Feeling Fresh and Fruity

Eleanor Richardson on 30 October 2021

The leaves are falling in Hyde Park and Morrisons is stocking Christmas decorations, so winter must be on its way. It can be difficult to maintain a fresh, balanced diet during the colder months. Food just doesn’t last as long, which as a result increases food waste. The statistics are sobering with households in the UK producing 4.5 million tonnes of food waste each year. That amounts to 10 billion edible meals being thrown away. 

This number is gradually falling with the average person wasting 7% less food this year than three years ago. Be a part of the change and take a gander at these quick tips.

  1. Use every last bit of freezer space.

Frozen berries are a godsend when making quick and easy smoothies; frozen vegetables often come pre-sliced and can be added to pasta, curries or whatever else takes your fancy. As they are picked at peak ripeness and frozen quickly afterwards, frozen fruit and vegetables retain the vast majority of their vitamins, minerals, and flavour. The long-lasting nature of frozen food helps to cut food waste.

  1. Get your bake on!

There’s more to life than banana bread. Try a quick and easy fruit bread (like this one) that’ll make any kitchen smell divine, or whip up a stir fry or casserole to use up your leftover vegetables.

  1. It’s ferment to be (get it?)

Gut health is very trendy right now, and nothing makes your gut happy like fermented food. The fermentation process enhances the natural, beneficial bacteria already in your food to aid digestion and turbocharge your immune system. All you need to get your ferment on is an airtight container and a few store cupboard ingredients. Why not try making kimchi?

  1. Eat seasonally

Next time you’re doing a big shop, choose foods that ripen during the cold months. Here are a few options to consider:

  • Cabbage. High in fibre, antioxidants and vitamins, fresh cabbage will be available throughout the cold months. Try roasting it in the oven for something a little different, like cabbage wedges.
  • Winter Squash. Squashes are a great source of Vitamin A, potassium and carotenoids (they’re the thing you find in carrots that make you see in the dark). They can last as long as 3 months if kept in the cupboard. 
  • Turnip. There’s a reason that turnips are a crucial part of the Animal Crossing economy: they last ages, they’re high in potassium, fibre and glucosinolates, and they’re oh-so versatile. Try subbing it for potato in this creamy mash.
  • Citrus fruits, pomegranate and dark leafy greens are flown in from warmer climes, such as Spain. Although we all want to keep our air miles down, these are always an option if you’re concerned about staying healthy and eating fresh through the winter months.

Review: Open Theatre’s The Passion of Bonnie & Clyde

Séamus O'Hanlon on 27 October 2021

Emotion turns cowboys into soulful women in this short, lively and timeless original production about the notorious Bonnie and Clyde. A successful simple love story, the one-act play was at its best when the two titular characters navigated their romance, illuminating as lovers rather than criminals. 

Leeds Black History

Chloe-Nicole Arnold on 22 October 2021

It’s Black History Month in the UK, and this year The Gryphon is celebrating Black Liberation within its print issue. Black History Month is of course commemorated nationally, but it’s important to educate yourself on the history of your local community. Here’s a rundown on some of the important events and people within the city’s extensive Black history, using resources provided by Secret Library Leeds.

The Windrush Generation 

1948 marks the first arrival of economic migrants from the Caribbean Islands to Yorkshire. By the early 60’s, the Black population in Leeds was estimated to be 4,000; made up of skilled labourers, carpenters, teachers and tradesmen. The Windrush generation were promised work and a good life in the UK, and were instead met with poor living conditions, limited job prospects and outright racism. Despite these setbacks, the African-Caribbean community flourished in the local area, creating groups and organisations such as the Caribbean Cricket Club and the Aggrey Society.

Norma Hutchinson

A Trade Unionist and local councillor to Chapeltown, Jamaican-born Norma Hutchinson moved to Leeds in 1968 as a nurse. After being elected in 1991, Hutchinson went on to have a successful career in local politics and activism. Before sadly passing away in 2004, Hutchinson was an activist for women’s rights, as well as a chair for environmental health and housing committees. Hutchinson also did a lot of work for her home country, raising money for health campaigns back in Jamaica.

Rock Against Racism 

Leeds Beckett University was home to the second Rock Against Racism (RAR) concert in the UK, a series of gigs to raise awareness against prejudice and systemic violence. Fascism was sadly present in 1970’s Leeds, due to post-industrial decline and the rise of far-right groups such as the National Front. RAR directly opposed these views, organising gigs and clubs in support of anti-racism throughout the decade. In Leeds, the local RAR organisation was supported by musical acts such as Delta 5 and Gang of Four, and in 1981 the last RAR Carnival took place in Chapeltown.

Cedric Clarke

This pillar of local politics was elected as the first Black councillor in Leeds in 1980, and remained in his position for the Labour Party for a decade. Whilst holding his position, Clarke was part of the Education, Nursery, Industrial and Employment committees, as well as vice-chairman to the city’s Equal Opportunities sub-committee. Clarke’s main focus was to improve the lives of minorities living in his city, introducing 220 affordable new houses for the area and creating more diverse teaching within local schools.