Many of us have already made the switch to organic foods to avoid pesticides and other harmful toxins. But do you realize your skin is the largest organ in your body? The skin absorbs everything around you and literally “eats” the products you use on it? Do you know what’s in your bathroom? Most soaps, cleansers, cosmetics and even toothpaste is made with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is disguised under 150 different names. SLS is a de-greaser used to clean car engines, garage floors, and other greasy surfaces. How has this known carcinogen found it’s way into our self care products? Well because it makes them bubble up and it is extremely cheap. So what is wrong with SLS? For starters, it is very drying to the skin, a known irritant, but more importantly it cannot be metabolized by your liver and studies have shown that trace amounts stay in your liver, lungs, […]
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Happy Solstice!
December 22 is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. Solstice means: Sun standing still. This midwinter celebration is one of the eight sacred observances in the wheel of the year. By honoring the wheel of the year we tune in with nature and to the dance of life. Winter Solstice is a nature’s invitation for us to turn inward and PAUSE. Though we may be trying to tie up our lives before the end of the year, complete work projects before the holiday, and get those last minute gifts and social obligations in, your body is asking to be still and silent. Make time this week for inner inquiry. Journal and reflect, take a walk, have a cup of tea, and rest. The potency of your light lies within you, go to your inner space and welcome the coming of the light.
Continue ReadingThe Magic of Oil
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic treatment you can do for yourself. Like food for your skin, warm oil (sesame, sunflower or coconut) massaged into your body relieves fatigue and rejuvenates the mind and body while lubricating the joints and making the skin soft and supple. This is traditionally performed in the morning to get your circulation moving and remove the toxins that accumulate during the night. However you can also try it in the evening to promote restful sleep. In Sanskrit the word sneha means both “oil” and “love”, Abhyanga is like saturating yourself with love! Let the oil soak in for up to 15 minutes to penetrate the subtle channels, then take a hot bath or shower. The benefits are numerous and include; soft, supple, beautiful skin, tones the muscles, lubricates the joints, slows down aging, nourishes the body, promotes restful sleep, stimulates the systems of the body, enhances […]
Continue ReadingSustainability is Sexy
It’s astounding when you think about how many coffee cups are used each year in the world. In 2010 the US alone threw away 23 billion paper cups. According to one environmental group that is enough to fill over 8,000 olympic sized swimming pools. Even if the cups get recycled there is still a profound impact on the planet; trees are cut down and BTU’s of energy are used both to produce the cups and to recycle them. This is no different for plastic water bottles, shopping bags, and plastic cutlery. Bottled water is expensive, costing consumers 1,000 times more than tap water and is usually no better than what comes right out of the tap! Take a stand by refusing to use throw away cups, water bottles, shopping bags and even eating utensils. Sustainable choices are readily available everywhere and make great gifts! You just have to commit to […]
Continue ReadingEdible Grace
There is nothing like a home-cooked meal. That said, some of us just don’t enjoy cooking or we think we are not very good at it. I know that when I “eat in” my body feels better. In addition, when I have made a good meal there is a sense of satisfaction that nourishes more than just my body. For the last several years I have simply fallen out of the habit of cooking for myself. My busy schedule and unusual mealtimes coupled with the fact that it’s just so easy to get really good food in San Francisco, why cook? For the last few weeks I committed to cooking and it’s been wonderful. I feel good, have leftovers for the next day, and most importantly I know where all my food is coming from. Food should nourish us and be our medicine. Jana and Patrick of Shri Cuisine have generously […]
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