Where do you start when a task seems insurmountable? What do you do when you’re overwhelmed by the enormity of a project? If you’re stuck at the procrastination phase and wondering how to get moving, then read on! Getting to work on reclaiming my rose garden I found out a few years ago that my mother had kept the ashes of my childhood pet rabbits in her wardrobe, some for as long as 20 years. (I know, right?!) I wanted to lay them to rest, and thought that a tranquil rose garden would be a fitting tribute to my beloved bunnies. I searched for roses with meanings that tied them to each of my pe ..read more

Should you rescue a dog from a shelter or get a new puppy from a breeder? That’s likely one of the first questions that prospective dog owners will ask themselves! We adopted two dogs from a rescue centre, and I would like to share our experience with you. Photo by Johann on Pexels.com I had wanted a dog for as long as I could remember. Several relatives and family friends had dogs while I was growing up, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. My brother and I begged and pleaded for a pet dog of our own. We were promised multiple times that if we were good, then we might get a dog for o ..read more

Where do new parents stand if they do not wish to return to work after maternity or parental leave? How common is it for new mums to leave their careers to become a stay-at-home parent? I have done a great deal of research and reflection on this subject over the past year or so, and would like to share my thoughts with you. Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com My journey on this topic began in the early days motherhood. As I rocked my precious little one back to sleep in the wee small hours of the morning, the full weight of responsibility hit me. I was my baby’s sole source of nourishment ..read more

Few people are lucky enough to make a living from their hobbies or big passions in life. Instead, many of us continue to work in jobs that we dislike to make ends meet, and try to fit more fulfilling activities in around our work schedule. In healthcare in the UK, many professionals have “portfolio careers.” It is widely acknowledged that the clinical aspects of a career in medicine are relentless, demanding and highly stressful. To ward off burnout, clinical hours can be dispersed through the working week, broken up with other activities such as providing clinical education or carrying out re ..read more

Have you ever considered ditching the car in favour of a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport? Do you have precious cargo to bring with you? Then read on! What a glorious day for a bike ride! [Photo credit and copyright: Simplesmallholdinglife] This is not a sponsored or affiliate post, just my own experience and opinions of the Trek Fetch 4+ which I purchased with my own money in March 2023. As a keen cyclist, for health and environmental reasons, I was determined to continue travelling on two wheels with my little one in tow. I did a great deal of research about the different carg ..read more

We made the decision to go vegan at the end of November 2015. We were due to spend Christmas with my family, and the news that we wouldn’t be tucking into the turkey with everyone else sent my mother into a tailspin. “So you’re not eating meat anymore? Can you eat cheese? What about goat’s cheese?” Luckily M&S came to the rescue with a nut roast! Over the last eight years, I have experimented with various “main events” for our Sunday dinner, and keep coming back to the humble nut roast. This recipe is full of whole foods, highly nutritious and, in my opinion, very tasty. And super quick a ..read more

The traditional Bolognese sauce originates from the Italian city of Bologna. Locally it is know as “Ragu” and is served with pasta or as part of a lasagne. It is a rich tomato-based sauce with ground meat, onions, celery and carrots. My take on a Bolognese sauce is somewhat different. I don’t use meat, I include more vegetables and other sources of flavour. Over the years, I have really enjoyed the challenge of “veganising” our favourite dishes. The main difference, I have found, is that meat imparts a lot of flavour without a great deal of effort. So I have need to get creative and find ways ..read more

Baby gear is expensive. Especially toys. We are told that hundreds of hours has gone into optimising the balance of educational and entertainment value, whilst ensuring these items are safe and suitable for the stated age range and developmental stage. Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com I am sure that hundreds of millions of pounds have also been spent on clever marketing, presentation and packaging to appeal to children, parents, other care-givers, friends and family members. We are made to feel guilty, that we are doing our child a disservice, if we do not purchase or accept as a gift a ..read more

Curry has become a popular dish around the globe. In the UK, takeaway curry is a staple. Though this is something I only ever enjoyed as an occasional treat, given the amount of frying, fats and calories involved! “Curry” is derived from the Tamil word “kari” which literally means “sauce.” The dish itself is therefore highly versatile, from the blend of spices, the level of heat and the choice of meat, fish or vegetables, or any combination thereof. Over many years, I have tried and tried to recreate the deliciously thick and flavourful sauce of a takeaway curry. Many of the tips for creating ..read more

Have you ever wished that there were more hours in the day? Or how you could be more productive with your time? Photo by Elias Tigiser on Pexels.com Time is a very valuable resource, especially now that I am a mother in addition to all my other responsibilities. I need to pack so much more into every day now. So I have been trying to start my day a little earlier! I will caveat this right from the beginning; I can only force myself out of bed at 5AM if the wee one was in bed and asleep before 9PM the night before, and we’ve all had a good night’s rest! When I do manage to get up early, it comp ..read more