National Vegetarian Week

Going permanently meat-free is not for everyone, but even occasional forays into the veggiesphere could cut costs, boost your health and make you a better cook, claims Cook Vegetarian magazine. Urging non-veggies from all walks of life to experience meals without meat during National Vegetarian Week (21st-27th May 2012), Cook Vegetarian offers more than 500 free recipes on www.cookveg.co.uk to inspire and delight meat-free cooks. Need convincing? Check out Cook Vegetarian's top

4 reasons to put more veggie dishes on the menu:

1 Every little counts for health
When it comes to the benefits of vegetarianism on your body, it isn't just acase of all or nothing. A recent Harvard study found that each extra serving of processed meat per day increased the chance of premature death by 20%, while the World Cancer Research Fund has recommended people limit consumption to 500g (cooked weight) of red meat a week, avoiding processed meat altogether. So, opting for vegetarian recipes just a couple of times a week in place of red meat could contribute significantly to a healthier
lifestyle.

2 Money matters
With food prices still on the rise, where we spend our grocery pounds is more important than ever. While there's no denying that you can eat cheaply without giving up meat, an unprocessed vegetarian diet can't be beaten on cost per serving. Top-notch seasonal vegetables are available at a steal from markets (or you can grow your own for pence); combine with low-cost grains and dried pulses and you have seriously frugal food. For example, a scratch-cooked shepherdess pie made with lentils can cost just 47p per portion for a hearty, balanced meal.

3 It's the future...
With the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation estimating that nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gases are caused by meat production, plus the swathes of rainforest and other rich ecosystems being cleared, and the water needed, to graze livestock and to grow crops to feed them – eating less meat offers one avenue to a more sustainable future. Simply eating less intensively farmed meat on fewer occasions can reduce your carbon footprint, while opting for an entirely plant-based diet (without dairy) is the gold standard of eco-eating.

4 Hugh can... so you can too!
But can a foodie really enjoy and savour vegetarian cuisine? Yes, says Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall one of many TV chefs to champion the meat-free cause in recent months. The former king of carnivores claims that since launching his book River Cottage Veg Every Day, most of his meals contain 'little or no meat' but that he now eats 'better than ever'. Hugh even spent four months entirely without fish or meat to lend weight to his argument that vegetables deserve pride of place on everyone's plate, and was surprised just how much he got out of the experience. So why not take up the vegetarian challenge and expand your foodie horizons too?

DiscountVouchers.co.uk May Deals has Savings on Top Brand Restaurants and Retailers

Voucher codes site announces latest deals for money off at Pizza Express, Debenhams, Clarks and more

DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the website that helps UK consumers save money at over 800 leading stores and suppliers, has this week introduced new deals to get shoppers savings on May dining out and other goods. The voucher codes site has sourced new online vouchers redeemable at leading stores like Clarks and Debenhams plus top pizza chain Pizza Express.

One of the UK's best-known pizza chains is available on a budget through the latest DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals in the shape of Pizza Express. The DiscountVouchers.co.uk website this week offers shoppers newly updated Pizza Express deals which they can use to get hold of great value - deals on show include 2 for 1 + Pizza.

Other top brands and retailers can be had on a budget too this month thanks to DiscountVouchers.co.uk. Among the deals redeemable at hundreds of top stores is a choice of new money off coupons which features deals such as a £25 Sainsbury’s gift card when you buy BT Broadband online, 20% Off Selected Outdoor Toys at Debenhams and Free Delivery & Returns at Clarks.

Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, commented, “Brits do love a bargain and saving money at top name stores and restaurants is always popular - so we're pleased to help people out right now. These new deals we've sourced this week are perfectly-timed to help people get more for their money this May and through the summer."

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

The Ice Man Cometh … with Icely Done's Frozen Cocktail Sticks

Icely Done Havana Club rum and coconut

Icely Done launch six perfectly blended drinks in the form of nostalgic frozen cocktail sticks for home delivery this summer.

Each Icely Done cocktail stick is expertly blended using quality branded spirits and sustainably sourced ingredients to create six tantalising flavours to inject magic into any event, party or any social occasion.

Choose from:
Finlandia grapefruit vodka & Pomegranate
Absolut lemon vodka & Raspberry
Havana Club rum & Coconut
Havana Club 3yr rum & Mango
Campari & Blood Orange
Beefeater gin & Lemon

Created by Lefti Christodoulou, an internationally renowned bartender and drinks' industry professional, Icely Done cocktail sticks are inspired by a Brazilian fresh fruit product sold as a street drink to quench thirsts in hot climates.

“Icely Done cocktail sticks are a stylish, nostalgic and affordable way to instantly serve up an ice cold cocktail for your guests. I’ve mixed each flavour to impart a genuine cocktail experience of superior quality and taste while also being refreshing, mouth-watering and moreish. We freeze our cocktail sticks as soon as we have created the blend so they are free of additives and preservatives and taste just like a good cocktail or blended fresh fruit ice cold shot,” says Lefti.

So, when the hot weather cometh ring the Icely Done Man on 07534 934 744 or order online. Prices start from just £1.50 per cocktail stick based on a minimum order of 20 and are inclusive of VAT. Delivery within the M25 is free with charges applicable outside of the Greater London area. www.icelydone.com

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Parmigiano Reggiano Celebrates The Launch Of Parmesan.com!

Food lovers and cheese addicts should note that Parmigiano Reggiano is celebrating the launch of its new website to remind the world that Parmigiano Reggiano is the ONLY cheese that can be called Parmesan.

Please visit www.parmesan.com and enjoy exploring the site. As well as learning about the history and craftsmanship of the King of Cheeses, check out the videos section and test your knowledge with our new Truth Behind Parmesan game.

Don't forget to sign up to share your favourite recipes in the exclusive members area and receive regular newsletters.

Vegan 'Fish' On The Menu At Leading Sushi Restaurant

Vegan 'fish' produced by ethical food firm Redwood is now on the menu at Brighton's best-loved sushi restaurant.

Moshi Moshi, renowned for its work in fish conservation, is using the faux 'fish' in dishes such as vegan 'fish' udon and stir fry noodles.

"It's proving very popular," said Karl Jones of Moshi Moshi, which is keen to help protect global fish stocks. "Customers love it - not just vegans, but the carnivorous too. As the flavour is so good, it's a viable alternative to real fish."

As Karl Jones points out, ethical consumption is at the heart of everything Moshi Moshi does.   

"We firmly believe in 'restorative eating'," he says. "It's a way of eating that aims not just to make the environment sustainable but actually restores and improves it. Our aim is to give back more than we take.

"One way we can do this is by decreasing our reliance on animal proteins and to eat more vegetarian food. It's why we teamed up with Redwood."

To show just how versatile plant-based alternatives to meat, fish and cheese can be, Moshi Moshi recently joined forces with Redwood to launch The Great Moshi Vegan Challenge, in which eight of Brighton's leading chefs went head to head to create the best sushi using vegan ingredients.

Among the ingredients that particularly impressed judges was Redwood's vegan 'duck', which was used in five separate dishes and combined variously with mango, kale, ginger, grapefruit, sansho pepper, boshi jelly and shiitake mushrooms.

It was also the basis for the winning dish duck chettinad created by chef Alun Sperring, who added mango and nut sauce and red chilli chutney to give the sushi a kick familiar to the Indian food he serves at Chilli Pickle, named as one of the top 50 curry houses in the UK.

"We're delighted that our foods are capturing the imagination of chefs," said Lee Rockingham of Redwood. "We hope many more will follow in Moshi Moshi's footsteps."

Everything in the Redwood range is made from natural plant-based ingredients so free from animal products and derivatives as well as cholesterol, artificial colours/preservatives, lactose, hydrogenated fats and GMOs. This makes them suitable not just for vegetarians and vegans, but also for people suffering from lactose or casein intolerance and anyone looking for a healthier and more ethical lifestyle. 

Redwood products are also kosher certified and the company itself is halal process certified.

According to The Ethical Company Organisation and The Good Shopping Guide, Redwood is the UK's most ethical vegetarian foods firm. Find out more at www.redwoodfoods.co.uk.