Articles

ZEN moment

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The true purpose [of Zen] is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes - Shunryu Suzuki A moment of rest and relaxation: 30 mins or less to catch our breath, a simple and effective way to take a break during the day. It's purely about relaxation and nothing else: snuggling up in our cozy bed with a book or in our favourite armchair, or simply sitting and relaxing while sipping our favourite drink... Drawing Listening to music: favourite songs         Listening to the birds in a garden/park Awesome World 奇妙世界 Writing, and if I don't know what to write about, just make lists: . Create a character and describe them in detail . Write in my gratitude journal . Write about coincidences that have happened . Write about the ups and downs, the "good and bad" moments of the past week/month/year . Write about my life, our memoirs . Write in my personal journal/diary . Write a letter to myself . Write/describe a bizarre and/or...

Sacred space

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Your are the Altar, not the Sacrifice! Creating an Altar Setting up a sacred space, simple or elaborate, using personal treasures, items that hold sacred and joyful meaning for us, that resonate within us. Intuitively, we already do this, like creating a corner to display family photos or decorating a dining room centerpiece, a sideboard, a dresser, a bedside table... The difference lies in the intention, the awareness, and the understanding of the sacred purpose. We can have several altars in different places in the house a corner for meditation, relaxation, prayer, creativity... a personal, family, ancestral altar... We don't need a large space, just a quiet place where you feel comfortable and where candles and incense can be burned safely the top of a dresser, a small table, shelf, or desk a windowsill a corner of the kitchen a nook in the living room an empty closet a wooden trunk or chest (to be able to close it if it's in a small room, choose the lightest one possible; w...

Comfort drawer

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  True comfort is allowing yourself to rest without guilt or reason In her book L'Art de la Simplicité ( How to Live More With Less,  English version), Dominique Loreau talks about her vanity case where she stores her medicines, beauty products, jewelry, toothbrush, sewing kit, nail care kit… and she uses it not only for trips but also every day at home; she carries it from room to room so that she always has everything on hand. She is a French essayist who has lived in Japan since the 1970s.  So she is deeply influenced by the lifestyle and living environment of her adopted country.  A lifestyle based on "less is more" philosophy, applied to all areas, from the material to the spiritual. At that time, I found it was a great idea but finally I really don't need all those things every time I change rooms. Since I am mostly at my desk, I just use a drawer where I put all the things I need.  What a surprise when Sarah Ban Breathnach introduced the idea of a comfo...

Favourite books

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That's the thing about books.  They let you travel without moving your feet - Jhumpa Lahiri Alexandre le Grand (1998) - Valerio Manfredi Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) - Paramahansa Yogananda Breathing Room (2014) - Melva Green Chroniques martiennes (1950) - Ray Bradbury Comme un roman (1992) - Daniel Pennac Death Angel (2008) - Linda Howard Drawing on the right side of the brain - 1979 - Betty Edwards Femme un jour femme toujours (1997) - Nadine de Rothschild Feng Shui From the Inside, Out (2015) - Rev. Victoria Pendragon Feng Shui Your Mind (2010) - Jill Lebeau Fury (New species book 1, 2011) - Laurann Dohner Hatchepsout, la femme Pharaon (1997) - Joyce Tyldesley Hear Your Body Whisper (2016) - Otakara Klettke Immortal Protector (2013) - Elizabeth Finn L’Abondance dans la simplicité (1999) - Sarah Ban Breathnach L’affaire Charles Dexter Ward (1927) - H. P. Lovecraft L'âme délivrée: Un voyage au plus profond de nous-même Poche (2016) - Michael A. Singer L'art de l'...

Orange tart

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An orange a day keeps the viruses away   Orange like every citrus are rich in vitamin C, potassium, which has valuable antioxidant properties and helps protect cells from damage. Ingredients 1  homemade   vegan   shortcrust   pastry juice of 2 fresh oranges pulp: then  scoop out the pulp from the inside of each orange half and add to the juice 50-60g brown sugar (more or less depending on the acidity of the fruit) 1 sachet vanilla sugar 1 pinch of salt 2 tbsp cornstarch + 4 tbsp of orange juice 40g vegan butter Method 1. P reheat  according  to the  oven  directions. Mine for  baking  pies  with the  rack in the  bottom.  For this recipe, only 210° C (for tart fresh fruits, 240° C) 2. Squeeze the oranges, then scoop the pulp, and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. 4. Add the orange juice and pulp, sugars, salt, cornstarch, and mix well. 5. Stir regularly unti...

Strawberry tart

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Strawberies are the only fruit with seeds on the outside Strawberries are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants (like anthocyanins , ellagic acid , and Vitamin C) that help combat inflammation. There are about 200 seeds in every strawbery; it's the only fruit that bears its seeds on the outside! Ingredients 1  homemade   vegan   shortcrust   pastry  (instead of  1/2 tsp brown  sugar, add 3 tbsp) 500-700 g strawberries,  cut  in  half   lengthwise (no cooking) => that's it, with only fresh strawberries, no pastry cream (we don't like it) =>  those who want can enjoy it with ice cream Method 1. P reheat  according  to the  oven  directions. Mine for  baking  pies:  240° C with the  rack in the  bottom. 2. Place the shortcrust pastry in a tart tin and prick the base of the pastry with a fork  to ensure even baking).  L eave   it  to  rest ...

Grapes tart

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Grapes are sweet , grapes are sour , all dépends on what your soul's craving are! Grapes are a great source of phytonutrients , mainly phenols and polyphenols , and contain other important vitamins such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, offer plenty of health benefits including : help our immune system. But eating them excessively can lead to digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea due to their fiber and sugar content. Ingredients 1  homemade   vegan   shortcrust   pastry 1,5  tbsp  cornstarch + 1  tbsp   brown   sugar , mixed  together 500-700 g grapes,  cut  in  half   lengthwise 1 sachet of  vanilla  sugar 1 tbsp of brown sugar 7-8 small pieces of vegan butter cinnamon   powder (option) Method 1. P reheat  according  to the  oven  directions. Mine for  baking  pies:  240° C with the  rack in the  bottom. 2. Place the shor...