Blue-Green Algae

Lake Klamath in Oregon, is the source of a fantastic super food
I have begun to take.

My doctor suggested I read this book

and try Blue-Green Algae.



The one I am taking is from Klamath Lake in Oregon.

I am impressed with this super food.

I am impressed with this beautiful lake!

Exercise

To stay in balance we need to give our
bodies proper exercise.
I like to walk.




Dr. Nancy suggests we walk 20 minutes in the morning
and 20 minutes in the evening.
The problem is having the energy for walking.
When I do not feel good it is hard to get out and walk.
Keeping my motivation up can be the deciding factor on if I go walking or not.
Knowing you are walking with me helps.
Thank you!
Once I go walking I feel much better.
My husband walks with me at twilight.
I do enjoy our walking and talking time.



I am still walking in place each time I go into the bathroom.
I am up to 3 minutes of fast paced walking in place.
I do this once an hour from 7am to 5pm.
30 minutes every day.
Today I added weights to my walking in place.
I also brought out my wrist weights to wear around the house
and when I go outside walking.
Dr. Nancy suggests weight baring exercise as part of a
prevention program for osteoporosis.
As I am able I am adding to my exercise program.

What type of exercise do you like?


I am almost finished reading Ageless Woman.
Next on my desk is Home Remedies.

Having support is important.

Each month I recevie an Ayurveda newsletter.

I enjoy the articles and feel support in my new way.

The Ageless Woman

Dr Nancy Lonsdorf's teleconference last night
was very informative. I took notes.
I ordered her book, "The Ageless Woman:
Natural Health and Beauty After Forty"




Yesterday while shopping with a girlfriend I found this little lotus candle holder.
I decided I needed a blessing candle for me.
I lit my candle this morning and set my intention for today,
"I am healthy and filled with vitality."

I turned the kettle on and boiled my water for five minutes.
Dr. Nancy suggested we boil our water for five minutes to remove impurities and give a lightness to our water. I use filtered water but I still boiled for five minutes.
This is new information for me.

Sipping warm water during the day not only helps with digestion but also with weight loss. Warm or hot water is known as "silver tea". It is very comforting and delicious!

Dr. Nancy told of a lady that worked in her office that lost 99 pounds in three years.
She started her weight loss with sipping warm water throughout the day.
The warm water took away the craving for sugar.

I keep my hot water in my 64 oz. stainless steel carafe.
A stainless steel thermos would be nice to take with me when I leave on errands.
I have one in my road trip things.
I could refill my stainless steel travel mug as I go about my day away from home.
I will get it out and cleaned up so it is ready to go!
It will be so nice to have my water with me.

I will drink two carafes of water before I go to bed tonight,
45 oz of this water will be used for my echinacea tea.
I am building up my immune system.
I also will drink a pitcher of lemon water today.

I am flushing ama, toxins.
I am gaining vitality.

I am feeling better.

I check my water intake twice a month just to make sure I am getting enough.

Are you too getting plenty of water?

Abhyanga

"Ayurvedic skin care begins with abhyanga,
a therapeutic self-applied oil massage that nourishes the skin."
Inner Beauty



I am using an oil I bought while at the Raj.

When I am finished with it I will make my own.

Vata Abhyanga Oil

1 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup mixed herbs: turmeric-root powder,

fresh ginger. lotus root, fresh basil, cloves and fresh orange peel

Essential Oil: jasmine, basil, orange or rose

In a small saucepan, heat the oil gently until just to boil.

Stir in the herbs and remove from heat.

Cover and steep for one to two days.

Strain the oil into an air tight container.

Add 5-8 drops of single or mixed essential oil.

This daily massage routine takes five minutes.



I am currently under the care of a massage therapist.
She is teaching me some self massage techniques.
She is helping my connective tissues heal.

Connecting with you is healing.

Breathe

Each morning I practice conscience breathing.
I greet the day with gratitude and a deep breath.
I release negativity as I exhale.

I am aware that my resting breathing is shallow.
Off and on during the day I will stop and take a few deep breaths.
I fill my lungs and enjoy the oxygen rush!

As I exhale I think of all the impurities I am releasing.

I inhale and hold my breathe for a count of five.
I exhale for a count of ten.

Conscience breathing is good for digestion.

Water

When I stayed at the Raj I was given a folder with lots of information in it.
The handout about water is very interesting.

Water Facts



Experts recommend our daily intake of water should be half our body weight in ounces
( 140 pounds = 70 ounces).

Lack of water is the number one trigger for daytime fatigue.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory,
trouble with basic math, difficulty focusing on the computer screen.


In 37% of Americans the body's thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

Even mild dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.


I am good on drinking my water each day.
I trained myself years ago to make sure I stay hydrated.
I have a filter system on my kitchen tap so I am drinking filtered water.
I have a stainless steel water canteen I carry when I run errands.
No plastic bottles!

In the Ayurveda way we are to drink our water room temperature
or warm. No iced or cold water. Cold drinks are difficult for digestion.
I became used to this while I was away.
My program also includes lemons in my water which I really enjoy.

I also am to drink 6 cups of barley water every day.

According to the Raj
barley water is my great friend in the weight loss process.

Barley water:

*Satisfies hunger
*Reduces cravings
*Extracts toxins from deep within the tissues
*Eliminates toxins through the urinary tract
*Is diuretic
*Relieves fluid retention
*Balance Kapha
*Helps metabolize and eliminate fat
*Promotes weight loss

Note: Do not drink after 6pm to avoid disturbing sleep due to the diuretic effect.

Recipe: Boil one handful of whole grain (not "pealed") barley in 6 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain the barley out and pour the water into a thermos. Drink the water through out the day.

I pour mine into a pitcher.

Some people need rice water.
It is high in nutrition.

Not on my plan.

This morning it is cold and rainy.
It is dark and dreary.
I decided to do up a tray for myself.
Something pretty for my water.
I started off my morning with refreshing lemon water. Good for elimination.
Once the barley water cooled I began drinking it.
I use a glass drinking straw.
By lunch time I was back drinking lemon water.

This morning I lit my candle and sent blessings to those who are thirsty.
I gave thanks for my water.

The Day Starts the Night Before

In Ayurveda there is a saying,
"The day starts the night before."
A good night's rest makes for a good next day.

It is suggested to go to bed during Kapha time, before 10 pm, and arise before 6am, in Vata time. By giving our bodies this 8 hour rest period we are giving our bodies the best opportunity for daily rejuvenation. Sleeping during Pitta time, 10pm-2am, is sleeping during the best time for our metabolism to clean the body of toxins and impurities.
I remember, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
I like getting up with the birds. Going to bed "on time" has taken me awhile to adjust to.



I have been working on getting the bedroom as pleasant as possible.
I ordered two sets of organic bamboo sheets. They are soft and comfortable. I also found a silk blanket that is warm and not too heavy. I am thinking about ordering a Spring nightgown and robe set. Keeping my night dress comfortable and pretty is one way to get me to get ready for bed early! I like this company. I like their oragnic products and their commitment to fair trade. Gaiam Living often inspires me!

I have cleaned and scrubbed and organized the bedroom. It is one of my favorite rooms now. I almost always have a flower on my night stand and some lavender under my pillow.We set up the night stands with reading lamps. My husband set up a small cd player on the lower shelf of one of the nightstands. We listen to music and read each night before shutting off the lights. I look forward to getting ready for bed. I love our daily down time.

To make my breakfast easier I bought a small, 1.5 quart, slow cooker.
My breakfast is a cooked apple or cooked pear. I get this ready the night before. I just wash my fruit piece, add a handful of raisins and a cinnamon stick, cover with water. When My husband gets up he turns the cooker on high. My fruit is ready in a couple of hours. This is so easy and I look forward to breakfast every morning now.

I am supposed to have a cup of tea first thing each morning. Waiting on the kettle was a bother. I bought two carafes, one for hot water and one for coffee.
Before I go to bed each night I boil up some water and fill the silver carafe. It is still hot in the morning. My husband leaves me a cup of hot coffee in the black stainless steel carafe.
I am learning how to enjoy getting ready for bed and the next morning.

I receive a news letter every month called, Namaste.

It is written by Deepah Chopra. This month it is about Doshas and the Ayruveda Way.

Do you have a night time routine? Do you have a bed time?

Learning the way

Three years ago I bought a book.
I began learning about the Ayurveda life style.



In March I went to the Raj for a
Spring Rejuvenation.



I bought a cook book while I was there.

I made the commitment to live this beautiful way of life.

There is lots to learn.

May we learn together.