Dried Shiitake Mushrooms - Cooks & Co - 30g

Introducing Wholefood Earth's new product listing - Vital Wheat Gluten.Famous for the creation of Seitan - the vegan meat alternative!Vital wheat gluten is a natural protein source found in wheat. It is a powerful flour that is almost pure gluten. It is made from wheat flour that has had the gluten activated during a dehydrating process, removing all other ingredients except the gluten. Wheat gluten has very little starch content and a fantastic way of making dough elasticated. Vital wheat gluten is great for bread making as it helps to increase the gluten content of the bake. It is equally as great used in muffins, cakes and other bakes such as tarts and pastries where you are working with yeast ingredients. A small amount added to yeast bread recipes improves the texture and elasticity of the dough. When combined with water it becomes highly elastic and has a sticky like texture. Vital Wheat Gluten is a natural and very effective raising agent, helping your bread fill out perfectly and evenly, giving it more volume. It can be especially helpful for baking bread made with whole grain flours and coarse cereals. Vital Wheat Gluten can ensure recipes that require fruit, nuts and seeds, chocolate chips etc stay firmly held together and a good binder too! Brilliant for binding Vegan Meatballs, Burgers, Tofu etc. To make Seitan: Mix Vital Wheat Gluten with spices and add water to make a dough. When the gluten dough is cooked either by steaming, baked or boiled it becomes chewy with a meat style texture! See the range of sizes online and in store today! We sell in bulk so perfect for cafes, restaurants and keen cooks alike!

Happy Halloween! Welcome to October,The air is slowly cooling, leaves are falling from the trees, the outdoors become covered in deep colours of orange, red and brown, the distinct aroma of bonfires tickle our nostrils, our favourite fruits and vegetables come into season and probably the most well known event October is known for...Halloween!Halloween has been a favourite annual event for decades, beginning from Celtic Harvest Festivals.Today we celebrate Halloween in various ways, the most common would be a big party, dressing up in comedic and spooky costumes, carving pumpkins, knocking on your neighbours door for candy, the traditional 'Trick or Treat'With this in mind we thought we would share Healthy Hints & Tips for an alternative Halloween. Maybe you want to reduce added sugar from your or your families diet? Or simply to try some new exciting foods?1. Seeds - Pumpkin,Sunflower,Black Sesame seedsSeeds are easy to nibble, savoury to taste and black sesame seeds give a spooky look to compliment the theme. You could roast seeds with a splash of Soy or Tamari sauce, Salt and Pepper, spices like Paprika, Chilli flakesRich in fibre, essential fats, minerals for overall health.2. Fruit - Dried Dates, Apricots, Banana, Figs, Cranberries, RaisinsDried fruit contains sweet natural sugars, great for a natural energy boost and appealing to all ages! No added sugar, rich in fibre, Iron and Vitamin C!3. Nuts - Peanuts, Brazil, Macadamia, Pecans, Cashews We understand that Nuts may be a NO GO when it comes to children's snacks. However for those who may choose to eat Nuts, they are power packed with protein, essential fats, minerals, help you feel satisfied without feeling the need to eat more. Rich and creamy to taste, also Nut Butters e.g. Peanut butter, Almond Butter, Cashew butter are lovely to dip carrot sticks in or spread on a cracker, bread sticks etc.4. Dairy Free Chocolate/SweetsFor a tasty treat, brands like Moo Free cater for those who are allergic or choose to avoid Dairy, Soya, Gluten. We sell Mini Moo Bars, perfect for a little snack for the sweet tooths out there!Gelatine Free Gummy Sweets - Sour fruits or Cola we sell packets of Vegan sweets that can be shared5. Fruit and Nut BarsBrands such as 'Nakd, Beond Organic,Trek, Cliff, Meridian'Make healthy snack bars that give you on the go energy, they may be small but they pack a punch of slow release energy! 6. Dips and ChipsWe stock a wide range of Gluten free, Vegan Crisps and Dips. So many yummy flavours of crisps made from Lentils, Quinoa, Hummus, Corn instead of the considered unhealthier high fat potato chips.No added sugar dips and relishes to tantalise your taste buds!We hope this helps and have a happy and safe Halloween!All products listed are available online and in our NEW Ramsgate Store!WholeFood Earth22, Leigh RoadHaine Industrial Estate4032277001622RamsgateCT12 5EU

According to new statistics from YouGov, almost three-quarters of Britons (73%) say they eat meat. The number of meat eaters is higher in men. Eight in ten men in Britain (80%) describe themselves as meat eaters, compared to two-thirds of women (66%). What is a flexitarian diet? Among other diets practised in the UK, flexitarianism has recently gained the most popularity. A flexitarian diet is a mainly vegetarian diet with occasional meat or fish meals. Currently, flexitarians account for one in eight (12%) of the British public (8% of men and 15% of women), while 6% say they are strictly vegetarian. Pescatarians account for 3% of the population, while 2% of Brits say they follow a vegan diet and lifestyle. Plant-based diets more popular among younger generations Plant-based diets are more popular among younger generations. Only 53% of 18 to 24-year-old Britons describe themselves as meat eaters compared to 77% of those aged 45 and over. One in nine of those aged 18 to 24 (11%) consider themselves vegetarian and do not eat any meat, including poultry, fish or shellfish. This number is more than double the share of those aged 55 and over who say they are vegetarians (4%). How many Brits are vegan? A vegan diet that has become more popular in recent years does not include dairy, eggs, fish mean or any other animal product. According to data from YouGov, only 2% of Brits describe their diet as 100% vegan. However, a further 3% say they will likely join the Veganuary campaign and take up a challenge to follow a strictly vegan diet and lifestyle throughout the month of January. The younger generation is more interested in doing so, with one in eight Britons aged 18 to 24 who aren’t vegans yet (12%) saying they’ll try a vegan lifestyle in January compared to just 1-4% of the older generations. People should reduce meat consumption Doctors and nutrition experts advise people to reduce eating meat for health reasons. Scientific and medical evidence confirms that consumption of red meat and all kinds of processed meats can lead to an increased risk of numerous diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In 2021 the Climate Change Committee and UK governments advised that people should reduce meat-eating also for environmental reasons. Animal farming and the meat industry are responsible for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions.

These days, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available for those who wish to stick to a plant-based diet during pregnancy. Plant-based diets are considered safe for pregnant women as long as you get enough nutrition and can even contribute to a healthy pregnancy. The trick is knowing which foods to fuel you and your growing body with. With that in mind, here are some foods that you can eat during your plant-based pregnancy. Tofu and Setian Products During the second (week 13 -28) and third trimesters (week 29-40) Pregnant women, women need to aim for around 70 grams of protein daily. Tofu and Setian products are very high in protein and can contribute heavily to a healthy pregnancy diet. Blend soft tofu into smoothies or cut chunks of tofu up to incorporate into stir-fries or other dishes. You can use Setian as an additive in burritos or vegetable hashes. Lentils Your pregnancy is a great time to load up on those lentil soups and big lentil salads. These complex legumes are ideal for pregnant women because they pack a lot of protein and fibre. Not only will they keep you nice and full, but they also taste delicious and are endlessly versatile. Nuts Nuts are high in protein and good fats, and they are also a hearty source of iron and zinc. Iron is vital for a healthy pregnancy, and you will need to come up with creative ways to incorporate it into your diet if you are not planning on eating meat. Nuts are delicious, and you can enjoy them as a snack, or add them to just about any food you can imagine. Leafy Green Vegetables These nutritional powerhouses will do your body good during your pregnancy. They are packed with all sorts of nutrients that your body needs to have a healthy baby, plus a ton of antioxidants. Mix up a spinach and berry smoothie for the perfect mix of antioxidants and a great way to start your day. Whole Grains Stay away from simple grains or overly processed foods, but eat as much of the whole grains as you want to. Often, they are fortified with different minerals and nutrients that you might otherwise be lacking. Additionally, they are very high in fibre, which will help your body function properly throughout your pregnancy. Fermented Foods Fermented foods have a great superpower; they contain loads of probiotics and a big dose of Vitamin K2, which is tough to get in virtually any other plant-based food. Fill up on pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi to your hearts' desire. In turn, this will help regulate your gut health and keep your body nice and strong. Fruits Fruits are nature's candy, so take your fill of the sweet stuff during your pregnancy. Now is the time to eat as many antioxidant-rich fruits as you want. So stock up on all sorts of different types of berries. You can also indulge in tropical fruits with plenty of nutrients, such as ripe papaya. Pregnancy is a glorious time, and being pregnant does not mean that you need to change your diet. It's possible to have a perfect pregnancy fueled by vegetables. Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-12 deficiency during pregnancy can cause harmful side effects to both mother and baby. B12 deficiency is most common amongst vegans. For those on a vegan diet, products such as Nutritional Yeast can provide a viable source of B12. Natural Osmotic Laxative During pregnancy 11 to 38% of pregnant women experience constipation. Donat MG is a natural osmotic laxative and well as a great source of magnesium.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN REVISED To find out about Nutritional Yeast, click here. "Nutritional Yeast". It sounds almost like a medical supply doesn't it? The sort of thing you'd get advised to incorporate into your diet in order to keep the bowels moving live a nicely flowing woodland river. Either that or perhaps the sort of ingredient you would here being listed off in an advert for fancy yoghurts full of loads of stuff to aid digestion and good health, none of which you will have heard of. Particularly 'good bacteria', whatever that is! However, you would be very much wrong. In fact, Nutritional Yeast is a particularly versatile and snazzy little addition to a vibrant vegan diet, packed full of potential uses and nutritional benefits (the clue is cleverly hidden in the name you see!). Coming in the form of flakes, Nutritional Yeast is actually an inactive form of a yeast strain that is mostly used by bakers to leaven bread and goes by the name of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. If you don't fancy having to remember such a complicated title, it's also often referred to as 'Nooch', which is far easier to remember, as well as being far pleasant to roll off of the tongue. Before we get into the uses of this wonderful product, it's important to look into what the benefits of adding Nutritional Yeast into your diet actually are. Many studies suggest that it may well help to lower your cholesterol, give your immune system a boost and potentially even protect you against oxidative damage. Nutritional Yeast is also a probiotic, so despite our jokes about fancy yoghurt in the opening paragraph, will assist with keeping the digestion in tip-top shape, as well as being shown to have helped with upset stomachs, diarrhoea and lactose intolerance. However, if you're on your vegan journey, you probably don't have to worry about that last one! Plus, if you buy our very own Nutritional Yeast Flakes, you're also guaranteed a good dose of Vitamin B12, so that's even more goodness to add to the list. Not only have you got all of the above benefits, but Nutritional Yeast is also sugar-free, fat-free, gluten-free, vegan, suitable for those following a ketogenic diet (containing plenty of that all-important protein every non-vegan always seems so concerned about vegans not getting enough of) and, certainly not flavour free! In fact, one of its main uses is as a replacement for cheese in your favourite dishes and sauces! Vegan Mac & Cheese anyone? The obvious answer to the above question is yes, of course, you want vegan Mac & Cheese because it's delicious and simple to make. A double whammy of tasty convenience! In order to use Nutritional Yeast as a replacement for your favourite cheese is nice and simple. Simply treat your flakes in the same way that you would have treated grated cheese of all kinds, with it's delicious, wholesome cheesy flavour, with a subtle nuttiness to go alongside it. You don't even necessarily have to even cook it into a sauce or as part of a recipe. Go right on ahead and sprinkle some over your salads or into your homemade loaves for some extra layers of flavour. It's important to never fear the flavours. However, it is worth noting that despite coming from the same yeast that is used to bake a lovely loaf, Nutritional Yeast can't be used to bake bread. That's not to say it can't be added to your baking process though, but only as a flavouring and not as a main ingredient. Could Nutritional Yeast be the next part of your vegan journey? Replacing another part of the dairy in your diet with a delicious, versatile and highly beneficial new product is an exciting step to take. Although, it is important to make sure that you bring it into your diet in moderation, to begin with (we know how tempting it is to add a cheesy equivalent to everything you can). Despite all its great benefits, moderation is key to begin with, as what with its excellent digestion based benefits, a little too much can make the digestion process work a little too well, which is less than desirable. Plus, for those with a yeast intolerance, then this may not be so great for you, but fear not, for there is more than one delicious vegan cheese flavoured replacement. However, in moderation and as part of a well-balanced, plant-based diet, this could well be another exciting new addition to your culinary collection.

Isn't it strange how the moment you tell anyone you're considering giving the vegan lifestyle a go, they nearly always immediately turn into an overnight nutritional expert, with a deep concern over how “you'll be lacking in protein”. We've all heard the concern, but does becoming vegan mean that you'll be protein deficient and too weak to lift your soy milk latte within a week? No whey! Get it? In fact, there's an absolute treasure trove of great sources of protein you can enjoy as part of a fulfilling and nutritionally balanced, plant-based diet. You'll be pumping up your protein levels in no time! Even former Mr. Universe, action movie icon and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has talked about how he has switched over to an almost entirely meat and dairy free lifestyle (although he's admitted to still consuming eggs on occasion, but that's still a pretty massive leap!). So if ever you hear people crying out their protein concerns, just remember that The Terminator himself is doing just fine with his new found love for almond milk. So let's dispense with the nonsense and give you a few great ways to help you with getting some of that all important protein into your diet, so you can feel pumped up and overflowing with energy as you get through your day, whether it be working toward that employee of the month status at work or pumping iron and making gains in the gym! Also, if before reading this you'd already came across seitan, don't worry, it's not as bad as it's name makes it sound. In fact, it can be 'devilishly good' (feel free to take all of our wonderful jokes that you read here, as well as the all the protein talk). Dare To Ditch Dairy Those of us of a certain age will surely remember how, as children, we were always told how essential milk was to keep your bones strong and healthy because of the calcium. That and constant sights of hugely muscular men gulping down disgusting looking concoctions with a few raw eggs cracked in. Sounds rather disgusting doesn't it? Not to mention dangerous, as if you don't pick the right eggs, you could well be gulping down a runny cup of pure Salmonella poisoning, which is even worse! It's time to find some replacements to the obvious previous sources of protein you had in your diet. There's a whole world of plant, oat and nut milks to be pouring onto your morning muesli, into your afternoon coffee or just straight into your mouth if you're that way inclined (although not straight from the bottle if others share it with you. We mustn't forget our manners now). There's also endless choices for plant-based yoghurts of every sweet and fruity flavour you can imagine, as well as enough choices of vegan cheese to please even Wallace And Gromit (and they went to the moon for cheese!). You can also say switch up your eggs with some delicious scrambled tofu, which is particularly delicious and invigorating to the taste buds when scrambled, particularly with just a dash of hot sauce to spice things up a little. Say Hello To Seitan (And Friends)! Now, let's roll back to the last of the awful jokes we made just before we came to the list portion of what you're reading, where we were talking about seitan. A meat replacement made out of wheat gluten that could be one of the most diverse tools in your vegan arsenal, both nutritionally and with it's adaptable flavour potential, that can emulate anything from your favourite spicy chicken wings, delicious curry fillers, crunchy battered fish (all it takes is a little seaweed to give it that oceanic taste) and beyond! Not only that, but it's not just a great source of protein, but also jammed full of important minerals like Iron and Selenium that cover a whole host of bodily functions like improved thyroid function, boosting up your immune system and more. Seitan certainly is a diverse creative tool for your plate, but it's not the only meat replacement option you have at your disposal, although it's lack of soy is also a bonus. That said, if you don't have any intolerance to soy, you have another brilliantly adaptable and protein packed product for even more delicious dishes. Spaghetti Bolognaise with egg free pasta and soy mince anyone? There's also plenty of protein to be found in adding some tofu into the kitchen. It's particularly delicious as part of a Katsu curry! You can even get yourself some lovely meat replacements from this very site and why not sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear all about our upcoming recipe section? What Is Quinoa Anyway? No doubt you've heard of quinoa at some point in life and it's important to remember that you don't even have to be able to pronounce it correctly to still enjoy all the dietary benefits it offers. For example, did you know that it contains double the protein of white rice and also works as a perfect replacement for it in most cases? It's also packed with fibre, so the extra protein will fill you up better (meaning you only need a smaller portion size) and the extra fibre will help clean you out (for want of a better phrase) and leave you feeling refreshed from the inside. Yet More Protein According to many many online influencers, you're absolutely nobody if you're not chucking around chia seeds like confetti and we have to agree with them when it comes to singing their praises. Chia seeds usually contain seventeen grams of protein per hundred grabs of weight, making them with one of the highest protein levels of all the plant based options right now. You can even browse through our selection of seeds and nuts, including Chia, right here. Plus, many nuts and seeds can join the party too! In fact, there's many foods you may not even know are great for bringing that all important protein into your lifestyle. Broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts (and sprouts are for life, not just for Christmas), green peas, chick peas and most forms of beans (including the all important baked beans) are all pounding out protein for you to consume. There's even plenty of snacks that you can include into your everyday routing to help fight off those hunger pangs, such as apple slices dipped in peanut butter, as peanut butter is nearly always vegan friendly too. It doesn't usually contain any actual butter! Once in a blue moon you may find a peanut butter that contains a dash of honey, but just remember to check those all important labels and you'll be just fine. Conclusion The next time you find yourself face to face with an overnight expert in nutrition, like the ones we discussed all the way back in the opening lines, you'll now be ready to placate all of their protein based concerns. Perhaps you could really flip the tables and even get them to start rethinking whether its time for them to re-examine how they are getting their daily dose of protein?