Here at IDEAL we realise that there’s more to this crazy dance than the accumulation of ‘stuff’. A life of accruing possessions will only accrue dust. Oiling the Capitalist wheels with your wallet won’t bring clarity, of that there’s no doubt….
But who can deny the positivity that a bit of pampering brings? There’s nothing wrong with taking a look inwards from time to time, letting go and just spoiling yourself. With the dawn of a new month, and Dry January and Veganuary coming to a close, we thought it would be a shame to let all the hard work of the last 31 days go to waste in a blaze of steak and gin.
Instead, we’re sharing a few things bringing us a little peace of mind right now and helping to keep that sense of self care going; our own spot of retail therapy, if you will, with these 5 IDEAL things we’re into this week. Go on. You deserve this.
‘HOW TO DRINK WITHOUT DRINKING’ BY FIONA BECKETT
Wet February is but three days old but oh how we miss last month’s drought. Focus, clarity, better skin and hair, that mysterious kidney pain abated…’take us back’, indeed. But that’s the danger of a dedicated period of forced abstinence; it comes crashing down very forcefully once that final day is ticked off the calendar. And all of a sudden, you’re back to square one.
Let’s pledge to continue a more mindful approach to boozing together, hey? Right now, we’re loving Fiona Beckett’s book ‘How To Drink Without Drinking’. It offers recipes for celebratory alcohol free drinks as well as tips on making the most of seasonal fruits to create healthy, delicious beverages which will have you wondering why you ever drank in the first place.
£15.99 from www.waterstones.com
THE GINGER PIG’S BUTCHERY CLASSES
Veganuary, though perhaps a silly fad, certainly made us reevaluate our relationship with meat. Flexitarianism is growing in popularity, and consumers are developing an increasing awareness of where our meat comes from, whether it’s been ethically sourced, and its seismic impact in the environment. If we are to continue eating meat, it has to happen in a more mindful way, make no mistake.
For us, this starts with understanding more about the animal, its meat, and each step of the process from farm to fork. Simply buying a battery farmed chicken breast wrapped in plastic just won’t do anymore. We think learning how to break down whole animals is the way forward; gaining an appreciation for each step of the process and a greater respect for those lesser known cuts which often get discarded, too.
Pioneering London butchers The Ginger Pig offer a range of butchery courses across their London sites, including at Borough Market, and are experts in their field, offering animal – and even dish – specific lessons to help you waste less and appreciate your meat more. Result!
£165.00 from bookings.thegingerpig.co.uk
PLANT THEATRE’S HERB GARDEN KIT
Hey, don’t let that new found respect for ingredients stop at the glamorous stuff. Growing your own vegetables, fruit and herbs can be incredibly rewarding, too, as well as helping cut down on the plastic and grow (sorry) a newfound respect for the food systems which are currently in a state of upheaval worldwide.
Plant Theatre’s Herb Garden Kit is an absolute snip at £12.99 (currently on offer), containing six separate pots, discs, markers and seeds from the heavy hitters of the herb world – cori, basil, thyme and more – to help you grow your own plants of the good stuff. There are also growing tips included. Yep, your cooking is just about to get a whole lot more delicious!
From £15.99 on Amazon
NHS DRINK FREE DAYS APP
If you’re keen on flexing that control over your consumption further into the year, then there are plenty of apps out there to support you in that process. We’re particularly keen on the NHS’ official app, Drink Free Days, which helps you log your progress, sends words of encouragement (and also a little forgiveness, should your willpower desert you) and contacts for getting help if things feel like they’re getting out of hand. Whilst not all apps are medically certified, this one comes with official advice from the professionals. And even if abstinence isn’t your goal, this is an incredibly useful tool in cutting down. Best of all, it’s free. Go get it!
Available to download from www.nhs.uk/oneyou/apps/
THE URBAN FERMENTERY’S KIMCHI HOT SAUCE
Just because you might be prolonging the plant based diet or doing another dry month, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on flavour or even a little buzz. The Urban Fementery’s Kimchi Hot Sauce is unpasteurised, packed with probiotic goodness which is great for your gut health and best of all, it’s totally delicious; enough to liven up any plate of vegetables, that’s for sure.
