Our Body...Our Temple

I've been pondering on this subject of the health of the body. Each of us came to earth to receive a body and because we came to a fallen world, an imperfect body. A body that is a gift that houses our Divine Spirit. Everything that we think, Act and Do imprints on our temple. A temple is an honor and a gift and how we care for it will lift or hurt the progression of our spirit. We will never have a perfect body as the world portrays and sells and our intent should not be to try to gain the applause and eyes of the world. We do have control over our choices of how we care for our temple. Our temple needs daily and constant good nourishment to the body, mind, heart and spirit. Its not just about the food we eat but this does show honor and tender respect to our temple. It includes the thoughts we think and believe, the media we choose to engage in, the type friends we choose to be around, the environment of our home,engaging in wholesome activity and movement, the words we speak, how we succor, serve and listen to the weak, taking time each day to pray ponder and listen to the whispering of the spirit, the clothes we wear and the intention of our heart when we dress our temple, what we allow our ears to hear, eyes to see and our body to feel, and what we put into our temple for food also is important in a spirit of gratitude. We are not here to claim health to parade our beauty and strength and then sit back in our grandeur..it is a blessing to get up, to move and to serve our fellowmen. I believe the health of our body can be quickened by the spirit and that our health is not only determined by our choices but also by what God wills our body to do and the work He has sent us here to accomplish. Our Body is a Temple,
a beautiful gift from our Heavenly Father, may we choose to care for it as such and then use it to bless and lift the lives of our Brothers and Sisters here on earth.

Summer Name Salad

This is a Vietnamese type of salad served with buckwheat soba noodles and your choice of marinated protein. I love this salad... it reminds me of an Asian one I loved as a child with ginger dressing:)

Summer name Salad 

Ashley Lisonbee

 Protein:

Juice of 1 lime

1 tsp real salt

2 tsp coconut sugar

dash of cayenne

3 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

Choice of protein

2 tbsp olive oil

*put all ingredients into a ziplock and marinate protein overnight

Noodles:

Buckwheat Soba noodles

*Make according to package, drain and coat with 1 tbsp coconut oil

Shallots:

3 shallots thinly sliced

dash of real salt

coconut oil for frying

*Lightly fry on med the shallots until the onions are slightly toasted and clear

Dressing:

juice of two fresh limes

1 tsp real salt 2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp fresh grated ginger

dash of cayenne

*Combine ingredients and mix well in salad dressing jar

Veggies:

Kale

sliced cucumber

sliced carrots 

juliene zucchini

sliced cabbage or romaine

avocado

Fresh roughly chopped cilantro,basil and mint

To Assemble:

Place noodle and protein in bowl

top wioth veggies and shallots 

drizzle dressing

Enjoy!

Sat Nam,

Routine...with Him?

We all have heard and I post much about the health of the Outer body.  I have pondered, tried to study from references, my schooling and my faith, that the inner vessel is of much if not more importance than the appearance or strength of the outer. As far as routines, we all have been told and are probably trying to practice good self care, hygiene, exercise and eating habits. What I have observed is that when souls put too much emphases on this alone, they become imbalanced and sometimes addicted and or self absorbed. In the scriptures it says that, "Vanity if a vexation of the spirit." In order for us to be truly content, at peace, happy and healthy we have to work on not just our body,but our mind, our heart and our spirit. Its a bit deeper work:) I have found in my own life, that when I am practicing my daily routine with out first connecting to my Maker, I do not experience the growth and peace that I do on days that I do. It has become routine after waking to roll onto my knees, to thank, to ask and to prepare for the day. It has also become routine to close in gratitude to my Maker and connect in the scriptures, or exercise while listening to a conference talk. It has changed my life and mostly when things are really challenging.

 I have learned we are so much weaker when we just rely on our own mortal mind and strength. I have gone through days with no energy to find myself lifted and carried, or if I have a task that seems impossible to create or bear I am strengthened by His power. I do have my daily routines of doing what I can and know to take care of my outer vessel, but I know now..."With God All Things Are Possible," if we will connect to Him, become humble and submissive, and allow greater things to unfold.

Salt Soak

Bathing in Salts is simple effective way to cleanse the body, relieve tension and ease tired muscles after a full day. Dr. Teals Epsom salts are affordable and can be located in almost any local store and online. As a part of a night routine I love to soak in a salt bath and it makes a good soak for kids when they are tired or feeling sick:)

Sat Nam.

Ash.

Ashr Muesli

Ashr Muesli

4 C raw GF Oats, and or raw buckwheat
4-5 C organic coconut milk (or almond)
1/2 C sliced almonds
1/8 C raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower ,sesame and hemp seeds and chia
1/2 C raw shredded org coconut
Sweeten with honey or a bit of coconut sugar and cinnamon to taste:)

Combine all ingredients, let it sit overnight in a large bowl covered in the fridge for at least an hour or leave it overnight for a yummy morning meal. This makes quite a bit, so you can feed your whole family. Top with fresh berries, walnuts or whatever your heart desires:)

Sat Nam, Ash

What's for Lunch?

I often get this question? What do you make everyday? Well here's today's lunch for me and my two kids who are home sick and homeschooling:) It really is different everyday and when people see how I cook they usually say that looks to hard or you cook so fancy.

 The truth is...
 it is simple, fast and I now approach food with a reverence I didn't have before, in fact that is what gives me inspiration to cook, because I would rather be dancing:) Food gives us life..in whatever form it has sacrificed its for us to have energy to do His will. So when I feed me or my families temples (bodies) I try to keep in mind that outlook, and I'll be honest I don't always get grateful responses from my kids. We still try to teach correct principles and let them choose:)
If you find yourself wanting more guidance on how to shop,prep,cook,recipe ideas or store healthy food I would be happy to help.

Sat Nam,Ash

Habit Stacking

Its a new year, which means for many new goal setting. How many have set their goals only to find that they are already lax or have quit all together? Its easy to set them, but to make them a new habit, it takes asking for a higher power to help you change and then attaching this new habit to a cue you already are doing or replacing the old neuro pathway with a new one:) I have done this with many new habits I have wanted to implement or new habits I have to do because my kids rely on me for it. Its easy to set a goal, but try to set an intention. Its east to have expectations or feel the pressure of perfectionism, try practicing acceptance and excellence instead. I am happy to help you set new intentions and crate healthier patterns in private consults if you find yourself needing a support:)

Sat Nam,Ash