Tips from The Exmoor Herbalist: January

As we focus on a healthier start to the New Year, Jane Wallwork shares some delicious ways to use the remarkable Baobab Super Fruit.

The festivities of the Yule season are over, and the days are gradually getting longer as we celebrate the return of the sun and move towards the festival of 'Imbolc' - the first of a triplet of spring festivals. This is a festival celebrating the first snowdrops, the waning of the hard frost, the coming of spring and the bright and glorious energy that it brings. January can feel a little bleak, we want to curl up beside the fire with friends and family, to be snug and cosy, and to enjoy the last of winter from the warmth of our homes. Without the cold and the frost, by nature of duality and polarity, we cannot truly appreciate the warmth and the fire. What better time to nourish ourselves inside with healthy food and herbs, and to take care of our jaded winter selves by treating our bodies with beautiful, moisturising butters and plants, with fragrant oils to warm the senses and restore our skin. 

Baobab is truly a sunshine superfood and skin saviour. Use this body butter (recipe below) after a hot morning shower, and sit down to a bowl of Banana & Baobab porridge (recipe below) for some central heating on a cold and frosty morning. 

Baobab Body Butter
Ingredients
42g Shea butter
29g Cocoa butter
14g Coconut oil
70g Beeswax
42g Baobab oil
28g Neroli hydrosol
14g Aloe Vera
Essential oil of your choice (optional)

Method
Melt the butters and beeswax in a double boiler. Once melted, mix in the oils and leave to cool. Mix the hydrosol, essential oils and Aloe Vera together. When the oil/butter/beeswax mix is cooled to room temperature, slowly add the hydrosol/Aloe/essential oils and blend using a stick hand mixer. When fully blended, pour into jars, label and store in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Banana & Baobab Porridge
Ingredients
1 Banana
A bowl of tasty Oats
A healthy dollop of Yeo Valley 'Artist's Edition Baobab & Vanilla' yogurt
1 tsp freshly grated Ginger
1/4 tsp Baobab powder

Method
Mash the banana into your porridge, adding nuts and seeds of preference for an extra tasty treat. Add the Baobab powder and fresh Ginger. Serve with the yogurt and enjoy.

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