by Krista | Sep 20, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
“Gradually the magic of the island [Corfu] settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen.”
Gerald Durrell
I’ve been dreaming of Greece lately, of Corfu in particular. Of fresh seafood and ice cold white wine and blistering sunshine and clear blue skies and white-washed buildings blinding in the sunlight.
I love the whitewashed buildings of Greece. Their simplicity and glorious contrast against achingly blue skies are balm to my soul.
When I see them I am filled with a desire to throw caution to the wind and embrace a quiet seaside life in a cavernous white house furnished sparsely with rough wooden tables, linen-covered beds, and a closet full of breeze-catching sundresses.
Such daydreams make me smile and compel me to get my white hammock out of winter storage and string it up for luxurious naps on sultry afternoons.
The new way of eating I’ve embraced for my healing most closely resembles the Greek diet: fresh fish and seafood, lean meats, simply dressed legumes, lavish amounts of seasonal veggies and fruit, lots of fresh lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and olive oil.
As I cook with such lovely things in my Aussie kitchen, the scents and tastes whisk me away to sun-baked Greek islands and it makes me happy that even when we can’t travel to the destinations our hearts yearn for, we can always travel through food.
Do you have a place that you dream of exploring?
What food most reminds you of it?
Wishing you happy dreaming this weekend. xo
by Krista | Sep 19, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
When spring knocks at your door,
regardless of the time of year or season of our lives,
run, do not walk to that door,
throw it open with wild abandon, and say,
“Yes! Yes, come in!”
Jeffrey R. Anderson
It has been a gloriously Springy week with wild rain storms that drenched the parched earth with moisture and sent green shoots erupting from the soil.
Now it is sunny and warm, the fragrant winds bearing scents of jacaranda, roses, and alyssum.
It is a time of ripe strawberries and sun-kissed shoulders, sitting on the back porch with glasses of icy pear juice and switching all the bedding from rich red to palest green and white.
It calls for the unpacking of sundresses and the putting away of sweaters, hot cocoa in the cool of early morning and homemade ice cream every sultry afternoon.
It does my heart much good.
We’ve been indulging in massive amounts of fresh strawberries, sumptuously red and ripe.
Yesterday I turned some into a decadent dairy-free sugar-free ice cream that had both Bear and I beaming.
It is ridiculously simple to make: just dump strawberries, coconut milk, real maple syrup, three egg yolks, and a good squeeze of lemon into a blender, whiz it up then pour it into your ice cream maker and turn it on. 30 minutes later you have lusciously creamy strawberry ice cream with a zingy bite of lemon.
Next time I’m trying peppermint ice cream with dark chocolate chunks. Yum!!
What is your favorite ice cream?
Dairy-Free Sugar-Free Strawberry Lemon Ice Cream
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cans coconut milk, shaken well
2-4 Tbsp real maple syrup
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
3 egg yolks
1 Tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth
- Pour mixture into ice cream maker and churn until done.
- Freeze leftovers.
by Krista | Sep 16, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
I had such a great time with finding my last 5 Things That Made Me Smile This Week, that I’ve decided to do it regularly. It does me good to sift through a weeks worth of experiences and pluck out a few treasured moments that brought happiness into my life. So here goes!
1. Finding a lovely old tree covered in wisteria.
Bear and I were out running errands this weekend and one of the places we stopped was a farm way out in the boonies. All around us was bush filled with the usual array of gum trees, but one of those gum trees was positively dripping with these lavish wisteria blossoms. Isn’t it marvelous?
2. These faces.
I can’t get enough of them. One moment they’re spazzy and awkward as they run and leap like mad off logs, rocks, and each other, and the next they’re cuddled up in a furry heap snoozing happily.
3. Dark Chocolate Truffle Ice-Cream bars.
Yesterday was a scorcher, the first really hot day of Spring. It was wonderful to get in the shade and nosh on these decadent Magnum bars as we made plans for the farm.
4. Really Good Though Totally Not French Food.
Let me explain. Whilst Bear and I were out running errands in the boonies, we became ravenous. Not knowing the area at all I turned to the NavSat to choose a place for us. I looked up French restaurants, chose one that sounded good and off we went. Imagine my surprise when instead of a French restaurant, we pulled up to the Springwood Bowls Club! The only thing even remotely French on the menu was fries. 🙂
Undaunted (and starving!) we decided to give it a try, expecting the usual fish and chips type fare. Much to our delight it was actually GOOD! The very young chef, Joel Elliott, is a lovely, gentle soul who readily accommodated my gluten-free needs and served up steak, chips and salad. Normally I do not order steak at a restaurant because I nearly always find it tough, dry, gristly, and disappointing. Joel did not disappoint, however. The steak was moist, tender and flavorful, the chips crispy and piping hot, the salad made of actual greens and veggies with a delicious dressing. We were so impressed. Not only was the food good, the service great, and the price fantastic, during our entire stay we were greeted by resident bowlers who made sure we were welcomed and looked after.
Wonky NavSat, you are forgiven for your lunacy.
5. Lucy
When I sold up everything and moved to Australia, I knew it would be a while before I could afford to replace things like cell phones, cars, and cameras that I had to leave behind. When I got really sick and wasn’t able to work much, the hope of those things receded into the distance.
It was hard, but I learned to do without and just focused on getting better and rebuilding a career based in Australia. It was a year before I could afford my first phone, but I tell you, I sure do appreciate it! I thought it would be ages before I could get a car again and contented myself with lots and lots of walking. 🙂
But I didn’t figure on Bear.
Turns out over the last two+ years he was secretly putting aside money each paycheck so he could surprise me with a car. I couldn’t believe it and promptly cried when he spilled the beans a few weeks ago. 🙂 We’ve both been through the wringer these past two years, dealing with visa and medical issues, and he thought it was high time we had something really good in our lives. Yep, he’s a luv.
So the past few weeks we’ve been discussing makes and models, driving to homes and farms all over Southern Queensland looking for something that fit our needs and budget.
This weekend we found her and brought her home – our lovely Lucy, a 1973 Classic Datsun 1200 Coupe. She’s in great shape for her age and although she’ll need a bit of TLC before she’s ready for the road, we love her. It’s so fun to work on her together, scrubbing her up, cleaning her out, sourcing parts, and getting her shipshape.
As you can imagine, my heart is rather full this week, feeling a mix of gratefulness and love and a whole lot of emotion. It’s been a roller coaster ride these past few years, and it is amazing to be in this place of peace, healing, and hope.
What things gave you a smile this week?
by Krista | Sep 11, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
Many of you have asked me what I’ve been doing to get better after a lengthy and chronic illness.
In the weeks to come I’ll share about the changes in diet, supplements, and lifestyle that have made such a huge difference in helping me heal. Our bodies are so different and interesting, and it’s been quite a journey figuring out what is healing specifically for me.
Today I want to share about BodyTalk, something that enabled me to start the healing process about three years ago.
Much like chiropractic heals through the bones and massage through muscles and soft tissue, BodyTalk heals through the energy lines of the body. Although it doesn’t seem like it, our bodies are fairly crackling with energy. (It’s what gives us a mighty good shock when we shuffle across the carpet in winter.) When the energy lines are clear we are healthy, but they get interrupted through trauma, abuse, illness, stress, or other negative things. BodyTalk clears those interruptions and gives you a flat playing field from which to heal in every area of your body. It is gentle, non-invasive, and effective.
“Each system, cell, and atom is in constant communication with each other at all times. Through exposure to the stresses of day-to-day life, however, these lines of communication can become compromised or disconnected, which then leads to a decline in physical, emotional and/or mental well-being. Reconnecting these lines of communication enables the body’s internal mechanisms to function at optimal levels, thus repairing and preventing disease while rapidly accelerating the healing process. In this way, BodyTalk stimulates the body’s innate ability to balance and heal itself on all levels.” – from Body Talk System
When I moved to beautiful Amsterdam in July 2011, I was able to receive BodyTalk from a wonderfully kind and gentle woman, Irma de Jong, at her practice Praktijk voor Reiki en BodyTalk.
She helped me tremendously. With her help I was able to diminish my body’s reaction to triggers, work through panic attacks instead of being incapacitated by them, and instilled courage and confidence where once I’d been filled with fear and insecurity. I was and am so very grateful.
Even after I moved to Australia, Irma continued to stay in touch, checking on me regularly and even setting up long distance sessions to help me through particularly difficult seasons. She is a real luv.
Recently I was able to interview Irma about BodyTalk and her experiences as a recipient and practitioner. I hope you enjoy it!
I loved walking to Irma’s office because the route led me past beautiful ivy-covered buildings and along flower-festooned canals.
How did you learn about the BodyTalk system?
The first time I heard about it was via a friend of mine in the USA, she had gone to a public lecture and received a demonstration session. My friend called to say this was what I had been searching for. At the time, 2002, there were only a few BodyTalk practitioners in the Netherlands, I booked my first session and was sold. The simplicity, the accuracy and the revealing underlying themes were astonishing.
How does it work (in simple terms)?
BodyTalk uses biofeedback to ask the body which parts need better functioning. The priority is directed by the body’s innate wisdom. Gentle tapping is used to help the brain balance and restore while tapping on the heart helps to integrate the whole so it can initiate its own healing process.
Why did you want to learn to practice it?
After I reached the level of Reiki Master, I felt the need to make the work more conscious, especially for the client. Both Reiki and BodyTalk function from the principle that the body is able to heal itself, with BodyTalk you become aware of the source of the issues. This awareness makes the healing take place on several levels of the bodymind. BodyTalk is direct and that’s what I find most appealing.
How has it been helpful to you personally?
In many more ways than I can describe. It has helped me in all levels of my life, physically, spiritually, professionally. Doing this work is the biggest gift in my life, BodyTalk has lead me here, accepting the responsibility and ‘spreading the love’.
What have you seen it do in the lives of your clients?
- Clients have had drastic improvements in their health; to be able to come to a state of well-being where emotional issues could finally be resolved or forgiven.
- Clients have been able to take steps in their lives; to leave or commit to a relationship; to make a career switch or move to another country.
- Clients have learned to change their perspective on life; in order to live life rather than cope. In all of them — be it physical, mental or spiritual — I have seen them become more aware of the role the symptoms play, and ultimately it brings them forward in their own individual process.
Are you able to help people not in Amsterdam?
Yes, I can do the distant sessions and give feedback via Skype. Here I do phone calls, but Skype works, the verbal explanation really helps.
For more information, you can contact Irma any time. She’d love to hear from you and help in any way she can.
Irma de Jong
Praktijk voor Reiki en BodyTalk
Westerdok 382
1013 BH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
http://bodytalksystem.nl/en.html
http://www.facebook.com/BodyTalkNL
Have you found help or healing through holistic options? I’d love to hear about it.
by Krista | Sep 9, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
“We need the tonic of wildness…We can never have enough of nature.”
Henry David Thoreau
This weekend Bear and I loaded up the car with much excitement to head to the Gold Coast for a full day of running errands and a bit of fun.
We got 30 minutes down the road before realizing we’d forgotten the NavSat – essential to our day of gallivanting hither and thither in parts unknown. Grrr. So back we went, picked it up, plugged it in and were on our way.
90 minutes later the low battery warning came on and upon pulling out the plug discovered that the end was missing (how on earth???). Grrr. Thankfully I had my phone with me so I hastily pulled it out and attempted to navigate Bear through the maze of construction blocked streets.
Alas, my phone chose this time to blank the screen every 8 seconds leading to conversations that went something like this: “OK, babe, take your next left…no, bugger, just a sec, wait, wait, OK, yeah, take the next left. Uh, yeah, that one we just passed, hold on, wait, wait, oh bugger!”
Somehow we managed to find an electronics store and popped inside to get a replacement cable. But of course they only just stopped making that version and it would cost $?? to find a new one and they didn’t actually carry them anymore and didn’t have any in stock and really, it would only be a bit more to just buy a new NavSat. Grrr.
Ten minutes later we bustled out with new NavSat in tow, got to the car, and continued on our way.
By this time, as you can imagine, nerves were frayed, tempers rattled, and our blissful jaunt to the coast was a mere memory.
But then a few things happened that restored our rumpled spirits and got our jolly day out back on track.
Firstly: food.
Really, is there anything more restorative than a good meal? I think not.
We got an outside table at one of our favorite Gold Coast haunts: Milan on Main. The weather was exquisite, a balmy 78 degrees F with cool breezes and brilliant sunshine, and as we sipped our freshly squeezed strawberry, passion fruit, and watermelon juices and soaked up all that delicious fresh air, the mayhem of the morning began to dissipate.
By the time our food arrived we were in downright good spirits and could start to laugh about the gong-show we’d just experienced. We visited in between mouthfuls of poached eggs and smoked salmon, savory sausages and roasted tomatoes, crispy hashbrowns and delectable sauces.
Any lingering vexations disappeared completely when we arrived at Main Beach after brunch.
Although I’ve loved every Aussie beach I’ve visited thus far – from Coolangatta to Bribie Island – Main Beach will always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first Aussie beach I visited when I moved to Australia.
It’s also where Bear and I had our first date, the place where I knew that this bloke was the one for me.
Kicking off our shoes we trudged down the sandy slope to the beach and found a spot with ample scope for people watching and more than enough room to stretch out and snooze in the sun.
I confess I had been nervous about going to the beach so soon after being ill for so long. My poor ol’ body isn’t back to fighting strength yet and it shows. But I gave myself a good talking to and reminded myself that me and my wobbly bits have as much right to bask in sunlight and turquoise water as the svelte young things next to me, and I wasn’t going to let one more happy opportunity pass me by while I waited to be skinny enough, pretty enough, enough enough!!
And I’m so glad I didn’t.
Learning anew to see myself with love filled me with love for the parade of bodies I saw around me – the gorgeous old ladies with wrinkly everything, positively beaming as they played in the water with their grandchildren, splendid pot-bellied men spending hours building sandcastles with their kids, muffin topped young moms flirting with their husbands, lithe teenagers doubled over in laughter as they posed for pictures and chased each other through the waves.
It made me so happy to be part of the human race and wish I could tell each person there how beautiful they are, no matter what.
We had a wonderful time, laughing with a neighbor when he nearly decapitated me with his rogue kite, grinning at children shrieking as they ran away from the waves, closing our eyes and snoozing happily as the sun soaked into our bones and melted away the stress of our journey.
It was just what we needed.
We returned home with our first tan lines of the season, clothes full of sand, and happy sighs every time we thought of the beach.
It was a wonderful day after all.
Where’s the last beautiful place you went to relax?
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