It’s not everyday your world gets turned upside down. Nor is it usually so amazing. Not only are we celebrating the new year, but also the new life that arrived in October of 2022.
A baby brings so much perspective to life. Forcing you to slow down and take stock of what’s truly important. You have to prioritise all the things you once took for granted (geez I miss sleep!) and re-establish habits that bring health and wholeness (where did breakfast and exercise go?).
When our baby was born, we were reborn as parents. No one can prepare you for the gravity that entails. We now no longer just live for ourselves, but also for this little life we have created. We must stay healthy and whole, not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of our little one.
I’ve been thinking about what kind of mother I want to be…energetic, peaceful, loving, supportive, generous. As well as the attributes I want to foster as an individual…humour, creativity, passion, courage, focus. I have my New Years resolutions and my to-do lists, but the most important growth over the next few months will have to do with the person I become, not the jobs I get done.
“Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself.” - Unknown
This year is going to be none like any other. Twenty twenty-three is the foundation of my baby boys future. The choices we make, the food we eat and the habits we build will have a powerful effect on our little family. I can’t wait to begin!
Happy New Year!!!
January Menu
Healthy Habits: The Seven Types of Rest
If like me, you're feeling exhausted from the end of year rush, or just from life in general, then you need to know about the seven types of rest. When sleep doesn’t fix your fatigue try resting mentally, spiritually, emotional, sensorially, socially and creatively. It will not only restore your body, but also your mind and spirit!
Kitchen Community: Ginger
There’s a reason ginger is the poster herb for this journal…and why it’s loved for it’s nutritive, herbal and culinary applications. She’s queen of the kitchen and apothecary…and loving mother to those who need warmth, soothing and invigoration.
Want to meet her? Learn from her? Understand her?
Join us for the January Kitchen Community Newsletter!
Book Club: The Top Five Fermentation Books
Family and friends always ask, “what do you want for Christmas?” And I have one simple answer…BOOKS! So this year I scoured the internet for the top books on fermentation, made a list, checked it twice, then sent it out (it felt so naughty and nice to ask for what I truely wanted).
Come Christmas morning, I was transported back in time as I opened each present with child-like glee…fulling knowing what lay inside, but oh so excited to receive the precious literary gift I had been dreaming of reading.
Now I get to unpack and digest these wonderful publications with you. Honestly, this book haul is bound to make you effervescent with fermented jealousy!
New Recommendations
The benefits of daydreaming
I wish my life with this aesthetic
The mushy guide to eating shrooms
Delicious food porn
An Alternative to New Years Resolutions
“He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.” - F.M. Knowles
Every year I write a list of resolutions, but complete less than half of them over the following twelve months. Some resolutions (e.g. run five kilometres, learn Japanese) have made an appearance, but never been accomplished, for over ten years. Isn’t that tragic! And still, I write a new list each January.
I’m going to try some new strategies in 2023. Here are some ideas:
Vision Board
Word/Phrase for the year
Bucket List
Monthly 30-day Challenge (one goal per month)
365-Day Project (one goal for the entire year)
Life Audit
Question: What’s your number one goal for 2023? How do you aim to achieve it?