Surf Goddess Retreats Journal

Remember to Breathe

2011-11-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

Do you find your arms get exhausted from just paddling out. so that when the set comes you're too tired to go for the wave?

The secret is to... Breathe!

When we go for a run we are aware of our breath to help us run faster, longer and without injury. The same should apply to paddling, this will get you gliding out the back with minimum effort and maximum result.

When you're in yoga and you feel resistance from your body, what does your yoga teacher remind you? Breathe! Sure enough after a few moments the body has adapted and ready to be challenged again.

Breath is life force, it gives us access to really be in the moment. The muscles love to be oxygenated. The deeper the breath the more oxygen our muscles have access to.

When your arms are burning, breathe...

When that wave looks like it is about to crash on your head but you can see with a few more paddles you can get over the top, breathe and paddle!

When you're about to get dumped, take a big breath, relax, let the turmoil of the white water above pass, find the surface and breathe.

When you're paddling for the wave and feel like you're not going to make it, breathe.

And when you're riding the wave, enjoy the moment, your body, mind and spirit will be super stoked from the super oxygenated state!

Inviting Change Through Practicing Yoga

2011-11-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

A great insight into the transformational power of Yoga by Sally Kempton:

"I'm convinced that when you start practicing yoga and meditation, you invite major changes into your life.

Those changes start from within: Maybe your practice alters the way you define personal integrity; maybe it unleashes deep longings in your heart or shows you truths you've been hiding from yourself.

Soon, these inner shifts seep into your external life. They make you question the way you do things, and then nudge you to live life differently."

You Are Perfect Just The Way You Are...

2011-09-30T00:58:00.001-07:00

Discovering Happiness

2011-09-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone is looking for happiness, but what is the secret to happiness? IN his book "Stumbling Upon Happiness", Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert did extensive research into what truly makes people happy. Though family, friends, achievements, security, and nice house and car did seem to make people happy, the biggest happiness cam from Giving To Others.

This may surprise you. Why not test it out for yourself. When you 'pay it forward" and "live to Give" the surprise gift is the joy you will receive.

Look for opportunities to give to others today. Here are some ideas:

Give by teaching and sharing your knowledge
Offer to share a task
Offer encouragement
Give someone a compliment
Help someone who needs assistance
Practice being really present when someone is talking to you
Fully accept someone without trying to improve or change them
Give away stuff you don't need to charity
Give someone a hug and a smile!

The Search for Finding Balance

2011-07-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

I think the one statement I have heard most on the retreats, other than “this has been my best vacation ever!” has been at the beginning where most of the women I meet tell me they are “looking for more balance in their lives”.

The funny thing about balance is that it’s not something that once it is attained, you can just lock it in and there you go…balanced for life. Oh, if it were only that easy!

Balance is something that must be worked at daily, even hourly. That got me to wondering over the years about the nature of balance and how it can be achieved, and more importantly, sustained.

Also why is it when people are seeking balance they go to such extremes to find it? I have been known to do this by going on silent juice fasting meditation retreats for days on end to find enlightenment, drinking gallons of cranberry juice a day to flush my liver, or better yet the dreaded cabbage soup to drop a few kilos followed by grueling workouts boot camp style. It’s not surprising then to understand that I was never able to find balance through those avenues.

Any balance I have achieved in my life thus since has been through doing something known as following “the middle way”, a Buddhist philosophy that advocates everything in moderation. A wonderfully simple, yet not so easy to employ concept for a woman who has been evolving over many years from originally a very ‘all or nothing’ type personality.

That journey led me to create Surf Goddess Retreats and our program, which I have purposefully made to be very balanced. There’s activity and effort, accompanied with lots of lush pampering and relaxation, there’s healthy food smattered with delightful doses of decadent sweetness, and even worse ‘fat content’!

I always laugh at the welcome dinner when the ladies I am next to exclaim with dismay after tucking into a fulfilling portion of wholesome organic food, followed by a delish (but healthy dessert) “oh no I am never going to lose weight on this trip!” The funny thing though is that they don’t gain any either. As I said, it’s all about finding the right balance.

Now I would generally consider my life style to be pretty healthy. It’s lucky being involved the retreats, as that means I eat healthy foods, I surf regularly, and you must know I indulge in pampering on a regular basis! However, I am also known for having a sweet tooth and a fond appreciation of wine!

Plus I also have to admit that running a successful business which is as hands on as our retreats means I can be time poor and find it hard to incorporate, in a consistent way, all the components I know would take my wellbeing to the next level. As a woman who has always put the highest value on continual personal evolution, this is a lifelong commitment I am always redefining as I attain each goal.

It is said that when the student is ready the teacher appears, and so I was delighted when I was serendipitously introduced to international best selling author Jane Scrivner. I was very inspired by her book “Detox Yourself” as it was the first book on cleansing I have read (and I have read A LOT) that had what I felt to be achievable practices that could be incorporate into life on a long term basis.

Before I knew it, I found myself in England, in an absolutely gorgeous area near Stratford Upon Avon starting a weeklong cleanse following Jane’s program in her book. I was so impressed after a week of actually doing the detox I asked Jane to be our retreat's consulting Wellness Director, and she wonderfully agreed to share her extensive knowledge and wisdom with us.

Even though it was a relatively short cleanse I felt fantastic, well at least after the first few days of feeling rather lethargic as my body released some of it’s toxins! What amazed me the most was how simple and easy it was, and I didn’t feel deprived. The light bulb went off in my head…I felt I could actually keep this up for a long time, perhaps even a lifetime!

Jane was quick to assure me that while aiming for perfection in the program is a wonderful goal, even just by keeping up 80% of the actions she recommends would be enough to notice a huge difference in my daily life. I left feeling motivated and ready to move my wellbeing to the next level, and for me that means consistency and making it a natural part of my everyday life.

To ingrain a habit they say it takes 21 days, so now that I have arrived back in Bali and ‘real life’ I want to cement these wellbeing practices into my day. I have never attempted a cleanse of this length and, short of being cloistered somewhere with no temptations to distract and disrupt me, never thought I would try one on my own.

But I have come to realize that there is never a good time to do a longer cleanse. There is always going to be work, dinner parties, travelling and the rest of life that will stand in the way of doing it perfectly, so I have decided I am going to do it imperfectly!

I am going to follow the full 30 day detox that Jane’s lays out in her book, and I am going to document my successes, shortcomings, musings and whatever else comes up on my journey.

For those of you coming on the retreats soon, you get to walk beside me as I go through the process and experience some of it first hand as we have already started to incorporate Jane’s recipes, plus health and beauty practices into our cuisine & spa program.

I invite you to come along for the ride too, either by reading how I am doing, or even by following along and doing the detox with me. You can pick up a copy of Jane’s book via Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Detox-Yourself-Feel-Difference-Days/dp/074992828X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk), plus we will be offering excerpts and recipes along the way from her book as I go through the cleanse.

Please feel free to post any comments or questions you may have, as I am very excited to be sharing this learning and growth experience with you all.

Wish me luck!

Shell-sea (Mermaid in Charge @ Surf Goddess Retreats)

http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com/

http://www.janescrivner.com/

Soul Surfing - Move Someday to Today

2011-04-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

Someday is the magic moment many of us point to when we will be happy, when we will finally have enough money, finally have a better job, better health and will finally achieve our dreams.

The reality is that 'someday' won't just appear out of nowhere. We have to do more than just wish for changes to happen in our lives.

If you want to change your life, change your mind.

We can not change the past. the future is not yet written, all we can do is live life to the fullest RIGHT NOW.

Your Action Pan:

Take a moment today to think about what you want to change in your life. Make a list of the changes that you want to make and list them in order of importance.

Tape that list to your bathroom mirror so you see them everyday.

The Sea

2011-04-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

When I swim, I am a fish.

When I surf, I am a wave,

I become the sea

http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com

Keep Healthy and Hydrated

2011-03-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Some people are afraid of surfing because they feel it's a risky business, but actually it's the mundane little things that can pose the most problems in the surf. A common one we see here in the tropics is sun burn and dehydration.

We are made up of roughly 70% water and while we could live a long time without food (as Gandhi proved) we can only live a few days with out water.

Now with so many choices of beverages to choose from such as specialty coffees, energy drinks and juices, we forget that these don't actually 'hydrate' our body and most people are chronically dehydrated and don't even know it.

It is the brain that is the first place in the body to become dehydrated. 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy thinking. Lack of water is the number one reason for day time fatigue. Dehydrated brain equals poor concentration, fuzzy thinking and mood swings, plus it can show up in other dramatic ways such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, body aches, lethargy and headaches - much like having the flu!

Take a bottle of water wherever you go

That's why we make sure we provide our guests with strong sun block and lots of fresh spring water throughout our surf lessons and at the villa, and encourage our guest's to drink, drink, drink...water that is!

10 tips and reasons for getting and staying hydrated:

1: Detox with Water: Muscles are 75% water, blood around 83% water, and bones 22% water. Water is essential for carrying waste material out of the body. It’s involved in nearly every body process including digestion, absorption, circulation and excretion. It’s vital in transporting nutrients throughout the body.

2: How much water: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). This may vary of course during hot weather (like being in the tropics) and when your doing physical activities like surfing.

3: Stay hydrated at night: Keep water beside your bed.

4: Carry a water bottle: One of the simplest ways to keep a fresh supply of water flowing throughout your muscles, blood, brain and bones is to carry a water bottle everywhere with you.

5: Eat your water: Fruit is 90% water. Grapes and oranges can be as high as 98% water content. My favorite fruit snacks at the moment are strawberries and grapes.

6: Natures Sports Drinks: Young coconut water, Watermelon, cucumber, honeydew and cantaloupe are an excellent source of water, sugar and electrolytes.

7: Add flavor to your water: In case you get bored with the taste of water add a slice of lemongrass or some raspberries and rose petals (a favorite at our retreats). Studies have shown that people drink 45% more water when flavored.

Add Fruit to your water to mix up the flavour!

8: Hot Water Or Ginger Tea: In Winter when its not so easy to drink water, enjoy sipping on plain hot water or spice it up with a slice of ginger. Hot water removes toxins, has a hormone balancing effect and warms your digestive organs according to Ayurvedic Medicine.

9: Drink and Lose Weight: Water is an absolutely essential element during your fat burning program or diet. The reasons you should drink water to lose weight are simple. On average, water makes up 60% of your total body weight. Additionally, your muscles consist of approximately 70% of your muscles. Therefore, drinking sufficient water is necessary to keep your body functioning efficiently.

10: Check in with your body: If you are too busy living “in your head” you can easily forget about the basic needs of your body. Stop, take a few deep breaths and ask your body if its thirty. Often our body confuses thirst for hunger, so before you reach for the snacks have a big glass of water first.

Surf Goddess Retreats

http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com/

Soul Surfing - Thoughts and Musings

2011-03-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

"With surfing, as in life, there is a time to use your power and there is a time to let go.

The wisdom lies in knowing what time it is."

Copyright 2011 - 'Shellsea' - Surf Goddess Retreats
http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com

Bali's Day of Silence and Renewal

2011-03-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Bali is a fascinating island and has it’s own unique form of Hinduism that is only found in this very special place. Living a spiritual lifestyle is paramount to the Balinese and keeping in harmony with all the gods and goddesses that rule and protect the different aspects of life.

This means that there are daily offerings of incense and flowers to the deities that cover the shrines, doorsteps to homes and shops and bring a bit of beauty to each day and connect us with the divine.

Simple Daily Balinese Offernig

Ceremonies also play an important part of life in Bali and my favorite is Nyepi (pronounce nippy). This is the Hindu New Year in the Bali Island of Indonesia. The New Year is observed as ‘a day of silence’ as Nyepi symbolically represents the state of the universe before creation.

Nyepi 2011 date is March 5. Bali Hindu New Year is based on lunar calendar. The festival is marked by numerous rituals and pujas and is spread over four days.

The most important ritual associated with Nyepi is the bathing of village deities in the sea (Melasti).

Long trains of villagers carry offerings and sacred objects from their temples down to the ocean for purification these statues and effigies are symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (i.e. lake, river, etc).

Melasti Ceremony

Today, the night that Nyepi starts there will be another type of ceremony. This time all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, which is known to be the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogohs (pronounced oga-oga). These are elaborately made 8 – 10 paper machet Monsters and daemons.

The giant ogoh-ogoh towers over the crowd

The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment that have to be got rid of from our lives. The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.

Everyone enjoys the carnival and in the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives, and basically scare the evil off the island.

Ogoh-ogohs are meant to scare away bad spirits...this one would scare anything!

That night everyone goes home and for the next day and night stay at home in introspection by limiting their daily activities to give nature a chance to rest. Just one day. And it is a total rest for Nyepi is incomparable to any other holiday in the world because on Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. The only people allowed out are the Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who control and checks for street security. The Pecalangs main task is to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi.

No traffic is allowed – not even flights as the airport is closed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works.

I was told that this was not only to give the mind and nature a rest, but also because the following day the evil spirits that were scared off the island the night before are now out searching the islands to find a place with inhabitants to put their devilish influences upon. When they come back to Bali they see that there is no one here and go off to trouble some other place in the world.

It’s easy to believe that Bali has been purified during Nyepi as it is a wonderfully peaceful day. It’s amazing to just sit in the garden and all you can hear are birds, the wind and the ocean. Even the dogs in the neighborhood are silent and the background hum of passing traffic, that normally doesn’t register, is conspicuously absent.

Also because it is held on a dark moon, I love to go out on my balcony and look out over the pitch black and silent landscape and up to the stars that are out in all their glory. It’s hard not to feel the wonderful peace of a universe at rest. Nyepi offers a deep psychic reprieve, a cosmic sigh for all of us here.

The day afterwards when we all emerge from our seclusion, I feel a tangible calmness that underlies the island; even tough we are all back to work doing our normal daily lives.

Making offerings to the sea

Observing Nyepi really is a wonderful way to start the Balinese New Year with a refreshed mind and spirit.

In fact yogis have been putting aside time for rest and reflection for centuries by taking themselves on silent retreats and it is this spirit of self renewal that I wanted to embrace when starting Surf Goddess Retreats.

While we are definitely not silent on our retreats, and there is a lot of fun activity both in the surf and on land, the underlying heart of the retreat is to be a restorative time in a uplifiting space where we can all come to reconnect and refill to our inner well of strength, calm and beauty, to emerge again and bring the best of ourselves back out into the world.

Om Swastiastu

(Balinese for ‘May God Bless You)

Go Where You Are Loved

2011-02-14T17:17:00.000-08:00

Around Valentine’s Day I have noticed people get really hung up on LOVE, who’s got it, who hasn’t, do I have enough, is it the right kind, are they the ONE?

Since learning the ‘Surf Goddess Way’ many years ago, I don’t get flustered about that sort of thing. I realize that there is no shortage of love, in fact it is in abundance everywhere if you know where to look.

I’d like to share the secret to always having enough love in your life today, by passing on one of the most significant pieces of advice I have ever been given.

It’s simple wisdom can profoundly change your life if you follow it. It changed mine.

“Go where you are loved”

How often do we stay in relationships and situations that don’t honor ourselves. This doesn’t just mean romantic relationships. It can include work places that take you for granted, friends who treat you shabbily or family that criticize and put you down.

Take a moment to reflect on your current relationships. Do you have any that are, quickly or slowly, breaking your heart or your spirit?

Another way to look at your relationships is like two people in a row boat if you were to look up would you be the only one rowing? Worse yet has the other person jumped ship and you just haven’t noticed it yet?

If this is true then it’s time to move on and go where you are loved.

So how do I do this, you ask?

Take another moment to reflect on the people in your life who you know care about you, who you feel great around and have a wonderful rapport with. Those are the people who deserve to be at the center of your life, the ones that you need to ‘shower with love’, as my favorite James Taylor song goes.

Receiving love starts with giving it.

It just makes sense that you aren’t going to have much love in your life if your giving all yours away to those who are incapable of, or aren’t interested in returning it.

It takes self-love to leave these situations, but ultimately it’s a lot less painful than leaving nail marks on relationships that are over. Most times it’s as simple as just letting go and stop ‘rowing the boat’.

Those who don’t really value (love) you will usually fade quietly into the background as you turn your focus to all the wonderful people in your life.

Go where you are loved and when you arrive, don’t just sit there and ask those wonderful souls to love you, it’s a two way street, so give out your love and care in as many ways as you can.

When this happens you will experience profoundly rewarding relationships where everybody involved feels great and helps each other grow on many different levels.

So don’t wait…go where you are loved today and enjoy a wonderful journey!

Musings on Being Authentic

2011-01-22T22:52:00.000-08:00

"The best beauty treatment in the world is a genuine smile"
Shellsea

How often do we get so concerned with what other people think about us?

To truly be happy we need to take off the bright and shiney masks that we wear and be true to ourselves.

Your 'True Self' is far greater and beatiful than you can imagine.

Some people fear that their 'True Self' will be weaker, smaller and less impressive than the mask they show the world; but there is a natural elegance and humility that is exuded by authentic people, and it's actually very 'attractive' in this modern world of fake images and constructed personalities.

By speaking and acting from your heart, rather than just saying and doing what others want, you will re-connect with your passion for life. This passion can't be manufactured and it will naturally arise when you start living from your own internal compass.

Now a bit of advice... when you choose to be authentic and to follow the guidance of your own Truth, other people around you may show resistance...but whose life is it anyway? You deserve to live yours to the fullest!

It's time to show the world your authentic self.

Copyright 2011 - http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com

Bliss Balls - Surf Goddess Retreats Recipes

2010-12-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

These are our favourite snack for a quick energy boost before yoga or surfing. They are deeply nourishing and more importantly bring an instant smile to your face.

We believe that bliss balls are the healthiest and yummiest snacks in the whole wide world...plus they are easy to make!

There’s no cooking, no fussing and no lengthy preparation time. Simply throw your ingredients into the blender, wiz away and then roll into balls.

Chocolate (cacoa) and Cashew Bliss Ball:

1/2 to 1 cup of cashews blended until smooth ( or you can cheat and buy cashew butter)

2 tablespoons of agave nectar (a natural sweetener extracted from the Mexican agave plant) or swap for honey or rice syrup

1 tspn vanilla extract

4 – 8 dates (to your taste)

2 tablespoons organic cacoa

Optional: roll in coconut

Our Secret To Yummy Bliss Balls:

Quality ingredients. Quality ingredients. Quality ingredients

Organic is best with pesticide free being second best. The taste is better and the nutritional value higher.

http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com/cuisine.html

Over 4,000 females participate in Rip Curl Girls Go Surfing Day over the weekend

2010-12-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

Surf Goddess Retreats partnered with Rip Curl School of Surf to develop the first women only Surf Program in Bali and is has been a match made in heaven.

We just had our Girls Go Surfing Day here in Bali a couple of months ago and now it was time for the Aussie Girls to jon the fun...and boy did they ever!

Although final numbers are still being confirmed, the 2010 Rip Curl Girls Go Surfing Day is estimated to have attracted over 4,000 females over the weekend. Under the guidance of qualified Surfing Australia instructors, participants either got their first taste at surfing or gained a few tips to improve their current level.

2010 is the 21st consecutive year the program has run, making it the longest running and largest participation based all girls surfing program in the world.

“We had an excellent weekend with a big turnout at all locations. It’s fantastic to see so many girls participating in the sport and there’s no better way to get you started for surfing this summer,” said Marine Cole.

By the end of the weekend, most girls had stood up for the first time on a surfboard and more importantly all were smiling. After each session the participants receive their official Girls Go Surfing Day ‘goodie bag’ with a limited edition singlet and other assorted gear.

The Rip Curl Girls Go Surfing Day is proudly presented by Virgin Blue with partners Surfing Australia, DOLLY magazine, WIN TV and The Butterfly Foundation.

Soul Surfing - Thoughts and Musings

2010-09-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

When we fully realise that the flow of our life's story has been directed by the choices we made in response to any given situation.....the great gift of each new day is that we always have the opportunity to choose again.

Blissful Bircher Museli (Surf Goddess Recipes)

2010-09-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

If you've been tiring of eating breakfast cereals first thing in the morning, the original Bircher muesli offers a tasty and healthy alternative that we serve on our retreats!

Bircher muesli, originally brought to the world's attention in about 1900, was created by the Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital. The idea was to provide a nutritious morning food as an aid to therapy. (More generally, he went against the grain, suggesting that plant based diets are much healthier than meat based diets, something which science is beginning to corroborate.)

What we think of as muesli today, is actually a descendant of the original muesli created by Bircher, but quite often with the essential healthy qualities removed, due to the shelf life of products - that is, the fresh fruits. Today's mueslis also often have added salt and sugar, both of which are unnecessary to get a great taste. Though some manufacturers do provide a healthier alternative (i.e. no added sugar), the obvious drawback is that packaged breakfast cereals can't contain fresh fruit. After getting a taste for Bircher muesli, it's hard to go back and enjoy food from a box in the same way!

Following is the recipe we prepare daily on our retreat - which is incredibly tasty and brimming with energy!

Ingredients (serves 2)

1 green apple, unpeeled, quartered, core removed
1 cup (90g) rolled oats
1/2 cup (125ml) apple juice
1/2 cup (130g) fat-free natural yoghurt, plus extra to serve
Large pinch ground cinnamon / nutmeg
1/4 cup (25g) flaked almonds / walnuts
1/4 cup (30g) diced tropical dried fruit
2 tbs freshly grated coconut ( or pepitas / pumpkin seeds)
1/2 tbs flax seeds
Freshly diced mango, papaya or berries to serve

Method

Coarsely grate the apple. Mix the grated apple, rolled oats, apple juice, yoghurt, dried fruit and cinnamon in a bowl until well combined. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight.

Combine the flaked nuts and seeds in a small bowl.

Stir half the nut mixture through the muesli with 1/2 cup of yoghurt if the muesli has been soaking overnight. (If the muesli has been soaking for 1 hour, add a little extra yoghurt only as desired.) Top with the remaining nut mixture and fruit to serve.

Tip: Adapt this recipe to suit your tastes or whatever you have in the pantry. Replace the apple juice with orange or pineapple juice, milk or soy milk for a non-dairy alternative. Add some toasted shredded coconut, diced dried apricot or currants.

prep: 5 mins (+1 hour or overnight soaking) - Keeps for 2 - 3 days

Enjoy!

Practicing Extreme Self Acceptance

2010-08-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Before you head out today, whether its to the surf or work.... I invite you to practice 'Extreme Self Acceptance'.

Happiness and Self Love shouldn't be conditional.

Understand that you are already 'perfect' just the way you are today in your uniqueness.

Enjoy being in your skin, enjoy doing things 'imperfectly' because perfection is just an illusion.

When we accept and celebrate ourselves just as we are in each day, that is we give ourselves the freedom to experience happiness - nobody else can truly give it to us.

Wishing you a wonderful self-judgement free day!

Raw Ceasar Salad Dressing from the Surf Goddess Kitchen

2010-06-18T05:05:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like going for an early evening surf in warm weather then coming home and having a big salad fresh salad! This is just one of our favourites dressings.
It does not need to be served with traditional cos lettuce, as it is also wonderful with arugula, olives, tomatoes, radishes, avacadoes, hemp seeds....mix it up!

Ingredients

1/4 cup cold-pressed olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

4 medium stalks celery, cut into fourths

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup Namu Shoyu soy sauce

2 Tablespoons sweet white miso

5 organic unsulphered dates ( I substitute 1 t. raw honey)

freshly ground pepper to taste

It's very simple to make....Blend all ingredients in blender

Makes 3 cups and keeps for about 10 days

The Joy of the Beginner's Mind - Surfing's Hidden Treasures

2010-06-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

Humans are the only creatures that are self-conscious. You never see a cat blush when they slip, dogs never cringe when they fart in public and I am sure lions don’t beat themselves up over ‘the one that got away.’

It’ s only we humans that have set up the world so that we try to do every thing perfectly...every time. With this in mind, surfing can teach us one of life’s finest lessons…that is to not take ourselves so seriously!

To learn to surf we must be willing to lose our self-consciousness in order to participate. No person has ever picked up a surfboard and ridden a wave perfectly on their first try. We have all fallen off our boards in uncoordinated ways and been unceremoniously tossed around by the white wash - both as beginners and as seasoned surfers!

Surfing teaches us to keep humble, be patient and have a few laughs as we give ourselves a good long period of time where we can be ‘kooky’ surfers as we try something new.

This is also a great lesson to take into life in general. How often are we afraid to try something new because we may fail and worse yet, look foolish or uncomposed while trying?

All the wisest teachers throughout the ages have taught the benefits of keeping a beginner’s mind - to lower the bar and allow ourselves to ‘not know’ and not be ‘perfect experts’.

Indeed I have always thought that some of most fun I have had in the surf was when I was an absolute beginner. It was all great back then. Every small improvement a momentous victory, every slip, slide and tumble and chance to laugh, giggle and get bounced around by the bubbly froth.

How much more serious we become when we lose the beginner’s mind. Every small mistake becomes an excuse to berate ourselves for not doing better. Where is the fun in that?

So if you are a beginner enjoy your bumpy, frothy, fun discovery of surfing; and if you’re a seasoned surfer, re-discover your beginner’s mind.

There are many ways you can do this. One way is by teaching another to surf. As we teach what we know we share the beginner’s experience and re-visit that part of ourselves. Another way is to surf somewhere new or on a different length of board than you usually ride. Surf just for the fun of it. Let go of how you look, how ‘well’ you rode the wave or if you got wiped - just do it because you love it!

http://www.surfgoddesretreats.com/

Surf Goddess Retreats in Shape Magazine Online

2010-06-06T21:54:00.001-07:00

Getting fit doesn't have to mean going to the gym and slogging it out on the stairmaster...surfing provides a great way to get in shape and have fun doing it!

http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/classes/yoga_surf_camp

About Commitment.... (Surf Goddess Life Coaching Series)

2010-05-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

The word commitment often brings out mixed emotions for people. At a time when we are presented with endless options, making a commitment to something or someone can appear to be a challenge.

Often people resist fully committing to an idea because they want to minimise their risks. The only hitch is that, when it comes to life, a partial commitment usually returns only partial results and partial joy.

It is fear that often holds us back from going after our heart’s desire. First there is the fear of people seeing us fail, or at the very least struggle as we stretch ourselves to reach out for something new. We also fear success and the new responsibilities that success always brings.

I like to compare the process of making a commitment to the process of surfing. When you see a wave coming that you want to ride, you launch yourself forward into action preparing to ‘catch’ the wave. This is the same as the first steps you take when you want to achieve a goal or make a vision a reality.

Then comes the point when the wave ‘catches’ you! Sweeping you up, it starts to pull you forward with it’s own momentum. It is at this moment the crucial decision has to be made. Do I want to catch this wave or not? It is a decision that relies on gut level instinct.

You can either pull back, and let the wave roll on by, or throw your whole being into it. You know that a half hearted commitment will have you being dumped in the white wash, tossed unceremoniously around like a wet rag.However, if you throw every bit of your being at the wave you can have the chance to experience a wild and joyous ride.

Life is very much like the ocean. There are endless options to choose from, just as there are always new waves. But to experience the sense of triumph and satisfaction that comes from fully realising our dreams, we have to commit to that vision, person or goal; just the same as we need to commit to the wave we want to ride.

Commitment requires not only action, but a sense of purpose that is unwavering even in the face of challenges.

Happy Surfing!

Where the Girls Are - A Sports Guide to Getting Away from the Guys

2010-02-19T20:37:00.000-08:00

Where the Girls Are - A Sports Guide to Getting Away from the Guys
(Excerpt from Asian Wall Street Journal Article - 2009)

Sometimes men just can't help being boys when it comes to sports. For those who prefer to pick up their sporting skills away from the guys and all that competitive zeal, here's a guide to some top spots for golf, surfing, skiing and trekking -- for women only....

Daphne Tan doesn't consider herself much of a sportswoman, but when she went searching for a trip she could take on her own, what she settled on was a one-week retreat to learn to surf.

Ms. Tan, 31 years old, a Singaporean who works for a hotel company in Hong Kong, says she was in dire need of a break from the job, from the hustle and bustle of city life -- and even from herself. "I thought about going to a resort on my own and chilling for a week," she says, "but I realized I couldn't stand it on my own for three days, never mind a week."

While hunting around for an activity that could give a focus to her holiday and offer a chance to meet new people, she chanced upon Surf Goddess Retreats. Its pitch: a little surf, serenity and sisterhood in Seminyak on the Indonesian island of Bali. Ms. Tan made up her mind: She would take the plunge into "something completely new."

"It turned out to be the best thing," Ms. Tan says. "I loved it! We surfed three hours a day, and they made it really simple. We did yoga every morning, and I got to meet this great group of women."

Surf Goddess Retreats provides luxury surf, yoga and spa retreats which groups get eight days of surfing lessons, daily yoga sessions, health-oriented organic food, spa treatments and cultural tours of Bali.

The morning yoga classes focus on core training, balance and concentration, meant to complement the afternoon surfing lessons, which are delivered by certified instructors. The cultural tours take in temples, markets and art studios; one highlight is a visit to Wayan, a traditional Balinese healer from Ubud made famous in Elizabeth Gilbert's novel "Eat, Pray, Love," the story of a year-long spiritual journey.

Surf Goddess offers surfing retreats between March and November when ocean conditions are considered optimal for all skill levels. Clients come mostly from the U.S., Australia, U.K., Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore and range in age from their late 20s to their mid 40s. Most, like Ms. Tan, come on their own.

"I was at this crossroads in my career, and I met women who were very successful, a woman who was a mother of two, and my roommate was my age and at the same point in her career as me -- thinking, What next? And another lady who was traveling for two years straight," says Ms. Tan. "It was special for me -- I met all these people who were at different stages in their life and it was a real boost for me." She keeps in touch by email with the women she met on the surfing holiday.

Tokyo resident Mami Kistler, 28, who works for a French investment bank, also took a solo trip to Bali, with the encouragement of her American husband. "When I saw this on the Web, I decided I wanted to go because I wanted to meet other girls who want to do exactly the same thing," she says. "The group was great -- all girls, all very chilled out, laid-back and just wanted to be there to have fun."

Mrs. Kistler, who grew up in Kochi, in southern Japan, and studied in the U.S. and Canada, had recently tried surfing in Japan, but hadn't yet gotten the hang of it. "I'm a beginner -- my goal from the retreat was to be able to actually go out and surf myself," she says. "It was really a fantastic experience. By the end, I was surfing by myself. When you catch a wave, it's a feeling you can't explain."

—Cris Prystay is a writer based in Singapore

For current information visit http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com

Choosing the Right Surf Board

2010-02-04T00:48:00.000-08:00

The board you ride makes all the difference to your surfing. Choosing the right board for the waves and your experience can affect whether you have a great ride or a frustrating time in the surf.

One of the most common mistakes that new surfers make in choosing a board is that they want to start off riding short boards similar to the ones they see professional surfers ride. Short boards usually have a very pulled in or pointy nose, are not very thick in the body and are usually 6 foot or under in length.

The problem with a beginner or inexperienced surfer riding a short board is that these boards are designed to be very responsive in the water, their reduced surface size makes them turn easily to do ‘cut backs’ and other maneuvers; but what this means for the new surfer is that they are really hard to balance on for both lying on the board and also for standing up and riding a wave!

Also, because they are light and thin, when they are paddled in the water, the surfer’s body is half immersed in the ocean rather than lying on top of it, so it creates a lot more drag and they need a lot of upper body strength to get up the speed to paddle onto most waves.

So what happens to inexperienced surfers who ride short boards is that they struggle to catch unbroken (or ’green’) waves because they can’t paddle fast enough and when they do get up they find it hard to stand up to ride the wave and fall off very easily….not much fun really!
The best boards to ride when you are first learning are long boards which are also commonly known as Malibu boards (named after the famous long boarding surf break of Malibu in California).

Long boards are generally wide overall having a full nose area, are long, starting from around 8 + feet, and are 2” to 3” thick. They are perfect for learning as the board is very stable for riding and because they float high in the water it makes them very easy to paddle onto waves. I think of them as the ‘instant gratification’ surfboard as its is so easy to catch waves and have a fun ride in most conditions. They are great for learning the basic skills of surfing because you get lots of practice when you can paddle successfully on to waves and also once you catch the wave you can work on improving your skills instead of having to put all your focus on just trying standing up on the board!

After mastering your balance on a long board and developing the basic skills, many surfers often move onto Fun boards, Mini Mals or Hybrids. These are either a shorter version of a long board or a hybrid / combo of long board and short board features. They are most often between 7ft to 8ft long and are still quite thick (around 2” ).
There is a reason they are often referred to as ‘fun boards’ as they are ideal for most recreational surfers as they have a high degree of manoeuvrability on the wave, while still being stable to balance on and floaty enough to keep it fairly easy in paddling onto waves…so your pretty much going to have a good time when you go out surfing!

The important thing to remember when choosing a board is start BIG and move your way down in size as your skills improve. Even for experienced surfers, smaller doesn’t always mean better, there are many surfers who love to ride only Malibu boards and skilled wave riders turn surfing these boards into an art form with graceful dance like moves that require amazing balance and timing.

The main thing is to have fun and the simplest way to do this is to ride boards and waves that are suitable to your surfing level, fitness and experience.

Live Well, Laugh Lots and Surf with a Smile!

http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com