The Health and Life Mixing Bowl

Rituals

Rituals are powerful things.  From the dawn of time people have created sacred space and taken time to recreate important events or pay homage to ancient symbols that have molded their very existence.  Many people in our modern times feel lost and this has been attributed to a significant lack of meaningful ritual in our daily lives.

In our day and age, most of us know that the foundation of many ancient rituals was superstition and a lack of scientific knowledge.  We are not willing to throw reason or logic out the window and sacrifice a goat or toss around some chicken bones with the hope that it will satisfy our soul's longing for spiritual fulfillment.

But a ritual doesn't have to be based on superstition, nor does it have to belong to anyone except you; and it doesn't have to represent a religion or a deity.  A ritual can be something as simple as teas in your back yard each morning, or a bath or long walk on Sunday afternoons.  It is about doing something that represents what is important to you, and doing it on a regular basis--daily or weekly if possible--being mindful of what you're doing and why.

Starting a ritual may seem confining at first.  OR you may feel silly, depending on what it is.  Your friends and family may not fully understand it, but after you've established it, it will become an important part of your life.  You'll find yourself looking forward to your ritual, planning for it, savoring it.  It will become a part of you--and you a part of it.

I'd love to hear comments from people who have rituals, telling me what they do and why it is important to them.

Think Global: Eat Local

Peppers at the Farmers Market, originally uploaded by alltrain43.

Almost every town has a local farmers market these days. Not only are they a great place to meet people and learn about foods, but buying locally grown produce is smart for three reasons:

First of all…you're saving the planet! Most of the produce you buy at the grocery store is shipped an average of 1500 miles, contributing to oil dependence and creating pollution.

Second, you're supporting local business! Only 18 cents of every dollar you spend on groceries goes to the grower. The rest goes to middlemen. Support local and family-owned farms who are striving to keep high quality organic produce available to the public. Smaller farms tend to be more environmentally friendly with less strain on air, water, and soil.

Third: It's healthy! Locally grown produce doesn't spend days or even weeks in trucks. It is fresher and contains less preservatives. Local produce can also help you build up immunities to seasonal allergies.

For more information on how you can eat locally take the 100 Mile Challenge!

The Art of Bathing

Glowing Bath, originally uploaded by Daniel KJ.

A bath isn't just a way to clean your body. Immersion in water has long been a symbol of cleansing for the spirit--from the Christian baptism, to the ancient custom of bathing in a holy river or lake to purify the spirit. Taking a bath doesn't have to be a chore. It can be a way to recreate your self; a ritual, or a soothing element that helps calm your mind and body.

The first important element in the art of bathing is to ensure your bathing space is clean and special. You don't have to have a huge tub or a marble-tiled bathroom. But make sure it is clean and pleasing to the senses. Light a scented candle or some incense, buy bath salts infused with essential oils, or sprinkle some flower petals in the water.

Don't worry about washing your hair or any of the other personal hygeine tasks that people associate with bathing. The purpose of your bath is to relax and enjoy the healing properties of the water. A glass of wine or sparkling mineral water can be sipped, and perhaps some music played to enhance the experience.

Lie back and visualize the water washing away any negativity, anxiety, fear, or anger. Let your physical body relax as the warm water relaxes your muscles. Listen to the music, and forget about anything going on outside the bathroom.

Twenty or thirty minutes bathing can make a difference in your entire week. Allow your self to be healed, comforted and rejuvenated by the sacred substance that sustains all life on this planet.

Music--Not Just for Drive Time!

Everyone loves music. We all have our favorite bands or singers, sometimes even going as far as labeling ourselves "fans" and devoting a serious amount of time and money to following the careers of certain musicians.

But music can do more than just entertain.  It can move, inspire, uplift, and even heal our spirit.  Spirit Music is made for the specific purpose of nourishing our minds, bodies, and souls.  It can soothe us when we are anxious or frustrated; or energize us when we are in need of inspiration.

I encourage you to take the opportunity to try some new music this week.  Here are some of my suggestions for spirit music from various traditions.  If you have any recommendations for music that has made a difference in your life, leave a comment and share them with me and your fellow readers!

Innersong.com
http://www.innersong.com/

The Spirituals Project
http://www.spiritualsproject.org/

Oliver Rajamani - Forty Days and Forty Nights
http://www.oliverrajamani.com/

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Night Song
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Song-Nusrat-Fateh-Khan/dp/B000000HPH/ref=m_art_li_3

Native American Winds
http://www.nativeamericanwinds.com/index.html

Just the Flax Please...

flax seeds, originally uploaded by digiyesica.

If you've been paying attention to any health-related discussion in the past ten years, you've no doubt heard of flax seed, also known as linseed. The plant is native to the Mediterranean and has been in constant use by humans from as far back as the ancient Egyptians who were the first to cultivate it.

So why the sudden popular interest in the 22nd century?

Well it seems that flax seeds are high in a little something called alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which is an omega-3 fat. Omega-3's are valuable in preventing blood clots, reducing cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, and keeping cells supple, flexible, and able to fight off disease. Additionally, flax seeds produce two hormone-like substances called enterolactone and enterodiol which are known to help prevent breast cancer in women.

It is important to note, however, that the benefits of the seeds mainly lie in the oil. The seeds themselves can be a great source of fiber, but to really get the most out of them, the best bet is to grind the seeds in a spice grinder or by hand.

You can also buy flax seed oil that has been extracted from the seeds, a more convenient solution to grinding the seeds each day. The oil and the seeds can be purchased and almost any health food store, or through an herbalist.

A couple teaspoons each day can make a drastic difference in your health.