If you are looking for ways to improve your diet and feel healthier, then switching to free range pork and organic meats is one of the first things you can do to make a positive change.

Free range pork and meat is not only generally thought of as better for you, it is also a much more ethically-sound way of enjoying meat. And organic meat is of course free from harmful pesticides and other chemicals which can damage the environment. Do you really want those pesticides and chemicals in your food and your body?

For anyone who wants to feel and look their best, going organic and free range is a great starting point. This is of course just the first step. It is also important to eat a varied and healthy diet, incorporating all the food groups and the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. Avoid things like caffeine, alcohol and too much saturated fat, and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as enough protein and complex carbohydrates. Drinking enough water is also vital for feeling and looking great; aim for about 6-8 glasses over the course of the day (herbal teas and diluted juices count too).

Once you have sorted out the inside of your body, you will find that the outside of your body and your exterior appearance reflects the new, healthier you. You will want to make the most of your new and improved appearance, so refine your beauty regime and invest in trusted, quality beauty products such as Oil of Olay. Moisturising every night will make a big difference to your skin and build on the good work that your healthier diet is already doing. You can also try seeking out make up tips from friends or on the web to make the most of the brand new, healthier you!

Pork is sometimes referred to as the other white meat – alongside chicken. Depending on the cut that you choose, pork can be a very healthy addition to a balanced diet.

It’s a meat that contains plenty of essential minerals and vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, zinc, magnesium and potassium as well as vitamins B6 and B12. With a lean cut, with all the extra fat trimmed off before cooking, pork can be low in calories and fat when eaten in moderation. A reasonable portion size is about 100g per portion.

When cooking pork you should ensure that the centre of the meat is cooked thoroughly to a decent heat to ensure that the meat is properly cooked.

In years gone by, pork suffered a bit of a bad press because of the number of cases of a parasitic disease called trichinosis, which occurred when under cooked pork with roundworm larvae was consumed. Now that there are much tighter regulations on what livestock can be fed –  no raw meat, for example, – the number of cases of trichinosis has drastically reduced.  Many people are also buying free range pork which is reared under better conditions and far less likely to be contaminated with anything untoward.

If you’re stuck for ideas for how to cook pork, Super Savvy Me has some great recipes to try – including ones that are good for young children’s tastes, too.

The leanest cut of pork is probably pork tenderloin, with only 3g of fat per serving. Boneless top loin roast pork and a top loin chop will have around 5g of fat per serving, and 2g of these five will be saturated. A sirloin roast with the bone left in will have a little more than 8g of fat per serving.

When you’re online or in the supermarket, don’t forget to keep your eyes open for any money off coupons for products that you can use in conjunction with your pork recipe selection.

You can’t go down too many streets in cities and towns around the UK without going past an Indian restaurant. Indian food is hugely popular in this country and is the food of choice for many.

There is nothing quite like going to the local curry house after a hard week at work. Whether it is a night out with a partner or a meal with friends, the atmosphere and food served up in Indian restaurants is second to none.

Of course, once you are there the alcohol starts flowing. Some people prefer premier lager with their curry; others like to share a nice bottle of white or red wine. Whatever you choose, alcohol is the perfect accompaniment to a meal.

Pale ale is usually the drink of choice among men. Cobra and Kingfisher are widely available and complement an Indian banquet perfectly. Foster’s Gold is also well worth a try. Women generally prefer wine with their meal. You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Blossom Hill or Jacob’s Creek.

Everybody has a local curry house, a place where they can enjoy a low cost meal with a beer or a glass of wine. Indian food is no longer limited to Indian restaurants, though – curries have become increasingly popular in general restaurants. You will always find a Tikka Masala or Korma on a menu in your local pub, as well as themed curry nights. The people of Britain love their curries.

Curry has evolved and will continue to evolve. There is so much variety these days – it is easy to get lost in the menu. There is no need to panic; there is no wrong answer when it comes to choosing an Indian dish. Just order yourself a drink and take your time, enjoy the Indian experience.

When you fancy a change from burgers, sausages and chicken for your barbecue why not buy some tasty but healthy free range pork from your butcher or local farmers’ market and have a get together with family and friends? Whether you have a couple of cheap barbecues or one of the larger and more sophisticated types such as Weber, there’s nothing like cooking outdoors both for flavour and fun.

Although free range pork has a great flavour cooked just as it is there is such a good variety of marinades that go beautifully with pork it would be a shame not to experiment. From a simple butter, lemon juice and garlic mixture to a more complex mix of garlic, curry powder, lemon juice and zest, honey, chilli paste and turmeric, the sky’s the limit. If you fancy a dipping sauce for your pork chops a sauce made from Demerara sugar, wine or cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcester sauce, chilli powder, lemon juice, mustard and garlic is always a winner.

Skewers are always a success on the barbecue so why not try pork cubes alternated with chunks of onion and green pepper? Marinade the pork and vegetables with lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, oregano and garlic for a couple of hours before grilling and serve with a Greek salad or in pitta bread with tzatziki.

Beef burgers can be high in saturated fat so a more healthy alternative is to make your own pork burgers. Try mixing your minced pork with lemongrass or apple for a change.

Everyone has their favourite recipe for pork ribs and they are extra tasty when cooked on the barbecue. From a rub of spices including cumin, chilli and paprika to a sticky marinade of chilli sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice and cranberry sauce, there are ideas galore so take your pick.

Abraham Lincoln once said: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.” Proof, if ever it was needed, that beer has always been a great mediator.

The power of alcohol is obviously not just limited to beer – wine, mixers, cocktails, the list is endless. Alcohol breaks the ice in social situations and can help bring people together.

Of course, in the wrong hands alcohol can be dangerous, sometimes deadly. The majority of people know when to stop, some people don’t. If you know your limit, alcohol can supplement a healthy lifestyle and bring excitement to your life.

Alcohol is versatile. It is not just used to keep scantily-clad girls warm during a cold night on the town; it can be used in any number of social situations. A nice bottle of white wine can be shared over a pork Sunday dinner, a complimentary shot can be used to settle nerves pre-flight in duty free and a group of lads will head to the shops for a couple of crates of lager before a big game on the TV. Whatever the occasion, alcohol isn’t far away.

In fact, alcohol isn’t too far away during everyday life. You won’t sit through too many television ad breaks without coming across an advert for alcohol. One of the most popular ads doing the rounds at the moment is the Foster’s Gold Beer advert starring singer, actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Holly Valance. The “smart/casual” premium lager has already proved to be a hit with lads in their early-20s.

I am sure this piece has got the mouth watering so I will leave you to get yourself a nice cold beer or glass of wine. Just remember – drink responsibly!

Maybe you’ve already considered going organic in the past but have put it off for whatever reason, or maybe this is the first time that going organic has ever occurred to you.

Either way, first and foremost, you need to stop thinking about it and start doing it, because organic food tastes great! Organic certification means that all organic produce meets strict regulations, and this is really good for your health. Previously in the food chain, there were many approved pesticides which we now know are linked to certain diseases and cancers. Organic agriculture prevents any of these pesticides making their way through the air, earth and water.

Organic farms are great for the environment; they are better than conventional farms because they help to sustain a diverse ecosystem, i.e. the population of plants and animals. Knowing that your food is healthier for you and also better for the environment should be a good enough reason for you to turn organic!

Not only does your food taste much better when you turn organic, but it represents an excellent way to stay healthy. There are many other ways to stay healthy with a normal diet, such as having wholemeal bread and granary bread instead of white bread, while also going for low fat products instead of full fat (this could be yogurt, mayonnaise or milk). Eating more fruit and vegetables, getting you your 5 a day, and drinking at least eight glasses of water while reducing your meal portions all help in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

Finally, a number of research papers have shown that organic food contains more minerals and vitamins than that of synthetically produced food. So, if you are wondering how to lose weight or how to live a healthier lifestyle, do not hesitate to try organic food as a source to help you achieve your ambition!