Fabulous February: Hello, Positive Lifers! As spring begins to dawn on the horizon, it’s that time of the month again: time to sit back and enjoy this collection of inspirational events, products and holistic news we have put together for you.
retreat
As this year draws to a close, many people’s thoughts are turning towards warmer days ahead … and if you’re looking for a getaway with a difference in 2019, we have a great suggestion for you. Learn all about the magic of the Earthsong camps in this beautiful article by Ruth Pinson, which appears in our Winter 2018/19 issue.
We Recommend: NOURISH Retreat With Judith McAdam and Kathy Scott
Looking for a restorative and deeply healing retreat experience this winter? If so, look no further than the amazing Nourish women’s retreat led by Judith McAdam and Kathy Scott. It takes place in the The Elbow Room Escape, Donard, Co. Wicklow, from 4.00 p.m. on Friday November 30th to 2.00 p.m. on Sunday December 2nd. Read on to learn all about it!
Nourish is a special weekend retreat inviting you to experience a heartwarming winter break in the Wicklow mountains, so you can acknowledge and celebrate all that is sacred at this time of year.
This retreat is designed for women who feel drawn to unplug, unwind and unravel before the intensity of the Christmas season kicks in. This will be a deeply nurturing journey that will enable you to reconnect, restore and rejuvenate from the inside out. We promise warm fires, delicious food, wild landscape, hot tubs and great company. All are welcome and no experience is necessary.
Join Judith McAdam (author of The Source) and Kathy Scott (creative director of The Trailblazery) for an alchemical weekend of yoga, mindfulness, energy alignment, visualisation techniques, kundalini kriyas, ritual, creative practices and other gifts from the wisdom traditions.
This will be a deep healing experience where you will:
• Move in tune with the natural rhythms of the season
• Explore what makes you feel really alive inside and out
• Tune into your intuition and psychic abilities
• Release habits and patterns that are holding you back
• Embody the power of intention and start to deliberately create your own reality.
• Welcome the gifts in store for the year ahead
Judith McAdam, author of The Source, is a mother, theologian, kinesiologist, life coach, course facilitator and inspirational speaker. Throughout her career Judith 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.
Kathy Scott is a creative producer, curator and strategist in the cultural arena. She is the Creative Director of The Trailblazery, ‘The Ireland: Iceland Project’ and Wonderlust at Body & Soul Festival. She is currently artist-in-residence at Trinity College Dublin. Kathy is trained in the Sivananda, Anusara and Kundalini yoga methods.
Retreat Date: 30th November to 2nd December 2018 Time: 4pm Friday to 2pm Sunday
Venue: The Elbow Room Escape, Donard, Co. Wicklow https://www.the-elbowroomescape.com/
Investment: €395 each for Shared Room or €425 each for Twin Room
Click here for more information and a full programme of events. For Booking & Enquiries: Contact Anna at judithmcadam.ie@gmail.com.
Creacon Wellness Retreat in New Ross, Co. Wexford, served as the perfect getaway location for Tara Congdon, who described it as “a blissful place.” Learn more about it below!
A Beacon of Bliss
Total relaxation in Co. Wexford
by Tara Congdon
I recently had the enormous pleasure of taking a trip to Creacon Wellness Retreat. Creacon is cosily nestled a stone’s throw from New Ross in Co. Wexford. On entering the little driveway, a cute Buddha welcomed me with a smile from the garden, and as I parked, my eye was drawn to a sign that said, ‘it’s a wonderful life.’ My usual frantic adrenalin immediately began to settle itself.
I tumbled out of my car and into reception, passing sweet chimes on my way, setting the tone for my adventure. An aside – bags hanging out of me and arriving late, just a few minutes before dinner, I was distracted from the fact that my top had pretty much come undone and so I stood in front of Veronica, the receptionist (decorated receptionist, I might add: Veronica won the 2017 Receptionist of the year award) in my bra – I have to say I would highly recommend it as an icebreaker because it gave us a great belly laugh and we were solid buds from then on.
From the minute I saw my beautiful bedroom, named Hawthorn, and my big cosy double bed, all of my busy world faded away and I was completely enchanted by the place. There is Anespa Alkaline mineral ion water in the bathrooms – it helps relax the entire body, helps improve dry skin, poor circulation, eczema, insomnia, stiffness, fatigue, rheumatism and much more.
Creacon serves Kangen water, which is alkaline water. Some of its benefits include: relief of IBS and Acid Reflux, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar, and alleviating stress and anxiety!
At dinner, I was served up the most delicious menu of nutritious, wholesome and healthy plate of food – homemade marinated salmon served with basil mousse and garlic crostini, followed by a vegetarian ragu and polenta. Later, I had some chamomile tea with cookies in the heart room.
The café has recently opened up daily to the public too. The chef is Gaetano Pernagallo, who believes ‘food is medicine.’ The benefits of each dish are listed on the menus. Something I really liked is how everyone seems to gravitate together for meal times – including the staff – and it’s like chowing down with your family. It’s warm, with lots of storytelling and great craic too.
Some of the other lovely treats I discovered during my stay at Creacon were the bijou conservatory area for quiet time and meditative colouring, the yoga/meditation room equipped with cushions and cosy mats, the relaxing heart room, sometimes showing an inspirational film, and the upstairs yellow room with the most snug couches.
There is a daily opt in/out schedule, including things like Five Tibetan yoga, Gentle Hatha Yoga, Japa Meditation Class, Mandala Class … there really is something for everyone! If you wish, you can book a consultation or private session. Everything is put together so carefully to nurture and love its guests. Nothing is missed.
I am blessed to have had this experience. If I was to put my finger on one stand-out from my stay, it was, without a doubt, the people: staff and guests. Funny, witty, warm, honest, down to earth people – I immediately felt like part of the family … and I just felt completely at home. Creacon is a blissful place!
If you’re looking for a tranquil getaway destination to nourish the body and spirit, as the searing heat of summer gradually gives way to a more autumnal feeling, look no further than Creation Lodge Wellness Centre, located in Co. Wexford. Creacon was founded by Derek O’Neill, with the aim of providing a safe haven for guests who want to escape from the busy outside world for a while.
The quality of Creacon’s accommodation is second to none. Their guest suites – available with king-size beds, double beds or twin beds – come equipped with nutritious snacks, alkaline Kangen water and lightly scented relaxation mists to help encourage total relaxation and enable guests to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Creation also boasts a personal fitness studio, an art room, a library, community loungers and beautiful lush gardens to explore and enjoy.
A wide range of treatments are offered at the Lodge: under their Spirit healing programme, Heart Healing, Prema Birthing, Rising Star and Relationship Rising Star treatments are offered. For the Mind, hypnotherapy, mindfulness training, NLP and psychotherapy sessions are available. For the Body, the range of physical treatments include acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, cranio-sacral reflexology, massage, organic natural facials and Quantum Biofeedback. For more in-depth descriptions and reviews of each modality, just click on the links provided.
As if all of that weren’t enough, they also offer classes on yoga, meditation, essential oils, Tibetan bowls healing and many other topics – to browse the full programme, just click here.
Of course, no description of Creacon’s facilities could be complete without mentioning their scrumptious food. Resident master chef, Gaetano Pernagallo, prides himself on designing meals that are designed to provide optimum nutrition and wellness, while also appealing to the taste buds. Based on the philosophy that ‘food is medicine’, Creacon uses only high-quality ingredients – many of which are grown in their own gardens – all specially chosen for their seasonal and environmental appropriateness. To view the café menu, just click here. A juice cleanse programme is also available.
You can find out more about Creacon by calling 051 447 666, emailing info@creaconwellnessretreat.com or visiting their website or Facebook page.
Positive Vibes – Summer 2018: Your Guide to the Delights of the Season
Summer is well and truly at its peak (and our Summer 2018 issue has hit the shelves), so we just had to share the Positive Vibes section from the magazine, which showcases some of the most exciting events, courses, products, and tasty treats that Ireland’s holistic scene has to offer this season. Sit back, read all about it, and while you’re at it, make a note to pick up a copy of the Summer 2018 issue in your local health food store. You can also subscribe online to receive this issue, and three others, straight to your door.
Summer Vibes
“Summer moonlight / All soft and fair… Breathes sweet thoughts everywhere”
(Emily Bronte)
Bloom n’ grow
Get Elemental
Thirsty to drink from the font of feminine wisdom which lies within you? Facilitator Sky Buitenhuis invites you to embark on ‘The Heroine’s Journey’, a four weekend immersion into the wilderness of nature and the self, to emerge empowered and attuned within. Come share in the rich tapestry of women’s wisdom awaiting YOU.
theearthisdreaming.com/womens-courses
The Peace Team
Ready to share the bountiful benefits of meditation and mindful living? The Meditation Teacher Academy® is now offering a 200hour certified teacher training course which enables you to confidently teach a variety of chill-out techniques. Think loving-kindness, yoga nidra, mantra and mindfulness. Let the peace ripple on.
Brain training
Optimal Brain is an advanced, personal transformation system designed to help you get the best use of your brain. With training, you can enhance just about anything in the realms of brain functioning; relieving stress and anxiety and improving sleep cycles, focus, attention and retention. Do you brain a favour and have a gander.
Hope and healing
Disenchanted and ready to embrace a new health paradigm? Paulette Agnew, in her book FAB Health, shares the story of her recovery from Lyme disease. A compilation of personal experience, research and interviews with leading health professionals, Paulette offers hope and a simply explained solution to antibiotic-resistant illness through Frequency And Biomagnetic (FAB) medicine.
Self-nurture
Human connection
Camp out in the Heartspace this August during a six day extravaganza of playfulness, celebration, learning and transformation. Expect a diverse range of workshops from African dance to circus skills and yoga, helping to deepen your connection with yourself, others and nature. You can bring the kids along too! See the Heartspace Facebook event for details.
facebook.com/events/164139600894707
Summer Escapades
Creacon Wellness Retreat, nestled in the lush Wexford surrounds, is the perfect place to plot your next summer escape. Whether you’re going solo or attending a specialized retreat or workshop, Creacon offers an abundance of ways to relax and rejuvenate.
Travelling light
Downsize your baggage and travel ultra-light with Mooncup; a reusable, portable silicone menstrual cup to replace disposable tampons and pads. If you’re heading off the beaten track this summer, Mooncup will be your best travelling companion!
Summer sustenance
Brain Food
Lion’s Mane mushroom is a delicious variety of mushroom, with a special affinity for the brain. Mushroomstuff creates 100% organic, highly bioavailable, Lion’s Mane in capsule form to enhance and protect those precious neurons in your noggin’.
Impeccable pesto
Small-batch, unhurried production prevails in Stoneybatter, Dublin, where Genovese Foods have been crafting their gourmet, additive-, gluten- and GMO-free pesto products since 1999. The oldest producers of fresh pesto in Ireland, their flavoursome little jars are well worth the dip.
Rise and shine
Mushrooms are all the rage. We tried the mushroom coffee by Four Sigmatic: rich, earthy and delicious, it sends positive vibes coursing through your system. The mushroom works with the caffeine and neutralises the jitters, replacing them with a balanced feeling. Wake up and smell the mushrooms.
Mother natures’ bounty
Medical Medium Anthony William’s fascinating book, Life Changing Foods, reveals the healing properties on physical, emotional and spiritual levels of fifty fruits and vegetables which the earth provides us with. Discover the choices for healing, health and recovery you can make each time you sit down to a meal.
medicalmedium.com/life-changing-foods
Soul fuel
Way of the heart
Share in the “most healing, centring, transforming and enlightening thing” in Kevin James’ life this July, as he arrives to Dublin for an evening of chanting heartsongs, mantra and kirtan to reconnect with the intelligence of the heart. Come spread the love!
Spiritual momentum
Marianne Williamson will be winging her way to Dublin this October 10th for what’s sure to be an inspiring, uplifting and empowering seminar. Marianne is author of twelve published books and shares stories and wisdom on love, the spiritual journey and miracles. Check out the Seminars website for more.
Melting pot of positivity
Come simmer in the power of positivity and an atmosphere of inspiration, sharing and enlightenment during the summer series of Positive Nights. Bring an open heart and an open mind and expect to meet more of the same.
positivelife.ie/positivenights
Be the Divine You
Mother Meera, native to India and embodiment of the Divine Mother, will be in Dublin this July bestowing her blessing on all those who feel the call to enlighten their inner divinity. In total silence, experience a purification of consciousness and a bestowal of light upon the soul.
Teen Empowerment
Treasa Traynor, director of Chrysalis Wellness, is on a mission to bring the strengths of a yoga practice into school communities. Specializing in programmes such as ‘Time out for teachers’ and ‘Wellbeing workshops’ for teens, Treasa seeks to help young people and their teachers cope with the many challenges they face during the transition from childhood to adulthood.