Hi Everyone,
Happy Thursday! I hope you’re all having a great week so far. As I write this, I’m deep into the last few days of manuscript madness and scrambling to finish my next book. You might already know it’s one that’s really close to my heart, as within it, I share a lot of my history with candida and all the best tips and practices I’ve amassed over the years while on this diet. And of course, there will recipes–over 100 of them!
The End of an Era: So Long, Wellness Weekend
Another thing that’s close to my heart is this Wellness Weekend event, which has been ongoing since July, 2011. Well, dear readers, after much consideration (and a bit of a heavy heart), I’ve decided that it’s time to put Wellness Weekends to rest. In recent months, I’ve found that I just can’t keep up with everything any more, and as new projects begin, I needed to let some other things go in order to maintain the quality of my work. Given your feedback about what you’re most looking for from this blog (and me), I’ve decided to focus more on the different ways I can create content that’s most helpful and valuable to my readers in the long run. If only there were 36 hours in a day! I will most definitely miss the event (what will I write on Wednesday evenings??), but most of all will miss the regular interaction with each of you who come here and link up your posts. So please, continue to visit and leave comments! I love hearing from you!
Hello Hippocrates (and my “Dispatches from the Health Front”)
With the end of one era begins the start of another. . . when I first commenced this semi-hiatus to finish my book, I planned to return to blogging full-time in April. As it turns out, the universe (and my health) had other plans. I haven’t provided an update about my progress on the anti-candida diet recently, mostly because it’s now so ingrained in my life that nothing much there has changed. What has changed, though, are a few chronic health conditions that have intensified now that I’m into menopause (those darned hormonal roller coasters!!).
I’ve decided to take a major plunge and signed up for the Life Transformation Program at the Hippocrates Health Institute, starting next month. The program was founded by Ann Wigmore, a raw foods pioneer who wrote about her own healing journey and remains an inspiration to many in the raw foods movement.
While there, I’ll be poked, prodded, diagnosed, given a personal treatment plan and then spend three weeks detoxing on a totally raw-foods, vegan diet under some of the best supervision available. I’m hoping that this major detox will help to clear out any last vestiges of candida and other chronic illness I’ve had for far too long. The program also includes a host of daily alternative therapies, plus lectures from leaders in the alternative health field. To be honest, this sounds like bliss to me!
In the recent survey I asked blog readers to complete, two of the most-requested topics of interest (after more recipes) were “personal posts about Ricki’s own health journey” and “informational posts about health issues.” My sojourn at Hippocrates is the perfect opportunity for me to report on both of those topics. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to receive an acupuncture treatment (and does it work?), or if you’re curious about what goes on “behind the scenes” at a holistic health clinic, or if you always wished you could have a colonic but were wary (um, hello) about undergoing the procedure–well, I’m your gal! While I’m there, I’ll share the scoop about the institute itself (location, setting, rooms, etc), the foods, the treatments I receive, as well as what I learn during the program. So stay tuned for my “Dispatches from the Health Front” in April–interspersed with more yummy recipes from guest posters, of course!
As always, I am so grateful to all of you for being here, throughout my years with candida and the ups and downs the condition can entail. Thank you for visiting each week and for leaving your insights, responses, comments, and questions. I love hearing from you. I hope this next leg of the journey will be equally compelling for all of us!
I look forward to catching up soon–from Hippocrates!
Ricki xo
And now, how about we make this Wellness Weekend finale a HUGE farewell party? Gimme what you’ve got! 😀
PLEASE DO NOT ADD YOUR GIVEAWAYS OR CONTESTS TO THE LINKYS BELOW–THEY ARE FOR RECIPES ONLY.
This Week’s Picks: Transform beans into hummus or burgers. Check out these recipes…
Smokey Beet Burgers from Clean Wellness. I love me a good beet burger! This one sounds terrific.
Purple Bean Patties from Strength & Sunshine. Another creative burger recipe! Get those BBQs ready!
Fava Bean Hummus from In Fine Balance. I tried fava bean hummus a few years ago and adored it. This one sounds divine!
Looking for more bean recipes? Here are some from the blog:
- Cauliflower, Parsnip and Bean Mash
- Fava Bean Balls with Cranberry-Tomato Chutney
- Lupini Beans with Olive Oil, Garlic and Sage
- Oil-Free Black Bean Dip or Spread
- Black Bean Fudge
And this week’s Readers’ Choices:
Readers’ Choice, Savory
Homemade Coconut Yogurt from Find Your Balance Health. The minute I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. You will, too.
Readers’ Choice, Sweet:
Pineapple Clouds from Worth Cooking. This pretty dessert is so simple, you won’t believe it. Sounds delish!
Thanks for joining in and sharing all your healthy, sugar-free and vegan recipes. I love seeing what you whip up each week! And I hope you’ll also share on Facebook, Pinterest, twitter and Instagram, too! Wellness Weekend even has its own group Pinterest board so you can keep track of each week’s links. Check it out right here.
Here’s How to Participate:
- Simply link up a vegan recipe you made (and posted about) that contains health-supporting ingredients. This means any good-for-you whole foods, especially those with antioxidant properties or “functional foods” (ie, offering naturally medicinal or health-promoting qualities–such as garlic, coconut oil, all vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.)–but any fresh, real food is welcome! No-no’s include white flour or sugar, highly processed foods, or animal products. Definite no-no’s include: cane sugar (evaporated or otherwise), sweeteners ending in -itol, margarines, or faux meat products. Items like vegan protein powder, grain or bean flours, or coconut milk are fine even though they are technically “processed,” since they either contain a single ingredient, or could technically be made at home. Also, please note that this is a vegan recipe event. A minor ingredient with a vegan option is fine, but if the main ingredient is intended to be meat or other animal product, your recipe likely belongs in a different link up event.
- This is a recipe event. Your blog post must contain a recipe.
- You may link up older posts from your archives as long as they contain a link to this post. Please do not link up any posts you have previously shared at an earlier Wellness Weekend event.
- Please link the post with your recipe, NOT your blog’s home page or another event page.
- You may submit up to three recipes, but please follow the guidelines for each one individually. ONLY ONE THUMBNAIL FROM EACH BLOG POST, PLEASE. If your post contains two suitable recipes, link up once and people will still see all your fabulous recipes when they click on the linky. 🙂
- Please mention this event and include a link back to this post so that others can find all the recipes posted!
- Feel free to use the blog badge, above (or see the left sidebar of this page–if you need the html code, let me know and I’ll send it to you). Many thanks to Adrienne of Whole New Mom for setting up the badge code for me!
PLEASE NOTE: In order to promote your posts and the event, I like to occasionally tweet, mention on Facebook, or pin your blog post(s). On occasion, I will repost your photos in the following week’s Wellness Weekend as well. If you prefer that I NOT use your photos or links, please let me know in the comments below, or send an email to me at ricki@rickiheller.com. Thanks! I will reluctantly remove any links that don’t comply. I apologize, but I will no longer be able to leave a comment telling you that I’ve removed a non-compliant link. I hate to have to remove links! PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES BEFORE POSTING! And now. . . what have you been cooking up lately? Please share!
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to RickiHeller.com via email. You’ll get recipes as soon as they’re posted, plus cookbook updates and news about upcoming events! (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”
[Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission from the sale.]
I’m honored to be featured on your last WW! sniff, sniff
It’s such a great recipe, Michelle! (And yes, sniff, sniff!).
I’m so glad I got a post into the last Wellness Weekend! How fortunate.
I do hope you find answers to your health concerns and I look forward to reading about your progress. Thank you for the shout-out!
I’m glad you did, too, Trish! 🙂 And thanks so much for the well(ness) wishes. 😉 I’m looking forward to the program, too–at the very least, I’ll eat healthy food and be there in a warm weather environment, both wonderful outcomes!
Ricki, how exciting that you’re going to Hippocrates Institute!!! I have been looking into the Ann Wigmore institute in Porto Rico. I might go there in the coming months. So sad that Wellness Weekend is coming to an end, but I guess that’s what happens with all great things. Wishing you all the best with your next endeavours. Cant wait to hear about your journey at the institute 🙂 xo
I too am sad to see this event go – but whole-heartedly support you stepping back to make time for other projects (and, hopefully, yourself!). Lots of luck for the final stages of the cookbook editing too 🙂
Thanks, Kari, for all the good wishes–I appreciate it! And yes, I’m hoping for a new balance once I return. It will be quite an adventure! 🙂
Boo hoo Ricki, all my blogging friends are retiring their linky parties…I will miss yours! Just don’t YOU go anywhere my friend!
I feel sad, too, Tessa, but also excited about what’s to come. And besides, it’s time for some of the up-and-coming bloggers to pick up the mantle and start events of their own! 🙂 No worries about me. . . I am staying right here. This blog–and all the friends I’ve met through it–mean the world to me, and that’s actually where my priorities lie, part of the reason I retired WW. 🙂 xo
Last Wellness Weekend! So sad.
But your right–“If only there were 36 hours in a day!”
So excited for your candida book. I agree with others–more personal stuff about your health journey. That’s always helpful!
Again, I’m soo sad that this is the last #WW. I’ve been introduced to a plethora of other vegan/whole foods blogs because of this event. Thanks for hanging in there & hosting it for so long. I imagine it was a ton of work for you. You’re a trooper!
ox
Janae, you are just the sweetest–thank you! I do hope my reports from the Institute will be helpful to others going through health issues or contemplating other kinds of treatment. I’m sad about WW too–this is really the end of an era–but I’m looking forward to what is to come. 🙂 xo
I’m so sad you are discontinuing your Wellness Weekends! But I am happy that you are doing so for good reasons and am honored to participate in your last one. I will miss these but am glad you will still be around. All the best with resolving your health issues. Wendy
Thank you so much, Wendy! It’s been great seeing your recipes over the past while, and so glad you’re here in the “finale”! 🙂
It is sad to see such a great link party go, but you must do what is best for you. Many blessings on your journey! I look forward to reading more about what you’ll be doing.
Thanks so much, Sonja. (And this means there’s an opening for someone else to start a new link party. . .!!) 😉 Thanks for the good wishes–I am excited for the changes to come! 🙂
I have so many mixed feelings! First of all, I’m so happy for you and for the path your life has taken. You have helped so many people on their path to wellness. And I’m excited about your LTP program and hope you’ll be able to find some answers and improved wellness. I hope you’ll blog about your experience! I’m so sad about WW but I completely understand how time consuming a weekly link up party is. Thanks for all you’ve done. I’ll miss this event, but I look forward to continue following you on your journey!
xo,
Heather
I do, too, Heather! Thank you for your sweet comment. 🙂 I look forward to sharing my reports about the LTP program, too–so yes, I will definitely blog about my experience, if not during, then certainly after I complete it! The Institute doesn’t allow electronic devices on site at all, so no phone/blog/etc while I’m there during the day, but I plan to write up reports in the evenings if possible. And I’m sure you know how much work a linky is, since you have your own, too! xoxo
I’m excited for you Ricki, I am thrilled to see you putting yourself first and taking the steps you need to feel amazing health. Which is exactly what you deserve. xo
Thanks, Maggie, I appreciate it! I’m no good to anyone else unless I’m healthy, right? So yes, I finally figured out that’s what I need to do. 😉 xo
Wishing you all the best for this exciting journey! The book’ and your time at Hippocrates. I want to come with you! Sounds amazing. I really hope that this is the end of your health problems. You deserve to be well!
Much love x
I forgot to say thank you for all the effort you’ve put into Wellness Weekends over the years. I’ve so enjoyed being part of it and discovered lots of fab blogs through it 🙂
So good to know, Emma, thank you! That’s part of what it’s for. 🙂
What an era it has been! You have no idea how many people you have inspired with your beautiful blog and hard work! I will always be a loyal reader 🙂 Hope you’re able to find the help you need! Gotta do what feels right for you 🙂
Thank you so much, Davida, and for your kind words. 🙂 At the very least, I see this as a real adventure. . . and it does feel right! 😀
Hi Ricki–Well, I’m both very surprised, but not really surprised. I don’t know how you’ve managed all you’ve been doing for at least a year! You constantly amaze me! Real life always talks precedence over blogging, of course, but it seems like you’ve found a way to make both work together and it’s exactly what us, your readers, are interested in. 🙂 Wishing you all the best for this next phase of your journey, dear!
I’ve linked up an older, but favorite recipe of mine, Non-Taboo Tabouli/Taboulleh, which is also pretty non traditional, but so good! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Aw, thank you, Shirley. One of the “real life” perks of this blog is getting to know other bloggers IRL (as you’d say!). And I’m so glad that you are one of those new friends! Thank you so much for all your support over the years. As I’m sure you well know, it’s sometimes a very fine balance! 😉 And the taboo-lee sounds great! 😉
You are just extraordinarily fabulous, Ricki. It sounds like it was no easy decision to let this phase of the blog go, and it will surely be missed, but you know that we’re always eager to see posts from you and interact with you in myriad ways. Plus, this experience at the Hippocrates Institute will, as you say, be bliss to you, and we look forward to hearing your updates. May you find the healing that you need, and may you find the bliss that you seek 🙂
Big hugs,
Christina
Christina, thank you so much for your comment, which touches me deeply! I really appreciate your kind words and support. And to be honest, my favorite part of the blog IS interacting with the readers–I am hoping this change will give me more opportunities to do just that. 🙂
I will certainly miss your weekly link ups – but I know I’ll still be coming around for your great stuff!!! Thank you for all of your hard work!!!
I’ll miss them, too, Chelsea! And thanks so much for your kind comment. I appreciate it! 🙂
A beloved event, but I’m so excited for you and your next steps!
Thanks, Alisa. It *is* kind of exciting, isn’t it? 😀 xo
I don’t know how you keep up with it all! Some things have to give sometimes. Good luck with the poking and prodding at HHI. It sounds so interesting since I’m a nurse and hope good results come from the detox.
Aw, thanks, Deb. But clearly, I can’t keep up with it all! 😉 Thanks for the good wishes. . . and hope that I can report about it in a way that’s interesting to you as well as non-medical people, too. 🙂
Awwwww, sad to see it go, but I know from experience that it’s a lot of work to host these link-ups. Thanks for all of the work that you did and can’t wait to see more from the fabuloso Ricki Heller! :0)
Thank you so much, Carrie! I’m sure you do know, as your own event was around for a long time! I hope you’re enjoying the extra time to work on your own projects. And thanks for your kind words! 🙂
I hope everything goes great for you at Hippocrates! I can’t wait to hear all about it. I would love to go someday. Good luck with finishing your book and I am another reader that will miss WW, but totally get it! Thanks for everything you do Ricki!
Thanks so much, Cherie! I appreciate the support. 🙂 I’m planning to post from the institute if I am able–but at the least, when I get back. I’ll be taking notes! 😀
Thanks for hosting again Ricki! This week I’m sharing my ranch hummus- tastes just like Cool Ranch Doritos!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Gabby–you, too! 🙂
Be well. Ricki. So glad that you are taking time to take care of yourself. I will miss WW but will keep watching to see what wonderful things you come up with next 🙂
Thank you so much, Marianne! I will miss it, too. Thanks for the kind words. . . I’ll aim for wonderful! 😀
Thank you so much for being such a fabulous host for the Wellness Weekends. I’ve met so many wonderful bloggers through these events and been so inspired by all the recipes. All good things must come to an end though, and while we’re saying goodbye to one fab blog feature, we’ll be looking forward to the new ♥
I’m really sorry to hear about your on going health issues. I really hope the Life Transformation Program gives you the answers you need. Sending lots of love & healing wishes xx
Thank you, Sharon! I’m so glad that the event has been an inspiration to you and your blogging. I’ve always enjoyed seeing all the great recipes that everyone submits. But I agree–hopefully this will be “hello” to something equally exciting and interesting! And thanks for the good wishes re: health issues. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Ricki! What can I say? I am, of course, very sad to see the end of Wellness Weekend. It has been so much fun to be apart of such a talented and creative community and I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to participate. I wish you the very best on your journey to health, wholeness & well-being and trust you are in good hands. Please keep us posted!
And maybe Wellness Weekend will see a return once you’re back in action? I’d love that and I know I’m not the only one! It has been such a great place for me to put myself and my recipes out there. Is there anything similar out there right now you could suggest? It seems a lot of recipe linkups are fizzling out these days…
Anyways! I wish you all the best and can’t wait to hear more about your journey
Allie
Thanks so much for your kind words, Allie! I agree, WW generated one of the *most* creative recipe communities out there (me? biased? no way!!) 😉 Thanks, too, for your good wishes about Hippocrates! 🙂
I don’t know too many other events, but there’s Allergy-Free Wednesdays hosted by Whole New Mom and a few others, and Healthy Vegan Fridays on Hello Veggie. I’m sure there must be more, but I just don’t know them!
Thanks for running wellness weekend Ricki, certainly taken a lot of inspiration from the recipes since I’ve been following!
You and your event will be missed. Best of luck with your journey to find health and happiness! You helped me along on my journey and it will always be appreciated.
Hi Ricki! I have only recently found your site, and love the support and recipes. I’m sorry to hear about your health challenges, and wish you a strong recovery in an environment of medical, physical, and spiritual well being. Be
Thanks, Beryl, so kind of you to say! I think you’ve described the environment there to a tee–and I am looking forward to being in it! 🙂
Congratulations on your next part of your journey Ricki! I’m so excited for everything that lies ahead for you, and I can’t wait to read your next updates. xo, Carol
Thanks, Carol!! I have no idea what to expect, but for once, that seems to feel okay. 🙂 Looking forward to it, and to reporting here!
I must say Sniff!! Like Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free’s Slight Indulgent Tuesdays, your Wellness Weekends were a lifesaver when I started on my Gluten-Free journey nearly four years ago. Through these mediums, I found blogs that I absolutely love and visit every day, because I know their recipes work, and I will have no trouble eating them. Thank you! I will keep visiting you to see what new recipes you cook up.
It’s “sniff” for me, too–but glad that you found many blogs that you like through the event! 🙂
What a way to end the WW with all those lovely recipe ideas. The pictures look absolutely fantastic, especially the pineapple cloud! Yum
Oh dear how did I miss this post – I am late to the farewell party – too late to bring a dish but never too late to say I will miss wellness weekends – it has been a great opportunity to share my food but mostly to browse other people’s food and I’ve always enjoyed your chatty introductions. Good luck with the program – hope it has some good effects
Hi Ricki,
I’m totally behind on reading blog posts, and I”m delighted to hear that you’re exploring your health in a new way. Here’s to hoping it’s the beginning of a wonderful new avenue!
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I loved every minute. And I’m waaaay behind, too! 😉