November 2023 – Move

Updated: Feb 6

Inspirations: November was an amazing month in the world of fermentation for me and has really been an inspiration to do much more in this field in 2024! We had this amazing Coed Cauldron day at Coed Hills which was completely magic as all the vegetables we fermented were coming from their land. We also did tree planting and listened to talks and music around the land! We also ran a little work shop at Karry's deli in Barry and spent a weekend in Hackneys with the gurus of fermentation in the UK, this was just another level! Workshops/ talks and festival??

After the second eclipse on October 28th with the full moon in Taurus, I finally felt a release, as my body began unlocking itself. During these times of 'bodily tension' it is essential to keep moving, even in a gentle way and without pushing yourself. And as we are now entering the darker months, it's important to move your body in order to keep the energy flowing and the warmth in.

Movement is also very important for Mental Health. I've been inspired by the Ted talk from Leon Taylor, a diver who competed in a few Olympic Games. He underlines the importance of being more in our bodies and not so much in our minds, to release endorphins and reduce low moods and stress. Have you found your movement yet? I mean the one movement that fills you with JOY?

During October, I tried a Belly Dancing class and found it so lovely to be able to connect my body with the music, in those very subtle undulating arabic dance moves. I am hoping to attend classes on a regular basis next year. Here you can hear some arabic music that may inspire you too! Ecstatic Dance is another movement class that I attend at least once a month, as I can freely express myself in the movements and the music. And I love watching Antoni Androulakis as his body expresses both contemporary and classical music in a very profound way - I hope you feel inspired!

Moving with mindfulness and inner awareness is also something that has tweaked my interest as posture can have a massive impact on your whole body. I love running and this talk with Helen Hall on postures for running is worth a watch; she explains how pain can actually derive from simply the head not sitting properly onto the skeleton! I guess yoga is a great start in terms of learning body movement mindfulness. As you follow your breath and movement, you really focus and connect with that body of yours and create a lovely flow of well-being.

Movement creates energy and our bodies are the expression of an ecosystem powered by our gut microbiome. The energy created through movement connects us all. For a more profound explanation of these thoughts please have a listen to Zach Bush in this podcast with Rangan Chaterjee.

Would you challenge yourself this month to find movements that bring you joy? Be curious, be free, try something new and reflect on how it makes you feel afterwards...and don't forget to take your extra vitamin D as the natural sun light is becoming scarce. This will really help keep your mood up!

This month we have been given this seasonal and warming recipe that Becky @onlylovekitchen put together for us: Cumin, Chilli & Butternut Squash Soup topped with Toasted Mushrooms & extra virgin Olive Oil, enjoy!

My mantra for this month:

I am movement

I am energy

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:

Our demos and workshops in the last two months have been a real joy; at St Fagans Food Festival and with the chefs from Bacareto at Spit & Sawdust (off Newport Road)! I can't wait to meet more and more people sharing their new ferments!

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.

> Food & Drink Festivals :

NOVEMBER 4TH: Coed Cauldron in Coed Hills, a day to get close to the land. We will be running a fermentation workshop with the vegetables from Coed, making our own ferments to take away - and lunch is included!

> Christmas Holiday: Our last Water Kefir and Sauerkraut deliveries will be on Thursday 22nd 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!

> 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 14.11 - 12.12
Newport, Monmouthshire and Bristol: Thurs 30.11 (no delivery in December)

WORKSHOPS and Talks:

Workshops on Fermentation and Digestive Health

Tuesday 14th Nov 23 - Karry's Deli - 18.30 to 20.30 PM Barry (sold out)
More coming up in the new year!

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:

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!

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