Organic Gluten Free Penne - Prima Italia - 500g

Did you know you can make your meal happier, by using organic food? The 'Happier Meal’ is a showcase of the nutritional benefits of organic food. The meal, launched by the The Soil Association explores the science of gut health and the health benefits of shifting to organic whole food ingredients. It aims to inspire people to consider changing an product in every meal to organic. Organic produce have better nutritional profile Multiple studies have proved that due to the production methods the nutritional profile of organic food is different than the conventional non-organic food. Organic vegetables are higher in antioxidants such as polyphenols because they are not sprayed with fertilisers and pesticides. So they can help boost your immunity in a more effective way. The Happier Meal was created in collaboration with nutritionists, farmers and cooking experts. This includes celebrity eco-chef Tom Hunt, award-winning nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni and organic farmer Ben Andrews. The guide for Happier Meal is available online and includes both the beef and the vegan burger recipe. If you want to create your own Happier Meal at home just follow the recipe using all the organic ingredients. The happier versions of the burgers can feature fermented foods, like kimchi and be enjoyed paired with fermented drinks like kombucha, which support a healthy gut. Nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni said: "Choosing organic isn't just about what's on your plate; it's about overall wellbeing. There are holistic benefits of choosing organic that extend beyond the plate and simply swapping one or two elements of a dish to organic can make a world of difference.” Fermented foods have been known for centuries Kombucha which is a fermented tea, has been consumed in Asia for thousands of years. It is brewed from green tea or black tea which are full of antioxidants. When fermented it becomes a fizzy soft drink that is naturally high in healthy probiotics and live cultures bacteria that support the gut health and helps digestion. If you make kombucha from organic tea, it will have 69% more antioxidants, and it is free from pesticides or fertilisers which are harmful for health. Michaela Mazzoni said: "Kombucha is not only delicious, but it is also low in sugar and brimming with probiotics and antioxidants. It contributes to overall wellbeing so we're loving it for its natural goodness!"

What is Organic September? Soil Association founded Organic September as a campaign aiming to raise awareness about organic foods and their benefits to our health and the environment. Organic September celebrates all the organic food producers do for climate, nature, and the health of people. What is organic farming? Organic farming is a way of growing crops without the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. This way of farming aims to keep the soil and nature healthy.Organic foods are not grown with any chemicals and are not genetically modified. Moreover, they don't contain any artificial colours, preservatives and hydrogenated fats. Why are organic foods healthier? Being an organic food producer is not easy. In order to supply organic products, organic farmers and manufacturers must follow strict regulations, allow inspections every year and are obliged to acquire accreditation from an official certification body. For foods and drinks to have the organic certificate, at least 95 per cent of the ingredients must come from organic sources. Why is organic food better for the planet? According to Soil Association data, if the entire Europe switched to an organic food and farming system, there would be a 40 %drop in emissions. Half of this drop would result from a cut in the use of fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers. Organic farming reduces the risk of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by restricting the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides made from burning fossil fuels. Organic farmers must build fertile soils naturally, avoid monoculture and rotate their crops to keep the soil healthy. Organic farming is better for our nature and wildlife. Intensive farming practices, especially pesticide use, are the primary drivers of wildlife decline. Organic farms are homes for bees, birds and butterflies. According to the Soil Association, plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant on organic farms, and there are around 75% more wild bees on organic farms. Where can I buy organic food? You can buy organic foods in online whole food shops like Whole Food Earth. You will find a vast collection of healthy organic whole foods, including organic nuts, organic seeds, organic legumes, organic flours and more.

Cooking pasta is one of the easiest things you can prepare in your kitchen. Adding salt is supposed to enhance the flavour of the final dish - but according to the latest study adding it at the wrong time can be harmful to your health. Most people drop salt into water before it boils, but this may wake up some unwanted toxins. Scientists from the University of South Carolina, Columbia analysed the chemical compounds in tap water and found small amounts of disinfects that, when combined with salt, may create dangerous toxins, known as iodinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) which can lead to cancer, liver damage and nervous system issues. The team of scientists experimented with cooking pasta in different ways, each time measuring the amounts of six iodinated trihalomethanes. They prepared a list of recommended steps to eliminating contamination in your pasta: 1. Boil the water without a lid. This way, the disinfectants aren not trapped and will be cooked out o the water. 2. Strain all of the water from the pasta. 3. Iodised table salt should be added after the pasta is cooked. 4. Iodine-free salt options should only be used if pasta is boiled in salted water. The researchers team said: "Boiling pasta without a lid allows vaporised chlorinated and iodinated compounds to escape, and straining noodles removes most of the contaminants. "Adding iodised salt after cooking should reduce risk of byproduct formation, but non-iodised salts are recommended if salting the water before boiling."