What A Night of Puking Taught Me

Stretched out over the toilet after my most recent stomach hurl, I had to remind myself "This is the worst it feels, it gets better right after you puke."

It was my 6th, or 7th vomit of the night, and I was tired, wondering, "What the heaven is going on?" It had been over 7 years since I last puked from anything other than a night of drinking (University...)

Fast forward 12 hours, and I've had lots of time to contemplate, as I laid in my bed. In hopes of getting clarity on what was going on, I texted my mom first thing this morning, and she asked me "What makes you feel so vile you need to puke?" and I knew instantly - environmental pollution. Consistent chemicals, fear, and anger being sent towards the Earth. It had been building up for a few days, and apparently my body couldn't take it anymore. It needed to release.

And that's when I realized. This isn't working. My outlook isn't working. I can't continue to see smog, ignorance, greed, and poison affecting our planet, or I'll end up with many more days of illness and anger.

Perspective is everything. Sometimes I find it so easy to look at the world with love and light, and other times, like today, all I see is fear and it makes me feel constricted, like I don't know what to do and have nowhere to go.

Can you relate? Maybe your crutch isn't the environment, but poverty, abuse, or greed. Maybe you didn't puke because of it, but you feel sad inside, empty, as if you can't escape the so called "realities" of this world.

But there is a better way. A change of perspective is everything, and though it's hard, it's the only thing that will save us, it's the only thing that will save this beautiful planet. We must be committed to seeing the world with light, even in the midst of such darkness. We must find the beauty in the moment.  We must change what we see before what we see changes.

I'm choosing to do this today through commitment to a better way, affirmations, and prayer. I know that when I make a step, the Universe responds to me tenfold. What is your plan of action? How will you overcome darkness and climb to higher thoughts? Meditation, a phone call with a close friend, a funny movie? Whatever it may be, do it with love, and do it now. The world needs your light, and so do I.

We're in this together, friends.

xo Beth

Ps. Please read this wonderful blog by Gabby Bernstein if you related to this blog.

Are You Using Your Imagination For Good?

Our imagination is rather like a steering wheel. Like driving a car, if we want to go left, we must move the wheel left. Similarly, if we want to go right, then we must turn the steering wheel right before our direction actually changes.

Our visions, our playful fantasies, our thoughts, and even our feelings make up our imagination, and together, they are the powerful steering wheels of our lives.

Events don't just merely happen. They were born in thoughts, visions - imaginations. The more repetitive the imagination, the more focus is put on that outcome, and the faster the image turns into reality. This is the law of attraction. And this is the power of imagination.

Worrying in essence, is imagining things you don't want. Manifesting is imagining things you do want.

Knowing this, we ask ourselves, "What is it that I want?" With my imagination, I can make anything happen. The stronger I believe in, and use this ability, the more powerful it is.

Allow yourself to imagine your perfect life, starting with how you feel, and then moving onto what you see, what you taste, what you touch, and what you smell.

You deserve the best vision you can possibly muster. Believe in this vision, allow it to come to form, and soon, you will know the power of imagination.

The Healing Powers of Star and Moonlight

The effect on sunlight is well known - both scientifically and intuitively - it wakes us up, energizes us, and brightens our moods.

But less talked about are the benefits of star and moonlight. We tend to be cooped up in our houses at night, sleeping for most of it, so many of us haven't experienced the healing powers of the night.

I was fascinated to read Doreen Virtue's explanation* of the healing powers of star and moonlight, given to her by a group of angels. They say that starlight awakens our higher chakras and opens the mind prior to sleep. "This allows our dreamtime travels to reach even higher and farther into the astral plane." It also helps the unconscious to solve problems and create new ideas during our sleep. In essence - starlight allows for a more profound and restorative sleep.

Not surprisingly, the moon also has magical effects on our systems. Each phase of the moon has different effects, however all moonlight helps us to awaken our psychic and intuitive abilities, while bringing any lingering doubts or hidden fears to the surface, and clearing us of these psychic debris.

Starlight photos taken by Kai Cabunoc-Boettcher in Costa Rica

Obviously, the most effective way to gain the benefits of star and moonlight is to get outside at night. However with light pollution, crisp air, and the allure of a comfortable, well-lit home, this isn't always the most accessible option.

If you can't get outside at night as often as you'd like, try placing Pink Green Mica, Moonstone, or any other crystals you may have outside over night. Place them under you pillow the next night, or let them infuse your water or tea before bed. You can also visualize the stars and the moon shining upon you as you're falling asleep. Ask the energy of the night sky to continuously bless you as you drift off.

*Angel Medicine - Doreen Virtue

A Moment of Triumph - I Can Eat French Toast

I recently discovered I could eat spelt. Seriously the best discovery ever. Like... ever. "What the heck?" you say, and I say back "I CAN EAT GLUTEN!"

Ok... let me explain. I haven't been eating gluten since I got back from a diarrhoea filled trip to Central American (TMI?) and although I have savoured the gluten-free breads I've been eating, it's just not the same. So the other day I challenged myself. Upon learning that a gluten intolerance is correlated to an energetic imbalance caused by not feeling safe, I knew that it wouldn't be long before I could indulge in the odd glutenous treat. (I'm always working on feeling safe and taken care of by the Universe, you see)

So recently, during a brave moment, I tried some gluten. It was organic spelt bread, and has a very low gluten content, and guess what, I was fine! Totally fine! My thoughts quickly went to French Toast, one of my favourite meals of all time.

So I made some bread in the breadmaker with organic, sprouted spelt flour, and got crafting. I used a very simple recipe, but I'll include for you all since it's always nice to have a frame of reference.

Ingredients

• 1-2 slices of homemade bread
• 1 organic, free range egg
• 1-2 Tbsp of vanilla rice milk
• Cinnamon*
• Maple Syrup*
• Coconut Oil*

      *To Taste

Directions

1. Turn on the pan to low/med and throw in some coconut oil
2. Combine the egg and rice milk
3. Soak the bread in the egg mixture, and place in the pan
4. Flip when golden brown
5. Serve with coconut oil, sprinkled cinnamon and maple syrup

It's Time to Love Myself More

"What is preventing me from living my ultimate life" I asked my heart recently, on a reflective day, half expecting to get a "Nothing, you can do it girl!" Instead I was told:

"Self-love" and was given an impression ( a strong feeling that does not manifest itself into words until I will it to) that I needed to love myself more. Beautiful. Rather than hurt me, this information felt wonderfully relieving, as if I was being given divine homework that I could no longer procrastinate on.

After a run, I came back home and asked another question, this time to my guides - "What is preventing me from loving myself?"

They told me that I feared if I loved myself fully, that I would no longer need the love of my boyfriend, family, and friends, and that love would disappear once I loved myself completely.

Half surprised and half totally knowing that I subconsciously believed this, I chose to release those fears in that moment. I chose to remind myself that the more I love myself, the more love would manifest in my life outwardly.

I'd like to invite you to try this today - ask your heart "What is preventing me from living the life I'd truly love?" and see where it takes you!

Vegan Mango Ice Cream (No Ice Cream Maker Required!)

I really do love desserts, but my body typically doesn't love refined sugars, gluten or dairy. While for some this may seem restrictive, there's actually a plethora of other options for after meal treats. On top of that, most of them are so good for you, they can be eaten as snacks throughout the day.

One of my favourite new discoveries is vegan ice-cream. My love of coconut milk inspired me to craft this recipe up, and ohhhhh (wo)man, I'm glad it did. This ice cream can be made with very few ingredients, in very little time, and without an ice cream maker. It can also be easily changed around to accommodate for what you have on hand.

Ingredients

A Can of Organic Coconut Milk
1/2 Tbsp of Maple Syrup
A dash of Cinnamon
A Handful of Frozen Mango
2 Tbsp of Applesauce

Directions

1. Pour the coconut milk into an ice cube tray, and put in the freezer.
2. Once the coconut milk has frozen, remove 8 or so cubes, and throw them in a food processor or high powered blender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, and blend on high until the mixture is smooth!
4. Eat the ice cream in all it's yummy goodness before it melts. (It doesn't keep in the freezer well)

Im thinking that a substitution of mango for pumpkin pie mix would be unreal for a fall rendition of this recipe, but try it with bananas, blueberries, rhubarb, cocoa, whatever you're feeling! Have fun crafting. :)

A Magical Summer's End

Back in September I took a trip with my boyfriend and best friend/roomie to our friend's magical little farm out in the beautiful valleys of BC. I spent my days eating fresh pears, plums, and apples right off the tree, creating salads with kale, tomatoes, herbs, and more out of the garden, playing with children, dogs, and kitties, and just loving nature all around.

Their homestead is nooked in such an incredible valley, and is filled with a whole lotta love - I just had to share a few of my pictures!