*BIG STORY OF THE WEEK*

‘Nudge’ people into good health, says Lansley
Andrew Lansley set out the public health white paper this week, calling for an end to nannying and lecturing, and a new era of gentle cajoling. It’s an encouraging new angle, but is a ‘nudge’ the “one clear message” Lansley hopes it might be? Obesity UK suggests, as do many, that ‘taxing the fat’ might be the way forward.

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*QUITE-SIMILAR-TO-A-STORY-LAST-WEEK-BUT-STILL-RELEVANT STORY OF THE WEEK*

Campaigners horrified by cloned meat thumbs up
The suggestion that cloned meat and milk is safe for consumers has, unsurprisingly, shocked campaigners. After the government’s leading food scientist confirmed that cloned meat posed no threat to us, campaigners declared their outrage, saying there had been ‘insufficient research’ into the impact of cloned meat on human health. Where do you stand?

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*SHOCK STORY OF THE WEEK*

Bear goulash causes a stir in Italy
Environmentalists have kicked up a fuss after bear was served at a gourmet food festival in north-east Italy. It had been legally killed in Slovenia and stewed for 6 hours before being served with polenta. Totally, *licks lips*, totally, *wipes dribble from chin*, outrageous and wrong.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS:
* Man eats nothing but potatoes for two months.
* School in Kent serves frogs’ legs and crocodile.
* Police officers eat the evidence. Reminds me of this Fast Show sketch.
* New Zealand wins the keenly followed Pavlova Debate.

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PIECE OF THE WEEK:
A really brilliant and essential guide to being a good host, by the ever forthright Recipe Rifle.

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RECIPE OF THE WEEK:
Trish Deseine’s Mont Blanc recipe. Trish says it would be “even better with the tang of creme fraiche rather than double or whipping cream”.

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SUPER-COOL EDGY FUN EVENTS OF THE WEEK:
If you are in London and like food and drink you’d be mad not to head over to Towards A Fluid State. It’s unlike anything you’ll have ever been to.

In Kilburn the indomitable Ms. Marmite Lover is hosting an Underground Christmas Market.

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WEBSITE OF THE WEEK:
My friend Lizzie discovered what is quite possibly the greatest website of all time: Kim Jong-Il Looking At Things.

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
The next James Martin people: