The Shakti School

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What Your Gut is Trying to Tell Your Heart

What your gut is trying to tell your heart - Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health.

Understanding your emotions and what they mean for your health

A gut feeling is an instinctive, intuitive feeling, without any logical rationale. It’s very common to hear people using the saying gut feeling, but on what level do we really understand the connection between the gut and our emotions? How often are you treating your heart’s longings for an issue you may be experiencing in your digestion? With the ongoing amount of research and development on the inner workings of the microbiome, there are hundreds of ways to help to create a healthy gut. Especially when we turn to Ayurveda. Ayurveda is all about healing the digestive system and the practices, dietary guidelines and herbal remedies have been meticulously put together for thousands and thousands of years to do just that, so why doesn’t it always work? 

The digestive system has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system. It has over 100 million nerve endings and in many ways, it can control digestion independently without your conscious awareness. The enteric nervous system has been nicknamed our "second brain.” This gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication. In fact, 95 percent of serotonin is found in the gut! This bidirectional pathway is referred to as the brain-gut axis and involves moment-to-moment communication to control digestion. Loyolamedicine

The gut-brain is intimately connected to our "big brain" via a network of nerve pathways and the two nervous systems share many of the same neurotransmitters to facilitate communication.

The gut-brain communication is so closely linked that when we experience a state of dis-ease, stress, heart ache or any other negative emotion that feeling gets signaled through bidirectional nerve pathways to the gut that then causes an upset or imbalance. In return, if such emotions aren’t addressed the gut can then take on the problem and send its own signal to the brain causing a vicious cycle of imbalance and possibly some unwanted digestive issues. 

So, how do we become more connected to the instinctual and intuitive gut feeling when it comes to the matters of the heart? It starts with getting to your Self and falling in love with your Self. Katie talks a lot about self love (especially in Ayurveda School) and has defined it by how capacious we are at actually liking our funny, quirky, silly little inner child. Self-love happens when we know who she is, how she’s been hurt, and when we are gentle with her through the steps towards healing. 

Self love is also about taking the time to listen and the space to feel. When we don’t give ourselves enough space, solitude, and quiet it’s more difficult to tap into our inner wise woman-- this is the woman who has a healthy gut! Have you ever noticed that when you are relaxed and in a place that makes you happy surrounded by people you feel at ease with (often happens on long vacations) magically your gut issues seem to improve? We are unable to tap into the depths of our wisdom and the place of true self love when we are in a constant state of fight or flight.

Seek out ways to ground yourself. Do the practices that help you feel the most relaxed. Breathe in self love with every breath. Practice daily meditations, affirmations, or prayer. Be in the arms of nature. Do not give up on yourself and stay diligent with monitoring how you speak to your Self. And, consider joining us in Ayurveda School 2022 where we will discuss ALL about the gut, brain, and heart connection and so much more.

Greens for the Gut & Potatoes for the Heart

An Ayurvedic Green Recipe for Gut Health.

For the Greens

1 large bunch of dandelion (finely chopped)

1 cup of finely chopped kale (or any other green of your choice)

1 tbsp fresh ginger (diced)

1 tbsp of olive oil or ghee

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

In a medium sized saute pan over medium heat, add the oil and spices, and let simmer for a few minutes. Next, add the greens and cover with a lid. Let the greens cook for about 15 minutes while periodically stirring and covering with the lid. If the greens are sticking you can add a little water (this will also help to steam the greens). 

 

For the Potatoes

1 cup of fingerling potatoes (halved)

1 tbsp ghee

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried) 

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until the potatoes are completely covered with the oil and spices. Next, transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. (Option to do in a saute pan: follow the same directions as for the greens) 

The greens and potatoes are great on their own, but feel free to top with your favorite protein source to make this a complete meal. 

Potato recipe for the hearth.
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The Star of the Weeds: The Dandelion (Recipe!)

Dandelion Pesto

The Star of the Weeds: The Dandelion

The common weed that often springs up willingly in your lawn or garden, the dandelion, is actually one of the best things you could be eating in addition to all of your other springtime foods. In the plant kingdom the proper terminology for the dandelion is Taraxacum. I like this because it makes me think of the hindu goddess, Tara. Tara is known as one of the wisdom goddesses and is a form of Shakti. Tara, like the goddess Kali, helps to slay all of our inner demons! Like the goddess Tara, the dandelion acts similarly in its ability to remove and clear toxins out of the body. Tara also stems from the root word star which also channels the Dandelion perfectly: the star of all the weeds.

The Dandelion is so incredible because it’s loaded with properties that help to boost your immunity and overall wellness. It’s packed with vitamins (A, B complex, and C) and minerals (iron, potassium, and zinc) and it is because of its tremendous healing properties that it has been used in many and differing ancient medicinal practices as a liver tonic, a digestive tonic, and even a skin tonic. It can also help with water retention with its natural ability to pull fluid from the body.

Benefits of Dandelion

  • Decreases Water Retention and Bloating The dandelion has diuretic properties that help to relieve fluid from the body
  • Detoxes the Liver The polysaccharides in dandelion help to detoxify the liver
  • Blood Detoxifier The vitamins and minerals in the dandelion plant help to filter and cleanse the blood
  • A Powerful Antioxidant with its heavy beta-carotene content
  • Prevents UVB Sun Damage The flower of the Dandelion and the lead actually help with oxidative stress from the sun and can help to reduce aging skin

Dandelion was used for its therapeutic benefits in Native American practices for the skin and the stomach. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it’s used for combating inflammation, stomach ailments, and detoxification. In Ayurveda dandelion is most used in detoxification, liver cleansing, and for kapha dosha imbalances. It is best used in the springtime when excess kapha has accumulated from the winter. 

Dandelion is bitter in flavor and can be used in a variety of culinary dishes. It’s so delicious sauteed with a little ghee and spices, brewed as a tea, or (my personal favorite) made into a pesto! Check out this amazing dandelion pesto recipe below. 

Dandelion Pesto

5

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of dandelion (chopped)
  • 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts) 
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated) 
  • *option to substitute vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast here
  • 2 cloves of garlic 
  • ¼-½ cup of olive oil 
  • Juice from ½ a lemon
  • 1 tsp sea salt 

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high powered blender or food processor *except for the parmesan. Blend until it has reached your desired consistency. Add in the parmesan and blend until it is fully incorporated. 

Add to your favorite pasta dish, salad, or use a dip! 

Resources:

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The Power of Healthy Digestion

The Power of Healthy Digestion

A simple approach to feel and look amazing

Have you ever had those days where you wake up feeling amazing? There is a lightness in your step, your hair seems to look especially good, and your skin is glowing? And, then the very next day you have the opposite experience? You wake up feeling sluggish, a little puffy, and your hair is oddly oily or too dry, and things seem to upset you easily? Most likely the glorious day you had before also started off with the perfect poop. Yeah, that’s right, I said it. Poop.

Of course there can always be many other contributing factors at play here, but oftentimes it is our digestion that determines how we feel, how we look, and how we see our inner and outside world.

In Ayurveda, digestion is all about agni. When your digestion is strong your agni is strong. And, when agni is strong, you can easily tap into that glorious flow state. A flow state is when you are in the zone. It’s when your mental clarity is at its peak, you feel vibrant, full of life, and your shakti is lit up. When your digestive system is weakened it becomes much more difficult to follow through with daily tasks and your energy is usually pretty tanked. In Ayurveda, this is associated with an excess of ama. Ama is anything toxic that accumulates in the body. You can think of it as the sludge that slows down digestion. It is only when we are free from ama that we are able to digest our food properly and therefore we can more easily digest our life.

So, how do you clear ama and get the perfect poop? First it is helpful to determine what imbalances may be present within your actual stool. We love what John Dilliard published over at the Life Spa on The Perfect Poop. I highly suggest looking at the chart he created in order to do your own stool analysis. This will help give you a better idea of how to move forward with your dietary choices based off of your individual dosha.

It is important that you are properly assimilating the foods you eat. Your morning movement (the one you do in the bathroom) shouldn’t be too loose, difficult to pass, and it should be free of all food particles. If you fall into either of these categories, you most certainly will want to focus on optimizing your digestion. It’s also possible that your morning movement could look totally normal, but your energy is still lagging behind. In these cases I would still suggest trying out some of the habits and tips mentioned below for increasing your digestive fire.

Food should make you feel sexy

When your gut is off - your brain is off, and most likely, you won’t feel quite yourself. Ever heard of the term gut feeling? The gut and the brain are in constant communication. There’s tons of research to support that having a healthier gut leads to an increase in mood, clearer thinking, and reduces the risk of depression and anxiety. (The Psychobiotic-Revolution: Science Gut Brain Connection)

So, how can you amplify your digestion today? 

  • Sip on warm water or herbal tea throughout the day 
  • Add spices like cumin, fennel, and coriander to your meals
  • Chew on ginger before/after meals
  • Consider taking Triphala at bedtime
  • Consider seasonal cleanses
  • Move your body
  • Abyhanagha 
  • Manage Stress

And...

  • Address food sensitivities 
  • Avoid cold beverages
  • Avoid negative emotions or excessive thinking
  • Avoid eating in excess or emotional eating 
  • Avoid cheese or other heavy dairy products
  • Avoid drinking too much (especially caffeine & alcohol)

The healing tradition of Ayurveda is very tuned into this concept of healthy digestion. So much of our well being (if not all) depends upon how easily we can digest the things around us. If there is a threat to our physical, emotional, or spiritual environment the state of our digestion will surely be affected. But, through careful attention and possibly a few lifestyle changes, we can improve the state of our digestion and the state of our being. When things are moving more freely through us we will always be able to move freely through our lives.

Shop our Favorite Digestive Aids

Banyan Detox Digest

Banyan Triphala

Banyan Cleanse Bundle

For Banyan Botanicals use code KATIE15 for 15% off at checkout

Prior Living Chyawanprash Use code SHAKTISCHOOL for 25% off

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The Brain, Gut, and Heart

The Brain, Gut, and Heart

Our Gateways into Resetting for the New Year

Every year around all parts of the globe there are celebrations of a new year. In America, it falls on the first of January with the common expectation to set some sort of a resolution for the new calendar year ahead. As I’ve mentioned in my monthly Shakti Letter every January, I don’t really love the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Instead of setting resolutions, I like to think about setting goals that will support any idea of a resolution. For example, if you don’t want to binge eat ice cream every night, rather than restricting ice cream all together, why not integrate a mindfulness practice to cultivate more presence with your behavioral patterns?

Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript oƒ a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that.
Rumi

You are your biggest resource when it comes to getting more of what you want. The key is being connected to your higher self, the part of you that intuitively knows what is best for you and your success. One of the best ways to reconnect to your higher self, is to do a full body reset. The reset is intended to stoke your internal fire (your metabolic processes) and the fire of your soul. These tips and practices will activate your spirit while also allowing the body to find more space for restfulness, ease, and clarity. This kind of reset can be done at any time of the year (and multiple times throughout the year).

Reset Your Gut 

This will look differently for each person, but a very simple way to reset the gut and break bad habits around food, is to commit to eating real and whole foods. Ditch the sugar all together and focus on foods that are as closest to their natural form as possible. Cook your own food and eat in a way that works for you. Try for Ayurveda-focused eating: eat with the season, eat for what’s going on in your life, and eat for your body type (not your best friend’s body type, your sister’s or your husbands).

In general, aim to boost Agni (digestive fire). Add digestive spices to all your dishes (fennel, coriander, cumin, and ginger). Eat light. Eating light does not mean fasting. It’s fully possible to eat grounding and nourishing foods while also eating light. Give your digestion a break. Create longer gaps between meals. Consider eating your largest meal earlier in the day and go lighter in the evening (simple soup or broth).

Carrot and Soup

Take Triphala (use code KATIES15 for 15% off). Triphala is the sacred trio in Ayurveda composed of the dried fruits amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki, and can be super helpful in getting your digestion in check and the whole body operating more functionally.

Move your body in the morning. Dry brushing, stretching, and oil massage will help to get the lymph circulating and the internal organs stimulated which will help with digestion and energy production.

Reset Your Brain

One of my favorite teachers, Tara Brach, said,

 “In moments of presence is when we reconnect with goodness” 

Goodness is a positive brain state. It’s when we can be in a flow state, when we are productive, and most energetically alive. How can you best find your connection to goodness? You may already know what activities bring you into your own innate goodness (and if you do, do more of those). But, for most people, these are some practices that are bound to help.

Reset Your Brain

Explore meditation. Even just five minutes a day can drastically improve the quality of your day. In life we are in a continuous flow of remembering and forgetting (our higher self). When we take time to slow down we often come back to remembering.

Immerse yourself in nature. Take a long walk, go to a park, or find a mountain and get to the top!

Try a week-long digital detox. This is such a great way to get more centered in your True Self. Unfortunately, as a society we’ve become far too addicted to devices and distraction. It’s essential that you find your own healthy limit with how much energy you invest in mindless scrolling. Exercise for you. Again, stick to what works for you. What makes you feel the most alive and full of energy afterwards when it comes to movement practices? Maybe it’s daily stretching, taking a walk, or maybe you have a lot of Kapha energy and need a morning run. Whatever it is, do some sort of movement that elevates your energy.

Reset Your Heart

Matters of the heart can be difficult to heal. And more often than not it takes a lot of time. By resetting the gut and the brain first, you will have better luck when it comes to healing the heart. If you are experiencing any trauma related emotions, it is best to work with a professional in somatic experience who can help you navigate that space.

Manage your stress levels. This is something you can start doing now. Stress plays a huge role in emotional well being (which also leads to a lot of physiological effects as well). When we are stressed, we are disconnected. Become more familiar with the ways you disconnect so that you can best prepare yourself for when it comes up.

Take time for prayer. Praying doesn’t have to be a religious act. Prayer can be mantra reciting, it can be through repetition of a positive affirmation, or it can look totally different.

Keep a journal and write in it. Getting your thoughts on paper will help you to sort through your emotional hang ups or will simply help to process the day. It is in journaling when I gain some of my best inspiration.

Manage your time + make the time to unwind and relax. In our go, go, go society there can often be pressure associated with non-stop doing. Push against this societal norm and make space for doing nothing. It is in that space where you will be able to find stillness, your body can decompress, and your heart will have the time to heal and make peace. Check out this Inner Bliss Meditation to start finding ease and more aliveness in the heart.

Reset Your Heart

And, Sleep! 

High quality sleep is vital for optimal brain function, heart health, mood, hormones, and the list can go on and on. It’s crucial for resetting your whole nervous system into a state of balance and resiliency. And it’s not just about the amount of sleeping hours you get in a night, but the quality of your sleep too. The largest sleep study ever conducted (on 1.1 million people) showed that it’s quality, not quantity, that matters most. (1) And, at least half of all Americans say they suffer from insomnia, and nearly 9 million are using prescription sleep medication. (2)

To jumpstart your sleep, start by limiting the use of blue light at night. These are my favorite Blue Light Blockers. Turn off the screens three hours before bedtime.

Up your healthy fats. Make sure you are getting enough healthy sources of fat throughout the day: avocado, olive oil, ghee, and fish oils are all great sources.

Ditch the caffeine and alcohol + add in the magnesium. I know this can be hard, but higher amounts of coffee and alcohol really disrupt the quality of sleep. Try it out for a month and see how you feel. Replace your evening nightcap with a warm Ojas Nightly Tonic from Lifespa.

Finding ways to reset your system will be super helpful year round (sometimes even mini resets throughout each day). We are learning to lean into these times of uncertainty and uncertainty can be a really difficult realm to navigate. The key is to be present. When we are present in each moment it’s easier to make decisions in our day to day life. As human beings it is our habit and condition to want life to be different when life isn’t easy. The truth is life will always be uncertain, so it’s all about how you set yourself up for success and respond to it.

By finding ways to focus and connect to presence, love, and your inner spirit you will be guided with much more awareness and acceptance of what’s to come.

 

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010336/

https://aasm.org/cdc-analysis-finds-low-rate-of-prescription...

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db127.pdf

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All About Coffee

COFFEE blog

How to Biohack Your Morning Cup of Coffee, Caffeine Alternatives That Actually Taste Good, & Why Cutting Out Caffeine Could Help Save Your Hormones

Did you say Coffee? Heck yes, of course I love coffee. I don’t know many people who don’t. Especially when it’s paired with your favorite creamy frothed nut milk, full fat coconut cream, or a little raw honey and a dash of cinnamon. Wait a second, isn’t this article supposed to help me get off the coffee craze?!  Well, kind of. The key is not to completely eliminate your favorite beverage all together. We want to help you find new (and perhaps tastier) ways to consume your favorite stimulant, but it’s possible that after reading this you might be excited to try other alternatives. The point is that you are choosing a morning beverage that is supportive and balancing to your individual health while also maintaining the rituals that you love.

Caffeine, like any strong stimulant, is highly addictive. This is why it can become increasingly difficult when it comes to limiting your consumption. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing is never really all that good. There is a famous quote in the Bhagavad Gita explaining, "that which seems like nectar at first, eventually will taste like poison.” The key is finding the appropriate balance and applying moderation to everything you choose to take into your body. Finding balance will differ from person to person and is best discovered after you have first eliminated the stimulant, allowed for a detox period, and then slowly added it back in. (This goes for most foods and allergens). Another way to determine whether or not you tolerate coffee is through genetic testing. It might sound extreme, but genetic testing can give you a lot of insight to what’s going on internally. However, I’ve found that the elimination method is super effective. It is only then that you can really figure out where your sweet spot is and whether or not you’re overdoing it with your caffeine intake.

Overloading your system with caffeine can lead to some unwanted negative side effects to your health. Caffeine, especially coffee, elevates your cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone) which can wreak havoc on your endocrine system (especially if you are a woman). And, when your hormones are out of whack this can then lead to a lot of other issues like: sleep disturbances, weight gain or a stall in weight loss, PMS, increased anxiety, increased blood pressure, and that unwanted jittery feeling.

Ugh, sounds like a lot right? 

The good news is there are SO many amazing coffee alternatives out there with tremendous benefits to your health. Once you get past your initial caffeine withdrawal you might even like your new replacement beverage even better than your usual beloved cup of coffee.

Our Favorite Coffee Alternatives

Rasa Original Herbal Coffee: Backed by Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rasa herbal blends are packed with herbs and adaptogens to give you more wakeful energy without stressing out your nervous system. Also in Rasa’s line up:

LAKA Matcha Green Tea: Although green tea still has caffeine is has significantly less and it also includes L-Theanine which helps to calm the nervous system

Paavani Hydrating Blend: Another ayurvedic herbal alternative. They have also a nice Rooibos Tea

Four Sigmatic Reishi Cocoa Blend & Foursigmatic Matcha Green Tea

  • For 10% OFF Four Sigmatic with promo code SHAKTIFOUR

If You're Still Going to Drink Coffee...

Don’t worry, there is an upside to all of this. The good news is that it is true there are some benefits to drinking small amounts of coffee. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid which is the main component contributing to it being a good source for antioxidants. Additionally, studies continuously show that drinking coffee increases your lifespan, aids in liver detoxification, increases insulin sensitivity and improves beta cell function, and not to mention it leaves you with a little boost.

If you have determined that you can tolerate coffee (through elimination and reintroduction or by testing your genetics), you still want to be extra careful when it comes to which coffee you choose and how you prepare it. If you’re not ready to kick coffee to the curb, here are some helpful tips:

  • Always Buy Organic: Non-organic coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Those narly chemicals & pesticides go straight into your morning brew and have an affinity for female reproductive organs.
  • Always Buy Mold-Free: Unfortunately, coffee is one the #1 food item in the grocery store that is highly susceptible to mold. Make sure to do your research on your favorite roasts to ensure that you’re drinking the cleanest coffee possible. Many coffee companies are starting to advertise for mold testing.
  • Choose darker roasts: darker blends actually have the least amount of caffeine
  • Don’t Filter Out the Healthy Oils: Using a metal filter, a french press, or any other brewing method where you’re not losing the oils to a paper strainer (those oils are the source of antioxidants
  • Use Spring Water
  • Properly Store Your Coffee: Coffee beans are best stored in an opaque, airtight container, not in the freezer or stored in glass on your kitchen counter. Coffee is highly absorbent so it’s best to keep it away from moisture, sunlight, oxygen, or other odors that could diminish the benefits of your coffee.
  • Consider Adding Fat: Blending your coffee with fat such as grass-fed butter or coconut oil may help to avoid a blood pressure spike which could also cause  an increase in cortisol.

Our Favorite Coffee Products

Herbal Cacoa Latte
(can also be made with coffee 😉

-1 cup of hot rasa coffee (or your favorite mold-free coffee)  

-1 tablespoons organic cacao powder

-1 tablespoon coconut butter 

-1 tablespoon cashew butter

-1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon 

-1 scoop of collagen (optional)

-¼ cup of warm nut milk (optional) 

-A tiny dash of cardamom

Place all ingredients in a high powered blender, blend on high for 15 seconds, pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

Herbal Cacoa Latte

References

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Aphrodisiac Sweet Potato Sex Bomb Brownie Bites

Aphrodisiac Sweet Potato Sex Bomb Brownie Bites

A treat for you and your loved one...

My girl, ya know what’s missing in your kitchen today? Some of these sexy dark chocolate brownie bites. Every now and then (especially in my luteal phase) I start to crave a little bit of decadence, a little bit of mouth pleasure, and a little more magnesium too. Raw cocoa is one of nature’s superfoods and it’s here to make you feel so GOOD.

Did you know there is actually scientific evidence showing that dark chocolate (without sugar) is a powerful antioxidant which by consuming can help to improve your hormones, reduce bloating, and soothe the spirit?! (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696435/)

Eating a little dark chocolate is also a perfect way to spark a little playfulness with your lover before heading to the bedroom.

If you don’t believe me, make them for yourself and let us know how it goes.

Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium large sweet potato (cooked and mashed)
  • 1 egg (or substitute a “chia egg”: 1 Tbsp chia seeds + 2 Tbsp water, stir, and let sit for 5 min)
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • ⅓ cup coconut flour
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (or ghee)
  • ¼ cup raw cocoa
  • 5 pitted dates (you can also use coconut sugar or maple syrup)
  • ½ cup raw cocoa chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 tsp celtic salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp Ashwagandha
  • Optional Add ins: ½ cup of Raspberries (fresh or dried) ½ cup crushed macadamia nuts

Directions:

  • In a food processor add your mashed sweet potato, dates, spices, and almond butter. Process until smooth.
  • Meanwhile in a medium saucepan melt your oils and the raw cocoa on low
  • Once the oils have melted, transfer your ingredients from the food processor to a large mixing bowl, add your egg, flour, and remaining ingredients and mix well with a fork. Slowly pour in the oils. You want your mixture to be pretty thick, so you may need to add a tiny bit more oil or coconut flour depending on what your consistency is.
  • Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips and any other optional add ins (like nuts or berries)
  • Transfer to an 8 inch pan lined with parchment paper, bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
  • Let cool for about 2 hours before serving

Special Ingredients We Used

Raw Cocoa Chocolate Chips from Hu Gems Chocolate

Sun Potion Ashwagandha

Sun Potion Anandamide

Sprouted Almond Butter from Better Almond Butter

Ahara Ghee

Use promo code THESHAKTISCHOOL at checkout for 10% off your order at Ahara Rasa.

Bowl of ingredients
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The Best Beauty Secret: Clean Water & Why We Need It

Water Secrets

Clean water is essential for good health. All of our cells need water to survive. It helps regulate our body temperature, flush out toxins, keeps our skin clear, and we literally cannot live without it. Dr. Jack Kruse, who is a highly respected neurosurgeon, CEO of Optimized Life, a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Age Management Medicine Group, has likened water to

“life’s battery”

He says, “It keeps our body energized and our systems functioning properly. Good water increases our exclusion zone (EZ), or the area where energy transfers take place for cell functioning, thus improving blood flow and our redox potential. The bigger the exclusion zone, the better the energy transfer.”

Basically, having clean water is how we reduce oxidative stress and it gives our cells energy, so it's essential to our biological thriving.

Goddess Drinking Water

Have you ever poured a glass of water from the tap and thought, “yuck, what the heck is this?” I know I definitely have. Unfortunately, for many of us, our tap water is some of the most tainted we could consume. Not only is it unpleasant to drink, it’s loaded with highly toxic chemicals like fluoride, chlorine, bromide, and many other narley substances that can cause some major damage to your health. The U.S. Geological Survey tested water in nine different states across the United States in urban and suburban areas. This survey found traces of 85 different man made chemicals! Among these were household and industrial chemicals, pesticides, medications, and many other hormone disrupting pharmaceuticals. One of those being birth control. Remember our recent blog on estrogen dominance? If there’s traces of birth control in our water supply then we are definitely being affected by some unwanted estrogen disruptors.

These super harmful chemicals are overloading our country’s water supply leaving tap water, and even some filtered bottled water, basically toxic and wreaking havoc on our health. Some of the big offenders are fluoride and chlorine. Unfortunately, fluoride is a highly toxic chemical compound that can cause cancer, neurological impairment, lower IQ in children, and cause learning disorders. Chlorine is another and even more common chemical found in our water supply. Not only is it in our pools (where we soak it up through our skin) but, like fluoride, it is also found in city tap water. Exposure to chlorine can cause cell wall damage, autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, and many other detrimental health concerns.

How do I test my water?

There are a few different ways to go about testing your water. A very quick and simple way is to visit the website below, plug in your zip code, and see what’s lurking in your water. This site should give you plenty of information to feel well informed about what’s in your water and it also provides a helpful chart to help determine which filters are best for certain chemicals. Another option is to purchase the Allora Water Test Kit. This kit seems to be one of the best and most affordable water test kits on the market. It’s not too expensive and will give you a much more thorough analysis of your water. If you are drinking from a well, this is the kit I would recommend.

City Tap Water Resource: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/search-results.php?zip5=11233&searchtype=zip

Allora Water Test Kit: https://www.alloratestkits.com.au/shop/

Where can I get clean water or what are the best filters for my tap?

Spring Water

Spring water is some of the best water for your health and is also the tastiest. It is harvested from natural or artisanal mountain springs where the water rushes over rocks, crystals, and is exposed to a diverse natural ecosystem making the water full of minerals that are vital to your health. It can be difficult to find a local spring, but in many rural (and even some urban) areas they are out there. If you do find a spring, make sure that you test it first. You can also purchase spring water at most local grocery stores, but an even better option would be a spring water delivery service.

Reverse Osmosis Filter

Drinking water that has gone through a reverse osmosis filter is going to be your number one healthiest option when it comes to installing a filter in your home. Contrary to many other filters, reverse osmosis filters get rid of most all the chemicals and pesticides from dirty tap water (even glyphosate). This is our favorite reverse osmosis filter. It’s easy to use and doesn’t cost nearly as much as converting your entire home.

Our favorite reverse osmosis filter: AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Filter

Should I add minerals to my water?

Yes! After filtering your water, you've gotten rid of the toxic chemicals, but you’ve also gotten rid of any good minerals that were in the water (if there were any). The best way to remineralize your water is simply by adding some celtic sea salt. You can also remineralize by adding some quinton waters or trace liquid minerals.

Check these out:

Celtic Sea Salt

Quinton Waters

Trace Liquid Minerals

What about Hydrogen tablets?

Yes! It has been shown that adding hydrogen tablets to your water can help to prevent, reverse, or alleviate many health conditions due to its ability to function as an antioxidant or an anti-inflammatory. It has also been proven to increase your energy metabolism. We love to use hydrogen tablets especially while traveling, during stressful times, or after intense exercise.

Save with code SHAKTI for 10% off molecular hydrogen tablets: Vital Reactions Hydrogen Tablets

We love doing what we can to help make a difference in support of cleaner lands and water supply. If you are in a giving mood and would like to donate to a good cause, the Thirst Project is doing amazing things all around the world to help supply different communities with healthy drinking water. Just $25 gives one person safe, clean drinking water for life!!!

Donate for Clean Water: https://www.thirstproject.org/donate/

And, as our good friend Karen always says,

“Go drink water and be nice to people.”

Goddess Drinking Water2

References 

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Fatty Balls Recipe

FattyBalls1

In Ayurveda, fat is seen as an important nurtient because of it's role in keeping the body lubricated and hydrated. All the doshas can benefit from adding fat to their diet. You don’t want too much, but you don’t want too little either. Fat helps to fuel your brain, aids in keeping your internal organs functioning optimally, and it also helps to keep your hormones in balance.

Did you know that the human brain is made up of 60 percent fat?

A recent study from the National Library of Medicine, found that fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain's integrity and ability to perform. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20329590)

As always, we love getting our nutrients through whole food sources. So, when it comes to fat we are looking at things like: avocados, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, organic pasture-raised egg yolks, raw nuts and seeds, and even dark chocolate. Certain fats you want to avoid are things like: highly processed vegetable oils, butter and other meat products that aren’t organic and grass fed, non-organic nut/seed butters, and any other processed trans fats from foods like packaged baked goods, margarine, and fried foods.

In addition to fueling your brain, boosting your mood, and keeping your organs lubricated, fat is also an incredible source of energy and will keep you full for longer. That’s why these “fatty balls” are my favorite go-to snack when I’m in a hurry and need an extra boost. (if kept cool, they're a great snack for hiking/physical activity because they're filling and give you energy 😉

These are SO easy to make, contain only the healthiest ingredients, have no sugar, and are stupid good.

Fatty Balls Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut shreds
  • 1/3 c. coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup coconut butter
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup pepitas
  • 1/2 cup walnuts (brazil nuts or macadamia nuts work great too)
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 2 tbsp cacao nibs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 1/3 c. almond milk (optional)

*optional add ins: chia seeds, marine (or grass fed beef) collagen powder

Directions

This recipe is super simple to make. All you need is a food processor or a high powered blender.

*  Place all ingredients in your food processor. Pulse or blend on high until they reach your desired consistency. We like ours to be pretty well blended with maybe a few crunchy chunks here and there.

*  After making the batter, you may need to let it firm up just a bit in the fridge in order to form your balls (usually takes about 10 min). After that you are ready to form the balls into any size you like. Keep in mind the size you want and where you'll be consuming them.

*  This is our favorite part of the process: toppings! It’s easiest if you put the toppings in small bowls in order to fully cover the balls. (Don’t you love how many times we've used the word balls?)  We use either cocoa nibs, hemps seeds, or cinnamon (sometimes all three). But, feel free to get creative. Crushed rose petals or shredded coconut works well too.

*  After you’ve topped your balls, place them in the fridge (or freezer) again and let them get a little firm — now they should be ready to eat! For best consistency store them in the fridge or your cooler bag when on the go.
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