The Vegan SA Blog

The flourishing Herold Wines vineyard has an idyllic setting, embraced by the lofty Outeniqua mountains covered with dramatic stands of fynbos. Their wines are unique since their vines are rooted at higher altitude than most, resulting in a longer growing season.

Herold are committed to making vegan wines, now and in the future. Some of their previous vintages used animal products, but all are sold out except for the 2009 Red Man.

Herold Wines are available direct from their cellar.

Visit Vegan SA for more South African vegan wine.

Jonday Foods is a producer of vegan snack meals.

They manufacture vegan samosas in spicy vegetable, potato and (GM) soy mince flavours. Samoosas are triangular Indian pastries, folded around a spicy and savoury filling. Their savoury vegetable spring rolls are also vegan.

Jonday Foods are available at select retail outlets.

Visit Vegan SA for more vegan ready-made meals.

… a regular nutrition series for vegans by Anastacia Sampson

Plants and vitamin B12

The question on whether plants deliver vitamin B12 is a confusing matter for the public. No, plants do not in themselves contain vitamin B12. However, fermented foods and sprouted foods may deliver minor amounts of vitamin B12. The micro-organisms in fermented and sprouted foods are sources of vitamin B12.

Soil contains vitamin B12 in the micro-organisms that live in the soil. Today, in our highly processed food culture, we miss out on these sources of B12. We are also advised to wash our vegetables and fruit thoroughly. This protects us from harmful organisms yet also takes away any soil and vitamin residue.

Insects and vitamin B12

An adequate vitamin B12 comes from animal based foods. When one eats a vegetable and fruit based diet with grains, nuts and seeds and claims that they do not eat any animal, some room may be open to the possibility of eating insects unintentionally. Insects and micro-organism are often ingrained with plant based foods and through them we have vitamin B12. They may be dead insects but they will still supply vitamin B12, when not thoroughly washed and scrubbed away. These plant foods can be considered minor residue suppliers of vitamin B12.

Can our bodies make vitamin B12

In scientific research it is shown that we synthesise vitamin B12 in our intestinal tract. It is the bowel flora that inhabits the intestinal tract that is the internal manufacturer. Although you may applaud knowing this, it is not of much benefit since it seems we do not to adequately absorb vitamin B12 from this source.

Absorption of vitamin B12

We need a glycoprotein, called the ‘intrinsic factor’ to attach to food sources of vitamin B12 before we can adequately absorb it. Generally we absorb vitamin B12 along the upper intestinal tract.

With bowel diseases, there may be a lack of intrinsic factor availability and production; which curbs the ability to absorb vitamin B12. The impairment/damage of the bowel wall in certain bowel diseases will hamper synthesis or manufacture of intrinsic factor resulting in its inadequate availability. Consequently any vitamin B12 will not be properly attached to intrinsic factor and be in a suitable form for absorption.

Safeguarding vitamin B12 in vegans

Animal foods are our prime source of vitamin B12, especially reputable is liver. Yet for vegans we can supplement our diet with sprouts and fermented foods. To safe guard our health in a vegan lifestyle, it is recommended that vegans take a supplement of vitamin B12.

It takes several years for a deficiency of vitamin B12 to form if one excludes all vitamin B12 intakes. Deficiency can lead to anaemia (poor red blood cell formation) and nervous system related problems. Anaemia may be reversible yet the nervous system damage is not reversible.

Do email me if you have any questions on nutrition anytime and it’s always a pleasure to know your thoughts.

In health and wealth, Anastacia

Visit Vegan SA for more information on vegan nutrition.

O’ways of Claremont is a unique environment where the combination of several of the finest elements of life – tea, coffee, tasty food and relationships – come together to generate and promote a pure and positive energy that not only resides within the walls of the teacafe but also radiates out through the joy and connection experienced by it’s satisfied customers.

“Our chef and her kitchen staff aim to customise any dietary requirement to suit changeable needs for our guests during the periods of breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, catering and celebration banqueting. As all our meals are pure vegetarian and most of our cuisine prepared using vegan ingredients, our foods are exciting and dynamic. Just to name a few vegan dishes for breakfast and lunch – stewed Quinoa, fruit salad, steamed turnip cakes, Har Gau, egg-free linguine, Dim Sum Platter, Bao buns, Akni, Gazpacho… O’ways health in mind…”

Join O’ways Teacafe for an experience that will not only delight your palette but will also lift your spirits! Tea ceremony, tea tasting, food paring to suit your celebration.

Visit Vegan SA for more vegan-friendly restaurants in the Western Cape.

Oh-Lief is the latest company to be endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty.

They produce a range of gentle and organic baby care products, such as a bum balm and a soothing olive wax. They also have some products for adults too, including wax and balms for the face, lips, body, stomach, hands and feet.

However, most of their range is vegetarian as it contains beeswax. Only the baby wash and shampoo s vegan. It is formulated from olive oil, natural clay and a light scent of Roman Chamomile, which has anti-allergenic and relaxant properties. Perfect for all babies and children.

Oh-Lief Natural Baby and Body Products are available in Johannesburg from the Fresh Earth Foodstore and Oven Bun Yoga Studio (Parkhusrt, Randburg and Illovo), and in Cape Town at Wellness Warehouse, Organic Living, Healthy Life and other stores.

Visit Vegan SA for more vegan baby care products.

Helderberg of Stellenbosch produce vegan Sauvignon Blanc wine. The vibrant nose shows a burst of capsicum, cut grass, gooseberries, figs and lime. The rich palate exudes layers of pure fruit and mineral notes which combine to produce a remarkable intensity of flavours. This wine is perfectly balanced with seamless natural acidity, purity of ripe fruit and harmonious lingering finish.

Helderberg Winery wines are available at Makro stores.

Visit Vegan SA for more South African vegan wines.

Tea has long been considered an English inheritance, but many countries in the East have long believed it to be far more than just a cuppa.

Traditionally limited in South Africa to ‘milk and two sugars’, consumers have become enlightened over the last few years to the flavours and benefits of more natural and unusual flavours, and their palates have become more adventurous as their exposure grows.

Long believed to promote good health in the Orient, more and more health-conscious South African consumers are returning to nature’s alternative source of refreshment. Considered the second most widely consumed beverage in the world after water, traditional tea is most commonly made from the leaves, buds and tender stalks of the camellia sinensis plant, and mixed with milk and sugar, while herbal teas are made from a variety of plants according to their desired flavour and benefits, and are normally infused in hot water and then consumed as-is as either a hot or iced drink.

Believed to address a multitude of ailments, from weight loss to blood pressure, from insomnia to skin ailments, the healing qualities of herbal infusions have been documented for centuries and used for far longer. Traced back to pagan times and beyond, nature’s healing plants were used as a primary source of medicine, and are still used today as an alternative accompaniment to modern medicine.

Madylan Imports & Distribution Pty Ltd is proud to introduce an exclusive new range of herbal and blended teas to the South African market. Sourced from the heart of Africa, these teas have not previously been available in this country, and are already proving to be popular with spas, salons, hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.

The African Ambrosia tea range comprises of both herbal and blended teas, and includes some new flavours for the South African market. On the herbal side, Hibiscus, Camomile, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Green are all caffeine-free, natural teas, and are very popular both hot and as iced teas. Widely believed to bring healing qualities, these flavours cover a large variety of phytotherapeutic remedies and have long been used as natural healing aids.

The blended flavours of Masaala, Chai Ginger, Vanilla, Earl Grey and English Breakfast have a base of traditional tea, blended with natural ingredients for a refreshing new taste, and can be consumed as an infused drink, or mixed with milk and sugar to taste.

For more information on ordering these wonderful new teas, please mail ambrosia@mweb.co.za or call 082-841-5344.

We have a new volunteer regional manager for Pretoria!

Antonia Dlagnekova became a vegetarian when she was 14 after she began to question some of the taken-for-granted assumptions regarding farming and the consumption of meat. As she grew increasingly aware of the common practices of factory farming as well as the wide variety of alternatives, she gradually turned vegan.

She believes that it is simply not necessary to consume animal products if one is fortunate enough to have the means to embrace a vegan lifestyle. “This may however seem as an overwhelming task, due to veganism being relatively new (at least in SA) and the perceived lack of support and resources”. It is for this reason that she decided to join Vegan SA; in hopes of assisting in making it easier for those who are interested to partake in this exciting movement.

Antonia is currently a master’s student in clinical psychology. Some of the things she enjoys include Thai food, playing with her cat and 2 rats (not at the same time , playing piano and attending picnics.

We wish her success and happiness in this volunteer role.

Visit Vegan SA for more information on our South African volunteers.

Lindt have confirmed to us that some of their chocolate products are vegan. All Lindt’s dark solid chocolates are suited for vegans, i.e. Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa and 85% Cocoa.

They manufacture different kinds of chocolates on the same production machine, however they do employ an intense rinsing process between production runs.

The only ingredients of animal origin they use to manufacture some of their chocolates are milk (milk and white chocolates), egg (some filled chocolates and pralines) and honey (as a special flavor, i.e. “nuts & honey”).

Please take note of the ingredient list on each product packaging. All ingredients are properly named to inform the consumer about the product about to be consumed.

Chocolate making is an art with Lindt’s chocolatiers, masters of their craft. Every detail counts when it comes to creating the finest chocolate and Lindt offer you a chocolate that melts in your mouth and caresses your senses.

Available from most large supermarkets nationwide.

Visit Vegan SA for more vegan chocolate options available in SA.

Home From Home is a luxurious 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom establishment with stunning views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the dunes. Can be rented per room (continental breakfasts included) or the whole house (self catering). Fully furnished and equipped kitchen, dining room and lounge with DSTV and internet. Just a 5 minute walk to the beach and Big Bay Shopping Centre with nightlife and restaurants that serve vegan dishes. 2 minutes walk to the bus stop to explore Cape Town.

Their pleasure is to assist you to make your stay the most enjoyable ever. Any special requests for food, romantic extras, kiddies high chairs etc, are welcome.

Visit Vegan SA for more vegan-friendly accommodations in the Western Cape.