Lifestyle

Breaking News: Mars Within Reach

Warning: you may want to settle yourself into a sturdy or comfy seat and brace yourself for the news I'm about to unleash.  Vegans can now enjoy a Mars Bar (or two...or 50)! Go on and pinch yourself. Go Max Go Foods have – without resorting to any nefarious deeds such as soul-selling, we hope – discovered the golden chalice of chocolate and they've developed four vegan versions of those popular chocolate bars most of us wistfully recall from our 'pregan' days. The Jokerz bar emulates a Snickers (or Marathon, if your memory stretches that far) down to the properly-stretchy texture of the caramel as it co-mingles with the salty peanuts. Equally impressive are the Twilight (nougat-y Mars bar), Buccaneer (think Mmmilky Way) and Mahalo (Bounty bar). Here at Viva! Towers, we're all well and truly besotted. In fact, we may need to stage interventions if we're to save any for you lot. No, they won't provide any of your five-a-day (and it's not an excuse to eat five of them a day!), but they contain no hydrogenated fats, no trans fats and nothing artificial, so you can justify the occasional indulgence. Each 60g bar costs £1.65 (plus p&p) from the Viva! Shop.  Buy online at www.viva.org.uk/shop or call 0117 944 1000 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm)

Giveaway!
Be one of the first to set your senses to overload. Five people will receive full-size bars of all four flavours. Send to: Viva! Go Max Giveaway,  8 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol BS2 8QH or email to kat@viva.org.uk putting “Viva! To the Max” in subject. Closing date June 14, 2010.

Wildbar, Wildbar!

Forgive me if you now have an 80s New Romantic playlist spinning (right) round in your head, but these totally raw food bars do make me want to sing. Upon first sight, I wasn't convinced about the Mountain Mint Raw Cacao & Wild Blue Green Algae bar. I thought to myself, “I'll only have a tiny corner.” Before I knew it, I'd inhaled the whole thing. It was delightful – breathtakingly cool mint against a rich backdrop of pure, raw cacao was just the tonic to invigorate me. Implementing nutrient-rich ingredients such as hemp and manna (wild blue green algae) and sweetened only with agave nectar, these bars are a guiltless pleasure. Available also in Mayan Spice. £2.89 for 45g from www.simplyvital.com.

Giveaway!
Set yourself up for all of your summer excursions  with our WildBar giveaway. One lucky winner will win a case of Mountain Mint bars. Send your details to: Viva! Wild Giveaway,  8 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol BS2 8QH or email to kat@viva.org.uk putting “Viva! Wild” in subject. Closing date June 14, 2010.

Goodstuff Organics

As the seasons change, so does our skin. As winter begets summer, the scaly becomes the slick and we need to change our skin care regimens. I cannot fault the Goodstuff Organics line. It's gentle, effective and smells serendipitous – a fact to which all of my helpful volunteers will attest. Philip said that the Pumpkin & Vitamin C Facial Mask (£9 for 150ml) made his skin as smooth as glass. Of the Pomegranate Extract Foaming Facial Cleanser (£9 for 200ml), Justin raved about its gently-foaming action and its pleasant citrus aroma. Equally complimentary toward the Fruit Enzymes and Jojoba Smoothing Facial Scrub (£9 for 150ml) was Helen who gave it her highest praise: “I'd buy it! My skin feels clean, fresh and smooth.” How do I love the Goji & Acai Berry Facial Moisturiser (£9 for 75ml)? I might ask for its...berry in marriage. It's lightweight, brightening and it doesn't leave me feeling all greased-up like a chip shop chip. Much lauded! Available from Beauty Naturals at www.beautynaturals.com or ring them on 0800 980 6665.

Giveaway
Want to spare your skin the seasonal shock? Send your name and address to: Viva!Goodstuff Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol BS2 8QH or email kat@viva.org.uk with “Goodstuff!” in subject. Five will each win a skin care set consisting of the four products mentioned above. Closing date June 14, 2010.

Gourmet Raw

These are not raw as you know it!  They are mood-lifting, scrumptious Celestial Cacao  or Cocobanana Brownies (£2.95 for 90g) and truly groundbreaking Flackers in Jive, Sunshine and Salsa flavours (£3.95 for a 70g pack of five Flackers).  The brownies speak for themselves, but the flackers – well, they almost defy description.  They’re sort of a flat bread, but slightly crispier and oh-so-tasty! Even the junkiest of the office vegans loved these and felt an immediate boost of energy. These would be the ideal companions for a long hill walk! Buy online from www.gourmetraw.com or from independent health stores nationwide.

Giveaway
See how good raw can be! Send your name and address to: Viva! Raw Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol BS2 8QH or email kat@viva.org.uk with “Raw!” in subject. Five will each win a mixed case of the products mentioned above. Closing date June 14, 2010.

Looking for the ideal Eco-Friendly Gift?

…take5nets eliminate the plastic/paper bags used when we shop for fruit & vegetables. They are food contact approved and fully washable.  Minimise food waste as fruit & vegetables stay fresh longer when stored in these strong nets.

Visit www.againanda-gain.com for more information.  Quote code Viva and you will receive a 5% discount on any items bought through their website.

Tonic Attack Wheatgrass Juice

Freshly-pressed, whole and raw food perfectly preserved with two months' shelf life delivered to your home or workplace?  Yes, it's a reality!  For only £12 (which includes delivery), you can have a week's supply of this enzyme-rich, pure juice grown from organic seed in Ireland.  We're not saying that it tastes delightful (well, not without a bit of apple and ginger juice thrown into the mix), but its health benefits are widely documented.  To order, visit www.tonicattack.com or email sales@tonicattack.com.

Lifestyle is a regular feature of Viva!LIFE – Viva!’s quarterly colourful supporters’ magazine, in more ways than one. Brimming with features, competitions, campaign news, vegan recipes, new products and interviews…to get yours join Viva! for only £15 a year (£12 unwaged).