Kiki's Fourth Cycle

The Summer Mood Challenge came and went. It became a thought transformation period. 

I  regained trust in my abilities to go beyond my secure circle. The lack of balance from vertigo is no longer an obstacle instead it is something I work with. 

I do as much as I can do. I give each day my best. 

There is no real approach. There is no fast lane. There is no contest. 

There is me living life. I live inspired about the day. 

I live inspired by the people who provoke love and joy. So I continue.

There is much more of me to give. I do not to hold back based on what occurred in the past. 

I  do not stop if today did not go as planned. 

Instead I focus on spreading my wings wider. Of being present to the feeling of freedom.

So I walk on my path. Feeling joyful as I enter a new era, the era of my 39th birth year.

 My fourth life cycle according to indigenous traditions. 

I honor my ancestors and my being by taking care of my health; physical, mental and spiritual.

Living Kiki's Journey.

Wonderful Wednesday

My Juicing Station

I've been drinking vegetable and fruit juices regularly for months now but I rarely did it myself. My daily order at the local Courtyard Cafe or at Puerto Nuevo included green veggies, pineapple and ginger. NUMMY! When I wanted a treat I would go to Simply Wholesome where they add the coconut water for that extra tropical flair. There were days when I juiced all day just to reboot the engine. After the Freeology Seminar on 02/07 I decided to start doing it at home. This allows me to have more control over the flavors and I make sure my boos, Jose and Andy, are getting their green goodies too.

If you do not know where to start with juicing or are new to the idea I suggest you watch  the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead . I have yet to do the 28 day cleanse and my max is usually 3 days. Nonetheless with clean eating and proper nutrition I feel I get the benefits. 

Below is a quick list of some of my favorite veggies and fruits. I do not use oranges, tangerines, or grapefruit due to allergies but I invite you to research for your own blends. We all have different ailments and nutritional needs. Juicing for Health has a lot of good information and recipes. I will also start sharing some of my favorites.

The Base Types are the Vegetables or Fruits that are good starters e.g. green apple and celery. Then I have the add-ons which add a good tasteful punch and are full of nutritional goodies. The boys favorite blend is green apple, celery, carrot, spinach, cilantro, parsley, and mint. I add 1/2 tsp of  manuku medical grade honey. 1 tbs of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 tbs of chia seeds to every morning juice. I was drinking these items daily in a horrible mix and decided to add it to my morning juice instead for a tastier blend.

Here's to happy juicing!

Type	Vegetable/Fruit/Herb	Benefits
Base	Apple	Most of an apple’s nutrients are stored on the skin or just under the skin. There are the phytonutrients: ellagic acid, malic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. There are many more phytonutrients in an apple, some yet to be discovered and named. These compounds are high in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
	Beetroot	Beets are known for their amazing health benefits. They are good for almost every part of the body. It is good for such ailments as anemia, blood pressure and cancer.
Base	Carrot	It is rich with biotin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic sodium and some trace minerals. Good to control blood sugars, vision, acne breakouts and water retention.
Base	Celery	Celery is associated with lowering blood pressure. It is a good post-workout tonic since it replaces lost electrolytes and rehydrates. It is also known for its natural sodium properties.
Add-on	Cilantro	It is a very good source of vitamins A, C, K and traces of the B vitamins.  In the minerals department, it provides high amount of calcium and potassium.  Both of these would have already been helpful for relieving various ailments.  Then there are  iron, manganese and sodium. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate blood sugars. It is an immune booster and helps with insomnia.
Base	Cucumber	Good for blood pressure control, cooling, fever, inflammation, hair growth and water retention.
Add-on	Ginger	This herb contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, choline, folate, inositol, manganese, panthotenic acid, silicon, and a small amount of vitamin B3.
	Kale	Kale is one of the very few vegetables that contain a decent amount of Omega 3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). It is rich in calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and also high in Vitamin B1, B2, C, E and K.
Add-on	Lemon	Good for inflammatory disorders, digestion, gums, asthma, cold and sore throat.
Add-on	Lime	Good for inflammatory disorders, digestion, gums, asthma, cold and sore throat.
Add-on	Parsley	Parsley provides carotenoids and is a nutrition powerhouse of a few known anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and flavonoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, apiole, rutin and apigenin). It is good before menstruation because it helps prevent bloating and water retention. It is also a good immunity booster.
	Spinach	Spinach is one of the most nutrient-packed vegetables and its raw juice is an excellent source of chlorophyll. It is also a superb source of vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K, carotenes, folate, manganese, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, some trace elements and many valuable amino acids
	Item	Benefits
	Chia Seeds	High quality protein with Omega-3 fatty acids and improves certain blood markers. This in theory helps lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. They have bone nutrients and can improve your exercise performance as much as a sports drink.
	Manuko Medical Grade Honey	Helps with reducing high cholesterol, reducing inflammation, treating diabetes, eye, ear and sinus infections.
	Organic Apple Cider Vinegar	Helps with sore throats, colds, lower cholesterol, prevent indigestion, clears a stuffy nose, aids with weight loss, boosts energy, and helps control blood sugar.

True Thursday

SHARING IS CARING

Three people shared their stories with me this week. They each shared about where they were in their journey. Some mentioned the transitions they have experienced and what they have learned about themselves in the process. One person touched on the difficulty of sharing but felt she needed to talk to me. The other shared about the avoidance of feeling pain and how food helped her numb it all. Then there was the share about life's unexpected changes and how to cope with it all. Each share ended with a big thank you for sharing and providing positivity.

What these three people did not know was I was aching too; questioning, fighting and having difficulty sharing. I was pushing to stay positive but feeling like I was failing. Then just as the light seemed dim, they appeared.

FEELING THE PAIN

Being sick is never fun. Not knowing what my body is doing can be frustrating and even builds anger. - Vertigo spins, dizzy spells, constant colds, fever days and nauseous moments take a toll. -They discourage me and make me seek comfort foods for "soothing". Bad habits creep in...Bread, lovely fluffy bread. Lemonade, sweet and tangy lemonade. "Papas"...mmmmm...give me some creamy "papas". Then my body craves good foods so I go back to good eating. But the back and forth and the tastes, here and there, ADD UP. They also send my body into confusion mode.

Mental games relating to fears about people invading my space and touching me inappropriately became real for me in February. He called it playful, I call it disrespectful and uninvited. Threats of slapping and boxing him for his unwarranted advances were made. He stopped and brushed it off as "friendly" men behavior. I called it, "unpleasant I am going to slap you the next time" behavior. It is this type of behavior that triggers something deep in my being. It puts me in a panic. It caused a down spiral effect and furthered my already frustrated and angered state of mind. It brought mindfulness to a halt.

Daily stressors from work and family life only add to the mix. Not being able to voice what I am thinking or making errors sends me into a frenzy. I like to manage things and plan. With time I have been able to cope with unforeseen changes with flexibility. However, when I am the cause of the error or I am ignored, well I do not do so well with it and over think the correction process. I seek balance by surrounding myself with positive affirmations. In February, my affirmations were not enough. It all took a toll and the negativity added up. It added up to a 10 pound gain in a month! Yes, "taste" eating, fear from past triggers, and stress from day to day living put a 10 pound dent on my goal. My light was dim.

THE AFTERMATH: FOCUS ON LOVE

Regardless of how ill I felt. I kept going. I kept going to workout when I could. I stayed active for as long as I could. It resulted in a little over 29 hours of activity. While I was at home making myself wrong for not doing more...I did not consider I was doing as much as I could. Old habits will creep with ease and so can disease. While I may not know the cause of this cycle of vertigo. I can do my best to manage it. The doctor may not be able to provide insight to the cause but I can search for alternatives to create balance.This means sticking to clean eating and soothing with other things like music, reading, yoga, a massage etc. I practice self-love with lovable actions. I have done it before. I can do it again.

Remaining Mindful can be tough when I am trying to forget acts that are part of my past. Forgetting the past is not possible. Forgiving past acts is doable. Remaining rooted in my being and connecting with my inner strength is key. People's behavior will not impact the core of my being and I manage this with mindfulness. - I cannot escape with food. I cannot escape my power. There is no escaping me. - Instead I choose to focus on the support system I have created. The people who share their stories and tell me I inspire their journey. I focus on all the good in my life and remain grateful for the positive opportunities that surround me. I choose to focus on the bigger picture : a world full of endless positive possibilities and love.

We all have trials. We all have stressors. We also have a choice to deal with those negative occurrences with grace. I know I have grown leaps and bounds in the last five years. I also know I must remain humble and grounded for I do not know what my future holds. I create light around me and no matter the struggle I tell myself it will get better. It all works out for my higher good. Above all I choose to lift those around me too.

LIGHT

I need it. So I come clean to create anew. I remain true to the goal of a healthy me. I am human and share to bring light to you. Together we all make things much brighter.

Here's to making a positive imprint in our  life's journey. Much love to you.