As October comes around, my attention is always turned to the preparation and pressure of the upcoming festive 'silly season', and here at Jo D we embrace all of this madness and chaos!
Both my children's Birthdays are in November so from the middle of September onwards it is a time to get organised for what lies ahead.
We love Halloween and very shortly after this Spooktacular day comes my littlest's Birthday. That is a lot of baking, wrapping, dressing up and face paint right there.
We roll straight into Bonfire night from this present and cake explosion and a few weeks after that it is time for my eldest's Birthday....Is it too early to then mention not long after that it is Christmas.....ahhhhhhh!! If ever there was a time to listen to my own advise and create a quiet moment for myself to enjoy my favourite comforting cuppa then it would be at this time of year!
As you can appreciate, with this in mind, and in order for me to get any enjoyment out of such a busy time, it is so important to me that I get well ahead of the game and feel a sense of organisation and calm. But also to stay well, be energised and on form for all the excitement and activity.
With the bugs out in full force and lots of children off school with horrible coughs and colds, I thought it would be great to theme this week's blog around an Autumn Survival Pack, not just for me to benefit from, but for all of us!
This is just my story for the coming months, so even if yours is looking different but packed with an equal amount of life-juggles and moderate stresses then I really hope the tips below will help.
Below I have included some self care tips, some warming winter drinks, and other tricks to optimise your own health and immunity as this looming festive season rushes towards us.
Do try to slow down and sip wherever possible, keep taking deep breathes and remember to always laugh when you can.
Love Jo x
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Jo's Top 5 'Silly Season' Survival Tips
1. A Pot of Jasmin and Ginger Tea
We are loving Jasmin tea at the moment, not only because it it so fragrant and delicious but it comes with wonderful health benefits too as it is bursting with antioxidants and is said to boost brain function too!
Enjoy a warming pot of this jasmine tea recipe with chai spices including cinnamon, star anise, cloves and ginger. The addition of orange and berries adds a fruity tang and it is so warming and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp loose leaf jasmine tea
- a handful of frozen berries
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 2 cloves
- a slice of ginger
- a wedge of orange
- 1l water
Method
Put the jasmine tea and frozen berries into a Jo D teapot. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, ginger and orange. Fill the teapot with 450ml of freshly boiled water, let it brew for 3-4 mins, strain into teacups and enjoy.
2. For a boost of immunity and to keep the bugs at bay, make sure you have a pot of these in your cupboard to take daily.
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that our bodies cannot make or store.
- Aids iron absorption
- Supports immune function
- Supports the body in times of stress
- Supports energy levels
- A co-factor for the production of collagen
- Maintains the integrity of blood vessels
3. For the all important decorations required at this time of year, look no further than the amazing Paper Dreams for a plethora of choice from Birthdays, Halloween to Christmas. They are so cheery and easy to store so they can come out again and again.
We especially love their set of fat bat and fat spider for a really spooky but brilliant look, plus they are so well made they will stay up in your house for ages.
4. Cooking is something we are very passionate about at Jo D and we believe whole heartedly in the importance and power of good, wholesome and home-cooked food.
We love making soups as they are so easy, warming and can be packed full of flavour. We also love Leon's book Soup which is jammed packed with ideas, ingredients and flavour to suit the whole family...Bingo!
Their Tom Yum (Yum Yum) soup is brimming with flavour, goodness and packs a punch to keep those airways open and runny noses at bay.
5. And finally, don't forget to turn your devices off as the days drawer to a close, go to bed early enough to try and get the important 7 hours + in if possible. One thing on my wish list is one of these amazing and totally beautiful eye masks from Elizabeth Scarlett. There is something so luxe about going to bed with one of these and it will encourage your eyes to stay closed for as long as your alarm will allow!
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