Shakaya aka as Earth Empress is holding a contest for a chance to win her ebook, Nude Food. From the description of her recipes, I am trying my hand at winning a copy of it. I still consider myself new in the world of Raw Food. I have been researching it since I was diagnosed with Kidney Disease last Summer/Fall and have begun applying what I have learned into my lifestyle of eating. Steadly and slow my progression from processed to raw food has greatly increased within the past six months from 0 (zero) to about 50% raw on a daily basis. My goal is to be 80% raw by my birthday in a few months.
Anyways, some of the recipes included in this book are:
Some of the recipes include:
Fresh Fries
Fragrant Butterfly
Thai Green Coconut Soup
New Moon Salad
Lotus Rice Medley
Don't they just sound wonderful! I am hungry now just writing about this contest!
Who would have thought that I could find a book that has information about Raw food and opening the energy of your inner Goddess! I will definitely be learning more about this lady for sure!
She also has a website at: http://earthempress.com
Be sure to visit her Facebook Page and try your own hand at winning her book!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
E is for Eggs
Last week I wrote about something different from what I have been doing. Now its time to get back to the food. With Ostara almost upon us, of course I would write about the wonderful Egg.
Every year since I was a small child, one of my favorite things to do during the springtime was dye eggs. Even though I was brought up Catholic, this tradition does have its own Pagan roots as well. As I am now an adult, I still enjoy this practice very much each and every year doing it along side my two small children. Whenever I have the time and energy I also opt to use food ingridients to make my dyes for the eggs. However on occassion I still have to use the commercial pill products available on the market if I don't physically have the energy to stand over the stove cooking the natural items. It happens and I am ok with it. If you are able to make your own natural dyes, you can infuse those dyes with your magial intent making your eggs magical vessels to carry your own spellwork in one form or another. This can be done by eating the egg (taking the energy into yourself) or burying the egg to nourish Gaia and bring forth your desire or purpose. Another method some people use such as myself is to save the shells and after they have been cleaned grind them into a fine powder.
There are many websites out there that can provide you with recipes for making your own natural dyes. Some of my favorite charts and recipes come from:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/holidayhowtos/a/eastereggdyes.htm
http://www.lakewinds.com/store/Natural-Egg-Dye-Recipes-W4698C18760.aspx
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/EasterEggDye.htm
http://www.marthastewart.com/268125/natural-egg-dyeing-techniques
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homemade-natural-easter-egg-dyes.html
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/eggs/natural-easter-egg-dyes/
Now this won't be a post about how to do them specifically, there are only so many ways one can write boil egg, put in color bath, etc. So if this is something you are interested in, then please check out the above links for the instructions on how to do it.
Using eggs in spells is not uncommon. My own coven uses the egg in several applications from meditations, affirmations, protection spells, fertility spells, prosperity spells, healing spells, plus many many more. Not only is the egg a symbol of life which is the reason I personally use the egg in many of my own spells,It is also a valuable tool that can be utilized within the realm of using Color Magick. You can create many different designs on the egg and dye it in whatever color you need to help emphasize the end result you are trying to achieve. Lastly, in using eggs in spells, I also like to use Floral as well as Gemstone Essences, using the egg as a carrier for these energies is fantastic as well.
I don't have any photos at the present time because frankly I have never thought about taking photos in the past. This year I will take pics whenever we dye eggs this year for Ostara and will post later on. I won't be dying alot of eggs this year since it would simply be a waste of food. With my kidney disease, I can not eat alot of protein at the present time. Unfortunately, I am also the only person in my family that will eat hard boiled eggs. So we will limit the amount we are boiling this year. It will be limited to one dozen. Each person will have one egg for their personal desire that they want to manifest for the upcoming turn of the Wheel for Spring to Spring (the boys usually are trying to manifest the latest electronic game they are after), then there is usually at least one (if not more) for the protection of our home that is buried close to our front door (which also nourishes the soil for our upcoming calendula or marigold flowers that will be planted this year to detract mosquitos from our front door), and then the final eggs are for my husband and myself to use for our own personal desires such as prosperity, health, or whatever strikes our fancy.
Embrace the Egg!
For those that will be celebrating it shortly, Happy Ostara!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Every year since I was a small child, one of my favorite things to do during the springtime was dye eggs. Even though I was brought up Catholic, this tradition does have its own Pagan roots as well. As I am now an adult, I still enjoy this practice very much each and every year doing it along side my two small children. Whenever I have the time and energy I also opt to use food ingridients to make my dyes for the eggs. However on occassion I still have to use the commercial pill products available on the market if I don't physically have the energy to stand over the stove cooking the natural items. It happens and I am ok with it. If you are able to make your own natural dyes, you can infuse those dyes with your magial intent making your eggs magical vessels to carry your own spellwork in one form or another. This can be done by eating the egg (taking the energy into yourself) or burying the egg to nourish Gaia and bring forth your desire or purpose. Another method some people use such as myself is to save the shells and after they have been cleaned grind them into a fine powder.
There are many websites out there that can provide you with recipes for making your own natural dyes. Some of my favorite charts and recipes come from:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/holidayhowtos/a/eastereggdyes.htm
http://www.lakewinds.com/store/Natural-Egg-Dye-Recipes-W4698C18760.aspx
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/EasterEggDye.htm
http://www.marthastewart.com/268125/natural-egg-dyeing-techniques
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homemade-natural-easter-egg-dyes.html
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/eggs/natural-easter-egg-dyes/
Now this won't be a post about how to do them specifically, there are only so many ways one can write boil egg, put in color bath, etc. So if this is something you are interested in, then please check out the above links for the instructions on how to do it.
Using eggs in spells is not uncommon. My own coven uses the egg in several applications from meditations, affirmations, protection spells, fertility spells, prosperity spells, healing spells, plus many many more. Not only is the egg a symbol of life which is the reason I personally use the egg in many of my own spells,It is also a valuable tool that can be utilized within the realm of using Color Magick. You can create many different designs on the egg and dye it in whatever color you need to help emphasize the end result you are trying to achieve. Lastly, in using eggs in spells, I also like to use Floral as well as Gemstone Essences, using the egg as a carrier for these energies is fantastic as well.
I don't have any photos at the present time because frankly I have never thought about taking photos in the past. This year I will take pics whenever we dye eggs this year for Ostara and will post later on. I won't be dying alot of eggs this year since it would simply be a waste of food. With my kidney disease, I can not eat alot of protein at the present time. Unfortunately, I am also the only person in my family that will eat hard boiled eggs. So we will limit the amount we are boiling this year. It will be limited to one dozen. Each person will have one egg for their personal desire that they want to manifest for the upcoming turn of the Wheel for Spring to Spring (the boys usually are trying to manifest the latest electronic game they are after), then there is usually at least one (if not more) for the protection of our home that is buried close to our front door (which also nourishes the soil for our upcoming calendula or marigold flowers that will be planted this year to detract mosquitos from our front door), and then the final eggs are for my husband and myself to use for our own personal desires such as prosperity, health, or whatever strikes our fancy.
Embrace the Egg!
For those that will be celebrating it shortly, Happy Ostara!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Friday, March 2, 2012
E is for Elder - Amber K
Now I normally write about food as I am researching how food effects us spiritually.
These past few weeks my thoughts have been consumed with a Pagan gathering called ConVocation.
February is one of my favorite times of year, I get to meet with a large mass of Pagans under one roof, drumming, workshops, great conversations, fantastic rituals, and meet alot of people I normally would not be able to meet under the everyday mundane life circumstances.
This year was no exception. When I first started in the craft I was just entering the stage of life becoming a young adult. I was a teen like most people I know when they turned to the craft. I was in the closet most of my teen years with few people knowing that were closest to me during that time. I went on to graduate high school and then entered into the military (Army). One of the few books I had with me while in service to the United States was a small green book. While everyone I knew in the Army carried a small pocket bible in their cargo pocket, my "bible" was this small green book.
In my lifetime I have purchased two copies of this book. The first was when I was in highschool learning about the craft. The second copy was to replace my first copy while in the Army when it got drenched in a training drill during hurricane season. I learned to carry my book in a ziploc bag after that incident. When I purchased my second copy, I paid $4.95 plus tax for a brand new book....that goes to show how much inflation has gone up during the years. LOL
From this book is where I built the foundation for how I practice the craft to this day. From Amber, I learned about setting up my first altar, working with energy, plus many other things! This book is so important to me that I still have the second copy I purchased over two decades ago as well. This year at ConVocation, the MEC provided me with the opportunity to meet someone I consider an Elder in my life and practice of the craft, Amber K. For me an "Elder" is someone that is influential within your tribe or community. This person has an impact upon your life in a positive way. That is definitely what Amber is to me.
I went to one of Amber's workshops with my friend AmethystCat. Prior to the workshop we had a few minutes where I had the opportunity to go and ask Amber to sign my book. I was too nervous to do so. It's not that often I am at a loss for words...this was one of the few rare occassions where I became shy. After her workshop, I finally built up enough courage to ask her to sign my book. She was even kind enough to let me take a photo with her.
This day is definitely one of my magical highlights within my life. It is one day that I will never forget. To learn more about Amber, you can visit her website at http://www.ardantane.org/ .
These past few weeks my thoughts have been consumed with a Pagan gathering called ConVocation.
February is one of my favorite times of year, I get to meet with a large mass of Pagans under one roof, drumming, workshops, great conversations, fantastic rituals, and meet alot of people I normally would not be able to meet under the everyday mundane life circumstances.
This year was no exception. When I first started in the craft I was just entering the stage of life becoming a young adult. I was a teen like most people I know when they turned to the craft. I was in the closet most of my teen years with few people knowing that were closest to me during that time. I went on to graduate high school and then entered into the military (Army). One of the few books I had with me while in service to the United States was a small green book. While everyone I knew in the Army carried a small pocket bible in their cargo pocket, my "bible" was this small green book.
In my lifetime I have purchased two copies of this book. The first was when I was in highschool learning about the craft. The second copy was to replace my first copy while in the Army when it got drenched in a training drill during hurricane season. I learned to carry my book in a ziploc bag after that incident. When I purchased my second copy, I paid $4.95 plus tax for a brand new book....that goes to show how much inflation has gone up during the years. LOL
From this book is where I built the foundation for how I practice the craft to this day. From Amber, I learned about setting up my first altar, working with energy, plus many other things! This book is so important to me that I still have the second copy I purchased over two decades ago as well. This year at ConVocation, the MEC provided me with the opportunity to meet someone I consider an Elder in my life and practice of the craft, Amber K. For me an "Elder" is someone that is influential within your tribe or community. This person has an impact upon your life in a positive way. That is definitely what Amber is to me.
I went to one of Amber's workshops with my friend AmethystCat. Prior to the workshop we had a few minutes where I had the opportunity to go and ask Amber to sign my book. I was too nervous to do so. It's not that often I am at a loss for words...this was one of the few rare occassions where I became shy. After her workshop, I finally built up enough courage to ask her to sign my book. She was even kind enough to let me take a photo with her.
This day is definitely one of my magical highlights within my life. It is one day that I will never forget. To learn more about Amber, you can visit her website at http://www.ardantane.org/ .
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