Bean sprouts and organic veggies.

For many years I wanted to visit Beanies, a health food shop run by a co-operative, at Crookes/Walkley in Sheffield. It's located on the other side of the city to me and seemed reasonably inaccessible - probably the reason I've never visited. But they had a bean sprouter thingy in stock, so I wanted to get it.

I've never grown bean sprouts before but friends came to lunch over the weekend and we made salads which included bean sprouts. LittleBoo loved them so much she asked me to give them for her to take as snack at school! Beats chocolate any day. I was very pleased to hear LittleBoo's request because I've been discretely working hard to get rid of the sweet tooth she gained over Christmas. Job done!!

So I went to Beanies with Rach, one of my PAs, who's lived abroad for around 15 years and recently come back to a cold, wet and dull UK. I love Mondays because Rach tells me all her experience of living in a warm country and how life was easier than here. Back to reality as Janice (the van), does her stuff and I'm lowered carefully to pavement level in the rain and cold. Bbbbrrrrrrr it was really cold.

Beanies had a portable wooden ramp and access in to the shop was easy. There were two steps to the veggie area though, which was a nuisance but we soon overcame the obstacle with help from Rach and the staff.

Beanies is fab!!! I loved it. I managed to not only get my Bean Sprouter, but many other things too. Then I realised they deliver organic veggies and fruit all over the city. I've never had one of these box services before because I was unsure about if I could afford it. But now I'm needing to eat much more healthily because of my 'tummy' probs, as well as my weight, maybe it was 'the' option to be prioritised.

So I've ordered my organic fruit and veggie boxes, which wil arrive this Friday. Can't wait!

Meanwhile LittleBoo and I are watching the mung beans carefully and patiently waiting for our first bean sprouts. We're also going to try making our own soya yogurt tomorrow! It feels great to be taking such positive steps in looking after ourselves, teaching LittleBoo about more about food and at the same time supporting a local co-operative. So much better than going to Tesco!!!!

Beanies web site: http://www.beanieswholefoods.co.uk/