Losing weight and gaining wellbeing is not a one off, one size fits all miracle diet event. All of you who have tried all the diets over the years know this to be true.  What I’ve learned  is that its about changing the way we think, therefore the way we feel and therefore the way we act. It’s about creating the sort of environment that supports our desire to be the sort of person we really want to be. And all of this takes place over time – not overnight. Finding what works for you - or for me - takes time. In the book, the Tortoise Diet Method, I talk about giving yourself a gift of a year to get it right. I am giving myself this year to reach my goals and stay there. The Tortoise Diaries will follow that journey and you are welcome to follow along if you wish. I have thought about doing this for ages so am finally - on Day 41 of 2026 - taking actions on it. You can share the ups and downs, the ins and outs, probably some random insights that will end up as stories - but you will hear it first on my instagram posts in all its raw and real way. Starting here.

How’s summer going for you all? I think we had it on Wednesday last week down in this part of the country.  For most of January we had to keep reminding ourselves that was still January – summer – not the middle of winter.  However, the grass and weeds are still growing so there’s still plenty of warmth and moisture out there.  The Chief Lawnmower in the family was just saying that in the time it took for him to finish his second cup of tea and a biscuit, he saw the grass grow by at least a centimetre.   I’m making good use of the lawn clippings though as mulch in a desperate attempt to keep the weeds down.

Well here in New Zealand it’s the summer solstice - our longest day. So much is ripening and ready in the garden. I’ve picked gooseberries and popped in the freezer - and as many raspberries, boysenberries and strawberries as I could before leaving them. Off away for Christmas. My favourite new potato has produced beautifully in time for Christmas dinner ( Cliffe Kidney) and the garlic is ready for  harvesting. 

In a dry day, loosen the soil around your cloves and lift. Shake off dirt and leave to dry in the sun.  You will know they are ready as the tops start to dry off. Dry well and plait up to hang for storage.

Keep up the watering for tomatoes and any other growing vegetables. When I get home I’ll be sowing more autumn/ winter brassicas and lettuce to ensure continuous supply. No tomatoes ready in my garden yet but there will be plenty once they all mature! 

Enjoy your harvest and have a lovely Christmas. 

I sometimes feel a little smug after I have managed to get my elderflower cordial made and my sparkling elderflower bottled and brewing away in the shed. I post about it and then my friend Shelley will comment that she has made hers as well but she has also MADE MARMALADE FROM THE LEFTOVER LEMONS.  I’m talking about the lemons leftover from the elderflower brewing process. I know it’s not a competition but I definitely think if it was, she would win.  Talk about resourceful!

Its not all about elderflowers this month (or you would be forgiven for thinking that if you are following my facebook page) For those of you who don’t have access to elderflowers, then why not try some rhubarb bubbly for Christmas?  Most people have some rhubarb coming away in the garden and there’s only so much rhubarb crumble you can eat. So if you love the taste of rhubarb and want to show off your homesteading skills give this one a try. I have started creating pdfs of my recipes for you to download so you don’t have to you’re your phone open to read.   Make sure you read all the notes in the blog as the recipe is just the ingredients and the method.

I look at elderflower and think…mmm… elderflower champagne and cordial followed in autumn by berry wine and nutritious cordials.  In fact, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas now without enjoying a delicious glass of delicate bubbly elderflower summer delight.  And now is the time to pick a basketful and get making.

November has raced up out of the blur that has been 2025 and now here it is.  The roses will be out this month, the bearded irises are bursting forth, the perennials are preparing to go off – and the weeds are clamoring to make their presence known as well.  This time last year I was talking about how to avoid overwhelm in the garden. I have to remind myself every year as, like many of you, I am busy at work and don’t always get out into the garden and the weeds can get away on me.

A big thankyou to all of you who have bought the Tortoise Diet Method book!   I know it’s easy to buy books like this and although you might read them, they then go back on the shelf and become Shelf-help books rather than Self-help.  Well I am interested in not just helping myself but helping all of you to reach your goals. I would love to see you create a firm foundation for a lifetime of health and success.

I have a series of courses coming up soon but the first one off the ranks I am calling Tortoise Diet Lite.  It is designed to take some of the key practises of the book and getting you to apply them for the 4 weeks of the challenge and see what happens.