188% increase in searches for "vegan Christmas food"

Waitrose, one of the UK’s “big five” supermarket chains, has announced searches for “vegan Christmas food” on its website are up by a staggering 188% compared on last year’s figures.

As a result of the upward trend, the high-end grocer is anticipating its most successful vegan Christmas period ever.

A spokesperson for Waitrose revealed specific search terms are driving the spike in traffic. Consumers hunting for “vegan roast potatoes” increased by 166%. Meanwhile, enquiries for “vegan panettone” rose by 110% on last year.

To cater to its increasingly vegan-curious and fully plant-based clientele, the supermarket has unveiled its biggest animal-free festive range so far. Included in the 20+ items are Thai Style No Fishcakes and other finger foods. All are part of a multi-buy party food promotion.

In addition to its groceries sector, Waitrose has reported significant interest in vegan options through two of its other channels. The Waitrose Entertaining department, which prepares ready-to-serve foods for customers, has apparently seen orders for meat-free dishes increase by almost half. This figure is expected to rise further before the end of the year.

“I'm thrilled we're now able to provide a vegan option for every course and with vegan and vegetarian Waitrose Entertaining orders up 49% compared to last year, I have no doubt this category will continue to go from strength-to-strength,” said Simona Cohen-Vida-Welsh, the vegan product developer for Waitrose.

Simultaneously, home cooks are looking to Waitrose for vegan inspiration. A rise in the number of people searching for nut wellington and vegan Yorkshire pudding recipes has been observed. The latter alone has seen a 94 percent increase.

Vegan Christmas food at UK supermarkets

Waitrose isn’t the only UK supermarket chain upping its plant-based festive range. 

Notably, Asda unveiled its largest-ever plant-based line-up this year, featuring 97 products. As well as traditional items, including roasting joints and Christmas pudding, increasingly inventive recipes have been added. These include non-dairy breaded brie and chocolate truffles.

https://www.waitrose.com.

It's Christmas but not as we know it?

Christmas Day looks set to be somewhat different this year with millions of households cooking more from scratch to save money, using air fryers, microwaves and keeping the heating lowered to reduce their energy bills.

Most will be dressing down (if they get dressed at all!), as one in ten plan to spend the day in their pyjamas.

The insights come from research commissioned by John Lewis and Waitrose among 2,000 UK adults who celebrate Christmas. 

The most popular foods people are planning to make themselves to save money are:  1. stuffing, 2. gravy, 3.desserts, 4. mince pies, 5. Christmas pudding, 6. bread sauce and 7. yule logs, 8.canapes, 9. brandy butter and brand sauce, 10. cranberry sauce. 

To save money on bills when cooking their Christmas dinner nearly one fifth said they'll use an air fryer and a similar number said they'll use a microwave (18%) and cook more on the stove to reduce oven time (18%). 15% said they'll serve cold desserts to save money. 

The traditional festive activities we’re least likely to cut back on are: 1. giving gifts to the children, 2. drinking alcohol, 3. eating mince pies, 4. sending Christmas cards, 5. buying cheese, 6. Christmas trees, 7. donations to charity, 8. gifts for pets 9. food and drink left out for Father Christmas, 10. a present for ourselves. (Nothing beats a bit of self-gifting!) 

When it comes to drinks on Christmas Day the approach for most is sticking to tried and tested favourites.   

When asked which drinks they’re most looking forward to prosecco and red wine came top followed closely by non-alcoholic drinks such as Coke and white wine, beer and bucks fizz. 7% are looking forward to a traditional glass of port, 9% want mulled wine, 5% want on-trend rum and 4% are more adventurous in craving an nifty Eggnog. 

Those cutting back on the amount they are spending on gifts are most likely to spend less on the adults closest to them with friends impacted first, followed by partners and siblings. 41% said they will spend less on gifts for friends this year, but  less than half as many (19%) said they will spend less on a secret Santa gift for a work colleague. 

People started shopping for Christmas earlier than ever this year to spread the cost, and as a result only 15% expect to still be buying gifts on Christmas Eve, which falls on a Saturday this year.

For most it’s going to be a dress down Christmas day with only 9% planning to wear sequins, velvet, black tie, or high heels. Almost half of us (45%) will wear pyjamas, jogging bottoms, or jeans for most of the day, and about a quarter (24%) of UK adults will get in the festive mood by wearing a Christmas jumper.

Only 12% of people expect to have their heating on more than other days with a quarter (26%) planning to have it on less, possibly because their house will be heated by guests. 

Many want to be active and healthy on Christmas Day with 43% planning to stretch their legs on a walk or run, 5% will swim or bathe in cold water. Habits started in lockdown will continue for others with a quarter (24%) planning to have a video call with friends or family, and  5% saying they will do an online exercise class.  Some will unwind from the stress of it all by meditating 6% and just over one fifth (21%) expect to fall asleep after lunch.

Alone this Christmas? No need to be lonely!

Many people will spend Chirstmas alone this year. But there's no need to be lonely. There are radio phone-ins to participate in, for example.

Also you can have Facebook calls, Zoom or Google Groups calls, etc, with friends and family members no matter where they are in the world.

If you feel that you cannot cope The Samaritans are always there. The local number will be listed in the phone book or the online phone directory.

Mind has a list of services that can provide help to people who require it. You can check it out here:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services

Services listed are: The Samaritans (English or Welsh services are available) SANEline, National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), Shout (text only service if you'd rather not talk to anyone, but do require help to cope) The Mix (for those who are under 25) Papyrus HOPELINEUK, Nightline, Switchboard (for those identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender), C.A.L.L. (If you live in Wales), Helplines Partnership, Urgent mental health helplines (England only).

The NHS 111 service can also provide help to people who have mental health issues you can call them on 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/guided-entry/mental-health-help.

You can also "chat" to other people on Twitter, Facebook, etc., who may very well also be on their own at Christmas time.

(Image courtesy of  Wokandapix and Pixabay)

Rishi Sunak thanks British military protecting global peace and security at Christmas

The UK Prime Minister has today paid tribute to the professionalism and bravery of UK Armed Forces in an unprecedented year of global instability.

Addressing military personnel in Tapa, Estonia, he told British troops their service and dedication would not go unnoticed this Christmas, and their selfless commitment was instrumental to keeping the UK and our allies safe.

Around 6000 marines, soldiers, sailors, and aviators will be deployed across the world this Christmas, serving on 33 military operations in 28 countries. They will be supported by dedicated merchant sailors from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and civilian staff.

More than 1000 of those Armed Forces will be on Op Cabrit across Estonia and Poland, including the King’s Royal Hussars, from Catterick Garrison in the Prime Minister’s constituency in North Yorkshire.

The Prime Minister thanked those troops personally today, and, alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, served Christmas lunch to NATO forces. He also shared mince pies with UK military personnel after dinner, hearing first-hand about their experience as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence across the Baltics.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "This year, we have seen a full-scale war return to our continent, and I am immensely proud of the selfless dedication and bravery of our Armed Forces who responded to that threat to keep the UK and our allies safe.

"As thousands of our military personnel prepare to spend Christmas on deployment, I know that this year of all years we will not take their sacrifice, or the sacrifice of their loved ones, for granted.

"Christmas, after all, is a time for peace, and as alongside our allies, we’ll continue to support our Ukrainian and European friends in pursuit of a return of that peace.

"This year, partly in response to the invasion of Ukraine, over 12000 UK military personnel have been deployed across Europe, from Cyprus in the Mediterranean to Norway within the Arctic Circle, across land, sea and air.

"In Estonia, the UK temporarily doubled its footprint in response to rising tensions, underlining our commitment to NATO and wider European security. We have since bolstered the lethality of the deployment with multiple rocket launch systems and short range air defence, allowing force numbers to be reduced and redeployed in other areas of the world.

"The UK’s contribution to European security has not just been on land in 2022, with the Royal Navy deploying on nine different operations across Europe, involving 31 ships and submarines, six Naval Air Squadrons and 1750 Royal Marines.

"And the UK played a leading role in protecting European skies, with around 1900 UK military flights patrolling,  gathering intelligence and providing essential transport and resilience across the region this year.

"From January 2023, UK Apache and Chinook helicopters will deploy to Estonia. This additional surge capability into Estonia will include an aviation task force of three CH47 helicopters, followed by a deployment of four AH64 and two Wildcat Helicopters."

RAC says: "This Christmas is set to be most expensive ever"

This Christmas is set to be the most expensive ever on the roads with petrol and diesel both at record highs for the festive period.

Petrol is currently being sold for an average of 152.96p a litre which is 7p more than it was on 22 December 2021 (145.66p). 

Diesel, however, is a shocking 27p more expensive on the nation’s forecourts than it was a year ago (148.95p) at 175.75p, which was previously the most expensive Christmas ever for drivers.

A tank of petrol for a family driving to see family and friends now costs nearly £4 more at £84 than it did last Christmas (£80). For those travelling in diesel cars it’s even worse with a fill-up now costing nearly £97 – almost £15 more than last year (£82).

But disturbingly, this Christmas shouldn't actually be hurting drivers’ pockets as much as it is, as the wholesale price of petrol has now fallen to just 106p a litre. The same price it was this time last year. 

And more worryingly, this year’s price includes the Government’s 5p fuel duty discount which was introduced in March to ease the pain of rising fuel prices caused by Russia invading Ukraine. The wholesale price of diesel has dropped to 126p a litre which is only 14p more expensive than just before last Christmas (112p).

The RAC calculates that the average price of petrol should be around 138p – 15p cheaper than it actually is, and that diesel should be around 160p a litre – 13p cheaper than it is now.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “With the cost-of-living crisis making this one of the toughest Christmases ever, it's even more galling to know drivers are being heartlessly overcharged for fuel, making this the most expensive ever festive getaway on the roads.

“The big four supermarkets, which dominate UK fuel retailing, have robustly refused to significantly lower their forecourt prices to reflect what’s happened with the substantial reduction in the price of wholesale fuel they are enjoying.

“We now have a bizarre situation where many smaller independent retailers are charging far less for their fuel than the supermarkets. The trouble is after years of the supermarkets being the cheapest place to fill up many drivers automatically assume this is still the case and may lose out as a result.

“We urge all supermarkets to properly cut their petrol and diesel prices to give drivers the Christmas present they deserve. Sadly though, having seen a similar situation last year where the biggest retailers failed to pass on much lower wholesale costs, we’re not holding out much hope they will do the right thing this year. We suspect they’re just going to try to tough out all our calls for price cuts in the hope the price of oil will go back up in the new year.

“The only consolation for drivers is that both petrol and diesel have fallen a long way from their summer highs of 191.5p for unleaded and 199.09p for diesel.”

(Image courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians and Pixabay)

WaterAid's Christmas appeal

WaterAid is asking community groups, churches and schools throughout the UK to support its Water Means Life appeal this Christmas and help bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to healthcare centres worldwide. 

The international charity’s appeal aims to raise £2.5 million between November 2022 and February 2023. Funds raised will bring water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to healthcare centres in Mozambique and across the world.  

Currently one in four healthcare centres has no clean water on site and almost half of healthcare centres have no basic handwashing facilities, putting staff and patients at a risk of ill-health. 

Maria, who is a nurse at Posto de Saúde de Napacala health centre in Niassa Province, Mozambique said: “We use the water from the well for patients’ laundry, delivering babies and washing our hands between appointments.” 

“The situation is very difficult. And when our well runs dry we can't wash our hands. We have in total 16 communities around the health centre in desperate need of water. Water for me is life and without it there is no life.” 

By fundraising for WaterAid this Christmas, congregations and community groups can help tackle the global hygiene crisis in healthcare centres across the world. Patients are dying needlessly; nurses and doctors are at risk and there is a higher threat of future pandemics. 

Wanji Wambari-Kairu, Supporter Exploration and Influencing Lead at WaterAid, who saw the situation faced by health centres in Mozambique first-hand, said: “Nurses, cleaners and doctors go above and beyond to treat their patients, but it’s not enough. When dirty water is the only option you have, every effort to heal risks bringing harm. It’s heart-breaking that 3.85 billion people use or work in a healthcare facility without basic hygiene services.” 

“By joining WaterAid’s appeal your church can start working with nurses like Maria and local communities to bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to health centres like Posto de Saúde de Napacala and around the world. This will make a lasting difference and save lives.” 

WaterAid has produced a range of free fundraising resources, including Sunday School session and fundraising ideas ranging from bauble decorating competitions to wreath making, a presentation on Maria’s story and a poster. Churches can even book a free WaterAid speaker to come and talk to their congregation about the campaign. 

Access these resources and learn more about the Water Means Life appeal at wateraid.org/uk/christmas.

“STEM” into Christmas: Nottingham schoolchildren get a taste of engineering at annual festive lecture

Hundreds of schoolchildren from all over Britain were learning about ‘The Future of Transportation” as part of the Faculty of Engineering’s Christmas Lecture at the University of Nottingham.

Hosted by a different department every year, the Christmas Lecture aims to inspire the next generation of students to continue with STEM subjects and, eventually, pursue a career in the industry.

The day was hosted by Professor James Bonnyman from the university’s Electrical and Electronics Department. He said: “We need people to help us solve difficult challenges we’re facing around decarbonisation, the impact of transport on air quality, the balance between public and private transport, and ensuring we design transport systems that suit the needs of everyone.

"All fields of engineering, from electrical engineering to transform the way we deliver and distribute power through to mechanical systems to design future vehicles, and everything in between, are critical to delivering the transport systems of the future, and we need to engage the next generation of engineers to be able to realise these ambitions."

Over 250 secondary students from eight schools attended the event, where they also had the opportunity to engage with a variety of interactive STEM activities, including a VR experience hosted by Rolls Royce.

Students were provided with an insight into the real-life applications of STEM at Rolls-Royce, through an interactive jet engine build challenge, hands-on activities from their submarines business, and an immersive virtual reality experience to explore their amazing jet engine architecture, all led by STEM ambassadors from the company.

Sarah Sharples, Professor of Human Factors at the University of Nottingham and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport, delivered the lecture. She said: “I’m delighted to have hosted this year’s Engineering Christmas Lecture. Transport technologies are undergoing major changes that will transform the way we live and travel, and we need the best science and engineering expertise to help us.

Sarah Sharples, Professor of Human Factors at the University of Nottingham and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport said: "I always enjoy talking and hearing about new forms of power, new methods of transport, and thinking about how, when, and why we travel. I hope some of those who attended are inspired to think about ways they can use their science and engineering expertise to help us design the transport system of the future."

Louise Caunt, Careers and Employer Engagement Lead at South Nottinghamshire Academy, said: “South Nottinghamshire Academy is keen to offer a range of STEM experiences, both in and out of the classroom, and we encourage our students to learn more about higher education and where it can lead. We are passionate about engaging with inspirational leaders from the world of work, who can share their knowledge and help to develop career ideas, because STEM never sleeps, and futuristic STEM jobs are the exciting vacancies of the future for our young people to consider.

“This event for our year nine students provides an excellent follow on from their year eight STEM Week, which took place earlier this year. An opportunity to stretch curiosity and actively develop interpersonal and collaboration skills, to help them develop through life. It's important to keep talking about STEM, it teaches critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills and instils a passion for innovation that fuels success across a variety of tasks and disciplines.

“As we head into the holidays, what better time to take students out of school to experience a great event at a prestigious university? I’d like to thank the University of Nottingham for having us.”