Summer Top Picks!
This year has gone so fast for me. After deciding to step back from my 1-1 work at the start of the year there's been a lot of travelling, time to myself and time with my family. Many people (Georgia included!) thought I would be totally bored by now. But a bit like the rhythm of my favourite festival, taking a fallow year has given a pause I needed so much.
I was thinking after a 6 month break I would be full of creative inspiration and ideas. I realise now - like nature and the healing of the body - it's a step by step process which can't be hurried.
For someone who has spent their life "doing" and "achieving" this fertile void is not always as luxurious and restful as it sounds. It's also at times confusing and challenging. But I trust that with reflection and honesty something beautiful is brewing...
I also wanted to let you know since May I have been back working with the team - meeting weekly to discuss patient care, training and supporting their 1-1 work. As a team we love working together and believe our patients benefit hugely from the sharing of professional perspectives.
I hope this finds your and your loved ones in good health. Below we've put together some of our current favourite summer picks in the hope you may find something inspiring... None of these are affiliate links ;-)
Debbie x
Debbie's Picks -
Green People Suncream - I've tried so many natural suncreams but I always go back to this one. I've been using it since the children were babies. Yes it's white, yes you have to rub it in. But it really works.
Fierce Nature -Tallow based creams. I love the face and body balm, I've just bought a contour balm which is a great for lips and cheeks. Yes it does smell (a teeny bit) meaty BUT such a great texture for my skin.
Electrolytes - I drink these every day all through the year. They've been essential in travel, especially in the US. I use Elete but recently been trying out Hunter and Gather.
Georgia's Picks -
Going Barefoot - I have just bought my first pair of barefoot shoes after being fascinated for a while. An aching knee made me do a deep dive into natural gait, barefoot shoes and how crossing your legs might be a bad idea. So as it's summer I am trying to go shoeless as often as possible to see what benefits it might hold.
Enjoying Aquafit (aqua aerobics) - having a sore knee meant normal aerobic activity just didn't feel comfortable for me so I love aqua aerobics especially in the hot weather. You don't have the problem of feeling sweaty or hurting your joints and you can work as hard as you like without anyone being able to see!
I am loving ginger shots at the moment which are becoming a lot more common in supermarkets but I have also made my own batch at home and then take a shot a day which works out really economical.
Helen's Picks -
Cherries - I cannot get enough of them, and I am especially delighted when they are available as part of my Riverford delivery for their very short season. For the first time ever, I have tried Riverford’s own recipe for pickled cherries. Who knew! It’s a good one.
Rest - for the first time in a few years, I am taking the whole of August off and I am lucky to be travelling for most of it with my family. Although we are on the road with lots of stops, we have been careful to pencil in some longer stays that really allow us to rest. I am ready to embrace a technology switch off and enjoy the simple pleasures in life and seeing new sights.
Turmeric and cardamom granola - although all of our clients at DLFM know we are huge fans of a cooked protein-based breakfast, I occasionally mix it up a little bit and so I have created a go-to easy and delicious granola recipe based around nuts and seeds. It is so easy to make, and the fragrant additions of turmeric and cardamom add a lovely hint of warmth and spice.
I serve it with yogurt, nut butter and berries.
Ingredients
2 cups of nuts. I love to use a combination of pecans, flaked almonds and cashew.
2 cups of seeds (for example pumpkin, sunflower and chia)
1 cup of jumbo rolled oats.
1/4 cup of oil. I use olive oil, but you could use melted coconut oil
1/4 cup of maple syrup
4 x ground cardamom pods
1 tsp of turmeric
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp of dried cranberries (optional)
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Mix all the dry ingredients except the cranberries together in a bowl.
Add the maple syrup and olive oil and mix well to coat all the dry ingredients.
Spread the mixture out onto a baking tray lined with a sheet of greaseproof paper and pop into the middle of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Please keep an eye on it.
Turn the oven off and leave the tray inside the oven whilst the granola cools and crisp.
Once cooled, pour into a glass container for storage. It keeps for a month.
Rachael's Picks -
Riverford Organic vegetable boxes - pesticides can really disrupt our hormones and health and are a major contributor in both male and female hormone imbalances and declining fertility rates. Research has shown an increase in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates by swapping just one meal daily organic. PMID 25824023, 29084307
Electrolytes - electrolytes are minerals which carry an electric charge. They can help with fluid balance, nerve and muscle function and are an easy way to give an energy boost daily by supporting the production of ATP in our cells. Better than a caffeine kick.
Sauna therapy - this is my favourite way to sweat out toxins whilst relaxing. Amazing for the nervous system as well as supporting detoxification (especially for those suffering with high histamine symptoms). It is also a nice way to get some heat during the British 'summer time'!
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