The Spring Tonic Episode 4 - FRESH

How does fresh air, fresh food and a bit of fresh thinking sound?

This week Editor of The Simple Things magazine, Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor, Becs Frank look for small ways to bring in spring. They start by opening the windows, trying some homespun cleaning and pegging out the washing. There’ll be chat about homegrown herbs and adding a twist to favourite meals. And why cycling is a good thing.

Join them to hear this episode’s original short story and discover just what’s in their first Pause subscription box from Mind, which is supporting A Spring Tonic

To subscribe to The Simple Things Magazine, click here...

Transcript

Lisa Sykes (00:05):

Welcome to season two of Small Ways to Live Well in which we're welcoming in Spring, and reminding ourselves of ways we can enjoy and appreciate it. I'm Lisa Sykes, editor of The Simple Things. This is episode four and I'm here with our wellbeing editor, Becs Frank, how does a bit of fresh air, fresh food, and some fresh thinking sound to you? Bex,

Becs Frank (00:24):

That sounds like exactly what I need, Lisa.

Lisa Sykes (00:26):

I know. I'm ready for it, aren't you? Definitely. I think having it one sunny weekend puts you in the mood, doesn't it? We need it, don't we? Definitely. So we're going to start by opening the windows. We're going to try some home fun cleaning, and we're going to be pegging out the washing. Then it's going to be a busy day. They expect we're going to be talking homegrown herbs and adding a twist to our favourite meals. And then we're going to talk about how to make everyday meal times a little bit more special. Oh, and why cycling is a good thing. And I'll also be reading this week's short story, so it could be a good time to take a break for tea. But first of all, I want to give a big shout out to Pause, which is the monthly subscription box from Mental Health Charity Mind, which is supporting this season. You can find out more about it at pauseformind.org slash simple. And the link to that is in our description, but Becs and I have both just received one and we're pretty excited to see what's inside. So we'll be doing a live unboxing. Yes. Don't hold your breath

(01:22):

Later in the podcast. I dunno about you Becs, but one of the things I love most about Spring is opening all the windows and doors. It's such a tangible sign that the season's moved on, isn't it?

Becs Frank (01:33):

Oh, me too. Even if it's actually quite chilly when you do it. It's just such a lovely to feel the breeze coming in through the house, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (01:40):

Oh, definitely. And Easter weekend this year was the one, wasn't it? It happened to be a time when we were all at home and

Becs Frank (01:49):

It was unexpected.

Lisa Sykes (01:50):

Yes.

Becs Frank (01:50):

Which actually made it even more special, didn't it?

Lisa Sykes (01:53):

I know. It was great. I had the back door open most of the days. We had a lot of family there with young children doing an Easter egg hunt and all that, and they were in and out and I turned the heating off in a sort of significant gesture. Did you? Yes. Although you did really need a jumper. And I am now sat here in a woolly jumper still because it's now spring and the heating is not coming back on.

Becs Frank (02:15):

No, I think it was the fresh air coming through the house that kept the heating kept coming back on again because the thermostat was dropping so low. But I was determined to have all the windows open.

Lisa Sykes (02:24):

I know, it's like it reminds me of being on holidays when I was a child where you went to the beach whenever the weather. So you're sat there in a fleece.

Becs Frank (02:31):

It's Easter, so we'll have the windows open.

Lisa Sykes (02:34):

Absolutely. But you get to air all the rooms, don't you?

Becs Frank (02:38):

Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (02:39):

You do. And I love that. Oh, the thing I really like doing as well, and I've just done it this morning, it's pegging out the washing.

Becs Frank (02:45):

Yes. I did that for the first time actually over the Easter weekend. And I've done it a little bit since. Did you? But I mean it's a bit in and out at this time of year, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (02:53):

Yeah, it is. A shower can come quite quickly, can't it about, because the thing about working at home is means you always tries to squeeze in little jobs, aren't you here and there around your work day? Yes, but this is my absolute favourite domestic activity by far hanging out. Yeah. I don't like to rush it. Yes, I like to do it properly. I can hear the birds. I let the dog have a sniff around while I'm doing it in the garden and there's something

Becs Frank (03:21):

Do you have a system?

Lisa Sykes (03:22):

Yeah, I do. And I don't really like anyone else to do it either. I knew it because they hang things the wrong way up like waistbands and you end up with old creases. You

Becs Frank (03:33):

Never ask the kids is my

Lisa Sykes (03:34):

Never, never. Or other halves in fact,

Becs Frank (03:39):

To be honest. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (03:42):

But also you do notice how dirty your house is, don't you? When the days get lighter and the windows, particularly as

Becs Frank (03:47):

Soon as the sun starts shining through the windows. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (03:50):

Yeah.

Becs Frank (03:51):

I get this urge really. And I'm not, I am far from a kind of avid clean, I mean my house is clean, but I'm not someone who likes to spend the weekend bottoming my house. Yes. But as soon as this time of year comes around, I do get this kind of stronger to start. I was actually scrubbing my grouting in my bathroom the other day.

Lisa Sykes (04:10):

You weren't?

Becs Frank (04:11):

No, I was. And the windows is always one of the first things I want to do. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (04:15):

No, you do want to make them sparkle, don't you? Yeah. Also because you look outside a lot more, whereas in the winter you don't really look outside as much. Do you say

Becs Frank (04:24):

It's true

Lisa Sykes (04:25):

Now we've done quite a few features on homemade cleaning products, haven't we? I should probably tell people. So we have a feature every issue called Weekend Project. And the idea is that you can make something without having lots of special kit and you can just do it that weekend and doing things that are proudly homemade is really at the heart of the magazine. And we've done several things now on homemade cleaning products. And you've tried a few of these be, haven't you?

Becs Frank (04:51):

Yeah, I think it's a great thing to do for various reasons. These are going to be products that are more environmentally friendly, cheaper.

(04:58):

They give you a little kind of project to do. Most of the ingredients we will probably have inside our kitchen cupboards, to be honest, you can pretty much make an all-purpose cleaner with three ingredients really? Then what are they? You need some white vinegar, bicarb, probably some lemon I would say is a good thing to have. And then you can add in different things. So some essential oils for different scents, but also maybe some, Rosemary is really nice. So depending on how you like your cleaning products to smell nice. But you can get fantastic. You can get fantastic results

Lisa Sykes (05:30):

Because they do smell much better they than the ones you buy, which are so artificial.

Becs Frank (05:36):

And you're not filling your home with all those chemicals, which most of us probably don't want to do.

Lisa Sykes (05:40):

No.

Becs Frank (05:41):

And you can get just as good results.

Lisa Sykes (05:43):

And also you don't need antibacterial everything because it's not actually very good for us for our homes to be that clean, is it?

Becs Frank (05:49):

That's right. And there were simple things like if you are someone who likes to use pack of wipes or something, which we all know a bit of an environmental disaster, although you can buy eco-friendly ones. I know, but how about making your own? It's really simple. You just cut up some cotton cloths. You make a mixture of water, white wine vinegar with some lemon and lavender oils and you soak your cloths inside in the jar and then you've got them there ready for you whenever you want to get the urge to clean. I love

Lisa Sykes (06:16):

This. That was my favourite one. I think we did. And you can use an old towel you're going to throw out and then you put them back. In fact, I'm going to do that this very weekend. I have a towel that I noticed the other day was pretty much on its last legs and that is going to be some now wipes. I have to say though, I was looking at this feature again the other day, and I think life is possibly too short for homemade toilet fizzes, a bath bomb. Maybe

Becs Frank (06:42):

I'd be more tempted to put those in my bath with me actually. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (06:45):

No, I think I would hold the line there, but one thing I do like to give a bit of a sprinkling to is my houseplant though.

Becs Frank (06:52):

Oh yeah.

Lisa Sykes (06:53):

I mean all it is really is

Becs Frank (06:54):

They gather dust, don't they?

Lisa Sykes (06:55):

Yeah. To give them a dust, a nice wipe down with a non cleaning product cloth and lose the dead leaves. I might re-pot a few if they're feeling like they're a bit tight in there or and top dress them, which is just like where you put some new compost on top and it just gives them a few more nutrients and it's amazing how quickly they kind of go

Becs Frank (07:16):

This have a little perk up and that's really nice kind of activity to do just through a nice mindful activity. You're going connecting with nature through your plants. I like that. Absolutely. Not too hard. Not too hard. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (07:29):

And what other projects have you got lined up for this spring then?

Becs Frank (07:33):

Well, I haven't gone out into the garden for the first time to actually sit out in the garden. I've realised that my garden furniture is looking a bit sad and kind of winter worn always. So I think I'm going to have a go at that and I'm going to have a go at sanding it again lightly. But if that doesn't, that would give me great results. I'm either going to paint it or just buy a really nice tablecloth. I think that sounds great. I want it. I love sitting out. I love sitting out and having as many meals out as I can when the weather turns.

Lisa Sykes (08:03):

Yeah, me too.

Becs Frank (08:04):

I want to be ready for that.

Lisa Sykes (08:05):

Well, my endless repairing the garden furniture project is I've done one set, but I've got a bistro table and some old bandstand chairs.

Becs Frank (08:15):

Oh, nice.

Lisa Sykes (08:16):

And I bought the wood for them and I just need to reconnect them to the chairs now. So I think I've finally found some screws that fit the thing. You end up with these lovely old bits of furniture, but they're all imperial sized things.

Becs Frank (08:31):

This sounds like a step-by-step project.

Lisa Sykes (08:32):

Yeah, it's definitely taken various stages, but this year they will be coming out and I will be painting

Becs Frank (08:38):

Them. And you are going to feel such a sense of satisfaction when that's done.

Lisa Sykes (08:43):

What as much as my old deck chairs, which the fabric had ripped on that I have now. I've taken off field fabric and I'm about to recover those.

Becs Frank (08:53):

So good to do that and to look after something, repair it, then just check it away and go and buy something else, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (09:00):

And I should say we've covered all these features in the magazine because nearly all my inspiration for projects comes from things we actually write about and I go, oh, I must do that. And then I have to remember which issue we've covered in. But doing anything outdoors this time of year is a good thing, isn't it? I like doing projects that I can painting or you can just take stuff outside with you, can't you?

Becs Frank (09:20):

Yeah, fresh air activities.

Lisa Sykes (09:22):

Yeah,

Becs Frank (09:22):

Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (09:22):

Totally. And walking of course. But I do always get my bike out come spring as well.

Becs Frank (09:27):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (09:28):

I used to cycle all year and when I lived in a city I would cycle any, anytime and any place. But now I am very much an occasional and really fair weather cyclist,

Becs Frank (09:37):

So it's time to get the bike out and give it a little

Lisa Sykes (09:40):

Absolutely.

Becs Frank (09:41):

MOT. I think the tyres are always down, aren't they? And that, but it's so worth it when you do it

Lisa Sykes (09:47):

And there's nothing, there's like riding a bike and I remember really clearly the first time I had to go on a mountain bike. I used to mountain bike a lot in my thirties and before I had kids. Really? And although we used to take the kids down mountain biking,

Becs Frank (10:02):

So proper mountain biking.

Lisa Sykes (10:04):

Oh yeah, yeah. Like big fells and stuff. But the first time I had to go was not like that at all. It was on an old railway path and it was the early nineties when mountain bikes were just getting popular. And I rode off road for the first time and I went through puddles and over rocks and it just made me feel like a big kid. Nothing else ever has.

Becs Frank (10:23):

Maybe that's it. It's that kind of childlike feeling because that's probably when we associate those happy memories of being free and having the wind in your hair and being off for the day and it's absolutely, yeah, I love walking. But there's something about cycling that is quite different and it's a bit more exciting. And I

Lisa Sykes (10:41):

Wonder if as women, we feel quite attached to cycling as well because it's been such an important thing in emancipation of women. It it really has. It gave them mobility when they didn't have any.

Becs Frank (10:54):

Yeah, exactly.

Lisa Sykes (10:55):

And

Becs Frank (10:56):

The first bikes in the late 19th century that were designed for women, the safety bicycle, the first one with the diamond frame, and that offered women the opportunity to kind of go out the first kind of spreading the word about getting the women's vote so their leaflets would be distributed by women on Oh, so it was a big part of the suffragette movement.

Lisa Sykes (11:15):

It was a big part of the suffragette movement. And then of course all the land girls in the war and women going out to work.

Becs Frank (11:22):

Yes, exactly.

Lisa Sykes (11:23):

They got there. They,

Becs Frank (11:25):

Yeah. And Simone Beis, they learned to ride in the second World War and would spend the summers apparently cycling around the area, the south of France in the free zone.

Lisa Sykes (11:34):

Well, lucky old Simone de Beauvoir. That's all I could say.

Becs Frank (11:37):

I know exactly. Quite spend my summers doing that. But you do get that sense of freedom. You do. Maybe there's something in that feeling of being free and liberated

Lisa Sykes (11:50):

I think. So the thing about getting out in the fresh air and doing exercise as well is you feel like you breathe deeper, don't you? And I know breathing, you've written a lot about this, haven't you? We take breathing for granted so much, don't, because it's the most basic thing we do. But breathing in fresh air is actually can be quite hard sometimes. I'm just getting back into running again with my dog, got this young dog and I thought, oh, this would be a good way to take her out for lots of exercise. And it's the breathing that I'm finding the hardest part of it, getting it right. Do you know that's

Becs Frank (12:22):

Common? Well, yeah, because we don't consciously breathe. Do so you probably, you are thinking about it when you're running, but most of the time we just breathe. It's our most subconscious activity, isn't it? We do it very naturally. But actually if you speak to any expert in breathwork, they'll tell you that most of us breathe very quickly not using our full capacity.

(12:44):

And as a result we are not getting the benefits so that you want to have the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. So you're breathing in the oxygen, you're breathing out the carbon dioxide, and often we're not fully breathing out. So I quite like if you are thinking about how to breathe better, there's a little say, when in doubt breathe out. So what you're probably doing is breathing in a lot more. So if you think so you're sort of holding your breath a bit. Yeah. And also it just helps you to breathe in slower as well. So if you kind of think about breathing out and breathing everything out and then holding empty for three seconds and then when you breathe in again, you'll breathe in a lot more slowly. And it's quite a nice little technique just to kind get settle your breathing a little bit. That's really interesting. I feel like I was just breathing heavily into

Lisa Sykes (13:31):

The microphone.

Becs Frank (13:32):

You did go

Lisa Sykes (13:33):

Quite quiet.

Becs Frank (13:35):

Do you find that you are holding your breath when you're in? Have you tried breathing through your nose more? Apparently? That's a technique

Lisa Sykes (13:41):

I tend to blow out when I'm ringing. You're out, which

Becs Frank (13:45):

Well, we all do, don't we?

Lisa Sykes (13:46):

Yeah. And actually I know you're supposed to try and nose breathe more, but it's so hard to kind of get that in your stride pattern.

Becs Frank (13:53):

I think nose breathing when you're exercising is a technique that needs a lot of practise, but nose breathing generally is good for you and better for you and something to try and then I dunno about you, but I think my nose would just start running when I'm

Lisa Sykes (14:07):

Running. Anyway. I think we might be heading into TMI territory. Don't you

Becs Frank (14:11):

Possibly

Lisa Sykes (14:13):

Join on because I now is the big live unboxing mix.

Becs Frank (14:17):

Oh, great. Okay. Yep. Here we go. I've got mine here.

Lisa Sykes (14:20):

Set the scenes and I have both got a pause box, which is the mindful activity subscription box for a mind. Well, I'm opening the box. I'm pleased to say it's letterbox size, so it fits very slimly through your letterbox, which is handy, isn't it? So you'd have to go out and get it. Oh, this looks

Becs Frank (14:37):

Lovely. It

Lisa Sykes (14:38):

Does look lovely. There's a little booklet with lots of stuff about how it all works and things about wellbeing, which looks quite useful. Very pretty. That would be a good read. It's very pretty. It's all sort of pastel colours.

Becs Frank (14:49):

It's origami.

Lisa Sykes (14:50):

Oh, is it? Oh yeah. Notepad in there as well, which seems nice. Oh, I'm going to open the or Army pack. Oh, look at all

Becs Frank (14:57):

This beautiful paper.

Lisa Sykes (14:58):

It's all picture paper wrapped. Oh, and there's some nice papers.

Becs Frank (15:03):

Really beautiful papers. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (15:05):

And presumably what lovely little kit. Oh yeah. Oh yeah, these look good. Okay. Well I think what we'll do is we'll have a little pause now to read the short story and then we'll come back and tell you a bit more about it. But just to tell you a little bit more about pause before we go though, your donation for a monthly box could cost as little as seven pound 50 a month though you can give more and you can also give it as a gift to someone else too. And every penny goes to mind to help 'em support people and make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone. You can find out more at pause.org.uk/simple. And the links also on our app description. So just a reminder, we are a commission, an original bedtime story in every issue of the simple things. And this one is about someone who is taking a fresh approach.

(15:56):

The purple berry. A short story by fade repa, the felt berry was the colour of violet handmade with a small stalk like that of an apple. A beautiful hat Amy thought as she peered in the shop window, but much to attention grabbing. It would be the perfect hat for Meredith, not Amy as an illustrator, Amy was used to noticing details that others might miss. She spotted that a di manti drop necklace had a tiny stone missing and that a duck egg blue ceramic bowl was slightly chipped on its rim. She wrapped her scarf more tightly around her neck. It was one of those chilli spring days where your breath looks like dragon smoke. She wasn't even sure what type of shop this was. Was it antique or vintage or even charity? Its name The wisdom of things left and on the wiser, Amy preferred things to be clear and self-explanatory.

(16:48):

She had learned order and precision from James who objected to her paints and pencils littering the flat. James would hate the purple berry. He didn't like people to dress differently, so Amy usually wore black. She was wearing it. Now, after intending her interview, it had taken two hours and three bus rides to meet with the editor of a new fashion magazine with merely sniffed as Amy presented her sketches and paintings of her illustrated creation girl about town. Meredith Meredith, unlike Amy, was carefree and confident. She wore Bretton stripes in Vermilion lipstick. She spotted buckle tan ankle boots with bare legs and would look great in a purple hat. Amy felt the sudden need to be among lovely things. She repositioned her black leather portfolio under her arm and headed into the shop. The lady behind the counter called out a cheer. Hello? Her copper hair hung in two short plats and she wore a canary yellow shift dress.

(17:46):

Amy mumbled, hello back and glanced around the shop. A brass bird cage hung from the ceiling housing five papier mashie parakeets. Inside they look so real that Amy imagined them chirping an electric blue velvet kimono lay draped over a small wooden Victorian chair. What's in your case? The Plattered lady asked, it looks intriguing. Surprised by her direct question. Amy tapped her portfolio. It's some of my artwork, she replied, may I take a look? Amy felt a little uplifted by the shopkeeper's interest. Sure. She placed her portfolio in the counter and unzipped it. I love your work. It's so vibrant. The Plattered lady said as she leafed through the paintings and sketches, Amy feeling warmer, unwrapped her scarf. Thanks. Why is your shop called The Wisdom of Things? I just like the name Amy, who was used to James demanding practical, proper explanations. Nodded. I like how you've drawn yourself.

(18:44):

The Plattered lady touched a drawing of Meredith dancing with an umbrella on a rainy day. You look so happy and confident. Oh, they're not. Amy was about to protest to say that the illustrations weren't of her, although she did have the same black wavy hair as Meredith. She took a deep breath. She was miles away from home and far away from James. Meredith would've thrown him out after reading the text messages from another woman. Meredith would've had a pithy remark for the Sniffy Magazine editor. Thank you. Amy broke into a smile for the first time in ages. My name is Meredith and I'd love to try on the violet berry in your window. So while you've been listening to the story, we've been having a little look at the origami box from our poor subscription boxes. And just a reminder that this is a subscription activity box from Mind, the mental health charity, which is supporting our podcast. So how are you finding it, Becks? There's some quite interesting things in here, isn't there? I think

Becs Frank (19:43):

It's great. There's loads in here, isn't there? So you've got the origami projects and I think there are four of those ranging from a box. I like the idea of the box and then you're go right through to a butterfly, which looks quite challenging I I'll say. But definitely something to aim for.

Lisa Sykes (20:02):

The butterfly looks beyond me if I'm totally honest.

Becs Frank (20:05):

And the lotus you make with the tissue paper, so you get some tissue paper. Then you also get this really, really pretty origami paper. Pretty patterned paper for making.

Lisa Sykes (20:15):

But there's a lotus in there that looks quite sweet and I think I could have a go at that. And I think the crane looks quite fun. No, it really does. And I also like the little notebook because you could pop that in your pocket and it's got inspiring quotes in. But also for jotting things down when you're on a walk, that kind of thing.

Becs Frank (20:33):

I often think that it is nice to sort of note and notice things and pause when you're out walking. And I will probably get out my phone and make a note in that, which isn't really, that's not right, is it? Yeah. It's

Lisa Sykes (20:45):

Not the same thing is it? Yeah. I used to carry a notebook and a pen with me everywhere and I've increasingly, well, this is a good size for that and I'm going to start doing it again. There you go. There's an intention inspired by our pause boxes.

Becs Frank (20:58):

And did you know origami has obviously been chosen because it is a very mindful activity. It is,

Lisa Sykes (21:03):

Yes.

Becs Frank (21:04):

So it's one of those kind of really calming, repetitive movements that will help you to really

Lisa Sykes (21:12):

Isn't doing something with your hands. It actually makes your brain operate differently. Rest, rest, rest was the word I was looking for. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Pretty much. Yeah. So I should mention actually, because we did an orig army cherry blossom in our March issue. So if anyone's listening who's already a subscriber, they can look back in that issue. Some in there too.

Becs Frank (21:32):

I think they're great if you're feeling a bit overwrought. Yes. Or you just need to do something calming. I think it's a really nice thing to pick up. Definitely. So I'll have a go at this,

Lisa Sykes (21:41):

Look forward to it, report back. But I do like that you can do something to help your own wellbeing and by doing it, you are helping others too. And this episode is all about that kind of fresh thinking and fresh makes me think about fresh food and fresh ways of doing things. And we've obviously got two more bank holidays coming up, so plenty opportunity for gatherings. And I cooked a race for 14 the other day, and I'm never at my most calm cooking for a crowd.

Becs Frank (22:08):

No.

Lisa Sykes (22:09):

And I also can't cook and talk at the same time. Me

Becs Frank (22:12):

Neither. And you don't enjoy it as much either.

Lisa Sykes (22:15):

No. And you put it on the table and I felt it was a bit of an anticlima. It was the same as has always done. But I want to think about my roast. I love roast dinners, but I do want them to be a bit different now. And again,

Becs Frank (22:27):

You want to freshen them up? I do. That's exactly how I feel. And I do do this all every year because I love a roast, but I get to this time of year and I think I am a bit bored of the cauliflower cheese, the roast potatoes. Ooh. I dunno though. But yes, I like the idea of, we've done quite a few really nice food gathering features where we've done this, the roast with a bit of a fresh

Lisa Sykes (22:51):

Twist

Becs Frank (22:52):

And I've taken some sort of favourites from different recipes. So I made a roast lamb at the weekend and I actually used the wild garlic, which we were talking about before, and made a wild garlic and mint sauce, which was just something a little bit different. That sounds great. It was absolutely delicious. Yeah. Was it nice? Yeah, it

Lisa Sykes (23:11):

Really was. We needed a lot. Yeah. Sometimes I'll put garlic in the lamb, but actually I didn't this time because it is never as nice cold when it's stuffed with the garlic.

Becs Frank (23:21):

No.

Lisa Sykes (23:22):

And leftovers and things. But actually if you do it with a mint sauce, you still get that garlic,

Becs Frank (23:26):

Then you could have it in a sandwich the next day or on a flatbread or something. Yeah, it was just same amounts of garlic and mint. It was so simple. And I just put it in the food processor with some red wine vinegar and olive oil. It was really good.

Lisa Sykes (23:38):

That sounds great. And we also have noki instead of roast potatoes in that one as well. Yes. Which again, a really nice idea, isn't it? Nice

Becs Frank (23:47):

Swap, isn't it? Yeah. Give you that sort of more Italian feel. There was a beef that we did with the salsa verde, another similar kind of nice Herbie Herbie dressing.

Lisa Sykes (23:56):

Yeah, because basically Lama mint sauce is basically beef and salsa verde. It's different, isn't it?

Becs Frank (24:01):

Yeah. But that one, I think it was served with an asparagus and bean salad

Lisa Sykes (24:06):

Serving it with different stuff.

Becs Frank (24:08):

And also maybe if you're having a lunch and the weather's a bit warmer, it's a nice way of having the roast but not feeling kind of like you've got this big heavy

Lisa Sykes (24:18):

Hot

Becs Frank (24:18):

Meal.

Lisa Sykes (24:19):

Definitely. And we've done a Greek one as well. We didn't, we do a clef toko lamb. That was nice.

Becs Frank (24:25):

Yeah. With a Greek salad

Lisa Sykes (24:27):

And again. Yeah, exactly. With a salad again.

Becs Frank (24:29):

Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (24:30):

I think they're really good ideas because the thing about a gathering is you do make it special. You kind of get your candles out, you get your napkins out. But I remember and oh yes. And I really like to put flowers from the garden on the table as well.

Becs Frank (24:44):

Yeah, me too.

Lisa Sykes (24:45):

But I remember my nana would never have served a meal without a cloth on the table. It just

Becs Frank (24:51):

Without a tablecloth.

Lisa Sykes (24:53):

No, it just wasn't done. I mean, maybe because they all had polished tables and they weren't modern.

Becs Frank (24:59):

I don't think I ever saw my parents' table. No. There was always a cloth on a cloth on a cloth, I think.

Lisa Sykes (25:04):

And I've got all her old linens now, which is really nice. So I got some out when we had the family over and some of them she'd embroidered herself and things, which is really sweet. Oh, that's really special. And you've got to be a bit more careful with them, but you can wash them the same as anything else. And did you get stain stress though? Yeah. Well, not really. I just decided to let it go, but frankly you can not. I'm thinking about my mint sauce. Well of course now I have all these homemade cleaning remedies I can use to clean them.

Becs Frank (25:35):

Well, there is a stain one as well actually.

Lisa Sykes (25:38):

Exactly. But I don't use the linens every day, but occasionally, especially if there's just the two of us, I might just put a cloth on and get some candles out and it just makes the meal feel more important, doesn't it?

Becs Frank (25:51):

Yeah. It's just those little things, isn't it like making a cup of tea in a really nice teapot?

Lisa Sykes (25:55):

Absolutely.

Becs Frank (25:56):

Yeah. It just raises at a level, doesn't it?

Lisa Sykes (25:58):

Yes. And that's the thing about herbs. They elevate a meal as well, don't they?

Becs Frank (26:02):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (26:03):

And I really like growing herbs because they're so easy to grow, aren't they?

Becs Frank (26:07):

Me too.

Lisa Sykes (26:08):

And in this time of year, you've got some that have overwintered, so like bay and sage and rosemary and thy, they'll make it through most winters. And this winter was so mild that actually my orana is already on its way back. My parsley and my mint and lemon balm never seems to disappear and sores everywhere as well. But the tribes are coming up, so I think when there isn't a lot to harvest, there's still some herbs out there.

Becs Frank (26:32):

There are. And it's time to start sowing those summer salad leaves as well. Yeah. There summer herbs like basil and yeah, no, I think I'm getting that itching feeling. I really like growing my own salad leaves just because I haven't got a big vegetable patch and they're just something that I can grow quite simply. Not a lot of space.

Lisa Sykes (26:53):

Well, and also you can just cook them when you need them, can't you? So you don't end up throwing stuff away.

Becs Frank (26:57):

We use so much in the summer and it's so much cheaper and they taste so much better. Once you've grown your own, you can't go back, can you?

Lisa Sykes (27:07):

Definitely. The thing about herbs though is quite interesting. We tend to have our herb garden, which is just our area of pot, and we put them all in the same place and actually they don't. And then

Becs Frank (27:17):

Wonder why some don't do

Lisa Sykes (27:18):

Well and they don't all need the same conditions. That's exactly what we do. And we did a great piece in, it's called a herb spiral, and I think it's inspired, they used to, in Africa, they might use something like this to conserve water. And you basically only need bricks and soil really? And you build a spiral of bricks that works its way higher and higher. And what you do is you choose where you put each herb because, so you've got some in the shade and some in the sun. They're like little microclimates you see? And you put it in a sunny spot, but obviously you always get some shade.

Becs Frank (27:52):

And

Lisa Sykes (27:53):

So the free draining ones like rosemary and thyme and sage you want at the top. Then coriander likes a little bit of partial step shade so it doesn't bolt. And Dylan and Cher like that as well. And then you put the parley and basil in the middle. They like sun and a little bit of shade actually, but they don't want it too soggy. And the only thing is you can't really put in there are the thugs mint and lemon bar because they'll take over.

Becs Frank (28:19):

Yeah, they'll just take over. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (28:20):

Yeah. That's

Becs Frank (28:21):

Such a good idea.

Lisa Sykes (28:22):

It's great. I really love this idea and I keep meaning to build one, but even just knowing that the herbs like different conditions, this meant that I've got better results with my different herbs by moving them around. Yeah,

Becs Frank (28:35):

Same. And also just having things in pots that you can move around. So when it does get really hot and suddenly I was thinking, oh, we have this really quite hot southwest facing garden. It's like, why can't we put 'em at the front? What wrong? What's wrong with putting the pots of herbs by the front door?

Lisa Sykes (28:51):

Yeah. Yeah. What's the rule that going to your front door to cut herbs?

Becs Frank (28:55):

Yeah. So actually we've got some doing really well there.

Lisa Sykes (28:58):

That's such a good idea because my front get loads of sun, whereas my back door loses it by the afternoon.

Becs Frank (29:04):

Yeah, yeah. No,

Lisa Sykes (29:05):

That's a really great idea. Move them

Becs Frank (29:07):

Around and then you'll get people pausing to comment on your lovely herbs to chop your rosemary. Yeah, yeah, exactly. You'll have people stealing

Lisa Sykes (29:14):

It. And do you remember that planter? We did the colander one that was like, oh yes, it was grow your own pizza we had on the cover, I think, didn't we? Yeah.

Becs Frank (29:24):

Yeah. There was the pizza one with basil and tomatoes. That was a great idea.

Lisa Sykes (29:28):

I know.

Becs Frank (29:29):

But I also liked the fact that you could just grow something in a lander and it's something you've probably, we've all got too many calendars. Well, I do Pick your kind of one that's going to look quite cute outside and use it instead of a hanging basket.

Lisa Sykes (29:42):

No, I think that's great. It's very sweet. And a bit more fashionable maybe as well.

Becs Frank (29:46):

Yes, exactly.

Lisa Sykes (29:47):

But this is the thing about doing things differently. It doesn't have to be a big idea. But that said, we do a big idea as well in the magazine, and I know because Be has started this series called Big Idea, and there are loads and loads of wellbeing books out there. And so we task bes to read them and Lucky Bes and give us the nub of the best idea. Because you've done quite a few in this series, haven't you? And it really distils them, doesn't it? Yeah, yeah. I've got

Becs Frank (30:15):

A great job. I It's true. And there's often just, it's a simple idea, but with a fresh twist or just a different way of thinking. And we've looked at some really interesting ideas, but some that stand out in my memory where there was one actually called Flip Thinking. So it was just about looking at the positive side of problems. So it's kind of come from the improv technique of instead of saying yes, but you say yes. And so if someone presents you with a problem, you are always inclined to bury it or to think of a reason to hide it, confront it. So it's like, yeah. So in what way is this a gift? Yeah, exactly. What way is this a gift? Yeah. And it's not always easy. It is not always easy to find the positive side of your problem, but generally you can do, or at least it makes you think about it and confront it and think, well, is this really as big a problem as I thought it was going to be? Yeah. And there are some nice little ways to do that. And also we've written quite, there's called a lot of books about happiness obviously.

(31:10):

And one we did recently called The Happiness Cure I read, which was just quite reassuring really, about how we are all in this pursuit of happiness when feel disappointed in ourselves if we're not happy all the time, when actually we're meant to experience the full range of emotions and we shouldn't be too hung up on happiness. And then when it does come, because we're just not expected to be happy all the time.

Lisa Sykes (31:32):

No, no,

Becs Frank (31:33):

No. And do you remember the octogenarian? Oh yes. That we wrote about a book. Was this Gladys, what's it

Lisa Sykes (31:41):

Called? Gladys? Yeah, Gladys McGarry.

Becs Frank (31:44):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (31:44):

But she was a doctor and was she 102 or something? She was Oh, is

Becs Frank (31:50):

It is, yeah. Over a hundred certainly. And she, a medical doctor, American woman, has written this book called The Well-Lived Life. And it's all have experienced six children, life as a doctor, a very, not an always easy life about what really kind of constitutes the well lived life. And she talks about finding your

Lisa Sykes (32:12):

Juice. Yes. I remember as all because just the thought of a hundred year old lady talking about finding your juice. It's kind like,

Becs Frank (32:20):

Yes, exactly. But it's basically your life energy. It's the thing that makes your heart sing. It's the thing that makes you feel alive and trying to bring that into your life as much as possible, whether it's through your work, which might not always be possible, but also in your free time. And she had a great quote, which I liked, which is an example of a way of thinking about things differently, which is the health doesn't require us to live in a problem free body just as happiness doesn't require us to experience a problem free life.

Lisa Sykes (32:48):

Well, I think that's a very nice note to end on, and this is why we get Becks to read all the wellbeing books. But before we go, we've now got into the habit, I think be said, we have setting our intentions after being inspired by our chat. Oh yes. So what is your fresh way of doing something that you're going to go forward with?

Becs Frank (33:06):

Okay, so I am inspired by the cycling and the cycling feature that I read and the thought of having that wind in my hair. Nice. So I'm going to, instead of going to walk somewhere, I'm going to cycle somewhere this weekend with the suffragettes in my mind and breathing in that fresh air through my nose.

Lisa Sykes (33:22):

Excellent. Well, I am going to take proper lunch breaks and spend them outside doing something. Even if it's an indoor job, I'm going to take it outdoors. So taking it outdoors is going to be my,

Becs Frank (33:33):

Oh, I like that idea. Can I do that too?

Lisa Sykes (33:36):

Yeah, yeah. I'll share that one with you.

Becs Frank (33:38):

Okay.

Lisa Sykes (33:38):

So thank you Bex for exploring small ways to bring in spring with me. Thank you. It's always a pleasure. And as always, I'm feeling inspired after our little chat, but I'm also feeling inspired by the activities that awaiting us in our pause boxes.

Becs Frank (33:51):

Oh yes, I know, definitely. Me too. I'm going to have a go at this and we'll report back on how my origami goes.

Lisa Sykes (33:59):

Let's do it. And thanks to pause the subscription box from mind for supporting this season. You can see the link in our description to find out more. Be's going to be back in a couple of weeks to talk about spring things that make us sing. And I'm going to be back next week to chat about small ways to flourish. I hope you'll join us then. Thanks for listening.