The Veggie Cafe Leeds Road Ilkley - 23rd March 2016

The Veggie is in the centre of Ilkley and since my last visit, has had a major makeover, is bigger and better and has great kerb appeal, with its carrot signage.   Inside it is modern, but has a welcoming warm feel and on an overcast Wednesday lunchtime was so busy, we just managed to get the last table.

There is a large menu on offer, a special boards, which included two soups and so many vegan options, it was difficult to choose.

I decided on a houmous, avocado and carrot wrap, a side of potato wedges and Earl Grey tea.   The waitress was really friendly and when I enquired if their wraps were soya free, she was happy to help.

The potato wedges were worth the trip on their own, proper wedges, perfectly cooked, sprinkled with sea salt and piping hot.

The wrap was delicious, with great presentation on the plate, with lovely fresh salad and a small dish with olives, sunblush tomato, caperberry and paprika sprinkled houmous.  

The Veggie serves quality fresh produce, used with creativity and flair and every time a dish came out the kitchen to one of the other tables, I was licking my lips.   The portobello mushroom burger, with optional vegan cheese, looked like a cracking dish and will be my choice next visit and on the way out, I spotted their vegan chocolate cake!!

Beau's Kitchen High Street Skipton - 17th March 2016

Beau's Kitchen at the top end of the main street in Skipton, previously known as Wild Oats Cafe, incorporates a wholefood store, cafe and takeaway, which I have been visiting for more years than I can remember.   Beau's Kitchen has had a makeover and looks so much better for it, I love its colourful blue frontage, where you can sit out on a sunny day like today.

There is an extensive menu, with a specials board once inside, with plenty of vegan options, all clearly highlighted.

I chose houmous and roast pepper salad bowl, with three of their homemade salads comprising of carrot and sesame, red cabbage and spring onion and quinoa, sun dried tomato and mixed peppers, with a big dollop of delicious houmous.   The dish was so colourful and vibrant, you wanted to dive in and eat and with a cafetiere of Columbian coffee, it was a really tasty lunch.

The place was packed at lunchtime and shows how popular vegan and vegetarian food is and I will definitely revisit, when next in Skipton.

Filmore & Union High Street Skipton - 17th March 2016

Filmore & Union have several locations in major towns in Yorkshire, with Skipton branch on the main street, so is easy to find.   I like the fresh, modern design and interiors, but particularly like they cater for so many dietary requirements, including vegan.

I only stopped in for a coffee, but as soon as I saw this on the cake display, I could not resist.

The brownie was delicious, not dry with a full on chocolate hit and the fruit compote served with it, cut through the richness of the brownie, what a treat.   The Americano coffee I had with it was top notch too.

Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu, which is fantastic and they have lunch and evening choices too, so I will definitely revisit soon.

Superdrug Vitamin E 360º Spray On All Over Body Lotion

I wanted to try this Superdrug product, as I thought it would be easy to apply and great for taking on holiday.

The lotion contains Vitamin E and Argan oil, which has excellent moisturising properties and is ultra light, absorbs well and does not cause any greasiness on my skin.

However the reason I will not be buying this product again, is how frustrating it was, getting the product out of the can and using it at 360º was impossible.  I found it extremely awkward and difficult to press the spray nozzle down, to release the lotion and I am no wimp, I lift weights three times a week, but even I found it hard work.   I much prefer my tub of Vitamin E All Over Body Cream.

A week on from writing this review, I take it all back, the spray nozzle has loosened off, with the pressure I was applying and now works fine and sprays the lotion are in a thin layer at whatever angle.   So I would buy this product again.

Superdrug Vitamin E All Over Body Cream

I am amazed at the choice of vegan products in Superdrug and love that this vegan friendly cream comes in a big tub, so will last a long time.

The cream is rich in Vitamin E, coconut oil and horse chestnut, excellent ingredients known for their moisturising properties.   The cream is lightly perfumed, non greasy, easily absorbed and a little goes a long way, during application.   The big plus point for me though is definitely the tub it comes in, much easier to get every last bit of cream out, whereas a tube can be difficult and I usually end up cutting the end off to try and avoid waste.

I really like the benefits of using the cream, my skin feels soft and smooth, so will definitely buy it again.

Superdrug Intensive Moisture Hand Cream

I use hand cream throughout the day, as I have dry skin due to dermatitis, so this Superdrug vegan intensive cream for softening and smoothing very dry skin, had to go in my shopping basket.

The cream is enriched with shea butter, to nourish dry skin and is gently perfumed, which gives it a lovely clean smell, which I really like.   The hand cream is non greasy, easily absorbed and leaves my hands feeling soft and smooth, just as it says on the tube.   I will definitely be buying this product again.

Superdrug Dry Skin Cream

I suffer from dermatitis on my skin, which I think is related to my food allergies and this week it has been really bad on my hands and legs, as I have had some bad reactions to things I have eaten.   I have not found any vegan friendly dry skin creams, so when I walked into Superdrug and found this cream, I was ecstatic.

The product is really creamy, not too thick, but is easy to apply and rubs in well and is fragrance free.   I have already seen an improvement and I have only been using it for one day, so this has been a really good purchase.