Karen Read:  How “I hit him” became “I was framed”

Karen Read: How “I hit him” became “I was framed”

Free Karen Read

  

  Free Karen Read Movement 

Hundreds of supporters have rallied around Karen Read demanding justice after she was charged with the murder of boyfriend John O’Keefe. Karen Read’s defense has gone to the media to get the message out, that things aren’t what they seem in this case.  Karen is accused of mowing her boyfriend down with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die in a bomb cyclone outside of another police officer’s home in January of 2022.  Karen claims she dropped him off and never heard from him again.  The 8 people inside the home and 3 outside the home say John O’Keefe never entered the home.  However, the defense claims all evidence points to an ambush of John O’Keefe by one or more people as he entered the home and an attack by the family dog.  Thereafter, his body was planted on the front lawn, in an effort to frame Karen Read.

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“Hos Long to Die in Cold” a google search that has been a point of contention throughout this case.  Jennifer McCabe is the star witness for the prosecution, who along with Karen Read and Kerry Roberts made the discovery of John O’Keefe’s body the morning of January 29, 2022.  McCabe was the person who called 911 and voluntarily turned her phone over to police in the days following the death of John O’Keefe.   Prosecutors used the download of her phone to build the timeline, which ultimately led to the arrest of Karen Read.  A year later, her data was put through a newer version of the Cellebrite software and the defense expert claims that “Hos Long to Die in Cold?” was googled by Jennifer McCabe at 2:27am hours before the body was discovered.  The prosecution’s experts claim, that search happened in the morning around 6:24am when the body was discovered. Now its very clear that the search did happen at 6:24am, a search mispelled the same exact way, but this new version of Cellebrite is analyzing write ahead logs (wal files) which are temporary files that store tab data before its committed to the database.  I fully expect this to be a battle of the experts at trial, but there is no precedent when it comes to using these wal files and the associated timestamps, but can they convince a jury to trust an untested analysis of this technology?  

Where’s Chloe? 

Autopsy photos were leaked by the defense through turtleboy in which they are claiming his injuries are clearly dog bites.  The prosecution has several witnesses from first responders, emergency room doctors, and medical examiners all testifying that these are impact abrasions and his cause of death was blunt force trauma and hypothermia.  The number of people willing to bet their life that these are dog bites is rather astounding, considering the wounds are linear and look nothing like a dog attack.  Will the jury be more willing to believe medical experts or slick LA Lawyer, Alan Jackson?   After all, he did exonerate Kevin Spacey. 

–  The Whistleblower 

The defense claimed that a whistleblower came forward and named Brian Albert (Homeowner) and Colin Albert (nephew) as potential suspects.  Steven Scanlon a long time friend of Brian Albert reached out to Karen Read after hearing about her arraignment and offered his PI services.  There is audio of Turtleboy questioning Scanlon who is completely dumb founded as to how he was being named as a whistleblower.  He did not even know who Colin Albert was.  With that Turtleboy continued to claim that Colin Albert was the murderer with zero corroborating evidence.  Rumor has it that the prosecution has digital evidence showing Colin Albert left the home before John O’Keefe and Karen Read arrived.  Is Steve Scanlon on the witness list for the defense?

The Plow Guy

Lucky Loughrin popped up as the guy who plowed the road, and never saw a body on the front lawn that night.  We know that he was interviewed by the FBI, but was never asked to testify in front of the Grand Jury.  Lucky claims to have begun his shift around 2am that night and did several passes by the Fairview Rd home.  He claims that if there was a body there he would’ve seen it 100%.  Furthermore, he claims that he didn’t go down the street because there was a Ford Edge parked right in front of where the body was laying.  David Yanetti jumped at the opportunity to say in open court that Colin Albert owned a Ford Edge, implicating him even further. 

Unfortunately, for the defense Lucky’s states that the Ford Edge was light in color, and Colin’s is black.  But the Free Karen Reader’s claim that this is because he’s color blind.  Light dark color blind?  Is that a real thing?  I guess we’ll find out. Another problem is that the defense claims that it was barely even snowing when John O’Keefe was found and there was only an inch on the ground.  At the same time, saying that Lucky Loughran made several passes plowing the less than 1 inch of snow?  We still don’t know why the feds didn’t have him testify in front of the grand jury.  It seems that some other information we aren’t privy to must’ve come out regarding his claims.

The Feds are Coming!

We’ve been promised a SWAT team swooping in and arresting the real killers for almost a year now….and well, that didn’t happen.  The feds released 3000 pages of documentation on their investigation.  While we don’t have access to what was in those documents, we can judge based on what the defense chose to use in their motion to dismiss.  Personal conversations of the lead detective with witnesses, late night conversations amongst witnesses, more expert comments on the Google Search and John O’Keefe’s injuries.  So apparently, they didn’t discover that he was killed inside the house and this was a massive coverup.  But nothing will deter the Free Karen Readers. 

This narrative was pushed relentlessly by Turtleboy, a self-proclaimed “Award Winning Journalist” who has covered stories like the “Burlington Mall Fupaslug Panhandler” and “Providence Fupa Mom”.   Where he attacks people’s looks and berates people.  This isn’t journalism this is bullying and hate with a sprinkling of journalism every once in a while.    His loyal minions never question the motives of Turtleboy and absolutely love when he gives them a new person to harass and hate.  Enter Karen Read, who gave them a lot of people to hate, since she’s claiming everyone this side of the Mississippi was involved in framing her for murder.  In the beginning, I thought Turtleboy had finally broken a real story and evolved into a real journalist…boy was I wrong. 

Millennial Grit: 20 years of Economic Abuse

Millennial Grit: 20 years of Economic Abuse

The oldest millennials born into the Reagan era were taught to “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps” and “Hard work pays off”. Little did we realize we were being groomed for a lifetime of economic abuse. We saw our parents working blue collar jobs with the ability to afford a home and a family, so we didn’t question anything. “College is the only way!” was pounded into our heads by every adult, but we were ready for that hard work. However, we soon realized wages were not livable, and we saw George W Bush elected as president while being unable to form a single coherent sentence. Had we been Punk’d?

9/11

The September 11th attacks changed our realities and marked the beginning of an era of Fear. Thousands of citizens were killed, and the world was changed forever. The oldest group of millennials began to deconstruct the whitewashed history they were taught. Thus, the first wave of awakenings broadened.

The war on terror was particularly hard on Millennials who were attached to family members and friends enlisted in the military. While millennials saw humanity at its best as people came together to support our troops. At the same time, we saw a rift develop within our own country though conflicting nightly news coverage.

Low wages and limited opportunities forced many into credit traps, while the opioid epidemic began consuming friends and family. Maybe, college was the only ticket to prosperity?

The Great Recession

On September 15, 2008 the U.S. Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission issued The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report which explained that “the bursting of the housing bubble was due to” a “combination of factors,” including a “widely held view that house prices would continue to increase indefinitely” and a loan process known as “stated income, verified assets” in which the borrower stated his or her income and assets without providing proof. (Library of Congress, 2011)

The recession was not limited to housing values. In December 2007, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) announced that the U.S. had been in a recession since December 2007, the longest recession since World War II. The 2008 financial crisis hit Millennials just as they began their careers and became increasingly attached to debt. Consequently, many who initially opted out of college were forced to reconsider as more jobs evaporated into thin air.

Education Cartel

Millennials were told by parents and teachers that if they worked hard, got good grades and got a college education, they would be rewarded. Hence, record numbers of millennials enrolled in college as tuition skyrocketed. A bachelors’ degree became a prerequisite for most careers. This essentially forced Millennials into college while universities gouged them with tuition costs. In the end, after completing their end of the deal by completing college, Millennials realized they’d been led down the wrong path.

In 2010, the Occupy Wall Street movement began, it was a natural fit for Millennials. Young people were against corporate greed and clearly saw that they had been robbed of a future by the older generations. As banks were being bailed out due to predatory lending practices that caused the housing crisis, they targeted a new group of debtors.

Schools and universities saw the desperation for jobs and income and gouged working-class kids with high tuition costs. Afterward, student loan balances ballooned due to poor job prospects and income-based repayment plans. Thus, student loans have become nothing more than a tax on the poor, and a strategic way to prevent class mobility.

Toxic Job Market & Wage Stagnation

Wage Stagnation
The hard work indoctrination was a way to keep us on the hamster wheel, chasing the dollar. Why are we still letting them run the country and our futures into the ground?

Millennials entered the workforce during a time of great layoffs, outsourcing and low job prospects. Companies that traditionally offered good benefits and advancement opportunities disappeared. Meanwhile, the new corporate model revolved around outsourcing, unpaid internships or part-time jobs to gain experience. Wages remained historically low as cost of living steadily increased. Millennials were forced to take on additional debt and side hustles to survive.

Unable to save money; Millennials were spending every penny on basic living expenses (rent, food, bills) with no disposable income. Corporations began requiring a bachelor’s degree for jobs that historically never required education, creating greater demand for education.

Long Road to Recovery…Economic Abuse Continues

Economic Abuse

According to Pew Research, nearly half of Millennials live in or near poverty. Due to the low wage environment, and income-based loan repayment options, Student debt is now $1.3 trillion. This puts Millennials at risk for being financially unable to reach life milestones such as marriage and children.

According to CNN Money: “Almost half (46 percent) say their expenses outweigh their income…68 percent said it would be tough to come up with $2,000 in an emergency. And one in four said they wouldn’t be able to cover the bare necessities of food, rent and utilities.” The economy today has led Millennials to face debt, instability and housing problems. Many are unable to buy homes because of the high cost, leading them to live with their parents or double up with roommates.

Qualifying for a mortgage with student loan debt is another huge obstacle. The calculation of student loans in the Debt-to-Income ratio disqualifies many from buying homes. Not to mention, many times the monthly mortgage is significantly less than their current rent. Thus, creating an economic trap that keeps people enslaved to a predatory system.

A recent PYMNTS Report shows: 70 Percent of Millennials live paycheck to paycheck. 53 Percent of Upper Income American live Paycheck to Paycheck. Therefore, if they get sick or injured, bills will go unpaid, health insurance will be lost, and they will quickly fall into poverty.

Broken Healthcare System

The Affordable Care Act did little to help young adults gain affordable healthcare. The price for insurance has skyrocketed since ACA was implemented, while coverage remains low in many areas.

Healthcare costs are suppressing wages through employer taxes, Medicare, and a host of other channels being used to fund our broken healthcare system. Current estimates project Millennials will spend 2/3 of their entire lifetime earnings on healthcare. Further, Millennials are contributing the largest amount into healthcare at this time, yet we are the group most likely to refuse a necessary medical treatment due to cost.

Millennials are known for setting the trend for healthier eating and exercise. However, a recent study, in the American Journal of Epidomiology shows that millennial health is far worse than our parents at the same age. Millennials in the US, live in the only industrialized nation that imposes severe financial hardship for necessary health services. For this reason, we are at a much greater disadvantage compared to peers in the rest of the world.

Boundless Millennial is hoping to help more millennials gain a better understanding of their bodies and health. Living happier fuller lives will lead to better health and prevention of disease. We know overworking causes illness, but we are being forced to struggle due to the economic climate our parents created. Further, once the chronic illness switch is flipped on in a rapacious country like the US, your financial situation devolves quickly. We need to act now before the system devours all of us.

The Pandemic

8 million new people fell into poverty while the wealthiest Americans became 40% richer.

Millennials received relief during the pandemic with the freezing of student loan payments and interest. However, we were already underpaid in our professions which led to exhaustion of what little savings we did have. According to Pew Research Center, 35% of Americans between ages 18 and 29, and 30% of those between ages 30 and 49 say they, or someone in their household, has lost their job.

Data on the CARES Act shows that it did help keep many Americans out of poverty. However, with the disclosure of the 800 billion in PPP loan recipients, its apparent that working millennials aren’t represented politically. Donald Trump’s top lawyer received between 5 and 10 million according to SBA data, (Maynard, 2022). Tenants in real estate owned by Trump and Kushner received over 3 million (Melby and Nasiripour, 2020). Kanye West received around 2 million. (Gross, 2020). If this doesn’t enrage you, I don’t know what will.

Boomer Greed and Gaslighting

More millennials are awakening to the fact that Boomers value greed and exploitation.
Contrarily, millennials find value in personal growth, humanity, and equity.

Boomer greed has killed unions, emboldened corporate America and dismantled the American Dream. Boomers enjoy great return on investment while sabotaging American workers. Boomer policy forces millennials into perpetual debt and exploits their labor. We now have 1% of Americans owning 40% of all wealth, at the expense of citizens.

The older generations have failed millennials, leaving us in dire financial straits with no help on the horizon. Moreover, our future depends entirely on how much change we can create in our predacious system. The first step is to vote out these fascist idealogues and replace them with fresh minds that value economic equity and human rights.

End the Economic Abuse Now

economic abuse

We need everyone’s voice to make change happen. The time is now for us to take action together by voting out our oppressors. We have the opportunity to pave our own path towards prosperity and success if we remove those who refuse change.

Everyone has read an article or watched a segment where boomers ridicule millennial values. “They only want to talk about feelings”, which is exactly how abusers silence victims. In fact, this was a continuation of the abuse many of us faced as children which has been largely successful in keeping us quiet and compliant.

But what’s that rumble? That’s the sleeping giant, awakening…

Follow and share to unite for the sake of humanity

Citations

Caleb, M. and Nasiripour, S., 2022. Trump Associates and Members of His Administration Received Millions in Loans From Coronavirus Bailout. [online] Time. Available at: <https://time.com/5863616/trump-ppp-bailout-loans/> [Accessed 19 February 2022]. 

Gross, E., 2022. Billionaire Kanye West’s Yeezy Received A Multimillion-Dollar PPP Loan. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2020/07/06/billionaire-kanye-wests-yeezy-received-a-multimillion-dollar-ppp-loan/?sh=241f1d096a03> [Accessed 19 February 2022].

Hui Zheng, Paola Echave, Are Recent Cohorts Getting Worse? Trends in US Adult Physiological Status, Mental Health, and Health Behaviors Across a Century of Birth Cohorts, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 190, Issue 11, November 2021, Pages 2242–2255, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwab076

Maynard, M., 2022. PPP data, finally released by the SBA, shows that millions of US taxpayer dollars went to businesses tied to the likes of Jared Kushner, Mitch McConnell, and Devin Nunes, in what can best be described as a corporate looting free-for-all. [online] Mark Maynard. Available at: <http://markmaynard.com/2020/07/ppp-data-finally-released-from-the-sba-shows-that-millions-of-us-taxpayer-dollars-went-to-businesses-tied-to-jared-kushner-mitch-mcconnell-etc/> [Accessed 19 February 2022].

United States Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. (2011) The financial crisis inquiry report: final report of the National Commission on the Causes of the Financial and Economic Crisis in the United States. [Washington, DC: Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission: For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O] [Web.] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/2011381760.

10 Ancient Miracle Herbs for Life

10 Ancient Miracle Herbs for Life

Since ancient times, Ayurvedic herbs have been used as a primary form of medicine. These herbal supplements are effective at treating a wide variety of ailments, and recent studies prove that these natural medicines are in fact beneficial to human health. The following is a brief overview of some areas where traditional Indian herbs have been proven beneficial. Included are links to the scientific studies that support these statements.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

“Phytochemical analysis of turmeric has revealed a large number of compounds, including curcumin, volatile oil, and curcuminoids, which have been found to have potent pharmacological properties.” (NCBI, 2011)

Turmeric is an herb in the ginger family and is the most commonly known of the Ayurvedic herbs. It has been used for thousands of years as a spice in Indian cuisine. The plant contains curcuminoids, substances which are known to have antioxidant properties. Studies indicate turmeric may also prevent cancerous cells from growing. Data also suggests benefits to fight depression, diabetes, viral infections, PMS, high cholesterol, IBS, Acne & Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

“Use of ginger appears to be safe and its effects are mighty and amazing in its many applications.” (NCBI , 2011)

Ginger is a flowering plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. Ginger shows promising results as an antiemetic treatment during chemotherapy, as well as for many other common ailments such as nausea, muscle spasms, stomach cramps etc.

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

“Studies indicate the daily addition of tulsi to the diet and/or as adjunct to drug therapy can potentially assist in prevention or reduction of various health conditions.” (NCBI , 2017)

Holy basil or Tulsi is very common in India. It can be found growing in many people’s homes. Studies show that it has powerful antioxidant qualities that are very beneficial for preventing cancer. Holy basil may also be helpful in treating osteoarthritis , fungal infections, blood sugar disorders , PMS, headaches, colds & flu.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

“The available scientific research on Foeniculum vulgare has shown that it is an important medicinal plant used in a wide range of ethnomedical treatments, especially for abdominal pains, antiemetic, aperitif, arthritis, cancer, colic in children, conjunctivitis, constipation, depurative, diarrhea, dieresis, emmenagogue, fever, flatulence, gastralgia, gastritis, insomnia, irritable colon, kidney ailments, as a laxative, leucorrhoea, liver pain, mouth ulcer, and stomachache.” (NCBI,2014)

Fennel is a flowering plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. Fennel has been proven effective in treatment for things such as coughs, colds, constipation, and heartburn. It is also highly nutritious with powerful plant compounds that may have cancer fighting properties.

Licorice Root

“Our data demonstrate that licorice root provided improvement of multiple metabolic parameters under conditions of menopausal low estrogen and high-fat diets without stimulating reproductive tissues.” (NCBI, 2016)

Licorice Root is a flowering plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is currently known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also shows positive results in detoxification and protection of the liver. Additionally, studies have documented a hormonal effect similar to the ovarian hormone.

Ashwagandha

“The available scientific data support the conclusion that Ashwagandha is a real potent regenerative tonic.” (NCBI, 2011)

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is currently being studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, infertility in women, and it may also help prevent the effects of aging. Ashwagandha is showing promise for its unique ability to regulate neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin which stabilize moods and reduce anxiety.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardmomun seeds)

“These findings indicate the potential of cardamom as a chemopreventive agent against two-stage skin cancer.” (NCBI, 2012)

Cardamom is a flowering plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties.One study shows that E-3-(E)-beta-ocimene (a compound found in cardamom) exhibits “potent cytotoxic effects” on leukemia cells. Cardamom extract was also shown effective at killing breast cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. Another interesting property of this ancient herb is its ability to kill Helicobacter pylori—the bacteria responsible for most peptic ulcers.

Chamomile Flowers

“Chamomile can help in improving cardiovascular conditions, stimulate immune system and provide some protection against cancer.” (NCBI, 2011)

Chamomile is a flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is most commonly known for its soothing properties.For centuries, chamomile has been known to treat skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also effective at helping wounds heal quickly and it kills germs, which makes it ideal for treating scrapes and cuts. Chamomile can be made into a tea or an ointment, and this herb is frequently recommended by medical herbalists to treat various gastro-intestinal conditions. A cup of strong chamomile tea before bed will not only help you fall asleep faster, but also provide relief from heartburn, stomach cramps caused by indigestion, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), Ulcerative Colitis (UC), hyperacidity and Crohn’s disease.

Warning: Chamomile can interact with certain prescription medications such as blood thinners. Before taking chamomile extract, you should consult your doctor if you take any of the following medications: anticoagulants/blood-thinning agents, antiplatelet drugs, nitroglycerin for heart conditions, diabetes medication and sedatives

Moringa leaf powder or seed oil

“These findings indicate that an aqueous root extract of Moringa oleifera at 750 mg/kg reduces the carrageenin induced oedema to similar extent as the potent anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin.” (NCBI, 2002)

Moringa is a plant that belongs to the Moringaceae family. It has been used in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and is currently known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Moringa has been shown to be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis, cancer and atherosclerosis—a condition where fatty substances build up on the walls of arteries. Studies have also shown that Moringa leaves are effective at treating diabetes. Research shows that the anti-diabetic properties of this herb help to inhibit natural enzymes called glucosidases that interfere with the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels.

Cumin Seeds

“The pleiotropic pharmacological effects of black cumin, and its main bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ), have been manifested by their ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to promote immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, cancer, and so on.” (NCBI, 2021)

Cumin is a flowering plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family . It has been used in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and is currently known for its antioxidant properties . Cumin seeds are known as jeera or jeeragam in South India.

Cumin is extremely rich in antioxidants, which help to prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. One study has shown that cumin extracts are effective at fighting breast cancer cells, and another showed that cumin seeds are helpful in treating tinea infections of the skin.

Conclusion

Our ancestors were able to go thousands of years without developing cases of chronic illness like we see today. It’s likely that traditional herbal remedies played a vital role in their overall health. It’s nothing short of miraculous that 3000 years ago ancient healing systems were developed that are just now being proven by science. Our ingredient index can you help you find products that you want to try containing specific ingredients.

Citations

Badgujar, S. B., Patel, V. V., & Bandivdekar, A. H. (2014). Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology. BioMed research international2014, 842674. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/842674

Bode AM, Dong Z. The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

Hannan MA, Rahman MA, Sohag AAM, Uddin MJ, Dash R, Sikder MH, Rahman MS, Timalsina B, Munni YA, Sarker PP, Alam M, Mohibbullah M, Haque MN, Jahan I, Hossain MT, Afrin T, Rahman MM, Tahjib-Ul-Arif M, Mitra S, Oktaviani DF, Khan MK, Choi HJ, Moon IS, Kim B. Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety. Nutrients. 2021 May 24;13(6):1784. doi: 10.3390/nu13061784. PMID: 34073784; PMCID: PMC8225153.

Jamshidi, N., & Cohen, M. M. (2017). The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2017, 9217567. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/921756

Madak-Erdogan, Zeynep et al. “Dietary licorice root supplementation reduces diet-induced weight gain, lipid deposition, and hepatic steatosis in ovariectomized mice without stimulating reproductive tissues and mammary gland.” Molecular nutrition & food research vol. 60,2 (2016): 369-80. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201500445

Ndiaye M, Dieye AM, Mariko F, Tall A, Sall Diallo A, Faye B. Contribution a l’etude de l’activite anti-inflammatoire de moringa oleifera (moringaceae) [Contribution to the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of Moringa oleifera (moringaceae)]. Dakar Med. 2002;47(2):210-2. French. PMID: 15776678.

Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 13. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

Qiblawi S, Al-Hazimi A, Al-Mogbel M, Hossain A, Bagchi D. Chemopreventive effects of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L.) on chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. J Med Food. 2012 Jun;15(6):576-80. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0266. Epub 2012 Mar 9. PMID: 22404574.

Singh, N., Bhalla, M., de Jager, P., & Gilca, M. (2011). An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM8(5 Suppl), 208–213. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9

Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular medicine reports3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377

You Need to Balance your Dosha Now!

You Need to Balance your Dosha Now!

Western medicine ignores the fact that relationships, emotions, food, activity and stress all play a role in health. Conversely, the Ayurvedic concept of Dosha alignment addresses the body as a complex ecosystem. While, this knowledge has been available for over 3000 years, our society views us as commodities. Therefore, our bodies are treated as machines that need to be kept running in order to continue to work, produce, and pay taxes.

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at a young age. This led me to rely on western medicine the majority of my life. I found that doctors take little effort to investigate the root cause of anything but are quick to prescribe a drug. Only treating a symptom with a chemical creates imbalances in other parts of the body. Which in turn, creates vicious cycle.

Could this be why we have rampant chronic disease in the United States? In this article we will explore how to achieve an optimal state of mental and physical health using ancient wisdom. Chopra has a wealth of articles on Ayurveda and its various healing strategies.

Take Our Free Quiz to Determine your Dominant Dosha

Doshas, Ayurveda, Holistic

The Doshas are present in all of us to varying degrees. There is no good or bad. The doshas are made up of the five elements (water, fire, earth, air, ether). They are the building blocks of the universe and everything you see, touch, taste, smell and hear. These elements govern your physical and mental state and how you interact with everything around you. They also govern the way we think, behave and function. The three doshas are Vata (air & ether), pitta (fire & water), Kapha (earth & water). Everything has its own individual dosha or elemental makeup.   

However, we do have one or two dominant doshas. It is vital to keep these doshas balanced to avoid systemic mental and physical dysfunction. Everything effects this balance from change in seasons to time of day. Take our online quiz to determine your dominant Dosha type!

Vata Dosha = Air + Ether

vata, ayurveda, dosha, holistic

Vata changes quickly like the wind. It is characterized by cold, light, irregular, rough, moving. It is also the ability to think outside the box, beyond the status quo. In ancient times, Vata dominance was associated with mystics, artists, and visionaries.

When balanced this is our go getter and creativity. That drive to achieve and accomplish is Vata speaking. However, unbalanced Vata can result in insomnia, weight loss, constipation, hypertensions, digestive disorders, arthritis, restlessness, anxiety.

To bring Vata into balance one must focus on grounding activities such as yoga or walking in nature. It is important to eliminate stimulants like coffee and alcohol from your diet. For this reason, routine is key to balancing Vata; Get to bed early and rise with the sun. Don’t skip meals. Don’t underestimate the benefits of meditation!

Vata Dosha is at its peak during the fall months when things are changing, aligning it with seasonal affective disorder. Similarly, this dosha peaks each day around 2 – 6 when day becomes night and night becomes day.

Physical traits (Vata): lean bodies, cracking joints, dry skin, cold hands and feet, light sleep, & slow digestion

Vata balancing herbs: Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, thyme, basil, fennel

Vata balancing foods: Winter squash, bananas, beans, soup

Pitta Dosha = Fire + Water

Pitta, Dosha, Ayurveda, Holistic

Pitta is characteristic of transformation, and the fiery nature that lives in all of us. Qualities are stimulating, hot, intense, penetrating, pungent, acidic. The drive to achieve and compete is Pitta talking. Pitta is responsible for decision making, leadership, and strong communication.

When balanced strong digestion, energetic, and great appetite. Conversely, unbalanced Pitta results in skin issues, ulcers, sweating, indigestion, heartburn, blaming, arguing, temperamental moods.

In order to bring balance to this dosha, one should take walks in nature while listening to calming music. Alternatively, spending time with loved ones who help keep you calm and centered. Self-massage with cooling oil. Laughter is very important!

Pita Dosha peaks during the summer and between the hours of 10 – 2 each day. Since Pita is already high during the summer and around lunch time, you should avoid stimulating foods as this will push you out of balance. Accordingly, food that will increase Pita are spicy, peppers, soups, etc. There are great recipes available at Banyan Botanicals for balancing each dosha.

Physical traits (Pitta): medium build, thin hair, good digestion, strong libido, warm body temperature.

Pitta balancing herbs: Cardamom, fennel, tulsi, saffron, coriander

Pitta balancing foods: peppermint, cilantro, cucumbers, green leafy vegetables

Kapha Dosha = Water + Earth

Kapha, Dosha, Ayurveda, Holistic

The Kapha dosha acts as the stabilizer and is responsible for the structural integrity of the body. Qualities are heavy, soft, steady, slow, cold. Hence, Kapha dominance is recognized as sturdy, sound sleep, and strong digestion. Consequently, It is responsible for will power and focus.

Physical traits are thick body type, kind eyes, radiant skin, and thick hair. Whereas Unbalanced Kapha results in weight gain, oversleeping, asthma, diabetes, depression. Refusal to accept facts or question the status quo is Kapha talking.

Balancing Kapha involves waking before sunrise, seeking stimulation of new things, exercising regularly, and stimulating aromatherapy. It is very important to clear clutter often, to avoid hoarding and stagnation.

Kapha peaks in late winter through early spring and during the hours of 6 – 10 each day. If you have trouble waking up in the morning, you should try going to bed before Kapha ends at 10 and waking before Kapha begins at 6.

Physical traits (Kapha): thick body type, kind eyes, radiant skin, and thick hair.

Kapha balancing herbs: Ginger, pepper, mustard seed, cayenne

Kapha balancing foods: Pomegranates, cucumbers, leafy greens

Sound Healing for Better Health

Sound Healing for Better Health

Taking about 1 hour to immerse yourself in sounds and vibrations can give you a major reset. If you accompany this period with movement and breathwork your body and mind will thank you. These are some playlists I use to stop my anxious thoughts and refocus on the tasks at hand. These are designed to accompany Yoga but can be used independently. Sound Healing Playlists follow the traditional arc of Warm Up, Peak, and Cool down. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Benefits of Sound Therapy

  • Boosts the Immune System
  • Increases Brain Activity
  • Repairs Brain Damage
  • Strengthens Sense of Self
  • Evokes memory
  • Reduces Seizures
  • Better Communication
  • Decreases Pain

Warrior Flow

warrior, yoga, health

Overcome fear and get ready to assert yourself in tough situations.

 

 

 

 

 

Motivational Flow

happy, freedom, joy, health

Get comfortable in your own skin and know that you are on the right path.

 

 

 

 

Gentle Release

.Yoga, Relax, Release, Gentle

When you are feeling overwhelmed and just need to calm TF down.