Short but sweet… Google Doodle’s 2018 Earth Day clip featuring a message from conservationist & activist, Dr Jane Goodall 🙂 Yes… today, the 22nd of April is the official ‘Earth Day’ … so join one of the billion or so people in 193 countries around the world & take a moment to ponder on how you can do your bit, however small it is. Check out the official website for[…]
Here’s a little preview of an inspirational documentary based on the renown herbalist, author and avid traveller, the late ‘Juliette de Bairacli Levy’. A pioneer for veterinary herbal medicine and a woman who lived her life with wonderful simplicity, always with nature at her side. This touching documentary (by fellow herbalist and film-maker Tish Streeten) takes you on a journey through a fascinating life. A real character – a lover[…]
So this surely has to be a lucky omen for 2018?! Now over the last year I’ve shared many a breakfast with these beautiful creatures, but actually capturing the little Hummingbird on camera is another thing! Zipping around at high speed as they do, I’m never quite on the mark (especially as I’m not at my sharpest in the morning). A moment of serendipity this time put everything in place[…]
Yesterday, the supermoon (apparently the super blue blood moon!?) resembling a big ball of fire rose in the dark night sky. Whatever you call it – sure was beautiful to watch. Appropriate, as today is also St Brigid’s Day (the Celtic Goddess of Fire) and ‘Imbolc’, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the deep winter and the arrival of Spring and lightness. Druids, Celts and Pagans all celebrated[…]
Resolution #1 in 2018 Plastic-Free? Really… The idealist in me would love to say YES. But the realist in me knows that as it stands right now, there is no such thing as a ‘plastic-free’ lifestyle because we are literally swimming in the stuff… but what about beginning with a ‘low plastic lifestyle?’ Now as I’ve said before, I’m no angel here! I too have fallen into the plastic trap[…]
Or not… I think finally our love affair with plastic may be coming to an end… As always in life, the end of a toxic relationship always heralds better days 🙂 My #1 pledge this year: to explore ways in which to reduce my personal plastic consumption. Bye Bye Plastic I call it ‘Our Plastic Problem’ because it is not big corporations that hold all the blame, but you and[…]
New Year New You?! So the time for intentions and actions is yet again upon us – a fresh slate. You see I’m a big believer in the power of intention – as a first step to positive change. Small changes can make a BIG difference. Intention = Action = Reaction It’s a natural law of the universe! So as always, I have many many resolution & most of which[…]
Last month I made my first batch of Sloe Gin, ready and waiting for Christmas day – something which has become an annual ritual for me since returning to England. Just celebrating our wild foods you know! In the name of education of course… Packaged into miniature bottles, they always go down a treat as Christmas gifts (paired with Rose Hip Brandy from the previous post) Sloes – Blackthorne –[…]
Part 2: The Health Benefits of the Humble Hip… Vitamins Aplenty High in Vitamin C and a great source of Beta Carotene (plant based vitamin A). Also contain the B vitamins and vitamin k. Rose hips also contain bioflavonoids, tannins, organic acids and pectin. In China rosehips have long been used medicinally, where they are known as jin ying zi – they are used to increase ‘kidney qi’ which in[…]
Roses, of all the flowers, she probably signifies England the most. Featuring in fairy tales and folklore aplenty. But you know, it’s not just the flowers which have a special place in our history… The fruit of the rose deserves a crown too. Rose Hips When the rose petals fall come summer’s end, the fruit (or hips as we know them) start to develop. When autumn is well upon us[…]