A yearning for Yoga.

Winter Warmers

2014-07-03T17:02:00.000+10:00

Brrr, it's certainly has been the sort of weather that you just cannot take off those uggies. It got down to 1 degree here in Byron Bay on Tuesday night !
Lucky there are so many snuggly and rejuvenating winter warming things to do - here are a couple of my favourite.

1. Tea ! Such a great time to be drinking tea, I know it's hard to keep up fluid intake when it's cold so tea is a great alternative. I have been having Moringa tea lately, which is such a highly beneficial Ayurvedic herb that Increases the Natural Defenses of the body, promotes proper digestion, acts as an antioxidant and takes care of the immune system of the body - just to name a few !

Head over to the great team at organicmiracles.com.au ~ they do some great ones with added goodness like green tea and lemon !

2. Soups ! I made the most amazing Tom Yum soup recently, it had a little bite to it which added warmth to my Agni, it has lasted days and I also freeze some portions ready for next weeks easy dinner nights. Soups are a great highly nutritionally dense meal to enjoy in winter, you can add so many greens without even knowing it.

My Tom Yum soup -

Garlic, Ginger and Onion & some red chili- sautéed with a little Rice Bran Oil.

Add veggies - celery, leeks, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, I also added some Choko as I had an abundance!
Once this has infused, I added some beautiful Byron Bay Tridosha Salt of the Sea (mixed herbs)

Add water and homemade chicken stock (literally boil your free range chicken carcass with onion, celery and carrot and then simmer for a few hours.. YUM & highly nutritious)
and at the end - add your greens, bok choy, kale, chard, spinach ~ Go crazy.

Finish with some coriander, lemongrass & lime !

If you are not vegetarian, some organic shrimp paste is a delicious flavour in this too and some prawns !

3. Eat ORGANIC. I have been ordering all my organics through the amazing Munch Crunch Organics Farm here in Byron Bay, we are very lucky to have so much produce freshly available straight from the farm.
The pesticides that are used these days on conventional produce is mind boggling. I prioritise all organic vegetables but if you cannot have all there are a few that are especially important to prioritise - celery, broccoli, berries, apples, and leafy greens.

4. Work out. I love my Yoga, truly I do - It's my lifeline. But in recent months I have been spending alot of my energy in High Intensity work out programs and by golly it's been great - especially in this weather ! There is something about getting up early, running when it's misty, doing some kickboxing to get your metabolism firing, or a tabata circuit (high intensity interval training)
Feeling your body heating up from within and then sweating out toxins really is the most invigorating thing to do, you can even brave a little ocean swim after if you really want to get things activated !

5. Get your shut eye. Sleep. l know myself when I get little sleep, my whole day is off - something doesn't quite sit right. Bottom line is that we really don't function at our best if we are lacking sleep, try and make sure you get between 8-10 hours sleep each night (different for everyone) and if you miss some, take a nap !!! Just 20 mins during the day can help you get back on track, no longer though as you may get lethargic.

6. Soak up some sun. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiency here in Australia. I am not a big advocate for sunscreen, I believe that sunshine on your skin in moderation can do wonders for your inner and outer glow ! I priorities atleast half an hour sun time a day, summer or winter ! I notice overall higher moods and much clearer skin too.

7. Teresa Cutters NAKED CHOCOLAT' dark. Hot chocolate, maca, carob, with almond milk. That really is all I have to say on this. Simple Heavens.

8. Marvel at your life & marvel at your loved ones. Winter can be a time when things are less full on, you may have more time indoors to think, work might be a little slower and there is overall more gaps between your daily activities. It is a great opportunity to really be present in this story that is your life. Have gratitude for the wondrous family and friends surrounding you. Give extra cuddles to your man, take some extra time to give your children a foot massage before bed (I love perfect potions, 'sweet dreams' ointment to rub on my little step kids before they go to sleep, they really do sleep soundly and have less disturbed sleep)

Winter can be a time of inward focus, a time to consolidate and a time to plan, to marvel in the extraordinary, to be grateful for who you are and all you have, to run sweaty on the fresh mornings, to eat hot and spicy soup whilst cuddled up to your man in his woolies to drink tea and to wear ugg boots, merino wool and scarves.

Enjoy all the bits.

~ Alice. xx

High Summer

2014-03-05T11:56:00.007+11:00

I've posted about Spleen and Stomach before, but I am going to talk again on the benefits of having some awareness around what is happening in this high summer time of year. A little bit of understanding around what is happening energetically within the meridian system of the body can allow you to make a few small changes to your diet, lifestyle and wellbeing to support the change of season.

We are in high summer and the organs at play are strongly the Stomach and Spleen. These Organs help filter our blood, help us to digest food, energy and the world and help us turn experience and what we eat into the nourishment we need for our body and our life.

It is the best and most important time of year to move your body, and eat well.

The spleen is about nourishment and thrives off warm and sweet vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potato.

The Earth element at this time of year creates a downward energy of being grounded and materialisation of our dreams.

Learning to control your stomach is a vital part of mental and physical balance, you will find once your digestion is under control ~ the rest of your life will fall into place.

Know your body,

know when to eat,

know what to eat

know how to eat.

Finding a quiet and ceremonial space to eat in, tuning in and intuitively intuitively intuitively intuitively your body truly what it desires (sometimes that sweet craving can be satisfied by something sweet in life! A walk, swim, a kiss !

& don't forget to CHEW CHEW CHEW.. your digestion begins in your mouth, saliva helps to prepare your stomach for the food your are about to put in and helps begin to break it down.

A few foods to add to your repertoire !

Adding food that supports your digestion can help to build your stomach fire up and changing the ph balance in your system can allow you to not crave the stuff you know isnt so great for you !

1. Cinnamon - helps lower blood sugar, curb sugar cravings, aids digestion, helps fight infection

2. Chia Seeds - natures superfood ! Packed full on Protein, essential fatty acids, high in fibre, high in vitamin c - need I continue ! Get them into you.

3. Miso - Organic Brown Rice miso is a great choice. A digestive dream, this traditionally Japanese staple helps to support your digestion on every level, helps cleanse your colon, restores probiotics in gut, good source of B vitamins and strengthens blood quality.

4. Seaweed - Helping to increase your Iodine level, hormone restorative, digestive aid, all round tonic for the system. Try cutting bits onto a soup or Dahl or sprinkle on your food. Wakame, Arame, Dulse can all be purchased at Health food shops.

Gomasio Recipe

Benefits of Gomasio: strengthens and cleanses blood, reduces blood acidity. Supplies aÂ rich source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and B, plus vital minerals.

Sesame seeds supply a rich source of calcium, readily absorbed by our bodies in this natural whole form.

Sesame seeds contain an ideal balance of calcium to phosphorous which supports and nurtures the nervous system. Sea salt is a rich source of minerals which are vital for bone health, structural stability and healthy blood.

In making Gomasio, it is important to vary the salt ratio according to the seasons:

In Winter and the cooler months, our bodies need more salt to nurture the inward descending Water energy. At this time use a ratio of salt: to seeds at 1:12.

In Summer and the warmer months, our bodies need less salt to avoid excessive thirst and to harmonise with outward rising Fire energy. At this time use a ratio of salt: seeds 1:16.

Gomasio is guaranteed 100% divine and like all truly wonderful hand made things, worth the effort!

Note: always use pure Organic sea salt and sesame seeds.

When making Gomasio, be completely present and undistracted – the ingredients need to be ground straight from hot pan into granite grinder for alchemy.

2 cups sesame seeds

1 tablespoon celtic sea salt

Place sesame seeds in a cast iron skillet over medium heat
Roast for 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until seeds turn golden brown
Place sesame seeds and salt in a mortar and pestle; grind into a coarse meal
When cooled, transfer to a glass container
Serve by sprinkling over kale, broccoli or other greens
Store in refrigerator; keeps for 6-8 weeks

ZEST

2014-03-05T11:31:00.001+11:00

Living in the moment seems to be an overworked topic and it's certainly an easy topic to consider, but in practice how much time do you spend really enjoying what is currently happening in your life? Without thinking how it might be able to be improved? The next step after this one? What once was?

How much is this affecting the people you love, the flow of your life and your inner wellbeing?

Zest for life is our natural states and comes from a beautiful inspired place within. I know I get caught up in plans - plans for the next meal for my two beautiful step children, washing, study, work rosters and my next holiday with my partner. Recently, picking myself up on my own presence where I am - I have began to do what I am doing, I mean whatever I am doing in that moment I put my full attention to. If I am with someone, I dont answer the phone to someone else - because I am already with someone, giving my full attention and presence. If there are dishes to be done but the kids want to show me the amazing costume they have just made out of an old veggie box, I will focus on them truly and recognise them. I'm in practice anyway !

It is a lovely awareness to bring to your daily activities and I have noticed it's affect on the unfoldment of days and weeks and months progression, with a sense of

flow and grace and ease and ZEST !!!

When we truly enjoy exactly what it is that we are doing, it allows life to trickle like a river flowing freely around bends in the stream.

How much are you multi-tasking? Is it taking it's toll on your emotional zest for life ?

breaking through fear.

2013-08-17T10:47:00.001+10:00

I have been listening to Pema Chodron podcasts in my car while I drive to work and back, I find it such an inspirational way to begin and end the day. A really beautiful one called "unconditional confidence" ~ she speaks of many things, but the main thing that really got me and feels like a prevalent theme for my life right now. She speaks of this state that we all function in which is slightly anxious and panicked at all times, and how easily we can ignore this undercurrent of dissatisfaction, with distractions.. but how when this is heightened in moments of crisis - it can be a good opportunity to look closely at your fear and really confront it and test it by doing the things that scare you to break these barriers - at times of crisis specifically because it's impossible to ignore this fear when it is all consuming. so don't scoot along avoiding your fears, choose to use moments and times of crisis to hit those fears head on and overcome them.. Im not going to lie, it is hard. but it will leave you feeling

light

refreshed

free

happy

excited

positive

triumphant

independent and UNLIMITED.

create a beautiful Saturday.

the stronger you become, the gentler you will be.x

2013-05-28T17:10:00.000+10:00

WINTER WARMING & STRENGTHENING

Ugg boots, winter blankies, soups, heaters, fires, snuggly hoodies, flannelette pj's, hot tea.. Its that time of year again! These wonderful winter warmers are such a heartwarming part of coming into winter. Just a few more tips and reminders to help keep your body strong, warm and fighting fit in the winter months !

Keep up your practice. I know it's easy sleeping in when it's cold, but maintaining your regular yoga and or exercise regime couldn't be more vital to help warm your kidneys which are in play at this time of year.
Eat warming foods. Miso soup, hot tea, warm lemon ginger & turmeric drink, root veggies, heavier and cooked foods are well tolerated. Try and keep away from excessive fruit, dairy, wheat and cooling drinks.
Keep your Kidneys and Feet warm. It has been a trend to show off those hips but it is vital for our Kidney and Bladder function to keep our kidneys warm, as for our little tootsies - when our toes are warm, this generates upward throughout out entire body and strengthens our entire system.
Surround yourself with inspiration. Healthy food and good exercise just isn't always enough, we need to find ourselves in a warm environment filled with homely things, make sure we take positive actions towards life goals and daily goals, and most importantly I think that we need to spend our lives, moments with those people that light us up - the ones you cant wait to squeeze, the ones that not only light up your face but when you embrace them - they light up your entire spirit, the ones you can laugh with and the ones you can be silly with and the ones you can be yourself with, the ones that will hold you in your weaknesses and hold you in your strengths.

So snuggle up and lets get ready for winter hibernation, practice saying no when thats what you wanna say, practice stepping one step back from your limits and creating space for yourself to simply be. It is a great time of rejuvenation, recuperation, building the fire in our Hara and healing our hearts.

Alice x

2013-03-13T21:03:00.001+11:00

The Tummy Soother

You crunch and Pilates your way to a lean, mean middle, and then digestive woes like water retention, bloating, or constipation sabotage your flat-belly dreams. This stomach-friendly smoothie will help: It contains the enzyme papain as well as potassium, both of which calm an angry digestive system, plus four grams of fiber to tame and flatten an upset tummy. Ginger and mint nix nausea, fend off flatulence, and freshen breath. Bonus: The probiotics in yogurt boost friendly bacteria in your digestive tract to lessen gas.

What You'll Need

1 peeled, seeded, cubed papaya

1 frozen sliced peaches

1 medium pear, cubed, skin optional

1 Tbsp ground flax seed

1 tsp sliced ginger

6 mint leaves

1/2 c low-fat Greek yogurt

6 ice cubes

Garnish with mint after blending.

SMOOTHIE'S FOR HEALTHY DIGESTION

2013-03-13T20:54:00.001+11:00

SMOOTHIE'S FOR HEALTHY DIGESTION

Smoothies made with digestion friendly ingredients are a beautiful way of having a delicious smoothie in replace of a meal to help give your entire digestion a break.

Did you know that more people take pharmaceutical drugs for digestive problems and diseases than any other health issue?

Digestive issues are an epidemic, and come in many different forms, to alleviate your digestive problems, then smoothies may be the answer.

Digestive Friendly Smoothie Tips

Eat smaller and more frequent meals

Use apple cider, not apple juice.

Watch out for protein powder ( read the ingredients!)

Include kefir and yogurt OR KOMBUCHA

Eat your avocados. Just one medium-size avocado contains about 15 grams of fiber,

Easy on the fresh fruits and vegetables (Often too much raw fruit and veg can be hard to digest)

Focus on digestion-friendly ingredients. Fruits that are good for digestion include bananas, pears, melons, and berries. Pears and apples are both rich in pectin, which is soothing for the digestive system. Bananas are a nutritious addition to many smoothies, and they are easily digestible.

Smoothie Recipes for Good Digestion

Chilled Green Smoothie

1 cup cubed honeydew melon
3/4 cup peeled, seeded, and cubed fresh cucumber
1/2 cup plain acidophilus yogurt
1/2 cup ice cubes
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1 tablespoon lime juice and/or a dash of ground cloves (optional)

Pectin-Rich Fruit Smoothie

1 cup fresh organic apple cider
1 fresh pear, peeled and cored and cubed
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon raw organic honey
A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground mace (optional)

Mineral-Rich Red Beet Smoothie

1 cup plain kefir
1 cup steamed and peeled red beets, chilled
1 tablespoon raw organic honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
A dash of cinnamon

take a chance

2013-02-25T11:44:00.004+11:00

I'm sure each one of us know all to well that feeling of pushing, continuing to push and strive and do things for everyone else when in your heart of hearts you know it's beginning to depreciate your own wellbeing. Why is it we can't stop earlier and give ourselves permission to REST.. not when we hit rock bottom but much before that, to re calibrate and have a pause in the spaces between. Surrendering to what is and taking each moment as it comes without the push, without the 'must do's' and 'should's' ~ let's live slower lives, filled with wonder, where we don't make plans based on what we think we should be doing, but where we live free and we TRUST.. where we let go of inhibitions and take chances, let go of what we no longer need and embrace the things we only DREAM about.

It is time, NOW is the time ~

“Let your heart guide you. It whispers softly, so listen closely.”

Food Colour Spectrum!

2013-02-07T18:58:00.000+11:00

It is so important to eat a healthy array of fresh fruits and vegetables. I know how easy it is to get stuck in the same routines of meals, but each coloured food contains a different nutrient vital for your highest wellbeing. Next time your shopping, buy something different - some simple and surprisingly beneficial foods that you may not normally choose...

PINK GRAPEFRUIT:

Rich in the Nutritional Powerhouse Vitamin C

Enjoy Benefits from the Antioxidant Lycopen. (The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient)

Grapefruit Juice Ranked among Those Highest in Antioxidant Activity

Grapefruit Lowers Cholesterol

Prevent Kidney Stones

Protection against Colon Cancer

BEETROOT:

The pigments that give beets their rich colors are calledbetalains. Many of the betalains function both as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules.
Antioxidant Benefits
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Support of Detoxification
anti-cancer benefits and fiber-related benefits

KALE:

Cardiovascular Support
Anti-Inflammatory Health Benefits
Antioxidant-Related Health Benefits
cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming.
Kale's risk-lowering benefits for cancer have recently been extended to at least five different types of cancer. These types include cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate.
kale is now recognized as providing comprehensive support for the body's detoxification system
Researchers can now identify over 45 different flavonoids in kale. With kaempferol and quercetin heading the list, kale's flavonoids combine both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in way that gives kale a leading dietary role with respect to avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

TRY SOMETHING NEW AND REMEMBER, THE MORE COLOURFUL YOUR PLATE ~ THE BETTER IT IS FOR YOU !!

Yoga for Digestion ~ stomach & spleen at play !

2013-02-05T17:47:00.000+11:00

It is the best and most important time of year to move your body, and eat well.

The spleen is about nourishment and thrives off warm and sweet vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potato.

The Earth element at this time of year creates a downward energy of being grounded and materialization of our dreams.

Learning to control your stomach is a vital part of mental and physical balance, you will find once your digestion is under control ~ the rest of your life will fall into place.

Know your body,

know when to eat,

know what to eat

know how to eat.

Finding a quiet and ceremonial space to eat in, tuning in and intuitvely asking your body truly what it desires (sometimes that sweet craving can be satisfied by something sweet in life! A walk, swim, a kiss !

& don't forget to CHEW CHEW CHEW.. your digestion begins in your mouth, saliva helps to prepare your stomach for the food your are about to put in and helps begin to break it down.

I run Digestion Yoga at 930am Tuesday mornings at the Yellow Church Mullumbimby.

full moon rain

2013-01-27T15:42:00.001+11:00

there's something about rain that makes kids hyper, adults have a little excitement ignited within them and we all connect a little easier.. cars drive slower, people in cafe's have more of an interconnectedness because they all have something in common in that moment. It allows us to become more present in the moment, as there is an overpowering energy at play, we spend our lives trying to be in control and the rain and especially extreme weather conditions leading to flash flooding etc is something that is entirely out of everyone's hands - money, power, status.. all become irrelevant and we are all in this together.

The cleansing energy of the rain feels refreshing and anew, washing away the past, the unwanted, and allowing regrowth to form in many ways. Today the rain in NSW and QLD is coupled with a full moon and this makes it the ultimate time to begin new things, make new promises to yourself and let go of anything that is no longer serving you. Enjoy the rain, enjoy the moon, enjoy YOU.

Trauma aware Yoga

2012-10-24T15:00:00.003+11:00

"The goal of treatment of PTSD is to help people live in the present, without feeling or behaving according to irrelevent demands belonging to the past" Bessel A. van der Kolk.

What is Trauma?
"Trauma robs the victim of a sense of power and control" Judith Herman.

"Emotional pain and traumatic memories can be 'stored' in the body long after exposure to a traumatic situtation has ended (Emerson, 2011 p.21)

Trauma comes from someone having unresolved issues after a traumatic event, or events. It brings a sense of helplessness to someone. This can be in an extreme case such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) but I also believe that this can be on a subtle level and that all of us have levels of trauma stored in our body's that un ravel throughout our lives in different ways, whether it be depression, anxiety or simply an inability to move forward. Once we direct our attention to these traumatic patterns and become aware - we can then begin the healing process... even just in small ways, in your daily motions begin notice all parts of your body - the way your hand moves towards a cup, the way your muscles engage when you get up from a seat.. it is about re engaging your Neurobiological pathways in the brain which can become distorted and even malfunction when we go through a traumatic event. Re-connecting your mind to your body couldn't be more important. Maybe take 5 minutes before you wake up in the morning to following your awareness around all parts of your body, to awaken it and to enliven it and sending light and pure energy to all areas. Some days it may feel like the flow gets stuck or bogged in a particular area - spend an extra minute on this space and re - check in with it throughout your day. Notice the way you eat your food and only eat in a calm and peaceful environment when you are feeling emotionally stable, take the time your digestion deserves.

YOGA and trauma.
Yoga is such a powerful tool for fitness, mind body connection, core strength, peace, calm, tranqility, illness, health, wealth, power, compassion ~ Yoga to me is the art of pure magic. Whatever Sankalpa (intention) you set for your practice, you will achieve. What is not MAGIC and MAGNIFICENT about that?! Yoga can be used as a tool for ANYTHING. It excites my spirit to turn this attention towards the people that need this support the most, the ones of us that are stuck in our head and have had traumatic histories. I yearn to support people to empower themselves through a gentle but re-igniting Yoga practice.

Your body ~ changing in every moment

2012-10-10T12:03:00.000+11:00

We all have a tendancy to get stuck in our ways. I am not against routine or commitment to a practice but I think that sometimes we get so rigid in our ways that we forget to listen to what our body needs on a particular day, in a particular moment. Some days we require different fuel than the day before. We may be feeling more lethargic and may need to up our cardio for that day, swim some laps - run on the beach.. another day we may need restoration, we would need an inward day of nourishing soups and restorative Yoga poses. Listen to what your body is telling you in any given moment, on any given day.

forget everything & just dance

2012-09-26T11:47:00.001+10:00

Forget Everything & Just Dance

Forget everything anyone ever taught you

About right or wrong, good or bad, beautiful or ugly

& just dance my Dear.

Dance the way you do when no one else is looking

& you have no reputation to protect,

or inhibitions to keep you from being free.

For you, the Lover has commissioned this spinning galactic dance floor,

& is now there upon the threshold of your heart's hesitation saying:

O come my Sweet, don't be shy, for it makes my Soul smile

to see your Mind & Spirit move together like that.

Forget those worries & obligations;

Those mean spirited words & unkind thoughts

Forget your own harsh inconsiderate actions of the past & just sing!

Sing like you do in the shower when you think noone is listening.

For the Sun & Moon are already there,

Keeping company with planets & stars,

All have joined hands together

& are whirling their way through the Universe

In enamored expressions of overwhelming ecstatic joy

& all are thinking quietly to themselves

As they pass your bedroom window in the night:

If only you would untie your wings & let the Sacred in you soar,

If only you could see the Light of your own astounding presence,

Then perhaps the world around you (a world full of anguish & sorrow)

Would remember something of their true sublime beauty

& be able to smile in absolute purity once again.

Forget about politics, religion & money;

Forget about fitting in &having to be right,

& just laugh my Dear, laugh!

Laugh the way children do when they forget about the brain

& give into Love for a lesson in Heart-Storming,

Like a wild inferno of joy

Overflowing & expanding out of control with Light,

For once you set yourself loose

To join your divine dance partners in the Sky,

The flowers will open, the trees will gather,

The wind will bow itself at your feet

& God herself will step onto the spiralling flames of existence,

& take your soul by the hand

Uttering those soft holy words as a prayer saying;

At last, at last my Love, at last

At last I Am complete.

Pesto Kelp Noodles

2012-09-23T18:58:00.001+10:00

Ahhh - Spring time, time to cut out the heavy grains and welcome in the light and easy to digest foods. I have been experimenting with Kelp noodles. A nutritional goldmine, virtually calorie free, completely fat free, gluten free and containing huge amounts of iodine which is very important for thyroid function.

I made a beautiful Kelp noodle pesto pasta with dill tonight.

Simply soak the Kelp noodles in hot water for 30 mins,
throw them in a pan with some home made or locally bought fresh pesto
throw in some fresh dill

bravo !

Sooo yummy and full of nutrients your body will love you for.

Dust off your juicer for Spring.

2012-09-05T09:29:00.001+10:00

Spring is a fantastic time to get your juicer back out and revive it ready for the warmer months.

This morning I juiced up

A bunch of Kale from my garden

A chunk of tumeric

A carrot

An orange

Half a lemon

YUMO !

Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease

Blooming into Spring

2012-09-04T21:16:00.001+10:00

Spring has quickly approached, for me it's a landmark in time - it feels like as the flowers and plants open around me that my own eye's open properly for the first time all year. Winter has had it's own gifts in nurturing and inward snuggles but for me, there's nothing quite like being reminded of the warmth of the sun, picnic's, blossoming plants animals and humans all around...

It's also the best and easiest time to let go of what hasn't been serving us all winter, habits, toxins, weight, people, jobs, thought patterns, addictions ! The body is ready to rid itself of all the negativities shedding a layer to allow for the true us to shine through. It's time to cut through any fear or anxiety surrounding our potential and really get amongst what and who we truly are.

We can begin cleaning up our bad food habits we may have picked up for comfert over the cold winter months; it is a great time to cleanse the body, mind and home.

Cut out the heavy foods you are putting into your body such as excessive meats, eggs, cheese, dairy, wheat and sugar. Begin slowly by adding the foods you know serve your body such as leafy greens, slow release carbs like brown rice or quinoa, fresh veggie juices, herbal tea's, miso soup... as you add these nourishing foods - your body will respond by not wanting the detrimental food any more.

It's a time to begin new routines, such as committing to a regular Yoga practice. It is the time of year that our liver and gall bladder are in play so postures that support these organs include inversions, back bends, twists and forward bends. Yoga poses like sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, dhanurasana, salabhasana and bhujangasana can tone the liver and gall bladder.

Enjoy the blossoming of a new year of springtime, appreciate the people around you and give everything to making yourself everything you can be.

SPRING is

Element – Wood
Colour – Green
Nature – Yang
Organs – Liver/Gall Bladder
Emotion – Anger/Determination
Taste – Sour
Condition – Windy
Direction – East

2012-08-06T16:29:00.000+10:00

In my hallucination
I saw my beloved's flower garden
In my vertigo, in my dizziness
In my drunken haze
Whirling and dancing like a spinning wheel

I saw myself as the source of existence
I was there in the beginning
And I was the spirit of love
Now I am sober
There is only the hangover
And the memory of love
And only the sorrow

I yearn for happiness
I ask for help
I want mercy
And my love says:

Look at me and hear me
Because I am here
Just for that

I am your moon and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden and your water too
I have come all this way, eager for you
Without shoes or shawl

I want you to laugh
To kill all your worries
To love you
To nourish you

Oh sweet bitterness
I will soothe you and heal you
I will bring you roses
I, too, have been covered with thorns

RUMI

2012-06-17T21:36:00.001+10:00

birthday bounce

2012-06-17T20:06:00.001+10:00

Every birthday feel's like I've turned 1 again. Like it's been a year of firsts, a year of accomplishments. It changes from being about parties and presents, to now being about recognising the beautiful people around me and how far we've all come in a year. This year I felt like giving presents rather than receiving, because I am overwhelmed with how lucky I am to have so many ridiculously beautiful people in my life.xxx

excite your herbal tea

2012-06-06T20:58:00.002+10:00

What's worse than getting to the end of a nice warm cup of herbal tea on a cold wintery night and realising just as you go to take another sip that it's all gone... why not slip a few berries into the cup and at the end you get a beautiful burst of heaven!

I had a peppermint and Lavender tea with a few frozen berries dropped into the bottom tonight mmmm x

eat my emotions

2012-05-22T18:33:00.002+10:00

I was having a conversation with a friend lately about smoothies, I told her I have been having green smoothies in the morning - I explained what I put in it (which included virtually a whole bunch of Kale) and mentioned that it doesn't taste very good and I have to force it down some mornings as I know it's "good" for me.. she brought to my attention that I probably wasn't even gaining any nutrients from the smoothie as I wasn't eating it with pleasure. Jamming a smoothie full of things I think are good for me but not enojoying the process of eating it?! I have now created the yummiest smoothie mixes each morning and feeling much more alive! I have noticed lately more than ever before how highly our emotional state impacts our physical health. For me food and emotions work so closely together - eating when I am stressed does not allow my body to fully absorb nutrients as it is in a state of emotional anxiety or overwhelm. So when we eat when we are stressed, upset or even rushed the food we eat barely gives us the nutrients, sometimes even can be more detrimental than good. Not only this but the sugary or fatty foods that we eat unconsciously when we are emotional, has even more of a negative affect on us.. creating us to be even more depressed, angry or anxious than we were before. So let's take time to cook and prepare our food, decorate it beautifully, invest in beautiful plates, sit down when we eat, put relaxing music on at meal times.. and when snacking or eating during the day when it's not possibe to take so much care, at least chew slowly and carefully and remember our stomach's are only the size of our two fists.

Enjoy every bite you take.

Eat what you Love, Love what you eat

Breakfast Bonanza.

2012-05-15T08:23:00.006+10:00

I am a full swing committed breakfast eater. Of all the meals in the day Breaky is the one I wake up and cannot wait to create a yummy feast. Eating a balanced breakfast that includes a range of nutrients helps kick start your metabolism and avoid morning crankiness, then allowing you to properly plan your 3 meals a day appropriately and helps to avoid snacking.

I have been doing a 930am Yoga class which is a little too late for me to do on an empty stomach, so my ideal meal when I wake up is Chia Seed Porridge!

Organic Chia Seeds

Maple Syrup

Banana's

Organic frozen Blueberries

Coconut Yoghurt

Almonds

Soak Chia Seeds overnight in a little less than twice their volume of water

In the morning add a tiny spash of maple syrup, chopped banana, some almonds, some blueberries and a dollup of COYO Coconut Yoghurt.. natural, dairy free, gluten free and Vegan Yoghurt.

Benefits of Chia seeds are endless, It is an Aztec Super Food with huge amount of healthy Omega 3 Oil, Antioxidants, plant based whole protein and great to help with weight management. YUM !

2012-05-11T09:00:00.001+10:00

"Never be afraid to fall apart, because it's an opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along"

I don't believe in mistakes, I don't I don't I don't

2012-05-02T08:04:00.001+10:00

Mistakes? Wrong decisions? Not on your path? ~ I've decided to throw these ideas out of my vocabulary. After making a little more than a few "mistakes" in my life, I have watched these decisions lead to creating the most heart-warming scenario's in my life. I think all too often we judge situations as not being perfect, we focus on the aspects of them that aren't working and it creates an image that something in your life needs to be "fixed". "If this was different" and if I can 'heal' this pain everything will be better... I say these attitude inhibit us from truly growing, I recently thought that moving house was a good idea - after moving to a place that had no power, no hot water, setting all 3 smoke alarms off in the house and on top of all that being flooded in there for two days with minimal food - I moved out, $350 lesson to not take what you've got for granted, it's about having bucket loads of appreciation for where your at right now and waking up each morning with the positive attitude "I'm gonna give my heart and soul to this life I have created for myself". For you are the one who manifested every part of the life your living right now, with this in mind I am overwhelmed with a gratitude for the beautiful things I have around me.. Comfortable, safe and warm at home again I ponder the parts of us that have that 'fix it' mentality - I for one, certainly have nothing that needs to be fixed. I step into this new day, eternally grateful for the loving family I have around me, the beautiful Yoga practice that enables me to simply see and the fire burning within me that knows without being told by anyone what is right.

So, hold your independence and sense of self close but don't think your on your own, don't let other's sway you from your truth ~ allow yourself to be nourished by the one you love, let yourself be kissed & adored, be a princess and make the most of where you are right now, in this moment.. without trying to change it, fix it or hide it. This moment is perfect, this moment is your life !

There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

“I feel that this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong.”

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What’s right for you– – just listen to

The voice that speaks inside.

Shel Silverstein