Root Chakra Balancing

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The root chakra, or Muladhara, sits at the base of the spine, and is a bright, beautiful red. It is associated with the lumbar and coccygeal plexus and the adrenal glands.

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The root chakra links you to the physical world and serves as the foundation to build and evolve your personality. Just as a junction box has to be grounded with copper grounding wire, this chakra grounds us here on earth.

This chakra develops from the age of 0-7, so if you had a rough early childhood, your root chakra needs some attention!

This chakra’s main issues: survival, physical needs and tribal association.

Root chakra’s related functions in the body: adrenals, fight/flight response, bones/skeletal structure.

When this chakra is balanced and functioning properly you will have more vitality, courage and self-confidence, and you will be able to release old survival and scarcity issues as you tap into your treasure chest of abundance; you will feel secure, stable, and safe.

When the root chakra is off balance we can experience low energy and alienation (from ourselves and others). We will also feel easily angered, aggressive, combative, and restless.

TO BALANCE YOUR ROOT CHAKRA:

  • POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS: I am safe. I am secure. I am grounded. I belong in this world. I have all that I need. I am where I need to be. I am at peace with my surroundings,  and with the people I meet, and the events that occur. I trust more, and fear less
  • VISUALIZATION: Find a quiet place, sit, ideally in lotus pose, and close your eyes. Picture a red lotus flower at the base of your spine, unfolding. Allow its energy to flow into your body as you inhale. Do this every other inhalation until you feel your body is highly charged. Next take this energy down your legs and through the ground to root into mother earth like a tree. Now run that energy back up your body and up and down your spine. Do this until you feel a pull from mother earth. Now you are grounded.

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  • NUTRITION: Red foods – apples, red beans, raspberries, tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, red peppers, radishes, beets, watermelon, and so on.
  • AROMATHERAPY: Essential oils of – vetiver, patchouli, cedar wood, ginger, rosewood, cloves and black pepper.
  • SOUND THERAPY: Big mantra: Lam – Keynote: C – Frequency: 265 Hz – Thunder
  • COLOR THERAPY: Hematite, blood-stone, garnet, ruby, carnelian, jasper, red jasper, smoky quartz.
  • MUDRA: Gyan – Let the tips of your thumb and index finger touch. Close your eyes and focus on the root chakra site. Chant the bij sound LAM.

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  • YOGA POSES: Mountain Pose

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                                        Forward Bend

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                                        Warrior 1

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                                         Child’s Pose

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  • REFLEXOLOGY: Massage these areas, or apply gentle pressure for up to five minutes – On the arm, a finger’s width below the base of the wrist:

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                             On the foot, the inside of each heel:

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  • HEALING WITH NATURE: The muladhara’s element is earth, so simply going outside and experiencing the sounds and smells of nature is beneficial. Also try taking of your shoes and grounding, or sit under the base of a tree and meditate/pray and allow yourself to absorb the good energy!

Well, that is is for today’s lesson on the root chakra! I hope you will put into practice what you learned here today, and balance this very important chakra.

Till next time!

XOXO

Liz

Our Chakra System: What is it?

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We live in a universe which is propelled by electromagnetic energy, and which is governed by its laws. All life forms within the universe reflect this: our stars and planets (Geo-magnetic life forms) all have a north pole and a south pole with magnetic lines of force flowing between them, and our human bodies (bio-magnetic life forms) also conform to this bi-polar magnetic field (the top of our head is our north pole, and the soles of our feet is our south pole). The lines of force moving between our head and feet completely encompass the body within an etheric structure know as a tube torus, and this donuts shaped energetic field extends all around your body. It is called your aura!

Tube Torus

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Have you ever met someone for the first time and been instinctively drawn to them? This is evidence that both of your auras are vibrating in sympathetic resonance. Remember that old saying, “We’re on the same wavelength”? Well, this saying holds more truth than we’ve been taught. The same is true when the presence of another makes you feel uneasy, or uncomfortable: the magnetic energies in your auras are repelling each other. Pretty cool, right!?

At the center of each bi-polar magnetic field is a magnetic core running from north to south. In the case of a simple bar magnet it is a magnetized piece of metal. In the case of the bio-magnetic human body it is a channel, only observable in subtle matter, called the pranic tube. Within this core the life force is carried to sustain each individual creation during its existence.

Pranic Tube

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Every spiritual tradition identifies and acknowledges the life force energy that flows through the body. In Chinese spiritual teachings the life force is called Chi, while the Japanese and Koreans call it Ki, the Indian and Tibetan traditions identify it as Prana, while the Christian tradition calls it Sanctifying Grace or Grace. Lastly, the medical community also acknowledges this life force, and calls it ATP, and to the physicist, it is known as the sub-atomic, or quantum, field. As you go about your daily life, it is easy to identify those who are suffering from a diminished access to the life force: it shows in their state of health, their sense of openness and self confidence and even in the way they relate to others and carry themselves. Luckily for us all, we have a beautifully designed Chakra system to help us access the life force fully and completely so that we can maximize its benefits!

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to “spinning disc”, or “wheel”. It is one of many human names for what is perceived to be a bio-physical connection to our soul, or spirit. At present we each have seven of these energy connections that are woven into our body’s meridian centers with some lying along the spine. These centers are similar in function to the junction box found in the electrical system of our homes. Likewise our physical body is controlled through a vastly complicated neuro-electrical circuitry, with a number of special locations where these circuits converge. Each of these locations is monitored through a special mini neuro-computer connected through the central nervous system to the brain. It is these specific locations that are called chakras and each fulfills a number of functions (there are also several ductless glands associated with the functioning of each chakra point). Since the vibratory field of light also activates color and tone, each of the chakra centers produces its own specific color and sound.

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Each of these chakras has a certain function, and must be in balance for us to have optimal health, both mentally and physically. There are many ways to balance each chakra, and I will go into more detail next time!!

I hope this post gave you a greater understanding of what your chakra system actually is, based on the science of quantum physics.

Thanks for reading my blog, and please comment if you have questions!

Till next time,

Liz

Summer Nutritional Recommendations

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Well, summer is finally here (and it is in full-swing here in KC). Below are my nutritional recommendations, and a few easy meal ides, to keep you healthy, light, and feeling awesome (and swim-suit ready) all summer long!

  • Eat for 8 hours a day, so from 8-4 or 11-7 (or whatever works for your life!), if you can and it feels right for your body. This is an easy way to reap the benefits of intermittent fasting and give your digestive system time to rest and recover.
  • In that 8 hour window, eat one or two large meals, and a few nutrient dense snacks.
  • Eat the rainbow, and eat fresh and light. Fruits and veggies, especially things with a high water content (melons, mangoes, oranges, kiwis, peaches, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers and berries) to help you stay hydrated are abundant in the summer.
  • Keep hydrated! I recommend 100 oz of liquid per day. Start every morning with a 20 oz glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon to re-hydrate after sleep. Drink all sorts of iced teas, and coconut water. As an added cooling benefit, you can add sabja (tulsi/basil seeds, they are similar to chia seeds) in your drink as they are very cooling to the body, according to Ayurveda. https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-surprising-health-benefits-of-sabja-seeds-1437915
  • Eat plant-heavy whole foods. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is ruled by the fire element, and during this time our body naturally craves cool, light foods, so honor that!

Some Of My Favorite Summer Meals: stir fried veggies and grilled salmon, shrimp and broccoli stir-fry, chilled soups (think gazpacho, ceviche, taco salad bowls, burgers (using 90%-95% lean ground beef, which saves you 170 calories and 19 grams of fat per burger) in a lettuce wrap with all the fixings, hard boiled eggs with a side of veggies and fresh fruit, overnight oats with fresh fruits and nut milk and a bit of stevia for added sweetness, chicken/salmon/egg salad in a lettuce wrap with fresh fruit and veggies on the side, chopped veggie salads with lots of fresh herbs and oil and vinegar dressing, summer plate (chilled meat of choice, chopped fresh veggies and hummus or guac, and fresh fruit), sweet potato fries sprinkled with fresh rosemary and turkey burgers, almond flour pancakes topped with fresh blueberries and a bit of maple syrup), low country boil (I just use potatoes and shrimp), kabobs, and grilled veggies/meats.

Some Of My Favorite Summer Snacks: hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, fresh veggies (either plain or with guac/hummus), nuts, seeds, grass fed beef sticks, small salads, deviled eggs, protein balls (made with almond flour, nut butter, coconut oil and dates or honey), dates (especially in the evening when I’m craving sweets), sweet potato fries, apples and almond butter, nut “granola”, banana drizzled with almond butter with a few dark chocolate chips and coconut on top, carrot fries.

Well, I hope this list helps you stay cool, and fit all summer long! Come back next week, and I’ll share a few of my favorite summer recipes with you, and tell you about what’s new with me (holistic nutrition school, a book being published, and a new job!!).

What are your favorite summer-time tricks, tips, and healthy meal and snack ides? Please share them with me in the comments!

Till next time!

Naturally Liz

 

Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting

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So, how are those resolutions going? You know, the ones where you were going to lose the weight, eat right, and stay on track?

I hope you are knocking it out of the park, folks!!

But if you’re struggling, and losing the battle of the bulge, I’ve got a secret weapon for you…INTERMITTENT FASTING to the rescue!!!

Intermittent fasting means limiting your food intake to a six/eight hour window every day.  Researchers suggest intermittent fasting works because it mimics the diet of our ancestors (hunters and gatherers were not just sitting around chowing down whenever they wanted.  They were, you know…hunting and gathering and trying not to starve!).  The easy access we now have to food has completely eliminated this normal “feast and famine” cycle the body needs for proper cell regeneration and replacement.

As noted by Fitness and Power:

“An increasing number of researchers are saying that the intermittent fasting method is a sure-fire way for people to shed the excess fat.  A study published in 2015 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that intermittent fasting gives a safe rate weight loss of 0.5 to 1.7 lbs/week, along with decreasing the overall body fat percentage.”

During this time of fasting, the body cleans house, and removes toxins (which cannot occur when you’re grazing all day!), and transitions into burning fat, instead of carbs, as fuel (hence the weight loss).

Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting:

  • Shifts Body To Burn Fat For Fuel – Limiting your food intake forces your body to burn fat instead of glucose/carbs for energy.  Fat burning means weight loss!
  • Stops Sugar Cravings, And Halts Diabetes – This is because limiting food intake normalizes insulin and leptin sensitivity.  Insulin and leptin resistance cause numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes.  Fasting shifts your body’s dependence on glucose, which stops that constant craving for sugar.
  • Speeds And Promotes Cellular Regeneration – By triggering autophagy, the natural process needed to renew damaged cells.  It also inhibits cancerous growths, and chronic disease development.
  • Boosts Cognitive Function – Because it provides the brain with fat, instead of glucose.  Studies show that intermittent fasting helps in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease because it boosts brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a protein that is neuroprotective and brain-stimulating.

Things To Remember To Help You Be Successful With Intermittent Fasting:

  • Drink Plenty Of Fluids – Drink, drink, drink!  You need to drink enough liquids to keep you feeling full, and keep your body flushing out those toxins.  This will help you curb cravings at the beginning of your fasting.
  • Eliminate All Processed Foods From Your Diet – You need the food you are eating during your six to eight hour window to be as nutrient rich, and as healthy as possible.  Eating a bunch of processed crap will leave you nutrient deficient, and hinder your body’s detoxification  process. I suggest adopting a Paleo, or Keto, diet.
  • Foods To Eat – Green vegetables, coconut oil, avocado, whey protein isolate, butter, free range meats, nuts, and occasionally, fruit (all organic is best…your body is trying to detoxify, so you don’t want to fill it with more chemicals if possible).
  • Foods To Avoid – Rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes.

How To Intermittent Fast:

  • Peak Fasting – Simply skip one meal per day.  The easiest way is to gradually push back the time you eat breakfast until you completely eliminate it.  Or, eat breakfast soon after getting up, and then eat lunch, and skip the dinnertime meal.  Just stick to the six, to eight, hour eating rule.  When I intermittent fast, I eat my first meal around noon, and then I eat dinner around 6, and then I am done for the day.   Or you could eat breakfast at 7, and lunch at 12 and be done for the day.  Find what works best for your body, and your schedule.
  • Water Fast – Drink only water during fasting hours.
  • Water Plus Noncaloric Beverages – Water, herbal tea, coffee (all plain) during fasting hours.
  • Bone Broth – Drink all of the above plus bone broth during fasting hours
  • Fat Fasting – Allow healthy fats during fasting hours in addition to water and noncaloric beverages. Some ideas are bulletproof coffee (black coffee with butter, coconut oil, or MCT oil).

Well, there you have it folks, my quick guide to intermittent fasting.  I hope you found this post helpful, and I hope it helps you achieve your health goals!  Please like my page, Naturally Liz, on Facebook for more great information, and to join upcoming groups (hint, hint…the next one will involve a fasting support group!).  

Drop me some comments and let me know if you’ve ever tried intermittent fasting?  If so, how did it go?

In Health,

Liz

*Please employ common sense and do not fast if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, underweight, malnourished, or under the age of 18, unless you are under the supervision of a doctor.

 

 

Beat The Flu – Naturally!

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Hello, friends!  With all the propaganda in the media surrounding the flu, I thought it was high time I write a post, and shed a little truth on the matter.

To start, the flu in and of itself is not deadly.  That’s right.  The flu cannot kill you.  Secondary infections (like pneumonia) from the flu can though, if left untreated.

The CDC lumps pneumonia deaths in with flu deaths, so most of the people who die “from the flu”, actually die from pneumonia, or other untreated infections (because we already discussed, the flu won’t kill ya!). I mean, how else can they scare you into going and getting that flu shot (which the CDC admits is only 10% effective this year) unless you think you’ll die without it??

Anyway, the best defense against the flu, or any other virus or bacteria, is a healthy immune system.  The best way to a healthy immune system is to live a healthy life: eat plenty of fresh, organic, local, whole foods and fermented foods, get plenty of rest, exercise daily, drink fresh, clean, water, and exercise daily.  Also take a good quality multivitamin (like Smarty Pants), and drink green juice (we love barley life products, and I swear by their garden trio to keep the sicknesses at bay!).

However, if you do get the flu, here are some proven ways to get better fast:

  • Ginger Tea – just buy some fresh ginger, peel and cut up a small amount (about a teaspoon), and seep in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then add a bit of honey to taste.  Ginger activates macrophages, the white blood cells in the body that mount an immune response.  It also helps your bronchial tubes to clear secretions (a natural expectorant of sorts), and it soothes the throat.  Basically, ginger is freaking awesome!
  • Homeopathy – My top two for flu are Influenzium, which is a homeopathic flu shot, and Oscillococcinum. Two studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Oscillococcinum helps to reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms.1-2 The most recent study showed that 63 percent of the patients who took Oscillo at the onset of flu-like symptoms showed “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” of their symptoms after 48 hours, vs. 48% with a placebo.  https://www.oscillo.com/cough-cold-flu/faq/ I have personally seen both of these remedies work wonders!
  • Extra Vitamin C and D – load doses of both are needed for a few days.
  • Umcka – this can be found at Natural Grocers, Whole Foods and Sprouts. Umcka is an herb, native to south Africa, that helps with upper respiratory track infections.  This herb is well studied, and it is amazing!  You can find more info on it’s effectiveness here  https://healthyfoodandlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/health-benefits-of-umcka-stops-viral.html?spref=pi.
  • Elderberry Syrp – this berry is a strong anti-inflammatory and is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C.  This stuff will help your body clear an infection fast!  It can be found at any natural grocery store.  Many people take this daily during cold and flu season.

Well, there you have it, folks, and whatever you do , do not take Tamiflu, it has been linked to some pretty horrendous side effects (including death).  Nasty stuff.

What natural remedies do you swear by for the flu? I always love to hear from you!

In health,

Liz

Weight Loss Supplements That Work!

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A friend recently asked me if I knew of any “natural” diet pills to help with her weight loss journey.  This question (a great question, and one I’m sure many people attempting to lose weight have wondered), led me to write this blog post.

So, I dug in, and did some research, and found some awesome information that I’d like to share with y’all.  Hope this information helps you on your own journey!

I want to start by saying a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to shed excess pounds and get healthy, and my family and I have experienced great success with the Paleo diet and BeachBody On Demand exercise programs (I am not affiliated with BeachBody, I just love their work out programs); however, these supplements may boost you to the next level, and/or help you get started.

  • Raspberry Ketones: encourage fat cells in the human body to secrete high levels of adipocentin.  Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps control weight gain, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  A 2004 study on raspberry ketones found that when they were given to mice in concentrated form, the mice experienced rapid weight loss with no change in diet.  Dr. Oz calls theses bad boys “the #1 miracle in a bottle to burn your fat”.  Um, I don’t know about you, but I can’t get over to Amazon fast enough to try these out!
  • Green Tea Extract: In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea extract significantly increases your energy expenditure (increases your metabolism), while also helping your body oxidize fat (burn fat).  Yes, please!  You can reap the benefits of this extract by having a daily cup of green tea, or taking it in supplement form.
  • Capsaicin Extract: (from cayenne peppers) A study, supported by The McCormick Spice Company, and the National Institutes Of Health, found that mixing 1/2 teaspoon into food, or taking in supplement form, assisted people to burn about 10 more calories in a four hour period, compared to eating the same thing without the extract.  The peppers also helped to curb the appetite, and boost the metabolism, of the study participants.  Not too shabby for a little pepper, eh??
  • Garcina Cambogia: A study in 2004 found that the extract (from a fruit in Asia) was linked to reduction in body weight, and BMI, and had a positive effect on cholesterol, appetite suppression, serotonin levels, leptin and triglycerides.  The compound, in the rind of the fruit, which is responsible for these (pretty amazing) benefits is called Hydroxycitric Acid, or HCA.  It works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for turning excess carbs into fat.  Instead, they are burned as energy, and production of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased.  The increase in serotonin is also linked to appetite suppression in many studies.  Whew, that is one awesome fruit!

I hope this post helps you find the right weight loss supplement for your journey!  I’d love to hear from you.  What are your favorite weight loss supplements?

XOXO,

Naturally Liz

Exciting News Ahead…

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Hello, everyone!  I hope this post finds you all doing wonderfully well.  It’s been a long time.  So much life happened over here: I had a baby (Roman is almost 2), I was dealing with a very sick kiddo (B has been clinically diagnosed vaccine injured…so much more on that to come), and I am now a SAHM, and a WAHM.  It’s been quite a journey!

During this time, I’ve been praying and contemplating what I wanted to do with this blog.  What do you all want to hear about (please reach out anytime with ideas – I want to hear from you)?  What is God leading me to do?  So many questions, and so many answers and things to share with you!

I am going to be sharing everything natural remedies, eo uses and recipes, homeopathy, paleo nutrition, yoga inspiration, functional medicine, herbology, holistic health, vaccine education, homemade beauty and body recipes, and so much more.  After all, I’m a warrior mama, and I want to empower other parents (and anyone seeking health) to be “warrior parents” (more on what that means later) too!  So here’s to us, and a future filled with health, and all things natural.

Naturally Liz

LOSE WEIGHT – GAIN ENERGY!

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Hello everyone and happy, happy new year!  I hope everyone’s holiday was merry and bright.

Well, for me, with the new year comes new resolutions.  One of my resolutions this year is to get fit and healthy, and I am bound and determined to do it, and do it right.  So, on that note, I’d like to introduce you an absolutely revolutionary new (but well researched and studied) protein/weight loss shake: GC Control!!!

This stuff is awesome.  It is a low-glycemic, protein- and fiber-packed, delicious treat.  When enjoyed twice a day (as a snack), along with three small meals a day, it is proven (in a blind study) to balance insulin levels in your body, allowing you to BURN fat instead of STORE fat!  “Participants in the study also reported feeling significantly better in several key areas: more energy, less fatigue, and reduced appetite”.

You see, this is not just any old protein shake…GC Control has some key ingredients that NO OTHER PRODUCT ON THE MARKET HAS: chromium, cinnamon bark extract, Korean red ginseng root, mulberry extract, green tea leaf extract and sweet potato extract.  These natural, concentrated ingredients have been clinically shown to help:

  • Support balanced glucose uptake and metabolism
  • Support normal insulin activity in healthy individuals
  • Slow the absorption of high glycemic goods
  • Promote proper carbohydrate metabolism

I am experiencing SUCCESS with this product and I know you can too!  I’d love for you to join me on this journey!  For more information please email me at lizgoebel79@gmail.com.  Let’s get fit and healthy together…Naturally!

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HEAL THAT BURN – NATURALLY!

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ImageIt’s that time of year again – the holiday time of year!  I love the holidays, especially all the goodies everyone cooks (and then shares – yum!).  If you’re like me though (a bit clumsy and rushed, which does not always make for a great combination in the kitchen), your bound to burn a finger (or arm, or whatever) along the way.

NEVER FEAR, because this natural cure will take away the sting, and leave your skin healthy and scar free!

Ingredients:

1 tomato, crushed, or 1/4 cup canned tomato product, also crushed

Honey

Instructions:

Mash tomato and apply directly to minor burns.  Next, cover the mash with a bandage to prevent scarring.  Leave the mash on for a few hours, or longer (it’s really up to you!).  Then, once mash is removed, spread honey on the burn once a day!

Why it works: The vitamin C, vitamin A and phytonutrients in the tomato work to heal the wound.  Honey will help prevent infection better than antibiotics/antibiotic creams (according to a study from New Zealand in 2009)!

Please let me know what you think, and have a beautiful day – naturally!