greener living

ashtak yoga instructor sharing greener, eco & more sustainable choices. www.groundbloomflourish.com

[greener-living]

"do everything you love as much as you can knowing you won't have all this luscious time to yourself" ~ love by @zotheysay. what a wonderful way to think about this time I get to be in my own company 💗

I've always wanted to come to longreach and I'm finally doing it and it's been bliss doing whatever I feel like. I've read, napped, devoured cheese, smashed guava cruisers, walked and photographed, soaked in the bathtub, and watched netflix.

aloneness is the joy of being alone and I'm alone, but not lonely. I am exactly in the right place where I need to be 💫

[greener-living]

afghan bean curry (lubya) | I love this recipe from the curious chickpea because it's so easy to make and the only thing you have to chop is the onion and garlic! I added some greek yoghurt on top to add some creaminess to the tomatoes 🍅

ingredients:

↠ 2 tbsp coconut oil

↠ 1 tbsp coriander seed

↠ 1 tsp cumin seed

↠ 1 x 400g can whole tomatoes

↠ 1 small red onion, diced & some reserved for garnish

↠ 4 cloves garlic, minced

↠ 1 cup vegetable broth

↠ 2 x 400g cans kidney beans, rinsed & drained

↠ 1 tsp ground black pepper

↠ 1 tsp salt

↠ coriander for garnish

↠ basmati rice to serve

method:

↠ melt 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy bottomed pot over medium-low heat. add the coriander and cumin and cook for about a minute or until the aromatic and a shade darker. keep a close eye on them so they don't burn.

↠ add the tomatoes and their juices to the pot and mash them a little. cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for around 7 minutes until they break down and are saucy. transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, making sure to vent.

↠ heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot and melt over medium-low heat. add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden. then add the minced garlic, and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, stirring often so it doesn't burn.

↠ once the onions are nice and caramelised add the broth, the spiced tomato sauce, kidney beans, salt and pepper. simmer uncovered on low heat for about 15 minutes. adjust seasonings to taste.

↠ garnish with coriander and minced red onion and serve with basmati rice.

[greener-living]

this week is the anniversary of the terrible 2013 rana plaza collapse which has got a lot of people asking #whomademyclothes? we need to use your voice to get companies to become more transparent and step up and be responsible for fair conditions of their workers and also their environmental impact 🗣️

I was going to ask at @jeanswest, but this is actually the first time since 2014 when I have gone to research the company and they have everything easily accessible on their website. jeanswest includes information about living wage, location of factories, animal welfare, ethical fashion report (b+), and environmental responsibility. thank you @jeanswest for stepping up and a job bloody well done! I can continue to rock this mom jeans👖

@fash_rev have great resources on their website to help you ask the question. check out https://issuu.com/fashionrevolution/docs/fr_2020_getinvolved_citizens_single

[greener-living]

spraying so much lavender directly into my face to de-stress and freshen up haha. this toner recipe is from ECO. modern essentials toxic-free home ritual subscription box. they're a gold coast based company that have a great recycling program too (more to come in a blog post soon).

if you've been following me for a while you know I don't push products or codes at you, but if you feel inclined to stock up on some essential oils or beauty products (I have used their serums for a long time - affordable and lush af) use this link to help a sis out while she's waiting on that jobkeeper payment: https://lddy.no/fek0 💟

oily to combination skin:

↠ brew enough medium strength green tea to fill a small spray bottle

↠ add 1 drop lavender for every 10mls of tea

↠ shake well before use

normal to dry skin:

↠ brew enough medium strength chamomile tea to fill a small spray bottle

↠ add 1 drop frankincense for every 10mls of tea

↠ shake well before use

[greener-living]

a sweet leek carbonara recipe for all you pasta isolation hoarders out there. I got this from jamie oliver's veg book. the original recipe is below but to make it vegan I used dairy free butter, vegan cheeze and nutritional yeast instead of eggs. oh and chilli because it's not a kristy dish unless it tastes like burning 🍝

ingredients:

↠ 2 leeks

↠ 4 cloves of garlic

↠ 4 sprigs fresh thyme

↠ 1 knob of butter

↠ olive oil

↠ 300g spaghetti

↠ 50g pecorino cheese

↠ 1 large egg

method:

↠ trim, wash and finely slice the leeks. peel and finely slice garlic and pick the thyme leaves, then place in a large casserole pan on a medium heat with the butter and 1 tablespoon of oil. once sizzling, stir in the leeks and 400ml of water, then cover and simmer gently over a low heat for 40 minutes or until sweet and soft, stirring occasionally. season with sea salt and black pepper.

↠ when the leeks are almost done, cook the pasta in a large pain of boiling slated water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of starchy cooking water. toss the drained pasta into the leek pan, then remove from the heat and wait 2 minutes for the pan to cool slightly while you finely grate the cheese and beat it with the egg.

↠ loosen the egg mixture with a splash of reserved cooking water, then pour over the pasta, tossing vigorously. season to perfection and adjust the consistency with the extra cooking water if needed

[greener-living]

it didn't really hit me until a couple of days ago when class numbers started to go down and classes starting to be cancelled that teaching is my income. it is an unsettling and tough time for everyone and especially independent contractors and small businesses. I understand that people want to suspend their memberships immediately and have notice periods waived, but I urge you to think of these studios and how much that one extra payment can help for them to make it through this time and still exist at the end. I also want to thank the studio owners who are doing everything they can to keep classes running so that we have work. for my classes that are still running I won't be using props and will stay teaching from the mat. everything is cleaned meticulously but please feel free to bring your own mat and props and know that you do not have to use any props. I never noticed how much I like to physically adjust you all, so that has stopped too! in this high stress time, coming to yoga will help give your mind a break from obsessing over the things that are happening right now. but I understand the importance social distancing, so please do what you think is best.

[greener-living]

[greener-living]

balasana {childs pose} is pose of the month at @zamayogapilates. one of my favourite flows in balasana to warm up the spine + shoulders plus open up the hips and backs of the legs 💫

[greener-living]

I love me some palak paneer & found this vegan alternative with tofu from the @minimalistbaker. you can make it in 30 minutes!

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

ingredients:

↠ 425g block firm tofu

↠ 3½ tsp curry powder

↠ 15 ml coconut aminos

↠ ¼ tsp sea salt

↠ 2 tsp nutritional yeast

↠ 170 g loosely packed fresh spinach

↠ 40 ml avocado or coconut oil

↠ 1½ tsp cumin seed or ground cumin

↠ 15 g minced ginger

↠ 1 medium diced white onion

↠ 1 chilli (serrano or jalapeno)

↠ 180 g can diced tomatoes

↠ 4 cloves garlic

↠ 60-120 ml vegetable broth or water

↠ 2 tsp curry powder

↠ 1 tsp garam masala

↠ 60 ml full fat coconut milk

method:

↠ preheat oven to 220°c. drain, pat dry then cube the tofu.

↠ in a bowl season tofu with 1½ tsp curry powder, coconut aminos, sea salt, & nutritional yeast.

↠ heat a medium sized pan on medium heat (if using stainless steel add a little oil so it doesn’t stick). add tofu & sauté 3-4 minutes, or until a couple of sides are browned. transfer to oven & bake for 15 minutes. if you prefer firmer tofu, bake longer. if you want softer tofu that mocks paneer, bake less. set aside to rest in the pan.

↠ meanwhile, boil water in a large pot halfway full.

↠ heat a large pan over medium heat. add half the oil, cumin seed, ginger, onion & chilli. sauté for about 5 minutes until onion is soft & translucent.

↠ add diced tomatoes & garlic. sauté 3-4 minutes or until tomato has softened.

↠ add spinach to boiling water & cook 2 minutes. strain & rinse with cold water. drain well.

↠ add tomato mixture, spinach & vegetable broth or water to a blender & blend into a smooth sauce. add more broth or water if necessary.

↠ heat the same same pan over medium heat. add remaining oil, curry powder & garam masala & cook for 30 seconds.

↠ add the spinach sauce & cook the mixture over medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes to deepen the flavours. if it bubbles too much, lower heat to a simmer. add coconut milk and stir.

↠ taste and adjust flavour as needed, adding salt or coconut aminos to deepen the flavour and curry powder for more rich curry flavour.

[greener-living]

as you enjoy the hottest 100 today keep in mind that it is a sensitive weekend. we have an indigenous history which started a long time before the first fleet landed on australian soil. there are many ways that you can support indigenous australians.

🖤💛❤️

there's a petition with amnesty which is very close to it's goal that you can sign: https://action.amnesty.org.au/act-now/change-the-date

🖤💛❤️

you can join a march in your city on sunday the 26th. remember it's about standing in solidarity so be respectful, don't feel that you have to speak on anyone's else's behalf but listen instead, and make everyone feel safe.

🖤💛❤️

read up on the truth about our history, listen to indigenous music, promote indigenous voices, and support indigenous artists.

✎ by lukejohnmatthewarnold

[greener-living]

allow your sankalpa to really take root through every action through every breath. refocusing the mind of how it is you want to be in the world. treating yourself with respect and honouring yourself ~ jo tatsula 🌙✨

[greener-living]

one of my environmental resolutions is to try and not buy any new clothes (undies excluded). I'm actually pretty good with this already - except for when an event is coming up as I use that as an reason to buy something new. but now I have a lot of pretty things I've only rocked once or twice that I can totally wear again. to freshen up a wardrobe I love a clothes swap, and we've done this a few times now with the teachers at stretch yoga. it's great especially if you can't be bothered selling your old clothes. contact some pals, plan a date, sort through your wardrobe and get swapping. there's also lots of groups on facebook with meet ups too 👕

[greener-living]

the best way to get things done is to simply begin 🖊️✨

I have so many diaries from when I was in school. my favourite entry to this day was: dear diary, today I found out I need braces. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. with my glasses too, I'll look so ugly (oh young kristy).

yesterday I noticed that I was resisting to write. I was coming up with all these excuses and realised I was resisting because I didn't want to be honest with myself. I didn't want to write down the crappy feelings I had for the first day of the year. the new year is all about being fresh and optimistic and I was hungover and had a little bit of PPD (post party depression). but as I started to write it was therapeutic as it made me really think about why I was feeling what I was. it then led to me calling mitch and having such an honest conversation which left us both feeling really great and how to approach a similar situation. journaling allows you to explore, to have an honest conversation with yourself, and help figure out what really matters and is important to you.

journaling doesn't have to be an elaborate thing. all you need is some pen and paper and a couple of sentences. for me I'm writing one thing I'm grateful for, my mood and try to unravel why, and in the calendar part and big highlights. the hardest part is just starting the habit but can you stack it on something else like when you're having your morning coffee?

I found this post by @simplyfiercely helpful. she suggests asking yourself these questions : how do you feel right now? why do you feel that way? how do you want to feel? what can you do to feel that way?

www.simplyfiercely.com/start-journaling

[greener-living]

this last period I've tried out reusable tampons. I like the idea because teaching yoga means tight yoga pants so feeling bulky never feels cute, but these didn't work too well for me. they weren't super absorbent so I had to wear my period undies with them but in saying that I bought the regular size and not heavy. changing them was fine at home because I could rinse out straight away, but when I had a full day at the studio and pulled it out I was like uhh what do I do because I didn't have anything to place it in. also, is it too much in a public restroom to wash or empty out reusable sanitary items? I'm not comfortable with it personally but I would understand if a woman chose to do it ❣️

[greener-living]

HAPPI.EARTH

happi.earth is a certified organic laundry liquid based out of the gold coast that has the planet in mind. I got sent happi.earth to try and have been using it for the last 4 months. the laundry liquid came with a pump bottle and you only need 2 pumps per load which definitely does the job. if you like to get more bang for your bucks, one pouch is supposed to last 400 washes and you can can send the pouch back once you’re done to be sterilised and refilled which is pretty cool. previously I had been using soapberries (which is one of the main ingredients for happi.earth) for it’s multi-use and to reduce waste. and in no way is using soapberries any effort, but the pump bottle has made it simpler by not having to remember how many washes I’ve used the berries for, or dig around my wet clothes to find them. the only thing I’ve found is sometimes there can be a few drippy boys after pumping, and it can get a bit sticky so I’ve placed the bottle on a dish. another yay is that with each purchase, happi.earth plants a tree in their mangrove forest and right now for a limited time they are planting 5 trees. I learnt more about happi.earth from their chief entrepreneur alf orpen.

WHAT INSPIRED HAPPI.EARTH?

happi.earth has been brewing for several years. while we have been leaders in the organic industry, we knew we needed to be better, much better. happi.earth is the result of pursuing several goals.:

let’s produce a product that no one else is making with all ingredients being grown organically?

let’s create a price point that will create a happi.earth movement to enable us to plant a tree with every purchase yet still save money for the purchaser.

let’s design packaging that will reduce the need for plastic.  (the inspiration came from a kraft paper coffee pouch with the question arising, how do we put a handle and a spout of such a packaging).

let’s produce a “green” product that at very least performs as good, if not better as one made from toxic synthetic chemicals?

WHERE IS HAPPI.EARTH MADE AND WHO MAKES IT?

happi.earth is made in our certified organic factory in molendinar on the gold coast, australia. ONEgroup (organic & natural enterprise group) make it and our origins stem back to the creation of the world’s first certified organic skin and personal care products under the brand miessence.

WHAT ORGANIC INGREDIENTS ARE IN HAPPI.EARTH?

all ingredients are certified organic: organic soapberry nut concentrate. organic bean glycerine. organic ethanol from sugarcane. organic eucalyptus & organic orange essential oils.  nothing else.

WHAT MAKES HAPPI.EARTH PACKAGING ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS?

happi.earth packaging is not perfect. it is however so much better than the usual because it is made from kraft paper with a fine BPA free plastic lining so that it does not leak. with the capacity to hold enough laundry liquid for 400 loads of washing it replaces annually 13 plastic bottles from being produced and discarded into the environment.

WHERE DOES HAPPI.EARTH PLANT MANGROVE TREES?

we are proud to be collaborating with arne fjortoft and his team at the worldview international foundation with whom we have named a previously damaged mangrove area in myanmar the happi forest, where we have commenced its regeneration by planting mangrove trees.

WHAT’S NEXT OR IN THE WORKS FOR HAPPI.EARTH? 

our current goal is to plant 1 million trees. we also have several exciting revolutionary products in the pipeline (sorry cannot expose them yet!)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIP OR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR GREENER LIVING?

it’s the responsibility of all humans to create our preferred future by deciding to act on a scale possible for us, small or large.

SAVE 15% OFF YOUR ORDER BY USING THIS LINK: WWW.HAPPI.EARTH/BRANDPARTNER/GREENERLIVING

you can connect and find out more about happi.earth through their website, email, facebook, instagram and youtube.

[greener-living]

feel into the body. the breath. the heart beat. it’s easy to get frustrated when things aren’t going well but keep coming back to that brightness, goodness, the love and feed off of that 💓☀️🌻

[greener-living]

well, hot dang. I've taught over 2000 hours of this marvellous thing we call yoga 🦄 when I stepped into teacher training my thinking was that I could teach maybe once a week, but yoga is all I have done ever since. I am super grateful to be able to do this, and for all the teachers who have taught me, and to all my fellow teachers and friends who keep inspiring me. and most of all so ridiculously thankful for everyone who's taken the time to come to one of my classes and practice with me 💓🙏🏽