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How food can give us hope in challenging times

How food can give us hope in challenging times

What can The World Happiness Report and the Blue Zones teach us about how food can drive joy?

Sam Ratanji
March 20, 2026

Hi there,

Welcome to The Life Larder! This newsletter serves up a bite-sized menu of stories and ideas about making food that’s not only delicious but also healthy and sustainable.

Each issue is packed with inspiring articles, flavourful ideas, and voices from across the vibrant food world. Think of me as your friendly guide, helping you create meals that nourish your body, delight your taste buds, and care for our planet. Treat this newsletter like a personal larder - always stocked with something you’ll love.

Honestly, (I’m sure like a lot of us) I’m finding it tricky to focus with everything that’s going on in the world currently.

This year started with so much hope (2026! Fire horse energy!) and hasn’t been what a lot of us would have expected. So this week I’ve written my feelings about how food can perhaps be the hope we need in times like this. There’s also a recipe for some cardamom and black pepper shortbreads that will certainly make you feel better.

I hope it resonates - and if it does drop me a message <3

Before you tuck in…

Here’s some ways you can work with me 👇

🔪 Private Cheffing & Retreats – Bespoke menus that nourish, fuel, and taste incredible. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a wellness retreat, or high-performance nutrition, I bring the flavour and the science.

📢 Speaking & Workshops – From corporate wellness to food sustainability, I deliver engaging, no-fluff talks that connect the dots between soil health, nutrition, and better living.

📦 Brand Consulting – Helping food brands create products that are as good for people as they are for the planet. Strategy, product development, recipes and nutrition-led storytelling.

📝 Writing & Editorial – As a Guild of Food Writers member, I contribute to leading publications on all things food, health, and sustainability.

📩 Interested? Say hello at [email protected]

Bites

Three tasty bites from the corners of the internet this week.

As we think about mowing our gardens after winter, this piece on weeds really speaks.
Purple sprouting broccoli is gorgeous right now - here’s a recipe I love for you.
Save the hedgehogs!

Stories and insights from experts and yours truly