Here are the ingredients:

1 package of firm tofu

50 -100 g natural sweetener of your choice

2 cm vanilla pod, scraped seeds or 2 tsp vanilla extract, optional

3 tbsp flour. Use buckwheat for the gluten-free version but otherwise, I like to use spelt, oat or wholewheat flour.

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1tsp grated lemon zest

Organic ingredients are always recommended.

Method:

Blend all cake ingredients until smooth in Vita-Mix, blender or food processor. Then pour into greased (I use coconut oil) cake form and bake in a preheated oven 180C for about 20-30 mins or until set. When baked, cool and refrigerate. You can serve it plain or with the following topping.

Topping:

200 g fresh fruit (I used raspberries), washed and green parts removed

1 tbsp agar flakes (sea vegetable gelling agent)

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp maple syrup or any natural sweetener.

Blend all topping ingredients until smooth in Vita-Mix, blender or food processor. Pour into a saucepan and cook until the mixture has thickened (about 5-10 mins). Taste for sweetness and add more maple syrup if needed. Pour the mixture over the cake and return it to the fridge to cool and let the topping set firmly before serving.

Enjoy and let me know how did it go! 

The post Berry Tofu Cheese Cake (vegan and gluten-free) appeared first on Lenka Pagan.

Personally, I have tried a variety of different natural deodorants, from a crystal stone to roll-on and cream deodorants, it’s worth mentioning the latter became my favorite after all those years of research. My best choice is Fit Pit Woman with rosemary and bergamot essential oils, available in two sizes 25ml and 100ml in glass jars and smells wonderful! Also, it is 100% organic with no aluminium salts, parabens or BPAs, petrochemicals and plastic packaging. The 100ml size lasts me about 3 months.

When it comes to soaps in our home, we do not use any antibacterial soaps. We only have natural and organic soap bars over the liquid soap in order to minimize plastic use. Why? Because many antibacterial soaps that you buy from the supermarket can cause rashes, irritation, itchiness, and soreness and even dry cracked hands.

In fact, in recent years the FDA recognized and announced that antibacterial soaps contain certain harmful ingredients such as triclosan and triclocarban (triclosan is used more often in liquid soaps, while triclocarban is used mainly in soap bars and banned in the US). “Some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term,” says Janet Woodcock, director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation & Research. FDA proposed the rule in late 2013, citing concerns about potential hormonal effects and antibiotic resistance associated with the chemicals.

I remember, when growing up, my family and I used to have dry cracked hands quite often especially in the winter months, simply from using cheap and harsh chemical-based soaps.

Did you know that natural organic soaps have healing properties? They only contain natural ingredients and that can greatly contribute to the treatment of eczema, acne and other skin conditions.

Natural organic soaps are ecosystem friendly and do not contain any chemicals or pesticides. Many of the natural oils that are found in natural and organic-based soaps contain antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of their own. They are far more biodegradable than their antibacterial counterparts, and they do not contain synthetic chemicals whatsoever!

Some of my favorite organic soap bars are made by Faith in Nature (lavender, rosemary, aloe vera), Akamuti (lavender/geranium and rose beauty soap), Friendly Soap (Lemongrass/Hemp Soap, Lavender), Dr. Bronner’s pure castile bar soap (lavender, peppermint). You can check them out in the provided links below.

So, I hope my post has inspired you a bit and that you will try to use more natural and organic products which are not only good for your health, but also for our animals and environment.

Resources:

http://thegreenwoman.co.uk/shop/FitPit-Natural-deodorant

https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/web/2016/09/FDA-bans-triclosan-triclocarban-consumer.html

https://www.faithinnature.co.uk/

https://www.akamuti.co.uk/

https://www.friendlysoap.co.uk/product/lemongrass-hemp-soap/

https://www.drbronner.com/

“Never Be Sick Again: Health Is a Choice, Learn How to Choose It” by Raymond Francis, M.Sc.

The post Why I only use natural deodorants and soaps? appeared first on Lenka Pagan.

Here is why I have chosen to try this company:

Abel & Cole have been exploring the food world for 30 years now and they have become quite the experts at uncovering organic, seasonal, wild food that’s extra special. But they don’t just strive to find the best food out there; they find exciting ways to put it all together into healthy, vibrant and delicious meals too. So, hop on board, come on a foodie journey with them as well. 

Abel & Cole deliver to each area once a week keeping carbon emissions and food miles to a minimum, and it’s why they had never air-freight. It’s also why most of their packaging can be recycled or reused. Since 1988 they have pioneered a low-plastic approach to life and they are constantly looking at reimagining the way they do things to minimise their environmental footprint.

Why organic? In a nutshell, organic farming means it is food as it should be, food you can trust, food that doesn’t cost the earth, and food where the animals come first. Organic farming is better for you and the environment, has higher nutritional value and tastes much better too!

Source: https://www.abelandcole.co.uk/about-us

Here is recorded my first food delivery; unboxing my first plant-based food box (four boxes).

Hope I tempted you a bit to try it too If so, here is £20 to spend on your first order using this link: https://www.abelandcole.co.uk/promo/Share?sraf=5V43BE213S3C0A57B4

So, hop on board, come on a foodie journey with them as well.  Let me know if you do!

The post My First Food Delivery from Abel & Cole appeared first on Lenka Pagan.