New Year, New You – Healthier Meat Choices for 2025
As we step into 2025, many of us set resolutions to embrace healthier lifestyles, and our diets can play a pivotal role in this transformation. While plant-based diets are popular, meat lovers can still make healthier, more sustainable choices that align with their wellness goals.
This year, it’s all about buying less but better quality, and one of the best ways to do this is by supporting local businesses; just like us.
Why Choose Lakings Butchers?
Lakings prides itself on offering ethically sourced, high-quality meats from trusted local farms. By opting for our products, you not only support the local economy but also ensure you’re consuming meats that are raised with care and respect for the environment.
Focus on healthier meat options
When it comes to healthier meat choices, quality is key. At Lakings, you’ll find a wide range of products that can fit seamlessly into a balanced diet. Here are some of their offerings that can help you start the new year on a nutritious note:
Grass-fed beef is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. Lakings’ selection of grass-fed beef, including their Sirloin Steak and Beef Fillet, is a fantastic choice for those looking to add more lean protein to their meals. Grass-fed meat tends to be leaner and lower in calories than conventional beef, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight.
Chicken is a versatile, lean protein that can be a staple in any healthy diet. Lakings offers free-range chicken, such as their Free Range Chicken Breast Fillets, which are not only lower in fat but also rich in essential nutrients like niacin and selenium. Free-range poultry is typically lower in saturated fats, which can contribute to better heart health.
Pork, when sourced well, can also be a healthy addition to your diet. Lakings’ Pork Loin Steaks offer a lean cut full of flavour without the excess fat. Pork is rich in B vitamins and provides a good source of zinc, which supports immune function.
Waste not, want broth
Gut health plays a crucial role in overall well-being and health, influencing various aspects of physical and mental function. Here’s how a healthy gut contributes to a better, more balanced life. If you’re an avid social media fan, you won’t have escaped the ‘broth brigade’, and rightly so. It’s a great way of using your local butcher to introduce gut health practices is by making your own bone broth at home.
Making bone broth from high-quality bones, such as those sourced from your local butcher like Lakings, is a simple yet nourishing process. Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals, making it a fantastic addition to a healthy diet. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds of bones (beef, chicken, pork, or a mix – marrow bones, knuckles, and joints are great choices for a gelatinous broth)
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (helps draw out minerals from the bones)
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- Fresh herbs (like thyme, parsley, or rosemary)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water (enough to cover the bones)
Instructions
- Roast the bones (optional, but recommended for flavour). Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway through. Roasting deepens the flavour of the broth and adds a rich, savoury taste.
- Prepare the pot or slow cooker. Place the roasted bones into a large pot/pan or slow cooker. Add the vinegar, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bones by about 2 inches.
- Bring to a boil. Once your broth reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer. For small bones simmer for 6–12 hours, larger bones can simmer for 12–24 hours or more.
The ‘less but better’ approach
In 2025, it’s time to prioritise quality over quantity. By buying smaller portions of high-quality meat from Lakings, you can create delicious, nutritious meals while also reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable food system. Shopping locally means you’re supporting the local economy as well as lowering your carbon footprint with less transport of mass-manufactured meat and using traceable food chains.
Start the new year off on the right foot by making conscious choices about the food you eat. With Lakings’ top-tier selections, you can enjoy a healthier lifestyle without compromising on flavour or ethics.
