Food for thought

08/09/2026

It's a quiet day over here, just a nurse visit and dressing change which has been very uncomfortable so a trip back might be in order tomorrow 😅

I'd hoped for a few more motivated days for planning whilst resting but they seem to be few and far between 🫠

Here's hoping it picks up over the next few weeks 🤞

07/09/2026

Fiona from Mentoring For You - Forest of Dean has had really great feedback, I've had the pleasure of seeing her in action and really is fantastic with teens! I'm excited to see the good she will do for our children in the Forest of Dean. So please do pop her page a visit, give her a follow and support someone who is genuinely trying to help 🖤

✨Today we hit 200 followers✨
Small numbers to some, but to me, that's 200 people supporting and watching what I am creating with Mentoring for You, and that's exciting!

But what is it you actually do you ask, well let me tell you..

I work with young people in the Forest of Dean, aged 11-18 struggling to access their education / future potential due to a variety of reasons, focusing on (but not limited to) the following:

⭐️Building confidence and self esteem - Promoting a growth mindset and providing safe, supportive opportunities to grow beyond their comfort zone and embracing who they have the potential to become.

⭐️ Post 16 planning and preparation - Career / future goals exploration, college visits, applications, CV writing and interview prep - (exciting developments happening with this area of support and will be revealed soon)

⭐️Academic support - Bridging gaps in knowledge which cause a barrier to learning whilst exploring effective learning styles and strategies

⭐️Life skills - Self care, cooking, budgeting, problem solving, English and maths in everyday life and so much more...

If you would like to know more, reach out via message or submit an expression of interest here https://form.jotform.com/262296361117053

07/09/2026

Playing with food gets a bad rap, but it’s actually one of the best ways for kids to learn and build a healthy relationship with what’s on their plate 🍽️

Before a child can feel comfortable eating a new or unfamiliar food, they need to feel safe around it. Letting them squish, stack, smell, and smear their food takes away the pressure of having to eat it, turning a potential struggle into a fun experience.

When children poke, pinch, and play with different textures, they’re doing serious developmental work. They’re building fine motor control, strengthening their hands, for young children they learn descriptive words like squishy, smooth, or crunchy, and safely processing sensory input with their hands before they ever have to put it in their mouths.

Messy hands, playing with their food and having fun at any age with food, lowers mealtime anxiety, bridging the gap for hesitant eaters, and turns nervous kids into curious eaters.

When we allow children to experiment at a young age, we help them grow into a wide variety of foods as an adult.

I still very much play with my food 🫣👇

But that's me practicing what I preach 😜

06/09/2026

I was very quiet yesterday but only on here 🤭

We celebrated my wonderful hubbies 40th birthday and we did it in our typical style 😎

Top food, outrageous games and funny pictures 😂

He's aging like fine w**e 🍷👌

I managed to pull of a fun filled day despite my limitations currently so I definitely deserve top wife marks 😝

04/09/2026

✨Update ✨

My vacuum has been fitted so recovery should fasten up now 😁

I'd imagine normally people may be a bit bummed out by wearing a tube and a pack 24/7 but I am so ready to start healing ❤️

If things go as they hope, I should be back and running sessions before the end of the year 👌

Fingers crossed I can plan some awesome group sessions and get the creativity flowing for the kids at Christmas 🎄🎁

03/09/2026

That was just what the doctor ordered 👌

Easy meal after their first day, hot bowl of soup, homemade croutons (made from seeded and wholegrain bread for fiber) and a delicious cheese toastie 🤤

Perfect 😃

02/09/2026

For some, this week is all about new bags and bottles, brand new shoes, and excited school photo ops on the doorstep.
But for others, it’s a week heavy with dread, anxiety, and tears and that goes for the parents too.

If your child is walking into school this week with a heavy heart, or if the drop off feels like an uphill battle, please remember, it is NOT a failure on your part, nor is it a failure on theirs.

School is designed around a mold, but children are not one size fits all. For many young people especially our neurodivergent and SEN children, the school environment can be an overwhelming storm of sensory overload, rigid demands, and social exhaustion.

When a child struggles to adapt, it isn’t bad behavior or poor parenting, it’s a human reaction to an environment that wasn’t built with their specific needs in mind.

If the transition is smooth for your family this week, I’m celebrating that with you.

But if you’re sitting in the car after drop off holding your breath, or facing meltdowns before you’ve even left the house, please go gentle on yourself. Take it one hour, one morning, and one day at a time.

Wishing every single child, parent, and caregiver all the luck in the world this week. I truly hope you all find your rhythm, your safe spaces, and the support you deserve.🖤

01/09/2026

Well we're in the ber months and I'm very excited for it!

Croutons made, hearty tomato soup will be incoming this week 👌🖤

31/08/2026

I really never tire of making seasonal goodies 🥰

It's such a fresh flavour, warms the cockles and fills you up so much more than anything shop bought!

I really can't wait to be able to get back to teaching again 🥲

Could be a couple of months yet but I'll be making sure we make the most of it when I can 👌

31/08/2026

So the time spent de-stalking my elderberries on Saturday was well worth it 👌

Turned them and some of our foraged blackberries into a beautiful chia seed jam 😍

I landed on chia seeds as it requires A LOT less sugar and focuses on the sweetness of the actual fruit and adds some extra fiber from the chia seeds.

But even this chia seed jam is rammed packed full of goodness for your body!

Elderberries and blackberries are packed with Vitamin C and natural antioxidants to help keep seasonal bugs at bay. It's also
full of Vitamin K and manganese, which support collagen production and overall joint care.
The chia seeds act as a natural thickener while adding plant-based Omega-3s and fiber—keeping energy levels steady without a massive sugar spike.
Fresh lemon juice and pure honey bring raw enzymes and active Vitamin c.

It was certainly a great way to use some of our foraged goodies and will last a while as the jam made around 700 grams worth which I can freeze some for later on 🩷