Welcome to your Monday moment of pause...

Did you have a lovely half term break (or end of the month if your life is not governed by school holidays).  I can't believe we're now into the last term of the academic year.  The final year of primary school awaits Luca in September and it will herald the start of year 10 (first year of GCSEs) for Euan.  How did we get here so fast!

I've had a few friends with 16 year olds sitting GCSEs.  It's a tense time for the whole family.  Today's newsletter includes a some tips for keeping cool, mentally and physically, when tensions and temperatures rise.

Soak your feet to cool your head

If you found it sweltering in last weeks heatwave you're not alone.  Many a cold shower was had in our house but I really miss a soothing soak when tensions and temperatures rise.  That's exactly when a relaxing foot soak can come into it's own.  I don't recommend using cold water as it can shock the nervous system and the body will then try to warm up your feet which counters the purpose of trying to cool you down.  Using tepid water is just perfect for not raising the body temperature and bringing some of the comfort and relief a bath offers (the release of a gentle 'aaaahh'' as you slide your feet in).  

A cool compress to the neck

Citrus bath milk is beautifully energising and applying some to a damp cool cloth and placing it on the neck has an instantly refreshing effect.  My husband George can often be spotted with a long cool cloth round his neck when he's coaching badminton in a hot sports hall. 

Homeopathic support for stress relief

Weleda have two stress relief products I find invaluable. 

• Stress relief spray which contains chamomile and passiflora gets the most use from me in the car or before entering a situation which is causing me anxiety but I know I have no control over.   A couple of sprays under the tongue and I feel more level and accepting of what may come. 
• Low Mood and Stress relief tablets contain a blend of Arrum met, Kali Phos and Ferrum Quartz to help soothe and calm body and mind.  I find these most helpful when hormone levels fluctuate, anxiety rises and fatigue is affecting my emotions, judgement and tolerance!

Curling up with a book - Biodynamic Gardening

When I first took on my allotment decades ago I was working for the library service.  So naturally I ordered an armful of books to inspire and digest as a newbie gardener.  I quickly learned I'd much rather get my hands dirty and just experiment than be curled up with my nose in a book trying to learn how to garden. 

I started writing a blog about my allotment adventures and that became my source of information and tracking year on year.  Sadly we had to give the allotment up once Euan was born.  When I joined Weleda in 2019 I was so delighted to discover all plants are sown and grown bio-dynamically and the lunar phases are a key part of the success of the crops.  Everything that grows and thrives in the Weleda gardens is cultivated according to the principles of biodynamic farming set out by Weleda's founder Rudolph Steiner in 1921.   No fertilisers or pesticides are used and the gardens are seen as ecosytems with thriving plants, soil and animals above and below the ground.  The principle of being guardians of the earth and ensuring we look after people and planet before profits sits right at the heart of Weleda. 

If you have green fingered friends the pairing of this book with a tube of Skin Food for hard working hands would be the perfect gift.  They may also be interested to know each year Weleda offer garden tours with the head gardener in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.  You can find dates and details here. 

What's on your shelf? - arnica, arnica and arnica

When a beloved friend messages and casually mentions her progress in the garden has been interrupted by dropping a giant pot giant pot on her foot, what do you do?  Rush straight round of course with all the arnica and a trusty ice pack!.  After TLC and tea was administered (always calm the nerves first in any emergency) I passed her some arnica aches and pains tablets to help with the shock and support the healing from the inside out.  I sprayed her toes with arnica bumps and bruises spray - always brilliant in situations where you'd get your hand slapped away if you tried to touch the skin and apply cream.  Then we applied arnica cooling gel to a cotton cloth and placed it directly on to her foot and laid an ice pack over the top.  

My friend wasn't sure whether to get it checked out as the swelling was making it difficult to move her toes and she really wasn't sure if it was broken.  As it was a heatwave on a bank holiday weekend she decided to watch and wait and go all in with the natural remedies.  A few days later she sent me the pic above and reported feeling happy there were no broken bones.  A week on she shared this today:

''My foot feels fine now.  My big toe is still a bit sore after a dog walk but otherwise the bruising and swelling is nearly gone.  I fully credit the arnica with the speed at which it's healed.  Other less heavy knocks and bangs have taken much longer to heal.  So thank you for the loving care and essential healing meds'' - J

It was Julie's idea to share this with you as I'd previously mentioned wanting to share more client stories about how natural medicines can help people.  We agreed this trio of arnica is a must have for the first aid cupboard, especially when dealing with bumps and bruises for kids who often don't like their skin to be touched when they are hurt.  If you would like this trio of remedies they are available through my webshop (total price £28.95) with 10% discount using the code JUNE10.  You can message me with any questions or to find out more about the other products in the arnica range.

Soul soothing music from my talented husband

Many of you here are friends or family so if you know me, you know George.  He's been making and producing music (his own and other people's) for 30 years and has decided it's time to revive some of it to share online.  Today he has launched George Moorey Music on Instagram and will be posting stories every couple of days about his creative projects.  Just as I hope this newsletter brings a moment of cheer to your week I wholeheartedly believe listening to some of George's tracks will do the same.  If you like what you hear follow his page so you have the delight of receiving each new post.

This week's heart smile 

Half term brought more than an average week of smiles with it!  Savernake Forest with G and the boys.  Spa at home time at my friend Jenny's.  On holiday for the afternoon at Cheltenham Lido.  Slimbridge adventures with friends. I can't wait for the summer holidays now ... the boys are already counting (7 weeks if you wondered!)