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Enjoy a dairy free Easter
Easter can present an enormous challenge for anyone who loves chocolate but is struggling with a dairy intolerance or allergy; and this can be particularly distressing when children are involved.Everywhere we look, chocolate is tempting us, and it can be hard to say no to a small child when faced with Easter egg hunts at nursery school, supermarket shelves laden with goodies, and well-meaning visitors bearing chocolaty gifts.
The good news is that there are dairy free alternatives to be found in Brighton & Hove – you just need to know where to look.
Moo Free do a fabulous range including a dairy free chocolate egg and also a bunny bar; both of which are also lactose free. Check their website for stockists but they are available in some branches of Waitrose. Montezuma’s have a mini egg range which is vegan and dairy free, and some Sainsbury’s and Holland and Barrett stores stock the Choices range of Celtic Chocolates which are egg and dairy free.
So if you, or your child, are following a strict dairy or lactose free regime; there’s no need to miss out this Easter.
For everyone else, remember that dark chocolate is a better choice than lighter versions which are full of fat and sugar. Dark chocolate contains compounds called flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties so can help prevent heart disease. Eating dark chocolate also helps stimulate endorphins, or feel good hormones, which can lift your mood. This is thought to be because cocoa contains serotonin which acts an anti-depressant.
But remember that chocolate of any kind also contains a large number of calories – so everything in moderation if you are watching your weight! Far better to reach for the Green & Black’s mini bars than the large slabs on offer at the newsagent’s desk!
HAPPY EASTER!
The delights and temptations of market shopping.
I was reminded of the joys of fresh produce on a visit to Borough Market in London at the weekend. Having only ever walked past it when closed, curiosity got the better of me and we finally made the effort to make a trip, coming away with a bag full of treats – all healthy and delicious.
The sights and smells which hit you there remind me of the adage that we eat with our eyes; and having been seduced by a feast of colour, that was certainly the case. Digestion literally begins when we see foods and then smell them, and this stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes to support the digestive process.
As well as being great fun, market shopping can be a significantly cheaper way of buying your fresh fruit and vegetables, with the added bonus of no wasteful packaging. The produce is usually locally sourced and tastier than you are likely to find in most supermarkets, and it was noticeable that only seasonal produce seemed to be available, so it’s a great way of supporting your local farmers to survive against the multiples. The only downside to ‘budget’ market shopping is the temptation of the treats which weren’t on your list but the ever-persuasive traders draw you towards. The mushroom pate was divine and so far this week has adorned a jacket potato and stuffed a chicken breast; and the Vietnamese chicken curry was mouthwatering.
Fresh spices were abundant offering an array of amazing ingredients for my next curry. Turmeric (or ‘poor man’s saffron’) is one of the healthiest spices available, containing curcurmin – a powerful chemical which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties; great for supporting arthritis and allergies,and fantastic when added to basmati rice with pine nuts, onions and raisins to make fragrant rice. As for the L’Ubracio ‘Drunken Cheeses’ soaked in Italian merlot and cabernet wines, well – all in the cause of vital research!
Local Sussex traders were well represented. Sussex Fish from Seaford had some beautiful fresh cod, sole and pollock – all caught sustainably off the south coast; but Flax Farm Linseed Whole Foods from Horsham won the day with their FlaxJacks ®; all wheat free and some even gluten free, using quinoa and millet instead of oats – a real treat for the Coeliacs amongst you.
For their delicious recipes visit http://www.flaxfarm.co.uk/linseed_flaxjacks
Next time you are in London with some time to spare, go and visit Borough Market to savour the sites and scents, and in the meantime try exploring your local farmers market to see what there is to tempt you.
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