Mandarin and chicory salad with date syrup, and wishing you a happy and healthy 2026

The Chinese New Year starts with the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February. This year will be the Year of the Horse which sounds to me much more inspiring than ‘2026’. I would like to help you start off 2026 on a healthy footing (or hoofing perhaps), one that will support your energy, focus, and overall wellbeing during the year ahead.

My recommendations are never just quick fixes or extreme resolutions; they’re about building sustainable routines that fit your lifestyle and help you feel your best, both physically and mentally. Whether your goal is to improve nutrition, manage stress and fatigue, boost performance, or simply feel more balanced, guidance and accountability can make all the difference.

10% discount on consultations booked in January

To help you take that first step, I’m offering a 10% discount (use code 10JAN) on all Holistic Natural Health Consultations booked in January. This is my way of encouraging you to prioritise your health at the very beginning of the year, rather than putting it off for later. Consider it an investment in yourself and your future wellbeing.

So if this sounds like something you’d like to do, book a consultation here.

I made the date syrup with leftover dates from Christmas. Although dates are rich in sugar, they are also an excellent source of potassium, and other minerals and are also highly anti inflammatory.

Recipe for date syrup

• 500g dried pitted dates
• 1 litre water

Chop the dates, then soak in boiling water for 10 minutes to get rid of any impurities. Drain and discard the water. Place the soaked dates in a large pot with the litre of water and bring to a gentle boil. Cover the pot and leave to simmer for about two hours. Allow to cool and then sieve the mixture, preferably using a piece of cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze all the water from the cooked dates. Pour the date juice into a pot and allow to come to a gentle simmer. Simmer uncovered for just under an hour until the excess water evaporates. Leave to cool; the syrup will thicken further once cold.

Date syrup can be used as a replacement for honey or maple syrup – on crepes, pancakes, yoghurts, ice cream, etc.

Recipe for chicory and mandarin salad

• 2 chicory
• 1 mandarin, peeled, segmented and halved
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• Fresh coriander, chopped
• 1 tablespoon date syrup
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chinese 5 spice
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

Chop the chicory and place in a salad bowl, add the mandarin pieces, spring onions and coriander. Meanwhile whisk the date syrup, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar and seasoning together and pour over the salad.