Wellbeing

  • Jun102020
    The best water kefir recipe - the hunt is over (for now) For all water kefir fans out there - I've just discovered my absolute favourite water kefir recipe so far - Elderflower kefir. Easy as pie (well, much easier than pie actually).⁠ So many people messaged me on my Chalk & Moss Instagram asking for the recipe, so I'm sharing this superfood recipe with you all here. I'll break it into steps for experienced kefir makers and novices alike.  What is water kefir? Many have heard of milk kefir, a liquid sort of yoghurt full of good gut bacteria. But you can also make water kefir with the grains, a wonderful and healthy fizzy drink, often flavoured. Kefir, being a fermented probiotic drink, does wonders for your gut health, digestion and immune system. Water kefir is of course a great choice for those with lactose intolerance. To make water kefir, all you need is water, sugar and kefir grains.  You then add flavouring, such as elderflower, strawberries or dried fruit. See full recipe here.

    Water kefir recipe – elderflower kefir is THE BEST

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    The best water kefir recipe – the hunt is over (for now) For all you water kefir fans out there…

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  • May122020

    Table for One: Dine alone in Swedish meadow and name your price

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    “Table for One”, or “Bord för En” is one couple’s answer to how to enjoy a restaurant meal during Coronavirus.…

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  • May062020
    Wild garlic pasta recipe - home made pasta dough, cooked and served with oven baked salmon.

    Wild garlic pasta recipe: dough is easier than you’d think!

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    Wild garlic pasta recipe – fresh pasta dough I thought I’d tried every wild garlic recipe out there, until I…

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  • Apr082020
    We had the fortune of stumbling on this vast field of wild garlic. At home, we made several wild garlic recipes, including wild garlic pesto and wild garlic salt.

    Wild garlic recipes – wild garlic pesto & wild garlic salt

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    Wild garlic recipes – easy, healthy and satisfying I love spring! Foraging new growth and having fun with wild garlic…

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  • Mar182020
    Where to eat in Brighton : I visited Kindling, a new restaurant in Brighton based on zero waste, local produce & healthy eating. Check out this taster menu! The environment is a biophilic design dream. Scandi wood cabin chic, plants a plenty, and the menu calls out to eat natural and eat local.  Your eyes are drawn from the beautiful wooden tables and chairs upwards along the plants, hanging like a curtain that continue towards the high ceilings. It's like industrial meets plant filled log cabin, it's just lush. It's a stone's throw from Brighton beach and the shops in the Lanes, so the perfect spot.  The all British taster menu we were treated to included UK grown tomatoes, local wasabi, venison and beef from the Knepp estate re-wilding project (and via the gun shop across the road!), and of course lots of wild garlic. Yes, the wild garlic season is here! (if you're after a foraging bag, check this best seller out). Beef is also sourced from Herstmonceux and Ditchling, while lamb comes from Saddlescomb Farm, all in the Sussex area. 

    Where to eat in Brighton – Kindling – local, natural food

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    You may not be thinking about where to eat in Brighton today. But one day, we’ll be allowed out to…

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  • Nov252019
    Fjällräven Polar is a 300km mission across Arctic Scandinavia with huskies. I'm at my most alive when I'm in the wilderness and, as a UK raised Swede, I long to rediscover my native Sweden in its rawest form. It's a personal mission and to show my kids what I - and they - are capable of. To inspire them as the next generation of adventurous explorers, using our bodies as nature intended. I've applied to represent Sweden and Nordic East in this contest. Please vote for me and share the link!

    Fjallraven Polar – VOTE for my ARCTIC adventure!

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    Fjallraven Polar: Please Vote & Share to make my Arctic dream come true! I come asking for your help. More…

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  • Sep252019
    Looking for things to do in Sweden? Småland's forests, archipelago and sandy beaches with pine trees offer wild camping, kayaking, hiking and biking. This is an island in the archipelago, where you're free to use the wind shelters and outdoor cooking area for a night.

    Things to do in Sweden – camping & kayaking in Småland

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    When thinking of things to do in Sweden, British tourists often associate Sweden with Stockholm’s beautiful archipelago, the long beaches…

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  • May152019
    Flower press with flowers that have been left to flatten and dry for two weeks. The flower press is available at chalkandmoss.com.

    Mental Health Awareness: “Why am I so different?”

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    This is a note on the topic of kids mental health awareness, particularly timely as we’re in the middle of…

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  • Apr032019
    Linda Bloomfield at her pottery wheel in her West London studio.

    Why stories matter: ethical shopping for natural interiors

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    Stories give products and interior designs an overall consistent theme. In Swedish, we call this the invisible “röd tråd”, literally,…

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  • Mar202019
    This woman is standing among the trees in the forest, looking up, contemplating, or perhaps looking at a bird. Spending time in nature does wonders for body and mind.

    Forest Bathing -Shinrin Yoku- how it boosts body & mind

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    Have you heard about Forest Bathing and wondered what it is? Or perhaps your mood lightens after spending time in…

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  • Feb132019
    A cabin in the woods. Peace and tranquility in extreme weather excites and calms the soul. Image by Mauro Zamarian on Unsplash.com.

    A cabin in the Woods: 5 of the best

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    Why does a cabin in the woods speak to our senses so deeply? Think about the times when you felt…

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  • Jan242019
    Spare an hour of your weekend to get involved with the RSPB birdwatch: Big Garden Birdwatch. Help the RSPB understand the patterns of our British Garden Birds.

    RSPB birdwatch – Big Garden Birdwatch 26-28/Jan

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    The annual RSPB birdwatch, or Big Garden Birdwatch, is happening this weekend (26-28 January 2019) so get your eyes/binoculars and a…

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  • Jan102019
    Wondering which is the best house plant to buy for your home or office? Go for both air purifying plants like peace lily or spider plants, combined with impressive big leaf plants like this cheese plant (aka monstera deliciosa) for maximum impact and benefit. Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

    Best Indoor Plants: celebrate Houseplant Appreciation Day

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    You’ll no doubt have seen the huge increase in houseplant popularity this year. So you may now ask yourself, which…

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  • Dec182018
    This year, give yourself a break from fighting with sellotape and paper that won’t cut or fold evenly. Instead, make an eco friendly, beautiful, simple and quick Furoshiki wrap. A beautiful wrap can be a gift in itself.

    How to make a knot wrap – Japanese Furoshiki wrap

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    Eco gift wrapping is finally starting to get some respect, no least with the Japanese furoshiki knot wrap. This year,…

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  • Dec122018
    Pillowy snow in morning light, Sweden, close to winter solstice. Photo by Anna Sjostrom Walton, Chalk & Moss.

    Winter Solstice – kitchen textiles for shortest day of the year

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    Winter solstice, or midwinter, marks the shortest day of the year and when the sun sits lowest at midday. In…

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  • Nov212018

    Shop small on Green Friday – Indie Friday – Small Business Saturday

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    In the midst of hysteria around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are some great initiatives out there the likes…

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  • Oct042018
    The juniper hot smoked salmon is nearly ready! See how it's crisped at the bottom of the salmon fillet and still wobbly on top? Perfect! In this recipe from Food from the Fire, you don't wait for charcoal but cook on the naked flame with juniper bushes for an extra special smoky flavour.

    Hot smoked salmon recipe – Food from the Fire

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    Hot smoked salmon connects my senses to the wild nature and outdoor life that I love. And it’s so easy…

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  • Aug062018
    Family festival 2018: Into the Trees, full of crafts and activities for young and old.

    Family Festival 2018: Into The Trees – Win Family Day Ticket

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    If you’re looking for a family festival in 2018, Into The Trees is back in Sussex this September 14-16th. And…

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  • Jul122018
    Homeware products for Plastic Free July, with great alternatives to plastic bags, packaging and household cloths.

    How’s Plastic Free July Going? Your Tips & Product Guide is Here

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    Plastic Free July is already well under way! This initiative, aiming to encourage the reduced use of plastics, started in Australia in…

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  • Jul042018
    Kokedama balls can be made with large or small plants. Ferns and tropical plants are particularly suitable. The Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa) print is by Dollybirds Art, available in the Chalk & Moss online shop. Learn how to make kokedama balls on the Chalk & Moss blog.

    How to Make Kokedama Balls (Japanese Moss Balls)

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    I recently learned how to make kokedama balls. I could pretend I’ve mastered some complicated art, but it was so…

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  • Jun232018
    Courgette flowers are absolutely wonderful deep fried in batter. You can pick the young courgette along with it and cook that too. Find the recipe here on Chalk & Moss (chalkandmoss.com).

    Deep fried courgette flowers – easy & pure indulgence

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    Deep fried courgette flowers are one of the flavours that reminds me of childhood. We used to spend our summers…

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  • May152018
    Find out how to make elderflower cordial on Chalk & Moss (chalkandmoss.com). Elderflower cordial is one of the big joys of spring! So easy to make, and so satisfying to drink! Follow this simple recipe on ChalkandMoss.com

    How to make elderflower cordial – easy & refreshing summer in a bottle!

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    If you’re wondering how to make elderflower cordial, then read on. Here’s a very simple yet deliciously refreshing recipe. Elderflower cordial…

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  • May092018
    72 hour stress buster: Close to nature in a Swedish glass cabin on your own island. Read the full story on Chalk & Moss.

    The Swedish stress buster: 72 hour nature cure in a glass cabin

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    Using nature as a stress buster has long been a part of Swedish life. And now scientists wanted to prove…

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  • May022018
    Follow these house plant care and styling tips for your own jungalow style!

    House plant care and styling: from graveyard to jungalow

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    House plant care for real people… You drool over jungalow interior style Instagram posts and articles. You rush out and…

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  • Mar262018
    Finland is the Happiest country in the world of 2018, according to the latest UN report. The Finns themselves put this down to Sisu; the strength of will and resilience they gain from challenging themselves physically in nature. This includes dipping in freezing waters, where the hormones produced help reduce anxiety, helping them cope with difficult situations. Image by Val Vesa on Unsplash.com.

    Happiest Country in the World – How Does Finland Do It?

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    The Happiest Country in the World – How Does Finland Do It? The Finns Credit Sisu; Harnessing Courage in Nature…

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  • Jan222018
    Best cook books for Scandinavian, Nordic, Middle Eastern, Indian cook books - all with a healthy attitude to food.

    Best Cook Books for Health and Wellbeing

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    The best cook books on my shelf are those that prompt me to try new ingredients, combinations and colours. I…

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  • Jan162018
    Full body workout for my daughter - Nordic skiing in Sälen, Sweden!

    Experiencing Silence, Skiing & Cross-Country Skiing in Sweden – Sälen, Dalarna County

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    Record snow falls this Christmas gave us a magical experience skiing and cross-country skiing in Sweden! Born in Stockholm and…

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