Healthy Cooking

Following Plant-Based Schools' fantastic [Easter egg hunt and picnic](https://www.meetup.com/lhcveg/photos/35902051), we're continuing the holiday fun with FREE board games and kid's treat (croissant or pain au chocolate; when adult buys a [main](https://www.soulbowl.cafe/menu/#cat_39)) at vegan **[Soul Bowl](https://www.happycow.net/reviews/soul-bowl-bistro-london-487469)** in Leyton ([map](https://maps.google.com/?cid=7259623473078538957)). Please join us any time from 12:30pm, fancy dress is optional!

Join to us to talk about Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" (1958) chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a proud, influential Igbo leader in colonial Nigeria whose life and community are torn apart by British colonialism and Christianity.

UPDATE AS I HAVE AN INJURY Have pulled a muscle 🙃, so can't explore Hampstead heath today ; Alternative plan is.... Meet 1pm to 1.15pm, outside Calthorpe Project gardens, Gray's Inn Road, then head to St George's Gardens for potluck picnic \~ I will be bringing Art stuff if anyone wants to get creative, or can play games like charades, 20 questions, or someone could bring a card game, etc 😊 Maybe see you then, or I will update if those who rsvpd on another group may still go to the heath.

We're the All Good Bookshop writing group - we've been around for 10 years now. We offer writing feedback and discussion, whatever your level. Never been before? That's fine. Can only come once in a while? That's fine. Want to come regularly? That's fine. While we're predominantly narrative-based, any type of writing is welcome. Fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, novels, short-stories... bring it along and see if it fits. The cost is £5 to join us. Half of this goes to the bookshop and the other half goes towards snacks/drinks for everyone. Pay when you get there. (If you're having any financial problems, feel free to have a discreet chat with Chris about it). HOW IT WORKS First, we do introductions, which cover: 1 - Who you are 2 - What kind of thing you write 3 - What you're working on 4 - What you've done in the last two weeks. Then we find out who has stuff to read out (1,000 - 2,000 words), and who has questions/discussion points. If you'd prefer to do written hand-outs, you can as well. We then run through as many people as we can fit in, so they can read out or run through a discussion point. The group is run by Chris Brosnahan, an experienced writer and a long-running facilitator of writing groups. HOUSE RULES 1 - No egos. Everyone's stuff is up for criticism/feedback. 2 - Be constructive. We're not a review group - we're trying to help each other improve. 3\. No pressure\. You can turn up and just observe if you want \- you're not under pressure to read out or feed back\. 4 - We do our best to be a safe space. You don't know the backgrounds of everyone in the room. If you're going to read something that might be problematic or emotionally difficult, talk about it first - and if you're unsure, ask. 5 - We do our best to be a safe space. For particularly graphic scenes, please discuss in advance. A reminder that listening to erotica is, in itself, a sex act, and needs the enthusiastic consent of everyone involved. 6 - Content warnings apply. This doesn't just mean things like sex or violence. It also includes things like abuse, long-term illness, death - think of things that someone may find difficult if they're dealing with at the moment. We do our best to be a safe space. 7 - If you're struggling with anything being read, you can take a break without any justification or questions. 8 - Banned question: "Is this based on your own life?" - it doesn't add anything and can make discussion awkward. Please don't ask it. 9 - Let other people talk. You'll get your chance to feedback or ask questions, but it can be all too easy to talk over people. You also don't need to respond to every piece of feedback. 10 - Keep it respectful. Keep it friendly. Any problems? Get in touch and ask.

UPDATE AS I HAVE AN INJURY Have pulled a muscle 🙃, so can't explore Hampstead heath today ; Alternative plan is.... Meet 1pm to 1.15pm, outside Calthorpe Project gardens, Gray's Inn Road, then head to St George's Gardens for potluck picnic \~ I will be bringing Art stuff if anyone wants to get creative, or can play games like charades, 20 questions, or someone could bring a card game, etc 😊 Maybe see you then, or I will update if those who rsvpd on another group may still go to the heath.

[BOOK HERE](https://www.benita-yoga.com/schedule) A slower paced embodied yoga practice helping you to slow down, take a deeper breath and tune in a little more. You’ll be invited to find your own rhythm of the breath and connect with your inner-self via fluid and mindful movements. Eventually arriving to stillness, letting go of any tension to experience a deep relaxation. The busy thinking mind will slow down, nervous system will calm and your body will relax completely. This class is suitable for beginners. Please bring a mat. ###### Prices: – single class – £12 – 3 classpack – access to any weekly class, 30 days expiry from purchase date – \*£33 – 6 classpack – access to any weekly class, 60 days expiry from purchase date – \*£68 \*special events, like courses, Gong Baths, workshops etc not included Abut the venue: [The Wilds](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Wilds+at+Barking+Riverside/@51.5253889,0.1243979,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x47d8a55bdd4a67bf:0xa9e132218dc5017b!8m2!3d51.5253889!4d0.1243979!16s%2Fg%2F11pxkgqys4?entry=ttu) is the community and ecology centre in Barking Riverside. Well connected with bike paths, public transport, buses or London Overground. Parking is also available.

Looking for something fun and a little cheeky to do on a Saturday night? Then the Aprons Only Cooking class is the perfect option for you. It's a playful and social cooking experience designed for gay men who enjoy good food, great company, and a relaxed atmosphere. We’ll start the evening with a glass of bubbles and a selection of antipasti to break the ice. Then together we’ll cook a traditional Italian dish from scratch. On this occasion, you’ll learn how to prepare a delicious stuffed meatloaf wrapped in crusty pastry (a vegetarian option will also be available). The class takes place in a cosy private flat near Victoria Station and is limited to a small group of up to 10 people to keep the atmosphere relaxed and intimate. Cooking together is a great way to meet like-minded people, share laughs, learn new skills and maybe even flirt a little. And yes… because it’s a themed event, we will be cooking wearing only an apron (provided on arrival). Ticket includes: * All ingredients for the recipe * Welcome aperitivo with antipasti and a drink * Sparkling wine during the class * Aprons and cooking utensils * Cooking tips and guidance * A fun and social evening * ### Important information \- The event is adversided also on other platforms\, the number of attendees on Meetup doesn't correspond to the real number of participants\. \- Additional details will be sent to attendees a few days before the event\. \- This experience is designed **for gay men only**. \- The cooking class lasts approximately **3 hours**, although guests often stay a little longer to socialise. Feel free to bring extra drinks if you’d like to continue the evening. \- A **minimum of 4 participants** is required for the class to run. I reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the event in case of insufficient attendees or unforeseen circumstances. In this case, you will be offered a place in another class or a **full refund**. Come hungry, curious, and ready for a fun evening! Happy vibes, Luca

***They*** *say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but they're wrong!* **[FoodCycle](https://foodcycle.org.uk/who-we-are/)**'s lovely volunteers use [unwanted food](https://cityharvest.org.uk/about-city-harvest) to produce three course, [meat-free recipe](https://foodcycle.org.uk/recipes/) (tell them you're vegan) **[community meals](https://foodcycle.org.uk/community-meals/)** across [England](https://foodcycle.org.uk/find-a-meal/), that are free to all. [FoodCycle Woolwich](https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-woolwich/) ([map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVEi9poq68YRxQX86)\|[video](https://youtu.be/5VEIsN1aCk4)) is every Friday (with rare exception; I'm notified by text), at **[Woolwich Common Community Centre](https://www.wccc.org.uk/)**'s accessible [main hall](https://www.wccc.org.uk/gallery?pgid=l3le3lp7-1daa7232-8086-4a0d-82cb-1c2a7887d105). I sometimes help the Hosting team, and have met a few other vegan [volunteers](https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/opportunity/a1dQs000000fmvPIAQ), inc. chef and fellow [SE18 Vegans](https://www.facebook.com/groups/SE18Vegans) member John, who has a vegan daughter like me :-) P.S. You can bring food containers, in case of leftovers.

Join me for relaxing Art Workshops at London parks and pubs! THIS WEEK; I'll be at the back of Penderals Oak, near the beer garden windows, from 3.30pm \~ look for art stuff on the table 🎨 ( nearest tube to pub; Holborn ) 👣😊🍻 Explore your creativity no matter what your skill \~ we'll take inspiration from our surroundings, each other, I'll provide tips, advice, and a few arty magazines and more, from my own collection 😊 Just £5 suggested donation, or whatever you can afford ; I provide all the Art materials, just bring your imagination 😊 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Details \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Each week, the workshops will be at different locations, a park in warm weather, a pub in cold/rainy weather 😊 Generally they'll be in the late afternoon into the evening, occasionally from around lunch time 😊 See you soon 😊

We will be at the Alternative Book Fair on Thursday 9th April to see the brilliant Natasha Brown speak on Creative Marketing for Books. Tickets are free and bookable from the Alternative Book Fair website, but there will be walk-in availability too. We'll then be going to the The Lamb pub next door for a social. Everyone is welcome! Here's what Natasha will be speaking on: In this special session for the Alternative Book Fair, Booker Prize-longlisted and Granta Best of British Young Novelists author Natasha Brown speaks about the creative marketing strategies behind her novel Universality. Moving beyond traditional publicity, Natasha developed a suite of unconventional, in-world promotional materials — including a fictional magazine, an investigation board, and bespoke social media and podcast assets — all created on a shoestring budget and without the use of AI!

Join me for relaxing Art Workshops at London parks and pubs! THIS WEEK; I'll be at the back of Penderals Oak, near the beer garden windows, from 3.30pm \~ look for art stuff on the table 🎨 ( nearest tube to pub; Holborn ) 👣😊🍻 Explore your creativity no matter what your skill \~ we'll take inspiration from our surroundings, each other, I'll provide tips, advice, and a few arty magazines and more, from my own collection 😊 Just £5 suggested donation, or whatever you can afford ; I provide all the Art materials, just bring your imagination 😊 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Details \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Each week, the workshops will be at different locations, a park in warm weather, a pub in cold/rainy weather 😊 Generally they'll be in the late afternoon into the evening, occasionally from around lunch time 😊 See you soon 😊

SAVOUR a **4-course menu** that explores the heart of Filipino home-cooking. Whether you’re a carnivore or a dedicated vegan, the menu is a masterclass in balance: • **For the Meat Lovers:** You’ll start with **Kinilaw**, market fish cured in **Tarsier Gin** and calamansi, followed by a legendary **Pork Belly Adobo**, braised to perfection in cane vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. • **For the Vegans:** A clever **Young Jackfruit Kinilaw** and a hearty **Tempeh Adobo** that ensures no one misses out on those "distinctively delicious flavours." • **The Finish:** Everyone enjoys a refreshing **Calamansi Granita** before diving into desserts like **Leche Flan** with burnt coconut curds or a **Pandan Pannacotta**. **Why you can trust us to deliver the real taste of the Philippines...** For Mark, our chef, this is his heritage. He **grew up with the Filipino food culture** he now shares from his London home... When you sit at his table, you aren't just eating; you are experiencing the **warm welcome, the social sharing, and the festive feasting** that defined his own upbringing. This deep-rooted connection is exactly why he takes the time during every meal to provide **explanations of the courses and the cultural background** of the dishes. He isn't just a chef; he is a storyteller using **traditional recipes** and **award-winning flavours** to bring the heart of **Filipino food culture** to the table. **The Details** We provide a **complimentary welcome drink**, water, tea, and coffee. For anything else, we operate a **BYOB policy**, so bring along your favourite bottle to enjoy with the feast. **Capacity is strictly limited.** We have room for just **13 guests**. In a city of millions, these seats will vanish fast! **Date:** Saturday, 11th April 2026 **Time:** **7:00 PM** Address provided on order Every ticket sold will see a donation made to UK registered charity The Brun Bear Foundation which supports a mix of community, medical and animal welfare causes. **Meat/Fish Menu** **Starters** Kinilaw - crudo of Tarsier Gin-cured market fish, finished off in calamansi, cane vinegar and rocket oil, with various garnishes [FISH, SULPHITES] Lumpiang Gulay (VG) - deep-fried Five Spice vegetable spring rolls [GLUTEN] **Main and Sides** Pork Belly Adobo - pork belly braised in cane vinegar, soy sauce and garlic [SOY, SULPHITES] Ginataang Gulay - roasted butternut squash, garlic-fried green beans in a coconut milk and fermented shrimp paste sauce [CRUSTACEANS] Ensaladang Kamatis (VG) - Isle of Wight winter tomatoes, brined shallots and rocket dressed with sweetened coconut vinegar [SULPHITES] Jasmine Rice (VG) **Palate Cleanser** Calamansi Granita (VG) - granita made with Filipino citrus juice **Dessert** Leche Flan - Filipino creme caramel, topped with latik (burnt coconut curds) and accompanied by cashew brittle [EGG, DAIRY, NUTS] **Vegan Menu** **Starters** Young Jackfruit Kinilaw (VG) - Young jackfruit salad with a dressing of coconut vinegar and coconut milk [SULPHITES] Lumpiang Gulay (VG) - deep-fried Five Spice vegetable spring rolls [GLUTEN] **Main and Sides** Tempeh Adobo (VG) - fermented soybean cake braised in cane vinegar, soy sauce and garlic [SOY, SULPHITES] Ginataang Gulay (VG) - roasted butternut squash, garlic-fried green beans in a coconut milk and miso [SOY] Ensaladang Kamatis (VG) - Isle of Wight winter tomatoes, brined shallots and rocket dressed with sweetened coconut vinegar [SULPHITES] Jasmine Rice (VG) **Palate Cleanser** Calamansi Granita (VG) - granita made with Filipino citrus juice **Dessert** Pandan Pannacotta (VG) - coconut milk pannacotta infused with pandan, topped with latik (burnt coconut curds) and candied young coconut

Dinner and dancing

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Soccer + vegan deli eats = the perfect Saturday ⚽🌱🔥 We’re kicking things off with soccer (all levels welcome!) and then heading to Vida’s Plant-Based Butcher for some seriously good food—Vida’s Reubens, Philly cheesesteaks, Chipotle Cheddar Melt and classic deli sides. Whether you’re playing, socializing, or just here for the food, this is a great way to meet like-minded people and enjoy the day! Game → Food → Good vibes 📍 Soccer - Park of Roses 3923 N High St Columbus, OH 43214 📍 Vida’s Plant Based Butcher 1724 Northwest Blvd Unit C Columbus OH, 43212

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join us again this Saturday for drinks and sweets at this delicious Vegan co-op bakery. Mingle with likeminded Columbus Vegans. We will aim to sit outside after purchasing items and hopefully taking in cooperative weather. Special note on parking: Please try to park along Acton, Richards and/or Chatham streets so as to free up the lot at the back of the building for pick-up orders. Thank you. 😊 Patty Cake offers everything from cupcakes, cookies, cakes, muffins, whoopie pies, as well as gluten free goodies. They also have coffee, oat milk and cold brew

Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it? How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp. This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.