Appetiser 1/25

@Traffic Light Fruit Salad

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” read out Flutterbye in awestruck tones. "Look at this, Ryder, it says here: 'Hippocrates' saying from around 400 BCE is as relevant today as it ever has been, if not more so.' "

Appetiser 2/25

@Citrus Slice

"Who was Hippocrates, then?" queried Ryder.
Flutterbye looked wildly round on the floor and walls as if the answer would be found writ large thereon. "Well, he was one of these Greek bods, wasn't he? A Greek phil- —"
"Physician, it says here," remarked Ryder, reading from the gallery brochure.
"Yes!" cried Flutterbye. "I mean, yes, that's what I was about to say. A physician. A Greek physician. In about 400 BCE."

Appetiser 3/25

@Ham Salad Sandwich

The matter of Hippocrates' profession and era having been pretty much thrashed out, Ryder and Flutterbye moved on to the next exhibit.
"It doesn't say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, Flutterbye," remarked Ryder.
"Well—I would say it's a good thing. It could do with a bit of salad cream on it, though. And I hope the bread's buttered."

Appetiser 4/25

@Wholegrain Bread

"Wholemeal bread," remarked Flutterbye. "My mum used to make her own, when we were young."
"Home-made tends to be best, doesn't it?" responded Ryder.

Appetiser 5/25

@Fresh Raspberries

"My goodness, what perfect raspberries, Ryder!" breathed Flutterbye.
"Mmm," agreed Ryder. "What does it say about them?"
Flutterbye consulted the guide. "They're very high in Vitamin C—there's a surprise!—they have Vitamin B6, magnesium, iron and calcium."
"A good glug of double cream would go with them beautifully," remarked Ryder.
"Why not, Ryder? There's zero carbs in cream."

Appetiser 6/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Slice of Toast

"I'm really getting hungry now!" remarked Flutterbye. "'What's your favourite topping?' it says here."
"Well, butter is a sine qua non," responded Ryder.
"Of course. Well, my favourite topping is cheese."
"Mine's scrambled egg. Or creamed mushrooms."
"Or baked beans! Or a poached egg."
"And that's before we get to the jam or peanut butter toppings. Toast is really versatile, isn't it?" concluded Ryder.

Appetiser 7/25

@Floral Medicine

" 'Flower Power'," read out Flutterbye. " 'Flowers and herbs can heal our ailments in a myriad ways.' "
"Sounds interesting! Perhaps they'll have a book about it in the giftshop on the way out," responded Ryder.

Appetiser 8/25

@Courgette & Fruit Salad

"You can keep the courgette," stated Flutterbye firmly. "Yucky tasteless stuff."
Ryder pondered. "It probably wouldn't matter with the melon being there. It goes on quite a bit about the pomegranate seeds. It says they're good for Vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, but also antioxidants, which can help protect the body against inflammation and free radical damage."
"You can get packs of pomegranate seeds in Tesco. And Asda. And Sainsbury's," remarked Flutterbye.
"Pretty much anywhere, I would think!" replied Ryder. "And, I don't know, I guess the experts would say you're better off buying a whole pomegranate."

Appetiser 9/25

@Cinnamon and Spice

"This is quite a Christmassy exhibit!" exclaimed Flutterbye. "It makes me think about Christmas baking, and hot chocolate with cinnamon!"
"Good gracious! It says here that cinnamon has properties that are anti­oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti­diabetic, anti­microbial, anti­cancer, lipid-lowering, and cardio­vascular-disease-lowering, and also reputedly guards against neuro­logical disorders!"
"Wow!" responded Flutterbye. "That sounds amazing, Ryder!"

Appetiser 10/25

@Orange Alert!

Ryder read from the brochure. "It says that oranges are anti­oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti­viral and anti­microbial—they're simply delicious too, when either squeezed as juice or eaten in seg­ments! They are of course high in Vitamin C and also in potassium and have numerous health benefits. It's no wonder that oranges are one of the most popular fruits around!"
"I just love a glass of fresh orange for breakfast!" replied Flutterbye.

Appetiser 11/25

@Berries Red, Berries Blue

"Here's a superfood, Ryder!" called out Flutterbye. "It says that blueberries are low in calories and carbs, may help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, improve memory and aid in exercise recovery."
"They sure pack a mighty punch for such a small berry!" marvelled Ryder.

Appetiser 12/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Life gives you lemons ...

"The brochure says that lemon can guard against anaemia," remarked Flutterbye.
"Strange! I wouldn't have thought lemons had a lot of iron in?"
"No, they don't—I mean, it says they have some, but the thing about lemon is that it aids the uptake of iron from other foods, making the total effect more beneficial," replied Flutterbye.

Appetiser 13/25

@Fizzy Fruit Detox

"Wow, that looks like a delicious detox, Ryder!" remarked Flutterbye.
"Well, the jury is out as to its detoxing powers but all are agreed about the benefits of lemon juice!" responded Ryder.

Appetiser 14/25

@Jungle Geranium

"The jungle geranium is a small shrub from India and Sri Lanka that can also bloom easily in a pot. The blooms consist of umbels with many red flowers that are naturally pollinated by butterflies. It is the national flower of Suriname, on the north-east coast of South America, although the origin of the plant is in Asia. The species is found in open places in forests or along the forest edge. The oil extracted from jungle geranium contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and anti­oxidants that can be beneficial for hair health. It includes vitamins A, C, and E." Flutterbye paused for breath.
"It sounds like a really useful plant all round!" replied Ryder.

Appetiser 15/25

@Spices of Life

"Ooh, I'm not all that keen on spicy food, Ryder!" remarked Flutterbye.
"I think these are just cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper, though—all very mild stuff!" responded Ryder.

Appetiser 16/25

@Upmarket Ploughman's Lunch

" 'A simple meal of bread and cheese, accompanied by beer, formed the basis of the midday meal of English farm labourers for centuries. It would be consumed out in the fields. The 'ploughman's lunch' remains, with some variations, a very popular pub meal.' " Flutterbye closed the brochure and examined the exhibit. "That looks like really quite posh nosh! I bet the farm workers didn't have grapes with their lunch!"
"Well, in theory, they could have done," answered Ryder. "Viticulture was introduced to England in around 43 BCE after it was invaded by the Romans. But then the weather grew much colder so grapes wouldn't have been grown for a huge number of decades."

Appetiser 17/25

@Summer Strawberries

"So—what benefits do strawberries have, Ryder?" asked Flutterbye. "Apart from Vitamin C, of course! I suppose that goes without saying!"
Ryder studied their gallery literature gravely. "You know, Flutterbye, I've never seen so many poly-syllabled words in one place at once before as in this paragraph! Let's just say, strawberries are very good for your health!"

Appetiser 18/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Aromatic Saffron

"Saffron!" announced Ryder. "I know it's very expensive. We learnt on our Turkey trip—gosh! Exactly two years ago, that was!—that it comes from crocuses. Does it have any particular benefits?"
"Not half!" responded Flutterbye. "It's a mood-lifter. It's been found to be as effective as drugs for depress­ion. It aids learning and memory function."

Appetiser 19/25

@Cayenne, Chili & Paprika

"Ooh, these definitely are too spicy for my taste!" said Flutterbye.
Ryder consulted the literature. "Cayenne is good for the digestion. It's high in Vitamin A. Chili may offer several long-term health benefits. Paprika is high in Vitamins C and E and promotes wound healing and healthy sleep. Paprika powder is lovely on seafood sauce, by the way."
"Hmm, well, I might try that, then," conceded Flutterbye somewhat grudgingly.

Appetiser 20/25

@Lemon Law

Flutterbye read from the placard in front of the exhibit. "Lemons grow on trees and are a hybrid of citron and lime. Being very tart, they are not eaten on their own but have many culinary uses, from lemonade to garnishes. They are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and potassium."
"I'll drink to that—in lemonade, obviously!" announced Ryder.

Appetiser 21/25

@Ham & Tomato Sandwich

"Ooh, I'm getting really hungry now!" announced Flutterbye. "I vote we go straight to the cafeteria!"
"What, before the gift shop?" teased Ryder.

Appetiser 22/25

@Freshly Minted

"Mint! I don't know what we'd do without it, do you, Ryder?" announced Flutterbye happily.
"Like in mint-chocolate ice cream?" queried Ryder. "Let's see—it says the benefits of mint are that it's quite high in Vitamin A, iron, manganese and folate, a good source of anti-oxidants, it's good for the digestion and inhaling it may increase alertness."

Appetiser 23/25

@As Cool As A Cucumber

"Gosh, it says here that cucumber is a fruit! I didn't know that," remarked Flutterbye.
"They're low in calories and high in nutrients," said Ryder. "I think I'll have a cucumber sandwich for lunch!"
"The cucumber sandwich," stated Flutterbye, "is the greatest ever British invention."

Appetiser 24/25

@Rosemary for Remembrance

"Mmm, there's nothing like warm red onion and rosemary focaccia, Ryder!" remarked Flutterbye.
"Or rosemary infused roast potatoes! Look, it says here that in addition to its many uses in cooking, rosemary has been used for thousands of years to treat a range of illnesses, including digestive problems, headaches, insomnia, rheumatic pain and as a tonic to improve physical, emotional and mental well-being. Rosemary has been shown to contain over 50 different phytochemicals linked with various health benefits."
"Wow!" responded Flutterbye.

Appetiser 25/25

@Cinnamon Sprinkles

"Cinnamon was once traded as currency," remarked Flutterbye.
"I can understand that!" responded Ryder. "Look, it says it's derived from the inner bark of a small evergreen tree. The bark is peeled and laid in the sun to dry, where it curls into rolls known as cinnamon sticks. Hmm, I didn't know that. It's an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, may protect against infection, colds and the flu, may regulate blood sugar and protect against Alzheimer's."
"I'll get me a cinnamon bun for after lunch!"

Flutterbye has enjoyed trying healthy eating, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy this event!