december

december marks the start of winter and the weather has definitely taken a cold turn here on gower. now more than ever we need to support our immune and circulatory systems, so keep your meals packed with warming spices, mucus-clearing herbs, like black pepper, cinnamon and rosemary. during this indulgent time it’s important to add some fermented vegetables to stimulate your digestive system too.

it’s during this time of year when things start to speed up as there is a rush to meet deadlines before the festive break. make sure that you are taking time to rest and eat nourishing meals to give you steady, calm energy. 

local | jerusalem artichoke // kale // leeks // cauliflower // cabbages // parsnips // brussel sprouts

wyld | alexanders // common sorrel // garlic mustard // oak moss // sea beet

full moon | 08.12 | cold moon

winter solstice | 21.12

new moon | 23.12

the cold moon refers to the coming of winter this month, marked by the winter solstice. it’s a very important date in the pagan calendar, it was also known as ‘mid-winter’ or ‘mother night’.it was often marked with the final feast of the year; fires lit, livestock slaughtered, fermented alcoholic drinks opened and greenery brought inside (all sound familiar?). 

creating a ritual on this magical day is a lovely way to bring more traditions into this time of year, really celebrate nature and bring more light into your day when you need it most. you could light a fire outside, go for a sunrise swim or even do some candlelight cooking like we mentioned last month.

we have our final supper clwb of the year on 17th december, and we only have a few spaces left. we hope that you can join us for our festive feast celebrating local produce with all the trimmings. head to our events page to book.

we hope you are enjoying the rhythm of these posts. each month we have been sharing what is in season, both locally and to forage. these ingredients will go on to form the basis of our experiences that month. nature provides exactly what we need, when we need it. tuning into nature and the seasons will enable you to live more in harmony with your surroundings and nourish your body with what it needs to thrive.