Grace and Clarity

A few  years back I came across a book that has changed my relationship with my body.  It’s a book not found on most  mega-bookstore shelves and it came to me in a box passed along from a friend.  It’s called Breast Health Exposed.

This small volume is a treasure trove of information on breast health, important to both men and women.  It includes simple tips for avoiding cancer-causing agents and enhancing personal wellness.  Short and to the point, this book is well worth the time it takes to order a copy online (see details below).  But the part I want to share with you today is its simple plan for a five-minute, non-invasive lymphatic massage.

Every morning I spend time in quiet contemplation, but since reading this book I also include a lymphatic massage while I sit and wake up with a glass of tea.  Since all humans have lymphatic systems, this massage is important for men and women alike.  My favorite part is that you learn the massage from a short video online.  The healing practitioners are fully clothed and lead you through this practical self massage quickly and easily.  I simply took notes on a post-it which I use as the bookmark for my morning reading materials.

The video is found at http://www.breasthealthrevolution.com.  Click on the “Resources” tab and select “Videos.” The self-exam video will be right there waiting for you to press play…easy.  You can also purchase a copy of the book from the web site, which I highly recommend.  Once you read it, pass it along to a friend!

To encourage more of you to actually practice the massage, I have listed the steps below but it is easier to learn by watching the short video.  You can see what each move means and how to do it right over your clothes.  There is no need to wait until you are in the shower or in bed at night; unlike a BSE lymphatic massage can be done when you’re dressed at any time of day (but please remember to do your BSE regularly, too)!  Here are the simple steps to helping your lymphatic system function at an optimal level:

1. Pump the fingertips of one hand into the opposite armpit.  Imagine you’re trying to gently scoop out the insides of a melon.  Repeat slowly 5-6 times.
2. Hold one breast in both hands and gently pull the tissue up and toward the armpit.  Repeat slowly 8-10 times.
3. Cup one breast with the hand on the same side of the body.  Use the heel of the opposite palm to strip the inner, top breast tissue up toward the collarbone.  Repeat slowly 8-10 times.
4. Hold the breast on top and bottom and press the entire tissue back against the body, almost like trying to squeeze the water out of a sponge against a flat surface.  Repeat 8-10 times slowly.
5. Repeat all motions on the other side.

Once you get the hang of these motions, you will be able to easily perform them on a daily basis.  I like to do them during my morning quiet time, while on the exercise bike at home or during my toilette.  Sending your body the loving energies of cleansing, releasing toxins and radiant health–which is your true nature–enhances the process.  Whether you are male or female, all bodies benefit from the loving attention we bring them; they do so much for us, let’s give something back in return!

Happy, healthy Valentine’s month to all!

If you are like most people, you have noticed periods of ebb and flow in your Energy throughout the day.  You may feel rejuvenated after morning exercise or dull after a long afternoon on the job.  But there are some simple ways to maximize times of flow (movement) and manage times of ebb (rest).

Research indicates that many activities have “optimal engagement times,” times when certain tasks are easier for the average person’s body or brain.  Note which of the ideas below may be helpful to you as you move into the full swing of summer:

• Making Decisions-The best time to make decisions is between 7-11am, when anxiety is lowest.  The worst times?  Between 2-8pm, when depression and anxiety tend to be more severe.
• Doing Complex Tasks-Try these during midday or late afternoon, when your body temperature reaches its normal high point.
• Remembering Things-Short-term memory is most acute between 10-11am.  Long-term memory is best in early to mid-afternoon.
• Learning Something New-Do this just before bed to maximize your ability to retain information for the following day.
• Asking for a Raise-Go to bat for yourself over lunch; people are more agreeable during the midday meal!

Living a dynamic spiritual life means utilizing all the tools at our disposal–not just spiritually but physically and mentally, as well.  The next time you plan your day, consider these simple tips for working with your mind’s natural cadence.  Then step back and watch the day flow by with grace and ease!

Each year we find Mother Nature cycling into seasons of upheaval and change.  Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and droughts are part and parcel of Her ongoing evolution and growth.  As Mother Earth balances and purifies Herself once again, I am reminded that we must be wise occupants of Her diverse terrain.

Unexpected changes can occur at any time and can be felt anywhere from the debris-strewn fields of our own back yards to the soaring prices at the grocery store.  A few simple preparations can go a long way toward banishing unneeded fear and making a catastrophe feel more contained.  Here are some basic tips from the Red Cross, Backpacker Magazine and wilderness experts to help you manage weather challenges that may come to your area this year:

• Back up your contact list–Nothing is more unnerving than the thought of being out of touch with those most important to you.  Yet when inclement weather arrives, it may not always be possible to charge your phone or even get a good cell phone connection.  Back up your contact list the old-fashioned way: on a piece of paper.  Write all the names and phone numbers of important contacts on a slip of paper small enough to fold into your wallet or purse.  Then make a few copies and put them in different places like your car, your office and your fireproof safe.  While it is unlikely you will ever need to use it, your list reassures you that you could go to any landline and have important numbers close at hand.
• Give your loved ones your landline number–At times of crisis, cell phone providers can be completely overwhelmed with calls.  The result is no one gets through and it is impossible to assure loved ones of your status.  In such times, a land line may work when other high-tech gadgets fall short.  Be sure you give–and receive–landline numbers as well as cell phone numbers from anyone you may need to get in touch with.
• Sign up with the Red Cross “Safe and Well” list–At the Red Cross official site, you can discover if out-of-contact loved ones in ravaged areas have found safety.  The Red Cross home page has a box entitled “How to Get Help” and below it is the heading “Safe and Well” followed by “List yourself or search registrants.”  This page allows you to register, or check on others who have registered, in an area of natural disaster.  Even if you cannot make contact by phone, this list allows you to learn your loved ones’ status such as they are “safe at home” or are “taking refuge in a shelter,” etc.  But participants in affected areas must self-register at the time of the crisis; tell your loved ones and plan ahead to keep in touch!
• Learn how to handle your region’s challenges–At www.redcross.org you will also find a  heading entitled “Preparing and Getting Trained.”  It drops down to reveal an option called “Preparedness Fast Facts.”  This menu gives you specific preparation check-lists for fires, tornadoes, pet safety or whatever your challenges may be.  You can print up as many as you want and review all relevant scenarios for your area.  Lists include items to gather, how to prepare and what to do in the event of an emergency.
• Grab a few essentials–Ever had a flat tire?  If you have, you know the key to turning that disaster into a do-able task is preparation.  Having the right tool for the job makes all the difference when you are in a challenging situation of any kind.  Go beyond just printing up a list of suggested preparation items–get out and purchase them.  I like to add one item to my shopping list every week, usually something I see on sale.  One week I buy candles on sale, another week a 12-pack of water bottles.  Keep an eye out for sales at “super stores” where you can grab reduced-price energy bars while picking up an emergency weather radio.  And the beauty is, once you have your non-perishable items, that part is done! 
• Think of those around you—Many of us don’t feel the urge to provide for our own unexpected needs, but how about planning ahead for someone else?  If you have an elderly neighbor, live in an area with kids or share a walking path with local pets, chances are they may need some help in a crisis, too.  Consider buying an extra bag of dog biscuits when they go on sale or squirreling away some juice boxes.  Perishables need to be rotated, so if you stock up, be sure to use any times nearing their expiration date after purchasing replacements. 
• What’s the worst that can happen?—I like to keep apathy at bay by asking myself, “What’s the worst that can happen if I don’t end up using the items I’ve collected?”  The answer is simple: I use the candles to light a romantic dinner, take the water on a hike in the summer and pack the energy bars for my next camping trip.  Simply restock expired items the Red Cross says you should keep on hand and enjoy any items that need to be used.  In the end, we find we have nothing to lose–and everything to gain!

Whether you live in an area confronted by an annual hurricane season, are susceptible to frequent blizzards or prone to heat extremes, you get to choose how much power you take over your future.  My hope is I will never have to use my simple supplies, but if I do I’ll be thanking my lucky stars I took the time to be prepared.

It’s one of the most common New Year’s intentions you hear…”This year I want to clean up my diet!”  Yet every January, we find ourselves slow to pick up the good habits we seek.  Here are a few simple ways to cleanse your temple–inside and out!

• Buy more organic produce–If you are like most folks, buying all-organic, all the time is not an option your wallet can afford.  However, by simply selecting more items than you did last year, you can begin to make some progress in purifying your diet.  I recommend visiting www.foodnews.org for a list of which fruits and veggies are the most contaminated with pesticides.  Commit to buying those as organics.  Then watch your grocer’s fliers and stock up on those items when they go on sale.  A good organic sale will often give you an item at the same price as non-organics, so why not go for it?
• Start juicing–Buying a juicer changed my nutrition life, and my body has never been happier!  It is obvious that with every glass I am adding easily absorbed, live raw nutrients to my body.  If you cannot afford a juicer, start a “juicer fund” with your spare change.  By year’s end you will be closer to purchasing a model that will help you jump-start next year’s NY intention for better health.  I love the web site of juicing expert Sheree Clark at  www.fork-road.com .  Check out juicer models online and read reviews; there is a machine out there for every budget and preference!
• Do a cleanse–Lots of people have a preferred method of cleansing, so if you have not tried one yet, start asking around.  Nutritionists do not recommend total fasting, so look for options like juice or raw food cleanses.  I like asking folks in the health food stores what they have tried; first-hand experience is always the best.  And don’t be confused by “colon cleanse” pills that are just diuretics in disguise.  A good cleanse should include lots of organic juices, possibly teas, as well as supplements like antioxidants, fiber (like ground flax) and liver support supplements or herbs.  It may sound like a lot of work, but once you have a method you like, you can reuse the regimen any time of year you want to detox and start fresh!
• Drink more water–Are you sick of hearing this one yet?  I am adding it here not because it is new, but to share a personal anecdote with you.  I have never been a good water drinker and often found myself going a week on just a few glasses of water.  Then, I moved to the desert and  started drinking water like crazy.  Why?  Ice cubes.  Now I know, I know–many health regimens ask you to swear off using ice or drinking cold beverages for the sake of your digestion.  But hear me out: by adding ice to my drinking water I found myself draining glass after glass, easily twice as much as I had consumed before.  It just worked for me!  Maybe for you, the trick is to add a slice of refreshing cucumber; maybe you like hot water with lemon.  Whatever it is that works for you, start trying options until you find something you like, then always drink your water that way.  If you’re like me, you will find yourself peering into another empty glass, mystified and wondering, “Where did my water go?”  True story!
• Start body-brushing–Skin brushing is done just before you shower with a special body brush (check your health food store).  You lightly brush the skin in strokes moving toward your heart to stimulate the flow of lymphatic tissue.  Your toxins are then ushered toward the liver for elimination, helping your body stay healthy and happy.  This makes a nice ritual, especially if you are like me and always shower by candle light.  Any day of the week feels like a vacation when you shower with candles, brush your skin lightly before and apply a cruelty-free lotion afterward.  Marvelous!

These simple practices can be started any time of year, so be sure not to overload yourself.  One of my favorite techniques is to grab my day-planner and schedule myself to begin a different type of purification each month.  January is more water, February is body-brushing, March is juicing…By the fall, you’re on your way to a healthier, more radiant body that makes you smile and say, “I love my temple!”

Happy health to you in 2012!

At this time of year, many of us feel the change in seasons affecting our well-being in various ways.  Gray skies make us feel lethargic, windy  days may cause tempers to flare and family gatherings can share as many germs as they share love.  But there are simple things you can do to take charge of your Energy and get grounded, even as things around you change this holiday season.

If you haven’t already done so, start stocking your pantry with foods that are healthy and grounding.  In the Indian science of health called Ayurveda, it is commonly known that foods which are warm and heavy help ground your Energy.  These include many Thanksgiving favorites like yams, cooked green beans and whole wheat rolls warm from the oven.  Also consider cooking with ghee this winter–a lactose-free butter derivative that warms the body and tastes great for sautéing, baking or even slathered on those warm rolls.  Foods with moderate salt and healthy fat are also grounding, like home-baked french fries or organic sweet corn and butter.  Note: processed foods, frozen foods, carbonated beverages, dry and crunchy snacks and meat products are all considered to be upsetting to grounding Energy–and your digestion.  Steer clear or at least minimize your intake of these during seasonal changes or busy times like holidays.

Another great way to get grounded is to use aromatherapy to your advantage.  Warm, earthy smells are always a good bet.  Whether you like the smell of cedar, pine, patchouli or sage these natural fragrances draw your Energy to center in an instant.  Also good are cinnamon, vanilla, lavender and amber.  You can find aromatherapy oils at most health food stores, along with tools for their use.  Oils can be applied to the skin like perfume (when properly diluted–check the package), added to a shower or bath, spritzed on linens or burned in an oil diffuser.  Welcoming aroma into your life more fully allows you to enjoy the winter season in a cozy, grounding way.

Practically speaking, winter naturally means less sunlight.  You can supplement your intake of the sun’s rays by sitting near a window on sunny days, bundling up for a sunny winter walk or using an SAD light.  SAD (or Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects millions of people in the areas of the country experiencing a majority of cloudy, overcast days each year.  The result is a feeling of lethargy, depression or even more serious mental health complications.  An SAD lights allow you to take in the important vitamin D from the sun in the comfort of your own home.  People who have struggled with SAD swear by them; just be sure you do some research online for the best price and buy one with a minimum of 10,000 lux.  Also remember: SAD can be a serious problem.  Consult a professional if depression worsens or does not go away.

Finally, you can use your baubles to ground your Energy!  If you have jewelry in darker hues, you can bet they will likely help you stay calm in the chaotic and snowy holiday season.  Consider wearing your black onyx, jet or obsidian pieces at this time to help stay centered as you celebrate.  These stones can also help release the old as you seek to ring in the new year.  If the winter blues are your problem, yellow citrine invites uplifting, sunny Energy into your space and fortifies the centering solar plexus chakra.  Some people find the holidays to actually be the most difficult time of year; it that is you, try purple amethyst to release grief and loneliness or turquoise to help voice personal boundaries in chaotic family situations.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Pancha Ganapati or the Solstice, the holidays are a busy time of year.  Be prepared as you approach this joyful season and you may just find yourself starting 2012 as the best new year yet!