Inspirations: November has been a much easier month for me as I took a deep dive into what I love doing most: fermenting and sharing the knowledge. It has inspired me greatly and I intend on doing much more of it in 2024!
The month started with an amazing day at Coed Hills, St. Hilary, (Nr. Cowbridge), fermenting vegetables and herbs from their land, planting trees in one of their fields and then later in the evening listening to talks and music that focused on the wonders of the soil and the land. In mid-November, I shared a workshop at Karry's Deli in Barry where the attendees learned to make sauerkraut, and to end the month at Silo in the borough of Hackney Wick, London, we joined fermentation gurus from all over the country for the annual Fermenters Guild gathering. Everyone brought something to taste and it was a kind of hedonistic experience!
I really felt at ease during November and even though it's one of the darkest and coldest months, as the Winter Solstice draws closer, I found myself energised with the things I love doing the most.
Being at ease is also about being at peace with those elements of one's life that can create tension or even boredom. I found a way to actually enjoy the moments that were creating tension by being present in the now, rather than over-thinking or dwelling, and letting go. Changing your frame of mind around the things that really annoy you, realising that tension is just a waste of energy and letting it go, you can create a peaceful space in your mind and feel calm and relaxed. Believing that these challenging moments are here to teach you something new about yourself can also lead you to taking steps towards change and even attract what you really need - turning the negative into a big positive!
The mind appeared to be under a strong influence on Monday 27th November with the full moon in Gemini. I noticed people being very defensive and argumentative over such small things. I personally encountered a headache that day and welcomed a lovely Epsom salt bath to release it. As I looked into the impact of the full moon in Gemini I discovered this lovely website that talks about astrology, yoga and meditation basics.
A lot of memories also tend to resurface around this time and we need to ensure we do not get caught up in any real-life drama... …for our own well-being. Acknowledging and choosing to be at ease in any stressful situation can only help to turn them towards much better outcomes.
Being aware of yourself in challenging moments and being open to the following can really help:
Look for opportunities to say Yes if someone suggests something; be open to go with it as that person may have sensed something in you that you may never have thought about yourself.
Trust yourself into new things.
Celebrate small successes.
Be resilient if things don't work out first time.
Be open and transparent.
Choose to do things that make the biggest impact.
Know your boundaries and allow time to take care of your own well-being.
Connect with nature and stay grounded.
Can you challenge yourself this month to be at ease with the things you find most difficult and challenging in your life?
Here is a link to good nutrition to keep you strong in the winter. Also if you are looking for guidance as to what 2024 will bring you, this free event from Lee Harris on the solstice (21.12.23) may be a great support or you may want to attend a lovely ecstatic dance at Coed Hills!
This month, I am very grateful for Becky's recipe, @onlylovekitchen, as it touches on the subject of fermented batters (a Farinata with chickpea flour). It's a lovely and easy recipe and I've had a go myself, adding feta and sesame seeds: Caramelised Red Onion & Beetroot Farinata, enjoy with our Ginger Krautslaw!
My mantra for this month:
I am at ease with my surroundings
I trust the flow of life
GOOD TO KNOW:
> South Wales Fermentation Revolution:
The WhatsApp group for fans of fermentation is growing with more fermenters being added at each market and event I attend. If you are keen to learn and up for sharing your fermenting experiences, text me your phone number and you'll soon be on the journey with us! (07515493402).
> Talks to Spread the Health:
We want to share our knowledge with more people and want ferments to be accessible to ALL! We'll be running more talks throughout the year and the first is in January at Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff.
If you know of any people or places who want to know more about fermentation, please get in touch. We can offer talks, demos and workshops, and run tasting sessions of water kefir and sauerkraut.
> Christmas Holiday: Our last Water Kefir and Sauerkraut deliveries will be on Thursday 21st of December. Please check out our end of year markets in December or order in advance so you don't miss out on stocking up for the festive season!
> Christmas Hampers: if you want to gift someone with something special for Christmas why not offer a hamper bag. We can combine our lovely products, Water Kefir starter-packs and accessories either in a small or larger bag. Please check this list for all the options you can buy and you can collect at markets or at the Studios before the 21st of December.
> Website links and references: we are in the process of updating our web site at the moment and we added a pages with lots of links and references to authors, books and podcasts! Check it out!
> Accessories: Absorb Glasses and T- Shirts: if you want some gift ideas for Christmas, our lovely T-shirts and glasses are available to order on line or buy at markets.
> Drinking Water Kefir for better health: If you want to drink our Water Kefir 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 at (absorbhealth@outlook.com) *.
Learn how to make it yourself! We can sell you some grains, give you a receipt and teach you all you need to know!
*We deliver all around Cardiff and surrounding area - and further afield (see below).
> Grouped Deliveries outside of Cardiff: We have 2 separate delivery runs each month that go east of Cardiff one week and west of Cardiff on the other. Please get in touch if you live in the areas detailed below and want a Water Kefir delivery:
Gower, Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea Valleys to Ystradgynlais: Next runs are Tues 12.12 & 09.01
Newport, Monmouthshire and Bristol: Thurs 25.01 (no delivery in December)
WORKSHOPS and Talks:
Workshops on Fermentation and Digestive Health
Wednesday 17.01.24, Insole court - Talk
Sat 03.02.24 Insole Court - Workshop (link coming soon!)
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
It's our festive Spiced Apple and Blackberry, made from crispy apples from our allotment with (hints of) cloves and cardamom to aid digestion. This flavour will also be available in the shops and is a great gift for Christmas!
Do your bit for the environment and remember to return your empty bottles and sauerkraut jars - reusing is much better than recycling!
Joyeux Noel to all! Thank you for following Absorb!
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
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