It was 20-years ago today (well almost) and while Sargent Pepper was teaching the band to play…
I was embarking on a new experiment of creating a food blog.
Yes in December 2005 I published m first blog posts on Stonesoup !
To celebrate I thought it would be fun to share 20 lessons I’ve learned over my blogging and coaching career.
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Video Version
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1. My Thoughts Create My Results
This is the big one. The most profound shift I’ve experienced is understanding that my thoughts aren’t just random mental chatter – they literally create my reality.
When I learned that my dominating thoughts determine my results, everything changed.
If there’s something I’m not happy about in my life? All I need to do is uncover those unhelpful thoughts and choose new ones instead. Sounds simple, right? But honestly, we could stop right here because this is the most helpful thing I’ve ever learned.
2. Less Is More
Back in 2005, I discovered minimalism and simplicity. When I applied this to cooking, something magical happened: using fewer ingredients often made food taste better. The ingredients could speak for themselves.
Plus, there’s less washing up and less stress. This revelation led to my five-ingredient approach and changed everything about how I cook and teach.
3. The Number on the Scale Is in My Control
I used to catch up with friends from university and wonder why everyone else seemed to have their weight figured out while I struggled. It felt like such a mystery. But here’s the truth: my weight isn’t something that happens to me. By learning to listen to my body and eat intuitively – actually knowing when I’m satisfied and being able to stop – my weight is now exactly where I want it to be, and has been for years.
4. Food Creates Connection
Some of my most precious memories center around food. Not just the eating, but the preparation, the sharing, the conversations over meals. When we cook for ourselves and others, we’re not just nourishing bodies – we’re building relationships and creating moments that matter.
5. It’s Possible to Be Intentional Around Alcohol (and Sugar!)
Did I drink more than I wanted to on multiple occasions in 2005? Absolutely. Did it detract from my quality of life? Yes. Fast forward to now, and I can’t believe I’m satisfied with just three glasses of wine a week. If I can change that relationship with alcohol, seriously, anything’s possible. The same goes for sugar or whatever your particular challenge might be.
6. Being a Food Lover Is a Superpower
I used to think loving food meant I’d always struggle with my weight. Like, of course I would – I’m obsessed with food! But actually, being interested in food, taking time to create proper meals, buying great ingredients, and making food taste good? That actually helps me be naturally healthy. When I care about food, I listen to my body better.
7. Knowledge Alone Doesn’t Change Behavior
Here’s something that might surprise you: knowing what to do isn’t enough. We need four things for real change: knowledge, mindset work, habit change, and repetition. This is why so many of us know exactly what we should eat but still struggle to do it consistently.
8. The Smaller the Habit, the More Likely We’ll Do It
Want to create lasting change? Make it tiny. The smaller and easier something is to do, the more likely we are to actually do it. This principle has revolutionized how I approach cooking and healthy eating.
9. Movement Is Medicine
Not just for our bodies, but for our minds too. Regular movement changes how we feel, think, and show up in the world. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just consistent.
10. Cooking from Scratch Is Transformative
When we cook from scratch, we know exactly what’s in our food. We can nourish ourselves properly. It’s an act of self-care that ripples out into every area of life.
11. Weekly Meal Planning Makes Life Easier (and more delicious)
Simple but powerful: planning meals weekly removes so much stress and decision fatigue. It’s not about rigid rules but about setting yourself up for success.
12. We Can Trust Our Bodies
Our bodies are incredibly wise. When we learn to listen – really listen – they tell us exactly what they need. This trust is the foundation of intuitive eating and is my secret to being a Naturally Healthy person who eats what I want AND feels good in my clothes.
13. Progress Beats Perfection Every Time
Perfection is the enemy of progress. Small, imperfect actions taken consistently will always beat waiting for the perfect moment or perfect plan.
14. Community Accelerates Transformation
When we surround ourselves with people on similar journeys, magic happens. Support, accountability, and shared wisdom make everything easier. That’s why Ilove being a coach.
15. Self-Compassion Is The Best Policy
Being harsh with ourselves doesn’t create lasting change. Compassion does. When we treat ourselves with kindness, we create space for real growth.
16. Restriction Creates Obsession
Here’s something counterintuitive: the more we restrict certain foods, the more we obsess over them. Radical permission – allowing all foods – actually eliminates temptation and food obsession.
17. Anyone Can Learn to Cook Without Recipes
I’ve taught people who hadn’t cooked in 30 years to create meals without recipes. Like my favorite client Bill, whose wife had Parkinson’s and could no longer cook. Now he’s in charge of all their meals and calls it “a little short of miraculous.” If Bill can do it, so can you.
And if you’d like to learn this skill check out the Stonesoup 20th Birthday promotion below.
18. All Disease Begins in the Gut
Hippocrates said this thousands of years ago, and modern science is proving him right. Taking care of our gut health is taking care of our entire wellbeing so we can enjoy being happy active and healthy to a ripe old age. And if you’d like some help with creating ting good food habits to make gut health a natural part of your life then
19. Emotional Regulation Is a Learnable Skill
We can learn to process our emotions without turning to food. This skill transforms not just our relationship with eating but our entire life experience.
20. Maybe It’s Possible
Whatever you think you can’t change about your relationship with food or your body – maybe it’s possible. Maybe you could reach your ideal weight and still enjoy all the foods you love. Maybe you could learn to be intentional around sugar. Maybe you could change whatever it is you want to change about your life.
Celebrate 20 Years with Something Special
To mark this incredible milestone, I’m doing something I’ve never done before – offering lifetime access to my Joyful Cooking for Natural Vitality program.
But here’s the once-in-20-years bonus: when you join, you don’t just get access for yourself. You get THREE additional lifetime memberships to share with your nearest and dearest.
Why?
Because we are more likely to follow through when we do it together.
Remember lesson #7 – knowledge alone doesn’t create change. That’s why this program includes not just the knowledge piece, but also mindset work, habit change, and the repetition you need to enjoy lasting vitality.
With lifetime access, you’ll have support for as long as you need it. Real, lasting change that sticks.
This once-in-20-years celebration offer is only available for a limited time
Learn more about Joyful Cooking for Natural Vitality.
Here’s to the next 20 years of discovery, growth, and really good food.
In your corner,
Jules xx