DECEMBER 2023 EDITION

As Christmas can be a time of overconsumption, I’ve been thinking about how I can buy less, and buy better this year. Not only is this approach good for the planet, it is also thought that people who intentionally consume less are happier because their mindset shifts onto other things that leave them feeling enriched. At home, I always try to carefully plan meals to ensure minimal food wastage, and often buy second-hand items. Vinted is a great place to get pre-loved clothes; Wob is fantastic for second-hand books.

The festivities over the Christmas period obviously pose challenges when it comes to consuming less, so I thought I’d begin our December newsletter by sharing a couple of sustainable and eco-friendly ideas for you to try over the coming weeks.

Nutty and nice

Rather than buying edible gifts which often come with a lot of packaging, how about making your own delicious presents? In the lead up to Christmas, I will be making batches of my delicious homemade chocolate bark, which I’ll then pop into compostable bags, each tied with a ribbon and tag. As you can see from the picture, the jewel-like colours make it look very festive!

How to make: simply melt 240g dark chocolate (70% cocoa) using a bain-marie, being careful not to overheat it. Roughly chop 50g pistachio kernels,
50g cranberries and 25g crystallised ginger. Spread the melted chocolate fairly thinly onto a sheet of grease-proof paper and sprinkle the pistachios, cranberries and ginger on top. Once cool, break the chocolate bark into pieces and pop into bags.

It's a wrap

Something else that concerns me at this time of year is the amount of non-recyclable wrapping paper that is often used. I intend to try the Japanese art of furoshiki gift wrapping, which uses fabric as an alternative to paper and sticky tape. This YouTube video gives a simple introduction to the technique:

As well as scouring your home for pieces of fabric, you could try haberdashery shops, as they often sell remnants which can be picked up inexpensively (look for pieces that are light or medium weight). I also like the beautiful upcycled furoshiki wraps seen below. Made from pre-loved sari offcuts, the fabric squares have been handstitched by underprivileged women in India who have been upskilled in tailoring. Available in an array of colours and patterns, I'm drawn to the rich palette shown here. Once I’ve mastered the wrapping part, I’ll add a final flourish with berries, cinnamon sticks, dried oranges or eucalyptus leaves.

Upcycled Furoshiki Wraps 45 x 45cm, from PriPri

Tips for maintaining your skin during the winter:

Of late, the weather has been colder than the seasonal average and, whilst the frostiness has perhaps made us all feel more Christmassy, the plummeting temperatures may have left your skin feeling somewhat dry. To tackle this loss of moisture, many people change their entire skincare routine for winter, and yet, as their skin type hasn't changed, effective winter skincare should really just mean adding one or two products into your routine to provide extra nourishment.

I would also recommend adding a hydrating water-based serum to your routine for use after cleansing and before you add your face oil/moisturiser. When choosing a serum, look out for these three natural ingredients:

Hyaluronic acid is a super powerful hydrator. I love this ingredient as it helps to make the skin soft, plump and more youthful looking.

Vitamin C is loved by dermatologists for its collagen-boosting and antioxidant power. It's also known for its ability to brighten skin, fade pigmentation and promote a healthy glow.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is ultra-gentle and replenishing. It can help strengthen our skin barrier (which is what keeps moisture in) and enhance the production of ceramides that moisturise the skin.

Cotswold Remedies will be launching our own fabulous serum in early 2024!

This month

I’ve been reading: Practical Ayurveda, by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.

My interest in the ancient philosophy of Ayurveda was reignited when I visited India back in October. Its origins in the Indian subcontinent actually date back more than 5,000 years, and yet so many of the ideas behind this philosophy can be incorporated into how we live our lives today.

According to Ayurveda, universal life force manifests as three different energies –or doshas – known as vata, pitta, and kapha. While everyone has some of each of these doshas, most people tend to have an abundance of just one or two of them.

Practical Ayurveda, published by DK, is a great place to begin exploring this philosophy, and provides plenty of advice on how to eat and exercise according to your predominant dosha. Here’s my quick guide to the three doshas to get you started:

Vata consists mostly of the two elements of air and space, and those with a predominant vata dosha are usually described as slim, energetic and creative. When in balance it allows for clarity of thought, creativity and a healthy respiratory system. However, when its out of balance, constipation, anxiety and dry skin can result.

Kapha is based on earth and water. People with a dominant kapha dosha are described as strong, thick-boned and caring. When in balance, kapha is responsible for strong tissues, well-lubricated joints, and a calm mind. When out of balance it causes obesity, water retention, allergies, and sadness.

Pitta is based on fire and water. People with pitta dominance are said to usually have an athletic build and serve as strong leaders. They’re highly motivated and competitive. When in balance, pitta gives focus, a sharp mind, and a quick metabolism. When fire energy accumulates too much, it causes anger, acid reflux, oily skin, and painful menstruation.

My dominant dosha is pitta: organised with perfectionist tendencies, strong digestion, and hardworking...yet fiery if provoked! Because pitta is hot and sharp in nature, it can be brought back into balance with cooling activities such as swimming and forest walking, and by eating cooling foods such as leafy vegetables, and juicy fruits.

I’ve been cooking: a delicious carrot and coriander soup.

As I tend to eat out more and consume richer food at this time of year, this is my go-to soup for getting my digestion back on track. It’s super-easy and never disappoints – I can recommend it as the perfect lunch after a night of indulgence.

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped

2 tsp ground coriander

1 potato, chopped

450g carrots, peeled and chopped

1.2 litres vegetable stock

To serve: 1 handful fresh coriander, 1 tbsp seeds, 1 tbsp natural yoghurt

Method

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan and gently fry the chopped onion for 6-7 minutes. Stir in 2 tsp of ground coriander and the chopped potato, then cook for 1 minute. Add the chopped carrots and stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat. Cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes until the carrots are tender. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper (to taste) and serve with fresh coriander, seeds and natural yoghurt. A slice of sourdough bread also goes very well with the soup.

I’ve been thinking about: Non-alcoholic drinks for Christmas.

I always like to have a few really nice non-alcoholic drinks to offer our guests over the festive period and, with its warming spiciness, this mulled apple juice is just the thing:

You will need

1 litre apple juice

Strips of orange peel

1 cinnamon stick

3 cloves

1 star anise (optional)

Method

Simmer the apple juice with the strips of orange peel, cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise for about 5-10 mins until the flavours have infused. Sweeten to taste. The drink can be served with a cinnamon stick and a little orange peel for decoration.

Dates for the diary

I’ll be at the Dunkertons Christmas Artisan Craft Market on the 9th December to run our Cotswold Remedies stand. If you’re still searching for some Christmas spirit, then look no further! At this fair you’ll find delicious street food and organic mulled cider, and will have the chance to shop for unique artisanal gifts. We’d love to see you there!

Thank you for reading The Blend this year. I’ve really enjoyed sharing everything from recipes and recommendations of things to watch, read and listen to, through to my top tips for looking and feeling happy and vibrant. To make it easy for you to delve back into previous editions for reminders of things we’ve covered, we have set up an archive on our website and will add editions of The Blend one month after publication. You can view the archive here: The Blend Newsletter Archive.

I look forward to sending out the first edition of 2024 early next month. In the meantime, I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.