Simplicity Magazine 2018 by Simplicity Magazine

Simplicity MAGAZINE

What’s Inside:

The Art of Be-Ing by Marina Shapiro-Elbert

P. 8

Next Stop - Bali by Viktorija Gedrimiene It was right in the middle of winter when my husband and I decided to plan a little spring getaway. The days were short, gloomy and cold here in Norway, and we were craving some warmth, palm trees, sandy beaches and fresh coconut water. Immediately, I thought of Bali, the Island of Gods. The place has so much to offer and we knew we were in for an unforgettable experience.

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Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note It is so easy to get things we never get sperately thriving for that inner peace and yet, coming short of

lost in the complexities of our lives, piling on to complete, surviving busy schedules and debalance amidst chaos. Many of us are seeking calm, while trying to juggle a million things and tending to the most important.

Balance begins within. The key to finding our center point is in simplicity. By sorting out the external distractions and simplifying our ways of living, we can cultivate and nourish the inner calm, allowing it to gradually transform the chaos into growth. In our Summer issue, we are offering you ways to simplify your daily routine, accompanied by soul nurturing recipes and colorful inspiration. Enjoy! Sincerely, ~ Anna & Marina

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Our Contributors

Marina Shapiro-Elbert

Anna Tharrington

Ellen Edmondson

SIMPLICITY MAGAZINE EDITOR

SIMPLICITY MAGAZINE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Marina is a metaphysical artist, healer and a spiritual counselor. Her mission is to create a loving space, which provides support and guidannce on your life path, nurturing your self-healing abilities, promoting your wellness and personal growth. In addition to her healing practice, Marina is a blogger on welllness, spirituality and self-care. Her work has been featured in the online publication of nationally acclaimed “Aspire” Magazine and can be viewed on her website: www.colorsfromwithin.com

Anna is a freelance photographer for travel catalogs, an artist, styler and a blogger. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Richmond Magazine, and has won the hearts of many. Her love for beauty combined with exquisite taste brings the essence of life in every moment captured. Anna’s work can be viewed on: www.annatharrington.zenfolio. com

Ellen delivers messages of hope, healing, comfort, and love through her works as a writer, medium, spirit artist, and spiritual coach. She has dedicated her life to providing support and comfort to others in ways that help reawaken the inner knowing that life is eternal and love never dies. She believes giving and receiving unconditional love is our purpose, experiencing joy is our mission, and a life of service is our calling- at all times. Ellen’s work can be viewed on her website: www.aplaceofloveandlight.com

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Our Contributors

Gabi Day

Viktorija Gedrimiene

Amber Hendriks

Gabi Day is a yogi, Ayurvedic practitioner, natural skin & hair care expert, and entrepreneur based in Richmond, VA. Gabi is invested in health & wellness because of her multiple chronic illnesses, and brings a unique approach to the world of natural living that is equal parts science nerd and hippie. Gabi taught herself cosmetic chemistry to launch Bright Body, her line of handmade and all-natural hair and skincare products using only the Environmental Working Group’s safest-rated ingredients. Gabi believes that health is a verb, and that truly healthy habits are sustainable, nourishing, and intuitive.

Lithuanian, living in Norway. Photography is my passion, travel is something that pushes me to go forward, and these two combined together are what makes me really happy. I enjoy the small things in life and I always say that ‘’everything is in the details’’. I also try to find balance in life, and I believe it is key to a happy and fulfilling life. That, and some humour in everyday life ;)

Hi, I’m Amber. Wife & mom of three beauties, living in the Netherlands. Vegetarian transitioning to vegan. Creative busy bee. Love thrift shopping. Growing into a sustainable, earth friendly, plastic free, slower & more minimalistic life one step at a time.

Facebook: @mybrightbody Instagram: @mybrightbody Website: www.mybrightbody.com

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Instagram: @viktorija.ge Blog: www.viktorijage.com

Instagram: @tulips_and_a_toolbox

Our Contributors

Pauline Durand-Mabire

Lizzy Rose

Kelly Howland

Pauline is a plant-powered French unicorn based mostly in Berlin. She loves to travel the world and to constantly learn new things. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most grateful for the simple little things in life and deeply values connections with other beings who she can grow with. Nature and the multiformity of this world are her main sources of inspiration. She celebrates the beauty of life by sharing colourful and creative plant-based recipes.

Lizzy Rose is a Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) with the Association for Nutrition, gaining a MSc in Nutrition. Having suffered with severe acne herself, Lizzy now specialises in treating skin problems with the power of nutrition. Lizzy also works as a food photographer and stylist, helping companies and brands with their social media content, websites and campaigns.

Kelly is a wife and a mama to three little children who she raises on their one acre homestead in Michigan. They left city life to pursue a more simple and slow way of living and spend their days gardening, raising chickens, exploring the woods, and embracing abundant joy through the daily rhythms of life. You can read about their journey on her Instagram account at @simplelivingfolks

Website: www.lovelyveggie.com Blog: www.veggieontheroad.com Instagram: @thelovelyveggie Facebook: @thelovelyveggie

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Instagram: @lizzyrosenutrition Website: www.lizzyrosenutrition.com Photography: www.lizzyrosephotography.co.uk

The Art of Be-ing WORDS BY MARINA SHAPIRO-ELBERT

Living in a society that is driven by material things and needs, you can’t help but wonder what would it be like if we just allowed ourselves to be? Without stressing too hard, without pushing ourselves until there is no air left in our lungs to meet the unrealistic expectations we are so gladly accepting in our everyday lives? Without needing to rush faster, to do more and to have more? Could we become healthier and happier as a society? During a recent vacation with my beloved husband on the shores of Atlantic ocean, I could not help myself but notice, that even at a place where people come to rest and take a break from their everyday routine, they were exhausting themselves by trying to “have fun”. Seeing many of our fellow tourists running around busy with over-shopping, over-tanning, riding tour buses, diving, overeating and overdrinking, it felt as if the need “To DO” and “To Have Fun” was coming out forced, leaving a sour aftertaste. It struck me that we live in a culture that does not know how to let go and just be, how to take joy in simplicity of things and to be more receptive than active. No wonder you hear people say they need a vacation after coming back from one, since they never stop “doing” and giving themselves a chance to relax and “be”. So what does it mean to “just be”? Does it mean we completely relax into doing absolutely nothing? As a start, you might exercise letting go of the need to constantly do things and occupy yourself with creating “noise” in your life. By letting go of being constantly active, you release the need to be in control and allow something else to come into play, opening yourself up to being more receptive. That does not mean becoming lazy and sinking into procrastination, it simply means bringing more presence into each moment and allowing it to guide your life with more ease. You can start by just closing your eyes for a few moments, noticing your breath and your body sensations, asking yourself: “How would it feel to just Be today? What would my day look like if I just allowed myself to Be?”

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“th ere sh al l be etern a l s um mer in the gratef u l heart...” C E L IA TH A X T ER

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Each Day is a Holy Experience WORDS BY ELLEN EDMONDSON Most of us “sleep walk” through life and don’t even realize it. We live without real awareness of all the beauty, brilliance, and magnificence that surrounds us in every moment of every day. Our “todays” are lost in daily routines, “to do” lists, indifference, negativity, or taken for granted. We must WAKE UP and celebrate each day for what it is... ANOTHER HOLY EXPERIENCE. We must become curious about our world and fully embrace it. Learn all you can about it- the diverse people, customs, cultures, locations, creatures, foods, and more. Begin to understand, experience, enjoy, and appreciate the wonder and awe of if all. This exquisite creation is a wonderful gift to each of us. Take time every day to appreciate your experiences and share the lovethrough the positive aspects in your relationships and surroundings. Slow down and remember...each day is given to us as a holy day to experience and connect with our soul, the souls of others, and the soul of the universe. Each new day brings us another holy experience.

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Beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to Ayurveda: Living Harmoniously & Sustainably WORDS BY GABI DAY

In the age of juice cleanses and keto diets, navigating how to live healthily in a way that works for you as a unique individual can be daunting. I live with three chronic illnesses and it feels like I hear a new “pitch” at least monthly on a diet, exercise modality, or therapy that is supposed to cure all that ails me. I also frequently feel like people get obsessive about their new “healthy” lifestyle, to the point where their regimen becomes pathological. So, when I started learning about Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, I was skeptical as to just how applicable, sustainable, and reasonable it would be for me. I have been practicing yoga for over 7 years, and sprinkled throughout my classes and teacher trainings, I had heard bits and pieces about Ayurveda. Initially, I had written it off as something that would be too regimented, encouraging the health-obsessive behavior that I fervently oppose. Fast forward to one teacher training weekend with Katie Silcox, renowned parayogini and Ayurvedic practitioner – I was intrigued. The weekend intensive left me wanting to learn more. After reading her book, Healthy, Happy, Sexy, and also doing some self-study of books by David Frawley, prominent Hindu teacher and author and Ayurvedic expert over the next year, I decided it was time to take an official training. And so, I went through an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor training taught by a yogi and Ayurvedic practitioner who learned under Dr. Vasant Lad, one of the West’s most famous Ayurvedic doctors. I am still learning and implementing the concepts of Ayurveda. I know the fundamentals of this ancient, multifaceted, intuitive, and scientific practice. You could spend your whole lifetime studying Ayurveda. In today’s post, I want to distill some of the most important teachings from Ayurveda into digestible snacks of knowledge. This is your first dip into the Ayurveda pool, and you’ve got your arm floaties and kickboard ready to go. Your swimming teacher is by your side to teach and encourage you along the way. WHAT IS AYURVEDA? Ayurveda is an integrative, holistic, and complex system of health and wellness. It developed parallel to yoga at the same time and place - over 4000 years ago in what is now modern-day India. Yoga is but one small element of the greater Ayurvedic traditions. While yoga and its many facets (read: asana/physical postures are a very small fraction of the whole practice) are one modality for healing and body-mind-spirit wellness, Ayurveda deals with preventing and reducing disease on a much broader level. Its rituals, routines, and recommendations, while rooted in what can feel like esoteric concepts, are highly practical and implementable in your daily life. Ayurveda views everything we experience as inextricably interconnected. Everything we do has ripple effects on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level states. Ayurveda focuses on prevention and treats each individual as a whole person, honoring the powerful connection between physical and mental/emotional health. Ayurveda believes that, to be healthy and balanced, we have to live in harmony with our own individual constitution. Ayurveda views our individual tendencies, imbalances, and needs as extremely important in determining what will bring balance back to body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda also asserts the importance of living in harmony with the fluctuations of the seasons & our environment.

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AYURVEDIC DEFINITION OF HEALTH While most traditional definitions of health focus on the absence of disease, Ayurveda’s view is entirely different. Health, in the Ayurvedic view, is a dynamic and ever-changing process that involves spiritual, emotional, intellectual, behavioral, physical, familial, social, environmental, and universal facets of living. Now you see what I mean about interconnectedness! THREE PILLARS OF AYURVEDIC HEALTH Ayurveda emphasizes that nature rewards us for doing things that make us feel good, but only when done in a healthy way, at the right time, and in the proper amount. Moderation is a key aspect of Ayurveda, which I really appreciate. Learning to distinguish between what really benefits us over the long-term and what might give us short-term pleasure but deplete us in the long run is important in any Ayurvedic practice. 1. FOOD Ayurveda believes that most disease originates in the digestive system. We first begin to show imbalance through the digestive system (even if you don’t notice it). Choosing the appropriate foods for your individual constitution, the time of day, the season, and even the weather on a given day, is vital for health and balance in mind, body, and spirit. Rather than focusing on calories, vitamins, and minerals, Ayurveda focuses on the energies and qualities of food (e.g. hot/cold, light/heavy, dry/wet). 2. SLEEP Most of us know the importance of consistent good sleep. The CDC has demonstrated that sleep deprivation increases your risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, and more. Sleep is absolutely vital for both body and mind. Good sleep allows the body to focus on ͞upkeep and maintenance͟ and the repair of our bodily tissues. It is also absolutely vital to allow for the ͞digestion͟ and processing of our thoughts and emotions and for the regulation of neurochemicals, hormones, and our immune system. 3. OBSERVANCE OF BRAMACHARYA (MANAGING YOUR SEXUAL ENERGY) Ayurveda believes in the importance of managing our vital sexual energy, the most refined aspect of our life. Ayurveda advises us to be discerning with whom and how we share our sexual energy. Ayurveda understands that men are born with a fixed amount of sexual energy that can be depleted while women are not as easily depleted by orgasms and sexual release. Learning how to connect with your physical and energetic sexual centers is crucial for balancing this pillar of health. KEY GOVERNING CONCEPTS When we are in balance, our bodies encourage us to make good choices to maintain & refine this balance. When we are out of balance, our bodies produce cravings that put us further out of balance. Noticing junk food cravings? That’s a telltale sign that you’re imbalanced.

Ama, or “toxins” can accumulate in the physical body and in the mind. Ama in the digestive system is at play when your digestion is slow and/or weak, and can be seen in a white coating on the tongue and mucous in your poo. Ama in the mind is the accumulation of undigested life experiences that prevent us from accurate perception of our world. Mental/emotional ama is at play when you blame others for your life circumstances, or how often you are offended or upset by life events – when you notice this is happening more frequently, more easily, or more intensely, you know that you’ve got excess ama. Stress is the ultimate facilitator of ama accumulation and therefore speeds up the aging process. One of the most important concepts for understanding Ayurveda is: like increases like, and opposites balance. It seems so logical, but so many of us underestimate the power of this simple tenet. Do you run hot? It’s probably best that you avoid the sauna and minimize your spicy food intake. Tend toward anxiety? Honey, put down that coffee and make more time for slow, steady movement and quiet in your day. THE FIVE ELEMENTS Ayurveda affirms that there are five elements at play in everything in the universe, in both physical and nonphysical realms – Ether/Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Rather than thinking of them as literal elements in your mind and body, think of them as metaphors for the processes in your body and mind. To understand the metaphor, we need to understand the qualities of each of these five essential elements (pancha mahabhutas). 1. ETHER/SPACE The space between things, the absence of the other four elements. Physically, Ether is present in the body’s cavities – mouth, stomach, ears, lungs, and the like. Mentally and emotionally, Ether is present when you feel mentally spacious and can see the bigger picture without being bogged down by the little stuff. The ͞lesson͟ of Ether is to make sacred space and time for unstructured leisure time, meditation, stillness, and spontaneous action. 2. AIR The principle of motion and change; that which sets everything in motion. Physically, Air governs your nervous system, the breath, and gross motor movement. Mentally and emotionally, Air is present in the movement of our changing thoughts. The ͞lesson͟ of Air is to embrace change and celebrate the unexpected. 3. FIRE Light, heat, metabolism; the principle of transformation. Physically, Fire is present in our digestive system and is necessary to break down and assimilate our food. Mentally and emotionally, Fire is present in our discerning awareness and our intrinsic motivation. The ͞lesson͟ of Fire is to let life slowly burn you – when we feel burned by life, we are learning humility and burning away everything that does not serve us.

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4. WATER Fluidity, lubrication, cohesion, sweetness. Physically, Water is necessary for us to taste our food. Water is found in our saliva, digestive fluids, synovial (joint) fluids, and the like. Mentally and emotionally, Water is present in most of our emotions, which constantly ebb and flow. The ͞lesson͟ of Water is to go with the flow with grace and compassion for yourself and others. 5. EARTH Stability, solidity, structure. Physically, Earth represents our physical structure – bones, ligaments, tendons, and the like. Mentally and emotionally, Earth represents emotional stability and balance. Not to say that you won’t ever feel upset or vulnerable, but the earth element helps us trust that we will be fine. The ͞lesson͟ of Earth is to stand firm, be confident, and value your self-worth. THE THREE DOSHAS All of the five essential elements are inanimate on their own and must mix to become life forces and take on different forms and functions. Knowing your dosha type is key in understanding how to care for yourself in a way that will bring balance back to your mind, body, and spirit. This is typically the part of Ayurveda that people jump straight into. A dosha is a specific pattern of energy that creates your unique physical and mental/ emotional constitution. Directly translated, dosha means fault, as in fault line. That means that your primary dosha is the one that most easily goes out of balance, and conversely can be rebalanced the easiest. That’s not to say that your secondary or tertiary dosha won’t go out of balance – it certainly happens – it just means that it’s less common and typically more difficult to get these subordinate doshas back into balance. Your innate, unchanging dosha is called your Prakruti. This will never change, like your DNA. Meanwhile, your imbalanced dosha is called your Vikruti. In Ayurveda, you always treat the imbalance first. There are three primary doshas. The information on doshas will be more relatable if you can first identify your dosha. Of course, nothing is a substitute for having your pulses analyzed by an Ayurvedic practitioner, but you can always start with online quiz resources. I recommend Banyan Botanical’s Dosha quiz. Just put in your email and answer the questions with your long-term tendencies, not necessarily how you’re feeling right now. Most people have one or two dominant doshas. Once you know your dosha type, read more in this graphic resource.( page 12-17) All of this information can feel overwhelming at first, so I encourage you to refer back to the graphic and re-read this post for refreshers. If you’re interested in some self-study, I recommend starting by learning more about your own dosha. When you can relate the information to yourself, it will be easier to understand and implement. Stay tuned for future posts that dive into Ayurveda!

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Summer in Color WORDS BY MARINA SHAPIRO-ELBERT

Whether you are a beach lover enjoying the creamy sands and turquoise sea waters or a poolside junkie soaking up the sun with a good book and a cool drink by the pool, you may notice the vibrant scheme of colors summer season has to offer. From red berries, pink lemonade and green grass to marvelous fiery purple sunsets and warm starry nights, the inspiration for color choices is endless. Summer is the perfect season to make a statement by incorporating bold colors into your wardrobe or transforming the vibe of your home / office space. First on our list is delicious hot pink! PINK is the color of joy, creativity, kindness and compassion. It is the color that brings the feeling of being at home with yourself and all life, a familiar friendly place deep within everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart where there are no worries, you are never lonely, you have everything in life that you ever wanted. Pink is calming to the mind and can be an uplifting catalyst for your emotional state. Avoid pink when you feel vulnerable, insecure, are giving more than receiving. Our next choice this season is YELLOW. The sunshine color of yellow brings a happy, fun, and positive vibe that has the power to lift everyone around you instantly. If you wear yellow often you are vivacious, creative, always laughing, and undeniably magnetic exciting person. This color encourages intelligence, so you can plan to wear it on work-heavy days when you need that extra boost of inspiration and pump. Yellow also improves concentration which is the reason we see this color used on legal notepads and highlighters. However, remember not to overdo it, as too much of anything leads to overall imbalance. Last but not least on our summer list is WHITE. White is the color of cleanliness, purity, safety, strength and neutrality. Wearing white can help you feel more at peace and conveys a well-balanced optimistic personality. White is also the color of minimalism and perfection. It is best used in combination with other colors and promotes positivity and completion. Learning the language of colors can help you understand why you prefer certain colors over others in your wardrobe, home dĂŠcor or web design and use them effectively in your daily life. Dare to shine in your color choices and wear your joy on your sleeve!

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OH, THE PLACES YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL GO...

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Next Stop-Bali WORDS BY VIKTORIJA GEDRIMIENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIKTORIJA GEDRIMIENE It was right in the middle of winter when my husband and I decided to plan a little spring getaway. The days were short, gloomy and cold here in Norway, and we were craving some warmth, palm trees, sandy beaches and fresh coconut water. Immediately, I thought of Bali, the Island of Gods. The place has so much to offer and we knew we were in for an unforgettable experience. We started our trip with the neighboring island of Lombok. It is less crowded with tourists and has some spots of interest that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that popular (yet). We had some beautiful waterfalls on our list, as well as visiting the village of Sembalun for a short hike up the Pergasingan Hill. The waterfalls were an incredible experience, but the hike to Pergasingan Hill was a blast! We enjoyed the unique beauty of Sembalun Valley with lush greenery, surrounding hills and Mount Rinjani - the second highest volcano in Indonesia. We stood there for a while, soaking up the sunset and the magic of the moment!

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Our next stop was at Gili Trawangan. It is known for its parties, but we went there for the beautiful sunsets that you can watch on the beach, for snorkeling (I got to see a turtle in the ocean - a dream of mine!), and just for some quiet time that we needed after doing all the hikes and motorbike rides.

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The following days we were exploring the island on our own. Renting a motorbike was one of the best ways to experience the island in a completely different way and have a taste of the local life. After almost 2 hour trip on a fast boat from Gili Trawangan, we’ve finally arrived in Bali! All I wanted from Bali was a feeling of calmness, of standing still, a feeling of being ‘here & now’. Stopping at Sidemen first - a unique area in east Bali that still has the feeling as if not much has changed. The villages here are very authentic, untouched by the outside world, surrounded by vast and lush rice fields and agricultural land, where locals go to work everyday! All this in the footsteps of Mount Agung - the sacred volcano. S I MPLICITY

One of Bali’s less known and yet a must see sacred site is the amazing temple of Pura Lempuyang. Once making your way up the first set of stairs, you are met with a glorious view of a temple reaching up to the sky, surrounded by plant life growing everywhere. The top of the temple requires you to climb over 1700 steps! for the spiritual aspect of the hike. Locals believe that people with heavy hearts will not make it to the top. The views are spectacular and downright breathtaking. Finally, we made it to Ubud for our last days in Bali. It is more touristic, more crowded, and everything ‘’more’’, but it is still one of the places I would truly recommend to visit. We booked a hotel situated further from all the noise, next to the jungle and rice fields - a perfect place to reconnect with yourself. I had one of the best massages there, followed by a flower petals

bath - and my body, mind and soul were truly happy! But us wouldn’t be us if we didn’t do some sightseeing/exploring - so we went to rice terraces - Tegalalang and Jatiluwih. I recommend visiting the first one early in the morning (before the sunrise and wait for it there), as it is way less crowded and very beautiful. The second one is a bit further, and requires a car or motorbike ride (we had lots of them as you can tell), but it is a part of UNESCO world heritage, so I’d say - add it to your travel itinerary. And, if you want to do something else - there’s plenty of activities - stroll the streets of Ubud, visit the Arts Market (or the local fresh produce market early in the morning), go and meet monkeys in the Monkey Forest, and don’t forget to eat a portion of Mie Goreng! Oh, and of course, sip on that coconut water!

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Rediscovering You WORDS BY MARINA SHAPIRO-ELBERT

So often we build our lives and center our own world around people close to our hearts that we neglect to realize how much pressure and responsibility it puts on them for our happiness and well-being. This is especially true for women, because we are natural caretakers and our lives may involve taking care of family, kids, pets, households, businesses, etc. It becomes the point of our existence and we get lost in the world of another, blurring the lines of our own space and putting ourselves at the bottom of the list of our priorities. We dissipate in those we perceive the bringers of joy in our lives and forget the we have a world of our own, which is in need of care and nurturing. This is also true for single ladies who are looking to meet their perfect partner. A lot of times, I hear women say they wish to have someone in their life, because that would make their life complete. They wish to meet their other half, because only together they will be wholesome. This kind of belief will almost always lead to heartbreak and disappointment, because no one outside of you can complete you and make you happy, unless you are your own source of wholeness and happiness.

Learning to love yourself and discovering your own world is a way to build a healthy loving relationship with yourself and with your loved ones, taking the pressure off your partner or your children to be your source of happiness. When you form a deep bond with another person, sooner or later you start relating to them the same way you relate to your own self and lack of self-love and self-acceptance will project itself onto another. Real self-love doesn’t mean seeking ways to satisfy various habits and desires, it is opening to find and to recognize the love that runs through the deeper aspects of our self. By getting to know yourself you are choosing to remember the source of love and wisdom within you, becoming less reliant and needy of having that source outside of yourself. When you allow yourself to access that source, you allow your heart and soul to be filled with overflowing love so that, rather than always trying to get love, you can now experience and share your love with those around you.

Our happiness becomes the responsibility of those who we wrap ourselves around, and when it’s time for them to move on, we feel empty, lost and incomplete. We depend heavily on their presence in our lives and may point blaming fingers, if they no longer provide the source of love and comfort. And when, their physical presence is taken away from us –we collapse. Our life is no longer valid on its own.

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Simplicity WORDS BY KELLY HOWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY HOWLAND

Sometimes I stop and think about all the things that “productivity” has stolen from us. The measure of our worth, both in business and our personal lives, seems to revolve around how much can you DO. My grandmother used to fold clothing patterns at Simplicity patterns and she was paid 7¢ per pattern she folded. The more she did, the more she earned.

Today I hung clothes out on the line to dry. I took the time to carry a heavy basket full of wet clothes to the backyard and one by one, I strung them on the line to dry. It took my time to do this and in that time, I got to experience the fresh air from being outside, watch a rabbit and some black squirrels, I got a small amount of physical activity in, and a lot of solitude to think and bring peace to my mind as I worked. We have dryer machines these day. They’re faster and more efficient and it takes a lot less time to pop clothes in a dryer than to hang the whole load on a line. It also dries quicker too so I can get more done.

The dryer aids in my productivity. But it steals all of my simplicity. “Quality over quantity” applies to the daily rhythm of our lives too. Perhaps it’s not about how much we can accomplish, but how much we can savor our lives while doing what needs to be done...

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Going Green WORDS BY AMBER HENDRICKS PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER HENDRICKS New Year’s resolutions are not my cup of tea, as I believe everyday is a new day to start fresh. But last year was different. Our year had been chaotic and stressful to say the least . That fact, in combination with the daily news showing natural disaster after natural disaster and watching several documentaries about sustainability, plastic pollution, fast fashion made a longing grow in my heart. A longing to slow down my family life, to take better care of ourselves, of our health, of our precious time together and of the planet in all its aspects. The earth is in distress and we all can do our bit of good, just where we are, to help turn the outcome we’re heading towards at this moment, around. My personal resolutions to go green were as straightforward as they were challenging: minimalizing our possessions, cutting the plastic out of our life and greenifying all our daily routines: cleaning, beauty, groceries and all other possible means. I decided to implement one change per week. More was always better, but I wanted lasting changes. So one change a week and keeping that change up, makes at least 52 permanent changes at the end of the year. That counts for something, I think. I discovered a lot in the first week alone: we had so much stuff we didn’t need or used in every room of our house and plastic was present in every aspect of our daily life. I had to rethink every aspect of our daily life and think of new sustainable solutions with everything I did. Cutting down our plastic use was one of the first things I did. It’s amazing how much of the groceries I bought every week were wrapped in plastic. I started with taking my own groceries bags each time I left the house. Before, it often happened I forgot one and had to buy a plastic one. Than I moved on to crocheting produce bags for veggies and fruit. That saved a lot of plastic bags every week. And so, I went on, each time swapping a plastic item for a sustainable version. Other changes involved our cleaning routine. I wanted to swap the regular cleaning products for eco friendly natural versions. I read books, searched the internet, tested, failed, adjusted and tested some more. And, I found recipes for cleaning supplies I loved. Containing only natural ingredients. Knowing it’s better for our health and for the environment makes cleaning feel so good. Here are a few of the simply made natural cleaning products that can help you greenify your life!

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KITCHEN SOFT SCRUB PASTE Replacing the soft scrub from the shop with all it’s chemical ingredients. To use for the sink, tiles, grouts, bathtub, stove, etc. INGREDIENTS: ¼ cup natural liquid dish soap/liquid Castile soap 1 cup of baking soda 15 drops orange or lemon essential oil (great degreasers and stain removers) 5 drops rosemary essential oil (disinfectant) 1 tbsp vegetable glycerine mixing bowl spoon empty jar (Add in a little baking soda if it’s too wet. Little bits at a time!) METHOD: Simply mix up all the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Put it in the jar when mixed. USE: Rub it on the surface you want to clean. Use a wooden brush, pot scrubbie or an old toothbrush. Let sit for a few minutes to do its job. Than wipe clean with a damp cloth. Wipe the surface one more time with a damp cloth, to remove all the scrub paste.

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ALL PURPOSE CLEANER INGREDIENTS: Âź cup white vinegar 1 1/2 tbsp washing soda 800 ml distilled water 10 drops lemon essential oil (degreaser & stain remover) 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil (surface cleaner) 1 liter spray bottle funnel METHOD: Warm up the water in a pan on the stove (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t boil). Take it off the heat and add in the soda. Mix until completely dissolved. Let it cool off a bit. Mix the vinegar and oils in the spray bottle. Pour in the water too. Turn on the lid and shake well. USE Shake before use. Spray the dirty surface and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

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TOILET POWDER For a shiny clean toilet bowl. INGREDIENTS 1 cup baking soda ¼ cup citric acid 10 drops lemon essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil mixing bowl fork airtight container METHOD Put the baking soda in the mixing bowl. Add the essential oils and mix well. When all the lumps are gone, you can add the citric acid. When all is mixed, put it in the airtight container. (It’s important to keep it really dry, so don’t store it in the bathroom) USE Take a heaping tablespoon of the powder and throw it in the the toilet bowl. It will start to bubble. Give the bowl a good scrub with the toilet brush while it is still bubbling. Flush when the bubbles have disappeared. Repeat process as needed.

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MIRROR/WINDOW SPRAY Clean mirrors and windows without streaks! INGREDIENTS: ¼ cup rubbing alcohol ¼ cup white vinegar 2 cups distilled water 15 drops lemon (or orange) essential oil (degreaser & stain remover) 1 tbsp cornstarch (can be left out) funnel spray bottle METHOD: Mix all ingredients together in the spray bottle USE: Shake the bottle before each use. Spray the cleaner on the mirror/window. Crumple an old newspaper page and rub in circular motion. At first you think it will be a disaster but persist and you’ll be amazed!

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hello summer! 52

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RECIPES BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE

SWEET POTATO FALAFEL

HOW TO:

Servings: 2 people(8 falafels)

1. Cook the sweet potato in a pan with water until tender. 2. Chop the onion and fry it up with olive oil in a pan for a few minutes. Add in all the spices and sesame and stir well on a medium heat. 4. Chop the garlic and add into the mix. Add the chickpeas, stir and leave to cook for a few minutes. 6. Chop the parsley and cilantro finely. 7. In a big bowl, add all the mixes: onions and chickpeas, sweet potato, chickpea flour, parsley and cilantro. Add salt and pepper to taste. 8. Mash the mixture to combine it. You can also do this with a food processor. Mix until well combined! 9. Scoop up a nice portion and make it into a ball, then flatten with the palm of your hand. 10. Add a bit of olive oil to a pan and cook the falafels on each side for about 5 minutes on a medium heat. 11. Enjoy with some tahini dressing, on a sandwich or any way you fancy!

INGREDIENTS: 200 g red onion 2 cloves of garlic 200 g sweet potato cut into cubes (no skin) 200 g cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed 80 g chickpea flour 10 g fresh parsley 10 g fresh cilantro 1tsp 4 spices mix 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp coriander seeds 15 g sesame seeds salt & pepper to taste olive oil

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Happiness is... RECIPES BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE

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COCONUT ICE CREAM SANDWICH (VEGAN+GF) Servings: 4 people INGREDIENTS: (COCONUT ICE CREAM) 50 g whole coconut milk 200 ml coconut cream 25 g cacao butter 20 g agave syrup (or more if you like it really sweet) 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (COOKIES) 1 tbsp ground flax seeds + 3 tbsp water (30g) 50 g soft oats flakes pulsed into flour 60 g whole rice flour 10 g tapioca starch or any other starch 30 g sugar (coconut) 30 g agave syrup or any other liquid sweetener 25 g unsweetened apple sauce 30 g melted coconut oil 1 pinch of salt 30 g dark chocolate (optional) 10 g sesame seeds (optional) 1 tsp ground vanilla bean (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: COCONUT ICE CREAM: 1. In a high speed blender, mix all the ingredients and blend until perfectly smooth. Pour into a freezer-friendly container and deep-freeze for at least 6 hours. COOKIES: 1. Preheat your oven at 180Â°C/ 355F. Whisk together flax + water in a small bowl and set aside. 2. In a bigger bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients: Oats, flour, starch, sugar,vanilla and salt. Mix the moist ingredientsseparately: coconut oil, syrup, add-in the apple sauce, the flax egg, mix well and pour it onto the dry ingredients and mix until you get a cookie dough consistency. At this point, you also want to add the chocolate and the sesame and mix that in. 3 Form 8 similar shape & size cookies. I used a bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ring but you can use a cookie cutter (5-6 cm diameter) to make them perfect. Press the dough into the mold. Bake for 9-10 minutes at 355F. Let cool down completely. COOKIE SANDWICHES: 1. Get the ice cream out of the freezer at least 20 minutesbefore assembling. Cut out 4 circles with the cookie cutter and put each one of them between two cookies. Enjoy! S I MPLICITY

Smoothie is always a good idea! WATERMELON SHAKE (VEGAN+GF) Servings: 1 person INGREDIENTS: About 300g watermelon, cut into chunks A few leaves of mint Juice of half a lime Optional: a few fresh strawberries INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Blend for a few seconds, pour into a glass and drink immediately! Tip Keep your watermelon in the fridge, so that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to add any ice cubes.

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RECIPES BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAULINE DURAND-MABIRE

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Summer Mocktails ! RECIPES BY LIZZY ROSE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZZY ROSE COCONUT & ROSEMARY MOCKTAIL Servings: 3 people Make: 10 minutes INGREDIENTS: Handful rosemary leaves 1 lemon(cut into small slices) 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds 1 bottle coconut water Handful ice 1 cup filtered water INSTRUCTIONS: Pop all the ingredients into a jug and mix!

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RASPBERRY & BLUEBERRY ICE LOLLIES Servings: 8 people Prep Time: 10 minutes Make: 2hrs+ INGREDIENTS: 2 cups raspberries 1 cup strawberries 1 cup blueberries 6 tbsp coconut yogurt 1 cup cashew milk 2 tbsp chia seeds INSTRUCTIONS: RECIPES BY LIZZY ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZZY ROSE

Raspberry Lollies 1. Blend the raspberries and strawberries in a food processor. 2. Add the chia seeds into the mixture. 3. Pour into ice lolly stands and leave to freeze for 2hrs+ Blueberry Lollies 1 .Mix (not blend) the coconut yogurt, blueberries and cashew milk. 2. Pour into ice lolly stands and leave to freeze for 2hrs+.

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VEGAN BERRY CHEESECAKE Servings: 8 people Prep Time: 30 minutes Freeze: 4+hrs INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Cashews (soaked for 4hrs) 1/2 cup Blueberries 1/2 cup Blackberries 1 tbsp Organic Honey 4 tbsp Low Fat Coconut Milk 400 g Light Digestive Biscuits 3 bsp Cashew Butter 3 tbsp Lemon Juice 1 Orange Rind 2 tbsp Pomegranate Seeds 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract INSTRUCTIONS:

RECIPES BY LIZZY ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZZY ROSE

Biscuit Base 1. Pop the light digestive biscuits and cashew butter into a blender and pulse to form a sticky texture. Add more cashew butter if needed. 2. Tip into the tin and press down firmly with the back of a spoon to cover the base. Cheesecake 1. Drain the cashews and place them in the food processor with the lemon juice, vanilla extract, coconut milk (no water, just the actual milk) and raw honey. 2. Process until it forms a smooth (ish!) texture. 3. Add the blueberries, blackberries, 1/2 of the orange rind into the food processor and blend. 4. Pour the mixture into the top of the pan and spread evenly. 5. Freeze for at least 4hours (or leave it overnight). 6. For the topping, add orange rind, blueberries, blackberries and pomegranate seeds

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“you have escaped the cage, your wings are stretched out. now fly. “ Rumi

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Simplicity Recommends

“ a room without books is like a body without a soul...” Marcus Tullius Cicero 68

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YOU ARE A BADASS: HOW TO STOP DOUBTING YOUR GREATNESS AND START LIVING AN AWESOME LIFE BY JEN SINCERO “You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.” Served with a healthy dose of humor, a smidge of sarcasm and plenty of great quotes, Jen Sincero dishes her take on self-help, self-acceptance and self-love. If you’re ready to make some serious changes, You Are a Badass will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them - it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it now.

BUSINESS WITH HEART, A BETTER WAY TO GO TO WORK BY PAUL WERDER Are you ready for a fresh approach to work that will provide immediate relief to what’s most relevant to you? Would you love to reset your expectations for a work experience that is energizing, as opposed to depleting? Your stressful internal dialogue and the way you engage with challenging people are actually the doors to your flourishing future! Your highest priority work is to reclaim the inspiration and power in your own heart. This book of 15 short, interrelated articles offers you easy-to-understand how-to practices to initiate positive change, first within yourself and then with your colleagues and team. THE ARTIST’S WAY BY JULIA CAMERON “Ä Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity”. This book isn’t just for those in creative professions, or those with creative aspirations. If you are creating a life (which is most of us), this book is for you. Julia’s writing voice is divine, she speaks gently yet puts her brilliant ideas out there firmly, because she knows they work and she wants you to believe that for yourself. This book is not for the painter, the poet, the musician and the potter. This book is for all of us because the simple premise behind it says we are all meant to be artists in life, and an artist is defined by using your imagination, your creative genius and finding an application to life - whether that’s a hobby, an outlet, or a fullblown business does not matter. Julia is brilliant at explaining this and that is why it is a must-read book. Whatever industry or line of work you may be in, this book is about valuing your own silly creative wonderful expression in the world. S I MPLICITY

Meditation, a scientifically proven technique that can improve every aspect of your life. It has also been proven to help reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depression, and even help with pain and illness. By re-training your mind to stay present and calm in the moment, meditation changes the physical structure of your brain, creating long-lasting changes and positive, healthy habits. There is a wide variety of meditation apps out there that can help you combat anxiety, sleep better, hone your focus, and more. Here are a few of our favorites:

Insight Timer is one of the most popular free and easy to use meditation apps. The app features more than 4,000 guided meditations from over 1,000 teachers—on topics like self-compassion, nature, and stress, plus talks and podcasts. If you prefer a quieter meditation, you can always set a timer and meditate to intermittent bells or calming ambient noise.

The moment you open the Calm app, you might immediately feel a sense of well, calm! Relaxing sounds of falling rain play automatically in the background, but you could also opt to be greeted by a crackling fireplace, crickets, or something called “celestial white noise.” The relaxation continues with Calm’s free meditations. You can start off with sessions on Loving-Kindness, Forgiveness, or the Body Scan. For nighttime relaxation, Calm features four free “sleep stories”: bedtime stories for adults on everything from science fiction to scenic landscapes to help you transition into slumber. Sleek and image-loaded Omvana is a beautiful meditation app created by personal growth company Mindvalley. Its library contains thousands of meditations. About 50,000 people around the world meditate to their popular “6 Phase Meditation”every morning, which is recommended for intermediate practitioners. (Beginners are encouraged to start with an eight-minute “Day 1” session.) The “6 Phase Meditation” guides you through different practices over the course of 20 minutes, including forgiveness, gratitude, and connection. Do you want to be healthier and happier? Start meditating today!

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Simplicity Magazine 2018

Articles inside

Beginner's Guide to Ayurveda: Living Harmoniously & Sustainably

Summer in Color