|
|
Spring Equinox
As spring approaches, the hearts and minds of North Americans begin to awaken, to
release the weight of winter as they emerge from the cocoons or caves - the caves
created during the coldest season. They begin to smile more, breathe more, and pick up
a few beats to their step. Welcome Spring, welcome change, welcome growth, welcome
happiness.
Most North Americans are celebrating as the sun shines brighter and releases them from the grayness of winter. The winter blues lift and they open their eyes and breathe in deeply. The warmth of sun heals the tired bodies and feeds them with energy. Spring brings new life, new hope, new wisdom and new growth.
As we say good-bye to winter, an age old feeling takes over - joy, child like playfulness the want to dance, sing and run. This is the time of Equinox, of renewal, of release.
Many of you may have heard of Equinox and some may not have, so today I will enlighten you to what Equinox is. Taken from historical literature here is the definition of what Equinox is.
The March Equinox Explained
The March equinox will occur on March 20 in 2010, marking the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (autumn) in the southern hemisphere from an astronomical viewpoint. The March equinox will occur at 17:32 (or 5:32pm) at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on this date.
Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world. These two days are known as the March (vernal or spring in the northern hemisphere) equinox and the September equinox.
What does equinox mean?
The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night” and refers to the time when the sun crosses the equator. At such times, day and night are everywhere of nearly equal length everywhere in the world.
It is important to note that while the March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, it is the start of autumn in many parts of the southern hemisphere.
Every year I celebrate as the Buddhist do to welcome in the time of clearing.
Each major religion practiced in Canada has, in addition to its own system of beliefs, a way of marking the passage of time and commemorating sacred events. Two main measures are used to establish years and their internal division: the solar cycle (including the length of days, of the seasons and of entire years) and the lunar cycle (linked especially to the definition of months).
Hinduism
Hindu tradition boasts a plethora of festivals dated according to several luni-solar calendar systems. The proper date for a given festival involves complicated calculations resolving the cycles of the sun and the moon. The 4-day New Year festival, Divali, falls in October/November. Krishna, a popular Hindu deity, is honoured in the carnival atmosphere surrounding the festival of Holi, in March. Lord Rama is honored at the spring equinox, Rama-navami, March/April, and the goddesses Sarasvati and Lalita are worshipped along with family ancestors at the autumnal equinox, September/October. Two nativities are celebrated in August/September, in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, those of Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna. A puga (worship service) is conducted with appropriate mantras (prayers) to the deity whose feast day it is. Specific elements of local Indian folk tradition animate the occasion.
Buddhism
Buddhist festivals commemorate the historical Buddha, the founders of particular Buddhist movements, and Buddhist teachings as embodied in the cycle of nature. Canada's Japanese community follows the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism. Their dating system places the birth of the Buddha on April 8, which is celebrated as Wesak, or Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival); his enlightenment, upon which the core of Buddhist teaching is based, is celebrated on December 8 as Bodhi day; and February 15, Nirvana or Parinirvana day, celebrates his death which, tradition suggests, occurred in Nepal in 486 BC. The Jodo Shinshu movement was founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262). Festivals commemorate his birth on May 21 and his death on January 16. At the spring and fall equinoxes most Buddhists celebrate Devotion day. These focus on the Buddha's teaching, called the 6 perfections, which lead to a balanced life like the universe at the equinox. The greatest festival among Japanese Buddhists is O-Bon (July/August). Devotees visit cemeteries and perform various rites to commemorate their family ancestors.
March is the celebration of new life, welcome spring and universal healing. A time of new life, new spirit and new love amongst the Buddhist communities, sharing in a celebration of light. Groups gather to welcome in the hew spirit.
The Theravada tradition of Buddhism common among south East Asians is marked by 2 major festivals. Vaisakha, the full-moon festival in May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha; Vas (Lent), the period of monastic enclosure beginning in July, is preceded by a festival and culminates in a grander Lent-end festival in October. In addition, Theravada Buddhists celebrate Dharma-chakka, a day commemorating Buddha's proclamation of his "gospel," on the full moon in July. Dharma-vijaya celebrates the missionary work carried out by Indian Emperor Asoka which spread the faith to Sri Lanka.
Sikhism
Sikh festivals are rooted in the historical development of the faith and follow a lunar calendar. They include the birth and martyrdom of the key gurus (teachers): Guru Nanak's (November) and Guru Gobind Singh's (December/January) birthdays and Guru Arjun Dev's (May/June) and Guru Tegh Bahadur's (December) martyrdom. A major festival marks the founding of the Sikh brotherhood, the Khalsa, on April 13.
Judaism
The Jewish festival year begins with the carnival celebration at the feast of Purim, 14 of Adar (falling in February/March). It commemorates the biblical account of Esther and her role in rescuing the Jewish community from Persian oppression. Pesach (Passover, or the Feast of Freedom) focuses on the freeing of the Jews from exile in Egypt. It lasts 8 days beginning on the 15 of Nisan (March/April), and is celebrated largely through a ritual meal in the home. In May/June, 6-7 of Sivan, Shavuoth (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost) commemorates God's giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. Rosh Hashanah (New Year) falls in September/October. Preparation involves 10 days of penance followed by a 2-day celebration. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest of all festivals except Shabbat. It involves a day of rigorous fasting and collective penitential prayers. Five days later an ancient harvest festival is combined with a commemoration of the Israelites' 40-year sojourn in the wilderness prior to settlement in Palestine. Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths) lasts 8 days, falling in September/October. The final reading of a cycle in the Jewish Scripture is marked by Simchat Torah, September/October, accompanied by expressions of delight in the revelation embodied in the Hebrew Bible.
Hanukkah, an 8-day December festival of lights, commemorates the struggle for liberty under the Maccabees against the Syrian-Greek rulers of Palestine in 168 BC. Technically a minor feast, it has become prominent in North America because of its proximity to Christmas. The greatest of Jewish festivals is Shabbat (Sabbath, or Saturday), the final day of the week, when the Creator's rest from his labours is celebrated.
Christianity
The festivals of Christian traditions follow 2 calendars, the Julian, devised in 46 BC by Julius Caesar, and the Gregorian, a reformed calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. A portion of the orthodox church and Eastern Rite Catholic Church continues to follow the Julian calendar, which runs approximately 13 days behind the Gregorian. Christmas, which in the Gregorian calendar falls on December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, after a 4-week preparation period called Advent. Epiphany (January 6) commemorates Jesus' baptism and, for some, the visitation of the Magi after the nativity. Easter, which is the greatest feast in Christianity, is a series of rituals marking the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. It is dated following the Jewish lunar calendar as the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox (March/April). Lent, a 40-day period of penitential preparation, begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates on Palm Sunday a week before Easter Sunday.
Ascension day, a major feast 40 days after Easter, marks Christ's last earthly appearance and is named for his ascension to God the Father. The cycle of feasts following Easter is closed, with Pentecost Sunday 50 days after Easter when, tradition teaches, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and the church was formed.
Many Protestant churches celebrate a founder's day; eg, Reformation Sunday (closest to October 31), commemorating Martin Luther's formal protest in 1517 against Roman Catholic practice and belief.
Islam
The Islamic year is lunar, and 11 days shorter than the solar year. Muslims celebrate the Great Festival or Feast of Sacrifice,'Id al-Adha, at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It consists of several rites focusing on the sacrifice of a consecrated animal at Mina, near Mecca. The founding of the city of Mecca and the devotion to monotheism of Abraham and his son Ishmael are commemorated.
The little festival Id-al-fitr (festival of fast-breaking) ends the 28-day fast of Ramadan, the 9th month. It begins with the appearance of the new moon. The followers of Shi'ite Islam have an additional festival called after the first Islamic month, Muharram, in which it occurs. A passion play commemorates the martyrdom of Husain, the son of Ali and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This occurred on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AD (10 October 680 AD), when he died in a battle with the Damascus caliphs.
David Goa is the author of the above information.
I have been celebrating Equinox and find that I feel so connected to my inner spirit when I take the time to release the negative and call in the positive. Just like the universe will be doing during Equinox. “Out with the Old in with the new”. This weekend I will be doing an Equinox celebration in Brantford at the Daly center.
I feel that as I grew and learned to forgive myself and others, I learned to open my heart to healing and to clear all negative from my energy. I think this is a good practice for everyone to embrace.
A time of renewal. Let’s take some time today to do an exercise together.
Let’s do a clearing meditation to free ourselves of the negative energy we may be carrying.
The conscious and subconscious are like our mental software and our life experience is our printout. If we are holding limited, negative, judgmental beliefs - either consciously or subconsciously - our body and life experience must reflect these distortions. Thus, to remove these distortions will positively effect our lives. The removal
Because the experience of unconditional, Whole-minded love is fundamental to this transformational work, it is strongly suggested that everyone begin with clearing the breath. I want you to take three deep cleansing breaths. Breathe in and hold a second then breathe out slowly, letting go of all the toxins in your lungs. As you breathing out, think of yourself letting go of any and all negative energy trapped in your body, mind or spirit.
I want you to relax your thoughts, chase away any that are stopping you from being positive.
Release these thoughts and focus on the positive, the quiet, the calm of your mind.
Listen to softness of your breathing and slow your breathing down now.
Calm quiet breathing, similar to the same cadence as just before sleep.
Slow rhythms as you breathe in and exhale peacefully.
I want you think of the spring, the leaves blossoming with new growth, the sunshine beating on your face,
the crisp clean air as you breathe in positive clear thoughts into your mind, body and spirit.
Allow for your thoughts to fill your body with a clear, positive energy, forcing out all and any negative thoughts, feelings, pain or anger.
Release and let go of all toxicity, negative emotions, and carcinogens you may have stored in your body,
mind or spirit.
Free yourself from winters grasp. See the snow, the dirt and darkness disappearing in your mind.
Let the negative energy of all that was be freed from your fields as you breathe in new, clear positive
energy of the spring, healing the scars, repairing the tissue and energizing the body, mind and spirit.
Still relaxing in the calmness of clearing allow your eyes to open and awaken to the new energy of Spring,
of the Equinox.
*This is my favorite time of year, new beginnings, new hope, and new love all around us.
This is a time of shedding in many ways for many cultures, this time I am sharing with you my three day detox, to help you get kick started with an inner detox of the body as well.
3 day detox.
During the cleanse it is recommended that you do not eat red meat.
You should not eat any sugar during this period.
Do not drink caffeine products.
Cleansing Soup Recipe
1 large onion, roughly chopped {you may use red onion if preferred}
3 broccoli heads finely chopped, add stocks as well
3 large carrots
1 cup red peppers
3 cups of bottled strewed tomatoes
2 cups string beans, green or yellow
2 cups cauliflower finely chopped
1 cup celery finely chopped
1 ½ to 2 cups green cabbage finely chopped
Sauté peppers, onion and celery together until tender, add 8 cups of water and all other vegetables accept tomatoes.
Bring to boil, lower heat and cook for 15 minutes, add tomatoes and spices, simmer for another 15 minutes.
Your veggies should still be firm.
Add white 1 tsp. pepper. 1tsp. Oregano 1 tsp. Basil and ½ tsp. Summer Savory
You may also add, Cilantro and Coriander for taste, but not required for desired effect.
No Salt is required, you may add a salt alternative, but not preferred
This cleansing is to be done for three days
Breakfast,
Oats, or high fiber cereal, fruit, juice, One cup is equal to one fruit.
No coffee for three days.
Water
Lunch
Eat one bowl, 250 to 400 ml, of soup at lunch time, one fruit, Water and juice.
Also it is recommended that you eat one no fat yogurt at lunch with you fruit.
Afternoon snack, fruit and vegetables only.
One cup is equal to one snack
Water
Dinner meal,
One large bowl of the soup (500ml)
One fruit as a dessert
Water
Evening snack if needed should be raw vegetables only, no high complex carbohydrates, such as carrots. Have greens, or broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas.
You should drink a min of 5 - 500 ml, bottles of water per day.
Your vitamins and essential minerals, supplements are to be taken as usual, and all meds you may need to use. This is a detox that helps shed the bowel waste.
I also added a wonderful Amish friendship bread that is a favorite for years now. Enjoy as you share this great recipe with those that you love and include in your friendship family. When I worked at the Credit Union years ago, several of the ladies there were from an Amish back ground and every spring they would start a round of sharing bread. I loved this time and in return I shared some on my family's favorite Easter cookies. Yes we all gained a few friendship pounds.
Summary: Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe
Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup milk
Instructions
Follow carefully!
Day 1: Add the yeast to the warm water. In a non metallic bowl, combine the flour and sugar, before slowly adding the milk. Add the yeast and mix well. Cover with a t-towel and leave at room temperature until bubbly. When you see the mix getting all bubbly, cover with cling film and pop it in the fridge.
Days 1, 2, 3 and 4: Just a good daily stir, with a non metallic spoon, is required. Back in the fridge and leave.
Day 5: This is the moment you have been waiting for. You can now remove 2 cups of starter to use in your own bread recipe (you can even freeze the Amish friendship bread starter). Then you must feed the remaining starter with 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Just allow this to sit for a while at room temperature and then it's back in the fridge.
Days 6, 7, 8, 9: As per days 1, 2,3 and 4... just a good old stir up with a non metallic spoon.
Day 10: Feeding time again! Follow instructions as per day 5.
Share the bread at this time, put equal amounts of the mixture into separate bags, include the recipe and share with your favorite friends.
Enjoy the experience of Sharing, as it is said, give without the intention of receiving and you will have learned the gift of selflessness.
Most North Americans are celebrating as the sun shines brighter and releases them from the grayness of winter. The winter blues lift and they open their eyes and breathe in deeply. The warmth of sun heals the tired bodies and feeds them with energy. Spring brings new life, new hope, new wisdom and new growth.
As we say good-bye to winter, an age old feeling takes over - joy, child like playfulness the want to dance, sing and run. This is the time of Equinox, of renewal, of release.
Many of you may have heard of Equinox and some may not have, so today I will enlighten you to what Equinox is. Taken from historical literature here is the definition of what Equinox is.
The March Equinox Explained
The March equinox will occur on March 20 in 2010, marking the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (autumn) in the southern hemisphere from an astronomical viewpoint. The March equinox will occur at 17:32 (or 5:32pm) at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on this date.
Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world. These two days are known as the March (vernal or spring in the northern hemisphere) equinox and the September equinox.
What does equinox mean?
The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night” and refers to the time when the sun crosses the equator. At such times, day and night are everywhere of nearly equal length everywhere in the world.
It is important to note that while the March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, it is the start of autumn in many parts of the southern hemisphere.
Every year I celebrate as the Buddhist do to welcome in the time of clearing.
Each major religion practiced in Canada has, in addition to its own system of beliefs, a way of marking the passage of time and commemorating sacred events. Two main measures are used to establish years and their internal division: the solar cycle (including the length of days, of the seasons and of entire years) and the lunar cycle (linked especially to the definition of months).
Hinduism
Hindu tradition boasts a plethora of festivals dated according to several luni-solar calendar systems. The proper date for a given festival involves complicated calculations resolving the cycles of the sun and the moon. The 4-day New Year festival, Divali, falls in October/November. Krishna, a popular Hindu deity, is honoured in the carnival atmosphere surrounding the festival of Holi, in March. Lord Rama is honored at the spring equinox, Rama-navami, March/April, and the goddesses Sarasvati and Lalita are worshipped along with family ancestors at the autumnal equinox, September/October. Two nativities are celebrated in August/September, in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, those of Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna. A puga (worship service) is conducted with appropriate mantras (prayers) to the deity whose feast day it is. Specific elements of local Indian folk tradition animate the occasion.
Buddhism
Buddhist festivals commemorate the historical Buddha, the founders of particular Buddhist movements, and Buddhist teachings as embodied in the cycle of nature. Canada's Japanese community follows the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism. Their dating system places the birth of the Buddha on April 8, which is celebrated as Wesak, or Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival); his enlightenment, upon which the core of Buddhist teaching is based, is celebrated on December 8 as Bodhi day; and February 15, Nirvana or Parinirvana day, celebrates his death which, tradition suggests, occurred in Nepal in 486 BC. The Jodo Shinshu movement was founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262). Festivals commemorate his birth on May 21 and his death on January 16. At the spring and fall equinoxes most Buddhists celebrate Devotion day. These focus on the Buddha's teaching, called the 6 perfections, which lead to a balanced life like the universe at the equinox. The greatest festival among Japanese Buddhists is O-Bon (July/August). Devotees visit cemeteries and perform various rites to commemorate their family ancestors.
March is the celebration of new life, welcome spring and universal healing. A time of new life, new spirit and new love amongst the Buddhist communities, sharing in a celebration of light. Groups gather to welcome in the hew spirit.
The Theravada tradition of Buddhism common among south East Asians is marked by 2 major festivals. Vaisakha, the full-moon festival in May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha; Vas (Lent), the period of monastic enclosure beginning in July, is preceded by a festival and culminates in a grander Lent-end festival in October. In addition, Theravada Buddhists celebrate Dharma-chakka, a day commemorating Buddha's proclamation of his "gospel," on the full moon in July. Dharma-vijaya celebrates the missionary work carried out by Indian Emperor Asoka which spread the faith to Sri Lanka.
Sikhism
Sikh festivals are rooted in the historical development of the faith and follow a lunar calendar. They include the birth and martyrdom of the key gurus (teachers): Guru Nanak's (November) and Guru Gobind Singh's (December/January) birthdays and Guru Arjun Dev's (May/June) and Guru Tegh Bahadur's (December) martyrdom. A major festival marks the founding of the Sikh brotherhood, the Khalsa, on April 13.
Judaism
The Jewish festival year begins with the carnival celebration at the feast of Purim, 14 of Adar (falling in February/March). It commemorates the biblical account of Esther and her role in rescuing the Jewish community from Persian oppression. Pesach (Passover, or the Feast of Freedom) focuses on the freeing of the Jews from exile in Egypt. It lasts 8 days beginning on the 15 of Nisan (March/April), and is celebrated largely through a ritual meal in the home. In May/June, 6-7 of Sivan, Shavuoth (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost) commemorates God's giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. Rosh Hashanah (New Year) falls in September/October. Preparation involves 10 days of penance followed by a 2-day celebration. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest of all festivals except Shabbat. It involves a day of rigorous fasting and collective penitential prayers. Five days later an ancient harvest festival is combined with a commemoration of the Israelites' 40-year sojourn in the wilderness prior to settlement in Palestine. Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths) lasts 8 days, falling in September/October. The final reading of a cycle in the Jewish Scripture is marked by Simchat Torah, September/October, accompanied by expressions of delight in the revelation embodied in the Hebrew Bible.
Hanukkah, an 8-day December festival of lights, commemorates the struggle for liberty under the Maccabees against the Syrian-Greek rulers of Palestine in 168 BC. Technically a minor feast, it has become prominent in North America because of its proximity to Christmas. The greatest of Jewish festivals is Shabbat (Sabbath, or Saturday), the final day of the week, when the Creator's rest from his labours is celebrated.
Christianity
The festivals of Christian traditions follow 2 calendars, the Julian, devised in 46 BC by Julius Caesar, and the Gregorian, a reformed calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. A portion of the orthodox church and Eastern Rite Catholic Church continues to follow the Julian calendar, which runs approximately 13 days behind the Gregorian. Christmas, which in the Gregorian calendar falls on December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, after a 4-week preparation period called Advent. Epiphany (January 6) commemorates Jesus' baptism and, for some, the visitation of the Magi after the nativity. Easter, which is the greatest feast in Christianity, is a series of rituals marking the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. It is dated following the Jewish lunar calendar as the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox (March/April). Lent, a 40-day period of penitential preparation, begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates on Palm Sunday a week before Easter Sunday.
Ascension day, a major feast 40 days after Easter, marks Christ's last earthly appearance and is named for his ascension to God the Father. The cycle of feasts following Easter is closed, with Pentecost Sunday 50 days after Easter when, tradition teaches, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and the church was formed.
Many Protestant churches celebrate a founder's day; eg, Reformation Sunday (closest to October 31), commemorating Martin Luther's formal protest in 1517 against Roman Catholic practice and belief.
Islam
The Islamic year is lunar, and 11 days shorter than the solar year. Muslims celebrate the Great Festival or Feast of Sacrifice,'Id al-Adha, at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It consists of several rites focusing on the sacrifice of a consecrated animal at Mina, near Mecca. The founding of the city of Mecca and the devotion to monotheism of Abraham and his son Ishmael are commemorated.
The little festival Id-al-fitr (festival of fast-breaking) ends the 28-day fast of Ramadan, the 9th month. It begins with the appearance of the new moon. The followers of Shi'ite Islam have an additional festival called after the first Islamic month, Muharram, in which it occurs. A passion play commemorates the martyrdom of Husain, the son of Ali and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This occurred on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AD (10 October 680 AD), when he died in a battle with the Damascus caliphs.
David Goa is the author of the above information.
I have been celebrating Equinox and find that I feel so connected to my inner spirit when I take the time to release the negative and call in the positive. Just like the universe will be doing during Equinox. “Out with the Old in with the new”. This weekend I will be doing an Equinox celebration in Brantford at the Daly center.
I feel that as I grew and learned to forgive myself and others, I learned to open my heart to healing and to clear all negative from my energy. I think this is a good practice for everyone to embrace.
A time of renewal. Let’s take some time today to do an exercise together.
Let’s do a clearing meditation to free ourselves of the negative energy we may be carrying.
The conscious and subconscious are like our mental software and our life experience is our printout. If we are holding limited, negative, judgmental beliefs - either consciously or subconsciously - our body and life experience must reflect these distortions. Thus, to remove these distortions will positively effect our lives. The removal
Because the experience of unconditional, Whole-minded love is fundamental to this transformational work, it is strongly suggested that everyone begin with clearing the breath. I want you to take three deep cleansing breaths. Breathe in and hold a second then breathe out slowly, letting go of all the toxins in your lungs. As you breathing out, think of yourself letting go of any and all negative energy trapped in your body, mind or spirit.
I want you to relax your thoughts, chase away any that are stopping you from being positive.
Release these thoughts and focus on the positive, the quiet, the calm of your mind.
Listen to softness of your breathing and slow your breathing down now.
Calm quiet breathing, similar to the same cadence as just before sleep.
Slow rhythms as you breathe in and exhale peacefully.
I want you think of the spring, the leaves blossoming with new growth, the sunshine beating on your face,
the crisp clean air as you breathe in positive clear thoughts into your mind, body and spirit.
Allow for your thoughts to fill your body with a clear, positive energy, forcing out all and any negative thoughts, feelings, pain or anger.
Release and let go of all toxicity, negative emotions, and carcinogens you may have stored in your body,
mind or spirit.
Free yourself from winters grasp. See the snow, the dirt and darkness disappearing in your mind.
Let the negative energy of all that was be freed from your fields as you breathe in new, clear positive
energy of the spring, healing the scars, repairing the tissue and energizing the body, mind and spirit.
Still relaxing in the calmness of clearing allow your eyes to open and awaken to the new energy of Spring,
of the Equinox.
*This is my favorite time of year, new beginnings, new hope, and new love all around us.
This is a time of shedding in many ways for many cultures, this time I am sharing with you my three day detox, to help you get kick started with an inner detox of the body as well.
3 day detox.
During the cleanse it is recommended that you do not eat red meat.
You should not eat any sugar during this period.
Do not drink caffeine products.
Cleansing Soup Recipe
1 large onion, roughly chopped {you may use red onion if preferred}
3 broccoli heads finely chopped, add stocks as well
3 large carrots
1 cup red peppers
3 cups of bottled strewed tomatoes
2 cups string beans, green or yellow
2 cups cauliflower finely chopped
1 cup celery finely chopped
1 ½ to 2 cups green cabbage finely chopped
Sauté peppers, onion and celery together until tender, add 8 cups of water and all other vegetables accept tomatoes.
Bring to boil, lower heat and cook for 15 minutes, add tomatoes and spices, simmer for another 15 minutes.
Your veggies should still be firm.
Add white 1 tsp. pepper. 1tsp. Oregano 1 tsp. Basil and ½ tsp. Summer Savory
You may also add, Cilantro and Coriander for taste, but not required for desired effect.
No Salt is required, you may add a salt alternative, but not preferred
This cleansing is to be done for three days
Breakfast,
Oats, or high fiber cereal, fruit, juice, One cup is equal to one fruit.
No coffee for three days.
Water
Lunch
Eat one bowl, 250 to 400 ml, of soup at lunch time, one fruit, Water and juice.
Also it is recommended that you eat one no fat yogurt at lunch with you fruit.
Afternoon snack, fruit and vegetables only.
One cup is equal to one snack
Water
Dinner meal,
One large bowl of the soup (500ml)
One fruit as a dessert
Water
Evening snack if needed should be raw vegetables only, no high complex carbohydrates, such as carrots. Have greens, or broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas.
You should drink a min of 5 - 500 ml, bottles of water per day.
Your vitamins and essential minerals, supplements are to be taken as usual, and all meds you may need to use. This is a detox that helps shed the bowel waste.
I also added a wonderful Amish friendship bread that is a favorite for years now. Enjoy as you share this great recipe with those that you love and include in your friendship family. When I worked at the Credit Union years ago, several of the ladies there were from an Amish back ground and every spring they would start a round of sharing bread. I loved this time and in return I shared some on my family's favorite Easter cookies. Yes we all gained a few friendship pounds.
Summary: Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe
Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup milk
Instructions
Follow carefully!
Day 1: Add the yeast to the warm water. In a non metallic bowl, combine the flour and sugar, before slowly adding the milk. Add the yeast and mix well. Cover with a t-towel and leave at room temperature until bubbly. When you see the mix getting all bubbly, cover with cling film and pop it in the fridge.
Days 1, 2, 3 and 4: Just a good daily stir, with a non metallic spoon, is required. Back in the fridge and leave.
Day 5: This is the moment you have been waiting for. You can now remove 2 cups of starter to use in your own bread recipe (you can even freeze the Amish friendship bread starter). Then you must feed the remaining starter with 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Just allow this to sit for a while at room temperature and then it's back in the fridge.
Days 6, 7, 8, 9: As per days 1, 2,3 and 4... just a good old stir up with a non metallic spoon.
Day 10: Feeding time again! Follow instructions as per day 5.
Share the bread at this time, put equal amounts of the mixture into separate bags, include the recipe and share with your favorite friends.
Enjoy the experience of Sharing, as it is said, give without the intention of receiving and you will have learned the gift of selflessness.