope you enjoy it!
Monday 10 November 2008
Vegan Recipie Of The Day - Monday 10th.
Usually I would also include a picture of what I had for dinner today, but I forgot to take a picture of it. I had Spinach and Chickpea Curry. I don't know the recipe, my mum made it, but the recipe of the day for today is:
Aubergine and Vegimince Lasagne.
I made this on friday (I think). I'd never made vegan lasagne before but it turned out alright. Vegans can eat lasagne.
2 Aubergines
Lasagne pasta
Soya mince (or vegimince or whatever. you can buy it in Tescos.)
Salt
Soya Sauce
Water
Vegan Cheese (if you like. I didn't put any on because I don't like it.)
Sauce:
Cooking Oil
Plain Flour
Soya milk
Salt
Pepper
Nutmeg
To Make the Sauce:
Heat the oil in a saucepan and add 2tbsp flour, cook for a moment of two. Add soya milk slowly to reach the desired consistancy, while stirring. Season to taste with the salt, pepper and nutmeg.
To Make the Actual Thing:
Cook the 'mince' according to the packet. Usually you cook it in a pan with an equal amount of water until it's all absorbed. Add salt and soya sauce if you like.
Cut the aubergine into circles (slice it that is) and fry it in some oil until cooked (Softer and sligtly browned).
In a large dish, layer the aubergines, vegemince and lasagne pasta however you want, and add the sauce (and vegan cheese if you like) to the top layer.
Bake on a fairly low heat until the pasta is soft.
Done!
I will be doing this every day until the end of the month now so come back and check tomorrow!
Please don't add meat/ cheese / milk etc. This would defeat the point of it being vegan. It won't be THAT bad, promise.
Aubergine and Vegimince Lasagne.
I made this on friday (I think). I'd never made vegan lasagne before but it turned out alright. Vegans can eat lasagne.
2 Aubergines
Lasagne pasta
Soya mince (or vegimince or whatever. you can buy it in Tescos.)
Salt
Soya Sauce
Water
Vegan Cheese (if you like. I didn't put any on because I don't like it.)
Sauce:
Cooking Oil
Plain Flour
Soya milk
Salt
Pepper
Nutmeg
To Make the Sauce:
Heat the oil in a saucepan and add 2tbsp flour, cook for a moment of two. Add soya milk slowly to reach the desired consistancy, while stirring. Season to taste with the salt, pepper and nutmeg.
To Make the Actual Thing:
Cook the 'mince' according to the packet. Usually you cook it in a pan with an equal amount of water until it's all absorbed. Add salt and soya sauce if you like.
Cut the aubergine into circles (slice it that is) and fry it in some oil until cooked (Softer and sligtly browned).
In a large dish, layer the aubergines, vegemince and lasagne pasta however you want, and add the sauce (and vegan cheese if you like) to the top layer.
Bake on a fairly low heat until the pasta is soft.
Done!
I will be doing this every day until the end of the month now so come back and check tomorrow!
Please don't add meat/ cheese / milk etc. This would defeat the point of it being vegan. It won't be THAT bad, promise.
Sunday 9 November 2008
Short Horror Story Winner is Harry Godfrey!
We had lots of excellent stories to choose from, but this was the scariest. Well done Harry, pick up a prize from the library after school on Monday.
The Shadows
One day, many years ago, a girl called Katie moved house and she got the attic room of the new house. They had old-fashioned wooden floors, and chandeliers. Her bed was soft and the room was warm.
So there was nothing wrong with the room, in fact, it was perfect, so she snuggled up, and tried to get to sleep.
Then, all of a sudden she heard very strange murmurs and faint laughing, she bolted up, and there were tens of dark, blotchy shadows in front of her, they had no faces, just the shape of a head, and the rest went straight down, she was very frightened.
“Who are you? Can you play with us?” the shadows asked happily, as if nothing was happening.
“My name is Katie Shaw, w…w…w what games do you play? Hide and Seek?”
“We play with axes and guns and knives!” the shadows voices went higher pitched. “Do, you play with axes?”
“No, not at all”
The shadows closed in and they all had inky guns and knives and swords. Katie feared for her life, and she hugged her teddy, she started to cry.
Then, all of the shadows laughed and fluttered around, throwing knives and shooting each other, loads of thick purple blood fell all over her face, she screamed, the shadows made weird noises.
“Would you like to know of our daddy?” the shadows said. “He was an axe murderer, he snatched us from our mummies, and then took us to this house, there were lots of us to start with, but then every night, he would chop us up and eat us in stew, he pretended our blood was raspberry juice, and sold our blood. Our daddy liked us though, he HUNG himself for us so he could meet us again. When he found us in hell, he tied us up in boxes, and threw us here, we needed a host, YOU FIT THE BILL!”
Then in a shock of black and red ink and blood the shadows flew in through her mouth, ears and nose her eyes widened and black ink fell from the inside of her eyes, as if she was drowning in the gooey black liquid.
“We are only PLAYING” the shadows said through gritted teeth, they made her cheeks go black and her veins were so visible as they had sucked up her skin.
Her eyes shone a bright red, then the same night, she found a rusty axe, chopped up her parents and ate the pieces. The police found her dead the next day, hung by a chain, just like her daddy…
The Shadows
One day, many years ago, a girl called Katie moved house and she got the attic room of the new house. They had old-fashioned wooden floors, and chandeliers. Her bed was soft and the room was warm.
So there was nothing wrong with the room, in fact, it was perfect, so she snuggled up, and tried to get to sleep.
Then, all of a sudden she heard very strange murmurs and faint laughing, she bolted up, and there were tens of dark, blotchy shadows in front of her, they had no faces, just the shape of a head, and the rest went straight down, she was very frightened.
“Who are you? Can you play with us?” the shadows asked happily, as if nothing was happening.
“My name is Katie Shaw, w…w…w what games do you play? Hide and Seek?”
“We play with axes and guns and knives!” the shadows voices went higher pitched. “Do, you play with axes?”
“No, not at all”
The shadows closed in and they all had inky guns and knives and swords. Katie feared for her life, and she hugged her teddy, she started to cry.
Then, all of the shadows laughed and fluttered around, throwing knives and shooting each other, loads of thick purple blood fell all over her face, she screamed, the shadows made weird noises.
“Would you like to know of our daddy?” the shadows said. “He was an axe murderer, he snatched us from our mummies, and then took us to this house, there were lots of us to start with, but then every night, he would chop us up and eat us in stew, he pretended our blood was raspberry juice, and sold our blood. Our daddy liked us though, he HUNG himself for us so he could meet us again. When he found us in hell, he tied us up in boxes, and threw us here, we needed a host, YOU FIT THE BILL!”
Then in a shock of black and red ink and blood the shadows flew in through her mouth, ears and nose her eyes widened and black ink fell from the inside of her eyes, as if she was drowning in the gooey black liquid.
“We are only PLAYING” the shadows said through gritted teeth, they made her cheeks go black and her veins were so visible as they had sucked up her skin.
Her eyes shone a bright red, then the same night, she found a rusty axe, chopped up her parents and ate the pieces. The police found her dead the next day, hung by a chain, just like her daddy…
Saturday 8 November 2008
The best of the rest in the short horror story competition
Belle
by Lotte Laing
Great Aunt Mary had always had an obsession with dolls. Every birthday she would send me a porcelain doll. I loved them, but after 13 years, they had begun to lose their magic, and now were hidden away inside my wardrobe.
But Belle was different.
“It’s from Aunt Mary.” said mum handing me the package.
I opened it and read the card.
Happy Birthday!
Her name is Belle,
just like you
Aunt Mary.
I picked up the large doll that lay on my lap. She was heavier than most, perhaps it was her large elaborate dress which was silver satin. She had beautiful golden curls that tumbled down round her rosy cheeked face. Her eyes were big and deep, deep blue. They looked so real, staring through mine...
“She’s nice! Come on...SCHOOL!” said mum.
I took Belle under my arm and carried her to my room. I carefully placed her on top of my shelf and looked at her. Was it just me or were her lips, slightly upturned, as though she was smiling to herself? No, it couldn’t be, I was imagining it. I closed my door and went off to school.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get the feeling of someone watching me out of my mind. I lay there, staring up at the blank ceiling, listening to the tick of the clock. Closing my eyes to try and help me relax. I cleared my mind and felt myself getting sleepier.
My heart skipped a beat. I had heard something in my ear ...like breathing, then a tiny, little girl’s giggle. I slowly turned my head to the side and saw something that took the breath from me. There, beside my bed, was Belle. All I could see was her pale face glowing eerily in the dark room. Her mouth was slightly upturned, like she was smiling. Her face was slowly getting closer and closer...
My eyelids were heavy but I forced them open. I tried to move my arms but it was impossible, and I realised what I could see. I was in my room, high up, as though I was on a shelf. I couldn’t even move my eyes; they were fixed, staring straight ahead. The door opened and a girl came in. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was me. The girl looked at me, reached up and took hold of me. She smiled ...an evil smile.
“A nice body you’ve got here!” she said turning and admiring herself in the mirror. “100 years Belle... it’s finally been 100 years... now it’s your turn,” she snarled as she walked over to my wardrobe. What was she saying? I couldn’t understand what she was going on about. She opened the large wooden door and threw me in, I was surrounded by the faces of all the other dolls. I looked at the girl; myself...
“100 years” she said once again and taking one last look at the daylight, she closed the door.
A Halloween Poem
by Amanda Boach
As a vampire came out at night
The dull orange pumpkins glow alight
The Vampire’s assistant came out to play
For a long long time, all night not day
So if you hear him children listen clear
He’s right outside your window, yes he’s near
He’s digging a spot just for you
Marking the place he’s going to push you through
He’s going to suck your blood and steal your soul
That is always a vampires goal.
So if you hear me children listen now
Fall to your knees and start to bow.
by Lotte Laing
Great Aunt Mary had always had an obsession with dolls. Every birthday she would send me a porcelain doll. I loved them, but after 13 years, they had begun to lose their magic, and now were hidden away inside my wardrobe.
But Belle was different.
“It’s from Aunt Mary.” said mum handing me the package.
I opened it and read the card.
Happy Birthday!
Her name is Belle,
just like you
Aunt Mary.
I picked up the large doll that lay on my lap. She was heavier than most, perhaps it was her large elaborate dress which was silver satin. She had beautiful golden curls that tumbled down round her rosy cheeked face. Her eyes were big and deep, deep blue. They looked so real, staring through mine...
“She’s nice! Come on...SCHOOL!” said mum.
I took Belle under my arm and carried her to my room. I carefully placed her on top of my shelf and looked at her. Was it just me or were her lips, slightly upturned, as though she was smiling to herself? No, it couldn’t be, I was imagining it. I closed my door and went off to school.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get the feeling of someone watching me out of my mind. I lay there, staring up at the blank ceiling, listening to the tick of the clock. Closing my eyes to try and help me relax. I cleared my mind and felt myself getting sleepier.
My heart skipped a beat. I had heard something in my ear ...like breathing, then a tiny, little girl’s giggle. I slowly turned my head to the side and saw something that took the breath from me. There, beside my bed, was Belle. All I could see was her pale face glowing eerily in the dark room. Her mouth was slightly upturned, like she was smiling. Her face was slowly getting closer and closer...
My eyelids were heavy but I forced them open. I tried to move my arms but it was impossible, and I realised what I could see. I was in my room, high up, as though I was on a shelf. I couldn’t even move my eyes; they were fixed, staring straight ahead. The door opened and a girl came in. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was me. The girl looked at me, reached up and took hold of me. She smiled ...an evil smile.
“A nice body you’ve got here!” she said turning and admiring herself in the mirror. “100 years Belle... it’s finally been 100 years... now it’s your turn,” she snarled as she walked over to my wardrobe. What was she saying? I couldn’t understand what she was going on about. She opened the large wooden door and threw me in, I was surrounded by the faces of all the other dolls. I looked at the girl; myself...
“100 years” she said once again and taking one last look at the daylight, she closed the door.
A Halloween Poem
by Amanda Boach
As a vampire came out at night
The dull orange pumpkins glow alight
The Vampire’s assistant came out to play
For a long long time, all night not day
So if you hear him children listen clear
He’s right outside your window, yes he’s near
He’s digging a spot just for you
Marking the place he’s going to push you through
He’s going to suck your blood and steal your soul
That is always a vampires goal.
So if you hear me children listen now
Fall to your knees and start to bow.
Thursday 6 November 2008
Vegan Month
By Sophia Raffety
As you may or may not know, the month of November is ‘Vegan Month’. Organised by the animal rights charity Animal Aid, the aim of the month is to raise awareness of reasons to go vegan, and the benefits of a vegan diet. Being a vegan myself, I can personally recommend veganism.
What is a Vegan?
A vegan is someone who chooses to eliminate all animal-based products from their diet and lifestyle. A vegan does not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, honey and other animal slaughter by-products such as gelatine (made from melted bones and hooves, usually from cows – generally found in mousse, jelly or chewy sweets ) or rennet (a liquid found in the stomach of a calf – used in hardening products such as cheese).
In addition to this, a true vegan also refuses to wear animal-based fabrics such as leather, suede or wool and avoids purchasing cosmetics or other products which have been tested on animals.
There are many reasons why someone would chose the vegan lifestyle, these include:
Animal Rights: Perhaps the most obvious reason for choosing veganism is the belief that factory farming, animal testing and cruelty to animals is morally wrong, and is unnecessary.
Health: When people find out that you are a vegan, they often worry that you are going to end up unhealthy and weak, so it may come as something of a surprise that many people choose a vegan diet for health reasons. Meat and other animal products are packed full of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can lead to various health problems including heart attacks and blood clots, in addition, animal-based products often contain additives and hormones, which can have negative effects on the body for example the common use of the female hormone oestrogen in meat production can cause men to grow female breasts. A vegan diet can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and cancer, to name a few.
Environment: Animal farming is also bad for the environment. The methane produced by flatulence of the billions of farmed cows is a huge contributor to greenhouse gasses. Humans have intensively farmed cows in cramped conditions to get as many of them as possible into a smaller space, because of this, there are now many times more cows on earth than would exist naturally, and so there is an increase in greenhouse gas production. Over-grazing and chopping-down of trees to create space for animal farming also ruins natural landscapes and can spoil land.
World Hunger: Feeding a cow on grain to produce meat uses five times as much food as is produced by that cow. Half the crops harvested on the earth are used to feed animals in meat or dairy production, so if we stopped farming animals and used all this food to feed humans, we would have 2.5 times the amount of food with which to feed the world’s population of humans.
Vegan Month is the perfect time to try out veganism, or even just vegetarianism. Reducing the amount of meat or animal products you eat makes a huge difference. Visit www.veganmonth.com for more information on vegan month.
For vegan recipes check out www.vegcooking.com, www.veganrecipies.org.uk or http://vegetarian.about.com/
As you may or may not know, the month of November is ‘Vegan Month’. Organised by the animal rights charity Animal Aid, the aim of the month is to raise awareness of reasons to go vegan, and the benefits of a vegan diet. Being a vegan myself, I can personally recommend veganism.
What is a Vegan?
A vegan is someone who chooses to eliminate all animal-based products from their diet and lifestyle. A vegan does not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, honey and other animal slaughter by-products such as gelatine (made from melted bones and hooves, usually from cows – generally found in mousse, jelly or chewy sweets ) or rennet (a liquid found in the stomach of a calf – used in hardening products such as cheese).
In addition to this, a true vegan also refuses to wear animal-based fabrics such as leather, suede or wool and avoids purchasing cosmetics or other products which have been tested on animals.
There are many reasons why someone would chose the vegan lifestyle, these include:
Animal Rights: Perhaps the most obvious reason for choosing veganism is the belief that factory farming, animal testing and cruelty to animals is morally wrong, and is unnecessary.
Health: When people find out that you are a vegan, they often worry that you are going to end up unhealthy and weak, so it may come as something of a surprise that many people choose a vegan diet for health reasons. Meat and other animal products are packed full of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can lead to various health problems including heart attacks and blood clots, in addition, animal-based products often contain additives and hormones, which can have negative effects on the body for example the common use of the female hormone oestrogen in meat production can cause men to grow female breasts. A vegan diet can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and cancer, to name a few.
Environment: Animal farming is also bad for the environment. The methane produced by flatulence of the billions of farmed cows is a huge contributor to greenhouse gasses. Humans have intensively farmed cows in cramped conditions to get as many of them as possible into a smaller space, because of this, there are now many times more cows on earth than would exist naturally, and so there is an increase in greenhouse gas production. Over-grazing and chopping-down of trees to create space for animal farming also ruins natural landscapes and can spoil land.
World Hunger: Feeding a cow on grain to produce meat uses five times as much food as is produced by that cow. Half the crops harvested on the earth are used to feed animals in meat or dairy production, so if we stopped farming animals and used all this food to feed humans, we would have 2.5 times the amount of food with which to feed the world’s population of humans.
Vegan Month is the perfect time to try out veganism, or even just vegetarianism. Reducing the amount of meat or animal products you eat makes a huge difference. Visit www.veganmonth.com for more information on vegan month.
For vegan recipes check out www.vegcooking.com, www.veganrecipies.org.uk or http://vegetarian.about.com/
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