Green Smoothie- Current Favouite :-)

                     

There are green smoothies and there are green smoothies and then well..... The options are endlessly green ... My current favourite protein potent smoothie is this..... 

1 1/2 cups Oat milk

Ice/ water 

Teaspoon Matcha Green tea Powder

2 teaspoons green powder of choice -the Pukka Clean Greens packs a serious punch giving you your daily umph in the form of Nettles, Wheat Grass, Barley Grass, Parsley, Spirulina, Chlorella, seaweed, Kales sprouts, the list goes on!  (I think I need to write a whole article on this amazingness!!) 

2 large handfuls of fresh spinach

1/2 courgette?! 

I scoop of Sun Warrior plain vegan protein powder 

Cinnamon

Handful Chia seeds

Vanilla essence

Dash of coconut palm sugar if you need a little sweetness or a bit of banana is tasty too 

All ingredients can be modified to your taste buds so feel free to experiment 

It's a brilliant breakfast but also makes for an amazing afternoon pick you up. Enjoy it in all it's divine wild greenness 

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Cultivating Your Creative Core

                   

I am often asked what the best way is to strengthen our core. And really it is simple. Use your body well, do the work and build awareness. Here is how...........

The breathing is often the last thing that comes together in our yoga practice but it is the most important. 

The breath is what guides us to a place of deep meditation during our movement but it also supports our practice physically. I often say "power your body with your breath , think of the breath like the wind in your sails" 

So during your practice you should inhale from your solar plexus area, expanding around the complete circumference of your lower ribs and exhale from your naval centre gentle pulling your belly button in towards your spine. ( place your hands on rib cage and then on belly until you get the hang of it) This is key as it keeps the yogic locks engaged so you have the strength and elevation needed for a strong, supported, smooth practice. But it also means you work your deep core muscles, all four layers of them and of course their connecting muscles that help create the beautiful moving phenomenon that we are :-)

We often get caught up in wanting an enviable washboard belly but we must be careful not to block our creative, sexual centre at the core, we want to be strong and toned but not held and ridgid. On a physical level strengthening our core is key for lower back support, stabilising the pelvis and allowing us to open our chest and give us more heart space. And on a subtle level we need freedom at the core be be expressive, sensual and move with tha natural ebb and flow of life. 

When we use our bodies in a dynamic way, as we do during a flowing yoga class our whole body is engaged at every stage. Our bodies become a continuous web, every muscle working together, there should be no separation, no isolation, watch a cheetah run, a deer jump or a snake move through the grass and feel that in your body as you move. Find your feline agility, the spring in your step, don't miss an opportunity to use your body properly and you will see your body change shape, be sculpted, feel light and athletic. 

I used to joke with my father that my body was my earthly vessel, but in earnest I did have a sense from an early age that this vessel was sacred and I needed to care for it. So remember to love, honour and be kind to your body. It's the only one you've got and my goodness it tries its hardest to be the best! 

Although you need to be using your core throughout your practice here are some poses that will deepen your awareness and increase your core strength 

1. Dandasana The Plank- plank as often as you can. Hold it for 10 breaths and build up, make sure your chaturunga is slow and controlled as you lower yourself towards the earth.

2. Bakasana The Crow. Don't be fooled by thinking you need arm strength. It's really a core asana 

3. Sirsasana Headstand- by doing your headstand against the wall you miss the most import lesson, how to engage and have full control over the inversion with your core. You may be upside down but you aren't doing headstand! Use the wall as your emergency but try not to touch it. Then Pike and learn what those tummy muscles are really made of! 

                               

Everybody's Easter Cookies

It's safe to say I like to bake, Friday has surreptitiously become the day for exploring new recipes and creating divinely delicious treats to healthily indulge in over the weekend.
This weekend I spent in the countryside visiting my God daughter Eleanora. Her mother, who has proclaimed total apathy towards baking leaves it up to me to cut the cookie dough.
But…."no eggs, no gluten, no nuts and no sugar"  Perfect, Just how I like it!

125g Vegan Margarine or Goats butter
4 tbsp Coconut Palm Sugar
I tsp Vanilla Essence
150g Gluten free flour
70g Self raising Gluten free flour

I am certainly not aspiring to be Heston but I am an explorer and love to experiment and mix it up. This was a basic biscuit recipe that I have gently doctored to meet the health requirements I desire without compromising on the taste.
I'd rather just lick maple syrup out of the bowl than eat a cookie that didn't cut it.

Keep the heat low. the slower you cook them the more shortbready they become.
I say 175'C but you could probably go lower.
Mix butter, sugar and vanilla in to a smooth paste
Sift in the flour
Roll mixture into a log and refrigerate for 30 mins or so
Then cut cookie sized slices roll in your hands to soften and flatten on to a cookie tray.
Press a fork in to the top to make a nice home made pattern.
Or for a special occasion roll out the dough to 1cm thickness and use fun cookie cutters. I am a stars and hearts fan myself.
Place in the oven for 15 mins or until golden, Turning them once during baking.

Everybody loves an easter cookie :-)

Wild Nettle Soup.

I have seen a few posts about wild foraging so I thought I would share mine!
Nettles are packed full of health benefits, way too many for me to list without taking up too much of your time and space but the most relevant to us all are these:
-Stimulate the lymph system to boost immunity
-Help Support Adrenals
-Reduce inflammation in the body
-Supports the endocrine system by helping the thyroid, Spleen and Pancreas

I have tried a few nettle recipes but this is my favourite from Susan Jane White at The Extra Virgin Kitchen
On asking my mother where the best place for nettles was she replied "Everywhere! On the drive, up the dairy, down by the cottages, Everywhere!" so I wasn't short of picking spots. Armed with rubber gloves and a plastic bag I set off. The small tender nettles are the best, but they are also the stingiest, so watch your ankles!

You need………..

Half a carrier bag of nettle leaves
1 leek
4 white onions
1 head of Garlic
2 litres Veg Stock
1 cup of frozen peas (optional)
Olive or coconut oil
Your best salt and Pepper

I wrapped the Garlic in Silver foil and put in the aga for 20 mins or until sguidgy, Your oven will need to be at about 180'
Sweat the leeks and Onions in a little oil until they look tender and translucent, add a little water if needed.
Wash the nettles well, remember to wear your rubber gloves, don't get this far and forget they sting!
Place the nettles in the pan with the onions and leek and add the stock.
Add a little salt and pepper and then bring to the boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 mins
Add the peas if you are using them, they add delicious creaminess and will cook quickly as you prepare to blend your soup.
Once the soup is blended squeeze in your roasted garlic and stir it through.

This a brilliant soup as part of a spring clean or any time with a hunk of rye bread and some soft Pecorino
Please share your wild recipes with us :-)

Detox with Delicious Soup

I'm not big on Juicing at this time of year but long to feel clear headed and clean again so with some inspiration from Mind Body Green I made this divine vibrant Soup.

4 courgettes
2 sticks of Celery
double handful of green beans
Large handful of Parsley (no stalks)
Salt or Braggs amino acids to taste

Simply chop all veg and fill the saucepan half way up the veg with filtered water and simmer until tender.
Place in the blender with the parsley and some Ghee if wanted and blend until smooth.
I added a little braggs in the blender and then some Mallorcan salt flakes to serve.
The brightest, greenest, healthiest, simplest soup I've ever made
Happy Monday  

2014……..To give up or to take up

That is the question!
Do we give up something we love or take up doing good for humanity? Do we give up being lazy or take up being proactive?
What ever we choose for our new year's resolution there is always a positive, so even giving up is taking up and something or someone will benefit from your commitment….It might be your lungs if you've given up smoking or your best friend if you've given up complaining ;-)  if your new years dedication
feels like a hardship, don't focus in on "you" and what you're lacking but broaden your perception, widen your awareness and know that you are doing good.

I have given up sugar but what I have actually done is taken up better health, the ability to think clearly and looking 10 years younger!! In my weaker moments I feel I am denying myself a great love, ss a self certified Chocolate Addict I feel abused and abandoned as if I am being punished; but in my sane moments I know I can't allow an entire bar of Amelia Rope's Rose Ecuadorian Milk Chocolate in it's divine pink foil and brown wrapping to get the better of me and I am in fact making conscious choices, rewarding myself and honouring my wellbeing.
So when you waver and that glass of wine is calling you, just take a few deep breaths and remember you are honouring yourself, your health and wellbeing.

We are still living for the moment, seizing opportunities as they come…. just in a conscious, healing, healthy way.
Good health both mentally and physically brings great happiness :-) So don't give up, I promise you, you will feel amazing!!

Winter Elixir

I have been a little lax, eating way to many chocolate chip biscuits, drinking more than usual and of course not getting the sleep I should so it's inevitable that a tickle in my throat should show me my body isn't mad about the way it's being treated! 

 

A night of no sleep with a cold taking hold I vow I would be rid of it in 3 days! eek, that's not long to nail something everyone has told me lingers for 2 weeks!

This is my morning tonic, the top 4 are a good base, the following can be added when you need ultra herb help :-)

Manuka Honey Super high potency 15+ or higher if you can
It's full of natural pollens, enzymes and antibacterial properties to help support your immune system and fight off winter viruses

Lemon rich in Vit C and flavanoids both useful when fighting the cold or flu virus. It also stimulates the liver, dissolves poisons such as Uric Acid (the nasty poison that gives people gout) and cleanses the digestive tract.

Turmeric-freshly grated
Improves digestion, strengthens immunity, decreases inflammation and adds gorgeous luster to the skin. Yes please :-)

Ginger -freshly grated
cleanses the blood, reducing toxicity and inflammation in the body. It's also great for digestions as it stokes the fire in the belly.

If you are feeling super brave and need an extra kick you can add Garlic, almost too punchy for me but amazing.

Garlic strengthens the heart, improves digestion and boosts immunity

Cinnamon is a warming spice, good for circulation and rammed full of antioxidants, it also stabilised blood sugar levels so brilliant to have in the morning to keep you balanced.

I could keep going as there are so many wonderful herbs and spices but shall make Black Pepper the last uber spice to add to your tonic.

Black Pepper is great for congestion as it liquifies mucous and helps to eliminate toxins.

With a cold or the flu we feel puffy and heavy, our hands get swollen and our eyes get droopy……Just writing it makes me frown!  This is all inflammation, in fact much of the bunged up feeling in our head is inflammation of the mucus membrane not just the snot!

But ultimately our immune issues starts in the belly which is why it's so important to get that working properly. Many of the above spices help with digestion and the metabolic fire. When our digestion is good, not "normal" as the NHS would say but you feel comfy, not bloated and are evacuating AT LEAST once a day with ease then your body has a chance to fight the battles it needs to at this time of year.

Add warm, not boiling water and enjoy in the morning and all day long. Any excuse to lick the honey spoon :-)