Solar Eclipse

There has been a frenzy on the internet about the solar eclipse. People driving long distances, camping, eclipse parties, the desire to pick up eclipse glasses to watch the event, makes me think of the acronym FOMO or fear of missing out. 😂 It”s been fascinating to watch.

What we perceive and what we understand depends upon what we are.

~Aldous Huxley ☀️ 

The Sun (Surya) that illuminates our world, its our source of light and cosmic power. It is often a symbol of the universal Father, of rebirth, strength, health, passion, vision and even the light of our soul. The Moon (Chandra) is often a symbol of the universal Mother,  immortality,  eternity, enlightenment, the dark side of nature or the soul. When the moon shadows the sun, it is occluded from our vision and the Sun’s normal functions are suspended.  This is energetically powerful. Historically eclipses bring about sudden, unexpected and often times of undesirable events. When I think about our current political unrest, the rise of terror and hate, natural disasters, threats of war. It seems to be intensifying daily and these types of events are magnified near eclipses.

In Vedic astrology, the Sun represents our soul. Our soul is what travels from lifetime to lifetime. Metaphorically, during the time of the eclipse our soul is hidden from ourselves. I will take the time during powerful eclipse energy to go inward to focus my energy on my spiritual practice, chant a mantra, pray, play the singing bowls, visualize peace from within and then out. I will journal and pay special attention to my own professional status, personal ambitions, self-realization, will, optimism and relations with my father.

Wisdom of the Native cultures such as the Navajo believe that the moon and the sun are sacred the way they were created, and you are not supposed to watch the moon or look at, stare at it for a long time. It affects your mind and your body. Especially for women who are carrying a baby. It is said that if a pregnant woman sees an eclipse of any kind, be it solar or lunar, it might affect the mind of the woman or also in the future it will affect the health of the baby. An eclipse either lunar or solar, is a sacred time where the sun, the moon and the earth is kind of like in an intimate position when they line up, it’s such a profoundly sacred event that it is inauspicious to view….. out of respect and reverence for every man, woman and child. Its also of common practice to abstain from eating and even drinking water, its a time to just go into the house until it passes.

Ignorance is the night of the mind. A night without a moon by which clearly to see. ~Confucius 🌙

The Maya found eclipses to be disturbing. Although many representations of eclipses appear in Mayan art, such events were generally understood to portend bad tidings. Solar eclipses, known as chi’ ibal kin, or ‘to eat the sun,’ were a particular cause for distress among the Maya people. Mayan priests went to great lengths to predict eclipses and calculate all manner of astronomical phenomena. The stars are powerful forces, the sun and the moon in particular are the most powerful luminaries in the heavens in relation to planet earth.

We can never tell how these once in a lifetime events can affect us, until later on. Whatever you choose to do during the eclipse, may it not only affect your life in a positive way, but also, create more awareness globally.

Peace and love to you, now and always!

Michelle

How Fasting Heals Your Brain

Fasting is wonderful for the body, mind and soul. Some of the other benefits of fasting are improved metabolic health, increased longevity, creativity, enhanced relationships, and better heart health. Throughout history we find intelligent beings like Plato, Socrates and Hippocrates as well as ancient civilizations throughout history practicing fasting to achieve longevity and higher states of consciousness. Modern research also shows it also is good for your brain.

Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have shown, how fasting benefits the brain on a neurological level. There are many different techniques and schools of thought on fasting, but the practice usually involves abstaining from food or following a calorie-restricted diet for anything from 24 hours to a few days or even weeks.

Fasting can be a preventative measure for overactive synaptic activity and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that fasting significantly improves congnitive function, stimulating faster learning, better memory, reduced inflammation and increased stress resistance.

Fasting is a challenge to your brain, and your brain responds to that challenge by adapting stress response pathways which help your brain cope with stress and risk for disease. The same changes that occur in the brain during fasting mimic the changes that occur with regular exercise. They both increase (neurotrophic factors), which in turn promotes the growth of neurons, and strength of synapses. This is truly incredible.

Click here to view a 5 minute segment on how fasting significantly lowers the risk of developing cognitive diseases.

A study published in the June 5th issue of Cell Stem Cell by researchers from the University of Southern California showed that cycles of prolonged fasting protect against immune system damage and, moreover, induce immune system regeneration. They concluded that fasting shifts stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal. It triggers stem cell based regeneration of an organ or system. Amazing.

Please research different types of fasting as there are many kinds of patterning you can introduce to your system. Juice fasting is a multidimensional experience in which total body transformation occurs. As you can see there are a wide range of metabolic changes and experiences physically, mentally and emotionally. Click the juice cleansing link in the toolbar above to find info on my latest offerings for a juice fasting adventure!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on fasting as I would be happy to help you inviestigate a fasting routine that is of the highest good for you!

I fast for greater physical and mental efficiency. ~Plato

Blessings,

Michelle

Lettuce Tacos

Here is a family favorite for Taco Tuesday!!!!

  • 1 Head Romaine Lettuce
  • Sunflower Seed Pate
  • Cashew Sour Cream
  • Guacamole
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Cilantro

Sunflower Seed Pate

1 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (soaked)
2 cups Sunflower Seeds (soaked)
1/2 Jalapeno (seeded)
1 handful Cilantro
1-2 Green Onions
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan Salt
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 clove Garlic
Juice of 1 Lemon

In the bowl of the food processor fitted with the “S” blade, puree the drained seeds, tomatoes and chili powder into a refried-bean like consistency. Now place the rest of the ingredients into the bowl of the food processor and mix until well incorporated.

Taste your pate and adjust the flavor if necessary. Ready to serve!

Cashew Sour Cream

1 cup Cashews (soaked)
Juice of 1 Lemon
Purified Water (enough to cover cashews in blender and make creamy)
Salt to taste
Pinch of Nutmeg

Drain cashews and rinse. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Guacamole

2 Avocados
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt to taste

Place all ingredients in bowl and smash together with fork till desired consistency. Serve! This dip wont last long!

Now you have all of your parts, put your tacos together! Wash and cut bottom off romaine to make a taco shell. Next place sunflower seed pate, cashew sour cream and guacamole in lettuce shells. Top with tomatoes, cilantro and fresh lime!

Many Blessings,

Michelle

Walking Lightly Soup

It’s that time of year, when I love to eat tons of soup! There is absolutely nothing like soup! By nature its eccentric, in the fact that no two are ever alike!

This is the soup that I used to make out at Walking Lightly Ranch.  Check it out; try it and create something new every time!

Walking Lightly Soup:

 
1 whole apple
1 whole avocado
1 bunch greens (mustard, arugula, collards, broccoli, spinach, baby lettuces, or other favorite greens)
1 bunch herbs, (basil, parsley, cilantro, or other favorite herb)
1 whole zucchini
2 tablespoons miso
dash nama shoyu
2 cloves garlic
1 inch ginger
dash cayenne pepper
2 to 3 cups blessed water or more if needed
Place all ingredients in a blender, blend and serve!

Basic Soup Recipe:

*2 cups non-sweet fruit

Choose between cucumber, tomato, zucchini, pepper, or tomatillo. You may choose to use one or more of these.

*1 to 2 cups liquid

Use one cup first. Then if needed, add more liquid at the end. Choose between blessed water, coconut water, or vegetable juice.

*1 to 2 cups greens

Vegetables or herbs. Choose between kale, parsley, spinach, arugula (also a spice), celery, and your favorite herbs and veggies!

*1/2 to 1 whole avocado, meat of one young coconut, or 2-4 Tablespoons of tahini.

*4 Tablespoons olive oil, or other cold pressed oil like flax or hemp.

*2 Tablespoons Miso

*1/2 to 1 whole apple

*1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or 2 tablespoons nama shoyu (or Bragg’s for gluten sensitive)

*1 inch ginger (optional)

*1 clove of garlic

*1 pinch cayenne pepper

Blend all ingredients. You may choose to create a chunky soup by dicing some of the vegetables, or adding some. Warm it up till it feels warm to the touch! But not over 120 degrees so that you may preserve the enzymes and keep the soup ALIVE! Some other great additions are kelp noodles or zucchini noodles, marinated or grated vegetables, chopped avocado, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, olives, or sprouts.
 
Be creative, have fun and enjoy!

Good Soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living. For soup can do more to lift the spirits and stimulate the appetite then any other one dish.”
~Louis P. De Gouy, The Soup Book (1949)
Many Blessings! ~ Michelle