Centered Consciousness

Laure of Nature
Apr 10
7 min read

We have felt very grateful for a recent trip to the Alsace, to catch-up with family and to taste the traditional specialities and fine wines of the region. We also had a short stop in Namur, Belgium, and noticed the positive messages doted all around the town's shop windows. It's a wonderful initiative that I'd love to see in Cardiff.

I hope you are now enjoying this little heatwave (it may be over by the time you read this!). April is unfolding in its own quiet, yet powerful way. After the intensity of the past months — the shifts, the retrogrades, the energetic recalibrations — there is now an invitation to come back to something much simpler, yet profoundly deeper: ourselves.

Not the busy mind, not the reactive emotions, but the steady presence underneath it all.

In The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer speaks about what he calls “centered consciousness” — the seat of awareness within us that simply observes. It is the part of us that notices thoughts, emotions, sensations… without becoming them. And what a powerful practice this is, especially in times when the external world feels loud or overwhelming. So often, we get pulled into the noise — the inner dialogue, the worries, the constant doing. But what if, instead, we allowed ourselves to step back? To witness rather than react?

Centered consciousness is not about withdrawing from life. It is about being fully present within it — but from a place of stability, clarity, and openness. It is the difference between being in the storm… and sitting peacefully at its center.

A straightforward approach to start examining this is by cultivating gentle awareness:

In your daily life, take a moment to observe your thoughts.Before getting into your car or answering the phone, ask yourself if there's any drama or conversation starting. A common scenario is when you pass someone you know on the street and they don't acknowledge you; you might begin to question if something is wrong, creating stories about yourself or the other person. These thoughts are just an energy drain. Recognize them but stay as an observer, even for just a few seconds. This helps you return to your center and prevents you from falling into a cycle.

From this place, something beautiful happens — space opens. And within that space, there is peace, clarity, and a natural sense of alignment.

This month also carries the energy of Easter — a time rich in symbolism, far beyond its traditions. At its heart, Easter is about renewal, rebirth, and resurrection. Not just in a physical or religious sense, but spiritually. It invites us to reflect on what within us is ready to be released… and what is ready to rise. Old patterns, limiting beliefs, emotional weight — these can be seen as the “old self” we are gently being asked to let go of.

And from that letting go, something new emerges: a lighter, calmer version of ourselves — one that is more connected to truth, to presence, to love. Just as nature is awakening around us, we too are being invited to awaken… not by adding more, but by returning to our center.

Some simple ways to cultivate centered consciousness and align with this energy:

In the morning, before reaching for your phone, sit for a moment in stillness. Feel your breath. Notice the space within. Let your day begin from presence, not urgency.
Throughout the day, observe your thoughts instead of following them. You don’t need to believe everything your mind says.
Spend time in nature — not to “do” anything, but simply to be. Let the stillness of the natural world remind you of your own.
Move your body in a way that feels free and intuitive — whether through walking, stretching, or dance. Let it be an expression, not a task.
Nourish yourself with foods that feel alive and supportive. Spring greens, sprouts, herbal teas — all helping to gently cleanse and uplift both body and mind.

What happens when you live from your center?

You respond instead of react. You create space instead of pressure. You feel calm even when life moves around you.

Gratitude deepens — not because everything is perfect, but because you are present enough to notice what already is.

Step outside. Feel the air. Listen. Observe.

Life is not asking you to chase it, it is inviting you to experience it — fully, consciously, from within.

My mantras for this month:

I am the observer, not the noise

I return to my center with ease

I trust the unfolding of my inner renewal

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The wild garlic season is still on but hurry, once they flower it is no longer good to consume! It's a fantastic ingredient to cook with and offers excellent health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and providing vitamins A and C! We have already many some great pestos and will be trying to ferment the leaves with other greens! You can also use it in your kimchi.

You can still collect the buds to make this lovely Oxymel which I always love to share as tasters at my fermentation workshops.

April is an ideal time to incorporate green juicing, sprouting seeds, chickpeas, lentils, and mung beans, for instance, and drinking nettle-top tea, to help elevate our vibrations and boost our energy. Nettles are high with minerals like magnesium and also great for cleansing the blood! You can make soup or tea with them, but I thought I would repost this vegan cheese cake recipe from Spicy Moustache.

Upcoming Markets

Our Calendar:

Roath Market: 2nd Saturday of the Month.
Usk Market: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month; keep an eye on the calendar.
Kenfig Market: 3rd Sunday of the Month.

Absorb Water Kefir Stockists

Our products can be found throughout South Wales and in Bristol and Bath. We carefully select our stockists, collaborating with independent, ethos-aligned outlets that share our values—please support them whenever possible.

Absorb Product News for 2026

The Sweet Fava Bean Miso made by Jackie from Umami Chef, is a real success and is available to buy from us at Markets and Workshops! Miso is an excellent addition to any dish and will truly elevate your taste buds and your gut microbiome, it's also high in enzymes so another boost to your digestive system.
We are developing some new products:
- A new kraut "blanc-nature", inspired by Pav of Paul's Organic Veg; "Us Poles like a natural kraut without anything added". Available now at markets.
*bigger jars for catering purposes are also available.
- A shrub (syrup sweetened apple cider vinegar - with the mother - for use as a mixer). The syrup is made from the by-products of our Blackcurrant & Hibiscus and Ginger & Lemon water kefirs. We are still experimenting with this at the moment!

We'll bring samples to markets, clubs, and workshops so you can have a taste - so far the feedback has been great!

Join the South Wales Fermentation Revolution

Are you interested in joining our WhatsApp group for fermentation enthusiasts? If you're eager to try it out, learn, and share your fermentation experiences, please provide your phone number to join us! (07515493402). This group is available to residents of the South to West Wales area.

REMINDER:

The Fermentation Club at Bacareto: Spring Season

Our fourth gut gathering is fast approaching on Wednesday 22nd of April 2026 where we'll explore the world of Koji, celebrating the theme of Koji, Miso and Amino Sauces.

We’re honoured to welcome our special guest speaker, Jakie Bailey, analytical chemist & Founder of Umami Chef, producing miso and tamari from British grown beans using traditional Japanese techniques. Jackie will give a demo on Miso, Amino Sauce (Ukaki) and Shio Koji.

The evening will be a blend of tasting, sharing and learning, in a relaxed, community-centred atmosphere. We are really excited and hope you can join us.

Book here to secure you space!

Or contact us direct to book your tickets - and avoid admin fees! : )

Promoting Wellness and Bringing Communities Together

Our mission focuses on bringing the magic of fermentation to the largest possible audience. This ancient practice is not only nourishing but also a powerful way to bring communities together. If you know of people, groups, or organisations interested in fermentation, we would be delighted to connect with them. We offer engaging talks, interactive demonstrations, inspiring workshops, and, of course, delicious tastings! Whether for a community group, workplace wellness event, or local gathering, we are dedicated to making fermentation both enjoyable and accessible.

Let’s spread the joy of fermentation—together. Click here to get a glimpse!

Drinking Water Kefir for Better Health

If you want to consume our Water Kefir regularly for health benefits, there are two cost-effective options you can choose from.

Enrol in our subscription program by completing this document and sending it to us via email at absorbhealth@outlook.com.
Discover how to make it yourself by joining one of our workshops, or we can sell you some grains, provide a recipe, and teach you everything you need to know!

We deliver all around Cardiff and the surrounding area—and further afield too!

Grouped Deliveries Outside of Cardiff

We have two separate delivery runs each month that go East of Cardiff one week and West of Cardiff the next. Please get in touch if you live in or around the areas detailed below and want a Water Kefir delivery:

Gower, Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea Valleys, Pontardawe, and Ystradgynlais: Next runs are Thursday 9.04.26 & 14.05.26
Newport, Monmouthshire, and Bristol: Thursday 22.04.26 & 28.05.26

Workshops and Talks on Fermentation and Digestive Health

We cannot schedule any additional workshops in April and May, but more will be available starting in June. Please check out our linktree or my calendar for the latest updates on which markets I’ll be attending in the coming months, along with links to workshops, festivals, and gatherings.

Gift vouchers are now available to redeem against a Fermentation Workshop and a complementary bottle of Kefir on the chosen day - £30.

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Whether you love our products or have enjoyed one of our workshops, we would be so grateful if you could write a review here so we can spread the word about all the benefits of consuming Water Kefir and learning about fermented food and drinks!

Water Kefir Flavour of the Month

Our immune-boosting Winter flavour was enjoyed by many but we are now switching to a green and zingy flavour: Lemongrass, Lime, Nettle and Spirulina!

Do your bit for the environment and remember to return your empty bottles and sauerkraut jars—reusing is much better than recycling!

Happy Spring season! Thank you for following Absorb!