Turmeric - Wonder Spice

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Asian food. You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavour or colour curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make medicine. It contains a yellow-coloured chemical called curcumin, which is often used to colour foods and cosmetics.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial, is that they protect our bodies from free radicals. Curcumin happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure, but curcumin also boosts the activity of the body's own antioxidant enzymes.

The neurons are capable of forming new connections, but in certain areas of the brain, they can also multiply and increase in number. One of the main drivers of this process is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain, and Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain.

Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. It improves the function of the endothelium and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease. Arthritis is a common disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Turmeric lattes are steamed milk beverages flavoured with golden turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sometimes even ginger.  The resultant concoction is a soothing, immuno-boosting, caffeine-free hot drink.

Recipe for Turmeric Milk

·         Combine milk, honey, vanilla, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon in a pot.

·         Place over a low heat and whisk until combined.

·         Heat the milk and aromatics until hot.

·         Pour the milk into 2 serving cups and enjoy.

·         Additions: black pepper, cardamom.

Spirit Animal - Eagle

When an eagle appears, you are on notice to be courageous and stretch your limits. Do not accept the status quo, but rather reach higher and become more than you believe you are capable of. Look at things from a new, higher perspective. Be patient with the present; know that the future holds possibilities that you may not yet be able to see. You are about to take flight.

Native Indians saw the Eagle as a symbol for great strength, leadership and vision., and the eagle has been used as a 'banner' by many of the great empires throughout history, from Babylon to Egypt, through to Rome and even the United States. In the ancient Aztec tradition, the chief god would tell his people to settle at a place where they find an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake, and this place is now Mexico City. The God Zeus changed into the form of the eagle to assist himself to control thunder and lightning. The eagle was a strong emblem in the Roman Empire. It may not be coincidence that such different cultures across thousands of years have adopted the same symbol.

The eagle is said to be chief over all the winged creatures, and conveys the powers and messages of the spirit. The Eagle is man's connection to the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. The Eagle brings the message of renewed life because it is associated with the east winds - the direction of spring, dawn and rebirth.

If you are going through a hard time, eagle not only signals a new beginning, but provides you with the stamina and resilience to endure the difficulties. If eagle has appeared, it heralds that freedom and courage is there for you to look ahead. If you have the Eagle as a Spirit Animal, you are seen as visionaries, and those who are willing to push the limits of self-discovery and personal freedom.

When Eagle appears to you it means that you are being put on notice, as it will appear to push you to reach higher and become more than you think you are capable of.

The lesson that the Eagle can teach you is that you must have the courage to relinquish stale and comfortable habits and beliefs to soar into unknown realms and new realities - continually expanding your view. Now is the time to take full responsibility for your life and be prepared for instant destiny. As your spiritual awareness increases, the positive and negative ramifications will become more immediate and have greater force.

Ask for eagle help when:

•  The details of day-to-day living have you feeling weighed down and you have lost sight of the larger perspective.
• You are faced with a number of tough choices regarding work, relationships or life transitions.
•  You feel you are expending way too much energy to get the job done.

Access eagle's power by…

• Being patient. Know that this animal spirit guide does not come easily or immediately.
• Each evening, recording a list of 10 things for which you are grateful that happened that day. Do this every night for at least 21 days.
• Go to an area where you can observe all that is below - the top of a tall building, a hilltop - and take in as much as you can. Take several slow, deep breaths as you do.

Blessings

Helen xoxx

Transformation Through Tarot - The Hierophant

The Hierophant – Five

Upright: Religion, group identification, conformity, tradition, beliefs

Reversed: Restriction, challenging the status quo

The Hierophant is the final leg of the triad and he represents Spirit, and this card is all about beliefs whether this is religious or otherwise. The Hierophant can also stand for groups of more than one person, and in the majority of cases he is better represented by an institution than by a single person. This is because his is the power of the group and the society, who change the world to fit their beliefs.

When the Hierophant appears it will often be in the form of a teacher or a mentor, who do not need to be of a spiritual or mystical background; as an employer training a new employee in the operation of a business is as much a Hierophant as any religious teacher. But do not make the grave mistake of openly seeking such a teacher - as the old proverb says, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. The Hierophant is also letting us know that sometimes we just need to have faith that things will be working out as they should, it may not be as we want them to be but it will be for our benefit in the long run.

Blessings 

Helen xoxx