Read more about Bio D on their blog. 

Created by Denise Barrett for Natural Trade News. 2019 

If we  ate a totally raw food diet, we would be supplying our body with the enzymes we need, but in today's world, the closest some get to raw food is the tired lettuce and slice of tomato on a fast food burger!

Our bodies not only take enzymes from our food, we also manufacture digestive and metabolic enzymes. As with many functions of the body, enzyme production slows as we age, once we are in our thirties, levels start to drop.  Ill health, poor diet and unhealthy lifestyles also get added into the equation.

Raw foods naturally contain enzymes that could be used by the body, but cooking and processing food will destroy them. As the modern western diet consists of mainly processed and cooked foods, we end up relying on the enzymes manufactured by our bodies to break down food, this uses up valuable resources.

Enzymes are essential to life and each one will have specific functions, if someone has a deficiency of certain types of enzymes and in some cases this results in effects such as food intolerances. For example, someone with a a deficiency in the enzyme lactase used to digest milk, will result in a lactose intolerance.
Considering how important enzymes are to good health, it is easy to see why people may turn to a supplement to support their system. As with so many things, not all supplements are created equal! So what should we look for when choosing a supplement?

Arnie Liepa from TMC Ventures has always had an interest in quality supplements and feels that he has found a brand to bring to the UK, that is of superior quality and efficacy to many brands of supplements on the market. Enzymedica is a US based brand that specialises in manufacturing enzyme supplements, rather than being a supplement company that has added a couple of enzyme products to a range.

Founded in 1998 in Florida, they set out to the best products possible. Every product is 100% vegetarian, and they seek out vegan and Kosher ingredients whenever possible. By creating special blends and enzymes that are tolerant of the variables within the body, to ensure that the enzymes are viable and can be utilised by the body, Enzymedica have become leaders and award winners in the field of enzyme supplements.

Being environmentally responsible is also an important value for the company, the factory is built using 100% recycled steel and has been carbon neutral since 2009.

They have also been closely involved in various charities, especially those linked to Autism. Enzymedica sponsored the Autism Grass Roots Tour, an initiative of the Autism Hope Alliance (AHA), to raise funds for autism awareness and treatment. The Autism Grass Roots Tour traveled to 26 states, reaching more than 4,400 individuals. Enzymedica also provided $110,000 in scholarships for families to attend the Autism Treatment Center of America®. They have currently contributed more than $300,000 to the Autism Hope Alliance.


Enzymedica is an annual sponsor of several noted non-profits within the autism community, including Generation Rescue, Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), and AutismOne. Along with these charities, they also donate to Vitamin Angels, a charity that provides nutritional support to individuals and families in need.
There is so much more that can be said about enzymes and their functions and also about Enzymedica, no doubt topics for future posts. In the meantime a great place to start is with the company video. 
Then have a listen to an indepth interview with Arnie Liepa talking to Janey Lee Grace about enzymes and the role they play in our health.

Theresa Cutts, Nutritional Consultant. First published June 2017 

Wednesday 14th June was Wake Up to Organic Day, a day where independent health food stores, coffee shops, farm shops and more, opened their doors to offer a free organic breakfast to customers and passers by.
Organised by Organic UK, this now annual event gives everyone the chance to sample some organic food, a lot of it by local producers, and see how easy it could be to make one meal a day an organic one. Many stores opened their doors early and were greeted by people ready and willing to try the free breakfasts on offer.
From organic coffee, to overnight oats, from home cooked muffins to a slice of toast and peanut butter, venues were enticing passers by to try something new. Many shops held prize draws for hampers, many others gave away goodie bags full of organic samples.

Social media played a massive role, highlighting the event with a countdown to encourage people to take part. A searchable map helped people discover their nearest venue. During the day, posts, tweets and pictures were appearing of happy customers and enthusiastic retailers.  Fodder in Hereford, even made a video to encourage visitors to come and join in.

Some of the brands we represent at Natural Trade Brokers got involved by supplying teabags (Heath and Heather), and aloe vera juice (Simplee Aloe) and more. Retailers created a fantastic array of items to offer old and new customers a taste of what an organic breakfast could be like. And in many cases, just how easy it could be to create one.

Over 250 outlets across the UK too part, the sun shone and hundreds of people got to try something new. It took a great deal of work and planning, but just about everyone agreed that it was worthwhile and also great fun. Hopefully it will also bring in new customers for organic foods, now they have seen the variety on offer.

If you didn't take part this year,  the good news is that the registration is already open for next year's
event on the 13th of June 2018. By registering to take part, you benefit from all the support from Organic UK and get put on the map for the event. There is also a great sense of camaraderie with other retailers taking part and all the fun on social media too.

It is a great opportunity to get the local press involved and get some free publicity, a way of attracting new customers and perhaps linking up with other business close by, that are also taking part. What are you waiting for? Register for 2018 here . To see how other stores have benefited from taking part visit the case study page.
We would love to help retailers taking part too, so remember to tell your NTB Account Manager and we will be happy to support you with samples and POS too.

Below is a selection of some of the great photos that appeared on Instagram. To see more search #WakeUpToOrganic on Instagram and Twitter.

Theresa Cutts, Nutritional Consultant. June 2017. First published naturaltradebrokers.wordpress.com/

We are constantly bombarded with reminders about what to eat and what to avoid. It also seems to change on a weekly basis. One thing that many people will agree with is that sometimes a little of what you fancy can do you the world of good. So often, that little something is chocolate flavoured!

In the quest for healthy but special treats, this recipe came about. Not only is it good for you, with antioxidant rich cacao and healthy fats from avocado and coconut, it also tastes as rich and decedent enough to serve as a desert on special occasions. Sometimes you experiment with a few ingredients and it just works. This was one of those times!

Spend ten minutes in making this delicious treat, then grab a spoon and know you are doing your body good as well as soothing your mind with a hit of chocolate heaven. 

So quick and easy to make with a few very healthy ingredients and you end up with something that tastes very grown up and rather decadent. The best bit is it is made from raw natural and healthy foods and doesn't need any cooking. Easy enough to whip up for one, when you are in need of that chocolate TLC moment. At the same time, you are getting a superfood hit from foods that do you good.
Chocolate Coconut Dessert (Serves 2)
1 large ripe avocado
1-2 large ripe banana (the perfect one is that banana that is languishing in the fruit bowl that will mash easily.)
1 desert spoon of coconut oil (I used Coconut Merchant)
2 teaspoons of Coconut 'honey' nectar (Coconut Merchant)
1 tablespoon of a really good cacao powder (I used Aduna Super Cacao)
Method
This could not be easier. You are moments away from something special ...
Melt the coconut oil, as it is only a small amount I put it in a ramekin and sat that in a bowl of hot water until the oil melted.
Mash the avocado and the banana together, whizz it in a blender or food processor for a super smooth texture.
Add in the coconut oil and mix well.Then add the Coconut 'honey'. You could use agave syrup or a coconut nectar.
Sieve in the cacao powder and mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
Taste it! If you prefer it a bit sweeter, add another teaspoon of Coconut 'honey'.
Spoon into pretty glasses or small bowls, this is very rich, you won't need a big bowl.
Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. (It will keep a couple of days in the fridge.)
When you are ready to serve, you can dress it up with some coconut chips, cacao nibs, tangerine segments, strawberries, or just a dollop of natural yogurt. Whatever takes your fancy.
Finally, enjoy the moment ...

​Theresa Cutts. Nutritional Consultant. June 2017.

Time for Organic Tea with a heritage.

Heath and Heather is the UK’s foremost herbal tea pioneer. They have been expertly blending award winning teas since 1920. Exclusive to the independent health food trade and deeply committed to producing quality herbal teas that taste great and do you good, the teas are 100% natural, no artificial flavours or colours in these teas!

Never afraid to move with the times, they have recently launched an even wider organic range and updated the packaging to reflect their herbal heritage as well as creating a vibrant and modern design.
Discover the gorgeous new packaging along with some delicious blends, try something new, like award winning Green Tea and Manuka Honey. Be part of the long heritage of Health and Heather and discover something new that tastes good too.

Heath & Heather was first established in 1920 by Samuel Ryder, an entrepreneur whose fortune was made selling garden seeds in penny packets. (He was also the founder of the Ryder Cup!)
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Samuel joined his elder brother James in setting up Heath & Heather Limited and James became the superintendent of Heath & Heather, they produced books on herbs and lectured throughout the country. The Ryder brothers unlocked medicinal benefits of herbs and set a high quality precedence, creating teas that lift, soothe and refresh you, enhancing both Health and Happiness.

A tradition that continues within the firm to this day. New teas may reflect modern tastes and new ingredients, but the ethos remains. Natural ingredients and supportive teas.

Heath & Heather was first established in 1920 by Samuel and James Ryder. They were among the first to study English botanicals, herbs and plants recording their discoveries and delivering lectures throughout the country to share their knowledge with a population looking for easy, accessible, everyday health.

Through Heath & Heather herbal infusions, the Ryder brothers unlocked medicinal benefits of herbs and set a high quality precedence, creating teas that lift, soothe and refresh you, enhancing both Health and Happiness.
Today, Heath and Heather continue to  reflect the same commitment to quality, only using the finest ingredients, blended by experts, to bring you the very best in herbal infusions.

If you are looking for something new to try, how about seasonal favourites ? Natural, organic and caffeine free, take a soothing break with Organic Lemon and Ginger or give yourself a boost with Organic Echinacea. Each box contains 20 individually wrapped tea bags, ideal for popping in your bag to take out and about too.

Award Winning Teas

Today, Heath and Heather Teas are still holding their own, in a very crowded market the new varieties continue to win awards. Organic Green Tea with Manuka recently won the Best New Launch in The Healthy Awards.

Play it Cool

Herbal teas are so versatile, although we might think of them as warming drinks, they are equally suitable as an iced tea. The best way to get the richest flavour is to use double the quantity of tea bags, so maybe 4 to a pint of boiling water. Allow the tea to infuse for around 7 minutes. Top up with cold water, to achieve the desired taste, then chill well.
Serve over ice with a sprig of a fresh herb such as mint, or a slice of orange or lime. Sit back and relax!
Fruity or mint based teas are the best for drinking this way. Try Red Berries for a fruity fix, or a Green Tea with Mint for a sophisticated refreshing drink.
To discover more about Heath and Heather and their wide range of teas, visit their website or visit your local health food shop.

Theresa Cutts. Nutritional Consultant. June 2017

​If you check out the health bloggers, raw food chefs and anyone that posts their breakfast, you will see Overnight Oats coming up in your feeds again and again.

So what's the fuss about this newest breakfast?

In reality, it is one of the earliest 'health foods' that first came to fame with Dr Maximillian Bircher-Benner (1867-1939), an early pioneer of treating illness with raw foods. He was convinced that raw foods had a higher nutrient levels than cooked and processed foods, and that meat had very little nutritional benefit at all. And this was in the late 19th century!

​At the time, his peers thought that his recommended diet was not going to benefit anyone, it wasn't until the discovery of vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetable in the 1930's that his theories were validated by the scientific community.
Dr Bircher-Benner invented what we now call muesli, although I imagine he would be horrified with some of the sugar filled, processed combinations that go under that name today. He recommended a diet of 50% raw foods, beginning each day with a bowl of Bircher-Benner muesli, oats soaked overnight with apples grated into the oats as you serve. (He believed apples had cured him of jaundice and that they were an essential in keeping the body well.)
Sound familiar? Overnight Oats are the current best way to start your day; when you see how easy they are to make and how simple it is to turn your breakfast into a super food delight, you will want to join in too.

Superfoods are go!

Goji berries, spirulina, chlorella, baobab, moringa, cacao, camu camu, the list of nutrient rich superfoods seems to get bigger every month. One reason they have become so popular is the fact they all pack a nutritional punch and are a great way to increase the nutrient content of your food. Whether you take a capsule, add them to a smoothie, sprinkle on a salad or add to your breakfast, they are an easy and often tasty way to get important vitamins and minerals into your diet.

I have been using a few of the superfood powders from Aduna as as way of supercharging simple breakfasts. Overnight Oats are so easy and if you are pushed for time in the mornings, it is a good feeling to open the fridge and find breakfast there waiting for you. A few minutes the night before seem easier to find for preparation time than in the morning, in this house anyway!

Here are some ideas to get you started. You will soon discover the sky's the limit with different combinations of ingredients. Feel free to tweet your recipes and pictures to @NTB_UK

Keep it simple 

The basic recipe is around 30g of oats, preferably organic, and a 'milk' or juice of your choice. Milk can be a dairy milk or any of the rice, nut or oat milks available. You can also use a juice, apple works well and adds a nice natural sweetness. If you want to keep it really simple, use filtered water.

Cover the oats with your chosen liquid, start with about 6 tablespoons. Once you get going, you will find what works best for you, depending on the texture you prefer.

Give it a stir and pop it in the fridge overnight, In the morning, if you want to keep it traditional, add one grated apple, otherwise top with fresh fruit of your choice and maybe a dollop of natural yoghurt.

Now make it super ...

Baobab and Blueberries
For a vitamin C hit, add baobab powder, it also adds a subtle citrusy taste. A great source of vitamin C and a source that is sustainable and natural. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants too.
For one serving, just multipy to feed more.
The base
30g organic oats
6-8 tablespoons rice milk (or nut milk of your choice)
1 teaspoon baobab powder, I used Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger powder
For the topping
1 teaspoon cacao powder, I used Aduna Super-Cacao Powder
1 tablespoon blueberries
I also added strawberries and hazelnuts.
Mix the base ingredients together, cover and put in the fridge. In the morning, give it a good stir, add more milk if it is a bit too thick. Sprinkle over the cacao powder, you can stir it in or leave it to 'melt' into the oats. Add the blueberries and any other topping. Eat and enjoy, knowing you are giving yourself a vitamin C rich start to the day.

Apple Pie for Breakfast
Sounds too good to be true, adding baobab increases the vitamin C content, cinnamon helps blood sugar levels, ginger is good for the digestion.
The base
30g organic oats
6-8 tablespoons rice milk (or nut milk of your choice)
1 teaspoon baobab powder, I used Aduna Superfruit Powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
For the topping
1 grated apple
flaked almonds
Mix the base ingredients together, cover and put in the fridge. In the morning, give it a good stir, add more milk if it is a bit too thick. Grate the apple and stir in, top with flaked almonds. A breakfast that tastes like apple pie can't be bad!
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Cacao Nuts and Raisins
An antioxidant rich start to the day that's good for the heart too. (Aduna Super Cacao has an approved claim for cardiovascular health.) Oats contain a soluble fibre that has been shown to help lower cholesterol and by using oat milk too, you can boost your intake.
The base
30g organic oats
6-8 tablespoons oatmilk (or nut milk of your choice)
1 teaspoon baobab powder, I used Aduna Superfruit Powder
2 teaspoons cacao powder, I used Aduna Super-Cacao Powder
1 handful of  raisins, organic if possible.
For the topping
chopped mixed nuts or nut of your choice, if you are keeping the healthy heart theme going, try walnuts. Who doesn't love a chocolatey nut and raisin mix?
For other ideas including a few luxury versions, see this article from The Guardian.
Visit Aduna's site for loads of recipes for breakfast and beyond.
www.naturaltradebrokers.com

A survey in 2015 by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society showed that there is a lot of confusion surrounding the labelling of sun creams. Many people are unaware just how much protection they are getting from their cream and think that the higher the number, the better it must be.

One of the most significant findings was that one in five people, out of 2000 UK adults, were completely unaware that the SPF rating of a sun cream did not offer complete protection from all sun damage. The view was that if a cream had an SPF rating, it provided full protection.

A tiny number of 8% of those surveyed knew that the SPF rating related only to the protection from UVB radiation, these are the rays that cause sun burn. That means that 92% of people had no idea that the SPF ratings give no guidance at all on whether there is any protection against damage caused by UVA rays.

If UVB rays burn, what do UVA rays do?

UVA rays cause the damage that we don't see so instantly, they can cause long term cell damage in the deeper layers of the skin and are one of the main causes of wrinkles and premature skin ageing. Think A for ageing.
The damage from UVA rays can be occurring even if you skin is not red or burned. Depending on your sun cream, you could be causing damage to your skin with out even knowing it.

The key to successful UVA and UVB protection is to regularly reapply a decent amount of cream, rather than choosing a very high SPF cream. An easy way to remember 'enough' is to think of a shot glass full, that is approximately how much an adult should apply in one go.
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The charity Cancer Research suggest that around two tablespoons of cream is applied every two hours, be honest, how many people only reapply after swimming? The also recommend that you avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun's rays are strongest.
Star ratings and what to look for

 
 Information articles will often urge consumers to look at the star rating to establish the UVA protection of their sun cream, but not all companies use that system, Some prefer to use the one created by The European Cosmetics Association COLIPA, they have designed a symbol to indicate whether products offer any UVA protection. This indicates if a sun cream offers protection from UVA rays in line with the Recommendations of the European Commission.

This simple symbol of the letters UVA within a circle, is an easy way to see if your brand complies with the guidelines in the recommendations.

How high is high enough?

All Green People sun lotions offer broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and are suitable for sensitive skin and those prone to prickly heat.

There can be a tendency for people who use very high factor sun creams of SPF50 and above to reapply less frequently and stay in the sun longer than when they use lower factor sun lotions. This can dramatically increase your risk of sun damage because in order to get good UVA defence, you must regularly top up your protection no matter what the SPF factor.

Effective sun lotions without the jargon

Green People offers a sun care range for all the family which uses an expert blend of earth minerals, the mountain flower Edelweiss and other effective, gentle filters to provide broad-spectrum protection for your skin against UVA and UVB rays.
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These award-winning formulations are rich in a synergistic blend of natural antioxidants, skin vitamins and anti-inflammatory actives to help support the skin’s immune system, prevent premature ageing from UVA rays and protect against irritation.

​Theresa Cutts. Nutritional Consultant. June 2017