BUBBLING LIFE

The weather has conspired to put us all in a truly bright Easter mood. And as the flowers are really showing their colours, it's time for some Easter Fizz!

70% of your immunity (and some scientists argue more than that) is in your gut. So it's one of those simple things really: what you put in your mouth affects how healthy your immune system is by at least 3/4. How many other things do you do in your day-to-day that can have  such a huge impact on your well being?

Becoming choosy with what you put down the cake hole is a good start. And here's the big question: what's good, what's bad, what's best? From vegani...

Fermentation revivalists don't come any better than this!

Golden Milk is one of the most comforting and altogether satisfying drinks I know; and healthy to boot. An ancient recipe made with turmeric and other spices.

One of the most tactile fruit on the planet, avocado is a staple in our home.

I could go on and on about how mouthwateringly delicious its creamy flesh can be or how it enhances every meal, but to be honest, it's not what you came here for. You want some quick, easy, lazy ideas what to do with avocado, so here goes:

1. Just cut it in half and eat it alongside a scrambled or poached egg with a drizzle of garlic and chilli oil and a sprinkle of grey salt, for...

If that's not an off-putting remark, I don't know what is... And coming from my gourmet-conscious youngest daughter who has VERY strong opinions about most things, it was a killer. And it was about my first ever batch of sauerkraut.

You can then say that my first foray into making fermented vegetables was anything but bubbly - and it was certainly not received well by my brood. And to be fair, sauerkraut does smell in the making. I have heard it being desc...

Spinach brings iron and Popeye to mind (well, for some of us at least!). But did you know there is such a thing as 'perpetual spinach'? It's a fascinating plant which isn't actually spinach as such, but more related to chard. Still, it tastes like spinach, if a bit earthier and it is one of the most rewarding plants to grow in your square foot garden or your allotment: it's the gift that keeps giving for around 9 months out of the gardening year! And as I a...

Why? I hear you ask. Why on earth should vegetables come first?

Well because they are pretty, for a start. They are a feast for the senses. The majority of veggies and fruit look GORGEOUS, feel lovely to the touch and taste DIVINE (OK, kale doesn't unless made into kale chips with LOTS of grey salt - there I said it). Can you tell I'm not a massive kale fan?

Kale rant over, my next reason for putting veggies first is that most veggies need very little prepara...