Mother Nature - the oldest and greatest pharmacy



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Well well, as promised superfoods. Firstly before spending time and money on superfoods I would make sure that you feel comfortable that your day to day diet is where you would like it to be. In order for our bodies to uptake nutrients at the optimum levels there needs to be a presence of a range of nutrients – like iron absorption in the presence of Vitamin C is ideal and protein cannot be absorbed until all amino acids are present etc. So with this in mind if you don’t feel that you are eating the best diet then I would focus on that first before adding in these superfoods, otherwise you may just be making expensive toilet visits!

So what is a superfood? A super food is a food that has high levels of minerals and vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are so deficient from our diet due to commercial farming using poor soil, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc, they are affected by over cooking, also processes such as dehydrating, freezing and other preservation methods can affect mineral levels. Vitamins and minerals are so important in the body; they are the X factor in taking health to the next level!

I read something interesting called vertical disease – this is where you can walk, talk and function normally – yet you are not at your optimum state of health, and this could be acceptable to you simply because you don’t realise that you could be functioning better or that you ignore warning signs, opting to wait until you are bed bound before you take action! Pushing into a new level of living is exciting and empowering, realising your full potential and living each day inspired by this is what true health is about!

Superfoods in their raw, organic state can reverse deficiencies in minerals and vitamins that lead to serious disease.  The superfoods I am going to cover today are goji berries, cacao and maca because I have tried these and felt the benefits. There are more superfoods, some of which I am currently testing out, but I feel a responsibility to get to know them better before I can talk more about them. There are many books and the internet is a great source of information if you want to find out about the other superfoods before I get to them.

So firstly goji berries, they are available at the supermarket or organic stores/ health stores. Of course organic is best as they have not had thier medicinal properties reduced. Interestingly goji berries are the number one food in Chinese medicine, coming in before 1000's of other options. Known as the berry of longevity when eaten in the right way and as a regular part of your diet they give anti-aging properties. Known as an adaptogen, this means that they have a stabilising effect giving you more or less of what you need; in particular they assist with stress by supporting the adrenal glands. They boost immune function and are an alkaline food (I will talk more about acid/alkaline balance in depth another time).

David Wolfe has described these berries as “the most nutritionally rich berry-fruit on the planet”. Goji berries are high in antioxidants,  antioxidants are important for protecting us from free radical and radiation damage, this type of damage increases degenerative disease leading to premature aging. Gojis actually allow the body to heal itself! Goji berries also boost the immune system, meaning that if infection is present the body can fight it reducing or eliminating symptoms completely. David Wolfe recommends daily intake – if this is applicable to your nutritional requirements – of about 15-45gms.

I think it is important here to state that as your diet improves and you feel good, you will also become intuitively connected with your bodies needs and then it is your responsibility to give your body what it requires.  Taking every superfood, herb and supplement is NOT good for your health. Strategically choosing what your body needs, monitoring how it makes you feel and altering intake to fulfil your desired results is what is so incredible about nutrition. No two people are the same and no one formula will suit every person. Play with foods, experiment with how your body responds to food and find a perfect combination that works for you.

Cacao – this was a complete revelation for me. As a chocolate lover I knew deep down that I was never going to completely shed this pleasure, even though I felt the ill effects of consuming it. For me dairy and sugar have powerful ill effects on my body.
Cacao is chocolate – but it is chocolate in its purest form, also known as cocoa. Cacao is a fruit and the seed of the fruit when cracked open has cacao (chocolate) in it. This is sold in organic/health food stores, the best is raw cacao – a fantastic Australian website is http://www.livingearth.com.au/ they are very particular and conscious of providing a top quality product.

The processes that have gone into making chocolate as we know it, leaves the cacao seed void of all its nutrients and introduces a whole host of fats, sugars, preservatives, artificial flavourings and other toxins into our bodies.

Cacao comes in a variety of forms; powder, nibs, butter (all which I have tried) and beans with or without the skin or paste. It is bitter-sweet, like dark chocolate. I don’t find the taste of the nibs pleasing alone (other hard core dark chocolate fans may find the taste enjoyable), I find that mixing the nibs, powder and butter (not like butter in the supermarket) into smoothies is a delicious treat that honestly leaves my cravings satisfied.  Cacao is a rich source of magnesium – Mother Nature’s feel good mineral. Cacao is the highest food source of antioxidants in the world! It is high in iron, zinc, manganese and chromium. All important! It contains Omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin C…even serotonin which makes us feel good.  I honestly feel a buzz when I have cacao smoothies, and it doesn’t mean I crash afterwards, it hangs around and energises me. Cacao is my (not so) secret weapon!

Finally maca, Maca is a root vegetable from Peru. I have used it in a grounded powder form in my smoothies. Historically Maca was used for strength, stamina and libido; it increases blood oxygen levels which means all functions internally run smoother. Maca has been used for woman experiencing menopausal discomfort due to its adaptogen qualities, it can normalise hormonal functions in relation to stress.  The conditions listed that Maca is known to improve are: - anaemia, chronic fatigue, depression, infertility (human and livestock), lack of libido, malnutrition, menopausal symptoms, menstrual discomfort, poor memory, stress tension. Maca is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfer, sodium and iron and contains trace minerals – zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, bismuth, manganese, tin and silicon, also has vitamins B1, B2, C and E. Not bad!

Using what the earth has provided to boost our health is very exciting. Mother Nature is the oldest and greatest pharmacy, when respected and honoured it is so simple and easy to harness and mantain great levels of vitality and ultimately longevity.

Love J x

ps. A great read on superfoods is David Wolfe's Superfood book. He goes into detail on each food and its health benefits!

Imagine.

nirrimiphotography.carbonmade.com

Imagine the earth healed and returned to its sacred form. Pure water, pristine oceans, clean air.
Dense forests, mighty rivers and towering mountain peaks.

Fruit trees growing in loved and nutrient rich soil, providing free and healthy food for all. Homes are built from natural and recycled sources and natural scents of aromatic herbs and wood fill your nostrils as you enter the homes. Gardens adorn the homes filled an abundance of flowers nestled between fruit trees and bushes and large happy vegetable patches.

Imagine caring again about the imprint you leave. Imagine leaving a world to your children, better than the world you came into.

Imagine.

Love J x

You are what you eat

Well I have officially started the studies and already learnt some amazing things about our magnificent sacred bodies, some incredible foods and what health really means.

Did you know the normal, acceptable, birth right level of health is... bouncing out of bed, smile-on-your-face-spring-in-your-step sort of thing, excited for the day, endless and joyful energy all day, the ability to cope with all situations with a level cool head (and yes food choices affect your ability to deal with stress!) and choosing when you will go to bed, teaming with excitement to wake up and do more!

Now how many people feel like this? I have been reading about real things that can be done, simple and non expensive things that are available to all and this has made me sit up and listen! I am very excited and inspired and so happy that I can begin to share the world of nutrition with everyone...

Warning: Some content may offend weak stomachs!

You are what you eat. How many times have you heard this? So many times that it has probably lost its meaning, yet it is so so true. Saturated, refined, processed until its beaten black and blue, nutrient poor, toxic food not only does nothing for you nutritionally, it actually robs you of what goodness you do have inside! Some fast foods have such toxic effects on your body that rather than process and send the toxins straight where they belong (down the toilet), your body stores them. Your body cannot even begin to process the toxins and run all the other functions of the body. We pay good money for this food. Isn't that scary?

Eating healthy doesn't have to be scary, it doesn't have to involve huge changes and hunger or even cravings. It can be really simple, and the beauty is that once small changes are made and you start to feel good, you want more, that's just human nature.

So you make a few more changes, you tell your friends and family, no-no actually, they notice before you tell them, they notice that you look better, your skin is clear, your eyes sparkle, your hair is shiny and thick and you have lots more energy, and they want a piece of what you are having, and so the snowball begins. All from a very simple, small change.

So what small changes can you make?

Well what about, without making any other changes to your diet, you start eating a salad with your lunch, make it exciting, not just cucumber, lettuce and tomato - what about, strawberries, blueberries, grapes (fruit is AMAZING in salad), nuts, seeds, sprouts, avocado, green beans (they are SO yummy raw), beetroot, mushrooms, herbs, carrot... the list goes on! Get creative, go crazy, put 20 different things in there, the more variety the better.

Note - For a complete protein eat beans with nuts and seeds or grains. Some 4 bean mix (available in the canned veg section of the supermarket), some walnuts and sunflower seeds sprinkled over the top for example.

Have your salad first, then eat whatever else you normally have,  you will probably find that you don't even need whatever else it was that you were eating.

What else can you do? What about starting the day on a glass of warm lemon water, I've said it before but this is great for awakening your system, detoxing and encouraging a bowel motion.

Ok side note...Did you know that it is ideal to have 3 bowel motions a day!?! One with each meal, there is a reflex that is stimulated by chewing, swallowing and digestion that is meant to activate your motion, however since we are usually in the car on the way to work, or in a meeting or just busy, we ignore this reflex and it's suppressed; over a long period of time this results in constipation. When toxins sit in your bowel they are reabsorbed and the body becomes overloaded, and this leads to a whole host of problems and serious disease. So in essence - don't hold on to shit!

Another thing you can do is add dark leafy greens to your meal; if you don't like the taste, shred the leaves and add them at the end just before you eat so they don't go soggy (yuk). Leafy greens are a fantastic source of calcium, iron, folate, vitamin A (for bones),  C (for your skin) and K (for your blood). Leafy greens need fat for optimal absorption so cooking with a little (1 tsp) butter or oil will increase the benefits. Leafy greens are; broccoli, kale, spinach (spinach actually has calcium blocking properties so if looking for calcium in leafy greens avoid this one), romaine lettuce (lunch time salad), dandelion greens etc.

What else can I do? Drink more water!!! So simple.

Another idea... give your body 12 hours rest from food a day, this way it has time to digest all your food and it can move onto other housecleaning, this is easy if you eat dinner before 7pm and eat breakfast after 7am. You should still have water though as this helps all the internal processes tick over.

Finally, eat organic! This can be expensive yes, but the major chains of supermarkets are beginning to stock a small range of organic food for a reasonable price, you need to start somewhere so what about here?

Right i'll leave it here for now. Some really easy things to do. Once you start this journey and start giving your body what it needs it will start giving you what you need. Imagine clarity of thought, great memory, the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, an abundance of creativity, energy to achieve your greatest desires and much more.

Next topic on food is superfoods including chocolate (!)- I have been introduced to some amazing bits and pieces that don't cost the world but make the world of difference...

Love J x

ps. I am by no means qualified to give nutritional medicine advice yet... but if you have any questions about different things in your diet please ask, I will try my best to direct you to information from good reliable healthy sources. Email me on facebook or comment below. x

Shh the earth is quiet

Barefoot, dew clinging to our toes, leaving only the sound of our breath. Gently padding beneath the trees, squinting up at the sun rising from another world. The heat warming the rich earth beneath our feet, the heat that will burn our fragile skin in later hours.



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Bathing in the scent of fruit warming upon the trees branches and the everlasting melody of crickets, birds and cicadas. Our daily meeting under the trees, we welcome ourselves to this day and stretch and yawn playfully, remembering why we are here.

Love J x

Simply refuse to be limited in any way...

Everyone has the ability to succeed as far as their vision permits.

Particularly when living from your internal reference point, your true self. The only restriction comes from within. When you realise this, infinite possibility, creativity and an abundance of life is at your fingertips.

When limited we will never reach our full potential. Our minds busy with what should be. What we think is acceptable. What our friends and family do. And think. Even what strangers think!

How liberating to live without being limited in any way. Allowing the mind to blossom. Sweet and delicious.

I wrote a wish list for 2011, it has evolved into a wish list for life, its big, it has some BIG BIG things on it. And writing this list has made me realise in what ways I was limiting myself.
Once realised, I began to function from a place I had never before and began creating some real magic. My list is huge, and it continues to get bigger, everything I could ever wish for is on it and it excites me, I have already started ticking off things that I have been able to achieve. Truely the power of pen to paper is amazing.

Use your mind to create a beautiful orchard full of perfect days, radiant relationships, long and full health, even super human health!

Whatever you desire... as long as it comes from a place that is pure you will always get what you want, and need.

Love J x

The stunning photos are from isphotography.

http://isphotography.myshopify.com/

I am existence

How many labels attached to my soul that determine and limit my experience. The ultimate freedom is to strip these barriers that block lifes pure presence.

http://isphotography.myshopify.com/

This practise came into my conscious a few years ago, a gradual and persistent journey to evolve from this habit.

The ego fuels our label making, tricking us into thinking that we need to define or categorise ourselves. I am this person.

It feels safe to attach a label, it feels like belonging to something and this deceit is the ego personified. The truth is that we all belong to everything, to everyone and to every time.

I. Am. Existence.

Love J x

Feel your emotion

Sadly suffering is everywhere.

Everyone telling their story. An excuse for a behaviour. To rationalise thoughts. To escape reality.

We tell sad stories of things that happened to us. From our childhood. About our friends. About our coworkers. About our loved ones. Sad sad stories.

And when repeated the listener also feels sad. Keep telling this story? Perhaps for the whole of life... and never move on.

The problem is that this story has been conjured up by the perception, the only truth that exists is in what actually happened and it is impossible to speak the truth because it is always swayed by your perception, which is built from your childhood, your relationships, your peace of mind, hormones, the weather, everything.

Someone gently suggested that rather than try to come to terms with the sad story, forget the story. Just feel the pain, feel whatever it is that is harming you and causing you unrest. It could be anger, abandonment, resentment, anything. You can deal with the emotion, you can surrender to it, and you can heal from it.

Love J x

All photography by Renee Bell

http://www.nfedesign.com.au/

Reform. Transform. Reorganise. Shift.

Perpetually changing. Endlessly evolving. Each and every moment becoming a new person.

Our cells are forever regenerating. In fact I learnt recently that the entire body is renewed every 7 years. A reincarnation within a reincarnation!



If we stop and cling desperately to this moment we will become stagnant. Everything around us is forever reforming, transforming, reorganising and shifting. A tree sheds its leaves, a caterpillar its cocoon. A beautiful flower must lose its petals for future growth.

If we are honest with ourselves and truly present we all know the parts of our soul that require a little spit and shine. I propose that the beginning of the year (and in fact every sun rise) brings a time for some house cleaning within, a time for new beginnings.



Make a decision, allow it to manifest into something tangible and become the best version of yourself. Be that beautiful whole self you aspire to be. A change of season for the soul.

Happy New Year!

Love J x

Thank you...

...to all those who have emailed, texted, phoned and spoken such kind kind words, I wouldn't have had the courage to do this without your support, so thank you.

I cant wait to share more in the New Year and see where else this blog will take us.

Merry Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year.

Love J x

The Lovely Listening Ears

To the lovely listening ears, the little heart spoke. Singing its tale of woe. Its all a little sad. A little raw. Hold it together little heart, just for a moment more. Not long now little heart. The soft words will make sense. You will hear them little heart. You are just a little tense. You will see the truth little heart. Sit comfortable within the embrace. Nod your head little heart. No need for that worst case. A shift in perspective and once more all is well. The little heart is light and those lovely listening ears can tell.

Love J x

You and I.

We are not separate, you and I.

Einstein discovered that everything is made up of energy. Or vibration.

Everything vibrates at a frequency, and generally you draw things of your own frequency to yourself. Hence why those bad days... they always seem to get worse and the good days, they just keep getting better!

So if everything is made of vibration, even if we are not touching physically, we are not separate. We are a part of a mass wave of vibrating energy that makes up the entire universe. And we are not separate, you and I.

This concept made me smile today when a lone moth took shelter from the rain in my home. On first sighting, its brown self didn't appear particularly intriguing, however a closer inspection revealed an incredibly complex and equally stunning design upon her wings. It was in that moment of appreciation that I remembered we are not separate.

So next time that you see a sunset or a full moon or something that stops you in your boots, know that you are its reflection and you are something beautiful.

Love J x

I wish for...

I wrote this when I was pregnant.

Endless summers and delicate evening rain. Spring time spent in our forest, whisper fairy tales until they become so real we can see them. Watch the sunset upon this day and sip warm tea. Listen to the music of life and lay down each night to feel your heart flutter so close to mine. Contented bliss always with us. I wake in anticipation of our next adventure. You reveal perfection and joy and the key to my mind.
Lets remain like this forever.  

Love J x

The singing man

Tempting my mind from its thoughts came a song from a stranger. I glanced sideways.


Photography by Nirrimi
www.nirrimi.com

A man. Singing. Walking towards me grinning. He began a vocal guitar solo and rather than smile politely and carry on...I opted to dance!

Evoking childish play, void of social barriers, we both rocked out. 

He finished his solo and said with gusty passion; "You are a radiant being filled with love and light." And on that note continued along his way. Walking and singing.

I reflected upon this lively hiatus and the freedom I had just experienced.

Like the freedom found when expressing an original thought, or when breaking the mould with a delicious, rebellious moment, or claiming creativity with an authentic smile.

I saw that man at his full potential. I didn't know what baggage he carried or what story he had to tell, I didnt know his secret vice or bad habit(s). I just enjoyed the person he was in that moment.

Dancing to a strangers song felt like freedom to me.

Love J x

Under the Oak

An old house nestled under the leaves of an oak. My eyes are drawn along the terracotta pathway to the entrance. I want to touch that door, feel the grains and cracks and open the black rusty lock.

I picture the inside. The walls would whisper to me and the floor would creak and moan.


Photography by Nirrimi
http://www.nirrimi.com/

I imagine lounging on the deck. Dinner parties under fairy lights and lanterns. Chasing knee highs along the fence line. We would have a claw foot bath in the garden and when summer stung our skin we would fill it and sit, singing merrily. We would camp under the canopy,  collect her leaves, watch her change season and love her more each time. Our hair would grow long, your beard too and we would dance often.

In winter we would rush from the steaming hot water to the open fire. Standing until our back and bottom glow warm red. We would sleep in that big old bed and dream of secrets from another land. Safe and sleepy, our sanctuary under the Oak.

Love J x

Our Children

We lay our hot restless skin down and drift into slumber, this moment I capture, and when I feel big, absorbed and scared, you remind me that I am still small. 


Photography by Nirrimi
www.nirrimi.com

For this I am always thankful.

Love J x

Endless Love

I passed a sipping man sitting with an old bicycle outside a little cafe. His long beard and eye brows, coarse and white. His tanned skin creased from the harsh sun.

He smiled a brilliant white smile and winked. Had I not been myself, cursed with curiosity-ruled by shyness, I would have stopped for a chat.

So inspired by that twinkle in his eye, I have written his story for him...

He can't help himself, he falls in love so easily, slipping into the depths of that awful joyful roller coaster, the clash of his head and his heart. He has never stayed in one place for long enough for him to know what could become of this love, he leaves, sadly but with a relief that the love will never end. Left suspended in an eternity of what-ifs and who knows.

His Mama always said he would meet his match, a wild and free woman would capture his heart and he would have to chase her rather than run. He laughed at this. His Mama, his only constant woman.

From a family of 8 children, he grew up in a small terrace in the centre of town, the home sprawled onto the street and into the back alley, everywhere was a dirty bruised knee and a shiny wide smile, everywhere was music and song. His Papa an artist, his Mama worked at a local grocery. Everyday she would bring home fruit and vegetables, eggs and bread left over from the days sales, his Papa would be gone sometimes for weeks at a time, but would always return with pockets full of notes and exciting tales.

His childhood was happy, if not exhausting. He left home young, running from his first love and this led to his life of travelling the world, he suited his chosen lifestyle, happy to fit into whatever situation he found himself in. Happy to leave when he felt the pressure to stay.

He was home for Christmas, the first time in 18 years, his Mama didn't know he was coming and he was sitting here, collecting his thoughts before he went to the small terrace in the centre of town, to the home that sprawled on to the front path and back alley, where he would no doubt find his Mama, Papa, Brothers and Sisters and some number of his Nephews and Nieces. He pondered for another moment and smiled again, that white smile. He stood up, winked and rode his old bike away.

Love J x

A tea party with Ghosts

I arrive spontaneously into her loving clutch. A legacy of the inward eye. My place.

Sheltered by her embrace and the familiar scent. The warm cushion of velvet moss beneath my feet. A light breeze brushes my cheek and I listen to the soft lull of ancient leaves. Dusk lights my way.

I come here for a tea party with Ghosts.

Body still and mind intense. I collect their memories. They offer threads of my past self. Guide me to a place I will see and a time I will feel. To someone I will Be.  

Clarity ebbs beneath my skin. I honour this moment, this wistful encounter. Thank you for my place.

Love J x

Reap the seeds you sow

"Next year, I shall sow the seeds of longevity."

My inner student alert, sat cross-legged-back-straight and patiently awaited.

"...instant gratification is now redundant, it's about the long term..."

I silently thanked her for imparting this wisdom. Her words blossomed into my own thoughts.

First and foremost my son. A future citizen of this world. Every sliver of my mothering instinct is driven to helping him grow into a kind, generous, moral, useful member of society. My actions as a mother reverberate far beyond this moment. The future is in the hands of the youth. I am currently in this category, but as we fade our children will become the caretakers of this planet.

My nutritional medicine studies. With this I am destined to help others. I need to do this. The bare bones of a book. Local produce. Seasonal eating. Growing food. Combination eating. Superfoods. More. I cant wait to share it!

Community. This is also something that she spoke about. Connecting with others. The community at my own back door. This blog has served as a gateway into a community I previously did not know. This bustle, I now feel a part of, is nurturing my growth. And so I give back.

And creativity. The ability to express myself. This space is for infinite creativity. Nourish a mind, a body. Nurture a thought.

These are the seeds I sow.

Love J x

Crash-Bash... Burn

Christmas parties. Booze-fuelled long lunches. Work functions. Music festivals. Weddings. Crash-bash...burn!

Want to start 2011 with a bang and survive the silly season?

Get your beauty sleep beautiful.

Keep sip-sip-sipping! A big water bottle will do the trick since it only has to be filled a few times, a glass means frequent refill visits - easily forgotten.

Eating delicious food is a part of the fun, but setting some boundaries will mean that you still get the fuel your body needs for all that late night booty shaking. Maybe limit 'treats' to after lunch - this means you get two healthy meals in - or only eat treats at lunch time, or only between certain times, or only every second day; whatever suits your lifestyle.

Have fun, let you hair down, but respect your body at the same time.

Get out and about, exercise will energise you. Perhaps go somewhere you haven't been before - a picnic in a park, a walk on a secluded beach, a day trip up the coast. 

Throw in a few booze free nights for good measure and voila!

Love J x

With Dusty Feet

Everyone welcome.

Stunning photography, internationally inspired music, refreshments & delicious tasting plates.

See you there.

Love J x

Be kind to a stranger.

Putting pen to paper has always been something to solidify my thoughts, giving them life. It brings clarity when my mind storms with fragments and shards.
So many notebooks filled with dreams, prayers, ideas, goals, quotes, a scrap of paper or a picture collected from various locations and times. All mean nothing and something.

It's lovely to look back and witness my journey and the different things that captured my attention. Some ideas are fleeting. And some have been floating around for years. What is important to me, is that certain ideas become a reality. 

I have found that the practice of writing, cultivates a (flexible) pledge from myself to the universe. This pledge gives my words a place from which to be born. And so I would love you to share your 'lust list'.
These lust lists are endlessly changing and void of a timeframe, they can be whatever you want them to be. In this very moment what would yours say?

Some fragments from my notebook...

Be present. Surrender.
Find contentment in what I have.
Look for answers from within, or realise that I have no more questions
Om Namah Shivaya - I honour the divinity that resides within me.
Always strive to be the best version of myself.

And this one has been around for a while, it brings me so much happiness... Be kind to a stranger, everyday.

Please share your lists, they can be as simple or complex as you like :)

Love J x

Dharma.

A friend, whom I feel so fortunate to have in my life, taught me about Dharma.

Dharma is our unique gift. No other person possesses this talent, or more accurately our expression of it. Furthermore the law of giving and receiving -Karma- means by giving ourselves, giving our gift, with pure intention, brings about our ultimate happiness.

Deepak Chopra describes it as, "Dharma implies more than seeking work that we love, it implies our unique destiny, our place in the cosmic plan. It implies a shift in consciousness that begins when we align ourselves with our highest vision, and then become the manifestation of that vision."

It is of the highest importance to seek and fulfil this purpose. However in order for Dharma to be expressed as it should be, there are many lessons that must first be learnt. So as we are today, is exactly as we are supposed to be. We learn now what will enable us to overcome challenges in the future. This can be a long, painful journey as some truth can hurt. It can also be a simple, pleasant journey - this is our own decision!

As the Christmas season approaches and giving and receiving is all around us. I hope that everyone receives the gift of consciousness, whatever that may be to the individual and gives the gift of love with pure intention. I hope that Dharma reveals itself to each individual and that everyone has the courage and freedom to follow their own destiny.

Love J x

Oh what mischief!

For fun, I decided to remove the TV from our house. Just to see what mischief could be born.

Its been a week. Oh my!

Singing. Dancing. Gardening. Drawing. Playing music. Writing.  Laughter. Reminiscing. Talking. Talking. Talking. Smile.

It was never meant to be a huge part of our household, however television had managed to escape us and dominate our precious evening hours.

A friend commented of our experiment; that its probably one of the greatest things a modern family can do. I have to say I agree.

Our evenings are well and truly reclaimed. Permanently.

Love J x

A love story

Her lips were as red as blood, her skin so white it was translucent. Her eyes closed.
Absorbing energy from the noise surrounding her. Dancing. Lost.

A smile guarding that heart. That battle-wounded fortress.

Breath in. Breath out.

She pushed away the days, avoiding their reminder of what she missed. Her eyes began to look hollow, as if nothing else mattered.

The winter was cold but she found comfort in that, tasting the pain. When the howling winds peaked, deafening her, threatening to take it all, he stepped into the room.

She opened one eye, the warmth of his gaze illuminated him and she stretched her fragile neck to drink from that glow. It saturated her. The world became motionless and time entwined itself around them.

They began to move, elaborate but cautious. Courteous of one another. Each not missing a beat. As the movement became a dance, they crawled underneath each others skin. Opening each others mind to read the contents. Sifting through the thoughts and memories that made up their whole.

Breath in. Breath out.

Her skin began to glow and those hollow eyes filled with his love. She didn't know if she would survive a moment without him. Songs about the future became stories of today and memories of yesterday.

She smiled once again. This time he was guarding her heart.

Love J x

A luscious moment

Child birth was one of the most poignant experiences in my life. Utter joy. Serene, calm and exquisite.

I meditated. Bathed. Connected with my body and breath, working together with my unborn child. The experience changed me, instantly and forever. My loving husband, by my side through every luscious moment was changed, instantly and forever.

We were destined to meet Lynne Davidson during our pregnancy, as our friendship developed we knew that she was meant to be at our birth. Her guidance, support and loving nature gave us the stamina we needed to make it through.

She massaged (us both), provided kind words of encouragement, performed reflexology to bring on my contractions when they slowed, even made scones and offered to clean our home! This woman is SuperWoman!

I feel that Lynne and my family will always have a special bond.

After all she was there when everything changed.

Lynne Davidson - Doula, Birth Mentor & SuperWoman doulabirthhands@gmail.com 

Love J x

Va-Va-Voom

Busy friends chasing children. Studying. Working. Doing all the above at once,(!) need more energy. So some ideas for those of us with less than adequate va-va-voom!

Start the day on lemon water. (See previous post)

Please please eat Breakfast. Please.

Oats are a fabulous choice for breaky. Rolled oats are my pick, the quick cooking variety have undergone partial cooking processes which reduces nutrient levels. Also to decrease cooking time the outer shell is removed/broken which also depletes nutritional value. The low GI impact of oats means you get a slow release of energy, so you feel full for longer. Oats are a perfect start for your perfect day.

Snack. Feed your body, it's important to maintain energy.

Great snacks are nuts and seeds. Whole, raw almonds are delicious.

Fruit such as avocados, bananas, apples are all fantastic energy boosters. Apples actually affect you the same way a caffeine fuelled coffee would!

Vitamin C is found in a lot of fruit, particularly citrus, and is a great source of energy. I would recommend eating fruit rather than drinking juice because you miss out on so many nutrients from the flesh of the fruit. The process to make juice also diminishes nutrient levels and often juices have added sugar which will zap your energy.

Stop for lunch. Now. Right Now.  

Skipping a meal is another no-no. For those monitoring their weight... skipping meals will slow your metabolism as your body tries to preserve energy, then when you eat next your body will store the energy, resulting in weight gain. So eat lovely's.

Lunch ideas - vegetables – all of them are fabulous at providing our body with exactly what it needs. In particular sprouts, asparagus, broccoli and spinach are excellent energy boosters.

Eggs, tuna, chicken are all high sources of protein which will sustain your levels of energy.

Legumes are great energy foods, kidney beans, tuna and salad in a wrap = delicious. Also baked beans on wholemeal bread are a simple and easy lunch choice.

Thirsty?

H2O – I know health experts can really get pushy about water consumption, but there is a reason. Water is Mother Nature's miracle nectar.
So sip-sip-sip.

Ideally 1-2 litres a day, more if you are active or in hot weather. With practice you will polish off 3 litres easily. I notice on days that I don’t get enough... Sluggish. Headaches. Pimples. Blah.

What to avoid…

Now I apologise to all the sugar fiends out there, but refined sugar, found in chocolate, biscuits, cakes etc will cause fatigue. While you will get an initial boost from consuming these delights your body will experience an insulin spike and once you come down from this high you will feel deflated, tired and crave more sugar, so the journey continues.
I am no saint when it comes to sugar but I am making changes to wean myself from its clutches. (Honey is my saviour, and it has trace levels of nutrients...so it has health benefits) Everything in small doses. 

A good night sleep wouldnt go astray in boosting energy, however this is sometimes impossible. Teething. Yikes. So do what you can in that department.

I hope this helps…

Love J x

Wisdom in those words.

Photography by Lisa Löwenborg

"I just follow the path of least resistance." He laughed casually.
The words danced over me and I smiled at their wisdom.

How many times we struggle. Stubbornly. Sheer determination.

Teeth-grit-lips-pursed. Why? Why make it so hard?

Allow a new approach, accept a new outcome. Maintain an open mind, or heart. A simpler, happier, more fluid life...

Yes please.

Love J x

Friends. Lovers. Soul Mates.

While journeying through life we cross paths with many people. With some, the purpose of our union is clear, other times not so.
And mostly the purpose is an endless evolution.
Our connection may be brief. At the bus stop, or waiting for a coffee. We may become friends. Lovers. Soul mates. 

 



You may not ever think of that person again. However once in a while you will meet someone who will leave an everlasting imprint.

Embellishing your being.

I have been lucky enough to meet so many people that bless my life with their presence. Some are old friends, some are new. But they all bring something unique and precious into my world. They all teach me something new, something that I value. They allow my heart to grow bigger.

Thank goodness for these people.

Love J x

Thank you Lisa, for allowing me to share your beautiful photography.