Color Therapy

Everything is made up of electromagnetic energy that vibrates at a certain frequency to create its various aspects, such as color, light, or sound. Colors are attracted to us. We do not choose our favorite color simply because we like it; rather, the color is drawn to us depending on the balance needed within our life. The purpose of all healing is to create the perfect balance in ourselves and color helps us to achieve that.

 We are attracted to colors in all areas of our lives, including clothes, accessories, home furnishings, and even food. We connect with certain wavelengths based on destined attraction, yet we seem to be increasingly ungrateful to the power and purpose of color; instead, focusing our efforts on external beauty and coordination, rather than the depth of a color's intentions.

 Here is an example of how to look at things differently...

An amazingly beautiful summer salad...

The colors of the various ingredients make it delightfully appetizing to the eye, as well as the stomach. However, the purpose of these colors is not only to make the salad pretty, but to heal us from the inside-out. 

The brightness of the oranges creates balance. The color is used to increase immunity (hence their inclusion of vitamin C) and to help in all digestive ailments (coinciding with the help provided by their fibrous membranes). 

The red of the cranberries denotes its readiness as a ripe fruit. We associate the color red with love and passion, which contributes to its beauty and attractiveness in food. 

The green of the lettuce leaves draws an immediate association to nature. Green is commonly linked to regeneration, fertility, and rebirth for its connections to the natural world. Symbolically, it is representative of the fourth chakra, the heart, which displays a link to one's health. Therefore, showing a positive correlation to the effects on the body after consuming green foods.

Color is more than just color. 

We all have a general understanding or interpretation of what each color represents, so look at your food from a different angle the next time you sit down to a meal and you may discover what your mind, as well as your body, is truly craving.

The Spirit of Britain in Food

Good ole' FISH N' CHIPS!!!

The staple item of the British diet is unequivocally fish and chips (or french fries to us Americans). And rightly so, because they provide a quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal! Just look at that mouth-watering photograph and try to tell me that you wouldn't enjoy an old-fashioned portion of fish and chips in a paper cone. I didn't think so! They will sucker punch you in the gut until you succumb to their temptation, I guarantee it! And if you are not a great fan of fish, trust me, a portion of this will make you a convert.

 Now, you may be wondering how I know the details of such a wondrous British food when I'm entirely American, born and bred. I am currently living in the UK with my entirely British husband (and yes, he does have the most gorgeous accent). I have been here for approximately one year and, on many occasions, have been introduced to the local grub. 

Only a five minutes drive down the road, we are privileged to have access to the Black Country Living Museum. It is an open-air museum depicting the traditional skills and activities of the people who lived in the heart of industrial Britain centuries ago. One of the most popular exhibits is the chip shop where they sell bucket loads of their famously prepared fish and chips. I have yet to find a better helping of authentic British food than what is offered here!

The manner in which these particular fish and chips are prepared makes all the difference and most English folks (or those that have tried it this way) will tell you that they are at their best when fried in beef dripping. I know, I know... it is the most unhealthy, artery-clogging way to consume them, but it is seriously the tastiest and I would wager a bet with anyone wishing to say otherwise. 

Whenever you make your way across the pond or if you already reside in the United Kingdom, just be sure to sample this classic dish and try to find a chippy that prepares them in the age-old fashion (or sample the recipe below in your own kitchen)... you won't regret it!

Fish & Chips 

Recipe adapted from Great British Cooking

beef dripping, for deep-frying 

3 large potatoes

2 thick cod or haddock fillets

salt and pepper

175g (1 1/2 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting

200 mL cold lager

tartar sauce, to serve

Heat the beef dripping in a deep-fat fryer, or in a heavy-based saucepan, to 120 C/ 250 F, to blanch the chips. Preheat the oven to 150 C/ 300 F.

  

Peel the potatoes and cut into even-sized chips. Fry for about 8-10 minutes, depending on size, until softened but not coloured. Remove from the dripping, drain on paper towels and place in a warm dish in the oven. Increase the temperature of the oil to 180-190 C/ 350-375 F, or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds.

  

Meanwhile, season the fish with salt and pepper and dust it lightly with a little flour. Make a thick batter by sieving the flour into a bowl with a little salt and whisking in most of the lager. Check the consistency before adding the remainder: it should be very thick like double cream. Dip one fillet into the batter and allow it to be coated thickly. Carefully place the fish in the hot oil, then repeat with the other fillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn the fillets over halfway through the cooking time. Remove the fish from the fryer or saucepan, drain and keep warm.

 Make sure the oil temperature is still at 180 C/ 350 F and return the chips to the fryer or saucepan. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain and season with salt and pepper before serving with the battered fish and tartar sauce.

My Carnelian Connection

The sensation of being off balance, warmth, swelling, weakness, and dizziness; these are just a few of the many feelings I experienced while meditating with and exploring my polished carnelian gemstone.

The process of exploration with a crystal is complex and requires intense focus and an open mind. Various methods of exploration will provide similar results, so my best advice is to experiment and determine what works best for you. My technique includes examining the stone with the naked eye, holding it tightly in my hands, and placing it on my chakra centres. The location of the stone during these stages of exploration is not necessarily important compared to the openness of one's mind and the ability to follow one's instinct when images or feelings arise within you. The effects you experience are personal and destined for you, so trust yourself and find comfort in what the stone is trying to tell you.

After closely examining every angle of the carnelian, an image stood out amongst the patterns created in the stone. My stomach seemed to drop slightly as the shape of a bird came into focus, causing me to realize that it was the sign I was meant to see. (Symbols can best be interpreted with the use of a dream dictionary.) Not only did images manifest, but there was also a noticable shift in color on one area of the stone.

Next, I proceeded to close my eyes and hold the stone in both hands to note any thoughts or feelings it invoked. While sitting as still as possible on a dining room chair, the results were discernable as dizziness, being off balance, weakness, and the sensation of being pricked in the arm. I wrote down these initial reactions and continued, only to experience more sensations in the form of warmth at the back of my neck and in the middle of my spine.

The energy field created between my chakra centres and a gemstone are generally the most powerful. While carefully holding the piece of carnelian at each of my seven chakras, I was able to experience the following:

Crown - A wave of intense emotion; the desire to cry

Third Eye - A mental image of two kissing birds

Throat - An ache or swelling sensation

Heart - The thought of going with one's instinct

Solar Plexus - A growing warmth spreading from the stone

Sacral - The urge to urinate

Base - Nothing

Now it is time to answer the obvious question. What does all this mean?! Interpreting the meaning of these thoughts and feelings is a very unique experience. Only you can know and understand what the stone is trying to say. I like to consult any book containing a crystal directory that will allow me to compare my results to interpretations that already exist. Upon doing so, I discovered a positive link between carnelian and its healing powers. It is said to heal lower back problems, hence the warmth that spread through my spine. It can regulate bodily fluids and the kidneys, hence my urge to urinate when placed on the sacral chakra. The stone helps people to trust themselves and their perceptions, hence the thought of going with one's instinct.

The connections are present because I opened my mind to them. The meanings I have obtained from this exploration will allow me to use my carnelian gemstone positively in the future. From healing to protection, it acts as means of balance and guidance in one's life. On any given day, the stone will give you a different message depending on your needs in that moment. Trust the stone, trust yourself, and you will lead a happier life!

The Beauty of Summer in Peaches and Carnelian

Nothing can represent the juiciness of summer like a fresh peach!

There are an ocean of recipes out there which include this delectable fruit, so I don't feel the need to add another. This is your opportunity to devour a peach (or many peaches for that matter) in whichever way suits your fancy. Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach ice cream, peach salsa, peach muffins, or an ice cold peach bellini...the possibilities are endless, so you decide!

My favorite way to consume a peach is the simplest and seems to provide the greatest satisfaction, plain and pure. There is no feeling like that of squeezing a peachy bosom to test its ripeness, carelessly sniffing between the crack, slicing through the velvet skin, effortlessly twisting the halves apart, and plucking out the pit as if it wasn't even attached in the first place. And that's not even the best part! Still to come is the undeniable pleasure of sinking one's teeth into that sweet, juicy flesh! The tummy will never go wrong with an appetite for fresh summer peaches!

The satisfaction we obtain from eating our favorite fruits, or foods in general, feeds not only our appetites, but also our spirits. Those of us who appreciate food in a greater respect than to simply fill our stomachs, understand the emotional, psychological, and spiritual comfort that it gives. For many household cooks and bakers, it acts as an escape from the hectic, everyday lives we lead and fulfills our carnal desire to create. If you feel the same about food as I do and believe in a higher power than what exists in this time and place, then we cannot deny the strong correlation between food and spirituality.

The taste of a fresh peach is a thrill for the senses, like the sight of a polished carnelian gemstone. Its striking peach hue is a perfect accompaniment to the fruit. Among the many spiritual interests I have come to acquire in the past year, crystals occupy a special place in my mind (although I still have oodles to learn about them). The complexity and energy that is contained in such structures can touch anyone who is open to their power. They evoke thoughts and feelings that seem unusual and off-the-wall in the moment, but in good time, the meaning behind them is astonishingly accurate and oftentimes spooky.

Crystals are used in many different ways, depending on the goal and purpose of the individual. Personally, I use them as a source of protection and healing energy, as well as a helpful focus on which to meditate. Many reading materials exist that describe the attributes of the various crystals available to us, however, all crystals have a different affect depending on the individual using them; just as no two humans are the same, neither are two crystals. Therefore, I believe it is extremely important for anyone interested in working with crystals to meditate and explore each and every stone in their possession in order to discover their purpose and connection to you.

Food has a purpose; it has a connection with us that runs deeper than physical need. It imparts a sense of happiness and peace within our minds and bodies. We believe in the power of food, just like we believe in the power of the spirit. Why not bring the two together and explore their effects on the human life?

After exploring my carnelian gemstone, I found some interesting correlations and connections. Wait for my next post to find out more!

Feel free to voice any questions or concerns about various gemstones and how to explore them.

My Supportive Hubby

After creating this blog two days ago and attempting to get everything up and running with my own substandard web designing skills, my wonderful hubby looked it over and gave me his opinion. He felt slightly confused by the focus and purpose of the blog (even though I haven't explained it yet). He was under the impression that spirituality and food don't really work well together. The last thing I wish to do is confuse any readers and I came to the conclusion that the idea was just a desire to write about my spirituality, as well as to include my second love of food.  

Ultimately, I need to start two separate blogs about each interest! 

My extremely supportive husband and I are currently brainstorming ideas for a food blog and we will be conducting some research on said ideas later today. I still wish to write about spirituality, but am unsure of the interest others would have in such a subject. Any feedback on my present dilemma would be welcomed and wonderful! 

I hope to have the result of our brainstorming online as soon as possible!  

Work In Progress...

Welcome to The Psychic Palate...A Spiritual Journey with Food!

Beginning my blog on Friday the 13th was probably not the best idea I have ever had, but I am here nonetheless. I am currently working on the structural format of the blog and will hopefully have the kinks sorted out in no time. 

My mind, body, and soul are bursting with excitement to get my first "official" post online! I will attempt to explain my reasons for starting this endeavor, my goals for its future, what I hope to give my readers (that is, if I can accumulate any), and a brief introduction into the blogger behind the blog, me. 

Stay tuned for endless possibilities....