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

Budget Vegan- How to save money when shopping

 Food is essential and it can also be expensive especially if you don't shop around. Most people stick to the same supermarkets, buy the same products and perhaps don't realise how much they could save. Another bad habit people have is doing a big weekly shop, buying lots of ingredients with the good intention of using it only for it to go off and get thrown away. If this is something you do you are literally throwing money away. Nowadays most people do not have a lot of money to spend, I am on a budget myself but determined to find ways to be healthy. To do this you need to shop smart and find bargains. 

One tip for saving money is to only buy the ingredients you need. If you are making a meal for one or two people you will obviously need less ingredients so why buy family sized products? Also if you only want to use one ingredient in one meal there is no point buying in bulk. Buying loose vegetables allows you to only buy what you need, loose fruit and veg is also often cheaper than the ones in fancy packaging that you only throw away anyway and the bonus is it is better for the environment. There is far too much plastic on food that doesn't need it these days which only ends up in the land fill so save your money and save the environment by buying loose vegetables and smaller amounts. You'll be amazed by how much you save and how little you need to throw away. 

Why I am slowly changing to an organic lifestlye

Every time I shop I'm looking for organic options and if I can afford them I buy them. I would love everything I buy to be organic but at the moment it is a slow process. 

The main reason I want to go organic is for my health, in my opinion organic food is healthier and better for your body, how can it not be when it doesn't contain pesticides and is GMO free. Organic food is often fresher as well and the way it is farmed is better for the environment. 

One of the great things about organic food is that it is traceable to the farm where it was grown, you know exactly where your food has come from and what has gone into making it. The farming practises of organic food also follow legal rules meaning you can trust in the process. 

Organic food is also scientifically proven to be better for you. Organic crops contain 68% more antioxidants than non organic and organic fruit and vegetables contain less pesticides and less toxic metals. 

To find out more about the benefits of organic food check out: https://www.soilassociation.org/organic-living/why-organic/

The problem with organic food is the cost, it is more expensive than none organic food. This is usually the case, when something is healthier it tends to be more expensive. However I believe that good food and your health is something worth investing in and hopefully an organic lifestyle will become cheaper as stores like Aldi are introducing more organic food into the stores. Having budget stores like this sell organic food at prices similar to standard fruit and vegetables at other shops finally means a fully organic lifestyle is manageable. 

I personally find that the organic food I have tried is tastier and fresher. It also feels good knowing that you are not filling your body with toxins. I am slowly learning where to buy organic products from and trying new foods all the time. It is also a good idea to look out for reduced organic food in supermarkets, because the products are more expensive they often don't get sold quickly so products nearing their sell buy date are frequently marked down. This is one way to shop organic on a budget and try these foods to see if you can taste the difference. 

To find out more about Aldi's organic products click here: https://corporate.aldi.co.uk/en/responsibility/resources-for-our-products/organic/

I will also be reviewing more organic food in the future so stay tuned and try organic! 

Meal Idea- Sweet potato medley with cous cous

Sweet potato is my favourite carb, it is full of nutrients such as vitamin A and C and is delicious! It also provides a filling evening meal. Simply boiled for 20 minutes until soft then added to fried red onion, mushrooms and spinach you have a very quick, healthy meal. It can be flavoured with mixed herbs or spices of your choice and served with couscous which is a lighter alternative to rice or pasta. This is another quick and simple meal which makes being vegan so easy and budget friendly. 

Beech's Chocolates

I got these amazing chocolates as a birthday present. They are Pineapple flavoured creams covered in dark chocolate and are an amazing vegan find. 

I had never heard of this brand and was excited to try them. They are delicious, the flavour is nice but not overpowering and they come in a lovely box making it a perfect gift. 

I was impressed with the packaging and the taste of these chocolates. I am happy to have found another vegan product. Beech's make a range of chocolates not all of them are vegan but they do have many other vegan flavours to try and a dedicated vegan section on their website which makes it easy to find suitable products. 

Check out the amazing choice at: http://www.beechsfinechocolates.com/vegan_chocolate_products/

Agave Nectar the vegan alternative to honey

Agave nectar from the Groovy Food company is a great alternative to honey. It can be used instead of sugar and is a natural, fat free sweetener. You can add it to drinks and toast just like you would have used honey. It is also great in baking, I used it in my flapjacks- the recipe is on the blog. It is also an organic product and most importantly vegan. This sweetener comes from a plant and the nectar is gained from the middle of the plant. This product has a low GI so doesn't effect your sugar and energy levels so is a healthier replacement for sugar. I am going to try this alternative in baking without sugar next time to see the difference but it is looking like a healthier way to bake.  

Natural cough remedies

I've neglected my blog lately as I've got a bad cough. I've been trying a lot of natural remedies to try and improve my health. Most coughs clear up within 3 weeks but there are some natural ways you can help sooth your sore throat. 

1. Hot Lemon- A simple drink of lemon juice and hot water. Wait to cool before you drink it and it can help sooth your throat and cleanses your liver. 
2. Gargle salt in warm water- This can help get rid of the virus and sooth your throat.
3. Hot lemon, agave and turmeric drink- This is another version of a lemon drink that can help when you have a sore throat. Turmeric has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties so it is perfect for adding to drinks. The agave will make it sweeter and give it a nice taste. 
4. Licorice Root tea is believed to help loosen mucus in the lungs and ease a sore throat. If a simple herbal tea can do the same job of a cough medicine it's worth trying. 
5. Smoothies- Make a drink that packs in the nutrients. Blend frozen fruits such as pineapple, mango and banana with water for a cold drink that helps sooth a sore throat and help you get better quicker.

These are just a few natural remedies to help with a cough and sore throat. Try as many natural remedies as possible as they are better for your health.