Atchara (Pickled Papaya)

Be the Change

Winter Blues Cabin Fever Smoothie

I have the February blahs big time. Detoxing might be part of it. Like a lot of people I decided to clean up my food act after some holiday indulgence. Lack of light is probably contributing as well. In the north we are short on sunlight in the winter months in addition to spending most of our time in doors when the -40c weather hits which can leave a lot of people SAD (seasonal effective disorder) and grumpy - me included.
Cabin fever is a common northern saying for the half crazed folks who wander out of the isolation of their cabins into town in the spring after making it through another long dark cold winter. So as a nod to that I like to call this smoothie my Cabin Fever Smoothie :)

 Cabin Fever Smoothie (magnesium-rich)
(magnesium rich foods help to raise serotonin levels - low levels can contribute to the blues)

• 3T Powdered Raw Cacoa
• 1C Coconut Milk (Not the kind in the cans which is high in fat - I use the So Delicious unsweetened kind which is more of a milk than a heavy cream you get from the canned kind) 
• 1/4 T of Cinnamon
• 1 Large Kale Leaf (take out the woody stem)
• 1 Medium bunch of Parsley
• 1T of Cashew Butter or 1T of Coconut Butter
•  1 Banana
• 1/2 C frozen cranberries

Blend all together in a high speed blender I know, I know it looks very "green" but, trust me it is delish. It tastes like bananas, chocolate and coconut. Give it a try if you are feeling down and let me know if it works for you!

* NOTE: foods rich in the hormone melatonin, tend to decrease serotonin levels (magnesium increases serotonin). Some people supplement with melatonin when they are having problems sleeping (me included) so keep an eye on this if you are feeling down. I'll write a bit more about serotonin, melatonin and feel good foods in my next post.

Diffuser World Essential Oil Diffusers Vanderbuilt University Medical Ce...

Loving this!
Did you know: Using scent in hospitals isn't as new as this news feature makes it sound - during the second world war hospitals in the UK would simmer juniper berries in water to help clear the air. Camphor was also sometimes used.

Cephalic Oils & Herbs

Sorry for my LONG absence. Life has gotten in the way of blogging for awhile now. I managed to grab some time for me tonight and thought I'd post a little bit about Cephalic Essential Oils/Herbs. So what is Cephalic? Cephalic means pertaining or relating to the head. In aromatherapy this term refers to essential oils that stimulate and clear the mind.
Studies were done in the 1970s to evaluate the effects of many different types of essential oils. Some oils were found to elicit beta patterns in the brain that are linked to aroused attention and alertness. So what are these oils?

1. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum): This herb is in the mint family and is often used as a culinary herb. In aromatherapy sweet basil is often used for it's stimulating and energizing properties. * Sweet basil blends quite well with rosemary. Ideas for use: Blend into a massage oil, inhale or Make a pesto! Using fresh raw sweet basil, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts or walnuts - inhale as you chop (yum!),
2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary has been used to aid the memory for centuries (an interesting note - brides in Scotland and Ireland traditionally would carry Rosemary in their bouquets to symbolize remembrance), rosemary essential oil is often used to stimulate the mind, body & spirit. Ideas for use: Put a few drops in fresh water and use as a hair rinse (rosemary is known to stimulate hair growth when it is used regularly - that is why you see it in hair preparations so often), blend into a massage oil (it is also great for sore muscles & stimulates circulation).
3. Black Pepper (Piper nigrum): Black Pepper Oil is stimulating and is a good choice for inclusion in blends intended to help enhance alertness and stamina. Black Pepper should be avoided before bedtime. Black pepper blends well with most citrus and floral oils. It is known to be great at relieving aching muscles.
4. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): Cardamom is a member of the ginger family. It is often used to for digestion and to stimulate the mind. Cardamom is warming (will induce sweating so great if you have a fever or cold to use in the bath or as a massage oil),

Louise Hay... So great

Never Give Up

I had to share this - so motivational.