Naomi

Happy New Year! Time to start making those changes we're always pondering about. Everyone runs to the health club, starts diets, cleansing and other health related resolutions when they should really just slow down.  

The weather has been crazy with changes - this will be reflected in your body. Cleansing should be done when the weather is a little milder. Think spring and fall.  Winter this year has been extreme with many temperature swings.  All these changes are a stress on the body.  The holidays have ended, and now is the time to follow Mother Nature - give your body, mind and spirit a rest.  Monitor your energy reserve, as the weather becomes more challenging.  Our ancestors understood "that Mother Earth was resting and that her stillness generated the necessary rejuvenation of all her living charges." ~ Mother Maya  http://www.wiseearth.com/on-maya-tiwari/

Naomi & Brian

 This weekend we gathered together for chanting and grinding our Late Winter blend. Late Winter is a time to develop the Sadhana (practice) of rest and rejuvenation. Having routines really does do the body good. We spent a little time exploring Dinacharya (morning) practices. Dinacharya is a concept in Ayurvedic medicine that looks at the cycles of nature and bases daily activities around these cycles. Ayurveda contends that routines help establish balance and that understanding daily cycles are useful for promoting health. ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinacharya

Lisa, Brian, Venus & Naomi

So here is the deal my fine friends - save the cleansing until spring - your homework is to start establishing your daily/morning Sadhana!!  Here is a short list of the things you should be doing every morning: wake before dawn, scrape your tongue, neti pot, Nasya Oil, drink warm water with lemon or lime, sesame oil pulling, evacuate, Abhyanga (warm oil massage), and Yoga practice (include breath and sound work). 

Naomi & Venus

Now don't panic!  I can hear everyone freaking out.....I don't have time in the morning to do all that.  I want you to pick 2 and start doing them. Work with those 2 for a couple of weeks until it becomes second nature.  After a couple of weeks add another one of the activities.  Keep working this way until you have completed the list. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you for a beautiful routine that is mildly cleansing and supportive! 

Sonja & Naomi

With the Late Winter season in mind we created a rich spice Masala for enhancing your immune system. 

Roast each spice in a cast-iron pan until they pop and become aromatic. (Never roast powdered spice)  Grind each separately then blend them together.  Store in a glass container.  Cook with it, sprinkle it on your plate at meal times or add it to warm milk as a evening tonic.  It's all good!!

Golden Immune Boosting Masala

Immune Boosting Masala
3 Tablespoon Cumin Seeds
3 Tablespoon Coriander Seeds
1 Tablespoon Fennel Seeds
1 Tablespoon Black Peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Seeds
3 Tablespoon Turmeric Powder
1 Tablespoon Ginger Powder
1 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Powder

Creating Seasonal Kitchen Medicine!

Blessings to All!!
Warm Spicy Kisses
Namaste`
Naomi