Articles by Vicky Edgson

RECIPE: Shiitake Mushroom, Bean and Fennel Soup

RECIPE: Shiitake Mushroom, Bean and Fennel Soup

Using beans to thicken soups creates a smooth and creamy texture. Shiitake mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for their immune-stimulating properties, while fennel bulbs and seeds are excellent for cleansing the digestion as well as supporting kidney function. Ingredients  Serves 4  10g (.oz) coconut oil 200g (7oz) fennel bulb, finely shredded 2 celery sticks, finely shredded 1 onion, finely chopped 100g (3 ½ oz) shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp fennel seeds 4 thyme...
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RECIPE: Warming Chicken Broth

RECIPE: Warming Chicken Broth

This chicken broth can be enjoyed as a soup or used as stock in other dishes. You can make the chicken broth in advance and freeze it, if wished, or you can make double or triple the quantity and then freeze for later use. To intensify the flavour, it can be reduced by one-third before adding the garnish at the end. Ingredients Serves 4 5kg (3lb 5oz) chicken bones 4 celery sticks 4 carrots 2 onions 5 garlic cloves 15g (½ oz) coriander seeds 2 star anise 15g (½ oz) fennel seeds 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns 3 bay...
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5 Tips for a Healthy Gut

5 Tips for a Healthy Gut

There have been huge advances made in our knowledge about what we eat and how our bodies react to it. We now know that 85% of the serotonin-receptor sites are in the gut, rather than in the brain. With serotonin being the neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy, confident, strong and motivated, this explains why what you eat can have such a profound effect on how you feel. Here are five things you can do to promote a healthy gut: 1) Eat good quality, natural ingredients This has never been more important as we are constantly bombarded with ready-made,...
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