Recent Posts

http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Eating Wisely to Cleanse and Revitalize

I have a diet that most people would consider to be healthy. Most of the time I eat organically grown fruits and vegetables and try to get my fruits and vegetables from locally grown sources. I avoid processed ingredients and listen to what my body says it needs and how much of it is needed. However when I get super busy or am traveling a lot, I often find myself getting creative to make sure that I stay on cue with eating what is best for me and my dosha. One way I do that is to “Go Green,” which means increasing my fruit and vegetable intake.

When I have been on a long and extended trip as soon as I return from my trip, I dive head first into my “Go Green” diet. This involves me going through a short 4-9 day detox or cleanse based on what I eat, to rid my mind and body of the toxins that I pick up when I travel. I don’t like making rules for myself around food other than eating what is right for my dosha so after I “ Go Green,” I go back to eating my normal cycle for my dosha. It is during my “Go Green” way of eating that I increase my intake of fruits and vegetables by 60-70% and I do my best to eat the freshest food possible.

If you have ever done a cleanse/detox you know that it is a process of clearing the mind and the body. You will experience more clarity, energy, you will feel more hydrated and will notice that your cravings for sweets have either diminished or are gone, just to name a few of the benefits. In Ayurveda the cleanse/detox process is called Panchakarma. I give this information just as some baseline information for you to keep in the back of your mind to think about exploring as I go on.

If you’re like many people that are becoming more health conscious, you are probably paying more attention to what you are putting into your body. This awareness opens up a whole new way of what you think when you see food. Fresh produce is one of the best things that we can eat for our bodies and mind. Fresh produce contains many of the vital nutrients that the body needs to function optimally Summer is a great season to incorporate into you eating plan more fresh fruits and vegetables because of all that we have available to us during this season. It’s no mystery that the season invites us to replenish, nourish and revitalize ourselves

Longer days increase our exposure to sunlight, creating a biological surge of energy and optimism. This is perfect season to take a look at your diet. By incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, especially when they are right for your dosha, will allow the body to naturally hydrate itself, synthesize and process the nutrients within the food more efficiently and naturally allow the colon to sweep itself out which aids the body in naturally removing toxins.

I know it sounds simple to just add more fruits and vegetables to what you eat, but we all know that changing eating patterns ever so slightly can be complicated. The body adapts to what we feed it and eating certain ingredients can be difficult and even physically uncomfortable. Also with all the busyness and activity that the summer season brings dietary adjustments can be even harder.

I would like to share with you how you can increase the fruits and vegetables that you eat without much difficulty at all.

The first step is to eat more salads. This does multiple things such a provide nutrients to the body and also it helps to naturally cleanse the colon. Be creative with your salads by dressing them with lots of fruits and vegetable combinations such as mango, red pepper, papaya, mint and lime juice or grapes, cucumber, bell peppers and carrots. Remember a salad is something that you can have anytime of the day that is nourishing and hydrating.

You can have a salad as the main meal for your lunch and a side salad with your dinner.
For dinner you can make some pasta and add fresh bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini or mint in the pasta and then have a side salad with arugula, grapes, strawberries, peaches, pears or plums with a nice vinaigrette dressing.
For breakfast you can make a smoothie with strawberries, apples, carrots, kale, spinach, pineapple, peaches, mango, or plums with ice and a little coconut water.

The second step is know that your system will be taking in nourishment as it goes through a natural detoxification process an in order to stabilize your energy and avoid fatigue, I am suggesting that you eat more fruits and vegetables as snacks in between meals.

Have carrot or celery sticks for snacks; eat a handful of grapes or a plum, peach, pear or apple.
Enjoy a slice of a cantaloupe, honey dew or water melon. – {these are naturally hydrating fruits and contain a high content of water}.
Grab some blueberries, raspberries or cherries as a wholesome, healthy and energizing snack full of antioxidants and nutrients.
To boost energy on the spot, eat an orange, tangerine or squeeze a little fresh lemon or lime juice into water or coconut water for an uplifting and naturally hydrating and energizing drink.

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself or too structured with eating wisely. Have fun by experimenting and listening to what your body says to you. If your body is feeling good and your mind is clear then keep eating the produce that you are eating. It just may be right for your dosha. If you are experiencing challenges within your mind and body then you may need to make some adjustments to eat what is right for your dosha. You can learn more about your dosha by visiting www.freegiftsfromrochele.com and taking the mini dosha quiz. Eating what is wise and right for your body type (dosha) will help you to eliminate toxins from your mind and body so that you can clear the clutter to make space for a more beautiful you.

Wishing you health and wellness.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Twitter:@rochelelawson

http://www.rochelelawson.com/contact

Thank you for your response. ✨

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Why Detoxification is Vital to Your Health

I strongly believe that detoxification is something we should all do periodically. I suggest people do it four times a year, with one of those times being a very deep detox. Let me explain why.

We are surrounded by toxic materials 24/7. Many of them we know about, but many of them are so new that we’re not aware of how they are affecting us.

Let’s first define a toxin as anything that leads us to a behavior that’s not natural or conducive to our overall benefit. Our goal as healthy humans is to ingest things that uplift us, whether that’s organic food or media that promotes love and community.

Body Toxins

At this point, most of us are aware of the pesticides in our produce and the hormones in our meat products. Cell phone towers are contaminating our soil, which then contaminates our plants, animals and water sources.

Every time you take a warm shower, your pores are opening up and allowing all the toxins in the water source to rush into your skin. If you’re not using a filter on your showerhead, you’re setting yourself up to absorb a lot of chemicals that you probably didn’t even know about.

The prescription medication you’re taking may be helping one symptom that you have, but I’d be willing to bet that it’s wrecking havoc on another part of your body.

Its simple things like this that cause your digestive system to become sluggish or your whole body to be out of balance.

Mind Toxins

Our minds suffer from toxic entertainment that causes us to be on edge all the time, which causes stress. ( https://ayurvedahealing.org/2014/01/27/how-stress-is-…ng-your-health/)

Sexual innuendo is so prevalent in our society now that you see it (and hear it) everywhere you go: in commercials, in music lyrics and in magazines. We’re constantly being bombarded with messages that aren’t necessarily healthy and can lead to destructive behavior.

What your mind sees, it perceives as real. When you watch a violent television show, it plants a seed in your mind that begins to move toward reality. At the same time, when you have a vision board and see the wonderful things you want for your life every morning when you wake up, a more healthy seed is planted.

Time to Detox

Let’s allow things in that are here to uplift the body and let it flow as a river instead of getting backed up and stopped.

Detoxing gets rid of all the toxic material within us so we can build healthy cells and have a strong body and a calm, peaceful and balanced mind. Choosing the right detox for you depends on how much time you have and how intense you’re ready to go. To do it effectively, you must do exercises to keep your mind at peace and connect you with spirit.

If you’re ready for a detoxification process, let’s talk. Follow THIS LINK to get started today.

Wishing you Much Health and Wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Twitter:@rochelelawson

Thank you for your response. ✨

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

How Stress is Affecting Your Health

In our modern world, being in a stressful state is often regarded as normal or even laudable as a sign of hard work. The reality is that when you’re under stress, no matter how well you handle it, eventually you will begin to see the affects on your physical, mental and spiritual health.

Fight or Flight

When our bodies are in a stressful state, they release endorphins, the fight or flight stress hormone, as well as adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine. When you’re in a constant state of stress, the hormones and steroids that should only operate when you’re truly in a fight of flight situation are constantly being released into your body.

When this happens, the weakest part of your body will be affected first. You may begin to develop high blood pressure or have kidney issues. You may suffer like I did (https://ayurvedahealing.org/2014/01/13/ayurveda-honor…ndividual-body) from digestive challenges or have problems in the mind, such as intense anger, depression or extreme anxiety that begin to affect the way you treat others.

When all these things are going on constantly, the body shifts into a frantic and panicked state.

How to Tell if You’re Under Stress

It’s not unusual for someone under prolonged stress to get so used to it that she or he begins to think that’s just how life goes. They may not realize something is off until another person points it out to them, or they’re suddenly dealing with a crisis that forces them to change their ways. So how can you tell if you’re living with the kind of stress that will affect your health?

Pay attention to the signs. Physically, people under tremendous stress being to experience chest pains or more frequent migraines. Rapid weight loss or weight gain is also common, depending on how the person is dealing with stress.

Another sure sign of stress is the state of your relationships. When you’re stressed, you interact with your friends, co-workers and loved ones differently. For instance, when I am under a lot of stress, I become short-tempered and have a sharp tongue. I don’t care what I say or if I’ve hurt your feelings, and I become vindictive. That’s not normal for me, and when I act like that it pushes people away and it’s a clear sign that something is out of balance.

What You Can Do Today

If you’re feeling a lot of stress, or if you recognize any of the symptoms above as your own, there are several things you can do right now to replace stress hormones with feel-good hormones, and they’re all very easy!

Take a walk in nature. Let yourself be pulled away from the everyday stresses at work and with your family.

If you can’t do that, turn on some music you like – blast it! If you’re driving and you feel yourself getting angry, turn on some nice music on the radio and just chill, relax.

Spend time with uplifting friends. Even just sitting down for a 40-minute cup of coffee with someone you like can make a great difference in your stress levels.

Stress is definitely very present in our 21^st century lives, but it is also manageable and doesn’t have to make you miserable. Have you tried any of these simple tricks to relieve stress? Share your experience in the comments below.

Wishing You Much Health and Wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

Thank you for your response. ✨

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Ayurveda Honors the Individual Body

If you suffer from high blood pressure, chances are you’ll step into your doctor’s office and he or she will prescribe you one of the leading pharmaceutical drugs to treat your symptoms. After you leave, another patient may come in with high blood pressure and your doctor will probably prescribe him with the same drug.

But since our bodies are all unique individuals, why do we treat them as if they’re all the same?

Holistic-medical modality Ayurveda is really special to me because it’s focused on balance and wellness of the mind, body and spirit. It also treats each individual as a unique being, defining different body constitutions as “Doshas.”

If two people of a different Dosha both have high blood pressure, they won’t be given the same treatment in Ayurveda. They receive treatments that are optimal for their Dosha, because although they both have high blood pressure, their journey to get there was completely different.

Ayurveda believes that each person requires a different kind of care to optimize their health. This system focuses on balancing the mind, body and spirit through the use of herbs and other body therapies, and guess what? It’s all natural, and it’s already aced the test of time.

Origins

Ayurveda is believed to have originated in India somewhere between 3,500 and 5,000 years ago. It is believed that Ayurveda is the foundation of all modern medical practice, and that includes Greek medicine, Western medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy and even traditional Chinese medicine.

The modality is still practiced widely today in conjunction with Western medicine in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, some parts of China, and Afghanistan.

My Journey to Ayurveda

When I was eight years old, I suffered with excruciating abdominal discomfort. The Western doctors could not figure out what was going on, and I began a 17-year journey that included all kinds of pharmaceutical medications and a pelvic examination at the age of nine. Despite this, the doctors just could not figure out what was going on.

As I grew older, the intensity and frequency of the pain increased. I started playing with herbal remedies because I remembered that my grandmother had soothed me as a little girl with a homemade ginger tea. I found myself gravitating toward herbal relief, and as a teen I started doing herbal facials on my friends and myself and cured our acne.

By the time I was a sophomore in college, the discomfort grew worse and worse. When I could afford it, I got massages, and I spent time meditating and drinking herbal tea.

I went to nursing school and by my mid-twenties, I finally put all my knowledge of herbs and body treatments together in a consistent way. Despite my nurse friends trying to convince me to take pharmaceutical medications, I continued practicing my herbal remedies on myself.

After nine months of consistent practice, I was completely cured of what I later discovered to be a bleeding ulcer. I had naturally stumbled upon Ayurveda, and my mission is to share it with the world.

Have you had any experiences with Ayurveda, or do you see how it can help you overcome any physical, mental or spiritual discomfort? Leave a comment below to join the conversation.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Thank you for your response. ✨

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Holistic Health is the Key to Optimal Health

Did you know that everything you need to be completely healthy and well is available to you right now? Listening to your inner wisdom and divine guidance to access optimal health is 100% possible, and in my experience, a Holistic Health approach is an excellent way to treat the mind, body and spirit.

In truth, it is possible to combine a Holistic Health regime with a traditional Western medicine practice and still have fabulous results. But if you’re newer to the idea of Holistic Health, it may be confusing it is necessary to keep your body functioning well. Here is a basic explanation of what Holistic Health is, and how it’s different than traditional Western medicine.

Traditional Western Medicine: Treating the Signs and Symptoms

Traditional Western medicine tends to focus on the signs and symptoms that are presenting. Whether it is an injury, a cold or virus, bacterial invasion or a disease process that’s already manifest, you’re likely to be prescribed pharmaceutical medications for just about everything.

Regular doctors want their patients to feel better and they know that if they make the signs and symptoms disappear, the patient will be happier. However, even though the person feels better, they still have the disease process or the illness because the root cause was not resolved.

Holistic Health: Prevention is Key

Holistic Health is a health modality that is focused on mind, body and spirit. The belief is that if any of those three aspects are not quite in sync, it manifests as illness in the body.

If we aren’t quite functioning at our highest level in any of the three areas, health challenges will arise at the weakest points in the body. Mind, body and spirit vitality are necessary for total health and well-being.

With a focus on prevention (although disease and illness treatment does occur as well), the Holistic approach uses natural remedies instead of pharmaceutical medications, which can be toxic and harmful to the body. The ultimate goal of Holistic Health is to restore and maintain balance in the mind, body and spirit.

Mind, Body and Spirit Connection

The belief is that what exists in the mind will manifest in the body because the two are deeply connected. Connecting with spirit as you focus on healing you mind and body allows for a greater semblance of peace, rest, and rejuvenation. There is a direct link between all three of them.

Illness can manifest in many ways that you may not expect, including anxiety and worry, lethargy, anger and rage issues. All these things will eventually present themselves in the body on a more physical level.

Peace and balance in mind, body and spirit helps the body naturally strengthen so it has a line of defense against disease and illness.

My first choice for health and wellness is Holistic. Have you had an experience with Holistic Health? What was it like? Leave a note in the comments below to join the conversation.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

twitter:@rochelelawson

www.healthhealingwellness.com

Thank you for your response. ✨

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

The After Glow

Have you ever noticed that when you come home from a vacation feeling relaxed and refreshed you seem to have a more radiant appearance? Taking a break from the stresses of everyday life isn’t just good for your health and well-being the effects can be seen all over your face.

It turns out that many of the things you do when you get away, like getting enough rest, exercise and stress reducing activities like yoga or meditation are the same practices that some doctors recommend to maintain the health and appearance of your skin. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the skin is a view of a person’s overall health and well-being. A lot can be discovered about the wellness state of an individual just by looking at a person’s skin.

You do not have to wait for your next trip to reap the benefits. Get radiant skin at home by adopting the good habits of vacation and indulging in a few at home spa treatments. Here are some vacation inspired indulgences for you to do at home.

Whether on vacation or at home, load up on colorful carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables. Researchers in Scotland measured the skin tone of people who added more fresh produce to their diets and found that their skin took on a warm golden tone, which was deemed more attractive. Eating antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables protects your skin from free radicals and sun damage.
Move your body whether it is on a yoga mat, a hike, a jog, a run or a swim. Regular exercise can brighten your complexion and improve the health of our skin. Movement stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away waste products from your cells. Exercise increases micro circulation in your face, nourishing your cells.
Picture a peaceful place. Your thoughts can have a powerful effect on your appearance. Stressful thoughts and feelings trigger the release of biochemical signals from the brain, including the hormones testosterone and cortisol and pro-inflammatory signals that can incite acne, cause the skin to be more sensitive and more prone to infection and lead to blotchy skin tone. Practices that calm you and keep your stress levels in check- including focusing on positive, visualization and peaceful thoughts have the opposite effect.
Breathe freely. It might be the simplest beauty routine of all. Take a slow, deep breath. Deep exhalations clear stale carbon dioxide from the lungs and allow them to draw in more oxygen on the inhalation. This has an alkalizing effect on the body that can help promote growth of healthy skin cells.
Get your beauty sleep. Your cells respond to environmental cues such as temperature and light, in effect keeping time and following their own circadian rhythm. These cues can trigger important repair and regeneration processes that take place at night. While you sleep lower cortisol levels and higher growth hormone levels stimulate cell reproduction and growth. So turn off the electronics an hour before bed, dim the lights, and drink a soothing cup of herbal tea to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Cool off. Breathing in the scent of roses can soothe overheated or irritated skin. In Ayurveda, India’s ancient healing science, roses are viewed as the ideal for cooling and soothing an excess of the fire element or pitta. Rose is especially calming for the skin in the heat of summer when the quality of pitta increases. I suggest keeping a bottle of rose water on hand for those hot days. This rose water can be used to spritz your face, wrists, and ankles. For added cooling power brew a cup of fennel and dried rose petal tea. Cool it in the refrigerator and add a few drops of rose essential oil. Pour it into a mister, give it a shake and spray it on your face. For dry or blood shot eyes, soak several fresh rose petals in rosewater and place them over your eyes while you rest.

You now have the secrets to getting that radiant looking skin which I call “After Glow” without going on vacation. In fact your “After Glow” can begin as soon as you finish reading this and can last for the rest of your life. Happy Glowing!

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/blissful-living

www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

Uncategorized

The Art of Successful Intention

How often do you set an intention to do something but you do not do it? How many times have you heard recently that setting intentions is the start to greatness in your life and it is something that you must do? The truth of the matter is that it takes more than just setting an intention to have the intention manifest in your life. It doesn’t matter if you say it to the cows come home, if you do not move forward to make it a reality than all it is are spoken words or worse yet words thought in the mind and not brought forth by verbalization therefore they have no energy.

Simply setting an intention is not a foolproof way to make your goals come true. If hidden reservations or unconscious agendas lurk under the surface of your mind, they can sabotage the arrow of your intention. That arrow of intention will not fly straight. This fact is true no matter what your intention may be. So at the beginning of an intentional process, it is important to face your own reservations, feelings of not quite deserving what you think you want, or simply unprocessed emotions. This allows you to bring to the forefront of the mind any baggage you’re carrying and anything that could subtly stand in the way of your intention.

Let me explain, you see that by acknowledging the thoughts that come to the surface of your mind around the intention you are setting, you are able to reconcile the fact that these emotions or doubts do exist within you and it is ok for them to be. It is when we get in the mode of pushing what comes to the surface down that we stagnate the energy and flow of our allowing the intentions to manifest. When these emotions or doubts surface don’t be afraid to explore where they are coming from and why it only when you do this that you are able to move forward and end the suffering of another failed “intention attempt.” Clearly there is a reason that the intention is calling the doubts and emotions to your attention so be kind and compassionate with yourself and for that moment, just be with all that is surfacing for you. And for goodness sake do not pass judgment on yourself at anytime during this process and have no regrets for allowing yourself to go through this process. It is a good thing for you to do.

Once you have acknowledged the doubt or emotion, give yourself time to feel happy and proud that you did not push the feeling down, that you stuck with it. This is a way to shifting the negative feeling to a positive feeling. The positive energy is what the intention feeds upon to fly straight. You will actually feel a sense of freedom from the release of the positive energy that is set forth during this process. I have found that when I follow the process of being at one with my intention, some positive, life changing events have occurred in my life.

Here are some suggestions for setting an intention that I have used and have shared with my clients that have worked fabulously and I would like to share them with you.

Take time to consciously collect the words that you want to use to set your intention. These words should be positive with high vibration and energy.
Write the intention down on a piece of paper or in a journal.
Carry the intention with you for the day and pull it out often during the day to take a look at it and verbally state the intention out loud.
I recommend doing this when you are alone.
Each time you read the intention during the day infuse it with energy and vibrancy.
After you state the intention, take a deep breath in and exhale it out and go about your day until the next time you pull out your intention to read it.

There is no set number of times that you need to read your intention and state it out loud as a declaration for the Divine to hear. Do whatever is comfortable for you. I do recommend to my clients to read it at least 8 times per day. That is what has worked best for me but do whatever works best for you as it should feel unforced and “right” for you.

At the end of the day before you go to sleep, state your intention one more time and give thanks to the Divine for allowing you to enjoy another day. Close your eyes and rest peacefully knowing that you have fueled your intention with the energy of success so that it may manifest in your life.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochéle Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, Uncategorized

Spice up your eating and Improve your Health

Spices are a wonderful way to enhance the flavor of the food we eat but did you know that spices are actually used to heal the body as well? Spices originated in India, Indonesia and other parts of south and southeast Asia as early as 2600BCE. It is from these countries that spices were introduced to the eastern Mediterranean such as countries like Syria and Egypt and the rest of the world. Spices are pieces of root, bark, seeds or other parts of a plant that have been dried.

Spices contain an abundance of phytonutrients, plant compounds that bestow health and promote healing in a variety of ways. Most spices are powerful antioxidants that control and disarm the free radicals that can damage cells, causing illness and aging. Phytonutrients are anti- inflammatory and chronic low grade inflammation has been linked to the development of debilitating and deadly health problems. There have been documented research studies that show that people that eat a diet rich in spices have lower rates of certain diseases. An example of this is the United States has a colon cancer rate three times that of India, which is well known for its spicy cuisine. India also has one of the world’s lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease. In Ayurveda, which originates from India, herbs and spices may be suggested to the client to aid in healing and maintaining balance within the body and mind with the goal of keeping the client free of illness and disease.

What I would like to share with you are some of the benefits the spices that you may have in your kitchen are to your overall health and well-being. My goal is to let you know that when you spice it up a bit you begin a natural healing method that can bring wellness to your life.

All Spice ~ this spice is just one spice and not a mixture of many, as it is believed to be. It contains more than two dozen compounds with an even greater variety of healing actions, making it a genuine all- round curative. It is grown in Jamaica and is a bit spicy, warm and aromatic. It is a powerful antioxidant.
Bay Leaves ~ these leaves come from the Laurel tree in California. It contains over 80 active compounds of antioxidants that it uses to help keep disease at bay. Bay leaves are known to assist with decreasing elevated blood sugar levels such as in Type 2 Diabetes as well as lowering “LDL” the bad cholesterol and raising “HDL” the good cholesterol. These leaves have a bitter flavor and are great for using in tomato sauces.
Cayenne Pepper ~ is made from the dry ground up pod of a chili pepper. It has spicy heat and is commonly associated with Mexican cooking. It is also widely used in Thailand, India, Turkey, Southern Italy and Spain. Great for bringing heat to a dish.
Cinnamon ~ this spice is great for balancing blood sugar and is most effective on people with Type 2 Diabetes. This spice also has heart protecting power due to its ability to assist with decreasing “LDL” the bad cholesterol as well as assisting with dropping triglycerides. It is wonderful for stopping spikes in blood sugar after eating a meal. Cinnamon has a sweet-spicy taste and is derived from a tropical evergreen tree.
Ginger ~ is my favorite spice for quieting that queasy feeling that can come from nausea or motion sickness. Ginger comes from Asia and is sometimes referred to as “the hand” because of its shape. Ginger is used in Asian cooking and taste delicious in stir- fry dishes. It has a hot, pungent taste. It is also great for nausea after surgery or chemotherapy-induced nausea. Ginger is rich in phytonutrients called gingerols, which are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-disease.

As you can see this is just the beginning the the healing benefits of using spices in the food that you eat. There are so many spices to learn about, use and enjoy that I could actually write a book about them. My first suggestion for you however would be to begin experimenting with the spices listed above and then add to your spice collection, as you get more comfortable utilizing them in your cooking, get a good resource book that gives you some information about the healing benefits of spice, preferably an Ayurvedic book and just dive in. Be free and let your taste buds guide you to a life of “spicy healing.”

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/blissful-living

Uncategorized

Yummy Summer Drinks

Ayurveda is so near and dear to me that I find myself talking about it to everyone. It usually begins with someone asking me how I stay fit and looking so healthy and well. I go in to my explanation about how I eat, exercise and take care of my body and mind using the principles of Ayurveda. Sometimes I even go into how I am a Pitta dosha and what that means but what I mostly share with them are great ways to incorporate healthy eating into their lives and actually enjoy the foods that they are eating because they are so “yummy.”

During this blog post I would like to share with you some Super Summer Coolers that are tasty and nourishing to the body and mind. Sweet, bitter and astringent taste are the most cooling, according to the principles of Ayurveda and me being a Pitta dosha, I am always looking for ways to keep me cool on the inside when the temperature begins to heat up on the outside. It is no surprise that thirst-quenching ingredients such as lime, cucumber, and coconut water make refreshing and cooling summer tonics. Here are a few that I would highly recommend that you try.

A Blissful Beginning Smoothie ~ This smoothie makes a great drink for breakfast.
- 1 cup of coconut water or filter SFA water (Iwater by G.I.A.)
- 1 cup of kales or spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup of chard leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup of parsley
- ½ cucumber
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 pear or apple cored, roughly chopped, frozen mango or peaches, cherries, blueberries, pineapple or banana to taste.

Process your vegetables with liquids in the blender. Add fruit to taste, depending on how sweet you like your smoothies. Drink and Enjoy!

Coconut Splash
- Combine 1 ¼ cups coconut water and 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice.
- Thinly slice a two-inch piece of cucumber and stir the slices into the drink
- If the cucumber is organic and unwaxed leave on the skin otherwise peel before slicing.
- Add a little ice and a sprig of mint

Stir, drink and Enjoy!

3. Prana Goddess

Combine 1 cup of honeydew melon chunks, 10-12 fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice, 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground coriander, ¼ teaspoon of raw sugar, and couple of ice cubes in a blender.
Add filtered water and blend until smooth.

Drink and Enjoy!

Ruby Spritzer

Combine ½ to 1 cup of sparkling mineral water with ½ cup of pomegranate juice and 1 teaspoon of Rose water.
Mix and sip through fresh lemongrass as if it were a straw.

You can use blueberry juice in place of pomegranate juice to make a Sapphire Spritzer.

Drink and Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy all of the above Yummy Summer Drinks. They are nutritious and delicious and will sure to please the pickiest drinkers. These drinks are good for all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Drink up and enjoy!

Wishing much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochéle Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”