Duration: 15 minute Excellent guided meditation to help reduce tension and feel more positive and happy. Highly recommended.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Spices That Help You Lose Weight!
Everyday spices that help you lose weight! Fabulous spice weight loss infographic! Thanks to rawforbeauty for this one!
6 Tips for Healthy Living Infographic
A few simple and extremely effective ways to live a healthier life!
More Reasons To Eat Fruit Infographic
Great reasons to include two pieces of fruit in your daily food regimen. Eat fruit, stay healthy!
Saturday, 12 September 2015
Bedtime Yoga for Beginners (Duration: 20 minutes)
Gentle beginners Yin Yoga class. Simple stretches and postures to help you get to sleep and enjoy a peaceful night's rest.
Children Meditation Song - Safe and Calm for Children (Duration: 4 minutes)
Popular meditation song for children, "Safe and Calm" is from the award-winning CD, "Brain Boogie Boosters"
Brain Boogie Booster CD Download: http://store.learningstationmusic.com
Brain Boogie Boosters CD: http://store.learningstationmusic.com.
Brain Boogie Booster CD Download: http://store.learningstationmusic.com
Brain Boogie Boosters CD: http://store.learningstationmusic.com.
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Get Fit in 20 Minutes
Fabulous 20 minute workout you can squeeze into your daily schedule. Particularly good for stay-at-home mums looking for a quick, effective workout to squeeze in while baby is napping!
Guided Meditation for Sleep
Floating amongst the stars Guided Meditation for Restful Healing Sleep - Duration: One hour
Thursday, 11 June 2015
27 minute restorative yoga and meditation video
Beginning and ending with a guided centering/meditation, this is a 27 minute restorative yoga session.
Suitable for beginners, those with limited flexibility/mobility; looking for a very slow, gentle practice; or needing a calming, guided meditation.
Suitable for beginners, those with limited flexibility/mobility; looking for a very slow, gentle practice; or needing a calming, guided meditation.
21 Day Arm-Sculpting Challenge
How to keep your arms in shape. A 21 Day Arm-Sculpting Challenge to my your arms fabulous!
How Pot-Bellied Pigs Are Helping Alzheimer’s Patients
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease in 2015, and barring the development of medical breakthroughs, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise to 13.8 million by 2050.
Given those staggering numbers, it makes sense to consider and embrace new methods of improving the lives of people grappling with the disease, and that’s just what one long-term care facility in Colorado is doing.
Meet Boris and Pumba, two pot-bellied pigs who are working with Alzheimer’s and other memory-impaired seniors, and the result is beautiful.
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The pigs spend their days visiting Alzheimer’s patients at hospitals and nursing homes in the Denver area, including each weekend when owner Erin Brinkley-Burgardt brings Boris and Pumba to Highline Place in Littleton, Colo.
Highline residents have the opportunity to visit and interact with the pigs, and feed the pigs carrots.
Therapy animals can help Alzheimer’s patients in a number of ways, from providing a stress-free connection to another living being to igniting long lost memories from a patient’s past.
Elle Fore, who oversees resident activities at Highline, first came up with the idea of introducing therapy pigs into the mix, and it’s not just helping patients there. The pigs also help caregivers.
Alzheimer’s caregiver burnout is a serious problem. In 2014, 15.7 million caregivers provided more than 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $217.7 billion.
When Boris and Pumba visit Highline, they interact not just with Alzheimer’s patients, but also their family members and facility staff, providing much needed stress-free moments worth smiling about.
Boris and Pumba are not certified therapy animals, though Brinkley-Burgardt says she may get her pigs certified in the future so they can expand their visits to elementary schools. For now, the 1-year-old pot-bellied pigs stick to working with seniors.
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It’s not all work and no fun for the pigs. On the contrary, they seem to enjoy their Highline Place visits. Brinkley-Burgardt says, “They really love all the attention they get here.”
I’m sure the carrots don’t hurt either.
Here are Boris and Pumba in action:
Therapy pigs join a long list of animals that have proven useful in the field of therapy service. But they’re not such a stretch, when you consider that two years ago, Care2 shared news about one life care center that had started using therapy chickens for residents with dementia. Before they turned to chickens, the Life Care Center of Nashoba County in Littleton, Mass., had already incorporated therapy dogs, pygmy goats, llamas, an alpaca and an indoor cat into the daily lives of its residents.
According to PetPartners, the nation’s largest nonprofit registering animal handlers who provide animal assisted interactions to people in need, there are a great many species that make wonderful visiting animals and can form a strong human-animal bond.
Besides the obvious dogs and cats, PetPartners allows guinea pigs, rabbits, domesticated rats, horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas and birds to become Pet Partners Therapy Animals. Wild or exotic animals, such as wolf-hybrids, snakes, ferrets, lizards, may not be registered with Pet Partners, and they do not register barnyard animals such as cows, goats, chickens, ducks or geese.
As for Boris and Pumba, Mercy for Animals sums this tale of two piggies up nicely:
This touching story reveals that pigs are just as friendly and intelligent as the dogs so many of us know and love, but on today’s farms, they’re treated as unfeeling commodities, and their short lives are filled with misery and deprivation.
The organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices says the best way to show your love for pigs is to leave them off your plate. You can order their free Vegetarian Starter Guide here.
Article by Tex Dworkin courtesy of Care2.
Given those staggering numbers, it makes sense to consider and embrace new methods of improving the lives of people grappling with the disease, and that’s just what one long-term care facility in Colorado is doing.
Meet Boris and Pumba, two pot-bellied pigs who are working with Alzheimer’s and other memory-impaired seniors, and the result is beautiful.
ADVERTISEMENT
The pigs spend their days visiting Alzheimer’s patients at hospitals and nursing homes in the Denver area, including each weekend when owner Erin Brinkley-Burgardt brings Boris and Pumba to Highline Place in Littleton, Colo.
Highline residents have the opportunity to visit and interact with the pigs, and feed the pigs carrots.
Therapy animals can help Alzheimer’s patients in a number of ways, from providing a stress-free connection to another living being to igniting long lost memories from a patient’s past.
Elle Fore, who oversees resident activities at Highline, first came up with the idea of introducing therapy pigs into the mix, and it’s not just helping patients there. The pigs also help caregivers.
Alzheimer’s caregiver burnout is a serious problem. In 2014, 15.7 million caregivers provided more than 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $217.7 billion.
When Boris and Pumba visit Highline, they interact not just with Alzheimer’s patients, but also their family members and facility staff, providing much needed stress-free moments worth smiling about.
Boris and Pumba are not certified therapy animals, though Brinkley-Burgardt says she may get her pigs certified in the future so they can expand their visits to elementary schools. For now, the 1-year-old pot-bellied pigs stick to working with seniors.
ADVERTISING
It’s not all work and no fun for the pigs. On the contrary, they seem to enjoy their Highline Place visits. Brinkley-Burgardt says, “They really love all the attention they get here.”
I’m sure the carrots don’t hurt either.
Here are Boris and Pumba in action:
Therapy pigs join a long list of animals that have proven useful in the field of therapy service. But they’re not such a stretch, when you consider that two years ago, Care2 shared news about one life care center that had started using therapy chickens for residents with dementia. Before they turned to chickens, the Life Care Center of Nashoba County in Littleton, Mass., had already incorporated therapy dogs, pygmy goats, llamas, an alpaca and an indoor cat into the daily lives of its residents.
According to PetPartners, the nation’s largest nonprofit registering animal handlers who provide animal assisted interactions to people in need, there are a great many species that make wonderful visiting animals and can form a strong human-animal bond.
Besides the obvious dogs and cats, PetPartners allows guinea pigs, rabbits, domesticated rats, horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas and birds to become Pet Partners Therapy Animals. Wild or exotic animals, such as wolf-hybrids, snakes, ferrets, lizards, may not be registered with Pet Partners, and they do not register barnyard animals such as cows, goats, chickens, ducks or geese.
As for Boris and Pumba, Mercy for Animals sums this tale of two piggies up nicely:
This touching story reveals that pigs are just as friendly and intelligent as the dogs so many of us know and love, but on today’s farms, they’re treated as unfeeling commodities, and their short lives are filled with misery and deprivation.
The organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices says the best way to show your love for pigs is to leave them off your plate. You can order their free Vegetarian Starter Guide here.
Article by Tex Dworkin courtesy of Care2.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Flourless Chocolate Brownies with Black Beans?!
Delicious, healthy gluten-free brownies that taste fudgy and awesome!
Chocolate Brownies with Black Beans Recipe
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups soft-cooked black beans, drained well (hs: canned is fine)
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ cup (granulated) natural coffee substitute (or instant coffee, for gluten-sensitive)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
4 large eggs
1½ cups light agave nectar (or rice syrup or stevia)
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 11- by 18-inch (rimmed) baking pan (hs note: or jellyroll pan) with parchment paper and lightly oil with canola oil spray.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely. Place the beans, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee substitute, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the agave nectar and beat well. Set aside.
Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well.
Add the egg mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup egg mixture until light and fluffy. Drizzle over the brownie batter. Use a wooden toothpick to pull the egg mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares. (They will be soft until refrigerated.)
Makes 45 (2-inch) brownies.
Recipe courtesy of Baking With Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano. (Ten Speed Press 2008) abd www.101cookbooks.com
Chocolate Brownies with Black Beans Recipe
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups soft-cooked black beans, drained well (hs: canned is fine)
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ cup (granulated) natural coffee substitute (or instant coffee, for gluten-sensitive)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
4 large eggs
1½ cups light agave nectar (or rice syrup or stevia)
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 11- by 18-inch (rimmed) baking pan (hs note: or jellyroll pan) with parchment paper and lightly oil with canola oil spray.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely. Place the beans, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee substitute, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the agave nectar and beat well. Set aside.
Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well.
Add the egg mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup egg mixture until light and fluffy. Drizzle over the brownie batter. Use a wooden toothpick to pull the egg mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares. (They will be soft until refrigerated.)
Makes 45 (2-inch) brownies.
Recipe courtesy of Baking With Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano. (Ten Speed Press 2008) abd www.101cookbooks.com
Two Hours of Native American Shamanic Music
Mystical and energizing, this superb music combines ambient themese and Native American chanting and drumming, to create the perfect musical union for relaxation and mindfulness.
8 Ways to Declutter Your Mind
In this hectic modern world, it can often be difficult to quieten our mind. These 8 simple steps to declutter your mind, might be just what you are looking for...
Deeply soothing, relaxing music
A lovely instrumental piece perfect for meditative and relaxation practices, or simply as background music while doing the housework!
Monday, 13 April 2015
Great tips on how to recharge before, during, and after your busy day!
Simple but useful hints on how to relax and recharge for a happier and healthier day and night!
Who knew asparagus could be so beneficial for your health?!
The amazing health benefits of asparagus..many good reasons to eat this wonderful plant food on a regular basis!
Thursday, 19 March 2015
12 Great Ways to Use Eggplant...
"Eggplant could help to reduce cholesterol. Research suggests that nasunin, an anthocyanin in eggplant, is a potent free radical scavenger and offers protection against lipid peroxidation, which has been implicated in atherosclerosis as well as other diseases. Eggplant juice has shown to reduce cholesterol significantly. These positive effects were likely due not only to nasunin but to other phytochemicals in eggplant known as terpenes." Read all the facts about the health benefits of eggplants here.
See the above image larger here - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/497295983829584943/
See the above image larger here - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/497295983829584943/
Relieve your sore neck with these great stretches...
If you regularly suffer from sore neck muscles, perhaps the result of long hours working at your computer or prolonged periods of tension and stress, these stretches may be exactly what you are looking for. Stretches include the seated neck release, seated clasping neck stretch, behind the back neck stretch, grounded tipover tuck, seated heart opener, and bridge.
Behind Back Neck Stretch
Photos and info courtesy of Popsugar - More here http://www.popsugar.com.au/fitness/Stretches-Help-Sore-Neck-Crick-31167831
Behind Back Neck Stretch
Photos and info courtesy of Popsugar - More here http://www.popsugar.com.au/fitness/Stretches-Help-Sore-Neck-Crick-31167831
Simple Exercises To Help You Develop Fabulous Abs!
For those wanting toned abs, these exercises will give you a head start for Summer.
Friday, 13 February 2015
Spicy Egglplant Sushi recipe
Spicy eggplant sushi made with tender eggplant strips that are pan-fried in garlic and chili paste and rolled up with sushi rice and nori. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes Serves: 2
Ingredients
For the Rice
⅔ cup sushi rice
¾ cup + 2 tbsp. water
½ tbsp. salt
½ tbsp. rice vinegar
For the Filling
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp. Asian chili paste
1 scallion
½ medium eggplant, sliced into thin strips
For Finishing and Serving
2 nori sheets
sesame seeds
soy sauce
wasabi
pickled ginger
Instructions
Make the Rice
Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cold, running water for 1-2 minutes.
Place in a small saucepan with other rice ingredients, stir and heat to a simmer. Cover and allow to continue simmering for about 20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and allow to sit for another 10 minutes, covered.
Cook the Eggplant
Place oil in medium skillet and over medium heat. Add garlic clove and chili paste. Sauté about 1 minute.
Add eggplant strips in a single layer. Cook until tender and browned on each side, about 5 minutes per side.
Roll the Sushi
Cut about ⅓ of the length off of each nori sheet and discard or save for another recipe.
Place one of your sheets on a bamboo mat.
Keep a little bowl of water close by. Using wet hands, cover nori with a thin layer of rice.
Arrange half of your eggplant in a single line along the width of nori, about one inch away from you. Arrange half of your scallion stalks alongside your eggplant strip.
Take the bamboo mat and end of nori closest to you and tightly roll it over your filling. Tuck the end of the nori in and continue rolling, using the mat to press your roll tight.
Once completely rolled, slice into eight pieces. Repeat using your other nori sheet and remaining rice and filling.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
Recipe courtesy of http://www.connoisseurusveg.com
Ingredients
For the Rice
⅔ cup sushi rice
¾ cup + 2 tbsp. water
½ tbsp. salt
½ tbsp. rice vinegar
For the Filling
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp. Asian chili paste
1 scallion
½ medium eggplant, sliced into thin strips
For Finishing and Serving
2 nori sheets
sesame seeds
soy sauce
wasabi
pickled ginger
Instructions
Make the Rice
Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cold, running water for 1-2 minutes.
Place in a small saucepan with other rice ingredients, stir and heat to a simmer. Cover and allow to continue simmering for about 20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and allow to sit for another 10 minutes, covered.
Cook the Eggplant
Place oil in medium skillet and over medium heat. Add garlic clove and chili paste. Sauté about 1 minute.
Add eggplant strips in a single layer. Cook until tender and browned on each side, about 5 minutes per side.
Roll the Sushi
Cut about ⅓ of the length off of each nori sheet and discard or save for another recipe.
Place one of your sheets on a bamboo mat.
Keep a little bowl of water close by. Using wet hands, cover nori with a thin layer of rice.
Arrange half of your eggplant in a single line along the width of nori, about one inch away from you. Arrange half of your scallion stalks alongside your eggplant strip.
Take the bamboo mat and end of nori closest to you and tightly roll it over your filling. Tuck the end of the nori in and continue rolling, using the mat to press your roll tight.
Once completely rolled, slice into eight pieces. Repeat using your other nori sheet and remaining rice and filling.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.
Recipe courtesy of http://www.connoisseurusveg.com
Benefits of Eating Greens!
The original superfoods - Greens! Alkaline your body, cleanse your body, and plenty of nutrients to keep your body healthy and happy. Excellent infographic with loads of info about specific greens.
Perfect sounds for meditation and relaxation - 3 hours of ocean waves (video)
This lovely video has three hours of soothing, calming ocean sounds to restore your mind, body and spirit.
Monday, 12 January 2015
Guided Meditation For A Clear Mind (video)
A guided spoken meditation for clarity, clearing your mind and inducing deep relaxation. Twenty minutes in duration, practicing this meditation is twenty minutes well spent.
Thursday, 8 January 2015
DIY Natural Toothpaste Recipe
If you are keen to avoid the nasty ingredients in most popular toothpaste brands, this may be the solution for you! A simple-to-make, effective toothpaste, that will give you a gleaning smile, healthy gums, and no toxic residue for you or the environment!
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