There is alot of medical data that talks about the positive effects of fasting, however because we are not used to not eating for long periods of time, it can be quite confusing and intimidating for some people to accumulate all that data and actually put it into practice. Here I will cover the effects of fasting and how it will help you.

Hours, days, months and finally years go by where we just mindless put whatever we feel like into our bodies. We hardly think twice about what we eat and how it plays on our system. For as long as we crave it and it tastes good, that's usually all that matters. With this mindset, one cannot imagine how much the digestive system and the body as a whole goes through. Most of the things we eat are probably not very healthy for us and provide little if not no nutritional value at all.

Fasting comes in when we decided to put the breaks on our eating habits and jump start our whole system. By fasting you are not only giving your body a break but you are also becoming more aware of your body and what you put into it. It has a very profound detoxifying effect as it gives the body an opportunity to flush out everything that it doesn't need. This also creates a change in a persons energy levels, making them feel more grounded and calm.

The saying "You are what you eat", really comes to surface as you realize the change in the way you feel and look. After a few hours of not eating make sure you break your fasting with fresh and healthy foods that are easy to digest. Keep yourself well hydrated and indulge in various food types.

While fasting you may notice changes in your moods and emotions, this is where your mind and your body together change the notion that your food controls you, instead it controls the food. It is very healthy practice to fast a few days in a year and give your body a break from everything. It further helps you appreciate your body and create deep feelings of self love.

One must always eat to live and not live to eat, as that is when true living really happens. Stay healthy and stay happy. Happy Fasting!

Sometimes, we may be in situations that makes us feel uncomfortable or unhappy. When we experience such emotions they need to be properly digested or released. For instance, if I am angry at someone or something, the feeling of anger if not released will accumulate in my physical body. Since I have done this once, I will continue to repress my feelings of anger until one day when I will feel physically unwell and be diagnosed with some serious type of disease or sickness.

Whenever we are physically unwell be sure that its is caused my some emotional or mental imbalance or block that manifested itself in physical form. That is one reason why they always say, express how you feel and avoid keeping negative feelings inside, no matter how big or small they may be. At the end of the day, it's going to be your health on the line.

This is where the beautiful practice of Journaling comes in! Some people simply because of their personality or social surroundings may not be willing or able to express themselves in this manner. In such an instance, all it takes is a piece of paper and a pen and simply start writing everything out. As you keep writing about the incident, the people involved, the feelings involved and your current state, you start to release and get alot of things out of your system that you realize does not need to be there. As you write, you can start to forgive and let it go. It is a great tool for personal development.

This technique is a very powerful form of releasing any negative or unwanted feelings or energies. You may write one page or you may write a book, whatever it is just keep writing and get out all that you do not need. You may also write about all that you desire and how that would make you feel, simply watch how the energy shifts and the healing takes place.

Happy journaling....

Juniper essential oil grows mainly around North America, northern Europe and from Siberia to southwest Asia. Extracted from blue-black berries Juniper is known by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to combat epidemics. Around the time of the First World War French hospitals used Juniper in the sick wards to combat diseases such as small pox. Juniper berries are also used in making gin.

Properties: Antispasmodic, antirheumatic, depurative, diuretic, detoxifying, emmenagogic, purifying, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic.

Digestive System: Useful for indigestion, minor stomach upsets, flatulence, and colic.

Urinary System: Juniper is a strong antispasmodic and diuretic for treating cystitis and kidney inflammation. Good for alleviating water retention.

Respiratory System: A respiratory tract antiseptic, juniper is also good for convulsive coughs.

Skeletal System: Arthritic and joint problems such as gout will benefit from Juniper.

Skin: Good for disorders of the skin. Cleansing and toning Juniper is especially useful for treating oily skin and acne. Detoxifying for cellulite.

Emotion: Useful for treating sleep difficulties due to worry and tension. Juniper strengthens anyone feeling emotionally drained. It is particularly good for cleansing the mind of negative vibes accumulated from others. It revitalizes people who are cold and aloof and feel as though they are misunderstood and unsupported.

One of the most common problems we see people suffer with is neck aches and pains. It can be extremely uncomfortable and is also usually accompanied by headaches, upper back aches and fatigue. There may be several reason reasons why people suffer from this such as poor sleeping positions, stress, etc. however to understand why neck pains actually occur we may need to dig a little deeper to see what's really going on inside you for it to have manifested in your physical body.

Your neck is that part of your body which enables you to turn your head to the left and right so that you can have a clear view of the world around you. Usually if someone is suffering from neck aches because you may be "unable to see the world around you the way you like it". It is often associated with inflexibility and unwillingness to see situations from another perspective. If you are someone who is very rigid in your way of thinking or likes things done in a certain way, refusing to accept others' standpoint overtime you will quite likely develop neck pains. It is not to say that the people around you may be right or wrong in what they are saying, you may be completely right, however it's the "struggle" that creates the problem. So you may want to ask yourself, is someone or a situation being a "pain in the neck"?

The affirmation you can repeat to yourself regularly is: "It is with flexibility and ease that I see all sides of an issue. There are endless ways of doing things and seeing things. I am safe."

Most neck pains are associated with a sense of feeling overburdened, a constant need to trying to fix people and situations, constant resistance and inflexibility. The pain usually intensifies when fears and feelings of helplessness start to kick in.

Some other affirmations to tell yourself which are also very effective are:
1) "I lovingly release others to their own lessons. I lovingly care for myself. I move with ease through my life."

2) "I have the right to be me. I forgive the past. I know who I am. I love myself and others."

Give yourself a few minutes to ponder over what is stated above. Are you feeling feelings that nobody understands you? Are you feeling a constant struggle within of being overloaded and helpless? This could apply to a family situation, friends and/or work. As these new belief systems get embedded into the mind, you will start to notice some drastic differences with the pain your neck. If you continuously repeat the suggested affirmations you are telling your mind that you are safe and flexible and it is okay that others think differently. It is essential to understand that it is not about agreeing with them, it is about understanding that it is okay for it to be different and even if you may not agree you can still accept it to be different and move past it.

Undoubtedly, you will notice the pain dissipate and you will be faced with the core issue of the pain that you can understand, learn and then release.

Note: If you are on medications or seeing a medical doctor, by no means should you stop. Please continue to seek medical help if the pain is very severe, however this article is intended to give you a better understanding of the condition from the mind and body approach.

We can find numerous different types of medical data that talk about the effects that the sun can have on you. Most of the time they are conflicting and often create alot of confusion about whether being out the sun is actually good for you or not. Well here is some vital information about the sun that may hopefully clear that confusion for you.

This year, in most parts of the world the summer seems to be getting hotter than usual. The sun is out and people are taking their annual leave from work and schools, to go on holidays and spend time out by the beaches and pools. The one thing we absolutely should not ignore is the effects that the sun has on us while we are indulging in our little pleasures.

The sun is great to improve the energy levels in the body, especially to open and balance the solar plexus chakra. It is also quite beneficial for people who may be suffering from depression, anxiety and stress. The sun's energy is very powerful as it can actually help you feel better, revived and refreshed. The energy of the sun has a regenerating effect on the body and skin and is great for healing ailments and diseases. As we are exposed to the rays of the sun, our body naturally starts producing Vitamin D which is also proven to be very beneficial for the body, primarily the bones.

Like all things, too much of anything is not good. As I mentioned the sun has regenerating effects so if you are constantly in the sun that regenerative trait has also been known to lead to certain cancers. It is also a good idea to use a nice sunblock on the face and body. The problem with sun exposure is the UV rays that emanates from the sun as it can be damaging for the skin, hair and nails, causing wrinkles, flakiness, redness, etc. Also, it may not be a good idea to directly expose your eyes to the sun, so please don't step out without a comfortable pair of sunglasses to protect the eye area. The sun can also be quite dehydrating so make sure you drink plenty of water, it's veryyyy important!!!

The bottom line... it's ok to spend some time out doors as long as you do it in moderation and with the use of sunscreen. The sun is most strong between 12.00pm and 3.00pm so its best to avoid those times if possible.

Do keep these suggestions in mind and go out there and have fun in the sun!

It is very common to see people who find it difficult to voice their true feelings. Usually it may be because they may face a subject that makes them feel uncomfortable or they may just feel that they don't know how to relate what is going on in their minds. Not every one is blessed with the ability to verbalize their feelings, however they may be blessed with the ability to express through art.

Art Therapy is a means through which one can express their inner most feelings without having to say a single word. All that is required is some quite space, a sheet of papers and some colors in the form of pencils or paints and all they have to do is go with their heart. You don't have to think about it or plan it, just let it flow from within and loose yourself in what you are creating.

This type of art, puts your mind in a "thoughtless state" and just lets you be who you are good, bad or ugly. It is where true healing begins. Nobody needs to interpret the art. It maybe just for you, for your understanding and for your growth.

Art therapy is becoming increasingly popular over the years and has be known to unlock certain matters within you that you may not have known even existed. You start transforming your life, in a way that is only filled with love, joy and abundance.

Here are suggested crystals that can be used for a variety of different ailments, situations or body parts. Hold the crystal on you carrying the intention of healing or place directly on the affected part of the body.

• Allergies: Chrysocolla, Zircon
• Anxiety: Lapis Lazuli, Smoky Quartz, Citrine
• Arthritis: Copper, Chrysocolla, Smoky Quartz
• Asthma: Green Tourmaline, Rhodonite
• Blood Pressure: Blood Stone, Turquoise
• Business Increasing: Citrine, Cinnabar, Quartz
• Broken Heart: Rose Quartz, Pink Topaz, Malachite
• Cancer: Sugilite, Rhodocrosite, Flame Aura Quartz
• Childbirth: Moodstone, Ruby, Jasper
• Circulation: Ruby, Citrine, Pyrite
• Constipation: Rhodochrosite
• Colic: Malachite, Jade
• Depression: Azurite, Kunzite, Topaz
• Diabetes: Amethyst, Malachite, Owyhee Jasper
• Digestion: Red Jasper, Gold Calacite, Citrine
• Ears: Amber, Sapphire, Blue Fluorite
• Energy Increasing: Peridot, Jasper, Amber
• Entity Removal: Serpentine, Onyx, Obsidian
• Fever: Chrysocolla, Blue Lace Agate
• Grief: Obsidian, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Quartz
• Hair: Quartz, Opal, Malachite
• Headaches: Blue Lace Agate, Sugilite, Amethyst
• Hearing: Sodalite, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli
• Infection: Galena, Ruby, Turquoise
• Insect Bites: Lazulite, Monazite
• Joints: Dioptase, Hematite, Albite
• Kidneys: Honey Calcite, Carnelian, Jade
• Liver: Azurite/ Malachite, Peridot
• Lungs: Chrysocolla, Dioptase, Galena
• Migraines: Jet, Tourmaline, Dioptase
• Money Issues: Jade, Cinnebar, Citrine
• Pain: Boji Stone, Sugilite, Malachite
• Pancreas: Green Moss Agate, Alexandrite, Lodestone
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Moonstone, Hematite
• Smoking: Oregon Amethyst, Adventurine
• Sore Throat: Angelite, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite
• Thyroid: Peridot, Lapis Lazuli, Chrysocolla
• Weight (increasing): Epidot, unakite
• Weight (decreasing): Labradorite, Picasso Stone, Serandite

No matter how many times a day we go to the gym or how many diets we may be on, one of the most difficult things the get rid of is cellulite. Some times we may need an extra hand to get rid of this "hard fat" and the blend below is one I have used time and time again and has always proven to be very effective.

• 100 ml of Sage carrier oil
• 10 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of Marjoram essential oil
• 10 drops of Rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops of Geranium essential oil
• 10 drops of Lemon essential oil

If you can not find Sage carrier oil, another option is to use any other carrier oil such as Almond or Olive and use 10 drops of Sage essential oil in it.

Mix the blend and massage your hips, thighs and belly. To specifically break down cellulite, it would be a good idea to use your knuckles, rolling and pinching techniques to really break down the fat. Also keep in mind that the detox effect is created when you work towards the lymph nodes. It also helps improve blood circulation. It is perfectly normal if it hurts a little bit, however the objective is to be firm and not to bruise the skin. If you do this everyday, in about 2-3 weeks you will notice your skin looking more firm and youthful, without the "orange peel" surface.