Holistic Retreat Festival with Our Yoga Mind and Finca Only Summer
It’s time to celebrate life in nature! We are beyond grateful to share with you our beloved project: the first Holistic Retreat Festival in Mallorca. Our vision is to bring together like minded-people and share this time and space in order to grow, raise our vibration, nurture ourselves and feel better.
Is anyone else worried about 5G?
Ever since Covid, I have started to question everything. I have spent more time researching the things that make me go ‘urmmm’ and 5G is right at the top of my ‘urmmm’ list. I have seen a wide variety of 5G towers going up all over the place especially in areas with a high concentration of people, at schools, universities, on apartment blocks etc and it makes me wonder about the effects the radiation from these towers will have on humanity. My curiosity means that I now know quite a lot about 5G and I would like to share with you some of my findings. It’s worth looking into yourself and, if you are noticing any health issues and think it could be related to 5G, please contact me and just maybe I can help. So…
Coco’s Deli in Portals Nous has been a firm Nourish favourite for many years. After changing ownership in January this year, Coco’s has maintained its tasty and nutritious menu with a few tweaks and additions, as well as having undergone a wee facelift. The new owner, Lauren Mackin, is no stranger to the health and wellbeing scene here in Mallorca – she is also a fitness instructor with her own YouTube channel justamylauren.
Tell us a little bit about your business
We are a sister-run, pop-up and online shop selling health and wellness products. We also offer holistic massage and wellness treatments from Es Verger, near Esporles, in Mallorca. We give talks on Shungite, Bioresonance, Essential Oils and related wellness topics.
Tell us a little bit about your business?
Bolsita Verde is a meal kit delivery service delivering plant-based recipes including portioned ingredients to your doorstep on Mallorca. Every week you can choose from a weekly selection of 9 recipes, select the meal plan that suits you best and start cooking.
What you can expect:
- Healthy and inspiring recipes
- Stress-free cooking
- No commitment
- A reusable and plastic-free packaging system
- Local and organic ingredients
Last summer I started playing around with a weekly 1-day juice cleanse to reduce the load on my digestion and feel a little lighter on my feet. I quite enjoyed it and found it was no hardship at all, probably because consistently knocking back ice-cold juices in the height of a Mallorcan summer is a great antidote to the searing heat. But as autumn crept in the juicing went out the window, swiftly replaced with hearty, warming food (and plenty of it!).
As an alternative answer to the hectic and often chaotic pace of modern-day life, we’re beginning to look for ways to tune back in with nature and reconnect with our inner wisdom. The practice of Ayurveda was not so commonplace in the West even 10 years ago, but today people are turning to this ancient Eastern holistic medical system to guide them back to a balanced and healthy state.
Early summer is a great time of year for harvesting fresh, crisp salad greens and you may find you have an abundance of lettuce in your garden right now. Nutritionist Suzanne Garaty from Vital Nutrition shows us how these leaves can be incorporated into tasty and nutritious juices.
As we enter yet another week the weather is hotting up big time. A bit of time out of the house is allowed and it feels like we are getting close to some normality, but how are you feeling? Beach ready? I doubt it! All a bit overwhelming isn’t it? It’s really fine to not feel your best. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. Let’s try to move forward now, and nourishing ourselves is a perfect starting point.
Coffee gets a lot of bad press. From giving us the jitters to contributing to our insomnia and anxiety, one who takes their health seriously daren’t admit they love a regular cup of joe. As someone who strongly believes coffee makes me a better (and certainly nicer) human being, I’m extremely pleased to see that new research is tipped in the coffee lovers’ favour, showing that coffee in moderate amounts can actually contribute to greater health and wellbeing, and even prevent disease.
As we dive into week 3 of lockdown I think acceptance is the general feeling now, however our mood changes and cravings are still all over the place. We know we can’t keep baking cakes and eating most of them to help our mood.
Plus Easter eggs will soon be in the shopping trolley. So here are some healthier options and even healing foods to keep our immune supported, energy levels more balanced and our waistline on track as summer and beach-time is just around the corner!
We absolutely love carrot cake…especially one this delicious and nutritious! Perfect for afternoon tea or any time. The addition of carrot juice gives it a wonderful colour and incredible moistness.
Here are some very simple recipes, where you can substitute a lot of different ingredients, depending on what is available at the moment. Creativity is the way forward, using healthy immune boosting ingredients. In my recent article I outlined nutrients to include over the next few weeks to keep you strong and in good spirits, for a lot of people boredom is setting in and worst still, anxiety. Immune boosting foods also support mental clarity and gut health – all so closely linked.
Also, frequent warm drinks and liquids are key to keep your respiratory pathways clear if you are feeling unwell, so soups and broths are excellent, nutritious options. Also gargling with water and lemon, salt or apple cider vinegar daily protects you too.
Some basic ingredients to include daily are ginger, garlic, local raw honey, coconut oil and sauerkraut.
Fermented foods, including kombucha and cultured veggies have been trending on the wellbeing scene for a while now, and for good reason. They do wonders for your gut bacteria and are a powerful addition to your diet for overall health. The concept of fermenting foods is not a new one, however. This process has been around for thousands of years across a variety of cultures as a preserving mechanism and a health booster. Think Korean kimchi, Japanese miso, and European sauerkraut.
With growing concern about COVID-19 are you focusing on just washing your hands and extra hygiene, or are you considering your overall immune health to protect yourself and loved ones?
In lockdown we will have more time to cook from scratch and nourish ourselves, but obviously shopping and sourcing food and supplements can be more tricky, so just do your best to include some of the key nutrients in your diet.
Rosie Whiteway, UK trained Nutritional Therapist at Ahara Nutrition
With over 10 years in practice as a Nutritionist, Rosie decided to make Mallorca her home in early 2018 and is slowly adjusting to the slower pace of life after many years living in London. She loves that Mallorca seems to have everything, from the hustle bustle of Palma with its fantastic wellbeing scene, to quiet beaches and beautiful nature.
Health food bars can be a great snack when you hit that 3.30pm slump, need an extra boost post-workout, or can feel your ‘hangry’ coming on. But we tend to fall into that trap where we think any energy bar is a healthy bar, and that is very often not the case. What’s more, the taste can leave a lot to be desired. The struggle to find something that tastes good and doesn’t contain more sugar than an iced doughnut is all too real.
This is where Ziggaru energy bars come in.
The global situation regarding food waste is pretty dire. So much so that estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations say roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year (around 1.3 billion tonnes!) gets lost during the manufacturing process or wasted. The environment is hit hard from the greenhouse gases produced by the waste left rotting in landfill. The ‘developed world’ are by far the worst culprits. Per capita waste by consumers is between 95-115 kg a year in Europe and North America.
Yes, the supermarket shelves are loaded with dairy-free milk options now, however, not only are they expensive, the main ingredient – like almond, is less than 10% of the total ingredients and mostly in a processed, not whole food form. There are also a lot of additives (like synthetic cheap vitamins), and even if it’s “sugar free” there are emulsifiers (often fats that need to be refrigerated, not left on the shelf to oxidise), sweeteners and unfermented soy that are shown to be inflammatory, allergenic and just totally unnecessary in our diet. Coconut milk seems to be the safest option. Ecomil seems to be one of the cleanest brands that I find here – but always read the labels!
As I sit here with a bad case of the sniffles I only have myself to blame. My usual morning ritual of vitamins and juicing has gone out the window as of late, and with what seems to be a sudden shift to winter temperatures my immunity has decided to crumble.
For a few months now I’ve been hearing all about the benefits of Ashwagandha, and have been meaning to get my hands on some. The benefits of this superfood are many and varied, one of which is it’s purported to be a fantastic immunity booster. Although I’ve already succumbed to the dreaded lurgy, I’m keen to get on the Ashwagandha train ASAP and reap all its health giving benefits before winter well and truly sets in.
As we move into slightly cooler weather and darker evenings it’s time to start autumnal cooking, and maybe you need some inspiration after the long summer we have had.
Here is a high protein curry, delicious, quick, and can be a main meal or served as a side with a chicken, meat or fish dish.
Who doesn’t love a cold, creamy cone or gelato on a hot summer’s day? A refreshing treat to cool you off, an ice cream break is a time to embrace the indulgences and joys of summer. Unfortunately commercial ice-creams are often packed with E numbers and overloaded with sugar and a synthetic in flavour. If you’re looking to make your icy sweet fix a little more nutritious (yes, nutritious!) then why not make your own ice-cream this summer. It is a great way to get kids in the kitchen too!
Everyone loves the shiny, big, black, sweet cherries in our markets and supermarkets right now in Mallorca. Kids adore eating them (and hanging them over their ears!). They are easy to add to meriendas, picnics or just a big bowl of them on the kitchen table.
Fermentation is “the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off, of heat.” The process of fermentation converts compounds, like a carbohydrate, including vegetables and sugar, to carbon dioxide and alcohol to an organic acid.
Fermentation brings out amazing health benefits in certain foods, it helps increase digestion and bioavailability of nutrients, manage and prevent disease, including H. pylori infection, cancer, liver disease, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance.
As a born and raised Kiwi it wasn’t uncommon to find a jar of Manuka honey in the pantry at home. Mostly it was just slathered onto a piece of buttered toast without any thought about its health properties. All I knew was that it tasted damn good! These days it’s widely accepted as a wonder product for health and beauty. Kourtney Kardashian swears by it, feeding her kids a spoonful at the first sign of a sniffle, and she’s even a brand ambassador for natural skincare line Manuka Doctor Skincare.
You may see these little golden crunchy granules garnishing your instagram worthy smoothies and salads at healthy cafes, but were you aware that they are a real nutritional powerhouse? In fact bee pollen contains almost all of the nutrients required by the human body to thrive!
Antioxidant rich, vibrantly coloured snack or side dish. It’s a favourtie of mine at home or on a retreat, a protein rich post workout snack or great to take hiking.
A Dahl (Dal, daal, dail or dhal) is the term used in India for dried, split pulses – lentils, peas and beans. It can be prepared in the form or a stew or a soup and is amongst the most important staple foods in South Asian countries. Dahl also has become a staple food in plant-based diets – versatile, simple and nourishing as a meal or side dish, or part of a Thali. Here in Mallorca we can include local market produce – seasonal vegetables and herbs to give it a personal twist (east meets west!).
No doubt you’ve heard of the frothy, green concoction that is matcha tea. So much so that you might have jumped on the matcha bandwagon quite some time ago, only to have jumped off in favour of this months latest green drink craze (celery juice anyone?). But I’m here to encourage you to pick your matcha habit back up again and make it a lasting one!
When it comes to detoxing after the holidays it is important to include foods into your diet that keep you feeling full but also support the liver, and are rich in amino-acids and vital nutrients. Try this very simple warming, cleansing and tasty meal.
The festive season can be overwhelming, indulgent, exhausting, full of emotions and all kinds of food! Try not to over-stress during the next week. Take time to rest and relax, and try to only eat when you’re mentally calm.
Spices are packed with medicinal benefits and taste great. Use them abundantly over the holidays – it’s starting to smell a lot like Christmas!
In November, here in Mallorca the markets and supermarkets are abundant with local pomegranates. Often a cream and pink colour on the outside, yet bursting inside with ruby red seeds (or arils).
They are truly a superfood, and as they are in season now, they are an excellent immune booster as we move into the winter months. Eating foods in season is so crucial to our health, yet so often forgotten these days.
Pomegranates can simply be sprinkled over meals, juiced or eaten as a snack – beautiful and so nutritious!!
When my children were invited to try out Choi Kwang Do (CKD from here on in), I accepted the offer enthusiastically. I was already a fan of martial arts, having done a little karate myself in my younger years. However, what I didn’t expect upon arrival was to be given the chance to join in too!
There seem to be two types of people in the world. The ones that always wake up each morning with a ravenous hunger, and the ones who need a few hours to get their bearings before developing any type of appetite. I fall into the latter. Unfortunately I grew up in the era where it was pummelled into us that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ and subsequently forced myself to ingest something that constituted a balanced meal before doing anything else. But now things have had a shake up! Intermittent fasting is the new craze, and before you say ‘oh no, another fad’, this one actually has some merit. Here’s the lowdown.
This time of year in Mallorca the markets are filled with pungent and colourful autumnal foods. We are usually lucky enough to see beautiful, crisp blue skies during the days and have cosy evenings by the fire to enjoy all your favorite comfort foods.
This summer I did something unthinkable. It was in one of those ‘Mummy’s about to lose her cool’ moments. Thankfully not so much that I regret the consequence of my actions. Far from regret, I feel I’ve transformed my house into a happier home because of it. And all I did was unplug the television, carry it downstairs and plonk it in the garage.
It’s almost the end of September which means a change of season. We love Autumn here in Mallorca as it brings cooler days and nights, clear blue skies, less tourists, cosier evenings with yummy comfort foods! Continue Reading…
When I became a parent, I was thrown in at the deep end. My first born William arrived nine weeks early and I’m not ashamed to say I was a little unprepared. In those first few weeks, I took each day as it came and learned to deal with situations as they arose using that natural motherly instinct we possess. And that’s how I’ve continued…
This heat in Mallorca at the moment is not only exhausting but very dehydrating!
Are you getting bored of drinking water to keep hydrated? It can be tempting to reach for the sugar-laden or alcoholic options to quench that thirst but why not try to nourish your body with flavoured water instead?
Pop to the local market and stock up on herbs and fruit to pep up the water to make it more appealing for you, your family and visitors!
You can freestyle with the 5 suggestions below. All you have to do is add to 1-2 litres of filtered water, chill and enjoy!
‘Tis the season of ice cream! This month I’m paying tribute to ice cream or to be precise, gelato – Italian ice cream. Though it may not be the most nourishing fuel for our bodies, ice cream is a favourite summer-time treat for kids and adults alike and every now and then there is no harm in indulging in something scrummy!
We all now know that green equals good when it comes to what you put in your body, which is why the trend of drinking your greens in juice form has become so popular. Rich in antioxidants, your green juice habit will have your energy levels up and your skin glowing in no time. Lucky for us on Mallorca we have some amazing juice bars and eateries that serve up these healthy concoctions, and also manage to make them taste delicious!
Summer brings a natural appetite for fruit and vegetables in season, light snacks and cooling foods. We crave anything that keeps us feeling light, hydrated and in tip-top shape.
Stay cool, hydrated and healthy with these refreshing summer treats!
Springtime is asparagus season in Mallorca. One of my favourite sayings is, “What grows together goes together” and I find that to be true with what is being harvested right now on the island. What better way to enjoy asparagus than with other seasonal produce? Hungry? Read on!
One of the most popular questions a chef gets asked is, “What is your favorite thing to cook?”
The Meatless Monday movement is an easy, weekly reminder to take saturated fat off our plates and replace it with nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.
Following on from last month, I will focus on how making a slight change to our eating habits can not only impact our health, but also impact our planet – in a really BIG way.
Plant-based diets can be beneficial for your health. Vegan and vegetarian eating is becoming a way of life for many. No matter your age or reason to stop eating animal products, it is important to make sure that you’re getting enough protein, iron, and B vitamins and sustaining a nutrient dense diet.
We are well into the New Year and I’m sure like most, you have tried to start the year as healthily as possible. It is always difficult to stick to New Years resolutions, particularly regarding your health. This year, try to make these small changes to your eating habits to guarantee lasting and positive effects throughout 2018.
Shop bought jars of chutney are packed with sugar and low in nutrients. Why not make your own this Christmas?
Daylight savings is just one of the changes that can bring you down slightly. Like me, if you suffer from that sluggish, unenthused feeling when the days get shorter and colder, enjoying and incorporating certain foods in your diet during these times can be a way to help change your mental state of mind and wellbeing.
December has arrived and we have really made a shift into winter mode in Mallorca! Chilly evenings and shorter days calls for comfort food that will keep our energy levels up and our immune system boosted.
The change in season has inspired me so I am back in the kitchen and looking forward to cosy evenings and comfort food.
How lucky are we to live on this little Balearic island and feel the forceful beauty of each season?
Santa Maria Market in the middle of Mallorca is made for Sundays. Open from 7am to 2pm, it is a beautiful place to really appreciate autumn in all its mighty flow. Continue Reading…
One of my all time favourite moments on my retreats is breakfast. After getting up and going into an invigorating qi gong or yoga class, you come out buzzing with energy and a healthy glow feeling genuinely hungry.
As the days get shorter and cooler, the autumn or fall is a time to prepare your body for the seasonal changes ahead. Eating seasonal food is so important for our bodies and our minds.
Now for a cheeky and healthy treat! We all love chocolate. This recipe is so quick and easy and unbelievably tasty! It can be served like a gourmet dessert – very impressive, yet still cleansing! Crack some local sea salt over it with sliced Manacor strawberries from the market – a winner every time!
As I start preparation for a yoga retreat my first recipe to bake off is this delicious granola. Everyone loves it!
It’s crunchy and not too sweet like many packaged or other home-made granola’s. It keeps for weeks and is a perfect breakfast staple. Sprinkle it over yoghurt or snack on it with fruit – Autumn offers us local pomegranate, toad skin melon, citrus fruits, figs and grapes, or stew up some apples or pears for a warm breakfast.
I can never get enough of this heavenly fruit!
Fig season is almost over here in Mallorca. Did you know that on the island you can find more than 240 species?
I hope you are able to find one of them and create the following recipe before they are all gone!
Inspired by my trees dripping with figs and almonds, the long awaited gentle cooling in the weather and my regular Sunday trip to Santa Maria market that is abundant with local grapes, ecological veggies, almonds and fresh herbs.
Nourish Balls
Fight off the 4 o´clock slump with these delicious little Nourish Balls.
So simple and easy to make and they last for weeks….if you can resist eating them all at once!
Nourish Nutritionist, Suzanne Garaty explains why variety is key to a happy, healthy and balanced life
I previously explored how yoga and meditation could assist with stress reduction but another technique for controlling stress lies in the foods we eat. We must eat to stay alive and what we choose to put into our bodies for nourishment is up to us. Everything that enters our mouth – food, drink, smoke and pills, can reduce or increase stress. We can consume nutrient rich foods or we can choose nutrient empty foods. We can create a balancing, calming or de-stressing effect or we can create an irritating, stimulating and stressful effect. The choice is ours.
Juice or Cleanse
Can drinking juice daily offer the same health benefits as a long-term cleanse or a juice retreat ? Does a juice a day really keep the doctor away? Or do we need to undertake a complete juice cleanse to achieve the ultimate pick-me-up?
Following on from her first article on the topic, Nutritional Therapist Suzanne Garaty quickly explains the benefits of treating juice as intravenous nutrition. Juicing is a wonderful way to expedite the delivery of superfoods to your bloodstream – it’s a fact.
Suzanne Garaty is a Nutritional Therapist, food coach and natural chef. In the first of our three-part series on the benefits of juicing, she explains how what we put in our bodies today, gives us an opportunity to discard damaged cells from the past, and start with a clean slate.
