I use Western medicine as needed, but if you have followed me then you know I am more into the holistic approach. In Western medicine, doctors look at the body, its organs, and blood vessels and so on, in order to check for disease and try to find a cure. In Ayurvedic (EYE-your-VEE-dik) medicine from India, practitioners of this ancient form of healing look at the energies in the body to explain disease and dis-ease. In doing so, they can then balance the energy in the body.

My ND did this whole holistic sinus - iris contraction test on me at our last appointment a few months ago where she took her flashlight and shined it at my sinuses and eyes. You can do this at home in a slightly darker room. Wait a minute to allow your pupils to dilate (open) fully. Then, shine your flashlight into your eyes, and watch the reaction of your pupils for at least 30 seconds.

What happens is that the light normally causes your iris to contract, making your pupils smaller. Normally, they should stay that way, however that's different if you have adrenal gland fatigue. Then the iris will be weak and will not be able to hold the contraction. You iris will either waver between contracted and relaxed, or will contract initially, but then open up after 10-30 seconds. So why am I talking about adrenals, while the chakra system is linked to your endocrine system. Each of our glands are connected to one of our seven chakras. So the Ayurvedic doctor (and the ND's that lean into Ayurvedic practices) can tap into those seven powerful energy centers of the body, that we call chakras, in order to increase health, vitality, and greater mental and spiritual powers.

The word chakra means wheel or vortex in in the ancient language Sanskrit. I love Sanskrit. My coaching business is Bija (seed) as I was planting my future. So if we think about the wheel of life, our chakras are pictured as being located at certain points of the body and are viewed as a flat disk spinning from the back of the body to the front and back around again.

The seven chakras, their location and their colors are:

1-The Root Chakra - buttocks,-red

2-The Navel, Sex or Sacral Chakra – belly button, orange

3-The Solar Plexus Chakra – the spot just underneath the center of your rib cage, yellow

4-The Heart Chakra - the center of your chest, green

5-The Throat Chakra - your neck,blue

6-The Third Eye Chakra - the point between your eyes just above the bridge of your nose, indigo

7-The Crown Chakra - the top or crown of your head, violet

When I was attuned in Reiki I had my eyes closed and there was this little spark that I saw, and it seemed to be far away. After that I slowly saw colors and it went through all of the colors of the seven chakras we are talking about today. I completely understand why that is now, but let's just say it was a magical unicorn experience.

So when we're out of balance and we get an energy healing session, why do we feel so much better? Chakras that are out of balance can result in a range of health and relationship issues. Chakras that are in balance can lead to harmony, prosperity, and high mental and spiritual power.

If a doctor were to cut us open, they would not see the chakras. This is because they are contained within the subtle energy body. There are also three main channels in the body, the right, left and central channels. The right and left are narrow and balance male and female energies and are pictured as white and red. They begin at the navel chakra and meet at the third eye chakra in the middle of your forehead.

All of the chakras are connected via the central channel, pictured as broad, white and just a bit in front of your spinal column. It runs from your root to your crown chakra. Working to balance each chakra or move energy up and down the central channel is said to promote the health of body, mind and spirit.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in your life or experiencing poor health, it might be time to explore Ayurvedic medicine to balance your chakras and improve your life or have a distance energy healing session done. How it works is that you purchase the session. I will email you for a time and ask for a photo to use in my healing practice. At that time you will find a quite spot to lie down, and receive the universal energy source. It's really amazing, and I'd love to share this gift with you.

Have you ever wanted to do one of those charcoal masks? I see them peeling off their healthy skin and just want to cry at the damage they are doing. As a licensed professional in the beauty industry as well as a Certified Aromatherapist, I would rather you use something gentle on your skin. You know I love essential oils. For the skin I recommend using calcium bentonite clay, and the one I love is harvested from the soil of pure volcanic ash in an organic paradise on an island in Fiji.  

Calcium Bentonite Mineral clay is the ONLY clay on the market that has FDA approval for being 100% organic. There are thousands of different types of clay in the world, but not all clay is created equal. Calcium Bentonite Clay (a green clay) is the rarest form of clay in the Smectite family, meaning that it will swell with water. True bentonite is a clay rock made from volcanic ashes. Bentonite is mainly made of smectite, but you may also find carbonates, pyrite, quartz in it. Green clays are not only the most desirable type, but the only type recommended by the FDA for ingestion.

Bentonite Clay is a unique clay due to its ability to produce an "electrical charge" when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals

The Calcium Bentonite Clay I use with my clients is milled to the nest levels with a 325 screen mess and has a 30 to 1 ratio and a pH of 9.0 – 9.7. Clay of this quality is said to awaken stagnant energy and propel the immune system to find a new healthy balance. Your body’s reactions are not forced, but triggered, into effect as needed.

This is rich and luxurious! I take it orally, add it into my bath soak or use it in a facial mask like the one below.

Clay Facial Mask:

Ingredients:
2 tsp calcium bentonite clay
2 tsp apple cider vinegar (acv)
1 drop of Frankincense Essential Oil
1 drop Lavender Essential Oil
1 drop Melaleuca / Tea Tree Essential Oil

Directions:
Combine clay and acv in a bowl and stir well until combined.
Add essential oils
Apply to clean skin, avoiding the areas around the eyes and mouth.
Let dry for 5 - 15 minutes.
Rinse with warm water and follow with moisturizer.

Tip: For a thicker mask add an additional 1/2 tsp of clay.

via IFTTT
Updated Second Edition #Paleo #Vegan Kindle book. #Nourished In 30 : The #PaleoVegeo Plan. If I can ever get the cover template to work we'll have a paperback version as well.
Here's a little instamood from my day. Joy, Food, Paleo Vegeo, Vegan joy I hope.

In light of all the damage chronic stress can do to your body and the negative effect it can have on your overall health and wellbeing, are you ready to embrace rest and relaxation? Start to become more aware of the stress you’re under. It’s much easier to start addressing the problem once you’ve become aware of it. 

High blood pressure is a serious and widespread problem for people around the world, including my husband for a short time. However we changed his diet and changes his life. It is often recommended that among lifestyle changes, diet can play a hefty role in attaining a healthier, higher quality of life. An advantage of using diet to modify blood pressure, is that foods typically do not have the side effects such as those common with the use of medication. For example the DASH diet is often recommended and uses calcium, magnesium and potassium rich foods to combat high blood pressure. However we know that most people aren't going to change their diet and stick with it if they don't change their mindset, and if they don't change their cravings.

I love recommended you increase your beta-glucans. You're like, WHAT in the world is that? Well most of us healthy folks used to get this in our oatmeal. But people are afraid of oats now, and I agree in the instance of non gluten-free oats. However we need these complex carbohydrates that encourage a slower digestive process for the body. In fact there are so many research studies right now on beta-glucans that are so encouraging for our health. One reason I added my low glycemic plant based shake into my diet was for the mushrooms. These mushrooms are good sources of beta-glucans. My two shakes a day contain juice powder from Agaricus bisoporus – commonly known as the Portobello mushroom (when mature) or the button or crimini mushroom (when smaller) – the most widely consumed mushroom in the world. So not only do you get Vitamin D from your happy little mushrooms, but you get that healthy complex food to help your digestion.

Bananas are well known for their high potassium content. They can be used in a variety of ways to suit your needs and tastes. You can cut it up, blend it into a smoothie, or simply peel it and eat it. Potassium is absorbed by the body much more efficiently through ingestion of foods than through supplements, so try adding banana to healthy desserts and snacks. I can't eat bananas because of my latex allergy. I love to grab a sweet potato, or winter squash. But for the Paleo Vegeo follower an avocado is probably the BEST potassium rich food you can grab and go with because it also has those heart healthy monounsatured fats!

So let's talk about fats since health through food is about balance. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which are seriously important for heart and arterial health. Western diets typically contain heavy doses of omega-6 fatty acids which destabilize the delicate balance between the two types. These are found in fish, or you can simply take a supplement. I take a healthy vegan omega because where do you think the fish get the omega-3's from? That's right, algae is the omega source. I use an algae oil as well in my turmeric ginger coconut milk.



Of course my favorite daily staple is my matcha green tea! Green tea has become famous for it’s amazing health benefits around the world. It contains a wide array of antioxidants and polyphenols. The polyphenols in green tea have been found to increase blood flow and improve blood pressure. Studies have proven that drinking just a few cups a day can widen arteries by almost 40 percent, and tea drinkers have been found to have a lower risk of heart disease, so you might want to try a cup of green tea today!

via IFTTT
Time for #lunch!! I told my husband it was field day. We go to meet our friends, we play in a field, we eat. ;) #shredlife #PaleoVegeo #nomnom. #homeschool #fieldday #joyday
Here's a little instamood from my day. Joy, Food, Paleo Vegeo, Vegan joy I hope.

via IFTTT
#Dinner!! I love Sunday nights with my family. Toodles! #nomnom #happyplace #PaleoVegeo #vegan #yum
Here's a little instamood from my day. Joy, Food, Paleo Vegeo, Vegan joy I hope.

I had so much fun creating a few items yesterday. I used to design tees for kids, and when I closed the business I put most of the popular designs online. So a week ago my daughter, the artist, says she wants to create her own t-shirts I was so excited. So first we put together her first two designs after coming up with her name. I was so proud because these are hand drawn sketches of hers that she wants to share. She was a baby in a front wrap pouch when I was running EMomShop all of those years ago. I would design, and code while she slept. It was after that when I looked at myself and thought, "Wow, I have got to get healthier for this kid!" And I have, and will continue every day to do something more me that makes me a better mom.


We bought a treadmill and I was so excited because I have missed mine so much. And of course the first thing she wanted to know was when could she get on it. So after I did my 45 minutes this morning, with some intervals thrown in; she jumped on the treadmill and did 20. She did a little walking, some hills, and jogged. That's my girl!!

So back to yesterday. I was looking at her two designs and I decided that I should make a few items to share my love of this Paleo Vegeo movement we've created. And it's not all for the ladies. I have a great tee for the guys, and a mug for your golden turmeric or Bulletproof coffee so that you look manly drinking it. Of course I do. I also have a few kids items. However, it is just another fun way to share that we are paleo, but we are also filling our plates high with vegetables. I know that some of my followers are vegetarian, and some even pescatarian, but my goal is to share as many vegan recipes on my Facebook page, and in my W30 and Shred groups, to help people be vegan as often as they can.


I will be really excited to share the growth of my daughter's store as she continues to grow it. She's a pretty amazing girl, with such a heart for animals and other humans. It makes me super proud just to watch her life experiences.