Two little words. One big impact.

Writing a Thank you note

There are two little words we all love to hear. Sadly, as we grow older many of us seem to hear them less, and less. We’ve come to a point where we often don’t know how to respond to these words; they elicit an uncomfortable denial. The thoughts, “you don’t…

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Why I hate weddings

Wedding

The air is alive with the chatter of birds and the dappled sun gently lights the idyllic green. The chime of the bells drifts across the village, announcing to all who would hear that a new life has begun. The bride and groom have made their vows and emerge from…

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Home-made pizza

Pizza

We love pizza in our house, especially home-made pizza. A pizza party, where everyone makes their own pizza, is a great social occasion in the kitchen. It can be messy, but fun, especially when trying to spin the base. That was until we discovered that cutting out your regular wheat…

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Compost Muffins

Plate of muffins

I know what you’re thinking, “This sounds delightful!” If you’re a juicer (verb, not noun) then no doubt you’re producing lots of pulp that is either going in the bin or, hopefully, into the compost heap to provide your garden with lovely rich compost. Whilst the process of extracting the…

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Vanilla Spelt Cookies

Vanilla Spelt Cookies

Who doesn’t love a fresh cookie, yet when we’re trying to “be good” many of our favourite treats become temptations we struggle to resist. Cookies, like so many snacks, are laden with wheat and sugar so they’re not only bad for our waist-line, but also our health. What if we…

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Sourdough Hot Cross Buns

Traditionally eaten on Good Friday in many countries, hot cross buns are a sweet spiced bun made with dried fruit, usually either currants or raisins. Usually served warm, the bun derives its name from the cross that is marked on the top representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the…

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I give up. What’s the point of Lent?

No chocolate

Words spoken with an air of superiority, paraded like a badge of honour, “I’m giving up chocolate for Lent.” Yet the pat on the tummy reveals a truer motive, “I need to shift these last few pounds.” The fasting of Lent is simply a second chance for the weak-willed. A…

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Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve carries a significance beyond the familiar for my family. In the autumn of 2003 I became seriously ill with Ulcerative Colitis and convinced that I was living out my last days. However, from mid-December I started to respond to the treatment and, at about 5pm on Christmas Eve…

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