My French Secrets

My French Secrets
‘You don’t need to be a chef to perform impressive feats in the kitchen. It’s just the art of mastering a few basics and learning to think like a French person; then, with the right ingredients, you can create amazing dishes in a short time.
Those recipes have been written throughout my life, my career, my travels; some of them are from my mum, my grandad. It’s my everyday food: what I think is enjoyable, healthy, naughty sometimes...
Good quality ingredients, added to some exercise, meditation, a lot of water and the right amount of wine: this is part of the secret.
The other secret of French food is that we take our time. We take the time to cook our food from scratch, take the time to walk, take the time to drink our wine and coffee… In other words, we take time to live.
This book will help you to stay healthy and slim while enjoying the food and wine you love. It is a bible for enjoyment, something that everybody could carry around in case they’re in need of inspiration for a last-minute dinner with friends, ideas for a weekly menu, a nice meal à deux or a delicious lunch just for yourself.
To help you learn how to feel good whilst indulging in all these pleasures, I will guide you through your daily routine, your organisation in the kitchen and pantry and even your shopping list.
So if you wish to keep an elegant silhouette without being frustrated and to eat what you like and drink wine, this book is just for you.
Enjoy!’
Marlène Dulery

Poochtraveller

Poochtraveller is the bible of dog travel guides – an insightful and down-to-earth book, and an invaluable support system for all dog owners looking to travel abroad.

Claire Templeton distils what she has learned over years of trial and error, traveling throughout Europe with her dog Snowy.

You will come away from this book feeling confident and excited about your travels, with some personal recommendations to get you started.

Lady Bean and Family

Lady Bean and Family, the follow-up to Gerald and Usanna Stribling’s Mr Cabbage and Family, is an in-depth exploration of the world of leguminous plants, presenting a blend of historical, botanical, and culinary perspectives. This book details the development of beans throughout history, examining their botanical structure, emphasizing their nutritional importance and even discussing their sometimes surprising cultural role. The authors share expert knowledge on various aspects of bean cultivation and storage, highlighting different methods of preservation and discussing the health benefits and diverse uses of beans.
The narrative takes readers on a global journey, culminating in an extensive collection of recipes that showcase beans in various forms. From savoury snacks popular in the Americas to traditional soybean-based dishes from China and Japan, and even classic French culinary delights, the book provides a wide array of options for cooking enthusiasts and food lovers.
Ideal for readers with an interest in food history, botany, and gastronomy, Lady Bean and Family is an informative resource that offers a comprehensive look at one of the world’s most versatile and nutritious plant families.

You Never Walk Alone

Today, numerous individuals find themselves adrift, seeking meaning in a world where various ideologies have faltered: Communism, Capitalism, Nationalism, Materialism. Amidst this ideological void, one ponders: What is the essence of life? Who or what can genuinely satisfy human yearnings?

Each year, hundreds of thousands embark on the Camino, or segments of it, in a quest for purpose. In 2018, I joined this pursuit, starting my journey on the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port in France and concluding in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This 800 km trek, spanning forty days, was a solo venture, but as this book reveals, I was never truly alone. Along the way, I encountered numerous individuals, sharing not only the physical path but also profound connections.

I wholeheartedly recommend this pilgrimage – far more than a mere walk – to anyone earnestly seeking meaning in life.

A Suitcase Full of Pink Pearls

Of course, I’d shied away from traveling to Croatia! Why embrace the unknown with Venice, Nice, Rome, and Constantinople calling? I’d heard whisperings of a city dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ but had little idea where that soul-stirring nirvana might have been located. You can imagine my surprise and delight, when I was invited to accompany five friends and their two young sons to Dubrovnik, Croatia, for a five-day stint in the scorching Balkan sun.

Words cannot express that first glimpsing of the red-roofed, white-walled, brilliant-blue -sea-skirted city when our sleek, silver, chauffeur-driven van tumbled into town from the brooding, cobalt-crusted Dubrovnik mountains.

Lord Byron had it right: Heaven on Earth!

The following five days for our ‘party of eight’ included beaches, swimming pools, ‘Old Town’ treasures, Wall-walks, Croatian food to die for, and best of all – a delightful ‘Game of Thrones’ tour, which had two little boys searching every nook and cranny on the ‘Kings landing’ for that elusive Iron Throne. Who’s never wanted to play kings or queens?

So you’ll be joining us on this pink-pearler tour in one of the world’s most Instagram-able spots? Thought so!

What the Monsoon Knows

The Monsoon shakes and shudders within many a varied landscape…

Come and find yourself along the back lanes of the world’s most intense cities. Visit the tribal longhouses of the headhunter tribes of Borneo; be enchanted by the steaming hot jungle ruins of Asia. Ponder the lives of the women of India and Myanmar as ‘change’ stalks the landscape. Meander along the soothing waters of the Mekong in Laos, dodge Yala’s leopards and elephants. Be invited to the curiosity of Bollywood on Langkawi. Travel south of the equator to meet Mari the Lithuanian jungle vegan and other alternative folk of the Byron Bay region of New South Wales. Become tantalized by the colourful multicultural market lifestyle of tropical Darwin, while being feathered by the intimacy of Australia’s beautiful first nations people.

Art, music, food; vulnerable societies clinging to hard-fought cultural sanctity. The laughter - the sadness - the bruises and stomach bugs - lavished with a profound respect for the folk and fauna of such stunning locations, this expedition into exotica will see you arrive home with a sense of belonging to this multifaceted world.

 Ian Browne will challenge your senses, your empathy, whether you are the battle-hardened traveler, or those that desire familiar comforts in a hotel by the sea, discover why this creative story teller’s love of this planet has seen him being invited to Buckingham Palace, and a request to engage in project work within sustainability for the UN.

“What the Monsoon Knows”

Well, come along on the journey & discover this for yourself…

Agritourism Tales: From Wildebeests to the Lion’s Mane

For generations, nature lovers like Joy Adamson or gallant sailors like Zhang He, have risked their lives in unforgiving conditions through uncharted territory. Others have bypassed the limits of human endurance to share their adventurers’ experiences. For as long as people have travelled in the countryside, interacted with locals, partaken of their cuisine, gotten accommodations, and learned something new, there have been Agritourists.With increasing global awareness on natural ecosystems for sustainable livelihoods, combining adventure with biodiversity conservation has never been this fascinating. Understanding some basic dynamics of the culture, political landscape, and biodiversity of some destinations can assist with a visitor’s or investor’s timely decision-making. This is a candid sojourner’s tale laced with satire, where wild animal characteristics are closely matched with human behaviour across issues. Safe travels!

Cyclus – 12 Months in Bangladesh

Join Elizabeth Grevstad-Mork on a captivating journey through the heart of Bangladesh in Cyclus - 12 Months in Bangladesh. This illuminating memoir unravels the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s landscapes, cultures and traditions over the course of a year. From the vibrant festivities of Baishakh to the serene winters of Magh, each chapter explores the unique aspects of life in different parts of Bangladesh.

Grevstad-Mork masterfully interweaves personal anecdotes with vivid descriptions, bringing to life the beauty and complexity of this South Asian nation. As the seasons change, so do the stories, painting a picture of a country full of contrast and colour. Experience the bustle of Dhaka’s streets, the tranquillity of rural villages and the spiritual solemnity of ancient temples.

More than a travel memoir, Cyclus is a profound reflection on the human spirit, resilience and the universal search for meaning in the world’s endless cycles. This book is a must read for anyone who longs to understand the soul of Bangladesh and the rhythm of life that pulses through its land and people.

Working at the End of the World: An Antarctic Diary

This honest, terrifying as well as humorous account of travelling and working in the magnificence of Antarctica will allow the reader to visualize and feel the harshness and beauty of the great white continent.The main body of the book is the diary account of a two-person deep field research trip. This is about being out in the remote mountains and glaciers facing up to extreme adversity in the coldest place on the planet while retaining one’s sense of humour; the psychology of spending time tent-bound in extreme isolation with just one other person and an honest reflection at the sad moments while being in a storm-bound tent, dwelling on life back in England. There is humour throughout, and the real and honest fear that one feels when in truly dire situations hundreds of miles from safety. The opening chapters look at the author's six-week ocean journey from England to Antarctica on the research ship ‘The RRS John Biscoe’.

The Wet Fish Book

Everything you wanted to ask a fishmonger but were too afraid to ask!Over the years, Simon Bennett has built a busy fish business down in Dorset. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Lyme Regis, Simon takes you on a tour of south coast seafood. With extensive ‘how to’ guides, and exclusive and some unusual fish recipes, you’ll learn lots.Draw on Simon Bennett’s 25 years’ experience in the fish game. Learn how to source and prepare really fresh seafood. Enjoy exclusive fish recipes from Simon’s celebrity chef friends and customers.

The Psoriasis Cook

Andy Saunderson had lived with psoriasis for 25 years. In lieu of any changes in the traditional ways of treating the skin condition, he decided to research whether there were any alternatives.He discovered there was a consensus amongst some that psoriasis can be managed in a different way. It can be treated by making changes to your diet and healing from within. This can be achieved by concentrating on a high-alkaline, low-acid-forming diet and drinking various herbal teas to assist in the healing.Andy has devised a nine-stage process that includes over 100 modern and accessible recipes to assist those who have psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and eczema.This cookbook can empower those who would like to take ownership of their skin condition and to reduce the appearance of it and in a healthy, natural way.

The Little Book of Wild Garlic

Wild garlic grows vigorously throughout woodlands in spring. Every part of this amazing plant is edible and opens the doors to so many culinary uses. It produces the most amazing vibrant green oil, which imparts its delicate garlic flavour when used for cooking.Gathered freely, make the most of it and try these original recipes from dips, soups, rice, pasta and pastry dishes along with meat, fish and many vegetarian options – all shown in full-colour photographs and so easy to prepare.