Did you start the new year as a vegetarian? Whether it's due to being appalled of the way animals are treated or because you've realised that a highly carnivorous diet so many of us follow is not sustainable in the long run, going vegetarian can be a fantastic experience - as long as you make sure you get the nutrients you need.

To ensure you get the best advice possible, we spoke to nutritional therapist and hebalist at the Nutri Centre, Elouise Bauskis, to find out how to get the essential nutrients in an all vegetarian diet.

Elouise explained: "A vegetarian diet can be good for many people, and it's especially recommended to those who are 'acidic' or 'inflammatory'. A vegetarian diet can help to 'alkalise' the body which in turn has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body's chemistry. Acidity and inflammation provide the environment which encourages many Western disease states such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis and cancer."

But in order to reap the benefits of a vegetarian diet, eliminating meat and/or fish, you must inform and educate yourself on why and how you will replace this in your diet. Here are Elouise's top tips on eating well and getting the nutrients you need as a vegetarian.

The importance of the 3 P's: Protein, Pulses and Phytic

PROTEIN is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of every cell in the body! When following a vegetarian diet, you need to know how to obtain good protein from your food. Combining pulses with wholegrains will provide you with a complete amino acid profile that is an alternative to animal protein.

Consume PULSES every day! These include lentils, peas and all kinds of beans (soybeans, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, white beans, adzuki, and pinto). These are packed with protein and complex carbohydrates including plenty of fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins and precious minerals.

Pulses contain anti-nutrient factors including PHYTIC acid that prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients the food contains. Sprouting, soaking or souring reduces anti-nutrients. It is ideal to soak pulses (overnight at least for beans) in order to reduce the phytic acid. By reducing phytic acid, you can more than double your body's absorption of key minerals, as well as aiding digestion and often improving the taste. Any soaking is better than no soaking! Drain and rinse well.

Remember to mix it up!

Don't make the mistake and eat a lot of beige food, such as pasta and bread. Good wholegrains to combine with pulses include millet, oats, rice, and buckwheat. Quinoa (pronounced 'keenwah') and amaranth are excellent to use in place of rice or cous cous. They are actually seeds not grains, and are high in protein, minerals and nutrients, whilst being gently alkalising as well!

You need to consume a wide variety of foods daily in order to provide yourself with all of the vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients necessary for optimum functioning. Consume a rainbow of variety of fruit and vegetables per day, ideally between 8-12 servings. Include some raw food daily as this is full of enzyme activity!

If consuming soy, it's ideal that you have fermented soy in the form of tempeh and miso. The traditional way to consume soy is the best way!

Where is the protein?

Look at every meal you are going to eat and ask yourself, 'where is the protein?' and make sure the meal contains it. Also ask yourself, 'where is the good fats?' Good sources are from flaxseed, hemp, chia, coconut, avocado, nuts and seeds.

Eggs (free-range and organic only) are an excellent source of protein, that can be enjoyed on a daily basis. Other protein sources include houmous, tahini, nut butters and 'milks', nuts & seeds (unsalted and unroasted to preserve the beneficial omega oils).

Vital vitamin B12

You need to be acutely aware of your Vitamin B12 intake (or lack-of with a vegetarian diet) and just how crucial B12 is for the proper functioning of the nerves, the energy release from food and the production of red blood cells. It is essential to supplement this in order to avoid B12 deficiency, which can take years to occur, but then by the time you are presenting with deficiency signs, the damage may have already been done! The best form of B12 is the Methylcobalamin form, which is much more absorbable and usable than the Cyanocobalamin form.

Limit your intake of processed food

We're not big fans of processed foods and try to avoid them as much as we can. Besides cooking from scratch is so much more fun! When moving on to a veggie lifestyle, it's advisable to avoid processed vegetarian foods as much as possible. Elouise explains: "Imagine ALL of the processing these foods have gone through in order to create them! Check the list of ingredients to see how long it is - the more ingredients, the worse the processing generally."

Powder power

Include good quality protein powders in your diet as a way to enhance your protein intake. Excellent for breakfast, add some flaxseed oil and lecithin granules to make it a more balanced meal.

Superfoods to the rescue!

Consume daily some green superfoods such as Spirulina, chlorella, blue green algae, Barley grass and Wheat grass. These are foods that 'flood' the body with easily absorbable and usable nutrients. They are gently cleansing, alkalising and detoxifying. Start slowly and build up your dosage over time.

So which supplements are recommended?

BioCare's Vitasorb B12, £4.85 for 15ml liquid
Purple Balance's raw protein powder powders, from £8
MitoGuard from Biocare, £29.95 for a month's supply

All products are available from The Nutri Centre stores nationwide and online at www.nutricentre.com.

There you have it. Your beginner's guide to vegetarianism. Anything you would like to add? Leave us a comment below.

Image: www.nutricentre.com

It's a brand new year, which means a lot of us will be thinking about making an effort to lose those extra pounds we've always wanted to.

Reducing your weight and waistline to a healthy level is great for both body and mind, as long as it's done in a good way. Fad diets that tell you to eat just one thing (cabbage, soup, fruit, protein to name a few) are not the way to battle the bulge. These crash diets are more likely to do more harm than good, and many find that they're piling on the pounds and more as soon as they go back to 'normal'. What is needed is a change of lifestyle. And if you're in no rush, there are plenty of green and healthy ways of losing weight.

This January why not make three changes to your habits that will not only help the environment, but also help you lose weight naturally and healthily.

1. Ditch the car and take up walking or cycling

If you're used to driving to whichever place you are going, make an effort to leave the car at home and instead walk or cycle. Both provide a great workout and you'll soon find a new spring in your step. There's no better way to lose weight than burning calories through exercising.

2. Sign up to volunteer at outdoor activities

If you take a look around you'll probably find lots of volunteering groups involved in outdoor activities such as picking up rubbish in your local park or planting trees. Not only will this get you out of the house and moving, but you'll also be helping the environment.

3. Try to eat more vegetables

Many of you may already be following a vegetarian rich (or only) diet. But for those that are not, replacing meat with vegetables will help you reduce consumption of certain fats. This ought to help you fight the pounds. Just make sure that you don't fall into the trap and swap the meat for beige carbs (pasta and bread). These are the less healthy carbs and often have lots of unnecessary salt and sugar in them. Make your meals from scratch and ensure you have a healthy and balanced diet.

By making small adjustments to your daily life, you'll soon find yourself a lighter, healthier you.

[Image Source / Creative Commons ]

The champagne has been drunk, the chocolate has been hidden (or eaten) and we find ourselves back at work. It's January and a whole new year full of potential and opportunity is ahead. If you're like us chances are you've set yourself a goal or two for the coming twelve months, whether it is to lose weight, stop smoking or simply be better at what you already do well.

Most New Year's resolutions revolve around improving yourself and adding value to your own existence - often with a fast return on investment. Sound familiar? How about doing things a bit differently this year and set some goals that can - and will - have an impact on the environment and nature?

Below are a few of our ideas for green resolutions for 2013 - and we'd love for you to share yours with us too!

Shop till you drop - but bring your own reusable bags

We're not here to tell you how to spend your money. But you can make a big difference to the environment by saying no to plastic bags and bringing your own reusable shopping bags with you.

Buy less bottled water

Producing the bottles that your natural French or Caribbean water comes in requires a lot of oil, so it goes without saying that the fewer that are produced the less the waste. After all we're not so good at recycling PET bottles in this country... yet. And if you look more closely, most bottled water brands is someone's tap water somewhere. instead invest in a refillable water bottle to bring with you.

Ditch your car and go carbon zero

OK, this might not be feasible if you live far away from where you work, but swapping the way you get to the office can and will help the environment. Invest in a bike or walk where possible/ If not choose public transport. The less cars on the road the better!

Eat less meat

Many of you may be meat free already, but if you are discerning carnivore, make 2013 the year where you become even more selective. A good way to cut back is to introduce meat free Mondays (coined by the a certain Sir Paul McCartney and others). Eating less meat will result in greater carbon savings, is likely to improve your health and help towards the continuing battle of ending animal suffering around the world.

Recycle, recycle, recycle!

Recycling schemes vary from place to place, but knowing what and how to recycle should be as normal as breathing. If you already have multiple bins, each with a different purpose then you're doing a great job! But if your rubbish goes into one big evil bin, changes ought to be made. Read up on what your local area offers recycling wise and if it's not enough, contact your local MP and voice your concern.

[Image by epSos.de]

Did you know that an astonishing 74 million mince pies are thrown away every Christmas? That's more mince pies than there are people in the UK. I personally don't like the things so don't buy them, but it is a shame that so much food - not only mince pies - is wasted during the holidays.

Every Christmas, British consumers throw away an estimated 2 million turkeys, 74 million mince pies and 5 million Christmas puddings, according to research. Think about how many hungry people that could feed...

We're great believers that with a few tricks and a little thought, people could easily reduce their food waste - and not only for Christmas.

But it is the holidays and if you've bought lots of yummy food for the family to enjoy, here are 12 top tips to help you waste less this Christmas from Love Food Hate Waste and Unilever.

1. Left with too much stilton cheese once the festivities are over? Did you know that it freezes well and last for ages in the freezer? Defrost it in the New Year for the cheese board, a quiche or soup.

2. Cooked meat like turkey and ham can be frozen so if on Boxing Day you have lots left over, pop it in the freezer and then thaw it in the fridge when you fancy making a casserole, curry, stew or ham, turkey and leek pie.

3. Sick of Christmas pudding? Try turning it into a tasty strudel.

4. Loads of sprouts leftover? Use them with leftover roast or boiled potatoes to make bubble and squeak. Simply chop or fry together in a pan with some butter.

5. Bought too much mincemeat? Heat a small amount in a pan and spoon over ice-cream for an alternative Christmas pudding.

6. Use up Satsumas with this quick pudding. Peel and place the whole fruits in an oven proof dish, sprinkle with a little ground cinnamon, spoon over a tablespoon of Cointreau or whisky and sprinkle with soft brown sugar. Cover and bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) mark 4 for 40 minutes serve with cream, yoghurt or ice cream.

7. Control your portions and minimise your food waste when cooking Christmas dinner with this simple formula. Adult (140g turkey + 2 tablespoons carrots + 2 florets cauliflower + 4 brussels sprouts + 1 parsnip), child (100g turkey + 1 tablespoon carrots + 1 floret cauliflower + 4 brussels sprouts + 1/2 parsnip). Simply multiply it by the number of people you are hosting:

8. Get ahead of the food preparation by preparing roast potatoes and parsnips. Just parboil them, cover them in fat and freeze them. Once frozen, pack them into freezer bags, seal, label and return to the freezer.

9. Leftover fruitcake you don't know what to do with? Add a spot of mayonnaise, custard and Flora, along with a sprinkling of sugar, to make a delicious fruity bread pudding.

10. Collect sandwich crusts in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer. Once you've got enough, whizz them in a food processor and use them for making the Christmas bread sauce or keep for toppings.

11. Make these spicy nuts out of any half opened packets of nuts. Take a mixture of Brazil nuts, almonds, pecans and put them in a roasting tin. Sprinkle over ½ tsp each of cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, sea salt, black pepper and 2 tsp caster sugar. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and bake for 15 min. Cool before storing in air tight jars or tupperware containers. They will keep fresh in a screw top jar until the big day.

12. Have a rummage around your kitchen cupboards; you might be surprised that you can make free foodie gifts from packets of sea salt and sugar. To make spicy salt, add a few dried chillies, red peppercorns and star anise to the sea salt and put into a nice jar and decorate with ribbons. For spicy sugar, add cinnamon sticks to a jar of coffee sugar and dress up in a pretty jar.

With the average Christmas food bill said to land on £169 per household, it is time to cut down on the waste and be a more sensible shopper.

And if you find that you have bought too much food this holiday, why not donate anything that can be used to your local charity. We're sure they'd appreciate it.

Images via Love Food Hate Waste.

With global warming, food shortages and impendent doom looming, chances are the world as we know it will be a distant memory in not too long unless we do something drastic pretty soon.

Some of us are already trying to live as sustainable as possible helping the earth one recycle at a time, but it's safe to say that most of today's grown-ups who haven't yet seen the greener picture are a lost cause. So what can be done?

In order have a future we need at the future citizens of the earth. Enter the 'Green Baby'.

Your tiny tot may grow up to one day become the leader in environmental advancement, but their little feet actually leave a larger carbon footprint than you may realise and can have a considerable environmental impact. So just how can you be a greener parent?

If you dress your baby in cotton (who wouldn't?), it's worth remembering that the main carbon and environmental impact of cotton clothing is in its production. Ask around for hand-me-downs or visit your local charity shop to diminish the clothes' carbon impact. This also goes for toys, cribs and anything your toddler may need in their first years.

Breast is best. Not only is nutritionally beneficial, but it's also a green source of food for your baby. A mother's milk is environmentally friendly as it doesn't need to be processed, packaged and shipped to the shops.

Once your baby is off the milk and eating solids, try to stick to seasonal fruit and vegetables. These are less likely to have been grown in a greenhouse that requires a lot of energy, and therefore have a smaller carbon footprint.

Most importantly, start your child's environmental education early. Talk to them about the importance of a low carbon lifestyle and explain why you think this way. They will grow up to follow your example and will pass the message on to their friends and their own children.

If you're interested in discovering how you can make your baby's future a greener one, the Science Museum in London is hosting a discussion with environmental experts where you can dive into the complex issues around green parenting.

Green Babies; 27 September 2012, 11am to 1pm; The Science Museum's Dana Centre, South Kensington, SW7 5HD; Booking required - 02079424040 or email tickets@danacentre.org.uk.

Image provided by PR / Photographer Demi Brooke

Don't you dare to dust away those cobwebs - Halloween is almost here! At the end of the month it's time for trick-or-treating, scary costumes and sweets, lots and lots of sweets. A big business in America, this 'holiday' is catching on over here in England too but unfortunately can be one of the most wasteful times of the year. Just thinking about all those individually wrapped sweeties that get given out and the plastic decorations bought at the local pound shop only to be thrown out afterwards makes us feel bad. That said, we're not saying you shouldn't enjoy the festivities, so here are some tricks to have a greener Halloween.

If you're looking for something to do the first weekend of September why not head to London for the Urban Green Fair?

Returning to Brockwell Park, Lambeth, South London, for its fifth year the great people of the Urban Green Fair Community Interest Company (CIC) are putting on an array of cool events on 4th September 2011. The free fair runs from 11am to 7pm and offers things like films, poetry recitals in the new Poetry Tent, workshops, speakers, children's activities, yummy food and BMX races, which all offer practical cost-effective solutions for a greener living.

Powered using only solar and wind energy this is set to be one great day out in the green.

Shane Collins, Urban Green Fair director said: "As well as being a fun day out, whatever your age, the Urban Green Fair is a chance to learn about the changes coming to our society and how best to navigate them together. Forewarned is forearmed. Whilst climate change is the reason we should make changes in our lives, peak oil will force us to make these changes. This collective action can be achieved through events like the Urban Green Fair, which help educate and stimulate public support for green initiatives. It brings together local people, and those from further afield, to share knowledge and skills that can help us live more sustainable lives."

So get the date in your diary and prepare for a day of learning more about how you can make a difference - and chill at the Solar Cinema with some delicious food.

Visit www.urbangreenfair.org for more information.

Despite being stuck in the office for most of National Vegetarian Week, 23 to 29 May (shouldn't we all be out and about doing a bit of urban gardening or enjoying a glass of cold organic apple cider this sunny Wednesday 25 May - it is in London at least!), there are lots of things you can do to make it a bit more fun.

Share vegetarian recipes with your work colleagues. Not only is this a great way to spread the word about how fantastic vegetables are, but also a good way to try new dishes!

Use Google to locate a vegetarian eatery near your office and get everyone (or the colleagues you like best) to go for lunch together. Not only could it be a new experience, it will give you some time out of the office to chat to the people you spent most of your time with. Who knows, you might learn something new about them! If you live or work in the capital, check out our top 5 vegetarian restaurants in London.

Alternatively, head to your local Lush store during your lunch break and let the cheerful staff guide you through some of their products. Tip: they will give you a hand massage if you show interest in their massage bars! The perfect way to get rid of some stress and you might even find yourself leaving with a sample or two.

The last few decades have been dominated by urbanisation, digitalisation and an admiration for consumption. These days, you'll find a growing number of counter-movements springing up that advocating for a more sustainable and responsible way of dealing with our environment and bringing nature back to our cities.

My Green City - Back to Nature with Attitude and Style (Gestalten, £35.00) is a compilation of the ideas and projects from around the world that are promoting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle - from urban farming initiatives and architectural visions that are changing our cities, to furniture and other everyday objects that can make our streets and homes greener.

Among the many inspirational projects included in this book, some of our favourites are: Vacant Lot allotment garden by What if: projects (Shoreditch, London May 2007) which took use of vacant and unloved city spaces and turned them into temporary allotment gardens; the Ann Demeulemeester shop in Seoul, Korea by Mass Studies which is covered in grass on the exterior surfaces; the many varieties of seed bombs - the munitions of guerrilla gardeners in the fight against the neglect of public spaces. In fact, there are far too many great eco-friendly ideas to mention!

We liked the book so much that we have teamed up with Gestalten to give one lucky Hippyshopper reader the chance to add 'My Green City' to their book collection.

TO ENTER

To enter the competition simply Like Hippyshopper's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/Hippyshopper and leave us a comment below telling us which city in the world you think is greenest and why. We'll pick the winner based on our favourite message, so don't be shy!

COMPETITION CONDITIONS

- Competition closes on Friday 27th May 2011 at 23:59.

- Only Hippyshopper Facebook page fans will be eligible to win the prize.

You might have head of green burial sites or maybe not, as most people don't think about funeral related issues until it's absolutely necessary.

Spanish designer Martin Azua has created an eco-solution to help people leave this world in a greener way. Reintroducing the human being to the natural circle of life, returning to nature, the Bios Urn is a biodegradable urn made from coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose. Inside it contains the seed of a tree, so that once planted - with the remains of the person who has departed - the seed begins to grow.

As with the more traditional gravestones, you have the choice to pick the type of plant you would like to become.

Have you been thinking about installing solar panels on your house to produce your own energy? If you haven't you definitely should, because the benefits of solar electricity are many:

It will cut your carbon footprint: it is a green, renewable energy source that doesn't release any harmful CO2 or other pollutants. A standard home solar panel system could save around 1 tonne of CO2 yearly.

Your electricity bills will be slashed: sunlight is FREE! So once you've invested in a system, it could help cut your electricity bills with 40%.

You can make money of it: yes that's right. If more electricity than you need is produced you can sell it back to the Grid.

You don't need planning permission for most solar electricity systems as long as they're under a certain size, but check with your local planning officer before you invest in one.

Also ensure you have a nice sunny roof or wall to fix it on, as there is no point having the panels if the sun doesn't reach them.

And most importantly, once you've got your solar panels installed and ready, invest in some energy efficient appliances that will help you maximise the electricity that is produced!

Installing a solar panel system will set you back around £12,000 + VAT (The Energy Saving Trust). But there are also some companies that offer free solar panel systems in return for a cut of your income. Read more about it on the Energy Saving Trust's website.

Mrs Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr counts Rosehip oil as one of the essential products every woman should keep in their handbag.

The Australian model and mother-of-one finds the essential oil is particularly useful as a make-up remover and that it can also be a useful tool to protect against the effects of exposure to the sun and ageing.

Miranda said: "Essential Fatty Acids main function is their ability to counteract the drying effects of sun exposure and other environmental influences that lead to signs of aging and age related skin damage.

"I use this under my moisturiser of an evening and as a makeup remover around my eyes. I also use it more frequently if my skin is particularly dry at any time."

Miranda endorses a brand of Rosehip oil through her KORA Organics range, which she says has a particular blend of ingredients designed to give the optimum care for skin.

Looking in my bag there is no Rosehip oil to be found, but I have heard about its positive effects before so might just have to invest in some...

This year Mother's Day falls on Sunday 3 April. A celebration of mothers and motherhood since Roman times, UK tradition has it that Mothering Sunday was the day when young boys and girls working as domestic servants were given the day off to visit their mothers. In modern times, Mother's Day is more a day to dote on your mother and show her you appreciate her and the love she so unconditionally gives for the 364 other days of the year.

We love giving and receiving presents as much as the next person, but thought that this year it could be fun to put an eco-twist on it all. So we spoke with Nigel Berman from Nigel's Eco Store to learn his tips on how to show your mum that you care in an eco-friendly, sustainable way.

To celebrate mums all over the world - and in case you can't bake, pick flowers or make anything - we have teamed up with Nigel's Eco Store to give you 10% off your order for eco-friendly Mother's Day gifts.

Simply head on over to our Facebook page, like us and we will send you a discount code tomorrow 15 March to use online.

If you're planning on celebrating Valentine's Day this month, why not make it more eco-friendly. One way of doing it would be to create your own cards instead of opting for mass-produced cards with impersonal poems of love, or give a whole plant instead of a bunch of cut-off flowers.

If you are struggling for ideas of ethical gifts to get your love we've put together these handy gift guides for him and her.

But here are a few tips for a greener Valentine's Day:

- If you're buying a card, make it one made out of recycled paper. Or earn brownie points and make your own!

- Looking for flowers? Buy locally grown ones or if your sweetheart has green fingers why not give him or her a 'grow-your-own' set. Or buy a lovely plant that will bloom many times over.

- Buy fair-trade, ethically or locally produced chocolate - cocoa can be the big eco sinner so choose well.

We of course love presents - who doesn't - and with a bit of thought it is possible to buy or make something that truly shows your affection. Or you could do something romantic like going for a walk or running a bath for your other half.

Happy Eco Valentine's Day!

Valentine's gifts for him.

Valentine's gifts for her.

With news that several energy providers going to increase their electricity prices, it's time to have a look at how you can save energy - and money - at home. It doesn't take much to save a little here and there, and in the long run all small energy savings can help you reduce outgoings - and it is greener too!

Take a good look around your house or flat and note down where energy might be wasted on a piece of paper - that's your to-do list. Now you can reduce your energy usage in workable steps, and not get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be taken care of. First do something about obvious energy wasters (no, that doesn't include the cat that does nothing else than sleep on the sofa and eat): leaving the light on; heat escaping through the windows; a flat as hot as a sauna. Then work your way through the to-do list towards a more energy efficient home life.

Top tips for saving energy

1. Is your home hot as a sauna? Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature with only 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. Put any saved money towards your next holiday or a girl's night out.

2. Wear slippers and add another layer of clothing before you turn up the heat.

3. If you can, set your heating on a timer to go on an hour before you have to get up in the morning and off when you actually get up. The flat will then slowly cool down, and you'll be out the door before it cools completely! Do the same in the evening. Heating on for a few hours, and let the flat start to cool down 30 mins before you go to bed.

4. Check all windows and doors for drafts and place draft excluders wherever possible. Make it more fun by making your own unique draft excluders! If you don't have double glazing, invest in thick curtains that you can close at dusk to stop heat escaping.

5. Always leaving your TV / Kinect on standby, or laptop and mobile phone charging unnecessarily? This actually draws more energy than you may think, and will add up over the months. Flip the switch and you could end up saving pretty pennies.

6. Turn off lights when you're not in the room, and use energy saving lightbulbs wherever possible.

7. Love a cup of tea? Only boil enough water to fill the cup or cups of tea you're making.
If you like feeling toasty once in bed, swap the electric blanket for a hot water bottle and wear socks to bed.

8. Set your fridge and freezer to the right temperature. Not too cold and not too warm, just right as Goldilocks would say. Defrost food in the fridge overnight instead of microwaving it.

9. Only wash clothes when you have enough for a full load. Two half-loads uses more energy than one full load. And line dry whenever possible.

10. Towel dry your hair as much as possible. This will cut down the time you need to use your hairdryer for.

Got any helpful energy saving tips for Hippyshopper? Get in touch!

Read on for tips on how to reduce your household waste.

Source: Energy Saving Trust

Image: Home Gas Services