I have been learning about Mary Magdalene this past few weeks. Inspired by the following books. Enjoy my interpretations,Paul x Follow me online for my free unrefined expression :-)www.paulvonbergen.com The Gospel of Mary of Magdala by Karen L. King Magdalene...
From a young age Donna recognised that there was a deep unsettlement within that led her to outwardly ask the bigger questions of life such as, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ Having fallen in love with yoga on a trip to India, she sought answers from this ancient...
We are so excited to introduce our new chefs to you. We hope you love them as much as us! Here is a little something from each of them…. I have spent the past few years working in the city in mostly French, Italian and Mediterranean style cooking after moving...
Welcome to Autumn, Billabongers! Autumn represents shorter days, cooler air and preparation for winter. As the leaves fall from the trees, Autumn invites us to let go on all levels whether that be spiritual, emotional or physical. The spent leaves on the ground...
Whilst we serve vegetarian food at the retreat we do not particularly promote only only plant based food. This is a great recipe from previous Billabong chef Tash who has a great new book out. Ingredients List – Serves 4 Lamb leg steak 275g Carrots any 400g...
Stress stress – its a dangerous thing When that is the only state your body does sing When this way becomes the norm Your mind and thoughts living in storm Always worried about the future and past No idea that this way is not meant to last Thinking all things...
Science tells us that life has been evolving for a billion years, and that this biological story is within each of us. Until you understand the impact this inherited physiology has on people, you will never truly understand their behavior. The place to start learning...
From chef Tash Burbury – check out her amazing new book ‘Anything’s Possible’ Base 2 cups cooked quinoa ½ cup coconut cream ¼ cup olive oil 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp vanilla powder 1 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp...
We are not really a single life form but a complex balance of bacteria and virus, eukaryote and prokaryote cells trying to live in homeostasis. What is human or not human is not simple. Where the ‘self’ starts and the ‘non-self’ ends is a...
Delicious warming winter soup from the amazing Tash Burbury Ingredients List for 4 x 750ml packs Coriander powder any 5g (1 tsp) Cumin powder any 5g Leek any 150g Garlic any 20g Turmeric any 5g Potatoes dutch cream 250g Zucchinis any 250g Water filtered 1500ml...
Something that I hear way too often is something like “I tried yoga once but it was too hard – I couldn’t keep up”. I feel that in our modern Western society we are so obsessed with training and sculpting this meat suit that we walk around in...
Vegan, gluten free, dairy free Next time you have some extra kale make this simple kale pesto and store it for later. So easy! You will need: a high power blender or bullet a pot of boiling water a strainer a jar with lid a bowl of ice water Ingredients: 1 x bunch of...
Gluten free, dairy free, vegan Serves 2 Difficulty: Easy peasy Time: 45 minutes This broccoli bake is a fusion of my Nonna from Sicily’s famous broccoli recipe and my grandma’s traditional and tasty cauliflower bake. Although both of these wonderful women would...
In this podcast Billabong Retreat teacher Basia Nowacki looks at our tendency to have busy minds and provides some simple tips for how to reduce any negative effects from this. About Basia: Basia is a yoga and meditation teacher, known for her down to earth kindness,...
I feel like every month I write a book review and every book I say “this is a must read”. But this one really is! Okay, they all are… James Nestor so beautifully explains the science of breathing including the power of breathing through the nose (and...
100% plant-based, gluten free I love these little muffins for so many reasons. They’re easy, tasty, look sensational and are made completely from plants. Equipment Needed: • Muffin tin & moulds plus some oil to grease the tin • A bullet, food processor or...
Enjoy this grounding meditation with Basia. She will guide you through a visualisation of being like a tree and allowing your roots to connect down deep into the ground. A great one for anyone feeling destabilised, uncertain or scattered. About Basia Basia is a yoga...
Here’s a quick and tasty recipe for next time you have some juicy little tomatoes to use. Ingredients: 2 punnets (or 500g) x small tomatoes (cut in halves) A small handful x fresh aromatic herbs roughly chopped, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley – any...
Here’s great and simple plant-based Parmesan recipe from our Executive chef 1 cup x raw almonds or macadamias 2 Tablespoons x nutritional yeast 1 tsp x sea salt 1 Tablespoon x extra virgin olive oil 2 thin slices x garlic (optional) HOW TO MAKE: Pulse all...
Okay, this is a big statement to make, but I believe that every woman should own this book. I have been buying my local book stores out of every copy to gift to the women in my life. If you don’t know Glennon Doyle yet, do yourself a favour and check her out. I...
Vegan, gluten free, dairy free Ingredients: 1/4 x kent pumpkin (700g), 2cm cubes with skins on 1 cup x rice 1 cup x leek (100g), diced 2 tsp x garlic, minced 3 tbsp x curry spice mix (pg22) or curry powder of your choice 1 cup x mushrooms, either oyster or button,...
As humans, we tend to be more focused on what we don’t want to happen in our life; caught up in worry about what might occur… Imagine if we spend just 7 minutes a day visualising what we do want our future to look like. Science shows that visualisation can...
Vegan, gluten free, contains nuts These sweet treats are packed with protein and other goodness, treat yourself! Makes 21 bars in a 33cm x 23cm baking tray Ingredients: Base 1 x cup coconut flour (120g) 1.5 cups x almond meal (150g) 3 tbsp x melted coconut oil 1/2 cup...
If you have been to Billabong, there is a good chance that you have watched The Connection. Well, good news. The Director, Shannon Harvey has just released a brand new documentary – this time exploring the wonderful world of Mindfulness. After looking (and...
Plant based. Serves 4. Ingredients 1 pack x pad thai noodles (200g) 1 pack x tofu or any protein (300g) – diced • 1 bunch of broccolini 2 x carrots 1/4 cup x crushed peanuts 1 x bird eye chilli 2 x cloves garlic 1 piece x ginger 4 x spring onions 1 can x baby...
In these uncertain times, the benefits of slowing down are more apparent than ever. While the world speeds up around us, why not spend five minutes per day hitting pause and connecting to your breath? Enjoy this guided meditation by Larissa inviting you to take five...
100% plant based & gluten free BE EQUIPPED: • Circular or square baking tin: About 25cm in diameter or 25cm X 25cm if square. At least 6cm high edges. • Baking paper • Food processor or blender • Large mixing bowl • Oven • Love of food RECIPE: (Wet mix) 6 x...
This is such an important topic right now that we’re doing two posts on the subject in one week and some great information has just come out in this article by Amy Fleming. You can read it here or our summary below....
There is no better disease prevention technique than keeping your own immune system working at its optimum level. Your immune system is a finely tuned highly complex system involving bacteria, viruses, enzymes, nutrients, DNA expression and hormones. It’s ability to...
There has been so much coverage about climate change recently and it all seems very doom and gloom. A lot of conversations about the problem but I haven’t found that as many people are talking about real solutions. I found 2040 really inspiring because the film...
Would you love to visit Billabong but taking a few days away from your commitments has been a bit challenging to organise? Come and visit us for the day! Not sure what to expect? Picture this: You arrive at 8:30am to be welcomed by our office staff who will check you...
Makes 6 large rolls or 12 hand rolls Ingredients Teriyaki mushrooms 6 field mushrooms (600g) piece of ginger (35g) 3 cloves of garlic 8 tbsp soy sauce 5 tbsp mirin 4 tbsp honey or raw sugar 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 20mls vegetable oil Other 1 x 10 pack of nori sheets...
“IF YOU WANT TO FIND THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE, THINK IN TERMS OF ENERGY, FREQUENCY AND VIBRATION.” – NIKOLA TESLA We need silence in order to hear sound and we need to experience sound in order to appreciate silence. The dualities of this world that for whatever...
Vegan, refined sugar free, dairy free, gluten free This recipe is super easy, but always such a hit. I love serving mine with a little granola and berries but you can have it on its own as well. I love it as well because you get a nice hit of healthy fats and can...
As someone who has always struggled to find balance and functionality in relationships, the book Attached was a huge sigh of relief for me. In the book, Dr Amir Levine and Rachel Heller outline the three different attachment systems that differentiate the ways that...
Do you ever start your day “from the wrong side of the bed”? We feel you! In this guided meditation on of our teachers Basia invites you to start your day with gratitude to shift your mindset for a fresh and grateful day, We hope you enjoy it! About...
Vegan, gluten free I love adding this recipe to my prep day. That way when I don’t have time in the morning I simply add avocado to mine and enjoy knowing that I’m still getting some veggies and complete proteins. It also freezes really well so if you make...
… and just like that, our five night New Year Retreat is over. It was a whirlwind time full of laughter, tears, dancing, insights and connection. We started off the retreat with an opening circle with the intention of getting to know a little bit about each...
Wanting to cook with more whole foods but need a little inspiration? Here are four cook books I have been loving.. The perfect Christmas gift for someone wanting to spend more time cooking delicious and healthy meals at home. WHOLE BY NATURAL HARRY This is a...
Gluten free, vegan Ingredients Chocolate Layer 3/4 cup x cacao powder 4 drops x peppermint oil 1/4 cup x cacao butter 1/4 cup x coconut oil 1/2 tsp x salt 1/2 cup x maple syrup 1/2 tsp x vanilla extract 1/2 cup x buckwheat Cheeze cake filling 1.5 cups x soaked cashews...
Many of our guests at Billabong Retreat come to escape the busy-ness of life and restore more balance into their world. Often guests ask something along the lines of ‘how can I slow down when everything around me is so busy?’ First of all it’s important to acknowledge...
Gluten free, vegan Christmas time serves up many amazing meals and family favourite treats on the table. One of my absolute favourite childhood Christmas memories was that special moment when the Christmas cake is served up and everyone took a moment to share that...
Christmas is upon us and for many people that means pulling out the plastic Christmas tree, decorating it with tinsel and other trinkets before packing it all up ready for the following year. Kirsty and Jess have been getting creative in the past weeks with recycled...
Meditation… We all hear that it is good for us and many ‘wish’ they could do it daily, yet most still struggle to get it done. Why is that? In this book Sally Kempton encourages you to uncover your love for meditation. She implores us to stop making...
With our beautiful country being ravaged by fires and drought it looks like we are going to be in for a hot summer. We asked around the retreat and here are some tips from our team to help keep you cool, calm and collected. Simon – Executive Chef The food we eat...
This year we are seeing a huge movement towards gifting experiences rather than things and we are totally on board. Often people buy gifts simply so that they have something to give and I know I am not alone in being given many gifts over the years that I never end up...
Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free ABOUT Did you know that fennel actually has this amazing top part of the herb. For some reason when you buy fennel from the shops they chop off one of the best parts. My suggestion is to ask your farmer to keep the tops of the...
How do we bring forth our deepest aspirations into a living experience? In this article we’ll be looking at how to distinguish when we manifest from a place of presence and when we let ego run the show. We’ll also explore how we can work with our insecurities and...
A simple guided breath awareness meditation designed to take us to a place of rest and relaxation. Take a little break out of our day to connect within for as little as 6 minutes. Just sit or recline back and listen to the recording below. About Larissa Larissa...
We have been told for decades that sleep and exercise are crucial for optimal health but we don’t really consider sleep to be just as important… until now! Matthew Walker is a neuroscientist and psychologist that has dedicated his days to understanding...
Below is a simple guided mantra (words repeated) meditation linked with the breath to create a sense of freedom and release. The mantra is simply “Let Go”. If there is anything that may be causing you stress or tension this is a great meditation to begin...
Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free Equipment Food processor Blender Dehydrator or oven Base 3 cups x buckwheat (soaked for 10-12 hours) 8 x medium carrots 1 tsp x salt 2 tbsp x honey 3 tbsp x Italian herbs 1 1/2 cups x golden flaxseeds 1/2 cup x cold pressed olive...
Most of us agree that meditation is good for us yet why do we find it so hard to actually practise it every day? Host Basia shares her best tips for developing a daily meditation practice. A must watch for all of you who are struggling to carve time out every day for...
About I love this recipe because you can make a large batch and keep them in the freezer. That way when you are craving something sweet you have a healthier option instead of reaching for a chocolate with refined sugars that are often wrapped in plastic. Better for...
Have you ever spent time with a loved one at the end of their life and asked them about their regrets? What they wish they spent more time on? Less time on? Things they wish they did? In the film Embrace, Nigel Marsh talks about how we all wait for the big four before...
We all have thoughts circulating around our mind all the time, but are you ever actually aware of them? Can you connect with the space behind thought? Watch this video with Basia where she introduces this idea and then guides a short meditation for acknowledging...
Makes 6 small or 4 regular size INGREDIENTS Panna cotta 1 can full fat coconut milk (400mls) 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 cup white sugar (I never usually use this sugar but I wanted the traditional white look) 3/4 tsp agar powder – you can buy this at health food stores...
When we are compassionate towards ourselves we are more likely to keep trying and keep moving forward. The opposite is also true when we are hard or more critical towards ourselves, we are more likely to want to give up in despair and stop trying. Over the years of...
Ghee has a whole scope of benefits. Ayurvedic traditions prescribe ghee for digestive issues, ulcers, and for its natural vitalizing properties. Only problem is, that when you buy it at the store it can cost you anywhere between $15-$45. The thing is, ghee is made by...
It seems like almost everyone I speak to has some form of history with anxiety. Is it an epidemic? What is happening to make us so anxious and overwhelmed…? Author of “I Quit Sugar”, Sarah Wilson, delivers this candid, lighthearted book exploring her...
Vegan option, gluten free I have recently had a knee injury. Through lots of reading and different bits of advice, I’ve decided to support the healing with organic food, supplements, gentle movement, sunshine and meditation/visualisation. To help with the inflammation...
Winter is a time for slowing down, rugging up in your cosy woolies, drinking warm mugs of tea and nourishing yourself inside and out. When the colder and darker months approach us, we often do hibernate and curl ourselves into tight little balls of goodness and this...
Vegan, refined sugar free, gluten free Ingredients Makes one layer of the cake Base 1/2 cup x almonds 1/2 cup x cashews or macadamia (or mixture of both) 1/2 cup x cacao powder 1 cup x soaked dates (soak in boiling water) pinch x salt (preferably celtic or pink salt)...
Being an eco retreat, at Billabong we are always trying to reduce the amount of plastic that we use. There has been a big push in recent times towards bamboo toothbrushes, stainless steel straws and canvas shopping bags and that is great. But, one of the biggest ways...
What’s the difference between Cadbury chocolate and the chocolate we make? A few different reasons but one of them being cacao! The difference between cocOA and cacAO is simple. Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing cacao (unroasted cacao beans). The process keeps...
Our current lifestyle tends to be so busy and frantic that the body only knows how to move or sleep. This often means that when we sit for meditation, we find ourselves constantly nodding off. Sound familiar? Check out this video by Retreat Host, Basia. According to...
Turmeric is a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine with numerous health benefits. It is filled with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antiseptic agents, anti-fungal agents and anti-bacterial agents. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which contains all...
I would be really surprised if you have practiced yoga for a long time and have not heard of “Iyengar”. BKS Iyengar is considered one of the founding fathers of modern yoga and the creator of the Iyengar Yoga brand / style of yoga practice. He was a...
Vegan, vegetarian Serves 5 I had it with purple sweet potato mash, beans & toasted sourdough Since cutting out meaty things from my diet I always thought it would be such a mission to make rich gravy-ish sauces, try this dish and I guarantee you wont feel like...
“There is no teacher that can teach us anything new, they can only help to remind us what we already knew.” Why is it we know many things that are beneficial to our wellbeing, however, for whatever reason we find it hard or challenging to do so? We know many of the...
Sesame is highly regarded in Ayurveda for its powerful rejuvenative qualities on Vata dosha. This nourishing seed has long been used for its grounding and warming effects on the body and particularly the nervous system. Incorporate sesame seeds into tasty treats like...
By Jordan Peterson, reviewed by Paul von Bergen # Warning: We have had reports that some people are offended by some of the things that this author has said in public. We make no judgement or support for the author. Below is simply a review of this one book # This is...
Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free I’ve never really been a fan of Cherry Ripes… Not sure if that’s because they taste like plastic/processed cherries or what. But I do love real cherries and their in season so I have adapted my own recipe so you can taste...
AUM is one of the most recognisable mantras in Eastern philosophy, it has amazing benefits and makes you feel so good when you chant it! Read on to learn more about this magical sound… Did you know there are four sounds which make are the mantra? AAAA UUUUU...
Gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free Ingredients (makes 10) 5 x red capsicum 1 1/2 x cups of quinoa 1 cup x kidney beans or one can x organic kidney beans 1/4 cup x cashews 1/2 cup x black olives (without pips) 1 x medium brown onion 2 cloves x garlic 4 x medium...
Yoga promotes a bounty of mind and body benefits, including things like strength, flexibility and stress relief… and we can do yoga without even leaving our bed. It’s all about finding ways that works for us that is realistic and accessible to us. There are so...
Gluten free, vegan A perfect companion on those cold winter nights! Ingredients 1 x medium size Jap (Kent) pumpkin 1 tsp x coriander seeds 1 tsp x fennel seeds 1 tsp x cumin seeds 1 tsp x fenugreek seeds 2 tbsp x fresh rosemary 1/2 tsp x black pepper 1 tsp x celtic...
You probably learnt about the five elements growing up but have you ever considered how they affect us? Our current society rewards doing, achieving and succeeding and all of that physical and mental movement can mean we spend a lot of time with fire and air running...
Gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free Ingredients 1 cup x frozen raspberries 1/2 cup x cashews 1 can x coconut cream 4 tbsp x maple syrup 1/2 tsp x vanilla 1/4 cup x melted coconut oil juice and zest of 1 lemon Optional: 1 tsp x lucuma powder 1 tsp x Reishi mushrooms...
We hear it all the time, “I can’t meditate because I can’t stop my thoughts”. Our lovely retreat host Basia is on a myth busting mission. Watch her most recent video on the concept of stopping thoughts during meditation: About Basia Basia is a...
Gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free The perfect recipe to add to your prep day so that when you’re craving something to pick you up in the afternoon you’re not always reaching for something with sugar. We love having a batch of these in our freezer for...
Wow – this book is a game changer. This is going to do for alcohol what the Alan Carr book did to help millions of people come off the crazy addiction of smoking. I highly recommend listening to the audio book rather than reading it as the audio book is narrated...
Vegan, gluten free, sugar free Ready in: 3 minutes Serves: 6 Brief description: This is a beautiful, vibrant dressing that is filled with an abundance of nutritional goodness, loads of flavour, big aromatic herbaceous freshness and a zesty cheesiness that will make...
This summer is set to be a hot one. Host Phoebe has provided two ways that you can beat the heat using tried and tested yogic techniques. Sitali Breath During these hot, steamy summery days and nights, we tend to lean on the use of fans, air conditioning, icy cold...
WHY FERMENTING ISN’T SCARY “As far as I know, there has never been a documented case of food-borne illness from fermented vegetables. Risky is not a word I would use to describe vegetable fermentation. It is one of the oldest and safest technologies we have”. –...
We might be a little bit biased, since Angie used to be a chef at Billabong, but we think that this is one of the best cookbooks out there. More than just a cookbook, Making Peace Before You Eat inspires the reader to connect with their meal, eating with mindfulness...
Gluten free, vegan, sugar free Serves: 4 INGREDIENTS: 1 x capsicum 1/2 bunch x kale 1 cup x rocket 1 cup x roast veggies (see separate recipe) 1/4 cup x fresh herbs (whatever is in season) 1 x ripe avocado 1 tbsp x olive oil 1 tbsp x apple cider vinegar Salt and...
I remember a few years ago walking past a colourfully painted mural of a rainbow sitting in a blue sky with a quote saying, “Don’t search for happiness, create it!” and I just stood in front of that mural thinking about what happiness means to me and whether I was...
Vegan. gluten free, sugar free A BIT OF BACKGROUND: Most traditional cultures around the world have evolved with some type of fermented food being eaten at the every meal. However, this can take some time to master the art of fermentation/pickling and quite often we...
As human beings, we have always been aware that it is important to be healthy but it is only in recent times that we have had such a big focus on wellness. So what does that actually mean? Personally, I think that when people think of being healthy they think more of...
Gluten free, vegan, dairy free INGREDIENTS:1/2 cup x favourite nut butter (I recommend either cashew, almond, macadamia or peanut butter ) 1/4 cup x organic coconut cream 1/2 cup x extra virgin coconut oil (melted into liquid) 1 tablespoon x cacao...
I am not going to lie, I don’t have kids. So perhaps I am not the best person to be writing this article. But, I have supported many students who are parents and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what it means to be a parent. You know: the guilt,...
When you think of ‘addiction’, what do you think of? Addiction comes in many forms, from the more obvious and in your face like drug addiction and alcoholism to the more subtle forms of food addiction, materialism and addiction to technology. Russell Brand...
Gluten free INGREDIENTS (serves 2) 4 x russet potatoes (small ones – washed) 1 tsp x smoked paprika 2 tsp x garlic powder 2 tbsp x olive oil 3 tbsp x freshly grated parmesan salt + pepper METHOD Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Place each potato on a chopping...
