Whole Soul Living

Fabulous winter warming detox drink' recipe

2012-02-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

I do not enjoy feeling cold and love hot drinks, but having never been a ( black ) tea or coffee drinker ( I know weird right ?)

I have had to get creative with what warms me up on the inside..

I can only drink so many herbal teas or hot chocolates for a treat' .. so I have always regularly enjoyed hot lemon with a drop of raw honey .

Earlier this year I came across a great ' detox drink' given to me by my amazing yoga teacher Cheri

I made a few little changes and have created my own little healthy winter warming version.

Indian Spice Lemon Tea

1/2 lemon

raw honey to taste

4 - 6 cloves

1/2 tsp turmeric or to taste

hot water

(optional) cayenne pepper ( for when you really need a kickstart..shake a little in I love it!)

throw it all in your favorite cup,

top with hot water,

stir, then let it steep for a few minutes

and enjoy.. I never bother to strain it, in fact I prefer to keep all the cloves in to make the next cup more flavorful :)

'such a pretty saffron yellow color'

Turmeric is a cherished spice in India.

It has many amazing attributes including powerful antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties.

Turmeric owes its preventive and curative characteristics to it's active ingredient Curcumin, a compound so diverse and powerfully rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions that thousands of studies have shown that it protects and improves the health of virtually every organ in the body. These properties help prevent oxidation and the resulting chronic, low grade inflammation that has been shown to trigger or advance many of the diseases of modern life.

Cloves

Studies have also recently found that cloves contain high levels of phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-clotting properties. Cloves have been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is used to treat many ailments.

Lemon

This amazing little yellow fruit has so many incredibly healthy properties including..

* Vitamin C ( for tissue repair and strength, also works as a free radical extractor)

*Vit B6 ( reduces inflammation, and for new cell growth including neural and hormonal)

* calcium ( promotes bone growth, assists in muscle and nerve responses)

*Potassium ( helps regulate blood pressure and heart function)

* Also includes Copper, Riboflavin, Vit B5, Iron and magnesium

Raw Honey

Has shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties,

is used as an immune booster and has also shown to increase anti oxidant levels and anti tumor effects in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Cayenne pepper

also offers us a ton of incredible health benefits including an antioxidant, mucous reliever, anti-fungal, but is perhaps most well known as helping to heal mucous membranes in the digestive tract.

Cayenne has the ability to ease stomach upset, ulcers, sore throats, spasmodic and irritating coughs as well as diarrhea.

I love that this drink is so delicious and so great for my body at the same time!.. if you prefer, just add a very small amount of the spices initially and increase them as you choose.

viva 'love drinks' for our body

Helen xxxx

Bubbling up with potential and promise..

2012-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Our sweet NEW Year is here!!

I get so excited .. , a beautiful year bubbling, full of potential and promise stretches before me.. it always seems to be a real fresh slate for me as my birthday is in January too.

viva new beginnings!!

I love to do a visual 'vision board' each year and I display it in a beautiful old frame, it is great to check in with 'who you are wanting to be' and see how far you have come at the end of the year.

I achieved MANY of the things on my last years board , but I was enchanted to see that the things

I didn't do ....

just hadn't seemed important any more.

They were a little bit 'all about me and fluffing up my ego'.. not really helping others so much as giving my ego a good ol' boost..

hmmm... just seemed to fade away.. not so important..

nice.

But oh so many gorgeous gifts did manifest in my life.. these words that I had written in big colorful letters..

HONESTY

COURAGE

FREEDOM WITH COMMUNICATION

ENCOURAGE AND UPLIFT OTHERS

AUTHENTICITY

apply directly to me taking the leap and beginning this blog' Whole Soul Living' :)..

and many , many more miraculous things that I had written appeared in my life.

I love to put a large photo of me in the center of the board with all the 'delightfulness' surrounding me.

I gaze at the board every morning when applying rose body oil after my bath, so that the vision (and the oil) can sink in :)

You wouldn't go on a 'trip of a lifetime' without some kind of plan would you?

this is our trip of a lifetime right here ,

every moment of this new year is precious..

who do you want to be?

what do you want to allow to shine forth from inside you?

where do you want to stretch and grow?

what sort of person do you want to be known for being?

what change do you want to cause?

where can you give love to this world?

You can either keep your vision tucked away just for yourself.. or blaze it brightly up on a wall as I do.. cut pictures out of magazines , break out some pretty art supplies and get drawing , writing whatever appeals to you.

Have fun crafting your year of possibilities ...

Love , Helen

The Power of Transparency

2011-12-04T06:09:00.001-08:00

This year I have been responding to a 'loud' inner call to become more authentic.
This has resulted in a need to live in a state of 'transparency'.

Living your life, with nothing to hide, no veils or walls, no barriers of others expectations or suppression of true feelings.

Becoming like crystal clear water, shining and sparkling in the light, reflecting nothing but the sun and others true selves back to them.

How powerful it is to 'live your complete truth', when all your thoughts , words and actions reflect the real you.
It sounds so easy , but it takes practice and courage.
We have many old conditioned patterns and responses that we have taken on over the years to 'fit in' and to not 'rock the boat'.
Go on .. rock the boat if you need to..
this is your real life..
don't waste it by wearing a manufactured version of yourself to keep others comfortable.

People sense and respond to complete authenticity, we are all hardwired to 'know' on a soul level when we are hearing someones truth.

If the words of your soul self ( spoken with love) , rub another the wrong way, they are adjusting to this new change in you , you are not following your 'usual pattern/program'.

Tear up the program..

There is no power in pretense, but your truth is your freedom..

Dazzle us with your soul light,

after all that is why we are here....

Love , Helen xx

Sesame and flax scones..

2011-11-28T07:13:00.001-08:00

I have been tweaking some recipes in order to incorporate a little more fiber and 'superfood' goodness..

here is one I tried out yesterday, I adapted a plain scone recipe from Pam Anderson's book 'Cook without a book , meatless meals'..

here is my version..

'Flax and Sesame Savory Scones'

oven 400 degrees F

parchment lined baking sheet

1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal

1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp wheat germ

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 stick unsalted organic butter frozen solid

1/2 cup grated organic sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated good quality Parmesan

1/2 cup chopped queen olives ( garlic stuffed)

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 large free range egg

Mix the first 6 dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Grate the butter and add in thirds tossing through to coat with flour until all butter is incorporated, rub together a little with your fingers.

Mix in cheese and olives.

Stir the sour cream and egg together briskly with a fork until smooth, add to the dry ingredients.

Stir with a fork into large clumps then press mixture against the side of the bowl with your hands to form a ball.

keep pressing , it will come together , ( you may need to add a few drops of water to gather the last few crumbs on the bottom of the bowl)

Turn dough out on floured surface, pat into an 8 inch round shape about an inch thick.

Cut into 8 wedges with a sharp knife.

Arrange wedges an inch apart on baking sheet

Bake until golden , approx 15-17 min

Lovely served hot for lunch.. these disappeared very fast!!

The flax and sesame give a lovely rustic weight and texture, delicious.

Love Helen xx

Sharing the harvest..

2011-11-23T04:46:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow, here in America, it will be Thanksgiving day, a day historically that people have gathered together to give thanks for a good harvest and to share a feast with those that they love.

I did not grow up celebrating this holiday in my home country of New Zealand, but I think it is a beautiful reason to come together and to consciously acknowledge all that/who we have in our lives to be grateful for.

Unfortunately on many of the Western world's traditional days of celebration, it is easy for us to lose sight of the true reason behind the occasion.

I have already seen many people looking frazzled and stressed worrying about the menu , the cost and the cooking.

This Thanksgiving day lets be kind to ourselves, lets hold tight to the simple truth that this day was intended to make us feel good, to feel blessed, to see all the abundance that overflows in our lives.

To feel these things , the meal does not have to be perfect', the table does not have to 'blow everyones mind', we do not have to eat until our body feels so uncomfortable ( so as not to offend somebody).

Stress, rushing and overwhelm does not belong on this day of giving thanks.. it's a day of sharing.. share the cooking, share the chores and clean up , share the costs and share the love , joy and peace.

Those that you love will not remember the perfect centerpiece' in the years to come, but they will remember how you made them feel inside, welcomed, connected and loved.

******Happy Thanksgiving America ******

I am grateful for all of you that share your time and energy with me here in this space..

Happy Thanksgiving everyone... be the light, sending love and joy .....

Helen..xxxxxxx

Gorgeous 'green' kitchen spray recipe..

2011-11-19T14:25:00.001-08:00

I would like to share with you all a recipe that makes cleaning the kitchen a 'whole' lot more pleasant.

About 5 years ago I became very sensitive to 'off the shelf' surface sprays.

I would develop a headache and just feel generally 'yuck' after using them. After some research I discovered how to make my own natural counter cleaning spray.

I love it, it's so easy , smells divine and I never use anything else.

You need..

a medium to large spray bottle

1 tbsp Borax

( a natural mineral, the supermarket has this in the laundry section)

Purified water-

( I don't always use this as I use the spray up so fast )

1/2 tbsp Dr Bronners liquid soap ( Castile baby)

( adjust this amount if spray is too sticky /frothy)

pure essential oils

.. use whatever oil scents are your favorites ..

Some combinations that I love are..

orange and rosemary..

lemongrass and basil..

lavender and mint

sage and grapefruit

tea tree and lemon

I put the borax in a pourable' glass jar , add a little hot water to help dissolve the borax crystals.

Add the soap and gently stir, pour this into your spray bottle, top up with cool water leaving an inch gap at the top. Add 5 - 10 drops of each oil depending on your preference ( you can always add more if you prefer a stronger fragrance)

I just give it a few shakes to wake up nature's goodness.. and off I go.. spray and wipe...

Your kitchen will now smell like your favorite spa or a flower shop .. much better :)

I use this spray everywhere in the house, but especially for kitchen and bathroom counters,

Essential oil of Tea tree is a strong natural anti bacterial , antiseptic and anti fungal, I always add this oil when extra strength is required ( great for bathrooms ).

( Like any cleaning agent natural or otherwise keep out of the reach of children and do not ingest)

This counter spray is cost effective, will not harm your body or the earth and you get to create your own special , delightful scents!

Lots of love , Helen xx

Feeling overwhelmed ..take small steps

2011-11-17T08:56:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel ..

over loaded and overwhelmed?

You have run out of time , you've run out of ingredients, the whole house is a mess, you have too much to do, you have too many appointments, the emails are piling up, your hair looks like crap, the little one is sick , you should call your mother , you forgot your friends birthday, your throat is starting to feel 'scratchy', you can't find the keys....aaaaaaaaah....too much!!!!!!

Center

and

balance ,

is what we truly need,

we want to find air , how can I breathe

through all this chaos?

Small steps back to yourself and clarity

is the key.

In moments like these ( which everyone has at some time or another), we have 2 choices.. we continue the spiral downward into confusion and despair or we choose to take ONE step the other way, one step that points us in the direction of peace.

We have just lost our center, perhaps taken on too many projects, not managed our time, maybe we are ignoring something we know we should do, or are doing something we know does not make us feel good.

If you can , get quiet, be alone even for 5 minutes, lie down ,( on the floor will work), get your legs up the wall,

( increases blood flow to the heart and brain) place your hands on your belly and breathe , feel the rise and fall, slow, deep inhale and exhale.

Our breath is magic, it is an instant calming, rhythmic sensation for the body/mind/spirit. Make a conscious choice, that when you get up , you will slowly and quietly do one task that will help recenter your day.

Choose an easy task that will help you feel just a tiny bit better , so it will give you a little reserve to tackle just one more task.. then with that little feeling of accomplishment you can take on just one more etc.. just refuse to go there , to that dark, unfriendly place where you criticize yourself for not being more..

more of everything , more organized , more tidy and 'on top of things'.

Something that really helps me is to clear visual clutter.. I can't think straight and find clarity with stuff everywhere.

I clear three things, the biggest visual thing in the room, I make my bed..

ahh , that feels a little better,

I clear everything off the dining table ( throw all the stuff in a laundry basket if you must and hide it in the laundry , no judgement!).

hmmm.. I feel like I can breathe a little easier, maybe I'll put the plant or flowers back on there',

then go find a towel put it on the floor, pick up that big 'ol handbag bursting full of 'stuff and junk' and ceremoniously tip the while thing out on the towel.

This always feel good.

Don't sort it out, just pick out the wallet , the keys ( yes,, they were in there all along), 1 of the 47 lip glosses', your sunglasses and phone and put them all in your neat tidy bag.( ahhh.. that feels better already)

If this is just NOT the time , then bundle up the towel and stuff it in the closet :)

or..

if you think you can manage, pick up your little towel bundle take it straight over to the rubbish bin , sort out and dump all the junky bits straight in. (Nice!)

If you think you can do it, you can carry your bundle with you to put away' all the rest of the house' that you had inside that bag.. hehe.. done.

Another good one that helps me..

Empty and clean the kitchen sink..

if you can't manage getting rid of those dishes , pile them to one side of the bench and put a pretty tea towel over them, then scrub that sink and those taps as if your life depended on it , actually takes 2 mins , but visually ahh.. we have a bit of order in amongst this chaos.

Drink in that pretty sink for a few minutes , you may just now be able to lift that towel and get rid of those dishes. If not' no problem , you'll get to them later.

So now if you are still criticizing yourself , well, you still may be unorganized, untidy and unloveable' BUT you do have a tidy bed, dining table , handbag and sink. :)

then make 2 lists..

one of everything you can think of in your mind that you have to do.. get it all out.. fill up all the page , purge it all out on the paper,

the second list is what do I REALLY have to get done today, the true essentials only, write those down and put the first list away , you know where it is , you'll get to them but not today.

Prioritize this list , pick one easy, fast thing , do it , check it off..

keep going..

tell yourself something nice,

smile..

you're a rock star :)

how about a lovely cup of tea...

Luv Helen xx

A perfect, simple, health filled breakfast..

2011-11-15T10:27:00.001-08:00

I am often asked what I eat.. so I thought I would share with you the breakfast I had this morning.

It's perfect .. because it is so simple, delicious and wonderful for your body,

first you need to find yourself a beautiful bowl !

My special bowl is handmade by an artisan , etched and glazed delicately all over which I love to look at and to hold in my hands.

I start with a base of a very high fiber natural, whole grain cereal

and then I add ..

Raw organic Sesame seeds -

they are jam packed full of Calcium,

1/2 a cup of sesame seeds contain 3 times more Calcium than whole milk.

These small seeds are also an excellent source of Vitamin E, ( great for the skin and also strengthens the heart and nervous system), also contain a good amount of manganese, copper , magnesium , iron , phosphorous, Vit B1 (thiamin) , zinc, protein and fiber).

and I LOVE the taste..

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are a good source for Vit B1 , manganese , magnesium , copper , phosphorous , Vit B5 and folate, they also contain high levels of vitamin E, magnesium and Selenium.

Selenium is well known for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and assisting DNA repair.

Followed by a good sprinkling of Wheat germ..

wheat germ is loaded up with Vit E and folic acid and includes , iron , protein , magnesium , thiamin , phosphorous , and zinc.

Chia seeds..

originally an ancient Mayan superfood, these tiny Chia seeds are extremely high in fiber , Omega 3 and they also contain complex vegetable proteins, B vitamins and calcium.

Chia is undergoing something of a renaissance after centuries of neglect. It was a major crop in central Mexico between 1500 and 900 B.C. and was still cultivated well into the 16th century, AD, but after the Spanish conquest, authorities banned it because of its close association with Aztec religion (Indians used the seeds as offerings in rituals). Until recently, chia was produced by only a few small growers, but commercial production has resumed in Latin America, and you can now buy the seeds online and in health food stores.

Flax seeds..

Flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega -3 essential fatty acids. They are a very good source of dietary fiber and manganese, folate, vitB6 as well as the minerals magnesium , phosphorous and copper.

In addition flax seeds hold concentrated amounts of cancer reducing lignin phytonutrients which also show to reduce menopausal symptoms.

(I always buy flaxseeds whole and grind them up in a little coffee grinder just before eating, they stay fresher and are more readily absorbed by the body, when ground.)

Goji Berries

This delicious little dried red berry has been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. It is grown in the Ningxia province where it was originally used medicinally by Chinese monks. The Goji berry is a very nutrient - rich food. It is a vegetarian form of protein , packed with essential amino acids , rich in vitamin A and a good source of Vit C. Goji berries possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron , phosphorus, Riboflavin ( B2), Vit E as well as carotenoids, including beta - carotene.

I pile it all up in my bowl,

( option: add half a chopped banana) and top it up with creamy organic rice milk.

My delicious light, health filled breakfast..

If you would like to try this breakfast mix (or part of it), please don't let the long list of ingredients put you off. I keep all my seeds in the fridge ( for freshness) in one spot. I just grab all out all the jars ( I love the way the seeds look in a clear 'recycled' jar) , throw a rough handful of each into my bowl, top with the banana, grind up the flax seeds, throw them in and away I go. ( to save time you could combine the seeds in one container and just pour a measure over your cereal, ) , I seem to enjoy doing it seperately and appreciating all the different seeds.

I stir it all up together, and truly enjoy the wonderful nutty flavors and crunch factor in this breakfast :)

I can find all these ingredients in the 'health' section of my local supermarket , many in the organic bulk bins ( but the Goji berries and Chia seeds are packed separately, if not in your 'health' section they will definitely be available at your natural whole foods store.)

sesame seeds
sunflower seeds
chia seeds
flax seeds
wheat germ
goji berries

You can also add this mix to a warm bowl of oatmeal or other whole grain in the cooler months, drizzle a little raw organic honey/cinnamon /Agave syrup if desired..

Your body will be so excited to receive all this fiber.. ( as well as all the amazing nutrients) , but do remember to drink plenty of pure water to compensate for all the extra fiber , and to enable it to do it's wonderful detoxifying job!)

Enjoy.. Helen xx

Honoring yourself first..

2011-11-14T02:49:00.001-08:00

I get up every morning at 4.30..

It hasn't always been this way.. Until this year I was someone who needed at times 9 hours sleep, definitely 8 hours , mostly 8 and a half. This had become my story.

I was a very deep sleeper always had been , and felt totally out of sorts if ever woken in the night

( difficult when having little children)

So why the change now at age 41 ?

I was sick of 'never having enough time', we are all the same , "I just never have enough time".. this is our new mantra, as a working artist developing my own business , a wife , mother to two little boys ,

mama to free range hens , guinea fowl , a Schnauzer puppy and 2 beehives,

a friend , daughter , sister, I was always chasing my tail , playing catch up, trying to ignore a messy house , washing piling up, deadlines piling up etc..I felt there had to be another way..

So I thought what if I trialled out for one month , getting up at 5 o clock every morning ( 2 hours earlier).. what if I broke that 2 hours up into 30 min time slots , that would give me 4 extra 30 min slots to devote to 4 different areas of my life that I usually miss out on! I realized that the key was ..

*this time was to be precious, not just wasted browsing the net, or spent on email time

* I needed to decide what was the most important tasks for me to achieve that would give me my most 'bang for my buck' with this time

* It's just a trial, if it's not working out for me I can stop after a month.

This has seriously been life changing for me.. I realized that there is an amazing power in honoring your own soul first at the beginning of the day.

The first thing I now do when I wake is to light a candle and fill my essential oil burner with a selection of beautiful natural oils. The gorgeous scents of grapefruit , sage and peppermint , or rosemary and lemongrass fill my room and revive me.

I then put on beautiful music at a very low volume ( or sometimes I choose silence) and I honor my body with yoga. Stretching and twisting gently waking up my body, awakening the muscles and internal organs, stirring up the lymph system and helping to detoxify all my internal systems.

Feeling invigorated I keep hydrating with water

and then it's time for my spiritual practice and meditation, first I make the bed and straighten the room, so it feels clean and orderly.

Having delighted and connected my body and spirit , I set my intentions for the day , and I now allow my mind in on the action , I write a list of what I want to achieve , check my emails/ write a blog post or sketch out a painting etc..

I have time for a long hot sea salt/orange oil bath followed by a healthy high fibre breakfast or a nutrient packed fruit/vegetable juice.

Just before I drive my elder son to school at 8 , I have usually thrown on a load of washing , tidied the kitchen and straightened the living room.

The results of my 'experiment' have been astounding, there have been so many more positive unexpected 'gifts' that have come out of it.

My energy has soared , I never feel tired throughout the day, I am always early , I am always organized .

I have now taken up bike riding, I feel stronger, more focused.

The house is always tidy , clean and usually has fresh flowers arranged.

I am a calmer , more patient mother , a more attentive wife , I spend more quality time with the animals , my friends and sitting in nature. I notice more miracles ( and have time to write them down).

I am more aware of the foods that I eat ( does this nourish or deplete my energy?) , do I really feel like my body wants this glass of wine right now, have I eaten enough fibre today , or drank enough water?

I see it is like a domino effect , when you start to care for yourself in one area it changes how you look at everything.

The most glaringly obvious revelation for me is ..

If you honor your self with what nurtures your body/mind/spirit FIRST thing in the morning..it is impossible to have a bad day.

You have set yourself up to win, you commence your day with a feeling of success , instead of dragging around with you a big bag of "I shoulds" " I wish I had's" or "I never have enough time to's"

I now say, "I always have enough time".. I never use an alarm, my body just wakes up when it 's ready , occasionally that may be 5 am sometimes that's even 4 am or this morning that was 3.30 am.. do I feel tired ?.. not a bit ! but it's 6 o'clock and I sure have achieved alot. ( and I feel nurtured too!)

Love and light , Helen

We are all students and all masters..

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

I strongly believe that we always have something to learn and we always have something to teach.

We are all students and all masters.

I have created Whole Soul Living as a forum to share what I have learned , what I am currently learning and also knowledge I aspire to gain.

The natural state for our soul is one of 'wholeness', a rich , full, joyful, energized, powerful state completely connected to source/God /Universe, the earth and each other.

Life on earth is such that we can 'forget' who we are and lose touch with our power, our life can become one long, difficult journey zigzagging eventually ( hopefully) back to ourselves .

Or..

We can decide to live with an open heart. We can choose to learn to love ourselves and others unconditionally. If we tune inwards and learn to listen to our own intuition, (your own personal compass that whispers to you the directions right back to your whole soul), we will be guided to our natural life of abundance, vibrant health, joy and fulfillment.

For a soul to be whole it needs love and nurturing in 3 areas..

Mind..

Body..

Spirit...

sometimes we are great at honoring one or two of these ( or sometimes none of them).. but true wholeness requires flourishing in all three parts.

We are all each others teachers , I look forward to sharing here what I have learned and look forward to also learning from you.

I don't claim to have all the answers but I do promise you I will always speak my truth from

my heart ( and soul) with authenticity, love and compassion.

My goal is achieved if I can help to shine a little light in front of someone on their journey as others have done and continue to do for me.

Love and light , Helen