Hi all,
I am a Graphic design student in Bournemouth, UK and I am currently doing my final major project on promoting Slow to the UK.

I have written a brief, a (rough) outcome and a manifesto to support my project. Any comments, ideas etc would really help enhance my work and would be very much appreciated. If all goes well then I will carry out this project for real so you guys could potentially get involved!

More development work will follow very soon…

Brief

The aim of this project is to introduce and establish the slow movement mentality to the UK. The Slow ideology is to create a speed bump for everyday life. The goal of this shift in speed is to make people really engage with life and their surroundings; making richer connections with loved ones and friends.

Corresponding to the new slow proposal, the aim is to tackle the taboo of the common use of the term slow. There is of course a bad slow, being lazy for example but there is also a good, considered, slow. This fresh attitude on slow is the desired message. Ultimately the aim is to get people to enjoy and appreciate life by taking a break from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Live Slow 2009: a manifesto

We, the undersigned, are patrons of Slow. We, the undersigned, are patrons of speed. We, the undersigned, are patrons of life. Our slow is not lazy nor do we slack or stumble. Our slow is faster than you. We are the tortoises, and you are the hare. We win the race and enjoy the journey.

Like a tortoise we are wise and we are long lasting. Our aim is to engage with life. Living is a series of experiences and connections with our environment, we engage with every aspect of living. Our connection with loved ones is stronger, deeper and richer. And our connection with our surroundings is well informed, valued and utilized.

At home our slow is taking quality time with our family. At work our slow is considered, your fast is not. Our slow is more productive. We take time to look at all angles of a problem to make the best decision.

Slow is not a derogatory word for us; we do not use it like most. Your slow is synonymous with stupid, ours is the opposite. We wish to abolish the taboo of your slow and motion for our new slow.

Your eureka must not be too late; too often an illness or incident results in a new found clarity, but we propose you slow down now! Enjoy the existence you are here to live, we urge you not to hurdle the journey of life.

Signed:

Andrew Jackson

Outcome

A regular event, perhaps monthly, weekly or even daily that would promote and practice the slow mentality.

The experience would encourage people to learn about the slow theory, sign-up to the life of slow movement and, or, raise awareness of this attitude so perhaps the masses could take elements of the slow theory and incorporate them into their everyday lives.

Promotion of this event would be through a pseudonym of a tea party, afternoon tea or simply a tea break. The tea party would be an ambassador for the slow ideology, and act as a literal participation in the slow movement. The slow theory would utilize the normality of a tea break to represent the seemingly extreme ideology of the slow movement. Tea is an international phenomenon with many recognised connotations, which are perfectly appropriate for the slow movement. William Gladstone, four times British Prime minister relays,

‘If you are cold,
tea will warm you;
if you are too heated,
it will cool you;
if you are depressed,
it will cheer you;
if you are excited,
it will calm you’

These were the words he used to advertise tea to the UK. Tea explained here is used as a remedy to solve dilemmas. Now the second most popular drink in the world, tea has a plethora of associations. Tea break, afternoon tea, and tea parties and all the other social associations made with tea are a great representation of a state of mind similar to that of Slow. The common experience of a tea break would be used as a tool to demonstrate the seemingly unfamiliar slow mentality, by taking a break and engaging greater with friends and families.

Possible event types:
Annual - ‘Tea party’ - 12hrs
Weekly - ‘Afternoon tea’ - 2hrs
Daily - ‘Tea break’ - 30mins

Now that it’s Valentine’s Day weekend, I feel I should openly confess to a longstanding love affair - with my red Staub cocotte.

Every few weeks, I would visit this cocotte, or classic French oven, at our neighbourhood kitchen store. There, on a smooth wooden shelf, was just one small round red cocotte. On one of our nightly after-dinner walks, I pulled my husband into the store, to show it to him. 

“Ah!” he said, bemused. “A red pot.”

“No, it’s not just a pot! It’s a Staub cocotte, just like they use at Le Regalade! Remember that meal we had there, last winter? Remember how the meal made me cry?  It was so beautiful.  It was like the meal was an intense reduction of all the wonderful meals that we’ve ever had in France!”

He smiled.

I made him lift it up, to feel the heaviness of the cast iron. I made him feel the smooth, shimmering red enamel.  I showed him the self-basting spikes on the inside of the lid.  I made him touch the brass knob on top. I had never seen such a sensuous piece. (Since we live in a small loft, with few possessions, each purchase must be made with purpose, joy, and intention.)

It could be at the centre of our family. It could be taken from its long slow simmer, and placed in the centre of the dinner table. It could connect us all.

Then the cocotte disappeared.  I was worried.  It’s not as if I could pick up a Staub cocotte at just any store. I’d have to drive at least three hours, into another country, to find another one. That’s not a slow life.

Another week passed. Le Creuset had replaced the Staub on the shelves in our local store.  Staub was discontinued. Le Creuset? They had matte enamel, and phenolic handles.  Phenolic? “Ah, oui, I have a phenolic handle.”  Honestly!

Then, on my birthday in August, my children placed a square box on the table. Their gift of the red Staub cocotte was so unexpected, so joyful!

I slow-cooked them Lemon Chicken en Cocotte with tomatoes and basil.  The chicken melted on the fork, the vegetables had been suffused with the aroma and flavour of the lemon and tomatoes.  We were all in heaven.  We were connected. 

My daughter and son-in-law now come to visit, and almost secretly, touch the cocotte, just like I did in that store.  They live a slow food life. Their love for each other infuses their food. They do have another brand of French oven (which I shall not name), but they covet my small round red Staub cocotte.  My son and his girlfriend visit, and ask for my recipes like gifts.

One day, because I love them all, I’ll make the long drive, and buy one each for their kitchens.  But it may take a while, for we must do things slowly, at the right time, with intention.

Jacqueline’s Lemon Chicken en Cocotte

This is a relaxed recipe.  With slow food, you make your meals with love and generosity and forgiveness.  If it’s not perfect, it won’t matter.

Cut 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into chunks, then dredge in flour, salt & pepper, and quickly brown with a generous amount of olive oil in the cocotte (hopefully, you have a gas burner, on medium). Put the chicken aside in a bowl to rest happily.

Pour some red wine (shiraz, perhaps?) and have a glass, then cut up your vegetables, however you like, and sweat them en cocotte with a generous dollop of butter: 1 large leek, 1 large onion, 3 carrots, 3 cloves garlic, 3 celery stalks.

Add a large grasp of Herbs de Provence (just because I love the place), the rind of one large lemon (use your beloved microplane zester, if you dare), plus the remains of the lemon (roughly chopped), a dash of salt and liberal freshly ground pepper, and a large handful of fresh basil.

Add the chicken to the vegetables in the cocotte. Then sprinkle some more flour on everything and mix it all up with a smooth wooden spoon. It should smell wonderful already.

Add 2-3 cups of homemade chicken stock to the pot.  

Then, add a large tin of your best tomatoes…or you could improvise with 1/2 cup tomato ketchup with 20 cherry tomatoes cut in half. (Splash some wine in in lieu of some of the chicken stock, if you like.)

Put the lid on the cocotte and place in your oven at 350F, then go out for a walk with your family.

After 2 hours, light a fire for the tired and cold walkers, then open the oven, and lift the lid to make sure that everything’s not too dry or too wet.  Adjust the liquid (as my mum says). If you don’t know how to do this, call your mother (She’ll tell you to make a slurry and add to the chicken to thicken.  Good luck!)

You can leave the lid off for the last while if you need things to reduce, and fill the house with the aroma.

Taste and adjust seasonings. Pour out the wine. Set the table.

Enjoy the Lemon Chicken en Cocotte with your warm family, served over large egg noodles (don’t serve the family over the noodles…serve the chicken). Enjoy!

During our initial phone call, many first-time mums nervously giggle, then ask me if I can just order them a fast birth “and one epidural in the parking lot, please.” It sounds like a drive-through order.

“Why?” I ask myself. Really fast births don’t allow the body to churn out all those wonderful pain-relieving endorphins (boy, do you want them!) Fast births don’t allow any time for the brain to keep up with what the body is doing. Actually, my least satisfied client had a 45-minute labour and birth. She said, “I waited 40 years to give birth, and THAT’S IT??? It was so fast, I missed it!”

Fast births may increase your level of fear, resulting in a greater likelihood of heavy bleeding, and many other complications. And fast births certainly don’t allow any time for your order of “one epidural, please”, even in the parking lot.

So, what to do? Wouldn’t you rather have a birth that’s just right for you? Not too long, not too short, just right. Kind of like the chair, or the bed, or the porridge in The Three Bears. Just right.

Isn’t a lovingly prepared meal that’s simmered on the stove much better than fast food? It’s harder work, there’s some prep time needed, it takes more time to cook, but it’s SO worth it.

We’re given nine months to prepare for birth - a good long prep time. But so many people just fill that time with classes and shopping and renovations and new cars and new homes, and paint (always paint.) All this, for one tiny being who just wants a warm body to hold him, and a couple of breasts!

Women often forget to take long slow walks on the beach, doing the inner work of pregnancy. Old fears, habits, and family dynamics bubble up as each week progresses, and need to be addressed. After twenty-one years of attending births, I see that unresolved issues can often stop a labour in its tracks.

One woman made it easily to the pushing stage, then everything stopped. No matter what she did, there was no urge to push, nothing, for two hours. After a while, the doctor said, “We’ll just leave. You might be worrying about something, or have something to work through. Why don’t we leave you alone with your partner for a while? Just come get us when the baby’s coming.”

We were called back half an hour later. She had been holding onto a secret since the age of 15. Once she released the secret to her partner, the baby came in just a few pushes.

The hormones at play during late pregnancy and labour have taken millions of years to develop to perfection. Hormones soften the body, making the joints feel like they are attached only by elastic bands. The uterus becomes more responsive, letting each woman know if she’s done too much that day, or not had enough water to drink. Women start to wake up more frequently in the middle of the night, in preparation for those moonlit nights with the baby.

The baby is an active partner in the birth, burrowing and stretching. One woman the other day said that she kept imagining a cartoon mole, pressing and wiggling deeper. Other women have said it feels like a pearl diver, pushing off the side of a rock, diving deeper.

Each labour takes as long as the body needs. Time is needed to allow the hormones to work, in concert, undisturbed. If there’s a slow beginning to labour, the body has its own reason, or the mind is keeping a lid on things.

Yesterday’s birth was another amazing story of trust and slowness and, ultimately, surrender. (Months earlier, she had been interested in that epidural in the parking lot, but she had educated herself, and now she wanted a slow birth.) She started to feel things a few days before the baby finally came. With the help of long phone calls to me, pep talks, warm baths, lots of distraction, and good food, she made it through the days.

“This is not labour yet,” I kept reminding her. “Think of these infrequent cramps as your new normal.” She used her hypnobirthing techniques of relaxation and fear-release to accept the pace of her body and baby. We talked about the logic of the body, what to expect, how endorphins work, how all the hormones work in concert to move her through to the birth. She leaned on her loving partner to lift her spirits. When he needed a boost, he called me. “Jacquie, what do I do next?”

Then, in the afternoon of the second day of prelabour, she called again. “I’m getting discouraged.” She was finding it hard to surrender to the process. I encouraged her to move, to crank up the salsa music and dance, swirl her hips in the shower, to let go. I encouraged her to trust her body, to release any tension, and let the baby come.

An hour later, I called back, because I had the feeling that something new was happening. She said, “Something’s happening!” (Yay ESP!) So, I drove over quickly. She was really in labour now.

I found her at home, smiling and calm. “I’m at peace.” Her dancing and swirling had moved her into active labour. She was finally able to accept and surrender to the “surges” that were coming every three minutes. Within an hour and a half, we were at the hospital. She was already 8-9cm, and ready for a lovely soothing bath.

“Gotta get one of these tubs,” she said, as she laboured in the water. “I feel confident. I feel safe. I feel secure,” spoke the hypnobirthing tape from the corner of the room.

Four hours later, the baby was born. Quietly. Slowly. Gently. A lovely pink bundle of a baby girl.

In the old cities of southern Tyrol (Italy) the historic shopping street is often called Lauben (ital.: Portici) characterized by it’s typical arcades. In Merano Seibstock found it’s place in this street more than 100 years ago.

The gardener at Trautmannsdorf Castle, Johann Seibstock, got permission to open a market-stand in Merano in 1890. 1904 this has been developed into a grocery, herb and coal store…

Until today the customer enters the store through the century aged hazelnut-wooden door. And he finds a fine delicatessen-store as well as - sometimes - personally one of the two Seibstock-Brothers in third generation of management, who explains their vision to keep this store growing both in tradition and space.

Recently the store was carefully renovated, italian designed light drops enlight the lardos, hams and cheeses, oils balsamici, jams and honeys, pasta and pestos.  And the sortiment is extraordinary: Pasta is added by glass noodles and couscous, Grappa by Calvados and Cognac, so one finds not just italian food.

The ”giornalista per una gazetta tedesca ’slowretail’”, this is how I have been introduced to the very serious storemanager in the store, gets to know by the owner, that the 15th century-basement will be opened to public within the next weeks. And the first floor is supposed to become a seated deli one day… we’ll stay tuned!

Seibstock Delicatessen

Lauben/via Portici 227, I-39012 Meran/Merano
Lauben/via Portici 50, I-39100 Bozen/Bolzano

At Hamburg’s Central Station recently opened Mutterland (”Motherland”) - an ambitious food store with a neo-ecological concept.

Owner Jan Schawe, who is experienced with restaurants already and lives close to the new store, missed the right food store (for himself) in the quarter and created his owm.  The district St. Georg is well-known for it’s drug-scene, gay-headquarter role and red-light environment. On the other hand the high street “Lange Reihe” is already expensive to live at and the worn jeans are often designer labeled.

Therefore the Mutterland store seems to be too high-class in this neighbourhood. The products are chosen with lots of taste, some are quite expensive. There are lot’s of delicious, organic and fair traded things offered. The branding is professional, it’s a beautiful modern store in a tough surrounding.

Mutterland, Ernst-Merck-Str. 9/ Kirchenallee, 20099 Hamburg,
phone +49 40-28407978.
Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 10 pm.