This month of August feels like it is very much about embracing the abundant light that surrounds us. As the weather reaches its peak, the Sun shines brightly, offering us its warmth and energy, to absorb its rays and store them within ourselves to carry us through the coming months.
Connecting with your body is essential during this time. Pay attention to the sensations, emotions, and breath that flow through you. By being present in your body, you can cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs.
Take a moment to tap into your Inner Goddess. Before starting your day, hold your heart and ask yourself, "How are you today?" and "What do you need today?" These simple questions can guide you towards a more mindful and intentional day where you can make a promise to look after yourself.
Before going to bed, reflect on three things you are grateful for from the day. Practicing gratitude can shift your perspective and invite more light into your life too.
Explore resources like Susan Kennard's "Awaken the Light Within" and Kirsty Gallagher's "The Goddess Path" to deepen your spiritual journey. These authors offer great tools and insights into healing and self-discovery.
Pay attention to any emotions or negative beliefs that may arise, acknowledging them as a part of yourself. These feelings may manifest physically in your body, observe them without any judgment, allow them space to exist, and release them with love. By doing so, you will invite more inner light into your being.
In a world filled with external negativity, focus on receiving and embodying as much light as possible. Avoid getting caught up in the chaos of the outside world by staying centred and connected to your inner light.
Reflect on the unity and love present in events like the Olympic Games, while also acknowledging the competitive and ego-driven nature of such gatherings. Find a balance between competition and cooperation, embodying the essence of light and love in all that you do. I really think that Novak represents this true balance!
The late summer month of August also holds significance in Chinese medicine as it is associated with the EARTH element, represented by the colours yellow and orange and is also connected to thyroid energy, bridging the gap between our heart and mind. It provides an opportunity for us to elevate ourselves by nurturing our soul through heart energy. Discovering inner peace and radiating our light to the world is a core purpose of our existence, emphasizing the importance of showing love to all beings.
The Lion's Gateway on the 8th of August is a cosmic event that aligns the sun in Leo, Earth, the Orion belt, and Sirius, creating a portal for heightened energy flow between the physical and spiritual realms. This alignment offers a powerful opportunity to manifest dreams and invite more light into our lives. Meditation is a great mean to travel to these realms!
When it comes to maintaining well-being during such transformative times, a clean diet plays a crucial role. Embracing raw foods, green juices, and sprouting can be so beneficial during this period as well as staying well hydrated and keeping fit.
In the summer and with surplus courgettes, I love digging out my spiralizer to make raw pasta dishes. I would add these to a kale pesto with walnuts or try this sauce recipe from Becky @onlylovekitchen:
Creamy roasted red pepper, allotment tomato & tahini pasta sauce
This recipe is both simple and delicious, making it ideal for a fast midweek meal. It works well when you have an abundance of tomatoes ripening on the vine and find yourself with an excess of this fruit. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a plant nutrient associated with heart health and numerous other health advantages.
Ingredients (Recipe makes 4 portions)
500 grams tomatoes
1 red pepper
4 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon soy sauce / tamari
1 lemon juiced
*Optional chilli flakes, cheese & lemon slices for garnish
Method
~Preheat the oven at 200c.
~ Bake in the same pan the whole garlic, chopped roasted red pepper and whole tomatoes with sugar coated in a little oil. Bake for 25 minutes until soft and starting to brown.
~ Cook the pasta to package instructions. Let the tomatoes, peppers and garlic cool slightly and then add to a blender with tahini, soya sauce & lemon until creamy.
~Stir the creamy sauce through the pasta.
~Season to taste and add the optional chilli flakes, extra virgin olive oil, grated cheese & lemon slices for garnish.
~Serve with a leafy green salad or micro greens.
My mantras for this month:
I am love and light
I live in love, joy, bliss and freedom
GOOD TO KNOW:
We are on holiday from August 24th to 2nd of September!
> Great Taste Awards Latest News:
Our Ginger & Lemon won a star again for 2024 but also our Lavender YAY!!!…here is the interesting feedback from the judges:
“A delicate looking drink with an appetising ginger aroma alongside lactic notes. The fizz is delicate and fine - we really enjoyed this aspect. The flavour itself is an interesting balance of ginger and vinegar-like notes, similar to a kombucha. Refreshing and clean overall, and perhaps a good alternative to tonic; or as a gentle lemonade-style drink. A simply delicious drink, however, and deserving of a star. This kefir has a well-balanced level of carbonation to give a good mouthfeel. This drink is well balanced with the fermented notes, citrus and ginger working in harmony to give a refreshing. enjoyable drink - a little more ginger would help add a bit more complexity and length for an even higher award.”
“This is clever - it smells like lavender, and it tastes like lavender with a very slight and quite welcome lactic tang. It won't be to everyone's taste, as lavender divides people, but this delivers exactly what you would expect from a lavender water kefir. It’s bright, aromatic and refreshing. A grown-up drink.
A slightly cloudy drink, with a pleasant lavender coloured tinge. The judges found the level of carbonation pleasing. To take this drink to the next level we recommend experimenting with other flavours to pair with the lavender to give it more depth. There is a vibrant lilac colour to this gently carbonated kefir. The use of lavender in food products can be very challenging but in this kefir it has been very well handled so that the clean, fresh flavour of the lavender comes through to give a tasty, refreshing drink.”
> A few more festivals:
St Fagan’s food festival: talk and demo on Sunday 08.09…bring a friend!
Newport Food festival (Oct 14th)
> South Wales Fermentation Revolution:
The WhatsApp group for fermentation enthusiasts is growing with each market and event I attend, welcoming new fermenters. If you are keen on learning and sharing your fermentation experiences, kindly provide your phone number to join us soon! (07515493402) Please note that residing in the South to West Wales region is necessary.
We are planning a Gathering on Tuesday 26th of November! Please pencil it in your calendars!
> Salt from the Vendee: Did you know that Celtic salt from Olonne sur mer in Vendee is rich in minerals and harvested by hand? You may be interested in Barbara O’Neill's insights on salt and water. Only three producers in this picturesque spot offer this unique salt.
> Initiatives for Promoting Wellness: Our goal is to expand our expertise to a wider audience and ensure that fermentation is within everyone's reach! If you are aware of individuals, communities, or venues interested in learning more about fermentation, kindly reach out to us. We are able to provide presentations, demonstrations, workshops, as well as conduct tasting events featuring water kefir and sauerkraut. Click here to get a glimpse!
> Bridge Studio News: Our production pace has been reduced as we focus on expanding our product offerings to more independent shops and fewer markets. We have acquired a 2-head filling machine and plan to invest in a labelling machine, as well as introduce new flavour variations in the Autumn! We are looking to expand our team, so if you are interested in being part of our exciting journey, please contact Laure or Alan!
> Website links and references: Our website has been refreshed, and a new page featuring links to authors, books, and podcasts that we enjoy has been included.! Check it out!
> Accessories: Absorb Glasses and T-Shirts: Our vibrant T-shirts and drinking glasses are available for online orders or can be bought 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 Pontardawe and Ystradgynlais: Next runs are Thurs 8.08/ 12.09 . Newport, Monmouthshire and Bristol: Thurs 22.08/ 26.09
WORKSHOPS and TALKS on Fermentation and Digestive Health:
Our last workshops have really been amazing and I have such so much lovely feedback, I am so grateful and happy to have inspired you a bit more in your Journey! Here are the next workshops due after the Summer holiday:
Saturday September 21st, Coed Hills - 10.30 to 12.30 AM
Saturday October 26th, Global gardens – Check their website for more info!
Saturday November 2nd , Insole court– 10.30 to 12.30 AM
Tuesday November 26th, The great Gut Gathering, Evening at Coed Hills: Preserving and Foraging Talk, ferments sharing, 3 course dinner using fermented foods and music (more details coming in September)
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 late summer bright yellow kefir, infused with the vibrant flavours of Turmeric and Elderflower, is now available for you to enjoy!
Turmeric, renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce inflammation in the body and support overall well-being. Elderflower, with its delicate floral notes, complements the boldness of Turmeric, creating a harmonious blend that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also offers anti-histamine properties. Together, these ingredients form a refreshing and healthful kefir that is perfect for savouring during the late summer days. Treat yourself to a glass of this golden elixir and experience the goodness of nature in every sip!
Do your bit for the environment and remember to return your empty bottles and sauerkraut jars - reusing is much better than recycling!
Happy Late Summer 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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