Articles

What is Earth Day and why is it important?

The United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining crisis of our time and is happening even more quickly than was feared. Dire warnings are everywhere about the future (or lack of it) that awaits us if we don’t change our planet-wrecking ways soon. This Guardian article published in 2020 scared a lot of people with its horrifying look at a world in 2050 where climate warnings have not been heeded and time is up for the human race. Luckily there was a sister article describing the planet’s progress if we manage to tackle climate change and live in a more environmentally-friendly way.

No corner of the planet is immune from the devastating consequences of climate change – rising temperatures are fuelling environmental degradation, weather extremes, natural disasters, economic disruption, food and water insecurity, conflict and terrorism. But if we act quickly and cleverly, we can reverse these trends and work together towards a better future. So here’s what you need to know about Earth Day…

Sussex Wholefoods – an introduction to our range

Sussex Wholefoods is Healthy Supplies’ in-house line of natural, healthy, high-quality whole foods, packed in Sussex. We’re well-known for having one of the finest ranges of freeze-dried fruit anywhere in the world.

Sussex Wholefoods was born in 2009 after we became dissatisfied with the range of healthy food commonly sold in the UK, knowing there were a lot more fantastic-tasting, health-giving ingredients out there which weren’t on the shelves of our local supermarkets. We’re very discerning about what we sell under the banner of Sussex Wholefoods, and actually reject more products than we take on. Where possible, we like to offer organic versions, and have a no-nonsense approach where we keep an eye on medical research and try to reject any ‘faddy’ products for which there is no real evidence of health benefits.

It’s also very important to us to remember to choose products that are fun to eat. We believe healthy eating shouldn’t be a sacrifice – if you enjoy the food you eat, it’s much more likely you’ll continue to eat it!

Finally, we love our snacks! We feel that if you’re going to treat yourself to something special, it should be as minimally-processed as possible – that’s why our delectable range of snacks and treats is made where possible from natural and unrefined ingredients.

So come and explore what’s on offer….

Ten Ways To Eat More Buckwheat

Buckwheat is a wheat substitute. It comes from a flowering plant that is distantly related to knotweed and rhubarb. Despite its name, Buckwheat is not related to wheat and is completely gluten-free. It does however taste and behave quite similarly to wheat.

Buckwheat is very beneficial to our health and is thought to help lower cholesterol, fight diabetes and aid digestion! All of these are great reasons to eat more Buckwheat, but just in case you needed more tempting have a look at our ten ways to use buckwheat…

TOP HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHOLE FOODS

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….