Farmer's Market - Caroline Wright
9:16am Monday 7th April 2008
About 35,000 people a year are diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it one of the most common cancers in the UK.
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and leading charity Bowel Cancer UK is encouraging all adults to take a quick look at their lifestyle to see if they can reduce their risk.
The first thing the charity recommends everyone to do is take their six-step health check:
1. Eat a healthy high fibre, low fat diet, including at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. Get to know your bowel pattern, and know what's normal for you.
4. Take regular exercise.
5. Be aware of your bowel cancer family history.
6. Take part in the national bowel cancer screening programme if you are invited to.
The best way to get your five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day is to head to your local farmers' market.
Seasonal veg at this weekend's markets in Droitwich today, and at Royal Worcester Porcelain tomorrow include Styan Family Produce and Vicarage Farm's stalls.
Henry Wormington, of Vicarage Farm, says: "We've got some lovely young leeks that are just ready as they were planted late. Styan Family Produce and I have some fresh cauliflower, cabbage and kale."
Akiki's Organic has new season salad leaves, if you prefer your veggies in salads.
Veg from the allium family - that's onions, garlic and leeks - are thought to protect the gut against cancer and it's good advice to eat lots. The Snoggable Garlic Company has a wonderful range of healthy garlic that has been marinated in a variety of ways, including hot chilli and smoked flavours, as well as the popular lemon, lime, ginger and thyme. Research shows aspirin can stop early cancers developing, but get your doctor's advice before you take it. A great alternative is organic green veg: it develops natural aspirin (salicylic acid) to help fight off plant diseases.
Try this delicious recipe for potato, leek and onion soup:
Ingredients4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 large leeks, sliced 1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced1 large onion, chopped Two pints of vegetable stock 3 garlic cloves, choppedMethodHeat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, potatoes, garlic and onion. Saute until onion is tender, stirring occasionally, for about 12 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Serve chunky or puree with a hand blender.This week's farmers' market dates: Saturday, April 5: Victoria Square, Droitwich, 9am to 2pm.
Sunday, April 6: Royal Worcester Porcelain, Worcester, 10am to 2pm.
Next weekend's market is at High Street, Bromsgrove, on April 12, 9am to 5pm. For more details visit www.wfmg.co.uk.