Choices. High Road.
Soul Food
"Who acts in stillness finds stillness in his life."Lao Tzu
Full Moon Arrived: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 5:53 AM PST, continuing in Lunar Cycle 13. At the Equator, we are entering Cycle 12.
Sol + Luna Cycles: The Winter/Summer Full Moon Musings, Silent Meditation, and Sound-Electromagnetic Therapy. If inspired, pause, be, and listen.
Contemplation: What road are you ready to travel? Are you in harmony with your soul? Where can your soul serve self? Others?
Time Stamp: Dharma Moon Musing at 0, Meditation at :19:00, Sound :44:00 and Outro 1:22:00
Heart + Mind Food
The Masks
Society is filled with perceptions that tell us who we are, how we should look and act. To fit into the society around us, we categorize ourselves based on our personal and global experiences. Over time we all start to wear different masks. The identities that we arm ourselves with become our protection and our primary direction in our day-to-day lives. Our masks create our “outer self” but to find the truth of who we are, we have to look beyond the masks we wear.
Let me give you an example, I wear a lot of different hats during a given day; I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wellness practitioner, a friend, a teacher, a designer, a writer, and the list goes on. Within each of these identities, I have created many different experiences. These experiences contain the opportunity for a greater understanding of how and why I am are participating in these roles. As I go through my life, I have two choices: to operate from my ego only or to operate from my soul. When we operate solely from our ego, we become attached to our masks and what they have come to mean to our inner and outer worlds: ‘I am my job; I am my kids’ accomplishments; I am your opinion of me.’ When you begin to operate from the soul level, however, you are melding your “outer self” with your inner spirit. You recognize that your true self is beyond the masks you wear. The union between these two aspects of self are what enables you to heal, forgive and move forward in life with awareness. The end result is balance, joy, compassion and love in your daily life. As I surrendered to myself, by accepting the gift to take time for myself, I began to meld my “outer self” with my soul. I came to recognize the masks I shielded myself with and started to discover the aspects of myself I had misplaced or had been afraid to serve myself and others with.
Osho, an Indian philosopher and controversial ‘guru’, articulated that the whole person is Buddha (the inner self—your spirit) and Zorba the Greek (the outer self—you) in union with each other. Without this union, you are merely operating as a half. The secret to life is to find a way to enjoy your journey no matter what is put before you, much like Zorba the Greek celebrated life, while at the same time embracing your inner silence and stillness, like Buddha. As Osho explained, this can only be authentically achieved when you cultivate and awaken your soul and meld it with your outer identity you have constructed thus far. When this union occurs, you start truly experiencing the freedom and joy which exist in your life and in the world around you.
This process will allow you to move on and make changes in your life. You have to be ready to let go of your past and your attachments to the future and simply live in the present moment. If you feel completely satisfied but want more from life, then this process will allow you to explore and transform both your internal and external self. For each person, the result and the journey will be different; however, rest assured it will unfold exactly as it should. The one thing I can guarantee is that no matter what path your life takes it will begin to feel fluid and effortless. You will be living out your life purpose filled with bliss. On a global level, when you start to heal and let go you will begin to connect with your life purpose-your dharma-you will experience an inner peace which inevitably has the potential to expand to universal peace.
Want to Read More? Go Here. . . Continue on page 29
Body Food
Tibetan Foot Treatment
One of my favorite treatments to offer my local clients is this winter foot soak. During the colder months, it’s a simple way to nourish your feet and warm your body. While I haven’t mastered teleporting to all your homes yet, you can enjoy a modified version of the treatment I’ve created for yourself.
Simple Tibetan Foot Soak for Winter
Winter can leave your feet cold and tired. This easy Tibetan-inspired foot soak warms them up, boosts blood flow, and helps you unwind. It uses basic ingredients based on old traditions of staying warm and balanced.
What You Need:
Ginger: 2 tablespoons (dried or fresh, sliced)—warms your feet.
Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon (sticks or ground)—adds heat and a nice smell.
Himalayan Salt: ½ cup—relaxes your muscles.
Hot Water: 6-8 cups—to make the soak.
Basin: A big bowl or bucket for your feet.
Towel: To dry off.
Steps:
Heat the Water: Boil 6-8 Cups
Mix It Up: Put the ginger, cinnamon, and Epsom salt in the basin.
Then, pour the hot water over them. Stir a bit and wait 5-10 minutes for everything to blend.Cool It Down: Add some cold water (about 4 cups) until it’s warm—not too hot—around 100-110°F.
Soak Your Feet: for 20-25 minutes. Add a little hot water if it cools off, but be careful.
Finish: Dry your feet with a towel. Rub on some lotion, then wear warm socks to stay comfy.
Winter Tips:
Do this 2-3 times a week for cold feet or relaxation.
Skip it if your feet have cuts, sores or pregnant—ask a doctor if unsure.
Sip hot tea while soaking to feel extra warm.
Why It Helps:
Ginger and cinnamon heat you up, Himalayan salt eases stiffness, and the warm water gets your blood flowing—great for winter chill. Winter foot baths don’t always need heat, especially if your body runs HOT. Cooling herbs can ease swelling, calm irritated skin, or balance warmth from heaters or stress. Modify this simple recipe with cooling herbs for a refreshing soak that still feels good in cold months. Substitute the ginger and cinnamon with peppermint and chamomile.
Mind You + Food
Cut Out Cookies (passed down recipe from BFF’s Grandma)
Growing up, my best friend’s grandparents visited a few times a year. Her grandmother always brought a box of cookies—Hungarian treats filled with love. The memory of eating them never fails to bring a smile to my face. May they bring one to yours too.
Ingredients
5 - 3/4 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1-1/2 sticks sweet butter
1- 1/2 C. Sugar
5 Eggs
Instructions
Sift flour, baking powder and slat into a bowl. Add softened butter and crumble well.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs and sugar; pour into flour mixture.
Work first in the bowl and then on a board. Knead until the dough is smooth.
Form and ball and return to the bowl. Cover with wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Divide the dough into 4 sections. On a floured board, roll out 1 section at a time to about 1/8 inches in thickness. Cut forms with cookie cutters.
Bake on lightly greases sheet for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. Then, reduce to 325 F and bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden.
Store in a metal box. You can add a simply powder sugar glaze with a cacao drizzle.
Winter Crops
Winter’s chill can’t stop kohlrabi, kale, and radishes from grabbing the seasonal spotlight. Kohlrabi, that funky green bulb, packs a crisp, juicy punch—think apple meets turnip with a sassy edge. It’s loaded with vitality to boost your immune system and fiber to keep things running smoothly. Then there’s kale, the leafy queen who scoffs at snow, delivering iron, antioxidants, and bold vibes to keep your blood pumping and skin glowing. Add radishes—those spicy little gems—bursting with crunch, vitamin K, and a kick to shake off your winter blues. Together, this trio struts through the cold, daring you to dive into their crunchy, nutrient-dense glory. So grab these in-season allies—roast ‘em, toss ‘em, or eat ‘em raw.
Winter’s shorter days demand you ditch the laze and spice things up!
As winter blankets parts of the world in cold and snow, an orange emerges as a vibrant ally for the mind, body, and heart. This humble citrus fruit, bursting with flavor and nutrients, offers a natural remedy to balance the seasonal challenges, delivering benefits that uplift mental clarity, bolster physical resilience, and nurture cardiovascular health.
For the mind, oranges provide a much-needed boost during the dreary winter months. Rich in vitamin C—about 70 milligrams per medium fruit—oranges support the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and combat the winter blues. The act of peeling an orange releases a refreshing citrus scent, known to reduce stress and invigorate the senses. With shorter days draining mental energy, the natural sugars in oranges provide a quick, sustained energy lift, enhancing focus and alertness.
The body, too, finds solace in oranges as winter strains immunity and vitality. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system protecting you from colds and flu. Its antioxidant properties stop oxidative stress from dry air and indoor heating, protecting your cells and promoting skin health. Oranges also deliver folate and potassium, supporting energy metabolism and muscle function, which can wane with reduced activity. The fruit’s high water content aids hydration, countering the dehydrating effects of heated spaces, while its fiber promotes digestion, often sluggish in winter’s heavier diets.
For the heart, oranges shine as a cardiovascular champion. Their potassium—about 240 milligrams per fruit—helps regulate blood pressure, countering sodium-heavy winter comfort foods. Flavonoids like hesperidin enhance blood vessel function, reducing inflammation and improving circulation, critical when sedentary habits creep in. By supporting endothelial health, oranges help maintain efficient blood flow, delivering oxygen and warmth to extremities chilled by winter’s bite. The antioxidants also protect against LDL cholesterol oxidation, a risk heightened by holiday indulgences, fostering long-term heart resilience.
In essence, an orange is a winter warrior, weaving together mental clarity, physical vigor, and heart health with every juicy bite. Whether eaten fresh, juiced, or paired with warming spices, it’s a simple, affordable way to thrive through the season, proving that nature’s gifts can sustain us even in the coldest times.
Liquid COURage
