A call to action regarding Suppliment legislation

Do you take suppliments? A lot of people do, whether to boost their dietary intake or make up a deficiency, or for the health benefits.

If you do take suppliments, or indeed have ever taken or might yet take one, you will likely be interested to know that the EU is currently considering legislation that will affect food suppliments in myriad ways.

Instead of parroting what Consumers for Health Choice say, I will instead direct you to their website pages regarding the two parts of their campaign (Vitamins & Minerals; Nutrition & Health Claims), and hope that you will consider signing their petition.

Finally, we also hope that you might take the time to send the letter that CHC have suggested, to underline the point of the campaign.

This far and no further

The Independent ran a front-page story on Saturday, about something else the ConDem Coalition are up to. Understandably, welfare reform and the massive changes to the benefits system have thousands and thousands up in arms because so many of us can foresee a not-too-distant future in which the homeless charities are over-stretched (and entirely staffed by enforced volunteers, probably).However, this is not all that Cameron, Clegg, et al. are attempting to force upon us.

Animal welfare reforms, due to come into effect in mere weeks, have been scrapped. The Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Jim Paice, also just happens to have a vested interest in keeping things the way they are; he part-owns a farm in Cambridgeshire.

Perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised that the Coalition put the interests of agri-business before the welfare of animals; when you only answer to bottom-line profit, everything else pales into insignificance. I can't help but wonder how long until meat production industry here in the UK becomes the same of that in the United States, especially as UK Health Policy has apparently been turned over to fast food companies.

Keep December 4th clear if you can!

Food for thought (sorry)

Set aside as far as possible a special time and place for eating, surround yourself with colour, pleasant sounds and good conversation.
Avoid eating if you are angry, worried, too hot or too cold, or before having a bath. These activities turn both your stomach and food to stone and so you are unable to digest.
Eating is a time to receive offerings in the form of food to nurture and revitalize your body and soul. Consider your vibration towards both the food, those in your  company and the work involved in bringing the food to you.
Choose the majority of your foods from local growers. This helps not only your local economy but also the environment, by using fewer resources for shipping and refrigeration.

- Louise

Louise's Top Tip

Now that it's winter and everyone's got at least a runny nose, this couldn't be more timely!

Feeling the cold coming on? As well as taking either echinacea or resistance support, have yourself a sweat bath to warm up the body and kill those nasty bugs.
Take a bath as warm as you can without burning yourself, putting in Epsom or bath salts along with black pepper and eucalyptus. Put a cold compress on your head (this is very important - you want your body to heat up, not your brain!). Stay in the bath for 20 minutes and then head to a warm bed with a good book or Radio 4 and a cup of ginger tea. You will sweat a lot but awaken feeling refreshed and alive once more.

The sanctity of an individual's private beliefs should be respected.

It's World Vegan Day!

If you're vegan, then you're probably well-versed in the ways that others might challenge your decision. If you aren't and are thinking about maybe making that transition, what have you got to lose? (Hint: not that much, really!)

Food-wise, today hasn't been especially different for me. I started the day with a (large) cup of fresh coffee, made with soya milk. Soya has a tendency to curdle in coffee, but there are a few brands available that are non-curdle. Because I was feeling a little lazy, I had a Nakd apple tart bar as a mid-morning snack. I don't eat much in the mornings, even though I know it's not the healthiest way to be. I'm vegan, not a saint! Lunch was lentil and apricot soup, with a small helping of roasted beetroot and squash salad, with a can of Whole Earth sparkling Elderflower. There was a second cup of coffee a little while ago, with some Sesame Snaps, just to ensure that I get through the rest of the afternoon and home again, without feeling the need to snack.

Dinner will be a tofu sandwich. The person who gave me that final push to veganism showed me how to make this, and it is as simple and easy as falling off a log, yet much more satisfying.

You will need: firm tofu, about half an avocado, two slices of bread, egg-free mayo, wholegrain mustard, whatever seasoning you like on your tofu.

• Cut the tofu so you have a thick slice. Given the usual size of blocks of tofu, your slice will be neatly sandwich-sized!
• Season the tofu, then grill or fry it, depending on how healthy you're feeling. The George Forman grill I bought years ago, and never used, turned out to be perfect for grilling tofu quickly.
• While the tofu is cooking, toast your bread, but only on one side, my dear.
• When the bread is toasted, spread a thin layer of  mayo on on untoasted side, and the wholegrain mustard on the other.
• Your tofu should be ready, so transfer it to one of the waiting slices of bread. Add the avocado, and then salt and pepper to taste.
• Close the sandwich.
• Eat. And enjoy!

I'm far from the world's greatest cook, vegan or otherwise, but there's few things better than a nice tofu sandwich. If you want something perhaps more adventurous, try the Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.

Gosh, I've made myself really quite hungry now...