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What contributes most to our happiness and wellbeing? This question has been quietly guiding me through March and April, and once again, a book placed the answer gently - but firmly - in my path. Brilliant Positive Psychology by Charlotte Style truly hit another nail on the head. I found myself completely absorbed, especially in Chapter 9, Positive Health: How to Build Physical Well-being and Live Longer . It spoke directly to a long-standing part of my life - the curiosity

Last week was full. The kind of full that leaves you catching your breath on a Monday morning, cup of tea in hand, wondering how the weekend disappeared so quickly. There were house visits. A Chinese New Year celebration for two with a client — intimate, thoughtful, meaningful. The kind of work that reminds me why I care so deeply about what I do. Midweek, I travelled to Wembley Park for my Ancient Grain Baking course at the Bread Ahead school. The venue had moved from Boroug

There is something deeply reassuring about a pot of barley on the stove. It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t demand attention. It simply simmers — the way it has for thousands of years. What most of us don’t realise as we stir barley into soups or fold it through roasted vegetables is this: The grain in our kitchens today can be traced back to one small region of the world nearly 10,000 years ago. Not many origins. Not scattered beginnings. One. Modern barley — Hordeum vulgare — be

The week of February 9th to 15th was one of those full, rain-soaked weeks where everything seems to happen at once. Between dog walks, cat visits, and Peanut and Lentil’s appointments and activities, the days blurred together in a swirl of waterproofs, packed snacks and calendar reminders. We had outings to Epsom Playhouse and Ashford Hospital , each filling the diary a little more. With so much going on, there was hardly time left to see friends or get back to Pilates — som

I’ve known for a long time that health and longevity aren’t built on weight alone — or even exercise alone. At The Chickpea Hub , the foundations of wellbeing are always the same: sleep first, then nourishment, then movement , alongside social connection, purpose and a sense of belonging. These are the factors most consistently linked to living a longer, healthier and happier life. And yet, despite this understanding, weight loss has become the dominant measure of “health.” W

This last week has been full of ups, downs, and everything in between here at the Chickpea Hub — a mix of Pilates, haggis, chocolate, tiny wins, and a few surprises. On Monday, I went to my first Pilates class at Origin Pilates in Walton-on-Thames . What a completely new experience for both my brain and my muscles! That evening, however, stress eating crept in. I discovered I’d been paying for two business seats when I only needed one — something I must have set up myself

This week has been full of small adventures, delicious meals, and staying active — all part of my journey in family nutrition and healthy living. Self-Care and Mini Adventures The week started with a hair appointment, which honestly always feels like a mini holiday. On that day, I braved the rain by walking from Walton to Weybridge (about 45 minutes). On my way, I checked and updated one of my posters — a little reminder that small steps matter. I didn’t regret the walk one

Last week was busy but nourishing in the Chickpea Hub household. It began with a vet visit for our cat (an absolute star, thanks to Black Bean), followed by dog walks, orthodontist appointments, and the usual juggling of shopping, meal prep, and cooking around everyone’s schedules. What we ate this week Meals included: One-pot beef and lentil lasagne – a firm favourite Gnocchi puttanesca – surprisingly popular Coconut King Pawns – cautiously accepted Chilli crab and sweet

A Week in My Life: Baking, Fitness, and Learning from Experts This week has been full of activity, inspiration, and a few delicious experiments in the kitchen! Starting the Week: Walks and Workshops Tuesday began with a refreshing dog walk , the perfect way to start the week and clear my head. On Wednesday, I joined a Brioche and Bun Making workshop at Brough Market – what fun! I enjoyed it so much that I’m already looking forward to February’s Ancient Grains workshop . Len

Activating your body, mind, breath and voice, there are few activities that involve you more comprehensively in the present than singing. Your task today is to sing a Christmas song. Don't worry, this need not be some grand solo performance to an audience - it could be singing carols as part of a group, an a cappella version in the safety of the shower, or simply singing along to a song on the radio - wherever you choose to sing, all that matters is that you give it your full

Time for some good old-fashioned fun. One of the classic family activities around this time of year is to all sit around the table and play a good board game. Encourage your loved ones to join you, select a game together, and play. Before you begin, make an effort to put all other concerns out of your mind. For the next hour or two, your sole aim is to be fully present in the game: to notice, experience and appreciate each moment of it. Pay attention to what is in front of yo

Hopefully by now you have managed to procure everything on your present list, and the time has come to prepare these gifts for their lucky recipients. Your task: don’t treat this as a chore simply to be got out of the way; see it rather as a perfect opportunity to exercise some mindfulness. The aim is to be present in every moment as you carefully wrap your gifts. For each item, take a moment to think about why you have bought it for this particular person, and how you hope t

In a few days, many of us will receive presents from loved ones — things that, on the whole, we’ll be grateful for.But before that moment arrives, let’s spend these next few days tuning into something quieter: the everyday things already present in our lives that deserve our gratitude. Each evening, take a moment to write down one thing from that day you’re thankful for.It might be something big and obvious, or something small that usually passes unnoticed. What matters is

Christmas is not always the most relaxing time of year.For some, stress comes from the extra organisation and responsibilities; for others, it’s the pressure of “forced merriment” that feels heavy. Whatever your experience, today’s invitation is simple: step back from the Christmas rush and do something purely for you . This doesn’t have to be grand or productive.Maybe it’s a luxurious lie-in, a long hot bath, your favourite form of movement, or simply slouching on the sofa

Mindful Calendar Activity From close family members to the neighbour whose name you can’t quite remember, Christmas often acts as an instigator for social interaction. There are more conversations, more small talk, more moments shared — sometimes out of habit rather than intention. Next time you stop for a chat, try not to simply go through the motions. Instead, make it a more fulfilling experience by keeping the following two points in mind: 1. Make eye contact. Try to reall

Today’s mindful calendar invited me into one of my favourite senses of the season: smell. Our sense of smell can be one of the most powerful gateways into the Christmas spirit. It has an uncanny ability to transport us — to places, people and moments — often faster than any song or decoration ever could. The invitation was simple: stay alert to festive aromas throughout the day, both at home and outside, and allow your nose to take centre stage. Fresh pine, gingerbread, incen

Today’s mindful task was all about practising self‑compassion. With presents to buy ✅, social engagements to attend ✅, and family commitments constantly on my mind, it’s easy to spend so much time thinking about what we can do for others that anxiety quietly creeps in. Sometimes this shows up at night, lying awake and replaying the day — worrying about our shortcomings or the little things that didn’t go quite as planned. I may even need a notepad next to my bed tonight for e

Today’s mindful invitation was to pause with a warm, comforting drink — something we often do automatically rather than mindfully. This afternoon, that pause came in the form of a properly made hot chocolate. Using cacao powder, whole milk, and just 9 g of sugar per 200 ml, I mixed a tablespoon of cacao with a little milk to form a smooth paste. I watched the milk gently come to the boil, then slowly added it to the paste until it became glossy and liquid, before returning it

Our most important tool when approaching mindfulness is our breath. It is key to channelling focus, relaxing the body, and calming the mind — and with that, I couldn’t agree more. 1. Get comfortable and place all your attention on your breathing. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose. Feel the air entering your body and observe your abdomen rising as it fills with air. 2. Hold your breath for three seconds, then exhale gently through your mouth. Watch your abdomen

It is wonderful for families to come together, especially at Christmas. Yet being in close proximity for extended periods can sometimes bring side effects — impatience, frustration, or moments of disagreement. If this happens at any point over the festive season, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for counteracting it. Today’s mindful practice invites you to become attentive to moments when you either have an argument or express a strong opinion to someone. When this happens,