How One Hour a Day Can Super Charge Your Summer...

As summer approaches many of us have a little (but loud) voice in the back of our minds telling us to "get ready for summer" I'm sure this means different things for everyone but for most it includes the universal "loose weight & have enough energy to enjoy this jam packed season"... There are already millions of theories and "advice" being pushed onto us from all angles of the media world so I'm not going to write an essay on all the weird and wonderful time consuming way's you need to change ~
Instead, I'm just going to share a little inspiration from my side of the fence about the simple things we are doing in our home to kick start our summer season ~ Because it's working bloody wonders !!

We are a trio of mum dad and the four year old boss of the house. We have a mix of preschool and home day's, Dad works full time, mum works part time, we have swimming lessons, Martial art's classes, a veggie garden to manage, a house we clean ourselves, pets to feed, 7 home cooked dinners, lunches, breakie's & snacks to make each week (because i am a little mad and somewhere along the lines decided pre-made supermarket food and take-out was unhealthy.... Maybe for the body but not always for time management or sanity) So yes, we are just as chin deep in the business of day to day life as the next person and know how challenging it is to work "looking after me" into any day of the week.

But here's what we've done for the last month 6 mornings a week...
we decided to cut back on the evening t.v to make space for more constructive use of our time or to relax with a good read instead, which is far more replenishing than the over stimulation you get from tv.
We go to bed 1 hr earlier - 9:30 - 10pm instead of the previous 10:30 or so.
we get up 1 hr earlier - now at 5am
we do 1 hour of power yoga together while our son is still asleep.
we gulp down a super green smoothie that takes 5 min to make and 5 min to drink and nourishes the body like no other breakie you've ever had.
Recipe: 
2 banana's
1 cup pineapple
1.5 cup coconut milk
2 tsp spirulina
2tsp wheat grass
2 Tblsp chia seeds
1 tsp pro biotic powder
5 ice cubes
Blend & Gulp ;)


This may sound like a lot of changes, but really it's not. if you break it down, essentially its about getting to bed and rising one hour earlier than usual to make space for the changes YOU wish to implement!!

One hour & one smoothie has made an enormous change in our lives. The energy we now have supports us through the entire day. The nourishment we gain feeds our body the right amount of nutrition that cravings for sweet foods are almost non existent.  As a couple we even have time to have a decent conversation ALONE when we are energized and happy verses tired and grumpy.
We bring more positivity, health and vitality to our family relationships, our work and most importantly to ourselves.

One hour has improved our sleep, allowed for exercise, enhanced fitness & muscle tone, encouraged authentic connection in our relationship, elevated our energy levels, boosted nutrition & increased our overall happiness & well-being.   

So go on, take up the "Super Charged Hour" challenge ~ Try it  ~ You may be delighted with the results !!

P.s Here are two of my Book reccomendations for this summer for those of you who are wanting to loose weight & feel healthy & whole in mind body & spirit this season ;)

"The Gabriel Method Recipe Book" Filled with sugar, grain, yeast free recipe's that are delicious & powerfully nutritious!

 "The Way of the Happy Woman - Living the best year of your life" Packed full of feminine wisdom & Yoga for the seasons. I love this book and it will probably live in my shelf for as long as i reside on this earth.

Spring Equinox ~ A time of Fertility & Fruitfulness...

The Spring Equinox is upon us ~ A time to celebrate the blossoming of new energies coming into our lives after the hibernation of Winter & to honor the goddess Ostara who represents Fertility & Fruitfulness...

There is a powerful force at present, supporting any conscious intentions or efforts to do with Fertility, New Goals or Ventures, Creativity, Spiritual, Physical or Emotional Growth & Development, Abundance & Releasing the old to make way for the new!

Today & Tomorrow offer you the perfect opportunity to flow with the natural laws of nature and ask for support & blessings regarding any new ideas & actions you wish to implement now...

Be sure to create space for renewal by clearing out the clutter of your life. This could involve the usual domestic spring clean, Clearing the fridge & pantry of crap to make way for new eating habits, deleting your in boxes to represent clear & productive communication or re-evaluating your current relationships in regards to which ones you will maintain & which you require more distance from.

A simple "Ostara" ritual is to plant a few seeds now (I love sunflowers for the Spring Ritual) while setting your intentions & asking for blessings. As the flowers grow ~ so to do you're desired manifestations!!

Spring Blessings & Be Well :)

Aching Hips ~ What Are They Trying to Tell You?

When We Heal The Inner ~ The Outer Follows Sync!

In my home Healing Practice, It is common for me to treat tight aching hips. Aside from any obvious strains or injuries there is often an underlying emotional / mental issue that needs addressing for true healing to occur & also to prevent future pain.

So, What Are Those Hips Trying to Tell You??

The most renowned emotional body therapists "Louise L Hay" says hip problems are linked to a fear of moving forward in big decisions or  perhaps there's a feeling within that there's nothing to move forward to.
If this does not resonate, other issues relating to Aching Hips are: Family upsets;  A feeling that your carrying someone on your hip or taking too much responsibility for someone or something which needs to be more balanced and fair. Experiencing tension, stress & frustration for taking on more than you can or should. Feeling used or manipulated & under appreciated.

Healing Options...

So now you have some awareness of the psychosomatic association to aching hips what are you meant to do with it? Well, if the emotional / mental contributors are true for you then allow your self to truly recognize how this stress is affecting your body and begin to play with some ideas of how you can make even small changes to slowly resolve the issue's. They didn't appear overnight (most likely) so the adjustment process may also take a little time before you feel fully able to implement and feel comfortable with change.
Awareness is a powerful motivating force within itself ~ Allow it to germinate.

In Eastern Healing ~ The Hips are governed by our "Base Chakra"  which has a lot to do with how grounded & earthed we are in our lives. It relates to our physical identity & self preservation. If you are having strife in your family, friendships or employment, chances are your Base Chakra may be week.
To strengthen your Base participate in activities such as: Yoga; Walking barefoot in nature; Listen or play music with deep rhythmical drum beats; Include more of the colour red in your personal dressing & decor.
Practice an Affirmation such as: "I am in perfect balance. I move forward in life with ease & with Joy"
Crystals that help support the Base Chakra are: Red Jasper, Red Coral or Ruby.

Stretch It Out!

Or ~ Book into Rachael's Place of Practice for a 90 min Integrative Healing Session involving: Therapeutic Massage, Chakra Healing & a mini Tarot Reading to get clear on your path to well-being....
Visit: http://rachaelsplaceofpractice.hopout.com.au
Be Well,
Rachael ;)

Detoxify your System for Spring with Massage...

Spring is a time of cleansing, rejuvenation & fresh energy. Most of us start feeling the urge to clean out the clutter in our lives ~ from our homes, gardens, bodies and mind's...
During the winter months aka the "hibernation phase" we may have indulged more in comfort foods & kept warm indoors more than getting out in the fresh air for regular exercise. This may have some of us emerging out of winter not feeling as "fresh" as we might like ~ Well a few good massage sessions now in the beginning of spring could have you bouncing into Summer like a Spring chicken as cleansed and refreshed as ever!!

Massage helps to:

*Detoxify the system of waste build up - be it from Sugar, Alcohol, Chemical's, Stuffy Recycled Air Conditioned environments, Non Organic Foods, Acidity & even dormant Bacteria's from the winter sniffles. The strokes & pressure from a good massage literally squeeze & push out the body's toxins from between the tissues, muscle fibers & cells into the circulatory system for your body to naturally eliminate.

*Assist Weight Loss & Cellulite by both detoxifying & stimulating Circulation thereby Oxygenating the Blood

*Lift the "Winter Blue's" & rejuvenate your Mental / Emotional Well-being by stimulating and releasing your feel good brain chemical hormones.

So go on ~ Step into Rachel's Place of Practice & out into Spring feeling as fresh & rejuvenated as Spring herself  ~ Visit: http://rachaelsplaceofpractice.hopout.com.au 

Be Well...

Chai Spice Green Tea for Health, Vitality & A Touch of Magic

As part of my "Spring Clean Resolution's" I have traded in my dreaded caffeine addiction for a nourishing pot of herbal healing. After two entire days of feeling like I was on deaths door with a monster migraine, lethargy, brain fog & general body ache's, I woke this morning out the other side. Bouncing out of bed & onto the yoga mat under the sunny blue sky. Thinking to myself there couldn't be anything better than drinking in the morning scents of spring flowers - rather than of a cup of black sludge!!
After the yoga was done though, it was pretty clear I needed a tea as inspiring as my old coffee was to enliven the senses and sip with my morning read.

Here is what i came up with & why...

The basic Chai Spices

Cinnamon: 

Antioxidant, Cancer prevention, Antiseptic, Antibacterial, Anti fungal,  Digestive aid, Stabilizes blood sugar, Cold & Flue protection, Eases Menstrual problems, Promotes Circulation, Lowers Blood Pressure, Tones the Bowels & a great source of Magnesium to Ease Stress & Muscle Aches. Magically Cinnamon helps Manifest: Spiritual Connection, Success, Healing, Intuition, Money, Love & Passion

Cardamon:

Alkalizing, Antioxidant, Disease prevention, Digestive aid, Improves Lung Functioning & Eases Mucus production, Inhibits the growth of Virus's, Bacteria & Fungus, Immune Support, Anti Inflammatory, Detoxification, Antidepressant & Mood booster.

Ginger:  

Anti bacterial, Anti viral, Anti fungal, Anti inflammatory, Antiseptic, Anti Depressant,  Stimulates Circulation, Eases Stomach upsets, Cold & Flu Prevention. Magically Ginger Manifests: Love, passion, Money, Success & Empowerment.

Cloves: 

Highest Antioxidant acting food, Anti Inflammatory, Anti Bacterial, Digestive Aid, Rich in Essential Nutrients & Minerals. Magically Clove offers protection, Banishes Negativity, Healing & Love.

 Star Anise:  

Antibacterial, Anti Fungal, Strong Anti Viral, Antioxidant, Digestive Aid. Magically Star anise Increases Psychic Awareness, Increases Luck & Grants Wishes.

Nutmeg: 

Kills cavity causing bacteria in the mouth, Good for the Heart, Improves Memory, Prevents Alzheimer's, Digestive Aid, Reduces Gas, Aphrodisiac, Asists the detoxification of Kidney & Liver.

                                                                                                                                                               For some Extra Health Ooomph

Peppermint

Alkalizing, Digestive Aid, Cold & Flu Remedy, Decongestant, Relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Cancer Preventative, Eases PMS & Cramping, Clears the Mind and Treats Headache, General Health & Wellbeing. Magically Peppermint is Purifying, Boosts Energy & Intuition. It helps Manifest love & Healing.

Green Tea

Alkalizing, Anti Aging, Anti inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Aids Digestion, Cancer Preventative, Super Hydrating, Glowing Skin, Heart Health, Memory Aid & prevents Alzheimer's.

Nettle

Super Source of Essential Nutrients & Minerals, Alkalizing, Aids Digestion, Anti Inflammatory, Purifies the Kidneys, Blood & Intestinal Tract, Powerful Decongestant & Relieves all Allergies. Magically Nettle offers: protection, Healing & Boosts Passion.

So this is my "New Brew" & I Cant wait to see how amazing I feel after a week on this Super Tonic!!

Do you have a secret cup of health??

Be Well....

Rachael :)