Hello there my friend,

I hope you're having a great week. Yesterday was not only Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel's Independence Day - but also Earth Day, an annual day of awareness and action around respecting and protecting the planet we live all on.

I'm always struck by how often the things that are good for us as individuals are also what's best for our shared planet. For instance, eating fresh seasonal locally grown food is more nutritious, and can also protect ecosystems and reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals needed by farmers. Walking or cycling instead of driving not only benefits our cardiovascular health, but keeps our air cleaner too. And emphasising joyful experiences over accumulating 'stuff', improves mental health while also reducing the amount of waste to landfill.

One thing to try

If I had to make one suggestion that you might like to try, it would be to buy locally grown, organic produce, if possible. Why not see if there's a local organic box scheme where you live? We love ours, and not only is it super convenient having our veggies delivered every week, it's usually more economical than buying the equivalent produce from a supermarket! Plus it supports local farmers, and helps to protect our environment.

Below I've collected together recipes that use seasonal April produce to make delicious, nourishing dishes that are good for you, and hopefully good for the Earth too. Enjoy! And (belated) Happy Earth Day to one and all 🌍

Delicious recipes using fresh seasonal produce

April is the perfect time to switch to local organic veggies, as so many tasty treats are now coming into season. Look out for artichokes, beets, young carrots, new potatoes, kale, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring greens, and if you're lucky asparagus and strawberries, too.

• ​Beetroot humous​
  A brightly coloured, richly flavoured variation on classic humous that's delicious as a dip, in a sandwich, or as a quick snack.
• ​Beetroot pasta with yogurt​
  A family favourite pasta dish that's packed with flavour! Tangy, earthy and highly nutritious, it's ready in 25 minutes (or less!) Perfect for a quick and tasty springtime dinner.
• ​Butter braised carrots and garlic with barley​
  Tender, buttery braised carrots and sweet, melting garlic cloves, served with comforting barley. Just the thing when Spring is in the air, but it's still a bit on the chilly side.
• ​Roasted baby potatoes with mushrooms and onions​
  This wonderful tasty side dish consists of crisp, golden baby potatoes together with sweet caramelised onions and deliciously earthy roasted mushrooms.
• ​Sicilian-style kale with pine nuts, currants, capers, and lemon ​
  ​Savoury, salty, sweet and zesty, this Sicilian-style kale has it all! You can also use cavolo nero, spring greens, or other seasonal leafy veg of your choice.
• ​Crunchy red cabbage and radish slaw with cranberries​
  The simple, gently spicy dressing on this fabulous and vibrant salad highlights the wonderful crunch of the radishes and sweet-sour pops of flavour from the dried cranberries.
• ​Artichoke and spinach pesto pasta​
  ​A flavour-packed vegan pesto made with spinach, almonds and artichokes. Perfect with spaghetti or the pasta of your choice.

And on the subject of recipes... if you're a fiend for feta like I am, check out my latest recipe collection - fabulous feta cheese recipes!​

Shabbat Shalom

Here's wishing you an uplifting and refreshing Shabbat. May we all be blessed with peace, health, happiness and wellbeing for ourselves, and the planet.

Good Shabbos - Shabbat Shalom! - to you and yours.
With love, Helen x.

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