Monthly Archives: December 2013

My Christmas Gift to YOU ALL!

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I used to like buying presents to everyone I love for Christmas and special occasions. However the past years I am very much against buying “whatever” just because… Nowadays we have everything we need, we buy it all the time, so why not to be original and offer more alternative presents thinking about the person we want to give something to? What would they like to do with you? What about:

  • Your time
  • Cooking a healthy tasty meal for someone special
  • Go to a nice restaurant together
  • Walk in the nature
  • Visiting an old friend
  • Take a day off together
  • Wellness day (sauna, jacuzzi…)
  • DIY presents
  • Love
  • Smiles
  • Hugs
  • ……

Which one would you like to receive the most? Which one could you add to the list? 

Because I am an unconditional dreamer and we are in crisis, here you have my present for you this year, it personalised because you can ask for what you want, isn’t it great? Plus it is re-usable and you can give to those who you love the most! Share it!! :)

make a wish 2

 

And because I like you and it is also free, I am gonna send you an extra-gift… A Big fat hug!! Yesssss, you know I love them and I want you to share them, so please do!

Big hug

 

Merry Christmas!! I wish all your dreams come true next year (well, leave some for the rest of your life, otherwise it would not be exciting anymore, hehehe), lots of love and a health!

Thanks a lot for having supported me this year, you are AWESOME!

Another big hug and much love,

Sara.es ♥

 

Yesssss! We did it!!

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Sometimes in life you just have to show up and the Universe will do the rest for you! After a month with a lot of ups and downs specially health wise, I am happy to say that everything is fine in possible if you believe you can do it! Marina and I  had decided to take part in the WinterLoop in Ghent long time ago. Our first plan was to run 10k, but after listening to our common sense and bodies we thought that it would be better to go for 5k instead. And here they come the great news, we managed to finish in 43:10 minutes without having trained! Yessssss!!! Thank you for the organisation, all the random supporters, my roommates and friends to make it possible! Special thanks to Marina for running with me, I am very proud of both of us, we are doing great!

We are already looking forward to RE-START training again and to go for the 10k sometime in 2014!

What is your challenge for 2014?

Big hug and much love,

Sara.es

The power of a hug – Have you hugged anyone today?

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Have you hugged anyone

Giving (and receiving) hugs is one of the most powerful tools in life! It can be very effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. Moreover it is a very beautiful act to show your love or appreciation towards other people.
According to an article from Marcus Julian Felicetti found in MindBodyGreen, this is what research shows :)
A proper deep hug, where the hearts are pressing together, can benefit you in these ways:
1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.
2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.
3. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
4. Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.
5. Hugging boosts self-esteem. From the time we’re born our family’s touch shows us that we’re loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.
6. Hugging relaxes muscles. Hugs release tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.
7. Hugs balance out the nervous system. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system – parasympathetic.
8. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.
9. Hugs are so much like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath.
10. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in the relationship. It encourages empathy and understanding. And, it’s synergistic, which means the whole is more than the sum of its parts: 1 1 = 3 or more! This synergy is more likely to result in win-win outcomes.
There is a saying by Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” 
I don’t you guys, but I don’t miss a single chance to give a good hug… What about starting a “FREE HUG” campaign soon? :) I’m in!!
Who wants a hug!! I DO! Send virtual hugs this year by sharing this post with your beloved ones ;-)
Big big hug and much love to you all,
Sara.es

 

Christmas Menu Workshop – 12th December in Ghent!

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Holaaaaaa!

Yessssss! My new event is coming! If you live in Ghent (or nearby) and you dont want to miss a lot of fun, come to the workshop I will be hosting together with Marina (the one from the Magic ;-), see post here). For detail, check this out or join the conversation on FB! https://www.facebook.com/events/556474944429277/

Christmas Menu workshop

Christmas is coming, yeeayyyy!
Do you need inspiration?
Are you tired of eating the same stuff every year?
Do you want to surprise your friends and family with healthy & tasty alternatives?

By joining our workshop you will:
• Meet likeminded health conscious foodies
• Learn to organise a balanced & delicious plant based menu
• Get tips on recycling ingredients for the next meal
• Get inspired about easy and healthy recipes
• Taste and share delicious appetizers & drinks
• Make your own yummie dessert

Date: 12th December 2013
Time: 18:30 to 21:00
Where: The Fabriek, Raffinaderijstraat, just off E. Anseeleplein, near Vrijdagmarkt, Ghent
Price: 25€ – For early birds 20€ if booked before 5th December

Come, learn, eat, share, enjoy and have fun!

Are you IN? Give us a shout on: info@saragarrido.com

Hurry up, places are limited! Registration is confirmed after payment

Marina & Sara

www.greenlovejourney.wordpress.com & www.saragarrido.com

Eating Vegan in… Ghent! @ De Zuidkant!

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Ohhh yeah baby! Las Monday the 20th november I had de honour to enjoy a very cozy evening! Every single detail was just perfect, the company, the place, the food and the music! My boss and friend Lucie asked me to go with her to this new restaurant in Ghent, De Zuidkant, to delight the concert of a friend of hers. I just could not say no!

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Unfortunately I don’t have any pics from the nice food we had (btw, vegan as far as I know), but I do have the poster from the eve with artist presentation: Michael Holt. I had already heard from him at Lucie’s place, but the “house concert” was even better! This guy has a very special touch, he’s very sweet, deep and authentic as well as funny :) He managed to involve us all with his music, which was food for the soul! He tought was that we should take some time to just enjoy music while doing nothing else! Wise words, thank you Michael for the “slow music”! ;-)

Food wise, it was a closed menu, we could not choose what to eat, but who wants to choose when everything we ate was simply delicious? The restaurant has been open for less than a month now, but it is already a success! Griet & Ellen, the owners, do know how it make your meal a great experience :) They do have a special formula, they cook something different everyday and you can go with your own containers and enjoy their food at home! That’s the perfect excuse to visit them often and try their creations. I am sure I will be back very soon, you will read more about it then! ;-)

Here you are both links, the one from Michael’s website and the one from the restaurant! 

http://www.michaelholtmusic.com/

http://www.dezuidkant.be/

Will be back soon! Big hug and much love,

Sara.es