What’s Your Mantra?

First, what is a mantra? 

The word mantra, which literally means “instrument of thought” in Sanskrit, originally described sacred and vibrational sounds or Sanskrit words or phonemes repeated as an offering or to deepen one’s meditative state.  As the world has grown smaller and more interconnected, the definition of mantra has expanded to mean a phrase, in any language, repeated with regularity.

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Welcoming Summer

Summer is around the corner. The other day I was speaking with Laura Wittmer, who is a teacher at a Waldorf School, an educational system that aims to inspire creative thinking and a holistic passion for learning. We were discussing the importance of not over scheduling children’s summer vacations.

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Soothing Tea Eye Compresses

Looking to get even more healing benefits from your organic Arogya tea?

Try using our green or chamomile teas to make soothing tea eye compresses.  Resting with chilled tea bags over the eyes for 10 to 20 minutes can help reduce and prevent puffiness and nourish your skin.  It’s also a wonderful way to unwind anytime of day.

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Verses that Nourish the Soul: Gathas

A couple years ago, my beloved brother-in-law Tim and I discovered that we had a mutual interest in the teachings of Zen Buddhist master.  Soon after, Tim gave me a book by this great teacher called Peace is Every Breath, which presents inspiring and accessible ways to cultivate greater mindfulness in everyday life.  One practice in this book that really spoke to me is the expression of gathas.

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Natural Deer Tick Repellent

After seeing so many Arogya patients dealing with Lyme disease over the past 18 years, I admit I get stressed when I visit the woods, even though it should be a calming and relaxing experience.  It’s terrifying how real the threat of tick exposure is- just last year, we pulled them off our daughter Rose’s skin 3 times.  As a result, ticks have become evil in my mind and I’m always researching ways to repel them.

This led me to create a very simple, chemical-free repellent using apple cider vinegar, almond oil, rose geranium, and distilled water. 

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Mindful Tea

A nourishing verse for mindfully brewing tea:

Holding the little tea pot in my hand
As if we have met in the past
You know me, and I know you
The secret language between us brings us joy.

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Homemade Sugar Scrub Cleanser

About 10 years ago, I started making my own skincare products.  My inspiration was a friend named Carol, who’s an artisan skincare producer based in New Mexico.  She taught me that simple kitchen ingredients can be turned into nourishing food for your skin.

I’d love share with you one of my favorite skincare recipes: a simple sugar scrub cleanser. 

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Combating Modern Day Stress

When our body experiences a stressful moment, the adrenal glands become stimulated amidst a cascade of sympathetic neural activity as the breath quickens and shortens. Known to some as the “Fight or Flight Response”, the belly begins to tighten, hampering the digestive process, and the muscles are poised to contract. This is a common everyday experience, written into the DNA code of every physical being; and yet when one has an ongoing level of stress in one’s life, the effects can be disastrous for the body, mind, and spirit.

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Gluten-Free Blueberry-Chia Muffins

We’re passionate about eating well here at Arogya.  We also love a sweet, guilt-free indulgence from time to time.  For this reason, I devised this recipe for gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, paleo-diet  friendly, and yummy blueberry-chia muffins seasoned with a touch of Earl Grey tea.  They’re super easy to make and satisfying.  Additionally, they make a wholeness after school snack for kids!

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