WHAT DOES WELLNESS MEAN TO YOU

You have probably heard of the term 'wellness', but what does it mean to you? In my mind it's a 'package' made up of spiritual well-being, mental and general health of the body. It is not just the absence of a disease, but a decision to daily adopt positive lifestyle choices to eliminate health risks. Step-by-step is the only way to reap enormous benefits. Try to think about this on a daily basis and it will become second nature. Have fun experimenting and learning.

Wise words from 365 Prescriptions for the Soul - Bernie Siegal

"Life is a series of beginnings,

the changes, losses, illnesses and

afflictions are not endings, but beginnings. We are changed

and have to start a new life each time."

Tomato Cilantro Soup

What you will need;

• 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 ripe avo
• 1 humongous handful of cilantro and another handful of parsley
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• dash of pepper
• 3 slices of cuke
• three quarter cup of water
• chopped celery

What to do;

• Blend all the ingredients, except the celery, until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer to a pot, heat slightly.
• Top with chopped celery.

FABULICIOUS on a hot Cape Town summer day with a slice of rye topped with hummus! I also added some chopped chillies to the soup.

Today I am grateful for;

• chillies - just luv adding them to everything I eat
• the new season of The Mentalist
• pencils - I find it so comforting to write with an old fashioned HB pencil (Weirdo!!!)
• My 15 minute walk to get rid of 'computer fatigue' and collect my dosage of Vitamin D

Today, laugh, order pudding, love life, have no regrets and make a conscious effort to choose health behaviours that contribute positively to your 'wellness' .........

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

MONDAY MUSINGS

Feed your face and your skin

Make sure you load your supermarket trolley with the following face-saving edibles;

• green tea - reduces cancer risk and may assist in reversing sun damage
• tomatoes - cook your tomatoes for many health benefits, also said to help eliminate skin-ageing
• sweet potatoes - loaded with vitamin C which is essential for collagen production
• almonds - they fall in the seed not nut category, a powerhouse of vitamin E
• dark chocolate - improves skin texture and resistance to uv rays
• carrots - the vitamin A repairs damaged cells, reduces the development of skin cancer cells and keeps your 'peepers' in top form
• flax seeds - the omega 3 fatty acids wipe out spots and fine lines
• spinach - the big C hates these luscious green leafies, they literally bolster the cells' ability to renew themselves

It's so easy, feed your "temple" with the above yumminess and your skin will automatically benefit.

Add this to the above and you will be "health-happening";

• use crushed garlic daily - it reduces your risk of many serious illnesses including cancer and heart disease
• add beans to your daily raw salad - it is said that people who eat legumes have a far lower risk of obesity than those who don't
• eat apples daily - full of anti-oxidants, vitamin C and potassium. Just add to smoothies or salads or munch as a snack.
• lemon juice - add to your filtered water, one lemon gives you 45% of your daily vitamin C - so simple!

Who can be an Urban goddess (Lulu McNamara);

Any woman can! Any woman who wants to reconnect with her divine female energy can realize her true Goddess potential.

Remember, as a woman, you are already an expression of the universal female archetype, and you deserve to be honoured as such. No matter how ordinary you may feel you are, you can still be a Goddess in spirit and action with your own unique Urban Goddess energy, characteristics and style.

More Urban Goddess Inspirations to follow in future blogs.

Last night's nosh;

Loads of lightly steamed crunchy Broccoli (including the green leaves) and a veggie bake, which included potato, golden Patti pans, courgettes, green beans, lentils- smothered in a tomato sauce and topped with wholewheat breadcrumbs for crunch. Oh, chilli and garlic of course. Together with this we had a carrot and cuke salad dressed with lemon juice and some herbs from the garden.

Today I am grateful for;

• yesterday's "cutie-pie" shopping for my two darlings
• the hours I spent yesterday working on Picasa - SOOO much to learn, SUCH fun
• it's November - Yay!!! almost holiday time again
• my early morning swim today
• today's breakfast of oats, apple 'n loads of flax seeds with green tea

Why;

do weekends seem to pass at the speed of a formula 1 racing car? So many things to do, so many places to go and so little time.........

Wisdom Card Reading;

Everything I do is by choice.

I now listen to what I say. I don't say anything that I don't mean to become true for me. (this is very difficult!)

Cultivate a habit of zest, experience every moment as extraordinary. Find a park, jump on a swing and giggle .....

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