WARM MUSHROOM SALAD

You will need;

Oyster and brown mushrooms (or a selection of wild 'shrooms if you are feeling rich), curly lettuce leaves (red and green), olive oil, blue cheese or vegan cheese, hazel nuts, vinegar, mustard and olive oil.

What to do;

Bake nuts for around 10 minutes then coarsely chop. Tear lettuce leaves into bite size portions. Saute 'shrooms for 5 minutes in olive oil. Once 'shrooms are slightly cool stir in vinegar, olive oil and mustard. Arrange the salad greens on a plate, top with the 'shrooms and sprinkle blue cheese and hazel nuts over the top. Serve with fresh rye bread.

Navel Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is known as the 'power centre', this is the area of assertiveness, intuition and inner drive. The Navel Solar Plexus Chakra processes energy and gives us the spark we need to overcome inertia and apathy. It allows us to follow our gut instincts, take risks and make decisions.

A balanced third chakra brings;

• a strong sense of identity and healthy self-respect



• a willingness to persevere



• an ability to trust one's instincts



• a sense of belonging

Beneficial activies;

Power yoga, swimming, power walking and hiking.

Colour - golden yellow

Element - fire

Associated body parts - stomach, liver gallbladder, spleen, adrenal glands

Gemstones and crystals - citrine, jasper and topaz

Food - whole grains, beans (complex carbs)

Common addictions - sugar, caffeine, food, compulsive cleaning

Do you know?


According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, over fifty two billion animals are killed for food worldwide ever year. If you visit http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/ you can see the number of individual animals killed in the world every second.

It is hard to know how many sea creatures are killed because they are not counted as individuals but by tonnage. It is important to understand that human beings do not eat all of the fish that is being caught most of it is force fed to animals for slaughter.

Today, enjoy a meat-free dinner, hug your pet and make a conscious effort to allocate one meat-free day a week.......

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv
xxx

HASH BROWNS

So easy and DELISH. All you need is grated potatoes, grated sweet potatoes, chopped onion, paprika, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons wheat flour, salt, pepper, a little olive oil.

What to do;

Combine all the above ingredients except the olive oil. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and fry the mixture on both sides. If you have vegan cheese - it's a delish addition.

This is very nice as a main meal with a fresh green salad.

The Sacral Chakra
(The Second Chakra)



The Sacral Chakra is the focal point of our emotions and creativity. It governs our sense of self-worth, how we relate to others and the confidence we have in our own creativity. The essence of the Sacral Chakra is that of water, always flowing, never static. It represents grace and acceptance, an ability to 'go with the flow'.

Colour - burnt orange

Element - water

Location - lower abdomen, lower back

Associated body parts - hips, lower back, bladder, kidneys, stomach

Gemstones and crystals - moonstone, orange tourmaline, tiger eye

Essential oils - jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang

Food - liquids (water, juices, teas)

When the sacral Chakra is balanced, we feel confident and able to relate to others in an open, friendly manner.

Beneficial activities that promote and maintain a balanced Sacral Chakra - getting a massage, enjoying favourite pieces of music, taking a warm bubble bath, yoga.

Common addictions - work, relationships and sugar.



Positive thought for today;

When you recognize that you're a human being who sometimes makes mistakes, you won't get caught up in the illusion of self-importance. - Deepak Chopra

Today, make sure that whatever tomorrow brings you will be there with an open heart and mind.

And have a purrrrrrfect day .................................


Peace 'n whirlpools of luv
xxx

HAPPY TUESDAY

Asian Pears

I came across this yummy fruit recently. It's a pear but shaped like an apple. This super-crunchy pear is lovely in a salad or added to your smoothie.

Asian Pear Slaw with Chillies

You will need;

celery - sliced, lemon juice, ginger root, rice vinegar Asian pears - sliced, onions - sliced, dhania leaves, fresh chillies.

What to do;

whisk together lemon juice, rice vinegar and ginger. Stir in celery and remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for around 15mins before serving.

These pears apparently last for around three months if kept in the fridge. They are quite juicy, slightly sweet and a little tart near the core.

To prevent discoloration when cut, just dip into some lemon juice.

The Root Chakra




This is the first chakra and is associated with our basic instincts such as survival and self-preservation; food, shelter, health and security.

Located at the base of the spine, this chakra relates to the principle of gravity, connecting us to our bodies, to the physical world around us, and to the ground below. It's essence is that of a rock.

Major issues of an unbalanced root chakra are feelings of isolation, abandonment and lack of trust. Fear may take control of our emotional and psychological health. We may feel uncomfortable or not present in the body, a sense of not being heard or noticed.

Signs of an unbalanced chakra : fear, anxiety, insecurity, vulnerability, worry, grief, depression, self-centredness, disconnection, numbness, distrust, low self-esteem, greed

Physical issues : lower back pain, sciatica, obesity, anorexia, constipation, hemorrhoids, prostrate problems, varicose veins

Common additions : food and alcohol

When the root chakra is balanced, the vital connection to life is strong and supported. Our foundation is secure. We feel safe, grounded, alive and peaceful.

A balanced first chakra brings;

a sense of safety, a feeling of belonging and connection to others, an ability to trust and a sense of acceptance, a sense of fulfillment - of being home in one's body and on the earth

Beneficial activities that promote and maintain a balanced root chakra;

yoga, walking, hiking, running, biking and gardening

Colour - deep red

Location - base of the spine (perineum)

Essential oils - bergamot, sandalwood

Food - protein eg soy, tofu, nuts and legumes

Positive thought for today

Care for your body. Self-love and self-acceptance are the ultimate acts of self-care. - Cheryl Richardson

Today, remember there are people, wonderful people lining up to burst into your fab life - be open and give them the 'nod' .....................

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

FLAVOURSOME POTATO STACKS

Potato Towers
You will need;
Potatoes - washed, unpeeled and thinly sliced, olive oil, garlic cloves - crushed, salt and finely chopped rosemary or thyme.

What to do;

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly so that each slice of potato is covered in the herb/oil mixture.

Make 'towers' of sliced potatoes in a greased dish, making sure the larger slices are at the bottom. Bake until brown and crisp. The REAL treat is at the bottom of each tower - crispy 'n chewy.
Kitchen Thoughts by Tenzo Kyokun

Don't leave the preparation of food to someone else, for the practice of the Buddha way is realized by rolling up your sleeves. When you have finished washing the rice, put it into the cooking pot. Take special care lest a mouse falls accidentally into it. Under no circumstances allow anyone who happens to be drifting through the kitchen to poke his fingers in the pot.

Non-violence is the supreme law of life. - Indian Proverb.

Today's Wisdom Card

I have unlimited potential. Loving myself and thinking joyful, happy thoughts is the quickest way to create a wonderful life.

Today, if you are waiting on tangible proof and can't see the evidence yet know that the Universe is working behind the scenes to help you, you will see results. So, put a Buddha smile on your face and celebrate ..............................

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

HIGH VS LOW GI

Imagine eating a slice of ordinary white bread (high GI). Because it is refined and contains very little fibre, it will be digested very quickly. This will give you a quick boost of energy, but because all the energy is released at once, you may feel hungry and tired fairly soon after eating.

Eating a slice of seed bread (low GI) will take much longer to eat and digest as it is high in fibre. This will give you the same amount of energy as the white bread, but the energy will last for a longer period of time and will keep your energy levels constant. In other words, this will prevent mid-afternoon slump.
Interesting Fact
Only carbohydrate containing goods have a GI Value eg. breads, pasta, grains, cereals, fruit, veggies and legumes.
Examples of low GI foods
Corn, seed bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, grapes, mango, orange, strawberrries, watermelon, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, soya mince, etc
Examples of intermediate GI foods
Bran flakes, brown bread, oats, potatoes, Basmati rice, paw-paw, carrots, sugar, orange juice, etc

Glucose has the highest GI value of 100.

Vegetable Briyani (the speedy variety)
Did you know;

• there are over 26 varieties of Briyani made in India
• Briyani originated in Persia and means "fried before cooking"
  

You will need;

Basmati rice, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, lentils, olive oil, onion - chopped, garlic, ginger, tomato - chopped, garam marsala, turmeric, salt, pepper, carrots, cauliflower and peas - chopped, fresh Coriander.

What to do;

Boil rice together with cinnamon stick and cardomom pods. Drain and mix in the cooked lentils, set aside.

Heat the olive oil and cook onion until lightly browned. Mix in garlic, ginger, tomatoes and stir until tomatoes are soft. Add garam marsala, turmeric, salt and pepper and add the veggies except for the peas. Cover and simmer until veggies are tender. Add the peas and rice/lentil mixture and mix thoroughly. Garnish with fresh coriander.

Today's positive thought

Do the right thing ..... especially when no one is watching. -Cherie Carter-Scott

Message for my little Shinga, who is in puppy hospital with a broken jaw.

I never realized I would miss you this much. But, I guess you've been my best buddy for 15 years and that's a long time. Toff also misses you and keeps running around looking for you. The only time he is happy is when he gets your snack as well. So, at the moment he is getting double treats. I know you will recover and hurry home soon. Nose kisses x

Today, remember real beauty is forgetting past mistakes and letting go of grudges..........

Have a nice Monday and a swooshilicious week.

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

SOME INTERESTING HERBS

Foti - in China, Foti is known as Ho Shou Wu and has a reputation for enhancing longevity and energy and serving as a tonic to increase overall vitality.

Cat's Claw - a miracle herb from the rain forests of Peru. Its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties enhance the immune system and gastro-intestinal tract.

Taheebo - one of the world's most powerful herbs. Also called Pau d'Arco, it has strong anti-fungal and antibiotic properties.

Sceletium - revered shrub of the San People. Elevates the mood and decreases anxiety, stress and tension, as well as being an effective anti-depressant.

Astragalus - used in traditional Chinese medicine to support and enhance the immune system.

Ginseng - has a powerful ability to restore vigour, increase longevity, enhance overall health, and stimulate both a healthy appetite and a good memory.

Ashwagandha - perhaps the most famous Ayurvedic herb, it boosts the immune system and reduces stress.

This is a fabulous 'cheese' sauce recipe.

Raw Zucchini 'cheese' sauce (makes around one and a half cups)



You will need;
1 cup sliced Zucchini,half a red pepper, one and a half tablespoons of Chia seeds, one third cup of nutritional yeast, two and a half tablespoons of Bragg's Liquid Aminos, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, half a teaspoon turmeric

What to do;

Blend all ingredients in a blender till very smooth. You may need to add a touch of water and adjust seasoning

Today's positive thought;

Honour your top priorities. If it's not an absolute yes then it's a no. -Cheryl Richardson

Today, remember the world needs your brilliance and grace - celebrate YOU ............

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

Enjoy the rain all you Capetonians!

HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD WE EAT?

Portion control is obviously very important. It's all about calories in, calories out. So, it seems to make sense that if you eat less and exercise more, you will loose weight. But, I believe there is more to it than this - we need to develop a healthy lifestyle and not follow weird and wonderful diets.

Our bodies need regular intakes of the RIGHT foods. Counting calories is not the whole story to weight loss - do not skip meals and do not severely restrict calories.
Rather than measuring and counting calories make sure your plate contains good proportions of the right foods.

An ideal plate of food would contain;

• a variety of low carbohydrate veggies such as leafy greens and green beans
• a smaller portion of high carbohydrate veggies such as potatoes
• some protein such as avo's, olives, pulses, etc
• dressing, which should include olive oil and lemon juice

Alternatively, steam some veggies and drizzle a tablespoon of coconut oil over the veggies.

Or, a huge helping of mixed stir-fry, a bowl of soup or stew with the above-mentioned proportions.

Low carbohydrate veggies are very low in calories - so you can virtually eat as much as you like, as long as you do not smother them in cheese or other sauces.

If we follow the above rules, the calories will automatically take care of themselves.

Potato, Pumpkin (Butternut will also work) and Pea Curry

You will need,

diced potatoes, diced pumpkin, frozen peas, olive oil, garlic, chilli, coriander, fennel and mustard seeds, curry powder, tumeric powder, curry leaves, salt, pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, tomatoes, fresh coriander, lemon juice

what to do;

heat oil in a pot and add all the seeds and curry leaves, in the meantime make a paste using water, curry powder, tumeric, salt and pepper, garlic - once the seeds pop add chopped chilli and the paste - stir for a minute or two, add potatoes and water to cover the potatoes - also add bay leaf and cinnamon stick and cook for around 10minutes, add pumpkin and cook until both potatoes and pumpkin are almost done then add peas and chopped tomatoes, simmer for another 5 minutes, garnish with fresh coriander and add the juice of half a lemon.

Serve with Basmati rice or roti's.

Potato Facts

Potatoes were first cultivated in Peru nearly 7000 years ago. The potato is the fourth most important crop in the world after wheat, rice and corn.

The potato produces more food per acre than any other crop - 39 100 pounds per acre.

Potatoes are grown in all 50 states of the USA and in about 125 countries throughout the world.

The average American eats around 140 pounds of potatoes each year.

Positive thought for today

Do something new- or at least different- everyday. Know that life is never stuck, stagnant or stale, for each moment is ever-new and fresh. - Louise L Hay

How about watching a sunset ......

Today, seeing Oscar fever is prevalent, give thanks to all the great Artists and Muso's whose work entertains us and lifts our spirits ..................

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv
xxx