Three tried and tested places on Teesside to visit during Veganuary

At the start of a new year, everyone starts to eat a little greener, some even go full vegan for the month that is dubbed, Veganuary. Although I'm far from a Vegan, I've tried some delicious places on Teesside that specialise in fully plant-based cuisine. For anyone trying Veganuary this year, it might be wise to check these places out to try some yummy food and get some ideas to cook up yourself. Although no meat will be dished up at these places, your carnivore friends should definitely visit with you as they won't miss not having it on their plate with the culinary delights they'll be served at these three places.

First on the list is Alkaline Kitchen, a fully vegan health cafe located on Middlesbrough's up-and-coming Albert Street. Opened early last year, the cafe offers innovative food which is oil-free, preservative-free, gluten-free, soy-free and refined sugar-free. I've been on two occasions now and the food is always colourful, full of goodness and delicious. Offering a varied menu from lunch until teatime, everything about the food options is creative and exciting. There is so much goodness on the plate and it all works so well together. If you're looking to try something unlike anything you've had before, this is definitely the place to go.

Next up is The Waiting Room situated in Eaglescliffe right next to the station, not far from Preston Park. I've written about this place before as I've been a few times now and although I haven't been for a while, I'm eager to get back. The Waiting Room is promoted as a vegetarian restaurant, however, the staff here are happy to make most dishes vegan where possible, so vegans will have lots of choices when they visit.

Here you get some fantastic food that feels homemade and cosy. As it is all made with vegetables, everything you eat feels filling and good for you, although some dishes can be quite hearty. What I love about this place is that their menu changes depending on the season, although some dishes such as the enchilada stay year-round. Even from season to season they change up what they offer so often if you go back you probably won't recognise the menu.

Now it's time for dessert with Ellephant Vegan Bakery, a fairly new business established in 2019. Elle and her partner Alex whip up some amazing vegan treats from cupcakes and cookies to pizza rolls and quiche. Now with a unit in Stockton, they sell their products at farmer's markets and events across the region and take orders to collect. Their cakes are literally to die for, so rich and moist. You won't be able to tell they are vegan. 

There are plenty more vegan spots in the area and also places that cater heavily to people on a plant-based diet. With the popularity of this way of eating on the up, I can only see more places offering more delicious vegan grub. Do you have a favourite spot in Teesside for vegan/vegetarian food?

UGOT Food Review - Newcastle Train Station

ÜGOT kindly invited me along to try out their Newcastle Train Station shop for some lunch. As I don't live in the immediate area I tagged this on to a trip up to Newcastle for a different blogger event. I got there early so I had enough time to pick my food, sit and enjoy people watching.

When I got there the guys were super helpful as they explained what all the different options they had and what extras they provided. They didn't have the whole selection left to pick from as it was around 5pm when I visited but there was still some tasty meals which I struggled to pick from.

I finally decided on a falafel & kale wrap and a nettle ice tea with fresh berries. I took a pew outside the shop and munched away at my wrap. It was super tasty with all sorts of healthy bits inside including kale, couscous, lettuce and tzatziki dressing. The taste of the falafel was a bit dry but it was definitely not lacking flavour.

I was dubious at first about the ice tea as I'm already an avid drinker of peach black tea. As it was nettle tea I thought it might taste bitter but I think the infusion of berries certainty helped and it tasted lovely and refreshing. They also have earl grey and elderflower ice tea which I'd love to try.

After my wrap, I went back inside to take a few more pictures for this post and the guys offered me some frozen yoghurt to try. I was given a mix of normal and chocolate. It tasted lovely but I swear it tasted fruity, I was very confused but assured they were the right flavours! They also offer pomegranate & raspberry and carrot cake flavour. I want to try these so bad.

Overall I had a really great experience at ÜGOT. The food is such good quality and what they serve is super healthy and good for you. It's nothing like you'd find anywhere on a normal high street. The service was friendly and helpful and the interior was really creative and cool. I really wish they had an ÜGOT in Middlesbrough as I'd be going there every day for lunch! If you pass this place on your journey in or out of Newcastle Station I'd recommend it. They also have a few other locations in the UK including York Train Station.

*this meal was provided free of charge but all opinions are honest.

The Lush Series - Let the good times roll

I hadn't bought a cleanser from Lush until I picked up this Christmas special. I was drawn to the sweet popcorn smell that made me want to eat it.

Let the Good Times Roll - Cleanser

This cleanser contains corn oil, polenta, maize flour and cinnamon.

This is more of an exfoliator than a facial cleanser as it is very fine and gritty with the addition of pieces of popcorn. Unlike other cleansers, to use this you have to pick a bit out and mix it with water in your palms to enable you to spread it on your face.

After using let the good times roll my skin feels lovely and soft. Due to the oils, this cleanser contains my face doesn't feel dry like it would with others. After I make sure to use a toner to wipe away excess oil so that when I use my moisturiser after my face isn't too greasy. Overall this is a lovely exfoliator that I use a few times a week as a sweet treat. I'd definitely recommend this as something different!