I was diagnosed as dyslexic in key stage two of primary school (during the 1990s) when teachers noticed I was behind with my reading and writing compared with my peers. Throughout my school years and into adolensence, I didn’t really understand my dyslexia and how it affected me in such a multitude of ways. I…
Learning to love my Dyslexia
Connecting to nature through food
How does food connect us to nature? The most obvious response to this question is because, simply put, most of the food we (should) eat comes directly from the natural world. Fruit bearing trees, vegetables, legumes and grains are all rooted in soil. If you eat animals, those animals will have consumed plants from the…
Dr. Jane Goodall | An appreciation post
Updated October 2025 – In memory of Dr. Jane Goodhall (3 April 1934 – 1 October 2025). Her journey reminds us: reconnecting with nature isn’t a luxury but a necessity. In her spirit, may we continue to walk gently on the Earth. May we speak up for its creatures and hold hope for the future.…
Why is organic so important?
With huge issues like climate change, diet related health issues and the global decline in biodiversity, the need to change our food systems has never been more important. Farming systems like organic farming, that work with nature rather than against it are a big part of the solution. I’ve been making mindful choices about the…
Essential resources for plant-based living.
In this post I’m going to share with you some of my favourite resources for plant-based living. They offer a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Whether you’re completely new to the idea, these are the books, documentaries, websites, and podcasts that taught me a…
Creativity, Art, and Nature: Returning to the Heart of Being Human
Since the first handprints appeared on cave walls between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago1, humans have felt the urge to create. Whether through song, sculpture, dance or literature, we’ve used art to explore our inner worlds, connect with one another, and make sense of the world around us. Art is not merely a pastime; it’s…
Selling my art to the public for the first time ever!
I had an art stall at God’s House Tower (GHT) in Southampton on 3rd December 2023. It was the first time selling my art to the public and it was a proud moment and a milestone in terms of my confidence. At the same time, my body was filled with anxiety in anticipation of the…
Amsterdam in two days: Coffee, Flowers, Frittes and tunes!
I’ve been to Amsterdam about 5 or 6 times so far. It’s canals, liberal lifestyle, and a rich culture keep beckoning me back from across the North Sea. If you find yourself with just two days to explore this vibrant city, fear not! I was most recently there in June 2023 for just two days,…
Forest Bathing: An evening in an ancient woodland
On a chilly, but peacful Friday evening in mid April, I took myself up to Winchester for an evening out in a forest – not your usual Friday night out, but I was throughly excited about trying something new. I was on my way to meet Sonya Dibbin – a lover of the outdoors and…
Collagen supplements – Trying a vegan alternative
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, but as we age, our bodies ability to produce collagen slows down. Other factors also play a role, such as poor diet, sun exposure, oxidative stress and smoking, which all negatively impact our collagen levels. The benefits of supporting the bodies collagen production go beyond…
The Benefits of Coffee – Coffee loves us back!
For me, it’s the smell that gets me first if I’m going through a phase of trying to avoid the ‘dirty bean juice’. When those aromas of smokey tobacco and deliciously rich dark chocolate enter my nostrils, it feels nearly impossible to ignore the cravings that come next. But this isn’t a bad thing, due to…
Camping on an organic cider farm in Dorset
The first time a drop of alcohol touched my lips was when my grandpa handed me a very small glass of medium dry cider when I was about 14 years old at Christmas time. I remember it well. It was tangy and smokey and different to anything I had ever tasted before. I liked it.…
5 Songs for nature contemplation
For me, music can have a deep and profound effect on my mood and my imagination. I have experienced moments of pure bliss – lost and sunken into daydreams, sometimes for hours, whilst listening to music. Hours may sound like an exaggeration, but I’ve spent a fair number of hours of my life on airplanes,…