Archive for July 2012
Breakfast Banana Boat
Posted on: July 20, 2012
- In: Healthy Body | raw food | veggie foods
- 2 Comments
Breakfast Banana Boat
Ingredients:
* 1/2 a banana, cut lengthwise
* 2 tbsp peanut butter
* 2 tsp of Goji Berries
* 2 tsp Cacao Nibs
Directions:
Slice your banana in half lengthwise and spread a tbsp of peanut butter on each side. Top with Gojis and Cacao Nibs… enjoy!
Serves 2.
Recipe credit found here: http://cleananddelicious.com/2008/04/04/banana_snack/
food for health and mental wellness
Posted on: July 20, 2012
RED Foods. The phytochemicals in red foods are carotenoids and anthocyanins. One of the most abundant carotenoid is lycopene. Lycopene helps reduce damage from free radicals in your body and it also prevents heart disease, cancer, prostrate problems, and reduces the skin damage from the sun. These red foods help memory function, urinary tract health, and makes your heart healthy.
~Plant Powered Living
160 uses for coconut
Posted on: July 20, 2012
160 Uses for Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil for Personal Hygiene/Body
1. Age Spots (also known as liver spots) – applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade.
2. After Shave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn!
3. Baldness – apply three times a day to affected area of hair loss. Coconut oil supports cell regeneration.
4. Birth Marks – can be used after a laser removal treatment to aid in healing. Can also be applied after an apple cider vinegar treatment to help support and aid the fading process.
5. Body Scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
6. Bruises – applied directly to the bruise, coconut oil enhances the healing process by reducing swelling and redness.
7. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
8. Burns – apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing.
9. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
10. Cradle Cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
11. Dandruff – coconut oil soaks into the scalp moisturizing dry skin and relieves symptoms of dandruff. It also helps to control oil secretion from the scalp, another leading cause of dandruff.
12. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
13. Diaper Salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
14. Exfoliator – coconut oil mixed with sugar or sea salt is a very nourishing and effective exfoliator and safe to use all over the body.
15. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
16. Face Wash/ Soap – mix equal parts coconut oil with olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil and castor oil and use in place of soap when washing your face. Wet face, rub oil in and leave on for two minutes, rinse and pat dry. One teaspoon should be adequate.
17. Hair conditioner/ Deep Treatment – use as a leave-in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
18. Hair Gel/ Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
19. Healing – when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
20. Lubricant – it is an all-natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
21. Makeup Remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
22. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
23. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.
24. Mole Remover – when applied after an apple cider vinegar compress for several weeks, moles have been known to “slide off” or just disappear.
25. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
26. Oily Skin Fix – prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce the appearance of oil.
27. Pre Shampoo Treatment for Hair – rub a little into scalp and hair before shampooing. This is especially useful for those with course or frizzy hair.
28. Pre-Shave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
29. Skin Problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
30. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.
31. Sun Burn Relief – rub liberal amounts of coconut oil into the affected area.
32. Sunscreen – see my post on natural sunscreen for more detailed information.
33. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
34. Tattoo Healing and Moisturizer – continued use of coconut oil on tattoos will help keep the pigment from fading. Used on new tattoos, coconut will hasten the healing process and decrease the chance of infection.
35. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
36. Wrinkle Prevention and Wrinkle Reducer – rubbing coconut oil on winkles and sagging skin helps strengthen the connective tissues to bring back that youthful look!
Coconut Oil for General Health and Wellness
37. Breastfeeding – for breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich the milk supply.
38. Bones and Teeth – coconut oil aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium leading to better development of bones and teeth.
39. Digestion – the saturated fats in coconut oil help control parasites and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
40. Energy Boost – coconut oil boosts energy and endurance making it a great supplement for athletes as well as those needed a quick pick me up.
41. Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat while increasing muscle.
42. Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose making it great for both diabetics and non-diabetic.
43. Lung Function – increases the fluidity of cell surfaces.
44. Nausea – rub some coconut oil on the inside for the wrist and forearm to calm an upset stomach.
45. Nose bleeds – coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme heat and extreme cold. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.
46. Oil pulling with coconut oil offers a two for one health benefit!
47. Stress Relief – relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.
48. Vitamin and nutrient absorption
49. Weight loss – the saturated fats contribute to weight loss and controlling cravings. Also increases metabolic rate.
Coconut Oil for Health Problems (when taken internally it is known for aiding, preventing, relieving or even curing these health issues)
50. Acid reflux/indigestion aid if taken after a meal
51. Adrenal fatigue
52. Allergies (seasonal hay fever)
53. Alzheimer’s/Dementia
54. Asthma, even in children
55. Autism
56. Bowel function
57. Bronchial Infections
58. Cancer (has been shown to prevent colon and breast cancer in laboratory
tests)
59. Candida Albicans
60. Cholesterol – improves HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) to LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol)
ratio in people with high cholesterol
61. Chronic Fatigue
62. Crohns Disease and resulting inflammation
63. Circulation/feeling cold all the time
64. Colds and Flus
65. Constipation
66. Cystic Fibrosis
67. Depression
68. Diabetes – helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with
cravings
69. Dysentery
70. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying
it externally, but some don’t
71. Edema
72. Energy boost
73. Epilepsy (known to reduce epileptic seizures)
74. Fever Support
75. Flaky, Dry Skin
76. Gallbladder disease and pain
77. Gas
78. H. pylori
79. Head Lice
80. Heart Disease (protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis)
81. Hemorrhoids (can applied externally or internally twice a day)
82. HIV
83. Hot Flashes
84. Hyperthyroidism
85. Immune System Builder
86. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
87. Jaundice
88. Kidney Disease
89. Kidney Stones (aids in dissolving them)
90. Liver Disease
91. Lung Disease
92. Malnutrition
93. Mental Clarity
94. Menstruation Relief regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow
95. Migraines (with regular use)
96. Mononucleosis
97. Osteoporosis
98. Pancreatitis
99. Parasites
100. Periodontal Disease and tooth decay
101. Prostate Enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
102. Rickets
103. Skin problems
104. Scurvy
105. Stomach Ulcers
106. Toenail fungus
107. Thrush
108. Thyroid Function (regulates an overactive or underactive thyroid)
109. Ulcerative Colitis
110. Underactive thyroid gland – results have shown subsequent thyroid
blood tests becoming normal after ingesting coconut oil daily
111. Urinary Tract Infections (Bladder Infections)
Coconut Oil and Health Problems (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing these health issues)
112. Acne
113. Allergies/Hay Fever – rub a little inside the nostrils for quick relief. The
pollen will cling to the oil.
114. Athletes foot
115. Back pain/sore muscles
116. Boils and cysts
117. Canker sores
118. Cellulite
119. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I
have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.
120. Decongestant – rub coconut oil on the chest and under the nose when
congested from a cold or allergies
121. Ear infection – place a few drops inside the ear twice daily for relief from
pain. Also fights the infection itself.
122. Genital Warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil
enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)
123. Gum Disease and Gingivitis (use as a toothpaste or rub directly on
gums)
124.Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)
125.Hives (reduces the itch and swelling
126. Pink eye (applied around and in the eye)
127. Ringworm
128. Toothache
129. Warts
Coconut Oil and Cooking
130. Butter Substitute – use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing butter in
recipes with coconut oil.
131. Nutritional Supplement – melt and add to smoothies.
132. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in its solid form for greasing
pans, pie crusts, etc.
133. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing,
etc.
Coconut Oil and Pets/Animals
Check with your veterinarian but the recommended dosage for animals is 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily.
134. Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome
and colitis
135. Aids in arthritis or ligament problems
136. Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing
137. Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry
skin and hair, bites and stings
138. Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact
dermatitis, and itchy skin
139. Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing
140. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to
their water bowl daily.
141. Helps prevent or control diabetes
142. Helps sedentary dogs feel energetic
143. Helps reduce weight, increases energy
144. Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
145. Makes coats become sleek and glossy, and deodorizes doggy odor
146. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have been shown to improve brain
energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that
results in brain lesions in older dogs.
147. Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida
148. Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health
149. Reduces or eliminates bad breath in dogs
150. Regulates and balance insulin and promotes normal thyroid function
Other Uses for Coconut Oil
151. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the
stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum
between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!
152. Goo Gone – just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a
paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub
off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.
153. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it
all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with DEET!
Tons safer too.
154. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products
155. Oiling wood cutting boards and wood bowls
156. Polishing Bronze – all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton
towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the
color of your bronze.
157. Polish Furniture – coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish
wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small,
unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.
158. Seasoning animal hide drums
159. Seasoning cookware
160. Soap making – coconut oil can be used as one of the fats in soap.
Source: http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/01/160-uses-for-coconut-oil.html
additionally, I buy a coconut product made of the hulls instead of peat products to condition the garden soil – leaving peat in the boglands were it belongs!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Treats
Posted on: July 20, 2012
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
Source: The Sweets Life
Ingredients:
1 lb large strawberries
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3-4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 – 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions:
1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some of them are hollow already. Prep all of the strawberries and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or Ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill the strawberries with cheesecake mixture.
3. Once strawberries are filled, sprinkle or dip the tops with graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.
From Aussie Tucker ~ The Great Australian Bite
Focus Effort and Energy
Posted on: July 19, 2012
Treating Kundalini Syndrome | 7 Effective Tips
Kundalini Syndrome Symptoms
Grounding Kundalini Energy
Although raising Kundalini Shakti (Energy) is the goal of many practitioners and yogis, sometimes if kundalini has prematurely risen or if the energy is too much to handle, the very opposite is needed. The energy needs to be grounded and Kundalini needs to be brought back down. From time to time I am approached to help in such situations and as I mentioned in the article, Kundailni Shakti Help and Advise, I would put together a guide for how to deal with this type of Kundalini Syndrome and how to manage such kundalini problems. So in this article I would like to offer you some ways to deal with this condition and reduce the affects of kundalini if they are getting unmanageable.
Before I present the tips below I would like to direct you to 2 articles which will go long way in helping you avoid Kundalini Syndrome in the first place, by ensuring that Kundalini awakening takes place is a safe and natural way. These 2 article are, 10 Guidelines for Kundalini Yoga Practice and Dangers of Kundalini Yoga. These 2 articles will give you the right way to approach Kundalini Yoga and Kundalini Awakening.
In general, the majority of people suffering from Kundalini Syndrome, who have approached me, have practiced Chakra Meditation exclusively and excessively. So please we weary of doing that. Don’t just focus on doing Chakra Meditation and Chakra Striking. Instead focus on doing a balanced yoga workout and living a balanced spiritual life. This will help avoid the issue of premature kundalini awakening. Also, there are other tips in the above articles to help you avoid kundalini problems such as abstaining from drugs, etc, which are definitely worth knowing about.
Here below are 7 useful ways to help control kundalini energy if indeed she has gotten out of hand and is causing your grief.
Treating Kundalini Syndrome Problems:
1. Be with Nature:
The essential goal with regard to grounding kundalini and alleviating kundalini syndrome symptoms has to do with bringing down the energy and lowering the frequency of it’s vibration. So some of what is going to be suggested is going to mirror what you would do when trying to heal and balance the Root Chakra, and in that regard, reconnecting with nature and earth is very helpful.
So spend time in nature, especially near trees and the earth, and you will find this very useful in bringing down the energy. Try to be as close to nature as possible, so sitting up against trees or walking barefoot on the grass is what you should be trying to do.
Along the same lines, gardening or other landscaping activity which gets your hands dirty are also highly recommended. Go ahead and do some potting and weeding. Not only will you get your garden in shape, you will also start to manage kundalini.
2. Do Physical Work:
As indicated above, the objective is to get yourself back into the body and reconnected to the earth and one of the good ways of doing that is with physical labor. So if you are suffering from too much kundalini, then counter it with such laborious tasks. Anything that requires physical work will help. Carpentry, construction, painting, etc are all good to do. Any interest of yours that also requires physical work is good to do.
3. Do Physical Exercise:
If your condition allows you to exercise, I would certainly recommend doing so. This has the benefits of making you more body oriented as the method above, but in addition it will also help you fight any anxiety the kundalini syndrome might be causing. If you are able to exercise, you will feel more confident about your health and so will not be so stressed and fearful about what is happening in the body.
4. Eat Full Meals:
Proper and regular diet is always recommended for good health, and in the case of dealing with excessive kundalini energy, eating bigger heavier meals will help you feel more grounded and settled. Again, as you can see, the goal is to feel more in your body and more connected to earth and your life, and food is certainly a strong source of this connection.
5. Avoid Stimulants:
If kundalini energy is out of control then you do not want to stimulate her further. So it is important to abstain as much as possible from stimulating foods and drugs. So during this time, alcohol, drugs, coffee, tea, etc should be avoided.
6. Take a Break from Your Spiritual Practice:
As tip number 5 above, you want to stop stimulating the energy and so it is important to take break from your spiritual practice until you feel you can better handle the energy and the situation. This step here is a very personal decision, but generally speaking, if you are suffering from kundalini syndrome, then your practice might very well be out of balance, and so it needs to be re-evaluated anyway.
Often, the aspirant is doing too much mantra/chakra meditation or perhaps is listing to Binaural Beats, etc and not balancing their practice with physical yoga and simple spiritual activities, so in these cases it is certainly recommended to stop what they are doing and establish a more sound and balanced practice.
7. Rest and Relaxation:
Sometimes kundalini is working within you and you just need to relax and give her a chance to do what needs to be done. In these cases you need to trust her intelligence and give your body a chance to go through the cleansing and purification taking place. In general, being relaxed is very important when dealing with kundalini, as getting anxious and worried about kundalini awakening symptoms only makes the situation worse. This is often why in the past, kundalini yoga was practiced in an ashram or monastery, where you have the time and space for proper kundalini awakening to take place.
Another good way to relax, which also helps to calm kundalini is to take warm baths.
Summary of Treating Kundalini Syndrome:
Kundalini awakening is a very personal journey and the experiences vary considerably form person to person (read Kundalini Awakening Symptoms). So you have to listen carefully to your own body and heart to see what is the right course for you. If though the energy has become too much for you and the symptoms are causing you trouble, then the above guidelines can help you get things back under control. Some of this will be trial and error, but in general the above tips have worked well for others to whom I have recommended them.
If you are suffering from kundalini syndrome, worrying will not help, so try and trust the process that is taking place, while at the same time acting intelligently and taking steps outlined above to ground the energy. There are even more ways to help bring the energy down and in a future article, I will share those with you as well.
If you are someone who has dealt with Kundalini Syndrome and have overcome the difficulties, please do share with us any tips that worked well for you.
Article Series – Kundalini Yoga Information and Guidance
- Kundalini Yoga – The Yoga of Energy & Awareness
- 10 Important Guidelines for Kundalini Yoga Practice
- Kundalini Yoga Seven Chakra System Overview
- Kundalini Awakening Symptoms
- Dangers of Kundalini Yoga
- Chakra Healing | How to Analyze & Balance Your Chakra Centers
- How to Teach a Fantastic Yoga Class – Part 1
- Warming Up Correctly | How to Teach a Great Yoga Class – Part 2
- Comprehensive Guide on How to Teach a Yoga Class
- Kundalini Meditation | Power of the Energy
- Welcome To Mind | Understanding the Positive, Negative and Neutral Mind
- Awakening of Kundalini | 4 Powerful Meditations
- Kundalini Shakti Help and Advise
- The Source of Yoga for Kundalini and Kundalini Yoga Kriyas
Posted on: July 19, 2012
- In: Uncategorized
- Leave a Comment
finding that inner peace
within yourself
and from your connections to others
Healthy Fruit Frozen Popsicle
Posted on: July 19, 2012
Ingredients:
1 ounce Orange Juice
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Living Well 