Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Officer
The other night I came home from work with a food craving! Rest assured, it’s not a good one; not mango or pomegranate seeds or anything ‘healthy’ like that. No, sadly my craving was for sticky toffee pudding and it wasn’t going away. Gorgeous, rich, sticky toffee pudding with custard. I’m making my mouth water just writing about it again.
A day or so after this indulgent, guilty episode and I’ve already been to the gym and tried to forget about my new food obsession. However, with the remaining portion sat in my fridge, it won’t be long until I revisit the comforting, sickly, winter treat. Delicious!
Although I find it frustrating that my food shopping at this time of year never seems to consist of salad leaves or cool summery dishes that leave you refreshed and energised, I have resigned myself to the fact that you simply have to give in to those little ‘treats’. It may not be the baltic January that we were all anticipating, but winter will still initiate that desire for hearty, comfort food.
Even the birds and the creepy crawlies will be feeling it. However, there is no Fly-Through MacDonalds to visit for a quick energy fix or a local deli for a few nice nibbles. With hedgerow food supplies depleting rapidly, garden birds are relying on us to get their food fixes. Whether it’s nuts and seeds or grated cheese and Christmas leftovers, wildlife will be gobbling up the food you leave out for them and coming back for more! Some of the tiniest garden birds like blue tits need to keep their energy levels up as staying warm and looking for food burns plenty of calories. And of course, as the spring time starts approaching (it will soon, fear not!) it will be the perfect time to plant nectar-rich plants to offer your butterflies and bees a quick pollen hit.
And there is more good news. You too can fill your belly, guilt free, whilst helping wildlife. Pulse café on Guildhall Hill and Dozen bakery on Gloucester Street in Norwich will stepping up for nature during January and donating part of their takings to the RSPB.
So, go ahead, indulge those winter cravings, and stock-up on delicious, hearty, well-cooked food and be smug in the knowledge that you will be doing your bit for wildlife this winter. From buzzards to blue tits and butterflies to bumblebees, every mouthful will be helping the wildlife in your area.
With fifty pence of the price of six of the most popular menu options in Pulse (like the espresso cheesecake – hmmm!) given to the RSPB and £1 per ‘Field Loaf’ from Dozen bakery, your garden birds and local wildlife will be eternally grateful!