Are You A Tick Magnet? Tips For Keeping Those Suckers OFF!

Don't let those bugs keep you from enjoying your Spring, Summer and even Fall (they love the cold weather ya know...) to the fullest!  Whether it's a long hike in the woods, gardening or just hanging out in the backyard, there are many simple ways to protect yourself & your loved ones from the dreaded tick.

1.  Keep Your Immune System "Strong Like Ox" (said in an accent.)
This seems an obvious thing and yet we often overlook its importance.  A strong immune system makes it harder for microbes, viruses and negative bacteria to prevail and wreak havoc on our systems.  The same goes for being preyed upon by bugs.  It's been proven that ticks in fact seek out the weak to attack and infect, more so than animals with a strong defense- or immune system. Since we're ALSO animals, the same is true for us. So let's keep our immune system strong with these helpers:
     *Probiotics: the good guy bacteria we need in our gut for proper digestion & immune function.  You can find encapsulated probiotics at your local health foods store for the greatest benefit or in fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, kefir and yogurt.
     *Eating a whole foods diet focused on fresh fruits and veggies- especially greens. 
     *Pure clean water intake- and lots of it- at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces.
     *Take immune enhancing herbs like Astragalus & Eleuthro on a regular basis- especially during tick season.  I find tincture form is the most potent. Ask your health care practitioner for details.
     *Manage your stress, whatever that looks like for you.  Meditation or breath work, exercise or just taking time out for you....whatever works- because stress is one of our worst enemies for a healthy mind, body & spirit.

2.  Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself- of rather, the tick does.
Ticks, whether or not they bite, sure do like crawling all over  you assessing the situation-but hey, as long as they don't bite- you're in the clear!  BUT do check yourself often.  They love all of our nooks and crannies-yes you know the ones... so each time you go inside to use the restroom, or back to the tent while camping- shake out your clothes and check your body: arm pits, behind the knees, ears, hair, under breasts and nether regions thoroughly.  LOOK HARD deer ticks can be really TINY!

3.  Make Friends With Essential Oils.
Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Rose Geranium *& Lemon Tea Tree are the heavy hitters when it comes to tick prevention.  Essential oils are versatile, anti-microbial in action and they smell great!  Here are a few easy ways to use them:
     *Make your own tick spray: buy a 1 ounce spray bottle, fill with water or a combination of witch hazel and water, then add 1-15 drops of essential oils.  Shake well and spray your skin, hair and clothing as needed.  If you want a heavier blend that will last longer on your skin, use a carrier oil like grapeseed, almond or olive oil instead of water in a 1 ounce pump bottle.  Again add the 10-15 drops of eo's, shake well and apply to skin before dressing yourself.  
    *Add them to everything!  I love using tea tree essential oil ( I find that ticks hate this essential oil the most). In the shower after a day outside in tick-land (aka the garden!), I use unscented Dr. Bronners castille  soap and add tea tree essential oils to it. Once again using the 10-15 drops of eo's per ounce ratio.  Another option is buying (or making!) an unscented body lotions to lube yourself up with after a nice hot shower (btw ticks HATE hot temperatures- so make your shower extra steamy!)

4.  A Non-essential Oil To Love.
Neem Seed Oil is a pressed oil from the seed of the Native Indian Tree- the Neem Tree.  It smells a little like garlic and peanut butter to me ( I know, gross), but man does it work!  Add this to your tick repellent oil or spray and give it an extra punch for tick prevention!  The Neem tree is known for it's anti-EVERYTHING properties.  From fungus, parasites, microbes and even malaria- Neem is your plant to kick butt.  Neem seed oil is also an excellent  choice for keeping ticks off your pets, as animals are often too sensitive for essential oil use.  Simply dilute Neem seed oil (6 drops per ounce) in a carrier oil of choice and rub into your pet's collar.  Put the collar on your furry friend (or ruffle the oil blend into their fur- or both!)  and they will be good to go!  Refresh the collar with new Neem oil every few weeks. 

5. Meet Your Herbal Allies.
Since ticks are the culprit for Lyme disease and it's co-infections, prevention is key.  Prevention of getting bit by a tick and keeping our bodies strong to combat the possible infection (heaven forbid) is where we need the most help.  The herbs are here to do that for us. 
     *Garlic: A heavy duty herb that boosts immune function, flushes viruses and microbes, calms inflammation, boosts circulation, repels parasites and fungus and so much more- EAT UP!
     *Astragalus: As mentioned above, Astragalus is and amazing adaptogenic herb, which really just means it's a "super hero" herb.  Adaptogens have the ability to bring our bodies back to balance, enhance or modulate immune function and aid in combating stress of all kinds- pretty great right?!  Astragalus has a particular affinity to the immune function and it has an anti-spirochetal action (spirochetes are the bacteria like critters that come with Lyme.)
     *Eleuthro: As mentioned above is another adaptogen specific for boosting immunity in a  very depleted and stressed states as well as supporting adrenal function.
     *Stinging Nettle: One to the most mineral rich herbs that gives the whole body a boost!  I call it an herbal "multi-vitamin".  Nettle is specific for supporting an building a healthy nervous system but offers a myriad of other benefits-one of my absolute favs!
     *Red Rood Bark: Red root gets things moving!  Especially the lymph which is where we often have a lot of toxins built up in our systems.  Getting the lymph moving and supporting our liver/spleen function, Red root will help out bodies get back on track in no time.
You can find all of the above herbs in tea, tincture or capsule from at your local health foods store.  I find that tinctures are the most potent and fast acting form of herbal medicine.  As your health practitioner for guidance.

In conclusion, don't choose to live in fear over ticks & their possible infections and deprive yourself of time enjoying Mother Nature- act now, prevent, now, just plain take care yourself  now and not only will you stay tick free, you'll just feel fantastic.

XO AMANDA

Do you like  reading my blogs and want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings on a somewhat monthly basis. xo

*All of the information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only and  is not meant to treat, cure or replace any other form of medicine or treatment. Use herbs under the guidance of your healthcare practitioner. 

Stinging Nettle: 5 Things You'll Want To Know About This Incredible Herb

Stinging Nettle as it is just starting to bloom. It's best to harvest & use this plant BEFORE the flowers bloom.

Stinging Nettle is amazing, plain and simple. I've been using it personally and professionally for 7 years for...everything! Well, almost.  Nettle changes lives, it could change yours...for real.

1. Urtica Dioica, Stinging Nettle is packed to the gills with more vitamins and minerals than most greens AND protein to boot.  In fact Stinging Nettle has more protein, cooked or uncooked than spinach, nearly double the amount of calcium found in whole milk and has close to 3x's the amount of Vitamin A found in carrots.  Guess what one of my top picks for getting clients off of caffeine? Nettle tea!

2. Although best known for allergy relief, Nettle affects the entire nervous system.  It calms the mind, heals nerves, calms inflammatory joint pain, flushes the kidneys and revitalizes hair, skin and nails... and this is just scratching the surface of it's amazingness.

3. It's simple to use fresh or dried: Eat it! Cook it up in soup, smoothie or bake like spinach, perhaps spanikopita?  Or brew it like tea, or take as a tincture.

4.  You can use it externally: Make nettle tea or a vinegar tonic and use as a hair rinse to strengthen & add gloss to your locks.  Add a few handfuls of nettle to the tub and take a super relaxing soak for your mind, body by absorbing the goodness through your pores.  OR do it old school- find a Nettle field or cut some fresh Nettle and whip it!  It's no joke that Stinging Nettle stings and back in teh day whipping your afflicted body parts, especially for arthritic conditions was a way to alleviate pain and calm inflammation.  The stimulating affect of nettle sting sure does wake up the whole body, thus also the immune system- which is a good thing.  some fellow herbalists still use this methods with success- if they can convince their client to do it!

5.  Nettle might be waiting for you in your backyard! nettle grows widely in the Pacific Northwest, North America (especially the U.S and Canada), northern Europe as well as prats of Asia.  There's nothing batter than picking, making and using your own medicine.  So grab your native plant ID book and take a walk outside.  If you think you've found it, but aren't quite sure (check with an herbalist/botanist) or- just rub  your bare arm on the plant, you'll know if  you've got the right one, real quick:)

Add Some Nettle To Your Life! You'll Be Glad You Did.

XO AMANDA

Do you like  reading my blogs and want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings on a somewhat monthly basis. xo

*The information shared on this blog is for educational purposes only.  If you are pregnant, nursing, have  serious health condition or are taking prescriptive medication please consult your healthcare practitioner before using herbal supplements. 

Control Freak. Who Me??

My lovely friend Foxglove. <3

Apparently I'm a control freak. I guess I knew this, at least partly, but now it's been made very, very clear to me. I'm kind of a crazy person when I don't get my way. No not kinda, I'm a lunatic actually. And quite frankly it's ridiculous. I really, truly am aware of and realize how ludicrous my thoughts, feelings and behaviors are when they're happening...but curtailing them when they're happening is a totally different subject- and I'm working on it- really I am.

So, what has shed light on my recent "full blown control-freakiness"?  Well, it's really been mostly the usual, being an ever-evolving entrepreneur coming to the end of a season, easing in to another hoping for new ideas, inspirations and offerings, being newly engaged dealing with wedding planning which seems like it should be fun (everyone keeps telling me this "You should be having fun!!") no pressure though right??! while I really haven't had a day go by where I haven't sent/received an email made a phone call or have had someone ask or tell me what they think about something about the planning since the day I got engaged on July 3rd, on top of moving from Dover to Newmarket from a house we didn't have permission to do much to ie: paint, refinish etc, to a huge duplex where we can do anything we want to (yay!) but feels like dirty hippies ( hey no disrespect I love hippies...) lived there for the past 10 years and did absolutely nothing to keep the walls, windows and cabinets from crumbling in on them, so that even if we didn't want to get creative with the place- it quite frankly isn't an option to leave it as is, so I'm preparing to live out of boxes for awhile longer as even the closet space needs spackling and painting to make them even remotely usable.
----Okay, okay, I know!
All of these things are very exciting, happy, joyous things! I know, I know this! And believe me I am trying my darnedest to stay in this mind set for as long as possible. But see... then the other Amanda creeps in and starts FREAKING OUT! "Should I redo my website again? Run old classes? New classes? More clinics less clinics? Same programs? New Programs? Online classes? In person classes?" and then "I want to paint NOW get spackling!!! I need to clean the floors! Sweep the deck! Get this shit out of boxes! I can't find my damn hair comb!! Where is the remote??!! Bahhh!! My feet are black from the filth- where are my flip flops??? Aaron where's the paint!! Let's get cracking NOW PLEASE! Love you honey.....:):)" and finally "I don't want to hear about wedding etiquette! If  my friends and family are going to be offended by anything I do or don't do according to tradition and seriously take offense then they don't know me AT ALL and if I have to fill out one more form about my name, my new name, my email, my mom's email, my mother in law to be's email, my husband to be's email, name, how many groomsman he's having how many bridesmaids I'm having and all of their emails, where the wedding is, what the "feel" of the wedding will be just to try on a wedding dress or have my friends try on dresses I'm gonna lose it!! (oh, I did finally find my dress though! Yippee!) or talk to a caterer who tells me we need "servers" for a BBQ style buffet (what don't you understand about a BBQ buffet??!! Paper plates, serving spoons, food- done!) So much for trying to keep a wedding simple!"

Again, this is all silly, silly, toxic, ego centered chatter. I know this I do. And this is why I'm sharing this with you all. Because we all have our crazy moments and I want to let you know that I'm right there with you and recently I think I've been having crazier moments than most. And this new awareness of the crazy control freak lady that has been living inside me but has waited until now when a few more things have been thrown at me has really decided to make herself known. So what to do, what to do.

Before I share with you what I've been doing to curb my insanity, I wanted to also share with you how it has been affecting me physically. Because as you know, there is no disconnect between the physical, mental and emotional bodies. What happens to one, affects the others- no joke.
When I first starting learning about alternative medicine and herbs, in classes when the importance of digestion was brought up, we didn't just talk about the physical mouth to anus transit of food and excretion of  physical waste but also the digestion of our life experiences. We looked at how we process things that happen to us on a day to day basis. Can we take experiences in, access what is useful and helpful to us, absorb them and then let go of the rest? Or do we hold on to everything the good and the bad? Perhaps we feel we don't know how to process our experiences at all and feel helpless letting go of all of it?  Well this can often be reflected in how our day to day digestion shows itself.  Those of us who tend to hold on to things, or perhaps try to control things a bit too much tend towards constipation.  Those of us who feel at a loss and perhaps that we have no control with some of life's experiences have the opposite physical digestion and tend to veer toward loose stools and quick bowel movements and diarrhea.  And then there are those who go back and forth between control and lack there of and experience imbalances like IBS. There are lots of symptoms of imbalanced digestion and the mental emotional states related to them, but you get the general gist.
So, can you guess which "control freak Amanda" was experiencing in her gut?? Let's just say, I was trying to control IT ALL. I could not relax and surrender at all. I was holding it all in. Guess when this all started? On my first wedding dress excursion when I visited 7 bridal shops in 3 days straight and probably tried on 25-30 gowns with no luck feeling so completely unlike myself with all of the wedding hoopla.  Don't get me wrong! I am beyond thrilled to be getting married but I was never the little girl who dreamed of her wedding day & the Cinderella dress she'd wear. So it all felt overwhelming & foreign.  I attempted to "control it" as best I could and of course with no success. Oh, and did I tell you that I have an enormous disdain for anyone who tells me what to do? Ha. Well, yes I do. I have a problem with that. Not very conducive  to wedding planning. Lol. See! Full of faults! Here I am!!:)
So anyway, the constipation & bloat lasted almost a full week till my digestion was back on track.....until a few weeks later when.....I had ANOTHER bridal gown appointment! LOL! On top of this appointment, my dear sis was in town visiting and staying at our apartment that was in shambles from packing getting ready to move.  The symptoms continued...lessoned when I realized I found my wedding dress, increased when we began moving our things from point A to point B and now - litterally just now have calmed down after night 3 of being in our new place in Newmarket. Coincidence? I think not.

So, I'm certainly not settled in Newmarket yet, but it's getting there...I've found my wedding dress and am truly ahead of schedule as far as planning goes, and I'm writting a new blog post for all of you LTW fans... so the crazy lady is taking a breather...And a breather is truly what all craziness needs. There's nothing new about the power of breath, It does wonders. Here are some other helpful tips that have at least kept me off the complete and total "crazy train" this past month. You may find them helpful too...

1. BREATHE. Especially when you notice the "crazy" has come out. Just go sit in the bathroom and breath. Or, if you really want to kick and punch something like I sometimes want to do, a kickboxing DVD is awesome for this:)

2. AFFIRMATION AND MANTRA: "Controlling" our thoughts and our crazy train brain is half the battle. I find that creating an affirmation ie: " The only constant in life is change." " Go with the flow", " I surrender to the flow of all life and know that all is well", " All I really know is that I know nothing"  are super helpful.  These are just one's that come to mind that will calm my "crazy train brain" but you can make up your own. You just want to make sure it's something that calms you when you say it to yourself. \
The Sanskrit sounds of "OM" (it empowers all & dispels negativity and helps us to be open to positivity) , "SHAM" (instills peace and calm to our minds) or "RAM" ( dispels negative energy, is protective and calms anxiety & fear) are also very calming for me. They don't have to be said out loud to be affective you can simply say them to yourself.

3. ESSENCES: Flower essences are one of the most amazing remedies I've had the pleasure to work with. They are similar to homeopathics as they are "vibrational" in nature. They have an affinity to the emotions. So by taking essences either right on the tongue or in water in your time of need- you can often be calmed in an instant! There are many, many varieties of essences. Bach is the most mainstream brand even found at the Hannaford now. The one's I'm taking right now are Foxglove and Lobelia. Foxglove is for me to remember to play and have fun with life and Lobelia is so I will put away "the whip" from myself and others:) Essences are wonderful and versatile- check them out.

4. WHOLE HERBS: Since I was having bloated belly issues I worked with Yellow Dock Root & Licorice Root extract taken daily in water to aid as a gentle laxative as well as peristalsis strengthener in my gut:) Generally speaking using herbs like Dandelion root, Burdock root, and Yellow Dock are very supportive for elimination and liver support.  If you veer towards diarrhea however you can skip the Yellow Dock and add Raspberry leaf instead.;)  Getting on a good probiotic (yogurt doesn't count) is also very helpful for happy digestion.

5. AROMATHERAPY:  Don't ever underestimate the power of smell. Pick your favorite essential oil that calms your mind...Mandarin? Lavender? Rose? Cedarwood? It doesn't matter what anyone or any book may say about the eo's that are specific for "calming" the mind. Go with what calms YOU. Then get a little vial add some sea salt and a few drops of your essential oil, cap it and keep in your pocket. Sniff as needed when you need to chill.

So there you have it. My confession as an imperfect crazy train rider who is still growing, and evolving as best she can, along with some of her favorite "helpers" of bringing her crazy train to a halt...for the time being anyway:) It's a process. Thank goodness I'm starting my yoga teacher training next week. I need the extra meditation time!
Thanks for tuning in:) xoxo

P.S Everything I share on these posts are for educational purposes only:) If you have questions or concerns about how to use herbs properly please ask your doctor or contact me anytime:)

XO AMANDA

Do you like  reading my blogs and want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings on a somewhat monthly basis. xo

Letter To My Interns: The Heart Of Lion's Tooth Wellness

As I'm beginning to work with my interns this April, I decided that I needed to write them a little note before our more intensive work  together. I thought is was important to tell them about the heart of Lion's Tooth Wellness and what it really means to me and why I do the work I do...and then I thought- hey! There may be some of you out there who have heard of me but maybe who don't really know "what I do" or what my "vision" or mission is- so I thought, I'd share:) So, for those of you who don't know already...here you are:)

To My Lovely Interns: Why I Need You!

>>>To help me get the word out about whole health , wellness, herbs & self empowerment.

This is my motto: YOU are your own best healer.  And I truly believe it.  Health starts with YOU literally. Not only can we heal ourselves through our life choices, but we can also help to heal others by walking our talk and leading by example. It’s the best way to infiltrate people’s brains- ah ah ah! (evil laugh), no but really it works- I’ve seen it even with my stubborn father.  When we take care of ourselves with foods, herbs, pure supplements, FUN, a strong spiritual path, movement and GRATITUDE, it does wonders for us & everyone around us- in more ways than one.

This is what LTW is all about. This is my message and my hope- to try to teach people that THEY CAN DO IT- by IT I mean ANYTHING, and my job is to be the cheerleader offering support and giving them the tools they need along their unique path. I stress the word unique, because there isn’t one answer or one path for all of us.  Another part of my work is to discover what each individual’s healing path looks like for them. What herbs, foods, exercise, and stress support works best for them and their individual needs. What makes each person their best, happiest, healthiest selves? This is our goal together when someone commits to working with me.

But whether it’s an herbal lip balm someone buys, a clinic someone stops by, a class someone takes with me or a simple conversation about the wonders of Reiki- my desire is to put a little bug in that person’s ear about making better choices for themselves and really just inviting several versions of those choices into their lives- introducing people to the many possibilities and avenues to a healthy & joy-filled life.  And it’s all about taking baby steps. What I teach is not a quick fix to health but a life-long practice of healthy living. It’s about making changes, feeling the benefits and then committing yourself to make those lifestyle changes stick.  I don’t promote a “black and white” way of looking at health & life. Life is for living and enjoying and playing- and indulging! It’s about tuning into your own specific needs, celebrating and “cheating” when the occasion reveals itself and then getting back on the "health train" in due time.  We all have our own limits and how far we can go enjoying those “indulgences” before our body says “Waaaait a  minute! Hold up!” What I help to teach people, is to not ignore those subtle messages from our minds and bodies, but to tune into to them and to become more sensitive to them, so that we can make better choices for ourselves- before it gets to out of hand.  So, I say; everything in moderation- including moderation.

Through one-on-one Wellness Programs, Reiki Packages, herbal courses, Reiki certifications, and the LTW herbal product line- this is my mission- to get people to take their health back into their own hands and realize how amazingly powerful they are. 

So, I need your help spreading the word with me…You in?

Do you like  reading my blogs and want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings on a somewhat monthly basis. xo

I Made It! Well, Almost...

And this is why I write this blog. Because I'm not perfect. Because I also struggle. Because I want to share my authentic, real, raw experiences with you- without pretending that I am able to walk my talk 24 hours/7 days a week and without any sugar coating.
Health is an ever evolving path for all of us. There isn't one answer for any one person, and each person's experience will be very unique to anothers. I'm just letting you in on mine.
So, what am I trying to get at?? I'm done panchakarma. No, it's not day 9 yet. Day 9 went out the window when I started to include peas to my kitchari on day 6- lol. And well, last night as I was sitting with my mom watching Revenge (love that cheese!) I realized that I was done- not with the whole cleanse, but definitely with the kitchari. The thought of having to eat kitachari for 3 more meals turned my stomach & interest in eating completely off- and just down right depressed me. So, I made an agreement with myself that I would finish the basti, external oleation, yoga & meditation and let my self eat the healthy breakfast of my choice this morning. And so I did. And man, was eating breakfast a magnificent expeience. Fire crackers in my mouth I tell you! My senses rejoiced. Ahhhhhh.
So, there you have it. I made it to day 8 ish. And although I felt guilty about it at first, especially about disappointing my students and peers and you, I realized that I needed to tune into my own body's wisdom and let it make the call. I always preach, and believe deeply that the state of our spirit and our mind reflect and influence our physical health deeply. So, last night when I thought about even having to look at another bowl of kitchari again and it made me want to forego eating all together and  also made my spirit litterlly sink- I thought- wait a minute. Cleanses are not about tortouring one's self and trying to force yourself to do things you don't want to do anymore. I can be very black and white about things sometimes- can you tell?! So, I just let it go.
Day 1-7 were great! My mind was calm, I was mostly enjoying the kitchari, felt nourished and supported and felt confident that I could finish the last day. And then the end of day 7 came and my mind changed it's mind. And that's okay. I also would like to interject that the last two days were spent at my parents house (where I do my gardening & wildcrafting) otherwise known as " Land of Delicious Food Teasing You From Around Every Corner". I know, not an excuse, but certainly didn't help me out:)
I mentioned being over kitchari on facebook last night and one of my students commented "You are not encouraging me to attempt this cleanse at all!" I hope that's not really true. Although, I can't say I blame her. I am just being completely honest about the struggles I personally face when I do this cleanse: ghee then kitchari. Some of my peers LOVE the kitchari and eat it on a regular basis- ON PURPOSE!! And others say they love drinking the ghee and that it feels so soothing and nourishing to them. When my sister did the cleanse she struggled with drinking the triphala tea, where that really doesn't bother me at all. We are ALL SO DIFFERENT. So please, don't let my experience discourage you from attempting a cleanse of your own. I just want to be real with you. And honestly, I can be dramatic at times- I'm not gonna lie about that:) So, maybe I'm just a baby! See for yourself! If' your intrigued- try it! This cleanse could be a piece of cake with you! Give it a whirl! What is there to lose? You can stop anytime- you're the boss:)
The bottom line is that I CHOOSE to continue to practice this cleanse just about yearly.  And that says something more than anything else. And it's because I know it's benefits and I  know how great I feel when I'm done- even if I skip a few days- why else would I do it? And I have to say Ayruveda hasn't been around for 1000's of years for nothing!:)
Speaking of benefits I wanted to share something else with you that surprised me. This particular panchakarma felt  really good, but didn't blow me away as others in the past.  I felt clear headed, had steady energy, the cracking joints I sometimes experience lessened greatly, the floaters in my eyes lightened and my skin got clearer ( although I noticed that my rosy cheeks showed up again when I added salt into my kitchari for more flavor- interesting), but I must say that in comparison to the panchakarma's in the past it was the least remarkable. BUT I'm gonna take that as a good sign that my body didn't need as much cleansing this time as I thought- yippee!
I forget that the reason I found Ayruveda was because I was sick- pretty seriously sick. And when I was introduced to panchakarma I was "all in" to do whatever I needed to do to get better- I was in a time crunch and on a mission.  I think having that mind set and not knowing what to expect had me set up a lot differently. Where I am now, having been practicing health & wellness  seriously in my own personal life since 2005 I am in a much more solid and healthy place. When I was having my health crisis I really didn't think about my food choices up until then and certainly not healing herbs like I do now. So when I first experienced panchakarma it was pretty miraculous. And all of the changes I saw and experienced were pronounced and obvious. I am certain that it played an enormous role in what helped me to heal.  This time around and the other panchakarma's since have been for maintenance and prevention- which is as good a reason as any but- perhaps with less obvious results??
Looking back, knowing all I know now about tongue analysis and facial analysis I wish I had taken before and after pictures BACK THEN because, I honestly don't see any differences in the Day1 picture I posted in the first blog and today's- infact I think I look more tired around the eyes in this one! LOL! Here I was hoping to blow you away with super obvious changes and I was especially hoping to share significant differences to my Ayruveda students this Thursday at class, but alas, not much to show.
But even without outward physical evidence, I FEEL and I KNOW that my mind, body and spirit is happier, functioning more smoothly and truly like I've gotten a "tune up".
Now I'm really ready for spring!  Thanks for being my witnesses and tuning in! Now it's your turn! (nudge, nudge :)) xxoo

Do you like  reading my blogs and want more? Sign up for my e-newsletter HERE to receive health and wellness tips, recipes and musings on a somewhat monthly basis. xo

Day 5 Panchakarma

Day two of eating Kitchari, drinking ginger tea, warm oil massage, taking triphala at night and continuing with my yoga & meditation practices.
So, how am I doing? Eh. I'm doing just fine. I'm totally over the kitchari already but I know it is serving my insides well, so I will press on. I have to say that my mood is staying pretty stable for the most part and I think the daily meditation has an enormous part in that. My skin is already looking much clearer and less "rosey" as is my normal "inflamed" (ie: sugar & dairy lovin') complexion. I was incredibly proud of myself for persevering through the ghee part of the cleanse as that seems to be my biggest feat. So, in some ways the "worst" is over. But 3 more days- that's 9  more meals of kitchari- and I won't lie, I've already broken down and added peas and a bit of coconut to the kitchari for dinner tonight. My belly is so much happier and I've reminded myself that cleanses aren't about torture. So I will eat it plain when I can and add veggies as I need to, otherwise I may stop eating all together! That's what I get for being so die hard about cleanses. At least I didn't eat a spoonful of hummus or peanut butter or stuff a dill pickle in my face like I've been wanting to every time I open up the fridge to grab a lime for my ginger tea. So I'd say I'm doing pretty darn good.
It's so funny because it really has nothing to do with really wanting hummus or peanut butter or pickles- I just don't like being told (even from myself) that I CAN NOT  eat this or that.  I'm not a fan of being restricted from what I WANT in general I suppose. So again- it's a battle with my ego and the brain.
Tomorrow basti starts. Don't worry I won't be giving you any details about that:) Thanks for listening....xo

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