In our Summer 2021 issue, we featured an interview with Nevill Houston, the owner of Health and Healing Natural Food Store in Co. Wicklow. Nevill had some great advice to share on how we can absorb the highest nutritional content from our food.
We always love to drool over The Happy Pear’s offerings … and this season was no different, as we read the recipe they shared with us for our Spring 2020 issue: a delicious spring veg casserole with asparagus. Read on to learn all about it!
Food & RecipesGood LifeHolistic HealthPositive BusinessPositive News & InterviewsPositively Physical
Stay Ever-Healthy With Evergreen
We were excited to feature the popular Evergreen health food store in the Short and Sweet section of our Winter 2019/20 issue. Read on to learn all about their top tips for fighting off the winter cold!
Looking for a mouth-watering plant-based dining experience? Look no further than the lovely Glas Restaurant, located on Chatham Street in Dublin 2! Read on to learn more.
EventsFood & RecipesGood LifeHappinessHolistic HealthMeditation & MindfulnessPositive Businesspositive newsPositive Nightspositive nightsPositive StoriesSpecial Event
November Vibes: Events and Products to Warm the Heart as Winter Begins
November‘s News: It’s official. Winter is here, and it’s time for the gloves and scarves to come out. Our summer heatwave is a distant memory … but there are many things to look forward to about this time of year. What could be better, for instance, than sitting beside a roaring fire, dressed in cosy pyjamas and enjoying some delicious hot chocolate, while the cold rages on outside? We have picked out a number of treats for you to check out this month, ranging from our very own Positive Nights events (look out for our extra-special speed dating event or Heartsongs with John Bowker) to an in-depth look at the gorgeous Calm Rooms of Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Positive Nights: Some of Our Best Picks to Enjoy!
Following our successful speed dating events last November and April, we are ready to bring it to another level and help singles to connect once again. From your hosts with the most, Orla Bass and Paul Congdon, we present to you an evening of Speed Dating From the Heart on Thursday the 22nd of November, from 7.15 to 10.00 p.m. in Bewley’s Café, 78/79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Doors open at 6.45 p.m. Click here to learn more and get your tickets.
Also make sure you keep an eye out for our Heartsongs with John Bowker on December 6th, and our event with Andrea Hayes on December 13th. Details will be announced soon – watch this space!
The Organic Trust: Excellence Assured
The Organic Trust is the organic certification body of choice for professional organic producers in Ireland. The Trust describes their mission as, quite simply, “upholding the integrity of organic food.” The organic food sector in Ireland is in a continuous state of development, and the Organic Trust are proud to certify a huge range of organic products on retail shelves in Ireland (with the bulk of Irish-produced organic food being marketed under the Organic Trust logo). If you are an organic producer who wants to learn more, make sure you check out their website!
The Calm Rooms of Monkstown: An Oasis of Wellness
The Calm Rooms is a brand-new wellness hub in Monkstown Village, specialising in therapeutic treatments, meditation, yoga and pilates. This new business is hoping to establish themselves as a premium centre for wellness and relaxation in the city. We can’t wait until they announce their full range of treatments! Check out their website or Facebook page to learn more. You can also watch our recent Facebook live video that we did with them to get a sense of what they’re all about.
Our Exciting New Visualisation Track With Judith McAdam
We are pleased to introduce a meditation track we have always wanted to do for you: a 20-minute visualisation in which you get to actively enhance your resonance with health, love, abundance and your personal purpose. This track was co-created by the Positive Life team and Judith McAdam. Judith is a renowned theologian, kinesiologist, holistic life coach and author of the beautiful book The Source, and we are thrilled to have launched this new collaboration with her. To learn more and download the track, just click here.
EventsFood & RecipesGood LifeHappinessHolistic HealthInspiring InterviewsPositive BeautyPositive BusinessPositive NightsPositive parentingSpecial EventSpirituality
July Vibes: The Best Products, Events and Holistic Happenings for the Month Ahead
Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than by getting out and about to enjoy some exciting events or sample some of the best holistic products on the market? Read on to learn more about the highlights we’ve picked out for you for this month. If you haven’t picked up our Summer 2018 issue yet, make sure you call into one of our stockists throughout the country soon. You can also subscribe here to get a copy delivered right to your door.
Veginity Opens New Plant-Based Restaurant
Veginity has long been a go-to spot for vegan foodies … and if you are a fan of this innovative food truck business, you’ll be glad to hear that they have found a new, permanent venue at 101 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1. Whilst adjusting to the joy of being in their new home, Veginity is continuing to supply the scrumptious plant-based fare that has won them legions of fans over the past few years, ever since Australian chef Mark Senn originally founded the business as a food truck. We love their imaginative approach to food preparation … not to mention their mouth watering desserts. Make sure you check them out!
Positive Nights Presents: Peaceful Parenting with Genevieve Simperingham – 12th July
We have two exciting events on the Positive Nights calendar this month! Tonight – Thursday July 12th – we will be playing host to parenting expert and educator, Genevieve Simperingham. Genevieve will be discussing the peaceful parenting philosophy she teaches, which equips parents with the tools to transition to a non-punitive, connection-based parenting approach. This will take place from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. in the Bewley’s Café Theatre, 78/79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. For further information and booking, just click here.
Positive Nights Presents: Creating a Positive Reality with Judith McAdam – 19th July
Judith McAdam is a theologian, holistic life coach and the bestselling author of The Source. Throughout her career, she has been inspiring women and men to tap into their unique creative intelligence and step into their true potential, realising their personal and higher purpose in this life. Judith weaves together the ancient and the new drawing on mystical theological traditions and connecting this information to contemporary psychology and science in an accessible and impactful way. We are thrilled to welcome her to Positive Nights on Thursday July 19th, from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. at the Bewley’s Café Theatre, 78/79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Click here for further information and booking details.
Marianne Williamson to Visit Dublin in October
Marianne Williamson is one of the world’s most respected spiritual teachers. She is an internationally acclaimed spiritual author and lecturer. Seven of her twelve published books have been New York Times Best Sellers. A paragraph from her mega best seller A Return to Love, beginning “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers. Marianne is visiting Dublin on Wednesday October 10th 2018, from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dublin. Drawing on her insights from A Course in Miracles, Marianne will speak about how we may transform our own lives and what we can do to change the world. Click here to view the event page, buy tickets, and learn more.
The Holistic Therapist With a Passion for Mental Health
Linda Culleton is a holistic therapist with a great passion for assisting people who suffer from adverse mental health conditions. “While working as an accountant, I pushed my body and mind to the limit, and due to this, I began to suffer with severe anxiety,” she explains. “I later developed a condition called Obsessive Compulsive disorder, of which the OCD symptoms were intrusive thoughts of harming myself and others.These OCD symptoms were devastating to live with.” She explored many different avenues that could assist with her healing process, including Kundalini yoga and meditation classes. During this time, she discovered a specific breath exercise called the OCD Breath in Kundalini Yoga Meditation. She credits this technique with transforming her life. She now offers one-to-one consultations, group programs, yoga and meditation classes, and Skype consultations. She is passionate about helping people to cope with mental health challenges.
Amazing Health Show Comes to the RDS This September
On September the 8th and 9th, 2018, Dublin’s RDS will play host to the amazing Vitality Expo 2018, brought to you by Health Stores Ireland. The Expo will be dedicated to all things health-related, with a diverse array of wellness, lifestyle, fitness and nutrition talks being delivered by Irish and international speakers and natural health brands. Confirmed exhibitors include Abundance and Health, Altrient C, Hifas Da Terra, Dr. Mahers skincare, Genovese Pestos, Macánta, NaturaLife, Optimal Brain and Sun Chlorella. The Expo will will also feature a Food and Cookery Stage, and Outdoor Entertainment Area (offering live music, yoga and pilates sessions, as well as a kids’ area) and The Village, where you can sample tasty delights from over 100 artisan and local health food producers in the Irish marketplace. We recently interviewed Patrick Holford – who will be present at the show – for our Summer 2018 magazine. You can read the interview here.
This is a sneak peek of an article on the many positive health benefits of fermented foods, written by nutritionist and CNM graduate, Caroline Punch. You can read the full article in our Autumn 2017 issue, available now from our lovely stockists across Ireland.
By Caroline Punch
The practice of fermentation has been around for centuries. However, its re-emergence as the latest buzzword in health news is reflected in the ever-expanding range of products, from kefir to kimchi, lining the shelves of our local health stores.
Fermentation is a process of converting starches and sugars in certain foods into lactic acid. This is a natural preservative which can kill harmful bacteria while promoting plenty of beneficial enzymes, highly supportive to our intestinal gut flora. This explains why our ancestors used this as a healthy method of food preservation.
How fermented foods can benefit our health:
- The abundance of fermented food in our ancestors’ diets served not only the purpose of preservation and a satisfying taste, but more significantly, to ensure optimal gut health, and thus, overall health. The high density of good bacteria present in such food makes it an excellent natural prebiotic source; by adding just a small portion to every meal, this can contain up to 100 times the amount of probiotics than that of a supplement.
- Given that up to 80% of our immune system is found in the gut, ensuring optimal gut function should be a priority for everybody. The probiotic properties in fermented and cultured foods support the development of the mucosal immune system in our digestive tract and protect against disease.
- A strong source of essential nutrients can be found in some fermented products such as Vitamin K2, which is heart-protective, and B vitamins, which are essential for metabolism and red blood cell production.
This is a sneak peek from our Autumn 2017 issue. To read the full article, pick up a cop of the magazine from one of our stockists today.
Our friends at CNM are bringing us great events hosted in and around Ireland. Here is what they have coming up:
Health Talk (Next Week!)
How to Go Gluten-Free
Get answers to your questions about Coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, and why so many people are going gluten free.
You Will Learn:
- Strategies for maintaining a gluten-free diet.
- Simple changes for maintaining optimal nutrition while living a gluten-free lifestyle.
- Seasonal recipes for an easy and delicious gluten-free Christmas!
Venue: CNM, 3rd Floor, College House, Townsend Street, Dublin 2 / Presenter: Malorie Knoester – Nutritionist and CNM Lecturer
Reserve your place online at: naturopathy.ie/events
New Short Courses
Food for Health – At this short but comprehensive course you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make educated choices about the food you eat. You will broaden your understanding of the impact of nutrition in our daily lives, and gain practical tips for better health and wellbeing.
This one-weekend course will run in 3 Locations:
Dublin: 21-22 January 2017
Cork and Galway :11-12 February 2017.
Space is limited. Don’t miss out! Book online:
www.naturopathy.ie/shortcourses
Herbs for Health – At this special one weekend course, you’ll discover how everyday herbs can enhance your health and wellbeing; whilst learning their powerful medicinal properties too.
Dublin only: 28th & 29th January, 2017
Space is limited. Book now at Herbs for Health Registration
CNM Training Concept
Information on course offerings in the following: Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Homeopathy. In order to become a successful Natural Health Practitioner, it is essential that your training involves both theory based study and practical experience.
Register for your free seat to gain an insight into the unique experience that our courses offer you, and answer any questions you may have about studying with CNM.
FREE ENTRANCE
Dublin – Tues 6th December, Begins at 7pm
Cork – Wed 7th December, Begins at 7pm
Galway – Thurs 8th December, Begins at 7pm
Dublin – Wed 11th January, Begins at 7pm
Save your place now! – http://www.naturopathy.ie/open-days/
Magic Dust
The Skinny on Protein Powder
By Paul Congdon.
“The longest living people on our planet are from Okinawa in Japan and they live a Macrobiotic lifestyle. At the end of the day, what we eat creates our blood, and that ultimately forms who we are on a daily basis” Marlene Watson Tara
There are some great things out there that supercharge your blood quality (like beetroot juice – the clue is in the colour). I’m always looking for something that will give me a boost and taste good. I recently tried Nuzest vegan protein powder and the taste is simply knockout. In fact, it was so good I thought there must be something dodgy in it. I got a pleasant surprise then when I read the label and found the ingredients to comprise Pea Protein Isolate, Vanilla Flavour and Katemfe Fruit Extract. The sweetener from the fruit is 100 % natural and has no calories. Put two spoonfuls in a glass of water or your smoothie and you have all nine essential amino acids. On top of that, it’s alkaline and tastes creamy and delicious. Sometimes, with our busy lifestyles, it’s hard to get nutrients into us. I’m a fan of going as natural as you can. Sometimes powder can seem unnatural, but with advances in technology and the way supplements are prepared, I really feel they can enhance your health and diet. Nuzest is also used by the All Blacks and those guys don’t mess around. Have you seen them do the Haka? Tomorrow morning try this stuff, do your own Haka and bounce into work, play or gym.
Image by Emma Loughran
Spring Simplicity
By James DeBurca, chef at Cornucopia Dublin.
Salsa verde translates as ‘green sauce’, a very literal and descriptive name and a hugely popular Italian sauce that has
many uses and adaptations. Even more variations of green sauce can be found in the cuisines of Europe and Latin America. The ingredients that I believe all Italian style salsa verdes have in common are the ones included in the recipe below. The green herbs provide fragrance, the capers and garlic the pungency and wine vinegar or lemon the sharp tang, all brought together with a little olive or rapeseed oil. In this recipe I’m using it to dress a chilled potato salad, but let your imagination inspire you to use it wherever you deem perfect!
The baby vegetables in the photo were grown on Iona Fruit Farm in North County Dublin. While they’re a lot more expensive than ‘regular vegetables’, they have an added charm in that they are grown here in Ireland and have allowed independent growers to diversify. Donnacha Donnelly from Iona Fruit Farm explained to me that it was becoming very difficult to supply vegetables to exact specifications. The specifications required by major retailers are often to the detriment of the farmer. Donnacha now grows a lot of baby vegetables and has noted the benefits, as they can be harvested to less specific shapes and sizes, have a shorter growing time and lessen the workers’ exposure to the winter elements. The downsides are the extra time spent packing the vegetables and that is often where cost can creep up. The benefit to us is that we get to buy locally grown vegetables and eat more in tune with our environment.
Baby Potatoes and Purple sprouting Broccoli Salad dressed in salsa Verde with steamed baby Beetroot and Carrot (4 portions)
Ingredients for the salad:
- 1kg (6 cups) baby potatoes
- 500g (2 bunches) purple sprouting broccoli
- Ingredients for the Salsa Verde
- 120g to 140g (2 cups) soft green herbs such as parsley, tarragon, mint
- and basil
- 20g (2 cloves) peeled garlic
- 100g (½ cup) capers, drained
- 90ml (6 tablespoons) white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1.5g (¼ teaspoon) sea salt
- 180ml (¾ cup) cold pressed olive or rapeseed oil
1. Prepare the baby potatoes by chopping them into bite-size pieces. Steam or boil for 20-25 minutes, until tender, then set aside to cool for a few minutes. As the potatoes are cooking, you can use the time to prepare the baby vegetables, broccoli and the salsa verde.
2. Remove and discard the thicker stems from the broccoli and retain the florets and thinnest stems for the salad. The broccoli will only need to be steamed or blanched for 2-3 minutes then set aside to cool down. It’s best not to overcook the broccoli!
3. To make the salsa verde it is easiest to use a food processor or stick blender. Place the herbs, garlic, capers, vinegar/lemon juice, and sea salt into your food processor and blend the mixture to a smooth, bright green puree.
4. Slowly pour in the olive or rapeseed oil and continue to puree the sauce until all the ingredients are combined, and set aside until needed.
Ingredients for the steamed baby vegetables:
- 250g (12) baby carrots
- 320g (8) baby beetroots
1. Wash the beetroots and carrots well then leave them whole for steaming. The beetroots take 20-25 minutes to steam, the carrots need only 7-10 minutes. As the beetroots and carrots are best served warm, you can time the cooking so they are ready as you serve the potato and broccoli salad.
To assemble the salad:
1. Place the cooked potatoes and broccoli into a bowl and pour in the salsa verde. Mix gently so the vegetables are fully coated in the green sauce.
Divide the salad onto 4 plates and assemble the steamed baby vegetables around it to serve.
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