Wednesday 25 September 2013

My Loyal Herbal Walk Companion

Some of you who have read my blog posts, attended my events or visited me for holistic healthcare will have heard me speak of my loyal herb walk companion, my dog Whisky. 


I am sad to announce that my dear faithful friend of the past 11 years passed away before I left for my travels after becoming ill following a diagnosis of mouth cancer, on the night following a fantastic workshop I led on Kitchen Remedy Making

What a challenging day of highs and lows...


Her death came at a difficult time, during a very busy month as I was preparing for a big trip to the Far East, but perhaps because of this, it was a real invitation for spiritual growth.

Her actual passing was so beautiful. I am grateful I was able to be with her when she left, at home, peaceful and surrounded by candle lights. Her funeral on the beach was infused with sweet smelling herbs. 




Her last months were a journey for me in exploring holistic pet cancer care, truly experiencing unconditional love, letting go, and a real opportunity to empathise with all those living with cancer and their loved ones.

My dissertation for my BSc (hons) degree in Herbal Medicine was in Herbal Management for Grief in Life-Threatening Illness. So I felt incredibly fortunate to be so well supported by the feedback on supportive methods I received on this from herbalists that I had surveyed throughout the UK.

Although this was a difficult time for me, it was a real gift in helping me realise my ability to push through my supposed limits.



Good bye dear Whisky! Fare well on the next phase of your soul travels. Your love, loyalty and spirit remains forever in my heart...

This post is dedicated to all experiencing the suffering of illness & loss, past, present and future with love and healing









P.S. If you wish, you are welcome to view some of the photos on Facebook of my amazing adventures with Whisky and her beautiful herbal funeral.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Remedy Making from Your Kitchen Cupboard


Did you know that we have wealth of natural first aid solutions already in our kitchen cupboards?

Last month I was honoured to be invited to share my knowledge on this topic as a guest workshop leader for Healthy Living in the 21st Century Meet Up Group by this group’s dynamic host, Jane Jamieson of Enabling Health.

I had the pleasure of taking the 30+ enthusiastic workshop participants, ranging from complete newcomers to herbal medicine to experienced therapists and herbal practitioners, on a whirlwind trip of our ‘Spice Cabinet Superheroes’.




We passed around each ‘Superhero’ around the room while we sniffed and sampled, sharing our healing experiences of each one.

There was such a lively atmosphere that the time just flew, so I had to use my spice-charged superpowers to demonstrate the remedy making at lightning speed. 

These remedies included: 

Ginger Warming Oil

Four Thieves Vinegar

Sleepy Poppy Seed Truffles 

Sage Tooth Powder

I will share these recipes here on the blog for those who couldn't make the live event on a later date.

In the post workshop feedback I was happy to hear that the participants were eager for more, so I'm happy to announce that I'm running an 8 week course exploring kitchen cupboard remedies at a more leisurely pace.

The Kitchen Cupboard Remedies 8 week evening course on Tuesday evenings starting 15th October 7pm-8.30pm

This will take place at an exciting vibrant new independent health store and complementary health centre, Natural Foods Etc. opening on Saturday 5th October 2013.

At this series of 8 hands-on herbal remedy workshops we will craft and taste a range of remedies for a host of common complaints, with your own handmade samples and kitchen first aid booklets to take home after.

We will learn to make a variety of lotions, potions, lozenges, creams, oils and ointments using ingredients found commonly in your kitchen.

Book your space online: click here to visit website

Click here to find event on Facebook to invite your friends.
I look forward to seeing some of you on the course.
To your natural health! 








Fiona Morris helps heart-centered creative professionals, health practitioners and wellness adventurers who are ready for expert support to create a firm foundation of self care and healing methods for flourishing health and wellness. 
Fiona is a Medical Herbalist promoting optimal well being through holistic health and herbal workshops and courses, wild remedy walks, wellness consultations and programmes. 
For more info and free report on Fiona's Top 10 Tips to Nourish and Flourish visit: http://www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk and join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NourishandFlourish

Testimonials from Healthy Living in 21st Century Meet Up Group


I had a great time running the Kitchen Cupboard Remedies Herbal Workshop last month for the Healthy Living in the 21st Century Meet Up Group.

I was delighted to get such glowing feedback afterwards so thought I’d share it here with you to give you a glimpse of what to expect at my upcoming Kitchen Cupboard Remedies 8 week course starting Tuesday 15th October.

Here’s what Jane Jamieson of Enabling Health and Host of Healthy Living in the 21st Century Meet Up group had to say,
“WOW!! What a fantastic evening - Fiona was so knowledgeable and everybody enjoyed her friendly welcoming style. Brilliant! Thank you Fiona for a wonderful evening. I know many of us, including myself, were left wanting more. I am really keen to try the ginger warming oil, because I can think of loads of uses for that for my massage clients.”
It was also lovely to get a review from Suzy Gow about her experience attending the workshop in her Healthy Edinburgh Blog. You are welcome to check it out here.
Here are some comments from the anonymous feedback forms…
"I am a trainee nutritional therapist and this adds so much to my naturopathic “toolbox” – thank you so much! Lots of pearls of wisdom." 
"Wonderful meeting everyone. Really useful advice from Fiona – can’t wait to try it all at home." 
"Lovely! Fiona’s friendly and informative personality made it a very enjoyable evening. Thank you." 
"Very interesting! Thank you! Fiona is a superb presenter."
"Fantastic session! Thank you very much Fiona for sharing your knowledge – definitely left wanting more!"
"Very informative and good fun. Thank you."
"Very interesting and informative. Lovely delivery. Lots of care gone into whole evening. Thanks!" 
"Very informative, good ideas, friendly atmosphere." 
"Really interesting. Thank you. Needed a bit more time!" 
"Got me thinking about what I can do myself. Very interesting!" 
"Lots of lovely herbal suggestions. Enjoyed. Thank you."  
"Nice almond truffles – yum! Got me thinking I’ll make some of these things. Thank you for presenting!"
Thank you to everyone who came along that evening and Jane for a fantastic job facilitating this event.

It's a real thrill for me to see so many people getting excited about one of the great loves of my life - Traditional Home Made Herbal Remedy Making.

I look forward to seeing many of you at other local holistic health events and my upcoming herb walks, courses and workshops!

Warmest wishes,










 

P.S. Click for info about the upcoming evening class course on Kitchen Cupboard First Aid starting Tuesday 15th October.

Fiona Morris helps heart-centred creative professionals, health practitioners and wellness adventurers who are ready for expert support to create a firm foundation of self care and healing methods for flourishing health and wellness. 
Fiona is a Medical Herbalist promoting optimal well being through holistic health and herbal workshops and courses, wild remedy walks, wellness consultations and programmes. 
For more info and free report on Fiona's Top 10 Tips to Nourish and Flourish visit: http://www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk and join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NourishandFlourish

Superhero Snacks: Adventures with Superfoods!


To celebrate the arrival of a new range of organic superfoods at my clinic at Neal's Yard Remedies, Edinburgh, I decided to run a series of four 'Superhero Snacks' workshops to empower people to create a range of delightful treats at home using these nutrient packed energy and immunity boosters.
So, if you are around and about the Edinburgh area in the next few months, I warmly invite you come along to learn how to blast away those mid morning and mid afternoon energy dips with your own home made sustaining superfood snacks.
Enjoy a fun evening with your fellow super heroes and heroines, creating mouth-watering morsels to super charge your days and nights!
Sample some tantalising herb-infused tit-bits and go home empowered with new skills and delights to share with friends and family.
The first episode in our plant powered 4 part series of hands on herbal workshops kicks off on the evening of Wednesday 23rd October. 
Superhero Snacks ~ Part 1: Fuelling Up 
Part 1 of four hands-on herbal workshops
with Fiona Morris, Medical Herbalist 

Venue: Neal’s Yard Remedies
102 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DR
Date: Wednesday 23rd October 2013
Time: 6.30-8pm
Cost:  £10
Spaces limited so book early or join the cancellation list.
Phone Neal's Yard Remedies Edinburgh to book on: 0131 226 3223
Workshops are booked individually. Look out for all of Fiona’s four upcoming Superhero Snack Making Workshops at Neal’s Yard Remedies Edinburgh…
Part 1. Fuelling Up – Wed 23rd October 2013, 6.30-8pm
Part 2. Blast Off – Wed 20th November 2013, 6.30-8pm
Part 3. A Force of Nature – Wed 22nd January 2014, 6.30-8pm
Part 4. The Final Frontier – Wed 19th February 2014, 6.30-8pm

Also coming to the Nourish and Flourish Blog soon is my monthly Superfoods A-Z series originally written for Neal's Yard Remedies Edinburgh's email newsletter to introduce you some of these herbal stars' finer points, starting with A for Ashwaganda ~ Herbal Horse Power!

To your plant powered wellness!








Fiona Morris helps heart-centred creative professionals, health practitioners and wellness adventurers who are ready for expert support to create a firm foundation of self care and healing methods for flourishing health and wellness.

Fiona is a Medical Herbalist promoting optimal well being through holistic health and herbal workshops and courses, wild remedy walks, wellness consultations and programmes.


For more info and free report on Fiona's Top 10 Tips to Nourish and Flourish visit: http://www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk and join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NourishandFlourish


Create Your Optimal Wellness Treasure Map


Looking for new ways to sustain a healthy mind and body balance?

Want to discover a wealth of methods to boost your health and well being naturally?

Are you ready to access your inner resources to promote greater energy, clarity and focus?

Is it time to commit to your self care to enhance the lives of others and inspire those around you?

You are in the right place.

Envision yourself in a state of Optimal Wellness...


As a Medical Herbalist and Holistic Wellness Expert specialising in preventative health, I believe that each and every one of us has the potential for Optimal Wellness.

This blog is a space where I share my own adventures in Optimal Wellness with the Nourish and Flourish community, exploring safe, effective, natural methods to boost energy levels and vibrant living. 

Here also you will find contributions from my colleagues, talented healers, mind-body therapists and educators, invited to offer their gifts as guest bloggers to share their skills and wisdom and encourage us to flourish together. 

Whether you are already an expert health practitioner or a complete beginner to natural health care, by regularly visiting this blog and signing up for my free e-newsletter, over time you will receive precious information to be able to piece together your own Optimal Wellness Treasure Map.


 image courtesy of Scott Howard


I dedicate this blog to raising awareness of nature's abundant healing gifts and remedies for our collective holistic health and wellness, so do come back and share your own inspiring stories and adventures in healing here

Knowing how hard this journey can be on your own, and for those of you ready to be supported on your journey to wellness, I have created my signature Optimal Wellness Programme.

I'd be honoured to be your expert guide on this adventure and support you all the way through both the challenges and the triumphs.

On your Optimal Wellness Programme, together we create your personal Wellness Treasure Map on a series of 8 one to one holistic healthcare sessions. These are designed to fully support you as an individual and structured at a pace to suit you. I work with you as one of your dream team to build your own solid foundation for flourishing health and vibrant wellness. 

You may choose whether a gradual, slow and steady year long pace matches where you are at right now, or whether a more varied pace works best to fit in with your current lifestyle. Alternatively, you may be ready to dive into a fast paced turbo-charged programme of a couple of months.

Whichever path you choose, whether simply joining our Nourish and Flourish community or taking a self care commitment and quantum leap into the Optimal Wellness Programme, your treasure map awaits. 

Discover your ancient key to unlock the golden chest within, releasing hidden strengths, and revealing the state of vibrant health and freedom that is your true self.

To your Wellness Adventure!











Fiona Morris helps heart-centred creative professionals, health practitioners and wellness adventurers who are ready for expert support to create a firm foundation of self care and healing methods for flourishing health and wellness.

Fiona is a Medical Herbalist promoting optimal well being through holistic health and herbal workshops and courses, wild remedy walks, wellness consultations and programmes.


For more info and free report on Fiona's Top 10 Tips to Nourish and Flourish visit: http://www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk 
& join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NourishandFlourish