Processed and refined sugars are one of the worst curses of modern day cuisine. They’re sneaked into so many manufactured food products – even savoury ones – and they cause obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia and stroke. Sorry to be so blunt but, despite a choice of foods of which our parents and grandparents could only have dreamed, our modern diet frankly leaves much to be desired. Our taste buds have been trained by the food industry to crave high sugars in excessive quantities, and we don’t eat nearly enough wholesome grains and good fats.

OK rant over, because thank goodness for companies like Lizi’s who help reinstate the wonderful healthy and delicious diet which nature intended.

Lizi’s is the brainchild of Mick and Lizi. They’re a married pair of science enthusiasts, organic farmers and country bed-and-breakfast owners, so perfectly qualified to create high quality, tasty and satisfying cereals.

The key feature of all Lizi’s cereals is their low Glycaemic Load (GL). I’ve explained Glycaemic Load before – basically low GL foods release sugar slowly into our blood stream, unlike processed and refined sugars, which is so much better for our long-term health and happiness.

Lizi’s produce an incredible range of granolas and mueslis, always from natural ingredients – mainly oats, nuts and seeds, but with numerous natural flavour combinations suitable for all ages, diets and lifestyles. Their current range includes High Protein, Digestive Health and Low Sugar options.

I particularly love Lizi’s Low Sugar Maple & Pecan Granola. Normally I steer well clear of granola, which tends to be oozing with sugar, but not Lizi’s. It’s a mixture of wholegrain oat flakes, pecan nuts, almond pieces, walnut pieces, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, coconut, chicory fibre, and just a little maple syrup. You can probably tell from the ingredients that this tastes as delicious as a naughty indulgence, and yet absolutely no guilt needed – because it’s actually doing your body good – providing important slow-release energy and healthy oils. It will also leave you feeling nourished and satiated – so you won’t be tempted by those naughty fattening snacks mid-morning.

So give your body a treat and take a look at the full range on Lizi’s website. Your body will thank you.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Are you a bit of a sandwich connoisseur? Do you fancy joining celebrity chef Theo Randall with other food experts as an official judge on a tasting panel? Would you love to be guest of honour at the prestigious The Sandwich & Food to Go Awards (‘The Sammies’) at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London?

Well what’s stopping you? Just fill in the application form here, including the reason why you think you deserve to be selected: https://www.britishsandwichweek.com/sandwich-taster-dream-job/  Applications are open until Friday15th April, and the successful candidate will be notified by Friday 22^nd April.

And if you’re chosen? Well first you’ll munch your way through twenty-four of the finest and most innovative sandwiches designed by the UK’s top sandwich designers and then you’ll help select a winner in each category and overall ‘best in show’ for the ‘Britain’s Best Butty’ awards.

But that’s not all, you and a companion of your choice will be guests of honour at the gala evening Awards Ceremony including overnight accommodation and rail travel to and from the event.

The awards dinner is a precursor to the annual British Sandwich Week, a seven-day celebration aiming to support the industry and celebrate the nation’s love of a good sarnie.”

  This year’s Sandwich & Food to go Awards takes place on Thursday 5^th May 2022. For a full list of nominees and shortlisted companies visit: https://awards.sandwich.org.uk/

 British Sandwich Week takes place from 22^nd – 28^th May 2022 – now in its 28^th year, the annual event showcases the breadth, quality and innovation found within the UK’s sandwich and food to go sector. Find out more at https://www.britishsandwichweek.com/

Good luck.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Anyone who has seen the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit knows that Gandalf can conjure some pretty impressive tricks—you can even transform into a giant eagle.

Once Gandalf’s character was established as a wise and generous smoker in the pop culture world, this style of pipe exploded in popularity. Thus, naming this style of the long pipe as Gandalf pipe.

When buying a Gandalf glass pipe, however, you’re going to have a much harder time—you’ll need to be on the lookout for some pretty specific things to make sure that your Gandalf pipe is authentic.

To help ensure that your Gandalf pipe is actual, here’s what you should know when you go looking for your next pipe.

Things to Check Before Buying Your Glass Pipe

You need to check several things before you buy your Gandalf pipe. Some of these things include:

Sticker

When you buy from an authorized dealer, such as an online retailer, you will often find a sticker with the company’s name on it somewhere on the bowl of your pipe. The sticker is a good indicator that you have an authentic Gandalf glass pipe. Do not buy any pipe that does not have this type of sticker.

Logo

You should also check for logos or words on the pipe, such as “Gandalf” or “Middle Earth.” Manufacturers often will include these words to help identify their product. On some pipes, you might even notice that the word is written both in English and Elvish—a lovely touch!

Pipe Size

The size of your pipe will also help determine whether or not you have an authentic Gandalf pipe. Most of the original pipes are over 18 inches tall and weigh more than four pounds—if you find a pipe that seems abnormally tiny, it is likely fake.

Pipe Style

Check the style of the pipe to determine its genuineness. Most pipe manufacturers use glass instead of metal, so you can be sure that any metal pipe is not actual. You should also check to ensure no moving parts on your pipe.

Smoke Quality

Find out how well your pipe performs when you smoke it. For example, many fake Gandalf pipes offer inferior quality, so they will often be more challenging to use correctly. If you find your pipe is leaking air or not sitting well, you should change it immediately.

You should also check how well your pipe works for smoking. If the Gandalf pipes are not made with enough glass around the bowl, there is little protection between the flame and your lips—this can lead to some pretty bad burns.

The pipe should have thick insulation on all sides to reduce the chances of this happening.

They work for smoking herbal substances like cannabis, and if you choose the real one, it is unlikely that you will find any of these types on the black market.

Additionally, Gandalf pipes are more likely to function as art pieces than actual tools for smoking.

Materials

Gandalf pipes come with high-grade borosilicate glass, not metal. If you find a pipe not made with this type of glass, you should avoid taking it.

Glass quality can be difficult to determine before you buy your pipe, but one thing you should know, of course, the higher the glass quality, the better your pipe will perform when smoking. Generally speaking, the best borosilicate glass comes from Germany.

Final Thoughts

The more willing you are to compare the qualities of different pipes with the above guidance and your knowledge, the easier it will be to determine a real pipe. Also, buy authentic products from reputed sellers to get the best experience and durability.

Joffe’s book of the week is the electrifying new thriller THE PERFECT WITNESS, out now for just 99p | 99c. Filled with great characters and gripping twists and turns, the new psychological suspense by bestselling author Susanna Beard is certain to hook you from the first page to the riveting conclusion.

We know that if you love books by Gillian Flynn, T.M. Logan, Liane Moriarty or Celeste Ng, then you’ll devour this page-turning, character-driven psychological thriller from Susanna Beard, author of What Happened That Night, and The Perfect Neighbour.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE PERFECT WITNESS BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSANNA BEARD FOR 99P | 99C.

And now for just a very few of this week’s new offerings…

The Briarmarsh Close Killings by Gaynor Torrance 

Discover a page-turning new murder mystery set in Cardiff from bestselling author Gaynor Torrance, filled with stunning twists and turns and featuring a complex and compelling protagonist in DI Jemima Huxley.

OUT NOW — £1.99 | $2.99

Detectives Roper & Hooley Books 1 – 4 by Michael Leese

A fabulous offer from Joffe: FOUR gripping crime mysteries featuring the unforgettable odd couple pairing of Consulting Investigator Jonathan Roper and DCI Brian Hooley in Michael Leese’s beloved series — just 99p | 99c

Murder at Mortmead Hall by Annie Dalton with Maria Dalton

Anna, Isadora and Tansy, dog walkers and part-time sleuths, go to a WWII-themed murder mystery weekend at the ramshackle Mortmead Hall.

As the weekend unfolds, they find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue that puts them on the trail of a lost painting and a devastating secret . . .  99p/99c

Now for some really exciting, but not entirely unexpected news given the nature of JOFFE BOOKS. They  are  SHORTLISTED FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR (AGAIN!)  Hip hip hooray.

Joffe Books are delighted to have been nominated for Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards by the Bookseller magazine, the leading trade magazine for the book industry, for the third year in a row. Hooray hooray say Frost Magazine. Whoop whoop!

This has been a record-breaking year for Joffe: they doubled their staff numbers and became the sixth-biggest e-Book seller in the UK.

Last year Joffe Books also launched its very first prize for crime writers of colour, which was awarded to Christie J. Newport. Her debut novel will be launched later this year. Watch this space . . .

The past year has been truly remarkable and all at Joffe Books want to thank their amazing readers and authors for this honour.

For more news about books go to Joffe Books

Congratulations on your debut novel Ember, Catherine, tell me about it: to start with what inspired it ?

Ember started as a film script I wrote years ago. Then I completely forgot about it. I was writing another novel set in the world of acting and in-between drafts I wanted to write another book. I came across the script and I thought, there is something here. Originally it was about three sisters who go to their father’s funeral and then all of the past family drama comes to the fore. It is a completely different book now, but there are two warring sisters!

You were one of the top 50 actresses in Scotland,  tell us what made you change course and pursue writing

I became really disillusioned with the film industry. It is such a tough environment and most of the castings I was offered required nudity. I am way too shy to do nudity so it limited my career. I hurt my back on a film set and it took a year of physiotherapy to correct it and then I had a baby. I wanted to be around more for my children and focus on being a mother. Writing fits in perfectly with that.

You have also launched a highly successful online magazine,  what does it cover ? Is it still growing ?

Frost magazine was launched twelve years ago. That seems unbelievable to me. It is still growing and is something I am immensely proud of. We cover books and lifestyle. We have a good reach and fantastic engagement. I am so proud of Frost and the little team behind it.

What does 2022 have in store for you and your readers?

Well I have another book on sub at the moment. I am writing short stories and editing another novel. Then I will start on yet another novel. I am going to keep writing and submitting. I have four novels written, a short story collection and a children’s book. I would like to see all of them published.

What advice would you give any budding writers ?

Work hard. Don’t give up and submit your work. A lot of writers are too scared to submit, or the rejection gets to them and they quit. You have to take the rejection and be relentless. It is the only way.

What research did you have to do whilst writing Ember ?

All novels require research. I feel like some people don’t realise how much research goes into a work of fiction. I had to research fertility treatment as I am lucky enough to never have needed any. I also had to research little things about driving from one place to another. I had a lovely doctor friend who writers for Frost called Dr Kathleen Thompson who answered a lot of questions and helped me create an accurate portrayal of an obstetrician’s work life.

Let’s talk about your writing process – what comes first .the characters or the plot ?

An idea always comes first. Sometimes I hear a song and that is it, other times I read an article, or I see someone on the street. It can be anything. I sometimes panic that I won’t come up with another idea after I finish a book, but the ideas always come. It is turning them into an eighty thousand word novel that is the hard part.

What is the hardest thing about writing a book and what is the easiest ?

The easiest is the first draft where you are just writing and it flows. For me anyway. The hardest is the endless edits and reading the book a million times. Oh, and publicising it.

Who has been your biggest supporter of your writing career ?

My agent Susan Yearwood is amazing. She made such a difference to my life when she took me on.

My publishers as well.I was so stoked to get a traditional book deal. I have self published before and it is so exhausting. My family and friends have been amazing. My mother was such a cheerleader when I first started writing. Margaret Graham has been invaluable. Jane Cable has also been amazing. Both Margaret and Jane are so inspirational. My debut 22 writing group have saved my sanity so many times. I love those people.

Claire Dyer write an early draft which was terrible and I realised how to fix the book after. Poor Claire.

A question I like to ask everyone- If you could invite any three people, past or present, real or fictional, to a dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve ?

Jesus would be a good one. I would also have to have Barack and Michelle Obama. I am such a fan of both. If Jesus wasn’t available Beyonce could come. I love Queen Bey.

Ember by Catherine Yardley. in pb and e-book. Available here