Your Alter

"You Cannot but God Can"

 This is the next chapter's motto in Marianne Williamson book "A Course in Weight Loss"

This lesson is building an alter…I’ve done this before but lost it throughout the years.

She explains how our kitchen is the alter to fear,  so we build an alter to love. A small space that you can have all your own, a table top with beautiful objects and things that bring you joy. A candle your journal which will be kept there and a place to sit quietly near it. Below is an article I found which is very helpful  in creating your alter.

How to build an altar

Building an altar is a tangible way we can make space in our homes and our lives for Spirit. An altar need not be elaborate nor associated with any particular religion. It is simply a space you create to consciously welcome the sacred to your everday life.

The first step is to decide where in your home you would like to place the altar. Is there a spot where you regularly go to pray or meditate? Ideally, you will want your altar located in a quiet area of your home where you can sit undisturbed. You may also want your altar located where you pass by it or see it often, so that it becomes a visible reminder to you of your own commitment to a spiritual path. If you are shy about your spirituality, you will want the altar in a private part of your home. If you are exuberant and enjoy sharing your spiritual journey, then you may want to create your altar in a quiet corner of your main living area. Altars can be located on windowsills, in cupboards, on tables and shelves, under cloth-covered tables, inside closets... there are many possibilities.

Consider others who live in or regularly visit your home. Obviously you want your sacred items located out of the reach of toddlers and pets. Additionally, you will probably want your altar kept out of view of people who may be offended by your beliefs. Remember, this is about your personal and private practice.

Some people utilize the four directions and create an altar in the northern or eastern parts of their home, or so that they face north or east while sitting at their altars. In many traditions, north is the direction of spirit helpers and east is the traditional direction of new beginnings and enlightening thoughts.

Some people like to use the Feng Shui Bagua to site their altars. In the Feng Shui schools which use the compass points, the NW is the traditional area assigned to helpful beings and the NE is the area for inner knowledge and self realization. In the Feng Shui traditions which use the door as a reference point, the helpful beings area is to your right as you enter, and the self-cultivation area is to your left, both on the same wall as the door.

If you are unsure where to put your altar, write your question on a piece of paper and put it under your pillow. Literally, sleep on it. In the morning, you should have an image or impression of a good location in your home.

Now that you have a location in mind, ask yourself some questions to begin to define your altar's appearance:
Do I want my altar to be public or private?
Is there anyone who may come to my home whom I do not wish to see my altar?
Are there pets or children or others with whom I do not wish to share my altar?

If you decide you would like a private altar, but you live in a public space, there are many solutions. One is to create a portable altar. You can keep your altar items in a small box or bag and only bring them out for use when you are alone. A locking jewelry box with hinged doors is another option. You can keep the box doors closed when you're not using the altar. The same holds true for a cabinet. I made a portable travel altar from cloth that folds flat to fit in a suitcase or backpack and can be set up in any tent, tipi, hotel room or conference center.

If pets and children are not a consideration, but a frequent adult guest is, you can set up an altar underneath a cloth-covered accent table. Small, round particle board tables can be purchased for less than ten dollars at most chain stores. TV trays can also serve this purpose. Add a floor length cloth cover and voila - a lamp table on top, a concealed altar underneath.

Now that you've chosen the location, begin to gather items which have personal meaning and are sacred to you. I would not presume to tell you what's right for you, but here are some ideas to help you get started:

~ representations of deities or qualities you identify with / admire / feel connected to

~ a representation of you

~ items representing the four elelments
.....Earth - stones, sand, dirt from a site sacred to you, cornmeal, tobacco, a flower
.....AIr - incense, sage or sweetgrass, a feather
.....Fire - a candle (Be sensible. Use a fireproof container. Do not leave fire unattended), a representation of the sun, an electric lamp, a prism
.....Water - purified water, holy water, a seashell

~ A bell, chime, gong, bowl or other gentle soundmaker

~ Sacred texts which inspire you

~ a comfortable pillow or rug on which to sit or kneel

~ a notebook in which to record the insights you receive after meditating or praying

All sacredness begins within. Altars, or anything else in the physical, are simply tools to help us on our journey. As you grow and change, the items on your altar may change also. Have fun with this. Leave the dogma to the dour. This is your life, your home and your sacred space. Do it in a way that feels right to you.

Using your altar:

Humans tend to be creatures of habit. We can use this to our advantage. By consistently sitting or kneeling in front of our personal altar, we cultivate our relationship with the Divine. Regular use of your altar brings more sacredness to your life and your home. You may want to start by spending 5 or 10 minutes in front of your altar every morning right after you awaken. Before long, this quiet time in the morning will be so special to you, that you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I can almost guarantee you that if you make a commitment to spend just 5 minutes meditating* in the morning every day for the next three weeks, you'll love the results!

Look around your home and see what is represented there. Perhaps you can see a computer or a refrigerator, or a stove, a bed, a radio or television. What kinds of thoughts and behaviours do these items evoke in you?
Seeing your altar in your home reminds you of your deeper values. The presence of a personal altar in your private dwelling can prompt you to tune into your own beauty and Divinity and your connection to All Life, Light and Love.

An altar reminds us to feed our souls.

If you already have an altar in your home, play with it. If you don't yet have an altar, I invite you to make one today, and experience the serenity it adds to your home and life.

Enjoy!

Eileen Lighthawk
www.centerforJOY.org
copyright 04, updated 08

I've outlined several Green Recipes below for your delight......

Green Smoothies for Beginners

 

Basic Balance
Victoria Boutenko

1 mango
1 cup kale
1 cup water
Yields 1 quart

Rocket Fuel Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko
2 cups green or red seedless grapes
3 golden kiwis, peeled
1 ripe orange, peeled, seeds removed
1 small leaf of aloe vera, with skin
5 leaves red leaf lettuce
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Morning Zing Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko

½ bunch dandelion greens
2 stalks celery
½ inch fresh ginger root
2 peaches
½ pineapple
Yields 2 quarts

Parsley Passion Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 cucumber, peeled
1 Fuji apple
1 ripe banana
1–2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Savory Green Smoothies and Soups

Mediterranean Soup
Victoria Boutenko
3 cups spinach
3 stalks celery
1 sprig oregano
1 sprig thyme
1 red bell pepper
1 large avocado
1 cucumber
1 jalapeño pepper
1 lime, juiced
2 cups water
Enjoy with dulse leaves or flakes
Yields 3 quarts


Soup Gazpacho
Victoria Boutenko
3 leaves kale, stems removed
1 bunch basil
3 large tomatoes
2 stalks celery
1 red bell pepper
1 large avocado
1 lime, juiced
1 cup water
Yields 2 quarts

Thai Soup
Sergei Boutenko
2 cucumbers
1 large avocado
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic
6 leaves curly kale, stems removed
½ teaspoon dried turmeric powder
½ inch fresh ginger root
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts


Cucumber Dill-icious Soup
Valya Boutenko
2 cucumbers
½ bunch dill
1 large avocado
5 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed
2 stalks celery
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic
Yields 2 quarts

Green Puddings

Kent Mango Bliss
Victoria Boutenko
2 Kent mangoes
1 bunch chard, stems removed
1 pear
1 banana
Serve with kiwi.
Yields 3 cups


Green Pudding
Victoria Boutenko
1 bunch fresh parsley
5 grape leaves
½ pineapple
1 Abbot pear
1 orange, peeled
1 cup water
Yields 2 cups


Persimmon Pudding
Victoria Boutenko
3 fuyu persimmons, peeled, seeds removed
3 cups baby spinach
1 ripe banana
Yields 2 cups


The Pear-fect Smoothie
By Katya
2 d’Anjou pears
7 leaves purple kale, stems removed
1 leaf aloe vera
1 banana
Yields 2 cups


Applesauce
Valya Boutenko

4 apples
1 banana
1 head romaine lettuce
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water
Yields 3 cups

Green Smoothies for Body Care

Aloe Facial Cleanser
Valya Boutenko
½ cucumber
½ avocado
1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin
Apply on skin as a sunscreen, or after sunburn, or to improve overall skin health. Keep on skin 10–30 minutes, then rinse off.
Yields 1 cup

Super Green Smoothies

Victoria’s Favorite Dark Green
Victoria Boutenko
1 bunch dandelion greens
4 Roma tomatoes
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Heavy Metals Be Gone
Valya Boutenko

1 bunch cilantro
2 cups stinging nettles
1 bunch fresh parsley
3 stalks celery
1 lemon, juiced
2 mangoes
Yields 2 quarts

Green Smoothie Monster
Victoria Boutenko
4 leaves kale, stems removed
4 leaves chard, stems removed
½ bunch fresh parsley
1 leaf aloe vera
½ bunch dandelion greens
3 pears
1 banana
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts


Dark Green Love
Victoria Boutenko

1 bunch dandelion greens
1 medium cucumber
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Green Smoothies for Adventurous Souls

O-mega Aphrodisiac
Victoria Boutenko
3 cups wild purslane
1 small watermelon
3 limes, juiced
Yields 2 quarts


Revitalizing Energizer Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko
6 young grape leaves (they contain resveratrol, which triggers longevity genes)
3 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed
2 mangoes
1 pint strawberries
2 cups orange juice
Yields 1 quart


Summer Splendor Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko
4 leaves chard, stems removed
3 stalks celery
1 head fresh parsley
6 apricots
3 peaches
½ vanilla bean
Yields 2 quarts


“Bitter Delight” Cocktail
Victoria Boutenko

1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin
4 leaves chard, stems removed
3 cups chickweed
1 banana
1 peach
1 pear
Yields 1 quart

Green Smoothies for Children

Miner’s Lettuce Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko

3 cups wild crafted miner’s lettuce (wild edible)
2 ripe pears
½ pint blueberries
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Coco-Tango
Sergei Boutenko
Thai coconut, meat and water
5 leaves kale, stems removed
2 nectarines
2 peaches
1 mango
Yields 2 quarts


The Laughing Gorilla
Valya Boutenko
½ head romaine lettuce
2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
2 oranges, peeled, seeds removed
1 mango
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts
Warning: consumption of smoothie may
result in spontaneously occurring, extremely
contagious gorilla laughter


Emerald Applesauce
Aletha Nowitzky
4:5 apples
1 bunch fresh parsley
½ inch fresh ginger root
Yields 3 cups

Diets Don't Work..Use a Vision Board

Have you ever went on a diet? Did it work ? Really? I think that they do not produce any satisfactory or permanent results.Most diets ignore the true problem, the emotional attachment or addiction of food. I had never thought of this before now. I realized that for everything  we celebrate there is food, or in every problem, disappointment, or hurt we use food to soothe. Even crying babies, children etc...are rewarded with food.

The things we eat are largely refined sugars and simple carbs and we could be said to be self medicating with them. 

"The food we eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison."

Interesting quote, isn't it?  

A very good book on this subject is one by Angela Stokes Monarch called Raw Emotions. I am finding it very enlightening. 

My journey to Raw foods has been a roller coaster ride really. I feel great when I can eat healthy but when I slide and eat SAD foods, boy can I feel it. I do know the difference. I challenge you to try eating at least 50% raw fruits & vegetables in your meals and see and feel the difference. It is so amazing.

I am also writing a journal of foods I eat and the emotions I feel. 

And I'm beginning a vision board!

What is a Vision Board?

A vision board (also called a Treasure Map or a Visual Explorer or Creativity Collage) is typically a poster board on which you paste or collage images that you’ve torn out from various magazines. It’s simple.
The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires.

There are several methods you can use for creating your vision board. I’ve written about each one below. You can choose which one works best for you, depending on where you find yourself on this path of creating your life.

Supplies you’ll need for creating a Vision Board:

- Poster board.
- A big stack of different magazines. (You can get them at libraries, hair salons, dentist offices, the YMCA.) Make sure you find lots of different types like Oprah, Real Simple, Natural Home, Yoga Journal, Dwell, Ode, Parenting, Money,  and an assortment of nature magazines.
- Glue. Not Elmers. (It makes the pages ripple.) Try Yes! Glue or Rubber cement.

Before you begin your vision board:

No matter which method you’re choosing, have a little ritual before you begin your vision board. Sit quietly and set the intent. With lots of kindness and openness, ask yourself what it is you want. Maybe images will come into your head. Just take a moment to be with that. This process makes it a deeper experience. It gives a chance for your ego to step aside just a little, so that you can more clearly create your vision.
Put on soft music.

The Five Steps of Creating a Vision Board:

Step 1: Go through your magazines and tear the images from them. No gluing yet! Just let yourself have lots of fun looking through magazines and pulling out pictures or words or headlines that strike your fancy. Have fun with it. Make a big pile of images and phrases and words.
Step 2: Go through the images and begin to lay your favorites on the board. Eliminate any images that no longer feel right. This step is where your intuition comes in. As you lay the pictures on the board, you’ll get a sense how the board should be laid out. For instance, you might assign a theme to each corner of the board. Health, Job, Spirituality, Relationships, for instance. Or it may just be that the images want to go all over the place. Or you might want to fold the board into a book that tells a story.
Step 3: Glue everything onto the board. Add writing if you want. You can paint on it, or write words with markers.
Step 4: (optional, but powerful) Leave space in the very center of the vision board for a fantastic photo of yourself where you look radiant and happy. Paste yourself in the center of your board.
Step 5: Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it often.

Three Types of Vision Boards:

1 - The “I Know Exactly What I Want” Vision Board
Do this vision board if:
- You’re very clear about your desires.
- You want to change your environment or surroundings.
- There is a specific thing you want to manifest in your life. (i.e. a new home, or starting a business.)
How to create this vision board:
With your clear desire in mind, set out looking for the exact pictures which portray your vision. If you want a house by the water, then get out the Home magazines and start there. If you want to start your own business, find images that capture that idea for you. If you want to learn guitar, then find that picture.
2 – The “Opening and Allowing” Vision Board
Do this vision board if:
- You’re not sure what exactly you want
- You’ve been in a period of depression or grief
- You have a vision of what you want, but are uncertain about it in some way.
- You know you want change but don’t know how it’s possible.
How to create this vision board:
Go through each magazine. Tear out images that delight you. Don’t ask why. Just keep going through the magazines. If it’s a picture of a teddy bear that makes you smile, then pull it out. If it’s a cottage in a misty countryside, then rip it out. Just have fun and be open to whatever calls to you. Then, as you go through Step 2 above, hold that same openness, but ask yourself what this picture might mean. What is it telling you about you? Does it mean you need to take more naps? Does it mean you want to get a dog, or stop hanging out with a particular person who drains you? Most likely you’ll know the answer. If you don’t, but you still love the image, then put it on your vision board anyway. It will have an answer for you soon enough.The Opening and Allowing Vision Board can be a powerful guide for you. I like it better than the first model because sometimes our egos think they know what we want, and lots of times those desires aren’t in alignment with who we really are. This goes deeper than just getting what you want. It can speak to you and teach you a little bit about yourself and your passion.
3 – The “Theme” Vision Board
Do this vision board if:
- It’s your birthday or New Years Eve or some significant event that starts a new cycle.
- If you are working with one particular area of your life. For instance, Work & Career.
How to create this vision board:
The only difference between this vision board and the others is that this one has clear parameters and intent. Before you begin the vision board, take a moment to hold the intent and the theme in mind. When you choose pictures, they will be in alignment with the theme. You can do the Theme Vision Board on smaller pages, like a page in your journal.

Some things to remember about vision boards:

- You can use a combination of all three types of vision boards as you create. Sometimes you might start out doing one kind, and then your intuition takes over and shifts into a whole different mode. That’s called creativity. Just roll with it.
- Your vision board might change as you are making it.  You might find that you have little epiphanies from making a vision board.

Make a Vision Journal

Another option is to use these same principles in a big sketch book. Get a large sketch book and keep an on-going vision journal. This is especially effective if you’re going through many transitions in your life.

I welcome anyone who has created a vision board to write your own experience in the comments…

Raspberry-Avocado Smoothie

 

 

A  creamy avocado makes a surprise appearance in a sweet beverage. The fruit is great for your skin because it contains essential oils and B-complex vitamins, especially niacin. This vitamin is an anti-inflammatory that soothes red, blotchy and irritated skin.

Ingredients:

·                                 1 avocado, peeled and pitted

·                                 3/4 cup orange juice

·                                 3/4 cup raspberry juice

·                                 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, (not thawed)

Preparation:

1.        Puree avocado, orange juice, raspberry juice and raspberries in a blender until smooth.