Green News
In the light of recent rants by Dr. Ben Goldacre and others, it suddenly seems distinctly unfashionable to be using the 'd' word. What was once a yearly ritual for most self-respecting health freaks is now seen as a bit of a joke, with many people simply admitting that they don't want to punish themselves by avoiding booze and comfort food during their 'holiday comedown' and when the weather's at its bleakest. Words that all but the most strong willed will cling to in an instant...
So, let's assume that quite a few of you will be shunning the season of self-flagellation in 2009, and talk about the substance that has taunted many a fad-dieter over the years: chocolate.
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Green News
You may have sometimes heard chewing gum referred to as 'chicle', which is because gum originally came from a tropical evergreen tree called Manilkara chicle before the present day, synthetic sort became common. And now, a small cooperative in the Mexican rainforest is hoping to ressurect the chicle industry by selling the natural gum as an organic, sustainable product that's also fully biodegradable - unlike the unsightly stuff that's spat on to our pavements costing millions in street cleaning each year.
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Green News
One of the interesting things about the credit crunch is not the ways it changes people's behaviour, but the ways it doesn't. Let's look back to a year ago, when we were all rolling in money. If you can remember that far back, you'll recall that it was considered far more 'normal' to buy expensive coffee on the way in to work than it is now - and that's no real surprise. Expensive coffee is something we can all live without.
But there are some things that haven't changed: expenses that we still justify, whether we can really 'afford' them or not. And according to a source of mine at a major UK supermarket chain, the one are that customers are still prepared to shell out is 'welfare food'; free range meat, poultry and dairy products in particular.
Related: Enjoy an alternative Christmas dinner | Would you buy battery again?
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Green News
Following Ikea's decision to stock reindeer meat and the resulting media debacle about the ethics of eating Santa's trusty steed, Dollymix pose an interesting question today about what we consider acceptable to put on our Christmas dinner table.
As a veggie, it's actually quite easy to ensure an 'ethical' meal once you've chosen on what you'll eat with the trimmings (and that bit, I'll admit, is a pain). But if you or your family want meat, there are ways to make more eco-friendly and ethical choices. Read on after the jump to find out how you can make greener dinner decisions this Christmas that are also senstitive to the pinch in our wallets.
Related: Sprouts to cause a gassy problem at Christmas | Hearty vegetarian roasts from Quorn
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Food & drink
If you're 'blessed' with an incorrigibly sweet tooth, it's hard to imagine anything better than delicious, moist and great-looking cakes. But add to that a commitment to using organic and fairtrade ingredients and you're in foodie heaven.
And that's where I found myself last week, when I was presented with a platter of cupcakes by The Lavender Bakery; a great little company that makes sweet things to order using only organic fruit, vegetables, eggs and flour, fair trade sugar, cocoa and coffee and natural butter. So if you're planning a wedding, want an extra special Christmas cake or want to treat someone, these guys will not disappoint. Om nom nom!
Food & drink
What could possibly be more fun at this time of year than toasting marshmallows on a roaring fire? Unfortunately, if you're vegetarian it's an experience you may have to consign to memories, as marshmallows are one of those products that almost invariably contain animal-derived gelatine. Bye bye to bonding over a bonfire...
I had all but given up on ever eating a marshmallow again, toasted or otherwise, when I found out that such a thing as vegan marshmallows existed. The good news is that they are certainly out there; the bad news that they are very difficult to source. I spoke to the UK's only retailer of vegan marshmallows at Veganstore.co.uk to find our why.
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Food & drink
I believe the appropriate internet terminology du jour is "om nom nom": The Organic Cupcake company is a green foodie's dream come true. Making cupcakes of all shapes, sizes and colours, the company sticks firmly to its principles of using 100% organic ingredients in its decorative and delicious little cakes, all of which can be made bespoke and delivered for events. They also make fantastic cakes for kids.
If you'd like to order a set of your own organic cupcakes, the company's contact details are here. Meanwhile, check out their cupcake gallery for a bit of Friday afternoon eye-candy
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