The first Chakra is the Muladarhara, the root chakra. It is located at the base of the spine. The element here is EARTH. As humans, we are physically connected to the earth just as the plants and animals are, we are earthlings. We strive to find balance and connection to our roots, our families, and our mother earth.
Through the “Fun and Healthy Lifestyles” practices, we explore the MIND to discover our emotional and/or fearful attachments to food, the physical act of eating the food we put into our BODY, and the SPIRITUAL practices of mindfulness.
Organics
Organic food is not only the hip thing these days, it’s the only way to insure that you are getting food that has the nutrients we need. Since most of our produce is grown on massive corporate farms that use herbicides and pesticides, our food is laced with chemicals that may cause cancer, heart disease, allergies, and an overall weakness to our immune system. Organic products, take our food back to its original state, free of toxins, antibiotics, hormones, and other shelf preserving additives. An organic, whole foods diet full of fruits and vegetables, legumes, grains and nuts, provides us with the natural foods that our bodies and minds need to thrive.
Vegetarian
The term Vegetarian is defined as a diet free of meat. Vegetarians do not eat cows (steak, hamburger, sirloin, beef, veal [baby cows]), chickens (at least we call that what it is), pigs (pork, bacon), fish, lambs, ducks, dogs (widely eaten in China), horses, and frog legs. Many vegetarians do not eat animals because animals can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch – the same five senses as you and I, and they experience feelings. We know that most animals love their babies, nurture, and connect with each other on some level, much the same way that we do.
Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. – Albert Einstein (1879-1955).
Being a vegetarian for the last 7 years, and as a single mom and a business owner, I have to admit I still struggle with getting in enough vegetables and I am a very healthy person, how about you? I have a solution! Juice Plus, it’s not a substitute for veggies, but can make a big difference in your energy levels, when it come to getting the nutrients you need. To find out more and sign up click here. Check out the facebook page as well!
Vegan
The term Vegan is defined as a lifestyle and diet, free of all animal products – all the meats listed above in the vegetarian section, as well as all dairy products that come from these animals. This includes milk and cheese products, eggs, and butter. In addition, Vegans do not use leather shoes, belts, bags, clothing, or fur. Nor do they use beauty products that contain animal products or have been animal tested.
Gluten Free
Gluten free may seem like a relatively new term, mostly associated with celiac disease and people with food sensitivities and allergies. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye products. Gluten free products are becoming more available in response to increasing demand. Many people are eating a gluten free diet to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Many are taking on this change for weight loss as they learn more about consuming food that suits their body’s needs. Eating a gluten free diet, or even just cutting back, is a healthier way to live.
Mindfulness
The teachings of mindful eating are a practice that will allow us to slow down, savor our food, appreciate it, taste it, be present with it, and eat fully in the present moment. Food can be scrumptious, delicious, and a meditative practice, if we take the time to simply be present with it.
Try this exercise with a raisin. Take one raisin between your fingers and look at it. Notice its texture, its size, and its smell. Close your eyes and contemplate it. Where did it come from? Start with the earth and think about the raisin’s journey to you. Visualize all the people involved in getting this raisin to your hand. Think about their role in this journey, whether joyful or hard. Meditate quietly on this raisin, giving thanks for all the beings that took part in feeding you. Then, open in gratitude to the earth and the sky, the sun, the water, and all the qualities and properties that produced this raisin. Now, slowly place the raisin in your mouth, but don’t chew or swallow it yet. Feel it in your mouth, notice its texture, taste, and smell again. How does it make you feel? Happy, bored, nothing? Just observe, be the witness, be mindful of this process.
Mindful eating… by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
1. This food is a gift of the whole universe ,the earth, the sky, and much mindful work.
2. May we eat in mindfulness so as to be worthy of it.
3. May we transform our unskillful states of mind and learn to eat in moderation.
4. May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
5. May we accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Yoga & Vegetarianism- Sharon Gannon
The Sunfood Diet Success System- David Wolf
Diet For A New America- John Robbins
Mindfulness- Thich Nach Hahn
What Are You Hungry For?- Lynn Ginsburg & Mary Taylor
Overcoming Overeating- Jane R. Hirschmann- Carol H. Munter
The Way We Eat- Peter Singer- Jim Mason
Do you eat in your car? Take your lunch with you, or figure you’ll get it on the go? Do you eat standing up/over the kitchen sink? Does lunch consist of the bar in the car or a Frappuccino ™? Have you visited a fast food drive thru in the last month?
Just an FYI: a Carmel Frappuccino ™ has 380 Calories, 130 of them are fat, 15 g (that 34%, recommended is less than 30% Fat), 240 mg of sodium, and 48 g of Sugar. That might be a quarter of your calorie needs, in one unhealthy drink.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are eating mindlessly! Don’t go beating yourself up over this, we have all done this, good news is… It’s never to late, to start the day over….
Let me ask you another set of questions…
Do you know how or where you food is prepared? Do you know what those words are on the label that you can’t pronounce? Have you EVER looked at the labels on the packed food you buy? Do you buy organic, or even know what that really means? Do you think about how others lives have contributed/or been affected by the food you are eating?
Being Mindful is a state of being!
It means to be aware of, or careful, to be present. When was the last time you offered gratitude for your food, or thought about how it got to be in front of you?
Taking time to appreciate our food, and being mindful about what we are eating can have a powerful impact on our lives. Simply being more conscious of how we eat, what we are eating and honoring what we eat, will shift our perception on what the purpose of our consumption is.
Mindful tools
Take a moment write now to set an intention around eating more mindfully. Create your own or chose one of the following ideas.
1. When the food is in front of you, take a moment to give thanks for it!
2. Prepare a home cooked meal consistently of veggies and grains; try to have your usual favorite food with out the meat.
3. Shop organic, visit a health food store instead of your regular grocery store
4. Eat one meal with nothing from a package
5. Eat in silence (turn off the tv, computer, music etc..) try this with your loved ones, see who can do this the longest, verbal contact is good!
6. Eat a salad, only a salad!
7. Try tofu, it takes on the flavor of the food, add it to a stir fry with your favorite sauce.
8. If you don’t cook, invite yourself to a friend’s house for dinner (one who loves to cook). Ask them to go through this mindful experience with you.
9. Join a cooking class/group.
10. Eat slowly, put your fork down between bites and really chew your food and enjoy it!
Please share your experiment with me, I am curious to hear you process, remember this is a practice, be compassionate with yourself and enjoy!
Eating Mindfully is a fun way to bring a greater sense of health and wellness to your beingness.
Peace & Love Always
Casey
A beautiful day in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado.
Too much time at the computer, your desk, the car, indoors? If you are having trouble finding the motivation to exercise, think about it this way. Exercise is really just physical activity, it’s moving the body. Get up and move around! You can play your favorite music and dance, walk around the block, or go for a hike. Start out small and build up.
Every day, Move it! Click on this link… this is my daughters favorite dancing song. If you have seen Madagascar you know it! 
Peace & Love Always
Casey
