The Vegetarian Student Cookbook (Hamlyn Cookery) includes over 200 vegetarian student-friendly recipes.

What is it?

Avocado (or  'avocado pear') is the fruit of the avocado tree (persea americana). It has a rough green skin and a greenish yellow flesh.

Why is it a pleasure?

Its flesh is rich, smooth and creamy, and is often used in salads or to make guacamole.

Why is it good for you?

Avocado is rich in potassium, B vitamins, vitamin E, K and folate. It is also rich in fat, but most of its fat is monounsaturated.

The holidays are coming, so here are some ideas for presents and festive decorations...

As for ethical stocking fillers, check out this selection by Your Tomorrow, which include a paper recycling kit, colourful fairtrade felt bags made by a cooperative of women in Nepal, handbags made of see grass and paper made of elephant dung (which could make the ideal present for your mother in law).

What is it?

Featured on Making Slough Happy, it is a new dance from Latin Americ. There are no steps to learn and the movements are inspired by your feelings and the people you are dancing with.

Why is it a pleasure?

According to psychologist Dr Richard Stevens, who took part in Making Slough Happy and is chair of the Association of Humanistic Psychology, biodanza "encourages creativity and spontaneity and the feeling of being in a community".

What is it?

It's the process of making compost, i.e. the aerobically decomposed remnants of biodegradable material. Compost is then typically used to enrich the soil in gardening and farming (but it can also be used for other purposes, for example to control erosion, cover landfills and construct wetlands).

Why is it good for the world?

It is a way of recycling biodegradable waste, such as vegetable peelings and tea bags, and improving soil quality.