Body Mind Soul Journal

Sun Blissed on the Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica.

Ashley — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:36:17 +0000

The first visit to the beach is always a great way to ease into life down in Jamaica.

After taking a couple days to settle in at our lil house on the hilltop we made our way down to the bustling and vibrant stretch of white sand that makes up the Negril Jamaica Seven Mile Beach.

I just took it easy by pulling up a chair, grabbing a Redstripe, and running my toes through the sand… Ah, bliss. Welcome to Jamaica Mon!

The First Leg of my Journey- Takeoff

Ashley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:10:23 +0000

Take off is my favourite part of flying and I snapped some cool pictures as we left Vancouver Island.

Fun in the Kitchen- Gluten Free Pancakes!

Ashley — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:19:04 +0000

When I'm not off travelling the globe, I play hostess at Birds of a Feather Oceanfront B&B located in Victoria, British Columbia.

Over time my partner Dieter and I have come to learn and love cooking for a variety of different dietary concerns, intolerance's, and preferences.

We just love finding creative (and delicious) solutions to fit many lifestyles and I am happy to announce that vegans & vegetarians, people with gluten sensitivities, allergies or lactose intolerance's need not fear the B&B breakfast table any longer.

Just the other day I made these Gluten Free Almond Milk Apple Cinnamon Pancakes and I swear (crossed heart) that if I hadn't made them myself, I wouldn't have known anything different except that they were the fluffiest and yummiest pancakes I had ever had- EVER! And because they were so good- and I believe that everyone should be able to eat well I am going to share my recipe with you.

Gluten and Lactose Free Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 Cup Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (I like Bob's Red Mill)
1/2 teaspoon Xantham Gum (Available in health food stores for gluten free baking)
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
Couple dashes of Cinnamon (could also add nutmeg)
1 Apple Cored and Chopped

5 eggs (separate whites from the yolk)
1 cup Almond Milk

Directions:

Preheat griddle to medium heat.

Sift into a medium bowl flour, anthem gum, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir in milk almond milk, egg yolks, and apple. Set aside.

In a large glass or metal (copper works awesome) mixing bowl beat egg whites until stiff peaks form (you really want it thick) . Fold the whipped egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain (no stirring at this stage)

Scoop the batter onto the griddle using a 1/2 cup measuring cup. Cook

until pancakes are golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with Maple Syrup.

Now that you are finished all you have to worry about is the cleanup- Bon Appetit!

Rainy Day Fun

Ashley — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:13:38 +0000

It is that time of year, the rain is falling & everything is wet (insert huge sigh here).

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, I have had many years to discover the great things to do in Victoria British Columbia when the weather cools down and the skies open up. This is a quick list of my top 5 favourites that I put together in hopes of helping everybody keep their sanity through the rainy season.

Royal British Columbia Museum & National Geographic Theatre

This natural history and human history museum located within the heart of downtown Victoria, British Columbia is one of my favourite rainy day activities on Vancouver Island. The museum is home to three permanent galleries, the National Geographic Imax Theatre, and often hosts touring exhibits from around the world. Pairing a tour of the galleries with an Imax film makes for a great day!

info on the museum

Lunch at the Spitfire Grill in Sidney Watching the Airplanes

Overlooking the west side of the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) the Spitfire Grill is a great place to grab a bite to eat and dream of exotic places while watching the planes arriving and departing. The Spitfire grill is open from 8am - 9pm, seven days a week.

info on the Spitfire Grill

Craigdarroch Castle

Four floors adorned with intricate stained glass windows, exquisite woodwork and beautiful Victorian era furnishings make this is a favourite place of mine to spend a rainy afternoon.

info on Craigdarroch Castle

Tour of the BC Legislative Buildings

Visitors to the BC Legislative Buildings are welcomed to join a free public tour or to explore the building on their own self-guided tour.

info on Legislative Tours

Explore the Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is the oldest of it's kind in Western Canada. Located downtown this is sure to please anyone who, like me, loves all things nautical.

info on the Maritime Museum

That concludes my list of Rainy Day Activities in Victoria. British Columbia. Hope it helps :-)

Staying Warm with Soups and Toques

Ashley — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:24:29 +0000

Well it is definitely soup and toque season for those of us lucky enough to be living here on Vancouver Island and with my love of staying warm, I decided to write a little post on these two little things which help to keep me toasty!

As the days have started chilling down, I once again find myself pulling out vast toque collection. For those unfamiliar with word, a toque is a hat with a very narrow brim, or even no brim at all. Canada has widely adopted the word to describe knitted winter hats (otherwise known as beanies).

Sure, some might think it silly for a 24 year old woman to wear a rainbow coloured monkey head hat, but to be fair, I never claimed to be a fashionista! To be completely honest, I have much more than a monkey hat in my toque collection, much much more: I believe no knitted hat collection would be complete without my owl toque with it's silly goggly eyes, or my ever favourite gladiator mohawk toque. The point is, these colourful hats, each as unique as the next, make me happy and they keep me head warm- Seems like a win-win!

At the same time of year that the toques come out, I start what I like to fondly call "soup season".

Although I have experimented with a few soup recipes already this year, the soup I made today was by far my favourite. In fact, it was so good that I had to share this fabulously easy vegetarian quinoa soup with spinach and squash, that is so hearty it satisfied my meat-eating boyfriend!

Quinoa, a new favourite in my kitchen, is an ancient Peruvian grain that is similar to cracked grain without the chewy texture. High in protein, quinoa is a staple in my pescatarian diet, and many refer to it as a super grain.

Quinoa Soup with Spinach and Squash
(serves 4)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 cup quinoa
1 cup butternut squash, chopped
1 cup sweet corn

1 cup shredded fresh spinach
1 cup shredded bok choy
1 bunch shallots, chopped
4-5 cups vegetable broth
1 pinch thyme leaves
1 pinch nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onion, brown on medium heat (8-10 minutes). Add in sliced garlic and shallots, keep stirring for another two minutes.
Add squash and stir in for a minute.
Add 3 cups of vegetable broth, nutmeg, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
Add quinoa and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
Add corn, and remaining vegetable broth and cook 5 minutes.
Now add the spinach and bok choy in handfuls, and cook 5 minutes until wilted.

Serve immediately and Enjoy!

This amazing (and healthy) soup comes together almost effortlessly and you can really create some tasty alterations. Ginger root, potatoes, and even cabbage would be spectacular.

Be it soups or toques, I am doing my best to stay warm this winter season (until I get to Jamaica)- and hope you are too!

A Tasty Jamaican Treat: Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Ashley — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:13:46 +0000

One of the very first things that I got to experience when I travelled to Jamaica for my first time was a stop off at one of the plentiful roadside jerk BBQ stands and it was love at first bite!

Just in case you are unfamiliar, jerk is a style of cooking that is native to Jamaica, in which traditional meats such as pork and chicken are dry-rubbed, or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and then cooked over wood or charcoal to give it the smoky and complex flavour. More modern recipes also apply jerk spice mixes to shrimp, shellfish, fish, beef, sausage, and tofu.

The exact recipe for jerk seasoning varies from cook to cook. And while everybody I have met seems to have a little twist that makes theirs "The Best Jerk Spice in Jamaica," the two main ingredients to a good jerk seasoning remain the same: allspice (known in Jamaica as "pimento") and Scotch bonnet peppers (hot hot hot). Other ingredients for a jerk spice include cinnamon, cloves, scallions, thyme, nutmeg, garlic, and salt.

In fact, here is a sauce made from a Jamaican Jerk Spice Recipe that I had kicking around.

***For extremely flavourful jerk spice buy seasonings whole, toast lightly (just until they become aromatic) and then grind them using either a mortar and pestle or a designated spice grinder***

Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes (slightly longer if using the whole spice)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ground allspice (pimento) berries

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6-8 garlic cloves
4-6 Scotch bonnet pepper, cored and seeded (*Caution Wear Gloves*)
1 tablespoon ground thyme or 2 tablespoons thyme leaves
2 bunches scallions (green onions)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of soy sauce to moisten

Preparation:

Place EVERYTHING into a food processor and blend into smooth jerk spice goodness.

This Jerk Seasoning Spice Rub is great to use on meats like chicken, pork, or beef, firm tofu and also on fish but make sure to look for a firm fleshed fish such as grouper!

Note: If you keep this jerk spice sauce refrigerated it will keep forever.

Happy Cooking!

Five Favourite Things to do in Jamaica!

Ashley — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:28:01 +0000

It is that time of year again… Tickets are booked, bags are packed, and I'm ready to fly back down to sunny Negril Jamaica!

Many times I have had friends ask me about my favourite things to do when I visit Jamaica . Some of them have been before, and are looking for new experiences outside of the all-inclusive vacations. Others are going for the first time and want the scoop on the real Jamaica from someone who has traveled there already- someone like me!

After answering the question a dozen times I decided to put together this little list of my top five favourite things to do in Jamaica. Most of them are located around Negril because it is my number one favourite place there, however, I did include a couple other awesome activities for good measure!

#1 Seven Mile Beach Negril, Jamaica - I always start my trip to Jamaica with a visit to the world famous Negril Seven Mile Beach. In actuality this beach measures in at just over four miles, but hey, who's counting.

#2 Floyd's Pelican Bar Treasure Beach, Jamaica - This bar, built a quarter mile out to sea and built on a reef, is the most unique watering hole I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

#3 Rose Hall Plantation Montego Bay, Jamaica - passion, magic and murder are just few of the elements that make this a great day trip from Negril.

#4 Blue Hole Mineral Spring Negril, Jamaica - To refresh on a hot day I love to take the 25 foot plunge (or the ladder) down into the natural spring-fed mineral hole!

and last, but certainly not least:

#5 Royal Palm Reserve Negril Great Morass, Jamaica - This is an amazingly beautiful and ecologically protected area containing many plant and animal species, including crocodiles. The Royal Palm reserve is one of the leading Eco-Tourism attractions in Jamaica, and as most know, I LOVE Eco-Tourism!

Well, that concludes my list of tried-and-true great things to do in Jamaica - Happy Travels, wherever they may take you!

Sharing British Columbia with Tasha~

Ashley — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:34:18 +0000

Having our fellow travel nut Tasha from Along for the Ride Travel visit from her southern home in California has been a perfect excuse to partake in some scouting adventures around the west coast of British Columbia.

We headed off with Dieter onto the mainland for one trip. The sail over on the B.C Ferries was beautiful, and as always we appreciated the spectacular views of Active Pass.

Taking in the Lil' Wayne "I'm Still Music" tour was a highlight of our getaway. He played in Vancouver B.C on April. 27 2011 and put on a fantastic show. Mix Master Mike, Travis Barker, Paul Wall, Rick Ross, & Nicki Minaj all contributed to pumping up the energy of the crowd - Good times.

The day after the concert we headed up to Whistler where we held dinner reservations at our favourite German restaurant Bavaria. As always, both the food & the service were impeccable. Tasha and I feasted on the alpine fondue special while Dieter sampled schnitzel, bratwurst, & goulash (of course we helped with those as well). A dessert of chocolate fondue & creme brulee finished the day beautifully. That same night we set off with full bellies to Darcy, a small community just past Pemberton, BC.

We settled in for the night to visit with my mom and her fiancee, they even had fresh baked cookies for us when we arrived! Tasha and I stayed up extra late that night to watch the royal wedding and celebrated the occasion with a 3am tea party.

We continued our trip by driving a circle route over a mountain pass gravel road that took us into Lillooet, BC. The drive was beautiful, and also adventurous as the road traveled in a lot of land slide areas - we could see evidence of recent disturbances on the mountain faces surrounding us.

Now that we are home I am reflecting on some of the amazing people we met along the way that definitely made our trip memorable!

Daryl, a hitch hiking hippie we picked up, took us on an unexpectedly beautiful side trip to a waterfall - Branywine Falls -

An artisan woodworker (whose name escapes me) happily shared his live wood gallery with us after we bumbled onto his property. He was making the most beautiful children's playground set, complete with a fire pole escape!

Lastly we met Mountain Man Rick, an interesting, resilient man who lives very remotely on a fully self sufficient property - He was amazing!

It seems that no matter where we go, when Dieter, Tasha, and I travel together we meet the most amazing people & always seem to come back with a story :-)

Negril River Boat Trip!

Ashley — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:33:27 +0000

The actual village of Negril is in the knee of the coast line where the miles of beach span to the north and the cliffs to the south. The round-about - which incidentally is one of the best functioning ones on the island - connects these two areas along with traffic coming in to Negril from Little London and Savanna-la-Mar. Just before the round-about is the Negril river teaming with local sea birds, coconut and sugar cane plantations, palm trees and fisherman working the banks of the river.

Captain Moses picked us up from the beach at the Boat Bar and Rondel Village area in his glass bottom boat and we were off on our adventure. Raised in the nearby town of Lucea, his father a fisherman, Moses has grown up around the local waters all his life.

As we reached the mouth of the river the Captain Moses carefully navigated the channel in to the river as sand banks had formed recently at the mouth. Moses said this happened a number of times throughout the year and the locals simply get in to the water with their shovels and deal with it. No big excavating bucket here!

Numerous huts and boats are strewn along the banks of the river just past the mouth. A large tree is home to hundreds of white egrets nesting - you'll see that in the accompanying photo album.

Another 45 minutes up the river and it becomes narrow and unpredictable making it a good choice to turn around. Heading home Moses stopped at a coconut plantation where he cut open young coconuts. The water is said to be a very healthy drink and for sure eating the meat fresh from the tree was tasty. Moses parked the boat under a tree where we ate and drank red stripe.

On the way home as we headed across the bay back to the beach we made a swim stop to refresh. While we didn't see any fish - they are out further on the reef - through the glass bottom that day the sand dune formations under the boat were cool to see.

Can't wait to get back!~

Photo Album: www.facebook.com/BodyMindSoulAdventures

~Roadtrippin' Jamaica Day 4 of 4

Ashley — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:57:38 +0000

Going to sleep we could see the twinkle of all the city lights of Kingston way down there from our 3,000 foot perch at in the Blue Mountains - a 28-mile long mountain range in north eastern Jamaica. Waking up to the smell of the botanical gardens and everything tropical we had an unobstructed view over the tree tops of Kingston in the far distance from our cabin perched on the side of a the mountain cliff. Seasonal mountain mists create a climate for lush plant growth.

A walk-about this secluded property presented more stunning views in all directions. We found ourselves literally perched on the plateau of the mountain. Looking out from the rear of the property we could see sections of the long winding road we had successfully made our way up on the night before. This section was in fact a valley below us yet still at an elevation of maybe 2,000 or so feet. Spectacular! I think the pictures say it all.

Nestled at the north eastern edge of the property overlooking that valley was an open air yoga dojo. Wow!

A scrumptious breakfast with all manner of freshly picked local fruit and off to the pool. Not just any pool. With panoramic views this 60-ft kidney-shaped pool features an infinity edge overlooking Kingston and its harbor far below. A stone-wall waterfall cascades below the infinity edge. No chlorine smell and the water is constantly flowing.

After a morning sojourn at Strawberry Hill we made our way back down the mountain at lunch time. We had about a 5 hour drive ahead of us back to Negril. We had decided it was time to get home to rest up for tomorrow's New Years eve celebration on the beachesd of Jamaica. We would leave Port Royal and its pirate history for another day.

The mountains bade us farewell as we left the Kingston area. We had one stop in mind for the drive home - 100 Pot!

And its just that. About 100 pots on open air wood fires all simering with something amazing from goat to chicken to fish and one of my fav's - peanut porridge! You want to arrive hungry at this place.

There is much more to see along the stretch between Kingston and Negril, however, we have explored much of that on previous trips - and will come back again another day. Pelican Bar out on the reefs is one that comes to mind. We're ready to go home to Negril now.

~Roadtrippin' Jamaica Day 3 of 4

Ashley — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:31:35 +0000

After a satisfying breakfast enjoyed on the deck of Mockingbird Hill Hotel, we decided to hit the road to begin the day’s adventures. Heading in the direction of Kingston, Jamaica we were taking the day and activities as they presented themselves.

We were so close to the famous Blue Lagoon (not to be mistaken with Brooke Shield’s 1980 movie of same title), in the Portland area that we had to stop in and experience it for ourselves. We hired a boat guide to take us on a tour; he was awesome. After floating around the lagoon for a few minutes taking in the stunning beauty of the crystal clear, sky-blue water, we headed out towards the ocean. The boat took us along the waterfront at the mouth of the lagoon. Huge ocean waves broke on the protruding reef some 1,000 or so feet offshore leaving those waters peaceful where a fine collection of waterfront homes dotted the shoreline. Our imaginations ran wild as we noticed one for sale (the asking price was a little steep and brought us back to reality).

Feeling hungry after the tour we made our way to Boston Bay, home of the original jerk recipe! Being a lover of all things jerked this was a special stop for me! They had everything from the usual chicken & pork to more exotic choices like a jerk sausage that isn’t found anywhere else on the island. The meat was complimented with some delicious festival bread and a cool RedStripe beer… Mmmm Good!

The remainder of our day was dedicated to locating Strawberry Hill Resort in the Blue Mountains. It was a long drive ahead of us and we decided instead of stopping for pictures, to snap some out of the window as we were going. A lot of the pictures turned out blurry but there were definitely a few “gems” that I have shared in the photo album.

There was an overland road to get there, however, it had been washed out recently. No worries, this later gave us a chance to now say we circumnavigated the entire island :- )

Upon arriving in Kingston we noticed that our available sunlight was fast fading. Hiring a taxi driver to lead the way up the mountain – about 30 minutes straight up - was a great decision made by Dieter. Winding up, up , and up the hill, we drove carefully on the single lane road to the resort.

The view from Strawberry Hill was breathtaking, 4000+ feet above Kingston, the lights form the city below were twinkling… We all enjoyed a nice massage at their Aveda spa and ordered room service for dinner. After such a long day we were ready to sleep!

~Roadtrippin' Jamaica Day 2 of 4

Ashley — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:43:25 +0000

Waking in our riverside room at Somerset Falls was a treat. Being the only people that had stayed over that night Dieter, Tasha, and I basically had run of the entire place.

A door near the back of our room led to a patio, where concrete stairs were a beautiful access point to the river. Dieter hopped right in for a nice 30 minute soak in the mineral water before we headed up for our morning coffee and a tour of the falls.

The falls were absolutely stunning in their beauty. A five minute walk up a winding, paved pathway led us to the first of the two falls. After snapping pictures, a guide took us in a small paddle boat to see the second falls. The entire property was lush, green, natural landscape – BEAUTIFUL. A full day of traveling ahead we decided to pack up and head out on the road.

Tasha had being talking about bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande River the entire trip. Sure enough within two hour of leaving Somerset, we almost ran over a raft captain that was advertising for that exact tour! We negotiated a great rate (Jamaican’s love to barter) and headed up the river. Captain Roy guided up the river while whistling the sweet sounds of Bob Marley. Every now and again he would stop the raft to pick us a flower, or to explain the roots of the river (which flows fresh from the Blue Mountains). Along the way there were many vibrant sights: A fisherman pulling his line, horses drinking from the river, women and children doing their wash. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Tired from all of our water adventures we hit the road and decided to find a good spot to bunk down for the night.

All three of us traveling are food junkies and when we passed a sign that boasted “International Cuisine”, we couldn’t resist stopping in. It turns out that the business responsible for the sign was Mockingbird Hill Hotel, which came highly recommended in our travel book, and they were more than happy to set us up with a beautiful room which overlooked the ocean and also the magnificent Trident Mansion. The room included a complimentary “sundowner” drink, and also much to our surprise an afternoon high tea service – Yummy!

While the sign did brag of international cuisine it didn’t mention that each and every day Mockingbird produces a fresh sheet menu, with the most delectable of choices. Fish, Chicken, Steak, and even Vegetarian options - they had it all. Complemented with a fairly substantial wine list (to Jamaican standards) this was by far the best meal I have ever had on the island!

Appetites fully sated we retired to our room for some shut eye before the next day’s adventures.

Photo Album: http://on.fb.me/dSdmqg

~Roadtrippin' Jamaica Day 1 of 4

Ashley — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:48:15 +0000

On Dec.27/10, Dieter, Tasha, and I headed away from Negril, Jamaica in our rental car on a four day networking expedition around the entire perimeter of the island. No firm plans and no reservations – just an idea of which direction we were heading in, CLOCKWISE.

720 Km, one tank of gas, four successful networks, one nervous breakdown, one flat tire, one chicken foot surprise, and countless priceless memories later I am glad to be (home away from home) safe – and now I can actually say I have seen the country tip-tip! My first business adventure here in the Caribbean and I can feel many more coming.

The first day on the road was beautiful. Tasha started our drive with a detour through a dried river bed called Fern Gully – in the words of Marianne North (an 18th century artist who travelled through the gully), it was “the very ferniest gully I ever saw”. I know that the gully is host to a variety of ferns but finding the actual number is difficult to pin as information states anything from 300-800 different types. Whatever the number it was a gorgeous drive. Aside from the ferns at roads edge were many artists selling their wares – mostly carvings. The “big-bamboo” carving was one that stood tall at every stand!

Shortly after leaving the gully we were stopped on the road by a group of men dressed up in all sorts of costumes – headdresses, feathers, bright colours, and masks. At first we were a little hesitant to stop but were glad we did when they danced a little show for us. After giving them a tip for their delightful entertainment we continued East around the island.

In Jamaica they drive on the left hand side of the road; this combined with the crazy driving style of the locals can present a challenge to most North Americans visiting. Although both Dieter and Tasha are confident and quite capable of driving here we are cautious of driving in the dark as roadside lights are unheard of. Keeping this in mind we were looking for a hotel when we passed Somerset Falls and noticed their sign advertised rooms for rent.

Although the front office was closed, the live on site manager Winston was more than accommodating in renting us a room for the night. He set us up with a sweet riverside room and we settled into the comfortable king sized bed to catch some zzzz’s.

To be continued …

Photo Album: http://on.fb.me/i2pZ2O

One Love Reggae Concert ~ Jamaican Journal

Ashley — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:47:32 +0000

One Love Reggae Concert at Negril Escape on the west end cliffs of Negril, Jamaica with Tarrus Riley www.facebook.com/OneTarrusRiley and Sheldon Senior was one of those events one leaves thankful for having been there.
It was a much mellower concert than some of the ones we have seen, and perfect for the mood we were in.

The wind off the ocean had diminished to a nice gentle breeze. The crowd was a perfect size even allowing for some openings to wind our way to the front rows. Seeing these artists up close is an experience in itself. Their faces reveal hints of life experiences that would no doubt make spell-binding campfire stories. The brass instruments were not the polish and shine one might expect from these but instead oozed as much character as their masters. Together they moved and swayed the hundreds of smiling fans who – like ourselves – were relishing every note.

Many locals were clad in their best and very colourful clothing. Tourists were often easy to spot in new acquired Marley attire. Guests of this small resort enjoyed spectacular vantage points from their private balconies directly overlooking the concert.

The main event was Tarrus and he did not disappoint. His tribute to legendary Reggae artist Gregory Issacs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Isaacs was touching and wonderful.

My 15 minute mini-adventure was personally meeting Sheldon Senior backstage www.facebook.com/sheldonseniorfans
I had been in the front rows dancing and decided I needed a CD of his. The table in the small tent next to the stage had lots of CDs but none of Senior’s. Seeing the announcer going off stage I raced across the entire front of the stage to the far side, his eyes met mine as he came towards me. A woman standing beside him when I asked how to obtain Senior’s CD gestured towards a well-dressed blonde woman standing inside the gate at the back wall. A young man escorted me backstage and introduced me to the blond. With my senses already overloaded she graciously introduced me – in a German accent no less - to Senior standing there right beside her! I was like a young boy getting his first bicycle consumed with excitement.

A quick hello, a shake of the hand and next I am taking a walk with the blond carrying on a conversation in German. With Cd in hand I went back to find Ashley and our friends.

Experience these Jamaican artists playing in one of these small local venues where they likely started their careers and you will never be the same again. It’s like a really good block party with a lot of good energy and vibes. What fun we had tonight!

Photo Album: http://on.fb.me/fG1miQ

Blogged by Dieter Gerhard

A Winter Solstice Celebration to Remember~

Ashley — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:07:43 +0000

On December.21/10, our winter solstice celebrations started with a lunar eclipse at 2:30am Jamaican time. I had learned about the eclipse online from a National geographic article that I found super informative, the article said that eclipse’s and solstice’s don’t land on the same date very often, in fact the last time was in the 1600’s!. I figured it was an event worth watching as the next one isn’t scheduled until 2094~ Out of most of our lifetimes.

Tired and unsure if we would be able to stay awake, we set multiple alarms and decided to have a nap.

Waking at 2:30 we went outside to take a peek, and WOW, the view was spectacular! As we were slightly unprepared for moon photography the picture ended up slightly grainy but I think Dieter did a beautiful job :-) My need for sleep was catching up to me and I headed back to bed for one of the best sleeps I have enjoyed since getting here.

We were delighted to wake up with the sun shining on us. The breeze we had felt the night before had settled to nothing and not a single leaf on the tree outside was moving – BEACH weather. Excitedly Dieter and I headed there without even pausing to have breakfast!

Our beach days are leisurely, and unfold at a snail pace. When people come by with food – we eat. When people come by with drinks – we drink. And best of all when Pat comes by and offers an aloe massage – we indulge! Her moisturizing blend of fresh aloe mixed with sunscreen is a perfect protective prep for skin that is unaccustomed to the hot Caribbean sun – SPF is important down here. Safely slathered, and relaxed from her beautiful massage we headed out to our lawn chairs to soak up some vitamin D.

I have found a book down here and am enjoying having the time to read it so when Dieter suggested a walk I had to politely decline. I armed him with the camera and on his way he went down the beach to take in the sights. The photos he got are amazing and really capture the beach culture here in Jamaica.

All in all it was a day well worth remembering and I figure also worth sharing.
Photo Album: http://on.fb.me/eB08vX

Out & About ~

Ashley — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 04:03:11 +0000

After spending the morning hanging out at the casa we decided to explore the west end of Negril. We drove all the way up the cliffs to an awesome bakery called “Out of Town”. This place has the BEST Jamaican patties, and the coco bread is delicious! We enjoyed our late breakfast with our customary Redstripe and headed out for a drive.

The colours in Jamaica are more vibrant then I have seen anywhere in the world. Everything as you drive by is screaming with different hues of reds, blues, yellows, and greens. As we were admiring the wild flowers growing at the side of the road we came across a goat farmer walking along with her decent sized herd. I attempted a networking visit at Jackie’s on the Reef, this woman offers holistic spa services – but she was not in today. The place looks beautiful and offers treatments like massage, yoga, and meditation. I have put it on the list of must-go-back places! Feeling parched from all of our sightseeing we headed to Tasha’s favourite cliffside reggae bar for another Redstripe and some jerk chicken.The vibes at this place were mellow and exactly what we needed at the end of such a beautiful day!

A group of kids on bicycles rode up to the bar and wanted to give us a show. They did some tricks- and enjoying their style we got some great snapshots with our camera. The more pictures we took, the more they wanted to show off. Excitable bunch they were – all off of school on the Christmas holidays.

After the children rode away we sat at the bar and listened to the sweet sounds of Bob Marley, and we also got to watch the most beautiful sunset we have seen since we arrived!~A few other people joined us on the deck and we all enjoyed the view. I can’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon!

See photo album: www.facebook.com/BodyMindSoulAdventures

First Taste of the Beach~

Ashley — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:35:18 +0000

First Taste of the Beach~

The weather down here in Jamaica has not been able to make up her mind since we arrived! Please don’t misunderstand – I am NOT complaining, even the most torrential of tropical rain storms is warm and balmy in comparison to a chilly (and in a lot of places- snowy) Canadian winter.

The one thing the weather has impacted is our beach time. Negril, Jamaica is world famous for having one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. Stretching about 7 miles long, the beach can provide anything from an oasis to curl up with a book to a source of adventure with things like watersports and tours.

Craving some sand between our toes we decided to pop into a favourite spot of ours the “Boat Bar” – Our crew there welcome us with big smiles and hugs.

There is a massage hut next to the bar that Dieter and I visit every year that we are here. Pat the masseuse was happy to see us and we promised to stop in soon for some pampering (She gives the best aloe massages!~).

We could see the beach just steps away, and unable to resist any longer decided to wander in that direction. Luckily it was a moment when the weather decided to cooperate and the sun was shining temporarily. Finding a couple of lawn chairs seemed like fate and we decided to take in the sights for a few minutes.

The beach has changed a bit but remains the same in so many ways. There were the regular beach hustlers, artists, and locals. One big difference from last year is a large boat that has washed up on shore during a large storm; the locals have left it there in the middle of the beach during repairs! I snapped some quick shots on my camera and enjoyed a cold Redstripe.

We were finding the sun so enjoyable but unfortunately were not prepared for the beach at all. Calling it a day we made a promise to the beach to return soon for an entire day!

For Photo Album see: www.facebook.com/BodyMindSoulAdventures

Easy Days~

Ashley — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:20:55 +0000

Today was fairly laid back – as our days so often are down here in Jamaica.

An easy ride in the car to Sav-La-Mar was beautifully marked by our stop at the roadside Veg stand. Stopping at these stands proves to be a colourful experience every time filled with conversation and of course the bonus of fresh local produce!

The table was covered in an array of vibrant fruits and vegetables and it was difficult choosing a snack. While we were browsing, we were quite entertained to see a donkey-drawn cart pull up across the street; the driver hopped out and grabbed some cigarettes inside a little store! In the end the sweet bananas won for me and Dieter. Also bought some tomatoes (Lou-Lou says they are the best), a pineapple, a couple squash, and a bag of juicy oranges. It sure is easy to eat well here!

Before we had even arrived this year Tasha has Dieter psyched up about a German snack bar that has opened in Negril since we were here last year. After a scenic drive back into town we decided to pop in and try their cuisine. The place is a family run business and was well worth checking out ~ a delicious Bratwurst for me, and an authentic German conversation for Dieter guaranteed that we will be retuning patrons!

All the eating I had partaken in on our excursions had worn me out. When we got back to our home away from home, I found a comfy chair and vegged out on the veranda enjoying the sun and watching the parakeets flying by. Feeling my eyes get droopy I headed inside for a “half an hour nap” – Everybody was laughing 2 hours later when I finally resurfaced.

Only two days into this trip and I am already feeling rejuvenated! The combination of fresh air and food seems to have restorative qualities that are unmistakably beneficial to health and wellness!

A Sweet Arrival ~

Ashley — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:07:57 +0000

Arriving in Jamaica last night truly felt like a homecoming party. We had an excellent flight in thanks to WestJet’s new non-stop flight service from Vancouver (and 8 other Canadian cities).

Shortly after landing in Montego Bay at 5 in the evening Dieter and I were in the rental car winding our way along a narrow oceanside road towards the beautiful town of Negril.

We were feeling slightly peckish after the long flight and pulled over in Green Island (halfway to Negril) at one of our favourite roadside barbeques “The Traveling Fox” to snack on some jerk chicken. Stepping out of the car we were warmly greeted by the crew in the small pub. We grabbed our customary Red Stripe beer and a delicious helping of spicy chicken and on our way we went.

Staying at our friend Tasha’s hilltop oasis has been a highly anticipated highlight of our trip and we were graciously welcomed into her beautiful home. The cool breeze on the veranda and a warm shower were all it took to recover from the flight. After a catch up conversation with Tasha & her wonderful family it was time to hit the sack. If you are expecting quiet to accompany your rest, then you would be in the wrong country. Instead I fell asleep to the familiar sounds of the tree frogs, crickets, and reggae from the cliffs~!

Waking this morning was a treat. Everyone was well refreshed from a restful night’s sleep and also well fed from Tasha’s homemade pancake breakfast! To accompany the pancakes was a fresh fruit salad (and believe me when I say the fruit on this island is some of the best). We enjoyed this leisurely morning with a hot mug of Blue Mountain Coffee DELISH!

We had quite a productive day – setting up the wifi and cell phone services that are now both available at Tasha’s retreat. Also went on a grocery shopping trip at the local Hi-Lo store, always a delightful experience with staff there to help (it’s almost like a personal concierge service in the grocery store Jamaican style).

Haven’t taken in the beach yet but there is plenty of time for that coming up soon. We are also planning a road trip through the Blue Mountains, maybe we’ll even see a coffee plantation!~ Pics soon

First Clients!~

Ashley — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:30:23 +0000

I am so excited to announce that today, Dec. 10/10, is the day that I officially booked my first clients through Body Mind Soul~! This is especially good news considering we technically are not even launched yet.

Roughly two weeks ago, my partner Dieter was contacted through our Bed & Breakfast by an Australian couple inquiring about a multi-day Vancouver Island tour. As this is not a service we provide through the B&B, the email was naturally sent my way to Body Mind Soul. It was the perfect opportunity for me dip my feet it to the water so to speak by putting together a sample itinerary for them to look over.

The couple had sent an email that gave me some background to work with: interests, lifestyle, and expectations. Armed with this list, Dieter and I sat down and customised a 3-day, 4-night stay and tour of our beautiful hometown. This included day trips such as a Cowichan Valley wine region tour complete with lunch and tastings - and a walking tour of historic downtown perhaps with a horse carriage ride and the world famous high tea service at The Empress Hotel.

Included with the day trips is an inclusive, personalized concierge service. What this means is that during their stay here I will act as their guide, chauffeur, and travel companion all rolled into one. I will book their activities, drive their tours, and accompany them to meals if they so desire.

After preparing the customized itinerary (and proof reading it) we emailed it to the couple for approval on the plans. Much to my delight we woke this morning to an enthusiastic reply from them giving us the go-ahead with the booking! So it is officially-official, the day after picking up my business cards from the printer I am in business!!! ~~

Exploring Possibilities

Ashley — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:39:50 +0000

Today I was able to give big thumbs up to the final proof of the Body Mind Soul business cards and they are in the process of being printed! With a networking trip to sunny Negril, Jamaica planned, booked, and coming up just around the corner, there has been a fair amount of urgency placed upon completing this part of our project – and very much to my satisfaction we have done it just in the nick of time.

I have come to the happy realization that starting up a company entails a fair bit more work than nodding or shaking my head at different logo designs. As fun as I found that stage of the development I am pleased to move forward with building the contacts I need to help facilitate the retreats I will be offering people. Be it a personalized, chauffeured trip through the Cowichan Valley wine region on Vancouver Island, or a full day of Yoga on a beach in Jamaica it is going to take an entire network of people to put this together!~

The Beginning

Ashley — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:46:51 +0000

The completion of Body Mind Soul`s logo has really driven home how quickly the company is developing! As I was rejoicing in the excitement of this milestone I recognized a need within me to share these events – naturally in today’s tech entranced society I decided to blog – and even, better blog on Facebook!

The time lapse between the moments of my first inkling of a business idea to this point where our logo and business cards are complete has only been a few short months and I am astonished at that speed in which it is progressing.
The first step of my business plan was easy as I have always had a need to work directly with people and having two full years of experience as a B&B innkeeper has shown that I enjoy and excel in the hospitality industry. Combining these skill sets with my passion for travel quickly led to the birthing of a very basic business plan – I would do wellness retreats.

Jumping right into things I decided to hire a designer to help me form the identity of Body Mind Soul. This is including the logo, brand, and website design. My first meeting with Angella was hilarious. She asked what my business model was and I am pretty sure my face went blank! I told her that I was planning on doing travel/wellness retreats and that I was going to work on the rest as we moved forward with the design. She was an amazing support during this stage and in good spirits quickly began showing me the first set of logo concepts which you can see posted on my Facebook page.

As my business model was maturing so were the beautiful designs that Angella was showing me. It seemed as though every growth spurt that I was hitting was matched equally in progress with the logo! We decided together to share the development of Body Mind Soul in real time on Facebook. By posting pictures of the designs to our fan page and welcoming comments we were able to directly involve people while at the same time receiving wonderful feedback on how we were doing.

I am ecstatic to say that after posting the final copy of the logo yesterday I have received feedback from many people letting me know that they could see their suggestions in the design. Angella did a beautiful job at hearing my vision and turning into an original and fresh reality ~ you rock girl ~!

We are now working on the website design which Angella's lovely husband Gregg will be building at northStudio Inc. and the sneek-peek that I got blew my mind! I’ll keep you posted!