AVOCADO OIL

The benefits of avo oil far outweigh those of extra virgin olive oil, but the use of the oil is more limited. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E.

Monounsaturated fatty acids are usually found in plant products such as avocados and olives in their oils. These fatty acids lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and protects cells in the body and is a defence against life-threatening diseases.

Don't think of avo oil as a replacement for extra virgin olive oil, but rather as a new oil, a new exciting flavour to introduce to food. Use it in place of other oils, or as a blend with olive oil. To most appreciate this wonderful flavour I find it is best used on its own, and not together with vinegar.

Some easy uses for avocado oil;

• Stir it into avo dips, guacamole and any dish that features avo's - it heightens the flavour
• drizzle over a salad of lettuce, goats cheese, chives and serve with crispy chunky garlic bread
• make a tapas of fat green Spanish olives with a few cloves of smashed garlic, a sprig of oregano or marjoram and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle with avo oil
• lovely over steamed artichokes together with lemon juice, salt, pepper, crushed garlic and crushed mint leaves

Quote

SMILE. Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over. - The Confidence Course, 1997

Today, I am luving the fluffy clouds highlighted by juicy rays of sunshine, the slight breeze and the thought of an evening swim.

It' s easier to be happy than you think.... like anything in life it needs a little work. What you put in you shall reap. Find a quiet space and be really honest with yourself, write down all the things that make your heart soar and then see how much time you are dedicating to those things in your life.

Today, treat your life experiences as 'happiness food' and you will automatically make others around you happy. BONUS, by doing this you will be releasing unwanted stress......

Enjoy this special day

peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

HOW TO SURVIVE THE SILLY SEASON

My silly season rules

• take care of yourself
• avoid erratic sleep routines
• create an oasis of inner silence - meditate
• swim lots
• walk instead of driving
• only participate in holiday activities that really hold joy and meaning for you
• no multi-tasking
• hide the laptop
• do creative stuff - my camera will be working overtime
• spend time with people you love
• the Buddhist practice of "right speach" is a useful tool - before you speak ask yourself these three questions: is what I am about to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
• spend less time in the kitchen and more time outdoors
• no holiday shopping - stay away from Malls
• burn candles instead of using electricity
• drink loads of water and champagne
• commit to less
• laugh lots
• search for garden-fairies
• hug the pups
• picnic under a shady tree
• walk barefoot
• let voicemail work overtime

Powerful Pesto

• 16 brazil nuts, 30g sunflower seeds, 35g pumpkin seeds, 1 clove of garlic, 1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, 1 bunch basil leaves, 75ml extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt

Process nuts and seeds in food processor, ad parsley, basil, lemon juice, salt and olive oil. Add some water to thin out.

This freezes well and is yummy with pasta, jacket potatoes, grain salads or stuffed into celery sticks.

Contains loads of good anti-oxidants such as Selenium and Vitamin E and minerals such as magnesium and zink.

Deslish 'n quick 'n tastie 'n powerfully healthy ................

Remember what you get in life all depends on how you view yourself - your identity - and what you are capable of.

Quote

All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth - Napoleon Hill

If you have a complaint - write a complaint letter... scribble out every thought of worry, anger, fear, shame, self-pity etc before the holidays. You will gain comfort, insight, strength and courage and you will ROCK through the silly-season.......and as always luv yourself......

peace'nwhirlpools of luv

xxx

EAT AN AVO TODAY

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Almost all the fat in avo's is the heart-healthy mono and polyunsaturated kind. Avo contains no cholesterol and contains oleic acid that helps to lower cholesterol. They are also a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. The avo is also rich in glutathione, an antioxidant which 'zaps' free radicals. Free radicals promote ageing and chronic diseases such as cancer. In addition avo's contain vitamins E, C, B6 potassium and folate. In fact, this super-yum nosh contains a whopping 60% more potassium than bananas.

There are so many uses for avo's - use instead of margarine on bread or crackers, use as a dip, add to wraps, pizza's, salads, mash with some lemon juice and enjoy with rye bread topped with onions and tomato, add to a rice-paper parcel together with your fave stir-fry, etc.

Tasty avo dip;

• avo, lemon juice, chilli, garlic, Himalayan salt

Just blend all ingredients, garnish with cayenne pepper and serve with toasted rye bread 'fingers' , cherry tomatoes and 'plumpy' black olives. Yum!!!

Today I am grateful for;

• my fabulous weekend filled with fun, chick-talk and adventures
• this mornings sunshine after all the rain
• being ALIVE
• my green sparkly ring

This weekend's food;

Totally fell off the wagon as far as the cheese goes. Saturday a Pizza (BUT it was topped with hormone-free cheese - the guys we ordered from claim to use hormone free cheese), so that's OK, BUT Sunday I shared a cheese platter - WOW!!! was it delish! So today is definitely detox day, started off with lemon water with a pinch of cayenne pepper, a shot of wheatgrass, green tea and now loads of filtered water with lemon juice.

A little more Urban Goddess Inspiration ( Lulu McNamara)

An Urban Goddess always passes on a compliment - even when secretly she is seething with jealousy. Being magnanimous is essential to the Goddess way of thinking. Always give for the pure joy of giving, not for what you hope to receive in return.

Quote;

"Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm." Sir Winston Churchill

"Slam-dunk" those negative thoughts, encourage yourself and others and always remember to bring out your inner-child ....

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

WINTERY SATURDAY

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Scrumptious news for all those popcorn fans out there!

It seems that popcorn is on par with fruits and veggies in the antioxidant department. A recent study shows that this 'evergreen' fave snack contains surprisingly large levels of ployphenols, which is a natural plant antioxidant. This antioxidant is said to reduce heart disease and cancer risk by removing free radicals from the body. This substance also has up to 10 times the antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E.

So, carry-on-popping...... this of course excludes the flavoured varieties and microwave popcorn AND don't smother it in butter and salt.

"Tea is an exquisite medicine that may prolong human life. The mountain country and the valleys where tea grows is holy and powerful." - Kissa Yojoki

Unlike black tea, green tea contains large amounts of catechins, which are compounds that boast many anticancer properties.

TO MAXIMIZE the preventative effects allow your tea to brew for 8 - 10 minutes. Japanese green teas are said to have higher levels of anti-cancer compounds.

Always drink your green brew fresh and try to drink three cups daily.

Today I am grateful for;

• being able to sit in my pyjamas while writing this post (drinking green tea)
• the internet - endless fun 'n learning
• last night's wonderful sleep
• last night's left over salad, which I dived into for breakfast - just added an avo for extra 'punch'

Last night's dinner;

Fun times with my family ..... Mexican wraps and a huge salad together with cheese bread sticks. Nice 'n easy, just get everyone to prepare and roll their own wrap.

Urban Goddess Inspiration (Lulu McNamara);

When out on your travels, build up a little collection of shells, leaves, stones, rocks, driftwood and branches. Not only are these naturally beautiful, but they also carry the energy of the earth and sea, and they are completely free ....Look at the work of artists like Andrew Goldsworth for inspiration.

Place a Buddha in your home. Whatever your spiritual inclination, the Buddha, as a symbol of compassion and loving-kindness, will always cast a benign influence over your surroundings.

Remember;

a friend is someone who thinks you're a good egg even though you're slightly cracked!

This weekend breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and supper like a pauper - enjoy the cool, windy outdoors and find time for a blustery walk along the ocean. Don't forget to play lots, love, giggle and be grateful .......

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

CABBAGE TUESDAY

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The Cabbage-Bunch Family
The cabbage family has a whopping ability to fight against the development of cancerous cells. brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage are all members of this family.

Interestingly Chinese women who consume huge amounts of cruciferous veggies saw their risk of developing breast cancer cut in half in comparison to women who consumed smaller amounts. Also, a Swedish study suggests that eating one or two daily servings of the above veggies is linked to a 40% drop in the risk of breast cancer.

Eating these veggies is also associated with a decrease in lung cancers, gastro-cancers and prostrate cancer.

Although tomatoes are the strongest ally in preventing prostrate cancer current research suggests that three or more servings of cruciferous veggies a week are proven to be even more power-punching.

In a nutshell;

• lightly steam cruciferous veggies or eat them raw (yummy in salads, stir-fry or raw dipped in hummus)
• these veggies contain many anti-cancer fighting 'punches' that slow the development of cancer by preventing carcinogenic substances from causing damage to our cells.

Lifestyle Mojo-Motto

Enjoy a balanced diet, high in veggies, fruits and pulses. Watch calorie intake to avoid weight gain. These two simple 'thangs' will significantly reduce the risk of developing serious, life-threatening illnesses.

Last night's dinner;

Moroccan Pumpkin (cld use butternut) and Lentil (could use beans) Casserole

• pumpkin, diced
• cinnamon
• onion, chopped
• olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• garlic cloves, chopped
• ginger
• lentils
• mushrooms, chopped
• tin chopped tomatoes
• himalayan rock salt and black pepper

What to do;

• sauté onions and pumpkin for 10 minutes
• add lentils, tomatoes, mushrooms, spices, salt and pepper
• simmer for around 5 minutes
• bake @ 180C until pumpkin is tender

This I had together with lightly steamed snowy-white cauliflower (reminded me of fluffy white clouds), steamed green cauliflower leaves AND a huge lettuce and basil salad with loads of red onions, a couple of olives all 'swished' in roasted sesame oil dressing.

Today I am grateful for;

• waking up at sunrise - full of energy and crazy good health
• my special angel stone - always at my side
• the books I am expecting from Kalahari.net
• this mornings carrot juice
• the rose water I use as a daily cleanser - best and cheapest discovery EVER
• the work appointments I have today

Quote

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."Buddha

Wisdom Card Reading (Louise L Hay)

My mind is a powerful healing tool. Every illness holds a lesson for me to learn.

Glide through this Tuesday on the wings of a butterfly - Mwah!!!

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx