Edition 3 - 2022

Food for Purpose News

• HCI Rollout in North Bedfordshire
  Has begun! If you are a church leader interested in running the 6-week HCI programme in your church, please contact Gabrielle.Julal@foodforpurpose.org or phone 020 7101 317
  

• Thamesmead Moorings African Cook & Taste Sessions
  Will run in April and May 2022 at locations in Thamesmead. Please contact Modupe for more information - modupe.peters@foodforpurpose.org
  

• Diabetes Myth-Busting Seminar
  Coming up on 28.4.2022 at 6.30pm - Topic - Gestational Diabetes - thrashing out the myths and realities. Watch this space for more information on our speakers at this free event!
  

• April Awareness:

  • Stress Awareness Month

  • National Volunteer Month

  • Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

  • 10-16th Parkinson's Awareness Week

  • 20-25th Allergy Awareness Week

  • 25 April - 1st May MS Awareness Week

Home Made Jerk Seasoning

Seasoning is the life and soul of our food as Black people. Have you ever noticed that many of our seasonings are full of salt? One way around this is to make your own seasonings at home. It is quick, easy and empowering. You do not have to rely on the manufacturers, and you can be in charge of how much salt goes in. 

Ingredients

2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp smoked cayenne pepper
2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp dried parsley
1⁄2 tsp paprika
1⁄2 tsp chilli flakes
1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp ground nutmeg
1⁄2 tsp ground clove
1⁄4 tsp ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Mix the above powdered seasonings & spices in a dry bowl, and stir with a dry spoon.

2. Then simply store in an airtight container.

3. Use as a marinade or rub for your chicken, pork or meat.

4. Try roasting or air frying your meat instead of shallow or deep frying in oil.

Meal Ideas for Leftovers in the Fridge

By Nadia Chow - Nutrition Student and FFP volunteer

According to statistics from Business Waste, there is approximately 9.5 million tonnes of food waste being thrown away each year in the UK, and more than half of it comes from households. In order to reduce food waste, clearing leftovers in the fridge regularly is an effective start. Here are some meal ideas for common leftovers found at home.

• French toast with seasonal fruit:

Have you ever struggled with finishing a loaf of bread before its expiry date? If your answer is yes, you should definitely try making French toast or ‘eggy bread’ for your brunch! All you need is bread, milk, eggs and any kind of fruits you have! The steps for making French toast is very easy that you can even invite your kids to help. Simply soak your sliced bread into the milk and beaten egg mixture, pan-fried until golden brown. After that, add your favourite fruit and drizzle a little honey enjoy!

• More ideas for your leftovers:

 For leftover rice, you can turn this into fried rice by adding some chicken, mixed vegetables thyme and little curry powder or add chopped carrots and peppers

If you have leftover stew, you can turn this into ‘speedy jollof’ by adding some boiled rice, add some green peas for added fibre.

• Use up old vegetables:

Use up old potatoes / yam by making into Asaro / mpotopoto

• Use up old fruit:

Chop up old apples, pears put in a saucepan with water and boil with a teaspoon of cinnamon – no sugar needed!  Result - you have a delicious homemade compote. Serve with natural yogurt, or on porridge.

Please share any other ideas or what you have done with your fridge leftovers in the past with us, we will love to hear from you.

Fasting & Feasting at Easter

By Modupe Peters - FFP Director and Diabetes Specialist Dietitian

It is currently the sacred season of Lent and many Christians are taking this time to fast or abstain from some things such as chocolates, alcohol, social media / phones, taking time to focus more on God for spiritual growth. If you are taking this time to abstain from food and drinks and you have health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems etc, it is very important that you fast safely so please discuss with your health care providers, doctors / consultants and practice nurses / specialist nurses before starting on the fast.

For everyone embarking on a fast or already fasting during this lent period do consider your personal situation in terms of your health and physical ability to fast. Enjoy the Easter period that comes after fast by keeping to general healthy eating principles – see tips below: 

Tips for fasting and feasting safely 

• Speak to your doctors/specialist teams or health care providers if considering going on a fast or currently fasting so medication can be adjusted

• Keep to a healthy balanced diet and include foods from all the food groups and avoid eating excessively

• Include more slowly absorbed carbohydrates when ‘breaking fast’ examples include porridge oats, green banana (plantain), sweet potato, wholegrain / rye / granary bread – keep to an ideal portion size

Limit intake of high fat / sugar foods and drinks during the festivities i.e., puff puff, fried dumpling, bun, cheese, chocolates / Easter eggs etc

• Consider having some water / sugar free drinks during the fast to help reduce the risk of dehydration particularly for those with health challenges

See information sheets on healthy eating and fasting on our website for further information 

Special Guest Contributor - Giuilia Ferraro, FFP Social Media Manager

Hi Purposeful You readers 😊

This is Giulia and I have been supporting Food For Purpose with their Social Media Marketing for the past 5 months.

I started working in marketing a few years ago and I have always been passionate about all-things marketing related - from content creation, to copywriting, and from researching new trends,  to finding new ways to engage the audience. 

With my experience coming mostly from the Entertainment Industry, Food For Purpose was something completely new for me - with a whole new different audience to reach, different trends to explore and very different topics to spread awareness about. However, I do love a bit of a challenge and thankfully, the great team at FFP really helped me understand their vision and gave me all the tools to do my job in the best possible way. 

And while I am still working in Entertainment, I am always looking forward to getting more and more involved with Food For Purpose amazing initiatives, and to keep learning about health, well-being, and purposefully living from them.

Let's keep in touch

For general enquiries about Food for Purpose:

admin@foodforpurpose.org 

For Newsletter enquiries / content suggestions:

sandra.thomas@foodforpurpose.org