Latest news with #SeasonedPioneers
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Foods athletes eat can fight off heart disease and cut inflammation
A health expert says several foods eaten by top athletes can be hugely beneficial for mere mortals, helping to combat several chronic diseases. Elite athletes require the right foods to provide them with energy during training and competitions, as well as nourishment that aids recovery after intense workouts. Moreover, they need a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to maintain overall good health and prevent injuries or illnesses. In essence, athletes need the right food to power themselves. Food and flavour expert Matt Webster, from Seasoned Pioneers, shares what sportspeople love to eat and how these foods contribute to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Top of the list is salmon. "A key element of any Olympians diet is protein," Matt said. "A lot of athletes' food goals involve getting plenty of protein while also keeping inflammation down. "This fish is packed full with omega-3 fatty acids – a nutrient that's linked to a variety of things such as improving heart and lung health, strengthening your joints and also boosting your immune system. Salmon is a fantastic source of protein – the vital factor in muscle growth that helps the process of replacing damaged muscle tissue." And Matt isn't alone in his opinion - according to Outside Magazine, it's a fantastically healthy oily fish. It's packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation that can hinder athletic performance and contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease, " reports Wales Online. Matt also mentioned other foods that athletes adore which can enhance health - even if you're not competing at the Olympics. Cayenne Pepper Capsaicin, which gives cayenne pepper its heat, has been found to suppress the appetite and modestly increase energy expenditure and circulation. It also binds to receptors in the brain, nerves and blood vessels associated with pain relief. Ground cayenne is widely used in cuisines around the world, particularly in Latin American, Caribbean, Indian, Thai, and Mexican cooking, and is known for its medicinal properties. When it comes to spices, Cayenne is super easy to incorporate into a variety of dishes, and an essential spice for aspiring Olympians. Peanut butter You'll be pleased to hear that peanut butter is a favourite of many athletes. However, it does have to be pure peanut butter without additives like sugars, oils and salts. If you can find the right stuff, it's a great source of vitamin E, as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These help lower cholesterol levels in your blood and they're also important for strengthening your immune system, speeding up post-training recovery times and preventing injury. Peanut butter is packed with protein while also being a fantastic source of niacin and folic acids, both of which aid in converting food into energy. Moreover, it's dense in calories, ensuring your energy levels are maintained throughout gruelling workouts. Dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure (Image: Emilija Manevska via Getty Images) Legumes Legumes are a natural protein-carbohydrate combination. This is crucial for many endurance athletes, as you need carbs to fuel your muscles and protein to build and repair them. They also have a low-glycaemic index. This means they're slow to digest and offer sustained energy. Low GI foods are good choices for endurance sports, as you can't eat anything during the workout. The soluble fibre in legumes also helps protect against heart disease by lowering the cholesterol in your blood. Eggs Just one egg provides you with 10 per cent of all your daily protein needs. It's one of the most complete food proteins out there. Inside this high-quality protein are all of the amino acids necessary for your muscles to promote their recovery and repair processes. Aside from vitamin C, eating two eggs a day can provide between 10 per cent to 30 per cent of all your vitamin requirements. That includes vitamin K, which is a vital component for healthy bones. If you don't eat eggs, you really should. Dark chocolate It's been shown to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as aid in reducing inflammation. It's also believed that the caffeine present in dark chocolate can provide you with a longer-lasting energy boost, helping you to exercise for extended periods. To sweeten the deal even further, research has discovered that dark chocolate also enhances efficiency in oxygen usage. Just two or three squares are all you need. If you can find a bar packed with almonds and other nuts, that's even better.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Super easy' protein-rich food that 'boosts heart health' is loved by athletes
A food and flavour expert has shared some of the foods that are popular among Olympic athletes - not just for performance but also overall health A health expert has revealed the top food choices of athletes that can help us mere mortals stay healthy and battle chronic diseases. Elite athletes need food that not only fuels them during gruelling training sessions and competitions, but also aids recovery after intense workouts. Plus, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to maintain overall health and ward off injuries or illnesses. In short, athletes require the right grub to power up. Food and flavour whizz Matt Webster, from Seasoned Pioneers, has now spilt the beans on what athletes love to eat and how these foods contribute to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Salmon tops the list. "A key element of any Olympian's diet is protein," Matt explained. "A lot of athletes' food goals involve getting plenty of protein while also keeping inflammation down "This fish is packed full with omega-3 fatty acids – a nutrient that's linked to a variety of things such as improving heart and lung health, strengthening your joints and also boosting your immune system. Salmon is a fantastic source of protein – the vital factor in muscle growth that helps the process of replacing damaged muscle tissue." Matt isn't alone in his opinion - according to Outside Magazine, it's a fantastically healthy oily fish. It's packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation that can hamper athletic performance and contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease. Matt also mentioned other foods that athletes adore for their health benefits - even if you're not vying for Olympic gold, reports Wales Online. Cayenne pepper Capsaicin, the compound that gives cayenne pepper its heat, has been found to suppress appetite and modestly increase energy expenditure and circulation. It also binds to receptors in the brain, nerves and blood vessels associated with pain relief. Ground cayenne is widely used in cuisines around the world, particularly in Latin American, Caribbean, Indian, Thai, and Mexican cooking, and is known for its medicinal properties. When it comes to spices, Cayenne is super easy to incorporate into a variety of dishes, making it an essential spice for aspiring Olympians. Peanut butter You'll be chuffed to hear that peanut butter is a favourite among many athletes. However, it does need to be pure peanut butter without additives like sugars, oils and salts. If you can find the right stuff, it's a fantastic source of vitamin E, as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are brilliant for lowering cholesterol levels in your blood and they're also crucial for bolstering your immune system, accelerating post-training recovery times and preventing injury. Peanut butter is packed with protein while also being a fantastic source of niacin and folic acids, both of which aid in converting food into energy. Plus, it's calorie-dense, ensuring your energy levels are sustained throughout tough workouts. Legumes Legumes are a natural protein-carbohydrate combo. This is vital for many endurance athletes, as you need carbs to fuel your muscles and protein to build and repair them. They also have a low-glycaemic index. This means they're slow to digest and provide prolonged energy. Low GI foods are excellent choices for endurance sports, as you generally can't eat anything during the workout. The soluble fibre in legumes also helps guard against heart disease by reducing the cholesterol in your blood. Eggs Just one egg provides 10 per cent of all your daily protein needs. It's one of the most complete food proteins available. Inside this high-quality protein are all of the amino acids necessary for your muscles to promote their recovery and repair processes. Apart from vitamin C, consuming two eggs a day can supply between 10 per cent to 30 per cent of all your vitamin requirements. That includes vitamin K, which is a crucial component for healthy bones. If you don't eat eggs, you really should. Dark chocolate It's been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as aid in decreasing inflammation. The caffeine found in dark chocolate is also believed to provide a longer-lasting energy boost, helping you to exercise for extended periods. To sweeten the deal even further, research has discovered that dark chocolate can enhance your body's efficiency in utilising oxygen. Just two or three squares are all you really need. If you can find a bar with almonds and other nuts included, that's even better.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Straight forward Victoria sponge recipe makes 'perfect light and fluffy cake'
There are endless recipes out there for this British teatime classic, but Matt Webster, food and flavour expert at Seasoned Pioneers has one that guarantees a perfectly proportioned and delicious Victoria sandwich cake Whipping up the perfect homemade Victoria sponge can be quite the balancing act, with two crucial elements to get right. You need your vanilla sponges airy and feather-light without falling apart, while the icing must hit that sweet spot of being lusciously creamy without overdoing the sugar. Every baker seems to have their own version of this British afternoon tea staple, but Matt Webster, culinary and taste specialist at Seasoned Pioneers, has shared his foolproof take on the classic Victoria sandwich cake. Spilling the beans on his secret mix, Matt remarked: "This simple recipe is something the whole family can enjoy! "The key to a perfect light and fluffy sponge cake is to make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin, as cold ingredients will lead to a dense and heavy cake. "If you want to minimise the sweetness of the sugar and bring out the creaminess of the buttercream, just add a small pinch of salt." Victoria sponge cake recipe Ingredients 200g unsalted butter, softened 200g caster sugar Four large eggs One vanilla pod 200g self-raising flour One teaspoon of baking powder Two tablespoons milk Strawberries (to garnish) For the filling Four tablespoons raspberry or strawberry jam 100g butter 200g icing sugar Method Get things started by preheating your oven to 180C and giving two round cake tins a good grease and lining them with baking parchment. Take a mixing bowl and whisk the butter and caster sugar until it turns pale and fluffy, reports the Express. Chuck in the eggs one at a time, giving it a proper beating after each addition. Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder into the bowl and fold it gently until everything's mingled nicely. Pour in the milk and scrape out the vanilla pod seeds, then stir softly until the mixture is silky smooth. Evenly distribute the cake mixture between the two tins and level the tops with a spatula. Pop them in the preheated oven for roughly 20-25 minutes. For the buttercream, whip together the 100g of butter and 200g of icing sugar until it's light and fluffy. Once the cakes have fully cooled down, slather the jam over the bottom layer, followed by the buttercream. Position the second layer of cake on top and garnish it with a dusting of icing sugar and strawberries.
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Spicing up my life – from the Wirral to Ethiopia
When was the last time you discovered a new cuisine that completely surprised your taste buds? For me, it was my recent adventure at Muna's, a vibrant Ethiopian restaurant in Tollcross that's rapidly becoming the talk of Edinburgh's food scene. But before I tell you about my experience there, I need to share my long-standing love affair with a particular spice company. I've been smitten with Seasoned Pioneers, a Wirral-based spice company, ever since they sent me some recipe box spices nearly seven years ago under the guise of the Spice Pioneer. Though these particular kits are no longer available, the company itself has become a trusted brand among leading food writers and chefs – Delia Smith and Nick Nairn count themselves as fans, and I'm certainly in that club too. The company was founded by Mark Steene, whose worldwide travels sparked a fascination with international seasonings. Today, the small team at Seasoned Pioneers offers an impressive range of over 300 authentic spices, chillies, herbs, seasonings, and spice blends, including organic options. Each blend in their renowned collection is handmade to traditional recipes, crafted in small batches using up to fifteen carefully selected ingredients. The spices are dry-roasted, ground, and blended, resulting in convenient packages of authentic flavour that capture cuisines from across the globe. As Delia wisely points out, there are two enemies of spice flavour: light and air. Many spices sold in glass jars sit under harsh store lighting, and once opened, they're increasingly exposed to air. Seasoned Pioneers cleverly packages their seasonings in resealable foil packs that shield them from light and eliminate air exposure when properly closed. Their compact size means they don't monopolise precious cupboard space – unless, like me, you've been generously gifted their 'World Spice Blends, The Definitive Selection' Collection of 40 packets! Recently, I reached out to Seasoned Pioneers hoping they might send me their African Berbere Spice Blend (a complex mix of red chillies, fenugreek seeds, ginger, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cardamom, and ajowran). To my delight, they responded with overwhelming generosity, sending four boxes containing 10 packets each of their worldwide seasonings – an array of masalas, curry powders, and spices. With each pouch containing enough for about 20 servings, I'll be eating curries for months to come! My interest in berbere spice was sparked after spotting Muna's restaurant in Tollcross. Having never experienced Ethiopian cuisine before, some girlfriends and I decided to venture there for dinner. Before our visit, I did a bit of homework and learned that Ethiopian food is typically shared communally, with dishes served on large platters of injera (a spongy sourdough flatbread), where diners tear off pieces to scoop up the food. The cuisine is known for its fragrant and often spicy flavours, with berbere spice being the cornerstone ingredient in many dishes. Muna's is a lively 40-seater restaurant run by its namesake, who commands her establishment with warm authority. Word has clearly spread about the generous portions and fair prices, as most tables were booked even for our early 6pm Friday dinner. The interior is cheerfully decorated, giving it more of a casual café vibe than a formal dining establishment. The food arrives on huge dishes presented atop beautiful woven rattan baskets – though if you're a group of four sharing combo plates, you might find your table a bit overwhelmed! The meat and vegetable combo that I shared certainly packed a punch with explosive flavours and spicy heat – and won't be for the faint-hearted! I personally preferred the boiled rice accompaniment to the traditional injera bread, which wasn't quite to my taste. The homemade honey wine also wasn't my cup of tea, served in a long-necked vase-like carafe, which you've to swig out of, but a night off the usual libations didn't hurt. Muna's offers a fun and different dining experience, with the vivacious Muna herself ensuring you feel welcome from the moment you arrive. If you're feeling adventurous and want to try something new, it's definitely worth a visit – though perhaps best suited to smaller groups of two or four who enjoy sharing their food. As for making my own berbere-spiced Wot (stew) at home? You'll have to wait while I perfect my version. It's unlikely to rival Muna's authentic creation, but I'm going to have great fun experimenting with this and the 39 other spice blends I've been gifted. In fact, I'm heading to the kitchen right now to get creative! Like this: Like Related
