March and Spring food

March is a month of fish. Cockles, sardines, oysters and clams are all in season at the moment, not to mention sea bass and muscles. It really is the month of the fruits of the sea.

Complimenting these are spring onions, kale and blood oranges.

So why not opt for these sustainable ingredients that also happen to be good for your heart and general wellbeing!

Not sure what to have? How about a clam chowder, or sea bass baked on a bed of kale and spring onions with a splash of orange juice and zest? Garlicky mussels are wonderfully fresh at this time of year.

Vegetarian? Why not throw some kale, spring onions, orange zest with some pine nuts and bean-sprouts in a stir fry with the sauce of your choice!

It is a little early for lamb as yet. Personally, I do not eat lamb, preferring all animals to have had a good chance at life, but each to their own, I would never presume to tell others how to eat and would very much like that kindness returned.

Enjoy the ‘fruits’ of Spring.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Our Relationship with Food

Our relationship with food is a mixed one. For some of us it is simply a necessity, while for others it is an obsession.

Like all things, food should be viewed in moderation. Unless we have allergies, there is no reason why we cannot have a little of what we fancy, as long as it is balanced out with healthy, essential food, such as fruit/veg/proteins and appropriate carbs.

Many people cut out salt completely, unaware that omitting salt completely from their diet can result in an underactive thyroid (table salt contains iodine, essential for a healthy thyroid gland). Alittle salt now and again will maintain your gland's health.

Fat is also essential in our diet, nutritionists recommending 20% of our daily diet to contain healthy fats (vegetable oils, such as canola, olive and sunflower seed oils). Avocado's contain extremely healthy oils.

Be good to yourself, try not to omit essential foods and have fun.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Baking - An introduction

Photo credit: karpati from morguefile.com

An Introduction to Baking

Baking is one of the most daunting types of cookery. It looks so complicated, so much can go wrong and it’s not especially healthy.

However, starting simply is one of the best ways of beginning your baking passion (and it will become a passion).

This is a simple, fantastic, tasty recipe to get you going. There’s no fuss, no scales, little measuring (using mostly spoons) and it brings results quickly. http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-the-perfect-scone

Baking makes a house smell like a home. There is something innately comforting about the smell of home cooking and scones are especially aromatically pleasing.

While not the healthiest choice, a little of what you fancy is good for you. Everything in moderation is good advice and cutting all your favourite foods out is more likely to make you binge than cutting back. You could substitute half the flour for wholemeal and these scones would still taste wonderful. Oatmeal would be another excellent option.

If this has given you the baking bug why not try out a few other recipes, care of http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Mushroom Heaven! Tasty and Healthy

The mushroom is a gem of a food, highly underrated and packed full of flavour. Every culture on the planet uses some form of mushroom in their cooking.

They can be eaten cooked or raw and are so full of nutrients they are classed as a super food.

Rather than repeat what is in this article, I'll simply place the link for The Humble Crimini Mushroom here.

Not sure how to cook it, why not make a delicious soup BBC Food Mushroom Soup Recipe by James Tanner (can be used by vegetarians and (if substitute butter for marg), by vegans too.
Or how about Nick Nairn's quick and easy Stuffed Mushroom recipe, again, suitable for vegetarians (but not so much for vegans (unless happy to substitute cheese for a non-dairy cheese)).

Or why not try a quick salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, leafy greens, pine nuts and raw mushrooms with a home made vinegrette.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Leek In Season Now

Please note, pic of spring onions, rather than leek

Leeks are amazing vegetables. They are part of the allium family, along with spring onion, onions, garlic and as such, support and protect blood vessels and the cardiovascular system, due to their antioxidant polyphenol properties.

They are beneficial for stress and diabetes, arthritis and obesity.

Leeks are a highly diverse vegetable and can be used in bakes, stir fry's, soups and casseroles, among other dishes. Eat them on their own, as part of a dish, raw or cooked and they will benefit you.

Here is a link to a potato and leek soup recipe: http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-a-fabulous-potato-and-leek-soup

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Minestrone Soup - A Great Winter Warmer that's Healthy

Until I tasted this recipe, I wasn't a fan of minestrone soup at all. I never cooked it and never bought it.

A friend, Ceci, made it for a group of us one night and I lived it! It can be adapted for meat eaters, although the basic recipe is suitable for the vegan and vegetarian.

Tomatoes are high in antioxidants when they are cooked (one of the few vegetables (or fruits, if you prefer) that actually increase in goodness from cooking), something that is very useful at this time of year.

Have a look at the recipe on here to find out how to make this tasty, cheap and healthy dish:

Sunflower seeds for health

Sunflower seeds are a gift to our health. Not only do these lovely items taste wonderful, they are also hunger busters and energy boosters. They are packed with magnesium and as such are nature's soothers.

Not sure how to add them to your diet? Add some to your muesli in the morning or toast and add to salads, curries and tomato dishes, or simply eat by the handful!

Seeds also have a natural fat taht is very good for your health.

Read on for more information on just how good these little beauties really are:
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/418057_sunflower-seeds-for-health

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin