Saturday, April 26, 2014

Maximise your life at 40- Healing foods


Do you believe food can be your medicine, medicine can be your food? 

I recently had a accident and it resulted in an injury to my body. If there wasn't a better time in my life to connect to the honest life style I live today, this was the time to practice everything I know and believe in YOU CAN HEAL YOUR BODY through healing foods and meditation.


My recent story for Healing.





It literally took my under one week to fully heal. The healing process was amazing and fast, even my doctor was totally blown away with the recovery. Boosting your  immune system is the Key. 

The injury was a burn,  and I am thankful today for my trust on this healing way of life.  But there was more to just the healing food nutrition. I added daily meditation morning and night, yoga, rest and relaxation. What ever your complaint or injury read on to find out powerful healing foods that  can help you heal fast and nourish your soul. 

Our next retreat will teach you how to stop reacting to life, and really taking control of your life, and living with awareness to what you eat, think, breathe and believe. Please see details below for our next 'Healing retreat' 

Do you feel like the world or your environment is pushing you in a direction you never signed up for, or dreamed about? 

When you hurt yourself, my personal belief is it comes as a message to stop, reflect and become more present. That was my reminder, life gives you nudges and it is up to you to become aware of those signs, you may be not living in the present moment. I know at the time of my accident I was not in the present moment, and my mind was else where. The lesson was a gift, reminding me how important it is for safety to practice living a conscious life. 

Life can be challenging, but it is up to us to take control of the path. 

We have to learn to do the work, chop wood, carry water and even after living a more enlightened life, we have to still chop wood, carry water. 




Are you stuck in a relationship you feel you can't move on from or align to true happiness love and success?
Are you sick of always feeling tired, or sick, depleted or living with pain in your body?
Are you seeking something else?
Do you struggle with weight gain, or lacking success with weight loss goals or true transformation?
Or maybe it is your mind getting in the way, and always self sabotaging your true destination, health and happiness?
Often habitual habits are created that many don't know are being repeated in their life. 
It maybe time to undo or reveal some honest truths about yourself and only you can change?

Do you accept getting old, worn out and believe its age that is why you are feeling aches and pains in your body?

There is another way, a simple fun and invigorating way to learn, grow and evolve your body and life journey on a path that will stimulate and invigorate your life. 

Are you clear about what your soul purpose is in life? 
Do you know what you want to do for the rest of your life until you are in your 100th year. Can you even imagine yourself at that age, seeing yourself giving to others and sharing your wisdom.


I personally believe we all have a soul purpose, however many people in life end up settling for second best and often are not open in the heart to truly believe that there is so much more of themselves they can give to others and themselves. 

Our retreat is for the people who want to finally get off that treadmill of struggle, unhappiness or living an unproductive vibrant healthy life. 

Yes this can be confronting to read, I know what it is like and too have experienced being challenged to face some home truths about my own habits and mindset. Starting with one simple step, cleaning up your health can be a start and a very invigorating and fun experience. 

Here is my list of Healing Foods I used to heal my skin.

Good nutrition is also important for optimal recovery. You can get a whole list of recipes in my book 'Cooking with CHIA' online or in your nearest bookstore. If it is out of stock most stores are happy to order  it in for you. 




  • Turmeric Tea (my recipe, boiling water cooled, 1 tspn turmeric and cracked pepper to taste) 
  • Chai seed puddings 
  • Cinnamon
  • Coconut Yogurt, Water, oil
  • Live seeds, chia, sunflowers, pumpkin 
  • Raw ginger and ginger tea with lemon, honey
  • Raw Honey for healing 
  • Kiwi Fruits and 
  • Kale
  • Spinach 
  • Onions 

Reduce your stress

Though this is not food-related,  reducing your stress can promote healing. There is also a good chance that once you start eating healing and energising  foods, you will feel better and be able to deal more effectively with daily stressors, too and get the body into a healing mechanism state for faster recovery what ever your injury is. These above foods are also fantastic for anti-inflammatory. Part of my healing process was meditation morning and night, early nights, massage and nature walks.



Aloe-vera 


We all know how amazing and the high healing powers Aloe-vera is, but make sure you use the plant next time. Again both myself and the Doctor was amazed at how fast the recovery was on my skin. The nurse gave me the plant each day to take home and apply to the injuries. It was impressive to see the speedy recovery, although the more serious wounds were dressed and aloe is not to be used on broken skin with burns.
Aloe vera plants have been used for centuries to treat burns holistically. While the science to verify the long-held beliefs about the efficacy of aloe vera as an herbal remedy is conflicting, anecdotal evidence is strong. The clear sap inside the leaves of the plant has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and heal burn injuries. The plant feels so natural and soothing on the skin. I can't wait  to grow this plant so I can  have it hand and to appreciate nature and what it provides us to help heal our bodies and master making my own Aloe Juice. 

Please note: Thanks to my First Aid yearly courses I have been updated with the correct information on how to initial treat a burn, and running the burn under Cold Water for 20 mins is what saved me from further damage and risk of scar. If you ever burn yourself you must run cold water on the area for at least 20 mins then seek medical help for further dressing and special antiseptic burn creams and gels. 


Do you want to learn how to boost your immune system?
Make it part of your life?
Need some inspiration to change old habits and change your lifestyle?

Check out the retreat details, we have a couple of spaces left.



 Location is Ubud Fivelements
Check out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vaa9ZSPQwg


To Book email nicky@nickyarthur.com today and I can call you soon to discuss the details in full. 





Monday, April 14, 2014

Raw Healthy Easter Chocolates

Raw Healthy Easter Chocolates


It seems like only yesterday I was writing my last years Easter Chocolate recipe, the difference is this year I have a published Cook book and another one on it's way. Anyone who knows me personally and well will also remember how much I loved chocolate and desserts. Back in my fitness competition days, with being on a rigid diet, I use to spend hours in the kitchen trying to make a yummy treat, back in those days it was often with chocolate protein powder!! Thanks to my new holistic natural RAW and SUPER healing food way of life, learning to live a powerful life through raw food, meditation and Yoga I am most  grateful every Easter not to worry about eating processed chocolate, artificial sugars and cope with the emotion and guilt that use to come up after eating too many Easter eggs. 

The greatest thing with these chocolates is you seriously only need one or two to satisfy  you, leave you energised, calm and grateful with guilt free emotions. 
Now that has to be good for you! Please enjoy these recipes, remember the raw way of life, only takes 5 minutes to prepare, so time is not and excuse to make these for your loved ones. 

Check out the healing food  Puffed Millet, I have added to this years Chocolates for my girls. 



Love and Light at Easter 
Nicky xx

Healthy Raw Eater Chocolates 

200g raw cacao butter
50 raw cacao powder 
100g raw honey, pure maple syrup or rice malt syrup (I used maple syrup, Agave is too high in Fructose)
1 tsp vanilla extract essence 
pinch Himalayan pink salt 

Chop cacao butter roughly with a knife on a chopping board to 2 cm cubes.. Place cacao butter into mixing bowl. place in blender or processor for 20 sec.

Blend until the  cacao butter is melted, or  for 10 mins/low speed, scraping down sides of bowl with spatula towards end  to ensure all the cacao butter is melted.

Add remaining ingredients to mixing bowl and continue processing  10 mins low speed 
Turn on high speed for 10-20 sec to fully mix chocolate and to blend honey or syrup in, then pour immediately into lined dish or chocolate molds or onto a tray for a thin chocolate bark.


Additions:

I used half of this mixture and added it to a cup of  Puffed Millet, as my daughters love the texture to give it that  rice bubble effect but only healthy. 

12 Health Benefits:
1. Millet is alkaline and it digests easily.
2. The Hunzas – who live in a remote area of the Himalayan foothills and are known for their excellent health and longevity – enjoy millet as a staple in their diet.
3. Millet will hydrate your colon to keep you from being constipated.
4. Millet acts as a prebiotic feeding microflora in your inner ecosystem.
5. The serotonin in millet is calming to your moods.
6. Millet is a smart carb with lots of fiber and low simple sugars. Because of this it has a relatively low glycemic index and has been shown to produce lower blood sugar levels than wheat or rice. (Kamari and Sumathi, 2002)
7. Magnesium in millet can help reduce the effects of migraines and heart attacks.
8. Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol.
9. Millet consumption decreases triglycerides and C-reactive protein. Scientists in Seoul, South Korea concluded that millet may be useful in preventing cardiovascular disease. Nutrition Research. April 2010; 30(4):290-6.
10. All millet varieties show high antioxidant activity. A team of biochemists analyzed the antioxidant activity; all varieties showed high antioxidant activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 9 June 2010; 58(11):6706-14.
11. Millet is gluten-free and non-allergenic. A great grain for sensitive individuals.
12. Millet’s high protein content (15 percent) makes is a substantial addition to a vegetarian diet.


If you like fruits and nuts, chop or blend cranberry, raisin, almond, or my favourite chia seeds Place in the freezer to set. 

My Chia Seed chocolates from 'Cooking with Chia'


2 Tbspn coconut oil
2 Tbspn cacao powder - organic 
2 Tbspn chia seeds 
2 Tbspn raw honey, or maple syrup
2 tbspn mixed seeds 
pinch himalayan salt 

Melt the coconut oil on a low heat in a saucepan,, pour into a bowl, ass all other ingredients and mix. Spoon into cupcake patties. Freeze. store in freezer or fridge otherwise they will melt. 

You can also stir into the chocolate:
  • shredded coconut
  • spices: cinnamon, chilli, cardamom, ginger...
  • edible essential oils: peppermint, orange, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla  just a few drops

Swirl through the chocolate:
  • nut butter  (or pour a little chocolate into a mold, let it set, add a dab of nut butter, then pour chocolate over to fill molds; or fill with chocolate hazelnut spread ) I have used peanut butter in the past, for naughty treat, but I would use nut butter these days. process your hazel nuts or almonds until they form into a nut butter, you can add a pinch of salt. 




Tips:

  • I use this certified Organic Pure Raw Cacao powder.



  • Set in the freezer. 

  • You can replace half the cacao butter with cold pressed coconut oil if you can't get any cocao butter - but just be aware that it will melt really easily and needs to be kept in the freezer.
Great gift for Easter. 

To Buy my 'Cooking with Chia' a great gift fro mother's Day  coming up click here


BALI HEALING YOGA AND RAW FOOD RETREAT 

If you are interested in Raw healing food and want to learn from and amazing chef on our next retreat, and indulge in some time out for YOU, practice YOGA, and learn how to meditate, increase energy, relax, check out my next retreat in Bali Aug 20th -25th. For more information please email me and I can call you soon to discuss in full detail, payment plans, bookings and content. 


Friday, April 11, 2014

Living foods, Life force and getting back to basics

A quote from my mum, 'Time to get back to basics' 

 It is true. It is time.  Are you aware of how much packet food you consume and feed to your family?
 I know what it is like to live a busy life, unhealthy habits,  anyone can change and start to transform old habits to healthier new ones. It doesn't need to be complicated, only simplistic. 

Eating a 80 % Raw way of life can make a big difference to your immune system and health, satisfies the palate and the best part is that with fewer components and fewer steps, it’s less work and is easier to prepare when you’re time- poor
 – simplicity at its best! It’s never going to be as easy as opening a can and microwaving something, but it will be better for you. And it is never ever too late to start all over again, it doesn't matter how old you are, how sick you are, its never too late to begin. 

A commitment to raw food and a healthy eating lifestyle can become habit. It becomes a life all about fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. 
This way of cooking is a ‘lifestyle’ and I promise it will unleash your creativity and energy to create ‘gourmet’, restaurant quality flavors.


Although I like to create lots of recipes, I’m aware that food is seasonal. We eat an abundance of what is in season, knowing that there will be something different next season. Nature provides the seasons this way for a reason.
 Just stop and think for a moment how often you eat the same old thing over and over again. Eat a wide variety of fresh, seasonal produce and you will find that you won’t crave. If you do crave, take it as a sign your body is deficient and it may be time to change some habits.

At our next Live food healing retreat 'Eat Love Meditate' will give you the opportunity to learn an exciting and educational time to come away with a whole new outlook on food, meditation, yoga and living a holistic way of life without medicine but using 'food as your medicine and medicine as your food'

Recipe of the week..
Tomato Basil Soup serves 4  

 

Ingredients
3 large tomatoes- dehydrate 5 hrs
¼ Spanish onion
¼ c olive oil
1 Tbspn dried oregano
1 tspn  rosemary
1 T dried Basil
pinch Himalayan salt, cracked pepper
2 c  filtered water
½ cup Brazil nut milk
Method
Dehydrate tomatoes 5 hrs. Soak the Brazil nuts
Method in a large bowl combine chopped tomatoes, onion, oil, oregano, salt, pepper,
In the blender or vitamix place water, onions, oil, oregano, salt pepper  tomatoes, puree, add ½ cup brazil milk, quickly blend well.
To warm place in dehydrator to lightly heat up. Or heat serving bowls and pour.
Brazil milk
1 cup Brazil nuts – soaked 5 hrs
4 cups filtered water

 Blend well in vitamix or blender process until smooth, strain through a cloth or nut bag and enjoy
Nicky xx

I welcome you to explore our retreat 'Eat, Love Meditate' detox  and the magical wellness centre Fivelements in Ubud. You will be picked up as a VIP and once on the property you will not want to leave. 




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vaa9ZSPQwg