Hello and welcome to February's  'Postcards of Joy', my monthly newsletter bringing you stories that lift the soul. 

As we say goodbye to the snow and hello to spring, I hope this finds you safe and well.

We may have met via a WI talk, my website, through my social media @healthyhappy50 or my podcast The Joy of SUP - The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast.

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.

Last month I asked you to introduce yourself to me, share what has brought you joy in these difficult days and what you would like to see in future newsletters. It was wonderful to hear from so many of you. Please again introduce yourself.

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

From my heart to yours. Jo x x

The Joy of Sea Swimming - 'Well Preserved' Film

I discovered this beautiful 3 mins film by Green Renaissance about the 'Morning Swimmers of Sandageroi', in the Faroe Islands, via the BMC Adventure Film Festival in 2019. I think it shares the beauty of friendship as we get older and finding the joy of small things. 

I also entered my own tiny film Finding Joy into the competition. 

Do you enjoy sea swimming? Would you like to try it? 

Photo credit: From BMC WAF19 article

The Joy of Delicious Food - with Toral Shah 

I've been following Toral Shah, Founder of The Urban Kitchen, nutritional scientist, health and food writer, on Instagram for a while now and find her one of the most generous, courageous and inspiring women I know. Along with journalist Amy Abrahams, Toral is the founder of  What The Health Events. I was fortunate enough to attend a Zoom wellbeing event + it was really informative and encouraging. Do look at their spring programme for events to help you on your wellbeing journey.

Toral has kindly shared her beautiful recipe with us - just press the link to find out more. Pumpkin roasted with preserved lemon, pomegranate and pumpkin seeds. Delicious! 

Do you have a lovely recipe you'd like to share?

Photo credit: Toral Shah

The Joy of Handwritten Letters with Dinah Johnson

How lovely it is to receive handwritten letters and cards in these days of emails and texts. I was lucky enough to hear Dinah Johnson from the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society at our WI meeting this week. She was wonderful! She also told us about From Me to You Letters who write to people living with cancer and Postcards of Kindness who send letters to people living in care homes. 

When did you last write or receive a handwritten letter? Would you consider joining From Me to You Letters or Postcards of Kindness perhaps?

Photo copyright: Dinah Johnson

The Joy of Upcycling with Flora Blathwayt from Washed Up Cards

Flora was furloughed at the start of Lockdown #1 and began her business Washed Up Cards using plastic she found beach cleaning on the River Thames. She hopes her cards will help spread awareness of plastic pollution in a fun and engaging way.

I think they are beautiful and joyful. I'm thrilled she's been featured on BBC Breakfast, The Guardian, Mail Online, The Metro + Time Out. She was also listed in The Big Issue's Top 100 Changemakers to watch in 2021. 

She was also a guest on my friend Nicky Bass's Everyday Adventure podcast.

Send a card, spread the word, feel good is Flora's message. And remember - you're grate! 

Photo copyright: Flora Blathwayt

The Joy of Walking Joy & the Ramblers

Many of us have found real joy in walking close to home if we can during lockdown. Here is a lovely article about the joy of steps and 20 things to do on your walk. I have been fortunate to be a Ramblers Ambassador for their #FeelMore and #WalkinWinter campaigns and wrote about how much walking has meant to me and my family over the years. You can read it here. 

Where are your favourite places to walk? Please do share. 

Photo I took at Bolton Abbey Estate

The Joy of New Friends - Introducing Heather 

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. Heather Peacock is one such woman who quite literally Jumps for Joy every time she goes for a sea swim! She has also been a guest on my podcast - The Joy of SUP- The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast. Heather works for North of England Children's Cancer Research charity, is a Mum, SUP surfer and fan of blackcurrant smoothies!

Who feels like sunshine to you? If you would like to recommend someone to feature next month please let me know! 

Photo copyright: Heather Peacock 

My film - Brave Enough - A Journey Home to 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. 

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

I'm thrilled to say we shared the film at an industry + press screening earlier this month. The response has been overwhelming!

Cal Major, world record holder paddleboarder and ocean advocate called it "One of the most honest and beautiful adventure films I've seen in a long time". 

Our first two pop up cinema evenings online have sold out!

We have a new date of 11th March at 1900 GMT. 

To book tickets @ £10 (£6 for NHS staff, keyworkers and those on a low income) please press here. We will have a Q + A with Frit and myself and prizes to be won! 

Please 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 you joy. 

Thank you for inviting me into your precious inbox. I appreciate it. 

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

Here I am doing my 2MinuteBeachClean and here is an article about the ITV + National Lottery campaign I was fortunate enough to take part in on their behalf.