Aromatic Christmas Ornaments

Oranges have been a traditional Christmas gift for centuries. Its origin stems from the rareness of these citrus fruits. Many years ago, it was very expensive to purchase oranges, and Christmas time was when they were "in season", so they could be purchased as elaborate and expensive gifts. As well, many children would put oranges, carrots and hay in their shoes for a gift for Santa's reindeer.

The Orange Christmas Ornament, is one of my favourite Christmas Traditions. I have previously mentioned how much I love Aromatherapy, and this gift has a fragrance that will fill your home with a wonderful warm aroma for about 2 weeks. It is also incredibly easy to make. 

Aromatherapy:

Orange Oil : Orange is delightfully bright, cheery, and a strong antidepressant! It is also refreshing and relaxing. Which makes it a perfect scent for the holidays!! 

Clove Buds : First, clove has a very valuable first aid benefit. It actually numbs the nerves, making it an emergency treatment for toothaches. It's scent is said to be an aphrodisiac in small quantities. It is also stimulating to the mind and memory, helpful in cases of fatigue and depression. It is also used for various pulmonary afflictions such as asthma, sinus infections and bronchitis. 

Pairing these two scents together will make a wonderful, uplifting scent for the Holiday Season.

What You Will Need :

- Oranges

- Bowl of clove buds ( best purchased in bulk from Bulk Barn )

- Ribbon

- Toothpicks

- Small ornaments for decoration

Step 1: Wrap the ribbon around the oranges in an "X" or cross pattern and trace out where your ribbon will be going to hold up the orange. This gives us a template for where we will be putting our cloves.

Step 2 : Use a toothpick and poke holes in the spaces where there will not be ribbon. I always do straight lines from top to bottom. It is MUCH easier to use the toothpick first instead of trying to push the cloves right in. Your fingers will get very sore if you don't use the toothpick! Once your holes are made, insert clove buds.

Step 3 : Repeat for all 4 sections

Step 4 : Wrap your ribbon around the orange, so that you can tie it at the top. I used two different styles of ribbon, so that the thicker style could be tied in a bow, and the thin style used to hang the orange.

Step 5 : Tie a small ornament onto the top of the orange for a decoration. I used small Christmas bells, purchased from Dollarama. 

Step 6 : Hang or give your ornament as a gift!!

These are an easy home-made gift done on a budget that everyone will love! They DO spoil, so they should not be kept longer than 2 weeks. Merry Christmas!! 

The Dr. Oz Show

I don't get the opportunity to watch very mutch day time television, but when I do I always try to catch the Dr. Oz Show. I personally enjoy the show because he tries to introduce people to the alternative styles of medicine and healing. As well, he is incredibly knowledgeable in nutrition. Now sometimes I must say, he can be a little over the top, but in all in all, this guy knows his stuff!

I would like to share a link to a video clip from his website. It is an Alternative Health Series and it focuses on Ayurvedic Medicine. It is a short segment but it will help to give you an idea of what Ayurveda is about! I practice quite a few healing modalities from Ayurveda and mention it on here quite a bit. I have found that my health has improved immensely since I started including some of the Ayurvedic principles into my routine, and most of them are easy enough for everyone to enjoy. In this video series, there's information on digestive issues, Alzheimer's prevention, anti-aging and much much more!! So check it out and enjoy some helpful information from a culture that has been taking care of their minds, bodies and spirits for thousands of years!!

Dr. Oz Alternative Health Series : India

Breathe Your Way To Better Health

I want you to pay attention to the way you are breathing as you read this. Are you breathing through your mouth? Does your chest rise and fall as you breathe? We are intelligent enough to figure out that we need to breathe to live, but do you know the way you breathe can influence your health? It may seem silly to write about the importance of breathing but this automatic response is not only necessary for life, it is also used in holistic medicine to help us to connect the mind and body through awareness.

When we get stressed we breathe shallowly, when we're startled we gasp. No matter the emotion, we experience it one breath at a time. Have you ever watched a an infant sleeping? Its abdomen rises and falls effortlessly as it breaths through the nose. Our breathing patterns have been altered by stress. Our breathing patterns are direct reflections of our physical, mental and emotions states of mind. Shallow breathing is associated with the body's flight-or-fight response. Habitual chest breathing causes the body to think it is in a constant state of stress. Breathing from the diaphragm however, sends a message to our body that everything is A-OK.

Full and efficient breathing forces the stomach to rise as air fills the diaphragm ( area between stomach and lungs ) and then the lungs. Proper breathing decreases anxiety, depression, irritability, muscle tension and fatigue. Having good breathing habits will enhance overall health, providing increased energy, better brain function, increased circulation and better nervous system function. 

The key to improving your breathing is to first take notice how you breathe. Make a point of checking it throughout the day. Again, the abdomen should inflate first, then chest and deflate with each exhalation. It's also important to breathe through your nose because if you breathe through your mouth, your lungs receive cold, unfiltered air. 

I would like to share one of my favourite breathing exercises that I use daily:

Alternate Nostril Breathing

We rarely ever breath out of just one nostril at a time. By doing this Ayurvedic breathing technique, not only does it have all the benefits I wrote previously, but it actually works in opening up the energy channels of the body. As well, breathing in through the left nostril alone will access the "feeling" hemisphere of your brain, and breathing through the right side will access the "thinking" side. Consciously breathing through each nostril at a time will allow you to energize and activate your whole brain. Not to mention it is INCREDIBLY relaxing and helps to clear out any stuffy noses.

Step 1: Breathe out fully through the nose, emptying the diaphragm and chest

Step 2: Use your right thumb to close off your right nostril 

Step 3: Breathe in deeply through the left nostril, filling the diaphragm first, then chest, until it is felt right up in the base of your neck

Step 4: Pause for a second or two

Step 5: Now close left nostril with your ring finger and release your right nostril

Step 6: Breathe out completely out of your right nostril

Step 7: Now inhale deeply through right nostril

Step 8: Pause

Step 9: Use thumb to close right nostril and release left nostril

Step 10: Breathe completely out of left nostril

You have just completed one round of Alternate Nostril Breathing. As a beginner, start with one or two rounds and try working up to five. Once you are done, sit quietly for a few minutes and return your breathing to normal. 

Including this exercise into your daily routine will make you feel great! It is a wonderful stress reliever and can even be done before bed to help get a relaxing night's sleep. Remember to try to breathe in fresh air whenever you can and combining breath awareness with nature walks or meditation is a great way to practice and appreciate the breath of life! 

All I Want For Christmas...

The past few years, my husband and I have struggled to get each other Christmas gifts. We both find it hard since we are fortunate to have incomes where we can make purchases for ourselves year round.  We also don't have any children, which allows us to live fairly selfishly... to be perfectly honest. Yet, regardless if we make a pact not to get each other a gift, I still find the holiday pressure makes me feel guilty for not participating. So this year we decided to do things differently...

This Christmas we decided to participate in the Adopt a Family program through our local Community Care Center. Instead of purchasing gifts for each other, we will be giving the gift of Christmas to a local family in need. Growing up, I was very fortunate to have a great big family dinner with presents that overflowed in our living room. It was an amazing feeling being a child, trying to stay up all night with the anticipation for Christmas morning. It breaks my heart to think that there are children that don't get to experience the joy of opening up gifts and sharing a Christmas dinner with their family. It's even sadder to think that there are parents that can't give this to their own children. It takes courage and strength to ask for help at this time of year. 

Last year alone, Community Care filled 3,800 tummies, assisted 50 families with utility costs ensuring warm beds, 820 people were assisted with their shelter needs and 3,200 families enjoyed a Christmas dinner with presents under the tree. Isn't that amazing?! To be able to participate in such a profound way of giving is the best gift of all in my eyes. Christmas isn't about how much money you spend on a gift or whom bought who the best gift... to me Christmas is about giving.... and sharing the giving with your family.

Whether it is some pocket change or maybe a donation to a food or gift drive, it all adds up and can make a huge impact on someone who is in need during the holidays. And trust me, giving back will make you feel wonderful... which is an emotional boost for your health!  


So this Christmas, make sure you tell all your loved ones how much they mean to you, and please keep in mind all of those less fortunate in our community this holiday season.... and when you have the opportunity to donate, please don't be a Scrooge! 

For more information, please visit : www.communitycarestca.ca

Now Offering Indian Head Massage

Massage is one of the oldest forms of natural medicine known to man and has been practiced for over thousands of years. The art of Indian Head Massage originates from Ayurveda ( pronounced : A· yur·ve·da ), which is the ancient East Indian system of medicine. This Sanskrit word can be translated as either the "science of life " or "knowledge of life ". The Ayurveda approach to health is the balance of the body, mind and spirit and the promotion of a long and happy life.

In India, massage plays an essential role in family life. It is an integral part of the daily routine and is highly recommended for everyone throughout all stages of life. It was originally developed by women as a part of their daily grooming routine, as they would massage oils into their scalps to ensure its health and to keep their hair long and lustrous. Over time, massage techniques become more elaborate to include the arms, shoulders, upper back, neck, face and scalp. As well as relaxing the muscles, we also work on the Energy Lines and Acupressure Points on the upper body, which can help produce wonderful benefits.

Possible Benefits of an Indian Head Massage

1. General relaxation

2. Improved blood circulation increases oxygen supply to the brain and drains away accumulated toxins

3. Calms, revitalizes and uplifts the spirit

4. Can create a more balanced state of being

5. Relaxes tight and painful muscles, eases stiffness and breaks down knots in muscles

6. Increase joint mobility

7. Improved lymphatic drainage, which helps in the removal of waste products and toxins

8. Can give your hair a healthy lustrous shin and improved skin condition

9. Encourages deeper breathing and deep relaxation : very enjoyable and triggers the release of " feel good " chemicals called endorphins creating an almost euphoric sensation

10. Promotion of hair growth

11. Helps to dissipate mental tiredness, stress, depressions resulting in greater mental alertness, concentration and clearer thinking

Can also help relieve the following conditions : Eyestrain, Tension Headaches, Migraines, Earaches, Tinnitus, Jaw Ache, Sinus Congestion, Insomnia, Disturbed Sleep

Many of these benefits are noticeable after only ONE treatment!!

A typical treatment usually lasts from 30 to 45 minutes and the treatments are a very relaxing experience. They can be done in your home, or can be done in my treatment room, whichever you feel more comfortable with. A treatment is given in a comfortable chair in the seated position, so that I may have easy access to all of the areas I will cover. There is also no need to disrobe, the massage is done over top of the clothes as well. I find it is best to wear a comfortable t shirt, without a collar. The cost of a treatment is $30.00.

I will also be putting a short video together to demonstrate the massage so that my readers can have a better understanding of what to expect during a treatment. Please expect that in the near future.

Indian Head Massage is an amazing way to pamper yourself. I know so many women, that LOVE to have their head, face and hair played with and massaged. If you are one of those women, this is for you! It is also not limited to women only, many men love the Indian Head Massage experience and will enjoy all the same benefits it has to offer.

For more information or to book an appointment, please contact myself through email or by phone :

the-happy-lotus@hotmail.ca or 905 380 6027

Mother Nature's Heartbeat

This past Sunday, my friend Franny and I were very fortunate to be able to attended a Hand Drum Workshop in St Catharines. "Dewegun" ( the living heart ) is how the drum is described. "It has been said that the one true path that will guide you home.... is the one that begins in your heart. "

When we first arrived at the studio, we were greeted with many smiling and welcoming faces. The workshop itself was led by Bill Russ and his partner Jackie Labonte joined us later in the afternoon. You could tell instantly that Bill would be an amazing Teacher. His passion and joy emanated from his being. We were also introduced to two other amazing Teachers, Earl and Jacqi, who would be guiding us in our wood burning instruction.

The class opened up with Bill singing a Native song and playing his drum. His voice was amazing! As soon as he started I had goosebumps all over my body. I could hardly wait to begin to construct the drum that was echoing inside of all of us.

We all picked out or drum bases and began to sand and wood burn our designs into them. Much respect goes into making the drums. We were guided to put all of our positive thoughts and intentions into every aspect of making the drums. It is a very large ritual to construct a drum, as we are giving life and a voice back to the Spirit of the animals and trees that were taken so that we could make it. Besides the small amount of glue holding the base together, everything that our drums would be made from is organic and once living materials. It is very important to honour the Spirit of the drum and to treat it with respect.

Wood burning was my favourite part, and I believe it was Franny's as well. It was unbelievably relaxing. The whole classroom was dead silent as we all burned intricate designs into our base. The smoke that was created during the process is seen as medicine in Native culture. Just like smudging, the smoke cleansed and calmed all of us. After we were finished, we moved on to making our striker stick. This was a very easy process.

After lunch, we were all eager to move on to the next step - making the lacing for our drums. Little did we know that we would be cutting it out of the imperfect pieces of deer skin that still showed signs of how the deer was killed. I had to hold back my lunch as the Teacher plopped down a folded up piece of fowl smelling skin that had bullet holes in it. We were to smooth out the skin and squeeze out any remaining "juices", then to cut it into 5 arms length strips. Everything smelt like death. It was an awful, awful smell, but we knew we had to suck it up and put on a brave face.

Once our lacing was cut, it was time to lace the main piece onto the base. Walnut oil was used to stain the drum covering, making each piece as individual as the person making the drum. Lacing was pretty confusing as first, but with team work, Franny and I were able to get the hang of it. Once it was finished, it was a huge relief not to have to handle the wet, stinky skin any longer.

Our drums were beautiful, there was no doubt about it. After everyone had completed theirs, it was time to Feast our drums. In Native Culture, it is very important to provide a feast to the Spirit as a sign of respect. We all shared berries and dripped some of the juices onto the drums. I took it a little too far, and actually rubbed my berry onto the dead skin then ate it....right before I was told to squeeze it on instead. Needless to say, my drum and I got a little personal. Closing the Ceremony, Bill led us in a drumming and Native song. It was a wonderful way to finish off the day.

The drumming workshop was an amazing opportunity for us to meet like-minded people and to share in this Native American tradition. Since the beginning of time, drums have been used to call people together. They were and still are the pulse of a community - or of Mother Earth. It is a universal language of peace, diversity, languages, understanding, joy, ect.. I could go on forever! The sound is a peaceful aid to use in meditatation and to bring us closer to the Earth.

We were very fortunate to be apart of this. I will never forget it and I will cherish my beautiful drum forever. I am so happy I was able to share this experience with my friend, Franny. It is a day I will never forget.

Please take the time to visit www.fireart.ca and learn more about wood burning art.

To view all the photos taken, please visit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/staysweetxo/

Inspiration

Definition : the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. • a sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea.

I have been taking some time over the past few weeks to really think about what inspires me. A friend of mine actually brought up the topic, and at the time I had a really hard time answering the question. Not because I couldn't think of what inspires me, more so because I felt that I was inspired by soo many small occurrences in my daily life. At first, I thought of how powerful the word inspiration really is. It almost felt like I should have some Divine answer of where my inspiration comes from. But in truth, I find most of my inspiration comes from many of the instances that most of us take for granted.

I find that when I am taking the time to be mindful, it allows me to pay more attention to what is actually going on in this wonderful life we all live. For me, sometimes it is as simple as sitting under my maple tree in the mornings, watching the birds and squirrels go about their routine on a beautiful fall day. Sometimes I just sit under the tree in the mornings, watching leaves fall from the tree... knowing that they are participating in a circle of life, and that they will in turn make compost to help the tree grow strong and continue the cycle. The maple tree doesn't question whether to let its leaves fall or not, nor does it cling to them, not wanting to be bare and exposed. It just lives in harmony and flows with the cycle, growing stronger each year. Most of the time we are too busy to notice how intelligent and beautiful Mother Nature is. In this metaphor, I find the inspiration to go with the flow of life. There are always going to be ups and downs, and there will be beautiful summers in our lives and there will be times when each of us will feel bare and exposed. But fighting and clinging to an idea of how we expect a situation to pan out, won't stop us from losing our leaves... it may just hinder us from growing stronger by not going with the flow and learning the lesson that life is offering us.

I also have been finding inspiration from all the people that come in and out of my life. I believe that everyone that we meet on a daily basis, has something to teach us. Sometimes it is the customer, that is giving us a hard time and teaches us patience, or it could be a child that teaches us to play. I read a great book once that advised to say " Namaste" in a silent greeting when you are coming into contact with someone. Namaste is a common greeting in India that is interpreted to mean : "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." This means that we are acknowledging that we are equals, My Spirit and Your Spirit are the same. I personally find that by silently saying this greeting, it removes a lot of biased feelings or emotions you may have with someone and it allows for you to be mindful of how you interact and treat "Your Spirit". You would be surprised how often the energy of a situation can change when you say this greeting in Spirit to someone.

Along with some of the new people I meet everyday, one of my biggest forms of inspiration is the interest and support from my close friends and family. Natural Health, especially Reiki, is not well known in Western culture and this can make people quick to call it "phony", which can unfortunately be discouraging. I have lost some good friends since I have been on my path, but with that loss, I have grown and have made brilliant relationships since. I have made new friends, became reacquainted with some old ones and have grown nearer to some of my closest friends. I truly wish that one day, all of my damaged relationships with friends and family will mend.

I would like thank all of the amazing people in my life who help me practice Reiki and share all the wonderful things I have been learning. Your support keeps me inspired to keep living, learning and loving what I do.... and I guess you really could call that sort of inspiration Divine.

Inspiration is a beautiful thing. It helps me stay passionate and positive. I encourage everyone to look for where you find inspiration in your life and to share that inspiration with others. Whether it is in a song, a book, a photograph, a piece of art or some loving support, even the smallest acts can inspire someone to create a masterpiece in their own life.

Namaste.

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Today I have been reminded of one of my favourite authors, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Buddhist Monk, a Spiritual Teacher, a poet, a scholar and a peace advocate. His book, " Being Peace" was one of the first books that I was given by my friend Thomas, a year ago this month. This book opened many doors for me, ( not to mention my mind ) and essentially started the path that I have been on since I first turned open its cover.

This book teaches that in order to achieve peace, we must achieve peace within ourselves. If we are to change the world, we must first look within ourselves, and awaken the eternal part of ourselves where peace resides.... we must find our Buddha nature.

How can we expect to find peace within our relationships, our work, our friendships, if we do not have peace within ourselves? We are constantly searching outwards in our society and placing the blame for our problems on others, when the answer lies within each of us. We are constantly wanting more..... more money, more love, more friends, more, more, more... when does the search stop? When will we achieve and find this "peace of mind" that we are looking for?

Thich Nhat Hanh says, " Meditation, is not an escape from the difficult present, but an active form of service to our society, directing us to understanding and compassion toward all suffering of humanity. " Meditation has the effect to raise our awareness. And by being "aware" of our actions, our words, our thoughts, we can practice the art of mindfulness.... and with the act of mindfulness, comes compassion and from compassion, lies peace. When we start to pay attention to our being and how we effect others, we can have power over our emotions, actions and wants, and choose the peaceful route of situation.

We are all made the same. We all have a consciousness, we all have an ego, we all have a heart that pumps blood through our body. Why is it that we are all capable of putting others down because we let our material objects or our egos define us? Money and power should not determine our success as human beings. We should be more focused of the impact of how the grace of our actions and words effect others.

“When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.”

We must practice the art of compassion and start looking at others with compassionate eyes. We are all the same, we are all bothers and sisters, it's time we started treating each other like family.

Movember! Mustached Men Unite! : Fight Prostate Cancer With A Fork!

November, or Movember, is Men’s Health Awareness Month, which is highly focused on Prostate Cancer Awareness. I know many guys out there are beyond excited for an excuse to let their staches’ loose. I don’t know if I can say the same for the ladies out there, who will have to put up with their mans dirty stubble for the month! But, you have to admit, Movember is a hilariously fun way to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer, and the overall health of our mates.

Besides growing a mustache, all you fellas out there should be taking notice of your diet this November. Diet is one of the major environmental factors that accounts for 40% of all cancer risk. Some of the most convincing evidence that shows the relationship between diet and cancer, actually comes from the studies of people migrating to other countries. These studies show that people who move from Eastern areas such as Asia, then to North America, have a dramatic increase in cancer rates. This is mainly due to our Westernized diets and lifestyle.

Let’s be honest here, we are all accustomed to our Westernized diet that is high in saturated fats. On almost every street corner you can find some sort of fast food empire. All of us, ( especially you mustache-men ) need to start being more health conscious and start to realize that we actually ARE what we eat. We cannot continue to keep eating crap, without expecting our bodies to go down the toilet along with our diets!

Leading the list of cancer preventing diets are those HIGH in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans. These foods contain an array of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants that participate in protecting the body against cancer. Fruits and veggie play a big role in cancer prevention, due to their high content of the antioxidants vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium. Much of the damage to DNA related cancer initiation, is thought to be from our exposure to oxygen and other oxidizing substances. If you’ve ever left an apple out for a long period, I’m sure you noticed how it eventually turns brown. Well, as gross as it is, our body is just as susceptible to this type of oxidization. Antioxidants, however, are actually proven to repair this damage! As well, the phytochemicals in these foods appear to participate in cancer prevention by protecting our cells from oxidation, along with stopping the multiplication of abnormal, and possibly cancerous cells!

Ok boys, so along with the mustache, I challenge all of you to look at your diet this month. Please, try to cut back on high intakes of saturated fats from meat and dairy products, charred and nitrate cured meats ( hot dogs, luncheon meats ), and try to cut back on your alcohol consumption. Now, I’m not telling you to do a complete 180, just try to incorporate something new and healthy into your meals every day. Change doesn’t happen overnight, the trick to changing your diet is to do it slow and gradual. If you try to make too many changes at once, you’ll get sick of the change and it won’t last. So, instead of the side of fries, get a side salad. Not only will your prostate thank you, but the rest of your body will also reap the rewards a healthy diet has to offer... and who knows, it may even help that mustache to grow in nice and thick!

HERE ARE SOME TIPS IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO MAKE SERIOUS CHANGES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER AND HEART DISEASE:

1). Consume a diet that is highly plant based:

• 5+ servings of fruits and veggies daily
• 3+ whole grain products daily
• Regular consumption of dried beans, nuts and seeds

2). Eat foods that are low in saturated fat

• Focus on lean meats, low fat dairy products and fish

3). Exclude charred and nitrate preserved meats

4). Exclude smoking

5). Exclude excessive alcohol consumption

6). Include 30 mins of physical activity, 5+ times per week

Please visit http://ca.movember.com/ for more information the Movember movement!

On The Menu Today: Stressful Eating

Generally speaking, most of us can make healthy choices when it comes to choosing our meals. But what we all tend to forget is the importance of how we eat our tasty cuisines. Eating when we are stressed has a BIG impact on digestion, and our digestive system, is of critical importance when it comes to maintaining our health.

I’m sure we have all turned to a bowl of ice cream, a bag of chips or a giant chocolate bar in a time of emotional upset. Or maybe it’s more common for you to grab lunch on the go. Either way, eating when we are under stress or emotionally upset will have a negative impact on how our cells absorb the nutrients in our meals. Even what time of day, how often and the amount we eat can play a part on how our food digests.

Fortunately for us, we do not to have to fight for our dinner these days. However, our body still functions with the “fight or flight” response that is designed to help us survive as if we are still “on the hunt”. When we are stressed out, the blood in our body rushes to our skeletal muscles so that we can either fight off our attacker, or run like hell. Because of the withdrawal of blood, our digestive system goes into game off mode. This makes our body think that digestion isn’t a priority at that time. Then guess what? That turkey dinner you just ate, sits in your digestive tract, decomposes, causing physical pain and then provides a dinner for the microbes in your belly, that release their waste, producing gas. Mmmmm.... ready for dessert??

What we really need to do is take the time to relax and enjoy the food we eat. Obviously, this can’t always be the case but those who suffer from digestive issues should really give it a try. If we eat when we’re relaxed, our bodies will be better prepared to process and absorb the wonderful nutrients in our food. The body also functions best if we give ourselves a daily fasting period. A 12 - 14 hour period without food will let our digestive system rest and repair itself. ( The cells in our digestive tract renews themselves every 1 - 3 days! ) When we have late dinner or midnight snack, our body has to work when it really should be resting. Breakfast is the very important time to.... wait for it..... “break the fast”!

Another important tip for good digestion is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eating small frequent meals, helps us to avoid over eating and is also easier for our system to digest. In a perfect world, we should be eating three meals and two snacks daily and we shouldn't go longer than five hours between meals ( unless it is your overnight fast ). Going without food for too long can cause our blood sugar to drop, which will make us want to seek comfort in that chocolate bar or salty bag of chips for that quick fix.

Here’s another tip: think of your digestive system, like the engine of a car. If the car is running (digesting food) you wouldn’t pour a bucket of ice cold water onto the engine. When we drink cold liquids with our meals, it shocks our heated digestive system, which can cause cramping and gas pains. So, if you suffer from digestive woes and love to drink ice cold beverages when eating, try switching to something that is room temperature with your meals and you should notice a BIG difference.

These are just a FEW tips that are easy to incorporate into your eating routine. I promise that by treating your body with this care, not only will your meals be more enjoyable, you will suffer from less digestive issues. You may even loose a couple unwanted pounds from the smaller meal choices! So relax, enjoy your meal time and put the “OM” back in ST-OM-ACH! ;) Bon appetite!

( If you consistently suffer serious digestive issues, always seek the help of your trusted Physician, Nutritionist or Naturopath.)

Reiki Treatments

So, many of you have asked me personally about Reiki and what a treatment entails. Many give me crazy looks when I go into detail about this practice and that's ok, because Reiki isn't for everyone. Reiki is the practice of channeling energy and using it to balance the clients own energy on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual . ( Please refer to previous entry Our Energy Bodies )

During the actual Reiki Treatment, a series of hand positions are held over and on the client's body. Often people describe their experience as being very relaxing, comforting and loving. Many feel sensations coming from the Practitioner's hands in the feelings of heat, pressure, tingles, vibrations and can even experience a shift in consciousness. When the session is done, the results are often a drastic reduction in stress, a feeling of relaxation that is profound and that lasts a long time, a feeling of calmness, balance and centeredness. These results are almost always experienced in one session. More profound healing results such as in the case of a chronic disease, addiction or emotional scars and negative thought patterns, are rarely attained in one session, but addressed in the same way that many of them manifested -- over time. Drastic results may occur within three to four treatments.

Again, please remember that Reiki treats the body as a whole. Meaning that it works on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. If there is a DIS-EASE on one of these levels, then all of the levels will suffer. Reiki helps to restore balance to these levels so that the WHOLE body may achieve healing! This enables you to release and heal the cause and the thought pattern that may have created the condition in the first place.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. Scientists are even doing studies that prove the beneficial healing effects of Reiki and it has even been introduced in many Senior Facilities, Hospitals and Hospice Care Homes.

Anyone who reads my blog and would like to try a treatment session, please feel free to contact myself. All clients who read my blog will receive half price treatments : $25.00 for a one hour session. Appointments can be made by email: staysweetxo@hotmail.com

The Sweet Scent of Healing: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for the Winter Season

Essential Oils are an amazing natural addition to any medicine cabinet. By using essential oils in aromatherapy, you can ease many ailments, including those aches, pains and sinus troubles that are very common during the upcoming Winter months.

HOW AROMATHERAPY WORKS

Our brain responds to odours by producing electrical impulses that directly affect our digestive system, emotions and our sexual system. ( The human nose is so sensitive that it can detect a fragrance diluted to one molecule per every 10,000 BILLION air molecules! ) And that's just the beginning, the super small molecules in the oils are able to penetrate our skin and pass through our capillaries, into our blood and then finally into our cells.

The amazing healing power of these oils are commonly used to treat many problems such as stress, digestive issues, colds, flu, skin problems and nervous issues. Considering these oils contain natural hormones, vitamins, antibiotics and antiseptics, you can now understand how beneficial they can be to our health!

You can put a few drops in a bath, use them in a massage oil, or even mix them up to create all natural household cleaners.

( To learn more about essential oils, please feel free to contact myself )

ESSENTIAL OIL MIXTURES FOR WINTER

These are just a few of my favourite oils that I use commonly in the Winter:

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) : This oil is a great decongestant and is great for colds, respiratory problems, allergies, flus, aches and pains. You can also get Lemon Eucalyptus which I LOVE to put in a diffuser at home and at work. In a diffuser, it gives the air a great clean scent and also provides relief to anyone around suffering with any respiratory issues.

Tea Tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia): This oil is a powerful antiseptic and has antifungal properties. You can use it to treat sore throat, cold sores, cuts, acne, athlete's foot and help stop the spread of your cold or flu.

Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia ) : A great antiseptic and soothing oil. This ones helps to relieve headaches, insomnia, indigestion, colds, flus, depression, premenstrual pain, bits, burns and stings. Lavender has to be one of my favourite oils. I commonly rub a few drops on my temples when I have a headache, or put a few drops on my pillow for a great nights sleep. I even sometimes use it to chill out our dogs when there's company over. A drop on their forehead really relaxes them in stressful situations.

MIXTURES:

BREATHE BETTER BLEND
To relieve sinus congestion, respiratory problems and
to clear a stuffy head, combine the following oils:
5 drops of Eucalyptus
3 drops of Lavender
2 drops of Tea-Tree

Add drops to a bowl of hot water and breathe in the goodness! This makes a great cold remedy by being a powerful decongestant for those unwanted colds. You can always put a few drops in the shower or in a bath and breathe it in that way!

THROAT THERAPY GARGLE
To soothe a sore throat and combat infection:
2 drops of Tea-Tree in a cup of warm water and gargle, gargle, gargle! MAKE SURE NOT TO SWALLOW, many essential oils should not be taken internally.

These are just a couple ways to use Essential Oils. There are almost unlimited ways and combinations to explore. Always use caution when using oils, especially if you are pregnant or have serious health issues. Aromatherapy is a great natural health practice that is EASY to incorporate into your winter routine. I encourage everyone to explore it and take the time to enjoy some scent therapy!

Meditation - Hygiene for our Mental Wellness

I have seen first hand how an unhealthy lifestyle, especially STRESS, effects our bodies. Not only does it do numbers on our physical health, but I believe it does even worse damage on our mental health. Most of us try to live healthy lifestyles, by eating fairly healthy and exercising, but many seem to lack the information necessary on how to maintain a healthy mental body. We know how important it is to wash our bodies, brush our teeth, exercise, ect... but what do we do for our mental hygiene??

Meditation is an AMAZING way to give your mental self some well needed rest and relaxation. Meditation can provide us with time to allow us to clear our minds and focus on what is most important in our lives. Did you know that anxiety, stress and depression develops not from external situations, but from how we respond to them? Recent scientific research indicates that only 10 minutes of meditation daily can result in significant changes in the way we conduct our lives.

Scientific studies are also using magnetic resonance imaging and shows that meditation strengthens the neurological circuits that calm a part of the brain that acts as a trigger for fear and anger. These studies are also proving that people who meditate exhibit an increased activity in the left side of the frontal part of the brain that is responsible for a more positive emotional state!

These studies are showing amazing results that prove that our brains are not as hard wired as we once thought! Meditation is actually proving that we have the ability to control our emotions and thoughts!

Now, how about our physical health? Have high blood pressure?? Try meditating! One of the the single most reported physiological benefit of meditation is the effect it has in lowering blood pressure. Meditation also enhances the immune function of the body, with research showing increased defense against tumors, viruses, colds, flu, and other infectious diseases. How amazing is that?!

Scientists are also learning what Buddhist Monks have known for centuries. Meditating allows ourselves to calm our undisciplined thinking mind that jumps from thought to thought and is fueled by negative emotions and desires. By practicing the art of turning into oneself and experiencing the stillness and silence of our mind, we are able to control the constant pulling and pushing of our thoughts. This allows us a greater awareness of our emotional states, which helps us to understand and cultivate them, instead of running in circles allowing our emotions to control us.

Meditation for beginners:

If you are anything like me, you may find that in the beginning sitting still and in silence seems really unappealing. I can assure you though, if you stick with it, you will learn how enjoyable and relaxing this practice is. It really gives you the opportunity to sit within yourself, and it allows you to get to know yourself better than you have ever known. Also, don’t get stuck in the stereotype that you MUST sit cross legged, in the lotus position with perfect posture. Many people find this completely uncomfortable, and if you are uncomfortable. you will not be able to sit still for a minute, let alone ten. Just remember, there is NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY to meditate. Here are some tips for all of you beginners out there that I found helpful when I started:

1. Get comfy!! Get a blanket, a pillow, sit in a comfy chair, whichever position makes YOU feel comfortable. Keep in mind that if you do lie down, you may fall asleep, so it is best to find a position that allows you to sit upright.
2. Put on some relaxing music. Whether you put headphones on or not, I find it always helpful to have some soft, relaxing ambient music playing to help relax. You can also find yourself a good guided meditation cd! These always help!
3. Burn some incense or oils. Aromatherapy has proven to trigger neurons in the brain that help you relax! Go pick out some sweet scents and light em up!
4. BREATHE! A good breathing rhythm is key! By focussing on the inhale and exhale of your breath, you will find it easier to dismiss the little thoughts that travel in and out of your brain!
5. Don’t worry if your mind wonders, the important part is that you acknowledge your thoughts, then allow them to float away. If you are constantly worried that you are thinking too much, you wont relax! It doesn’t matter that thoughts come in and out, just let them be and try to regain your chill by focussing back on the repetition of your breathing pattern.
6. Sometimes it is even helpful to recite a mantra or a phrase over and over. One I like to use is the ever popular “OM MANI PADME OM”. By focusing on the repetition of the phrase or mantra, it will help keep your mind from wandering and soon you will find yourself going deeper into a meditation. ( Guided meditation cds are great for mantras as well )
7. When you’re done, you’re done. Don’t force yourself to sit longer, you won’t be able to. Even if you just sit for 5 mins, be proud of yourself for those five minutes. Many of us can’t even be alone with ourselves for one minute!

These are just a few tips I found helpful when I first started “sitting” on a regular basis. Remember, once you start meditating on a regular basis, you will find what works best for you and what doesn't. You know yourself better than anyone. Do try your best to take 10 mins out of your day just to relax and breathe. I promise if you continue to do this, you will feel amazing and your body will thank you. Please don’t think that you don’t have the time to do this either. You deserve to give your self a mini vacation from the stress of your day! I try to start everyday off with a little sit for at least 10 mins every morning. It is a fantastic way to start the day! Enjoy and Namaste!

Our Energy Bodies

I'm sure many of you have heard of our "Aura". But what makes our aura.....???

We are more than just a physical body. We have mental, emotional and spiritual bodies that extend from our physical body. Highly sensitive people have always been able to perceive one or more of these nonphysical bodies.

Our energy body is composed of various energies which have been known as electromagnetic waves, chi, prana, vitality, etc. It is also composed of subatomic particles, which vibrate at different frequencies. Our body contains numerous energy channels called nadis or meridians ( if you are familiar with acupuncture, you actually receive the needles on these meridian points). There are also seven major energy centers, called chakras, that are connected to our endocrine glands. All of this energy that flows through us, vibrates and that vibration creates the energy field of the body!

Recent advances in science and technology are verifying their existence. Our day to day experience also confirms their reality. Maybe you've even heard of when someone loses a limb and receives "phantom pains" like the limb is still there?? Even though we may lose a limb, our energy meridians are still there. That is what creates the feeling of the limb still being there! Here's another example, have you ever met someone or had someone walk into your "personal space" and you instantly don't like them, or perhaps their presence makes you feel great for some unknown reason?? Maybe you just get "bad vibes" from them. This is because their energy bodies are actually coming into contact with your own. Everyone's own energy body is highly unique, just like a fingerprint. The energy body can almost be seen as a map and will reflect our inner thoughts, intentions and perceptions. If we carry negative intentions or thoughts, these actually stay in our energy field. Having them contained in our energy field disrupts the flow of energy and actually makes our bodies more susceptible to DIS-EASES.

An Energy Worker can actually feel and determine where our energy needs to be balanced. By clearing and bringing balance to the body and the Chakra systems, our energy will be able to flow in harmony within the body, which will promote health. This is how energy medicine works!

( Actual Diagram of Meridian Lines Used In Acupuncture )

NAMASTE.

Good afternoon everyone!

My name is Sarah I'd like to thank you for visiting my blog, which is going to providing tips and information on how to keep the mind, body and soul in tip top condition. I am a Reiki Practitioner, which is an Energy Healer. As well, I am also in school pursuing a diploma in Holistic Nutrition. I spend my day studying and implementing the numerous holistic ways to help people achieve their best health.

My goal with this blog is to provide knowledgeable information that can be easily implemented into your lifestyle. Much of the information I will be writing about, will probably seem absolutely crazy or “new age” to many of you. And that is fine if you think that. However, much of the information I will be providing has been in practice for over thousands of years and belongs to some of the oldest healing modalities in Eastern Culture. I’m not trying to twist your arm into believing something that you aren’t interested in. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. :)

“Minds are like parachutes.... they only work if they stay open”