What does being a mindful consumer mean to you when it comes to what you choose to eat and drink? For some, it might mean looking out for organic or Fairtrade goods. For others, it could mean eating locally sourced, seasonal produce or choosing restaurants and cafes with a zero-waste policy. It may also mean reducing your meat and dairy intake, or being fully plant-based. For some, it could mean all the above.

Many of us can take a walk down our local high street and choose cuisine from anywhere in the world. Peruvian, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian. Not to mention the ‘usuals’: Chinese, Indian, American, Italian. We can also buy all kinds of new and inspiring ingredients from local shops and the supermarket. It’s wonderful. Sampling these delicious cuisines is a fortunate consequence of living in the West.

Doing things right. It can be tricky, can’t it? The right amount of exercise, the right amount of sleep, getting the right amount of fruit and veg in per day. (Is it five? Seven? Ten?) Even knowing who’s right to listen to, when trying to do right. And nothing can seem more confusing than knowing the right things to eat. Especially when it comes to the environment, animal welfare and the livelihoods of those who produce our food.

If you’re among the increasing number of vegan-curious people, you’re starting your plant-based journey or you’re thinking about making a plant-based pledge next Veganuary, there’s a lot to think about. Knowing what you can and can’t eat is tricky, and many of us have spent many an hour reading labels in food shops. Whether you’re new to the concept of only eating plants or you’ve been dabbling for years, it's still a learning curve.

Did you hear the one about the vegan enjoying a burger at a BBQ? Sorry, there isn’t a witty punchline to follow. The vegan was told that they shouldn’t be enjoying their burger because it was a vegan one and therefore wasn’t a burger, and that was the end of the matter.

It’s hard to escape the sustainability message these days. What used to be made fun of as ‘tree hugging’ is now considered standard practice. It’s the norm to recycle, minimise waste and consider the environment. If anything, it’s expected of all of us.

What makes you happy? Seeing your family healthy and joyful? Witnessing your best friend marrying their soul mate? Settling down to movie night and snacks with a loved one? Many things spark happiness in our lives, but have you ever considered how powerful it could be to plan ahead for your happiness?

Low self-esteem negatively affects the way we see our own value and our place in the world. We might convince ourselves that we don’t belong, that we’re not good enough or we’re simply not worthy of the things we have. Imposter Syndrome, where we believe that we’re just winging our way through life, waiting for the day we get found out for not being good enough, is very real for many of us.

Life can be one big balancing act. Juggling work, family commitments, house stuff and life admin can mean a fine line between keeping things running smoothly and completely losing all sense of what’s important.

Sometimes it can feel like we have to do it all, where spinning plates, juggling life and putting out fires left, right and centre is the norm. And then if we can't do it all, it's, therefore, best to do nothing at all. But how about being somewhere in the middle? Simply doing some of it? Isn’t that the most effective?

Positive friendships provide a strong support network and bolster the human desire to belong to a community. What does your circle look like?

If you’re dashing from one week to the next with no time for yourself, could you find some time to do nothing? Could scheduling in some time to be mindful help you slow down? Stop being so busy? Can you pause, read and reflect? Practice mindfulness?

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." - Maya Angelou – poet, storyteller, author and civil rights activist.

Anyone that’s spent time in the company of a puppy or a dog will tell you that it’s a joyful experience. But did you know that dog ownership has some surprising and very real benefits for both mental and physical health?

Being outdoors has immeasurable benefits for both our physical and mental wellbeing, and it only needs to be for a few mindful moments a day.