Lifestyle Blog 1 from julian nicholson on Vimeo.

The Magic Kiwi Fruit

My children love kiwi fruit which they eat by simply cutting it in half and scooping out the delicious flesh with a spoon, rather like an egg.

Kiwi fruits are brilliant for everyone, why? let me tell you..

They help prevent cancer.

They help prevent depression.

They help with diabetes.

They keep your eyes healthy.

They help your heart.

They build your immunity.

They can help with impotence.

They reduce stress.

They can help with physical fitness.

You can start to see why you should be including these funny little hairy fruits in your shopping trolly each week, just one a day will make a difference to all you, young and old.

Enjoy!

Lynn
xx

Envy The Route Of All Evil

Why are so many people in this world jealous of family. They see a family unit, happy, working together and building a life and rather than see it as an inspiration they choose to try and tear it apart.

I know from experience that there are people who feel that it is their right to condemn a family unit, to mock what they either do not understand or do not have and why?

What drives a person to believe that they can do this? What do they hope to gain from it? I can only assume that they want everyone to be as miserable and as empty as they are. Can they not see that everyone has an opportunity in life but you have to work for it and make it happen.

What possible gain can you get from spreading lies, putting a strain on a family, selling your soul to the media? What do these people believe others will think of them?

For any true family, these situations only go to make them stronger. If you are in a real family unit you are a team, and an incredibly strong one at that. For most of these people who throw dirt they simply do not have the gift of family, they have no self worth, they have, in short, nothing but darkness.

Envy is a horrible thing, it feeds on itself and produces a shell of a former person who ultimately becomes eaten up with it.

To those of you with family who have had to endure people like this, remain strong, keep your head up, and turn away from people like this. To recognise them, to pursue them just feeds on their ego, they feel that they have achieved something. To ignore them simply causes them to implode.

If you are the type of person who feels that you have the right to attack other people may I suggest you take a long hard look in the mirror, ask yourself what you want from your life, ask yourself how you are going to do it and make positive steps towards living a full and happy life. When you reach old age you want to look back with happy memories that you can share with those around you. The alternative is to be alone with your own miserable thoughts.

Lynn
xx

What Do You Want To Be Remembered For?

When we leave this planet it would be nice to think that we left something behind,something to be remembered for and with the 2010 Guiness Book of Records being released it would be great to be included for perhaps something really memerable and yet it was this image that caught my eye of Stephen Parks and his collection of Smurfs.

Perhaps it is because I know someone who still feels bad about leaving ´Brains´the smurf behind whilst taking the rest on holiday, who still wonders what happened to the whole collection who, at the drop of a hat, can leap into a whole verbal presentation as to each and every smurf that was available, how they insisted that their Father only bought petrol from a certain petrol station in order to secure the missing Smurf from the collection, but do look at this image, wouldn´t it be nice to be remembered for something a little more than the day you appeared within National Media dressed as a Smurf.

Doing something good today!

Lynn
xx

What Is Beauty?

Having watched a week of news reports about London Fashion week and who looked beautiful, who looked too thin, who looked too fat, blah, blah, blah you have to wonder what is beauty?

Society promotes the belief that you need to be dressed from head to toe in designer labels, spend hours at the beauty parlour and mix with the right people, be seen in the right places in order to be beautiful but in reality the real beauty lies beneath.

Beauty comes from the heart. A truly beautiful person just exudes an energy that makes them beautiful. Beauty is seen everyday on the news and within the media and yet it is never mentioned. What about people who travel the world, dressed in whatever, working with abandoned children to help them find a friend and a future? How about people that risk their lives for others every day? There are people who live in amoungst some of the darkest people on this planet to highlight to the world the cruelty that exists and yet not once are they described as beautiful people.

Look around you and witness for yourself the true beauty. Beauty lies in a Mother wiping a childs nose with care. It lies in a parent holding a childs hand for support. It lies in the person helping another with a problem. Beauty is everywhere and it does not have to have a designer label attached and nor does it need to have an endorsement contract with a cosmetic company to make it truly beautiful.

Move away from what we are pushed into believing is correct and live your life in truth. The most beautiful way to live your life ever.

Lynn
xx

Would Images Of Fat Make You Less Likely To Eat It?

I heard today that their are plans to include photographs of what fast foods, and other high calorie foods, can make you look like on the packaging and stores. Would this make a difference?

In my opinion no. Most people who suffer with weight issues have much deeper issues to the reasons behind their weight gain, and quite honestly, images of overweight people will simply add to their already fragile state and make their situation worse.

People know that these foods are not good for them but for some it is their only way for comfort. What these people need is someone who can sit and talk with them to discuss their problem and find solutions in a holistic way, through their mental, physical and emotional aspects.

Putting up pictures will only encourage those people to feel worse and give others, less sympathetic in society, an opportunity to point and laugh.

Why is it so difficult for people to look for solutions that actually help people rather than humiliate them?

Lets drop the bullying tactics and work towards a solution that helps people lead happy and healthy lives.

Lynn
xxx

Grab A Bag Of Almonds.

As the almond harvest continues here in Spain, I wanted to just highlight a few of the health benefits you can achieve my eating a handful of raw almonds each day.

The health benefits of almonds include getting relief from constipation, respiratory disorders, cough, hearth disorders, anemia, impotency, and diabetes. It also helps in hair care, skin care (psoriasis in particular which I found incredibly helpful in curing my own condition), and dental care.

Almonds contain the most nutrients in comparison to all other nuts.

Good for brain: Almond is a source of many nutrients which help in development of the brain. Almond induces high intellectual level and has been considered as an essential food item for growing children. Many mothers give almonds soaked in water to their children daily in the morning (2-3 pieces of soaked almonds are good enough, you can also remove the outer shell if it causes allergy to you).

Regulates your cholesterol without the need for chemical help.

Prevention of certain cancers. The almond works to help your digestive system by moving food through your system much more efficiently which in turn can help prevent cancers.

Will help to regulate your blood pressure without the use of chemical. If you are taking drugs for blood pressure always speak with your doctor about any changes you are making.

Great in pregnancy because it contains folic acid.

Energy. Just a handful of almonds can improve your energy levels for a much longer period than simply grabbing a chocolate bar which can give you an energy boost but will leave you feeling exhuasted after you crash and burn on the otherside.

Buy a bag of natural almonds and keep them in your bag and try to eat at least five a day either as they are or maybe on your breakfast cereal and remember, these will help you to look younger, which has to be incentive enough!

Lynn
xxx

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

Look at this picture. Look at what is happening here. Look at the jerk with the knife.

Every year in Spain 40,000 bulls are murdered in the name of entertainment.

Ears are cut off whilst the bull is still alive and waved to the watching crowd to show everyone how manly the murderer is. Even worth things are cut off and shown to the crowd. The animal dies a slow death in many of the activities here in Spain, no matter what people tell you.

There is of course bullfighting but there is also the hideous tradition of ´blood fiestas´ here some poor bull is chased around by men on horses who spear the poor animal as he tries frantically to get away. Eventually, when the poor thing is completely exhuasted the men move in for the kill, only when they are sure that they cannot be injured. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

It makes me so angry and to think that these people are trying to get these sports listed as a cultural right in order to obtain funds from the European government is even worse.

The EU has already provided 185 MILLION POUNDS since 2005 to support these sports and it cannot go on.

60% of Spanish people want these sports, if you can call them that, to stop but that still leaves 40% who continue with these barbaric activities.

It is not only bulls it is many other animals too. Chickens stuck in boxes with their heads out so that a blind folded man can see how many heads he can cut off. Chickens hung from washing lines so that someone can ride underneath and see how many heads they can remove.

Again, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

Check out many of the animals organisations working to bring this to a stop. It can be done, look at bullfighting in some regions of Spain which is now illegal, not long ago this would have seemed impossible but with believe and determination you can make a difference and you can make changes.

Lynn
xxx

Do Not Accept Bullying in Your Life.

It came to me today that in our quest for an easy and tranquil life we can sometimes leave outselves wide open to the bullies of the world.

What makes someone think they can tell you what to do, that they can instruct you to behave in the manner that they behave, that they are the most important person on the planet and you will follow their instructions?

It is vital that throughout our live we maintain control. This applies to all aspects of our life. It is important to always act in the correct manner, to respect everyone, but this is not an open doorway to others to abuse this.

Stand up for what is right, question what you feel is wrong and act upon it. If you have a bully in your life confront them, never hide from them. They seek power for their own problems but you have to show them that they cannot seek this power from you. Find your inner strength, hold onto your faith and believe.

Most importantly, do not let the experience of a bully change your view on life and people. It is easy to hide away, to avoid people to avoid any situations but if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear. Your true friends will shine through and those who show negative signs are not worth your time and energy. People are quick to condemn others mainly, I am afraid to say, because of jealousy, but this is no reason to change your life, your dreams and your goals.

Protect your children from people like this by explaining what is happening, highlight how nothing in life can be achieved by the actions of a bully. They have enough negativity to last them a lifetime and yet if they used this energy for good their life would be full and enriched instead of bitter and tainted.

Go about your business, raise your head high and in the most holistic way that you can raise two fingers to those who believe they can bully you.

Lynn
xx

If You Do Not Eat Meat You Will Die! Good Grief!

Whilst enjoying our, vegetarian, meal last night, we were all talking about our days and Megan started to tell us about lessons at school and the things they were learning. It all started very well, with if people keep killing the whales there will soon be none left but then it went onto meat eating.

Megans teacher told the whole class that if you do not eat meat you will die. That everyone must eat meat for protein that we need to grow and develop. Megan decided to remain quite on the fact that her Mum was a vegetarian and as I write this, in very good health.

Whilst I have never insisted that anyone in my family is vegetarian, all the meals I produce are vegetarian and if they wish to eat meat outside the house then of course they can, I want them to make their own choices. Our son Freddie has always steered away from meat, even refusing cows milk, and yet he is the tallest in his class, incredibly bright and intelligent and the same goes for our daughter Megan. She has always eaten everything put in front of her and again, towers above her class mates. Both have excellent skin, and quite honestly are an advert to the reduction of meat products in their diet.

Why do people make such ridiculous statements. I hear all the time that all vegetarians are ill, how it is impossible to have a balanced diet without meat, true if you include saturated fat as part of your balanced diet, and yet when faced with the fact that I do not eat meat, I do not take medication for anything, how I am never ill they still argue.

What many meat eaters seem to always demonstrate is the fact that they are incredibly angry people, often overweight, often full of stress and have clearly lost the inability to look to new ideas and thoughts. You will not find many vegetarians in heart wards within hospitals, very rarely will you find an overweight vegetarian, in fact the list goes on.

Be happy with your choice of lifestyle but do not condemn other peoples unless you want to accept the facts as they are returned to you.

At the end of the day you are most certainly what you absorb. If you absorb something that is dead, devoid of energy, loaded with saturated fats that will sit in your digestive system for hours, sometimes days, creating gas, sleep disturbance, lack of energy and a general lethargy along with increased blood pressure, I could go on, then fine, enjoy your choice and leave others to enjoy theirs and do not teach people that without meat you will die, I think you will find that in many cases it is the otherway around.

By the way, I know it is a pretty gruesome image but this is the reality of meat. A dead animal. Why would you want to eat this?

Lynn
xxx

Remember what is important.

Too often we waste time concerning ourselves about some pretty stupid things,which, I realise can seem important at the time, but we really need to stand still once in a while and put things into prospective.

I find myself often begging my children to tidy their bedrooms, I despair at school bags left on the floor, the ever growing array of shoes, the bathroom left like a team of rugby players have used it and yet really, is it important?

The important things to focus on are the facts that the mess is created by my family, a family I adore. In no time at all the children could be at University or travelling the world working on eco projects, either way, there will come a time when their will be no shoes on the floor, no school bags left in the most difficult places and these times now will be just memories.

My lesson to myself today is to relax about a bit of mess and enjoy the moment of having my family around and to think about how lucky I am to have them with me.

Lynn
xxx

New Video Blog

I have spent today putting together our first video blog, which you will, God willing, be able to see tomorrow and I am so excited about this because it means I can chat to you rather than just write, plus I will be able to introduce you to our animals, face to face!

Have a wonderful weekend and whatever you have planned, enjoy it!

Lynn
x

Back To School!

Today the children have returned to school. It is strange how you cannot wait in the end for this day to get here, mainly because you need to get back into a routine of some sort, and yet, now they are away the whole farm feels really empty.


Hamlet and his piglets are looking for Megan who usually brings them a treat in the morning, all the geese and ducks are wandering around trying to work out what is missing, Nero the donkey keeps braying because no one is rubbing his ears, Maurice the horse could not care less but then that is no surprise! even the little guinea pigs want to know where the children are who by now are usually hand feeding them lettuce!

A family is an incredibly tight bond and when one piece is missing it feels completely out of balance, but sometimes we need to be apart in order to identify and appreciate all the things that make each one special.

I know that when they return home they will be full of news about new teachers, new people in the school, who had what in their school snack, can so and so come and stay and see the animals, how they have told everyone that they will bring in the donkey for show and tell, how the teacher was not too keen and even less keen about the idea of bringing in Hamlet the pig, how they saved a snail at break, how they needed a plaster (they never really need a plaster but it looks good!) how they have yet another list of things they need for school and after all this, without a single breath, they will then tell me they are starving and what is for lunch and so the routine is established again.

Lynn
xxx

Nero Update!

So here is one of our first pictures of Nero enjoying a stroll to the village to meet all the locals!

He went down a storm, everyone, obviously, loved him. He had his photograph taken, he was greeted by everyone and he even let off a huge bray and bought a smile to everyones faces, even those who were still asleep (it was quite early we went for breakfast before the heat kicked in) peered from their windows with a smile and a wave.

Nero bought a smile to everyones face, he lifted spirits, he became the talking point so how wonderful that after being abandoned he feels once again loved by everyone.

However, spare a thought for those less lucky than Nero and do what you can. I know that we cannot all take home a donkey but we can sponsor a donkey through various charities throughout the world so make a difference if you can. No matter how small your donation or sponsorship it will all go to help and if it means one less thing a week in your shopping basket then this has to be a positive move.

When you look at Nero it is hard to believe that someone actually tied him to a post and left him there. Imagine what was going through Neros mind. Thankfully he was rescued by the local police but for some it is too late, but for others, they just need a chance, as indeed, many of us do at some point in our life and think how grateful we are to those people so maybe it is time to pay back the kindness you have received in the past.

Check out where Nero spent his recovery time www.easyhorsecare.net

Lynn
xx

New arrivals on the farm!

so, I have told you about Nero the donkey and there will be much more on him soon, but I thought that you would like to know about a few more arrivals at the farm.

Our guinea pigs have had babies, three tiny, perfectly formed little guinea pigs!

Nature is amazing, they are born with their fur, their eyes are open and they are ready to go, no need for mum they are straight into their food! The whole guinea pig village simply love them and everyone has gathered around them to welcome them and show them the ropes, even the tortoise have taken an interest, although more I think because they see a few more that will steal their lettuce! Nero wandered across, I do not think he really knew what he was looking at but he wanted to be a part of whatever was going on, but his arrival made the scene almost biblical, the birth of the guinea pigs surrounded by all the animals and us!

I will post some images soon, they are just so tiny it is amazing, and I have many more stories of Nero already, donkeys really are just full of character, they always make your smile, even when they have just broken into the feeding house to check out what EVERY pot contains.

Have a great day whatever you are doing, keep positive, keep focused and keep things real!

Lynn
xxx

The Arrival Of Nero!

Yesterday we collected Nero the Donkey who now joins all our other animals on the farm.

He was found tied to a lampost in a town here in Spain where he had been for three days, back thanks to the work of the easy care horse centre he has been restored to full health and he is now the perfect friend for Maurice our horse, who still remains, as he has made quite clear, number one, but for Nero he can now live happily.

He is incredibly beautiful, friendly and has instantly become one of the family on the farm.

Do check out the web site www.easycarehorse.net where you can find out about all the work that they do there and you can make a donation or you can adopt a horse and give it the life it deserves.