It’s been 36 years since Mum (Linley Butler) started HealthPost here in the small coastal town of Collingwood, Golden Bay. Plenty has changed in that time, but we’ve stayed true to our purpose: to help people live naturally healthy lives.
Mum, once she retired, devoted her energy to growing veges to feed her extended family and friends. She was reflecting recently on the endless learnings of tending plants season after season, embracing the unexpected successes and accepting the inevitable failures and mistakes. Whether racing to keep up with abundant growth or cultivating patience and trust in periods of dormancy, it moves us ever closer to a sense of our seasonal and interconnected nature, which has so much to do with being well.
Here are 6 ways I keep this mindful practice alive, day-to-day:
- Herbs in pots: I keep a simple, rotating selection of herbs in the kitchen and courtyard, where I can access them without getting my feet wet, and they give me so much satisfaction. I put more greens in cooking if they’re right there and a sprig of something fresh in my tea keeps me connected to nature and the season. I currently have parsley, mint, coriander, chilli and tulsi on the go. Anything to cut down on trips to the supermarket!
- ‘How to eat’: We keep this tiny Thich Nhat Hanh mindfulness classic in the kitchen, and its amazing how many people pick it up and find a gem such as this: ‘Looking deeply into your tea, you see that you are drinking fragrant plants that are the gift of Mother Earth. You see the labour of the tea pickers; you see the luscious tea fields and plantations in Sri Lanka, China and Vietnam. You know that you are drinking a cloud; you are drinking the rain. The tea contains the whole universe.’
- Better sleep: There is so much out there on sleep quality, and clearly no one size fits all, but I have found that adjusting the level and quality of light at night is helping me to sleep more soundly. I’ve switched my evening reading lamps and night sensor lights to red to cut down on blue light at night, and pop outside for 15 minutes around noon for my body clock if I can. I also try to get outside at dusk and dawn, even for five minutes, just because it feels good!
- Compost: Getting more creative about what goes in the compost, collecting autumn leaves, green clippings or seaweed when out and about: just keeping a bucket or two in the back of the car makes this easy. Composts that are all food scraps often get yucky and it's not hard to mix it up with other material once you get your eye in.
- Loving local: I pay much more attention these days to what is made locally, especially for gifts and discretionary purchases. There are so many clever people doing cool things, and our homegrown NZ natural products are among the best in the world.With the current economic challenges, as well as the climate impact of course, it feels especially important to support folk working hard in our community.
- Play: I’m increasingly mindful of making sure I take some time to play, whether that’s throwing a frisbee with friends or playing cards with the kids, doing something for no productive end feels good for the soul. Like giving away a little of our time or resources, it can help create a sense of abundance that makes everything feel more expansive.
And 3 favourite wellness tips that are especially helpful in the winter months:
- Freshening the space: I make simple homemade room sprays using quality essential oils from Absolute Essential and I also swear by their diffuser. At this time of year indoor spaces can feel stuffy and stale, and I try to spritz them with at least a little positive attention and appreciation for our cosy home. Simply opening all the windows and doors and letting the air through at least once a day also works!
- Greening things up: In mid-winter especially, I’m looking for easy ways to boost our greens when the garden isn’t producing at its usual pace. I’ve recently rediscovered chlorella (Nature’s Sunshine and Grants are both great) – and reach for it if I’ve had too much coffee or heavy food, and I take a little most days anyway. The kids love spirulina powder and add it to yoghurt for a snack, with bee pollen on top – a natural multivitamin and immune helper.
- The sea: it takes a little more motivation to get to the beach in winter but it’s so worth it for the bigger perspective, the extra light, and the sense of connection to the elements that we can miss at this time of year. Adding seaweed to meals is another great way to integrate ocean goodness. I add Pacific Harvest wakame and sea kelp to meals on a regular basis, great for an iodine and trace-mineral boost for the family.
|