Yes Cacao: Botanical Chocolate

The first time we tried Yes Cacao we did a double take on the label because it's that good. Justin Polgar has created a wild crafted raw chocolate bar that is infused with an excellence of herbs. YES, Yes and Yes is his word of choice which is pressed throughout the entire bar. We got a chance to talk to the creator to learn more about the inspiration, composition and direction of Yes Cacao.

1.  Yes is a powerful word. What does the yes in Yes Cacao suggest to you?

It is powerful! I love the word, it has been a great teacher for me. “Yes” turns doors into doorways, “Come in” it says. It’s an invitation into a field of energy, just like cacao. So for myself, claiming my YES is a continual affirmation of choice and permission, and of being a solution. 

When we created the brand Yes Cacao, we intentionally corralled the energy of YES.  We were curious what might happen when we use “Yes” as a vehicle to return chocolate to its sacred origins. So far, soooooo good.

2. Where do you draw inspiration for your recipes?

Inspiration is so naturally available when we “turn our worry into wonder”. I’ve used mantra most of my life to sew consciousness to my experiences. Mantras are like persistent reminders to find true relevance in the moment. When I was in my early 20’s, I used a specific mantra, “Observe. Balance. Evolve.” Whenever I realized the wind was touching my skin, or that I was blinking, or caught myself smiling without knowing it, I would whisper “Observe. Balance. Evolve.” It’s from this state of “mantra mind” that I draw inspiration for recipes and creative projects.

Specifically for Yes Cacao, each of the recipes speak to a cultural need. 

More than ever, at the pace of social and digital culture, people are hungry for healthy functional energy. The recipes are a way to address balance, and to evolve between breaths.

3. We love the herbs you use to elevate our mind and body, how do you formalize your recipes and what makes them unique to other botanical chocolates?

“Botanical Chocolate” is a term I came up with to create a new genre of chocolate. It’s not just raw, and wild-harvested, and organic, and the slew of other certification call-outs. Botanical Chocolate belongs to a category of “food as holistic medicine”, where every ingredient matters. Because chocolate is a vasodilator (meaning it expands your blood vessels), whatever we put in chocolate gets absorbed super efficiently. To formalize Yes Cacao’s alchemy, each ingredient must deliver a potent purpose, and work synergistically within the whole; and that “whole” has to taste and feel delicious.

Real Botanical Chocolate tastes different every time. Taste is a two-way conversation: I bring my palate and the food brings its terroir. The closer to source and soil we get, the more we find out how brilliantly diverse we are. I eat Dirty Chocolate everyday, and every time “I Make a Wish and Take a Bite”, I’m a little bit different, and those botanicals are unique to their seasonal harvest. It’s a presence practice.

I’m excited to see more Botanical Chocolate companies popping up around the world, teamwork makes the dream work! Establishing a new genre is going to take a handful of us being well resourced, and uniquely inspired.

4. You have mentioned that each of your bars provides a different type of energy. What is your favorite chocolate bar you have created and why? What is the most popular?

Our most popular bar is definitely the Karma Mellowl, it’s a golden chocolate bar. The flavor is super novel, like a combination of butterscotch, graham cracker, and pumpkin spice. Functionally it’s our Brain Food bar, and it’s intended to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the parts of the brain that network short-term, associative memory. We call it, “The Brain Tickler” in the kitchen.

I get asked which is my favorite all the time, and I love each of our bars for different reasons. My preferences gravitate to characteristics, more so than characters. So it’s not a specific bar that’s my favorite, it’s that the cacao is wild harvested, and the shilajit in the Dirty chocolate gives me crazy endurance, and the turmeric in both the Karma Mellowl and the Gaba Baba are cold water extracted.  My favorite characteristic in any food is its bioavailability. 

5. Cacao contains endless benefits, but is still associated to many as a dessert. How would you describe cacao to someone who only sees it as such?

We all know people who dismiss the possibility of food as medicine. Even with all the scientific research, most people are set in their mind that chocolate is a guilty pleasure. I encounter this with potential customers on the regular, and my favorite response has been the following: 

Cacao has been a sacred and ritual food for over 2000 years, and then a “sweet treat” for the last 200 years, and for the last 30 years it’s just been a junk food. How do we go from something that is a sacred ritual food, to a junk food?! 

Sometimes people need to see it to believe it, so I tell them I eat 130 pounds of chocolate a year (about 8 oz. daily), and they say, “How are you not fat?” And I say, “Chocolate is actually, really good for you, it’s just usually paired with poisonous refined, plantation sugar, and that is what’s giving chocolate a bad rap.”

6. What is your favorite super food and herb and how do you feel a difference when taking it?

Next to cacao, Sun Dried Cane Sugar is currently my favorite superfood.

Sometimes we forget the basics in the health food world. Sugarcane is scientifically classified as an Officinarum, meaning it has medicinal and/or therapeutic benefit. If grown in accordance with natural law, and minimally processed, sugar can be an amazing superfood.

The Sun Dried Cane Sugar we use is grown in its natural eco-density (not in overcrowded plantations), hand pressed, and dried in the sun (instead of boiled to evaporate water content). It’s unrefined, which means the molasses, minerals, and nutrient language of the ecosystem are still present. I have shared this sugar with diabetics, sugar sensitive people, and children, without any noticeable glycemic disturbance. It makes me feel calmly energized. I feel the gentle lift in mood, and a grounded clarity. 

7. What does your typical day look like?

Zoë and I moved to Santa Cruz in December, and thankfully Mercury going retrograde was a perfect pattern reset. Most days look like:

• Sunrise - Wakey wakey
• 20 min. of oil pulling while moving bodies/stretching/5 tibetans
• “Slippery Fish” drink - fresh aloe + lemon blended + bubbly water
• Drink tea, casual gong fu style 
• Take the last pot of tea as the base for a breakfast elixir
• tea + cacao paste + sprouted almond butter + date or banana + maca + he shu wu + squirts of the tinctures that pull on my attention + hemp seeds + pumpkin seed oil + cinnamon - blend and drink hot. And eat a Dirty Chocolate Bar.
• Dance in our furniture-free living room. This is like a nonverbal meeting that gets us tuned into each other’s energy. 
• Drink water.
• If we’re driving together somewhere, we sing in car. If I’m solo then it’s phone calls or audiobook/podcasts.
• If it’s an office day, I’m deep in the computer… and eating chocolate.
• Drink water.
• Lunch early afternoon, and I like to give myself time to get creative in the kitchen. Yesterday I mixed dill and sauerkraut into yogurt, chopped super thin cucumbers, and got dippy with carrots and bell peppers and mochi. Throughout the day I eat handfuls of spinach.
• Back to the office with Karma Mellowl
• Afternoon tea
• Walk the neighborhood trails or coastline for sunset
• Light exercise: pull up bar, slant board, squats, balance
• Drink Water.
• Make dinner - soups and broths hit the spot during winter, squashes too, but occasionally I like hippie-dusted popcorn (chlorella, spirulina, oregano, thyme, herbs etc.)
• If I can really be done with work, the evenings become art projects, watching a show, reading, or bathing outside under the stars, with a Gaba Baba by my side.
• I like to be in bed before midnight, but sometimes I get inspired to work on something til 4am… I listen to my Yes.

8. What do you do to keep your mind and body grounded?

Dirty Chocolate and muscle testing. Consistency is key with these two. My astrological chart has 6 planets in air signs, so keeping my mind and body grounded is a continual practice.

9. Tell us about the affirmations you practice? 

Affirmation is my practice, I say YES a lot!  I hold a variety of spiritual disciplines. For the past 7 years, I have washed my hands every morning with a traditional prayer, asking that my hands be instruments of peace and prosperity and good deeds.

10. What are your favorite products and or supplements in your holistic medicine cabinet?

So many! We’re so blessed to live in an age of accessibility. There are a few medicine cabinets in the house, fridge included! Here’s a short list off the top of my mind: Lotus Blooming Herbs Shilajit, He Shou Wu from Sun Potion, reishi and chaga mushrooms in tincture and powder form, Raw Cane Superjuice Alkalizer, anything from Living Teas, Elemental Wizdom enzymes, Ascended Health super gum healing oil, Jambo Superfoods sprays, and Al-qemi spagyrics, and the Naked Creamy sprouted almond butter from Philosopher’s Stoneground.

11. What is your vision for Yes cacao?

Our vision is to introduce a new genre of chocolate into mainstream awareness, return the ritual to a sacred food, and of course expand consciousness through YES.  

12. Happiness is….

Watching a child close their eyes and squish their nose and forehead into a wishing face… those kinds of wishes are the easiest to grant.

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Justin Frank Polgar, Minister of Chocolate...is an an alchemical chocolate technologist! Focusing his chocolate innovation toward education in the holistic health and wellness category, Justin really loves chocolate. Making chocolate with Willy Wonka style, he is an inspirational cheerleader for everyone to find their YES.

When he is taking a moment away from his educational art project Yes Life Foods, you will find Justin chanting “YES!”, dancing like a wild child, concocting in the kitchen, getting praisey with Zoë, drinking tea, adventuring to foreign lands, and engaging plant medicine of the old pharmacopoeias. Learn more at yescacao.com and connect with Yes Cacao on Instagram, Facebook,  Twitter. and email hello@yescacao.com

January Intuitive Medicine

January is a portal that can feel a bit discombobulated for many. Most of us begin the new year with a flurry of intentions and so called “resolutions” that require great change, activity and momentum. These qualities are often diminished during this time of year when the energy calls for a slower pace, a more reflective pace. One which assesses and contemplates as opposed to actively build. When we take this into consideration it’s no great mystery why so many of us abandon our resolutions just a few weeks into the new year. While positive change is a wonderful thing we also must honor the cycle of the Earth and her rhythms. We must learn to dance within her tide and swell and shrink accordingly so that we can move with the universal support of Mama Earth and her energy rather than against. 

January 5th, we welcome the waxing moon which falls on a Thursday. Thursday is ruled by Jupiter which governs expansion, propensity, generosity and luck. This is a wonderful time to assess what you wish to manifest in the new year and what must be done in order to do so. This is a great time to begin writing out your affirmations and planning a small ritual to connect you to the essence of that which you wish to bring forth in your life. 

On Thursday, January 12th we have the first Full Moon of the new year in Cancer. This Cancer energy can leave us feeling raw, exposed and as though an emotional tide is rushing through us. This Full Moon begs for us to be our own lover. To tend to our emotional needs. To bathe ourselves in nurturing energy so that we can explore what our emotions have to share. In what ways have we hid our light? How have we diminished what our heart tries to tell us? 

On January 27th, we welcome the first New Moon of the new year taking place in Aquarius. This transit opens the door for us to explore our wild side. To get in touch with our most authentic self and to examine in what ways we have hid our true nature out of fear or conditioning. It’s time to see that this is a year that only when we are our most authentic, the most aligned with our true self, do we see fluidity and flow within our lives. 

2017 is a “1” year numerologically and a “10” year in relation to the Tarot, making 2017 the year of the Wheel of Fortune. Each of these numbers relates to one another as they both signify that our lives are in perpetual motion. That we are never stuck but that the wheel is always in motion. For many 2016 proved to be a year that brought tension and challenge. Though it may have been difficult at times the truth is all the tension and friction was to make us stronger, evolved and enlightened. So, that when we ended this year we did without the limitation of old wounds and outdated patterns that held us in place and brought toxic patterns to our lives. Instead we were able free ourselves, to remove the weight of these patterns. The lighter we are the higher we can soar in the new year. 

I have just a few spots remaining for my Year Ahead readings, and for the month of January you can save $100 off this powerful session. This is a potent reading that proves to be an invaluable tool to clients as they greet each day, each month of the new year. I love doing these readings as it is one of those readings that changes lives. It becomes a guide book for 2017. It helps you to expand upon your many tools so you know how to walk your path month by month. These readings connect you to your inner light - assisting you in unveiling both what energies the new year will hold but how you can navigate each opening, each challenge, each achievement.  A combination of tarot, animal spirit oracle, runes, astrology, direct channeling and my skills as an empath, clairvoyant and claircog makes this reading one of the most comprehensive and expansive that I offer and a favorite of my long-standing clients.

This reading is done and delivered via email in a PDF booklet of 20-30 pages depending on your unique reading. You can print it out, refer to it often and use it as your blueprint into the year ahead!

This is a must for those who would like guidance on how best to manifest their desires this year. Who would like a guide that helps empower as much as it does enlighten. This is for those ready to be proactive, not simply setting what often become empty intentions, but gaining valuable insight that will give your intentions wheels. You can purchase your reading here.

It’s time to take things deeper; exploring the energy of the month for each of the 12 zodiac signs. These readings are an alchemy of intuitive channelings, astrology, and energetic imprint. To gain a truly vivid picture of your month ahead read your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. If you happen to fall within 7-10 days of a change in signs, then you will want to read the one after your Sun sign as well (what is called your cusp sign).

Aries

This month you walk an unfamiliar path. One unique and divinely personal to you. But rather than stumble and fall with each step you walk with unending confidence. You face each day aware that you are in control of the direction taken. You know that you are not selfish to go after your dreams. You know that as the creator of your own life you must actively work to manifest your ideal life. Just as powerful as the outward pursuit of your dreams you actively dive deep into exploring your inner terrain. You explore the fertile ground within so that you may craft a life reflective of the worth and respect you hold for yourself. This is a month of new beginnings for many, but especially for you. You walk each day with confidence. You dance with the tides of your days as though it’s been choreographed and practiced for months. And in many ways, it has. All that you encountered throughout 2016 was the practice. Every change the choreography. You have now before you the stage from which you proudly display your purpose. 

Taurus

The womb is a powerful vessel within which life is created, from which an earthly container births a cosmic force. This month you are that womb - within anything you nurture comes to be. The question becomes what is it that you wish to nurture? What do you desire to see take root in your life that will bring greater purpose and meaning? Where can you nurture acceptance, and forgive transgression so that you can release and make room. Room for love. Room for soulful connection with those around you. Room for divine support that nurtures our ability to create within our lives. The support that allows us to greet each moment with clarity of vision and pure heart? The cosmic womb is aching to conceive magic in your life but you must be willing to face where you have been, weed out what no longer serves and form a clear vision of what you desire. You must search for meaning within the vision before you so that you know the picture before you reflect your highest good. This is not about meaningless manifesting but rather filling our lives with what will truly make the ground beneath our feet stronger. Reinforced. Resilient and radiant, always.

Gemini

All that you are, all that you have been, all that you have taken within and learned is bred from the choices you have made. We are impacted by the choices we make as well as the choices others make and their impact upon us making surrounding my those who we feel make sound decisions even more relevant this month. Choice is a tricky and very powerful force within our lives. We sometimes even become tricked into feeling that we have no choice and yet even that belief is a choice. We make a thousand choices before we close our eyes each evening and it’s an unavoidable and necessary part of life, even when we make the choice to hand the power of choice to another to decide for us. Within choice is great power. The power to strengthen our foundation and the power to weaken it. The power to take us places or to set us back. Choice determines our direction and where our life will go. What choices have you been making, Gemini? What choices have resulted in positive changes and which are choices you would prefer to never make again? Pay attention to the power choice plays within your life, especially at this very auspicious time of year when the slate is clear and upon which our choices will begin to paint the landscape of our life. 

Cancer

There may be a conflict this month between what is believed and what is real. There is a need for deep honesty and bravery to let go of any self-deception that is being used as a shield to hide and protect yourself from a painful truth. The ugly truth you may be hiding from is certainly one you can choose to try to hide from but the fact is its influence will still create dissonance within our life and actively work in a destructive manner. It will give rise to conflicted thoughts, continued avoidance and self-sabotage that unravels the very fabric your being. It will create a reality of separation from those around you which are there to be your support, your mirror. It’s time to face yourself. To specifically face the parts of yourself you have hidden from. Embrace these parts, love them. Nurture them, hold them and see them as parts of you that served you in some way, at some time. And though that time may have passed when we show gratitude for the ugliest parts of ourselves we create the spaciousness for these qualities to simply fall away. Making, facing, and releasing such an effortless task it’s as automatic as breathing. So, breathe. Face yourself and honor all parts of your path, your being, your experience. 

Leo

This month you explore how a positive outlook that shows appreciation and gratitude can influence your life and environment for the better. When you consciously choose to honor what you have, to take pride in all that you do and appreciate all that fills your life you raise your vibration and open yourself to more; more experiences and people that will bring with them happiness and joy. Approach life with fun in your heart and joy in your being. Even in the face of challenge there is still something we can find joy in. There is still something to be happy about and show appreciation for. If you are unhappy, staying the same will not make you happy - so understand that you must consciously choose a higher road. You must actively seek joy and gratitude within so that you can radiate outwards. Open yourself to the watery tide of the emotional experience of joy and gratitude and allow it wash away the bitterness, cynicism, conflict and challenge that has held us back. Because this year gratitude will lead your vessel and joy what makes it flow.

Virgo

This month your arms are raised in victorious celebration. Celebration of the self, celebration of achievement. Celebration of the life that you have. You stand tall and confident and feel the swell of joy and glee that comes when we are about to embark on a most sacred journey that you’ve longed for. You turn and greet the future with a hopeful and confident heart. This energy is a positive affirmation that you start the year with a rather joyous outcome - a reward for all the hard work you have put into something within your life. It heralds a time when you can pause to celebrate and enjoy what you have achieved. To honor the hard work, to honor the journey, to appreciate and show gratitude for the results. These moments of celebration and joy are important to remember as they fuel us forward. They remind us that even when we are so far from our goal that we cannot imagine when it will be before us to keep going. To keep striving because in the end every moment will suddenly be more than worth the radiance that fills your being when everything comes together. 

Libra

Where in your life do you need assistance? What parts of your life could benefit from another’s perspective? This month the energy indicates that you may face a situation or a change you desire to make and lack the skills to go through it alone. This can be hard for many of us - to accept that we may need help from another. But we are a village, a community. It’s when we work together, in the spirit of service and support that we all rise. You are not weak to realize you may need to receive the guidance of another. In fact, it shows great strength to know your limitations. Stand tall this month, knowing that you are not only showing community in action by calling upon someone to assist you with something in life, but you are also giving permission for others to do the same for themselves. Building an even stronger community. 

Scorpio

This month represents a focus on partnerships and alignment with those who share your goals, your visions. This month it’s all about teamwork and working together in a harmonious way so that a creative vision becomes reality. Seek those out who are in alignment with where you stand today. Understand that to do this you must know yourself - to have an awareness of what you need in this moment. This allows you to gravitate towards and bring forward individuals who are in alignment with your current station. Understand that when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen. Allow the flow of a mutual combined frequency to open channels for power and possibility in your life. To be able to build something of service for the self and the world. To show the power of community and give permission for others to join hands with others. This month, two or more heads are far better than one. 

Sagittarius

You walk the path of service this month and surrender to a higher purpose than simply your own personal pursuits. You know that there are times when we can practice a bit of sacred selfishness and a time when we must put aside our own desires to walk a path that lends to the greater good. With this comes great power. Great influence to affect change that will ripple across your family, your community. It can sometimes be a lonely road - to do for others when so many walk only their own path with their own intentions in mind. But with this influence comes power. The power to bring happiness and support to those who may need it more than ever. Know that even while you may feel you are giving more than you are getting that there is something spiritually profound and soul satisfyingly enriching when we show up in service to others. 

Capricorn

Taking control of our life can be a daunting task. We may feel we lack the skills necessary or that we simply have no idea where to start. This month, however, the energy favors order, responsibility and accountability. While they are not the flashiest or the most romantic of terms they are exactly the medicine needed to begin to really bring order to our life. Because we are own advocates. Our very life, a reflection of our internal state. This month whether it’s a total life overhaul or simply something you wish to bring to life in your world - there is a need to take charge. To have discipline. To fulfill your obligations and take decisive action. The flavor of this energy is very masculine and for some may take some adjustment. It’s important to flow with what it brings to the surface for you so that you can work with this energy to bring the pieces of the puzzle together. This is a very important, foundational month - the tone of which takes you into the remainder of 2017. Allow this masculine energy to guide, instruct and inspire confidence within. 

Aquarius

Slow and steady wins the race this month. The energy does not favor bold or rushed movement for you, Aquarius. You must embrace each step. To honor each movement from the smallest to the boldest. All that you desire - all that you have worked for and asked for is close at hand but you must allow progress to unfold as it is meant to. We can sometimes grow weary and impatient as we near the completion or attainment of something we have strived for. We want it, and we want it right now! We have worked so hard and are ready to see the results of all we have poured our heart and soul into. Impatience in the final steps can lead to hasty decisions. Decisions which threaten the stability of all that you have built. The key is to reflect on how far you have come. When you first began you likely couldn’t wait to get to where you are now so honor this progress and now settle into the journey. The pace is soon to quicken so rest and recharge your spirit so you can continue forward with the same dedication and determination that got you to this very moment. 

Pisces

This month represents a singular moment of revelation and illumination. When your mind opens and immediately you understand the extent of the power the choices we make hold over our lives. Suddenly you will open your eyes to see the potential that surrounds you. You will see how decisions made by you and those made by those around you have shaped and influenced your world, bringing you to this very moment. In so doing you will understand how every choice you make in the present will shape the future. It’s in this moment of illumination that your perception changes in a flash and so with it your life. You will find that your medicine this month is mindfulness and awareness. From this month onwards choose to take responsibility for what is allowed to influence you. The people who surround you. The thoughts that run through your mind. The beliefs you hold to heart. By taking accountability for the totality of your life you reclaim all your power. You take charge of your life and you step into your personal power -knowing that you and only you control your life.

I wish you all an abundant, joyful and most radiant New Year!

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Laura Brown is a Seeress, Intuitive Coach and Medicine Woman. She is the Goddess and Creatrix at Intuitive Alchemy,  a sacred sanctuary for Intuitive Readings & Coaching, Spiritual Development as well as online Apothecary. Ever a sacred Alchemist, Laura blends her skills as a Channeler, Clairvoyant, Reiki Healer, Tarotist and Metaphysician to create sacred offerings for soul seekers. You can stay up to date on her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram for free daily readings.

Sacred Self Care - Nourishing The Spirit During The Holidays

The holidays are a time to come together with those we love and celebrate community and family. For many, however, the holidays can serve as a trigger for those we have lost, what we feel we lack, not to mention a flurry of obligations that bring more stress than pleasure. Now more than ever it is crucial for us to invest in sacred-selfishness; to embrace self care that nourishes our spirit and elevates our overall experience. Let’s explore what you can do to invite stress-free, soulfulness to your holiday season that heals as much as it nurtures.

Embrace what feels good

This time of year can leave us with a high paced energy that is pushing us beyond our limits. There is so much to do on top of our normal, day to day activities that we can feel depleted and exhausted of our vitality. I encourage each of us to check in with how we are feeling. Are we spending too much time doing things that drain us or leave us feeling poorly and not enough time doing those things that replenish our energy and revitalize us? This is a time when we must be willing to ask ourselves what would feel good for us. Invite in all the senses. Perhaps we need a hot bath with some lavender and rosemary essential oils. We could spend extra time to sit in meditation and simply appreciate stillness. Perhaps this month we increase the time we spend at the gym or in the yoga studio so that we can provide our bodies an additional outlet for the stress. Allow yourself to find several ways to engage your senses in such a way that it feels nourishing and releasing. 

Give yourself permission

When we begin to spend extra time on ourselves, especially in a holiday so consumed with buying and doing for others (which can feel good for some of us, too!), there is a tendency for guilt consciousness to rise to the surface. Know that we when take time to replenish our energy, to cultivate centeredness for ourselves we can show up in a richer, deeper way for those around us. Boundaries that safely allow us to tend to our own needs are an essential part of our self care. Should guilt arise take a moment to honor this quality within you and lovingly release guilt affirming that there is no greater spiritual act than to show up for ourselves in a powerful and meaningful way.

Learn to say no

Along with embracing what feels good and giving ourselves permission to take care of ourselves we must also get comfortable saying no. For many of us this is a difficult task-a trigger all on its own, but it’s equally a powerful boundary that protects our energetic, emotional and even physical well-being. If you know that a certain family member that you have a deep wound with is attending a family function, assess whether you are honoring yourself by saying yes to something which may prove very difficult for you and for those around you. If you are feeling drained after a long week of work and cannot fathom attending the work holiday party it's ok to say no. Part of our reluctance to saying no is a fear of letting others down but when we say yes even when we want to say no we let ourselves down. Honor how you feel and if you are not feeling it, say no. 

Be of service

For many who live away from family or simply chose to not attend family functions there can be a void when you see commercials and hear co-workers and friends regaling tales of their holiday traditions. A great way to nourish our spirit and to fill a void left when we lack the support we desire during the holidays is to spend time being of service to our communities. Get in touch with local women’s shelters, retirement centers or animal shelters. Sometimes one of the most enriching and soul-lifting experiences can come when we see another shining bright simply by our presence. 

While there may be many things about this holiday season we cannot change, or avoid we always control how we react and what we hand our power over to. Hold your power close this season and know that there are many ways to tend to our spirit and find peace during the holiday season. The more that we honor ourselves, chose to act with authenticity, and tend to our internal well the more we can stay above the stress of the season. We can heal and release wounds that have often sullied this holiday for us and we can make new memories and traditions of our own choosing that lift ourselves, and those around us to new heights. 

Have a wonderful holiday season, no matter how you chose to spend it. I wish you many blessings as we enter a most bountiful 2017

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Laura Brown is a Seeress, Intuitive Coach and Medicine Woman. She is the Goddess and Creatrix at Intuitive Alchemy,  a sacred sanctuary for Intuitive Readings & Coaching, Spiritual Development as well as online Apothecary. Ever a sacred Alchemist, Laura blends her skills as a Channeler, Clairvoyant, Reiki Healer, Tarotist and Metaphysician to create sacred offerings for soul seekers. You can stay up to date on her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram for free daily readings.

Butternut Squash & Caramelized Red Onion Pizza

An Autumn and Winter celebration. All of our favorite seasonal goodies on one golden gluten free + vegan cornmeal crust. I see this beauty as a farmer’s market pizza. Everything was sourced from my local market even the organic cornmeal. Simple, delicious food that will warm the home and the heart. Enjoy!

by: Michelle Gerrard-Marriott, The Vibrant Kitchen & Home

The Goods

For the Cornmeal crust

• ½ cup cornmeal
• ⅓ cup sweet rice flour
• ¼ cup gluten free oat flour
• ¼ cup tapioca starch
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 8 tablespoons cold Earth Balance, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the toppings

• 1 cup cashews (soaked) 
• 1 roasted red bell pepper 
• 2 leaves Sage minced 
• 1 lemon 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• ½ cup water 
• Handful of basil 
• Handful of parsley 
• 2 red onions sliced thinly 
• 1 sweet onion
• 1 tabelspoon coconut sugar 
• 1 large or 2 small butternut squash skinned and cut into cubes 
• 4 tablespoons Maple Syrup 
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne or paprika whichever you prefer 
• Salt + Pepper 

Get Cooking

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 

First you will get your butternut squash roasting! Throw your cubed butternut squash in a roasting dish. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup. Then sprinkle on salt, pepper and the cayenne or paprika. Toss with your hands until evenly coated and put in oven. 

Now start creating your gorgeous, golden cornmeal crust! Grab your good processor and pulse together the cornmeal, sweet rice flour, gluten free oat flour, tapioca starch, xanthan gum and pink salt. 

Then add in your thyme leaves and butter. Slowly add the water a little bit at a time while pulsing. You want the dough to hold together when you pinch it in between your fingers. You do not want it to be too sticky though, just get it to the point where it holds together beautifully.  Now if you want to incorporate the senses, forget the food processor and make your dough in a large bowl. Whisk your dry ingredients then add your butter and thyme and drop the water in a bit at a time and mix with your hands. This is my preferred method as it really allows you to feel the dough. 

Form the dough into a flattened disc and wrap in a tea towel or plastic wrap. Pop in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to an hour. 

Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper with cornmeal and place the dough on top. With a second piece of parchment paper on top, roll the rough into a nice round to fit a tart pan. Remove the top piece of parchment paper and flip the round over into the tart pan, pressing down on the bottom and sides. Carefully peel back the second piece of parchment paper and trim/press the edges. Chill for 10 minutes.

You will bake this beauty for about 20 minutes before adding your filling. 

Cashew cheese and caramelized onions

Add your soaked cashews, roasted bell pepper, sage, lemon juice and zest, garlic and water in a high powered blender like a Vitamix. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste and more herbs or lemon juice depending on what you enjoy! Remember to cook with all of your senses. 

Now to caramelize your onions. Slice your red and sweet onions thinly and put in a large saucepan with a couple tablespoons of warmed olive oil. Once your onions hit the pan add some salt and pepper. When your onions begin to become fragrant add in your tablespoon of coconut sugar. Now let your onions work their magic. Low and slow on medium/low heat for 30-35 minutes. 

Now to assemble your pizza.  Get your par baked crusts and top them with cashew cheese. Now add your roasted butternut squash and then top with caramelized onions and more cashew cheese.  Bake for around 30 minutes depending on your oven. When you get the pizzas out top with freshly cut basil and parsley.  Serve and enjoy! 

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Michelle Gerrard-Marriott is the founder of The Vibrant Kitchen & Home, a site for wellness and elegant recipes that nourish the body and soul. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Winter Radiance :: Apple Cranberry Pie

An exquisite way to celebrate the bounty of Winter. Sweet, juicy apples meet tart delightful cranberries in a melody of flavor that does not disappoint. Eating seasonally brings your soul and body closer to nature. It is invigorating to eat what the season provides and to utilize it in fun new ways.  Whenever I bake or cook my senses come alive.  It is beyond taste, you have to use your sense of smell, sight and most importantly touch. We so often forget to use our hands in the kitchen but it truly transforms the dish when you infuse it with your love. This recipe will look stunning on any holiday table. Enjoy beauties.

by: Michelle Gerrard-Marriott, The Vibrant Kitchen & Home

The Goods

Crust:

• 1 cup brown rice flour
• ½ cup GF oat flour
• ½ cup buckwheat flour or all purpose gluten-free flour
• ¼ cup arrowroot starch
• 4 tbsp coconut sugar/dry sweetener of choice
• pinch of sea salt
• pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup cider vinegar

Filling:

• 4 pounds sliced, peeled mixed apples, I love granny smith, pink lady, and some heirlooms if you can find them like Baldwin! 
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• One lemon zested and juiced 
• One Orange zested and juiced 
• 2 cups coconut sugar 
• 4 tablespoons Maple Syrup ( Or Organic Honey if you are not Vegan) 
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder 
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon 
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 
• ¼ teaspoon cloves 

Get Cooking

Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly oil a 10 inch pie pan. In a large bowl, combine your flour blend, sea salt and coconut sugar. In a smaller bowl whisk together coconut oil, water, and ACV. Pour oil mixture into flour mixture and combine with your hands until well mixed. Dough should be a little moist. 

Once combined divide into two. Press one section into pie pan until it forms a beautiful bottom crust. Stick with a fork a couple times and bake for about 15 minutes. Roll our remaining dough and cut out Autumn Leaves, Pumpkins or whatever your heart desires! Set aside whilst making the apple cranberry filling! 

Core, peel, and slice your apples. Put in a large bowl with your washed cranberries. Add lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest, orange zest, coconut sugar, maple syrup and spices. Mix gently and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows all the flavors to develop. 

On Medium/Low heat allow a saucepan to warm. Add in your apple + cranberry mixture.  Allow everything to become caramel-like and delicious. Taste along the way, if you want it a bit sweeter you can add more coconut sugar or maple syrup! Add your arrowroot towards the end and mix gently until combined and thickened. Pour your mixture into your prepared pie crust. Top with your cut outs and sprinkle a bit more coconut sugar on top of the pie!  Put in oven and bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown. 

Once out of the oven allow to cool for 15- 20 minutes before serving! Serve with Coconut Ice Cream or Coconut Whipped Cream! Enjoy every last bite! 

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Michelle Gerrard-Marriott is the founder of The Vibrant Kitchen & Home, a site for wellness and elegant recipes that nourish the body and soul. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

10 Ways You Can Take Control Over You Skin Right Now in Preparation for the Holidays

As you know by now HOC is not shy when it comes to sharing the best of the best in vibrant health and that is why we took no shortcuts when we journeyed to visit Stephanie Lauren Brown in the city that never sleeps for tips on how to take care of our skin when we don’t get enough! Stephanie knows how to substantially improve skin with more than fourteen years of studies in conjunction with Ayurveda, and coupled with her magic touch. She can tell just from looking at you what lifestyle your body is living and give you suggestions that give results! 

Stephanie, if only all facials could be as sweet as yours. When we think of your approach to skin, the first word that comes to mind is effective. Experiencing your customized holistic facial in NYC further encouraged us to care for our skin from the inside out. 

What are ten ways you can take control over you skin right now in preparation for the holidays?

1. Start with hydration. We all know that drinking water is important, but when the temperature gets low, a key move you can make to keep yourself hydrated is forgoing ice altogether and instead, sip on hot water throughout the day. Throw a slice of lemon or orange in there for a little extra flavor if drinking hot water doesn't sound appealing. Hot water encourages your digestive system to relax and keeps all of your channels open to hydrate more deeply.

2. Exfoliate! The face and the body are probably ready for a more intense exfoliation after all of the time spent outdoors in the summer. For the body, I like to mix up a little organic sugar with sesame oil to make a scrub, and then take it into the shower with me. And depending on how intense the weather is where you live, exfoliate your face with caution. If you do too much, you'll end up causing more harm than good. This is a good time of year to begin a nighttime retinol treatment, which can exfoliate gently and help improve just about every skin concern imaginable - fine lines, sun spots, breakouts, etc. I adore Marie Veronique's gentle and natural versions. 

3. Up your internal omega intake with foods like salmon, sardines, anchovies, nuts, and seeds. These foods are important for just about all of the body's organs and functions, but your skin, in particular, will thank you. 

4. Massage your face. We really should be taking the time each day to do this, as the immediate and long term benefits are so great. Massage not only assists our skin in working more effectively, but improves the actual health of the skin by boosting circulation and oxygenation of the muscles. We hold a lot of tension in our facial muscles, especially around the jaw and in the forehead, so consciously relaxing these muscles relieves stress there and can prevent fine lines from forming. This is why I typically spend nearly an hour or more massaging the faces of my clients! Over time, the muscles lift, TMJ pain disappears, and the skin congests less. It's probably the single most important thing you can do for your skin, period. 

5. At night, the skin can absorb and assimilate nutrients more effectively than during the daytime, so it's imperative to take the time with your evening  skincare routine. Make sure you're effectively removing your makeup, then cleansing, followed by toning and then massaging in your serums. Layer on a heathy dose of a balm or moisturizer and wake up to happier skin, every morning. 

6. If you live in a dry climate, consider a humidifier next to your bed while you sleep to increase the amount of water in the air, and therefore, in your skin. 

7. There are a lot of health trends that come and go, but one that I can really get behind is the bone broth craze. There are so many good minerals, vitamins, and nutrients in there that we can't get from any other source in nature- I really try to encourage everyone to get on board with this. Some of my vegan clients have reluctantly tried this and have seen major improvements with a lot of different symptoms- from indigestion and leaky gut to joint pain and arthritis. Can't recommend it enough!

8. Sleep is so essential and it's always staggering to see the research on how many of us aren't sleeping well consistently. More than anything, it helps to regulate our body's hormones and basically affects every angle of our overall well-being, including the skin's health. If you're not sleeping well, make it your highest priority. 

9. By now we are all aware of how much stress can age us prematurely, so at this point it's just a matter of finding little ways to alleviate stress as we experience it on a daily basis. This is why having a few breathing practices are so helpful - we can do them anywhere and at any time. Breathing is generally at the heart of many meditation techniques and discovering at least one that works for you is key to keeping hormones balanced and the skin radiant. 

10. Get a facial! At a minimum, I recommend getting at least one facial with each seasonal change annually. This is especially important if you live somewhere with dramatic seasonal changes so that you can get a professional's stamp of approval on seasonally-appropriate products for home use, which can be different for everyone. Find an Esthetician who aligns with your values and uses products that you are interested in using so that they can be an effective part of your team.

Article by: Karli Quinn

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Stephanie Lauren Brown is a passionate Holistic Skin Therapist whose work focuses on nurturing the skin from the inside out.

After personally battling cystic acne for ten years, Stephanie understands how frustrating and self-deprecating troubled skin can be. Years of internal antibiotic use combined with harsh, chemically-laden prescription creams and aggressive facial procedures made her wonder why no one or nothing had seemed to make a substantial improvement in her skin. It was then she decided to explore what might be causing this chronic condition, and began a deep, lifelong study of the body and its processes.

Over fifteen years of studies have refined Stephanie's abilities to assist clients who are suffering from troubled skin utilizing natural ingredients and practiced techniques. She has been a working Certified Massage Therapist since 2002, and is a Certified Ayurvedic Health Educator through the California College of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic Institute since 2006. Stephanie is also an Aveda-trained holistic Esthetician and has completed multiple advanced body and skin therapy trainings throughout her career in a variety of healing modalities including Marma point therapy, Pancha Karma and traditional Ayurvedic body therapies, Acupressure, Reflexology, manual lymph drainage, Myofascial release, and Reiki. She holds Aesthetic Licenses in both New York and California. Stephanie combines the most effective techniques in her treatments in addition to thoughtful lifestyle coaching to assist each client on their path to vibrant health.

December Intuitive Medicine

Welcome to the final month of 2016 - a month that has become a flurry of activity that borders on frantic. For many there will be family celebrations to contend with (even if we choose not to attend), holiday shopping (which triggers us all in unique and different ways) and wrapping up, both energetically and physically, what has transpired in the preceding months.

There is equally a growing sense within that we need to slow down - to tend to the internal fires as we embrace a season of literal and energetic darkness and cold. For some the tendency is to push through - to rush through the obligations of the month, to do more than our fair share and simply prove that we can do it all. What I encourage for us all is to honor that there is a time for the darkness just as there is a time for the light. To honor the space between moments - the stillness that is integral to our growth and expansion.

This is especially true this month as Mercury Retrogrades (appears to move backwards across the sky), on the 19th of this month. It’s time to allow ourselves to slow down - to grant ourselves permission to partake in self - care and nurture our spirits. But first we have the Waxing Half Moon in Pisces on December 7th. As we enter this period we are encouraged to evaluate our structure. Are we building a foundation that is strong and capable of supporting our growth or are we barely holding on by a string? Take time to commit to creating healthy and stable patterns from the most pragmatic (putting your dishes in the dishwasher instead of sitting on the counter for hours) or committing to something larger such as cutting out meat, wheat, sugar or dairy to your diet. No matter how small or large, every step is a powerful way of adding stability to our structure so that it may ascend skyward securely.

December 13th, we welcome the Full Moon in Gemini and begin to really push ourselves out of our comfort zone. How can we get rid of any perceptions of limitation in our lives? How can we begin to divesting in beliefs we have fed our power to, that held us back and kept us from realizing our dreams and invest in those narratives which make way for growth and fulfillment? Now is a time to really get clear on what you desire for your life and begin to map out a solidly detailed plan on how to get there.

The Waning Half Moon in Virgo on December 20th begs us to get serious about what must be released and what still requires our attention to create the life that we want. Mercury will be retrograde now so think of words with the prefix “Re”. Reassess. Reaffirm. Recommit. Release. What have you harvested this year? How has it served you and what lessons have you learned that you can now let go of and move forward, untethered into 2017?

This theme of introspection and self-inquiry continue as we move into the New Moon on the 28th. This phase takes place in Capricorn which is a sign known for its work-horse qualities, resolve and big, bold action. The energy will make us feel like we need to get up and move but with Mercury still retrograde its best to continue the internal harvest rather than take any external action now.

It’s time to take things deeper; exploring the energy of the month for each of the 12 zodiac signs. These readings are an alchemy of intuitive channelings, astrology, and energetic imprint. To gain a truly vivid picture of your month ahead read your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. If you happen to fall within 7-10 days of a change in signs, then you will want to read the one after your Sun sign as well (what is called your cusp sign).

Aries:

It is your destiny to become whole and connected. To lead a life with soulful purpose and unbridled joy. You have gifts and talents that you have not yet fully explored. Gifts this world needs in a time when healing and connection are so vital to our global community. You were not meant to struggle or live a life of unrealized purpose. You can and must follow your bliss and know that connecting to your destiny is a choice. It’s a choice to release the chains that bind you. To overcome all that destroys your inner and outer peace. To face your fears, to let go of old wounds and current pains and love yourself, your life, with the utmost vigor and unreserved delight.

Taurus:

You are keen and focused this month-a faithful devotee to reason and determination. You see that emotion has served you very well in the past but now is a time which asks that you be more mindful and ask yourself “what do I think” as opposed to “what do I feel”. It’s not that you are detached or uncaring-it’s that you realize that there are things on the horizon which require that your mind be clear and activated. You know that emotion this month will only cloud your judgment and make it difficult to practice impartial objectiveness. It may not be the fanciest of approaches, but oh will it serve you well, dear Taurus.

Gemini:

You walk the path of service this month and surrender to a higher purpose than simply your own personal pursuits. You know that there are times when we can practice a bit of sacred selfishness and a time when we must put aside our own desires to walk a path that lends to the greater good. With this comes great power. Great influence to affect change that will ripple across your family-your community. It can sometimes be a lonely road-to do for others when so many walk only their own path with their own intentions in mind. But with this influence comes power. The power to bring happiness and support to those who may need it more than ever. Know that even while you may feel you are giving more than you are getting that there is something spiritually profound and soul satisfyingly enriching when we show up in service to others.

Cancer:

Do you seek duality or polarity within your life, Cancer? This month’s energy asks you to explore the meaning of each. Duality is a theory which posits that two opposing forces come together in what typically results in chaos. There is a constant struggle between these two opposing forces as one seeks to dominate the other. Polarity on the other hand is the idea that two opposing forces exist in all things. That these are not separate of one another but two forces which require the other; complementary and balanced when working harmoniously. You have an opportunity this month to bring wholeness to your life but you must be willing to open your heart to the light and the dark. Light cannot exist without dark. Hope cannot live without despair. These qualities are each integral to the month ahead as you embrace and are receptive to the moments between moments. It’s time to honor, in this dark time of year, all the dark within you and its many lessons. So, that in honoring these qualities you also honor the light. Grant yourself permission to integrate, to heal and to find wholeness.

Leo:

The time has come to celebrate all that you have achieved. To honor all the hard work that you have put into your life, into your being. To know that when we keep our hearts open, our minds resolved, and our spirits active, we can accomplish anything that we set our minds to. You know that ease of life doesn’t imply that things always go your way. No, in fact, you know quite well that sometimes the road can be rather difficult and fraught with challenges that test your will. Distractions that can easily take you off course. But you stayed focused. You stayed pure of heart-working diligently not for praise or accolade but for the peace of mind to enjoy a stable foundation beneath your feet. To feel safe in your body and your life. To feel that you can take a small break to enjoy the fruits of your labors without fearing that the other shoe is going to drop. No, you know that now you have worked hard enough that it’s time to quietly and humbly celebrate all the openness and expansiveness that you have invited and cultivated in your life. Now is your time to rest. To relax. To celebrate.

Virgo:

Slow and steady wins the race this month. The energy does not favor bold or rushed movement for you, Virgo. You must embrace each step. To honor each movement from the smallest to the boldest. All that you desire, all that you have worked for and asked for is close at hand but you must allow progress to unfold as it is meant to. We can sometimes grow weary and impatient as we near the completion or attainment of something we have strived for. We want it, and we want it right now! We have worked so hard and are ready to see the results of all we have poured our heart and soul into. Impatience in the final steps can lead to hasty decisions. Decisions which threaten the stability of all that you have built. The key is to reflect on how far you have come. When you first began you likely couldn’t wait to get to where you are now so honor this progress and now settle into the journey. The pace is soon to quicken so rest and recharge your spirit so you can continue forward with the same dedication and determination that got you to this very moment.

Libra:

What is the narrative you tell about your relationship with that which you desire? Do you tell a tale filled with challenge, obstacle and limitation? Do you feel caught between wanting something and feeling badly because you want it? Do you wrestle with a feeling that no matter how much you work for something it will always be just beyond your grasp? It’s time to shift your narrative and this month’s energy is creating the opening for you to see things differently. To know that its ok to have desires for our life. That we can want things, not merely need them. That we can share our power which is full and rich when we are no longer struggling. What if began to tell a story of dreams that came true? A life that was enriched and overflowing with unbridled ecstasy? What if we began to believe, in the core of our being, that what we desire also desires us? Ahhhhh…. limitless.

Scorpio:

What drives you? What is the code by which you live your life? What qualities do you feel are essential for living a life of quality and substance? Those who live by a silent, unspoken code are honest for they know that those who lie cannot be trusted and if you cannot be trusted then how can you be respected? They are devoted for they understand that devotion is not applicable simply when it’s easy to be so, but also in those times when its undeserved. They fight for those who cannot fight for themselves for they know that sometimes it takes an ordinary person to accomplish extraordinary things. We are the modern-day heroes, if we choose to be. We show up for others and in so doing show up for ourselves. We know that when we abide by a simple code of strong integrity and ethics we invite others to show up in the same way for ourselves. That it’s not about nihilism but through community that we all prosper, find healing and feel capable of building a foundation will in turn support those long after us.

Sagittarius:

Within us all is ancient wisdom that connects us to divine knowing. It’s a seed that if not properly nurtured will not grow. Our intuition requires our attention-it begs for our attention so that it can continue to open the path ahead. So that we can see the way forward. So that each move is empowered with a deep inner self-trust that the action we are taking is the right action. The more that we deepen our connection to our intuition we open ourselves to greater information. We add richness to our life that expands our knowing and allows us to see life in a different light. We embark upon a journey of discovery and adventure that ultimately allows us to find our purpose. To arrive at a place where life is meaningful and purpose driven. A place where we feel a contentedness that is unshakable, unbreakable and divinely ours.

Capricorn:

This month’s energy offers opening for exploring and deepening your relationship with abundance. For many of us this time of year can trigger feelings of lack and worry over limited resources. Our culture tends to glamorize some forms of abundance while paying little attention to others. Where are there imbalances in your relationship with abundance? Do you value things over qualities? Do you spend great amounts of money on items such as clothes but scoff at the cost of quality, organic food that nourishes the body? Do you value what you are given and what you provide in equal measure? In what ways are your beliefs regarding your worth potentially damaging your relationship with abundance? This month’s energy encourages you to spend time thinking about what you value and what that must say about you. To explore your beliefs regarding your worth so you can ensure they offer opportunity for greater abundance. To invite abundance that transcends what we can hold to include that which also holds us. 

Aquarius:

When we think of wholeness we tend to “pretty up” the concept to include only those things which make us feel good. We tend to characterize our experience as good or bad based on the judgments we hold over certain emotions. This month offers up a rich prospect for integration and wholeness but only if we shift our perception to include the totality of the human experience. It is our egos that place a value on one emotion over another but the only real result is that we suppress qualities that are integral to our evolution and spiritual growth. It’s how we choose to allow emotion to control our lives that has more an impact on whether your life is good or bad, positive or negative, than a singular emotion on its own. To be fully and authentically integrated we must release all that we have stifled of our emotional experience and invite each quality in. We are encouraged to embrace our fear as much as we do our inner peace. To get to know our anxiety as intimately as we do our security. To know thy self, wholly.

Pisces:

You are a spiritual being; a soul that is journeying through a human experience to grow and evolve. This does not mean that you must eschew your modern life or subscribe to a particular religious practice. Rather it’s an invitation to trust in the inner qualities of your own divine nature. To know that you hold great power to affect change in your life when you tap into this wellspring of power that exists within. The energy this month shatters any illusion of separation from the world around you. It’s as though you are viewing life through new eyes. That you are seeing the divinity of the land beneath your feet. The numinous illumination of the orb of the night inspires you to believe in the mysterious, inexplicable and unknowable qualities of this magnificent journey. You will feel the sense of limitlessness that breaks down doors and crumbles walls that held us back from our highest aspirations. We will rise and we will bring others with us knowing that we rise higher together.

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Laura Brown is a Seeress, Intuitive Coach and Medicine Woman. She is the Goddess and Creatrix at Intuitive Alchemy,  a sacred sanctuary for Intuitive Readings & Coaching, Spiritual Development as well as online Apothecary. Ever a sacred Alchemist, Laura blends her skills as a Channeler, Clairvoyant, Reiki Healer, Tarotist and Metaphysician to create sacred offerings for soul seekers. You can stay up to date on her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram for free daily readings.

Stephanie Lauren Brown: Holistic Skin Therapist

As you know by now HOC is not shy when it comes to sharing the best of the best in vibrant health and that is why we took no shortcuts when we journeyed to visit Stephanie Lauren Brown in the city that never sleeps for tips on how to take care of our skin when we don’t get enough! Stephanie knows how to substantially improve skin with more than fourteen years of studies in conjunction with Ayurveda, and coupled with her magic touch. She can tell just from looking at you what lifestyle your body is living and give you suggestions that give results! 

Stephanie, if only all facials could be as sweet as yours. When we think of your approach to skin, the first word that comes to mind is effective. Experiencing your customized holistic facial in NYC further encouraged us to care for our skin from the inside out. 

1 . Your Ayurvedic approach is personalized and natural – how did you come to find that a holistic routine was a solution that works wonders for skin. Tell us about your philosophy.

I learned from my own experience with cystic acne. I began developing acne at the age of thirteen and suffered from a pretty severe case of it for about ten years. During that time, I tried just about everything that was suggested to me, from Accutane (which I took three times) to going vegan, to microdermabrasion, and nothing really made a significant difference. I had essentially given up on ever having skin that I could feel confident about without makeup. Around the same time, I began focusing seriously on my yoga practice and discovered Ayurveda. I was so intrigued and wanted to integrate it into the bodywork that I was already practicing professionally, so I got certified as an Ayurvedic Health Educator. The year and a half I spent in that program was transformational; it was as if I was finally putting a language to information that I had known all along. And slowly, by implementing the techniques and lifestyle suggestions it offered me, my skin completely cleared up, my chronic anxiety was alleviated, and I felt more aligned with my purpose than ever before. 

The holistic medical model of Ayurveda opened my eyes to not only the intricate connections of every system in the body, but to the connection we have as humans to the earth. Ayurveda is the original "farm to table" movement and proves that living in harmony with the environment around us is the truest and healthiest way to exist. We only have to shift our perspective to be able to see that our skin is just the outer reflection of our inner state of health, which includes the physical, mental, and spiritual components. You can't expect a single thing about your body to change if you don't consider all of the parts involved. I try to help my clients see themselves from a different perspective than they have before.

2. What is the first thing you notice about other people’s skin?

Because I use the skin as a diagnostics tool, I can tell a lot about the kind of lifestyle you live by just looking at your skin. Both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have specific face-mapping techniques that I use to see where you may be experiencing an imbalance internally. By supporting your body via diet, sleep, and stress reduction, the skin will naturally improve. 

3. Many of us are often on the go or traveling and this deeply affects how our skin looks and feels. What is in your skin travel bag?

I try to keep it simple as I hate to lug around a huge bag so I typically have a hydrating toner and an oil with me at all times. On the plane, I will frequently mist my face and then massage in some oil to trap the water into the skin. And if it's a long flight, I'll layer on a nice thick layer of moisturizer on top to make sure I don't get too dry! I also keep a balm of some sort to use around the eyes, lips, and on my hands. 

4. What is your daily skin beauty regime?

This shifts depending on where I am. In the city (NYC), I always make sure to start the day with some water splashed on the face, followed by a toner, and then an oil mixed with an antioxidant serum of some sort. This helps to neutralize any free radical damage that occurs from living in a polluted city (yuck). At night, I double cleanse, using an oil first, then repeating my toning, oil, and serum application but instead using a heavier oil and a retinol serum. Then I layer on a balm. If I'm in the country (at our house in Northwestern Connecticut), then I'm much less diligent about everything! 

5. Is it more important to feed your skin from the inside or outside?

Ooooo- a tough question! But ultimately, no matter what you're using on the outside, topical products are almost useless unless you're making an effort to take care of yourself on the inside via diet, sleep, and stress reduction. Period. 

6. Do you have any tips for reducing redness?

If you're seeing redness in the skin, you've got inflammation, and it's definitely also happening somewhere internally, as well. Remove all inflammatory foods from your diet (dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar) and use some calming topicals to soothe the skin like pure aloe gel. 

7. Who is your (sk)inspiration?

I am inspired by so many women who are using modern chemistry mixed with herbal alchemy to craft elegant, superior products. Marie Veronique, Sara Crowe of Floracopiea, and Julie Elliot of In Fiore are just a few. 

8. What is the best thing for dry skin? Oily skin?

Dry skin needs hydration via water and something that can hold it in there like a hyalauronic acid serum followed by an oil and balm. Oily skin needs regular exfoliation and a lightweight oil like grape seed or jojoba to keep it balanced. 

9. Do you prefer a shower or a bath?

Baths!  I dump everything in the bath, including crystals and flowers. Baths make me feel like a goddess.

10. We often hear how crucial the appropriate amount of sleep is. In your opinion, what role does sleep have on affecting the skin?

Sleep is absolutely essential to hormonal regulation which affects every function of the body. If you're not sleeping well, your immune system will be compromised and you're much more likely to get sick, not to mention experience dull skin. Make sleep a priority- it's essential to your health. 

11. If you could choose one makeup item to wear what would it be? Why? ( i.e. foundation, mascara, lip , eyebrow etc.)

It used to be foundation but now that my skin doesn't break out I don't usually wear makeup. A good mascara is hard to find but it's kind of my can't-live-without item.

12. T or F. It is better for your skin to wear no makeup at all.

 Absolutely. Wouldn't it be so great if we didn't feel pressured to wear makeup at all? Let your skin breathe and skip it. 

Article by: Karli Quinn

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Stephanie Lauren Brown is a passionate Holistic Skin Therapist whose work focuses on nurturing the skin from the inside out.

After personally battling cystic acne for ten years, Stephanie understands how frustrating and self-deprecating troubled skin can be. Years of internal antibiotic use combined with harsh, chemically-laden prescription creams and aggressive facial procedures made her wonder why no one or nothing had seemed to make a substantial improvement in her skin. It was then she decided to explore what might be causing this chronic condition, and began a deep, lifelong study of the body and its processes.

Over fifteen years of studies have refined Stephanie's abilities to assist clients who are suffering from troubled skin utilizing natural ingredients and practiced techniques. She has been a working Certified Massage Therapist since 2002, and is a Certified Ayurvedic Health Educator through the California College of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic Institute since 2006. Stephanie is also an Aveda-trained holistic Aesthetician and has completed multiple advanced body and skin therapy trainings throughout her career in a variety of healing modalities including Marma point therapy, Pancha Karma and traditional Ayurvedic body therapies, Acupressure, Reflexology, manual lymph drainage, Myofascial release, and Reiki. She holds Aesthetic Licenses in both New York and California. Stephanie combines the most effective techniques in her treatments in addition to thoughtful lifestyle coaching to assist each client on their path to vibrant health.

A Call to Connect and Awaken

At this moment on this planet, there is pain and anguish and anxiety and all the multitude of feelings that are arising as a result of this election. It’s important that we honor these feelings, and allow them to be expressed. Weep. Cry. Moan. Scream as loud as you can. Whatever you need to do, allow yourself that presence right now. We cannot and should not fast-track grief, lest it come back to haunt us another way, but people are reaching out for guidance, too, and asking for answers as the election has been unfolding. Many of you are asking, “Is there a bigger picture at play?” And the answer is that yes, there is. 

And here it is: We are being shown, and we are choosing to show ourselves, one of the most powerful lessons of this new age on this planet; that we will either be able to learn from this and use it as a foundation to flourish, or we will wait and learn it at a later date.

This is the lesson that is being imparted: it is time to re-establish our power, and learn how to lead on the ground. We have put power in the hands of our leaders to such a great degree that we have released our own. We have been sleepwalking through much of life. We have not been witnessing what is going on our doorsteps. We have not been taking real care of those in our communities who are suffering. While we are looking to a father or even a mother figure at the head of the government to make everything OK for us, it is a feat that has never been possible on such a grand scale, particularly when there are monetary interests at play. Even without them, it is too massive a task.

The challenges of a Trump-Pence partnership are real. I grimace when I hear the names Giuliani and Chris Christie, and imagine them making decisions for this country. I am a white woman living in California, so I have the luxury of just that—grimacing and cringing. There are many out there tonight, as we know, who have legitimate fear in their hearts and souls for what this means for them and their families.

But you know what? The work that needs to be done for the humans walking on this planet is deep and tangible and real. It’s deeper than any problems that could have been solved if Hillary had been elected President. We would have cheered for the real success of having a woman at the helm, and then, for the most part, we would have gone back to sleep.

This earth and these lands and this country does not have the time nor the space for us to go back to sleep. The status quo is not working. The fact that we are all still going about our days, not demanding a new, fundamental way of Being—one where the waters are honored, where Standing Rock is respected and protected, one where Black Lives Matter—shows us this. For example, we have petitioned Obama and we have petitioned Clinton to do something about the harrowing situation on the grounds of Standing Rock, yet nothing is happening. Nothing.

However, to say, “nothing” is not entirely true. Something is happening. People are gathering there, people are sending supplies, people are showing up, people are communing with the lands, people are providing for each other. They are experiencing sacred space together, cooking for each other, praying with each other, and loving each other. Deeply.

You might not see it or know it yet because the media isn't showing you, but it is happening and it is of paramount importance.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this darkness that threatens to descend is the thing that we need in order to not go back to sleep to our bourgeois lives and our pretty playdates. Perhaps we are asking ourselves here to be bigger, and better, and more loving. Perhaps our souls are awakening, in direct correlation to the awakening of this planet. Perhaps as we do so, massive shadow aspects exist in our society and in our own cells that we need to collectively and individually heal. Perhaps this is the breaking open that this country needs.

This was not my preference; I do not take this unfolding lightly. Yet I can sense in the deep spaces of my heart that there is a bigger picture at play. We are being invited to show up more authentically, more truthfully, and more powerfully in our lives and in the lives of our communities.

We are being asked and we are asking ourselves not to come home every night and just watch television until we fall asleep, then get up for another day of the grind. And we are being shown, quite beautifully, that the hours and hours and the insane budgets that all went into the TV news pundits, the shows, the majority of the news media were complete and utter shambles and wastes of time. People spent months of their lives watching to see what mainstream media was sharing with them about this election, and they got it very very wrong. Michael Moore was out there, predicting like the prophet he is precisely why Trump was going to win tonight—and that was exactly the reason why he did. 

And you know what will happen next in the realm of mainstream media? They will spend more time and more money inviting pundits to their news studios, spend more hours doing hair and make-up, and they will argue with each other, sharing what many already knew.

If you were deeply shocked by what happened on Tuesday night, you are gifting yourself an invitation to make some different choices in your life—to open your eyes and tune in a different way, and to choose to stop receiving your information from the mainstream media and to go and spend time in nature instead, reconnecting to the deeper knowing inside your own heart. You have access to a flow of information and knowledge that is cleaner and clearer, and it is time to reclaim your power in this arena. Had more of us been awake to the bigger picture, we would not have had to collectively create this outcome as we all did. Make no mistake about it—we created this together.

I didn’t watch the electoral debates between Trump and Clinton, but I did watch them unfold on Facebook; it was mesmerizing to see that almost every single person on my Facebook feed was giving all their attention to Trump. His name appeared again and again and again—during the second debate I quite literally did not see one post referring to Hillary—it was all shock and awe in response to Trump’s stupidity. Energy is energy, and that which we focus on is what we bring into our realms. One of the most fundamental principles of energy, and the media played right into it—as did we. Every time we focused on him—make no mistake about it.

We can also create a different reality. Even now. Even throughout the next four years. Even as we process whatever needs to be processed in relation to this. Even as we fear what might unfold.

How do I know? Because there is a much larger cosmic unfolding at play. And while it may not seem like it in this very moment, the trajectory of the vibration of this planet has risen, and is continuing to rise. It is always darkest before the dawn—and there is no way of preventing this dawn from coming. You can trust us on this.

Ultimately, we are learning and remembering how to create the vibration of heaven on earth, tangibly. We are, and however we get there is how we get there. Whether we are comfortable with it or not, it’s what is happening. The frequency of this planet is shifting—it is awakening. We have known, and we have been told, for several years in the build-up to this moment in time that there will come a time where realities begin to split, where those who consciously choose to do the work of awakening will start to experience a fifth-dimensional life, almost biblical in nature. Telepathy, serendipity, direct knowing, communion with angels, and stars and light as guides—this is all real and readily available to us. Every single one of us.

For some it is too much to consider, and there is an attachment to the old way of three-dimensional living that will prevent them from stepping in. We were shown, and it was prophesied, that the attachment to the older ways may cause profound discomfort, as we are now seeing. The political system as it stands in America is part of the old way of being. It needs a shift so profound that being a progressive or a democratic isn’t enough anymore. The system is being broken open.

This is a lot to process in a time where there is so much shock and anguish and pain. Feel it all, but know, that as helpless as we may feel in these upcoming days, together we have the ability to choose to allow this to set us back or to work out what it actually means to come together to create something different, regardless of who stands in power.

We cannot wait eight years. We cannot sit in the frequency of blame and declare half the country to be bigoted and racist and responsible for this heresy. It is far more complex than that.

If the Bernie movement taught us anything, it is the absolute power of groups of people with authentic and positive intentions—from here comes everything. Tend to your heart tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day, too.

But next week, or whenever you yourself are ready, let’s choose to do something different. It’s not about knocking on doors anymore, taking money for political candidates solely during the few months leading up to an election, and then returning to our lives. It's about millions of people in this country choosing a level of consciousness and connection in our own lives. It’s about choosing to look into the eyes of at least three people you do not know tomorrow and allowing them to see you, allowing them to witness what is taking place in your heart.

If every single one of us who may be hurting tonight actually stepped forward and did those things tomorrow, chose to connect with kindness and an open and loving heart, we would shift into a different frequency—a frequency that cannot be extinguished by fear and hate. It is the law of alchemy—love is the only answer. Luckily, it is also the best and most beautiful answer. It might be too soon to say for some, but we got this. We truly, truly do.

Today, on November 11th, a rich and beautiful 11-11 portal opens, connecting us to Light and the awakening codes that are streaming in to our consciousness and this planet. Join me and the 7OM Community at 11AM for a special digital 7OM Temple of Illumination activation to anchor in and receive these frequencies. I will share a cosmic transmission from the stars to help anchor in this healing light, to help process some of the emotions that arisen, and to help us to start the process of galvanizing the world that we wish to co-create together. The time truly is now. Grieving is an important part of the process, and then we can tune into how we can step forward, as individuals and as a community. It may seem very dark right at this moment, but with the right tools and the right support, the future is very bright. Of that, you have our word.  

We would be pleased to have you join us for a second event as well, the online journey to the stars tonight—link here—to continue our mission to strengthen our knowledge of our souls’ journey on this planet.

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Nicola Behrman is a Spiritual Sage and the founder of the 7OM Temple of Illumination, the online Community Pleiadian Portal for Reflection, Connection, and Serendipity. She was passed the rites to transmit the frequencies of the Pleaides in 2013 and travels the world sharing wisdom and sacred sounds, blessing homes and spaces, officiating weddings, and igniting the connections to the Pleiades in others. Every month on the 11th at 11AM she hosts a private Zoom for members of the 7OM Temple of Illumination, where she brings in the energy of the stars, shares an energetic transmission, and helps anchor in the frequency of the Heavenly Realms so that individuals and communities may remember who they are, and walk these lands as Illuminated Conduits for the Heavens and the Earth.  

November Intuitive Medicine

November is a month of deep shadows that starts with a chance for soul level healing as the moon swells to her fullest expression on the 14th and offers a delicious opportunity to release what no longer serves and holds the promise that when we make the space, the intentions we unleash have room to grow to fullness. November's full moon occurs in Taurus and is associated with Venus. The surface of our lives is disturbed and the ripples betray the arrival of what’s been hidden in the depths. We are encouraged to evaluate our self-healing - we are to travel to the center of our hearts and sit with our wounds. To embrace the broken parts of ourselves and release what we have clung to. 

We are making space for the new moon on the 29th in Sagittarius. We cast our arrows with an aim that is true. We expand into awareness-weaving spells and rituals designed to manifest our next great adventure and multiply our connection to abundance, luck, and prosperity. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter who ensures us that wherever we place our focus and our energy will surely cultivate beyond our wildest expectations. It's important we put these wishes into words. To allow them to leave our lips; energy dancing upon our formed words-tiny spells set into flight. 

Let's explore the energy of the month further, sign by sign. These readings are an alchemy of intuitive channelings, astrology, and energetic imprint. To gain a truly vivid picture of your month ahead read your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. If you happen to fall within 7-10 days of a change in signs, then you will want to read the one after your Sun sign as well (what is called your cusp sign).

Aries

Showing up authentically takes bravery. It is not the easy choice - it is often much easier to don a mask of our crafting that we feel will be accepted or valued. It's easier to try and do what others want than to say “no”. We all wrestle with self-doubt and worry that if we were to say what we think, to do as we wish or to feel as we desire that we would be rejected by those who we care for. So we put on the mask. We pretend to be something we are not or dial down the parts of ourselves that we fear are not acceptable. No longer does this feel like a suitable choice for you. There is a shedding of all the masks that have been put on so that you can rise actualized, confident and authentic. This means we are free to be new. We can outgrow parts of ourselves and choose differently. Your independence this month will be strong as will your desire to accept your limitlessness. To know that you are not bound by others’ opinions or constraints. The world is your oyster when you show up not as your representative but as yourself. 

Taurus

What does your journey say about you? How has your past been allowed to influence the person who shows up to the world each day? The path that you have taken thus far and all the experiences therein have manifested the person you are today, for better or worse. This month you have the opportunity to release parts of your journey that have imparted their lessons and no longer serve. You have the power to choose a new narrative. One which acknowledges the entirety of your sacred journey while opening the way for a tale that you control. A narrative which will influence each day, week, month, and years to follow. This requires that you stand bravely facing all that you have encountered. Not as the victim. Not as the aggressor. Now with resentment or bitterness. Not with any characterization or judgment but simply with honest eyes and willingness of the heart. The willingness to acknowledge we cannot always control what experiences reveal themselves to us on our path but we do control our reaction. We control what power we endow these things with. How much they can hold over our lives. We have the authority to choose love over fear. 

Gemini

Think back to a time when you wanted something so badly you could feel it in your bones. You could taste it; feel it in your hands. Your heart pounded with excitement just thinking about it. You were equally unfettered by the notion of limit or impossibility. You simply understood that you wanted something and nothing was going to hold you back and nothing did. Even if it meant you visualized that jumping from your bed meant you were flying in the wide-open sky. You realized back then, as you do now, that in the end, it all comes down to perception. This month you have the power to manifest powerful expansion in your life when you refuse to buy into narratives of limitation. You can swell to greatness otherwise thought impossible by simply believing it is possible. Dream, dare, and then do. Again and again, until it feels just right. 

Cancer

What do you nurture in your life? What does the investment of your effort, energy, and emotion say about you and your dreams? There is something this month which beckons you. It asks you to cradle it. To hold it close to your chest so it feels the beating of your heart. To nourish it with your attention. Where we focus our devotion says a great deal about what we value in this life. How much cherishing do you send to those things or people outside of you? Do you need to hold yourself like a lover? To support your own spirit with some sacred self-care? Emotional intimacy and affection, when applied to those things we need most, promises to unfurl a verdant garden of possibility before us.  

Leo

This month you are called to dig into abundance. What does abundance look like to you? What does it feel like when it touches your skin? How does the energy of abundance change the landscape of your life? When it leaves your fingertips how does it transform the world around you?  This month the energy of abundance is knocking with many gifts to share with you. More than that, abundance brings with it the great lesson on acceptance. Sometimes the manifesting of abundance is easier than accepting it. We must see ourselves as worthy. We must believe that we were brought here for more than just struggle or stress. We must examine our core beliefs surrounding abundance and assess if the narrative around this belief affirms our worth or erodes it. Specifically, we must let go of the misguided belief that abundance is not spiritual. We must hold our hearts open to receive knowing that when we are full we are capable of showing up in service, not just to ourselves but the world. An act of the greatest spiritual significance. 

Virgo

When we merely graze the surface we hardly create the spaciousness for deep roots; life cannot exist merely on the exterior. So you find this month that simply accepting something at face value proves fruitless. You must dig in deeper. You must be willing to get your hands dirty and skin your knees. Go beneath the dirt, into the core and then go even deeper and find the light. This is a month to not simply accept. This is a month to be totally and unequivocally accountable. To know that we are our own advocates, that this life is a constant reflection of our level of participation. Be honest with yourself and if something doesn’t feel right, if something is not sitting right with you, then dig deeper. Dig until you cannot dig anymore. Do not settle for littleness. Do not settle for settling. Instead, honor your intuition, honor what tickles at your attention by doing the work to explore life beyond the apparent. 

Libra

Life feels good. It looks good. It tastes good. It leaves you feeling content in ways you hardly thought possible. You look around and marvel at the blessings this life is filled with. And you should, after all, you built this. You worked hard for this. While others may have been skirting responsibility or taking the easy route you were digging into this life and working your tail off to see that your dreams became your reality. This doesn’t mean that it goes to your head - no, you are far too grounded and realistic for that. It does mean that this month you should take time for celebrating your achievements. Give yourself credit for your hard work and enjoy some of what life has to offer. You have a right to applaud your achievements and take pride in the life that you have built. The paradox of your hard working nature is that while it opens many doors it can and often leads to a life too tightly controlled. Release, settle into and feel the support of the life you built in perfect trust. All that exists around you in there to support you so honor the flow and enjoy the fruits of your labors. This will fuel you. It will nourish your spirit and feed your creativity. It will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for your next bold move. 

Scorpio

This month you are encouraged to evaluate what motivates you emotionally. Do you tend to honor some emotions while disallowing others? How many times have we heard someone say that a choice or action is either fueled from a place of fear or born of love? We tend to make one emotion to be lesser than the other but the truth of the matter is we can be plagued by doubts but are equally blinded by love. Both love and fear motivate and it’s a balance of these two qualities which allows us to lead whole, actualized authentic lives. When we vilify an emotion we also begin a process of suppressing that quality within ourselves. In this case suppressed emotions leads to dis-ease and imbalance to our energy; it creates blocks energetically which fosters stagnation physically and emotionally. This month you are to find a healthy release for the full spectrum of human emotions. To honor your flow and to acknowledge that lesson that each emotion imparts, and then learn from it. 

Sagittarius

What if I told you that emotions are neither good nor bad? That it's merely our conditioning which places judgment upon qualities that within them have both a positive and negative charge. There is an inherent duality within everything. Each emotion contains both a sliver of hope and the possibility for growth. Each contains a spark of knowledge; a lesson that aids in our personal and spiritual revolution. This month you are encouraged to evaluate how you interact with your emotions. Do you live life leaning towards one end of the emotional spectrum over another? Do you need to infuse more joy and laughter to balance a season which is going to test our resolve? Most importantly how can you show up for your emotions? How can you dance with them? Make love to them? To help them to feel seen, witnessed and supported instead of repressed, rejected or judged? In so doing you build a strong and healthy relationship with your emotions and with yourself. One that accepts. One that supports and one that will ultimately hold space for your growth.

Capricorn

This month you are supported in your exploration of the Universal consciousness. To learn more about yourself and how in knowing yourself you know the great mysteries of the Universe. Because you are one with everything else. You are not separate or disconnected. You are spiritual consciousness in physical form. You exist on both planes and work done on one level assists you on the other. We are all a High Priestess - dancers of the great mystery and a purveyor of both logic and intuition. Shadow and light. We, as alchemists blend the spiritual and the mundane and understand the connection between the two. We are not merely spiritual bodies any more than we are merely physical beings. Rather we are a fusion, a perfect marriage and seamless union of the two and therein creates a new possibility. The possibility that we are one with the divine and the mundane. That every one of us is a part of “All That Is”. That the answer to our prayers, the fruits of our rituals does not exist outside of us but within.

Aquarius

What does your connection to intuition look like? Do you allow yourself spaciousness and stillness to tap into this deep inner knowing? You are encouraged this month to allow your inner guidance system to lead the way. You are often caught up in the mind; following the many thoughts as they speed by and this often serves you well. This month, however, you are encouraged to allow your intuition to lead the way. To fuse together logic and intuition to assist you. For some, this may seem an impossible feat but I encourage you to remember that just as your logic comes naturally so does intuition. We are all born with this innate inner knowing and like any muscle it grows and strengthens with use. Learn to trust this inner knowing and trust that intuition is your faithful and devoted guide and will always lead the path forward towards your highest good. It will always show you the way and light even the most obscured path. 

Pisces

here is a deep and resounding power when we reach a point in our journey when we can make our own rules, live according to our own doctrine. When we feel completely clear on what we want and how our lives are to be crafted. We fearlessly make choices rooted in a self-awareness that is iron clad. We know our strengths. We know our weaknesses and we make decisions which honor these parts of ourselves. We giggle at the way we used to doubt ourselves or feel we needed to fashion ourselves after another. But it's no laughing matter, in truth. We all come to a sense of self-awareness in our own way in our own time. This self-trust may come naturally to some but for most, we have to work hard at it. We must choose to trust. To believe in ourselves. This month we stop comparing. We stop wondering what others think and stand tall and proud in our uniqueness. Knowing that when we show up for the world in this way we are unstoppable. 

Enjoy the medicine that November has for each of us! If you would like to expand upon your reading for the month order your reading today from any one of our trusted advisors!

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Laura Brown is a Seeress, Intuitive Coach and Medicine Woman. She is the Goddess and Creatrix at Intuitive Alchemy,  a sacred sanctuary for Intuitive Readings & Coaching, Spiritual Development as well as online Apothecary. Ever a sacred Alchemist, Laura blends her skills as a Channeler, Clairvoyant, Reiki Healer, Tarotist and Metaphysician to create sacred offerings for soul seekers. You can stay up to date on her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram for free daily readings.

Pick me up Elixir

When you need an energizing way to kick off your afternoon slump, add superfoods that will keep your body activated with nourishment. Try this special House of Citrine concoction to keep your day beautiful, balanced and productive!

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. of Jun or Kombucha - we use Jun - very similar to kombucha, uses green tea and honey to ferment, aids digestion, promotes good bacteria in gut.
• 2 oz. coconut water kefir - decreases sugar cravings, strengthens the immune system, aids in digestion, enhances hydration, increases energy, clears the skin, promotes a more efficient metabolism, and destroys pathogenic yeasts in the body.
• 1 oz. of rose water - skin hydrator, mood elevator, reduces bloating, aids digestion, antioxidants.
• 10 drops of Astragalus tincture -strengthens and energizes body, regulates immune system.  
• 4 drops of maca tincture - Energy, mood elevator, increases stamina, regulates hormones, fertility, sexual health, and antioxidant booster.

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Coconut Cashew Cream at Anytime

This recipe will put you in a better mood the second you taste the high-vibe creaminess. It's a treat that fills your soul up with grounding fats from coconut (we used Kippy’s) that benefit your brain along with sprouted cashews. The cacao touch adds minerals and a boost to your day.  Fresh local berries or any fruits are a great source of fiber. Be creative when making this for you or a loved one.  You can add superfoods to the coconut/cashew cream, such as pine pollen, ashwagandha, tocotrienols, collagen, protein powder, and hemp seeds. Enjoy!!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 jar coconut cream (16oz)
• 4 cups cashews 
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 1/2 vanilla bean, deseeded
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp reishi powder (optional)
• 3 cups water

Soak cashews in pure water for a few hours, if desired. Drain cashews. Mix all ingredients in a high power blender until smooth and creamy. Pour into jars or a large bowl and set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. Serve over fresh berries & cacao!

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Recipe by Julia Corbett, for House of Citrine.

Photo credit: Julia Corbett

October Intuitive Medicine

A month of expansion, clearing, balance and acceptance-October promises to deliver a little something special for each of us. October blossoms on the heels of a New Moon in Libra which took place on September 30th and is opening up the month with opportunity for creating balance in our relationships, careers and personal pursuits. As we approach the waxing crescent moon on the 8th in Capricorn we feel this deep need to establish roots; to feel part of the tribe. We begin to lay the ground-work for powerful transformation through the effort we apply within our lives; all of which comes to a beautiful culmination on the 15th when we welcome, with open arms, the Full Moon in Aries. We are bubbling over with raw power and potential and can manifest anything we desire. The trick is fostering an awareness of what we want and becoming crystal clear on what is missing in our lives. This takes bravery-it takes courage. We must honestly approach what we want from a place of wholeness and not shame or guilt.

The month closes out with a New Moon in Scorpio on October 30th, the day before Halloween. It is a reminder that we are awaking anew. We are not the same people we were even a single moon cycle prior. We are constantly evolving and growing, even when we resist this growth. October ends with a deep expression of release as we learn to accept the parts of us which have dithered and died so that we could shed the layers of old and unfurl into our radiant selves.

Let's take things deeper by taking a look into the energy for each sign of the Zodiac. These channelings are a combination of intuitive insights, astrology and Tarot. To gain a truly vivid picture of your month ahead read your Sun, Moon and Rising signs. If you happen to fall within 7-10 days of a change in signs then you will want to read the one after your Sun sign as well (what we call your cusp sign).

Aries

This month you are being encouraged to embrace an open and vulnerable heart and allow love and compassion to transform old wounds allowing you to be whole again. Our past experiences all leave their thumbprint upon our lives. It's why a particular song draws new life to an old memory. Our past experiences shape the way in which we view the world around us today. If left unhealed our wounds become core beliefs which may limit our potential and dim our light.  We are all carrying around energy, whether good or bad from our past. This is not something to resist-this is not about turning away from that which pains us but rather to allow ourselves the deep richness of healing that comes when we dig into the wound, learn from the pain and begin to break a cycle.

Taurus

The mask comes off and you are encouraged to step into your fullest expression. What does your core look like? What does your authenticity taste like? How do you feel when you are acting from a place of authenticity? This month you feel a sense of liberation as you begin to remove the conditioning which tells you that you must change who you are to fit in. That you must don a particular façade in order to make someone else happy or to be accepted. You are absolutely, divinely perfect in your imperfect way and there is a sense of you coming home to this belief in October. This month you see yourself fully, perhaps even for the first time. You know that you may have things you could improve upon but you are no longer held to the bondage created when we live our lives by someone else’s rule book.

Gemini

Your potential is in full bloom, as is your awareness of what you are capable of. You are beginning to see how your thoughts have been allowed to take you down a path you do not want to be on. You are becoming more and more aware of your core beliefs and if they are limiting or truly pave the way for possibility. You are willing, now more than ever, to shed those core beliefs that leave you feeling separate from your world. You are no longer accepting that you are stuck in anything, at anytime. You begin to feel, from deep down in your core, that you were brought here to create. That you were brought here to live a life that is rich with potential and limitless in nature. And from this place…you act.

Cancer

New life is birthed within your life. New relationships, new life in old relationships-new jobs and financial opportunities. This month it's all about taking a leap of faith and having the self-trust to know you can land safely. Allow passion and what lights you up to take the wheel and drive you during this month. Say yes even if its something typically you would say no to (within safe limits, of course!). Stop acting as though you need to play the role of the detached “I’m too cool to care”, cat and instead feel your feelings, all of your feelings deeply. Allow them to teach you where to go next. Let them remind you of long forgotten passions. Let them pave a path rich with possibility and limitless ascension.

Leo

There are some of us who inherently feel a rich connection to others. They attract people to them who need someone to witness them. They possess an ability to create such a warm and inviting environment that all who enter their energy field feel instantly relaxed and at peace. Those who possess this quality find the connection to nurturer incredibly strong but at times can feel adrift in the care of their own needs. The energy of this month encourages you to spend time tending to your personal needs. To remember what feeds your soul. To remember that you have the earth beneath your feet, providing you with stability even when you feel a lack of stability in your life. Connect with those who leave you feeling supported this month and know that we are all part of the same experience. Unity consciousness reminds us that we are stronger when we realize we are together.

Virgo

Faith is beautiful. Faith gives us wings. Faith reminds us to have confidence in ourselves and our capability. Faith reminds us that we must have self-trust for when we have a life rooted in self-doubt we make mistakes over and over again, seldom learning anything. Faith is the power to take us places we never dreamed because it empowers us to know we are limitless. Faith instills within us a peace that is absolutely unshakeable and gives us the ability to create lives dripping with joy, bounty and love. Faith is knowing that the only things which limit us are those things we allow to. That miraculous shifts occur when we stand tall, rooted in the unyielding faith that we came here to do great things.

Libra

What does it mean to understand an emotion but not become entrapped by that emotion? What does it mean to be an observer of our emotions but not a participant? This month you embody the delicate balance in paring rational thinking and emotional logic. You are a safe harbor in the emotional storm of others and possess the ability to help others see through and above their emotions in order to make decisions which lend stability to their foundation. You possess these qualities for the self as well and feel entirely capable of allowing your feelings to show you the way without becoming so enslaved by them that your logic is left feeling that it's out in the cold. You possess the perfect alchemic blend to create peace and stability in your life.

Scorpio

We are all wounded. We all have been hurt, betrayed or in some way mistreated. Some of these wounds others inflicted upon us; others we inflicted upon ourselves. Each scar, each scratch or gaping hole left from a trauma we encountered is a messenger. It carries with it a lesson for us to learn that aids our evolution. We fail to harvest these lessons and evolve when we resist healing or turn away from and try to hide from our pain. When we lean into that which needs healing we can hear its whisper. We can connect with its meaning. It is what ultimately allows us to heal and also allows us to be of service to others going through what we are going through. As we heal and evolve we are in a place that someone who is where you once were would love to be-if only they had someone to help show them the way. When we deny ourselves the right to heal we deny others the right to heal. Thusly when we create the spaciousness for our own healing we set an example for and give permission for others to courageously work on their own healing journey.

Sagittarius

Those who live wild, rich and full lives were not all necessarily born into that life. For many they had to bravely confront fears, eschew others expectations and set a path all their own. They had to be willing to commit acts of self discovery and stand on their own two feet. They had to give room to their passions to grow and lead the way. They had to be willing to stand fear in the face and say “not today, friend” and walk on by. You too possess the ability to stand in the energy of the maiden. You possess the ability to no longer do as you are told and begin to define life for yourself. You have the divine right to live wild - shedding the domestication which has kept your wild, feral nature chained.

Capricorn

There is a certain level of power that comes when we reach a point in our journey where we no longer feel the need to abide by another’s rule book. When we feel so rooted in what we want, what we know of ourselves and what our strengths and weaknesses are that we can fearlessly make decisions and walk a path that is so us it's silly it took us so long to find it. But it's not silly, not really, anyways. We all walk a path that is unique to us. We all learn things in our time and in our own way. While some may come out of the womb feeling rooted to their self-esteem a lot of us had to spend a great deal of time working on ours. No matter how long it takes us, no matter what our path looks like in relation to another’s path we stand unbowed and unapologetic. We wave our unique flag and show the world what we are made of.

Aquarius

Taking the easy route can sometimes seem an all too alluring option. We may not want to put in the work or confront what needs confronting and so skirting certain steps seems like a completely acceptable path forward. The truth is nothing worth having comes easily and anything that appears to come too easily this month should be closely examined. We must foster awareness of that inner con man that may tell us to resort to unsavory or even deceitful tactics to get what we want. His sweet voice may try to encourage you to buy into your own lies and deceptions. He unfortunately only caters to your shadow - drawing forth your weaknesses and enabling your addictions. We are encouraged to dig deep and face inner demons. Push through the work we would rather avoid and trust that hard work will pay dividends to anything we rush or cheat our way through.

Pisces

What is abundance? Do you know what it looks like to you? If you don’t then how do you know when you are in the presence of true abundance? This month the energy of abundance is knocking at the door and has gifts aplenty to bless our lives with. Accepting abundance, however is far more difficult than attracting it. Many of us live according to scripts which suggests that abundance is wrong. That we are not spiritual or evolved if we desire abundance. We become fearful with what we have and so behold it so tight that we end up sucking the life right from it. Accepting abundance requires we evaluate our relationship to abundance. That we tear away at any narrative which suggests we should not want abundance. We must be willing to have absolute faith and conviction in ourselves. We must trust. We must trust in an ever giving, limitless universe and see those qualities within ourselves. We must embrace what we have and hold it with the most grateful of hearts because ultimately abundance is not something which can be taken or given but rather is bred from total fulfillment, contentment and appreciation.

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Laura Brown is a Seeress, Intuitive Coach and Medicine Woman. She is the Goddess and Creatrix at Intuitive Alchemy,  a sacred sanctuary for Intuitive Readings & Coaching, Spiritual Development as well as online Apothecary. Ever a sacred Alchemist, Laura blends her skills as a Channeler, Clairvoyant, Reiki Healer, Tarotist and Metaphysician to create sacred offerings for soul seekers. You can stay up to date on her Facebook page and follow her on Instagram for free daily readings.

The Perfect Workout for your Body Type (Dosha)

We all know exercise is good for our bodies, minds, and souls, but did you know the type of exercise that’s best for you actually depends on your mind-body type?

According to Ayurveda, the world’s oldest health system, there are three mind-body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As an Ayurvedic Nutritionist and author of the upcoming book The Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda, I focus on bringing this ancient healing system into our modern lives. While the Vedas didn’t write about whether CrossFit or Pure Barre is better for your physique, they had some pretty incredible insights into our physiology that we can truly benefit from today.

In this article, I’m going to give you pointers on the best type of exercise according to your unique mind-body type. If you don’t know your mind-body type, take my quiz  which will help you assess it.

Once you know, here are the best workouts for you:

Those with Vata bodies:

Vatas are energizer bunnies who love to move. They are most similar to the Ectomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They love the feeling of a good cardio session. You can find them in Soul Cycle spinning up a storm, doing high kicks in kickboxing, shaking their booties in Zumba, or going HAM on the elliptical machine. They have a need for speed and love the types of workouts where you lose your breath, and yourself while doing them. They love the feeling of getting their heart rates up, which makes them feel free - something very important for Vatas.

However, all that movement is not recommended for Vatas. Ayurveda is all about seeking balance. Therefore you should counter-balance your natural energy with that which you lack. 

Because Vatas are drawn to quick, sweaty cardio sessions, it’s best to counter-balance that quickness with some slow, steady strength training. 

Vatas have a hard time gaining muscle mass and need to pay particular attention to building their bones and muscles to prevent bone-density issues in the future. I recommend scheduling two to three strength-training sessions in the week where you really isolate your individual muscles, without the cardio component of quickly trying to lift as fast as possible. Think slow, steady, and thorough. Proper form is more important than speed.

Balance is also very important to practice for Vatas, as they naturally can have a weak balance due to skeletal irregularities in their physiology. Try doing one-leg deadlifts, bicep curls on one leg, and walking lunging to improve your balance and agility.

Make sure you take your rest days. Vatas are naturally on the thin side and have a hard time preserving body fat so you want to make sure you don’t overdo it and give your muscles a chance to rest between sweat sessions.

Those with Pitta bodies:

Pittas are natural athletes. They are most similar to the Mesomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They have a strong stamina and love to work their muscles to the max. They are drawn to boot camps, boxing, CrossFit, and anything else that pushes their body's limits. They put muscle on easily and love the results they get. Needless to say, they love to feel the burn.

However, all that intense exercise is not really the best thing for these already fiery Pittas. They must counter-balance their naturally competitive energy with some non-competitive, relaxing workouts. Don’t kill me, I know you want your boot camp in, but I swear that grounding down will really help.

Pilates is a great exercise for Pittas because it works their muscles, but at the same time is therapeutic and relaxing. I also recommend yin yoga, which is the practice of holding one stretch for two to three minutes without moving. If you do boot camps, be sure to meditate and ground down afterward so you don’t stay in that fight-or-flight mode for the rest of the day.

It’s super important for Pittas to avoid getting overheated. Pittas are hot by nature, so a humid room can really throw them off balance. Avoid working out in hot weather, such as in the middle of the day or outside in the summer. Steer clear of heated yoga practices, which will throw your Pitta energy way out of wack. Instead, focus on cooling down. 

Swimming is an excellent practice for Pittas because it allows you to move, strengthen and stretch your body while cooling down. Hit up your friend that has a pool to do some laps or take a run on the beach.

It’s also crucial for you to take your rest days. Pittas like to be on the go and often forget to schedule downtime in their busy agendas. Remember, your muscles cannot develop if you are always working them. Try to take two off-days during the week to just stretch your body out. Foam rolling is a really great way to knead out deep knots, which Pittas often have. And practice Abhyanga, self-massage with cooling coconut oil. I explain all about how to practice Abhyanga on my site.

Those with Kapha bodies:

Kaphas are naturally slow and steady and may actually hate to workout. Getting up to go to the gym may feel like physical torture for them. Does this sound like you?

Kaphas are most similar to the Endomorph body type in Sports Nutrition. They are more sedentary by nature and have a tough time getting into an exercise routine. However, once they start getting their sweat sessions in, they actually begin to love it because it stimulates their minds and bodies, counter-balancing their heavy energy. Kaphas actually have the highest endurance of all the Doshas and can tolerate the longest duration of exercise, so don’t be afraid to work it.

Kaphas medicine is sweat. In Ayurveda, sweat is fat's antidote. Therefore, by sweating every day you are inhibiting your body's fat storage. Kaphas naturally store fat more easily than the other Doshas, so sweat is really medicine for them. I always like to tell myself in a tough workout, “Sweat is fat crying.” You can try that little mantra for motivation the next time you find yourself on a treadmill.

Kaphas should avoid excess strength-training if they are trying to lose weight because it will actually make them heavier. Kaphas may be drawn to slow, steady weight-lifting and shy away from cardio but it’s really the opposite they need.

Kaphas should do HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes where they are doing things like jump squats, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and burpees throughout the class, with quick weight lifting in between. This is really going to speed up your metabolism and help trigger your body’s fat-burning potential. If your heart-rate isn’t increased you won’t be burning enough calories to target your fat cells. Check out your local gym for classes. Tabata, Plyometrics, Spinning, and Ropes & Rower classes are all great options and gyms often have their own variations of classes. If that sounds too intimidating for you start off with a type of cardio class you enjoy like Zumba or a barre class.

Even if you don’t have a gym membership there are so many workouts you can do at home. Try going for a run, jump roping or practicing lunges, squats, push-ups, and planks at home. That’s really all you need to get your body going. Don’t underestimate the power of walking. Walking 20 minutes a day can make significant differences in your weight over time. Do something that you enjoy and don’t be afraid of a challenge.

Exercise is one of the most medicinal things we can do. Physical stimulation creates mental stimulation. A stagnant body is a stagnant mind. By opening the channels of our bodies we open the channels of our minds. If people exercised more often most diseases and depression would cease to exist.

Which type of exercise is your favorite? What’s your Dosha? Let me know in the comments! And if you don’t know your mind-body type, take my quiz on my website eatfeelfresh.com.

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Sahara Rose is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Sports Nutritionist and Holistic Health Coach, as well as upcoming author of The Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. She is passionate about bridging Eastern and Western health philosophies and leads a 12 Week Program on incorporating both into our everyday, busy lives. Learn more about Ayurvedic wisdom on her website eatfeelfresh.com and follow her on Instagram @EatFeelFresh.

Sun Child: Handmade with passion and purpose

At House of Citrine, we have the distinct pleasure of sampling a diverse range of powerful and beautiful products from the conscious community. On our journey to bring you the best of the best we discovered one of a kind, handmade, blessed and recycled silk dresses that inspire  "grace, laughter, PASSION, freedom, expression and magic," created by the talented, driven and awakened, Elissa Kravetz. Once Steve Madden's right-hand gal, Elissa's work as a fashion publicist and her passion for travel led her to found Sun Child. A chance encounter with a very special family in Goa and their magical healing silks enabled her to create jobs in the village and give back to charities in India. We chatted with this inspiring woman who is determined to empower others and to ensure the clothes we adorn our bodies with feel truly amazing.

1. Elissa, tell us about how Sun Child got inspired?

I was traveling throughout Asia at the end of 2014 and ended my trip with a yoga retreat in Goa. On the last night of the retreat, I journeyed into the night market and stumbled upon the most vibrant, magnetic, powerful silks I have ever seen!  I talked for a while with the oldest daughter of the father who created some of the looks, put my hands on her shoulders and told her that I was going to help her and her family.  I flew back to LA so energized and inspired and looked at her business card every day for months. 6 months later after being coaxed by a girlfriend to go back to India to spend time with the family, I hopped on a plane, spent a week in Goa during the monsoon and bonded with this family.  I feel that they are my extended family. They receive the silks from a special area in India and together we bless them and create the designs that make up Sun Child!! 

2. Tell us about the families in India who make these one-of-a-kind dresses? 

They’re passionate & loving and we Skype often to stay connected while I’m here in LA. 

3. Indian silk…elaborate on the material of sourcing?

The silks are recycled Sari silks, each piece is unique and cuts only one dress, so each dress is one of a kind.  Your dress is your dress! 

4. Your journey to India has been life changing, how has this impacted your spiritual growth?  

I’m getting ready to travel back and can’t believe it when I realize that this will be my seventh trip to India in the past few years!  My first time traveling I went to Rishikesh in 2011 for the International Yoga Festival.  My spiritual journey started a year before that while studying Kabbalah. I learned there about living from your heart vs. your ego and over the years traveling throughout Asia I became committed to a heart-based life of service.  I still love fashion, I began working for Steve Madden out of college and I feel that what we wear is an extension and creative expression of self.  I love marrying my spiritual practice with business.  When I was working in PR towards the end I would burn sage in the office and send our clients samples with positive affirmation cards to the editors.  What I’ve learned over the years is that most people just want to feel BETTER!  If I can have a hand in inspiring and enticing joy in someone – I’m all for it! 

 5. Your dresses are blessed? Tell us more?

When we finish each collection in India, I sit with the family in a circle and we put some of the silks in the middle. We all go around and share something about the collection and what our wishes are. When I’m back here in Topanga, I play mantras while putting the finishing touches on each piece, then they spend a night hung outside on my deck surrounded by nature in Topanga Canyon, so they can spend a night under the stars.  Each dress is saged and gonged!  I love this whole process, it feels like a beautiful meditation for me. 

 6. When you’re not working on Sun Child, what else do you like to do? 

I love to dance. I recently went to a 5 rhythms dance workshop at Esalen and it was so incredible, so transformative, I dance as much as I can! I love to travel. Love to cook. Connect with my friends and lots of snuggles with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lillee. I’m also in a bit of a hibernation resting phase since moving to Topanga. The canyon has sucked me in a bit. Oh, and I recently started drumming, which I LOVE! 

 7. What keeps you going? Do you have any daily routine, ritual, or mantra? 

Ahh..what keeps me going.  Knowing that I have a larger purpose in life and am here to create and inspire. I’ve always felt different, in high school, in college, I just knew inside that I was different.  I feel like I have big things to do.  I try to take as best care of myself as possible.  To my friends I am always saying Radical Self Care!!  I try to visit the hot springs in Ojai as much as possible to ground and connect with nature.  I don’t meditate every day, but I would love to!!  Even 5 minutes in the morning sets me up for an incredible day.  As soon as I wake up I say to myself “thank you!” I follow up with “I’m enough. I’m worthy of unconditional love, I share unconditional love.” These have been my mantras lately.  

8. What are your three staples for glowing health?

For the past month every morning I’ve been making a super charged coffee concoction which has completely changed my skin. In the Vitamix I’ve been mixing a cup of coffee with Sun Potion Tocos and Ashwagandha, vanilla bean powder, ghee, coconut oil & raw lavender honey.  I swear adding this one spoon of ghee every day has given my skin a beautiful glow!  I drink tons of water, don’t drink alcohol or smoke.  And I love to get a little sun on my face each day :) I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, I need it!! I also feel that the more I give, the more I say YES to things, people, activities that fill my soul, the more I say NO to things that drain me – this makes a radical impact on my health and psyche. 

9. What moves you through fear and brings you to bliss?

I’ve erred on the side of anxiety for most of my life, and every single time I sit down to meditate, every single time I drive through nature, I hear my inner voice say "DON’T WORRY!! You don’t ever need to worry."  I feel that the one thing that can move anyone through fear to bliss is TRUST.  Trust that the universe has your back.  Trust that we are here to succeed and be happy, not to struggle.  And when I can’t talk myself down I’ll connect with some of my grounded, calm friends who always get me out of the fear space.  One of the things that we often will say to each other is “what story are you telling yourself right now?!” we often will make up stories in our head that are not true, we believe them, and then we panic.  As much as I can I try to trust that things are going to work out blissfully & abundantly! 

10. What is your next big vision for Sun Child?  

On my next trip I’m going to create new styles to add to the collection, jump suits, pants and matching jackets.  My new BIG vision is for the brand to grow so much that we can build our own Sun Child factory in Goa and give jobs to people in the village. I’ve been watching over the past year, and women come one by one into my home to try on the dresses and when they do, without fail, every woman puts out her arms and spins around!  These dresses are magic, I’ve never seen anything like them.  They look amazing on every body type and seem to evoke a powerful confidence for every woman who wears them.  I want more women to experience this.  Global feminine confidence!!  Feel powerful on the inside and own it!! 

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Learn more about Sun Child and boutique locations on her website - iamsunchild.com and additional information here. Follow Sun Child on instagram and Eliss'a personal instagram.

High Vibrational Elixir

This past weekend House of Citrine had the pleasure of hosting a high vibrational dinner with Sun Potion. We had renowned chef Greg Arnold plate the most beautiful plant-based dishes. Biodynamic wine was served from the France and Napa based Boisset Collection. We enjoyed the most beautiful raw sacred geometry cakes by Stephen McCarty, along with elevating kombucha, elixirs and Jun infused with herbs tinctures. It was definitely a night to remember. Here is one of the recipes from the event House of Citrine created….

For base you can use 5 oz. of Kombucha, Jun or Coconut Kefir.  We use Health-Ade Kombucha, Herbal Junction Jun and Tonix coconut water kefir.

photo credit: Julia Corbett

• 1 Teaspoon of Sun Potion Pine Pollen
• 10 drops of Ashwaganda tincture - adaptogenic herb, used for adrenal fatigue and improving thyroid function.
• 10 drops of Reishi tincture - boosts the immune system, liver regeneration, anti-cancer properties.
• 10 drops of Astragalus tincture - strengthens and energizes body, regulates immune system.

These herbs will get into the bloodstream quicker using a fermented beverage that has a high alcohol content. They're all used for longevity and wellness. You can enjoy this drink as a casual beverage, or a night out with friends. You will feel a buzz after you drink, due to the quick activation. Enjoy!

Since we are not doctors, this site is not designed to and does not provide medical claims, please consult your doctor for medical guidance.

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Vibrant Healing with Fern Olivia

The moment you step in the aura of Fern Olivia you immediately pick up on her contagious smile and soothing voice. Her captivating warm compassion and eye contact puts you in a trace like state. Fern has had her share of health struggles with an auto-immune disease but is now building an empire for herself with Thyroid Yoga. We sat down with Fern to get a taste of her dynamic life.

1. Fern , tell us about how you got on the path of healing and yoga?
For nearly a decade, I battled against my body and the horrible discomfort of chronic congestion, puffiness, brain fog, constipation, food allergies, and severe stomach irritability. 

I spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars traveling from doctor to doctor, feeling like a lost patient who was completely disconnected from her body, wanting so badly to just be given a magical solution to it all.  I was told I had hypothyroidism, meaning my thyroid was underactive, and that’s why I was having all the uncomfortable feelings in my body.  I was given every type of thyroid medication in the book to mask the symptoms I was experiencing – rather than getting down and dirty with why I was feeling so awfully rotten in the first place.  At one point I was on 125 mcg of synthroid and 5 mcg of cytomel and still felt like a zombie. The worst part -  I was told that I would always have these symptoms and would just have to “deal with them.” 

After I graduated from college, I thought I was living the American Dream when I landed a swanky desk job at a prestigious investment bank in New York City. However, the 14-hour days felt like anything but that. I often experienced vertigo when staring at my computer and starting getting daily migraines that I took excedrin for regularly. I’d also pop a Zyrtec with my Synthroid before my cereal and soy milk each morning to clear my stuffy, runny nose. And even with all of that, I still felt awful. Finally, at the age of 22, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Hypothyoriditis, which is the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. My own immune system was destroying my thyroid cells. This “attack and destroy” can cause wild symptom swings from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid, and back. 

I’d had enough. I thought to myself, “I studied biomechanics and neuroscience, with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Why can’t I figure this out?” Turns out, I could…but in an unexpected place.

Yoga found me on a lunch break in between stressful meetings and staring at databases in Excel. Yoga fascinated me as I began noticing patterns of how I ate and treated myself, how I was spending my day, and how this related to how I felt on my yoga mat, and getting really excited about what this all meant. I began to take the first steps of being my own healer, instead of relying on test results and no clear direction. This was a whole new world to me, and as I began to feel better, I began to see that what I was putting in my body – and how I was treating it – was making a huge difference on how I felt.

Each time I returned to my yoga mat, I not only felt clear-headed, but also safe, comforted and loved — feelings I had been lacking in my life — and I realized that this practice allowed me to connect with myself in a way that I hadn’t been able to elsewhere. I found immense strength through my own journey and realized that my body had been screaming at me so long, just asking me to listen. 

Now, I’ve made it my career to empower men and women to tap into their own intuitive healer and live their most vibrant, healthy, fulfilled life, too. 

2. Do you have a daily ritual or mantra?
I like to say that daily rituals are habits made holy. Rituals bring us into alignment with who we really are and showing up for ourselves makes a declaration that we are committed to our own success and well-being. 

Sadhana, or daily practice, is a must for me, and it’s a pillar that I talk about in my Thyroid Yoga course. It's a non-negotiable holy practice that reminds me that I am worthy before I go out into the world - and yes, that means before I turn on my phone and check email or my Instagram feed. 

Every morning, I look in the mirror and gaze into my own eyes for three minutes, repeating the affirmation: “I see you, you’re beautiful.” Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry. Each day may bring up a new feeling – of appreciation, of understanding, of compassion. I remind myself I am worthy of all abundance that is coming in. 

I also began experimenting with essential oils to nourish and support my thyroid and as I learned more about the incredible healing potential of nature’s medicine cabinet, I began to create my own blends. I became empowered in my own self-healing, adapting holistic rituals to support my vitality. The simple self-care ritual of rolling a seductive fragrance on my throat and heart chakra every day while repeating affirmations has radically changed my life. Inspired by my own practice, I created Grace Alchemy, a rose and patchouli blend that makes all men within a 10-foot radius swoon. It’s true, you have to try it. Everyone - including a top dating coach - keeps telling me that it’s their new signature scent!

I begin each morning with a run out my front door, through the sand, into the cool Pacific Ocean. Splashing in the waves invigorates me and stimulates my lymphatic system - and as a bonus, is super anti-aging. Cold water plunges are incredible for immune health, and I’ve noticed that I feel significantly more energized when I have my ocean plunge first thing in the morning. When I’m traveling, I swap in cold showers for the ocean, which certainly isn’t as fun but does the trick.

At night, I lay on my sheepskin rug with a massive rose quartz crystal on my heart chakra. This crystal found me in Sedona and it provides immense grounding and healing energy!

3. What are your three staples for glowing health? 

Beauty is the healing food I nourish myself with, the sensual alchemy that kisses my skin, the gorgeous friends I choose to enjoy time with, the sacred home I have created, and the retreats and healing experiences I treat myself lavishly with every day. Beauty is taking care of myself in the most loving and kind-hearted way.

Here are 3 of my staples:
My beauty ritual begins the moment I open my eyes and mentally say a prayer of gratitude. Then, I prepare herbal loose leaf from my friend Nicole Granato - she has an organic hibiscus rose petal tea that is just so beautiful, I feel myself getting more gorgeous as I watch it steep. Why use a plain tea bag when you can fill your cup with fragrant, lush herbs and flowers? 

During my recent visit to Aja Malibu, a stunning luxury-boutique mountain retreat for the health and wellness-seeking connoisseur in Malibu’s Latigo Canyon, I had the gift of receiving an intimate tour of the property’s biodynamic vegetable and medicinal herb gardens with the beautiful founder, Iannya Magick. As I picked and tasted whole herbs fresh from the earth - Tulsi, Sage, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, and Holy Basil - my taste buds smiled and I felt reconnected to the beauty of life. Returning home, I have made infusing my tea and lemon water with fresh herbs a daily beauty ritual.

I moisturize my skin throughout the day with Solar Sun Protect, a skin protectant from my own organic beauty apothecary, Ajai Alchemy, made from all organic essential oils in a base of carrot oil and coconut oil to protect my skin. Living in Los Angeles and travelling frequently to sunny destinations such as Sedona, Hawaii and the Cayman Islands, I made this to give my skin some extra love as I spend my days practicing and teaching yoga on the beach. It gives my skin a dewy, radiant glow and the cedarwood and geranium essential oils protect against breakouts. The scent is sensual, aphrodisiac and adored by both men and women, and was recently named the signature scent of the Further Future Festival, which I taught at this past spring.
I apply Radiance Hair Serum to my hair, which keeps my beach curls wild and sexy without the frizz. Ever since moving to California, I stopped damaging my hair with the flat iron. My hair is the happiest and healthiest it’s been in YEARS! 

4. Tell us about Thyroid Yoga?
We are constantly told we are broken, or something is missing, or we need drugs.

We are constantly looking outside ourselves for answers.

When I began to look inside, I became more intuitive and began to finally notice huge shifts in my life. Yoga was the catalyst for me and as I have been experimenting with so many different healing modalities, I’ve learned how to finally feel good in my body again. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients over the past six years and have been shocked and how fast these practices really work - and how doctors often completely overlook these potent tools!

I have cross-pollinated ancient yogic wisdom and healing practices to create something refreshingly new, yet refined with rich substance and deep history. This is precisely why I created Thyroid.Yoga™ about 4 years ago, a method designed to empower men and women to say goodbye to survival mode and embody radiant health again.

In other words, in Thyroid.Yoga™, we discover how to unveil all the bullshit holding us back - and release it. It’s like nothing out there.

What makes my work unique is that I bring together the strongest possible offering for the physical, emotional and cultural health of my students and community.

I’ve been able to curate a program that works for everything, through combining the best of the best knowledge from the most renowned teachers, healers and experts. This is the game-changer - and it just recently launched on MindBodyGreen - I invite you to watch it here!

I’ve also created the Thyroid.Yoga™ Inner Circle, a special membership opportunity for those looking to understand their symptoms and finally free themselves from the mercy of thyroid and other hormone imbalances. I’m thrilled to offer my expert advice along with the support of the healers and leaders in the holistic health space, along with exclusive content - meditations and yoga sequences from me and I’ll be providing my answers to the most challenging thyroid questions in a safe and supportive forum.

I’m also really excited to be offering a one-of-a-kind teacher training program - for healers, teachers, or anyone looking to understand their thyroid and how to finally liberate themselves to speak from their soul. It’s happening at RA MA in Venice this upcoming November 3-6 and will be available globally via livestream, too! You can learn all about it here.

5. Your energy is healing and contagious, how do you move through adversity?

Thank you! I’m constantly bathing myself in sage and practicing yoga so I can keep my energy field strong and release any tension that I may have picked up. As an empath, I always feel for others and there was a time when I took on the energy of everyone around me, and I realized I was getting exhausted ALL THE TIME. I’ve learned how to move through challenges with grace - I have to, because I have a big purpose on this planet, so challenges will come up to stretch me. I meet resistance with determination and motivation to get to the other side and know these situations will make me stronger. 

I am kind to all those who I meet, because I know that when others’ may be short with me or not friendly for some reason, they are going through their own journey. I protect my own energy by setting boundaries from a place of integrity, love, and conscious communication. 

6. Who are some sources of inspiration for you?

Elena Brower - Elena an amazing yoga teacher, mamma, healer and dear friend. She does it all, and she’s so classy, calm and poised. She manages so much and stays true to herself and her students. She’s a blessing in my life, and I am very grateful to have studied with her extensively in New York.
Dana James - Dana  is one of my most influential role models and friends. She embodies grace and femininity, and is a true powerhouse in the wellness world. She rocks at what she does, she’s driven and is like a big sister to me.
Taryn Toomey - Taryn is the badass of the fitness world. She’s created something called The Class, which is a spiritual somatic experience. There’s nothing like it - you’ve got to try it. I love that she just is fearlessly herself and has dedicated her life to empowering women to fearlessly be themselves, too.
Guru Jagat - Guru Jagat is the founder of RA MA Institute, a kundalini yoga studio in Venice and an epic global community. She’s uncensored - she really wants her students and the world to be aware and awakened to what’s really going on. I love that about her. She’s been the catalyst for me to step into my power here in LA and I admire everything she’s creating with RA MA around the world.

7. Share with us 3 steps to start our mornings with abundance?

As you open your eyes, thank heavens for this ability to be alive another day, to be in this body and to have another day to be great! Thank all of the beautiful relationships and experiences you will cultivate today. 

Take a shower and feel the water on your skin. Close your eyes and take 10 deep breaths as the water graces your body. It's an amazing way to consciously set your energy and intention towards your day.

Bless your breakfast, your coffee, and your green juice! Consume slow and consciously, notice the textures and the feelings on your lips. It was made with so much love and intention, and it will nourish you so you can crush this day!

8. What 3 yoga poses do you recommend to the community to use on the daily basis?

1. Cat/Cow spinal flexion:  If you only have three minutes in the morning to dedicate to your yoga practice, this simple exercise is the one I recommend most to eliminate brain fog and fatigue, which are two of the most common symptoms of thyroid imbalances.

Why? The movement of cat-cow, known as spinal flexion, increases the circulation of the spinal fluid, which contributes to greater mental clarity, according to Kundalini Yoga, because all 26 vertebrae receive stimulation and all the energy centers receive a burst of energy.

Begin on hands and knees, with knees under hips and palms directly under the shoulders. As you inhale, press your chest forward past your upper arms and spread apart your sitting bones, making sure to keep your arms straight, shoulders and knees in position. Be sure to lengthen through the lumbar spine and broaden your shoulders as you press your breastbone forward. 

Try to speed the movement up to a rapid and rhythmic pace to promote energy flow, which in turn presses out the stagnant energy and decreases inflammation, releasing blockages that have been stored in the organs and glandular system. Keep up for 3 minutes.

2. Three minutes of Frog Lifts.

This exercise incorporates yoga asana (movement) and pranayama (breath work) to stimulate the glandular system and balance the metabolism. 

As you inhale, squat down, balancing on the balls of your feet, heels touching and raised up. Place your fingertips on the ground between your legs and slightly in front, spine arched, and chin slightly lifted. As you exhale, bow into your legs drawing the navel point inward as you straighten your legs, heels remain touching and lifted, and fingertips remain grounded. The movement is rapid.

3. Chair pose with the eagle arm variation

This particular arm variation is one of the best ways to nourish your thyroid because you are creating space in the throat region, through the leverage created by the hook of the chin over the upper arm. 

Each time you finish the pose, notice the warmth around the neck region. This powerful exercise strengthens the lower body while it flushes chronic stress and stagnation from your adrenals and activates your thyroid.

Instructions
Stand in Tadasana, mountain pose and take five deep breaths here, feeling your feet connected to the earth Take five deep breaths in Chair Pose, knees bent and seat back, with arms alongside ears, then return to Mountain Pose and ensure your feet are still set at inner hips width apart, toes facing straight forward. 

Wrap left arm under right and lift the elbows up and out, tucking the chin into the elbow crease of upper arm, and breathe deeply into the back of the throat. Take five deep breaths here; repeat with the other arm on top. 

Keep sending your seat back while lifting your elbows out and up, as you move your shoulders down away from your ears. Swallow to stimulate release of any congestion around your throat. Try to keep your face relaxed as you take three deep breaths. Find comfort in the boundaries, and breathe space into the back of your throat. Then release your arms and pause in Mountain Pose, standing up tall with your arms alongside your body.

This pose may feel uncomfortable and tight at first. If your palms are not pressing together, that is okay. Just take a hold of the higher wrist and try to pull your wrist up as you lift your elbows. As you do this, squeeze your elbows and forearms together. 

Certain biochemical imbalances in the brain can adversely affect the body and emotions, such as hormone imbalances and challenging afflictions such as anxiety, food cravings, and emotional eating. Balance sequences trigger the right and left sides of the brain, realign electrical circuitry, and restore biochemical balance in your body, according to the teachings of Kundalini Yoga. 

Finish your sequence with a forward fold, feet hip width apart and hands holding opposite elbows. Take 10 long, deep breaths here as you allow your head to drop heavy and your neck to lengthen. This pose brings release to the adrenals, so invite your lower back to expand while you keep your knees bent! 

To come out of this pose, slowly release your arms and roll up to stand, bone by bone, head coming up last. Take a few breaths in mountain pose, standing tall with your eyes closed to notice the effects of these movements and the healing you have offered your body as the breath circulates around your organs. 

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Fern Olivia Langham is a LA-based yoga instructor and wellness expert renowned for her artful approach to self-healing and founder of Thyroid Yoga. She combines her extensive knowledge of yoga, meditation, breathwork, mantra, holistic health, and her own plant-based alchemy Ajai Alchemy into a one-of-a-kind integrative approach. View her offerings on her website, and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Peach Crumble & DIY Coconut Ice Cream

Our favorite holistic chef Kristin Dahl from Dahl House Nutrition made House of Citrine a grain-free nutritious peach cobbler paired with a fresh DIY coconut ice cream. If you’re a peach lover like I am, you will LOVE this recipe! A clean, naturally sweetened take on the traditional recipe, it’s high in fiber, loaded with vitamin c, and topped with a protein-rich paleo granola. The perfect feel-good summer dessert to please all the senses. Enjoy!

 INGREDIENTS //

•  3 cups of fresh, organic peaches, skins removed (about 5 peaches)
•  Maple Almond Granola (Topping)
•  2 cups chopped almonds
• 1 cup slivered pecans
• 1/2 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• ½ cup walnuts
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 
•  1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. organic, unrefined coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp. organic, grade b maple syrup
• 1 tbsp. organic raw honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

 METHOD //  

• Make Granola Topping First.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Pulse nuts, seeds, coconut, and salt in a food processor until broken up.
•  Add to a medium size mixing dish, toss with coconut oil and sweetener & mix until well combined.
• Bake on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for 15-20 mins, until lightly browned. Toss halfway for even toasting.
• Cool & then serve.

CREATE COBBLER // 

•  Preheat oven to 350
•  Coat 8x8 baking dish with very thin layer of organic coconut oil
• Add peaches to the dish & spread flat
• Cover fruit with granola crumble in an even & full layer
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until top is crispy & golden
• Serve as is or with fresh coconut ice cream

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COCONUT ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS // 

• 1 cup young coconut meat
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• ¼ cup coconut nectar
•  2 tablespoons grade b maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 & 1/4 cup coconut water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1tsp fresh vanilla bean
• Pinch of sea salt 
•  *Optional – ¼-1/2 cup soaked cashews (for creamier consistency)

METHOD //

• Allow ice cream maker to sit in the freezer over night.
• Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender for about 1 minute
• Let mixture sit in fridge for 2-3 hours. Process through ice cream maker and enjoy!
•  Or pour all ingredients into a freezer safe dish & freeze overnight!

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Kristin Dahl is a Holistic Nutritionist at Dahl House Nutrition. For more holistic inspiration and wellness info, find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram

Lindsay Mack: Soul Tarot Reading

House of Citrine first connected with Lindsay Mack at this year's Spirit Weavers Gathering. What immediately stood out to us about Lindsay was her pure, blunt authenticity—the kind that hits you in the face but shows you straight to the heart. Her candidness comes from the belief and healing practice that acceptance brings clarity, and it’s the clear and honest path that travels forward.  

A happy survivor of childhood abuse, trauma, and PTSD, Lindsay is dedicated to bringing healing to those experiencing mental, emotional, or physical suffering and helping people to arrive at their whole selves as she did. In addition to her offerings of Soul Tarot Readings and spiritual counseling, Lindsay’s writing on the Tarot can be found in numerous novels and journals.

Lindsay is based in Brooklyn, but her teachings live all around the world as her travels spread her readings and healing practices. She is also the co-facilitator of Brooklyn Fools, a six month Tarot immersion program. Lindsay offers readings, healing sessions, and tarot classes from her apartment, but teaches in workshops across the country and is reachable for her services across the world through phone or Skype in addition to her travels.

1. First off, we’d just like to say that we love and admire your passion with which you help those suffering from mental, emotional, and physical distress. How do you feel you were drawn to this form of healing?

Honestly, how I serve is really no different from how I am in real life—lots of wisdom, warmth, and compassion with a few “motherfucks” thrown in. I keep it very real, very authentic to how I actually am. 

I feel that this work chose me. I never had any intentions of walking a healer’s path. In fact I wanted to be a performer, and did that for many years before being birthed into the initial phases of the work I'm doing now. It all came from choosing to stay alive through tremendous pain, trauma, and suffering, something I think that many healers share. 

I bought my first deck of Tarot cards at age 12 and never thought for a moment that it would become a part of my adult life. I was always someone people came to for advice and guidance, and I always was aware I was somewhat intuitive, but it never occurred to me that that was an option in terms of a life path. It was only after moving through a life-changing breakdown a few years ago that I chose to actually say yes to my gifts and embrace my path as a seer and a healer. It began with a click for me, that all of my trauma, all of the physical and emotional abuse I had endured throughout my life, all of the supposedly terrible, shattered pieces were actually forming this incredible whole. They became the foundation upon which my entire soul’s journey as a healer was built on. 

Everything I offer other people has come from being freed by it myself. I really surrendered to and embraced every dark, hellish thing I had been handed in my life as a gift and an opportunity to evolve. I just started to say yes to it all, and once I did, I started really healing and thriving. My tribe of clients soon followed, and the two still walk hand in hand. Tarot’s walked it's way back into my life and became the beautiful glue that binds it all together. My entire life transformed and continues to do so, all because I began to say yes and accept the issues that I had spent a lifetime trying to fix, neuter, eradicate, banish. I woke up to the fact that whatever arose in my inner landscape was a sacred teacher, one I could bow to and learn from. That's when I started to receive sacred offerings and began channeling my healing work. 

I had no idea of all that would happen—I simply wanted to be at peace with myself, so I embraced everything in me, and everything hence flowed from that intention. 

2. What is Tarot, exactly? What is your style for Tarot reading?

Stripped to numbers, the Tarot is a set of 78 cards—22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana—that are said to offer a visual range of the entire human experience. From deck to deck, there are different sets of images and archetypes used to provide the symbolism for the reading.

I myself facilitate an offering called Soul Tarot Readings. This is the intention to utilize the Tarot for the evolution of the soul, and for the continued disidentification from brain chemistry, old wounding, and the ego. Soul Tarot was born and channeled out of my own intimacy with my guides, my tarot deck, and my journey through deep healing. My practice continues to evolve with me, and the deeper I go, the richer the offering becomes.

3. How have Tarot cards helped you in your life?

I wouldn't be here without Tarot. The Tarot is the language I speak with God, and the visual representation of prayer for me. That sounds really out there, but it's true. It feels like a beloved pet, a guide and a friend. It brought Source and magic into my life when everything was dark. 

Tarot helps me to understand what I am evolving through in any given moment, and to trust in myself and to grow. When I was healing from PTSD and I didn't trust my own connection to my guides, Tarot served as the bridge. Now it has blossomed into the most incredible tool for me. I channel through it, I see life through it, and I have fun with it. My relationship with my deck literally helped to save my life. It's a language that just makes sense to me.

4. Can you tell us a little bit about Wild Soul Healing?

Wild Soul Healing is the name of my beloved wellness practice, under which I offer Soul Tarot Readings, Intuitive Coaching & Mentorship, and Soul Tarot Intensives and classes. Wild Soul Healing is also my heart’s mantra—it’s the drumbeat I walk to in my own life. I believe, to quote Sweet Medicine Nation, that “wildness is our first medicine”. When the soul feels wild and free, we are truly in alignment with Divine. When the nervous system is free of trauma and fight/flight/freeze, we are liberated to live in this wildness, which is synonymous with the truth of us. Our inner children, our wisest knowing, our sexuality, our laughter, our tears, our raw, messy, beautiful selves—all makes up the treasure that we can claim once we commit to a path of healing the wild soul. Everything I offer within Wild Soul Healing is intended to return back to that essence of us.

5. How would you describe a person’s “true soul path”?

It's here! You're on it! The true soul path is this very moment. It's just us, being as available as possible to master and evolve through the moments and situations we are currently in. It's actually the moment we try and figure out what our soul path that we start drifting away from it a bit. You don't have to find it; it's already here, waiting for you with open arms. 

Everything that we believe is a block or obstacle to the soul path IS the true soul path. It's whatever is inviting you to tea, so to speak, and it's usually the RSVP we are quickest to decline. Once we drop the notion that there's a problem with our current life, or that we have to “get on” our soul path (which the primal brain LOVES to think, by the way), we become available to effortlessly receive shifts, upgrades, and changes that are truly aligned with our highest and our best. At times, the soul path is rocky and dark as night. Sometimes it's so clear we can see for miles. It is wherever we happen to be moving through in this moment. It's all good medicine, no matter what. 

6. If you could give one gift to everyone in the world, what would it be?

I would give to each person an embodied knowing that feelings are not facts, and that they don't have to believe their thoughts. 

And a Chakrub. Everyone needs to own a Chakrub! 

7. Throughout all your travels, what has been the most interesting experience involving your work? Where did it take place?

Without question, the most interesting work experience I've ever was teaching at Sacred Tarot for the Wild Soul at Spirit Weavers Gathering in Mendocino, CA. It was a very profound experience to be able to serve so many women from all kinds of backgrounds, all of whom truly aligned with the material I was teaching. That there was so special for me to witness. Holding class outside on the grass, surrounded by redwoods, birds, and butterflies didn't hurt, either!

8. Who has been your best teacher in life? What has been the most valuable lesson that you have learned?

Hands down, my mentor and sacred teacher, Michelle Sinnette. She is a master, and has given me the keys to unlock everything I am on this path and more. I love and cherish her and her work deeply. I've also been profoundly impacted by the works of Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, Susun Weed, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Furthermore, I find that my own fears, traumas, anxieties, jealousies, and shadows have been the best guides and exemplary teachers.

I'm in the practice of intentionally saying yes to anything that arises in my inner landscape; alas, I think that the most valuable lesson to impart regarding teachers is that in any moment you are present, you have the greatest one available to you. Whether it's your child, an asshole in traffic, or an surge of grief, it's all walking you home. I thank Michelle for having absolutely locked this in for me. 

9. If you could choose one piece of wisdom to speak to all those in the depths of suffering, what would it be?

I would simply offer this quote by Rilke: 

“Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror. Just keep going; no feeling is final.”

10. How do you feel that people can benefit from a Tarot reading?

People can profit from a tarot reading in so many astounding ways. 

A good tarot reading offers truth, clarity, and empowerment. It holds a mirror up to our Divine nature. Tarot doesn't fix, cure, or tell the future, but is an excellent guide for the moment, so we can truly embrace the present from our heart. 

A great tarot reading can serve as a healing tool, and can truly help the nervous system and the body let go of some of the trauma and embrace more of freedom. It all depends on whatever is in the client’s highest and best. It's really an amazing experience, and one that can often be life changing. 

11. How often should someone consult a Tarot reader, in your opinion?

As often as they feel the call! Once every three months is a great baseline. 

12. What is the most misunderstood thing about spirituality (Tarot reading)?

In terms of Tarot, the biggest misconceptions are that you will be told your future or your fortune, that it will predict catastrophe, death, or divorce, even that all tarot readers are psychics or cheating you out of money...I could go on and on! 

13. What do you feel has been your greatest triumph as a spiritual guide?

That I don't feel like a spiritual guide. I just feel like a person, a person who is fucking blessed and honored to be able to walk a life of sacred service. It's a triumph for me that I've continued to do my own soul work consistently while working in this way. Sometimes I swing over into too much ego, but I'm knocked out of that pretty quickly by my guides. I am literally in a constant state of evolution, which is at once very uncomfortable and amazing! It's just my life rhythm. Honoring that has kept me very humble; it has kept my work very clean, ethical, honest, and ever-expanding. I'm delighted to be a raw, messy, imperfect human being, on this path with everyone else. Who the hell am I to be a guide if I'm not walking the same path as my students and clients? In truth, they’re just as much the teacher as I am. 

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Lindsay Mack is a Brooklyn based intuitive tarot reader who offers Soul Tarot readings, mentorship, coaching, and healing work. Visit her website to learn more, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. 

Lotus Lindley: Balance and Harmony with Essential Oils

Changing times. Shifting paradigms. Vibration on the rise. 

As the wave of awakening grows stronger, more of us are seeking to upshift our health, our vitality, and our consciousness.  Healing collectively, whether that be physical, emotionally, and spiritually is calling us all to rise to a new vibration of love and peace.

Essential oils, when they are pure, unadulterated, undiluted, sourced and harvested from the ideal conditions for each plant, and distilled with integrity, offer us potent plant medicine.  Essential oils are just one of the gifts Mother Earth offers us for our healing and on-going vitality. They are expressions of her love and intelligence for the natural world, including us, and are received harmoniously within our being on all levels. 

Essential Oils are perhaps one of the most potent forms of plant medicine we can receive. One drop of a pure essential oil is the equivalent of 50-70 times the potency of herbs. To clarify, 1 drop of Peppermint oil is equal to 28 cups of Peppermint tea!  This one drop of essential oil can support us on the cellular level, accessing millions of cells and all of our bodily systems.  

The properties and energies of essential oils run the full range of ‘anti’ properties such as anti-fungal, -parasitical, -bacterial, -inflammatory, -tumoral, -septic, etc. They can help in the elimination of pain, swelling, and mucous. For the endocrine system, we can be assisted in the balancing of hormones and support for proper organ function. As I began with Frankincense, a daily ritual for me is massaging 1 drop of this wisest oil along the throat to support thyroid function. We can practice preventative wellness and receive assistance for more acute issues when integrating essential oils into our daily lives.

Essential oils offer support to our body/mind/emotions/spirit, inviting all aspects of ourselves to come into a natural balance, harmony, and alignment with our Highest Self.  As a healer, I feel their energetics carry a wisdom and frequency which joyfully speaks to our heart and soul.

One of the most powerful essential oils for the brain and to support the functioning of the Pineal Gland, Frankincense is also one of the most revered, so it is worth mentioning more than once! Frankincense has and is being studied for its many healing effects. The saying goes, ‘when all else fails, turn to Frankincense.’ Studies for the brain show that there are extremely few substances that can cross the blood-brain barrier, without causing subsequent harm. Two of those substances are essential oils. Frankincense and Sandalwood.  Frankincense, when applied to the roof of the mouth, goes directly toward the Pineal Gland, supporting cell growth, rejuvenation, and assists in decalcification of this ever so important gland.  A beloved oil that we’re never without. 

Photo credit: Natalia Molina

I’d love to share some of my favorite recipes and ways to invite essential oils into your life. Bringing ourselves into the present moment with the process of blending and anointing helps to build a relationship with the energies of essential oils, so I usually don’t pre-make blends. Below I’m happy to offer the option for general pre-blending as well.

1) Pressure behind the eyes, head throbbing, desperately need to lie down, a growing feeling of ‘ikyness’ in the stomach? Yep, it’s the big M headache!

Basil. Lavender. Peppermint. Dollop of Carrier Oil (Almond, Jojoba, etc)

• Dime size dollop of carrier oil
• 1 drop of each in the palm of your hand.
• Gently rub hands together a time or two.
• Inhale deeply for 2 breaths.
• With finger tips, lovingly massage temples, Third Eye and along the brow.
• Next, massage into the ear bones (behind the ears) and then massage remainder at the base of the skull.
• Inhale again.
• Rest. Breathe. Be.

2) Can’t sleep?

Vetiver. Lavender. Patchouli.

• Use 3 drops Vetiver into your palm.
• Dip fingertip into Vetiver and apply first on the big toes, low back along the spine, back of the neck, temples, Third Eye.
• With remainder on hands, begin massaging into toes and soles of feet, then massage all the areas oil was applied.
• Next, add 2 drops of Lavender & 1 drop of Patchouli into palm.
• Gently rub together a time or two, then layer this application over the areas with the Vetiver.
• Inhale. Breathe. Be. Sleep.

3) Mid-day boost?

Wild Orange. Peppermint.

• 1 drop of each in the palm of the hand.
• Rub hands together gently & then breathe in deep a few times.
• Apply to soles of the feet if possible, and the back of the neck up along hairline at base of the scalp. Feel the coolness!
• Wild Orange offers a sense of abundance & joy.
• Peppermint invigorates the breath & mind.

*Citrus oils are photosensitive. Some people are sensitive if area of application is exposed to sunlight within 12-24 hours. If applying topically after inhalation, cover area or massage into an area of the body which is covered if you’re going to be out in the sun. *

4) Evening Skin Nourishing Rejuvenation

Frankincense Essential Oil. Carrier Oil ~ Almond, Fractionated Coconut, or Jojoba

• Wash face, rinse with cold water, pat dry.
• Gently massage carrier oil into face and neck.
• Add 1 drop of Frankincense into palms, massage into skin, then along neck and throat in an upward motion.

5) Miso Dressing for 2 (only pure EO’s can be used)

Chickpea Miso. Olive Oil. Apple Cider Vinegar. Spring Water. Lemon. Rosemary or Fennel or Basil Essential Oils

• 1 large table sp of Miso paste.
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• ½ cup Spring Water (or desired consistency)
• Thoroughly stir all ingredients.
• Add 1 drop Lemon. 1 drop of preferred Rosemary or Fennel or Basil Essential Oils
• Pour on Salad reaping health benefits and a tasty treat!

For pre-blending, this ratio is general. In a dark glass, 5 ml bottle, use 1% carrier oil to 2% Essential oil as a guideline.

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Lotus is certified in Yoga Nidra facilitation, as a Reiki Master, Oneness/Deeksha Giver, and AromaTouch Essential Oil Technique.  As a healer, she’s been working with private clients and in small intimate groups, since 2004. Her work includes emotional/somatic release, Shadow work, meditation, Shamanic Healing & Light Language Activations.

Lotus offers classes on Essential Oils and Healing sessions in Los Feliz, CA. Visit her website, The Art of Sacred Embodiment to learn more. Email her at lotuslindley@gmail.com.