Holistically Speaking

My organic journey around the sun, 2015. A year of yoga, whole foods, green habits, oil pulling, and more as I continue studying nutrition and herbs.

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The system of the chakras is a new topic I've begun studying. I find the idea of our bodies energy centers being malleable via meditation, yoga, exercise, diet, etc. very fascinating. It all stems from consciousness and matter, ever adjusting principles. My favorite book I've found on the topic thus far is Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith. It's extremely comprehensive and informative and a must read.

When the seven chakras are all embraced at once one will experience "personal and cultural balance, material abundance, and spiritual wealth," (also referred to as divine nature) according to Judith.

And who isn't looking to find themselves in a divine state of nature? 

The chakras, according to eastern beliefs, influence our:

glandular process

body shape

chronic physical ailments

thoughts

behavior

The location of each chakra may vary, however only slightly, from person to person.

The lower chakras are related to practical life matters:

survival*

sexuality**

power***

*The first chakra, the root chakra (muladhara in Sanskrit), represents our basic issues as human beings in a physical sense and its general position is at the base of the spine

**The second chakra, the sweetness chakra (svadhisthana in Sanskrit), represents our emotional identity and is located within the abdominal/genital region of the body

***The third chakra, the lustrous gem chakra (manipura in Sanskrit), represents our ego identity and is located at the solar plexus. 

The upper chakras are realms within our mental states

love****

communication*****

intuition******

cognition*******

****The fourth chakra, the unstruck chakra (anahata in Sanskrit), represents our social identity and is located in the area of the heart

*****The fifth chakra, the purification chakra (vissudha in Sanskrit), represents our creative identity and is located at the throat

******The sixth chakra, the chakra for one's perception (ajna in Sanskrit), represents our archetypal identity and is located at the brow

*******The seventh chakra, the thousandfold chakra (sahasrara in Sanskrit), represents our universal identity and is located at the top of the head

To truly achieve this idea of divine nature, we must identify our own issues and reprogram our perception, emotional reactions, and learned behaviors... all while continuing on with our daily lives. This is a daunting and bold endeavor. That is where understanding our chakras and their individual variations and needs becomes useful and important.

More about chakras to come including diet/meal, yoga, exercise, and meditation tips. If there are any questions, feel free to comment!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGoxj6c7q3w

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Breathing Easy in Winter Weather

I am NOT a winter lover. I think it is a beautiful season with many warm comforts to offer but my skin, hair, emotional state, and immune system all really would prefer it didn't exist. Unfortunately for my body and mind, I've resided in New England my entire life thus far. So how do I keep my spirits up and take care of those cold weather sinus infections? Well I look to nature of course.

Varying herbs, spices, and vinegars will become your best friends this winter when it comes to de-phlegm-ing.

Apple Cider Vinegar is about to become another staple in your fridge. It is yet another superfood; just like coconut oil, it can fix an array of health and beauty issues and can even be used as a natural cleaning product. 

"This miracle vinegar helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with allergies because of its ability to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches." **http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5875/15-Reasons-to-Use-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Every-Day.html**

My favorite way to get this holistically sound vinegar into my system is to make a tea or warm beverage with it, consisting of:

1/4 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 tsp Organic Turmeric**

1 tsp Organic Cinnamon**

1/2 tsp Organic Cayenne Pepper***

1 Wedge Lemon****

1 tbsp Raw Organic Local Honey*****

Fill glass to top with warm or boiling filtered water

**Tumeric and Cinnamon are both known and praised for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties. They also work to sooth and support your digestive system. 

***Cayenne Pepper is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-fungal, anti-irritant, and provides relief from mild migraines.

****Lemon aids the system by lessening the effort in hydration since lemons are packed with potassium and stimulate the digestive system. They are also loaded with vitamin C which can help strengthen the immune system. Lemons also help combat viral infections and are an anti-inflammatory

*****Honey is an incredible food when it comes to breaking down mucus. There have been studies completed that have shown honey working in the same way as a dextromethorphan.

This is only one of my favorite cold remedies. 

Using essential oils such as Eucalyptus or Peppermint in a steam will help sooth the sinuses and the hot steam will assist in loosening the mucus that is blocking your nasal passages.

4-6 drops in a small pot

bring water to a boil

turn burner off

drape a small towel over the back of your head and inhale deeply

Hydration and sleep are of course two of the most important aspects of getting or staying healthy, so I am off to bed. Check back for more cold remedies in my next post.

Stay warm!

Sources:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-lemon-water-you-didnt-know-about.html

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-cayenne-pepper/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5875/15-Reasons-to-Use-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Every-Day.html

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Surpass anxiety/stress/resentments/loneliness/sadness. It is within.

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Strive.

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Structurally Speaking

Formulating a daily routine is one of the best ways to begin a new habit. So with the start of the new year, I am focusing on setting a sound structure to incorporate new holistic practices.

I have several goals for the year. As many before me (including myself in past years) I've made plans of grandeur that I've ended up labeling as pipe dreams when I decided to watch another day pass by without specific action. I believe creating a solid routine, barring from exception in the beginning, will transform these goals into habits. 

How to start?... Slowly.

My list of general goals for the whole year is long. Does that mean I should jump into tackling each one instantly? The cold-turkey approach can be miraculous. Yet, changing, quitting, or adding new habits can be challenging. So I plan on taking it one step at a time, altering my actions as each day progresses.

So, to begin...

Today started with 15 minutes of swishing a tablespoon of cold-pressed organic sesame oil through my teeth.

The Benefits Oil Pulling

All around strengthens the gums and teeth

Whitens teeth naturally, without the need of any chemicals

Has the ability to boost overall health

Greatly reduces the amount of germs found in plaque and saliva

Helps to prevent gum diseases

Can actually eliminate bad morning breath (!)

Helps heal sore or dry areas in the mouth and lips

But it doesn't stop there. Though the research is not conclusive, most studies have shown many more benefits of oil pulling for overall health. Including:

Migraine headache relief

Correcting hormone imbalances

Reducing inflammation of arthritis

May help with gastro-enteritis

Aids in the reduction of eczema

May reduce symptoms of bronchitis

Helps support normal kidney function

May help reduce sinus congestion

Some people report improved vision

Helps reduce insomnia

Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption

Aids in reducing pain

Reduces the symptoms of allergies

Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

**http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/oil-pulling-the-habit-that-can-transform-your-health**

The studies are endlessly showcasing the holistic benefits of this 10-20 minute practice. I prefer the smoky flavor of sesame oil but coconut oil is also a wonderful alternative with just as many of its own added health benefits. Oil pulling should be the very first thing you do in the morning, prior to drinking water (or any beverage), brushing your teeth, or eating anything. This is because your mouth is teeming with germs when you wake up and the last thing you want is to ingest these. The oil will literally pull these germs from your mouth, out of your plaque and saliva. That way when you have your first sip of smoothie or herbal tea in the morning, you'll only be taking in nutrients.

For added reading, check out these studies: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=oil+pulling&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C22&as_sdtp=

Happy pulling!

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My organic journey around the sun, 2015. A year of yoga, whole foods, green habits, oil pulling, and more as I begin studying nutrition and herbs.