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an authentic affair

I am having a love affair.  With a new book.  That is killing me softly…

You know the feeling, you have butterflies when reading it or when you think about it, which is all the time because it has become your new favorite obsession.  You savour every page and never want it to end. Suddeny a new world has opened up inside of you, FOR you, and its the biggest, brightest wonderland of love and lust, of hope and hell, of pain and pleasure; a fantasy and reality rolled into an experience so exciting, so riveting, so personal that its even hard to talk about.  But talk about it you do.

A MALE BYRON KATIE

As you know, I have interviewed some of the most famous luminaries on the planet, and the other day I happened upon a talk by an author that so mesmerized me…I literally stopped what I was turbo-tasking, and just listened. (Ok, truthfully, I pulled out my yoga mat and did some light stretching…but the soothing, rhythmic sound of his voice and the equally calming ideas and words he was expressing accompanied my feline movements perrrrfectly) And within minutes I heard myself whisper to my Aloe plant nearby, ‘This is life-changing.’

That was 3 days ago.  Since then I have acquired a copy a new book, and I am in deep.  I’m having a love-hate relationship with it.  First, let me say I often read a book a week- its a kind of wonderful side effect of having insomnia. But, this one, I just have to tell you about.

AUTHENTICITY ACCELERATOR

The title describes the book, and the author, Robert Rabbin. His bio reads like a travel diary- He has traveled throughout the world, from the ashrams of India to the forests of Finland, from the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California to the Sinai desert of Israel, from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Istanbul, Turkey- which excites me because I cherish my time spent abroad living in Hong Kong and travelling around South East Asia and Australia, etc. and I naturally attract to people who have physically as well as mentally expanded their horizons.  But there is more to it…his words echoed into my being like a primal resonance, with strength and sustenance about the size of the Grand Canyon.

I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME PURRRR

Why wouldn’t his words have that effect?  Afterall, he IS present.  Even in his writing.  And there isn’t a red-blooded woman breathing who doesn’t respond to THAT.

I went on his site to check him thoroughly out- but pulled a wide grin when stopped in my tracks by the first sentence on his home page, ‘Welcome!  On this website you will find alot of material about me, but what about YOU…What do you want?’  Big people, the really BIG ones, are like that…they are here to serve and its all about US, not them.

He goes on, ‘I believe we all want a vibrant, meaningful life, one in which we can dream big and make things happen.We want to express ourselves truthfully and fearlessly, to relate with intimacy and vulnerability, to fulfill our sense of purpose, to choose work we care about and to do it well. We want to live inspired lives…to light up the world with that inner spark of magic that is ours alone— our authentic self.’

THAT’S JUST HOT

There are those chills again.  The ones I felt listening to his interview while in downward dog.  And the ones I have had since while reading Authenticity Accelerator.  The thrills and chills and battle of wills sneak up on me as I read, and I find I have to just STOP. To breathe. And deal with it.  This isn’t a book to scan while eating and watching TV.  (Well, eating is fine, maybe, depending on what it is- but that’s another story LOL.)   Noo glossing over, sorry Petal.

A LITTLE DEATH LEADS TO A BIGGER LIFE

I’m only less than a quarter way through, and it feels like the world is brighter. AND a storm is coming!  Like, I’m about to be born anew, but I have to die first. I hate that part.

Its a little frightening to read a book that knows you better than you know yourself.  It can get tricky, this paradigm shifting.  Fortunately, the solution is spelled out for us in 10 little words.  And they are simple and straight-forward, loving and kind, albeit with a laser-sharp edge.  Mr Rabbin has taken over 40 years of travel and study and spiritual seeking (he lived in an Ashram under Swami Mutkananda for 10 years) having as many incarnations not to mention hairstyles over those 4 decades, and he has distilled all the wisdom and knowledge he’s gained  into 5 Principles for Authentic Living, in 10 words.

Read them carefully:

BE PRESENT

PAY ATTENTION

LISTEN DEEPLY

SPEAK TRUTHFULLY

ACT CREATIVELY

Read them again.

Now, without peeking at them,  see if you can recite them.

How did you do?

The one or 2 that you find you just went blank on, could be the ones you need the most in your life right NOW.

I’d love to know which ones you resonate with, and struggle with.  As for yours truly, I couldn’t distinguish between the first and second one.  I wrote on Robert’s blog asking about this and his answer painted a beautiful picture I won’t soon forget.

I asked my kids what they thought MY blind-spots were…Landon, age 12 said: ‘You certainly Act Creatively…’ to which Liam nodded.  Then, ‘You certainly Speak Truthfully.’  Liam smiled. ‘You certainly are Present.  You definitely Pay Attention.  But even though you listen deeply to US, you don’t always listen to yourself.’!  Liam age 11 added, ‘Landon’s right. You always say ‘Rushing means fear’ and constantly tell us to slow down- but YOU rush the most!’

BUSTED

My husband high-fived the boys, but they said, ‘It’s kind of hard for you to Be Present, isn’t it, Papa?’ LOL!

Back to curling up on the couch with the book for me and Tsegi!  What about you?  If you can handle the heat, the passion, the thrill of the being touched right to your core, read this book.  It is outing us all!

DEDICATION

I created a special CAPPUCINO CHEESECAKE I dedicated to Robert HERE

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spirit in the leaves

In the circle of life, there are many seasons

‘Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf’s a flower’ said Albert Camus

…a flower…a flow’er…O to be a flow’er, flowing with it all

like the dancing leaves who know how to let go, and at just the right time, too…I admire Autumn flow’ers, I really do

but there’s a part of me that hates letting go of anything and when I see the bare trees it makes me want to cling even more…anyone relate?

But I’m obsessed with freedom, so I barefoot and become one with the flow’ers…at ease wherever they are…on the trees, on the ground, there’s just no drama…

whether they seperate or stay together, sister breeze and brother storm visits without threatening relationships…

Autumn flow’ers roll out a carpet of welcome, delighting in all especially those who dwell nearby, whose familliar footsteps they’ve known since budding in Spring…

Autumn flow’ers cradle my cups

and smile when I stop to take a closer look…Autumn leaves flower in cabbages…

and purple kale chips

and collards

and mint solar tea

and beds of lettuce for raw enchiladas…although I’m pretty sure the mint and lettuce leaves aren’t- strictly speaking-soley Autumn flow’ers…

Then when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a masterpeice appears at my feet…Mama Nature loves to bedazzle and flaunt her flowers…

Autumn flow’ers also make a pretty hot backdrop for your candy apples

and frames your raw mandala pies…

Its impossible to tell how many sweet services are are hidden, camoflaged, rendered unknown…

something I do know is that Autumn flowers are loving emmissaries,

emblems with hearts

and kisses

and quite a bit of drama after all ♥

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5 all raw breakfast ideas

WHEN SLEEPING WOMEN AWAKE, MOUNTAINS WILL MOVE. Chinese Proverb

 

AWAKEN, BEAUTY

We have been brainwashed into believing that we are supposed to eat a big, substantial breakfast to start the day. But our natural bodily rhythms dictate something else. You see, between the hours of 4:00 am and noon, our bodies are in a cycle of DETOXIFICATION- eating a heavy breakfast will only clog you up.  It makes sense to eat light, water-rich foods in the morning to assist with the detoxification that is happening from the day before. As well, through natural respiration and the fact that we aren’t drinking while we are sleeping, our body becomes dehydrated overnight. You are so much better off with lots of water-rich foods in the morning, like fresh fruit and greens. Smoothies or juices are the perfect morning foods.

WHY BREAKFAST IS THE KEY TO HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Breakfast sets the TONE for the entire day, so set yourself up for a radiant day with a breakfast that will:

  1. Break your over-night fast gently without clogging you up
  2. Re-hydrate you
  3. Assist with the natural detoxification which is in process until noon

THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING- Pretty Raw Spa Water

Water with a squeeze of CITRUS (lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit) POMMAGRANATE or GINGER or MINT is the best way to start the day because it will instantly begin to rehydrate you.  As well, these  are  alkalizing to the body, which assists the detox process.  Two glasses within the first half hour of rising is recommended, warm or room temperature but not cold.  Make a nice pitcher and leave it in view so you are reminded to drink it.

SHAKAYA’S DELICIOUS, FAST, SATISFYING & EASY-PEASY BREAKFASTS

When your body begins to feel hungry is the time to take in more than water and not before.  When this natural urge arises in you, here are some of the healthiest options:

  1. GREEN JUICE

Ahhhh, the fountain of youth!  A raw green juice is a fresh pressed juice made with your JUICER and greens: parsley, cucumber, celery, collards, spinach, kale, dandelion, chard, sprouts, weeds (nettles, malva, lambsquarters etc.) usually with a couple carrots, apples or pears or a lemon to taste.  Do NOT juice sweet fruit exclusively as your breakfast especially if you have problems regulating your blood sugar.  Fruit is best eaten in its whole state with its fibre to help regulate blood sugar.  I recommend juicing mostly veggies and adding the minimal amount of fruit to make the drink palatable for you if necessary to hydrate and mineralize and alkalise your beautiful blood.

APPLE CHEEKS

This powerful combination really cleanses sluggish blood, making your cells pink and healthy, and giving your complexion a beautiful, rosy glow. Apples are rich in vitamin B and have high levels of pectin and malic acid, which can help stimulate skin cell renewal like magic.

3 Apples

1 Beet

1 Cucumber

1 Lime or Lemon

1 inch piece of Ginger

Juice everything except the citrus in your juicer- squeeze the citrus by hand. This beauty beverage is sweet and wholesome like Heidi in the mountains, and will make you smile inside with a sense that all is right in your world.

2.   GREEN SMOOTHIE

A green smoothie is a mixture of fresh greens (as above) and fresh or frozen fruit: berries, bananas, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, apples, mango etc. in 60/40 proportions fruit to greens, that is made in a BLENDER with about 1 cup of water.  Superfoods such as HEMP SEEDS, COCONUT BUTTER, BEE POLLEN etc may be added.

Here is a favorite of mine from my book Naked Beauty:

FRENCH KISS

I love kiwis so much I could kiss them, and so will you after you taste this smoothie!  They are so delicious and refreshing in this drink. You wouldn’t believe how much water-soluble Vitamin C they contain (equivalent to an orange, which is several times this cutie’s size), plus the important fat-soluble antioxidant Vitamin E. In the world of phytonutrients, kiwi fruit has premier antioxidants able to protect the DNA of human cells from oxygen-related stress. With their bright green flesh speckled with tiny black seeds, they are also a tropical treat for the eyes.

6 Kiwis, peeled

1 C Strawberries

2 frozen Bananas

½ Cucumber

a sprig of Basil

Blend and go find a special someone to smooch!  Basil is known to increase fertility and libido, and was worn between the breasts of women who believed it to be a charm to attract men, who find it an aphrodisiac.

3.  FRESH FRUIT PLATE

The fastest breakfast is to just head out the door with fresh fruit that fits in your hand and is so convenient, such as a few apples, bananas, a pound of grapes or berries like these golden raspberries straight from our bush with the gorgeous apricot hue and delicate scent- anything that you like.  Eating bananas with hemp seeds or raw almonds soaked in water overnight is a delicious combination but may feel too heavy first thing in the morning because neither bananas nor nuts/seeds have a high water content.  However, if you are transitioning from bagels and cream cheese or bacon and eggs type of breakfasts, this may work perfectly for you!

Fresh fruit sliced up attractively with a sprinkle of cinnamon and citrus juice or ginger juice and perhaps a light dusting of seeds HEMP SEEDS, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, PUMPKIN SEEDS and/or dried fruit CURRANTS, GOJI BERRIES, DRIED APRICOT pieces is an attractive meal that is perfect for morning.  However, if you have blood-sugar issues and cannot handle fruit on its own, I recommend mixing in to the fruit salad some chopped CUCUMBER, AVOCOADO, CELERY and/or LETTUCE.  The minerals in the greens will help to regulate the influx of blood sugar.  Cinnamon is a spice, which also balances blood sugar and I recommend using cinnamon as much as possible especially when eating anything sweet.

4.   RAW PUDDINGS

A raw pudding is a very satisfying breakfast solution.  The varieties are endless.  They are made with fruit that has a smooth and creamy texture like bananas, avocado, durian etc and/or soaked cashews.  Because they are blended they are easily digested.  This is comfort food that everyone loves.  It may be too sweet for breakfast- at least it is for me.  However, I have served this to children and other non-raw friends for holiday brunches and everyone LOVED this!

BUTTERSCOTCH MINT PUDDING

2 Bananas

¼ C soaked dried Apricots

4 pitted dates

¼ C raw Almond or Cashew Butter or 1 Avocado

1 t Coconut Butter optional

¼ t Vanilla powder or extract

a few leaves of fresh mint to taste

BLEND in a food processor until smooth and creamy.  Curl up and savour this decadent dessert breakfast. Just about any green smoothie can be made into a pudding by blending the fruit and greens without water; for ex: papaya and banana and spinach, or mango and parsley.  A tangy Key Lime Mousse can be made from only 3 ingredients to taste: Avocado, Lime and Honey.

5.   RAW CEREAL

Most commercial cereals that are made in a huge industrial factory and come in a box- how uninspiring!  These are full of chemicals and sugar and are fake foodstuffs that cause blood sugar issues, weight gain, toxicity and constant hunger.  Make your own in seconds!  A cup full of sprouted buckwheat or soaked nuts and seeds with some fresh and dried fruit can be tossed together in seconds for an instant raw grawnola.  Top with some apple or orange juice or nut mylk.  There are raw granolas, raw pancakes and crepes, breakfast bars and other options that I will tell you more about another time, but I don’t always recommend them for breakfast because they aren’t high enough in water content.  Remember, the healthiest breakfast that won’t clog you up is not only raw, but also high in water content.  Therefore nuts and most seeds that you would use in a g’raw’nola for example are not very low in water content – they make wonderful snacks or BRUNCHES.  However, if you are not used to eating light, these heavier breakfasts are a beautiful transitioning strategy.

MORNING HAPPINESS

3 T Chia seeds soaked in 1 C Water or Apple or Orange juice for 10 minutes

1 small Apple diced

1 small Banana sliced

1 t Goji Berries or Currants

1 t Hemp, Pumpkin or Sunflower Seeds

A dusting of Cinnamon, Nutmeg and/or Cardamon

Mix all the pretty jewels together and be dazzled by the array of vibrant flavours and textures to start you on another sparkling day!

OR, if you want to keep it extra easy, blend some fresh figs or berries with chia seeds and let set while you get dressed and VOILA!  Raw Jell-O!

I hope you found an idea or two here.  Now its your turn- what is YOUR favorite healthy breakfast?

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feed your skin

Poetry meets practicality because it’s time to rejuvenate and extend love to your best friend ever~ yourself! This is pampering of the highest order.

Get in the mood by creating a festive ambience~ atmosphere enriches the experience:

♥ gather your robe and slippers, bees wax candles, a soothing CD with classical music and sounds of Nature

♥ make a pitcher of Spa water with pretty slices of lemon, lime, orange or cucumber floating on top, or pretty ice cubes with made with flowers or sections of citrus

♥ remove all distractions and clutter and prepare to care for yourself like a Queen


Have Spa-gorgeous skin without leaving home

CLEANSERS

Cleansers that work best are made from natural sources that have active essential oils and fresh ingredients.  You don’t want to strip the natural oils from your skin, which throws off a healthy pH balance.  Removing surface residue, while providing hydration, is the foundation of healthy skin.

Each one of these recipes is balanced with water-based and oil-based compounds with a creamy texture to sweep away impurities leaving your skin clean, hydrated and glowing.  The essential oils add another degree of hygiene and beautification.  You will find these holistic skin treatments luxurious to use, cost only pennies a day and are easy and quick to prepare for flawless skin.

Caution: If you have sensitive skin or allergies to any of the ingredients, avoid using it or please be sure to test each mixture on your wrist for 24 hours before putting it on that gorgeous face of yours.

Most of the ingredients are already in your kitchen

Here are the 3 best cleansing treatments I have found that work for virtually everyone. They are designed to truly feed your skin.  They are all elegantly simple, fresh and fast plus they smell euphoric.  Remember, for a beautiful countenance do not stop at your face but include your neck and décolleté in all your cleansing and moisturizing regimes.


MORNING BREEZE CLEANSING LOTION

Yogurt, Olive Oil and Honey make a creamy, light beauty treatment that contains a healing helix of nutrients to cleanse and nourish your skin. Good for oily, normal and combination skin types.

1 T Yogurt

½ t Olive Oil

½ t Honey

½ t Lime juice

2 drops Neroli essential oil

 

Yogurt contains lactic acid which used in skin-care treatments has the ability to improve the texture of your skin.

Olive Oil used for the past 6000 years by Mediterranean women as the prized ingredient in beauty treatments, cleansing and body care, olive oil is a relatively diffuse and inexpensive antioxidant packed, moisturizing emollient still found today in modern soaps, shampoos, conditioners and creams.

Honey is a natural humectant that attracts and binds water to the surface layers of the skin and is anti-bacterial.

Lime juice refreshes and clarifies the skin making your complexion brighter and its antibacterial property is beneficial in the treatment of acne.

Neroli essential oil also known as ‘Orange Blossom’ oil requires about 1,000 pounds of these flowers to produce 1 lb of oil.  It has a refreshing, spicy, floral aroma and is very regenerating for mature skin and balancing for oily skin.

METHOD

Combine the yogurt, honey and oils and mix thoroughly. Spread cleanser over entire face and neck avoiding the eye area using circular strokes. Wash off cleanser with a warm facial cloth. Rinse with cool water and apply your favorite moisturizer.

Preparing your own skin-care, made from non-toxic, simple ingredients right in your home is an act of self-love.  Self- Pampering isn’t just a luxury- it is the gift that keeps on giving because when you feeling refreshed and well-loved, you are worth more to yourself and the world ♥

Excerpt from Naked Beauty available HERE

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burn-out isn’t beautiful

Shakaya Leone says 'Pamper yourself like the goddess you are...'

Burn out isn’t beautiful, Baby.  Multi-tasking mamas and other super-sheroes, this is for you…

FOOD DOESN’T GIVE YOU ENERGY- FOOD GIVES STIMULATION

Did you know that it isn’t food that gives you energy?  It is sleep.  Food actually requires energy to be digested, which is why you may feel drowsy after eating.  Sleep is like the battery in a car.  The fuel for our body may be our food, but even with a full tank of gas, if the battery is dead, the car won’t run.  So, even with the most nutritious diet, without proper rest your body cannot function fully.

Animals in the wild get plenty of sleep and look how beautiful, graceful, fit and strong they are!  We may be party-animals and over-achievers capable of turbo-tasking, but the down side is that our inner world can become so ramped up by all the outer stimulation that we cannot wind down properly at night.

YOUR SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ISN’T VERY SYMPATHETIC

The problem with rushing around getting everything done is that oftentimes you may be feeling stressed which triggers the sympathetic nervous system; some women even experience ‘anxiety attacks’ and notice shortness of breath or rapid heart rate for no real reason. These are normal signs of the sympathetic nervous system during a crisis and could help one to escape danger, but this is not a normal response to everyday life.

So what is happening here? Think of it this way- a car has an accelerator and a brake; they are not used at the same time.  But that is what we are doing when we don’t get proper rest and sleep.

Constant misuse of your nervous system over long periods of time causes chronic stress which can result in illness.  Popular author and recovering doing addict, Christine Arylo who wrote Choosing ME before WE says in my book Naked Beauty: ‘There is a silent epidemic crippling today’s 21st century woman. Under the pressure to do, be, and have it all, women’s lives have become unsustainable. But instead of slowing down and listening to the screams of their worn out bodies, women feel no choice but to push through day after day… until the day they push too far and their body stops in revolt.’

YOUR ‘PARA’SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM IS PARAMOUNT

The body ‘forgets’ how to turn off the sympathetic system and needs be re-trained in turning on the ‘para’ system, which is the relaxation system.

To be more relaxed and calm by day and experience deep sleep at night, we must allow for each system to work correctly. To learn how to stimulate your ‘para’ system, which will help calm the overactive sympathetic system, here are 3 very simple and potent relaxing techniques. You can use several times a day or even every hour on the hour for about a minute or so, to attune to the harmony and peacefulness of your parasympathetic system.

3 RELAXATION RITUALS

♥ BREATH calm and deeply and you will begin to instantly relax. Do this at least 10 times, 3 x a day.

♥ VISUALIZE calm, pleasant scenarios or happy memories in your mind’s eye and you can go even deeper in your relaxation.

♥ Repeate MANTRAS or sounds such as ‘Ahhh’ or ‘Om’ or even ‘Thank you’, ‘Yes’, ‘Mmmm’ etc and your relaxation is further enhanced.  Try exhaling these sounds for a real sense of letting go.

These Relaxation Rituals are vitally important especially if you find that you really don’t slow down until bedtime at which point you find yourself tossing and turning unable to fall asleep easily or you cannot stay asleep or go back to sleep…it is usually because you are not relaxed enough.

By applying these techniques in an intentional state of PRAYER or MEDITATION teaches your body to function within both nervous systems properly.  Sleep becomes easier and more restorative as a result.

This is an excerpt from my book Naked Beauty which I am taking to heart.  It’s hard medicine to swallow for this self-confessed night owl to the extreme- I’m a bedtime at 2-4 am and up with kids at 7:30/8 Creatrix!  My high-raw food diet sustains me in the short term- if 9 years is considered short term?  Well, yes it is when I think of how juicy and active I plan on being at 111 😉  I feel amazing, yet I am aware that it may not always be the case if I don’t attend to this missing nutrient of sleep.  This may take some time to change a lifetime habit of nocturnal naughtiness…so in the meanwhile, I am practicing pampering and relaxation rituals during the day to help me unwind at night.

MY 40 DAY EXTREME SELF-CARE PRACTICE

I am currently enveloped in the middle of a 40 Day self-care Practice inspired by Self-Love Queen Christine, so lavish baths are on the agenda, which you can read about in my upcoming EMPRESS LIVING e-Zine when you SUBSCRIBE to my private MAILING LIST below.  And you will get my never before LAVENDER ROSE BATH BEADS recipe that you can make in 2 minutes for the most luxe bathtime ever, at a moments notice.

Shakaya Leone's aromatherapy bath beads

So, when do you turn in, Sleeping Beauty? And, do you have any great relaxation rituals and pampering pearls you’d love to share?  Let’s start an Earth Empress pampering panacea  ♥

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