We called our blog ‘Kale & Cocoa’ for a reason – while we love the health benefits of kale, we love a bit of chocolate too. So yet more evidence that chocolate is good for us is a bonus! Early in the summer it was widely reported that around 100g of chocolate a…
ONE YEAR ON – COOKIES FOR KIDS (AND ADULTS!)
Happy Birthday to us! Kale & Cocoa is a year old today and we’d like to thank our 1000 followers for all their support. You’ve made all the hard work worthwhile! But our first birthday has got me thinking. During the last twelve months, we’ve immersed ourselves in hundreds of research reports, medical studies, blogs,…
GET FAT TO BEAT DEMENTIA, REALLY? VITAMIN E AND A CRUMBLE RECIPE
This is bonkers, but fat and obese people are less likely to get dementia. Yes, really. Recent research published in The Lancet suggests that being overweight has an 18% reduction in dementia risk and being obese a staggering 24% reduction. It’s brilliant news if you are overweight of course, but it flies in the face…
CHRISTMAS, CALORIES AND ‘HEALTHY’ CAKE!
Talk about timing: it’s almost Christmas and here comes a report suggesting that the key to ageing slowly is cutting calories – especially carbs. That’s just mean if you ask me. But, without being Bah! Humbug about it, it’s worth taking a moment to look at the stats and science as we start the seasonal…
OATS, GLORIOUS OATS – AND A RECIPE FOR SUPER-SPEEDY NO-BAKE GRANOLA
I’ve always longed to be the sort of girl who wafts around making her own granola. Yes, I know making granola is neither arduous nor complicated. But it often seems a faff – you have to turn the oven on in advance, then you have to hang around while it’s baking, gently prodding and turning….
BREAKFAST, HEALTHY CHILDREN AND PORRIDGE PANCAKES
Breakfast: best meal of the day, right? It sets us up for whatever lies ahead. I always think that a day that starts with a good breakfast just goes better, somehow. All the experts agree that starting the day with a mix of whole-grain, slow-burning carbohydrate, protein and healthy fats is the best way to…
NEW RESEARCH ON DEMENTIA – AND COCONUT CHOCOLATE BRAIN BALLS FOR EXAM-SITTING TEENS
It’s National Dementia Week and two really great things have happened: 1) We’ve launched Kale and Cocoa. 2) For the first time there has been an acknowledgment from a government-funded body that lifestyle IS a factor in reducing the risk of dementia. This rather dry tweet from @PHE-uk (Public Health England) is SO important:…
RHUBARB, RHUBARB, RHUBARB
Okay rhubarb – step into the limelight! For those of you that think rhubarb can only be used in pies, think again … This month I’ve been concocting quick, delicious recipes that show just how versatile rhubarb can be. Why? Because rhubarb is rich in anthocyanins – anti-inflammatory anti-oxidants which researchers believe could help prevent…