I do love this quote by Patience Strong where she is perfectly describing this month.   Although it is still winter, the promise of spring is in the air.  The winter narcissi are flowering and the classic harbinger of spring, the daffodil will be out soon if not already depending on your micro climate.  There are lambs frolicking on the hills and you may find that with the occasional warm springlike days we will get this month your own sap will start rising and you want to get out there and garden!  But hold your horses for a bit longer.  Get excited of course but channel that into this list of “P” things to do this month. 

Managing business finances can feel like a juggling act—balancing expenses, tracking cash flow, and planning for growth. But with the right strategies, keeping your finances in check doesn’t have to be overwhelming! From budgeting smarter to utilising digital tools, small changes can make a big impact on your bottom line.

This is an area I really struggle in and I am sure I am not the only one. Guest blogger, Mary Johnson from Self-employed Solutions gives some advice on what we can do to get ourselves organised when it comes to finances.

For those of you who are following along with the crop rotation poster, we are talking this month about what to do to care for and cultivate your little piece of backyard paradise.  We’ve done a round up of your main beds, we’ve covered the perennial crops in the outer beds, and this week we are going to talk about those small fruiting trees, shrubs and vines that make up the structure and variety in your bed.

One of the biggest challenges for those of us who have spent years as "failed dieters" isn't actually the food.

It's the food noise.

The constant chatter that seems to run through your head all day long.

"What should I eat next?"

"How many calories are in this?"

"I know I should eat that... but I really want this."

"Why do I keep eating this rubbish?"

"Chocolate... I see chocolate... I must eat chocolate!"

Perhaps your food noise sounds a little different, but if you've struggled with your weight for years, you'll probably recognise that endless internal conversation.

What to flowers to sow or plant in the winter flower garden. (Check. your local climate)

For those of you who are gardening with the Crop Rotation Poster - here is what to do with your perennial plants in winter. Rhubarb, Asparagus, Strawberries and Herbs.

"Plan what to eat. Eat what you planned."

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful.

This month I'm taking part in my own July Tortoise Diet Lite 4-Week Challenge, because I know how valuable it is to keep reinforcing the habits that lead to long-term success.

That's really what the Tortoise Diet Lite is all about – incorporating four simple habits into your daily life. As you practise them consistently, they gradually become automatic and quietly guide you towards your weight-loss goals.

One of the biggest tools for success – not just for weight loss, but in almost every area of life – is getting organised and making a plan.

One habit I strongly recommend is planning your meals in advance for the week ahead.

July is winter here in New Zealand. We’re not long past the shortest day, sometimes called Mid-Winters Day, on the 21st June, but don’t be fooled into thinking that its the middle of winter.  Winter is just kicking off as those currently experiencing heavy rain and snow will well know.  I grow in a cool temperate part of the South Island so tend to speak most about what applies here but I will include more warm temperate notes as well.