We want to be with you every step of the way, so we’re staying in touch.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS’ from the Team at The Health Retreat

The Health Retreat Newsletter December 2012

Hi,

Welcome to this festive edition of The Health Retreat Newsletter. Now is the time when you start to feel the toll of yet another hectic year behind you. And if you weigh up all your efforts; the highs and lows, triumphs and challenges, successes and losses the outcomes you reflect upon will be rewarding. To top it off December is a stream of festive parties, crazy behaviours and overindulgence. The net result – “I need more TIME OUT”. For this reason, the New Year without a doubt is one of the most invigorating times at The Health Retreat!

There is an added energy and buzz as everyone pledges their New Year resolutions to get fit and healthy, de-stress, lose a few kilos, continue to stay empowered and 100%. We are there for you in 2013 and look forward to supporting and/or welcoming you or a loved one to the Health Retreat in 2013. We pledge to support you in achieving your goals. In the meantime share the love and kindness, express your gratitude and enjoy the festivities!

Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year!We would like to wish you all a wonderful time over the Christmas break, please if you are travelling drive and travel safely.

Our warmest wishes are with you all, and please know that you can contact us at any time.

Be happy with you,
and the world will be a wonderful exciting place to be.

Best Wishes
Francis & Carol
And the very Remarkable Health Retreat Team Team

Wisdom Tools from Salima

As we are approaching the end of the year, it is a good time to reflect on the benefits you have received by making Wisdom part of your daily life. As we often over look the growth and the beauty developing within ourselves. Now is also a great time to work on any stress / anxiety you are “doing” about the festive or not so festive season to come.Remind yourself – it is not the upcoming event that is causing you stress / anxiety, but instead the meaning you keep giving to those events. After you have reduced your stress and upgraded your beliefs, now decided to be the change that is needed. And no matter what takes place you are clear that you will not be moved from your position of being / doing the new wiser behavior – that you have decided to make part of your life.

It is good to feel good within yourself by having greater understanding and acceptance of where others are at in their personal development.

To change your beliefs and behavior you need to:
(1) practice / imagine in your mind new ways of thinking, feeling and responding, and
(2) the other way in which we get to develop new improved responses is by experiencing stressful events that force you in the moment to apply what you have learnt.

Big Hug from Salima

Quotes from Richard

“Our life is a faint tracing
on the surface of mystery.”
~ Annie DillardWe transform symptoms into signals and ‘problems’
into creative functions.
~ Ernest Rossi

Mind and body are both aspects of one information system.
Life is an information system. Biology is a process of information transduction.
Mind and body are two facets or two ways of
conceptualizing this single information system.
~ Ernest Rossi

Tips from Richard

You are the hero/heroine of your life story.
Learn to separate from the world,
descend into your place of power and mystery,
find the gifts and boons,
and make your life-enhancing return with
those gifts to help the world be a better place.Daily … from moment to moment
build and strengthen your observer self
your witnessing self.

Jayana Wisdom Pearls

The Baby Elephant:
Next time you go to the circus, look at those huge elephants
that are tied by a rope to a small stump in the ground.
They are so powerful that they could drag massive weights
anywhere they want to.
But they make no attempt to escape!
Do you know why?
Because they have been conditioned ever since they tried
to get away unsuccessfully as baby elephants that…
“I can’t”…”I can’t”…”I’m not good enough!”
And therefore now, even as massively powerful adults,
they don’t even try!
They believe that any effort to change can’t possibly work,
so they don’t even try.
Always remember this key principle.You can only feel inferior if you consent to it.
You can only continue to believe “I’m not good enough!”
as you mature into adulthood, if you consent to it.

Use your new found Wisdom Model to unchain your
perception of self daily, until you know that you know
you are free from old conditioning.
Jayana xx

Tip from Jo

When setting yourself goals, remember to pat yourself
on the back for the things you have achieved
and not to focus on what you have not.
Remember that life is a journey.

Quote from Jo

Experience is not what happens to you;
it’s what you do with what happens to you.
~ Aldous Huxley

The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
~ William Arthur Ward

Gratitude and Wellbeing

Gratitude is strongly associated with mental and physical wellbeing. The more grateful we are the more positive thoughts and feelings we have. Grateful people are less stressed, depressed and have higher levels of wellbeing and happiness. Being grateful and thinking healthy thoughts keeps your body and mind healthy. So what are you waiting for?However there will be days when when we wake up and do not feel like there is much to be grateful for. Use the exercise bellow to rediscover your inspiration and life’s challenges

1 TREAT YOURSELF
What would make you happy right now? Maybe you cannot take a trip to the Bahamas but step outside to see the sun might be enough for now.

2 CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS
Use your senses to celebrate the little things. Enjoy the smell of flowers, see the detail in a painting, listen to the sound of the wind or relish the taste of herbal tea.

3. BREAK A HABIT EVERY DAY
Take a new route to work. Walk on the other side of the road. Try a new breakfast. Say yes instead of no!

4 BALANCE YOU THOUGHTS
If you are stuck in traffic accept the situation and enjoy the song on the radio. If your date did not show up as planned accept that you have learnt something new.

5 GRAB YOUR CAMERA
Take a photo of things that make you happy : a funny sign, a beautiful tree, your dream home a friend or a loved one.

6 GIVE A GIFT
Think of someone you care for and what would make them happy. A phone call a card or even a flower on their desk.

7 WRITE A THANK YOU LETTER
Write a thank you note whether you intend on sending it or not. Thank you for being a great friend or being there for me and making me smile.
By Carol Mcloughlin

Aravindha’s Paw Paw, Mango & Walnut Salad

Ingredients

1 green Paw Paw, peeled and grated
1 Radish, sliced thinly
1 cucumber, grated
¼ cup Coriander, chopped
¼ cup Parsley, chopped
¼ cup Thai Basil, chopped
½ cup walnuts, chopped lightly
2 diced Mango, slightly un-ripened
1 handful bean sprouts

Method
1.     Place all ingredients, except the Mango in a bowl and mix well
2.     Add Mango last so as not to bruise it.
3.     Stir in dressing and toss lightly
4.     Serve with lime wedgesDressing

2 lemons
1 Lime
½ cup finely chopped Coriander
1 heaped teaspoon of finely grated fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
¼ cup Chinese or Japanese White Wine Vinegar
½ cup Grape Seed Oil
Chili, fresh to your own taste
Teaspoon Honey, optional

Method
1. Put dressing ingredients in a blender and whiz for 2-3 minutes until combined.

Enjoy with love from Aravindha D’Angiolillo, Chef @ The Health Retreat

from the book ‘Cooking Without’ by Barbara Cousins

This recipe is not only Gluten, Sugar and Dairy free but tastes great!

Ingredients

170g/1⅙ cup dried dates
140ml/⅔ cup water
115ml/½ cup sunflower oil
30g/⅓ cup ground almonds
1 tsp mixed spice
3 eggs
55g/⅓ cup rice flour
55g/⅔ cup soya flour
55g/⅓ cup corn flour (cornstarch)
455g/3 cups mixed dried fruits

Method
1.   Blanched almond to decorate if desired
2.   Per heat you oven to 170°C/Gas mark 3. Line and grease a 18cm/7″ cake tin.
3.   Chop dates into small pieces and place in a pan with the water. Bring to the boil and simmer over a low heat for about 10min until the dates are soft. Allow to cool.
4.   Process or beat together dates, oil, ground almonds, spice, eggs and flours until well blended.
5.   Stir in dried fruits and mix well by hand.
6.   Pour into tin and spread evenly, bake for 30min then lower the temperature to 145°C/Gas mark 1 and bake for a further 45min.
7.   Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10min, then turn out onto a wire tray. Remove the lining paper and allow to cool. Store in the fridge and eat within 2 weeks or freeze in slices.

Notes:

Oil can be replaced by unsalted butter if preferred.

If you like you Christmas cake a little more naughty the fruit can be soaked in alcohol, this may vary the cooking time slightly depending on how well you drain the fruit.

For those who are a little on the nutty side, ½ cup of any nuts you like can also be added

Recipe shared by Zoe – Chef @ The Health Retreat

Rice Paper Rolls

These rice paper rolls are easy to make and are a great side, starter or finger food for guests at a party; we eat them at home for dinner too. Serve them with dipping sauce and experiment with your favourite vegetables. You could also add shredded tofu or shredded egg omelette (obviously not for vegans) for something a little different.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Serves 4-6 as a side or starter

Ingredients
125g (4 oz) vermicelli noodles
1 cup shredded Chinese cabbage
½ cup bean sprouts
1 red capsicum (bell pepper), sliced thinly
½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped finely
½ cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped finely
1 fresh red chilli
1 lime
1 ½ tbs soy sauce
1 ½ tbs sweet chilli
15-20 rice paper sheets

Dipping Sauce
½ shallot, finely diced
1 tbs mixed fresh mint and coriander (cilantro), chopped finely
1 tsp miso paste (optional)
1 tbs water
2 tbs honey
1-2 tbs soy sauce
Prepare the vermicelli according to packet instructions; insure to drain and rinse well and then chop the noodles roughly.

Method
In a large bowl combine the chopped noodles, cabbage, sprouts, capsicum, herbs and chilli with the juice of 1 lime and the soy and sweet chilli sauce.

Mix well to insure all ingredients are well combined.

Soak individual rice paper sheets in a large bowl of water until just soft; depending on the brand 15 – 30 seconds; pat dry on a clean tea towel or absorbent paper.

Arrange 2 tablespoons of the filling into the centre of the rice paper sheet. Fold in the edges and then roll up firmly. The edges should seal neatly.

Repeat; soaking and filling each sheet one at a time; for the remaining mixture.

To make the dipping sauce; combine all ingredients well.

Serve the rice paper rolls with dipping sauce when entertaining guests or enjoy at home as a light and healthy meal.

Enjoy – Kate Remedios, Chef @ The Health Retreat

Richards Link

Amy Purdy – Living Beyond Limits

Amy Purdy talks about the power of imagination.
She explains how our lives are not
determined by what happens to us,
but by the choices we make.
Imagination allows us to break down borders,
to move beyond our circumstances,
to create and constantly progress.
Click here to view

Richard’s Book List:

for the consideration of our former guests

The Biology of Belief
by Bruce H Lipton
Through the research of Dr Lipton and other leading edge scientists, stunning new discoveries have been made about the interaction between your mind and body and the processes by which cells receive information.
Read more and Click to purchase

6 Ways to Become Enlightened

by David Arensn

Accept there is no escape from yourself.
Find your true identity.
Consciously reduce your attachment to material comforts.
Be the love you’re seeking.
Stop Resisting.
Create your life how your want it.

If You’re Too Busy to Meditate, Read this…

People say the hardest part about meditating is finding the time to meditate. This makes sense: who these days has time to do nothing? It’s hard to justify. But it’s not impossible.Meditation brings many benefits: It refreshes us, helps us settle into what’s happening NOW, makes us WISER and GENTLER, helps us cope in a world that overloads us with information and communication, and more. But if you’re still looking for a business case to justify spending time meditating, try this one:
Meditation makes your more productive.
HOW? By increasing your capacity to resist distracting urges.

Click here to read more.Thank you Ryan, valued client, for recommending this article.

Sample Christmas Cards

Creating Something – Making Art

Whenever we create anything we actually create changes in our bodies, minds and spirits. These changes help us put aside our concerns and enable us to better cope with the stressors in our lives.

Scientists have noted that changes first occur in the brain, just as our stress response does. Without getting technical, the end result is that hormones and especially endorphins are released which help with relaxation, stress reduction, body repair and healing. Our bodies respond with more relaxed breathing, lower blood pressure and slower heartbeat. Furthermore as we step into a creative flow (‘the zone’) and achieve that feeling of relaxation we can foster our self esteem and generate a sense of peace.

When we are creating something we give it our full undivided attention and immerse ourselves in the process. It’s our focus on the creative process that can lift us above our problems and take us out of ourselves. It does not have to be painting or drawing. It can be dancing, playing a musical instrument, building something, writing a poem, working with clay, sewing, gardening, cooking, restoring a car, making scrapbooks, taking photographs, the list is endless. Whatever we choose it should be for pure pleasure.

Our art classes at The Retreat are designed to nurture our creative process. Art activities are kept simple using line, pattern and colour and a variety of different materials.

Ideas for Creating Something at Home

In many of our sessions we have explored the magic of ‘Zentangles’. This process uses a variety of simple patterns drawn with a black ink marker and added colour. With Christmas almost here why not make some Christmas cards for family and friends? Something handmade is treasured far more than a commercial card. All materials are found at the newsagents: thin cardboard (white or coloured), Artline 210 medium 0.6 black pen and coloured pencils.

Check out this website for some inspiring ideas – click here

Article supplied by Helga Nehrkorn, Art Teacher @ The Health Retreat

Josie’s Zentangle Masterpiece

November’s Art Selections

Zentangle’s – an easy to learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Micha’s Zentangle Masterpiece

Almost anyone can use Zentangle method to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.

Beatrix’s Zentangle masterpiece

We, at Zentangle.com, believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.

January 2013
Monthly
Newsletter

More Quotes & Tips from the Life Coaches

Scrumptious Recipes

Reading Recommendations

Articles

and more….

A 36-speaker car stereo.