Welcome to the Jungle

Well we are back from Costa Rica and what a transformational special time it was. One of things I love about travel is stepping into the unknown and letting go of being comfortable. Now I am not saying I always like to rough it but I mean letting go of comforts that are holding you back from change or evolution. You know going into the unfamiliar ,unpredictable,deep surrender and letting go of CONTROL. What are you hiding behind?

So as we traveled to the jungle really I had the opportunity of spending time in the jungle of my  Mind. Every morning I awoke at between the hours of 3:30 and 4 AM sometimes by choice but most often because of being in harmony with the nature of the rain-forest. Some nights there would be an intense rain in the forest pounding down on your tin roof then there is the howlers. Yes howler monkeys they sound like roaring lions and start around 4:30 every morning. This is the beauty you have no control. We have become so comfortable in life modifying our environments, our bodies ,and ultimately trying to modify others by control and exploitation. One of the beautiful things of our trip was the opportunity to live in harmony with all beings and that leads us to being in harmony with ourselves. There is no telling the howlers to stop being howlers,or telling the geckos to get out of your shower, or a spider to stop making its web. The beauty of all the creatures in Costa Rica was the there ability to be. You could understand this perfectly by watching all the dogs. There are plenty of dogs running around free. Totally tame , friendly, and off leash. Then you get it, you see how we want to control everything in our lives and environments and in others. The dogs in America are crazy. They don't have the ability to be a dog. I am guilty as charged too. Dogs are dogs yet we tell them to sit ,be quiet,don't chew this , do that,and don't do that. Control Control Control Now I am not saying the next time I see my dog eating my i phone I won't yell stop but it is something to think about. We denature everything even our selves.

Horses playing at Playa Punta Uva 

These horses randomly walked onto the beach by themselves one day and went for a swim then preceded to roll around in the sand.

So taking a good look into the jungle of our minds and our tendencies to control and denature ourselves,environments and others will lead us to real beauty and everlasting peace. What is truly beautiful? Living in harmony with ourselves and each other. Om Shanti Love

Festivals

Navaratri : 9 days and nights dedicated to Shakti!


Navaratri is one of my favorite festivals to celebrate.  These nine days are  a time to seek blessings, begin austerities , selfless service , and connect with your own divinity and divine feminine.  Depending on the individual you may fast taking only fruit and juices, or clean up your diet in general. This is a good time to transition to a vegetarian diet. I typically for the past 4 years have done fruit and a light meal after sunset which excludes all animal products, onions, garlic, and wheat.

The first three days Durga is worshipped

Durga is the fierce one creating boundaries and eliminating negative forces. You might do some Durga  mantra and let go of things no longer needed or in the way. Clearing space and ending or creating boundaries in relationships. Remember ultimately you are responsible for your own experiences if you feel like you are being taking advantage of or feeling negative. You have the choice of how and who you spend your time with.  Remember to treat others as you would like to be treated.
http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/mantras_mahalakshmi_mantra.htm

The next three are dedicated to Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance and prosperity. These three days you can meditate and use Lakshmi mantra for prosperity in the material and spiritual. Abundance of health and finances. Also having gratitude and the ability to see the abundance in which you already have. Remember you have to give in order to receive and it is best to give with out any expectations.
http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/mantras_mahalakshmi_mantra.htm

The last three days are dedicated to Saraswati :

Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom and learning. You may place your instruments or tools of work seeking blessings for inspiration,creativity,wisdom,and talent. Meditate on your goals and needs. You may use the Sarsawati mantra for exams and tests even. School children often use the mantra or image of Sarsawati. Remember the only thing that is truly ours and permanent is spiritual knowledge everything else comes to pass.
http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/mantras_saraswati_mantra.htm

I celebrate and give thanks for all the Divine Ma's in my life and all there forms. Jai Ma!

Favorite Places

Oak Wood Cemetery

I have been coming here since my late teens. It is a beautiful old cemetery that is extremely large . Has rolling hills and is perfect for walks and best of all quiet and peace. In college I would come here to study during the fall and late summer. I was once told by a women I met while walking our dogs that it reminded her of Tuscany because of the beautiful old trees and rolling hills. I take my dog here a couple times a week for off leash walks and he loves it as much as I do. Best of all it is Free and a little gem in Syracuse.

My Standby Salad

This is the salad I always tend to fall back on especially if in a time pinch . I also tend to make this for others a lot because they love it so much!

 Today I used butter lettuce because of it's lightness and a little easier for me to digest after doing liquids for the past few days. So any lettuce works then add :
 Dulse not flakes
 handful of Hemp Seeds
 1/2 Avocado or more
 Nutritional Yeast
 Olive Oil & Braggs Liquid Aminos to taste

Enjoy! xolorie

Kale Salad

Here is one of my favorite super quick fixes a kale salad.  To make start with a bunch of Kale rinse and cut.

I am using dinosaur kale here such a beautiful shade of emerald green. Put it in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil my favorite is oliviers & co. http://www.oliviersandco.com/FO/ Add a squeeze of half a lemon and celtic sea salt. Then I massage the kale with my hands like scrunching your hair : ) I end by mashing a avocado in this makes it really creamy. Delish 5 min raw wonder. My husband even likes it!

Lucuma

My new favorite power food and sweetener. Lucuma is a fruit of Peru. Looks very much like and avocado to me and is called the "egg fruit" because its consistency is that of a hard boiled egg. eeeww  but no worries we use the powder dehydrated raw organic form. It is very fibrous and so is high in dietary fiber. Also high in Iron and Calcium. It is often used in ice cream and chocolate or raw desert dishes. I just made raw coconut Lucuma  yogurt last night,stay posted for that :) I also use it in my blends or shakes.