Shiitake mushrooms, revered in East Asian cuisine, offer rich umami flavours and significant nutritional benefits, including B vitamins and immune-supporting compounds. Cultivated for over a millennium, they thrive on hardwood logs. Various cultivation kits are available for home growers. Always cook shiitakes for enhanced taste and digestibility.… Read More The Remarkable Shitake Mushroom: Flavour, Nutrition, & Tradition
Growing mushrooms at home is an engaging hobby that requires minimal equipment. They thrive in humid, dark environments, feeding on organic matter. Beginners can start with easy varieties like oyster or lion’s mane using various methods. Proper conditions and avoiding common mistakes can lead to successful mushroom cultivation, enhancing your culinary experience.… Read More Growing Mushrooms: A Beginner’s Guide to Home Cultivation
The language of design transcends functionality, embodying identity and community through textiles and architecture. From the symbolism of flags to biophilic principles, design fosters connection and care. It emphasises balance, harmony, and the relationship between materials and human experience, reflecting our shared stories and emotions in every stitch and structure.… Read More Episode Five: Woven Worlds Textiles, Space, & The Design of Meaning
The author began cultivating pink oyster mushrooms out of curiosity, discovering the joy and complexity in mushroom growing. Each type of mushroom, from pink to enoki, presents unique requirements and relationships. This process turned into a rewarding collaboration with living systems, with plans to share detailed insights on various mushroom varieties and cultivation rituals.… Read More Growing Mushrooms: Pink Oyster A Gentle Ritual of Colour & Care
This soup recipe emphasises creative cooking using available ingredients, focusing on warmth and comfort during challenging times. It introduces the series “Soft Source for Living,” highlighting the intersection of cost, care, and nutritional adaptability. The recipe encourages substitutions and reflection, offering a nourishing solution for various lifestyles and budgets.… Read More slow cooker barley & greens soup-part of the soft source for living series
If you’re making homemade jams, chutneys, cordials, or fermented drinks, sterilising your bottles and jars is essential to prevent unwanted bacteria or mould from spoiling your hard work. The process is simple, but it’s important to do it correctly for food safety and the best results. Why Sterilise? Even brand-new jars can contain dust, invisible… Read More how to safely sterilise glass bottles & jars
Ginger and turmeric create a warm, vibrant harmony that dances between spice and earthiness. Fresh ginger brings a lively heat, its peppery bite brightening the palate and leaving a gentle tingle, while turmeric offers a deep, grounding flavour—slightly bitter, with hints of orange and soil after the rain. Together, they balance sharpness and depth, creating… Read More ginger & tumeric cordial
Mental health is deeply connected to nutrition, with research highlighting the impact of diet on mood, stress levels, and overall cognitive function. By incorporating nutrient-rich, cost-effective foods and drinks into daily routines can help manage mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression while being mindful of budget constraints. How Nutrition Supports Mental Health The… Read More Affordable Healthy Foods & Drinks to Support Mental Health
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness, but chronic inflammation can lead to health issues like joint pain, fatigue, and digestive problems. Incorporating natural anti-inflammatory ingredients into your diet can help combat these effects and promote overall well-being. One delicious way to do this is by preparing a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Drink that… Read More Natural Anti-Inflammatory Drink: A Recipe for Health and Vitality
Descaling your kettle sustainably is easy and important for efficiency and taste. Methods include using white vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda, or leftover lemon peels. These natural ingredients reduce limescale, are biodegradable, and promote environmental responsibility. Regular maintenance and smart disposal further enhance sustainability in kettle care.… Read More How to Descale Your Kettle in a Sustainable Way
Rachel Bakewell 