What elements will you weave into the fabric of your life? It’s within our control to decide which experiences we’ll embed into our being and how we’ll handle the circumstances handed to us without our choosing. Consider the meaning of ‘absorb’ – to assimilate and incorporate into an existing whole. Reflect on this: what are you absorbing? An even more profound question to contemplate is the impact of these elements on your whole self. Keep in mind, you are that whole. Let mindfulness lead the way. We’ll explore methods to embody mindfulness, helping us discover inner peace.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now, without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will) being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way, (which you won’t).

Quote by: James Baraz

Mindfulness, also called wise attention helps us to see what we’re adding to our experiences not only during meditation sessions but also elsewhere.

Quote by: Sharon Salzberg

Mindfulness is allowing every moment to be a sacred one.

Quote by: Lisa Washington

A few ways you can practice is located in the video but here are some thoughts I would like to leave you:

1. Treat every moment as a cherished one. Sacred, in religious terms, refers to dedicating something to God, but it also encompasses what we hold dear and consider valuable. For me, time is sacred. The question then becomes what I choose to do with it and how I infuse the highest vibrational energy—love, which, as a Christian, I believe is embodied by God—into each moment. By integrating this into every aspect of my life, regardless of the circumstances, I find my peace.
2. Energy resonates with similar energy. I consciously choose the energy field in which I will operate each day. My experiences have taught me that it’s less about external occurrences and more about my internal state. Every morning, I begin by expressing gratitude: “Thank you, Lord, for waking me up.” Then, I affirm, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24), and conclude with, “Something amazingly awesome is going to happen to me today.” This ritual ushers me into a state of calm right from the start of my day.
3. Living is a practice. This is a life changer for me. Life is truly a practice. This mantra helps me to be gracious to myself and others. When I take a deep breath and say this out loud, especially in difficult times, here is where I return back to my calm.

I hope these mindful living practices will help you to find your calm and practice it each day. Until next time Remember to Live Well. Live Beautifully and Live You.

Now to good stuff. Functional Mocktails using adaptogens.

*NOTE! PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PRATICITIONER BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION OR SUPPLEMENT. ADAPTOGENS CAN AFFECT SOME MEDICATION AND NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WOMEN PREGNANT OR NURSING OR IF YOU HAVE UNDERLINE CONDITIONS. DO NOT MIX ADAPTOGENS SUCH

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

Adaptogenic herbs are nontoxic plants with gentle effects. However, some factors should be taken into consideration before you start consuming them.

They may react with other medications. If you’re taking prescribed medication, integrative health experts suggest talking with your doctor or consulting a naturopath or herbalist before adding any adaptogens into your routine. Your adaptogen of choice may react with the effects of your other medications.

They aren’t universally applicable. Don’t take an adaptogen just because your best friend took it—adaptogens can react differently from person to person, so research which one(s) could work best for your health. Further, consult your doctor or a knowledgeable health care professional if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or immunocompromised and considering taking adaptogenic herbs.

They are better in lower doses. Experts recommend ingesting adaptogenic herbs in small doses each day over the course of  six to 12 weeks (unless you’re directed otherwise by your doctor). Taking larger doses in a single sitting may result in adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches. SOURCE:FORBES

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are herbs, roots and other plant substances (like mushrooms) that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance after a stressful situation. People take adaptogens as herbal supplements in capsule form, drink them in teas or in a powder added to soups, smoothies and other foods.

Any kind of stress — physical, emotional, hormonal, and even things we eat and drink —affects the body’s systems. Experts believe that adaptogens interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which initiates your body’s stress response and plays a big role in keeping your body in balance.

Not all herbs work as adaptogens. To be considered an adaptogen, an herb or plant substance must:

1. Be nontoxic at normal doses
2. Support the entire body’s ability to cope with stress
3. Help the body return to a stable state

To read more: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/what-are-adaptogens-and-should-you-be-taking-them

Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing. You can take adaptogens by adding them to food or beverages or take them as tinctures. Adaptogens bring your body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens

The adaptogen I like to work with, their benefits and what you need to know.

Adaptogens are extracts from plants, herbs, mushrooms and spices (like turmeric, ginger root, holy basil, hemp seed oil, ashwagandha and  lavender) that can help us de-stress our skin and our senses.

LAVENDER ~ t is considered a mild sedative for nervousness, nervous exhaustion and insomnia and and also as an uplifting plant for depression. It is also known to be useful for headaches and as a digestive remedy. Source: Dreams Weavers Farm

VALERIAN ~ Historically, valerian was used to treat insomnia, migraine, fatigue, and stomach cramps. Today, valerian is promoted for insomnia, anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause symptoms, and headaches. Source: Mount Sinai

CHAMOMILE ~ Chamomile is famous for its ability to reduce anxiety and stress and gently make you relaxed and sleepy! It also works its soothing magic on your digestive system, helping with digestive discomfort. This is especially true for digestive issues caused by stress. Source: Zen Maitri

HOLY BASIL ~ Holy basil has been shown to have antidepressant and antianxiety properties similar to antidepressant drugs. Studies have shown that it can help people feel more social and less anxious. Holy basil has been shown to boost your body’s health in a variety of ways. It can help protect against infection, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, ease joint pain, and protect your stomach.

MACA ROOT ~ Maca is an adaptogenic herb, and something all adaptogens have in common is that they can help the body manage environmental stress, explains Dr. Shah. “Adaptogens have long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, but they’re experiencing a renaissance [in the West],” she says.

Clinical trials have shown that maca may positively impact energy and stamina. Maintaining positive energy levels can also help improve mood, and some early studies have even found that maca may reduce symptoms of depression. Source: Dr. Axe

MOCKTAIL LAVENDER FRENCH 75

• 1 cup of ice
• 2 oz Ritual Gin non alcoholic
• 1 oz Sparkling lemonade
• 1/2 oz squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz lavender simple syrup, by Portland
• 5 drops of Lavender extract
• Top off with Sparkling Water
• Garnish dried hibiscus leaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Chill the glasses: For best results, chill the glasses in the fridge.
2. Shake things up: Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Add gin, sparkling lemonade, lemon juice, lavender simple syrup and lavender extract. Shake vigorously.
3. Pour the bubbly: Pour into chilled glass and top off with Sparkling water.
4. Salute or cheers!
   

MOCKTAIL HIBISCUS AND CARDAMOM COSMO

What are non alcoholic spirits?

• Non alcoholic spirits are made the exact same way as alcoholic spirits but undergo one final step. In this step the alcohol is removed so they contain little to no alcohol at all. To know if you are buying non alcoholic spirits, look for an ABV (alcohol by volume) between 0% and 5%.

With Non Alcoholic Spirits

• Non Alcoholic Vodka: I use Seedlip Spice 94, it has a beautiful botanical flavor to it. Other varieties include Strykk, CleanCo, and Arkay (which I have not tested).
• Non Alcoholic Orange Liqueur: I use and recommend Lyre’s Orange Sec, it is the best alcohol free version I know of.
• Cranberry Juice: Use 100% juice not from concentrate and with no sugar added. Cranberry juice cocktail is not the same thing and it will make your mocktail super sweet and lacking in flavor.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed is the best. Bottled lime juices just do not cut it, BUT if you have to use bottled Santa Cruz Organics is the way to go.

• Tonic Water: I prefer Fever Tree tonic water because it is what I always have on hand. You can also use other neutral flavored or lime flavored carbonated beverages like mineral water, club soda, seltzer water, sparkling water, etc.
• Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed tastes the best (and you only need one squeezed orange). If you go for bottled orange juice, make sure it contains no pulp and is 100% orange juice not from concentrate.
• Cranberry Juice: see note above.
• Lime Juice: see note above.

INGREDIENTS:

With Non Alcoholic Spirits

• 1 ½ ounces non alcoholic vodka – Seedlip Spice 94 OR Rituals Gin or Vodka ( non alcoholic)
• ¾ ounce orange juice
• ¾ ounce blood orange sparkling soda
• 1 ounces hibiscus and cardamom syrup
• ¾ ounce cranberry juice; – 100% juice with no added sugar
• ½ ounce lime juice; – freshly squeezed (about a half lime)

Without Non Alcoholic Spirits

• 1 ½ ounces tonic water; – or neutral flavored mineral water, club soda, seltzer water, sparkling water.
• ¾ ounce orange juice; – freshly squeezed or no pulp with no added sugar
• ¾ ounce cranberry juice; – 100% juice with no added sugar
• ½ ounce lime juice; – freshly squeezed (about a half lime)

Optional Garnish

• 1 lime – twist* or wedge

INSTRUCTIONS:

Made With Non Alcoholic Spirits

• To a cocktail shaker, add the non alcoholic vodka or gin, non alcohol orange juice, blood orange soda, hibiscus and cardamom syrup cranberry juice, lime juice, and ice.
• Place top on cocktail shaker and shake 5 to 10 times. 
• Pour into martini glass and garnish with a lime twist* or wedge, as desired.

Made Without Non Alcoholic Spirits

• To a cocktail shaker, add the tonic water, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, and ice. 
• Place top on cocktail shaker and shake 5 to 10 times. 
• Pour into martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist* or wedge, as desired.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT ESPRESSO MARTINI MOCKTAIL

• 4 ounces Cacao Espresso Martini mix ( Modica) https://www.drinkmodica.com/
• 2 ounces heavy whipping cream
• 2 ounces simple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 droplet of maca root extract
• pinch salt
• cocoa powder – to rim glass
• coffee beans – for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

• Dip the rim of your martini glass into simple syrup and then cocoa powder. Set aside. 
• Into a cocktail shaker add ice, espresso mixture, heavy cream, simple syrup, vanilla extract, maca root extract and salt. 
• Shake vigorously for about a minute or so. Add a dollop of Torani’s Chocolate Hazelnut sauce to the bottom of the martini glass, pour the drink into two martini glasses and top with a few coffee beans and a drizzle of the chocolate hazelnut sauce

  Mocktails Adapted from Entirely Elizabeth. https://entirelyelizabeth.com/espresso-martini-mocktail/