Wednesday 6 July 2016

Sound Healing and Yoga Days

We have had the most exciting times here at The Gathering Fields with Yoga, Ayurveda, Sound Healing and Womens workshops and so much more.






The Gathering Fields Open Day

The Gates were opened on the 14th May 

Story Telling in the Yurt

Story Weaving around the Garden

Children played and told stories in the Yurt

The magic wardrobe captured everyones imagination

Nature Weaving

Pottery Corner was a hit with Adults and Children

Drumming  and poetry around the camp fire 

Making new friends

Children looking for bees and honey with the story master

Maypole dancing

Circus skills galore

Monday 2 February 2015

Welcome to Ayurveda Northern Approach's new project. We are opening an outdoor learning center and it is called The Gathering Fields. Our first workshop in the yurt was an amazing success. The Spiritual spa day was co hosted by Helen Leece and Cindy Page and we explored Spring herbs and made wonderful cosmetics to take home.

Thursday 1 January 2015

Winter in Ayurveda, a season to retreat and as like plants to withdraw your energy into the deepest depths of your soul. A time to reflect and gather yourself together ready to bring forth new ideas and seeds to sow for the new year. It is in Winter that most of our growth will take place where all the goodness in hibernating. In Ayurveda we see that out agni( digestive fire) is challenged due to the increase of Kapha water, earth. We may see colds, sluggish energy and slower mental activity. There may be a sense of restlessness due to Vata and our circulation may be challenged. It is a time to focus on herbs to support the energetic and physical function of the body, Angelica, Elderberry, Ginger, Cumin and Cardamon for ridding toxins in the gut and circulation due to the increase of Kapha. It will help to drink sage, thyme, clove and Wintergreen tea to lift and lighten the digestion. Observe warm light foods with a sattvic quality earthly foods that hold the deepest energy like root vegetables Beetroot to enhance warmth in the blood and, carrots to increase fire in the body. Avoid cold raw and uncooked foods unless you have an very strong Pitta energy as the body can not extract the essential goodness with out a little warmth. Movement is essential but forcing the body when it is naturally in nourishing mode is best avoided, hot oil massage with mustard oil or Rosemary oil will break down Ama (toxins) as Spring and Imbolc arises from February the elements and energy of Kapha / Vata will slowly start to free itself and melt allowing the early blossoms of Spring. Namaste

Thursday 31 July 2014

and more ricotta...

Well, after the last recipe, I had some ricotta to use up and having paired it so well with the mint and broad bean, I figured it would make an equally friendly bedfellow to roasted peppers so I came up with this little tart - the nuttiness of the walnut and wholemeal pastry crust complementing the sweetness of the yellow and red peppers and the creaminess of the ricotta. You could add pine nuts if you liked (omitting the walnuts in the pastry), add cherry tomatoes or make it more of a quiche by stirring the ricotta into a couple of beaten eggs and some Greek yoghurt. Yum!

Broad bean and ricotta delight

I had been thinking for a while of making a dip based on broad beans: initially, I thought about using feta as this is what I've used before in a broad bean and feta tart but then I thought that it would be nicer to do a smoother dip so I mashed up the broad beans, stirred in some olive oil, lemon juice some chopped mint and ricotta and et voila! a deliciously creamy dip which is equally at home on crusty seeded bread as on rough textured oatcakes.


Sunday 27 July 2014

Soup - glorious soup...!

This week I made this Thai-inspired sweet potato and cauliflower soup with lime and coriander. Not exactly the most summery of soups but oh! I do so love sweet potato so here's a photo of the finished result...


Next: broad bean and ricotta dip...