Is it time for a Chakra Tune-up?

Recently I learned how to do chakra balancing from a wonderfully talented body worker in Sedona, Arizona. She was kind enough to share her wisdom and experience with me, and I am so happy she did!

I was a bit skeptical about incorporating it into my practice at first, yet I soon discovered that many people not only knew about chakras, but they were open to having them balanced! The results and feedback from clients so far has been really positive. Deep relaxation has been the most common experience from the balancing. Some clients felt heat rushing though their body, and a few of clients experienced detox symptoms post treatment, including nausea and chills. This may sound unappealing; however, these are actually signs of deep toxicity release in the body; a major part of the body's natural healing process.


For those who do not know what a chakra is, it literally means 'wheel' in Sanskrit.
There are 7 chakras, or spinning wheels, running midline through your body, going though your major organs. The body simply wants to be in harmony at all times, and due to stress, trauma, and life experiences, this harmony is interrupted. By giving the chakras a tune-up, you can bring your body back into balance.

Each chakra is represented by a colour and corresponds to various organs, body parts, and glands. Also, each one relates to different personal character traits, and this wisdom can be a good indicator as to what area in your life you may want to take a magnifier to.

In thinking about the chakras, you have to look at them from a holistic perspective. That is, you need to acknowledge the connection between the body, mind, and spirit: to affect one is to affect all. To get a better description of each chakra, you can visit this site: www.sacredcenters.com/chakras

As for the length of the tune-up, well it really depends on the client's needs at that particular point in time. Sometimes a person will only have one chakra out of balance, while at other times, a few may need attention.

So I say, why not give it a try? You never know what you may discover? The worst thing that can happen is you fall into deep relaxation, and a state of pure bliss. That wouldn't be so bad, now, would it?!

Hooray for Fresh Herbs

In keeping with my commitment to continually expand my knowledge base of natural healing aids, I attended a workshop on medicinal herbs, and wanted to share my new found wisdom.

The theme of the workshop was the importance of fresh herbs. Maria, the workshop facilitator, could not say enough wonderful things about fresh herbs. Whether it be growing them, cooking with them, drinking them in tea, or slathering them on our bodies, fresh herbs are essential to optimal health. Did you know that all the living greens we ingest go straight to the liver, and contribute to the body’s purification processes? Ultimately, consuming living green things, in whatever form, makes for cleaner blood, happier organs, and a healthier life. So doesn’t it make sense for us to incorporate fresh herbs, rich in nutrients, into our diet, versus consuming processed foods and beverages?!

Due to time constraints, we specifically focused solely on two aspects of herbs: teas and salves.

Let’s start with tea. Simple to prepare, yet huge health benefits. Here's the steps to making a herbal tea:

1) Clean fresh herbs (you don’t need to wash them, unless they have a lot of dirt on them)
2) Boil water in a pot,

3) Put the herbs in the boiled pot, put the lid on, and let steep for 15 minutes.

Voila! The tea we prepared required no sweetener whatsoever; it was so tasty all on its own.

Note: It is best to use fresh herbs, as opposed to dry, to produce the most flavourful tea.

**From personal experimentation post workshop, I would suggest using a maximum of three herbs per tea. Too many herbs can be overwhelming for the body.

For heat conditions such as high blood pressure, headaches, skin eruptions, and blotchy red skin, the following herbs are useful: chamomile, mint, raspberry leaf, and lemon verbena. These herbs are considered cooling to the body, and help with the conditions mentioned above.

Useful herbs for hair growth are: rosemary, stinging nettles, and horse tail.

Good grounding teas can be made with these herbs: dandelion and burdock root.

Comfrey is a particularly excellent herb for treating muscle and joint pain.

Lots of choices for making teas!!

For chronic, long standing health ailments you can make a tea infusion. You take a big handful of fresh herbs, put it into a 1L jar, add boiled water, and leave it for at least four hours, or overnight.

Let’s move onto salves (aka cream or ointment). At the workshop we made a salve using herbs of comfrey, lavender, and calendula. This herb combination is excellent for helping to heal minor scrapes, and burns, and is a lavish treat for the skin; your skin will literally drink it up. It was so delicious, that I have been savouring the last of my take-home sample!

To make a salve, you need the following supplies:

Fresh herbs (4 cups) (you can change the amount of herbs, but keep the ratio the same)
Olive oil (4 cups)
Beeswax (1 cup)
water
A big pot
A big bowl (ceramic, glass, or stainless, that will sit on top of the pot and not fall in)
A big plate or covering for the bowl
strainer
a few glass jars (with wide openings, so you can access the salve once in the jar)

Making a salve takes a bit more time and energy than making tea, yet definitely easier than I originally thought.

Here's what you do:

1) Fill the pot with water and boil
2) Put the big bowl on top of the pot and fill bowl with oil, beeswax, and herbs
3) Keep the burner on low heat, cover the bowl with plate, and heat the mixture for a half hour
4) Once this is done, strain the liquid mixture into the jars, and allow the salve to harden and cool

Presto!!

Drinking medicinal teas daily can aid in treating a wide range of health ailments, and many of them taste great too! As for the salves, who wouldn't want to slather themselves in a purely light natural cream?! Both require small investments, with a huge payoff. Hip hip hooray for fresh herbs!!

For more information on Maria, check out her website: www.guerrilla-gourmet.com/

The Buzz on Bee Pollen

Everyone discovers things at varying times, and last week at my local Farmer's Market I discovered the yummy goodness of bee pollen. For as long as I can remember there has been someone selling fresh honey, and other bee products at the market, and yet I had never inquired about the pollen. The time had come for me to connect with the bee kingdom. Here is how my experience transpired:

One of my friends, who sells edible herbs and plants at the market, acquired some treats from the other vendors, and being in a generous mood, offered me some samples....fresh cherries, raspberries, cacao, and finally bee pollen. He poured out a small handful of little pebble-like round balls from the jar into my hand, and after looking at them for a few moments, I popped them into my mouth. What a burst of flavour! I could feel my body scream out in joy, "oh, thank you for giving me such nourishing food!". I knew there was something special about this pollen stuff, and I made a mental note to check it out, and then I scurried off to go see a movie with a friend.

The next day I had to pick up a couple of supplements at the Big Carrot dispensary, and while I was there, my experience with the bee pollen from the prior day came forefront to my mind. I asked one of the staff there if they carried it, and the lovely woman motioned for me to follow her to the fridge. She slid the fridge door open and reached for a jar of the pollen. She poured out a small sample into my hand. The little round pebbles were so fresh they actually melted in my mouth, and I immediately felt a deep connection with the bees. I was sold.

As soon as I arrived home, I looked up the buzz on bee pollen, and apparently it is packed full of nutrients. It has long been known for its energizing and healing properties as it contains every mineral and vitamin known, has a higher amount of protein than steak, contains B12 needed by vegetarians, and an abundance of essential fatty acids. Also, it has the highest enzyme-content of any food on this planet! It is truly a natural superfood.

The moral of the story here is twofold: It pays to possess an openness to trying new things as you never know what treasures you will uncover, and two, superfoods are powerful little gems that are great for maintaining optimal health and wellness.

More to come on superfoods in my next post!

fUN at the fARMERS mARKET!

Last Tuesday was the first farmers market of the season at Riverdale Park. I was bursting at the seems in anticipation of this day, and it was everything I hoped for. Being a Riverdale resident I have remained faithful to this market, even though there are so many markets to choose from these days. From downtown west side to east side, to north in Thornhill, markets are popping up everywhere. Knowing this makes me leap with joy!

Though there was very little produce yet, I managed to get some green leafies, and fresh mint for a black bean salad creation.

The highlights for me were ginger beer from Alli, ex-owner of Fish Shak (who is apparently serving up yummy goodness at Transac these days (at Bloor St and Bathurst St). Also, the lovely girl playing her violin; she makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

And of course, market day for me wouldn't be complete without getting some chocolate from Chocosol, the ones making chocolate love in the kitchen. :O)

Oh, and Bruno at Fun Guy Farms, mushroom grower extraordinaire, sells make-your-own kombucha tea kits, which I am definitely going to purchase at some point this summer. How fun?! Kombucha is one of the best probiotics out there, sure to help heal any intestinal ailments one might be suffering from. Here is what happyherbalist has to say about it:

"By aiding the stomach to better digest food and by assisting the spleen to deliver more nutrition, the body heals itself. Kombucha helps to break stagnation, reduces damp and phlegm and expels toxins from the body. Hence the Chinese reference to kombucha tea as the Immortal Health Elixir."

I am looking forward to another market day today. I wonder what new goodies will be there. There is only one way to find out!

The Riverdale Farmer's market runs from May - October, on Tuesdays from 3-7pm. They usually start packing up at 6:30pm, so be sure to get there by then.

The Spirit is Alive in Sedona, Arizona

This post is dedicated to an aspect of self-care that, for many, may not seem like self-care, yet indeed is so nourishing for the body, mind, and soul.

Yes, I am speaking of vacation travel. Whether it be two hours North, or to another continent, taking a much needed break from the 'every day' will help you to relax and re-energize. In my view, this is an essential part of self-care, and i highly recommend you incorporate it into your life in one way or another.

A couple weeks ago, I ventured Southwest to Sedona, Arizona for one week. For those who don't know, Sedona is known as the mystical town North of Phoenix, abound with mountainous red rocks, psychics, crystals, bodyworkers, and energy vortexes.

I had had a calling to go there since 2006, and now the timing felt right. I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do there, but I was sure I would figure it out. I opted to stay in an ashram, as this felt like the most conducive environment for my contemplative journey.

I will say that if you are interested in doing self-reflection and introspection, Sedona is definitely a place to put on your list!

Upon arriving in Sedona, I was immediately taken by the beauty of the town. Just glance at my photos to understand what I am referring to here.

Now most reviews of this lovely town talk of 'touristy' things like the pink jeep tour, taking the trolley around town, walking the strip of shops filled with items such as 'wild west' cowboy hats, and getting a tour of Bell Rock. I chose to create my own adventure, leaving the touristy attractions behind.

I created self-tours. Every morning I drove to the same area just outside of town, pulled off to the side of the road, parked, and hiked for 10 minutes up the mountain to a secluded spot where i would sit and ponder. Sometimes i would be there for 20 minutes, sometimes longer. Sometimes i would write, sometimes i would listen. The final day, I took all my crystals there to get some much needed sun energy rejuvenation.

I visited five different vortexes, some with masculine energy, some female, some with both, and i would walk, sitting when i got tired, pondering, reflecting, listening. I was amazed by the strength of the energy in certain spots. The energy was so powerful it twisted the juniper tree branches like spirals of a staircase! I noticed my thoughts were very action oriented when i was at the masculine energy vortex, and more flowly while at the feminine energy vortex. I tried not to think too much about it, instead i opted to observe.

I spent time with a psychic which was an experience i will remember forever. I am not quite sure what happened in those two hours; however, I think i am forever changed!

I stumbled upon a lovely raw organic cafe, Raw Bliss , which is also a place I will remember forever. The energy there was pure bliss, and the food simply divine.

I went to a massage therapy school in town (how could i not?!), and got a treatment by one of the instructors. That was the relaxation part to counter all the hiking I did in the mountains. I am a firm believer in balance!

I had thought provoking conversations with people that really got me questioning my beliefs, my vision, my goals, and I think this is an important ongoing process that is a necessary part of life for each and every one of us.

The last few days of my trip were filled with utter joy. A joy that is difficult to express in words, but a feeling i feel deep inside. This trip opened my heart. I think most of us live primarily in our heads, and for me, my journey to Sedona was about finding my heart. And I am happy to report that I did just that!

So back to my original thought: I cannot stress enough the importance of a getaway from the 'every day'. Not only is it a great way to relax, release, and recharge, but an essential part of maintaining a healthy balanced life!

2008 Reflections: Fresh Farm Foods

As 2009 is upon is, i think this is an opportune time to make goals for the upcoming year, and also reflect on the previous year in all its glory. As i was reflecting on 2008, I recalled a wonderful experience i had in the summertime: volunteering on an organic farm. It's called Plan B, and it is located just outside of Hamilton, Ontario. (As an aside, I would highly recommend getting their food share boxes as they really take great care in selecting and packing the best produce. www.planborganicfarms.ca )

Why, you ask, would I want to volunteer on a farm? Well i believe that fresh, whole, unprocessed food makes people feel good, and realizing this I have made major shifts in the kinds of foods i eat: all organic, unprocessed, and mostly local when possible. Along these lines, I wanted to get a better feel for where my food comes from, gain an understanding of the labour intensity involved (and yes, it is INTENSE!), helping me to develop more of an appreciation for my food. After my short stint working on the farm, I can wholeheartedly say, i got exactly what i was looking for...minus the sore achy muscles the day after i returned home!

From getting down on my knees wading through rows of zucchini plants deweeding, to harvesting green onions in the fields, to packing food boxes for their CSA program (that's community supported agriculture), I saw it all. And i must say, I enjoyed every minute of it!

I distinctly remember one morning as we were packing fruit food boxes, in the garage as it was pouring buckets outside, I was looking at a pile of oranges and thinking, "these look almost rotten". The oranges had dents in them, looked a little pale, and were completely non uniform in size. So I took one of the oranges, approached Alvaro, one of the owners, and asked if the oranges were good enough to be used. He looked at me, grabbed the orange from my hand, sliced it in half, and said, "well, why don't you try it and see?" he was almost smirking at me, as if he knew something i had yet to discover. i took my piece of orange to my mouth and dug in, and i was in utter heaven. How could something so meager looking taste so delicious?! That was hands down one of the best oranges I had ever eaten! Lesson learned: do not judge a book by its cover!

Overall, my time at the organic farm was bliss. That experience definitely gave me an affinity for the farmers, the process, the land, and helped me realize the importance of supporting them...and not to mention getting some of the freshest, tastiest, whole foods on the planet!

For those living in Toronto, Plan B has a stall at the Dufferin Grove Farmers Market Thursdays, from 3 to 7, all year round. www.veg.ca/content/view/76/108/

"P" is for Prevention!

Lately, I have been feeling quite a push for the big "P" in health care, which invariably stands for prevention. And prevention to me translates to taking responsibility for our own health. I know of a few people who have recently decided to become vegan, or have started a regimen of herbs and supplements, and this is very exciting to me. Yet what all these people have in common is that they have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. So my question is: why do we wait until we are diagnosed with a critical illness to take an active role in our health? I can not seem to wrap my head around this one. Are we as a society uneducated, too busy, or simply apathetic? What happened to taking care of ourselves so we can feel great all the time, and mitigate feelings of ill health?

On a personal note, since I decided to see a Doctor of Chinese Medicine over a year and a half ago, as part of my self-care regime, my health has improved leaps and bounds. I would have to say I feel the best I have ever felt EVER! I will admit, the road to responsible health takes time and energy; however, the benefits are so worth it! What do we have if we don't have our health?!