Flossie

Candyflosslife Be kind to your gut This time of year we naturally drift towards heavier food, so I’ve been asking myself a very simple question: “How can I keep the comfort, but make this plate a bit kinder to my gut microbes?” A few things that are working, in case you want to try them too. Broccoli & Stilton Soup with seeds and croutons 1. Add one more plant to whatever you’re making Instead of redesigning dinner, I’ve been asking “what’s one more plant I can throw in?” Broccoli and Stilton...

Candyflosslife It’s still 30 plants a week… even with custard This is the kind of Sunday where slow baking genuinely soothes the soul… especially if it’s grey outside and you need something warm and reassuring. Apple & Blackberry Crumble with crunchy oat topping This apple & blackberry crumble is one of those puddings that is impossible not to love. Soft fruit, bright berries, the perfect buttery crumble and a little jug of custard to finish. Just cosy, simple goodness. Watch the YouTube...

Candyflosslife Simple plates, gentle balance November is here, but it's a mild one, and all I want is food that feels grounding but still colorful. Enough protein to keep me steady, and enough plants to keep my gut happy, easily reaching 30 a week. Grilled chicken supreme with purple potatoes Chicken supreme was on the weeknight dinner menu this week since my local butcher remembered to display some, so I quickly marinated the chicken pieces for grilling (you can also roast these). I served...

Candyflosslife Good food without overthinking Some weeks glide, others drag - and right now, I’m definitely in the drag zone. Darker evenings, longer workdays, and suddenly dinner feels like another job. So this week I’m keeping it simple: food that doesn’t fight back. Easy to cook, satisfying to eat, still on the gut-friendly side of things. Golden peri peri chicken thighs with oven baked rice Peri Peri Chicken + Rice 🍗 This is a put it in the oven and walk away dinner - juicy chicken, smoky...

Candyflosslife Sweet, salty, simple Pears are beautifully in season right now - soft, fragrant and at their best with very little effort. I grabbed a heap from my local farm shop, they have beautiful orchards laden with pears right now. Not so juicy as last year, as it rained quite a bit for the past few weeks, but they are big and lovely for baking. Pears & Gorgonzola with Hot Honey These baked pears with gorgonzola, honey and pecans are everything I love in a bite: soft fruit, salty cheese,...

Candyflosslife Realistic Eating in Real Life Some experts say it’s easy to eat healthy - plan ahead, eat whole foods, keep it balanced. Simple, right? You want to know what I think as a food scientist and seasoned home cook? Well, I think it can be really hard at this time of year. Darker evenings roll in, energy dips, and all I want is comfort food. And I wouldn’t blame you if you feel the same. Wagyu Beef Meatballs with Fresh Bay Leaves from my garden So this week I wanted to share...

Candyflosslife Sunday Prep, Smashed Potatoes & a Little Calm This week I'm finally sharing something I’ve been meaning to show you for ages: my weekly meal prep. It’s the real routine I do most Sundays to make the week run smoother. Think roasted veg, cooked grains, quick proteins and a few dips that somehow turn into five (or more!) easy meals. 5 Easy Meals for a Healthy Gut My Meal-Prep for Gut Health 🍲If you’ve ever wondered how to hit that 30-plants-a-week goal without overthinking it,...

Candyflosslife Fall's fruit and veg are beckoning It's that time of year and I am literally overwhelmed and spoilt for choice. Cozy soup? Sweet and salty fig salad? Yes please! Fig and Pistachio Salad Pumpkin Season Is Here 🎃Pumpkins aren’t just for carving - they’re fiber-rich and packed with beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. If pumpkin is your love language, I’ve got you covered - from my amazingly warming spiced Moroccan pumpkin soup (topped with crunchy chickpeas),...

Candyflosslife Mountain Roads, Golden Apples & Sweet Souvenirs We’re just back from Transylvania and what a road trip it was - mountain roads curling through the Carpathians, autumn colors peeking through, and food that was hearty, rustic, and comforting. Stayed in some amazing places with the best views, taking a relaxing but deliciously full break. Golden Delicious Apples in my parents yard I thought I’d share a taste of it plus what I carried home in my suitcase, you guessed it! More...

Candyflosslife 7 Plants in a Pan, 30 in a Week We’ve just arrived at my parents and had a quick tour of their veg garden, watched suspiciously through the net by the world's most athletic chickens (mum and dad rear their own chickens mostly for eggs and they roam freely through a large section of the garden while picking at fruit that falls on the ground). Cabbages are so lush in my parents' garden Cabbage standing proud, apple and pear trees heavy with fruit… it feels like autumn is already...