I was really excited to read about the new yoga styles arriving in London in this week’s copy of Evening Standard. Not that I fancy swapping my yoga practice for ‘Kickasana’ just yet, but given there are so many new options in a variety of environment, I would like to believe that more people might realize that yoga is not only about sitting for hours in a pretzel position…

Read the full article here - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/health/article-24030693-yoga-with-a-punch.do

I have been a big fan of Wellicious for years now so I couldn’t resist but share some of my favourite pieces from their new spring/summer 2012 collection that has just arrived in stores.

You will sure brighten up your yoga practice after the dull winter with their new vivid colours, gorgeous styles, luxury look and eco-friendly materials. Something Wellicious has become known and loved for among their devoted clients.

To check the entire new collection, you can browse through their online shop at www.wellicious.com now or get inspired by our personal must-haves!

In our opinion, soups taste the best in winter. That’s why we got inspired by the Riverford’s recipe book this month to help you make the most of their seasonal vegboxes and warm up during these chilly days.

1 tbsp oil for frying
1kg pumpkin, peeled + diced
2 medium to large potatoes, peeled + diced
1 onion, peeled + chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled + finely chopped
1 litre veg stock
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
cream or yoghurt to serve
¼ tsp ground cinnamon to serve
toasted pumpkin seeds, to serve

Add a tbsp of oil to a large pan, add the onion and gently fry for about 8-10 mins, until soft and translucent. Add the garlic, pumpkin and potato, cumin, coriander and nutmeg. Cook for a couple more mins, stirring to combine.

Add the stock, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 mins, until the veg is soft.

Blitz with a handheld blender or in a food processor until smooth. Serve with a swirl of cream or yoghurt, with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon, topped with pumpkin seeds.

If you would like to try other Riverford’s delicious recipes, why don’t you take advantage of our exclusive special deal and get their cook book for free?

1 Wellness Spa: Spaciomm
Improve your health at the luxury spa retreat Spaciomm where special personalised body treatments meet individual Pilates classes, indoor heated swimming pool offers views of the garden and products that touch your skin are 100% natural and organic.

2 Eco-hotel: Casa Camper
Casa Camper is a unique hotel that brings the Camper spirit and values to the hotel world, creating an innovative concept which combines a high degree of functionality with friendly aesthetics and commitment to the environment in a more human and respectful way.

3 Holistic Clinic: Shen Dao
The perfect place where you can start a process towards healing yourself and your life. As practitioners of oriental medicine, Shen Dao emphasizes the prevention of disease by enhancing the immune system, promoting detoxification and ensuring the proper flow of one’s vital energy.

4 Ethical Shop: Mapu
Located in the heart of Barcelona, this unique store was the first in Catalunya to sell a wide range of ecological products. It stocks everything you could need to sustain a healthy and ecological lifestyle from organic food, natural cosmetics and household cleaning products to fairtrade baby clothes and toys.

5 Farmer’s Market: La Boqueria
One of the largest indoor markets in Barcelona offers an extremely large choice of vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and seafood, as well as some unusual and regional products that you might not find elsewhere in the city. All ingredients are as fresh as the morning sun and it’s the best place to satisfy your hunger.

6 Vegetarian Restaurant: Organic
Organic is one of the brightest vegetarian restaurants in town that has quickly established itself as a popular hangout for local vegetarians. In addition to serving healthy, organic food, the restaurant sports other little luxuries, like massages, a tea and organic products shop.

7 Organic Bakery: Barcelona Reykjavik
Hidden away in the Raval behind the bustle that is the Rambla is this gem of an organic bakery. Barcelona Reykjavik offers organic, gluten-free, slow food and other yummy breads and cakes, using only organic ingredients, with each one being picked from the finest parts of Spain.

8 Yoga & Pilates: Yoga Studio
Anyone genuinely seeking to develop or explore new aspects of their inner selves can be assured of a friendly atmosphere and a spacious, well-equipped practice room, as well as a team of qualified teachers that share their love for traditional yoga through a variety of classes for beginners, advanced students and even mothers-to-be.

9 Health Club: Holmes Place
Holmes Place inspires people to live well in a holistic way and maintain a healthy balance between mind and body. The clubs are known for their luxurious yet friendly environments and wellness programmes that are well suited and enjoyable for any member.

Editor’s note: Many thanks to Lindsay for some of her personal recommendations!

Travelling with your young family can be a pretty stressful experience but as Dr. Bryan Miller explains, the secret to travelling with a minimum of symptoms and complaints is to prepare several days in advance of your journey…

While I was traveling on a noisy, crowded flight from Tampa to Seattle, I found myself sitting directly in front of a very uncomfortable, unhappy, and vocal baby who cried inconsolably for the first hour of the flight. I always travel with my essential oil kit in a carry-on bag to avoid breakage from poor handling or atmospheric changes in the unpressurised baggage compartment, and I offered my most expensive rose oil to the frustrated mother as an antidote to her situation.

Less than happy with my offer of assistance, and regarding my small bottle of rose oil with suspicion and contempt, she declined, even with my further assurances that it was quite natural and that I was a doctor. I don’t generally believe in forcibly treating people, but after a minute of disbelief, turning into anger and resentment, and for the sake of myself, the other passengers, and the child’s wellbeing, I liberally dosed the headrest of my seat with not only rose, but also lavender and blue chamomile.

The aroma was strong enough that it produced a few glances from the flight attendant and some comments from the people across the aisle, but within five minutes the baby was peacefully sleeping and the rest of the flight was uneventful. In general, you can use small amounts of essential oil in your personal aromatherapy so that it will not be offensive to nearby passengers. It is fortunate that a small amount goes a long way, and that the body and mind respond to homeopathic dilutions in the air as well as larger doses applied directly to the body.

Get more tips from Dr. Miller’s website www.ayurvedichealers.com

Matcha is 100% natural, organic green tea leaves which have been carefully ground down to form a fine powder. It has been drunk in Japan as part of the tea ceremony for almost 900 years, and is used by Buddhist monks to keep them alert, awake and focused during long days of meditation. So why not combine its benefits in this classic recipe, just in time for the Christmas season of healthy indulgence…

3 egg yolks
70g castor sugar
8oz marscapone cheese
100ml double cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
2 cups brewed matcha (1/4 teaspoon/cup of water), cooled
savoiardi biscuits (ladyfingers)
powdered matcha for decoration

Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Once the mixture is a pale yellow colour, add the marscapone and beat until smooth. Set to one side.

In another bowl, whip the cream and add the vailla extract. Set to one side. In another bowl, beat the egg whites into stiff peaks. Add the marscapone mix into the cream and fold until combined. Add the egg whites and gently fold in.

Dip the ladyfinger biscuits into the brewed matcha and layer them on the bottom of a serving dish. Top with a layer of marscapone mixture. Repeat layering. Refrigerate for a few hours (overnight is best). Dust with powdered matcha before serving.?

For more matcha inspired recipes go to teapigs.co.uk

CONTENT is a peaceful state of happiness and things held or included in something. These are not just dictionary definitions. This is the ethos behind a beautiful 3-in-1 place in London: a boutique organic skincare store, naturopathic clinic and beauty salon. Imelda Burke, the founder, is sharing with The Baoli her passion to organic skincare and practical wellbeing tips.

How did you start this business?
I had a mild skin condition from birth and was prescribed creams by my doctor. At some point, when I looked at what’s in it, I didn’t like it and looked for alternatives. I wasn’t satisfied with what was available in retail, I wanted a good shopping experience - so I created CONTENT.

There are so many health brands out there, how do you make your choice?
We exclude a lot of ingredients I personally don’t use and then look at the ethos behind the brand. We prefer profiling smaller companies and niche brands not available in the UK.

What are your personal favourites?
If they make it into the shop they are my favourites! I personally use products from Tata Harper, Amala, Intelligent Nutrients, Rahua Haircare and many others. I do tend to chop and change with the seasons. My latest favourites are new masks from Absolution Organic Skincare.

What makes people come back to your store?
Customer service and our unique selection of brands. Switching beauty brands is like starting over again. I wanted the store to have a more personal feel and I think people appreciate the extra lengths we go to. People often change their skincare as a consequence of some changes in life. A level of sensitivity is important. It is great when someone undergoing treatment for cancer is comfortable enough to throw off their wig in the shop.

What do you love about your job the most?
I love the fact that I provide a home for some of the world’s best organic brands. Working with the brand owners like Rose-Marie Swift who has changed the face of organic make-up with her RMS Beauty line, and Tata Harper who grows some of her ingredients on her farm in Vermont and Pai Skincare, a certified organic UK brand, is truly rewarding.

What are your personal wellbeing tips?
Wellbeing to me is a state of contentment. Being in balance is not easy, so it is good to be flexible and less rigid with ourselves and our thinking. Some practical tips:

• Incorporate some time each day to do nothing: relax!

• Think of the food you eat as your ‘health insurance’.

• Limit toxins where you can. Concentrate on what you can change.

• Keep strong. Don’t underestimate how your mind and body affect each other.

What is your award-winning treatment?
We won the Wallpaper Magazine Design Award in 2010 for the Dr Alkaitis Skin Food Facial which incorporates Manuka honey and goat’s milk yoghurt and super-food based ingredients.

What have you got coming up?
We hold events each month, e.g. wellbeing lectures on topics like How to Switch Your Diet to Alkaline Foods, Healthy Digestion, Healthy Skin etc.

What treatment packages do you recommend to keep healthy this winter?
A combination of Naturopathic Nutrition and Acupuncture. This way you can optimise the benefits you are getting from your food while boosting you immunity with acupuncture.

If you are looking for the best selection of organic skincare and holistic treatments check out Content’s website at www.beingcontent.com

Don’t forget to use The Baoli’s 10% discount at the checkout!

Recently, I have started my new monthly blog YOGAlicious for ‘at home’ online magazine featuring insider’s view on popular yoga issues, practical advice and solutions, and inspirational tips for all yoga novices as well as advanced yoginis who might be looking for a new experience offered by this ancient wellbeing system.

So far I have covered various yoga styles and schools providing a useful guide in order to take the first step to your new yoga class - What Style of Yoga Is Right For Me?

Suggested number of practical tips to enjoy your yoga practice when you don’t have time to roll out your mat every day - Yoga on the Go For Busy People

And my latest blog listed some important and practical essentials you need to make your yoga practice as comfortable and enjoyable as possible - Gear Up For Your Perfect Yoga Class

As I think yoga is also about sharing, please do drop me a line at info@thebaoli.com and let me know what subject or issues you would like to see covered in my future blogs… Look forward to hearing from you!

By Dr. Light Miller

Pick up your favourite essential oils, hop in a hot bath and transform your bathroom into a tranquil sanctuary

One of my favourite ways to use essential oils is in the bath. Rarely do I start the day without taking an essential oil bath. While the water is running, I brush my skin with a dry skin brush in a circular motion towards the heart. This is also a good time to say affirmations. When the bath is ready, I put 15-30 drops of my favourite oils in the tub and step in.

I usually select oils that are good for my body type (ayurvedic dosha). Depending on what I ate the night before, my Kapha nature may be activated in the morning, causing water retention. If so, I use 5 drops cypress, 5 drops juniper berry, and 5 drops orange in the bath. When my Vata is activated (by doing too much or staying up too late), I may wake up spacey and disconnected. I then use 5 drops rosewood, 5 drops jatamansi, and 5 drops yarrow. In very hot weather, or if my Pitta is up, I may use 5 drops lavender, 5 drops sandalwood, and 5 drops champa.

Of course you can choose your favourite oils to balance your doshic type. Bathing is a way to take time for yourself, take time to relax and connect with life forces. It is wonderful to combine the bath with meditation – nothing is more relaxing and rejuvenating. What a wonderful way to start or end your day!

Get more tips from Dr. Miller’s website - www.ayurvedichealers.com

Kate Hamilton-Hunter’s daily job is all about reincarnation. She gives rebirth to things that would have otherwise been thrown away. But that’s not all: the new life is always more beautiful than the previous one, a “frog-turned-princess”; delicate and exquisite. An old biscuit tin becomes…a piece of jewellery!

How did you get into jewellery design? Is this something you have always wanted to do?
I started my first business as a dressmaker at the tender age of 19. I trained in embroidery and textiles when I was 28 and moved into making hand-made cards. I mixed media in textile design and used to experiment with metal. This eventually led me to jewellery. Making things by hand (such as Christmas presents for my friends at school) is what I always wanted to do.

How did you discover tins as a jewellery material?
One day I went to a workshop at Ruthin Craft Centre with an artist Lucy Casson. She makes creatures from all types of coloured tin which she solders into 3-D sculptures. In the workshop, she showed me how to cut up household tins, and create little artworks. I made an angel out of a golden syrup tin and floated home on a wave of excitement with my new-found skills.

Which are your most preferred ones?
I love the richness of the colours and quality of the print on the old biscuit tins and tobacco tins.

What are your favourite biscuits?
Dark chocolate digestives - heaven with fresh coffee!

How do you collect old tins?
Local people drop off bags full of tins as the word is spreading about what I do. They love the fact that something creative can come out of ‘rubbish’.

How do you come up with new designs?
Sometimes new ideas come from simply looking at the world around, but in more detail than most people do.

What is your favourite theme/style?
Using the unique vintage tins and making them precious by combining them with silver. The rings in the Signature Collection are my current favourites!

What collection are you working on now?
Spring/Summer will be the next collection to be launched in January 2012 at the London trade show Top Drawer. However, it’s not just a case of one new collection, all the collections have to be reviewed and tweaked for the new season.

How would you define wellbeing?
It’s all about balance - the hardest thing to achieve in these days of ‘modern living’. When your work/play/diet/exercise/rest are all in sync and you feel amazing - that is wellbeing.