Avocados, Bastards and Turtle Cheesecake

did you have a beautiful lover's day, Angels?




I was thinking about you all day but donated the broadband cord (no wifi here) to Husby as a gift. He sweetly took the day off to spend it with me and as he's flying this morning it's my chance to pop on and discover what You got up to on Valentine's?!!




ALSO I couldn't wait to share this video with you.   Having spent most of my time in the states before in NYC and Boston, the business of EATING is a real eye-opener down here in Florida. I appreciate seeing first hand the challenges we discuss in my curriculum at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and this sweet little video highlights the changes the school supports and much of what we believe in as students.






On our Valentine's we took a short ride to the beach (my choice of destination:  Cocoa Beach pier) a little touristy and run-down, but so salty and authentic, it felt like stepping back in time.

cocoa beach pier tiki bar

Chocolate turtle cheesecake!

We super-indulged; I actually ate the seasoned fries on my plate, and for once we had dessert- a Cheesecake sampler,(selection of three cheesecake slices).   My favourite was the Chocolate turtle cheesecake laced with caramel and walnuts.
(probably very naughty of me to post that recipe link there for you ;)

I've never in my life before heard of turtle cheesecake which means far too many years not knowing this decadent treat!

It's certainly a once-a-year special dish.  you read it here.




Back at the estazia last night, I was as "full as a goog"! as we say down under (goog = egg), only did a few yoga stretches instead of the 12 bastards - that's what they are called, REALLY, I promise you- I've been doing all Jan and Feb thanks to Men's Health magazine challenge.  I admired so much Husby doing 25 pushups.  He hasn't done a Bastard yet, though ;)  





Back to healthy, this morning I had my first cup EVER of Kombucha green tea, via Yogi teas.  It was absolutely delicious and I can now fully appreciate the fascination and fan base Kombucha has, even though mine was only made from a tea bag and many inspiring fellow coaches brew their own!

 Breakfast= also a whole fresh avocado chopped into a bowlful of green leaves- baby spinach and mixed lettuces.




Confession:  A year ago I could not eat avocado, i considered it such a high calorie food with what I thought to be zero taste.   

 Just another brilliant tiny, life-changing adjustment the year of training as a Holistic Health Counselor has given me.  I now even crave the creamy, sweet chewy flesh- it seems to go especially well with baby spinach and a squirt of lemon juice- and appreciate it's jam-packed with antioxidants, fat-soluble vitamins, fibre and plant fatty acids not only beneficial for heart health... but unbeatable for great skin, and a satiated feeling.


Finally this morning so far :)), intead of jumping on the laptop as soon as Husby walked out the door, and dangerously delaying my exercise (dangerous, you'll know, because life has a funny way of jumping in and hijacking you as the day wears on!) I laced up my Nikes straight away and did a few laps of the compound, ending with a lovely chat to a curious squirrel.  Yet another beautiful occurrence which is everyday living in the sunshine state, and which I am loving so much!

But back to you, Angels.  How did you celebrate Valentine's?  I'd love to know!

love to you yesterday, today and always,

Samantha.


"You are beautiful, and loved more than you know."

cocoa beach pier

Some warmth for the weekend! +Vitamin D & Massage

Happy weekend, lovelies!

we found Oranges by the side of the road and added them to our delicious store of Florida winter fruits...

I'm sitting here in my swimming costume here in Cocoa beach, Florida, as raindrops pitter-patter on palm leaves. I feel so blessed for the first time in months to drink in the fresh smell of green humid air and remembering the kisses of sunshine enjoyed over the past week.

Here's an article I know you'll enjoy which so clearly shows what many of us- whether we're athletes or wellness practitioners- have trouble explaining- how massage makes tired muscles feel better.  Just an aside... biology geeks at heart, as husby and I drive around the sunshine state, I'm hanging out the windows shouting, "Bougainvillea!  Hibiscus!" as he's leaning out the other window shouting, "Buzzard!  Bald-headed eagle!" (birds his specialty, lol)  There's alot of biology happening as we release pain through massage and it can even explain how when we bump ourselves, rubbing it can feel better.




Do you find it easier to be healthy when it's warmer?  Perhaps it's wearing less clothes that makes us more conscious of our bodies; or that the warmer air encourages us to drink more liquids; or that the warm-weather selection of fruits and vegetables are so much more tempting than their winter cousins.  For me, the answer is YES.


Feeling the healing power, I encourage you to be warm this weekend! 


How, in a cold climate? A few simple ways:   

1. Turning up the heating, whilst not the most enviro-friendly recommendation, is often good for the body and the smiling spirit of the soul.  
2. Place a glass or ceramic dish of water, perhaps with a few drops of essential oils such as orange and eucalyptus for their uplifting, refreshing scents, in front or on top of the heating to humidify the air which is often as dry as it is cold on frosty days.
3. Invite someone you'd like to get to know better to share the healing power of massage.  Even a hand or foot massage is hugely beneficial to stimulate circulation which releases stagnant energy and gets toxins moving out of your system!

And if you are in a warmer climate like me, go outside and soak up some sunshine.  15 minutes a day of exposure to a major body area like the arms, legs or back absorbs the vitamin D we need for body balance.  Are you tempted to supplement, having heard that vitamin D deficiency, common in cold dark climates, worsens auto-immune symptoms and can cause depression ?  Please read this helpul article first by Dr Mercola!




warmly yours,


Samantha
xoxo

Are you ready for true love in 2012? Feng Shui can help.

You may agree... there is nothing as potent as shaping our emotions- and our life- than the presence, or lack, of LOVE in our lives.

Do you remember what it's like to be in love, angel? 

If that's gone cold... would you like to feel that way again?

What does 2012 hold for you in Love & Relationships?  Make sure you have  luck for love in your home!

Sign up before Valentines Day, Feb 14th, to receive the 3 free must-do's your home needs to welcome love or more relationship balance in 2012.

Here is where to get them..

  (: they are F*R*E*E :)

I really, really want you to put these recommendations in place and live the love you dream about.  

It's a bit like- You deserve the relationship you dream of.  It's time to let it in.  And I don't want any energies to stop you!

"Feng Shui is a little like home insurance.  It's that peace of mind to know that you are protected from unexpected energetic factors."

have you experienced the harmonious power of feng shui yourself?  I'm interested to know... please leave a comment below!