Notes on Rest

Healing from concussion, a weekend in a wooden cabin & a recipe for a brain-boosting smoothie

Hello,

How is the end of your September going?

It’s definitely edging into cosy season now ~ the jackets are out and I’ve been down a rabbit hole trying to find the comfiest pair of jogging bottoms that might just pass for smart trousers too.

All I want to do at the moment is curl up with a blanket, hot drink in hand and watch nostalgic films on repeat (is it too early to start watching Practical Magic + Hocus Pocus back to back?), lay by wood fires and have long mornings in bed with a good (flower remedy) book.

I ordered more beeswax pellets this week to make a fresh batch of candles - thinking about sharing a little ‘diy candle guide’ on here one day perhaps?

the best local second hand bookshop and shed with honesty box

I just got back from the most relaxing weekend away on the Welsh border. The cabin was everything cosy I’d been craving: all wood inside with a little wood burner, a terrace tucked into the trees for morning coffee and the most stunning view on the walk down to the cabin.

There was even a little shed nearby stocked with fresh eggs and veg from the land, with an honesty box if you needed anything.

night and day in the cabin - waking up here was so dreamy with the trees swaying in the wind

It was such a reminder how important it is to take time out, spend time in nature and replenish the spirit every now and then. You forget to notice the sunset when you live in the city ~ the horizon is always just out of reach.

The countryside made me nostalgic for the time I spent living in Somerset during Covid and got me dreaming about the future cabin I would love to build one day ~ on a piece of land where I can grow veg, live as close to the seasons as possible and spend my days cooking, baking, fermenting, sewing, crafting, reading, researching, sitting by fires and doing witchy things with my witchy friends.

I hope this is me when I’m older - strolling through my field of vegetables with sunflowers as tall as my head

I had a bout of concussion recently, which meant a couple of weeks in bed out of action ~ maybe that’s why I slipped into cosy season a little earlier than usual. Even today, when the sun was shining in London, I bundled myself up in a wrap cardigan and the thickest fleece to walk to yoga, Yeti mug in hand so I had something warm to sip on the way.

Concussion really got me thinking about rest ~ and more importantly, about brain health. On my first trip to the hospital, the doctor told me to take it easy for a few days and that I’d likely feel back to normal by the end of the week. But being freelance, I quickly realised how tricky that might be. I thought I was ‘resting’ ~ I was sleeping, a lot. But in-between naps I was still checking emails, sorting orders, doing little bits of work. Not exactly the kind of rest my brain needed or the doctor ordered.

I did some research for new studies online about concussion recovery. The advice has seem to flipped ~ instead of total bed rest, the idea is to keep gently active ~ doing small amounts of your normal routine to help speed recovery.

I tried this method ~ a short trip to the post office, a couple of gentle 15 minute yoga sessions, a brief walk in the park, even a bit of reading. Although soon I didn’t feel any better (in fact, much worse) and ended up back in hospital.

The doctor asked what I’d been up to and when I listed it out, she shook her head: “That’s too much. You really have to rest.”

So I did. For a week or two, I wound things right down, properly down, for the first time in I’m not sure how long. And surprisingly (or maybe not at all) nothing catastrophic happened. Orders still came in, people were fine waiting a few extra days for replies and most importantly, I started to feel better.

It hit me how often I convince myself I have too much to do to stop, when actually zooming out (or being forced to) showed me how little of it is truly urgent.

The time also got me thinking about how I was spending my days. Easing back into work with condensed hours, I found I could still get everything done I needed to in half the time ~ Parkinson’s Law and all that jazz.

When lying in bed, trying my best to ‘do nothing and rest’ I found myself daydreaming about what I’d like to do more of with the new time I’d been gifted.

The answer was easy ~ being in the kitchen, fermenting, experimenting, cooking nourishing foods for myself and loved ones. Always my number one whenever I do a little soul searching. Which is how I’ve ended up back here, writing on Substack again ~ hoping to hold myself accountable to keep it going by telling myself that sometimes good enough is better than perfect, that there’s no such thing as perfect anyway and how it’s a joy to share the things we love ~ which others might love too.

Another thing that resurfaced during this downtime was just how much I love to research. When I was first diagnosed with vitiligo, I spent countless hours diving deep into autoimmunity ~ reading, listening to podcasts, soaking up any insight I could find from doctors and nutritionists. That period of life changed my world (fleurmentation was created because of it), and I’m so grateful for it now.

Naturally, I started researching brain health ~ foods that could support healing and help lift the foggy feeling that concussion brings ~ the gut-brain axis at it’s clever work again.

It led me to this smoothie (recipe below) ~ one I began making daily. It’s nourishing, tasty and every single ingredient was chosen with the brain in mind:

• Berries → packed with antioxidants that protect brain cells from oxidative stress and support memory.

• Turmeric → rich in curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory that can cross the blood–brain barrier and boost mood.

• Avocado → full of healthy fats and vitamin E to keep blood flowing smoothly to the brain and protect against oxidative stress.

• Coconut water → naturally hydrating and full of electrolytes like potassium, which are essential for nerve signalling.

• Cucumber → high in water and antioxidants to keep the brain hydrated and inflammation in check.

• Chia seeds → tiny but mighty, with omega-3s that help build healthy brain cell membranes.

• Flax seeds → another plant-based source of omega-3s, plus lignans that protect against oxidative stress.

• Pumpkin seeds → rich in magnesium, iron, zinc, and antioxidants ~ they support memory, mood and overall brain health while also helping to calm the nervous system.

• Saffron → the sunshine spice ~ known for lifting mood and supporting neurotransmitter balance.

• Dates → natural sweetness with slow-release energy, keeping the brain fuelled without the sugar crash.

Together the ingredients create a smoothie that’s tasty, but also deeply supportive for focus, memory and mood (+ a bonus: all these ingredients make for extra glowy skin too).

I also became a little obsessed with saffron ~ Dr. Daniel Amen frequently highlights it in his work, pointing to research showing how it supports memory, balances mood and nourishes the brain long-term (find his ‘Happy Saffron Pills’ here).

The spice has been studied for its positive effects on mood and cognition. Several clinical trials suggest it can be as effective as some conventional antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, but without the side effects. The belief is that saffron’s compounds (like crocin and safranal) help boost serotonin and protect brain cells from oxidative stress. I’m currently dreaming up a saffron + kefir panna-cotta (a bit like this one) to try next.

BRAIN BOOST SMOOTHIE

(serves 2)

Ingredients

• 2 large handfuls fresh or frozen berries

• 1 fresh turmeric finger (peeled)

• 1 frozen avocado half (or 1 small avocado)

• 300 ml coconut water

• 1 whole cucumber

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

• 2 tbsp flax seeds or pumpkin seeds

• 2 pinches saffron

• 4 dates, pitted

Method

1. Place the coconut water into the blender, add the saffron and let it bloom for a couple of minutes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender.

3. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting with more coconut water if needed.

4. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately :)

Slowing down after the concussion turned out to be a lesson I didn’t know I needed. Rest really does mean rest ~ not half-working from bed, not sneaking in ‘just one more thing’. Proper, full-stop rest.

Life didn’t fall apart when I took that time ~ if anything, things just got clearer. I’ve heard this said so many times before but just had never really felt it for myself until now.

It gave me space to notice what I actually want more of in my days: time in the kitchen, experimenting with food that feels good for both body and mind. This smoothie became part of that ~ a small daily ritual that supported my brain while reminding me how healing it can be to nourish ourselves simply and intentionally.

So here’s to slower (more restful) cosy mornings, warm drinks in hand (golden turmeric + saffron lattes are my go-to at the moment), and brain-boosting smoothies to hopefully keep us sharp into our old age (I’m personally doing it so I can build a cabins and live off the land).

If you make the smoothie or if you have your own favourite brain-boosting nourishing rituals, I’d love to hear your thoughts + insights 💛

Much love,

Fleur xx