Flower Power!

While Bach Flower Remedies are effective, the nice part is, you don't have to see a doctor to find the flower essence that is right for you.

The methodology behind Bach Flower Remedies is that all illness is first an emotional/mental state. When we find ourselves in a particular, unhealthy state of being, this will eventual manifest as illness in the body. There is a Bach Flower Remedy for every conceivable mental state. You can even use them for your pets!

After having my baby, I used the Walnut Remedy to aid in the large life transition that having a baby brings. I'm happy to report, I did not get sick, even with the severe lack of sleep (which usually always makes me sick).

There are many web sites that sell these remedies. Your local health food store most likely carries them. Give them a try! There's nothing like adding a little "flower power" to your day.

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Make your own baby food

It always amazes me how much money people will spend on all those jars of baby food every week. Not only is the food inside those jars barely passable as food, but it's expensive! You spend all that money, and your baby just isn't getting the natural nutrition that regular, healthy food can provide.

Not convinced? Consider this:

• The government allows a certain amount of rat feces to be present in baby food. (you can find the legal amounts in reports at your local library)


• They boil the food to death to sterilize it, cooking out all the natural vitamins and minerals, and then add them back in with the bottled version.


• While organic baby food is better, it still goes through the same processes of manufacturing, and still as an allotment for rat feces.


• Babies tend to eat much more of the jar food simply because their little bodies are trying to get the nutrients they need. So they get more empty calories, contributing to the raise in childhood obesity.

So if that has you convinced at last, here is the solution. Make your own baby food! It's cheap, easy, quick and healthy. Here's what you do.

1. Steam a bag of veggies like you would for your own dinner.


2. Put them in a bowl (for hand blender) or blender.


3. Blend with enough distilled water to achieve the consistency of baby food.


4. That's it!

If you want fruit, simply peel, and run through the blender with distilled water.

If you have a hand blender, the cleanup is even easier. If you really want to go the healthier route, try buying organic fruits veggies. And if your Ayurvedic practitioner has prescribed dosha specific food for your baby, use those fruits and veggies.

It's so easy!

Note:Babies need a chance to get used to this food if they are just starting to eat, or have been eating the jarred stuff. If they make funny faces, it does NOT mean they don't like it. It's just their natural reaction to new flavors and textures. You know your baby doesn't like something when he won't open his mouth, or cries when you give him a certain food. But if he/she is only making funny faces, and continues to open their mouth for more food, then continue to give it to them. After a while, the funny faces will disappear.

The act of kindness

The act of kindness comes in many forms. From holding a door open for an elderly person, to cooking dinner for a neighbor who is sick in bed, kindness is good for the soul.

When I was pregnant, I remember being extra aware of the kindness of strangers. While I was a bit oversensitive, I would get very upset if I saw somebody who was not being kind. I distinctly remember an elderly woman who was struggling with a heavy door in a doctor's office. Several people looked up to watch her struggle, but nobody got up to help her. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I managed to un-wedge my very pregnant self from the chair I was sitting in, to go help her. To this day, I wonder if those people who watched ever felt any remorse for not helping.

An act of kindness can be so small, and yet, it can mean the world to someone. I would have appreciated the help of a neighbor in mowing my lawn when I was 7 months pregnant. Instead, they went about mowing their own lawns, and just waved. It would have taken them 15 minutes to help me out (I was obviously struggling with the heavy lawn mower). But they didn't.

I know this sounds like I'm just complaining, but I'm actually trying to make a point. If you can be in a state of consciousness, ever day, that allows you to take notice of the human plight, what a wonderful state of consciousness to be in. I think, that in our busy lives, we forget that it is an honor to help another human being. Whether it be a family member, friend or stranger.

If you meditate, try meditating on kindness, and see what happens. I think you'll find that your world becomes a very different place, full of possibilities.

To quote the famous movie.... always remember to "pay it forward". You will be paid back in ways you never imagined.

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Ayurvedic Chocolate and Zucchini Cake

I just posted the Ayurvedic recipe for this month, and boy does it look yummy! (Thanks Claudia! - For those of you who don't know, our Ayurvedic recipes come from our fantastic guest blogger, Claudia Dávila).

The picture alone is enough to make me run for the nearest bar of chocolate. But I suppose moderation is key, so I'll have to control myself a bit. (darn it!)

Click on the recipe link at the top of this page to get the recipe.

Let me know how you like it. (And have a slice for me!)

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Mangosteen

Lately, I've been noticing an "up and coming" fruit that seems to be gaining popularity, and thought I would look into it. It's called Mangosteen.

The Latin name of the mangosteen is Garcinia mangostana L. The genus Garcinia is named in honor of Laurent Garcin, a French 18th century explorer and plant collector. Linnaeus, the "L" after the species name mangostana, honored his work by naming the genus Garcinia after him.

This amazing fruit comes in many different forms, and there are numerous claims to it's nutritional value. Personally, I've tried the juice called "Xango", and it did seem to give me a lot of energy for a week or so. Then the effects wore off. But the nutritional value seemed to be very good.

If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, I highly recommend the Trader Joe's brand "Freeze dried tropical Mangosteen". They freeze dry the pit along with the fruit. Boy are they good! (And no added sugar, just the fruit!)

These little treats will fit in nicely with the Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. They are easy on the digestion, and make a wonderfully natural, sweet snack. Give them a try and let me know how you like them!

Personal Alchemy Naturals  offers botanical bath salts, ritual massage oils, healing balms and body creams.
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