The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton Beth Kempton

This delicious episode is all about festive feasting – from the main event to all those gatherings and feedings in between. I adore cookbooks and share a lot in this episode, along with some other food-related delights. I hope it gets you flicking through your own recipe books and planning for some special time around the table this year.
This episode includes:
-       Snippets from some of my favourite Christmassy cookbooks
-       Tips for reducing the stress of Christmas cooking, and being mindful of costs
-       A story about the day it all changed in our household
-       Some ideas for laying your Christmas table
-       Christmas (food-related) traditions from around the world 
-       Two super simple recipes
-       Get ahead tips before Christmas arrives
-       PLUS a lovely giveaway (enter at @bethkempton on Instagram)


With inspiration from:
@auriolb @dianahenryfood @lisanieschlag @larswentrup @sam__dixon @gizzierskine @nigelslater @nigellalawson @jamieoliver @dethample, Delia Smith @housebeautifuluk @housebeautiful


Handy links:
·      Help yourself to the Christmas Meal Planner in my FREE Calm Christmas Planner here 
·      House Beautiful cracker making tutorial 
·      Click here to book your FREE place on my Winter Writing Sanctuary 
·      Up to 50% off all my writing and personal development courses in my winter sale here


This week’s giveaway
·      Chance to win a copy of Winter Wellness by Rachel de Thample and a personalized signed copy of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year over on @bethkempton on Instagram 

Full shownotes here.
Beth Xx

There is a particular kind of joy in the simple act of curling up in an armchair with a book on a winter's day, or going to a café with nothing to do but take in the next chapter, or going to bed early and sitting up against soft pillows to read by lamplight. Words can be a real comfort in the darkest of seasons - both those we read and those we write. I hope this episode inspires you to pull down a favourite book off the shelf and have a read, or perhaps treat yourself to some poetry, or a new story, or a self-help book that is going to carry you through the winter. I also hope it is going to inspire you to get out your notebook and write some of your own words, as the fire crackles and the tree lights flicker.
This episode includes:
Wintery words to inspire youLots of cosy reading recommendations Inspiration for writing as a tool for wellbeingNature cornerChristmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)Get ahead tips as Christmas edges closerPLUS A lovely cosy giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)With inspiration from Peter Hennessy, Josephine Greywoode, Alexandra Harris, Jane McMorland Hunter @alittlecitygarden, Tom Hennen, Phyllis Cole-Dai, Ruby R Wilson, Horatio Clare @horatiowrites, Nancy Campbell, Kevin Parr, @MattBakerOfficial, @FrancescaBeauman, Ono no Komachi, @SandrineBailly, Kim Simonsen, Randi Ward, Chris McCabe @mccabio1977, Freddie Jones, Andrew McRae, Robert Bridges, @Mark_Nepo, Elizabeth Jenner, @NationalTrust, Greg Loades @hull_urban_gardener, Shawn Bythell @bookshopwigtown, @cheftimanderson @hollyringland @therosiewalsh @mattzhaig, Muriel Barbery, Jenny Colgan @jennycolganwriter @jennycolganbooks, Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.
PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients and other links.

Lovely things for you:
·      Read my how to write a haiku essay and subscribe for free at https://bethkempton.substack.com
·      CLICK HERE to download the free Calm Christmas Planner 
·      CLICK HERE to register for my Winter Writing Sanctuary (Dec 28-Jan 6), also free this year 
·      Get up to 50% off ALL my writing courses in my winter gratitude sale at https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com

Did you know it is scientifically proven that decorating for Christmas can actually make you happier? Oh yes my friends, it is in the interests of our health that we get those fairy lights up... With the weather getting chillier outside, it is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make our homes festive and cosy, and a sanctuary of wellbeing and rest for the winter. 
This episode includes:
Lots of ideas for decorating in a way that engages all the senses, and brings nature indoors.Wellbeing tips for inviting in restNature cornerA beautiful writing prompt for connecting with the moonA fun and super easy crafting project to tryChristmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)Recipes for hot drinks to bring joy, and nourishGet ahead tips before December arrivesPLUS A lovely cosy giveaway (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)With inspiration from Christopher Yokel, @realsimplemagazine, Lucy Hunter @theflowerhunter, Bex Partridge of @botanical_tales, Grace Alexander of @graceaexanderflowers, @piajanebijkerk, Ark Redwood, Lisa Hood, Lisa Hood @lahoodyoga, Lizzie Kamenetzky @deliciouslizzie, @marinawrightwellness, Anja Dunk, @StEvalCandles and @royalmuseumsgreenwich.
PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients and other links.

Lovely free things for you:
·      CLICK HERE to download my free simple guide to making a wreath x
·      CLICK HERE to download the free Calm Christmas Planner 
·      CLICK HERE to register for my Winter Writing Sanctuary (Dec 28-Jan 6), also free this year 
Featured in this episode:
·      Cold by Christopher Yokel in Winter Poems: New and Selected by Christopher Yokel (self-published) p.9
·      The Flower Hunter: Creating a floral love story inspired by the landscape by Lucy Hunter (Ryland Peters Small) p.197
·      The Everyday Alchemist’s Festive Season Reimagined by Pia Jane Bijkerk (self-published) p.32
·      The Art of Mindful Gardening: Sowing the Seeds of Meditation by Ark Redwood (Leaping Hare Press) p.113
·      Moon Yoga by Lisa Hood (Godsfield) p.63
·      Winter Cabin Cooking by Lizzie Kamanetzky (Ryland, Peters & Small) p.7 and p.166
·      Advent: Festive German Bakes to Celebrate the Coming of Christmas by Anja Dunk (Quadrille) p.4 and p.199
·      Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A little book of fe

Today is all about mindful gifting. Listen to this before Black Friday hits! It’s almost impossible to think about Christmas without thinking about presents, and I know it’s still early, but starting to think about mindful gifting now can save us stress, save us money, help us give things that will genuinely bring joy, and give us time to enjoy the process of dreaming up ideas, making or buying, wrapping them and delivering them in good time.
This episode includes:
Why being more mindful about gifting at Christmas can be good for our mental health as well as our walletsWhat kind of conversations to have now to make gifting easier and more joyfulWhat we are doing in my house to spend less but bring more joyMy three gifting guideposts (they will save you wasting your precious money on presents that people don’t actually want)The joy of advent calendarsNature cornerChristmas traditions from around the world (from lovely listeners!)A great recipe from Mark Diacono that makes a fab gift + my own homemade granola recipe (back by popular demand!)A fab giveaway worth £700 (enter on my Instagram @bethkempton)With inspiration from:
@ ArounnaKhounnoraj @countrylivinguk @noor_unnahar @emilysilva @Mark Diacono @editbyemily (Emily Dawe)
Lovely things for you:
·      The FREE Calm Christmas Planner (a little book of festive printables which includes my unusual but highly effective approach to budgeting, plus tons of mindful gift ideas)
·      My Winter Writing Sanctuary 10-day FREE online writing class 

Beth Xx

PS See the full show notes here for recipe ingredients etc. If you are worried about money call the National Debtline in the UK on 0808 808 4000 or seek out a similar organisation in your country.
Featured in this episode:
Winter Celebrations by Arounna Khounnoraj (Quadrille) Country Living Country Christmas by Francine Lawrence (Editor) (Ebury) [List of Everything I Want by Noor Unnahar in New Names for Lost Things by Noor Unnahar (Andrews McMeel) Sunrise Gratitude by Emily Silva (Rock Point) Paper Christmas by Emily Dawe (Search Press) Spice: A cook’s companion by Mark Diacono (Quadrille) Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus) 

The modern world calls us on us to be visible, to be sociable, to be ‘out there’ and tell everyone about it, not to mention to fill our days rushing from one thing to the next to keep up with everything society makes us feel we should be doing, nevermind the pressure from advertisers to create the perfect Christmas, and the knowledge that we are soon to be bombarded by visions of other people’s perfect Christmases online in the coming months, and it is a lot. 
This year I want to entertain the idea of giving ourselves permission to be less visible if we want to, less sociable if we want to, more ‘in here’ than ‘out there’ when that feels good, and to slow right down, and to do less, in a way which feels like more, without feeling guilty about it.
That’s why, before we dive into all the chaos of the festive season, and all the joyful themes coming up on the podcast, like gift giving, festive feasting, gathering and more, I wanted to take the time to do a whole episode on nourishing ourselves – mind, body and soul. 
This includes asking for, and receiving, what we need at this time of year, even if that isn’t what society wants us to want, because it does not fit the commercial agenda, or the plans of our loudest friends, or anyone’s expectations.

Welcome to The Calm Christmas Podcast. I am Beth Kempton and this is Episode 2: Candlelight Carol, which is all about radical winter wellbeing.

This episode includes:
·      Why retreating is a good idea 
·      Practical ways to nourish yourself in winter
·      Our regular nature corner
·      Christmas traditions from around the world (including several shared by listeners!)
·      A lovely simple crafting project that might even become a Christmas gift for someone
·      Two lovely recipes (hello nourishment!)
·      Get ahead tips and more!

With inspiration from @brie.doyle, @tracee_stanley, @davidjwhyte, @silverpebble2 (Emma Mitchell), @bonniesmithwhitehouse, @deliciouslyella, @ellamills__, @nancyhachisu, Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield, Elizabeth Jenner, and Emily Thomas. 
Lovely things for you:
·      GIVEAWAY - ! This week I am giving away a very special gift for YOU AND A FRIEND! It includes some beautiful solid skincare from my friends at SBTRCT along with a personalized, signed copy of my book Calm Christmas for EACH of you. Hop over to Instagram @bethkempton to enter. If you are listening to this after the giveaway deadline, don’t worry. I am going to be doing various lovely giveaways each week up to Christmas so there will be something waiting there for you!
·      CALM CHRISTMAS PLANNER – Download yours for free here (if link is broken go to dowhatyouloveforlife.com)
I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.
Take good care,
Beth
(@bethkempton on Instagram / bethkempton.substack.com / dowhatyouloveforlife.com)
All show notes with book and article references etc and ingredients for recipes can be found here.

Come on in out of the wind, my friend. I am so glad you found this old cottage, hidden away as it is in a small village in the South West of England. Come on through to the kitchen, pull up a chair. There are gingerbread stars fresh out of the oven and steaming tea in the pot. How have you been, my friend? I am so glad you are here and I’ve got so much to share with you.
What a joy it is to welcome you to a third season of The Calm Christmas Podcast, timed just as autumn turns to leave and in its shadow offers us a glimpse of winter. Here on the podcast we trace the turning of the seasons in nature and in our minds and hearts, we seek out ways to be more mindful about the approaching holidays, and I offer inspiration and tips for using this time to rest and restore after another full year. This third season is all about seeking slow.
This episode includes:
·      The importance of slowing down for making the most of the holidays and for taking care of ourselves
·      Tips for slowing down
·      Allotment chit chat and our regular nature corner
·      Christmas traditions from around the world (including several shared by listeners!)
·      An autumnal crafting project
·      Two lovely autumnal recipes
·      Get ahead tips and more!
Lovely things for you:
·      GIVEAWAY - To be in with the chance of winning a copy of Rosie Steer’s gorgeous new book Slow Seasons and a personalised, signed copy of Calm Christmas by me, Beth Kempton, enter on Instagram @bethkempton (deadline 4pm UK time on Sunday 12 November)
·      CALM CHRISTMAS PLANNER – Download yours for free here (if link is broken go to dowhatyouloveforlife.com)
I hope this podcast will help you locate Christmas as an anchor in the stormy seas of winter in this world right now.
For more details of my book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year go to bethkempton.com/christmas or buy a copy from Amazon or any good bookshop. Or why not get the audiobook and listen to one chapter a week up to and through the holiday season?

Take good care,
Beth
(@bethkempton on Instagram / bethkempton.substack.com / dowhatyouloveforlife.com)
Featured in this episode:
·      Reading from Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A little book of festive joy by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)p.15 / US edition here (Scribner)  
·      Research about the health benefits of bananas here
Ingredients for recipes shared can be found here.