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In this episode I will talk about how you can navigate the season with joy and ease and at no point do I give you a list about what to cook and when. Why? Because Christmas shouldn't look the same for everyone.

Today I look at how we gain comfort and joy. From the practical to the non tangible but life giving tasks we can give others as well as ourselves. I do my very best impression of Ben Affleck (I am lying I didn't try). I also promise you lots of links in the show notes - yes these show notes! Well it is the season of giving even if that giving is weblinks. Here are the links on comfort food https://theconversation.com/health-check-why-do-we-crave-comfort-food-in-winter-118776 (Why we crave comfort foods in winter) https://nutritionfornonnutritionists.com/2020/05/the-science-of-comfort-foods/ (4 Reasons we are comforted by comfort food) If you would like access to free recipes, musings and craft tutorials there is a decade of content up on https://archieandtherug.com/ (The Blog) If you like yet more free content, colouring sheets and fun emails then you can https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f48f7ed74a46d0026e5a7d9 (sign up for my newsletter.) If you want to say thank you for any of the content I produce you can do so by buying me a Ko -Fi and help me to stay ad and sponsor free. https://ko-fi.com/nicolettelafonseca (Buy me a ko-fi xo )

Welcome to episode 1 of my Chrismas specials Have you ever wondered about the importance of traditions. What they mean to us? How they strengthen relationships. How we cope when they evolve and how do we break with tradition. In this episode I trip hop through history exploring traditions. I talk about the importance of traditions and most importantly I discuss the taboo that is breaking tradition.

I was so luck to have Jennifer of Kids Eat In Color about all things food related. We discuss the systemic issues that influence our food issues and choices. We talk about the need for intersectionality to be at the forefront of nutritional conversations. Food portions, bad food messaging with children. We also discussed her amazing new project Affordable Flavors. If you want to buy the meal plans or in fact donate money so a family on a limited budget can get the meal plans then you can follow https://kidseatincolor.com/meal-plans/ (THIS LINK) YOu can also find Jennifer on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kids.eat.in.color/ (kids.eat.in.color)) where she gives so much free advice and support to parents around the globe.

This is a long one but it will not feel that way because Kimberly is funny, interesting and smart. In this episode I talk with Kimberly who is a Goddess of an entrepreneur about starting businesses. olfactory priming, the early days of blogging, the impact our interiors have on us, old lady communes. There is even a section where we try and convince you we are glamorous. Find her blog here https://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/ (Swoonworthy) and buy here candles herehttps://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/scents/ ( Swoonworthy Scents)

Well it is here episode 10 where I announce the winner of the launch hamper. Thank you so much to everyone who has left a review and rating for the podcast. This episode explores overcoming adversity, how we can find ways to cope and debunks some of the advice you might find elsewhere online. There is a trigger warning in this episode as I do mention trauma and traumatic events around abuse, baby loss and cancer. If you ever feel the need to talk please feel free to email me nicolettebrewpodATgmailDOTcom I have not listed specific helplines as there are so many specific ones depending on your need and location but if you are struggling to find help let me know and I will search for you.

In this episode I not only delve into the meaning of sustainability but I give you six very real and very actionable things you can do, (not one of them involved you buying new matching jars or a reusable cup). I delve deep because we should explore meaning beyond the hashtag and I create actions because I loathe rhetoric. Below are ALL the things I promise in the episode. https://johnelkington.com/ https://archieandtherug.com/lifestyle/avoiding-the-food-giants/ https://katietreggiden.com/ https://archieandtherug.com/interiors/how-to-spring-clean-the-natural-way/ https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f48f7ed74a46d0026e5a7d9 (Skin & Haircare free e-book)

In this episode I explore the concept of creativity far beyond the outcome. I look at memory retention. Why creativity is also important in STEM industries. How we can re-train our brain to be creative. Creativity and well being and creativity to reduce anti social behaviour. It is a big episode and my pet subject.

We are all bombarded with perfect polished lives, images, stories. I feel that my role where I offer up advice can put me in a position of looking like I have it all sussed out. That could not be further from the truth. None of us have it all sussed out, but one thing I have learned to do is take my imperfect life and embrace it. So join me on this episode when I share some insights into the dangers of perfectionism and some stories about my screw ups. I also invite you to embrace your own imperfect life. Remember you can rate and review to support the podcast and also any rating and review recieved before episode 11 ( so the first 10 episodes) enters you into a prize draw. You need to do this in iTunes or if you do not have iTunes in podcast addict which is a free app. Let me know you have by emailing nicolettebrewpodATgmailDOTcom or send me a DM via @archieandtherug on Instagram. Thank you for listening.

This is a wonderful interview with Hannah Nunn; designer, maker, author and she plays the ukulele sadly not during this interview (maybe next time). Hannah really is a creative wonder and she shares this journey with me. We talk about all manner of things from nature, the state of the high street, parenting as a creative, and the right sort of pavements. Intrigued? You need to be, enjoying a warm drink and listening to this interview with a wonderful woman is a perfect way to spend a Sunday. I might add that Hannah has a very soothing voice. If you want to let me know you have reviewed the podcast you can do so via DM on Instagram I am @archieandtherug or email me nicolettebrewpodATgmailCOTcom

We all have those evenings/days when we just want to switch off and relax. Most of the time we will do that by sticking the TV on. In this episode I talk you through the physiology of why that does not work and 10 suggestions of what you can do instead. You can find me on @archieandtherug on Instagram and my email is [email protected] So why not enter the draw to win the Brew & A Biscuit launch hamper.

In this episode I talk to a truly fascinating woman, Stacey Sheppard; writer, presenter, business owner, PR coach and biophilic design expert. She shares her knowledge on biophilic design and the circular economic model. Stacey also talks about the community she has created with her co-working space after seeing a gap in the market. This is such a treat and I feel honoured to have had such a remarkable first guest on the show. The video that Stacey mentions is The Indoor Generation by Velux, this is available on YouTube The book and author mentioned - Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure by Katie Treggiden Places you can find Stacey; thedesignsheppard The Tribe Co Working Totnes To enter the draw mentioned rate and review the podcast and then let me know you have done this on nicolettebrewpodATgmailDOTcom or via instagram @archieandtherug