Slow Sunday, good news, memories & a recipe

Sausage and creamy tomato stew

I’m excited to be able to say that the Ayurvedic book I wrote last year for Summersdale will be on sale from the 14th of March. It’s an introduction to Ayurveda.

When writing this little book the aim was to uplift your mind and body with simple lifestyle changes and to help you achieve balance. You’ll find Ayurvedic self-care practices, tips for introducing Ayurveda into your daily life, and lots of opportunities to learn how to balance your constitution, so that you can unlock the powers of Ayurveda and begin your journey towards a healthier you. I, of course, highly recommend it!

Originally it was to be a paperback, but is initially being released as an ebook. If you felt like recommending this little gem and lots of people buy it, the paperback won’t be far behind!

I am completely unknown, any lucky break would be incredibly welcome!

Joy dots

Lucky breaks

Kindness

Daffodils

Tulips

Little bird in tree

Chimney pots

Connection

Red brickwork in the sun

Urban foxes

Remembering Vejer de la frontera

Memories

I’ve been remembering Vejer de la Frontera, the little frontier town my sister retired to which I visited last year. To dream my way to sunny times. It is very grey here in the UK, and while there are always pockets of beauty—single wood pigeon on the tree out front the colour of the branches, silver rooftops reflecting lightening sky and dew drops on fresh green grass as worms wiggle underground and magnolia blossom is about to burst—there’s no doubt that my cells only light up properly with Mediterranean light levels, the sea, sand and sun. Here in the UK, we have to be very stoic when it gets to March and the February weather is still with us!

And so, I have been revisiting some photos of Vejer de la Frontera and nearby beach, on this early slow Sunday morning.

“For the last two days the skies have been blue, the sun hot, the breeze welcome, the sea soft, and the sand silken. We have lazed in the soft and gentle breeze under a sun that heats the skin like no sunshine I’ve met in the UK. I floated in a sea that cocoons every part of your body, mind and heart. The gentle, rippling waves lift you up, then down. Over and over, ever so gently.

I gazed at the glistening sea. It rippled and shone under the dancing sunlight. That sea, it twinkled at me as I disappeared from view, in this idyll of warm, turquoise warmth and softness. Even the air feels different, softer, clearer and full of kindness. I floated for a long time, again and again, under a blue sky full of white ink blots. My body feels rested, sleepy, and deeply refreshed.

Later we ate tapas, wandered the streets under a night sky, enjoyed the best ice cream, said ‘hola’ to people recognised, and wended our way back for sleep. This timeless, ancient, serene, slow, peaceful, gently rhythmic, beautiful town; clothed in winding streets and white buildings under a sky filled with swallows; well, I will be collecting up lots of memories to take back with me. I will stuff them into my mind and my heart, and one day I will return. There are many doors to this place, and you never know what is behind them. But for now I shall take all this wonder into my dreams and weave some magic from it, for future treasures yet to be discovered.“

Recipe

Sausage & creamy tomato stew

This was a cosy stew for a grey day. I sliced some beef sausages, sautéd them then removed from the pan. Added sliced onion and garlic and sautéd until softened then added sliced potato, winter squash, carrot and turmeric. After sautéing for a little I added a tin of tomatoes, stock, fresh herbs—parsley, coriander, basil—and simmered for about 40 minutes. Then I seasoned with salt and added mascarpone. The end result was creamy, nourishing and tasty. If you make this I hope you enjoy. When I free up another working day I will be bringing my food feed alive again and begin the first draft of my Peaceful Belly cook book—the recipes will have detailed instructions and quantities.

Mother’s Day

My mums birthday was last week. I’ve been remembering a time when young, I went out and picked daffodils and bought some tulips and a box of Weekend—chocolates. This year it’s my turn! I’m being taken out for a Mother’s Day treat, and then I think I shall do the harbour side walk to see what pockets of beauty I can find.

I will return home as the grey skies turn deep blue and my curtain-less windows will reflect all the lights in my room, along with silhouettes of outdoor things.

Wishing you warmest,

Lucy x