My Daily Ten Minute Mind Workout + Give Away 4 You!

As I wrote recently, this fall would be perfect to up some new skills and habits. Over the years I have been meditating on and off, at yoga or bodybalance classes, at workshops or at home, guided or unguided. Motivated by the sense of calm, clarity and serenity that (not always though;) came over me, but also thrown off track again by a lack of routine. It's amazing how easily one can feel lacking in time to do such a thing consistently. I got bored, restless or pretty annoyed by hearing the same guided story over and over again...

But as you are never too old to learn, I wanted to make meditation my new daily habit this fall. Lucky me, a dear dear friend of mine tipped me on a meditation course made by friends of hers, called Headspace.  

Headspace Founder Andy Puddicombe used to live as a buddhist monk for years, back in the western world now, he shares his years of knowledge with all who are interested in training the mind to become more calm and aware. Headspace is an online day by day meditation (mind) training to help you gain and maintain that sense of clarity and ease. 

The Free Headspace App

The great thing about the Headspace app (for Iphone or Android) which immediately won me over was that one can do a free ten day meditation try-out. During those ten days Andy takes you (from being either an absolute beginner or not) on a  ten minute meditation journey. Ten days - ten minutes a day, even I could fit that in in  my 'busy' daily schedule. It's a great way to try out whether meditation is your thing or not. Day by day - some days with some additional great animations - you get to uncover the basics of meditating and learn in easy steps how to quiet the mind, subtly guided by Andy's voice. By day ten I noticed ten minutes went by so quickly, I even wanted to sit more and longer every day, just to take a little holiday from my thoughts! 

Of course no one can create a new habit in ten days but sitting still every day consistently  and getting through those first ten days felt like a great achievement. In just as little as those ten days I started to notice little positive changes in my daily life. For one Andy's words popped back in mind on occasion - and made me more aware of my thinking at any particular moment. Even though my inner critic wouldn't always shut up, becoming more aware of my mind's workings did take the edge off a particular thought or situation. And there were also days I would simply feel calm, clear and happy after my meditation, and things wouldn't bother me that easily during the day. Overall my focus improved too, which is a good thing with an overactive brain:)

Win a month free Headspace Subscription

After my ten day trial was over I felt even more curious about enhancing the positive effects this practice provided me with. So I got myself a subscription, and I've been doing this for over 80 days now. Has it been easy? On some days yes and on other days not so much. But just by building in this daily routine definitely made me happier, more focused and aware. 

I would certainly recommend this app if you are curious about meditating but just don't know where to start..

In the additional subscription pack you get to do two more foundation courses, after which there are several themed packs to choose from for whichever area of your life you want to improve. There are also little extra 2 minute trainings or unguided meditations you can do throughout the day (if you want to go all overboard). There are at least as many sessions as to keep you busy for a year. The guidance will lessen gradually and you can also choose how long you want to sit - 15, 20, 30 or 45 mins. 

Now for the give away. Because I've done over sixty days I get to give away one month of free subscription!! So if one of you is truly interested in embarking this training for the mind, you can win a free month subscription. 

What do you need to do? Just do the free ten day course and mail me and let me know what you thought of it. And if you are as inspired as I am after those ten days, this month free subscription could be yours!! :)

Shhhhh... & Big Love, 

Nuri :)

More info @:

www.headspace.com

And check out Andy here:

Get Clean The Natural & Organic Way : 100% Pure Product Review

For the last few months, showering has been a real fruity and delightful experience. After a big bathroom detox of my body products a few years ago, the quest for non-chemical body-, hair- and beauty products have led me to some strange, some disastrous, and some great new body care experiences.

To start with the disasters: I recall a month of washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar. Yes, it sounds awful, and it pretty much was. Despite other people’s claims that this is the bomb, good for your scalp's natural ph balance—hence good for your hair—my hair & scalp just got drier, week after week with no signs of the acclaimed lush shiny hair. Oh and let’s not forget that the horrible smell of vinegar, reminiscent of urinals, didn’t really make me feel clean and fresh either. Last but not least, the embarrassing moments on which I found tiny lumps of baking soda stuck to my scalp while adjusting my hair… You get the point, this was not my cup of tea.

I have to tell you, once you start checking products for their ingredients… be prepared, as you are embarking on a road one has to devote some time and energy to. Because, just as I discovered, a quick run to the organic store isn't going to do the trick. There are a lot of products out there that for instance might be called organic but still have chemicals—as in perfume or fillings—in it. Trust me lots of chemical ingredients have names that can't be understood let alone pronounced properly. I am happy that some other brave people have dug into these mysteries. I'll gladly share their findings with you soon. You can also expect a nice checklist of chemicals you should definitely avoid so keep your eyes on my page.

For body washes it was even harder to find a good alternative. Most of my organic body washes did contain some sort of chemical fillings, very disappointing of course, and thus far I haven’t bumped into any D.I.Y. alternative. So I got pure olive soap, but it just doesn't smell that delightful and fresh. Although my skin got used to it after a while, my nose didn't — and so my quest continued.

A few months back I came across a very delightful interview with Susie Wang, a Japanese / American (I would say super-) woman who has built her company to create a vegan, plant based, cruelty free, non toxic range of hair, body and beauty care products called 100%Pure.

Obviously I got very excited to try out her products. Unsurprisingly, they—as do a lot of other chemical-free products—come with an above average price tag. But considering your skin is your biggest organ that absorbs everything right into your bloodstream, your body and health are so worth it! 

100% Pure Vanilla Bodyshower & Apple Bodyshower

The first products I tried were the vanilla body shower and vanilla bean body cream. The vanilla body shower is absolutely awesome, smells like vanilla and leaves a soft vanilla smell on your skin after use. It comes out of the bottle as a little foam fluff, making it super easy to spread onto your skin, and feels silky soft. Same deal for the apple version which I bought for summer; I am totally smitten with any green apple smell, ever since I was a little girl. But this one is for once totally natural. Your skin will have a delicate smell of freshness and apples. Perfect for summer. 

100% Pure Vanilla Bodycream & Key Lime Bodycream

At first I wasn't too crazy about the vanilla bean body cream. By comparison to the rich but delicate after-smell of the wash, the smell of the main ingredient, cacao butter, overruled the scent of vanilla a bit too much. It does mean that this usually-girly smell could be very suitable for men as well. And I discovered that, hours later, you could still smell it on your skin. So yes, I had to adjust my opinion. In the key lime version—which I also got for the summer—the lime scent is very present, despite the same nutty undertone of cacao. It wraps your body with a super fresh fruity smell instantly, lifts your spirit and energizes.

The consistency of both creams is exactly the same. They feel a bit watery as soon as you rub them onto your skin, and get super easily absorbed. Perfect for summer when you don’t want to cover your skin in thick creams that seem to pour out of your skin the minute you sweat. 

Overall these body creams make your skin feel soft and nourished. In comparison to the usual perfume-laden body lotions this smell is subtle, but lasts a long time. I absolutely loved it. If vanilla or key lime is not your scent of preference, no stress—they have many more. I for one can’t wait to give them all a try soon. And yes, of course, I 'll share my findings it with you ;) So watch this page! 

For now I wish you a silky soft fruity summer! 

Big Love, 

**Nuri **

Ps. Check out the links for more 100%Pure and if you want to hear more about the story behind the products, listen to the interview with Susie!

For Dutch & Belgian Citizens order here:
www.natuurlijkecosmeticawinkel.nl
www.100procentnatuurlijk.nl/


For My Swedish Friends:
http://eleven.se/100-pure

Or more info on:
www.100percentpure.com:

A Night at Berns - Stockholm, Sweden

One of the things you definitely have to do -when in Stockholm- if you like great food, beautiful interior, good music and dancing, is pay a visit to Berns.
This hotel/club/bar/restaurant is huge, beautifully styled and nourishes all your senses. You can spend a proper night out there and sleep in royally afterwards without ever leaving the premises. 

I have been visiting Berns on several different occasions throughout the year now and the vibe has always been awesome. Most recently I was there to meet up with my friend from home - Amsterdam's sweetheart DJ Carlos Valdes - as he was playing an all night long B2B with Swedish artist Axel Boman.

It was a very busy saturday evening, and while we enjoyed a scrumptious, abundant meal together with friends, other DJ's and the evening's host, the restaurant and bar filled up with lots of people. The Asian cuisine they serve at Berns is a delight to the taste buds; the service always great, professional, attentive and kind.  

The dining area is luxurious and amazing, with gorgeous lights dangling from the ceiling. Despite the enormity of the restaurant and bar the space still feels intimate and cosy. Berns is also well equipped for smokers as they have a big smoking balcony on the top floor, with a bar and DJ booth. Whether you smoke or not, take a peek upstairs and enjoy the great view across the restaurant and its wondrous chandeliers. 

For dancing there is an equally huge and traditionally decorated room on the main floor. If you are into pop music you'll find your place here. For the more alternative clubminded people check out downstairs while you are at it and visit Berns Gallery 2.35:1, where Carlos and Axel were playing that evening.

Situated in the basement with low ceilings, and modern weird art decorations, Berns Gallery 2.35:1 is the opposite of all the grandeur from upstairs. Here a different kind of cool rules. The walls are decorated by local artists and spare corners are filled with contemporary art exhibitions. A nice way to keep things fresh and attract different crowds. 

While Carlos and Axel were getting things pumping, the atmosphere quickly turned into a warm bath of cozy sounds, with happy faces getting into the groove. A lot of international renowned great artists have played here, so check their website and make sure you don't miss a chance to see your favorite dj perform a sweaty set in this cosy club. Gallery 2.35:1 is also home for some other great talented young Swedish artists who, like Axel Boman, have a residency there.  Nima Khak is one of my personal favorites amongst them, so try to catch them too in this intimate setting!

Final word of advice, by three o'clock you have to be alerted that a lot of (insanely) drunk Swedes will make their way down from upstairs, so hold on to your drink, guard your spot on the dancefloor & just keep on dancing.

Big Love,

**Nuri**


For more info on Berns check:
http://www.berns.se/en/?lang=en