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Where is olive oil from? Liquid gold - that's what Homer used to call olive oil in Ancient Greece. Olive oil has always been the most important ingredient of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Olive trees have grown for thousands of years around the Mediterranean Sea in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. With hot and dry summers, the local climate of these countries is perfect for these resilient trees.  Today, Greece is the biggest consumer of olive oil per capita (20l annually), following Italy (13l). Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil. However, Greece and Portugal produce olive oil of the best quality - the premium extra virgin olive oil with a rich, fruity aroma and less acidic flavour.  How is olive oil made? Made from the fruits of the olive tree, olive oil is technically a juice. Harvesting takes place once a year, early in autumn, when the olives are fresh and at their best quality with low acidity levels. Then they are the most nutritious and contain the most antioxidants.  The olives are crushed just like any other fruits. Olive oil, just like any juice, is best when it's cold pressed and fresh, and this is what we call extra virgin.  What is extra virgin olive oil? Extra virgin olive oil is purely extracted from cold-pressed olives, and it's not blended with other oils. Non-extra virgin olive oil may include both cold-pressed and processed oils...

This healthy and beautiful dish is delicious and nutritious! Eggplant stuffed with couscous, walnuts and almonds with a tomato salad - a great combination of Mediterranean flavours.

Delicious Greek summer flavours on your table! Juicy sweet tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, fresh peppers, spicy onion and delicious olives. It's a healthier version of a classic Greek recipe - we swapped the feta with tofu ! Very easy and quick to make - serve it with a slice of sourdough bread.

True taste of the Southern Italy in your kitchen! Try this comforting Italian dish recipe featuring organic chopped tomatoes, garlic, herbs and olive oil. Pasta with classic marinara sauce that everyone will enjoy!  

  Our bodies are pretty great. As well as keeping us alive, they also help keep us protected in many ways.   If your body recognizes something foreign, such as plant pollen, an invading microbe or chemical, your immune system will become activated. This usually triggers the inflammation process. Inflammation helps combat illness and can defend your body from harm, and most of the time, it’s a vital part of the healing process.   However, as with many things in life, too much of a good thing can become bad. If inflammation continues on a daily basis, that’s when it may become detrimental to your health. Many major diseases have been closely linked to chronic inflammation.   What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?   Studies suggest that the best way to reduce inflammation isn’t necessarily through medicine, but through your diet. Whilst medication and other treatments are still important, a change in what you eat may be a large, contributing factor, alongside lowering stress, and increasing activity levels.   Whilst some foods contain ingredients that can trigger or worsen inflammation (more on that later), there’s also a whole host of delicious foods than can aid in lowering it. Choose healthy and nutritious plant-based foods which are already rich in fibre, antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins.    Who Can it Help?   As mentioned earlier, people with certain diseases are more prone to chronic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet may serve as a complementary therapy for many conditions that are exacerbated by chronic inflammation.   People suffering from diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, IBS, and even Alzheimer's, can benefit from adding more anti-inflammatory foods to their diet. An anti-inflammatory diet might lessen the number of flare-ups you have, or it might help take your pain down a few notches.   ...

Colours of the Italian flag - red, green and white on your plate! This simple Mediterranean dish will be a perfect lunch or dinner not only on hot summer days. White mozzarella, red tomatoes and green basil drizzled with organic olive oil and topped with fresh basil. Buon Appetito!

Risotto is the best dish you make with rice. This delicious Italian classic risotto made with fresh mushrooms is perfect for a family lunch or romantic dinner for two. Mamma mia! Everyone will love it!

These fresh, juicy peppers are packed full with seasoned rice and nutritious veggies. This colourful dish looks great, and tastes even better!

Have you tried to cook rice and failed? Is your cooked rice too soft or too hard and stuck to the bottom of the pot? Do you think cooking rice is a nightmare? If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, this article it for you!  Indeed, rice may be one of those problematic ingredients in the kitchen and you may think it's hard to cook it correctly. But once you learn a few tips, you will realise it's actually very easy. And pleasant - as i n a maximum of twenty minutes, you will be able to enjoy beautifully cooked rice and half of your lunch or dinner ready.     Tip 1 - Rinse the rice Just place the rice under the tap and wash it with cold water.  Rinsing the rice will help you get rid of the starch. Starch is that dusty thing that makes rice too sticky, and we definitely don't want it here.  Tip 2 - Use a good pot  The best pots to cook rice are those made with stainless steel and aluminium. They allow the heat to be distributed evenly.   Use a medium size pot with a lid.  Tip 3. Magic ratio 1:2 You should always check the packaging of the rice for cooking instructions. But remember the ratio of 1:2. This means we need one part of rice and two parts of water (never the opposite). For Basmati rice, f...

Summer’s here and BBQ season is well and truly underway. The lighter and warmer evenings are the ideal time for getting those barbies out, and cooking up a storm!   If you’re plant based or vegan, you may wonder if you can still enjoy a BBQ, and the answer is – yes, of course you can! Even though BBQs traditionally and predominantly focus on meat, we’ve got you covered with a whole range of plant-based alternatives and recipes. Burgers   Suns out, buns out! If you don’t eat animal products or are just wanting a healthier option, then why not try out our burger alternatives. Beans make a great substitute for meat as they’re still high in protein and have a meaty, earthy flavour. Try our Cannellini Beanie Veggie Patty or Vegan Black Bean Burger .   If you want something a bit more like the real thing, then why not have a go at our TVP-atty (Textured Vegetable Protein Patties) which are made with soya. Soya is also packed with protein, as well as containing lower calories and less fat than meat. Side Dishes   Just like Batman needs Robin, every main dish needs a good sidekick, and BBQs are no exception.   Everyone loves a good fry, but If you’re wanting a healthier alternatives to potato fries, or a slightly different take, then check out our Crispy Carrot Fries . Perfectly seasoned, sweet, and crunchy, they’re sure to be a hit!   Another great way to pack in some nutritious veggies is with our Veg & Tahini Tray Bake recipe. Not only is it healthy, but its t...

  What is tahini? Tahini is made of two or maximum three ingredients:  hulled sesame seeds, oil and salt.  Sometimes it is made without salt. The hulled sesame seeds are usually toasted (or soaked in water), then ground and then emulsified with oil to create a creamy and smooth butter with a kind of liquid consistency. It may look like peanut butter, but it's more pourable, and certainly, it doesn't taste like it. Tahini has a bit more bitter, nutty and earthy flavour.  Is tahini good for you? Tahini contains selenium which is an antioxidant helping you lower the inflammation in the body. According to some studies, sesamol, wich is naturally found in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. Other studies also suggest that sesame has strong anti-cancer effects. What can I eat and cook with tahini? Tahini is a very versatile product that you can incorporate into many dishes. It is a popular ingredient in  Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Here's how you can use it: Dip - You can use it as a dip for raw veggies, precels, nachos and crisps.  Hummus - Tahini is a necessary ingredient for hummus - the popular Middle Eastern dish made with organic chickpeas.  Spread - You can use it as a spread for toasts, pieces of bread, bread rolls and croissants.  Topping - you can drizzle it on falafels, wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads.  Dressi...

Made with hummus and fresh asparagus this delicious toast can be a great snack during the day! It can also become your favourite healthy breakfast or a quick lunch. Eat it whenever you want and enjoy the goodness of whole foods! Don't forget to make the hummus before!

Deliciously refreshing and lip puckery. Perfect to make all year round or during those especially warm summer days.

These carrot fries are great as a healthy plant-based alternative and a super side dish for BBQs and dinner parties. Everyday can be Fry-day with this tasty recipe!

Is there a diet that is healthy both for the people and for the environment? Until now, the Mediterranean Diet has been considered the best diet to live a healthy life.  The Mediterranean diet is based on whole foods such as fresh vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, whole grains and seeds and allows a small intake of fish and dairy occasionally. Doctors and nutritionists claimed this was the perfect diet for longevity.  However, in recent years scientists looked more carefully at a plant-based diet as the ultimate diet for humans.  According to a new study published in the journal  Future Foods,  it's the  completely plant-based diet that is more beneficial. It is not only best for human health but also for the health of our planet, which is currently suffering from global warming.  Scientists looked through 40 studies that examined the human health impact and the environmental impact of plant-based diets. Plant-based diets offer better nutrition They concluded that vegan diets have better alimentary profiles than those based on animal products. The researchers also confirmed that meat-free and dairy-free diets help people improve their health and help to lose weigh in a healthy way. The researchers wrote in the statement:  "There are increasingly strong reasons to move away from industrial animal agriculture for the good of the environment, animals, our personal health, and public health." "Plant-based animal product alternatives represent a highly feasible way to reduce ani...

This Middle Eastern recipe is healthy, nutritious and very easy to make. All you need is some organic chickpea, tahini, lemon, garlic, olive oil and spices. Plus, a medium size bowl and a blender and max. 15 min of time. It pairs well with pickles, fresh or grilled veggies, bread, crisps, olives and more!

Delicious super eggy tofu scramble! High in protein healthy breakfast recipe. Black salt makes it taste exactly like scrambled eggs. Perfect for those who follow a plant-based diet and miss eggs and all those who want to avoid cholesterol. Top it with green onions and serve it on a sourdough toast and avocado. Yummy!

There are many reasons why you should choose organic wholefood products. Organic means it's better for you and better for the environment. Popcorn is one of these products which you should always buy organic.  What is popcorn?  Corn is a versatile starchy vegetable which comes as kernels on a cob inside a husk. Dried seeds become whole grain; when ground, it becomes flour commonly used in American cuisine for tortillas, tacos, nachos and other dishes. Popped corn is everyone's favourite snack for parties and long evenings watching films.  There's only one type of corn that will make popcorn. This particular variety is the only one that has the ability to pop and turn into a healthy snack. Why does corn pops? Dried corn grains have a hard yellow shell and a starchy centre with a little bit of water inside. When you place corn kernel in a hot pan, the water inside starts cooking and creates a lot of steam, building a lot of pressure. After a couple of minutes, the shell explodes, and the starch comes out, creating a crunchy yet soft snack.  Why you should always buy organic popcorn By buying organic popcorn , you can avoid pesticides and GMOs. Corn is one of the whole grains which is often genetically engineered. Engineers change corn's DNA to make it more resistant to lack of watering or insects. Although there's no evidence that genetically modified crops may cause any risk to...

Relax, and take it cheesy with our easy to make vegan cheese sauce. It’s rich, tangy and oh so creamy! You can use this sauce on pastas, lasagnes, nachos or as a tasty dip.

What is black salt? Black salt is also known as Kala Namak or Himalayan black salt . It is very popular in Asian and Indian cuisine. It  usually comes from the salt mines of India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It has volcanic origins and is made up of sulphur compounds which contribute to its smell and taste. It is also made up of iron and potassium chloride.  Ayurveda considers black salt as a cooling spice. Black salt was first used in Ayurvedic medicine for its holistic, therapeutic properties. It is filled with minerals that are insoluble, making them harder to be absorbed by the body.  Today, black salt is commonly used in cooking and is a popular ingredient in Indian and Asian-inspired recipes.    Is black salt healthy? According to Ayurvedic medicine black salt has  holistic and therapeutic properties. Drinking water with a bit of black salt on an empty stomach in the morning helps to remove toxins from the body. Black salt works like an antioxidant and contains essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Adding it to your dishes may improve digestion by increasing the bile production in the liver. It also has laxative properties, so it helps with constipation. People with diabetes may use black salt to help maintain sugar levels in the body. Using black salt wit...

Perfect for hot summer days! This refreshing drink is delicious and nutritious. Thanks to oats and banana it contains fibre and thanks to blueberries it is packed with antioxidants. Use chilled for this! You can also add a few ice cubes for a colder version of the drink.

Packed full of vitamins, minerals and a healthy dose of plant protein. This green smoothie is a super way to start your day and nourish your body.

Cashews are versatile and very nutritious nuts packed with protein, fibre and minerals. They are an excellent source of magnesium, copper, and essential amino acids. Cashews nuts are very easy to incorporate to your diet. What does cashew taste like?  Cashews's flavour is similar to almonds and other nuts but they are sweeter and their nutty flavour is more delicate. With their  buttery and creamy taste, they can become everyone's favourite nut.  Cashews can pair well with all kinds of sweet and savoury dishes.  How to use cashews?  Cashews are less crunchy than almonds or peanuts but they probably are more versatile. As healthy snack Whole or ground organic cashews are a great snack on the go. You can eat cashew raw or roasted. You can easily find them in the shops and buy organic cashews online. If you want something more indulgent, go for cashew coated with honey, dark chocolate, or with herbs and spices seasoning.  To make dairy-free milk If you have a food processor at home, you can easily make your own plant-based milk at home. Organic cashews would be perfect for that.  Just soak the cashew in water for a couple of hours, then remove the water. Place it in a food processor, adding 1 litre of water and a pinch of salt and blend until it's creamy and smooth. Voila! You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days and use it for coffee and cereals in the morning.  To make cashew butter  Both roasted and raw organic cashews make excellent nut butter! You can eas...

Easy summer recipe for homemade strawberry ice cream. Lactose-free and creamy. Indulge yourself with this delicious summer dessert!