Seeking Support from a Sauna

I am grateful to Christina Brack for offering up her infrared sauna to the lovely people of Port Alberni, BC.   Half-hour sessions in her sauna is one of many services Christina offers in her home-based wellness clinic, Inner Stillness. 

I was in search of an affordable way to help receive some inner stillness, given my unexpected uprooting last week.  With some time to spare in the lovely town of Port Alberni, I stumbled across Christina's place and thought an infrared sauna would be a simple way to support myself.  My time in the sauna was precisely what I needed.  The soft meditative music combined with heat, access to pure water, and a warm shower afterwards felt uplifting and a great form of self-care.  I definitely noticed an increase in energy and overall feeling of well-being post session, and my skin felt soft and smooth.  Apparently infrared saunas are known to help increase blood pressure and promote toxin release. A half-hour session cost $10. 
 
On another note, I am also so so grateful for all the support from my many loved ones during this time.  Given my commitment to my soul's highest purpose, it is essential for me to fully process the big life experiences.  I do that by having a lot of internal dialogue as well as talking things through with others.  Sometimes we need others to point out what we cannot see, and so I thank you all eternally for being a witness to my journey.  And thank you, Christina, for your rapid fire-hot infrared sauna! 

Taking Delight in Fermented Foods

My tummy was singing "hallelujah!" after taking a Food Fermentation Workshop with Sharon Haave, co-founder of Creekside Commons Cohousing in Courtenay, BC.  I have had digestive ailments since my teenage years, and when I found about this workshop all my cells screamed, "yes, you need this workshop!".  I have taken digestive enzymes in the past, especially during times of high stress, though I have found the high quality ones to be quite costly, so I was happy to learn about this alternative.  Actually, I had dabbled a bit with fermentation making kombucha and sauerkraut once, though in my travels over the past year and a half I forgot all about these little digestive gems.

Naturally fermented foods are some of the most nourishing, health restoring foods in the world, and they are tons more cost effective than digestive enzymes.  Furthermore, fermented foods are a wonderful way to build immunity, and they are easy and fun to make in your own kitchen. 

For the workshop we got to play in the Creekside Commons kitchen for a couple hours, tasting various fermented foods and then making a few of them.  My favourite was coconut kefir.  Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food, resembling yoghurt, that is filled with friendly micro-organisms which help balance your “inner ecosystem.” It is more nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, as it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins.

Kefir grains, a symbiotic culture of yeasts and bacteria, are used to make kefir

 It was great to learn how to prepare these highly nutritious and therapeutic foods; however, the biggest realization was the ease at which one can prepare these foods.  Kefir can be prepared in under five minutes - plus the two days it needs to sit in the cupboard. 

I was grateful to receive the kefir starter grains from Sharon, as the kefir starter sold in stores is one-time use only.  Sharon's kefir grains are your forever friends, that is if you treat them kindly.  The more you use them the happier they are, and the more they reproduce.  Thanks, Sharon!

More of Nature's Beauty and Serendipity

I have discovered a theme in my life lately: beauty.  This theme has likely always been there, though I am only beginning to fully realize its importance in my life.  Perhaps my love of beauty is related to all the Libra energy I have in my astrological chart...so I was told upon having my natal chart read.  My understanding is that the astrological sign of Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty and social grace.  

I continue to be awe inspired by the beauty of BC.  Last night I went to visit my friend who is a Park Steward at the Comox Valley Spit, and I got there just in time to view the breathtaking sunset that nature gracefully shared with us. 

I am hoping to be in nature's beauty lots this summer, and having purchased my very own tent today I am happily on my way.  Having lived in a tent for six and a half months last year (in other people's tents) I have been itching for some tent time, especially now with the warmer weather.  To me, sleeping in a tent fosters a close and intimate relationship with nature that is truly special.  I had been periodically checking various local internet sites for a couple months, and it seems few people sell used tents here.  I was feeling a bit frustrated.  Then when I was in Victoria this past weekend I popped into Mountain Equipment Coop and came so close to purchasing a tent, though it just didn't feel right.  Upon my return to the valley I rechecked the local online classified ads, and low and behold there was a sweet little 2-man tent for sale in the area.  What is more sweet is that it is the exact same tent that I lived in while in Ecuador last year.  Same make and model - the one difference is the outside color.  What are the odds?! 

And what are the odds of putting an ad online offering a ride to Victoria last week, and unknown to us both, the woman who I ended up taking lived next door to my friends who I was staying with?  How was that for ease?!

Well I can tell you I am beginning to see the perfection in nature and the universe.  Believe it or not, we can actually influence our "odds" by using focused intention and strengthening our belief in being able to affect an outcome.  For more information on that, check out Lynne McTaggart:www.lynnemctaggart.com 

Of course there are many factors that affect an outcome, though the more I witness the serendipity in my life in big and small ways, the more I believe in the perfection of the universe.  As these experiences continue to pile, I am learning to have faith that everything will work out for the best, and this faith is helping to create a beautiful feeling of peace within.  What a wonderful gift.

We always get what we need...and in perfect timing

Though I have been in British Columbia for almost a year now (wow!), I am still in deep amazement of the beautiful landscapes here.  I think this may last forever!.

The other day I was feeling drawn to be by water so my friend Darwin and I ventured to Comox Lake.  My original intention in going to the lake was to receive some divine inspiration for a particular writing task.  With journal and pen in hand, I was ready to write!  Our timing was perfect.  We soaked up the last bit of sun, admired it setting behind the mountains, sang a couple songs, and watched two sweet little ducks playing in the water together.  I felt completely connected to the elements: earth (trees and sand), air (wind), fire (sun) and water (lake).  Unfortunately, I did not directly receive the divine inspiration for my writing task, and my pen never met the paper that evening.  However, I left with a clear and peaceful mind; it was a great place to start.  It is like Mick Jagger says, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."  Indeed, our silly, fun, and peaceful journey to the lake was exactly what my soul needed that evening. The writing task got completed a couple days later.  Again, it was all in perfect timing.  :o)

Treasure Hunting on Hornby Island - Jackpot!

Last weekend I ventured out to the annual Rock and Gem show in the Comox Valley.  I arrived empty handed and I left with a lovely fire agate necklace and pair of earrings, courtesy of having won one of the door prize draws.  Moreover, I made plans with a few members of the Rock and Gem club to beachcomb the following day on a quaint island two ferry rides away.

A full moon two days prior translated to ultra low tides; the beach was ripe for treasure hunting.  We were in search of fossils, concretions, and baculites.  The second two words I only recently became aware of after spending the day with Russ - Rock Man extraordinaire!  Using the tools I photographed below, a hammer-like thing and a chisel, and some force and skill, one literally cracks the concretion open in hopes of finding a hidden fossil or gem.  Apparently 1 in 20 have some sort of treasure inside, if I recall correctly.  I tried my luck at a few concretions, though they were all empty.  One of the women that came along cracked open a concretion to find a lovely crystal formation inside.  It was rare and exquisite!  I forgot to take a photo...oops.  Here is a sample image of a fossil crab concretion that was found on Vancouver Island so you can get the idea.  

My tired hands, coupled by my amazement at being able to walk so far out on the beach, altered my focus by the afternoon.  I became enthralled by the abundance of aquatic life.

sea cucumber

Sun Fish

star fish

 Russ graciously gifted me with a couple of his finds - a pretty piece of petrified wood and this piece of baculite that shines like mother pearl when you pour water on it.   I also collected a small bucket of oysters to cook up for dinner.  I very rarely eat shellfish, and was excited by the idea of catching my own dinner.  They were yummy. :)

Fun for All at Elevate the Arts!

As far as I could see, Elevate the Arts was FUN for ALL!! 

I would characterize last Saturday as one giant all-ages party in the sunny streets and shops of downtown Courtenay.   

There was a steady stream of traffic throughout the day, and from my Tarot readings I sensed that a lot of people are in transition these days.  Seeds are being planted and new growth is peaking through.  Makes sense for spring. 

At one point in the day I peered out from behind my Tarot table to experience some of the other artists at work/play, and I was amazed at the spectacle of local artists and musicians.  What an offering Courtenay has?! 

I was fortunate to be placed across from the "Kids Zone", and I was astounded by the immense creativity and limitless minds of those little ones.  What began as a few cardboard boxes taped together in the alley, transformed into an endless fun house cave!  It was truly a beautiful work of art.  

Elevate the Arts was certainly a feast for the senses, and I am grateful to the organizers who orchestrated the event.  I imagine and am hopeful this event will make its way to the annual line-up of summer fun in the Comox Valley.

To round out the day, I made a visit to the Comox Spit to honour and be cleansed by the powerful full moon. 

Elevate the Arts

Coming to the downtown core of Courtenay, BC this weekend: An explosion of Arts and Culture!  

 

Yes, a gathering of gifted artists and musicians of all kinds are coming together to showcase their talents and uplift community spirits.  I will be offering mini Tarot sessions for those wanting clarity and insight.  Click on the link below for more information, and to see my bio page.

 

http://www.elevatethearts.com/ashley-hain

 

Excited about another opportunity for fun and sharing with the Tarot!