A Season of Becoming

By Shola Oladipo, Food for Purpose CEO 

As I sit to write this final edition of the year, I can’t help but reflect on the last few months: the pace, the stretch, the unexpected lessons.

It has felt, at times, like being carried by a gentle tide: steady one moment, demanding the next, but always moving us somewhere deeper, somewhere more purposeful than before. These months have reminded me why Food for Purpose exists in the first place. We’ve been in rooms where conversations shifted something, church halls filled with pastors rediscovering rest, community spaces where culture and health danced together, sessions where creativity became medicine, and families realising that wellbeing is not an optional extra but part of their inheritance.

We’ve heard stories that stay with you, parents finding a new language for their children’s health, students discovering joy in the foods of their heritage, leaders admitting they, too, need space to breathe. This is the work that humbles me. This is the work that reminds me that transformation is rarely loud; it happens in whispers, in kitchens, in waiting rooms, in quiet prayers.

And somewhere in the midst of this whirlwind, I crossed the stage of a personal milestone – robed and cap poised gently, I stepped publicly into a new chapter as “Dr.” Not as a badge to shine, but as a tool sharpened by years of learning, service, and staying close to community stories. This doctorate is simply an extension of the work we already do, a gift I get to bring back home to our mission and our people.

As the year softens and Christmas draws close, I feel that familiar stirring - that sense that God is preparing something new. Not rushed. Not loud. But steady, sacred, intentional.

This season feels like an invitation to refocus, to listen more deeply, to show up with even greater clarity and compassion.

So as this edition closes the year for us, I want you to know this: we are not stepping away; we’re simply pausing to breathe. We’re taking a moment to reflect, to replenish, and to gather the strength for what’s coming next. Because I truly believe the next chapter of Food for Purpose will be marked by deeper roots, bolder vision, and greater impact - not because we are striving harder, but because we are aligning better.

Thank you for reading, for showing up, for journeying with us. Your presence, whether in workshops, in emails, in events, or quietly cheering us on - helps shape this work

more than you know. Until the next edition, may rest find you, may hope steady you, and may purpose rise within you like morning light breaking over a new horizon. Enjoy the blessing of Christmas and the unfolding of a new year.

We’re just getting started. And I’m grateful you’re here.

Dr Shola Oladipo

• CEO Says - A Season of Becoming

• News

• HCI News

• Physical Activity Tips - ​​Family Fitness Fun: Get Moving This Christmas

• Recipe of the Month - Chocolate Malva Pudding

• A - Z of Soul Food - Nutmeg

• Balanced Bites - Getting Your Five-a-Day on Christmas Day

• Diabetes Tips - Christmas and Diabetes

• Let’s Talk - The Great Advent Calendar Debate: Are We Too Old for This… or Are We Just Getting Started?

• November 2025 - Diversifying Dietetics

  • Our CEO was invited to speak to students at London Metropolitan University to support career choices and options in the Food and Nutrition industry.

• 7th November - FFP celebrated 8 years as a CIC

  • Eight years of food, culture, and community… and we’re just getting started!

• 19th November - Harmony Christian Centre’s Women of Praise conference

  • Our CEO was a guest speaker at Harmony Christian Centre’s Women of Praise conference. She delivered two interactive sessions, unearthing food myths and showcasing how African heritage foods can be enjoyed as healthy options.

• Double Celebrations!

  • We celebrate our CEO, who officially graduated with as a Doctor of Philosophy on Nov 21st 2025. Her thesis explores health equity and the impact of faith, culture and health behaviours of Black church leaders.

    We also celebrate Precious Oladipo, who graduated on 1.12.2025. She earned her Master's in Human Nutrition with distinction.

    We celebrate these magnificent ladies!

• Nurturing Health Beginnings - Supporting Families in Pregnancy and Beyond

  • Our CEO was a guest speaker at this event, sharing our insights from work in Lewisham regarding the Health and Wellbeing of Black and Asian pregnant women and new mums.

• 10th December 2025 - Premier Christian Radio

  • Our CEO was featured on the breakfast show on Premier Christian Radio to discuss our upcoming event on Faith, Family and Health: Healthy immunity for our children. She will be accompanied by Riyad Karim - Assistant Director for Community Engagement and vaccine equity at NHS England.

• 13th December 2025 - Faith, Family & Health

  • Family and faith are at the heart of our wellbeing. We held a special interactive breakfast gathering where church leaders, members, and NHS healthcare professionals came together to talk openly about childhood immunisation, health, and wholeness in our community.

National Days / Weeks / Month - December 2025

• December 1st - World Aids Day

• December 3rd -  International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• December 5th - International Volunteer Day

• December 10th - Human Rights Day

HCI News

​​It’s the update we know you’ve been waiting for! The Healthy Church Initiative is still going strong in Greenwich, and we’re having a wonderful time connecting faith and wellbeing.

In October, we hosted a taster session at Tender Grace Christian Centre’s Daughters of Zelophehad Women’s Conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring faith and health together.

We’re excited to share that we hope to officially launch the HCI programme with Tender Grace Christian Centre this month, so watch this space!

We are also continuing our work with St John’s Church in Plumstead, where we recently completed our third session. Together, we have explored the Eatwell Guide and how to build balance through healthy eating, reflecting on the connection between food, faith, and stewardship of the body. We also examined the gifts of salt, fat, and sugar, their biblical significance and what happens when we take God’s good gifts too far. Each session has been filled with insightful discussions and engaging activities. A heartfelt thank you to Rev. Timmy and the entire St John’s family for their warm welcome and enthusiastic participation.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates,  we’ll be partnering with even more churches in the New Year!

Family Fitness Fun: Get Moving This Christmas

By Precious Oladipo
FFP Director & Physical Activity Lead

Christmas is just three weeks away! Many of you have already poured your first mug of mulled wine, dusted off the decorations, and revived your Christmas Spotify playlists. You’ve probably also had those essential chats with family and friends about who’s bringing the bird, the jollof rice, the roasties, the desserts, and honestly, that’s one of the best parts of the festive season.

But while the food (and the seconds… and thirds) is a huge part of the fun, it’s also worth keeping movement in mind. Staying even a little active can help you avoid that familiar post-holiday guilt and the unrealistic resolutions that often follow in January.

The good news? When everyone gathers together, it’s the perfect opportunity to get moving as a group. You’ll be surprised how much activity you can rack up just by adding a few playful challenges into your day.

Start with a Christmas family walk.
Before the kitchen chaos begins, head out for a stroll. It’s a simple way to spend quality time together and share a moment of gratitude before the festivities kick off.

Bring on the games!
Charades is a Christmas classic for a reason, it gets everyone laughing and moving. All that dramatic acting, leaping, and gesturing definitely counts toward your daily activity. If you prefer something digital, try Heads Up! on your phone and choose the “Act It Out” category. Trust me, you’ll be in stitches.

Try a Christmas scavenger hunt.
If you’ve got children at home, this one’s a winner. Set up festive clues around the house and let the kids (and competitive adults!) race to find them. It’s a fun way to keep the energy high between meals.

Host a family dance-off.
Put on your favourite holiday playlist and challenge different generations to show off their best moves. It’s hilarious, heart-warming, and sneaks in some surprisingly solid cardio.

The best part? None of this should feel like “exercise.” It’s about making memories, sharing laughter, and enjoying time together, and you’ll end up with some brilliant footage to look back on.

This Christmas, weave a little movement into your traditions. Your body, and your future self, will thank you!

Chocolate Malva Pudding

Christmas is never truly complete in an African or Caribbean household without the familiar aroma of beloved traditional dishes. While each culture adds its own unique flavours and customs, one thing remains the same: the season is best celebrated with a vibrant spread of holiday foods shared with loved ones over joyful conversations, music and dancing.

Across Africa, festive favourites might include classics like jollof rice, Liberian chicken gravy, Cameroonian-style grilled chicken with spicy tomato sauce, or a warm South African malva pudding. In Caribbean homes, Christmas tables often feature glazed ham, ackee and saltfish, curried goat, oxtail, gungo peas and rice, and the famous Jamaican fruit cake.

This year, we’ve chosen a delicious chocolate malva pudding for you to try as part of your Christmas celebrations. We hope it adds a sweet, comforting touch to your festive table! Chocolate malva pudding is a classic South African dessert often enjoyed during the Christmas season. Rich, moist and beautifully spongy, it’s the perfect warm treat to share with loved ones.

Serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• Cooking oil spray

• 2 large eggs

• 180g sugar

• 1½ teaspoons grated orange zest

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 4 tablespoons apricot jam

• 1 teaspoon vinegar

• 180ml milk

• 140g all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

Chocolate Sauce

• 200ml single cream

• 50g brown sugar

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 60g chocolate

• ½ teaspoon almond extract

• 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease an 8-inch cake pan generously with cooking oil spray and set aside.

2. n a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, orange zest, butter and apricot jam until light & fluffy. Then mix in the vinegar and milk.

3. Add the flour, baking soda and salt into another bowl.

4. Gradually add the flour mix into the egg mixture (the mixture is likely to be slightly runny).

5. Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 30-35 minutes or until the cake is brown and risen

6. While the cake is baking, mix the ingredients for the chocolate sauce in a pan and melt over medium heat.

7. Pour it over the pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven and let it soak for a few minutes.

Serve while warm or chill in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

 
Tips & Notes:

• Light evaporated milk can be used instead of single cream

• Grease the pan generously to keep the pudding from sticking

• Pour the chocolate sauce slowly over the cake so it can be absorbed evenly

 Image courtesy of: https://www.africanbites.com/malva-pudding-chocolate/

Nutmeg

This month, we’re celebrating Nutmeg for the letter N!

Nutmeg is a warm, sweet and aromatic spice made by grinding the seed of the fragrant nutmeg tree into a fine powder. Because its flavour is naturally strong, it should be used sparingly - usually just a pinch or up to ¼ teaspoon. Consuming large amounts can be harmful, so a little truly goes a long way. It’s commonly used in Caribbean baked goods and desserts, African soups, rice dishes and snacks, as well as in festive holiday drinks like sorrel.

Nutritionally, nutmeg:

• Has antioxidants which help the body fight inflammation and oxidative stress

• May support digestive health

• May help with relaxation, sometimes used for its calming sleep-supporting effects

Where to find Nutmeg in the U.K.

Nutmeg can be found in the spice aisle of many supermarkets as well as many ethnic stores, it is available as whole or powder (ground) form.

Getting Your Five-a-Day on Christmas Day

Your Guide to Nutrition Made Simple!

Christmas dinner doesn't have to mean abandoning your 5-a-day! In fact, the traditional festive spread makes it surprisingly easy to pack in plenty of vegetables, and no, before you ask, mint sauce, cranberry sauce, and apple sauce definitely don't count!

Make Your Plate as Colourful as Possible

Roasted carrots, parsnips and butternut squash add vibrant orange hues, while Brussels sprouts, green beans, tenderstem broccoli and peas bring a pop of green to your festive plate. Red cabbage contributes gorgeous purple tones. Brussels sprouts might divide opinion, but they're nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamin C and fibre, and all these colourful vegetables are loaded with vitamins and natural goodness!

Keep it Simple

We're not suggesting you douse your vegetables in heavy seasoning and oil or deep-fry them, that defeats the purpose! Light roasting, steaming, or using your air fryer keeps all those valuable nutrients intact while still tasting delicious.

Remember, we're not trying to cram everything onto one plate! Add some cherry tomatoes and cucumber to your Christmas charcuterie board, and make sure fruit is part of your Christmas shop – satsumas, clementines, grapes and apples are perfect for snacking on throughout the day.

The secret is simple: load half your plate with colourful vegetables, enjoy traditional trimmings guilt-free, and let those grazing moments top up your nutrient intake. Who knew being healthy could be so festive?

Christmas and Diabetes

By Modupe Peters
FFP Director & Diabetes Lead

Christmas is a season filled with music, togetherness and of course, delicious food. But for people living with diabetes, it can be a time to take extra care while still enjoying the celebrations. You can still enjoy your traditional African and Caribbean dishes, such as jollof rice, fried plantain, ackee & saltfish, sweet puddings and sorrel drink.

Eating and drinking at Christmas time is part of the fun, and there’s no need to miss out on certain foods and drinks completely. But be mindful of your food choices and don’t beat yourself up if you eat more than usual or indulge in foods that aren’t as healthy for you. Try these tips to make your festive occasions a little healthier:

Quick tips for healthy eating during the festive season

• Fill up your plate with a variety of vegetables or salad first, but watch out for added festive extras like honey (added sugar)

• Serve yourself, if possible, to help manage your food portions

• Choose steamed, grilled, or baked options instead of fried

• Drink water or unsweetened beverages instead of sugary drinks

• Stay active – dancing, walking or playing games with family are great ways to stay active during the holidays. Physical activity helps manage your blood sugar levels and keeps energy up for all the fun of the season

Happy Christmas!

The Great Advent Calendar Debate: Are We Too Old for This… or Are We Just Getting Started?

To celebrate the season, we posed some very important questions to our Directors and Ops Team - the kind of question that reveals true character:
Are adults too old for chocolate Advent calendars? Should we be getting luxury ones instead? What would your personalised advent calendar look like?

The answers were bold. Emotional. Occasionally dramatic. Let’s unwrap them.

Modupe

Modupe didn’t hesitate for a second. According to her, no one is ever too old for chocolate - a philosophy we fully support. She championed luxury Advent calendars too, because why not elevate the countdown?
Her ideal personalised Advent calendar would deliver a motivational quote every single day, keeping December positive, productive, and less guilt-inducing.

Sandra

Sandra stood firmly on the side of chocolate. She reminded us that the first time she tasted Cadbury’s, she “fell in love,” and honestly, the way she said it, we believed it.
She also supports luxury Advent calendars - apparently, she’s not here to limit her festive joy.
Her dream calendar would be a Baileys Advent calendar, offering a festive sip each day - the perfect December warm-up.

Dr. Shola

Now, this is where the plot thickened. Dr. Shola declared that yes, adults are too old for chocolate Advent calendars. Not only that - she called them a “major rip-off” and said they “get on her nerves.”
There was a brief moment of silence before she was booted out of the ops meeting.
However, she is fully on board with luxury calendars, and her personalised calendar would  preferably be one that gives her a new song every day, turning her December into an ever-growing playlist.

Precious

Precious answered “No, we’re not too old!” with the enthusiasm of someone who had receipts ready - specifically the one for the Advent calendar she bought on October 31st.
She’s also pro-luxury, pro-fun, and pro-anything involving surprises.
Her personalised Advent calendar would consist of free dinners, desserts, fun activities, and a final door that opens to… a holiday.
Clearly, she’s aiming for the gold-standard Advent experience.

Kemi

Kemi came in with a strong, responsible stance: yes, adults are too old for chocolate Advent calendars - mostly because we’re supposed to be “mindful” of how much chocolate we eat.
She also said no to luxury Advent calendars, which shocked approximately everyone.
But then she proposed a personalised Advent calendar that includes shows, spa treatments, musicals, short breaks, and even clues leading to each event.
So she’s against chocolate, but somehow created the most elaborate calendar of all.

Mottie

Motties agreed that adults are too old for chocolate Advent calendars, describing the practice as “agbaya behaviour over small chocolate.” The room is still recovering.
But she did fully support luxury Advent calendars because adulthood deserves premium surprises.
Her personalised Advent calendar would contain six days of scripture and encouragement, followed by a seventh day that ends with a big surprise gift - the kind of “BAM!” reveal she believes adults truly need.

 So, What Did We Learn?

We learned that chocolate means more to some people than others.
We learned that Dr. Shola is still waiting to be let back into the Ops meeting.
We learned that half the team wants to replace Advent calendars with mini holidays.
And most importantly, we learned that:

We are absolutely not too old for Advent calendars, we’re just old enough to demand better ones.

Here’s to a December filled with chocolate, scriptures, Baileys, spa days, playlists, and whatever else gets you through the winter. 🎄✨

Merry Christmas Everyone!