*Not sponsored. This article contains unpaid links to my favorite green labels and online shops. None of it is sponsored.

This post is also available in German.

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. and if you don’t live on the moon, you probably know that tomorrow is Black Friday. When I lived in the U.S., I watched the Black Friday spectacle once and could not believe the masses of people camping outside of the malls. In my green bubble, Black Friday is mentioned with a lot of negative comments. I’ve read lots of articles on Black Friday consumerism, however, the green bubble tends to be a bit too radical in my opinion. Not everyone can afford to skip sales or promotions. Yes, simply not buying anything is the only way to really safe money tomorrow, but if you really need, say, a new laptop of a new phone, this day can be very important for lots of people. I know of a lot of students, who wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to buy a laptop that they otherwise would not be able to afford. It’s not always as simple as saying, do not buy into the Black Friday madness.

That said, a recent study by pwc (German source), however, confirmed what everyone already knows anyways: most of the Black Friday sales go straight to the fashion industry. Of course, if you need a new winter jacket, if you’ve lost your hat again on the train or your winter boots are broken, tomorrow is a great day to buy these things that you really need. But we all know from experience that fashion consumerism is mostly about the things we want, not the things we need. And I am definitely no exception. Since pws’s study found that most Germans are planning on spending 254 Euros tomorrow and on Cyber Monday, I wanted to share some more eco-friendly alternatives that you can decide to spend your money on. There are so many great fair and eco-friendly labels out there, and amazing online shops that sell products with great ethics. Yes we all know we should buy less, but if we do, we might as well spend it on companies that are trying to combine consumerism with sustainabilty. While most green and sustainable labels and shops boycott Black Friday completely, others donate 100% or part of the day’s sales to good causes (such as O My Bag or Armedangels).

Before you shop online, I suggest checking out local brick and mortar stores that carry ethical labels. It’s always best to support your local community before going on the internet. Here are some ideas for online brands and shops.

Fair Fashion

Jan ‘n June

I’ve shared this amazing German brands lots of times already and I will continue to do so, because they are just so great. Jan ‘n June is one of Germany’s pioneer fair fashion brands. Their style is timeless, monochrome and effortless, and everything is ethically made in Poland and Portugal. I’ve recently treated myself to this sweater and this stylish jacket that is perfect for occasions where I need to dress it up a bit. Also, I’ve gotten plenty of compliments on this super cool pair of earrings. I also own their signature scarf, and their beanie is on my christmas wish list.

Jan ‘n June have given me a discount code that you isn’t about Black Friday madness. With the code heavenlynnhealthyxjnj you’ll get 10 % off your entire purchase.

Armedangels

One of my all-time favorite fair fashion brands is Armedangels. The Cologne-based label brings fair fashion to the people as their prices are relatively moderate and affordable. Armedangels also has great denims that are produced without harmful chemicals and use more than 65 % less water during the whole production process. I absolutely love their DetoxDenim, and the awareness for the dirty Denim-business that they have raised with their recent campaign. With the code DetoxArmyLynn you’ll get 15 % off your entire purchase (except sale) until mid december. Also, for each purchase made today and tomorrow, the company donates 10 Euros to Fridays for Future Germany.

Peopletree UK

As this is an English post, I thought I’d also include an English brand in this post. The fair fashion pioneer Peopletree is a huge name in the fair fashion industry. I especially love the variety of dresses that they offer as well as great basics for every occasion. Peopletree offers a Fair Friday Deal with 30 % off various items, making fair fashion more affordable for everyone.

Accessoires

O My Bag

The Amsterdam-based company O My Bag produces eco-friendly bags that are fair and ethically made. Ever since I discovered them in Amsterdam four years ago, I’ve been in love with their style. Tomorrow all Black Friday sales are donated for a project in India, so your purchase on Black Friday is basically a donation.

Organic beauty

Amazingy

The Berlin-based online shop ships to various locations in Europe. Amazingy has a huge selection of all well-known natural beauty brands from Pai Skincare to Josh Rosebrook or natural make-up pioneers such as Kjaer Weis. They also plant trees for all purchases all throughout December, so you feel even better about your purchases.

Yoga

hej hej

The German brand hej hej produces yoga mats out of 100% recycled materials. And in case you do not need your mat anymore, the mats can again be fully recycled. Such a great example of a sustainable and eco-friendly business idea.

Of course this is only a tiny selction of fair fashion brands and online shops. If you’re German, have a look at this post in German with a larger selection of online shops. For more sustainable and eco-friendly inspiration, check-out the british website Eco-Age, where you can find lots of fair fashion brands and labels.

xx

Lynn

The post Green labels and online shop that are doing Black Friday better appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

This post is also availble in German. Diesen Beitrag gibt es auch auf deutsch.

Werbung/Ad. Today, there are two recipes for DIY room sprays that bring the fresh forest air into your home with the essential tree oils from PRIMAVERA *.

I have a new hobby. Last year, I began to experiment with making my own natural beauty and household or cleaning products. It is unbelievably meditative and fun to play around with DIY hair masks, face masks, body scrubs or room sprays. In addition, the DIY products are all natural, sustainable and help to significantly reduce waste. All the more reason to give it a try from time to time.

Also, I’ve been kind of obsessed with playing around with different combinations of essential oils. Even before I dived deeper into aromatherapy, tree oils were among my favorites among the essential oils. My love for tree oils led me to the topic of forest medicine. I’m not sure if this is the right English word, but I think you know what I mean. For me, forest walks are the epitome of calm and serenity. I love the smell of pine trees, wet leaves, or churned earth on my morning jog through the forest.

It all started with the essential oil of Swiss pine, whose fragrance I have been loving for years. I love adding it to my diffuser with some lemon essential oil. Back then I already knew that the oils of the Swiss pine were helpful for the respiratory system, but a book called “Forest Medicine” (only available in German: Waldmedizin) by Anusati Thumm and Maria M. Kettenring got me hooked on other tree oils. Gradually, the essential oils of spruce needle, pine needle, mountain pine or the giant fir were added and now it may happen that my home smells like a forest. Heavenly – in my opinion.

For today’s DIY recipes, I’ve teamed up with one of my favorite companies: PRIMAVERA. I have long been an enthusiastic customer of the traditional German company from the Allgäu and trust the quality of the 100% natural, essential oils. PRIMAVERA has just added three new tree oils: Himalayan Cedar Extra, Black Pine Extra Bio and Larch Bio.

All PRIMAVERA oils are completely genuine, meaning they are natural and unaltered. Also, they contain no synthetic additives and are not stretched with other oils. Of course, all PRIMAVERA oils are not tested on animals and the raw materials come primarily from controlled organic farming. In addition, there is a high level of commitment to organic farming projects worldwide, which not only protect species, but also use chemical-free pest control and fertilizers and do without genetic engineering.

A great first contact with the world of essential oils are home-made room sprays. My mix “forest walk” combines the two oils black pine and Himalayan cedar and brings fresh forest air into the home. The room spray “Breathe” is a bit gentler thanks to the scent of Swiss pine and larch and is used especially in stressful situations. The oils are basically only mixed with water. I like to use distilled water, which we always have in the house anyway. In order for the sprays to last longer, I also addd some alcohol. Not a must, but a good idea when you’re planning to use it as a gift or if you’re not sure you will use it up right away. As a container, I use empty glass bottles from my natural cosmetics brands. They are perfect for upcycling.

Heavenly for body and soul, because …

… the room sprays with the essential tree oils provide fresh air in the home. Essential tree oils are particularly suitable for cleaning room air, help with respiratory problems, colds or psychological stress.

Himalayan cedar

The essential oil of the Himalayan cedar has a stabilizing and strengthening effect on our psyche. It is therefore often used in stress or burn-out. But the Himalaya cedar oil is a great skin oil. It has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lymphatic stress.-releasing effect. Thus it can be used for cellulite, arteriosclerosis, allergies or skin rashes.

Use:
– For room ventilation in diffuser or room spray.
– All tree oils go perfectly with essential citrus oils such as lemon or grapefruit. Heavenly!
– In homemade deodorant
– Muscle pain associated with almond oil
– As a disinfecting soap

Black pine

The essential oil of the Blac pine is obtained from a dedicated PRIMAVERA cultivation partner in Corsica. Black pine oil is a mild essential oil that has an expectorant effect and is therefore used for colds and respiratory problems. The oil of the Black pine has nerve-strengthening and stimulating effect, which is why it is recommended for stress or anxiety. The scent is pleasantly gentle and can be used by both adults and children.

Use:
– For room ventilation in the diffuser or as room spray
– As a body oil for lymphatic drainage
– In conjunction with almond oil as an expectorant oil for the nostrils

Larch, organic

The essential oil of the larch comes from Austria or South Tyrol. It is extracted from the needles of the larch tree and is highly anti-infective, expectorant and promotes ejection. Therefore, it is often used in bronchial diseases. Like most essential tree oils, larch oil is mood-enhancing and psychologically invigorating and is therefore also recommended for stress, burn-out or depression.

Use:
– For room ventilation in the diffuser or as room spray
– As a body oil for nerve pain
– As an inhalation oil for respiratory diseases such as bronchitis
– In combination with almond oil as a body oil to strengthen the immune system

Swiss pine

This essential oil from PRIMAVERA has long been my favorite. It has been experiencing a real boom for several years and it is used especially for sleep disorders. The essential oil of the Swiss pine reduces stress and generally promotes well-being. Swiss pine oil, like all tree oils, can have a positive effect on the psyche and be particularly encouraging. It is also used when it comes to neutralizing room odors.

Use:
– As a room spray to neutralize bad odors
– A few drops of Swiss pine oil on a stone pine ball can have a sleep-promoting effect.
– As an inhaler pen in case of panic, fears or shocks.

If you would like to know more about tree oils, I highly recommend the book “Forest Medicine – The healing power of essential tree oils” by Anusati Thumm and Maria M. Kettenring. I always like to browse through the book because I find the health-promoting effect of essential oils of the forest just fascinating. In addition to the detailed description of ingredients and modes of action of the essential oils, the book contains a variety of recipes and instructions on how the forest oils can be used specifically for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.

*Advertising. This article was created in loving cooperation with PRIMAVERA. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that make me dance daily through my kitchen and develop recipes.

The post Breathe in: Homemade DIY room spray with tree essential oils appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

Ad. This post is also available in German.

What was the last book you read? I love this question and I always enjoy talking to people about their favorite books. In all honesty though, I have been neglecting my love of books for a while. My excuse to be too busy really doesn’t count as I seem to have enough time to watch Netflix. So I actually started listening to audio books while running, cooking or cleaning. I know it’s different than reading, but I love how I can combine my love of books with my daily life and chores. Ever since I downloaded BookBeat*, I have literally listened to six books in about two weeks. And I realized that it is something I missed dearly. 

Of course I listened to some romantic audio books such as the “Save you” series by Mona Kastens or the latest Jojo Moyes novel. But I’ve also listened to five great books on health and nutrition, which I will tell you all about in this post. If you don’t know BookBeat yet, you’re in for a treat. The app from Sweden is available in multiple languages (German and English for sure) and includes tenthousands of audio books. By signing up to one of their subscriptions, you can listen to as many audio books a month as you want. And if you don’t feel like listening anymore, you can cancel your subscription anytime. I have really been digging this app during my morning run or recipe photo sessions. At the end of this post, you’ll find a code that will give you one free month of unlimited audio book fun.

Here are the 5 books on health and nutrition I have been loving lately:

Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten

After getting off the pill about 2 years ago, my body has changed drastically. I have lost a lot of weight, I struggle with hormonal acne and lack of appetite during PMS. Not something I had to deal with while I was on the pill. Since I listened to a podcast with Dr. Jolene Brighten a few weeks ago, I simply had to listen to her book, too. I was just too happy when I found it in the BookBeats-App. While I haven’t done Brighten’s 30 day- program yet, I soaked up all of the information about hormones, the adrenals and thyroid, fertility, endometriosis, PCOS and acne. Definitely one of the most interesting books on health right now. Big recommendation!

Favorite quote:

„Progesterone is the hormone that helps you feel chilled out and calm and in love with your life. When that is too low, women will want to either a) run into the woods and never be seen again. Or b) murder anyone who gets in their way. Or c) do both.

Eating animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

This book is one of those must-reads when you are thinking of going vegetarian or vegan. While the author claims that his book is not a pladoyer to vegetarism, I think it is. I don’t know when I ate meat for the last time, but it’s been a long time. Foer guides the reader through the history of mass meat production, and even joins activists during a nighttime break-in at a mass chicken farm. Even though I have watched all major documentaries, this book had been on my „must read“-list for a while. Can’t recommend it more!

Favorite quote:

“Humans are so far away from animals these days.”

Gut by Guilia Enders

The medicine student Guilia enders changed the way we talk about our gut. No, let me rephrase this. We would not be talking about the gut if it wasn’t for Guilia. At least in Germany, the author’s bestseller has shaped the conversation about overall health and well-being. Of course I have read this book probably three times, I listened to it again because the new edition contains a chapter about the brain-gut-connection. You must listen to this book, people, if you don’t know why the gut is so important for holistic health.

Favorite quote:

„When it comes to wonderung, anger or stress, the tentative answer is: our gut can be involved with about 10 to 15 percent. It sends information about our inner world to the brain that can be worrying or disturbing.”

The China Study by Colin Campbell

This book was the very first book I read in 2013 after changing my diet back in 2012. It’s a book all about scientific proof for the benefits of the plant-based diet. Since I started a plant-based diet in order to beat my high blood pressure, this book was my bible back in those days when veganism was still weird for many people. It had been a while since I last read it, so listening to it again, was like stepping back in time. Eating mostly plant-based is part of what I stand for now, and this book definitely strengthened my decision to stay plant-based. While it can be quite scientific at times, it’s still one of those ground-breaking books and a must for everyone interested in holistic health.

Favorite quote:

“Too often, scientists focus on details, ignoring the larger picture. For example, we put all our hopes and efforts into a single isolated nutrient, whether it’s vitamin A for cancer prevention or vitamin E for preventing heart disease. “

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – Mastering the Elements of Cooking by Samin Nosrat

I loved this book! As someone who has been taught how to cook by her grandmother and mother, I don’t have any professional culinary background. I just did everything the way my mom or grandmother told me. Reading Samin Nosrat’s culinary book has taught me so, SO much! After reading the first chapter „salt“, I was hooked. Nosrat shares so many amazing tips that will transform your cooking!

Favorite quote:

„That snack eaten while my curls dripped with sea water and salt crust formed on my skin always tasted so good! Without a doubt, the pleasures of the beach added to the magic of the experience. But it wasnt until many years later working at Chez Panisse that I understood why those bites had been so perfect from a culinary point of view.“

If you can’t wait to listen to these books, too, then you’re in for a treat. BookBeat is giving Heavenlynn Healthy readers one free month of unlimited audio books! To access it, all you have to do is:

1. Go to
2. Set up a BookBeat account in just two steps. When you sign up via the website above, the free month will already be added to your account.
3. Download the BookBeat-App in the App-Store or Google Play Store.
4. Get instant access to countless audio books including the ones mentioned above. Note that not all books may be available in your chosen language.

The post 5 books on health and nutrition I recently listened to & a goodie for you appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

In my 2019 trend forecast, I’ve already mentioned the celery hype that has taken over Instagram last year. This month, it seems like literally everyone has jumped on the trend and I keep seeing celery juice on Instagram everywhere. Health experts have called out celery juice as a fad and some even call the trend dangerous. So what’s the science behind it? And is it really advisable to drink celery juice every morning? And what is my personal experience with this juice? Let’s dive right into it.

I’ve been getting so many questions from readers and people on Instagram that have been asking me about this trend, so I have decided to test it out in December and January. Since my academic background is based on science and clinical studies, I decided to look into the science behind the celery juice trend. This being said, I am also a true believer in the alternative medicine, naturopaths and eastern medicine such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, when it comes to food trends like the celery trend, I do like to look at the science first.

How nutritious is celery really?

Celery has been shown to contain a variety of vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as: vitamins K and C, some B vitamins, beta-carotene, which are converted into Vitamin A in the body, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese potassium and phosphorus. So it’s safe to say: celery itself is pretty healthy and has a great nutrient content.

Health benefits of celery?

There have been various studies on the benefits of celery, however, some have looked at whole celery sticks and some at celery seeds and only some at celery juice. Juicing extracts the fiber in the celery, but most of the above mentioned vitamins and minerals are still intact after juicing.

– The minerals magnesium and potassium in celery juice as well as its nitrate content can have a positive effect on one’s blood pressure. In fact, a study conducted in China found that 14 of 16 patients who had hypertension improved their blood pressure by drinking celery juice with honey three times a day for one week. Of course the study is not representative, but I still think that its findings are interesting. However, more studies are needed to confirm this result. But since celery contains magnesium, potassium and nitrate, one can expect celery to have great effects on high blood pressure as the former two relax the blood vessels. Also nitrate-rich vegetables have been found to have a great impact on high blood pressure in various studies.

– Along with the blood pressure, celery can have a positive effect on water retention. This is due to the blood pressure reducing compounds found in the celery. Since celery contains about 80% of water, it is very hydrating and therefore good for water rention.
– Interestingly, the traditional chinese medicine (TCM) uses celery juice for high blood pressure treatment and even Ayurveda uses it to heal digestive and neurological issues.
– There are also a few studies conducted in vitro, or on rats, so not on humans, that have shown a positive effect of celery on inflammation. Furthermore, we know that celery is an antioxidant and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress.
– One kind reader also suggested research on anti-cancer research related to a flavonoid called apigenin. According to peer-reviewed articles, there has been evidence that apigenin has been shown to have a positive effect on gastric cancer cells and breast cancer cells.

What are the critics of celery juice saying?

Many health websites and nutritionists have busted the celery juice trend as a myth. Here are some of their arguments:

1. Celery juice lacks fiber.
Yes, that is definitely true. However, all juices lack fiber, so this can’t be a reason why celery juice is potentially bad for you. This is not true. It all comes down to the question of smoothie versus juice, which is an old story. Whether you are team juice, team smoothie or team both (me!), freshly squeezed vegetable juices are never bad for you as long as you integrate enough fiber to your diet throughout the day.

2. Celery juice does not replace breakfast.

This argument is indeed very valuable as the celery juice trend tells everyone not to eat anything for 25-30 minutes after drinking about 500 ml of the juice. As some people claim to have lost weight after drinking celery juice in the morning for quite some time, it is possible that they simply skipped breakfast after all. This is of course not recommended.

3. Celery is not the “savior” of all things.

Also true. Some sources try to make celery juice into a “savior”, claiming it can heal literally any chronic disease. There is definitely no food on earth that has super powers and that will cure all health issues. It all comes down to a balanced diet rich in nutrients. However, this blog is living proof that I believe in the healing powers of food. If celery alone is the answer to all the problems is doubtful. If it is integrated into a holistic lifestyle rich in real foods with vitamins, minerals and trace elements, protein, fats and complex carbs, it definitely won’t hurt.

My personal celery juice experience

I have been drinking celery juice on an empty stomach for about a month now. I can’t say exactly that it has improved my skin, but I have found that it improves my digestion. It also gave me a nice ritual in the morning, and reduced my coffeine intake significantly. Since I always start my day with a big glass of water with lemon juice, I can’t say that I have felt a big impact on my energy levels. However, I have really gotten back into juicing again, as it is so much fun! I’ve also grown fond of the taste of celery juice so I will probably continue to juice it this year. After all, I’m trying everything to improve my skin for my upcoming wedding this year.

So should I be drinking celery juice or not?

My professional opinion is that you do not need to drink celery juice if you do not like it. It will, however, clearly not hurt to try it out IF you don’t skip any meals throughout the day, eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, some fruit and lots of fiber, (plant-based) protein and fat. Drinking celery juice is not a dangerous trend. There have been several studies that show that the compounds found in celery are highly nutritious and that eating or drinking celery juice can be beneficial for all sorts of health issues. It will be interesting to see what science will find in the future.

Drinking celery juice will probably continue to be popular in the health world, just because it is kind of fun. And I have actually come quite accustomed to the taste. BUT just because I am doing something does not mean that you have to. Please always keep that in mind. We are all different and there is not one size fits all approach in health.

So if you feel like trying it our yourself, here’s how to make celery juice:

Al-Howiriny, T., Alsheikh, A., Alqasoumi, S., Al-Yahya, M., ElTahir, K., & Rafatullah, S. (2010). Gastric antiulcer, antisecretory and cytoprotective properties of celery (Apium graveolens) in rats. Pharmaceutical biology, 48(7), 786-793.

Cao, J., Zhang, X., Wang, Q., Jia, L., Zhang, Y., & Zhao, X. (2012). Influence of flavonoid extracts from celery on oxidative stress induced by dichlorvos in rats. Human & experimental toxicology, 31(6), 617-625.

Kapil, V., Khambata, R. S., Robertson, A., Caulfield, M. J., & Ahluwalia, A. (2014). Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension, HYPERTENSIONAHA-114.

Kolarovic, J., Popovic, M., Zlinská, J., Trivic, S., & Vojnovic, M. (2010). Antioxidant activities of celery and parsley juices in rats treated with doxorubicin. Molecules, 15(9), 6193-6204.

The post Is celery juice healthy? Why everyone is drinking it, what science says & my personal experience appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

To start this post without a hackneyed phrase is difficult. Like every year, there is a bit of humility in the air at the end of the year. Another year has passed and I do not know exactly what my annual highlights were since there were so many special moments in 2018. The following saying keeps following me at the moment, and I think it’s exactly what we need to remember:

Remember when you wanted what you currently have?

It is a small saying in which there is so much truth in it and that makes you stop and think. Every Christmas, I write in my journal what I’ve learned this year, what I’m proud of, and what I want to change next year. It is incredibly liberating. Give it a try!

I’m engaged!

Before I continue, I’ve got an announcement to make: Jannis and I got engaged! It all turned out differently than expected and that’s why it was absolutely unexpected and beautiful. We are overwhelmed with joy and we are looking forward to the time that lies ahead of us now.

What I have learned this year:

1. Sometimes it pays to be late

At the beginning of the year, there was this fear of being too late. The fear that no one will buy my book, because there are so many healthy cookbooks out on the market already. But when I held the finished work in my hands, I knew that it was good. I knew that I would not have been able to write this book three years ago. The book and your enthusiasm have shown me that it can be a good thing to be a little late. So my first experience from 2018 is: just do it, even if you’re not the first person to do it. Everyone is writing a blog? So what? Everyone is starting a sustainable company? But no one is starting your company other than you. No matter how many people have done something before you. It’s never too late.

2. Living more sustainably is fun!

Last year, I announced that I would go more into the sustainable living and conscious consumption on the blog. However, I was a bit scared to start sharing my journey of living more sustainably. The reason for it, is the amount of hate that my blogger colleugues with a sustainable focus, receive on social media on a daily basis. But it is unlike me not to do something out of fear. That’s why, for the past months, I’ve been publicly sharing my path towards a more sustainable life here on the blog and on social media. I do not want to list here what I already do – that’s why it should not work here. Rather, next year, I want to continue to encourage everyone that every baby step has a big impact already. Together we can do so much good!

3. The things you think you can’t do, you actually can do

My highlight this year was definitely the book tour for “Himmlisch gesund”, because in the planning of the book tour, I grew beyong what I thought I was capable of. At first it was just a quick idea, then suddenly there were eight appointments scheduled and I just thought to myself: holy SHIT! What many of you do not know: I’m still completely by myself with the blog, the book and the communication. But all the work that went into the book tour project was rewarded a thousand times. Because I got to meet so many of you! Today I am still talking about the great conversations I had with you, all of the wonderful encounters and your incredibly lovely words. So thank you again to all who came to my book tour this year. You have filled the tour with life and love.

4. It’s ok to feel overwhelmed sometimes

I did not succeed in writing a book and a master’s thesis in one year. I’m still officially a master student. But instead of being ashamed of that, it encourages me on to give it a go in January and February and just do it. However, there is still the feeling that I failed. There is the constant pressure to write the thesis, to make money, pay bills, and to keep the blog alive and oh yes, I’m supposed to take care of retirement, too. Sometimes, it all gets too much for me. Then I simply let the tears flow and make myself comfortable on the couch. Because it is ok to feel overwhelmed from time to time. We all feel that way, because after all, we are a generation that wants to do everything on its own. In this situation, talking to friends or family and talking about how you feel is incredibly important. It helps me immensely and gives me strength to get up again and look ahead. So if you feel this way sometimes, be assured that you’re not alone.

5. Change brings new perspectives

Of course, when I visited my friends in the US in the fall, the joy of seeing them was huge. It was just wonderful to see my college roommate Katie again and to visit her sister in Charleston and visit all of the healthy cafés in the Charleston area. But I notice more and more: the US has lost a bit of its shine for me. I already noticed it last year, but I did not want to admit it to myself. It’s not the US per se, it’s the life I lived there. It does not suit me anymore, because I’ve changed so much. I believe it would be different in other parts of the country more focused on healthy and sustainable living. So what I’m trying to say is that once you chose a different path in life, some things may not feel right anymore. And sometimes you have to let go of things in order to make room for new things.

6. Just do it

I am really good at being spontaneous. Just like yesterday, when Stefanie Luxat and I spontaneously went for a 1-night trip to Copenhagen for a yoga workshop (more about this awesome experience soon on the blog). It was totally crazy that we get away in the middle of all of the Christmas stress, but it was so worth making time for ourselves. I want to keep this feeling for 2019 and do things for me as often as possible. Treating myseld with things that will help me grow and broaden my horizons. Because the feeling that I brought from Copenhagen is priceless and it will take me through all of the Christmas craziness.

What I have planned for 2019:

1. Asking for help

A goal for 2019 is to ask for help whenever possible. I’ve realized these past months that I’ve come to the point where I can’t do all the work alone anymore. Therefore I am looking for support in the heavenly headquarter starting in March / April, so if you live or study in Lüneburg or Hamburg and are in the mood for a different kind of work and if you can still handle a camera, feel free to contact us at jobs@heavenlynnhealthy.com.

2. New projects

Of course there will be super delicious recipes here in 2019. In addition, I feel like bringing Heavenlynn Healthy further into the world. There are so many ideas that need sorting, and I feel that 2019 will be really big for me. If you have wishes, suggestions and ideas, please let me know. This blog is a place to return to, so always with your wishes.

3. Becoming more reliable

We are a generation that can not commit, I read recently. It has become normal not to RSVP or cancel an invitation properly, and we tend to keep all options open. I, too, catch myself in this behavior. That’s why in 2019 I set out to do everything I can to see my friends and family more often and to visit them all over the world. Because you have to maintain friendships, especially in the age of non-commitment.

And with the iconic words of Pippi Longstocking, I say goodbye and start the Christmas holidays.

I’ve never tried that before, so I’m completely sure I can do it. Pippi Longstocking

Now I am curious about your highlights of the year, what you have learned and what intentions you have set for 2019. Maybe you just want to leave a nice comment, what recipes or posts you liked this year. I am especially talking to all of the silent readers – yes, to you!

Thank you for such a great year here on Heavenlynn Healthy – I’m always overwhelmed by your feedback. I’m looking forward to the year 2019 with you – it will be wonderful!

Merry Christmas and a wonderful start into the year of 2019.

All the best

xx Lynn

The post Thank you, 2018 – what I’ve learned, what’s to come and my engagement! appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

*Werbung / Ad (unpaid)

It does feel weird to announce a book tour through Germany in English. When I started this blog, I never thought anyone would read it, let alone cook my recipes. It’s a dream come true to read your comments, to see your recreations of my recipes and receive so many heart-warming messages on social media and via email. If anyone had told me four years ago that I would become an author, I would have laughed in that person’s face. Now this crazy dream has become a reality, but I still cannot quite grasp it. Since this blog lives through you – my readers – I am going on a little book tour to meet you all in person. I’m not so sure if a German book tour is something you’re interested in if you live in the United States or UK, but I nevertheless wanted to share this exciting time in my life with you. Unfortunately I have no idea if the book will be translated into English. My publisher is not a big international company, so for it to be translated into English, an international publisher needs to pick it up. We will see!

Of course I will publish one or two book recipes on here in the next couple of weeks. As a little goodie for all of you amazing people around the world who have followerd my journey on this blog for many years now. If you happen to be English speaking and living in Germany, please do stop by at my book tour. I will immediately switch to English once you’re there – promised!

Thursday, September 6th, 4-7 pm – Meet & Greet at the Amazingy Store in Berlin

Saturday, September 8th, 4-6 pm – A heavenly afternoon in the “kleines Café”  Lüneburg

Thursday, September, 13th, 5-7 pm – Q&A and Meet & Greet at the Koch Kontor in Hamburg

Saturday, September, 15th, 3 pm – Cooking-Demo and Q&A at Mohr in Dollern (Kreis Stade)

Thursday, 20. September, 3-6 pm – Meet & Greet at the Kaufhaus Mitte in Stuttgart

Saturday, 22. September, 3-6 pm – Meet & Greet at the lanius Store Cologne

Friday, September, 28th, 6:30-9 pm – Heavenly Yoga with Zahra at the Yoga Bomb – Studio in Stade

xx

Lynn

The post My book tour dates in September (English speaking friends welcome!) appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

I stil can’t quite process it, but the day has finally come that I can reveal the book cover of my first book with you. I know it’s sadly not available in English for now, but the more people request an English version on Amazon, the higher the chances that it will be translated into English. Writing a cookbook was one of the biggest challenges of my life, but also the most rewarding and exciting! This day is a really big one for me and I can’t quite beliebe it, to be honest.

All of this would have never been possible without all of you – my readers from all over the world. You make this blog alive, and though this English version of my blog may be smaller than my German one, I absolutely love writing it in English and seeing you recreate my recipes all over the world makes me beyond happy!

My cookbook includes more than 100 recipes (some small, some big, some easy, some more for the weekends) and most of the recipes are brand new! I included some of my blog favorites, such as the pad thai or the morroccan inspired one pot, because those are the most clicked recipes on the blog and I thought it would be nice to have them in the printed copy as well. Besides recipes, there are more than 50 pages filled with personal things about my life, my philosophie, and tips for a healthier and happier life. This first section definitely comes from my heart and I hope you will find it just as useful as the recipes.

Now, you can pre-order the cookbook on Amazon (in German) or you can ask your favorite independent bookstore to pre-order it for you. At this moment, I don’t know if and when the German version will ship internationally. The official publishing date is August 27th 2018, but international shipping might be delayed by a few weeks. But come Christmas, you should all be able to hold a German copy in your hand.

Thank you all so much for your love and support, and I cannot thank you all enough for allowing me to make this dream come true!

xx

Lynn

The post My book cover reveal! And where you can pre-order my book appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

*This post is sponsored by Gerolsteiner.

I am proud to say that I will be a part of the “Projekt: Wasserwoche” 2018 by Gerolsteiner. I’ve seen the challenge on social media these past years, and this year, I am happy to be part of it, too.

What is ‘Projekt: Wasserwoche (engl. Project: Water Week)?

The idea behing it is to only drink mineral water for a week, from May 14th to 20th 2018. We will all try to drink at least 2 Liters, preferably more, of water. Mineral water includes both still and sparkling water that comes from a spring and naturally contains minerals.

So what should I not drink?

Sodas, sugary and frizzy drinks, coffee, black tea and alcohol.

So I really only drink mineral water…?

Almost. Herbal teas, fruit teas and smoothies are also allowed. And of course you should eat! This is not a diet or a fasting cure. It would, however, be helpful to eat as healthy as possible during this week. If you pick a few of my recipes, then this would certainly make you feel even better.

Ok, but what’s the point of this week?

To have fun! And to see, how your body reacts to the changes. Leaving out coffee will certainly be a challenge for many of us. In my opinion, this week is supposed to help you get rid of things that might make you feel not so good, and instead focus on the things that make you feel amazing: drinking plenty of water, eating healthy and nourishing dishes, moving mindfully and taking time for yourself.

Win one of 3000 one-week water supplies from Gerolsteiner

All you have to do to win is to register for the water week on the Gerolsteiner website until April 29th 2018. It’s completely free and won’t cost you a dime.

I drink only water 52 weeks a year…

Great! Me, too! But I still drink coffee and sometimes even a glas of wine on the weekends. That’s not bad per se, but I think it will be fun to see if I can eliminate coffee out of my diet for seven days. And then there are also many people that still drink plenty of sodas and sugared drinks on a daily basis without knowing about the effects it has on their bodies. That’s why I hope that projects like this will raise awareness of the importance of drinking plenty of water.

Where do I find motivation?

Here! And Gerolsteiner has, of course, come up with great content like healthy recipes, relaxation practices and lots of other fun ideas on their website. They even have an app called “Gerolsteiner Projekt: Wasserwoche“, which you can download for free in your App-Store. If you use the #projektwasserwoche on Social Media such as Instagram and Facebook, you will also find lots of motivational other posts.

So, are you in?

*Sponsored Post. This post was created in cooperation with Gerolsteiner. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep me dancing in my kitchen all day long.

The post Project: Wasserwoche (Water Week) with Gerolsteiner appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

*This post contains PR-Samples from Amazingy.

A few weeks ago, I shared a glimpse into my bathroom in this post. For some reason it was one of the most clicked articles ever, so I thought some of you might be interested in my make-up bag, too. Don’t worry, I will not turn into a beauty blogger any time soon. In fact, I am really just a mascara and foundation kind of girl. I barely wear eye make-up and red lipstick is a once in a year kind of thing for me. However, I’ve recently learned how to underline my features, rather than hide my face under make-up from my friend Lisa Scharff. She stands for the “Beauty Inside and Out” approach, which is also one that I follow. The following products are some of my current favorites. Of course, I do not wear all of the products at once, but it never hurts to have some options, right? Some of the products were sent to me by the lovely girls from Amazingy, an online shop for natural skincare and make-up products. Amazingy also launched their first brick and mortar store last year in Berlin, which I will hopefully finally visit this month when I’m going to Berlin.

A glimpse into my make-up bag

Face

Hiro Foundation # 10 Moore: Lisa Scharff helped me pick out the color of this foundation that matches my skin tone. I love how it covers up redness really well, and that is kind of smells like white chocolate to me. The only thing that I have to criticize is the pump mechanism of the bottle in comes in.

Dr. Hauschka Foundation #2: I use this foundation mostly during the summer, when it’s warm outside, such as recently when I was in Spain. It does not cover as well as the Hiro Foundation, but it’s enough for a warm summer day when you don’t want to wear a lot of make-up.

RMS „Un“ Cover Up Concealer: Since I am still struggling with acne prone skin, my concealers are everything to me. This one covers up pimples and dark circles under the eyes perfectly.

Hiro Out of Space Balm #04 Nala: Since I am a big fan of Hiro products, I also tested this concealer by Amazingy’s signature brand. It covers up almost as well as the RMS concealer and also comes with a small mirrow, which is especially practical for when I’m on the go.

Dr. Hauschka Concealer: I love Dr. Hauschka products, but this concealer did not quite convince me. It does not cover as well as the previously mentioned concealers so my dark circles underneath my eyes are definitely still visible after I apply this one. Why did I add it in this list? Because my mom is quite happy with this product. 🙂

RMS Magic Luminzer: I was never a highlighter kind of person until about a year ago. Now I think they are amazing to add some freshness and life to my face. This one is by far my favorite one. It definitely gets you “the glow”.

Lavera Highlighter: This is my other favorite highlighter, and one for every wallet, too. It’s very affordable and an amazing product if you’re new to the highlighter world.

RMS Buriti Bronzer: Contouring is not my strength. However, I really love this bronzer, as it adds a sun-kissed touch to everyone’s face.

Hiro Multi-Stick „Backstage“: I am a big fan of multisticks. I use them all the time. Mostly for my cheeks, but even sometimes for my eyes and lips. They are the perfect way to freshen up a little during a busy day. This color is a little darker, and perfect for fall and winter.

Ilia Multistick “I Put a Spell on You”: This is my new favorite product ever. I just love the peach color, which has me so excited for spring and summer. You all have to get this product!

Eyes

Kjaer Weis Eyeshadow „Charmed“: I have to admit that I am not a big eye make-up person. That’s why I only have one eyeshadow color, no color palette or anything. This Kjaer Weis color just about goes with everything so I can highly recommend it.

Un’ Gretel Eyeliner: In case I feel like really dressing up, I use this eyeliner, which I got as a Christmas present from Stefanie Luxat from OhhhMhhh. I really love this company, its products and its design.

Un’ Gretel Cream Eye Stick: Like I said, eyes are not my expertise. That’s why I have recently tried out this eye stick from the same brand. It’s perfect for people like me who have no idea how to do a proper eye make-up. I love the creamy texture and the color.

Lips

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner | The Bride „Nobody’s Baby“: Besides the Ilia Multistick, this is one of the best natural make-up products I have ever tested. It nourishes the lips perfectly, and the color is almost nude and oh so beautiful. Big recommendation.

Ilia Arabian Nights Lippenstift: Ever since I visited Paris again a few weeks ago, I have re-found my fable for red lips. It’s very rare to see me with red lips, but then again, I think they are great for datenight or a girls night out.

Lavera Lipstick “Timeless Red”: This is a product that I bought right before I left for Paris, and I have been wearing it there like a real Parisienne. It’s quite affordable, especially if you only wear it once or twice a year like me – ha!

Amazingy Balm: Everyone needs a good lip balm in their handbag, right? This coconut lip balm from Amazingy is not only super affordable, but also so small that it fits into every purse.

Eyebrows

Lavera Eyebrow Styling Gel: Still my favorite product ever when it comes to eyebrows. I bought this after Lisa Scharff recommended it to me, and now my whole family swears by it.

My tip:

Amazingy Rosenquartz-Roller: this cooling rose quartz is perfect for swollen eyes after a night out or a long work-day. You simply roll it over your face in the morning and give yourself a little face massage. In the summer, I will keep it in the fridge to get my face glowing in the morning.

My conventional cosmetic products:

I know that for all of the products below, there are amazing natural equivalents. But somehow, I cannot seem to replace the these products with natural ones:

Clinique Mascara: Like I mentioned in my previous post on natural make-up, this is has been my mascara for probably 15 years now. I love that you can rinse it warm water and that it is still water proof in the summer.

Smith’s Lip Balm: Also one of these products that I have been loving for quite some time. I always buy this brand when I’m in the United States, but you can already get it in Germany at Kauf dich Glücklich or online.

Rituals Hand Creme: I love the rituals hand lotions, their smell and how quickly they are absorbed into the skin. I know, they are not natural cosmetics…but they just smell so good.

Neutrogena Hand Creme: I keep the Neutrogena hand creme on my nightstand – I always have. It works like a miracle and keeps my hands smooth. Not perfect, I know. But then again, who is?

*This post contains PR-Samples from Amazingy. I bought most of the products myself, however.

The post Natural Skincare – The make-up products that I currently love appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

Ok, you guys. This day is huge. Not only is it my birthday today – hello 28, but I’ve also got the biggst news yet to share with you!

I’ve written a cookbook! Yes, an actual book. It’s called „Himmlisch Gesund“ aka Heavenly Healthy, and I could not be prouder of the final result. I’m afraid the book will only be available in German for now. But I believe there is a link on Amazon, where you can request a translated copy, so fingers crossed, that there might be a book in the future called „Heavenly Healthy“ in the English language.I’ve been dying to tell you all for months, but the big bummer is that the book won’t be available until August. I think you will be able to pre-order it sometime in May or June on Amazon. I will keep you posted here, for sure.

Back to the cookbook. It’s a book that I’ve written for you. Yes, you! If you’ve been reading my blog and cooking my recipes for a while now, then I am talking to you. This crazy journey could not have been possible without you and all of your incredible support.

I’ve written the book with the following questions in mind: will it be helpful to my readers? Will they like the recipes? Will they like the Cauliflower Cinnamon Dal or the Bali Buddha Bowl? “I cannot let my readers down” was my mantra these past six or eight months. However, I am beyond happy with the final result. Himmlisch Gesund is a miniature version of Heavenlynn Healthy. Small and compact. Just like me. So I am no longer worried that you will like it once I realized that. Ha!

About a year ago, a couple of publishers approached me, but in the end, I went with my gut and I opted for a small, but high-quality publisher called Thorbecke Verlag. It’s been an incredible journey to work with them, and I feel like they really get me and the philosophy behind my life and blog. The book is 100% me, I got to decide whatever I wanted to put in it. It’s 100% filled with recipes that I love and that I hope you will love, too.

What you will find in my cookbook:

• More than 85 plant-based, gluten-free and refined sugar-free recipes each with health benefits.
• A photo for each recipe (except the basics like tomato sauce).
• A traditional structure with a chapter on basics, breakfast, smoothies, juices and drinks, quick everyday recipes, comfort food, coffee and cake, and a Holiday menu.
• Lots of German recipes such as a Swabian Buddha Bowl, a Northern German dish calles “Birnen, Bohnen ohne Speck”, an apple cake from where I grew up, and many more.
• A section on all of the ingredients that I use and why I am using them.
• Tips for a healthier and more mindful life.
• Tips for healthy traveling plus a list of the best healthy eating places in most German and European cities.

I also wanted to quickly add that I am so sorry that I have kept this from you for so long. Usually I hate it when people are so secretive, but there was a really good reason for my silence. The book will not be available until August, so I did not want to tell you about it and then disappoint you by telling you that you will have to wait for one year to be able to buy it. Now it’s only about five more months, which feels much more doable for me.

However, it seems like I will be possible to reveal the final cover in a few weeks, and by then I should have the pre-order link. I would very much appreciate it, however, if you live in Germany, to go and ask your local bookstore to pre-order it for you. This way, we also support the local economy.

Now of course I won’t let you go without giving you a few glimpses of the recipe photos.

And since it is my birthday today, I would it if you could drop me a quick note down here in the comments, or on Instagram or even an email. Tell me who you are, where you live, and what your connection to Heavenlynn Healthy is. After all, we’re a community here, right?

Have a wonderful day

xx
Lynn

Foto-Credit des letzten Bildes: Christian Boldt

The post I’ve written a cookbook! appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

And suddenly, December comes to an end. We’ve all been so busy chasing through December, going gift hunting, baking christmas cookies, hunting Glühwein from one Christmas market to the next. I loved this December more than others. It was the first Christmas time in our new place. Our first December with our very own Chritmas tree. It was magical. And it was filled with love. Love by my family, love by my friends, and love by all of you.

Every year, a few days before Christmas, I get nostalgic. When I look into the lights on the Christmas tree, I feel so deeply thankful. For the past year. For health of my loved onces and for my own health. Last year I started writing a gratitude journal, where I noted down all the things I was grateful for. This year, I want to share with you some of the things that I learned this year, some things I’ve changed and some things I have kept up and will try to keep up next year. If you have something that you want to share, too, then just leave me a comment or shoot me an email at heavenlynnhealthy@gmail.com. Bye bye, hormones.

For the longest time, I was anxious to talk about this, but now I feel brave enough to openly talk about birth control and artificial hormones. In December 2016 I went off birth control for good. This decision was based on various reasons. First of all, I have a suspicion that my struggle with high blood pressure had something to do with birth control. I was on the Nuvaring for years, and then had to switch to the hormonal patch because I was not allowed to have either the pill or the Nuvaring anymore after my diagnosis. So I hoped that my blood pressure would decrease after getting off the pill, but sadly that was not the case. I still suffer from hypertenstion, which makes me extremely sad and angry from time to time.

Another reason why I went off birth control was the idea of taking artificial hormones in general. I had been on the pill for 10 years when I got off last year, and I have to idea what it has done to by body during that long time-period. What I was interested in the most was how my body and mental state would be affected by this change. And the changes were drastic. My skin got really bad, I went back to high school skin with breakouts, redness and itchiness. I am still struggling with acne and breakouts, but using natural skincare has really helped me cope with the effects of hormonal changes.

I lost a ton of weight. When I got on the pill in 2006, I gained weight like nobody’s business. Since then, I had been struggling with gaining belly weight very easily. Getting off the pill brought me back my body as it used to be. Gone are the consent snacking cravings, gone are the year long struggles to balance a healthy weight. Gone is the need to excersice like a maniac. Other than struggling with unclear skin, getting off the pill has been the best decision I made for 2017, because it has brought me back my pre-birth control body and confidence.

Say no. And live with the consequences.

One of my resolutions for last year was to learn to say no. No to what made me feel uncomfortable. No to social gatherings that I did not enjoy. No to things I did not enjoy. I am not a person who likes to drink, party or dance through the night. These things are way below on my “enjoy” list. What am I talking about. They are not exactly on the list. But I have some friends who love these kinds of things, and sometimes I need to tag along. But I have reduced these occasions to only a handful. Instead, I have had friends over for dinner more, which is quality time that I really value. My friends know that I am not the party friend, but the one they turn to to talk. For 2018, I seek to continue reducing the comittments that give me no joy and focus more on the things I love doing. Are you in?

“Bravery is learning to say no and living with the consequences”.

Going out of my comfort zone

Another resolution was to move out of my comfort zone more often. And I don’t mean doing things I don’t enjoy. For me this means doing things that scare me and that challenge me. 2017 I stepped out of my feel good zone. Heck, I’m talking miles and miles out of there. Like WAY out there. I held two three-hour nutrition workshops with high school students, I gave two meditation classes with senior high school students, I flew across the ocean to attend a wedding by myself, I went on an Ayurveda retreat by myself. I even held a speech about my life as a food blogger at my university a few weeks ago. And it was so empowering to do all of those things, even though they scared and challenged me. What remains was a feeling of accomplishment and pride, and I cannot encourage each of you more, to go our of your comfort zone more often in 2018. It’s a great and meaningful resolution. Have you moved out of your comfort zone this year?

My first Heavenlynn Healthy event

Last Sunday, I welcomed some lovely people at Minimarkt Hamburg and we spent a wonderful afternoon eating healthy christmas cookies and cakes, drinking warm apple juice and chatting about life. I was so nervous the days previous to the event, but it turned out that my fears were completely unsubstantiated. It was a pleasure meeting some of you in person, hearing your stories and getting to know your personal health journeys. I felt so uplifted the days after the event and I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for coming and supporting my blog. You are amazing, and I will do everything I can to help you become the best you can with my recipes in 2018.

Natural beauty and glow foods

2017 was the year that I really got into natural skincare. I had been using shampoo and body lotion by cheaper drug store natural skincare brands such as Santé and Alverde before, but this year I got into the REAL natural skincare topic. A big part of this transformation was a conversation I had with my boyfriend. He made such a good point in that conversation and told me: how can we put something on our skin that we wouldn’t eat? Our skin is our biggest organ and it’s just as important to think about what we put on our skin as it is what we put into our body.

So in April I posted on Instagram stories that I wanted to learn more about natural skincare products and somehow Lisa Scharff reached out to me, and that was basically the beginning of my natural skincare and glow food journey. Lisa and I have become really good friends, and I am excited for 2018 as we have planned such exciting cooperations together.

Another person who has really helped me on my journey is Sarah from the awesome online shop Amazingy. Just like Lisa, Sarah knows so much about natural skincare, she’s such an expert and kindly sent me products to try. I also contacted Sarah because of my struggles with breakouts and acne, and she recommended amazing products that I believe have helped me cope with the condition. I cannot wait what awesome things Sarah, Amazingy and I will be planning for 2018.

Natural cleaning products

Once you get into healthy eating, natural skincare and glow food, it won’t take long until you realize that it’s just as important what you use for cleaning your house, dishes and clothes. We already used some natural cleaning products, but not extensively, and I did not pay too much attention about it. Now I have exchanged most of our conventional products with natural ones from Ecover, Sonett or Sodasan. They are pricier, but definitely worth the extra penny. Would you like to hear more on natural cleaning products next year?

Digital Detox

This Saturday I will turn my phone off for a couple of days until Christmas is over. Or at least, I will try. Digital detox has become such an “it”-thing this year, but I still think it’s so important to go offline every now and then. There are even hotels where you can do a supervised digital detox these days. I actually don’t have a problem not looking at my phone constantly, but working as a blogger means being in front of my laptop or cell phone most of the time. But this Christmas, I will try to switch off for a couple of days, because let’s be honest. Nothing major is going to happen between now and New Years Eve am I right? Embrace FOMO and embrace JOMO (joy of missing out). Are you in?

What’s next?

Oh that’s simpel. Lots of delicious goodness. I am working on something big that’s coming next year, so that’s why it’s been a little quiet here on the recipe side lately. But I have lots of exciting recipes planned for January. If you follow me on Instagram, then you might have seen that Jannis and I have been obsessed with one thing: pink kimchi! So kimchi will be the first recipe in 2018, along with some notes on gut health and helpful gut bacteria.

I wish you all a merry Christmas, and I cannot wait to meet you all back here in 2018.

Stay healthy, stay positive and stay curious.

I’ll see you next year!

xx

Lynn

The post My 2017 reflection – what I learned, what I changed and what’s next? appeared first on Heavenlynn Healthy.

*For this post I was invited by Rosenberg Ayurveda. All opinions are my own. Always.

Ayurveda. Something I’ve obviously heard before. But honestly, I had close to no clue what Ayurveda really meant. When I thought of Ayurveda, I thought of turmeric latte and turmeric porridge. So when I was invited by Rosenberg Ayurveda to visit one of their regenerative retreats, I was overly excited.I opted for the regeneration retreat “Rasayana”, aimed at people seeking stress release and some relaxing days away from everyday life. After an exhausting apartment move, and before the start of my masters thesis, this seemed like the perfect retreat to recharge my batteries.

Before my arrival, I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. Obviously I was existed to try something new, but of course, there were some concerns when I headed towards Birstein.

What I was looking forward to:

• 5 days of no cooking, no doing the dishes, but still being served healthy food. Yay! Yay! Yay!
• Massages. Massages. Massages. (Coming from the person who has had 1(!!) massage in her life.)
• Long walks in nature.
• Learning about Ayurveda and how it may help decrease stress in everyday life.
• Lots of delicious recipe inspirations for the blog.

Needless to say, there were a couple more things that worried me prior to arrival:

• Will the place be packed with older men and women, hence – will I be the youngest?
• Am I even allowed to go to a stress relief retreat? After all, I don’t have kids, I’m not a manager and my life is pretty great at the moment to be honest.
• Will I come back all yellow (you know, because of all the turmeric?)
• Will they have WiFi?
• Will it be very spiritual?
• Can I even relax? Like am I physically capable to wind down and do nothing?

Arrival or „Am I too young to be stressed?“

The first night starts with a welcome round in the yoga room. Our retreat coach Sonja greets us, and talks a little bit about organizational things and the daily schedule for the next five days before we all head over to dinner together. I am thrilled to hear that the menu was carrot curry soup with apple and banana, sautéed mangold with almond sliced, grilled bell pepper and roasted potato wedges with sesame and rosemary. Me gusta Ayurvedic food very very much!

After dinner we go back to the yoga room and begin with everyone introducing themselves. I quickly realize that I am the very youngest (by far), and get the feeling that I have no idea what stress is – given the resumes of all of my fellow retreat buddies. But oh well, I’m here now, so why not tell them that I’m a 27-year old food blogger and master student with probably less stress than most of the people in the room combined. Ok, I have to admit that this isnt’t completely true, but I figure that most of the other guests probably wouldn’t know that food blogger can be stressful and getting your Masters while working full-time also takes its toll on you.

After introductions, Sonja guides us through a lovely meditation. I’m having trouble relaxing though because my neighbor breathes so intensely that her breath is all I can focus on. I make a quick mental note to switch mats next session. Sonja also reads us a poem by Charlie Chaplin “The day I learnt to love myself”, and I start smiling as I listen to each word that she reads.

Before we all head to bed, we are each given a heating pad and a tea pot with warm water that are supped to drink right after we wake up the next morning. I wonder if they’ve read my mind, because I had thought about brining my heating pad, but decided that this would be a bit too much grandma-styke even for me. Relaxed and happy with my heating pad I head to bed, and begin to write down my daily experiences.

Daily Highlight: the 78-year old couple who “wanted to try something new” and signed up for the Ayurveda retreat. Serious 78-years-old goal!

Day 1 or the one with the foot massage

I’m usually an early bird, but getting up at 6:30 am is hard on the first full day of my retreat. After two cups of warm water, I get ready for our first yoga class. The yoga practice is a lot (a lot!) milder and easier than what I usually practice at home. I think it will take some getting used-to, because my body has way too much energy and wants to do a handstand or chair pose rather than child’s pose all the time. But I’m open minded to the idea that this gentle yoga will do me good.

After yoga, we head to the breakfast room where we are served grain porridge (rice and millet) with stewed apples, almonds, dates, honey and Ghee. I start with just a little Ghee because I’m not sure about adding it to my sweet breakfast just yet, but I am surprised how much I like it over porridge.

My schedule tells me that I have my first short consultation with Sonja after breakfast, and we talk about why I’m here and what my issues are (high blood pressure, migraines, acne prone skin). Sonja tells me not to study for my exams while I’m here, but I’m not sure if I will (can) follow her advice just yet. But I am willing to try.

Before lunch I also have my first Ayurveda treatment: Padabhyanga or foot massage combined with a gentle face massage. Because I’m all for teaching experiences, I allow the massage apprentice to observe while Nicole massages my legs and feet and face with warm oil – I’m in heaven and can completely let go. The apprentice also guides me to my room after the treatment to make sure that my blood pressure doesn’t drop down too quickly (though I wish it would) and I rest for a while and before showering and heading downstairs to lunch. The rest of the day is relaxing and very quiet.

Daily highlight: my first Ayurvedic foot massage

Day 2: The day I had my first experience in a „sauna in a box“.

My second day starts once again with a gentle morning relaxation yoga practice. I still feel like I have way too much energy for such gentle morning „workouts“, but I try to keep an open mind about it. Breakfast is a delicious kamut porridge with baked apples and almond slices – my new favorite thing!

Right after breakfast I have my whole body massage – one hour of pure relaxation. My massagist Bärbel also has me spend 7 minutes in the sauna box (or at least that’s what it looks like), which is supposed to open my pores and increase sweat production to get rid of unwanted substances. Afterwards, I am supposed to rest for an hour, which I gladly do. It’s crazy how normal it already feels to lie in bed at 10 am in the morning.

Daily Highlight: My massagist Nicole tells me excitedly that my blog taught her to make almond butter. I could not get the grin off my face afterwards.

Another Highlight: A long conversation with a fellow retreat patient, who is a professional life coach and gender equality manager. So inspiring!

Day 3 or the one where I had oil dripping down my forehead

I can’t believe that we’ve reached the middle of the retreat already. It’s a tradition at Rosenberg that Wednesday is Sirodhara-Day, a forehead drip treatment that is one of the most well-known ayurvedic treatments aimed towards achieving ulitmate relaxation. Well, since I was still not really able to relax constantly, I was sceptical but willing to give it a chance. And what can I say – the moment the warm sesame oil touched my forehead and hair, I was hooked. It felt like Bärbel, the massagist, was massaging my forehead. During the treatment I was convinced that she used her hands, too. But no, the warm oil did everything! It literally felt like my chaotic thoughts were washed away, with every drip. I think I need to teach Jannis how to do this…

Sirodhara-day is easy to recognize for a non-retreat person, because it’s the day where all retreat patients walk around in a turban. Especially amusing were our two male patients who looked like Ali Baba in their haarem…

Daily highlight: washing away the chaos in my head with Sirodhara

Day 4: The one with leisure stress

In contrast to Wednesday, where relaxation and „me-time“ was predominant, Thursday feels almost stressful because there were so „many“ workshops on the schedule. The most important question: how do I successfully and sustainably implement certain ayurvedic measures into my stressfuly daily life? We learn that it’s almost impossible to implement the full Ayurvedic morning routine after getting home. However, there are a few easy Ayurvedic practices to take home with us: drinking plenty of warm water throughout the day, oil pulling, eating lots of ghee, warm meals such as porridge, Indian Dals, curries, roasted vegetables with lots of warming spices. Since there won’t be anyone serving us Indian food at home, the fantastic chef teaches us how to make Indian pancakes, which we’re having as a side dish for dinner. It’s the first step towards more Ayurveda food at home. I feel bad for all of the women who have a families at home who refuse healthy, and “weird” food such as curries with Indian spices.

Daily Highlight: We all spend the last evening watching the movie “The Hundred-Foot Journey” (one of my all-time favorite movies), have a glass of wine and just enjoy the last hours together. With an almost sad feeling, we go to bed, knowing that our Ayurveda retreat was coming to an end.

Day 5 or „How do you express thankfulness?“.

The last morning starts quietly. There is a feeling of agony and excitement in the air. For some, five days of Ayurveda was enough. For some it was not long enough. We’re all ready to go home, we miss our loved ones. But we are also in a state of tranquility. Not ready to let go. Not ready to go back into the hectic life that awaits most of us at home. It’s hard to put in words what an Ayurveda retreat is really like. Everyone experiences it differently. For me, doing nothing was the hardest part. Before we each go our seperate ways, we exchange email adresses and I notice a big change of newsletter subscribers on my blog. Our retreat-grandpa Heinrich fights with tears, which makes saying-goodbye extra hard. I hope to keep in touch with some of them. With the lovely newly-weds. With the yoga teacher and entrepreneur from Munich. With the business woman from Kiel who is now a HLH-reader, too.

Daily Highlight: Watching Heinrich shed some tears at the good-bye session – this also made me tear up a little.

Takeaway:

You may have noticed how my writing has changed throughout the post. While there was a certain easiness in the beginning, my thoughts were deeper, more severe and mature in the end. I did not know what to expect when I began my journey to Birstein. I feared that it was right for me. Speaking of fears, let’s take a look at my fears before the retreat:

• Will the place be packed with older men and women, hence – will I be the youngest?

Absolutely. Since the retreat is not cheap, you’ll find a certain age group to make out the majority of retreat patients. However, age did not matter, because we shared so many similarites. We all had our package to carry and that’s why we got along so well.

• Am I even allowed to go to a stress relief retreat? After all, I don’t have kids, I’m not a manager and my life is pretty great at the moment to be honest.

Rasayana retreats are highly preventative. Kowing how much stress can harm our body, I am thankful to have had the chance to be allowed to relax for five days. We all need some „me-time“ from time to time. If it’s not an Ayurveda retreat then it’s the tea in the afternoon or the yoga class at night.

• Will I come back all yellow (you know, because of all the turmeric?)

No. However, turmeric is one of the most important spices in Ayurveda. It’s used in the food but also in teas, in milk (you already know my turmeric latte recipe, don’t you?), and even on wounds or acne treatments.

• Will they have WiFi?

Yes! But only in the café and not in the rooms. And I did not miss it!

• Will it be very spirituell?

No. Even though Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation have the spiritual component, the focus was not on spirituality at all. Rather, we learned tangible ideas how to make our lives a little healthier with the help of Ayurveda. Of course, you cannot have an Ayurveda treatment completely free of spiritualtiy, but it wasn’t the focus of the event.

• Can I even relax? Like am I physically capable to wind down and do nothing?

Yes and no. The first two days, I did not go for a run, and really tried to relax. However I noticed that I can relax a lot better after I exercised, so I went for a run on the last two days. This way, I got to really enjoy the forehead drip treatment, which helped me get into a state of total relaxation. I even kept my cell phone off most of this day.

Summary:

If you are interested in healthy eating, then you probably already know a thing or two about Ayurveda. Before the retreat, I had a basic knowledge on the life philosophy. I knew that it includes a lot of warm dishes, spices and warm water, but there’s so much more to the Ayurvedic lifestyle than just warm water. What I especially loved about the retreat was that you’re not overwhelmed with information and esotheric. It was just the right amount of relaxation paired with easy-to-digest amount of specific information. For me, the group retreat was perfect, but if you’re more of an individual, then an individual retreat might be better for me. Since I always vacationed with groups in my life, I enjoyed the retreat especially because of the people. The atmosphere in our group was very harmonic and friendly, which also added to the relaxed feeling of the whole week

*If you’re interested in the Ayurveda retreats at Rosenberg, you’ll find all the information on their website. If you have specific questions about what retreat is best suited for you or if health insurance offers support, you can call or email them directly.

*I am beyond grateful to Rosenberg Ayurveda for inviting me to the retreat and giving me the opportunity to experience such a retreat first hand. All opinions are my own. Always.

Merken

Merken

Merken

Merken

Merken

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