look within

This is going to be a doubly-referenced post. Today I stumbled upon this great blog post from intuitive Laura Bruno via professional astrologer Electra Jung. I highly encourage everyone to read it - it explains the present Mars Retrograde in Virgo (January 23 - April 13, 2012), and might even shed light on some inner energy you've been experiencing lately. The theme to take away regards focusing inward versus outward - rediscovering your authentic self, stripping away external expectations, perceptions, and judgments. So, set yourself free from the binding, self-imposed constraints of the past and the future, and work with the Mars Retrograde to really focus on what it is that you desire, on what is your truest path, regardless of any non-you influences. This is an uplifting post and, of course, focuses on the Law of Attraction, visualization, eliminating negative thinking that holds you back, and doing what it is YOU want to do, completely undistracted by what everyone else wants or thinks you should do. What is your soul's deepest desire? What brings you great joy? What fills your entire being with love and light?

a balancing act

My last post regarded emotional eating and the power of raw, living foods, and how this lifestyle can positively change your life. Just to add a bit of human-ness to this blog, I want to recount my weekend experience with falling off the new lifestyle bandwagon. It was my first real fall (with the exception of snacking too much over the holidays :)). I visited my ol' recent, and not-so-recent stomping grounds in the Dells, and had a really fun night with friends I used to work with. Because I hadn't seen these people for a few months, we stayed out all night, and my usually treasured sleep took a backseat to a seriously awesome 90's music, car jam session. It was great and I do not regret having a fun time with old friends (it reminded me of the importance of friends, connections, spontaneous fun, and the joy of music and dancing!), but the sudden and extreme shift from my recent focus on overall health (paired with a little bit of poor nutritional planning) really affected my body in an intense way.

But, as always, every experience is intentional, needed, and can facilitate a greater examination into one's life. And such is this one! I believe that in light of the good time I had with friends, my fatigue and hunger for the next day reminded me of just why I have enjoyed reaping the benefits of a high raw lifestyle. On the drive home from the Dells, I broke my high raw-streak, even breaking my vegan streak, and ordered Wisconsin CHEESE CURDS! Haha. Well, they were certainly delicious, but I was certainly aware of just how off my body felt after consuming them. I resorted to feeding my body for pleasure, comfort, and convenience, as opposed to for health, vitality, and fuel. As soon as I got home, I was so tired that I did not get to really enjoy the full breadth of day - and I went to sleep early, for a very disrupted sleep (due to my negligible diet, too-much drink, and sleep!) I had this experience so that I could remember the difference in how my body, mind, and spirit feel when I fuel my body with living foods, am hydrated, and get good sleep, as opposed to how I felt all yesterday. It was fun, and all of life requires a balancing act, but I understand now that if I want to feel consistently good, I can. I can spend more time pre-planning meals, always having water on hand, and having healthy snacks in my car. As far as the lack of sleep goes, well, that will happen - it was necessary in order to enjoy some seriously awesome singing with seriously great people! I'm just grateful I had a whole day to decompress. :) I now realize that I can have both the fun lifestyle of times past, with my new lifestyle of health - I do not have to go back and forth between the extremes! Thank you, Universe, for reminding me the beauty and importance of balance, and thank you for helping me to see this light.

combat emotional eating...with love!

Today I want to write about an issue very near and dear to many of our hearts: emotional eating. I can only comment on the emotional eating that surrounds me in this country, in this culture, and in my own sub-cultures, but I am inclined to believe that it is quite widespread.

 

 

One of the reasons I’ve embarked on a personal raw foods journey is to combat emotional eating! Food – eating – going out to a nice meal– meeting friends for a meal – celebrating with food and drink – holidays – we are immersed in a culture of food, food, food! This reality, paired with our fast-paced go-go-go cultural mentality, leads to meals of convenience (and, often, meals that are nutritionally deficient!) Subsequently, we become addicted to the sugar-laced foods, the preservatives and chemicals used to “enhance”our meals, and the high sodium and fat content of typical U.S. American grub. Moreover, it’s difficult to find health foods stores – especially in more rural and impoverished areas – and when you do find organic produce, it’s often so expensive.

Regardless of these setbacks, in the past couple of months one thing has been made clear to me: no matter the cost and the inconvenience, transitioning to living foods, or at least striving for a diet that encompasses more food from the earth, can make a huge difference! I’ve experienced heightened energy, lightness of being, and a greater connection to the foods I eat. What has always been difficult for me is refraining from eating for comfort and for pleasure – and instead eating for sustenance, for life, for my body’s nourishment! I will say, in the raw foods sector, my tendencies to eat a savory meal for the wrong reasons are dissipating, as I choose to fuel my body, versus feed it. It is an ongoing journey, but a journey that promises to be beneficial– physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Small milestones have proven this.

If you are an emotional eater (and most of us are, truly!), I encourage you to try a raw foods lifestyle, even for a week (perhaps in detox-style, or, aim for 50% raw!) Even on the raw foods lifestyle, if you do typically overeat or eat for pleasure/comfort, it is much better to engorge yourself with apples and bananas, right? And, as you continue on your journey, the pleasure-eating syndrome will slowly leave you, and be replaced with the desire to treat your body kindly. Your taste buds will even be positively impacted, and you will crave the goods of the earth. If you want more information on going raw – I am a newbie – but I can direct you to resources I’ve used, food that I eat, and supportive blogs I’ve read. I wish you the best of luck if you pursue this journey, and in all your journeys of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and balance. For that is the ultimate goal, is it not? J Happy weekend everyone.

an inspiring poem excerpt

I See

In the beams of the moon
I see my beauty's face.
In the rays of the sun
I see my duty's race.
In the flames of the sky
I see my oneness divine,
I feel my oneness immortal
With my Pilot's Nectar-Embrace.
-Sri Chinmoy

New Year's List of 4

Happy New Year everyone! 2012 has already gotten off to an epic beginning, and there is no denying that this will be a year of great change. It is a year we've all been waiting for!


To start the new year off right, I am borrowing energy healer Mona Wind's 4 steps to the 2012 transition. I encourage you to do the same. :) So, take out a notebook or write in your own blog, and have a happy start to this new, beautiful year.


1. Write down 100 things you are grateful for - about yourself.


2. Acknowledge all the ways the universe has supported you this past year - both the little ways and the big ways.


3. Instead of writing down the traditional list of new year's resolutions, write down what Mona refers to as a "Magic List." This list regards what you choose to experience for the fun of it. For example, Mona writes that one year she decided that magic was swimming with dolphins. Write down as few or as many as you would like - decide on a list of things you would like to manifest, things that for you are magical. Then, surrender this list to the universe, and allow the Magic to happen.


4. Dance, dance, dance!! Move your body, enjoy your body, treat your body!! It has always been a rock for you, supporting you, loving you, grounding you - trust it, appreciate it, love it. My friends and I find that this bodily magic best occurs with the help of salsa or bachata music. Find your niche, love your body, dance with your loved ones, dance alone, dance in the new year.


If you are interested in seeing an example of implementing the above list of 4, I invite you to read my gratitude blog . Happy 2012, everyone! May your lives be blessed with endless joy, love, and peace. Be that joy, love, and peace that you seek. :)