The Radio 2 holistic health expert, Imperfectly Natural Woman author and Herts mum chooses her favourite treatments and therapies in the county

Hertfordshire, I deserted you recently. Only for a few weeks while I was in a panto! Sadly, I have to say I was underwhelmed at the standard of restaurants in the vicinity I stayed in the north east of England (I won’t name and shame, so as not to offend) but the choice of decent eateries was minimal and compared to the many brilliant restaurants we have in our county, most were dubious quality and not even great value.

On my return, the very first thing I did, was treat myself to lunch at the fabulous Lussmanns Fish and Grill – the award-winning restaurant in St Albans.

Giles Coren in The Times recently said of Lussmans, ‘It’s everything a modern local restaurant should be, so thanks heavens for that.’

In addition to the food tasting fantastic, it’s reassuring to know the restaurant has an ethical and sustainable policy. Ingredients are sourced from the best welfare-driven British suppliers and it takes care to ensure it offers sustainable fish, grass-fed meat. Notably, they have won The Independent restaurant category of the national RSPCA Good Business Awards. And it’s totally affordable. Lussmans are in Harpenden and Hertford too. lussmans.com.

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Talking sustainability, I love the farmers’ markets in Herts. On the second Sunday of the month check out the St Albans Market (tie it in with a visit to Lussmanns). There’s usually live jazz, hot apple juice and even Ostrich burgers (not for the faint hearted), along with raw milk and goats cheese. We bought some free range eggs, and I kid you not every one had a double yolk – how lucky is that!

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As I can only make it to the markets every couple of weeks my trusty freezer has become my new best friend. But let’s face it, who knows how long an organic chicken can stay in the freezer, and can berries be frozen? The answers lie in the brilliant book Freeze (Orion books) by Herts best-selling author Justine Pattison. Advice, tips, easy fixes and brilliant recipes. Happy eating!