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Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk

Mmmm… Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk is yumminess so soothing, delicious and comforting before bed I find myself turning in earlier just cause I can't wait to make it! This mug of exotic spiced mylk sweetened with a touch of raw honey tingles the tastebuds and warms the insides. Minutes later, tucked into soft jammies and lavender spritzed covers, I'm falling into a deep slumber of fantastical adventures… dreams so beautiful I don't wake up until dawn. Ok, the falling asleep quickly part is definitely thanks to my Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk, excellent for inducing sound, restful sleep. The continuation of a night filled with brilliant dreams leads me to a subject of an upcoming post, however, I'll give you a sneak peek…

Yet another Ayurvedic technique to promote restful sleep is rubbing a little warm sesame oil (cold pressed) on the soles of the feet (which contain reflexology points connecting all over the body). I add a few drops of pure **Frankincense Essential Oil to enhance this and I'm experiencing the affect of ultimate relaxation and beautiful dreams. I adore a night of deep sleep filled with intense dreaming, magical adventure that can't be bothered by waking up in the middle… designed by the universe just for us, stimulating our creative brain until it's perfectly time to open our eyes, look out the window, in a purely refreshed state of excitement for the daytime portion of our lives! Beautifully restful those dreamy nights where anything and everything is possible, preparing our subconscious for the grounded adventure of sunlit days. That's what sesame oil and frankincense do for me – it's no wonder the three wise men brought baby Jesus Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold. I'll share in an upcoming post, which essential oils (EO's) I use in addition to the amazing power they have. Not all EO's are created equally for there is a highly refined art to how they're grown, distilled and combined. Therefore, it's important to properly source them. However, I've already delved much farther into this subject than intended, so stay tuned for more exciting details soon!

**Frankincense oil is an ancient oil which has been used for over 5000 years for restoration of the immune system, enhancing skin care, and harnessing spiritual connection to help us release parts of our ego which hold us back from connecting with our soul, as well as releasing feelings of unworthiness and insecurity. Often used in meditation, it's useful for visualizing, improving spiritual connection, centering, and providing comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. The uses and benefits of Frankincense date long before the time of Christ to the Egyptians and Sumerians. Today, scientific research has shown Frankincense contains 8% sesquiterpenes which stimulate the part of the brain that controls emotions, and 78% monoterpenes which are known to be calming and restorative.

What I will say – on a seemingly different subject and yet not since everything in life is so inextricably intertwined – is that awakening (pun intended) is pure joy! All the tidbits I share on StyleNectar are simple ways to Live Beautifully, to help us experience the profound joy that is our birthright. People, do not give up. Even if you feel hopeless, do not give up. Trust me I've been there. We all have. However, our problems are indeed opportunities in disguise. They inspire us to look beyond the limitations of conditioned mind – beyond simply meeting ego's needs – as it dawns on us that ego's needs can NEVER be met. It will never be enough. Ego's appetite is insatiable and its promises empty. The good news, however, is our freedom, our bliss, lies not in some external person, achievement or thing. Freedom is in our own hands – we're at the mercy of no one, no thing! It's designed that way – and in fact it's our life purpose to realize. Some might call it learning to love ourselves. I would say it's realizing we are love. Meditation weans us from our addiction to distraction, disatisfaction, drama, and living in stories of past and future. Finding freedom is SO much more fun than the futility of attempting to appease ego. It's why many people who so called "have it all" are still not satisfied, blind to the simple, beautiful fact that we had it all from the very beginning. We always have. Always will. The heart. Love. Through meditation we experience this disrobing of the layers of disatisfaction, to bathe in love, be one with who we are. Experiencing our true nature. Our highest potential. When we bring true nature to our human experience we open our eyes to everything that has been within and around us all along. The magic of life force, of being alive. We see that it's about the process, each moment. Forget the results, they're just another addiction to tear us away from the moment. When we leave the moment we disconnect from the source and dive headfirst into suffering. Meditation and living in tune with nature reinforce our oneness with the source, opening ourselves up to a magical way of living not possible, or encouraged – by the conditioned world.

Ayurvedic Spiced Sleepytime Mylk w Turmeric, Cardamom & Ginger

The science of Ayurveda, based on the ancient healing traditions of India, supports living in sync with nature, adjusting our way of living to balance the affect changes in our environment have on our doshas (doshas being the three mind-body types: vata, pitta & kapha). These changes in the rhythms and forces of nature such as the shift from morning to night and the inevitable seasons have a profound impact on us. According to Ayurveda, a key to good health, peaceful mind and higher level functioning is to live in harmony with these patterns of nature. This means continually balancing our inner ecology and our doshas to adjust to our ever changing environment.

Fall provokes the qualities of the vata dosha, characterized by such physical attributes as dryness, cold, subtlety, mobility, lightness, clarity, instability & astringency. Thus, Ayurvedic guidelines for autumn revolve around pacifying vata and grounding by keeping warm, calm, maintaining a regular routine, eating warming foods & spices and avoiding extreme cold, cold foods and too many raw foods. While there are many incredible reasons to include loads of raw foods into our diets, I'm not dogmatic about a 100% raw food philosophy. Currently, I'm experimenting with a 70% raw food, 30% cooked food breakdown. That said, don't forget, just because food is raw, doesn't mean it has to be cold – soups, entrees etc. can all be warm, yummy and comforting and stay raw. I'll be bringing more of these warming dishes to you this season.

Autumnal shifts in my diet are accompanied by going to bed a bit earlier, the addition of cozy blankets, sweaters, scarves and slippers; you won't catch me without a mug of something warm such as green tea or this Ayurvedic Spiced Mylk. I find myself wearing my hair down in its natural waves around my neck and ears like an extra scarf to keep me warm. Dinnertime brings warming stews spiced with seeds of cumin, mustard & coriander, or spicy thai noodles w/ shiitakes and coconut cream sauce (yes coming soon!)… It's a gorgeous, cold, light, blustery and dry time of the year. Leaves sparkling and rustling in the autumnal gusts. Even my kitty changes her routine, heading back to nap in her pillow-lined basket in the kitchen.

Sleepytime Ayurvedic Warming Spiced Mylk with Turmeric, Ginger & Cardamom

With these adaptations to the change in seasons I've been inspired to incorporate additional Ayurvedic structure to my days. I experience an incredible amount of life force on a 100% raw foods diet combined with my dedicated meditation practice. It's probably something one has to experience to be able to relate to… spiritual breakthroughs of a whole new level, such oneness with nature it's frequency pulses through my veins. However, from an Ayurvedic perspective, though we do live in heated homes, a 100% raw food diet might not be best in winter. While I did remain close to 100% raw last winter, as I was brand new to it and unwilling to let go of the high frequency living a raw food diet was providing, old school Ayurvedic science would feel this could provoke too much vata. On the other hand there are "living" Ayurvedas who would completely endorse 100% raw year round for the level of prana it provides. Which side to take? As Ghandi said, "My life is experiments in truth". So this year I'm experimenting, taking the middle way by incorporating more grounding cooked food into my routine. I find life is constant change, refinement, which forces us to stay awake, keep our eyes open. Far better than falling asleep on auto-pilot thinking we've figured it all out. So here's a peek at the rest of the Ayurvedic inspired daily routine I'm transitioning into:

Ayurveda would recommend waking up early, around 5 am to experience the calm stillness of the morning this time of year. I'm working on that, finding 6:00 am is my current goal 🙂 A bit of yoga is advised upon waking, which I find quite wonderful, only 10-20 minutes or so, focusing on the following asanas especially soothing of vata: Cat and Cow, Spinal Twist, Cobra, Vajrasana, Forward & Backward Bend, and Lotus. Shoulder Stand and Headstand are good in moderation. Additionally, Sun Salutations in sets of 12 at minumum for good exercise or a maximum to the number of one's age -tho work up gradually if you try that! I follow yoga with bathing & oil pulling, breakfast & meditation. If I've gotten up early enough I'll take an early walk in nature, otherwise, I'll soak up the sunshine on a lunchtime walk. After a day's work, supported by my essential oils (again more on these soon!) I have dinner (sometimes raw, sometimes cooked, always warm) relax, and aim to go to bed within an hour after sunset – yes that early! It's fantastic. Just before bed it's a short second meditation then my delicious Warming Spiced Sleepytime Mylk. As mentioned, it completely helps me sleep through the night – and even if it didn't I'd still drink it cause it's SO darn comforting, yummy and freakin delicious people! Yes, it does have turmeric in it- which is of course unbelievable for us on so many levels, and it tastes phenomenal. If you think you wouldn't like it with turmeric, try it, I think you'll be surprised 🙂

Lastly, after having my sleepytime mylk… I wash up for bed and rub the soles of my feet with the aforementioned sesame oil and frankincense to cleanse my body, sleep like a baby, and dream like I'm in a whole new world. As I said, more on the essential oils coming soon…

**Turmeric has a vast variety of uses. In general it's a good anti-inflammatory. In traditional medicine, it's used to treat liver disorders, parasitic infections, ulcers, skin problems, bruises, joint pain and inflammation, sprains & strains, cold & flu symptoms and as a general digestive aid. Scientific research shows that turmeric aids in breaking down liver toxins, strengthening gallbladder function, aiding lipid (aka fat) metabolization, and preventing blood clotting. Recent studies show turmeric may help prevent lung, breast colon, and other forms of cancer.

PS. I can't possibly discuss Indian science without mentioning one of my top (as in top 3) favorite books, the Baghatvad Gita (translation by Eknath Eswaran). Life changing. Just like us. Just like nature.

Recipe for Warming Spiced Ayurvedic Sleepytime Mylk

Ingredients

1 cup of almond, coconut or your fav non-dairy mylk
pinch of cardamom
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of black pepper
pinch of ginger
pinch of turmeric
raw honey

Method

Pour your favorite mylk into a small pot.
Add spices to taste and whisk to combine. Start with less and experiment with more later. I actually use 1/2 tsp of each spice which makes my mylk bright yellow and I LOVE it! However, a pinch is all you need.
Bring mylk to baby bottle temperature to keep it raw. If you don't care about it staying raw, bring it to a light steam.
Add a raw honey to taste & give mylk another whisking.
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy heavenly sleepytime yummminess! Sweet Dreams 🙂

Do you meditate or have you ever considered meditating? How are you transitioning into the cooler weather?

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All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty

Oil Pulling for Beautiful Teeth, Healthy Gums & More

I have a simple yet powerful health practice for super white teeth & healthy pink gums. In fact, according to ancient Ayurvedic medicine, my daily ritual provides not only complete oral health, it can assist the body in healing at the root of a great many overall bodily issues. My little secret to a beautiful smile and potentially much more is called Oil Pulling.

The Ayurvedic technique of Oil Pulling has been practiced for centuries. It consists of the simple practice of slowly swishing a spoonful of cold-pressed oil (coconut -my fav, sesame, or sunflower oil) around the mouth on an empty stomach for about 20 minutes and then spitting it out. I do this every morning while showering and getting dressed, followed by a gargle with salt water. I was instantly hooked after my first try, during which I'd swished for a marathon 30 minutes, and found my teeth so much whiter after just one session I couldn't believe my eyes. As I continued for the next few weeks, I noticed the bit of recession I'd had around a few lower teeth where there was a greater tendency for plaque between cleanings, was completely dissapearing. Soon, the plaque was gone and the recession had completel reversed! Now, all my teeth are whiter than they've ever been (and that includes, before I knew better, when I'd used bleaching trays from the dentist which made my teeth hurt and my gums turn white while doing who knows what to my enamel) and all my teeth have pink, healthy little gumline 'turtlenecks' around them with no more 'cowl necks' forming around those few on the lower left!

While whiter, healthier teeth, pinker gums and a pristine oral cavity are hugely worthwhile in themselves (oral health being linked to the health of all the various parts of the body – the most well known of which being heart health) the potential health benefits don't stop there. Let's delve into a little more detail on the history, these additional potential benefits and how the practice works.

History

As mentioned, the therapy of Oil Pulling from traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine dates back 3000 years. Ancient Ayurvedic texts discuss oil pulling as a tool for detoxification of the entire body claiming it can be a cure for a wide variety of diseases. While there aren't scientific studies to support such benefits beyond the oral cavity, there are many individuals who claim to have reaped miraculous results beyond just the mouth. Orally, however, scientific studies do show that the practice helps strengthen teeth (including fastening loose teeth), jaws and gums, prevents decay and bleeding gums and combats gigivitis, plaque and microorganisms that cause bad breath. Results are shown to be especially pronounced if coconut oil is used as it's a powerful destroyer of all kinds of harmful microbes, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa.

How it works & Benefits to the mouth and beyond

Most microorganisms inhabiting the mouth consist of a single cell. Cells are surrounded by a lipid or fatty membrane. When these cells make contact with the oil, also a fat, they naturally adhere to one another, thereby, trapping the lipid coated pathogens in the oil which are eventually spit out. Additionally, research has shown that the enzymes in the saliva, which mix with the oil in the process of swishing, increase the ability of coconut oil in particular, to inhibit the growth of most strains of Streptococcus bacteria, including the bacterium that is a major cause of tooth decay.(2) Enzyme-modified coconut oil has also shown to be harmful to the yeast Candida albicans. I've personally experimented with both sesame and coconut oil and, while both yielded results, I found the results from coconut oil more pronounced. That said, Ayurvedic medicine and the researchers at OilPulling.com advocate use of sesame oil over coconut oil. The following is an excerpt from OilPulling.com on the relationship between oral disease and systemic disease:

"Scientists at the 87th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, reported new studies connecting oral diseases with systemic diseases. A recurring theme is the relationship between periodontal (gum) disease and infant prematurity, diabetes, or stroke.

The Mouth is known to have numerous bacteria. Usually we can keep these bacteria under control with good oral care, via brushing and other healthy routine activities. Saliva is a key defense mechanism against bacteria and viruses. It contains enzymes that destroy bacteria in different ways. But harmful bacteria can at times grow out of control and lead to serious gum infection. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in the mouth. In other cases, infections in the mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other parts of the body. Conditions of the mouth can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection (related to other parts of the body). For example, systemic diseases, which affect the entire body, such as diabetes, AIDS and cancer, may first become apparent because of a mouth injury or other oral problems.

When the gums are healthy, bacteria in the mouth usually don't enter the bloodstream. However, when there prevails gum disease bacteria many enter into the bloodstream by one of the two ways. Firstly, through aggressive dental treatments. Secondly, through treatments that reduce saliva flow or disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth which also may lead to oral changes, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bloodstream." (1)

The potential of this healing system in which oil is swirled back and forth in the mouth, is due the stimulating effect it has on the body's eliminatory system. It is said that it's possible to heal individual cells, cell conglomerates such as lymph nodes, and more complex tissues such as internal organs simultaneously. According to OilPulling.com, this occurs because the beneficial microflora throughout the body are provided with a healthy continuum, in the absence of which the usual pattern of human health tends to lean toward illness rather than wellness. Dr. Karach, of OilPulling.com, feels that regularly reversing this process so that wellness is the dominant state of the body, would likely increase the average human lifespan dramatically. Additionally, he states, "This cleansing of the mouth and tongue is the basis for the next phase of the therapeutic process. If you have studied acupuncture you may be aware of the many points on acupuncture meridians that become congested and blocked from food, bacteria and environmental toxins which our bodies absorb. The tongue is very important to the function of most of the organs and biochemical reactions taking place in the body. It is my theory that by removing the toxins and various microbes from the tongue we free the congestion and blockages from the important meridian pathways that interconnect our many organs."

Method

First thing in the morning on an empty stomach before drinking any water, pour a spoonful of cold-pressed oil (sunflower, sesame or coconut -my fav) into your mouth. Swish the oil slowly around, without swallowing it, moving it through your teeth and using your tongue to help move the liquid around (however, don't gargle with it). As you swish, you'll notice the volume of the oil expands and becomes thinner as your saliva combines with it. If your jaw muscles get too tired, you've used too much oil and you'll know to use less the next time. It's a very simple process with no right or wrong way to swish and pull the oil. Just be natural and gentle for about 20 minutes. Avoid spitting the oil out into the sink as coconut oil, for example, becomes solid below 76F and will clog your sink. Additionally, the oil will be teaming with harmful bacteria and toxic bodily waste that you don't want in your sink. For example, if this liquid were magnified 600 times under a microscope one would be able to see microbes in their first stage of development! Twenty minutes is a general rule of thumb however you can experiment with how long you proceed. After spitting the oil out, rinse the mouth with warm salt water as a helpful antimicrobial and to soothe any inflammation as well as to rinse away any remaining toxins which may be left out in the mouth. Lastly, brush your teeth.

Important Tips

Don't swallow the oil as it's full of toxins.
Don't spit into the sink if using coconut oil as it can clog the sink.
Rinse with salt or baking soda water after.
Don't use an oil you may be allergic to.
Do your own research and proceed at your own risk.
Start slowly to ensure less risk. For example, swish for 5 minutes at first then build up to a longer period of time. Perhaps start by oil pulling just once a week, and so on. Sesame oil has been found to be less detoxifying than coconut oil, and may be a safer oil with which to start.
Understand that to achieve dramatic results, say beyond oral benefits, the practice may need to be adhered to for a long period of time.
Each person will have different results as the symptoms we seek to alleviate are caused by infinitely different roots which oil pulling may or may not be able to remedy.
See the below resources for in depth white paper details on the science, FAQ's, personal testimonies and more.

Sooo, that's Oil Pulling in a nutshell! An ancient trick I was thrilled to find works wonders on my own teeth and gums. Oh, and one last tip, it's ok to oil pull more than once a day – even three times a day to achieve even more remarkable results – just be sure to do it a few hours after each meal to be certain of an empty stomach for optimum affect. Apparently, however, even if one doesn't adhere to the empty stomach rule, results can still be achieved. Let me know how it works for you!

Have you ever tried Oil Pulling?

Share your experiences in the comments if you decide to try it out.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

Much Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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References:

1. http://www.oilpulling.com/precautions.htm

2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/05/oil-pulling-coconut-oil.aspx

I am not a healthcare practitioner or provider. To the extent that any information is provided through this website, it is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute or substitute for medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, the creation of a physician-patient or clinical relationship, or an endorsement, a recommendation or a sponsorship of any third party, product or service by me. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements available on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Japanese Seaweed Salad

Wakame, Agar, Sugnori, Tsunomata & Mafunori Seaweed freshly rehydrated

One of my favorite, must-order dishes whenever we eat at Japanese restaurants is seaweed salad. The exotic textures, colors and flavors are an irressitable treat for me, not to mention a bona fide cocktail of minerals & vitamins, including B12. Ocean sea vegetables are macroalgaes that possess an impressive profile of protein, minerals and trace minerals. It is said that a piece of raw, unwashed seaweed will retain every single mineral held by the ocean. Seaweed can purify the blood because its chemical compositions are very similar to blood plasma in human beings. Not only are these gorgeous sea vegetables a powerhouse of macrobiotic nutrition, they're anti-inflammatory and possess cholesterol lowering, anti-cancer & anti-viral properties as well… oh, they also make your hair lustrous & healthy too!

You can imagine my excitement when I realized I could make this beautiful salad at home. It's a delicious, light summer meal which takes only minutes to assemble. I often use SeaSnax SeaVegi seaweed salad mix, by a great company with strict sourcing from only the purest ocean waters.

Please enjoy this magical and exotic salad!

Japanese Seaweed Salad

Makes 4 side course servings or 2 main course servings if you're like Jim and me:-)

Ingredients:

1 oz package dehydrated Seaweed Salad Mix (or equivalent of mixed seaweeds such as Wakame, Agar, Sugnori, Tsunomata & Mafunori Seaweed)
1 fuji apple, thinly sliced
1/4 red onion thinly slivered
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp raw honey or agave

Method:

Place seaweed in a large bowl and cover with cold, filtered water. Set aside to rehydrate for 7 minutes, then drain into a collander.
While the seaweed is rehydrating, assemble the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, tamari, sesame oil and honey. Stir in the minced ginger and garlic.
Lastly place the rehydrated seaweed, sliced apple, sliced onion in a large serving bowl and toss with the dressing until coated.
Serve with chopsticks and enjoy!

Japanese Seaweed Salad

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