Category: Enlightened Drinks

Kava Kava Ancient Root of Oceania 

Bula! The word is heard everywhere in Fiji. Bula originates from the Fijian culture and means anything from hello, goodbye, welcome, love and more. It means LIFE. 

A wonderful opportunity was presented to teach yoga at a resort in Sauvusavu Fiji, and living in Australia at the time I was on the next flight out which took just three hours to get to beautiful Fiji! 

In Fiji Kava is used as a symbol to bring two groups of people together. When visiting a new village it is essential to bring a gift of kava. The community then gathers and the kava is mixed. There are a lot of words, all in fijian and some clapping . The chiefs partake first and it is then offered all around in a communal bowl to drink. 

My inner anthropologist was buzzing when I was lucky to attend not one, but two kava ceremonies on this trip. When participating in the ceremony it is essential to dress conservatively and sit respectfully. If you are offered the kava it is important to drink the entire cup in one go. (Didn’t have a problem with that) Clap once before receiving the cup, drink up and then clap three more times. It was so much fun!! 

Once the ceremony is complete then everyone in the room is now friends and you can get on with the eating, drinking more Kava if you would like and dance the night away. 

Not only was my stay in Fiji extraordinary, Kava eased my mind while maintaining clarity. It’s used for relief from anxiety, stress and insomnia. The root of Kava is the Piper methysticum plant with Kavalactones that are the active chemical ingredients of the Kava root.

On the island of Fiji, drinking can be casual. Similar to how the Argentineans are constantly sipping mate, Kava is a near daily beverage for many Fijians. After work, relaxing in the afternoon, pretty much whenever, small groups of friends and family will share kava from a communal bowl. 

The benefits of Kava are many and while the scientific world is still at the experimental stage of research, the people of Oceania have traditionally used the plant as a social brew for thousands of years. Kava is referred to the “ancient root of Oceania”. 


Here are some of the benefits of Pacific Islander Kava Kava 

Stress relief 

Relaxation and psychological calm 

Euphoric effect 

Induces clear-headedness, bodily relaxation and the ridding of anxiety, depression, restlessness and treats adhd   

Kava is non-addictive and doesn’t impair cognitive ability

Clarity of thought processes 

Is a genuine alternative medicine

Therapeutic benefit for athletes as kava reduces muscle tightness

Anti-inflammatory agent that it is used as pain killer to treat headache, fever, chronic fatigue and migraines.

Cancer treatment and prevention 

Induces relaxation and sleep 

Great positive social value 

Kava emphasizes positive vibes and a wholesome human spirituality and universal oneness that draws people together on a soul to soul basis and has simply evolved into this era’s natural source of happiness-it’s picked up quite the wonderful reputation all over the globe 

It’s nice to turn to nature for a calm peace of mind. Well, now you know about one such natural alternative-Kava Kava!! 


Bula blessings of health and happiness. Regardless of where you live; you do not have to be in Fiji to celebrate LIFE. Enjoy how one simple word can transform your entire day. Bula blessings to you!  

To the island of Fiji,

ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ 

Therapeutic Juice Recipes for Addiction Recovery 

Juices are extremely helpful when overcoming addictions. When making juice, use fresh, organic fruits and vegetables when possible. Addiction recovery depends on more than just modifying our actions; it must also focus on the body and the mind. 

One way we can do this is to modify our diets. By changing the foods we eat and drink, we can help heal ourselves from addictions. Yoga practitioners have focused on a detoxification diet–including foods, drinks, herbs, and spices–for thousands of years as a way to cleanse and heal the body and the mind.

As we work to rid ourselves of addictions, we must detoxify. Drugs, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and unhealthy foods affect both our physical body and our emotional health, and over time this toxicity gets worse. A build-up of toxins from these substances can make us rundown, lethargic, over- or underweight, or even ill. If we aren’t getting sufficient nutrients in our diets we become very stressed, so finding healing juices that are both nutritious and that build the nervous system is important. However, keep in mind that changing your diet is not a substitute for medical care, and if you have any chronic health conditions, it’s important to check with a health care professional before adopting a detoxification diet.

Here are four therapeutic juice recipes to help overcome addictions and addictive behavior. 

Detoxifying Juice

A delicious juice to detox your body and give you energy throughout your day. 


1 Grapefruit

1 Apple

1 Carrot

Instructions:

Juice and drink. It’s that simple!

The grapefruit is a diuretic which helps the body eliminate toxins. It’s also full of vitamin C, packed with tumor-fighting liminoids. The apple helps you regulate your blood sugar, boosts the health of your digestive track (which in turn helps you move those toxins out of your system), and helps to detoxify your liver (which takes a beating from drugs, alcohol and fatty foods.) The carrot gives you Vitamin A, beta carotene, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, fiber and lots of other yumminess.

It’s one delicious, easy, detoxifying glass!

Carrot and Garlic Juice

Helps keep sadness, negativity and frustration away 


. 6-8 ounces or .24 liters of carrot juice

¼ ounce or .07 liter of garlic juice (no more)

Mix together. This juice MUST be sipped slowly! 

Carrot, Beet and Celery Juice

Purifies blood and strengthens nervous system. 3 ounces or .09 liters of carrot juice


3 ounces or .09 liters of celery juice

1 ounce or .03 liters of beet juice.

Mix together. Enjoy.

 BEETox. Juice 

3 medium size beets

3 small apples

2 celery stalks

1 english cucumber

1 ½ chunk of ginger

1 lemon

1 romaine heart head

1 cup of blueberries

Juice all ingredients but the blueberries in a juicer. Place juiced veggies in a blender with blueberries and let it blend together.

A great prescription for detoxification! 

To Healing,

ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ 

 

Golden Milk Golden Recipe 

Golden Milk is a healing beauty tonic for vitality and flexibility! It’s especially beneficial for stiff joints and provides a source of lubrication for the entire system. Beneficial to the inner organs, the spine and the joints. It is purifying to the blood and promotes general good health. It also has external healing properties and can be used in masks and baths for the skin.

This recipe keeps a person beautiful and it’s true golden milk has healing powers. 

It includes both essential oils and turmeric, both vital ingredients to help women keep their flexibility and vitality! 

Ingredients:

1/8 teaspoon turmeric 

1/2 cup water 

8 ounces milk 

2 tablespoons raw almond oil 

Honey or Maple Syrup to taste

1 cardamom pod 
Cooking Instructions:

Simmer turmeric in water until it forms a nice paste. Suggested cooking time is 8 minutes, you can add more water as necessary. Meanwhile, bring milk to a boil with the almond oil. As soon as it boils, remove from heat. Combine the two mixtures using a blender if desired. Add honey or maple syrup to taste. The cardamom may be cooked with the turmeric for added flavor.

It is a delicious, soothing drink! Tumeric it is that gives this drink it’s beautiful golden color! 

Om Shanti,

ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ