‘Almost everything will work again if you unplug it, including you!‘ Learning to unplug from technology is such an important wellness skill yet its becoming such a lost art in our ever-connected world. The wisest of us take time to practice the discipline and live happier more conscious lives because of it. We chat […]
Transport yourself to a place of zen with us here at our Bali yoga retreat being guided by Laura in this Antara Mauna – inner silence meditation. It’s designed to help slow down thoughts, observe patterns and create change. The mind is almost continually externally used. This meditation practice helps us understand the why’s of how […]
Cheeky Turmeric Latte The ‘golden spice’ is known for its anti inflammatory properties and is great for your skin, brain and elevating your mood. Try this cheeky little pick me up and see for yourself. Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Low sodium, Vegan Ingredients (1 serving) 1/2 tsp ground turmeric […]
Bali Berry Breakie Bowl We love serving smoothie bowls at breakfast and play with different variations including our famous dragon fruit concoctions. They are a great way to get all your nutrients in one cute little bowl and to keep you satiated for longer. Prep Time: 10 mins Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Low sodium Ingredients (2 […]
We are super excited to announce our latest location in Bali, called Uluwatu. Set on the clifftops overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean, is our 9 bedroom ultra luxurious retreat. 2 infinity pools, stunning large bedrooms, marble bathrooms, state of the art features and fittings as well as two gyms, pampering sanctuaries and sauna make up […]
As the countdown approaches to new mum hood (2 days to be exact) I’ve been reflecting on how symbolic the change of seasons are to this chapter change, especially with Spring always symbolising new chapters, and renewal. It never ceases to amaze me the path life takes you down some times, I can honestly say […]
We’d love to transport you back to a dreamy poolside afternoon post yoga, lunch and perhaps a spa treatment – feeling blissed out in the company of new friends. Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Ray Breath Me – Sia Paper Aeroplane – Angus and Julia Stone Sunday Drive – remix – Stephane Pompougnac […]
We were recently joined by 11 gourgeous ladies from Australia, New Zealand, and US in Byron Bay for 5 days of beautiful sunshine, surfing, SUP, ocean kayaking with dolphins and of course lots of delicious food and laughter. Shannon from Virginia, USA talks to us about her time on retreat, why she feels it's so […]
Hear from 3 of our guests on their experiences last week on retreat where they pushed their limits and overcame their fears. Meet, Jo from UK who had a deep set fear of the ocean and learnt to surf, Kooksun from Korea who had never travelled alone before and loved it and Mother and daughter […]
Sleep Quality is such a key enabler of a busy, successful life. It's something that is critical on our retreat weeks. We practice yoga nidra (sleep yoga) on night two to lull our guests into an amazing week of rejuvenation. We often get asked for a script on this. Here you can listen to a […]
DRY INGREDIENTS: 400 ml museli 200 ml whole almonds, chopped 200 ml cashews, chopped 100 ml pumpkin seeds 100 ml sunflower seeds 200 ml coconut WET INGREDIENTS: 1 cup korma (dates) 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup peanut butter or tahini
Yuni our resident Yoga Goddess shares how yoga teaches us how to be content. Our culture nowadays places importance on striving for 'more'. This elusive quest can leave most of us feeling short changed. It triggers our deepest fear that we are not enough. Through this, we lose our ability to be content with what […]
This morning we woke up to the sounds of the local fisherman taking their boats out in front our place at 430am. Their day starts super early but finishes when they have 'enough', usually around 10am. It's cruisy living around these sleepy fisherman villages in East Bali. I think they have the art of balance […]
There are 17,500 islands in Indonesia and up until last week I’d visit a grand total of 6 of them. So when the opportunity of a 4 day ‘research’ break presented itself, I recognized it was a good time to go and increase my tally. The idea of getting back to the simple life appealed. I […]
Tina was runner up in our inspiring women of the world competition last year and we were thrilled to have her and her friends join us 2 weeks ago. Click "Read More" below to read her interview on friendship.
Thank you to everyone who entered our Escape Artist competition! We loved seeing all of your precious memories formed here at Escape Haven. Here are a few of our favourite entries:
Make this your greatest Friendship Day yet by creating these delicious Escape Haven flapjacks! They're prefect for a brunch or even a morning tea with your best gal-pals, along with a coffee (or glass of champagne if you prefer!) Get the recipe for these Escape Haven classic below!
Ingredients 1 cup raw almonds ½ cup cocoa powder ½ cup dried cherries 2 cups dates, pitted (about 10) ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt
Parsvottanasana is an amazing yoga posture for all joints! By targeting your ankles, wrists, elbows and shoulder joints, you'll prepare yourself for more intense poses throughout your practice. If practiced regularly, you can avoid arthritic problems later in life!
This week in Bali there are wonderful decorations and festivities all around! This is because it's Galungan – a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). It marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth for 10 days, and on the 10th day, the Balinese will take part in prayers […]
Dragon pose (Low Lunge/Anjaneyasana) Dragon stretches the groin, ankles, and hip flexors. It also makes backbends easier to do because the pelvis becomes freer in its movements. Depending on your flexibility, you might also feel a stretch in the groin of the front leg.
Feel how the downward energy of the standing leg creates an upward movement in the raised leg. Don’t focus on how high your raised leg goes; instead, work toward directing equal energy into both legs. If you’re not flexible enough to maintain lower leg straight, place the blocks under your hands. Here are 7 step-by-step […]
Ingredients – 3 cups chopped pineapple (about 2 whole pineapples) – 3 cups chopped peeled and seeded cucumber (about 2 large cucumbers) – 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice – 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – 1 tablespoon lime juice – salt to taste – 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (white and green parts) […]
Ingredients 4 tablespoons olive oil 1.5 kilos carrots, peeled and chopped 50 grams ginger, peeled and chopped 200 grams yellow onion, chopped 1 litre orange juice 1 litre water 3 tablespoons coriander powder 2 tablespoons white pepper salt to taste 400 ml plain yogurt
Yuni is an amazing yogi, and our wonderful teacher at Escape Haven Bali. Here she shares a hip opening pose called the Twisting Dragon – it stimulates energy flow to the stomach and spleen meridians, and helps you to emotionally connect with yourself. Dragon pose stretches the groin, ankles, and hip flexors.
Swan Swan adds a back bend movement to the Sleeping Swan. It also stretches the hip flexors of the back leg more effectively. Some people find that it also stretches the front hip better than the Sleeping Swan (click here for Sleeping Swan) and so prefer it. Try to hold for two-three minutes, then change […]
We all know the guilty feeling you get after eating something especially yummy when you'd told yourself you wouldn't – so we've included our Escape Haven granola bars recipe for you to create at home and snack on throughout the day . They're scrummy and good for you too! Bonus!
There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a break from your yoga practice – however, feeling guilty about getting back into it after time off can really play on your mind. Here's a little Hip Opening pose to refresh the body and calm the mind so you can slowly but surely resume your practice!
An insanely delicious, grain free meal that's hearty and full of flavour. Get the recipe for Lemon Garlic Shrimp over Cauliflower Mash below!
Enjoyed by many guests here at Escape Haven, our Papaya salsa is sure to cool you down on a hot day. Super easy to prepare and requires no cooking time so you have more time to hang in the sun! Enjoy it with snacks like tortilla chips, or add it to a meal for a […]
We all love being out in the sun! However, excessive sun exposure can make your hair dull, lifeless and weak due to the harmful UV rays. Here are two ways to look after your hair with natural, easy to find ingredients, you'll never worry about split ends again!
We asked everyone here at Escape Haven HQ how they look after themselves on days when they feel the need to be renewed and refreshed inside and out. It's surprising how an act that seems small (such as a hair mask!) can have such a positive effect! Here are 10 ways EH people help themselves […]
Our skin needs looking after – it is, after all, the largest organ of the human body! The environment, stress and not-so-healthy foods can take a toll on our usually radiant skin leaving us feeling worse for wear – here's a little trick we love to get your skin back on track! The secret to […]
If you're having trouble committing to a full yoga class, here are a few yoga moves to get your at home routine started. You can gradually build on these to create a longer, more intense practice. These 6 moves will give you a quick, all over session, allowing you to feel grounded and ready […]
Our Escape Haven Creme Bath is one of the many treatments we hear great things about from our past guests, so we thought we'd share with you a similar hair conditioner to leave your hair feeling soft, silky and nourished – just like you've been to the Escape Haven Spa! Our creme bath is made […]
If you're following a vegan diet, you can still enjoy cheese! Nut cheese, that is. Here's a very simple recipe for almond cheese that's bound to impress! Ingredients 160g or 5.5 oz unroasted, blanched almonds, soaked for 6 hours or more (If you don't have a kitchen scale, the equivalent measurements are 1¼ cups of […]
Goji berries have vitamins and other antioxidants that can help keep the body healthy. Goji berries are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber and low in calories. They are also a good source of iron and vitamin A. One serving of about four ounces of goji berries provides nearly 10 percent of the suggested amount of […]
These delicious treats are perfect for a get-together with family or friends, and easy to create with a little love! Check out the recipe below 🙂 Ingredients Crust and Topping 1 cup sliced almonds, divided ¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour ¾ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup sugar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup coconut oil, […]
Ingredients For mild: 1 ounce guajillo chiles 1/2 ounce (chiles) de arbol 1 ounce pasilla chiles 1 roasted red bell pepper, seeded 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 teaspoons mined marjoram 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 lemon, juiced 1/4 teaspoon salt pinch of black pepper 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin […]
If you've exhausted all the usual pressies (flowers, jewelry), then this is for you. We've compiled a bunch of great ideas for your Mothers Day to make it your most unique one yet, you'll be surprised! Make it yourself: Scrubs and Soaps Green Tea sugar body scrub Cocoa and peppermint body bar Coffee Banana foot […]
Aren’t we all always on the lookout for a quick and easy, healthy lunch, one that isn’t boring? This rice dish begins with brown rice, then it’s covered in a creamy avocado, vibrant coriander and a zesty lime mixture. It requires minimal ingredients but together they create something completely delicious! Here's the recipe:
Try this super simple recipe for almond butter – you can't go wrong! Ingredients 3 cups dry roasted, unsalted almonds Directions Pour almonds into food processor. Pulse/process until the nuts go from coarsely chopped, to crumbly, to finely ground. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
Having a day off is EXCITING. What's even more exciting is thinking 'hmm..what should I do today?' Spare time is a luxury for many, so having this time may make you want to run errands you've been putting off or catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while, but what about catching up […]
Music lover, Spotify genius, aspiring DJ, fashionista and dog lover Ina Bajaj is the founder of East Day Spa, Spring and East Villas and loves all things Bali! Her love affair with the Indonesian island began when she "ran away" to Bali and found her new love. We asked her, what advice would you would […]
Ingredients -Rice paper wrappers, plus a bowl of warm warm water to soak them in -Rice noodles, cooked and cooled -Shredded or julienned carrots -Beans sprouts -Fresh mint leaves -Iceberg lettuce -Cooked shrimp, split in half lengthwise -Firm tofu, sliced (see note on tofu bellow) -Chives for decoration (optional) -Tofu
"I'm trying to stick to a healthy regime – but I find it difficult when the options are curry or lasagna!" We know the feeling! Recently, airlines have upped their game. Their food options seem to be healthier, and you can even pre-order before your flight (great if you have allergies or specific food requirements). […]
We stumbled upon this recipe and couldn't resist! Eggplants are so versitile and a healthy altenative to mini pizza bases, perfect for those on a gluten free diet, or even trying to fit few extra veges into their diet. Ingredients: Makes 10 mini pizzas 1 large eggplants, thickly sliced 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce 10 […]
Here are 7 reasons why honeydew melon is so awesome (apart from the fact that it's delicious!) 1. It's light With only 60 calories per half cup, you can indulge a bit in this beautiful fruit! 2. Dietry Fiber There's 1.4 grams of beneficial dietary fiber in every serving, and you know how good fiber […]
Enjoy a healthy breakfast that's just like eating sorbet..but with less effort! The variation of fruit in this smoothie bowl will have you more than ready for your day!
Catherine Stone.. A 40-ish kiwi, living in Auckland, NZ. Her passions include adventure, travel, food, learning, innovating, and her work which provides amazing, natural looking results with non-surgical Cosmedicine to help people from all over the world look and feel great! "I love helping people feel their best by helping them look their best – […]
Celebrating the Hindu New Year On the 21st of March, Balinese Hindus will observe Nyepi, or Day of Silence, to mark the Hindu new year. While the majority of Indonesia is a Muslim nation, the majority of Bali’s nearly 4 million population practice a local version of Hinduism.
Leave yourself 20 minutes to get ready for work? If you're an 'on-the-go' breakfast type, home made granola bars could be your saviour. Store bought bars can be full of sugars, chemicals and won't keep you full for as long as a sit down breakfast meal might. Make a batch of home made granola bars […]
We love receiving advice from inspiring women, so we've decided to carry out a few mini-interviews for your reading pleasure and to give you motivation to live your dreams! Elle Armon-Jones is a 34 year old entrapreneur. Originally from the UK, Elle fell in love with New Zealand through the flavours, the freshness and […]
Breakfast can seem like a chore – especially when you've got other mouths to feed! In reality, setting an example for your kids (and others) could do them a world of good. Picking up a pre-packaged bar, or a coffee on the way to work may fill you up for the mean time, but hunger […]
We have all heard, talked and raved about foods that can boost our brain power and keep our bodies happy too. These foods increase alertness, enhance memory, and even help with brain cell production. However, we can often willingly, and unknowingly, eat foods that can have an impact on our brain development. These foods (and […]
If you feel like your body is craving fruits and vegetables, try this super quick antioxidant salad we received from Zara Moselen. It's filled with fruits, vegetables, nuts and those all important leafy greens! Quick to make, and delicious too – you can't go wrong! "I made this salad for my closest girlfriends at the […]
Julia Third is a former Escape Haven Bali alumnae and friend who left the city life to set up her dream of running a boutique avocado oil business (J3 oil) from beautiful city of Tauranga in NZ. Here are her top tips for following your dreams!
Inspiring yoga teacher and therapeutic massage therapist Morgan Webert has gives us insight into how to get over our fears and begin living the life we strive for with these 5 Steps to Start Living Your Dream and Kick Fear to the Curb! "I remember falling madly in love with yoga at the beginning of […]
We'd like to thank each and every one of you for sharing with us your inspiring entries into our Live #Your2015 Story competition. We've loved reading your hopes and dreams for 2015 and sharing with you your inspirational images, quotes and memories. […]
Gemma Kitson submitted this beautiful salad recipe for #Your2015! "I found this one a few weeks ago and can't stop eating it! Those aromatic moroccan flavours are usually a winter taste for me, but not anymore with this gem. I've been throwing it together on a Sunday and eating it all week long – by […]
Before beginning my Escape Haven journey, I came from one of corporate burn out and sadness. It was those dark periods that led me to seeking and cultivating energy and happiness and equally my motivation for quitting the rat race and building my life (and global business) on the island of Bali. I discovered yoga […]
This recipe makes 12-15 cookies Ingredients 3/4 cup natural peanut butter* 1/3 cup of honey or maple syrup 1 egg, beaten
It’s fair to say I’m one of those annoying people that bounce out of bed and start singing first thing in the morning at some ungodly hour, super excited to greet the new day and all the possibilities it brings. Luckily my boyfriend shares the same early rise habits as I do and mornings are […]
This recipe comes from our WINNER of last week's bonus entry! Laura chose this recipe to enter our Live #your2015 Story competition "because it is healthy delicious and nourishing! I am intolerant to gluten, and quinoa is gluten free and has a low GI of 53. It is a complete protein and contains essential amino […]
I’ve just returned from joining some beautiful guests on retreat in Byron Bay. I feel centred, light and optimistic – a lot different than how I felt a week ago – tired, jaded with little time. It made me reflect on how important self care is – especially as an enabler of helping others and […]
Shrimp Coconut Curry Soup It's not very common these days to have made a curry or soup completely from scratch. Supermarkets provide packets of flavourings and just-add-water mixes, but what's really in them? Here's a recipe that's aromatic, moorish and down right delicious – and you'll know exactly what's in it. As an added bonus, […]
Here's a beautiful little piece that Bali alumnae Charlotte Lucy Allmen wrote on motherhood – she has been a new mum for a few months and wanted to share her experience, including the amazingt times and sleepless nights.
How has past Escape Haven guest Vashti achieved her dreams? Vashti stayed with us at Escape Haven a few months ago and we loved hearing her story of lifestyle success so wanted to share it with you for extra inspiration for #your2015!
Your Healthiest Year EVER..Part 2! With Libby Babet & Alexa Connors In case you missed it – we've had the privelage of interviewing Libby Babet and Alexa Connors from Bottoms Up! Fitness! Last week we blogged about their first 5 tips on how you can get your health back on track in 2015… the […]
If you're looking for different ways to mix up your healthy eating habits in #your2015 here's a recipe you can't ignore! This chia seed breakfast bowl is as easy to make as pouring a bowl of cereal, but contains Omega 3 and 6, 10 grams of fiber and 12% of your daily value of calcium […]
Is one of your goals for 2015 to up your health game? Well then this one's for you! The amazing Christina (or Chrissy) from Reveal Yourself has given us a few beautiful recipes to share with you and keep you happy and healthy this year. This one is for the Reveal Yourself Super Kale and […]
Here are some 2015 resolutions we recieved in response to our BONUS ENTRY option on Facebook – we think they're great! My 2015 resolutions: 1) Eat 4 out of 5 working days’ meals out of my kitchen until the end of Summer. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for 4 out of 5 days will be home […]
Your Healthiest Year EVER! With Libby Babet & Alexa Connors Everyone knows that despite going back to work in January and starting to re-establish some sort of routine again, it’s in February that people really get serious about getting healthy.Until then, most people try and hold on to the holiday spirit, indulge in a […]
In our last installment we spoke how to create powerful 2015 intentions, here is part 2 of this piece. Now that we have created our goals, how do we keep on track? Here are 5 tips from Jen on how to do this so your goals are not something that gather dust, but rather are lived, […]
We all love a little something sweet every now again, but the unhealthy treats we sometimes choose can be detrimental to our health. So here's a recipe for you to add to your 2015 'healthy eating' cookbook..No-Bake Chocolate Fudge Fridge Cake! This decadent, yet healthier treat is perfect with a cup of tea or as […]
One of the highlights of our retreats is sharing stories of the amazing women that attend. It's inspiring hearing the events that shape women's lives and how they move on to do wonderful things. For me it's heart warming to see the role that female friendships, self love and importantly, taking time out to invest […]
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Yet ANOTHER twist on Zucchini Noodles..this time Thai Style! If you like Thai classic Pad Thai, then you're going to LOVE this healthy – but just as delicious – version! Here's the recipe, we found it on whiteonricecouple.com
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The festive season is a time of the year where people often find themselves over indulging in too much rich foods and drink and neglect their daily exercise routine. Once Christmas is over and the New Year arrives everyone is ready to shed those extra Christmas kg and set their health and fitness goals for […]
Desiree started the year in a 'fog'. She didn't feel connected or happy with her personal or professional life and was really down in the dumps..so she decided to do something about it! She took charge of her diet and started looking after HERSELF first, making her happier and healthier. Here are her top 5 […]
Ingredients 2 cups broccoli florets 2 celery stalks, finely diced 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 cup greens (kale, spinach, beet greens or any other available) 1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped 2 cups filtered water or low sodium vegetable broth ½ tsp sea salt ½ […]
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Lesson #5– You are responsible for your limits and growth – raise the bar by trying new things Upon returning home for summer to NZ and Australia I promptly set up a Girls Adventure day with some of my adventurous besties. I love changing up my fitness routine and being outside so I decided to […]
What are your top 5 tips for achieving your dreams? 1. Dare to dream and dream big, nothing is impossible! Having a vision and creating a dream board with images and affirmations is a powerful way to gain clarity and direction. I’ve set dates along side my dreams so they have turned into goals and […]
Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem, a registered marriage and family therapist, offers some insight into what makes the bond between best friends so special — and so important.
Ingredients 1 cup whole rolled oats (certified gluten free) 1 cup buckwheat (either groats or uncooked hot cereal mix is fine) 1/3 cup quinoa (I used 1/6 cup each of of red and regular quinoa) 2 T chia seeds 3/4 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds […]
Quinoa, tender spinach, and sweet cherry tomatoes join forces with bites of creamy avocado to bring you a healthy meal or snack is filling and energizing!
Where are you this year for the holidays? At a tiny little surf beach on the coromandel in NZ called Whangapoua. It's my touchstone, the one place I have been all my life for summers and Christmas family time, and it's also where first learnt to surf!
During the holiday season it can be oh so easy to overindulge. Family and friends come together, gifts in hand, which can often be home made cookies, your favourite chocolates or a nice bottle of wine! With this and our health in mind, we thought we'd share a yoga sequence that always helps us out […]
If you're not much of an eggnog fan, have a try at making these Christmas tree cocktails! They are super-duper easy to make and were a hit here at Escape Haven!
Having trouble figuring out what to get everyone for Christmas this year? Why not make your beloved family and friends healthy snacks and treats! Here are a few of our favourites sourced from Pinterest! 1. Superfood chocolate nibbles 500g of dark chocolate chips, try to get 60% or more 1/2 cup of dried cranberries 1/2 […]
I always love being able to indulge in a good book. I find it’s a great bedtime routine to switch off from the day, and nothing aids a good sleep like a positive read before dream time. It’s quite typical of me to be reading a few books at a time and while I’ve been […]
This incredibly moreish fruit is a tropical delight, and it can help you in the following ways! Boosts Body Immunity Similar to carrots, mangoes are rich in beta-carotene. This element of mango helps in to enhance the immune system of the body and make it impervious to bacteria and toxins. Excess beta-carotene is also transformed […]
Enjoy these delicious treats on a sunny sunday afternoon , with a cup of tea in the evening or even as a quick snack on the run! They are easy to make, oh-so-scrummy and as a bonus – they are healthy! Get your hands on the recipe from My Whole Food Life here!
