I truly believe naturopathy is more than giving clients a supplement and suggesting to remove processed foods from their diet. I aim for Elsea to be a safe space for my clients true essence to be completely seen; the intricacies of their daily habits, community environment and emotional landscapes. The parts that make up who they are more than what they put in their mouth and how they move their body. Weaving together who we are as beings.
In an effort to encapsulate the entirety of naturopathy and the values of Elsea I thought I ought to vow to combine thought pieces with my naturopathic health advice and recipes. Exploring current themes and sharing conscious thought streams touching on topics surfacing for me in the hopes they may land with you. Or it could potentially be another form of expression for me that feels rich and fruity.
A topic close to my heart; temptation, pleasure & restriction.
As a woman in society this topic resurfaces constantly. A life lived conforming to beauty standards. Constant battle between indulgence and restraint. A perpetuating cycle of temptation and fear.
The past few years have been a journey of redefining the relationship with temptation and pleasure; to bask in moments that bring me joy. After the realisation that my perfectionism mindset was nurturing unhealthy habits I have found myself saying yes to more things.
An almond croissant with my coffee, a choc top at the cinemas, sleeping in with no alarm, a cold beer after a summers day, banana pancakes on Sunday morning, cozy day on the lounge.
Consciously replacing acceptance for guilt in temptation.
This has looked like acknowledging when saying no is rooted in restriction and trepidation. Replacing the pattern by choosing pleasure in these moments, knowing that indulging far outweighs the damage of fear-driven control.
Everything in moderation, including moderation.
Create balance in your everyday life, create a life that savours and prioritises joy. Enjoying life's richness deepens our sense of presence, turning the ordinary acts into sacred ones; this is a pleasurable life. Inviting pleasure is affirming that life, in all its glory, is worthy of delight.
So next time your friend calls you and asks to go for a pizza, say yes. The soul filling pleasure you will experience from sharing a pepperoni pizza with a woman you call a sister will nourish you more than a tuna salad at home ever will. Trust that the delicacies of life are here for a purpose (evoking pleasure) and not to prove you are capable of resisting temptation.
