All posts by Kirsten Cowart

Kirsten is a writer who loves to practice vipassana meditation, yoga, travel, and learning about nature, consciousness, and how to make the world a better place. Her current interests involve studying and practicing flow, staying In Flow, and recognizing the natural flow of the universe. Kirsten loves to learn about the holistic healing arts. She is also interested in ancient cultures and practices such as Druidism. Kirsten is honored to be apart of such an incredible movement of love and heart centered living in this world.
Healing

5 Anti-inflammatory Teas and Smoothies That Relieve Pain

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“Chronic inflammation is known to be a contributor to many common Western diseases.” – Kris Gunnars, authoritynutrition.com

Stress, Inflammation & Disease:

With the current lifestyle many of us have become accustomed to, stress is not uncommon. Busy jobs, technology, environmental factors, relationships, feelings of uncertainty, can all trigger stress. But did you know that chronic stress can reduce your body’s ability to manage its inflammatory response?

People in chronic stress become prone to inflammation and so many associated health conditions and diseases. The good news is that in this article, we tell you about 5 easy-to-make anti-inflammatory drinks to reduce inflammation. Short-term inflammation helps the body, but sometimes inflammation is chronic inflammation, and that’s the type we want to focus on healing.

Ginger Tea:

The anti-inflammatory ingredient in this recipe is ginger, which has medicinal properties similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  Studies show that ginger can help prevent colon cancer by reducing inflammation. Here is a very simple ginger tea to sip while enjoying the relaxation benefits of chamomile.

shutterstock_268750295Ingredients:

Spirituality

4 Transformative Rituals To Practice During The Summer Solstice

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The summer solstice is one of the most important natural events of the year. It’s the longest day and signifies a shift in the Earth’s cycles, and in our relationship to them as the Northern Hemisphere is bathed in light.

There’s a reason so many cultures around the world and throughout human history have seen the summer solstice as a sacred and divine day! What better time to go outside, take a moment, pause, and connect deeply with yourself than when nature’s peaking in energy?

Here are a few rituals to help you enjoy and empower yourself during the summer solstice.

1. See the Sunrise:

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The rising of the sun is a symbolic time, a sign of new beginnings and rebirth. The sunrise of the summer solstice is the most powerful one of all, and participating in it can give you energy for the year to come.

First, find a place from which the sunrise can be seen. The more secluded and natural the better, but if that isn’t possible, any view will do.

Arrive a little early so you have time to relax and prepare yourself for the moment. Take a few deep breaths and relax your body.

As the sun begins to rise, meditate on your own new beginnings. What can you harness the energy of the summer solstice for in your own life? Feel free to close your eyes and visualize that golden orb inside of you, burning and providing heat, energy, and life. Breathe in deeply and feel each breath giving you more energy and growing the sun inside. Continue reading →

Healing

5 Natural Superfoods With Anti-Cancer Properties

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If you’ve lived long enough on this earth, you’ve probably known at least one person who has been affected by cancer. For me, I have multiple relatives who have experience with cancer, and my grandfather, as well as one uncle, passed away from it.

Cancer is tough to deal with, for both the person whose body it lives in, and their loved ones. With cancer becoming so common, it’s a good idea to make lifestyle changes to decrease the risk of cancer. Here are 3 promising natural ingredients which can play a role in keeping human bodies cancer-free!

  1. Dandelion Root Extract is scoring big in anti-cancer research. While many people swore by its positive effects since long before, now scientists are beginning to unveil its anti-cancer secrets for themselves. It’s wonderful to see the scientific community beginning to realize the true value of natural substances in healing diseases, slowly taking away the dogma of conventional medicine over more nature-based options.shutterstock_288971546

So what did they find? They found that dandelion root extract contains these phytochemicals called Taraxasterol and Beta-sitosterol. These natural compounds have a strong impact in preventing and treating cancer. They also help prevent tumors, and the spreading of cancer.

Dandelion root extract is most helpful in preventing colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, liver cancer, leukemia and lung cancer. It’s amazing that dandelion root extract is able to do that with no real side-effects. For example, a recent study shows that dandelion root extract can target melanoma cells without harming the innocent cells nearby. Continue reading →

Healing

The Secret of Neem: The Contraceptive Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You To Know About

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There’s only one perfect method of safe sex – abstinence. But let’s be honest, abstinence is no fun for anyone. So in reality, you’ll turn to some form of contraception. The problem, however, is that most contraceptives are unnatural and sometimes produce unwanted side effects.

Contraceptives:

Depending on the contraceptive, it may affect your hormonal system or fertility levels. It looks like you’re in a bind: you want to have sex, but you don’t want to sacrifice your bodily health, what do you do? You look for a natural contraceptive alternative.

Well, you and your partner could be in luck, because I may have stumbled across the perfect solution. This solution comes in the form of neem extract. Neem is a tree found in India, and like nearly every other plant in India, it has some sort of valuable medicinal property. In this case, neem extract has the potential to function as a natural contraceptive.

Neem As a Natural Alternative:

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Using neem extract as a contraceptive isn’t actually a new idea; research on neem’s potential as a spermicide has been ongoing since the 1960s.

Studies have been examining the effects that neem oil has on the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm)  in comparison to surgical vasectomy.

Trials have been experimented with neem extract as a reversible male contraceptive. Continue reading →

News

8 Main Qualities of A Conscious & Awakened Relationship

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Relationships can be hard to define. What does the word “relationship” (which is so much more than just a word, hopefully) even mean?

According to google, a relationship refers to “the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected”. Another definition is “the way in which two or more people or organizations regard and behave towards each other”. Relationships are how people relate to each other as well as what they relate with each other.

A wise person once told me that for a relationship to be successful, both partners want to foster their own growth in the ways they desire or require.

I don’t know where you are in your journey of love. Wherever you may be, relationships are not only a hot topic in media and pop culture, but are also a medium through which we can learn deeper truths about ourselves, each other and the complexity of the human condition.

In our current world, relationships aren’t as long lasting as they were in the past, and that can be for better or for worse. However, I suspect that most of us at some point in life do want to experience the closeness and other benefits of a long-term relationship. The problem is, the current climate is making that more difficult. Continue reading →

Healing, Nature

Forget Kibble: 3 Healthy Homemade Cat & Dog Food Recipes

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Most commercial brand pet food contains meat and grain by-products, preservatives, artificial fillers, and syrups that aren’t doing your pet any favors. Countless reports have been filed of issues including skin irritations, illness, and disease.

There has been a revolt against dog food manufacturers’ “nutritionism,” which is the misguided belief that scientists can engineer food better than Mother Nature.

Nutritionism holds that the sources and conditions of ingredients used to make pet foods are a separate matter from the finished product, and so as long as the nutritional content meets standard criteria, conventional kibble is an ideal replacement for fresh, real food.

 The belief that factory-made pet food is superior to a pet’s natural, ancestral diet is not only flawed, it’s arrogant. Put your pet first with these recipes that will keep them healthy, happy and strong.

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These homemade dog biscuits are a healthful and wholesome treat for your pup. Keep these in an airtight container to keep handy and fresh, or better yet, share them with other dog-owners as a gift!

Ingredients Continue reading →