"I crossed the street to walk in the sunshine."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love.)
What a beautiful way to brighten your day.
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Warming Peanut Butter Breakfast
Is it me, or is this winter colder than most? I know that when I am feeling the cold and have to get up early for work in the morning there is only one thing to warm me up from the inside out and give me the courage to step out of my toasty house into the wintery world outside!
I am a peanut butter enthusiast!! I love it crunchy, smooth any which way -- but most of all I like it ORGANIC AND WITHOUT ANY ADDITIVES! That is my only deal breaker in my peanut butter relationship! To me, peanut butter porridge just makes sense!! Warm, filling and a great way to start your day!
Add to a saucepan:
1/2 Cup Oats -- real oats please! None of this 'instant' nonsense!
1 Cup your favourite milk -- soy, almond or rice
Over medium heat and let it simmer for 5 or so minutes, until part of the liquid has absorbed.
Spoon in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and a pinch of cinnamon and stir to combine. Continue cooking until your porridge has reached your desired consistency.
Pour your mixture into a bowl and top with a sliced banana and a sprinkle of chia seeds.
Delicious, healthful and warming -- yum yum!!
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
I am a peanut butter enthusiast!! I love it crunchy, smooth any which way -- but most of all I like it ORGANIC AND WITHOUT ANY ADDITIVES! That is my only deal breaker in my peanut butter relationship! To me, peanut butter porridge just makes sense!! Warm, filling and a great way to start your day!
Add to a saucepan:
1/2 Cup Oats -- real oats please! None of this 'instant' nonsense!
1 Cup your favourite milk -- soy, almond or rice
Over medium heat and let it simmer for 5 or so minutes, until part of the liquid has absorbed.
Spoon in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and a pinch of cinnamon and stir to combine. Continue cooking until your porridge has reached your desired consistency.
Pour your mixture into a bowl and top with a sliced banana and a sprinkle of chia seeds.
Delicious, healthful and warming -- yum yum!!
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Decisions, decisions...
What should I do?
A big question which every being on this planet will at one time or another ask themselves. When facing a crossroads where do you turn for guidance? Friends? Family? The flip of a coin? While all these options will give you an answer, you are the one who has to live with the ramifications, so why not listen to what you have to say?
Sounds simple in theory, but in practice this can become quite difficult. Even though there is only one person that you must answer to, there are many different parts of you that want to have a say! Your body loves to chime in and give its two cents about what your cells need, which may be in direct contrast to what your spiritual being is asking of you. Then your have to deal with your intellectual perspective who always has something interesting to say, and toss in your social self and creative self, and you have the recipe for complete confusion!
So what can we do about this?
Trying to listen to all of yourself at once will leave you feeling confused, frustrated and as if you are in your own personal episode of The View. So create a quiet space - maybe for you that's outside, in your room, on a bench at a park, wherever you feel at peace. Sit, breathe and be present in your surroundings. Once you are ready, create a circle of trust with yourself and get out your talking stick. One by one hear what each part of you has to say. Let yourself express your fears, hesitations and concerns. Remember that no one part of you is more important or valuable than another. Each part of you needs to be happy otherwise a balance will not be achieved. Listen to what every self has to say and let your decision resonate with you for a while. Sit on it, see how it feels - could you live with this decision? How will it impact you in 10 minutes? 10 hours? 10 days? 10 months?
While everyone will have an opinion on decisions you make as little or large as they may be, it is you who has to live with the outcome - so simply ask yourself! You will know the right answer, if you just take some time to listen to what you - all of you - has to say..
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
A big question which every being on this planet will at one time or another ask themselves. When facing a crossroads where do you turn for guidance? Friends? Family? The flip of a coin? While all these options will give you an answer, you are the one who has to live with the ramifications, so why not listen to what you have to say?
Sounds simple in theory, but in practice this can become quite difficult. Even though there is only one person that you must answer to, there are many different parts of you that want to have a say! Your body loves to chime in and give its two cents about what your cells need, which may be in direct contrast to what your spiritual being is asking of you. Then your have to deal with your intellectual perspective who always has something interesting to say, and toss in your social self and creative self, and you have the recipe for complete confusion!
So what can we do about this?
Trying to listen to all of yourself at once will leave you feeling confused, frustrated and as if you are in your own personal episode of The View. So create a quiet space - maybe for you that's outside, in your room, on a bench at a park, wherever you feel at peace. Sit, breathe and be present in your surroundings. Once you are ready, create a circle of trust with yourself and get out your talking stick. One by one hear what each part of you has to say. Let yourself express your fears, hesitations and concerns. Remember that no one part of you is more important or valuable than another. Each part of you needs to be happy otherwise a balance will not be achieved. Listen to what every self has to say and let your decision resonate with you for a while. Sit on it, see how it feels - could you live with this decision? How will it impact you in 10 minutes? 10 hours? 10 days? 10 months?
While everyone will have an opinion on decisions you make as little or large as they may be, it is you who has to live with the outcome - so simply ask yourself! You will know the right answer, if you just take some time to listen to what you - all of you - has to say..
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Teach me! Teach me!
The world is full of wonderful yoga teachers who lead their yogi's and yogini's into the realm of eternal happiness :)
There are some really wonderful yoga teachers out there, and I have personally found it very inspiring to track their journey into yoga superstardom and follow where they are at in their own practice. Below are some wonderful teachers who I have turned to along the way and that may be a source of encouragement, inspiration and wonder for you as well!
Kathryn Budig www.kathrynbudig.com
The ultimate. This women is a goddess on earth, and I love her more than anything!
Rainbeau Mars www.rainbeaumars.com
Anyone whose about me reads "yes that is her real name" has to be awesome!! This girl is phenomenal!
Tara Stiles www.tarastiles.com
Deepak Chopra's personal yoga instructor - enough said...
Tiffany Cruikshank www.tiffanyyoga.com
Fantastic in mixing yoga practice with holistic medicine
Explore, read their blogs and find one who inspires you in your own journey :)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
There are some really wonderful yoga teachers out there, and I have personally found it very inspiring to track their journey into yoga superstardom and follow where they are at in their own practice. Below are some wonderful teachers who I have turned to along the way and that may be a source of encouragement, inspiration and wonder for you as well!
Kathryn Budig www.kathrynbudig.com
The ultimate. This women is a goddess on earth, and I love her more than anything!
Rainbeau Mars www.rainbeaumars.com
Anyone whose about me reads "yes that is her real name" has to be awesome!! This girl is phenomenal!
Tara Stiles www.tarastiles.com
Deepak Chopra's personal yoga instructor - enough said...
Tiffany Cruikshank www.tiffanyyoga.com
Fantastic in mixing yoga practice with holistic medicine
Explore, read their blogs and find one who inspires you in your own journey :)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Friday 10 June 2011
Eliminate the Negative
I sleep with a small collection of books next to my bed. I adore reading - the mere thought of reading a great book sends chills up my spine - but it takes quite a book to be placed in the prestigious position next to my bed. This spot is reserved only for the
Today, the book I wanted to quote from sits firmly beside my bed. It is a book that was given to me by my mother as a way of saying "yes Lauren, you are normal, we all get a bit muddled up sometimes" and it has saved me during many a distraught morning, anxious evening and sleepless night.
This book is called You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay. It explores the idea that we have control over our destiny - a novel idea, isn't it? - and that by changing our thought patterns and approach to all situations and confrontations, be they good or bad, we can drastically alter the outcome of our lives.
The quote I wanted to share with you today comes from the second chapter of the book, which looks to identify and change problems that occur within our own lives from our own viewpoint,
The first time I read that line, I had to repeat it ten or eleven times before I started to realise why it was making me uncomfortable. "It is safe to look within." Safe. Safe. Safe? What does she mean by safe? How do I define safety? Surely to a small child safety means looking both ways before crossing the street and not talking to strangers. To a teenager safety is wearing a helmut when skateboarding (and occasionally when teenage girls wear high heels..) To an adult safety is indicating at a round-a-bout and wearing gloves when touching dangerous chemicals.
Safety implies that there is some form of harm that we must be protected from. Surely there is not harm in looking outside of yourself for answers? It's very difficult to get yourself to a place where you can search deep inside for answers, so isn't that what we need protection from? We find shelter in shying away from asking the tough questions, but if you can face the biggest demon of them all, yourself, and ask him these questions to his face is there anything you can't do?
Take some time to find a quiet place, relax and think about what's bothering you - it may be a work or family problem, your partner, a friend, health concerns or financial woes - why is it concerning you? What exactly are you worried will happen? Think about the statements that you are associating with your problem, and note the use of any negative words "can't", "shouldn't", "don't" -- meditate on these for a while, and start to transform them into positives "can", "should", "do!" Repeat these to yourself, and you will find that the negative associations will start to slip away. It's ok if these feelings begin to creep back, just refocus, centre yourself and find your positive phrases again.
Put your hard hat on guys, we are going in(side)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
http://www.amazon.com/You-Heal-Your-Life-Gift/dp/1561706280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307712571&sr=8-1
crème de la crème
of the literary world. Books that have not only changed my life, but changed my life's journey.Today, the book I wanted to quote from sits firmly beside my bed. It is a book that was given to me by my mother as a way of saying "yes Lauren, you are normal, we all get a bit muddled up sometimes" and it has saved me during many a distraught morning, anxious evening and sleepless night.
This book is called You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay. It explores the idea that we have control over our destiny - a novel idea, isn't it? - and that by changing our thought patterns and approach to all situations and confrontations, be they good or bad, we can drastically alter the outcome of our lives.
The quote I wanted to share with you today comes from the second chapter of the book, which looks to identify and change problems that occur within our own lives from our own viewpoint,
"It is safe to look within"
The first time I read that line, I had to repeat it ten or eleven times before I started to realise why it was making me uncomfortable. "It is safe to look within." Safe. Safe. Safe? What does she mean by safe? How do I define safety? Surely to a small child safety means looking both ways before crossing the street and not talking to strangers. To a teenager safety is wearing a helmut when skateboarding (and occasionally when teenage girls wear high heels..) To an adult safety is indicating at a round-a-bout and wearing gloves when touching dangerous chemicals.
Safety implies that there is some form of harm that we must be protected from. Surely there is not harm in looking outside of yourself for answers? It's very difficult to get yourself to a place where you can search deep inside for answers, so isn't that what we need protection from? We find shelter in shying away from asking the tough questions, but if you can face the biggest demon of them all, yourself, and ask him these questions to his face is there anything you can't do?
Take some time to find a quiet place, relax and think about what's bothering you - it may be a work or family problem, your partner, a friend, health concerns or financial woes - why is it concerning you? What exactly are you worried will happen? Think about the statements that you are associating with your problem, and note the use of any negative words "can't", "shouldn't", "don't" -- meditate on these for a while, and start to transform them into positives "can", "should", "do!" Repeat these to yourself, and you will find that the negative associations will start to slip away. It's ok if these feelings begin to creep back, just refocus, centre yourself and find your positive phrases again.
Put your hard hat on guys, we are going in(side)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
http://www.amazon.com/You-Heal-Your-Life-Gift/dp/1561706280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307712571&sr=8-1
Monday 6 June 2011
Eat this, listen really closely, and you will actually be able to hear your insides singing
This recipe comes by complete accident from one delicious lunch time where a 'throw together' seemed to be the only quickly option. What unfolded was pure, tasty, healthy bliss! And it can be prepared in less time than it takes to say "yum!"
To make this salad you will need...
Fresh, organic vegetables - whatever is in season and sitting in your crisper will do just fine! Today, I had some yummy spinach, broccoli, capsicum and cucumber but anything you have with be perfect!
Handful of mixed raw nuts - I like to toast mine, but completely up to you!
Handful of goji berries - yuuuuuuuum! Who can resist a goji berry?
Quinoa - or any other grain that you have left over from last nights dinner
Avocado - diced and delicious with its pale jade beauty
Sea Vegetable of your choice - I recommend nori, wakame or arame
Mix all these goodies together and serve topped with a generous sprinkling of flaxseeds!
Eat this and TRY not to feel incredible!
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
To make this salad you will need...
Fresh, organic vegetables - whatever is in season and sitting in your crisper will do just fine! Today, I had some yummy spinach, broccoli, capsicum and cucumber but anything you have with be perfect!
Handful of mixed raw nuts - I like to toast mine, but completely up to you!
Handful of goji berries - yuuuuuuuum! Who can resist a goji berry?
Quinoa - or any other grain that you have left over from last nights dinner
Avocado - diced and delicious with its pale jade beauty
Sea Vegetable of your choice - I recommend nori, wakame or arame
Mix all these goodies together and serve topped with a generous sprinkling of flaxseeds!
Lunch Time!
Eat this and TRY not to feel incredible!
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Thursday 2 June 2011
Winter Warmer
Risotto is a wonderful way to warm up this winter, and barley provides a tasty, hearty, healthful alternative to traditional arborio rice. I love to use roast butternut pumpkin and rosemary to give a sweet earthy flavour to my risotto and create the ultimate comport food on a cold winters night.
Cut 1 medium butternut pumpkin into cubes and coat in olive oil and dried rosemary leaves. Put on a roasting dish and pop in a pre-heated oven until they are golden and roasted.
In a large saucepan, over medium heat add a drizzle of olive oil. Add 1 chopped onion and a teaspoon of dried rosemary, stirring frequently until soft (about 4 minutes). Add 1 1/2 cups of pre-soaked pearl barley and lightly toast in the pan. Add a good glug of mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine) and let it sizzle. Add 1 cup of good quality vegetable stock - stir and allow it to simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. Continue cooking and stirring, adding broth 1 cup at a time (totalling 4-5 cups) until it creates a creamy, risotto-like consistency adding more mirin (or for a saltier bite tamari) to taste. Serve in deep bowls, top with roasted pumpkin pieces and (if you like) some grated parmesan cheese.
Enjoy!
Delicious, wholesome, real food.
Your body with thank you :)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
Cut 1 medium butternut pumpkin into cubes and coat in olive oil and dried rosemary leaves. Put on a roasting dish and pop in a pre-heated oven until they are golden and roasted.
In a large saucepan, over medium heat add a drizzle of olive oil. Add 1 chopped onion and a teaspoon of dried rosemary, stirring frequently until soft (about 4 minutes). Add 1 1/2 cups of pre-soaked pearl barley and lightly toast in the pan. Add a good glug of mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine) and let it sizzle. Add 1 cup of good quality vegetable stock - stir and allow it to simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. Continue cooking and stirring, adding broth 1 cup at a time (totalling 4-5 cups) until it creates a creamy, risotto-like consistency adding more mirin (or for a saltier bite tamari) to taste. Serve in deep bowls, top with roasted pumpkin pieces and (if you like) some grated parmesan cheese.
Enjoy!
Delicious, wholesome, real food.
Your body with thank you :)
Love and light,
Lauren xxx
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