Keepin’ busy – with a smile!

What a week! It has been non-stop full throttle, thrust over here both in my personal and  business life. I mean, I am not complaining, it’s great to be busy, but wow, so much all at once.

I just thought I would give you a little re-cap of what is actually taking place right now over the last week or so and over the next week and months to come!

First I went away to California to the Longevity Conference for a powerful weekend with David Wolfe.

Then last weekend on Easter weekend, I went to New York with some gals for a fun filled weekend loaded with delicious restaurant visiting, walking, shopping and of course some secret researching on my end Did I mention I met Dr. Oz on the streets of New York?

At my favourite restaurant Pure Food and Wine

Outside Stogo eating vegan, raw ICE CREAM!

After chasing him for three blocks, we got our reward!

The last four days I had a class everyday…

Tuesday: a private group class making delectable breakfast creations

Wednesday: I had my most popular class Super Suppers (book your spot now for my upcoming dates)

Thursday: I had another popular class Guiltless Dessert Indulgence (this ones fills up fast!)

Friday:  I taught IHN students their Holistic Food Prep course

Friday night – went to another David Wolfe event – almost like a mini Longevity Conference

Tomorrow: I head to Ottawa to pick up Ryan after he spent the last month in the freezing cold Arctic trekking to the North Pole!

Sunday: I am off to GRAIL SPRINGS for my Delicious Retreat!

Then in May I have a full calendar loaded with delicious classes all the way up to December…. so get booking. Lots to choose from!

 

Anyways, I just thought I would share with you what is going on here! I guess keeping things busy, keeps you on your toes. It actually makes things happen. I find that when I am so busy, I am more efficient – I get things done, I am really creative and sometimes I have enough time in between to actually relax and enjoy the process. I would like to say this has been an easy couple of weeks, but with Ryan so far away in the high arctic, freezing, walking, and not hearing his voice it has been rather difficult. But the trek is finally over and now I get to see him!

But being so busy, has actually kept my mind off of things. I have learned many lesson this month especially in regards to balance, when you need to juggle what is going on in our personal life alongside the reality your day to day business, you need to just go with it. I wish I had more control over some of the situations that have taken place – but instead it has just pushed me harder. I think subconsciously I took more on just to keep my mind and body occupied. So maybe this is a lesson that you need to push yourself just a little harder everyday of your life!

I have yet to hear about Ryan’s experience – pushing himself beyond limits that aren’t imaginable to most. To get a sense of what has been taking place please see RYANS RACE for more details. Above all, I have been updating his blog, sending out his newsletters while trying to keep a smile on my face!

Okay now I am just venting. It is 2:17 am, as you can see I can’t sleep, awaiting the moments that I will see Ryan.

 

Get away to Grail!

There is a magical little place perched in on the lake in Bancroft, Ontario and it is known as Grail Springs. I was lucky enough to first find out about it from a good friend of mine who went there for spa weekend with her mom. After hearing all the details about what this place had to offer, I knew I had to try it out for myself. I immediately booked Ryan and myself a room for Labour Day weekend last September, and it was everything I had imagined and more!

 

Since I had such an incredible time the first time. My friend who had told me about it, Jaime, and I went back in November on my birthday to see David Wolfe and just take a night away from the city! This was one of the best birthdays ever… (if you know what I mean)! I was so well taken care of up there. Madeleine Merentette, the founder and face of Grail Springs made me feel so welcome and special on my birthday. She is an incredible powerhouse of energy and passion. She has put her entire heart and soul into her haven at Grail Springs. She brings together the mind, body and spirit all wrapped up into one gorgeous and healing venue.

It’s not only that the property and setting of Grail Springs is amazing, so is everything that they offer. Grail is somewhere that you would escape to for a weekend, week or month away. Whether you want time for yourself, with a partner or a friend. Grail is a platform to heal, rejuvenate, relax, detox, meditate, do yoga and achieve a higher sense of well being. We are so lucky to have a place like this so close to Toronto. The accommodations are cozy, each week there is a different host or expert guiding guests through something fun, intriguing and enlightening, and the food is absolutely incredible. For someone like me who has to travel with a second suitcase or bag full of my own food, I don’t have to do this at Grail Springs. As it accommodates me as a vegetarian (as this is Madeleine’s philosophy) – being sensitive to wheat, dairy and sugar. Grail Springs has got it all. Here is just a sample of what the menu was on my birthday…if that’s not to die for, I don’t know what is!

With all that being said, there is no doubt I was made to host my very own retreat at Grail Springs. We just both have way to much in common! So on May 2nd I will be there for 4 days taking individuals through a journey in food. I will be there to talk, share and demonstrate all things plant based. Showing people how to make the transition to a more delicious lifestyle eating only the best foods nature has to offer. For more detail on my retreat and to book your spot please click here

Marni’s Delicious Living Retreat!

How YOU can live longer NOW!

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have a few suggestions. Last week I had the honour of being a participant in the bi-annual Longevity Now conference hosted by David “Avocado” Wolfe. It is a power packed weekend filled with information to benefit all. I am being asked by my friends and students, left right and center, “what did you learn, how was it, tell me more?” Well now is my chance to share. But first, what I do have to say is that I got out of it exactly what I needed at this time in my life. Since there is so much information presented in such a short span of time, I really had to select what I wanted to get out of it – and I did just that!

There was everything from the new latest supplements to how to sleep in a way that will heal our bodies out of pain. So it’s diverse and very well rounded. I am not going to take you through the entire weekend, but I am going to focus on some helpful tips that you can use NOW to help you on your journey to live a long healthy life. It’s not about living to 120 years of age, it’s about the quality of your life every day from today forward…but if you can live 120 yeas while thriving (not surviving) – all the better!

So here is a list of what I learned, embraced and now want to share with you!

Get Grounded: Connect with mother earth – get outside and go barefoot in the grass. Trust me it feels amazing! On a whole, we have lost this connection with the growth of the shoe industry, cemented homes and high-rise industrial buildings. When our feet don’t make direct contact with the ground, we miss out on true vitality. I encourage you to give it a try. Good thing spring is around the corner. Kids love to be barefoot – so follow their footsteps literally and don’t compromise your health and innate strength.

However since we can’t go barefoot all the time, all year round and even walking barefoot in our homes doesn’t really count, there are amazing devices that help us to re-gain that connection. They grounding products by Earthing! I have just recently become a consumer of their products and it’s just been over a week and  I have already noticed tremendous differences in my energy levels, sleep patterns and overall well being. I have a grounding pad (which my feet are on right now) a mouse pad (which my hand is on right now) and a sheet on my bed – along with some other goodies. Please have a look at the Grounded website for more info and to find out what I am talking about! But if you want to purchase your own devices click here and look under household products!

Nourish with food, superfoods and herbs: Well this should be no surprise! Considering you are on the Fully Nourished website! This is what I am all about! So there was lots of information on food and nutrition, although I consider myself well versed in the area already, there is always more to learn. There are really 3 levels when it comes to food. The first being to make sure you are drinking enough filtered, pure or spring water, then get your essentials in the form of healthy fats, protein and carbohydrates while choosing mainly raw plant based sources for fuel. Get my book if you want more ideas on how to Veg Comfortably .  Then there is the next level – Superfoods – these are the foods that are loaded full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that are vital to long lasting health. This can be in the form of cacao, goji berries, hemp, maca, leafy greens, chlorella, blueberries, brazil nuts, sea vegetables. They are all amazing and should be included in some way, shape or form into your everyday diet! The last level is the herbals . Whether it’s in the form of a tea, a capsule or elixir, herbs are necessary for taking your health  to the next level. Some herbs to think about, research and possibly include are the mushrooms : (chaga, reishi, mitaki, shiataki) shatavari, astragalus, ashwaganda, nettles, tulsi – let’s just start with that! Again this happens to be the start of spring – a good time for herbs – so find out what works for you and your body and go from there!

Cook in clean cookware: This is an extremely important area. Most people don’t think twice about their cookware. They just assume that as long as they have good ingredients, then all is good. Not true. The second you put your gorgeous vibrant organic kale in toxic (I mean tephlon) cookware – then you have not only killed your kale, but you have infused it with toxins and vapours that I won’t even get into in this post. Just cause things don’t stick, doesn’t mean it’s good for you. So investing in quality cookware that is surgical grade Stainless Steel and Titanium is the best choice. This cookware (the cookware I use in my classes) will also not “cook” your food the way that you think it needs to be cooked. Water doesn’t have to boil and oil doesn’t have to splatter to ensure that the heat is high enough, in fact at that point you are again – destroying the nutrients and contents of your food. If you want to learn more about the cookware I use in my class and ask all your questions please click here!

Sleep with-OUT a pillow: Yes you heard right…no pillow! Our pillows have become a drug (according to David Wolfe) we are so dependent on them. We love curling up to them at night, but then complain of neck aches in the morning? So why bother! I have been sleeping with my face on my mattress directly for years…but that still isn’t as good as sleeping on your side with your arm/shoulder held out under your head (if you can picture that). But the distance between your neck space and the mattress should be perfectly filled in by your arm. This is ideal for proper neck and spinal alignment. Just like with anything it will take time to adjust, but once you do this – on your grounded sheet (see home products)- you will start to notice just how well you are sleeping and waking up pain free!

Jump up and down: Sounds like fun doesn’t it! Well you can do it outside and barefoot of course…but what I am talking about here is rebounding! Getting yourself a equipped with a solid rebounder for health and of course longevity. When you rebound you are able to exercise your whole body, even your cells! Everything is targeted, working and strengthening. When we challenge our body against gravity we are also able to stimulate the lymphatic system without any trauma to our skeletal system. Most re-bounders are small enough to have in a room or the basement of your house, some even fold up so that you can travel with them anywhere you go!

Breath in and out: This is probably the most important thing you can do everyday, multiple times a day. and something you may always hear about, but still aren’t doing correctly. Yes we all breath every day, but very few of us actually take in a breath. You will know when you do, because you will feel it. Drawing air in through your nose for a deep inhalation, expanding your belly fully and exhaling your breath out (for longer than your inhale) through your mouth. Sounds simple enough, but you will notice that most of your breaths are through your chest – lifting it up and not fully taking in the air. So try it the right way, through your belly. It will calm you down, bring down your stress response, relax your body and your mind. Something we all need to live a more complete and wholesome life!

Laugh, smile and love a lot – Again this sounds so simple, but most of us can go through each day without laughing, smiling or telling someone that you love them.  As a society, we are too serious. Too caught up with the mundane and don’t take time to enjoy what really matters. It is kind of sad when you look at that way. But think about how good you feel when someone breaks out in laughter, smiles at you or tells you that they love you. You get warm and tingly and can’t help but feel great all over! So why don’t we do this more often? We can eat all the best food in the world,  take all the best supplements, herbs but nothing will have as much an effect as this. This is something I am learning and becoming more aware of myself and the results are profound.

 

So these are just some of my recommendations to get started on a path were you can start LIVING longer today!

Want more guidance?

Join my Delicious Living Retreat in beautiful Bancroft Ontario at Grail Springs!

AND/OR

Join my Raw Rejuvenation Retreat in beautiful Collingwood Ontario in June!

AND/OR

Get my one or both of my Health-E-Books that are jam-packed full of resources and information for better nutrition!

Super Foods for Super Health!

Superfoods are the super-powered heroes of the plant world and they have magical properties. They are healing, rejuvenating and immune boosting. They are loaded with nutrients that truly make you super happy and super healthy. I promise! If you have never tried them you may just have a chance to win one of them free…read on!

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to add these yummy foods into your diet, whether it is hemp, goji, acai, cacao, coconut – they all taste amazing and make you feel great!

I have written many a blog post on superfoods. There are various recipes and articles on these foods right here on my blog. That way I can provide you with as much information and ideas of how to use and consume these foods. Superfoods is such a buzz word these days, and it is important to understand why, when and how to use these foods. But the bottom line is to just get them in!

In David Wolfe’s Superfoods book he goes into detail on each of these superfoods (and so much more). So I encourage you to pick up a copy! It is a really comprehensive book as it gives you a detailed outline of how to use these foods, which are “the most nutritious foods on the planet!” David Wolfe.

Here is a mini outline of some of the top ones…

Goji Berries: Goji berries are the most nutritionally rich berry fruit on the planet. They taste delicious and are well balanced for nearly all body types. They are a complete protein source and contain nineteen different amino acids, trace minerals and vitamins. (also great for vision, libido, hormones and an incredible source of antioxidants)

Cacao: The best natural source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, omega 6 – and chocolate just tastes good!

Spirulina: ancient blue-green algae that is power packed with protein and chlorophyll.

Hempseed: contain all the essential amino acids and fatty acids to maintain human life. Enough said!

Coconuts: The health benefits of coconuts is immense, that I can’t even begin to list them all in one line – but in one sentence as quoted by David Wolfe “Coconut water is the breast milk of mother earth”. That should give you an idea!  (Click here for More info!)

Honey: unprocessed honey is natures richest source of live healing enzymes and one of natures sweetest treats!

Superfoods may be new to you, or they  may already be a staple in your diet….either way:

Tell me which Superfoods you use, how you use them and why you love them!

If I like what you write, you may just WIN! The best answer will get a pack of Goji Berries – compliments of me!

1. Please Post A Comment Below

2. Post it in on Twitter and Link To this Blog Post

3. Share it on Facebook and Link this Blog Post

4. Share on Your Blog and Link Back to My Blog

RAW WALDORF SALAD

Ingredients:

1-4 cups of arugula or mixed greens

¼ cup peeled jicama

3 stalks celery diced or cucumber chunks

1 apple, diced – I like granny smiths

1 cup sunflower sprouts

½ cup walnuts, chopped

1 tbsp hemp seeds

1 tbsp goji berries

1/4 avocado, sliced

Waldorf Dressing – makes over 1 cup

¼ cup hemp oil

2 tbsp raw tahini

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon raw honey

2 tablespoon tamari

2 tbsp – ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Filtered water (add slowly only if needed without hemp oil)

1. Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour over salad ingredients and toss until well coated.

Spring Cleansing – the Raw Way!

I am pleased to announce that I am one of the sponsors of David Wolfe’s upcoming Spring Cleansing and Renewal event in Toronto (as you can see by my itty bitty logo at the bottom of the flyer on the left). This is going to be an exciting and fun night as David fills the room full of “raw” information that will be sure to transform your life. If you have ever heard David speak before you know that he radiates, love and passion for nutritious super foods and lifelong health. If you have never heard David speak before then I encourage you to join this fun event.

An evening with David is sure to be filled with everything from raw cacao to green juices and coconuts. You will learn all about the healing powers of super foods, spring water and how to lose weight and prevent illness. Everything ties together as you will see through David’s magnetic energy that captures everyone’s attention. Spring Cleansing is the topic of choice for this event – but it will still tie into everything that you need to know to enter into the warmer months feeling THE BEST YOU CAN FEEL! This is David’s promise.

So I encourage you to act quickly and get your tickets before it is too late, because if there is any event that sells out quick, it is one with David Wolfe (trust me, I’ve been there!). You can get your tickets today by clicking here!

FYI – this event goes hand in hand with my Delicious Rejuvenation Retreat. The first weekend has completely sold out. But the good news is that I am holding another one in July. So if you think you want to take your health to the next level and join me for a Raw Weekend Getaway – then GET IN TOUCH with me Today!

The BEST night EVER!

These are the wise words of David Wolfe – a renown guru in the world of raw foods. I had the opportunity last night to go and see him speak in Orangeville Ontario. Even though he racaps on so much of what I know – he always has a way of taking nutrition to a whole other level beyond most people’s consciousness.
The emphasis last night was on Superfoods. This term has been coined to emphasize food from nature which has superior health benefits. The best part is that these foods are so widely available to us – literally they are all around us in nature. Unfortunately most people don’t even know what true superfoods are or better yet what they can do for our body, our mind and of course our health. Superfoods are foods that have unique properties that have the ability to nourish our body in more than one way. For instance on single food item (such as goji berries) may contain not only protein, but also immune properties, antioxidants and trace minerals. So in one single tiny berry you are getting an array of health benefits. Other superfoods – according to David Wolfe include Cacao (yes this is chocolate), maca, bee products, blue green algae, marine phytoplankton, aloe vera, hemp seed and coconuts.
So last night I went with a friend to watch and be inspired by David Wolfe’s magnetic energy about superfoods. You can’t help but feel his buzz and become pumped about all the benefits that these foods have to offer. Before I had arrived at the lecture, I was feeling a little tired from the long day I had, luckily there was a chocolate elixir available for me to drink and this perked me right up and made me feel amazing. I mean, who wouldn’t want to drink a cup full of chocolate goodness? I am talking about chocolate in it’s purest sense- no dairy and no unnatural sugars, only filled with herbal extracts and other super healthy goodies. This was followed by a slice of heavenly cheesecake made from cashews and coconut butter…I was in heaven!

David Wolfe with a Bag of Goji Berries on his head! – sorry for the poor quality pictures, I only had my phone available!

Since I already have been including superfoods in my diet for a long time – I thought I would share my favourite super smoothie recipe with you!

Chocolaty Super Food Smoothie!

1-2 cups almond milk
1-2 scoops of sunwarrior chocolate rice protein powder
2 tablespoons goji berries
1 tablespoon raw cacao or cacao nibs
1 tablespoon hempseeds
1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter
1 frozen banana
1 tsp maca powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Place all ingredients in blender or vita-mix and blend until smooth and creamy!
Enjoy!!