To Go Organic or Not Organic?

With all the confused media-frenzied information swirling around, sometimes it can be hard to figure out the straight facts, especially when it comes to nutrition and health, so I want to lay out, as straight as I can, my opinions on organic vs non organic food.

My predominant concerns lie in the health implications of gobbling up pesticides, antibiotics and chemicals which many non-organic foods have been subjected to.

Lets have a closer look at what this means below:

1. Organophosphates, widely used insecticides, have been linked to neurodevelopmental issues in children. They may affect cognitive function and contribute to developmental delays as well as other neurological effects in adults (Tsai YH & Lein PJ. Mechanisms of organophosphate neurotoxicity. Curr Opin Toxicol. 2021 Jun;26:49-60)

2. Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has raised concerns due to its potential carcinogenicity. (Zhang Q, et al. The study of human serum metabolome on the health effects of glyphosate and early warning of potential damage. Chemosphere. 2022 Jul;298:134308)

3. Certain pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking or blocking hormones. This may lead to hormonal imbalances, affecting reproductive health, fertility, and potentially increasing the risk of conditions like breast or prostate cancer. (Park J, et al. Interventions on Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Human Health Care Context: A Scoping Review. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2022 Apr 26;15:779-791)

4. Some pesticides are classified as ‘Persistent Organic Pollutants, AKA, ‘POPs’, which can accumulate in the body's fatty tissues. This accumulation over time may contribute to immune system suppression, reproductive issues, and other health problems. (Reina-Pérez I, et al. Cross-sectional associations of persistent organic pollutants measured in adipose tissue and metabolic syndrome in clinically diagnosed middle-aged adults. Environ Res. 2023 Apr 1;222)

5. Toxic pesticides like neonicotinoids are putting bees at risk of extinction. Without these pollinators, our food system would be at risk.

6. Atrazine is a widely used herbicide linked to mammary tumors in rats, though is dismissed by the epa as being not harmful to humans- I’d like to not risk it myself though!

   Even with washing, pesticide residues can remain on conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Consuming these residues may contribute to chronic low-level exposure, impacting health over time. Choosing organic options, washing produce thoroughly, and supporting sustainable farming practices can help minimize exposure to harmful chemicals in your diet.

   One of my favourite ways of side-stepping a completely empty piggy bank, whilst avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals and sprays is to familiarise myself and my clients with The Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen (detailed below). Generally I’d recommend buying the ‘Dirty Dozen’ foods as organic and ‘The Clean 15’ as normal (albeit as local and seasonal as possible):

Of course there are many ethical and economical considerations which I haven’t taken into account here and coming from a farming family myself, I am fully aware of the necessary reliance on pesticides and chemicals that farmers face when competing in a global market.

I do think though that it’s important to have these conversations to figure out a good way forward which might be able to benefit both our incredible farmers, who tirelessly work to make sure we all have food on our plates, and the health outcomes of our society too, which may ultimately alleviate pressure on our healthcare system along the way.

End of Season Fermented Tomato Salsa

As my greenhouse is squeezing out the last of it’s tomato offerings, I’m feeling startlingly aware of the impending tomato respite and am desperate to eek out what I possibly can from this last crop.

Fermentation is such a wonderful way to continue to enjoy summer goods throughout the winter and to feed your gut with all the good bacteria it needs to battle through cold and stormy weather.

This fermented tomato salsa is a very simple one, using a ‘dry salt’ method, basically meaning that the good bacteria on the ingredients is allowed to proliferate, while the bad bacteria is inhibited by the salt. Once the ingredients has been allowed to ferment, you can pop it in the fridge and should be able to store it for up to 8 months.

This recipe is so versatile, but given it’s tangy salsa quality, I think it best complements creamy/soft/mellow flavours like white fish, avocado, mushroom, egg, creme fraiche, or as bruschetta etc. I’m also only giving you a basic version, but feel free to add your own twist with fresh herbs, lime zest, mango, red peppers, you name it. This is one for alll the family to enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

100g of tomatoes

10g of flaky sea salt

2 tbsp of live cider vinegar

1.5 tbsp of honey

1 small red chilli

ginger 2”

500g of tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 small onion, diced

1 small handful parsley (optional)

Disinfect a kilner jar with a clip top lid, or fermenting jar and set aside.

Blitz together 100g tomatoes, the salt, vinegar, honey, chili & ginger to make a paste.

Roughly chop the 500g tomatoes, onion and parsley (if using) and, using a wooden spoon, mix through the paste. Clean the outside of your jar and leave to ferment, out of the fridge for 2-3 days, until it tastes tangy and salsa-y. Move to the fridge and enjoy for months to come.

WHO KNEW NOT DRINKING COULD TASTE SO GOOD!

LIVER CLEANSE: TIP 2.

Are you looking for a delicious, low sugar, slightly bitter, antioxidant rich, alcohol free, totally delicious and more-ish tipple that makes you feel kind of boujis and partyish, but without the hangover?
-
I've got just the ticket, so look no further!
-
I've been living off this this month- I'm totally addicted. It's blown almost all other alcohol and alcohol free drinks I've tried out the window. (Unfortunately, it goes incredibly well with #Sunbites Cheese and Onion crisps, but that's just something I'll have to deal with).
-
This juice is so potent in antioxidants, it's barmy. I've done a lil brief explanation below as to why:
-
This drink contains two fabulous ingredients: Pomegranates and Yuzu.

1. Pomegranates contain a humongous amount of powerful antioxidants & anti-inflammatory anthocyanins and hydrolysable tannins and tests done on our poor little rat friends have shown pomegranate as a potential therapeutic agent against liver fibrosis.
-
2. Yuzu is also packed with antioxidants, reducing inflammation and improving toxin clearance. They are vastly rich in vitamin C, which is vital for the immune system too.
-
To make this eye poppingly delicious tipple you will need to do the following:
-
In a glass combine the following:
-1 tbsp pomegranate seeds, bashed up a bit so the juices are released.
- 1.5tsp yuzu (This is available in a little bottle @waitroseandpartners)
- 200ml good quality tonic water. (I like @fevertreemixers).
- 1 sprig of thyme

That's all!
-
Please inspire me with your alcohol free tipples! I'd love some fresh ideas.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
--
#liverhealth #detox #sobernovember #nutrition #nutritionist #nutritioncoach #pomegranate #alcoholfree #instagood #thefeedfeed #drinkstagram #weekendvibes #partyeveryday #yum #yumyum #yumyumyum #corblimey

Government Warns We Must Tackle Obesity During COVID-19

(PHE: Excess Weight and COVID-19 Insights from new evidence, 2020). Full article available here

According to Insights from new evidence, published in Public Health England have outlined the importance of tackling our obesity crisis:

“Living with obesity seriously affects people’s quality of life and their health. It increases the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some cancers in adults (4, 5, 6).
Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK with more than 1 in 20 cancer cases caused by excess weight (16). These diseases for which obesity is a risk factor are over represented in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in hospital or with more severe COVID-19 (17)”

— Public Health England, July 2020

So to help us all out, I’ve put together a checklist below, to help you keep an eye on your own gut health and avoid common mistakes that can typically lead to an unhappy gut and consequently obesity:

If you feel that you or someone close to you, might need support with weightloss or you would be interested in cooking lessons to expand your repertoire of healthy and delicious food, do get in touch here and you’ll be guaranteed a response within 24hrs!

Save this for a Sunday...

“

I love bulk cooking to prepare myself for the week ahead.

I tend to roast lots of veg and cook some kind of ‘carb’; this week it was butternut squash, beetroot, cauliflower and a batch of quinoa.

 This week, it came to Wednesday and finishing late, I just didn’t want to think about dinner, or spend any time cooking. But look what happened… I had all the ingredients for this delicious, warming, satisfying and wholesome plate of food!

 Once prepped, the rest of the veg can be piled into lunch boxes, added to stock for a soup, added to a salad, turned into a frittata or muffins for breakfast.

**Shopping list: 2 Squash, 5 beetroot, 1 cauliflower, 1pk quinoa, 1 green pepper, 1 pk mint, 1pk feta

Note: I try and include a variety of colours in my roasting trays, as this gives me a greater variety of antioxidants to munch on.

Whatever your work schedule, eating healthily really is just about knowing what works for you. If you’d like advise on working this out, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

What’s your best way of staying food-prepared for the week ahead??

“