Tell people that you are vegan and they assume that you are super healthy, existing on a diet of mung beans, sprouts and kale...

However, it's easy to eat just as badly following a vegan diet as that of your average westerner - think fast food, takeaways, ready meals, snacks with a 2 year shelf life...  this is mostly because of the intention behind the decision to eat this way.    Many people choose to follow a vegan diet for economic and ethical reasons (to save the planet or...

Acne can be a horrible condition for those suffering from it, particularly if it doesn't seem to be getting better.

Let's face it, being a teenager is hard enough without having to deal with unpredictable skin blemishes.  Puberty unleashes a volatile cocktail of hormones on the body and acne is one of the many issues you may be dealing with.

 Technical jargon alert!   Acne begins where the sebaceous gland and the hair follicle connect, known as the pilosebaceous unit....

Ingredients: makes at least 10

250g cashew nuts

250g desiccated coconut

250g pitted dates

brown rice syrup (sometimes called malt rice syrup) or other sweetener

125g raw cacao

Method:

Blitz the cashews in a food processor until you get even crumbs

Add the coconut and do the same.

Add the dates and blitz until broken down.

Add the cacao and salt and blitz again.

Add rice syrup a bit at a time, start with 2 tbsp then blitz and check the consistency - it should hold together in...

1 tin black beans

250g cooked brown rice (use a pack of pre-cooked rice as a shortcut)

half onion finely chopped 

1 tbsp flour (any kind, I use brown rice flour)

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp garlic powder

half tsp salt

Fresh chopped herbs like Coriander/Parsley (optional)

Fresh chopped Chilli (optional, if you like it spicy)

Method:

In a food processor add the rice, onion, flour and spices and blitz until fairly smooth.

Add optional herbs and drained black beans,...