Calibrate. Respect WeMe.
MAKE SUMmer (WINter) FUN.
Soul Food
"The wise never try to hold on to things. The more you do for others, the more you have. The more you give to others, the greater your abundance. The Tao of heaven is sharp but does no harm. The Tao of the wise is to work without effort." ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Summer and Winter have officially arrived with this new moon. We are straddling the full potency of FIRE and WATER. With great courage, we step into the depths of our hearts and the sacred chambers of the sacral—the cosmic womb. The sacred waters hold us all in stillness and possibility. Rather than being distracted by the outer world, La Luna reflects to you, from the cosmic mother, that it is time to shake it off and calibrate with your eternal state of being. We shall explore what it means to be in flow and resonance with self and the outer world. As inspired, take a few moments to listen, be, and receive.
Simply. Listen. Rest in the Void.
The New Moon, reach(ed) the full potency on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 3:31 AM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time).
Questions:
As you sweep away the inner trickster, what within you is ready to come into harmony?
What efforts will you need to make on a daily basis to recalibrate with self?
What are you ready to serve with this freedom and awareness?
Weekly talks are an offering to assist you in diving deeper into a spiritual practice, exploring your inner landscape, and cultivating inner peace.
Time Stamps: Dharma 0:00 | Meditation 25:00 | Sound 48:45 | Outro 1:27:45
Mind Food
Choosing joy and calm can profoundly impact your brain, body, and soul, guiding you to serve your highest self and the world around you. Even in adversity, this conscious choice can transform your mental state. I experienced this firsthand during a period of deep grief and complex post-traumatic stress. It felt like a train hurtling toward despair, but I refused to succumb. Instead, I declared, "Joy is in the room," redirecting my awareness to the present moment. This shift allowed my mind to rebound, sparking creativity that led to writing and illustrating my first children’s book. Scientifically, joy triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, neurotransmitters that enhance mood, focus, and emotional resilience. These chemicals strengthen neural connections in the prefrontal cortex, improving decision-making and creativity, which helped me channel my energy into meaningful work.
This practice isn’t about bypassing pain but consciously engaging with emotions that uplift. By choosing joy, I didn’t erase the healing journey ahead, but I created space to serve myself and others. My book, Sun Play, brings joy to toddlers, becoming medicine for my soul and theirs. Joy’s impact on the brain is powerful: it reduces cortisol levels, the stress hormone, calming the amygdala and fostering emotional balance. This balance allows grief and joy to coexist, as seen when we laugh through tears. As we move into summer or winter, I encourage you to embrace joy alongside grief. This conscious choice not only heals but sends uplifting energy to the world around you, which often returns like a boomerang. By fostering joy, you nurture your brain’s capacity for resilience and connection, creating a ripple effect of positivity.
I don’t wish to minimize the weight of complex post-traumatic stress (C-PTSD), having ridden the waves of trauma in many forms throughout my life. With compassion and personal experience, I can say that choosing joy in that pivotal moment created a path for new transformations in my journey. Do I still face sudden traumatic recall? Yes. Yet, each time, I grow stronger by activating an inner landscape ready to be freed. I remind myself: I choose joy, I choose peace, I choose calm. This is my golden ticket to a gentler path forward. For those navigating C-PTSD or PTSD, be gentle with yourself, and if inspired, choose joy. Bit by bit…It will help regenerate all of you.
Heart Food
Laughter’s Gift for a Child’s Heart and Soul
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” —Victor Hugo
I still hear my children’s belly laughs, moments of pure joy that felt like touching the divine with unencumbered freedom. Those memories, held close to my heart, remind me of laughter’s transformative power.
Laughter is vital for a child’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development, fostering growth across all stages. Hearing laughter amplifies these benefits, creating a joyful, secure environment.
Emotional Development: Laughter releases endorphins and dopamine, reducing stress and boosting mood. A 2017 Psychoneuroendocrinology study shows it lowers cortisol by up to 30%, helping children manage emotions. Hearing parents’ laughter signals safety, fostering trust and resilience (Developmental Psychology, 2020). A toddler giggling at peek-a-boo learns to express joy confidently.
Social Development: Laughter strengthens bonds through oxytocin release (Social Neuroscience, 2019). Shared giggles during play teach empathy and cooperation, building connections that nurture the heart.
Cognitive Development: Laughter stimulates the prefrontal cortex, enhancing creativity and problem-solving (Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2014). Hearing laughter during lessons boosts memory and engagement (Cognitive Development, 2016). Verbal play, like silly rhymes, supports language skills, starting with babies’ responses to humorous sounds. (Maybe, we need more comedic skills in the class room and at home?)
Physical Development: Laughter improves blood flow by 22% (University of Maryland, 2005), lowers blood pressure, and strengthens immunity (Pediatric Research, 2015), benefiting a child’s heart health. Hearing laughter encourages participation, amplifying these effects.
Laughter and hearing laughter nurture a child’s heart, mind, and relationships, serving as a bridge to joy and resilience. Like the soul cravings I’ve witnessed, laughter connects us to the eternal. Embrace silliness with your family, choose comedic moments over gloom, and let laughter’s light lift humanity’s spirit.
Body Food
The Transcendent Medicine of Laughter
Have you ever laughed so hard your face and stomach hurt? I have, and it feels incredible. Pause for a moment and recall a time when you couldn’t stop laughing (even if you wet your pants). Notice the smile returning to your face and how your entire state of being begins to shift. This is the power of laughter—a natural remedy that uplifts both body and soul.
Laughter is like a workout and therapy session rolled into one. Here’s how it boosts the physical and emotional heart:
Physical Heart
Boosts Blood Flow: Laughing increases blood vessel dilation by up to 22%, improving circulation and reducing strain on the heart, similar to light exercise (University of Maryland study, 2005).
Lowers Blood Pressure: A good chuckle reduces stress hormones like cortisol, which can lower blood pressure by 10-20 mmHg after just 10 minutes of laughter (studies in Journal of Psychosomatic Research).
Strengthens Heart: Laughter triggers mild cardiovascular activity, acting like a mini aerobic workout, enhancing heart rate variability and oxygen delivery.
Reduces Inflammation: Regular laughter may lower C-reactive protein levels, a marker of inflammation linked to heart disease, by up to 40% (research from American Journal of Cardiology).
Emotional Heart
Releases Feel-Good Chemicals: Laughter spikes endorphins and dopamine, boosting mood and reducing anxiety by up to 30% in some studies (Psychoneuroendocrinology).
Buffers Stress: It lowers cortisol and adrenaline, reducing emotional strain that can contribute to heart disease risk (Stanford University research).
Fosters Connection: Shared laughter strengthens social bonds, increasing feelings of trust and emotional resilience by activating oxytocin release.
Improves Mood Long-Term: Regular laughter is linked to a 20% lower risk of depression, which is closely tied to heart health (European Heart Journal).
Did you know?
Watching a 20-minute comedy show or talking to a funny friend can lower stress as much as a 15-minute silent meditation.
What are you waiting for?
Laughter is more than just a moment of joy, it’s a powerful elixir for both physical and emotional well being. By improving circulation, reducing stress, and fostering connection, laughter serves as a natural, accessible way to nurture your heart. So, embrace the giggles, hang out with your funny friends, share a joke, and/or watch your favorite comedy feed. You and your heart will thank you for it.
Mind You + Food
Soul Cravings and Recipes from the Departed
For over two decades, I have supported clients, students, and community members through birth, life, and death transitions. One fascinating observation is how souls who have passed on crave foods they can no longer experience. Yet, their mind stream, their soul, is drawn to the familiarity and memories embedded in their eternal being.
Before meeting with a family or individual for a grief session after a loved one’s passing, the departed soul often connects with me in dreams and then in my waking state. What astonishes me, even after all these years, are the specific cravings they inspire me to create or buy foods (I do not eat). Sometimes, it’s a dish I’ve never tasted, which makes it stand out. When I ask the client, “Did your mom love .…?” the answer is always yes. The specificity of these cravings is remarkable.
I’ve also noticed this phenomenon in young children. They crave foods from a past life or light up with joy when tasting something familiar from before. These soul memories serve as conduits for comfort, communication from the unseen, and a simple way to connect with those who have crossed over.
This pattern extends to mothers carrying a soul (a baby) within them. During pregnancy, they often crave foods their baby’s soul yearns for, reflecting a profound connection to memories beyond this life.
So, if you suddenly experience an unusual craving, pause and reflect: Is this me or who could this be? It might be an ancestor, family or friend, from another time.
This reflection inspires me to share a recipe from a family member who recently passed. I’ve been preparing a series of dishes she loved, sparked by subconscious moments that make me chuckle and whisper, “I cook recipes for the dead.” I’m grateful for this unique gift. While I cannot speak for these souls in transit, I sense that fulfilling these cravings offers them comfort as they navigate the in-between.
Transcendence
These soul-inspired cravings remind us that love and connection transcend physical boundaries. By honoring these culinary memories, we build a bridge to those who have passed, finding comfort and communion in the simple act of cooking and sharing their favorite foods. In this way, food becomes a sacred thread, weaving the eternal with the present, guiding us toward transcendence.
Pan-Crisped Potatoes with Tilapia & Cabbage Slaw
In Loving Memory of Sylvia, Queen of Fried Fish & CA Tacos
Ingredients
Potatoes:
- New potatoes, sliced
- Himalayan pink salt & black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Slaw:
- Shredded cabbage
- Chopped sweet peas
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Black pepper
Tilapia:
- Tilapia fillets
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Himalayan pink salt & black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp fresh pesto (+ extra for serving)
- Cloud 23 habanero hot sauce
Instructions
1. Potatoes: Heat skillet with 1 tbsp each olive oil & butter. Add halved potatoes, cut side down, season with salt & pepper. Cook 8-10 min, flipping halfway, until crispy. Keep warm.
2. Slaw: Mix cabbage, peas, cucumber, lemon juice, & pepper in a bowl. Toss & set aside.
3. Tilapia: Pat fillets dry, season with salt, pepper, & lemon juice. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet. Sear fish 2-3 min per side, adding 1 tbsp pesto per fillet after flipping. Cook until flaky.
4. Serve: Plate potatoes, slaw, & tilapia. Top fish with extra pesto & a drizzle of hot sauce.
5. Enjoy with love, honoring Sylvia’s passion for fresh fish & tacos and/or someone like her.
Notes: Adjust seasoning & hot sauce to taste. Serve with joy! Sylvia…Sail free, thank you for the memories and fire side chats.
Rosa Californica
Cooling with Rose Hips: A Nature’s Gift for Summer
Rose Hips, California Rose. Guided by Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and nature’s wisdom, I recommend clients choose foods and herbal supplements sourced locally and suited to their constitution. In summer, or for those with a naturally hot disposition, cooling the body is vital. Rose hips, abundant locally and worldwide, are ideal when sourced nearby. Enjoy them as rose hip sun tea or a hydrosol mist to balance inner heat.
Why Rose Hips Are Cooling:
Pitta-Pacifying (Ayurveda): Rose hips balance Pitta dosha with their astringent and sweet qualities, reducing excess heat and inflammation, calming the body and supporting heart health (Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2018).
Clears Heat (TCM): In TCM, rose hips clear excess heat from the Liver and Heart meridians, soothing irritability and promoting calm. Their sour and slightly cool nature harmonizes Qi, cooling the body (Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2019).
Hydrating and Calming: Rose hips’ gentle diuretic effect promotes hydration, flushing excess heat, while their soothing properties ease heat-related agitation, nurturing emotional balance (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2016).
Ultimately, rose hips, like laughter’s joyful echo, cool and nurture the body and soul. If you are overheated (emotionally, physically, mentally and/or spiritually) you might want to weave this treasure into your summer routine. This simple effort can help you align with nature’s rhythms, fostering vitality and joyful-peace.
Organic Summer SUNdries
S U M M E R A F T E R S U N | B O D Y B A L M + R O S E H Y D R O M I S T
All these ‘Beauty Is’ wellness products are hand made in small batches by me, Suzanne. They are organic, local/semi-local ingredients and made with love. Earth friendly containers are used for packaging. I love making small batches of seasonal goods, for both your inner or outer world. These two are infused with nutrient food for your skin and supportive of the summer season. Their scent is not over powering so that you can combine it effortlessly with any other scents you love to wear regularly. Please send me a message if you want to learn more about these or the rest of the summer sundries.
Organic After Sun Body Balm | Rich & healing balm for body, with gentle natural tint
Ingredients: (All Organic): Kukui Nut Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cacao Powder, Kona Coffee Extract, Sunflower Oil, cold-pressed
Organic After-Sun Hydromist | Cooling, calming mist for sun-exposed skin
Ingredients (All Organic): Rose Water Hydrosol, Beauty Water 6.5PH, Sunflower Oil, cold pressed, Rose-hip Oil and Beet Root Fermented
In the spirit of our collective need for GOOD NEWS to uplift our mental and emotional well-being, I found these stories yesterday and today. While my heart offers prayers daily for all suffering to end in the collective realization that love is the key to freeing us all, until we reach and sustain this state of being, here are a few stories to warm your heart and mind.
Amazon Rainforest Restoration: Indigenous leaders from the Amazon partnered with UK conservationists to restore rainforests, planting trees and reviving ecosystems. Their collaboration fosters biodiversity and hope, showing how unity heals the planet, much like shared giggles uplift the soul. Team work. GO amazon (forest). (Positive News, June 24, 2025).
India’s Green Hydrogen Buses: In Leh, India, five hydrogen fuel cell buses powered by solar energy now operate, cutting 350 tonnes of CO₂ yearly—equivalent to planting 13,000 trees. This initiative brings clean transport to high altitudes, harmonizing technology with nature’s rhythm (X Post, June 19, 2025).
Colombia’s Marine Reserve: Colombia created a new Caribbean marine reserve, protecting coral reefs and wildlife. This sanctuary nurtures ocean life, reflecting the heart’s and ocean’s resilience when we work together, preserving Earth’s beauty for future generations (X Post, June 17, 2025).
May each moment be filled with Blissful JOY, Peace and a lot of LAUGHTER. .sT