The sun always comes once the clouds have parted from the rain. There is always a lesson learned and an upside to various situations, it merely depends on your point of view, on how you look at things. There is experience to be gained in all that we do, there are stories to live and stories to be told. There is wisdom gained and knowledge to be passed on to others who endure something similar.

We know that it is not always easy to make lifestyle changes. Whether you are new to raw foods and holistic health, or a seasoned raw foodie looking to shake things up a bit, we encourage you all to take it one step at a time. For just as learning to walk or ride a bike for the first time left you with a couple bruises or scrapes, so might you unintentionally fall off track or take a wrong turn. No worries though, because we want to encourage you that at any point you can get back up again and get back to the raw food lifestyle.

We have several ways to for you start the raw food lifestyle depending on your own personal preference for learning and trying new things. Check out our Going Raw article here. If you are looking for ways to shake things up a bit, in addition to raw-tastic recipes, we have an article on how to Get More Raw into your diet. Ultimately, we want you to know that we are here to support you in your journey, which is why we provide all of this information and resources for free. We want you to succeed.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your journey to holistic health and wellness:

• Have A Night In: Invite a couple friends over for an un-cook night. That’s right, claim that together you will make a meal that is super healthy and taste amazing. Use our site or another website of your choice to pick some easy raw recipes that are sure to awe (we recommend raw sushi, raw tacos, spinach powerhouse salad, raw cookie dough, etc). You all can meet up at the grocery store and hand pick your produce. Then put on some good music and make the magic happen in the evening.
• Try Something New: Be sure you are not falling into a routine with your food. You will get bored, which is a time when we can become susceptible to temptation.  Our website is jam packed with yummy raw recipes, all of them super easy to prepare. Consider planning at least one new recipe a week to keep things going. Also feel free to experiment, which can be loads of fun.
• Find A Veggie Friendly Restaurant: This is a once in a while suggestion. If you cannot find a raw restaurant, opt for one that has vegan friendly options. This is a good way to add some more variety and spice into your life.
• Raw Dessert: Don’t let the wholesome goodness fool you! You can totally have raw sweets that taste even better than what you’ll find in the standard American diet, which all natural ingredients! We commend raw cookie dough, raw banana soft serve, or raw carob balls.
• Join A Group: Raw foodies have a desire to meet and connect with others who share in their lifestyle. Use groups like Ning.com and Meetup.com to see who’s getting together in your area. If you cannot find a raw food group, find a vegan or vegetarian friendly group instead and see if they would be open to a raw food night or gathering.

Other Articles to Support You In Your Journey:
Affirmations for Health and Wellness
Healing Requires Presence and Awareness
How to Stay Raw at Work

Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day routine of our lives that we forget about the little things. And aren’t those the things that matter the most? Like when you are just relaxing outside and a little lady bug flies in and lands beside you? Or have you ever had a moment where your gaze is instantly interrupted by a carefree butterfly, meandering through the air to land where she sees fit. It’s beautiful to watch the little moments of nature and life happening right before you. Often we can be so busy or so immersed in what we are doing that we forget to look up and take note of what is happening around us.

We are a technology driven species, it is clear. In fact, if do get the opportunity to glance up while you are outside surrounded by people, take a look at how many of them are deeply concentrating on their cell phones, so involved in what’s going on in that little screen that they are literally walking one foot in front of the other and that’s it. We encourage all of our readers to take a moment to break away from the many computer screens and paperwork that makes up our day and actually take a moment to appreciate what’s going on around you. Again, it’s the little things that matter the most.

Surely there will be something simple and yet fascinating to capture your attention. We’ve listed 10 examples of some items you should see if you can find. They are sure to make you smile. Or, be sure to comment and leave behind your “little things” moment.

• A child with colorful rain boots splashing in puddles
• A family of ducks flying in the perfect “V” formation
• A woman planting flowers outside her home
• After a gentle rain, the clouds part and there is a rainbow
• A favorite song from your youth playing on the radio
• The clouds in the sky taking on a familiar shape
• Noticing the stars on a night sky and how far away they are
• A gentle breeze and a familiar scent in the air
• The warm embrace of a friend you’re excited to see
• The wind picking up leaves and carrying them to a new destination.

Happy thoughts to all our readers and a friendly reminder to remember the little things. They are happening all around you!

Piera Bonventre is a Homeopathic Practitioner, raw food connoisseur and a travelling yogi. She also tweets energy healing and daily yoga instructions- encouraging you to include yoga anytime of day. Piera will be our in-house yoga instructor, providing insight and direction into this unifying form of movement. Here’s what she has to say:

Einstein said:

“‘A human being is a part of the whole universe, a part limited in time and space.

He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.

This delusion is a prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Our task must be to free ourselves from this by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

-Albert Einstein, ‘What I believe’, Forum and Century issue 84 (1930)

As a homeopath, holistic nutritionist and Reiki practitioner I have learned immensely about myself  through my practice and mainly from my patients.  They are some of my greatest teachers.   I have learned that each and everyone of us truly thrives when given love and compassion. That without these 2 invaluable things, healing cannot transpire.

We may experience different events, symptoms and diseases in our lives.  However underlying all disease manifestations lies a deficiency and imbalance . This deficiency and imbalance is what sets off our internal innate healing mechanism to go in disarray.  Deficiency comes in many forms, from what is lacking in our diets, to what is missing in our living environments and personal relationships.

When I began to practice I was focusing on finding the right prescription whether it be the homeopathic remedy most indicated, or the right supplements or the right diet to best suit the patients needs. All this is very important and does play a huge part in my work today.

However now I truly dedicate myself to being first and foremost present with my patients during our consultations and interactions.

Truly present. And with compassion, awareness and love.

I listen with my soul and heart first , and then with my mind.  I observe with my soul and my heart first and then analyse with my mind the details and symptoms of the case.  And I “feel” the patient’s energy and vibe with my intuition and tune in to their concerns instead of concerning myself with deciphering the right prescription.

Conventional medicine may call this quakery or airy fairy BS.

But the more I work with my own soul and heart, the more I see my patients benefit and reach greater levels of personal healing.  I truly believe that just allowing my patients the opportunity to share, and verbally express what they are going through is a huge initiation to their healing efforts.  The ability to express their concerns at much longer lengths than the usual conventional 15 minute appointment with their M.D  begins to open doors they haven’t even attempted to unlock in ages.

When I look into their eyes, I sense they appreciate my acknowledgment of their pain.  More importantly though, when I look into their eyes I connect with their internal wisdom.  I observe the love that so desperately wants to be expressed and fully loved back.

Everyone has their own journey to take.

Their path unfolds according to their own level of awareness and how much they allow this awareness to come into being at any given moment.

The more present we become the far more healing we can achieve.  The more present we become the far more LIVING we actually experience.  Coming to each moment with presence allows us to experience the only thing we have that is certain in this life.  Which is the present.  This is the key to liberation from suffering and the endless states of pain we may believe we never will overcome.

A dear friend of mine shares his insight on presence with me, whenever he feels I may need a bump back into alignment.  He just simply mentions to me in the most loving tone:

“It is what it is, and remember where ever you go, there you are-so love it all”.

How do you bring presence to your daily life? to your interactions? to your work? to your relationships?

Your soul is calling.  Have you answered?

Travel Lightly,

Piera

Affirmations are statements of acceptance that one uses to allow the manifestation of your destiny. They are powerful and positive thoughts and statements that you send out into the universe. That positive energy reaches far beyond what the eyes can see and can do wonders in your life. To do positive affirmations, you need to eliminate the negative around you. If you come into such energy, you must find ways to not let it hold you back from what you are trying to accomplish. That energy should not stick to you.

You must first believe that YOU CAN manifest your destiny. It must be a positive, powerful belief. Not just a “maybe I’ll try this and see if this works.” Having the right thoughts and visualizations can help you to create the life that you want. Many of our readers are interested in changing their lives for the better through holistic health and wellness. It’s partially changing your lifestyle and eating routine, but it is also about changing your mind. Let’s focus on changing the way we think, on allowing more positive energy in our lives, and in turn also giving us the positive energy we need to affirm and achieve our goals.

Before You Begin
There are several areas of our lives that we can apply affirmations to. For this article we are going to focus on our health and wellness. As you work with the affirmations provided below, remember to:

• Use the present or past tense. Do not use the future tense. You want your mind to know it has already happened.
• Be POSITIVE. Use the most positive terms you can. Never use negatives in affirmations.
• Write them down. As you are learning to do these, write them down so you will remember exactly what you want to say.
• Believe. Always believe that what you saying is happening. It may seem weird or even difficult at first, but with practice you will change your mind. The more you believe, the stronger the affirmation.
• Repetition. Being repetitive and persistent helps to set them i your head and into your own unconscious being. Do you want to change your life? Then speak your life into existence.
• Time. Always have a specific time daily set aside for your meditations, affirmations and visualizations. This will help set a pattern for you so you can do them daily. Make them a part of your life. Make the time.

Affirmations for Your Heath
Here are some affirmations to get you on your way to optimal health. These will more than compliment and enhance the strides you are already taking. One ounce of the right thoughts get way more done than a million ounces of action.

• I have the power to control my health.
• I am in control of my health and wellness.
• I have abundant energy, vitality and well-being.
• I am healthy in all aspects of my being.
• I do not fear being unhealthy because I know that I control my own body.
• I am always able to maintain my ideal weight.
• I am always able to maintain my ideal weight.
• I am filled with energy to do all the daily activities in my life.
• My mind is at peace.
• I love and care for my body and it cares for me.

Resource: Affirmations http://www.mjbovo.com/Affirmations.htm

I am writing this article to dispel any myths, fears or phobias that you may have about colonic irrigation.  Colon hydrotherapy is a safe, gentle, therapeutic lavage or bath of the large intestine.  In fact colon lavage was first recorded 1500  B.C., in the ancient Egyptian document, Ebers, Papyrus which dealt with the practice of medicine. These enemas were described as the infusion of aqueous substances into the large intestine through the anus.  Hippocrates ( 4^th and 5^th century B.C. ) recorded using enemas for fever therapy.  Galen ( 2^nd century A.D. ) also recognized and was a proponent of the use of enemas.  Today with modern technological advancements in colon irrigation instrumentation, particularly with regard to safety, along with educated and skilled hygienists, colon therapy has become a valuable adjunctive modality to allopathic and naturopathic doctors in cleansing and healing the colon of gastrointestinal disorders.

WHAT IS COLON HYDROTHERAPY

Colon irrigation is an internal bath that cleanses the large intestine of accumulated fecal matter, toxic gases, and harmful mucous.  Unlike an enema, it doesn’t involve the retention of water.  There is no discomfort, very low internal pressure, just a steady flow of filtered water in and out of the colon  (large intestine).

HOW IS A COLONIC ADMINISTERED?

A client receiving a colonic lies on a table below the temperature-controlled input machine.  A disposable speculum is gently inserted in the rectum.  Water flow, which is always under the direct control of the practitioner, flows into the colon via a small tube carrying with it impacted feces, toxic gases, and harmful mucous.  The practitioner gently massages the abdomen to help the colon release its’ contents.  It is possible to see the expelled waste matter when it passes through a special viewing window in the colon hydrotherapy machine.  The client is well covered and their modesty is given top priority during the procedure.  The process takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLONIC IRRIGATION?

Many of the chronic ailments and degenerative diseases that plague our society today is due to toxicity.  A sluggish toxic bowel can be directly or indirectly related to a myriad of chronic conditions, to include cystic acne, eczema, psoriasis, female reproductive disorder, low back pain, bad breath, allergies, asthma, infected sinuses, constipation, flatulence, IBS, diverticulitis, bloating, weight gain, chronic fatigue, body odor, depression, and finally cancer.  Colonic cleansing offers relief and in some cases significant improvement in many of the conditions listed above.  Colonic cleansing enhances and improves bowel regularity and as well as absorption of nutrients into the cells of the body.  I offer my personal testimony to attest to the benefits of colonic therapy.

I suffered from cystic acne, severe allergies, eczema, constipation, female reproductive disorders,  and suicidal depression from early childhood to adulthood.  At the age of 24 I had an awakening and my life’s journey guided me to seek natural therapies and a holistic lifestyle.  Dr. John Chissell, a medical doctor in Baltimore who practiced both allopathic and alternative medicine referred me to a colon therapist.  Dr. Chissell became my mentor and a very good friend. I became a vegan, fasted religiously, and included colonic irrigation as a part of my detoxification program.  Today 56 years later I’m acne and eczema free.  My bowel habits are regular, minimal allergies, great energy and no deep debilitating thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, or despair.

Many of my clients have similar testimonies.  Some report having more energy, less desire for junk and fast foods, feeling lighter, cleaner on the inside.  Others report weight loss, less bloating and gas,  improved bowel movements,  cleaner fresher breath,  relief from back pain, menstrual cramps, clear skin and body odors.  Removing impacted fecal matter, toxic gas, and old mucous from the colon gives the body an opportunity to regenerate, rejuvenate and heal itself from the inside out.  Repressed anger, negative emotions and traumatic cellar memories can also be released bringing the mind, body, and spirit into a joyous state of inner peace, balance and harmony.

SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

One of the most popular misconceptions is that the colonic destroys the healthy bacteria.  The healthy bacteria is produced in the small and large intestines.  Colonics removes large amounts of toxic fecal matter enabling the intestine to manufacture beneficial intestinal flora.  We encourage our clients to take additional probiotics after the session.  Another misconception is that colonics can rupture the colon.  I have administered colonics to thousands of clients over the years and have not had that experience.  I have control of the pressure and temperature of the water.  By using very low pressure I’m able to prevent any injury or harm to the colon.  The pressure gauge on the colonic machine also reveals when the colon is full and ready to release.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The following is a list of contraindications for using the procedure; severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, inflamed hemorrhoid, abdominal surgery, abdominal hernia, dialysis patient, fissures, severe cardiac condition, crohns disease, colitis.

SUCCESS STORIES

Over the years I have established relationships with allopathic and naturopathic doctors who refer their patients for colonic cleansing.  Several of those doctors as well as other health care practitioners are also clients of mine and have experienced the benefits of colonic irrigation.  On several occasions I was sent patients who were referred by their doctor for a colonic cleanse because their CT scan revealed severe fecal impaction.  The clients came in with complaints of abdominal bloating, pain, low energy, and constipation.  After the colonic session the clients stated that they felt relieved of bloating, gas and abdominal distention and pain. They stated that they felt lighter and cleaner on the inside.   Colonics have relieved many women of menstrual cramping, sugar and junk food craving, constipation, bloating, and weight gain.  I gave a colonic to two eleven year old males whose mother brought them in for constipation from eating junk and fast foods.  I was very impressed with these young boys who handled the sessions very well.  My oldest male client was 92 years  of age.  He was referred by his doctor because he had a sluggish bowel.  He was always grateful that he got some relief.

MORE ABOUT ME

My name is Argo Duenas.  I’m a certified colon hydrotherapist, foot reflexologist, and  REIKI practitioner.  As the owner and manager of Back To Nature Health and Wellness Center located in Annapolis, Maryland, I have dedicated over 25 years of my life serving and raising the health awareness in my community and the greater Washington, Baltimore Metropolitan area.  I also hosted and produced a local cable television talk show for ten years educating and raising the community’s awareness about alternative therapies, natural cures, and disease prevention.  An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Please visit my website at www.backtonaturewellness.com

Happy Valentines Day to our raw food and holistic health family! To continue with our celebration of our Love Your Body Month, we would like to talk about learning to love and accept yourself. You are all beautiful. magnificent beings and we are so happy to have you be a part of our family. Often times we associate love with other people (such as family members, friends, or a significant other), animals (your pet) and experiences (how you felt when…..). When we say “I love you,” we’re always saying it to another person. How often do we express our love for ourselves?

Let’s take a look within for a moment. Many of us have lifelong goals and aspirations that we hope to acquire, maybe it’s finding your true soul mate, getting a new job that excites you, or taking an adventurous vacation. No matter what it is, in the end, it all comes down to the basic need to be happy, being accepted and feeling loved. We all achieve this state through different paths (new career, new partner, new beginning, new adventures). But one way to catapult yourself onto the path of happiness, being accepted and feeling loved is to love yourself.

In order to truly love yourself (and in return share that love with others) you have to accept and love yourself unconditionally. Even if there are parts about you (physically, mentally, spiritually) that you are still working on, love those parts anyway. They are apart of you, a forever changing and evolving being. We would like to share with you 5 tips to help you love and accept you, for the person you are right now, and the person you are going to be.

5 Tips to Love and Accept Yourself

1. Show The Mirror Love. Often times when we look at ourselves in the mirror, our eyes are immediately drawn to what we consider to be our flaws or things we would like to change. Some of us get up in the mirror, not to gaze into our eyes, but to examine the size of our pores (yes ladies, we said it!). We think about “I wish my [fill in the blank] was [fill in the blank].” Well, if all you look for are flaws, then that is all you will see. So instead look for beauty. Next time you look in the mirror, give yourself a compliment (“hey there good lookin’!” “wow you’re looking great today!” “I love those bright eyes of yours!” etc). Say it out loud and with a smile. It may seem silly, but its guaranteed to put you in a good mood and stir up some positive energy. Remember too, as you gaze at yourself, see your whole self (the whole amazing package of everything that you are); this really puts love and acceptance into perspective.

2. Make A List. What do you LOVE about yourself? I mean absolutely LOVE!!! Make a list of 10 things that you absolutely adore about yourself. This list can be a combination of physical and personality traits! And be sure to write this down as we believe there is power and energy in the written word. This can be a really fun and positive exercise for yourself, a chance for you to brag about what makes you so awesome! You can put this list a couple different places. It can be a post-it note on your bathroom mirror or a journal entry in your diary. Or, you can hide a couple copies in a book, binder, wallet or purse, so you’ll find the sweet surprise later. What an excellent way to continuously send love your way.

3. Say “I LOVE YOU.” How often do we look into the eyes of someone (a romantic partner, spouse, friend, family member) and say “I love you.” We say it, we mean it, and we look into their eyes. We see that person for exactly who they are, and we LOVE them for it. Why not treat yourself to that same love? Let’s go back to the mirror. Let’s look into your own eyes, call out your name, and genuinely say “I love you.” It may be a gentle whisper at first but we guarantee that you will get louder and more convicted each time you do it! You’ll probably incorporate a little dance and maybe a wink after a couple weeks of this. Have fun! You are so worth it!

4. Beauty Is A State of Mind. If you are happy with yourself. If you think of yourself as beautiful and sexy, then others people will think that way about you too. It’s about confidence. What can you do to be m ore confident? Aside from these fabulous tips, wear clothes that make you feel good. That’s right, clothes carry energy too. If you love it, and it looks great on you, you will exude that confidence and others will notice. Take care of yourself physically. Working out in any shape or form releases endorphins and good energy. You feel awesome because you accomplished something and you are working towards a goal. Eat right! Eating the right foods that give you proper nutrients is another way to heighten the level of positive energy you have in your life. When you eat right, trust us, it shows. Be kind and compassionate with yourself, through taking care of your mind, body and spirit, you are showing yourself love and acceptance.

5. See The Whole Person. We live in a society that is way to judgmental. We see someone and based on their appearance we make judgments. We make preconceived notions about who a person is, based on how they look. Change the way you think, change the way you see the world around you, and ultimately you will change yourself and bring more love into your life. Next time you are out and about, or even if you are in the office, try to remove your blindfold of just seeing a physical person, and instead see the whole person. See what makes them so unique, see what their amazing traits are. What makes them who they are, unlike anyone else? What makes them so special? You don’t want to be judged by superficial standards, so shift your mindset to not view others in this light.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Love is in the air. Whether or not you’re celebrating with someone else, make sure you show some love to yourself, for our Love Your Body Month, and beyond.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Looking for that perfect quote to put in a card? Or perhaps some inspirational words to get you in the mood? Let us inspire you with some wonderful words of love. Enjoy! If you have a quote you would like to share, leave a comment.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.”
-Shakespeare

“If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you’ve made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.”
-Unknown

“You don’t marry someone you can live with – you marry the person who you cannot live without.”
-Unknown

“Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.”
-Saint-Exupery

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.”
-Ingrid Bergman

“True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen.”
-La Rochefoucauld

“Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.”
-Alexander Smith

“The richest love is that which submits to the arbitration of time.”
-Lawrence Durrell

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
-Thoreau

“Love cures people – both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.”
-Dr. Karl Menninger

“To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best.”
-William M. Thackeray

“Who says love never lives? Maybe we’ve never lived.”
-Unknown

“Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever.”
-Unknown

“If love is great, and there are no greater things, then what I feel for you must be the greatest.”
-Unknown

“The Eskimos have 52 words for snow because it is so special to them; there ought to be as many for love!”
-Margaret Atwood

“Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart.”
-Unknown

“Within you, I lose myself. Without you, I find myself wanting to be lost again.”
-Unknown

This month we are going to LOVE our body RAW.  What better time to do this than during the month of Valentines… the month of Love. Whether you are all raw, eat partially raw or trying to go all or more raw, these tips will help you to show more love to yourself for the month of February and beyond.

1. Eat More Chocolate. What is a better way to start these tips that to say that this month we can use the excuse to eat more chocolate…Raw Cacao.   Chocolate in its raw form is high extremely high in anti-oxidants, magnesium (why do you women think you crave chocolate before that time of the month) and helps suppress and satisfy those cravings.  What makes this a perfect food for loving our body raw this month is that it contains the neuron-peptides that are similar to those we produce when we are in Love.  How many of you LOVE chocolate…there is something to it.

2. Add More Maca. In addition to the Chocolate, how about adding in some MACA, the root that acts as an aphrodisiac So now you are having the love producing cacao and the libido increasing Maca and what do you have… an amazing and extremely tasty combination that’s high in nutrients.  Maca great for rebuilding the adrenals, strength, stamina, endurance, is loaded in vitamins and minerals and is a great source of Protein containing over 20 amino acids.

3. Eat More Red Foods. And then third, let’s add more red foods in this month.  How about some amazing Goji Berries that are known for longevity.  These berries are also very high in anti-oxidant, …  February is a cold month for many of us, soaking goji’s in some warm water can make a wonderful tea.  To top it off there is nothing better than the combination of the Goji’s with Maca and Cacao.  So before we continue, let me give you a recipe.

Let the Goji Berries steep in some hot (not boiling) water for 20 min, then use the Goji water, add a TBSP of Maca, a TBSP of Cacao, a handful of cashews some agave and blend well.  You will have an amazing and highly nutritious Raw Hot Chocolate that will have a malty flavor from the Maca and a hint of berry with all kinds of health benefits.

4. Love Your Skin Too! Get on-line, or look around, there are some companies that carry skin care that is completely chemical free and contain many ingredients that will really help nourish your skin.  My favorite is Simply Divine Botanicals. You will notice a huge difference over the conventional soaps.  Not to mention our skin is a huge absorber of toxins and chemicals, we may be trying to avoid eating them but try not putting them on your skin either and see the difference.  I personally like using products that contain MSM.  Taking pure MSM internally will do amazing things for your skin also.  And try rubbing yourself down in coconut oil, it completely absorbs and your skin will feel amazing and softJ  Maybe on Valentine’s Day, have a jar of coconut oil by the bed…

5. Make Time For You. Most people are living high paced and high stress lifestyles.  The continued excuse “I don’t have time” for anything that involves taking time for ourselves…  Taking time for you is the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do.  Without thinking, there IS something that would come immediately to mind that you would love to do for yourself…maybe it’s get a massage or acupuncture treatment, go for a hike or bike ride, read that book that has been sitting on your night stand for months.  All you have to do is just do it.  ‘Ask yourself’ for a little time this month to do some things you want to do and see what happens.  All you have to do is ‘’ask”.  It is actually really simple and there is always time, it’s just whether you chose to do it or not.

6. Eat More Raw. By eating more raw foods and especially greens, we keep our bodies in balance.  When I say balance I am also talking from a pH standpoint and the internal biological terrain of our entire system.  When we chose to eat more raw foods, it eliminates the foods that turn our internal biological terrain into an environment for all the unwanted bacteria’s, viruses, yeasts, fungus, mold, dis-ease causing agents, etc.  We want to love our body, not waste it, which is what we do when we eat process, refined, pasteurized, homogenized, pesticide, genetically modified, hormone induced food. Think of your body as a garden, would you dump trash in it and expect it to flourish or would you love it and tend to it, watering it regularly so that it grows into beautiful plants that are going to nourish.   Would you water your garden with soda and other drinks…do you think the plants would grow or would they die?   Would you put bread in your soil or veggies to help nourish the soil and fertilize it? Think about your internal body as that garden and the more you care for it with natural and raw sources, the more it will flourish into that beautiful garden that will nourish you from the inside out.   The more alive the food you eat, the more vibrant you will feel!  I always like to say, what color is our planet, GREEN, so what do you think are the best foods to eat to live a healthy life…

7. Eat Healthy Snacks. Try substituting raw flax crackers for your regular processed crackers, eat more greens and sea veggies, add some avocados and raw Olives (yum).  Snack on more nuts and seeds, some Goji berries mixed with Cacao nibs, is a great snack!!  And just keep drinking more smoothies.   This is the best way to get all those nutrients in and it tastes great!

Kendell Reichhart is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and Integrative Nutritional Consultant.  Specializing in healing through raw and whole foods.  Nutritional Microscopy.  Towson, MD.   443-250-9335  www.naturalvibranthealth.net

“When the body is properly nourished, it then has the ability to function optimally.”

Piera Bonventre is a Homeopathic Practitioner, raw food connoisseur and a travelling yogi. She also tweets energy healing and daily yoga instructions- encouraging you to include yoga anytime of day. Piera will be our in-house yoga instructor, providing insight and direction into this unifying form of movement. Here’s what she has to say:

I know time is valuable.  Time is now a precious commodity.  Sometimes there isn’t time to breath it seems. And some of us really aren’t breathing much at all.    How you breath sets  your whole mental, emotional and physical state for the day!

Deep lower belly or diaphragmatic breathing is the most beneficial way you can regain your focus and calm during harried times and circumstances.  So when the kids are screaming, deadlines have to be met and your mother in law is coming over for the weekend, get on the mat to stay sane and your best amazing self.

YOU don’t need hours of YOGA to gain benefits!

MAKING time for Yoga should be a no brainer.  Yoga will encourage you to breath in PURE  energy enhancing PRANA.  Yoga will “reset” your whole state so you are BALANCED, FOCUSED and CLEAR.  And you don’t need hours of Yoga to gain the benefits! You actually will be more efficient and therefore need less time to do all those “must do” tasks.

Actually a good 20 minute session will do you a world of a difference when life gets really hairy and you feel tied up in knots. So lets get those knots unraveled, that breath flowing and your JOYFUL heart brimming with energy.

3 POSES + 20 MINUTES +AWESOME INTENTION= A STRESS BUSTING PRACTICE

Here are the three poses I believe are some of the best for receiving the most out of a yoga practice in a short amount of time. These poses are often considered foundational to any Yoga practice.  You will gain strength, increase flexibility and encourage cleansing of the whole system.

Pose  #1 Warrior Pose:

Any warrior pose can be implemented and choose to do all three for maximum benefits.  Warrior poses are standing poses and as such encourage the building of strength and stamina.  They also nurture INTERNAL strength and are excellent to improve self esteem.

In Warrior poses be very conscious of the alignment of your hips, you want to direct them so that they remain equal and not off center.  If your right leg is forward for example, encourage the left hip to come forward, and not sway back putting the lower torso out of proper alignment. Hips are huge in this pose!  Keep them squared and equally balanced.  Also remember to keep shoulders relaxed, and not hunching up to your ears.  Think of lowering the shoulders, yet keeping them engaged inwardly.

Pose # 2  :   Parivrtta Parsvakonasana Or Revolved Side Angle Pose

This is a twist type of asana.  Twists are very beneficial for the health of the spine and organs.  Twists encourage spinal circulation and help relieve blocked energy channels to the spine.  Twists also DETOXIFY organ systems.  Digestive organs get massaged and are helped to digest, assimilate and eliminate food.  Also the whole LYMPHATIC system is stimulated and encouraged to release toxins and waste products.

Again be conscious of the hips in this pose.  Keep them aligned and the spine long and straight.  Open the heart center as you twist to the side and keep the shoulders balanced with the hips.

Pose #3   Sarvangasana  or Shoulder Stand:

I’ve included this particular pose because its a very effective nerve and glandular balancing inversion.  It helps in so many ways to detoxify and re balance the whole system.  Shoulder stand will help you release toxins from the organs and lymph system.  In addition to this it has a very healthy effect on the hormonal system because it helps to regulate the thyroid.  A very special gland that regulates the metabolism and hormonal system of the body.  Shoulder stand also calms the nervous system, encourages SLEEP and tranquility.  Don’t we all need a great night sleep?

If you just do these three poses,  you have a well rounded practice you can do in just 2o minutes!  Even if you only have 15-20 minutes, THE EFFECTS are amazing.

Get on your mat! 5 minutes becomes 10 minutes.  10 minutes becomes 30 minutes, and 30 minutes becomes  a life time!

It did for me

keep walking lightly,

Namaste

Piera

There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy. — Ralph H. Blum

Being thankful is an amazing quality to add to your life. The simple act of gratitude and acknowledgment can generate an array of positive energy in your life and completely change your outlook. Really, just the simple act of being thankful. Every Thursday through our Twitter community we host #ThankfulThursday, where we simply ask our followers to let us know what they are thankful for and then we re-post their gratitude for everyone to see. It is a simple act, but the responses are always so fabulous to read. We tell them to let us know the little things they are thankful for, because sometimes its the little things that make the biggest difference. The responses range from God and spirituality, to friends and family, to mangos and avocados, and just the mere fact that the sun is shining. Let’s take this notion of being thankful to the next level.

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for. — Author Unknown

Being thankful opens us up to receiving a plethora of wonderful blessings. When we are in a state of gratefulness, we acknowledge our true selves and radiate this energy to others. You suddenly become a generator of positive energy, you have an aura about you. Perhaps it might be a good idea to keep a “Thankful Journal.” It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular and can simply be a notepad of paper. But each day, you should challenge yourself to write the 5 things you are thankful for. They can be big or small, there are no limitations. Doing this in the morning can allow you the opportunity to reflect upon it throughout the day. You could also write your gratitude list on a sticky note and then put it somewhere where you will see it and run into it. Let it serve as a constant reminder of the goodness that you’ve got going on in your life.

Perhaps the biggest gift that humankind has been given is the choice to decide the thoughts and attitudes we put in our minds. –from the book “Change Your Mind, Change Your Life”

You cannot welcome more abundance into your life until you have acknowledged that you are thankful for what you do have. You can also find yourself in a better mood and more optimistic when you shift your thoughts to ones of gratitude. Choosing to focus your thoughts on the good in your life rather than things you may not yet be satisfied with is sure to invite some positive energies in. Being grateful is the best way to attract additional blessings and means of abundance into your life.

Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. — John Wooden

So let me ask you right now, what are you thankful for? This question will get easier to answer the more you do it, so don’t fret if you are having some trouble coming up with your list. Remember anything big or small, it doesn’t matter, is worth mentioning on your list. You can be thankful for ladybugs because they always make you smile. If you need some additional suggestions to help get you thinking, here’s where you can start:

• You can be thankful for friends, relatives, your lover/partner, or anyone that truly appreciates your company (including pets if you have them!).
• You can be thankful for possessions that you have, that you have worked hard for, or that mean something to you. It can be your home, your car, your comfortable bed.
• And what about your source of income? That’s something to be thankful for as it provides some of the fuel you need to build your life.
• Your health. By this we don’t mean for you to think about the problems you might have or the things you want to change about yourself/your body. We mean, look at you gorgeous! You are alive, you are breathing, and you are able to log on and read this article! That’s totally something to be thankful for!

We think this should be enough to get you going. Trust us on this, you can start inviting positive energy and altering your mood for the better with this simple shift in focus and thought. Just by the simple notion of gratitude, you can change your life.  And now we are more than curious to find out what you are most thankful for. Reply to this article to let us know!