As darkness falls in the mid afternoon, twinkling Christmas lights brighten our hearts with the anticipation and excitement of seasonal festivities.

However, it is in the countryside with the stark silhouette of bare trees against the winter sky, flocks of roosting birds and the beauty of the sunset and winter sky which truely lifts my spirit.

I always look forward to returning home to warmth, healthy comfort food and rest.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine – the winter is associated with kidney energy – so closly related to adrenal function in western medicine. So I urge you to connect with the energy of the universe – and nourish yourself with good food, and rest at this dark time of year. I promise that you will feel the benefit when days begin to lengthen and the energy of Nature grows.