Love and Listen to Your Inner Compass

Many times we’re confused about situations in our lives and we need guidance. We may pray, or seek advice from friends or family or even ask the universe to send us a sign but advice can be subjective and signs can be ambiguous so we may still find ourselves lost.

We don’t need to be lost though—the answers we seek are always there. No one knows us better than ourselves and if we truly want guidance we just need to look within.

If we can find a place of stillness and listen to our hearts, our gut and our minds we’ll know what needs to be done. Respecting and trusting our inner intelligence to be our compass will help us find our way.

–Anthony Clavien

Ben & Jerry’s To Stop Using GMOs — Will Other Ice Cream Companies Follow Suit?

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream to label GMOs

Ben & Jerry’s is making headlines after announcing that the company is removing Genetically-modified organisms from their ice cream.

The brand had been operating with 80% of their ingredients sourced as non-GMO but the company aims to completely phase out genetically modified products from its ice cream from the end of the year. Stating on their website, the undertaking will be “complex” as a single flavor can contain up to 40 ingredients and the pressure to obtain affordable ingredients and ones that can meet demand will be a challenge.

Genetically modified foods, which are engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, have been a source of controversy in the U.S. and abroad. Supporters say the plants boost crop yields, increasing the global food supply, while critics argue the chemicals can be harmful to the environment and cause serious health problems.

By Ben & Jerry’s speaking out about their use of GMOs, it raises the questions about just what foods contain genetically-modified organisms that we would not suspect.

When California residents had the option to vote for Proposition 37, a ballot initiative that would have required genetically-modified foods to be labeled as such, Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever donated almost a half a million to defeat the measure with companies such as Monsanto and The Hershey Co. giving a combined $44 million to defeat the ballot initiative.

The most common items consumers link to containing GMOs are fruits and vegetables, with many opting to pay more for organic produce than regular. By Ben & Jerry’s showing that GMO’s can extend to everything from ice cream to candy bars, it goes to show that it’s important to buy organic as often as possible to protect ours and our family’s health.

As the Vermont ice cream chain makes the change over to non-GMO ice cream, it will be interesting to observe if other popular ice cream brands follow suit.

Equilibrium | Positive Thoughts for June

Negativity empowers positivity; Positivity empowers negativity.

They don’t fight or have problems with each other. They exist as one harmonic balanced whole, called the Yin-Yang, Chi, Life-force, or Kundalini Energy.

What’s really intriguing is the fact that this dual nature exists throughout every level of existence. “Paradox” is a term used when the Mind comprehends the Whole, yet the reasons contradict each other. Example: Separation empowers Unity; Unity empowers Separation.

To know everything you must know nothing. They exist as One. It is the essence in all of the Buddha or Great Master teachings.

As above; So below. Physical; Non-physical. It basically means all of the opposite extremes in existence exist as One Whole. This does not exclude the cycles of Nature, nor the action/reaction principle of the cosmos.

–Anthony Clavien

Dandelion Root Tea: From Nature to You

Summer provides a great variety of fruits and vegetables in season with detoxing benefits, but as we eat healthier during summer months, it’s important to drink healthier as well. Dandelion root tea is a great way to drink healthy throughout the year, but its floral taste is great for this season especially.

Dandelion root tea has a variety of health benefits, including helping us by easing bloating, improving digestion and aiding in weight loss. For those who can contract urinary tract infections easily dandelion helps reduce the risk as well as containing calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamins B and C to help clear up skin conditions for make-up free weather.

To get the full amount of benefits, place dried dandelion root into steeping water and drink as is. Full leaf tea is ideal if purchasing from a major retailer, as crushed dandelion can lose flavor and vitamins in the process. If you’re someone who prefers coffee over tea usually, try making the tea with less water and adding unsweetened almond milk, cinnamon and a few drops of stevia for a sweet and filling drink that will provide you energy throughout the day. Roasting the dandelion root can further mimic the dark roast coffee flavor for coffee lovers.

By adding dandelion root tea to your summer diet, you’re more likely to look and feel great from the inside out.

Is Soy Healthy?

While the soybean has been named a “near-perfect food” the Asian legume has just as many pros as it does cons. Used in a variety of foods including tofu, meat substitutes and soymilk, this vegetarian-friendly option doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s healthy just because it’s packaged as such. Like all things, soy beans need to be consumed in moderation and knowing the health benefits and downfalls of this legume can make you better educated on this item and how it fits into your diet.

Many consumers enjoy having soy in their diet as the legume is packed with high-quality protein, fiber and phytochemicals. Eating 25 grams of soy protein daily, which is a little over a cup’s worth of edamame or three cups soy milk, can significantly lower “bad” LDL and total cholesterol levels. Soy protein directly lowers cholesterol levels by helping the liver clear more LDL from the body.

Having the same amount of soy protein however, affect’s the body’s isoflavones levels. Having a high intake of isoflavones may inhibit the body’s ability to make thyroid hormones, which pay a role in controlling everything from metabolism to body temperature. Some studies suggest that over time, soy could cause thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism (a condition characterized by weight gain, fatigue and cold intolerance) while other studies say that soy only affects thyroid function when a person is low in iodine – a deficiency rare in the United States. Interestingly, having isoflavones from soy in small amounts does not carry these health concerns and can actually cut both the frequency and severity of hot flashes in half for women going through menopause.

Men also can have some health benefits from soybeans, with studies in Asia showing that men who consume about two servings of soy per day are about 30% less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who eat less. Men who already have prostate cancer, preliminary research suggests that soy may inhibit the progression of the disease.

Men who consume more than a quart of soy a day can raise their risk of becoming diagnosed with gynecomastia, the abnormal enlargement of the mammary glands in men. When the body digests soy protein, it is also becoming introduced to genistein and daidzein, natural drugs that act so similarly to drugs that they’re known as phytoestrogens, or plant-produced estrogens. The FDA cites that any amount beyond 25-grams of soy protein a day has the potential to wreak hormonal havoc for men.

In all, it all comes down to eating soy in moderation. Soy can be a great alternative for vegetarians and individuals who are lactose-intolerant, however instead of consuming heavy soy products, switching it up and having other options such as almond milk with cereal and lemon water in the afternoon can allow your body to enjoy the small benefits of soy without increasing risks. Most experts recommend eating just one to two servings a day. Fermented soy foods such as tempeh and miso can be enjoyed a little bit more liberally as the fermentation helps neutralize the calcium-interfering phytic acid in soy. Having a diet diverse in fruits and vegetables along with the occasional soy product is the ideal way of having soy as part of a healthy diet.

Saunas for Improved Health and Wellness

Traditional saunas can benefit your body in a variety of ways beyond relaxation for tired muscles. While most commonly found at day spas and gyms, steam rooms can be enjoyed in a variety of places, including in the comfort of your own home. For those who are on a detox or juice cleanse, adding some steam room time into your daily routine can provide stress relief, boost your immune system, and help aid in removing toxins from your system.

Saunas or at-home steam rooms are traditionally small rooms designed to be heated to high temperatures. After a long day, stress can cause muscles to tense up, causing headaches or muscle pains. Exposure to the steam in a sauna allows your muscles to relax and release the tension causing aches and pains and can even temporarily ease pain from arthritis. The relaxation from a sauna can also allow for longer, deeper sleep that’s easier to achieve for those who need to fall asleep on a better schedule.

While on a detox or juice cleanse, the food you consume helps clear toxins within your body from the inside. Saunas help your detox by eliminating toxins from your body through sweat. Toxin’s that bombard your skin on the outside from daily activities such as shampooing, housecleaning and driving can be removed as well. After your body temperature rises from the heat, your body changes toxins into water-soluble forms that can pass out of your skin’s pores as you sweat.

Sitting in a sauna can help your body fight toxins from the inside out as well. As your muscles take in more heat, it encourages higher blood flow to these areas, allowing for better circulation and bringing fresh oxygen to your tissues. Since the body uses oxygen to move toxins out of your deep muscle tissues, you help put in a little more effort towards detoxing than in diet alone. Additionally, the heat encourages your body to produce more white blood cells which aid in fighting disease and infection allowing you to have an increased immune system, and fight off any illness faster.

If you don’t have access to a gym or spa sauna to use, you can make your own easily at home. If you have a bath/shower combination, place three tablespoons of epsom salts at the bottom of the bath and begin running the water as hot as possible until the bath reaches a desirable level to meet your taste. Place towels along any doorframes to prevent the steam from the shower from escaping. Depending on the size of your bathroom, the steam should start filling the room when the tub is around half way full. So that the water isn’t wasted for the steam alone, after using your temporary steam room, enjoy the bath before showering off. The epsom salts in the bathwater will further help relieve muscle pain, sooth your skin, and help your pores become detoxed.

Positive Feeling | May 2013

Feeling good is an important component toward reaching our goals, because when we’re healthy and strong we can think beyond just survival and we have energy to follow our dreams.

Being happy and healthy gives us the motivation to stick with or realize new goals—it’s hard to worry when we’re feeling good so our energy levels rise and we feel we can conquer anything.

Taking care of ourselves by watching our diet, sleep, and other habits will give us the strength and stamina to make our dreams come true.

It’s a daily choice and it’s worth it. 🙂

–Anthony Clavien

Love Thy Body

The more we take care of our bodies, the more they’ll reward us. When we feed ourselves nutritious food, keep ourselves flexible by exercising and get enough rest we’ll find that our bodies respond in wonderful ways. Our brains are sharper, we have fewer aches and pains, and our moods are brighter. Not to mention we look better too!

Even more, when we keep our bodies pure, our intuition, gut instincts and inner voice become stronger, helping to guide us through the myriad of choices we must make day after day.

Our bodies are priceless vehicles with super powers and when we treat them as the precious gifts they are, the road ahead will be much smoother.

–Anthony Clavien

Positive Outlook on the Road Ahead | Anthony Clavien Positive Thoughts

If we look at the road ahead and it seems like one uphill climb after another with no relief, we need to either change our path or change our perspective.

Sometimes we can’t change our path—we’ve made prior choices that we feel committed to. But we can always change our perspective.

Whatever our journey is—serving others, accomplishing a task or completing a project—if we break it down into small steps with rewards built in along the way, it will suddenly seem much more manageable.

Life isn’t meant to be hard, and when we learn to show generosity, love and compassion to ourselves it becomes fun and beautiful.

Organic, DIY Toothpaste

When we often think of going organic, we associate eating organic foods to rid our bodies of toxins and harmful chemicals. More and more now, harmful ingredients are sneaking into our everyday lives, including our toothpaste. All commercial toothpastes contain harmful and toxic ingredients, such as; titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue Dye #1 & 2, sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin and sodium fluoride. While these ingredients sneak into toothpastes labeled ‘all natural’ these chemicals are not only harmful to your delicate tooth enamel, but they also affect your overall health. Avoid welcoming harmful ingredients into your body by switching to making your own, all natural and organic toothpaste that’s both effective and cost efficient.

In a small container, mix 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil and 2 tablespoons organic baking soda together until it forms a paste-like consistency. Depending on the speed that you hand-mix, this can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and a half to achieve. Once the desired consistency is achieved, add a desired amount of peppermint oil (optional) to the toothpaste, and brush away! Depending on how long you want to keep the toothpaste for, you can make a larger or smaller batch, as the toothpaste can last up to two weeks as long as it’s kept sealed and in a cool, dry place.

The organic homemade toothpaste works because coconut oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal. Studies show that coconut oil destroys bacteria that can cause tooth decay, and is great for sensitive teeth. The baking soda works as a mild abrasive that aids in cleaning and whitening teeth while restoring pH balance within the mouth. Using the coconut oil baking soda mix not only can achieve the same cleaning power as commercial toothpastes, but it can do so while whitening teeth, being sensitive, cost efficient, and all while staying all-natural and organic.