Detox Retreat Newsletters - October 2012

Around the first of each month we send out a newsletter to previous guests, enquirers, and associated mailing lists.

They are full of news on what we are up to, detox information from Dao, raw food recipes from Nikki, and tips from the team on how to stay healthy in our crazy world.

If you would like to receive future mailings, please sign up at the bottom of the page.

Hello from Devon

There’s a real nip of autumn in the air down here. The leaves are turning, and the nights are getting cold, especially under tonight’s clear sky and full moon.

It’s a beautiful time of year, but the change of seaason often brings colds and bugs along, so it is a good time to supercharge your health and immunity.

“Let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food.”

Then you can feel good and eat lots of yummy things at the same time.

Kale is a great example, full of calcium, vitamin B6, C, K & A, plus iron and minerals, and it is 45% protein.

Cabbage is also toted as an aid to detox, boosts immunity, is antibacterial, antiviral, and improves floodblow and reduces free radicals. Also boosts energy and repairs damaged skin cells and reduces cholesterol.

Dark leafy greens are a superboost for the body and you should try to eat them at least three times a week. And the best way of doing that is...

Green Smoothies !

And they don’t have to taste green !

Immune Fortress

Juice of three carrots,
Half an apple,
Half an orange or lemon.
A clove of garlic.
¼” of ginger,
some dark green leaves (kale, spinach, herbs)

If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you’ll need to juice the leaves first.

Winter Warmer

Method

Add enough water to allow it blend, and garnish with a slice of fruit.

Include as many leaves as you can handle, and herbs like parsely and coriander to taste.

Add a tablespoon of maca, bee pollen, or grass powder to supercharge.

Ingredients

2 Apples,
1 cup of soaked almonds,
3 Tbs of soaked Chia seeds,
½ tsp of turmeric,
½ tsp cinnamon,
1 Tbs of gojis
1 Tbs of Cacao,
some dark green leaves (kale, spinach, herbs)

If foraging is your thing

How about a mega dose of vitamin C and antioxidants from the free food in the hedgerows at the moment.

Blackberries

I have been starting my mornings with a walks, collecting a couople of handfuls blackberries and throwing them in my breakfast smoothie – or eat straight from the bush. Also great frozen, you can collect a supply for the whole winter’s feasting.

A handful of frozen blackburries gives you smoothie an amazing purple colour and a gorgeous cold “slushie” feel.

Yew Berries

Or the much maligned Yew fruit – the fruits are small, sweet, gelateous and super yummy.

Be careful of the seeds they contain – as they are highly poisonous.

This gives Yew trees their association with darkness and graveyards - so be sure to spit them out!

Remember to enjoy your day

And some final words from the team...

Dao's bit...

The wonder of Enzymes : Our latest Blog post contains an article based upon Dao’s work explaining, in short, the role of enzymes in digestion… And how eating foods that contain them allow your body to provide more energy for the rest of its activities – i.e: you ! Read the Detox Blog

Amida's bit...

The key to keeping a calm mind during your day is simple : to "Remember".

Find a way to remind yourself during the day like. . . write the words RELAX on a post it note and stick it on your computer or set an alarm to bleep on the hour to remind you to "Take a Breath", or maybe use a cherished object to associate the action of stopping what you're doing and checking in with how relaxed you are. . . then take a breath and carry on!!

Kate's bit...

Remember to keep on asking yourself "What do I need now?" Not, "what do I need to get me away from what I'm feeling", but "what do I need to support me in this".

Nikki's bit...

You're only as young as your spine.

So if you only have time to do one strecth today, do standing cat: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend you knees, and place your hands on your lower thighs - fingers facing in.

Breath out, and pull your pelvic floor up, and your lower belly in. On the next outbreath, begin to arch your spine towards the sky, starting at the base, and joining in one vertebrae at a time, and until finally your chin comes towards your chest.

Breathing in, again starting at the base of the spine, flatten the back out, bit by bit. Face forwards and smile through your collar bones.

Repeat this wave-like movement a few times, focusing on your breath. Ppprrrr...

For more help in creating and sustaining a healthy lifestyle,
book a detox retreat here...

If you need us, we're always here running the retreats that have helped so many people to change their patterns for newer, healthier choices... Just get in touch.

With love from Dao & Nikki, and the Sura team.