Kale is definitely one of my favourite vegetables and this is my favourite way to eat it. I massage it and serve it for every retreat I run and it is usually the most popular thing on the menu. So here is the recipe, for all of you who have been requesting it. 





Ingredients:
200g Kale
4 tablespoons Olive Oil
4 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar 
1 tablespoon Tamari/ Soya Sauce
1 teaspoon date syrup/honey/maple syrup
Juice of ½ lemon
Tablespoon of Tahini
Pinch Salt & pepper
 
Method:

1. Wash kale & cut from the stalk (if from the supermarket just remove the stalks).
2. Mix ingredients together in a jar, shake well & pour over the kale.
3. Using your hands massage the dressing into the kale. Rubbing it into the leaves and squashing it between your hands. Do this for approx. 5 mins until the kale softens.
4. Leave for 20 mins plus to soften & absorb the dressing before serving.

We are living in wonderful, yet challenging times. It seems everyone I speak to recently is simultaneously experiencing more marvels in their lives than ever before, but also increased anxiety, depression, and more frequent ‘problems’ or ‘disasters.’ Often characterised by an ‘oh no not this again, I thought I’d left this behind long ago.’ It feels as though the Universe (or life) is ‘squeezing’ us, and it is. It is calling us to let go of patterns and step more fully into who we really are. Although at times it can feel like we are taking giant leaps backwards, this resurgence of old patterns are actually coming up to be seen and felt, and then released and cleared. Layers are coming off. Things are moving through. But we can suffer when we don’t recognise this as the gift it is and fight against it.  

Yoga can be an essential tool to help us not just survive but thrive in difficult times. Here are a few of the beneficial effects of yoga on your life:
​
1. Yoga calms the nervous system & relieves stress:
There are many scientific studies which show that both meditation and yoga bring a deep relaxation of the autonomic nervous system (responsible for our body’s unconscious actions). Thus helping us to “rest and digest” rather than exist in “fight or flight” mode, which can be a really familiar state in these modern times. We can feel these benefits after just one yoga class. It’s common for people to start their yoga practise feeling stressed, depressed or anxious, and finish feeling calm, happy and relaxed. This alone makes yoga an essential tool for modern life, but don’t stop here there is much more.
 
2. Yoga improves your physical strength & health: 
Yoga makes you physically stronger and fitter and more capable of taking on life's challenges. Studies reveal that yoga affects your immune system and ongoing health; in fact one study found that regular practise of a type of yogic meditation “led to a reduction in the biological mechanisms responsible for an increase in the immune system’s inflammation response. Inflammation, if constantly activated, can contribute to a multitude of chronic health problems.” http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/yoga-reduces-stress-now-it-s-known-236785 

3. Yoga helps you focus your mind in the present moment – ‘A wandering mind is an unhappy mind’:
There is evidence to suggest that the more your mind wanders uncontrolled, the less happy you will be. We are at our happiest when we’re fully focused in the present moment. With the all-pervading nature of technology and social media in our current time, our attention has never been more splintered which can make it increasingly difficult to focus in the present moment. Therefore yoga by helping you to focus your mind and bring you into the present moment can make you happier and can reduce the risk factors of anxiety, depression and stress.
Check out these studies: 
https://www.sciencemag.org/content/330/6006/932.abstract  http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/does_mind_wandering_make_you_unhappy
 
4. Yoga connects you to a deeper truth within you:
‘Yoga’ means Union in Sanskrit, or it can also be translated as ‘to yoke back to the Source’ (Universe, God, Creator, Macrocosm). It is an ancient and scientific system designed to connect you to your true identity, and to unite you with your true self. This can be verified by practising yoga yourself. Though a full realisation is unlikely to occur instantly, with practise you will begin to feel a deeper connection to something inside of you which is eternal and unchanging and beyond your idea of who you are, as simply a name, body, profession, family member and friend. As this grows and strengthens, so too does your ability to cope with life’s challenges. You begin to feel a deeper perfection and beauty just beneath the surface of your everyday life that is not reliant on everything being ‘good’. In fact, your idea of what is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad’ can begin to shift as you become more  aware of who you really are beyond your material reality. For example, something that shakes your attachment to your material comforts might previously have been viewed as ‘bad’, but may lead ultimately to greater happiness as you begin to let go of the idea that ‘things’ can make you happy, and thus could be viewed as ‘good.’ 
 
5. Yoga helps you to stay present in your body so you can deal with challenging emotions and current/past trauma:
Often as human beings, our response to emotional pain or discomfort is to avoid it. As adults we find many ways to avoid enduring our negative or uncomfortable feelings and emotions; eating, alcohol, drugs, smoking, excessive talking, watching too much TV and so on. Part of what we are experiencing when we go through these 'difficult times', is the trauma that was stuck within our system because we couldn't deal with them at the time. These can frequently be things from childhood because we are ill equipped to deal with them at the time. If you fully feel and release your negative emotions in the moment they arise then they do not stay stuck in your system and so do not sabotage you and drain your energy. As we start to clean up our lives and stop avoiding ourselves with these ‘numbing’ activities, these things come up and they need us to remain present in our bodies to release them. Yoga is one of the best and most self-empowering ways I have ever found of both staying in my body, and helping to shift these feelings and energetic blockages through. As the emotions release/energetic blockages shift, so too do some of the negative patterns that grew out of them, our energy starts to flow better and therefore our lives can flow more freely and joyfully.
 

Finding a Yoga Class:
​There are many different styles of yoga and many different teachers. Yoga is not limited to the physical practise of Asanas, it also includes Kirtan or Bhakti Yoga (chanting mantras/yoga of the heart), many different types of meditation and much more. I recommend trying a few classes in your local area until you find a teacher and style that suits you best. Trust your intuition and go with what you feel drawn to. There will be a class/style/type of yoga out there for everyone; you just have to find the right one for you. 
 
I teach yoga classes, one-to-one sessions, share kirtan (yoga of the heart and voice) and run regular affordable retreats on Gower near Swansea. Check out some of the testimonials from some of my students.
 

Pure delicious chocolatey indulgence, with the twist of being incredibly good for you. One to convert even the unbelievers. Test it out on them & only tell them it's healthy afterwards. 

This is the first recipe I have attempted to quantify & share so do let me know how you go with my instructions & whether they are clear. I usually make it up as I go along, but this one was so good I had lots of requests for the recipe & wanted to write it down so I could recreate it myself. Also the name is a bit clunky & if anyone has a better idea I'm open to suggestions.


​Chocolate Orange Truffle Torte:
Ingredients:
For the Base:
10 Dates
Handful of raisins
75g Walnuts (or any nut of your choice)
75g Coconut flour or desiccated coconut
2 tablespoons of dehydrated buckwheat (soak over-night & dehydrate until crunchy in the lowest oven setting on a baking sheet) 
3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted so liquid)
 

​For the Truffle:
½ tin coconut milk (at least 60% coconut)
1 small Avocado
2 Bananas
75g dates, raisins, sultanas, cranberries, prunes (in any mixture) soaked in boiling water for at least 30 mins.
Juice & finely grated rind of 1 organic orange
2 tablespoons of coconut oil (melted so liquid)
3 heaped tablespoons of raw cacao powder
 
Method:

1. Soak the dried fruit for the torte in boiling water & set aside for 30 mins.
2. Blitz the nuts until fine but still with some chunks.
3. Add coconut, dates (with stones removed), raisins & coconut oil & blend until mixed & forming a kind of dough.
4. Take tin (6inch by 6inch ish & 2 inches deep) & line bottom & sides with baking paper (preferably one sheet that overlaps the top slightly as makes for easy removal, place large sheet in tray & cut diagonally in at the corners & cut out excess paper.)
5. Press the mixture down into the base of the tray, use a piece of baking paper to really press it down well so it is even across the bottom.
6. Wash blender bowl & blade. Drain all of the liquid from the dried fruit, then place all of the ingredients inside the blender. Blend for at least 10 mins. This helps the coconut milk to set. If your blender is not strong enough then blend for a few minutes then give your blender a rest & chance to cool down before continuing.
7. Put mixture on top of the base & smooth out. Place in fridge to set for 4 hours before serving. (Can speed up process by putting in the freezer for a while.)
8. When the mixture is set remove from the tin by lifting the side of the baking paper gently. Place on chopping board & cut into pieces & ENJOY. 

1. TO RELAX.
Let go completely and be looked after in a nurturing feminine environment. Nourish your mind, body & spirit with yoga, kirtan & mantra (yoga of the heart) and powerful fire ceremony. Enjoy being cooked for & fed delicious, wholesome vegetarian food & decadent (but exceptionally healthy) treats. Allow the beauty, peace & healing power of Mother Nature to do her work. 

4. TO CONNECT WITH OTHER INSPIRING PEOPLE 
The power of shared experience can be such an important aspect in the journey of life. Sharing with others in this environment can help us to feel supported, to see that we all have challenges and we are all perfect just the way we are. 

5. TO BENEFIT THE WORLD AROUND US.
Especially as women & mothers we give so much, when we really take the time we need to nurture ourselves, everyone benefits.  

6. ... BECAUSE LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE STRESSED!!
So often we rush through life thinking that we don't have enough time. Stress builds up, anxiety builds up and it can really take the shine off life. Sometimes to really feel alive and put the spring back in our step we need to take some time out to nourish our mind, body & spirit. 

Book your place now:
UPCOMING RETREATS:

Weekend Retreats:

  Summer Renewal Yoga Retreat - 25th-26th July 2015

Women's Wellbeing Weekend Yoga Retreat - 15-16th August 2015

One Day Retreats:

Summer Detox - One Day Yoga & Detox Retreat- 11th July 2015

Women's Wellbeing One Day Yoga Retreat  - 2nd August 2015 

Detox Your Life - One Day Yoga & Detox Retreat - 30th August 2015

www.awakenyoursoulyoga.com