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healthy lifestyle

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 

  • https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/search-results.php?zip5=11233&searchtype=zip
  • https://jackkruse.com/setting-up-your-water-system/
  • https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/birth-control-in-water-supply/
  • https://waterandwellness.com/pages/aquatru
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725814000941?via%3Dihub
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Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide

Tis' the season to love and to give. As we live the darkest days of the year, we all become little Santas in our own right. Making things cheery and bright with our spirit. Our entire society is based off the goodwill of neighbors and giving. Do onto others as you would have done onto you. This is where the social contract begins.

I want to touch on giving, because our culture is obsessed with shopping. Can we not buy so many presents this year? Maybe just a few. Treat your mom and your closes relatives with thoughtful presents, that's it.

Below you'll find curated love from our whole team. With love and so much joy, Merry Yuletide and Happy Hanukkah!!

Charitable Giving

There are a couple of special organizations that I want to introduce you to. They will make your heart leap with joy in a lasting way like no Amazon shipment can:

The Grandmother's Council: represents a global alliance of thirteen indigenous grandmothers whom through prayer and education offer healing for our Mother Earth and protection for the indigenous ways of life.

Thistle Farms: offers natural bath/body/home products. Your purchase directly supports women who have survived trafficking, prostitution and domestic abuse. They are made by survivors and support survivors.

She's The First: they provide support to girls who will be the first in their families to graduate from high school. 2/3 of the world's illiterate adults are women. We must spread education to women in all parts of the world to ensure equality and the survival of our species.

Compassion Collective: they support motherless children. It started in 2016 to help displaced and orphaned Syrian children and they now have a program to help homeless American youth.

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For The Readers

Check out our curated library of our favorites reads on yoga, Ayurveda, health, motherhood and more!

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The Gift of Learning

Give the gift of knowledge and wisdom with Lineage of Love Gift Cards, or pay for a friend's Ayurveda School tuition.

Gift 1 to 12 month of the our movement, yoga and holistic lifestyle membership with Lineage of Love Gift Cards.

Ayurvedic Wellness Coach

A year-long deep dive into the heart of women's healing traditions with Ayurveda School. If you'd like to gift someone the tuition for this program, please write us at [email protected].

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Shakti School Swag

  • A Signed Copy of Glow-Worthy by Katie Silcox

    $30.00
    Add to cart
  • A Signed Copy of Healthy, Happy, Sexy by Katie Silcox

    $35.00
    Add to cart
  • ​ALBUM: Red by Shakti Posse

    $9.99
    Buy Your Copy
  • ​Mantra Unlocked: Sacred Sounds for Practice

    Purchase on Amazon
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Shakti School's Digital Workshops

Download and take these on the go with you

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For the Health Enthusiast

Gifts for the health nerds in your life

Vitamix 3500

Aqua Tru Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

Cast Iron Skillet

Stag Electric Kettle

Earth Grounding Mat

Le Creuset Signature Enamel Dutch Oven

The best sleep mask

Blue light protecting glasses

RMS Living Luminizer

Organic Make-up Signature Set

Magic Dewey Luminizer

Signature Dark Chocolate Bar

(great stocking stuffer!)

Keto Cups

(great stocking stuffer!)

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How to Get Sexy Skin and Feel Like a Goddess

Ayurveda says that self-massage is essential for radiant health and youthful glow. Why?

Whether you make time for a quick foot massage before bed, or you can get into the routine of a deep 10-20 minute self massage before your shower, massaging with our Ayurvedic, herb-infused oils will better your daily life by ridding you of accumulated toxins and coating your body with a layer of love. In fact, the word for oil in Sanskrit is sneha, or “love.”

There are other significant benefits of doing self-massage with good oils.

Here are some to try:

Vata Massage Oil: This rejuvenating oil is a synergistic blend of nine herbs, including ashwagandha, bala and passionflower. The certified organic herbs nourish and ground vata, supporting vitality and vigor. Vata Massage Oil is made from a base of organic sesame and olive oils. These oils warm and lubricate the delicate vata system. Ayurveda highly recommends a daily self-massage to restore calm and provide strength.

Sleep Easy Oil: This calming oil brings you powerful Ayurvedic herbs that promote healthy sleep patterns and deep rest and relaxation.  Healthy sleep patterns are crucial as they allow the body to restore and rejuvenate while letting the mind process, learn and de-stress.  This cooling and soothing formula is intended to be used with the traditional method of head and foot massage at night before going to bed. Application to the head, temples and soles of the feet helps ground the light and mobile nature of vata and balance the sharp and active nature of pitta, promoting the heavier qualities needed for sleep.  The blend is in a base of four organic oils, which come together to bring nourishment, subtle warmth for penetration, and gentle cooling for relaxation.  Sleep Easy Oil is then finished with a hint of jasmine and chamomile flowers, bringing soothing scents with ever so mild floral notes.  Massage this oil into your head and feet and for a rejuvenating night of rest.

Mahanarayan Oil: Based on an ancient Ayurvedic recipe that delivers powerful muscle and joint targeting herbs in a base of certified organic sesame oil. A nourishing and strengthening oil with rejuvenating and analgesic qualities, it is used to soothe sore muscles and tendons, supporting an active lifestyle and preventing over-use damage. In Ayurvedic terms, Mahanarayan Oil is particularly good for rehabilitating those suffering from disorders due to high vata, supporting rejuvenation of joints affected by wear and tear, joint space narrowing, and synovial fluid dehydration.

The oil can be applied locally to areas where there is physical discomfort. It may also be diluted with a base oil and used in deep-tissue massage.

~Katie

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How to Stay Warm, Wet and Loved Up Like a Tigress This Fall

My new plant-crush is on an herb called Kapikacchu. Its a natural source of levadopa (L-dopa) which is an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. And um, can you say “in the mood?” Here are some good links and info on my favorite How to Stay Fabulous in Fall Ayurveda products.

Sleep like a sweet baby with jasmine and sesame oil for the scalp and head -an ancient Ayurvedic method for calming the system before sleep.

Feel as strong as a horse with Ashwaghanda tincture – Ashwagandha is one of the most highly regarded and commonly used adaptogens in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Maximizing the body’s ability to resist stress, it enables the body to reserve and sustain vital energy throughout the day while promoting sound, restful sleep at night. It is considered one of the best herbs for calming vata and for revitalizing the male reproductive system. Used by both men and women, it maintains proper nourishment of the tissues, particularly muscle and bone, while supporting proper function of the adrenals. This potent herb is used to promote muscle strength and to support comfortable joint movement.

Have a happy baby belly – Vata Digest’s heating quality enkindles the digestive fire, stimulates a healthy appetite and helps ensure that nutrients are properly absorbed and assimilated. Its grounding quality helps calm the excessive air movement in the system that is characteristic of vata. The oil quality of the herbs supports the natural lubrication of the intestines, assisting in thorough and healthy elimination.

Make love like a tiger with Kapikacchu. This beautiful plant is a nutritive tonic commonly used in Ayurveda as an aphrodisiac and to support proper function of the reproductive system. It increases sexual energy and strengthens and tones the reproductive organs. In men, kapikacchu supports potency, stamina and control. In women it promotes a healthy libido and fertility. The vitality bestowed by kapikacchu nourishes the entire body and calms the nerves making it an excellent rejuvenative for vata. It is also natural source of levadopa (L-dopa) which is an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.

~Katie

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The humble, one-pot, Ayurvedic comfort food known The humble, one-pot, Ayurvedic comfort food known as kitchari has been used for centuries to:⁠
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🌿 Reset digestion and restore agni (your digestive fire)⁠
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🌿 Gently detoxify while deeply nourishing⁠
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🌿 Provide steady, grounding energy⁠
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🌿 Comfort the nervous system and calm the mind⁠
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Kitchari is your belly’s steady friend during seasonal transitions, after travel or anytime life feels like “too much to digest.” It nourishes both your belly and your being, gently cleansing and nourishing your tissues at the same time.⁠
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💌  Want to try it for yourself? Comment INSTANT below and I’ll send you my Instant Pot Kitchari Recipe so you can make this soul-soothing dish in your own kitchen.
Where are my sweata’ weatha’ loving ladies? ;) Where are my sweata’ weatha’ loving ladies? ;) Raise your hand if you are ready for spicy turmeric lattes, stewed apples, roasted root veggies and smokey autumn bonfires - name the one thing you’re most looking forward to below. 🍠🫚🎃🍁👇🏼
As summer’s fire gives way to autumn’s winds, As summer’s fire gives way to autumn’s winds, Ayurveda reminds us to slow down, ground and nourish ourselves with warmth, ritual and intention. 🍂⁠
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That’s why the foods, spices and practices Ayurveda recommends for this seasonal transition are all about cultivating stability, inviting us to favor warm, moist and gently spiced meals, slow-moving rituals that calm and steady the nervous system and deeply rooting spiritual practices.⁠
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This seasonal transition is less about doing more, and more about tapping into the inner stability, grounding and nourishment.⁠
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Ready to immerse yourself in more timeless seasonal wisdom to support your body, mind and SOUL?⁠
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Our 2026 Level 1 Ayurveda Certification is now open for early bird enrollment. ⁠
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Here’s what I want you to know about this program: this isn’t just another course.⁠
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It’s a living, breathing community of wise women.⁠
And a path to becoming the embodied healer that lives deep inside.⁠
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🪔  Wanna’ start learning now? Comment WISDOM for our free Women’s Wisdom & Ayurveda Mini-Course.⁠
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🌿 Curious about becoming an embodied healer in 2026? Comment AYURVEDASCHOOL (one word) to learn more about our yearlong program.
One of the beautiful gifts of dating apps is that One of the beautiful gifts of dating apps is that they can offer an expansion of the “soulmate field.” ⁠
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But they have shortcomings, too. ⁠
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Dating apps are a neutral tool. Like other forms of technology, we can use them as spiritually as our consciousness allows. ⁠
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In this episode, I’m diving into the wild world of dating apps – we’ll talk about how to approach them with sacred intention and avoid burnout.⁠
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Learn how your dosha shapes the way you move through dating, how to keep your nervous system and self-worth intact and learn some of the energetic and spiritual practices I use to turn dating into a field of growth.⁠
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From reframing rejection to the one-liner I use for breaking off connections—this episode is packed with tools to help you see dating as a transformational, spiritual endeavor. 😉⁠
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🎧 Ready to tune-in? Comment 223 to listen to the full episode now.
🪶 The Sacred is Calling: Ritual as a Way of Liv 🪶 The Sacred is Calling: Ritual as a Way of Living // A Workshop with Sisters Mary McQuate & Katie Silcox⁠
🗓️ September 25th, 10-12PM on Zoom⁠
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In a world that moves too fast, where our calendars overflow but our hearts feel empty, we’ve lost the thread of the sacred.⁠
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Our modern lives are noisy, hurried, and disconnected—yet deep inside, we long for ritual, meaning and magic.⁠
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This workshop is an invitation to step out of the chaos and remember: every moment of life can be touched by the holy.⁠
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In this event we will guide you through the art of creating rituals for life’s most profound passages: birth, death, and the sacred transitions in between. We’ll also explore how the seemingly ordinary moments of daily life can become ritual when met with intention. ⁠
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Together we’ll uncover how ritual and altar-building can hold space for grief and celebration, endings and beginnings, and the quiet moments of becoming that shape who we are. ⁠
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You’ll learn how to weave practices that honor these thresholds into your own life, creating altars that serve as anchors of remembrance, grounding and renewal... reminders of the sacredness at the heart of every transition.⁠
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Mary McQuate, Founder of Living Altars, brings her deep artistry in creating altars and embodied ritual.⁠
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Katie Silcox, renowned Ayurveda teacher, bestselling author, and spiritual guide, brings the feminine-form teachings of spiritual Ayurveda and the wisdom of living a truly enchanted life.⁠
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Together, they will guide you into the ancient, embodied technologies of ritual—made practical, personal and powerful for your daily life.⁠
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🪔 Step into ritual and reclaim the sacred in your life. Comment MEMBERSHIP for more information on joining us.

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