When a self-proclaimed Eco-sexual who is also a Sexologist goes shopping, what does she buy? Here’s 10!

At the start of 2014, I set the intention to take a week-long personal retreat every three months amongst other ones made. I am on my fourth of four week-long retreats for 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week (Sept 24 – Oct 1, 2014). Read about how I cried on my way up in the bus here.

This week, I am in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I am fortunate in being able to retreat in a beautiful space in exchange for cat-sitting service. I am still seeing clients on a limited basis via skype.

The Makings of An Eco-Sexual

Once unpacked, I decided some shopping was in order to help me settle down and be more comfortable. Now some people express shock when I tell them this: I am a long-time vegetarian (seven years on) and gluten-free since the start of this year.

Also a highly sensitive person, it took me a long time to realise what was causing chronic fatigue and stomache bloatness. An easy book to read to understand about gluten intolerance is Life After Bread.

When I realised ignoring the symptoms could lead to malnutrition as well as incurable illnesses and diseases, I radically changed my diet – never with the intention to lose weight but to be healthier. When you have a mom with stage 4 breast cancer, your perspective and priorities in life shift.

On Gratitude and Compassion

Things I am consistently grateful for on a daily basis include:

1. Being alive
2. Being abled bodied
3. Being healthy
4. Having parents who are still alive
5. My friends who love and support me
6. My work and my ability to help others

The longer I remained a vegetarian, and the more I learned and understood about the suffering of animals, the more my compassion towards humanity developed. The more I felt for others, the more I sought to learn about what else I could do to help others including improve my own life. So much so, I started my own Eco Sex online campaign in 2013. All content is free here.

These are some of the items I bought:

1) Avocados

Not all fat is bad and to be avoided. It is a well known fact that avocados prevent unwanted inflammation within our body. In addition, according to WebMD: “Avocados are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C, K, folate, and B6. Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat. One globe contains more than one-third the daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K.”

2) Honey

Not all sugars are created equal. Honey is known for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Holistic practitioners consider it one of nature’s best all-around remedies. Always try and reach for raw, organic honey in order to reap the most benefits. A natural energy booster, honey can also improve your immune system and clear up your skin – amongst other things. More here.

3) Chocolate

The milk, sugar, and butter that goes into chocolate is good for your taste buds, not always good for your health. Go for healthy chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao (or cocoa, which is cacao in its roasted, ground form). Packed with healthy chemicals like flavonoids and theobromine, this little bean is a disease-killing bullet. A study showed that female participants who consumed at least one cube of chocolate a day experienced more active libidos and better overall sexual function than those who didn’t indulge. Yeah, small amounts.

4) Beetroot

Beetroot is a dark red vegetable linked with better stamina, improved blood flood and lower blood pressure. Low in fat, beetroots are an excellent source of folic acid, iron, vitamins A and C and a very good source of fibre, manganese and potassium. The British Dietetic Association says beetroot contains flavonoids called anthocyanins and anthocyanins can help with recovery from the stress of exercise during training and competition as well as helping to counter the effects of pollution on the body.

5) Lemons

I bought them so I can make lemon water. I usually drip seven drops of Young Living Lemon into a glass of warm water and drink it in the morning. However for some reason, I forgot to bring it on this trip and so, bought lemons. Being on retreat, lemon water is especially appropriate for flushing out the toxins in my body, and aiding in my sensitive digestive system. More here.

6) Coconut Water

Low in calories, naturally fat- and cholesterol free, more potassium than four bananas, and super hydrating, there is a health craze going on: Coconut water. I started drinking more of it when I realised it helped with my often “heaty” body. While it may not be all it is made out to be, I buy coconut water because I love it. And we all know how important it is to follow our pleasures!

7) Baby Butterhead

Of all the raw greens out there, Baby Butterhead is my favourite. I am Chinese. We cook everything – stem, boil, fried our food. Hence I am late in incorporating salad into my diet. In fact, I still prefer my food cooked. But salads are good for me. My body feels lighter and smiles from within when I eat them, and so I make myself eat them raw at least once a week (on top of the other greens I ate everyday as a vegetarian). More here.

8) Recyclable Toilet Paper

We all use it. Why recyclable when it’s going to go down the drain anyway? Recycled paper is better for the environment than virgin paper because (a) it helps divert waste paper away from landfill; and (b) its manufacture is less damaging to the environment when compared to the manufacture of virgin. I cannot keep doing what’s cheaper knowing it’s hurting the environment, and rather be at peace with the little difference I am making with my dollar. More here.

9) Bawang Herbal Hair Conditioner

I did not have time to buy a new hair conditioner before I came out, and was surprised to see this brand which claims to be a herbal one – with ingredients like Ginseng and Gingko. Since I always go for natural where possible and avoiding parabeans which disrupts our hormones, this was the best option in the shop. Avoid parabeans – more here!

10) Hair Tie

This rainbow-coloured hair tie brought a little smile to my face. Perhaps more well suited for a little child, I wanted it for myself! Nothing better than to begin my retreat with a little something celebratory item with happy colours!

There you have it: the 10 items in the grocery bag of a self-proclaimed eco-sexual who is also a sexologist. What are your must-buys when you go grocery shopping? I want to hear from you below!

I’d like to invite you to view:

• Sign up for my three FREE videos on becoming more eco-conscious here.
• Find out why I cried on the bus on my way up to K.L. here.
• Read my previous post about the first of my 4th week-long retreat here.
• Check out how you can run a self-retreat here!
  

More posts about this week-long retreat coming up. Follow this blog!

If you liked this post, please leave your comments on Facebook and Twitter and in the meantime, keep loving, live life fully and stay lovely!

Dr. Martha Tara Lee is Founder and Clinical Sexologist of Eros Coaching. She is a certified sexologist with a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She provides sexuality and intimacy coaching for individuals and couples, conducts sexual education workshops and speaks at public events. For more, visit www.ErosCoaching.com or email info@eroscoaching.com.