Copyright irishexaminer
He too believes deeply that our health is our wealth. We all agree, but I’m sure you’re asking yourself the same question, how do we help our bodies to be the very best they can be? How do we maintain a healthy weight? How do we sleep better? How do we support our immune system so that it can protect us from common illnesses? Ultimately, how do we become healthier and happier in a world full of cheap, ultra-processed foods designed to be addictive and make us unhealthy? Have you noticed the extraordinary increase in the number of pharmacies in virtually every town and village around the country over the past couple of decades? It would seem the less we invest in real food, rather than edible food-like substances, the more we spend on meds. We’ve never had more information at our fingertips on what is deemed ‘healthy’ with new trends flooding our feeds every day and an overwhelming list of new supplements, diets and products promising quick health fixes, yet obesity and diet-related illnesses continue to spike. In true Jamie fashion, he’s stripping things right back to the bare essentials on how to live a healthier life. He’s been a chef for over 40 years now but I didn’t know until recently that he had studied for a Royal Society of Public Health Level Four Award in nutrition at St. Mary’s Twickenham University under Professor Ann Kennedy, which gave him a deeper understanding of our bodies' relationship with food and how what we eat affects us and the impact it can have. He’s poured everything he’s learnt into the pages of this most recent book, a fantastic reminder of the power of food to make us feel good. It’s obvious that an enormous amount of thought has gone into the layout of Eat Yourself Healthy. There’s a brilliant Pantry Kit, 50 Healthy Hacks and in a food environment that markets junk food right to our doorstep and into our shopping baskets, he’s asking us to look at the way we shop for food. We can shift the way we eat and live, one small habit at a time! For those of us who would like to take a deep dive into Jamie’s philosophy, he’s created a two-week Kickstarter. This is about making a commitment to 3 delicious meals a day, all of which promote healthy eating and good ingredients. For many, it’ll actually be about a change of lifestyle, not a diet, a chance to focus on yourself and put your health first. In Jamie’s own words, ‘For me, Eat Yourself Healthy is about helping you to have a joyful relationship with food, and proving that healthy cooking should be a celebration, not a commiseration! 'I’m talking generous, colourful, undeniably delicious platefuls that I just know you’ll want to tuck into. 'In a time where there is an avalanche of information out there, I want to help you cut through the noise with easy ideas to satisfy, nourish and revitalise you. 'With every recipe, you can be confident you’re getting lots of good stuff, plus I hope to empower you with simple bite-sized nuggets of nutritional knowledge, too. This is about food to change your life’. Eat Yourself Healthy by Jamie Oliver is published by Penguin Michael Joseph © Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited (2025, Eat Yourself Healthy). Recipe photography: © David Loftus, 2025. Seasonal Journal Jeremy Lee Pop-Up Dinner at Ballymaloe House On Monday, 27th October 2025, celebrated chef Jeremy Lee joins the Ballymaloe House kitchen team for a one‑night‑only pop‑up dinner. Experience the best of seasonal Irish produce with a modern British twist as Jeremy brings the flavours of his iconic Soho restaurant, Quo Vadis, to East Cork. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended. For more information, email info@ballymaloehouse.com Samhain Festival of Food and Culture, 6th – 9th November Celebrate Ireland’s rich culinary and cultural heritage at Samhain Festival of Food and Culture, running from the 6th -9th November 2025. This unmissable festival brings together the best of Irish food and drink, featuring a packed program of events, including the renowned Sheridan’s Irish Food Fair. For more information, see www.foodcultureireland.ie/samhain It’s never too early to start to collect some little gems for Christmas pressies. I’ve just come across Tara Wigley’s most recent cookbook ‘how the cookie crumbles and other culinary confusions’ published by HarperCollins. Not to be misunderstood, a brilliant book for the loo – it’s in rhyme but least you think it’s flippant, far from it. It’s jam-packed with invaluable food facts and cooking tips – a perfect pressie for a keen cook…
