15 minute read
SOUL NOURISHMENT
Soul Nourishment The Kitchen As Sacred Space
30 Bucks & Montgomery County, PA Edition NABuxMont.com by Marlaina Donato I n our busy lives, grabbing food on the run or eating while standing at the kitchen counter is often the norm. Designating the kitchen as a practical sanctuary and seeing the sacredness of food not only makes it more conducive to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also gives our spirits much-needed satiety.
“If we don’t touch the transcendent— emotionally and spiritually—physical nourishment won’t fill us up,” says Ronna Kabatznick, Ph.D., former psychological consultant to Weight Watchers International and the author of The Zen of Eating: Ancient Answers to Modern Weight Problems. “Seeing the kitchen as sacred is something that represents gratitude, beauty and blessings.”
Delia Baron, co-author of Better Together Kitchen: Beautiful Recipes to Share With People You Love and the host of seasonal food workshops with partner Ronnit Hoppe in Melbourne, Australia, concurs, “The kitchen is often the heartbeat of the home and the best place to gather, feast, chat and create beautiful memories and rituals. The kitchen is also a place to connect to our food source.”
Fun and Felicity
Preparing meals the old-fashioned way can slow us down and foster mindfulness, but Kabatznick emphasizes that cooking is irrelevant. “Look at the kitchen in terms of possibilities: ‘What can I create in this space?’ You don’t have to turn into Julia Child,” she says, adding, “You could be eating Chinese takeout or a prune; it’s all about mindset and simple rituals like saying a blessing, appreciating what we eat as a great gift.” Kabatznickencourages everyone to eat with dignity, and this includes using the good dishes, putting fresh flowers on the table and eating with awareness.
Seeing the kitchen as the inspired nucleus of the home, it’s natural to add favorite items like art prints, colorful jars, sentimental treasures, dried flowers and other seasonal delights to nourish daily contentment. Conjuring an element of joy adorns the mundane. “Put on some music to put you in either a peaceful or joyful mood,” says Molly Larkin, author, healing practitioner and blogger at Ancient Wisdom for Balanced Living (MollyLarkin.com), in Corrales, New Mexico. “Turn off the TV and give everyone in the family a job. Laugh throughout the meal preparation. Dance as you cook. Do the same thing if you live alone.”
Preparing food, whether a healthy smoothie or a gourmet weekend dinner for two, is a way to express love for ourselves and others. Baron loves the presence of plants, lovely ceramics and interesting platters and dishes, and notes, “Families can definitely shop, chop, cook and mealplan together to make the kitchen a fun place to be. Doing these things together is very bonding and sends the message that looking after yourself is important.”
Practical Magic
Meal prep can be enjoyable and even relaxing in a calm environment. For Baron, organization is key. She advises, “Having all the ingredients you need and working in a clean space also helps make the experience rewarding.”
The smallest of kitchens can be abundant and organized with the help of a little innovation. A simple bookcase can offer additional shelf space for dry goods, bowls of produce or favorite cups. A small end table can hold a favorite tea pot and a jar of gourmet dark chocolate. A beautiful basket can hold go-to spice jars, and a pretty pitcher near the stove can accommodate a multitude of cooking utensils. “If you can’t fit it all out of sight in a cabinet, get some glass jars, fill them with grains, flours and legumes and line them up on the countertop. It will be neat, and you can see what you have,” suggests Larkin.
In the end, a well-nourished body and spirit fosters a beautiful life and inspires the same in others. An advocate for supporting the hungry in all communities, Kabatznick underscores local efforts and seeing the big picture of our relationship with food:“Taking out the garbage and cleaning up is also a sacred act if we bring that attitude into it. Food connects us to the Earth, the moon and the stars. From the seed to the truck driver—everything and everyone involved—the process of food is miraculous.”
Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Moroccan-Spiced Red Lentil Soup
Yields: 4 servings
4 cups water 1½ cup red lentils 1 tsp sea salt 1 medium-size organic carrot, chopped in bite-size pieces 2 soft, dried apricots, chopped, or 1 Tbsp golden raisins or 2 dates, chopped ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp ground turmeric ¼ tsp ground coriander seeds or ½ tsp crushed coriander seeds ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp crushed or ground cumin seeds 2 tsp extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil
Bring water, carrots, apricots and all spices and seasonings to boil. Add red lentils, stir once and set heat to low. Cover pot with lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, remove from heat. Add olive oil and allow to sit for five minutes before serving.
Optional toppings for each bowl: finely chopped red onion, red pepper flakes, fresh cilantro and/or a sprinkle of turmeric.
Spring Fever Salad with Flowers and Fruit Yields: 4 servings
1 head romaine or green leaf lettuce 8 medium-large organic strawberries, thinly sliced, or 2 small packages of fresh organic raspberries Handful of fresh, chemical-free flowers from the garden or store’s produce section: nasturtium, pansies and/or calendulas; gathered wild: spring violets and dandelion blooms
In-the-Bowl Dressing:
Juice from one fresh tangerine 1 part organic apple cider vinegar to 2 parts avocado oil Dash of sea salt
Add avocado oil, apple cider vinegar and salt into a large bowl, swirl around twice. Tear (don’t chop) lettuce and add to the preliminary dressing. Squeeze tangerine juice over lettuce and toss lightly until well-dressed. Place strawberry slices over salad. Sprinkle (don’t toss) flowers on top or artfully place where desired. Serve immediately.
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.
Whole-Grain Dark Chocolate-Banana Muffins Yields: 12 muffins
½ cup organic whole-wheat flour, sifted (protein-rich, gluten-free option: 1 cup organic brown rice flour and ½ cup organic soy flour or 1 cup organic brown rice flour and ½ cup garbanzo flour) ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup coconut sugar, evaporated cane juice or turbinado ½ tsp salt 3½ tsp fresh baking powder 1 cup water or unsweetened non-dairy milk (or half of each to make a cup) 2 tsp extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil or cold-pressed sunflower oil 2 organic eggs, beaten (for vegan option: ¼ to ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce) 2 tsp natural vanilla extract 1½ mashed ripe bananas 2 tsp molasses 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp cloves ¼ tsp dried ginger 2 dashes of nutmeg 1 dash of allspice (optional)
Pre-heat oven to 400° F and grease muffin tin with sunflower or olive oil (or line with cupcake papers). Sift flour and cocoa powder into bowl. Add baking powder, salt, sugar and spices; mix well. Combine water/milk, vanilla, molasses, oil and eggs (or apple sauce), and add to dry mixture. Stir, lifting the spoon high with each stirring to get air into the mixture. Do not beat or overmix. Leave it a bit lumpy.
Fold in bananas. Fill muffin cups half to three-quarters full and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Place muffin tin on wire rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes before removing each muffin by hand (avoid turning tin over to get muffins out, or the extra-moist, fruit-filled muffins might come apart).
Optional treat: Dip muffin tops into melted coconut oil and roll in coconut sugar or turbinado. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Recipes by Marlaina Donato, author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Find the studio, teacher or style that fits you best
ambler
Twisters Wellness Centers
131 E Butler Ave 215-654-5393 TwistersYoga.com
doylestown
Bikram Yoga Doylestown
Cornerstone Health & Fitness
erdenheim
Twisters Wellness Centers
717 Bethlehem Pike 215-654-5393 TwistersYoga.com
hatboro
Nourishing Storm
124 N York Rd 215-394-8152 NourishingStorm.com
breathe
new hope
Cornerstone Health & Fitness
415 S York Rd 215-862-2200 CornerstoneClubs.com
north wales
1364 Welsh Rd 267-664-1022 KindredYogaStudio.com
Kindred Yoga
release
Whole Body Yoga Studio
quakertown
Moondog Yoga Studio
115 E Broad St, Ste 200 267-374-4046 MoondogYoga.com
southampton
777 Second Street Pk 215-514-6065 YogaVibhuti.com Yoga Vibhuti Yoga & Meditation Studio
warrington
Cornerstone Health & Fitness
Not listed? Contact us to sign up. Convenient one-time payment option available. Email Rosie Lazroe at YogaByRosie@gmail.com
Yoga Corner
Shine On
by Nicole Zornitzer
Today, I splurged. Today, I gave myself permission to take three yoga classes taught by my tribe members. Today, I realized the importance of self-acceptance.
In one of our dharma talks, we were taught that we need to accept where we are in this very moment, who we are in this very moment and how we feel in this very moment in order to shine. Many of us rise with frantic thoughts, experiencing moments of anxiety, frustration, fear, anger and sadness. Today, I experienced all of those emotions before the sun rose.
We were encouraged to recite how we actually felt, and this is what came up for me:
I am scared. I am angry. I am frustrated. I am lonely. I am fearful.
If we accept how we actually feel versus how we want to feel, we have taken the biggest step in acceptance and the creation of positivity in our world. It is okay to feel uncertain and vulnerable. It is through these moments that we are our most authentic selves. We arrive exactly as we were meant to arrive: ourselves.
Sometimes, shining brilliantly requires moving through the mud and tangled weeds that seem to be holding us down, much like the lotus flower and its journey into life.
This also reminds me of the words a wise woman once said, “In the yoga community, these are the moments we have been training for our entire life. We are taught the ability to withdraw the senses; we are taught finding power through breathing techniques; we are taught enduring pain by using the tools we are given in yoga… and here we are—prepared and finely trained for this very moment.”
Shining may not always appear as brilliant as our imaginations think shining should appear. We have the ability to shine even when we feel the dullest. We have the ability to shine in times of discomfort. We have the ability to shine by simply being who we are at all times. So be yourself, accept who you are and appreciate how your perception of life changes from day to day. Shine on my dear, shine on.
Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, is a yoga therapist and founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness
Studio in Randolph,
New Jersey. Niyama YogaStudio.com.
Have a Vision for Local Yoga?
Sponsor this Page
Your input helps shape this section while our input helps you grow!
For information, email YogaByRosie@gmail.com
business directory Bucks/Montgomery Community
Your local source for natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle Join the community! Request our media kit today by emailing Publisher@NABuxMont.com
Behavioral Health
M.E. Matters 668 Woodbourne Rd, Ste 108, Langhorne 215-914-5344 MEMatters.org
Psychological and behavioral health services for individuals, couples, teens and families where mind, body and spirit matter. We offer neurofeedback, therapy and a spirituality awareness group. Our goal is to help you experience life with increased awareness and without fear. See ad, page 21.
Dentistry - Holistic
Dental Wellness Centre Hyo J. Lim DMD 216 Mall Blvd, Ste 11, King of Prussia 610-265-4485 DentalWellnessCentre.com
Dr. Hyo Lim provides a holistic approach to exceptional dentistry, in a warm and caring environment. At Dental Wellness Centre, mercury- and metal-free restorations are used for the most biocompatible results. Biocompatibility testing for dental materials is available. Invisalign is offered as an alternative to metal braces. Zirconium and titanium implants are offered to replace damaged or missing teeth. Free digital X-rays with initial consultation. See ad, page 25.
Holistic Dental Center Vladimir Gashinsky, DDS 91 Millburn Ave, Milburn, NJ 973-457-4688 HolisticDentalCenterNJ.com
Holistic dental care that is good for the body as well as teeth and gums. By treating the cause, not just the symptoms, Dr. Gashinsky helps improve his patients’ quality of life through dental care that respects and honors the body. See ad, back cover.
Lanap & Implant Center of PA David DiGiallorenzo, DMD Henry Hsu, DMD 184 W Main St, Collegeville 610-409-6064 • PerioImplants.us
Providing oral health solutions through holistic, biologically compatible and organic practices. One of the world's most accomplished centers for periodontal and implant care, which integrates wellness services into their therapeutic approach. Experience with immediate total tooth replacement with metal-free dental implants, treating gum disease with LANAP, a no-cut, no-sew method of treating gum disease, comfortable gum grafting with PRGF, implant denture solutions, and chronic pain management. See ad, page 23.
Essential Oils
Peggy Washburn Wellness Advocate doTERRA International 208-859-9155 MyPerfectLifeToday.com
Sharing natural health and wellness with the world through doTERRA Essential Oil. I’ve been “changing lives one oil at a time” with doTERRA since 2008. The purity and freshness of every product is unmatched, and the scents are amazing. See ad, page 21.
Hospice
Ascend Hospice 108 Cowpath Rd, Stes 3 & 4, Lansdale 215-542-2100 AscendHospice.com
Bringing a personalized and holistic approach to hospice care. Our trained volunteers offer aromatherapy, massage therapy, reiki and pet therapy to bring healing and wholeness to clients and their families. See ad, page 21.
Life Coaching - Gestalt
Step Into Joy Healing Arts Joan Summers, Certified Gestalt Coach, Trauma Professional and Reiki Master 267-272-9343 • StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Joan@StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com
Experience deep and long-lasting healing. Joan offers healing for her clients who are tired of feeling stuck, disconnected or without purpose. She offers Gestalt Life Coaching, Equine Gestalt Life Coaching and reiki, and you may choose to customize your session. See ad, page 19.
Medical Doctor - Holistic
Michael Cheikin, MD Center for Optimal Health 832 Germantown Pk, Ste 3, Plymouth Meeting 610-239-9901 • Cheikin.com
For 30+ years, Dr Cheikin has helped patients achieve root-cause level healing using education, nutrition, yoga and other methods. Specializing in physiatry, pain and medical acupuncture, he also offers special testing for deficiencies, toxicities, infections and allergies. See ad, page 15.
Metaphysical Services
Journey To The Self Linda Harbaugh, Intuitive Medium Certified Life Coach/Reiki Practitioner Linda@JourneyToTheSelf.com JourneyToTheSelf.com • 484-904-9268
Delivering messages of love and guidance from deceased loved ones and spirit guides via readings and intuitive reiki sessions. A certified life coach, Linda also offers intuitive coaching packages to help you navigate life, jobs and relationships. Psychology degree, former teacher, 30 years business experience. Telephone or in person.
Julie Lachman, ND LLC 1432 Easton Rd, Ste 3G, Warrington 267-406-0782 • DrLachman.com
Julie Lachman, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician (Vermont). She is considered an expert in neurological and cardiovascular disorders, including headache, migraine and circulatory/heart problems, due to the amount of study she has done and the number of patients she has helped. Call today.
Natural Medicine
Inner Harmony Wellness Center Peter Amato, PhD, DNM Board Certified Natural Medicine Two PA Locations 647 Wyoming Ave, Kingston 131 Reynolds Rd, Waverly 570-319-6073 • InnerHarmonyWellness.com
With 25 years of experience, we get to the root cause of your health concerns. Find out what is causing long-standing health issues and walk away with a precise care plan. Today's chronic illnesses are not located in the blood. We test at the cellular level. Our approach merges applied kinesiology, Quantum Biofeedback and (ART) Autonomic Response Testing developed by Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD. See ad, page 14.
Nutritional Healing
Center for Natural Healing Jeffrey L Griffin, DC Bailiwick Office Campus, Ste 26, Doylestown 215-348-2115 • C4NH.com
Feeling poorly? Lacking answers? Improvement at a standstill? Locate the source of stress and the treatment becomes obvious. Mention Dr. Jeff’s 35 years of experience when you call and receive a free phone consultation to learn how we can start helping you today. See ad, page 13.
Step Into Joy Healing Arts Joan Summers, Certified Intuitive Reiki Master and Gestalt Coach 267-272-9343 • StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com Joan@StepIntoJoyHealingArts.com
Experience peace of mind, enlightened awareness and physical restoration. The connections between physical pain and emotional trauma are often revealed during an intuitive reiki session. It is a practice of compassion and spiritual connection. See ad, page 19.
Retreat Experience
Harmony Mountain Institute Dr Peter Amato, PhD, DNM 131 Reynolds Rd, N Abington Township 570-558-7450 Info@HarmonyMountainInstitute.com HarmonyMountainInstitute.com
Harmony Mountain Institute brings you the ultimate Zen retreat experience. We provide a transformational weekend experience for those on a spiritual journey to become free of chronic illness, negative thinking and addictive behaviors all while experiencing luxurious self-care. See ad, page 17.
Sexuality Coaching
Michelle Christine Sacred Rose Unity Barn, 4000 Sawmill Rd, Doylestown MichelleChristine@SacredRose444.com 215-840-8139 • SacredRose444.com
Michelle Christine supports women to reclaim and redefine their sexuality in any stage of their lives. Together we will work on helping you to love, nourish and celebrate yourself and your divine femininity. See ad, page 27.
Inner Spa 4 Terry Dr, Ste 12, Atrium Bldg, Newtown Info@InnerSpa.org • 215-968-9000 InnerSpa.org • InnerVitalitySpa.com
A fully organic, holistic, eco-friendly wellness spa featuring an array of detoxification, cleansing and therapeutic services. The spa is one of the only facilities in the area to offer colon hydrotherapy. See ad, page 14.
Thermography
Lisa's Thermography and Wellness Lisa Mack, CCT, HHC Thermographer and Holistic Counselor See website for locations in NJ, NY & PA 855-667-9338 Lisa@LisasThermographyAndWellness.com LisasThermographyAndWellness.com
Thermography gives an early look at the most important indicator of a potential health problem – inflammation. Early-stage disease screening is an area in which thermography excels. Whether your pain is acute or chronic, or you are merely curious about the state of your health, thermography can help provide answers. Radiation-free breast and full-body screenings for men and women. See ad, pg 19.
Veterinary - Holistic
Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holistic Pet Care 380 N Shady Retreat Rd, Doylestown 215-345-6000 DoylestownVeterinaryHospital.com
Improving the lives of pets through acupuncture, herbal therapy, homeopathy, nutritional counseling and integration of holistic therapies with conventional medicine for customized approach to care. See ad, page 29.
My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return. ~Maya Angelou
