How is it Monday again so soon?  I feel like my feet hardly touched the ground last week. I guess that's the measure of the things now we're fully back into the swing of the school term! 

I had a really heart-full busy two days at the Weleda gardens in Derbyshire this weekend.  It's always such a treat to catch up with my Weleda family and immerse myself in all things sowing, growing and creating to support natural health and vitality.  Today this newsletter is dedicated to the wonderful world of Weleda and all it brings - love, connection, soul purpose and so much happiness to be part of this beautiful community.   

Thriving after cancer with natural medicines

My beautiful Weleda friend Zoe is one of life's marvellous humans; filled with light and joy and always the first to step forward to help someone.  Zoe is an NHS midwife, Weleda Advocate and Aesthetician and is thriving on the other side of a breast cancer diagnosis 3 years ago.  She credits her physical and emotional recovery to leaning into natural medicines and the love and support of those dear to her.  Zoe is 4 weeks post surgery with scars that are healing so miraculously using homeopathy and Weleda wound creams that her surgeon asked if he could take photographs!   

Zoe and I are passionate about supporting people affected by cancer (especially through Weleda's new collaboration with Maggies, see more below).  We will be banging the drum for raising awareness of how natural remedies can support the body holistically and why understanding the power of plants is so important.

It all starts with the soil (biodynamic gardening)

Did you wonder why Zoe and I look so ecstatic standing in front of a steaming compost heap?  At Weleda looking after the plants to make the medicines that look after us all starts with nourishing the soil.  Rudolf Steiner and Dr Ita Wegman, who co-founded Weleda in Switzerland in 1921, were the pioneers of biodynamic growing.  That means right from the outset they knew how important it was to work with nature's rhythms to sow and grow plants for maximum vitality and without causing harm to the environment. The soil is fed with green manures, pests like the hypericum beetle are removed by hand and all the plants are hand picked when ready to be sent to production.  Many companies now are removing the chemicals and artificial additives from their products, Weleda never used any nasties from the outset. 

Weleda have produced their our own Biodynamic Gardening book which shares the ancient wisdom of nature care according to the lunar cycle and how to make you're own compost heap, fertilisers etc.  It's a wonderful gift for any green fingered friends.

Maggies collaboration update

I shared with you last week the news that Weleda have partnered with Maggies to offer a wellbeing bundle containing 4 products to support symptoms of stress, pain, poor sleep, dry skin and mouth ulcers/infection for those going through cancer treatment.  £10 from the sale of each £45 bundle will be donated to Maggies and the charity will receive a financial donation from Weleda every 3 months for a year.  As a community of Advocates we shared ideas for how we're going to spread the love and other places we could share our wisdom and sample these wonderful products.  It's a real privilege to be part of shaping what this initiative could look and feel like.  I'm visiting Maggies Cheltenham at the end of next week to see what I can do to support people locally.  This bundle is a gift of support for anyone dealing with stress or illness so I'd love to hear from you if you know anyone who might benefit from it's TLC. 

Soul soothing bath soaks

You know how much I love Weleda Arnica soak for easing all lifes woes?  Well this beautiful concoction of epsom salts, rose petals and lavender, chamomile and calendula flower heads is a close second.  Making this reminded me how much people enjoyed the Wellness Circles I hosted at the hospice and when I've offered them in my home.  It would be lovely to incorporate making a soak sachet to take home to those relaxation sessions. 

Would you be interested in attending a Wellness Circle if I look into suitable venues around Gloucester?  If you've not attended one before they are a beautiful 60 minutes of relaxation with a foot soak, guided meditation and TLC for face, hands and feet.  It can be really lovely to book in with a friend who might otherwise find it hard to make time for their own self-care.  You can also host a Wellness Circle in your house if you'd like to gather a few of your friends together.  Send me a reply if you'd like to chat some more about co-creating some self-care time for you and your beauties.

This week's heart smile ...

I don't think I stopped smiling for the two days I was surrounded by the amazing people and plants at the Weleda gardens.  A great delight for all of us was this amazing bunch of women joining us for day two.  They are all midwives, doulas and birth supporters who had given up a day of their weekend to connect, find out more about our Mum and baby ranges and prioritise their own self care.  After the garden tours and bath soak making we were treated to a sound bath and pretty much floated home.  There is something so powerful about women supporting women and there was so much love in the room. 

Sending a massive sprinkling of that love, kindness and empowerment out to you all for the week ahead x