Holistic Health

The Power of 528 Hz

~ Gina Briganti ~ 4 Comments

I have been challenged this past month with work and with family.  In the past two months, I have trained in two new departments in the store, and worked shifts I’ve never worked in my professional life.  Next week, I will act as a nutrition coach during the first monthly meeting of my store’s group weight loss challenge.  Change, change, everywhere.

With these changes, I have experienced revelation after revelation.  One of them was that my body didn’t want to sleep during the day to accommodate an overnight shift.  I am fortunate because my boyfriend, nurturer that he is, played this video for me to help me to sleep in the early evening before my second of four all-night shifts.  It put me right to sleep.  It also started a trend, because on the third day of my temporary schedule, I was able to fall asleep in the early evening without the video.

That is the power of 528 Hz, a frequency which is reputed to repair DNA, and promote harmony within you; harmony that extends to the universe.  Some call it the love frequency. Naturally, I wanted to share it with all of you!

I hope it can help those who are challenged by insomnia.  We all know how lack of sleep can lower our quality of life. I am going to share the video with my weight loss group because studies show that sleep is important for weight loss, as well as for overall health.  Let’s all go for at least five consecutive hours of sleep.

Please enjoy this meditative sequence, and let me know if it helps you, too!

As always, thanks for reading!

Gina

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5-Star Review: ONE ORGANIC Culinary Matcha Green Tea Powder

~ Gina Briganti ~ 4 Comments

The lovely people behind ONE ORGANIC Culinary Matcha Green Tea Powder asked me to try their green tea powder and share my opinion.  I had to think about the offer before I accepted, because I had an unpleasant experience reviewing another green tea powder recently.

It turns out that I had nothing to worry about.  ONE ORGANIC’s matcha has a wonderfully rich, smooth flavor, and aroma.  The best part?  The best part is that the powder dissolves in hot water, like it’s supposed to.      ONE front

ONE back

Honestly, who wants to find half an inch of green glue at the bottom of their tea cup?

This matcha held up especially well, considering that I added cold milk to my hot tea to make a latte.

If you’re used to buying matcha powder, then you know that a little should go a long way.  ONE ORGANIC’s matcha lives up to that expectation.

Some powders are mysterious about where they originate, but this one clearly states that it is from China.  Why the mystery with other brands?  If you know, please, share.

So, if you’re looking to try matcha for its proven health benefits-

Proven?  Yes, there are many studies proving the capabilities of antioxidant-rich green tea.  Some of the benefits recorded are: improving blood flow, lowering cholesterol,  preventing high blood pressure, preventing congestive heart failure, and stabilizing blood sugar for diabetics.

You may have heard that green tea helps with weight loss, which isn’t proven by its merits alone, but it does stand to reason that if you’re drinking green tea instead of a drink with more fat and/or sugar in it, then it will help with weight loss.

Is green tea right for everyone?  It does contain between 24-45 mg. of caffeine for an 8 oz. cup, on average, which can be a problem for: hypoglycemics, those with ulcers, those who are dehydrated, those who have trouble sleeping, or with mood swings, to name a few.  Whether or not green tea is a fit for you is a great question to address with a nutrition professional who evaluates your health and can give you a qualified, individualized answer.  Like me!

Do you like matcha?  What’s your favorite way to prepare it?

As always, thank you for reading,

Gina

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Dana Cooks…Mini Pumpkin Pie Muffins

~ Gina Briganti ~ 19 Comments

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In my Natural Gifts series of uplifting paranormal romances, one of my characters is a celebrity cookbook author.  Today I’d like to share a lovely fall recipe from the fictional Dana Carapelli-Jacobs’ cookbook series, Dana Cooks For The Holidays.

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It’s a cool fall afternoon, and I miss Carter, Jenny, and Jason coming through the door with the stories of their day. Thank goodness I will see them soon for the Thanksgiving holiday.

I think Carter and Jenny miss us, too, which is why I thought it would be sweet to send them a batch of goodies from home. Both kids love pumpkin pie, which inspired me to bake a treat they can pop in their mouths while they run from one class to another. As Jason often says, “No plate, no fork, perfect.”

I’m thrilled with these muffins. The middle tastes like pumpkin pie, and the walnuts I sprinkled on top of them right before putting them in the oven gained a warm, roasted flavor.

I’m especially happy that these easy, sweet treats are bursting with fall flavor, but do not contain any refined sugar, gluten, or dairy products.

Mini Pumpkin Pie Muffins 

Ingredients:  Remember to use organic ingredients if you can.

1/2 cup coconut flour (Well-stocked grocery stores have this now, as well as health food stores)
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup pumpkin purée
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
6 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup raw honey
3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.   Combine the coconut flour, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder together.

In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients, except for the walnuts, until well blended. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin purée mixture, and mix well until smooth.

Fill each mini muffin cup 3/4 full; the batter will rise a little.

Bake for 11 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the largest muffin comes out clean.

Makes one dozen mini muffins.

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As always, thank you for reading,

Gina

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To My Students: What Are You Doing With Your Reiki?

~ Gina Briganti ~ Leave a comment

To My Students 7-2014

Okay, I’ll go first.  What I’m doing with my Reiki lately is putting it in my food, lots of distant sends, and self Reiki to my crown chakra in the morning before I start the day.  I am in awe of what simple moments of applying Reiki can do.

 

Your turn.

 

As always, thank you for reading.

 

Gina

 

 

Keep It Simple Workbook Exercise 7-2014: What Are You Doing With Your Energy?

~ Gina Briganti ~ 3 Comments

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Your energy is a precious resource.  So, what do you know, trust, love, and accept about how you use your energy?

 

Instructions for plugging in the keys if you haven’t done it before, or if you forgot:

Pg. 14 of the workbook has a space for what you know is true about yourself. If your meditation with the words “I know that I use my energy in the best possible way,” energized you, comforted you, or in some way felt like it was the one, this is where you’ll write the phrase in and date it. You know how much fun it is to look back on those entries!

Pg. 16 of the workbook is where you’ll write the words, “I trust that I use my energy in the best possible way,” if this is the phrase that gives you a good feeling, energizes you, or in some way adds something to you.

Pg. 17 of the workbook is the place to write “I love that I use my energy in the best possible way,” if this is the phrase that gives you that loving feeling.

Pg. 18 of the workbook is where you can write “I accept that I use my energy in the best possible way,” if this is the feeling that resonates most for you.

You can have more than one that feels good, so it’s up to you if you want to write it in more than one way. I think of this as one of the deeper introspections to explore, so please, do be gentle with yourself. Write the dates on each entry so you can visit them or work with them in the future.

Please feel free to get in touch with me privately if this exercise brings up anything you’d like help with. I’m here for you.

 

If you don’t already have a copy of “Keep It Simple: Permission to Illuminate Your Life Easily, Effortlessly, & Joyfully” you can click on the book cover; it will take you to Amazon.  I have signed copies available.  If you prefer one of those, let me know.

K.I.S. cover

As always, thank you for reading.

 

Gina

Holistic Health Mini Tool Kit

~ Gina Briganti ~ 10 Comments

Holistic Health ToolsHappy Monday to you, if you get to read this on Monday.  If not, happy day to you.  😀

I’d like to share some of the ways that music, staying hydrated with healthy water I feel good about drinking, laughter, healthy food I like to eat, and time with friends and family have helped me to become a happy, balanced, healthy, self-confident person.  I’d also love to hear how any, some, or all of these have helped you in your life.  Your experiences could help someone.  Wouldn’t that be nice?

 

Music has given me beautiful emotional releases, peace, comfort, zing, inspiration, a way to celebrate my joy, and connections with others.  I could go on and on about music, but I think I’ll stop here.

Staying hydrated with healthy water I feel good about drinking is important for me because I know the many uncomfortable symptoms of dehydration, and I’ve learned to enjoy drinking water over the years.  I phrased it as “healthy water you feel good about drinking” because there are a lot of choices when it comes to water.  I think it could be as important to feel good about the water you choose, as it is to actually drink the water.  If you’re drinking water you don’t feel good about, you could be energizing a problem.

Laughter can speak for itself, I suppose, but I have to share that there is no reliable way to count how many times I have walked away from stress and straight to anything I have access to that will make me laugh.  I recommend laughter regularly to my clients and students when they feel challenged, and no one has said that laughter didn’t help them through.

Eating healthy food I like to eat is a major point.  Maybe it should have been first?  Choking down Brussels sprouts when I don’t like them, for example, can turn me away from eating healthy foods I do like.  I make the most of eating healthy foods by experimenting and finding the ones I enjoy, and leaving the rest.  Another point to consider is that if food does not work well with my body, that’s not what I would call healthy.  I also eliminate budget breaking foods.  I want to feel good about my choices all the way through.

Time with friends and family could be as rejuvenating for me as a vacation.  Or comforting, because we know the same stories.  Or funny when I don’t have to explain my jokes because they know me well enough to get the joke the first time.  Exciting, when mutual support is helping everyone to reach new developmental milestones.  Feeling overwhelming love for my friends and family affirms to me how good we are for each other.

This list is far from exhaustive.  I hope it gets a ball rolling for you to enrich your life, or remind you of ways you have enriched your life in the past.

Please do count yourself as one of my friends.  You make me smile.

Oh, and guess what?  My July newsletter comes out tomorrow with a brand new short story from The Dreaming in it.  This short story is one readers voted for.  It’s the story of how Meredith and George Got Together.  If you’re not signed up, you can do it now and squeeze in under the wire.  My editorial calendar with July opportunities is also in this newsletter.  Sign up is easy; simply click on this link.  I’m only asking for your e-mail address, and your information will never be shared with anyone else.

Thank you for reading,

Gina

Today’s Gentle Reminder

Image ~ ~ Gina Briganti ~ 5 Comments

Supportive

A Message to Share: Spreading Happiness

~ Gina Briganti ~ 6 Comments

A Message to Share 2

 

This month’s message is about spreading happiness. I’ve asked our generous power animals to step forward and share their thoughts.
Before we read what Eagle, Zebra, Lion, Giraffe, Lioness, and Horse shared, I’d like to remind you of three things:

1. Monday, June 2nd, is the last day to register for my Reiki II training in Joshua Tree, CA.
2. Thursday, June 5th, is the last day to enter the free giveaway for a chance to win a copy of one of my books, and to have Joe answer a question for you in The Dreaming.
3. The most requested reader’s choice short story, “Jennie and Cat Sing Karaoke”, is going to be published in my June newsletter. If you aren’t signed up, you can sign up for it by clicking here.

 

 

A Message to Share:

Eagle: “Spreading happiness can only happen if you are truly happy to start with. When you have mastered happiness in your own life, you will spread it naturally. Anyone you come into contact with, in any way, will automatically feel your happiness and be touched by it.”

 

Zebra: “We are known for our exuberance. Have you ever seen a sad looking zebra? We represent the wilder side of happiness when we run for miles. For us, spreading happiness means getting out there and exerting ourselves. Everyone feels happy when they look at us. Exert yourself in the ways that you enjoy, and people will smile because they can see how much you are enjoying yourself.”

 

Lion: “Elegant, graceful, confident, and commanding, lion energy reminds us that knowing that all is well, that all is in control, allows for a calm happiness to permeate all around us. This is a calm, stately happiness, unlike the exuberant glee of the zebra. You can be happy, and those you are in contact with can also be happy, because all is well.”

 

Giraffe: “I teach of the happiness that spreads from self-acceptance. Being an individual. Being happy about exactly who you are. Being unique. Your happiness is entirely your own. You can participate in groups if and when you like, for you are social, but always keep in mind just who it is that you are. Be happy to be exactly who you are.”

 

Lioness: “My family is always my first priority. It is up to me to provide whatever is needed, and what is needed most, is timing. When should your spread your spark of happiness? When should you lie low? That is my gift to you. Call on me to feel confident in your timing.”

 

Horse: “I am sometimes calm, and sometimes wild, but at all times I am centered. I am with you when you ask for guidance in keeping your own center. Always being in your own center is where you find happiness.”

 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Eagle, Zebra, Lion, Giraffe, Lioness, and Horse, for your generosity, wisdom, guidance, and willingness to help us when we call on you.

 

I hope that you found helpful, inspiring messages today!

 

Peace and love,

Gina

A Must-Read Book

~ Gina Briganti ~ Leave a comment

Don’t you just love reading a stellar book? Julia Ross’s research for The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of your Emotions – Today is inspiring. As a Holistic Health Consultant, I’ve learned more from her about amino acid therapy than I did when I earned my degree in applied nutrition. The Mood Cure is filled with recipes, resources, and practical information. Is it a substitute for qualified care? Not in my opinion. Still, learning what this book has to offer will empower readers to seek out someone who can work with them on this level.

Chapter 13 alone should be required reading for anyone working in mental or holistic health, in my opinion. When I think of all of the suffering that could be prevented…

I highlighted pages and pages of notes on the Kindle version of the book to add to my client’s knowledge base. There is one recommendation that Julia Ross makes that I had trouble with. She advocates a lot of animal protein in the diet. I know a lot of emotionally adjusted vegetarians and vegans. I don’t feel that the amount of animal protein she’s suggesting is right for everyone, or that it’s the only way to go. It is a large disagreement, but if you keep it in mind as you use the book, you’ll be exposed to amazing amounts of useful information that can really make a difference.

The Most Basic Nutrition

~ Gina Briganti ~ 4 Comments
Embed from Getty Images

One of the toughest choices people make is deciding whether or not to hire a Holistic Health Consultant. They’ve been dealing with things on their own. They’ve had some success. They’ve had some setbacks. They’ve spent time, worry, and money trying different approaches. As a Holistic Health Consultant, I’d like to weigh in on the decision based on what I know to be true after nine years in practice. Why do we call it practicing after we have degrees and certifications? I don’t know. It’s just the best word we have for it.

There are five basic functions that you need to stay healthy.

One, the ability to eat and drink.
Two, the ability to digest what you eat and drink.
Three, the ability to eliminate the waste from what you eat and drink.
Four, the ability to sleep at least a solid stretch of six hours.
And five, enough energy to run your normal day. Whatever normal means to you.

If any of these basic body functions are challenging for you, consider hiring a Holistic Health Consultant.

I raise a glass of reverse osmosis water to you, to your health, comfort, and longevity.

As always, I hope you find this information to be helpful. That is my intention.