In my twenties I used to work as a stewardess on yachts, sailing and crusing around the Caribbean and the Mediterranen. It sounds glamorous doesn’t it but it was actually one of the lowest times of my life. That aside, I remember crossing the Atlantic to Portugal which took about 14 days via the Azores, then flying home to wales to see family, finally coming back from sea after months of being away. (more…)
These lemon bars are both vegan and gluten free, a nutty base topped with with a creamy tangy citrus filling and sweetened naturally with dates, banana and maple syrup. It’s a no bake raw food recipe so packed full of trace elements, nutrients and enzymes to boost digestion, immunity and general health. A lovely healthy treat!
One of the challenges in our 28 day wellbeing calendar is to read. I used to think that having the time to pick up a book and actually read was a luxury. Something that I saved for a holiday, or Christmas time when work was quiet. I no longer see reading as a luxury, it’s a daily priority and part of my wellbeing.
We love puddings here at The Zest Life, and this delicious vegan baked cheesecake really hits the spot with a ground almond base and a cashew and tofu filling. Serve with a homemade fresh fruit couli and you have a dessert that’s healthy and scrumptious!
February, the month of love. Yes it is often associated with the romantic commercial type of love but for me this month is a beautiful reminder of my love for nature. I have often wondered where and when this love was sparked. I know that this love is vital to me and I have a huge appreciation for the seasons, as honouring them and learning from their overcharging flow has been a massive part of my healing journey.
I grew up on a farm, surrounded by beautiful hills here in Wales. We had the joy of living next to my grandparents and my grandfather Baba, was a farmer. I have fond memories of him and his sheepdogs working the land and the livestock.
Finding space in your space – 10 tips for how to store your Christmas decorations
One of my favourite days in the year is the day we (I) take down Christmas decorations. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas and making it special for the children is such a joy but I am really not a huge fan of all the stuff. Christmas and a more minimal way of life don’t really go together, so I do find having all the decorations up quite a challenge. Especially when the children want them up so early, I hold out until December but even then it seems a long time to have a large tree in you front room.
I was chatting with a friend the other day about the shift that we all take into Winter. She commented on how it had taken longer this year to get there, to that place of acceptance and joy of the Winter months.
I was relieved to hear this as I too have found this year’s winter transition a struggle.
I think the incredibly mild October we had was partly to blame and the last retreat we did mid-November was so warm and I remember thinking I wished I’d packed shorts! But thank goodness as we move into December it has now turned cold.
Let’s face it, we all spend too much time on our phones. They beg for attention with notifications and pop-ups. All it takes is for your hand to drift towards your phone, and then minutes (or even hours!) later. you find that you’ve been doom scrolling through Tik Tok or, Instagram.
Research shows that excessive mobile phone use can have negative effects on our mental health. It can affect your sleeping habits, your social life, and lower your self-esteem. It’s time we all set boundaries!
As it’s the season to be jolly, we thought we’d share a recipe for one of our favourite things to have with a cup of tea, Millionaire Slice.
This recipe is vegan, doesn’t have any added sugar, and is super easy to make – but it still takes like a festive snack that will win you all the points!
I don’t know about you, but the pressure that this time of year brings starts to fill me with dread. Why is there this need to book exciting events with the children, plan family outings, parties with colleagues, shopping days out with friends, hair appointments… the list goes on. It literally makes me want to run away and hide. Do you feel the same?
It’s almost as if our success and happiness is based on how busy we are and the navigation of the festive season seems to be the ultimate symbol of how well we are coping at life. (more…)
