each year, the nationwide campaign ‘Organic September’ helps us to refocus on what’s so important to us
STORIES · 03.09.20
Mindful Living | Well-Being
I always get excited about the autumn. It’s hard to shed that feeling of beginning a ‘new term’ and the drive and energy that comes with that, and my teams come back together, refreshed after holidays and eager to make a start on plans for the rest of the year.
Each year, the nationwide campaign ‘Organic September’ helps us to refocus on what’s so important to us. Led by the Soil Association, it raises awareness of the many benefits of organic food and regenerative farming. This year, we particularly wanted to celebrate the local farmers and growers who kept us all fed throughout the pandemic. Farmers act as custodians of the land and their work across our supply chains became more important than ever before. I wrote about my hopes for building a more sustainable future after lockdown for Natural Products magazine. You can read the article here.
The shift in the season inspires me. Autumn is beautiful in the Cotswolds. The leaves slowly start to fade and turn rusty and brown. The animals on the farm find relief in the cooler air. We begin to harvest broccoli, squash and pumpkin; sacks of potatoes fill the farm shop and I rediscover warming recipes. The orchards heave with apples. Blackberries are ready to be picked and buried in crumble.
The arrival of the first cobnuts, a traditional British hazelnut, is always something I look forward to. They are delicious baked into tarts or loaves, but you can also grind them into pesto. As the weather cools, I turn to heartier dishes and I’ll restock the larder with grains and pulses. The zero waste pantry at Daylesford means you can buy just what you need and use your own containers to prevent unnecessary packaging.
the shift in the season inspires me. autumn is beautiful in the cotswolds. the leaves slowly start to fade and turn rusty and brown. the animals on the farm find relief in the cooler air
Though we’ve had to limit our usually busy schedule of events, we will be hosting a Harvest Feast this year, instead of our annual Harvest Festival celebrating nature’s bounty. Our Head Chef Gavin Fuller has worked on a menu using produce picked from our market garden and guests will be given a tractor tour of the farm. Tickets are available here.
Despite a chillier start, my morning routine stays very much the same. I’ll continue to walk outside every morning with my dogs, feed the chickens their breakfast and collect their eggs. And as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, I’ll often take a bath to unwind in the evening. Bamford’s b silent night time bath concentrate creates the most luxurious bath with organic essential oils to unwind the body and mind. The room fills with the scent of lavender and chamomile and the apricot kernel oil leaves my skin feeling silky and nourished. I’ve always found a good evening routine forms the foundation of sleeping well and I’ll wake early, ready for another autumn day.
