Ingredients:

• 4 cups (about 2 lbs) of seeded and cubed watermelon
• 1/3 cup of minced fresh mint
• 3 cups of fresh raspberries
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp lime juice

Instructions: 

Divide the watermelon cubes in a large bowl and sprinkle with minced mint. Top with raspberries and sprinkle with remaining mint. In a small bowl, mix honey and lime juice with a fork and drizzle over the melon and berries. If you like, you can refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the watermelon and raspberries to marinate in the lime juice.

****

And for our readers who live in the Southern hemisphere, I discovered a delicious Quinoa and Vegetable Soup while I was travelling around Peru with my husband.  If you have never heard of Quinoa, it is a grain grown in Peru and contains no gluten.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 black peppercorns 
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 1 large carrot, chopped finely
• 1 large potatoe, chopped finely
• 200g beans, chopped into small pieces
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, or 1/2 tsp of dried rosemary
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, or 1/2 tsp of dried thyme
• 1 tsp fresh marjoram, or 1/2 tsp of dried marjoram
• 4 cups of vegetable stock
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of quinoa
• 310g can creamed corn

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large, heavy based pan.  Add the onion and carrot and cook over a medium heat until onion is soft.  Add the potato, beans and herbs, and stir over a medium heat for 1 minute.  Add stock, water and quinoa; season with salt and peper and bring to boil.  Reduce heat, simmer 15 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.  Add creamed corn and stir 2 minutes until heated through.

Note: you could use a variety of different vegetables or add in shredded barbequed chicken.

The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering

It is “a little story about peace for anyone who thinks she can’t save the world,” says author, Sharon Mehdi. Written as a gift to her newborn granddaughter, she never expected it to be embraced so warmly in her Oregon town. Sharing the story with friends, she discovered each one found it so powerful and moving that they, in turn, wanted to share it — with the world.

Without fail, each person who has had the chance to read The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering has been touched by its simple message of hope. An evocative demonstration of how changing the world can start with the smallest action, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering is the perfect gift for mothers, grandmothers, and anyone who hopes we can one day achieve world peace.

We are giving away two copies of this lovely book to our readers.  To be in the running to win The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering email us at competitions(at)moderngoddessmagazine.com and tell us what is so special about your grandmother.  Please read our Competition Terms and Conditions prior to entering.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.” - Rajneesh

This issue we dedicate the Modern Goddess magazine to all mothers, young and old.   Cheryl reflects on being a mother, Anne suggests looking after yourself, Jennifer offers a helping hand to those mothers going back to work, and Michelle reviews a lovely book on motherhood.

In our features, Empowering Women we profile a wonderful charity helping mothers all across America, and our Inspiring Woman is Elizabeth Peru, Colour and Sound Healer from Australia.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win yourself a copy of a lovely story written by a grandmother.

Until the next issue, blessings to you!

Nicole x

Sit comfortably with a straight back and your eyes closed. (Pause) Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. (Pause)

As you count down from 5 to 1, you find yourself letting go (Pause), letting go of all thoughts (Pause) and releasing any tension in your body. (Pause)

5. Ensure that your face is soft (Pause), ensure your eyes are soft (Pause) and your jaw is relaxed. (Longer Pause)

4. Let go of any tension in your neck, your shoulders (Pause), your arms and fingers. (Pause)

Good! You’re doing well! (Pause)

3. Take a deep breath in, (Short Pause) count to 3 (Short Pause) and release your breath imagining yourself calm, relaxed and totally at ease. (Pause)

2. Let all your thoughts float away like a white fluffy cloud on a clear blue day. (Long Pause)

Excellent! (Short Pause)

1. All noise and movements allow you to slip deeper and deeper into a state of wellbeing. (Pause) Feel the tension of you lower back, hips and legs become soft and relaxed. (Long Pause)

In your mind’s eye you find yourself in a place of nature… (Pause)

This place of nature is safe, comforting and supportive. (Pause) Take your time to familiarise yourself with this place of nature. (Pause) Look around you, what do you see? (Pause) What do you feel? (Pause) What do you hear? (Pause) What do you sense? (Long Pause)

Take in the smells (Pause), the feelings (Pause) and know you are loved. (Pause)

As you are taking in the beauty of the nature around you, you notice a beautiful woman walking in the distance. (Pause) She radiates love and beauty from the inside out. (Pause)

You recognise her instantly, (Pause) she is your inner goddess. (Pause) You smile at her, a knowing smile. (Pause)

She walks towards you (Pause) and as she gets closer and closer, you feel her loving energy surround you. (Long Pause)

You embrace and sit down together. (Pause) She says to you “I have a gift for you” and asks that you put your hands out in front of you. (Pause)

The gift is placed in your hands and you know it is just for you! (Short Pause)

Take a look at it, what is it? (Pause) What does it represent? (Long Pause) How does it make you feel? (Pause)

You look back at your Inner Goddess and she’s smiling right back at you. She says to you “know you are loved and supported in all that you do. You have the power to achieve all that you want in this life time. You can talk to me whenever you want; all you have to do is look within for all your answers.” (Pause)

She kisses you on the forehead and you embrace. (Pause) She says “your gift is forever; use it when you need to.” (Pause)

You watch her walk off into the distance, (Pause) and when you can no longer see her you look around you and absorb the energy she left behind. (Pause a little longer than normal)

Now put your hands together in prayer position, (Pause) place them at your heart chakra (Pause) and say to yourself out loud or quietly, “Thank you for my beautiful gift.” (Pause)

Take 3 deep breathes and with each breath your awareness returns to the here and now. (Pause) Wiggle your toes and fingers (Pause) and when you’re ready, open your eyes. (Pause)

Take a few moments to remember your messages, write them down if you wish.

Blessings to you!

Born and raised in Australia, Elizabeth Peru says she has a dream job, working for the universe in all ways.   After a self imposed social isolation for over two years, in 1999 Elizabeth surrendered and asked the universe for a better life.  She wanted to find her purpose, recapture the unafraid, brave little girl that she used to be, and knew was still there.  Once she asked, the cogs moved and everthing in her life was given a shaking.

Elizabeth started to attend spiritual and health related courses, reading metaphysical books, immersing herself in metaphysical book shops, joining meditation groups. She couldn’t get enough and in the meantime her whole life started to open up.  She started to awakening to other realms that had always been there, but she had ignored for so long.  She started having psychic visions and very “real” out of body experiences where she would meet wise, wise souls and guides who showed her the spirit planes and the infiniteness of us.

In 2005 Elizabeth finally took the plunge and left working in the business world and put her faith in her abilities as a healer and teacher.  As a certificed Sound and Colour Healer, Reiki Master, Massage Therapist, Angelic and Crystal Healer Elizabeth’s business, Deltawaves blossomed.

Elizabeth offers clients a unique experience through her healing sessions, workshops, events and guided meditation CDs.  Her soon to be released, breakthrough guided meditation CD, Purr Healing will take the listerner into the realm of the cat, our feline sound healers.  Based on Elizabeth’s research and others, purring within the frequency range of 20 - 140Hz is optimal for bone growth and regeneration, wound healing, stress reduction and pain relief.

Elizabeth will be in Hong Kong from the 14th May to the 25th May and is faciliating her ‘Ancient Sound and Colour Healing’ workshop as well as ‘Awaken Ancient Knowledge and Past Lives’ workshop.  Contact Shakti Healing Circle to find out more details.

While chatting with Elizabeth recently, I asked her a few questions that allow you to get to know her a little better.

Nicole: What inspires you?

Elizabeth: I’m inspired by souls reaching for, finding and then living their bliss. My true happiness comes when I am on purpose and I can feel my soul light up and literally shine in all directions. I can then pass my essence onto others and give them the go ahead to do the same. This makes me feel so good! It truly does light me up when I am just being myself. What I came to express on this planet is my part of the creator and it feels awesome. I’m inspired by people that shine their truth out and are not dimmed by intimidation tactics that us humans can inflict upon one another due to fear of the truth. Nature is my great renewer and reminder of what I truly am and of course animals remind me everyday of beauty, trust and love.

Nicole: What women have inspired you?

Elizabeth: Growing up, Wonder Woman was my first great goddess role model. The TV series was huge when I was a girl and Linda Carter totally represented compassion, beauty, strength, equality, femininity and intelligence to me and looking at these shows today she still does.  Doreen Virtue is a particular woman who has inspired me. I’ll never forget her talk in Adelaide, Australia five years ago. She mentioned how the world needs every one of us light workers and our jobs are a profession like any other. This hit a chord with me and gave me the go ahead to be a professional healer and run my own healing business. I’m so inspired by women that maintain their femininity in it’s goddess essence whilst shining their light.

Other inspirations are Oprah Winfrey, Denise Linn, Isadora Duncan, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Goddess Isis/Auset, actress Hedy Lamar, Cleopatra VII and Louise L. Hay.

Nicole: What are your future plans for your business, and for yourself?

Elizabeth: I have a global/universal outlook for myself and my business Deltawaves, and have had from the very beginning. In Mayan astrology I am a White Lunar World-Bridger and that very much epitomises how I feel about my purpose on this planet. I have a passion for bridging the gap between what we think we know of as “our normal lives” and what “normal” really is. The truth of our soul being here on earth experiencing a human existence. Upcoming I envisage myself traveling regularly teaching, writing, speaking and inspiring people all over the globe with my soul companion by my side. This is bliss to me.

In saying that, keep an eye out for Elizabeth Peru and Deltawaves.  This inspiring women may just be in your neighbourhood one day.

With the belief that receiving a good night’s rest is critical for the healthy development of children, Founder and Executive Director, Kendra Stitt Robins established Project Night Night in 2005.  With nearly 300,000 homeless families in the United States, many families have to break up in order to enter emergency shelters.  Although families are generally reunited at the conclusion of their shelter stay, the separation places enormous stress on both the parent and the child.

What I love about this charity is that they are assisting mothers and fathers by donating individual tote bags each filled with a security blanket, an age-appropriate book, and a stuffed animal to children (ages 0-10) in homeless shelters.   Every child who receives on of their Night Night Packages leaves the shelter owning a book which encourages reading and family bonding, a security blanket which can be cuddled, and a stuff animal which can become a cherished friend.

Project Night Night serves approximiately 15,000 homeless children annually.

To support this amazing cause, you can donate blankets, books and stuffed toys or better still, you can participate in their annual Silent Auction.  This year’s Silent Auction is aptly named ‘Sips in the City’ and is held on the 4th October 2008 in San Francisco.

Project Night Night depend on the generosity and support of the community for donation of auction items.  Maybe you can be creative and offer up a service, product or experience to be auctioned off.  I’ve offered a private, one-on-one Soul Coaching session as an auction item.

To read more about it, please visit their Silent Auction page.

The simple idea of giving family a source of food rather than short-term relieve is how Heifer International started.  Their mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

What I love about Heifer’s strategy is that people can “gift” an animal to a family in need, and that family, then ’passes on their gift’ by giving their animals’ offspring to other families.

Heifer International started when a mid-west farmer and relief worker was ladling out rations of milk to hungry children during the Spanish Civil War.  At that point Dan West realised that the children didn’t need a cup, they needed a cow.  With that thought in mind he returned and formed ‘Heifers for Relief’.  In 1944, the first shipment of 17 heifers left York, Pennsylvania, for Puerto Rico, going to families whose malnourished children had never even tasted milk.

West chose heifers because they are young cows that haven’t given birth and they make them perfect for not only supplying milk, but also supplying a continued source of support.  Each family that receives a heifer agrees to “pass on the gift” and donate the female offspring to another family, so that the gift of food is never-ending.

Today people can gift a sheep, llama, goat, water buffalo along with a flock of geese, chicks and ducks.  You can still gift a heifer as well as a range of other animals. Heifer’s many initiatives include providing clean water, to assisting those with HIV/AIDS and training people on animal well-being.

As this site is dedicated to empowering and inspiring women, I love that Heifer has a program called WILD - Women in Livestock Development.  The program teaches women how to support themselves and their family through keeping livestock.

Watch the video below to see how one woman succeeded on the WILD program.

This issue we are shining the spotlight on a blog that I stumbled upon while surfing the web.  What I love about this site is that it celebrates women and at the same time empowers women… it really is a great concept.

The Web Women Giving Circle allows women to “nominate” woman in their lives who have, in one way or another, inspired them and changed them into who they are today.

But wait… there is more!  The blog is also a ‘Giving Circle’.  A giving circle is formed when individuals come together and pool their dollars, decide together where to donate their collective contributions, and learn together about their community and philanthropy.  They raise their money through the nomination fee of $10 USD.

Joeann Fossland wanted to combine raising funds for women in other parts of the world, less fortunate than her, and at the same time recognise the ”leading ladies” in her life.  She recognises that she lives in an environment that allows her to better herself, and with the support of other women she has been able to do that.

She says “right now, there is a young girl out there who is suppressed by poverty and limited by illiteracy and other obstacles.  Yet, given the opportunity, she could go on to inspire and lead other women.  All she needs is a chance, and we can give it to her.”

To honour and acknowledge the women in your life, you can submit your nomination to The Web Women Giving Circle, and at the same time, donate $10 USD to empower a young girl such as the one described by Joeann.

Visit the Inspiring Women website and nominate your leading ladies!

I have had the wonderful experience of spending 9 days with Denise on her beautiful Summerhill Ranch in the wine country of Central California. I was there with 15 other amazing women being certified as a Soul Coach.

Denise has this amazing ability of being able to teach and heal at the same time, and I can confidently say that she radiates beauty from the inside out. Her openness to share her experiences – good and bad – demonstrates how when you are open to giving and receiving love, you allow yourself to move forward.

As a world-acclaimed expert in feng shui and space clearing, Denise has distilled the information and wisdom into her teachings that she gained from indigenous cultures around the planet – the aborigines of Australia, the Zulu of Africa, the Maori of New Zealand as well as from her own Native American roots.

Having authored over 15 books, Denise empowers women (and men) through her writing, seminars and her teachings on her Hay House radio show. She is the creatrix of two internationally popular certification programs; ‘Interior Alignment’ and ‘Soul Coaching’.

Besides the best-selling books ‘Sacred Space’ and ‘Soul Coaching’, one of my favourites is ‘Secrets and Mysteries, The Glory and Pleasure of being a Woman’. What I love about this book is that it applies to all women from all walks of life. It really encourages you to honour who you are today while moving forward, and making changes in your life.

In the book, Denise wrote “There is a magical and mysterious place inside every woman. It is a place where the past embraces the future, where an ancient womanly wisdom dwells, old Goddess legends can be found and new legacies can be created.”

That magical and mysterious place is our own inner goddess, our own personal power.

On the 22nd March, Denise will be holding an exclusive, online event called ‘Past Lives, Present Miracles’. The show will help you clear the blockages in your life.

Denise says that miracles can happen in your life, easily and effortlessly. It’s simply a matter of clearing away inner obstacles that prevent your dreams from coming true. Many of these blockages have their source in a past life. If you are interested, please visit Hay House Radio.

Welcome to the issue about celebrating women!

This month we celebrate International Women’s Day in most countries and this day celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future.  It is a day about connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

In this issue we discuss what empowerment means, and we celebrate women who discover their own supernatural powers, whether it is through travelling the globe or meditating at home.

Today congratulate yourself for recognising your own power to change the quality of your life.  When you increase your power, your life will be transformed, which in turn will change the lives of everyone you meet.  Remeber and know that all the love and support you need will always be with you.

Here’s to celebrating with you!
Nicole x