Diet and Nutrition

Did you know that storing certain fruits and vegetables together causes them to spoil more quickly? It all comes down to ethylene gas. This odourless vapour is given off by fruit after they are picked. Some types of fruit produce much more…

Insects and other undesirable pests are the bane of many a gardener’s life, but it’s possible to protect your plants using entirely natural insecticides you can make yourself using everyday household ingredients.All-purpose insect and pest…

Spending time outdoors in the fresh air is a great way to boost your mood and improve emotional wellbeing. As a result, mental health experts recommend gardening as a way to lift the symptoms of depression. As well as providing exercise and…

It is perhaps a natural nightmare that the concept of ageing will approach anyone faster than they might think, but there will come a time when it affects us all. The idea of 'ageing gracefully' is a long-pursued idea. We all want to remain…

Superfoods are among the most popular ingredients in television cookery shows, but what exactly makes a food ‘super’? Although there’s no standard definition, a superfood is generally agreed to be one that gives particular health benefits.…

This bank holiday weekend, many of us hit the local garden centres, and were inspired to get our gardens in tip top shape for summer. However, if you missed out there’s still plenty of time to work on your little patch of heaven, no matter…

Houseplants give off oxygen and help remove chemicals like formaldehyde, a common indoor vapour that can cause respiratory and neurological problems. Here are a few plants that can help you breathe easier: Aloe vera: This easy-to-grow,…

It’s well established that fish is an irrefutable vital source of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA). These are the “good” fats that your body needs to stop blood clots, maintain fluid in your cells and reduce inflammation, pain and…

You could end up spending a fortune on anti-ageing products, but is there a simpler way to maintain your youthful look? It turns out, there are certain foods that aren’t only bad for your wellness, but take their toll on your appearance and…

Part of the charm of any garden is seeing a wide variety of wildlife. Many creatures will make your garden their home, from birds and butterflies to bees and hedgehogs. Of course some creatures are not as welcome as others – few gardeners…

When it comes to foods that take their toll on your wellbeing, as well as your ageing process, one underlying theme seems to be that they dehydrate your skin. Sure, you could amp up your intake of water – which is certainly no bad thing for…

Playing in the garden is great fun for children. But forget swings, slides and paddling pools – there’s nothing children love more than interacting with nature and helping with the gardening itself. Gardening is ideal for getting kids…

You may think of gardening as just a relaxing hobby, but it is often so much more. Aside from the obvious advantage of growing nutritious fruits and vegetables, it also offers an effective physical workout. As you stand, bend or squat,…

Zen gardens, also known as Japanese rock gardens, have a fascinating history dating back over a thousand years. The original versions involved creating a kare-sansui, or dry landscape, using rocks and stones. This type of garden was ideally…

When choosing what plants to grow in your garden, garlic is not the obvious choice. However, it can deliver a number of benefits - not only is it a delicious kitchen ingredient that can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, it actually…

Topiary is the art of clipping and shearing shrubs and small trees into ornamental or abstract shapes. The term comes from the Roman words ars topiaria meaning ‘ornamental gardening’. It’s a creative and relaxing pastime and is perfect for…

Aromatherapy is used worldwide to improve both physical and emotional wellness. Practitioners use plant-based essential oils to provide relief from various conditions including stress, anxiety and depression, insomnia, headaches and even…

Very recently the website ScienceOmega.com was able to report on the findings that well-maintained vegetation can help to suppress certain types of criminal activity in urban areas and cities. And yet more research in the journal…

There are hundreds of anti-ageing, antioxidant products out there, but there are even more antioxidants to be found in your diet. These nutrients help your body to boost wellness in countless ways, from killing off cancerous cells to…

Some people don’t like bees. The slightest buzz sends them into full-on screaming-and-arm-flailing mode. But although few gardeners would welcome a bee nest on their patch, there are some real advantages from inviting these fuzzy, buzzy…

An Australian bush fruit contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could slow the ageing process. This is according to researchers at Southern Cross University, who believe the Davidson's plum, found in rainforests in the…

When scientists and wellness experts talk about ageing, they’re referring to damage to your macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs, which causes your body to degenerate. Foods that are dubbed “anti-ageing” do one of three things to…

Working in the garden is not just a relaxing hobby – as pastimes go, it’s one that offers distinct health benefits in addition to the obvious advantage of growing nutritious fruit and vegetables to eat. It can be relaxing while giving you…

The ageing process has been criticised for many years, with society placing a huge amount of importance on staying youthful well into retirement. But recent studies suggest that your diet could indicate how you'll age, with the Western diet…

Even for those with the greenest of fingers, maintaining a garden in tip-top condition can seem like a financial luxury. Yet creating a beautiful garden needn’t be an expensive pastime if you take a frugal approach. Where possible, grow…

(Serves 2-4) Packed with anti-oxidant powerhouse berries and omega-3 rich, anti-ageing seeds, this smoothie is a great way to start the day, fill you up until meal time or replenish energy after a workout session.  Ingredients 2 cups…

Many studies have linked gardening with personal wellness. Planning, creating and maintaining your garden not only benefits your physical fitness and health, it also improves mental wellness by relieving stress, reducing anxiety and…

Organic food, grown free from pesticides and fertilisers, has become the food of choice for many people concerned about what they eat and the effect of mass production of food on the environment. Now new evidence is emerging that a diet of…

The Homecoming is an enthralling journey of vines and ivy that twists and turns its way into understanding the human soul. The self-described “psychodrama” propounded by the novel's writer, Susie Steiner, looks into the mental state of…

Climate change is one of the planet’s biggest challenges. On a much smaller scale, the changes in the climate and their effect on the weather pose a different sort of challenge for gardeners with longer winters, wetter springs and harder…