Inspirations:
April is upon us already! The five-week month of March felt a little long at times but each week seemed to go by at a very fast pace! The Equinox on the 21st of March was a strong one with a lot of physical tension, particularly felt in the head with a light dizziness. On one day I really felt the need to ground myself and was lucky to discover a suitable solution at an event at Coed Hills, nr Cowbridge, with Cacao, ecstatic dancing and sound healing. While on a different day I couldn't function at all and had to lie down all afternoon. But it did pass and, even though I have a lot of ideas ready to germinate, I still needed time to integrate and embrace them. It certainly felt like a deep cleanse in order to make space for the New! As well as so many thoughts, emotions and feelings that seem to keep us occupied, we surround ourselves with so many material objects that do not serve us and keep us stuck in a clutter! Spring cleaning and decluttering is the theme of this new Month. I am inspired by Marie Kondo's 6 basic rules of tidying and her book The life changing magic of tidying: 1- Commit to tidying 2- Imagine your ideal life style 3- Finish discarding 4- Tidy by category not location 5- Follow the right order 6- Ask yourself if it sparks joy Creating physical space can have a strong healing power, as it creates clarity, space to grow and frees us from what is holding us back or distracting us. Many - or possibly even most! - possessions are only distractions and are not here to fuel our purpose; ask yourself: do you surround yourselves with these possessions by impulse or by intuition? Are the material things that surround you really in tune with yourself? It is possible to change and make space with a commitment to clear and declutter the environment your live in. Think of space creation as a surrender, a letting go!
I find that when I need to clear my thoughts for a specific focus, a short meditation before starting the task can be really inspirational and help to connect to creativity, the higher self and with focus afterwards - I always enjoy the meditations from Elisabeth Peru. You may also enjoy her free video about the Eclipse season coming up later this month.
I have been trying to add seasonal herbs and vegetables in my ferments recently, and a good one is wild garlic. It's so good to add to sauerkraut, kimchi or lacto-fermented vegetables like cauliflowers. You can also do that with nettle tops; these are high in iron and magnesium! Jerusalem artichokes are also in season. These are hard to digest but are the best pre-biotic to feed your gut bacteria. They need to be boiled with a tiny amount of bicarb of soda and then roasted, but they can also be fermented with cabbages and other veg like carrots and fennel.
You may enjoy my latest blog on lacto-fermentation of vegetables or come to one of my workshops for more inspiration!
My mantras for this month:
I let go of what does not serve me
I am at peace with my decisions
I trust my intuition
GOOD TO KNOW:
> South Wales Fermentation Revolution:
The WhatsApp group for fans of fermentation is growing with a few more people joining from our wonderful workshop in Iechyd Da, in Whitchurch. I was very impressed to see more men showing an interest in fermenting and seeing them enjoy the event! I have also invited a few more fermenters from the markets to the group, who are really keen to learn more and share their own experience. If you want to join us in this journey, do text me your phone number (07515493402).
> St Lucian Sea Moss Gel: we have decided to collaborate with Fresh & Blessed to bring this amazing product, made in Cardiff, to the markets - it helps to improve thyroid health, energy levels and to clear mucus - it if full of minerals and amazing for libido too!
> Food & Drink Festival and Music Festival season is coming in May, June and July! We are looking forward to attending a few, starting with Cowbridge food & Drink festival (last Bank Holiday in May), the Blue Lagoon festival (early June), Unearthed (mid June) and Bridgend Country Show (in July).
> Absorb T- Shirts: our T-Shirts are bursting with colour and available at markets or online. The design is from an original watercolour by my cousin Brigitte, in France.
> Drinking Water Kefir for better health: If you want to drink it regularly to support your health journey, there are 2 money-saving options available:
Join our subscription scheme by filling in this document and emailing it back to us completed (absorbhealth@outlook.com) *.
Learn how to make it yourself and acquire some grains - we can teach you all you need to know and provide a recipe!
*We deliver all around Cardiff and surrounding area - and further afield (see below). > Talks to Spread the Health: We are looking for spaces to run 1 hour free talks about Health around South Wales and welcome collaborations with retreats, foodies, chefs, yoga centres, hubs, communities...to share knowledge for better natural health... and to play a part in reducing the strain on the NHS. If you know of any interested people or places, please do get in touch. We have a free talk in March at Love, Live Light in Pontcanna, keep an eye on their page! > Grouped Deliveries outside of Cardiff: We have 2 separate 'grouped deliveries' a month. Please get in touch if you live in the areas detailed below and want a Water Kefir delivery:
Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea Valleys to Ystradgynlais: Next run is Friday 14th April, then 19th May
Newport, Monmouthshire and Bristol: Friday 21st of April, Sat 20th of May
WORKSHOPS and Talks: Workshops on Fermentation and Health are being planned throughout the year; the following are about digestive health but there will be more themes popping up:
Love Live Light - 1hr - Free Talk on Gut Health 22 March - evening time TBC, keep an eye on their page!
Tyn Cellar Farm, Kenfig/Pyle - Saturday 15 April: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Please check my calendar for the latest updates on which markets I'll be attending in the next couple of months and links to workshops (some will be updated later)! WATER KEFIR Flavour of the Month: Our Green Kefir is really refreshing: lemongrass, lime, nettle and spirulina! A great one for the detox season, bursting with zest and minerals!
Happy Spring Season!
Looking for Absorb products?
Local markets and where to collect, check out my calendar: https://www.absorbhealth.org/calendar
Or stockists: https://www.absorbhealth.org/stockists