February 2023 – The Power of the Heart

Inspirations:

I hope your first month of 2023 has been a good one. It has certainly not been an easy month for many who seem to have been shaken by the ripple effect of the last 2 years, which has challenged them both physically and mentally.

Luckily many have experienced an awakening and found that a dive into the soul and forging a true connection to the heart has helped find a path to - hopefully - overcoming their issues.

Breathing and listening! Focusing on your breathing and listening to your heart can help to control what you want to express, with more gentle and considered responses that can maintain harmony at challenging times; for example, in verbal disagreements or confrontations with people close to you, when key decisions need to be made, or when the circumstances around you seem chaotic and upsetting. By connecting with your heart you can rise above the dramas and respect who you really are. Listen to your heart and it will guide you to the path that's best for you.

Love is the opposite of fear. Loving yourself, listening to the messages that your heart and body send you, enjoying nourishing foods and drinking clean water will enable you to start activating your dreams and ideas that are buried deep inside, like a little seed that is waiting to grow. Tuning in, finding inner peace. Does this resonate with you?

You may enjoy this interesting and inspiring documentary on the Gaia Channel about the Power of the heart, I loved it!
Try to allocate a minimum of 5 minutes, twice a day, to meditate (slowly increase the time if possible) to connect to your breath.
Connect with nature: nature starts showing us signs of life again, with snowdrops and daffodils waking up to dazzle in simple beauty. The days are gradually getting lighter and there's nothing more enjoyable it seems than a lovely walk in the countryside on a crisp and sunny February day.
Try an earthing sheet on your bed to help you ground while sleeping
Enjoy a Valentine of yourself!

At this point in February we are half way through the Winter solstice and the Spring equinox, what is called Imbolc. It is a time of balance and integrating what has been learnt and worked on over the last few months, a great time for journaling and reflecting on how you are feeling. Finding time alone is important this year and going deeper into our own heart through the above exercises and nurturing your self love, noticing the little things that make you happy! After the super New moon on the 20th of the month it will be time to act on our new intentions!

I have been enjoying many podcasts recently and was fascinated by this conversation by Druh Purohit and the Psychologist Ellen Vora on the healing power of psychedelics and how they can help in that journey to be closer to your heart. Here is also a great podcast from Patrick Holford on heart health and the current situation with increased death rates.

Nutritious foods are so important and at this time we can still be very drawn to comforting foods with root vegetables, I have been keenly adding a bit of spice to my meals, like Kimchi (recipe link), Miso and Chilli sauce, but also adding some fresh salad on the side. Lambs lettuce is in season and I was lucky enough to find some growing freely in my allotment. It is so earthy, I love it with a nice dressing, some roasted walnut and loads of Engevita yeast flakes!

My mantras for this month (same as last month!):

I am connected to my heart

I am at peace with myself and the decisions I make

GOOD TO KNOW:

> South Wales Fermentation Revolution:

the WhatsApp group for the fans of fermentation has been set up now with our participants of our last workshops. Here we can share skills, recipes and experiences of preserving and fermenting foods. Do text me your phone number if you want to join me in this new journey (07515493402).

> New Absorb T- shirts: our new T-shirts (subtly branded!) are bursting with colour and available at markets or online. The design is from an original watercolour made by my cousin, Brigitte back in France.

> Drinking Water Kefir for better health: If you feel Water kefir really benefits you and you want to drink it regularly to support your health journey, there are 2 money-saving options available to you:

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 people or places interested, please do get in touch.

> 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: second Wednesday of the month. This month is 08.02.
Newport, Monmouthshire and Bristol: last Wednesday of the month. This month is 22.02.

WORKSHOPS and Talks:

Workshops on Fermentation and Health are being planned throughout the year; theses are about digestive health, but there will be more themes coming up:

Cowbridge, St Hilary, Coed Hills, The Dove Love Ceramics - Saturday 18.02.23 - 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Lechyd Da, Whitchurch, Cardiff Tuesday 14.03 - 6.30 to 8.30 pm
Love live light - 1hr- Free talk on Gut Health 22.03
Ty Celyn Farm, Kenfig/ Pyle - Saturday 25.04 - 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 the links to workshops (some will be updated later)!

WATER KEFIR

Immune Boosting Flavour of the Month :

Elderberry & Hibiscus: this flavour has been very popular in January, a velvet, burgundy colour with deep flavours with high anti-oxidant levels!

Happy Imbolc Season!