Fire away, please ask me anything and we can have a chat in the thread. Apparently the cool kids call these AMAs (I just can’t keep up!).
I’ll kick things off - “So Melissa, what’s your favourite porridge topping?”… “Well, funny you should ask, at the moment I love stewed apples with sticky spiced nuts and seeds”
What happened to hemsley and hemsley did you both have different interests or drift apart? I see jasmine is very into ayurveda, do you have an interest in it too?
Hello. I think my response didn’t come through so here it is again! Still getting the hang of the new newsletter :)
Hello Ruth, thanks so much. Different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence
I don’t think my replies are coming up! Here it is again!
Hello Emma, here’s 2 I love
Slice up a beautiful british apple (perfect season for enjoying them) into big wedges - dollop with your favourite nut butter, sprinkle over some granola or failing that some nuts and seeds and a flourish of cinnamon - YUM.
Another I love in my book Feel Good - is the No Bake Chocolate Date Bar - hits the spot every time. Very good for your brain concentration when you’re on a writing sprint - can make once a month and keep sliced up in the fridge to pop straight in your mouth!
yes yes yes! Hello Emma. I try to ‘eat the frog’ aka do what I really DON’T want to do first thing. I don’t always eat that frog but when I do, it’s a gigantic relief. A lovely big phew and weight off my mind. I talk about this in my first post in this newsletter ‘ 37 things I’ve learnt so far at life’. Hope you enjoy!
yes yes yes! Hello Emma. I try to ‘eat the frog’ aka do what I really DON’T want to do first thing. I don’t always eat that frog but when I do, it’s a gigantic relief. A lovely big phew and weight off my mind. I talk about this in my first post in this newsletter ‘ 37 things I’ve learnt so far at life’. Hope you enjoy!
Do you and Jasmine still have a working relationship? I follow both of you but feel like I haven't seen you together for a long while now. I hope all is well.
Hello Sarah, forgive the late reply. I’m getting the hang of the new format and I thought I’d replied! We don’t work together anymore, been about 3 years since we closed our cafe at the beginning of the pandemic. We have different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence. Thanks for your question and being part of the community. Have a lovely week
Hello Marissa! Last week I had a broccoli potato soup with some cheese grated on top - coming soon - loved it. And I’ve just had for lunch a roasted squash roasted garlic soup. Yum. That’s coming soon too. I’ll probably do a beetroot ginger one this week as I’ve got both ingredients to use up. How about you - what’s your fave? And soup this time of year is my go to packed lunch. In a flask
I replied but can’t see it come up so here it is again!!! thank you Emma - It would have to be my Mum’s filipino tinola soup - full of veg, onions, garlic, ginger and deliciously hearty and brothy. Here’s the recipe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NONVon-lh/?hl=en-gb
What are your favourite places to visit outside London (or in London) to replenish the soul & don't need a car to access! Looking for some daytrips and getaways over winter to get some space from the city.
Hi Kate! Ooh good idea to get planning, thanks for reminding me to get my diary out. I live near Epping Forest which is on the Central line and is a magical forest and lots of cosy pubs. I often get the train from Stratford to Margate (amazing restaurants and art galleries) and Faversham I’m looking forward to visiting. I really love a night away at Tillingham wines (a few lovely little rooms and wonderful food) and then you can explore the next day in Rye too. And Rose in Deal is great too! Enjoy enjoy
Hi Ruth, thanks so much for your Question. I’m not a nutritionist so can’t offer any specific advice on this area. But from a personal point of view, whenever I feel low on energy, I turn to cooked comforting foods like soups and stews packed with vegetables and spices and herbs. For example I make a carrot and cumin soup with garlic and onions and blitz with a tin of chickpeas or something hearty like beans. I like to make a big pot and have some in fridge for later in the week and some in the freezer too which is a great use of personal energy as it’s a case of cook once, eat 4 times. Hope that helps.
That's a brilliant answer, thank you. All of those ingredients I have in the cupboard too 😊. I love warming spices and hearty food which is easy to rustle up and can make u feel a ton better. Perhaps it's also taking the time to make it, that makes us feel a bit better, and doing something for ourselves 💜
Hi Melissa! Just wanted to say you always so great, you have the best style - particularly love your dresses 👗 do you have any go-to brands/places you shop?
Hi Lizzie, ah thank you. I like dresses as I’m quite lazy at ‘matching clothes’, love that dresses you can just throw on and I don’t own an iron which is why I go for patterns!
Brands I love
Kemi Telford, Justine Tabak, Ridley London, Pink City Prints - all women owned! I also love East clothing as my friend Jo designs them all
I think my response earlier didn’t come through. Here it is again!
Hiya Chloe, I’ve really enjoyed these ones below - how about you? I’m ready to dig into an autumn pile. In my area, we have ‘little libraries’ on each street where everyone shares books, drops them off and picks them up, it’s a beautiful way to share
Lessons in chemistry
Staying alive in toxic times
Eating to extinction
Desmond Tutu’s The book of Forgiving
Rooted - sarah Langford
Sarah Wilson’s This One Wild & Precious Life - a re read
Love that! We have something similar in East Sussex where people donate books into the telephone boxes, such a great way to share books. So please that I haven’t read any on your list, lessons in chemistry has been on my radar but going to explore the others. I loved Paper Palace, Nightcrawling, Cleopatra & Frankenstein and then a new herbalist cookbook called The Kosmic Kitchen.
Great question. I’d say Cornwall because I love the sea, the food, the coastal walks, the micro climates and I adore the Isles of Scilly which are 27 miles off the coast of Cornwall and it’s the most magical place
Amazing question Helena. I’m writing more about this soon but in general for both AM and PM I try to be as phone and tech free as possible. And I try and walk in the morning and stretch in the evening or vice versa. How about you?
Hi Melissa, looking forward to reading your tips soon! In the morning I wake up early and spend time creating a healthy breakfast and being in a state of quiet and calm, before I go to work. In the evening, like you, I try to be 'offline' (although sometimes it is hard to switch off!) and I read a book or listen to some calming music and I also do some deep breathing/ meditation/ visualisation before bed.
Hi Madaleine, thanks for your question. I find that cooking with the seasons constantly keeps me inspired so right now I’m loving my squash, leafy greens and mushrooms and all the veg that comes in my weekly veg box. And I try and challenge myself to eat a different bean a week as it’s so easy to become dependent on chickpeas and black beans but beans are so great for us and diversity in our diets is so good for keeping things interesting and our guts love it!
Hoe do you balance the work load and being online with your mental health and not feeling wired. I'm just about to release my podcast and start a substack and I'm worried about always being online! So happy you've come on here melissa xx
Hello Nads! I’m not sure I am balancing that well at the moment. I’m writing this now at 815pm and probs not a great idea to be on my phone at night time! Normally I try to switch off digital before dinner and I like an early dinner! I think my advice for you and me (!) is to schedule in online time and then make sure we schedule way more offline time! Good luck with your podcast and substack!
Hello Sophie, yes you’re right most of my recipes are naturally gluten free as most ingredients I cook with are naturally gluten free (vegetables, beans, pulses etc) but I love sourdough bread and a good pizza when I’m out and about. Craving a pizza now actually now I’m thinking about it!
Hello Dianne, love from london to you in Japan. I have only sadly been to Tokyo once, about 12 years ago. It was the most amazing trip. I adore ramen (I went to go out and get some at midnight one night!), gyoza, okonimayaki especially. What are your favourites?
Hi Melissa, thanks for all you do..ok- contraversial - crispy bacon bits, date syrup, tahini and buckwheat groats, on my blended oatmeal. It is sublime..ok, I know we are a strange lot here in australia...Melissa have you found this substack helpful for yourself? Seems to be very popular, helping others can be so very cathartic..Tracey
I live on my own and am really struggling with my evening meals. I am recovering from cancer, work full time and am trying to be more mobile so am struggling finding time to shop and cook, do you have any suggestions/ advice x
Hi Amanda, wishing you all the best with your recovering! A few of my favourite comfort evening meals are recipes like my any bean chilli, lentil mushroom Bolognese, minestrone and coconut lentils. Once a week I’ll batch cook one of them and so I’ve built up a healthy homemade ready meal selection in my freezer! Then I reheat then stirring in some fresh greens like chopped kale or baby spinach which wilts quickly. Hope that helps Amanda. Thanks so much for being here!
Don’t make me choose Jemma! I am ashamed to say I still haven’t been to Heligan or the Eden Project or many of the beautiful gardens. But I do adore walking the coast line, any part! I love stumbling across little cafes and National trust caffs. I usually go twice a year, around May and November but I went september this year and was glorious to jump in the sea at its warmest! Do you have any Cornwall tips for us?
I'd definitely reccomend a trip to Heligan and any of the gorgeous National trust gardens in the spring for the camellias. We love Lerryn which is supposedly the inspiration behind wind in the willows. Nice walk either side of the water and good ice creams!
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. I focus on flavour, veg, heartiness and ease. I’m a fan of fat. Nutritionists talk a lot about how we need good quality fat in our meals so there’s always a source of fat in my recipes from butter, olive oil, coconut oil to nuts, seeds, cheese etc. I also like to focus on variety - lots of gut health experts suggest we aim for 30+ plant based foods a week so I try my best to offer recipes that have a diverse range of veg and plant based foods. Thank you!
Natasha that sounds fantastic. I definitely didn’t take enough advantage of stone fruit this year! and thanks for reminding me how much I love sunflower seeds, I usually go for pumpkin seeds forgetting about the sunflowers!
Hi Lizzie, ah thank you. I like dresses as I’m quite lazy at ‘matching clothes’, love that dresses you can just throw on and I don’t own an iron which is why I go for patterns!
Brands I love
Kemi Telford, Justine Tabak, Ridley London, Pink City Prints - all women owned! I also love East clothing as my friend Jo designs them all
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. I focus on flavour, veg, heartiness and ease. I’m a fan of fat. Nutritionists talk a lot about how we need good quality fat in our meals so there’s always a source of fat in my recipes from butter, olive oil, coconut oil to nuts, seeds, cheese etc. I also like to focus on variety - lots of gut health experts suggest we aim for 30+ plant based foods a week so I try my best to offer recipes that have a diverse range of veg and plant based foods. Thank you!
Hello Sophie, yes you’re right most of my recipes are naturally gluten free as most ingredients I cook with are naturally gluten free (vegetables, beans, pulses etc) but I love sourdough bread and a good pizza when I’m out and about. Craving a pizza now actually now I’m thinking about it!
thank you Emma - It would have to be my Mum’s filipino tinola soup - full of veg, onions, garlic, ginger and deliciously hearty and brothy. Here’s the recipe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NONVon-lh/?hl=en-gb
Hello Ruth, thanks so much. Different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence!
Slice up a beautiful british apple (perfect season for enjoying them) into big wedges - dollop with your favourite nut butter, sprinkle over some granola or failing that some nuts and seeds and a flourish of cinnamon - YUM.
Another I love in my book Feel Good - is the No Bake Chocolate Date Bar - hits the spot every time. Very good for your brain concentration when you’re on a writing sprint - can make once a month and keep sliced up in the fridge to pop straight in your mouth!
Hiya Chloe, I’ve really enjoyed these ones below - how about you? I’m ready to dig into an autumn pile. In my area, we have ‘little libraries’ on each street where everyone shares books, drops them off and picks them up, it’s a beautiful way to share
Lessons in chemistry
Staying alive in toxic times
Eating to extinction
Desmond Tutu’s The book of Forgiving
Rooted - sarah Langford
Sarah Wilson’s This One Wild & Precious Life - a re read
Are you prone to procrastination (like me!) and if so what are your tips for staying motivated and achieving your goals. Thanks Melissa! (This is Emma from walnut magazine by the way 😊)
What happened to hemsley and hemsley did you both have different interests or drift apart? I see jasmine is very into ayurveda, do you have an interest in it too?
Hello. I think my response didn’t come through so here it is again! Still getting the hang of the new newsletter :)
Hello Ruth, thanks so much. Different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence
Thank you so much for your reply. The recipes are really inspiring and I like your ideas around food waste and sustainability.
Thanks Ruth. Plenty more posts to come on food waste tips and ways we can all get a bit greener in the kitchen week on week
What is *the* go-to snack you make when you want to feel better about life? xo
I don’t think my replies are coming up! Here it is again!
Hello Emma, here’s 2 I love
Slice up a beautiful british apple (perfect season for enjoying them) into big wedges - dollop with your favourite nut butter, sprinkle over some granola or failing that some nuts and seeds and a flourish of cinnamon - YUM.
Another I love in my book Feel Good - is the No Bake Chocolate Date Bar - hits the spot every time. Very good for your brain concentration when you’re on a writing sprint - can make once a month and keep sliced up in the fridge to pop straight in your mouth!
I love the No Bake Chocolate Date Bar, I think I pretty such ate most of the ones you made for your book launch!!
yes yes yes! Hello Emma. I try to ‘eat the frog’ aka do what I really DON’T want to do first thing. I don’t always eat that frog but when I do, it’s a gigantic relief. A lovely big phew and weight off my mind. I talk about this in my first post in this newsletter ‘ 37 things I’ve learnt so far at life’. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks Melissa! Great tip, instead of running away from the frog all day, just get on and eat it (or maybe kiss it?!) 🐸 x
yes yes yes! Hello Emma. I try to ‘eat the frog’ aka do what I really DON’T want to do first thing. I don’t always eat that frog but when I do, it’s a gigantic relief. A lovely big phew and weight off my mind. I talk about this in my first post in this newsletter ‘ 37 things I’ve learnt so far at life’. Hope you enjoy!
Do you and Jasmine still have a working relationship? I follow both of you but feel like I haven't seen you together for a long while now. I hope all is well.
Hello Sarah, forgive the late reply. I’m getting the hang of the new format and I thought I’d replied! We don’t work together anymore, been about 3 years since we closed our cafe at the beginning of the pandemic. We have different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence. Thanks for your question and being part of the community. Have a lovely week
What are your current favorite soup recipes?
Also, what are you favorite packed lunches?
Hello Marissa! Last week I had a broccoli potato soup with some cheese grated on top - coming soon - loved it. And I’ve just had for lunch a roasted squash roasted garlic soup. Yum. That’s coming soon too. I’ll probably do a beetroot ginger one this week as I’ve got both ingredients to use up. How about you - what’s your fave? And soup this time of year is my go to packed lunch. In a flask
What would your last meal be ?
I replied but can’t see it come up so here it is again!!! thank you Emma - It would have to be my Mum’s filipino tinola soup - full of veg, onions, garlic, ginger and deliciously hearty and brothy. Here’s the recipe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NONVon-lh/?hl=en-gb
And what would YOUR last meal be?
Where is the recipe for sticky nuts and seeds? I swear I screenshotted from your insta a while back and now I can’t find it
found it! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWoCFHTDNYy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
What are your favourite places to visit outside London (or in London) to replenish the soul & don't need a car to access! Looking for some daytrips and getaways over winter to get some space from the city.
Hi Kate! Ooh good idea to get planning, thanks for reminding me to get my diary out. I live near Epping Forest which is on the Central line and is a magical forest and lots of cosy pubs. I often get the train from Stratford to Margate (amazing restaurants and art galleries) and Faversham I’m looking forward to visiting. I really love a night away at Tillingham wines (a few lovely little rooms and wonderful food) and then you can explore the next day in Rye too. And Rose in Deal is great too! Enjoy enjoy
Do you have any advice for eating for low energy levels/women's hormonal fluctuations? 😊
Hi Ruth, thanks so much for your Question. I’m not a nutritionist so can’t offer any specific advice on this area. But from a personal point of view, whenever I feel low on energy, I turn to cooked comforting foods like soups and stews packed with vegetables and spices and herbs. For example I make a carrot and cumin soup with garlic and onions and blitz with a tin of chickpeas or something hearty like beans. I like to make a big pot and have some in fridge for later in the week and some in the freezer too which is a great use of personal energy as it’s a case of cook once, eat 4 times. Hope that helps.
That's a brilliant answer, thank you. All of those ingredients I have in the cupboard too 😊. I love warming spices and hearty food which is easy to rustle up and can make u feel a ton better. Perhaps it's also taking the time to make it, that makes us feel a bit better, and doing something for ourselves 💜
I agree. Mindset as medicine too is a phrase I like to remind myself of. My promise to myself this year is slooooowwwwww doowwwwwwwnnnn
Hi Melissa! Just wanted to say you always so great, you have the best style - particularly love your dresses 👗 do you have any go-to brands/places you shop?
Hi Lizzie, ah thank you. I like dresses as I’m quite lazy at ‘matching clothes’, love that dresses you can just throw on and I don’t own an iron which is why I go for patterns!
Brands I love
Kemi Telford, Justine Tabak, Ridley London, Pink City Prints - all women owned! I also love East clothing as my friend Jo designs them all
What are your favourite books you’ve read this year?
I think my response earlier didn’t come through. Here it is again!
Hiya Chloe, I’ve really enjoyed these ones below - how about you? I’m ready to dig into an autumn pile. In my area, we have ‘little libraries’ on each street where everyone shares books, drops them off and picks them up, it’s a beautiful way to share
Lessons in chemistry
Staying alive in toxic times
Eating to extinction
Desmond Tutu’s The book of Forgiving
Rooted - sarah Langford
Sarah Wilson’s This One Wild & Precious Life - a re read
Love that! We have something similar in East Sussex where people donate books into the telephone boxes, such a great way to share books. So please that I haven’t read any on your list, lessons in chemistry has been on my radar but going to explore the others. I loved Paper Palace, Nightcrawling, Cleopatra & Frankenstein and then a new herbalist cookbook called The Kosmic Kitchen.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll do a whole future thread on books especially now winter drawing in
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Does having great restaurants affect where you choose to holiday or do you cook when you’re away too?
Great question. I’d say Cornwall because I love the sea, the food, the coastal walks, the micro climates and I adore the Isles of Scilly which are 27 miles off the coast of Cornwall and it’s the most magical place
What is your daily morning routine when you wake up and also your evening routine before you go to bed, to help you prepare for the day, relax etc?
Amazing question Helena. I’m writing more about this soon but in general for both AM and PM I try to be as phone and tech free as possible. And I try and walk in the morning and stretch in the evening or vice versa. How about you?
Hi Melissa, looking forward to reading your tips soon! In the morning I wake up early and spend time creating a healthy breakfast and being in a state of quiet and calm, before I go to work. In the evening, like you, I try to be 'offline' (although sometimes it is hard to switch off!) and I read a book or listen to some calming music and I also do some deep breathing/ meditation/ visualisation before bed.
Hi Melissa! How do you overcome a lack of inspiration in the kitchen?
Hi Madaleine, thanks for your question. I find that cooking with the seasons constantly keeps me inspired so right now I’m loving my squash, leafy greens and mushrooms and all the veg that comes in my weekly veg box. And I try and challenge myself to eat a different bean a week as it’s so easy to become dependent on chickpeas and black beans but beans are so great for us and diversity in our diets is so good for keeping things interesting and our guts love it!
Hoe do you balance the work load and being online with your mental health and not feeling wired. I'm just about to release my podcast and start a substack and I'm worried about always being online! So happy you've come on here melissa xx
Hello Nads! I’m not sure I am balancing that well at the moment. I’m writing this now at 815pm and probs not a great idea to be on my phone at night time! Normally I try to switch off digital before dinner and I like an early dinner! I think my advice for you and me (!) is to schedule in online time and then make sure we schedule way more offline time! Good luck with your podcast and substack!
Would love your Spotifyt playlist for cooking in the kitchen?
Thanks Hannah! It’s coming soon!!!!
Do you live gluten-free?Just noticed that a lot of your recipes are wheat free :)
Hello Sophie, yes you’re right most of my recipes are naturally gluten free as most ingredients I cook with are naturally gluten free (vegetables, beans, pulses etc) but I love sourdough bread and a good pizza when I’m out and about. Craving a pizza now actually now I’m thinking about it!
Have you been to Japan?
What Japanese food would you like to try if you come to Japan ?
You inspire me.
Sending love from Tokyo. xoxo
Hello Dianne, love from london to you in Japan. I have only sadly been to Tokyo once, about 12 years ago. It was the most amazing trip. I adore ramen (I went to go out and get some at midnight one night!), gyoza, okonimayaki especially. What are your favourites?
Hi Melissa, thanks for all you do..ok- contraversial - crispy bacon bits, date syrup, tahini and buckwheat groats, on my blended oatmeal. It is sublime..ok, I know we are a strange lot here in australia...Melissa have you found this substack helpful for yourself? Seems to be very popular, helping others can be so very cathartic..Tracey
I live on my own and am really struggling with my evening meals. I am recovering from cancer, work full time and am trying to be more mobile so am struggling finding time to shop and cook, do you have any suggestions/ advice x
Hi Amanda, wishing you all the best with your recovering! A few of my favourite comfort evening meals are recipes like my any bean chilli, lentil mushroom Bolognese, minestrone and coconut lentils. Once a week I’ll batch cook one of them and so I’ve built up a healthy homemade ready meal selection in my freezer! Then I reheat then stirring in some fresh greens like chopped kale or baby spinach which wilts quickly. Hope that helps Amanda. Thanks so much for being here!
Fave part of Cornwall? I love the South Coast and lost gardens of heligan in particular!
Don’t make me choose Jemma! I am ashamed to say I still haven’t been to Heligan or the Eden Project or many of the beautiful gardens. But I do adore walking the coast line, any part! I love stumbling across little cafes and National trust caffs. I usually go twice a year, around May and November but I went september this year and was glorious to jump in the sea at its warmest! Do you have any Cornwall tips for us?
I'd definitely reccomend a trip to Heligan and any of the gorgeous National trust gardens in the spring for the camellias. We love Lerryn which is supposedly the inspiration behind wind in the willows. Nice walk either side of the water and good ice creams!
How much do you take "health" into account when devising a recipe? For example do you try keep fat to a minimum? Or do you purely focus on flavour?
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. I focus on flavour, veg, heartiness and ease. I’m a fan of fat. Nutritionists talk a lot about how we need good quality fat in our meals so there’s always a source of fat in my recipes from butter, olive oil, coconut oil to nuts, seeds, cheese etc. I also like to focus on variety - lots of gut health experts suggest we aim for 30+ plant based foods a week so I try my best to offer recipes that have a diverse range of veg and plant based foods. Thank you!
Oooh, I've been topping my porridge with stewed quetsch plums and cinnamon, maple syrup and sunflower seeds
Natasha that sounds fantastic. I definitely didn’t take enough advantage of stone fruit this year! and thanks for reminding me how much I love sunflower seeds, I usually go for pumpkin seeds forgetting about the sunflowers!
Hi Lizzie, ah thank you. I like dresses as I’m quite lazy at ‘matching clothes’, love that dresses you can just throw on and I don’t own an iron which is why I go for patterns!
Brands I love
Kemi Telford, Justine Tabak, Ridley London, Pink City Prints - all women owned! I also love East clothing as my friend Jo designs them all
Hello Fiona - I’m trying to pick 1 - can’t do it - I’ll say these 2
Mum’s tinola recipe - here’s the recipe - add chicken if you like https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NONVon-lh/?hl=en-gb
And Filipino Pancit noodles - we call them the ‘party noodles’ in our family. Recipe is in my book Eat Green. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. I focus on flavour, veg, heartiness and ease. I’m a fan of fat. Nutritionists talk a lot about how we need good quality fat in our meals so there’s always a source of fat in my recipes from butter, olive oil, coconut oil to nuts, seeds, cheese etc. I also like to focus on variety - lots of gut health experts suggest we aim for 30+ plant based foods a week so I try my best to offer recipes that have a diverse range of veg and plant based foods. Thank you!
Hello Sophie, yes you’re right most of my recipes are naturally gluten free as most ingredients I cook with are naturally gluten free (vegetables, beans, pulses etc) but I love sourdough bread and a good pizza when I’m out and about. Craving a pizza now actually now I’m thinking about it!
thank you Emma - It would have to be my Mum’s filipino tinola soup - full of veg, onions, garlic, ginger and deliciously hearty and brothy. Here’s the recipe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NONVon-lh/?hl=en-gb
Hello Ruth, thanks so much. Different interests we wanted to pursue! I am interested in Ayurveda but as I haven’t studied Ayurveda and I’m not a qualified expert, I don’t share it. My focus is food waste, community cooking, sustainability, seasonal eating and hopefully inspiring people with more kitchen confidence!
Hello Emma, here’s 2 I love
Slice up a beautiful british apple (perfect season for enjoying them) into big wedges - dollop with your favourite nut butter, sprinkle over some granola or failing that some nuts and seeds and a flourish of cinnamon - YUM.
Another I love in my book Feel Good - is the No Bake Chocolate Date Bar - hits the spot every time. Very good for your brain concentration when you’re on a writing sprint - can make once a month and keep sliced up in the fridge to pop straight in your mouth!
found it! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWoCFHTDNYy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I’ll find it!
Hiya Chloe, I’ve really enjoyed these ones below - how about you? I’m ready to dig into an autumn pile. In my area, we have ‘little libraries’ on each street where everyone shares books, drops them off and picks them up, it’s a beautiful way to share
Lessons in chemistry
Staying alive in toxic times
Eating to extinction
Desmond Tutu’s The book of Forgiving
Rooted - sarah Langford
Sarah Wilson’s This One Wild & Precious Life - a re read
Are you prone to procrastination (like me!) and if so what are your tips for staying motivated and achieving your goals. Thanks Melissa! (This is Emma from walnut magazine by the way 😊)
What is your favourite recipe from your mum’s repertoire?
How do you meal prep 😂 I over complicate, over plan, buy the ingredients and always seem to forget and generate waste!
(So excited for this newsletter btw - thank you for creating so many helpful resources.)