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What’s all this about whole foods?
As Western diets move further into the realm of highly-processed foods full of empty calories, it’s more important than ever to incorporate whole foods into our meals. Whole foods are those which remain closest to the state they’re found in nature, with minimal processing – and no added sugars!

Here are 5 big health benefits of eating whole foods:

An Introduction to Green Tea

The phrase ‘Green Tea’ covers a wide range of different products, and can range from the mildest, daintiest cuppa to the most intense, knock-your-socks-off dynamite brew.

We stock a wide range of green teas from many different parts of the world. These have very different properties depending on where and how they were grown, when they were harvested and how they were processed.

So what is green tea? Have a look at our green tea primer:

An introduction to Hemp – why is it so good for you?

Hemp used to be one of the cornerstones of British agriculture and was grown extensively for its use in rope, clothing and textiles – it even gave the town Hemel Hempstead its name. So what is hemp, and are there health benefits of hemp we should be taking advantage of?

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant, and along with bamboo, it’s one of the fastest-growing plants in existence. It also offers fantastic nutrition and taste when eaten.

Unfortunately, although sprouting hemp from seed produces wonderfully nutritious edible shoots, it’s illegal to do so in the UK without an expensive Home Office licence. Luckily we are allowed to consume the seeds, which offer the following benefits:

TOP HEALTH BENEFITS OF FLAXSEED

Flax seed, also known as linseed, originated in the Middle East thousands of years ago. These little nutritional powerhouses have been cultivated ever since for their taste, texture and wonderful health-giving properties. They come in brown and golden varieties, which are nutritionally very similar., although some people find the brown ones have a slightly stronger taste. The ground seeds can be nutritionally more advantageous than the whole ones, which often pass through the body undigested – but the whole seeds add an amazing toothsome texture to any dish they’re added to!

Here are the 5 biggest health benefits of eating Flaxseed:

Health Benefits of Turmeric

We all probably know turmeric as a powdered ingredient that gives many curries their deep yellow hue. Anyone who’s managed to get any on their clothes knows it’s a nightmare to try and wash out, which would explain why it’s also widely used as a fabric dye. But what is turmeric?

Turmeric is a flowering plant in the same family as ginger. The roots are used widely, for both cooking and health purposes. It’s common in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine, and its many health benefits have been harnessed by Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

So what exactly are the health benefits of turmeric?

TEN WAYS TO USE MACADAMIA NUTS

Macadamia Nuts are luxurious, wonderfully crunchy and can be used in a wide array of dishes. They can also be roasted for an extra deep flavour. They’re low in carbohydrates and can improve heart health by lowering your ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol level. They provide us with monounsaturated fat, which is very beneficial to the human body. They’re also high in manganese, thiamin and antioxidants.

Here are ten of our favourite ways to use this wonder nut:

Why Acai Berries are so good for you, and why you should eat more of them!

Acai berries are a relatively new addition to the list of superfoods, and are gaining in popularity all the time as people warm to them and get to grips with their unique nutritional profile. But what are acai berries?

Acai palms grow in Brazil and produce tiny purple berries which look like grapes, but smaller. The powder made from this superfood can be used in smoothies, desserts, chocolate, muffins or simply sprinkled over porridge and granola. Nutritionsits recommend 1-5 teaspoons of the powder daily to harness the maximum benefit.

But why exactly should we be eating these little purple wonder-fruits? Let us walk you through some of the main health benefits of acai berries….

Amazing facts you may not have known about Goji Berries

Many claims have been made about the health benefits of goji berries, with many nutritionists shouting loudly about their positive effects on many different aspects of human health. But what are goji berries, and why should we be sitting up and taking notice?

Goji berries come from Asia and have been eaten for thousands of years. They’re actually members of the nightshade family of plants, which also includes tomatoes and aubergines.

They do indeed have an extremely positive effect on human health when eaten, as explained below…

An Introduction to Pink Salt

Himalayan pink salt has exploded onto the scene in recent years. It’s said that the army of Alexander the Great first discovered the rich salt deposits in the Himalayas.

Since then, pink salt has been used for many thousands of years as a preservative, a valuable spice and a trading commodity. It’s now exported in bulk all over the world.

But what is pink salt? Is it just a pretty version of our usual white table salt, or is there something else to it?

Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts

The cashew is one of the most popular nuts we offer, and its wonderful taste and delightful texture have seduced foodies all over the world.

Cashews are fantastically versatile, and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, including stir-fries, nut roasts, biscuits, snack bars and even sauces. They’re also pivotal in many vegan diets, due in large part to their wonderful ability to replicate dairy staples such as milk, cheese and ice cream once soaked and processed.

But are these little crescent-shaped nuts actually good for you? What nutrition can you find in a cashew nut? Well, it turns out this is one of the most nutritious nuts you can possibly consume, as we illustrate below…