Acceptance versus action

We often hear of the importance of surrender and acceptance.

Yes surrender and acceptance are essential at times.

However, there are times when inspired action is what we are called to do.

Acceptance must not stop us from stepping into the unknown or from pursuing our dreams or righting wrongs. Do not use acceptance as an excuse or cloak for your fear or as a shield for your apathy.

The moment we refuse the challenge or fail to act in our best interests is the moment that we stop truly living.

The Serenity Prayer highlights that there are times to accept and times to act:

“God grant me the serenity to
accept the things I can’t change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”

I had a recent experience of these crossroads when a connecting international flight was cancelled. The ground staff at Bangkok airport advised us to stay overnight at the airport hotel and take the connecting flight the next day meaning that I would arrive at my work retreat a day late missing out on an important day.

At first, I accepted what I had been told and surrendered to staying overnight at the airport hotel and missing out on an important day. However, within moments the fire inside me inspired me to NOT accept that outcome and to pivot onto a different path: to find an alternative airline so as to not arrive a day late.

Similarly, when we are wronged by someone (eg financially, emotionally or physically) we can surrender and walk away or perhaps the best course is to take appropriate (e.g.legal) action to recoup our losses or to bring the wrongdoer to justice.

We have all been faced with the crossroads of acceptance or action at various points in our life. In fact, I would go so far as to say that at almost every moment of every day, we are navigating a fork in the road of acceptance versus action. Do we accept what is presented to us or do we stand up and say “No, that doesn’t sit right with me. I’m going to take an alternative path”.

At a spiritual level taking inspired action doesn’t mean that you’re refusing to accept the current situation. You’re accepting what has happened but you’re simply refusing to do nothing about it.

You are always accepting the current situation (yes the flight is cancelled, yes I didn’t get the job offer/ promotion, yes I didn’t get into that uni course, yes I had a car accident, yes I lost money in a poor investment, yes he cheated on me, yes he stole from me etc) but you're taking inspired action by pivoting onto a different path to fulfil your ultimate outcome or desire (I’ll catch a different flight, I’ll apply for another job, I’ll do a bridging course or apply to a different uni, I’ll get the car fixed and drive more carefully, I’ll take legal action to see if my funds are recoverable, I’ll leave the relationship to find someone more aligned, I’ll set firmer boundaries with money, I’ll bring the person to justice etc).

The more we can tap into our initiation (or spirit or consciousness or truth - whatever word resonates with you), the more we can be guided as to whether inspired action is the appropriate path to take in any given situation.

Comparing conventional chickens versus free range versus organic chickens

When it comes to chickens and chicken liver, I’m often asked if “free range” is enough and whether it’s worth buying certified organic. My view is that when it comes to chickens and chicken liver, it is worth paying extra and buying organic for all of the reasons set out in the table below (which is a bit hard to read but is a really good summary).
 
The main reason is that conventional or free-range chickens will be fed conventional grains that most likely contain corn and soy, which are genetically modified. There are other reasons set out in the table too. 
 
I personally (and at Broth Bar & Larder) exclusively purchase from Inglewood. If you can’t buy certified organic from Inglewood or other suppliers (eg Enviroganic) then you will need to make your own due diligence enquiries as to what the chickens are fed, antibiotic use, whether they are truly pastured, stocking density etc.

When it comes to eggs, you certainly can’t go wrong with certified organic unless you want to do your own due diligence enquires as we did at Broth Bar & Larder where we stock 2 brands of eggs (Mussett Holdings and Mountain Pride) neither of which are certified organic but we have made enquiries of the owners as to the feed (non fed GMO grains), how they are housed (free to roam all day on pasture) and their antibiotic and vaccine policy. I have also personally visited Musset Holdings farms (see my IG highlight reel for the footage of my visit) and we had The Egg Lady (Simone) who delivers Mountain Pride eggs come and talk to our customers at Broth Bar & Larder a little while ago. Forging strong relationships with your suppliers of food and knowing where your food comes from is paramount.

The 3 most important considerations that affect the nutritional profile of food are (a) its source, (b) its processing and (c) the consumer’s proper preparation of the food in their kitchen. It is heartening to see more and more people concerned with all 3 aspects especially provenance (source).
 
Please don’t hesitate to email me at info@staraniseorganic.com if you have any questions.
 
Love Soulla xx

Star Anise Organic Wholefoods turns 13!

I have another teenager!!! But this one is not so exasperating!

On the 13th birthday of Star Anise Organic Wholefoods I have been reflecting on the journey that started in the kitchen of my home as a mama wanting to heal myself and my vegan baby who ended up in hospital. This desire for health and healing has evolved into a business that now employs 24 staff with its own retail space in Bronte - Broth Bar & Larder - plus an online store with additional services of health coaching and online courses.

Broth Bar & Larder (the flagship home of Star Anise Organic) is now 7 years old and is a nourishing oasis and a breath of fresh air in the modern world of fast food. My intention is for people to come to eat real, honest, simple, wholesome food that nourishes, satisfies, delights and turns on our ancient DNA. It’s the food your great-grandmother would have made. No fancy foams or fuss. Just hearty real food that’s unprocessed, ethically sourced, properly prepared and nutrient dense.

I’m so proud of what my team of lightworkers, my suppliers, my gorgeous and loyal customers and I have co-created. The past 13 years have been a wild and extraordinary journey of returning back to wholeness and believing in the power of food as medicine, the gifts of Mama Nature and the innate wisdom and intelligence of our wise biology. It is my mission to bring nutrient-dense traditional wholefoods that have served mankind for Millenia back to the modern table for vibrant health and longevity and to invite people to reclaim their health and power.

I have felt like giving up and quitting a billion times as I have had every single obstacle put in my way, but my advice to my fellow sistas starting their business or passion project is to never give up on your dreams, be consistent and know that while there WILL be obstacles, it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Our power as women is to come together to support, nurture, knowledge transfer and care for each other. There is so much wisdom, medicine, magic, power and strength in sisterhood and in sharing our gifts and our knowledge. This is where our power lies and this is where we can create powerful ripple effects that can change the world, one mouthful at a time, one purchase at a time, one conversation at a time.

Thank you for your support and for being on this journey with me.

Love Soulla xx