Anyone for chocolate and beetroot gateaux? 

Bonjour wise friend,

I have a secret.  Just between you and I. 

If you were to ask me, my favourite retreat location, I would have to say France.  There is something deeply nurturing and immeasurably soul satisfying.  The shoulders drop and the breath deepens as soon as you walk through the front door.   But please, don’t tell my other retreats, they may not be happy.

Each time I return,  I instantly feel generously held by our rural French country home, the surrounding woodlands, vineyards, sounds of birds, smells of nature and the familiar smile of Tamsin (she’s in the apron above) greeting us into her home with cake and tea (chocolate and beetroot gateaux my favourite – recipe below).  Not to mention her delicious creative meals, which await us in the days ahead, all made from scratch, locally sourced and organic where possible.  Need I say more my friend.

I am thrilled to say I have two Slow Rest retreats in France this year. 

The first 19th – 23rd September is fully booked but luckily two spots have become available for the second Slow Rest retreat  26th – 30th September.

Perhaps one of the spots is calling you?  Who needs some breathing space, from the worries and busyness of life?  I promise to take great care of you.

You are welcome to click here and read more. I would so love to share this  deep rest experience with you.  After 15 years of offering Slow Rest retreats my passion and devotion to them is as strong as ever.  If not stronger.  The days are always slow, kind, gentle and most importantly restorative.

And just before I sign off,  I’m sharing Tamsins chocolate and beetroot gateaux recipe with you below.  You can click here for more of Tamsins recipes.  We’re all hoping she will write a cookbook one day soon.  No pressure Tamsin but we’re waiting!

If you can’t make it to one of my Slow Rest retreats soon I can support you in other ways.  You are welcome to listen to my guided meditations in the comfort of your home. Head over to soundcloud it’s free.  Evening Ritual of Softening is a popular one.

I also share on instagram and facebook lots of helpful rituals.

Rituals for emergencies, calming rituals, protective rituals, shift energy rituals, trust rituals, letting go rituals. Trusting you’ll find a ritual that is the perfect medicine for you, today, in this moment.

Okay, that’s it from me, let me know what you think of the chocolate and beetroot gateaux and see you in France soon.

xox  Much love Carole

And the photo above of myself and Tamsin was taken by my dear friend Roma Gaster

: Chocolate & Beetroot Gateaux :

Gluten free. Wheat free.

Ingredients:

400gm Beetroot
150gm Mascavado Sugar (or rice syrup)
60gm Ground Almonds
3 Eggs
50gm 100% Cacao Powder
200gm 70% Cacoa Chocolate
2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
(All ingredients are organic)

Preparation:
Cook the beetroot in pan of water for 35 – 40mins and then leave to cool, skin and blend into a puree.

Preheat the oven to 175C

In a pyrex dish place 200g chocolate and place over saucepan of simmering water and melt chocolate. Then add ground Almonds, cacao powder and melted 70 – 80% Cacao chocolate bar to the beetroot puree.

In a separate bowl whisk eggs and sugar together and add baking powder. If you wish to use an alternative to baking powder, use 1/2 lemon juice and 2 tsp bicarbonate soda.

Mix and fold ingredients together and the place in the tin.

Bake in oven for 35 mins. Take out of the oven and leave to cool for 20 mins before removing the cake tin and placing on a serving plate.

: French Retreat :

Click here for Slow Rest Retreats

Slow relaxed eating

New friends

Slow gentle space

Serene beauty of our French country home

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