It’s the end of May, and here at Shanti Retreat we are all feeling so lucky to already be enjoying the herb garden, as well as some harvest from the permaculture beds. Often times, herbs are only used as garnish (if at all) and their high nutrient profile is forgotten about. However, we definitely  recognize their nutritious and healing properties and have been infusing as many of our meals as possible with these superfoods.

Since some herbs start to come up early spring, it can be an exciting time and the first taste of organic, seasonal, home grown food! Herbs can be used in a variety of ways and contain high amounts of important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to improve digestion, protect against cancer, boost mood and reduce inflammation, to name a few.

Today we present to you – mint, parsley and sage. Below you can read about the health benefits of each herb, as well as the different ways we have been included them in retreat meals.

Benefits of Mint

• Promotes digestion
• Relieves Nausea
• Fights fatigue (try diffusing peppermint essential oil to boost mood and energy levels)
• Relieves headaches
• Cleanses palate, improves oral care
• Clears congestion, helps asthma

…ways we have been using mint:

• Homemade herbal tea
• Yogurt Dips like Greek tzatziki  (with lots of garlic and lemon!) or Indian raita
• Fruit salad topper
• Mango and pistachio salsa (for enchilada night)
• Fennel and apple salad

Benefits of Parsley

Parsley, often used as a garnish, is an under appreciated superfood full of many healing properties!

• Extremely high in vitamin K which is important for bone healthy
• A rich source of immune boosting antioxidants, mainly  vitamin C and A
• Kidney cleanser
• Anti aging / anti – inflammatory
• High in iron

…ways to have been using parsley:

• Greek salad and quinoa tabouleh
• Herbed yogurt dip
• Herb garden hummus
• Minestrone soup

Benefits of Sage

Sage is another super herb which has been used medicinally and spiritually for thousands of years.

• Promotes healthy digestive system
• Reduces depression
• Relieves asthma
• Improves memory and alertness
• Eases menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes
• Lowers inflammation
• High in antioxidants
• Strengthens bones

….ways we have been using sage

• Creamy cashew,garlic and sage sauce (for buddha bowls)
• Sage cornbead (with veggie chili!)
• Rustic cheese and nut loaf
• Homemade herbal tea with slices of fresh ginger root.

…Written by Lacey Budge, Shanti Retreat Coordinator and Registered Holistic Nutritionist

What a magical full moon weekend retreat here at Shanti. After the recent fullness of Mother Moon, guests this weekend of Cobourg’s Fusion Wellness for sure feel the gentle afterglow. This weekend’s offering was truly a tour and journey through the chakras. Last night’s yoga practice in the yurt, lit mystically, we explored the upper chakras through inversions to the body, promoting a fine tuned mind body soul connection.

It was beautiful to witness how open everyone was this weekend, especially since only 1 of the guests this weekend had been here before – Tera, one of the facilitators, who was at Maria Carr’s weekend last year, who will be here this coming weekend hosting her annual Shanti offering. All guests, of all ages and walks of life, had this sense of curiosity and willingness to be open to the gifts of the offerings. Contentment and satisfaction; everyone departing with a smile, a sweetness in their eyes.

Chefs Landon and Mike graced the Shanti kitchen with their presence yet again this weekend with some delicious eats and treats. Last night they presented us with our infamous Shanti Cheesy Nut Loaf (in our cookbook!), alongside honey roasted carrots and pickled beets, both from Okee’s Farm on Wolfe Island, roasted green beans and slivered almonds, and a delicious mixed green salad with our favourite Shanti house dressing – everybody’s true love. Dessert? Sweet and citrus bliss balls last night, and before that, our second round of chocolate and sea salted almonds. We’re slowly working these into perfection, let me tell you.

Guests were gifted a variety of different beads through the weekend, each colour bead corresponding to each chakra’s colour, and this morning before our blueberry hot cake brunch, everyone got to create a mala bead bracelet, arranging their beads in unique ways as a take home, a reminder, of this weekend’s blessings. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, white….

Thank you, Fusion, and we will see you this time next year!

Namaste,
Shanti Retreat

• Flat, draining, seedling tray
• organic potting soil and sheep manure
• organic micro green seeds

We are excited to announce that in partnership with  Alive Magazine Canada, we will be offering one free ticket (4 day all inclusive package) to the 1st annual Wolfe Island Yoga & Bhakti Festival to be held this Victoria Day Long Weekend (May 16-19, 2014).  

Escape to Shanti Retreat, located on beautiful scenic Wolfe Island, for a 4 day weekend of yoga, performances and workshops by Canadian and International kirtan artists including David Newman (Durga Das), Brenda McMorrow, Adam Bauer, Lea Longo, Lana Sugarman, John de Kadt and more, delicious vegetarian cuisine, bhakti dance party and the opportunity to tent in nature or sleep in a yurt!

This truly is a one time offer!

The contest is open until April 30, 2014.

ENTER NOW

In one month, we will be welcoming Kenton, a permaculture designer who will be volunteering at Shanti as well as offering a mid-week retreat.

Hi there,

I’d like to tell you a story.

My name is Kenton Zerbin and like you, when I was younger I also was questioning
how I was going to find my lot in life. I questioned the educational systems I was going
through and society itself when all I heard in the world news was how much we have
messed things up. I got deeply depressed, several times. I felt disconnected with my
own potential, confused about what I was to do and how. What I really needed was
a sense of direction, a sense of meaning, of purpose. I needed to feel like I belonged,
with a community of people who belonged HERE on this spot of earth, on this planet
within a larger community of life. I realize now that what I needed was harmony.

I didn’t find it. Everywhere I looked I found the hussle and bussle of everyone trying to
become or be a “productive member of society.” But they were all a farse. They moved
like automatons, for the sake of obtaining more, more, more when they actually had
less, less and less. I felt alienated. And all I got from friends, family and mentors was
this push to get busy; to find a job, get a car, get married, get a house, have kids, raise
them and then die in a retirement home. It was like being told to get on a stationary
bike knowing you will never get off.

I don’t think anyone ever realized how much of a dreamer I was. This was shaped by my parents, a social worker/foster parent and a police officer, who always pushed us kids to “Leave the kitchen cleaner than you found it.” I grew up having five adopted siblings, four biological siblings and over a hundred foster siblings. And I am blessed because of it. I know what makes a home, the power of connection, of community.

I know what unites us, not what divides us. My parents worked with pure intentions and from within the inspiring cause of service, but I saw the reactionary nature of their work. They were always addressing the symptoms of the larger problem, not the cause;
they were trying to catch those who slipped through the cracks, but the cracks are never filled. I dreamed “I’m going to leave this place better then when I found it.” More than anything, I was craving to find ANY answer to do just that.

However, I believed the lie that money and “stuff” would make me happy. I got educated, got a job, got a car, a girlfriend and an apartment. I then proceeded to fill that apartment with stuff. But buying stuff to make me happy was like taping sandwiches to my body because I was hungry. I remember one time when it was really bad – when I hit rock bottom. I was substitute teaching, sitting at home dressed up like
some friendly business man, but I had no business. For two weeks I got up, dressed up and sat waiting for the call to work. I was depressed. I needed money. I wanted to feel productive. I needed purpose. But what I ACTUALLY needed was support, was someone to stop me from spinning my wheels, to stop me from spinning on that stationary bike. I really wish I’d known someone who actually was making the world
better then when they found it.

In going through that time, I got very good at finding the little things in life that made me truly happy. Learning, building community, giving myself to others and providing for those I cared about. Moments in which I tapped into these were like sunshine breaking
through dark clouds. I would bask in that light and then it would pass till the next opportunity to push the clouds aside came again. I also became good at being smart with my money, at asking myself, “Do I need this thing, this stuff?” I thus learned a lot
about the wasteful nature of society, of how much we consume, consume, consume and how very little we as individuals produce. I learned I was ashamed of my lack of ability to produce for my own needs or the needs of others. I was ashamed of my own
consumer lifestyle and it enveloped me completely. But in every dark cloud is a silver lining and behind the depressing truths of this way of life I found I was not alone. Many are inside looking out. People are inherently good, with good intentions, and they want
to live a good life. I found out we are not humanity, we are but one culture, albeit a mono-culture, but this one culture can learn, change, adapt. We have a physical world and world of other cultures to learn from. There is hope.

For years, before I saw that hope, I used my love of learning and being a part of community in a way that was unhelpful to my life. I would read for escapism, a way to get above the dark clouds through a fictitious character’s existence. Escapism came in many forms and when I discovered them I would abuse them. I got into online video games and found there a community, which as fun as it was, was only accessible through a screen. I also tread a dangerous line travelling; between travelling for the love of it and travelling to not go back to where I came from. Because of my escapist behaviour I grew further away from the world I wanted to change, and I went through
cycles of shame and guilt which made me want to enter my escapes all the more.

But, now that I’ve matured and learned, I’m finding that I can use the same desire to learn and be a part of community to build something with others and leave the world better then when I found it. I can share what I’ve learned, share my life experience and relate to others who feel the same or could go down as similar path. I can teach a way of living that fills people with purpose and hope.

In struggling to overcome this all I have learned a lot about the purpose of life, our human nature and world of nature we are nestled in on this beautiful planet of green and blue. We are all connected, every action has a reaction. We produce our thoughts and we are the product of our thoughts. Our environment shapes us and we shape our environment. Everything is connected.

I can also remember the turning point for me when I stopped feeling defeated and started to have hope again that something else was possible. I was in a University course called “The History of Curriculum”. The course challenged us as teachers to think critically about what has been decided that the youths of tomorrow should know. And, almost more importantly, what wasn’t taught. After a

thought provoking lecture I was feeling dejected with my profession as a teacher. I had gone into teaching to make a difference in the world and now I was being told I was perpetuating the very system I wanted to change. The hallway leaving the lecture seemed abnormally long and as I walked without energy I saw a free guest lecture event. It was titled “Permaculture!” and it it was for becoming what I call now, a “life designer.” My interest was piqued so I walked in and took a seat. As the words fell out of the speakers mouth I nearly fell out of my seat. Sitting on the edge, I followed every single word. It resonated with me and that gap, that gap in me which had been
aching to be filled all these years. “Excitement” does not even begin to convey what I felt as the lecture drew to a close. It was like I had chugged an entire pot of coffee. My mind raised, my palms were sweaty, and I wanted to do something! BUT… we were forewarned by the speaker. He warned us that what he had shared with us, what we now wanted to go home and share with our spouses, families and friends, well… it would likely be received like the water shaken off a wet dog. Even if I was in the right mental space for that three hour lecture to shape my life, that doesn’t mean it translates to others for where they are at. But for me, a seed of hope was planted that
evening.

I nurtured the seed. I signed up for the 2 week course to become certified in permaculture design. I learned how permaculture isn’t rocket science, in fact, it is best described as “common sense design for person and a place.” It was about having the humility to learn and relearn so much about life. In those two weeks I learned more than I could have possibly absorbed. However, what I did learn was two vital &
humbling lessons: 1) the more you know, the more you know how much you do not know & 2) community is the answer. I walked away from that course feeling like I had been transmuted from lead to gold. I shined and it showed. I started to help others.

I went on to teach permaculture at the High School as a lunch hour club. And yet… I wasn’t quite there yet. I knew that that was not where my future was. To the core of being, I felt I could, and would, inspire others. Many others. Why go small? I wanted to reach a global audience with the positive social change my words could inspire. I wanted to share something more important than any curriculum I had ever seen.

The passion was there, the vision was there, the ability to teach was there. And yet, I did not feel ready. Dressing up for work every day in my shirt and tie, driving to and fro, living in an apartment in the city with little access to land. I felt I would be a but a sham if I did the talk but did not do the walk. Cognizant of the gap in my skill and experience I decided that upon the end of my teaching contract I would go work on permaculture farms across Canada in order to empower myself with skills, knowledge and confidence. But when that teaching contract finished, it was as if the universe had aligned with my intention, for I was granted the opportunity to go to Australia and learn
from the forerunners of permaculture, from my teacher’s teacher, and even his teacher!

From these inspired and inspiring minds I further clarified who I was, my place in the world and my path ahead. My path lay in being a catalyst for positive change in the world and the people of society today had better be ready, because I was coming.

The superpower it’s all given me is I now actively design my own life, help others find purpose and I design abundant systems flourishing with life. I help others to do the same and together, design community. As I look back now, I can see that that my
whole life has been circling around that question of “how do we live?” My whole life I’ve been struggling to weave together the answers for how to transition to some better way of life, of how to reach others and with them, leave the world better then when we
found it.

I just wanted to take a moment to write and let you know that you’re not alone. And that things get better. From the top of the mountain I can see the path I took to get here and I want to share it with you. I want to show you the way, and give you a hand up. Even though the path beat me up, I feel grateful for all of it because it made me into the hopeful dreamer and appreciative community man I am today. It brought me to you.

Thank you for listening to my story, let’s build life together.

With love,

Kenton

It doesn’t get much better than being surrounded by friends, enjoying nourishing food and practicing restorative yoga – all in honor of Earth Day, on Monday April 22nd.

Our Earth Day celebration was an opportunity for us to share with the community what matters to us most:

~Seasonal, organic, wholesome meals prepared with love, joy and gratitude;

~A yoga practice that allows us to open our hearts and connect with our Divine Self;

~Our love for the environment and everything natural

The meals at Shanti are always nourishing and delicious, but what was extra special for Earth Day was the 4 course “EARTH-AIR-WATER-FIRE” menu.

The FIRE element was a Fire Roasted Tomato-Mushroom Rosemary Soup. The day before Earth Day, the Shanti Kitchen fire roasted Canadian tomatoes on the grill and canned them. The next day we added garlic and shallots from Vicki’s Veggies (Picton) as well as Ontario mushrooms, fresh rosemary, organic vegetable stock and Organic Meadows cream. According to the guests, this soup – served with the AIR element Herb Garden Biscuits with Garlic Butter- was the favorite dish of the night.

The Earth element was stuffed acorn squash with quinoa, kale and chickpeas and topped with roasted hazelnuts. The WATER element was a delicious mixed greens salad topped with red cabbage, cucumber, water chestnuts, blue cheese and orange slices tossed in a citrus vinaigrette.

Now, let’s not forget dessert (We saved the best for last). There’s no better way to get connected with the earth than to enjoy some soil and dirt for dessert…okay well not exactly, but that’s the look we were going for. Rosemary planted in Chocolate pudding and cookies. Check out the recipe below, you’ll never believe it!

After digesting dinner, we made our way to the yurt for a candle light restorative yoga class that was led with the most appropriate music. The class focused on each element (air, water, fire, earth) and the associated chakras. It was an opportunity to open our hearts with the Air Chakra, Anahata, to ground down through our roots  with Earth Chakra, Muladhara, to awaken our digestive fire with Manipura Chakra and to flow with Water Chakra, Svadhisthana.

And we can’t forget our last earth element…what’s a celebration without a homemade center piece?

Decoration we used to table centerpiece and candle light yoga in the yurt.

Thank you to everyone who made Earth Day the great success it was. Thank you to Wendy and Darin for providing us with the great space, to Lacey and her kitchen team of Karma Yogis for preparing the delicious meal and for teaching the yoga class. Thank you Andrea for capturing this special evening and providing us with such beautiful photos.   We look forward to next year!

Earth Day Chocolate Pudding

1/4 cup almond butter

1/4 cup agave

1/2 cup water

1/8 cup cocoa powder

small pinch sea salt

1 medium avocado

1 tablespoon coconut oil (I used coconut butter)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: Throw all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth.

Inspired by the blog “Oh She Glows”