Meat Free 5 A Day Day in Croydon Campaign

5 a day day on Planet Earth

2011-03-09T17:19:00.000Z

I will eat a sustainable healthy plantarian, pure vegetarian, vegan diet:

Well what are you waiting for? Armageddon? Press the blue button!

Plantarian - One World Day

Healthy Snacks and School Meals

2011-01-25T21:45:00.001Z

Healthy Snacks and School Meals:

More healthy ideas for schools from an initiative supported by Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association

Excessive meat-eating 'kills 45,000 each year' - Health News, Health & Families - The Independent

2010-10-22T14:01:00.000+01:00

More statistics on why a 5 a Day Day would make sense, save money, save the planet and save lives.

This time from Oxford University in The Independent

Excessive meat-eating 'kills 45,000 each year' - Health News, Health & Families - The Independent: "Oxford University's heart unit analysed the health consequences of a range of diets, concluding that eating meat no more than three times a week would prevent 31,000 deaths from heart disease, 9,000 deaths from cancer and 5,000 deaths from strokes each year, saving the NHS £1.2bn."

Whilst Croydon Council turns a blind eye, people are dying, kids are becoming chronically ill.

mechanically reclaimed chicken

2010-10-04T20:27:00.001+01:00

Say hello to mechanically separated chicken. It’s...: Meat the truth - those delicious chicken nuggets are made of this - hungry? KFC = Kak Freakin Crap? Kreepy Frankenstein Chooks?
Yum Yum Yum - NOT!

Interesting piece on transition town food here - New Forest Food by Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston

Child Nutrition Act USA

2010-09-21T20:06:00.001+01:00

Child Nutrition Act USA: More effort to give children a healthier start in life; legislation to improve healthy options for school children. If you know anyone in the USA please forward to them ASAP to try to stop the senate from watering this legislation down to another worthless 'could do'.

Elizabeth Kucinich, Director of Public and Government Affairs in PCRM, has published this message today: Congress is on the verge of voting for a new Child Nutrition Act, and we’ve received word that an excellent House version of the bill, which would allow more children to have access to healthful plant-based options, may be rejected for a much weaker, stripped-down Senate version. This Senate version will make it harder for children to choose healthy food options in the cafeteria. Our chance to improve school lunches across the nation lies in the hands of Congress today! Please urge key leaders in the House to pass the superior House bill, H.R. 5504, and reject the Senate’s bill, S. 3307.

Please follow this link ASAP to send an email, or for more info: http://www.pcrmlf.org/cna/index.cfm

The health of America's children is declining rapidly, with millions afflicted by obesity and at high risk for adult diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. These children, many of whom get more than half of their daily calories in the school lunch line, are not given the opportunity to choose healthier food or learn good eating habits at school. Urge Congress to help provide students more plant-based options in the federally funded school lunch and school breakfast programs. Please support H.R. 5504, The Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act of 2010, to give students the healthy school lunches that they deserve.

Fruits & Veggies More Matters

2010-09-17T13:54:00.001+01:00

Fruits & Veggies More Matters: More logic and sense this time from the Produce for Better Health Foundation or PBHF.

Wake up Croydon Council ! Wake up Croydon PCT ! Yo hello Headmasters of Croydon Schools and education trusts.

The status quo is suicide - inaction is not acceptable - what are you going to do ?

Most Americans still aren’t eating enough vegetables, and fruit consumption has dropped slightly, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. Researchers found that last year about one-third of U.S. adults consumed fruit or fruit juice at least twice a day, down slightly from more than 34 percent in 2000. About 26 percent of Americans ate vegetables three or more times a day, the same results as reported in 2000.

California had the highest consumption rate for fruit, Oklahoma had the lowest. The state with the highest consumption rate for vegetables was Tennessee, and South Dakota had the lowest of any state. No state, however, met the Healthy People 2010 targets as set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goals for fruit and vegetable consumption under this initiative are for three-quarters of adults to consume two or more fruit servings and for half of adults to consume three or more vegetable servings each day.

Eating a colorful variety of fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables (including 100% juice) is an easy and positive step in helping to lead a healthy life.

The UK and particularly Croydon need to take a lead on this to avoid even more damning figures on Croydon's state of ill health

Meat Free Monday Early day motion

2010-09-09T15:02:00.001+01:00

Early day Motion - for meat free monday

Early Day Motion

EDM 669 MEAT-FREE MONDAYS CAMPAIGN

06.09.2010

Leech, John

That this House acknowledges UN figures which suggest that meat production is responsible for approximately 18 per cent. of global carbon emissions; further acknowledges that methane, emitted by cows and pigs, is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas; recognises that across the UK 1 million tonnes of beef, 1.3 million tonnes of pork and 1.8 million tonnes of poultry are consumed every year; further recognises that this level of meat consumption is detrimental to the health of the nation and increasingly to the public purse; further recognises that global meat production is forecast to almost double to 456 million tonnes in 2050 compared to 2001 levels; believes that current meat consumption levels are unsustainable if the Climate Change Act 2008 is to be successfully implemented tohelp the UK fight against climate change; calls for a shift towards less meat-oriented diets nationally; further recognises that meat-free Mondays would help to promote this; and furtherbelieves that Parliament should set an example by supporting meat-free Mondays in all cafeterias in the Houses of Parliament.

Nestle's Obesity Summer Swindle

2010-07-21T03:46:00.001+01:00

Nestle's Obesity Summer Swindle: so is Nestle in Croydon conning the Nation with it's get set go free campaign?

Will the calories you have to eat to get the tokens over shadow the calories you could burn from doing the activity?

Will it be a net weight gain or net weight loss?

More childhood obesity or less?

Boris Mayor of London Rd Kidnapped!

2010-07-08T10:11:00.001+01:00

DAD'S TIME PLAY GROUP: - Boris, The Mayor of London Road Croydon is kidnapped and finally lost for words as he hops on and off a London bus to take a tour or the dads time family toddler activity play group in Croydon set up specifically to support dads and their children.

xxx

The government want people back to work at the same time as threatening to reduce child care and activity centres such as dads time. It's vital for social equity and development that dad's have a place to go with their kids. Research available from the Pre School Learning Alliance shows a number of benefits for children who have a stable and empowering relationship with their fathers that benefit society and community immensely.

Projects such as dadstime are vital for children's emotional, educational and physical well-being as well as impacting on health and nutrition and general social development.

Mobile Phone Version Boris Goes to Dadstime

Croydon - whats on- Events & kids Activities

2010-06-07T01:22:00.001+01:00

DAD'S TIME PLAY GROUP - Events & Activities

What's on? a family fun day event at Wandle Park Waddon in Croydon by Wandle park tram stop

When ? 19th June 12 - 4pm

Who will be there? kids Childrens TV celebrity Dave Benson Phillips and a few pirates, a story teller, circus stuff

See also
Net Mums
allinlondon.co.uk
wherecanwego.com
skiddle.com

What's On Bank Holiday Weekend Event

2010-05-24T08:54:00.000+01:00

What's On Festival Event Bank Holiday Weekend

Get out of the city ! Bristol is only a few hours away, hop on a train and walk across the river to the harbourside for the best value fun this summer.

Bristol Bank Holiday Weekend What's On Event Festival for all the Family: Last chance to buy tickets online and save yourself money on the gate ticket price.

Tell your friends, facebook, email, twitter and meet up this Bank Holiday weekend in Bristol - for the world's most fun, environmentally friendly green 100% vegetarian Vegan food and music festival. Something for everyone from kids to senior citizens and the Bristol Massive in between. Eco Veggie Fayre

Croydon Conservatives Threaten Health

2010-04-23T16:09:00.000+01:00

Revealed: London Green Party reveal Croydon incinerator to include radioactive and toxic waste

Following a catalogue of profit first people second decisions Croydon's Conservative led Council now plan to turn Croydon into a massive rubbish dump for the south of London at a cost of £1 Billion and and even greater cost to the environment, amenity and health of the borough.

Uncovered

The Croydon Green Party have uncovered the Tory plans to scupper plans for better recycling by building a facility that will have to import lorry loads of rubbish and waste from London and surrounding areas to make it viable.

It will require a constant supply to feed it thus disincentivising recycling efforts.

Ill Health

The Croydon Green Party have identified a number of threats to Croydon resident's health - this is catastrophic news for a borough that has already been named and shamed as the unhealthiest in London.

It is further evidence of the Conservatives total disregard for optimum health in Croydon.

World Vegetarian And Vegan News: Council tried to seize ‘veggie’ child

2010-04-20T13:55:00.001+01:00

Council tried to seize ‘veggie’ child

Whoa! We think things are bad in Croydon with our Burger King sponsored Mayday NHS Hospital

In Lewisham they are persecuting people for deciding not to eat meat and dairy! Looks like they'll soon be the unhealthiest borough in London if they scare residents into not eating fruit and vegetables.

The family they threatened and refused legal aid to were not even vegan or vegetarian - they all ate fish.

The vegan families in Lewisham must be petrified they will have the Lewisham Health and Social Services mafia banging down their doors for eating too many fruits and vegtables any day now.

Lewisham Council quite rightly awarded a 'Twonk of the Week' award by the Pirates of The Carob Bean for such blatant professional incompetance.

More on the London Nutritionist Blog

London Nutritionist on 5 a Day

2010-04-14T13:48:00.001+01:00

Nutritionist London - Diet Advice

London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston today hit out at Croydon Tory Council

"I really can't understand why Croydon Council wouldn't want to jump at the chance to implement this. Having a weekly focus on 5 a Day is a total no brainer. Surely only eating more of the foods we typically don't get enough of in modern diets for one day a week is logical enough even for a conservative councillor to get their head around."

"It's cost effective, it's easy, it's healthy, it's sustainable, it's inexpensive, it's positive"

Yvonne reveals that only response from the Croydon health administration so far is that they couldn't endorse or recommend restricted diets. Apparently a days focus on plant foods would be classed as a restricted diet.

Tony Bishop-Weston author of "The Complete Book of Vegan Cooking" says "The restricted diet excuse is complete nonesense, a red herring, caterers work on a 1-3 week rota and have to get minimum levels of key nutrients included in a set period. Nowhere does it say you must include saturated animal fat laden protein, processed nutrient deficient carbohydrates, and fibre free food every day of the school week."

If Croydon wants to shake off it's label of the unhealthiest borough in London and reduce childhood obesity and rising rates of diabetes then they have to start taking more responsibility for practical health education in the borough and being more proactive rather than leaving it to Rentokil (Eden Foods) to profitably defend the school dinner status quo.

Healthy School Lunches / Scarlett Johansson Urges Congress to Pass Healthy School Meals Act

2010-04-14T12:25:00.001+01:00

Healthy School Lunches / Scarlett Johansson Urges Congress to Pass Healthy School Meals Act

Scarlett Johansson has recently sent a request to Congress to add more fruits, vegetables, and healthy meal options to school lunchrooms.

This is great news that a greater focus has been put on the next generation to avoid our health mistakes and get our school kids to learn healthy habits.

Johansson has written a letter to Congress urging support for the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, H.R. 4870, which was introduced on March 18 by Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado. The bill would reward school districts for offering plant-based vegetarian options and healthful nondairy beverages.

“I’ve been involved with efforts to feed hungry children for years,” writes Scarlet. “Millions of families in America rely on subsidized school lunches, and these meals are absolutely crucial to children’s well-being.”

Scartlett Johansson stars in The Other Boleyn Girl and Lost in Translation.

Lets hope that the new Croydon Council is inspired by these new initiatives and the Meat Free Monday Campaign to adopt our campaign for 5 a Day Days in Croydon Schools and Hospitals.

Croydon Green Party - A real alternative for Croydon

2010-04-13T00:33:00.001+01:00

Croydon Green Party - A real alternative for Croydon

You've seen what Red and Blue can do - what would making Croydon Green do?

The certainly will do everything in their power to stop conservative council plans to turn Croydon into a massive Rubbish Collection Centre for South London coming to fruition. Croydon Green Party estimates 50,000 truck journeys of rubbish per year, and that's just the beginning.

Yum yum yum - an incinerator is expected to pump nano toxic particles into the air for Croydon's school children to breathe in.

San Francisco Beats Croydon in Meat Free Monday Race

2010-04-07T11:43:00.001+01:00

Meat Free Mondays in San Francisco

Now Croydon drops behind San Francisco in the race to promote 5 a day healthy diets through Sir Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday Campaign

The predominantly conservative Tory led stick in the mud Croydon council still continues to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to a healthier, more sustainable Croydon, lagging behind even the sausage eating Belgium town of Ghent in the race to support Sir Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday Campaign

They say enough is being done. Clearly not though as Croydon is designated as one of the unhealthiest boroughs in London with discraceful rates of childhood obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Please write to your councillors and urge them to push for a 5 a day day every week in schools and council offices and hospitals.

Vote for a new councillor is is committed to improving health and sustainability in Croydon

PM to Make Meat Free Monday Compulsory

2010-04-01T00:49:00.001+01:00

PM Gordon Brown Meat Free Monday Plans to Woo Green Voters

1st April 2010

In a last ditch effort to avoid a hung parliament with the Green Party holding the balance of power The Prime Minister Gordon Brown is apparently discussing making Meat Free Mondays compulsory in schools and hospitals

More Seaweed Needed in Croydon?

2010-03-22T11:29:00.001Z

Seaweed fights obesity, researchers in Newcastle claim

Listening to BBC radio and TV today you'd think Croydon's obesity problems could be solved by sprinkling seaweed on Croydon's fast food diet of fried chicken, pizzas , chips and burgers.

Newcastle University researchers found alginate - a fibre found in sea kelp - reduces the body's fat uptake by more than 75%. That is better than most anti-obesity treatments.

However top uk nutritionist, Croydon based Yvonne Bishop-Weston said today "Seaweed does have many useful nutrients and many of those are good for weight loss but their idea of adding seaweed to the foods responsible at the root of high obesity rates is counter productive. White bread and biscuits full of trans fats and sugar will still be anti- nutritional with added seaweed or not."

Nestlé Killer - Give the orang-utan a break | Greenpeace UK

2010-03-17T17:35:00.003Z

Nestlé Killer - Give the orang-utan a break | Greenpeace UK

Nestle got the Greenpeace treatment in Croydon Today. They climbed up above reception, hung a massive banner and filled the streets with orangutangs with placards.

No wonder. The new Fairtrade sticker on Kit Kat hides the fact that Nestle is anything but fair to the Rainforest and the Orangutans that live there. The Palm Oil Nestle use is responsible for massive devastation.

See also Nestle , Croydon

Decade of spending on health messages 'has had little effect' - Health News, Health & Families - The Independent

2010-02-25T18:04:00.001Z

Decade of spending on health messages 'has had little effect' - Health News, Health & Families - The Independent

People are eating as badly as they were 10 years ago despite the spending of hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer’s money on advertsing campaigns on fruit and vegetables, saturated fat and other health issues, the Government’s food watchdog admitted yesterday.

In a nationwide nutrition survey, the Food Standards Agency found that the majority of people were still eating too many processed foods and sweets and not enough oily fish and fresh fruit and vegetables. Adults ate twice as much sausages as white fish, and boys almost equalled their consumption of salad and other raw vegetables with chocolate. Teenagers ate five times as much white as wholemeal bread.

The survey suggests that the Government has made little headway in reducing the diet-related ill-health, which the Cabinet Office estimated last year costs 70,000 lives and £6billion to the NHS annually.

Richard Watts of Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming said: “After 10 years of largely small, weak or voluntary initiatives, like Change4Life, we have seen little improvement in the nation's diet.

“Where the government has introduced tough rules, such as improving school food, genuine progress has been made but unless we really challenge our 'obeseogenic' culture by doing things like introducing proper protections from junk food marketing, these worrying trends will continue.”

Leading UK Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston from Foods for Life says "It's a little early to be saying that the Change4Life campaign has failed but there's no doubt government needs to dramatically rethink the issue of holistic preventative health measures to save the NHS from collapsing into a black hole"

What a difference a day makes (music by Moby)

2010-02-15T15:38:00.001Z

Cruelty Free Living: YouTube - What a difference a day makes (music by Moby)

Thanks to Animal Aid for this one

London Borough of Croydon: School catering - Schools in the Central Contract

2010-01-27T12:15:00.002Z

How is the catering in your school? Complaints form.

London Borough of Croydon: School catering - Schools in the Central Contract: "Schools in Croydon that are in the central contract

Most schools in Croydon have their school meals provided by Eden Foodservice through a contract organised by the council."

If you have had problems with the catering for your children particularly if related to your kid's health we'd love to hear from you.

Or if you are a pupil at one of the following schools we'd love to hear your complaints and praises too.

Please leave comments below

Primary schools

All Saints Infant School
All Saints Junior School
Ashburton Infant School
Ashburton Junior School
Atwood Primary School
Beaumont Primary School
Benson Primary School
Beulah Infant School
Beulah Junior School
Broadmead Infant School
Broadmead Junior School
Byron Primary School
Castle Hill Primary School
Chipstead Valley Primary School
Christ Church Primary School
Coulsdon Primary School
Courtwood Primary School
Cypress Infants School
Cypress Junior School
David Livingstone Primary School
Davidson Primary School
Downsview Primary School
Duppas Junior School
Ecclesbourne Infant school
Ecclesbourne Junior School
Elmwood Infant School
Elmwood Junior School
Forestdale Primary School
Gilbert Scott Primary School
Gonville Primary School
Good Shepherd Primary School
Greenvale Primary School
Gresham Primary School
Heavers Farm Primary School
Howard Primary School
Kenley Primary School
Kensington Avenue Primary School
Keston Primary School
Kingsley Primary School
Margaret Roper Primary School
Monks Orchard Primary School
Norbury Manor Primary School
Orchard Way Primary School
Oval Primary School
Parish Church Infant School
Parish Church Junior School
Park Hill Infant School
Park Hill Junior School
Purley Oaks Primary School
Regina Coeli Primary School
Rockmount Primary School
Roke Primary School
Rowdown Primary School
Ryelands Primary School
Smitham Primary School
South Norwood Primary School
St Chad's Primary School
St Cyprian's Primary School
St John's Primary School
St Joseph's Infant School
St Joseph's Junior School
St Mark's Primary School
St Mary's Infant School
St Mary's Junior School
St Peter's Primary School
St Thomas Becket Primary School
The Hayes Primary School
The Wattenden Primary School
Waddon Infant School
West Thornton Primary School
Whitehorse Manor Infant School
Whitehorse Manor Junior School
Winterbourne Infant School
Winterbourne Junior Boys School
Winterbourne Junior Girls School
Woodcote Primary School
Woodside Infant School
Woodside Junior School
Special schools and pupil referral units

Bensham Manor School
Bridge to School Pupil Referral Unit
St Giles School
St Nicholas School
Beckmead School
Red Gates School
Priory School
Coningsby Centre Pupil Referral Unit
Moving on Pupil Referral Unit
Phil Edwards Pupil Referral Unit
Victoria House Pupil Referral Unit
Secondary schools

Archbishop Tenison's High School
Coloma Convent Girls' School
Selsdon High School
St Andrew's High School
St Joseph's College
St Mary's High School

BBC News - Panorama - The hunt for healthy food for children

2010-01-27T11:22:00.000Z

BBC News - Panorama - The hunt for healthy food for children

Great expose of kiddie food guru Annabel Karmel and manufacturers duping parents on child nutrition.

Was very interested in Cow & Gates response in their defense of the high sugar (Lactose) follow on milk. They said that children's high protein diets have been shown to be linked to obesity in later life.

WHAT?

We searched for the research. What the research actually reveals is that high meat and cheese diets lead to increased risk of obesity. The research certainly doesn't justify replacing saturated animal fat with sugar as a route to health. This is unforgivably misleading and irresponsible BAD SCIENCE - Dr Ben Goldacre? where are you when there's a REAL crime being committed???

Early protein intake and later obesity risk

Anke LB Günther, Thomas Remer, Anja Kroke and Anette E Buyken

¹ From the Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Affiliated Institute of the University of Bonn, Dortmund, Germany (ALBG, AEB, and TR), and the Department of Nutrition, Food and Consumer Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany (AK)

Results: The ages of 12 mo and 5-6 y were identified as critical ages at which higher total and animal, but not vegetable, protein intakes were positively related to later body fatness. In fully adjusted models, animal protein intake at 12 mo was associated with BF% at 7 y as follows [x (95% CI) BF%]: T1, 16.20 (15.23, 17.25); T2, 17.21 (16.24, 18.23); T3, 18.21 (17.12, 19.15); P for trend = 0.008. With respect to food groups, dairy, but not meat or cereal protein intake, at 12 mo was related to BF% at 7 y (P for trend = 0.07). Animal protein at 5-6 y yielded similar results (P for trend = 0.01), but food group associations were less consistent.

Conclusion: A higher animal, especially dairy, protein intake at 12 mo may be associated with an unfavorable body composition at 7 y. The age of 5-6 y might represent another critical period of protein intake for later obesity risk.

For independent expert advice on healthy children's diet please seek a qualified, professional and experienced nutritionist such as Yvonne Bishop-Weston at Foods for Life

Sir Paul to tell EU: 'Less meat means less heat' - Climate Change, Environment - The Independent

2009-12-03T10:25:00.001Z

Sir Paul to tell EU: 'Less meat means less heat' - Climate Change, Environment - The Independent

Sir Paul McCartney is taking the Meat Free Day idea to the European Parliament today.

Meanwhile Croydon's Vegetarian Celebrity Nitin Mehta goes to the Press on the front page of The Post to explain the reasons behind Sir Paul McCartney's argument that we need to eat less meat to save the planet and save our health.

GPs reject training to identify obese babies | News

2009-11-26T22:18:00.001Z

GPs reject training to identify obese babies | News

It seems we shouldn't take it personally that apathetic GP's failed to turn up to meet Peter Gleave ( the 72 year old who has recently reversed his diabetes on a plant based diet) at our 5 a Day Day Launch 200 of them also snubbed the National Obesity Forum!

London doctors are failing to identify overweight children and could be increasing the risk of serious illness, an obesity expert warned today.

Almost 200 GPs failed to turn up for specialist training in a new method of measuring child growth designed to identify babies who are overweight and fast-track them into special diet programmes.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, has made an official complaint to the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The Government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition ordered GPs to get extra training in using new charts to identify child growth patterns. More than 200 in Westminster were offered training but only 11 turned up to the sessions last week.
Mr Fry said: "I am disappointed with GPs and I am appalled they had this reaction. When it comes to children, which should be everyone's priority, there is no interest whatsoever."

Fat Croydon : A Mini Scotland in London

2009-11-26T22:06:00.000Z

Shock rise in number of Scots boys classed as being overweight - Scotsman.com News

Croydon seems to be the Scotland of London. You'd be hard pushed to find a deep fried battered mars bar but what we lack in battered chocolate we make up for in fried chicken and pizzas.

As in Croydon number of morbidly obese and overweight Scottish children has risen dramatically in the last ten years, government figures reveal.

the boys did particularly badly. Between 1998 and 2008 the number of overweight boys aged two to 15 rose from 28 to 36 per cent, while the number of morbidly obese boys jumped from 7 to 9 per cent.

Jane DeVille-Almond, vice chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: "The child obesity rate is particularly alarming."

She added that by targeting children, public health officials were failing to address the cause of childhood obesity – overweight parents.

Buying extra-wide beds, wider bedside chairs and wider wheelchairs for increasing numbers of obese patients cost the Scottish NHS £4.4 million in the last five years.

And in 2003 it was estimated that obesity related health problems were costing the Scottish NHS £171 million a year.

Commenting on the figures, public health minister Shona Robison recognised that obesity is an increasing problem in Scotland, posing a serious threat to health.

She said: "Prevention will always be better than cure, and by concentrating on the causes of obesity we stand a better chance of winning the battle.

"Worryingly one in six children are overweight or obese in Scotland and, if unchecked, that will rise to one in four by 2050."

The NHS survey used Body Mass Index (BMI) – a measure of body fat based on height and weight – to calculate obesity.

Save The Human! "Don't Eat The Planet" Music Video

2009-11-24T00:18:00.001Z

YouTube - Save The Human! "Don't Eat The Planet" Music Video

ISS Caterhouse 5 a Day Catering

2009-11-23T20:58:00.001Z

ISS Caterhouse - School catering services Meat Free Monday Menu

"We need a school catering company such as ISS caterhouse in Croydon" says Croydon Nutritionist.Yvonne Bishop-Weston "They have worked with the Soil Association and other organisations to provide the highest standards of healthier food in schools. They have implemented the UK's first meat free monday menu in Barham School"

Yvonne's husband, food consultant and volunteer at Dad's Time says "The current Croydon Bourough school caterers must at least be held partly responsible for the high rates of childhood obesity in Croydon. It's happened on their watch"

http://www.caterhouse.com/Resources/Downloads/Barham.pdf

Teesdale pupil claims Meat free Monday was her idea.

2009-11-23T20:40:00.001Z

Gazette Live - News - Local News - Meat free Monday was Bydales School pupil's idea

"Bydales School pupil Ellie Pearce, 14, became North-east Climate Change Champion six months ago after suggesting meat free days to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from livestock - thought to be a major cause of global warming."

London School First Meat Free Monday

2009-11-23T20:29:00.001Z

School Food Trust | The PETA foundation launches Meat-Free Monday

There are now 2 schools signed up to the 5 a Day Concept in London, Barham Park Primary School in Wembley North London and Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath Kent.

PETA Foundation has produced two Meat-Free Monday resource packs for teachers. The packs contain activities, assembly ideas, lesson plans and a colour poster. Schools participate by serving nourishing meat-free meals and calculating the impact that their pupils and teachers have on the environment and animals with PETA Foundation's Meat-Free Monday Calculator.

"Pupils will learn that what they eat can help them be responsible global citizens", explains PETA Foundation Manager Suzanne Barnard. "By going meat-free once a week at lunchtime and participating in the accompanying lessons and projects, they can see how the choices they make today can affect future generations and help prevent climate change."

The project addresses four pressing issues

* climate change,
* global poverty,
* increasing rates of obesity,
* animal welfare.

For more information about Meat-free Monday or to order a free education pack, please visit www.petaf.org.uk

London in 5 a Day : Video : Pics

2009-11-23T20:02:00.002Z

London's scrumptious skyline: Video: Good Food Channel

London has been given the 5 a day fruit and vegetable healthy treatment in this incredible creation commissioned by the Good Food Channel (formerly UKTV Food)

The finished artwork took Carl Warner and his team of five model makers three weeks to craft, construct and compile. Challenges they faced included how to keep the fresh and highly perishable fruit and vegetables looking their best for the final image and which types of produce would compliment the grandeur of the iconic buildings.

London's premier landmark Big Ben was recreated with slices of citrus fruit while an edible version of The Houses of Parliament is built with a mix of asparagus, green and runner beans subtly mixed with baby sweetcorn to depict the intricate stonework of the political palace.

195 BAFTA AWARD NOMINATION

2009-10-23T18:41:00.001+01:00

195

Now BAFTA have recieved a nomination for an award.... The weirdest vegetable competition at the Croydon eco veggie fayre - this is BAFTA's entry - think you can do better than this ? Bring yours along on Sunday Nov 1st at Fairfield Halls Croydon www.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk

The Sunflower Squash

Only BAFTA could come up with something so stylish - we were expecting lots and lots of 3 legged carrots and tomatoes with protruberances.

This is a pleasant and colourful surprise entry to the competition and goes straight into the lead.

If you have something equally or even more outstanding then drop it off at Surrey Street fruit and Veg Market's Stand at Fairfield Halls on Sunday Nov 1st . Don't forget to attach your contact details.

Events, Whats on, Nov 1st

2009-10-22T16:33:00.001+01:00

Family Fun Day Ethical Health &amp Sustainability Croydon South London London events gigs nightlife

Are you stupid enough to miss this - one day only - Fairfield Halls Nov 1st - ethical cinema

at the eco veggie fayre

World Cancer Research Fund International

2009-10-21T18:57:00.000+01:00

WCRF International Research; Expert Report; Report recommendations

mixed fruit and veg
Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, and pulses such as beans.
Evidence shows that vegetables, fruits and other foods containing dietary fibre (such as wholegrains and pulses) may protect against a range of cancers including mouth, stomach and bowel cancer. They also help to protect against weight gain and obesity.

As well as eating your 5 A DAY, try to include wholegrains (e.g. brown rice, wholemeal bread and pasta) and/or pulses with every meal.

Sugary drinks, such as colas and fruit squashes can also contribute to weight gain. Fruit juices, even without added sugar, are likely to have a similar effect, so try not to drink them in large quantities. Try to eat lower energy-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits and wholegrains instead. Opt for water or unsweetened tea or coffee in place of sugary drinks.

red meats
Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
There is strong evidence that red and processed meats are causes of bowel cancer, and that there is no amount of processed meat that can be confidently shown not to increase risk.

Aim to limit intake of red meat to less than 500g cooked weight (about 700-750g raw weight) a week. Try to avoid processed meats such as bacon, ham, salami, corned beef and some sausages.

Find Fairfield Halls - 1st Nov Fayre

2009-10-19T15:41:00.000+01:00

Find Fairfield

Here's how to get to Fairfield halls directions to Fairfield Halls by Train, by Bus, By road and of course a map on how to find Fairfield Halls

see you on the 1st November!

www.croydon.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk

Too Few Americans Eating Their Fruit And Veg, CDC Report

2009-10-14T12:37:00.001+01:00

Too Few Americans Eating Their Fruit And Veg, CDC Report

87 % of American High School Students admit they eat less than 3 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. 68% say they eat less than 2 portions per day proking fears that avoidable chronic diseases such as Diabetes, heart disease and cancers will continue to rise as a new generation of McDonald/KFC/Pizza Hut customers follow in their parents footsteps towards ill health.

Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "These kids are setting themselves up for a host of painful preventable diseases in later life and huge problems for Government who will have to juggle the economic implications of a sick nation"

Yvonne will be targetting London's youngsters and their parents at The Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre on 1st Novemberat fairfield Halls. There will be 5 a day t-shirts, bags and 5 a day sticker charts to be won.

Top Tips - 5 A DAY

2009-10-12T13:51:00.001+01:00

Top Tips - 5 A DAY

Just waiting on the 5 a Day Day Big Sunday Lunch menu from Fairfield Halls in Croydon for the launch of our 5 a Day day Campaign .

Watch this space.

The Green Dragon Pub has also agreed to put on a special 5 a Day Menu

Sky Vegetables For Croydon ?

2009-10-08T00:23:00.002+01:00

Sky Vegetables - The Sky is the Limit!

Could this work in Croydon? There's no doubt we have more than our fair share of rooftops, they call Croydon a mini manhatten - would it work, could it work?

This guy's concepts sound solid talking up his environmentally friendly water preserving methods to grow foods that we all need more of.

Attack of the5 a Day Day Veg

2009-10-07T23:24:00.000+01:00

The 5 a Day vegetables strike again in the heart of Croydon in Croydon's busy Whitgift Shopping Centre as part of the National Family Learning week activities. The 2 Carrots and helpers from dadstime.org.uk helped children to make fruit kebabs with 5 different portions of fruit on. Croydon Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston was on hand to give advice about helping kids to eat more fruit and vegetables and how by eating more fruit and veg you can help to avoid being one of Croydon's thousands of Diabetics or residents dying unnaturally early of heart disease and stroke. The vegetables will also be appearing at Fairfield Halls on Sunday 1st November for the Launch of the 5 a Day Day campaign

YASUS AFARI in Croydon

2009-10-07T00:26:00.001+01:00

YASUS AFARI

Rastafarian poet Yasus Afari to appear in Croydon in supportof the 5 a Day Day Campaign and festival on sunday 1st nov

There will also be a 5 a Day Day peotry competition

Munch Less Meat

2009-10-01T09:24:00.001+01:00

Munch Less Meat

Still not quite there yet and the links don't all work but the Munch Less Meat website is finally up! London Sustainability leader Chantal Cooke from Passion for the Planet Radio had the rug pulled from under her feet after months of planning was made superflous by Sir Paul McCartney's mega launch of Meat Free Mondays.

Chantal has now launched her campaign as Munch Less Meat and she'll be at the Eco Veggie Fayre in Croydon explaining what it's all about.

Meanwhile Vegan MoFo 2009 launches today, a blogtastic affair co-ordinating over 350 blogs featuring delicious 5 a Day Day dishes originally started by PPK

6ft Mutant Vegetable in Croydon

2009-09-17T16:00:00.001+01:00

6ft mutant vegetable seen in Croydon looking for councillors ... on Twitpic It appears teenage mutant vegetables have responded to the 5 a Day Days campaign's call for help. They were seen stalking the streets of Croydon looking for councillors and anyone else who maybe trying to advocate the eating of vegetables.

This giant carrot threatened our campaigner with soup yesterday outside Croydon's independent health food store - Oasis Natural Products.

Giant vegetables are expected to be looking out for consumers of fruit and vegetables in the Whitgift shopping centre on Saturday.

Giant vegetables will also appear at the Eco Veggie Fayre in fairfield Halls on the 1st Novemberat the launch of Croydon 5 a Day Day campaign

Words of Support for Croydon's 5 a Day Day

2009-09-16T21:17:00.003+01:00

Ethical Junction - Ethical Pulse

Now we are cooking on bio-gas as support comes flooding in.

"I support the excelant idea of promoting one day a week as a Vegetarian Day. Croydon must lead the way as a progressive borough! "
Nitin Mehta MBE

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"This has my full support"
Tony Newman - Labour Group Leader - Croydon Council

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"Really good to see you taking this action on the ground. We wrote to Councillor Fisher along with every other Council leader at the start of NVW to try and get them to take up this initiative but had no response."
Annette Pinner CEO Vegetarian Society UK

***********************

"Good luck - I think it is a great idea."
Diana Jarvis - Croydon Journalist - Newsquest South London

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"This sounds a great thing to be doing - I hope it goes really well."
Khemasiddhi - Croydon Buddhists

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"It sounds like public engagement is more or less guaranteed so I hope it goes well and that the public take on board the FSA/ DH messages regarding diet and healthy eating that you'll no doubt be promoting. Thanks for bringing this to my notice, and I hope your event is a success"
Catherine Collins - Chief Dietician at St George's Hospital, spokesperson for the BDA

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"Good luck with your campaign."
Dr Harshad N Sanghrajka - Director, Institute of Jainology

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"What a great idea, the 1st November is in the diary"
Fiona Woodcock - Surrey Street fruit & veg market - Market Inspector

Support for Croydon 5 A Day Day

2009-09-15T23:52:00.004+01:00

Croydon - Whats that coming over the hill - is it a monster? Is it a Monster? The Croydon 5 a Day Day campaign is beginining to look that way.

Here's the latest supporters (Thanks to them all for their support)

Visitor Centre and east Croydon office of Croydon Bid

Croydon Friends of The Earth

Passion for The Planet Radio Station and London Leader Chantal Cooke

The 300 year Old Surrey Street Fruit and Vegetable Market

Solutions Health and Fitness Gym

Animal Aid

The Young Indian Vegetarians

The Vegetarian Society

SEAR

Croydon Vegetarians and Croydon Vegans

Oasis Natural Products Croydon's independent Health Food Store

Jackie King Photographer

Geoff Francis - Artist

www.lush.co.uk

Peace One Day: Peace One Day – 21 September 2009

2009-09-14T18:16:00.001+01:00

Peace One Day: Peace One Day – 21 September 2009

Croydon Healthy Business Awards

2009-09-10T22:21:00.002+01:00

Health Challenge to find Croydon's Top Healthy Offices, Restaurants and Shops (From Croydon Guardian)

The search is on to find the healthiest businesses in Croydon and put them in the spot light.

"There are some excellent healthy ideas going on quietly behind the scenes, often we never hear about them until they stop because allegedly no one was interested. We want to put the good ideas on a pedestal and encourage others to step up and reward excellence" says leading UK Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston

The winners of the first Foods for Life Healthy Business Awards will be announced on Sunday 1st November at Croydon's Fairfield Halls.

If you think you have a winning menu or project contact Foods for Life via their website at www.optimumnutritionists.com

Croydon Lags Behind in the UK Meat Free Day Race

2009-09-10T12:20:00.004+01:00

Liverpool Echo.co.uk - News - Liverpool Local News - Liverpool schools to go meat free once a week

Our campaign contacts today revealed that Liverpool council has already put a motion forward and the council are currently putting a document together to push it forward.

Liverpool schools could be the first in the UK to go meat free one day every week encouraged by Sir Paul McCartney

Brighton, Lancaster and Leeds are also putting a motion to the full council with help from Animal Aid (See www. Meat Free Monday .com )

Meanwhile Bristol council are being targeted by Viva's Fruity Funday Campaign , Thames Valley Vegetarians have Reading Council in their sights and Veggies at the Sumac Centre are targetting Nottingham Council.

Croydon Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says " I don't understand why Croydon Council are so resistant to such an obvious and logical simple solution. They have been sent the same information that other councils have been sent but they are lagging behind more open minded forward thinking councils. 5 a Day Days are an obvious first step, inexpensive, positive solution for sustainabilty and health"

Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre at Fairfield Halls: Lineups, directions and info

Dental Disgrace In Croydon

2009-09-10T11:24:00.002+01:00

Dentistry.co.uk | News | Empty dentists' chairs in Croydon

Almost half the population in Croydon have not visited the dentist in at least two years reaveals a recent report.

An estimated 125,000 adults and 25,000 children in the borough have not even had a check up in that time, despite the fact that many dental practices in the area have the capacity to take on more NHS patients.

London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "There is a lot of evidence to link good dental care with general overal health. Croydon health managers have had some great ideas but the tools are not getting into the hands of the people that matter, children's parents. A fantastic DVD has been produced about looking after your teeth but few people seem to know about it"

NHS Croydon sends a birthday card to toddlers in the borough when they turn three. As well as birthday wishes, it contains useful information for parents such as how much sugar is in chocolate bars and a voucher which can be exchanged for a Brushing For Life pack. This contains a kids' toothbrush, toothpaste and oral hygiene information to encourage parents to take their children to the dentist and take dental care seriously.

A DVD was created by the Trust’s Oral Health Promoter/Adviser from the salaried dental services with help from local children. The messages were evidence based, clear andpowerful: be aware of a sugary diet and brush your teeth twice daily! The DVD was enclosed with each birthday card and voucher.

Croydon Deep Diving in Total Place

2009-09-10T11:02:00.001+01:00

Pilot projects float a new approach to area spending - Public Finance:

"Croydon Deep Diving in Total Place" What? a lot of waffle that means like other boroughs Croydon's public spending purse is going to be under serious pressure and a bit of joined up thinking is required to look at the bigger picture. A local Nutritionist hopes that looking at the bigger picture will help avoid previous questionable decisions and the lack of money will encourage a little more logical rather than blue sky thinking.

John Atkinson, managing director of the Local Government Association’s Leadership Centre, is co-ordinating the Total Place programme nationally. ‘We’re facing a term where the financial pressure is going to be considerable for a long period,’ he told Public Finance. ‘We’re going to have to start thinking very differently about some of the things we do.’

He sets out three ‘Cs’ – the customer: approaching services from the user’s perspective; count: how much money is spent; and culture: how things are done.

The process has certainly enthused public sector leaders. Jon Rouse, chief executive of the London Borough of – one of the 13 pilot areas – is excited about the programme’s potential.

"In Croydon, two parallel processes are in train: counting all the money that comes into the borough and a thematic ‘deep dive’. The latter is looking at children’s services, particularly the economic and social gains that can be made by focusing more on early intervention.

Rouse points out that far more money is spent on children as they progress through adolescence than in their first five years of life. This flies in the face of evidence showing that early, targeted interventions can reap a big dividend in terms of preventing social and criminal problems further down the line.

Shared initiatives such as Sure Start children’s centres have concentrated more on institutional structures, he says. But the flow of money through the different services, from midwifery and health visiting to working tax credits, can make a difference in supporting vulnerable families.

‘The idea is to look at the whole range of expenditure input to say: “Is there a better way of organising these, so they are targeted effectively through some sort of predictive methodology on families likely to have most need?”,’ Rouse adds."

The answers say organisations around the UK is staring Croydon Council in the face - preventative medicine. Even Doctors have a limited knowledge of basic nutrition so it's no wonder that parents think it's perfectly acceptable to send their children to school with a can of cola and a bag of crisps

However it's not as simple as 'just say no' says London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston "we know from years of campaigning of "No","Don't" , "Stop" on anti smoking campaigns that negative messages don't work. We need to provide positive messages on healthy eating and get clever on motivational solutions. Food is a very emotional thing as we have seen with the reccession - everyone increases comfort eating.

"It's also very important that the authorities don't appear hypocritical, they need to lead by example. What message does it give out that the first thing you see when you walk into Mayday Hospital is a . It beggars belief that the health authorities at the time could have thought this was a good idea"

Can We Dig It? Croydon Vegetables

2009-09-09T13:25:00.001+01:00

London Borough of Croydon: Current projects - Can We Dig It?

As part of The Croydon Food Festival there is the Can We Dig It? project.

Submit your photos of your favourite vegetables for an Art Exhibition in Croydon High Street.

999 Emergency in Croydon

2009-09-09T11:10:00.001+01:00

Call for Croydon Council to introduce a '5 a Day Day' to save Croydon from a fate worse than death.

999 Emergency in Croydon Targeted by Health & Environmental Groups by Foods For Life London Nutrition - Yvonne Bishop-weston: "www.croydon.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk"

Health Professionals, Vegans, Vegetarians, Green Environmentalists, Animal Welfare Campaigners, Fair Trade groups, and a Radio Station are joining a concerted effort to put pressure on Croydon Council to be the first UK Council in the UK to designate one day a week to be meat free and focus on eating more fruit and vegetables and reach the target of 5 a day.

"It's easy" says Croydon Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston "It just takes a bit of practice - one day a week to focus on 5 a day is a great way to start!"

Send a Letter to Croydon Councillors

2009-09-08T23:49:00.003+01:00

Animal Aid: Meat-Free Monday

Please use this letter to write to a Croydon Councillor or MP

Download Sample Letter

Croydon Councillors Here - Croydon Councillors

Croydon MPs are here Croydon MP's (Right hand side of page half way down)

Meatless Monday : Meat Free Monday Goes Global

2009-09-08T16:30:00.002+01:00

Meatless Monday : Meat Free Monday Goes Global

Meat Free Monday Campaigns are popping up all over the world - no wonder, one meatless day a week makes sense not just for a community's health but also for our environment struggling to cope with climate change. The trend was kicked off by the city of Ghent in Belgium

It makes sense - if we all focus on Croydon we can make our city a show-case instead of a lost case.

Meatless Mondays allegedly originated during World War I when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urged families to avoid eating meat on Mondays to conserve food for the troops and feed starving populations in Europe. The program came back into play at the beginning of World War II because meat was being rationed, and it became a way for women at home to support the war effort.

No meat on a Friday is a big tradition in the UK originating from theCatholic Church and resulting in Friday as Fish and Chip shops busiest day. (Some people still think fish is vegetable)

Here's our pick of the bunch of support for Meat Free Days / Meat free Mondays

Meat Free Monday (Linda McCartney Products & The McCartney Family)

Meat Free Day Australia Aparently where Paul McCartney first heard of it but now in need of ressurection.

Meatless Monday Video - Meat Less Monday - Johns Hopkins University in USA - Bloomberg School of Public Health

Meat Free Mondays ( Good Life Foods sponsor this one.)

Meat Free Monday - Animal Aid's Pro-active Site

Meat Free Monday Taiwan by the Society for the Advancement of Animal Wellbeing

Meat Free Monday Facebook - Animals Australia - Meatless Day Malaysia - Meat Free Day Belgium

Is Croydon the unhealthiest borough in London? (From Your Local Guardian)

2009-09-08T15:39:00.000+01:00

Is Croydon the unhealthiest borough in London? (From Your Local Guardian): "A shocking 750 one-year-old babies in Croydon are already obese with a further nearly 3,000 children under the age of five and about 12,000 children under-15s also overweight.

The health authority has launched a £300,000 scheme to combat child obesity to try and deal with the problem.

The initiative called Boost Croydon includes a prevention plan for children under five and a treatment programme for children aged between four and 15 – as well as their families.

Active Boost is due to start this September and will help overweight and obese children lead healthier lifestyles through exercise and nutrition.

An NHS Croydon spokesman said: “These figures are concerning, but we are doing everything we can in Croydon to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle."

Croydon Worst for Health

2009-09-08T15:19:00.001+01:00

Londoners turn to cigarettes and alcohol in the recession | News: "A postcode map of London shows the situation is worst in Croydon where spending on alcohol and cigarettes has doubled, while consumption of fruit and vegetables is down by almost a fifth. East London has also seen a big increase in spending on 'vices' with a 79 per cent rise in tobacco sales and 115 per cent more going on ready meals.

David Soskin, spokesman for mySupermarket.com said: 'It is a worrying trend. London is making increasingly unhealthy choices, perhaps because there appears to be a misconception that healthy foods are more expensive than convenience snack foods.'"

Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre

2009-09-08T12:31:00.001+01:00

Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre - The UK's Best Veggie Fayre's - the biggest vegan veggie eco friendly family day out in the UK

It all started with The Croydon Eco Veggie Fayre, (actually it all started with the Bristol Vegan fayre but that's a longer story). Just as Yaoh Hemp Foods, Off the Hoof, Veggievision, Foods for Life Nutrition and Health et al were laying down the foundations for a Festival of Sustainability and Health the news broke of Croydon's latest accolade.

The Croydon Guardian named (and shamed) Croydon as one of the unhealthiest boroughs in London. Research by mysupermarket. co.uk revealed Croydon spent more on cigarettes and alcohol whilst sales of fruit and vegetables had gone down not up!

Since Paul McCartney had relaunched his Meat Free Monday campaign with all his celebrity friends, many health campaigners had toyed with the idea of following Belgium City Ghent's example of going Meat Free once a week (like the old fish on a Friday tradition)

Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston and her husband, cookbook author Tony, decided a concerted effort was needed to encourage Croydon to focus on healthy plant foods, 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, at least once a week.

They launched CHOP ( the Croydon Healthy Office Project) .

Then they contacted all the main active UK health and sustainability campaigners such as Animal Aid, The Vegetarian Society, The Vegan Society, Viva!, PeTA, The Young Indian Vegetarians, Passion for The Planet Radio, Lifescape Magazine, Friends of The Earth, Veggies, The Vegan and Vegetarian Foundation to encourage them to join hands and work together to prove to Croydon Council the sense , logic and advantages of promoting a weekly meat free day.

Please help us.

Nutritionist Yvonne says "It's common sense - it's not more meat in our diets that we need to be healthier it's more fruit and vegetables! We have a golden opportunity to easily turn Croydon from being one of the unhealthiest communities to one of the healthiest"