Why You Should Welcome This Tiny Predator to Your Garden

If you've spotted a tiny yellowish insect with fierce-looking jaws in your garden or near your kitchen windowsill, don't panic. 

That little creature might just be your best garden ally, a lacewing larva, often nicknamed the “aphid lion.”

What Is a Lacewing Larva?

Lacewing larvae are the immature form of the adult lacewing, an elegant insect with gauzy, transparent wings. But don’t let the adult’s delicate appearance fool you, their larvae are ruthless garden predators.

Small, alligator-like, and armed with curved mandibles, these larvae feed on aphids, thrips, mealybugs, mites, and even small caterpillars. One lacewing larva can eat up to 200 pests a week, making them a brilliant natural alternative to chemical pesticides.

Why Hospitality Venues Should Care

If you have a vegetable garden at home, run a pub with a beer garden, a restaurant with outdoor seating, or a café with herbs growing in pots, having a healthy insect ecosystem is essential. Aphids and other pests can decimate your decorative or edible plants, leaving your space looking poorly maintained.

Encouraging natural predators like lacewings helps keep your plants lush and healthy — without the smell, cost, or eco-impact of sprays.

How to Attract Lacewings to Your Venue Garden

Grow flowering herbs: Dill, coriander, and fennel attract adult lacewings.

Provide shelter: Insect hotels, bark mulch, and hedgerows create safe spaces.

Avoid pesticides: These chemicals kill beneficial insects as well as pests.

Leave the lights low at night: Lacewings are attracted to light and may become disoriented by strong outdoor lighting.

A Sign of a Healthy Garden

Finding a lacewing larva clinging to a piece of paper or crawling on a leaf means your garden is working. It’s a sign that nature is doing what it does best, keeping things in balance.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories That Really Work

Fight inflammation naturally with these powerful supplements.

Inflammation is a root cause of many chronic conditions. These supplements offer natural support.

1. Turmeric (Curcumin) – Potent anti-inflammatory with joint and gut benefits.

2. Omega-3 – Reduces inflammation in joints, skin and heart.

3. MSM – Eases muscle pain and supports joints.

4. Ginger – Reduces inflammatory markers and eases digestion.

5. Boswellia – Ancient herb for arthritis and chronic inflammation.

Note: Consistency is key—take daily for best effects.

Why Shrinking Portions and Downgrading Ingredients Is a Recipe for Losing Customers

In today’s economic climate, many food brands are feeling the pinch, rising costs for raw ingredients, energy, packaging, and transport have created serious challenges for producers of ready meals, cakes, loaves, and other convenience foods. 

But there’s one common response to these pressures that risks doing far more harm than good: quietly reducing portion sizes or downgrading the quality of ingredients.

At first glance, it might seem like a clever cost-cutting solution. Keep the product looking broadly the same, tweak a few details, and most consumers won’t notice, right? Wrong.

Your Customers Are Not Stupid

Let’s be clear—today’s customers are more informed than ever. They check labels, compare products, and share their opinions online. Whether it’s a smaller slice of cake, fewer vegetables in a ready meal, or a once-premium loaf that’s now dry and bland, people notice—and they talk. Social media is filled with side-by-side comparisons, angry rants, and disappointed reviews.

A once-loyal buyer who feels short-changed is far more likely to walk away from your brand than accept the decline as "just how it is."

Shrinkflation and Ingredient Swaps Break Trust

Reducing portion sizes while keeping prices the same, or worse, raising them, has become known as "shrinkflation." Add in the switch from quality ingredients to cheaper alternatives, and you’ve got a perfect storm of consumer resentment.

What these tactics really do is undermine trust. When a brand no longer delivers what it promised, whether it’s in taste, satisfaction, or value, customers feel betrayed. And in a crowded market, they have plenty of other options.

Short-Term Saving, Long-Term Damage

Sure, these changes might protect your profit margin in the short term. But the long-term cost is customer loyalty, and once that’s gone, it’s hard to win back. Reputation is everything in food. If consumers feel a brand has compromised on quality or honesty, they’ll move on, and they might never come back.

Instead of cutting corners, brands need to be transparent, innovative, and value-driven. If costs must go up, communicate it clearly and offer something in return, be it more sustainable packaging, better sourcing, or new product features.

Consumers Want Value, Not Just Cheapness

Let’s not confuse "cheap" with "value". A product that’s £1 cheaper but disappointing isn’t good value, it's just a bad buy. Customers are willing to pay more for food that satisfies, nourishes, and feels worth it. Whether it’s a microwave lasagne, a traybake cake, or a seeded loaf, the principles are the same: quality counts.

If your product no longer delivers the experience your customers expect, they will look elsewhere—and they won’t be shy about saying why.

Conclusion: Don't Alienate Your Customers

Businesses that think consumers are passive or easily fooled are writing their own downfall. Instead of quietly cutting back, brands should focus on honesty, quality, and consistency. Be the name that customers trust—even in tough times.

Because the truth is simple: if your ready meals are smaller, your cakes are drier, or your loaves are no longer satisfying, your customers will notice. And they’ll take their money elsewhere.

Digestive Health Support with Natural Remedies

Natural supplements and herbs to soothe digestion and heal the gut.

If you're struggling with bloating, IBS, or slow digestion, these natural remedies could help.

1. Probiotics, Balance gut flora and aid digestion.

2. Peppermint Oil, Soothes IBS and gut spasms.

3. Slippery Elm, Coats the stomach lining and reduces inflammation.

4. L-Glutamine, Repairs gut lining and supports immunity.

5. Ginger, helpful for indigestion and nausea.

Tip: Take before meals and avoid trigger foods for best results.

Update: After suffering from indigestion and bloating I am chomping down on some ginger kindly provided by my wife!

Adaptogenic Herbs for Stress, Fatigue and Focus

Discover the top adaptogens to reduce stress and boost clarity.

Adaptogens are natural herbs that help your body adapt to stress and restore balance. Here are four of the most effective.

1. Ashwagandha, Lowers cortisol, improves sleep.

2. Rhodiola Rosea, Enhances energy and mental performance.

3. Holy Basil (Tulsi),  Calms anxiety and supports the immune system.

4. Schisandra Berry, Supports liver and improves resilience.

Best Use: Take regularly during times of stress or fatigue.

10 Powerful Medicinal Herbs for Everyday Wellness

Explore 10 powerful medicinal herbs that help with immunity, mood and digestion.

Herbal medicine has been used for centuries, and many still hold up under modern research.

1. Ashwagandha, Reduces stress and cortisol.

2. Rhodiola Rosea, Boosts energy and mental clarity.

3. St. John’s Wort, May ease mild to moderate depression.

4. Milk Thistle, Supports liver detoxification.

5. Elderberry, Traditionally used to fight colds and flu.

6. Ginkgo Biloba, Enhances memory and circulation.

7. Echinacea, Immune system booster.

8. Peppermint Oil,  Relieves digestive symptoms and headaches.

9. Turmeric (Curcumin), Anti-inflammatory and joint pain relief.

10. Ginger, Aids digestion and eases nausea.

Caution: Always consult a qualified herbalist or GP before taking herbs or combining herbs with medications.

10 Natural Supplements Backed by Science

These top 10 natural supplements are supported by scientific research and can help you feel your best.

Introduction:

Supplements can support everything from brain function to heart health. Here are 10 natural options that are backed by evidence.

1. Omega-3 (Fish or Algae Oil) – Improves brain, joint, and heart health.

2. Probiotics – Enhance gut flora, boost immunity and may ease IBS.

3. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – Supports heart function and energy in cells.

4. Collagen – Improves skin elasticity and supports joints.

5. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) – Antioxidant support and liver detox aid.

6. Alpha-Lipoic Acid – Helps nerve function and blood sugar.

7. Astaxanthin – Protects eyes and skin from oxidative damage.

8. Glucosamine – Used for joint health and arthritis support.

9. MSM – May reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

10. Resveratrol – Anti-ageing antioxidant found in red grapes.

Note: Check quality and dosage on each supplement’s label.

The Best Minerals for Energy, Immunity and Hormones

Learn which minerals are essential for energy, hormone balance, and immunity—and how to take them.

Introduction:

Minerals are just as important as vitamins. These powerhouses support your body’s most vital functions.

1. Magnesium – Calms the nervous system, supports sleep, and helps muscle recovery.

2. Iron – Needed for red blood cell production. Best taken with vitamin C.

3. Zinc – Essential for wound healing, immunity, and skin.

4. Calcium – Vital for strong bones and teeth.

5. Selenium – Powerful antioxidant and key for thyroid health.

6. Iodine – Required for thyroid hormone production.

7. Chromium – Helps stabilise blood sugar levels.

8. Potassium – Supports muscle contraction and heart function.

9. Copper – Assists in iron metabolism and immune health.

10. Manganese – Needed for bone formation and enzyme function.

Tip: Many minerals compete for absorption—space them out when supplementing.

10 Essential Vitamins for Daily Health Support

Discover the top 10 essential vitamins that support your daily health, with advice on benefits and dosages.

Getting the right vitamins every day is crucial for your energy, immunity, and long-term well-being. Here are 10 essential vitamins everyone should consider.

1. Vitamin D – Supports bones, immunity, and mood. Take daily, especially in winter. Best taken with food containing fat.

2. Vitamin C – Aids immunity and collagen production. Water-soluble and can be taken any time.

3. Vitamin B12 – Needed for energy and nerve health. Ideal for vegetarians and vegans.

4. Vitamin B6 – Helps with energy, hormones, and brain function.

5. Vitamin A – Supports vision, skin and the immune system.

6. Vitamin E – An antioxidant that helps fight oxidative stress.

7. Vitamin K2 – Works with vitamin D to support bones and arteries.

8. Folate (Vitamin B9) – Crucial during pregnancy and for heart health.

9. Niacin (Vitamin B3) – Supports energy production and skin.

10. Biotin (Vitamin B7) – Promotes healthy skin, nails and hair.

Closing Tip: Use a good-quality multivitamin if you're unsure of your intake.

From Sweet to Savoury: How to Remove Sugar from Your Crumble Recipe and Create Delicious Savoury Crumbles

Crumble isn’t just for dessert! While we often think of crumbles as sweet treats packed with fruit and sugar, the humble crumble topping has a whole other life when it goes savoury. 

By removing sugar from your traditional crumble mix, you open the door to a world of comforting, creative and hearty savoury dishes that are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even as a dinner party showstopper.

Here’s how to switch things up and explore the world of savoury crumbles.

Step 1: Remove the Sugar from Your Crumble Mix

A standard crumble topping includes flour, butter and sugar. To make it savoury, simply omit the sugar entirely. The basic savoury crumble mix includes:

100g plain flour

75g cold butter, cubed

A pinch of salt

Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs, just like you would for a sweet crumble. From here, you can build flavour by adding savoury ingredients.

Step 2: Add Savoury Ingredients to Your Crumble Topping

Try these tasty additions to give your crumble topping a delicious savoury twist:

Grated cheese – cheddar, parmesan or a strong blue cheese all add a punch of flavour.

Herbs – fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, oregano or sage work beautifully.

Spices – smoked paprika, cumin, chilli flakes or black pepper add warmth and depth.

Oats or breadcrumbs – for texture and crunch.

Crushed nuts or seeds – walnuts, sunflower seeds or pine nuts bring richness and bite.

Step 3: Pick a Savoury Base Filling

Just like a sweet crumble has a fruit base, your savoury crumble needs a hearty, flavour-packed filling. Some brilliant ideas include:

1. Root Vegetable Crumble

Roast chunks of carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and squash. Combine with sautéed onions, garlic and a splash of vegetable stock or white sauce. Top with your savoury crumble for a comforting vegetarian meal.

2. Chicken and Leek Crumble

Sauté chopped leeks and chicken in butter, add cream or a white wine sauce, then top with a thyme and cheddar crumble topping. Bake until golden and bubbling.

3. Mediterranean Crumble

Use a mix of roasted aubergines, courgettes, peppers and tomatoes. Add some chopped olives and crumbled feta cheese to the topping for a Greek-inspired twist.

4. Mushroom and Blue Cheese Crumble

Cook down a mix of mushrooms with garlic and thyme. Add a splash of cream or a dollop of crème fraîche and crumble blue cheese into the topping mix for a luxurious vegetarian dish.

5. Lentil and Spinach Crumble

Make a rich lentil stew with onions, garlic, tinned tomatoes and spinach. Top with a spiced oat crumble – perfect for a plant-based meal.

6. Tuna and Vegetable Crumble

Drain two tins of tuna fish mix into some frozen casserole vegetables.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Spoon your cooked filling into an ovenproof dish and scatter over your crumble topping. Bake at 180°C (fan 160°C) / Gas Mark 4 for around 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.

Tips for Perfect Savoury Crumbles

Make ahead: You can prep both the filling and crumble topping in advance. Assemble and bake when ready to serve

Serve with sides: A green salad, steamed greens or buttery mash work wonderfully alongside.

Get creative: Use leftovers like cooked meat, roast veg or even stuffing as your base.

Turning your crumble recipe into a savoury superstar is simple, satisfying and endlessly versatile. Whether you're catering for vegetarians, meat lovers or simply trying something new, savoury crumbles are a brilliant way to reimagine a classic British dish.

Next time you're craving comfort food, skip the sugar and crumble something savoury!