April 18th, 2015

Saturday April 18th
Aries is ruled by Mars and with Mars in Taurus we are reminded to move slowly making deliberate steps. Mars is also flowing harmoniously with Pluto at the new moon, your personal will (mars) and your divine will (pluto) allowing the source of our power to come from within.  Time to take charge of life.
"New moon in Aries is bringing us fresh winds of inspiration and courage to persevere. A wonderful moon to reflect on recent happenings so we can clearly see and bless our past, moving forward in continuing to build the road beneath us."
New Moon in Aries 2:58PM Moon conjunct Sun in Aries
Moon moves into Taurus

Plan of the day:
7:00AM Wake up - smile, stretch
Morning Routine - feed jynx, water plants, drink glass of water, personal care: eliminate, take shower, meditate
Make Bison Stew in crockpot - OG chicken broth, OG local bison stew meat, OG kidney beans, OG russet potatoes, OG corn, OG tomato, OG red pepper, local garlic and spices.
LIFE Leadership CD/Radio
Check email
Wash bedding
Call mother - pick up book: 'How To Win Friends ans Influence People'
9:30AM Open studio
Practice in Mary Beth's Hot Yin
Eat lunch - bison stew
1:15PM Open studio
2:00PM Closing shift at GreenTree
11:00PM Evening Routine

April 17th, 2015

Friday April 17th
WOWZA! Things are moving so quickly and with such intensity to align our personality with true purpose.

11:20 "I knew that the time would come when what I needed would show up for me and when that showed up I was ready. My definition of luck is preparation meeting the moment of opportunity. I did it because I was prepared and knew I could do it."

Today's weather forecast is pure sunshine and a high of 75 degrees with a low of 45 at night for Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

3:40 AM Moon in Aries sextile Venus in Gemini
A sudden surge of emotion leads to impulsive reactions within the social avenues of life.
1:31 PM Moon in Aries trine Jupiter in Leo
Adventure and outdoor activities uplift our emotions toward a more positive feeling about life.
6:05 PM Moon in Aries square Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn
The first aspect with Pluto after going retrograde yesterday. The beginning of deep, regenerative transformation.  A time to re-channel one's negative emotional energy or need to control the environment and turn it into a desire to purify one's evolving soul. Intense build of emotional energy.
8:29 PM Mars in Taurus square Jupiter in Leo
Restless personal drive stimulates and challenges expansion to happen. Be mindful to avoid biting off more than you can chew or allow it to illuminate where you're avoiding action or being passive.  Keep your pace persistent.

Plan of the day:
7:30AM Wake up - Smile and Stretch
Morning Routine
8:30AM Open MPHY studio
9:00AM Practice in Denise's Hot Yoga
10:30AM Check studio condition & make action - record in planner
Spend some quality time with Devin
5:00PM Open MPHY studio and work the desk for Tom's 75min Hot Yoga
To Do List:
House Cleaning - since it didn't get done yesterday... vacuum and mop floors, deep clean pantry, take out trash
Read 30+min
LIFE CD/Radio
Research Ashkanga yoga and permaculture design
11:30PM Evening Routine
12:00AM Meditate into slumber

April 16th, 2015

Thursday April 16th 

The moon has been in Pisces, plunging the illumination of our emotions into the depths of the mutable water sign.  Pour a water onto a table and see how mutable water flows into every corner.  A time of bonding ourselves emotionally to whatever is exposed. The intense current of Pisces can lead to opportunities of healing, correction and union within spiritual, emotional and esoteric avenues of consciousness.  Find value within connecting to something larger than life.
Moon in Pisces conjunct Chiron in Aries (12:09AM)  "When Chiron was forced to flee from his home atop Mount Pelion he took up new residence in Laconia.  Here he was accidentally wounded by one of Hercule's poisoned arrows when pursuing some malevolent Centaurs with his toxic darts. The venom of his arrow caused Chiron unbearable pain; to relieve himself of it the good Centaur renounced his immortality and passed out of Earth life."
Moon in Pisces trine Saturn Sagittarius (1:31PM) As we emerge from the depths of the we are sweetly kissed by the wise teacher which inspires harmonious, creative, and expansive action towards careful incorporation of the understanding gained through life experiences. Find our truth and take action upon our path.  What do we stand for and what will we carry forward.
Moon enters Aries (5:01PM) "I seek my self" Aries represents a drop of water which has been removed from the vast ocean or an individual ray of sunshine from the body of the Sun.  It is the individual ego rushing forth from the universal mind into the conscious light of life, ceaseless activity.  As the moon wanes and prepares for the New Moon on Saturday,
Pluto goes retrograde (9:19PM)
A new phase dawns for all of us; pursuits of social power ans status have a way of seeming inevitable. It's time to strongly and firmly believe in the truth, to become a mature example of the truth, a model of the truth and progress along in a steadfast way.

Plan for the day:
8:00AM Wake up - Smile & stretch
Morning Routine - feed Jinx, water plants, personal care (wash face, hands, brush teeth, scrape tongue) drink glass of water, drink glass of tea
8:30AM Meditate
To Do:
Read 30+min
Life Leadership CD/Radio
Practice yoga - create my own sequence and practice outside
Research ashkanga yoga & permaculture design
House upkeep - Vacuum & mop floors, clean countertops, deep clean pantry & fridge, take out trash.
Make shopping list
Prepare meal for work
3:00PM Closing shift at GreenTree
10:30PM Evening Routine - unpack belongings from work, return messages, planner, personal care (wash face, hands, brush teeth, scrape tongue) meditate, set out dream journal.

April 15th, 2015- A Time To Revitalize Yourself

Wednesday April 15th

Plan of the day:
6:15AM Wake up - Dream Journal
Morning Routine - feed Jinx, water plants, personal care - wash face, hands, brush teeth, scrape tongue, drink glass of water, drink a glass of hot tea
6:30AM Meditate
7:00AM Natalie comes over to go for a run
8:30AM Open Mt Pleasant Hot Yoga Studio
9:00AM Practice in Denise's Hot Yoga with Natalie
10:30AM Close studio
Make breakfast
To do list of the afternoon:
Transfer seedlings into soil
Laundry - 1 load
Read for 30 minutes
LIFE Leadership CD/Radio
Prepare meal for work
Excel spreadsheet: Yoga Forest Training costs
Make plans with Becky and Dad
3:45PM Produce closing shift at GreenTree
10:00PM Spend quality time with Devin

Venus in Gemini opposes Saturn in Sagittarius (12:26AM) first large aspect after the goddess of manifestation moved into Gemini on Saturday 4/11/15.  Personal magnetism polarized with consolidation of the wise man of self.  An opportunity to develop patience and compassion wherever we invest oneself materially and emotionally.  Saturn gets frustrated by the natural tendencies of Venus toward manifestations, beauty, happiness causing continual deprivations and heavy responsibilities.
Moon conjunct Neptune (6:53AM) Variable - expression, action.  A highly impressionable time. Dream journal after you wake a powerful, prophetic, lucid dreams are likely. Meditation is recommended to lift you to the higher planes of consciousness. Do not resist becoming vulnerable to the emotional tenor your surroundings.
Moon sextile Mars (10:10AM) feelings work well with action. Opportunity to use and abundant amount of energy. A good time to tackle home and domestic projects.
Moon sextile Pluto (5:37PM) feelings work well with transformation. A time to use your will constructively to guide your imagination to bring the regeneration of both practical affairs and your emotional health. Renewal of vitality improving all of self.

Boom Chicka Bom Bah

4/12/15 2:45AM
Breathe in pause breath out pause. Breathe in, pause, she utters her name Jalene.  The only thing to belong to her and only her, listening to herself say her own name.  Vivid images of Mr. Pip, Hughe Laurie and Devin fill in the crevices of her deep and disturbing mind.  The momentum carried her mind away.  The deeper she dives into the current of the attachment within her mind the more her breath shallows.  She feels her shoulders round and her heart close.  Readjusting her posture she lets go of her thought and deepens her breath. Breathe in pause breathe out.
A flash of the night.  Dancing on the dance floor, the weight of her top made of velvet moving on her skin when she was dancing. Rogan, a beautiful smiley woman coming up saying "Oooh you're asking to be touched with this shirt on." Rogan recognized her from one encounter at GreenTree and was disappointed when she said she regretfully did not remember it.  Truth then, now Jalene recollects the incident; it was quite some time ago, she complimented Rogans necklace, who beamed and mentioned she got it from her boyfriend; who happened to be shopping with and tonight dancing with her... ahhhhhh dancing, boom chicka bom bah kat boom chicka bom bah kat kat..
Breathe in Breathe out
Breathe in pause Breathe out pause
Music playback "Senseless pain inflicted on one another" - Eyedeas and Abilities
Second flash of the night.  Joe and Valerie in the car picking on one another, in the booth offering food, on the dance floor tempting each other.  Joe's detail sharing in the kitchen at work.  Pushing away the urge to say she was happy for him in the kitchen because he seemed smug or rather quite excited to talk with her about Valerie.  That was most of what he talks about recently.
Breathe in Breathe out
Flash. Seeing Tony smile, not smoking a cigarette, drinking only water.
Breathe in Breathe out
Breathe in I am Breathe out I let go
Breathe in I am thankful for clean air, water and bed sheets.
Flash. Tate's silliness. Bed sheets left in the drier and twin beds pushed together.
Breathe in Breathe out
Breathe in I can Breathe out I will
Breathe in I can better myself and love others Breathe out I will better myself and love others

A Deeper Glance: March 5th - March 12th

A deeper glance into the of week March 5th  - March 12th

Pluto the dwarf planet of the transformation, decay, renewal, rebirth; the transition between endings and beginnings has been called from the outside of the cosmos to reach to the deeper parts of ourselves; our desires, our fears, our securities, our constructive destructiveness, our purpose.  Midway through the week we have a breath of fresh air and Jupiter stations direct in Leo allowing our focus of expansion to return to our dreams and our best self.  As Mercury ping-pongs between planets all week we are enlightened with the reality of the atmosphere using communication of all kinds. On Saturday Venus finishes her comfortable stay in the sign she rules and enters into the current of Gemini's desire for thinking, communication and travel.  Finishing the week with Mars and Neptune providing an opportunity of healing and breaking down the walls of our self.

Sunday March 5th
Sunday morning the Sun in Aries signals Pluto in Capricorn bringing about creative tension with rich feeling rewards through commitment.  For most of Sunday morning this provided opportunities of spiritual tension, growth and transformation. Followed by an afternoon of uplifting momentum towards revival and appreciation after the Moon enters Scorpio (Pluto also rules the house of Scorpio)
11:04 AM Sun in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn - Our enthusiastic will challenges the intensity of complex regeneration.  Our primal intentions lead the day as our controlled intention transforms things to seem empowered and deeply changed. Insight of of our underlying dynamic selves comes from speaking to our subconscious. Stay the course and keep moving is the theme of this energy. Evolution!
3:05 PM Moon leaves Libra and enters into Scorpio. - Transitioning us from the balancing energy of Libra into the veils of our desires. The afternoon begins bringing us deeper into our transforming selves. Powerful meanings stir up emotions for most people. Giving time to yourself and those we love will uplift your spirits. Tune in and revive your innermost thoughts of appreciation.

Monday April 6th
The week begins with a sensitized environment Monday morning when the Moon trines Neptune; creating illumination after expression is catalyst to direct connection with the mind of higher education.  In the afternoon our will unites with our intuition providing an opportunity to purposefully act now!  The consequences of your quick decisiveness remains within your feelings and weighs heavy upon the opinion of yourself. The evening provides an opportunity to transform qualities of our desires or occult studies.
8:06 AM Moon in Scorpio trines Neptune in Pisces
Deepened feelings flow as illumination brings a a strong connection with deep expression.  Fogging up the morning with hypersensitivity to the environmental factors. The lofty ideas that entertain our mind motivate any decisions that need to be made.
9:27AM Mercury in Aries trines Jupiter in Leo 
Direct communication flows providing self-indulgent thinking wasting opportunity.  The mind of higher education (Jupiter) broader, tolerate, and quick to comprehend.  If the opportunity is utilized this can be a time of confidence to project our ideas and gain insight.
11:04AM Sun in Aries conjunct Uranus in Aries
A time to delve into higher-frequency originality by applying will.  Understanding comes from new untried ways.  Action seems sudden, powerful & purposeful.
3:44PM Moon in Scorpio squares Jupiter in Leo 
The moon symbolizes instinctive awareness and Jupiter is the planet of expansion. Our veiled feelings, deeply motivated, challenge the expansion of our inner confidence and best selves. This is an aspect of emotional excess, wanderlust, over-inflation of the need for comfort and an unsteadiness of purpose.
9:23PM Moon in Scorpio sextiles Pluto in Capricorn
Signifying a revealed path toward purification of emotions and feelings.  A good time to use your will to awaken higher emotional aspirations.  Pluto constructively guides our imagination to bring regeneration of practical affairs and our emotional lives.

Tuesday April 7th
In the morning the moon sweetly calls Chiron in Pisces to give answers regarding last night's inward exploration and emotional excavation. Emotions are the current pushing boundaries throughout the evening. The energy of the day peaking in the evening with Mercury's square to Pluto triggering transformation now within communication and travel.  Slow and steady action is needed to keep a level-head and remain high frequency.
4:16AM Moon in Scorpio trines Chiron in Pisces
Our deep emotions flow well with the wounded healer.
4:42PM Moon in Scorpio opposes Venus in Taurus
The deep feelings of the day stimulate to push comfortable goddess out of her comfort zone. Social inappropriateness or ignorance of feelings is likely to come forward.  A focus on the universal aspirations and self-indulgent tendencies.
8:05PM Mercury Aries in squaring Pluto in Capricorn
Keen mental penetration into the reality of the situation at hand brings a creative resolution.  Deliberate, calculated, and blunt speech/thought is likely.  Remain silent to avoid controversy as a strong desire to shape the ideas of others may motivate us to quickly speak without remaining objective.

Wednesday April 8th
As we sleep the high tides of our emotions recede to bring in an idealistic nature and aspirations of high goals. Our morning is bursting with communication, intuition and originality!  Momentum of the day increases quickly as our feelings unite with consolidation.  All day our inventive thinking enlightens us to how remain objective when expressing our strong opinions so ideas do not run amok. Events of the day muddle into the evening and we are challenged us to disengage from sensitized experiences when the Moon squares Neptune. Quieting the intense atmosphere of the day Jupiter brings attention upon growth and turns our attention toward fulfilling our truest self.
1:09AM Moon goes into Sagittarius
A strong recognition of the need for spiritual and moral values in everyday life.  After Scorpio disturbs our ever-evolving personality, restless energy brings about keen exploration to find what is needed to settle those tides of our inner self.  Reformation is the quickest way of adjustment during these times.
8:20 AM Mercury conjunct Uranus in Aries!
A strong blend of communication and revolution providing a lightning quick mind that gains insight through intuitive flashes. Tune in to the Universal Mind and receive guidance.  Strongly opinions and inventive thinking will bring in correct conclusions and unconventional opportunity.
9:00 AM Moon conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius
Identifying emotionally with memories and material things.  Increased momentum bestows endurance, practicality and common sense.  Self restraint will properly channel this this union.  Remain objective and be constructive with investment of any kind.
5:38 PM Moon in Sagittarius squares Neptune in Pisces
Immersion in fantasy results in a lessened grip of reality.  Indulgence inspires mediumistic tendencies.  Effort to remain in touch with reality and disconnect to the mystic is beneficial this evening.
12:22PM Jupiter Stations Direct in Leo!
While retrograde Jupiter called us to remain conservative and take a second look at our investments.  As Jupiter begins to pick up speed in momentum we can make the changes necessary to embrace a greater vision of our best selves.  Urge for honest self-expression grows.  Dreams, drama, emphasis upon expressing affection and generosity bring expansion.

Thursday April 9th
The moon sweetly signals Jupiter and Uranus bringing in a day that is a fiery breath of fresh air.  Communication and feelings flood the afternoon.  As the moon ends it's transit through Sagittarius is sweetly calls to the planet of communication, Mercury, and the ego, the Sun both in Fiery Aries. Promotion of inner harmony.
12:49AM Moon trines Jupiter 
Inclination for generosity of spirit and kind disposition.
8:18AM Moon trine Uranus
Original and spontaneous imagination within business and inventive ventures.
12:41PM Moon trine Mercury
Indicating good working cooperation between the subconscious and decisive mind
1:05PM Moon square Chiron
1:42PM Moon trine Sun
Harmonious interaction between expression and automatic will. A balance of masculine and feminine energy.  Self-confidence, optimism, and equality is in the air.

Friday April 10th
As the day progresses a combustion of processes floods the afternoon and carries through making time fly!  Slowly we wind down from the busy day, settling into our home and the earthy parts of ourselves.
12:01AM Mercury conjunct Sun in Aries -  Narrowing our communication to reflect upon self as the mind is submerged and ignited by the ego.  A time to utilize ideas and friendships to self-analyze.  Mental energy is in excess and gives stamina.
8:47AM Moon goes into Capricorn - The day begins slow and progresses with austere reservations cautioning our spirituality and expression. Ambition and seriousness toward our work field, status and financial security are driving forces of the tides of our personality and motivating our objectivity.  This energy fills the tides of our souls settling what has been unsettled and changed.
10:36AM Moon in Capricorn trines Mars in Taurus - Emotional activity builds constructive experience as our feelings flow easily with our earthy personal drive.  Initiative, steadiness and perseverance flow as opportunity is easily recognized.

Saturday April11th

11:25AM Venus exits Taurus and goes into Gemini
Promoting intellectual interest in artistic, materialistic, and cultural pursuits.  A shift of desire to communicate harmoniously. There will be much coming and going so it is best to keep to an analytical and lighthearted attitude.
12:38AM Moon sextile Neptune Mystic inclinations and psychic potentialities
2:41PM Moon square Uranus 
Frequent changes throughout the day disrupts things.  New activity may promise adventure but may not pay out.
7:13PM Moon sextile Chiron 
11:45PM Moon square Sun
A conflict between the conscious will and inherited unconscious habit patterns. A block of creative self expression.

Sunday April 12th
1:23PM Mars sextile Neptune A superphysical energy that can be used for healing on occult work. Clairvoyancey and strong personal magnetism. A bypassing of obstacles easily because of strategy.
1:44PM Moon goes into Aquarius
After settling ourselves we are more inclined to reach out for friendship and group activities. Our hopes, objectives, and motivations fluctuate with our moods and our environment.  Our need for companionship allows the opinion of others to influence you.
4:08PM Moon trine Venus
Gentleness of expression and affection. Things are presented with good taste and exceptional talent. Melodious energy!
8:59PM Moon sextile Saturn
Patience and practicality encouraging organization and integrity. Level-headed thinking.

Human Nutrition - An Evolutionary Perspective Summary

The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

Part 1 - Basic Principles of a Good Diet

Chapter 1 - Human Nutrition: An Evolutionary Perspective

It appears that humans are better suited to a diet composed primarily of plant foods.  The evidence supporting a diet’s role in chronic degenerative diseases is substantial with two basic facts linking the diet-disease connection. First a diet rich in plant foods is protective against many diseases common in Western society and secondly a diet providing a low intake of plant foods is a causative factor in the the development of these diseases by providing conditions where other causative factors become more active.

Diseases highly associated with a diet low in plant foods:
Metabolic - Obesity, gout, diabetes, kidney stones, gallstones

Cardiovascular - High blood pressure, strokes, heart disease, varicose veins, deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism

Colonic - Constipation, appendicitis, diverticulitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease

Other - Dental decay, autoimmune disorders, pernicious anemia, multiple sclerosis, thyrotoxicosis, psoriasis, acne

The biggest change in the last one hundred years of human nutrition was the switch from a diet high in complex carbohydrates, as found naturally occurring in grains and vegetables to a dramatic increase in the number of calories consumed in the form of simple sugars.

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a numerical scale used to indicate how fast and how high a particular food raises blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Foods with a lower glycemic index create a slower rise in blood sugar.  

The optimal health food pyramid provided by this book incorporates the best aspects from two of the most healthful diets ever studied: the Mediterranean and the traditional Asian diet.

Vegetables (5-7 servings daily); provide the broadest range of nutrients of any food class. Avoid overcooking vegetables; try light steaming, baking, and quick stir fries to retain the highest amount of nutrients.

3 categories of vegetables: green leafy and cruciferous (2-4 servings), low glycemic (2-3 servings), and starchy (1-2 servings).

Examples

Green leafy & cruciferous: bok choy, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, lettuce, parsley, spinach, watercress

Low glycemic: Artichoke, asparagus, bean sprouts, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cucumber, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, radishes, rhubarb, string beans, summer squash, tomatoes, zucchini

Starchy: Beets, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, winter/acorn/butternut squash, sweet potatoes/yams

Good Oils and Fats - Nuts, Seeds, and Vegetable Oils (4 servings daily):

Nuts and seed, especially those providing monounsaturated and medium chain fatty acids, contain beneficial oils. Focus on raw nuts and seed, avoiding the ones roasted in oils or coated with sugar. Enjoy nuts and seeds as a snack, on salads, or add to sauteed greens. Variety is key; try almonds, Brazil nuts, flaxseeds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.  Use  canola, flaxseed, macadamia, or olive oil to replace butter, margarine and shortening or try them in your homemade salad dressings.  Avoid using safflower, sunflower, soy, and corn oil because they are high in omega-6 fatty acid which feed into inflammatory pathways.

Whole Grains (3-5 servings daily):

It is very important to choose whole, minimally processed grain products over their processed counterparts. Whole grains provide substantially more nutrients and health promoting properties. A rich source of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, magnesium, other minerals, B vitamins, and protein.

Beans - Legumes (2-3 servings daily):

Compared to grains, beans supply about the same number of total calories but usually provide 2-4 times as much protein and are a richer source of soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar levels. A serving size of beans is ½ cup

Fruits (3-4 servings daily):

Fruits, a rich source of many beneficial nutrients, make an excellent between-meals snack and a super dessert. Eat a rainbow assortment of fruits over the course of a week keeping in mind one serving of fruit is a medium fruit, ½ cup cut-up fruit, 4 oz of 100% fruit juice or ¼ cup dried fruit.

Dairy - optional (1-2 servings):

Many people are allergic to milk or lack the enzymes necessary to digest dairy products. Although rich in protein and calcium; dairy is high in fat and calories lacking the wide nutrient spectrum of the food categories previously discussed.  Use organic, nonfat, or reduced-fat dairy products to avoid as much agricultural chemicals and hormones as possible.  Fermented dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and acidophilus-fortified milk are preferred due to their content of beneficial bacteria which predigest the dairy proteins and sugars. One serving equals 1 cup of milk, yogurt, cottage cheese or 1 oz of cheese.