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It’s so great that pulses – beans and lentils – are finally becoming accepted and celebrated in the UK. I’ve been a bean keenie for 15 years, delighting in growing different varieties at my allotment and in community projects, and since before then understanding how to use dhals through cooking in ashrams. Not only are …

Time to get away to the peace and calm of Viveka Gardens. This winter read or dream by the log burner, take a walk through the woodland and the hare-prayer field here, and in the summer also rest in a hammock in the orchard or wood. Take a 1-1 session with Fiona and enjoy a …

I was looking at this picture of me taken five or six years ago. I didn’t have the extra 15kgs, still had blond highlights to cover my emerging silver, and I was probably just realising that my periods had finished for good. By the way, the pic goes with a great blog that comprehensively describes …

Sicilian caper and aubergine stew – Caponata

This dish can be made any time of the the year but in high summer aubergines are ready in the UK, most likely grown in a polytunnel: support your local producer! This ‘Long Finger’ variety comes from Down Farm, near Winkleigh, just up the road from Viveka Gardens. Organic growers Liv and Henry grow top …

vegan brownies

I’m not certain this is the complete holy grail of vegan brownie (soooo many options), but it’s certainly very popular on retreats here. I like the slightly grainy chia, but you could use ground flax seed which would be smoother as a binder. Flax contains a lot of omega-3 (great!) but I can never quite …

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