Happy Monday. 

I hope you've had a good couple of weeks.  I had some technical issues with my website last week and listened to my own advice about not putting any pressure on myself to produce a newsletter every week.  It was also my Mum's anniversary week so I figured that was reason enough to use my spare time for myself.

It's always a reflective time of year as you can imagine.  For those of you who knew and loved my Mum it is a shame to chalk up another year without her.  She would have loved seeing our boys grow up and would have been an actively engaged Nana.  

It was especially poignant this year to count 8 years knowing how different it would feel to go up to Leckhampton Court as an ex member of staff.  It wasn't easy given the pain of being made redundant from a job I was passionate about.  I was gentle with myself and chose to visit on my own the week before so that Mum's special day wouldn't be my first time back. I did leave Leckhampton Court with a lighter heart on Tuesday knowing I was part of an amazingly supportive community for 2 years but that I now don't need to feel any of the intense stress and grief that inevitably sits alongside working in a hospice.  When I started there in April 2024 I had felt it was Mum's legacy for me to care for people there. Mum's guiding principles of love and kindness for others are a thread that runs through all our lives.  A few months on now I recognise those values walk with me wherever I go.  Sad though it is not to be supporting people in palliative care I know Mum would be proud of the work I am still doing to help people in my community. 

Mum would be immensely proud of Dad too this week - he's in Krakov with my brothers as I type!  In the name of love we can do hard things and as a recently bereaved friend put it ''we have to learn to be happy and heartbroken at the same time''.  

Amazing Aloe Vera at Ventnor Botanic Gardens

I visited the Botanic Gardens while on holiday on the Isle of Wight.  It's true what they say about Ventnor being 5 degrees warmer than everywhere else.  They had tropical plants that were thriving and trees that would not survive in other locations.  These Aloe Vera plants were enormous and I'm always wowed by how they survive on so little moisture. 

I'm quite familiar with the awesomeness of Aloe as a dry skin soother and moisture holder because of it's use by Weleda.  Our product training is always really in depth and Aloe Vera is used in several of our products

Deep Cleansing gel - enriched with water binding aloe this cleanser gently removes oils impurities while maintaining hydration in the skin.  Infused with witch hazel and essential oils it leaves skin feeling fresh, balanced and revitalised. 

Serum drops - Aloe is a key ingredient in pomegranate and maca peptides firming serum, Blue Gentian contouring serum, mens 5in1 multi action serum and hyaluronic moisture boosting drops.

Body care - citrus hydrating lotion, Arnica sport cooling cryo gel and men's after shave balm.

Natural medicines - Rhinodoron nasal spray for soothing irritated nasal passages when suffering with hay fever or a cold.

Curl up with a book - The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets

I picked up the ‘Walking Cure’ book in the library just before we went to the Isle of Wight.  I had great plans to walk lots on holiday but left Gloucester with a cold and happily had a lazy week instead!  I liked the promise of the book ''a healthier, happier life one step at a time'' as the simple act of walking is so good for our health and wellbeing.  The book explores 20 everyday environments - from city parks and canals to coastal cliffs and mountain trails.  Annabel weaves neurological data such as how trees release heallng terpenes and how movement creates ‘’hope molecules’’ with warm, practical guidance.  She recommends specific walks for different moods - an urban route to beat boredom, a shoreline amble to sooth grief.

Of course I love the section on lakes! There is something so calm and supportive about still waters. I love swimming in the sea on holiday but I'm always mildly on edge (not a fan of currents or tides). And you don't have to think about jellyfish in a lake! More and more research is proving how good it is to be near water.

''Being next to water reduces our blood pressure, slows our breathing and allows our parasympathetic nervous system to do it's job. Water encourages us to relax... being in an near water reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline that can make us feel unwell''. Blue Space researcher Dr Catherine Kelly p. 160

You don't have to swim in still waters to receive these benefits of relaxation. Just looking is wonderful. It's something to do with how the light reflects off the water - sun glitter.

This week's heart smile ...

I've really enjoyed outdoor swims this summer - in the sea on the Isle of Wight, at Cheltenham Lido (pool of my childhood) and at the lake in the woods at Barefoot and Bower.  I love the woods and it's soul food for me to lie, sit or float while listening to the birds and sounds of nature.  On Mum's anniversary last week I wanted to share the delight of Barefoot and Bower with George and the boys.  We packed some snacks and spent a happy two hours late afternoon/evening lake side.  Luca was very brave getting in the water to swim.  George and Euan enjoyed blanket chats and watching us.  It's so wonderful to share a place that makes my heart full with loved ones. 

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead sprinkled with many moments of love, connection and smiles.  We're away for Bank Holiday Monday so see you in two weeks x