Musings on Being Authentic

"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

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

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

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)

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

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

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