Coconut, its healing power

The coconut oil has so many healing powers that there is an actual coconut research center documenting them. The smell of the cold pressed coconut oil we produce at Jiwa Damai is filling our kitchen every time we are preparing the food for our guests. We believe that the smell itself is enough to make your day brighter.

It used to be believed that the coconut oil is unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content. However, now it is known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from almost all other fats and possesses many health giving properties.

Here are just a few of the benefits which have been medically proven according to the coconut research center.

• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body

Coconut lemon energy snack recipe

coconut lemon energy snack

This month we are bringing you a delicious and healthy recipe which contains both coconut and lemon, two ingredients which we love.

1 lemon, zest

2 lemons, juice

¼ c. chia seeds

1 ½ c. raw almonds

8 dates, pitted & chopped

½ c. unsweetened shredded coconut (plus for more garnish, if desired)

¼ t. sea salt

3 T. virgin coconut oil

Directions:

Zest 1 lemon and set it aside.  Juice 2 lemons into a small bowl.  Add the chia and mix well.

Combine almonds and dates in the bowl of a large food processor.  Process until finely ground, about 60 seconds.  Add shredded coconut, sea salt, coconut oil, reserved zest, and chia/lemon juice mixture.  Process until the mixture is lumpy and moist, about 60 seconds. Read more below.

We found this receipe here, along many other delicious recipes here.

The origin of the coconut tree

Did you know that the name of the coconut comes from “coco” which means monkey face or “grin” and it was how the Spanish explorers first called it? The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. The coconut is a plant which favorably grows on the shorelines, it prospers on sandy soils. It prefers rainy and sunny weather, it can’t resist low temperatures. For a propitious growth coconuts also require an area of high humidity.

coconut_open_sfw

On many islands coconut is a staple in the diet and provides the majority of the food eaten. Nearly one third of the world's population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Among these cultures the coconut has a long and respected history.

Guests celebrating 10 days of staying at Jiwa Damai

Last night prior to the departure of our lovely French - Swiss group celebrating in the Indus restaurant and dancing Salsa. The group spent 10 days at JiwaDamai, morning sessions with the organizer Karene and afternoons with Margret for introduction to permaculture and much hands on work.

Guests at Jiwa Damai

Guests at Jiwa Damai

Guests at Jiwa Damai

Join us in October for a complete Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart! 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for Jiwa Damai

Jiwa Damai was awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 as a direct result of its consistently great reviews from its guests, being one of the 9% places in Indonesia receiving this award in a highly competitive market.

Jiwa Damai Organic Garden & Retreat is more than a hospitality business. It offers sanctuary in an idyllic, powerful environment, in the heart of Bali where the guests can reconnect to the life-giving qualities of the earth. Travelers can experience tranquility by taking part in yoga classes in the morning and evening meditation.

Jiwa Damai is also a place of personal development and of learning by doing. The garden is opened for the Permaculture Design Courses through the Heart which are organized in October. Through the Lagu Damai Bali Foundation, Jiwa Damai hosts interns who develop personalized projects in various fields under academically qualified supervision.

TripAdvisor used a complex algorithm in order to determine the Certificate of Excellence winners, taking into account the quality, quantity and recency of the reviews offered by the travelers, as well as their rating. The aim of the Certificate of Excellence is to reveal exceptional spots of happiness as recognized by travelers.

Preparing a field of vegetables and other edibles

At Jiwa Damai we take care of our garden. A team of 12 people strong began to clean out the area next to our meditation place in order to create a field of vegetables and other edibles. We collected the initial growth of greens, bushes and plants and made them into a large compost heap, which, after a while will be used to cover the earth and render it more fertile.

Garden at Jiwa Damai bali

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Morning yoga class for our teacher training group

Sadhana Yoga teacher training

is into its first week at

Jiwa Damai

garden and retreat center. A lovely group of young men and women, deeply interested in learning and practicing. Their day begins at

6 am

with meditation and ends at

8 pm

in the evening.

Having welcomed already several times  their wonderful teachers,

Mindi and  Anita

, who are facilitating the group, here are some of the photos during morning class.

yoga at jiwa damai 2

yoga at jiwa damai 3

yoga at jiwa damai

The Karma Yoga Team

yoga at jiwa damai

Here is our Karma yoga team from Sadhana Yoga teacher training group getting actively involved in the garden and with garbage clean up. We truly appreciate this very much… Thanks!

Find out more about our activities at Jiwa Damai here! Have also a look at our internship programhere!

Permaculture introduction. Learning to mulch

As a part of their program at Jiwa Damai, Kearene's group from French Switzerland was also enjoying a permaculture introduction facilitated by our resident permaculture teacher. Some of the activities included learning to mulch. In the pictures you see different types of mulching. With paper, cardboard and with dry grass.

Don't forget to join our Permaculture Design Course Through the Heart in October.

Balinese wedding in our village

Our Swiss guests and Jiwa Damai was invited to the wedding of one of the village chiefs' son. A very exciting and elegant affair. The intricate clothing and make up of the groom and the bride, the decoration of the whole house takes at least a month to accomplish.

Balinese wedding

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