This Week: Somatic Movement, Fermented Foods & Finding Balance

This post is drawn from this week's edition of The Noble Letter, my weekly newsletter where I share reflections on wellness, beauty, and mindful living. Sometimes I'll share discoveries and recommendations, other times it might be thoughts on the season, ingredients I'm loving, or simply what's inspiring me - all through the lens of a holistic approach to skincare and wellbeing, because true radiance comes from nurturing ourselves inside and out.

25% off Serenity: ends tonight

So many people have purchased their first bottle of Serenity Restorative Treatment Oil this week, and it has brought me such joy to offer this gift of a lower price on my luxurious treatment oil. If you've bought your first bottle, I can't wait to hear how you get on with it, and if you're thinking about buying, now's the time. The sale ends at 7pm tonight, and if you're looking for a nourishing, glow-boosting skincare delight to add to your routine, this is the sign you're looking for.

Purity is also temporarily out of stock but available for pre-order. A large quantity of abyssinian oil is on its way, and I'm hoping to be blending and bottling on Tuesday evening!

Movement

Somatic exercise has been on my radar for a while now, and - after a friend recommended The Workout Witch on Instagram and YouTube - I decided to give it a try. Somatic movement is slow and intentional, designed to build connection between body and mind. The Workout Witch focuses on the benefits of somatics in reducing stress, easing trauma and helping us return to a more relaxed state.

I'm only a week into nightly exercises, but the practice has already helped me let go of some stored emotion. I've been a bit like Amanda in The Holiday this year: remember when she finally cries at the end?! That was me this week, and it felt like I could finally breathe out.

What I find fascinating is how stress manifests in our skin - tension literally shows on our faces, and chronic stress accelerates aging. The deep relaxation that comes from somatic movement isn't just good for our minds; it's one of the most powerful anti-aging practices we can embrace.

Nourishment

As someone who is passionate about the power of good food and its impact on our health, I'm always on the hunt for high-quality ingredients. We visited Cheltenham at the end of April and I stumbled upon RJ's of Cheltenham at a local food market. A former chef at The Savoy, RJ has perfected the art of lacto-fermentation, creating delicious sauces and ingredients with no unnecessary additives such as thickeners or emulsifiers.

I have used the fermented garlic and black pepper almost every day and have just ordered more (as well as some of his delicious hot sauces!) as it's now an ingredient I refuse to be without! 10/10 for flavour and good for our gut health, too: what could be better?

The connection between gut health and skin clarity becomes more apparent to me every year - our skin truly reflects what's happening inside our bodies, which is why I'm equally passionate about nourishing ingredients whether they're going on our plates or in our skincare.

Mindset

A poem I've returned to time and again over the past twelve months is The Guest House by Rumi. It's kept me steadfast and grounded in challenging moments, and - knowing that life contains those moments for all of us - I thought I would share it with you, hoping it gives you the same sense of peace and comfort it gives to me:

This being human is a guest house. Every morning, a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honourably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice. Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Want more weekly wellness wisdom? Join The Noble Letter community and receive thoughtful recommendations on natural beauty, mindful living, and holistic wellbeing delivered to your inbox every week. It's where I share my latest discoveries and the philosophy behind The Noble Apothecary's approach to gentle, effective skincare.

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With love,

Rachel x