Tips of the Month/Recipes of the week

We are still in the depths of winter. Most days are cold, wet, windy, and unbearably dreary. If you look outside, your garden is likely to be a soggy wasteland, devoid of colour. In fact, unless the sun pops out, it’s much better to stay indoors! January is one of those months where everyone could
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It may be cold, wet, and miserable outside, but we have plenty of beautiful seasonal plants to brighten up your home this year. Whether you are looking for a stunning poinsettia or cyclamen to add a touch of colour to the kitchen, or a flowering basket gift for a loved one, here are some fabulous
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Feel like eating something lighter after Christmas? This easy soup is refreshing and a great way to use up some vegetables and frozen prawns. Tom Yum paste is made with galangal which is a member of the ginger family; it has an anti-inflammatory effect and is traditionally used to combat nausea (so might be good
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Fancy a change from bubble and squeak? Celeriac is a very useful vegetable; buy one and it lasts for ages in the fridge/larder. You see pots of celeriac salad in France where it is very popular. It’s so easy to make and tastes great with cold meats, pork pies and smoked fish, so ideal for
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Don’t let the stress of preparing for Christmas get you down! Make a batch of these delicious nutritious cookies to keep you fuelled and ready to take on the Christmas rush. Oats release their energy slowly and are rich in vitamin B6 which helps raise your serotonin levels and boost your mood. Pumpkin seeds are
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Beautifully pale yellow and mildy-spiced, this aromatic soup brings the humble cauliflower to life. As part of the cruciferous vegetable family (along with broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage) it is rich in disease-fighting sulphurane. Makes 4 bowlfuls 1 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tsp mild curry powder
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Autumn always makes us think about baking! A slice of this cake, packed with seeds and fruit, is an option for breakfast as well as an afternoon snack. The seed and grain flour in this recipe contains millet grains and flaxseeds but using all self-raising will work too. Makes about 10 slices 100g butter, softened
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The Great British Public loves a good local farm shop. It’s a chance for everyone to buy their produce direct from growers rather than selecting pre-packaged fruit and vegetables in a sterile supermarket environment. Farm shops are good for everyone, so let’s find out why! Carpenter’s Nursery has been selling fresh fruit and vegetables direct
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Perfect for any day when you know you will need something warming and nutritious to eat at lunchtime. Kids love this too, so it’s a great meal for a packed school lunch in a food flask. Serve with crusty bread to dip in. The butterbeans are a good source of protein, making this more feeling
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Looking for a super speedy, warming lunch packed with flavour? These yummy pots of goodness are simple to throw together and are the perfect way to use up veggies and other ingredients that might be lurking in your cupboards and way better for you than certain dehydrated ready-made noodle pots! The ginger, garlic and chilli
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As we count down the days until Christmas, now is an excellent time to start preparing your garden for some colourful spring bulbs. Flowers bring a garden to life and none give more bang for their buck than spring bulbs. Daffodils, tulips, crocus and alliums all look beautiful in spring. But, if you don’t have
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Cauliflower and chickpeas taste amazing when roasted, and together are really filling – you won’t need any bread with this salad. The chickpeas and feta give you plenty of protein, and you can add generous handfuls of whatever leaves you have in the fridge; rocket and mint work really well. Feta cheese is lower in
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