Super Food Smoothie

It is freezing in New York, I currently have no heat in my apartment, and I'm battling with an upper respiratory infection. Enough reasons to give my body some extra needed TLC. Actually, my body always deserves extra TLC yet I tend to neglect this wonderful vessel I was given.

So, in an attempt to start the new year healthier than in previous years, I decided to try something that I've avoided like the plague thus far: KALE! I figured I go with a smoothy to ease my way into this leafy green super food.

The drink in the picture looks more like a witches brew but this is all a matter of perception. While the general idea of a witches brew is something less pleasing and with eyeballs and a toad floating around in the green and smoky liquid (maybe I'm exaggerating a tad bit), in ancient times, a witches brew was actually medicinal as it included healing herbs.

In this case, I strongly go with the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" as I was surprised how amazingly good this smoothie tasted! It tasted fruity, refreshing, and it lacked any traces of kale. Had I not seen the green color prior to tasting it, I would have guessed maybe a berry or yellow color.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of kale, washed and chopped into pieces
• 1 cup of pineapple, fresh if possible
• 1 banana
• handful of frozen berries
• 1 tbsp honey
• 6 drops of Propolis Extract
• 1/2 cup of water

Mix all in a blender until smooth!

You practically can mix anything you want into this smoothy! The other day I made one and added a kiwi and Acai Powder. Other variations that I can think of include the use of orange essential oils (make sure they are Food Grade, Grade A, 100% pure!) or Ningxia Red Wolfberry Juice... 

Stay healthy and Happy Smoothie Day!

Self-Talk or How We Communicate

Did you wake up with a smile today or did you more feel like you wanted to disappear under the covers in your bed?

It seems that some people are just genuinely predisposed to a more happy attitude than others. Some people are just perky in the morning, smiling all day as if nothing every affects them. They greet you with a "Hello Dear" or "Have a sunny day" attitude while others are just down and feeling blue, barely able to mumble a grumpy "Hi" especially on a Monday morning. Nothing seems to be going right as if they got up and jumped out of bed with the wrong leg first (you know... I always step out of my bed with my right leg first. Don't you also have this one-leg-routine that seems to define how your day is going?!).

I heard different theories for those two different types of people. One theory is connected to the day one was born, e.g. Sunday children have a sunny attitude and things go smoothly for them. Sunday children drew the joker card (yeah right!). While e.g. a child born on Wednesday would then naturally be predisposed to difficulties in life; a life where nothing comes easy and hard work determines the faith of the individual.

Another theory, and one that I can relate to a lot better than my birth-day-influence, is in the thoughts I think. Buddha stated,

"The mind is everything. What you think, you become."

Picture taken from
http://apageofmyown.com/

Now that is a very powerful concept! It also is very true! It took me a long time to reframe my thinking and it still is a conscious effort to choose my words wisely (just FYI: I was born on a Sunday). I used to think "my life sucks," or "I'm terrible at doing xyz," or "I'm totally stressed and burnt out." Everything I felt was "translated" into something negative; simply because I did not feel positively about my life or myself. It never occurred to me that by switching the way I think I also would be switching the way I feel.  So instead of saying "my life sucks" I am telling myself that "my life is less than perfect" - I am reframing a negative statement or thought into something more pleasant simply by the words I use.

Just the other day I really did not sleep well, had nightmares and woke up after only 4 hours of sleep. I instantly thought, "Crap! I have a long day ahead of me and I slept lousy. I'm so tired." Having just attended an Energy Kinesiology class where I learned a lot more about the power of the words we use in every day life, I "erased" my initial thought and instead said, "Even though I could have slept better, I make the best out of this day." Just by using different words I got enough energy to jump out of bed (with my right leg first) and started the day. And, it turned out to be a pretty good day! Was it because I used my right leg to get out of bed?! Hm... I do wonder :)

So, think about the words you use in your daily communication with yourself as well as with others. Instead of saying "I've had a terrible day." - say "I've not had a good day." Use positive words to describe something that was less than good or less than perfect (previously stated as something "bad"). Another very powerful thought would be instead of "I cannot do this" to say to yourself "I have yet to master it."

If you are "sick and tired" of your negative self-talk or communication with others, say that you "had enough" of it and adopt a new vocabulary.

Create the life that you want by choosing your words aka thoughts wisely. The choice is all yours!

Divine Light ღ

Lovingness for my Skin

Yesterday, I made a new batch of facial & body cream in one, as I had run out of my all-time-favorite Lavender Cream. I was using a hand cream I had made with Jasmine which is lovely but not as good for my face as the Lavender Cream I had made before.
So I went to my kitchen and started calculating how many milligram (I measure in mg because it is more accurate then ounces) I need for a 3 ounces. I ended up with a pint and 1 oz because what I did not calculate in is that by whipping the ingredients together, you get a fluffy consistency and just like whipped cream is getting more by whipping it, cream is reacting the same way.

Anyway, I ended up with a wonderful cream that is going to last me until the beginning of next year :)

Here is a list of ingredients that I used:

60% Liquids

• Distilled Water

30% Organic Oils & Butter:

• Almond, Apricot, Borage, Wheat Germ, Hemp Seed, Calendula, Vitamin E, and Shea Butter.

10% Waxes & Emulsifiers: 

• Beeswax & Vegetable Emulsifying Wax

Essential Oils by Young Living:

• Australian Blue, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium & Lavender. 

Extras:

• I also added a little bit of Aloe Vera. 

The consistency of the cream is light, not oily and non-greasy, spreads easily and has an incredible aroma. 

Treat yourself to something special & homemade!!! 

Shopping at the Universal Love Grocery Store

For about three weeks now, I meditate daily. It is something I always wanted to do but never "found the time for it." How silly because now that I am actively doing it, it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. So, every morning I sit down and start focusing on my breath. First I just breathe, focusing on each breath as it fills my lungs and leaves my body again. I feel the coolness of the morning air transform into a comforting and centering massage of my internal organs. 


Once I found my rhythm, I start to consciously breathe in Only Good Energy and Universal Love Energy. I keep on breathing in only this vibrant energy that is available to all of us. 
I breathe out all my fears and worries, my negative thoughts that I had the day before, the nightmares I might have had over night, and the anticipated negative thoughts I might have over the present day. I breathe out prejudices I have against myself and others, and I breathe out all self-doubt. Any negative chatter that goes on in my mind has to go! I no longer want it because I no longer need it. It does not serve any purpose! I release all that I no longer want or need, everything that keeps me from living in the present and that holds me back from going forward. 


Since I let go of so much, I need to fill the space with good and positive energy. So this is when I start my shopping spree. I go shopping at the Universal Love Grocery Store. It is my favorite store because it has everything I could possibly want and need. I fill my shopping cart with Love, Peace, Harmony, Faith, Creativity, Joy, Happiness, Financial Abundance, Passion, Self-Confidence and everything else I want to nourish my body and soul with. I take all these things because it is my birthright to feel amazing and great! I breathe them in and I feel how I live this amazing life.


I breathe in all the goodness the Universe has to offer and I breathe it out. In and out. In an out. I can feel this continuous cycle of Only Good Energy flowing. I take each breath to nourish myself. I take each breath for the greater good of myself and others. 


Namaste ॐ

What is Buddhism?

In my life I have made many serious mistakes, disappointments, lies, and have hurt many people. For me the very essence of my spirituality relies on me learning to see the good in bad, no matter how difficult it may be. When I first started to study Buddhism, I learned that the true path to a good life first begins with facing your past. Karma is everywhere, no matter how little or big the evil deeds were. If you want to cleanse your spirit, you have to own up to your past. This to me was horrifying, to have to face all the shit that I have done, but I knew in my heart this was the only way. Buddhism has taught me to face my fears, and never regret. If there is one thing I know in life to be true, it’s that accidents don’t happen. Everything happens for a reason, good or bad, these circumstances in our lives are there to teach us lessons. I can look back at every hardship in my life and appreciate it and can honestly say I have learned from it. Although at the time my lesson learned may not have been clear, I always trusted in my heart that with faith I will always survive. I am the person that I am today, and proud of it, because of my past. You cannot stress over problems you have no control over, for example; if you do not have money to pay rent, worrying yourself sick will do you no good. Instead of worrying…why not take action, so you can’t pay rent….ok …what are your next available options? Another major part of Buddhism I learned is never be afraid to ask for help. Western culture teaches us to suffer in silence, not to let people know your problems, pretend everything is ok, look like a happy family. If you live your life like this then you will truly never know how many people around you were suffering right along with you. We must communicate and express our feelings openly and honestly.
It’s ok to be imperfect; and make mistakes, it doesn’t matter what you look like, it doesn’t matter who you love, it doesn’t matter how much or how little money you have, there is no such thing as being smart or dumb, it’s not about bad or good. In Buddhism we are all equal, we are all reflections of one another, in every person lies a piece of yourself. Buddhism is about loving yourself just the way you are, loving one another with openheartedness. It is being honest even when everything important to you is on the line. It’s about finding happiness within yourself, regardless of your circumstances. Only you can fill the emptiness that lies within you, we all have the capability to do so. As soon as you realize that true happiness comes from within, then you will be able to conquer all of life’s challenges with a smile. Suffering is a state of mind, not surrounding circumstances.


Previously posted by Firemonster on the blog Naturally on 10/5/09

Peace & Calming Essential Oil

Peace & Calming is one of my favorite Essential Oils and it is part of the Essential 7 package that Young Living offers as August promotion. The name "Peace & Calming" says it all :) It is one of the oils that I carry with me wherever I go.

Peace & Calming has this lovely citrusy scent (Tangerine and Orange) with a hint of Patchouly, Ylang Ylang, and Blue Tansy. Whenever I smell this scent, I am reminded of freshly peeled oranges, a fresh breeze, and a bed of wildflowers growing in a valley. It has earthy qualities and I find it extremely grounding. Yet at the same time, the floral spiciness makes it very uplifting.

Tangerine is a sedative, diuretic, and decongestant. It helps stimulate the lymphatic system to release toxins.
Orange releases stagnant energy, is an antidepressant and sedative. It is excellent for calming the nervous system. It also is an antispasmodic and releases tension, frustration, anxiety, or fear.
Patchouli is a balancing oil. It helps bring body and mind together. It is grounding and a great oil to counteract a "spaced out" feeling.
Ylang Ylang is restorative and has a calming effect on the circulatory system. It also brings out feelings of joy and even euphoria. It is an analgesic, anti-depressant, and has sedative qualities.
Blue Tansy has a soothing effect on the respiratory system. It is an analgesic and sedative. It is great for muscle tension as it releases and breaks down stress.

I use this oil every time I feel stressed or whenever I need a calming influence. During the day, at the end of a long day, or for a good night sleep, this oil is wonderful! It calms the nervous system, relieves anxiety and tension, promotes relaxation, and helps with insomnia. It also may be good for hyperactive children since it has calming effects.

The way I use this oil is multi-fold. I diffuse it, inhale it neat directly out of the bottle, and/or I drop one drop on my wrists and rub both wrists together. At night before I go to sleep, I rub a few drops into the soles of my feet for a blissful and rejuvenating sleep. Also rub it into the back of your neck to get a good effect of the calming sensation. Nerve endings along the spine are very receptive and responsive. Use it in meditation and visualization. I frequently diffuse it (with permission of clients) during Hypnotherapy sessions. It allows the mind to go deeper into relaxation and aids in visualization and goal achievement. A friend of mine is using it in massage therapy as well as reflexology. It is a wonderful addition to any massage to foster relaxation.

As with any essential oil, please use caution to avoid an allergic reaction. Also, if you are pregnant or suffer from a medical condition, consult with your physician prior to using - especially if you are using an essential oil for a specific purpose.

Feel calm and at ease at all times and flow with the rhythm of life   ૐ


PS: If you are interested in ordering Young Living Products, here is a link that explains How to and how to become a member now. In case you stumbled across this blog by pure coincidence (and by the way, there are no coincidences) then I would appreciate if you used my number 1017600 as enrolled and sponsor.

Conscious vs Unconscious Minds

Did something like the following every happen to you:

You get in your car because you want to drive to the supermarket. You start driving and all of a sudden, you become aware that you have parked your car at the parking  lot of the supermarket. This may seem nothing out of the ordinary except you cannot remember how you got there. 

You start thinking ... and even worry because you know that on the way there were at least three traffic lights ... Did you blank out because regardless of how much you try to figure it out, you cannot fill in the blanks. 

You start thinking and wondering if you stopped at each light? Chances are high that you did stop ... that is unless you received a bunch of traffic violation tickets in the mail later on.

So how is this possible? How do we loose track of time and how did we get safely to the supermarket?