Chakra Cooking: RED - Muladhara Cranberry Relish

Today is brought to you by the colour:  RED!

The Muladhara Chakra is our Root Chakra.  The base, the foundation, grounding, rooting - it is our connection to Earth.

Associated with the Four "S's" as they are often referred to:

• Sexuality = physical
• Stability = mental
• Sensuality = Emotional
• Security = spiritual

Muladhara is about purifying the body.  Interestingly cranberries with their blood red colouring tie directly with Muladhara - they cleanse, detoxify and have anti-inflammatory properties.  Cranberries contain anthocyanins - these give cranberries their red colour.  Anthocyanins have been shown to have some anti-inflammatory affect on our cells.  A reduction in inflammation can help our bodies fight many diseases; cardiovascular disease and cancer are examples.

Other characteristics of Muladhara:

• physical location, between the anus and genitals, opening downwards
• colour, red
• grounding and spiritual energies

Crystals and stones associated with Muladhara:

• Carnelian to balance
• Emerald to calm

Aromatherapy:

• Cedarwood
• Patchouli
• Myrrh

Muladhara Cranberry Relish - from "Cooking with Reckless Abandon" by Hope J McDonald (2013)

1 bag of whole cranberries (rinsed)

1/2 cup of organic raw sugar

1/2 cup of water

1 organic orange - zest the rind and juice the orange

1 star anise seed pod

Place all ingredients into a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, reduce the temperature and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the cranberries start to burst.  Turn heat off and let cool.  Remove the star anise seed pod and keep in fridge.  Will last about a week.

I use this for the holidays and I also use it for my cranberry salsa recipe:

Muladhara Cranberry Salsa - from "Cooking with Reckless Abandon" by Hope J McDonald (2013)

1 cup of Muladhara Cranberry Relish

1 cup of your favourite salsa; hot, medium or mild (up to you)

1 bunch of cilantro - chopped

Mix all ingredients in your favourite serving bowl and add cilantro to taste - mix well and let sit at room temperature for about an hour so all flavours meld.  Best to make the day before serving and keep in your fridge.  Take out an hour before serving.

I'm a Frito addict, so that is my chip of choice.  Traditional tortilla chips work well too!

Whole cranberries in the pot

Chakra information from:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)

Recipes from:  Cooking with Reckless Abandon by Hope J McDonlad (2013)

The power of cranberries:  http://www.npr.org/2010/11/12/131272331/bow-down-to-the-medicinal-power-of-cranberries 

Make your own bath salts!

Hiya!

So I'm in the process of making homemade soy candles and bath salts for this year's pressies!

I thought it would be nice if I shared my 'secret recipe' for bath salts, with you all! You can buy epsom salts at your local King Soopers, Walgreens, Sprouts, Smith's,  etc.....

Basic Recipe:

2 Cups Epsom Salts
10-15 drops of your favourite essential oils/blends/ single or mixed  ( I use http://www.rockymountainoils.com/ ) some of their blends, but their singles are fab!  Pricey, but quality is what you are  paying for!  Quality is paramount!  100% therapeutic grade.
1-2 drops of food grade/food colouring (experiment.... you may find other ways to dye the salts)
1 mason jar (16 oz)

Dead easy!  Pour about 8 oz... fill half the mason jar with epsom salts. Experiment with essential oils, I typically start with 10-15 drops of a blend then add more to your desire.  Blending:  blend with reckless abandon!  You'll find some winners, and some you need to toss out!
Colour:  leave it be or use as little as you like. Colour is secondary to your actual scent.

Add your oils to the 8 oz of salts, shake well!  Okay, keep shaking.   No, Seriously... shake shake shake shake it.....I'm having a Metro Staion moment.  SHAKE IT!

Okay... now add 1to 2 drops of food coloring, if you are using it.   Don't need a lot, the effect is subtle.  and ....... SHAKE IT! Add the next 8oz of epsom salts to top up the mason jar.    Then.... SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT!  Keep shaking........................

Alles Kla Sis Boom Bah!  Add about 2-3 TBS  to a warm bath and you are in heaven!  HEAVEN MUST BE THERE   Yea.......   you knew I would go there.

Enjoy!  Keep for yourself or share with family and friends.

Blend with Reckless Abandon!

You can decorate the jars if you want to give as gifts.

I will be adding some recipes to the book:  Cooking with Reckless Abandon by Hope J McDonald (2013)

Hot Stone Massage

Courtesy of ABMP

What is Hot Stone Massage?

Jed Heneberry

Stone massage is a luxurious experience in which the massage therapist uses warmed, smooth stones to provide bodywork, warming muscle tissue to reduce muscle tension and stiffness, and eliciting physical healing, mental relaxation, and a spiritual connection to earth energy

Photos frequently incorrectly portray the treatment with massage clients relaxing on a towel with stones placed artfully along their naked spines. 

In reality, two insulating layers, a sheet and a thick bath towel, will be placed on your skin, and the stones will be placed upon it. Your massage therapist will be using stones heated to 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Stones should never rest directly on your skin; they will only touch your skin if the therapist is holding them to apply strokes.



Should I Get One?
The heat of stone massage can be especially beneficial for certain populations and something to avoid for others. Specific chronic muscular conditions like frozen shoulder or low-back pain benefit as the heat helps tissues relax during massage work. And, while stone massage is lauded for the relaxation it promotes, therapists can use it for targeted trigger-point work and myofascial release as well.

Those who should avoid hot stone massage include people with diabetes, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions covering large areas of the body, or local skin conditions such as sunburn, broken skin, localized swelling, or other soft-tissue injuries.

Following are some of the benefits associated with stone therapies:
o Reduces anxiety, pain, and stress.
o Promotes mental and physical relaxation.
o Creates a feeling of groundedness and balance.
o Enhances connection to earth energy.
o Promotes local circulation in the area where it is applied. 
o Warms soft-tissue structures so they are ready for firm work more quickly.

Courtesy of ABMP

Back to Basics... Making your own.

Good morning CyberSpace!

So, I had a fun day yesterday making my own deodorant stick!  I've always used the salt stones, but those buggers get to a point (quite literally) where they just scratch the HE** out of your pits!  OUCH!

Time for something different.  I've always tried to use as natural as possible when it comes to masking B.O. - Let's face it, no wants a stinky massage therapist.  I know a lot of my colleagues use the clinical grade deodorant/antiperspirant sticks, but quite frankly the ingredients in these products scares the BeJeebus out of me!  The biggest one being aluminum!  Aluminum has been associated with a plethora of health issues:

• Seizures
• Alzheimer's disease
• Breast Cancer
• Bone formation disorders
• Kidney problems

(info from:  http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/miscellaneous-health-and-wellness/aluminum-free-deodorant)

So, Google being the amazing tool that it is... I 'Googled it'.

I came across a WikiHow site that is pretty simple to understand and follow.  Check it out -
Make Your Own Deodorant Stick

Basic recipe:
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Cornstarch
10 drops of tea tree oil essential oil
2 TBS of Coconut Oil (melted)

Now, the fun part.  Experiment with essential oils!  Many Essential oils have anti-bacterial properties.  It is the bacteria in sweat that causes an unpleasant odor.  So, with that said; here are a few oils you may want to experiment with:

• Oregano
• Thyme
• Tea Tree
• Rosemary
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Eucalyptus

(info from:  http://greenbootliving.com/2013/08/18/essential-oil-bacteria-fighters/)

My little kitchen experiment included:  5 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of lavender, and a single drop of patchouli.  This made for a nice musky floral combination.  We shall see how effective it is with masking B.O.

I just put all ingredients into a mixing bowl and started mashing it all together.  You'll have to keep mashing until it is all incorporated and looks like the paste from elementary school.  Then start packing it into your container of choice.

I saved a stick container from my previous deodorant and used this to pack the mixture into.  It was all really simple and the whole process took about 20 minutes!  Easy!  I do have to keep the stick in the fridge as coconut oil melts at 75 F and could become a melty mess.

You could try this recipe too:
http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/20111125/homemade-deodorant/1582

Now this recipe uses the antisudorific (prevents sweating) essential oils: Clary Sage, Cypress, Citronella
But, I think the body sweats for a reason and you shouldn't mess with physiology.

Next on my list of  'make your own' :  Laundry Detergent

The Benefits of Regular Massage.

The Benefits of Massage:

... and when I say massage I mean REGULAR massage.  That once a year birthday treat is just that, a treat.  To really truly experience what regular massage can do for you and your body, it is important to get regular treatments.

   With regular treatments massage can:

• Lessen back pain and increase ROM (Range of Motion)
• Boost your immune system
• Decrease depression and anxiety
• Relieve stress and encourage relaxation
• Improve rehabilitation after injury
• Relieve headaches and migraine
• Improve sleep

Even Fox News is willing to research and publish an article on the benefits of massage;  MASSAGE PROVES TO HAVE MEDICAL BENEFITS. Not that I'm citing them as a 'reliable' source.  FYI:  most of my fans know how I feel about dubious media propaganda.

But I digress.  Most information I will post here will come from various sources;   colleagues, AMTA, ABMP, MayoClinic, Huffington Post, NIH, etc...

Research into the benefits of massage is getting better.  Massage is older than dirt and it's only just now that it is coming into its 'own'.  By that I mean, recognition in the 'Medical World' as a viable treatment for a plethora of conditions and disease (dis-ease).

My intention with this Blog is to help bring a better understanding and appreciation for all the benefits of massage to everyone.

Namaste~ Hope McDonald RMT

Chakra Foods: Today is brought to you by the colour GREEN!

Today's recipe is quick and easy and can be made the night before for breakfast.  Or you could chill it down, cut it into serving size bites and take with you.

I call it Anahata Rice!

It's actually a version of Arroz Verde (Mexican green rice), but cooking with reckless abandon as I do.  This is my tweaked out version of it.  Feel free to experiment!

• 2 cups of cooked rice

(Make the rice to package directions.

I used brown rice and sometimes I'll use short grain rice.

Any rice will work.)

I usually add dried oregano and a vegetable stock cube to the rice while it is cooking.

For the Green!!!
Peppers:

• Green bell pepper
• Poblanos, roasted and seeded

Leafy greens:

• Kale
• Cilantro
• Baby spinach
• Fresh Parsley

Mix it up, play with the flavours.  I chop the peppers and leafy greens and add to a blender with:

• 1/4 onion
• pinch of salt
• splash of water
• splash of almond milk

Blend/pulse until well incorporated.  Once the rice has finished cooking, let it cool a bit.  Then add your green!  I mix it all up thoroughly, then add a cheese of choice. 

Add Cheese:  I usually add 1/2 cup to the mixture and save 1/2 cup for topping.

• Queso Fresco
• Mozzarella
• Monterey Jack

If I use the traditional Mexican flavour profile  I will add Queso Fresco to the blender before adding it to the rice.

Or I will just add shredded Mozzarella to the rice/green mixture, and stir it through. 

You might find that there is more liquid (green) than rice, if it seems a little 'runny' - just add about 1/2 cup elbow macaroni and stir that through.  Once in the oven, the macaroni will soak up the liquid and you'll end up with a nice stodgy rice cake of sorts.  I like to do this.

I then place this cheesy green mixture into a prepared casserole dish and top with more cheese.  Bake covered at 375 F for about 25 minutes, remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top browns a little.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Or you could serve it straight away.  I like to let it cool, cut into squares and have this as a snack if I'm on the go. Great hot or cold!

Anahata Green - it's made of poblanos!

Anahata Green Rice Casserole

Anahata Chakra:

• The heart chakra
• located at the center of the chest on the sternum
• associated with circulatory, lymphatic and immune systems
• unconditional love and compassion

Crystals to activate Anahata:

• Peridot

Crystals to calm Anahata:

• Pink topaz
• Rhodonite
• Pink or Lavender Kunzite

If you suffer frequent panic attacks, the Qi for Anahata is too strong and must be calmed.  Using the calming crystals can help with this.

Aromatherapy for Anahata:

• Rose
• Melissa
• Neroli

This is a fun recipe!  There are no rules!  Play with it and make it yours!  Enjoy cooking with reckless abandon and cook with HEART!  You can't go wrong.

Peace, Light and Love~  

Hope

Chakra information:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)
Anahata Rice:  Cooking with reckless abandon by Hope McDonald (2013)

Nutrition and Chakra Foods!

Today has been brought to you by the colour:  Orange!

Part and parcel of taking care of your body includes the foods we eat!
Just like a machine, it needs fuel and maintenance to function optimally.

I like cooking with colour!   I do chakra balancing in my work if someone requests it. I also like to
cook with chakra colours!  Today's colour is orange!

The orange chakra (Svadisthana) is:

• located just below your navel
• the colour of vitality and strength
• the colour of gentle and positive nurturing of ourselves
• associated with the endocrine glands
• often referred to the centre of self-expression and joy

Crystals can be used to enhance the orange chakra when it is sluggish; fire opal, carnelian

When Svadisthana is too active; emerald can be used to quiet this chakra.

It is possible to have too much Qi (life energy) flowing into your Svadisthana chakra.  When this happens it's a place where we store emotions.  Emotions such as anger and fear, if held onto can cause illness.

Today's recipe:  Svadisthana Soup (Butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot soup!)

1 onion (diced)

1 clove of garlic (crushed and minced)

2 carrots (diced)

1 Fuji apple (cubed)

2-3 small Dolce sweet peppers (red/orange/yellow)

1 sweet potato (cubed)

1/2 butternut squash (cubed)

2 tbs grated fresh ginger root

1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cardamom (ground) 

pinch of saffron threads

pinch of nutmeg

salt to taste  (typically I use a vegetable stock cube)

Place all ingredients into a medium sized crock-pot/slow cooker.  Top with enough water to just cover, turn to low and get on with your beautiful day! About 6 hours later, you've got the most beautiful and tasty chunky soup in the most amazing orange colour!

If you prefer a smoother soup, get out your immersion blender and blend it all up!  I love to do this as it gives a thicker creamier soup.  Top with some soured cream and enjoy!  You could also chop up some fresh cilantro as a garnish (giving that emerald green colour to help balance the chakra).

Svadisthana Orange Chakra Soup before cooking

Svadisthana Soup after cooking and immersion blender served with Soured Cream and a sprinkle of dried cilanto (it's all I had). 

Source for Chakra information:  The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier (2007)
Recipe:  Hope McDonald - Cooking with reckless abandon (2013)

I sing the body Electric!

Hi!  My name is Hope McDonald and I am a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) with the state of Colorado.

I wanted to create an online space where people who had questions about massage and self-care could come and ask questions and read articles about the benefits of massage.

Take care of YOU!  As a massage therapist I am only but a facilitator of health.  I will give you tools, but you must take charge of your health.  Regular visits and we can discuss a plan.

Maybe a little shameless promotion of my private practice and the spa in LoDo I work at too. ;)  So, with that said... Welcome.

Let's share space.

~Hope