After losing my leg to a police motorcycle in 1993, I was forced into a vegan diet to save my knee. A girlfriend who had recovered from breast cancer promised me that a vegan diet would help the infection that was rapidly spreading up my leg.

After many months in hospital because of re-occurring infection, I decided to give it a try. Two weeks later, having been taken off all antibiotics, I was cured. It sounds too good to be true but in fact, many illnesses can be cured, or at least slowed down from progressing, through a vegan diet.
You‘re probably thinking “Well I’m not ill, so what does it matter?” It matters because prevention is everything. Many cancers can be preventable.

Only five per cent of us are genetically pre-disposed to die of an illness. Most of the time, old age will kill us first if we live a balanced healthy lifestyle. When we consume excess amounts of meat and dairy, we up our chances of illness by 65 per cent. So much money is spent on curing cancer, yet scientists discovered years ago that if you minimise your meat and dairy intake, and maximise your fruit and vegetables intake, especially green vegetables, you may lengthen the lives of yourself and your family. (Referenced from: Campbell. T. The China Study, 2006).

A lot of people ask, what can a vegan eat? Well, the same as you: burgers, bacon, shrimp, chicken, cakes and so on. It’s just that these products are made from soya, wheat or mushroom. Some taste like cardboard, and others are amazing, such as the Redwood products, available in health food stores.

“Many illnesses can be cured, or at least slowed down from progressing, through a vegan diet”

You could start by trying to be vegan at least one day a week. Read food labels, as some products contain eggs, milk powder and so on. Eventually, you’ll become a pro and know exactly what you are eating.

Your energy levels will go through the roof and the only vitamin you will need on a balanced vegan diet is vitamin B complex. When it comes to milk try rice, soya, almond, hazelnut, quinoa, hemp, pea or numerous other milks. Dedicate one hour to scouring your local health food store – trust me, you’ll be enlightened.

Come down to VBites at Hove Lagoon on 4 July and try some healthy fast foods.
You will be amazed and comforted to find that you don’t have to give up great tastes to lead a healthier, animal-friendly, environmental lifestyle, at least one day a week.

We’re giving away a computer animated family film from Momentum Pictures this week. Unstable Fables: Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, out on 6 July, is a modern take on the well-known childrens’ tale.

In the updated version, Goldilocks (voiced by Jamie Lynn Spears) is a ditzy reality TV star who decides to film her new show in the humble home of the three porridge-eating bears, giving them them a slice of celebrity life, while she learns the importance of family.

To be in with a chance to win one of three copies of this DVD, just tell us:

What is the three bears’ favourite foodstuff?

To win, email: competitions@thelatest.co.uk with the name of the Competition in the subject box and your answer to the question in the body of the email. Alternatively, write to us at Competitions & Events, Latest 7/Latest Homes, Unit 1, Level 5 North, New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GH. Don’t forget to leave your name, address and telephone number. Closing date for entries: Monday 13 July.

Shiver me timbers! This week we’ve got a great prize for you pesky kids. We’re giving away a family ticket to see Scooby-Doo and the Pirate Ghost on stage at the Brighton Centre. Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred take their Mystery Machine to a tropical island.

It’s not all sun, sand and sea, however, as something is amiss. There are mysteries to solve and ghoulish goings-on to uncover as the Mystery Inc. gang encounter the Pirate Queen and her ghostly crew. Surprises, slapstick comedy and spookiness ensues while our heroes attempt to uncover the riddle of the Pirate Ghost.

To be in with a chance to win a family ticket to see Scooby-Doo and the pirate ghost – Live on stage, at the Brighton Centre, just tell us:

What is the name of Scooby-Doo’s owner and closest human companion?

To win, email: competitions@thelatest.co.uk with the name of the Competition in the subject box and your answer to the question in the body of the email. Alternatively, write to us at Competitions & Events, Latest 7/Latest Homes, Unit 1, Level 5 North, New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GH. Don’t forget to leave your name, address and telephone number. Closing date for entries: Monday 13 July.

ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 20)
Just when you thought it was safe to admit reading horoscopes I bring you angels – with resounding trumpets. For you Aries it is Malahidael, a nice enough chap.

TAURUS (Apr 21–May 21)
Taureans get Asmodel, a fallen angel and an all-round bad-lad by all accounts. As angels go you seem to have drawn a short straw this time, best not fret, just ignore it.

GEMINI (May 22–June 21)
Gemini’s angel is Ambriel and a far better sort for sure. Angel of communications and a gentle and loving guide who will act as your protector. How kind.

CANCER (June 22–July 22)
Cancerians are blessed by the angel Muriel. Well that is when she is not frying fish and chips with Roy at Bardsley’s. She will also put you in touch with your deepest feelings.

LEO (July 23–Aug 22)
Leos are looked after by Verchiel, generous of heart and nature and bringer of love and peace (cough) – sorry but I am starting to come over a bit queer, forgive me.

VIRGO (Aug 23–Sep 22)
Virgos have Hamaliel, the angel of logic. Now forgive me for being cynical but when did you last have a logical thought, Virgo? No, I thought so, maybe this angel stuff is a bit whacky.

LIBRA (Sep 23–Oct 22)
Librans are tended over by Zuriel who does his very best to keep you in harmony with all that is around you. Well good luck to him is all I have to say, rather him than me.

SCORPIO (Oct 23–Nov 21)
Scorpios have the good fortune to be represented by Barbiel, the seeker of truth and truths. How nice to have truth on one’s side at all times. I envy you Scorpio, I really do.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22–Dec 20)
Sagis appropriately get Advachiel, the autumn angel, the angel of humility. How nice to see that as one sinks into middle age, even you 18-year-old Sagis, Advachiel will keep you humble.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21–Jan 19)
Capricorns are looked after by Hanael. Now Hanael is supposed to have looked after the virgin Mary whilst she was pregnant. Just imagine if he had started the job sooner!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20–Feb 19)
Aquarians of course get Gabriel, the big cheese angel and one of the seven Archangels. A bit of a prophet and the strong arm of God, so probably not to be messed with.

PISCES (Feb 20–Mar 20)
Pisceans get Barchiel, the angel of Freemasonry. Now forgive me but the only pinny I want to be associated with is Roy’s at Bardsley’s when he is whipping up a vat of batter…

Ugly Betty
Channel 4 Wednesdays 10pm

Ugly Betty is back – hurrah – I had started to think it would never return to our screens, what with the writers’ strike delaying its original proposed starting time in October last year. There were also a number of rumours on the TV grape vine that the show would be cancelled all together – but never fear, it looks as if we will get to find out who Betty chooses after all. Henry or Gio?

At the very end of the second series, we saw Henry propose to Betty and ask her to move across the country to be with him, while Gio also made his move and invited Betty to Italy for a romantic holiday. The final scene saw Betty packing her suitcase and heading out of the front door.

So the second series has a lot of loose ends to tie up – I only hope it doesn’t do that annoying thing of jumping forward in time too much, leaving you feeling like you have missed a few episodes. It seems the world wants Betty to be with Gio, but I have to admit to having preferred Henry the entire time.

For anyone who hasn’t seen Ugly Betty, this is what you need to know: Ugly Betty is a series about a girl from Queens who gets a job at a big fancy fashion magazine called Mode. She was offered the job by the owner of the company as he thought that hiring someone who looked like the opposite of a model would stop his son, Daniel, the editor of Mode, from sleeping with his assistant. Daniel hated Betty to start with but throughout the two series, they have become firm friends.

It would be hard to describe Ugly Betty completely, because half the time you can’t believe you are so engrossed in such ridiculous story lines, but it works. There must be something to the tale of a boy who turned into a really hot girl, a woman poisoned by her husband‘s mistress, only for it to backfire with the wife killing the mistress instead, a secret sex room, mega wardrobes, stealing sperm from dead fiancés… Sounds like I just described Footballer’s Wives!

The key to enjoying Ugly Betty is not to take it too seriously – it is supposed to be a comedy drama after all. I have to say that I was slightly surprised by the fact that it will be screened on Wednesdays and at 10pm – apparently ratings fell quite badly during the second series so they don’t want to put it back in prime time. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts!

• Brighton v Walsall 3pm Saturday 8 August
Well it’s about time the Albion kicked off a season at home with the boys looking for revenge after the humiliating 0-1 home loss against Walsall’s nine men in this fixture last season.

• Millwall v Brighton 7.45pm Friday 28 August
This game has been moved forward a day to the Friday evening after a police request. Let’s hope the Albion can steal the points again after Adam Virgo’s header clinched it for the Albion last season.

• Yeovil v Brighton 3pm Saturday 10 October
Russell Slade revisits his old team hoping for a second win at Yeovil since becoming Albion manager.

• Southampton v Brighton 3pm Saturday 14 November
The first game in a sequence the Albion will face against the big guns with this trip along the coast to former Premiership contenders.

• Brighton v Leeds 3pm Saturday 21 November
Leeds will be one of the bookies‘ favourites to win promotion, for the third year in a row! Let’s hope the Albion will be up there too.

• Norwich v Brighton 7.45pm Tuesday 24 November
Then it‘s off to the East Country to play yet another fallen star from the Premiership.

• Brighton v Charlton 7.45pm Tuesday 1 December
And another one a week later…

• Brighton v Leyton Orient 3pm Saturday 26 December
There’s nothing like a decent home Boxing Day fixture to wash down all those dry turkey sandwiches, especially against one of the Albion’s historic rivals.

• Brighton v Millwall 3pm Saturday 30 January
The 4-1 Albion victory in this fixture last year was their best of all last season. Let’s hope they can see out 2009 with a repeat performance.

• Leeds v Brighton 3pm Saturday 20 February
There’s nothing like playing in the bigger stadiums to help raise players‘ spirits. And they don’t get much bigger than Elland Road in League One.

• Brighton v Yeovil 3pm Saturday 8 May
It doesn’t get sweeter than a plumb home tie against the manager’s former team on the last day of the season. What a stage for a grand finale? You couldn’t have made it up.
Please note, these matches are correct at time of press but may be rescheduled.

This week, Latest 7 have teamed up with Drusillas to give away four great family days out. We’ll be handing out four separate family tickets to Drusillas Park; the ideal place to occupy your little monkeys during the school holidays. Each family ticket allows four people free entry.

Drusillas offers an opportunity to get nose to nose with nature, with hundreds of exotic animals to see, from monkeys and crocodiles to penguins and meerkats. Don’t miss the two new Fennec Foxes or some close encounters in Lemurland. You can also watch many of the animals being fed during the day at the Keeper Talks, such as the penguins at 11.30am and 4.00pm daily.

However, animals are only half the fun! The new state-of-the-art attraction, Go Wild! combines a multi-levelled labyrinth of adventure play, jam-packed with oodles of sliding, jumping and climbing activities. Young adventurers can enjoy an African theme as well as a colourful medley of fun equipment and imaginative play.

Plus there are all the old favourites too. The indoor soft play complex, Amazon Adventure, is the perfect place to hang out come rain or shine and Thomas the Tank Engine offers a train service 362 days a year.

There’s also Jungle Adventure Golf, Panning for Gold, Explorers’ Lagoon paddling pool and an interesting and varied event diary that runs throughout the year.

For further information call 01323 874100 or visit the website: www.drusillas.co.uk

The Question:
To be in with a chance to win one of our four family day tickets, just tell us: What is Drusillas new state-of-the-art attraction called?

To win, email: competitions@thelatest.co.uk with ‘Drusillas’ in the subject box and your answer to the question in the body of the email. Alternatively, write to us at the address at the front of the magazine. Don’t forget to leave your name, address and telephone number. Closing date for entries: Monday 13 July. Please note, each family ticket allows four people to enter the Park and can be made up of any combination of adults and children.

The cast of Dolly will be kicking up dust at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre on Friday 10 July when the singers, dancers and superb musicians unite to celebrate the career of award-winning country music legend, Dolly Parton.

Led by acclaimed singer Jeanne Jordan, the show will take you on a musical journey through Dolly’s early days in the Appalachian Mountains to her arena-filling concerts of today. Jeanne will be joined in the spotlight by Emily Clark, best known for her role as Pandora Rosie Honeybox in Vampires Rock and will portray Dolly through her younger years. Jeanne’s husband BJ Thomas, an acclaimed country musician in his own right, will be taking the role of Kenny Rogers for songs such as ‘Islands In The Stream‘, while their son Luke Thomas, who has just been made an official guitar endorsee for Vintage, plays lead guitar.

Produced by Rockman Music, the team behind stage extravaganzas such as Vampires Rock, Dolly never fails to entertain as it showcases the glamorous life and times of Country legend Dolly Parton. Featuring a cast of singers, dancers and top musicians, the live six-piece band comprises some of the UK’s top Country musicians.

Packed with all of Dolly’s hits, such as ‘9 to 5’, ‘I Will Always Love You‘, ‘Jolene‘, ‘Here You Come Again‘, ‘Coat of Many Colors‘ and many more, the show is filled with Dolly’s trademark exuberance, fun and humour. You don’t need to go to Nashville to get your cowboy boots tapping – a night with the Dolly show ensures an evening with more sparkle than Dolly’s rhinestones!

Dolly, Friday 10 July at 7.45 pm
Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3PX
Tickets: £17.50 (concessions £2.00 off)
Box Office: In person at the Connaught and Pavilion theatres
Telephone on: 01903 206206. Visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati star in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies

Take one huge hit sitcom, place on a stage in a world premiere national tour starring Andrew Dunn (Tony) and Shobna Gulati (Anita) from the original cast, blend in Victoria Wood’s writing – undoubtedly some of the funniest on television, and whip into a play based on the second TV series, following the reluctant love story of Bren and Tony, egged on by Dolly, Jean, Twinkle and Anita. Mix in caretaker Stan’s words of wisdom and coat with regular appearances by Phillippa from Human Resources and Petula, Bren’s dreadful mother, and you have a recipe for madness, mirth and twelve rounds of toast!

For the very first time, Victoria Wood’s hit BBC TV sitcom Dinnerladies comes to the stage as part of a major national tour.

The show, which initially ran for two series from 1998 to 2000, was voted 9th in the all-time list of favourite sitcoms, a remarkable feat for a programme where only 16 episodes were ever made.

Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati are best-known from their roles in Coronation Street, Shobna having played Sunita Alahan for six years and Andrew having recently finished playing the role of Janice’s love interest Roger Stiles.

Apart from the opportunity to experience some of Victoria Wood’s funniest writing, Dinnerladies is the perfect feel-good show.

Dinnerladies, Theatre Royal, Brighton New Road, Mon 6 – Sat 11 July.
Eves 7.45pm, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm. Box Office 08448 717 650 (bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton

I know it’s not long since I was waxing lyrical about the joys of Terre á Terre but I find myself there again in mind, body and in print. You can call it favouritism if you wish, I really don’t care. They are genuinely favourites of mine and right now they are doing so much to create great food that is also affordable they deserve yet another pat on the back, or should I say standing ovation.

Their Credit Crunch Munch menu was inspired, delicious and cheap as chips. Now they have Plot to Plate in celebration of National Gardens Week. Mr L and I were off to see Anthony and the Johnsons and decided that we would dine first and Terre á Terre was the place to be.

Already busy at 6.45pm, we were shown to a table and offered the new short menu which comprises three courses for a sensible £13.99. There were two courses at every stage so we just said bring the lot and we will decide on arrival.

Our first glass of wine was delicious but hefty, a lovely oily mouth-feel and a hint of petrol too. I liked it, but would not want more than one glass and after we settled on a bottle of a much lighter white.

“Custard wrapped in filo then deep fried had me whimpering with delight”

I returned a week later for a wine tasting of English sparkling wines that was both entertaining and informative. Out of a good selection I was pleased to say that Breaky Bottom still hits all the right notes, as it has been doing for some years. We tried three, the final one being a Kir Royal which the owner balances himself using blackcurrant liqueur grown and made at the Breaky Bottom estate. An English red was met with far less enthusiasm, heavy in price and light in body, flavour and length. We almost all felt that English reds are for now a bit unsound and that the ‘Terre’ could be put to more profitable and enjoyable use making good whites and fizz.

The wine events are thoroughly enjoyable, educational, inexpensive and there is no meanness either – I hate tasting thimbles of wine – here they pour a decent slosh for you to swirl, snort and swallow. I refuse to spit, my mum would hate that. There are also plenty of tasty nibble too to whet your thirst.

Back to our Plot to Table dinner. I grabbed the potato latkes with cheese and beets, a fabulous dish of contrasting colours and flavours and a big dish too, very satisfying indeed. I loved a frozen horseradish cream and an apple crisp on top. Mr L had the peashooter with flax crackers and lemon thyme cream. He loved it but I felt for him as it looked small compared to my plate. He explained that size was not everything.

Next he chose the five-a-day bruschetta which really hit the spot with a mountain of tasty and crunchy raw vegetables that put a genuine smile on his face. I was equally enamoured with a pasta dish basking in a creamy new season garlic sauce and tempura wild garlic atop.

Puds were epic; a rhubarb and rosehip sorbet, rhubarb compote, custard wrapped in filo then deep fried had me whimpering with delight whilst Mr L went silent as he he devoured gooseberries in ice cream form with digestive biscuits and elder flower syrup.

Once again corr, yummy, how do they do it? Simply delicious food that looks good and tastes great too. And satisfying in almost every sense, I never ever leave hungry but also leave wanting more. There is a book in the making and I can’t wait to see it but for now get down there and feast on these extraordinary price-beating menus while they last.

Terre à Terre, The Vegetarian Restaurant, 71 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HQ, 01273 729051 www.terreaterre.co.uk