Category Archives: WELLNESS

The Art Of Sacred Smoke : Energy-Balancing Rituals to Cleanse, Protect, and Empower

March 28, 2022

Last week I had the privilege to attend a live Breathwork class with Neelou Malekpour, creator of S M U D G E D and now, the author of the forthcoming book, The Art of Sacred Smoke: Energy-Balancing Rituals to Cleanse, Protect, and Empower.

It was phenomenal. Big energy, big release, big breath. It was a deeply profound opening, simply accessed via the breath.

The Art of Sacred Smoke is available on Amazon and at your favorite bookstores. (Barnes & Noble, Target.com, Walmart.com, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Indiebound, Books-a-Million, and Brick & Mortar Indies + more!)

A gorgeously illustrated, essential guide to the energy rituals that will transform your life!

Readers will learn how to cleanse and protect yourself and your space, tap into your intuition, and elevate your frequency through sacred smoke, candle, stone rituals – and more. Neelou Malekpour is here to support you for all occasions, whether that is:

  •  healing heartache, relieving anxiety, and dispelling bad dreams;

  •  cultivating focus, receiving support during travel, and prepping a space for meditation; or

  •  calling in love, blessing others, and connecting to your highest self.

With The Art of Sacred Smoke, Malekpour is ready to share the rituals that are essential to aligning and calibrating your energy. Learn how to use the natural ingredients she employs in her practices—and in her frequency-raising business, SMUDGED—from rose petals to palo santo, and how to source them responsibly.

At a time when many of us are looking for mindful solutions to the chaos of modern life, The Art of Sacred Smoke offers an empowering new way to connect to nature and to your best self.

The book reviews are in: 

“Ancient techniques of energy clearing have positive effects on our lives today. Neelou’s book contributes to that store of wisdom.”—Marianne Williamson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Return to Love and A Year of Miracles

“What touches our hearts most are the rituals that bring meaning to the smallest moments of our days. This practical guide to the uses of sacred herbs and flowers as medicine for cleansing is perfectly timed and utterly inspiring.”—Elena Brower, bestselling author of Art of Attention and Practice You

“Now, more than ever before, we need to be reunited with the sacred, with the light that never went away, only dimmed. This book, these beautiful words, these rituals, sweep in like smoke but stay. These are the miracles in all the mundane I always try to speak of, and Neelou manages to capture them so perfectly. What a gift.”—Tyler Knott Gregson, bestselling author of Chasers of the Light

“The Art of Sacred Smoke is heartfelt, easy to read, and well organized, an outstanding addition to the recent explosion in shamanic literature. Beautifully illustrated, the book is a wealth of knowledge, drawing from the richness of her cultural roots and yet made clear and accessible to everyone. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in healing and finding balance through time-tested and practical shamanic practices.”—Jose Luis Stevens, PhD, author of How to Pray the Shaman’s Way and Awakening the Inner Shaman

About S M U D G E D: 

S M U D G E D started as a tribute to the founder, Neelou Malekpour’s grandmother, who was her best friend and passed away many years ago. She taught her all about smudging with Wild Rue to dispel the “evil eye” and how to be responsible for her energy, and the vibration she put out into the world.

Energy is real. So, S M U D G E D is all about attaining and maintaining a high vibrational frequency. All of their ingredients and products are sourced mindfully and they do the very best to respect the abundance Mama Earth provides. Since White Sage has become so popular, they are careful not to add to it’s over harvesting. The Sage they use is certified organic, and sustainable. The other herbs, flowers, and plants included in their products are gathered with care and anything that can be, is culinary grade.

Their intention is to unite people energetically and raise the collective vibration by first, being responsible for our own energy and what kind of vibes we put out into the world. And then, by creating all kinds of goodies that transform one’s energetic frequency and get rid of bad juju. They are committed to mindful and ethical business practices, 11% of all proceeds are donated to charity, and everything they create is handmade in Miami Beach.

About Neelou:

Neelou Malekpour was born in Seattle and raised in Tehran, Iran, before moving to Los Angeles during the Iranian Revolution. She started SMUDGED as a tribute to her late grandmother, who taught her to be responsible for the vibrations she put out into the world.

She has worked with brands such as UNICEF, YogaWorks, 1 Hotels, Selina, Soho House, Sydell Group, Guerilla Union, Real Dog Rescue, and more. Malekpour has contributed to publications such as New York Metro, the Los Angeles Daily News, Us Weekly, and Harper’s Bazaar.

The book is so lovely in so many ways. It’s something to savor, in the tub, on the couch, in the morning along with your morning ritual to ground and set intention for day. I can’t wait to continue with the breathwork as well!

ROMAN FOCUS

February 6, 2022

I am loving these new products from Roman. Especially, Roman Focus .

Roman enters the nootropic dietary supplement arena with a science-backed, fast-acting solution for calm energy and heightened concentration, while Roman Life tackles overall health at the cellular level with a powerful, doctor-formulated NAD+ supplement to promote healthy aging.

I just ordered 3 months’ worth of FOCUS because frankly, it’s helping my ADHD just as good, if not better, than Adderal.

Roman is branded for men, and totally cool, but cool enough for women.

The Deep Therapeutic Sport’s Massage Your Body Is Crying For

December 25, 2021

It’s that time of the year when you’ve given and given and GIVEN and now it’s full-on what about me mode. Maybe it’s just a quiet cry it in the middle of the night but it’s a “no, seriously, what the fuck about me?!”

Nothing says hell yasss me time, like some therapeutic bodywork. Massage is always my go-to self-care treat. I was excited to check out this guy Terry’s work. This is not a soft and fuzzy warm and cozy deal. This is, you got to his raw and NYC cool little private training gym, hop on his table (wear something warm and cozy it can be chilly) and he gets to work on you. No frills, just deep work.

Of course, he can also come to you. I chose to try the gym/studio because I live a few blocks away and wanted to check it out.

So, the work is VERY GOOD. Deep and sportsy – made me feel like a real athlete. He worked deep into my scapula and aching shoulder in a way I so deeply needed. I was fully dressed – in my sweats – this is not an under the towel type of thing – and he worked one body part at a time – a combo of many disciplines, strokes and styles. It was just right and exactly what my body needed. I’m excited to go back and just fully relax and focus now that I know more about Terry and his work (I am always a little in editor mode on my first try, asking questions and forgetting to focus on how things FEEL sometimes.) Even so, this work felt great.

MORE ABOUT TERRY

Fitness specialist Terry Smith is the owner of Tsmithfitness & Massage. A multifaceted fitness company that has been helping clients obtain their fitness goals for over 15 years. Terry provides high-end health and fitness services for dedicated, goal-oriented individuals. Terry holds certifications in strength training with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In addition, he is a licensed massage therapist with the California Massage Council and is certified in Pilates and CPR.

At an early age Terry displayed a passion for sports, in particular boxing and track and field. In 1996 Terry turned his passion into a successful fitness company. He started teaching cardio boxing classes at the Marina Fitness Center one day a week. One day a week quickly turned into two days a week and within 6 months Terry was teaching 6 classes a week. After a year of teaching classes Terry and multiple requests for personal training he decided to become a personal trainer.

Terry wanted to expand upon his knowledge in health and fitness and in 2000 became a certified Pilates instructor. In 2005 Terry attended the Institute of Pyscho-Structure and Balance (IPSB) to become a massage therapist. He spent 2 years learning how the human body works from the inside out, giving him the unique skill set to work with a wide range of clients.

 Clients from all walks of life have sought Terry out for his expertise in health and fitness. Whether your goals are weight loss, getting in shape for a specific sporting event, your wedding day or your pre- and post-natal needs, Terry’s plan will get you there. He will cater a plan to your specific needs. They are designed to target everything you need in a workout.

As a client of Tsmithfitness & Massage not only will you feel good and look good, you will be in the best shape of your life. Terry’s Philosophy is to give everyone the quality of life they deserve!!!

You can connect with Terry here: [email protected]

And follow his work on Instagram here.

This Supplement Combats Cravings

September 15, 2021

Nucific’s Bio X4 is a supplement we are trying now – why? Because it purports to deal with cravings for fat and sugar. It contains powerful probiotics from 5 strains to provide a healthier balance of “good” gut bacteria. Think: relief from bloating. It also has 3 key digestive enzymes: amylase, lipase and bromelain to help better break down the food and help absorb more of the energy and nutrients – making your whole body feel healthy and perform at its peak.

It also contains EGCG, a compound in green tea, which helps boost your metabolism and give you natural energy. And the Caralluma Fimbriata in the product helps curb unhealthy food cravings.

Of course, results vary for consumers because all individuals are unique. But they do offer a 90-day money-back guarantee – if you don’t see results you don’t have to worry. I love that.

Nucific is also offering readers 25% off sitewide on their products. Using code NUCIFIC25 at checkout!

Here’s the breakdown!

 

 

 

Staying Level: Blood Glucose, and Why it Matters in Fitness

August 25, 2021

Getting fit and staying healthy is a process. The deeper you get into it, the more you realize that you don’t know enough about your body. Knowledge is the key to proper fitness and health, which is why it’s so important that you understand your body’s processes and nutritional needs.

Previously, we talked about ‘Adrenal Fatigue and the Perils of Running On Empty’. Adrenal fatigue can present itself in many different ways, including through chronic inflammation, fatigue, and insomnia.

Today, we’re going to talk about one other symptom of hormonal imbalance: blood sugar level imbalances. We’ll cover the basics of blood sugar levels, why they matter in fitness, and what you can do to help manage them.

Blood Sugar Basics

Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are the concentration of sugar or glucose present in your blood. Our bodies need glucose to be able to function, as it’s our bodies’ main source of energy.

You get glucose when your body processes carbohydrates, which is why you feel more energized after you eat. According to Mayo Clinic, your blood sugar needs to be less than 100 mg/dL at a fasting level for it to be considered a normal range.

Keeping your blood sugar level at a normal range is important for your short-term and long-term health. Healthline notes that high blood sugar levels can lead to problems down the rode such as nerve and organ damage, and in many cases blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Linking Fitness and Blood Sugar

But what does your blood sugar have to do staying and keeping fit? Experts at Cleveland Clinic say that exercise matters for tracking your blood sugar because it helps your body use insulin more efficiently. Using insulin more efficiently means that your blood sugar levels are likely to be lower after a bout of exercise.

While this is good news for people who tend towards hyperglycemia, it’s also a point of concern for those with hypoglycemia, or blood sugar levels lower than normal. Hypoglycemia can be caused by Addison disease, another disease of the pituitary and adrenal glands. With hypoglycemia, you can suffer from dizziness, blurred vision, and in extreme cases seizures and comas.

With all of this in mind, it’s thus incredibly important that you’re aware of your regular blood glucose range before intensive physical activity. While exercise can benefit your body for the most part, if you suffer from hypoglycemia unchecked activity can be dangerous.

How to Manage Your Blood Glucose

One of the biggest concerns for prediabetics and diabetics is how to manage their blood sugar levels to prevent dangerous spikes or dips. Exercise is one way to lower your blood glucose after a meal, but there are other methods available as well.

Diet, for example, plays an obvious role in your blood sugar levels. Brightcore recommends supplementing with ACV gummies, which can help lower your blood glucose levels and improve your digestive health. You can also try eating small but regular meals to ensure that you have a stable and constant supply of energy.

Harvard Health Publishing also recommends low glycemic foods like brown rice, leafy greens, nuts, and fruits. These low glycemic foods have lower levels of carbohydrates, meaning you stay full for longer but without the dangers of blood sugar spikes. These foods also tend to be low calorie, and much healthier overall, which is always a plus.

Understanding the ways our bodies work is the key to safe, healthy, and effective fitness plans. If you want a longer, healthier life, you need to listen to what your body needs, and blood sugar levels are one way to do it.

While you might usually feel fine, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor every once in a while to monitor your blood glucose for signs of prediabetes. If you do have prediabetes or are living with diabetes, try to learn more about how exercise and proper nutrition can help you improve your quality of life. When it comes to our health and our bodies, knowledge is always power.

Image via Pixabay.co