Organic Soy Sauce - Kikkoman - 250ml

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.

The clocks are going forward this weekend and that means one less hour of precious sleep! We’re sure you’ve heard before about how important it is to get a good night’s kip. Sleep is an essential function that allows your mind and body to recharge, as well as keeping yourself healthy and warding off diseases. However, as many of us know, sleeping well isn’t always an easy task. Did you know that certain foods can also aid you in getting a restful night’s sleep? There are a variety of chemicals, enzymes, amino acids and other nutrients that can help in falling and staying asleep, and fortunately, you can find a lot of them in foods and drinks. We want to make sure you’re getting the best sleep possible and have compiled a handy list of sleep inducing foods (plus one drink). So, if you’ve been having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, why not give these a try? Almonds Almonds are not only a nutritious and healthy snack, but it’s also claimed they may help in boosting sleep quality as well. This is because almonds contain the hormone melatonin, which regulates your internal clock and signals your body to prepare for sleep. Almonds are also a great source of magnesium. Consuming an adequate amount of magnesium may improve sleep quality, especially for anyone suffering with insomnia. Magnesium’s role in promoting sleep is considered to be related to its ability to reduce inflammation. In addition, magnesium can assist in lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is known to disturb your slumber. For more health benefits of almonds, have a look at our previous article Are Almonds Good For You? Oats You may think of oats as more of a breakfast food, but you might want to try eating a bowl of porridge after dark if you want to catch those precious ZZZZZs. The grains present in oats trigger insulin production much like whole-grain bread, raise your blood sugar naturally which makes you feel drowsy. Oats are also rich in both melatonin and the amino acid tryptophan that helps to produce melatonin, which helps our brain send signals to the rest of our body that it’s time to relax and get some rest. Kiwi Kiwis are a low calorie but extremely nutritious fruit that could also aid you in sleeping better. The sleep-promoting effects of kiwis are sometimes usually attributed to serotonin. Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps regulate your sleep cycle. It’s been proposed that the anti-inflammatory antioxidants in kiwis, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, may also be partially responsible for their sleep-inducing impact. White Rice White rice is a rich source of carbohydrates. It’s high carb content along with its lack of fibre, both contribute to white rice having a large glycaemic index. It’s been suggested that eating foods with a high GI, like white rice, approximately one hour before bed may help in improving sleep quality. Some researchers seem to believe this is due to the large amount of insulin released after eating a high GI meal. Insulin drives the amino acid, Tryptophan, which helps activate drowsiness, into the brain. Chamomile Tea Okay, so it’s not technically a food but we’re still including it on this list! Chamomile tea is widely known as one of the best drinks to help you get your forty winks. But did you know, it doesn’t even contain any tea? It’s actually more of an herbal infusion made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. Chamomile tea also contains antioxidants which binds to receptors in the brain that encourage sleepiness and reduce insomnia. Just make sure to drink your cup of chamomile tea around 45 minutes before going to bed so your body has ample time to metabolise the tea. Soya Soya has a wide range of health benefits, and one of them may be aiding you in a good night’s kip! The products produced from soya, such as soya milk, tofu, and tempeh contain good amounts of tryptophan, the substance which can help our bodies synthesise melatonin and serotonin. Another way soya may also benefit your sleep pattern is due to its isoflavone content. Isoflavones are believed to somewhat mimic the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen can affect the brain via the same neurotransmitters that are involved in sleep regulation. Why not check our latest soya article Why Soya is a Great Meat Substitute Figs Figs are an excellent source of magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron, making them a powerful aid for sleep. All these minerals can assist with muscle contraction along with blood flow, which are both vital for falling asleep. Figs also contain high amounts of fibre, keeping you full through the night and preventing any hunger pangs or midnight cravings that could disturb your slumber. Walnuts Another nut featuring on this sleep inducing food list is the small yet mighty walnut. Some researchers have claimed that eating walnuts improves sleep quality, as they’re one of the best food sources of melatonin. They are made up of many fatty acids that may also contribute to better sleep. Walnuts provide alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that’s converted to DHA in the body. DHA may increase your bodies serotonin production. So, if you’re finding it difficult to nod off, eating a handful of walnuts before bed might just help!