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Even if people opted to ‘go vegetarian’ for a day or two a week, it would take an enormous strain off our planet, but choosing a wholly vegetarian diet could help prevent global warming, rainforest destruction, and pollution whilst saving water and other precious resources.

The annual National Vegetarian Week takes place this year from 20th to 26th May, and there are loads of ideas to inspire you on the website. You can find out about events in your area here, including discounts in vegetarian restaurants, cooking demonstrations, vegetarian expos and foraging talks. If you’ve been toying with vegetarianism, why not visit the Vegetarian Society www.vegsoc.org website for tips, recipes and advice. This week presents the perfect opportunity to ‘give it a go’, and here are our top ten environmental reasons why vegetarianism could change the world:

1. According to a 2009 Californian study, a non-vegetarian diet consumed 2.9 times more water, 2.5 times more primary energy, 13 times more fertilizer, and 1.4 times more pesticide than a vegetarian diet.

2. Globally, we feed 756 million tons of grain to farmed animals. As Princeton bioethicist Peter Singer notes, if we fed that grain to the 1.4 billion people who are living in abject poverty, each of them would be provided more than half a ton of grain, or about 3 pounds of grain/day — that’s twice the grain they would need to survive.

3. A recent United Nations report titled Livestock’s Long Shadow concluded that the meat industry causes almost 40% more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s transportation systems — that’s all the cars, trucks, SUVs, planes and ships in the world combined. The report also concluded that factory farming is one of the biggest contributors to the most serious environmental problems at every level — local and global.

4. Researchers at the University of Chicago concluded that switching from standard American diet to a vegan diet is more effective in the fight against global warming than switching from a standard American car to a hybrid.

5. The U.N. found that the meat industry causes local and global environmental problems even beyond global warming. It said that the meat industry should be a main focus in every discussion of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortages and pollution, and loss of biodiversity. (facts from http://www.alternet.org)

6. Raising animals for food (including land used for grazing and growing feed crops) now uses a staggering 30% of the Earth’s land mass.

7. Nearly 80% of land deforested in the Amazon is now used as cattle pasture. (facts from www.chooseveg.com)

8. It takes thousands more litres of water to produce a kilo of beef than to grow the same quantity of grains, vegetables or pulses. Manure, antibiotics and hormones all find their way from livestock farms into our water system, while fish farms release chemicals and parasites that threaten wildlife.

9. 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed every year as ‘by-catch’ of the fishing industries. Over-fishing, by-catch, climate change, invasive species and coastal development have resulted in a decline in the number of marine species, such as sharks, seabirds and turtles.

10. Over 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water and more than double do not have proper sanitation. By 2025 there will be 1.8 billion people living with absolute water scarcity. Farming accounts for around 70% of all freshwater withdrawn from lakes, waterways and aquifers. (facts from the Vegetarian Society www.vegsoc.org)

Whether your child is breast fed, formula fed or a mixture of the two, around the age of one it is currently recommended that toddlers begin to drink 1-2 cups of cows’ milk per day in order to achieve their recommended daily allowance of calcium. Formula companies frequently offer fortified toddler milks for those who simply don’t like the taste of milk and parents of children with allergies often rely on fortified soya milk and supplements. But, are these expensive alternatives really necessary and do we really need cows’ milk to achieve optimal levels of calcium?

Research suggests that while it is indeed essential, there are several other vitamins and minerals that work together to achieve truly optimal bone health. Minerals magnesium and selenium, along with Vitamins A, D and K all play a vital role alongside the more widely acknowledged calcium.

So if you or your children, like most of the world, are dairy intolerant then you can rest assured that there are a wide variety of alternatives. Though cows’ milk has many health benefits, particularly raw cows’ milk, we were not always dairy consumers and the answer to our nutritional needs can be found in many forms throughout the natural world. This is particularly important to remember as calcium fortified foods and supplements carry numerous health risks. The most reliable way for our bodies to absorb nutrients fully and safely is through a balanced diet.

Nutritious Foods – Foods high in Calcium include: Salmon; Kale; Almonds; Pistachios; Dried Herbs and Sunflower Seeds – Foods high in Magnesium include: Sunflower Seeds; Dark Chocolate; Dried Herbs; Almonds and Cashews – Foods high in Selenium include: Tinned Tuna; Sunflower Seeds; Brazil Nuts; Bacon and Prawns – Foods high in Vitamin A include: Dried Herbs; Kale; Sweet Potato; Chili Powder and Paprika – Foods high in Vitamin D include: Tinned Tuna; Eggs; Salami; Mushrooms and Cod Liver Oil – Foods high in Vitamin K include: Dried Herbs; Kale; Broccoli; Chili Powder and Paprika

Nuts and seeds feature heavily on the list, along with dried herbs and seafood. For fussier children, making your own nut and seed butters and adding them to your recipes is an easy way to ensure that your children are receiving important fats and a good level of nutrition. Dried herbs and spices are also easy to add to soups, stews and sauces. For trickier foods like Kale and Broccoli, adding them to breakfast or snack smoothies made with coconut milk, frozen berries and honey is a tasty way of packing in plenty of green goodness and some all-important fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. You can even throw in a dollop of your home made seed and nut butters.

Cow’s milk and other dairy can sometimes be some of the least dense sources of the most important bone building nutrients. They have also been shown to inhibit iron absorption and, potentially, promote the growth of certain cancers so, even if you can tolerate dairy products and enjoy them, it is important that everyone enjoys a broad variety of nutrient sources.

Trekking around the volcanoes on the outskirts of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote has to be one of the best experiences of my life. We stand at the beginning of time, biologically speaking. The land is covered in a fine dusting of lichens and little else. It is as if plantlife were just starting to colonise the earth. Black volcanic rocks, like massive cornflakes, stretch for as far as the eye can see, encircled by rising volcanic peaks. However, some wild tobacco and thorns are started to populate and lizards dart in and out of the crevices. Our guide, José Luis of Blackstone Treks leads us through a lesson in evolution and geology that puts anything we learned in school to shame. He explains that many rabbits live amongst the lava and points out the evidence, tracks on the side of the volcano that lead from plant to plant.

“We get to peer into lava bubbles and admire carefully tended fig trees that thrive in the volcanic soil”

Fascinating facts
We hike up to the rim of one of the larger volcanoes, the morning sun on our backs. Each step is accompanied by a new fascinating fact from our volcanist/naturalist guide. When we reach the summit we almost fall into the crater in awe. This is a family tour for my partner, Jez and I and our two home educated daughters, Jasmine, 13 and Daisy, 11. It is probably the most awesome geography lesson ever taught. We get to peer into lava bubbles, slip inside a tunnel made from cooled lava and admire carefully tended fig trees that thrive in the volcanic soil.

In fact, the ash from the explosive mountains provides a miraculous solution for growing plants on this windswept, sunbaked isle. Exploring the island we come across terraces of vines hanging with tiny grapes, huge allium heads and many fig trees. The volcanic ash works to collect water at night and prevent it evaporating in the heat of the day. Hence the rich variety of vegetables and fruit that can be grown in parts of the island.

Relaxed paradise
A selection of huge, succulent produce greets us on arrival at Lanzarote Retreats, where we are staying, in the north of the island, a relaxed paradise for families, where you can truly get away from it all. Our stay really begins as we are greeted at the airport by our effervescent host, Tila Braddock. He has come armed with a bottle of fizz to aid our relaxation into the retreat and island life. As he drives us to the Finca de Arrieta he gives us a potted history of the island and how he came to be here.

He created the Finca de Arrieta in 2007, along with wife, Michelle, and their four children. Originally the family lived on site amongst the yurts and other eco accommodation at the retreat but they now live a short distance away and have a passionate team working for them to provide guests with a real sense of nurture. Tila and Michelle have combined their strong environmental ethics, great business sense and creativity to manifest accommodation that is really special. Each yurt, lodge or barn is quite unique and each is completely off grid; solar and wind energy are used to power the whole site. This is just the start though; there are many green initiatives implemented here. From the chickens that eat the scraps and provide residents with free eggs to the careful conservation of water to the hybrid vehicles included in the rental of many of the properties.

Everything is thought of
Having a large family themselves, the couple are well aware of what makes a holiday relaxing for parents. They have thought of everything and provided it in a way that doesn’t detract from the gorgeous boho chic feel. There are highchairs, travel cots, toys and games tucked unobtrusively into each residence. The communal area has two pools, one suitable for babies and a huge Vietnamese style covered daybed, affording much needed shade in the heat of the day, big enough for two families at siesta time. The communal fridge houses chilled drinks and fabulous deli snacks from Browns Deli in Costa Teguise.

Canarian delicacies
Arrieta itself is a quiet fishing village, which nonetheless boasts a great selection of restaurants mostly serving traditional Canarian delicacies; grilled squid, garlic prawns and fried peppers were some of our favourites. One night during our stay, we slipped down to the beachside restaurant for a meal after a relaxing yoga class at the Finca. We watched the sun setting behind the volcanoes and drank chilled Lanzarotean wine from large glasses, feeling just about as blessed as can be.

Another gastronomic highlight was a meal with the inspirational founder of the Finca, Michelle. She lead us through the local handicrafts market in Haria to the Teleclub, a sort of souped-up village hall. Although residents can take free yoga, sewing and tai chi classes here, it also boasts a great value restaurant and wine bar. We ate tapas style, sharing plates of chickpea stew, calamares, local cheeses and more. The food and service was down to earth and traditional.

Volcanic vistas
Of course another draw to the island is the work of César Manrique, who was responsible for creating some of the finest spacial art experiences in the world. The first site we visited was the Jameos del Agua (pictured), just a short drive from where we were staying. I actually welled up with emotion as we stepped into these caves created by lava bubbles. The sight of the lush greenery and the sound of the myriad birds nesting there and the music chosen by Manrique were quite powerful. Later in the week we visited his home and studio and explored the underground rooms created by bubbles in the lava. Many of his paintings and sculptures are housed here, along with other modern art by Picasso and Miro. I fell in love with the vistas created by the huge picture window looking out over the volcanic scenery.

One super hot day we took a trip in a small ferry out to neighbouring island, La Graciosa. Around 600 people live here in one village. The rest of the island is uninhabited and criss-crossed with sandy tracks. We walked out to the very tip and spent the morning in a deserted sandy cove, swimming in the sea and lying on the beach.

Each and every day spent on the island blew our mind – we met some fascinating people, ate incredible food, soaked up as much sun as we possibly could and left with the resolution to come back as soon as possible.

Find out more:
Lanzarote Retreats
Sustainable luxury accommodation ranging from a yurt that sleeps two to an eco villa that very comfortably sleeps six. Many properties come with the use of a hybrid car during your stay. lanzaroteretreats.com

Blackstone Treks and Tours
A personal friendly service offering treks and tours of Lanzarote’s most spectacular sights. blackstonetreks.com

Cesar Manrique Foundation
Imformation about ecologist, painter, architect, sculpter who helped to shape the island into the beautiful space it is today. cesarmanrique.com

Visual introduction to Lanzarote
Check out this beautiful video of the island that we fell in love with. http://www.blackstonetreks.com/lanzarote/

68% of the parents surveyed would rather their child walked to school and over a quarter of parents who do walk their children to school told Parentdish that spending time together whilst walking to school was what they most valued about the journey. A further 22% stated that it gave them a fantastic opportunity to socialise with other parents and children.

Walk to School Week 2013 takes place as part of National Walking Month each May, bringing together nearly one million schoolchildren, teachers and parents. This year’s Walk to School Week runs from Mon 20th to Fri 24th May and promises to be the biggest and best yet!

BETTER LEARNERS
Living Streets runs the national Walk to School campaign, and the national charity says parents find the journey to school less stressful, their petrol bill goes down, their children perform better at school and that they, and their children, feel healthier and fitter. Recent research also shows that children who walk or cycle to school are better learners: a joint study by researchers at two Danish universities found that regular exercise could advance a student up to half a year in their studies, having even more of an impact than the food they ate for breakfast or lunch.

DITCH THE CAR!
Over the past couple of decades, the number of children walking to school has fallen sharply. In 2011, 49 per cent of primary school aged children and 38 per cent of secondary school aged children walked to school, down from 62 per cent of primary and 48 per cent of secondary school aged children in 1991. However Living Streets’ Walk once a Week (WoW) scheme bucks the trend. It helped nearly 6,800 schools and over 1.9 million children and young people get walking across the UK last year – with a recent project seeing a rise of 32% in children walking.

DAILY BENEFITS
This year’s Walk to School Week focuses on a different benefit of walking each day. Monday covers safety issues – children walking to school tend to be more aware of road safety and alert to potential dangers than those who get dropped off at the gates. Parents are able to teach them to cross the road safely. Tuesday is about discovery – perhaps one of the most important factors in enjoying the world by foot. Walking to school enables kids to explore the environment around them, notice the changing of the seasons and stop to examine the ladybird on a leaf or notice the architecture around them. Wednesday covers health, and the extensive benefits to wellbeing walking provides. On Thursday the focus is on the eco-friendly aspects of walking rather than driving, and Friday looks at the opportunity for social time that walking offers. There are plenty of learning resources on the website for schools to use, plus posters to put up around the school and in your locality, and information on getting local media involved.

But if you do one thing this Walk to School Week, get up a bit earlier to take a stroll to the school gates together, absorbing your local environment and enjoying some time as a family.

No longer a guilty indulgence at the end of a long and frazzling day, more than just a delicious on the go treat, Chocolate is actively good for you. Scientists have been studying the various nutrients found in chocolate and the results are very much in favour of you tucking in to a great big bar of choccy! And here’s why:

1. Chocolate, as most of you will already know, makes you happy. However, it being so darn tasty has little to do with why. Eating chocolate raises endorphin levels. Endorphins are released when we do things like hug, kiss, give birth and breastfeed – they’re nature’s anti-depressants and chocolate, which contains the responsible natural neuroamine phenylethylamine, helps to give you a temporary boost.

2. Chocolate can help to keep you slim. Surprisingly, a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, found that high chocolate consumption was associated with a lower BMI amongst healthy adults. Dark chocolate (70%+), in particular, has been found to reduce snacking habits and it is also believed that chocolate may help to increase your metabolism.

3. Chocolate is good for your heart. Heart Disease is the biggest natural killer of humans in the developed world and chocolate, it has been discovered, can play a role in keeping your heart healthy thanks to powerful antioxidants. It can also help to fight existing disease. According to several large studies, chocolate can cut your risk of developing heart disease, stroke and high bloody pressure by as much as 40%.

4. Chocolate can increase your IQ. Thanks to brain boosting antioxidants, also known as flavonoids, eating (or drinking) chocolate can increase blood flow to key areas of your brain according to a study conducted at the University of Nottingham. The effect is believed to last several hours and helps to form new memories, making chocolate the perfect studying snack for kids!

5. Chocolate holds the key to a long life. Containing the same anti-aging Prophenols as many fruits and veggies, chocolate helps to slow down the aging process. These Prophenols protect against cell damage which happens, gradually, as part of the aging process. Regular chocolate consumption has been found to slow muscle aging and even prevent wrinkles!
And, for those of you who are worrying about overindulging in pregnancy or are holding off on introducing your little ones to chocolate, you may be interested to know that an article in New Scientist magazine reported that scientists in Finland discovered that women who ate chocolate throughout their pregnancies had happier, smilier babies and babies who consumed chocolate themselves (after 6 months) were also found to be happier and more active than their chocolate free friends.

But, before you chuck in the towel and fill up a bottle of chocolate milk, or go on a week-long chocolate binge-a-thon, there are some important things to remember. Most of the benefits reported relate, specifically, to dark chocolate. Milk chocolate contains large amounts of milk and sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Aim to buy ethical chocolate, which helps to prevent deforestation and helps to pay cocoa farmers a fair wage. For more information on ethical chocolate, check out our article about the 6 best fairtrade brands.

Though they are considered by many to be a weed, it seems that many share my attachment to stingers, and this love is expressed through a week dedicated to them. Taking place from 15th – 26th May, Be Nice to Nettles Week is a celebration of these tasty, nutritious and wildlife supporting ‘wonder weeds’.

NETTLES FOR INSECTS
As one of the most important native plants for wildlife in the UK, it’s imperative we care for those clumps of nettles we find in the garden. They do spread like wildfire, so if you don’t fancy them taking over the garden, why not dedicate a little patch or corner and let the nettles run riot? Supporting over 40 species of insects, whose most glamorous members include the tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies, nettles also provide huge quantities of seeds to feed the birds.

FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINE
Throughout history, nettles have been used as a human ally. Now they’re often dismissed as annoying pests because of their sting, but our ancestors used them for clothing, food and medicine. With a rich earthy taste, nettles can liven up soups and stews and provide a nutritional hit of calcium, magnesium, iron and numerous trace elements, as well as a range of vitamins. Nettles were often prescribed as a ‘spring tonic’ to enliven blood, cleanse the body, and help immunity, and they have been used to staunch blood flow from cuts. There is also research into nettles and their help with arthritis. Nettle fibre has been used for centuries to create a cloth which is strong and durable, and there is a revival of interest in nettle cloth because of its ethical and sustainability credentials. The juice has long been used to make dyes too.

Get Involved this Be Nice to Nettles Week!
1. Create a nettle patch in your garden. Not only will it encourage aphid-eating ladybirds, you’ll also welcome a range of other insects and wildlife to your space. Gardeners will find that not only do these plants support wildlife, they also make a nutritious plant fertiliser which can inject your plot with life and help protect against diseases. http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/activities/nettlemanure.asp
2. Get experimental with nettles in your food. Pizza toppings, pie fillings, soups, stews, pesto…the list is only limited by your imagination! The River Cottage website http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/nettle-soup/ has some great ideas.
3. Do the BNTNW wildlife survey. Help workingwithwildlife keep a record of just how many lives these wondrous plants support by joining in with their survey here.
4. Check out the nettle as fibre revolution – the inspiring and amusing John Paul Flintoff describes the history and his own personal discoveries in this Youtube video.
5. Get yourself along to one of the Be Nice to Nettles Week events happening across the UK – find out what’s happening near you here.

If you have been following the news recently, you might have noticed the rather unsettling story about rat meat being sold as lamb in China&. In your horror, you may well recall that just a few short months ago, right here in the UK, it was discovered that products being sold as 100% beef were found to contain traces of horse and pig DNA. In some cases, it was found that up to 100% of the meat was, in fact, horse meat. Far from being over, the full scale of the issue has yet to be fully revealed with investigations continuing across most of Europe.

Whilst it may not be so terrible as rat meat, the British public were, understandably, horrified to discover the extent of the horse meat scandal. After all, they had been sold a packet of processed lies. Thought it was widely reported that products containing horse meat might also be contaminated with the equine analgesic Phenylbutazone, a small survey, funded by EU-funded project FoodRisC, found that the primary concerns of consumers centred around the claims made on packaging not matching the contents of the food products inside.

The biggest theme to emerge from the scandal was the disgust people felt at having tucked in to a bit of equine, rather than bovine, muscle tissue. Ethical qualms regarding the mislabelling of products and sale of pork products to Jewish and Muslim consumers aside, what makes horse meat such a taboo in the UK?

Behind the taboos
In many countries, including our European neighbour France, horse meat is consumed on a regular basis. Having lived in France during my university years, I frequently passed the horse section of the meat aisle in the local Carrefour. Other than noting how much brighter and redder the meat appeared, along with how much pricier it was, I didn’t linger for long. It wasn’t just my modest student budget holding me back from chowing down on a juicy horse steak, however. I just couldn’t bring my usually epicurious self to try it.

Clearly, there is nothing immediately appealing about cows, pigs or even chickens yet we consume the meat of these animals and more without much thought. Certainly, there is nothing at all appealing about the long list of additives in most of the processed foods found to contain horse meat, but it seems that we don’t give that much of our attention either. Perhaps, the most interesting thing to be highlighted by the horse meat scandal is how far removed the British public are from their food. It is easy to forget that we are consuming cow meat when it is served to us in chunks, steaks or even pre-packaged ready meals. We take the source for granted. Nobody, save for vegetarians, balks at the sight of rows of chicken carcasses in their local ASDA supermarket. Few even realise that most were once broilers living in cramped conditions with over 20,000 others. Mention horse meat and, suddenly, we’re conjuring images of Black Beauty cantering, majestic, around an open field.

The only real difference, it would appear, is social conditioning.

It might come as a surprise that the Food Standards Agency have failed the British public (though, the decision made by the coalition government to make large cuts within the FSA may well have played some small role in this) but it should come as no surprise that multinational companies, whose primary agenda is maximum profits, have failed to properly investigate the source of their products. The responsibility lies, in part, with the consumer.

The cost of cheap meat
Purchasing cheaper and cheaper meat products, whilst economically appealing, has some unappealing consequences. Manufacturers use cheaper cuts of meat, including organ meat, and, as per recent events, cut corners in order to bring the cheapest deals possible. Cutting costs, in business terms, means cutting services rather than profits. Ultimately, it means cutting quality.

Meanwhile, local butchers are often struggling to make ends meet. Customers who are used to purchasing value or processed meat products often find the price difference of sourcing local meat off-putting, in fact it is difficult for many average consumers to envision adding money onto their food bills just now. In times of economic struggle, the food bill is the easiest place to start making cuts but it can also be the most damaging. Cheaper foods are more likely to be processed which, long term, increases the risk of health problems. Choosing to shop with your local butcher, whilst it can be more expensive, has many advantages ranging from advice on cheaper cuts of meat to the occasional freebie. It is also an easy way to invest in your local economy, by supporting local business.

Taking Action
Whether you are a meat eater or not, making positive steps toward taking control of what you are eating is important for everyone. Many vegetarian and vegan foods are also highly processed.

A good place to start is by shopping local and eating seasonally. Beyond this – learning to cook from scratch is a great way to really reconnect with food and it doesn’t need to be difficult. A little preparation, and a little help from a slow cooker, can help to make cooking easy on even the busiest days and it can be incredibly rewarding. On top of the many health benefits, knowing the source of each ingredient in your food is a very satisfying feeling.

But, if you aren’t convinced that the added cost is worth it then you might at least want to give your local takeaway a miss. After recent allegations of dog meat curries, looking your four legged friend in the eyes might prove difficult.

However, a growing number of people are binning their boots and turning their backs on shoes for good. The benefits, they believe, are so worthwhile that they are going out to eat, doing their grocery shopping and even going to work (within reason) barefoot. While the Carrie Bradshaws amongst you will be squirming in your seats, the reasons for going barefoot are certainly compelling.

The basic premise of going barefoot is that it is optimal for healthy feet, even when shoes are comfortable and fitted correctly. Several studies have shown that shoe free societies suffer far less with bunions, deformities and foot pain. Likening shoes to a cast, Steven Robbins MD of Concordia University, Montreal explains that shoes hold “the bones of the foot so rigid that they can’t move fluidly”.

More interesting theories suggest that going barefoot grounds our bodies to the negative ionic charges of the earth, due to our high water volume. These negative Ions are associated with reduced stress levels, reduced levels of inflammation and can even be detoxifying. The best place to go in order to experience the full benefits of negative ionic charge is, reportedly, by the sea. Going barefoot on the grass has also been associated with a significant reduction in depression and anxiety.

Small wonder, then, that the barefoot movement is campaigning hard against its detractors. While it isn’t illegal to be barefoot in a public place, many find themselves facing controversy and requests to leave various establishments. Others have faced pressure from employers. Though being barefoot is not associated with any significant health risks to the barefoot person, other than injury, or to those around them, common misconceptions mean the battle for the right to go without shoes is on-going.

If you are interested in the benefits of being shoe free, but don’t wish to be full time there are many ways to approach being barefoot. Some people simply choose to take their shoes off more often at the park, on a nice walk or by the beach. Others also invest in special shoes, such as Vibram fivefingers, so that their feet remain flexible and they are less anxious about social situations. Young children and toddlers can also go without the typical “cruiser” and “walker” shoes and, instead, remain in soft soled leather shoes for a number of years. Ultimately, there is no right way to be barefoot, only what feels good and comfortable for you.

However, there are a few important things to remember: At first it can take a while for the soles of your feet to toughen up and you will be hyper sensitive to changes in temperature, texture and tiny lumps and bumps. You will also be watching every step you make, taking care to avoid broken glass, people in shoes and other hazards. With time, it will become much easier. Extreme temperatures, however, may require shoes.

For more information check out: http://www.barefooters.org

Founder, Mayella Reynolds, says; ‘The idea for Random Huggers Day originated when I was listening to LBC Radio one morning, 28th November 2003, when a comment that Nick Ferrari made caught my attention. He said “It seems you can find random terrorists on the streets – why don’t we find random huggers?” What a brilliant idea! It really tickled me to think of a group of people offering hugs in the streets of London. We can all do with a hug! So I contacted a few friends and we got together to create Random Huggers Day. It was really that simple.’

This year’s Random Huggers Day takes place on 18th May and on the website you can find details of events happening in the UK, or you can set up your own. One hugger had this to say about her experience: ‘The highlight of the day was an elderly gentleman who cried when I hugged him because he hadn’t been hugged in years and said I had made his day, so I hugged him again!’

These are Mayella’s top tips for the Random Hugging Procedure, check out the website for advice on how to set up your own event:

RANDOM HUGGING PROCEDURE

• Make sure you’re wearing your Random Huggers t-shirt and you have paired up.
• Smile! Make eye contact with a possible HUG target (a huggee!).
• Ask them: “Did you know it’s Random Huggers day today? and what we do on Random Huggers day is give away free hugs! would you like a free hug?”
• If they say yes, step forward and give them a hug.
• The hug lasts as long as the Huggee wants.
• When you have finished, give them a sticker and ask them to spread the hugs.
• If someone makes an unwanted gesture be firm and send them on their way. Don’t get into a drama about it, let it go and move on, there are plenty of other people in the world that want a hug.
• Enjoy your day of hugs.
• And don’t forget to Celebrate!
• When you’re done we would love some feedback on what happened. Stories, quotes, responses from the public, how many people you hugged (count the stickers you gave away) the media coverage you got and if you are keen to do the same again next year. (taken from www.randomhuggers.com)

“I really enjoyed ATE Superweek and would definitely LOVE to go there again. In the evenings we would all get cosy in the library and listen to stories and drink hot chocolate. Everyone there was really friendly and I made good friends. My monitor, aged 18 was a great friend too. We learnt some really cool songs and sang them in rounds. We did loads of indoor and outdoor games, we made dens in the woods and played in the stream. We made a flag for our dorm group and made a bright green cake! Our dorm was a really cosy space to hang out and one bed was a bunk bed (which I got to sleep in!). We painted our nails and made face packs from avocadoes. One day we went on a hike and we all got yummy packed lunches and spotted deer. We went to a village and brought sweets and stuff. Then we went to a swimming pool and had loads of fun there. The meals we had were heavenly! From jacket potatoes to sausages and beans – all were yummy and the great thing was we got to have pudding after both lunch and tea! I am a veggie and they served veggie meals too. We also had drinks and biscuits twice a day. I was put in a different dorm to my thirteen-year-old sister, which seemed a bit scary at first, but then I got to have more fun by myself. An ATE Superweek is full to the brim with giggles. I must have had at least ten can’t-stop-laughing moments! If your kids do go, I hope they have as much fun as I did!” Daisy, aged 11

“I had so much fun at the Easter Superweek. It was possibly the best week of my life! If you’re feeling like you really want to get away from your nagging parents for a bit, ATE is the solution. You have a really nice monitor, who sleeps in your dorm with you, shows you where everything is and plays games with you. You get to sing songs, go on walks, play sports, do group activities and games and generally have the best time of your life.” Jasmine, aged 13

Find out more: Check out the 2013 summer holiday programme for ATE Superweeks here
Read more about the focus for each week here and get more information about what these holiday experiences for 8-16 year olds offer here.

We love the article on creating a community garden from Alex Mitchell, which offers ideas for the best crops to grow in a shared space. Catherine Mack writes about her fabulous holiday at Echologia in France, an eco destination set in the middle of a lake! And creators of the gorgeous Green Kitchen blog share their delicious *gluten and dairy fre*e recipes for everyday eating.

We have lots of great giveaways including tickets to the best family festivals in 2013, a family holiday in Yorkshire, organic children’s clothing and lots of gorgeous beauty products for all the family.

In our family section we explore 10 ways in which we misunderstand our children, how to use massage to heal trauma and look at how baby wearing promotes growth.

Our craft section includes a simple sewing project to make toys for your children and a project for children and adults creating storage from recycled items.

Health and Beauty covers a guide to making your own deodorant, our pick of the best summer beauty buys and a guide to alternative menstrual products from cups to sponges.

In Seasonal Food you’ll find expert advice on vegetarian teens and what they need to ensure optimum health and the chance to meet a nutrition geek!

Find out how you can create a happy colourful home with our inspirational ideas from Charlotte Hedeman Gueniau and follow a garment through design to the shelf in our Ethical Fashion pages.

Want to read it? You can subscribe here, pop the code: onlinefreecurrent into the promotional box and we’ll send you this jam packed issue for free! Yay!

Homo Sapiens have inhabited the earth for approximately 50,000 years. However modern chairs only came into existence some 5000 or so years ago, during ancient Egyptian times, when they reserved for wealthier individuals. Clearly we managed without seating for a significant amount of time before the invention of the chair. But, what did we do before chairs? How did we ever get comfortable?

Before chairs, prehistoric humans would often lean on trees, rocks and walls when they needed to rest. As hunter-gatherers we were considerably more active than we are today, but we did still enjoy a good rest. More often than not, we would take to the floor and stretch out in various positions ranging from lying down, kneeling and sitting to squatting. These archetypal postures were, you might be surprised to learn, perfectly comfortable.

With the rise of the chair, however, came a multitude of ailments. Sitting in modern chairs, it has been suggested, is an entirely unnatural position for the human body and doing so for extended periods can have serious health implications. A report in The Daily Mail described one study by Professor Marc Hamilton of The University of Missouri, in which it was found that excessive sitting can be as bad for human health as smoking. Sitting for hours and hours each day is associated with a marked increase in the risk of becoming obese along with the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and DVT. Another study, conducted by The American College of Sports Medicine, also found that time spent sitting, independent of how much time the individual spent exercising or how healthy their diet was, correlated directly with an increased risk of mortality from all causes.

This alarming information is suggestive of the fact that we need to change the way we currently choose to rest our bodies. Whilst chairs may be unavoidable, largely due to the social implications of fully rejecting them (who wants to be the awkward person standing at their desk at work or the oddball sitting on the floor of the local cafe drinking tea with their friends?), there are many things we can do to limit chair time and to adopt more natural positions to support our bodies and boost our overall health.

KEEP MOVING Whilst it may be impossible to read on the go, there’s no reason you need to sit for every meal and snack.
WALKABOUT If you work in an office, take a break at least once per hour to go for a little walk. Maybe even do a few jumping jacks in the toilet…
SQUAT IT OUT Try to spend more time on the floor at home. Squatting, in particular, is incredibly good for us and our muscles. But, not just any old squatting. Check out this article for more information on how to squat properly.
STAY UPRIGHT Avoid reclining chairs/sofas.
POSTURE PERFECT Most importantly, wherever you choose to sit, be mindful of your posture. Don’t slump forward and always keep a straight back, chin up and strong shoulders.

‘A child needs love and attention, a hug is the nicest thing for a scared and lonely child.’ Clare Marshall, care leaver

Most parents know that the most important job in the world is not being a neuro-physicist, a brain surgeon or the president: the most important job in the world is raising children. This isn’t just a full-time job, it’s a 24/7 job full of highs and lows. Forget pay-rises and perks; raising children offers a lifetime of self-expansion, learning, challenges, love and extraordinary blessings. And the greatest reward is seeing our children grow and flourish in an environment of love and security.

OFFERING LOVE AND SECURITY
Imagine offering that gift of love and security to children who, for whatever reason, cannot live with their birth families. Becoming a foster carer for vulnerable children literally changes lives. A woman who works in my husband’s office, Diane, has fostered over 20 ‘troubled’ teenage boys alongside raising her own family. There have been times of despair and times of pure joy, but she says she has never looked back with regret. She recently told me about one of the boys she fostered who had been excluded from all local schools. Determined to help him, she took the day off work and sat in an office for over three hours, refusing to leave until she had secured him an apprenticeship. Where everyone else had given up on him, Diane sent the message loud and clear: I believe in you, and I will make sure others do too. She recently bumped into him in town; now an adult with a partner and child, he’d just finished an MA in Music. Not all of the boys she fostered went on to get university educations but they all went forward in life knowing that someone, somewhere believed in them and loved them: the greatest gift we can give another human being. She still has contact with every one of them, and seeing them grow into loving, mature adults, she says, has been a humbling experience. Beneath those ‘troubled young men’ were kids who just needed to feel loved, secure and appreciated.

FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT
Foster Care Fortnight is The Fostering Network’s annual recruitment campaign. Its aim is to get as many people thinking and talking about fostering as possible, and break down some of the myths around becoming a foster carer. This year, they are putting the stars of fostering – including celebrities, politicians and foster carers – in their online ‘picture frame’, to highlight the need for around 9,000 new carers across the UK to provide loving and supportive homes for some of our most vulnerable children. Supported by celebrities such as children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson, and celebrity baker Lorraine Pascale who was herself fostered, Foster Care Fortnight is a celebration of the difference fostering can make to a child’s life.

WHAT IS FOSTERING?
Fostering involves caring for a child in your own home when they are unable to live with their birth family. There are many different types of foster care: some children need a foster home for just a few days, until they return to their birth family or move on elsewhere, while others will need a family to care for them for many years. Helping children keep contact with their birth families is often an important part of a foster carer’s role. All foster carers receive a fostering allowance which covers the cost of caring for a fostered child. If you are approved to become a foster carer there are a various sources of on-going support available to you. The most important will be your supervising social worker, a member of the team allocated to support you from your fostering service, who should meet regularly with you to discuss any concerns you have, offer you supervision, and arrange any training you feel you need.

REAL LIFE STORIES
Elaine has been fostering with her husband Keith for 16 years, most recently looking after unaccompanied asylum seekers and teenagers:
“We find that when children come to us they have lost their confidence – their self-esteem, their identity. By the time they’ve been here for a while, and we’ve gone through a lot of listening and talking they move on to become more accepting of everything. They gain a role in life. They might pass exams and be absolutely thrilled. It’s fantastically satisfying for us to see that. When children move on it can be painful, but we have to deal with it by thinking it’s a job really well done.”

To find out more about fostering, including what foster carers do and the kinds of children who need fostering, visit the Fostering Network’s website. There are many inspiring stories, videos and blogs from foster carers and those who have been fostered – here are just a few:

Care leaver Yaacov Goldin writes about how his foster carers helped him achieve his dreams – you can also link to other short blogs about fostering from here

Foster carer Patricia shares what happened when she told her foster son ‘you can do anything’

Foster carer Jean talks about offering unconditional love to her foster child

Care leaver Kay Jay speaks about the importance of encouragement and respect in foster care

Single foster carer Jim Bond, who has fostered for 18 years, shares the privileges of fostering

Pearl, a foster carer whose mother also fostered, talks about the difference believing in a child makes to their life when they’re ready to give up

Celebrity baker and TV personality Lorraine Pascale writes about her own experiences of being fostered

If you suffer from dairy or gluten allergies or maybe even if you’re eating primal/paleo too, tune in to discover the culinary delights on offer each week.

My most recent discovery has been these scrummy chicken nuggets. There’s nothing quite so satisfying as tasty food that is actively good for you and, these nuggets are certainly that. With a blend of brain boosting healthy fats, proteins, body balancing potassium, heart healthy vitamin K and super healing manganese, these nuggets won’t leave you or the kids feeling sluggish or guilty for indulging in one too many!

What you need: – 500g of Chicken Mince – ½ tsp. of ground coriander – ½ tsp. of dried coriander – ¼ tsp. of ground ginger – 1 tsp. of coconut oil – Salt and Pepper – 1 tbsp. of coconut oil (for frying) – Coconut flour or Ground Almonds

What to do: – In a bowl, mix together the chicken mince, ground and dried coriander, ginger and coconut oil. Thoroughly combine the mixture and season with Salt and pepper. – Roll into nugget sized balls. – In a separate bowl, coat the nuggets with the coconut flour or ground almonds. – Warm the coconut oil in a frying pan and transfer the nuggets. – Fry until golden brown and completely cooked through.

Serve with sweet potato fries for an extra healthy edge!

What you need:
1 x Avocado
¼ Tin of coconut milk
1 tsp almond butter (any nut butter will do)
4 tablespoons of cocoa powder
4 tablespoons of honey (or either 4tbsp coconut sugar or 3 tbsp of agave syrup for vegans)

What to do:
Whip out your food processor
Peel, stone and mash the avocado
Throw all the ingredients in together (you may need to help it along a little by scraping the sides) and mix until smooth
Add a little water here and there if it becomes too thick
Pour into ramekins and leave in the fridge for 1-2 hours
Optional extra: Sprinkle with a little salt (choose Himalayan pink salt for optimal health) and grated dark chocolate (80%+)
Enjoy!
Serves: 3-4 children or 2 adults

According to a report in the New Indian Express, Kamlesh B Shende, FDA joint commissioner (drugs), said: “There were unacceptable levels of ethylene oxide, which is a trigger for cancer. Ethylene oxide was being used to bring down microbial load in the powder by sterilisation. But it was found that there was ethylene oxide residue in the talcum powder, which is primarily used on infants. In light of this, we have suspended the licence.”
Parents who regularly use Johnson & Johnson talcum powder have been offered assurances that only the 07-10 batch was affected and, therefore, have no cause for concern. However, parents who were using the product around that time are, understandably, anxious.

Johnson & Johnson are no stranger to controversy. As far back as 1982, in the USA, their, then bestselling product, paracetamol (Tylenol) claimed the lives of 7 individuals across the Chicago area. It was later revealed that they had been laced with cyanide. Despite a large scale recall and major improvements in product manufacturing and storage, another large scale recall was issued on a global scale just 3 years ago when 43 of their over-the-counter children’s medicines (including Tylenol), according to a Sky News report, were found to contain a “higher concentration of active ingredients” or exhibit other manufacturing defects.

What can parents do to minimise the risks to their children?
One of the best things a parent can do, particularly with children’s products, is to make the switch to a more natural or organic brand. While there is a slight price difference, the manufacturing of these products is done without the use of any harmful chemicals. Alternatively, many parents make their own.

Parents can also take care to use over-the-counter medicines in cases of emergency or serious discomfort only. Overuse of medicines has been associated with a long list of health complaints and product recalls, due to manufacturing errors, happen on a fairly regular basis.

If you’re looking to cut down on your grain consumption, this is a great little recipe to try out as it involves no breadcrumbs. Instead, strips of chicken breast are dipped in ground almonds and you’ll be amazed at how much tastier they are. Reassuringly, they don’t taste like almonds, either, if you happen to have a fussy eater.

Ingredients: – Chicken breast, cut into strips. – Ground Almonds – Dried Parsley – Salt (Himalayan Pink Salt is fantastic if you want to give these an extra health boosting edge) – Coconut oil or butter

Method: – Preheat your oven to 190 – Warm a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil or butter in a frying pan – Rub your chicken strips in the ground almonds, herbs and some salt and pop them in the frying pan until they begin to brown. – Transfer to a baking tray and pop into the oven for 20 minutes – Serve!

So, what makes these so healthy? The secret is, of course, in the almonds. Almonds are considered a superfood due to the many health benefits they offer. Packed with heart healthy fats, phytonurients and antioxidants, reducing the risk of heart disease. They are also rich in vitamin E, manganese and magnesium. Almonds boost brain activity, build strong bones and teeth and even help to stabilise blood sugar.
Enjoy!

If you’re counting calories and looking for something nutritious to satisfy your sweet tooth or simply longing for something other than your usual bowl of ice cream, these quick and simple desserts are for you. Ready in 30 minutes or less and full of healthy ingredients, these are your go-to weeknight desserts you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. They taste great and can be served to anyone without apology (and with high expectations of success). So enjoy every bite!

Try these five healthy dessert recipes for all the family (guilt free, nutritional and healthy):

*1. Healthy Dessert Recipe: Raw Cacao Truffles *
These super easy truffles will satisfy that late night chocolate craving without the excess sugar and empty calories of other desserts. This perfect blend of coconut and chocolate and cashew will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients:
• 5 tbsp of cacao powder
• 4 tbsp of coconut oil
• 4 tsp xylitol (natural sweetener from fruits)
• 1 ½ cup of any type of nuts or seeds (we use cashews)
Directions:
First you have to make the main part of truffle. To do so place cashews, coconut oil, xylitol, and cacao into food processor and pulse till batter holds together.
Grab a cookie scooper or spoon and scoop out your truffles. Roll each one in your hands to form a nice round shape.

2. Raw Chocolate Covered Goji Berries
This is perfect for when you are craving something sweet and chocolaty. Raw cacao is rich in magnesium, iron, and antioxidants. Goji berries are a complete source of protein and one of the most nutritionally-rich foods on the planet. These are a perfect after-school snack for kids!
Ingredients: – 1 cup of Goji Berries – 1 cup of Cacao Paste/Mass – 2 tsp Agave Syrup
Directions:
Melt Cacao Paste over very low heat, add agave syrup. Fill bowl with goji berries and mix thoroughly. Place into the freezer for approximately 10 minutes to set. Out of this world!!

3. Chocolate Cashew Butter Banana Dessert
This is our family Saturday Movie Night Dessert!
Ingredients:
3 bananas
1/3 cup cashew butter
1/2 cup of raw cacao paste/mass
1 T coconut oil
Directions:
Cut bananas in small pieces. Divide your cashew butter. Spread the cashew butter mixture over half of the banana slices.
Place the bananas in the freezer and freeze until firm.
When your bananas are all the way frozen, melt your cacao and coconut oil in a double boiler over low heat. (If you don’t have a double boiler, use a large skillet filled with some water and places a smaller pot inside the skillet on top of the water. Put your chocolate and oil in the smaller pot.) Stir until melted and smooth.
Dip each banana in the cacao and place on parchment paper. Place back in the freezer for a few minutes until chocolate is hardened and cold. Enjoy!

4. Raw Chocolate Brownies
This is for fudge and brownie lovers out there who want to enjoy their decadent squares and still respect themselves in the morning☺
Ingredients:
120 g (1 1/3 c) walnuts
100 g (2/3 c) almonds
2 tbsp hazelnuts
125 g (1 c) medjool dates, or pre-soaked dry dates
4 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp of coconut oil
Directions:
Pulse half of the walnuts in a blender until they are in small pieces, about the size of a pea. Transfer to a separate bowl and set aside.
Put the rest of the walnuts, the almonds and hazelnuts into the blender and pulse until finely ground.
Add dates, cocoa and coconut oil and pulse briefly until all is combined.
Add small walnut pieces back to mixture and mix with a spoon until well combined.
Press into a small square or rectangular dish with a flat spatula, until evenly spread. The brownies should be at least 1.5cm thick, so if your dish is large you can just use half of it.
Cover and chill in the freezer for 30minutes, then take out, cut up into small squares.

5. Super Healthy Chlorella & Banana Ice Cream (dairy free)
That mystery ingredient, of course, is banana! The smidgen of fat in bananas makes a magic trick when they are frozen and blended up. They turn creamy instead of crumbly, with a smooth texture any home ice cream chef would love to have in their frozen treats.
You can make it many different ways, experimenting with adding coconut milk, nut butters, avocado, chocolate powder, etc…
Ingredients:
makes 4 servings
3 peeled medium bananas, sliced into coins and frozen until solid
1 tsp of Chlorella Powder
½ teaspoons Agave Syrup
Directions:
Blend bananas in food processor until they are the consistency of soft serve ice cream. Blend in chlorella and agave syrup, and transfer to a freezer container and freeze until solid.

Stock up on superfoods at www.totalhealthnowshop.co.uk and check out the facebook page full of healthy wisdom, recipes and articles at www.facebook.com/TotalHealthNowLtd

There will be a dedicated children’s area, live music, stalls and food outlets, and more. This is a really friendly gathering, a great opportunity to spend a wonderful 4 days in a beautiful setting with some amazing people.

We have a family ticket to this years’ Gaunts House Summer Gathering to give to one lucky reader. This ticket will be for two adults (usually £135 each at full price), plus any number of children 12 yrs or under. (Any children over 12 yrs will not be included in the free ticket and will be charged). This family ticket includes the whole four day event, all workshops and camping. Food and drinks can be purchased on site.

Please see the Summer Gathering website for more information: www.gauntssummergathering.com.

For your chance to win simply tell us why you would love to win tickets to Gaunts House Summer Gathering on our Facebook page and we’ll pick a winner at midnight on 24th May.

Good luck!