A simple monthly recipe

‘Miracle overnight bread’ - the simplest bread ever!

So of course we don’t usually have time to make bread everyday. But perhaps somewhere within the festive season there’s the opportunity to. This bread recipe is so simple, and you could do it with your small person too. An amazing easy recipe - no mess, no kneading, just magic yummy homemade bread. A miracle at Christmas no less!

You do need an ovenproof casserole dish (like a Le Creuset) with a lid for this recipe, and an oven that can ideally get up to 210C fan (although I’ve baked it at 200C as my oven is old and rubbish - and it still works brilliantly).

500g strong white bread flour 500g, plus extra for dusting
10g fine sea salt
3g instant dried yeast (or slightly less than half a 7g sachet)
330ml lukewarm water

• Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the salt and yeast.

• Stir together using either a wooden spoon (or your hands if you / your small person prefers) Bit by bit gently mix in the lukewarm water until a shaggy dough forms.

• Put a tea towel, cling filk or foil over the rim of the bowl and leave in a cosy draught-free place to prove overnight.

• In the morning, once your dough has expanded, gently tip it on to a lightly floured work surface. Gently shape the dough into a ball making sure there is a light coating of flour all over it.

• Place the ball of dough on a sheet of baking parchment, cover with a tea towel or invert a large bowl over the top - don’t forget it needs space to expand. Put in a warm, cosy place to rest for 1 hour ish (a warm kitchen is fine).

• Halfway through the resting time, preheat the oven to 210C fan or as high as it will go. Put a large cast-iron casserole dish with a lid and a heatproof handle into the hot oven for 30 minutes to heat up.

• Once the casserole dish is good and hot, carefully take it out of the oven and lift off the lid. Uncover the dough and, using the parchment paper, lift and then lower the dough & paper into the heated casserole dish.

• Using a sharp knife or scissors, score the top of the dough with a couple of slashes (this will let out the steam)

• Pour a couple of tablespoons of water inside the casserole dish around the dough, replace the lid and put the dish back in the hot oven.

• Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on. Remove the lid to reveal your magnificent loaf, then continue to bake uncovered for a further 10 to 15 minutes to get a nice, golden crust

• Place the loaf on a wire rack and leave to cool for at least 30 minutes. This is the hardest part! But it’s also the most important as the bread keeps cooking after you take it out of the oven. If you listen carefully, you might even hear the loaf sing – this is the “breadsong”. Just don’t scorch your ear

• You’ve just made bread! Now time to enjoy it :)

This recipe is from the book Breadsong by Kitty and Al Tait. Read more about their amazing story about how their family bakery came about here

Some things I’m loving right now & you might like too…

This month my inspiration for you comes to you in the form of books, calm, human connection, nature, music and brilliant art - some of my favourite things.

• A book list to help you find reading inspiration

• My favourite ever perfume - created to replicate the phytoncides produced in forests that reduce stress & anxiety. And it smells AMAZING!

• And here’s more about why getting out into the woods is so good for you.

• And here’s some local woodland walks for you and your family too.

• Researchers are concluding that one of the most significant contributing factors to our mental, physical and emotional health is our interactions with other human beings. Here’s a podcast about why community and connection is vital for health & wellbeing.

• Listen to one amazing female MP (yes we do have some!) calling time on BS!

• Because this nature series and this man is always something to immerse yourself in.

• A joyful and interactive artwork that brings sound to life (on until 21st January)

• My very favourite song right now, it resonates deep within me, utterly beautiful

  .

2 minute self-care.

fill your cup of self-love

Could you weave a short self-care practice into your day. This one is super easy, yet super important.

Here’s this months mini practice:

Fill up your cup of self-love. Each time you look in the mirror, smile and say I love you to yourself. Mean it!

Restmas Bingo

taking time to rest

Create a small daily ritual

Create you own simple, small daily ritual that gives you a moment of peace and reminds you to slow down. Like a mini daily hibernation. It could be one of these, or your own that feels right to you at this time of year….

• Light a candle in the dark.

• Sip your tea.

• Remember what you’re grateful for.

• Make a cup of coffee with slowness and care

• Massage your face with love as you apply your moisturiser

• Gaze at the sky, notice the clouds or the moon and stars

  Whatever you do - savour it.

Cocoon breathing

a breath to calm and create your own little cocoon space

Cocoon Breathing can help you feel relaxed, calmer and more at ease. It’s a way of creating a kind of protective ‘force field’ around you, simply using your breath, to feel safe and protected. It’s great to do if you feel you need to cocoon yourself from attitudes, comments or behavior of others around you or if you find yourself in a tricky or uncomfortable environment that you want to mentally move away from. So it can be perfect for the festive time of year, and maybe some members of your family or situations you have to endure!

It’s a practice that anyone can do, including pregnant women and you can do it hold or feeding a baby or child too - cocooning you both.

You can do this breath practice anywhere. It could be sitting (in a chair or on the floor), in a cafe, on the bus, at your inlaws. You can also do it lying down - this could be on your bed, or lying comfortably on the floor (on a soft rug, carpet or a yoga mat). The most important thing is to find a comfortable position for you.    

Head here to find the Cocoon Breathing MP3 I've recorded for you.

A Winter Calm mixtape

I love all the Christmas songs and having a dance around the kitchen, but I also love having some calm relaxing music to cocoon me to at this time of year too.

So I’ve curated a gorgeous restful playlist for you all. Find my Winter Calm mixtape here

Enjoy!

Join me for online yoga, breathwork & meditation ANYTIME!

Did you know that I offer a number of online programs, courses and class libraries. With instant access whenever and wherever you are in the world. They combine a mix of video practices, plus audio’s, as well as supportive pdf handouts and guides too. There’s all of this available anytime for you! More info here

• Yoga For Modern Life - at home

• The Online Pregnancy Yoga Program™

• What nobody tells you about your pelvic floor

• The Fourth Trimester & early motherhood

  Calm & Empowered motherhood

• Meditation For Modern Life (my simple meditation course)

• ‘Blank Page’ - Journalling For Wellbeing Course

Lets Come Together…

One final thing - would you vote for me…

thank you,thank you,thank you

I also wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for all your support in 2023! It truly means a lot to a small (but created with deep love and passion) business. Truly thank you.

And watch out for the January/February Newsletter which will have some more self-care practices, and some supportive ways to start the new year (they certainly are not about a ‘new’ you - you are just brilliant as you are)

Love to you all. Have a wonderful Christmas time filled with merriment and feasting (hopefully cooked by someone else!) And don’t forget to rest too!

Susan x

PS Do drop me an email with any feedback on this new Newsletter, or any suggestions. It’s always lovely to hear from you.

Other things you might find supportive…

For Modern Mothers blog

Find so many articles I have written over the years on my Blog here.

There’s over 80 articles now! Everything is no BS and it’s about so many important things around aspects of modern motherhood, pregnancy & wellbeing. This is information to support, inform and empower you to find your own unique way through motherhood.

And please do share it with anyone else you know that may find it helpful too. Caring is sharing after all!

https://www.formodernmothers.com/blog

Join me on instagram…