Category: Health & Digest

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Homemade natural deodorant

cocoloco pits

Coconut Oil + Bicarbonate of Soda.  Done.

Coconut Oil:

  • Moisturising and antibacterial (it’s excessive bacteria having a pit party which is usually the cause for stinky pits),

Bicarbonate of Soda/Baking Soda*:

  • Helps to neutralise odor and absorb excessive sweat
  • Balances pH
  • Prevents dramatic staining of clothing, unlike conventional products

This recipe has changed my life.  Not wanting to use chemicals anymore; I had tried a lot of natural brands and usually feeling smelly, sticky and yucky by 10am, thanks to Lily for the tip.

Here’s the how:

  • To FRESH, Clean pits, apply a generous but not excessive amount of coconut oil (whole pit coverage advised).
  • Place some baking soda in the lid of the container or on a small dish, see to it it’s not clumpy.
  • Use your fingers to dab on to your pits (it may take a couple of days to get the hang of amounts right for you but main advice here is less is more, start small and build up a bit if you feel you need it)*.

🙂

Why I choose the natural path:

Basically, in my opinion, chemicals are unnecessary and in many cases not sufficiently tested for their long term effects on humans or the surrounding environments.  Also clogging up your pores with so many chemicals, especially with the prevalence of things such as breast and lymph node cancer, seems unwise if you don’t have to.  Your armpits are a gland-fest and especially if shaved or waxed and thus over-exposed, need to be treated with care.

The FDA of the USA would disagree with me but if you have watched or read ‘The world according to Monsanto‘ and taken in some of the factual evidence it’s found in relation to the corruption of such Government regulated authorities, then you too would question the word of the general governance of the consumer industry..  Through personal home experimentation and reading about other’s experiences I’ve concluded that natural ingredients harmonise with my body off less; and thus this is the direction feel I can trust the most.

Finally, I was fed up with throwing away decent tops due to the yellow hardening under the arms looking unsightly -this is a wardrobe saver too!

Thanks and happy sweating. x

*Note, if skin is irritated before hand the bicarb may exacerbate symptoms, may also help in this case to wash briefly each night and reapply straight coconut oil to nourish your skin 😉  Stop using if it dries out your skin too much!

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Breaking out of my box

box2

All this rage keeps welling up inside of me;

longing, desiring, KNOWING I am to be FREE.

Drag myself out of bed, stumble into the door,

Stick on some coffee, But still I need more.

 

So I stretch, bend, shaking out the sleep from last night,

And all those days, months, years, decades where they’ve made us fight..

“Be better than him, do more than her.

You’re going to need more money that one can occur!”

 

Force feed, watching the clock;

Wanted to be mindful here and not just fill up,

Over filling, compensating,

For the love that seems to just keep hating –

 

Hating the job, the rat race commute,

No body to hear my major dispute.

All day sitting in that chair,

The state of my body leading me into despair..

Everyone obey, with orderly strife.

Still winding up no closer to life.

 

Wanting to contribute to the world, dying to help;

These tools at my finger tips but no time while playing in this hell.

The duty -doody, the job we need to have to pay each bill

Doody = the crap that just makes me unwell.

I want to contribute, I really want to help,

But I know now, this must start with myself.

 

What is the gift I really need to receive?

What is the thing which can only be given by me?

I feel the peace we can all achieve,

Without everyday having to grieve.

Grieve for the love that we need not deceive,

Grieve for places we hope we can see.

 

Tension, anger, fear and doubt;

Is this what life is really about??

I’m not buying into that sh*t anymore,

Life is EXCITING, and it’s knocking at the door!

 

Expanding and living, feeling the love from within.

Stop wasting, instead tasting,

The the kind of world you want your family in.

 

Tune in, get livin’

😉

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Teacher’s out (training again) this weekend + Reiki short term special!

Bigger Starfish

Happy Friday!!!

Just to let you know – I’m not available for any classes or last minute 1:1 sessions this weekend as I’m learning how to step up my private sessions with a long term pro!  Although I love the private sessions I’m already teaching I feel continual progression is paramount to being a good teacher.  Therefore, I’m booked onto this 3 weekend course to make sure you’re getting the most out of me 😉

And remember, I’m now a certified Reiki and Seichem therapist if you need some extra healing and care I’m offering 1/3 off all treatments until April, when I complete my mastership (the healings are already very powerful now so who knows where the mastership will take it)!  More information on my new Private Sessions page.

Here’s info of the workshops I’m attending in case you’re interested.  Have a dance for me on Saturday night 😉

https://www.triyoga.co.uk/book-courses-workshops?x=1&teacher=187

Much Love xxx

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Dropping the past – A Powerful breakthrough

breakthrough

I’ve been so anxious to let people, potential clients and students in particular, know why I practice and teach yoga.  To show everyone how far I’ve come, so they can see how far they can come also; or in all honesty, maybe even still to receive a small amount of sympathy for my past woes.  Then I kept wondering why my past problems would keep recurring and getting in my way!  Simple logic explains why..

Thus finally, during my Reiki and Seichem training last week, my teacher taught me further to listen to how my words were still plaguing me.  She also then reassured me something I kept saying I knew; but now I am so happy I can feel it too.  It’s that I need to be authentically who I am NOW!  There is no need to justify or advertise my wounds to ‘convince’ people I’m genuine and can empathise with their pain; as all this will become apparent as and when it needs to.

You get EVERYTHING you ask for, in one way or another.  So make sure you ask for nice things 😉

Love, light and health to all x

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5 minutes to a Happier, Calmer and more Content You. Fact.

Calmer more content and happier you

It’s been scientifically proven on many accounts that mindfulness and/or meditation can bring you to a happier, calmer and more physically and emotionally aware space; and it doesn’t even have to take more than 5 minutes a day.

In today’s fast paced and busy world it seems people don’t remember to take the time to breathe deeply and take a few minutes out for themselves.  However, by doing so, one can actually help to reduce and calm one’s own physical and emotional dis-ease.

It’s not like it’ll happen over night and it’s certainly on it’s own no replacement for current treatments or therapies.  But, by taking this this 5 minutes out and listening to yourself you can begin to see your own solutions to your stresses and dis-eases (be this seeking a doctor, healer, activity or other life change of some sort).

At least 5 minutes, each day is all it takes to get started; you can do it on the bus or while standing, sitting or laying anywhere you can.

Namaste, much love xx

 

 

http://www.mindfulexperience.org/

http://oxfordmindfulness.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gps-mindfulness-research/

http://marc.ucla.edu/

http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx?id=42066

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate/taught/studies_in_mindfulness

 http://www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness/

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Why I’d rather read a book over a newspaper

book not news

People,  keep saying ‘We need to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world’.  I agree, awareness and information is key.  But I disagree when it comes to what is shared via the mainstream papers and magazines and here’s why:

I don’t see a point to reading fiction, as in made up stories, when there are so many real life experiences and lessons which I could delve into and learn, be inspired by or have fun with.

To me, the mainstream papers and magazines are very similar to the made up stories you find in fiction books; except with a fiction book you get to choose the style of story you want to read.  Pretty much all the mainstream papers and magazines, the news, focus on negative and destructive stories, which seem to be intending to scaring people into believing we need identity cards, war, and plastic surgery; or, that we should work harder and longer, so we can afford newer and better cars or shoes.

Why would one want to inflict these kind of messages on ones self and wind up all depressed by thinking of death, comparing ourselves to people who appear to have more than us, and thus forgetting how totally awesome we are?  Especially first thing in the morning.  Instead, personally, I’d rather be celebrating life and all the amazing people, places, things and such in it!

If I do see ‘news’ I hope it’s information to share awareness about how I can help to make this world a better place for my family and children to grow up on; shining a light so I understand where I can be a better human; or telling me about the successes people are having in creating hemp plastics, healthier skies and happier homes.

 

I Choose life 🙂

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What do You want to do?

What would you want to do
If you could do ANYTHING, what would you choose to do your bit in society?

i.e. imagine we had no limiting factors; how would you contribute to the society we’re creating together?

Everyone needs clothes, a house, plumbing, inventors to help us get progress, artists to entertain and liberate, carers, doctors, gardeners and farmers.  Mothers, lovers, chefs and discoverers, cleaners and writers; teachers and mechanics.  To name but a few.

I realised my intention a few years back, to be a health, happiness student and teacher (when I was in a very different place to where I am today).  Due to overcoming many my own struggles with health and happiness, I have a genuine passion to help others who also want to get past their struggles in life.  For me, what’s the point in accumulating all of this wealth in knowledge and love, if I don’t pass it on as my teachers have so generously exchanged with me?  It’s not been an easy journey, but everyday I feel more and more what excites me and what my intended purpose is.  It’s taken dedication, appreciation and a genuine love for the life I want.

But what would you (or do you already) do?!

If you can dream it.  It can happen.

 

Love x

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Gratitude as a state of mind

gratitude

How often do you notice how great things are in life, and say thank you?

Or, how often do you notice how shit things feel in life, and are thoroughly not thankful for them!?

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the mind and label a situation as good or bad, depending on expectations of what’s wanted in that moment of time.

I still flit between these 2 states, but happily, the state of gratitude, seems to keep growing.  This isn’t because I won the lottery or finally worked through all of my shit, but it’s because I got sick of being depressed about all the things and the lessons I cannot change.  Slowly but surely, my focus keeps shifting to see more of the positives in life, and aiming to express gratitude for them; especially when I’ve had a rough day.

Try it, when you think things couldn’t get worse, or when you wonder why the hell you’ve ended up in the shit; find points about it that you can be thankful for.  It’s hard, sometimes very hard at first, but over time, the shit subsides and you begin to see the point to the lessons you’re seeing.

What are you grateful for?  Write your own list, please share it if you like!   Below is a small list from my daily thanks:

  • Thank you for my bed, and all it’s warm and comfy bits which allow me to sleep soundly
  • Thank you for my family; including my husband, friends, parents, brothers and sisters and all the beautiful people who help give meaning to my life and keep inspiring and loving me, no matter how I feel towards myself
  • Thank you for my health and all the people, foods and products that nourish me 
  • Thank you to my home, for keeping me warm and dry and allowing me to have my little space of paradise in the hecticness of London
  • Thank you to my job(s) which help me to earn my living in this current society
  • Thank you to my winter coat, you’re very warm and much needed right now
  • Thank you for my shower, all hot and cleansing and awesome
  • Thank you for all the things I walk into and that trip me up, and my clumbsyness, as it’s in these moments I realise my state of unmindfulness and again refocus into the present moment
  • Thank you to all the random people who either entertain, show kindness or aren’t very nice to help me see these same things in myself
  • Thank you to the Scientific art that is Yoga (and Pilates) which has helped me to pull my head out of my arse and enables me to lead a more and more fulfilling life with every breath I take
  • And of course, Thank you to all my teachers and students who help to keep me on the track I most prefer and shine a light where I didn’t notice one previously

 

Namaste, so much love, and have a fun weekend 🙂 xxx

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5 tips for achieving a regular practice

regular practice

Have you ever found yourself starting something and enjoying it, but then, letting it all fall by the waste-side in a hopeless mess?

I have, many times.  Thankfully it generally doesn’t happen with my yoga practice.  Here’s a few tips I use to help me reap the benefits of having a regular yoga practice:

  1. Make a consistent space in your diary.  You can find classes any time of any day (especially if you live in a big city), pick a time you can stick to for at least the next 4 – 6 weeks.
  2. Find a teacher who you feel good about seeing, and who guides you to a constructive, and potentially happier place during and after class.  There are many of us teachers; and if you don’t feel shiny, light and the desire to return then the chances are you wont; and thus it probably isn’t the right teacher for you.  Explore someone else’s class.
  3. Aim to attend at a studio that is relatively accessible/not too far out of your way; a 1 hour journey to and from class can be a right downer, and quite draining (unless you live out in the sticks and it might be quite a pleasant ride or less choice!).
  4. Eat appropriately around the class.  I.e. don’t fill up your belly (especially on meat or heavy, stodgy dishes) less than 3 hrs before class.  Some fruit or nuts are an ideal snack if you need something to keep you going in the mean time.  Keep it light.
  5. Have fun with it!  If it starts to feel like a bore or work activity it’ll soon lose it’s majic and charm.

All in all, lighten up with your practice 😉

Much love x

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The Simplest way to Healthier Insides

DSC_1353

Eat and Drink Alkaline.

Huh?  Alkaline is the opposite to Acid in terms of pH* levels; pH is a factor which has a large influence on how fast things grow (i.e. protein, bacteria, even cancerous tumors) in nature.  Keep with me here, needs a little science to explain..

So, what’s the point in bothering to eat more alkaline/alkalising foods?

Our blood generally ranges between pH 7.34 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline), this is the optimum conditions for our bodies to synthesise proteins, remove waste, and assist all the chemical reactions essential to our life.

Digestive juices however, are between pH 1.5 and 3.5, due their need to break down food stuffs.  Urine is around pH 6, depending on what you eat; and it’s the mechanism with the kidneys (blood filtering organs which filter toxins out of our blood and into our urine), which helps to keep our blood pH steady; hence you drink a lot of coffee, acidic, you get darker urine.

Why bother?  This is the role of our kidneys??

Yes, our kidneys do help but like us, they’re not infallible; the kidneys/urine excretory system isn’t instantaneous.  The kidneys help to level out the blood as it passes through them for filtering; but if you eat or drink things which are acidic this will also effect your blood pH for a time** (and thus the whole of your body).  This can create an environment where disease thrives and normal chemical and biological processes may suffer; some say then potentially leading to things like weight gain, kidney stones, weaker bones and muscles, arthritis, lower brain function, lower back pain, headaches, colon cancer and type II diabetes!

The good news – Alkaline diets are really easy to work with, the principles are simple: eat things you know are good for your body’s functioning and minimise/moderate the acidic bits.  e.g.

Alkaline foods:

Fresh fruit and vegetables, Lemon/Lime water excellent morning tonic

Soya bean (edemame), tofu

Almonds, chestnuts (most seeds and other nuts are slightly acidic so good in moderation considering their other benefits)

Olive, flax and canola oils

Green and herbal teas

Acidic foods:

Coffee, black tea (caffeine generally, which also can cause mood swings)

Processed foods, refined flours, refined sugars, and stuff that has a way long best before date!

Alcohol and soft drinks

Peanuts, most beans except soya

Potatoes, most grains (especially white wheat)

Meat, cold water fish and chicken are better varieties

Try it for 2 weeks and see if you notice the difference, simples!

SCIENCE PART:

*If you know me, you’ll know I’m a scientist at heart, hence my appreciation of yoga.  Thus, if you would like a little more info about what pH actually is:

‘pH’ is representative of ‘power/potential of Hydrogen’, which looks at the H or Hydrogen ion activity within an aqueous/water based solution

Neutral pH is about 7, this is equivalent to pure (non carbonated) water; totally acid is pH 0 and totally alkaline is pH 14.

**After food has been worked on by digestive enzymes in the stomach and passes into the small intestine (ileum) where you have villi which provide a rich link to the blood for absorption of nutrients from the digested foods.  Its between here and however long and many passes through the kidneys that the blood pH can be effected by what you eat; thus the non-instantaneous pH balancing act.