One to watch: HOME a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

One of the most captivating and inspiring environmental films I've ever seen.  Shot by aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand and narrated by Meryl Streep. To see the full length version click here.

Home Made: Sloe Gin

A great little Christmas present

This time last year, whilst stomping around the countryside with Granny, I discovered the British Sloe bush amongst the usual black berries. Ripe and ready for picking. Like the Damson, this bitter berry is not one to be eaten raw but it can be transformed into one of my favourite British liqeuers.  These berries are usually at their ripest in October but our early summer does mean they are some bushes that will be ready now.

INGREDIENTS:

500ml of Gin (Juniper Green if you'd like an organic Gin)
450g of ripe sloes
350g Sugar (There are many organic varieties)

METHOD:

1.Wash and dry the fruit, remove all stems, and freeze the sloes for at least a couple of days. 

2. Place the fruit in a suitable glass container, add gin, leave in a cool, dark place and  shake twice a week for 4-8 weeks. 

3. After 6 months strain out the berries and transfer the liquid to a bottle.4. 

4. Leave to mellow for another 6 months.

I've then transferred my Sloe Gin into small 75ml bottles with corks to give as gifts. See picture.

Well being in the City: Mindfulness and Calmfulness

Your mentally flick through your hypothetical things do list. Flicking from how drunk you were last night to what you should have for lunch. Who you need to call. Birthdays you've forgotten. STOP AND LOOK AROUND YOU. I must email so in so. You've just elbowed a small child.  Did I leave the oven on. As a old lady stands above you seatless. What am I going to wear. Ummm excuse me....I said STOP! So often we walk around in our own head space oblivious to the world around us. Bring yourself back. Ok you might not discover the most sense stimulating smell and sounds on the London underground. But you don't need to be Eckhart Tolle to know that you might be missing something here. It is all about NOW.  Don't make the mistake of missing the delights of the present moment. Even if you find yourself under the armpit of a slightly odorous banker. It's better to be in the here and now than worry yourself sick with what hasn't happened yet. 

There are no miracle cures for the terminally unconscious. However, for those who waver on the edge, there is a man out there who can give you some guidance. 

Dimitri Gavriloff: Master of Mindfulness

Whilst the rest of were smoking behind bike sheds and testing the boundaries of the in school judiciary. Dimitri Gavriloff could be found cross legged and holding tea ceremonies on the local golf course. His unconventional teen interest in the conscious mind led him to a less conventional vocation in his early 20's. After completing his studies at kyoto university Dem (as he's fondly known by his friends) was ordained as a Buddhist monk. It was at his monastery in Thailand where he developed his skills in mindful meditation as a daily practice.

Drawn back to London and after qualifying as a Secondary School teacher he eventually decided that he should start doing what he had always done and do mindfulness, meditation and counselling professionally.

Curious and most certainly unconscious. I found myself sitting opposite my old friend. Examining a raisin and listening to the city around me. Dem has many techniques and practices to bring you back to the present moment. You won't be sitting cross legged under a tree. However you will be tasting your food, brushing your teeth with awareness, feeling the air on your skin and learning to love that sound of drilling first thing on a saturday morning. His structured course and private sessions have left me calm, aware and 100% happier in the City. It's a remedy not a cure. The rest is up to you but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Now what was it I need to do...

For more information and to book a session with Dimitri visit: www.calmfulness.com or give him a call 07595292827

Christina's Breakfast: Rhubab Compote and Home Made Granola

It's harvest season and Christina has come back from the market with arms of UK fruit and veg. I'm bursting with excitment about our Autumn breakfasts. So here it is. Christina's first seasonal breakfast and it's utterly delicious and like totally good for you.

Ingredients: 

For the Compote:
4 stalks of Rhubab
3 large tablespoons of soft brown sugar

For the Home Made Granola:
450g of rolled oats
50g of Sunflower seeds
50g of Hazel nuts (in season!)
50g Pumpkin Seeds
125ml Runny Honey
100ml Sunflower oil

Natural or Greek yogurt (avoiding products with any other ingredients but milk and yogurt)


Method:
 
1.Add the rhubarb and sugar into a sauce pan with a small dash of water. Cover and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes. Stir regularly.
2. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 190C and mix the Granola ingredients with the oil and honey.
3. Pour into a baking tray in a thin layer and bake for 20-25 minutes. Stir well at least twice until the mixture is golden. Transfer into a large bowl and leave to cool. Once cool place the mixture in a glass jar (like the one pictured).
4. Layer the compote, yogurt and granola in a large glass or bowl. Get back into bed and enjoy.

NB: Prepare the night before so you don't have to get up early and all the ingredients have cooled.

Natural Beauty: Dr Organics Aloe vera Shampoo and Conditioner

Did you know that 60% of everything we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bodies. The average person has 91 industrial chemicals pumping through their system. Add that to the pollution that Cityites absorb into the skin. Are bodies are well and truly toxed. These nasties can lead to the development of no end of serious health issues. You may have to value your health over convenience and cost, but there is no end of evidence warning you that this is the right thing to do.  So down with the £1.99 bottle of Pantene and put your health first with the organic alternatives.

I've tried no end of organic shampoo and conditioner, finding my hair clumped together and smelling of Joss sticks. But I have persevered in search of a product that gives me shiny, soft and delicious smelling hair. It's been a journey but at last I've found a product that works that's made in the UK. Hurrah!

Dr Organics Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner strengthens and protects your hair.  Aloe Vera is packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes, and amino acids. The Shampoo and Conditioner combo is mild and great for dry and normal hair and it leaves my hair soft, hydrated and manageable ( when it's normally particularly unruly). It appears to tackle my split ends whilst leaving my hair glistening and I don't have to wash my hair again for 3 days (although this is different for everyone).

It's a pricey £5.39 for each bottle but Holland and Barrett often do 3 for one on Dr Organics products so why not treat yourself to the moisturiser as well.

SMELL: ****
VALUE:***
LASTING EFFECTS:****
SHINE:****
SOFTNESS:****

NOTE: Never buy a shampoo with Propylene Glycol. House hold name Antifreeze. What these  companies thinking?

Home Made: Damson Vodka

                                                                 

Autumn is upon us and the UK's fruit trees and burst with apples, plums and pears. But let's not overlook the lesser known cousin of the plum, the damson.  Smaller and darker than I plum, I won't recommend these bitter, pitted fruit as your mid morning snack. However when mixed with sugar these hard to find fruit make great jams and jellies. For those of us not ready to morph into out Grandmothers just yet, there is a more practical and perhaps useful recipe for these drupaceous fruit.  Damson Vodka!

Ingredients:

• 1lb/454gm of washed wild damsons
• 6 ozs/168gm of white granulated sugar
• 75cl bottle of medium quality vodka

* You'll also need some kind of glass container. I have an arson of jars and bottles ready to pickle, preserve and ferment. Ebay has tonnes of the things. Just make sure you aren't shipping in glassware from China.

Urban Foraging: Please you a step ladder!

Method:

First your need to forage for them.  Look out for a circular fruit similar to a plum. The damson trees leaves are also similar similar to that of the plum. The flesh has a smooth texture and is a yellowy greenish colour.  If you are not luckily enough to venture into the countryside, you are unlikely to find them in your average Tescos but it's worth asking your local market store if they can get you some. Or head to New Covent Garden market to pick some up yourself. Lucky for me my urban hippy parents grow them outside their house. However, beware of fruit that grows on a busy road as the fruit will have been absorbing pollution.

1. Discard any bad or bruised fruits and prick the chosen ones with a fork.
2. Put all the Damsons in the container and funnel in the vodka and sugar.
3. Shake daily until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Leave in a dark place for at least 3 months but as long as a year if you can resist.
5. Strain the fruit and put the liqueur in a glass bottle. Don't leave the fruit in for over a year or the liqueur may spoil.

NB Drink responsible. Dribble and vomit it not a good look and consuming on an empty stomach will ultimately end in a pounding headache.