Virtual Care Package for Peace
Putting yourself first, plus treats for your ears, tummy and mind
There is a beautiful lesson I was reminded of recently: kindness is contagious. When we go about our daily life or take a walk in the park, we tend to look down, avoiding the accidental gaze of strangers by all means. Perhaps that is a very British way of keeping yourself to yourself, of not encroaching on others’ privacy. But what if you look up? An approaching elderly dog walker smiles and cheerfully exclaims: “Top of the morning to you!” You can’t help but smile back trying to keep up with this unexpected warmth and enthusiasm from someone you’ve never met. You take this impulse of energy to the next person you walk past and pass it on. They usually reciprocate. Your whole perspective on the day and the people around you changes. Theirs probably does too. It is a beautiful domino effect of contagious kindness that makes the world that little bit better.
A couple of weeks ago I was finding it particularly hard to handle the current news and what is happening in the two countries I call home (the subject of my previous newsletter). Let’s admit it, I still do. I was looking for ways to soothe myself and to help others who I know find themselves in a similar boat or simply wish to take a pause from their own problems or turbulent life moments. It started as a simple idea: I wanted to create a helpful resource for myself and for others to help the mind find some semblance of peace right now. Not much would have probably happened had I kept this thought to myself. So many ideas and projects like that do end up on a notebook page as a sad reminder of things unaccomplished. But this time the impulse was strong. I reached out to friends and people I thought would like to get involved and once again it turned out that kindness and good intentions are contagious, if you let them be! I am so so grateful to the people I know (and don’t know) personally who have generously volunteered their time to create these much-needed audio moments of peaceful light and comforting calm. Special thanks go to my friend (and partner in so many “crimes”) Daria, a wonderful yoga teacher, whose magical meditations you will find on this resource, and who helped grow this from a one-woman band show.
So, without further ado, I am pleased to share our Virtual Care Package for Peace, a resource which will no doubt grow from its humble beginnings as the kindness continues to spread. Here you will find meditations, breathwork practices, readings, mantras and affirmations created by different people who have offered to share their voice and support. We plan to update the content as and when, so this is just a start. You don’t have to share my motivation for using these resources either. You might just want some peace and quiet or perhaps you have struggles of some kind that are completely unknown to me. I also understand that carving out 10-15 minutes out of one’s day might not be available to some people who find themselves in a very real state of fight-or-flight right now. I do hope, however, that one day they can too benefit from healing.
The main thing I would like to emphasise is that in any difficult situation it is important to remember to look inwards and to start with yourself, because only then you can also help others. Remember the airplane oxygen mask rule: “If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.” Do not feel like it’s selfish to help yourself first, even in the darkest of times. I hope you will find respite in this and I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
What made my week
Bluesy tunes by an Ethiopean nun
Turns out this is exactly the kind of soundscape my ears have been craving. Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou was an Ethiopean composer-pianist-nun born in the 1920s who lived barefoot in a hilltop monastery in Ethiopia and then in a small cell in Jerusalem, where she perfected her flowing bluesy tunes and compositions. “Sweet sadness” is perhaps the most accurate description of the mood she captures. And what a gift to our ears it is.
Megan’s chocolate muffin
So healthy but still indulgent! From Megan Rossi’s latest book Eat More, Live Well. this is guaranteed to be good for your gut and health and is my go-to comforting breakfast recipe right now, but I won’t judge if you go for a full-blown chocolate brownie (which I’ve also made).
2 large eggs
60g black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 Medjool dates, pitted (about 50g)
40g porridge oats
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
Toppers (optional)
2 squares dark chocolate
1/4 cup of live yoghurt
Add the eggs to a high-powered blender and blitz for 20 secs, before adding all of the other ingredients and blitzing for a further 20 seconds until the mix is smooth. Divide into two clean, microwaveable cups (about 250ml capacity). Top with the chocolate (if using), before placing one mug in the centre of the microwave.
Cook on high for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, or until it is set on top (it will keep cooking a little as it cools). Repeat with the second mug if cooking for two, or keep it in the fridge for tomorrow.
Allow to cool for a minute before adding a dollop of yoghurt (if using) and tucking in.
Weleda’s Natural Wellness Every Day
I have been a long-time fan of Weleda, a natural skincare brand that also doesn’t make a dent in my wallet. There is literally no other facial cream on earth than their Iris Lotion that does the trick for me. Some sort of New Age alchemy must be at play.
The now century-old pharmaceutical lab known for its holistic approach and anthroposophical teachings (think Rudolf Steiner’s esoteric beliefs, Waldorf schools, organic farming etc.) has finally released its own bible to living naturally. And you don’t have to be a convert to their products to appreciate it. Wellbeing writer and holistic therapist Emine Rushton shares her wisdom on tapping into our natural health and beauty, with Weleda’s philosophy in mind of course… Read it, it’s good. The textured hardback edition is also beautiful gift for others (or yourself).
Eugenia x