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Scotland's own Hebridean Baker, Coinneach Macleod, is working with NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Adult Learning Centre, to promote the ‘Wonderbag' as an alternative budget-friendly and low carbon method of cooking as we approach the winter months. 

The bestselling author took part in a recent Family and Child event held at Stornoway Town Hall, offering healthy eating on a budget demonstrations, simple budget-friendly recipes and cooking tips, whilst also promoting the Wonderbag to attendees as an alternative method of cooking.  

The Wonderbag, promoted by the NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department, is designed to act in the same way as a slow cooker, and does not require electricity to power it; particularly important with winter approaching and the increasing cost of fuel.  

The Wonderbag works by bringing a pot of food to the boil and then placing the pot in the middle of the Wonderbag, pulling the drawstring on the bag tightly and then allowing the food to slow cook for up to eight hours, without any additional energy source.  No battery, plug or fuel is required, just simple heat retention technology.   

The initial European-funded project pilot of the Wonderbag involved six volunteers across the Western Isles trialling it, with their experiences being recorded via short videos.  Such was its success and subsequent online feedback being so positive, it was decided to source funding for the next phase of the initiative, which will involve distributing 15 Wonderbags to groups throughout the Western Isles, especially those providing a ‘warm space' over the winter period or to provide hot meals to their group members.   

In addition, The Hebridean Baker will also provide a second Wonderbag demonstration, which will focus on affordable fresh local produce, growing your own produce and the health benefits of eating healthier. 

Mary Maclean, NHS Western Isles Fas Fallain Manager, said: “We are delighted that the Hebridean Baker is such an enthusiastic ambassador of the Wonderbag project, promoting this low carbon method of cooking.    

“Fas Fallain was delighted to support him take part in the Family and Child event which was aimed at offering nurseries, families and caregivers with information for the benefit of children in our local community.“   

Feedback from The Hebridean Baker’s cooking demonstrations was excellent, and individuals also now have an opportunity to watch his Cock-a-leekie recipe (using the Wonderbag) online, via www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmhGfA-CJx0 

Find out more about the Wonderbag at www.wonderbagworld.com/ 

Fas Fallain is a healthy living project, which focuses on a wide range of issues relating to health inequalities using community development methodology.  Its primary focus is on healthy eating and growing fresh local produce, but over the years it has evolved to include cultural issues and factors relating to rural poverty. 

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