Vegan guitar straps are very difficult to find in Ireland. If you go into any music shop, the vast majority, if not all straps have leather end tabs or are made completely from leather. If you are lucky enough to find one, it is usually of a cheap nylon variety with thin vinyl end tabs which are likely to tear at some stage. A good quality strap is a good investment, as if one tears, the result could be disasterous i.e a broken guitar on the floor.

I recently bought two identical guitar straps from the US based website www.couchguitarstraps.com, specifically, the "Plain Black Vegan Eco Strap" which are hand made using 100% recycled seatbelt materials. The end tabs are made from heavy duty automotive upholstery vinyl which is reinforced on the inside by carbon fiber cloth.
The straps cost $17.50 each and shipping to Ireland for both only cost $11 which is very reasonable. The straps are very comfortable to wear due to their width as it helps to spread the weight of the guitar across the shoulder. The straps also adjust up to six inches longer than an average strap to accomodate those who like to play the guitar low. The vinyl end tabs can also be used with strap locks for extra security.

www.couchguitarstraps.com are an ethical vegan company and all their products are sweatshop free and made in the USA. They also do a range of all vinyl guitar straps, artist series guitar straps, belts, luggage straps, camera straps, wallets etc.

Check out the website for more details!

I bought this tofu kit directly from TofuXpress website (the makers) two months ago and I have been using it thoroughly ever since. This tofu press is absolutely brilliant to make tofu. It is extremely easy to use, very efficient, hygienic and so cute! You can actually see the tofu forming in the press as the box is transparent.

I had been using homemade tofu kits before buying this kit, and although the tofu I was making was really nice and easy to make, I came across this website and was just really curious to see what this little thing would do that my kit wouldn't. As well, I was absolutely charmed by the design of this little tool. The box is 11cm x 13cm (4.25 inches x 5 inches), is made of a hard transparent plastic, and the lid has a big spring underneath which presses the tofu when you put the lid on.

You don't have to line the box with muslin cloth as you would do for any other kit. Just transfer the tofu that is left in the muslin cloth after the coagulation process (read guide on Making Tofu) directly in the tofu press and put the lid on. The extra water will come up to the surface as the box does not contain any holes. Empty the water and watch your tofu getting pressed so it forms a firm and perfectly shaped block.

This tofu press makes firm tofu. If you like your tofu softer, you might just want to press the tofu for an hour and then transfer it to a normal container, as the more you leave it on the tofu press, and the firmer your block will get. This tofu press can also be used for pressing other foods than tofu, like cooked spinach, for example. It also comes with a simple lid, so you can close the press and leave the tofu marinating in some sauce before you press it again.

It is not possible to buy this tofu kit in Europe, unfortunately. From Ireland, the two options are to buy directly from their website or amazon.com. It is a little bit expensive, mind you, but it is worth the price. I have no regrets whatsoever and highly recommend it if, like me, you like your tofu firm and nicely shaped.
Wonderful little kit.