Presence is key

It is a new year and I am powerfully embodying intentions for my evolution as a human. 😂

While I'd like to go off on a tangent of heart-bursting affirmations here, I am going to keep it real for a moment.

I am talking about self-regulation. Yes -- I am a parent to a toddler who is at the brink of discovering emotions, physical independence and thus regulating all of this. It came to me, in the desire to be a wiser, kinder, more successful parent, what would happen to ME if someone shut down Netflix abruptly as I was happily munching away on my avocado naan toast? Yes, I might lose my zen! "How dare you!?" And how unaware is it of us adults to surmise (I am loving this word these days) that children aren't supposed to say, "Hey there! I was watching Netflix, you know, at least you could give me the respect of a warning before you cut of ma show!!"

In quiet moments, once the noodle is fast asleep in dreamland, I can reflect and realize that with compassion I can observe that my child is a pro at focusing on one task, so deeply, once they are engrossed until their mind alerts them to the next big thing to explore. Being more observant of these nuances will help my kid and I relate to each other better. 

Being a parent is akin to meditation. It's a practice. In the hair-pulling tension of a tantrum, if I keep remembering my child as a state of growth and wonder then I can hold space for this little before me.

In gratitude for presence :-)

AYURVEDIC POWER JUICE!

Greetings friends and thank you for visiting our blog!

Recently Mind Body Soul Healing held it's annual retreat in Field Ontario, at Fisher's Paradise situated on the Sturgeon River where 13 souls gathered for:

~Plant medicine walks

~Ayurvedic constitution consultation

~Discourses on Yoga + Ayurveda

~Daily meditation and Yoga
~Ayurvedic healing meals

~Sound healing circles

~Shamanic Journeys
~Ecstatic Dance

~Saunas and Swimming

Each morning a special juice was prepared, to drink first thing on an empty stomach. 

I will tell you we had an interesting time with the juicer! The juicer supplied to the kitchen had been heavily loved and had a few nuances in the methodology of holding the juicer and it's parts a certain way, so it would actually turn on. Ha ha! Day 1 juicing proved nearly detrimental for Katie - juicing alone. The bitter gourd and amla are quite fibrous and tough to get through the tiny blades of this ol' juicer. But we did it! Day 2 proved to be a quick task for us as we were two - so juice was done with minimal pit falls! Hooray! 3 Litres of beautiful healing juice was prepared to share with the retreat group. Of course, very bitter in taste, yet refreshing and so effective! I felt my brain fog disappear!

Amla (Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthus emblica) refers to it's sour taste. It is also called Indian Gooseberry and is known to be one of the most consumed Ayurvedic medicinal foods.

The health benefits of Indian Gooseberry, also known as Amla, can be partially attributed to its high vitamin-C content. Amla enhances food absorption, balances stomach acid, fortifies the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, supports the heart, strengthens the lungs, regulates elimination of free radicals, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, increases skin health, promotes healthier hair, acts as a body coolant, flushes out toxins, increases vitality, strengthens eyes, improves muscle tone and, acts as an antioxidant.

The Indian Gooseberry belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. This fruit ripens in the autumn in wet, forested, hilly areas on the Indian subcontinent. In India it is considered a sacred tree. The fruit is very nourishing, but it tastes sour. Both dried and fresh fruits can be consumed for their health benefits.

It provides remedies for many diseases, so it is widely used in Ayurvedic treatment. Gooseberry is very rich in Vitamin C, and contains many minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene and Vitamin B Complex. Amla is also a powerful antioxidant agent.

Many health problems are caused by oxidative damage (when body cells use oxygen, they produce by-products called free radicals that can cause damage). Antioxidant agents prevent and repair these damages. Vitamin-C is a good antioxidant agent, which makes gooseberries a powerful tool against a variety of conditions, including various types of cancer.

~

Bitter gourd is a vegetable that comes from tropical and subtropical vine. I've noticed it in stock, even in the local budget grocery store and is grown in India as well as Dominican Republic. It will easily be found at Asian and Indian food stores.

Bitter gourd juice is enriched with goodness of Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and C. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana. Bitter gourd has many healing effects on the body, just to name a few: Blood Disorders - Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia; Diabetes Mellitus - Bitter melon juice contains plant insulin that is highly beneficial in lowering sugar levels in blood and urine; Eye problems - The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd juice makes it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight; Immune booster - This bitter juice can also help to build your immune system and increase your body's resistance against infection; Respiratory disorders - Bitter juice drink daily can improve asthma, bronchitis and pharyngitis.

Drinking these juices together can have a very detoxing effect on the body.  It balanced cholesterol, has a multitude of anti-cancer/aging properties, increases immunity, prevents coronary heart disease, improves red blood cell count, digestive problems, improves hair health, heals skin infections, anti-inflammatory/viral/fungal/bacterial. So powerful!! To me, this feels like the green juice version of chaga or reishi tea which are also cure-alls! 


Participants of the retreat learned a lot of practical Ayurvedic & Vedic knowledge as well as deepened their mindfulness and yoga practices, all in the beautiful surroundings of nature! See you next year!

Link to finding your dosha type ---> http://bit.ly/1EStfwC

~

Links to more info on fruits and ayurvedic detoxing:

http://easyayurveda.com/2013/01/17/amla-benefits-dose-usage-side-effects-complete-ayurveda-details/

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/why-amla-is-so-great-for-your-health/


https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/indian-gooseberry-amla.html

Raw Food Cleanse, Chakra Jewellery, Spring!

Hi friends,

Lots of great things on the horizon! I'm so excited to have committed to a 21 day raw food cleanse. It feels so great and I feel very thankful for this opportunity. It's such a lovely cycle because as I continue to get more energy and clarity from the clean, nutritious diet, I get more ideas and motivation! I recommend adding more green smoothies to your breakfast routine as an easy start - and don't worry, it will still taste like fruit!

I would like to continue sharing my raw discoveries and journeys, so stay tuned! I have had a flair for cooking for a few years now, though my mom tried so lovingly hard to get me to start cooking at the age of 8! I'm so thankful for these memories, my Mom is amazing and raised me well! So after several years of eating the "left-home-for-college" diet, I became vegetarian, then vegan, then not, then bought a Vita-Mix, added more raw foods, and here I am at the raw cleanse! I'm proud of myself for getting here. And thank goodness my Mom likes my creations :) What a blessing.

Italian Bruschetta sushi!

Chocolate Hazelnut Pie with Strawberry Goji Filling

I've also been working on a few jewellery pieces that incorporate gemstones that match well with the wearer's chakras, for healing and balancing. I have been getting relaxed and meditative before working in the studio or cooking...becoming centred, grounded, full of love...so all of these beautiful vibes are being infused into the jewellery and food!

Aventurine (for luck, to calm emotions and give you the courage to live your truth) with Cherry Quartz (for clarity)

"The Keys to my Heart" sold - with Peach Moonstone (helps to strengthen intuition and psychic perception and brings balance and harmony with the All; helps sacral, heart and third eye chakra) and Chrysoprase (calming, helps to open the heart chakra)

Love, Light and Peace,

Namaste,

~Laura

Some new pieces, in progress

This new line of work is very exciting to me. I love encorporating found objects or mixed media in my work and I have two sources of found objects.
One is some fantastic green leather that I cut off a vintage chair that was on the sidewalk outside my house. It is the highlight of the series I'm making now that involves the guitar pick shape, pierced to reveal the fabulous green leather underneath.
The other, is recycled blue acupuncture tubes. Hundreds are disposed of per day, and this is a fun way to 'upcycle' a material so it doesn't have to make it's way to the dump - it can be made into jewellery or other forms of sculpture or art.
-Adios

Guitar pick ring, base is ready to be soldered to band, then leather and top piece are rivited to secure.

Almost finished...!

Neckpiece - Blue upcycled acupuncture tubes, black stretch cord.

Spring has sprung and I'm creating a new line of jewellery!

Wow, things are crazy busy in my studio as I'm getting ready for a summer/fall craft shows. I can't wait! Just in time for Spring cleaning, I've been able to clean out the old designs and add in the new! More updates to follow, but I wanted to post a few process pictures of pieces I'm working on.

Salut...

Wedding Bands

I was commissioned to make a pair of wedding bands. The design was simple and sleek. Photographed by the lovely and talented, Alexis Finch!

Got £299,995.00?

Yet another must-have gadget from Apple, the new iPad, released but this one makes you do a double-take. Stuart Hughes designed this limited edition iPad for elite clients, called The Platinum Supreme. It is solid white gold encrusted with 85.5 carats of flawless diamonds! Imagine opening that iPad box on your birthday and taking in all the beauty of this handcrafted masterpiece...talk about bling!

Hughes also has a range of other pieces pictured below for the iPhone, iPod, Wii, Blackberry and even some fashion accessories such as suits, wallets, phone holsters and watches. I might have to hold out for a few *decades* before I procure my first Stuart Hughes purchase!



Adiós