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These Hasselback potatoes can be served as a main course or side dish. 

What foods should you avoid if you want to stay healthy?    Ultra-processed meats  You should stay away from ultra-processed meats like sausages, slices, balls and other things. Charcuterie meats are highly processed and very, very bad for you. They contain many additives like preservatives, flavour enhancers, and colourants. Many of these substances bear 'chemical' names which don't even sound like food. Read the ingredients list carefully, and check for any weird symbols instead of natural ingredients. You shouldn't eat it if you don't know what it is. People who consume a lot of processed meats may have a higher risk of developing serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.     Fast foods and takeaways Avoid fast foods, ultra-processed ready meals and cheap takeaways. They are packed with calories and nasty stuff like sugar, salt, saturated fat, trans fats, and ultra-processed ingredients. All of this combined may make you sick in the long run. Eating fast food every day puts you at high risk of developing many diseases,  including  obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions .    Fatty and salty snacks Don't stock your pantry with unhealthy snacks like crisps or potato chips. They are packed with trans fats, sugar, salt and many additives like preservatives and flavour enhancers.  Many of them are actually deep-fried. They are also high in  refined carbs and trans fats.  which can increase your “bad” cholesterol and lower your “good cholesterol.” Eating snacks every day will lead to gaining weight. Instead, opt for nuts and seeds, that are packed with protein...

What are the best nuts for weight loss? Almonds When you are craving a crunchy snack, go for organic  almonds . Almonds are an excellent good-for-you snack. They are packed with protein and healthy mono-saturated fats, protein, fibre and magnesium. They will keep you full for longer and satisfied. According to recent studies, people who consume almonds as a part of their daily diet have a lower body mass index. Eating almonds every day also helps you lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Walnuts Walnuts are a healthy and satisfying snack that helps you control your appetite. They are packed with protein, fibre and healthy fats. They contain antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that are highly beneficial for health. Omega 3 is associated with low cholesterol. Eating walnuts every day activates a part of the brain that helps you restrain from fat and sugar foods.  

What is Celtic sea salt? Celtic sea salt is moist salt harvested by hand on the coast of France. The salt has been traditionally harvested in those regions for over a thousand years! The salt crystals are created by the  evaporation of sea or ocean water by the sun.  Sea salt is f ully mineralised salt of the highest potency, containing minerals and natural trace elements essential to the human body.   Benefits of Celtic sea salt Sea salt improves digestion by helping to break down the complex carbohydrates of vegetables and grains. Natural Celtic sea salt does not create thirst, and in fact, it helps your body in hydration. Sea salt is often promoted as a healthier option than table salt. However, both sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value. They contain comparable amounts of sodium by weight. That's why you should never forget to consume salt in moderation.   What is the difference between sea salt and table salt? Sea salt has a different taste and texture than table salt. It is available in larger grains or crystals, while table salt comes in much tinier fine grains. Table salt is mined from underground and needs to be processed in order to remove other minerals, and then it's usually fortified with iodine. Sea salt doesn't have to go through this process. It has a natural iodine content, however, it's quite small. <meta charset="UTF-8...

There are many reasons why some spices are more popular in cooler weather. Some spices have real  warming properties that offer us comfort on cold days. They can boost our immunity to fight infections and help clear out the airways.  Ginger Ground ginger is one of the main spices of winter. It is used in sweet and savoury dishes we all love to eat in the colder season. It is used in gingerbread, biscuits, soups, spice mixes and with winter veggies like pumpkin.    Cinnamon Cinnamon has a special warming effect that stimulates the blood circulation and increases vitality. It's also a superfood that supports the immune system, which makes it a perfect spice for winter.     Nutmeg     Cloves   Cardamon     Star anise     Turmeric     Allspice     Chilli     Black pepper

Comforting soup the entire family will love!

Delicious warming soup for colder days. 

Boo! Easy and scary (not so scary) cake for a Halloween party. 

Zombie apples covered in slime.  

Cute Halloween ghosts made with aquafaba instead of egg white. 

This fun and easy recipe will bring a lot of joy to your kids!

Where are olives from? There are over 800 million olive trees planted worldwide.  There are more olive trees and people in Greece. It is estimated over 170 million trees are planted in Greece, while the population is only about 10.4 million people.  The average life of an olive tree is between 300 and 600 years. One of the oldest olive trees in the world is on the island of Crete in Greece. It is about 4,000 years old and is still producing olives. People who live in southern European countries like Italy, Greece or Portugal consume olives and extra virgin olive oil every day.  Why olives have different colours?  Olives are considered fruits from the olive tree. They can be distinguish by colour, size and shape. The olives get their colour from the moment they are picked from the tree. The olive tree always gives green olives and then they change the colour as the mature, so they become darker and softer. The colours may vary from light purple to dark purple and black. All the green olives that stay on the tree will eventually become black. Most of the olives are picked green as they are less bitter and contain more oil.   Why olives have different sizes?  The size of an olive depend on the variety.   You will see the final shape of the fruit when the ripening period approaches. Some varieties provide fruits that are very large (even 6 t...

Almond flour pancakes are a healthier option for those who love pancakes. Easy, quick and delicious! 

Crunchy pie crust, sweet peach filling, and some delicate saltiness of plant-based cheese make a great combination of texture and flavours. 

Easy and fulfilling pasta made with pasta leftovers, packed with olives and tossed with a simple homemade dressing.

Italian-style ciabatta toasts with dried tomatoes and herbs. You can top them with your favourite seeds or herbs.  These small sandwiches pair well with olives and capers. 

Easy and delicious Spanish soup. Served with sourdough toast, it will make a light but fulfilling lunch. 

Super easy and quick berry tart with a hint of true cinnamon.

It is estimated that more than 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight; this includes 650 million people with obesity. In the UK, more than half of the population is overweight or obese. The NHS data shows that  1 in every 4 adults and around 1 in every 5 children 1 are living with obesity.  The Health Survey for England 2021 estimates that  25.9% of adults in England are obese and a further 37.9% are overweight but not obese.  Between 1993 and 2019, the proportion of adults in England who are obese rose from 14.9% to 28.0%, while the proportion who were either overweight or obese rose from 52.9% to 64.3%.   It is a huge problem for many of us and managing the proper weight is a great challenge. What is the first thing you think about when you want to lose weight? Stop snacking between meals and ditching all kinds of snacks, right? But does it have to include healthy snacks like nuts ? New research from the University of South Australia shows that one type of nuts - almonds , can actually help you lose weight. This is the most extensive study of its kind up to date, and it proves that nuts can support a healthy diet for weight management and cardiometabolic health. The study included 106 participants who completed a nine-month eating program (a three-month energy-restricted diet for weight loss, followed by a six-month energy-controlled diet for weight maintenance). In both phases, 15% of participants' energy intake comprised unsalted whole almonds with skins (for the nut diet) or 15% carbohydrate-rich snacks such as rice crackers or baked cereal bars (for the nut-free diet). The scientists fo...

How do you upgrade porridge?  Check our quick and easy tips for an amazing healthy home-made bowl of oatmeal: 1. Make it with nut milk like hazelnut milk, almond milk or cashew milk.  Whether you use it for porridge or an oat bowl pant-based milk made with nuts will enhance the flavour of oats.  2. Add some fresh fruit like sliced banana, apple or berries.  Fresh fruits will bring your porridge to another level. Mixed or topped with fruits, your porridge will provide you with more fibre and essential vitamins (health bomb!).  3. Add some nuts , like almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and more.  Nuts are a great companion to oatmeal. They will make it even healthier (another health bomb!) and give it an extra crunch.  4. Top it with chia seeds, hemp seeds or flaxseed. Seeds are a fantastic topping for nearly every dish. Paired with porridge, they will give it an extra crunch, extra fibre and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  5. Add some aromatic spices like turmeric, nutmeg, ginger or cinnamon.  Many spices will be great to upgrade your porridge. Start with a bit of cinnamon, then add some turmeric, nutmeg or ginger and create your favourite porridge seasoning. They will make your porridge warmer and add a few health benefits as well.  <span data-mce-fragment="1"...

Suffering from a terrible hangover after Saturday night? Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha are the key to cure headaches and nausea related to hangovers. These incredibly nutritious and gut-friendly foods are among the most effective natural remedies that help you recover.   If you partied hard the previous night and are now feeling dehydrated and craving a full English breakfast with a coffee latte or a large soft drink, think of a more healthy breakfast option with the addition of some fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and drink a kombucha of kefir.    These probiotic-rich foods will boost your digestive system health. They contain live bacteria which have a positive impact on the gut microbiome, something which can get damaged with excess alcohol consumption.    Alcohol can be harmful to the gut. It disturbs the short-chain fatty acids, which are responsible for maintaining gut health by reducing inflammation and regulating immune function. In the body, the alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde and later into acetate, which then disturbs the short-chain fatty acids and causes hangover symptoms.    Fermented foods keep the gut healthy and improve the intestinal barrier function, so it is less affected by alcohol. I f you consume fermented foods after drinking, they will help you remove the  alcohol from your body and reduce the hangover symptoms.   A short-chain fatty acid known as  butyrate which is found in some kombuchas, can help restore he ratio.   

Fermented foods are becoming more popular in recent years. Whether you buy plant-based fermented foods in an online health food shop or make them at home, you probably already know they are a great addition to a healthy diet. More and more scientific research proves they positively affect our digestive health. In the latest study from the University of Minnesota, the researchers analysed the effects of lacto-fermented vegetables, such as kimchi or sauerkraut, on bacteria that make up the gut microbiome. The study results were published this summer in the journal Gut Microbiome. The researchers collected faecal samples from 23 people who frequently consumed at least one serving of plant-based fermented foods such as kimchi or sauerkraut five times a week for two years. Then, they analysed the microbiomes of the participants and compared them to those of 24 people who never or seldom ate lacto-fermented vegetables or other fermented foods in the last two years.   Before the experiment, the researchers conducted a detailed dietary examination of the participants. They found that both consumers of lacto-fermented foods and non-consumers started similarly regarding overall diet quality.    According to the Healthy Eating Index (a measure of nutritional health), both groups were close to the American average score for adults, which is 58 out of 100. Participants who consumed lacto-fermented veggies were higher at 59 out of 100, and those who didn't consume fermented veggies had a score of 55 out of 100.