Loaf!

I suppose I could write at length about how the current government fails in its duty of care to the country. Its obsession with economic growth always seems to trump what's best for the very people to whom it is supposed to be a (civil) servant.

For example, it was only very grudgingly, and after considerable pressure, that it agreed to ban junk food advertising before 9pm, although the implementation of that seems to have quietly slipped back from this year to 2025, (The government's own figures show that such advertising restrictions could reduce the number of children with obesity by more than 20,000.)

Ultimately, it seems you have to look away from the government to understand how bad certain foods and ingredients can be for you. I read a piece in The Economist* recently about pre-processed foods, which has resulted in an experiment in avoiding them.

Thus, today, I dusted down the breadmaker, and baked this loaf: yeast, flour, butter, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar, and water. That's all. It came out very well, albeit a slightly odd shape. Dan and Abi were impressed :-)

*I'm about four weeks into a 'news detox'. The Guardian and Times apps remain unopened. I occasionally dip into the FT, the New Statesman, and the Economist. I'm feeling a lot better for it.