http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/26963/Japan+Underground+Bicycle+Parking+Systems.html

Interesting technology promoting sustainability in the east.

“Before you’ve practiced, the theory is useless. After you’ve practiced, the theory is obvious.”

– David Williams

What is Ayurvedic Oil Pulling?

We first started learning about Ayurveda while on a backpacking trip in Thailand. We think eastern medicine is fascinating. Our personal opinion is that eastern medicine involves much more sacrifice and work. Western medicine usually provides the way for the “easy way out.”

In the US it is common for someone to pop many pills and not really know what is in the medicine they are consuming. Most do not even have patience to think about, why am I feeling sick? What did I consume? How have my thoughts contributed to this illness? That is a conversation for another day.

Lucid Practice’s newest contributor, Rory Trollen, talked about the niyama, Saucha. Saucha is among many things, cleanliness. At this point in my life I look at it as purity.

According to the Sutras, yogis should keep their bodies extremely clean.  Rory spoke about how before and after asana his guru would teach him to clean his body thoroughly from his tongue to his feet. It helped the body know that it was pure.

One of the better cleaning cleansing techniques he taught us about was oil pulling.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient, effective, harmless way to cleanse the gums, teeth, tongue, and other areas of the mouth. Oil pulling is very simple and inexpensive. The cost is the price of a daily spoonful of vegetable oil, cheaper than even a multi vitamin. Yet it is one of the most powerful forms of therapy.

How to Oil Pull

Take a spoonful of your preferred oil (it can be olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil or any plant based oil) and swish it around your mouth like you would use mouthwash. Continue to swish and gargle the oil around in your mouth for twenty minutes. Whatever you do, do not swallow the oil as it has become toxic from cleansing your mouth. Spit the oil (we usually do this outside because it can clog sink/shower drains) and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Why Oil Pull?

The most obvious result of oil pulling is improved dental health. Teeth become whiter, gums pinker and healthier looking, and breath fresher. That alone makes it worthwhile.

Oil Pulling removes harmful organisms, bacteria and fungus from the mouth in ways that are not otherwise possible.

What is really remarkable is that the health benefits don’t stop there. Many health problems, including those which medical science has yet to find cures for, are also improved or completely cured.

Additional Benefits of Oil Pulling

• Better quality of sleep
• Better breath (because of the removal of bacteria stuck between teeth and gums)
• Increased energy
• Regulated menstrual cycles

What type of oil to use for Oil Pulling

Use any of the following type of oil for oil pulling (always use extra virgin oils):

• Sunflower Oil (used in traditional oil pulling in India)
• Sesame Oil (used in traditional oil pulling in India)
• Olive Oil
• Vegetable Oil
• Coconut Oil

Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is our preference for oil pulling

For the following reasons, we prefer oil pulling with coconut oil:

• Coconut oil is antimicrobial
• Coconut oil is antibacterial
• Coconut oil tastes sweeter and less acidic than most other oils!

Our Experience Oil Pulling

We have been oil pulling a few times a week for the past two years and have noticed the amazing benefits. After beginning this practice, you’ll likely never purchase Crest white strips or any other artificial whitener. You’ll probably never again use mouthwash because oil is cheaper, more effective, and free of alcohol and harsh chemicals. Your teeth will feel healthy, your mouth will feel healthy, and your mind might even feel healthier.

Have you ever tried oil pulling? What type of oil do you use and why?

“Everything passes, everything.” ~ Anthony de Mello from Awareness

Ah, impermanence.

Everything passes.

Reminds me of Abraham Lincoln and my Vipassana meditation teacher, S.N. Goenka.

First, Goenka: One of the key ideas during my 10-day silent Vipassana meditation experience was the idea of Anicca—a Pali word that means “impermanence.” Life is change and we suffer when we get stuck and don’t allow the wheel of life to keep on spinning and doing its thing. In fact, the word for “suffering” in Buddhism isdukkha, which is the word they use to describe a potter’s wheel that is no longer spinning smoothly. It’s stuck a bit and screeching. That’ssuffering. (See Notes on Big Mind Big Heart for more mojo on that!)

Solution: Flow with life.

Know that everything passes, everything.

Now to Abraham Lincoln. He says: “It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: ‘And this, too, shall pass away.’ How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!”

Are you stuck a bit on something? Might it help to remember that this too shall pass?!?

Via Brian Johnson and Entheos.com

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9795/5-tips-to-get-more-time-to-yourself.html

1. Take time for yourself to start each day (Practice)

2. Establish a routine. 

3. Delegate. 

4. Make a list or become aware of where you spend most of your time. 

5. Spend less time consuming media. 

“When we are inadequate ourselves but our ego is strong, we tend to blame others.”

– Swami Rama, Living with the Himalayan Masters

http://www.dailycupofyoga.com/2013/06/11/when-good-enough-is-excellent/

Contentment.

Santosha.

Life is beautiful and the best part about it is this current moment. A lot of people who came before us would love to be here now.

http://www.builtlean.com/2012/04/12/raw-chocolate/

Cacao is the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate.

Raw chocolate contains many important vitamins and minerals including:

• Magnesium, and other essential minerals including calcium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, and manganese
• Polyphenols called flavonoids, with antioxidant properties
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E
• Essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat
• Protein
• Fiber

These nutrients found in raw chocolate have been linked to a number of health benefits:

1) Raw chocolate can lower blood pressure & improve circulation

Flavanols, theobromine, and other components found in cacao may lower blood pressure and enhance circulation by promoting dilation, strength, and health of blood vessels

2) Raw chocolate can promote cardiovascular function & health

The antioxidant power of flavonoids and essential minerals and vitamins found in cacao can support healthy heart functioning⁵ by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing plaque buildup on artery walls.⁶

3) Raw chocolate Can Neutralize free radicals

High levels of antioxidants protect the body from a buildup of free radicals from sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoking, etc., which may damage healthy body tissue giving rise to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

4) Raw Chocolate can improve digestion

A sufficient amount of fiber delivered with each serving of cacao supports digestion while cacao stimulates the body’s production of digestive enzymes.

5) Raw chocolate can enhance physical and mental well-being

There are many components of cacao including alkaloids, proteins, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic, lipase, lysine, and theobromine, that all work together to improve physical and mental health.  For example, theombromine helps to stimulate the central nervous system, relax smooth muscles, and dilate blood vessels, giving the body a boost of energy;  “bliss” chemicals found in cacao help to increase circulation and availability of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in brain, improving mood and combating depression.

Eating Tips:

• Blend into fruit smoothies
• Add whole beans or nibs to granola and trail mixes
• Add nibs or powder to oatmeal or yogurt
• Mix powder with dairy or nut milk
• Add powder to your favorite protein drink
• Use cacao nibs to replace chocolate chips in frozen yogurt, pancakes, muffins, cookies, etc.-