From Winter Stillness to Inner Light
- Laure of Nature
- Feb 6
- 7 min read
REFLEXIONS for February 2026
This January has felt especially heavy. Cold, dark, wet — a stark contrast to this time last year when we were closer to the sun in Brazil, immersed in warmth, light, and ease. Since returning from the recent festive break, the restart to work and getting back in the swing of the regular routines has needed a bit more effort! Around us, many people seem to be struggling at different levels, and there’s a collective sense that everything feels like wading through treacle. But yet… something is shifting.
I can feel the seasonal turning point of Imbolc — celebrated on the 1st of February, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Traditionally, Imbolc symbolises renewal, hope, and the gradual return of the light. There are days that now quietly hint that the earth is preparing for a burst of growth: the first snowdrops are emerging, the light is slowly stretching into the evenings, and the birds are beginning to sing again.
For me, this moment feels far more like a true New Year than the 1st of January. Imbolc invites us into rebirth and fresh beginnings. As the darkness fades, it offers us a chance to gently notice what we are ready to let go of — old patterns, heaviness, ways of being that no longer serve us — while consciously choosing what we want to birth into the coming Spring. This is a time for planting seeds, both practically and energetically.
On a wider level, I find myself wondering: Could this also be a time when we are being called to raise our vibration, not only for ourselves but for the planet as a whole? Teachers like Pam Gregory and Lee Harris speak about the importance of lighting up from the inside out — creating coherence that rises from the heart rather than the mind. As we witness fires, floods, wars and deep imbalances across the world, it feels increasingly clear that healing cannot come solely from force, strategy, or control. Perhaps it begins with inner alignment, compassion, and heart-led awareness.
So how do we raise our light from within and return to coherence?
Breath: The breath is one of our most immediate anchors. Gentle breath-holds, slow conscious breathing, or simply pausing to notice the inhale and exhale can rapidly shift our nervous system and bring us back into presence.
Water: Hydration is foundational. Drinking enough water, starting the day with a cup of warm water, and consciously blessing or appreciating what we drink can support both physical vitality and energetic flow.
Movement: I can’t reiterate enough how much Biodanza supports me in raising my vibration. Movement with music that is joyful, expressive, and relational helps shift stagnation and reconnect us to our essence. A short morning routine — even 20 minutes — combining strength, cardio, or HIIT can transform sluggishness and relief joint aches, while yoga supports flexibility, grounding, and flow.
Meditation: Spending just 15 minutes a day emptying the mind and creating space for compassion and self-love can be profoundly regulating. Stillness doesn’t mean doing nothing — it’s an active listening.
Heart coherence: Gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and love are powerful states that bring us into coherence. Try feeling one of these emotions fully in your body and gently guiding it into the area of your heart. Let the light spread.
Nature connection: As soon as you get the chance, step outside. Notice the beauty around you — the subtle changes, the resilience of life, the quiet intelligence of the natural world. Even a few minutes can recalibrate your system.
After rebuilding trust with our bodies through the quiet month of January (as shared in last month’s newsletter), it now feels important to ignite the inner flame and gently raise our vibration. For me, hydration, fermented foods and drinks, rest, and cultivating inner peace have been essential. Fibre-rich foods and gut health play such a key role in emotional balance and resilience — something I’ve been exploring further through recent BBC podcasts and research.
One of the highlights of January was our Fermentation Club on grains, porridges, and flakes. It was a truly inspiring evening where we explored the world of sourdough. I came home with a rye and a wholemeal sourdough starter and began experimenting — making fermented porridge, sourdough crumpets, and even my first ever miso rye bread! I have been having a porridge of fermented oats, miso and peanut butter and it has felt so amazing for my gut!
The recipe for fermented oats is really simple, just cover oats with warm water and some starter - either milk kefir or a dollop of sourdough. After 3 to 5 days, drain it and cook with your favourite milk, peanut butter, some dried fruit or banana for sweetening and add a teaspoon of miso at the end. It is so smooth and delicious!
My mantra for this month:
I am grateful for each breath I take.
I find the light from within
Upcoming Markets
Roath Market: 2nd Saturday of the Month.
Wenvoe: This market has now stopped
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 Stockist
Our products are available across South Wales and into Bristol and Bath, and we choose our stockists with great care. We work with independent, ethos-aligned outlets that share our values—please support them whenever you can.
Absorb product news for 2026
We are now stocking some lovely Fava Bean Miso made by Jackie from Umami chef, now available to buy from us at Markets and Worshops! Miso is a fantastic addition to any dish and will truly enhance your taste buds.
We are working on developing some new products:
- a new and simple kraut "naturelle" as well as some bigger jars for catering purposes
- A shrub (sweetened vinegar based syrup for use in mixed drinks) to use up our by products like fermented Blackcurrant & Hibiscus or ginger & Lemon.
We will bring samples to markets, clubs and workshops so you can taste it but 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.
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 organizations 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!
The Fermentation Club at Bacareto: Winter Season
Our third 'winter season' gut gathering on Wednesday 21st of January 2026 was a great success as we celebrated the theme of Fermented Grains, Flakes and Flours: Breads, porridges, and drinks. The evening was a delicious blend of tasting, sharing, and learning in a relaxed, community-centred atmosphere.
We were honoured to welcome our special guest speaker, Mark Stevens, Founder of the Cardiff-based bakery Riverside Sourdough. With years of experience making sourdough breads, Mark gave us a great insight into the art of making traditional sourdough breads and presented a 'getting-started' demo.
Our next Club will be in April and we will be covering the world of Koji and Miso! Keep you eyes peeled for the event to be announced very soon!
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.
Enroll 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 12.02.26 & 12.03
Newport, Monmouthshire, and Bristol: Thursday 26.02.26 & 20.03.26
Workshops and Talks on Fermentation and Digestive Health
Here are our workshops for the first quarter of 2026...
St Peters Community Center, Fairwater - Saturdays: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM:
Gift vouchers are now available to redeem against a Fermentation Workshop and a complementary bottle of Kefir on the chosen day - £30.
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.
Give Us a Review!
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 is back: Elderberry and Hibiscus - high in polyphenols (described by scientists as ‘strong antioxidants’ and said to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects).
Do your bit for the environment and remember to return your empty bottles and sauerkraut jars—reusing is much better than recycling!
Happy Imbolc season! 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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