Six low carb veg-swaps for summer

Posted on 8th June 202027th March 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t subscribe to the ultra-low-carb fad. Yes, I don’t eat loads of carbs and I avoid heavily processed, nutrient depleted carbs wherever possible, but wholegrains, pulses and more have heaps of health benefits.

In the summer, though, a heavy plate of wholemeal pasta or brown rice doesn’t have the same appeal as on a cold winter’s evening.

When the weather heats up I like to get my carbs and fibre from loads of the abundant veg that summer brings – vegetables are a great source of carbs as well as vitamins and other nutrients. Here are my favourite veg-swaps for summer…

Cauliflower rice

A veg packed Thai curry can be light enough for summer but a filling meal too. If a plate of brown rice is too much alongside though, try cauliflower rice. Simply grate fresh cauliflower and steam for a few minutes on the hob or microwave, ready to soak up the sauce of your curry or whatever else you fancy. I keep a bag of grated cauliflower in the freezer, ready to go in minutes. We love the sound of this cashew ginger stir fry with coconut cauliflower rice from @ambitiouskitchen.

Courgette spaghetti

Spiralised veg is all the rage – but many fads come and go. For me, though, this is one that’s here to stay. When the summer courgette glut hits they are a great, light alternative to pasta. If you don’t have a spiralizer to make those appealing twirls you can try a sharp knife or mandolin… but a decent spiralizer makes it temptingly easy. And you can use it to make your salads more special too. @alexskitchenstory has a great recipe for courgetti, paired with chicken, halloumi and pesto.

Aubergine lasagne

Whilst we are on the subject of pasta swaps, I love aubergine. A great hearty veg, already popular as a stand-in for meat, it also works well as a substitute for pasta sheets in lasagne. Not as quick and easy as other dishes, but makes a good filling meal and comes packed full of a wide range of nutrients and anti-oxidants. Delish.com have a great version over on their website.

Lettuce wraps

For a light lunch or quick snack, replace a tortilla wrap with a large lettuce leaf such as Romaine or Cos varieties and pack with whatever filling you fancy. I prefer this crispier version to a soggy corn or wheat flour wrap any day! @Forkinthekitchen has a mouth-watering recipe for spicy teriyaki cauliflower lettuce wraps.

Kale crisps

Another popular trick that has made it on to my keep list. Rip up a few kale leaves, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper or a dusting of paprika and spread on a baking tray. Cook in a hot oven for just a few minutes (watch carefully to avoid burning) and you have a great substitute for potato crisps. Works well with parsnips, carrots and similar starchy veg too – and you can make it less oily and salty than many of the shop-bought versions. @eathappyfeelgood has some great tips.

Mushroom burgers

Like aubergines, mushrooms give great body and flavour to veggie dishes – and mushroom based, meat-free burgers are well known. But what if you love a fresh beef burger but don’t want the stodgy bun? A couple of portobello mushroom caps can serve just as well as bread substitutes. A touch of oil and grill or roast for a few minutes whilst you cook your beef, and you have your quarter pounder with ease. Accompany with parsnip crisps or sweet potato fries plus a crisp side-salad for a veg-tastic meal! Check out these delicious looking Guilt-Free Portobello Bun Burgers from Ruled.me.

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

The Healing Powers of Green for your Mental Health

Posted on 18th May 202027th March 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

We know that green is good as far as the planet is concerned. And plenty of green in our diet is good for our nutrition. But did you know how ‘going green’ can be good for your mental health too?

One of the few positives to come out of this terrible pandemic is that more people are getting outdoors in their allocated exercise slot. Whilst home workouts have become incredibly popular, the weather has allowed loads of us to escape the claustrophobia of lockdown by heading outside. But, there’s more to it than simply a brief respite from the house and family!

Loads of research has confirmed the restorative and calming effect of nature. Whether it’s the fresh air, sun on our face and the resultant vitamin D boost or just a sense of peace and an appreciation of the beauty of the world around us is difficult to say. But who doesn’t feel better after a walk in the park (even if you had to force yourself out of the door in the first place)?!

Even just being able to look out at a green space can improve the recovery of hospital patients and reduce anxiety in those with dementia.

And a recent large study from the Netherlands showed that exposure to green space in childhood led to a 55% reduction in risk for various mental illnesses later in life – even when accounting for other related factors.

Living walls are now a popular feature in forward-thinking companies who value the wellbeing of their staff…. but it doesn’t have to be that extreme. A study from Australia showed that staff who had plants placed in their offices showed reductions in stress and negativity of 30 to 60%, and other studies have shown that kids in schoolrooms respond favourably too.

So, think of ways to ‘green’ your own environment. Just a simple pot-plant is a start and you may want to involve kids in caring for their own plants to improve their mood and sense of responsibility too. Make sure you ‘green’ your exercise by incorporating outdoor activities wherever possible. And incorporating social distancing practices whilst we get back to work, could involve ‘greening’ your meetings with colleagues by walking and talking in the fresh air rather than cramped in the office.

Try to ‘green’ your relaxation time with friends and family too so that everyone benefits from all of the mental and physical benefits that the great outdoors can bring.

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

Eat Drink Green

Posted on 18th May 202026th October 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

Going green is good for the planet, for sure. And, at Vavista we want to make sure that we do our bit to help reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability. But we are also passionate about improving our health and wellbeing.

Upping the greens is a great way to do that – virtually anything green that is safe to eat or drink has health benefits!

Here are a few of our favourite ways to boost nutrition by going green.

Green smoothie

A green smoothie is an ideal way to get your nutrients in – but we need it to taste good too. Avocado adds a wonderful, luxurious feel to a smoothie, and a kiwi or similar fruit gives it the sweetness. Then you can just add in lots of green veg to really up the nutrient quota. Try this one….

Photo Credit- @mynewroots

Ginger mint pear smoothie from @mynewroots

Green breakfast

Start the day as you mean to go on. If you want more than a smoothie, avoid the sugary cereal and try avocado for breakfast. Healthy fats found in avocados, especially when paired with good sources of protein like smoked salmon, eggs or veggie equivalents will keep you full until lunchtime without snacking. If you can’t do without your morning carbs, try these great avocado toast recipes for inspiration…or use them as ideas for a packed lunch to take to work.

Photo Credit- loveandlemons.com

Avocado toasts from www.loveandlemons.com

Green main

A filling main meal also prevents the mid-afternoon or evening snacking. Eating a large meal late at night – particularly a spicy one – can interfere with sleep quality so try to stop eating at least 2 hours before bed, preferably more. This Thai green curry is easy to make and delicious, thanks to the creamy coconut milk and fresh flavours. What’s more, you can use pretty much any veg you have lying around! It’s vegan, but feel free to add in chicken, prawns or whatever you like.

Photo Credit- lazycatkitchen.com

Thai green curry from www.lazycatkitchen.com

Green ice-cream

Green tea contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals and polyphenols – mainly catechins, and has been linked to numerous improvements to heart and brain health and more. It’s a great alternative to fizzy, sugary drinks – but don’t stop at drinking it. You can also use green tea (or its powdered form matcha) in all sorts of recipes like this delicious ice-cream.

Photo Credit- thespruceeats.com

Green tea matcha ice-cream from thespruceeats.com

Green dessert

And this recipe with matcha can double up as a breakfast option too. Chia seeds are a great source of fibre, protein and other nutrients and give a thick consistency to recipes, when made a few hours ahead of time, so you can put this together the night before if you want to get the day off to a great start, rather than a delicious finish.

Photo Credit- @kalememaybe

Matcha Chia Seed Pudding with Raspberries and Salted Coconut Cream from @kalememaybe

Green snacks

Whilst it’s good to avoid grazing, if you need a snack then make it a healthier one. Try our easy kale crisps or some raw veg crudités like celery sticks, broccoli florets or similar dipped in a bowl of fibre-filled green hummus. Or, to satisfy a sweet and salty craving, try some apple slices with nut butter (homemade, or buy a good one with no added extras like my favourite Whole Earth brand).

Will planting trees save the planet?

Posted on 21st April 20209th November 2023 by Jack Chesser

There’s so much in the news about the importance of saving the planet that it can seem completely overwhelming!

We know how busy everyday life is, and not everyone has the time to look into all the available options to help the environment, so we’ve decided to help. In this post, we ask, “will planting trees save the planet?” and give you a quick explanation of one of the options you probably hear mentioned the most.

You may remember the process of photosynthesis from back in your school days

Trees take sunlight and carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert them to glucose and oxygen. In this process, carbon is taken from the atmosphere and stored within the plant. By storing carbon in this way, trees are known as carbon sinks. But how big an impact do forests have on global CO2 levels in the atmosphere?

Put simply, the positive impact of tree planting on the environment is huge, providing it is done in the right way. When planting trees, it is really important to make sure that you plant a variety of native species. This increases the likelihood of these trees surviving. Additionally, it will provide a habitat for local wildlife. Certain tree planting projects also empower local communities by employing them to plant and protect the trees. Vavista is happy to be involved in projects just like these. We are proud partners of Eden Reforestation Projects, making a positive environmental impact whilst supporting local communities.

When done correctly, tree planting is a very effective way of removing carbon from the atmosphere

Conservative estimates suggest that approximately 8.4 tonnes of CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere every year. For each hectare of forest planted, with the figure being as high as 28 tonnes in some cases. Considering there is the potential to plant 900 million hectares of forest globally, this can lead to a huge amount of carbon being removed from the atmosphere.

But is this enough?

The short answer is ‘Not quite’. Whilst tree planting is great at removing carbon from the atmosphere, the best solution is to stop the carbon getting to the atmosphere at all! Whilst big companies have the biggest impact, and with it the biggest responsibility, the importance of the public cannot be underestimated. Every single decision you make may result in a small amount less CO2 being emitted from the atmosphere, and therefore fewer trees that need to be planted to compensate for it! If you need help on how to reduce your environmental footprint, why not check out our other blog posts here.

Sources:

Bastin, J. F. et al., The global tree restoration potential. Science 365, 76-79 (2019)

Veldman, J et al., Comment on “The global tree restoration potential”. Science 366, 1-3 (2019)

We plant a tree for every policy we sell. Get a quote today!

E-Bikes on the increase

Posted on 20th April 202016th March 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

Cycling has seen a massive surge in popularity since the Team GB made its mark in the velodrome and on the road. But whilst the roads on a sunny Sunday seem to be teeming with lycra-clad cyclists, there are many more of us who get no further than watching it on TV.

Let’s face it, it can be a bit daunting, especially if we haven’t been on a bike since school days. And then, the thought of trying to struggle up those hills is enough to send us heading back to the sofa. We have enough uphill struggles in our day to day life without adding to them in our leisure time!

But things are changing. Electric bike sales have risen from 5% of the UK bike market in 2015 to 12% in 2016. Apparently, Halfords called 2017 the “year of the e-bike” after seeing a 220% increase in sales.

But are e-bikes ‘cheating’?
If you are a seasoned cyclist then using electric power instead of your muscles may seem like a bit of a cop-out. But if you are using an e-bike to do something that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, then it’s not cheating at all – it’s a positive step. E-bikes can help get older or less fit people cycling. They can make it possible to commute to work by bike, when previously the distance or the hills would have made it impractical. Apparently, e-bikes have the potential to double cycling commuting distance in the UK.

Plus, if you have disabilities or injuries, an e-bike can make cycling possible.

What’s more, it makes cycling more sociable as it means people of different abilities can cycle together. No more arguing between fit and less fit partners. Grandparents can cycle with children. Friends of all levels of fitness can ride together. E-bikes close the gap.

Are there actually health benefits?
If you want a bike to get fitter there is no reason why you can’t choose an E-bike. In fact, they can be a good choice if you are not yet confident about your fitness levels.

How can using a motor, to reduce the amount of energy you put into your cycling, make you fitter? In fact, a lot of research is showing that electric bikes do improve fitness. They encourage people to jump on the bike more often and may increase the distance they travel when compared to normal bike use. You’ll be more likely to take on challenging rides too because you’ll know help is at hand if you need it.

More frequent and longer journeys make up for the lower energy expended thanks to the motor. A recent study of 20 sedentary people showed that 4 weeks of trialling an e-bike resulted in an average of over 300km and 16 hours of cycling that led to better blood sugar control, improved power and a tendency to fat loss.

With e-bikes being a lot heavier than conventional bikes, the effort required when you are pedalling and the increased difficulty manoeuvring it will ensure you still get a workout. Electric bike users also demonstrate that they can achieve the same increase in heart rate from riding an e-bike as they do from a conventional bike – but they are covering a greater distance.

You can choose to use the pedal assistance more often while you get back in to cycling, and then reduce it as you get fitter!

Finally, without the head-down, maximum effort of pedalling a conventional bike, you can enjoy the scenery and get a mental boost too.

What about other benefits?
Saves money
When compared to car commuting, e-bikes are a lot cheaper – costing just 0.4 pence per mile compared to 34 pence per mile of the average car. Of course, they are more pricey than conventional bikes – plus the cost of replacement batteries, servicing and increased tyre wear. However, a recent survey of 2,000 commuters commissioned by Evans Cycles estimated that by switching from car, bus, tube or train to e-bikes, commuters could save almost £8,000 over five years.

Environmentally friendly

OK – not compared to standard bikes, as making and disposing of batteries can be very polluting. Plus, the electricity has to come from somewhere – ideally solar panels or wind turbine but could be a coal plant! However, if an e-bike means you use it for commuting and leave the car at home, then the environment will win. E-bike trials have shown a reduction of 20% of car miles during the study period. The European Cyclists’ Federation found that electric bikes emitted less than 10% of the CO2 that a car produces per passenger, per kilometre, helping to protect the planet. And the air pollution from fumes that is affecting our breathing will be improved too.

Is there a risk to e-bikes?
Any cycling comes with a bit of risk, whether from accidents or breathing polluted air – though studies have shown that the risk is generally outweighed by the health benefits. The risk from e-bikes could potentially be a little higher. Why? People that buy e-bikes tend to be older or perhaps less confident in their abilities. E-bikes go faster, meaning greater potential for injury, but the increased speed may confuse other road users who are expecting a slower approach. E-bikes may be more likely to be used for commuting than leisure, with greater exposure to busy traffic. However, it is possible that some of these risks could be countered by the fact that an e-bike is better able to pull away from traffic where needed. More studies are required but, clearly, attention to safety measures such as helmet use, high visibility, avoiding adverse weather conditions, caution when approaching other road-users and more will keep risk to a minimum.

Feeling interested?
We spoke to Karl Haden, e-bike expert at The Electric Bike Shop, who told us of a few more misconceptions about e-bikes…they’re not as expensive or as heavy as you think, they are low maintenance and can go further than you might imagine. We’ve teamed up with The Electric Bike Shop to offer all Vavista website visitors a huge offer of £100 of equipment with all bike purchases. Check it out here.

So, if you are tempted by cycling but are put-off by poor fitness, long commutes or health issues then why not consider an e-bike? You don’t have to wear lycra, but you can wear a big smile, knowing that you are getting some great health benefits as well as a boost up the hills!

3 Healthy Fish Recipes for Spring

Posted on 9th April 202023rd August 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

If you’re looking for some healthy dinner inspiration, we’re sharing 3 healthy fish recipes for Spring.

Fish Pie

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
400g potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
1 leek, finely sliced
2 rounded tablespoon butter
2 heaped tablespoon flour
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon dried English mustard or 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
600 ml semi skimmed milk
1 bay leaf
500g mixed fish fillets (such as salmon, smoked haddock, coley, and pollack)
2 tablespoons chopped dill
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
50g grated Cheddar cheese

Recipe:

1. To make the topping place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 5-10 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside to cool.

2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan stir in the leeks and cook for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften. Sprinkle in the flour, cayenne pepper, nutmeg and mustard and cook for 1-2 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the milk, add the bay leaf. Cook, stirring all the time, over a gentle heat until the sauce has thickened. Leave to cool.

4. Skin and pin bone the fish fillets and slice the fillets into chunks.

5. Remove the bayleaf and stir the prepared fish, dill and parsley into the cooled sauce. Season with salt and pepper and spoon into a large shallow oven proof dish.

6. Cover the fish mixture with the cooked potatoes and sprinkle over the cheese.

7. Place the dish on a baking sheet in a preheated oven 200°C/Gas Mark 6 and cook for 30minutes, until topping is golden brown and centre of the dish is piping hot.

Try this with a mixture of fish and shellfish, or add chopped hard boiled eggs. For the topping try a mixture of mashed root vegetables – potatoes, parsnip and carrot.

Kedgeree

Serves 6

Ingredients:

350g basmati rice
½ teaspoon turmeric
350g smoked fish, such pollack or haddock, skinned
300ml milk
75g butter
2 teaspoons medium curry powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 2 teaspoons grated fresh root ginger
1-2 red chillies (depending on taste), seeded and chopped
2 bunches of spring onions, finely sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe:

Cook the basmati in boiling salted water with the turmeric for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain and leave in a colander for a few minutes.
Cut the fish into 4cm pieces and put them in a large saucepan. Pour over the milk and add enough cold water to cover the fish. Bring slowly to the boil, reduce the heat and poach for 3-4 minutes or until the fish is cooked and opaque. Drain away the liquid and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan or casserole and add the curry powder, ginger, chillies and spring onion. Stir over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are quite soft.
Add the drained cooked rice and stir together until the whole is well mixed. Gently fork in the cooked fish, taking care not to break it up too much.
Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve immediately.

Roast salmon fillet with ginger and chilli dressing

Serves 4

Ingredients:

750g/1½lb salmon fillet – unskinned and pin-boned
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the dressing

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
grated zest and juice of 2 limes
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons root ginger – grated
1 teaspoon honey
2 red chillies – seeded and finely chopped
a handful of coriander – chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe:

1. Heat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas mark 6.

2. Put the salmon onto a large oiled baking sheet, skin side down.

3. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the fish is opaque and will flake if gently pressed.

4. Mix together the dressing ingredients and season to taste.

To serve: remove the fish from the oven, lift onto a serving dish and spoon over the dressing. Serve with rice or noodles.

Loving these 3 Healthy Fish Recipes for Spring? Then check out some free ingredients you can find right on your doorstep in the UK with our guide to foraging!

Healthy Sight, Healthy Licence

Posted on 9th April 202016th March 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

Don’t lose your licence because of poor sight

It’s great to hear today that police forces are starting to check the eyesight of all drivers they stop and have powers to revoke their licence immediately if they can’t read a number plate at the requisite 20m (that’s about 5 car lengths if you’re as bad as me at estimating distance!).

Not before time – the Association of Optometrists called last year for compulsory eye tests every 10 years. And a recent DVLA survey found that half of us aren’t really aware of the minimum eyesight requirements for driving and certainly don’t regularly check that we meet it. I know I haven’t had an eye test for years …until last week.

But with an increasingly ageing population and conditions like type 2 diabetes on the rise which can impair eyesight, it’s something we need to be aware of. Very conservative estimates suggest that between 2 and 3% of us don’t meet the minimum vision standards for driving and that over 5,000 people had their licenses revoked in 2011 as a result.

Poor vision increases accidents

There are few studies categorically proving that poor vision increases accidents as it is rarely checked at the scene. But it’s just common sense.

The problem is, that eyesight is only assessed at the initial driving test…and there are no formal ongoing checks over the many decades of driving that follow. And yet, night-time vision is worse as we get older, our response time in reaction to glare gets slower and all sorts of other eye conditions can creep up causing a deterioration in eyesight. If it’s a sudden change, we may notice it…gradual changes are less easy to detect.

A 20m number plate reading check is all well and good but doesn’t test for night-time glare issues, reduced field of vision or other eye problems…so our advice would be a 2 yearly formal eye check as a minimum. Not only could it reduce your risk of accidents but you may benefit from fewer headaches, less fatigue and much more too.

At Vavista Insurance, we are keen to keep our customers as healthy and as safe on the roads as possible. So, you may want to check out your eyesight for a quick and easy health win.

Slow Cooker Mixed Bean Chilli

Posted on 30th March 202020th March 2023 by Vavista

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp hot smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
150ml/5fl oz hot vegetable stock (made with 1 stock cube)
2 x 400g/14oz cans chopped tomatoes
2 x 400g/14oz cans black beans or red kidney beans (or a mixture), rinsed and drained
1 tsp dried oregano
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onions for 5 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned, stirring frequently.
Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander and cinnamon and cook for a further minute.
Transfer to the slow cooker. Stir in the stock, tomatoes, drained beans, tomatoes and dried oregano. Stir well then cover with the lid and cook on low for 8–10 hours, or until the sauce is thick and the spices have mellowed. Serve hot.

Recipe courtesy of BBC

What are the benefits of yoga?

Posted on 18th March 202024th August 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

Yoga may not be the first thing many of us think of when we want to improve our health, weight or wellbeing. It has a reputation for being alternative or too gentle to have any significant impact.

But think again. More and more science is showing that it can offer many benefits. So, what are the benefits of Yoga?

Improves your core strength

Yoga is famous for strengthening your core muscles. This supports the bones and ligaments of your spine and improves posture. Yoga can be a valuable tool in helping lower back pain. Of course, if you have back pain, make sure your yoga teacher is aware, so you don’t do anymore damage. A qualified teacher can tailor your yoga regime to suit you.

Helps with depression

Mindfulness is a word you may have heard a lot lately. Yoga is a great way to practice mindfulness. This is because you need to concentrate on getting your body in the correct position and you can’t think of much else. Studies have shown yoga to be beneficial in managing depressive symptoms.

Leads to better breathing

A large component of yoga is a focus on good breathing techniques. Breathing exercises in yoga help improve the strength and flexibility of the chest muscles. They also improve the alignment of the ribs and spine. It can also help improve symptoms in patients with mild to moderate asthma, along with improving the functioning of their lungs. [1]

Is good for your heart health

If you have a heart condition, yoga can help to deal with stress and in turn, your condition. The breathing exercises bring more oxygen into the body and reduce blood pressure. A study named ‘a review of yoga and cardiovascular disease’ states yoga may help lower heart disease risk as much as brisk walking. [2]

Can stabilise cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone related with chronic stress. Too much puts you at risk of developing diabetes and adds to the risk of heart disease. Several studies have shown that yoga can reduce stress levels, and with it the cortisol.

Why choose yoga over more vigorous exercise?

You may think that the more high intensity exercise you do, the better, when it comes to getting fit. But actually, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that a mix of exercise is best. Resistance and strength exercises like yoga, help preserve muscle and flexibility.

So, whether you are starting out or hitting the gym for an hour a day, it’s worth giving yoga a try after all.

Check out this link for a list of yoga lessons you can do from the safety of your own home!

If you would like to read more about wellbeing, then try our blog on dealing with stress.

Date	Claims Team	Sales & Customer Service Team
Mon 23^rd Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am - 7pm
Christmas Eve	9am – 12:45pm	9am - 4pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
Boxing Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
Fri 27^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 7pm
Sat 28^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 6pm
Sun 29^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 4pm
Mon 30^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 7pm
New Year’s Eve	9am – 12:45pm	9am – 4pm
New Year’s Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
2^nd – 3^rd Jan	9am – 5:30pm	9am - 7pm

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t subscribe to the ultra-low-carb fad. Yes, I don’t eat loads of carbs and I avoid heavily processed, nutrient depleted carbs wherever possible, but wholegrains, pulses and more have heaps of health benefits.

Cauliflower rice

Courgette spaghetti

Aubergine lasagne

Lettuce wraps

Kale crisps

Mushroom burgers

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

We know that green is good as far as the planet is concerned. And plenty of green in our diet is good for our nutrition. But did you know how ‘going green’ can be good for your mental health too?

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

Going green is good for the planet, for sure. And, at Vavista we want to make sure that we do our bit to help reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability. But we are also passionate about improving our health and wellbeing.

Green smoothie

Green breakfast

Green main

Green ice-cream

Green dessert

Green snacks

There’s so much in the news about the importance of saving the planet that it can seem completely overwhelming!

You may remember the process of photosynthesis from back in your school days

When done correctly, tree planting is a very effective way of removing carbon from the atmosphere

But is this enough?

Sources:

Bastin, J. F. et al., The global tree restoration potential. Science 365, 76-79 (2019)

Veldman, J et al., Comment on “The global tree restoration potential”. Science 366, 1-3 (2019)

Fish Pie

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Kedgeree

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Roast salmon fillet with ginger and chilli dressing

Ingredients:

Recipe:

Don’t lose your licence because of poor sight

Poor vision increases accidents

Ingredients

Method

Recipe courtesy of BBC

Improves your core strength

Helps with depression

Leads to better breathing

Is good for your heart health

Can stabilise cortisol

Why choose yoga over more vigorous exercise?

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