Deborah Meaden is one of several celebrity participants, alongside Brian May, Meat Loaf, Kellie Bright, Susie Dent, Jane Fallon, Rebecca Callard, Janey Lee Grace, Katie Thistleton and Louisa Connolly Burnham.

With this in mind, Celebrity Secrets has compiled a selection of our favourite vegan products for all tastes and occasions, so you can be cruelty-free in January like some of your favourite stars.

For those who are going plant-based but still fancy a sweet treat, have a look at our top choices of vegan chocolates, biscuits and desserts.

Also in our round up of vegan products are meat swaps, hot, cold and alcoholic drinks, plus healthy snacks for the office.

Beauty products and cruelty-free fashion brands are also included in our Veganuary round-ups – make sure you check them all out!

Explaining her decision to take part in Veganuary, Deborah Meaden said: “It is hard to believe we can in any way reduce our impact on our planet without changing our eating habits.

“I gave up eating fish a while ago and have been reducing my meat and dairy consumption steadily and Veganuary has given me the motivation to go the whole…erm… “Not Hog’.

“Planning for and considering Veganuary has made me more aware of my diet… to think carefully and reflect on the impact I am having on the planet and of course, animals. When I reach the end of January it will give me a moment to consider how I take this forward and I am convinced it will have lasting impact.”

Brian May, music legend and well-known wildlife campaigner, announced that he is going vegan in January with Veganuary, a charity that has helped more than half a million people worldwide try vegan in January and beyond.

In an Instagram post, the rock star said: “This is my announcement of intent. Starting on the first of January this coming year I will be doing VEGANUARY. Which means I will eat only vegan food for that month.

“After that, I will take a view on whether to continue or not. I’ve already got the support of some friends who are going to join me and compare notes as we go along…. If any of you folks out there are hovering on the edge out there and want to join me too, I’d be delighted. We can mutually support each other!…. My reasons?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Look what Santa brought for me ! OK ! This is my announcement of intent. Starting on the first of January I, this coming year I will be doing VEGANUARY. Which means I will eat only vegan food for that month. After that, I will take a view on whether to continue or not. I’ve already got the support of some friends who are going to join me and compare notes as we go along. European Space Agency Rosetta mission top man Matt Taylor has committed – along with Alex Milas, founder of Space Rocks. @mattc67p @alexandermilas @spacerocksoffical I’m also being joined by a close family member, and my wonderful touring PA Sharon Schwartz. If any of you folks out there are hovering on the edge out there and want to join me too, I’d be delighted. We can mutually support each other ! I figured this book is a good place to start. My reasons ? 1) to lessen the suffering of animals. 2) To lessen the load on our groaning planet. 3) for my health. And … as an animal campaigner, it has been bothering me for a while that I still eat animal-derived food, that has caused indignity and pain to a non-human animal. So I will try to move along the line. I won’t be pressuring anyone else to do the same, and it won’t change my commitment to helping farmers solve the problem of bovine TB. But … for me … it’s time. 💥💥💥💥 How about a hashtag ? #Veganuary2020 and #VeganuaryBri Cheers folks – Bri 💥💥💥💥💥 Wow ! I got lots of support !! Thanks PALS !!

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) on Dec 27, 2019 at 7:11pm PST

“1) to lessen the suffering of animals. 2) To lessen the load on our groaning planet. 3) for my health. And … as an animal campaigner, it has been bothering me for a while that I still eat animal-derived food, that has caused indignity and pain to a non-human animal.

“So I will try to move along the line. I won’t be pressuring anyone else to do the same, and it won’t change my commitment to helping farmers solve the problem of bovine TB. But … for me … it’s time. How about a hashtag #Veganuary2020 and #VeganuaryBri Cheers folks – Bri”

Brian’s statement comes at the same time as Paul McCartney, global music icon and founder of Meat Free Monday, joins Joaquin Phoenix, Chris Packham, Evanna Lynch and other climate-conscious celebrities urging people to sign up to Veganuary and try vegan this January.

Just a week in, Veganuary 2020 is by far the biggest and most widespread yet.

More than 350,000 people from almost every country in the world have taken the online pledge – with Swaziland, North Korea and Vatican City the only countries without Veganuary participants. The number of sign-ups is still rising steadily.

Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s Head of Communications, added: “A record number of people have pledged to try vegan this month with Veganuary and they come from almost every country in the world, demonstrating that concern for animals and our planet are fundamental human feelings regardless of culture or continent.”

The post Join celebs this Veganuary with our top plant-based picks appeared first on Checklists.

However, biscuit and chocolate lovers needn’t worry as going vegan doesn’t mean compromising on your favourite snacks.

We’ve selected some of our favourite biscuits, chocolate and treats that are suitable for those going cruelty-free in January – which will make taking on a plant-based diet all the more sweeter.

McVities biscuits

McVitie’s offers some of its new and beloved biscuits for vegans; from the Original Digestives, to Classic Rich Tea, the deliciously crunchy Ginger Nuts and the new healthy and wholesome Granola Oat Bakes.

McVitie’s Granola Oat Bakes, £1.89 140g

Enjoy a healthy and wholesome treat without compromising on taste. McVitie’s vegan-friendly Granola Oat Bakes contain 35% less sugar*.

McVitie’s Original Digestives, RISP £1.15 400g

A classic crunch we all love to enjoy – no need to compromise on taste or texture.

McVitie’s Rich Tea, RISP £1.25 300g 

You won’t have to give up your old favourites when going vegan – the classic Rich Tea biscuits are totally vegan-friendly and perfect to nibble on.  (Also available in a Lights variant)

McVitie’s Ginger Nuts, RISP £1.25 250g

Rejoice in the crunchy and tantalisingly tasty punch of McVitie’s Ginger Nuts without breaking Veganuary.

All are available in major supermarkets.

OGGs cakes 

OGGS® has shaken up the cake industry with its dairy and egg free OGGS® cakes. Choose from Zesty Lemon, Salted Caramel, Victoria Sponge and Chocolate Fudge. Completely plant-based and entirely ethical, the range is made with the well-being of animals, people and planet in mind.

Website: www.loveoggs.com

The post Join Veganuary without giving up your favourite sweet treats appeared first on Checklists.

Have a look at our favourite plant-based brand products that mimic meat – many brands which claim to be indistinguishable from the real thing. Plus we have vegan cook books that are sure to spark some inspiration in the kitchen.

Perfect to inspire new vegans or exciting new products for those already following an animal-free diet.

The Vegetarian Butcher

Created by meat lovers for meat lovers, The Vegetarian Butcher’s innovative product range features tongue-in-cheek names such as Little Peckers (chicken-style nuggets), What the Cluck (chicken-style chunks), Chickened Out Burger (chicken-style burger patty) and Good Karma Shawarma (chicken-style shawarma).

As for snacks,  graze is expanding its Crunch range with two new flavours: lightly sea salted and sweet chilli  or the new wow bakes.

The new Crunch sharing bags are available at graze.com for £2.99, as well as at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Waitrose, Boots, WHSmith and Wilko.

Nick Webster’s Rebel Recipes cook book

Niki Webster’s debut book which has the same name as her blog celebrates the vegetable in its wholesome simplicity and is packed out with simple free-from recipes that have maximum flavour and minimum fuss. Her recipes are all inspired by her travels and incorporate flavour, texture and colour into every dish that is sure to convert even the most carnivorous of people.

Bettina Campolucci Bordi’s 7-Day Vegan Challenge cook book

Bettina’s second cook-book the 7-day-vegan-challenge is the perfect book for anyone looking to take on a vegan diet from anything from a few days or to incorporate into their entire life. Packed with over 50 recipes, simple, handy pull-out shopping list and meal planners this book has everything from snacks through to big platters. Bettina’s book is to simply encourage us to have more meat-free meals in a way that is easy for you

The post Get Veganuary ready with meat-free alternatives appeared first on Checklists.

Not only are many of these snacks super healthy but they are still packed with flavour and taste delicious!

Perfect whether you are following a vegan diet or just fancy trying out healthier alternatives when you feel a bit peckish in the office.

Boundless

Inspired by ancient Aztec and Aborigine traditions of soaking then baking nuts and seeds, Boundless have found a way to activate the goodness waiting within. Using bold ingredients , Boundless’ FAB method (Flood, Activate, Bake) makes this a stand out treat.

Enjoy flavours like Cayenne and Rosemary, Tamari and Aleppo, Turmeric and Smoked Paprika, and Orange, and Ginger and Maple from £1.

Stockists: Sainsbury’s, John Lewis Food Hall, Holland & Barrett, Morrison’s, Barrecore, Sourced Market, Revital, As Nature Intended, Amazon, Borough Box and the Boundless website.

ChicP

ChicP is now the leading sustainable hummus brand that offers a variety of vegan hummus made from wonky veggies that would otherwise be discarded. 40% of veg is wasted and we are combating this by creating delicious dips, perfect for sharing, dipping, dolloping and much more!

Get yours at ocado.com for £1.99.

Whole Earth Dark Roasted Peanut Butter

With a rich and intense slow roasted flavour, this new spread marries well with fruits like apples and dates. Made with healthy hi-oleic peanuts, it contains 30% more good fats than standard peanuts. A great nutritional choice for vegans, it’s a natural source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Available at: Wholeearthfoods.com, Waitrose and TESCO stores nationwide (RRP £3.40/340g)

Pure Bite

Don’t just graze past your vegan goals this Veganuary – smash them to bits with these Great Taste award-winning, bitesize clusters that are nutritionally more advanced than the ‘healthiest’ snacks in the aisles.

Pure Bite’s delicious 100% vegan Coconut Clusters are available in local convenience stores, and in Morrisons’ in-store and online. Pure Bite is here to make healthy, vegan snacking on the go, easy and tasty.

The post Join in Veganuary with our favourite healthy snacks appeared first on Checklists.

The post Join in Veganuary with our favourite drinks selection appeared first on Checklists.

BY CLAIRE MUFFETT-REECE

Apothic Red

A masterfully crafted smooth red blend with four distinct red grapes – Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. With rich layers of blackberry, sweet cherry and hints of mocha, chocolate and vanilla, Apothic Red is opulence in a bottle.

£10 apothic.co.uk

Baileys

Who doesn’t enjoy a Baileys at Christmas? Now when you purchase a bottle of Baileys Original you’ll also receive a Baileys Chocolate Reindeer! Hollow in the middle, it’s been created as the perfect vessel for filling with deliciously decadent Baileys Original Irish Cream.

£15 groceries.asda.com

Barefoot Malbec

Big juicy flavours of blackberry and currant merge with vanilla, caramel and toasted oak in this delicious red wine. It’s no surprise that Barefoot Malbec is the latest award-winner to the brand’s already acclaimed range.

£6.99 barefootwine.co.uk/our-wine

Cazcabel Honey Tequila

Satisfy a sweet tooth with the world’s first honey tequila. It’s crafted from locally sourced, blue weber agave grown for around seven years. It’s then harvested in the highlands of the Jalisco Mountains, Mexico, in an independent micro-distillery in Arandas.

From £24.74 amazon.co.uk

Citadelle Gin

What is a more perfect gift to a gin lover than the world’s MOST awarded gin? Citadelle ‘Gin de France’ is a true chateau-to-bottle gin distilled with 19 aromatics and botanicals grown on the estate at Chateau de Bonbonnet, Cognac. A beautifully balanced gin with herbaceous notes of juniper on first sipping, notes of anise are prominent with a final lingering nose of spice. Perfect served with a 3:1 ration of gin to tonic with a slice of lemon peel.

£29.59 masterofmalt.com

Collagin Rose Gin

A floral twist on the world’s first gin – with added collagen! An elegant and refined flavour, Collagin Rose hosts 11 botanicals with the innovative addition of pure collagen and steam distilled with rose petals. The result is a deliciously smooth, velvety gin with floral notes, finished with a subtle Turkish delight flavour.

£34.99 collagin.co.uk 

Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur

This uniquely combines single malt Irish whiskey, Belgian white chocolate and fresh Irish cream to deliver an amazing taste experience. Best served neat or over ice, but always chilled – it’s ideal as an aperitif or as a dessert alternative.

£34.95 cooleswan.com

Copper Dog Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Named after a device used to sneak whisky from the cask to smuggle home, Copper Dog has that same irreverent, cheeky spirit without losing the classic Speyside tradition. Deliciously fruity with a hint of honey and spice, why not make it all the more special and personalise your bottle today?

£35 getitinkd.com

Cranes Cranberry Gin

This award-winning gin is smooth and fruity, yet delightfully sharp. Made from premium cranberries, it’s handcrafted in Cambridgeshire in small batches by co-founders and identical twins Ben and Dan Ritsema. The cranberries blend in harmony with the junipers, staying true to the origins of a London dry gin. A must-try for any gin enthusiast!

£31.99 ocado.com 

Cut Overproof Spiced Rum

No pirates or sea monsters, just good flavours. Made with beautiful rum sourced from Worthy Farm, Jamaica and Trinidad, it’s aged in copper pot stills. The smooth 151 proof rum is infused with natural spices and essences, and, at over 70% ABV, it has a real depth of flavour.

From £43.37 amazon.co.uk

D1 London Gin Christmas Gift Set

D1 London Spirits gift sets make the perfect stocking fillers. This Potato Vodka is available in full sized 70cl bottle or miniature gift set complete with ice mould in the shape of the brand’s iconic skull.

£9.99 d1londonspirits.co.uk

Denbies Demi-sec NV

The enticing aromas of brioche and pear are complemented by an underlying honeysuckle quality. This wine has a broad mouthfeel that is soft and rounded and gives a long lasting, sweet apple finish. Serve with Christmas cake or simply enjoy it as an aperitif.

£22.50 denbies.co.uk

Don Julio Añejo 

Barrel aged in smaller batches for 18 months in American white-oak barrels, Don Julio Añejo Tequila is a testament to the craft of making a superior tasting, aged tequila. Rich, distinctive and wonderfully complex, its flavour strikes the perfect balance between agave, wood and hints of vanilla. Best experienced neat in a snifter or simply on the rocks.

£51.75 thewhiskeyexchange.com

Dreamchaser Gin Liqueur

Dreamt up and distilled right here in the UK, Dreamchaser turns bland and boring into bright and exciting with heavenly flavours and a spell of magic shimmer. The range includes three flavours; Cotton Candy, Strawberries & Cream and Parma Violet. Best enjoyed neat with ice, paired with tonic, or even added to a glass of bubbly.

£17.95 amazon.co.uk

Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine

Not drinking over the festivities? Try Eisberg, the UK’s number one alcohol-free wine. Made in exactly the same way as regular wine, but with the alcohol gently removed at the end, it’s good for the waistline, as well as your head!

£4 ocado.com

Gigglewater Prosecco

For fans of the fizzy stuff, Gigglewater has the perfect offering this Christmas. Gigglewater is available in bottles and cans, with lower alcohol and alcohol-free products available. The brand’s Mediterranean roots are reflected through the product range inspiring a feel of ‘Forever Summer’ – even in winter!

£11.99 gigglewater.com

Gin Mare

This award-winning gin is steeped in an abundance of botanicals that hail from the Mediterranean. Created with Arbequina olives, thyme, rosemary and basil, Gin Mare is distilled in a fishing village just outside of Barcelona where the owners capture the very essence of Mediterranean air.

£39.50 waitrose.com

Gosnells Mixed Cans

Perfect for any occasion, Europe’s first canned meads come in four delicious flavours, colourfully packaged and all at 4% abv. There’s Gosnells Citra Sea: A rich blend of honey, lemon, tarragon and hops with a tantalising salty finish; Gosnells Hibiscus: Gosnells’ only pink mead brewed with antioxidant rich hibiscus flowers for a fruity tart finish; Gosnells Hopped: Inspired by juicy IPAs, spiced with big IPA hops for a long dry finish; and Gosnells Sour: Complex layers with honey notes.

£15 gosnells.co.uk

Kavka Vodka 

Celebrate Christmas 2019 with arty Kavka ‘vodka how it used to taste’ with subtle notes of apple and plum, ensuring the ultimate flavoursome Christmas Martini every time.

£29.95 masterofmalt.com

Keepr’s Mint Chocolate Vodka Liqueur

Created to taste just like after dinner mint chocolates, Keepr’s premium English Vodka has been infused with chocolate and fresh British mint with a touch of the brand’s raw, unadulterated honey from the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire. This indulgent delight makes for the perfect after dinner tipple.

£37.50 britishhoney.co.uk

Ken Forrester Petit Rosé

This is a lovely, elegant drink that’s great with cold meats, salmon or a fondue. Grapes for the Petit Rosé were hand-picked, and after crushing and pressing were left to soak and infuse the delicate copper salmon colour unique to Grenache.

£11 sahouseofwine.co.uk

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has a deep fruity character and hints of peat and smoke. Matured in three different cask types, the expertly crafted single malt delivers fruity notes while the taste is fruity, vanilla and biscuit. The finish is gentle wood smoke with a lingering peaty tang.

£36.95 lochlomondwhiskies.com

Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay Couvent des Jacobins 2017

A perfect introduction to the delights and complexity of real white Burgundy, this is mainly Cote d’Or fruit together with some from the Maconnais. Fresh with lovely weight, delicate creaminess and judicious oak, it’s a beautifully balanced dry white wine.

£17.85 thedrinkshop.com

Mionetto MO Collection Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry

A stylish festive sparkler, the Mionetto MO Prosecco DOC Extra Dry hails from the historically-celebrated Prosecco DOC Treviso zone. Showcasing the Glera grape’s finest qualities, it boasts a creamy, lingering bead of pin-point bubbles, with notes of apple, acacia blossom, citrus, and almond.

£12 sainsburys.co.uk

Orange Sherbet Gin

A refreshingly zingy, orange sherbet flavoured gin made in the heart of England. They add real sherbet to create that sherbet fizz we all know and love. Tickle your taste buds with our zesty and fizzy gin! Served chilled with tonic, in cocktails, or simply over ice.

£23.95 amazon.co.uk

Pierre Ferrand Ten Générations

The drink connoisseur’s dream, with flavours of baked pear, fruity spice cake, pineapple and cloves, Ferrand 10 Générations is the perfect tipple to enjoy with your Christmas pudding and closest loved ones.

£37.13 masterofmalt.com

Plantation XO Barbados 20th Anniversary

Plantation XO is a special edition, aged rum with notes of chocolate, vanilla, ripe banana, roasted coconut and a touch of fresh mango. Using a double ageing process whereby selected Barbados rums are aged in Bourbon casks then finished at the Château de Bonbonnet in France, a marriage made in heaven.

£53.95 masterofmalt.com

Pommery Brut Royal NV

Pommery launched the first commercial successful Brut Champagne in 1874. The Brut Royal follows in that tradition with lively, fresh and vivacious flavours of citrus and apple with floral notes. The wine is round, ample, and delicate, with a nice finish.

£40 waitrosecellar.com

Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka

Initial dried fruits, then cocoa and layers of caramel are to be found in this delicious tipple. Elegant, medium-bodied creamy texture, its dark chocolate richness is perfect throughout the festive period.

£38 amazon.co.uk

Salcombe Brewery Company Christmas Tide

A presentation pack of Salcombe Brewery’s Christmas Tide, with an ABV 4.9%, makes the perfect gift for any beer lover. Christmas Tide is a very special limited-edition yuletide ale, hand crafted in Devon using crystal, chocolate and wheat malts which give it warmth and body.

£7.20  salcombebrewery.com

Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie Champagne

This Champagne originates from the La Marquetterie vineyard, the original Champagne plot of the Taittinger family. A sustained gold with an intense and fruity nose, IT delivers vine peach and stewed apricot notes, followed by grilled brioche and vanilla.

£67.60 champagneking.co.uk

Tanqueray No. 10

Tanqueray Nº TEN, named after the stills of its origin, is small batch gin crafted using fresh citrus fruits. An exquisite citrus burst in every sip, best enjoyed with premium tonic water and a slice of pink grapefruit.

£21.99 amazon.co.uk

Tequila Rose Gift Set

Why not try this delicious 500ml bottle of Tequila Rose at Christmas? A strawberries and cream tequila, it’s perfect for shots, over ice or as a cocktail – along with two Tequila Rose shot glasses to toast the festive period in style!
£19.32 amazon.co.uk 

Tomatin Cask Strength

Matured in a classic combination of first fill ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks, with Tomatin you’ll enjoy aromas of golden syrup and ginger biscuits accompanied with flavours of malt loaf and marzipan. The result is a dry, lingering spicy finish. This whisky is best enjoyed on its own, with some water to open up the flavours.

£56 thewhiskeyexchange.com

VK Festive Mixed Pack

The VK festive mixed pack is perfect for Christmas parties and contains two bottles of the new VK Candy Cane flavour, alongside a selection of the other popular VK flavours, including VK Watermelon and VK Orange & Passion Fruit. Extra special festive treats in the form of golden tickets have also been added to selected packs to win the official 2019 VK Christmas jumper.

£8 tesco.com

Zing 72 Gin

A hand-crafted premium gin made in France using herbs and botanicals from Provence, including chamomile, lavender and thyme. The gin is distilled in traditional copper alembics (stills) in small batches. The striking bottle design takes its inspiration from the copper still and the name reflects the maceration of the botanicals, which last 72 hours.

£29.95 amazon.co.uk

Zymurgorium Electric Blue Raspberry Gin Liqueur

This colour-changing Zymurgorium Flamingo Electric Blue is a gin-based liqueur, made with Scottish raspberries. If that’s not a show-stopping drink we don’t know what is!1

£19  zymurgorium.com

The post Celebrity Secrets recommends… CHRISTMAS DRINKS appeared first on Checklists.

It’s The Great British Bake Off final tonight, so we caught up with one of last year’s stars, Kim-Joy, to find out what life’s like once the cameras stop rolling

Interview by Claire Muffett-Reece

Kim-Joy, did you or your partner Nabil put weight on while you were filming The Great British Bake Off?

‘I probably started putting on weight as soon as I heard I was going to be on the show! It just gradually went up, right up until the final. I don’t weigh myself but could tell from how my clothes fit. It’s because I wanted to prioritise baking and doing as well as I possibly could. My eating routine was totally out of sync because I’d be at home baking and practicing, so I’d snack instead – and stress eat! In the evenings the kitchen was a mess, so we’d just order takeaway, which we never do now. Plus on filming days I’d eat in the morning and eat way more than usual, because I didn’t want to get hungry in between filming. It’s safe to say I’m definitely a comfort eater! Nabil also gained weight. I’ve since lost all the extra pounds, but my focus is generally on eating healthily and feeling good.’

Have you experienced negativity on social media since leaving the show?

‘We are all given lots of support and are told what to expect before agreeing to go on. But it is hard when reality hits, and there are people being petty online. We all know and understand that the people doing this probably have things not going quite right in their lives, but it still doesn’t stop it hurting, however secure in yourself you might be. Because I look and dress differently, I had people commenting about my appearance and ethnicity, and often in a negative way. To me, it felt like these people were being racist and/or ignorant, as they felt they couldn’t put me in a comfortable “box”. Luckily I have great support from The Great British Bake Off team and my friends, so though I did have moments of feeling very low about some of the comments, I was able to come out of that cloud. Overall the vast majority of comments were super-positive, so I was lucky in that regard. And some people get it much worse than others. I do feel that overall, Bake Off contestants get much less negativity on social media compared to contestants on shows like Love Island. I really feel for people coming off that show – and I hope they get more support. There definitely needs to be changes there!’

What word would you use to describe each of the Bake Off hosts?

‘Paul Hollywood has to be “traditionalist”, because he seems to quite like traditional bakes and flavours. Prue Leith is “warm”, because she’s so colourful and seemed to really feel for us when we had a hard time. Noel Fielding’s got to be “cool”, because of his clothes and creativity; and Sandi Toksvig is “funny”, as she’s so warm and funny, all at the same time.’

What’s your diet like at home? Is it all cakes and biscuits?

‘Since I’ve got back into going to the gym, I try to mostly eat things that have actual nutrients in it, and then occasionally I’ll have a treat. I don’t count calories and have stopped believing in dieting. I don’t have a totally regular day for meals as I change it up a bit. Generally I never have breakfast as I don’t tend to feel hungry until lunch, and then I’ll have a reasonably good sized meal instead. I’ll also have a snack like a protein bar mid-afternoon – or other times it might be a piece of cake!’

Are there any health foods you’re in to eating right now?

‘I make sure to take vitamins every day – cod liver oil, omega 3, plus a good multivitamin. I’m not into any particular health foods per se – I’m just trying to get a good variety of veg in! Lately I’ve been addicted to caramelised vegan white chocolate – and a lot of cheese – so I have to control myself with both of those. I’ve also started using xylitol instead of sugar in my tea. I’ve always been pretty anti towards artificial sweeteners until I tried this one. You use it exactly the same as sugar and it doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. I even prefer it – and I never thought I would say that. It’s quite pricey but it is proven to prevent teeth cavities, and it doesn’t spike your blood sugar. It’s great for me because I love a sweet cup of tea!’

Do you ever buy convenience or ready meals?

‘I’m more into baking than cooking, and so my partner Nabil does a lot of the cooking at home. We love home-cooked meals, but if we’re tired or don’t have time then ready meals are totally fine. I like making a big batch of something and then freezing it into portions. We do that with things like Quorn Bolognese, tarka dhal and soup.’

What’s your favourite dish if you’re having a cheat meal?

‘Me and Nabil love food and going out to eat! Indian, Thai and Chinese tend to be our favourites. It’s nice to get a couple of dishes and we always share, so that way you get a bit of everything. There’s a lot of good places for curries in Leeds and I love to order things like dhal, saag paneer, naan bread and rice. I don’t eat meat as I don’t like the taste of it, but I do very occasionally eat fish. Indian curries are great for vegetarians, as you get a lot of flavour and spice.’

You mentioned earlier you’ve returned to the gym. Why did you stop in the first place?

‘I took a break from when I found out I was going to be on Bake Off, and started going back in April this year. I enjoy feeling fitter and healthier, so I try to go three to five times a week. I just go to classes because I get bored on my own and find it hard to motivate myself to do high intensity exercises. I like spin classes, Pilates, boxing, circuits and pump. I want to work on my cardio fitness and also my upper body strength and core.’

Baking with Kim-Joy is out now and you can buy it HERE

The post Exclusive Interview: The Great British Bake Off’s Kim-Joy appeared first on Checklists.

Interview by Claire Muffett-Reece

What type of food did you eat growing up?

‘I was a child of the Eighties and Nineties, so it was a mixture of my mum’s home-cooked food, such as casseroles and roast dinners, and freezer convenience like Findus Crispy Pancakes and fishfingers. As a special treat we’d have fish and chip Fridays or a Chinese takeaway on a Saturday.’

Are you a good cook?

‘I like to think so. I tend to make healthy, wholesome meals like homemade chilli, fish pie or baked salmon. My husband is great at cooking and also rustles up authentic Italian dishes. When we were dating he pulled out all the stops and made what is now my favourite, Pasta Al Forno.’

What’s the best meal you’ve ever enjoyed?

‘My husband and I once feasted on a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairing at The Orangery in Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall. It spectacular and romantic. We also love to visit Oishee, our local Japanese in Hertford. We spend a fortune on edamame, spicy tuna roll, teriyaki salmon, tuna sashimi, prawn nigiri and a massive carafe of hot sake.’

What are you go-to foods if you’re being healthy?

‘My husband is a nutritionist so we eat healthily most of the time. Our usual diet consists of fish, poultry, vegetables and sweet potato. We do obviously enjoy cheat meals, though – we’re suckers for a meat feast pizza!’

Is there any food you won’t eat?

‘I cannot stand cucumber – it reminds me of sweaty school sandwiches! I also loathe sweet and salty popcorn together. There’s just no need to mix the palettes.’

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

‘You cannot beat fresh, crusty bread with real butter. It’s even better if the butter’s slightly salty and the bread is warm – it’s the ultimate comfort food.’

Are you a sweet or savoury girl?

‘Definitely savoury – give me a cheese board and I’m anyone’s! I do occasionally like a cream tea, as there’s something about a scone with loads of jam that entices me.’

Have you ever had a disaster in the kitchen?

‘I once tried to make homemade soup and poured boiling hot stock straight into a glass dish on the hob. It wasn’t a compatible dish and it literally exploded everywhere – it was awful!’

How Not To Lose It by Anna Williamson is available now at www.amazon.co.uk

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Interview by Claire Muffett-Reece

What family food rules do you stick by?

‘We all sit down for breakfast together, which I love. It’s really important for us to eat at a table together and discuss what we’ve been up to.’

What are your girls like with food?

‘We’ve been lucky because the kids always want to try different stuff. They naturally have things they don’t like as much as others, but they’re not fussy eaters. They love typical kids’ snacks – they can’t get enough of PomBears!’

Where do you go as a family when eating out?

‘We often get the whole family together, including the dog, for a lovely walk to the pub for fish and chips, which is a real treat. The kids also love an all-you-can-eat buffet – they go totally nuts! I remember one of the girls coming back once with a plate that consisted of sweet and sour chicken, pork crackling, roast potatoes, chocolate cake and profiteroles!’

And what about if you’re eating at home?

‘A nice Saturday afternoon often involves the kids playing outside, so I’ll do a gin and tonic for myself and my wife, Caela, then put out some nice antipasti of fresh salami, pickles and olives. Suddenly a herd of kids will come over and hoover up the lot!’

What do you cook to impress your wife?

‘Caela loves anything with butter and garlic, so I’d rustle up some prawns in chilli and garlic butter with a big crust of bread. I’d follow that with salt and pepper squid or some seabass – or serve a lovely fish mezze with a crisp white wine.’

Let’s talk school dinners. What do you remember about them when you were at school?

‘We had proper dinner ladies at primary who made all the meals on site, before the older kids would serve it. It all changed when I moved up to  secondary, as a lot more of the food was brought in from outsider caterers. It was much more classic in the day, including a fair amount of processed food like spam fritters and saveloys. I loved them both!’

Do you make packed lunches for your girls?

‘They eat school dinners, so I only tend to make packed lunches if they’re off on a trip. They get cheese and pickle or ham and mustard sandwiches with an apple and plenty of water. It’s the same sort of thing I would have had myself when I was young.’

For more information on Jimmy’s Farm visit jimmysfarm.com

Read Jimmy’s full interview in the Parenting issue of Celebrity Secrets, available in OK! magazine bumper packs, on sale now for one week only!

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Stacey’s serious allergies

Stacey Forsey suffers Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO), a severe gut disease that means she experiences ‘almost labour pains’ whenever she has gluten, eggs or dairy.

Her daughter and mother have the same condition, although Stacey didn’t realise her daughter, Grace, has been suffering for a ‘long, long time,’ she says.

‘I didn’t realise, I felt really bad, that my little girl has been bloated or a long, long time. I thought it was because she was constipated, so we went back and forth to the doctors and she was given laxatives and that didn’t work.’

It was only in the last year that she realised Grace has her same intolerance to gluten, eggs and dairy.

Puddings were off limits

For a while, Stacey cooked separate meals for her family. This was tiring enough, but she struggled with not having a ‘nice pudding’ with the rest of the family. Every sweet pudding has flour, eggs, sugar and butter in it, so they were off limits to Stacey, her mum and her daughter.

‘Grace wouldn’t be able to have a pudding, Mum wouldn’t be able to have a pudding, I didn’t either. Just my Dad, my husband my brother, my son would indulge in pudding and we’d just sit there eating an apple.’

As a self-confessed ‘foodie’, this was not enough to fill Stacey. She started to feel low because she was missing out.

‘We talk openly about mental illness and there is a link – if your gut isn’t well then neither is your brain.’

The solution: Stacey’s alternative ingredients

So, about 18 months ago, Stacey took back control. She got together with a chef friend and, through ‘trial and error’, they developed recipes that used alternative ingredients. These recipes are now in her cookbook, Scrumplicious Sweet Treats.

‘I just wanted to create desserts that were just like the same thing – a sticky toffee pudding that tasted the same, had the same texture, but with everything missing that I couldn’t have. And I believe I mastered that.’

Getting ready for Christmas

With Christmas around the corner, Stacey has already started planning dinner for her table of 14. She will baste the turkey with dairy-free butter, and prepare gluten-free gravy, dairy-free stuffing and gluten-free sausages for her pigs in blankets. All of which, she says, you can buy from M&S. ‘I cheat because I’m not superwoman!’

For dessert, she will use the recipes in her new cookbook, Scrumplicious Sweet Treats, to make gluten, dairy and egg-free mince pies and a traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.

She makes her Christmas pudding six to eight weeks before Christmas day so she can add brandy to it every day in the run-up to the big day. ‘That’s my favourite treat over the Christmas period.’

Tackling the wider problem

While Stacey is able to cook comfortably at home, she says eating in public is a whole other story.

‘It’s when you’re out in public, that’s the problem – restaurants, hotels, when you’re travelling,’ she says.

She predicts 80% of public places don’t cater for her needs. She is trying to put pressure on these spaces to provide more inclusive options. ‘I’m on a mission,’ she says.

Stacey Forsey’s free from gluten, egg and dairy cookbook, Scrumplicious Sweet Treats, is available to buy today from Amazon and staceyforsey.co.uk

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