When we experience any kind of devastating loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a dream, or a relationship, feelings may arise within us that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. This sense of grief can also come up when we are separated from anyone or anything we have welcomed into our lives. And while it may feel like we are caught up in a never-ending spiral of sadness and emptiness, it is important to remember that the grief we are feeling is not a permanent state of being. Rather, grief is part of the process of letting go that in many ways can be a gift, allowing us to go deeper within ourselves to rediscover the light amidst the seeming darkness.
The emotions that accompany any kind of loss can be intense and varied. A sense of shock or denial is often the first reaction, to be replaced by anger. Sometimes this anger can be directed at your loved one for “abandoning” you; at other times you may feel outrage toward the universe for what you are enduring. And while there are stages of grief that people go through – moving from denial to anger to bargaining to depression to acceptance – the cycles of grief often move in spirals, sometimes circling forward and then back again. You may even experience moments of strength, faith, and laughter in between. While these emotions seem to come and go sporadically, it is important to feel them, accept them, and allow them to flow. With time, patience, and compassion, you will eventually find your center again.
As we move through our grief, we may find ourselves reluctant to release our pain, fearing we are letting go of who or what we have lost. We may even regard our movement toward healing as an act of disloyalty or giving up. Know that while the hurt may fade, the essence of what you had and who you loved will have already transformed you and forever stay with you. If anything, once you are ready for the pain of your loss to subside, their memories can then live more fully within you. Remember, that healing is a part of the spiraling cycles of grief, and that in letting yourself feel restored again, you are surrendering to a natural movement that is part of the dance of life.
A Time for rest, At time for self-reflection, A time for dreaming our passion, A time for Inner Healing
From December14 to the 21st, Fast for health and Peace on the Planet
Wishing you and yours the very best in the coming year,
Lets be the change we want in the world!
Winter Solstice Affirmation
I am comfortable with who I am in the moment and who I am becoming. I release the past with ease and welcome the new into my-being. I am safe; all is well in my world.
Winter Solstice Fast
As we inter the holidays and you've resolved to be healthier in the New Year, don't just jump head first into a hard-to-follow detoxifying plan. Instead follow your body's natural rhythm to rest and keep things simple, says Elson Hass, MD, in his book The New Detox Diet.
Dr. Hass, an integrative-medicine practitioner, promotes in the winter a gentle cleanse to reduces toxin intake and support the body's natural detoxification system. He offers a one-week detoxifying plan of eating only brown rice, cooked vegetables, Miso broth, and seaweed, while also working out toxins through massages, saunas and steams. You can also try his three-week plan, which omits alcohol; caffeine, dairy, sweets and wheat, while eating primarily steamed vegetables and warm broths. He has simple guidelines to help minimize your exposure to toxins throughout the year:
10 Tips for Winter Health
http://www.elsonhaas.com/preventing_treating_colds_flus.html
http://www.shareguide.com/Haas.html
Herbs for Kidneys and Bladder Health
CRANBERRY, keeps your kidneys clean. Taken at the first sign of bladder or kidney infection (painful urination, back pain), can often provide relief overnight.
GINGER ROOT, has a cleansing effect on the kidneys and bowels, stimulates the circulatory system, good for a sore throat,
Nettle Tea for Kidneys and Bladder function, fevers and colds, dandruff, weight loss and brings back the natural color of hair.
SHEEP SORREL expels gravel from the kidneys. When the kidneys are functioning properly, the entire body will feel better and the skin will look much clearer.
http://asktom-naturally.com/naturally/herbs.html
http://www.drfostersessentials.com/store/kidney_cleanse.php
http://www.goddess-body-mind-spirit.com/Winter-Solstice-Fast.html
40 years of Vegetarian /Vegan life
Transforming a decision to choose
On Oct. 28.1970 I arrived in NYC after two months in Cuba. On that day I stopped eating meat. I had eaten mostly pork for those 2 months and for most of my 24 years on the planet. I had many reasons, which informed my decision. I meet some assume black revolutionaries from California who were brilliant, healthy, beautiful, and vegetarians. I wanted to be clear like them. I herd that it took 12 hours to digest meat and I needed that energy to do my political work. I was a seven attacks a day asthmatic. When I clammed El Segundo Frente del Escambray where Che was during the Cuban Revolution, I wondered how Che did it. The Cubans’ had a medical team ready for all of who were sick as we clammed that mountain slowly in the back. At that moment I committed to a life free of asthma and revolution.
I also attribute my vegetarianism to my reaction to coming back to Capitalism. I had a visceral reaction cultural clash. When we got back some folk’s cried non-stop, others went into a deep depression and I stopped eating meat. As you can see I had many good reasons for choosing Vegetarianism. What is important to me is that I stop eating flash cold turkey and since that day in October I have not eaten any meat, eggs or drank milk.
I love the Macrobiotic still of life and healthy seasonal eating. It allows some fish especially in cold weather. It is a challenge for me because I love a will season spicy meal and we need to cut back on the spaces. With acupuncture, herbs, colonics, and Macrobiotics I healed the asthma, allergies, dissolved two ovarian cysts, chemical poisoning and other illnesses course by the consumption of animal products and a polluted environment. However I am still working on letting go of my addiction to Pizza, potato chips, wheat, milk chocolate and night shads which create constipation, incontinence, yeast infection, physical pain and itchiness, of course all these imbalances are all connected. I am choosing powerfully to let go of all my addictions. I begun this summer and I am doing great. This is how I am Celebrating 40 years of Vegetarianism. I am excited every day more and more of a year of Macrobiotics. I cannot wait until next year at this time and the rest of my life.
I invite all of you to join me as I Celebrate 40 years of Vegetarianism Oct 28. 6:30 at my favorite Macrobiotic Restaurant the SOUEN SOHO.
210 Sixth Ave at Prince St, 10014
Tel: 212-807-7421
Monday-Friday 11:30am-10:30pm
Saturday 11am-10:30pm
Sunday 11am-10pm
Veggie Asopao de Gandules con Guineo y Plátano
Bolitas / dumplings de Guineo y Plátano / la Masa
2 Green Bananas and 1 large Green Plantains peeled and Grated
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tsp. crushed garlic
1/2 tsp. Oregano Black Pepper and Salt to taste
To make the peeling of the Banana and Plantains easier put them in hot water for a few minuets.
Mix the Masa and Set aside.
To form the Bolitas / dumplings add 1/2 tablespoon full of Masa to the pot slowly about 15 minutes before the Asopao is done.
Asopao
2 cans gandules
2 quarts Vegetable Broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup diced
½ cup sofrito
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups short-grain rice
½ pound West Indian pumpkin, peeled and diced
1/2 tablespoon salt, or to taste
½ cup olives and capers
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
In a large Caldero / Pot, combine the Rice and Gandules with the stock. Heat until boiling.
While the stock and gandules boil, add the sofrito and cook about 4 more minutes. Add tomato sauce and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the soup has thickened. Add the cilantro just before serving.
To form the Bolitas / dumplings add 1/2 tablespoon full of Masa to the pot slowly about 15 minutes before the Asopao is done.
Asopao is a thick soup - just perfect for a cold day, Enjoy.
The aroma of fresh, homemade sofrito, is intoxicating.
Sofrito is the 'base' for Puerto Rican cooking. Traditionally, sofrito is made by sauteing achiote seeds: ½ cup vegetable oil, add approximately 1 tbsp. annatto seeds and cook over medium heat for a few minutes until the oil turns red. At this point you need to remove the achiote seeds, if the seeds are cooked too high they will turn the oil bitter and you will have to toss both seeds and oil and start again. Once the seeds are removed add the sofrito (defrosted) and bring to a medium-low simmer. The pan will begin to sizzle - cover it. Cook this over low heat for about 10 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Now add the rest of the ingredients per your recipe. This is how you start any yellow rice, beans, soups, and meats for stuffing pasteles, alcapurrias, etc.
Simple Puerto Rican Sofrito Recipe
1 bunch Cilantro
1 bunch recao
1 head of garlic
3 large onions
1 lb. ajÃes dulces
2 cubanese peppers or 2 large bell peppers
2 tbsp. crushed oregano
1 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. cheyenne pepper (optional)
1 cup (extra virgin olive oil)
Prepare the ingredients - peel, wash, seed and coarsely chop, what needs to be and just dump it all in the blender or food processor, in batches. Dump in a bowl and mix well. When making sofrito, make plenty, and freeze it in ice cube trays - once frozen dump into a large freezer bag and freeze (I like to double bag mine and squeeze out as much air as possible). That way you can have a stash in the freezer and only use what you need without any spoilage. Sofrito can be refrigerated up to a week but then must be frozen.
Enjoy!
Adapted from Ivonne Figueroa
Delicious Fall Cleansing Recipes by Delia Quigley
After a summer of expansive foods including sugar, dairy, flour, and alcohol, your body may begin to show signs of strain with lung and sinus congestion, aching limbs, fatigue, insomnia, constipation and/or diarrhea, chronic nasal drip, bloating, gas, and consistent acid reflux. Time to clean out and tune-up the body.
According to the Chinese Five Element system autumn is the season of Metal element, governed by Lung/Large Intestine. This sets up the conditions for flu or head cold, which comes from an internal deepening as your body throws off excess mucus, toxins, and inferior oils. Foods with a sour taste help with this elimination, apple cider vinegar, lemons, limes, grapes, sauerkraut, pickles, and sourdough breads. Dairy can be in the form of goat or sheep’s yogurt, but in moderation and eaten with other foods.
Pungent foods such as spices, ginger, and black pepper support the Metal element. These stimulate the appetite and help with the assimilation of food. Include pungent taste with seasonal fall foods such as apples, grapes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, grapes, kale, pears, persimmons, pumpkins, winter squash, and yams.
Here are a few recipes to help get you started.
Edamame Tempeh Salad
Serves 4
3 small heads broccoli cut into florets
1 8-ounce package tempeh, cut into small cubes
½ cup arame sea vegetable, soaked in water
½ cup frozen corn
2 cups frozen edamame soybeans
Dressing: 3 tablespoons tamari soy sauce * 3 tablespoons sesame seed oil * 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil * 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar * 1 tablespoon Mirin rice wine * 1 teaspoon Ume Plum vinegar.
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli.
2. Return the water to boil and add the tempeh.
3. Return to boil and add the arame.
4. Return to boil and add the corn,
5. Return to boil and add the Edamame.
6. Return to boil and simmer another 6 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and strain, then run cool water over the ingredients to stop the cooking.
8. Meanwhile, whisk together the dressing and pour over the salad tossing to combine. Set aside to absorb the dressing, tossing another time before serving.
Kale Shitake Sweet Potato Soup
Yield: 6 servings
3 dried shitake mushrooms, broken into pieces
1 small sweet potato, peeled, chopped
1/2 bunch fresh kale
4 cups water or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon Mellow white miso, per cup
1. In a saucepan combine the water/broth, shitake mushrooms and sweet potato and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, wash and chop the kale into bite size pieces and add to the soup.
4. Cook until tender, another 8 minutes.
5. Dissolve a teaspoon of light miso in a bowl with a small amount of broth.
6. Ladle in the soup and serve with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
1 medium spaghetti squash
1 jar roasted red peppers, rinsed
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Handful pine nuts, toasted
1. Set up a large, saucepan or stockpot with a steamer basket and one inch of water.
2. Halve the squash, lengthwise, then in half again.
3. Place the four pieces on the steamer basket, cover, bring to a boil and steam until tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, rinse the roasted red peppers with water and place in a blender with the garlic, oil and sea salt.
5. Puree until smooth.
The fast has been just wonderful, it's been a week already, coming off it slowly, sending lots of love, take good care of your selves, it's all good!Staying Healthy with the Season: Ten Tips for a Fabulous Fall www.vitalitymagazine.com/oct08_pg32feat
Detoxification is the word for early Autumn. I am doing a whole month of detoxing by myself as well as a three-week detox group at this time. Doing an effective Detox Diet or avoiding sugar, wheat and dairy for a couple weeks (as I write about in The False Fat Diet) is often quite revealing and helps us to feel better – lighter and more youthful with greater energy. I often recommend taking a two to three week break from the big five – sugar, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, and dairy products. Doing this, it may be challenging, yet most people feel much better and the body can clear many problems it has. Since it’s getting cooler, we’ll also need to exercise and spend time in the sauna or steam room as a means to sweat to clear toxins. Regular sweating is important to health and longevity. Prepare for the cold season. Gather your fuel and food, breathe and exercise, as you should. In Chinese medicine, the fall season focuses on the lungs and large intestine. Overdoing it can lead to congestion and toxicity, as well as constipation and the clogging of the nose and sinuses. This leads then to upper respiratory infections as the germs grow in the mucus and then inflame the membranes. Staying clean and clear this season along with a healthy immune system will help keep you well. Try a facial steam and breathe in the herbal mist (you can use mints, rosemary, chamomile, lemon verbena, and other herbs) to help clear the sinuses.
http://www.elsonhaas.com/staying_healthy_tips.html
HEALTHY EATING ELIMANATION FAST - September 7 – 23
The Autumn Equinox September 23, 2010, 3:09 am, a time when the life force energy is returning to the roots in preparation for winter. To be in harmony, in balance with the earth changes we to need to prepare and embrace the life cycle. It's time to look in the mirror, accepting self, letting go of fear of the new and opening up to possibility.
We begin our journey by asking ourselves why fast?
There are so many reasons to fast. Some people fast to give their bodies a break from food and to cleanse and purify the body. Others fast for spiritual reasons. There is something about fasting that gives a person such spiritual clarity. This type of fasting is truly powerful. One time that is optimal for fasting is during the waning moon cycle if you seek to release something during your fast. Also, fasting during your moon (menstrual) flow is a great time to eat lighter and go into a quiet space. Many fast on their personal holy day. Your personal holy day is the day of the week on which you were born. So if you were born on a Wednesday, then every Wednesday is sacred day for you. There are many spiritual practices in which you can engage of which fasting is one. Doing so brings you further in alignment with your highest purpose and can assist you in releasing limiting behaviors and thoughts. The list goes on and on but the main reasons people fast are to cleanse the body and the spirit.
Fasting a celebration of self
I encourage each participant to consider fasting from food, be it one type of food, or to do deep physical cleanse. However, I have learned that these fast sometimes have nothing to do with food. In the past I have fasted from negative emotions, watching television, talking on the phone and fear. Fasts are not always about food. What matters most is that cutting something out of lives leads us to a freer and more peaceful place.
Be part of my personal journey
Each Season Change, I invite others to fast with me. Each season represents an aspect of the Goddess and fasting helps us to align ourselves with that energy and to maximize that particular energy. So for instance, Fall is the Season of the Goddess of Transformation. I honor Medicine and Changing women and the powerful women we are. Fasting leading up to and including the first day of Fall allows us to consider radical changes that we need to make and also allows us to release toxic emotions and behaviors that have kept us from achieving our goals.
It’s up to you how you fast:
You can participate for 21 days or not. One person may refrain from just one certain type of food while another may eat only raw foods for this time. This fast is totally up to you; you fast in your own way. Search your heart and soul to determine how it will look for you. I often encourage people to try and make sure they include the 2-3 days leading up to and including the first day of the new season. I have grown to love fasting because it is a time of respite and I usually have to slow down. I encourage you to join me! Connect with the Goddess within you through fasting!
This is what my fast will look like:
Day 1 eliminate all animal produces and stimulants (sugar, coffee, soda, salt, sugar, alcohol, pot etc) Eat cooked food, grains, beans, veggies and fruit, drink lots of water and juices.
Day 2 eliminate grains and beans (Eat cooked food, veggies and fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 3 eliminate cooked food and oils (Eat raw veggies and fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 4 eliminate raw veggies (Eat fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 5 eliminate fruit (Drink lots of water and juices.)
Days 5, 6 and 7 you are on liquids (Master Cleanse, Seasonal Juicing, Water)
Day 8 and 9 - Drink lots of water and juices, add juicy Fruits (grapes, watermelon, plums etc.
Day 10 and 11 - Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits and add green leafy vegetables and seasonal veggies for a colorful salad,
Day 12 and 13 - Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables, seasonal salad and add stemmed vegetables (Greens, Carrots etc
Day 14 and 15 - Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables, seasonal salad, stemmed vegetables (Greens, Carrots etc) and add grains and beans.
Day 16 - Drink lots of water and juices; eat juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables, seasonal salad, stemmed vegetables (Greens, Carrots etc), grains and beans and add oils.
Next Steps:
The next few days will be the hardest as you will choose powerfully to return to un-healthy eating or continue on the path of will being and good health. If you choose to eat meat eat less and organic. Stay away from red meat, diary, fried food, sugar, coffee, alcohol and drugs. Join a group stay healthy. Make sure you keep your bowls moving during the fast. You can drink Smooth Move Tea, do enemas and or a colonic, For a Colonic you can call Vetora at (212) 368-8581. If you have health concerns make sure to talk to your primary health practitioner. Keep a journal, get a fasting buddy and read Fasting with the Seasons by Dr. Elson Hass. Good luck on your journey.
Lots of love, walking with the Earth Mother, Esperanza
Here are some readings:
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=1996
http://www.pureinsideout.com/elson-haas-detox.html
http://bellowingbantam.blogspot.com/2008/07/detoxification-improve-your-health-by.html
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/september-equinox.html
Location:Riverside Park 169st
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