A delicious, warming meal with Cheesy goodness and a versatile sauce that the whole family is sure to love. Serve with a generous side of green veg

As we head into the darker months, it’s common to notice dips in mood, motivation and immunity. Colder weather, less sunlight, and more time indoors all affect our metabolism, gut health, sleep, and energy.

A warming meal that combines plant protein, fibre and slow-release carbs, ideal for balancing blood sugar on colder days.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain foods seem to affect your mood, bloating, or energy more than they used to, you’re not imagining it. Hormones shift through perimenopause and menopause, and those shifts influence everything from digestion and cravings to sleep and stress responses.

Fibre can play a bigger role in hormone balance than most mid-life women realise.

Do you ever feel like your body is more sensitive to food than it used to be?

Bloated after meals, sluggish in the afternoon, battling cravings, or noticing your digestion isn’t quite as regular as it once was?

If so, you’re not alone, and there’s one nutrient that could make a big difference: fibre.

This full-flavoured tagine is a cost-effective, healthy way to incorporate extra vegetables into your family's diet.

This dish is suitable for freezing.

Do you feel like you’re “starting over” every Monday, but never quite sticking with healthy changes? You’re not failing, you’re simply trying to do too much at once. In midlife, the secret to lasting energy, confidence, and balance isn’t about overhauling your whole lifestyle, it’s about making small daily changes that stick.

October is World Menopause Awareness Month, and October 18th is World Menopause Day, an internationally recognised event established in 2009 by the International Menopause Society in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The day aims to shine a light on the challenges many women face as they go through menopause and to raise awareness about the symptoms and the different available support options.

This nourishing jambalaya is a winning recipe. It's low-fat, low-calorie, and provides 4 of your 5-a-day, plus it's all made in one pan, so less washing up!

Do you ever feel like your mind is constantly racing, even when your body is exhausted? Stress can seem to hit harder in midlife. This could be juggling work, family, ageing parents, or simply dealing with your shifting hormones. The problem is, chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mood, it can drain your energy, impact sleep, and even make it harder to manage weight.

Do you ever find yourself snapping for no reason, desperate for a biscuit, or crashing on the sofa after dinner? It might feel like “just part of midlife,” but often it’s your blood sugar sending distress signals. But, with a few simple changes, you can steady your energy, calm cravings, and smooth out those mood swings.

Do you ever feel like your body isn’t as strong or toned as it used to be, even though you haven’t changed your routine? That’s midlife for you. From our 40s onwards, women naturally lose muscle mass yearly, making us feel weaker, softer, and more prone to aches and pains. The good news? You can change this, and it doesn’t require hours in the gym.

Made with creamy avocado, full of healthy fat, the balsamic vinegar brings out the flavour of the strawberries in these delicious ices.

Three ingredients and a few minutes are all you need to whip up this low-fat, low-calorie but high in protein frozen yoghurt treat, which is ideal as a quick dessert

Do you find yourself wide awake at 3am, staring at the ceiling and wondering why your body won’t switch off? You’re not alone. Midlife hormones, stress, and even what you eat and drink can all affect the quality of your sleep. The result? You wake up groggy, low on energy, and craving sugar or caffeine just to get through the day.

This oatmeal bread is moist, savoury and full of seeds. It’s also gluten-free and high in protein.

Do you ever feel like your energy crashes just when you need it most? You’re not alone. Many women in midlife notice that meals which used to “keep them going” now leave them tired, foggy, or craving something sweet an hour later. The good news? It’s not about willpower, it’s about what’s on your plate.

Full of vitamins and minerals and packed with colour, this spicy masala frittata is great for dinner and also delicious for lunch the next day. The avocado salsa is a good source of healthy fat and fibre, helping to keep you fuller for longer.

Waiting for the “perfect time”? Here’s why it never comes

Have you ever waited for the “perfect” time to start a healthy habit?

You tell yourself:

“I’ll start when the kids are back at school.”

“I’ll get serious after the holiday.”

“I just need to be more organised.”

But, in reality, the perfect time doesn’t exist, and chasing perfection is one of the biggest things holding you back.

As the days become a bit chillier, why not try this vegetarian slow-cooker stew? It is quick to prepare and full of fibre, plus it's great for freezing and reheating for midweek meals