Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for helping to regulate how much calcium you have in your body. It is important for strong bones and teeth meaning vitamin D deficiency can cause bone deformities. The best way of getting vitamin D is making sure you get out in the sun. The sunlight on our body causes vitamin D to be made under our skin, although it is still important to protect yourself with sunscreen! 

To make sure you get enough vitamin D get out walking in the day time. This is also great for your health as the constant exercise will help keep you fit. There are also vegan sources of vitamin D, most non dairy milks are fortified with vitamin D, it will tell you on the packet so look out for ones with added vitamins, some mushrooms contain vitamin D, breakfast cereals, dairy free butters and soya yoghurt are also often fortified with vitamin D, tofu contains the vitamin and if you are worried about your vitamin D intake there is also vegan vitamin D vitamins available. 

I think the best way to get it though is definitely being outdoors more as it is good for your health, mood and general well-being. If you live in a colder climate this can be harder but getting up early when it gets light and getting out can help you and is a good idea in winter when it goes darker earlier. 

Make sure you get plenty of vitamin D in the summer months by being outdoors as much as possible as this will help you in the winter. Get out and enjoy the sunshine! 

Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Wheatgrass Powder

I've heard good things about Wheatgrass powder so I decided to try it to improve my health. This was the cheapest brand I could find which was organic and had great reviews. This wheatgrass powder from Sevenhills wholefoods is labelled vegan and is certified organic. I am trying to opt for organic brands where possible so this was definitely a great option. I watch a lot of vegan youtube videos and learnt about the amazing benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice from one of these videos. It is great to drink in the morning before breakfast to start your day. 

Wheatgrass is so beneficial as it contains all minerals known to man. There are so many reasons to drink wheatgrass you might be surprised by the numerous health benefits: 

1. It is full of vitamins including calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc
2. It is an effective healer because it contains so many nutrients and is antibacterial
3. It contains Chlorophyll which is an excellent blood builder and is known to slow down the ageing process
4. It purifies the liver and gets rid of toxins 
5. It can help with digestion problems 
6. It can reduce blood pressure 
7. Some of the many nutrients in wheatgrass include vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. 

It is clear that wheatgrass is a powerful supplement to take, I bought this after having a cough for a few weeks to see if it could help improve my health. I will do an update if I notice any benefits. I have started drinking it in the morning to start my day. I am impressed with all the studies and research done which show that it can improve energy levels and is even said to turn grey hair darker! I'm hoping that I notice some effects and I am pleased I was able to find a product which is both certified Vegan and Organic. 

Should Vegans take a B12 supplement?

Vegans are at risk of not getting enough B12. This isn't a flaw in the diet it is simply because B12 is formed from bacteria and in today's ultra clean world we avoid bacterial at all cost. B12 can be found in soil and untreated water which is not something people consume. The reasons meat eaters can gain B12 is because animals are often given supplements and often eat food which contains soil. This is a second hand way of getting B12, it is definitely easier to gain it from either a supplement or another source. Many foods are fortified with B12 so it is possible to get enough of this essential vitamin on a vegan diet. 

Vegan sources of B12 include fortified cereals, plant based milks and spreads. Yeast flakes provide B12 and can be added to many foods as well as yeast extracts like Marmite. Another option is simply to take a vitamin Healthspan have a vegan vitamin that you simply take once a day. It takes the worry out of getting enough B12 and you can avoid becoming deficient. 

Check out B12 vitamins here: http://www.healthspan.co.uk/products/vitamin-b12-1000mcg

and learn more about B12 here: https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/vitamins-minerals-and-nutrients/vitamin-b12-your-key-facts/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

Superfood Salad

Healthy food is not only delicious but good for you too. Eating well keeps you body and mind in good shape, remember you are what you eat. This super food salad of avocado, brown rice, hummus, mushroom and red onion, broccoli and mashed chick peas has many health benefits that will turn your evening meal into medicine. Here's how the foods you eat benefit your health: 

• Avocados are good for normalising your blood pressure which is great for lowering your risk of kidney and heart disease. 
• Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant which keeps you healthy and helps cuts to heal. 
• Hummus is a great source of protein and add flavour to the salad.
• Brown rice contains fibre which can reduce high cholesterol levels, fibre also helps keep blood sugar levels under control making it a great choice for people with diabetes. 
• Mushrooms are a source of selenium which is an antioxidant. They also contain protein showing that you don't need meat to get enough protein in your diet. 
• Chickpeas contain protein, fibre, magnesium and folate they are a great vegan friendly source of protein to consume regularly.
• Red onion contain many nutrients such as folate, calcium, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K. 

Eating healthy foods on a daily basis helps prevent chronic diseases. They contain all the nutrients you need and also make delicious meals. Try making your own super food salad which can be added to and contain seasonal vegetables. 

The Benefits of Almond Milk

I have recently been drinking Almond milk, I never thought I'd move away from Oat milk but I am really enjoying this non dairy milk in tea, for baking and on cereal. It is perfect for everything and also have a lot of health benefits. If you haven't already tried it give it a go, it comes in sweetened and unsweetened versions. 




The health benefits are: 

• It is low in calories, meaning it is great for anyone trying to lose weight or watch their calorie intake
• It is a source of calcium, meaning it is a perfect alternative to cows milk and you know you are drinking something that is good for your bones 
• With no cholesterol or saturated fat it is great for your heart health 
• It is a source of vitamin D which works to improve your mood and reduces your risk of Arthritis and Osteoporosis 
• It improves your immune system 
• It contains protein and B vitamins making it great for muscle function, helping your muscles grow and heal 
• It is easily digested as it contains fibre 
• It has a low impact on your blood sugar, as long as there are minimal additives meaning it is great for reducing your risk of diabetes as it is an alternative to sugary drinks
• It is great for your skin as it contains vitamin E, increasing your intake of Almond milk will keep your skin healthy and glowing

There are so many health benefits to Almond milk it should definitely be on your list of non-dairy milks to try and add to your daily diet. The unsweetened version is great for anyone who doesn't necessarily like the taste of almonds and it is not overpowering in hot drinks. Give it a go to improve your health.