S2 Ep6: CALM (ease + joy)

A lovely, relaxing episode to ease you into a place of restfulness this winter, including a beautiful meditation, some gorgeous winter poetry, and some tips for finding calm in the chaos. With inspiration from Hakuin, Brian Patton, Roger McGough, Mark Strand, the Royal Horticultural Society (@the_rhs), Joey Hulin (@joeyhulin_writer), Isobel Carlson, Donna Hay (@donna.hay), and Country Living (@countrylivinguk).Featured in this episode: Untitled poem by Hakuin from Three Zen Masters by John Stevens (Kodansha)Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)First Snow in the Street by Brian Patton in 100 Best Christmas Poems for Children, edited by Roger McGough  (SPCK Publishing)Lines for Winter by Mark Strand in Poem for the Day Two edited by Retta Bowen, Nick Temple, Stephanie Wienrich and Nicholas Albery (Chatto & Windus) Your Spiritual Almanac by Joey Hulin  (Laurence King)RHS Gardening Through the Year by Ian Spence (DK) The Seaside Year by Isobel Carlson (Summersdale)Country Living Christmas (magazine) Christmas Feasts and Treats by Donna Hay  (Harper Collins)Ingredients for the featured recipe (Rocky Road)Makes six1kg of dark chocolate (chopped)2 tablespoons vegetable oil130g sweetened dried cranberries 200g marshmallows250g Turkish Delight pieces50g of coconut flakes 140g of shelled unsalted pistachios, chopped

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***Officially the UK's #1 favourite Christmas podcast*** The Calm Christmas Podcast is a cosy listen during the darkest season of the year. Bestselling wellbeing author Beth Kempton shares soothing wintery words from her favourite poets and writers, tips for a stress-free holiday season and advice for taking care of ourselves at this time of year. Join Beth at her kitchen table deep in the English countryside to explore ideas for a natural and sustainable Christmas, look into the origins of some of our most-loved traditions, and see how winter is endured and celebrated around the world. With new episodes every week throughout November and December, the Calm Christmas podcast is less of a countdown to Christmas than a travelling together through winter… So mark your diary and allow Beth to inspire you to let go of perfection and create a meaningful, nourishing celebration this year. There are logs on the fire, tea in the pot and gingerbread fresh out of the oven. Pull up a chair and relax. It is Christmas, after all.