Hello, welcome and thank you for signing up to 'Postcards of Joy', my new monthly newsletter bringing you stories that lift the soul. 

I hope this finds you safe and well.

We may have met via a WI talk or  my website or through my social media, @healthyhappy50. 

It is lovely to meet you again here and thank you for inviting me into your inbox. I know what a precious space this is.

On a snowy day in Yorkshire, I feel so fortunate to be sending you my 1st newsletter and would love to hear more about you. Please introduce yourself and tell me what has brought you joy in these difficult days and what you would like to see in future newsletters? Please let me know using the link below. 

Thank you again and I hope these stories lift your soul as they did mine. 

From my heart to yours. Jo x x

PS If you have received Postcards of Joy twice, I do apologise. I'm wrangling with the technology! Next month there will be just one copy. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Create Joy - Made with Love by the WI - Women's Institute.

Earlier this month I discovered this stunning and moving photograph of 62 quilts sewn with love by Birket Wood WI for a refuge for women and children. Just click the link below to read more.  Photo copyright: Caroline Ellis

Film Joy - The Joy of Ice Skating

My friends at Wildbase recently presented this wonderful film about ice skating in Norway at one of their adventure evenings. It is called A Nordic Skater. The Director Paulius Neverbickas kindly sent some photos + permission to share it with you. Just click the link and spend 5 minutes on the beautiful Norwegian ice! Photo copyright: Paulius Neverbickas

Read Joy - The Joy of Small Things - Daily Lockdown Walks with a Camera. I love this article in the Guardian by author and photographer Anna Deacon on taking time to notice nature when out walking, savouring the moment and the joy of tiny things.

What small joys have you noticed when outdoors?

Photo copyright: Anna Deacon. 

Anna and her friend Vicky Allan are currently working on a new book about nature and you can find them on Instagram @thewildfix.

Listen to Joy - Podcast Joy!

Do you listen to podcasts? I love them and have found them such a wonderful and uplifting way to 'meet' new people or learn new things. Lovely when I'm pottering in the house or on a walk. In fact, you'll see below I have been so inspired I have launched my own!

One of my favourite podcasts is The Outdoors Fix by Liv Bolton. I met Liv in 2019 at Kendal Mountain Festival and later when she kindly interviewed me.

She has a beautiful style of interviewing,  her guests are so interesting and she brings you sounds of nature on each episode.

Liv's podcasts are aimed at inspiring you to make adventures a bigger part of your life. Just press below to listen!

Photo copyright: Liv Bolton. 

Drink Joy - What's your favourite tea? I have recently discovered Clipper Peppermint Tea for chilly walks and cosy evenings at home. This walk was before lockdown at Christmas close to home in the Dales. I usually buy it from my friends Steep + Filter in Skipton or Pura Ilkley in Addingham but you can also buy it directly from Clipper Teas. 

Also there are no affiliate links - I'm just sharing a delicious tea that is in plastic free tea bags!

The flask was a gift from SiggGB.

Bake Joy - Homemade Soda Bread - a Jamie Oliver recipe!

I love this simple Jamie Oliver recipe which I've been making for years. I sometimes use plain yogurt if I can't get buttermilk. I also swap the plain flour for rye or spelt. Oh and I use oats instead of oatmeal sometimes too. It's a very flexible recipe! Do you have a favourite bread recipe? 

A loaf fresh out of the oven in my kitchen sunshine!

Move with Joy - The Joy of SUP Podcast!

As you may know, I love SUP - Stand Up Paddleboarding. I love it so much, I recently created a new podcast called The Joy of SUP - The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast.

I launched with my first guest, ocean advocate, Cal Major on Christmas Eve! It has had such a lovely response and the listener numbers have passed all my expectations! Just click below to listen. I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Meet Joy - Introducing Winnie Poaty!

We may not be able to meet new friends in person, but one of my hopes is to introduce you to people who I feel embody joy. Winnie Poaty is one such woman. She describes herself as a 'Congolese lady loving life in the Lake District'. You can find her on Instagram @winniepoaty. 

Winnie owns I Luv Me Most boutique, is a wild + ice swimmer and mental health advocate. She is part of the amazing WonderfulWildWomen community.

Kind, encouraging, inspiring, seeing Winnie on social media feels like stepping into sunshine. I hope we will get to meet in real life this year! 

Who feels like sunshine to you?

Photo copyright: @winniepoaty @jumpyjames Jumpy James Photography 

Personal Joy - Brave Enough - A Journey Home to Joy

I have some personal news about joy!

As you may know, in summer 2019, I paddleboarded coast to coast 162 miles from Liverpool to Goole picking up litter and raising money for The Wave Project and 2MinuteBeachClean Foundation. 

A filmmaker Frit Sarita Tam of Passion Fruit Pictures asked if she could join me to make a film about the adventure. 

We are thrilled to share that Brave Enough - A Journey Home to Joy is now ready for release! 

You can read about the film and our friendship here and here.

We have our premiere on February 25th 2021 online via Zoom.

To book tickets @ £10 (£6 for NHS staff, keyworkers and those on a low income) press the link here.

I will be sharing more in February and in the meantime, click below to watch the trailer.  

I hope you enjoy it!

What makes you feel brave? I would love to know.  

Photo copyright: Frit Sarita Tam 

Thank you so much once again for being part of the 'Postcards of Joy' community. I hope you have found something that has lifted your soul and brought a smile to your face during these difficult days. 

My aim is to bring you new stories once a month and I am already collating uplifting joys to share with you in February! 

I will also be sending a special extra Brave Enough edition in early February. 

Thank you for inviting me into your inbox and wishing you a safe and healthy week ahead.

Until next time, from my heart to yours, Jo xx 

Here I am standing by a 2MinuteBeachClean Station - more on this next month.

PS please do introduce yourself, tell me why you signed up to the newsletter, what is bringing you joy and what you would like to see in future editions. Thank you!

PPS  If you have received Postcards of Joy twice, I do apologise. I'm wrangling with the technology! Next month there will be just one copy. Thank you for your patience and understanding.