Can Gluten-Free Grains Contain Gluten?

Here is a little ditty. The pubmed (gem) article brings a nice touch to this tidbit brought around again by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.

Choose wisely my friends, choose wisely.

Twenty-two gluten-free grains, seeds and flours, not labeled gluten-free, were purchased and sent to a lab for gluten content analysis . Products included white rice and flour, brown rice, corn meal, polenta, buckwheat and buckwheat flour, amaranth seed and flour, flax seed, millet grain and flour, sorghum flour, and soy flour. Gluten contamination of mean gluten levels ≥20 parts per million (ppm) was found in 32% of the samples (7/22), mean gluten levels ranging from 8.5 to 2,925.0 ppm was found in 41% of the samples (9/22) and 59% (13/22) of the samples contained less than 5 ppm for gluten. The authors point out that inherently gluten-free grains, seeds and flours are not gluten free and co-mingling can occur anywhere along the line from field to package. Some degree of contamination exists in naturally gluten-free grains.

J Am Diet Assoc. 2010 Jun;110(6):937-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20497786
Note the date here...this is NOT new news, just new news to the public...

The results of this study suggest that inherently gluten-free grains, seeds, and flours not labeled gluten-free may be contaminated with gluten. This raises health concerns for clients who must follow a gluten-free diet, as the consumption of these products can lead to unintended gluten intake.

This is why I advise my clients to go grain free! If you must OR a few times a week, choose naturally gluten-free grains, flours, seeds, and products made from them that are labeled gluten free. Keep in mind that a gluten-free label is not a guarantee that products have been tested and contain below 20 parts per million of gluten, but they are still more likely than unlabeled products to have been tested. Buyer beware or at least accepting of the consequences ;-).

~jgirl

Spring Cleaning~
Does your inside, match your outside?

One important and still relevant life lesson stems from the old term no pain, no gain. Throughout the peaks and valleys in your life you'll discover that true strength comes from the ashes of struggle. This is the same way with physical fitness and it's a big focus in my training and coaching programs, because a lot of people are trying to understand how to get from where they are, to where they want to be. How do you get out of debt, shed 50 pounds, and achieve the life of your dreams? It seems impossible when you're in the pit of depression, when you're in debt, when you're overweight, or struggling. But it's all possible, and I coach people how to take one day, and one step at a time to transform.

How?

Step 1: Take action in your life today.
You must be willing to let go of the life that you have (or some things within it) in order to grasp the life ahead of you, the life you are destined for! This lesson is about letting go, and moving on. It's about taking action in order to live the life of your dreams!

Are there people, places, or even things you need to let go of? Make a list today and you'll be amazed at how this one simple act ignites transformation. Once you do you are free to take action towards your dreams because you're moving in the right direction, without any anchors or unnecessary baggage.

Step 2: Keep moving.
Movement is about creating inertia, in your body, mind and soul. When you move mentally, you create change. When you move physically, your external body transforms!

There is power, in movement.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and body. That increases the amount of oxygen and removes cellular waste products. Physical exercise causes the lungs to draw in extra oxygen to bathe the tissues and help power the heart. Exhalation removes carbon dioxide, and waste products from biochemical reactions. It's the same when you exercise your mind and take steps towards your dreams. When you take action, instead of waiting to attract something, your life unfolds and things start to happen!

Step 3: Take a holistic approach.
Don't allow yourself to focus too much on one area, only. Give yourself a brief assessment. Are you in the best mental, and physical shape you could be in? If not, what can you do to change? Taking a moment to pause, and think about the condition of your body mind and soul, will help you stay balanced and healthy in all areas. Taking a holistic approach means understanding what's out of balance in your life.

Step 4: Get into a routine.
Successful people who live healthy lives have learned to incorporate some sort of routine in their day. That's because consistent healthy patterns on a daily basis, create the foundation for real growth and success. Add physical and mental fitness to your schedule. Focus on your physical routine (exercise) as well as your mental routine (reading a positive book, affirmations, or studying something that will expand your mind).

Step 5: Re-wire your mind.
Program your brain for healthy thoughts! Listen to positive music, ipod downloads, and CD's in the car. Your thoughts drive your future, and if you tend to process things negatively, be self-aware enough to turn that around. Top athletes like Tiger Woods, are masters of their minds, focusing on positive thoughts, concentration, and mental management. Having a healthy and positive outlook is essential for your best life.

Getting Mentally Fit and Physically Fit
In life, your mental and physical routines should be intertwined. One thing affects the other, and even if you're physically fit on the outside, it's important to be just as physically fit on the inside. Ask yourself today, does your inside, match your outside? The benefits of a regular fitness program are increased muscle mass, toned legs, buttocks, arms, abs, and healthier looking skin. But the benefits of paying attention to your emotional and intellectual state of mind are a healthier outlook on life, and more positive relationships in life, and also in business. When I coach someone in fitness, I always emphasize the power of routines, and a holistic mind, body approach.

Are you satisfied with your progress in all quadrants of your life -- physical, spiritual, emotional and financial? If not, what's holding you back? Find your compass, and get in sync. Take steps that will lead you to live the life of your dreams.

By John Spencer Ellis, co-author of The Compass.

Very nicely written! Had to repost! Get Spring Fit peeps! Now is the time~ jgirl

I believe in you, and I believe in your destiny. ~Kahlil Gibran

Every day we have the blessing to start fresh, new and it is time to acknowledge how BIG that is. If you are trying to make postitive changes in your life and you find that you stumble a little here and there, well, that's part of life. You will keep trying until you are strong enough to make it through. That is called growth.

We are all here for a purpose, whether you know what that purpose is or not. If you look, it will be plain as day. Clearing the body of weight, toxins and other debris opens up the flow. Gives you increased physical health so that you can focus on things that are bigger in the big picture.

Below are a couple of  links that can help you on your way. More of the 'how to' to eating fresh, local and sustainable, recipes and delicious options. You may have very little time for cooking, but just changing one meal a day will impact your health, your community and ultimately the politics of food. Plus, you just might enjoy it.

Sustainable Kitchen
http://www.sustainabletable.org/kitchen/
 
The Foodee Project
http://www.thefoodee.com/blog/category/uncategorized/meal-of-the-day/

What is the question?

Diet, exercise and stress management...the BIG 3, life changers~

Let's start with food.



So, the question  is...where are you right now? Is there something in your life that is holding you back when it comes to making healthy food choices? Maybe you just don't have enough guidance or information...

In my ongoing quest for finding healthy local produce, I came across a very knowledgeable woman offering demos for the store. We struck up a conversation over greens, yogurt and rescue remedy. In talking with her and both being practitioners of different modalities, I realized that no matter where we are in our walk toward health, there is always somewhere for us to go. So whether you have decided to eat a salad a day, stop eating fast food, delve into the world of raw and fermented or are just mulling all of this information over, there is always something new and exciting waiting for you.  

You don't have to do it all or know it all right now.

 

As you gain more knowledge, your viewpoint will change toward what you believe is healthy. I have people come into my office all the time and tell me that they 'eat healthy.' Then, they tell me what they eat...it is not necessarily healthy. Just because you don't eat fast food, doesn't mean it's all good. There are many hidden carcinogenic (cancer causing) agents in A TON of our foods. 

As a matter of fact, A few years ago, the FDA approved a viral cocktail that will be sprayed on cold cuts, sausages, hot dogs, sliced turkey, and chicken. To be fair, please read both links below, then decide whether you'll want to eat these foods or feed them to your kids!

• http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_1801.cfm

• http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2464943&page=1

Now, after reading these articles, has your viewpoint opened up, just a little? Maybe you've realized that you might be willing to change, just a little?

Little tip in case you have...Read labels: anything mentioning bacteriophage preparation, AVOID! If you get cold cuts and meats at a restaurant, ask them if they use meats prepared this way. The same rule goes for irradiated foods, and foods that contain hormones and antibiotics.

In your best health ~jgirl

When we consider the consequences of our actions,

we can determine the best choices to create the outcome we desire.

 

So what is this 'real foods' thing all about?

God designed us in an amazing and intricate fashion. In a nutshell, our bodies were meant to eat from nature to provide fuel to our cells which in turn run the metabolic machine that keeps us going.

Things like chemicals, food dyes, pesticides, herbicides, plastic, trans fats, fake sugar and such actually clog, congest and confuse our internal body functions. This is generally what the Standard American Diet (SAD) is made up of. This is why so many people feel crummy and are on one or more prescription drugs, act crummy- depressed, angry, unpleasant disposition and are generally cranky butts - stuck in their lives watching reality tv, gossiping about others, no sex drive, hate the neighbor and never really smile. Most of us know there is a problem out there, but what can we do about it. Well, we can WAKE UP and get informed. We have been trained and misinformed on so many things. The media has educated us brilliantly. Now it is time to think for ourselves.

The basics for healthy food choices:

• eat foods that are fresh, seasonal, local and in their closest to natural state.
• eat foods that are grass-fed, pasture raised, without hormones or antibiotics
• eat foods that are free from chemicals, food dyes and pesticides
• eat foods that are local organic over industrial organic - yes, there is also a war going on inside the organic world these days...the point is to be conscious and not get hung up on it.
• eat foods that are non-GMO and non-irradiated, this is huge, you midwesterners...how much corn and soy do you see along the side of the road in your community?
• eat foods that support sustainable agriculture and reduce your ecological footprint.
• eat foods that are healthy for YOU (grains, dairy, legumes etc. do they fire up your gut?)

Most of these things you have already heard of, but maybe don't know how to transition in your home. That is our journey. We have to start at somewhere.

Where does your food come from. Most of it comes from processing plants and factories far far away. It takes more fuel to get it here than you put in your car on a weekly basis. It was once food, but has been denatured or ripped apart and put back together...kind of like Frankenstien. The difference is, our food gets dressed up real pretty with shapes and colors and packaging before it goes out in public, but Franky, well, you've seen him.

Sustainable - Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.

Translation - Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers and animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances communities.

If we don't get our food from 'home' or our local community we will become dependent on other countries for our basic survival. Sounds extreme, but look at what happened with the ecoli spinach ordeal. One location, one mishap, one big deal. Are you ready to make a change?

 

Action
Look up your local grocer. You will find farmers markets, farms and stores from the links below. Maybe take a field trip in and see what it looks like. This is only the tip of the iceberg. There may be stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in your area too, but they usually won't come up on this site. It doesn't mean they aren't good, it just means that they are a chain, more industrial and corporate. We are looking for options.

  

http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/

http://www.foodroutes.org/

http://www.kidsfootprint.org/index.html - nugget for kids!

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~Abraham Lincoln

There is always a lot of information that comes at you fast. In the news, from a friend, a class, a blog, the tv. Sometimes it is too much, sometimes it is very confusing, sometimes we actually want more. The point here is...don't stress about it. Do the best you can. Make the best choices you can with the information you have today. But don't stop listening, learning or growing.

I go through periods of time when I just can't process one more thing. And the information doesn't stop, it waits until it is relevant for you. I know this is true because when it is time, I just can't get enough of it.

We can only handle so much at once. We have to mentally digest, sometimes rationalize, consider a plan when we think about change. Most of the time we don't even think about change unless we are forced to or get a rude awakening. A friend is sick, we are diagnosed with something that couldn't possibly be, an incident, an accident... then, we will use what we have learned as a building block for the next steps that we are ready to take.

So, sit back, have a farm fresh salad or homemake your soup today.
Enjoy your kitchen instead of thinking of it as a chore and chew your food.
Laugh with your kids, your spouse, your friends.
Kiss your loved ones.

Food is a necessity, but it is also an enjoyment to be shared with others.
By reawakening and training their senses, Slow Food helps people rediscover the joys of eating and understand the importance of caring where their food comes from, who makes it and how it’s made.

Ending The Cycle
Start Today

Hi there peeps...no this one isn't new...but one of my favorite Om's. Just a reminder that you have the choice, we always have the choice and not choosing is also a choice. ~j

Today we can make the choice to end a cycle or way of being that is not in alignment with our soul’s desire.

One of the hardest things in life is feeling stuck in a situation that we don’t like and want to change. We may have exhausted ourselves trying to figure out how to make change, and we may even have given up. However, each day offers us an opportunity to renew our resolve and to declare to the universe that we are ready for change. We may even say out loud that we have tried and struggled and have not found a way, but that we are open to help, and that we intend to keep working to create change for ourselves. Making this declaration to the universe, and to ourselves, may be just the remedy for the stagnation we are experiencing. And, it can be done today, right now.

It is difficult to understand, even with hindsight, how the choices we have made have added up to our current situation, but it is a good idea to examine the story we tell ourselves. If we tend to regard ourselves as having failed, this will block our ability to allow ourselves to succeed. We have the power to change the story we tell ourselves by acknowledging that in the past, we did our best, and we exhibited many positive qualities, and had many fine moments on our path to the present moment. We can also recognize that we have learned from our experiences, and that this will help us with our current choices.

When we do this kind of work on how we view our past self, we make it possible for the future to be based on a positive self-assessment. This inner shift may allow us to get out of the cycle we’ve been in that’s been keeping us stuck. Now we can declare our intentions to the universe, knowing that we have done the inner work necessary to allow our lives to change. Allow today to be the day to end cycles and enter into a new way of being.

Under The Hood
Importance Of Looking Deeper

If we aren’t engaging in the deep, inner work of self-examination, we may not be aware of the real substance of our lives.

It’s easy to get caught up in examining our actions instead of really deeply examining ourselves. This can be deceiving because our actions may be very spiritual—we meditate, are nice to people, take care of ourselves and others—and yet, we may not be penetrating to the issues below the surface. It’s as if we’ve washed and shined the surface of our car without taking the time to check under the hood. We may appear to be in great shape, but if we aren’t engaging in the deep, inner work of self-examination, the chances are good that we are not deeply aware of the real substance of our lives.

We live in a very appearance-oriented, externally focused world, so it makes sense that we place a lot of value on how our lives look, sometimes to the detriment of noticing how our lives really feel. When we get too caught up in what we are doing and lose track of our core, we sometimes begin to feel dissociated, as if we are not fully awake, alive, and grounded. This is a sure sign that it’s time to engage in the hard work of going deep within to rediscover the foundation of our lives. Without the substance that comes from looking at ourselves deeply, and working through the difficult things we find, our spiritual lives can start to feel hollow or shallow, as if there’s nothing at the center holding it all together.

Of course, the peace that comes with prayer, meditation and spiritual practice is an essential part of the whole picture of our development, but it serves us best in conjunction with the less settling, more chaotic work of digging around below the surface to see what needs to be healed, owned, or released. Then our actions are more than just an attempt to keep everything in control, looking pretty and nice. Fueled by the energy of a life in transformation, they become powerful expressions of courage and faith, further inspiring our own inner work and that of those around us.

 Take a Breath

On a cellular level, Oxygen is the key ingredient in all processes that involve the absorption of nutrients, the energy cycle of the cell itself, and the elimination of toxins from the cell. If there is not enough oxygen in the blood and delivered to the cells, then this process breaks down.

Important side note: Insufficient Oxygen in the blood also reduces the "line-of-defense" of the human immune system.

Get breathing gang. Zowie!
 
How do you breathe? Yoga, CrossFit, walking, meditation? Well, whatever your choice, just get it done!



In, pause and Out, ahhhhh ~jgirl

 

Tearing Down to Rebuild

Rethinking Complaining

When we complain we are tearing down an undesirable structure in order to make room for something new.

We all know someone who has elevated the process of complaining to a high art. Sometimes funny, sometimes exhausting, these people have the ability to find a problem just about anywhere. In its more evolved form, complaining is simply the ability to see what’s not working, in one’s own life or in the external world, and it can be quite useful if followed to its natural conclusion—finding a solution and applying it. However, many of us don’t get that far, and we find that complaining has become an end in itself. In small doses, this is not a big problem, but if complaining has become a huge part of our identities, it may be time to take a good look at how we are spending our energy.

Complaining is a person’s way of acknowledging that they are not happy with the way things are. In a metaphorical way, when we complain or criticize, we are tearing down an undesirable structure in order to make room for something new. But if all we do is tear down, never bothering to summon the creative energy required to create something new, we are not fulfilling the process. In fact, we are at risk for becoming a stagnant and destructive force in our own lives and in the lives of the people we love. Another issue with complaining is that we sometimes tend to focus on other people, whom we can’t change, as a way of deflecting attention from the one person we can change—ourselves. So transforming complaining into something useful is a twofold process that begins with turning our critical eye to look at things we can actually do something about, and then taking positive action.

When we find ourselves complaining, the last thing we need to do is get down on ourselves. Instead, we can begin by noticing that we are in the mode of wanting to make some changes. But rather than lashing out at somebody or an organization, we can take responsibility and look at our own house—not our neighbor’s house. Finally, we can ask ourselves the positive question of what we would like to create in the place of whatever it is we want to tear down. When we do this, we channel a negative habit into a creative process, thus using our energy to change the world around us in a positive way.

I love these OM's. Really take a sec with this one. A solution to your resolution. Make a real change and see lasting benefits. ~jgirl

This little OM is dedicated to my good friend. We have recently had this conversation and there is so much truth to be found in it.

Enjoy and be aware that there is not only physical and mental/emotional aspects of our health, but spiritual as well and they work together in a beautiful dance that we call life.

Blessings for the season. ~jgirl

The Journey Of Commitment
Entering Into Commitment

Entering into a committed relationship is in fact a spiritual journey that we undertake with another person.

Loving and committing to another person is a spiritual process whether it involves a wedding or any other type of commitment ceremony. Often when we enter into a relationship, we allow our emotions to lead us forward without thinking more deeply about what true commitment involves. If we can understand that sharing our lives with another person is not just based on love but also on the hard work of being able to compromise and enter into a dialogue with them, then we are much more likely to find the key to having a successful relationship with our partners. So many people have not experienced a loving relationship between their own parents and therefore have no role model of what love should feel like or look like.


Many of us have been exposed to the idea that love should be romantic and sweep us off our feet. While this is a natural part of any relationship, the true test of our love comes from our willingness to explore this world with another person; to not only share in the delights that we encounter but also to negotiate the bumps in the road together. Generally this often takes the form of a mutual exchange of ideas, but because any relationship is based on the needs and experiences of two people, we might also face a certain amount of misunderstanding. Learning to be open and receptive to our partners and to treat their wants and ideas with respect can help us navigate even the most difficult situations. One way to do this is to take a deep breath, holding our partner in a space of love, and allow ourselves to listen fully with our hearts to what they have to say. Should this become difficult to do, we can also turn toward people whose relationships we admire for advice or guida! nce. Knowing that there are resources out there to help us and being up for exploring them with our partner will only serve to deepen and strengthen our relationship.


Entering into a committed relationship is in fact a spiritual journey that we undertake with another person. By being able to love and care for someone else with an open heart, we will find that we can reach a greater level of personal transformation, evolving along our path and learning powerful lessons about ourselves that we might not otherwise be able to do on our own.

Give the Gift of Wellness!

Nutritional Wellness Analysis - $95

Included in Analysis:

1. 30 Minute Online Consultation w/Nutritionist
2. Dietary & Lifestyle Review
3. Blood Nutrition Analysis includes:

 Comprehensive Wellness Profile - full metabolic panel!

• Lipid Profile
• CBC
• Thyroid w/TSH
• Minerals & Bone
• Fluid & Electrolytes
• Glucose
• Kidney panel
• Liver panel

An annual check-in of your health is a gift to yourself

and your loved ones!

Janelle Deeds, NC

Call today to schedule your appt!

janelledeeds.com
530-368-1789

exp. 1/31/11

Think Globally, Eat Locally

Now it is more important than ever to eat locally and shop your local farmer's market and small grocery store.

We all know that the quality of our food is in jeapordy these days. Farmers, politics and disease are all related in a crazy world. But what can we do?

Awareness is a powerful tool. 

Belive it or not the simplest of things...speak with your dollar, vote with  your choice...on a daily basis buying and eating food that is grown locally.

Food that has been transported long distances doesn't contain much life force by the time it gets to your kitchen. Making a commitment to shop, buy, and eat locally is not  and only a very important part of creating positive change, it can also be delicious fun and far more nourishing than you thought.

One of the best places to begin the adventure of eating locally is a farmer's market. Stalls brim with fresh fruits and vegetables grown on nearby farms. Not only is this good for the environment, it's good for the farmers since they benefit from selling directly to the consumer. The consumer benefits, too, from the intimate experience of buying food from the hand of the person who grew it. In addition, the food is fresher and more diverse. In supermarkets, particular varieties of fruits and vegetables are favored due to their ability to survive transport to a far destination. Alternately, at a farmer's market, you will find versions of the fruits and vegetables you know that will surprise and delight your senses—green striped heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, white carrots, and edible flowers, just to name a few.

Make an effort to buy as much of your food as possible directly from local farmers. You will become one of a growing number of people eating delicious food to save the planet and having fun doing it.

Are You Full of IT?
Water that is...

Hey blogger peeps! Get and stay hydrated this holiday season. You may find yourself a little overextended, extra glass of wine, big meal, skipped a workout.

Stay strong.

You can do it!

Schedule in one extra workout session each week to ensure you are on track and bring your water!

• 1% dehydration will impact your athlectic performance!
• 2% and your metabolism really starts running amuck.

Keep it green at mealtime and enjoy a salad for balance. It's easy to celebrate with fruits and vegetables! Soups, stews, salads, sides, all opportunities for a cellular celebration ;-)

After oxygen, water is your highest priority for attaining optimum health. Why? It's quite simple-your body is over 70% water. Your brain is over 85% water. So it makes sense that you can't drink too much water - pure water. Staying hydrated is absolutely crucial for optimum brain function and optimum health.


Adequate hydration is not only essential for optimum brain function, it also:


• Maintains your body temperature
• Aids in digestion
• Metabolizes fat
• Lubricates and cushions your organs
• Transports nutrients throughout your body
• Flushes toxic waste from your body
• Keeps you looking and feeling young

There is evidence that cellular hydration state is an important factor controlling cellular protein turnover; protein synthesis and protein degradation are affected in opposite directions by cell swelling and shrinking. An increase in cellular hydration (swelling) acts as an anabolic proliferative signal, whereas cell shrinkage is catabolic and antiproliferative. The cellular hydration state is mainly determined by the activity of ion and substrate transport systems in the plasma membrane. Hormones, substrates, and oxidative stress can change the cellular hydration state within minutes, thereby affecting protein turnover. We postulate that a decrease in cellular hydration in liver and skeletal muscle triggers the protein catabolic states that accompany various diseases.

Cellular hydration state: an important determinant of protein catabolism in health and disease

Enduring Discomfort
Missing Our Old Habits

Sometimes you may find yourself missing an old habit or pattern or having a craving for something that you have sworn off as a detriment to your lifestyle! This this is actually normal and happens to most of us from time to time or at first, daily.

Whenever we make the effort to free ourselves of an addiction or a habit we no longer need or want, we are often surprised to find ourselves missing it as if we are depriving ourselves of food, air, water or shelter...you know, survival. Yes, it sounds crazy because our brain tells is that we think we should instinctively gravitate toward that which is good for us. And yet, it makes a lot of sense when you consider that we humans are creatures of habit. This is why we gravitate to people and places—and patterns of behavior--that make us feel comfortable. Here's the bomb...many of the habits we form are not conscious and are based instead on learned behavior from role models, experiences or programming that might not always have had health in clear view.

Most addictions begin as a way of avoiding feelings that are extremely uncomfortable, so it makes sense that stopping the addiction means, for a time, a fair amount of discomfort. The same, of course, is true of habits that we have developed over time that we are ready to release. This is tough stuff, yep hard. Don't be so hard on yourself, work through it and stay the course. Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. Create those new healthier patterns, and one day you won't even notice that you haven't looked back in a while. Take advantage of simple tools that can help your move past the emotional aspect of those habits. EFT, TFT and ERT are all great options.

Step up to the plate. If you have decided to make a change, keep it in your crosshairs, work through the self sabotage. You are worth it! Be confident! Remember that it will lead to the change we seek in our lives. Our bodies, hearts, and minds always need time to adjust to a new way of doing things, but they will adapt, and even become our allies, if we remain true to our vision of a new way.

Being Clear About Desires

Getting What We Want

The best way to get what we want from life is to first know what we want. If we haven't taken the time to really understand and identify what would truly make us happy, we won't be able to ask for it from those around us or from the universe. We may not even be able to recognize it once it arrives. Once we are clear about what we want, we can communicate it. When we can be honest about who we are and what we want, there is no need to demand, be rude or aggressive, or manipulate others that are involved in helping us get what we want. Instead, we know that we are transmitting a signal on the right frequency to bring all that we desire into our experience.


As the world evolves, humanity is learning to work from the heart. We may have been taught that the way to get what we want is to follow certain rules, play particular games, or even engage in acts that use less than our highest integrity. The only rules we need to apply are those of intention and connection. In terms of energy, we can see that it takes a lot of energy to keep up a false front or act in a way that is counter to our true nature, but much less energy is expended when we can just be and enjoy connections that energize us in return. Then our energy can be directed toward living the life we want right now.


Society has certain expectations of behavior and the roles each of us should play, but as spiritual beings we are not bound by these superficial structures unless we choose to accept them. Instead, we can listen to our hearts and follow what we know to be true and meaningful for us. In doing so, we will find others who have chosen the same path. It can be easy to get caught up in following goals that appear to be what we want, but when we pursue the underlying value, we are certain to stay on our right path and continue to feed our soul.

Knowledge Is Power


Farmageddon Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.

Your thoughts will become your words.

Your words will become your actions.

Your actions will become your habits.

Your habits will become your character.

Your character will define your destiny.

Now, knowing that what you think about expands...
what's on your mind?!

 

~jgirl

Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death

but to inspire yourself to life.

~Adele Brookman

Culling Out the Weeds

Mind Over Matter

The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes.

The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes. We find ourselves thinking a certain way, knowing that this thought may be creating trouble for us yet we find it difficult to stop. For example, many people have the experience of getting sick at the same time every year or every time they go on a plane. They may even be aware that their beliefs impact their experiences, so continue to think they will get sick and then they do.

Sometimes we need to get sick in order to process something or move something through our bodies. But often we get sick, or feel exhausted, because we don’t make the effort to galvanize the power of our minds in the service of our physical health, which is one of its most important functions. We really can use it to communicate to our bodies, yet we often regard the two as separate entities that have little to do with one another.

Knowing this, we have the power to create physical health and mental health, simply by paying attention to the tapes running in our minds. Once we hear ourselves, we have the option to let that tape keep running or to make a new recording. We harness the power of the mind in our defense when we choose supportive, healing words that foster good health and high spirits. All we need to do is remember to tend the field of our mind with the attentive and loving hand of a master gardener tending her flower beds, culling out the weeds so that the blossoms may come to fruition.