Stories about certain foods are common currency today, as they have been throughout the ages. Lots of children are brought up on tales of carrots helping them see in the dark or spinach building bulging biceps. Maybe you eat bread crusts to make your hair grow curly or avoid cheese at bedtime for fear of …
All over the world, community composting is thriving – from collection of food scraps among neighbours to larger, more organised schemes in allotments, community gardens and schools. For growers, it can provide a rich source of fertiliser that may be better quality than shop-bought. But even if you’re not a gardener, you can still participate …
You might be familiar with the phrase ‘Let sleeping dogs lie’, but it’s cats that are some of the laziest creatures in the animal kingdom. According to the Sleep Foundation, domestic cats sleep for around 12-18 hours a day in a polyphasic sleep pattern, meaning they sleep for multiple blocks of time, rather than one …
Have you ever been captivated by a beautifully plated dish of food, only for your first bite to reveal it was more style than substance? Or maybe you’ve turned your nose up at a lumpy, unremarkable stew but then been won over by its depth of flavour. If so, you’re not alone. Sight shapes a …
Have you ever woken from a dream and found yourself puzzling over an encounter with an animal? The details might be vivid and strong, or you might recall only hazy fragments, but you’re certain that during your slumber you were visited by a beloved pet or perhaps a more mysterious creature whose presence felt unclear. …
The phrase ‘networking event’ is enough to put the frighteners on many people. It conjures up images of polyester suits, fake smiles and hovering by the pastries table, feeling both horribly self-conscious and totally invisible. Let’s face it, talking to strangers at the best of times can be hard. Networking, as a definition, means not …
Maya Angelou, the great American poet and author, famously wrote: ‘Nothing can dim the light that shines within.’ However, when the sky is grey and the night draws in at about 4pm, it’s easy to start feeling lethargic and perhaps a little low in mood, too, especially if you’re nursing yet another winter sniffle. The …
Maybe the scent of cranberries, oranges and cinnamon filling the room makes coming home feel like a warm hug. Or it could be the aroma of apple slices and vanilla extract, reminding you of baking a cake with the help of a favourite relative, that brightens up your day. Whatever the associations, there’s something about …
Is there someone you always talk to at the end of a gym class, a neighbour you enjoy nattering with when you bump into each other on the street, or a colleague you chat to while waiting for the kettle to boil in the staff kitchen? Perhaps that someone makes you smile, and you feel …
Hands up who loves nettles. These hardy plants, which grow profusely in the wild, are far from the most favoured species. They’ve caused many a child’s tears and ruined country walks, not to mention being unpopular with gardeners. Yet there are numerous benefits hidden within their jagged leaves and prickly stems. Before modern medicine, nature’s …
