There are many things to celebrate in March. First & foremost, spring is finally here and we can emerge from hibernation to enjoy everything that this season has to offer. As well as Mother’s Day this weekend, Easter falls at the end of the month and I always love cooking and baking treats to enjoy at our special lunch – in fact, later in this newsletter I have shared my recipe for an indulgent chocolate Easter cake. As today marks International Women’s Day, and International Day of Happiness will be celebrated next week, I have been considering what happiness means to women across the world. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a tribe of wonderfully supportive and inspirational women, both here and overseas, so I decided to ask what makes them happy! Here’s what they came up with: Listening to nature and birdsong, and feeling at peace on long dog walks Watching the sun rise and the sun set, and connecting to the patterns of the lunar cycle Eating freshly prepared seasonal food around the table with family while catching up on the day’s events A well-made coffee and a new book Belly laughing with old friends The warmth of the sun on my face Simple moments of self-care throughout the day, including a long soak with Cotswold Remedies' Restore Bath Oil (thank you Georgie for this Cotswold Remedies shoutout!) Buying unexpected gifts for friends Long coastal walks Cooking a favourite recipe for family and friends. Food always tastes much better when cooked with love
I think the main themes here are positive connections to family and friends, community, food, self-care rituals, and an enjoyment of nature. Many of these things are known as ‘glimmers’ – tiny moments of awe that we can feel, see, touch, taste or hear which can spark joy and evoke a feeling of inner calm. Further examples include: a beautiful sunset; stars in the sky; a smile from a stranger; a random act of kindness; a favourite song playing on the radio; a freshly baked cake; a moment of peace amidst chaos. |
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As we all strive to experience as much happiness as possible throughout life, I’ve been delving deeper into the science behind it to discover ways in which we can further boost our levels of feel-good hormones and chemicals. I thought I’d share with you some ideas that will hopefully leave you feeling happy, satisfied and optimistic. |
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Dopamine: The Reward Chemical |
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Try: Self-care Playing sport Creative activities Cold showers
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Oxytocin: The Love Hormone |
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Try: Socialising Physical touch Acts of kindness Bonding Petting animals
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Endorphins: The Stress Balancer/Natural Pain Killer |
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Try: Laughter Exercise Hot baths & saunas Singing & dancing
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Serotonin: The Mood Stabiliser |
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Try: Sun exposure and walks in nature Meditation Early nights Practicing gratitude Eating a well balanced diet. As 90% of serotonin (the body’s natural feel-good hormone) is created in the gut, it follows that what we eat can alter our brain chemistry
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In the latest episode of Ferne Cotton’s popular podcast, the neuroscientist TJ Power explains that a good life isn’t necessary a comfortable, easy life, and that a certain degree of effort is vital when it comes to maintaining happiness. The challenge is that modern life enables us to get dopamine hits with zero effort; furthermore, his mantra of ‘sunlight before socials’ refers to the need to prioritise being outdoors in the fresh air over mindlessly scrolling through happiness-sapping social media feeds. TJ also argues that being bored is actually a powerful antidote to being overstimulated and anxious, and I believe this is something that could benefit children and teens, as well as us adults. This thought-provoking podcast offers tips on how to reinforce positive behaviours and habits, rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of life. |
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I’m making: An indulgent chocolate Easter nest cake. I thought I’d share with you a recipe for a delicious cake that you might like to try this month – its imperfections capture the feel of a bird's nest. As Mini Eggs are my guilty pleasure, this recipe hits the spot, but alternatively you could top the cake with a layer of plain whipped cream and fresh raspberries. |
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Ingredients For the cake: 250g dark chocolate (chopped) 125g unsalted butter 6 medium eggs (2 whole, 4 separated) 175g caster sugar (75g will be needed for the yolk mixture; 100g to add to the egg whites) 1tsp vanilla extract For the topping: 100g dark chocolate (chopped) 200ml double cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 packet chocolate Mini Eggs (for decorating) Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan Line the bottom of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment Gently melt the dark chocolate with the butter in a bain-marie (glass bowl over a pan of boiling water) then set aside to cool slightly Whisk the 4 egg whites until firm, then gradually add 100g of sugar and whisk until the whites are holding their shape and peak (but are not stiff) In another bowl whisk the 2 whole eggs and 4 yolks with 75g of sugar and the vanilla extract, and then gently fold in the chocolate mixture, followed by the whisked egg whites Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is risen and cracked, and the centre is no longer wobbly on the surface. Cool the cake in its tin on a wire rack; the middle will sink to form a crater Melt the chocolate for the topping and leave it to cool a little. Whip the cream and then add the vanilla and fold in the melted chocolate. Fill the crater of the cake with the chocolatey cream and arrange the chocolate eggs on top
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On 18th April, I’ll be showcasing our range of Cotswold Remedies products at Gloucestershire’s very first menopause fayre. This event sets out to empower women with greater understanding about the diverse and natural options for symptom relief and lifestyle support during menopause. As well as speaking to experts, visitors will be able to shop for natural, toxin-free products for the body and home, enjoy delicious food and drink, and recharge the batteries in the chill zone. |
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Enjoy the coming weeks and have a wonderful Easter weekend. I look forward to sharing the April issue with you early next month. |
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Cotswold Remedies, 58 Albert Road, Cheltenham GL52 2QX |
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