What are we up to this week?

Feb 28, Last day of - Feb Fast !

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:12:35 GMT

Welcome to the last day of this years Feb Fast. I hope you have enjoyed the new recipes and rediscovered some hidden engery from the indulgences of the festive season (which may feel like a lifetime ago!). On this last day I come back to you with our opening question which was the main intention and something that I think is important for all of us to reflect on and be honest with ourselves is : "What is my heart's true desire?" In closing take some time to see if in this month through paying attention to your health you were more easily able to identify what your hearts true desire was? I look forward to bringing this Feb Fast up in 2011 . But I am excited to be heading into a Marvelous March. Until next years Feb Fast I wish you a deepening understanding of health and a more heartfelt wish that you connect with your heart true desire!

Feb 25, What is Kukicha Twig Tea?

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:56:21 GMT

George Ohsawa, the founder of macrobiotics, and Michio Kushi, one of his disciples, popularized the drink, spreading the knowledge of the natural kukicha tea benefits.

Feb 25, article

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:55:30 GMT

The Villager and the Happy Man- By Remez Sasson

Feb 25, Day 25 - Feb Fast

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:41:51 GMT

Fridays Recipe: Kukicha Twig Tea Like green tea, twig tea should be made with hot, not boiling water. 1. Allow boiled water to cool 2. Then steep the tea for up to three minutes. Unlike black tea, kukicha has almost no caffeine - approximately ten percent the amount of a cup of coffee. It can be enjoyed throughout the day without the adverse effects of caffeine. Brewed kukicha can also be mixed with apple juice and served cold. Health Properties of Twig Tea Kukicha tea benefits are numerous and potentially profound. Its primary impact lies in its alkalizing abilities; kukicha tea helps to alkalize the body's fluids and tissue, thereby balancing acidity levels and preventing disease. Its a great pick me up and refreshes or soothes the senses. For more health benifits read full article.

Feb 24, Day 24 - Feb Fast

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:55:22 GMT

Thursdays Recipe: French onion soup with a difference ! Preparation Time 20 minutes Cooking Time 55 minutes Ingredients (serves 4) 2 1/2 tbs Sesame oil. 2 tbs olive oil 2 large brown onions, thinly sliced 1 tsp rice malt 2tsp of seeded mustard dash of garlic Shoyu (to taste) 3 cups water 1/2 cup dry white wine Salt & freshly ground black pepper 8 2cm-thick slices baguette (French bread stick) 90g (3/4 cup) coarsely grated gruyere cheese (for those who take dairy) Method 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. 2.Add onions and cook, uncovered, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften. 3. Reduce heat to medium. Add rice malt and mustard , cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until onions are golden and caramelised. 4. Add the shoyu, water, and wine to the pan and season well with pepper. Bring to the boil over medium-low heat. 5. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. 6. Meanwhile, preheat grill on medium. Place the baguette slices under preheated grill and toast for 1-2 minutes each side or until lightly toasted. Sprinkle one side of each slice with a little of the cheese. Grill for a further 1-2 minutes or until the cheese melts and is golden. 7. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle with pepper just before serving. Serve and Enjoy.

Feb 23, Day 23 - Feb Fast

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:14:50 GMT

Wednesdays Recipe: Is incredibly simple but delightfully delicious. Our feature ingredient Is Brown Rice and Lemon Myrtle 1. (serves 4 as a side dish) Take a cup of Rice, 2 cups of water, a pinch of salt, three inches of Kombu (flavour enhancing sea vegetable) and 2-6 springs of Lemon Myrtle. 2. Bring to the boil. Cover. Turn the heat as low as it can go. Leave for 50 minutes on same low heat. 3. Serve and enjoy, great as a side dish to most dishes, especially fish, but also curries and stews. Lemon Myrtle Botanical Name: Backhousia citriodora Usage: The leaves are used fresh or dried & ground and have a lemon & lime oil flavour. They can be used with baked fish, to make a lemon tea, combined into breads and cheesecakes as well as chicken and rice dishes, and many sauces.

Feb 22, Day 22 - Feb Fast

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:52:53 GMT

Tuesdays Recipe: Veggie Shepherds Pie Lentil pie recipe : Lentils: 1 cup brown lentils, with 2 bay leaves, pinch of salt and 3 inches kombu (seaweed developes flavour and helps digestion , optional, remove after cooking) cover with 2-3 cms water. Sauce: water, garlic, shoyu (or tamari or soy sauce), kuzu (or arrowroot or preferred thickener) optional - add a little chili. Add all these ingredients at end to saute onion and mushrooms BUT FIRST always mix thickener is a little cold water first to prevent lumps. Pie to do : (preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius 10 mins before putting in oven) 1. Saute onion, mushroom , opt any other vegies eg capsicum 2. Add Lentils. 3. Cover with water. 4. Add sauce ingredients and bring to boil. Stir. 5. When reached desired thickness, transfer to pie dish. 6. cover with puff pastry 7. cook for 20-35 mins 8. serve with favorite salad :) Enjoy.

Feb 21, Day 21 - Feb Fast

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:31:18 GMT

Mondays Recipe: Sweet Dukkah and Honey Morning Tea This is a great way to use up old nuts and seeds, or clean out a cupboard. Or just simply a feast of deliciousness mid morning. 1. Prepare your focaccia or turkish bread for dipping. And a small bowl of Honey. 2. Dukkah= (this is basically made up of toasted seeds, nuts and spices of your liking but as a rough guide...) Put 1/2 a cup of almonds in a hot cast iron pot (toast for about 3 mins), add 2 tbs sunflower seeds, 1 tbs pumpkin seeds (toast for about a minute), some white and black seasame seeds (toast for about a minute) You may need to turn down the heat at some time during toasting if the nuts and seeds are burning. Top off with sprinkles of cinnamon, nutmeg, chili, salt and cardamon to taste. Then transfer to food processor and roughly dice it all together. When you have the consistency of Dukkah, stop. Put in small dipping bowl. 3. Serve the Bread, Honey and Dukkah and eat by first dipping the Bread in the honey, followed by the Dukkah. Enjoy!

Feb 19, Day 20-Feb Fast

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:37:29 GMT

To inspire you through this last week of February we will be shareing a new whole food recipe with you every day: Sundays Recipe : Marinated Beetroot and Green Salad 1. Boil 2-3 whole beet root until tender and remove skin. (Makes enough for a family to share) 2. Cut into 8 when cool. 3. Marinate for about an hour in Olive oil, Basil stems (if have used leaves in other cooking or leaves), Garlic and a dash of lemon. 4. Lay on a bed of salad greens (cos and rocket lettuce with some sprouts for prference). 5. Sprinkle with toasted Sunflower Seeds. 6. Serve and Enjoy.

Feb 19, Day 19-Feb Fast

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:59:21 GMT

Checking in for how things are going, 9 days left. Some Good Questions- 1. Have you noticed any change in your energy levels?
2.What good habits might you keep or foster in March?
3. Is your thinking any sharper?
4. Have you noticed any self sabotage behaviours rearing thier heads? (mine have been many cases of terminal forgetfulness!, that cause me to almost give up on it all, but I take myself back to half way through -day 15- where we talk about gentleness.
5. Have you thought about how you will reward/treat yourself to something special after this month?
Hmmm....a nice massage, new dress, special outing? Oh the possibility :)

Feb 19, Day 18- Feb Fast

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:47:06 GMT

A story I enjoyed this morning...Health is on many levels, one is to feed our mind good thoughts and inspiring messages : See Permalink for article - The Villager and the Happy Man by By Remez Sasson

Feb 17, Day 17- Feb Fast

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:54:09 GMT

I rediscovered Camomile Tea. I went off it for a while due to ...over dose... hehe, I drank so much of it during a specia clease I went completely off it! But I am gald I rediscovered it as it contributes to the following benefits: Chamomile tea boosts the immune system and fight infections associated with colds Chamomile tea relieves muscle spasms and menstrual cramps in women Chamomile tea relaxes the nerves Chamomile tea soothes the stomach Chamomile tea reduces inflammation Chamomile tea improves liver function Chamomile tea helps relieve back pain Chamomile tea helps relieve rheumatism Drink Up!

Feb 16, Improve Digestion

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:49:25 GMT

health, intestinal tract, digestion

Feb 16, Day 16- Feb Fast

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:42:26 GMT

Unfortunately, most of us feed our taste buds before thinking about how it affects our digestive health, which can lead to gas, heartburn and other more serious challenges. Don't worry your not alone, here are some tips to help you out: 1. Choose high quality, fresh (preferably organic) foods - I have experienced some incredible changes when when I dropped much of the boxed and canned foods to fresh, organic whole foods. It takes time to learn a new way of eating, but it has been utterly worth it. 2. Incorporate a healthy mix of raw,cooked and fermented foods - raw foods have their own enzymes which are especially important when your body is healing and may be low on enzymes in general. 3. Chew thoroughly -Digestion of carbohydrates (starches, sugars) starts in your mouth with saliva and enzymes. The enzymes not only help break down your food, they also attack bacteria. Most people don't chew thoroughly, which makes digestion of food much harder when it reaches your stomach. Chewing is stage one of proper digestion.

Feb 15, Day 15- Feb Fast

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:04:55 GMT

Today I am being gentle with myself. I slipped up yesterday. I went out to Dinner at a friends house after a big exhausting day that ended with a headache. I didn't have time or the inclination to organize anything and it was a last minute invite. I Drank juice for the evening but indulged in her home made 'lemon delicious', loaded with sugar, butter and eggs- it was delicious. :) I felt a little guilty this morning and sat with the feeling awhile. Then decided that the guilt didn't serve me in any way -it was a great evening and I could at least choose to avoid alcohol. After something has happened we can only reflect, and then we can consciously choose a reaction. I choose to acknowledge my lack of preparation, but rejoice that I could still avoid alcohol while having a great night. It is ok to err, but I look forward to it being the only one and I put myself lovingly back on the "Feb Fast" road. How could you deal with yourself more lovingly? How could you deal with yourself more gently?

Feb 14, Day 14- Feb Fast

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:04:54 GMT

This is a reminder to pay attention to your portion size's. In our society where "Super" sizes exist its easy to add a little more food than we need , and sometimes on approaching the end of a meal with that over full bloated feeling...more than we want. One idea is to use smaller plates for awhile. That way your plate looks full but it is still a full plate for the eye .

Feb 13, Day 13- Feb Fast

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:48:23 GMT

I drank far to much coffee over morning tea while was chatting! I now have a tummy ache and am enduring many bathroom trips. My favorite facts about coffee- Bad and the Good: Good Stuff Caffeine increases intellectual activity when fatigued or bored. Caffeine prevents crystallization of cholesterol and reduces risk of development of gallstones. Coffee has four times the anti-oxidants of Green Tea, makes an excellent anti-depressant, and enhances performance and memory. Bad Stuff Caffeine aggravates stress in people who drink it every day. Caffeine may aggravate osteoporosis by leaching calcium from the bones. Can decreases quality of sleep. I guess it comes to what my Grandmother says "Everything in moderation". All I need to do is remember when that is! For more info on the good an bad points I enjoyed this source : http://www.pnf.org/CoffeeEdited041001.pdf

Feb 12, Day 12- Feb Fast

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:09:20 GMT

Another day...feeling a little tired today. One of those days where I am rushing around after people but not really getting anything done! Generally the time where I reach for a chocky bikky. But instead today I am endeavoring to change and mold this habit from and small unhealthy thingI do, to a small healthy hing I do. I instead reach for a handful of grapes and a cup of Earl Grey Tea. Was it a difficult choice? ...yep... Did I rummage in the cupboard first for an open pack of biscuits? ...uh huh... found them, put them down , told myself to go to the toilet first ( anything to distract for a couple of minutes I find is good) and as I was tinkling away thought of something else that might fulfill my hungry sweet tooth. Just by cutting all alcohol and sugar (which is insidious and in the strangest foods!) I have lost 2 kgs. I am a littled stunned. I think now is about the time I should consider adding some more regular movement to my life :)

Feb 11, Day 11- Feb Fast!

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:45:48 GMT

What a day! To long in front of the computer and my eyes are getting tired. I want to share two things with you today :) Tired Eyes Exercises(prevention is the best remedy!) :
1. The first part of the eye exercise is good for the muscles surrounding the eyeball. Look at something on the right in your field of vision. Keep your eyes on that object and turn your head to the left as far as possible without loosing sight of whatever you've choose to look at. Do the same thing but in reverse; fix your stare at something on the left and turn your head rightwards as far as you can. Repeat the procedure in all directions; up and down and in the four diagonal directions. Repeat the entire exercise a few times. 2. The second part of the eye training prevents the lens of the eye from getting stiff and exercises the small muscles inside the eye which shape the lens and thus help you focus on things you look at. Hold up your finger in front of you and focus on it. Move the finger towards you as close as you can get without loosing focus. Then look outside the window and focus on the horizon. Repeat a few times. Mixing your grains : Today I was made lunch by a friend who reminded me of the delight of mixing grains. On this occasion it was Red Quinoa and Brown Rice. Sprincle a little Gomasio on top and yummo! How to : Take a cup of Brown Rice, 2 cups of water, 2-3 inches of Kombu and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil. Turn heat down as low as you can go add a 1/3-1/2 cup of Quinoa and leave (with lid on) for 35-40 minutes. Serve and Enjoy :)

Feb 10, Day 10- Feb Fast!

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:51:07 GMT

Today my teeth and gums are hurting, all the more reason to keep off the sweet stuff I imagine many mums would say! And I'd agree, but I think that this pain is due to some wisdom teeth coming through. It is interesting to note that the health of our teeth actually can affect the health of other systems in your body. I came across an article about it here( of all places!): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100901202110AAOWFeF

Feb 9, Day 9 - Feb Fast!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:51:35 GMT

The Dangers of Stress! I generally think I am doing everything I can to stay healthy, especially on the Feb Fast Month. Your probably like me - you get lots of sleep, exercise regularly and avoiding sugar/alcahol ie eating a nourishing diet of whole foods. But you may be forgetting one important thing. Relax! Stress has a bigger impact on our health than we might realize.  Stress affects immune responses, and also affects how well the body heals itself. In one particularly cringe-worthy study (http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/wound.htm), Kiecolt-Glaser and her colleagues afflicted a group of caregivers with small arm wounds using a tool dermatologists use to perform skin biopsies. The people under stress wounds took 24 percent longer to heal than wounds that they had afflicted to people under less stress. Interesting isn't it. The up shot is to take it easy and talk yourself into putting things into perspective. Be well.

Feb 8, Day 8 - Feb Fast!

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:19:52 GMT

Did you survive the weekend? I went out to a BBQ and to a dinner party. It wasn't easy, but as the saying goes "don't ask for it to be easy ask for it to be worth it!". I was well armed with a drinking alternative of cranberry juice and mineral water which I had never tried before and was very refreshing :) As well as taking sugarless apricot balls as desert alternative. A little more effort certainly but well worth it in the end. Today I am feeling quite positive having completed a week...Although it does seem like a long way to the end... Not my best attitude. As Michio Kushi, leader in Macrobiotic diet and philosophy advises "In addition to eating well, it is necessary to maintain a positive outlook on life and bring into balance our physical and mental activities, all of which work toward creating a harmonious and peaceful life." And I am not looking to leap back into unhelpful eating habits after February but instead create space for healthful and new habits to emerge. All I can handle today though is that today I will choose not to eat sugar or drink alcohol. :) Some habits die hard don't they !

Feb 7, Day 7 - Feb Fast!

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:40:32 GMT

Some good reasons to avoid junk food ... 1. Junk food makes you put on weight. People who have obesity or morbid obesity are those who have a preference for junk food and snacking. 2. Eating junk food can make you prone to diabetes, because it contain too much of sugar. You cn also become susceptible to heart disease and blood pressure because of the salt and high fats found in this kind of food. 3. Packed junk food contains preservatives and coloring, both of which contain carcinogenic substances. 4. In the long run, junk food actually fastens the effects of aging. People show signs of old age faster because of continuously eating junk food. This is because continuous eating of junk food exposes the body to long periods of bad nutrition. The result is release of free radicals which are the chief factors responsible for aging effect.

Feb 5, Day 6 - Feb Fast!

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:22:34 GMT

Just a quick reminder about chewing your food well! Chewing your food completely is an often overlooked part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are like most people, you lead such a busy life that meal time is cut down to a fraction of what it should be. Have you ever timed yourself when eating? How long does it take you to finish a meal? Is it ten minutes? Twenty minutes? Five minutes? If you fall into these time frames, chances are you are not chewing your food properly. chewing your food completely lead to a healthier lifestyle, it will also bring out the flavor in the foods that you eat. Chewing your food completely will make all of your meals more enjoyable.

Feb 5, Day 5-Feb Fast!

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:56:26 GMT

Its the weekend, time to relax. In nourishing yourselves it important to remember its not only about nourishing our tummies. What about our largest organ? Our skin (or also called our epidermis). Quick and easy summer facial= Moisturizing-Take a avocado, add a little lemon...then rub half of it all over your face ! Your skin will glow, add two slices of cumber for the eyes, lie back and enjoy. For the other half mix in some spices and pepper for a guacamole snack!
Purifying- Take tsp green clay, drop of orange essential oil and tsp of poppy seeds. Mix together with a small amount of water. Apply then wait until dry. Rinse and moisturize.

Feb 4, Day 4-Feb Fast !

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 06:10:03 GMT

Day 4 and alls welllll! I had a little fun today in the kitchen, just imagine a lightly toasted chapati ( wrap style piece of bread) still warm stuffed with some cool crisp iceberg lettuce next and a smear of olive tapenade! Cool crisp, Warm and toasty and just a little salty. Here's how you do it: 1. Take a flat wrap or chapati, dry pan fry on each side 2. Pop it out of the pan and spead a line of olive tapanade down one side , then add a lettuce leaf. 3. Roll it up and devour with glee, Yum!

Feb 3, Day 3- Feb Fast

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:10:07 GMT

What can be a really nice and refreshing drink in the late afternoon is a Kiwi Spritzer! In line with our Feb Fast of avoiding all sugar and alcahol get a kiwi fruit, juices from a quater of a lime, a spoonful of rice malt and blend in a mixer. pour into a large cocktail glass with a swizzle stick and top up with mineral water. Garnish with some mint leavesand a slice of lime - delicious!

Feb 2, Healing and Visualisation technique

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:46:14 GMT

healing

Feb 2, Day 2- FebFast

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:37:43 GMT

Today I feel great one full day down and not as tricky as I thought :) Today I want to keep focused on staying hydrated with herbal teas(my favorite is Bancha a twig tea great for stimulating kidneys, drinking room temperature waters, and fruit juices. For a handy healing and visualising technique see : http://www.healthybodieshealthyhomes.com/healingexercise1.html

Feb 1, Day 1 - Feb Fast

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:27:08 GMT

My main intention for this month is to share with you my tips, tricks and tools that I use to revitalize and re energies. Something I think is important for all of us to reflect on and be honest with ourselves is : "What is my heart's true desire?" Don't be put off by the questions fluffiness at first glance. It is not just a big question for love or career choices but can be scaled back to the everyday it is a way to stay healthy and become more intuitive. The quality of our lives can be determined by the quality of the questions we ask our self. Approaching that mid morning piece of cake, as I did today and asking " what is my heart's true desire?" (not my taste buds ...or my stomachs :( ) I realize what i really want is more energy and clarity of thinking. I know from past experience this does not regularly come from cake...I choose a black coffee and a banana instead.

Jan 31, FebFast!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:45:41 GMT

FebFast!

Jan 31, Winter Detox

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:41:34 GMT

Feeling slugish, looking to gain more health balance this winter season? Then you have come to the right place!

Jan 31, FebFast!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:37:19 GMT

Inspired by Joanna Hall I am going on a "Feb Fast" traditionally espoused as a alcohol free month after having " overdone everything during the holidays". But I am taking the opportunity not only to give up alcohol for the month but also get back into some healthy habits that evaporated over my fairly long and drawn out "silly season", which came to a stunning halt after some scheduled major surgery in January! Stay tuned as we go through 28 days of good eating, healthy habits, and relaxation tips.

Jul 17, Why Asian Women have hardly any Osteoporosis

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 06:35:43 GMT

Middle aged women in Japan, China, and other Asian countries hardly ever developed osteoporosis, even though their calcium intake was 2 to 4 times less than Western women. The reason is that their source of calcium is vegetable quality. They traditionally ate very little meat and other heavy animal food. They also consumed large amounts of green leafy, fiber-rich vegetables such as daikon greens, mustard leaves, Chinese cabbage, kale, and broccoli; beans and bean products like tofu and tempeh; sea vegetables such as nori and hiziki; sesame seeds and sesame oil, and other foods rich in phytoestrogens such as shoyu, miso, and green tea that stimulate mineral metabolism. Of all foods, sesame seeds and sesame oil are the highest in calcium. For the same reason, Asian women didnt develop breast cancer until recently when cows milk became a fashion. In Asia today, milk and other dairy food consumption is rising rapidly, and soon China will become the largest producer. Simulating Bone Growth Recipe; This condiment is good for stimulating bone growth. Slice the long, tiny white roots of several leeks and onions. Saute in a little sesame oil with a pinch of salt for 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame. Add a little barley miso diluted in cold water at the end of cooking and simmer for another several minutes

Mar 10, Health made easy

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:47:30 GMT

What is good health about? Living Lightly. Loving Largely. Laughing often.