Updates at Milagro Retreats

Greetings from Blissful Baja where we are celebrating the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day at our Magic of Love Anusara Yoga Retreat with Christina Sell

We have an amazing tribe that has gathered in service including: Carianne, Raw Food Guru, Heather Frazer, Vancouver Island Surfer/Yogini and Kari Mathieson, kitchen manager at the Saltspring Center of Yoga.

We are cooking up a storm, combining traditional Mexican Flavors with a healthy twist. Dishes such as ~

Sesame Cilantro Crusted Fish w/ Avocado Sauce
Walnut Chick Pea Empanadas
Living Carrot Ginger Soup
Almond Pate
Banana Coconut Sorbet w/ Pralined Pecans

One of the great joys for us at Milagro Retreats, is sharing creative simple food preparation. Both Living and Cooked delights grace our buffet table.

The Milagro summer schedule is filled with creative offerings in Tofino, B.C.

Join us in our 8th season at one of our Yoga Surf and Eco Adventures Choose to fill your weekend with surf lessons and kayaking tours for an action filled getaway. Or relax and be nourished with our abundant feasts and all levels Yoga Classes with plenty of time for self reflection and contemplation.....The choice is yours!

Dates

* June 11-13 ~ Co-Ed
* July 16-18 ~ Co-Ed
* August 20-22 ~ Co-Ed
* September 24-26th ~ Women Only

Includes:

* 2 Nights' Accommodation
* Nourishing Organic Vegetarian Breakfasts, Dinners and snacks
* 4 Yoga Classes with special guest teachers
* Eco Friendly Goodie Bags
* Group Campfires and Ceremonies

The Year of the Tiger

The Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, based on the lunisolar calendar. The start of the New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The lunar Chinese new year calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years. Within the 'Stem-Branch' system is the shorter cycle of 12 years denoted by animals.

2010 is the Chinese year of the Tiger. In particular, this is the year of Gēng-yín (Metal Tiger). Gēng is the seventh of the ten celestial stems and Yín (Tiger) is the third of the twelve terrestrial branches, thus February 14th marks the year of the Tiger with its association to bravery.

Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is the most elaborate, colorful, and important. Socially, it is a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stresses the importance of family ties.

Other Chinese traditions that signify this 'turning over a new leaf' include:

Sweeping of the Grounds ~ Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the new year.

Kitchen God ~ After the house was cleaned it was time to bid farewell to the Kitchen God, or Zaowang. In traditional China, the Kitchen God was regarded as the guardian of the family hearth. He was identified as the inventor of fire, which was necessary for cooking and was also the censor of household morals.

Family Celebration ~ Tradition stipulates that all food be prepared before the New Years Day, so that all sharp instruments, such as knives and scissors are put away to avoid cutting the "luck" of the New Year. All members of the family would gather for the important family meal on the evening of the New years Eve. Even if a family member could not attend, an empty seat would be kept to symbolize that person’s presence at the banquet.

Lai-See~ On New Years Day, the children are given Red Lai-See Envelopes ~ good luck money wrapped in little red envelopes. On New Years day, everyone wears new clothes, and is on their best behavior. It is considered improper to tell a lie, raise ones voice, use indecent language, or break anything on the first day of the year.

Lantern Festival ~ The New Year celebrations ended on the 15th of the First Moon with the Lantern Festival. On the evening of that day, people carry lanterns into the streets to take part in a great parade.

As we say 'Adios to the year of the Ox on Valentine's Day and welcome the Brave new Tiger, this new moon is full of abundant aspirations.

Vinyasa Yoga Retreat in Tofino

Join Pacific Elements Yoga and Milagro Retreats, June 11-14th in Tofino's Botanical Gardens for an explorative journey through the Five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether.

Enjoy daily yoga classes integrating creative Vinyasa flow, inspirational philosophy, anatomy of movement, and playful expression.

Be nourished by Abundant Vegetarian Feasts and take home new ideas and recipes from the Conscious Ayurvedic Cooking Class.
More Details

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Mermaid Miso Soup

Mermaid Miso Soup

The creamy blend of tahini, miso, and mineral rich seaweeds make this nourishing soup a meal in a bowl. Quick and simple to prepare.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

6 cups water or vegetable stock
1/8 cup mixed dried seaweed ~ wakame, arami, hiziki, dulse
1 leek, finely sliced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1small zucchini, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 -3 Tbsp raw tahini
4 Tbsp shiro miso
sea salt to taste

Mindful Preparation:

1. Soak seaweeds in water or stock while preparing the remaining ingredients.
2. Heat liquid to almost boiling. Add leeks, celery, carrots and ginger, simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.
3. Add zucchini and coconut oil. Simmer until veggies are tender, 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove 1/4 cup of liquid and blend with tahini, nutritional yeast and miso. Add back to the soup and remove from heat.
5. Taste before adjusting seasonings or adding salt.

~ Never allow miso to boil, this will destroy the enzymes and life force!!