jenna farmer

For those who still haven’t recovered from the trauma of studying Shakespeare at school, a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon should still be at the top of your British bucket list. The town offers abundant things to do without going anywhere near an historical landmark. Stray away from the Shakespeare-obsessed coach parties and you’ll find a range of quirky and picturesque places to shop, dine and explore. If you're planning a weekend break, we've got you covered. These are our favourite things to do

With winter well and truly in full swing , we’ve reached official hibernation mode. Whether it’s lazy lie-ins or cosy nights in front of the sofa, a good duvet is a must to survive the cold temperatures unscathed. But with such a wide range of choices on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? There’s a number of factors to consider when making your purchase. Whilst tog rating (essentially a measure of the duvet’s ability to trap air, and therefore its warmth) is undoubtedly si

As a country, we’re clearly a nation of pet lovers. Whether you are team cat or team dog, we all can’t help but shower them with love and affection. However, lots of us are now showering them with gifts too. A recent survey estimated that the average owner spends £1252 on their pet each year. The latest development is pet subscription boxes. In which owners purchase a regular subscription (or sometimes a one-off box) to receive goodies for their pet, delivered direct to their door each month. We

October has arrived, and you know what that means? Pumpkin lattes, Christmas food in the supermarkets and, most importantly, the return of The Apprentice. Terrible new promo aside (don’t get me started) I can’t help but be a little excited at its return. Even though it seems the candidates get more ridiculous and infuriating with each season, I decided to get all nostalgic and take a look at years gone by. Here’s my round-up of the most irritating apprentice candidates of all time… Maybe I’

Share this article with Google Plus For those of us who live a dairy-free lifestyle, there is no shortage of products on the market that serve as replacements to traditional foods. From whipped cream to Wensleydale cheese, there’s a vegan version of it. However, while the supermarkets are doing an amazing job of creating new products, there are lots of brands who are flying the dairy-free flag too. So, I decided it was time to take a look at the latest vegan alternatives, all created by inde

Whether you suffer from coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, it can be a real struggle living a “free-from” life. While gluten-free menus are cropping up everywhere and supermarket aisles are booming, it’s the everyday things that still seem difficult – like the office party or your child’s birthday. But being gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to miss out. We took on the task of reviewing the best gluten-free birthday cakes, from supermarket favourites to handcrafted offerings. While the cake

A year and a half ago, I would never in a million years have imagined writing this article. It was then, over on my blog, I posted “My Open Letter to Crohn’s Disease.” I can remember that at the time of writing it, there was one emotion that seemed to dominate me at the time: hopelessness. I felt completely and utterly hopeless at that moment of pressing the publish button – like I was just trapped in a tunnel with no way out. Hopelessness was a new emotion for me – previously my response to IB

It’s Love Your Gut Week (September 4-10), so what better time to talk about your gut health? [Read more: 10 ways to show your gut some love] Most people experience occasional digestive disturbances – but for some, these can be symptoms of an underlying health problem. Plus, gut health isn’t just about what’s going on in the toilet department or under your waistband – as gut health writer and nutritional therapist Jenna Farmer explains, digestive disorders can have a wide impact and affect peop

Share this article with Google Plus It’s September! While most of us are celebrating being one step closer to pumpkin lattes and cosy nights in, for others, September means another thing altogether: the start of a new term. For the past eight years, I have lived through the utter chaos of the first week of school term as a teacher; from the misguided optimism to the dreaded exam results feedback. Having taken a break from the profession, I decided it was only fair to relive it by writing abou