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Just Average Jen

A health and lifestyle blog to help you be happy with the person you are, instead of striving to be someone you are not.

Love yourself and treat yourself as you would a child or your best friend.

Latest Articles

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Simple Garden Upgrades That Make Life Easier

Read More Simple Garden Upgrades That Make Life Easier
A hand holds an IMO Q2 Pro smartphone, its vibrant home screen displaying various app icons. In the background, a breathtaking mountain view completes this perfect blend of technology and nature.

Why Buying Refurbished Phones Is the Smartest Choice in 2026

Read More Why Buying Refurbished Phones Is the Smartest Choice in 2026
A green and blue speech bubble features bold black text reading, "Jen’s Midweek Catch-Up," with the date, 12th November 2025, displayed in smaller print below.

Midweek Catch-Up 12th November 2025

Read More Midweek Catch-Up 12th November 2025
The word "YES" is written in capital letters in the sand, with smooth and rough edges, on a light brown sandy surface, capturing the Power of Saying Yes and its potential to Change Your Life.

Why the Power of Saying Yes More Can Change Your Life

Read More Why the Power of Saying Yes More Can Change Your Life
Festive Christmas scene with pine branches, ornaments, candles, and gifts, featuring the text: "Christmas Gift Guide – Top Toys 2025 and Most Wished For Kids’ Gifts For Christmas.

Top Toys 2025: The Ultimate Christmas List for Kids

Read More Top Toys 2025: The Ultimate Christmas List for Kids
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9 Features People Are Adding To Dream Home Builds In 2025

Read More 9 Features People Are Adding To Dream Home Builds In 2025
A quiet residential street lined with red-brick houses, bordered by a grassy area and tall trees with autumn foliage under a clear sky. A sign reading "Cascade Way" is visible in the foreground.

How To Master Suburban Life: What Matters Most?

Read More How To Master Suburban Life: What Matters Most?
Modern living room with elegant brown sofa, patterned armchairs, turquoise curtains, a chandelier, floor lamp, and a shaggy rug. The room features silver-grey walls and a small desk under the window. Natural light fills the space.

Tweakments to Transform Your Home

Read More Tweakments to Transform Your Home

Check out my Journal to help you lose weight or exercise more

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My 12 Weeks to a Better Me Journal

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Latest Slimming Recipes and Cooking Tips

My recipes and cooking tips for those trying to follow a healthier lifestyle. If you are looking for Slimming World recipes or other low-calorie or low-fat recipes, these are a great fit.

A close-up of vegan syrup being poured from a glass bottle onto a white plate, with a blurred kitchen background—perfect as one of the best vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives.

The Best Alternatives to Oyster Sauce for Vegetarians and Vegans

Read More The Best Alternatives to Oyster Sauce for Vegetarians and Vegans
Colorful fireworks burst across a dark Bonfire Night sky, filling the scene with vibrant red, pink, orange, and white streaks, celebrating a festive occasion with dazzling light and energy.

Best Slow Cooker Recipes for Bonfire Night

Read More Best Slow Cooker Recipes for Bonfire Night
Butter and white sugar in a glass bowl.

The Complete Guide to Healthy Sugar Alternatives

Read More The Complete Guide to Healthy Sugar Alternatives
A wooden spoon holds a heap of white powder, with some spilled onto a rustic wooden surface—perfect for those seeking healthy cornflour alternatives to thicken sauces.

Healthy Cornflour Alternatives to thicken sauces

Read More Healthy Cornflour Alternatives to thicken sauces
More recipes and cooking tips
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About Jen

Hi, I’m Jen Mellor; I live in Nottingham, UK. Using my knowledge and experience in weight loss and confidence, I can help you become your own cheerleader and best friend. Follow me for tips to help you live a happy, healthy life and be who you want to be!

More about me.

Latest in Time For Yourself

Spending time and energy on yourself is important. These are some of the most recent articles I have written to help you to do just that.

A Kindle in a blue case displays the cover of "Hope to Die" by Cara Hunter, showing a grayscale rural landscape with a house and trees, perfect for your Midweek Catch-Up, placed on a wooden surface.

My Ultimate Book Review Roundup: Recent Reads and Recommendations

Read More My Ultimate Book Review Roundup: Recent Reads and Recommendations
A tablet displaying an e-book lies on a floral-patterned tablecloth next to a clear glass mug filled with frothy coffee—perfect for those who love reading or enjoy reading in coffee shops. A coaster and part of a placemat are also visible in the background.

10 Reasons I Love Reading in Coffee Shops

Read More 10 Reasons I Love Reading in Coffee Shops
A friendship plaque with jute string, the plaque says All the best friendships are built on a solid foundation of sarcasm, laughter alcohol and a dislike of the same people.

Why Picking Up the Phone to a Friend Could Be Your Best Mental Health Move

Read More Why Picking Up the Phone to a Friend Could Be Your Best Mental Health Move
A person with curly hair and closed eyes smiles contentedly while holding a chocolate donut in one hand and a powdered donut in the other, enjoying their sweet treats—an image that may resonate with those affected by binge eating disorder.

What Is Binge Eating Disorder? A No-Nonsense Guide

Read More What Is Binge Eating Disorder? A No-Nonsense Guide
More Time for Yourself Articles

Latest in Exercise

Exercise is good for your health as well as your well-being. Here are my latest exercise-related articles.

A group of five people in gym attire perform jumping jacks on mats in a fitness studio, demonstrating moves perfect for an at home workout. Large exercise balls line the back wall, and energy fills the room as everyone stays engaged.

What are high-impact exercises?

Read More What are high-impact exercises?
A plus size woman in black athletic wear drinks water from a bottle while sitting on a rail near a calm lakeshore. The background features trees, mountains, and partly cloudy skies, creating a serene, natural outdoor setting.

Could Cold Water Swimming or an Ice Bath Change Your Life?

Read More Could Cold Water Swimming or an Ice Bath Change Your Life?
A dirt path winds through a lush, green forest with tall trees and dense foliage on a sunny day, perfect for testing out your favorite shoes for walking.

Running vs Walking: Which is Right For You?

Read More Running vs Walking: Which is Right For You?
A person stands on a paddleboard with a pink edge, holding a paddle in shallow, clear blue water under a bright sky. Perfect for those seeking a beginner’s guide to paddleboarding on their next beach holiday. Only their legs and feet are visible.

A beginner’s guide to paddleboarding on your next beach holiday

Read More A beginner’s guide to paddleboarding on your next beach holiday
Exercise Articles

Latest in Weight Loss

If you are looking to lose weight and cook more from scratch then here are the latest articles I have for you including specific Slimming World tips and tips for other weight loss plans.

A person with curly hair and closed eyes smiles contentedly while holding a chocolate donut in one hand and a powdered donut in the other, enjoying their sweet treats—an image that may resonate with those affected by binge eating disorder.

What Is Binge Eating Disorder? A No-Nonsense Guide

Read More What Is Binge Eating Disorder? A No-Nonsense Guide
microwave with ladies hand turning the dial

Are Ready Meals Bad for You? 7 Things You Should Know

Read More Are Ready Meals Bad for You? 7 Things You Should Know
A chalkboard with “Healthy carbs” written on it is surrounded by fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, potatoes, and pasta—showcasing good carbs that support balanced nutrition and can aid in weight loss.

Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: Your Guide to Weight Loss

Read More Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: Your Guide to Weight Loss
A white disposable insulin pen labeled "insulin glargine," with a purple cap, rests on a light-colored, marble-patterned surface—often considered an affordable option among Mounjaro alternatives for diabetes care.

Safe and Affordable Mounjaro Alternatives for Weight Loss

Read More Safe and Affordable Mounjaro Alternatives for Weight Loss
More Weight Loss Articles

Latest in Travel

If you love to travel then here are my latest travel-related articles.

On a scenic road trip, the flag of Portugal waves proudly against a clear blue sky.

What Can Portugal Offer You For a Perfect Holiday?

Read More What Can Portugal Offer You For a Perfect Holiday?
A woman in sunglasses stands by a wall looking at her phone, with colorful buildings and plants in the background on a hillside street.

Your Quick Guide to Student Travel in Latin America

Read More Your Quick Guide to Student Travel in Latin America
Jagged mountain peaks, topped with snow, glow orange in the warm light of sunrise or sunset. The lower slopes are shadowed and rugged, with patches of forest and rocky land in the foreground.

Why Patagonia Is a Must-Visit Destination for Nature Lovers

Read More Why Patagonia Is a Must-Visit Destination for Nature Lovers
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Why Lisbon Is Europe’s Best Value Capital for Digital Nomads

Read More Why Lisbon Is Europe’s Best Value Capital for Digital Nomads
More Travel Articles

Latest Reviews and Giveaways

I love to review products, share gift guides and run giveaways.

Festive Christmas scene with pine branches, ornaments, candles, and gifts, featuring the text: "Christmas Gift Guide – Top Toys 2025 and Most Wished For Kids’ Gifts For Christmas.

Top Toys 2025: The Ultimate Christmas List for Kids

Read More Top Toys 2025: The Ultimate Christmas List for Kids
A festive holiday scene with Christmas trees, ornaments, and wrapped gifts surrounds the text: "Christmas Gift Guide – Discover the ultimate Christmas gifts and best kitchen gift ideas.”.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for the Kitchen

Read More The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for the Kitchen
Festive Christmas scene with decorated evergreen branches, string lights, ornaments, candles, and wrapped gifts frames the bold text "Christmas Gift Guide: The Best Stocking Filler and Secret Santa Gifts" in the center.

The Ultimate Secret Santa and Stocking Filler Gift Guide for Adults

Read More The Ultimate Secret Santa and Stocking Filler Gift Guide for Adults
Festive Christmas scene with ornaments, wrapped gifts, and greenery, featuring the text: "Christmas Gift Guide - The Best Children’s Christmas Gifts" in bold, black letters at the center.

The Ultimate Children’s Christmas Gift Guide

Read More The Ultimate Children’s Christmas Gift Guide
More Reviews, Gift Ideas and Giveaways

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Just Average Jen works with products and brands on sponsored and affiliate content. Advertising is via Mediavine. To advertise on this site please visit the work with me page.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Just Average Jen is an independent healthy lifestyle blog and the Slimming Recipes shared are in no way connected with any weight loss plan and no contributors have been trained by them or worked for them. It is the reader's responsibility to check Slimming World syn values, WW points and any other allowances themselves as those given are approximate. All recipes are unofficial Slimming World recipes, suitable for Weight Watchers, Noom and other diets.

Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with their doctor or health professional prior to making any changes to their diet or lifestyle. The information provided on this site is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

© 2025 Just Average Jen - Be Your Authentic Self: UK Lifestyle Blog

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