Are you aware that anxiety and depression in the workplace remain elevated compared to pre-COVID levels? This is a serious issue that needs addressing. Avoiding burnout is easier by taking a proactive approach to well-being instead of a reactive approach. Benefits of gardening Fortunately, over 7 million people in the UK have achieved this through gardening since the pandemic, reaping its benefits on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These include improved social relationships, cognitive and educational outcomes, and reduced stress, anxiety, and fatigue levels. Studies conducted by the British Psychological Society have also shown that gardening leads to increased enjoyment, a sense of achievement, and pride from nurturing plants, all of which contribute to personal well-being. How can 50 Ways To Cook help? Are you or your organisation looking to improve well-being and sustainability? 🌻 We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new range of services to help you achieve your goals. At 50 Ways To Cook, our commitment to nourishing people and the planet through food drives us to continuously improve our offerings and ensure that we provide our clients with the best service and value. 1. Well-being Schemes Anxiety and depression in the workplace remain elevated compared to pre-COVID levels and need addressing. Avoid burnout by implementing a proactive approach to well-being instead of a reactive approach. Our well-being schemes include: 🌱 Seed planting workshops 🍅 Food education workshops 👩🏻‍🌾 Natural grow kits ♻️ Circular food waste recovery systems 🌻 On-site well-being garden development 2. Interactive Workshops Our flagship 'Circular Food' workshop explores the whole food system, equipping participants to contribute towards sustainable food system transformation. These workshops can be tailored for all ages, from children to adults! 3. Circular Food Solutions ♻️ Do you produce food waste? We can help! Food waste is only wasted once it's wasted. We will turn your organic 'waste' into valuable living compost. Food waste recovery often relies on landfill, incineration, or anaerobic digestion. Our local composting systems retain all the essential nutrients, organic matter, and life often lost within the current linear system. At 50 Ways To Cook, we aim to create local circular systems in which all waste is captured and kept within the system. Please explore our new range of services and discover how they can benefit your business. For more information, contact Alex 🌱 Thank you for your continued support in 50 Ways To Cook. We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you and helping you reach new heights!

In my ongoing pursuit of improving soil health and plant growth, I've embarked on a journey to reformulate the Natural Soil Enhancer. Through experimentation and testing in my parents' garden (thanks mum and dad), I've updated my blend of ingredients to revitalise the soil and foster flourishing gardens. Ingredients UK-Grown Organic Seaweed Worm Castings Volcanic Rock Dust Biochar Mycorrhizal Fungi + Rhizobacteria Barley Malt Extract Why Choose Natural Fertiliser? UK-Grown Organic Seaweed Harvested from pristine coastal waters, UK-grown organic seaweed is one of the main ingredients in the Natural Soil Enhancer. Packed with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and iodine, seaweed provides a comprehensive nutritional boost to soil and plants alike. Its gradual decomposition enriches the soil with vital elements, promoting long-term fertility and sustainability. Worm Castings Often referred to as nature's black gold, worm castings are a testament to the remarkable capabilities of earthworms. Earthworms convert organic matter into nutrient-rich castings, teeming with beneficial microbes through their digestive processes. These castings improve soil structure, enhance nutrient availability, and stimulate plant growth. By incorporating worm castings into our soil enhancer, we harness the power of nature's recyclers to nourish the soil and support thriving plant life. Volcanic Rock Dust Derived from ancient volcanic eruptions, rock dust is a potent source of minerals and trace elements essential for plant growth. Silica, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron are just a few nutrients in volcanic rock dust, replenishing soil fertility and bolstering plant resilience. Its alkaline nature helps regulate soil pH, encouraging optimal nutrient uptake and microbial activity. Additionally, volcanic rock dust enhances soil structure, promoting water retention and aeration for healthy root development. Biochar Crafted through the pyrolysis of organic materials, biochar is a porous carbon-rich substance renowned for its soil-enhancing properties. With its high surface area and nutrient affinity, biochar acts as a sponge, absorbing and retaining water, minerals, and beneficial microbes. This nutrient reservoir improves soil fertility, reduces nutrient leaching, and promotes microbial activity, resulting in healthier, more resilient plants. Furthermore, biochar sequesters carbon in the soil, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. Photos from the Oxford Biochar Research Team show how great biochar is for your plants! Mycorrhizal Fungi + Rhizobacteria Beneath the surface, a complex network of symbiotic microorganisms plays a vital role in soil health and plant vitality. Mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic relationships with plant roots, extending their reach and enhancing nutrient uptake. Rhizobacteria, meanwhile, fix atmospheric nitrogen and solubilise minerals, further enriching the soil environment. Together, these microbial allies improve soil structure, suppress diseases, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, paving the way for sustainable gardening practices. Barley Malt Extract Derived from malted barley grains, barley malt extract is a natural stimulant for soil microbial activity. Rich in sugars, amino acids, and humic substances, it nourishes beneficial soil organisms, promoting nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Its application enhances soil structure, nutrient retention, and composting processes, contributing to soil health and fertility. Why Choose Natural Fertiliser? In a world increasingly reliant on synthetic inputs, the resurgence of natural fertilisers offers a compelling alternative for conscientious gardeners. By harnessing the power of nature's bounty, we can cultivate gardens that thrive in harmony with the environment, free from the harmful effects of chemical interventions. Natural fertilisers offer numerous benefits, including improved soil health, enhanced plant resilience, and reduced environmental impact. By nourishing the soil with organic amendments and fostering diverse microbial communities, we can create vibrant ecosystems that support robust plant growth and biodiversity. Furthermore, natural fertilisers align with sustainability principles and regenerative agriculture, promoting soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem resilience. By choosing natural fertilisers, gardeners can play a meaningful role in stewarding the health of our planet and ensuring a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. Cultivating a Greener Future As stewards of the land, we are responsible for nurturing the soil upon which all life depends. We can cultivate beautiful, bountiful, and regenerative gardens by embracing natural soil enhancers and sustainable gardening practices. Whether you're tending to a small backyard garden or managing a sprawling agricultural operation, soil health and sustainability principles remain the same. By prioritising soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, we can create landscapes that are not only productive but also ecologically vibrant and culturally rich. So, as you embark on your gardening journey, consider the transformative potential of natural soil enhancers. With each application, you're not just feeding your plants—you're nourishing the soil, supporting biodiversity, and cultivating a greener future for generations to come. Ready to take the next step? Explore 50 Ways To Cook Natural Grow Kits and Natural Soil Enhancer and join us in the journey towards a more sustainable and resilient world.

What is it? Getting started Growing on Munch time Recipes How-to videos Nasturtium flowers, leaves and even seeds are edible. They have a long history of culinary use and have a slightly sweet, peppery taste. They’re also used in traditional medicine, With  antibiotic properties, they can be used to treat various ailments such as coughs! Plants growing in containers should be watered to keep the compost evenly moist. Deadheading (cutting off) the flowers will encourage more blooms over a longer period and you can enjoy eating them on top of a salad! Getting started Make a few evenly spaced holes in the soil as deep as your fingernail. Add two seeds to each and cover with soil. You can start off outdoors if it’s sunny, or somewhere warm and bright indoors like a windowsill if it's cold outside. Keep the soil damp, not drenched. Cut a plastic bottle in half and place over where you planted the seeds. This will keep them warm and moist. Thin out any extra seedlings after about two weeks when 5cm tall to prevent them competing for nutrients. Growing on Indoor-sown seeds can be moved out after May. You can mulch with straw to reduce moisture loss from the soil. Check the soil moisture and water if dry, particularly during dry spells. Give them a good watering once they start to flower. Munch time Nasturtium leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible. The flowers and young leaves have a peppery taste and are a great addition to salads. The seed pods can be used as a substitute for capers. Pick them when mature but still green, and pickle them in vinegar. Recipes Coming soon 👀 How-to videos Coming soon 👀

< Back Marmite and Rosemary Roast Potatoes Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 - 40 minutes Serves: About the Recipe If you’re bored of having the same roast potatoes year after year, you have to give these a go! Ingredients 100-150g of potatoes per person A few tbsp of fresh rosemary, chopped 1 tbsp marmite 2 tbsp oil or duck fat 1 tbsp Cornflour Salt and pepper to taste Preparation Previous Next

< Back Pan con Pimientos Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Serves: 2 About the Recipe My take on the Spanish dish, pan con tomates 🍅 Ingredients 1 pack of baby peppers (or tomatoes if you want it to be aUthEnTic) Roast tomato sourdough from Co-op (Ciabatta also works very well) Smoky chilli and garlic butter (see my recipe) Raw Garlic clove Preparation Chop and deseed peppers before placing under the grill Once blackened, take peppers out, remove skins and blend until a nice chunky texture Smother bread in butter and fry on both sides until golden Assemble and enjoy - I finished this with salsa verde, recipe on my site Previous Next

< Back Katsu Curry Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Serves: About the Recipe This is a classic Japanese dish consisting of fried breadcrumbed chicken, rice, and a delicious sweet sauce. I used my own homemade breadcrumbs for this one so I didn’t have to buy any - saving me money AND reducing my food waste. The chicken was also from the reduced section which meant it was cheaper than normal and wouldn’t end up in the bin. Winner winner chicken dinner! You can also swap out the chicken for something meat-free to reduce the environmental impact of this meal. I always try to buy my meat from the reduced section if possible or of the highest quality I can afford. Ingredients For Katsu Sauce 1 onion, sliced 1 carrot, sliced 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tbsp plain flour 1 tbsp curry powder 500ml stock Soy sauce and honey taste For protein Breadcrumbs (recipe on website) 1 egg, beaten 1 tbsp plain flour Preparation Get your sauce going by adding the onions and carrots to a pan on medium-low heat for 10 minutes until softened Lower the heat and add your garlic, flour, and curry powder and mix until it’s evenly coated. Cook for a couple of minutes to release the flavours Start by adding a splash of stock to loosen the mix. I used a hand blender here to blend the carrots and onions until smooth but use whatever method is best for you Add the rest of the stock and simmer until it thickens up. While the sauce thickens, prepare your protein by slicing into thin layers. I like to slice my chicken breasts in half but do what works best for you Get 3 stations for your flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Coat in flour first, then egg, then breadcrumbs When the sauce is looking nearly ready turn down the heat, add your soy sauce and honey until you’re happy with the taste Add some oil to a pan and get ready to shallow fry your protein. If it’s nice and thin it should cook quickly. On a medium heat, add the protein to the pan and cook until the breadcrumbs are nice and golden on either side. Around 3 minutes a side or so I like to serve on a bed of rice, with the chicken on top and sauce drizzled over. You can top with some spring onions and sesame seeds to make it look pretty Previous Next