Author: soulsticespirit

IS ALKALINE WATER SAFE FOR CATS AND DOGS?

There is a lot of hype about the benefits of drinking alkaline water. Alkaline water is said to balance out the body’s acidity.

If we look back to high school science class, we may remember the PH scale of acids and bases. If you remember, acid, a corrosive is 1 and milk of magnesia, a base, is 14. It is proclaimed that the healthiest body systems maintain around a level 7 PH.

Many people believe that in today’s food market of fast foods and other poor health choices, our bodies contain a higher level of acid than they should, and that drinking alkaline water can help to balance out our PH levels. They even go on to say that consumption of alkaline water will boost our metabolisms and allow out bodies to absorb nutrients more easily.

ALKALINE WATER AND OUR ANIMALS

Most consumers are completely unaware that processed cat and dog food (even the best quality) contains a high amount of magnesium- the opposite of acid; acid being the reason companies are marketing alkaline water. In fact, many cat food brands especially have been under the microscope for adding too much magnesium to their wet foods. You may be wondering what little old magnesium could do to harm an animal? Simply put, magnesium increases the amount of ammonia in an animal’s system. If the ammonia level in an animal becomes too high for her or his body, painful results are likely. This is because ammonia is extremely high on the PH scale and puts the animal’s body systems in jeopardy. Painful urination, bladder crystals, UTI’s, bladder stones, even kidney stones and eventually kidney failure are possible. If these symptoms are caught early enough they are completely reversible by your holistic animal care practitioner. If you fail to notice the symptom building over time, this can be fatal.

Given that alkaline water is also high on the PH scale as we discussed earlier, combining the two- store bought processed food of ANY nature; from the lowest to highest quality and alkaline water, we can absolutely cause sudden and permanent damage to our animals if we are not careful. Cat food is much higher in magnesium, and they do retain it more than dogs and dog food. However, both cats and dogs are at risk here.

The next time you hear about alkaline water, even though your heart may be in the right place, keep it away from your animals!

TOP 5 “FIRST AID FOODS” FOR ANIMALS

It’s summer! This means our animal friends are itching to go outside. And when they do, they could get themselves into trouble. Whether it’s an encounter with another animal, an encounter with sharp branches, or any other kind of cut and scrape, we can be sure that they more they play outside, the greater the risk.

To keep our animal friends indoors if they are used to being outside would be cruel. So what do we do when they come to us with cuts and scrapes? We could go to the vet, sure. But is that really necessary? Did you know that you probably already have several items already in your home that can treat minor cuts and scrapes? If you don’t already have them, by stocking your shelves with a few of these holistic remedies, you can avoid the unpleasant-for-your-animal trips to the vet and of course those costly vet bills.

Here are five common “first aid foods” that most have in our homes that can be helpful in a pinch:

1)      Coconut oil- Coconut oil is often considered a “miracle food”. This is because it has o many wonderful uses for healing (for animals and people) that it should be a staple in anyone’s kitchen. Coconut oil is full of Omega 3’s & 6’s which are essential to anyone’s diet. Especially in the summer heat when our dogs and cats can easily become dehydrated, coconut oil helps to retain moisture in the skin and coat. As well in the dryness of winter, coconut oil does the same. Did you know that water does not always hydrate our animal friends? By adding coconut oil to the diet a couple of times per week, you will be helping your animal to stay hydrated. It is very important to note here that coconut oil is high in fat. This means that only a very small amount of the oil is necessary to make a difference in health. This oil can also help to fight of harmful bacteria in the system, promoting longevity and healthy quality of life. Lastly not least, coconut oil acts as a sunscreen. Even though our furry friends have fur and hair coats, they also have exposed skin on their noses and other areas of their bodies; particularly lighter coloured animals. Applied topically, this oil is a safe and natural sunscreen!

2)      Manuka honey- Manuka honey (as opposed to other honey) is particularly helpful. This honey is made by New Zealand bees from Manuka plants. Manuka honey is a known antiseptic which means that applied topically to wounds, it treats against harmful bacteria. Manuka honey also repairs tissue damage due to trauma such as minor cuts and scrapes. Additionally, Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it can reduce swelling of injury, and even reduce swelling of sore joints and muscle tissues if ingested. Though most honey has these qualities, Manuka honey is far more potent due to its elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and methylgloxal (MG). These aspects are more potent in Manuka honey because of their high concentration in Manuka flowers.

3)      Plantain- Plantain looks like a small banana. Though it can be used for cooking, the leaves also have a myriad of medicinal qualities. They treat sunburns, stings, bites, and breakouts. Also, when applied topically, they have anti-inflammatory properties. To exemplify, they can reduce inflammation of swollen joints, muscles and sprains among others. Plantain leaves are high in tannins which are toxic for animals to ingest. This means that if applied to the skin, the leaves must be wrapped in cloth so that the animal does not accidentally ingest the leaves. To achieve the highest benefits of the plantain leaf, it is best applied beneath a warm or cold compress, depending on the nature of the injury.

4)      Turmeric- Turmeric is another wonder-food. It has many benefits when both applied topically and ingested. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. To benefit from this quality, it must be ingested over a period of time to take effect. This means that we must add a small bit to our animal’s diet every day as it has a cumulative effect. Some of the benefits of turmeric for animals include; arthritis, joint pain, stomach pain, heartburn, intestinal gas, diarrhea, bloating, jaundice , IBS and more. By adding turmeric to the diet of our animal friends, we can also reduce any chronic itching. However, to effectively reduce chronic itching, we must also add black pepper for efficacy. Turmeric is an excellent mouth cleanser for those with animals who have mouth infections or bad breath.

5)      White Vinegar- This vinegar is not just good for salads! It also has many household uses for you and your animal friends. By spraying the vinegar on your couch where the cat scratches, you will find a significant reduction in scratching activity! (Be sure to do a test area for staining first!). Also- if you are the fortunate companion of a horse or dog who always has flies around, spray the animal with white vinegar- avoiding the face- and the flies will fly away. Vinegar is an excellent antiseptic. This means that if your dog or cat has a skin rash, you may find the either in pill form or topically, vinegar is a natural way to alleviate the rash. As an aside, white vinegar spray and baking soda eliminate litter box odour, in home “accident” odours and even skunk spray odour!

These are just five of many household remedies that most of us have in our homes. Instead of rushing off to the vet and potentially causing anxiety for you and your animal friends, give one of these a try next time your dog or cat has a rash, cut or scrape. He or she will be glad you did!

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WHY DO CATS PURR?

Anyone who is a companion to a feline knows the magical healing power of a cat’s purr. The calming soothing sound of our feline friend’s purring can bring us back from the farthest reaches of depression and anxiety. And to cat enthusiasts, the purr brings us so much joy!

But why do they purr?

Cats, contrary to popular belief, do not only purr when they’re happy. They purr when they’re hungry, they purr when they’re scared, and they even purr to heal themselves. Studies have shown that not only do cat purrs heal the cats themselves, but they also show that purring heals humans! Elizabeth Von Muggenthaler, a bio acoustics researcher, conducted studies which indicated that the frequency of their purr is conducive to bone growth, pain relief and wound healing. In her studies, there was also sufficient evidence that the frequency at which domesticated cats and some wild cats purr was therapeutic to repair muscles and tendons, ease breathing and reduce pain and swelling.

Other studies have shown that the purr of a cat can reduce blood pressure and relieve stress. Due to the precise spectrum of noise of their purr, its healing effects are noted across the board.

Did you know that a mother cat purrs during labour? This is how the kittens learn to purr. This is a continually learned behaviour for kittens, as when they are feeding, they press and flex their paws to stimulate milk flow. This is where the kneading behaviour is born! Cats will knead you, your clothes and their toys while they purr because this is how they learned to feed. It is one of the very first activities they learned.

Some domesticated cats have adapted their purr to a frequency of a human baby’s. This serves the cat well when attempting to gain attention from her people. Usually, cats will purr for attention when they are hungry or want cuddles. They will also purr when they see that we are in emotional or physical pain because they are inclined to do what they can to help us feel better.

Are domesticated cats the only cats who purr? The answer is no! A variety of big cats can purr such as lynx, cheetahs and cougars.

Listening to your feline purr is one of the greatest treasures of cat companionship. No matter what our moods, they are always there to heal. Remember that just as our kitty friends love to heal our hearts and souls free of asking for anything in return, so too is it our responsibility to care for them in the best way possible.

Let’s be mindful that when our feline companions are purring to help us out of depression, anxiety and other types of stressful energies, they unconsciously take on our stresses in order to help us to heal. Cats (and other companion animals) feel that it’s their duty to take our pain and struggles away. They do this by cuddling with us, attempting to engage in extra playtime to get us out of our own head and back into the joys of life and other playful activities. Companion animals are like sponges. They absorb the energies of their people and environments. So when we are feeling sad, angry or even physically ill, our companion animals feel that it is their role to take our pain away. And it manifests right into them. They may succeed in taking our sorrows away, however that negative energy doesn’t just “disappear”. It harbors itself in our animals. So the next time we cuddle with our kitty friends, let us be mindful of our energy. Of course it is part of the human experience to wade through the peaks and troughs of life. Our animals feel that they must support is during these times. They do feel fulfilled in doing so. That said, in order for them to be able yo release these negative energies before they physically manifest as illness, (negative energy, if held onto for periods of time can manifest as physical illness) we must be sure that they gave an outlet.

By ensuring that our purring kitty companions have proper rest, a healthy species appropriate diet,  lots of fresh air and exercise, a nurturing home in which to live, feeding them according to their individual needs, by learning what makes our kitty friends happy, we are replenishing all of the energy they selflessly spend healing us!

HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE!

Today marks the first day of summer! It is the longest of daylight hours and the shortest of night. Today is a day to hour the Light; our inner Light, the Light of our Mother Earth, and the Light of the Divine Source Consciousness.

The beginning of the summer season is a time to renew our inner fire. It is a time to recapture our passions, our drives, our desires. It is a time to shine our Light on the seeds of abundance, prosperity and personal success that we have planted in the spring. It is a time to nurture those tiny seeds and watch them grow and flourish.

Too, the Summer Solstice is the perfect time to allow ourselves to bask in the balance of our strength of passion and our need to unwind beneath the summer sun. It is the perfect time to allow ourselves to be outdoors, to relish in the gifts that our Mother Earth has bestowed upon us.

We must also learn the virtue of patience. For the fruits of our labour are not harvested until the autumn. But we can nourish ad cultivate our seedlings with patience, love and Light. And we can have comfort in knowing that our harvest is on the horizon.

The Summer Solstice is a time to connect and reflect with the potential for awakening within each and every living being. It is a time for hope which springs within us as we express gratitude for the Light that lives in all life. And by choosing for ourselves to connect to the Light that lives there, we raise its vibration. And within this connection, we may send love. We may send respect, we may send peace.

The Summer Solstice is a day to remind ourselves that we are all one; there is none greater or lesser than. And the sooner we remember our similarities to one another and focus on them instead of our perceived differences, the sooner we will bring peace and unity to our global consciousness, our hearts, our sacred Mother Earth.

WORST AND BEST HUMAN FOODS TO FEED YOUR ANIMAL FAMILY

There is a lot of controversy surrounding which human foods are healthy for dogs and cats and which are not. There is a lot of controversy among the animal care practitioner community over which animal foods are healthy for animals and which are not. Regardless of which beliefs you subscribe to, there are some fads that have overtaken the animal food industry and can cause our cats and dogs more harm than good.

If you are the kind of person who follows your western medical veterinarian’s advice without doing your own fact checking, this is your choice. And if it is your choice, be aware that your cats and dogs may not be receiving an adequate supply of nutrients. Please do your research and look up the ingredients n your vet recommended food. Follow this by looking up other cat/dog food brands from your local animal food store. Once you have a complete understanding of what ingredients are quantified as “food” and which are actual whole foods, you may find that your choice in food changes. You may also be surprised that the most expensive brands on the market are often not the best quality at all, and that the middle-of –the-road brands are the most nutrient-rich foods available for our dogs/cats. That said, there are also many people who believe that every health fad that arises in the media for humans must be safe and healthy for animals. And that would be a result of our human nature to fall for marketing schemes that play to our love for our animal friends.

The reality is that the media will do whatever they can to manipulate our emotions to buy the company’s products. Whether these companies are selling poor quality foods and have heartwarming commercials, or they are inviting us to believe that what’s good for human bodies must be good for animal bodies too, they will do their best to convince us of false beliefs.

First we will examine the work “natural” that appears on packaging of many dog/cat food companies. The word “natural” appearing on any packaging at all implies misrepresentation of the word. By definition, any packaged dog/cat food as been processed and contains preservatives to give it a longer shelf life. This entirely contradicts the word “natural”.

According to Dr. Becker, there are several such examples of food fads that are becoming commonplace within the commercial animal food industry. Here are three of many “trendy” ingredients that Dr. Becker warns to watch out for:

1)      Plant-based proteins- there is much hype in the media about the benefits of plant-based proteins for humans. While they certainly are healthy for people, people should note that plant based proteins are not complete proteins. This means that they do not contain all of the amino acids, minerals and other important nutrients that animal proteins have. This means that if people choose to feed their animal companions plant based proteins only, the animals are extremely likely to suffer from malnutrition. This is extremely dangerous and can often lead to fatality.

2)      Ancient grains- for humans, there is a lot of discussion about the health benefits of ancient grains; they are lesser processed, higher in fibre and not hybridized by genetic modification. All of these qualities are amicable for human health. However when it comes to animals, particularly cats (who cannot digest grains at all), these grains are no better off for an animal’s digestive system. Grains are still grains and can cause diabetes in cats and allergies in some dogs who are grain-sensitive.

3)      Gluten-free- There is no known benefit to feeding animals gluten-free food. This is plainly a marketing scheme of companies to get humans to jump on the gluten free bandwagon and buy their novel products at higher prices.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are several human foods that can be quite beneficial to dog and cat digestion. Especially when it comes to those cats and dogs who are only fed processed food day in and day out. And the truth of the matter is, whether we are feeding our animal friends low quality or high quality store-bought food, at the end of the day it is all processed. And this can have adverse effects on the animal’s digestive health.

It may be unreasonable to ask every person who cares for an animal to make the animal a freshly cooked meal from scratch twice per day. Many people do not have the time or the knowledge to do so. If people choose to feed their animal family members store-bought processed food, there are a variety of readily available human food supplements that can be added to the meal to circumvent any adverse health issues. Dr. Becker outlines several healthy foods that can help our animals have a diet that is richer in whole foods. The following are five of the list. Please consult your holistic veterinarian before adding any new food to your animal’s diet.

1)      Kefir- an excellent probiotic. This means that if your dog/cat has chronic diarrhea, constipation or any bowel issues, kefir helps to maintain intestinal health. Kefir is a fermented milk beverage. It comes from various milk sources, so if your animal has a sensitivity to cow’s milk, there are other options available. Kefir also helps the immune system. When the immune system is out of whack, we see symptoms of allergies, chronic fatigue and other conditions that become chronic until the immune system is brought back to balance.

2)      Chia seed- Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega’s 3 & 6. Omegas are ideal for skin and hair health. Often processed foods are lacking in omegas and the chia is a great supplement. Additionally and perhaps more importantly, cats and dogs get dehydrated very easily. Especially when they are fed a mostly kibble (dry food) diet, their digestive systems use all of the water in the body- to include all major organs- to be able to process the dry food through the GI tract. This leaves the animal’s body very depleted of water. After prolonged exposure to water depletion, we are sure to expect bladder crystals and eventually early age kidney failure. By adding extra omegas to the diet, we are ensuring that moisture gets retained more regularly in the body. The evidence of this is in the lustrous nature of the coat and the moisture of the skin.

3)      Pumpkin- for animals with digestive issues, pumpkin is the way to go! Whether we have diarrhea or constipation, pumpkin is sure to help to regulate digestion and bowel function. Pumpkin is full of soluble fibre unlike many of the fibres found in grains. Insoluble fires are rampant in foods full of preservatives. Insoluble fibres are fibres that do not get broken down in the GI tract and pass right through the body. Soluble fibres are fibres that help to break down foods in the stomach and clean out the intestines on the way out. Often dogs/cats who only eat insoluble fibre will have poor gut health. Symptoms of poor gut health are: diarrhea, constipation, bad breath, gassiness, burping, vomiting and others. Pumpkin is an excellent source of potassium which is great for dogs with low energy!

4)      Blueberries- high in antioxidants (cancer fighting minerals), potassium (usable energy) and vitamins C & E. Replacing your dog’s treats with 2-4 frozen or fresh blueberries once per day is a fun way to add cancer-fighting snacks to the daily routine!

5)      Broccoli- detoxifies the body. Broccoli is also high in antioxidants and fibre. Broccoli is an anti-inflammatory and has many important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and important minerals such a calcium and potassium. Broccoli even has a notable amount of protein. To make digestion of broccoli and other veggies easier on your dog (or cat, but good luck!), you may find that steaming and softening the broccoli will help your dog to digest and absorb all of its wonderful nutrients.

Though there are many, many human foods that can be beneficial to cats & dogs, the above 5 are highly nutritious and have a variety of other benefits. It is important to ask your holistic vet if s/he feels that any of these foods are right for your animals. It is also of extreme importance that all those who care for animals realise that processed (canned or bagged) food of any quality is not fresh. Animals require whole foods for the best quality of life. Do your research. Read labels. You may soon find that what you had been told was a balanced diet is nothing more than the non-food parts of animals that are scooped up from the floors at processing plants, insoluble proteins (proteins that cannot be digested and go right through-leaving much room for malnutrition), salts and preservatives. Do not believe everything you hear from veterinarians, commercials, and anywhere else you obtain information! This is why it’s important to read up for yourself and ascertain what feels right to you. Do not be manipulated by the media!

THE SPIRITUAL PLATEAU- FEELING STUCK

If you’re like most spiritual warriors, you have probably on more than one occasion asked yourself “Why is nothing happening?” And if you’re like most spiritual warriors, this question comes out of a feeling of frustration. After working so hard for so long, why does our positive shifting come to a glaring halt?

Believe it or not, the spiritual plateau- or the glaring halt we are experiencing is a sign of growth. It is a sign that we have achieved all that was necessary for us to grow up until this point. This is sign of progress. It deserves a celebration! The halt is a brief period of time that we are gifted for the purpose of re-evaluation of our lives; how far we have come and where we wish to see ourselves in the near future.

Though the plateau may appear at close sight to be a vast wasteland of nothingness, it is just the opposite. It is a transitory time for us to reflect and be grateful to ourselves for our recent perseverance, our fortitude and our empowerment. This is a time to rest before we are shown our next climbable mountain. All spiritual warriors are well aware that rest is just as important a component as is working.

We are the creators of our own destiny. But before any creator can create, she must reflect, recharge and reprogram. The restorative time of the spiritual plateau is present for us to nurture our bodies, to rest our minds and to recharge our souls.

While we are recharging, the spiritual plateau is the time to look within, and self-examine. The spiritual plateau has overcome our lives so that we have the time and energy to go within and seek out aspects of ourselves that no longer serve us; aspects of ourselves that are ready to be released. Though the stillness can be full of confusion and frustration, it has arrived because we have come to a point where we are ready to take the next steps in our spiritual evolution. It is a time to seek and account for any remaining blocks, fears and negatively impactful belief systems. And it’s a time to create a plan to heal them and let them go.

Sometimes it feels like nothing is happening because we are too focused on what appears directly in front of us. There is always something, in fact a myriad of things going on “behind the scenes”. What that means is, when we set intentions, many “background operations” must take place in order for reality to shift to our desired experience. This is because our intentions and wishes often involve situations and circumstances, time and place. In order for these intentions and wishes to happen, we must be at the right place at the right time. In order for Spirit to get us there, they must create sets of circumstances to allow these intentions and wishes to unfold in the highest and greatest good of all involved. Patience is a necessary lesson to learn when we are working in tandem with Spirit. Even though we may not see immediate results and it feels as though we are on a plateau, this is merely a false impression. Space and time are always unfolding at the rate that they need to in order for the unfolding of our experiences.

Trusting that each experience is coming to us at the best time for us to fulfill certain aspects of our karma, our learning experience is the most promising way to allow our destiny to unfold in the highest and best way for ourselves. When we release attachment to the ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘when’ of things, we are letting Spirit know that we walk in faith with their plan for us. Spirit is able to see the bigger picture when we are unable. Though it often feels as if nothing is happening, and we are stuck, in fact this is an illusion.

The spiritual plateau is both an illusion and an opportunity. It is an opportunity to be grateful that we have the time to rest before our next life cycle begins. It is an opportunity to take stock of where we are, what needs re-adjusting and where we’d like to be. It is an opportunity to make a commitment to ourselves to continue to heal with strength of conviction, no matter what comes our way. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in ourselves and our faith in Spirit. The spiritual plateau is a key element of the path to peace.

HAPPY FULL MOON IN SAGITTARIUS!

8:10 am central births the full moon in Sagittarius!  Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter which has been in retrograde for the last four months. This explains why we may have had difficulty manifesting our goals. The great news is that 7 minutes before this Sag full moon, Jupiter regains forward motion! We can celebrate by reclaiming our pens and papers to write down our intentions. Even though intention writing is most often done on the new moons, in this particular case, we may find an extra bit of power and motivation behind the words we write.

Because Jupiter deals a lot with belief systems, its retrograde for the last four months may have found us reliving old belief patterns in an effort to re-release. Remember, just because we thought we have worked through an aspect of our unhealthy beliefs does not mean that they are gone once and for all. This may have put us through an extra cycle of hard self-examination. With this morning’s forward motion, we can be sure that the cloud will slowly lift, giving way to a light, more jovial feeling. And the jovial feeling is completely in alignment with the Sag birthright to want to learn and experience everything with high spirits!

With the Gemini Sun opposition to the Sagittarian influence, we may find that we are inclined to daydream the day away. Gemini is an air sign, and though Sag is a fire sign, it is often responsible for the creation of lofty goals and ideals. And because of Jupiter’s forward motion, with a little bit of hard work and persistence, we may see these lofty goals realized!

Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury which stands for communication. With the Sag moon above, we may discover a heightened ability to recognize truth versus untruth. We may find that we are able to easily discern what we receive that serves our highest good and that which does not. However, because of the Saturnian influence here (Saturn stands for structure of function) we may find that releasing that which no longer serves our highest good takes a bit more work than usual. That said, when we do release, we will feel empowered and self assured.

There may be a bit of conflict between the Sag/Jupiter free spirited energies and the Saturnian desire for structure and function. By committing to the hard work involved, we can keep our heads above the water and succeed. Because there is a strong tendency to notice untruth within our personal lives as well as globally, this is a very significant moon. This moon and its surrounding days can allow us to take note of the untruth and injustice that surrounds our planet and our species. Instead of accepting that it is what it is, we can fight back. And the best form of retaliation in any battle against injustice is to be still, centre our hearts, and send love. Send love to animal kind, Mother Earth, humanity and even the powers that be who may be spreading injustice. These powers that be are the ones who need our love the most.

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR ANIMALS WHO FEAR TRAVELING

With summer coming up, many of us head to the lake or on road trips. And what road trip or summer weekend would be complete without the company of our animal friends?

As someone who has been on the road with her cat for 7 years now, I have found a few great guidelines to keeping her calm while we go the distance.

Some animals live for the journey and some for the destination. If you live with an animal companion who is not fond of the travel component of a vacation, there are a few tips you might want to know about to ease the travel experience for your animal friends and the whole family.

Here are a few tips to ensure a safe and peaceful travel experience for your animal friends and yourself:

1)      If you love to blast the tunes in the car, be mindful of just how noise sensitive animal are. Keep in mind that almost anywhere your animal lays her head, there is a speaker close by. By keeping the volume of the music down and keeping the tunes to a relaxing vibe, your animal will be a lot more comfortable in the car.

2)      Drive nicely- cats especially are uncomfortable with inertia. The more the stops, starts, twists and turns on the road, the lesser comfortable your animal will be. Exercise caution when driving through hills and mountains with your animal friend!

3)      Feed small amounts of food before going into the car. Animals can be quite prone to motion sickness. And having a full tummy will not help! If you have a feline, canine or other small animal companion who gets carsick, feeding a small amount of dry food (not to be confused with feeding dry food all of the time- we know how unhealthy that is!) will help to absorb your animal friends stomach acid before it has the opportunity to come up.

4)      Take frequent breaks- some animals are uncomfortable with the limited amount of space in a vehicle on long rides out of town. Every animal’s threshold for comfort is different. Often the combination between the motion of the vehicle and the small space can cause anxiety and fear. If you have an animal companion who has this type of disposition, you may find that by taking a break every hour and a half or so just to let them stretch their legs or enjoy the still car will go a long way to help.

5)      Perhaps the most effective treatment for traveling with an animal companion who is not fond of the journey is to find an appropriate herb to relax her/him. There are several excellent sedative flowers and herbs (not to be confused with sedative pills) that are highly efficient for treating travel anxiety. Some of these flowers & herbs include:

–          Catnip- Part of the mint category, since ancient Egypt, catnip is a known calmer of th nerves, helper of digestive health and a freshener of breath.

–          Chamomile flower (dried)- making tea for your kitty or puppy is also a healthy form of adding Chamomile to the regime, however the dried flowers themselves will have a stronger effect in the way of calming the nerves.

–          Valerian Root- Also a known sedative herb for humans, valerian root is safe in small doses for animals. Because it is so potent smelling/tasting, be sure to dilute it with water.

–          Bach Flower Essences; Rescue Remedy (my personal favorite!)

–          Hops- Yes, a main ingredient in the making of beer, but also has a calming effect on animals.

–          Bach Flower Essences; Mimulus. Mimulus is a variety of plant that promotes sedation. It has been useful in animals and people who suffer from anxiety and fear.

There are a variety of ways to travel with your beloved best friends! If you feel that herbs may be the best solution to your animal’s fear or travel, ask your holistic vet for more information. You may be surprised at how easily you can accommodate everyone in the family. For those who believe that they have to choose between travel and their animal friends, think again! With a little research, guidance and love, all things are possible!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING WITH ANIMALS, EMAIL: jmorgan.soulstice@gmail.com

WHAT IS A HEALING CRISIS? HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M IN ONE?

Most practiced healers and energy work practitioners are well versed in the depths of the healing crisis. Whether we are conscious of the crises or not, they are a staple of the spiritual warrior. A healing crisis has the power to knock us off of our feet or to embolden us. It has the power to run us into the ground or to empower us. The choice is ours.

When we, as spiritual warriors, embark on our journeys, we have open minds, open hearts and open souls. Regardless of whom we are or where we have come from, inevitably we will find ourselves confronted with circumstances that we find uncomfortable and insufferable. And, because of how sensitive we are, the impact of these circumstances can often feel like temporary personal trauma.

On our paths, we are continuously confronted with experiences that beckon us to look for deeper meaning. Repeated messages of like nature are the Universe’s gentle way of letting us know that it is time to investigate a facet of ourselves that requires realignment with our new vibrations. And if these gentle reminders fly by the wayside, their impact will become greater and heavier until we get the message. Often if we avoid the message long enough, the impact becomes so strong that it can feel like our world is toppling down around us. This is a healing crisis.

A healing crisis often begins with crying. It begins with suddenly remembering someone or something who has caused us pain. And this memory seems to come out of nowhere. The crisis continues in such a way that we feel as if we are reliving the experience, as painful as it was. It feels like we are right back to the source of the pain, despite all of the work we may have done to heal.

A healing crisis is all too familiar to energy work practitioners because though we are healers, our personal journeys to health are ongoing. Every good healer has committed at least a portion of her or his life to this. Consequently, there is much work to do. The positive side of this however, is that once we have experienced a healing crisis, we know what to expect in subsequent instances. Though no two healing crises are the same, the intense self-examination becomes habitual, thereby alleviating some of the crisis from the healing.

The more we delve into our spirituality, the more we encounter our shadow selves; the parts of ourselves that we would sooner ignore than give any energy to, as they can be quite uncomfortable to realize. But the reality is that the longer we ignore our shadow sides, the harder it is to heal them.

A healing crisis feels like an overwhelming sense of loss of control over one’s life, relative to a particular trigger event. This trigger event is most often associated with an aspect of one’s life that is out of balance. These triggers will likely continue to occur in a similar fashion until the one pays attention to the underlying cause. Likely, the underlying cause is one of the shadow sides of self.

Upon identification and acceptance of the underlying cause, the shadow of self, the healing can begin. Fortunately for many energy work practitioners, self-healing goes a long way. By healing ourselves on a regular basis, we are raising the vibration of each and every cell and energy fragment in and around us. And by doing so, we are bringing to the surface all of what no longer serves us so that it can be acknowledged, healed and released. If we are unpracticed at self-healing, a healing crisis is an excellent time to locate an energy healer with whom to connect to work on us.

Through the practices of patience, energy work and self examination, we are readily able to discern the source of the healing crisis and repair it. The identification process can feel like a sudden and strong epiphany. Most Spiritualists are also well versed in epiphany. The realization of the cause of the spiritual crisis is half of the battle. The other half is to heal.

Though it may seem like a downward spiral, a healing crisis is a sign of progress. We encounter these crises so that we are able to grow. We encounter the crises so that we can clearly see what aspect of our consciousness is out of balance. To rebalance our consciousness can take hard work and persistence. However, if we lived a life free of challenge, we would not learn anything. Therefore, we would not progress on our paths.

Day to day, living out the spell of a healing crisis can take its toll. It’s important to remember to take steps each day to ground and center ourselves so that we remain focused. Taking a few minutes to meditate, participate in breathing exercises, sitting in nature and going for long walks are excellent methods of grounding during any type of overwhelming situation.

What many tend to forget is that we are not alone in this healing. We have many helpers in the form of spirit guides and angels who are with us to help us to heal our crises. It is common for many emerging healers and spiritualists to have very few if any other people around them to talk with. Often, many new healers and spiritualists are the first ones in their social networks to experience these non-physical experiences. It can become quite overwhelming and confusing to walk this path alone, with few or no one to bounce ideas off of and share stories with. When this occurs, it is comforting to know that though it feels like we are alone, we are not. Ever. In order to seek help from our spirit guides and angels, all we must do is to ask.

Asking for help can take many forms; prayer, letter writing or telepathically asking for help from The Creator. These are all valid forms of communication with angels and guides that we are in crisis and we would like their help to heal.

When we are in the midst of a healing crisis, it can be trying to let go of all attachment to the outcome. Often we want it to go a certain way which can be detrimental to our healing. In order to fully heal, we must learn to relinquish our ego, relinquish our personal attachments to the situation to the Creator. By allowing ourselves to ask for help, we are enlisting the help of beings who can see the bigger picture; our greater purpose. It is often difficult to see the big picture while we are in the throes of a crisis. However, there is always a bigger picture at work. And it almost definitely it includes learning from the crisis experience which can most efficiently be done through letting go of attachment to the outcome.

Healing from a healing crisis with Divine Intervention will expedite the process. Spirit will help in unimaginable ways if we are open to it. To release attachment to and ego from the crisis is to assuredly hasten the process of healing. And we can be confident in the promise that once we have healed from a specific healing crisis completely, we will never have to heal from it again, for that part of our soul will be healthy, happy and whole.

TO SCHEDULE A HEALING/KARMA CONTRACT READING, EMAIL: jmorgan.soulstice@gmail.com

THE ABC’S OF CURCUMIN

Derivative of turmeric, curcumin is a part of ginger family. Since the days of ancient Chinese herbal medical practice, curcumin has been used to successfully treat a myriad of conditions. In both humans and animals, adding curcumin to our diet regularly can increase overall health as well as prevent serious ailments. Here is a short list of conditions and ailments that the addition of curcumin to the diet has lessened and prevented altogether.

Aids in metabolizing fat

Aids in weight management

Aids in recovery from trauma- lowers inflammation of major organs after trauma, aiding them to function instead of shut down

Anti-diarrhea                         

Analgesic (pain-fighting)

Antioxidant- Universally used for every type of cancer in animals and humans. Curcumin promotes potent anti-cancer activity.

Arthritis treatment

Blood purifier

Chemotherapy treatment- lessens the impact of discomfort

Detoxifier

Disinfectant

Digestive disorder treatment

High in fibre

Induces bile flow- detoxes liver as well as break down of fat

Inhibits the synthesis of cancer forming proteins

Inflammatory Bowel Disease treatment

Memory disorder treatment

Neuroprotector

Neuritis treatment

Liver cleansing

Peptic ulcer treatment

Preventative in developing additional blood supply necessary for cancer growth

Prevents gas and bloating

Protects against negative effects of medical prescriptions

Rich in vitamins

Skin disorder treatment

Strengthens ligaments

Topical treatment for wounds, insect bites

Treats irritated teeth and gums

These are some of the many benefits of adding curcumin to our animal companions’ diets. It can be helpful to know a couple of ways to add the herb, as most of us know that some animals are finicky eaters! The two main ways that are likely to be successful are:

1)      Add a tsp of curcumin to your animal’s wet food. Ensure that it is almost entirely covered up with the smell of the wet food, as for some, curcumin can smell rather potently.

2)      Boil a cup of water. Add 1.5 tsp of curcumin to hot water. Let steep in fridge until cool. Take a dropper or syringe, fill with approx 3 droplets, administer to animal just before she/he eats a meal once per day.